Tag: development

Tunnel Vision

tarynbarnesLeave a comment

Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“God will give you the vision to see Him as you need to.”

TB

Blurred Vision

God is accessible to everyone. As such, do not solely rely on someone else to build your relationship with Him. It’s impossible to know who He is when you depend on someone else’s eyes because that sight is not intended for you. More to the point, we tend to synonymize the messenger with Christ, seeing Him through their shortcomings. Friends, there is no human on this Earth that compares to Him, so go to God for an accurate depiction.

Correct Lenses

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to give us a direct and divine connection to God. It is up to us on an individual level to tap into that gift. God has a specific vision for every one of His children. It comes directly from Him and cannot be bestowed by man. The Bible, prayer, and quiet reflection are all vital and necessary tools you can use to develop and maintain your relationship with Christ. So go to the source and focus your sights on Him.

Today’s Question

Did you develop your tunnel vision for Christ, or are you using the wrong vision prescription from someone else?

Enjoy the reading

Joshua 12

1 These are the kings east of the Jordan River who had been killed by the Israelites and whose land was taken. Their territory extended from the Arnon Gorge to Mount Hermon and included all the land east of the Jordan Valley. 2 King Sihon of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, was defeated. His kingdom included Aroer, on the edge of the Arnon Gorge, and extended from the middle of the Arnon Gorge to the Jabbok River, which serves as a border for the Ammonites. This territory included the southern half of the territory of Gilead. 3 Sihon also controlled the Jordan Valley and regions to the east—from as far north as the Sea of Galilee to as far south as the Dead Sea, including the road to Beth-jeshimoth and southward to the slopes of Pisgah. 4 King Og of Bashan, the last of the Rephaites, lived at Ashtaroth and Edrei. 5 He ruled a territory stretching from Mount Hermon to Salecah in the north and to all of Bashan in the east, and westward to the borders of the kingdoms of Geshur and Maacah. This territory included the northern half of Gilead, as far as the boundary of King Sihon of Heshbon. 6 Moses, the servant of the LORD, and the Israelites had destroyed the people of King Sihon and King Og. And Moses gave their land as a possession to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. 7 The following is a list of the kings that Joshua and the Israelite armies defeated on the west side of the Jordan, from Baal-gad in the valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which leads up to Seir. (Joshua gave this land to the tribes of Israel as their possession, 8 including the hill country, the western foothills, the Jordan Valley, the mountain slopes, the Judean wilderness, and the Negev. The people who lived in this region were the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.) These are the kings Israel defeated: 9 The king of Jericho The king of Ai, near Bethel 10 The king of Jerusalem The king of Hebron 11 The king of Jarmuth The king of Lachish 12 The king of Eglon The king of Gezer 13 The king of Debir The king of Geder 14 The king of Hormah The king of Arad 15 The king of Libnah The king of Adullam 16 The king of Makkedah The king of Bethel 17 The king of Tappuah The king of Hepher 18 The king of Aphek The king of Lasharon 19 The king of Madon The king of Hazor 20 The king of Shimron-meron The king of Acshaph 21 The king of Taanach The king of Megiddo 22 The king of Kedesh The king of Jokneam in Carmel 23 The king of Dor in the town of Naphoth-dor The king of Goyim in Gilgal 24 The king of Tirzah. In all, thirty-one kings were defeated.

Self-assured

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
 
“You should feel relieved and confident that God will reward your good faith and work ethics by following His examples, understanding the biblical stories, sharing the Gospel, and applying your faith in your daily routines.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Unusual

When you develop a usual routine in prayer, talking with God, being obedient, and reading the bible, it becomes highly unusual for you to make silly mistakes.  When you do make a mistake, you are quick to repent, learn, and move on.  Your habits of following God’s instructions, commandments, and wisdom will be obvious for others to see and follow God’s routine.  Your leadership and discipline will help others to become self-assured in following Christ to pick up their own cross for God and not something else.

Sensitive

When people can see that God is doing good things in your life, they will inquire about your success to analyze the process and witness the true hand of God on your lifestyle.  There is a person for you to casually minister each day to water with Gospel moisture. Be sensitive to not overwater people, drowning them with your zeal.  They will also tell you how much of a great job you are doing with thoughtful words and deeds with God’s truth.  If they do not, it’s okay, God is the best eye-witness to your faith in Him.

Encouraging

It is a joy to hear how your work for God is enriching the lives of people all around you and I an thankful that many people share these thoughts from around the globe, in different languages, from many different cultures.  Quality with God is supreme and more superior than the quantity of stuff, money, fame, or recognition.  Be happy being you.  The blessing is self-evident, self-less, and self-assuring when we love God, our families, ourselves, and people with the Spirit of God, who is Love.
Today’s Question
How are you doing today and are you self-assured in Jesus with God’s Spirit of Love?

Enjoy The Reading

John 11

The Raising of Lazarus

11 A man named Lazarus was sick. He lived in Bethany with his sisters, Mary and Martha. 2 This is the Mary who later poured the expensive perfume on the Lord’s feet and wiped them with her hair.  Her brother, Lazarus, was sick. 3 So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.”
4 But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” 5 So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, 6 he stayed where he was for the next two days. 7 Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.”
8 But his disciples objected. “Rabbi,” they said, “only a few days ago the people in Judea were trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
9 Jesus replied, “There are twelve hours of daylight every day. During the day people can walk safely. They can see because they have the light of this world. 10 But at night there is danger of stumbling because they have no light.” 11 Then he said, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”
12 The disciples said, “Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better!” 13 They thought Jesus meant Lazarus was simply sleeping, but Jesus meant Lazarus had died.
14 So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. 15 And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.”
16 Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”
17 When Jesus arrived at Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days. 18 Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, 19 and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss. 20 When Martha got word that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him. But Mary stayed in the house. 21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask.”
23 Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”
24 “Yes,” Martha said, “he will rise when everyone else rises, at the last day.”
25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”
27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” 28 Then she returned to Mary. She called Mary aside from the mourners and told her, “The Teacher is here and wants to see you.” 29 So Mary immediately went to him.
30 Jesus had stayed outside the village, at the place where Martha met him. 31 When the people who were at the house consoling Mary saw her leave so hastily, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’s grave to weep. So they followed her there. 32 When Mary arrived and saw Jesus, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
33 When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled. 34 “Where have you put him?” he asked them.
They told him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Then Jesus wept. 36 The people who were standing nearby said, “See how much he loved him!” 37 But some said, “This man healed a blind man. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”
38 Jesus was still angry as he arrived at the tomb, a cave with a stone rolled across its entrance. 39 “Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them.
But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.”
40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in grave clothes, his face wrapped in a head cloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!”

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”
49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”
51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.
53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus’ death. 54 As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.
55 It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, “What do you think? He won’t come for Passover, will he?” 57 Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.

Levels

tarynbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“There are levels to developing a relationship with God. The more you grow in your walk with God the more you level up in Christ” ~TB

Milk

The moment we accept Christ we are reborn as infants in desperate need of care from our Father. Like a loving parent, he feeds us milk to encourage and help us grow stronger in our faith so that day by day we level up in faith, maturing in our walk.

Meat

As we mature, God weans us off of milk and begins to feed us meat. The tests, lessons, and trials become more complex, but rest assured God has given us sufficient time to develop the Biblical teeth to consume His word. Through careful study and application, we begin to connect the dots as we ascend to a deeper level of faith.

Level Up

The devil wants us to believe that the turbulence we experience as we grow is a sign that we are failing. Don’t give up, because this is not so! The truth in the matter is that the evil one has no real dominion or power over us, resist him and he has no choice but to flee. Once you recognize this fundamental truth, you then can begin to enjoy the meat.

 

 

Today’s Question

Are you leveling up to enjoy God’s filet mignon or has the devil tricked you into believing it is spoiled meat?

 

Enjoy the reading

Psalm 62

1 I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. 2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken. 3 So many enemies against one man— all of them trying to kill me. To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence. 4 They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts. Interlude 5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. 7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. 8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude 9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air. 10 Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life. 11 God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to you; 12unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done.

Bored

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Your life is boring when you have accomplished nothing with what God has given you because you buried your talents in the dirt and wasted the time of development and mentoring.”  ~  Jon Barnes

Boarded

Walking with God is exciting with new adventures to face at every hand.  There is no time to be boring while walking by faith, not by sight!  The success of each mission is granted by each step you take in the right direction, as new doors open and close for your protection, growth, and maturity. There is no need for you to live in a spiritual house that is boarded up. 

Game

Master the board game of boring by bringing your fresh ideas to God for approval. His guidance and confidence in your abilities to do good things will overwhelm you.  Just pick one of the great ideas God has given you and finish the job.  Practice makes perfect so play the game every day and listen to what God has to say.  Your playground will become more interesting, fresh, and new each morning.

Smile

Let God put a big, permanent smile on your face, as you love everyone around you, particularly your enemies, and enjoy the transformation of lives right before your very eyes.  That smile you have will make everyone else smile and work to do a better job.
Remain diligent and focused in your best effort and you’ll be remembered for the quality of work you produced.
Today’s Question
Is your life boring because God is not present in your lifestyle?
Enjoy The Reading
 

Psalm 56 

For the choir director: A psalm[a] of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.”

1 O God, have mercy on me,
    for people are hounding me.
    My foes attack me all day long.
2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
    and many are boldly attacking me.
3 But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?
5 They are always twisting what I say;
    they spend their days plotting to harm me.
6 They come together to spy on me—
    watching my every step, eager to kill me.
7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;
    in your anger, O God, bring them down.
8 You keep track of all my sorrows.[b]
    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
    You have recorded each one in your book.
9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
    This I know: God is on my side!
10 I praise God for what he has promised;
    yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?
12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
    and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
13 For you have rescued me from death;
    you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
    in your life-giving light.

Love,

Jonathan

Painful

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“It can be painful for a teacher to allow students to learn and discover the truth with hands-on experience and supervised practical applications.” ~ Jon Barnes

Process

Listening to how others learn, process, and develop God’s information is a blessing that goes beyond intelligence. Students often teach teachers new concepts and methods to teach with, since we all keep learning new things every day, as lifelong learners. God gives us the opportunity to read, pray, and play with these concepts, stories, and commandments all the time, when we have a relationship with Him.

Developmental

Good relationships are developed over time and the work involved can be enormously rewarding when all parties are working, living, and loving together in one accord. Problems arise when there is an evil person in the camp who wants to lie, cheat, and steal everything for themselves. Wicked people are interested in developing evil slaves and good people are interested in developing good, lifelong friendship and relationships.

Deliverance

God helps me to remove my selfish thoughts, as a stumbling block to myself, so that I may give to help others in need. Then God supplies me with opportunities and blessing to feed my family above and beyond my expectations and desires. I am blown away by His Mercy, Grace, and Kindness. I just show up to the playground each and every day to hang out with God, who is there waiting for me.
Today’s Question
Who are you playing with at the playground or are you painfully hiding in darkness?
Enjoy The Reading

1 Samuel 28 

Saul Consults a Medium

28 About that time the Philistines mustered their armies for another war with Israel. King Achish told David, “You and your men will be expected to join me in battle.”
2 “Very well!” David agreed. “Now you will see for yourself what we can do.”
Then Achish told David, “I will make you my personal bodyguard for life.”
3 Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him. He was buried in Ramah, his hometown. And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead.
4 The Philistines set up their camp at Shunem, and Saul gathered all the army of Israel and camped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear. 6 He asked the Lord what he should do, but the Lord refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots[a] or by the prophets. 7 Saul then said to his advisers, “Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do.”
His advisers replied, “There is a medium at Endor.”
8 So Saul disguised himself by wearing ordinary clothing instead of his royal robes. Then he went to the woman’s home at night, accompanied by two of his men.
“I have to talk to a man who has died,” he said. “Will you call up his spirit for me?”
9 “Are you trying to get me killed?” the woman demanded. “You know that Saul has outlawed all the mediums and all who consult the spirits of the dead. Why are you setting a trap for me?”
10 But Saul took an oath in the name of the Lord and promised, “As surely as the Lord lives, nothing bad will happen to you for doing this.”
11 Finally, the woman said, “Well, whose spirit do you want me to call up?”
“Call up Samuel,” Saul replied.
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, “You’ve deceived me! You are Saul!”
13 “Don’t be afraid!” the king told her. “What do you see?”
“I see a god[b] coming up out of the earth,” she said.
14 “What does he look like?” Saul asked.
“He is an old man wrapped in a robe,” she replied. Saul realized it was Samuel, and he fell to the ground before him.
15 “Why have you disturbed me by calling me back?” Samuel asked Saul.
“Because I am in deep trouble,” Saul replied. “The Philistines are at war with me, and God has left me and won’t reply by prophets or dreams. So I have called for you to tell me what to do.”
16 But Samuel replied, “Why ask me, since the Lord has left you and has become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done just as he said he would. He has torn the kingdom from you and given it to your rival, David. 18 The Lord has done this to you today because you refused to carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites. 19 What’s more, the Lord will hand you and the army of Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow, and you and your sons will be here with me. The Lord will bring down the entire army of Israel in defeat.”
20 Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel’s words. He was also faint with hunger, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
21 When the woman saw how distraught he was, she said, “Sir, I obeyed your command at the risk of my life. 22 Now do what I say, and let me give you a little something to eat so you can regain your strength for the trip back.”
23 But Saul refused to eat anything. Then his advisers joined the woman in urging him to eat, so he finally yielded and got up from the ground and sat on the couch.
24 The woman had been fattening a calf, so she hurried out and killed it. She took some flour, kneaded it into dough and baked unleavened bread. 25 She brought the meal to Saul and his advisers, and they ate it. Then they went out into the night.
Love,
Jonathan

Offering

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“As a parent, you now know the big picture and job description of providing for your infant child, who is helpless, homeless, hungry, dirty, and needy, as they can offer you nothing in return that you don’t already have.” ~ Jon Barnes

Everything

Now you know God’s Big Picture and job description that only God can have as our Heavenly Father, who has given us everything, far greater than we can comprehend, articulate, say, and see. Sacrifice your own free will and choices to God and he’ll give you the true desires of your heart, because your lifestyle will be Heaven Bound, lacking in nothing, matching the will of God’s ways, mercy, grace, and works of faith.

Baby

What kind of baby are you? Do you cry, complain, eat, and sleep all day or do you give love, thanks giving, and joy from your heart, because that is all you have to give your loving father? As a parent you understand the job and function of the offering, the sacrifice of your free will God gives you so that you freely give your free will of Love back to Him.

Exchange

The exchange rate is not fair because a good parent can give all that He has for all of His Children, yet many will become disobedient, evil, spiteful, hateful, and dishonest, full of pride, greed, and sin, just like the devil. The exchange rate can never be equal, fair, or comprehensible because God’s Love is That Rich, that you are completely blind by its magnitude.

Today’s Question

Are you still a Baby or will you start chewing on the meat of truth to learn more about God’s provision and love?
Enjoy The Reading

Leviticus 10

The Sin of Nadab and Abihu

10 Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over them. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him the wrong kind of fire, different than he had commanded. 2 So fire blazed forth from the Lord’s presence and burned them up, and they died there before the Lord.
3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord meant when he said,
‘I will display my holiness
    through those who come near me.
I will display my glory
    before all the people.’”
And Aaron was silent.
4 Then Moses called for Mishael and Elzaphan, Aaron’s cousins, the sons of Aaron’s uncle Uzziel. He said to them, “Come forward and carry away the bodies of your relatives from in front of the sanctuary to a place outside the camp.” 5 So they came forward and picked them up by their garments and carried them out of the camp, just as Moses had commanded.
6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not show grief by leaving your hair uncombed[a] or by tearing your clothes. If you do, you will die, and the Lord’s anger will strike the whole community of Israel. However, the rest of the Israelites, your relatives, may mourn because of the Lord’s fiery destruction of Nadab and Abihu. 7 But you must not leave the entrance of the Tabernacle[b] or you will die, for you have been anointed with the Lord’s anointing oil.” So they did as Moses commanded.

Instructions for Priestly Conduct

8 Then the Lord said to Aaron, 9 “You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation. 10 You must distinguish between what is sacred and what is common, between what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean. 11 And you must teach the Israelites all the decrees that the Lord has given them through Moses.”
12 Then Moses said to Aaron and his remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, “Take what is left of the grain offering after a portion has been presented as a special gift to the Lord, and eat it beside the altar. Make sure it contains no yeast, for it is most holy. 13 You must eat it in a sacred place, for it has been given to you and your descendants as your portion of the special gifts presented to the Lord. These are the commands I have been given. 14 But the breast and thigh that were lifted up as a special offering may be eaten in any place that is ceremonially clean. These parts have been given to you and your descendants as your portion of the peace offerings presented by the people of Israel. 15 You must lift up the thigh and breast as a special offering to the Lord, along with the fat of the special gifts. These parts will belong to you and your descendants as your permanent right, just as the Lord has commanded.”
16 Moses then asked them what had happened to the goat of the sin offering. When he discovered it had been burned up, he became very angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s remaining sons. 17 “Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in the sacred area?” he demanded. “It is a holy offering! The Lord has given it to you to remove the guilt of the community and to purify the people, making them right with the Lord.[c] 18 Since the animal’s blood was not brought into the Holy Place, you should have eaten the meat in the sacred area as I ordered you.”
19 Then Aaron answered Moses, “Today my sons presented both their sin offering and their burnt offering to the Lord. And yet this tragedy has happened to me. If I had eaten the people’s sin offering on such a tragic day as this, would the Lordhave been pleased?” 20 And when Moses heard this, he was satisfied.
Love,
Jonathan

Special

jonmbarnes1 Comment

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“Each of us are special, unique, and gifted with a purpose, a dream, and a destiny to fill through the assignments you will complete for God and man: Good or bad!”  ~ Jon Barnes

Live

Live in your unique abilities to learn, love, grow and share God’s grace and mercy with others to complete your God given assignments.  Do not give up on doing all the good you are to accomplish in your work and charity. Your life’s story should paint that picture of your face, not my face.

Dream

Here is a personal example. As a teenager, I was in a car with a music group driving home from a church gig, late at night.  I was in the back seat dreaming that we crashed on the bridge and when I made a loud noise, it woke everyone up and we drove safely onto the bridge home. God will keep you around to fulfill your job that He has for you, so get to work.  Jesus will inspect your job so do it well. Otherwise your job is with the devil, doomed to damnation and hell.  Is this your dream?

Testing

God will test drive your car to see if you will go the distance or if you are a lemon from the lot! It is your choice to be a lemon or a special car that you take good care of by following the instructions and maintenance, church, bible studies, helps, and love schedules.  Each test drive determines how long the life of your car will be and it is up to God and His timeline of events to determine the length of your existence. Beware that you don’t break your own special car with neglect, disobedience, and arrogance.
Today’s Question
How was your test drive today?
Enjoy The Reading

Revelation 15

Seven Angels With Seven Plagues

15 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed. 2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass glowing with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and its image and over the number of its name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb:
“Great and marvelous are your deeds,
    Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways,
    King of the nations.[a]
4 Who will not fear you, Lord,
    and bring glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come
    and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”[b]
5 After this I looked, and I saw in heaven the temple—that is, the tabernacle of the covenant law—and it was opened. 6 Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. 7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever. 8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
 
Love,
Jonathan

Details

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“When you care about your parents, your love, work and faith will honor them in your entire life, as the details of your deeds walk before God and man.”  ~ Jon Barnes

Flip it

You were created to be who you are, but examine the details of how you work to see if you are leaving a trail of mess behind you, at work and in every room of your home. Your masterpiece gets lost in your lack of respect,  focus, completion, and clean up with each assignment that you start. Why would you flip your good energy and smart, hard work in the wrong direction, or inaction, buried under all of your trash? Your sloppy pride and attitude needs to stop, which is how the devil flip-flopped. You can not live in the good work of the past that you’ve done well. Keep moving forward with God and properly respond to your family, friends, and enemies in love.

Flop it

Your Heart needs to match your thoughts, words, and actions so that you don’t flop on your projects, dreams and goals. Many of us get to the door of success with God and immediately close the door, during the training process of life, because of our own evil, lazy, selfish, stupid ways. The devil does not get credit for your Flop Slop. We tend to revert back to our old bad habits, while pointing the finger and laughing at the problems of other people, to make our mistakes look good. Do less with more quality to enjoy your quantity of blessings. God and His wrath will be sufficient judgement at the appointed time.

Stop it

Stop talking about other people, pray, and focus on finishing your jobs so that you can be an example for others to follow, with God’s speed! Share your results and lessons learned from your mistakes. Then you may go onto the next assignment to move forward in your lessons and journey with God! Examine your history of flip flops from your own heart and ask God to guide you straight into the Truth of Love, and true mentorship. Traveling backwards is not an option, so clean up your with detail today.
Today’s Question
Are you enjoying the success of following God and biblical balanced details in your lifestyle, with kindness, empathy, compassion, wisdom, completion, and follow up?
Enjoy Today’s Reading

Revelation 14

The Lamb and the 144,000

14 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion,and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. 5 No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.

The Three Angels

6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”
8 A second angel followed and said, “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’[a] which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”
9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand,10 they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

Harvesting the Earth and Trampling the Winepress

14 I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man[b] with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
17 Another angel came out of the temple in heaven, and he too had a sharp sickle.18 Still another angel, who had charge of the fire, came from the altar and called in a loud voice to him who had the sharp sickle, “Take your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the earth’s vine, because its grapes are ripe.” 19 The angel swung his sickle on the earth, gathered its grapes and threw them into the great winepress of God’s wrath. 20 They were trampled in the winepress outside the city, and blood flowed out of the press, rising as high as the horses’ bridles for a distance of 1,600 stadia.[c]
Love,
Jonathan

Good Service

jonmbarnesLeave a comment
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Hi Peeps,

Today’s Quote

“In life, just like math, what you do and say will add up and point towards God’s Ways or it will point in a different direction and unexpected outcome.” ~ Jon Barnes

Surprised Tip

Each morning, I try to work on and complete a few plans on my list of things to do, and to my surprise, my success is far better than I imagined.  When I hold myself accountable to the task and focus on completion, God is pleased and so am I.

Pleasure Points

Your happy heart sends a message to your mind to produce wonderfully made, natural chemicals in the brain to reward your body for doing Good, which makes you feel Good!  These perks of natural joy were designed by God to encourage us to move in the right direction of fairness and justice as we work, improving our lives, helping others, and walking in wisdom.

Points of Interest

You get extra points for doing good–which adds up to my main musically, mathematical point.  Sound Good when you practice, work, and play so that people can listen to and enjoy your story, walking with God.  Let each note be true and full of love to express the hope and satisfaction of accomplishment and Good Service for God. Simple Truth and love go a long way every day.
Today’s Question
What are you interested in and are you doing what you love to do?
Enjoy Today’s Reading.

2 Corinthians 7

7 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Paul’s Joy Over the Church’s Repentance

2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged;in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
5 For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast,comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was neither on account of the one who did the wrong nor on account of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged.
In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. 14 I had boasted to him about you, and you have not embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. 15 And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,receiving him with fear and trembling. 16 I am glad I can have complete confidence in you.
Love,
Jonathan

Childlike Minds

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Hi Peeps,
Today’s Quote
“The Mind of Kids need something More to do with their time during the day, away from the TV, Games, and Sports…  They must have MUSIC and Art Language to express Love; The sounds of Physical and Applied Science can be visually seen, heard, felt, smelled, touched, and tasted, with each Good Note.” ~ Jon Barnes          

Changed Mind

A child’s mind is developed from the actions of love from the heart of the parents, family, caregivers, teachers, preachers, government, leaders, policies, procedures, technology, and other influences of God’s Loving Provisions.  We abuse God’s loving provisions with evil, greed, lust, power, lies, and laziness, which is in the heart of every wicked person, who does not share God’s Love and ideas.

Loving Provision

Loving Provisions are stripped away from evil people, leaving them to die in their sins, making Hell a wonderful personal place of worship for eternity.  Loving Provisions are given to Good People who follow God and His Commandments in obedience to biblical lifestyle, knowing that the Richness of God and His Grace, Mercy, and Kindness will reward the faithful with the riches of LOVE. See what I’m saying, share the love!

Mature Minds

From the Heart, God speaks to your repented heart, by covering you with His Blood to wash away your daily sins,  teaching your mind, and instructing your body to walk in Biblical Love.  Your light shines and your deeds walk before God in truth and in Spirit, that connects you to God!  Your daily work is of a Mature Minded, Child of God, worthy of Heaven’s Rewards! Otherwise, you are an evil child of Satan, capable of doing anything, avoiding God’s Truth and LOVE.
Today’s Question
Are you willing to pay the cost of disobedience and self-imposed ignorance of an empty mind and veiled dead heart?
Enjoy Today’s Reading.
 

2 Corinthians 4

Present Weakness and Resurrection Life

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.”[b] Since we have that same spirit of[c] faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14 because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Love,
Jonathan