Metanoeō

Some of you may have come across the Greek verb metanoeō, pronounced meta-no-way-yo, before but for those of you who are seeing this word for the first time, it is translated “to change one’s mind” or “to repent”.

What a great word to learn during the Lenten season, a time when persons engage in personal reflection, fasting, sacrificing and repentance. Metanoeō, to repent, should never be confined to a season. There is absolutely no repentance timeline.

The act of metanoeō – changing our minds, turning the course of our lives – should be an ongoing process as we journey through this life.

In both the Old and New Testaments, we encounter repentance repeatedly. A well-known case concerns the people of Nineveh who repented, their king proclaimed that “All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands.” (Jonah 3:8 NRSVUE), and God gave them a respite for close to two hundred years.

God, as you know, does not change in His intrinsic characteristics but God does change His mind from time to time. Verse ten says,

“When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind…”

The same verse in the King James version describes God as repenting.

God repents in that He changes His intentions towards situations, circumstances and people. We see it happening in Exodus 32:14 (KJV),

“And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.”

In 1 Samuel 15:10-11 we read,

‘Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying,” It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments.”’ (KJV)

Because God is in relationship with people (that’s all of us) who are constantly changing their minds about one thing or another from one moment to the next, He also changes His mind as the circumstances warrant – from wrath to mercy, from blessing to judgment, from destruction to salvation. However, our repentance demands a change of course from bad to good, from worse to better, from sin to righteousness, from the old life to new life in Christ.

For us, metanoeō must be a deliberate act of crossing from sin-centeredness to God-centeredness. Repentance has to be a conscious decision from our hearts in response to God’s grace and mercy.

In Acts chapter 20 verse 21, Paul describes repentance as a necessity, a radical life-change from sin to God. A radical life-change leads to conversion, as recorded in Acts 2:37-42.

After the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, Peter, addressing the assembled crowd said,

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38 (NRSVUE)

Peter went on urging them to “…get out of this sick and stupid culture!” (v 40 MSG)

Three thousand people heeded Peter’s call to change their lives and turn to God; they were converted that day (v 41).

Are you willing to get out of the sick and stupid lifestyle you’re leading?

Beloved, when you did not know about Jesus, His life, death and resurrection, God would overlook your ignorance but now that you know, He is calling you…

He is calling on you to get rid of everything that you have placed above and before Him; things and people that can never save you and give you the life of abundance found only in His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

Listen, it’s not about religion, like the religious men of Athens who had many altars upon which was inscribed “To the Unknown God” (see Acts 17:22-23). This is about you and God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Those religious men knew of God, but they did not know God, but you do. And even if you do not know God very well, you have an opportunity right now to get to know Him better than just a passing thought.

Metanoeō, repent, change your mind, and turn to God.

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Metanoeō” © April 1, 2025

 

 

 

The Sacrifice of Gifts and Talents

“In the beginning, God created…” Genesis 1:1

With these few words we are introduced to the original Artist, the supreme Creative, God Almighty. Creativity, an essential part of God’s divine nature, is an essential part of our nature, imbedded in all of us as we are created in His image and after His likeness.

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” – Genesis 1:26 (KJV)

God intended for us to use this implanted creativity for His will and His purpose; it’s meant to be as functional as it is beautiful to look at (Genesis 2:9).

It is God who has given us the ability to create as He creates.

We are repeatedly exhorted to offer up spiritual sacrifices, especially in the form of praise, prayer, and thanksgiving.

David, a man after God’s own heart, knew the importance of this, as evidenced by all the beautiful Psalms he wrote.

The importance of praising, praying and giving thanks can never be overemphasized but just as we are to offer up these spiritual sacrifices, there are other aspects of our lives which we should also surrender to God.

Our time, our money, our gifts and our talents and, we are also called to surrender ourselves as living sacrifices.

Paul appeals to us, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, by the mercies of God, holy and acceptable to God, he describes it as our spiritual worship. (Romans 12:1)

Yes, offering yourself is your ultimate sacrifice and part of you are your God-given gifts and talents which involve your creativity.

Each one of us is blessed with a gift or talent of some kind. These blessings are not just for our own indulgence, no…we are expected to share these possessions with others.

Hebrews 13:16 (NRSVUE) tells us,

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Understand that giving to others from our physical substance is just as spiritual as any other sacrifice and therefore we are not to neglect this form of sacrifice. We are to pour ourselves out for God and for one another.

Sacrificing our gifts and talents unto God ensures that when we pour them out, it is how He desires it to be done. We must never do anything in our own volition because the Kingdom of God – His rule and reign – extends to our gifts and talents.

We should be expressing these God-given gifts and talents in our church services via storytelling, poetry, dance, music, theatre, and visual arts which have the ability to influence others in powerfully meaningful ways, especially when we allow God to direct their use for His glory.

God specifically called Bezalel to make “artistic designs” as recorded in Exodus 31:1-6.

Unfortunately, we are not always encouraged by the church to use these forms of expression. As a matter of fact, permission is often denied and creativity invalidated by church leaders.

