As long as you have Jesus

 

photo courtesy Chionsu Barclay

It’s important for us to see verses from a different and deeper perspective, especially those familiar, often-quoted verses. Keep in mind that the Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12); it has the ability to manifest when we speak it,

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. – Psalm 119:89 (ESV)

God’s Word is powerful, it is unchangeable, does not return to Him with no effect (Isaiah 55:11) and it is the creative activity of God, so, we must be cognisant of what we are saying when we are boldly declaring the Word over our lives.

After all, if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, then God will do it for you (Mark 11:23 ERV), more so with His own Word.

It is from this mindset that we are going to look at a verse from Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians that we have committed to memory to quote at will.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Straightforward enough but is it as straightforward as we think? What prompted the apostle to write this to the Philippians?

Philippi, though small, was a bustling city. It’s location in Northern Greece made it a major trade route which exposed the Philippians to many people from various cultures who passed through the city. It was the gateway to the East.

After the battle of 31 B.C., Philippi was constituted a Roman colony and the leading city in that part of Macedonia (Acts 16:12 ERV), making the Philippians Roman citizens just as Paul was however, unlike Paul, without Jewish influence, they were purely pagan.

Apostle Paul’s visit to Philippi as the first European city to hear a Christian missionary, informed his choice of the strategy of his evangelism. As his fellow Roman citizens, his manner of teaching could not take its usual form of Rabbi and disciple but was more of a partnership rather than that typical relationship; it was a mutual relationship, unique in this regard.

Additionally, Paul uses language and concepts that the people of Philippi would understand, so this letter is not like his usual letters.

Several remarkable conversions to Christianity and miraculous events occurred in Philippi (see Acts 16) which created an intimate friendship between the apostle and the members of the Philippian church. Even though the congregation consisted of Gentiles, they were Paul’s joy and crown (Philippians 4:1), in whom he saw the future of the church as the fruit of faith in them was unmistakably evident.

I am so happy, and I thank the Lord that you have again shown your care for me. You continued to care about me, but there was no way for you to show it. – Philippians 4:10 (ERV)

Paul, imprisoned for his faith and for spreading the Good News, was writing from gaol to the church. Their long-time concern and support for the apostle never wavered even though at times they hadn’t the opportunity of showing it. Paul’s letter was occasioned by their gifts of funds, clothing and other favours. But he wanted them to know that those things did not constitute their friendship, partnership and faithfulness.

This letter covers a gamut of complex matters and in the final chapter, where our favourite verse resides, Paul is mostly focused on his persecution for the sake of Christ, yet because of his deep affection for and gratitude to the Philippians, he is not only giving them thanks but encouragement for their own troubles as well.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. – Philippians 4:11-12 (ESV)

These verses, which lead us into verse 13, must be taken into account if our oft-quoted verse is to be properly understood. Here, Paul speaks of being “content” in any situation, the Greek word he would have used is “autarkes”.

“Autarkes” is self-sufficient, which was in Roman philosophy a favourite virtue among the stoics and cynics and signified the ultimate mastery over one’s own life. Paul was using this to signify something even deeper by aligning it to Jesus Christ.

He is conveying to the Philippians and to us that he is content, not in his own strength but that his ability to be content, to be self-sufficient comes from somewhere else. Paul’s self-sufficiency was empowered by God through his relationship with Christ. Even imprisoned, he was “autarkes”.

And it is with all this in mind, we can now read what Paul wrote in verse 13,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Paul had previously identified the source and power of his affection (1:8) now he was identifying the same source as the source and power of his strength.

As long as you have Jesus, you are “autarkes”. This verse has nothing to do with personal goals and ambitions. This is about finding contentment in Christ and not in anything else or anyone else; it’s detachment from the things of this world and attachment to the Kingdom of God.

Beloved, you can do all of things through Jesus who gives you the strength to do so. It is Jesus who gave Paul the ability to survive on very little and it is that same Jesus who gives you that same ability.

Paul was leading the Philippians to rely on and experience the same dependence on God to meet their needs just as God met his needs and, this passage about needing very little, as long as you have Jesus, still rings true today.

As long as you have Jesus, you can rely on Him completely, not needing the things of this world for your joy and satisfaction.

As long as you have Jesus, you can live on little, centring every part of your life on Him.

As long as you have Jesus, you must spread the gospel, struggle for it and give everything to ensure that everyone hears the better than Good News.

And it is in all these pursuits that Jesus gives you His strength; strength to do all things that you may think you’re not good at or the things you believe you’re not worthy of doing or equipped for or meant for.

You and I, as long as we have Jesus, we can do all things through Him who gives us strength to stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. (Philippians 1:27-28 NIV)

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “As long as you have Jesus” ©2026 May 24, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praying necessary prayers

 

Pray always. Pray in the Spirit. Pray about everything in every way you know how! And keeping all this in mind, pray on behalf of God’s people. Keep on praying feverishly, and be on the lookout until evil has been stayed. And please pray for me. Pray that truth will be with me before I even open my mouth. Ask the Spirit to guide me while I boldly defend the mystery that is the good news— for which I am an ambassador in chains—so pray that I can bravely pronounce the truth, as I should do. – Ephesians 6:18-20 (VOICE)

Apostle Paul understood that he, as a leader of the church, was in dire need of prayer. He wrote to the church in Ephesus exhorting them not just to pray always and about everything and in every way and to keep on praying feverishly but he also made a plea for them to pray for him.

We seem to think that there’s no need to pray for members of our clergy. Priests, pastors, ministers, vicars, bishops, deacons, apostles and preachers need our prayers. Even the pope is in need of prayer.

Praying necessary prayers for our spiritual leaders is crucial so that, according to Paul, truth will be with them before they even open their mouths, the Holy Spirit will guide them while they boldly defend the mystery that is the Gospel and they bravely pronounce the truth as they should do.

Hold your church’s leaders up before God, giving thanks for them in Jesus’ name.

Pray that divinely directed words will be on their lips and their mouths will not transgress in judgment.

Pray that their hearts remain in God’s hands and they will remain obedient to God’s leading.

Pray for God to bless them and make them a blessing to His people.

Pray for lovingkindness, compassion, mercy and faithfulness to preserve them.

Pray that their ways and actions will always please God.

Pray that they will listen carefully to God’s voice and that your church is elevated by uprightness and is in right standing with God because they take heed.

Pray that if there is anything for which they need to repent, that they will do so without hesitation.

Now declare that your church is established and made secure by righteousness and is stable in the Lord because your leaders are genuine men and women of God.

Beloved, as you pray, mention the names of those for whom you are praying necessary prayers, trusting that what you say will happen.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Praying necessary prayers” ©2026 May 23, 2026

Why are you holding on?

 

Recently, I came across something that I had never thought about before and was immediately struck by a certain bible verse. But before I divulge the verse, let me tell you about what led to this lightning bolt.

Looking at a globe of the world, if you were to travel north from anywhere in the world towards the Arctic or North Pole, after reaching that point, anywhere beyond it, you’ll then be heading south; right?

And if you continue making that entire longitude circumference journey, you will always go from south to north or from north to south.

However, it doesn’t work in that same way when you’re heading in an easterly direction on the globe to get to the west. You just continue heading east.

North to south and vice versa is finite but heading east is infinite, you’ll always be heading east. Traveling along that line of latitude in either direction is a continuous journey.

You probably know this already but for me, it was something that never crossed my mind, yet still, that wasn’t even the mind-blowing element. My mind exploded when, pondering this new discovery, Psalm 103 came dancing into my thoughts, not every verse – verse 1, verse 2 and I thought nothing of it until, suddenly, skipping over several verses it came to rest on the one that says,

as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.

Verse twelve was the verse that catapulted me into praise mode. How could it not?

I had a brand-new understanding of what David was saying.

“As far as the east is from the west” is an endless, incalculable distance; it’s never-ending, immeasurably more than we can ever imagine, extending indefinitely beyond what we are able to fathom.

says the Lord: For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. (Hebrews 8:10, 12 NRSVUE)

The author of Hebrews reiterates that same promise in Hebrews 10:17, which incidentally, is the repeating of a prophecy found in Jeremiah 31:34.

