Derek Charles Johnson

Drive The Enemy Out Completely | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 3, 2023 Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land. Joshua 16:12 The Book of Joshua is a fascinating book as we see the nation of Israel go in and finally take the land God promised them. Under Moses the people rejected the promise because they were afraid of giants in the land. Joshua takes a whole new generation of Israelites in and after the crossing the Jordan, they takedown dozens of kings and kingdoms. However, asad footnote was apparent by the end of the book: certain enemies were not fully driven out. The people they were told to remove were left in various areas and cities. There’s an application here to our spiritual lives. When we choose to follow Christ and leave behind an old lifestyle we must do all that we can to remove ties to those old ways. What are the triggers that linger around and tempt us? Maybe a subscription to a streaming service that has shows we don’t need to watch. Maybe the drinks we leave in the fridge just in case we need to loosen up after a stressful day. Maybe it’s a phone contact we need to delete because those conversations onlylead to gossip and slander. Whatever means the enemy can use to gain a foothold, he will use them. Israel dealt with many headaches years down the road because they let the enemy live in the land. Under the Lord’s power, it is our charge to drive the enemy out completely from our lives. Question for today: Are there any areas of my life that I am giving the Devil a foothold in? How can I close that door completely? Pray: God give me strength today to drive out the enemy. I want to lessen the opportunities for temptation to win. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Just As I Am, I Come | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | March 1, 2023 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 In the famous hymn Just As I Am, there is this verse: Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt Fighting and fears within, without Oh Lamb of God I come, I come In these lines, there is a longing to just “be” before the Lord. No pretenses. No preconditions. Just coming into His presence and resting in His goodness. It’s a place that can receive us even with the conflicts and doubts we have. It’s a place big enough for the fears we face. It’s a place that, even as all is laid bare and open, we find freedom and joy. Whether or not we are weary in the journey, it’s a place we must go to regularly. It’s a posture of our lives we must take each day. The writer of Hebrews wanted his audience to know this truth. There is nothing hidden from the Lord; all is laid bare before Him and we must give an account for all we have done. But praise be to God for His Son! As we sing Just As I Am, we can know that the Father sees Jesus — His blood and sacrifice — as He looks upon us. If we have come to the Lamb of God and accepted His free gift, being laid bare and open is not something that brings shame or condemnation. It brings life! We can come just as we are, knowing He never turns us away. Question for today: How is knowing that God sees all that I am freeing for me right now? Pray: God I thank You that I can simply come before You…just as I am. Thank You for refilling and refreshing my soul. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Seeking God’s Approval, Not Man’s | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 27, 2023 And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. Acts 6:5 As the first martyr of the early church Stephen is a key individual to study. In reality, we are not given a ton of information on him. Stephen is only mentioned in Acts 6 and 7 but his role is an important one. Because of his good repute and being “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3), Stephen is chosen to help out in a much needed role: to minister to the needs of widows. The ministry of the early church was expanding so quickly that some needs were getting left behind. Among those needs, the concerns of widows were being neglected. Stephen had already proven himself behind the scenes and was one of the men chosen for this role. We know Stephen quickly is thrust into a position where he must defend his faith. He is outspoken about Jesus and therefore ruffles the feathers of many Jewish leaders in the synagogues. We know Paul (then Saul) was among those who rounded up Christians and executed them. What we learn from this courageous act of Stephen is something that still applies today: we must serve God faithfully in season and out. Sometimes that may mean a lack of favor from men. Stephen was not after the approval of man. He wanted to serve His God faithfully and did so until the end. Question for today: Have I experienced pushback for my faith in Jesus (at work, school, online, etc)? How did I respond? Pray: Lord, thank You for examples like Stephen who stood courageously for their faith even when it cost him everything. May I be as bold when it comes to defending the Gospel. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

God We Need You! | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 24, 2023 LORD, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, LORD. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2 We are seeing a lot happening lately in terms of renewal and an overall hunger within the Body of Christ; especially amongst young people. I believe the hopelessness of this generation has led to a yearning for something deeper and something real. In recent weeks, the altars at several Christian colleges have been filled with students crying out to the Lord. It has been remarkable to see them openly weeping and falling on their faces in worship. It’s a move we have not seen in many years. And it seems to be happening spontaneously all over this land as the Spirit moves. What will be the result? Time will tell. It may be that we do not see immediate change and transformation but a gradual turning of the tide, so to speak. It is amazing to think that a whole generation may be primed to hear the Gospel and they may be a people to draw us back to the Lord. I think of the words of Habakkuk 3:2 as I consider and ponder these things: do Your mighty works again, in our day O Lord! What You have done before, we believe You can do again! Let us pray with expectancy and with fervor: God we need You! Question for today: As reports of revival surface, how am I readying my own heart for personal revival and renewal in the Lord? Pray: God whatever comes of this move, let it bring glory and honor to You. You alone can heal this land. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Don’t Get Shipwrecked! | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 22, 2023 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 As I’ve gotten older, I have developed a fascination for stories about shipwrecks. Growing up near Lake Superior, I would often hear accounts of boats lost at sea; tales which simultaneously displayed utmost courage alongside total devastation. A common thread in these stories was a missed detail that led to the larger issue of the ship taking on water. Perhaps the course navigated too close to shallow ground and the hull was torn open. Perhaps certain maintenance checks went missed and over time, integrity issues arose. In many cases, heavy storms and full cargo loads were a bad combination and exposed underlying problems. In our Christian faith, little decisions here and there can cause cracks in our spiritual armor; cracks which eventually cause us to “take on water” and begin to sink. The enemy is a lion, seeking prey to devour. The small compromises we make in our lives can have big consequences. We may not even realize how far we have drifted. Just as a ship must be examined and navigated carefully, we must examine our lives and set the proper course. Reading and knowing Scripture, being in prayer, and staying in fellowship (i.e. accountability) are great ways to stay afloat. Our goal is make it to our destination in Christ. Don’t get shipwrecked! Question for today: What are the guardrails I have put in place in my life to avoid taking on water in my spiritual life? Pray: Lord help me to avoid compromises in my faith that lead me away from You. Help me stay the course. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

What Can God Do With A Life Fully Sold Out To Him? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 20, 2023 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:39,40 There is something to be said about understanding destiny and identity in our lives as we examine the life of Joseph. There was a confidence displayed, not in himself but in the Lord. That confidence led to boldness and to being a man of action. As we look at Joseph going before Pharaoh, we look at someone whose whole life had been preparation for this moment. God gave him a unique ability to interpret dreams. God put him before greater and greater men of influence. And despite setbacks and hardships, God put Joseph in power at the exact right moment…for His timing and purposes. As we look at our lives, can we see the fingerprint of God weaving the story as He has desired? When we do, we understand that nothing is by accident or mere coincidence. Even the mistakes we have made can be turned around and used for His glory and our benefit. When we allow ourselves to be humbled before the Lord, we allow Him the opportunity to raise us up for His plan. Staying obedient, staying humble and hungry for His presence and doing this day after day after day…it all adds up over time. It then begs the question: what can God do with a life fully sold out to Him? It’s worth finding out. Question for today: What attributes of Joseph’s life led him to a place where God could raise Him up as second in command to Pharaoh? Pray: God I want my life to be that life fully sold out to You! I desire Your greater plan and purpose. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

From Fishermen To Fishers Of Men | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 17, 2023 And He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 When we consider the disciples and their call to follow Christ, we may wonder how they simply left everything to follow Him. What were their personal reasons? At this initial point, what did they believe about Jesus? We may not have an easy answer to those questions but the call to leave one way of life in exchange for another extends to all of us. Everyone in Christ has a “fishermen” trade in which they work skillfully. But it’s the heart Christ is after and in the process of following Him, we leave behind one way of life for another — a greater one. When we answer the call of “Follow me,” we are opening the door to be used when, where, and how as Christ deems necessary. The disciples had no clue what the next 3 years of their lives would look like. Similarly, we have no idea when we surrender our lives to Jesus. We only have a promise that He will use us for a purpose that is greater than ourselves. “I will make you fishers of men.” It’s His work and His process. Amazingly, we get to partner with the Creator of the world to tell others about Him. The change from fishermen to fishers of men is always worth it! Question for today: How did I respond to Christ’s initial call upon my life? Pray: Thank You Lord for the opportunity to serve and partner with You. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Speak Life | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 15, 2023 O Lord, who shall sojourn in Your tent? Who shall dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart. Psalm 15:2 A common hashtag I’ve seen on Christian posts and memes is the phrase #speaklife. It’s a good thing in my opinion. As believers, the last thing we want to do is speak words of death…over our friends, loved ones, even over ourselves. Yet we can often fall into a trap of speaking words that do not bring life and only bring condemnation and division. It can be a common reason people choose to reject the Christian faith entirely: “If it wasn’t for Christians, I think I’d probably be one.” The words we use can influence someone’s view of what it means to be in Christ. Speaking life of course, doesn’t mean avoiding tough conversations and being a “hyper-grace” sort of people. Sin is sin. When the words of Scripture are clear on a certain topic, the world doesn’t always receive it well. But we must come to the realization that speaking life ultimately means speaking truth and not misleading others. First to ourselves, then to our families and sphere of influence, and finally to an onlooking world. To speak life means to embody the nature of Christ and speak as He spoke. The Holy Spirit will enable us to do this as we call upon Him. Question for today: How do I depend on the Spirit daily to help me in the words I use with others? Pray: Lord I am thankful that You hold the words of truth and of life. When I am not sure what to say, help me to rely upon You. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Becoming Like Smooth Stones | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 13, 2023 And I am sure of this, that He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6 I have a small rock on my desk in my office. I took it from the shoreline of Lake Superior near Duluth, Minnesota while I was up visiting family a few summers ago. Along the shore are literally thousands of these stones; washed and made smooth over time by the repetitive crashing of the waves and elements of nature. They make for great skipping; my children spent a good half hour picking them up and glancing them off the surface of the lake. I took one as a reminder to remember home, my family, and a trip that was much needed for all of us. When I look at this stone on my desk, I am reminded that we all come to the Lord in a similar way. We have our jagged edges, our cracks, and our flaws. But over time as we trust Him, we start to see the edges smoothed out. We are not as rough as we once were. We can look back over the years and see certain parts of our “appearance” have changed, spiritually-speaking. And we know our very mindsets and thought patterns are not what they once were. I share today’s devotional just as a reminder: we are all works in progress; constantly in a state of sanctification and transformation. Don’t let where you are hold you back from where God is taking you. He started this work. He will complete it. Question for today: How have I seen God transform my life over the time I first came to Jesus and now? Pray: Lord thank You that the work you are doing me is good and that you will one day bring it to completion. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

No Looking Over Your Shoulder | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 10, 2023 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him,“If it is My will that he remainuntilI come, what is that to you?You follow Me!” Matthew 21:21,22 The competitive nature of our world suggests that in order to get ahead in life, one must strive to be the best by climbing the ladder of success. Unfortunately we take this mindset into the church and our circles of ministry. People we should be co-laborers with become potential enemies. Friends become foes as we question what someone else’s “success” or “blessing” means for us. We want to matter too. We want to know that God sees us and we are validated. How freeing it is when we stop living in this mindset and instead, encourage one another. We can be genuinely happy for those around us doing Kingdom-work. Peter worried that the call Jesus had for John might be different (and maybe better) than his own. Jesus flatly told him, “What is that to you? You follow Me!” This meant the call for Peter was just for him and was as important as John’s. Both were unique. We don’t have to look over our shoulder at fellow believers. We just need to stay in our lane and be in the habit of building one another up for good works! Question for today: How have I seen a competitive spirit ruin ministry within the church? How can I avoid it in my life? Pray: God You get all the glory when I choose to praise You both for my wins and the wins of others around me. Let me not be jealous but let my boast be in You. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Try Not To Overthink It | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 8, 2023 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 One thing I can be guilty of as a 21st century Christian is overthinking the question "What's God's will for my life?" I used to ask it a lot when I was younger and just getting out of college. Into my first few jobs I oftenfelt like I was somehow out of His will. I can still ask it from time to time. In those times, I find myself wrestling with God. I can stumble into a place of indifference to Him; thinking He has not been clear with an answer for my life. Rather than spending lots of energy in prayer saying "God what would you have me do?" we can take heart from Micah 6:8. God's will is plain if we take a look at Scripture. Doing justice, showing kindness, and walking in humility are commands we must follow. How that looks from day to day isn't the point. What matters is that we go about each day looking for the opportunities to lead a Micah 6:8 lifestyle. From there, life will figure itself out. He will open the doors He wants us to walk through and close the ones He doesn't. We need not overthink His will for our lives. He will show us as we obey His word. Question for today: What issue have I have been wrestling with God over that I need to surrender? Pray:Lord thank You for the words of life You have given us to follow. Help us walk in obedience each day. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

A Unified Bride | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 6, 2023 That they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. John 17:21 With all that we have seen in recent years, the local church community is the one place we would hope to find unity and clarity in vision. Sadly it seems many within the church have taken sides and clear battle lines have been drawn depending upon the influences of culture, politics, and even science. With the Gospel message so important in these times, the church has spent much too much time on “side-line issues” that have only added more to the drama, not less. With a message as important as the Gospel, we must not waste precious days infighting and seeking to be right. John 17 gives us a glimpse into Jesus’ prayer to the Father before His ultimate journey to the cross. On His mind are the followers that will come after Him. Bearing the message of salvation, Jesus prays for His disciples to be unified just as He and the Father are one. Our desire to communicate the Gospel to our surrounding communities should cause us to partner with fellow Christians. This crosses denominational lines, racial lines, even lines of politics. Jesus’ mission was bigger than the factions that tried to lay claim to Him. He desires a unified bride. Question for today: What minor disagreements in the church have you seen which run counter to spreading the Gospel? Pray: Lord again we pray for a continued focus on the Gospel. Remove and eliminate distractions that keep us from working together as Christians. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Are You Suited Up? | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 3, 2023 Finally,be strong in the Lord and inthe strength of his might. Put onthe whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand againstthe schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:10,11 In a world of constant bombardment through our eyes, ears, and other senses, it is important to be prepared — whatever the day may bring. At the moment we get out of our bed and our feet hit the floor, our minds start racing. What do I need to do today? What are the needs in front of me? How do I meet them? The power we walk in from day to day must be beyond ourselves; our physical and mental strength. God wired us to do amazing things. But we often rely upon our own abilities first before we seek the Lord and lean upon Him. One prayer we can pray as we begin each day is to simply be suited up with the full armor of God. Paul speaks of it in Ephesians 6: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes fitted with the gospel of peace,the shield of faith,the helmet of salvation, andthe sword of the Spirit. This is all gear for battle but that is the point: we are at war. The enemy of our souls wants to kill, steal, and destroy. We must be on guard at all times and aware of our surroundings. We must be willing to even take our thoughts into captivity and that starts by putting on our helmets each day. This life is too hard to live on our own…apart from the tools Christ has given us to fight. Are you suited up today? Question for today: Do I understand the spiritual battle at play around me today and am I taking steps to keep myself in the fight, through Christ? Pray: Lord, gird me with the full armor of God today! I desire to be ready for any battle that comes knowing that I can stand firm in evil days because I am equipped with Your truth. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Worry As An Idol | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | February 1, 2023 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 There’s one thing the past few years have shown us as a society: we are good at worrying. Certainly worry is always a factor in our lives; it’s nothing new. But it’s hard not to worry when there are so many voices telling us there are things to be afraid of. Illnesses, famine, economic collapse, wars…the list goes on and on. A steady diet of headlines and newsfeeds can turn us into very apprehensive creatures. We become people we were not made to be; an image God did not want us to have as His children. In Matthew 6 Jesus speaks about worry and puts things in plain terms we can understand: do not worry about tomorrow. You cannot control it. You cannot manipulate things to influence what remains largely unknown. Worry steals joy. Worry steals the opportunity to live in the present. And left unmarked and unchecked, worry turns into an idol in our lives. Christ comes to set us free from such a mindset. We have a promise that despite what happens in this life even the worst-case scenario still does not keep us from Him. “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) We must reject worry every chance we get. We must replace it with the peace of knowing our hope is secure in Christ. Question for today: What in my life has me worried right now? How does it pale in comparison to Who God is and His sovereignty over His creation? Pray: Lord help me acknowledge that worry does no good thing in my life. Help me replace thoughts of worry and fear with the truth of Your word. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Steps To Salvation | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 30, 2023 Ifyou confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord andbelieve in your heartthat God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 It is clear from Scripture that Jesus makes it open for anyone to come to Him and accept His free gift of salvation. If we are in Christ, we have our own personal story of how this came to be. Perhaps our own study of the Bible, maybe a sermon, a friend, or some to other factor influenced us to make this decision. This step of faith was an acknowledgment of our need for a Savior. We have sinned and fallen short. We deserve hell and separation from God. But Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled and in turn, have eternal life. He did this by dying on the cross. As we look at it, salvation in Christ may seem rather easy. But to a world indifferent to Him, this message seems either too far-fetched or not enough. For some, the story is just too unbelievable — how is that Christ died and rose again? For others, the cross doesn’t go far enough — salvation means more than just accepting Christ’s gift. But whatever arguments the world comes up with against a simple Gospel, we know our confession of faith is all that is needed. Surrendering to Him may seem easy but in reality, it is hard for many. We must pray today for open hearts ready to receive the Gospel. May we play a role in helping someone take their steps to salvation! Question for today: Who is one person in my life that needs to hear the Gospel? Pray: Lord I thank You for salvation and that in Christ, I have freedom. May You use me as a vessel to help plant the seed of faith in someone else’s life. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

The God Who Sees | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 27, 2023 I am a woman with a broken heart. I’ve been pouring out my heart before the LORD. 1 Samuel 1:15 In the lineage of judges presiding over Israel, Samuel was God’s final judge before He gave Israel a king. Samuel was righteous and his placement into God’s narrative was no accident. His mother Hannah, was barren and unable to conceive. Her longing to have a child led her to a place where she wept openly in prayer before God. This act did not go unnoticed, as she came before the Lord’s tabernacle and was seen by Eli the priest. Eli, seeing her anguish, ultimately blesses her to “go in peace”; that God would grant her petition to conceive. We can believe at times that our prayers honestly go no further than the ceiling. We can be broken over an unanswered prayer. Perhaps we’ve been praying for months or even years and yet there are still no tangible results. But in our prayers, we must realize that God indeed sees us and is close to us in our brokenness. God placed Eli in Hannah’s path in order for him to reassure and bless Hannah. In the next verses, we learn that Hannah gives birth to Samuel and the course of Israel’s history is forever changed. God did not forget Hannah; He saw her and He had a plan. Question for today: What have I been praying for that is still unanswered? Pray: Lord, help me to know today that you see me and that no prayer is ever forgotten by You. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Giving The Fight Over To God | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 25, 2023 But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy hill. Psalm 3:3,4 In our lives there are certain markers I believe we can examine to see whether or not we are growing in our faith. Having done some self-examination going into a new year (before and after 2023 started), there is one marker that stands out for me: how often am I giving my cares and worries over to the Lord? Am I still worrying about the same old problems I had last year or the year before…or even 5-10 years ago? If so, why? If I’m growing in faith, can I see that things like money, family, health, well-being and so on are ultimately held in His hands? David starts out Psalm 3 by recognizing he has foes. Not only that, they are rising up against him and saying God will not save him. But verses 3 and 4 are a pivotal point in the passage — But You, O LORD… He sees God as his shield; as the one who lifts him up. And he knows God has answered him and will answer him once again. Today, with all the foes we face and the looming questions we may have, are we giving the fight over to God knowing that the battle is ultimately His? This is a marker of true faith and growth in Christ: the willing surrender of our cares to His capable hands! Question for today: Is there a worry you’ve held onto…maybe a year, maybe longer, that you need to surrender over to the Lord? Pray: God I thank You for the reminder that You are a shield about us and the one who answers our prayers. I surrender my own worry and doubt to You today, knowing the battles I face are Yours. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Being Joyful, Not Just Happy | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 23, 2023 Do not grieve, because your strength comes from rejoicing in the LORD. Nehemiah 8:10 Emotions come and go. Happiness and sadness can all exist within the same day, from one moment to the next depending upon our circumstances. How then does one develop contentment and even have joy despite the emotions swirling around? For myself, I find a difference between pursuing happiness in life and living in a state of joy. Happiness can be fleeting and although I have a desire to always be happy, look happy, and pursue what makes me happy, I don’t think it’s a reality. God knows us intimately and knows there are seasons of the soul. But a common thread throughout those seasons must be one of joy. Joy is something that points us beyond just this life. “A joyful hope” ultimately means that when our days are over, we will be taken up into glory if we are in Christ. We will go to a place without sorrow or tears, a place made perfect by His presence. What that means for us in the here and now, is that nothing in this life can possibly shake us from the joy that we gain in knowing Christ. Just as Jesus was able to endure the cross, because of the “joy that lay before Him,” we are able to endure whatever life brings. Jesus’ went to the cross knowing it would ultimately bring joy for you and I. That news doesn’t just make me happy, it makes me rejoice! Question for today: What does living in a state of joy rather than pursuing happiness look like for me? Pray: Jesus you went to the cross with the promise of heaven being the joy laid before you. Thank you for going to the cross and for modeling to us what true joy looks like. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Staying Connected To The Vine | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 20, 2023 I am the vine;you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in Him, he it is thatbears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:5 When we talk about seeking “relationship” rather than “religion” in Christ, we recognize that our perspective about Him affects how we walk out our faith. First and foremost, spending time in God’s word and in prayer keeps our focus where it needs to be. The notion that Christ is the vine and we are the branches is powerful imagery. The branches do not exist on their own. They would not bear any fruit on their own. The vine is what gives nourishment and sustenance. By being connected to the vine, the branches are made alive. Beyond that our own connection to other believers and accountability is so important. You’ve probably heard it said before: there are no Lone Ranger Christians. We were meant for community and to hold each other up. Religion sets us up for competition and a comparison game between who is holiest enough, who is righteous, etc. Relationship with Jesus acknowledges that at the foot of the cross, all are equal. We all deserve the wrath He willingly took upon Himself. By staying connected to the vine (both through individual and corporate fellowship with Him), we set ourselves up to grow and bear Christ’s image more fully. Question for today: Am I experiencing this type of fellowship (individually with the Lord and corporately with a Body of believers) on a regular basis? Pray: Jesus, everyday I want to be in fellowship with You and connected to You. Let my life bear fruit because of You. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Have Nothing To Do With Falsehoods | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 18, 2023 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3,4 In these days in which lies and deceit have crept into our churches, we can often wonder “Why are these things happening right under our noses?” Certainly the idea of spreading false gospels is nothing new. The early church dealt with this as well. It seems the identity and nature of Christ was constantly under attack. Was He totally divine? Was He the Son of God? Many of the creeds we have from the first few centuries are statements of faith, designed to lay out truly Who Christ is and what He came to do. Today the reasons for watering down the word of God are the same: they are attempts to make an easier path for those seeking eternal life. The fallen state of man, sin, death, and hell are not easy topics to bring up. 2 Timothy 4:3,4 talks about an audience looking for teachers that will suit their own passions and desires. “Itching ears” are still among us today and although these messages are easier to preach and more palatable to swallow, they do nothing good for the listener. True transformation comes from the Christ-centered, salvation-based message of the Gospel. It acknowledges our sin and need for a Savior. It’s the most powerful story ever told. We must tell it again and again and be willing to call out others when the message they are preaching is not about Him. Question for today: When have I seen a gospel being preached that did not line up with God’s word? Why was it attractive to people? Pray: Lord help us recognize teachings that do not agree with Scripture. Help us to boldly preach the saving work Christ accomplished on the cross. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Trust The Author Of The Story | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 16, 2023 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Sometimes as we walk this journey in Christ, we have honest questions about our lives in Him. Thoughts like: What’s it all worth anyway? Why do I keep trusting God when life can be so hard? Where are You God, I don’t see You anywhere? As we ponder and wrestle with these things, we come to a place where we either choose to move forward with God despite our doubts or we walk away. Today, Christians all over the world have these same questions. And some are choosing to trust and continue to follow while many are choosing the alternative. So what do we do when voices of doubt ring loud in our minds? I believe we must come back to Scripture and the truth God has already given to us. Paul urges us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to do three main things: be steadfast, be immovable, and abound in the Lord’s work. An unshakable resolve in Christ must become our reality if we are to remain faithful. Paul also reminds us of this: our labor in the Lord is not in vain. In other words, despite the doubts and uncertainties, the work we are doing and the call we are seeking matter. This side of Heaven we may never fully know just how much. But the story God is writing is beautiful and we can trust the Author. Question for today: Do I have doubts in my faith right now that shake my resolve in the Lord? How can I go back into God’s Word and be reassured to trust Him again? Pray: Lord I thank You that the Author of Scripture is the Author of my life as well. I know You write beautiful stories. I pray for a faith that is unshakable and immovable. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Wisdom Must Be Pursued | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 13, 2023 My son, if you receive my words…making your ear attentive to wisdom…then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path. Proverbs 2:1,2,9 There is a deficit within Christianity today of true spiritual wisdom and discernment. It is not for a lack of sermons, books, seminars, and other resources. We have so much information readily at our fingertips. We live in an “information age.” But our desire to learn and grow is not always there. We are often stunted because of this. We come to know Christ and experience that initial transformation. But we can remain in the infancy stage of our walk simply because we stop wanting to grow deeper. The book of Proverbs could be summed up as a book of wisdom. It is a clear reference to Christ as the one Who embodies and bears wisdom. It can be easy to seek out the teacher who is more knowledgeable of a particular subject. But faith should cause us to want to grow and feed ourselves rather than relying upon the instruction of others. There’s nothing wrong with being taught, but we should desire more than just what we receive on Sunday morning. Wisdom must be pursued and as we pursue it, the Spirit instructs and guides us. He is the true Teacher. Question for today: Is my walk in Christ deeper than it was a year ago? 5 years ago? If not, why is that so? Pray: Lord this word is personal and I cannot look over the fence at anyone else. I look inward and say, “Take me deeper and further than where I’ve been.” Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Two Paths, Two Different Ends | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 11, 2023 Blessed is the man whowalks not inthe counsel of the wicked, nor stands inthe way of sinners, norsits inthe seat ofscoffers; but hisdelight is in the law of theLord, and on Hislaw he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1,2 Psalm 1 is a short discourse (6 verses) on the two roads we can take through life: a path of righteousness or a path of wickedness. For the righteous man there is happiness; a feeling of being “right with God.” He is a man who takes delight in God’s Word and bears fruit. He is prosperous. God watches over him. The wicked man on the other hand, is the exact opposite. His way does not lead to life. His path ultimately comes to ruin and destruction. At the end of all things, he will not survive the Lord’s judgment. Sometimes these black and white descriptions from Scripture make our world uncomfortable, because it’s a world that wants to live in shades of gray. But when we come to Christ, we acknowledge that we do not know the right way; the way that is best. We surrender to a plan that is better than ours and lay down our wants, desires, and even our standards of right/wrong in exchange for the standard and the way. The path laid out before us is clear. It just depends upon which road we ultimately choose to take. Each day we can either submit and follow Christ or go our own way. The path in Him may not always be easy, but the rewards are out of this world. Question for today: How have I experienced both paths in my life and come to know that it is much better pursuing Christ than trying to do life without Him? Pray: God I thank You for a way that is clear to finding life and fulfillment. It is through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Be Ready For Anything | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 9, 2023 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” Acts‬ ‭21:13-14‬ As we read Acts 21, we see Paul preparing to go to Jerusalem. He didn’t know exactly what awaited him there but he felt the Spirit’s leading and could not ignore it. Many of his friends and fellow believers urged him not to go. One prophesied that he would be bound and handed over to Gentiles when he got there. Would this lead to imprisonment? Death? No one knew but Paul did not allow the fear of the unknown to hold him back. He went anyway and proclaimed Christ in Jerusalem; even to those who would reject his message. We don’t always know why we are called to go and do something. But when the Spirit starts working on our hearts, there really is no avoiding it. Jonah was a resister but we all know what happened to him. He was still used by the Lord. We do better to just follow God’s will and trust Him. We know He knows all the details. We don’t have to. Like Paul, we can boldly go and do the will of the Lord. Be ready for anything. God will supply all you need. Question for today: What does boldness in Christ look like for me today? Pray: Lord help me move beyond my lack of faith or unbelief when it comes to stepping out. I know You go before me. You prepare the way. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact

Let God Write Your Resume | AS BOLD AS LIONS DEVOTIONAL | January 6, 2023 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them,for he has defied the armies of the living God. 1 Samuel 17:36 In the story of David vs. Goliath, there’s a moment at which David must convince King Saul to let him go and fight the giant. David has grown offended by the taunts and jeers of the Philistine Goliath towards the “armies of the living God.” He asks what will be done for the man who is willing to fight and kill him. Word gets back to Saul and although David is willing to fight, the king has his doubts. David is just a youth. What experience does he have? But in his response, David goes through his lists of accomplishments on the field — lions and bears have fallen by his hand. Goliath would be no different. When we allow God to bring us through smaller, more minor battles, we find that we are prepared for the bigger things to come. We must trust that in this process, He is “building and writing our resume.” God knew that one day, Goliath would confront Israel. He knew David would be the man to take him down. All the years fighting bears and lions were preparation years for David to get ready. David may not have even known why those smaller battles occurred but once Goliath appeared, he knew how to fight and win. May we let God write our resumes as well so that when we face Goliaths, we take the same posture, saying “The battle is theLord's, and he will give you [Goliath] into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:47 Question for today: Am I able to see God writing the resume of my life, knowing smaller battles and hidden years are preparing me for the journey ahead? Can I trust Him in the smaller things as well as the larger ones to come? Pray: Lord just as You were preparing David in his youth, You prepare us. Our spiritual growth in You means that we can face and conquer giants because You give us the ability to do it. Want to subscribe to the AS BOLD AS LIONS devotional and blog mailing list? Click here to sign up: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/as-bold-as-lions Tune in to the weekly AS BOLD AS LIONS podcast, available on all major streaming platforms including: Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3DfKqbU Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3gp6jvJ Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/6RgTqIoe0gb Google Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3G4Zt86 iHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/3UymTde My website podcast player: https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/podcast We’d love to hear from you! Email: info@derekcharlesjohnson.com Interested in hosting Derek for an event? Visit https://derekcharlesjohnson.com/contact