Part 1 of "Lighting Up The Darkness" by Pastor Jeremy Johnson, spoken on 1-4-2015.

"He Is" by Pastor Jeremy Johnson, spoken on 12-7-2014.

"Unwrapped" by Pastor Jeremy Johnson, spoken on 12-21-2014.

"Free Indeed" by guest speaker Pastor Paul Geerling from iSee Church, spoken on 12-14-2014.

Part 4 of "Paradigm Shift" by Pastor Jeremy Johnson, spoken on 9-07-2014.

On this journey of life, there are many moments when it is easy to feel very lonely, even when we are not alone. People may surround us, yet we feel as if no one were there. John 14:16 tells us that we have a Counselor, Holy Spirit, who will never leave us. Holy Spirit will always be with us, to the end of time. When this reality and truth sets in, no trial or social situation can convince us that we are alone.

We know that trials are bound to happen during our span of 70-80 years on this earth. Life is much like a puzzle, and not the kid friendly 6 piece kind, either. It’s more like the 300 or 1,000 piece puzzles that almost seem impossible, yet aren’t. And they definitely don’t take thirty minutes to complete.

Have you ever felt like you had to have everything figured out? Your 18th birthday comes along, and now you’re supposed to know what to do. Your 25th birthday comes along, and now you should have everything figured out about your life and future. Your 30th birthday comes along, and if you don’t have it figured out by then, something’s definitely wrong. Right?

Wrong.

Life is a puzzle, and all the expectations the world puts on us to have it all “figured out” by a certain time is exactly that: the world’s expectations. They are not God’s expectations or standards. He only requires that we walk with Him in truth and humility and follow Him wholeheartedly. That is a journey in itself!

God has a specific plan for each person’s life, which is comparative to the picture on the front of a puzzle box. There is an end product after all the pieces come together, but if you judge the puzzle by the individual pieces, you will be very lost. A person needs to get the vision of what the puzzle should look like, and then all the pieces will make sense.

Same with our lives. God has created each person’s “puzzle” to look differently. Not one is the same, or should be the same. His plan for each person is different. All our individual experiences and the things that made us who we are, are the puzzle pieces that make up our big picture and contribute to God’s original and unique plan for our lives.

So ask God for the vision of your “puzzle,” or should we say, of your life. The vision of what He has for your life will give you strength to get through the trials and temptations that come your way. It’s all about perspective. It’s all about what you focus your eyes on. Focus on the big picture, the vision, not all the small pieces that can be confusing. God is about to do something great, so get a vision and shift your paradigm!

Food For Thought:

1. When do you tend to feel lonely most, and how can you shift your perspective in those moments toward the truth?

2. Do you know what your "puzzle" looks like? What do you think God's vision for your life is?

3. Have you ever felt pressure to have everything "figured out" about your life before? How did this make you feel?

4. How can you shift your perspective to see the big picture on circumstances in your life instead of getting caught up over small trials or trivial things?

Part 3 of "Paradigm Shift" by Pastor Jeremy Johnson, spoken on 8-31-2014.

Paradigm Shift Pt 3

Moments. It’s what we celebrate as people. Birthdays, graduations, finishing a race, entering into the next grade for school. Life is made up of moments, but more importantly, it is made up of a journey. Full of excitement, pain, highs and lows, sometimes it’s pleasant, and sometimes it’s anything but easy, but it all makes up our individual journey.

Each of us has an individual perspective on life and on circumstances that we face. Some of us look at our issues and think we may die, we feel depressed, we’re full of anxiety, or maybe some of us see an opportunity for victory. Wherever you’re at in your journey, God has you there for a purpose. Life is a series of tests and lessons, and God is not wasting any pain that comes your way.

Maybe some of us are going around in circles and going through the same things because God’s trying to open our eyes to a new perspective on the issue. He’s trying to shift our paradigm. He’s trying to use what’s in front of us, and the little we have, to reveal something great to us.

In Matthew 14, Jesus uses the disciples to feed 5,000 people (around 15,000 including women and children). They start out with five loaves of bread and two fish, and after the whole miracle comes to an end and everyone is fed, they are left with twelve baskets with scraps of food in them. Twelve baskets, one for each disciple. If ever in the future they doubted that Jesus was able, or if they started to lose faith, it was almost as if they could feel the scraps of bread in their basket and remember the miracle Jesus did. If He did it before, He can do it again!

When we “feel the scraps” of our past, we are reminded of what God has done in our lives. We are reminded of His faithfulness and grace. This is what telling people about Jesus, praying for the sick, etc. does. It is reminding us of where we were when Jesus found us, and in that moment, we celebrate His faithfulness again and believe for greater!

In your situation, what scraps of the past do you need to feel to remind yourself of God’s goodness? What perspective do you need to gain to learn what God is teaching you? Life is a journey, and God is constantly wanting to shift our perspectives on things to see like Him. As Jesus would say, “He who has ears, let him hear” (Matt. 13:9).

Food for Thought:

1. Where are you at in your journey with God? What do you think He’s been trying to teach you?

2. What are the scraps of your past that you can feel to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness?

3. What has been your perspective about the hard circumstances of life lately?

4. Has there been something you’ve been going through over and over again? Is there something God may be trying to shift your perspective about?

5. What perspective will you choose to have this week on your circumstance?

Additional Scriptures for Study:

• Mark 6

• Matthew 14

• John 1:1

• Philippians 4:6-12