"Give to God what belongs to God"

 

Time and time again throughout the Gospels, we see the Jewish religious leaders trying to trick Jesus into saying something that would incriminate Him, but Jesus was always a step ahead of them.

In chapter twelve of Mark’s Gospel, they were at it again by posing this question to Jesus,

“Teacher, we know that you are an honest man. You are not afraid of what others think about you. All people are the same to you. And you teach the truth about God’s way. Tell us, is it right to pay taxes to Caesar? Should we pay them or not?” (Mark 12:14 ERV)

You see, in Jesus’ day, Rome was in control and their manner of ruling was founded on arrogance, greed, pride and violence. The people of Israel carried a venomous distaste for the Romans and were rigorously intolerant of the empire.

The Romans had conquered their land and eroded their freedom and to the Israelites, having to pay taxes to these people was unconscionable.

Jesus saw right through the religious leaders’ hypocritical scheme as they salivated at the mouth awaiting His answer.

Jesus knew that these men were really trying to trick him. He said, “Why are you trying to catch me saying something wrong? (Mark 12:15 ERV)

Jesus was no fool, He was not fooled, and He let them know it.

On the one hand, to deny Caesar was to incur the wrath of the state and certain death and on the other, was to incur the wrath of the people and certain ostracising if He were to defend Caesar.

So, what does Jesus do?

They may have thought that Jesus was ignorant of their tactics, but He was not, so Jesus answers their question with an assertion.

Bring me a silver coin. Let me see it.” They gave Jesus a coin and he asked, “Whose picture is on the coin? And whose name is written on it?” They answered, “It is Caesar’s picture and Caesar’s name.”

Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” The men were amazed at what Jesus said. (Mark 12:15-17 ERV)

Caesar’s coin belonged to Caesar so giving it back to him was the right thing to do and all that belongs to God must be given to God.

And just like that, Jesus masterfully avoids their trap, leaving them amazed at what He said. We too should be amazed as we ponder upon Jesus’ words…

“Give to God what belongs to God”

What belongs to God; do you know?

The earth and everything on it belong to the Lord. The world and all its people belong to him…for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. (Psalm 24:1 ERV; 50:10-12 NIV)

Both Psalms answer the question clearly; no explanation is needed.

 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (NIV)

There’s but one Kingdom, however God does give persons the power to rule (see Romans 13:1). He establishes governing authorities but is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth (ref. Daniel 4:17).

So, obedience to the governing bodies can only be in the context of everything belonging to God.

Beloved, it is our duty, first and foremost, to honour God, for He is our Governor. Even though we belong to different churches, and belong to different nationalities, we all belong to God.

While we have earthly citizenship and are in the world, as Christians we are not of the world (see John 17:15-16), for we belong to something far greater, we are citizens of God’s Kingdom.

As Kingdom belongers, our lives must be deeply informed and guided by the thought, language and morality of the Kingdom, as we live our faith in the world.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson "Give to God what belongs to God” ©2026 June 9, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

What about Orpah?

 

You may never have heard about Orpah but I’m sure that you have heard about Ruth, the Moabite daughter-in-law of Naomi who eventually married a rich landowner named Boaz.

Well, Orpah was also Naomi’s daughter-in-law. She, a Moabite like Ruth, was married to one of Naomi’s sons but now both sons were dead and Naomi, also widowed and without her sons, thought it best that if they were to have any chance of survival, they should all return to their own people, she to the Israelites and her daughters-in-law to their mothers.

Naomi told her daughters-in-law, “Each of you should go back home to your mother. You have been very kind to me and my sons who are now dead. So I pray that the Lord will be just as kind to you. I pray that the Lord will help each of you find a husband and a good home.” Naomi kissed her daughters-in-law, and they all started crying. (Ruth 1:8-9 ERV)

Ruth clung to Naomi, but Orpah chose to go back home to her mother.

Then Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye, but Ruth hugged her and stayed. Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her own people and her own gods. You should do the same.” (Ruth 1: 14-15 ERV)

We are not told anything more about Orpah after she went back to her mother, all we can do is speculate about what may have become of her.

In choosing to go back to what she’d left behind so long ago, and the fact that she has faded into obscurity, we can only deduce that Orpah may have gone back to living an idolatrous way of life.

Long story not too long…

The Moabites were descendants of Moab who was born of the incestuous union between Lot and his eldest daughter (see Genesis 19:30-38) making the Israelites and the Moabites relatives. Throughout the years, these two peoples experienced much interaction through altercation, so there was much history between them.

In Numbers 22-24 we read about Moab as it plays a role in the story of Balaam and the talking donkey and in the time of the judges there was a considerable amount of travel between Judah and Moab.

It was in the days of the judges that Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, had taken her and their two sons to Moab from Judah in an effort to escape a famine; it was there that their sons met and married Ruth and Orpah.

Throughout the years there were many prophesies of destruction levied against Moab because of their sin against God and His chosen people. Isaiah 16:6 points out Moab’s prevailing sin aside from idolatry.

We have heard of Moab’s pride how great is her arrogance! of her conceit, her pride and her insolence; but her boasts are empty. (NIV)

And this is what Orpah chose to go back to despite having lived with a family of Israelites, despite her exposure to Israel’s God.

Now, Orpah had every intention to go with Naomi to Judah as she had initially left with her but with her mother-in-law entreating both she and Ruth to return to Moab, she obviously had a change of heart, accepted Naomi’s argument and turned back.

Naomi must have been very concerned not only about her own welfare but that of both her daughters-in-law, as Judah would have held great uncertainty for three widowed women, two of whom were young foreigners.

We can only imagine that her decision to return to her mother, her own people and her gods would not have been made lightly, and we can see from the text that she was indeed heartbroken to leave the people whom she obviously loved deeply.

Orpah’s return to Moab signified her return to the Moabite culture and customs and the estrangement from everything she may have learnt being in an Israelite household – a return to the gods of Moab was a rejection of the God of Israel.

Orpah must have known of the challenges she would face upon her return to Moab but perhaps the thought of the ridicule she would be subjected to as a young widow in a foreign land far outweighed the challenges in her own homeland, making her choose what she considered the easy road, unwilling to take that leap of faith.

It is not easy to step into uncertainty; it requires strong faith to take a leap of faith and perhaps Orpah did not possess such faith.

What about you; are you willing to step into uncertainty, to take a leap of faith into what is unfamiliar?

When faced with a difficult decision, do you choose to trust God and move forward on a new but seemingly bumpy road, or do you return to the road you’ve been on before?

On this Christian journey, challenges will arise, as Jesus said,

“…in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] (John 16:33 AMP)

It isn’t easy when you attempt to traverse this spiritual road on your own but clinging to Jesus and following His lead in faith makes for a much easier journey.

Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way]. (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP)

Beloved, we cannot afford to be Orpahs, we cannot afford to turn back to where we’ve come from because it seems easier, convenient, or familiar. 

Orpah did not have the privilege of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, but you and I do so, we, by the power of His Spirit in us, need to master the art of walking by faith and not by sight (ref. 2 Corinthians 5:7), trusting in and relying confidently in our Lord to direct and establish our every step along the way.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “What about Orpah?” ©2026 June 8, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to Transform while Conforming

 

Apostle Paul in writing to the congregation in Rome, tells them,

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2a NIV)

After several centuries things haven’t changed much as there are still many persons attending church Sunday after Sunday to whom this verse applies; people who are trying to transform while conforming to the pattern of this world.

They know of God but don’t know God. Like Philip, they’ve been in church for years but still can’t recognize the Father.

Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9 NIV)

They believe in Jesus, but they struggle with change, so it’s easier to hold on to the familiar patterns rather than deal with the “uncertainty” of transformation.

They are saved but have not truly taken ownership of their salvation and they are definitely not prepared to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (see Philippians 2:12).

Beloved, trying to transform while conforming is like spinning a top in mud, it just doesn’t work. You just cannot have it both ways. Transformation is a complete change in your mindset. It’s tantamount to reprogramming. As the apostle says, it is the renewing of your mind.

