God's Will Vs. Our Wants (2)

In this life, we tend to make major decisions, change and/or moves prior to receiving clarity form God. We ask questions, and/or pray for instructions and revelations, yet somehow fail to receive them, often because God's answers don't "sound like" what WE WANT to hear, or "look like" WE WANT them to look. Therefore, we make the same mistakes repeatedly. Though we may change the methods in actions we take, or decisions made, we still apply the SAME thought process, which led us to hurt and confusion in times past. God knows the desires of our hearts, yet there's a method in receiving them "1) FRET NOT.. 2) TRUST IN THE LORD and 3) DO GOOD... 4) DELIGHT YOURSELF ALSO IN THE LORD... 5) COMMIT YOUR WAY TO THE LORD AND ALSO 6) TRUST IN HIM (again)... 7) REST IN THE LORD... 8) WAIT PATIENTLY FOR HIM..." (See Psalms 37) Perhaps it's no coincidence we've been given those 8 criteria at minimum, with the number 8 also the number of completion... (Just a thought) Nevertheless and heretofore, it is written, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT) We rarely consider the depth of God giving us the desires of our hearts, and they NOT being the desires of our flesh. ***Message*** Nor do we consider that God will ALWAYS give us what we need instead of what we want.

The Apostle Paul once penned, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" - (Eph. 3:1) From this, my understanding is that God's blessings are NOT connected to our carnality, but are SENT to us by His Spirit. Simply put, our natural thinking and logic will never decipher (figure out) God's SPECIFIC plans for us. Yet we can rest assured that they WILL line up in accordance and agreement to His Word, His way, as well as compliment the calling, purpose AND vision He's placed on our lives, and in our hearts. That's where faith comes in... We just have to trust God... and let go; even when it "looks" right. In this manner, I'm speaking from instruction and experience... Real family and friends love you enough to share the truth with you; no matter how hurtful it may "feel" sometimes. With matters that are of utmost importance, (i.e. faith, family, hope and love,) the truth can often be devastating or mind blowing. Sometimes, no answer directs us to the right answer. And ultimately, the truth can sometimes cost our lives, while simultaneously giving us new lives, full of love, joy and peace... Just ask Jesus. Before the pain came, He told us all, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Be blessed. - Erron R. Johnson


Take Heed... Impatience Impedes Progress Just the Same As Curiosity Killed the Cat... #SeekHimFirst

Imparting Wisdom: A Way That Leads To Death

"A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.
Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who take the wrong path despise him.
A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.
Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.
An honest witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.
A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
Stay away from fools, for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.
The prudent understand where they are going, but fools deceive themselves.
Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish.
There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.
Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many “friends.”
It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness.
Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.
Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
A growing population is a king’s glory; a prince without subjects has nothing.
People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
The wicked are crushed by disaster, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools.
Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him."

- Proverbs 14 (NLT)

A Quick Lesson In Patience & Virtue...

"For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [spiritually] shortsighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall. Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So I intend always to remind you about these things, although indeed you know them and are firm in the truth that [you] now [hold]." - 2 Peter 1:5-12 (NLT)

Virtue: (noun) 1. moral excellence; goodness; righteousness.
2. conformity of one's life and conduct to moral and ethical principles; uprightness; rectitude.
3. chastity; virginity: (ex.) to lose one's virtue.
4. a particular moral excellence. (Compare cardinal virtues, natural virtue, theological virtue.)
5. a good or admirable quality or property: (ex.) the virtue of knowing one's weaknesses.
6. effective force; power or potency: (ex.) a charm with the virtue of removing warts.
7. virtues, an order of angels.

We've often heard the phrase, "patience is a virtue." However, it seems that we've adopted it insinuating that it's some sort of "divine" gift. Based on the above definition of "virtue," keywords being, "moral excellence and CONFORMITY of one's life and conduct to MORAL and ETHICAL principles," I beg to differ. And I suggest that unlike faith, (which it's written, "To every man there is given "a measure" of faith.") that patience, being a virtue is NOT a gift, but a choice. Our morals and ethics are based on our personal beliefs concerning various matters. We oftentimes tend to ask God for patience, or to strengthen our patience, yet THE WORD INSTRUCTS US THAT WE ARE TO ADD VIRTUE... PATIENCE (and more) TO OUR FAITH, which we've been freely given, rather gifted of by God.... Simply put, patience is a choice. And it pays greatly to be patient with God.