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

Commandment # 10 - Coveting

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

  Commandment # 10 is about coveting.  To covet, according to Webster, is to intensely want something that someone else has.  Deuteronomy 5: 21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not set your desire on your neighbor’s house or land, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

   This is pretty clear about coveting.  Basically, I want what you have and I may do anything necessary to get it.   Your wife is better, your house and land are better, the servants are great--- I want it all.

   Also, to me, when this says his ox or donkey, they were the transportation and work horse of the ancient world.  I am guessing that would be like our automobiles and machinery today.

   Satan likes to tempt us by seeing what someone else has and then we start thinking. Hmmm, that would be nice to have.  Whoa up there turbo!  Be content with where you are and what you have. 

 Look at Hebrews 13:5, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

  We need to remember this.  Also, Paul tells us to be content is all circumstances, he has been in need and has had plenty- Philippians 4:11-12.

  Look around, are you content with where you are?  This is a great lesson for me today as the past 3 weeks many things have needed repaired or replaced at my home and it does cost money to repair/replace.  However, God has me in His hands and all is well.  

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #9 Do not bear false witness

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

GOD IS GOOD, GOD IS GREAT, GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

   Here is the 9th Commandment.  “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

   What exactly does this mean?  The main meaning of this is about honesty, integrity, and being of good character.  Also, it deals with gossiping and not knowing the whole story.

   I once heard about a man who had a serious accident, then one of the neighbors said "he was probably drinking and under the influence of alcohol."  Huh?  Because the man might have an alcoholic beverage occasionally does not mean he had been drinking or under the influence.  This was an assumption or we can label it under GOSSIP!

   If you are not there, you don't see or know the complete story, then why repeat or assume something.  That is false witness.

   In law, if you see something, then you tell me, and I go to court and repeat what you told me it is considered "HEAR SAY" and not valid.  Think about that for a moment.  Well, I heard.........STOP..... do not repeat what you heard, know the facts before spouting off as if you know everything.  Food for thought.

 Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #8 Stealing

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  A WONDERFUL DAY TO BE ALIVE IN JESUS CHRIST!!!

   Stealing.  Text in Exodus and Deuteronomy. Often we don't think of different things as stealing.  If at a retail store and they ring up an item that was listed at, oh, say $20 and they ring it up as $5 and you notice.  Do you say something, or mark it up to the error of the cashier?

   If you give $10 for an item that cost $3.78 and they give you change for a $20---do you say something? (you get $16 back instead of $6)

   At work do you take things that are there for company use only or do you take some home for personal use?  Let's say a ream of paper, or markers for the white board.  Is this stealing?

   Here is the big one.  Do you spend hours surfing the internet or watching facebook, or creating a tik tok video instead of spending time with God?  Is that stealing?

  Food for thought for today.  Am I stealing time from God?  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #7 Adultery

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

  As in Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18 "You are not to commit adultery."

And what does this mean? It means we are not to go to another for sex when you or they are married.   Proverbs 6:27-29 tells us not to "go into" another man's wife and if he does he will not go unpunished.

 Jesus coined more than just the act. 

 In Matthew 5: 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

  So, if a man sees a beautiful woman, or if a woman sees a handsome man, the thoughts that resonate with us should be "he/she is a beautiful person" and not a lustful thought.

   I heard a preacher one time talk about this and he had trouble with lust, prayed about it, then one day he felt that God told him it is okay to see the beauty, and he need not lust.  After that he commented that he could see a beautiful woman for her beauty and the lustful thoughts did not come.

   I feel this is where we all should be, seeing the beauty God has created, whether it be man, woman, earth, skies, or whatever, just see the beauty.  Thanks for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #6

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

  The 5th commandment is very clear.  "You shall not commit murder."  So some people say that the military who go to war commit murder.  This commandment is not referring to war; it refers to intentionally or even accidentally killing someone.

  This could be using a weapon, a blunt object, car, rock, or anything used to attack a person.  Exodus 20: 13 “You shall not murder.

  Deuteronomy 5:17 “You shall not murder.

Webster says murder is: the unlawful and malicious or premeditated killing of a person.  

  Jesus tells us that our thoughts, as in adultery, if we look at someone with lustful intent we have already committed adultery in our heart. Would this be the same for murder?  If I want someone "taken" out in my mind, am I committing murder, since it is in my heart?

  Just food for thought.  Do you remember the 7th commandment?  Coming tomorrow. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #6

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  WE ARE TRULY BLESSED WITH ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN!!!!

   In today's world I hear of so many people who are estranged from family members.  Sons not speaking to dad's or mom's and vice versa. Daughters who have completely turned away from parents, siblings, and family.  Why?  What is going on?

   The 5th commandment says "Deuteronomy 5:16 You are to honor your father and your mother, just as the LORD your God commanded you, so that your life will be long and things will go well for you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you." 

  The evil one is prowling and creating havoc where he can.  Telling lies or twisting the truth just as he did in the garden.  And why is it so easy to believe a lie faster than we believe the truth?

    Some people grew up in a "fairy tale world" where the parents never divorced, the children had what they needed, and all were in a safe, protected, Christian environment conducive to growing up to be healthy, productive adults.

   On the other hand, some people grew up in a world of constant chaos, arguing, fighting, bitterness, and not knowing God.  Alcohol, drugs, fighting was the norm and those grew up with the odds against them.  I know some who overcame the adverse world, and then some who continued with the same chaos as adults.

   Read that again: You are to honor your father and your mother, just as the LORD your God commanded you, so that your life will be long and things will go well for you
    It is sad that many many people do not adhere to the commandments God, our Father in heaven, has given us.  Food for thought: Did you honor your father and mother?  Do your children honor you?  If not, why?  And can it be rectified?  If your children do honor you, Hallelujah!

Hmmmm!  Thank you for reading with me today.  May these words be a stimulant to you in a positive way. If you know someone in need, offer them your hand but don't fall into the quagmire they are in. Just lift them up, give them hope.  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #4

 Good morning everyone!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. PRAISE GOD, OUR LIVING GOD!!!

   Well, the 4th commandment is "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy".

The first 4 commandments deal with how we relate to God.Today is that special day, July 12th, a SUNDAY, the day of which we, Christians, keep God's day special.

   Many will be mowing the lawn, fishing, golfing, driving, working at home or a job-- which is okay IF they know Jesus as their savior.

   However, some will say I commune with God when I am ..............!  I am not in a place to judge, but the Bible tells us where 2 or 3 are gathered IN MY NAME, there am I among them. Matthew 18: 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

   Also, in the new testament in Hebrews 10:25 we, as believers are to  

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.

  So, let's keep today Holy and worship God.  Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Graace

Johnny

Commandment #3

 Good morning everyone. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. HE HAS RISEN, YES, INDEED, HE HAS RISEN!!!

  Deuteronomy 5:  11 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  

  How often have you ever heard someone use God's name in part of a curse word?  How we use words and the intent behind it makes a huge difference.

   I can remember when I was in junior high and some of us boys, when it was just us, would say some words thinking that made us big or almost adult.  Never in front of an adult, just us boys thinking we were something.

   Then one Sunday our preacher stepped up in the pulpit and very loudly said, "JESUS CHRIST"!  Then he followed up with did you hear a curse word or your savior.  That gives you an idea where you stand in your salvation.

   I was shocked and ashamed because I thought he was cussing from the pulpit.  Then I realized he was calling the name of my Lord and Savior.  Where do you think you would have been or what you would have thought?

   Fortunately, God has forgiven me for my ill ways and is my Lord and savior.  Now, when I hear a person begin a statement of frustration with God ............, I cringe.  When appropriate or the opportunity comes I share my feelings on this.

   We may hear people exclaim things like, "Oh God" or "My God" or "For God's sake", or other expressions.

    Is this okay? How are these statements being used?  Have we let these expressions (and more) to become socially acceptable in our Christian walk?  Hmmm?

   Food for thought.  May you be blessed today, and may you use God's name only in your prayers or when talking to God.

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Commandment #2 - No Idols

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

  Commandment number two says we will have no other IDOLS before God.

We will see people who have a carved statue and pray or worship it and we think how ridiculous, praying to some you created or had created.  Sounds silly, right?

  But then what do we do? We take pride in many material things. My job, my car, my house, the money I made, the travels I take, and on and on.  Oh, but I go to church each Sunday and I usually go to Sunday School, and Wednesday nights.

  Yes, so often we "go through the motions".  Matthew West - The Motions . This song may relate to many of us - just going through the motions.  We need to quite 'pretending' to be the "good Christian" and be real with ourselves and with Jesus.

  So, what is your IDOL ?  Is Jesus your true LORD & SAVIOR?  Or do you have a carved image you pray to?

  The chorus lyrics of The Motion by Matthew West:

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
Without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking
What if I had given everything
Instead of going through the motions?

  How often I feel like I am just going through the motions.  My prayer today is that each of us, especially me, will quit going through the motions and become as dedicated as the disciples or Paul were.  

NO IDOLS BEFORE OUR LIVING GOD!!!

Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Do you know the 10 commandments? Where they are?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  WHO is your God, truly?  Is it the living God or ???????

   Moses came down with the 10 commandments and we tend to forget what they all are or even where they are in the Bible.  Yes, I am guilty as charged.  The first four commandments deal with our relationship with God. (Exodus 20:2-17/Deuteronomy 5:6-21)

1. "You shall have no other God before me."  Hmmmm!!

   Lip service is easy to say, "Yes, God is number 1 in my life.  Oh, hold on, I have a phone call."  Huh??? 

   How much time do we spend looking at our phone.  Checking reels, facebook, instagram, tic-tok, and on and on.  Or, maybe putting off reading the Bible because we want to "do something for myself."  We become selfish.  God wants a true relationship with you, with me, with all the world.

   The problem is we treat God like an unwanted child or step-child.  Just giving Him attention when we want to or feel we need to.  Or maybe when things don't go well in our lives we call out to God.  Why?  Why are you letting this happen to me?  Huh??

   God should be number 1, numero uno, top dog, the ultimate love of our life.  Do we treat Him that way?

   Priorities we do set, and so often God is not the top of our priorities.  I woke this morning with God giving me the words to say.  I got up, went to breakfast, then came back.  I should have gotten up and put into print what God was telling me.  I have done so now, but not as elegant and clear as when God woke me with the words HE wanted printed.

   I am making an attempt to put down what God told me, but not nearly as clear as the words HE gave me at 6 a.m. this morning.  All I am able to do now is ask forgiveness from God and renew my commitment to make God #1 in my life.

  Where are you my friend in your relationship with the living God, with Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit?

   Today, just stop, take a moment, and talk to God. Remember Him, and have no other Gods before you.  Thank you for reading with me today. I welcome you feedback. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Am I making an impact through my Christianity?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. WILL I MAKE AN IMPACT ON SOMEONE TODAY????

  We go to church, sit in the pew, praise God, raise our hands, say Amen, and listen to the Sunday school teacher or preacher.  Yet, are we in our own little cocoon and plan to remain there or are we making an impact on others around us?

  Dorcas (Greek) or Tabitha (Arabic) in the Bible made an impact on others.  Her name means "gazelle".  She made clothes for widows and poor people.  When she died, got sick and died, the people around brought the clothing she made and showed what she did and they cried.  Peter came and prayed and she came back to life.

  It is a very touching story, yet makes me think: "Would people (not just family) come around, show or tell of the good I did for them as a Christian"?  Would they cry because a disciple of Jesus Christ had just died or just go on with life saying, "it is what it is"?  Hmmmmm?  Makes me wonder if all I do is as worthy as what Tabitha did.  Here is the Tabitha's scripture:  

Tabitha, disciple to the poor. 

  Thank you for reading with me today. May you touch people for Jesus Christ today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Zecharia 11

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  What is thirty pieces of silver?

   Have you ever stopped, read, and studied the book of Zecharia in the Bible.  He, too, tells of the coming of the Lord and the betrayal.

  Back in the ancient days the price of a slave was thirty pieces of silver..  Our Lord and Savior was sold (betrayed) for thirty pieces of silver.

  In Zecharia speaks of the bad shepherds, aka, false preachers and then in verses 12 & 13 of Chapter 11 he speaks of 30 pieces of silver.

  Then talks about that verse 13 says to cast it into the Potter.  When Judas betrayed Jesus, he realized his error (sin) and went to the priests and cast the 30 pieces on the floor.  They could not take the money as it was blood money  Deuteronomy 23:18    and could not go into the church treasury.  SO, they bought a field called the Potter's field.  It was also called "Akeldama" or Field of Blood.  After Judas killed himself, his body fell and burst open in the field, thus the "Field of Blood".

   Several books in the Bible point toward Jesus coming back and often it requires more study than I am used to doing.  However, it is quite eye opening.   On youtube, you can find Christian podcasts to listen to, to sleep by, and they are very informative.  However, this is from one groups version or interpretation so always check it out with the Bible to be certain they are on target.

   I just thought Zecharia was interesting, and the thirty pieces of silver I had known but did not know it was also in this book.  Study on my friend, Jesus is coming back for us. Oh what a day of rejoicing that will be.

  Thank you for reading with me today.  If you find any error in my study please let me know.  I do not want to be portrayed as a false teacher. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Let Go, Let GOD!! Matthew 11:28-30

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

   We all have had troubles or are going through troubles now.  It is easy to look at ourselves and say woe is me.  However, we have a savior that can carry those troubles for us.

   It becomes easy to take it all on our shoulders and try to 'FIX IT", when we should have enough faith to trust God and His wisdom.  In our men's meetings and prayer time a lot of "woes" come to mind.  We should pray about each one with expectations that they will be healed (1) in God's time, and (2) to bring glory to God.

   When life gets heavy just STOP, DROP, & PRAY!  Remember then the Bible

Matthew 11: 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

   May your load be light and your eyes toward heaven today. Love y'all. Thank you for reading with me today.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Psalm 4:6

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

What do our dreams tell us?

    I had an unusual dream last night.  I was playing golf, and had played hole number one.  Then hole 2 was somewhat odd.  Had to go through a building, bathroom, and a small area to tee off from.  Then I was wearing a straw type hat with Psalm 4:6 written on it.

   A man asked me what 4:6 said and I did not know.  I don't know why that was the Psalm written on my hat and, of course, I was embarrassed.  I stated I did not know and had to tee off.  I looked at my "gray polyester pants" and there were 2 green spots on the left leg, one in the shape of a square.  Then a lady spoke to me and I hurried off to the second tee, only I couldn't find it.

  Strange huh?  Yep, I thought so also.  If you can interpret dreams let me know what you think.

   Psalm 4:6  Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”

    Let the light of your face shine on us.

As I study the "many" seems to be a mass of people who have not yet taken a side, whether to be with King David or not. He was running from his son Abaslom at this time.  People did not know which side to take, some confused and some grumbling.

  The Let the light of your (God's)face shine on us --seems to reflect back to what Aaron said in Numbers 6:24 "The LORD bless thee and keep thee."  This is thought to be an inspiration to the masses that are wavering.

  It was an interesting dream and this verse is very interesting as well.  If you have any insight or I am in error, please let me know.  I try to study and give true readings/interpretations; however, I am not perfect and may be half a bubble off.  Just let me know.

  Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What is your Burning Bush experience?

 Good morning everyone.  God is good all the time..........All the time God is good............  Tell me about your "Burning Bush" experience.

  Do you remember your burning bush experience as did Moses?  Moses was tending sheep for his father-in-law Jethro when he saw this odd thing.  A bush was on fire, it was burning, but it was not burning up.  What is this?  He went closer to investigate and suddenly he heard a voice say, "Moses, Moses", to which he responded "Here I am."

  Moses was told not to come closer and take off his sandals as he was walking on holy ground.

  Okay, do you remember your "burning bush" moment and how close to the LORD you were at that time.  Question:  Are you still there?  Do you still have your first love - aka Jesus Christ?

   A good time to reflect and thing about our "BURNING BUSH" moment.  Did you wake today EXPECTING God to do something in your life?  Let's take time to take off our shoes, stand on Holy Ground and talk to God.

  Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

How do Jesus and Moses parallel?

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

What is 3 a.m. in the Bible?  It is the fourth watch, and many feel this is the best, or at least a good time to commune with God, alone, quiet, and listening.

   Have you ever thought about how Moses and Jesus were alive?  Me neither, UNTIL, I discovered it in my Bible.  There are 15 likenesses I have found and will share.  I do hope and pray you find this as interesting as did I.

1. Moses was born while Israel was ruled by a foreign nation, Egypt Ex 1:8-10

Jesus was born while Israel was ruled by a foreign nation,Rome LK 2:3-5

2. Moses was born when Pharaoh decreed that all newborn male children were to be killed.  EX 1:22

    Jesus's birth led to Herod's decree to kill all male children under the age of two. MT 2:16

3.  As an infant, Moses was hidden in Egypt to keep him safe from Pharaoh. EX 2:2

   As an infant, Jesus was hidden in Egypt to keep Him safe from Herod MT 2:13

4. Young Moses was made a prince in Egypt. EX 2:5-6

   Young Jesus was regarded as a king by wise men from the east. MT 2:11

5. Moes's true identity was hidden during his youth. EX 2:8-10

    Jesus's true identity was hidden during his youth and much of His earthly ministry. MT 16:20  JN 2:4

6. Moses was exiled from Egypt until PHaraoh died EX 2:23

   Jesus was exiled from Israel to Egypt until King Herod died MT 2:19-20

7. Moses's mission was to rescue Israel from slavery in Egypt  EX 14

   Jesus's mission was to deliver God's people from slavery of sin. JN 8:31 RM 6:6

8.  Moses delivered God's law on a mountain. EX 20; 34

   Jesus preached on a mountainside about fulfilling God's law MT 5-7

9.  Moses was often rejected by his own people  EX 2:11-15  AC 7:35

   Jesus was rejected by His own people  MT 13:54-58  JN 1:11 ; 12:37-43

10. Moses performed miracles, like turn water into blood EX 7:14-25

   Jesus perform miracles, like turning water into wine. JN 2:1-12

11. Moses walked through the Red Sea. EX 14:21-31

    Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee  MT 14:22-33

12. Moses fed thousands with a miraculous supply of manna. EX 16

 Jesus fed thousands with a miraculous supply of bread.  MT 14:13-21; 15:32-39

13. Moses modeled for Israel how to pray.  EX 32:9-14  NM 6:22-27

   Jesus taught His followers how to pray.  MT 6:5-15

14. Moses lifted up a bronze serpent to heal the sick and dying.  NM 21:4-9

  Jesus was lifted up on a cross to heal the spiritually dead.  JN 3:14-17; 12:32

15. Moses died on a hill, communing with God.  DT 34:1-6

   Jesus died on a hill, communing with His Father (God) MT 27:32-50

I thought this was very interesting and I do hope you find it as interesting as well.  Thank you for tolerating me. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

  

JESUS - do you know HIM, really?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  HE IS FAITHFUL,  ARE YOU?

   Wow!  I listen to Christian podcasts to go to sleep by and to wake by. This morning, early, the podcast was speaking to my belief, your belief, and faithfulness to Jesus Christ.

   It provokes a lot of thought.  What am I doing?  Do I have Bible knowledge, yet do nothing with it?  Am I as faithful as God is?  Do I really know Jesus Christ as my personal savior or just lip service?  Am I just informed?  Where am I standing with God?  with Jesus? in my Spiritual life?   Lots of food for thought.

   Jesus asked when a man was forgiven of 500 denarius and another man of 50 denarius, who would be more grateful?  Answer: the one forgiven of the 500.  So, I stop and think; which one am I?  The 500 or the 50?

   The alcoholic or druggie who accepts Christ and turns away sees a huge difference in his/her life; whereas the person who has been "good" or showed "good behavior" and never really done anything bad may not see the dramatic change as the above mentioned.

   Does that mean the latter is not saved?  NO!  It all narrows down to 18 inches.  The distance from the head to the heart.  Is it just head knowledge or heart knowledge?  Where does Jesus reside in your life, my life, just knowing about HIM, or truly having a relationship with JESUS CHRIST?!? 

   God is faithful and gave us a covenant.  

John 3: 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.

  God gives us a gift, no strings attached.

  Ephesians 2: 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

  How hard is it to accept Jesus as LORD and Savior?

   Romans 10: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

  Thank you for being with me today, reading, and trying to understand where my mind goes. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

A sinner, saved by GRACE!!

My Way is not God's Way

  Hello Friends.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  LOOK IN THE MIRROR, DO YOU SEE A PERSON YOU LOVE?

  I spoke the other day about MY WAY.  Too often people want it MY WAY, not thinking of others, just themselves.  But-----is this the RIGHT WAY?

   When we quit looking at self what happens?  Take Peter for example.  He saw Jesus walking to them on the water.  Peter stepped out and was "walking on water with Jesus."  Why?  Because he had his eyes on Jesus. Then what ?

   When Peter looked at "self", he realized he was doing something he could not do within himself, (he looked at himself), anxiety took over and he sank.

  Then what?  He called out for help to who???   Yes, help from Jesus and then he was saved, he was okay.

   So often we let anxiety, panic, fear take over our lives and things do not go well.  We look inside ourselves.    We freeze up, throw up, or give up.  Instead, we should LOOK UP!  Jesus will carry us through but only if you let him.

   

• Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
• 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV): "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Proverbs 18: 1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends

    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Also, think about this: where are you in life?  Self and my desires, or, Jesus' attitude of loving our neighbor, looking outside of ourselves.

  I need to get MY WAY out of the way, and do it JESUS' WAY!!!

Also, I came across this quote from Max and thought I would share it.

"For the believer, earth is the closest thing to hell they will ever experience. For the unbeliever, earth is the closest thing to heaven they will ever experience."   Max Lucado

This is so true.  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Who rules your life? Colossians 3:15

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  LAUGH, LOVE, AND BE STRESS FREE!!

   Who lives in you?  Really!!  What thoughts do you possess that control your life?

Some people let drugs control them Some people let alcohol control them. Some pornography, some envy, jealousy, hate, anger, ugly or evil thoughts, and so on.  

   We, as children of God, can overcome these for one reason and one reason only.  We accepted Jesus as our savior and He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide our lives.  It is important to remember that the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, and we have to invite Him in, follow His lead, and walk in the footsteps of Christ.

   Too often we blunder ahead in our own way, not listening to the Spirit, not praying for God's guidance, but just doing it MY WAY!

  Colossians 3: 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

  God is our ruling force once we accepted Jesus Christ as our savior.  So often we treat God's guidance, the Holy Spirit's leading as we did our parents growing up.  We may listen, we may hear, but we still are going to do it MY WAY!!  Just like one of my daughters told me years ago when I told her what she should do, she tried it HER WAY, found out my way worked.  Then she turned, looked at me and say, and I quote, "I hate it when you are right!"  

   She did not really hate it, but she so wanted to prove me wrong.  I believe, in my opinion, that we so often do this to the Holy Spirit, to God, and Jesus.  We want to be right, yet, God knows us from the womb to the tomb and sees what is best for us.

  We want to be right.  So, we do need to "LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN OUR HEARTS", take pride out, listen, pray, and follow.  Thank you for reading today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Words and scriptures of encouragement!

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. STRESS NOT FOR GOD IS IN YOUR CORNER!!

   Today we go to celebrate the life of a good friend and neighbor.  We consider them more of family than just neighbors.  When families get together there is usually a lot of fun, excitement, and all-around joy.  However, as I have seen in the past that often, in the celebration of life or the funeral of a loved one, there comes a chance for satan to wedge in and cause problems.

   Jealousy, envy, and anger often takes the forefront.  The big "I" comes up as "I want .......", "I will........" "If I ........" and so forth.

  We celebrate the life of a good man who was quite humble, soft spoken, full of wisdom, and thought before he spoke.  Easy going and would not kill anything, not spiders, not snakes, nothing, well, maybe a fly at the dinner table, but a very gentle man.

  Here are some verses I felt would be meaningful to all of us. Thank you for being patient and reading.

• 
  "Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together."
  Romans 8:28 – "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..."

• “God’s call comes before your qualifications.”
  2 Timothy 1:9-“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.”

• “You can’t wear your old identity and walk in your new one.”
  2 Corinthians 5:17-“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

• "No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying."
  Philippians 3:13-14 "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

• "Making one person smile can change the world – maybe not the whole world, but their world."
  Proverbs 16:24 – "Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."

• "Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it."
  James 1:2-4 - 'Count it all joy... for the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.'

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

• In Christ's Love and Grace

• Johnny

You are important! Never underestimate your worth!!!

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good. YOU ARE IMPORTANT!!  YOU ARE SPECIAL!!!

   In the Bible God did not always use powerful people.  He used common people who may have had flaws, but still did God's work.

     Joseph, a young man who was dad's favorite and resented by his ten half-brothers.  Was he boastful when talking about his dreams or just naive? 

He became next in line to Pharaoh in Egypt, saved people from a famine, and was definitely a God fearing man.

   Then what about Moses, a Jew saved by the Pharaoh's daughter. Killed a man, fled Egypt, then later came and freed the Hebrews (Jews).

    Ruth, a Moabite woman married to a Jewish man, after the death of her father-in-law and her husband, she stayed with her mother-in-law and returned to Naomi's homeland. They were poor and Ruth gleaned the crops at the end of the day. She stayed true to Naomi and God and was the great great grandmother of King David.

    David, the illegitimate son who was only a poor sheepherder for his father. He took supplies to his brothers who were fighting for Israel, saw Goliath and knew God was on his (David's) side.  Went forth and slew the giant.

  These are just a few of the "rags to riches" stories in God.  There are more, however, the point it YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD, JESUS, & the HOLY SPIRIT.  How do you work for God?

   How you spend your day and time is up to you, but ask yourself, will this benefit the kingdom of God?  Is God in the forefront of my thoughts?  You have 1440 minutes in a day, do you give God 10%, 5%, 1%. or nothing at all?

  Here are some scriptures to read and think about:

Proverbs 3:9

NIV

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;

Malachi 3:10

Niv  10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

2 Corinthians 9:7  NIV 

7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

And one of my favorites:  

Luke 6:38 New International Version 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Thank you for reading today. I do hope this makes sense to you. God bless and have a wonderful and safe day.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny