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    Fresh Oil: A Word for Dry and Difficult Days
    Fresh Oil: A Word for Dry and Difficult Days
    Fresh Oil: A Word for Dry and Difficult Days
    Ebook142 pages2 hours

    Fresh Oil: A Word for Dry and Difficult Days

    By Eric A. Johnson

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    About this ebook

    "Fresh Oil lives up to its name. Dr. Eric A. Johnson speaks to our inner pains and struggles, and helps us see that blessing and healing are available. Just like fresh motor oil gives life for our cars, we all need the fresh oil of the Holy Spirit that recharges, resets and reinvigorates our lives. In these times of brokenness, uncertainty and trouble, Fresh Oil provides Biblical principles that refresh the soul."

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBK Royston Publishing
    Release dateSep 1, 2018
    ISBN9781386936893
    Fresh Oil: A Word for Dry and Difficult Days

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      Book preview

      Fresh Oil - Eric A. Johnson

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      Psalms 20:4, 5b records one of the prayers of David.  In this prayer, David prays that help would come in the day of trouble (difficulty); that God would defeat and send help from the sanctuary and strengthen out of Mt. Zion. David's purpose in requesting these petitions is that God may grant the heart's desire (Psalm 20:4) and fulfill all purpose and answer all petitions.  One never knows how our help will come nor what it will look like.  I thank our God for granting my heart's desire to be used to help equip, encourage, and empower the lives of His people.  I am truly thankful and grateful to be in the Kingdom and to be used by God for His Kingdom.

      I want to thank Mrs. Yvonne Brooks and Big B Design for assisting me in the design of this book.  She serves as my Ministry Assistant and now graphics coordinator.  Just amazing!

      I am blessed to share the ministry of writing with Mrs. Gladys A. Brent.  She endeavors to glorify our God by giving herself to typing my hieroglyphics and making valuable suggestions which greatly improve the quality of this work.  Without her commitment and prayer, much work would go undone.

      I am graced to serve a creative, non-traditional and loving staff and church. They together are one of the greatest in the world.  The Greater Galilee Church disciples have been so loving and encouraging.  Thank you for your support and giving, without you I'm not sure what the quality of my life and ministry would be.

      We must always be reminded that we are nurtured by the village from which we come.  To that end, I say always thank you to my wife’s family, lovingly known as the Gaskins and the Wyatts.  Lurella Wyatt, my mother-in-law, was a super star to me.  She took care for me and of me in ways that were superfluous and never thought twice about sacrificing herself for my betterment.  Gosh, I miss her.

      To my Aunty Bettye Frazier who has a heart of gold and a laugh that breaks down all struggle.  Thanks to all my cousins – what a unique family.  To my Aunt Doris Frazier – who is now deceased, but never forgotten.  Lastly, my birth mom Tene who reminded me that God does care and will answer prayer.  Thanks. 

      An extravagant thank you to my wife, Jan, and the Johnson trio.  Jan, thanks for being you to me.  You are a real blessing to me every day.  Thanks to J.R and Wynton for knowing how important laughter is and continually reminding me.  Thanks to Erica for knowing just when to show how much you care.  You really are daddy's girl.

      Lastly, Paul in Philippians 1 articulates his deep appreciation for the saints of Jesus Christ at Philippi because of their painful, but steadfast partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.  Paul notes that he has them in his heart because of God’s grace.  He further notes that the saints of Philippi have stood with him both in proclamation and pain and thus, the gospel has both been able to be full and to flow.

      I am not unaware of the countless number of saints who go nameless, yet have made a herculean deposit into this ministry so that God’s great and powerful gospel could both be full and flow.  Some did it for hurt, others for competition, but like Paul, I can but rejoice that the gospel is preached.

      I thank God for all the prayers, support and spiritual encouragement that the saints have sown into all that I am, endeavor to do and aspire to become.  Hebrews tells us that they are a great cloud of witnesses and I feel at times their pushing and I sense their presence.  Thank all of you for lending what you are to help me become...

      DEDICATION

      To Cathryn B. Mitchell (December 11, 1918 to November 29, 2015), my mother in tears, in the faith and dear friend.  For one, who although not perfect, conquered difficulties with style and grace.  Through your Christian dedication and example, blessings were made possible for so many persons who were in need of help, hope, and healing.  Life is made better by realizing that all thorns have roses and we were blessed to have someone who taught us to look past the thorns of our struggle and ever behold the rose.

      To Erica, my beloved daughter.  For one, who I pray will blossom to benefit this world and God's Kingdom.  Keep looking for the rainbow.

      Table of Contents

      FOREWORD

      The issue – too many feel unappreciated or under-appreciated whether it is in the secular or personal arenas of life or I am embarrassed to say even within the Christian church. One could expect the community – non-faith-based aspects to downplay the critical role of the church collectively and individual believer personally. Yet within the church, leader after leader, believer after believer, are lamenting the lack of affirmation, appreciation, and genuine affection exhibited by the brothers and sisters in Christ.

      The numbers of individuals leaving the ministry (not necessarily leaving their faith in Christ) is staggering.  Practically every denominational body from the most conservative to the extremely liberal is experiencing a decline in membership and consistent attendance. The short tenures of church leadership whether clergy or lay servant-leaders are too often the direct result of a lack of support and dedication on the account of the those to whom one feels a calling to serve and serve with. 

      Growing themes for many are words from a contemporary gospel song is Encourage Yourself. Should one expect anything different? As one reads, studies, and meditates upon the Word of God one finds servant-leader after servant-leader too frequently misunderstood relative to motives and motivations for serving. The results too often are tragic endings for dedicated consecrated persons involved in Godly kingdom building. Jesus ended up on a cross like a common criminal. Disciples were beheaded, run out of town, executed, jailed, or banished from society. Great persecutions of all sorts were the order of the day. Betrayal, isolation and constant danger were typical. Should one expect less today? Many are so spiritually dry. Is there a word from the Lord?

      Dr. Eric A. Johnson, pastor, professor, prolific preacher, bible-believing theologian, family man and community leader has written a timely and much needed must read for the dry places we all too often find ourselves in. Johnson tells the reader there is hope! There are answers. Here are devotional messages that will/can bring the FRESH OIL everyone needs from time to time.

      Here is a gifted, seasoned, well prepared clergyman/theologian who has proven within his own life experiences and among others he has served, one can overcome the dry places in his life and his ministry. It takes time. It takes faithfulness. It takes endurance. There are no quick answers or fixes. It takes hearing and obeying the voice of Jesus and the message of the Holy Spirit found in the Word of God.

      To be more than a conqueror; to believe God will make a way somehow; to affirm that no weapon formed against us can prosper; to believe I can do all things through Christ who gives us strength; nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen, nobody knows ‘bout Jesus; Aren’t you glad Jesus knows all about my troubles, Jesus knows how much I can bear."

      Read and be refreshed! Get some fresh oil for your dry (hard and crusty) places!

      Dr. T. Vaughn Walker

      PREFACE

      But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  Isaiah 53:5

      And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?  Matthew 27:46

      At some point, all of us have experienced deep hurt, trauma, or wounds that ripped through our emotions, our soul and our psyche.  While the wounds of a friend may run deep, they do not always console, comfort or aid in our healing.

      This book is for the wounded.  Those persons who understand that life at times makes no sense.  No formula or praise can exempt one from being ripped apart by life. This book is also for those who either feel God-forsaken or may be going through what seems to be a God-forsaken situation.  My daughter, Erica, and I were in a store getting her some snacks for school and while we were in there a major storm blew in and it began to get dark and pour down rain. Erica didn't like the storm, we stood at the doors until the storm eased up.  Once it passed, she exclaimed Look daddy, I see the big rainbow. Then out of nowhere she asked a profound question, Daddy, why can't we have the rainbow without the storm? I don't want the storm... My response was, Erica, it takes what's in the storm to cause the rainbow.  How often do we as disciples rebuke the storm and pray only for the rainbow?

      Like my daughter, we, as Christian disciples, have to mature spiritually to gain an appreciation of the storms which bring the rainbows into our journey.  Storms can be very dangerous in their impact and they are often very scary experiences when we are caught in them; however, we have to be reminded and encouraged that Jesus never allowed anyone He was with to die in a storm.  Peter walked to Jesus in the midst of a storm and faltered, but Jesus refused to allow Peter's falter or fumble to be his finalé.  

      Jonah was a disobedient and somewhat disturbed prophet who choose to abscond from the command, commission, and call of God for his life.  Yet, when Jonah is caught in the storm, God prepares a great fish to salvage the struggling prophet until he relents and repents.  The storm did not destroy even the disobedient prophet.

      The disciples were in a storm, but this time the text says, that Jesus was in the bottom or back of the boat sleeping.  The disciples are working to stay above water, but obviously, they were battling losing odds.  The text makes clear that the disciples were exasperated

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