How to Make It in Hard Times

 by Gregory A. Johnson

I hear from many in the United States and around the world every day. They are going through fiery trials, and seemingly their prayers are going unanswered. Their faith is wavering under the burden of helplessness and hopelessness. Their trials consume them day and night, stealing the peace that Jesus gives to His faithful followers.

If this is you, I have a word for you today. Don't think that your trial, however long it has been going on, is unusual. Contrary to what some false preachers, teachers, and prophets say today, it is not uncommon for Christ's followers to go through the fiery furnace of despair and suffering.

The Apostle Peter experienced this truth and wrote, "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13 ESV)." 

Refuse to believe the lies of the devil and his helpers — all those fake and false folk — questioning your faith as you are suffering amid a fiery trial. It has nothing to do with your faith. It has everything to do with Jesus developing His glory in you, and you will rejoice and be glad in the work He does.  Keep trusting Jesus, casting all your cares on Him.

You Are Worthy

by Gregory A. Johnson

Who told you that God does not love you? Who told you that God is not for you because you are not successful, good-looking, rich, or healthy? Who told you that you are not a child of God because you are going through difficult times? Who told you that you are not worthy of being used by God to make a difference for Jesus? Who told you that you are an unworthy, good for nothing, useless, amount-to-nothing failure?

It is the devil that tells us such lies. He has always been this way and has said the same things through the generations. His tactics have not changed, but his platform has been enlarged in our day. More ears are listening to the lies than ever before, spreading the devil's untruths on social media, the Internet, and yes, sadly, even from some pulpits and Christian media.

Don't believe the lies of the devil, regardless of who's lips they come from or where you read and see them. Please don't believe them! They are lies.

How to Keep Faith During Perilous Times

 by Gregory A. Johnson

We are living in perilous times. Inflation is on the rise, making it harder on those already financially challenged. The frequency and severity of natural disasters are increasing rapidly. Years into the Covid pandemic, hundreds of people still die of the disease every day. 

We are at the brink of World War III with Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Maybe the invasion of Ukraine and the killings of innocent civilians, including children, indicate WW III has already started. It is hard to see how this ruthless attack on innocent people ends well. Our prayers are with the people of Ukraine. 

Adding all this to the struggles you are going through can make it hard to keep the faith that brings supernatural life and hope.

Jesus said it would be like this in the last days, which began at his crucifixion and has escalated to our day. Jesus warned that in these days, some faithful followers — “if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24 ESV) — will fall away.

How do we keep the faith that brings us supernatural life and hope in these perilous times? Consider Jesus. God’s word to us today is “…consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.” (Hebrews 3:1 ESV).

Lent is a Blessed Time of Year

by Gregory A. Johnson

Every year, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and continues until Easter. Spanning approximately six weeks, it is a wonderful season on the Christian calendar, being observed by Christ’s followers, Protestants and Catholics alike, who desire to fast something in recognition of our Lord's sacrifice for us.

It is good to give the cost of what is given up during Lent to the work of the ministry, and the time associated with what you give up to works of faith and justice (Isaiah 58:6-11 ESV).

What are you giving up for Lent? The Spirit within you will help you decide as you pray and ask the Lord.

December Tornados in Kentucky

 by Gregory A. Johnson

Friday night and early Saturday morning, December 10 and 11, 2021, a massive tornado swept across Kentucky. It was on the ground in Kentucky for nearly 200 miles. It was destructive and life-taking. 

At bedtime that night, I prayed for the Lord to protect Becky and me through the night and that He would protect our house here in central Kentucky. Around 3 AM, we were awakened by the tornado sirens, and our phones started going off with code-red alerts. We did the drill, shutting all our interior doors, gathering our two cats, and shutting ourselves up in our utility room, the only room in our small one-story house that does not have an outside wall. As we waited, we could hear it approaching when it got over us, the wall I was leaning against started swaying back and forth for maybe a minute. 

Getting through Trials and Afflictions

by Gregory A. Johnson

As we follow Christ, there will be many times when our journey will take us through trials and afflictions that test our faith. During these times, we need to cry out to God with a simple prayer: "Father God, help me through this. I don't know what else to do but to wait for you and your help."

There are times in my walk with Jesus, I pray that prayer, and I still have worry and anxiety. I've learned to recognize that these fears are the fruit of the sin of unbelief, and so now, I quickly repent and ask the Lord to forgive me and to renew my trust in him.

The best thing we can do in our times of trial and affliction is to ask the Lord for help, and then wait on him to help us. You can rest assured that help will come, but you must know that it will come in his time and in his way.

Christian or Christ-Follower?

by Gregory A. Johnson

I feel compelled to bring clarity to the confusion existing that is hindering Jesus' purpose for the church and its witness in our day. In the post-Christian culture we now live in, many are confused about being a Christian and being a  Christ-follower. There is a vast difference between the two.

There are Christians who do not follow Christ, and there are Christians who choose to follow Christ. Sadly, non-Christ-following Christians can do much damage to people inside and outside the church through their words and actions. 

In all my years of ministry, it has always been a joy to pastor Christ-following Christians. Still, I have discovered non-Christ-following Christians to be abusive in their words and actions, making it difficult, if not impossible, for the church to reach and make a difference in its community. 

6 Ways to Reduce Stress

by Gregory A. Johnson

We live during stressful times, and stress causes mental and physical illness. Stress causes high blood pressure that leads to heart disease and stroke. Heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death in the world.

I confess to you that I struggle with stress and must work daily to manage it and overcome stress damage to my mind and body. I have learned to recognize specific stress triggers in my life and have implemented strategies to counter them. Desiring to help you reduce stress and overcome stress damage in your life, allow me to share with you six ways to reduce stress that helps me. What I am sharing with you, I practice.

America Is at a Crossroads

by Gregory A. Johnson

Today, the world is battling the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Here in America, we are mourning the deaths from the pandemic of over 100,000 precious people. Forty million workers have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. With over 100,000 deaths and 40 million jobless, some are still resisting social distancing guidelines. Some are politicizing it. It is not about politics. It is about people. God help us.

At the same time, there are race riots fueled by pent-up rage from generations of racism and oppression in America. Hatred and racism are not right. Hatred and racism are anti-Christ. God help us.

All this sickness, joblessness, and unrest is impacting mental and physical health. Stress, anxiety, and worry are having their way, wreaking havoc on one’s mind and body. Left unchecked stress and anxiety lead to heart disease, which will cause even more death. God help us.

Thirty years ago, I was preaching and warning people that if America, the most powerful nation in the world, was ever destroyed it will be from within. With a rapid decline in hunger for God and hunger for the Bible over the last three decades, we are now living in those dangerous days. America is at a crossroads. Divided from God and divided with people, we will fall. United to God and united with people, we will stand. Loving God and loving ALL people is the life Christ has called us to live. The choice is ours. God help us.

How to Receive Endurance, Encouragement, and Hope

by Gregory A. Johnson

Amid this worldwide pandemic, please know that God’s promises given to you in Scripture are true and everlasting. Trusting His Word will get us through every day. You can count on it!

Please allow me to share a short devotion with you that I have written and feel led to share with you:

HOW TO RECEIVE ENDURANCE, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND HOPE 

We live at a time when many exist in a seemingly endless state of hopelessness. The news is filled with stories of wars and rumors of wars, terrorism, anarchy, famine, drought, unemployment, economic recession, depression, disease, sickness, and an epidemic of both financial and spiritual bankruptcy. Uncertainty abounds.

In over the thirty years I have served in the ministry, I have noticed a rapid decline in the hunger for Scripture. Many go to church, but few read, study, and memorize the Bible. Some only receive bless-me-and-make-me-feel-good sermons on Sundays that may encourage them for a brief season, but such light teaching does not build endurance. When a crisis hits, they lose hope.

How to Live Free From Fear

by Gregory A. Johnson

Many in our day live in total control of their lives but when something is shaken, their confidence quickly turns to fear. Jesus describes the day in which we live. He says, "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26 ESV).

What are we to do? We are to look to Jesus. The night before Christ died on the cross for our sins, he showed us how to live free from fear. He was facing a horrendous death by crucifixion. The next day he would be tortured to death. What does he do? He goes to a garden to pray. Jesus prays, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done" (Luke 22:42 ESV).

In the last hours before the cross, Jesus prays, releasing his will over to the Father. Christ faced the cross without fear, placing his life in God’s care, trusting God for the resurrection to come.

The next day, tortured and hanging nailed to the cross, Jesus gives his life for the sins of the world. “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last” (Luke 23:46 ESV).

What Kingdom Love Looks Like

by Gregory A. Johnson

In Jesus' day, a scribe was a lawyer who specialized in the Mosaic Law. One day one of these scribes came to Jesus with a question: "'Which commandment is the most important of all?' Jesus answered, 'The most important is, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." The second is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these.' And the scribe said to him, 'You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.' And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions" (Mark 12:28-34).

Out of all the imperatives given to us in the Bible, including the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20, Jesus wraps it all up into one commandment referred to as The Great Commandment—to love God with everything we have. That's it! That's the bottom line. Loving God is what it is all about. Loving God is what separates Christ-followers from mere church attendees. Loving God is what separates Christ-followers from the religionists of our day who are bound by denomination and church rules, regulations, and traditions.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

by Gregory A. Johnson

In response to the Coronavirus COVID-19, I encourage you to:

Follow the advice and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and your local government and healthcare agency. 

Pray and stay in God’s Word. This is where you will find peace, comfort, and healing. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Read the Psalms.

Submit your prayer requests at LovingGodFellowship.org. We pray for every request that is submitted there, trusting God to meet needs, according to his will and his Word, working undeniable miracles in ways that will bring Him glory.

Love others as Jesus has loved us, being light in the midst of darkness.

I feel led by the Spirit to remind you of these three verses in God’s Word, the Bible:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).”

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5 ASV).”

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (Jesus, John 14:27 ESV).”

How to Guard Your Mouth Even on Social Media

By Gregory A. Johnson

#GuardYourMouthEvenOnSocialMedia

We are living in strange times. People not only say terrible things, but they also post awful things on social media, attacking others. Attacking others is not Christ-following.

Cursing has become commonplace in the post-Christian culture that we live in, even with people in the Christian faith. I’m shocked at what people say and post on social media.

Under the unction of the Spirit, I feel led to remind you that there is a day coming when each person will give account for every word.

Don’t take my word for it; take Jesus’ word. Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak (Matthew 12:36 ESV).”

This should be sobering to us all.

Top 10 Posts of 2019

by Gregory A. Johnson

I'm thankful for the readers from 82 countries, 1,154 cities, and 5 continents that read what I shared in 2019.

Please allow me to share with you the top ten posts that were read in 2019:

When Tempted to Give up on Prayer

by Gregory A. Johnson

I think one of the most heartbreaking things I have experienced as a pastor and as a Christ-follower is when a person tells me that they have given up on prayer. It seems to be happening more frequently as we get closer to the return of Christ. Hardly a week goes by now that I’m not made aware of a person giving up. I’m concerned about it and I feel led under the unction of the Holy Spirit to address it.

Friend, the devil is the one who will tempt you to give up on prayer. He does this because he knows that prayer is powerful. He also knows that the less you pray, the more casual you will be with sin and that sin will destroy you and those around you. Satan is in the business of destruction. Do not give him a foothold by giving up on prayer. You will not like the results.

Those giving up on prayer tell me it is because they pray, and God does not give them what they want or do what they need him to do. I will tell you why God does not always give us what we want or do what we ask him to do in prayer.

Two Powerful Forces That Will Impact Your Life

By Gregory A. Johnson

There are two powerful forces that will impact your life. One impacts your life negatively and one impacts your life positively. These forces are controlled by you and the choices you make. The negative force will destroy your life and future. The positive force will ensure your success in life, both now and forevermore. These two forces are sin and prayer.

Sin is disobedience to God and his word to us, the Bible. The Bible is full of instruction and commandments, but when asked what commandment was the most important, Jesus answered: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39).

Your Hope is Safe

By Gregory A. Johnson

The devil wants to take away your hope, stealing your present joy. He wants you to fear your future so that you will live each day dreading what lies ahead of you. I have good news for you today — the devil is wrong about you and your future. Refuse to give his lies any thought or energy. He has no future, but you do, and your future is bright.

As you follow Jesus, he leads, and he guides. There are valleys and there are mountaintops throughout life as he leads you down the path of righteousness and to your future glory. Your hope is in him and in his word. That hope is not wishing for, but instead, the hope that Jesus gives his followers is wrapped in expectation. Christ-followers live in expectation, knowing that Jesus keeps his word. All his promises given in Scripture will be fulfilled in and through his followers. You can count on it. You can expect it.

Building Hope Within You

by Gregory A. Johnson

Living in a famine of truth, when all around us in a state of confusion and turmoil with fear abounding, the Lord is our hope. We can always count on him.

The Psalmist in God’s word says, “I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word” (Psalm 130:5).

You can also do that today, friend. You can count on the Lord. You can put your hope in his word. It will get you through whatever comes your way.

Please allow me to give you a good starting point. Get a Bible and read the first four books of the New Testament — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. As you read, pay attention to how Jesus lives his life and what he teaches. Note the promises Jesus gives to those who will answer the call to follow him. As you follow Jesus, you can stand on these promises. They are for you and all who follow Jesus.

Racism and Hate Are Antichrist

by Gregory A. Johnson

Racism and hatred are alive and well, but not for those who are citizens of the Kingdom. No, you see, the citizens of the Kingdom love God with everything they have, and they love other people as they love themselves. They are willing to give their life for others as Christ did. They are willing to go to jail protesting unjust laws that do not treat people equally, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. did.

What would Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. say to us today? I think that he would say to us the same things he said in his day. Listen to what he had to say:

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction....The chain reaction of evil—hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars—must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation (King 1963).

Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true (King 1963).