Finding Purpose and Meaning…

Are you struggling to find purpose and meaning in life? 

Are you not finding any value in the life you’re living?

Beloved, the answers to your questions are written in the pages of the Bible. The Bible which contains the Word of God is a treasure, a most precious find of great value. 

The Word of God is your answer to your every question. But you must read your Bible and open your heart to receive the Truth that it contains. 

The struggle is in your endless, wearisome pursuit of the things of this world that people of the world perceive as worthy: sensory pleasures, fame, power, promotion, careers, knowledge, the next exciting experience, the latest device, money, drugs, shallow relationships, popularity, and other worldly possessions and desires that only provide you with temporary satisfaction. 

No sooner you acquire them, you are longing for something bigger and better. 

This is temporary gratification! 

When the thrill and euphoria have worn off or waned, the struggle begins all over again. 

It’s a never-ending cycle and a quick recipe for frustration, disenchantment and distress, causing you to feel that life is without purpose, and meaningless.

There is nothing that the world has to offer you that can fulfill your more-than-you-can-ever-think-or-imagine appetite; you are designed by God to desire more, much more, but it’s not more and more things. 

God has placed in you a yearning for something of eternal value. 

God has built into your heart a latent desire for Him. 

So stop seeking for purpose and meaning and value in the “it” – that will only bring you great struggle.

Instead, seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness and He will add…because He knows you and He knows about everything you need and all that you desire. 

You are beloved of God, and He promises that if you delight yourself in Him – by getting to know Him intimately through reading the Bible, through prayer and spending time with Him – He will give you the desires of your heart.

Purpose and meaning of life are only found in the One Who can give you permanent satisfaction…God.

Amen †

Finding Purpose and Meaning…©2013 Shelley Johnson 25-Sep-13

A Majority

If you are in a difficult situation, you do not need to struggle in your own strength. You need to look to the One who is able; the One who is always for you, the One who has promised to never leave you nor forsake you; the One who is all mighty to save and deliver you out of any situation and every circumstance – He is God Almighty.

Romans chapter eight and verse thirty one assures us that “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Even when you are faced with the most trying of circumstances, God is for you. Even when you do not feel His presence, God is for you. He is always at your side and on your side. God is for you!

In times of struggle, difficulty, hardship, persecution, trouble and trial, it is important to remind yourself of Romans 8:31 by declaring,

“God is for me, so no-one and nothing and no situation can prevail against me!”

Yes, when God is for you, you and God together are a majority and with God on your side you shall prevail.

So, whatever comes against you, remember this simple equation:

Me + God = A Majority

A Majority ©2013 Shelley Johnson 29-May-13

“Keep your eyes on Jesus”

A new day has dawned, keep your eyes on Jesus as you meditate on Hebrews 12:1-3, as it is written in the contemporary language of The Message translation:

Discipline in a Long-Distance Race

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. 

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. 

Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Amen †

“Keep your eyes on Jesus” ©2013 Shelley Johnson 16-Sep-13

Listen!

Today, listen to seven Truths…

Listen! – your present troubles are small and won’t last very long [2 Corinthians 4:17]…

keep your eyes on Jesus

Listen! – after you’ve suffered a little while, God Himself will restore you [1 Peter 5:10]…

keep trusting Him

Listen! – do not be discouraged, God is with you [Joshua 1:9]…

keep meditating on His Word 

Listen! – stand still and see God’s salvation [2 Chronicles 20:17]…

keep standing firm 

Listen! – suddenly, God will show up and change your circumstances [Acts 12:7]…

keep expecting

Listen! – Jesus’ grace is sufficient for you [2 Corinthians 12:9]…

keep leaning on His strength

Listen! – Jesus died to give you life…abundant Life [John 10:10]…

keep your eyes on Jesus 

Listen! Shelley Johnson 27-Oct-15

“It’s okay to Sit Down”

Hebrews 10:12, as it is written,

“But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”

After Jesus offered Himself on the cross as the one sacrifice forever, He sat down. The Bible tells us that Jesus sat down, in order to demonstrate to us, that the mission for which He was assigned here on earth had been accomplished and He was now at rest. “It is finished!”, He proclaimed.

As believers in Christ, we ought to pray for a deeper revelation of what Jesus Christ has done for us, so that we might have a greater appreciation for Christ and His Finished work.

