"A Cry for Relationship"

At the very core of who we are as human beings God has designed us for Relationship. We long for it. We crave it. Whether it is a mother, father, man, or woman we deeply desire it. It's clear as we look at scripture relationship is something God intended for us to have from the beginning. Look at Genesis where God makes it clear by creating another being (a woman) so that Adam would not be alone. Now even though they allowed temptation to overtake them and broke fellowship by being disobedient, the longing for relationship was still there.

I grew up most of my life with just my mom in the home. When I would feel bad, get in trouble, or get hurt, guess who I would run to and look for comfort? That's right, my mom. Why? Because see was the person I had built a relationship with. With her came comfort, peace, and joy. I didn't have to learn to desire a relationship. The desire was there when I was first born.

Now relationships have become temporal. Relationships are means of temporary satisfaction. Culture now tells us to form relationship with money, cars, clothes, women, and fame. But the reality is that's not really what is being desired. What is being desired is a relationship with someone who can give them comfort, joy, and peace. Let me say it's only one place where all three of those things can really come from.

Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus says,"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."

As I read this scripture I thought about what love really is. And the thought popped in my head," Can you really love someone or something and not be in relationship with or experienced it in some way?" My answer is No. It's like saying I love Coca Cola and never had it at all. The only way I could even like it is by experiencing it. Even with sin, people fall in love with sin because they have formed a relationship with it. I think Jesus is asking us to be in relationship with him, because he desires relationship with us. You can't put your heart, mind, and soul into something your not in relationship with.

I asked our football team at Austin Peay, if your were in a relationship what would you expect that person to do for you? I heard answers like love me, sacrifice, humility, honor, correct, comfort me, spend time with me, be giving, encourage, and dnt change. After hearing the answers I looked at them and said,"Money, cars, and fame can't do that for you. It's a only a one way relationship, but there is a two way relationship where you don't have to worry whether or not the other side will give anything back because he will." That relationship I was talking about was with Jesus. With every characteristic they described they described a man who gave it all for them. He died on the cross for us because he loves us and desires relationship.

So what we see isn't a cry to want to fit in, look good, or stand out. They are trying to fill a void that can only be filled by Christ. It is a Cry for Relationship!


UPDATE:As a lot of you guys know I am out raising a monthly financial partnership team with Every Nation Ministries. Things are going good. I am standing and believing in faith that God is going to provide. If you are interested in hearing more about the work that I do as a missionary please don't hesitate to contact me...901-826-9925 or steven.johnson@everynation.org

Unexpected Transformation

It's funny how God sometimes shows up in our life unexpected. Or maybe I will speak for myself. I didn't think for one moment that I would ever have the encounter with Jesus in my dorm room that I did. The same thing happened to the most prominent New Testament writer the Apostle Paul. I have really been digging into his conversion (Acts 9:1-9) lately and I left with one statement.

"God can take anybody at anytime and use them for his will no matter where their headed or their past."

This statement speaks volumes to non believers and believers as well. A lot of times we have this mindset that somewhere down the line we will choose Christ when we feel were ready but the reality is we will never choose Christ first he always chooses us. And usually it happens when we least expect it. The Apostle Paul witnessed God choose him in the most unexpected time ever.

Paul previously Saul of Tarsus, was headed down the Damascus road in a furious rage (Acts 9:1). He was a persecutor of Christians and he was headed to persecute more. Paul had no idea his plans were about to be stalled for good. A light shines down on him and it comes with a voice behind it. Yep, It was Jesus and Saul was on the ground face down. Christ manifestations of himself to poor souls are many times sudden and very surprising. It forces us to humility. Those who Christ destines for they greatest honors are commonly laid low first in humility. Those whom God will employ are first struck with a sense of their unworthiness to be employed. The charge against Saul was persecuting Jesus (Acts 9:4). "A humbling conviction of sin is the first step towards a saving conversion from sin." He was humbled and he even recognizes Jesus as Lord (Acts 9:5) When Jesus shows up in our lives there is no one that compares to him and his distinction is not that hard to figure out. He is the only person who is able to humble us and bring us to the realization of his power. He got up from the ground and he was blind and did not eat or drink for 3 days. Jesus sends Ananias to place his his hands on Paul to regain his sight and after hesitance he did it and Paul regained his sight.

What I really love was (Acts 9:19-20) was Paul after he opened his eyes and got some food, the same people (disciples) he was persecuting he was now spending time with and verse 20 says, "HE BEGAN TO PREACH THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD."

I want to leave you with a couple thoughts.

• The work of conversion in Paul was not tied to the church. Jesus has the power to change your life no matter where you are or where you are headed.
• Sometimes the grace of God works on sinners when they are at their worst.
• Let us not think the renewing grace of God and the pardoning mercy of sin is not for the greatest of sinners. He loves the lost.
• Those he chooses to be his instruments, will be his instruments. (Acts 9:15) 
• Paul begin only in a few days to preach the gospel. What is holding you back?

God Bless


 

I'M BACK!!!!

Wow! Well it has been a while and I have had so much going on. I have written so much in my journal but haven't transferred any of it to my blog. I'M BACK. I am currently in Nashville at the Every Nation School of Ministry with 13 other world changers from all over the place. Canada, Florida, Texas (not the real UT), Tennessee, and California are all being represented here. It has been wonderful getting to know them and see all of the different gifts come together. It has been a time of deep searching and examining of our hearts and conviction, but also learning, an uplifting presence, and challenging ourselves to grow. I wouldn't take these four and a half weeks back for anything. Great Every Nations leaders such as Paul Barker (Director), Nick Jones, Gregg Tipton, David Houston, Larry Tomczak, Dr. Gregg Mitchell, Dr. Stephen Mansfield, and James Lowe have all been apart of imparting into our lives. I will always remember at least one quote Pastor Paul used. He said,

"We are more wicked and flawed than we ever dared believe, but we are more loved and affirmed than we ever dared believe."

This quote speaks volumes about us as human beings. Our lives have been that of people who consider themselves to be good but when we really get to the depths of our hearts we are flawed. That explains why we need something that in our lives that is the complete opposite to show us the way. Jesus is what we need. We are loved and affirmed through Jesus Christ.

This is a life changing experience and I can't wait to get back to my campus and reach this generation. Keep us in your prayers as I will do the same. And I promise consistency with the blog from here on out. I got plenty to unpack and share.

II Timothy 2:13 "Even if we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself."

My Story, His Glory

First Blog
I am so very honored to be able to blog for the first time. Its something I have been wanting to do for a while. I finally have free time away from football and school to tell my story and spread encouragement to people all over the world!
My Story
I grew up in Memphis, TN on the north part of town. I have an awesome mom who has been and encouraging figure in my life being a single parent mom for so many years and handling adversity and raising two boys. Growing up I didn’t have a silver spoon in my mouth. I grew up wanting a lot but never getting what I wanted, but momma made sure we always had what we needed. Maybe not the Jordan's or the Nike's but we had shoes on our feet. As a matter of fact I just called my shoes Steve's because nobody else had em' and I didn’t know what they were either. But all and all we were blessed. I grew up in the church. I sung in the church choir growing up and for everybody that knows me yall know I can't sing! But it did it anyway because granddad said I couldn't just be a pew member. But as the years would go on and I would become older I became good in sports. By my senior year I was given the opportunity to play football at several colleges. I would choose Austin Peay in Clarksville, TN but I had no idea what the Lord had in store for me. Before I left for Clarksville I had made up in my mind that I was going to get all the girls, party, drink, and have the time of my life. So that’s exactly what I did when I got there I had the time of my life! I thought all this stuff would make my life complete and happy. But it only brought more pain because I knew in my heart that I was not happy. Luckily the Lord had sent a man named Brock Lillis to Austin Peay to birth a campus ministry little did we know that God had bigger plans. This guy just showed up at Austin Peay at football practice just standing there on the sideline. No one had any clue who he was and he didn’t know anyone either. I got word that he had started a bible study in the Dunn center and I would begin attending the bible study. As the school year went on I began to feel a great touch on my life and I knew it was JESUS!!! July 7, 2007 after hearing about the prodical son in a bible study during the summer with Brock, I went back to my dorm room and would have a radical encounter with Jesus Christ that I will never forget. I was the first time I had humbled myself before Christ. I got saved and begin searching for more of him and establishing biblical foundations in my life. It was a struggle. I would eventually join a fraternity and after joining the fraternity I had lost my direction and started treading backwards a bit but whats so awesome about God is if we take one step back he will take two steps towards us. Well let's just say he caught me before I could run any further from him. He is the anchor of my life. I love him with every bit of my body, mind, and soul. He never left me. He had something special for me. He had a calling on my life for full time ministry. At first I was hesitant. I said to myself Lord no way is this for me. I had lost my passion for football and business and gained a huge vision for his kingdom and I submitted to what he ask me to do and was obedient. So here I am today washed in the BLOOD of the lamb. Ministry school is coming soon and I am excited about it! I have awesome friends and awesome pastors and mentors. His love is amazing. He said he would never leave us nor forsake us and just as he has done it for me he can do it for anyone. Oh yea went from couches to a University Church on Sunday Nights on campus. He is moving in a radical way!

More to come Stay Tuned................................