Know God and Do the Will of God Concerning Your Life

Know God

and Do the Will of God

Concerning Your Life

GIVE GOD THE GLORY!

Kevin Wayne Johnson

WRITING FOR THE LORD MINISTRIES

Hillsborough, New Jersey

www.writingforthelord.com

Give God the Glory! Know God and Do the Will of God Concerning Your Life

Copyright © 2001 by Kevin Wayne Johnson

First Printing

Second Printing

Third Printing

Cover Concept by Kevin Wayne Johnson

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(877) 842-6916

Revised Cover Design by Atinad Designs

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ISBN 9781476152127

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articles and reviews.

Praise for Give God the Glory!

"The author of Give God the Glory! is proof that God does work with and through people, as he observes in the introduction. There is honesty in this book that leads to the Word. I am grateful Deacon Kevin W. Johnson includes the Scriptures...as they reinforce the power in this book for new and ‘retired’ Christians."

– ChristianBookReviewer

Congratulations on the publication. I wish you great success with your first printing. Your book, Kevin, touched me. Please know our prayers are with you as well.

– Gayle King, Editor-at-Large,

O The Oprah Magazine, New York City

"Every Christian is gifted and commissioned to faithfully administer the manifold grace of God. With such a highcalling, it is imperative that we live each precious moment with a precise revelation of our part in God’s overall plan.

Kevin Johnson’s book, Give God the Glory! sets out to help the reader discover that revelation. His timely message is both practical and penetrating providing a comprehensible plan of action well worth implementation."

– Lawrence Powell, Pastor,

Agape Family Worship Center, Rahway, New Jersey

"Give God the Glory! is full of in-depth information for the Christian and non-Christian alike. The author has done extensive research of the Holy Bible and various secular resources. Reading this book will provoke one to consider their purpose for living. You will be convinced, as I was, that the Word of God is true and applicable for living in the 21st century. I recommend Give God the Glory! as a wonderful literary work to be included in your personal library."

– Reverend Melvin Johnson, Sr., Pastor & Founder,

True Disciple Ministries Bible Institute (an Evangelical Training Association affiliated Institute), Somerville, New Jersey

"Give God the Glory! is a how-to book. It takes the words of the Bible and applies them to life. This book will open the word to your day-to-day life. The author gives his interpretation, and a good one, of the word. Read, apply, and enjoy."

– William L. Rosser, Jr.,

Rosser Family Dentistry (retired),

Richmond, Virginia

"Give God the Glory! offers usable information that can be referred to time and time again in your library. It covers diverse topics conducive to the enhancement of family relationships. This work is also easy to read and will prove to be enjoyable and enlightening. Johnson encourages his readers to Know God and Do the Will of God Concerning Your Life which is practical use of a most appropriate subtitle. He enthusiastically embraces God’s word for his life and expresses it in a way that gives readers incentives to do the same."

– Purpose Magazine, Book Views,

Columbus, Ohio

"Reading this inspirational book is a life-changing experience. It is truly a blessing for all of us who wish to learn to follow God’s plan in our lives. I recommend Give God the

Glory! to anyone who is searching for a guide to a more fulfilling spiritual life. Through the special gift of his writing ministry, Kevin Johnson models for all of us the ways in which we can each use our own talents to bring others to the Lord and to spread the word of the gospel."

– Nancy Boyd-Franklin, Ph.D., Professor,

Rutgers University, Co-author, with her husband,

Dr. A.J. Franklin, of the book, Boys into Men:

Raising Our African American Teenage Sons

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:11).

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork (Psalm 19:1).

In Loving Memory of...

I dedicate this book to the loving memory of my maternal grandmother, Granny. She was a God-fearing woman who, when I was about eight-years-old touched me on my clean shaven head one day in her home and predicted that I would grow up to be a preacher. It is a memory of her that I will never forget. I also vividly remember observing Granny on her knees consistently and persistently praying to God.

Thank you, Granny, for your Godly example.

Contents

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

Part I - KNOW GOD

1. Glorify God at All Times

2. You’re Called (whether you know it or not)

3. Knowing Your Spiritual Gift(s)

Part II - DO THE WILL OF GOD

4. Spread the Gospel!

5. Stand Tall by Knowing Your Covenant Rights

6. Be a Blessing to Others

Epilogue

Concluding Prayer

APPENDIX A —Scripture references from Preface

APPENDIX B — Psalm 23

APPENDIX C — The Fall of Jerusalem

Selected Bibliography

About the Author

Acknowledgements

First, and foremost, I thank God, who, through His love for me, transferred me from the power of darkness into His marvelous light, simply by confessing Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. The gift of writing has been manifested in me, and revealed unto me, as a means to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I am eternally grateful for it.

I thank my lovely wife, Gail, who has added tremendously to my life. Thank you for your editorial gifts and all of your support relative to the completion of this book. I love you more each year along with our three sons, Kevin, Christopher, and Cameron. Because of you, I look forward to each day as a husband, a father, and a man. I thank my parents, Ernest and Adele, who led, guided, and directed me throughout my childhood, adolescent, and young adult years. Dad’s military service in the U.S. Marine Corps instilled discipline and confidence in me during my early years that are paying dividends even today. Dad, your inspiring words—Be prepared—will be passed on to my boys. Mom’s nurturing and diligent attendance in church taught me as a boy that God is real. While Dad was away in

Vietnam and Okinawa, fighting in America’s wars, Mom persistently kept me focused on the Lord through activities such as Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Richmond, VA.

I thank my Pastor, Patricia Webster, and the Shiloh Pentecostal Church family. It is wonderful to have a great church home where the Word of God is taught boldly and uncompromisingly. I have grown so much since joining Shiloh in March 1998 and am so proud to be a member where I can perfect my ministry calling.

Thank you Steve Gilliland of Performance Plus in Pittsburgh, PA. My Christian brother inspired and challenged me on March 9, 2000, during a training class in New York City, to write this book.

Lastly, I thank all family members and friends who have touched my life in a positive way. Your love and support have added enormously to my life and have helped to shape me into the person that I am today. For that, I thank you and love you all.

Foreword

Deacon Kevin W. Johnson gives us a successfully laid out strategy in helping us to Give God the Glory! He shares his personal testimony. He provides us with Scriptural support, and, through these pages gives us the opportunity to look within ourselves and realize that God has been truly good to us and we must take the time, everyday of our lives, to give Him the Glory He desires and deserves! I would also encourage anyone who wishes to have an impact on developing a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as introduce others to

Christ, to read this book. I am proud of this first of many literary contributions Deacon Kevin will have the privilege to share with the world at large.

Patricia Webster, Senior Pastor,

Shiloh Pentecostal Church, Inc.

Christian Love Center

Somerville, New Jersey

Preface

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it (Psalm 68: 11).

Give God the Glory! is one of the many ways that I am personally able to glorify God that is through the blessed gift of writing. This book is the culmination of numerous personal experiences and accounts as a member of the body of Christ. The pages contained herein comprise many years of personal Bible study, reading various texts and articles, and intently listening to powerful sermons that I have enjoyed from the two pastors that God has placed me under. This book is written to all of God’s people. Regardless of your personal religious belief(s), God’s grace and mercy is sufficient to meet all of the needs of His people. I am totally convinced, by faith, that God’s gift to us all, His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ—has redeemed each of us from the curse of the law, so that we may enjoy life, and enjoy it abundantly (John 10:10).

For those who do not have a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, it is my prayer that Give God the Glory! will open all hearts and minds concerning God’s love for us, be the spark that ignites a burning desire to know Him, and cause us to rely