Matthew 14:22-32 Jesus is the Answer

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

  In Matthew 14, first Jesus fed the 5 thousand men not counting women and children with 2 fish and 5 loafs of bread.  After the disciples picked up the remains, 12 baskets full, Jesus told them to get in the boat and row to the other side. Matthew 14:22-32

   Jesus dismissed the crowd and went to pray.  He prayed until the fourth watch.  First of all, this would be  early early morning, 3 a.m. to 6 a.m..  Why?  This was a 12 hour watch divided up into fourths.  6 p.m. to 6 a.m., when observers would watch from towers for possible enemy invasion.  Also, 3- 6 a.m. was when the  satanic agents who went out to perform their activities are returning to their bases.  

    So, moving forward, Jesus went to the disciples by walking on the sea, the water.  Now the disciples were struggling because a wind was battling against their rowing.  As Jesus approached they became fearful, was it a ghost, just what was it walking toward them?  This is when Jesus spoke.   Then Peter replied to say Lord if it is you tell me to come to you.  Jesus said come.  Peter was walking on water U N T I L   his eyes came off Jesus, he noticed the wind, fear set in and what happened?  He sank!  

   When he sank what did he do?  He yelled out for Jesus to save him and Jesus did.  Okay, you say, I know this story --- heard it from my youth--- so what?!? 

   How often is our life this way.  We are battling the storms in life, struggling, and not seeming to get anywhere.   Jesus was there, IS there, and will be there for you to call out to.  FEAR is a great tool for satan and you read about what it did to Peter----he sank.

   Jesus spoke to Peter as he was saving him and said, "Oh ye of little faith".  Is this what Jesus would say to you right now at this time---Oh ye of little faith, why do you let FEAR run and ruin your life?

   When Jesus got in the boat the wind died and it was smooth sailing.  We need to remember to call on Jesus in GOOD TIMES as well as bad times.  Look around, be still, and know that Jesus has sent the comforter and HE IS WITH YOU.

  There are many lessons in these verses alone, but I hope you choose to understand that we should and MUST turn to JESUS in all things.  Listen to this song by Andrea Crouch - Jesus is the answer.  

  Thank you for reading and listening today. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Are you indifferent, apathetic, or fired up for the LORD? Mark 4:1-20

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

  You know the parable of the seed that falls on 4 types of soil.  Let us look at what Jesus says first:  Mark 4:  3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

   In verses 14-20 Jesus explains this quite well what is meant.  A little excerpt from me, then Jesus' words.  Often when we read this passage we think it relates to 4 different kinds of people; however, I can see it relating to YOU and to ME and the different phases or seasons we go through.

  First you see the seeds on the path - this may be us when we first accepted Christ and was not sure what to do.  Some fell on stony or rocky places where it could not take root well. It germinated quickly but then died.   Some fell among thorns or weeds, which will choke out the seed or crop.  But what fell on GOOD SOIL came up and produced a crop and multiplied.

   This may be us in our Christian walk.  How often do we hear and then go another way?  How often are we fired up and go forth with great gusto only to die out quickly?   How often do we let the people around us "choke out" our fellowship with Christ.  Then, finally, when we realize, we become well rooted in the word and follow Jesus Christ, spreading the Good News to others and this word multiplies, thanks be to God.

   Jesus says it best here in verses 14-20:  14 The farmer sows the word. 15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. 20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

   So often we become indifferent due to LIFE, and push Jesus Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit aside.  I challenge you today to push aside the indifference that life is pushing your way and spend time in prayer, with Jesus, with God, be led by the Holy Spirit.  See how that feels.  Put SELF away and lift up your SPIRITUAL BEING to be what God wants you to be.  

  Thank you for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

1 Peter 3:18-22

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

  Wowsers!!  If you want to study something that is really deep and difficult to understand check out these verses - 1 Peter 3:18-22.  Let's look at the verses and if you have any interpretations I would appreciate hearing from you.

  18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit

  In this the first word "for" actually means "because" Christ also suffered - and who did he suffer for?  The righteous AND unrighteous. Why?  To bring them, you, me, to GOD.  What happened? Christ was crucified, died, and resurrected.  He was made alive in the Spirit.

   Now realize we have 2 things here:  Christ came in the flesh as man, upon his death the Spirit came and he was resurrected and alive again in the Spirit.

  19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits—20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 

  Now this verse is a very complicated verse.  Some authors or "experts" say: a) he went to announce to God's faithful followers who had been waiting for their salvation during the whole Old Testament era. 

  b) Some think that this passage says that Christ's Spirit was in Noah as Noah preached to those imprisoned by sin but now in hell. 

  c) And yet others say that Christ went to Hades (Hell) to proclaim his victory and final condemnation to the fallen angels imprisoned there since Noah's day.

  Whatever the case is, the Good News is that Christ's salvation and victory over death and evil is not limited.   Here is the rest of the scriptures:   21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[b] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

  Here are 3 things we are certain of from these scriptures: 1) God speaks; 2) God triumphs; 3) God saves.  The above passages tells us this much.

  In verse 21 Peter says that Noah's salvation from the flood symbolizes baptism, a ceremony with water which we still observe today.  However, be careful in thinking that one is not saved until they are baptized.  In 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. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

  Thank you for reading.  If you understand this text or have comments please share. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

T - H - I - N - K Psalms 1:1-3

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

  Last communication I sent my story and asked if anyone else would care to share their story about their salvation.  If you do please share.

  The acronym T H I N K .  Let us visit this briefly and hopefully stimulate thought, repentance, and word seeking on each of our parts.

  Psalm 1: 1 Blessed is the one  who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take  or sit in the company of mockers,

2 but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,  which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—  whatever they do prospers.

  You are probably saying how does this relate to T H I N K.  Okay, here it is:

T  -  is what you are going to say or do THOUGHTFUL?

H  - is what you are going to say or do HELPFUL

I   -  is what you are going to say or do INSPIRING

N  - is what you are going to say or do NEEDED

K  - is what you are going to say or do KIND?

Blessed are who? (Verse 1)

They may what? (Verse 2)

That person will what? (Verse 3)

May you walk upright, delight in the LORD, and be strong and prosper?  Thanks for reading. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

Behind every cork is a story

 Hello friends, sorry I have been awol the last few weeks.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  BLESSED INDEED!!

  Many stories begin with cliches such as:  Now, this is no lie; or Let me tell you; Can you believe; and we could go on.  Behind every cork is a story - why?  Because, once the wine is opened you do not know what is going to be said or happen.

   Well, behind every salvation there is a story.  When were you saved or reborn? How did it happen? What age were you?  Why so young or old?

  Well, let me begin, AND, I would enjoy some of you sharing your walk to salvation, how it came about.  Here is my story.

  I grew up in a Methodist Church is Southeastern Colorado.  Had perfect attendance for several years.  When the doors were open we were probably there. Vacation Bible school, Sunday school, church, confirmation; we were there.

  I knew who Jesus was but did not understand salvation.  One time Reverend Galbreath stood in the pulpit and said quite loudly 'JESUS CHRIST' , then he looked around and said something to the effect of:  If you heard this as a curse word, then you know your relationship with the LORD.  Yep!  That affected me, but I still did not understand salvation.

  After leaving the military and returning to my home town, a Christian Construction company was building a new Christian Church in town.  While talking to the builder he asked me if I was a Christian.  I knew what he was asking, I wasn't, but to avoid the situation I said, "No, I am Methodist". Then he explained his question, which I knew and I lied and said YES, I was a Christian.  Yep, I went to church.

   When I began teaching school in Pagosa Springs Colorado a young man named Alan Combs was the band director there.  He was and is a very strong Christian and he witnessed to me in a way that I would listen.  Telling me different stories of how the Bible related to current life.  This I had never heard.  We became good friends, and I still hold him in high regard to this day. He was only there 1 year, and I am certain GOD sent him to witness to me, a lost sinner.

   WeLL, he would go with me, my wife and my oldest daughter to California for spring break for about 3 years running.  In March of 1975 we were coming home via Arizona and New Mexico in my Malibu with a 454 engine.  I tell you this because a 454 enjoys slurping gasoline.  Anyway, as we were traveling and we were singing to the 8 track tape player with Bill and Gloria Gaither I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior.

   Oh, but, some of the doubting Thomas was still in me.  Our fuel situation was becoming critical and we were praying to get to a station to buy gas.  Now, me, being full of doubt silently prayed, Lord if you are real show me a sign.  We came over a hill going into Cortez Colorado and could see a service station at the bottom of the hill.  Was it open or closed as this was in the middle of the night.

   When we came off the hill and were close enough to see if the station was open or closed I could see it was open.  When I saw this I breathed a large sigh of relief, AND, at that same moment the car died---out of gas.  We coasted into the station filled up and for me I then knew for certain JESUS CHRIST IS REAL!!

  If you would care to share you salvation story with me and the others reading please send it and let me know if I can share.  Thank you for reading. Love you all. Psalm 119:66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,

    for I trust your commands.

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny

  

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