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The Scribal Anointing
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Theresa H. Johnson
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Theresa H. Johnson
FINDING YOUR SOUND?
©
Copyright 2007 Theresa Harvard Johnson
For Permission to Redistribute Contact
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(Inspired by a message I heard from my graduation from
Kingdom University this
year. I just can't get this out of my spirit.)
I love the Lord. Over the years, I've learned to love His people and the
sound that he has given them. I often talk about how each person
represents a "facet" of God. It's kind of like looking at the different
cuts in a diamond -- not a single one of them are exactly alike. Yet,
each one is cut with such precision and care that the process, within
itself, is time consuming and deliberate. In our human nature, just
thinking about this stretches the mind beyond its limits.
Jeremiah 1:5 says: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew
you, before you were born I set you apart.."
Psalm 139:1-4 says: " LORD, you have searched me [thoroughly]
and have known me.
You know my down sitting and my uprising; You understand my thought afar
off. You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are
acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue [still
unuttered], but, behold, O Lord, You know it altogether."
God Knows our personality. The state of our character and EVERY unique
attribute. Through Jesus Christ he tears down down things that are
UNLIKE him through the renewing of our mind. But guess what, he DOES NOT
change our personality -- that part of us that make us UNIQUE. By
applying the fruit of the spirit to our mind, however, our CHARACTER is
tempered and changed. The result is a new attitude and new behaviors.
Some people don't know the different between a person's "personality"
and a person's "character." As a result, many spend their lives trying
to change their personality to fit what they "think" it should be
instead of changing what can really be affected -- one's character.
Quick Definitions:
CHARACTER: The inherent complex of attributes that determine a persons
moral and ethical actions and reactions. An example of character would
be: "Tashia is quick tempered, and often says what she feels and thinks
- regardless of what others around her may be experiencing. She's brash
and rude, and has no sense of timing or protocol. If it's the truth, she
just says it."
In this example, you see that what "Tashia" thinks is her personality,
is truly a serious character flaw that needs the love of God applied to
it.
PERSONALITY: The dynamically organized totality of personal traits which
distinguish one person from others. An example here would be, "Tashia
always speaks assertively, and tends to be serious. She rarely speaks
unless she has something to say. She has a command of words, and is able
to articulate clearly what needs to be said with forcefulness. Yet, it
is easily received, even in sharpness, because of her ability to deliver
the message with respect to protocols, timing and a tempered heart."
You see, in the examples provided, God gave "Tashia" a strong, BOLD
personality. She is able to convey her thoughts and convictions with
power and strength -- yet not offend with flaws caused by bad character.
We must understand that OUR SOUND is embedded within our God-given
personalities.
I've received much criticism because my sound tends to be "preachy" --
even as a poet. But the sound God has given me, reflects that of a
"PREACHER." Why? Because in my heart ... that is who God is building me
to be. I am, and forever, will be a PREACHING PROPHET. That sound will
come through my poetry, short stories, sermons, teachings ... and
whatever else God inspires.
The point here is this: Do NOT ALLOW PEOPLE to cause you to reject or
change your sound. Your sound is developed through the PERSONALITY that
God has embedded in you.
I've met ministers who are very "sweet natured" so to speak. They teach
soft, they pray softly and they minister in a very, very quiet nature.
This is a direct contradiction to who I perceive myself to be. (smile)
Yet, in the Kingdom of God THIS IS A BALANCE. WE NEED SOFT SPOKEN
preachers, teachers and writers. I cannot force my PERSONALITY on
someone else. (Let's be clear here, I'm not talking about TIMID people!)
I've met soft spoken preachers and teachers who can cut and shatter
devils with their sound.
Finding "Your Sound" is a matter of identifying the "voice" God within
you.
Take a look at this:
A person's personality can range from being serious and peaceful to
quiet and reserved. There are people who are very inquisitive and they
ask many, many questions. There are others who are quiet, kind and
conscientous all the time. Everytime you see them, they are giving gifts
and offering words of encouragement. Then, there are others who are
reflective, idealistic, and somewhat analytical. Each one of them,
however, have been equipped with the personality needed to perform their
assignment for the Kingdom.
It's time to walk in WHO YOU ARE! Take control of the voice and heart
that "you" write with, sing with, speak with, dance with, etc. Stop
trying to change your personality AND STOP TRYING TO CHANGE THE
PERSONALITY OF OTHERS!!!!!!!!!! Instead, allow the fruit of the Spirit
to temper your personality, and develop CHARACTER in you.
Once that character is developed, then it will shine through everything
you do for God. It will activate the LAW OF ACCEPTANCE in your life. You
see, Christ accepted us all. He never once focused on the personalities
of his disciples, he EMBRACED THEM... and pulled on their strengths.
Every Peter needs a James, every David needs a Jonathan, every Paul
needs a Timothy...
When your CHARACTER changes under the hand of God, your attitude
changes. When your attitude changes, the personality God sent with you
from heaven shines forth. It is with this refined "mind of Christ" that
we can earnestly go forth in fullness in ministry.
Philippians 2:5-8
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with
God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion
as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross.