Romans 8:5-6 Flesh before God? Dust on your Bible?

 Good morning all, God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  YOU ARE BLESSED MY FRIEND, BLESSED!

  Romans 8:: 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

     How often do we feel we are living for God, but really living in the flesh. What is important to you today?  Your money, car, home, possessions, phone, news of the world, OR the WORD OF GOD?  It is easy to say God first, but then put God on the back burner.  I'm going to live my life to the fullest.  Well?  Does that mean with God in the forefront of the rear?

   Josiah Queen has a song Dusty Bibles. Click the link, but read the lyrics.

We got dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way

Hey, how you been?
It's been a while, and I'm just checking in
I miss the way things used to be back in 2017
And I just miss my friend

Hey, I've been fine
I've been struggling to find some peace of mind
It's the problem of our nation and in our generation
We're too busy and can't find the time

Are we busy, or is it all a lie?

We got dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way
We walk with our eyes closed, blind leading blind folks
And I'm done with those idols and dusty Bibles

You only get this one life
I don't wanna sit and watch it pass me by
I'm so done being complacent, there ain't no replacement
For a life in the light of your way

Oh, I'm done, had enough of my way

With dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way
We walk with our eyes closed, blind leading blind folks
And I'm done with those idols and dusty Bibles

I miss the way things used to be back in 2017
And I just miss my friend
Oh, I just miss my friend

We got dust on our Bibles, brand-new iPhones
No wonder why we feel this way
We walk with our eyes closed, blind leading blind folks
I'm done with those idols and dusty Bibles

So where are you today? Phone most important or God? Hmmm.  Thank you for reading with me today. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

WIN THE MORNING!!!

Good morning,

   I just wanted to share my last Bible study of take every thought captive.  Our thoughts are like the rudder of a ship. Small, quietly moving along, yet so powerful in all we do and also how our day may start.

Our first thoughts of the day set the course or determine how our day may progress

We can prime our day with positive, intentional, and good thoughts, OR we can take the negative approach that everything bad is going to happen. IE well, it is another Monday.

What is the first thing we reach for once out of bed?  The Bible, a devotional, or the phone to see who called, text,  or what is going on in the world?

Remember we G E T  to be with God daily, it is not a have to situation.  If it becomes a HAVE TO situation, we probably need to reexamine our relationship with God.

Jesus used to go off by himself to be alone and RE-CHARGE.  We are the same way, our phone do not auto re-charge, nor do we.  Take time to be with God--in the Bible, daily devotion, or just quiet a& alone.

Take time to think of yourself as the master gardener of the GARDENER OF WORDS,  the more positive the prettier the flowers; the more negative the more the weeds, which will choke out the flowers.

I am not preaching, just had this and with the beginning of school I am guessing you get a lot of calls.  Just WIN THE MORNING!!

Thank you for reading. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

 

What is the strong hold of your mind?

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  BREAK THAT STRONGHOLD OF LIES WITH LOVE, FAITH AND GRACE!!!

   In psychology the Law of Cognition says what you think about determines who you are.

   The Rule of Exposure says whatever we are exposed to the most shapes our thoughts.

   Have you ever thought about this?  So often as Christians we attend church on Sunday morning, sermon and possibly Bible study.  Then maybe on Wednesday if nothing else comes up, and we think:  I'M GOOD!

  Really?  The person who looks at pornography daily and then goes to church on Sunday.  Is he good, really?

   The person who drinks too much or does drugs then goes to church on Sunday.  Is he good, really?

  Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

  Proverbs 4:23 Be careful how you think, you life is shaped by your thoughts.

Lies that are reinforced changes our lives.  How I perceive something makes it real to me.  Soooo, if I think I can do the things of this world, then go to church on Sunday I'm okay.  Well, in my mind I may be, but what does God's word say about this?

  If you hear or tell a lie enough, then it becomes real.  When I was in the military there was a young man who claimed he had been in Viet Nam, won war medals, even wore them and bragged about what he had done to the point he believed it himself.  Truth was, he had never been out of the United States and was living a lie.  Yet, he told it so much he believed it.  

    What lie are you telling yourself? (self-reflection)

   Do we as Christians tell ourselves we are okay so much that we do whatever we want, fall into the patterns of the world, and then believe we are truly godly?

  Fear and pride fight the truth.  Love, faith, and grace destroy the stronghold of lies.

  Where are you today my friend?  How are your perceptions affecting your life? Stay in the Bible, study the word, don't just read it, but study it.  Do this for 21 days and see how it affects your thoughts and actions, and the effect it will have on the ones around you. Hmmmm?

  May God bless you, keep you, and let your mind be transformed to HIS ways. Love y'all. Thank you for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

What is IT worth? What are you worth?

 Hello Friends,

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

   Well, football season is upon us.  Often they call it the "pig-skin" and it is odd shaped.  You can purchase "footballs" of all sizes and shapes. From nerf to solid pro balls.  Just what do you want and what is your purpose?

  Well, if I am coaching a high school, college, or pro team I definitely do not want a nerf football.  I want the real "pig-skin" to play with.  To hike, pass, throw, and kick.

   That football sitting on the shelf is only worth the price tag on it.  However, put it in the hands of, oh, say Patrick Mahommes and now it becomes much more valuable.

   You and I are like the football on the shelf, only worth our price tag.  What is our price tag.  We are saved because we called upon Jesus Christ as our savior.  As long as we sit on that shelf we have salvation,, BUT, what have we done for the kingdom of God?

  Nothing, we are just sitting there.  Maybe we are a nerf ball which is soft and pliable.  So do we just agree with what everyone says and don't raise questions? Don't mention the great present we have of salvation?  Is this you or me?

  OR, am I, are You the football that came off the shelf and became a strong disciple of Jesus Christ.  Not in the hands of a pro quarterback, but in the HANDS of JESUS, GOD, & HOLY SPIRIT.

   Are we taking the WORD of GOD and spreading the news, or in football language scoring touchdowns?  Are we running with the WORD?  Or, are we fumbling before the goal line.

   While reading a book by Emmitt Smith I came across this idea of how much is a football really worth and then thought how much am I doing for the kingdom of God.  When Emmitt had the football and scored people cheered. When we share the word, I feel sure the angels cheer and the opposing team boo's and changes their strategies.

   I do hope you understand my attempt at an analogy of our worth. YOU, MY FRIEND, ARE VALUABLE AND WORTH MORE THAN A PRO FOOTBALL.

   YOU HAVE SCORED ETERNAL LIFE!   Love y'all. Thank you for reading.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Justification, Sanctification, Glorification with God

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

What is salvation?  Salvation comes to us by grace, the grace of God.

Salvation is a free gift to sinners received through faith alone from God. Justification is just as if we never sinned. Reborn, saved.

Salvation is not just about going to heaven.  It is about knowing and enjoying God now and partnering with God to reconcile the world back to him.  This is where sanctification comes in. We are to spread the news.

   BUT, do we need sanctification?  Is it essential to our salvation?  NO!

This comes after we accept Jesus as our savior.

Our final destination is glorification after accepting Jesus Christ as our personal savior.  Will it come immediately?  Maybe, maybe not!  For the thief on the cross he was justified and then glorified and with Jesus in heaven.

However, we, the living do have time for sanctification as we do what God has commanded us to do.  To go into the whole world and share the word of salvation.  Do we all have to be missionaries?  

     YES!  B U T, that does not mean going to another state or country.  My mission field and yours is all around us. Ask people if they know Jesus Christ as their personal savior.  

   If you are not certain how to ask, then use an opener such as giving a cross, a trac, mention the shirt they are wearing, anything that can open the communication with another soul.

  Acts 16: 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 

Just remember, discipleship is the response to salvation.

Thank you for reading today. May God bless you and your household. Love y'all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Compromise - should we? What does the Bible say?

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

  How often do we look away from things we should confront?  If you see someone abusing a spouse, child, or just someone on the street -- what do you do?  Look the other way?  Avoid them? Or do you try to mediate and step in?

   Here is the deal.  If I want steak tonight and my wife wants shrimp, then we can come to a compromise. Maybe instead of eating at home we go to a restaurant when we can each get what we want. Or maybe one of us will agree to eat what the other wants.  Is this bad?  No!

   Say we are in Bible study and some of us want to do Luke and others want to do revelation. What do we do?  Discuss it and come to an agreement.  Maybe Revelation now, then Luke next.  It will bring about unity. We are all together agreeing on the solution. No problem whatsoever.

   What does the Bible say about sin and compromise?  The Bible strongly condemns compromising with sin, which is seen as disobedience to God and can lead to spiritual decline.

  We cannot compromise with false doctrine and follow the world.  We have to stay rooted in the Bible, which is GOD'S WORD!!!

   Compromising the Biblical truths can lead to deception, disstruction, and comes with eternal consequences. 

  Sin is sin.  We should hate sin, but love the sinner.  Well, she/he is gay and I just can't love them.  YES YOU CAN!  Love them, but not their sin.  Well, he/she is an alcoholic, I just can't love them for that.  YES YOU CAN!  Love them, but not their sin.

   Too often we don't separate the two. There is a difference between sin and the sinner.  You are a sinner. I am a sinner. I still love you no matter what.  It is the same with them.  HOWEVER, we do not compromise to the extent we are going against GOD'S WORD!

   Do I support you in your sin?  NO! But I will support you with my love.  That is God.  He loves us no matter what.  All day, all the time, 24/7-365, God loves you and me.

Bible verses to consider:

Exodus 34:12-16:

God warns against making covenants with the inhabitants of the Promised Land, highlighting the dangers of compromising with those who worship other gods.

Matthew 6:24:
Jesus states, "No one can serve two masters," illustrating the impossibility of serving both God and worldly desires. 

  Daniel 3:16-18:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to a golden image, demonstrating unwavering faith and refusal to compromise with idolatry

 

   Am I a sinner.  YES, but I have a savior who gave HIS life for me, and for that I will be eternally grateful.  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Encouraging others to fellowship Hebrews 10:24-25

 Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.. YOU ARE BLESSED TO BE A CHILD OF GOD!!!

   Often when I visit with people they will profess to be Christians but do not go to church.  Why?  They all have reasons: I don't need to be in church to worship; I do my own prayer time and study; I believe but don't care to be around all those people, and many more reasons or excuses.

   These all may be valid, however, we are told to fellowship with one another. Iron strengthens iron; the word and study with other like believers strengthens our witness.  Let us look at this scripture.

   Hebrews 10: 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 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.

   We must show LOVE, COMPASSION, and HONEST COMMITMENT to others.  This will bring them around.  Being critical and judgmental can build a crevice and further divide them from fellowship.

   Please, just love on people, share the word, and encourage. Honey catches more than vinegar.  Which one are you? Honey or vinegar?

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

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny