Tag: God loves us

Pursuing Excellence?

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1

It is in humility that we serve an Excellent, Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent God. Still, God is not haughty. He lovingly extends unmerited grace and mercy to ungrateful humanity every day. After pre-planning the sacrifice of Jesus, His only Son, one would think that believers would reverence God in awe. Because Jesus serves as our Heavenly Intercessor–yes, our prayers are sent to Jesus by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27), we should possess a humble and contrite spirit striving for a deeper relationship with our Father-God Creator. Sadly, we are glorifying our sinful selves.

We have become over-confident in our spiritual growth. Many believers have elevated their status [a by-product of pride] and have changed their names to include titles such as “prophets, apostles, intercessors, healers,” etc. In fact, false teachers are twisting the scriptures and spreading false teachings that humans can “manifest” and “prophesy” the future [prosperity, childless couples having children, physical healing, you will have a husband or wife] of other believers. Do you know why we are readily accepting lies? Just like Eve, we desire what God has not given to us.

Right now, some believers are upset with the content you are reading. Either you believe that humanity can achieve spiritual excellence, or we were given the “Omni’s” that only God possesses. What is causing the breakdown? In studying the scriptures, we fail to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and give  knowledge, and wisdom. Without guidance, we interpret God’s Word according to our limited insight. Yet, there is another category of believers who worship their Pastors and believe what is being preached from the pulpit, even if it is not biblical. We are unaware that it is not Sola scriptura because we lack the desire to be students–diligently studying the Bible under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Our desire is to be the teacher.

Hierarchy of Created Beings

You made him a little lower than the angels; You crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:5

God Appointed our Dominion:

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:26.

God has given us dominion over animals. We do not have the power to manifest blessings or prophesy future events over other individuals.

Spiritual Gifts

In 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, we learn of the diversity of spiritual gifts given through the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3. Before we make the determination that the presenting person is of God, the Apostle Paul also warns us: 

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.…2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Yes, many false teachers are collecting large sums of money to cast out demons or break the spells of witchcraft. It is hard to believe that believers are being deceived to the point that they are paying for “miracles.”

“One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling.” Acts 16:16.

How do we know who is anointed by God or who is a false prophet? Tune your ears to the words they are speaking. If you hear the word “I” too many times then they are projecting their own abilities. Have you heard only their opinions? If they are truly anointed by the Holy Spirit then every word from their mouth will glorify God. Scriptures will be utilized and the location of said scriptures from the Bible will readily be given to the congregation. 

What is the root of the problem? Why are saints of the Most-High God so easily deceived by Satan? Why are so many being lured into the webs of deception? Self-reliance!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

Satan knows that his time is limited. Self-elevation, greed, the love of money, and the desire to possess material things that we can show off to others have us slipping further away from God and at risk of losing our reward of eternal life.

Rely on the power of God!

Daily surrender of our hearts, praying to be anointed with the Holy Spirit, and diligent study of the Bible gives us the ability to put on the whole armor, Ephesians 6:10-20. We need spiritual reinforcement in our walk with God. Many do not enjoy praying, studying, and worship God. But we must acknowledge and accept our human limitations. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Humanity Cannot Achieve Excellence

For we all have become like one who is [ceremonially] unclean [like a leper], And all our deeds of righteousness are like filthy rags; We all wither and decay like a leaf, And our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing], like the wind, takes us away [carrying us far from God’s favor, toward destruction]. Isaiah 64:6 Amplified Bible

The Apostle Paul said, “I die daily.” 1 Corinthians 15:31. Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Romans 6:2. Sanctification–growing spiritually is a life-long journey. Surrender to God requires daily commitment. 

Human Effort: Yes, we lament over our sinful natures. It is so easy to sin. Humbly acknowledging our sinful nature drives us to confess and repent of our sins. Our daily pursuit is to live righteously by placing our faith and trust in God. Salvation is 1:1 with Jesus Christ. We have help from our Teacher 24/7. Pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit before studying the scriptures. God always reveals the truth, then it is up to us to accept it. We will not be able to blame anyone else for our loss of eternal life. 

Divine Intervention: God has not left us to fend for ourselves. It is Jesus’ blood shed on Calvary that provides the redemption [forgiveness] of our sins. The Holy Spirit empowers us to discern and stand firm against evil. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” Philippians 1:6. Yes, it is the power of the Trinity that will give us the strength to be faithful until the day Jesus comes again. He which testifies these things say, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20. Hallelujah!

Prayer: God, we thank you for the ability to gain wisdom, knowledge, and revelation of Your truth. We ask You to guard us against the deceptions of spiritual wickedness. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

The Load is Heavy!

I have two very good friends both named Barbara. They are unaware of the other’s existence because they live 1600 miles apart from one another. But today, God used both of my BFFs as rams in the bush to provide encouragement. Throughout the Apostle Paul’s writings, he emphasizes the importance of the body of believers staying connected to each other. If you have not heard from friends or family, please reach out to them. Sometimes the load is too heavy for them to lift a finger to text or call.

Love God, Love others, and Love yourself. 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

Photo credit: Barbara, Albany

The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ

Many have surrendered their lives to Jesus. And when the relationship begins, they are excited about serving God. But there is a prevailing misunderstanding among believers–the imaginary perfect life in which all of our problems are eliminated when we serve God. Who can not relate to quickly finding out that serving God places us in a spiritual battle? Yes, we easily become discouraged by the never-ending hardships and challenges. Still, wavering faith is the precursor for doubt. We begin to question God, His love, and His promises. Isn’t our life supposed to become more manageable when we serve God? “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The requirement of living a faith-based life by trusting in God through an unknown waiting period for God to answer our prayers becomes our breaking point. We struggle with our dependency on God. The refusal produces a spiritual battle from within–obedience versus self-reliance. Impatience sets in as we begin to develop strategies to help God bring a faster solution.

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

A child has blind faith in their parents. They run to tell them [trust] the problem and possess the belief [faith] that their issue will be resolved. For those who doubt that God created us with a measure of faith, children easily disprove that concept. Confidence causes children to run to their parents [who they know and trust] every time a problem arises.

The reason that we lose hope is that we do not know who Jesus is. He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15. Realistically, who would trust a stranger? Trusting in self erases our childlike faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Faith is replaced by doubt and unbelief. How did it happen this quickly? Without diligently studying the scriptures and praying, we only know Jesus by His name, and the consequence is disbelief in the omnipotence of God, our Father.

Our relationship suffers as we become overwhelmed by our circumstances. Quickly our perception changes from believing and trusting in a caring Heavenly Father to distrust in a distant and unknown God. Like skating on thin ice, we see the warning signs of danger, but we take the risk anyway by trusting in our thoughts and abilities. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6.

The relationship fractures from self-confidence. We lose our connection to the God who sees and cares. The seeds of doubt and unbelief continue to grow into a forest, blinding our eyes as we stumble over the rocky terrain of hopelessness. Our mindset continues to change as we become disgruntled, blaming God for not keeping His promises.

Even so, God clarifies in the book of Jeremiah who is not doing their part in the relationship between humanity and God.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all of your heart I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity. Jeremiah 29: 11-14. NKJV

We determine the growth and development of our relationship with Jesus based on our commitment to stay connected. Jesus will give us strength and spiritual reinforcement to overcome. Increase your knowledge of Him through the scriptures. Call out to God in prayer. And enjoy the priceless gift of having a thriving relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior. 

I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. John 15:5 Amplified Bible

Prayer: God, we thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus. We desire to surrender our lives to you by doing our part in having an intimate relationship with you, built on faith, hope, trust, and obedience. We ask for strength. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

The Voice of a Stranger

God has given us intrinsic safeguards against strangers. It is not the learned dislike for people that we are referring to. Feeling uncomfortable or being guarded with a stranger raises our awareness and keeps us safe from harm.

A baby is a perfect example of stranger-danger. Many parents are proud to show others their new addition to the family. But the time factor is limited when a stranger [even if it is an extended family member] can interact with the infant. The onset of stranger anxiety usually happens at the age of 6-7 months. No longer will a stranger’s smile produce a smile in a baby who is unfamiliar with the person.

Because babies prefer familiar adults, they might react to strangers by crying or fussing, going very quiet, looking fearful or hiding. Fear of strangers usually becomes more intense at around 7-10 months of age. It can last a few months or continue for much longer. https://raisingchildren.net.au/

As we mature, we begin to experience a change in our acceptance of strangers. How many broken heart experiences have left individuals wounded, bitter, and in despair? What happened that we readily let our guard down and invited an unknown person into the most intimate part of our being?

We are driven by the desires of our hearts. And we are willing to take the chance because “You only have one life” or  “It is better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all.” Cliché’s based on chasing the deceitfulness of the heart breed disappointment. We cannot follow our hearts! 

For the believer, we face two additional hurdles, the voice of our carnal hearts [our desires] leading us to sin against God and recognizing the voice of false prophets speaking false teachings. But wait! How is this possible when Jesus said:

  • My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. John 10:27-29
  • “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits…” Matthew 7:15-16

The answer is quite simple: “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Becoming entangled in the web of deceit is the result of trusting in our own ability. Eventually, we cannot hear the Voice of God. Our habits take a drastic shift to pleasing self. The Bible that we fail to study is the guiding and warning Voice of God. And the prayers for strength to overcome temptation were never prayed. Remember, the “gut feeling” to decline and walk away, now we ignore it as nonsense. That was the Holy Spirit’s warning!

The voice of our desperately wicked hearts is powerful! Listening to our heart that is fueled by our desires produces the bitter fruit of disobedience. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17

The conflict between right and wrong demands that we make a choice. We cannot listen to the voice of our heart and also hear God’s voice. Without spiritual reinforcement, we gradually begin to accept false concepts–Did God say that? “Where is it in the Bible that we should not listen to secular music? What is wrong with tattooing and piercing my body? They really are not unbelievers, they just need time to learn how to serve God. God understands that I do not have enough money to give tithe and offerings.”

Challenging the Voice of God causes us to step onto the broad path that leads to destruction. Using vocal tones of comfort, Satan’s false prophets speak their updated versions of the scriptures to fit our needs in modern times. New Age sermons proclaim that “God understands we will sin.” Compromise is the gateway that fine-tunes our ears to only hear the voices of strangers–who we no longer fear.

Believe it or not, it doesn’t take much effort to disobey God. Without spiritual reinforcement, humanity is no match for Satan. He observes our behaviors and listens to our spoken words. Eve was mesmerized by the melodic voice of the beautiful serpent speaking words that supported her desire to disobey God.

Please know that your temptation is a strategically developed scheme that matches your sinful desires. Satan is creative. He uses a stranger’s voice in the music that soothes your loneliness, the attractive unbeliever who begins the conversation with “Hi” and a smile, or the YouTube and TikTok video of the financially successful person you perceive to offer the perfect solution to fulfill your dreams.

Believers, we must silence the voice of our heart and guard up against the satanic stranger’s deceptive voice. Do not allow your ears to be mesmerized by the diabolical words of Satan, our enemy. Include God in every aspect of your life by praying and waiting for His answer. How do we know it is the Voice of God? There is no catch or drawback in God’s plans. And Satan cannot invade our soul, when we fall down, we willingly gave ourselves to the sinful situation. 

Never forget, we have the Omnipotence of the Trinity, God, the Father, Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit. They provide us with the spiritual strength to fight against Satan’s spiritual wickedness. Every one of us has guardian angels that fight the evil of satanic angels. God has protection for humanity!

  • The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13
  • For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
  • Pray without ceasing–always pray. 2 Thessalonians 5:17
  • Then Jesus told him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.” Matthew 4:10

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Prayer: God, we need your help. Many have lost their way and can no longer recognize your voice. We ask you to release Satan’s stronghold on their hearts that they may seek you in repentance. God, we are praying for complete cleansing and restoration of their hearts as only You can do. We pray for Your strength to regain the desire to study your Word and talk to you every day through prayer. We ask You to create in us a clean heart and to renew a steadfast spirit within us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

The God Who Sees, Forgives, and Rescues

The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar reveals the faithlessness and impatience of humanity that leads to disobedience against God while waiting [in obedience] for God’s promise to be brought into fruition. When we consider God’s covenant with Abram in Genesis 15 and the events that follow, prayerfully, we will gain a new perspective of the love of God for His creation fearfully and wonderfully made in His image.

The popular film “The God Who Sees” by Nicole Mullins and Kathie Lee Gifford is biblically inaccurate and misleads many individuals to view God as harsh and punitive. Because of our perspective of God, our spiritual eyes are often blinded to His never-ending supply of grace and mercy. Hagar was not abandoned, nor was she a victim. This situation was caused by Sarai’s and Abram’s disobedience to God, and Hagar’s pride and arrogance. Sadly, humanity’s saga continues into the 21st century, where we continually rebel against God. Yet, He lovingly forgives us and rescues us in our self-inflicted distress.

The story of Hagar is one of God’s mercy and rescue plans to provide deliverance to people just like you and me who create messy situations, which require divine intervention for resolution.

The characters of our story: Abram, Sarai, and Hagar.

Historical overview: God’s Covenant with Abram

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Then Abram said, “Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” 5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Genesis 15:1-5 NKJV

God’s promise included an heir that would come from Abram. Verse 6 in Genesis 15 tells us, “And Abram believed in the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.” Abram fully believed that God would do exactly what He promised. Certainly, we can expect that Abram shared this joyful news with Sarai, they would have a male child–because males were the rightful heirs according to Jewish law.

“You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” Galatians 5:7.

Doubting God’s Covenant Promise: How did Sarai convince her faithful husband to agree to have children through Hagar, her Egyptian servant? The last part of Genesis 16:3 gives us the answer for Sarai’s rebellious scheme (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.) Ten years had passed since God made the covenant with Abram to give him a male heir. The 10-year wait for God to fulfill His promise was too much for the older couple who were feeling desperate. Indeed, God had forgotten His promise, forcing them to think,  “God requires our help.” Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6.

Question: Did God condone the polygamous marriage between Abram and Hagar? 

In Genesis 2:24 when Moses writes of a man leaving his mother and father and clinging to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh, that is God’s original standard, he said. Much of the Old Testament, however, is the documented history of God’s covenantal relationship with his people. “A covenant is like a marriage, where two parties make a commitment to be devoted to each other, to be loyal, to be faithful,” he said, noting the Old Testament contains a series of these covenants. An example of this is how Abraham did not trust God or wait for His promise of a son, and then has a relationship with Hagar, yielding Ishmael. https://www.christianpost.com/news/does-god-condone-polygamy-bible-scholar-says-no-old-testament-shows-it-only-creates-turmoil.html

Question: Besides her advanced age, what prompted Sarai to create the plot and why did Abram agree to marry Hagar? Polygamy was against God’s law of marriage between two individuals–husband and wife. Genesis 2:24

So the Lord made a covenant with Abram that day and said, “I have given this land to your descendants, all the way from the border of Egypt to the great Euphrates River— 19 the land now occupied by the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, 20 Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, 21 Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.” Genesis 15: 18-21

Canaan was inhabited by unbelievers with pagan practices and polygamy was one of those practices. All of us live in glass houses, so we cannot throw stones. We are influenced by worldly customs, often using our desires to manipulate the meaning and intent of God’s Holy Word. Many Christian marriages do not reflect God’s original law for a holy, loving, joined as one flesh, and confusion-free marriage based on a thriving spiritual relationship between God, Husband and Wife. The result is unhappiness along with a high divorce rate among married believers as opposed to working together in harmony to prepare for the reward of eternal life living in the New Heaven and New Earth.

The Disobedient Plan is Fulfilled: Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan. Genesis 16:3.

I will deviate from the biblical story for a moment. In the 1990s, I lived in New Jersey in a community whose majority culture included the practice of polygamy. Often we have misconceptions of the actual design and structure of polygamy. Much to my surprise, my friends suggested an individual that was interested in dating me. But when we met, He indicated that the relationship involved an offer to become a first wife with the agreement that a second wife would be brought in at a later time to bear children. Not only would I select the second wife, but she had to be one that would be subservient in nature and respect the position of the first wife along with our husband. I am a servant of the Most-High God. Therefore, I respectfully declined the relationship along with the marriage offer.

The Aftermath of a Broken Covenant

The Internal Chaos Begins: Hagar, the Egyptian servant became Abram’s second wife. When Abram and Sarai agreed to help God produce an heir, Abram broke his covenant vow with God. The conditions of the vow was that God would give them [Abram and Sarai] a male heir. God specifically said in Genesis 2:24 that marriage was between two people. 

But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. Genesis 16:4. Definition of contempt: the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn; the offense of being disobedient to or disrespectful.

Becoming Abram’s second wife did not change Hagar’s status as a servant to Sarai. Now the situation begins to escalate: Hagar feels that she is above her mistress because she is Abram’s wife, and pregnant with his child, something that her aged mistress was unable to do. 

Abram assumes no responsibility:

Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!” Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away. Genesis 16:5-6.

The grievous act of two becoming three reaped chaos and confusion. The miserable consequences of sin–disobedience to God always produces negative consequences. And for those who could identify with Hagar, how many Christian, modern-day infertile wives would bring another woman into their home to live as a surrogate mother throughout the pregnancy? Artificial insemination would not alleviate the situation of two women–one legally married and the other carrying her husband’s child living in the home together.

The husband who is the father of the surrogate’s child would have to divide his attention between two women. And yes, it would be natural for the surrogate to develop feelings for the father of the child. Pregnancy empowers the woman as intended by God. But a live-in surrogate would also result in a loss of self-esteem and worth in the wife. The disrespect of woman to woman is certain to develop when we attempt to change God’s original plan for the family by violating His commandments. 

Additional consequences: There are no rational thought processes in a situation like this. Sarai taking matters into her own hands resulted in an emotionally charged fiasco. Blaming Abram and retaliation against Hagar were Sarai’s only possible responses. After Hagar running away, the marriage between Abram and Sarai had to suffer. After all, Hagar was pregnant with Abram’s only child. Yes, he would have great concern for her. But God, who is Omniscient–already knew of the pending disobedience. God expected for this situation to become volatile. He was prepared to intervene in a situation above and beyond the disobedient couple’s ability to resolve.

God’s Divine Intervention of Rescue: 

The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. 8 The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied. 9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.”

God’s mercy includes obedience, structure, and discipline. The angel instructed Hagar to submit to Sarai’s authority, which clarifies her position according to God’s hierarchy. In addition, there was a grave consequence for Abram, Sarai, and Hagar’s sins:

And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. 12 This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.” Genesis 16:11-12

There are always consequences when we sin against God. We may suffer the full impact, or we may be shielded entirely from residual damage. Still, we have made a covenant vow to serve and faithfully trust in God. Please know that every sinful act desensitizes us to the barrier that exists between truth and error and obedience and disobedience. Sin always changes our willingness to obey God.  

God’s Love and Mercy: A new covenant between God and Abraham is established: When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.” Genesis 17:1

Prayer: God, it is your grace and mercies that you extend to forgive our disobedience every day. We ask forgiveness for the impatience to wait on your promises. Please give us the strength and the wisdom to trust in you and accept that your plans are perfect and you do not require our help. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayer that we ask in Jesus’ Worthy Name. Amen.

Evidence of a modern surrogacy plan gone wrong: I can recall a surrogacy case in the 1980’s, in New Jersey, where I lived that had a bitter outcome for the mother of the child. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/24/us/baby-m-and-the-question-of-surrogate-motherhood.html

© 2021 Sonya Johnson, Faithful Fishers Ministry

Blinded By the God of This Age

Today’s Devotional–Experiencing GOD Day-by-Day–by Henry T. and Richard Blackaby

Blinded by the God of This Age

Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Corinthians 4:4

When you are blinded, you cannot see things as they really are, even though others around you see them clearly.  You cannot experience the full reality of all that is around you. You may feel you are experiencing all that there is to life, yet you may be unaware that you are missing what God desires for you.  You may even be in danger because of your blindness and not know it.

Paul warned that the “god of this age” can blind you to the reality of Jesus Christ.  Christ’s presence can make a significant difference in your life.  However, if Satan convinces you to doubt that Christ can do what He promised, he will have blinded you to the reality of what your life is really like and to what it could become.  Others may see what your unbelief causes you to miss, but you will be unaware of it.  Your life may be steadily moving toward disaster, but you will be oblivious to it.

Christ comes to you as light (John 1:4, 5, 9).  He illuminates your sin so that you see its ugliness and destructiveness.  He reveals Himself so that you can appreciate the glory of His person and the marvelous riches He brings.  His presence lights your path so that you can see impending danger. Don’t let the god of this age distort your spiritual vision.  Don’t be fooled into thinking that everything is as it should be when, in fact, you are missing out on so much that God wants to do in your life.  Ask Christ to illuminate your life and let you clearly see your spiritual condition.

Prayer: God, we ask forgiveness for thinking, acting, and living as if you are not the Creator of all humanity. We have put many things above you. Thank you for the gifts of grace and mercy. Give us the strength we need to always praise you and have a spirit of gratitude. We ask this prayer in the Worthy Name of Jesus. Amen. 2021 Copyright Sonya Johnson

Returning to Jesus, Our First Love

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Do you remember when you first accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? At that moment, you realized that anyone who would suffer and die on the cross to save you from sin that you wanted a relationship with Jesus. The promise of a new life through Jesus Christ and the opportunity for eternal life placed peace and joy in your heart. You were excited to share with others that God is love and Jesus sacrificed his life for us.

You were running well. Who hindered you, not to obey the truth? Galatians 5:7. The vicissitudes [a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant], trials, temptations, and sorrows are more than we can deal with alone. Yes, many have support from friends and family, but they cannot fill the emptiness in our souls. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.“ John 15:5.

Jesus tells us we can do nothing without Him. But we certainly try until we are worn and weary, leaving us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually depleted. Please know the distractions that we focus on will always lead us to the wrong path, causing us to walk further away from Jesus. Eventually, we forget to pray and ask God for help. Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. Psalm 55:22.

Jesus the Good Shepherd

“The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.” John 10:17-18

Search the scriptures, the central theme of the Bible is love. God is unconditional love. Jesus Christ told His Father, “I will die for them that they may have redemption from sin. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved. – Ephesians 2:4-5

Our love for Jesus enables us to serve God with humility, faith, trust, and obedience. We rarely think about the concept that every individual before their death and before the Second Coming of Jesus is given the opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have drawn you with loving devotion.” Jeremiah 31:3. 

Today, recommit your life to God. Jesus’ gift to humanity is priceless. For those who never made the commitment  to follow Jesus, consider this an opportunity to accept and embrace Jesus Christ. We are never alone in our journey. Yes, the road is rugged. Still, we have a powerful and loving spiritual team who loves us, intervenes for us using their divine, supernatural power, and is committed to caring for us until we take our last breath. 

“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:20.

Prayer: God, we thank you for your unconditional love. We ask for forgiveness for excluding you from our hearts. It is our desire to commit our minds, bodies, and souls to serve you. Jesus, we thank you for suffering and dying for us. Please give us the strength to withstand the stormy and dark seasons in our lives by always stay connected to you. We love you. In Jesus’ worthy name, we pray. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson

Our Response to Busyness

My visit to the post office to report a missing package with tracking resulted in frustration and disbelief. Hearing “next” was music to my ears, but I observed that the clerk was focused on the two envelopes that I placed on the counter. As I explained the dilemma, I thought, “Okay, she is not paying attention.” And yes, her response, “You will have to take the mail to another post office for correction of your mailing address,” confirmed that she did not listen to the spoken words regarding the missing package. 

We are inundated from sensory overload, job responsibilities, family matters, and so many unexpected challenges that we have lost the attention span required for effective communication, logical deduction, and a well-organized lifestyle. It is not uncommon to explain more than once or assist the customer service rep to resolve the issue.

For the believer, we face another challenge: Putting God first. One of the easiest habits to form is placing God last on our to-do list. We are continuously exhausted. Unable to concentrate, we reschedule our daily Bible study, mumble a short ritualistic prayer, and promise to do better the next day. Our relationship with God quickly becomes non-existent. We become desensitized as we self-program automated responses to the escalating stress of busyness.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. Some people do realize they are burned out, but lack the mental and physical strength to initiate change. Take a mental health day and develop strategies for reorganization. Red flags–physical exhaustion, decrease in productivity and interest in fun activities along with increased heartrate and blood pressure are a few of the signs of continual stress. Ineffective habits are an accelerant that eventually push us to reach the breaking point. Either we develop an action plan to prevent serious and unnecessary consequences, or when unexpected challenges arise, we will not have the mental and emotional resources to resolve our life-events.

Busyness has no conscience or restraints–always seeking to consume us like an out-of-control wildfire. Where do we begin? Create a balanced and realistic schedule starting with the #1 power-draining source: the job. Unless you are self-employed, 40 hours per week is more than enough to give to someone else’s company. Take a calendar and prioritize your schedule–if you have a family then the entire family should be involved in the strategic planning of decluttering and downsizing the giant to-do lists. Make an exclusion list of all non-productive, time-wasting activities, and stick to it.

Living a double life takes a toll on humanity. Whether we are self-employed or working for an employer, adhering to company policies require structure and discipline. Unfortunately, it is our personal lives that are usually out-of-sync and loaded with most of the unnecessary stressors. Perform a thorough evaluation of your lifestyle. It may take giant leaps to incorporate structure and discipline into your lifestyle. Remain flexible, but not to the point that progress is hindered. An honest self-assessment identifying negative traits such as procrastination or always running late will promote equilibrium in your safe haven, and mind-body.

God has a no-fail remedy for our busyness, which He established at the end of creation. And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27.

And on the seventh day, God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. Genesis 2:2-3

The spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical renewal and revitalization during the 24 hours of the Sabbath cannot occur with any other activity or inactivity. Sabbath-keepers enjoy the evidence-based blessings of peace, joy, increased energy, and decreased mental, emotional, and physical health issues. Most importantly, our faith and trust in God become pillars during the stormy trials. We can laugh out loud every day despite our challenges.

The Sabbath provides long-lasting energy for the other six days. We do not require caffeinated stimulants to get us through our day. Growing closer to God gives us the desire to treat our bodies as the temple of God [Read 1 Corinthians 3:16]. We live to please God when our love for Him strengthens and grows deeper. Choosing and cooking healthy nutrients consisting of super-foods promote strength, building of the immune-system, and provide aging-retardant qualities. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

When fed properly, our bodies function at their optimal level. We are rewarded with extra energy that acts as a catalyst to exercise our bodies daily. Search for a place where you are surrounded by the plant kingdom. Being in nature gives us the chance to appreciate the environment that God lovingly gave to us for our enjoyment. Birds, butterflies, the trees standing as soldiers, and the diversity of the beautiful flowers speak to our entire psyche and reminds us that God is the Master Designer.

Remember, God is not a religion or a denomination. He is our Creator and our Heavenly Father who always knows what is best for us. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Keeping the Sabbath is a personal choice. During my adolescence, I was the only Sabbath-keeper in my family. Not all family members will agree, but start with you. Make and share a list of the activities you will not participate in from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset. You will be surprised at the restoration that takes place each week as you begin to relax and enjoy time with God. You will feel energized and refreshed from studying the Bible, praying, listening to inspirational music along with extra sleep or peaceful moments. I frequently enjoy worshipping God in nature on the Sabbath. 

Preparing for the Sabbath occurs during the six days of the week to perform our time-consuming tasks. [Read Exodus 20:8-11]. When our relationship with God is built on love and devotion, we receive spiritual strength. God honors our obedience by giving us unexpected blessings. Many self-help books and sleep apps use marketing tactics to promote peace and wellness. Yet, they are no competition against the Creator. It costs nothing to accept God’s weekly sabbatical as the only plan that promotes wellness and results in spiritual victory.

And today, I discovered that we have another money-maker, authors scripting the various ways to hear God’s voice, God speaks for himself: Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10. We have the Trinity, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who can speak to us at any time. God created us with a soul that stays connected to Him. It is our faithful prayers that invite the Holy Spirit, our Teacher to relay the Voice of God. Have you ever had a thought of how to solve a problem, warning of pending danger, recognition of a false teaching, answer to an exam question, a scripture that you finally understand, or received comfort during a season of darkness? 

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. Jeremiah 33:3

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

Take charge of the busyness that threatens your well-being by giving the Creator the opportunity to change your life. 

Prayer: God, we are weary and worn from the busyness that we presently have no control over. We pray for the wisdom and the strength to renovate our present lifestyles. May we have the courage to embrace and receive the gift of the Sabbath. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. © 2021 Sonya Johnson