Where are you today, yesterday, and tomorrow? In the flesh or in the spirit?

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

I listened to a preacher that said if you read the Bible it is only printed words on a piece of paper.  At first I thought what are you talking about?  Then, as he goes on he explains that so often we just "read the words on a sheet of paper" and then later cannot recall what we read.

   This is what he is talking about.  The Bible is not a holy word of God if you only "read it" and do not absorb it.  When we read the Bible we need to look at each word, think about what the author is saying, and be aware that this is the Holy Word of God.

   Often I equate it to the Lord's prayer.  So often it is recited with no concern of what it is really saying.  We just do it out of memory with no true thought.

   To really understand God's Word we need to live in the spirit and not in the flesh. Don't just "read" the Bible, but study it.  Well, I don't really understand what it is saying, I could not remember the chapter I just read.  Then don't read a chapter. Just do a few verses and let the spirit give you the meaning.  Let the spirit lead you.  You don't have to read the whole Bible in a year because so many others brag about doing so.  Read what God intends for you to know and absorb.  Whether it be 1, 2 verses or a chapter.  Just let the spirit lead.  Don't let others interpret the Bible for you, check their words against the Bible and see if what they are saying is true.  Again, let the spirit lead you.

   Romans 8: 5Those 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.

    There are plenty of "scammers" out there.  To take your money, and if you are led by the flesh you will let the "Christian scammers" clean you out as well.  You know the routine, just send in $1000 for this prayer cloth and your troubles will go away. You will be blessed and prosper greatly.  Beware of the false teachers, the antichrists.

   Take time to pray, be faithful to the LORD and trust the Holy Spirit to guide you. Love y'all.  Thanks for reading my little rant today.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

Will or Can you be the unknown USHER???

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

The unknown usher, quite an interesting piece of history that I did not know until just a few days ago.

Mordecai Ham was an American Evangelist born in 1877.  He was credited with leading over 300,000 people to conversion to Christianity.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, 1934  Ham was holding a tent revival and 2 young  boys came by to see why all the people and the commotion was about.  When they looked inside the seats looked to be all taken and they decided to walk on.

Well, an usher, whom we do not know the name of, rushed over to the boys and told them to come back and he would find them a place to sit.  The usher asked people to move together and the boys were able to sit together and listen to Mordecai Ham preach.

During this process both boys went forward and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior.  The one boy we all know as Billy Graham, who was one of the greatest evangelists of the 20th century.

Grady Wilson also was an American evangelist. He was a childhood friend and close associate of Billy Graham.  He served as the inaugural vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Mordecai Ham was credited with bringing over 300,000 people to conversion and many estimated a million or more.  Billy Graham was credited with bringing the message to over 200 million people worldwide with many conversions. Grady Wilson left his pastoral position to join the original Billy Graham Evangelist Association team, working alongside Billy in the conversion of lives.

When you think of these men you think what an impact they had on the world. Ham did so much; Graham spreading the word to millions with Wilson by his side.  However, they were not the most impactful people.

The one who made the biggest impact was the silent, unknown usher at Mordecai's tent revival who brought 2 teenage boys in to hear the gospel and accept Jesus Christ as their savior.  

It was the silent unknown act that made the impact on the world.  Are you  OR can you be that silent unknown usher?  It only takes a spark to start a forest fire. May it be you.

Thanks for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Psalm 103 The Love of God

 Good morning friend. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. YOU are truly LOVED by the Almighty GOD!!!

    The world is topsy turvy at this time.  If you read and study your Bible you can say it is bad, yet good.  The end times are coming closer and we will see Jesus sooner.

   The man who rammed his car and set fire to the church in Michigan.  Then 3 people killed and 5 injured in a waterfront restaurant in North Carolina.   Yet there is more in the news if you want to search it out.  And we say, "What is wrong with these people?"

   Satan is alive and well and roaming to seek, kill, and destroy.   We, you and I, must stand guard and be firm in the LORD at all times.

    We need to be faithful and strong in the face of adversity.  God is our strength. Prayer is our line directly to the LORD.  The love of the LORD is strong and we are his children.

  Psalm 103: 8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9He will not always accuse nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

   God loves us unconditionally and we need to be obedient to his word.  Pray for those who are mentally deranged and choose to take the lives of others, or just to create chaos.  We can stand strong in the LORD, fear the LORD, but also rejoice in the LORD.

   We need to love our fellow man as God loves us. Show compassion, concern, and be there to help a fellow man, help lift him/her up from the depths of despair and drudgery.

   I do hope and pray you know where I am coming from today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace,

Johnny

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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