I was recently studying up on Jesus quoting the Old Testament and found a great page published several years ago by Jews for Jesus entitled Jesus’ References to Old Testament Scriptures. I was looking specifically at His proclamation in the synagogue where He read from Isaiah 61 and then declared, “today this scripture has been […]
Author Archives: Eric M. Johnson
Better to Give
I recently read a passage from Hebrews 12 about shaking and asked the people I was speaking to if they had noticed any shaking going on around them. Everyone nodded affirmatively. Hebrews 12:25-28 tells us something about the shaking. See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused […]
More than Possible
At the end of the story of the Rich Young Ruler found in Matthew chapter nineteen, Jesus utters one of His classic statements, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” A little digging into this verse reveals a powerful truth. When I use the word possible, I use it in […]
Wilderness Wandering Awaiting Awakening
Many in today’s church have long spoken of and looked for a future event we’ve called “revival” or “awakening”. We’ve been much like the nation of Israel who wandered through the wilderness serving their 40 year sentence, looking forward to the Promised Land like we have looked forward to revival. What was the crime of […]
Go and Get Your Gift
Football season is just around the corner and that excites many people around the country, while others really could not care less. Regardless of your opinion on the sport, I think everyone can agree that it is not a passive, peaceful game. At the risk of alienating a portion of you by continuing with the […]
I Want to Go Somewhere but Don’t Feel Like I’m Going Anywhere
On a recent Sunday morning, the Holy Spirit brought the phrase “the Macedonian call is here” during a time of prayer, and then “what is sown in tears will be reaped in joy” in prophetic worship. The two are tied together. You can read about the Macedonian call for yourself in Acts chapter 16 to […]
Why it’s Good to be Uncomfortable
Like most people, I prefer to be comfortable. When it comes to temperature, furniture, and clothing, comfort is always best. What about dealing with situations and interacting with people? In those cases, embracing growing pains and the growth that comes with them is always preferable to complacency. This afternoon I was reading Isaiah 64 and found […]
You Carry Power to Set the Tone
We’ve all noticed that in any group of people, some naturally tend to become the center of attention while others shun the limelight. We have terms like introvert, extrovert, charismatic, reserved and so on to describe these characteristics in people. We each are created with unique personalities. While we may have different personalities, if we have accepted […]
One Church
Here in Iowa, our governor Terry Branstad has taken a stand for the Word of God by issuing a proclamation that predictably has some up in arms. In part, the proclamation reads, “encourage all Iowans to join in this historical Iowa 99 County Bible Reading Marathon to take place June 30th through July 3rd, 2016, […]
Do You Love Me?
As I write this, it is a gorgeous Monday evening. My habit on Monday is to spend time with God, putting an emphasis on listening. I talk to God all week long, but seldom do I set aside time to listen. Today it happened that my listening time coincided with a run during my lunch hour. […]