Strength in Weakness

God uses the tough times in our lives to show us things we often forget. When we are feeling swept under by waves of struggle we are forced to our knees. Our cry to our Lord who hears, who helps, and who heals becomes louder and that is all we can do. We are in a state of constantly crying out to God Almighty and relying on Him for our next breath and our next step. In this place we are ever calling for Him and ever reaching for Him. Just think about the utter weakness you are in at that moment or during that time. You know that only through the mighty strength of Jesus can you succeed. He speaks to us in those times and says, "[m]y grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Do you take advantage of that? You can either lay down and let your weakness consume you or you can let the superior unending overwhelming power of the Lord God Almighty shine through your weakness. Nothing is the same when you allow the Lord to work through you and you rely on Him every step of the way. The truth is "... NOTHING is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). It doesn't say a few things, some things, or just the small things are impossible with God. It says NOTHING, meaning no matter what you are going through, what you are up against, or what waves of struggle are sweeping you under He has the power to help you, heal you, save you, and strengthen you. Forget what you don't think is possible and live the impossible with God! Remember to give God all the glory. Praise the Lord for He is good!

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Lessons

The Lord shapes us and molds us with the people and circumstances in our lives. The past is a map of the journey that got you where you are today. There are no bad things just things that God has made good. It is hard to see this when the past can contain pain, heart break, and broken relationships but if you look closer or ask God to show you it will be made clear. Without the pain and the heart break of the people and circumstances in my life I would not be where I am today. I have learned so much about who God is and who I am. I have learned lessons that will stick with me forever. All this to say that Jesus never ceases to amaze me. Everything has grown me to the place I am now. The only thing to dwell on from the past is the growth, the good, and the glory of God. Take some time, sit down, sort out your thoughts and figure out the lessons learned. Think about the pain turned to growth, good, and glory. See how the Lord works and how He has change you into the person He wants you to be. Don't forget to thank Him for all He is in your life, for changing you into His likeness, and for always taking something that can be painful and turning it into something that is good and glorious. Jesus is my amazing Savior, Lord, life changer, and my best friend. In the end the person you should see in the mirror is not yourself but Jesus Christ. Who do you see when you look in the mirror? 



All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Transform

The holidays always get us thinking of resolutions, of changes we need to make, and of things we need to or should do. Today the Lord has especially laid it on my heart to continue to change. We are all sinners, we all have fallen short of the glory of God, and we all make mistakes. We are not perfect, we do not have life down, and we do not know what is in store for us in the future. Although, we can trust the Lord for the perfection, for the control, and for the future. Striving to be like the Lord completes us as people, it draws us near to God, and it praises Him as well. I pray that we all long to change to be like our Lord and to serve Him in every way stated in His Word. I pray that we all have a deep desire to read His love letter to us, the Bible. I pray that we are not satisfied with who we are but unceasingly climb to new heights of loving and living for Christ. I am a sinner, I have and will sin, and I am beyond blessed to know that my Lord will forgive me and set me straight. He will love me, teach me, and turn me around. I pray that the Lord continue to change us, transform us, and make us more like Himself with our every breath and our every heart beat. Remember who we are celebrating- Jesus- so do what would honor Him and give Him the present of your obedience, your faithfulness, and your Christ-likeness.

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved. You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.

Bro's Graduation- 09

Family...what a wonderful glorious thing. I was glowing with joy and my heart was overflowing with happiness on my brother's big day- his graduation. The family was up and going around six to get packed into the car at about seven. We arrive at Chaminade High, my old high school, and my brother's to be alumni school with noise makers and cameras at the ready. My bro goes and does his thing. The speakers give their talks, the musicians play, and the hats are thrown. Pictures are hastily and hurriedly snapped, confetti flies through the screaming crowd of parents, siblings, and grandparents. With the class of 2009, dark blue hats with blaring orange tassels flew into the cloud covered sky cutting through brilliant rays of sunshine. My brother had graduated and now it was time to celebrate. The flood of paparazzi parents, the humongous hugs, and the continuous congratulations started off the festivities. Followed by a celebratory cuisine at my brother's pick Maria's. Family joined around the table and love, laughter, and life flourished. My excessive happiness caused me to smile, not only an ear to ear pearly white smile (my dad's a dentist :) ) but even smiles in my hazel eyes. Nothing could be better than this. Nothing could be better than having a wonderful family who loves you and who cares for you. Nothing could be better than the blessing of family. On my brother's graduation I was reminded that I need to be constantly thankful for every moment and in giving thanks and praise to the Lord ahead of time the moments to come can be made beautiful and miraculous because of our joy and peace in Him. I was reminded how blessed I am to have the spectacular family I have. I was also reminded what it means to be a big sister. That no matter what my little brother might do (even if it is too loud and too messy) he is my little brother and I am supposed to love him, guide him, and help him. The Lord allowed me to make this day about my brother and his achievement. He allowed me to make today, his day, and just be there to support him and be proud of him. The Lord opened my eyes to the brilliance of my family. He filled my heart with overflowing joy and surged love through my veins. I thank the Lord for my family! I thank the Lord for a spectacular graduation day. What could have been a long boring horribly slow torturous name by name page by page hope it is almost done service ended up being one of the best days of my life because the Lord was in control. My family and I left the plans to the Lord, prayed about every situation and circumstance revolving around the graduation, as well as, thanked and praised Him for His blessings and glories which put the graduation in a pretty good place. It was all God! Thank you Lord again for all your blessings and for my amazing family.

All content copyright © 2009 Amber Johnson. All rights reserved.
You MUST GET WRITTEN PERMISSION to reprint or republish any of this material.