Category: Teaching (Page 1 of 3)

Blindness opened Paul's eyes But baptism saved him

Blindness opened Paul’s eyes, yet baptism saved him.

July 19, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Paul’s eyes were opened in Blindness on the road to Damascus, Jesus told Saul…

“But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” (‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:6‬)

Saul had 3 days of blindness to think and pray about his “literal” come-to-Jesus meeting.

In a vision, the Lord came to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord tells Ananias where to find Saul and to heal his sight. Scripture reads:

“So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;” (Acts 9:17-18).

Note: Baptism was the very first thing Saul did after meeting Ananias and having his sight restored.

Why? If Saul/Paul’s sins had been forgiven before this moment, he would not need to be baptized to have His sins forgiven or to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, would he?

God’s word tells us that when we are baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, this is when we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

In 1 Peter 3:21, it reads:

“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.

Jesus’s own words are very straightforward in Mark 16:16,

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Mark 16:16

Paul shares his story in Acts 22:1-16. Please read it for yourself.

Why believe all of God’s word when so many claim otherwise? Because all Scripture is from God, inspired by God. Not believing or believing something else would mean calling God a liar, and God cannot lie. ( see: 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:20-21, Matthew 5:18, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18, Numbers 23:19)
How many scriptures need to state something for it to be true? only one.

That said, it is important not to take any single scripture out of context, as God’s Word encompasses all of Scripture; if scriptures seem to contradict, we can know we have the wrong understanding and need to seek what fits the whole of Scripture. There are a lot of false teachings in this world about what God wants, a lot of feelings about what God wants, yet it rests upon each of us to discern what God’s Word actually teaches. Don’t believe me, believe God!

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:9-13

God First!

We Study Hard for Our Jobs — Why Not Study Even Harder for Our Souls?

July 18, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 2 Comments

To become proficient in our professions, we study and practice to become Doctors, Nurses, Accountants, Engineers, Firefighters, Carpenters, Bricklayers, etc. Learning and skills are not developed by osmosis. To do our profession to the best of our ability, one must be studious and committed to learning every aspect possible about our endeavor.

Shouldn’t we put even more effort into getting to know God and keeping his commandments? The less we know of God’s Word and the message of Christ, the less we know of God. Yet our souls’ eternity depends on our submitting to God’s will, not ours.

How can we do what we do not know how to do? We should make ongoing efforts to deepen our understanding.

Today, many around the world are denied access to Bibles by their governments, even though they would love to have scripture to study; in some cases, even having a bible can be dangerous to their well-being. However, in our country (the United States), most homes have more than one. So, for us, there is really no excuse for choosing ignorance when God’s Word is so readily available. Understanding comes through study, and there is no better time to begin study than right now. Why not grab your closest Bible or download a Bible app and read it daily starting now?

“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15)

“But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

“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

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!

With God's help, today's challenges are tomorrow's victories!

Do not be confused, be wise instead

July 11, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

With God’s help, today’s challenges are tomorrow’s victories!

Do not be confused, be wise instead; study and pursue the will of God as if your soul’s future depends on it because it does. You cannot follow Jesus if you don’t understand the conditions. “Then Jesus told his disciples,

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?“”

You cannot do God’s will if you don’t know His will.

Satan wants us to believe that good is evil and evil is good.

Through the study of God’s Word, we gain understanding, and with understanding, faith, and discernment and how to obtain eternal salvation and help our loved ones to do the same.

Matthew 16:24-26
Romans 12:2
Ephesians 5:17
Psalm 119:105
Proverbs 3:5-6
Isaiah 5:20
Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 15:21
Philippians 1:9–10
Hosea 14:9
Romans 10:17

God First!

Prayer and the hearts of children

June 21, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

The heart of a child is so pure, and hearing them pray is such a great blessing, as those little but enormous hearts shine with their words of love. Every parent who believes in Jesus should take time each day to teach, listen, and encourage their children to pray.

It’s a true gift to experience the thoughts and words of the pure heart as our children pray for people, topics, and concerns that come to those little minds. While they repeat what you taught about approaching God in Jesus’ name, encourage them to add their own thoughts rather than a cut-and-paste memorized prayer, and you will find these moments are both precious and informative. Just listen, learn, and absorb as they share their hearts with our Heavenly Father. Listening to them pray can easily become some of the best memories you ever experience as you share the love of Jesus with them; it is downright inspirational.

We can learn so much from the hearts of children. Make and prioritize this time, and you’ll never regret it!

Matthew 19:14
Matthew 18:3
Mark 10:15
Luke 18:17
Matthew 18:4

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Judgment Day

June 11, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Hope Ends – Faith Ends – Belief Ends – All False teachings End

Our Eternal Reality Begins

Are you ready?

On Judgment Day, in a twinkling of an eye, all our Hope, faith, and belief disappear as we face the reality of the choices we face today.

Every Truth we shared that brought someone to Christ or every false teaching we adopted, repeated, or promoted leading us and others away from Christ will become part of our fate, part of our judgment. It is so important that we don’t accept others’ words but rather question and study God’s word. God gave us Truth, Example, Inferences, and References to follow in His Word. If we find a contradiction, it shows our understanding is wrong – seek the truth in God’s word, believing false teaching has serious consequences.

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

John 5:39
1 Corinthians 15:52
2 Corinthians 6:2
Acts 17:11
2 Timothy 2:15
1 Thessalonians 5:21
1 John 4:1
Hebrews 5:14
2 Timothy 3:16-17
2 Peter 2:1-3
Galatians 1:8-9
Matthew 7:15-20
Jude 1:3-4
James 3:1
Matthew 18:6
Matthew 5:19
Revelation 20:12-13
Romans 2:6
Ecclesiastes 12:14
1 Corinthians 3:11-15
1 Corinthians 13:12
Hebrews 4:12-13

God First!

If our children see God as part-time in our lives, how will he become full-time in theirs?

June 8, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 2 Comments

According to God’s Word and stated by the Son of God, Jesus is the only way to eternal life: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’ – John 14:6

Many parents claim to believe in Jesus; they want their children to know Jesus, but their actions lack priority and commitment, making their words empty.

Our examples are so very important to our children, much more important than stating words. If we say, “Don’t smoke.” Don’t cuss, don’t cheat, don’t steal, don’t do drugs, don’t get drunk, don’t lie, etc., etc., etc., while puffing a cigarette and doing the very things we state are wrong, we contradict ourselves, making our words meaningless.

If we say we believe but don’t take time each week to come together with our fellow believers to sing praises, pray, worship, and remember the sacrifice of Jesus in communion and be involved, what priority are we presenting to our children? If we dismiss portions of Scripture as inconvenient, what example are we giving, and what are we saying to Jesus?

Jesus gave perfect examples in His life; they matched His words in every way. He told us, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” The apostles likewise set an example that matched their words, prioritizing worship, the breaking of bread weekly, and the sharing of God’s Word.

If our children see God as part-time in our lives, how will he become full-time in theirs?

Hebrews 10:24-25
Acts 2:42
1 Corinthians 11:17-25
Colossians 3:16
John 14:15
Matthew 6:33
James 2:19
1 Peter 2:21
Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Corinthians 11:1
Philippians 2:5
John 13:15
Galatians 2:20
Acts 20:7 (The first day of the week comes every week)

God First!

We really miss out when we predetermine not to listen!

June 6, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 0 Comments

Yes, it can be aggravating when someone disagrees with us on important issues; however, we should not take offense. Simply do your best to present the facts and reasons for your position.

These days, the word “Offended” is widespread and often used to dismiss reason; it’s used to detour discussion rather than find solutions.

In the Bible, we read that Paul went to synagogues to reason with leaders about fulfilled prophecies in Scripture and to tell them of Christ, yet still, many would not listen. Most likely, just as with today, some were predetermined not to listen and instead took offense at what Paul was saying.

God’s Word is important; accepting God’s Grace through obedient faith and acting on that faith is essential. We can’t have obedient faith without understanding. You must know what you’re being obedient to, and such understanding comes from study and reasoning, not osmosis.

Keeping God’s commands and precepts is vital to obtaining eternal life because, as Jesus puts it, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” and, “no one comes to the Father except through me” (ref’s below)

Everyone is encouraged to study and apply the teachings of Scripture to their lives, especially those in the body of Christ. Rather than being set and judgmental, attacking, or building a wall between brethren, strive to teach but be understanding. There is only one truth: help each other learn.

It may be that both believe they represent the meat of Scripture, but neither should be predetermined not to listen; approach the discussion with open ears, as if you were the one on milk, seeking growth, which helps avoid the perception of arrogance. Use a humble attitude and words to help each other understand the facts of Scripture by listening first and reasoning together the Words of God, listen to each other in truth and love, that you may both correctly discern the truth and gain a better understanding of Scripture.

“Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.”

John 14:6
Ephesians 4:25
Acts 17:2-4, 10-11
Acts 18:4, 6, 24-28
John 14:15

God First!

FAKE NEWS

May 2, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 2 Comments

Fake news is nothing new to Christians. We have been bombarded with Fake News since the beginning of Christianity. Jesus’s disciples and apostles spread the Good News of our salvation through Christ by telling of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection, and what we must do to be saved. They established congregations and provided examples of Church actions, worship, and leadership.

Many of the letters we find in the New Testament address “Fake News,” and it continues today. Our world is full of Fake News in Christianity, but there’s good news.

We don’t have to be gullible!

God gave us the means to discern the Truth from the Fake.

The Bible is 66 books of Inspired Words from God, which we can compare to the desires and teachings we hear from all sorts of well-intended, possibly agenda-driven people.

The Truth is not found in what someone says of God’s Word but in what God’s Word actually says.

1 John 4:1
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Galatians 1:6-9
2 Peter 2:1
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Acts 17:11
John 17:17
2 Peter 1:20-21

God First!

God’s Accomplishments – should be praised

March 20, 2026 / Wayne Johnson / 2 Comments

Have you ever had someone take credit for your accomplishments? If so, how did you feel about it?

God is treated this way repeatedly as “Scientists” seek, and people believe everything was created by accident rather than by God.

God’s proof is all around us, in Science, Math, and History, which support what we find in Scripture, and that God is the most logical explanation as the Creator of everything we know.

Many actively work to give credit elsewhere. Sadly, the gullible then fall prey to praising the “creations of God” rather than God Himself.

History shows that people inherently desire to worship something; they want to put faith in something they deem greater than themselves. Worship and praise have been given to such things as the moon, the sun, stars, mountains, water, fire, and animals. Innumerable statues have been made, erected, and worshiped, and theories invented, taught, and believed.

Today, many give the credit that belongs to God to those touting disbelief under the disguise of science. Technical-sounding words are coined and used to construct hypothetical theories, then presented as sound science and taught to our children.

Think about it: Theories are being taught to the most gullible, our children, and told it is science.

Our children are taught to believe our creation was a fluke accident where nothing exploded into something, rather than God created everything, that a spec of absolutely nothing, too small for our eyes to see, exploded into something that created planets in a perfect universal placement to provide life on Earth. Then, over billions of years, this accidental mass developed into the perfectly designed world of nature and life we live in today, where animal and human life are natural phenomena, and our human ancestry is monkeys.

– Were you taught this?

– Do you currently lend credence to any of these theories?

– If not from God, where did our intelligence come from?

God gave us free will and said, “Look at the evidence around you.” God would not have given us so much proof if He expected blind faith; nope, God gave us brains, the ability to question, weigh, comprehend, and conclude that the only logical answer is that Design Requires a Designer.

Every woven and intricate detail of this world requires design; thus, the most logical conclusion, supported by science and math, is not an accident but rather that Everything created is God’s accomplishment, and the proof is all around us; any other explanation is fabrication.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Genesis 1:1
Romans 1:20-25
Revelation 4:11
John 1:3
Colossians 1:16
1 Corinthians 8:6
Nehemiah 9:6
Psalm 33:6
Genesis 1:1-37

Genesis 1:27
Psalm 19:1
Hebrews 11:1-3
John 1:1-3
Exodus 34:14
Deuteronomy 5:9
Exodus 20:1-26
Jeremiah 10:12
Isaiah 45:18

Romans 10:17
Proverbs 3:13
James 1:5
1 Peter 3:15-16
Isaiah 1:18
John 20:31
2 Timothy 2:15

God First!

Category: Teaching (Page 1 of 3)

Blindness opened Paul’s eyes, yet baptism saved him.

Paul shares his story in Acts 22:1-16. Please read it for yourself.

We Study Hard for Our Jobs — Why Not Study Even Harder for Our Souls?

Do not be confused, be wise instead

Judgment Day

If our children see God as part-time in our lives, how will he become full-time in theirs?

God’s Accomplishments – should be praised

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Paul shares his story in Acts 22:1-16. Please read it for yourself.

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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