Month: December 2016

Careful Consideration

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Careful consideration is mindful when using your GCS to navigate in a new or old country road with God’sCommon Sense and God’s Personal Playbook, GPP.

Conviction

The quality of who you are must always remain when evaluating decisions, making each step count, turning onto the proper road, and following God’s narrow path. Many people are going down the wrong path and following fake detours, unaware of their true destination of destruction and death, DDD. A Good Father leads and directs us into understanding, wisdom, guidance, and Love with instructions, a system, methodology, traffic signs, rules, regulations, and Biblical Laws for driving in all countries. These lessons bring forth longevity and eternal life with God the Father and hope for generations!

Confusion

Biblical Laws are not the same as natural, man-made laws.  Changing God’s Laws with man-made laws are not an option for Christians.  The blessing of man comes from God, His Order, and Ways, which will never change or become popular in the ways of the wicked.  I wish to obey God’s Laws first and avoid COI, Conflicts of Interest, with are stumbling blocks, detours, and misguided thinking from people who do not understand your purpose.  I must hold myself up to God’s higher standards to follow His lead and not my own confusion of man’s mindsets and the devil’s traps.

Correction

When the fullness of evil has come, God will correct things with a twinkle of an eye, since time has no meaning to God’s existence.  Our thinking must be corrected as our weakness is considered as strength in the Hands of God.  The modulation of the mind, heart, body, and spirit begins to see and understand the Mind of God with a Great Love for biblical, daily application, and faith.  God does things instantly and our time of the universe evolves and revolves around God’s Grace and Will.  I stand corrected by the Lord is my motto in God, which is on my personal coins, bills, and future plans of consideration.
Today’s Question
How accurate are your ways aligned with God’s Biblical Road Map and wisdom to understand GCS, God’s Common Sense, using God’s Personal Playbook, GPP, while avoiding the path of DDD, which is the destination of destruction and death and other personal COI, conflicts of interest; being full of greed, lust, pride, and empty waste?
Enjoy Today’s Reading

1 Corinthians 3

The Church and Its Leaders

3 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food,for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b]21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Love,

Jonathan

The Manager

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
When you study from The Owner, The Big Boss, The Creator, then you can learn to change your mistakes to manage your lifestyle correctly and teach others how to improve themselves, fixing and recognizing, their own mistakes.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Recognizing Rights

It is your right to recognize your own problems and finding the right solutions quickly– early in the game of life– is essential.  God gives us the common sense to know right from wrong, and it is a good idea to surround yourself with people who are doing the right things, written by the Hand of God!

The Hand of God

How will you know what the Hand of God is when you don’t know who Your Father is? Your relationship with your Dad will help you to see and understand what life is truly about from God’s perspective because one created the other and one is responsible for the other.  Hand in Hand, the Love is transferred from generation to generation of people who care and love God’s Management System of the Universe.  Why study and learn counterfeit information?

Playground Time

Spend time with your Dad on the playground of life to swing your destiny into a whole new world of possibilities into the galaxies in your mind and heart.  Since God knows how you work, study the manual from the owner to unlock the true secrets and purpose of love, life, and eternity with God. The Mind of Christ is transferred to you by Him, Your Dad, from the Playground of Life.
Today’s Question
Do you have the Mind of Christ Managing your lifestyle and affairs?
Enjoy Today’s Reading
 

1 Corinthians 2

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[a]2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.

God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”[b]—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him—
10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 What we have received is not the spiritof the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[c]14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, 16 for,
“Who has known the mind of the Lord
    so as to instruct him?”[d]
But we have the mind of Christ.
Love,
Jonathan

The Exchange

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“The minds of many are trapped like a caged bird because they refuse to study the currency exchange value that God places on the mind; giving up God’s priceless values to worthless valued sinful thoughts, ways, and objects.”  ~ Jon Barnes

The Morning

The awakening occurs in the morning when you discover how much you hate learning new things that God is trying to teach you, yet you want the dirty things the devil has taught you.  The struggle is real, as my eyes continue to open up to the truth of God’s knowledge, love, honesty, and the amazing accuracy of common sense. I am Thankful to be obedient and choose to change, casting away my own corruption, guilt, and shame.

We Slaves

We are all born as slaves to evil because we don’t want to play fair, do right, or help others while exchanging our time for love, goods for service, quality for quantity.  Our current position is to get over on someone, beat someone out of their money or possessions, and hide behind the truth that if we can get away with something. We would rather take than give, lust than love, hold a grudge than forgive.  We want to control and enslave others and not let them live.

The Exchange Process

The Good Slave understands the value in the exchange process that happens when you pay for things using God’s Laws and rate of the exchange process. But first, a wise person will study the exchange rate of life to understand the cost of what you are selling, giving up, or buying.  The devil is the lemon in the deal and God is the Gold of Life. Get it right and process your mind and reprogram your thinking!
Today’s Question
Do you get it or are you still a slave to the devil’s thoughts and ways?
Enjoy today’s reading.

1 Corinthians 1 

1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

A Church Divided Over Leaders

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a] in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”;another, “I follow Cephas[b]”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdomand eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c]
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[d]

Love,

Jonathan

United Goodwill

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“People who work together for a common good cause will find themselves working together with God and His Holy Laws.” ~ Jon Barnes

Good Tidings

Good Tidings we share will prove that we care for the young, poor, rich, and old.  When we turn our backs, we all lack the solutions to future problems without God’s mercy.

United Us

United we stand to help every man, facing the truth with justice and dignity.  Fighting for a just cause is a requirement in God’s laws to promote fairness and equity.

God’s Will

Knowing God’s Will comes from reading His bible to fill your heart with the proper directions to take. United as glue, yet still up to you, whether to take God’s help from your fellow man.
Today’s Question
Will you receive the help and goodwill for yourself and pass it on to others in need?
 
Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Romans 16New International Version (NIV)

Personal Greetings

16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon[a][b] of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet Priscilla[c] and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among[d] the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [e]
25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writingsby the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from[f] faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Love,

Jonathan

Preparation Preservation

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Preparation precedes preservation with proper planning and plenty of perception.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Perhaps

Perhaps the most powerful thing that I could have ever done was to listen to the lifestyles of everyone. When the time comes to make a choice, you will find a better voice in God’s lifestyle with less noise. Prayer and love are a must, as people will die around us.  Be wise in your thinking, reservation, food, drugs and less drinking.

Distracted

Distraction comes before disaster, since you didn’t think it mattered to pay attention to the stories from beginning to the end of the latter.  We all struggle with sin as we pray, pray, again, and again for God’s love and mercy, my friends.

Solid Studies

Consistent solid studies can bring about change and understanding to see and walk the path God has for you to take. Count the cost and your loss for not obeying or listening;  which will be vital in the next decision you make.
Today’s Question
Can you count the cost or have you already lost your money and faith to the devil?
Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Romans 15New International Version (NIV)

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
    I will sing the praises of your name.”[c]
10 Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”[d]
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
    let all the peoples extol him.”[e]
12 And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
    one who will arise to rule over the nations;
    in him the Gentiles will hope.”[f]
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentilesto obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders,through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written:
“Those who were not told about him will see,
    and those who have not heard will understand.”[g]
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome

23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Love,

Jonathan

Personal Roman Issues

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“We all tend to think that our own story is different, more important or special than the next, yet we all have, share, and need the same ingredients and solutions to natural problems and lessons.”  ~ Jon Barnes

No Better

I’m no better than you, as we all need to do our best work that we can pursue.  Each day is just a test to do better than the rest, when our turn comes to execute our personal path.  Then you are defined, each and every time, by your thoughts and what work you completed.  Then comes the day, our story ends this way and a new person begins to tell their story.

Mo Better

Fixing problems can be poetic, others can be pathetic, making the same mistakes each and every day. Some can get ‘mo better’ at writing personal letters to communicate new solutions at hand.  Though solutions tend to ride the waves ebbs and tides from the love letter stories of old.  It takes lots of guts, not to run amuck and produce your best fruit and Christmas Cheer through the Year.

 Lessons Less

Each lesson seems personnel in the game of choice, when each solution rests on your own personal voice. The bell chimes for thee as it does for me and you will be personally responsible for your own party. Lessons Less traveled, learned best from all of the personal issues of the rest. Less can mean more, since God is Pure? Good Spiritual health is music to my ears!
Today’s Question
Did you learn something? 
Enjoy Today’s reading.

Romans 14New International Version (NIV)

The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”[b]
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean,but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[c]

Love,

Jonathan

Roman Christmas Concept

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“We are constantly given examples, concepts, models, and system of how to Love God and people, yet evil blinds the eyes of many, leaving only a few to travel the straight and narrow road.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Christmas Time is Here

During this Christmas Holiday, train yourself to love and live the lifestyle Jesus would be proud of.  Be the example for others to follow and inspire truth, justice, and positive change in all people, all around the world.  Christmas Time is Here everyday of the year.

Snowflakes in The Air

As I travel through Europe this season, I am enjoying the winter weather, comfort and warmth of my wife, family, friends, and life.  Since each snowflake is different like fingerprints, enjoy the unique path the Will of God has on your life and embrace the truth your good works of faith can give to others.

Pitch your Tune

Pitch your spiritual tent and sing songs of love, thanksgiving, and understanding so that others can see the path to walk with God.  Your perfect pitch, sings through the air with it’s own signature vibration, unlike anyone else. Only you can sing your message of God’s Goodwill and Glad tidings of Glory and love to mankind.
Today’s Question
Are you observing, upholding, and obeying God’s laws, authority, and rulers or are you singing to your own tune and fleshy ways?

Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Romans 13New International Version (NIV)

Submission to Governing Authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love Fulfills the Law

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a]and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[c]

Love,

Jonathan

Roman Policy

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“It is God’s policy to cut out the confusion and get straight to the point; Love and live for Christ or die in your sin.”

Christmas Joy

Joy to the World, the Lord has Come. Let earth receive Her King.  We sing Christmas songs to remind us all about the reason God sent His son, in addition to showing us the policy and plan of salvation.  This daily joy of Christmas, giving, and eternal gift can only be given by God to the people He chooses to show mercy.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and find some time to learn the words to this amazing song, which is full of mercy to help you save your soul from hell.  We study and pass on the old standards and traditions of truth to the next generation, so that they don’t fall pray to the devil’s playground of ignorance and stupidity. Teach these standards to your family– which will help them fight the ways of evil.

God Rest Ye

May you find comfort and rest in God’s Grace, Biblical Christmas wisdom, and loving truth.  It is your job to understand, know, and teach the Christmas Policy of God’s love and charity to a dying world full of many sinners.  Don’t get cut off or cut out from God’s Rest, for the rest of eternity.
Today’s Question
Are You cut out for being Good or evil?
Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Romans 12New International Version (NIV)

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Love,
Jonathan

Non-Profit Romans

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“When you are honest with God, you can be honest with people, otherwise your non-profit status with God is non-existent Roman status, along with your fake charity.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Non-Profit Test

Love is a non-profit gift and entity all unto itself.  God is love and love is God.  God gives us love and we take it.  Few learn to give it back.  Did you pass the non-profit test? Are you really a blessing in your service of God or are you blinded by your own arrogance, greed and selfishness? Don’t X out your blessing and eternal inheritance.

Meeting Minds

Shut your mind off and turn your heart on so that you can listen with your spiritual ears inside your heart. God is speaking to you, if you are listening.  What is your profit to gain the world, money, and power, only to lose your soul?  Meet the needs of God’s Will for your life and God will hook you up.

Silent Night Service

Judgement will be a personal thing, just as Jesus was born, quietly in a barn.  Few people were on hand to witness the birth of our King and the simplicity of God’s Faith Memo; which is for everyone to love God and your neighbor as yourself.  Be truthful each night to God in Silence, rejoicing in your closet and making adjustments.
Today’s Question
Did you check your motives and ask your loved ones and God to examine your love, motives, and actions of honesty and integrity?

Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Romans 11New International Version (NIV)

The Remnant of Israel

11 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people,whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”[a]? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”[b] 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
    eyes that could not see
    and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”[c]
9 And David says:
“May their table become a snare and a trap,
    a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
    and their backs be bent forever.”[d]

Ingrafted Branches

11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envyand save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

All Israel Will Be Saved

25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
    he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them
    when I take away their sins.”[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Doxology

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”[j]
35 “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”[k]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Love,

Jonathan

Roman Meal Scraps

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“It seems a bit strange and unfair to give God the little crumbs from the table of your Thanksgiving during our massively commercialized Christmas spending and gluttony.” ~ Jon Barnes

Crumb Cake Kindness

Not too long ago, I use to offer up my crumbs of Thanksgiving to God, after eating a full course meal at my table.  This would happen at each meal of my life until I realized that God is the food, cake, substance, order, water, air, life, and dirt that is used to sustain all of us and our existence. Scraps and crumbs of kindness, love, and substance are for a doG, not God!  Don’t let the devil fool you with dyslexic tendencies and symptoms with your kindness and Thanksgiving.

We Three Kings

Giving real quality gifts of good service can be a daily challenge, in a world full of takers, fakers, blind believers, phony, fast food faith-based posers, displaying laziness and no love works.  A Good King or average person of honest quality gives real gifts of honor and substance of love to God and all people around them.  They will follow the star of righteousness in their prayer closet, no matter how far one travels.

Milk This X

The details of your faith are between you and, God but the fruit of your salvation shines like the bright morning star.  God knows His loving Kids! X marks the spot to hit your target. So, why do we tend to milk it for all we can get, never giving of ourselves and doing what is best to hit the mark?  I finally had to make up my own mind to leave the milk, crumbs and cookies alone, so that I could chew and eat meat, like a man and king for God!
Today’s Question X
Got Milk or Meat?

Enjoy today’s reading.

Romans 10New International Version (NIV)

10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”[g]
16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”[h] 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:
“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.”[i]
19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,
“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;
    I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”[j]
20 And Isaiah boldly says,
“I was found by those who did not seek me;
    I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”[k]
21 But concerning Israel he says,
“All day long I have held out my hands
    to a disobedient and obstinate people.”[l]

Love,

Jonathan