Category: Encouragement (Page 1 of 4)

If it's evil, It's from Satan James 1:17 If it's Good, It's from God If you want God's help, Put God First. Draw near to God and He will Draw near to you. James 4:8a

In Christ We Find Refuge: Comfort When Storms Rage

October 17, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

So many of us look at the wreckage of storms, the sudden loss of life, the weight of sickness, the shock of accidents, or other heartbreaking tragedies and want to blame God. I know this temptation. The questions rise quickly: Why, God? Why me? Why us? Why such good people?

Yet Scripture is clear. Moral evil, including temptation to sin, the intent to destroy, and every effort to separate us from our Creator, comes from Satan, not from God. Only good gifts come from the Father of lights (James 1:17). God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one (James 1:13). He never entices us toward sin. Instead, when trials come, He is faithful to provide a way of escape so we can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Those who are in Christ can be comforted even in the worst storms, whether the storm is physical or deeply personal. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in every affliction so that we, in turn, can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

The path to peace and lasting comfort in this fragmented world is not found in demanding answers for every “why.” It is found in keeping our primary focus on drawing near to God, receiving His grace by doing His will, living with grateful hearts, and remembering the sacrifice of Jesus and the message of eternal life He secured for us. Satan wants nothing more than to drive a wedge between you and God in the middle of your pain. Do not let him.

In Christ we find refuge.
Satan is the evil one.

God First!

(See: Psalm 46:1–3; James 1:13–17; James 5:16; 2 Corinthians 1:3–5; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 8:20–22; John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8; James 4:8)

The Truth is in God's Word, Not What Any Man or Woman Teaches Iron Sharpens Iron Study, Grow, and Apply God's Word

Thank You—And Why I Keep Writing

October 11, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Thank you to everyone who reads the messages in Advocate for Christ. Writing and sharing these posts is one way I can do good and serve the Lord while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s (see Galatians 6:9). I don’t write for accolades. If something here encourages or challenges you, feel free to respond with a like, love, comment, or share—especially if you believe it could benefit someone else. That’s how these messages get seen and read on social media.

My hope is twofold:

To strengthen, encourage, and inspire those who are in Christ to study, grow, and practically apply God’s Word to daily life. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). I welcome respectful, Scripture-based conversation that helps us all grow.
To share the message of Christ with those who do not yet know Him—those who are currently lost according to God’s Word. By turning from their own way (repentance) and trusting and obeying Jesus, they can receive forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. This change of life and doing His will flows from trusting Him. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28–30).

My intent is not that anyone believe my words simply because I said them, but that they spark further study. If what I wrote differs from what you believe, please clarify the difference with Scripture—not feelings. Our souls depend on it, and I want to know if I am wrong so I can correct it. How about you?

Today, much so-called wisdom is grounded in feelings that weaken, discount, or set aside truth. This artificial wisdom encourages apathy when following Scripture conflicts with someone’s preferences or ideas. God is unchanging, and His Word is unchanging.

The truth is in God’s Word, not in what any man or woman teaches.

John 17:17; Proverbs 26:12; Proverbs 27:17; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 John 4:1; Hebrews 4:12; Galatians 6:9; Matthew 11:28–30

God First!

Write It Down, Cast It on Him

September 26, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

I once found myself extremely stressed as multiple concerns snuck up, combined, and weighed me down. I remember feeling so distraught and so overwhelmed I knew not what to do. Then I decided to write down my thoughts. Not for the purpose of sharing them with others, but to take those muddy thoughts in my mind, organize them, and put them somewhere else—like on paper. For some reason, this helped me think more clearly in the following days. It helped me prioritize my thoughts and clear away the mud in my mind.

I still do this from time to time. In fact, if you’re reading this, you see that I share some thoughts on social media and web platforms, but certainly not all.

I have also found that it’s just as important to read those thoughts back later as it is to write them down, even if what I wrote looks like incoherent Babel. That can be embarrassing if I have shared it publicly, but that doesn’t matter.

What matters is this: writing my thoughts down and rereading them helped clear my mind. It helped me identify the issues and separate what I could control from what I could not.

If you’re struggling in some way, writing might help. Take a little time and write for yourself, even if no one else ever reads it. Writing may help you think more clearly, as it did for me. But remember, writing is only a tool. Paper holds words. Jesus carries the burden if we will pray, turn those cares over to Him, and trust Him to help.

