The Romans Road

As you know, there were six days of creation. And do you know that there are six steps to your re-creation? Yes, it’s six steps on the road to your re-birth, to a new creation – a new you, a new person – salvation.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

God, in His goodness to all mankind, has laid down a road to salvation, upon which anyone may travel. This well paved road can be found in the inspired words Paul recorded in his letter to the Christians in Rome. The Book of Romans is filled with craftily written verses that, when placed together, can help us understand the incredible message of Salvation. Along this road to Salvation – The Romans Road – God wants us to understand that,

1. Romans 1:21 (MSG)

 

What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. 

• You come to the realization that without God in your life you really have no true direction – you’re lost, utterly lost

2. Romans 3:23 (NLT) 

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard.

• You become keenly aware of your sinful nature and the fact that you are incapable of living the type of life God has designed for you to live – you know that a change of direction is needed and you actually begin to desire that change

3. Romans 5:8 (MSG)

God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him.

• And with the desire comes a “knowing”. More and more you can’t shake this “knowing”…you just know that the way you’ve been living your life is not how you want to live anymore and you begin to feel conflicted; suddenly you start to sense the depth of God’s love for you – that God loved you so much that He sent His only Son to die for your sins, and now it becomes so clear to you – you are in need of God’s forgiveness; you want a new life, a real life 

4. Romans 6:23 (MSG)

Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus, our Master.

• Enough said…you’re convinced, that’s what you long for, Life through Jesus Christ

5. Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) 

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 

• You cannot get over the stirring you feel deep inside you – you are sure of it and you’re compelled to answer the call and so you confess with your mouth what you believe in your heart – “Jesus is Lord! God raised Him from the dead!”

6. Romans 10:13 (NIV)

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

• And you cry out to God with a penitent heart, "Lord save me!"

He saves you, and you are saved. 

The Romans Road is the beginning of your new life...the journey has only just begun. 

Amen †

The Romans Road     Shelley Johnson 31-Jan-2016

(Photo: Nelson Island, Trinidad)

Remember, God is Love

God is Love and wants you to partake of His Love in its fullness, that is, by loving Him with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength, and loving your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). God loves you and demonstrated His love for you by sending His only Son to die in your place for the remission of all your sins. 

1 John 4:11-16 Message Bible (MSG), as it is written,

“My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and His love becomes complete in us – perfect love! This is how we know we’re living steadily and deeply in Him, and He in us: He’s given us Life from His Life, from His very own Spirit. Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father His Son as Saviour of the world. Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God’s Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we’ve embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God.”

This is a worthy reminder.

Remember, God is Love ©2013 Shelley Johnson 18-Apr-13

Resist the devil

“…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble…Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you…Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:6…7…8

Too often the latter part of James 4:7 is declared believing that this alone is enough for the devil to “flee from you”, but you must examine, not just the entire verse, but also the verses that come before and after if you are to benefit from a complete picture. 

The Bible tells us that we will be tempted and when temptation comes it is only through the power of God that we will be able to overcome that temptation. We should not believe that we can overcome temptation in our own ability, power or strength. To do so will be prideful. When we are proud, believing and trusting in ourselves, we are in direct opposition to the principles God has set out for us in His Word. 

You must understand that if you are proud you will not submit yourself to God, you will not listen to God, and you will certainly not be able to resist the devil. Drawing near to God, in humble submission to Him, is to establish a relationship with God and it is only in this relationship that you receive the empowerment of His grace to enable you to be strong and firm and steadfast for the trials you will face.

Resist the devil ©2013 Shelley Johnson 23-Sep-13

I will trust You Lord

I will trust You Lord ©2012 Shelley Johnson 28-Dec-2012

The 10-fold List of God’s Love

The Bible is rife with evidence of God’s love for us. One very familiar verse is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”, another can be found in Ephesians 3:19, “…and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…” and yet another in 1 John 3:1, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God…”.

God’s love for us can be seen throughout Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Apostle Paul, indelibly convinced of the love of God, summed up this Truth by presenting a 10-fold list in Romans 8:38-39, that illustrates the fullness of God’s love for us.

As it is written, “For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

God, because of His great love for us, did not hesitate to sacrifice what was most valuable to Him, so why would He allow anything to come between us and His love for us now?

Meditate on the 10-fold list of God’s love so that you may truly understand that absolutely nothing can come between you and God’s love because of Jesus.

