Month: January 2017

Notice

jonmbarnes2 Comments
golf-1353532_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Notice how God helps us to keep in step with His word, will, and ways by giving us a lifestyle of peace, joy, and happiness, while being in the eye of life’s hurricane!” ~ Jon Barnes

Served

You have been served a notice of Good Works or notice to get your act together so that you may stand against the craziness of the evil to come.  Preparation and focused faith serve and help the next generation to learn and live for God, within your family.  Do you want a family of evil people?

Act Now

We act now, by the Grace of God, to help set up Good Systems that will support and love all people,  People who do not live by the Spirit of God will live by the spirit of something else; the flesh, which is full of lust, greed, pride, and evil.  Your actions are used to train the next generation and guide them into the truth of God.

The Guide

Many are called, but few are chosen because people refuse to be guided by God.  We all tend to want to follow our flesh, making excuses, lies, and concessions, which pollutes True Faith.  I have noticed that I must give myself a daily notice of repentance and self-correction to prevent the subtle corruption of evil to infiltrate my heart.  Bless God for the Guide of the Holy Spirit in US.
Today’s Question
Do you have the Holy Spirit in you to lead, guide, and direct your path or do you need to ask God for this gift?
Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Galatians 6

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to[b] the Israel of God.
17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Love,
Jonathan

Moving Forward

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
birds-1835510_1920
Hi Peeps
Today’s Quote
“God gives us one day, one breath, and one second at a time to take one step in the right direction, moving forward into the destiny God has given us right now.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Take It

The Mercy of God allows us to take a step, just like a little baby, who begins to walk.  Even at 52, I appear to be a little infant, mastering the steps in life to, by faith.  I laugh at myself, fighting back the tears from mistakes, regret, and disobedience, yet I repent, change, and continue to get up to step another day.  Bless God for the opportunity to correct mistakes and learn new lessons.  Take your practice lessons and steps seriously with thanksgiving and love.

Faith Walk

We cannot please God without knowing that God orders our steps in our Faith Walk.  Everything we do has a purpose and will yield fruits of Goodness or corruption.  Our faith steps will get us out of bed, into the workforce to plow, sow, water, and harvest the Good Work God has set before us.  With Great Joy, I am delighted to be given an opportunity to Love God and to Love You, one step at a time!

The Will

Not my will but God’s Will should be done with the steps that I take.  It is a challenge to keep my will, mind, and heart behind God’s Will for my life, yet God’s will is far better than my own at every step. Since God’s love knows what is best for me and my life, I always cross the finish line of success in my life, through God’s Goodness and Grace. Love God’s Will and you will master Loving yourself and others in perfect Love.
Today’s Question
Will you be like a child and take each step by faith and omit the adult will that you have to discover and follow the perfect Will of God for your life?
Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Galatians 5

Freedom in Christ

5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion,whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

Life by the Spirit

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
 
Love,
 
Jonathan 

Focus Thoughts

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
blur-1869945_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Evil is a master distractor, trying to prevent you from paying close attention to your good job!” ~ Jon Barnes

Time Wasted

Time Wasted cannot be reclaimed when your attention is absorbed by evil things, dishonest people, lying stories, and other diversions.  Separate yourself and organize your time to go to the gym, eat right, cook food, sleep well, be punctual, be happy, pray, study, read your Bible, practice, create, work, Help, love, and play.

Focus Time

Focus your time on executing the Good Work, Laws, Commandments, and Deeds of Faith to wash away all the evil that is around you in Spirit, Truth, and Love.  God will slay evil for you and help you build good connections, contacts, communications, and projects.  Be a focused leader and doer by following God.  Weeds waste time.

Focus Fruit

Focus Fruit comes from the harvest of those who did the Good Work, by Faith. Their actions are guided by obedience to God, which focuses on the truth and being a blessing to others.  Laboring in the field, pulling weeds, watering, and nurturing The Farm for God is “The Focus” behind reaping what you sow.  Evil weeds will simply be burned during judgment by God.
Today’s Question

Are you a slave to evil, an unknown fake god, the devil, with focus thoughts of evil ways and deeds?

Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Galatians 4

4 What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. 2 The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. 3 So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces[a]of the world. 4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.[b] 6 Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[c]Father.” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Paul’s Concern for the Galatians

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces[d]? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! 11 I fear for you, that somehow I have wasted my efforts on you.
12 I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, 14 and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. 15 Where, then, is your blessing of me now? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?
17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!

Hagar and Sarah

21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.23 His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise.
24 These things are being taken figuratively: The women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written:
“Be glad, barren woman,
    you who never bore a child;
shout for joy and cry aloud,
    you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
    than of her who has a husband.”[e]

28 Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”[f] 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

Love,

Jonathan

Sharpening Tools

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
taps-444470_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Maintaining your tools of understanding, working in your field of expertise, managing your weaknesses, and giving God, the love, respect, and credit He deserves will help you NOT to become a Hypocrite.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Fairness Matters

The scales of justice are often unbalanced with favoritism, greed, hate, and evil lifestyles that enslave people all around the world.  We lose ourselves in comfort, gluttony, excess, luxury, money, fame, and power by ignoring and taking advantage of the poor and holding back real solutions to the problems of implementing fair justice for all. God will judge you.

Gifted Garbage

We worship, gifts, and not God!  We want everything we see, even the power of God if it were obtainable. We think of ourselves as better than the poor person next to us, because we treat them as such.  We treat rich people with power nicely to gain favors, status, money, opportunities, and jobs.  Yet, God does not play favoritism and you will reap what you sow.

Faith Fulfillment

Reading, hearing, and doing the word and the work of God is a living example of our Faith in God.  Practicing what we preach is fundamental and mandatory in our walk with God.  The fruit of your Faith is justified by God’s Grace and Mercy on your life, to be seen by all the people you know.  They truly know if you are a hypocrite or not.  So, keep sharpening your tools for God, repent, repent, repent and get back to work.
Stop wasting time playing favorites, spying for the devil! All Lives and Souls Matter.
Today’s Question
Do you love your children Equally as God does or are you a hypocrite?
Enjoy Today’s Reading.

Galatians 3

Faith or Works of the Law

3 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?[a] 4 Have you experienced[b] so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”[c]
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”[d] 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”[e] 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”[f] 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.”[g] 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[h] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The Law and the Promise

15 Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,”[i]meaning one person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressionsuntil the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, implies more than one party; but God is one.
21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 22 But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

Children of God

23 Before the coming of this faith,[j] we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. 24 So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Love,
Jonathan

People Please

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
person-1317600_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Please Pray to Please God and promote proper asset management, simplicity of sharing, distribution duties, fair work, wages, clutter control, word wisdom, and appropriate actions of faith in God and not to People Pleasers.” ~ Jon Barnes

Responsibility

I try to focus my limited time and resources on completing the assignments that I already have on my plate. Yet my mind plays tricks on me to think that my plate is almost empty with nothing to do, looking for more work.  This is a trick of confusion and distraction to keep you from finishing your most important work.  Your time is limited and you must always remember this fact. Do not become a slave to Greed!

You, Not God

You are not God and we must all follow the playbook of life, The Bible, to navigate in the presence of God.  But, your angelic pilot’s licensee helps you to spiritually flow and fly around to work, help, and love others. However, you can not be all things to all people.  This job description is not in your pay grade. Writing helps me to stay on point, on task, working in my lane to move forward, without becoming overwhelmed. You are not a spy for the devil, so find your purpose and job.

Overwhelmed

Step back and take a look at what you have to share, sell, give away, and use to benefit others.  Waste Management allows you to save time and money, while you teach, work, and live well within your means.  Your assets align up wonderfully to complete your goals and tasks when you move them from the clutter of the garage, closet, or room to fulfill your purpose for God.  You have what you need! Please, People, use what you have.
Today’s Question
Are you using what you have or are you knee-deep in overwhelming clutter?
Enjoy today’s Reading.

Galatians 2

Paul Accepted by the Apostles

2 Then after fourteen years, I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2 I went in response to a revelation and, meeting privately with those esteemed as leaders, I presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure I was not running and had not been running my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 This matter arose because some false believers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.
6 As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message. 7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised,[a] just as Peter had been to the circumcised.[b] 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James,Cephas[c] and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10 All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.

Paul Opposes Cephas

11 When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?
15 “We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles 16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[d] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
17 “But if, in seeking to be justified in Christ, we Jews find ourselves also among the sinners, doesn’t that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I destroyed, then I really would be a lawbreaker.
19 “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”
Love,
Jonathan

Confusion

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
festival-517197_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Distractions are weapons used to divide and conquer the good intentions of loving people, hoping that you would overlook simplicity of truth and God’s story of Love.” ~ Jon Barnes

Distractions

When I see that extreme emotions being used to agitate and blindside people in their daily logical thinking process, I then place my full attention onto the fundamentals and commandments of God’s Love.  Then I’m able to make clear choices and decisions of the heart, after purging all the evil, which may lay dormant at the subatomic level.

Concentrate

We are all unable to concentrate in an annoyed state of mind so try to step back, pray, think, and focus on the truth, before you speak, write, or act.  This is the best weapon against confusion and distraction. Bless God!

Bless God

Bless God that you are not confused or distracted by the lies.  Be thankful that God has given you a steady mind, heart, eyes, ears, and body to control and work with.  Let’s continue to help all people to see and love the truth in a positive, respectful way.  Be prepared to help with good works.
Today’s  Question
Are you ready to help with the truth in love?
Enjoy today’s question

Galatians 1

1 Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers and sisters[a] with me,
To the churches in Galatia:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

No Other Gospel

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!
10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Paul Called by God

11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. 17 I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus.
18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas[b]and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles—only James,the Lord’s brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.
21 Then I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me.
 
Love,
Jonathan

Play Out

jonmbarnesLeave a comment

img_0146

Hi Peeps

Today’s Quote

“Sometimes your good work can be perceived as a failure, but to God, you are a champion with the best opportunities and quality tools to finish your race.” ~ Jon Barnes

Blessings

Blessings can be found in all mistakes if you let God teach you the lesson to transform your work into perfection. I try to take every negative experience into consideration to polish future goals, movements, objectives, and projects. My true motives allow me to look to God for solutions to adjust my attitude, thinking, and actions for my next adventure, workshop, or lesson. The blessing lies in your faith with action.

Actions

For every movement, there is an action people will see and perceive and believe based on their own skillset, interpretation, and lack of information. As a result, people are quick to jump to conclusions to believe the worst or the best in people. It takes time to unravel the fake intentions of people to get to the truth, exchange viewpoints, and make adjustments, which takes time to play out.

Play Out

The Good Mistakes must play out with actions and motives that speak and communicate your true intentions in the face of your family, peers, and enemies. Standing on your honor with God’s commandments will allow you to apologize, forgive, and forget the many misgivings we all encounter and inflict upon each other, all the time.

Quote # 2

“The sum of the whole forms a circle to unfold into interesting stories, yet untold.” ~ Jon Barnes

Today’s Question

Will you let your mistakes stop you from improving and doing The Good Work?

Enjoy Today’s Reading.

2 Corinthians 13

Final Warnings

13 This will be my third visit to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”[a] 2 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, 3 since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you. 4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him in our dealing with you.
5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not so that people will see that we have stood the test but so that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is that you may be fully restored. 10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
Final Greetings

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All God’s people here send their greetings.
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Love,

Jonathan

The Deal

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
hands-1923185_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“The Good Deal that God has for you is right in front of your eyes every day if you listen, open up your heart, mind, and senses to the truth, centered in front of your face, by faith; if you don’t walk away.”  ~ Jon Barnes

When Opportunity

When The Opportunity comes to help, give, and love by faith, will you be there to do a good job, acting, and following through to add the water and work?  Did you listen and do what you were told or did you walk away from the action and heat, just because you are uncomfortable? Being still and laziness is not an option. Get out of your virtual reality and start living with people, who are a vital part of your deal and physical reality in space and time.

New Experience

New experiences are wrapped up into old-fashioned work ethics of faith, that separates the doers from the thinkers.  Thinking and talking about the experience is NOT the Good New Experience you need to move ahead in doing the job. You must work in your faith and fear not, since God is with your Good Work in the deal.  There is no deal to close if you don’t walk through the work by faith, leaving behind the sins of the flesh.

Closed Deal

Closing The Deal starts with God, who gives you the Good Heart, Mind, Body, and Soul to act. Complete the work in your imagination, seeing the end results, as you take steps in the right direction in reality. When your steps are ordered by God and you stand still, your faith is deactivated, denied, delayed, and derailed by your own hands and faulty imagination of disobedience. Do all of the work, stop taking shortcuts, and activate your faith in the moment of time you have right now, obeying God at every step.
Today’s Question
Are you imagining the Deal and walking by faith, doing the work with God’s Mind Set with the people right next to you?
Enjoy Today’s Reading

2 Corinthians 12

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[a] even though I am nothing. 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles. 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you. Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go to you and I sent our brother with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. 20 For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
Love,
Jonathan

Sparingly

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
elephant-279505_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Let not the word Sparingly describe your work ethic and quality of love towards God and others.”

Undervalued

I will not let people devalue my gift of giving and helping others, in Love.  I also don’t expect anything in return just because I do good works, give, and love other people. I do not place a monetary value on my services for God.  Such things are short-sighted and undervalue the Kingdom of God and eternity with Him.

Value Added

When God is allowed to flow in your life, the value-added cannot be measured. When God is allowed to grow in your life, you will enjoy life’s simplest pleasures. When you allow God to move in your life, you groove without complaint.  When God is allowed to play in your life, you’ll finish the race and never faint!

Well Done

You can see the storm coming as well as you can see your success with God.  Your honest service is not a mystery or a joke to God.  Your reward cannot be seen or compared to anything you can comprehend. Just know that when God says, “Well Done my Good and Faithful Servant,” the Gift of Eternal Life begins!
Today’s Question
Are you being foolish in your disobedience?
Enjoy Today’s Reading.

2 Corinthians 11

Paul and the False Apostles

11 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.
5 I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”[a] 6 I may indeed be untrained as a speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way. 7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches by receiving support from them so as to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. 10 As surely as the truth of Christ is in me, nobody in the regions of Achaia will stop this boasting of mine. 11 Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
12 And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Paul Boasts About His Sufferings

16 I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then tolerate me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. 17 In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. 18 Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! 20 In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or puts on airs or slaps you in the face. 21 To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
Whatever anyone else dares to boast about—I am speaking as a fool—I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently,been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the governor under King Aretas had the city of the Damascenes guarded in order to arrest me. 33 But I was lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through his hands.
Love,
Jonathan

Happy Hollow

jonmbarnesLeave a comment

 

head-1137275_1920
Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Happiness becomes hollow when your good works become derailed and abandoned, like a baby left on a sidewalk for someone else to find, Love, and nurture.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Sometimes

We tend to forget that someone nurtured us to become who we are now. We become greedy and not willing to share and give to others.  We resist the plan, naked, true of justice, fairness, responsibility, and love. We are just dishonest people, who need God, All of The Time!

Never

I will never give up on God and His plans for my life.  I will never put my ideas and plans before the Work of God is done.  I will never allow the plans of others to change my destiny with God!  I will never Give up on God and His Wisdom.

Ok

It is Ok for me to not understand everything God is doing in your life and mine.  It is Ok for us to make mistakes, but get back up and fix your problems.  It is Ok for you to let God help you with the people He sends your way.  It is Ok to Love.  Happy Hollow is not Ok.
Today’s Question
Are you putting your love into Happy Hollow Things or into God and His Purpose?
 

2 Corinthians 10

Paul’s Defense of His Ministry

10 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
7 You are judging by appearances.[a] If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ,they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do. 8 So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it. 9 I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters. 10 For some say, “His letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.”11 Such people should realize that what we are in our letters when we are absent, we will be in our actions when we are present.
12 We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you. 14 We are not going too far in our boasting, as would be the case if we had not come to you, for we did get as far as you with the gospel of Christ. 15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our sphere of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in someone else’s territory.17 But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b] 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Love,
Jonathan