Walking In Truth

There are many things about the old testament priesthood that indicate Jesus is a much better candidate for this title than any other man. All of the rituals and offerings that the priest performed paved a way for people to enter the presence of God. But it wasn't a one-time thing like the sacrifice of Jesus. They had to do it again and again. Today, Pastor Johnny explains the job of a high priest. It's a serious business to meet with God. Are you grateful for the blood of Jesus that allows you to talk with God?

Get your motives and attitude under a microscope. Or better yet, your whole self. How's it looking? Like squiggly germs invading the good? Pastor Johnny talked with us today about how the Word of God is actively demonstrating to you the things in your life that aren't like Jesus. It's not because He likes to nitpick, but out of love, God desires for us to have the best...His best. It comes through faith. Through a growing relationship. Through correction. Will you be all ears to Jesus or be smitten with worldly ways?

Today, Pastor Johnny implores that we make time for what should be the number one priority in our lives as Christians. Reading our Bibles. I mean, who really likes to see themselves in the light that reveals every wrinkle, frown, or pimple? We're just not that good-looking sometimes, but... HALLELUJAH! Because His Word changes all that ugliness into something beautiful if we permit it to. How are you spending your time? Are you letting God's Truth seep into your soul as you diligently seek to spend time with Him?

There it is! I found it. It's what I've been searching for. The power to change all those things I've tried to do in my own strength. The Word of God gives life, friends! If you're struggling with unbelief, He knows as Pastor Johnny tells us today. He's waiting for His words that He spoke over your life to become a realization. That happens when you make a decision to have faith and a bit of trust. What will you decide today? To stay on the same old, unhappy path? Or jump to a refreshing, life-giving new direction?

That couch. That recliner. That chair on the beach. Whatever, wherever you think you'll find rest pales in comparison to what Jesus offers you if you BELIEVE! Belief in the power of the Holy Spirit. Belief in His redeeming ability. The belief that He's the Creator of the heavens and the earth. The belief that He loves and cares about every person. Friends, don't let Satan and your own wrongdoing rob you of this amazing rest that's ONLY found in Jesus. He gives your heart peace. This is today's message from Pastor Johnny.

There are those things in life where you can't have one without the other. I'm thinking of pairs that complement each other. That, taken as a whole unit, are much more effective than if they were alone. This is how we need to think of our walk with Jesus. His Word won't...can't change us if we first haven't accepted the fact that He died on the cross for our sins. What do you believe? Do you expect to be blessed just because? Today, Pastor Johnny reminds us today that Israel missed out because of their rejection of God.

The one person they should have followed, they DIDN'T. And the only person that they shouldn't have placed their faith in, they DID. Forget about God. Forget about what He did for them. Friends, you and I can't let our own thoughts, feelings, and strengths, like these Jewish people, dictate how, and if we align our lives with the teachings of Jesus. Pastor Johnny tells us today that this kind of unbelief will hinder the spiritual rest of our souls that's found when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.

The person who has professed faith in God, but allows sin to rob them of a heart relationship with Him is like that a stubborn child who thinks they know better. Here's a truth bomb. You don't know better. Your unwillingness and your unbelief will only lead you to a hardened heart. Pastor Johnny shares with us today the story from Scripture about the sower and the seed. There are different types of ground or hearts, that either receives the words of Jesus or don't. What's the condition of your heart today?

So besides thinking about Jesus in light of the world's negativity, Hebrews tells us to think about Moses. This was the guy that tried to give God excuses so he wouldn't have to confront Pharaoh to free the Israelites. Guess what? The excuses didn't hold any water with God. Because He's greater and better than Moses...than everything. Pastor Johnny gives us many examples of what a hardened heart looks like. Friends, there's no time like the present to ensure that your heart is where it should be.

Our culture can be so harsh, it's no wonder that the writer of Hebrews encourages one and all who believe in Jesus to set their mind ON Jesus. I see so many things that snuff the enjoyment out of life that it's easy for me to build strong, protective walls around my heart. How about you? In today's message with Pastor Johnny, this is exactly what we're not to do.If we think...and I mean, SIT and SOAK in all the truths about who Jesus is then that's the first step in not allowing our hearts to harden.

Jesus must be your savior as well as your Lord. Today, Pastor Johnny will be reminding you that theirs no such thing as Jesus simply saving you from Hell but then allowing you to live however you want to live. Jesus loves you too much to leave you the way you are. The Holy Spirit will ultimately convict and change you from the inside out if you're truly a child of God. If you claim to be a Christian, yet live in continual, deliberate sin, you need to start questioning if you are actually in the faith.

The main reason Christians fall into sin, simply put... is because of neglect. The neglect of the Word of God, and neglect of spending proper time in prayer. Today, Pastor Johnny will be challenging you to return back to the main pillars of the faith if you've fallen into sin. You need to purpose to make reading God's Word and spending time in prayer a main priority. Also, purposing to stay connected to a church body is of utmost importance. The enemy will always try to make your week in these areas.

God has given you commands in His Word because He loves you and knows that the best life you can live is with proper boundaries. These boundaries protect you against the enemy and against the destructive effects of sin. As Pastor Johnny continues his teaching series through the book of Hebrews, he'll be exhorting you to obey God's commands and to repent of any known deliberate sins. God created your soul and knows exactly what will bring you true satisfaction and peace!

Today, Pastor Johnny will be reminding you that you're either walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh. Sure, there may be times when you walk in the Spirit and then immediately walk in the flesh, but the two can't be taking place simultaneously. Peter spoke by the Spirit when he declared Jesus was the Messiah, but then he spoke by the influence of the flesh when he said Jesus can't go to the cross. Those that are truly Christian will have lives that are defined by being led by the Spirit of God!

You’re on your last straw. You’re fed up with the things that have gone wrong in your past. Your faith in God is wavering, as you question what He’s doing. Well, Pastor Johnny just shared an experience today, where he was struggling to understand or hear from God. It’s not unusual to be in this place, but it’s what you do at that moment, and Who you go to for answers and fulfillment - that’s key. Don’t go knocking on the door of things that will leave you empty. God promises to answer, and He will!

Perhaps you’re in a place today where cynicism creeps in. You’ve been given a “bad hand,” and it’s hard to make sense of what God’s doing in your life. Pastor Johnny has a word for you today, and it’s not something that should be taken lightly! God works in your life, and He’s bringing about things that you may not be able to see from your point of view. But God works in mysterious ways, and He allows His angels to minister and serve you - in ways you can’t see directly. So believe what God says!

The things you can see versus the things you can’t see. Some people might wish they could see all that’s going on in the spiritual realm, but others might be terrified to know! As you’ll hear today, Pastor Johnny touches on the fact that there’s a lot going on - that you’re unaware of. Maybe that’s a good thing! Did you realize that there are angels protecting you on a daily basis? What a comfort to know that God sends actual guardian angels - to keep you from being caught in the traps of the enemy.

Are you familiar with traditions and systems, where you have to go to a priest in order to confess your sins? This stems from the Old Testament times of having to have a priest, who was the mediator between you and God. But what you may not realize is that the extra step between you and God is unnecessary! As Pastor Johnny explains today, Jesus paid for your sins on the cross, which means that you can go directly to Him about your sins! What a relief that there aren’t extra steps and red tape to walk through!

There might be some competition on the playground about whose dad is better than everyone else’s. There might be reasons why one person’s dad is stronger, more successful, or more impressive and intimidating. Well, guess what? Pastor Johnny wants you to know today that in the book of Hebrews, it becomes evident that Jesus is better than anyone else before Him in the Bible. The things that had pointed to Jesus were just glimpses of the “real deal” that Jesus was bringing into the world!

When there’s a crisis, your natural response is fight or flight. In either case, there’s an element of fear that drives you to have the courage to stay and defend yourself, or give in to weakness and run away. When it comes to your faith, Pastor Johnny is saying today that you should always be willing to take a strong stand for your faith, even in the face of persecution. Is it easy? Of course not! But it’s those moments that the testing of your faith proves if it’s genuine and real, even when things get tough.