Can You See???: We Don’T Always Comprehend What We Observe and Witness

By Johnny J. Boudreaux

Mankind always waits until they have nothing else they can do to give time to their surroundings. The life of man has and seems to always be the fault of someone else. From the beginning, he has not given consideration to anything but himself until the falland this is where God comes in. He had dominion and could not see that he had the power and rule over every little creature, even over the serpent. It is not until he is crossed over by his own mistakes will he identify that God is in charge.

God has given us rule, and we blame everyone else for not accomplishing the task given to us by him. If its not the wife, its the children, the job, the lack of money, or the lack of opportunityjust to name a few things. When are we going to admit it? We are the problem. We serve a merciful God, and he cares for us more than we can describe or imagine.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: May 1, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532021695

Johnny J. Boudreaux

Dr. Boudreaux is the Founder/Pastor of the True Faith Missionary Baptist Worship Center, Houston, Texas. He has taken an active role in giving back to the Houston Community. He has also been called to speak at high schools, and other social events throughout the city and state. Dr. Boudreaux has been a professor with the University of Phoenix- Houston Campus since 2006 and has worked in the Lead Faculty position for four years. His scholarly interests are in the areas of Leadership, Ethics, Critical Thinking, Philosophy, Religion and Evangelis . He has written two books, “Developing a Process for Christian Leaders” and “Leadership through the Dark”. He is married to Deborah Boudreaux and is the father of three children, Tyrone, Nicole and Janesa Boudreaux. Dr. Boudreaux has been awarded an Associate Degree in Theology from the College of Biblical Studies, Houston, Texas, Graduate Diploma and Master of Divinity with languages Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth, TX) and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Houston Graduate School of Theology.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 Johnny J. Boudreaux.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

iUniverse

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5320-2176-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-2169-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905495

iUniverse rev. date: 04/26/2017

CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1 Looking At Our Surroundings

Chapter 2 The Genesis Of Seeing

Chapter 3 Blind By Choice

Chapter 4 Understanding The Ministry

Chapter 5 The Makeup Of The Church

Chapter 6 Steps In Observing

Chapter 7 Trouble In My Way

Chapter 8 Emotion

Chapter 9 A Chosen Condition

Chapter 10 What Are You Looking At?

Chapter 11 What Is It You Want?

Chapter 12 Leadership Without Discipline

Chapter 13 Seeing Transitionwill Change Our Philosophy

References

PREFACE

This book is set up in a way I wish everyone would understand what life should really display. These pages present life as an accumulation of relationships. If living does not involve relationships, life has no meaning or purpose. This book allocates with living, which leaves out so much when hearing, seeing, and feeling are not properly disciplined. The title of this book deals with relationships in a unique way—not directly yet face-to-face. This writing will challenge you to observe your surroundings, which will cause you to make assessments of what is discovered. I am surprised with the many life-changing episodes that are found within the pages, yet I must admit it was exciting researching and discovering that I have experienced and witnessed much of the information printed.

From the beginning to the end of this book, relationship is identified, and you are going to see (understand) what the individual with relationship difficulties is really going through. Instead of blaming someone for these perplexities, we should address the problems of relationships sooner rather than later. The struggles in most of our affairs are not what we describe them to be; they are what we refuse to see. The Bible does say this about humankind: For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Eat and drink! He says to you, but his heart is not with you (Proverbs 23:7). What we see and hear are many times reflective of what we desire. Anger, lust, and confusion are conditions that are motivated by emotion, and emotion alone is not a condition your senses should be consumed with when making decisions.

The Bible instructs us how to think: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6). We will never understand our surroundings or the beginning of seeing, being blind by choice; understanding ministry or any of the other chapters in this book will require you to honestly confess that you have areas in your life needing spiritual attention.

I am excited about this project and would love to hear from you with any questions and direction concerning this book. I will now allow you to read this book and not give away any information that will take away any excitement of completing this transcribed journey.

CHAPTER 1

Looking at Our Surroundings

Life is complete when we can observe clearly what we are focused on. Living has its surprises simply because we want it this way. Yes, we—want it this way! Humankind will enter into relationships that will be challenging while knowing that the connection is not going anywhere if improvements needed are not addressed. How is hope’s expectation going to be understood when there is no faith in what we are striving to be or anticipate becoming? Can he or she see that expectation requires a strategic plan with a desire to accomplish such a task?

We must take hope with a vision everywhere we are and in everything we do; this kind of attitude will be necessary to handle the opposition we encounter. The ability to realize what is before us is not always going to be comprehended by everyone with us. Remember what the Word says about faith? "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). Everyone seems to know this verse by memory but not by practice. To know anything, we must try it on or conduct ourselves in a process that will exemplify what it looks like in a real-life protocol.

SUBSTANCE

We must be ready to identify the substance spoken of in the text. I am glad that this inquiry was presented: I will attempt to make this initiative as visual as possible. Substance is the matter that challenges the individual to do or believe in what is prepared or completed. Faith demonstrates itself, and what holds it together is the substance, which is creating the excitement that allows it to continue in the presence of opposition. Substance allows people to hold on to dreams or desires they always wanted and extended themselves to apprehend. Substance is an everyday matter we seem to overlook, and by doing so, we make it impossible to accomplish our goals in life.

Paul gives attributes of substance to Timothy, the young leader he left in charge of a congregation he had formed. Paul gives Timothy reason to be authentic in the faith by encouraging him to be assertive, affirmed, and attentive. Paul tells Timothy, Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God (2 Timothy 1:8).

I want the reader to take a closer look at these three characteristics and what Paul desires for the young leader to pursue, which can be found in these three distinctive modes, which are assertive, affirmed, and attentive, that must be observed.

ASSERTIVE

Paul tells him not to be ashamed of the testimony: not until we decide to develop reason to be self-confident or aggressive can anything be done in ministry. Defending or maintaining our faith in God will demand boldness and a positive view of where we are expecting to be. This kind of movement will seem forceful and a bit pushy at times, but not until we take a stand of this type will we complete our ministry goals while being prosperous. The idea that we will accomplish such a task overnight is not something we should be looking for; this type of assertiveness will demand faith in every step of the way. The encouragement Timothy received from Paul is something all leaders should learn, practicing how to engage such passion. Timothy was being tested and perhaps became or had become frustrated with people and the work.

Speaking with confidence is one aggressive approach before the people, but more is needed. Along with this self-confidence must be actions in the leader’s vision and plans. The followers must be convinced that you do have an idea of what you want, along with a strategic plan to follow. Some plans may seem a little too contemporary, but we must fix our mind-set to present-day thinking without compromising the Gospel. David, Paul, and Timothy were bold for their time in presenting God in such an assertive manner.

AFFIRMED

After confirmation, we don’t mind acknowledging or sharing with others in a more intimate fashion. We must be willing to share this Gospel with transparency within all of the conditions life presents us in the ministry of Christ. Affirmation is confession, and confession is what gives freedom to us in Jesus Christ. I like using the life of Paul because he was bold in testing times and would not back away from any challenge that came his way. He (Paul) was made stronger when presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many more believers today should be more confirmed in God’s Word than ever before. If we have been ministering, we should by now be confirmed that the word God is true and powerful.

We should have the desire of Abraham, the challenge of Moses, the obedience of Deborah, the boldness of David, the passion of Samuel, the wisdom of Solomon, the confirmation of Joshua, and determination of Paul. There is no shame in being affirmed while telling others about what it is. It took awhile for these servants just mentioned to see what God has for His people, but when they caught the vision, nothing could stop them from their destination.

ATTENTIVE

We must be mindful and devoted to being audacious for the Lord. Taking risks should be a common mode of courageousness in every situation, which we will come face-to-face with on a daily format, while being alert and bold, allowing us to experience the power of God through faith. These three substances are just a few of the many that keep us hanging on during difficult times.

We must not forget that substance without vision is dead, and visions are important to followers of Jesus. Hope is what gave Abraham such an impact on humanity, which God placed upon him. Abraham’s ability to move forward was because of hope and the promise that kept him going when the situations in his life were not as certain in appearance as he would have liked them to be. David’s faith in God is what kept his going as well. He declared, He makes me to lie down in green pasture (Psalm 23:2). Jesus displayed His loyalty in faith when He affirmed to Pilate that He was indeed the promised king, when He could have said no to the question, He did not (John 18:11).

Gideon, one of the elite servants of God, was chosen to lead the children of Israel to victory over the forces of Midian, whom Israel had been