Category: Jesus (Page 1 of 7)

Walking with Jesus at Calvary

April 5, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Imagine being taken back in time, way, way back. You are walking beside Jesus, yet unseen by anyone as He carries the cross to “Golgotha.” You are seeing and hearing firsthand all the hatred toward our Savior. You can’t hold back the tears as they begin to seep from your eyes as you witness all the cruelty and dripping blood from His torn flesh. Watching Him struggle to carry that heavy cross. You understand the words being yelled and touted as Jesus is being mocked and ridiculed. You are helpless to do anything more than watch as the innocent Son of God is spat upon with disdain and disrespect.

You see the sign, smugly placed above His head, in laughter. “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

The spikes are then driven through His hands and feet, and you hear the heart-wrenching thud of the cross as it is stood up and dropped into place, tearing again at His hands and feet. Jesus is in agony, His flesh ragged and torn from beatings, bleeding, and scabbing. You listen intently to His every word. Then, just before He proclaims, “It is Finished,”

Jesus looks directly at you!

Tears in His eyes, and you hear Him say: I’m doing this for you!

Will you love me? Will you, keep My commandments?

Today, God’s Word is at our fingertips. Shouldn’t we try our best to live according to God’s will? Through God’s wisdom, everything we need to know to keep the commandments of Jesus is found in the God-Breathed Words of the Holy Bible.

Let’s put our wisdom aside and pursue the Wisdom of our Creator. It’s not found in one verse or chapter; it’s found in the 66 inspired books God gave us!

“If you love me, keep my commands.”
John 14:15

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)

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
1 Peter 3:21-22

2 Timothy 3:16
Matthew 27:1-66
Ephesians 5:15-21
Isaiah 5:21

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In 2021, my sister-in-law and her two teenage children would meet with some brothers and sisters in Christ for evening walks. On one ride, she tried to spark a conversation with her son and asked him, “If you were to die tomorrow, what would you wish you had gotten done today?”

The unexpected answer

April 4, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 1 Comment

In 2021, my sister-in-law and her two teenage children would meet with some brothers and sisters in Christ for evening walks. On one ride, she tried to spark a conversation with her son and asked him, “If you were to die tomorrow, what would you wish you had gotten done today?”

She expected a secular answer, but his response was: “Be Baptized.”

This question led to further discussion of God’s Word and what scripture tells us is necessary for eternal Salvation. That night, my nephew made the best decision we can ever make in life. He chose to be baptized into Christ and follow Christ for the rest of his life.

Michael believed, repented, confessed Jesus as the Son of God, and was baptized into Christ in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of his sins, and was added to the Lord’s Church, as we find in Scripture.

Later, Michael Jr. told me he had been thinking about it for a while. You never know what’s on someone’s mind.

The timing of his mother’s question and a follow-up question of “Why wait?” Seemingly perfect.

Self-Study Scriptures:

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: 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30
Confess: Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9
Baptism by immersion for the 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

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Comfort in little things by knowing God’s Word

March 29, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 1 Comment

We were gifted with the morning light as it cast these rainbow colors across our tile floor. As I pointed it out to my wife, I thought, how cool! Its presence then sent my mind down a pathway of thoughts to carry.

Like the rainbow in the sky, this simple patch of colors reminded me of God’s promises. That God cannot lie and will always be with those who love Him. How Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

While sipping my morning coffee, my mind kept highlighting snippets of God’s Word, “God is the God of All Comfort”, “the closer we draw to God, the closer God will draw towards us”, “Ask, and it will be given, Seek and you will find, Knock and the door will open”, “Pray without Ceasing!”

It is comforting to remember how much Jesus cares for us and to be reminded to be humble and to cast all our anxieties on Him.

This little patch of light reminded me that Faith includes Trust. “Never give up on doing good.” Lean on Jesus, especially in times of trial when the challenges of life are heavy, and things don’t make any sense.

So much was brought to mind in this little patch of rainbow light.

Jesus has prepared for those who love Him a place with many rooms where tears, death, mourning, crying, and pain will be no more. It gives me peace to remember this world is but a temporary home; our forever home is, as a song states, “Beyond the azure blue.” Scripture tells us, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” All this world and its desires are passing away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Hebrews 6:18 (God’s Promises)
Titus 1:2 (Eternal life promise)
Proverbs 8:17 (Love and seeking)
John 14:15 (love means keeping commandments)
James 4:8 (let God to draw near)
Romans 8:28 (of those who love Him)
Galatians 6:9 (always do good)
1 Peter 5:7 (Cast Anxieties on God)
Galatians 6:2 (Bear each other’s burdens)
1 John 2:15-17 (question your desires)
John 14:1-3 (A heavenly home)
Revelation 21:4 ( no more mourning, tears, or pain)
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (God of all Comfort)

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The Prayer that led to Root-Growing change

March 24, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

I remember a time when my desire to solve “out-of-my-control” situations was so great that it became all-consuming and overwhelming. I had to realize my inadequacy and humble myself to the one person who could help: God!

I am thankful we don’t have to face life’s difficulties alone, aren’t you?

I am grateful that through Jesus we can humbly pray to God, share our concerns, and lay our burdens at Jesus’ feet, trusting that God will provide.

I was feeling overwhelmed by concerns beyond my control when, one night, I decided to turn them all over to Jesus in an in-depth, on-my-knees prayer. It turned into a prayer full of tears and begging. A prayer of repentance for not having already trusted and turned these concerns over to Jesus and God’s loving hands. At the end of that prayer, an unexplained weight lifted from my shoulders. I got up from that prayer, trusting and believing God would help, and He did.

It was NOT a click-of-a-switch change, but rather a ROOT-GROWING change that took time and my trust. From that moment onward, my attitude changed, and I began a lifelong shift that helped me focus on what I could control and pray for what I couldn’t. I came to trust that God’s hands were on my concerns. While I’ve had moments of despair since then, it doesn’t take long to remember and realize I must turn it over to God and Trust God.

There is no better solution!

“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 ESV

No need to be Anxious

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

God of All Comfort

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 Who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ, we share abundantly in comfort too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

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What does God want from us?

March 19, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

God gave mankind a unique opportunity. He created us in His image and gave us the ability to give back to Him, the one thing God really wants from His Creation.

“Our Love, by our choice.”

Think about it: Other than your love, what can you offer God?

God is the Creator of everything we know and understand. Everything!

With great and painful sacrifice beyond our understanding, we have been given the opportunity for eternal life with the Godhead: with the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, in a new heavenly home Jesus created for us.

God consistently provides for us, and all He really asks is that we truly love Him as He has first loved us.

Why would we not want to show our gratitude with our every breath?

In His Holy Word, Jesus told us how to show our love by keeping His commandments. Scripture shows us how. There is nothing tricky or confusing about it. Jesus created only one Church, His Church, the One He established, the One He died for, and He told us how to be a part of His Church by becoming in Christ.

Giving of ourselves, showing our love with effort

Jesus said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” ‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭40‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Jesus also gave us a New Commandment in John 13:34-35. We are to “love others as Christ loved us.”

Scripture demonstrates that what we believe, teach, and set as our example matters to God. Let us never take God’s love for granted, but rather give God the one gift God values most from His creation.

“Our Love” by Our Choice.

In (John 14:15), Jesus explains, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

1 Corinthians 14:33-40 (not confusion)
Matthew 7:21 (Not everyone)
Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:4 (One Church)
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (Love)
John 14:2-3 (many mansions)
1 John 4:19 (He first loved us)

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Flaxseed and Scripture

March 5, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 2 Comments

I have friends who set family goals to read 1,000 books in a year. Personally, I’m a slow reader, so this goal is truly impressive to me. In fact, when I ordered the book in this picture, “The Utterance of God,”

I ordered it based on my interest in the topic and a friend’s recommendation. This book identifies and demonstrates numerous biblical proofs (many of which I was unaware of); which prove that what we read in the Bible is indeed the actual Words of God.

The Bible claims this fact in 2 Timothy 3:16, where God tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed…”.

Recognizing, understanding, and comprehending these many proofs found in Scripture proves God as the creator of everything we know and understand; therefore, we should do all within our power to follow Christ according to what we find in God’s Word.

This book of proofs has a nice-sized font, but when I bought it, I did not realize it was over 500 pages. Likewise, the Bible has over 1,000 pages and 750,000 words. Although large books seem daunting to me, I have learned to take the Flaxseed approach to my reading.

Flaxseed was recommended to me for its several health benefits. When I ordered the Flaxseed, and it arrived, I thought, wow, that’s a lot of Flaxseed; how will I ever get through all this? Yet by using just a teaspoon at a time, I have now consumed several containers and am healthier for it.

I am proud to report that I have read every word in this book, “The Utterance of God.” Parts of it were challenging for me to comprehend, but the largest percentage was very easy and extremely informative and interesting. Moreover, I gained considerably by persistently consuming just a few pages at a time over months.

The result: Studying this information strengthened my understanding of God’s Word, highlighted several passages I was unaware of, increased my confidence, and encouraged and emboldened my faith.

Reading good books can provide several benefits for the health of our minds, and reading God’s Holy Word nourishes both mind & soul; it is life’s best guide!

Following God’s Word according to God’s Word is to follow Jesus, and Jesus is our only way to spend eternity with God. (John 14:6, Acts 4:2, 1 Timothy 2:5, John 10:9, John 1:14)

I encourage anyone reading this writing to set aside time to read the Bible.

Don’t predetermine it’s too hard to understand; instead, be persistent with yourself and commit yourself to at least a spoonful of reading per day. Before you know it, just like with the Flaxseed or this book I now recommend, you will have consumed the whole book. It’s a blessing!

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: – 2 Cor. 7:9-10, Luke 13:3-5, Acts 17:30
Confession: – Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9
Baptism by immersion for the 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
Live Faithfully: Revelation 2:10, Philippians 2:12

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I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

February 27, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Anybody who knows me should know that I believe in God and that the Bible is absolute, 100% God’s Word.

I believe Jesus is the son of God who lived a perfect life. Jesus allowed Himself to be sacrificed on the cross as it was the only way you and I could be redeemed, forgiven of our sins, and become eligible for eternal life in heaven with our creator.

We cannot EARN forgiveness of our sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us.

NO, we are told by scripture (Acts 2:38-42) that it’s through God’s Grace that salvation is offered, and with Great sacrifice.

Nonetheless, to ACCEPT God’s Grace, we must be obedient to God’s will, and the Bible tells us exactly how.

I did not come to these conclusions by osmosis, but rather through much study. I am a strong advocate of personal study of God’s Word and encourage all to set aside what others have told us and seek truth through self-study.

Scripture tells us we are to each work out our own salvation. (Philippians 2:12) Here is the Rub, we can’t do this without truthful knowledge. (2 Tim. 2:15)

This said, I love sharing God’s Word and the salvation God has extended to everyone through Jesus. Scripture instructs believers to share the love of Christ with the world, both boldly and lovingly, and to do so without adding to or taking away from God’s Holy Word.

GOD FORCES NO ONE TO LOVE HIM.

God has supplied us with thousands of years of history (reasons to believe) in 66 books of Scripture, that we may understand why we should want to believe in Him and follow Jesus.

Likewise, I do not verbally or in writing push my understanding on anyone, as all have the option to skip or ignore my post.

Still, instead of ignoring them, I hope you read and find yourself challenged enough to study God’s Word, as my intent is to share God’s Word according to His Word, not as mine, and why I typically include scripture for consideration.

* 1 Peter 4:8
* 1 Corinthians 16:14
* 1 John 1:7
* 1 John 3:1-24
* Matt. 26:27-28
* Romans 6:3-11
* John 15:13

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, Matthew 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!

Study and live God's Word as if your soul's eternity depends on your choices.

Study Is Worth the effort

February 26, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 1 Comment

When we send our kids to school, we intend for them to learn to study and understand the basic curriculum. In college, they pursue degrees, and throughout it all, we will hear them complain, “It’s boring to study, it’s boring to listen, it’s boring to sit through lectures,” yet with effort, they become fluent in new terminology and the details of their chosen professions. In the end, they have accumulated all those boring hours, and it’s worth it!

Reading and studying God’s word can seem boring and daunting. I understand the mindset; It once seemed that way to me.

I looked for answers in what others understood or simply in my reasoning. I had good reason to trust what I was being told. However, it was not until I began studying on my own and attending Bible classes, worship services, and study groups that an accurate understanding of God’s Word began to sink in.

As a result, my once skin-deep faith grew into an all-consuming zeal to share the message of Christ.

Why?

Because our souls’ eternity is decided by our choices.

It’s more important than anything worldly. I need to be able to explain and defend why this is true. (within the pages of scripture), In other words, by sharing God’s Word “as written,” not my words or my ideas.

Regarding God’s word, my boredom with study has become an engaging excitement, with the purpose of sharing. A continuous thirst to grow closer to God with an ever-growing understanding of God’s intent for me and all disciples of Jesus, His commands, His Forgiveness, Mercy, and how we accept His Grace by keeping Jesus’s commands.

I encourage everyone to make a similar effort to grow, as All Truth is in God’s Word.

My quest is to explain, with certainty and boldness, the joy and hope that are in me, with gentleness and respect. Just as we are directed in 1 Peter 3:15-16 and Ephesians 6:20

OUR SOULS ARE WORTHY OF EVERY EFFORT!

John 5:39 (Eternal life)
2 Timothy 3:15-17 (study)
John 13:34 (A new command)
Luke 10:27 (Love God with all)
John 14:15 (Keep Jesus’s commandments)
Matthew 19:17 (If you want to enter)
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (Whole duty)
Revelation 22:18-19 (Caution)
Matthew 7:22 (I never knew you)

God First!

Bible Translations

February 13, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 1 Comment

The languages of the Bible are unique to their time, and this is excellent!

Here is why

Language scholars can refer to the original writings to clarify 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 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 repeatedly, regardless of the type of paper or stone they were originally written on.

With the “King James Version,” all the manuscripts available at the time were combined into the books of the Bible. The translations were completed by a large group of approximately 50 highly qualified scholars. These scholars checked, double-checked, and triple-checked the letters and manuscripts they had. They tested each piece against a set of rules they created to ensure it had been correctly translated. These scholars also defined the chapters, verses, and punctuation to facilitate reading today, as these were not part of the original language.

More transcripts were found after the “King James” translation. Some of these writings were older than those used to create the KJV. Many modern versions use the King James Version as their base to create versions that are easier for readers to understand. In contrast, other versions compare the manuscripts used to translate the KJV with older manuscripts and then revise the new versions, prioritizing the older manuscripts. Note: In a few cases, an entire verse was removed based on older writings; these changes were minor and did not alter the text of Scripture.

If English is our native tongue, we often think only of these versions as being in Old or modern English; however, many translations of God’s Word have been made in multiple languages.

It’s also true that not all versions were translated with the same care. In fact, some versions are no more than one person’s interpretation, while others are produced by groups with an agenda beyond a strict translation; this is why it’s essential to understand how a translation came about to determine how much credibility we should accord to what we read.

Personally, I like 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 undertaken in the 1600s, under the threat of death, was the KJV.

As a follower of Christ and not a scholar of biblical languages, I rely heavily on versions I believe were compiled with the greatest accuracy.

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 set aside our desires and expectations, 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 a collection of 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 include 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 fathom God giving us His complete Word in forms we can’t possibly understand. Can you?

I 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, 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!

We have two lines

February 12, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

One line promotes the murder of babies, and the other line promotes the protection of life. Our decision is black and white, not gray.

One line promotes evil, the other stands with pure love.

There is no evil in God! God is Love, God is Good, All the time

It’s been pointed out that God is not a Democrat or a Republican. Amen to that! Abortion is not a political decision; it is a right-or-wrong choice.

Jesus is pure love.

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

Choices are real, and regrets are lifelong. 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!

Category: Jesus (Page 1 of 7)

Walking with Jesus at Calvary

The unexpected answer

Comfort in little things by knowing God’s Word

The Prayer that led to Root-Growing change

What does God want from us?

I believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

Bible Translations

We have two lines

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