Financial Reality

 

Some time ago, in conversation with a pastor-friend of mine, she raised her concerns about her church’s dwindling finances. I was surprised since she had never divulged the private matters of the church to me before, so I knew that it must be weighing heavily on her mind and she obviously needed to vent.

This church boasts an enviable location in the heart of a bustling city centre. It’s not a large edifice but rather quaint and stands out as a lovely respite from the more modern concrete and glass structures that surround it.

She told me that the situation was bad and though she’d made several suggestions to her superiors of ways that the building might be used to raise desperately needed finances, their old-school-thinking prevented them from seeing her vision.

This stone church with its lovely flower garden, green lawn and meandering pathways, would be ideal for small garden parties.

This stone church with its high ceilings, grand pipe organ and wonderful acoustics, would be ideal as a venue for religious concerts.

This stone church with its beautiful stained-glass windows, ornate arches and gilded altar, would be ideal for wedding ceremonies.

Next door to this stone church was a well-appointed building which could be rented to host small gatherings – luncheons or meetings or conferences or a dance class.

The carpark, though small could be offered as monthly paid parking facility to employees of the offices nearby.

She had even suggested that they could use the kitchen to cook and sell lunches as workers around there were always in search of food during the lunchtime period.

This willing pastor was shut down at every turn, instead, her superiors’ solution was as it has always been, “Pastor, you must rely on the good nature of your flock; the weekly offering and monthly tithes will have to suffice.”

The money that was being received from the congregation just wasn’t enough to sustain the running of the church. That was the financial reality.

Despondent and on the verge of tears, she looked at me and whispered, “My beautiful church will die right before my eyes.”

My friend was not the first or only person I’ve heard express such a sentiment but saying that the church will die is only hastening said death. So, if you are one of those persons, stop declaring that over your church.

How was she to solve this dilemma? There must be ways to boost the church’s income without going against the stance of the leadership. She would have to seek ways of raising the church’s finances in a manner that her superiors felt truly honoured God.

Throughout her years at theological school and as an ordained pastor, she had never been offered to take even a single course on church finances.

Some church members fail to recognize the importance of church finances; they don’t understand that there’s a business aspect to the church. The financial reality of the church is foreign to them.

Even though she knew her church’s current financial reality, she too needed to gain a better understanding of financial stewardship in general and what God expects from the church and from her as its leader before she could move forward with finding ways to create wealth for her church.

It had become necessary for her to develop her own financial stewardship theology to successfully change the church’s dismal financial reality. She also knew that this was not for her benefit alone, she would have to share this knowledge with every member of her congregation so that they could apply this truth to their own lives.

My pastor-friend wasted no time, she began by poring over the bible, determined to learn everything the bible teaches on the topic. She looked at the concept of biblical stewardship in the Old Testament because she believed that it was the foundation for understanding financial stewardship.

Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things…“O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! –1 Chronicles 29:11, 16

She explored key passages on money in general, material blessings, tithing and how God responds to those who honour Him with their possessions.

Then she studied financial stewardship in the New Testament, searching out Jesus’ teachings on stewardship and reading all Paul’s epistles, paying close attention to how he dealt with the various churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and Thessalonica.

In Matthew 6:19-24, Jesus teaches that where we store our money reveals where our hearts are and what we value in life. Paul’s message in Acts 30:25 is very instructive.

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

Beloved, financial stewardship is quite an exhaustive topic. This is just a nibble to get you started if you care to know more. Each one of us should be concerned about our financial reality, some seem to think that to do so is not godly but Jesus’ teachings on finances can be found in the Gospels.

Remember, money is not the root of evil, it is the love of money that is the root of all kinds of evil and some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows (see 1 Timothy 6:10).

We all need to gain a better understanding of financial stewardship and what God expects from us, so let us determine, like my pastor-friend to learn all that we can from God’s Word.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Financial Reality” © 2026 July 24, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love with genuine Affection

 

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. – Romans 12:9-13 (NLT)

These days everyone is so caught up with their jobs, their careers, their homes, and their ministries, that they don’t have time for themselves let alone others; not even their own parents or children are able to spend quality time with these workaholics. They are just too busy for proper interaction.

The Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 12 is focused on different types of relationships and in verses 9 to 13 he addresses specific issues involving the relationship between believers. He is particularly concerned about the genuineness of the love, care and compassion that is expressed.

In the not-too-distant past, in churches could be found believers who genuinely loved and cared and supported one another but now with all the busyness that has consumed us, genuine love remains a memory.

There was a time when we could take our problems to an elder in church who was willing and able to help in a meaningful way just as James 5:13-16 advises. But now the church itself is referring its members to professional services which may not be what the person really needs.

What has happened to the church and the authenticity of the Christian community life? Sad to say that what Paul was dealing with in his letter to the church in Rome is still an issue thousands of years later – believers exhibiting a façade of love to each other rather than love with genuine affection.

Paul’s solution to this pretence was not avoidance or shying away from the hypocrisy but to pray about it. Going to God in prayer and sacrificing the lack of love or the inability to love sincerely to Him, is the first step toward deliverance.

Ask God to implant, into your heart, the love that you need to show and to share and when you receive His love, you will have enough love to give back to Him and to others. This love, which is an element of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) can only be fulfilled through Spirit’s power.

You see, it’s not our endless religious activities or how well we follow the rules or keep up with the various traditions that truly matter, but our love of God and by extension, others.

If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? – 1 John 4:20 (NLT)

God wants our lives and our hearts in intimate, joyful, relationship with Him. This is the only way that we will ever be able to sincerely love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honouring each other. The Christian life is not about pretence and performance, it’s not about the religious machinery and rituals done by rote, it’s living out of the ever-present availability and sufficiency of God’s grace (see 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Too many of us are “in” but not “all in”. Giving to others from your physical substance is just as spiritual a sacrifice. Pouring yourself out for God includes pouring yourself out for others and this is not just pouring yourself out for your church family but for your blood relatives – your father, your mother, your siblings and anyone else who is a member of your family. All whom you seem to not consider as needing your love, genuine affection and honour, especially your parents.

“Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise – Ephesians 6:2 (NLT) [see also Exodus 20:12]

Beloved, Jesus is our example to follow. He valued people, loved all people, never avoided the less desirable, He showed kindness, affection and accepted people as they were.

The Apostle Paul urged the believers in Rome to live their lives in service to God and each other. In that same way, he is urging us to do likewise, but it's not enough just to serve; God wants you and me to serve in love with genuine affection.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Love with genuine Affection” © 2026 July 23, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quit pretending

 

These days there are so many ways for people to connect remotely that we seem to have forgotten how important it is for us to connect in person.

We have stopped getting together like we used to, instead we’d rather make a video call than go pay a visit. We’d rather connect via social media than meet up socially for a meal.

We’ve become so dependent on our devices that we have forgotten how to connect from a place of genuine expression. Instead, everyone seems to be performing for the approval of some digital audience.

Human beings were created to be in relationship. First, Adam with God and the animals but then God recognized that “It is not good (beneficial) for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper [one who balances him—a counterpart who is] suitable and complementary for him.” (Genesis 2:18 AMP).

And God created Eve as “a helper” comparable for Adam. The original Hebrew phrase, “ezrah negdo” means “helper opposite him” and implies a fitting partner.

Everyone needs a fitting partner, not necessarily a marriage partner in the romantic understanding but someone in your life who is able to balance you, keep you in check from heading off course.

In Hebrews 10:24-25 (AMP) it is written,

and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.

The fact of the matter is that people need people; needing others is neither a sign of weakness nor a burden. We were not created to live in isolation but to connect and be in relationship with others.

We are meant to build communities where people don’t feel that they cannot present their authentic selves, where people aren’t constantly auditioning for approval, where performing isn’t the standard, where people can come as they are, presenting the real version of themselves.

So many of us, for one reason or another, are living a significant part of our lives pretending for acceptance at work, at home, in school, even in church. There are too many church-goers who feel that they can’t be their authentic selves in church, not because they necessarily want to hide but because they are made to feel that they have to, so they create a church persona believing that the real them isn’t safe to show – that as they truly are will never be accepted.

It’s unfortunate that the church, once a safe space, has become a place of judgment where condemnation is the status quo so that visitors to the sanctuary don’t feel that they’ve entered a sanctuary; instead of a friendly welcome, they’re greeted with suspicion. That sense of community just isn’t there anymore.

Apostle Paul warned against being unequally yoked with unbelievers in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 but nowadays it appears that the danger to the unity and community of the church is from those who call themselves believers.

Beloved, calling yourself a Christian but not following Christ is being a spot in the love feast (Jude 12) or a tare among the wheat (Matthew 13:40-43) so I urge you to check yourself even if you don’t feel that you are a danger to the community in that way.

Inner excavation is always necessary from time to time because we, as Christians, have become so accustomed to pretending that we unknowingly slip off the path. Understand that the inner work does not automatically produce the change; you have to purposely and repeatedly practice.

In order to live the life in all its authenticity, quit pretending.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Quit pretending” © 2026 July 23, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spirituality of Reconciliation

 

Reconciliation is the restoring of harmony; it’s bringing into unity or agreement what has been alienated.

In a world rife with conflict, there is a great need for reconciliation and by “world” I don’t just mean the planet earth but all the smaller worlds that exist within it; our own little worlds in which we exist – homes, schools, offices, universities, churches, neighbourhoods, communities, societies and nations. Just as it is in the larger world around us, in these personal worlds of ours, there is always some kind of disagreement.

Sadly, this is nothing new, there has always been arguments caused by people’s differences and there has always been a need for reconciliation. Apostle Paul addressed it in his second letter to the congregation at Corinth, and in chapter five we read,

All these new things are from God who brought us back to himself through what Christ Jesus did. And God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him. For God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others. We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God. For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!  – 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (TLB)

According to the apostle, there is need for reconciliation between God and human beings because of the alienation that exists between us and Him. Sin, to which God has a righteous aversion, is the source of this alienation. Thankfully God has provided the means of reconciliation, through Jesus Christ.

There is a spiritual element to reconciliation, not only between God and man but between us human beings too. You see, reconciliation, is an exchange from enmity to fellowship. It is an exercise of grace – God’s grace toward us and our grace toward each other.

Paul points out that God’s act of reconciliation is established in the finished redemptive work of Jesus and that is the basis of this restored relationship with mankind.

in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. – 2 Corinthians 5:19 (ESV)

This was entirely God’s doing. As the apostle asserts, even while we were enemies via sin, God reconciled us to Himself (see Romans 5:10). However, this changed relationship is possible only if the sinner changes status. God is not reconciled to the sinner, for it is the sinner who is reconciled to God because it is the person’s sinfulness that created the enmity.

This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. – Colossians 1:21-22 (NLT)

But what about reconciliation between persons?

We can agree that reconciliation between human beings, requires sound decision making based in true wisdom and understanding but above all, grace. For this reconciliation to be successful, there needs to be spiritual orientation and not strategy alone. We must follow the example of God in extending grace to one another.  

Paul has made it clear that there is a spiritual element to reconciliation, and, as Christ’s ambassadors, reconciliation must become a way of living. In every sphere of our lives, we must find ways of working together to achieve harmony, especially in the church.

The church is certainly not immune to conflict and disagreement. Christians must be willing to collaborate with one another and with others, outside of church confines, in the spirituality of reconciliation in an effort to maintain civility.

Reconciliation from this spiritual perspective involves the difficult task of rebuilding shattered relationships and healing the wounds left by scarred memories. Grace is the key that opens hearts to change from a position of enmity to one of fellowship.

Conflict was meant to deepen relationships not fracture them but when things like pride, control, misunderstandings, unresolved disputes, hurt emotions, rejection and unmet expectations are left unattended to fester in our hearts, conflict that separates is inevitable.

Healing relationships in the spiritualty of reconciliation removes those barriers to fellowship.

Beloved, reconciliation can mean several different things depending on the circumstances, but we are looking at it from a purely spiritual perspective. God’s method of reconciliation, as outlined by the apostle should give us a better understanding of the spirituality of reconciliation.

We must carry the spirituality of reconciliation to a broken world because it reflects God’s heart and His character. God sought to reconcile man to Himself, who are we to not seek to reconcile with others.

With His blood, Jesus Christ paid a debt He did not owe to reconcile us to God

The spirituality of reconciliation sends a message that brokenness is not the end of the story. Our faith compels us to step into places of tension and discord, not with arrogance, but with humility, hope, and an openness to transformation.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The Spirituality of Reconciliation” © 2026 July 21, 2026

Just do it!

 

A minister from church once said to me, “I don’t know why people think ministers don’t need prayer.”

I was taken aback by that, not surprised by what she said but because it was only after she said that, it dawned on me that I had never prayed for my minister.

But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’ – Acts 13:22 (NLT)

We all know that God referred to David as a man after my own heart, the reason being that David did everything that God wanted him to do.

I’m pretty sure that for one reason or another, most of us will not do everything God wants us to do. Instead, we hem and haw, we hesitate, we procrastinate, argue with God, ask why, refuse to listen, we complain, hit the rock rather than speak to it, all in all, we find every excuse not to do whatever it is God wants us to do and we simply don’t do it. And then we wonder about why things aren’t working out as we hope.

When God wants you to do something…just do it!

You may feel inconvenienced, you may feel afraid, you may feel inadequate but despite your feelings…just do it!

After the minister told me about ministers needing prayer, I knew that it was something that God wanted me to do.

There are 150 psalms in the bible, David wrote 75, that’s half of the recorded psalms and of those 75, in quite a few, he tells us to bless the Lord.

How often do you bless the Lord? Do you bless Him more than you look for Him to bless you?

While Psalms 34, 103, 104 and 134, all begin with the exhortation to bless the Lord, Psalm 34 adds to the call to bless, telling us to never stop praising Him.

Psalm 34:1 (ESV)
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Psalm 103:1-2 (ESV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits 

Psalm 104:1 (ESV)
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty

Psalm 134:1-2 (ESV)
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

So, if this man who is a man after God’s own heart, a man that will do everything God wants him to do, has told us again and again, to bless the Lord and continually praise Him, why aren’t we?

Why are you and I, who want to be blessed by the Lord in every way, not blessing and continually praising the Lord? Why don’t we just do it?

When we pray for those whom God has called into ministry, we bless the Lord.

When we embrace the opportunities that God places before us, we bless the Lord.

When we bless others, we bless the Lord.

When we thank God in all circumstances, we bless the Lord.

When we do whatever we do, as though we’re working for the Lord and not for humans, we bless the Lord.

When we praise God continually, adore and magnify Him, we bless the Lord.

When we believe, trust and obey God, we bless the Lord.

When we seek God and His Kingdom first, we bless the Lord.

When we do everything God wants us to do, we bless the Lord.

So beloved, just do it!

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Just do it!” © 2026 July 20, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who is really Wise and Understanding?

 

The Apostle James asked a question,

Are there any among you who are really wise and understanding? (James 3:13 ERV)

Who is really wise and understanding? Most people think they are wise, some think they’re understanding and a lot of persons believe themselves to be both.

In James’ day, the early Christians were undergoing trials as they faced many spiritual failures, so he wrote a letter which, among other things, encourages the use of wisdom amid trials and addresses the dangers of the tongue, quarrels and conflict.

In the first twelve verses of chapter three, James warns against the misuse of the tongue, then, in the remainder of the chapter, expounds the nature of true and false wisdom.

Are there any among you who are really wise and understanding? Then you should show your wisdom by living right. You should do what is good with humility. A wise person does not boast. If you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, you have no reason to boast. Your boasting is a lie that hides the truth. That kind of “wisdom” does not come from God. That “wisdom” comes from the world. It is not spiritual. It is from the devil. Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there will be confusion and every kind of evil. But the wisdom that comes from God is like this: First, it is pure. It is also peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help people who have trouble and to do good for others. This wisdom is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way get the blessings that come from right living. – James 3:13-18 (ERV)

Even though James’ message appears to have been written for the benefit of Jewish Christians, at that time, it is still applicable to all believers.

We need to understand that God is the source of wisdom which He gives to those who reverentially and worshipfully fear the Lord (see Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 2:6-7). In Him, wisdom is the infinite, perfect understanding of all that is or might be, according to Paul in his letter to the church in Rome.

How great are God's riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge! Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways? – Romans 11:33 (GNT)

The wisdom of man can never have the power to change us, bring us closer to God or to live the life God wants us to live (see Jeremiah 10:23; 1 Corinthians 2).

James describes the wisdom that comes from God as pure, peaceful, gentle, easy to please, fair, honest and always ready to help and do good for others; this is true wisdom. On the contrary, wisdom that is boastful, selfish, hoards bitter jealousy in the heart, is not spiritual, it is of the world, and it is evil.

Godly wisdom is not born of rivalry, envy, or self-interest, but of a deep desire to heal and reconcile. Human wisdom is an eminently practical attitude that’s employed to achieve questionable outcomes.

As previously mentioned, this particular part of James’ wisdom narrative comes directly after his exhortation on taming the tongue as a lesson on treating with quarrels and conflict.

Usually, when we are faced with heated arguments, instinctively we seek to put up a defence, go to lengths to assert our point of view, argue vehemently and even retaliate. However, James offers a completely different perspective on how we ought to respond when we find ourselves in contentious situations: we must be humble, gentle, peaceful, fair, honest and willing to yield.

In other words, as children of God, we are to be the peacemakers (see Matthew 5:9). By getting the desired end by these effective means shows true wisdom and understanding. Recognizing that every conflict carries the potential for change and transformation, is true wisdom.

We are to work for peace, and we are to pursue wisdom and acquire understanding in the process. In Proverbs 4:7 (AMP) it is written,

The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].

We must be wise but certainly not in our own eyes. Becoming a peacemaker requires much patience and honest self-examination. It involves the work of transformation in us through the power of the Holy Spirit (see Galatians 5:22). It calls for us to listen attentively as we seek to understand rather than to be understood. Transformation is about shifting from seeing others as opponents to seeing them as partners in the pursuit of peace.

Beloved, true wisdom creates space for forgiveness, healing, restoration and right living. And living right with others in peace, promotes transformation, not just of yourself but in others.

Be willing to work for peace in a peaceful way, then you will reap a bounty of blessings that will redound to the benefit of all. In so doing, you can confidently answer “I am!” to the question “Who is really Wise and Understanding?”.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Who is really Wise and Understanding?” © 2026 July 17, 2026

 

 

The Sound of Faith

 

Acts 16:16-40 recounts a series of events that took place while Paul, accompanied by Silas, was on his second missionary journey to the city of Philippi, a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony (see v 11-12).

On the Sabbath, on his way to a place of prayer, Paul exorcised a spirit of divination from a female slave much to the displeasure of her owner who made a great deal of money from her fortune-telling.

The owner dragged the two missionaries into the marketplace before the authorities, brought them before the magistrate, accusing them of disturbing our city and… advocating customs that are not lawful for us, being Romans, to adopt or observe.

Paul and Silas were scourged, then they placed the two in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Philippi was a bustling city deeply rooted in paganism. Paul and Silas’ mission was no different from the first – spread the gospel of Jesus Christ – but the people of Philippi had hearts that were firmly held in the grip of pagan religions. This was a city littered with temples dedicated to gods and they had come to introduce these pagans to God.

They knew that hearts hardened by years of ritual and idolatry, would be difficult to penetrate but the seed of the gospel must be planted, no matter the condition of the soil. So, there was a challenge to overcome even before the challenge to be overcome presented itself.

Paul and Silas were up for that challenge, they’d already planted many seeds, ploughed the soil of many hearts and been through the crucible of faith-testing but they hadn’t bargained for this jail-cell diversion.

Securely imprisoned in the innermost cell of the prison, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God at midnight, and the prisoners were listening to them in silence, in the darkness. But faith refuses to be silent. Instead of despair, the two sang and the entire jail, in the dead of night, reverberated with the sound of faith.

Then suddenly…God’s specialty!

Suddenly there was an earthquake so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. – Acts 16:26 (NRSVUE)

There’s usually a pause before an earthquake strikes – an eerie stillness, like a preface to the shake which often goes unnoticed, but that does not occur where I live; an ominous rumble, like the sound of a heavily-loaded mack truck, is heard, with the noise getting louder and louder immediately before the earth shakes. It still frightens me.

That night, faith passed through the midnight hour, through prison walls and created an unforgettable sound. What sound does your faith make?

The sound of faith is the sound of freedom, not freedom from trials but the freedom of faith that prays and sings praises in the midst of trials.

Faith doesn’t need permission to make a joyful noise to the Lord (Psalm 100:1), and when it does it releases whatever has been held captive.

Faith, like an earthquake, makes a sound that disrupts the norm and rearranges lives by shaking things up.

Singing songs of praise bolsters faith; it is a weapon that shifts the atmosphere and in Acts 16, it shifted the very foundations of the prison.

The sound of faith must be loudest when conditions are at their worst.

With all the cell doors open, and chains fallen, the jailer, terrified of the punishment that would inevitably be his, was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped (v 27), but Paul urged him not to harm himself, assuring him that they hadn’t.

The jailer, completely overwhelmed by this experience, fell down trembling before Paul and Silas and asked them a question that would forever change his life…

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (v 30)

They answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (v 31)

And, that very night, Paul and Silas shared the gospel of salvation with the jailer and his household; they all believed then he and his entire family were baptized without delay (v 33).

Beloved, silence is not your calling, you are meant to give faith a voice (read James 2:14-26). Like Paul and Silas, allow your voice to declare your faith, so that, the sound of faith becomes a weapon of warfare and a sign of belief.

Understand that faith is not something you need to search for because it is already inside you, given by God in the perfect measure (see Romans 12:3). Listen out for the sound of faith, feel it welling up from deep within you as you believe.

Midnight was not the end of Paul and Silas’ story and it’s certainly not the end of yours. What began as pain, suffering and imprisonment became a powerful display of God’s power when they remained united in faith.

An innermost cell with no means of escape, birthed belief, proving that even chains and prison walls cannot stop the spread of the gospel.

Hearts already hardened, cannot be won over by force but by gentle persuasion and a demonstration of genuine love for God through the sound of faith.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The Sound of Faith” © 2026 July 16, 2026