Thankful for Romans 4:16–25

"That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness." But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."
Romans 4:16–25 (ESV)

Nuff said... This is the promise of the Gospel and for what I am most thankful.

Cheers.

Hating God... John 15:23

He who hates Me hates My Father also. John 15:23

"I don't need Jesus, I have my own relationship with God."  That is a dangerous position to take.  You don't need Jesus.  I wonder why?

Is it His love and compassion? 
His call to social justice? 
Maybe it is the care He takes for strangers, or maybe even the respect He has for women...? 
Certainly it can not be His desire to see you made whole and restored to fellowship with God.  No I think I know the problem friend....

Jesus is more than a good man or a great teacher.  As C.S. Lewis made very clear, He would have to also be the Son of God.  That's the rub... You say, "I have my own relationship with God".  That is rubbish.  What you have is a god of your own creation... one who allows what you want to do and whatever consequences, if any, this deity bestows are mild.  No... you have a relationship with a being of your own creation, an imaginary friend.

(End rant.)

Friends, please listen to my heart.  I want you to connect (or reconnect) with God and that can only happen through the Lord Jesus Christ.  He loved you so much that He was willing to suffer the agony and shame of the cross.  If that is too far fetched to believe, I am sorry... but then again... many thought that the idea of the earth is not the center of the universe was absolute non-sense.

Think on these things....

Cheers

Jesus, Service, and You (me too) --- John 13:12-17

So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them,  "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
John 13:12-17

Some have taken this occasion to mean that we should be washing one another's feet.  That is fine and good I suppose, but do not miss the spiritual and practical lessons Jesus is trying to convey. Service, in Jesus' Kingdom, is the mark not only of true leadership... but it is also expected.

Cheers.

Genesis 3 - The Fall

Genesis 3 - The Fall from Chris Johnson on Vimeo.

Genesis 2

Genesis">http://vimeo.com/74062603">Genesis 2
from Chris">http://vimeo.com/pastorchris">Chris Johnson on Vimeo.https://vimeo.com">Vimeo.>

John 12:42-43

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 12:42-43

It is not easy to go against the grain, to take the less popular option when opposition is strong.  But that is our calling... isn't it?  We are a called out people, called to carry the good news of the Gospel of Peace.  May it never be said of us that we love the praise of men more than the praise of God.

I do not know the specific struggle you are battling or the adversity you may be facing but I do know this: He who is within you is greater tan he who is in the world.

You are stronger than you think because (as a believer) Christ, in you, is stronger than all...!!!

Be blessed brethren... be a blessing!

Cheers.

Genesis 1 (09-01-13)

Genesis 1 (09-01-13) from Chris Johnson on Vimeo.

Luke 4:1-13

Luke 4 from Chris Johnson on Vimeo.

Luke 4 sets the stage for the Theocratic Kingdom on Earth.  Study along to see how we can be victorious against the snares of the devil.

'Tis best to abide (John 15:4)

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  John 15:4

Ministry is hard. When you do it in the flesh, as we have all done, it is impossible. Sure... you can do the work, but ministering in a way that is fruitful and remains, no.

There is a sinister thing that happens along the way as we grow.  Believers young and old experience the valley of Spiritual Teenager-hood. You know, that horrible place where you know everything and have the best ideas. That time when "you can do it yourself". God, in His mercy and grace, does something we least expect... He leaves you be. Spiritual maturity does not come easily, but the road is necessary to get you there. Sure, there are u-turns, but fulfillment in Christ comes from abiding and trusting in Him.

"Anything done in our own strength will either fail miserably or succeed even more miserably." G.K. Chesterton

Better is Better (John 16:7-11)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.  John 16:7-11

People quit jobs...

Some quit because they can no longer handle the demands.

Some quit because of family concerns.

I applied for a church ministry opportunity last year where the man leaving wanted to have the right man in the spot to "take it to the next level".  I admire that. Instead of allowing the organization to remain stagnant, he realized his limitations and acted accordingly.

What we see here in John 16 is similar, though very different.  Jesus is in no way "less" that the Holy Spirit.  Their roles are simply different.  Think for a moment about what this meant for Him:

It was better for us, that Jesus suffer and die.

Better for us...

I wonder what we give up or endure for the betterment of others?

Cheers.

And yet He came - John 12:27-28

Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.  
John 12:27-28

Some things to ponder as we read Jesus' words:

* Anyone who questions the humanity of Christ needs only to read the text above... shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'?

* This is a rare glimpse into the thoughts of Christ as He prayed to the Father. Notice how "real" He is.

* Jesus, facing the agony of the cross, is more concerned about the Father's glory than His own comfort.

* He knew that pain and suffering were necessary to accomplish His mission... and yet He came.

Think on these things.

Cheers

John 12:23-26

The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.   John 12:23-26

I wonder what can be accomplished through our lives if we simply hand them over to the Lord...? 

Jim Elliot may have said it best:

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Cheers.

Enter... The King! John 12:12-13

The next day a great multitude that had come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees and went out to meet Him, and cried out:
"Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!' The King of Israel!"
John 12:12-13

Oh that the story had ended there or here:

Matt. 21:1–9

Mark 11:1–10

Luke 19:29–38

It must have been an amazing sight to see.  The King of Glory receiving praise as the city came out to welcome Him.  But they did not mean it...

Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' (Luke 13:35)

He will return. At His first coming, He was (and still is) a lowly Shepherd and Friend of sinners.  The next time, He will come as a conquering King.

I wonder sometimes what I would have done that day?  Rejoiced with the crowd? Joined Jesus' ban of disciples? Ignored it all? 

What would you have done?

Cheers.

Labels and John 12:3-6

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.  John 12:3-6

Isn't that the truth? You know... I really want to assume the best of people, but once they have proven their character (or lack of), it is hard to see a thief and liar for anything other than that. 

I am thankful that of all the labels the Lord can attach to me, the one He uses is:

FORGIVEN AND REDEEMED SON

Cheers.

Learning the easy(er) way and Psalm 119:100

I understand more than the elders
because I obey Your precepts.
Psalm 119:100

I am not a fan of the Holman Christian Standard Bible, but this verse is spot on.

David is not boasting in a prideful way as it might seem on the surface.  He is exalting the Word of God.  Thank about it.  Would you rather:

a) Learn the hard way through struggle and, possibly, punishment for sin, or

b) Learning ahead of time from studying the Word of God?

How many difficult situations could have been softened or even avoided (!) if you and I had heeded the warning or precept that speaks directly to that situation?

Or put it another way:

There is the option of learning from the examples of others.

You don't have to repeat the poor decisions others have had to pay for.

Cheers.

Jesus Wept... John 11:32-36

Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she qfell down at His feet, saying to Him, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died." Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said,  "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, "See how He loved him!"  John 11:32-36

"Jesus wept." (v35)

Not only is that the shortest verse in the Bible... it is a powerful one!

He wept: He was fully man.

He wept: He relates to our pain.

He wept: He loves us!

He wept: He is grieved over the effects of sin.

He wept: He is compassionate.

He wept: He is tasted death understanding fully well what would take place.

When you are down, distraught, lonely, or the like... take comorf in knowing Jesus loves you and showed it!

Cheers.

The Resurrection and the Life John 11:23-25

Jesus said to her,  "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
Jesus said to her,  "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:23-25

That is the BIG question.  

It's not how often you go to church, or how many "good deeds" you do.  It's not how you treat your pets, or what important cause you give your life to.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the life and life Giver?

Cheers.

Not so Doubting Thomas John 11:16

Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him."   John 11:16

Isn't it interesting that we are often remembered for our faults.  This is the same "Doubting Thomas" that questioned the Lord's resurrected state later in the Gospel of John.

Brethren... if we want to leave a godly legacy, our faith requires consistency.

Cheers.

Are you man enough? A blog from the past...

(from 09/03/09)

What does Paul mean when he says:
 
Husbands... love your wives as Christ loved the church....(Ephesians 5:25)
 
Think about some of the implications of this verse:
 

• Jesus loved the church before it was founded.  (He died for HER)
• Jesus loves the church now and intercedes for her.  (He lives for HER)
• Jesus loves the church so much that He will one day come to claim His bride.  (He longs for HER)
• Jesus loves the church so much that He will never leave her nor forsake her.  (He loves HER)

Husbands, those are some tall orders from our King.
 
Are you man enough?


Originally posted at:
http://connectiontogod.blogspot.com/2009/09/are-you-man-enough.html

The Tiny Guide to Being a Great Dad

I know, it's not Father's day... but here is a fantastic article about about fathering...

http://zenhabits.net/great-dad/