It is so simple, yet so hard! Why? We make it that way!!! Mark 10

Hello everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!  Jesu Jevu!

   Do you ever wonder, just sit and wonder?  Think about things, think about God and the beauty He created, AND we have made a mess of?

Salvation - it is so difficult for so many people to understand; yet so simple to acquire.  It is a gift, a present, and all we need to do is accept it.

If we would just go to Christ Jesus simple and pure and accept.  It is so easy.  The disciples fussed at the people who brought the little children, yet Jesus stopped them and said, "Let the little children come to Me".  Don't stop them.  Let them come.
 

    Then Jesus says that "anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  Now why would he say this?  Because a child has an unfailing and unwavering faith.  They have an open heart and truly believe; no strings attached, just total belief.

    Are we only able to accept Christ as a child?  NO!  But the child-like faith is how we should believe.  Never questioning, never wavering, never doubting, just believe.  Unfortunately as adults we tend to "THINK TOO MUCH" and try to figure out or analyze all things in our life.  Many times there is not a reasonable explanation why something happens - we just have to accept it on faith.  Like my friend in Colorado who has "terminal stomach cancer" and the doctor told him to go home sell everything, and enjoy his last few months.  Five (5) years later he was still kicking and the doctors really did not understand.  You and I should!

   Miracles are alive and well in the 21st Century, in "modern" America and the world.  When we do accept Christ, unconditionally as a child, look what happens next.  We will be in the arms of Christ and blessed------blessed by God.  Wow!  As they say in East Texas: "It don't get no gooder dan dis!"

Jesus Blesses Little Children (Mark 10)

¹³ Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”. ¹⁶ And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Love you all. Soli Deo Gloria
Johnny

Cameo appearance - how is your acting?

God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!  Jesu Jevu!!   And a good morning to all.  It is a nice, comfortable and cool morning.

  Yesterday I spoke about us being part of a bigger story, the greatest story ever told and having a cameo appearance. We should remember this.  Most of you will remember Robin Williams, the comedian and actor.  One of the "problems" (if you will) he presented when acting is that he would improvise and ad lib many times.  Now, in the film industry, they could modify, redo, or cut scenes that they did not want.  In the making of Flubber in 1997 Robin Williams did a lot of ad libbing and the tech/animation guys had to create ways for the scene to match Robins actions (actions outside the original script).

   Hmmm.....sound familiar.  Jesus is the AUTHOR,  the PIONEER, and the FINISHER of our story.  Now, God allows us free will, or the opportunity to "ad lib" in our cameo appearance.  However, there is no retake, no cutting scenes, no "overs" in our appearance.  Once you appear, once you do, then it is said and done.  A little frightening if you really stop and think about all you have done in your life.

   However, with God, there are second chances.  We don't get to remake the story, we don't do a retake, the animators do not adjust, but God does allow us a second chance.  In the road to second chances we do have to suffer the consequences of our actions; then move on.

   God/Jesus (AUTHOR) wrote the story; then set it in motion. Later, Jesus, the PIONEER, came to die for us and share the good news (which some accept and some reject).  And finally, Jesus is the FINISHER.  When he died on the cross

Jesus spoke in Hebrew on the cross, and when He said, "It is finished," it was actually the Hebrew word nishlam, which means 'Paid in full.'"

  God is the AUTHOR; the PIONEERS are the supporting roles in the Bible (Adam, Moses, Noah, David, Joseph, etc) the cameo appearances are you and me, but the lead role and FINISHER is JESUS CHRIST.

   Jesus had no second chances or retakes; He did it right the first time.  We don't, but we do have second chances.We have the opportunity to do it right. Acts 28: ²⁷ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.

  Where are you today?  I pray you and I open our eyes and hear with our ears and be healed.  Love you all.

Soli Deo Gloria

Johnny

2 Corinthians 4:7 A Treasure in earthen vessels

Hello all,  Well, I seem to be back on track today. Thank you to all who called or emailed and prayed for me. God bless you.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!  Jesu Jevu!

   2 Corinthians 4: ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

    Okay, you may look around and say, "I have no treasure, what are you talking about?"  Oh, but we do.  Our treasure is the greatness and glory of the gospel through Jesus Christ, our saviour and salvation.  The glory of God is made obvious through the gospel.  God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ is the greatest treasure of all.

   This treasure in 'earthen vessels' and this means???? The earthenware were the every day dish in the ancient world.   This pottery was not strong like metal, nor reuseable like glass (which can be melted down again).   The pottery was useless if broken, cheap, and cast aside.  Well, God chose to put His light and glory in the everyday dishes, not in the fine china!

  You and I are the everyday dishes. Oh, yes, one day we will be fine china, however, in the meantime are are to continue on in God's work.

    Why would an almighty God put this power in such weak vessels, weak earthen vessels?  The reason is "GLORY FOR GOD"!  A perfect vessel has glory in itself, but an imperfect vessel does not.  Sometimes that vessel has to be broken before it becomes of use.

    We see many broken earthen vessels (men/women) whom God, through Jesus Christ, has swept up, made whole, and brought glory to Him, glory to GOD!

    In all we do, we should do for the glory of God.  Whether with family, friends, work, church, or wherever; it should all be for God's glory.  I hope this speaks to you, it is speaking volumes to me at this very moment. Love you all.

Soli Deo Gloria

Johnny

Co-signing - a good or bad idea?

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

    Have you ever been asked by someone to loan you money?  Have you ever co-signed a note for someone?  Is this wise?  Should you do it or not? Hmm! Let's look and see.
   I am currently reading a book, "Grace Behind Bars" by Bo and Gari Mitchell.  Bo grew up with an extremely competitive spirit.  His dad was a Pro baseball player for the Dodgers and he was taught, through his dad you have to strive to be the best at whatever you do.  Thus, Bo did work hard at everything he did.

   Due to Bo's mother, he knew about church and because of others who entered his life, including his wife Gari, he accepted Jesus and was/is a Christian.  Along the way Bo became very successful in all that he did.  One of his accomplishments was in fund raising and starting churches in Colorado, which became Mega-churches.

   As all this is going on, a Christian and banker friend comes to him and tells him some "friends" needed a co-signer on 2 loans.  He put the papers down for Bo to sign, and, Bo knowing these men, only as acquaintances, but trusting his banker friend said sure and signed.  Now, for a moment take note of Proverbs 11:15:
 

    Proverbs 11:15 (NIV)¹⁵ Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.

 

   Well, a long story short, 7 years later, and the loan is repaid, the banker is jailed for fraudulent bank activities.  Then a knock on the door, and Bo gets to meet the FBI and Deputy U.S. Attorney who were doing the investigation.  Bo really did not do anything illegal as far as he knew; but the arm of justice was far reaching and found a small obscure law they could prosecute him on.

    Now, Bo was a God fearing man, driven, and did work too hard and spent too much time away from family.  Also, he was going 'THROUGH THE MOTIONS'  of being a Christian.  Oh, yes, he was a Christian, but too busy doing "CHRISTIAN" work to really be in the word.  I call this the "Mary/Martha syndrome".  Too busy doing the 'church' work to listen to God.

    It appears God needed to get his attention and so he did - FBI and US Attorney attention.  And the story goes on.  The point here is that we are told if we put up security for someone we do not know we will surely suffer, and Bo did.  However, it did get his attention to know where his loyalty and concentration should be.  To GOD!

   How often do we do this same type of thing. We want to be a "good Christian" and help by not saying no or not looking at the whole and complete picture.  Or, as Bo, trusting someone on their word in lieu of praying about it and asking for God's guidance.  GUILTY here!!!  May this touch someone reading out there and help you.  It makes me stop and ponder my life and what I am doing with what God gave me. Love you all.

Soli Deo Gloria

Johnny
 

Are you the same person today as yesterday?

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

   Have you just STOPPED and thought about your life?  Who you are? What you are doing?  Where you are going? And, most importantly, what are you doing for the kingdom of God?

   Gerald Cerda, a guide for Big Thicket Outfitters made this statement: "A man never steps in the same rive twice, because it's not the same river, and he isn't the same man."

  Think about these words for a moment.  If you are the same man/woman today as your were yesterday - have you grown or stagnated?

   You man enter the river at the exact same GPS location, but the river is always moving and always changing, it is different.  If you are the same person............well......let's look at it this way.

   Our quest in life or purpose is to live for God.  As the river changes, the banks widen, course changes, current is different, there is a force causing this change.  It may be a large rain storm, many days of rain, or rapid melting of the snow mass, but whatever it is the river is going to change.

   So should we, change, as children of God.  The cause for our change should be our love and devotion to God, our salvation through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit leading us.  This change should be called GROWTH!

   How have I grown-----SPIRITUALLY----yesterday, today, and  will I grow tomorrow?  Am I walking closer with God, or just at status quo (like everyone else).  Yeah, I grew up in the church, naw, I don't read my Bible but once in a while and if nothing else is planned I go to church.        WOW!
   This type of attitude is just like the difference between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.  The Sea of Galilee is constantly changing because fresh water is coming in constantly and old water flowing out, sharing.   The Dead Sea is complacent with collecting the water, keeping it, and it grows stagnant.  The Sea of Galilee is fertile and productive; the Dead Sea produces 'salt' due to its stagnant features.

                             WHICH ONE IS THE SAME?   IS THAT YOU?  

   What I am asking you today is this - Are you the same person today who stepped into the water yesterday?  Are you the same person who collected "some" Bible knowledge growing up, and now are stagnant with what you know?  Not having grown Spiritually and coming closer and closer to God. "

   Are you "fertile" by studying and sharing the word of God, OR, stagnant with the little knowledge you gained in your youth?  Only you can answer, and this is a great time for self examination!
                                                  IS YOUR RIVER CHANGING?

Hosea 10:12 ESV Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Romans 12:1-2 ESV  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, I ask that you pray for me as I pray for you.  Love you all.
Soli Deo Gloria
Johnny

1 Peter 5: 12-14 Final Greetings

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

  Peter is having Silvanus or Silas, writes as he dictates.  Peter is telling them we must stand firm in the true grace of God. We must understand what God's grace is and stand our ground.  He is writing the church in Babylon.  Some versions will say "She who is in Babylon" still referring to the church.  It is thought that Peter is writing from Babylon and this is one churches greeting to another.

    A salute or warm greeting as does Mark, whom many believe Peter was Mark's primary source of information for his gospel.We should all greet each other with God's love, one to another.  But most of all, peace in the fact that we are all in Christ Jesus.

¹² By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.
¹³ The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.
¹⁴ Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Thank you for reading.  I ask, selfishly, that you pray for me as I have encountered a hurdle that caused me to fall and skin my knees.  Thank you. Love you all.
Soli Deo Gloria
Johnny

1 Peter 5: 10-11 We are called by Christ Jesus

Good morning and a wonderful morning to you all. Please pray, today, one for another. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!  Jesu Jevu!

  We are all called by God, but only some of us will heed the call. God is a god of grace and because of his son, Jesus Christ, we are saved and will spend eternity with Him, God!  Yes, we will suffered.  Each moment you spend on this earth, where the Prince of the World roams, we will suffer.  Christians will experience suffering here on earth, it may be small, it may be great, it does not matter.  What matters is that we stay true to God and in the end, God will make us perfect, will make us strong, firm and steadfast.

   This is a far greater gift than if we won the power ball lotto.  Why?  Because with the lotto you have your reward on earth; with God our rewards awaits us in heaven.  Oh, heavenly day.  What a great day that will be.

   I have so much to do before that day and I know I won't get it all done as I know not the day and time Christ will return just for ME; and for YOU!  We must be vigilant as the maidens waiting for the bride groom who were prepared and had enough oil and were ready and waiting.

   And verse 11 says a lot: TO HIM BE GLORY AND DOMINION FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.  Give God the glory; let the pride fall from our shoulders and the humbleness and humility in Christ rest strongly on our shoulders.  Let us be the Christ others see.  Love you all.¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.        ¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria
Johnny