The famous and very successful football coach Bear Bryant often told reporters, "I’d croak in a month if I quit coaching." After twenty-five years as the head coach at his alma mater, Bryant announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. On December 29, 1982, he coached his Alabama football team for the last time in the Liberty Bowl against Illinois. On January 26, 1983, he died of a massive heart attack.
Every one of us needs a reason to live—a compelling cause and purpose that keeps us going when we would rather quit. We all face obstacles that hinder us and make life difficult. Some people allow those obstacles to stop them. Others overcome. The difference is not in the obstacles, but in the determination and drive of the person who faces the obstacles.
Source: Living in an Imperfect World, Dr. R.B. Ouellette
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” - Philippians 1:21
The greatest purpose, determination and drive for living regardless of the situations ought to be to honor, serve, and exalt the Lord Jesus Christ! He out to be our daily passion for living!
If He is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
04/30/21
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATLEY FOR CHRIST!
DO IT!
04/29/21
“You can’t do it til you do it.” - Beverly Johnson
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” - John 14:15
Many times we, who belong to the Lord Jesus are big talkers but very short on doing!
We can talk about soul-winning, but how much witnessing for our Lord do we actually do?
We can talk about the need for fellow-believers to be discipled in their walk with their Lord, but how much discipleship do we actually do?
We can talk about the fact that we need to be investing our finances, possessions, time, talents and spiritual gifts in serving our Lord, but how much are we really doing in those areas?
We can talk about how important it is to be faithful in attending church to be fed the Word of God and serve the Lord together, but how much are we doing it?
I could keep adding to the list, but I will let you do that!
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW! Repent of all your sin (Luke 13:3,5) and receive Him as your Lord and Savior!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
A WORN-OUT BODY
04/28/21
When John Quincy Adams was eighty years old, a friend said, “How is John Quincy Adams?”
He replied, “John Quincy Adams himself is very well, thank you; but the house he lives in is sadly dilapidated. It is tottering on its foundations. The walls are badly shattered, and the roof is worn. The building trembles with every wind. And I think that John Quincy Adams will have to move out of it before long. But he himself is very well.”
Source: Sword Scrapbook II, Viola Walden
“For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” - Philippians 3:20-21
What a glorious truth for every born-again child of God! We will have a glorious body like our Lord’s! What a reality we have to look forward to to!
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, repent of all your sin (Luke 13:3,5) and surrender your life to him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
DEATH’S STING IS GONE
04/27/21
A little boy and his father were driving down a country road on a beautiful spring afternoon. Suddenly out of nowhere a bumblebee flew in the car window. Since the little boy was deathly allergic to bee stings he became petrified. His father quickly reached out, grabbed the bee, squeezed it in his hand, and then released it. But as soon as he let it go, the young son became frantic once again as it buzzed by the little boy.
The father sensed his son’s terror. Once again he reached out his hand, but this time he pointed to this hand. There, stuck in his skin was the stinger of the bee. “You see this?” he asked. “You don’t need to be afraid anymore. I’ve taken the sting for you.”
The Christian does not need to be afraid of death because Christ has taken the sting out of death and sin.
1 Corinthians 15:55-56: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”
Source: Illustrations Unlimited, James s. Hewett
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior and, therefore, are still spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), living under the wrath of God (John 3:18, 36), come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
OUR BEST DAYS ARE YET TO COME
04/26/21
A bright young girl of fifteen was suddenly cast upon a bed of suffering, completely paralyzed on one side and nearly blind. She heard the family doctor say to her parents as they stood by the bedside: “She has seen her best days, poor child!”
“No, doctor,” she exclaimed, “my best days are yet to come, when I shall see the King in His beauty.”
That is our hope. We shall not sink into annihilation. Christ rose from the dead to give us a pledge of our own rising. The resurrection is the great antidote for fear of death. Nothing else can take its place. Riches, genius, worldly pleasures or pursuits, none can bring us consolation in the dying hour.
Source: Anecdotes, Incidents, and Illustrations, D. L. Moody
“But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept (have fallen asleep).” - 1 Corinthians 15:20
Yes, what a great resurrection day is coming for all who die and go home (2 Corinthians 5:8) to be with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Let’s keep busy loving and serving our Lord until He comes for us by death or the Rapture!
If He is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
THE STORY OF “AWFUL GARDNER”
04/24/21
One of the most notoriously bad characters that ever lived in New York was Orville Gardner. He was the trainer of prize-fighters and companion of all sorts of hard characters. His reputation was so thoroughly bad that he was called “Awful Gardner.”
He had a little boy, whom he dearly loved, and this boy died. A short time after his boy’s death, he was standing at the bar in a New York saloon, surrounded by a number of his boon companions. The night was sweltering, and he stepped outside the saloon to get a little fresh air. As he stood out there and looked up between the high buildings at the sky above his head, a bright star was shining down upon him, and as he stood looking at the star, he said to himself, “I wonder where my little boy is tonight?” Then the thought came to him quick as a flash, “Wherever he is, you will never see him again unless you change your life.”
Touched by the Spirit of God, he hurried from the saloon to the room where he knew his godly mother was. He went in and asked his mother to pray for him. She did pray for him, and she led him to Christ.
He went home to where he kept a jug of whiskey. He did not dare to keep it and did not know what to do with it. Finally he took it down to the river, got into a boat and rowed over to an island. He set the liquor on a rock and knelt down, and as he afterwards said, “Fought that jug of whiskey for a long time,” and God gave him perfect deliverance.
But what should he do with the jug? He did not dare break it, lest the fumes set him wild. He did not dare leave it, lest someone else get it. Finally he dug a hole in the ground with his heel and buried it. He left the island a free man.
He became a mighty preacher of the gospel. It was through listening to him preach that Jerry McAuley (a convict turned preacher and founder of the McAuley Water Street Mission) was set to thinking, and that thinking afterwards led to his conversion.
Source: Anecdotes and Illustrations, R. A. Torrey
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” - 2 Corinthians 5:17
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, come to Him NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
BEYOND THE HORIZON
04/23/21
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says, “There she goes!”
Gone where?
Gone from my sight ... that is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says, ‘There she goes!’ there are other eyes watching her coming and their voices ready to take up the glad shouts “Here she comes!”—Henry VanDyke
Lift us up O Lord, that we may see further.
Submitted by Dr. Don Sisk
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” - Psalm 119:18
When we make this our request, the Lord Jesus will cause us to see the reality of the truth of His Word, will, power and character. We will see everything according to His perspective!
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
FEAR OF ABANDONMENT
04/22/21
Daniel Sulmasy (then head of the Bioethics Institute of New York Medical College) made an interesting discovery while observing dying patients in a hospital. He aimed cameras at the doorways of terminally ill patients and tracked the number of minutes they spent alone. He said, “More than eighteen hours a day, there was no one in the room.”
Nurses checked on patients dozens of times during the day for no more than two minutes at a time, and doctors averaged three visits a day for three minutes each. Visits from family members averaged twenty-four minutes per day and were the only visits that were likely to last over five minutes. Sulmasy said that patients who are terminally ill list isolation and abandonment as their biggest fears, yet according to his research, that is what they often experience.
Source: The American Journal of Medicine, October 1, 2001
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” - Hebrews 13:5
The born-again child of God never has to fear of being abandoned by their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during all the stages of their life, including death. They can know the reality of this promise of their Lord: “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” – Isaiah 41:13
If the Lord Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
DEATH TO SELF
04/21/21
When a man asked George Mueller the secret of his service, Mueller responded: “There was a day when I died, utterly died; died to George Mueller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died to the approval or blame even of my brethren and friends; and since then I have studied to show myself approved only to God.”
Source: The London Quarterly Review, Volume 92
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10. KJV
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Galatians 1:10, ESV
Like George Mueller, when we die to self, the opinions of others, etc., and we are only interested in pleasing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, He will richly use us for His honor and glory, and we will experience genuine peace and joy.
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, repent of all your sin (Luke 13:3,5) and receive Him as your Lord and Savior NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
SPIRITUAL GARDENING
04/20/21
It's time to plant our gardens. As you plant, may I suggest the following rules for your garden planting:
Plant three rows of squash: 1. Squash gossip; 2. Squash criticism; 3. Squash indifference
Plant three rows of peas: 1. Purity; 2. Patience; 3. Perseverance
Plant six rows of lettuce: 1. Let us be unselfish and loyal; 2. Let us be faithful to duty; 3. Let us search the scriptures; 4. Let us not be weary in well-doing; 5. Let us be obedient in all things; 6. Let us love one another
No garden is complete without turnips: 1. Turn up for church, prayer service and Bible study; 2. Turn up with a smile, even when things are difficult; 3. Turn up with determination to do your best for God's cause
After planting, may you, "Grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18".
Source: Unknown
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. “
Galatians 5:22-23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
LIKE BAD BREATH!
04/19/21
“Complaining is like bad breath, you notice it when it comes out of somebody else's mouth, but not your own.”—Will Bowen
Source: The Baptist Standard
“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” - Psalm 34:1
May we, who belong to the Lord Jesus, daily submit to His Lordship, enjoy a close relationship with Him, which will enable us to control the words of our mouth so that we will not be complainers but rather rendering praise to Him in every situation, acknowledging His sovereignty, grace, mercies, goodness and all His wondrous character. How much richer our lives will be!
If He is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
MURMURING
04/18/21
“Murmuring is an outward manifestation of an inward lawlessness and rebellion against a holy God.”—Unknown
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
Philippians 2:14
If we, who have been saved by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His great redemptive work, stopped and thought about the fact that our murmuring is an act of rebellion against our Lord and Savior, we wouldn’t do it. We are saying that we are not happy regarding His will for our lives and that He ought to treat us better. He is good and good all the time! He knows exactly what is best for us. When we go through the natural negative experiences in our lives, as a result of our first parents sin in the Garden of Eden, we ought to be extremely thankful that our Lord loves and cares for us and is ready to give us every type of grace and strength needed and the intimacy of His fellowdhip.
If He is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
TURN TRIALS INTO PEARLS
04/17/21
The oyster takes a grain of sand and turns it into a beautiful pearl. Many people are just the opposite—they take pearls and turn them into grains of sand.
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” - James 1:2-4
Yes, if we daily submit to the Lordship of Christ and the control of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), our trials will be produce growth in faith, a deeper relationship with our Lord, a deeper experience of His joy (John 15:11), the sweetness of His character (Galatians 5:22-23), a greater experience of His power (Philippians 4:13), etc.
We will be better equipped to witness to those who do not belong to the Lord Jesus, and we will be better at disciplining fellow believers.
If He is not your Lord and Savior, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“ Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATEELY FOR CHRIST!
CRITICIZING WHAT THEY CAN’T DO THEMSELVES
04/16/21
“You will find that, as a rule, those who complain about the way the ball bounces are usually the ones who dropped it.”—Unknown
“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.” - Romans 2:1
It is easy to complain and judge others regarding matters but are you doing the same or some of the same things? For example, do you complain about….
-fellow Christians who gossip and you do the same?
-Fellow Christians who are not in the Word and growing spiritually and you aren’t either?
-Fellow Christians who don’t seek to win unsaved people to Christ and you don’t?
-fellow Christians who don’t tithe, and you don’t either?
Etc.
Walk close to the Lord each day, maintaining a blameless relationship with Him, exalting Him in every area of your life, and helping fellow Christians to do so as well.
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
4 FALSE FACTS
04/14/21
Fact #1 Books write themselves without the need of an author.
Fact #2 Cars build themselves without the need of a manufacturer.
Fact #3 Music composes itself into beautiful harmonies without the need of a composer.
Now, any kindergarten student could testify to the fact that the above three statements have as much truth to them as the flat-earth theory. However, there are countless university lecturers and professors that are paid big dollars to promote fact #4, “The whole universe came into being through a process of random chance and beneficial mutations, without any need of a Designer.” Evidently, fact #4 is on the same level as all the previously mentioned “facts.” The true fact of the matter is that evolution is just a big fairy tale for grownups!
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
Are you a believer in the lie of evolution and therefore called God a liar and deceiver? If so, you also probably call the Lord Jesus a liar and deceiver regarding His statement “…Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). I am so glad that He is my awesome Creator and Savior!
If you do not belong to Him, come to him NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD
04/13/21
“To look at the window . . .as I did that first day . . . to look out at this kind of creation and not believe in God is to me impossible.”—John Glenn, speaking about his view of the Earth from the space shuttle Discovery
Source: World Magazine
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” - Psalm 19:1
Yes, evolution is a lie; God is the Creator of all things. The Scriptures make it clear that God the Father, God the Son (The Lord Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit participated in the work of creation. The Word of God makes it very clear that all three were involved in the work of salvation!
The Lord Jesus, who paid the penalty for all sin, rose triumphantly to take care of our worse problem, and give us the gift of eternal life, loves us as no one else can and will take care of all our problems, if we trust Him with all our hearts and commit them to Him. How foolish it is for us not to do so! David said the Lord will meet us where we are and make real the victory we need in every situation. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (shaken)” – Psalm 55:22. Are you a living testimony to this fact?
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
LION'S TAIL
04/12/21
A man was bragging that he had cut off the tail of a man-eating lion with his pocket knife. When asked why he had not cut off the lion's head, the man replied: “Someone had already done that.”
Source: Unknown
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” - Romans 12:3
We, who have been saved by the grace of God, have nothing to boast about in ourselves. We are what we are and accomplish everything we accomplish by the grace of God (1 Corinthians 15:10). Therefore, we ought to daily walk humbly with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, allowing Him to make real His character in every area of your lives by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23), producing much fruit to His praise and glory.
If you are not one of His, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
GOING TO SCHOOL
04/11/21
A federal judge ordered New Orleans to open its public school to African-American children. The white parents decided that, if they had to let black children in, they would keep their children out. They let it be known that any black children who came to school would be in for trouble. So the black children stayed home, too—except six-year-old Ruby Bridges. Her parents sent her to school all by herself.
Every morning she walked alone through a heckling crowd to an empty school. White people lined up on both sides of the way and shook their fists at her. They threatened to do terrible things to her if she kept coming to their school. But every morning at ten minutes to eight Ruby walked, head up, eyes ahead, straight through the mob. Two U.S. marshals walked ahead of her and two walked behind her. Then she spent the day alone with her teachers inside that big, silent school building.
Harvard professor Robert Coles was curious about what went into the making of courageous children like Ruby Bridges. He talked to Ruby’s mother and reported what she said. “There’s a lot of people who talk about doing good, and a lot of people who argue about what’s good and what’s not good,” but there are other folks who, “just put their lives on the line for what’s right.”
Source: A Pretty Good Person, Lewis Smedes
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” - John 14:15
Many Christians say that they love the Lord but do not obey Him, because of fear. However, if we love Him regardless of the circumstances or what people think, He will bless us mightily for His glory and our good. How about you? Are you like Paul who lived wholeheartedly for Christ regardless of the circumstances and the opposition of people (Philippians 1:20-21)?
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
THE MARINE RECRUITER
04/10/21
Three recruiters were to address high school seniors. Each recruiter represented a branch of the military (the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps) and was to have fifteen minutes. The Army and Navy recruiters got carried away, so when it came time for the Marine to speak, he had just two minutes. He walked up and stood utterly silent for a full sixty seconds, half of his time. Then he said, “I doubt whether there are two or three of you in this room who would even stand a chance in the Marine Corps. But I want to see those two or three immediately in the dining hall when we are dismissed.” He turned smartly and sat down. When he arrived in the dining hall, there was a crowd of students interested in the Marines. The recruiter knew that commitment cannot take place without recognizing the potential for difficulty.
Source: Unknown
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13
We all face many difficulties in life but we are able to be victorious in attitude and achievements, because we have the strength of the Lord. There is no limit with his strength to be what our Lord wants us to be and to accomplish what He wants us to accomplish.
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to him NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE GREATEST WEAPON
04/09/21
Napoleon made a mistake when he said that God is on the side of the strongest battalion. This statement has been proven wrong many times in the Bible and throughout history.
Abraham took 318 men and defeated 4 kings and their armies. Gideon with his 300 dedicated men defeated an army of thousands. David, a shepherd lad, untrained for war and armed with only a sling, killed a giant nine feet tall.
I believe that God is on the side of those who do right. God will fight the battles of those who determine to be in His will. Righteousness is still the greatest weapon.
Source: The Gold Mine, Lee Roberson
Submitted by the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Proverbs 14:34
The United States of America cannot be called a righteous nation for many of our leaders and citizens are in defiant rebellion to the Lord and His Word. We are filled with murder and violence of all types, political upheaval, immorality, etc. Anyone thinking that we can expect the protection and blessings of the Lord is fooling themselves! We, who belong to the Lord Jesus, must live in intimate fellowship and obedience to Him so that He can produce His righteousness through us!
If you are not one of His, com eto Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVR & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
NO TURNING BACK
04/08/21
I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, live by prayer and labor by His power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable and my mission clear. I cannot be bought, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a a disciple of Jesus. I must go ‘till He comes, give ‘till I drop, preach ‘till all know and work ‘till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.—Anonymous
Enough said!
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” - Philippians 1:21
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
THANK YOU CAPTAIN
04/07/21
It is said that Napoleon once lost control of his horse and a private jumping into the path of the horse took control of it. Napoleon then said, “Thank you, Captain.” With that one word Napoleon promoted the soldier from the rank of private to captain, but it was because that soldier put his general first.
Likewise, God promises to honor His servants.
Source: Billy Sunday, the Man and His Message, William T. Ellis
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” - Matthew 6:33
Yes, when we put the Lord first in our lives, His interests and will, He not only promises to supply all our needs (Philippians 4:13) but pours out upon us His richest blessings, enabling us to produce much fruit to His praise and glory, as well as our good.
If you are not one of His, repent of all your sin(Luke 13:3,5) and receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior NOW!
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
THE FRIEND INSIDE
04/06/21
Throughout his administration, Abraham Lincoln was a president under fire, especially during the scarring years of the Civil War. And though he knew he would make errors of office, he resolved never to compromise his integrity. So strong was this resolve that he once said, “I desire so to conduct the affairs of this administration that if at the end, when I come to lay down the reins of power, I have lost every other friend on earth, I shall at least have one friend left, and that friend shall be down inside of me.”
Source: Abraham Lincoln: The Prairie Years and the War Years, Carl Sandburg
“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.”
Philippians 1:10
There is nothing better that keeping your heart right with the Lord each day, knowing that you are pleasing Him and are able to enjoy sweet fellowship with your Lord and Savior at all times and in every situation. If you should lose every friend in this world (which I am sure you wouldn’t), you would have His friendship and His riches blessings, including His perfect peace and joy, to which nothing else can compare!
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
YOUR “JOHN HANCOCK”
04/05/21
Often when we ask for a person’s signature, we will call it their “John Hancock.” This is because of the fifty-six signatures on the Declaration of Independence, one stands out above the rest. That signature belongs to John Hancock. He was the first to sign the declaration and he signed it in a large and legible script so that the King of England could read his name without using glasses.
Mr. Hancock wanted it to be very clear where his allegiance lay. His commitment to his country was so clear that when King George III offered amnesty to all who would cease fighting, John Hancock was among the select few who were left out of the offer.
Has your signature let your King know of your dedication and commitment to Him?
Source: Houston Chronicle, June 27 1998
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood (river), or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” - Joshua 24:15
As a born-again child of God, do your thoughts, attitudes, actions, relationships, work, etc., reveal your complete dedication and commitment to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and His Word?
If He is not your Lord and Savior, come to the Lord Jesus NOW!
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
COURAGE IS FEAR HOLDING ON A MINUTE LONGER
04/04/21
Famed World War II tank commander General George Patton said, “Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” If you give in to your fears, you are on the path to defeat. If instead you stand strong in spite of your fears, you are on the path to victory. And we must never forget that we are not in the battle alone. With the power of God on our side, we cannot be defeated.
Ministry 127
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Perhaps many of us have missed out on blessings from our Lord and some victories because of giving in to fear. May we never do that again! May we in every situation trust our Lord and experience His power and victory over fear to the praise of His glory!
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
PREACHING BOLDLY
04/03/21
In the sixteenth century, there was a protestant reformer in England by the name of Hugh Latimer. He was known as a great preacher of his day and as a result he had many opportunities to speak. Once he found that he was to preach before the King Henry VIII of England. As he thought about his great responsibility to bring a message before the king he realized that the message that God laid on his heart was not the message that the king would want to hear.
As he began his sermon he said, “Latimer! Latimer! Do you remember that you are speaking before the high and mighty King Henry VIII; who has power to command you to be sent to prison, and who can have your head cut off, if it please him? Will you not take care to say nothing that will offend royal ears?”
He then paused and continued, “Latimer! Latimer! Do you not remember that you are speaking before the King of kings and Lord of lords; before Him, at whose throne Henry VIII will stand; before Him, to whom one day you will have to give account yourself? Latimer! Latimer! Be faithful to your Master, and declare all of God’s Word.”
Latimer faced the choice: would he preach what man wanted to hear or would he preach what Christ would have him preach. Latimer did take his stand for truth and preached boldly. Eventually, he was martyred by Henry’s daughter Queen Mary.
Source: Not Corrupting the Word, a sermon by J. C. Ryle
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” - Revelation 3:10
If you are a born-again believer, are you willing to tell and take a stand for the truths of God’s Word at any cost? Is that how much you love the Lord Jesus and all the things He has done for you? Are you fearlessly living for Him or are you living a life of compromise our of fear of man?
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, come to Him NOW!
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ - Romans 6:23
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
THE FEAR OF MAN
04/02/21
One of the most gifted speakers in church history was John Chrysostom—the name comes from a Greek word meaning “golden tongued.” John was sent from Antioch to what was then Constantinople where he preached fearlessly in the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. His denunciation of the lavish extravagance of the rich and ruling class and his condemnation of excess infuriated many, including Empress Eudoxia who arranged for him to be exiled.
When he was told of his fate, Chrysostom responded: “What can I fear? Will it be death? But you know that Christ is my life, and that I shall gain by death. Will it be exile? But the earth and all its fullness is the Lord’s. Will it be the loss of wealth? But we brought nothing into the world, and can carry nothing out. Thus all the terrors of the world are contemptible in my eyes, and I smile at all its good things. Poverty I do not fear. Riches I do not sigh for. Death I do not shrink from.”
Far too many today are more worried about what people think than about what God thinks. The desire not to offend others (which is not a bad thing in itself) is often elevated to be the most important thing. As a result, many shrink from speaking the truth.
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25
Source: New Testament Illustrations, William Jones
“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” - Philippians 1:20
Who are you trying to please?
If Jesus Christ is not your Lord and Savior, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12
Pastor Fred Johnson, Editor of Daily Insights
Fbj1966@gmail.com
518.538.0917
LOVE & LIVE PASSIONATELY FOR CHRIST!
AVOIDING DECISIONS
04/01/21
“Some people are very decisive when it comes to avoiding decisions.”—Brendan Francis
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21
Brendan Francis statement is humorous but tragic too. Tragic because we experience nothing but trouble when we avoid decisions that must be made and eternal loss of rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when we have our service for Him judged. We, who belong to the Lord Jesus should be like Paul who was very decisive in making Jesus Christ preeminent in every area of his life. Is his motto the motto of your life?
If you do not belong to the Lord Jesus, come to Him NOW!
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - 1 John 5:12