The battle is not ours, but GOD's! 2 Chronicles 12=15

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

   An army bore down on Judah and God spoke to the people through Jahaziel.  We fight an army daily, whether it be spiritual, political, or personal, we do fight.  The biggest fight we experience is to NOT FORGET GOD's spirit is in us.

  In this scripture the enemy was bearing down on Judah and things looked back.  For conservative America does this sound familiar?  Well, the Spirit of God came down on one man, Jahaziel and he said, "Listen................this is what the LORD says----DO NOT BE AFRAID!  DON'T BE DISCOURAGED BY THIS MIGHTY ARMY, FOR THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD'S!!

   These are words we need to heed and live by.  So oft we forget and try to take control ourselves, usually to no avail.  We need to ask God for help in our struggles. God will fight for us. God always triumphs. So how do we let God fight for us?

  First we have to realize that the battle is not ours, but God's.  We need to recognize we are only human and must allow God's strength to work through our fears and weaknesses.  We should follow and chase God's interests and not just our selfish desires. And last but not least, go to bended knee and ask God to help in our daily battles.

  Here is the scripture:2 Chronicles 20:12-15;  To listen click here.          2 Chronciles 20:15b for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

   Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Proverbs 2 The benefits of wisdom

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

   All the world is traveling in some type of fear.  COVID, N. Korea nuclear, Russia involvement in elections, immigration wide open, China trade deals, Keystone pipeline, and on and on.

   What we have to do is remember that God is our salvation!  God is our redeemer! God is where we take refuse!  Too often we "kill" the phrase GOD IS IN CONTROL!  

  Yes, HE is; however, he also calls us to ask and pray for wisdom and knowledge so we will know what to do when various events occur.

  We can hide our head in the sand and continue saying God is in control; OR, we can go to Proverbs 2: 1-22 (click here to listen to Proverbs 2)  for encouragement.  

   Wisdom is God's gift to us and this is the starting point to HIS word.  Wisdom is given to those who earnestly seek it.  God's wisdom is hidden from the rebellious, the foolish, the evil ones.  If we follow the true wisdom, which comes from God, HE will guide us and reward us for our sincere and constant search.

   God gives wisdom and victory to the godly, even though we may not see it, HE does. If we are faithful and follow HIM HE will keep our path straight.

  Wisdom does not come from a sudden blast and now you have it. It comes from a constant process of searching and growing.  We have to honor and trust God, know that the Bible gives us God's wisdom, and then we must make the right choices.

   Verse 16 begins with the promiscuous woman.  Do not think of this as only adultery with another, but adultery in the form of pride, sex, greed, lust, envy.  Anything that turns our heads away from God and to the world.  I enjoy verse 21& 22 - encouragement for you and for me: 21 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it; 22 but the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

Thank you for reading. Please take time to listen to Proverbs 2, it is only 1:53 minutes long. Focus and concentrate on what is being said. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Proverbs 1:10-11 Are you robbing others?

 Good morning all brothers and sisters of the faith.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good. YES, YOU AND I ARE BLESSED!!  Yet, we need to walk humbly but boldly with the Word of God!!

   During the time this scripture of Proverbs was written it was actually easy in the Palestinian countryside for one to rob others, take their bounty and "enjoy" life.  There was no certainty in this area and (look at the scripture) Proverbs 1: 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, “Come with us; let us lie in wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause;

  First, instruction from a father to a son--- my son-----what?  Do not be tempted and fall to the trap of the sinners, robbers, thieves.

  And then what?  They have created their own livelihood by robbing and sometimes killing innocent people just to take what does not belong to them.

   What do they do?  They "lie in wait"  or plan their next attack.  And "lurk privily" they are hidden, secluded, and unseen.  Why?  Because they plan to attack the innocent---notice this work "innocent", meaning they have done nothing to create this attack.  Without cause -- their is no reason for the attack except to rob, plunder, kill and destroy.  Whoa!  Do those words sound familiar?  Hmmmm!

  So, what are you saying here?  I pray and hope you can follow the thought process here.  We, Christians, have been given a "GIFT" from God; that gift is JESUS CHRIST and our SALVATION.

  Now, we are as robbers in the countryside if we steal or keep this gift from others.  If I, if you, don't share the gospel with others we are "robbing" them of a chance of salvation.  Can I, can you, save someone?  NO!  BUT, we can rob them of the chance of knowing Jesus and salvation.

   When GOD moves you to speak to someone, stop and assist someone, call someone, or whatever the Holy Spirit urges you to do and you resist -- you have just robbed that person or a person of seeing JESUS in YOU!

   Just food for thought.  Thanks for reading with me today. May your day be wonderful and blessed. Please pray for our nation and our leaders from the household to the Whitehouse and world. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

  

Proverbs 1:8-10 Listen to Mum and Pop

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

  Do you ever feel like you are behind a rock and no matter which way you go you just cannot get in front of that rock?  This is what sin tends to do to me; as Paul says in Romans 7: 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

  My thoughts, my actions, so often they tend to repulse me, yet I do them anyway.    We should not turn away from a parents guidance for they have experience and more wisdom than we.   So often I think of what my mom told me as I was growing up AND in my adult years.  Here is what Solomon says in Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother;   YES, hear the instruction of the father but heed the law of your mother.  What does this mean?  Our parents give us instruction for our own welfare; whether we heed it or not is another topic.  If we do, then what ?

  9 for they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

  What?  Something on my head and chains around my neck?  Are you serious?  In King James verse  9They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck..

   The garland basically is like a turban, something attractive such as we today wear hats or some type of head covering we think looks good or attractive.  A special headdress!

  Then a chain for my neck?  This would be a necklace as a masculine adornment which was given to young men in these days as he was moving into an area of new responsibilities.  This would serve as a reminder of his moral responsibility and heritage.

  We need to remember what Paul tells us and what Solomon is trying to impart upon us.  10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.

   This verse 10 is being said to me in my mind over and over.  However, the main sinner in this scenario is ME.  My heart struggles, thus my mind wanders and falls to sinful thoughts.  The thoughts do not become deeds, but they are sinful.  

   Are you in the same place as I?  I will lay hands out for you in prayer and ask you do likewise for me.

  The LORD JESUS CHRIST is my savior and it is imperative that I live in a matter worthy to be called Friend, Son!  Thank you for reading with me today. I cherish your prayers. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Proverbs 1:1-7 Wisdom and Knowledge

 Hello and good morning.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  Say to yourself outloud:  I AM BLESSED TO BE A CHILD OF GOD!!!

   Well, I thought I might get some feedback on the Does the Bible say not to lie script.  Everyone was certainly quiet. :)

   Proverbs 1: 1-7 give us instructions. In chapters 1 through 7 Solomon is giving instructions to sons.  It starts out by telling whose proverbs these are:  1The Proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

  Then we start the instructions:  Verses 2-3 are written so we may find the path of wisdom. With wisdom we should find moral discipline which will help us to maintain self control. NIV 2 

for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;  3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,  doing what is right and just and fair;

  In Verse 4: 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,

    knowledge and discretion to the young—

    Here "simple" is referring to those who are open to good impressions, BUT, could be led astray easily.  This is an opportunity to share the knowledge and discretion to the youth about God and salvation.

  In verses 5-6 this is not only speaking to the young, but to all.  5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—  6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

  We all can grow and learn if we pay close attention and actually learn from the guidance.  Now, how do we gain knowledge?

  Verse 7 tells us in KJV: 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

  The fear of the LORD, or in other words to be in awe of the LORD.  To respect with the greatest of reverence and awe.  Awe is defined as fear. respect, and wonder.  This we should have.

  Let's recap:  to gain wisdom we need INSTRUCTION; where we listen and learn and take advice of elders.

  When visiting with people who are "on the fence" or "easily swayed" we must be humbly strong and bold and share the instruction with them.

  A wise man will listen and hear, plus, obtain wise counsel.  We should not just listen to anyone and grasp at straws. Be wise! 

  Fear of the LORD is not trembling, shaking and wanting to flee, But that we should be in awe, amazement, and wonder of the LORD.   And notice who despise and reject wisdom and instruction---the fools.

