Compromise - should we? What does the Bible say?

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

  How often do we look away from things we should confront?  If you see someone abusing a spouse, child, or just someone on the street -- what do you do?  Look the other way?  Avoid them? Or do you try to mediate and step in?

   Here is the deal.  If I want steak tonight and my wife wants shrimp, then we can come to a compromise. Maybe instead of eating at home we go to a restaurant when we can each get what we want. Or maybe one of us will agree to eat what the other wants.  Is this bad?  No!

   Say we are in Bible study and some of us want to do Luke and others want to do revelation. What do we do?  Discuss it and come to an agreement.  Maybe Revelation now, then Luke next.  It will bring about unity. We are all together agreeing on the solution. No problem whatsoever.

   What does the Bible say about sin and compromise?  The Bible strongly condemns compromising with sin, which is seen as disobedience to God and can lead to spiritual decline.

  We cannot compromise with false doctrine and follow the world.  We have to stay rooted in the Bible, which is GOD'S WORD!!!

   Compromising the Biblical truths can lead to deception, disstruction, and comes with eternal consequences. 

  Sin is sin.  We should hate sin, but love the sinner.  Well, she/he is gay and I just can't love them.  YES YOU CAN!  Love them, but not their sin.  Well, he/she is an alcoholic, I just can't love them for that.  YES YOU CAN!  Love them, but not their sin.

   Too often we don't separate the two. There is a difference between sin and the sinner.  You are a sinner. I am a sinner. I still love you no matter what.  It is the same with them.  HOWEVER, we do not compromise to the extent we are going against GOD'S WORD!

   Do I support you in your sin?  NO! But I will support you with my love.  That is God.  He loves us no matter what.  All day, all the time, 24/7-365, God loves you and me.

Bible verses to consider:

Exodus 34:12-16:

God warns against making covenants with the inhabitants of the Promised Land, highlighting the dangers of compromising with those who worship other gods.

Matthew 6:24:
Jesus states, "No one can serve two masters," illustrating the impossibility of serving both God and worldly desires. 

  Daniel 3:16-18:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to a golden image, demonstrating unwavering faith and refusal to compromise with idolatry

 

   Am I a sinner.  YES, but I have a savior who gave HIS life for me, and for that I will be eternally grateful.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Encouraging others to fellowship Hebrews 10:24-25

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.. YOU ARE BLESSED TO BE A CHILD OF GOD!!!

   Often when I visit with people they will profess to be Christians but do not go to church.  Why?  They all have reasons: I don't need to be in church to worship; I do my own prayer time and study; I believe but don't care to be around all those people, and many more reasons or excuses.

   These all may be valid, however, we are told to fellowship with one another. Iron strengthens iron; the word and study with other like believers strengthens our witness.  Let us look at this scripture.

   Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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.

   We must show LOVE, COMPASSION, and HONEST COMMITMENT to others.  This will bring them around.  Being critical and judgmental can build a crevice and further divide them from fellowship.

   Please, just love on people, share the word, and encourage. Honey catches more than vinegar.  Which one are you? Honey or vinegar?

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

He paid the price! Galatians 3:13 Colossians 1:14

 Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  THE PRICE HAS BEEN PAID!!!

   Once there was a college professor who gave his class a paper, yes, paper quiz.  The name of each student was on each test paper, each one folded in half with their name marked on the outside of the test in bright red ink.

   When told to all the students opened the test at the same time and what did they see?

   Their name was at the top, in bright red pen mark was the percentage of correct.  How could that be?  The percentage was 100%.  The students ALL looked up with a questioning look.

    The professor said, "I have taken the test for you and you all received a score of 100%." Some were happy, some mystified, and some wanted to complain that this was not fair as they had studied really hard for the test and they knew some did not.

    The point here is that the test was taken, the burden was laid on the shoulders of the professor and taken off the students.

    Jesus Christ took our test, we passed with 100% because we accepted Him as our Lord and Savior. As the song goes---Jesus paid it all.

   Now some will argue that the murderer who killed many is not entitled to this free gift.  Well, not one of us is entitled to this free gift.  However, God sent His Son in human form to take the test for us and by accepting this FREE GIFT, this FREE PRESENT, we passed.

  Galatians 3: -- 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

  Colossians 1: --13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

    Don't begrudge anyone accepting Christ. Rejoice with him/her, and offer the handshake and fellowship of Love to them. Welcome them into the body of Christ.

    Please continue to pray for our loved ones, friends and family for healing and bringing glory to God.  Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The power of words!! What did you just say?? Matthew 15:11

 Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Choose your words carefully in case you have to eat them later.

  

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.  But how? Genesis 1:3 "And God said,"    God said, he spoke, he said the word.  So, is there power in the world?  I would say, "Heavens yes!"

   I can't do that!  Of course not, you have already determined you are unable to perform that particular task.

   It is not possible.  Again, of course not, you have already made that determination.

   He/She is impossible, you can't talk to him/her.  No, not if you are not in the right place with God.

    We are going broke.  Yes, probably, because with that attitude you will most likely not be good stewards of finances and decisions.

 Matthew 15:11 NLT  It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.

   Matthew 12::37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.

   When we speak, we need to be aware of what we are saying, even in prayer.  I prayed for him/her, but I know it probably won't do any good.

  Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 

  What we say defines us, shows our character, and shows our relationship with the God Almighty, Jehovah-Eli, El-Shaddai.

   Before we speak we should be thinking first of all, "will this bring glory to God?"  If not we may sound as a clanging gong or cymbal, just making noise.

  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.

   Next, we need to have the FAITH, and believe it will come to pass.

 Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Okay, 3 things: Will it bring Glory to God; Do you have the faith; Will you speak words of power in true faith to honor God?

  Jesus cast demons out of people, healed people, and how did he do it?  By the power of words.  Can you do this? Yes, but remember the 3 items mentioned above.

  Remember where Jesus' disciples struggled to cast out demons, specifically in Matthew 17:14-21.  The disciples' failure is due to their lack of faith.  Jesus chastised His disciples for having such little faith.

So, friend, where are you today?  Are you high in God, or, struggling under stress, depression, doubts, all the things the world likes to cast forth to you? OR, do you have the faith that Jesus spoke of?

 Here is a bit of wisdom from the Bible:  1 Peter 3:10 NLT  If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.

  Bring glory to God by trusting God, having faith, and using prayer (your words), then let the Holy Spirit empower you.

   Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Forget not the LORD for all he has done for you! Psalm 103:1-4

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YOU ARE BLESSED BY GOD, NOW ACT LIKE IT!

  Because of God you are who you are, I am who I am. Are we perfect?  NO!  A resounding NO!  BUT, as we strive to be more like Jesus, we become more perfect.  Will we ever be perfect?  Yes, one day,but not while we are in this earthly body.  

   In the mean time we must not forget what God has done for us and what HE will do for us in the future.  Our job is to love, be obedient, and share the word. Take a look at this Psalm.

  

Psalm 103           Of David.  

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.   

2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

The gifts God has given you are numerous.  Take time and jot down some, then sit back and thank God for all He does in your life.

    That's all for today folks. Love y'all

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

The remedy for the blues Psalm 34

 Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. YOU ARE SPECIAL, GOD LOVES YOU UNCONDITIONALLY AND HIS LOVE NEVER LEAVES.

  Do you ever wake up depressed?  During the day do you sometimes go think: " what am I doing/ why am I here feeling this way?  When will it all end?"

   Some people I know have overcome the "BLUES" through the power of God.  One friend successfully went through 3 major life changing situations through the knowledge of knowing that God was with them.

      Another friend underwent life changing situations of which one was with his wife, the other with him.

     Another lost both parents within a year. 

 WHY? WHY? HELP!!! they do cry out? 

  We have to remember who is large and in charge.  Psalm 34 begins with a vow to praise the LORD continually and invite others to join in.  God offers us deliverance and protection, God is near and we need to trust in God.

   But why does that old so and so who doesn't believe seem to cruise along, prospering and doing well?  Yet, I, who believes in and trusts the LORD, experience struggles?

   Well, as my mom would say, "One day they will get their come-uppens."  Verses 15-18 God's attentiveness to the righteous and his judgment against the wicked.

   Verses 19-22 the assurance that God delivers the righteous from all their troubles and protects their bones.  

  We just need to remember verses 1-3 when feeling down, frustrated, discouraged, depressed and just  all around blue.  Just reaffirm your commitment to God and praise Him in all things.

  Psalm 34: 1 I will extol the Lord at all times;

    his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together.

To hear all of Psalm 34 click here.  Thank you for reading. Life is good because GOD LOVES YOU UNCONDITIONALLY!  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

In times of trouble - Psalm 91

 Hello everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  IN TIMES OF TROUBLE - DO NOT DESPAIR FOR GOD IS NEAR!!!

    Troubles come to us in many different ways.  Health, finances, relationships, careers, and many other ways.  What do we do?  We can be down, despair, angry and hateful; or, we can look at the situation and stop to think "What may I learn from this situation?"  Also, never forget that God is not only near, but God is HERE, right where you are.  He does not move and he will carry you through the situation if only you will be patient and let Him.

  Psalm 91 (click here to listen)

Take care to stay in touch with God; share your troubles with Him. Short today, but hope this is what you need to read. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny