As We Grow

By Cynthia Johnson

Wise parents desire what is best for their children, nourishing their growing bodies, mind, and spirit. A Parent is the first teacher within the life of a child, yet a parent cannot teach something they have not yet learned for themselves.

By God’s design and in his perfect timing, as we grow both physically and spiritually these lea

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Sep 10, 2019
• ISBN: 9781640883666

Cynthia Johnson

I am a middle-aged African American woman who is native to Oklahoma currently living in Texas. I have two beautiful and successful daughters and a handsome grandson. I enjoy reading, fishing, gardening, and writing. I feel that writing is my purpose and would love to become an inspiring author. I have been in the Counseling field since 2005 and love to guide people to live purposefully, but writing is my passion. It is the thing that brings me joy and I hope reading my work brings joy to my readers.

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As We

Grow

Cynthia Johnson

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network 2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2019 by Cynthia Johnson

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, KING JAMES VERSION®, KJV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cam- bridge Edition: 1769.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

For information, address Trilogy Christian Publishing Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, Ca 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/ TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Chris- tian Publishing.

Manufactured in the United States of America

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available. ISBN 978-1-64088-365-9 (Print Book)

ISBN 978-1-64088-366-6 (ebook)

Prologue

Have you ever felt like a failure in your Christian life? The will to do right was present, but you couldn’t figure how to do it. Your want-to wasn’t willing. You could not find how to do the right things you wanted to do and how to prevent the wrong things you were ashamed of.

You believe you are saved through Christ, but sometimes your defeat caused you to doubt. There was a constant battle raging war within you and continual losing of that battle.

You have heard of other Christians that have power, knew victory, experienced God’s moving in their life. And you have heard many accounts of the Holy Spirit’s anointing on people, yet this is a foreign language to you. There were no miracles of God in your life, and because you did not see the works of God you began to doubt your relationship with God and eventually the reality of God.

You wonder what has to be done to see revival. You wonder how you can live in power, victory, and to simply see God work in your life and circumstances. You want to walk by faith and see God act on your behalf, but that only happens for missionaries, right? That only happens for pastors and people like that. Surely it’s something you could not know in your own life experience, right?

This is how the author of this book felt in her own life. Many Christians do not experience Christ’s power in their lives because they do not fully understand the crucified life we are instructed to embrace. Because the concept and principles surrounding the cross of our crucified Lord are not being taught from the pulpit of many of our churches today, there are very few overcomers living the life Jesus died for them to live. A life with power. A life with victory. A life with abundance. A life that surpasses any amount of our own human understanding.

These promises of God are fulfilled in our lives when we recognize that our worth and value come from God alone. When we take the time to cultivate our own personal walk and relationship with Jesus, we lean on His power and guidance while giving up our own independent effort. God reaches out to us in love, providing life experiences and has given us His Word with instructions on how to live a life with worth and dignity despite our human shortcomings.

God has given us an infallible book. The Bible is a living book, therefore is it to be experienced and not just read.

The Bible is perfectly structured and written, and certain concepts and principles ought to guide us in our study.

In the matter of saving us from sin, we are totally powerless to act on our behalf. And in the matter of serving God after we are saved, Romans 8:8 (KJV) holds true today, So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

The Christian life is a paradox. The only way to defeat the enemy of the flesh is to give it up. Throw yourself at the mercy and grace of God and admit, God, I can’t do it! Please win the victory for me.

Consider your relationship with God. We are told to submit to God, to draw nigh to God, to humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. (James 4:5-10)

This book goes beyond the matter of sin in our life.

It deals with walking, talking, and pleasing God as we journey through life and allow Him to guide us into eternity.

Acknowledgments:

My beloved husband, Jay, for showing me unconditional love through his words, followed by action.

My little sister, Michelle, for always encouraging and sharing with each other those things that only sisters can talk about.

My children, who have grown into adults, in which I am so proud of.

My grandchildren, some of the greatest treasures upon this earth.

My Pastor, for speaking truth into my life.

My many students, for being a blessing toward me. May each one be successful in this life and beyond.

Introduction

In John 8:32, Jesus tells us to know the truth, and the truth will set us free.

What truths must we know to be free?

First and most important, who is God? What is His character like? What kind of personality does He have?

Our ideas about God, who He is and what He is like come naturally through our relationships with earthly authority figures. When these are distorted, so are our ideas about God.

We all long to be free: physically, emotionally and spiritually. Since knowing the truth sets us free, then what we know has a great impact on the type of person we will become.

The ultimate freedom we have as human beings is the power to choose what we will allow our minds to dwell upon. It is in our thoughts that the first movements toward the renovation of the heart occur.

By thoughts, I’m talking about all of the ways in which we are conscious of things. This includes our memories, perceptions, and beliefs. Thoughts are the place where we can and must begin to change.

Our essential nature as active and creative beings depends on our ability to envision what is not the case, as well as what is. Our ability to plan for the future must constantly run ahead of reality. And this we do in our thought process. As we think about something, our imagination sours on the possibilities. This will often set boundaries to what we believe or will choose, and therefore to what we create. It is in this hidden place of our thought process where the light of God first begins to move upon us through the word of Christ, and there the divine Spirit begins to direct our will to God and His way of revealing truth within our life.

Jesus says that freedom comes with knowing the truth. So we must start where Jesus says to start.

Many, if not most of us, did not have a great start in life. But we all desire to be successful in life with a great finish. No matter what has happened in your past or what may be happening in your present situation, God is fully aware. And God is already active in your future.

Even if you do not know God, be assured God does know you.

I was one who experienced abandonment, rejection, and much confusion about the meaning of love during my childhood years. This confusion continued into my adult years when I was kidnapped and forced into a horrific lifestyle by a man who claimed he loved me.

Love expressed toward another is more than a word. Love is expressed in action. The greatest act of love ever expressed toward anyone of us was when God sent His only begotten Son to earth to die in our place.

The fact that Jesus rose from the dead, is alive today, and still loving me in spite of my sometimes unlovable behaviors is an indescribable feeling. The fact that I will be with Him through all eternity surrounded by this uncontainable, unstoppable love is more than I can even begin to imagine.

Sharing my experiences about what God has done for and through me in this life. Talking and walking with Him daily and thanking Him for the Holy Spirits ability to put into words my experience is my way of saying, I love you.

Knowing this truth has set me free. I pray it will do the same for you.

Chapter 1: The Lord is My Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou prepared a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23

In describing the Lord as a shepherd, David wrote out of his own experience. David was exposed to spiritual truths as a child and had spent his early years caring for his father’s sheep (I Samuel 16:10-11). Learning from childhood tasks what it takes to care for the sheep, who were are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance, and protection. The responsibility placed upon the shepherd is great and the sheep must learn to recognize and obey their master’s voice for their own safe keeping. As David grew from a child into manhood, he would experience and overcome many challenges. This growing process would include both victories and defeats. In times of defeat, David pushed forward with determination, focus and follow-through. In times of victory, David gave praise and glory unto God. David’s entire life is built upon this foundation. David applied this principle to all areas of his life and God spoke of David as being a man after His own heart.

Like David, I write out of my own experience. Like David, my failures are many and like David I had to learn to trust God to turn those apparent failures into victories. This is a repeated pattern throughout human history and has touched the lives of all who have walked the planet. Like David, I have a burning desire within me to experience the joy of knowing the one and only God of all creation. A great God, who delights in me as being a woman after His own heart. This is an opportunity that is placed before each and every one of us.

David’s physical life unfolded during Old Testament history under the old covenant, and he experienced a personal relationship with a mighty God throughout his life. My life and your life are unfolding after New Testament biblical history and are under the new covenant. In other words, David’s life was fulfilled and completed before the life, death, burial, and resurrection of God’s only begotten son, Jesus. This is an important fact that must be placed in the forefront of your mind. I will refer back to the concepts and principles of this fact throughout the remainder of this book.

The New Testament calls Jesus the Good Shepherd (John 10:11); the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20- 21); and the Chief Shepherd (I Peter 5:4). As the Lord is the Good Shepherd, so are we His sheep, not dumb, frightened, passive animals, but obedient followers wise enough to follow one who will lead us to the right places and in the right ways. This psalm does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep, but on the discipleship qualities of those who are willing to follow the only One who can lead us safely back home.

When we allow God our shepherd to guide us, we have contentment. When we choose to sin, however, we go our own way and cannot blame God for the environment we create for ourselves. Our shepherd knows the green pastures and still waters that will restore us. We will reach these places by following him obediently.

Death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. Because life is uncertain, we should follow the only one person who can walk with us through death’s dark valley and bring us safely to the other side: the God of life, our shepherd.

Just as a shepherd protects his sheep, Jesus protects his people from eternal harm. While believers can expect to suffer on earth, when we give our life to Jesus and trust in His protection, Satan cannot harm our souls or take away our eternal life with God.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one. (John 10:27-30)

This is the clearest statement of Jesus’ divinity he ever made. Jesus and his Father are not the same person, but they are one in essence and nature. Thus Jesus is not merely a good teacher, He is God.

"Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." ( John 10:7, 9-11)

In contrast to the thief who takes, Jesus gives. Jesus, (the shepherd) owns the sheep and is committed to them. He is committed to love and even lay down his life for us.

At night, sheep were often gathered into a sheepfold to protect them from thieves, weather, or wild animals. The sheepfolds were caves, sheds, or open areas surrounded by walls made of stone or branches. The shepherd often slept in the fold to protect the sheep. Just as a shepherd cares for sheep, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, cares for his flock (those who follow him). Both in the good times and the bad times, both in the light of the day and in the dark of night, a follower of The Lord has a hedge of protection surrounding us at all times no matter what the circumstance may be.

All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:37-38)

Jesus did not work independently of God the Father, but in union with him. Jesus’ purpose was to do the will of God. This next statement made of Jesus gives us even more assurance of being welcomed into his presence and being protected by him.

And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:39-40)

Jesus said he would not lose even one person that the Father had given him. Thus anyone who makes a sincere commitment to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior is secure in God’s promise of eternal life.

God, not man, plays the most active role in salvation. When someone chooses to believe in Jesus Christ as his Savior, he does so only in response to the urging of God’s Holy Spirit. God does the urging; then we decide whether or not to believe.

When we make this decision to believe in Christ as our Savior, the new life we receive is abundantly richer and fuller. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately. Life in Jesus is lived on a higher plane because of His overflowing forgiveness, love, and guidance.

I made the decision to believe in Christ as my Savior at age twenty-two. This life-changing decision occurred when a complete stranger told me of Jesus.

Do you believe in God? she asked.

Yes, I replied and continued, I do believe in someone greater then myself, I guess that would be God.

"Do you know his son, Jesus?"

To which I responded, Never heard of the dude, who is he?

I went with this lady, who today has become a life-long friend, to church and Bible study. For the first time in my life, I received the good news of the gospel.

Prior that day, my life had been one continual mess. As a child, my parents had divorced and married other companions. The environment in which I was raised was non-Christian. As a family, we never did anything that would be considered spiritual, uplifting, or encouraging toward one another. I was not allowed to express feelings of love toward my immediate family members and love expressed toward me, was literally non-existent. As a teenager and young adult, I experienced kidnapping, rape, abortion, several miscarriages, and the birth of a stillborn child.

Receiving Unconditional Love

The day this lady and I had our conversation, in my arms I was holding my own precious gift from God. My healthy and very active, beautiful daughter (Renee) was a little over one year old. During the pregnancy, I had hidden the fact that I had conceived this child from her father because her father was the man who had kidnapped me several years earlier and was the reason for my previous pregnancies ending in the way they did. When Renee was born, her father told me to give her up for adoption. When the adoption agency arrived at the hospital to take my daughter, I held her tight and refused to cooperate with them.

The adoption agency then explained my legal rights as her mother to me. I left the hospital with Renee that day but had no choice but to return to a place where I was being held against my own will by her father. (Jim) told me if I wanted to keep our child, I must marry him. I remember thinking to myself I would rather spend my life in captivity with my child, than to spend one moment in freedom without her. I was forced to marry this man so as not to be separated from my child. Jim said he had fallen in love with me, however, love expressed toward another human being is not forced, but rather it is a choice. Where choice is taken away, love cannot manifest itself.

At the time of my own salvation, I was raising up my own child in an environment in which I did not love her father, but I did love God and I was filled with a supernatural determination to raise her up in an environment where love could fully manifest and abound in. The atmosphere and environment in which a young child’s developmental years are grounded and built upon can contribute a great deal to the type of adult the child will become in the future.

Tracking my own spiritual growth is relatively easy for me because it began the day the doctors placed Renee in my arms. I had watched the movie Roots and there was a scene in which a father of his newborn child had lifted her up, asking God for a blessing over her life. Although I did not fully understand what I was doing at the time, I also lifted up my child and asked God, give to me the ability to love her unconditionally. I believe in that moment God gave to me the ability to love all people unconditionally.

For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Hebrews 12:10-12

With my child in my arms, I left the hospital, to return back to a place of captivity. If joy and peace were to manifest itself within this place of captivity, then I would have to cooperate with God to make it possible. I lifted up my hands, which were hung down, and I fell upon my feeble knees and cried out to God. Then I stood upright, lifted my head, and started walking forward. I was able to find contentment within the circumstance. I did not know when, where, or how things would change, but I did trust the creator of the universe to intercede on my behalf and rescue me.

The Word of God says, I place before you, life or death… Then he gives us the answer! Choose life, that both you and your seed may live. (See Deuteronomy 30:19)

How simple is that? I chose life.

I used my own freewill to choose God’s