www.GAJohnson.org | Hebrews Twelve Two

obama gets it

"While I could sit in church and pray all I want, I wouldn't be fulfilling God's will unless I went out and did the Lord's work." ~ Barack Obama

Obama gets it.

What would happen if every person that goes to church would go out into their communities and minister at the point of need as Jesus did?

What would happen if every church goer would get it and do it?

gaj

walking right is vital

Check out this paragraph of Scripture:

(1 John 2:3-6 NIV)  "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. {4} The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: {6} Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." (emphasis mine)

So Let's have a discussion.  How did Jesus walk?  Click on "comments" below and list what comes to your mind.

gaj

following christ - there's nothing like it!

Becky and I have had a great week of following Christ.

• Sunday - Talked about Grace, Mercy and Praise at the www.LovingGodFellowship.org Salem Campus.  Listen or download by clicking here.
• Monday - Ministered to over a 100 homeless people downtown in our city.  Oregon, California and Washington have the highest homeless rates in America.  They are considered among the lepers of our day.  We love ministering  to them at their point of need, touching them, singing and praying with them.  They love to sing Victory in Jesus and ask us to sing it with them every time we are with them.  Right before they were fed for the night, I talked to them about Jesus and encouraged them to keep their eyes fixed on Him.  Jesus was there among us.  He ministered to the lepers of his day.  And he knows what it feels like to be homeless.  The last three years of His life, he had no where to lay His head.
• Tuesday - Met with young Latino men in our city.  I shared with them Psalm 119:9-16 and how we can stay out of trouble by knowing and obeying God's Word.   We have been trying to instill within them a hunger for God's Word for months.  I was thrilled as one of them was able to quote from memory my two favorite verses:  (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)  "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)  "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."
• Wednesday - Talked about how Jesus as our example, touched the socially undesirables of His day at their point of need, met their needs and refueled for more powerful point of need ministry at the www.LovingGodFellowship.org Salem Campus.  Listen or download by clicking here.

gaj

janie cavazos - lgf minister of the month

On Sunday, Becky and I recognized Janie Cavazos as the LGF minister of the month at the Loving God Fellowship (LGF) Salem  Campus.

Janie is one of our team leaders that goes into the Cavazos Center for Latino Youth and Families to conduct a weekly Bible study on Tuesdays.  The Cavazos Center is named after Janie's husband and our brother, the late Cat Cavazos.  Cat started the Street Vision gang intervention program here in our city and now it is named after him and is run by Catholic Community Services.

In recognition of Janie being what LGF is all about and fulfilling the LGF Ministry Model, we presented Janie with a yellow LGF messanger bag.  Afterword, she told us that yellow was Cat's favorite color.  

Join us in congratulating Janie for ministry well done!

gaj

when not to be silent

Silence can be golden and there are times when we should keep our mouths shut.  But there are times when we should not only speak with our words, but also with our actions.  And speak loudly with both!

I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. ~ Elie Wiesel

Use your words and actions to make a difference.  That's why we are placed and left on this earth.  Let your words and your actions speak loudly against the social injustices of our day.  Jesus did in His day.  As Christ followers, we are to continue His ministry in our day.

(Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV)  ""Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. {9} Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.""

What an exciting journey we are on!  I just love following Christ from earth to glory.  It's going to be a spectacular finish!

In what ways are you using your words and actions to make a difference in our day?

gaj

What would Christ be doing in our cities?

Sad to say, there are a lot of churches in America have neglected following Christ in missional ministry.  Some cities have churches on every corner with homeless sleeping in their lots, drug addicts using on their steps and gangs fighting over their turf.  They have church and will minister to those that come in to their service.  They may even sell them a book, cup of coffee and a ticket to their latest event, but who are they touching during the week?

What did Christ do?  He attended church on the Sabbath "as his custom was", but He ministered daily at the point of need.  Most of the people He touched daily would not be welcome in the church.  He hung out with sinners and debated with the religionist of His day.  His friends were the sinners and the religionists nailed Him to the cross.

So what are we as Christ followers to do?  (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)  "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

I’m going to have church @ http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org , but the rest of the time, I’m going to follow Christ in point of need ministry.  I feel closer to Christ when I’m ministering to the drug addict, the homeless, the incarcerated and the gang member wanting freedom. 

Last night, I picked up a homie that is fresh out of jail and living in a transitional house and took him for a big mac.  We talked, ate and prayed together.  Jesus was with us.  I could sense His precious presence.  This man can’t come to our church because it would be a parole violation.  He doesn’t have to come to our church though.  I know where he lives.

gaj

in jail

Becky and I were in jail tonight.  From 7:30 PM until 10 PM we followed Christ in point of need ministry at the Marion county jail.  We met with the women first and then the men.  We had a powerful time together in worship, prayer and God's Word.  I preached and encouraged them to get rid of all distractions, keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and follow Him.

Our county has more jails and prisons than any other county in America.  When laws were passed in Oregon, it was decided to build all prisons and mental hospitals here in the capitol of Salem, Oregon.  People move here from all over to be close to those they love that incarcerated.  Prison ministry is a vital part of the LGF missions portfolio as we are determined to make a difference in our day and follow Jesus in point of need ministry. 

What a mission field this is and we are right where God wants us!

gaj