Scripture tells us to humble ourselves by casting our anxieties on God. So pray first, or pray as you write. You may even write out the prayer itself, telling God what is on your mind. That helps you recognize the anxieties you cannot control so you can turn them over to the One who can: Jesus. Then trust Him to carry that load.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6–7

See also: 1 Samuel 1:10–18; Psalm 13:1–6; Psalm 42:5; Psalm 55:22; Psalm 62:8; Proverbs 3:5–6; Lamentations 3:19–24; Matthew 6:25–34; Matthew 11:28–30; Luke 12:22–31; Philippians 4:4–7; Hebrews 4:14–16; 1 Peter 5:5–9.

God First!

Every Moment of Every Day: The Christian Walk Never Logs Off

September 13, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

The Christian’s walk is in every moment of every day, in every action and every word, in every emoji and every click, every comment on every post.

May the love of Christ show through us in everything we say and do, and may our lights shine in the darkness of evil even when temptations arise, so that our path is one others will want to follow as we follow Christ.

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

“for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light… Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. ”One small nuance, not a correction of doctrine: our lights are to shine in every moment, not only “when temptations arise.” Temptation is when the darkness presses hardest, but the walk itself is constant. If you want that even tighter, change one word: Ephesians 5:8, 11

God First!

The Smile That Hides the Battle

July 29, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

It’s not always the person who looks depressed that needs a listening ear; it could very well be the one with the biggest smile. Scripture tells us to carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), to encourage one another and build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), and to love one another as Jesus loved us (John 15:12)

If you’re dealing with a difficult struggle, you don’t need to carry it alone; in fact, let God’s word encourage you to share it with a trusted brother or sister in Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:11,14) It’s Obvious: Jesus wants His servants to be there for one another, while Evil wants to separate us from each other, to bring us down so that we might feel lonely and search for answers in worldly things, far away from focusing on Jesus.

Jesus is the answer. He wants us to be prepared to defend ourselves from the spiritual darts of Satan’s worldly “solutions” with the whole armor of God that we may fight the internal spiritual fight against our unseen enemy and win.

Let’s lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ to help us don, mend, or replace our armor. This is a spiritual battle – Lean on Jesus and let his servants help.

“… If God is with us, who can be against us!“

“humble ourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you,”

” And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
James 4:10, Romans 8:31, Ecclesiastes 4:12

Galatians 6:2 (Share burdens)
Matthew 11:28-30 (Jesus’ invitation)
1st Thessalonians 5:11 (encourage/build-up)
John 15:12 (Command to love)
1st Peter 5:8 (satan)
Ephesians 6:10-20 (armor of God)
1 Peter 5:7 (Cast your anxieties)
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (God’s Comfort that we may Comfort)
Hebrews 10:24-25 (Spur one another)

God First!

Putting God First: My Life as an Advocate for Christ

July 26, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 1 Comment

To friends who read my posts (whether on my personal FB timeline, the FB Advocate for Christ group, or this website): Some have assumed I am a pulpit minister; I am not, and I am not affiliated with any denomination. I am solely a Christian who wants to Advocate for Christ, one who loves the Lord and wants to share God’s love and Word with others. I worship and study with my brothers and sisters in Christ at the Buford Church of Christ congregation in Buford, Ga.

I use the words “God First” as my profile picture and to end many of my writings because I want to emphasize that God should be first in all our lives.

When God is at the helm, those who are “in Christ” have His promise of eternity in heaven. The God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) gives real peace and joy in both good times and hard times. I have personally experienced that comfort in some of the most difficult seasons of life, and that thankfulness drives me to share Christ so others can know the same blessings.

Many use sportswear to depict their favorite teams, schools, sports, etc.

Instead of sportswear, I use “Spiritwear” to depict my favorite team – the team of God. When I say God, I am referring to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Godhead).

You’ll often see the words “God First” on clothing or accessories I wear, carry, and share; these simple words have sparked conversations and help easily identify me as someone who believes in God. I also suspect these clothes and accessories have curtailed language I’d prefer not to hear. I started using the term “God First” as my faith deepened, and I experienced that choosing to pursue God First in our lives added significant joy and peace, sparking my desire to help others to share in the Peace that surpasses understanding that God offers.

Eternity is a serious matter; loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength is the natural response when we truly understand how much God loves us. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15), and “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

As Don Blackwell has said:
“The Lord’s Church is not a country club for saints; it’s a hospital for sinners.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark 12:28-34
2 Timothy 2:15
1 John 4:19
John 14:6
John 14:15
Matthew 28:19
2 Corinthians 13:14
John 10:30

God First!

Social Media not just the devils workshop / Seeds of Truth - Let your light shine for Christ

Satan’s workshop or God’s? our choice

July 14, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Social media turns off many people because freedom of speech is abused with disrespectful, attention-grabbing rants, gossip, foul language, crude and distasteful images, etc.; I’ve heard many refer to social media as “the devil’s workshop.” Well, this may all have some truth to it; however, it will be what we make of it.

It doesn’t have to be just Satan’s workshop. No, when good, righteous-seeking people who love Jesus decide to post, share, like, and love only good things, we help make social media a better place. The simple truth is that Satan is in this world, his actions are all around us, and we can’t make a difference if we hide rather than let our light shine and try to make a difference (Mathew 5:14-16). Jesus charged His disciples with sharing the gospel with the whole world; we are to plant the seeds of Truth. So, when we choose to walk away from farmland we could cultivate and plant, we leave it wide open for Satan to spread seeds of weeds and destruction.

Why not be engaging instead? We can use social media platforms to encourage and share the soul-saving truth of a better life with Christ. We don’t have to write articles, but we can support those who do with LIKES, LOVES, and encouraging COMMENTS. We can share articles and memes of truth and uplifting thoughts.

On social media, the seeds of truth will be cast on all types of soil; so spread them, God will provide the growth, even if you never see the results. Trust God (1 Corinthians 3:7).

When you encounter negative statements, and you will, don’t take them personally; be compassionate, understanding, and try to be helpful; they stem from the ignorance of God’s Word. Jesus and his disciples cast numerous seeds, and when they were rejected, it was in far worse ways than a negative or hurtful comment.

I personally don’t want to gamble my soul’s eternity on what someone feels scripture says when there is so much understanding to be had by gaining a fuller knowledge of what God’s Word actually says.

God’s word cannot be shared with silence. It is what it is, but it will be what you make of it!

Mark 4:1-20
1 Corinthians 3:6-11
Mark 16:15–20
Matthew 28:19–20

God First!

I would like to challenge everyone to say something honest and encouraging to as many people as you can today!In person, on the phone, on social media, at work, at school, etc.Go out of your way today and build each other up! God First!

Encourage Others Challenge – Divisiveness is Satan’s tool

July 12, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

I would like to challenge everyone to say something honest and encouraging to as many people as you can today! In person, on the phone, on social media, at work, at school, at Church etc. Go out of your way today, stranger or friend build each other up!

Divisiveness is a tool of Satan; God commands that we love one another; if we do that, Satan cannot divide us. God’s way leads to peace that goes beyond understanding and into contentment and the joy of eternal life with Him. So let’s encourage each other today and Strengthen our bonds of love, better yet, if it’s not already, lets make this effort a daily habit.

Matthew 22:37-40
Philippians 4:4-9
Romans 12:9-20

God First!

What’s not to love about Christianity?

June 29, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Unless one’s goals are to do evil, what’s not to love about Christianity?

Christianity promotes: (Goodwill, Kindness, Love, Honesty, Compassion, Mercy, Forgiveness, Sharing, Sanctity of Life, etc.) “All things good!”

Christianity opposes: (Lies, Thievery, Corruption, Greed, Dishonesty, Revenge, Murder, Hatred, Deceitfulness, selfishness, hate, etc.) “All things bad!”

Utopia on earth is NOT possible, but if everyone embraced the teachings of Christ using God’s Word as our standard, we would be much closer.

1 Corinthians 13
Ephesians 4:32
Mark 11:25
Matthew 6:14-15
John 13:34-35
Acts 2:38-47
Romans 12:19

God First!

Life can be tough; it’s why we need Christ as our foundation.

June 22, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Sometimes life can be very tough, yet in Christ we will find ways to trudge forward. In Christ, we learn to lean on Christ by leaning on God’s Holy Word; to do so, we study and pray to know God’s Word, to know God.

In Christ, we pray with thanksgiving and hope, knowing God will provide. We cling to unwavering faith, knowing that tough times, like storms, eventually fade into sunshine and calm skies.

During seemingly long storms, our roots may be strained, but if we cling to the foundation of Christ, as the storm lifts, our roots will heal, and we will become stronger than ever. Our faith and foundation deepened, adding to our wisdom. Eventually, Good times will bless us again, and what we’ve gained will help us bless others, so that when we look back on our lives, we will find beauty growing along our paths and count it all Joy.

Remember, with God, all things are possible, and the storms will lift.

James 1:2-4
Matthew 7:24-25
Psalm 1:1-3
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Philippians 4:6
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God First!

Category: Encouragement (Page 1 of 4)

In Christ We Find Refuge: Comfort When Storms Rage

Write It Down, Cast It on Him

Encourage Others Challenge – Divisiveness is Satan’s tool

What’s not to love about Christianity?

Life can be tough; it’s why we need Christ as our foundation.

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God’s word cannot be shared with silence. It is what it is, but it will be what you make of it!

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