Month: January 2021

Loving God

January 31, 2021 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

No wonder Jesus was sweating blood; I would imagine, to Jesus, the separation from His Father may have been worse than the betrayal, beatings, and torture He knew was coming His way; after all, He was with God from the beginning of time as we understand it. (John 1)

In preparation, Jesus prayed, “Not mine, but your will, be done!”

At every moment, Christ had the power to say: Enough! Nope, not doing this, but instead, Christ adhered to His Father’s plan.

Obviously, God’s plan was the only way all people could be saved. Only through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection could we be graced with the opportunity to follow Jesus, keep His commands, and receive the promise of eternal life with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jesus’s sacrifice revealed His immeasurable love for God, for God’s will, and His love for us.

I can’t phantom the emptiness, loneliness, and pain Christ must’ve felt when He cried out, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani,” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

A Hymn says: “I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou giv’n for Me?”

Rhetorically, What do we give of ourselves to God?

Do we set aside time daily for prayer, thanking God for all the continuous blessings seen and unseen? How about the hardships that help us learn to be better disciples of Christ?

Do we respect God’s love enough to do as Christ commanded and remember Him on the first day of every week by reflecting on the Cross, partaking in the bread and fruit of the vine, which represents the body and blood of Christ that was shed for us?

Do we look forward to gathering and worshiping with fellow believers as often as possible, to being with our brothers and sisters in Christ, and being lifted up by their presence as we study and grow together in our understanding of God’s will and plan for us?

Scripture tells us that baptized believers are those who are “In Christ,” and when we are “In Christ,” God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit work in and through us.

Christ told us if we love Him, we will keep His commandments, and He gives us a New Commandment. ‘That we love others as He loved us.’

I love the love that surrounds us all in the Lord.

God First!

Related Scriptures:

Galatians 3:23-29, Philippians 2:13, John 13:34–35, John 17:23, 2nd Corinthians 13:5, Romans 8:10-11, Galatians 5:22-26, Acts 2:38, John 1:1, Matthew 27:46, Acts 20:7, Luke 22:17-20

God and Country

January 28, 2021 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

When we say the pledge of allegiance, we promise loyalty and support to each other.

The Merriam dictionary defines “Republic” as:

“a government in which supreme power resides in a body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by elected officers and representatives responsible to them and governing according to the law.”

So we, the people of the United States of America, are “the republic,” and our flag represents our unity of power. In 1954, the pledge of allegiance was modified one last time with the most important words of all added: “One Nation under God.” These four words acknowledge our nation as being under God. In other words, God First!

These words demonstrate that the majority of “We the People” recognize our nation’s strength is beholden to God, and we are thankful to God for his incredible blessings.

The pledge also states: “indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

The concept here is that we will not allow ourselves to be divided and that the power of the people is to be used to pursue liberty and justice for all.

Some believe Christians should abstain from politics and set the example of not voting because they don’t like the choices, pointing out that heaven is the only true Christian nation.

I understand and agree that God should be first in all our lives. And for true Christians, Heaven is their final home.

However, I don’t believe that speaking up for the values and principles of Christianity in our country or against destructive policies in this worldly government somehow, someway, means we have pledged our loyalty to the Country instead of to Christ and His Kingdom.

To me, Such statements encourage silence and apathy and discourage speaking up and taking a stand for good. When we stand for good, we stand for God and promote the message of Christ as God is Good.

Our example and words in and out of politics should encourage others to want to know the reason for the hope that is in us. 1 Peter 3:15

I appreciate that our “Pledge of Allegiance” includes: “One Nation Under God.”

I am both an Advocate for Christ and part of “We The People”; I speak with my vote and voice.

When I speak against evil and against unjust actions, and when I speak for liberty, I am NOT excluding God. I am taking a stand for God. I am doing my part to ensure that “We, the people,” continue to acknowledge God at the Helm. I vote with those I believe best align with God’s Word.

“A Country without God is a Country lost; a Country with God is a Country Blessed.”

In my opinion, WRJ

Bible Translations

January 26, 2021 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

The languages of the Bible are unique to their time!

This is excellent and here is why

Language scholars can go back to the original writings and clarify the meaning. They can discover how the original text was used and written. Often, the words in the original language have several possible meanings. Yet, only one of those meanings fits best within the context of how the word was used and also stays consistent with the whole of other scripture.

