Walking In Truth

Sometimes, history repeats itself. This can be a good thing, or it can be a really bad thing…like when you see some horrible genocide happen or a war that could’ve been prevented. In today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny mentions something that happened before Jesus’ time, but it was pointing to the very reason that Jesus came to earth….to die. There’s so much purpose in what God has to share through the people and stories in the Bible, and He wants you to be part of that story too!

You’re well-familiar with a crafty politician, or a sleazy car salesman. Neither one of these are trustworthy, but with their tactics, they can convince many to buy into what’s being sold. Well here’s a newsflash for you. Satan, the devil, is just like the crafty politician and the sleazy car salesman. He’s selling something that can’t be trusted, and Pastor Johnny will talk today about where these tactics will lead you. But there’s a better way! You don’t have to give in to the shiny, but shallow message.

When you look at how quickly children grow, it’s obvious that their bones and their development progresses at a rapid rate. You see it in their height, and how they learn and process things. So why would it be any different in how you grow as a follower of Jesus? Today, Pastor Johnny states that there should be noticeable growth in your relationship with God, as evidence that you’re staying close to Him and His Word. Not only are you reading and listening to these things, but you’re obeying too!

When you water a tree and give it fertilizer, it’s going to thrive and grow bigger. If you leave it alone and don’t pay any attention to that tree, it likely will die. Well in today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny expresses the downside of feeding or watering something inside of you that can grow and fester into something dangerous for your soul. In this case, he’s asking you to disregard that thing, and to let it die because it’s actually better for you to give as little attention to it as possible - for your good!

Everyone’s trying to find their personal truth….what matters to them and what they deem worthy of being true. But the truth is not some personalized mantra. Today, Pastor Johnny talks about how the very core of truth itself is found in the Word of God…the Bible! If you’re looking for it anywhere else, you’re going to hit a dead-end, and have to back-track to return to the path that will lead you to a real destination…heaven! So hear more today about finding the actual truth that God has for you!

The show, “Survivor,” has had a long-running for years, and it’s shown to be popular. There’s a natural curiosity of seeing how people will actually survive, when they’re in a dire situation, without the normal necessities. Well today, Pastor Johnny explains the three essential things you need to survive in life…water, food, and light. These are not just the everyday provisions that you might be used to. He’s talking about a spiritual water, a sustaining food, and a supernatural light!

When you’re traveling, a layover isn’t your favorite part of the trip, right? It’s just something that you tolerate, but are looking forward to where you’re going for your final destination. Well in today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny expresses that this life here on earth is just a passing phase. It’s like a layover that you’re enduring, but you have a better place to be and to go-to - for the long-term. Aren’t you glad that your life won’t forever be like a boring layover at an airport, with nowhere else to go?

In a politically correct society, you don’t dare say that there’s only one way to do something. If you do, that means you’re purposefully excluding plenty of people, and that would be hateful. In today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny provides a recap of where he’s been in the book of John, and where the life and ministry of Jesus are going as he continues on. Rather than worrying about how others perceive your message, how about knowing the message, believing it, and receiving it today?

A spotlight on a stage brings attention to what’s in its path. But the space all around that spotlight is in utter darkness. Interestingly, that just causes what’s in the spotlight to shine even brighter. In today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny is expressing that you can be in the path of that spotlight, shining bright, despite the dark world that’s all around you. You may not realize the impact or effect that you’ll have on the dark stage that surrounds you, but if you stay following the light, you’ll dazzle!

Surely you’re familiar with the childhood game of pin the tail on the donkey. But what makes this game so difficult - is that you’re blindfolded, which makes it extra hard to pin the tail correctly on the target. When you can’t see because of the dark, you’re wandering to-and-fro…unsure of where to go next. Today, Pastor Johnny exposes the darkness for what it really is, and helps you see that being and walking in the light is so much better! So take the blindfold off and walk freely in the light of God!

You’ve enlisted in the military, and now you’re in some special-ops force that only the very best are invited into. Well, you better be sure that you’ll be following orders - to be considered in such a high ranking of your troop. You’re trustworthy and are entrusted with a particular campaign that’s intended to have a successful outcome. Well, think of yourself in this way when it comes to following Jesus too! Pastor Johnny reminds you today that you’re in God’s army, and He wants you to be ready to fight!

You’re in the boxing ring…letting out some steam, and processing through some things. Punching someone or something is an outlet for you in working out some of your frustration. But before you know it, you’ve thrown a right hook that ends up being a death blow to your opponent. This is how it is in a marriage when a person chooses to commit adultery. It’s a devastating blow to the marriage. Today, Pastor Johnny gives a strong warning against falling prey to cheating on your spouse.

Making a s’more around a campfire can be fun, and a great memory to share with others on a cool summer night. The whole point is to use the fire to soften the marshmallow just enough that its heat can melt the chocolate. But as you well know…if you get the marshmallow too close to the fire, it burns and becomes useless for the yummy treat you had in mind. Today, Pastor Johnny talks about how people play with fire when they get involved in relationships that lead to scarring.

You see it everywhere…at work, in the schools, in your extended family, and even in your church. Families are breaking apart because of someone choosing to be unfaithful to their spouse. It’s sad, but it happens all the time. You see it in the movies. You see it in the news with some big name. You start to wonder if it’s even possible to not fall into it yourself. Well, Pastor Johnny has a word for you today about adultery, and where it all starts. Don’t forget that your heart and mind might be part of the problem!

Growing teenage boys seem like an endless vacuum…eating up whatever food’s around them, and yet not getting full. There’s no evidence that they’ve eaten much of anything, except that your refrigerator’s empty of the essentials. Well today, Pastor Johnny’s talking about a different kind of filling-up. Too often, people fill themselves with things in life that they think will keep them full, but they’re still hungry for something more. What they don’t realize is that the thing they’re hungry for is Jesus!

Unless it’s a really hot day, you see most people gradually ease into a pool, trying to adjust to that cold temperature of the water. You first put your legs in, then you slowly dip in until the water’s up to your waist. Your arms eventually go under, and then, maybe your head goes underwater. Wouldn’t it just be quicker to jump in quickly and get the cold shock over with? Well today, Pastor Johnny is talking about how - many times, people slowly ease into a relationship with God, without fully committing.

What if you ate all the delicacies that you possibly could, but remained hungry? What if you had an endless supply of water and drank every possible drop that came your way, but you were still as thirsty as ever? This kind of existence would feel useless and hopeless, right? Well in today’s message, Pastor Johnny relays that this is the reality if you don’t know Jesus. You’re empty in a way that only Jesus can fulfill. So how do you get to a point where you’re satisfied and filled to the brim? You’ll hear how today!

You could claim you’re a rocket scientist and know all the textbook answers about the topic. But until you’re in a situation where you have to troubleshoot, in the moment, that’s when your knowledge becomes useful in reality. So Pastor Johnny gives a reminder today to think about whether you’re living out what you say you believe, and if all that knowledge is useful in the real world. How do you treat your neighbor or the waitress at your favorite restaurant? Hopefully, your walk backs up your talk.

It’s not a mistake that there’s a hostile reaction to your admission of following Jesus. Why is it that every other religion or moral standard is accepted whole-heartedly, but if you even venture toward saying you believe in Jesus and His salvation, you’re black-listed? What Pastor Johnny wants you to be assured of today - is that following God is the very best thing you can do…even if it comes at the cost of family, friends, a job, or that social circle or status that you’re trying to be a part of.

If you were to tell a person that there’s something more important than their family, you’d be met with much opposition from many…saying that you’re a neglectful person toward your family. Like with many things, Jesus ruffled people’s feathers when He made a statement about His earthly family. As you listen to Pastor Johnny today, take account of the priority that your family has for you. It’s not wrong to love and prioritize your family, but are they higher in your ranking than where God is?