Look Through Heaven's Eyes

Tag: Holy Spirit

  • The Lie That Hitched A Ride

    The Lie That Hitched A Ride

    When I was around the age of six, televangelist were at their peak. I remember eating my breakfast, eyes glued to the TV, while the latest TBN guest told me all the steps needed in order to get my heart’s desires met by God. I had a whole list of things I wanted to pray for, but thought it best to focus on one at a time.

    I was the baby of the family and the only girl, with three older brothers. Number 1 on the list, I no longer wanted to be the baby or the only girl. I am not sure who or where I picked up the idea that if you weren’t specific enough in your prayers, God might get confused and give you the wrong thing. As if God isn’t omniscient, knowing what’s in my heart and mind better than I know myself.

    I remember pondering the exact words to use to make sure God understood exactly what I was asking for. I wanted a sister close to the same age as me so we could be best friends, and I would have a built-in companion. However, she had to be a little younger than me so that I wouldn’t be the youngest anymore. It’s important to note that I was adopted, so I wasn’t asking for a crazy miracle of my mom somehow having some medically mysterious pregnancy, granting me a sister that would be close in age. Adoption would be the way to go. I wrote down my prayer asking God to send me a sister with a birthday close to mine. (If I said little sister, God might send me a baby sister, and that’s NOT what I wanted).

    I prayed this prayer for my sister for 2 years, with no reply. When year 3 came around once again, after listening to whatever televangelist my mom had on, I found the reason that God had yet to answer my prayer. I was lacking faith. Back to the drawing board I went, and now in little 8-year-old Haley’s mind, what better way to show that I truly had faith that God would do what I asked for than thanking him for the sister that I knew He would send, and that’s exactly what I did. I began praying, Lord, thank you for giving me a little sister with a birthday close to mine.

    Shortly after I turned 9, my prayers were answered…well, sort of. My parents adopted a little girl whose birthday was February 21st; my birthday is February 26th, can’t get much closer than that, right? The only problem was that she was 9 years younger than me.

    However, could I really blame God? I was warned that if I wasn’t careful with my words, He might get it wrong, and after further examination of my prayers, I realized that I should have just said a little sister who was close in age to me. Hindsight is 20/20, right? While everyone talked and celebrated the answered prayer of little Haley, who displayed such faith and got her little sister, a core belief had developed in my heart that would follow me for over a decade.

    Most people believed that it must have strengthened my belief and faith in God and the power of prayer, and yeah, it did, but a sinister belief hitched a ride into my heart that. That belief that was nestled into a secret hiding spot in my subconscious was that God really doesn’t know me or understand me. He was confused by my prayer because He didn’t know what was in my heart. This lie slipped in beneath the surface and went undetected by me for a long time. More and more situations occurred during my childhood that would affirm this belief, feeding it without my knowledge. However, God did know what was in my heart and mind better than I did, and He had a plan all along.

    I share this short, story from my childhood to show an example of how those of us who have grown up in the church, learning scripture and fully believing in the power of God, sometimes (I would even go as far as saying more likely than not), have picked up core beliefs that effect our view of God and perception of the world our self-worth and identity that remain hidden in our subconscious. These beliefs can be damaging and create a block in our hearts from fully accepting the love of God that He desires to shower upon us.

    I encourage those who have grown up in the faith and those who are new to spend some time in prayer. Ask God what beliefs may be hidden in your heart that do not align with His word. If or when any are revealed to you, take some time to study scripture and seek God for the truth, and don’t be afraid to ask a friend for help. Godly counsel and good friends in Christ are incredibly beneficial for our growth, reminding us of what’s true.

  • Is Too Much Even Possible

    Is Too Much Even Possible

    “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” ~Ephesians 3:20–21

    “ Julius, you ‘re doing too much again.” That is one of the most common phrases you will hear in our house. Just a few moments spent with Julius, and you can see the energy radiating off of him. Nothing he does is done in moderation. It’s always full steam ahead.  After the children’s message, his feet carry him swiftly down the aisle, causing him to zoom right past our pew. Those sitting around us might hear him asking, “How many more songs until we can flag?”. He can barely contain himself, ready to wave that flag proudly for the Lord.

    At home from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., you can hear his not-so-little voice, asking questions, making dramatic sound effects for his toys, or singing his favorite song. Amidst all of this will come the moments of tears because he bumped his head once again, the toy he was roughly playing with broke, or he has a scraped knee. After comforting him for the 20th time that day, I will say, “Julius, maybe if you weren’t doing too much all the time, you wouldn’t get hurt so much”.

    Lately, I’ve been thinking that I might be wrong. Yes, even moms get it wrong sometimes. (Don’t tell my husband, as far as he needs to know, I am in fact always right). However, maybe Julius’ full-throttle attitude is just being misdirected and is not what needs to be changed.

    I have spent the last month studying the book of Ephesians. The whole book is filled with reminders of the things that God has done for us. He’s adopted us as children, seated us in heavenly places, given us access to every spiritual blessing, and reached down and brought us back to life. The list is endless and doesn’t account for the specific ways He has shown up in our individual lives.

