Trust Jesus - Step 7 part A

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
    You have receive Jesus as your savior; you now have eternal life, you are on a new spiritual adventure with Jesus being your guide and navigator.  Jesus is now the LORD of your life.
   When we confessed Jesus as our savior it means we trust Him to direct and guide our every step.   If we are going the wrong direction we will feel a nudging inside, this is the Holy Spirit that God, that Jesus left with us to help us navigate through troubled water into calm seas and steady our course.  
   John 15: ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Jesus is our LORD.
 John 13: ¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
 Thomas, the doubter said Jesus is his Lord and his God.  Can you say this as well?
Paul says this about Jesus:
   The Lord of the age - 1 Corinthians 2: ⁸ None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
  The Lord of peace - 2 Thessalonians 3: ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
  1 Timothy 6: ¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 
    Jesus has earned the right to direct your life.  How?  More study in the next lesson.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny 

Be Faithful to a Church - Step 6 part C

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
  Why do I need to be faithful to a church?  I don't like to go where everyone is looking at me, judging me, and I feel uncomfortable!!  Well, Jesus taught in Matthew 28:19-20 that the church's mission is to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."  
   We should want to: 1-share eternal life with the world; 2-baptize new believers; 3-teach the Bible; 4-enjoy ministry in Christ's name; 5-give our money, time, and talents.
   If you were to commit right now; who is your pastor?  who is your teacher? where is your church?
   The word "church" means what to you?  A building, a place, a body of people?
Think about why you need to be faithful to your church.  List some, write them down on a piece of paper, place them where you can view them daily.  Follow the mission of the church.
   Church is the body of Jesus Christ - not a building, not the woods, not under a bridge, it is you, it is me, it is our brothers and sisters in Christ.
   And just what is our mission?  It is to share the good news of the Bible and Jesus Christ with others.  Psalm 122:1 "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."
   Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

Be faithful to a church - Step 6 - Part B

Good morning all.  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   The last lesson ended with receive instruction and the privilege of fellowship.  Today we will begin with worshiping locally.  Look at Colossians 3:¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
   What happens when you worship? Grow in wisdom---how?  By psalms, hymns, songs from the Spirit, and singing to God with WHAT in your hearts?   GRATITUDE!!
    Lastly, you have opportunities within your church to serve others. Romans 12:

⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
⁷ Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
⁸ Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
   What is being said here?  We all have different gifts. We need to minister or teach. We need to give, be good stewards in our decisions, show mercy and be cheerful.  We all have different gifts and we need to utilize these gifts to the fullest.  Love you all.
  In Christ's Love and Grace
    Johnny

Be faithful to a church - Step 6 part A

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
    Step 6 - Be Faithful to a church - huh?  I thought we should be faithful to God.  Yes, however, Jesus established the church while He was on earth to unite Christians as a spiritual family.  Matthew 16: ¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
     The word "church" means "called out ones."  The church is made up of people who have been called out to follow Jesus.  The term church is used to refer to all believers, and more specifically, the local group of believers.
   Many say, I don't have to go to church to believe.  This is so true, we can be believers and not attend a church, however, the reason for a church is to join with others for Biblical instruction, fellowship, worship and service.   For discussion now here is Acts 2:

⁴² And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

   Think about these verses and the next lesson with continue with instruction, fellowship and worship. Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny

Learn to Pray - Step 5 - Part C

Good morning all!  God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
      We are step 5 and the "T" and "S" of the acrostic A C T S.  The "T" is for thanksgiving, where we express gratitude to God for specific acts. Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:(KJV) ¹⁸ In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
 So, when should we give thanks?  All the time, in everything.  Can you think of things to be thankful for in the following areas: spiritual blessings, people, physical blessings, and material blessings?
   The "S" for supplication.  What IS supplication?  Supplication is the Bible by the Hebrew translates into
a request or petition.  Petition is asking God for your needs. Look at John 15:⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.   Read these words: IF ye ABIDE in ME - stipulations - what you want will not automatically be granted unto you. It goes on to say: MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU --  check it out.  Many people want to say the Bible says if I ask it will be given -  well, yes, but read before that - there are guidelines. Abide in Christ!!!!!
   If you abide in Christ, then read Philippians 4:⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

    ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
   Now please take time to list 3 personal requests, and during your prayer time present them to God.  Also, pray for others, if you know their specific needs write them down, place them in your memory and pray for them.  Please remember what prayer is.  It is simply talking to your best friend, God, and He hears all.  Practice talking to God daily, wherever you are, whenever you can, at any time.  It does not have to be loud, on the street corner so all may see.  This is very personal, between you and God; make it so!!!
   The elements of prayer are: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
  Johnny

Learn to pray - Step 5 - part B

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   Did you read the Lord's prayer and really think about the words?  Do not just say them in rote repetition, but actually think about the words.

    Why should we pray continually?  1 Thessalonians 5:17  (KJV)¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

And what does this mean?  We quit our jobs, have a prayer closet, get on our knees and just pray, pray, pray?   No, not at all.  It simply means we pray, in our mind because got hears us, while driving, eating, at work, all the time, anywhere.  It is easy. You can do it.

  There is an acrostic ACTS for prayer: A= adoration; C= confession; T= thanksgiving; S= supplication .

Let's break it down.  Adoration is praise - focusing on who God is.

Psalm 145:³ Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;  his greatness no one can fathom.

Psalm 147:1  Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

    ⁵ Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

We should spend time in praise.  Read Psalm 100 and 150; you can use it as a prayer back to God.

Confession: this is acknowledging your sins before God in order to receive forgiveness.  We establish a relationship with God when we accepted Jesus as our savior for eternal life.  This relationship will never be broken, however we can hinder it.  How so?  by our unconfessed sins.

   Psalm 66:18 "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me."

So what do we do?  Pretty simple - confess the sin, receive His promise of cleansing (John 1:⁹ That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

  Claim victory over temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.  

   Take time to ask God to reveal any unconfessed sins.  Write them down for only you and God is see, ask forgiveness and claim His promise of forgiveness.

   We will finish T and S (thanksgiving and supplication) tomorrow. Love you all.

In Christ's Love and Grace

   Johnny

  

Learn to pray - Step 5 - part A

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!!
   How do you pray?  How do I pray?  Well, let me ask this----how do you visit with another person, a friend, family member, or new acquaintance?  The best way to get to know someone is to visit with him/her-----often.  This is what God wants from us, to visit, to develop a close relationship.

  1 Chronicles 28:9  New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever. 
   Jeremiah 24:7 "And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord."  This is talking to the ones who will become followers of Jesus Christ.  
    When we talk to God---this is prayer!  Prayer is a conversation; it is sharing with someone who cares, although you cannot see Him, you can rest assured He is there.  How did Jesus pray?  Read below.
    Mark 1:³⁵ Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
  So how did Jesus pray?  He went out to where?  A solitary place!  And what did He do?  Prayed!
  Now is Luke 18 verse 1  "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,......"    And if you will continue to read this chapter this is a parable about a judge and a widow. The widow was wanting justice and kept coming back until the judge became weary and finally gave in. We need to be as diligent in our prayer as the widow was with the judge--continual prayer.
   On in Luke Jesus shares in parables about praying - well worth the read.
 Then the disciples as Jesus to teach them something. Look at Luke 11:1 "Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”"  
   The disciples wanted Jesus to teach them how to pray.  The next verse begins the Lord's prayer.  Here it is:
² So He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
³ Give us day by day our daily bread.
⁴ And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”

    Do not just say this prayer, but read it and think about it---break down line by line--word by word. It is really awesome.  So often we just say it without thinking.  

   Next lesson - why should we pray continually? 
In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny