Words of Study & Instruction: Scribes & the Arts Archives Page 47 of 72

How To Survive Facebook When You’re A Christian

Posted on 03/01/2013 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

Let’s face it. Facebook can be an awesome tool to evangelize, market, push causes, release relevant news or stay connected to family, close friends, co-workers, your favorite organizations, groups and such; but it can also be a place of great chaos, confusion, unbelievable division and great temptation for Christians. In some instances, it can even become a place of pride, narcissism, a point of addiction, gossip, a root of judgment and criticism, a weapon of shunning or even bullying.

While some see Facebook as a virtual community that is fictitious in nature, the reality is this: It isn’t. It has fast become the neighborhood that our present and rising generation is learning to live within and navigate. Long gone are the common neighborhood visits to the little old lady down the street as we have known it.

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Ministry Integrity

Taking Off Saul’s Armor

Posted on 12/05/2012 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

1 Sa-mu-el 17:34-40

34 David answered Sha’ul (SAUL), “Your servant used to guard his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear would come and grab a lamb from the flock, 35 I would go after it, hit it, and snatch the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned on me, I would catch it by the jaw, smack it and kill it. 36 Your servant has defeated both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised P’lishti will be like one of them, because he has challenged the armies of the living God.”

In my walk with the Lord, I have sown a great deal of faithfulness in my service to His people. I boast in the Lord in this, not in myself. I’ve walked with some mighty and anointed vessels. Whomever I sat under as a student, I gave them the very best I had to give — and did so without reserve, and often to a fault… unquestioned loyalty. Father said to me a few years ago that “because you have sown this kind of faithfulness in the Kingdom, I will return faithfulness to you as you follow hard after me.” All I can think of as I share this is the passage of scripture that says, “A man reaps what He sows.”

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Scribal Ministry Development

Murdered Between The Temple & The Altar

Posted on 11/28/2012 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

Matthew 23 stands out to me, much like Jeremiah 23 & John 10. These chapters have brought me much chastisement along my walk; and also great comfort as I am reminded of just how much Father loves each one of us. It also reminds me of how much it grieves Him to see HIS PEOPLE misuse, mistreat and abuse one another.

It reminds me of the remnant-walk that is taking place in this present move of the spirit: “A walk of greater death to self and to people; and a deeper press into His perfect will no matter the cost to one’s flesh.”

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Leadership Development

Breaking Free of False Maturity

Posted on 11/15/2012 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

Standing up and saying, “I repent!” isn’t always enough. It is a start, but it takes more than that to press through False Maturity. While I was walking hard in this sin, my words of repentance – most of the time – were nothing more than lip service before an all-knowing, all-seeing God.

To walk in humility means one thing: You must be broken by Father over and over again. While many may experience conviction and earnestly feel the swells of repentance fall over them, those goose bumps will dissipate without a pursuit or a seeking for humility.

Ze-pha-ni-ah 2:3 CJB says, Seek ADONAI, all you humble in the land, you who exercise his justice; seek righteousness, seek humility – you might be hidden on the day of ADONAI’s anger. (To grasp a full understanding of this message, I encourage you to read Part I: False Maturity: Am I walking in it?)

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Ministry Integrity

False Maturity: Am I walking in it?

Posted on 11/08/2012 by Theresa Harvard Johnson

I’ve been praying about some things I’ve encountered through the ministry Father has entrusted to me. In the midst of this prayer, I’ve asked Him to pour the “weight” of His heart upon me as I continue to grow and mature, never allowing me to forget my journey, vocation and the reason I’ve been called. I pray this over those Father graces me to mentor or cover diligently in prayer — that they walk in compassion, never forgetting the grace that has been extended to them. Today, as I waited on Father to speak to my heart, He simply said: “Prophet, let me tell you about false maturity among the congregation. It is a snare for my Sons in this hour.”

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Ministry Integrity