    When I reflect on all the wonderful things that God has done, extending all the way back to the beginning of time, I can’t help but come to the conclusion that nothing I do to worship God and bring glory to his name is ever “too much”. Nothing we do or give can compare to what God has already done and already given to us, not to mention all the things he’s currently doing and has yet to do. So maybe instead of telling Julius he’s doing “too much”, I should learn to redirect his full-throttle mindset into living a life full throttle for God. While also asking God for some of that energy so that I may be more like Julius, living a life full throttled for God with the perspective that nothing is ever “too much” for God

  • May It Be Written On Our Hearts

    May It Be Written On Our Hearts

    My husband and I feel deeply blessed to send our children to a Christian school where they are daily taught the Word of God. On top of that, they attend Awanas, where they continue learning scripture, and they receive a special message during our church service that’s just for them. We are so grateful for every person God has placed in their lives to help plant His Word in their hearts.

    Zaniya is now at the age where both school and Awanas require her to memorize Bible verses. The other day, she was working on one and proudly said, “Okay, I know it.” I was proud of her, too. But when I asked her to practice it again the next day, she looked confused and said, “Mom, I already said it.” I gently explained that we don’t memorize scripture just to earn an award, we memorize it so that it can be written on our hearts.

    I shared with her how, at her age, I learned many of the same passages she’s learning now, and how those verses have guided me through life. God’s Word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105, ESV). It renews our minds (Romans 12:2). It gives us the power to stand against the lies the enemy tries to throw at us (Ephesians 6:17). I told her that I still get scared sometimes. Still, then I remember Psalm 121:3–4, which says that the God who watches over me “will not slumber… indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” When I doubt my value or identity, I remember that I am God’s child (John 1:12), loved and chosen, and that He prepared good works for me to walk in, works He ordained before I was even born (Ephesians 2:10).

    Some days, the tasks before me feel overwhelming, but I remind myself where my help comes from: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). And when I look at the news and wonder why wickedness seems to go unpunished and corruption is praised, I remember that God is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18), and I am called to be patient and trust in His timing, which is far greater than mine.

    God’s Word truly is amazing. It can carry us through anything when we choose to view every circumstance, every problem, and every day through the lens of His truth written not just on paper, but on our hearts (Hebrews 8:10).

  • It’s All In Your Heart

    It’s All In Your Heart

    In our home, we’ve posted the Johnson Family 12 Commandments (10 was not enough). A simple list to guide Zaniya and Julius in daily choices: no complaining about meals, use gentle hands, no jumping on furniture, and most important, for my sanity, NO SCREAMING!

    While the list helps curb disruptive behavior, that’s not our ultimate goal. The list helps us identify deeper heart issues. If we are struggling with not complaining that reveals a spirit of ungratefulness that has infected our heart, which does not align with the will of God. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

    Likewise, if we are struggling to use kind words and gentle hands, it’s not a lack of politeness, but a more dangerous offense of lacking love and compassion. “Anyone who claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.”1 John 4:20 (NIV)

    Behavior is the fruit, but the heart is the root. If we focus only on outward actions, we miss the deeper transformation God desires, a heart transformation. “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45 (NIV).

    Thankfully, we’re not left to fix ourselves. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV) As we remain in His presence, soaking in His Word, walking in the Spirit, He reshapes our hearts. Our job is to go to Him and trust Him to finish the work He started. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

    At the end of the day, we reflect on our day and help lead the kids in prayer for turning to God for forgiveness and the strength to do better the next day. It often goes like this.

    Heavenly Father, we thank You for all You have blessed us with, and we thank You for sending Your son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Please forgive me for all the times I didn’t show love to those around me, forgive me for when I didn’t show patience, or gratefulness for what You have given us. Please give me the strength and empower me with Your Holy Spirit to do better tomorrow. Thank You that I can find comfort and confidence in Your forgiveness, and everlasting love. Amen.

  • Following Like daisy

    Following Like daisy

    Psalm 143:10 – “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

    Our dog Daisy has separation anxiety. She doesn’t like being more than a few feet away from us, let alone in a separate room.  She always wants to be close, often right underfoot. When I’m rushing around, it can be frustrating to trip over her, but when Josh is working nights, I welcome her cuddles and closeness. Her presence brings comfort.

    One evening, as Daisy assumed her usual spot, resting her head on my legs, I realized something: her constant desire to be near us is a picture of the kind of closeness I want in my relationship with God.

    I love spending time in Scripture and worship. But as the day goes on, my mind fills with tasks and distractions. I shift from walking in the Spirit to walking in my own strength, focused on my plans, my goals, my pace.

    What if I were more like Daisy? What if I spent my day intentionally following the Holy Spirit, staying close to Him no matter where He leads? Maybe He’d guide me into a conversation that encourages a friend, or prompt me to show kindness to a stranger. If I stayed near Him, I might begin to look more and more like Jesus, becoming His hands and feet in the world.

    I’m grateful that God is far more patient than I am. He never gets tired of our desire to be close. He welcomes us to follow Him, always inviting us into deeper connection.