Category: Article History

1 John 2:15-17 CJB says, “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If someone loves the world, then love for the Father is not in him; because all the things of the world – the desires of the old nature, the desires of the eyes, and the pretensions of life – are not from the Father but from the world. And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God’s will remains forever.”

 

In this passage, the term “world” is referring to the world system or the ways of Babylon – not people. The phrase “things of the world” is speaking specifically toward the objects and influences that are valued inside this world system. Things that become the idols of men. The Apostle John infers that the act of clinging to the world system is proof that a person is living out of or from their old nature, the sin nature of the flesh. He is admonishing believers to turn away from this pull and commit to our Father in Heaven.

Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson

2 Corinthians 1:20 CJB says, “For however many promises God has made, they all find their “Yes” in connection with him; that is why it is through him that we say the “Amen” when we give glory to God.”

 

I love the Complete Jewish Bible and this contextual translation of 2 Corinthians 1:20.  Paul is literally telling us that God keeps ALL OF HIS PROMISES as long as we seek to realize that the answers to those promises are WITH GOD.

 

When you are going through difficult times, this seems like an insurmountable thing to believe. As I continue to share with you on this blog about being accountable and maintaining ministry integrity, I will do so in context with some harrowing experiences from my own life that I overcame. It is possible to face temptation, endure the fallout from mistakes you have made, and resist the enemy of your soul wif you cannot believe God is on the other end of your ugly situation. One of the strategies that I use most is running to the feet of Jesus as often as necessary to break through and jump forth! Sometimes, his feet are the only place where you can find the strength to continue… and HE WILL meet you there.

Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson

 

2 Timothy 2:26 CJB, “Also he should be gentle as he corrects his opponents. For God may perhaps grant them the opportunity to turn from their sins, acquire full knowledge of the truth, COME TO THEIR SENSES and ESCAPE THE TRAP OF THE ADVERSARY, after having been captured alive by him to do his will.”

 

Have we overlooked this command in the midst of our faith?

Have we cast it aside for the sake of self-righteousness, judgement and dogma?

 

As people of God, it can be easy to focus on the teachings of the condition of people and forget the “compassion-of-Christ” component that burns through it. I am not speaking of humanity’s kind of compassion which changes like the wind, but the kind of compassion that our Father has shown forth in pursuit of us throughout of eternity. A compassion rooted in His great love!  We must remember that the primary purpose of sharing the truth of the Gospel rests in the hope of reconciliation. It is the blazing foundation of every administration of ministry in Christ – that if a man hears the Gospel, he will turn his heart toward the Lord. Period. When we fail to grasp this truth, the scripture above infers that we should be catalysts for causing people to gain GOOD SENSE.

 

To be senseless literally means to lack a conscious reality of CHRIST. The passage also moves us to understand this reality: That it is God’s heart that NO MAN should perish if at all possible (2 Peter 3:9). But we – people of God – should never become the problem or a hindrance to this process. In truth, we are the SOLUTION to the problem men face.

Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson

 

Idolatry is one of those sins talked about in the Bible that may seem like an old outdated concept to some or point to a lot of religious activity or legalism. The truth is, it isn’t outdated and that all references to it in scripture still apply today. Idolatry is defined as “image-worship or divine honour paid to any created object.”[1] It is also defined as divine worship given to anyone or anything other than the true living God.[2] Remember, God wants to be our single most important priority. Our immersion should be in HIM, not in the created thing or another person. Anything in life that becomes greater than Him is viewed, in context with Biblical examples, as idolatry.

Copyright 2014 Theresa Harvard Johnson

 

We hear about the blessings of open doors on a pretty consistent basis in the midst of our faith. Who wouldn’t want to hear this? After all, we are taught that open doors lead to prosperity, blessings, greater and so forth. The truth is, many of us have had more “closed doors” in our pursuit of life than we have doors swinging wide open.

I know that is true for me. Most of my life it seems that doors have just SLAMMED in my face — one after the other.

 

But guess what, I have learned that closed doors can be just as much a blessings as the open ones. I had a choice: Become bitter or be empowered by it. I chose and continue to choose the later. We just have to learn how to change our thinking, and perceive the circumstances before us. Holy Spirit often says to me: “Theresa, remember to thank God for closed doors as well as those He has opened.” If I focused on CLOSED DOORS, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be writing this article right now. In reflection, those closed doors have offered me protection, great wisdom, and a  tremendous opportunity to grow in FORGIVENESS, humility, patience and perseverance. Those are elements of our character that don’t often come easy.