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    ME AND GOD: Together At Last
    ME AND GOD: Together At Last
    ME AND GOD: Together At Last
    Ebook628 pages6 hours

    ME AND GOD: Together At Last

    By Eric Johnson

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    About this ebook

    I guarantee you have never read a book like this one before. God literally took the pen out of my hand and began writing what he wants people to hear. This book is going to be the next major catalyst for the world to experience God in his fullness.
    The journey that I've been on with God is detailed in this 300 page book. God has revealed himself to me in so many unique and profound ways, through many deep spiritual experiences, miracles and revelations. God wants to speak, react and manifest himself to you everyday. God still speaks to his creation, he always has. He responds to our sincere steps of faith and he wants us to live in his divine glory continuously.

    Every once in a while a great book comes along where you end up
    highlighting multiple sentences and paragraphs on practically every page in the book.
    The words you read change the way you think about God, your faith, what you speak,
    the way you love and inevitably the way you live. The information in that book changes your beliefs and actions in such a radical way, that it literally opens up a window to Heaven and creates a channel for you to be touched, ministered to and used by God in a miraculous way. WELCOME TO THAT BOOK! This book is not MY message to you about GOD...it's GOD'S message to you about YOU! God is preparing YOU for the greatest manifestation of HIMSELF the world has ever seen. You and I are the ones he's chosen to channel his wondrous power through.

    This book blends a successful series of writings and verses called The Eric Dean Johnson Collection into a book filled with over thirty five miracles, stories, dreams, healings and supernatural visions. People who have purchased the book have also purchased hundreds of bookmarkers for their bible study students. The bookmarkers are a valuable resource to hand out to during a lesson that’s being taught out of the book.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherEric Johnson
    Release dateFeb 25, 2011
    ISBN9781301995653
    ME AND GOD: Together At Last
    Author

    Eric Johnson

    Eric Johnson is a veteran who served in the US Army. He currently lives in Baltimore and spends his time to write stories based on his experiences as well as using current events to focus on counter-insurgency as well as other related topics. He also writes limited erotica and steampunk short stories on occasion.

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      Book preview

      ME AND GOD - Eric Johnson

      New Vision Ministries Presents:

      ME & GOD

      Together At Last

      By Eric Johnson

      Most of the scripture verses from God’s word within this book have been blended with the Holy Spirit's anointing and modern clarity to enable the reader to understand and apply the truth to their lives.

      Copyright 2012 by Eric Johnson

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, scanned or copied in any form for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page coping for personal use or group study is permitted and encourage.

      ISBN: 1449970559

      EAN-139781449970550

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Dedication

      Introduction

      God Still Speaks To Us

      CHAPTER 1 - FAITH

      STORY: Green Pepper Girl

      ENTER INTO GOD'S SABBATH REST Bookmarker)

      Listening

      STORY: The Cast Iron Bell

      Do You Have Faith In Your Relationship With God?

      STORY: Pray For Everyone In The Front Row

      CHAPTER 2 - REBELLION - DISOBEDIENCE – SIN – REPENTANCE

      Sin

      I AM The Way

      STORY: The Bird

      Sin - Saint - Sin - Saint - Sin -Saint

      The Sinful Condition Of People And Repentance

      New Nature - New Spirit - New You

      Satan's Lies Are Neutralized By God's Truth

      Go And Sin No More

      The Calloused Hard Heart

      God's Anger And Wrath Were Appeased At The Cross Of Christ

      STORY: Take Care Of Your Plumbing Problems

      THE CROSS (Bookmarker)

      The New You

      The Choice Is Heaven Or Hell

      Heaven

      SPIRITUAL VISION: Heaven

      STORY: Take My Breathe Away

      There's Eternal Life In The Kingdom Of God

      Transformation At Salvation

      THE GIFT(Bookmarker)

      CHAPTER 3 - GOD’S HEALING TOUCH

      OBJECT LESSON – Pop Can

      Jesus Blood

      A Healing Prayer

      STORY: The Healing At The Hardware Store

      The Prayer Of Faith Shall Heal The Sick

      STORY: Are You Speaking In The Wrong Direction?

      STORY: My Wife’s Soar Throat

      GOD’S HEALING WORD (Bookmarker)

      CHAPTER 4 - SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND SUPERNATURAL GROWTH

      Understanding Change And Transformation

      I'm A New Creation

      It’s Time To Be Transformed And Grow

      THE SUMMIT (Bookmarker)

      Doubt And Unbelief

      Faith Verses Fear

      Your Faith, Your Mouth And Your Mountain

      OBJECT LESSON – The Power Of The Mouth

      The Power Of Your Shout

      CHAPTER 5 - GOD LOVES YOU

      MY LITTLE CHILD (Bookmarker)

      SPIRITUAL VISION - The Voice Of Love

      The Love Chapter - I Corinthians 13:4-8

      STORY: Love Letter

      Love The People That God Created

      STORY: Love Hopes For The Best

      Loving People God’s Way

      STORY: A Kind Word

      STORY: The Handshake Song

      STORY: Never Fight With A Red Headed Woman

      God Will Surprise You With The New

      WHAT ARE WE TO DO WITH ONE ANOTHER (Bookmarker)

      Self-Centered To Christ–Centered To Others-Centered

      STORY: Loving Others With Actions

      STORY: God Will Supply All My Needs

      Loving Others From The Book Of First John

      Go And Love My People For Me

      Where Has All The Love Gone

      Worldly Love

      God’s Love

      STORY: Do Not Forbid The Children

      I AM / HE SHALL BE CALLED (Bookmarker)

      We Are His To Be Loved

      BY GOD’S GRACE (Bookmarker)

      STORY: A Day At The Beach With God

      Are You Ashamed Of Jesus Christ?

      Communication And Relationships

      STORY: Never Alone

      I Love Him Because He First Loved Me

      CHAPTER 6 - THE ENEMY’S CAMP (Bookmarker)

      A Soldier's Prayer Power

      COME

      SPIRITUAL VISION – Angels And Axes

      A God Of Protection

      STORY: A God Of Protection

      STORY: Those Big Nasty Scary Semi-Truck

      The Masters Plan

      CHAPTER 7 - THE BATTLE IS THE LORDS (Bookmarker)

      OBJECT LESSON: Rat Traps

      Is The Enemy Aware That You Are His Adversary?

      Do Demons Look At Your Neighbors House And Say?

      SPIRITUAL VISION: Surrounded By Angels

      The Battle For Your Mind

      TRANSFORMED BY TRUTH (Bookmarker)

      STORY: A Bag Full Of Candy Bars

      We’ve Got The Enemy’s Play Book

      Distracted Christians

      The Morning Prayer And The Late Evening Prayer

      Doubting God’s Word

      Divide And Conquer

      Identify Your Enemy Before You Shoot

      Religion

      STORY: Sunday Morning Cynic

      Are You On The Endangered Species List?

      A Letter From Satan

      CHAPTER 8 - GOD’S WILL AND WISDOM FOR YOUR LIFE

      Wisdom About God’s Will

      Wisdom - God Is Real

      Wisdom About Expectation

      Wisdom About Forgiveness

      Wisdom About Worship

      STORY: Three Words

      STORY: Worship Your Way Out Of Your Problems

      Wisdom About Your Destiny

      CHAPTER 9 - MY HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER

      PRAYER IS (Bookmarker)

      Scriptures On Prayer

      STORY: My Humble Walk With God

      Humbly Before The Throne Of Grace

      Have You Considered My Servant Job

      Powerful Prayers

      Hindered Prayers

      Doubt

      Story: Whose Report Are You Going To Believe?

      Prayer Power

      The Foundation Of Prayer

      The Power Of The Holy Spirit

      How Much Surrender Are You Surrendering?

      A Guiltless Prayer Life

      Story: A Prayer Life Saturated With The Love Of God

      Prayer And Relationships

      Prayer And Thankfulness

      STORY: The Lost Oven Rack

      Don’t Give Away Your Prayer Power

      SUPERNATURAL STORY: Removed From Existence Forever

      STORY: Go And Possess The Land

      CHAPTER 10 - IN THE HAND’S OF THE MASTER

      IN THE MASTER’S HANDS (Bookmarker)

      THE ROSE (Bookmarker)

      STORY: Loving Your Spouse God’s Way

      THE SNOWFLAKE (Bookmarker)

      CHAPTER 11 - READING GOD’S WORD

      STORY: God Still Speaks To Us

      Let The Holy Spirit Read God’s Word With You

      The Power Of God’s Word In Us

      STORY: Royal Rangers Rainbow

      STORY: Walk For Jesus

      Hearing And Doing

      CHAPTER 12 - A CLOSE EXAMINATION OF ISAIAH 55:6-12

      A Fourth Dimensional Relationship

      MY SHEPHERD (Bookmarker)

      GOD KNOWS MY NAME (Bookmarker)

      A Relationship Saturated With Intimacy

      The Power Of The Most High

      STORY: The Little Frog

      STORY: Never Lost Again

      CONCLUDING WORDS

      DEDICATION

      One day I was thanking God for my two daughters Erika and Courtney. They work so hard at everything they do. They bless me so much. Raising them has truly been one of the most rewarding privileges in my life. I love being around them and spending time with them. They are the source of a tremendous amount joy in my life. I always tell them how proud I am of them and how special they are to me. One day, I asked God to give them a very special blessing. I asked God to give them an out of this world type of blessing, something so grand that they cannot even contain it. A few moments later the spirit of the Lord came over me and said,

      I already have blessed them…I GAVE THEM YOU.

      I was so humbled at that moment. I am so thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to raise those kids and be next to them all the days of my life.

      I've told my youngest daughter Courtney nearly everyday of her life, She is the best girl in the whole town. I tell my oldest daughter Erika that she’s my GREEN PEPPER GIRL. When she was a baby, I once used a green pepper to get her to trust me and take her first steps toward me. There have been thousands of steps of faith, love and trust since that day over twenty years ago.

      I thank the Lord for my wife Michelle. Her heart is as big as an ocean. She loves people like no one else on the planet. She amazes me in so many ways. I wish everyone on earth could meet her. Something leaps in my spirit every time she enters the room. I love you honey.

      What am I accomplishing by all of this? I’m preparing three women in my life for a future of God’s salvation, grace, blessings and love. I’m teaching them to trust God wholeheartedly. I’m teaching them that they are very special people to me and to God.

      THANK YOU JESUS…for dedicating yourself to us. THANK YOU JESUS…for being determined and committed to God’s plan of salvation for all of us.

      INTRODUCTION

      In the process of writing this book I asked myself, What qualification do I have to write a book and will people take me seriously? Most authors have a substantial amount of education. Some have studied literature and writing for many years. Some have a Dr. or PhD in front of their name. Some have already written many books and are very well know. I don’t have any of those qualifications or any impressive credentials. When I took my confusion to the Lord, he always came back to me with one word….OBEDIENCE!

      God doesn’t call the qualified…he anoints the called.

      God's not interested in what you have…he wants your heart.

      It’s a privilege and honor that God chooses to use us for his many specific purposes. The truth is, God has called all of us to glorify his name. Everyone of us has a purpose and destiny that can only be fulfilled by being IN CHRIST. When we display Christ-like character attributes towards others, then God is glorified and we are in his will and we will finally feel fulfilled.

      Have you ever felt God calling you to something greater than you could have ever imagined? What he planted in your spirit was so radical and outrageous, you weren’t sure if you could share it with anyone. Your first thought was, ME GOD? Do you have the right person? Are you sure about this? Don’t you know all my hang-ups and deficiencies? Here let me remind you of them. Are you sure you know what you're doing? There were many biblical men and women that have asked those same questions, What qualifications do I have? I’m not worthy to do the work of the Lord. But God used shepherds, fisherman, tax collectors, prostitutes, thieves and murderers to glorify him. God kept one word continually in front of those people…OBEDIENCE.

      Being CALLED simply means God spoke to you and then you reacted based on what he said. We’ve all been called to glorify God in everything we do. We’ve all been called to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. We've all been called to love others with actions and words. I decided to write down my spiritual attributes instead of my personal qualifications. Here is a list of what I came up with.

      I am a child of the King. I am holy, righteous, pure, blameless and accepted in God’s sight, based off Christ’s actions for me.

      I am more valuable to him than all the treasure of this world.

      The spirit of Christ lives in me.

      I have the fullness of God dwelling in me through his Holy Spirit.

      God gives me inside information regarding everything I need to know about his character, his forgiveness and love.

      He unravels the mysteries of life in front of me by giving me spiritual vision and wisdom.

      I am complete IN CHRIST. I do not lack anything from my heavenly Father.

      I am capable of everything God wants me to accomplish because he lives in me.

      Since God chose to lavish his love and forgiveness on me, then I am the perfect candidate to write about it. Since God chose to unleash his miracle working power through me, then how can I not write about what he has done? Since God sent his son Jesus Christ, to give his life as a payment for me, then how can I not write about his saving grace and how he has healed me in everyway a person can be healed.

      God has called everyone of us to glorify him in everything we do. We were supernaturally adopted into his family the moment we said, Jesus…I believe and receive everything you’ve accomplished for me. We are children of God. He has called us by name to a purpose and destiny that will fulfill all our dreams.

      GOD STILL SPEAKS TO US

      God’s preparing YOU for the greatest manifestation of HIMSELF, the world has ever seen.

      You and I are the ones he has chosen to channel his wondrous power through.

      My wife Michelle is a communicator. She can talk to anyone, anytime and anywhere…AND SHE USUALLY DOES! God has created us to be communicators. He has perfectly designed us for that purpose. He did that because he is a master communicator as well. God has been speaking to his people since the beginning of creation. Powerful things happen when God speaks and miraculous things happen when people speak as they are directed by the Spirit of God. Even today, God still speaks to us. The question is:

      Are we listening to the voice of God?

      God wants us to listen to him and understand who he is. He wants us to know what he’s all about. He unravels the mystery of his nature to us in many unique ways. He has valuable information about himself and us that he’s trying to communicate to us. He is desperately trying to get our attention. You might be thinking,

      Well if that’s the case, why doesn’t God just write it out in the stars one night so we can all plainly see that there is a God and here is his message to us? Then no one would be able to deny God’s existence and his message could be clearly seen by everyone in the world.

      That definitely sounds like a great idea to me too. You simply want God to speak to you in a very clear and profound way so you can understand him. That’s not asking too much is it? Except now you’re asking God to speak to you in a particular way. That leads me to this question: Have you researched any of the other avenues by which God has already communicated to us with?

      God speaks to people in a number of different ways. One way God has spoken to us, very clearly, is through the prophets of the Holy Bible. Unfortunately, reading the word of God has become none existent, something our grandparents used to do, a fad and a thing of the past. Christians, our bibles have collected dust long enough. People have owned bibles all their lives that still look brand new. The cover is not worn and the spine is not bent at all. The pages are still crisp and new, untouched and unread.

      God cannot speak to us through unread bibles.

      Words given to us by God that have never been believed in.

      Promises spoken by God that have never been trusted in.

      A victorious, abundantly thriving life that will never be discovered.

      Beloved, it’s time to change. As you slide that bible off the shelf, you’ll probably hear in the supernatural realm the sound of a sword being slid out of its sheath. Won’t you let it save you and your household? Won’t you let it heal you? Won’t you let God’s word prosper you? It’s time to ask God to give you a hunger for him again. Ask him to give you a desire and passion for his word.

      Jesus told a story in the bible about a man named Lazarus and a rich man. Both men died and Lazarus went to Abraham to be comforted and the rich man went to Hell. The man in Hell asked if he could go warn his five brothers about this terrible place. He didn’t want them to make the same mistake he did. Abraham responded:

      They have the writings of Moses and the words of the prophets to listen to and believe. Lk. 16:29

      This rich man knew he would soon see his brothers in this horrific place of torment, if they did not humble themselves, fall to their knees and cry out to God. Since the man in Hell knew he could not leave, he asked Abraham if he would send Lazarus to his house to warn his brothers of this place of anguish. Abraham said, If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead. Luke 16:31

      God spoke to the prophets and the prophets told the people what God wanted them to know. Hebrews 1:1

      God spoke to people as the Holy Spirit moved on them, to speak and write what he wanted us to learn. I Thessalonians 2:13; 4:8

      God spoke to the Jews and the Gentiles two thousand years ago through his son Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1). Jesus spoke in synagogues, temples, on the streets, hillsides and anywhere people would listen. Jesus said, I do not speak on my own behalf, I speak what my heavenly Father tells me to say. John 12:49

      Even today God still speaks to us. He doesn’t give up trying to contact us, because he loves us so much.

      God is an expert at communication and relationships. He speaks to people all the time. Many people are hearing from God all over the world, but unfortunately he’s not being heard by everyone. He speaks to people today, the same as he did in biblical times. Are you interested in what God has to say? Are you listening to his voice? Here are many scriptures that tell us if we pursue after him we will find him.

      My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me and I give them eternal life. Jn 10:27&28

      Everyone who hungers and thirsts after righteousness will be filled. Matthew 5:6

      Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. James 4:8

      Those who come to God must believe that he exist

      and he rewards those who diligently seek after him. Hebrews 11:6

      Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find,

      knock and the door will be opened for you. Matthew 7:7

      These scriptures beg the questions:

      Are we doing our part?

      Are we passionate about knowing our creator?

      Is he on our mind every moment of the day?

      Do we have a burning desire to know God intimately?

      How much effort have you put forth in discovering your creator?

      The bible promises that people who seek after God, will hear from God. People, who are desperate for more of God in their life, receive more of his presence in their life. People who chase after, are hungry and thirsty for more of God, will be filled. Matthew 5:6; John 6:35

      Look at all the things people chase after in this life; money, fame, power, pleasure, things, friends, food and the list goes on and on. Some people are successful at finding these things and others are moderately successful. Do you measure success by the number of possessions you have? True fulfillment is not found in things. Your value is not determined by your title, position, possessions or bank account. We spend our lives chasing after things when we should be chasing after our creator who understands us, loves us and completes us. I have resolved that I have wasted enough of the time God has given me chasing after things. My focus has changed to my savior the Lord Jesus Christ and I'm determined that my priorities are going to intertwine with God’s agenda and his will for my life.

      Many people don’t seek after God because they don’t believe it’s possible to have a close relationship with a God that you can’t see, touch or hear. So they simply don’t put forth any effort in finding out who their creator is. This is true on the Christian side of the coin as well. Many Christians know God and they put their faith and trust in his Son Jesus Christ. They’re on their way to Heaven. But they don’t grow close to him for many different reasons. They haven't experience the life of God that's within them. They feel as distant from God as the stars in the sky.

      Here are some reasons people don’t draw close to God:

      It could be because of dysfunctional relationship issues from the past regarding authority or love.

      People who have been hurt in the past many times have a smaller circle of trust. This can cause a person's faith to be ineffective at many different levels.

      The things of this world, keeps them distracted, frustrated and hurt.

      There doesn’t ever seem to be enough time in their lives to discover how passionate God is about them.

      Perhaps they know God is real, but they want to be the predominate controlling authority in their life.

      There are many reason Christians and non-Christians don’t pursue after God the way they should.

      The truth is…you’re as close to God as you want to be.

      If you’ll put forth any effort at all in researching, seeking and understanding God, then he will reveal himself to you. The simplicity of it all is this:

      YOU HAVE TO WANT TO KNOW HIM.

      God is already doing his part. He desires to have a passionate relationship with his creation. God’s voice is echoing throughout the universe:

      Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice

      and opens the door, then I will come in and be with them forever. Revelations 3:20

      CHAPTER 1 - FAITH

      Do any of these words describe your faith?

      Is your faith average, comfortable, on the fence, hidden, lukewarm, doubtful, fearful, embarrassed, complacent, scarce, mediocre, angry, frustrated, fading or childish (meaning immature, selfish and ungrateful)? Has your faith pretty much been the same year after year

      with no real major changes to speak of?

      Do any of these words describe your faith?

      Has your faith been hungry, desperate, thirsty, bold, dynamic, passionate, confident, optimistic, positive, engaged, revealing, hopeful, radiant, mountain moving or childlike (meaning completely trusting God)?

      Every single person in the bible who has ever taken a step of faith was pleasantly

      surprised when God showed up behind them in all his glory, majesty, provision and power.

      That’s why all those stories about people of faith are in the bible, to encourage us to set aside our fear, anxiety and embarrassment and take those crucial steps of faith towards God. They chose to trust God despite their circumstances and questions. Many of them lacked self-confidence and felt very small and insignificant, just like we do many times. These people made a decision not to trust in their own abilities and resources. They put their trust in God and his supernatural provision. As you understand more about God and the fullness of his nature, it’s easier to trust him, pray to him with complete confidence, worship him with your whole heart and love him with all your mind, soul and strength.

      STORY – Green Pepper Girl

      When my daughter Erika was little, she was learning to stand, balance and take single steps. She loved green peppers so much that I decided to use one to get her to walk two or three steps in a row. I held the green pepper in front of her, but I kept it just beyond her reach. She was holding on to the bed with one hand and reaching for the green pepper with the other hand. Finally, she reluctantly let go of the bed and took a step towards the pepper. She wanted that pepper so bad that she was willing to let go of the safety and security of the bed. I moved the pepper just a little beyond her reach again and with each step she took, she got farther away from the bed and she was walking for the first time in her life. She took four steps and then I gave her the pepper. WOW! SHE TOOK FOUR STEPS! She had never done that before. It has been over twenty years since then and I still remember that event like it happened yesterday. Even though she is now a young woman, I still call her MY GREEN PEPPER GIRL.

      Allow God to speak to you in your spirit as you read these words.

      ENTER INTO GOD'S SABBATH REST

      compiled by Eric Johnson

      Here I am, come closer. I will not let you fall.

      Take my hand and we’ll go through this together.

      I will reveal myself to you in such a new and profound

      way that you will never again doubt my love for you.

      If you’ll just chase after me I will show you

      wonders that you cannot even imagine.

      Reach out to me my child and take those steps of faith.

      I have many special gifts specifically designed for you.

      I will pour them out to you because I can see in your heart

      that I am your source for everything you encounter.

      Out of everything I created, no one loves me back like you do.

      I am the Lord. I am beyond your natural thinking.

      You cannot comprehend me with your mind, but I am coming to you now.

      Do you hear my foot steps? Do you feel the ground shake as I walk?

      Do you hear it thunder in your spirit when I speak?

      Do I promise and not act? Everything in all creation exists

      because I spoke. I will remove the veil from your eyes so

      you can see, understand and know my true nature.

      Cry out to me all of you who labor relentlessly

      and are burdened with life and I will give

      you rest for your tired and wounded soul.

      You have never experienced the kind

      of rest that I am about to give you.

      You run, toil, work and worry; but I’m going to

      give you a supernatural rest that looks into

      the storm and says, PEACE BE STILL.

      My rest will give you complete confidence as you trust in me.

      My rest will give you an undeniable assurance

      that I have you in the palm of my hand.

      As surely as I am the Lord…I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

      (I just love when the Holy Spirit takes the pen out of my hand

      and begins to write what God wants to say to his children.)

      This book is not MY message to YOU about GOD. It’s GOD’S message to YOU about YOU and HIM being together forever.

      Maybe you just don’t feel God the way other people do. It always seems to be other people who are spiritual, blessed and filled with God. You attend church and want to be closer to God, but you’re just not hungry for God like other people seem to be. If you’re not hungry for the things of God, then ask him to put a hunger inside you and then seek him as he stirs his Holy Spirit inside of you.

      God is already doing everything he can to draw you to him. He already desires a close, intimate relationship with his creation. That’s why he put his spirit inside of every born-again Christian. We just need to realize who we already have in us and then let him come out of us. When we understand how passionately God loves us, then we will pursue him with more enthusiasm and confidence. God is already pursuing after us, we need to stop chasing after everything this world has to offer and turn towards him. A relationship is like a campfire and passion is the fuel that keeps the fire alive. Turn to God, trust him and be changed completely by his love and passion. Make a choice to stop running and turn to a love that will never reject you, hurt you or abandon you.

      That first step toward him is something God requires. Taking that first step of faith in any situation shows God that we want him, we need him and we trust him. That first step of faith confirms to God that we are going to fully rely on him and believe in his promises for our situation. It shows God that we’re hungry for more of him. It’s kind of like when you were in grade school. The girls always ran away from the boys, but they were just trying to see if we (the boys) would chase after them. They always wanted to be caught. At least the ones that I chased after did. We need to chase after God, diligently seek after him, hunger and thirst for more of him. Won’t you put forth the effort today to seek him more, because God wants us to catch him?

      I will be found by you says the Lord. Jeremiah 29:14

      God is passionate about his relationship with you. Exodus 34:14

      Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things. Jeremiah 33:3

      Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

      LISTENING

      It may not be time for God to hear our prayers…it may be time for us to

      listen to him...so we'll understand that there's a better way to pray.

      Have you ever been in a conversation with someone, then all of a sudden you realized they are completely monopolizing the conversation. You could hardly get a word in during the conversation. The word conversation means there is an exchange that takes place between two individuals; an exchange of thoughts, ideas, feelings and opinions. If only one person is doing all the talking during a conversation then there is no longer an exchange or interaction between the two parties. If you’re the one doing all the talking then you’re never going to learn anything.

      Is listening a major part of your prayer time with God? We need to stop asking God for everything on our celestial Christmas list and listen to his voice. What if someone you really love only came to you when they wanted something? How would that make you feel? NEWSFLASH! God is the most important speaker in the conversation between you and him. I want to hear his side of the conversation. God tells us in his word:

      Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

      BE STILL…but tonight all my favorite TV shows are on.

      BE STILL…but all my friends will be on the internet tonight.

      BE STILL…but we have to go to this party and tomorrow we have to do something else and the next day I have to do this other thing.

      BE STILL…but I have this long list of things I need to tell God about.

      During all this busyness God is patiently waiting and whispering to us…BE STILL.

      It sounds so simple doesn’t it? Doesn't being still sound easier than being busy. So why do many people find it so difficult or maybe even impossible to do? We’ve all been talking to God for some time now. The time has come for us to listen to him. Get on your knees and ask the Holy Spirit, of the living God, to speak to you. When we are still and silent before God, it shows God he’s the most important person in the conversation. Remember your time is the most valuable thing you can give someone. So be still and hear the voice of God. God loves, he cares, he is patient and he is waiting.

      STORY - The Cast Iron Bell

      One evening I was teaching the young people at our church about hearing God’s voice. I brought a cast iron bell to church with me to help in my object lesson. I had one person come up front with me and stand next to the bell. I told everybody in the room to lift up their right hand and to keep their hand raised as long as they could hear the ring of the bell, then to put their hand down when they could no longer hear the ringing.

      I gave the bell a real good tug on the rope. I wanted them to remember that sound. That old cast iron bell shot out a loud long ring in the room. The reverberation rang out a long time and after about ten seconds some people in the back row put their hands down. After about fifteen seconds everyone’s hands were down, except for mine and the other person next to me. We were standing right next to the bell. Our ears were only a few inches away from it. We could still hear the vibration very clearly. Twenty seconds had passed and our hands were still up. Twenty five seconds and we could still hear a faint ring. Finally after about thirty seconds had passed, we could no longer hear the ring. Everyone was surprised that we were able to hear the ring for such a long time. We could hear the sound of the bell when no one else in the room could hear it.

      How close are you to God? Do you hear his voice when no one else does? Can you feel his presence even when your world is spinning out of control in front of you? Do you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you when no one else in the room knows he’s there?

      Jesus said, My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me. John 10:27

      Many times we hear people speak but we’re not really listening to them. Good listeners have their complete attention focused on the speaker. Have you ever talked to someone while they’re watching TV? They might be able to appear like they are listening to you and watching TV. But as soon as you ask them a question and they don’t respond, then you realize that you’ve lost them. They’re not listening to you anymore. One of the main reasons people don’t hear from God is that they simply don't take the time to listen to him. People design their lifestyles to be extremely busy. People fill every moment of their lives with STUFF to do, PLACES to go and TASKS to accomplish. Sometimes the STUFF is important, sometimes it’s not really all that important and sometimes the STUFF is just plain meaningless. People never stop filling their lives with things to do.

      Short term and long term goals are something we should plan and pursue. But where does God fit into your plans? With such busy lives, is God lucky to get a few minutes left over at the end of a long day or maybe only a few minutes at the end of a long week? Out of a twenty four hour day, does God get the last two minutes at the end of the day just before you go to sleep?

      We are the ones who lose out when we don’t spend time with God. Sure there are a lot of people talking to him and asking for things they need or want. Many people give God advice, directions and their opinion on how things should happen. But how many people kneel before God and remain quiet? How many times do we go before God and just wait on him and let him decide what the topic of conversation is going to be. Maybe he wants to lead you in a specific direction when you pray. Have you ever waited for God’s Spirit to lead you during prayer? You can waste a lot of time in prayer by taking the lead yourself.

      Who is the most intelligent person in the conversation between you and God? That question always reminds me to wait on God and listen for his voice. The Holy Spirit knows how to help you pray the perfect prayer for any specific situation.

      Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Ephesians 6:18

      Build yourselves up in your faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20

      Most of our prayers are for God to change our heath and heal us. Many times our prayers are for God to increase our finances or our position at work. We focus on how God needs to improve our situation or to prosper us in some way. I believe we should be more focused on God making a change in us and not just our circumstances. That’s why we should let God direct our prayers. We should be still and listen to his voice. He knows what the most important topic is concerning your life.

      A lot of people's problems would be fixed if they would just let God first deal with their heart. Allowing God to influence your thoughts and your emotional realm will help you experience more peace and less fear, more joy and less anxiety, more love and less frustration. So surrender the topic of conversation to God and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you, lead you and change you.

      DO YOU HAVE FAITH IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

      Good relationships require good communication, great listening skills and meaningful time together so that you can understand each other completely. There are over one-hundred and fifty thousand words in this book. Four of the most important words in this book are:

      SPEND TIME WITH GOD.

      God wants an intimate relationship with you and that requires time and attention. Don’t let life’s cares and worries steal your valuable time away. God wants us to research, know, understand and trust him completely with our time, energy and thoughts.

      God wants the spirit of wisdom and revelation to come upon you so you will understand him completely. This will cause you to be spiritually enlightened beyond your natural wisdom and you will know the hope of his calling and the riches of his glorious inheritance he has set aside for us to enjoy. The greatness of his universe making power is inside of those who have made Christ their Lord. Ephesians 1:17-19

      Folks it’s time to listen and hear from God. God’s message to us is that he radically loves us outrageously. We are the focal point of his passion. We are the object of his affection. Stop running from God and turn to a love that will change you completely.

      The bible is God’s love letter to mankind. The Old Testament talks a lot about war, famine, disease, devastation, destruction and death. But that’s what happened when disobedient, rebellious people sinned and turn their backs on God. God doesn't punish people with a supernatural sledge hammer. Sometimes people walk or even run out from under his umbrella of grace and protection. If you’ll read the bible closely you’ll find out it’s more about relationships than anything else. Specifically connecting you with God in such a new and radical way that you:

      Know him completely.

      You understand him intimately.

      You trust him with everything.

      You serve him with a heart driven by love.

      Does your faith have no direction or point of reference? Is it kind of like dry desert sand, blown around by the wind of this world? Do you feel like God is a thousand miles away most of the time? Maybe you’re in a continual state of fear and anxiety because of this uncertain world we live in. If you feel this way, you’re really no different from anyone else out there. The important thing is not to stay in that place. Those anxious feelings of fear and unrest are quite real. Don’t ignore them, respond to them, the way God directs us to.

      Cast all your cares upon your heavenly Father because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7

      You might be thinking, Come on, let's be real, it can’t be that simple. I’ve got serious problems and I need some tangible answers to resolve these problems. It could take years of therapy to work through my issues. How can a scripture in the bible written thousands of years ago help me today? I need real tangible help like anti-depressants! Well you could believe that and go in that direction and let me know how it works for you. More than likely you’ll have the same problems years from now, because you didn’t confront your issues from a supernatural perspective. God created us as supernatural beings. This body of flesh is wrapped around a soul and a spirit, all created by God. All the problems you encounter have a supernatural solution. God's word works. Reading about, meditating on, believing in and speaking out God’s promises are vital habits we need to pursue. These habits will produce a lifetime of incredible benefits for you. God is always faithful to his word.

      Here is my definition of what faith is.

      To put your complete confidence in God’s love, grace and provision in such a

      profound and radical way; that it changes the way you think, believe, act and speak.

      God wants to take our faith from where it is today and unleash it on tomorrow’s task and challenges. The bible says we should mature in such a way that we get off the diet of milk (like a baby) and move on to a diet of solid food or meat (Hebrews 5:12). I guarantee, whatever you're putting your trust in today, God wants that trust to be placed in him. God wants your faith to be so bold and radical that it makes a historic impact on you and the world you live in. God wants your faith to take a chance with him. Challenge God with your faith, give him room to operate and show himself mighty and strong. Faith is like a roller-coaster ride, you’re going to be both fearful and excited at the same time of the great unknown ahead. Not knowing the outcome, but trusting God anyways is what faith is all about. Here are some important questions regarding your faith.

      When was the last time God’s transforming power surrounded you?

      When was the last time you experienced God’s miracle-working power on a consistent basis?

      Do you allow the faith walk that you’re on to lead you and influence your decisions everyday?

      Does your faith make you more nervous than it does the enemy?

      Does your faith shake the foundations of this world or does this world shake the foundation of your faith?

      Does your faith make demons quiver, knowing that at any time a prayer could come out of your mouth and alter their plan or remove them from the created universe forever?

      Most modern day Christians have put their faith in everything else but God! These include; their jobs, their health care cards, their optical and dental insurance, modern science and all the prescription pills they could possibly stand. They trust in their own abilities and resources because they're easily perceived by their five senses. Their eternal security is in their retirement plan. They've modified Philippians 4:9 to say, My 401K plan will supply all my needs according to its riches and glory.

      Wherever your treasure is…there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21

      Faith believes there is a way through your situation when there doesn’t seem to be a way out at all.

      Faith believes when others are laughing at you.

      Faith believes that the impossible through you, is possible through God.

      Faith takes a chance even when there seems to be no chance.

      Faith takes a step even when you might look silly.

      Faith trusts God, not money, people, and things.

      Faith trust in God’s resources and abilities, not your own.

      Faith is dynamic; it needs to be put into motion.

      If your actions are always following close on the heels of your faith, then your faith should always be leading you somewhere.

      Your faith should be influencing your mind, attitude, emotions, mouth and actions until you see a manifestation of God's power released from your spirit.

      Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things that can't be seen yet.

      Hebrews 11:1

      In Mark 12:44, Jesus tells us a story of a man who brought a very large sum of money into the sanctuary and gave it all to the church. Then an old woman came in and gave only a few coins. Jesus asked a question to his disciples, Who gave the most? Jesus answered his own question for them, It was the woman. The women gave money she desperately needed. The other guy still had plenty of money. This old woman gave money she needed to survive on. It may have even been needed for her very next meal.

      This is not a story of tithes or offerings; it’s a story of faith. This woman trusted God to provide for her. She was a woman of faith. This wasn't a contest about who gave the most, like they usually have between the boys and the girls at vacation bible school. Jesus could see the love, compassion and giving heart of this woman. She put her faith into action by giving her last two cents and trusting God for all her needs. This woman took a chance with her faith. This kind of faith caught Jesus' attention that day and it glorified God. Faith is like breathing, it’s something we Christians have to do or we will die. Have you ever taken a chance with your

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