A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
For three days, I worked diligently on a painting that would be given to an expectant mother. I watched as the colors fell into place and became one of the most unique things I had ever done. The baby's name soon was creatively decorated onto the canvas, and finally, the decision on which scripture to use was finalized. As I wrote the bright pink verse on the pink and green polka dotted canvas, I did not know then how true they would be for me in the next few days...
Just a week before I began this gift, I had applied and been accepted to Western Kentucky University's online Master's Program in Elementary Education. I was overjoyed at the possibility of pursuing a purpose in my life. The door opened for me so quickly to go back to college; I never once took the time to really pray it through. It just seemed as if it were the right thing to do.
In my heart though, I believe I knew better. Just like the pink and green dots so brilliantly corresponded, a teacher with a year off should take the time to get her Master's degree. Or so I thought. We joke about it now, but my husband questioned me one afternoon about going back to school. The anxiety about it was overwhelming me, and with such clarity and conviction, I told him, "I would rather be a mother, than have a Master's."
For the past nine months, I have longed for a child. In December of 2007, when I learned we were in fact pregnant with our first child, I knew God was answering my prayers. Just two short months later, when that same God took the baby into His arms, I asked Him over and over why it had to be this way when He had just given me all that I wanted. When we didn't get pregnant in the next few months and knowing I would not be teaching in any school in the upcoming fall, we decided that God wanted us to further our education. I shared the information with family after being accepted, and as excited as they all were, my dad said the most peculiar words after learning of the news, “I thought you were calling to tell me you were pregnant." He even seemed disappointed (don't take this wrong because my father would love to see me graduate again).
I'll be honest... I was too. Two years ago when I graduated from Western, I was so thankful to be leaving and had no intentions of going back. God seems to have His own ideas and plans, and He actually wasn't keeping them from me. You see, as I was busy making my own plans to head back to school, God was speaking His plans for me loud and clear through paintings, family, and in my heart. I would not be going back to school because 1) the cost is currently too expensive, and 2) we are pregnant with our second child.
Now, I don't know the specific plans God has for me, and I'm not sure that I will ever meet this child that is within me. What I do know is that, through the steady sound of a heartbeat on an ultrasound monitor, God speaks clearly. He speaks directly. He speaks with great wisdom. When He speaks, we must listen. Our lives are not our own, and our decisions are not ours to make. So with a humble heart, I write to express my deepest apologies for misinforming you about my returning to college, and I meekly ask you to pray for us as we anticipate the plans God has for our future...
The bright pink words on the canvas stand out now. They are so plain yet now incredibly beautiful, as I know that God was using them to speak to my heart. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." How awesome it is when God speaks!
Listening to Him,
Jenna Johnson
(See the “Bright Pink Canvas” here.)
Showing posts with label Hearing from God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hearing from God. Show all posts
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Who's the Fool?
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 12:15)
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." (1 Corinthians 3:18-19)
Approximately fifty years old with gray hair. A white, collared shirt with black pants and boots. Dark eyes and a friendly smile. A tragic situation, needing help. What could I give a man who had just this day lost his father and had learned his mother was hit by a car? The desperation was looming on his face, and I knew I had the capability of giving him what he wanted: fifty-six dollars.
Of course, my immediate reaction was to help; I had seen my husband offer assistance to many. However, I also felt a “tug” at my heart as if God was speaking to me. After the man mentioned my husband’s name and claimed he knew what we had been going through, I quickly felt as though I was supposed to know this person standing in front of me. Standing in the church parking lot for our fundraising yard sale, I wrote a check to the church clerk for cash, and then, without hesitation, I handed the man $56 to assist with his travel expenses. I told him I would be praying for him and to please contact Brian when he learned of his mother’s condition.
It is fair to say that I will never hear from this stranger again. After his black truck left the church parking lot, my phone rang. Brian was calling from Israel, and I jumped right into questioning him about this “familiar” character. To my disgust, Brian informed me that he did not know the old man, that he had never talked to him before, and that it sounded as if I had been fooled. I cried as I hung up the phone, without even realizing why, but my heart grieved within me.
Driving away with tears in my eyes, I could not understand why a person would do such a thing to someone, especially one at church! Many of us would look at the deceitful old man as a fool (and we may be right), but personally, I cannot blame anyone without looking at myself first.
Upon questioning my actions, a small thought came to me; it was clear that I had played the part of the fool that day. You may be wondering, “How?” Let me explain, it seems at times when, at our weakest, the devil Himself can creep into our lives. This time was mine. I was:
· Hungry (from not eating lunch),
· Angry (that I was forced into an uncomfortable situation),
· Lonely (with Brian away in Israel), and
· Tired (having not slept well).
It is in moments like these, we always need to HALT. It was a perfect day for the devil to have his way. Without prayerfully considering what to do, I reacted hurriedly, thus the reasoning behind the outcome I faced. Proverbs states, “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding… For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:2, 6).” Had I simply stopped and realized that my heart was grieved because God was speaking the truth over the situation, I would have “HALTed” and asked the Lord for wisdom.
What areas in your life are you playing the fool? How often do you find yourself looking back wondering how you could have done things differently? It is sometimes challenging for us when put in situations to ask of and use God’s wisdom because we are fools. It is through the knowledge of the Lord that we are made wise. Make certain you HALT; let God provide you with His wisdom.
Working on Spiritual Wisdom,
Jenna R. Johnson
Jennarjohnson@yahoo.com and http://jennarjohnson.blogspot.com/
Visit Words of Encouragement on the Web.
P.S. – Brian and the group will be returning from Israel on Saturday, June 7th. Please remember them in prayer as they travel home. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." (1 Corinthians 3:18-19)
Approximately fifty years old with gray hair. A white, collared shirt with black pants and boots. Dark eyes and a friendly smile. A tragic situation, needing help. What could I give a man who had just this day lost his father and had learned his mother was hit by a car? The desperation was looming on his face, and I knew I had the capability of giving him what he wanted: fifty-six dollars.
Of course, my immediate reaction was to help; I had seen my husband offer assistance to many. However, I also felt a “tug” at my heart as if God was speaking to me. After the man mentioned my husband’s name and claimed he knew what we had been going through, I quickly felt as though I was supposed to know this person standing in front of me. Standing in the church parking lot for our fundraising yard sale, I wrote a check to the church clerk for cash, and then, without hesitation, I handed the man $56 to assist with his travel expenses. I told him I would be praying for him and to please contact Brian when he learned of his mother’s condition.
It is fair to say that I will never hear from this stranger again. After his black truck left the church parking lot, my phone rang. Brian was calling from Israel, and I jumped right into questioning him about this “familiar” character. To my disgust, Brian informed me that he did not know the old man, that he had never talked to him before, and that it sounded as if I had been fooled. I cried as I hung up the phone, without even realizing why, but my heart grieved within me.
Driving away with tears in my eyes, I could not understand why a person would do such a thing to someone, especially one at church! Many of us would look at the deceitful old man as a fool (and we may be right), but personally, I cannot blame anyone without looking at myself first.
Upon questioning my actions, a small thought came to me; it was clear that I had played the part of the fool that day. You may be wondering, “How?” Let me explain, it seems at times when, at our weakest, the devil Himself can creep into our lives. This time was mine. I was:
· Hungry (from not eating lunch),
· Angry (that I was forced into an uncomfortable situation),
· Lonely (with Brian away in Israel), and
· Tired (having not slept well).
It is in moments like these, we always need to HALT. It was a perfect day for the devil to have his way. Without prayerfully considering what to do, I reacted hurriedly, thus the reasoning behind the outcome I faced. Proverbs states, “So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding… For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:2, 6).” Had I simply stopped and realized that my heart was grieved because God was speaking the truth over the situation, I would have “HALTed” and asked the Lord for wisdom.
What areas in your life are you playing the fool? How often do you find yourself looking back wondering how you could have done things differently? It is sometimes challenging for us when put in situations to ask of and use God’s wisdom because we are fools. It is through the knowledge of the Lord that we are made wise. Make certain you HALT; let God provide you with His wisdom.
Working on Spiritual Wisdom,
Jenna R. Johnson
Jennarjohnson@yahoo.com and http://jennarjohnson.blogspot.com/
Visit Words of Encouragement on the Web.
P.S. – Brian and the group will be returning from Israel on Saturday, June 7th. Please remember them in prayer as they travel home. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Be Still My Soul
And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” 15And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 16But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 17And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.” Exodus 14:13-18
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you just needed to be reminded of God’s truth that He has always been in control, watches every step we take, delivers us from all harm and leads us into the paths of righteousness. I was looking at the old hymn, “Be Still, My Soul” and was reminded that I need to be quieted that I may listen to the still small voice of God. The first line of the song goes like this: “Be still, my soul! The Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change He faithfully will remain. Be still, my soul! Thy best, thy heavenly Friend thro’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
Now let’s look briefly at the above passage of scripture. Can you imagine what the people of Israel must have felt like after passing through the blood of Passover and being delivered from Egypt? They were probably in awe of God’s power revealed in the killing of the firstborn son, amazed at the plunder that they made of Egypt, and excited that they were finally free from the bondage of Egyptian slavery. However, this did not last long. Whenever another difficult task came up, doubt filled their hearts and they were ready to turn on Moses and return to the place they had despised. Have you ever felt like you have been led to a place where you could handle the circumstances? Everything was out of control and you didn’t have the power to do anything.
Hopefully, you can find yourself in this situation today, because God is ready to reveal His power. He wants to quiet your complaining and make you realize that He is reigning as Sovereign King. In America, it is easy to try to wiggle ourselves out of hard situations except for the problems of sickness and death. These are the only two things that tend to sober our minds and help us look up. If there is a financial problem, we can always go to the bank or max out a credit card to buy time. If there is a problem in your marriage, Satan will paint a pretty picture of greener pastures that are only a mirage of deceit and rips everything apart. This is happening in Christian homes as much as in unbeliever’s homes. If a church has a problem, there are enough of them around to run down the street to avoid the situation and never have to deal with the real issues. Do you think that this will build spiritual maturity and instill faith?
The people of Israel found themselves before a Red Sea and being chased by their enemies. It wasn’t a three feet deep marsh that they were facing. It would have been a greater miracle for God to drown the Egyptians in three foot of water than to split the Red Sea. Theses people needed a miracle. They needed someone who had power to save. They needed the One who had moved in power before the Pharaoh with the mighty miracles. There was only One to turn to. Moses told them five things. Do not be afraid, because doubt destroys faith every time. Secondly, he said, “stand still”. Don’t try to wiggle your way out of situations that God has placed you in. Look to Him to fight your battles and bring deliverance. Third, He said to see the salvation of the Lord. How can you know a God who you have never seen work? God desires that you experience His power. You must be a witness in order to be a witness. Fourthly, He said to hold your peace. Sometimes, we need to quit talking and quiet our soul. In the noise of this world, we can easily spend years never hearing from God, because our spiritual ears become dull of hearing. The last thing he told them was to go forward. Their faith was activated when they took the first step and crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. They didn’t wade through water or walk through mud puddles. God opened the door, and they experienced the peace that surpassed all understanding.
Are you ready to experience God’s power in your life? He constantly wants to show Himself strong that He might get glory in every situation of your life. If you notice in the book of Exodus, only the people of Israel were kept safe from God’s power. They had passed through the blood of which is a picture of the cross and experienced God’s deliverance through the Red Sea of which is a shadow of the Resurrection. Can you say like Paul, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). Be still, my soul! The hour is hastening on, when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored. Be still my soul! When change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you just needed to be reminded of God’s truth that He has always been in control, watches every step we take, delivers us from all harm and leads us into the paths of righteousness. I was looking at the old hymn, “Be Still, My Soul” and was reminded that I need to be quieted that I may listen to the still small voice of God. The first line of the song goes like this: “Be still, my soul! The Lord is on thy side; Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and provide; In every change He faithfully will remain. Be still, my soul! Thy best, thy heavenly Friend thro’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
Now let’s look briefly at the above passage of scripture. Can you imagine what the people of Israel must have felt like after passing through the blood of Passover and being delivered from Egypt? They were probably in awe of God’s power revealed in the killing of the firstborn son, amazed at the plunder that they made of Egypt, and excited that they were finally free from the bondage of Egyptian slavery. However, this did not last long. Whenever another difficult task came up, doubt filled their hearts and they were ready to turn on Moses and return to the place they had despised. Have you ever felt like you have been led to a place where you could handle the circumstances? Everything was out of control and you didn’t have the power to do anything.
Hopefully, you can find yourself in this situation today, because God is ready to reveal His power. He wants to quiet your complaining and make you realize that He is reigning as Sovereign King. In America, it is easy to try to wiggle ourselves out of hard situations except for the problems of sickness and death. These are the only two things that tend to sober our minds and help us look up. If there is a financial problem, we can always go to the bank or max out a credit card to buy time. If there is a problem in your marriage, Satan will paint a pretty picture of greener pastures that are only a mirage of deceit and rips everything apart. This is happening in Christian homes as much as in unbeliever’s homes. If a church has a problem, there are enough of them around to run down the street to avoid the situation and never have to deal with the real issues. Do you think that this will build spiritual maturity and instill faith?
The people of Israel found themselves before a Red Sea and being chased by their enemies. It wasn’t a three feet deep marsh that they were facing. It would have been a greater miracle for God to drown the Egyptians in three foot of water than to split the Red Sea. Theses people needed a miracle. They needed someone who had power to save. They needed the One who had moved in power before the Pharaoh with the mighty miracles. There was only One to turn to. Moses told them five things. Do not be afraid, because doubt destroys faith every time. Secondly, he said, “stand still”. Don’t try to wiggle your way out of situations that God has placed you in. Look to Him to fight your battles and bring deliverance. Third, He said to see the salvation of the Lord. How can you know a God who you have never seen work? God desires that you experience His power. You must be a witness in order to be a witness. Fourthly, He said to hold your peace. Sometimes, we need to quit talking and quiet our soul. In the noise of this world, we can easily spend years never hearing from God, because our spiritual ears become dull of hearing. The last thing he told them was to go forward. Their faith was activated when they took the first step and crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. They didn’t wade through water or walk through mud puddles. God opened the door, and they experienced the peace that surpassed all understanding.
Are you ready to experience God’s power in your life? He constantly wants to show Himself strong that He might get glory in every situation of your life. If you notice in the book of Exodus, only the people of Israel were kept safe from God’s power. They had passed through the blood of which is a picture of the cross and experienced God’s deliverance through the Red Sea of which is a shadow of the Resurrection. Can you say like Paul, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11). Be still, my soul! The hour is hastening on, when we shall be forever with the Lord, when disappointment, grief and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored. Be still my soul! When change and tears are past, all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Talking to Me
(10-7-04 Hendersonville, TN 1:07AM)
As we walked and talked
I smiled and listened
When you told me to speak
The Son did glisten
Upon the leaves of the trees
Even shining on my face
An expression of love to all
To share Your Majestic Grace
Never knowing what the next moment holds
Walking in great expectations
An adventure to unravel
A gift of Divine relations
Crossing paths with other pilgrims
Encouraging those in need
Lifting up the name of Jesus
Sowing the most excellent seed
The Good News of Salvation
Ushering in another day
Eternity with truth and peace
Where the lion and lamb will play
Only thoughts at this moment
Though one day I shall see
Why you took away my sorrow
And began talking directly to me
As we walked and talked
I smiled and listened
When you told me to speak
The Son did glisten
Upon the leaves of the trees
Even shining on my face
An expression of love to all
To share Your Majestic Grace
Never knowing what the next moment holds
Walking in great expectations
An adventure to unravel
A gift of Divine relations
Crossing paths with other pilgrims
Encouraging those in need
Lifting up the name of Jesus
Sowing the most excellent seed
The Good News of Salvation
Ushering in another day
Eternity with truth and peace
Where the lion and lamb will play
Only thoughts at this moment
Though one day I shall see
Why you took away my sorrow
And began talking directly to me
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