  So, today, let us all seek wisdom and knowledge through our obedience and awe of the GOD of the universe and our saving grace.  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Does the Bible tell us not to LIE?? Really??

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

   Okay, we contribute a lot of sayings or cliches to the Bible.  Example:  God helps those who help themselves. -- Show me the scripture. Exodus 20:16 

    Did Eve take an apple to eat?  No - Genesis 3:6 .

Cleanliness is next to Godliness.  NO WHERE IN THE BIBLE! John Wesley said if it helps in getting your children to bathe then use it but don't say it is from the Bible.

    God works in mysterious ways - not in the Bible, here is what is really said: Isaiah 55:8-9.

 And next to last, Love the sinner, hate the sin.  This is close but not exact:  Matthew 5:43-44, and then Psalm 97:10  Here is some info I gathered about the phrase: In the 5th Century, Augustine wrote a line which translates roughly to “with love for mankind and hatred of sins.”

Later, Ghandi, a practitioner of Hindiusm said, “hate the sin and not the sinner.” Still, both loving sinners and hating sin are biblical.

    Lastly -- Be in the world, but not of the world!  Nowhere in the Bible. Some think it is an exact quote from Sermon on the Mount, but it is not.  The idea is expressed in the Bible but not said.  This is a modern day interpretation.  Look at  John 15:19, John 17:14-15,  Romans 12:1-2. Because of Jesus we are not of this world.

   Just food for thought and this was stimulated by last night's Bible study.  Let me go back to lie.   Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who had ample time to contemplate this issue from the perspective of a Nazi prison cell—held that under certain circumstances lying was not only morally permissible but morally mandated. Thus, Bonhoeffer advocated deceiving the enemy in circumstances of war, and he had no compunction about lying in order to facilitate escape for Jews facing extermination.

  Also, let us go to Rahab, the prostitute who lied about the spies. Joshua 2.  She did this for God's people.  Hmmmm!  Food for thought and I would love to get your take on this.  

  Thanks for reading.  Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Be bold, be fearless, stand firm for God!

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

  Friend, today, right now, it is time to no longer be silent, but to express your concern and outrage of what is going on in our Congress.  Christians are sitting quietly by saying 'Oh, it will be okay, we have gone through rough times before', but I say bunk!!!  Here is a song of old that should be song of the year! What a wonderful world by Louis Armstrong.  A beautiful song.

    I do not mean to be political in this devotional.  My whole body becomes sickened to see what is going on in America and how our politicians are not for the people, God and Country but for themselves and their agendas.

  Dietrich Bonhoeffer said over 80 years ago that the church need not be silent, but stand up.  PEOPLE, the church and your moral values ARE UNDER ATTACK!  Then you get the do gooders who will say, "Well, Jesus said to turn the other cheek"!  Did he say to go away as a beaten dog?  NO!  Jesus became angry at sin----look at the money changers in the temple!

   As Christians we must take strength from God, His word, and go forth boldly with the Armour of God.  God destroyed the unGodly through His peoples Israel. Jesus came for all Jews and us, the Gentiles.  We must fight for our right to freely assemble and worship.  If not we will become as North Korea, China, and other countries and be persecuted for our beliefs.  THEN, and only  then, will your faith be tested.

   Here are some verses about standing up for others, and others meaning all people who are struggling like you, me, and America.

   We cannot erase history by tearing down statues and changing names; however, we can distort the past by changing books and not telling the truth.

Is Dr. Suess really offensive?  Is the syrup Mrs. Buttersworth really degrading?  We may be fearful and Dorothy in Wizard of Oz.  Lions, tigers, and bears, OH MY!

 If you have time, please take time to read what Joyce Meyers says about being bold and fearless. 

  Okay, I have given you a lot of readings within this devotional, rant, or whatever you wish to call it.  This lack of common sense, moral teaching, and eradicating history is a concern and I took to this text to express myself.  If  this offends you, please, let's communicate with each other, not ostracize each other.  Stand up for JESUS!

    

           

Thank you for reading today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny