Tap In Tuesday | Why Forgive?

Behind the Scenes

You wouldn't understand if I took you there, the hurt, the wait, the weight, the pain, the pangs, the disdain, the beatings, the battering, the bruises, the sins, the suffering, the crutch, the strength, the faith it takes to push, to press, to praise in the midst of the storm that comes along with the cross I bear.

Yet I'd dare not trade it for the world; not for the millions, or billions, or trillions, not even to become the first man with a zillion, not cars, not houses, not land, not planes, nor trains or yachts, not to sail the seven seas, nor to discover all the hidden mysteries lying beneath every single grain of sand... You would not understand...

How I remain steadfast, focused on the task at hand; some would say I'm a peculiar man... I'm grateful; that all of the arrows, the swords, the darts, the fists, the bricks, the spears, the bullets, the carnal and spiritual weapons designed and purposed to kill me, did NOT fulfill their missions, profit or prosper.

The petitions to God on my behalf by the matriarchs and patriarchs before I knew Him formed the foundation of the field of force that cause battles to continually be loss for my enemies. Many sinisterly befriended me, used my gifts for personal gain, yet I remain unchanged and still pray that God's peace and blessings be with thee... I have no shame.

I was taught there's no greater love than which bore the cross for the world, so that's what I live, a life of love from my heavenly Father; physically, you could not travel by, but only my testimony will take you there - Behind the Scenes.

Faith #Hope #Love #Grateful

It's Okay To Cry

“It’s Okay To Cry”

September 27, 2013


“Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”  Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. And He said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”– John 11:32-36 (NKJV)

Set the scene… (vv. 1-3) Lazarus was sick and later died, his sister’s hearts were heavy, wondering why Jesus hadn’t come when they called Him.

I. Sick Just to Be Healed – (v. 4, 11) “When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it… These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”

II. He Waited (Practice Patience) – (vv. 6-8) “So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.… “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to Him, “Rabbi, lately the Jews sought to stone You, and are You going there again?”

A. Stand still. God often instructs us to wait on Him, and the fulfillment of His will, in His time. Meanwhile, it strengthens our patience and trust in Him. (Ref. Ps. 27:14)

B. (A spirit of fear) Jesus ain’t scared… At the name of Jesus, demons tremble. He has ALL power in His hands.

III. I’m Glad I Wasn’t There – (vv. 14-16) “Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless let us go to him.” Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

A. The friends who leave, and the One who won’t… For the glory of God.

B. The people void of understanding. Why would you want someone to die with you, instead of helping you to live? (Thomas)

IV. “Jesus Wept.”

A. As men, we’re taught not to cry, yet many men and women of God shed tears in their distresses. (David, Paul, Moses, Jesus.) It’s okay to cry… Cry out to God with tears of joy.

B. The greatest commandment(s). Sometimes we need a human listening ear, and a physical shoulder to cry on. Love God. Love One Another.

Still Standing

"These things I command you, that you love one another." - John 15:17 (NKJV)

I am immovable, far from impressionable, yet predictable by abiding by what's scriptural... I am a child of the King, servant of the Most High; yet I retain the humility not to boast that I'm in ministry, but simply a servant.

You see, that's my assignment, my purpose as it were. To spread the uncompromised gospel, apt to teach in order to reach anyone. I remain to stand tall, the Truth I proclaim, no ulterior motives, only to love and bless each & everyone.

I've painfully grown teeth... My soul has been conditioned to digesting the meat. It's washed down with the sincere milk of the Word; which a solid foundation, building upon the wisdom and Kingdom knowledge I seek.

The Words that I speak and the Truth that I write, correspond to the life which I live... A passion for acting, yet only on stage, a pure heart in all, is all that I give... I practice what I preach, and at times challenging as it may be, I walk forth boldly without fear.

I'm aware that the stone which was God's precious jewel, was the very same stone that the builders refused. Hated, despised of and rejected by men, His life was given, that ours would begin.

Imagine a friend that loves you so much, they'd lay down their life that you'd retain such. A must it is to them that you'd retain joy, unrest they endure, that peace may be yours.

"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." - John 15:12-13 (NKJV)... Not only is it this that is written, herein is no deception, the Word is what I'm living.

"The love of heaven makes one heavenly." - William Shakespeare

"You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius

Naturally Beautiful...

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalms 26:2 (KJV)

The psalmist penned, "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?"
The psalmist danced, glorifying the Lord, for His tender mercies and blessings did not cease.

Who'd have thought in the beginning our pains would lead to praise?
Who'd have imagined that falling down would strengthen us to get back up again?

The trivialities of our spirituality are nothing "common" indeed...
Even the name of "the one" of whom I speak, is all it's own unique.

Fearfully and wonderfully made? Yes, but aren't we all? At least that what I've read.
With mine own eyes closed, yet open wide to the will of God, I'm Spirit led.

A woman in love with God, finding peace in meditation is what I see.
Basking in His Glory... Clearly His Light shines down on thee.

She seeks linens to express her creativity, and works willingly that her territory may expand.
She considers a portion of land, and proceeds to obtain it with spoils from the fruit of her hands.

A lioness she is, an uncrowned queen, strength in her arms; a picture of virtuosity.
She knows her worth, perceives that her merchandise is good: complex in her simplicity.

She adorns herself in coverings of tapestry; silk and purple, for she's only royalty.
Continually rejoicing in the time to come; strength and honour are her clothing.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, knowledge, praise and edification; in her tongue the law of kindness.
She looks well to the ways of her household, ever busily working, eating not the bread of idleness.

I must admit that I'm impressed, overwhelmed, and this woman is second to none.
This is only a portion of what I've found in her... mostly Proverbs 31.

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." - Psalms 26:2 (KJV)

I Wish...

I wish I could embrace you.

Time. Distance. Obstacles. Patience.

Perseverance will allow me to face you.

Fearfully and wonderfully made; blessed art thou and Highly favored among women.

No other can replace you.

I've held your hands on mine in dreams, face to face, exchanging vows, yet now, I cannot trace you.

Whom have I to unite us as one? None but God above; it's in Him that I learned of love, which led me to you.

The manifestation of creation, the rib taken from Adam, the vessel which carries life, you are woman; my queen, I shall cover and crown you.

It is written, "For this cause, shall a man leave his mother and father and shall cleave unto his wife... And the man knew his wife, and they both were naked, and were not ashamed."

Perseverance will allow me to face you.

Time. Distance. Obstacles. Patience.

I wish I could embrace you.

Someday... I'll taste you. #Love

~ Erron R. Johnson

#Saved #Serving #StillStanding

Peacefully Misunderstanding...

"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Ask yourself the following question... "Do I trust God?" All the more important, what does it mean to you to put your trust in God? Many of of us believers, aka Christians, subconsciously struggle with this very thing. We become so "reliant" on the things of this world such as our friends we confide in, our occupations which sustain our livery, or our relationships (romantic or otherwise), which provide comfort and companionship, that we truly become more reliant upon them than we are upon God.

We serve a God who's very Words alone sustains us should we only have the faith to believe in what He said. It is written that... God shall supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. When God tells us in His Word that the enemy roams about the earth to and fro as a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour, or that he comes to steal, kill and to destroy, then why is it that we don't realize that we're under spiritual attack, or that we refuse to acknowledge that we are when things are turned "upside-down" in our lives? However, God instructs us to have the confidence in Him, that thereby no weapon formed against us will prosper, and that through Christ, we are more than conquerors. In the text above, God instructs just as Jesus spake to the multitude in Matthew 6, not to worry about anything, but to pray about everything, all the while, being grateful for all that God has done, all that He has brought us to, through, and where He has brought us from. By faith, we've got to wholeheartedly give our all to God; to place our entire lives in His hands, to give our all to Him, our pasts, our troubles, trials, tribulations, disappointments, our tears and our fears; for He hasn't given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind... Therein we find peace; Gods peace in the midst of life's storms, praising Him through the pain, and glorifying Him when things are unclear to us, because we know without a shadow of a doubt that what He's said, He shall perform, complete it and perfect it until the coming of Christ. We're to stand firm, not allowing the enemy in, giving no place to the devil, not allowing him nor any demonic spirit of his, (i.e. confusion, depression, anger, lust, fear, lying, greed, adultery, infidelity, envy, vanity, etc.), to gain a foothold, arm hold, nor even to shake hands with them be it literally or metaphorically. We're to guard or hearts, guard our thoughts, be careful of that which we speak into and over our lives, for it is written, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat it's fruit." - Proverbs 18:21. It's time for a true reality check, a faith-check to determine where we stand in God, where our faith really lies; in the things of this world which will all pass away, or remain here after we're gone, or in the true and living God, whom cannot lie, cannot sin, and cannot fail. Here's a simple statement I heard just last night that may induce some self reflection... "Those who move in doubt do without."

Where is your faith?