None of the manuscripts or letters are in the original writer’s hand. They were all copied by scribes over and over again from whatever types of paper or stone they were on prior.

With the “King James Version,” all the manuscripts available at the time were combined into the books of the Bible. The translations were done by a large group of about 50 very profound scholars. These scholars checked, double-checked, and triple-checked the letters and manuscripts they had. Bumping every piece against a set of rules they had created to ensure they had correctly translated them. The scholars also defined the chapters, verses, and punctuation that help us read, as these were not part of the original languages.

Since the “King James” translation

More transcripts have been found. Some were older writings than those used to create the KJV. Many of today’s newer translations used the KJV as their base to translate into words that are easier for us to read today. Some versions compared the manuscripts used to translate the KJV to older manuscripts found and then made changes in the new versions, prioritizing the older manuscripts.

Note: Even though, in a few cases, an entire verse was removed using the older writings they found. The changes were all minor and did not change Scripture.

Many translations of God’s Word have been created in multiple languages; not all versions were translated with the same care. In fact, some translations are no more than one person’s interpretation, while some are created by groups with an agenda other than a strict translation; this is why it’s essential to understand how a translation came about. So we can decide how much credibility we should apply.

Personally, I like the ESV, KJV, NKJ, NASB1995, and the ASV the most. I also use other versions occasionally to help understand some verses. The most meticulous interpretation of scripture was done under the threat of life by the scholars of the 1600s with the KJV.

As a follower of Christ, not a scholar of biblical languages, I rely heavily on the versions I believe were created with the most care.

All this said; I trust God

I believe God’s Holy Word is just that: God’s Holy Word. I trust each word and believe it is possible to understand everything God wants us to understand clearly.

We just need to remove our desires and expectations to open our hearts and minds and pay attention to God’s desires and will.

The Bible is not a book of confusion.

What makes it seem confusing is us. When we try to twist what it says into what we think it should say. We also need to remember that the Bible is several books that make one book. So, when we look at one verse using the word faith, it does not discount all the verses that included baptism and vice versa..

What’s the whole picture?

What do the books combined tell us is necessary for Salvation? If we’re willing to admit to ourselves that we may have more to learn. The complete answer is available to us in Scripture

The Bible continues to be the #1 bestseller

I cannot Phantom God giving us His complete Word in forms we can’t possibly understand. Can you?

, I just can’t perceive that God went through all this effort, including the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross so that we might have eternal life, that He spent thousands of years bringing all of this to fruition only to give us a Bible, we can’t trust to be accurate or understand with a little effort, reasoning, and discernment; this would be ridiculous.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV

God First!

God draws closer as we draw closer

January 24, 2021 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

If you want to become close to someone, do you reach out by ignoring them?

Many people say they believe in Jesus. Some will shout it from the rooftops, yet few take time to get to know Him.

I’m not talking about feelings like when you listen to music and become emotional. No, I’m talking about getting to know Jesus through His Father, His life, His words, His example, and His message.

It’s when we study God’s Holy Word that we truly get to know and understand Jesus. Because when we study, we draw closer to God, closer to our creator.

The creator of the world and everything in it. In John 1:1-2 we find: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, He was in the beginning with God.”

What an opportunity we have!

We cheat ourselves immensely when we don’t spend time in God’s Word, when we don’t spend time getting to know our Heavenly Father or make an effort to draw closer to God so that God will draw closer to us.

If we are in God’s Word daily, it’s only natural that God will be part of our daily conversations. Is He?

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you…” James 4:8

John 1:1-17
2 Timothy 2:15

God First!

Choices are real and regrets, are lifetime

January 21, 2021 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

You have two lines. One line promotes the murder of babies, and the other promotes the protection of life. Your decision is black and white, Not gray. You simply have one line promoting evil and one line for pure love.

It’s been pointed out God is not Democrat or Republican. Amen to that!

There is no evil in God! GOD IS LOVE, GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME.

If Jesus was asked: Is it ok to kill babies in the womb? Would love answer: sure, go ahead, or would that be Satan?

Choosing the right line is important; I choose the Life-Line of love.

Which line do you stand behind?

1 John 4:8
Psalms 145:9
Psalms 100:4-5
Mark 10:18

God First!

Choosing Change

January 21, 2021 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

In biblical studies, I’ve noticed many names have unique meanings that identify personality traits and paths of individuals. Some were even given new names that identified new paths.

I’ve always been a little disappointed when I read (as a child) that the meaning of my name, “Wayne,” meant: “Old Covered Wagon.”

I’ve joked about this ever since.

In the last 12 years or so, this “old covered wagon” and his wife embarked on a new journey in life as we began trying to grow closer to God by pursuing a fuller understanding of God’s will, the message of Christ, and how to be disciples of Christ. So far, our journey has been exciting, challenging, and sobering; I repented and returned to the Church, and my wife was later baptized for the forgiveness of her sins and was added to the Church. (Acts 2:38-41) These changes have made the last few years much more meaningful than those before.

Following Christ introduced us to a new level of peace, contentment, and joy, even amidst growing health concerns. In fact, I can’t imagine facing any of the hardships we’ve had to face without our faith and trust in Jesus.

With a mutual love of God, open minds, open hearts, and a desire to do God’s Will, according to God, we all have what we need to build and strengthen our understanding of God’s will, our roles as disciples of Christ, and build friendships in Christ.

I want to encourage you to follow and comment on the posts you find on Advocate for Christ.

God First!

Mike the Baker

January 15, 2021 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

by: Wayne R Johnson

Mike is your new friend who happens to be a baker; you tell Mike in conversation that you love carrot cake and have the perfect recipe. Mike finds out your birthday is coming up and offers to bake your cake, so you give Mike the recipe; however, you write in large letters across the top of the paper:

“IMPORTANT! Follow the recipe as written. Don’t add or leave anything out of it.”

The recipe specifies the types of ingredients, the order in which they are mixed, and even what brands to use. You reiterate the importance of following the directions, and Mike agrees! While at the store, Mike decides that some of the specified ingredients aren’t the best, so he chooses what he believes is better. When Mike arrives home, he mixes all the ingredients according to your directions—well, almost. The directions say to mix the ingredients in a specific order, but that doesn’t fit Mike’s baking ideas, and it will take longer. Mike also decided the recipe could use one more ingredient, so he added it. Mike then invites your family over to enjoy the cake. Mike is so pleased with his efforts, grinning ear to ear, and he is confident you’ll love it.

The moment has arrived. The cake looks fantastic, and you and your family are digging in.

Hmm, the cake is not moist; in fact, it’s dry. It’s bland and not at all what you expected. You have no idea why. When suddenly you notice the cake has nuts, you immediately look at your daughter, who is gasping for air, and call 911 for help.

Sound familiar?

In this scenario, you have knowledge that Mike does not have, yet you give him a detailed recipe with precise instructions, stressing, “DON’T ADD OR TAKE AWAY FROM THIS RECIPE.”

You had specific reasons!

1) Were you pleased with Mike’s efforts on the cake?
2) Mike exercised his free will and did things his way, even though he had your instructions and agreed to do them your way. Was that the right decision?
3) By not following your instructions. Mike changed and added things to your recipe. His choices ruined your afternoon and could have killed your loved one. His intentions were good; does that matter?
4) Should Mike blame you for not giving him more information? Rather than being sorrowful and humble for not following your recipe as He agreed,

God also has specific reasons for every word written in Scripture!

God has knowledge that we do not have and has emphasized the importance of following His Word according to His Word. (Rev. 22: 18-19)
God knows what’s best for us. He cares! He wants us all to take advantage of the ultimate sacrifice made for all of us, all of mankind.

In God’s recipe for our salvation, God gives us examples and commandments on how to live our lives best. He tells us how to “put on Christ,” to be “in Christ,” and to be heaven-bound. Christ both shows and tells us how to show God we love Him.

Shouldn’t we strive to follow God’s recipe as He wrote it? His will not ours be done. (Luke 22:42)

Unlike Mike doing his will, doing God’s will really does give us a valid reason to grin ear to ear; it brings us absolute joy and the promise of eternal life.

“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” John 14:15

God’s Grace: – Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:24, Titus 2:11, Acts 15:11
Hearing the Gospel:– Romans 10:17, John 8:32
Belief/Faith: – Hebrews 11:1, John 8:24, Romans 10:17, Acts 3:19
Repentance of sin: – 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30
Confess Christ: – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9
Baptism by immersion for forgiveness of sin: – Matthew 16:15-16, 1 Peter 3:21, Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Matt 28:18-20, Ephesians 4:5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Acts 8:36-39, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23

God First!

Month: January 2021

Loving God

God and Country