Proverbs 22:1 A Good name

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. TO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

  My friend Sam sent me a Bible verse that rings so true I felt the leading to share. Proverbs 22:1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

   This is something that seems to have been lost in society. The Nike motto JUST DO IT!!  This started in 1988 and is still going today. So often it is taken to the extreme to "Just Do It" at all costs.

   A good name - years ago a man's word and a handshake was a deal.  Today .... well ........ Yeah!

   We can look around and see many places where a persons "good name" is not as important as the end result.  You know--- I want it and I'm going to get it no matter what."

   Politicians will lie or stretch the truth; athletes play the blame game; adults are not always truthful with their children, family or friends.  

   Who cares about their name?  When I grew up my parents had 2 businesses and stressed how I should behave because it would have a direct reflection on them and the businesses.             Soooo, I was a "good" boy growing up. Yeah! I kind of swayed in adult life until I had a relationship with Jesus, but the name was important.

  I hope my rambling relates to someone out there. Thank you for reading. Below are the first 4 verses of Proverbs 22: 

A good name is more desirable than great riches;

    to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

2 Rich and poor have this in common:
    The Lord is the Maker of them all.

3 The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

4 Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor and life.

  I hope this helps you or someone you can share with. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you have your affairs in order? 2 Kings 20:1-6

 Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

    Does the Bible talk about our affairs being in order?  Yes, in 2 Kings 20:1-6. (click scripture to read)

The last post I asked if you were a Saul or a David.  Well, David did not have his affairs in order, yet, when he realized his sins he would return to God and ask for forgiveness.

  David's house was completely out of order.  He had an affair with Bathsheba, murdered her husband, a son raped his daughter, another son killed the rapist, then 2 sons plotted to take over the kingship from David of which he ran for his life once. His house was definitely out of order. Did David try to correct any of these. Only the murder did he ask for givenness.  All others he seemed to turn the blind eye.

 Yet he was a man after God's heart.  Why?  Because he knew where his strength, wisdom, all he had came from --- GOD!!!

   So does the Bible speak to our house being in order and what will happen if we get it in order?

  Well, in 2 Kings 20, Hezekiah became ill and looked as if he was going to die.  God sent a prophet, Isaiah, to tell him to get his house in order.  So what did Hezekiah do? (Read the scriptures above)

  In Verse  2 Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord.  verse 3 ............... Hezekiah wept bitterly.

   Hezekiah did the same as David, he turned to God, asked forgiveness, let tears flow and so what did God do?

   God told Isaiah, the prophet, to go to Hezekiah, tell him what to do ( please read scriptures above) and then added 15 years to his life.

   If we are in line with God he will take care of us.  Maybe not add 15, 5, 20 or more years to our lives, but HE WILL TAKE CARE OF US!  Praise God for being so loving, forgiving, and faithful to us.

   Thank you for reading today. Let us all get our affairs in order and praise God for all we have. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you come back to God after you sin?

 Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

STAY BLESSED MY FRIEND!!

   There were great kings in the Bible that were great warriors, I want to mention 2 that you are probably very familiar with.  These two were Saul and David.

   You can read about these stories in 1 Samuel 9 and if you follow it on to 1 Kings 2 you will get the complete story of both.

   What was the difference between the two?  When they both became Kings they were great warriors.  Saul first and killed many, UNTIL, Goliath came on the scene. Then no one would go up against Goliath until a little shepherd boy came to the scene.

  After David killed Goliath, he was an honored warrior in King Saul's army plus playing music to soothe Saul.  All went well until Saul heard the women singing about him killing thousands and David killing 10's of thousands.  Now Saul was chosen by God as was David.

   When Saul heard the women singing he became jealous of David, well, you know the story.  So what is the kicker.

   Saul committed sins, then did not take the responsibility for it and played the blame game.

   David committed sins, and when he realized he turned straight to God and asked forgiveness.  Saul's disobedience to God and jealousy of David lead to his rejection by God.  You can read this in 1 Samuel 13, 15, and 18.

   David wrote about half of the Psalms, however,  Psalm 23 and Psalm 51 express his prayers, sins, and praise to God.  

  So what am I trying to say here.  Saul was a man of God who became disobedient and did not claim his sins.  David was a man of God who sinned, then claimed the sin, asked forgiveness and was a man after God's heart.

   I reflect on this and look back at myself.  Have I sinned and blamed others; OR, sinned and asked God's forgiveness?  Where do you stand my friend?

   We can ask ourselves the question am I a "Saul" or a "David"?  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Can't please everyone - Luke 7:33-34

 Good afternoon everyone from Monticello, Illinois. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

   Do you remember meeting people who are always negative?  You say the sky is blue and they will say it is hazy white; The grass is green, no- it has a blueish tint. You know what and who I am talking about.

   Well, don't feel alone, it was the same way in Jesus' time.  John the Baptist was ridiculed; Jesus was ridiculed; and then the apostles later were ridiculed.

  They had the Pharisees and the Sadducees who were really the negative, angry, and a non-accepting group who would stir up other Jews to their way of thinking.

  GUESS WHAT?  Today we have politicians, woke community, radical Islamic, and all the other organizations that yell at the Christians because they are racist, arrogant, and closed mined. Plus, they stir up other people.   Wait......what?  

   If we teach, preach, or talk about some things in the Bible we are wrong, some say it is hate speech.  Let's look at what Luke says in Chapter 7, verses 33-34:

   33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’

  Oh yes, look at this.  John the Baptist was called a demon. Jesus (Son of Man) would eat and drink with tax collectors, sinners and considered a glutton and a drunkard.  Hmmmm!

   People will do or say anything to appease themselves and their way of thinking.  Let me know what you think. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

Jeremiah 42- Listen to God or disobey God - your choice

 Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Jeremiah, the weeping prophet would speak to the people, tell them what God says.  So what happens?  They beat him, put him in prison, and listen to what God tells him, yet disobey what God has passed on through Jeremiah.

   Jeremiah's heart hurt for the people.  They would ask him to speak to God and see what they needed to do, then do what they wanted to do.  Completely disobeying or ignoring what God has said.

   How often do we do this in our life?  You may not hear from God orally, out loud, but you know he is talking to you.  Yet, what do you do?  Just like the commercial of the 60's -- "Mother (in this case Father), please, I would rather do it myself."

   And how does that work out for you.  Often we are in God's favor and do something that later on when we look back we can see God's hand in the mix. HE takes care of us, in spite of our bullheadedness or ignorance.

  Here is Jeremiah 42 if you care to read it. Takes a minute or maybe 2 to read.

God told Jeremiah not to marry and to give his (God's) word to the people.  They would listen to Jeremiah and ignore and become angry because he did not tell them what they wanted to hear. (Some churches today tell you what makes you feel good, run, go to a church that tells the truth).

   We are not much different today.  Take time today to share the word of God with someone; to spend time with God; let the Holy Spirit lead; and then praise God for all he has done in your life.

  Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Exodus 4: 24 Why did God plan to kill Moses?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time.  All the time God is good.         TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!!

   We are not always doing God's will.  As humans we stray often, however, when we do and realize it, pray, ask forgiveness and praise God for his favors.

   Moses thought he could argue God down.  Give excuses,  what if the people don't believe me that you (God) spoke to me.  Then God gave him 2 examples to show - casting down his staff, then hand was leprous 

   Well, you know I don't speak well. At this point God's was angered and told him his brother Aaron was on his way to meet him and he could speak for him.

    We all see Moses as this great savior of the Jews, the Hebrews, but the back story is not all rainbows and unicorns.  His life was saved by this wife. Look at

EXODUS 4: 24 At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him. 25 But Zipporah took a flint knife, cut off her son’s foreskin and touched Moses’ feet with it. “Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me,” she said. 26 So the Lord let him alone. (At that time she said “bridegroom of blood,” referring to circumcision.)

    Why was God going to kill Moses?  Because he violated the foundational covenant God made with Abraham and did not circumcise his son.

   What is a flint knife?   A sharp stone blade made from flint rock that were used specifically to perform ritual

circumcisions.  

  When she touched his "feet" many scholars say she touched his genitals with the foreskin.

     Then by calling him the "bridegroom of blood" Moses' life was saved by the blood of the circumcision.

  After Zipporah saved Moses' life he met Aaron, told him was God had said and then they went to the elders, told them and they believed.

   QUESTION:  What would have happened if Zipporah had not saved Moses' life?  Would Aaron have taken over? Did God have a plan B?  Speculation is fun; however, it all happened just the way God wanted it. 

 Praise God.  

    Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

GRACE - 1 Samuel/2 Samuel

 Good afternoon to everyone.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH NO EFFORTS OF YOUR OWN!!!

   We all know about David in the Bible.  A lot goes on in the books of Samuel. However, I just wanted to mention 1 little item that relates to GRACE.

   David was hated by Saul, but loved by Saul's son Jonathan.  David and Jonathan made a pact or covenant to take care of each other and their families.

   Well, Saul and Jonathan were killed in a battle.  Jonathan had a son, Mephiboseth, who was crippled.

  Once Saul and Jonathan were both killed David became King of Israel. Then King David asked if any of Saul's family was still living.  Now you have to understand that in these ancient times when a new king came in he usually ordered all rivals and family of the old king to be killed.

   When David found out about Mephiboseth he had him brought to him.  Mephiboseth lived in hiding, fear of what may happen..

   Because of the covenant David had with Jonathan (Saul's son) he told Mephiboseth that he would be eating from King David's table and all of Saul's families land would be given back to him.

   Instead of death, GRACE was given.  God sent his son, Jesus, who died for our sins, and through GRACE we are saved and given eternal life.

   GRACE is a gift that is unearned, freely given, and a present to all of us IF we choose to accept it.  So, what are you going to do with this present?  We should be sharing it with the whole world and telling people the good news.

   Can we be like Jesus?  The more we study, the more we share, the closer we come to being like Jesus.  Just spread the word.  Thanks for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

johnny

The Linen Belt - Jeremiah 13

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

  Reading Jeremiah 13 made me think of us in America and the peoples around the world.  Are we as the linen belt God told Jeremiah to get in chapter 13?

  God told Jeremiah to buy a linen belt and put it around his waist but let no water touch it.  Then he told him to go to Perath and hide the belt there in the rocks. In ancient days Perath was the Euphrates River.  

    Then many days later (we don't know how many) God told Jeremiah to return to Perath and retrieve the linen cloth.  Now by this time the linen cloth was ruined and completely useless.  This is what God is saying about Judah and the pride of Jerusalem.

   While reading this I could not help but think about us in the USA and people around the world.  Are we close to God or becoming completely useless as the linen belt (cloth)?  I have to soul search--am I a good linen belt or worthless linen belt?

   God wants us to be his people of praise and honor to HIM.  Are we doing this or are we walking with 1 foot in the world and 1 or maybe 1/2 foot in the spiritual world?   Do you, do I serve God daily?  OR, just Sunday and maybe Wednesday but live like hell the rest of the time?  Time for soul searching for me as I read this.  What about you?  Where do you stand?  Food for thought.  

   If you have time it only takes a minute or two to read the link above of Jeremiah 13.  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace.

Johnny

What do you do if you see a wrong or disagree with the current happenings?

 Good morning all and a happy Sunday to you. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

  Do you ever have a time or have seen times when action should have been taken, yet it was not?  Do we just take action carnally or spiritually?

  God wants us to do what is right. First, we SHOULD consult Him, however, the knee jerk response is to do it ourselves. 

   Do bad things follow when we do wrong and fail to ask forgiveness?  I was thinking about David.  He committed adultery, committed murder, then what happened.

   A prophet came to him and basically set him straight.  David asked for forgiveness, BUT, he still suffered the consequences of his sin(s).

   First, the baby with Bathsheba died, then a son raped a daughter -- when David found out about this he did nothing. So, what happened then?

   Then a son, Absalom, whose sister, Tamar, had been raped by his half brother, he then killed the half-brother Ammon (2 Samuel 13)

  Ansalom fled and went to Geshur.  The saga continues from here.  The point I am getting to is that when David heard about Tamar being raped by Ammon he was furious, yet did nothing.  Absalom waited 2 years before he enacted revenge on Ammon.

   When there is a wrong, are we to just sit by and do nothing?  This is what David did!!!  How often do we sit and complain about the government, the woke movement, the LBGTQ+ movement, yet we do nothing.

   We ask, well what can I do, I am only one person.  We can pray, share the good news of Jesus, write to the authorities over us, and speak up if you see a wrong.  

   That is a tough decision, however, if we let the Holy Spirit lead we can be heard.  Thank you for trying to follow in my ramblings today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

All this came from Abram (Abraham)

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. HE HAS RISEN, INDEED, CHRIST HAS RISEN!!!

   As I read the Bible and listen to research commentaries on the Bible I find the more I know, then I find out the less I really knew.  Enjoy the Bible, and how it is all intertwined and works out.

   Take Abraham and Sarah (Abram and Sarai originally).  Genesis 12 Abram is told by God: "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

  Abram aka Abraham goes through several situations on his way before he has any children.  He and Sarah are past child bearing age and God told him he would be a great nation.  Soooo, the human side took charge and Sarah said take my maidservant, Hagar, and have a child. Abraham did and at 86 years old he fathers Ishmael.  And from here there are problems.  Then at 100 Abraham fathers Isaac.

   Problems are created here as you would imagine. Ishmael has been an only child for 14 years and then along comes this baby, Isaac, who gets the attention now.

  Well Ishmael and Isaac grow up. Ishmael has 12 sons and they are a nomadic tribe. Isaac has 2 sons.  Isaac's son Jacob had 12 sons and Jacob's name changed to Israel.  One son, Joseph, was a dreamer and Jacob's favorite.

   When Joseph was sent to check on his brothers, the brothers plotted against him and put him in a dry cistern.  Then along came some Ishmaelites and Midianites.  Joseph was pulled out of the cistern (well) and sold for 20 pieces of silver (have you heard 20 pieces of silver before).

   Now, what is interesting to me is that all these people originated from father Abraham.  The Ishmaelites were descendants of Ishmael, a son from Hegar; and the Midianites were descendants of Midian, a son of Abraham from wife Keturah.

  All this comes together for the Ishmaelites to buy Joseph and then sell him to Potiphar in Egypt, one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard.  And the wheel continues to spin.  

   I did find this very interesting how this all comes together, they are all related even though they are not aware of it.  All coming from Abraham and his sons, down to Joseph and it keeps going.  

   Wow!  What a wonderful book to read and study, God's word. Amen? Amen!!!

Thank you for enduring this lesson I learned just today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

p.s. I hope you found this as interesting as I did!!

Israel did evil before God; God went silent for 400 years

 Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!

  MALACHI - the last book and prophet of the old testament.  God is speaking to Malachi and God does most of the talking.  It starts out in Chapter 1 of God saying He loved Jacob yet hated Esau. Then we get to verse 6 and God talks about a son honors his father, a slave his master, but where, O Israel is their honor to God? He talks about defiling the food for His (God's) altar.  Giving blemished or lame animals instead of the perfect animal.

   Chapter 2 God admonishes the priests. God says He will send a curse on them because their hearts are set to not honor God.  Also, because of them God will rebuke their descendants.

    God speaks to the unfaithfulness of Judah and that there will be a day of judgment.

   Chapter 3 God will come to offer judgment and testify against sorcerers, adulterers, and perjurers, those who defraud laborers of their wages, ones who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, yet they do not fear God.

  God says He does not change, and because of this (covenant) the descendants of Jacob are not destroyed.  God says:" Chapter 3: verse 7 "

Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them.  Return to me and I will return to you".  Verse 18 God says: "And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not."

  Chapter 4 gives us the Day of the LORD.  Tells of Christ's return, you can read it below:

Malachi 4 “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. 3 Then you will trample on the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty.

4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

  After this there was a 400 year gap of God being silent until John the Baptist and Jesus was coming about.  If you have a chance to read all of Malachi, a very short book, you will see the anger come forth from God because of the unfaithful and  lack of gratitude of the people.

Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Jeremiah 1:5-9

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. YOU ARE BLESSED INDEED!

  Does God really know who I am?  We need to remember Jeremiah 1: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

What does God say? He knew us before he formed us, we are set apart (Christians), however, we may not be a prophet but He does want us to go into all the world and spread the good news.

   When called to do so we may have excuses as in Jeremiah 1: 6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young (or old).”

   This first one is an excuse many will  say we don't know how to speak or know enough scripture to talk to people. Also, we use age, some say they are too young and no one will listen. Some say they are too old and no one listens to old people. So, how does God react to this?

   God comes right back to us ( you and me) and says in 

Jeremiah 1: 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young (or old).’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

    So what happens now?  What should I do? 

 Jeremiah 1: 9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.

   God will lead us.  We just have to be open to His leading by the Holy Spirit.  I pray that God leads you and me to tell at least one person about God, Jesus today.  May God be with you and grant you God's speed in sharing the gospel with others.

    4 things to remember:  1) God initiates;   

2) Your value comes from God's choice, not your accomplishments;  

3) God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called; 

4) God promises His presence, NOT an easy path.

  Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

How do you deal with people? Like Jesus? Paul? Timothy?

 Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

SAVED BY FAITH, NOT BY WORKS!! AMEN!!!

   It is important we follow Jesus' example as well as Paul's.  Jesus dealt with people in a loving and kind way, UNTIL, they were contrary to God's ways.

  Jesus often would answer a question with a question and He (Jesus) did not get angry UNLESS it was spurred on my evil.

  Look at Matthew 23: 13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. [14] 

15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.

If you notice verse 14 is left out of most Bibles. Here is verse 14 in the NKJV 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers.  Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.

 Jesus dealt harshly with people who went against God's laws or His will.  However, when dealing with regular people He (Jesus) dealt with them in a kind and humble way, winning them over to "The Way".

  While we live and travel on this earth we have to be faithful and true to what we believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 23: 27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

  There are plenty of antichrists in the world today. Some in the pulpits, many on social media as "influencers", and some in famous positions (movie stars, athletes, tv). Yes, what they say sounds "good" at the time, but we MUST WEIGH IT AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD!

We have to stand our ground and say to them as Jesus said to Peter just before His crucifixion (whenPeter said he would die for Christ and never deny Him):  Matthew 16:  23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 

  We should not tolerate evil and be bold enough to say what Jesus said to Peter. When Paul was dealing with people he would look for the positive and appeal to their (the peoples) knowledge and common sense.  Also, he taught Timothy to do likewise and told Timothy to not shy away because of his age.  Just go forth boldly and share God's word.  

  How do you share the Word of God with others?  Don't stay in your little cocoon and be afraid to tell others because you might "offend them".  If you don't share the word of God with others when the Spirit nudges you, them by your silence you are, in essence saying, "you can go to hell".  Think about the result if you don't tell them. Just plant a seed, you are not the savior, just a worker who plants seeds and shares God's word.

  Thank you for tolerating me in my rambling and thoughts. Love y'all more than you know.  I would love to hear back from you and how you are doing or if I may pray for you.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you guilty of.............---Unfortunately I am 1 Thessalonians 5:17

 Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

HE IS RISEN, INDEED, HE HAS RISEN!!!

   I have realized in the past, but it really hit me today. I do pray for people, put people on my prayer list and then what?  Yep, I put it on the shelf or in my special carrying case and only look at it 2 or 3 times a week.

  Is that what God wants us to do? Okay, I'll pray with you now and then again when I see you; OR, should I keep this on my pray list and pray over you and others each day.

   I fail to take the time, just a 10 minute period each day to STOP and PRAY!  

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 Rejoice always, 

17 pray continually, 

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

   Romans 12: 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

    And God says in Jeremiah 33: 3 ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

  Please understand, this does not mean we need to speak out loud 24 hours a day.  It simply means keeping an ongoing conversation or connection with God as we go through the day.

   We need to keep our hearts tuned in and turned toward God and we can silently pray while walking, driving, working, or just relaxing.

  For me, I need to take at least 10 minutes during the day to just stop, go over my prayer list, and spend time with God.

   Not just giving out things (ordes) for God to do (if it be His will) but also to give thanks for all HE has done for me and others.

    Being humble, patient, and listening to God does not always come easy, but it is important for me to do.

  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Unite in the Spirit by Dr. Charles Stanley - 1996

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

I listened to this sermon and I felt it was worth sharing as it did touch me.  I am putting it in the link below:

   Dr. Charles Stanley 1996 

Thank you for being patient with me and may your day be wonderfully blessed.  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

As Christians we are held to higher standards!!!

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!

   Jo Anne and I pulled up a sitcom which we thought would be funny, and it is. However, some of the terminology they use can make your hair blow back.  The language is very suggestive and sometimes slightly obscene.

  The sitcom is Mike and Molly when they first met.  We were watching and WOW!

We did not know they had such suggestive language.  This stimulated my thoughts about me, my family, others, and the words that come out of our mouths.

  Also, this has been sitting on my heart for a few days. So here we go..........

   Here are some scriptures that you can read and mull over.

Ephesians 4: 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 5: 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Colossians 3: 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Exodus 20: 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

 

I found these verses and they did really slap me across my mouth.  I feel like I have been guilty of all these one time or another.  How about you?  Thankfully, God forgives us and it is time to walk the straight and narrow.

   Thank you for reading with me today. Love Y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

Rewards! Are you storing up rewards for heaven?

 Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

In our world, our societies today we work for rewards.  Football national championships, superbowl, state championships. Baseball world series; basketball championships, and then we have personal rewards.

   I am great at what I do and need to be rewarded!!  ALL Children  get rewards-win or lose! Music, Writing, Singing, Sports - - we all want rewards.

  This is not all bad, unless it takes the place of working for our rewards when we get to heaven.  If I work solely to get MY PRAISES!  If I work for people to say "LOOK AT HIM/HER, WISH I COULD BE LIKE THAT".  

   The Bible tells us in Matthew that if we work for our rewards on earth so everyone will notice we have our reward.  

     If we walk as the Pharisee who stood on the corner, full of pride and self-righteousness we are getting our reward at that time as all the people see.

  However, if we are as the woman who gave 2 mites, which was all she had, we show our love, faith, and commitment to the Living God. Check the attitude of both. Hmmm!

Matthew 6: 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

  However, if we work for the kingdom of God and quietly go about God's work then we will get our rewards.

   Matthew 6: 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

  Matthew 5: 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

   

   Look in the mirror, ask yourself, where am I today?  Wanting rewards here and now? OR -- building rewards for the trip to heaven?

  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

In time of need--who do you turn to? 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Psalm 118:14

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. GOD

 IS FAITHFUL AND WILL CARRY US THROUGH.

How often do we think "what's the use"  or "it just does not matter" or maybe "why try, nothing goes right"?

  We, as humans, try to do it all OURSELVES, and either don't ask for help or just plain refuse help.  WHY???

  We have a faithful partner, brother, and caretaker who is always at our side. He is a gentleman, will not push himself on you, but all we have to do is ask.  But will we??

   I trust my wife, family and friends, however, at some time they will let me down as will I let them down.  There is one who is faithful always and will not let you or me down.  His name is Jesus.  So often we forget to call on his name, spend time letting Him show us the way, then we wonder why things went wrong. Hmm!!

1 Thessalonians 5: 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will continue to be faithful.

  When we feel we can't go on there is one who gives us the strength and will carry us through.  Who??  Yes, you know it -- JESUS!!!  Jesus is there to give us strength, protect us, and deliver us

.  Talk to someone who has had tragedy in their family and ask them how they got through it.  Talk to someone who has had an addiction and ask them how they were able to get through it.    Talk to someone who has struggled or is struggling and ask them how they were able to manage to get through it.  The answer will be the same most of the time -- JESUS!!

 

Psalm 118: 14 The LORD is my strength and protector, for he has become my deliverer.

   Remember friend, when things look down, just LOOK UP,  Jesus is there to help you, deliver you and He is always faithful.

  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Worry, Anxiety - We should not, but........What does the Bible say?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time.  DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, TODAY HAS ENOUGH WORRIES.

   Worry and anxiety do grip all of us at one time or another.  When things in this world happen, we should try to look at them from a neutral position.  When it happens to someone you are close to that is difficult.

  Recently, (yesterday) my wife had a "minor" eye surgery.  Nothing big, just something to correct a "minor" situation.  When we are coming home and then while at home she is having splitting headaches.

  Yes, I am more than concerned, yet there is nothing I can do except be there and support her if she needs something.  Did I worry?  YES!

  I told my daughters it was minor and they did pray. Told my insurance lady and she prayed, friends prayed, I prayed; this gives encouragement, yet the anxiety in me remained.  It is hard not to.  I had trouble going to sleep. Then I finally did and she was in the bedroom, dark, and resting.  Then up until early a.m..

   She left me a sweet note, and I checked on her at 4 a.m. to make certain she was okay.  She was in bed, breathing and asleep.  Whew!!! I feel better. Then I thought about what God tells us, after, yes, afterwards.  Here is what HE says:

Philippians 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

   1 Peter 5: 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

   Matthew 6: 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

   I realize it is human nature to worry, but then I need to come back to the Bible to regain the encouragement.  How often I forget.  Thank you for listening to my story today. My wife is okay and I am relieved. Thank you Jesus.

   Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Is God talking to you and you are not listening?

 

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  DO YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU?

  You hear people say "God spoke to me"  or "God laid it on my heart" or "God gave me the vision" or many other things people say.  How do we know if God is speaking to us or is it our imagination, our own personal wants, or to gain us attention?

  We can hear God through various ways.  Prayer, scripture reading/study, or personal quiet meditation and talking with God.

   I am guilty of saying-- "God laid it on my heart".  How do I know?  Recently a situation came up and someone needed help.  I felt like I should do something (laid on my heart) so I called my pastor, explained the situation, he concurred and said follow through.  To me that was confirmation that this was God speaking to me and not just my want for acclamation or attention.

  Then when we assisted this person, they were very appreciative and I just felt (don't always go by emotion) it was God's hand.  However, by seeing the reaction I knew God was involved.

   I knew a lady once that said a man, a neighbor, told her that God told him they should get married.  Her response was don't you think if that were so God would have spoken to me also?  I thought this was a great response.

   Some people will tell us what God told them just to further themselves or put a feather in their cap.  Take time today to read some scripture, mediate, and talk to God. Listen to what God says and has in store for you.

     Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny