In Your Presence

February 21, 2023February 19, 2023 / Gail Johnson / 10 Comments

Scripture

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Psalm 63:1-8 KJV

Song

This song is part of a worship compilation I wrote while working in a youth ministry. It is still sung today!

In Your Presence

O, Lord, I come to You in Prayer

On my knees, this hungry soul I bare

Take me as I am

Mold me to Your plan

I am nothing on my own

Lead me to Your throne

For my heart and my flesh cry out to Thee

In Your presence is where I long to be

Father, draw me to your side

Let me evermore abide

In Your presence is where I long to be

His Banner Over Me Is Love

February 7, 2017April 23, 2019 / Gail Johnson / 13 Comments

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2:4 KJV

This month thousands, if not millions, will be spent on gifts just to say three little words. I. LOVE. YOU.

Nothing is wrong with that. Go ahead. Take a moment to bake that decadent dessert, cook that special dinner. Prepare that special moment. Do whatever it takes to assure them of your love. C’mon they deserve it!

As I thought about the posts this month, I went in search of articles, books, and songs about love. One particular story caught my attention as I connected certain elements of the story with truths in my own life.

Sin’s Story

The tale of The Black Bull of Norroway is the story of a prince and a poor young girl. Like Cinderella, the girl is enslaved by an unkind woman.

I was once a slave to sin and cruelly misused by the enemy of my soul.

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1: 15

Salvation’s story

When the prince comes home from battle with a blood stained shirt, he declares the maid who can remove the blood stains will be his wife—true love.

After the unkind washerwoman and her daughters try to remove the stains, the shirt is given to the young girl for her to remove the stain.

In the story, only one could remove the blood stains. In my story, only One could remove my sin stains.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Colossians 1:14

True Love

The central theme of God’s story, my story—your story and the Black Bull of Norroway is Love. However, in this life, love is often interrupted by many circumstances. We may become cynical toward this thing called love. But there is one love that never changes. God’s love for us. He is love.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

God is love. 1 John 4:16

His love is strong enough to bind up wounds, heal broken hearts, and set captives free. I pray you have experienced His life-changing love. If not, I encourage you to do so today! You won’t be disappointed!

If you have experienced His life-changing love, take the time to celebrate His love!

Save

A World of Difference

August 30, 2016August 30, 2016 / Gail Johnson / 6 Comments

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13

This past weekend, we decided to visit one of our favorite restaurants. Hubby ordered the hamburger steak. I ordered chicken and dumplings. And, Lulu ordered chicken fried chicken. Yummy! However, when the food arrived, the dumplings were not light and airy, but thick and doughy. Ugh!

Tired and ready for home, I decided to choose the best and leave the rest. But the waitress walked over and asked about the dumplings. When I hesitated, she grabbed my plate and said, “I didn’t like the way they looked in the first place. But I was going to let you decide. Then, I was going to say something. But, I couldn’t stand it any longer.”

I immediately liked this woman. She was animated…and loud. A character not easily forgotten.

After bringing another plate to the table, she waited for my response. I told her the second plate was a little better. Then, she announced they had a new cook.

Ah. That explained it, right? 🙂

With my problem somewhat resolved salt-791655_1280 , I asked Lulu about her chicken.

“I can’t tell if it’s the breading or the gravy. Something isn’t right.”

Wanting to make it right, I reached across the table, speared a piece, and tasted. Hmmm. Easy fix.

“It needs salt.”

Lulu looked skeptical.

I reached for the salt and gave it a few shakes. “Stir and taste.”

She still wasn’t convinced but decided to give it a try, anyway. Afterwards, she grinned and said, “A world of difference.”

“Isn’t it amazing what a little salt can do?”

She nodded, chewing another piece.

As I watched her enjoying the meal, I thought of all the problems in the world. Some are an easy fix. All that is needed is salt. While others are like the thick and doughy dumplings. Only a seasoned expert can create the needed solution.

Jesus said WE are the salt of the earth. Too much salt makes food inedible. Not enough salt makes it tasteless. But the right amount of salt makes food palatable and produces a desire for more.

Our witness can make a world of difference. The rest we leave in God’s capable hands and pray.

How would you describe your witness? Inedible, tasteless, or perfectly seasoned? How would others describe you?