All your worldly ways of thinking are thrown out, and your thinking is realigned to be in alignment with the will of God, as Paul goes on to say,

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2b NIV)

However, you are not meant to accomplish any of this in your own strength, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

It may be easier to hold on to the familiar, but it is much more beneficial to let go and let God; as for God, his way is perfect (ref. Psalm 18:30).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Trying to Transform while Conforming” ©2026 June 7, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let us Pray to Refocus

 

Lord, there is so much happening throughout this world right now; everywhere I turn I am faced with chaos, confusion, injustice and mayhem, at home and abroad and the burdens and pressures they bring are taking their toll on me.

Please reverse any psychological or emotional damage this has done to me and refocus my attention on the unseen yet visible Kingdom of heaven, where no pressures or weight exists.

Bring me Your heavenly peace and lightness to my movements, that I may go about listening to the stillness of Your voice which is calming to my spirit.

I submit these stress-filled feelings to You now.

Refocus my attention upon You Lord, so that I may keep my eyes fixed on You and not the world; remind me that You are bigger than any situation.

Accept my prayer dear Lord, in the precious name of Jesus.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Let us Pray to Refocus” ©2026 June 6, 2026

 

Walking in grace with Grace

 

John 15:4 (ESV) records Jesus as saying,

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

Biblically speaking, abide is defined as “to dwell”, “to remain” or “to be in a continuous state of unwavering fellowship”, however, generally speaking abide can have various meanings, such as, “to wait for” (await), “to accept without objection”, but the one I found most interesting was, “to bear patiently” (tolerate).

That last meaning got me thinking of Jesus’ call for us to abide in Him but even more so Jesus’ abiding in us.

The first part, about us dwelling in Him, remaining in a continuous state of unwavering fellowship, all well and good but then I couldn’t help but imagine the second part of this mutual abiding, as Jesus dwelling in us, accepting all our flaws and annoying behaviour without objection, bearing patiently as He waits for us to finally “get it”.

It must take a lot of grace on Jesus’ part to put up with us humans; don’t you think?

And the angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found grace (free, spontaneous, absolute favor and loving-kindness) with God. – Luke 1:30 (AMPC)

Grace signifies the free, spontaneous, absolute favour and loving-kindness of God to human beings who don’t deserve it, but God shows us grace (undeserved, unmerited favour and mercy) because of His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). – Ephesians 2:5 (AMPC)

Through this wonderful grace, the Father who dwells in the Son (see John 10:38 & 14:10), calls us into living fellowship and union with Him through His Spirit who dwells in every believer.

The Father is determined to extend grace – undeserved, unmerited favour – to anyone who has faith in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, the very embodiment of His grace.

And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. – John 1:14 (AMPC)

This tells us that when we accept Jesus’ call for us to abide in Him, it is us walking in grace with Grace.

Beloved, as a believer in Jesus Christ, grace is the instrument and Grace is the Person, through which God has effected your salvation and that of all believers.

In Apostle Paul’s letter to Titus, he writes,

For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. – Titus 2:11 (AMPC)

Grace not only secured your salvation, but grace is the sustaining influence that maintains it throughout your life, and it is that which enables you to persevere in your spiritual journey as you continue walking in grace with Grace.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Walking in grace with Grace” ©2026 June 5, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attending not Abiding

 

Recently, I saw a young man who had been an avid member of my church, but I hadn’t seen him in years. Delighted, I called out to him and we chatted for a little while. During our conversation, the topic of his absence from church eventually came up. You see, he was such an active member of the youth group, so I was curious to know why he’d stopped attending.

In response, he said to me, “One Sunday, in church, I realized that I was only coming to church because of tradition and family ties. Although I grew up in church, as I got older, I was getting nothing from church.”

Too many of us are just like this young man, we’ve grown up in church but not in Christ so we get despondent; some walk away but there are others who have stayed, still not recognizing that all they are doing is church…attending not abiding.

We know all the hymns and worship songs by heart.

We’re in the choir and serve as stewards and Sunday School teachers and worship leaders and we are respected elders and deacons and ministers, in church but not in Christ.

Attending not abiding.

We speak Chritianese and we say “Jesus” at the right time with way too much emphasis on that last “s”, we join the obligatory chorus of “Amen” in feigned agreement with the pastor’s preaching, we quote the Word even if we don’t understand it, we look the part on Sunday – attending – but it doesn’t translate Monday to Saturday – not abiding.

We are well versed in church culture but have no real knowledge of Christ’s character.

We know the preacher’s voice when he calls but not Christ’s voice when He calls.

We go to conferences and camps and this meeting and that session, coining catchy themes for them all; we join prayer groups and engage in Bible Study and indulge in fasting week after week, but nothing, absolutely nothing comes of it.

Attending not abiding.

We keep performing faith but performing faith is not transforming faith. False faith collapses in fiery trials. True faith births the impossible.

We teach people how to attend church and condemn them when they don’t, but we never bother to call just to check in and check up on them instead we leave them to walk away because we don’t really care do we.

No one taught us how to follow Jesus, so we sincerely cannot teach others the lesson; we can’t pass it on, so we pass on it.

We seek His presents but not His presence.

We seek comfort but avoid commitment.

We seek renewal but run away from repentance, unwilling to search within but always looking at others, quick to convict rather than hurriedly convince.

We’re not willing to obey but yearning to obtain. Halfway obedience is all the way disobedience.

We’re busy saving sermons that we don’t go back to, making notes that we never review, highlighting bible verses for display not for delighting in God.

Attending not abiding.

But it’s the unseen moments that truly matter…

It’s quiet acquiescence.

Reading your bible when no one is watching.

Praying when you have no words.

Obeying even though you don’t understand the plan.

Going into your prayer closet to commune with God, just you and Him.

Notre Dame Cathedral Paris photo courtesy Erle Robinson

Yes, we are fixated on attending the brick and mortar but not on abiding in the Alpha and Omega; setting our minds on things that are on earth and not on things that are above.

We have been busy building congregations but have not been busy making disciples; concentrating on filling the sanctuary but not the soul; pews of persons deeply religious but not deeply rooted.

Beloved, God is not looking for perfection, He’s not interested in performance, the theme for the month may be clever but that’s not what’s important to God. God wants relationship, He’s interested in your response to His invitation to abide.

Jesus is still calling for you to "Come, follow Me". He longs for your presence, your companionship and your friendship.

Discipleship is not attending church, it is being attentive to Christ; it’s fellowship, it’s fusion, it’s resting at His feet, it’s walking in grace with Grace, it’s you abiding in Him as He is in you.

You're the way the truth and the life
You're the well that never runs dry
I'm the branch and You are the vine
Draw me close and teach me to abide
(Abide by Aaron Williams/Aaron Keyes/Jake Fauber)

 Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Attending not Abiding“ ©2026 June 4, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abiding through Prayer

It’s time to move from striving to abiding; Jesus invites you to come to Him where you will find rest and refreshing.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. (Matthew 11:28 MSG)

photo courtesy Chionsu Barclay

You must daily place yourself in living contact with God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – by abiding in Him. One way of abiding is through prayer.

Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you…But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. (John 15:4 & 7 MSG)

God is not merely beside you, He is inside you, alive within you; you are in closer fellowship with the triune God than you realize.

His presence does not fleetingly come and go in momentary spurts of time but is a permanent habitation, for the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in your re-born self.

Abiding through prayer maintains your connection however, likely an inheritance from Adam, we tend to choose our own will but as followers of Jesus we ought to pray as He did,

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42 ESV)

Be assured that God will respond.

At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. (Luke 22:43-44 MSG)

And even if God’s answer is “No”, you must continue abiding through prayer.

Prayer is supposed to be a natural, easy mode of communication between you and God where you share your heart with God even though He already knows what’s in your heart.

Prayer is not only fellowship with God but should be seen as a loving relationship; a relationship that is meaningful and of great significance to your life.

Prayer is not just about you presenting your needs and then looking out for a quick response. When you view prayer in terms of the number of answers you receive then you’re only seeing God as some type of automated prayer-answering machine.

Prayer isn’t a programme that you switch on and off, abiding through prayer is an ongoing rapport, like the daily phone call you have with your closest friend but so much better.

Abiding through prayer is not about getting what you want or getting God to do things your way, it’s about seeking God’s face and not His hand; it’s knowing who God is, how great He is and greatly to be praised (ref. Psalm 48:1).

Beloved, when you are abiding through prayer, the light of God engulfs you, it is life altering, as it has the power to change your reality.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Abiding through Prayer” ©2026 June 3, 2026