Rewards! Are you storing up rewards for heaven?

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

In our world, our societies today we work for rewards.  Football national championships, superbowl, state championships. Baseball world series; basketball championships, and then we have personal rewards.

   I am great at what I do and need to be rewarded!!  ALL Children  get rewards-win or lose! Music, Writing, Singing, Sports - - we all want rewards.

  This is not all bad, unless it takes the place of working for our rewards when we get to heaven.  If I work solely to get MY PRAISES!  If I work for people to say "LOOK AT HIM/HER, WISH I COULD BE LIKE THAT".  

   The Bible tells us in Matthew that if we work for our rewards on earth so everyone will notice we have our reward.  

     If we walk as the Pharisee who stood on the corner, full of pride and self-righteousness we are getting our reward at that time as all the people see.

  However, if we are as the woman who gave 2 mites, which was all she had, we show our love, faith, and commitment to the Living God. Check the attitude of both. Hmmm!

Matthew 6: 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

  However, if we work for the kingdom of God and quietly go about God's work then we will get our rewards.

   Matthew 6: 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

  Matthew 5: 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

   

   Look in the mirror, ask yourself, where am I today?  Wanting rewards here and now? OR -- building rewards for the trip to heaven?

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

In time of need--who do you turn to? 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Psalm 118:14

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

 IS FAITHFUL AND WILL CARRY US THROUGH.

How often do we think "what's the use"  or "it just does not matter" or maybe "why try, nothing goes right"?

  We, as humans, try to do it all OURSELVES, and either don't ask for help or just plain refuse help.  WHY???

  We have a faithful partner, brother, and caretaker who is always at our side. He is a gentleman, will not push himself on you, but all we have to do is ask.  But will we??

   I trust my wife, family and friends, however, at some time they will let me down as will I let them down.  There is one who is faithful always and will not let you or me down.  His name is Jesus.  So often we forget to call on his name, spend time letting Him show us the way, then we wonder why things went wrong. Hmm!!

1 Thessalonians 5: 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will continue to be faithful.

  When we feel we can't go on there is one who gives us the strength and will carry us through.  Who??  Yes, you know it -- JESUS!!!  Jesus is there to give us strength, protect us, and deliver us

.  Talk to someone who has had tragedy in their family and ask them how they got through it.  Talk to someone who has had an addiction and ask them how they were able to get through it.    Talk to someone who has struggled or is struggling and ask them how they were able to manage to get through it.  The answer will be the same most of the time -- JESUS!!

 

Psalm 118: 14 The LORD is my strength and protector, for he has become my deliverer.

   Remember friend, when things look down, just LOOK UP,  Jesus is there to help you, deliver you and He is always faithful.

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Worry, Anxiety - We should not, but........What does the Bible say?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time.  DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, TODAY HAS ENOUGH WORRIES.

   Worry and anxiety do grip all of us at one time or another.  When things in this world happen, we should try to look at them from a neutral position.  When it happens to someone you are close to that is difficult.

  Recently, (yesterday) my wife had a "minor" eye surgery.  Nothing big, just something to correct a "minor" situation.  When we are coming home and then while at home she is having splitting headaches.

  Yes, I am more than concerned, yet there is nothing I can do except be there and support her if she needs something.  Did I worry?  YES!

  I told my daughters it was minor and they did pray. Told my insurance lady and she prayed, friends prayed, I prayed; this gives encouragement, yet the anxiety in me remained.  It is hard not to.  I had trouble going to sleep. Then I finally did and she was in the bedroom, dark, and resting.  Then up until early a.m..

   She left me a sweet note, and I checked on her at 4 a.m. to make certain she was okay.  She was in bed, breathing and asleep.  Whew!!! I feel better. Then I thought about what God tells us, after, yes, afterwards.  Here is what HE says:

Philippians 4: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

   1 Peter 5: 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

   Matthew 6: 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

   I realize it is human nature to worry, but then I need to come back to the Bible to regain the encouragement.  How often I forget.  Thank you for listening to my story today. My wife is okay and I am relieved. Thank you Jesus.

   Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Is God talking to you and you are not listening?

 

Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  DO YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU?

  You hear people say "God spoke to me"  or "God laid it on my heart" or "God gave me the vision" or many other things people say.  How do we know if God is speaking to us or is it our imagination, our own personal wants, or to gain us attention?

  We can hear God through various ways.  Prayer, scripture reading/study, or personal quiet meditation and talking with God.

   I am guilty of saying-- "God laid it on my heart".  How do I know?  Recently a situation came up and someone needed help.  I felt like I should do something (laid on my heart) so I called my pastor, explained the situation, he concurred and said follow through.  To me that was confirmation that this was God speaking to me and not just my want for acclamation or attention.

  Then when we assisted this person, they were very appreciative and I just felt (don't always go by emotion) it was God's hand.  However, by seeing the reaction I knew God was involved.

   I knew a lady once that said a man, a neighbor, told her that God told him they should get married.  Her response was don't you think if that were so God would have spoken to me also?  I thought this was a great response.

   Some people will tell us what God told them just to further themselves or put a feather in their cap.  Take time today to read some scripture, mediate, and talk to God. Listen to what God says and has in store for you.

     Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #4

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. Today, do commandment #4

1 is no other Gods before God.

2 is no idols

3. is watch your words

4. is YOU ARE TO KEEP THE SABBATH DAY HOLY!!!!!

May this be the day you are able to relax and enjoy what the LORD has done for you and remember HIM in all you do.

   Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Timothy 6:6-10 What is most important to you?

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

  So often we worry about where we are, what is going to happen, our finances, our lives, our children/grandchildren and tend to forget what is really important.

   So what is really important to you?  Money?  Auto?  Home? Children/family? or is GOD number 1?  Listen to what Timothy tells us.

  1 Timothy 6: 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

         Here are some questions to ponder and answer!

  What is great gain? __________  What did you bring into this world?________ What happens when we want to get rich?_____

Is this a trap?______  Where does it lead?______ What is the true root of evil?_______  When that ($$$) is our love this leads us to what?_____

   I heard this early in the A.M. and thought about us, Americans, and as a whole what is important to us as a nation!!  OR to you personally????

                    GOD  or STATUS ?????

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

 

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Be a servant to the Living God!! Learn the ten commandments with hand signs!!

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

  Okay, for the last "10" days I have been going through the 10 commandments. Click on this link to get a clue of how to remember the commandments.

   Today I was listening and studying about being a servant for the Living God. In Matthew 20:26-28 just  Jesus says: "......whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wa28nts to be first must be your -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

   We can only serve one master.  Luke 16:13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

  So often in our society it is all materialistic, money, and status.

  If we do what God tells us to do, are obedient, pray, read and study our Bible, share the gospel then Jesus will say in

  John 15:15 "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you."

   Today, be a servant to 1 person, or 2 or many. Share what God has done for you; OR, if nothing else share a smile or a positive word.  It is easy to say hello to someone, when they smile and respond just tell them they have a nice smile.  That little bit may give their day a positive direction.

   Be Jesus in the flesh today. Love y'all. Thanks for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny