Yom Kippur - the sacrificial Lamb - Jesus

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

  What is Yom Kippur?  For the Jewish people this occurs in October and is when an unblemished lamb is sacrificed for their sins.

  First, in ancient times the priest would bring 2 unblemished or identical lambs up to be sacrificed, then lots were cast to see which one would be the sacrificial lamb or as some say the "scapegoat" to atone for the sins of the people.

   Well, let us look at Jesus.  What happened there?  He was brought before Pilot, accused and the high priest wanted Him crucified.  Then a strange thing happened.  Pilot says to the people do you want to sacrifice Jesus or Barabbas? One would be sacrificed and one let go.

  Well, you say, the Jewish priest would bring 2 identical lamb and cast lots.  It does not seem that Jesus and Barabbas were the same.  One the savior of the world, the other a murderer.  But, Jesus is the Son of the Father.  Well, the Name Barabbas in Aramic means :"son of the father".  So both were sons of the father, albeit they were 2 different fathers, yet both sons of the father.   As a side not in Aramic "bar" means son, "abba" means father. Hence the name BAR-ABBAs. So this is how they would be considered "identical".

 Just an FYI.

   Well the lots were cast (meaning the peoples choice) and the people, being encouraged by the priests, chose to sacrifice Jesus and free Barabbas.

   

   To read the scripture about Pilot, Jesus and Barabbas click here- Matthew 27.

So, in summation, there were 2 and 1 to be sacrificed, 1 to be slain for the sins of the people.  Both sons of the father, the crowd urged on by the priest chose to release the murderer and sacrifice the savior of the world - Jesus.

   When I studied and heard about this I thought it was very interesting and wanted to share.  May your day be wonderful and blessed.  Don't believe what I have printed, but research this yourself.  Never, never, never just believe what one says Biblically, but check to make certain it is scripturely sound.  Love y'all.

  Thanks for reading today.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Galatians 5:1 FREEDOM

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

   Do you really believe you have freedom??  No, not freedom in America, but freedom from sin?

  In Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

  So often in church, talking to other Christians, in a small group, and possibly other places we talk about being free, but do we, YOU, really believe it and live it?

  Christ set us free from sin.  We do not have to pay the penalty for sin and spend eternity separated from God.  Our slavery and bondage is gone.

   However, we must what?   STAND FIRM and DO NOT again go into slavery.  By Christ setting us free we are free of many things such as anger, not forgiving, fear, worry, religion (rule keeping), we are free from all this.

   Now the big question---Do you live your life knowing you are set free or do the above mentioned still keep you in bondage?  Time for soul searching.

   Thanks for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Galatians 2:20 Are you truly crucified with Christ?

 Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time all the time God is good. Say this out loud:  "I ive by faith in the Son of God, Jesus"!

Galatians 2:: 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

  Just how do you see yourself?  Do you feel that you no longer live your life, but you live by faith in Jesus?  If you did, indeed, trust Jesus Christ as your savior you know the old you died and the new you in Christ has arisen.

  Life is no longer just about you, you are not the hero, but the humble servant who serves a risen savior..  Jesus is your strength and power.  Prayer is your direct line to the one living God.

  Jesus gave his life for you, for me, for all mankind.  Jesus is a loving savior and His love should show through us as we live for Him.

  Can you go outside your protective walls and declare that Jesus is your LORD and savior and share the GOOD NEWS with others??

   Next, I will speak to the fact that Jesus was the sacrificial lamb or scapegoat for our salvation.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Galatians 1:10 Whom do you strive to please? People or God?

 Good morning everyone. God  is good all the time, all the time God is good. Just remember: God is GREAT; People are CRAZY!

   As we begin our life here on earth we start out all about ourselves. As babies we cry to be fed, to change diapers, to go to sleep, when we wake up.  Then as we go from milk to meat we tend to want to please others.

  We do things to please our parents, our friends, our family, then teachers, boss, colleagues at work, and so on.  But whom should we really be trying to please?

  If we do everything as if working for GOD then we will just automatically please the above mentioned.  What does the Bible say?

   Galatians 1: 10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

  We are called to love God, serve Him in all we do, and in doing so we will love and please people.  However, our approval needs to come from God.  Why? So that when the end comes God/Jesus will say, "well done good and faithful servant".  This is our calling.

   If you and I live to please people only we are asking for trouble and failure; BUT, if we live for God our reward will be heavenly.

   When we love God and strive to be a servant unto the LORD, our love for others will come freely, it will be easy.  Just remember, the life serving the LORD is not a cakewalk, nor without rough bumps in the road, but it is well worth it.

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Okay, elections over, now what? 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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

  Well, the election is over.  Just like a sporting events - some fans are happy, some are mad and upset.  Well, that is life.  Things happen and not always the way one wants.

   Last night in Bible study in Luke the mention of Jonah going to Nineveh.  The people turned away from their wicked ways.  Yet, later on they returned to those ways and forgot God.

  We in America prayed for the outcome of the election and most see God's hand at work.  It looks like we may turn from our evil ways.  However, it is not over.  We must continue praying for America, our leaders, whether democrat or republican or other.  If we forget God we will be in the same boat as Nineveh.

  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.

  Dear friend, please continue to pray. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Finally, the campaigns have stopped! 2 Chronicles 7:14

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

  Well, the good news is all the campaigning and character bashing is over for the most part.  However, if you are a Trump fan, you know the harassment and ugliness will continue.

  If you are a Harris fan, then do as the Trump.supporters did 4 years ago--accept the outcome and move on.  The riots and burning need not happen.  Let's all be adults and move on.

  Many Christians prayed and asked God to be in control.  God is in control, we just do not think in the same realm as God.  We did not know what was in store in the upcoming election but we needed to embrace the outcome, whether Harris or Trump.

  We just need to look back at the Bible and see how God used many different people, some good, some bad.  Take Joseph for example. He had several bad things happen to him, yet he kept the faith and it turned out good. Be cast into a well, sold as a slave, accused of rape, in prison, then just a simple thing as interpreting a dream and he is ruler next to Pharaoh.

   In keeping the faith, many Christians saw the devastating rules/laws passed these last 4 years and then went to 2 Chronicles 7: 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

So, now we must continue to pray for our president, fight evil in our prayers and continue on.  God is in control, no matter what we encounter, just keep the faith.

   Thank you for reading today.   Yes,  today is a day to rejoice in the LORD, rejoice I say.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD

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

    Well, the campaign trail is slowly coming to the trail head and will end soon. People on both sides experience hope, frustration, anxiety, and hold strongly to their beliefs.

   We, as Christians, must do our part.  Is that to demonstrate, scream, yell, be obnoxious and loudly vocal?  I don't think so.  We can show support, calmly express our views when opportunities arise, but most importantly, stand on the word of GOD.

   It is important we vote the closest to our Christian values and not be taken in by false propaganda.  We have to trust in GOD.

  Proverbs 3: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight

  Do you  trust in the LORD with all your heart?  Or, do you try to take things into your own hands?  Submit!!!

   Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny