Does your "WORK" bring glory to GOD?

 Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Do others see Jesus in you?  Hmmmmm!

  As Christians often we get consumed by the "world" and do not allow the Jesus in us to show.  When you are at work, lunch, on the street, at the mall, in your car, does your actions and talk show JESUS?  Does it bring glory to GOD?  If not, why?

   Well, I don't enjoy my job but it makes me a living.  CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE!

The people I work with are not nice people.  ARE YOU A NICE PERSON TO THEM?

The work load is more than I can handle.  TALK TO SOMEONE, ASK FOR ASSISTANCE!

   There are many more excuses we can give, BUT, the point is, we should live every day by our actions and what we say to bring glory to God.

  But you just don't understand..........  Quit making excuses, open your Bible, spend time in prayer, and when your attitude changes and others see the JESUS in you, they, too, will change.

  1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do (work), do it all for the glory of God."

    1 Peter 4:11 "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.  If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory and the power for ever and every. Amen.

 Jesus speaking:  John 15:8 "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."

  So, my friend, may you search your heart and soul and see if you are working for the glory of God, or, just surviving in the world.

  Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

John 1:1-2 Who is Jesus? Is Jesus real?

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

   So Dear Friend, How are you in your life today?  Fleshly or Spiritually?

So often I do believe that we take Jesus, if you will, for granted.  He is just a picture on the wall, a man that we really don't know, symbolized by a cross, blood, crown of thorns, a book of history called the Bible, and other such things.  Plus, is there really a God?

   Well,  Jesus is not just a myth, a symbol of religion, Jesus was God in man.  How do I know?  The Bible tells me so.  Now let me back up slightly.  The Bible is either the true inspired word of God, OR, a man made history book.  How do I know what it really is?  That depends on where you stand spiritually.  If you have a relationship with Jesus, you know the Bible to be true and authentic.  If no relationship with God and church is just a social gathering, then the book called the Bible is simply a nice history book.

   John 1:1-5 IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD. HE (Jesus) WAS WITH GOD IN THE BEGINNING.

   Jesus was, is God in the flesh that came to earth.  Why?  To take away the sins of the world.  But how can he do that?  If I truly believe in Jesus, have a relationship with Jesus, then my sins are forgiven.  Will I sin again. Oh, most definitely, but not intentionally. Can or will I be forgiven? Yes, just by calling on His name and asking for forgiveness.

  Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same a that of Christ Jesus. Read on through verses 6-11 and you will see Jesus was humble, obedient, even obedient to death

One day every knee shall bow to the name of Jesus and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

  Let me end with this.  Colossians 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as LORD, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing and thankfulness.  See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

   Lastly, a question from our prayer group on Tuesday.  Do all roads lead to God?  The answer is Yes.  Why do I say this?   Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Amen.

  So, ALL shall be before the throne for judgment.  Thank you for reading today. Love you all.  and ------YES, JESUS IS REAL!!!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

Romans 8:5-6 Flesh before God? Dust on your Bible?

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

  Romans 8:: 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

     How often do we feel we are living for God, but really living in the flesh. What is important to you today?  Your money, car, home, possessions, phone, news of the world, OR the WORD OF GOD?  It is easy to say God first, but then put God on the back burner.  I'm going to live my life to the fullest.  Well?  Does that mean with God in the forefront of the rear?

   Josiah Queen has a song Dusty Bibles. Click the link, but read the lyrics.

We got dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way

Hey, how you been?
It's been a while, and I'm just checking in
I miss the way things used to be back in 2017
And I just miss my friend

Hey, I've been fine
I've been struggling to find some peace of mind
It's the problem of our nation and in our generation
We're too busy and can't find the time

Are we busy, or is it all a lie?

We got dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way
We walk with our eyes closed, blind leading blind folks
And I'm done with those idols and dusty Bibles

You only get this one life
I don't wanna sit and watch it pass me by
I'm so done being complacent, there ain't no replacement
For a life in the light of your way

Oh, I'm done, had enough of my way

With dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way
We walk with our eyes closed, blind leading blind folks
And I'm done with those idols and dusty Bibles

I miss the way things used to be back in 2017
And I just miss my friend
Oh, I just miss my friend

We got dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way
We walk with our eyes closed, blind leading blind folks
I'm done with those idols and dusty Bibles

So where are you today? Phone most important or God? Hmmm.  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

WIN THE MORNING!!!

Good morning,

   I just wanted to share my last Bible study of take every thought captive.  Our thoughts are like the rudder of a ship. Small, quietly moving along, yet so powerful in all we do and also how our day may start.

Our first thoughts of the day set the course or determine how our day may progress

We can prime our day with positive, intentional, and good thoughts, OR we can take the negative approach that everything bad is going to happen. IE well, it is another Monday.

What is the first thing we reach for once out of bed?  The Bible, a devotional, or the phone to see who called, text,  or what is going on in the world?

Remember we G E T  to be with God daily, it is not a have to situation.  If it becomes a HAVE TO situation, we probably need to reexamine our relationship with God.

Jesus used to go off by himself to be alone and RE-CHARGE.  We are the same way, our phone do not auto re-charge, nor do we.  Take time to be with God--in the Bible, daily devotion, or just quiet a& alone.

Take time to think of yourself as the master gardener of the GARDENER OF WORDS,  the more positive the prettier the flowers; the more negative the more the weeds, which will choke out the flowers.

I am not preaching, just had this and with the beginning of school I am guessing you get a lot of calls.  Just WIN THE MORNING!!

Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

What is the strong hold of your mind?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  BREAK THAT STRONGHOLD OF LIES WITH LOVE, FAITH AND GRACE!!!

   In psychology the Law of Cognition says what you think about determines who you are.

   The Rule of Exposure says whatever we are exposed to the most shapes our thoughts.

   Have you ever thought about this?  So often as Christians we attend church on Sunday morning, sermon and possibly Bible study.  Then maybe on Wednesday if nothing else comes up, and we think:  I'M GOOD!

  Really?  The person who looks at pornography daily and then goes to church on Sunday.  Is he good, really?

   The person who drinks too much or does drugs then goes to church on Sunday.  Is he good, really?

  Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

  Proverbs 4:23 Be careful how you think, you life is shaped by your thoughts.

Lies that are reinforced changes our lives.  How I perceive something makes it real to me.  Soooo, if I think I can do the things of this world, then go to church on Sunday I'm okay.  Well, in my mind I may be, but what does God's word say about this?

  If you hear or tell a lie enough, then it becomes real.  When I was in the military there was a young man who claimed he had been in Viet Nam, won war medals, even wore them and bragged about what he had done to the point he believed it himself.  Truth was, he had never been out of the United States and was living a lie.  Yet, he told it so much he believed it.  

    What lie are you telling yourself? (self-reflection)

   Do we as Christians tell ourselves we are okay so much that we do whatever we want, fall into the patterns of the world, and then believe we are truly godly?

  Fear and pride fight the truth.  Love, faith, and grace destroy the stronghold of lies.

  Where are you today my friend?  How are your perceptions affecting your life? Stay in the Bible, study the word, don't just read it, but study it.  Do this for 21 days and see how it affects your thoughts and actions, and the effect it will have on the ones around you. Hmmmm?

  May God bless you, keep you, and let your mind be transformed to HIS ways. Love y'all. Thank you for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What is IT worth? What are you worth?

 Hello Friends,

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

   Well, football season is upon us.  Often they call it the "pig-skin" and it is odd shaped.  You can purchase "footballs" of all sizes and shapes. From nerf to solid pro balls.  Just what do you want and what is your purpose?

  Well, if I am coaching a high school, college, or pro team I definitely do not want a nerf football.  I want the real "pig-skin" to play with.  To hike, pass, throw, and kick.

   That football sitting on the shelf is only worth the price tag on it.  However, put it in the hands of, oh, say Patrick Mahommes and now it becomes much more valuable.

   You and I are like the football on the shelf, only worth our price tag.  What is our price tag.  We are saved because we called upon Jesus Christ as our savior.  As long as we sit on that shelf we have salvation,, BUT, what have we done for the kingdom of God?

  Nothing, we are just sitting there.  Maybe we are a nerf ball which is soft and pliable.  So do we just agree with what everyone says and don't raise questions? Don't mention the great present we have of salvation?  Is this you or me?

  OR, am I, are You the football that came off the shelf and became a strong disciple of Jesus Christ.  Not in the hands of a pro quarterback, but in the HANDS of JESUS, GOD, & HOLY SPIRIT.

   Are we taking the WORD of GOD and spreading the news, or in football language scoring touchdowns?  Are we running with the WORD?  Or, are we fumbling before the goal line.

   While reading a book by Emmitt Smith I came across this idea of how much is a football really worth and then thought how much am I doing for the kingdom of God.  When Emmitt had the football and scored people cheered. When we share the word, I feel sure the angels cheer and the opposing team boo's and changes their strategies.

   I do hope you understand my attempt at an analogy of our worth. YOU, MY FRIEND, ARE VALUABLE AND WORTH MORE THAN A PRO FOOTBALL.

   YOU HAVE SCORED ETERNAL LIFE!   Love y'all. Thank you for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Justification, Sanctification, Glorification with God

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

What is salvation?  Salvation comes to us by grace, the grace of God.

Salvation is a free gift to sinners received through faith alone from God. Justification is just as if we never sinned. Reborn, saved.

Salvation is not just about going to heaven.  It is about knowing and enjoying God now and partnering with God to reconcile the world back to him.  This is where sanctification comes in. We are to spread the news.

   BUT, do we need sanctification?  Is it essential to our salvation?  NO!

This comes after we accept Jesus as our savior.

Our final destination is glorification after accepting Jesus Christ as our personal savior.  Will it come immediately?  Maybe, maybe not!  For the thief on the cross he was justified and then glorified and with Jesus in heaven.

However, we, the living do have time for sanctification as we do what God has commanded us to do.  To go into the whole world and share the word of salvation.  Do we all have to be missionaries?  

     YES!  B U T, that does not mean going to another state or country.  My mission field and yours is all around us. Ask people if they know Jesus Christ as their personal savior.  

   If you are not certain how to ask, then use an opener such as giving a cross, a trac, mention the shirt they are wearing, anything that can open the communication with another soul.

  Acts 16: 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 

Just remember, discipleship is the response to salvation.

Thank you for reading today. May God bless you and your household. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny