Every day we interact with people, whether from afar or up close and personal. Each of us brings our own perspective, opinion, experience and concern to the table. One thing that many people bring with them is their anger: their soap boxes and their negative outlook on certain things. How do we as Christians stand fast and continue in our hopefulness unshaken by that which has seized those around us? How can we maintain our peace and hope in the midst of other people’s turmoil?Continue reading “How to stay at peace in the midst of other people’s turmoil”
The person in front of you
What is God’s will for my life? What does God want me to be doing with my time, talents and treasure? How can I share the gospel of Jesus Christ? Who do I know that needs encouragement, help and love today?
These may be questions that you ask yourself and yet often the answer to these questions is quite literally right in front of us.Continue reading “The person in front of you”
Practically loving people
Intentionally
Proactively
Not based on how I feel or how limited/imperfect I may beContinue reading “Practically loving people”
Unaware
Have you noticed how unaware we are at times? We simply miss that which is before us. Many times it’s not until we look back that we are able to see that which was there. Sometimes it is the lost item we are looking for at home, other times it is the person who is trying to get our attention, many times it is the presence and activity of the Lord in the world around us.
Do you find that you are unaware? Does it sometimes seem that you miss the things right in front of your face?
Many times it is far easier to see what other people seem to be missing in their lives. We can see so plainly what they seem oblivious to. Sometimes we miss things because we are not paying attention, other times it is because of distraction and busyness. Sometimes it is simply because we have not attuned our eyes or ears to be on the lookout for certain things.
Here are the things that we need to be most aware of everyday:
- We need to be aware of and realize that God is love, He loves us and is presently working that we might know, receive and walk in His salvation
- We need to be aware of the people around us and that every person we see, meet, talk to or think about has present needs and could use some manner of encouragement, supply, strength, wisdom or love
- We need to be aware that in this very moment there is available to us everything we need for life, godliness and eternity and it is found in Christ Jesus
- We need to be aware that apart from God we are nothing but if we abide in Him every moment of every day we can live in fullness of hope, joy, peace and abundant life!
If we are unaware of these things we won’t receive them or the fullness of life that the knowledge of these things bring. If we are unaware of these things we will walk around preoccupied with lesser things and missing out on what matters most for this life and eternity. Please let this be your signpost that says “Be aware: God at work”. Please be aware and then receive all of this from the hand of the One who provides it for you out of the depths of His love and holiness.
Jesus died for them
No matter who you look at. No matter how different they are from you. No matter what “weird” things they like or how they dress or what language they speak, Jesus loves them.
We are all so different in so many ways. Our differences often become dividing lines. We perceive and we judge. We elevate our likes and dislikes higher than theirs. We consider our ways the best ways our our thoughts the best thoughts. If they don’t see it my way, like what I like, or look like, smell like, and sound like me…
But remember that Jesus loves every single person.
He loves them so much that He died for them. Continue reading “Jesus died for them”
What to do with other people’s perceptions of me
How do you perceive me? What do you think of me, when you see me? Do you like what you see? Do you approve? Do I meet your standards? Would you pick me to be your friend/co-worker/confidant/etc? In your thinking of me, do you admire me or loathe me? Do you think I have it figured out or think I know nothing? Do you respect me or have no use for me?
These are questions that we ask ourselves. More properly perhaps, these are questions, laden with doubt, fear, accusation and falsehood that the devil loves to pose to us, so that we might be defeated, divided and destroyed. So what do we do with other people’s perceptions of ourselves?Continue reading “What to do with other people’s perceptions of me”
Wretched, poor, blind and pitiful
This world is full of many different things and many different people.
There are many things I like (hiking, running, coffee, doughnuts, etc) but there are also many things that I don’t like (Pepsi, sticky tables, fingers on a chalkboard, and more).
If we are honest, then we must admit that at times there are people we like and people that we don’t like as well. We are drawn to some people and push back from others.
Why is that? Continue reading “Wretched, poor, blind and pitiful”
Pride and the battle strategy of the Devil
Pride is something that comes upon us by way of stealth and a sneak attack.
It comes in little snatches of a thought. The whisper of an idea. The simple notion that either some personal offense has been committed against you or sometimes even deadlier: the hint of an idea that you really are doing so much better than before.
The roots of pride come from the seeds of doubt and the promises of great gain; the seeds of pride are nefarious and evil.
They are evil because their origins are from the father of lies, the devil, who desires to turn the attention of people inward thereby averting their gaze from the heavenly Father above. Pride grows in the soil of self-contentment or self-esteem and is nourished by the two constantly flowing streams of negativity and flattery.Continue reading “Pride and the battle strategy of the Devil”
The utter devastation of sin
May I remind you of something you may know in theory, in conscience or in intellect but that I would desire that you know in the depths of your heart and soul?
Sin is destructive.
Sin is devastating.
Sin is a black hole of guilt and shame.
Sin is an abysmal place of agreement with wickedness and evil.
It may have been a while since you thought about or heard about sin in such blatant and unflinching terms. You may have been reminded of these things by the prick of your conscience. You may have had a fleeting thought about the wickedness of our world, the selfishness of such and such a person in your life or even perhaps the thought that you wish you could be a better person, but can I tell you that sin is truly appalling, full of heartache and it wreaks havoc on our lives and relationships?Continue reading “The utter devastation of sin”
Where the Spirit of the Lord is
Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.
Where is the Spirit of the Lord?
Is there a place where He is not? Where can you go to flee from His presence? Whether you are on the far side of the sea, in the heights or the depths, God is there.
So why is it that so many do not walk in freedom but instead are in bondage? Why are people everywhere bound by fears, shame, guilt and strongholds?Continue reading “Where the Spirit of the Lord is”
Pastor Michael Johnson 