Beloved, God does not hold on to our sins, why are you holding on to the sins of others? If God can let go of our sins, remove them as far as the east is from the west, cast all [our] sins into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19) and remember [our] sins no more, why are you holding on? What is your reason for not letting go?

Do you weaponize the sins of others to use against them? Because that’s exactly what some of us do. Even those of us who stand at pulpits.

And then there are those of you who keep replaying your own sins in your mind, living guilty and punishing yourself as if Jesus Christ never hung on the Cross.

As long as you keep remembering your sins and the sins of others, that God, in His love, compassion and mercy, has already completely forgiven, you are crucifying Christ again and again.

Why are you holding on? What is your reason for not letting go?

You know of God’s wonderful gift of forgiveness through His beloved Son Jesus, but haven’t you truly accepted it? If you had, then you would not be holding people’s sin over their heads and condemning them every chance you get.

Holding on to any sins without forgiving the perpetrator of said sins, yourself included, reveals a problem of love.

Holding on to any sins without forgiving the perpetrator of said sins, yourself included, is tantamount to a rejection of divine love.

Why are you holding on?

God has forgiven and forgotten our sins, so who are you to keep holding on to them?

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Why are you holding on?” ©2026 May 22, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lovingkindness

 

Psalm 123 

I lift up my eyes to You, O You Whose throne is in the heavens. See, the eyes of servants look to the hand of their owner. The eyes of a woman servant look to the hand of her owner. So our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He shows us loving-kindness.

Show loving-kindness to us, O Lord. Show loving-kindness to us. For we have had our fill of hate. The proud have laughed at us too long. We have had more than enough of their hate.

In most translations of Psalm 123, “mercy” is used instead of “loving-kindness” but we so seldom use or display lovingkindness that the word seemed to glare at me when I came upon it in the New Life Version’s translation of the psalm.

Lovingkindness is one of those words that carry a depth of meaning as does its Hebrew counterpart, “hesed”; It’s not a disposition but more of an attitude than anything else, that is born out of a place of authenticity.

There is no pretence in lovingkindness, it cannot be feigned. This is a heartfelt, loyal love that is divinely implanted. It is love that expects neither repayment nor reward. It’s love that doesn’t count the cost and when it refers to God, it’s that how wide and how long and how high and how deep love that is meted out to sinners (you and me), in unmerited kindness.

God’s lovingkindness designates His great faithfulness, grace and mercy.

Remember Your loving-pity and Your loving-kindness, O Lord. For they have been from old. (Psalm 25:6 NLV)

God’s lovingkindness is priceless.

Of what great worth is Your loving-kindness, O God! (Psalm 36:7 NLV)

God’s lovingkindness is everlasting.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His loving-kindness lasts forever. (Psalm 136:1 NLV; 2-26)

On a pilgrimage to worship the Lord, the psalmist is asking the Lord to show lovingkindness after the pilgrims have experienced their fill of hate and, centuries later, that hasn’t changed, for when we are in distress, we too seek lovingkindness from our Lord.

We long for God to show us lovingkindness but we, like the priest and the Levite in the parable of the good Samaritan (see Luke 10:25-37), are hard pressed to show even the faintest love to our fellowman.

We’re so focused on the road we are on, that we forget there are others traveling on the same road. And worse than that we keep our eyes cast down, preferring to ignore those on the road who are injured, gravely hurt or deeply wounded.

It’s easy to hide our faces from the ills that others face – the hate and the injustice – especially when it isn’t affecting us directly. We curl up in our comfortableness not wanting to have anything spoil or interrupt our journey.

Because our lives are normal by the world’s standards, does not mean that we are going the right way or that we’re doing the right things or making the right choices.
 
So, take a good look at where you’re headed. When was the last time you looked up to really see what’s going on around you outside of your own experiences? Have you been lifting your eyes to God, Whose throne is in the heavens?
 
With everything that is going on in this world today with all the pain and suffering, conflicts and wars and the abuse and killing of innocent children, it’s sometimes difficult to lift your eyes, you probably don’t even want to. You're not alone...

Lately, we’ve all been looking down but we need to lift up our eyes, not to focus on the world but to see above and beyond the hills to the hand of our Lord, as we continue our ascent.

We need to look to the Lord our God, until He shows us loving-kindness by planting its seed deep into our hearts so that we may be able to show lovingkindness to others along the way.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Lovingkindness“ ©2026 May 21, 2026

Encore

God knows the heart of each person. He knows what you need and when you need it. And in certain instances, God will take you through something that you’ve been through already.

Perhaps you need to be reminded about something or perhaps you need to see something from a different perspective or perhaps He is taking you to a higher level of understanding, so you need to dig deeper.

Whatever the reason for this encore, today God is taking us through something we have been through before – Eternal Life.

When we think of the word eternal, we think of it in terms of duration, both distant past and future time, either way it’s thought of simply as a long time. However, in Scripture, particularly in the gospel of John, “eternal” is paired with “life” where it refers not to the past but instead mingles the future and the present.

In John’s gospel, “eternal life” is not about duration but about a quality of life in which we, as God’s children, share in His eternal being, participating in the life of God by means of faith.

John 17:1-3 (NIV) gives us Jesus’ definition of eternal life.

Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 

All who belong to Jesus, have access to His gift of eternal life but it’s not a done deal, for we are required to “know…the only true God and Jesus Christ”.

This knowing is not about knowing the facts about God and Jesus Christ, this knowing is not about memorizing bible verses, this knowing is not about performing in church, this knowing is about being in relationship with God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.

That they may know You, is speaking about connection. It’s about faith in knowing that He now dwells in us and we in Him. Eternal life is unity with God in the present, meaning that it is in effect now.

We have truly underestimated the value of the cross. Jesus Christ’s shed blood provided eternal life to all those who God has given Him.

I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (John 17:4-5 NIV)

Eternal life is in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Eternal life is not about going to heaven.

Eternal life is now.

Eternal life is not about duration it’s about depth.

Beloved, the faith to know that you have been given eternal life is not for later, it has to take effect now because it affects how you live in the present.

John 10:10 is very clear,

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (NIV)

The thief comes to steal what you know, understand and believe, to kill your faith and destroy the life Jesus died for you to have, making you physically alive but spiritually dead.

Jesus speaks of life, life that is full and abundant – eternal life – and is waiting for us to have.

Jesus did not come simply to help us escape this world; Jesus came to show us how to live in it.

Your life may be good, but God wants your life to be so much better, hence this “Eternal Life” encore.

God wants you to have life to the full – the best time of your life here on earth, right now.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Encore” ©2026 May 20, 2026

 

Living Cherubim

 

We picture Cherubim as ornamentation, like the two made of beaten gold that adorned the two ends of the mercy seat above the Ark of the Covenant (see Exodus 25:18-22), or those that were embroidered into the curtains that hung in the Tabernacle (ref. Exodus 26:1 & 31) and the many that populated Solomon’s Temple (ref.1 Kings 6:23-38).

All those cherubim were static but remember, God placed living cherubim at the East of Eden,

He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. – Genesis 3:24 (ESV)

And in Psalm 18:10 (ESV), David sings of God riding a cherub,

He rode on a cherub and flew; he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.

Cherubim are much more than artwork; they are alive and Ezekiel chapter one gives us a vivid description of these living heavenly creatures.

As for the likeness of their faces, each had a human face. The four had the face of a lion on the right side, the four had the face of an ox on the left side, and the four had the face of an eagle. – Ezekiel 1:10 (ESV)

The four faces of each of the cherubim represent the four excellencies of the created order:

the lion – the greatest of the wild beasts

the ox – the greatest of the domestic beasts

the eagle – the greatest of the birds

and man – the crown of creation

God riding a cherub is symbolic of His absolute sovereignty over creation in all its variety of life; it shows that creation is subject to His intervention and is at His disposal.

We also see a similar description of living cherubim in the Book of Revelation.

the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. – Revelation 4:7 (ESV)

In Revelation, the living cherubim are the bearers of the judgments that follow the breaking of the first four seals (see Revelation 6).

Their symbolism goes even further in that each of the faces typifies the nature of Jesus Christ. How? Let’s look at each face.

