Walking In Truth

You make time for the things that matter to you. There’s the morning coffee, the lunch outing with a co-worker, working out at the gym, and of course, the show on t.v. in the evening. Do you happen to have any margin in your day for prayer? Today, Pastor Johnny emphasizes the importance of having a daily diet of prayer to God. You may think you’re ok without it, but in actuality, prayer is the frontline of where the spiritual battles are waged. With God on your side, who can stand against you?

When you think about life, what are some of the most difficult things to overcome? You might say that you struggle to surrender your plans to another. Maybe there’s a sin that is eating away at your heart. Perhaps you wrestle with forgiving someone for a deep wound they have inflicted. Today’s passage covers all of these areas in which you may feel conflicted about. Pastor Johnny will help you discover the good intentions God has for you when you seek Him with all of your heart and mind.

Some might think God is unapproachable and too hard to relate to. Do you engage with God in a formal and stoic way, or do you address him in a friendly, endearing way? Today, Pastor Johnny explores a passage about prayer and encourages you to talk to God the way you would talk to your dad. Just like children ask their parents for things, trusting that their needs will be met, you can seek God in the same way. Your heavenly Father knows what you need and He has a wealth of treasure in store for you!

It’s simple to tell someone you’ll pray for them, but do you follow-through with that? Prayer is a powerful thing, but too often, people make many excuses as to why they don’t pray. Pastor Johnny unpacks a passage today that is a model of prayer. If Jesus found validity in praying to His Father, then that should be an example for you to follow as well. Think of praying in the same vane as breathing. It’s essential to your spiritual life and walk with God to keep those communication lines open!

When something is immersed in water, it can become saturated. In contrast, when something is dry, it becomes brittle and ineffective. Now think of your spiritual life and the time you spend with God. Are you soaking up as much as you can from Him and His Word? If so, Pastor Johnny illustrates today that as you absorb all that God is offering, the result is like a fragrant perfume that emanates its surroundings and is hard to miss. Is your scent an aroma or a stench to those around you?

If you think about kids and how they feel loved, more often than not, they feel most loved when you are spending time with them rather than doing things for them. It is the same with God. He cares most about what you do with Him and including Him in the things you do. As a natural by-product, your inclusion of God produces an outpouring of gratefulness to serve with the right heart. Today, Pastor Johnny asks if you are busy and burdened in serving God or if you are blissful and blessed being with God.

Many times, you might think you are strong in one area and weaker in other areas. A main point of today’s message is that serving and sitting are both needed. Today, Pastor Johnny describes a setting where one woman is strong in serving and hospitality and the other has strengths in sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning from Him. The importance conveyed is that both are necessary for a healthy interchange with God and your church community. Don’t deprive one for the sake of the other.

West Side Story had Sharks and Jets. Romeo and Juliet had Montagues and Capulets. In Bible times, there were Jews and Samaritans – hated enemies. Pastor Johnny shares today how Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan depicts compassion from someone who was an archenemy. The Samaritan’s compassion led to action and his example has greater meaning for you personally than what might appear on the pages of this passage. Jesus is the Good Samaritan and He has compassion on you!

You’ve seen them before; maybe you’ve even been one yourself in a certain debate - the devil’s advocate, who is taking the other side, just for argument’s sake. In today’s passage, Jesus has no tolerance for such a man and He turns the debate in an unexpected direction. Pastor Johnny asks you to contemplate today whether you know God’s Word intellectually or if you grant permission for God’s Word to affect you on a heart level. Knowing something and living it out are two different things!

Typically, remaining in the state of a baby or child is discouraged, but in this instance, Jesus actually prefers that you remain childlike – when it comes to your faith. Today, Pastor Johnny delivers a strong message that it’s far more important to take God at His Word than to question it with the intent to find holes and prove that you’re right and He’s wrong. Take the Word of God in like pure milk and receive it as nourishment for your soul. Be reminded that God will continue to feed you.

You’ve heard the saying, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” As a follower of Jesus, your job is to carry the message of Christ, come what-may. Anytime you’re presenting eternal, life-giving news to someone, there’s always a chance of being under heavy spiritual attack. Pastor Johnny gives an empowering teaching today about being ready and remaining humble in your service to God. God may be placing opportunities in your path for this very purpose of presenting the gospel to someone who is lost.

When it comes to your participation at church, are you a worker or a spectator? Scripture backs up this idea that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. God wants you to be willing to work the spiritual crops to ready them for harvest. Pastor Johnny enlightens you today to realize that it’s God’s grace that enables you to do His work. So next time you’re tempted to sit back and let others do the work, get up and serve with an eager heart. Have more passion for Him than the other details of life.

When you think about the word ambassador, you might associate that term with the political powers that-be. However, Pastor Johnny draws you into an important role today for God’s kingdom. This role is being an ambassador for Christ. Pastor Johnny suggests some effective tools to implement in your daily life as a representative of Christ. Your character, conduct, and conversation are a means to display Christ to others. Instead of being afraid, proudly take heed to being God’s ambassador.

Family’s an interesting conundrum. Many families can be relationally close. But what if you’re holding too tight to family? Pastor Johnny mentions today that as important as family can be, if your family is your first love, it’s taking a place that belongs to God. What are you ultimately living for and who are you trying to please? One day, your earthly family will not factor into an interaction you’ll have with God, where He’ll hold you accountable to being faithful to Him first and foremost.

You’ve heard the term, “Easier said than done.” When the rubber meets the road, will you keep your word on something you gave a verbal promise to? Pastor Johnny doesn’t shy away from this idea today as he gives examples of areas in your life that may have a tighter grip than you realize. If God asked you to surrender the material things that are dearest to you, would you contest it? You might think it would be fairly easy to give up modern comforts, but consider if you were asked to forsake all.

When you think about following Jesus, it can be easy to focus on what it will cost you rather than what you will gain. In the long run, what you lose cannot compare with what you will gain. Today, Pastor Johnny exposes commonly chosen excuses that many people use in avoiding truly following God. In today’s passage, Jesus encounters three very different people with specific circumstances, which hindered their pursuit of Jesus. For you, what are you eager to gain for the sake of Jesus?

Do you feel that there's a sin in your life that you're simply too weak to take on? Maybe it's addiction, anger, or depression? Whatever it may be, know that by doubling down your time with Jesus, you'll gain more strength to battle it. Pastor Johnny encourages you today to consistently place Jesus in your life. Through studying His Word, praying, fasting, and simply being with Him, you'll find more encouragement, strength, and guidance than you would anywhere else. Seek and grow in Him.

Throughout the Bible, Jesus makes it clear that you're to pray and fast regularly. Spiritual warfare is real and it's through prayer and fasting that you can prepare yourself for battle. Today, Pastor Johnny challenges you to ready yourself. He teaches you that pursuing a deeper connection with Christ will result in the demons placing a bigger target on your back. This is when the real tests will begin. Ask the Holy Spirit to place the truth deep in your heart and to anchor you in God’s Will.

Many of the modern and contemporary churches have embraced the methods of emotional manipulation. Instead of placing Jesus as the focal point, they've placed big events and epic social events as their priority. In doing so, they've lost sight of what's truly significant. Today, Pastor Johnny teaches you that Jesus is all that matters. He reminds you that all things are to praise and glorify Him. Anything that strays from that is wrong. Ask yourself what role Jesus plays in your life. Is He your true God and center?

You're the one who controls how much you get to grow in the Lord. By consciously making and allowing time for Him to enter your life, you get to decide the level to which you'll mature in His ways. Today, Pastor Johnny teaches you that there's no time better-spent than the time spent with Jesus. By making yourself available to Him, you allow His Word and Will to take precedence in your life. Dedicate time to Jesus every day. Allow His influence to wash over you and all the things that you do.