As believers in Christ, we have been given the privilege and honour to sit with Jesus at the Father’s right hand, for we are told in Ephesians 2:4-6,

“But God, Who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ…and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Here, the Bible gives us a picture of the believer at rest in Christ Jesus. 

You see, God, our heavenly Father, wants us to be at rest. God rested in His finished work (Genesis 2:2).

God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, is at rest in His finished work and we are to rest in the finished work as well. 

Being at rest in the finished work means that we depend on, trust in, and believe God completely, for everything in our lives. God does not want us burdened and weighed down by cares and problems. God wants us to live free from stress and strife. 

God, in His mercy, has therefore, offered us this position of honour, a very special seat in His own beloved Son. This seat provides us with His own unique rest. A rest that nothing in this world can ever provide. It is the rest that brings peace of mind and the confidence that this too shall pass.

When we rest, God does not rest. When we sit down in Christ, we can rest assured that God will not rest until He is finished attending to all our needs (see Ruth 3:18).

So, rest now, take your seat, and know that it’s okay to sit down.

“It’s okay to Sit Down” ©2013 Shelley Johnson 4-Feb-13

The GOSPEL is Good News!

The Bible’s New Testament contains four separate accounts of Jesus’ life and teachings by four people who were associated with Him in some way. 

These accounts, called the Gospels, were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and bear their names. The Gospels tell us the Good News of Jesus’ coming to earth to save all of mankind from the punishment of sin and death.

The reason Jesus took our place, receiving all the punishment we deserved in the ultimate sacrifice of love, is expressed in one of the best known verses in the Bible found in the Gospel of John – John 3:16,

God so loved the world that He gave His One and

Only

Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not

Perish but have

Eternal

Life

The GOSPEL is Good News! 

Now that you’ve heard the Good News, pass it on to someone who hasn’t.

The GOSPEL is Good News ©2014 Shelley Johnson 20-Apr-14

Thought for the Day from Mummy

My Aunt Mildred had the biggest heart – I’ve not known another so full of genuine love and such compassion for others. After many fulfilling years on this earth, she left us in February of this year.

Just a few days ago I received an email from her son, my dear cousin Junior…so called because he bears the same name as his father. It’s a message he had sent days earlier to his mummy’s grandchildren, and in his message to them, Junior writes:

“Your grandmother used to write a lot. I had this Psalm and ‘Thought for the day’ in my Bible for a long time without reading it. For some reason something told me to read it today…”

Now, I thought of relating this story differently but after reading what Junior himself had written I saw how lovely his words were; I could not have said it better.

Junior shared his mummy’s “Thought for the day” first with her grandchildren and then with her nieces and nephews. I felt it was much too beautiful to keep to myself and asked if he’d mind my sharing it with others.

So, here I am, permission received with a cautionary note that says that he is not sure that “these sentiments are directly from Mummy”. Who knows if it’s a Mildred original; I believe these sentiments are hers – a mother’s handwritten message to her son…

“Read Psalm 138

I asked the Lord to give me everything that I might enjoy life. He gave me life that I might enjoy everything.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Hanging on to our hurts can separate us from God and from other people. The more we dwell on that hurt, the more it multiplies. Soon we may be able to see nothing else, not even God. Unwillingness to let go of the past has imprisoned more souls than all jails throughout the centuries. The key that unlocks that prison is mercy – not a one-time supplication but a daily application. As we show mercy to others, God’s mercy heals our hearts. It’s a never-ending stream of renewal. Truly God’s mercy does endure forever. Mercy for them, mercy for me.”

Junior said, “For some reason something told me to read it today”...there’s always a reason.

"Thought for the Day from Mummy"  Shelley Johnson 24-Oct-2015

Precious Faith

“It’s faith, it’s faith. It’s a flower of light in a field of darkness.” – the character Eli, from the movie The Book of Eli, quoting Johnny Cash.

Faith is indeed a light during those times when everything in our lives seem to be dark and we don’t know which way to turn. Faith gives us the strength we desire to carry on even when we cannot see our way. Faith is having complete confidence in God. Jesus said to His disciples, in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God.” and He is saying the same thing to us today.

Don’t ever believe that you have no faith. Faith is already in you. Hear what the Bible tells us in Romans 12:3, as it is written, “…the measure of faith God has given you.”

God has given to each person “the measure of faith”, therefore you too have the gift from God of the measure of faith inside you, right now. Notice, it’s not a measure, it is the measure – God uses one measure and it is the same for everyone and it’s a full measure.

Do you realize that it is through your faith in Jesus Christ that you are born again, re-born or born from above? Hear the Word of God,

“For through the living and eternal Word of God you have been born again as the children of a Parent who is immortal, not mortal.” – 1 Peter 1:23

Receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, requires deep faith. Believing that Jesus Christ was crucified upon a cross at a place called Calvary and that on the third day after His crucifixion was resurrected from death and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father, our immortal invisible Parent, requires profound faith.

“…know that a person is put right with God only through faith in Jesus Christ…” – Galatians 2:16

Born again, you live by the faith of Jesus Christ. And, being conscious of the fact that you have the faith of your Saviour, Jesus Christ, will make a difference in every area of your life. This truth will affect your hopes and your expectations.

Understand that God’s Word had to be heard in order that we might receive His supernatural faith contained in it to receive our salvation. God’s Word is Jesus Christ (see John 1:1,14; 1 John 1:1-3).

Peter, servant and Apostle of Jesus Christ, said, “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have been given a faith as precious as ours…” – 2 Peter 1:1

Beloved child of God, you have the same precious faith that Apostles Peter and Paul had – anything they did, you can do.

Jesus said, “I am telling you the truth: whoever believes in me will do what I do – yes he will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father.” – John 14:12

Beloved child of God, you have the faith of the Son of God – anything Jesus did, you can do.

Today, instead of griping about your lack of faith, know that your born-again spirit is powerful and praise and thank God for the measure of faith He has already given. It is a precious gift.

Amen † 

Precious Faith ©2013 Shelley Johnson 16-Feb-13

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

Jesus demonstrated to us how to walk in faith and His actions and obedience to faith have perfected our faith. Studying Jesus’ behavior 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 †

The Faith to endure the cross ©2013 Shelley Johnson 26-Mar-13

Faith Alive

James 2:26, as it is written,

“For as the human body apart from the spirit is lifeless, so faith apart from (its) works of obedience is also dead.” (AMP)

If you have faith and do not operate in that faith, then that faith is as good as dead – operating in faith, spiritual faith, gives that faith life. “Works” speaks of spiritual work, rather than moral work. It is the work of faith. It is working in faith.

This passage of Scripture is often misinterpreted in that, we read it, then start rushing around in our own strength searching for “good works” to perform. That manner of good work cannot bear witness to our faith. Running off to feed the homeless and donating used clothing to the poor, are indeed good to do, however, are not the “good works” to which James was referring. He was talking about acting on our faith, in order to activate our faith.

James 2:14, 17, as it is written,

“What is the use (profit), my brethren, for anyone to profess to have faith if he has no [good] works [to show for it]? Can [such] faith save [his soul]? So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead).” (AMP)

We must be obedient to the faith we profess to have.

James 2:20, as it is written,

“…faith apart from [good] works is inactive and ineffective and worthless.” (AMP)

Read verses 21-25

Abraham worked in faith (operated his faith) when he placed his son Isaac upon the altar – Genesis 22:1-4. That was faith with works.

James 2:22, as it is written,

“…[his] faith was cooperating with his works, and [his] faith was completed and reached its supreme expression [when he implemented it] by [good] works.” (AMP)

Abraham exercised and expressed and implemented his faith in God by bringing Isaac to that altar – he acted on his faith – he made his faith alive; by his actions, he gave life to his faith; “Abraham believed in (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on) God” –verse 23 – Abraham conformed to God’s will in thought and in action. He was obedient to his faith.

James 2:24, as it is written,

“You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God) through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as well as by what he believes].” (AMP)

Here, in this verse, it is made clear, that faith alone, by itself, is not enough. Faith must be made active and released through our working in faith – conducting our lives, living, and walking, in the faith we profess – believing in, trusting completely in, relying on, and depending on God.

We must be obedient to our faith to make our faith alive. 

When faced with adversity we must give our faith life by acting on it 

Finally, Rahab operated in faith when she hid the two spies. She believed the Lord, that she and her entire family would be delivered. Rahab believed that the sign, the scarlet cord, she would leave hanging in the window would be seen, even amidst the chaos. She had faith and believed that the Lord would indeed use those spies to rescue her and her family (read Joshua 2:1-21). When Rahab sent the two men away by a different route, she was operating in faith – faith with works.

We must act before we see – that is faith with works…that is, faith alive.

Amen †

(For more on faith, read Hebrews chapter 11)

Faith Alive ©2012 Shelley Johnson 27-Dec-2012

Doubt, a weapon of the enemy

Jesus said, 

“You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31

“…if you have faith and do not doubt…” Matthew 21:21

“…do not doubt in your heart, but believe…” Mark 11:23

Jesus commanded His disciples to not doubt. Doubt is not of God but is a weapon of our enemy, the devil. The devil plants seeds of doubt to try to negate the measure of faith that God has given us. 

Doubt is a lack of belief, it is a lack of faith and if allowed to take root in our hearts it will grow into unbelief. Unbelief is a total rejection of faith. Unbelief opens the door for our enemy the devil to wreak havoc in our lives. Unbelief is a danger to us and Jesus was all too aware of this.

God has given us a weapon to combat doubt. It is the Word of God. When plagued by doubt, we must get into the Bible. Reading, studying, meditating on and hearing the Word grows our faith, for God’s Word is infused with His faith and as we read His Word, the supernatural faith that it carries will empower us for battle and form a shield of protection around us.

When Abraham was attacked by doubt, he stood up to the temptation to disbelieve God’s promise, and grew stronger in his faith. Faith produces endurance. It is through God and His Word that we receive the ability to believe. God prepares us for the battle and arms us through His Word.

The devil will do everything he can to weaken our faith. With his lies, he compels us to doubt and disbelieve God. He assaults our minds with doubt but we are to ignore what’s in our heads, focus on our hearts and listen. God speaks to our hearts, a place deep within us, our inner being. 

“They asked each other, Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us…, while He was opening the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

Are you in doubt? Go to the Word. As God reveals the truth of His Word to you, your heart will also burn with faith in Him. The devil’s fiery darts of doubt will not prevail against you because God’s Word creates an impenetrable shield of faith around you. 

Amen †

Doubt, a weapon of the enemy ©2013 Shelley Johnson 19-Feb-13

Faith, your way of Life

Skt. Nikolai kirke i Holbaek Danmark
(St. Nicholas Church, Holbaek Denmark)

Ephesians 2:8-9, as it is written,
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God – not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what He has made us, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.”

God made you in His image, and after His likeness, therefore as God is full of faith, you too are full of faith. God’s own supernatural faith is inside you, given generously as a gift and God’s gifts are without repentance – they are not coming and going.

Romans 11:29, as it is written,
“For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”

God’s words carry faith. When God called forth light even before He created its source (Genesis 1:3), that was a demonstration, for us, of faith. God calls into existence the things that do not exist (Romans 4:17) and we, by faith, can do the same because we have been given that same ability.

Created in Christ, you have the full measure of faith inside you, God’s own faith (Ephesians 4:5); if it’s a part of God, it’s a part of you. The same faith that was in Christ Jesus is the same faith that is living inside you, God’s own faith.

Today, right now, begin to live by that faith, the faith of Jesus Christ. Let faith be your way of life.

Amen †

Faith, your way of Life ©2013 Shelley Johnson 19-Feb-13

Now Faith

Do you realize that you use your faith every day? Yes, faith is for everyday life – now faith. Dealing with your fellow man often demands faith. Faith is required to turn the other cheek when you feel the need to retaliate. Faith is required to love the unlovable – to love your neighbor as yourself. Faith is required to forgive others. The disciples became so perplexed when Jesus commanded them to forgive, not just seven times but seventy times seven, that they told Him, “Make our faith greater.” (Luke 17:3-5).

Jesus went on to explain to them that they did not need greater faith or an increase of faith, but they needed to exercise the faith they already had.

“If you had faith as big as a mustard seed…” – Luke 17:6

Jesus was showing them that their mustard-seed-sized faith has great potential, what was required was for them to put their faith into action. Just as Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, Rahab, Ruth, David, Esther, and others acted upon their faith, we too, like the disciples are urged to put our faith into action.

The faith that you possess is enough. It grows stronger and more efficient when it’s put to use. In Luke 17:7-10, Jesus says that you are the master of your faith – faith is your servant and it must be put to work for you. 

Hearing the Word brings a revelation of faith (Romans 10:17), it feeds your faith and your faith grows. Understanding the Word gives you knowledge of the faith you have already been given.

There is only one faith and it’s from God (Ephesians 4:5). You already have it inside you and it’s meant to be used now.

So, stop praying to get faith...that is in violation of the Word. Instead, pray for a deeper understanding of the faith you already have in Christ (Philemon 1:6).

Amen †

Now Faith ©2013 Shelley Johnson

A Faith Problem?

Yesterday's post, "Lord You Know...", was about two actual conversations I had with my obstetrician concerning my ability to have children. I must tell you that it took a great deal of faith for me to believe God and not the words I was hearing from the doctor because that doctor was my friend. I'd met him many years before while he was still an intern and even though I trusted him, I trusted God more. My faith was in God's ability!

This week I'd like us to focus on faith, faith in God - His word, and His promises - and on the faith that we've been given. Faith, as a topic, is so vast; there are so many facets that we could never cover in just one week but it's a start. So yes, think of this as a starter kit and I encourage you to dig deeper for yourself. 

Oftentimes we believe that we have a problem with our faith. We think it's lacking somehow, but is it?

Let's get started...

Stop believing you have a problem with your faith! You do not have a faith problem, you’re just not understanding the faith that you have. Faith does not come and go, it’s already present in you and when you hear the Word it will cause your faith to be manifested. 

Listen, your faith is adequate, that’s why Jesus said it can move mountains and it can uproot a sycamore tree. You possess mountain-moving-tree-uprooting faith. Believe that the faith you possess is enough. 

It’s time for you to acknowledge the faith that is in you in Christ Jesus. You already have the quantity of faith that you need. The same faith-power that raised Jesus from the dead is living inside you!

You do not have a faith problem, you have a knowledge problem. You do not realize what you already have.

Meditate on God’s Word to better understand that,

1. Faith manifests healing – The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke; Acts 3:16

2. There’s a law that governs faith – Romans 3:27

3. Faith for salvation comes by hearing the Word of God – Romans 10:17

4. You have God’s supernatural faith inside you – Romans 12:3; Galatians 2:16,20

5. Faith is one of the elements of the fruit of the Spirit – Galatians 5:22

6. There’s only one faith, God’s faith – Ephesians 4:5

7. God’s gifts are irrevocable – Romans 11:29

8. Faith is God’s precious gift to you – 2 Peter 1:1

9. Faith brings full assurance – Hebrews 10:22

10. Faith requires action – Hebrews 11; James 2:20

The Word of God is full of faith because that’s who God is – He is faith-full (2 Timothy 2:13) and His Word is faith-filled.

Amen †

A Faith Problem? ©2013 Shelley Johnson 18-Feb-13

“Lord You know…”

“Your womb is consumed by fibroids”

“Your chances of ever getting pregnant are very slim”

“You have an inverted womb”, What?!!

“Your womb is upside down”

“You may never have children”

“You have sickle cell trait”

“Your getting pregnant is out of the question”

I smile, a sad smile, but still a smile,

Lord You know…

“You are eight weeks pregnant”

weight loss

pain

nursing home

“drips”

I smile, a sad smile, but still a smile,

Lord You know…

“Nowhere for baby to pass!”

caesarean section

operating room

blood gushing, not stopping

no hope

one foot in, the other on a banana peel

Did I smile, a sad smile but still a smile? I’ll never know

Lord You know…

“It’s a boy, a beautiful, healthy boy!” – CALEB

“Your womb is consumed by fibroids”

“Your chances of ever getting pregnant again are even worse than before”

“You have two choices, remove your womb now, or later – no more children”

Lord You know…

Nine months later

“You are seven weeks pregnant”

no weight loss

no pain

no nursing home

no “drips”

I smile, a happy smile, I laugh, a hearty laugh

Lord You know…

“It’s a girl, a beautiful, healthy girl!” – DANAE

Lord You know!

“Lord You Know…” ©2006 Shelley Johnson


"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26 ( NIV )

Caleb and Danae 2015

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a real blessing." - Psalm 127:3 (GNT)

Being Lazarus – Part Two

Brothers and sisters in Christ, you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour; you acknowledged and confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believed in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. At that point you were saved, born again or re-born, a new creature in Christ. He awakened you from spiritual sleep [a form of death], brought you out of the darkness of your tomb of carnality and into His marvelous Light [new life] (1 Peter 2:9).

But are you ready to continue on from there? Are you ready to walk in the Light of Christ? Are you ready to put to death your own dreams and visions, and ambitions and plans for your own life and begin to really live a new life in Christ?

Along your Christian journey, every death you experience is followed by a resurrection experience. Daily as you die to your self-centered desires and the things of this world, the Lord raises you up, exalts you and promotes you to new levels of spirituality right here on earth. 

What you believed to be dead is given life anew! 

Jesus commands the barriers of doubt and unbelief to be rolled away and calls forth a new manifestation! 

Like Martha, Lazarus’ sister, believe Jesus even when you do not understand what He is doing or saying (John 11:20-27). 

John 11:45 says that many people put their faith in Jesus after the resurrection of Lazarus, but Jesus is telling you to place your faith in Him before you see the physical manifestation. You must believe before you see! First believe and Jesus promises you that you will see the glory of God (John 11:40).

Beloved, what you thought was dead is now alive again!

When Lazarus came out, Jesus ordered his release from his burial wrappings; in the same way, when Jesus causes great things to happen in your life, when He resurrects you to a life in the Spirit, you will be set free from the bonds of your old spiritual influences.

Jesus is calling you to, “Come out!” and truly surrender your life to Him, for you are Lazarus, ‘he whom God helps’.

Amen †

Being Lazarus – Part Two ©2013 Shelley Johnson 6-Mar-13

Being Lazarus – Part one

The Bible tells us that when Lazarus had fallen ill, his sisters Mary and Martha had called upon the Lord for help. But Jesus did not come right away. 

Actually, Lazarus died before Jesus came, and by the time He did come Lazarus had not only been dead four days but “by this time there is a bad odour” (John 11:39).

The sisters weren’t the only ones waiting on Jesus, Lazarus was also waiting. All of us, at some time, have called upon the Lord for help in desperate circumstances and have had to wait. Like Lazarus, we’ve waited and waited and our situation just got worse and worse until all seemed lost. 

Very often God will allow our situation to go from bad to worse until it stinks but it is during these desperate times that we become stronger and stronger spiritually. 

It is during these times of endless waiting that God is planning to do great and powerful and wonderful things so that we will have no doubt that He is God.

Friends, we are to trust God even in the delays. Soon the time will come to roll away the stone. 

In the meanwhile “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).

Amen †

Being Lazarus – Part one © 2013 Shelley Johnson 5-Mar-13

One Prayer, Seven Areas

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, Jesus prayed,

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” 

[Matthew 6:9-13 NIV]



Jesus’ prayer teaches you how to pray for everything that God desires you to pray about and in so doing will align your will with God’s. 


Jesus prayed a prayer that is completely God focused, Kingdom centred and chock full of power. 

And, if you look at it carefully, you will realize that it comprises seven specific areas that you must cover to ensure that you render a powerful and effective prayer.

1. Praise and adore God and acknowledge and venerate His absolute holiness

2. Pray for God’s Kingdom to be established right here on earth

3. Pray for God’s will to be manifested in your life here on earth just as He has already ordained, designed and planned it in the heavenly realm

4. Pray for God to provide now all your needs, both physical and spiritual, for the day

5. Ask God to forgive you, and to empower you to forgive others with godly forgiveness

6. Pray that when the evil one comes to tempt you that God will keep you from giving in to his destructive and ungodly enticements

7. Engage in Kingdom praise and worship by venerating God’s absolute sovereignty


By praying in the way Jesus Himself taught, you will produce power packed results because your prayer will be based entirely on His Word which achieves and accomplishes His purpose in your life.

Amen †

One Prayer, Seven Areas ©2013 Shelley Johnson 1-Jul-13

Sing and Shout for Joy

Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! Isaiah 54:1

In obedience, you have done all that God has told you to do but all your efforts have borne no fruit, and you’re falling into despair because you just don’t understand what God is doing. 

Nothing seems to be working out for you. 

Everything He has told you to put your hands to has resulted in a dead end. 

There’s an emptiness that you feel inside you. 

You’ve been mocked, chastised, and ridiculed for continuing on without seeing the results that you expected. 

You were so sure that the voice you heard was God’s voice; you knew that what you have been following are His instructions, yet the promised birth has not happened and you’re about to doubt.

But God wants you to make a joyful noise to the Lord (Psalm 100:1). 
God wants you to sing in the midst of your barrenness. 
God wants you to break into joyful shouting. 
God knows that you can’t hear the voice of doubt if you’re singing and shouting in joyful triumph, all you will hear is your own voice, singing and shouting His praises.
God wants you and all those around you to hear the sound of victory. 

God is on the verge of turning everything around. He is about to effect a miraculous change in your life; a change that will reveal His glory to a skeptical, unbelieving world.

So, sing and shout for joy,
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3

Amen †

Sing and Shout for Joy ©2014 Shelley Johnson 1-Jun-14

Affirmations

It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus…2 Corinthians 4:13, 14 (NIRV)

Let us believe and speak: 

Jesus Christ's transforming resurrection power is a reality in my life now! Thank You Lord, for transforming me, through the working of Your Spirit inside me.

I am the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21)

God is effectually at work in me both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight (2 Philippians 2:2-13)

The Word of Christ dwells in me richly (Colossians 3:16)

I bear much fruit because I live in God and He lives in me (John 15:5)

This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad throughout the day! (Psalm 118:24)

Amen!

Turn Aside To See

So Moses said, “I must turn aside now and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him… (Exodus 3:3,4)

When Moses encountered the burning bush, he did not turn away from it; as a matter of fact Moses faced the fiery bush, turning towards it to “see this marvelous sight…”, and as Exodus 3:4 tells us, “when the Lord saw that he turned aside to look” it was only then that He spoke to Moses. 

Today, if you are faced with a situation that appears too hot for you to endure, the Lord wants you to know that He is in the midst of that fiery situation. So don’t run away, instead, like Moses, turn aside and look and listen for the voice of God in the midst of your circumstances. 

Acknowledge God’s presence within that situation and trust Him knowing that He is aware of all that you’re going through and will bring you out better than before.

Amen †

Turn Aside To See ©2013 Shelley Johnson 30-Oct-13

What type of soil am I?

Have you ever compared yourself to soil? Jesus does. 

In the parable of the Sower, Jesus uses four types of soil to illustrate how different people receive or respond to God’s Word. This parable is the first recorded in three of the four Gospels. 

Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:3-9, 14-20; Luke 8:5-8, 11-15 

The first three types of soil or people all have issues in their grasp of the Word, specifically the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

They seem unable in one way or another to hold onto and accept the idea that Jesus was the Son of God, died on a cross as payment for the sins of every human being and was raised from death so that they might be saved and have eternal life. 

Their response prohibits this awesome message – the Gospel of Christ, the Word of God – to take root. 

The Message is lost on these types of people and the Word dies in them and no fruit is produced. 

Luke 8:5, 6 & 7 tell us how, 

on the path, the birds of the air eat it up 

on rock, the plants wither 

among thorns, the plants are choked 

But there is another type of soil, the fourth, good soil, in which seeds of the Word of God are firmly planted and yield a good crop – they are fruitful. 

Fruit, fruitful or bearing fruit, are symbols that are used throughout the Word to represent evidence that a person has received, accepted and believed God’s Word.

The parable of the Sower should force you to ask yourself, “What type of soil am I?”

Are you a Path person who hears the Message but it has no effect and so you either ignore it or dismiss it and immediately it’s taken away?

Are you a Rocky soil person who hears the Message, is really excited about it but does not hold on to it and appropriate it to yourself, so it doesn’t take root and when troubles arise you quickly turn away from the Word considering it too difficult to pursue? 

Are you among the Thorns who recognize the Message as being Truth but are so caught up in worldly matters that you consider those things of more value to you and are unwilling to part with them?

 

Or, are you a Good soil person who realizes that the Message is true, recognizes its value, believes it, accepts it, is willing to give up everything and anything necessary, and go all out in pursuit of it? You will bear much fruit.

Think about who you are in relation to what you now know. Examine your heart and make a choice today – choose to be a Good soil person.

Amen †

What type of soil am I? ©2013 Shelley Johnson 20-Sep-13