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

Commandment #4

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Today, do commandment #4

1 is no other Gods before God.

2 is no idols

3. is watch your words

4. is YOU ARE TO KEEP THE SABBATH DAY HOLY!!!!!

May this be the day you are able to relax and enjoy what the LORD has done for you and remember HIM in all you do.

   Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Timothy 6:6-10 What is most important to you?

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

  So often we worry about where we are, what is going to happen, our finances, our lives, our children/grandchildren and tend to forget what is really important.

   So what is really important to you?  Money?  Auto?  Home? Children/family? or is GOD number 1?  Listen to what Timothy tells us.

  1 Timothy 6: 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

         Here are some questions to ponder and answer!

  What is great gain? __________  What did you bring into this world?________ What happens when we want to get rich?_____

Is this a trap?______  Where does it lead?______ What is the true root of evil?_______  When that ($$$) is our love this leads us to what?_____

   I heard this early in the A.M. and thought about us, Americans, and as a whole what is important to us as a nation!!  OR to you personally????

                    GOD  or STATUS ?????

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

 

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Be a servant to the Living God!! Learn the ten commandments with hand signs!!

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

  Okay, for the last "10" days I have been going through the 10 commandments. Click on this link to get a clue of how to remember the commandments.

   Today I was listening and studying about being a servant for the Living God. In Matthew 20:26-28 just  Jesus says: "......whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wa28nts to be first must be your -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

   We can only serve one master.  Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

  So often in our society it is all materialistic, money, and status.

  If we do what God tells us to do, are obedient, pray, read and study our Bible, share the gospel then Jesus will say in

  John 15:15 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

   Today, be a servant to 1 person, or 2 or many. Share what God has done for you; OR, if nothing else share a smile or a positive word.  It is easy to say hello to someone, when they smile and respond just tell them they have a nice smile.  That little bit may give their day a positive direction.

   Be Jesus in the flesh today. Love y'all. Thanks for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment # 10 - Coveting

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

  Commandment # 10 is about coveting.  To covet, according to Webster, is to intensely want something that someone else has.  Deuteronomy 5: 21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

   This is pretty clear about coveting.  Basically, I want what you have and I may do anything necessary to get it.   Your wife is better, your house and land are better, the servants are great--- I want it all.

   Also, to me, when this says his ox or donkey, they were the transportation and work horse of the ancient world.  I am guessing that would be like our automobiles and machinery today.

   Satan likes to tempt us by seeing what someone else has and then we start thinking. Hmmm, that would be nice to have.  Whoa up there turbo!  Be content with where you are and what you have. 

 Look at Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

  We need to remember this.  Also, Paul tells us to be content is all circumstances, he has been in need and has had plenty- Philippians 4:11-12.

  Look around, are you content with where you are?  This is a great lesson for me today as the past 3 weeks many things have needed repaired or replaced at my home and it does cost money to repair/replace.  However, God has me in His hands and all is well.  

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #9 Do not bear false witness

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

GOD IS GOOD, GOD IS GREAT, GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

   Here is the 9th Commandment.  “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

   What exactly does this mean?  The main meaning of this is about honesty, integrity, and being of good character.  Also, it deals with gossiping and not knowing the whole story.

   I once heard about a man who had a serious accident, then one of the neighbors said "he was probably drinking and under the influence of alcohol."  Huh?  Because the man might have an alcoholic beverage occasionally does not mean he had been drinking or under the influence.  This was an assumption or we can label it under GOSSIP!

   If you are not there, you don't see or know the complete story, then why repeat or assume something.  That is false witness.

   In law, if you see something, then you tell me, and I go to court and repeat what you told me it is considered "HEAR SAY" and not valid.  Think about that for a moment.  Well, I heard.........STOP..... do not repeat what you heard, know the facts before spouting off as if you know everything.  Food for thought.

 Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #8 Stealing

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  A WONDERFUL DAY TO BE ALIVE IN JESUS CHRIST!!!

   Stealing.  Text in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Often we don't think of different things as stealing.  If at a retail store and they ring up an item that was listed at, oh, say $20 and they ring it up as $5 and you notice.  Do you say something, or mark it up to the error of the cashier?

   If you give $10 for an item that cost $3.78 and they give you change for a $20---do you say something? (you get $16 back instead of $6)

   At work do you take things that are there for company use only or do you take some home for personal use?  Let's say a ream of paper, or markers for the white board.  Is this stealing?

   Here is the big one.  Do you spend hours surfing the internet or watching facebook, or creating a tik tok video instead of spending time with God?  Is that stealing?

  Food for thought for today.  Am I stealing time from God?  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #7 Adultery

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

  As in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18 "You are not to commit adultery."

And what does this mean? It means we are not to go to another for sex when you or they are married.   Proverbs 6:27-29 tells us not to "go into" another man's wife and if he does he will not go unpunished.

 Jesus coined more than just the act. 

 In Matthew 5: 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

  So, if a man sees a beautiful woman, or if a woman sees a handsome man, the thoughts that resonate with us should be "he/she is a beautiful person" and not a lustful thought.

   I heard a preacher one time talk about this and he had trouble with lust, prayed about it, then one day he felt that God told him it is okay to see the beauty, and he need not lust.  After that he commented that he could see a beautiful woman for her beauty and the lustful thoughts did not come.

   I feel this is where we all should be, seeing the beauty God has created, whether it be man, woman, earth, skies, or whatever, just see the beauty.  Thanks for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #6

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

  The 5th commandment is very clear.  "You shall not commit murder."  So some people say that the military who go to war commit murder.  This commandment is not referring to war; it refers to intentionally or even accidentally killing someone.

  This could be using a weapon, a blunt object, car, rock, or anything used to attack a person.  Exodus 20: 13 “You shall not murder.

  Deuteronomy 5:17 “You shall not murder.

Webster says murder is: the unlawful and malicious or premeditated killing of a person.  

  Jesus tells us that our thoughts, as in adultery, if we look at someone with lustful intent we have already committed adultery in our heart. Would this be the same for murder?  If I want someone "taken" out in my mind, am I committing murder, since it is in my heart?

  Just food for thought.  Do you remember the 7th commandment?  Coming tomorrow. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #6

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  WE ARE TRULY BLESSED WITH ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN!!!!

   In today's world I hear of so many people who are estranged from family members.  Sons not speaking to dad's or mom's and vice versa. Daughters who have completely turned away from parents, siblings, and family.  Why?  What is going on?

   The 5th commandment says "Deuteronomy 5:16 You are to honor your father and your mother, just as the LORD your God commanded you, so that your life will be long and things will go well for you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." 

  The evil one is prowling and creating havoc where he can.  Telling lies or twisting the truth just as he did in the garden.  And why is it so easy to believe a lie faster than we believe the truth?

    Some people grew up in a "fairy tale world" where the parents never divorced, the children had what they needed, and all were in a safe, protected, Christian environment conducive to growing up to be healthy, productive adults.

   On the other hand, some people grew up in a world of constant chaos, arguing, fighting, bitterness, and not knowing God.  Alcohol, drugs, fighting was the norm and those grew up with the odds against them.  I know some who overcame the adverse world, and then some who continued with the same chaos as adults.

   Read that again: You are to honor your father and your mother, just as the LORD your God commanded you, so that your life will be long and things will go well for you
    It is sad that many many people do not adhere to the commandments God, our Father in heaven, has given us.  Food for thought: Did you honor your father and mother?  Do your children honor you?  If not, why?  And can it be rectified?  If your children do honor you, Hallelujah!

Hmmmm!  Thank you for reading with me today.  May these words be a stimulant to you in a positive way. If you know someone in need, offer them your hand but don't fall into the quagmire they are in. Just lift them up, give them hope.  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #4

 Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. PRAISE GOD, OUR LIVING GOD!!!

   Well, the 4th commandment is "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy".

The first 4 commandments deal with how we relate to God.Today is that special day, July 12th, a SUNDAY, the day of which we, Christians, keep God's day special.

   Many will be mowing the lawn, fishing, golfing, driving, working at home or a job-- which is okay IF they know Jesus as their savior.

   However, some will say I commune with God when I am ..............!  I am not in a place to judge, but the Bible tells us where 2 or 3 are gathered IN MY NAME, there am I among them. Matthew 18: 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

   Also, in the new testament in Hebrews 10:25 we, as believers are to  

25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

  So, let's keep today Holy and worship God.  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Graace

Johnny