Michael D Johnson

Lord, please, give us today…

Let me ask you a question: What do you need today? I think that many of us know right away exactly what it is that we need today. Whether it is more patience, more sleep, less stress, more energy, more money, or something else, I’m pretty sure you have a list of things that areContinue reading “Lord, please, give us today…”

I am not afraid

I fear the Lord. I am in awe of His power and holiness. I tremble when I realize that He speaks things into existence and at His Word things also will be judged. But I love the Lord (because He first loved me) and I have joy and peace in His presence, because He hasContinue reading “I am not afraid”

The mystery of God’s will

Have you ever wrestled with trying to discover God’s will for your life? Trying to discover what path to take, what to say, what to do… The choices seem endless and we don’t want to make the wrong decision and waste our lives. But let me assure you that it is not as difficult asContinue reading “The mystery of God’s will”

Pastoring through questions

Dear pastor, Depending on your source the answer may vary but it is said that Jesus asked somewhere between 200 and 300+ questions in the gospels. Jesus shepherded His flock by asking questions. The first great awakening was carried along by the preaching and teaching of the Word but also by accountability and growth questions.Continue reading “Pastoring through questions”

Questions for the journey

Dear fellow seeker, May I ask a few questions? You and I are both on our respective journeys. We are each seeking to discover the purpose of our lives, what God is calling us to, and how we can truly bless, serve and impact others with our feeble efforts. 1. Where are you looking forContinue reading “Questions for the journey”

Be prepared in season and out of season

This Scripture is found in 2 Timothy 4:2 and is often repeated to pastors at their ordination. It is sound wisdom and we will do well to follow it but we also should remember that this comes from God’s Word and therefore reveals God’s will for each of us as His ministers. But I wonderContinue reading “Be prepared in season and out of season”

So much going on, so much left undone

Dear friend, I imagine if you are anything like me, then you find that there are so many demands on your time and so many expectations that you are trying to meet that at the end of the day you wonder sometimes if you will ever have time to pursue some of your hopes andContinue reading “So much going on, so much left undone”

To tell the good news you have to tell the bad news

Dear pastor, I want to share with you a profound reality about ministry and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. You and I have the calling, the privilege and the responsibility of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with people. And what a joy it is to tell people of God’s love for them,Continue reading “To tell the good news you have to tell the bad news”

When nothing is going right

Have you ever been in that season of life when everything seems to be falling apart? We almost wonder how it is possible that so many different people, situations, relationships, and things can all begin to collide and simultaneously blow up! I have been there. Seemingly by nothing we do, everything around us starts toContinue reading “When nothing is going right”

How can we change what we are living for?

In my last blog post I challenged us to look carefully at our lives (maybe even by looking at our calendars, our credit card statements and our browsing history) in order to discover what we are living for. I asked a number of questions to help us consider what our life is being spent on.Continue reading “How can we change what we are living for?”