Walking In Truth

When athletes go to the Olympics, they’re representing their respective countries. But if their character and abilities don’t shine, then it reflects poorly on the country they’re from. Well in a similar way, Pastor Johnny teaches today on the importance of your character shining through to those that you’re around. Are you representing Christ in a positive way, or bringing shame and dishonor to others’ perceptions of what it means to be a Christian? Your character matters to others, and most to God!

Picking qualities you want in a future spouse is worth considering! You want to live life with someone that you admire, respect, and look up to, to aspire to be like. Well, this should be the case when it comes to church leadership too! There should be no assumption that leaders are perfect and have it all together, but does their general character show attributes that are godly and an example of Christ to others? Today, Pastor Johnny helps you see the qualities of a strong leader.

If you’re not doing something well on a small-scale, how are you expected to do well on a bigger scale? It’s better to start with a small task and do it well to completion, rather than taking on a task that’s too overwhelming and beyond your ability. Well in today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny discusses what’s needed in the character of a leader within the church. It has to start in the home and work outward from there. If someone isn’t leading well in a closer/small unit, how can he succeed in a larger arena?

Pastor Johnny will continue to talk about what defines a leader in the church. This person is told specifically to stay away from certain activities. Now – you may be thinking “what about personal liberty, or freedom in Christ?” That’s still applicable, but Pastor Johnny will ask you today to think about what your choices look like to another person. It could be that your actions, though allowed under Jesus’ grace, might cause someone to fall AWAY from faith! Seek Jesus first to let Him guide your activities.

Today Pastor Johnny will begin laying out the characteristics that define a teacher or leader in the church. The Bible tells us that he should be a God-honoring man, who is devoted to his one wife and family, and to studying Scripture. And studying Scripture will be of great benefit to you, too! No matter if you’re a leader in ministry or your job is something altogether different, you’ll discover how to move through this world well by spending time daily in the Bible! Let God teach you through His Word!

As Pastor Johnny begins his look into the qualifications of a church leader, you may be wondering if these messages apply to you. Well, if you’re a follower of Christ, they do! Today you’ll learn about characteristics that apply not just to the head of a ministry, but to anyone who loves the Lord and wants to honor Him with their lifestyle. You have people in your life looking to you for how a Christian should live, so learn how to lead them well!

As you’ll discover in today’s message, both men and women are to submit. While there is a divine order that God has placed on the household and on the church, each member still must give their allegiance and attention to the head of it all – God Himself! Men are called to be spiritual leaders. Women are called to submit and support their husbands. Both need to give their hearts to the Lord, and follow Him with all they have!

God wants each person to live a fulfilling and fruitful life in Him – but that doesn’t mean we each get to do whatever we want. Instead, God asks us to change our thinking, to shift our focus away from what we THINK will make us happy, to what He KNOWS will give us true joy. Pastor Johnny will talk today about the order God has put on the structure of the church, and why it’s still something to be followed today. It may ruffle some feathers, but God’s way is always the best way!

There’s more to this topic than just regulating what people wear – it’s a discussion of kindness, of showing love to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pastor Johnny will give you some historical context to the Apostle Paul’s letter and explain why God would have led him to write these words. But Pastor Johnny will also share that the writings apply today still – because women and men are still to be set apart from the world!

It’s easy to remember to pray for family, for friends – even for the people you see walking down the street. They’re right there, right in front of your eyes and in your heart! But what about the leaders of this country? The leaders around the world? The enemies of faith, and the people who persecute? Pastor Johnny will be reminding you today to not discriminate in your prayer life. Remember to lift even the worst people up to the Lord, with a heart that reflects God’s. He desires that EVERYONE know salvation!

As you heard Pastor Johnny say, there’s a lack of prayer in our country. There’s a lack of prayer in homes, in workplaces, in everything we do! Our lives, as believers and followers of Christ, should be saturated with prayer! Pastor Johnny will remind you today to communicate regularly with the Lord. And not just by yourself – come together with other believers often to lift united voices up to Heaven!

We all pray at one time or another. Whether prayer is a regular part of your life or not, you can likely point to a moment you stopped to talk to God. You sent up a petition for a sick relative, or a stressful situation – and God hears you, every time! Today Pastor Johnny will encourage you to make conversation with the Lord a daily activity, and to pray for more than just others. Pray for yourself too! You need the Lord’s intervention in your life too, all the time, so don’t be afraid to ask for it!

The Apostle Paul was called into ministry in a rather dramatic fashion. You may not experience the same thing – a blinding light and a powerful voice as you’re walking down the street. But Pastor Johnny will encourage you today to follow the Lord’s leading, even if you can’t fully understand it right now. God has big plans for you! Just look at Paul – at Timothy – at the ordinary people in the Bible. They weren’t special – they just said yes, and moved forward. So say yes – and see where God takes you!

There’s so much in this world that’s vying for your spiritual attention – a popular book, or feel good verses taken out of context – maybe not even meaning what you think. Maybe it's an up and coming pastor who tells you how to get everything you want and be totally satisfied with this world – but forgets God. Everything that’s not based on the Bible, not grounded in GOD’S WORD – is false. It’s wrong – and you need the truth! How is that possible? Get to know Scripture and the God it talks about!

Today Pastor Johnny begins a new study in the book of 1 Timothy, a New Testament letter penned by the Apostle Paul. Like the books of 2 Timothy and Titus, this letter is written for more than just its named recipient – Paul means to teach YOU as well! His teaching on the function of the church is something that’s followed still today and has impacted believers around the world. This book will reveal Jesus to you in new ways, reminding you of your job here on earth – and the hope of what’s to come!

In times past, fishermen would cast their net out, hoping to catch some fish. Nowadays, fishermen will cast their fishing rod out, hoping to catch a fish. Well in today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny wants you to be willing to cast your own life out to Jesus, who’s willing to catch you and keep you for all eternity. It’s not something to make light of…as the decision you make about Jesus will have long-term effects for you as a person. So cast your cares out to Jesus….because He cares for you!!

When you first have a pet, you’re excited to care for it and to enjoy the benefits, such as having a companion that you can cuddle up with, or go for a walk with. But having a pet also requires some training or even correcting, for you to have an enjoyable animal living in your home. You love that pet, but sometimes you might have to correct her or train her to do certain habits the way you want. Pastor Johnny reminds you today that people require some training and instructing too!

When you’re discouraged, you go back to doing something that you think you’re good at, or that you used to have some kind of skill in. But if you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, you won’t be successful at it, even if you’re experienced in it. Today, Pastor Johnny teaches about a situation where the disciples noticed this very thing. They went back to something familiar, but it was for all the wrong reasons. So next time you’re down-and-out, how about seeking what God wants you to do first!

There are so many mixed messages out there today, that you might be tempted to question or not believe much of anything. But in today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny expresses a deep desire for you to know and believe something that will change and alter your future! Of course, there might be moments of doubt, and you’ll get to hear about someone else who doubted too. But just think of all the amazing things you could do, if you would simply believe in the name of Jesus, and what He’s done for you!

A dead battery in a car means that you’re not going to get where you were hoping on time. You have to recharge your battery so that you can get moving again! Well, it’s no different with God working in and through you. You need a recharge of His power and Spirit in your life, to be more effective in living for Him! So how do you go about doing this? Well in today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny is providing you with some tips and some blessings that come with living a charged life for God!