Are you walking in the LIGHT or DARKNESS? 1 John 1:5-7; 1 John 2:9-11

 Good mid-day to y'all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  WALK IN THE LIGHT AND STUMBLE NOT!!!

  In my Bible study this morning this was one verse that really stuck out to me so I thought I would share it with you.

  If we are in Jesus, we will walk in the light. Now I'll let the scriptures speak for themselves.

1 John 1: 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 2:9-11  9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Take a moment to reflect and see where you are really walking. Don't let satan trick you into thinking you are a-ok if you are not.

Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

God is in the miracle business, yesterday, today, and tomorrow - 2 Kings 2:11

    Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  LOOK FOR THE MIRACLE, EXPECT THE MIRACLE AND IT WILL HAPPEN!!!

   This is a story of a widow, a prophet's wife, who had debt, asked for help of God's prophet, Elisha, she believed, doubted not, and was able to pay off debt and more.  The story is below. Go to 2 Kings 2.

   After the prophet Elijah was taken to heaven his disciple and successor, Elisha, became the chief prophet in the northern kingdom of Israel. He faithfully continued the work of the Lord as Elijah had done. He travelled on his own throughout the countryside, probably on a donkey led by a servant. 

   2 Kings 2: 11 Elijah and Elisha were still walking and talking. Then a chariot and horses of fire appeared. The chariot and horses of fire separated Elijah from Elisha. Then Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

   The prophet, Elijah, now gone or died, leaving debts his widow and two sons could not pay. The creditor decided to take the two sons as slaves to pay the debt. The boys were young, about 10 and 8, and they would have to work for 7 years to pay the debt.  Then the widow begged for Elisha's help.

 God’s servant, Elisha, told the woman to borrow all the empty jars from her neighbors that she could possibly get, close her doors, and begin pouring the oil from her jar into the borrowed jars. Her jar was not full, but as she poured her jar never emptied.  So, as she obeyed, the widow saw that God provided enough oil to fill all the jars.

 The Lord miraculously provided them with enough oil to sell and pay off the debt and sustain them for years to come.  When she filled the last jar, then the oil quit coming from her jar.

   When God offers a miracle, we need to believe and it will happen.  When we quit believing, it will quit happening. God is alive and well in the 21st century just as he was in the beginning.

   Where is your faith?  Do you truly believe or just give lip service?  Can you say you believe in miracles today?

  Take a few moments, think back, and remember the miracles you have witnessed or heard about.  Then give God the glory.

  Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Parable of the sower----which seed are you? Matthew 13:18-23

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

May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and, the difference you make!!!!!

I know you have read and heard the parable of the sower, but I do hope this comes from another perspective to stimulate thought from you.

  Let's look at each of these from a worldly perspective.

 Jesus speaks of the seeds sown on this earth. Look at Matthew 13:18-19,

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

   Okay, when a predator is attacking to kill and eat, does the predator attack the strong leader of the herd or pack?  No, the predator looks for the weaker or sickly one of the herd.  Why?        Because that one is easier to subdue.  Ask yourself where am I in this herd or pack.  Weak in God's word?  If so, the evil one, aka satan, comes to turn you away from God. This one is a READ ONLY Christian. Don't be the seed sown along the path. Get into the word of God.

  20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

  Next we come to the seed on rocky ground, or the one in the herd who is stronger, not the weakest, but gets separated from the herd.  Happy to be part of the herd, but fails to follow close enough to be protected.  This one starts out well, but then all the excitement or joy fades and doing its own thing becomes the main focus.  Do not be another READ ONLY Christian. Where is your focus?  On God, or on YOU???

  22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

  Now we have the one who hears the word, is excited about the word, but the focus is not on Jesus Christ, but on the things happening in their life.  Thinking if I work a little longer, make more money, get the promotion, then all will be well. 

  You may have more wealth in the world, but the true wealth in Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit is lacking.  Nearly bankrupt spiritually!!  So where are you?  A read and study when it is convenient Christian? Looking for the wealth of the world, OR, the wealth in Christ?

   23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

   Now this seed in the one who may not be the leader of the herd or pack, but is in the thick of the herd, helping others, sharing and helping to develop the ones around him/her.

  This one is not a read only person.  This person is a READ, STUDY, and FOLLOW THE WORD Christian.  Sharing with others, growing in Christ.  This is where we all need to be.  In the herd or pack, leading a small group, talking to others, helping and thriving.  

   So, where are you today. Four groups you can belong to and the Choice is yours.  Be the weak and fall, the worldly one who falls to the temptation of the world, or the One who goes forth as Jesus did, sharing, helping; and by doing so, grows in the word.

    Thank you for tolerating me and reading this morning.

Love y'all. May your day be safe, enjoyable, and center around Jesus.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Pax Romana - Roman Peace

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  A GREAT DAY IN THE LORD TO BE A GREAT DAY IN THE LORD!!

  Today's study I learned something I had never heard of before.  This is the Pax Romana, and this was during Jesus' time on the earth.

  So, what is the Pax Romana?  I will quote this from my source.

PAX ROMANA- means Roman Peace.  A period of about 200 years of relative peace, stability, and prosperity in the Roman Empire, beginning with Emperor Augustus.  It was characterized by economic growth, the expansion of infrastructure, and the flourishing of arts and literature.  It was maintained through military strength and the brutal suppression of revolts in provinces.  This era saw the empire reach its greatest territorial extent and established a foundation for Roman law and governance.

   It started 27 BC to 180 AD.  They had relative internal peace, though the empire continued to expand and defend its borders.  Increased trade, a common currency, and a uniform rule of law stimulated economic growth.

  They constructed roads, aqueducts, and public buildings, all made possible by innovations like concrete.

   This also was a golden age for Roman arts, literature, and technology.

Jesus lived during this time and Stephen, the first Christian martyr was during this time also.  Stephen, one of the seven to share the gospel and care for the widows and orphans.  Saul of Tarsus was at the stoning of Stephen and held the coats of the men casting stones to kill Stephen.

  Anyway, I felt this was a very interesting study.  Thank you for reading. Love y'all. Have a super day, be safe, and remember Jesus first!!!!

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

JOY - James 1:2-4

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

   So often things pop up that we never expected and then we wonder why?  What is going on?  What did I do to deserve this?  Why is this happening to me?

   Well, there is a reason, that reason may be far beyond our minds to understand, yet God knows.  We definitely go through TRIALS and TEMPTATIONS.  look at these verses and some the words in italic and underlined.

   JAMES 1: 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

    Then focus on verse 4 - perseverance (patience) will finish it's work so you and I can what???   Be mature and complete in our faith, lacking nothing.

    My neighbor was 91 and went to see Jesus yesterday. Yes, many tears at the loss of a loved one, BUT, also tears of joy to feel certain he ran the good race and God said, "well done my good and faithful servant."

  The selfish side wants him to be here.  The Biblical mature side sees him going to a better place.  It is not easy, it is not something we look forward to, but it is real and it will happen to all of us.  Take time today to tell someone you love them and also to share the good news of JESUS CHRIST, LORD and SAVIOR.

   Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Share the Gospel with love not fear!

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  ACCEPT THE PRESENT GOD OFFERS YOU THROUGH JESUS CHRIST---

     S A L V A T I O N ! !

    God offers us a present through His son Jesus Christ and all we have to do is accept it.  If you are given a gift that is wrapped nicely in a pretty paper do you take it to your room, office, or somewhere and leave it there?  Sitting, still wrapped and not opened?  If so then you have a gift that you never received.  Once you open it, then you have truly received the gift.

   This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If someone knows about the gift but never takes the next step to accept, then there lies a gift unwrapped.  So, what then? If you don't receive the gift of salvation from Jesus Christ then you are HELL bound!!

  Let me ask you----Do you share the gospel with others? If so, great; if not, why not?   So often people try to use fear as a tactic to get people to come to Jesus. Romans 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  Too often people use the first part of this verse, using fear.  The rest of the verse is, to me, the most important. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our LORD.

  What about John 3:16 AND 17?  16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

  It is important we share both 16 and 17 out of John.  So often people recite only what they want just to scare or use the fear factor to bring people to salvation through Jesus Christ.

   Tell the truth when you share.  Oh, do you share the gospel - aka GOOD NEWS with others?  If you do not have an ice breaker please let me know.  I will send you 10 business cards that are printed on both sides.  

   The front has a cross and says:  "May you be proud of the work you do, the person you are, and, the difference you make!!

  Then on the back I have: Mark 16:15 He (Jesus) said, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

 Then under the verse in smaller print is "For prayer or questions call 903-(your number).

   If you like this and want another verse let me know and I'll change verses.  If this will give you an opening to share the gospel just let me know.  

   Thank you for reading today. Love Y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Light in the darkness!!!

 Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YOU CANNOT HIDE A LIGHT IN A DARK CLOSET!!!

   If you put a light in a dark closet it will shine; if you put a light in a dark field it will shine; if you put light in any darkness, it will shine.

   The world is ruled by the Prince of the world who is satan.  Knowing this we can say the world is filled with darkness.  So, if the world is filled with darkness, my question to you is CAN YOU BE THE LIGHT???????

    JOHN 1:5 (NIV) "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

   JOHN 8:12 (NIV) "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

  PSALM 119:105 (NIV) "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."

  1 JOHN 1:5 (ESV) "Thos is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

     The light in you has overcome the darkness.  You have the light of life and it is a lamp for the path you are on. Remember, God is light!

  

God's word gives us direction and helps us be the LIGHT!   Following Jesus moves us from living in the darkness to living in the light of God's word and sharing this good news with the world.

                   Again, CAN YOU BE THE LIGHT???? 

  Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny