Life Changers–The Good, Bad, and the Ugly

When we think of life changing events, most likely we think of unwanted negativity to our lives: A devastating health issue, the bankruptcy of financial loss, or death of a loved one, which produces intense sorrow. To make matters worse, the event is coupled with our helplessness for comfort and resolution. Even so, there are blessings that come from the seasons of darkness and the isolation of loneliness.

The realization that we need divine intervention at all times only happens in the times of loss. It is in our brokenness that God’s love and omnipotent power are unleashed without restraint. In our times of sorrow, we finally admit that we must turn to God for help. Remember, we were created for total dependency on God.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17

In humility, we make the immediate response to fervently pray and ask for God’s divine intervention. Knowledge of God’s promises during intense heartaches provide a foundation of hope. So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11. The result is receiving strength to move forward and to keep going. God guarantees His words can never fail, nor could they ever be empty promises.


For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:19. God promises to heal our brokenness while preparing us to receive our reward of eternal life. When we faithfully pray despite our challenges, placing complete faith and trust in God, we receive comfort, hope and strength from the Holy Spirit.

Trusting God through the bad and the ugly builds resilience and perseverance. Through the arid desert of trials and sorrows, there is a river flowing bringing the goodness, peace, and joy from Jesus Christ.

Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the world. Matthew 28:20

Prayer: God, we come to you, not feeling our best. Still, we place our faith and trust in you. Heal our brokenness and give us strength to endure through our trials. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

The Thief On the Cross [and the Comparison]

After all these years, thinking about Nursing School Semester 1 still makes chills go through my body. Kathy, our professor, was raised on a farm in Upstate New York. She was definitely one of the tough-as-nails, “The Few, The Proud,” without being a Marine. Kathy said many things that offended the entire class in her introduction, but “It doesn’t matter what you think” was her favorite. Eventually, we coined the phrase in our study groups, using it frequently for the naysayers who went against the rationale for the correct answer.

After two weeks into the program, we acquiesced to our professor’s expertise. Kathy was aware that our theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, and nursing judgment would provide us with the qualifications to assess and make decisions that our patient’s safety and well-being depended on. There are two concepts that Kathy taught, which have enabled me to make it through my Christian journey: 1. You will forever be on a learning curve. 2. It doesn’t matter what you think.

For six months now, I have had an online TikTok ministry. There are two areas of contention–Loving and Helping Others and Studying the Bible that have divided believers. The thought of a Christian never studying the Bible should cause shuddering chills throughout our bodies. Still, even more, frightening is the rationale many are using for not studying the scriptures: “The thief on the cross was saved and did not read the Bible.” I will not qualify that statement. But in the words of Jesus, Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. Matthew 22:29

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

The natural mind will never understand the supernatural power of God. You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet. Hebrews 2:7-9. The hierarchy of created beings is defined in the Word of God. We are lower than the obedient messenger and guardian angels, but the animals are under our feet.

Satan continues his most profound deceptions based on the acquisition of knowledge based on human rationales. “Did God really say…?” The demon of pride is innate. Without humility and intentional obedience, we become self-righteous and interpret the scriptures according to what we desire them to be. Why is it so easy to negate the Word of God? We are caught up in self-worship. We are the idols. Many thrive off of the prosperity messages that have replaced God’s truth.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24. It is impossible to serve God and indulge our carnal desires with tangible–material possessions, which prevents us from realizing that we are subordinates to the Almighty Creator God.

We do not realize the depth of our pride. Sadly, we have become a generation of believers who have a sense of entitlement. We are just as disobedient as the Israelites who lost their right to enter the Promised Land [only Joshua and Caleb from that generation were allowed to enter]. Have we not taken on God-like qualities by developing our lists of goals and accomplishments without asking God’s approval and blessing?

At least the thief on the cross realized his wretchedness. He confessed his sins, acknowledging that he deserved death. With a humble heart and contrite spirit, he took a giant leap of faith by proclaiming that Jesus is Lord and truly the Son of God. And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong. Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Luke 23:41-42

No, we cannot compare ourselves to the thief on the cross. We have been given the mercies of a new day. The opportunity to restart our relationship with Jesus simply happens from the confession and repentance of our sins. Until we bow in humility to God and take on the status of a disciple of Jesus Christ, we cannot embrace these concepts: 1. You will forever be on a learning curve. 2. It doesn’t matter what you think.

Repentance and God’s Forgiveness

And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have mercy on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you. Deuteronomy 30:1-4

Prayer: God, we ask forgiveness for thinking and living as if we have created ourselves. Holy Spirit, we invite you to come and anoint us with understanding and wisdom of the scriptures. We pray for a spiritual transformation, one of servitude and the eagerness to study the Bible. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

Ambition or Anointing

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16‭-‬17 NKJV

I can recall a conversation with my Aunt over three decades ago regarding the decrease of Christian believers who desired and were actively preparing for Eternal life in heaven [the New Heaven and New Earth]. The question of living a holy and righteous life has evolved into a subjective concept among modern-day Christians. They ask, What is truth? In fact, many have the mindset of Cain, who offered his version of the sacrifice that God required for the sin offering.

The churches have structured their teachings to only include select verses from select chapters in the Bible. And their congregants are happily in agreement that the prosperity message does not require them to study the entire Bible. There is no mention that one needs to pray for the daily anointing of the Holy Spirit or receive baptism by immersion. Witnessing to others is accomplished by an outward show of a smile and peaceful Christian behavior. The most heartwrenching truth is that many Christians believe this lifestyle reflects discipleship, and their minimal effort fulfills God’s requirements.

Still, Jesus Christ safeguards His faithful remnant. There are many baptized prayer warriors diligently studying the scriptures. Yes, we realize that one cannot prepare for Eternal life without total surrender and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. We are the commandment-keeping disciples that accept and witness the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. Facing another battle with fellow believers proves that our fight is against spiritual wickedness. Due to a lack of scriptural knowledge, many have accepted watered-down versions of the Word of God. And it saddens our hearts to see the number of Christians giving up and turning away from God because “it’s just too hard to go through storms, or to wait on God for answers.” No, we are not boastful. We simply strive to obey and hear “Well done” from Jesus Christ when He comes again as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

It takes sacrifice to serve the Lord. All of Jesus’ disciples [John is the exception], including the Apostle Paul, were killed because they were steadfast, courageous, and loyal to God. The Apostle John [who Jesus loved] describes the life of Christ in the Gospel of John. In fact, John was the only Apostle that died a natural death. Though Satan attempted to take his life, he did not die from being boiled in oil. Jesus had divine plans for this disciple. The Book of Revelation provides proof that God uses us even under extreme duress. Although John was exiled on the Isle of Patmos, he received the visions of the New Heaven and New Earth and last-day prophecies.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. Acts 2:17‭-‬18 NKJV

Every person has a choice to make, either we pursue Ambition–following our own desires or we serve and obey God without hesitation. Praying and receiving daily anointing from the Holy Spirit is required to have daily spiritual growth. Sanctification–to become like Christ requires diligent study of the Scriptures, praying without ceasing, fasting, faith, trust, obedience, helping those in need, and witnessing to others.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice. And thank you for being our example of a life dedicated to please God, our Heavenly Father. God, we ask forgiveness for half-heartedly serving you. We desire to dedicate our lives to you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry