Advocate for Christ

The best life is a God First life

Author: Wayne Johnson (Page 15 of 19)

Worldly Wealth Ends, but Love Transcends

April 22, 2021 / / 0 Comments

I read an article about a man who was the founder of many U.S. companies. I read of the great wealth he amassed, the many jobs he created, the respect he had earned. The man died in 1934, and today… Virtually NO ONE knows him or his name.

Jesus tells us:

  • ~ It’s not about this world.
  • ~ to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
  • ~ Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.
  • ~ if you love me, you’ll keep my commandments.
  • ~ The greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
  • ~ the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves.
  • ~ there is no greater commandment than these.

When we love as described in these commandments, we love as one who is “poor in spirit” as we recognize the power of God’s Love and know we are unworthy, yet we are grateful for God’s Grace. We embrace the need for God’s help rather than thinking we can do it on our own.

While there’s nothing wrong with amassing great wealth, The real challenge is to keep our hearts focused on the treasures of heaven, keeping God First in our hearts, keeping his commandments, doing his will through actions of love for Him and Others.

Earthly treasures are but a mist in time while love transcends for eternity

Thank you, Lord, for loving us!

  • John 18:36
  • Matthew 6:19-21
  • John 14:15
  • Mark 12: 30-31
  • Matthew 5: 3-12
  • Mark 16:16

God First!

written by: Wayne Johnson

Carried by the Angels

April 19, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Many people have been separated from loved ones in care facilities because of Covid-19, powerless to be with their loved ones during those final moments on earth; this saddens me. I empathize with the hurt and pain of their hearts as they wanted to be with their loved ones. So, I leave you this thought in hopes that you will find comfort in it, as I do.

Our family was not physically with my dad when his soul departed his failing body and mind on that trip to Paradise back In Nov 2019; Although we were not physically with him when he passed that morning, I’m confident dad was not alone. I believe angels of God carried his soul to Paradise just as they did Lazarus in the illustration story that Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:22).  Jesus said: “The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side.”…

Dad was a Christian. He lived the life of a Christian, so we look forward to that day when we see each other again apart from physical bodies and mind and get to spend eternity together.

God First!

written by: Wayne Johnson

What do I mean by “God First”?

April 15, 2021 / / 0 Comments

God’s Greatest commandment is that we love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Scripture tells us to do everything to the glory of God. That, “…from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

When I use the term ”God First,” I intend to encompass ALL of God (the Trinity), Our Heavenly Father, Jesus (The Son), and the Holy Spirit. I use these two words, “God First,” to state my belief that God should be First in our lives every second of every day.

Scripture tells us that as we draw closer to God, He draws closer to us.”(talk about inspiring motivation)

However; It’s impossible to put ”God First” if we chose not to do God’s will and keep His commands which we find in ”The Holy Bible”

The Bible is God’s completed Word, the same Bible that tells us ”All Scripture is God-Breathed”  and where Jesus tells us, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

Mark 12:30

1 Cor 10:31

Romans 11:36

John 14:15

James 4:8

2 Timothy 3:16

1 Corinthians 13:12

God First!

Mom’s advise

April 15, 2021 / / 0 Comments

My mom’s been in Paradise for years now but her memories are instilled in me. One such memory was some advice. I’ve not always held true to it but, I have grown to recognize the enormous value of it.

”Don’t go to bed mad.” Why?

I believe it’s because when we harbor anger, it festers and can easily turn into sin, and sin separates us from God. Sometimes we just can’t fix a problem before bed, but we all have access to God’s Word and to God through prayer.

We can seek help in scripture and pray about the problem; insomuch as it is within our power, we can take action on our part. We can pray for wisdom, understanding and be willing to forgive those involved. If the problem is out of our control, we can turn it over to God, the one who can do anything, and then we can let go and trust in God.

Although anger (in itself) is not wrong, God knows what’s best for us and tells us in the following scripture.

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians‬ ‭4:26-32‬

‭‭God First!

  • Isaiah 59:2,
  • Hebrews 10:26-31
  • James 1:14-15
  • James 5:16
  • Matthew 5:24

Smiling with our Eyes

April 14, 2021 / / 0 Comments
When I go to the store, the post office, gas station, I see people and say hello to strangers. Sometimes I nod or wave to acknowledging their presence.
 
In a mask or not, we can still be courteous and greet others with smiles in our eyes and comfort from our words of kindness.
 
By sharing the joy in our hearts, we encourage others to share the joy in theirs.
 
God First!
 

Love is why many church building doors (not the Church) were temporarily closed this time last year.

April 14, 2021 / / 0 Comments
Love is why many church building doors (not the Church) were temporarily closed this time last year.
————LOVE ———
 
No Christian wanted the doors closed, and we knew It was only temporary.
We asked ourselves, which one of us would volunteer to bury our parent, spouse, siblings, child, best friend, etc., as a result of NOT taking precautions? We took comfort in knowing that closing the building’s doors does not stop those “In Christ” from being ”The Church.”
It did not stop us from reaching out to say hello, letting others know we care or seeking how we can help others. It did not stop us from praying or sharing God’s Word through medians such as this or live streaming, among others. It did NOT stop us from remembering Christ’s death and resurrection on the first day of the week and partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine In remembrance of Christ’s body and blood as it was shed for us, doing so every week.
We still sang praises to God, shared the message of Christ, and continued to support our Congregation’s efforts to share God’s Word to the world financially.
While we were apart physically, we sorely missed the smiles, handshakes, hugs, and maybe most of all, engaging personally with the encouragement and active examples of our brothers and sisters in Christ who we faithfully see at every bible study and Worship service possible.
With all the challenges we faced while the church building doors were closed, many of our Christian siblings sought and found ways to continue edifying, lifting each other’s spirits, and sharing Christ during these difficult times.
 
Christians who vigorously showed all that “The Church” is alive and active 24/7 demonstrating the Love of Christ.
 
The Government established Covid-19 guidelines, and in adherence, the building doors re-opened as soon as possible. In Consideration of these guidelines and health concerns for themselves or others, People began to return to in-person Worship and study as they could.
 
With the introduction of the vaccine and Improved treatments, we get closer each day to life pre-covid and look forward to that day when everyone is together again. When we Worshiped from our homes, we did so out of Love. Love for God and love for others. We adhered to the Word of God concerning our responsibility towards governing authorities.
 
Maybe the real test in all this is whether we would each be ”The Church, ” no matter what, building or no building, and keep our priorities on God, First!
 
I love the Lord’s Church, Don’t you?
 
To help clarify. I posted the above article on a social media site and had some take exception to it so, In my opinion, Love for others is one of the main reasons many Church’s closed the building doors a year ago.
At this time, much of covid-19, how it was transmitted, how to treat it, how deadly was it, was very new and unknown. There was and still is a ton of misinformation regarding it.
 
I remember having and listening to discussions of concern for others, for their safety, especially those more susceptible.
 
Based on some of the comments I recived on the social media site, maybe some never did, but I classify these discussions and concerns for others as love. Love for others!
 
I believe since it is the second greatest command that it strongly played into the decisions of our elders’ at my congregation. 
 
I am not an elder or deacon, but I am confident the elders weighed the circumstances and all scripture very carefully and made the right decision.
 
I believe It was made out of love for God, God’s Word, and love for others.
Space Shuttle - we are each much smaller in size but most important to God

On the cosmic scale, nothing else is made in the image of God.

April 9, 2021 / / 0 Comments

This picture is of a space shuttle leaving the atmosphere. It was taken from space by NASA a few years back. Included with the picture, someone noted: “Amazing, isn’t it? How nano we are in the cosmic scale.”

Although; We are even more “Nano” on a cosmic scale than this shuttle, and the picture and God’s creation is larger than any of us can phantom, God Loves, Knows, and Cares about every single one of us! Only “WE” were created in God’s image.

God gave His only begotten Son that we may not perish but have everlasting life should we, so choose to love Him and keep His commandments.

  • Genesis 1:27
  • John 3: 16-19
  • John 14:15

God First!

I use to carry the equivalent of these 4 bowling balls everywhere I went

April 5, 2021 / / 0 Comments
On January 6, 2019, blood clots were found in my lungs and legs, and my blood sugar was 465 with an A1C of 11.6, which crash-landed me in the ICU.
 
It feels more prolonged, but tomorrow is two years and three months since I experienced this life-changing moment. I was sent home taking 4 insulin shots and 2 blood thinner shots daily.  2 months later, I originally posted the following on FB…
 
”I have stopped joking around about my health and began working on it. I have begun replacing bad eating habits with new ones.
I gave myself goals for the year.
 
1. Be 25 again by year’s end (😉)
2. Lose weight
3. get off insulin
4. Get off the blood thinner
 
I had previously joked about my obesity. It was easier than serious effort. I enjoyed my gluttony of foods, and though I wanted to change, I wanted it without real effort. I actually think I had settled into and accepted the idea that losing 45 lbs would never happen, so why try?
 
However; As of 4/5/2019, I had lost 45 lbs, which put me at about the weight I was when I was 25 yrs of age.
 
I have been off the insulin since March of 2019, but they did put me on metformin. I have now cut that dosage of metformin in half. I feel great and have energy again.” It’s amazing what you can do with God’s help when you put both your mind and heart into it.
 
I am so thankful that I had this wake-up call two years ago tomorrow – It was a life-changing moment indeed!”
 

Update to this update:

I went on to lose a total of 60 lbs by June 2019 (4 bowling balls), putting me right at 200lbs. I am still on a blood thinner and 1/2 the metformin dosage.
 
At the start of my recent Covid19/pneumonia experience, which started 3/3/21, I had slacked up during the winter and gained about 12 lbs but recently saw 198lbs. (The only plus from covid)
 
As with most of my other shares, my intent for sharing this story is not to brag but somewhat out of hope. I hope to inspire those in similar situations. To help them realize they can also accomplish similar goals.
 
If doing it for yourself is not enough, think about how negatively the impact of your absence would affect those you love, Those who need you. Ask yourself a couple of questions.
 
Do you really want to take a chance of leaving them without you?
Would you be happy to take several shots a day or tons of meds when you can avoid it by changing habits instead?
 
I did not want my wife or family to have to live without me; We are all needed by those that love us, those whom we love. So, Wheresoever it’s within our power to do so, let’s do what we can by replacing bad habits with healthy habits.
Always be Thirsty and not cowardly

May we always be thirsty for the water of life and not cowardly.

April 2, 2021 / / 0 Comments

May we always be thirsty for the water of life that we find in the living Word of God. May we always conquer by standing up for Christ and never be cowardly. May we always seek to show Jesus our love by keeping his commandments.

“And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:6-8 ESV

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”

John 14:15 ESV

God First!

by: Wayne Johnson

What Can we give God?

What can we give to God?

April 1, 2021 / / 0 Comments

We are God’s creation; We are the focus of God’s love! During the steps of creation, we find this phrase stated several times “And God saw that it was good” However, it was after God created man in His image that scripture tells us, “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 )

Jesus died that we might have eternal life with Him, That our souls could have never-ending life in heaven in a new heavenly body. (2 Corinthians 5:1-10)

What can we give to God?

God wants us to love Him; He’s given us every reason to love Him. Our love is the only thing we can give God because it’s all we have to offer.

What does God want from us? 

God wants us to recognize that He is, our God, the only God. He created us and everything we know and understand. He has made us a home beyond this world if; we chose to accept His grace and keep His commandments.

May we all seek God First in our lives, Love each other as Christ has loved us, and show Jesus that we love him by keeping his commandments.

  • Genesis 1:1-31
  • John 3:16
  • Mark 12:30-31
  • John 14:15
  • John 13:34

God First!
written by: Wayne Johnson

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