Jesus as Lion:

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” – Revelation 5:5 (ESV)

On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. – Revelation 19:16 (ESV)

As King, Jesus is like a lion, the king of the beasts. He is our King.

Jesus as Ox:

A firstborn bull — he has majesty, and his horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he shall gore the peoples, all of them, to the ends of the earth; they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. – Deuteronomy 33:17 (ESV)

Jesus is powerful, yet submitted to service and suffering. He is the suffering Servant.

Jesus as Eagle:

that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places – Ephesians 1:20 (ESV)

Jesus has a free Spirit, lives in the heavenly realms, watches over us from high above, is swift and powerful to rescue us and destroy His enemy.

Jesus as Man:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. – John 1:14 (ESV)

but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. – Philippians 2:7-8 (ESV)

Jesus is the beginning and the end, the first and the last; our heritage is only found in union with Him, the Lord from heaven, the Heavenly Man who came to earth to rescue mankind.

Beloved, the living cherubim carry an enormous weight of symbolism, much more than the capacity of this blog post.

Each of the four faces parallels the character and Person of Jesus which can be seen in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And four, being the number that represents universality (everywhere and everyone), must not be overlooked, as the gospels are to be taken to the four corners of the earth, proclaimed throughout the whole world.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Living Cherubim” ©2026 May 19, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Remember me

 

Beloved, have you ever felt that God has forgotten all about you? It seems like ages since you’ve been calling and crying out for help, according to Isaiah 58:9 but you haven’t received an answer as Isaiah promised.

But that verse comes with a caveat; have you done everything that you were supposed to do? Have you been obedient?

Here’s what Isaiah 58:9 (NIV) says,

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

And the “ifs” continue for a few more verses and it’s only after the “ifs” that the “thens” are fulfilled.

We are always asking God for this and that but aren’t always willing to do our part and then we wonder, “Doesn’t God remember me?”

We pray, Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people (Psalm 106:4 NIV) yet you refuse to do His will, you refuse to forgive, you refuse to repent, you refuse to turn the other cheek, you refuse to give up your sexual misconduct, you refuse to let go of whatever God has been telling you to release, you refuse and refuse and refuse.

You find it hard to show others favour but you want God to show you favour? You won’t even give way to other drivers on the road for goodness sake.

You refuse to follow the “Golden Rule” that I’m sure you’ve heard time and time again since childhood, from your mom or grandmother but probably did not realize that it’s something that Jesus said,

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12 NIV)

Despite your behaviour, God has not forgotten you, He certainly remembers you, after all He has engraved you on the palms of [His] hands (read Isaiah 49:14-16). However, before God gives to you, He is waiting for you to give to Him.

God is waiting for you to give Him your will and your way in exchange for His will and His way. God is waiting for you to give Him your worries and anxieties (see 1 Peter 5:7).

In 1 Samuel, we are told of a woman named Hannah who in her desperation to have a child, a son, made a promise to God,

“Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (1 Samuel 1:11 NIV)

And God remembered Hannah (also v. 19) and her son Samuel grew up in God’s presence (1 Samuel 2:21).

You can’t be asking God to give to you and not be willing to give back to God no matter what it may be.

When my own children were born, I gave them back to God, not by taking them to live with the priest as Hannah did, but I understood that they belonged to God.

Beloved, if you want God to remember you when you pray, you must remember Him for who He is and not only for what He can give you.

Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. (Psalm 25:7 NIV)

Remember God for His love.

“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (Luke 23:42 NIV)

Remember God for His forgiveness.

Remember me for this also, my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love. (Nehemiah 13:22 NIV)

Remember God for His mercy.

Lord, you understand; remember me and care for me. (Jeremiah 15:15 NIV)

Remember God for His care.

O my God, [earnestly] remember me for good and imprint me [on Your heart]! (Nehemiah 13:31 AMPC)

Remember God for His goodness.

The same God who remembered Noah and Sarah and Rachel and Joseph and Hannah and Daniel and Job and the thief on a cross and Cornelius, is the same God who remembers you and me.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Remember me” ©2026 May 18, 2026