I know of a young dynamic preacher who got a vision of a service where the prescribed Scripture readings were dramatized and there was more singing of hymns and worship songs than talking but when he presented this idea to the leadership of his church he was emphatically shot down.  

Creatives are too often discouraged, being told that faith is not compatible with artistic expression. But who is to say that artistic expression is not a spiritual calling?

We are meant to reflect the original Artist in all that we do. Our various and diverse gifts and talents are God’s good gifts to us and should be integrated into the life of the church. Don't you think?

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17 (KJV)

Let us recognize from whom gifts and talents have been received and sacrifice them to Him, the Supreme Creative, so that they will be developed to achieve their fullest potential.

The season of Lent is a season of sacrifice and offering ourselves as a living sacrifice includes our creative selves which is infused into who we are.

God is waiting for us to enter into His Presence, surrendering our praise, our prayers, our thanks, our gifts, our talents and ourselves as sacrifices unto Him.

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “The Sacrifice of Gifts and Talents” © March 31, 2025

 

 

God gives without measure

As we reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice, we need to truly grasp the effect this event has wrought upon this earth. It is not possible to overestimate the value of the gift of the Cross.

God gave us His best, His beloved Son, who, via this most cruel and barbaric form of death…

removed our sins completely and forever,

healed all our diseases,

brought us into spiritual union with God,

made us righteous in God’s eyes,

conquered death,

utterly destroyed our unseen spiritual adversary,

gained our freedom,

and gave us eternal life.

This agonizing and humiliating act of perfect obedience, borne from a love that is too great to fully understand gave us so much and much more.

Jesus Christ, “who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2 NRSVUE) to provide the way for us to be reconciled to God. He gave the ultimate gift of Himself as a ransom for every human being, not grudgingly but from a heart filled with love for all His people.

We, like Christ, must also give; give of ourselves to God, and give to others, from our hearts, cheerfully, with good intentions, out of sincerity and without worrying about the cost. God did not count the cost then and does not count the cost now. He gave and is still giving because God gives without measure.

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “God gives without measure” © 2013 revisited March 31, 2025

Are you willing to give all?

“As He looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. I tell you the truth, He said, this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she in her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4 (NIV)

This poor widow put in the best that she had to offer. The two coins that she put into the temple treasury were worth far more to her than the gifts to the rich. Both were giving, but while the rich gave a percentage from their surplus, the widow gave it all – she actually gave 100%: her coins and herself.

She was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, for she “put in all she had to live on”.

The gifts of the rich did not amount to a real sacrifice, it did not hurt. They may have been giving for purely selfish reasons. The widow’s coins, on the other hand, were of more value since it is the cost to the giver that counts.

God saw that the widow’s heart was in the right place. He saw that her intentions were sincere. Her offering, coming from a spirit of humility, love and selflessness made her sacrifice invaluable.

Are you willing to give all?

To sacrifice all that you have and are to Christ? You must be prepared to give up everything to God if He asks. Jesus gave up His life for us because that is what God desired. Jesus prayed, “…yet not My will but Yours” (Luke 22:42).

Like the poor widow, Christ Jesus gave everything He had to live on at the cross. He left the glory of heaven, humbled Himself and laid down His life for a greater cause...

“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:6-8 (NLT)

Jesus, innocent, died like a criminal for you and for me, paying a hefty price for our sins. Jesus was willing to give all...

Are you willing to give all?

Are you willing to give up your comforts and your pleasures and put all you have at the Lord’s disposal?

Are you willing to humble yourself in obedience to God?

Are you willing to give all?

Are you willing, like the poor widow, to sacrifice everything you have, no matter how insignificant your offering may seem?

Beloved, understand that God will give your gift worth. He will do whatever He desires with it and with you. Remember, your sacrifice is giving back to God what He has already given to you and God gives without measure.

Amen †

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Are you willing to give all?” © 2013 revisited March 30, 2025 

The Faith to Endure the Cross

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…” Hebrews 12:2 (BSB)

Jesus demonstrated to us how to walk in faith and His actions and obedience to faith have perfected our faith. Studying Jesus’ behaviour leading up to His crucifixion reveals to us the faith that God requires of His children.

Faith trusts God even in the face of death (see Daniel 3:10-26). We are to trust God completely in all circumstances, standing firm in faith.

Jesus Christ had perfect faith, and it is in His faith that our faith is made complete. Our hearing the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ produces faith in us that gives us direct access to God’s limitless provision.

Jesus, through His faith, pleased God because without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). God said about His Son, “This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17). God is willing to say the same of us if we would place complete faith in Him and act upon that faith.

Jesus’ faith in God’s will, was greater than His desire to not endure the agony of the cross (see Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus understood that God’s plan was much bigger than what was immediately before Him. We too must understand that God’s plan for our lives is much bigger than what we are able to see. We are to continue in faith despite the trials and challenges that we may be facing.

Be encouraged and know that God has not left you but is with you all the way. Jesus was confident in God’s ability to strengthen Him during this time of extreme agony, and He had faith that God would.

Jesus had the faith to endure the cross because He knew that, God being faithful to His promise, the results of His sacrifice would be eternal.

Amen †

 

 

Shelley Johnson “The Faith to endure the Cross” © 2013 revisited March 29, 2025

"If" and "Then", plus "Now"

"if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 (NKJV)

In this season of reflection, these words, which God spoke to Solomon, could teach us all a very valuable lesson. When we read the Word we do not realize that God’s response to us, for the most part, is conditional.

Throughout Scripture we come across those verses that tell us that if we do, God will act. For example, Jesus lets us know in John 15:7 that “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” (MSG) – that’s conditional.

Here’s a hint: whenever you see the words “if” and “then”, you can be sure that it’s letting you know that, if you do this then God will do that. Such sentences or statements are contingent on the choices you make and express certainty of God’s response to your choices.

So let us look at what God told Solomon and is telling us via 2 Chronicles 7:14-16…

Your Part:

Humble yourself – you have to get to a place of humility, like the woman with the issue of blood (see Luke 8:43-48) or the Prodigal son (see Luke 15:11-24), where you come to your senses, from deep within you, and you get low before the Lord, it is an act of desperation where you throw off any shame or inhibitions and come to Him just as you are…naked, exposed, bleeding, dirty.

Pray – pour out your heart before the Lord, sincere and genuine, a repentant cry (see Acts 3:19)

Seek God’s face – search for His face and not His hand; you’re not looking for what God can give you, His presents, but rather you’re looking for His presence – an intimate connection, revelation and knowledge of who God is; to encounter His manifest presence in your life.

Turn from your wicked ways – speaks of repentance, going in the opposite direction to the ways of the world (sin) towards the spiritual and godly; a turning away from self to God; from the evil intent devised in your heart (see Jeremiah 17:9)

God’s Part:

God will hear from heaven – His dwelling place, throne-room, realm of grace, the spiritual realm (see 1 Kings 8:30)

God will forgive your sin – 1 John 1:9 (NLT) "if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness."

God will heal your land – He will bring restoration, and renewal, not just to your physical land but more importantly to what land symbolizes: your heart, your godly inheritance and everything concerning you.

Then there’s the extra...

Beloved, when you do your part, God doesn’t just do His part as promised, He always gives you a little something more – that’s where “Now” comes in.

The Plus Now:

God’s eyes will be opened – He is keeping watch over you

God’s ears will be attentive to your prayers – He’s always going to listen to your prayers especially

God places you on the list of the chosen and sanctification takes place

God will continuously be looking out for you, He’ll place His seal on you and His ceaseless love will be tangible in your life.

It is your willingness to obey that brings these rewards and, not only in heaven, but “now in this time” – “Now” rewards.

Look at what happened to Job when he finally understood what God was showing him and did what he needed to do, “God restored his fortune—and then doubled it!” (Job 42:10 MSG)

And, see what Jesus tells us will happen when we let go of certain things for God’s sake, “They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times” (see Mark 10:29-30).

So, do not be reluctant to do your part, even when it makes no sense, because everything God tells you to do is always for your best and born out of His great love for you.

Know that if you fulfill your part, then you can be certain that God will fulfill His part and after that even more.

 Amen†

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson "If" and "Then", plus "Now" © 2017 revisited March 28, 2025

 

Our Betrayal

We look upon Judas Iscariot and his awful act of betrayal, with disdain, and rightly so; but how many times have we ourselves allowed our fleshly weaknesses and worldly desires to take precedence over the good we ought to do?

How many times, out of convenience, have we laid aside the things of God to indulge in our own plans because it seemed easier?

How many times have we turned away from Jesus’ teachings to satisfy our own cravings?

How many times have we offered to kiss one in order to acquire favour or rob the promotion due another?

During this Lenten Season, as you gaze upon the cross of Christ’s crucifixion, seek a deeper revelation of His incredible sacrifice, take an honest look inwardly and ask yourself:

How many times have I participated in an act of betrayal of Jesus Christ by giving the devil access through…

...my selfish motives; my love of money and other earthly treasures; my lust; my avarice and greed; my envy and jealousy; my arrogance; my self-righteous attitude; my bitterness and resentment; my pride; my apathy; my insincerity; my don’t care behaviour; my spiritual disillusionment; my prayer-less existence; my carnal thoughts and ideas; my baseless words, filthy speech and lies; my drunkenness; my cultivating a wrong view of God by rejecting His Word; my disbelief; devising wickedness in my heart; causing mischief, sowing discord and stirring up strife; my disobedience to Jesus’ instructions…?

And the list goes on and on and we do not even realize that we are giving the devil access to use us and every time we give the devil access, we send Jesus to the cross all over again.

When we have not stayed true to our commitment to Jesus Christ, when we have allowed the things of this world to overshadow and outweigh the things of God, we betray Jesus.

But there is good news in the Cross, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection through which all our sins have been forgiven forever!

From today, let us re-commit ourselves to Him by, once again, confessing with our lips that Jesus is Lord and re-kindling belief in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead.

 Amen †

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Our Betrayal” © 2014 revisited March 26, 2025