The Good Hurt

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“Change is a daily activity that hurts, as it is not easy to do such good work.” ~ Jon Barnes

 

Comfort

 
We get comfortable doing the easy exercises in life while ignoring the real work we need to do for good growth and healthy maintenance. Setting up good new goals will mean we need to learn something new from God’s wisdom. The bible is old yet the information is still new to our daily behaviors and habits.
 

Habit

 
Dropping old habits and learning good new habits can be a challenge for us, as God blesses. Recognizing a turn of the page in your family, career, and mindset is the beginning of improved focus, direction, and purpose. The improved new habits become more helpful, full of life, and action when we allow God to develop our new talents of service for people.
 

Hurts

 
It hurts to see people stuck in the past, living life as if it will last forever in that rut. Forgive and move on so that God’s new blessings and good work shine as a new dawn.  In your life, make the new things right, by dumping out the old stuff, cleaning old wounds, and healing your heart. The sight of success begins with happiness, working with God in our faithfulness. Hurt converts into conviction and heavenly progress.
 
Today’s Question
 
Did you welcome the family flight plight of politely piloting your way through negative feelings to communicate God’s new plans with better life experiences to this new generation?

Enjoy Today’s Reading

1 Peter 5

To the Elders and the Flock

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
“God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble.”[a]
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

12 With the help of Silas,[b] whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.
13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
 
Love,
Jonathan

Perish

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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“People perish from laziness, resulting from lack of knowledge, kindness, skill set, work ethic, discipline, and honest love for the truth.”  ~  Jon Barnes

Meaning

Even though we know the meaning of honest truth does not give us the will or power to execute the honest work required.  By choice, your knowledge is still lacking because you refuse to change to obey, honest information from God’s plans, pretending to know what you are doing. Challenge your motives. Make yourself, do good.

Understanding

We play dumb as if we don’t understand, faking love and good work ethics to play around by avoiding the straight line of reality from God’s perspective. When I stop distorting the truth, like the devil, I began to see and understand how God wants me to work and inspire others to do more, with less. Enjoy being content, focused, and on point.

Proof

When I look back on the new quality of work that I am trying to accomplish by faith, I am humbled by the effectiveness and efficiency of how the little miracles from God, work in my life. Since I’m thankful for the little miracle from God, He begins to bless me with bigger miracles by faith, with His Proof. I just receive the blessings in awe, as an obedient, simple, humble and loving, servant. Don’t throw the food of God and His blessing back in His face, with your disobedience and waste.
Today’s Question

Will you perish by playing and participating in the devil’s workshop or will you play the childlike part of faith, love, and good labor for God?

Enjoy Today’s Reading

1 Peter 4

Living for God

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
    what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”[a]
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
 
Love,
Jonathan

Relationships

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Most of us are bad at relationships and friendships so, we need to practice with God to improve our “A” game, be friendly, take time, listen and learn how to love.”

The Trap

You are the trap that attracts poop to your situation. True friends are helpful and they learn from each other all of the time. They practice love to understand and know how to balance charity, hope, and faith. Your trap is not wanting to learn, grow, or obey God’s lifestyle of love.

People Grow

People grow up when they are helped and held accountable to someone, as they improve and work on issues honestly.  Good people have a nature to embrace change for the better, with a balanced give and take exchange, within friendships and relationships. You must accept the pain of doing good and stay the course.

Fundamentals

Each person helps to pull up the next person to the higher steps of honesty, love, commitment, time, education, development, and work ethic.  This practice, like learning an instrument takes years of practice. No one person knows it all or does it all on the team.  It is truly a group effort, as the pro in each situation takes the lead. Each person is a pro at some things the other is not!
Today’s Question
Are you making the right choices in developing your relationships, within the parameters of God’s lifestyle?
Enjoy Today’s Reading

1 Peter 3

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Suffering for Doing Good

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For,
“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”[a]
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[b]; do not be frightened.”[c] 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Love,
Jonathan

Your Job

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“In any job, work like it is your last day, your last check, and your last chance to show people your character, integrity, wit, love, sensitivity, toughness, fairness, and quality you bring to the table each day, which positively affected the lives of everyone around you; Don’t be a lazy liar.” ~ Jon Barnes

It Is

It is your job to show everyone what you are made of and your humility will push you forward and up to God’s ladder of personal success, access, and achievement.  Simply doing a great job is good enough to reap what you have sown. Keep doing your good jobs and deeds, especially when people mistreat you. God will fix the rest. Do your part and be faithful as a good steward.

It Is Not

It is not possible to do two jobs at once, so you cannot do someone else’s job and expect to complete your level of quality work as well.  Know your box and over-deliver with quality and set the standard of excellence in your life, along with the people around you.  They are watching you and so is God. I don’t have time to judge the quality of work from other people. The work is judgment unto itself.

“A” Note

People will copy, the quality standards that you set, if you stay committed to your job. A simple note is to practice and play what you preach.  Make sure you are getting credit for practicing God’s lifestyle of love and responsibility in your job each day, by finishing well and completing your assignments. The prosperity that is not earned has no value or added benefit to a soul that is lost and bound for hell.
Today’s question
Did you complete your job as if God was standing over you to approve each step, with a smile and a nod of acceptance?
Enjoy Today’s Reading

1 Peter 2

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The Living Stone and a Chosen People

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion,
    a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him
    will never be put to shame.”[b]
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
“The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone,”[c]
and,
“A stone that causes people to stumble
    and a rock that makes them fall.”[d]
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires,which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
18 Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 “He committed no sin,
    and no deceit was found in his mouth.”[e]
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25 For “you were like sheep going astray,”[f] but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
 
Love,
 
Jonathan

Peace

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“It is difficult to sow in peace in a world of sin and war. Stand down and stay your ground of love, wisdom, and humility.” ~ Jon Barnes

Schemes

Your ways are not God’s ways, so allow room to execute God’s ways and lifestyle so that your plans can make sense and work. Schemes are man-made, systematic plans of action designed to empower and place your own ideas into effect, omitting God’s ideas and protocols. Disobedience is a scheme that is mainstream, which is ramped and wrapped in our culture.

Motives

Collectively on a large scale, our macro minds are full of malicious plans that are devious, conniving, and unrealistic, devoid of love.  Efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and good management do not mean slave wages and conditions should rule the working class. Our micro minds must connect to God’s unlimited, ultimate, macro mind so that we can do the Will of our Father.  Otherwise, your motives are maneuvers of injustice and contempt.

Results

Visualize the results you will get when you conspire against God almighty. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah? Your legacy is not stored here down on earth, but up in heaven or hell where your soul will prosper and thrive, forever. Now that is your legacy. Your results will reflect the cup of tea that you drink from and God will judge you honestly. Talk to God about your test results, today and live in peace!
Today’s Question
Are you at peace with your test results from God and did you ask for a copy to study from Him?
Enjoy Today’s Reading

1 Peter 1

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Praise to God for a Living Hope

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

Be Holy

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedientchildren, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[c]
And this is the word that was preached to you.

Love,

Jonathan