February 14, 2022 by Rev. Nina Brown Johnson

Angels, Roses, & True Love : Part 2 “Angels”

“The angel of the Lord encampeth round about the that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7

I really had a rough time thinking about this one. There are so many stories in the Bible of the interactions between those of us on earth and the host of heaven, who are sent to us, I believe, more often than we could ever imagine.

And it is truly hard to write for six years dealing in the same subject matter and not get redundant, and redundant I do not wish to be, so this post with be heavy laden with golden links that can be clicked on for more posts concerning heaven meeting earth.

But we have all experienced those moments in life, usually near fatal accidents that somehow, miraculously we were spared and stories upon stories that can have only one explanation divine intervention carried out by servants of the most Divine.

We can get into the mindset of this by recalling the stories of old.

One my personal favorites the angel that visited Hagar not once but TWICE.

Daniel whose life was spared through his faith in God as God sent an angel to “shut the mouths of the lions” which I believe this meant that the lions were calmed and lulled they knew the angel was there as we know from the story of the beaten donkey , the donkey that kept stopping because she saw what her evil rider could not… the angel whose compassion toward that donkey almost brought an even earlier end to Balaam.

The angel Gabriel proclaiming blessed news to Mary, and again angels coming to proclaim to simple shepherds that that blessed promise had been fulfilled.

Other births had been foretold as those of the angelic realm paid visits also to Samson’s parents, his mother first and then at the prayer of Manoah, God sent the angel again to clarify how this child should be raised.

Not to mention Zacahrias, the father of John the Baptist was also visited by Gabriel as he performed his duties in the temple.

There are stories of encounter after encounter with everything from bring prophecy and good news, to warning of danger ahead and assurance that the future will be brighter as in Hagar’s case.

An angel fed Elijah when he was so discouraged he could no longer continue. Jacob wrestled with the angel before becoming Israel, Joshua was given comfort meeting the captain of the host that were for them.

Stories of the Lord sending his angels to fight against those that were to strong for his children to fight and opening the eyes of the servant of Elisha to allow him to see just how many were really there for that fight if needed. Other times he sent them forth in judgment to destroy those that sought to destroy his chosen or defiled his temple.

They announced his birth, his resurrection, and spoke to the disciples at his ascension assuring them that he would indeed return just as he went away and they will continue to watch over us and do his will until that day.

So when I think of God and I think of love it is very difficult to not think of the angels and his beauty, grace,and kindness in sending them to watch over us and when I think of all the times in life all of us could have encountered an angel and not have ever even known is even more amazing to me!

“Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:1-2

Our gentle warning to always respond in love (I fail this one often!) and a bigger warning that we should always be very careful how we treat others because we can actually be talking with an angel.

I want to point out something here, if you were to ever encounter an angel posing as human to check your true usage of the golden rule you would probably never even know that you had but just know that an angel would never test you on anything contrary to the word of God.

They would never request anything of you that is wrong or illegal or immoral. And they are NEVER to be worshiped.

“And I John saw these things and heard them, and when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it NOT: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings (words) of this book: WORSHIP GOD.” Revelation 22:8,9

I love “angels”. I have angels on almost anything you can imagine and love giving Christmas cards with scriptures of “Glad Tidings” and art work of the same.

When we think of all the beautiful cards with truly inspirational sayings and thoughts of love and peace with gorgeous illustrations of what we perceive the angels to be, lets always bear in mind one thing.

These thoughts and sentiments that we have came to cherish are actually a reflection of the love God has sent to us, the only difference is his angels ARE real!

So I want to give you some of that good news, the words from God concerning those of the heavenly host that he does in deed give “charge over you” to watch over you, comfort you, protect you, and be there in the loneliest, most barren place of hopelessness .

Much like the place Hagar found herself in, through no fault of her own and just when she thought EVERYTHING was hopeless and she truly believed that she and much worse her son were going to die in that wilderness, God sent his angel with not only words of comfort, words of hope, and the PROMISE of a future for her son but also he miraculously sent them water so that they could physical continue on that journey.

God know all of our needs emotional, spiritual, and physical and he addressed all these for Hagar, taking care first of the emotional, then the spiritual, by giving her reassurance delivered no less than through an angel, and then her physical need was met.

And he does the same for us, we just have to believe and be open and mindful that even when we feel alone and it looks like there is no one on our side, Jesus is and he sends his angels as proof of that.

John was told to not worship them because they are workers together with us for the kingdom of God. Which is so important to say in a world that wants to worship everything except the one true God and always be careful of media posts and sites that touting messages from angels or connect with your angels.

We don’t connect with them… God sends them to us, they are ever present.

There is always the question that if God is real and angels are real why does bad things happen?

That is explained quite simply as being on this earth, being human, God never promised this earth would be easy, it is not our eternal home, we are not in the realm of immortality and the pain and heartache felt by one is surely felt by another.

And the best way to be mindful of that, especially when we are going through particularly painful seasons is remembering a very crucial lesson, Jesus was Mary’s firstborn son and he was also God in human form and will for ever be and Jesus who was the perfect, sinless, Lamb of God DIED for us so that we could live.

The Bible is also full of stories of heartache and blessings given for the generations by those near the end of their own.

The apostles Peter and Paul both writing of the deaths that were soon to come and yet both of these men spared, miraculously rescued by the angels and not just once.

Peter after having been arrested and chained between two guards had this encounter as recorded in Acts 12:7-10: “And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him (stood by), and a light shined in the prison: and he smote (tapped) Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly, And his chains fell off from his hands.

And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals (get dressed and put on your shoes), so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

And he went out, and followed him; and wist (knew) not that it was true (real) which was done by the angel; but he thought that he saw a vision.

When they were past the first and second ward (guard posts), they came unto an iron gate that leadeth unto the city, which opened to them on his own accord (meaning the gate miraculously opened): and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”

Paul as he was in the midst of the storm while a prisoner on a seemingly doomed ship, had the to speak of his encounter and what they must do to survive:

Acts 27:22-26: “And now I exhort (urge) you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship (the ship would be destroyed).

For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve. Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Wherefore sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast (run aground) upon a certain island.”

The angel reminding Paul, bringing God’s words and promises over his life back to his mind, assuring him that no matter how dark it was not quite time.

It was not yet time for them to go to that eternal home but when the time started to come they knew and they never questioned God’s love for them.

The one common thread that weaves it all together is this, it is only temporary and the entire reason for our faith is believing that there is so much better, in the life yet to come.

Lets actually just quickly look at what they both said concerning their inevitable deaths.

Paul wrote this ending his directions to Timothy concerning what he must do to be a successful minister for the Kingdom of Heaven.

2 Timothy 4:6: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure (death) is at hand.”

And Peter, also giving instructions as his last words before saying this:

2 Peter 1:13-15: “Yea, I think it meet (is right), as long as I am in this tabernacle (body), to stir you up by putting you in remembrance:

Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle (die), even as our Lord Jesus has shown me.

Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease (death) to have these things in remembrance always.”

How could they have such comfort and such peace? Because they knew, they had the Lord and they knew had the angelic host and we never alone.

They are with us from birth, through childhood, just as Jesus said concerning the children when he gave this warning from Matthew 18:10: “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.”

When we have ran amok, wasting our inheritance like the prodigal sons and daughters that we are, hanging out with the wrong people and as messed up.as we are he still loves us.He still watches over us and still his angels watch over us and Jesus said this about the moment that they are observing as we come into the truth.

Luke 15:10: “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repeneth.”

These are they who cease not to praise the Lord and there are those who are night and day around the throne and the only time we are told they are silent is just before judgment is began against earth. They are with you in life and they will be with us in death as again Jesus relays the story of Lazarus.

Luke 16:22: ” And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man died and was buried.”

Quite a contrast the rich man died and was buried (we know that he also lifted up his eyes in hell, never have accepted salvation) but Lazarus carried by the angels.

Start to finish, God send us his messengers and when we have doubt and fears, loneliness and grief we should always rest in that comfort, as they have been with us silently and invisibly here, one day we will be with them there, we also we be part of that host of heaven but until then rest assured knowing that they are always around!

Φλογιζω NBJ 2020/ Rev Nina Brown Johnson REVISTED 02/14/2022

Posts in series: Angels, Roses, & True Love/ Intro

Angels,Roses,& True Love/ part 3 “A rose by only one name”

February 7, 2021 by Rev. Nina Brown Johnson

“SNOWBLIND”

“And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Master (Rabbi), who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

Jesus answered, NEITHER hath (has) this man sinned, NOR his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest (revealed) in him. I must work the works of him who sent me , while it is day, THE NIGHT COMETH, WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

When he had thus spoken (when he had spoken this), he spat upon the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And he said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which by interpretation, Sent.)

He went his way therefore, and washed, and came away SEEING.

The neighbours therefore, and they which before had seen him, that he was blind, said, Is this not he that sat and begged?

Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him; but he said, I am he. Therefore they said unto him, How were your eyes opened?

He answered and said, A man called Jesus made a clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam, and wash; I went and washed, and I received sight.

Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know not.

They brought to the Pharisees him that was aforetime (formerly) was blind.

And it was the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.

Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say unto the blind man AGAIN, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? he said , He is a prophet.

But the Jews did not believe concerning him (they didn’t believe any of it), that he had been blind, and received his sight, UNTIL they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who you say was born blind? how then doth (does) he see now?

His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not; he is of age, ask him, he shall speak for himself.

These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had agreed ALREADY that if any man confessed that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him.

Then again they called the man that was blind, adn said unto him, Give God the praise: we know this man was a sinner. He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

Then said they to him again, What did he to thee? how opened he thine eyes?

He answered then, I have told you already, and ye did not hear (REFUSED TO BELIEVE); wherefore (why) should ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciple?” John 9:1-27

Wow, can you believe how much snow everyone is getting? It is summing up to be a record with snow storm after snow storm just as the old timers used to say, “The snows still laying on the ground for the next one”, and and my dear friends how true that is!

Especially when you compare it to spiritual snow jobs!

I love the definition of Snow Job: “A deception or concealment of one’s real motive in an attempt to flatter or persuade.” Isn’t is so true as all this snow has laid on the ground just waiting there to be the the foundation for the next great fall, so has the spiritual snow job that has been carefully crafted for quite awhile now, just laying the foundation for greater apostasy and a seriously greater fall, and many of have warned for years what that fall is and how great a fall it shall be.

A snow job sending forth flurries of deceit as so many began to fall victim to the false teachers while others of the church sat back and said nothing swallowing down the pill that if we spoke a word in love, a word of the truth of God’s word,we would be labeled bigots and “haters”.

Somehow now, in this modern era, warning people of the dangers of sin and the very real consequence of eternal damnation have suddenly after 243 years as a nation became “hate” and are now considered “hateful views”, correct me if I am wrong but wasn’t it always considered hateful when you actually told some to “Go to H***.”

How then , is it suddenly “hateful” when those who have been called of God for just that purpose to try to minister to the lost so they can be saved from hell?

Preachers preach, since God spoke to Abraham and gave him his promise, and as he used Moses to his children out of Egypt. He also used many that would not seem likely candidates to bring change to the lives of those around them in the face of persecution, and while being outright detested by society and being mocked and ridiculed by those who arrogantly pride themselves of being of a higher understanding. When there is no understanding outside of the will and knowledge of Christ, we think we know a lot until we are met with the truth and we are met with Christ and then and only then do we realize how truly blind we had been in this world.

And that snow job has grown into a massive blizzard it is slated to destroy the foundation of everything we stand for as Christians and there is no longer time for you to decide if it is okay to to have one foot in and one foot out, as the saying would go, I can answer you that, you either love God and you worship him or you love the world and worship it.

There is NO middle ground. The concept that, suddenly now, there can be both is an absolute demonic lie, society has came up with , “Well, this is what I believe…” and even those who claim that they are teachers of the Gospel but conveniently negate the majority of his word, anything that could possibly be “offensive” to their friend the world, so what little truth they do know, they candy coat and water down the truth until it no longer even resembles the context in which it had been spoken and written as instruction for us.

And the days have come that have been warned of, far, far in advance and the attitude of hate toward truth, while calling it hate, will only get worse as more and more the agenda is to silence all who hold and teach the true word of God.

I was watching a morning news show several weeks back, and on the crawl at the bottom of the screen very briefly mentioned that a church had been attacked, someone actually planting a device, tehre, and the news program actually had it listed as this, “known for its hateful views” What were these “hateful views”?

Upon further research of the subject done my sweetie, It seems a petition had been circulated because the church taught the truth, taht truth inclucding taht homoesxzxuality is indeed a sin, along with all other sins, and sin we all must be forgiven for because in God’s eyes sin is sin, whether you have lied, cheated, stolen, had an affair, whatever it may be, but to God sin is sin. So this church did not get any report of the damage, no report of those who may or may not have been injured, no report on what was being done to apprehend those responsible, only a crawl at the bottom of the screen, not even a mention of heinous or any description usually used with such an attack only a church in CA known for it’s “hateful views”.

And that is what we have come to and that is what we are dealing with, if this had happened anywhere other than a church it would be plastered all over, all screaming violation of rights and how atrocious and uncivilized but since this was an attack on those who the news media feel have “views’ contrary to the popular thought, then obviously it wasn’t that big of a deal to them.

And it just a matter of time until they try to shut us all down, no matter the platform we use, so if you are hearing the word heed the word while it may be heard.

Dig this, from the Book of Revelation, it is dealing with the destruction of Babylon The Great, Revelation 18:23: “And the light of a candle shall shine NO more at all in thee; and the VOICE of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard NO more at all in thee:….”

That in no way means that they get their wish, it only means that the have pushed too far, and have awaken the wrath of God and once he reveals his power they will no longer doubt his existence but will be on knees in repentance.

But it is truly sad that God has to bing such judgment upon all the earth in order for people to believe.

So with that we’ll get back to the reason they don’t believe, well the number one reason is simply guilt by omission, it is easier to simply deny his existence than to take responsibility for our lives and it is easier to sit on the fence than to risk ostracization by those around us, and others have just fallen prey to the snow job that satan’s political puppets have performed.

Here’s your word for that, 2 Corinthians 4:1-4: “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not (do not lose heart).

But have renounced (spoken against) the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in crafitness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

But if our gospel be hid (veiled) , it is hid to them that are lost (perishing); In whom the god of THIS world hath BLINDED THE MINDS OF THEM WHICH BELIEVE NOT, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine into them.”

They are in effect spiritually blinded by the snow job of this world!

Please stop listening to them, the more you listen the more they will seduce you against the truth of God, that is why it is referred to as “SEDUCING SPIRITS”, get in the true word of God and stay in his word and as we are also instructed to “shun profane babblings”, just stay away from it, NO ONE can understand the things of God UNTIL they know God and we accept Christ we so begin to understand because he enlightens us and nothing he ever asks is for our hurt, he only has our peace and happiness in mind, but make no mistake, if we are not for him, we are against him and He is kind and he is beautiful but the wicked will fall to his wrath, unless they repent, and that choice is theirs, just as all who serve him now had to make that choice, he gives us that freedom, we have the freedom to choose who we believe, do we believe the word of God which has stood the test of time, and choose to believe the accounts of so many have given their life for their belief or do we choose to believe a lie and perish with those lies.

Either way, once the last breath leaves our bodies, and our souls depart from this earth, we don’t get a do over, I do believe that God is faithful and i do believe that he deals with us right up to making that decision to accept him, even if it is with our last breath, because he does not want any of us lost, just as the thief on the cross, dying right there beside Jesus and he asked for forgiveness and Jesus said “Verily I say unto thee, TO DAY, SHALT ThOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.”

Now that is what mainstream is calling a hateful religion, and if you listen to them they will have you confused and siding with the devil himself, “Poor old devil, he and his angels kicked out of heaven, just like that, threw down to earth, threw from their home, just expressing their views”

That is what the world right now would headline that story as if they had been in charge of reporting it!

So again, don’t fall to their snow job, you are responsible for guarding your heart and your mind, and don’t listen to them and their redrick, don’t buy their interpretation of the truth, read the truth for yourself and don’t fear them, if God is tugging on your heart to speak with someone or speak out against something, do it, just trust God and do it , I’ll give you Jesus word for that one too:

“The disciple is not above his master (teacher) , nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple to be as his master, and the servant as his lord. IF they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them that are his household?

Fear them NOT therefore, for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid that shall not be known.

What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon housetops.

AND FEAR NOT THEM WHICH KILL THE BODY, BUT ARE NOT ABLE TO KILL THE SOUL; BUT RATHER FEAR HIM WHICH IS ABLE TO DESTROY BOTH THE BODY AND SOUL IN HELL.”

He is reassuring us here, remember they had actually accused him of being evil, he is was GOD and they are accusing him of using evil to cure people! And even at his crucifixion they charged him with blasphemy and again, he was and IS exactly who he claimed to be but because his words cut through their wicked hearts because it convicted them of sin, they wanted him out of the way and out of their lives and the same is exactly what is going on today but the word of God will not be silenced and it will not be stopped, but there will be that great and terrible day at the destruction of Babylon the Great when they have proven themselves beyond hope and no longer worthy of his word.

So knowing all these things, don’t fall for the snow and the good news about being snowblind, it’s curable, just don’t look at the storm, don’t even bother go out in it an rest your eyes by looking up because as he already told us, “…Look up, lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh.”

Blessings to you till we meet again!

Φλογιζω NBJ/ Rev. Nina Brown Johnson 2021

September 8, 2020 by Rev. Nina Brown Johnson

“Hidden”

Psalm 119:9-16: BETH “Wherewithal (how) shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord teach me thy statutes.

With my lips have I declared all thy judgments of thy mouth I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

I will mediate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in they statues; I will not forget thy word.”

The cleansing power of the Word of God, we are saved through faith in Jesus and confession of salvation and he forgives ALL our sins, never to be remembered again.

He washed us in his own blood, changing the filthy rags of our own righteousness to a covering of his perfect righteousness, all for the asking, all we must do is believe and ask him! As we study his word, he speaks to us through that word, he speaks of his love for us, his mercy toward us, and the promises of those words, he also fills our hearts with that word, as this scripture reminds us:

“But this man ( Jesus), after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

From henceforth (now on) expecting (waiting) till his enemies be made his footstool. for by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before.

THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAITH THE LORD, I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS AND IN THEIR MINDS WILL I WRITE THEM; AND THEIR SINS AND INIQUITIES (lawless deeds) WILL I REMEMBER NO MORE.

Now where there remission (forgiveness) of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiness by the blood of Jesus.

By a NEW and LIVING way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh.

And having an high priest over the house of God.

Let us draw near (to God) with a true heart in FULL ASSURANCE of faith of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession (confession) of our faith without wavering;(FOR HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED)” Hebrews 10:12-23

As we had been encouraged to let the mind of Christ be in us, we understand in these passages why that is us needful for us, as God is even telling us that he will put his word in our hearts and his laws in our minds when we are saved so that we can understand his will for our lives and so that through his word we can resist this word, the devil, and all the pit falls and make our way homeward to New Jerusalem. And this is his promise concerning what will happen for you when you get those words in in your heart and in your mind, he will bring those back at the very moment you need them!

He will supernaturally “drop” that verse in your thoughts or a particular Bible story will come to ind to let you know how to proceed, what to read or how to pray for someone else.

Whatever you need it will be there.

John 14:26: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I said unto you.”

Have a blessed day! and hide his word in your heart, hold onto those promises and rest in His peace! We will soon His glory like never before!

Φλογιζω NBJ 2020/ Reverend Nina Brown Johnson

February 23, 2020 by Rev. Nina Brown Johnson