Amen †

The 10-fold List of God’s Love ©2013 Shelley Johnson 11-Oct-13

Unbroken Promises

We make promises all the time, and our lives are often affected by the promises we make or by the promises someone else has made. A promise is an undertaking or assurance given by one person to another agreeing or guaranteeing to do or give something, or not to do or give something, in the future. It’s a vow or a pledge. In school, before classes begin students usually say a pledge. When we join a club, an association, or an organization, we may have to sign a loyalty vow or a vow of confidentiality or swear some type of oath. Government officials are sworn into office with an oath.

Anyone can make a promise but it’s a faithful person that keeps a promise. All too often we break the promises that we make but there is a person who never breaks promises. That Person is God, He offers us unbroken promises. When God says, “I will”, we can rest assured that whatever He has promised is already done because all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” (2 Corinthians 1:20a)

Here are some of God’s unbroken promises:

“And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.” – 2 Peter 1:4

“For I know the plans I have for you”, says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19

“But all who listen to Me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” – Proverbs 1:33

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Unbroken Promises ©2013 Shelley Johnson 26-Sep-13

Perfect Peace

Peace Lily

Are you stressed, anxious, worried, confused or just not at peace? Turn your thoughts to the Lord, your God…He will restore your peace.

Affirm aloud the powerful Word of God and He, who watches over His Word to perform it, will keep you in perfect peace…

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

“I [God] would like you to be free from concern (all anxiety and distressing care).” 1 Corinthians 7:32

“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Now, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

The Gifts of The Holy Spirit

The means by which the Holy Spirit affects us internally is called the Gifts of the Spirit.

Isaiah 11:2, as it is written, “And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the reverential and obedient fear of the Lord.”

This Scripture reveals that there are seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit of God,

1. Wisdom

2. Understanding

3. Counsel

4. Might

5. Knowledge

6. Reverential Fear of the Lord [Fear of the Lord]

7. Obedient Fear of the Lord [Piety]

These seven Gifts are the result of the activity of the Spirit within us to purify and bring us to a deeper reality of the Lord. Spirit imparts these seven gifts to us – it is His work in our lives. The seven Gifts are divided in two parts; wisdom, understanding and knowledge, are considered contemplative gifts of the Holy Spirit, while counsel, might, reverential fear of the Lord and obedient fear of the Lord are the active gifts. 

The contemplative Gifts are mutually related and God uses these particular gifts to bring us unto Himself so that we may be His entirely – body, soul, and spirit. The active Gifts are designed to bring the contemplative experience into all of our activities and even the smallest details of our lives. But we must give over ourselves to God in complete surrender, allowing God to decide whatever He wants us to do. 

As we consent to the Presence and will of God in our lives, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are realized and we are able then to enjoy authentic fellowship with the Lord. Surrendering completely to God is the only way to have an unlimited capacity to respond to God’s Holy Spirit. 

These seven divine gifts are from God’s supreme gift, the Holy Spirit.

Amen †

The Gifts of The Holy Spirit ©2013 Shelley Johnson 13-May-13

Baptism with the Holy Spirit: The Results

Read 1 Corinthians 12:8~10…from this Scripture it is clear that not everyone receives the same results when baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit imparts a varied array of gifts and the power to manifest them in service to God and man.

Never expect to receive power to perform a particular service for God if God has not enabled you. Listen, if God has not called you to it the power will not come, so expecting good results working at something you have not been called to do will only bring failure and disappointment. You must realize that not receiving Holy Spirit power to perform a service and still proceeding in that particular work will not be successful.

To succeed at your ministry you must have been called to that specific work, you must have been empowered, enabled and gifted by the Holy Spirit to perform that service. You need to have been called by God to perform that specific work or service. This truth cannot be emphasized enough. Too many people place themselves in positions of service for which they have not been called by God. This is being presumptuous. 

There are different ways of serving and different abilities to perform service but the same God is served and the same God gives the ability (see 1 Corinthians 12:5~6).

Do not be misled in believing that the baptism with the Holy Spirit simply imparts power to perform in a general sense. While power is indeed imparted, that power is manifested according to the specific work to which God has given you the ability to perform – without it, your work will be neither efficient nor effective.

Be aware that even though you have been baptized with the Holy Spirit, without a Word from God, and without the instruction, leading and guidance of Spirit that is necessary, you will not see successful results. You will not succeed in work to which you have not been gifted or called to perform.

As you read 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verses 1 through 11, pray to properly understand the Word, paying particular attention to verses 7 and 11, as it is written,

“The Spirit’s presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all…but it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as He wishes, He gives a different gift to each person.”

Baptism with the Holy Spirit: The Results ©2013 Shelley Johnson 8-Apr-13

Baptism with the Holy Spirit

John the Baptist said in Matthew 3:11, as it is written,

“I baptize you with water to show that you have repented, but the One who will come after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

And Acts 1:5 records what Jesus told His disciples, “John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

It was after the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, and Jesus, now resurrected, appeared to instruct the disciples who had not yet gone out to service. They were about to have an experience like no other, baptism with the Holy Spirit. It is such an experience that you will know whether or not it has happened to you, because it is a definite and intensely personal experience that is very distinct and unmistakably real. 

When you are called by God into service for Him, it is the baptism with the Holy Spirit that imparts the power that enables you to perform at your fullest potential. Actually, the Bible speaks of baptism with the Holy Spirit in connection with service or with testimony. Even our Lord Jesus Christ was baptized with the Holy Spirit before He embarked on His own public ministry (see Matthew 3:16). Baptism with the Holy Spirit equips you for useful and efficient service and sincere testimony about Jesus.

Please understand that although every genuine believer receives the Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16), not every believer is baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is possible to be born again by the Holy Spirit and not be baptized with the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:5 above), and it is also possible to receive the baptism with the Holy Spirit at the very moment you believe. The account of Cornelius’ household in Acts 10:17-48, illustrates that at the very moment they believed Peter’s testimony of Jesus Christ, they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. This passage of Scripture reveals that receiving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is far different from being filled, with the Holy Spirit having complete possession of you.

It is not enough to have Spirit live inside you, you must allow yourself to be utterly controlled by the One who inhabits you (see Galatians 5:16-18).

Baptism with the Holy Spirit ©2013 Shelley Johnson 8-Apr-13

“And the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit”

“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)

Think about the following question for a moment,

As you say, share and hear the Apostolic Benediction, do you have an appreciation of its significance?

Do you know what is meant by “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit”?

"Dove" by H. Lee Shapiro

When you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, just as the Holy Spirit, as a dove, descended upon Jesus, so He descends upon you, the believer. The Holy Spirit comes and lives inside you (see 1 Corinthians 6:19) in constant and continuous fellowship – that means that the Holy Spirit becomes an ever-present friend, always available to you to comfort, guide, counsel, teach, lead, and bear witness to Jesus Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:12-14). 

The Holy Spirit lives in every born again believer (see Romans 8:9) and it is through the Holy Spirit at work deep within you that enables you to appropriate to yourself the infinite fullness of the grace of Jesus Christ and the all-encompassing love of God.

The Holy Spirit was sent by God in answer to Jesus’ prayer, to be to you what Jesus had been to His disciples during the days of His personal companionship with them (see John 14:16,17). He was with them day after day, week by week, month by month and year after year; an ever-present, loving and devoted Friend, a mighty Helper, and a compassionate Comforter and this is exactly what Spirit is to you. He literally lives in the depths of your being every minute of every hour and every hour of every day.

The Holy Spirit takes possession of you in fellowship. And just as the Father and the Son are worthy of your adoration and your praise, so too is the Holy Spirit of God. He is worthy to receive your love, your faith and your complete surrender to Him. 

Fellowship with the Holy Spirit is to be in constant and continuous partnership, comradeship, and intimate personal relationship with the Divine Spirit of God Himself (see Psalm 139:7). And this is what the disciples and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ would have gained on that first Pentecost, with the descent of the promised Holy Spirit.

So, do not simply recite the benediction mindlessly but instead be conscious of the powerful blessing you are declaring over yourself and imparting to others.

Amen †

“And the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit” ©2013 Shelley Johnson 16-May-13

See God’s guiding hand

Sometimes, we look at events in our lives and wonder why this happened or that didn’t happen; we dwell on the negative and fail to find the positive. We strive to fulfill our set goals and are in turmoil when we don’t. 

We struggle when we see others being promoted ahead of us and wonder why, yet again, we were overlooked even though we’ve been working so hard. And life seems so unfair. But we must always remember that God is always on our side; He cares deeply for His sons and daughters and we are always in His care. He looks upon us with kindness and saves us in His constant love.

See God’s hand in everything concerning you, guiding you through the fabric of your life that He has designed just for you.

See God’s guiding hand ©2013 Shelley Johnson 20-Mar-13

Receiving whatever you ask from Him

When you go to God in prayer you must ask yourself a question:

Is what I am asking according to God’s will?

Even our Lord Jesus prayed, “Not My will, however, but Your will be done.” Luke 22:42 (GNT) and then He was strengthened spiritually.

The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:14 (GNT),
“We have courage in God’s presence, because we are sure that He hears us if we ask Him for anything that is according to His will.”

Be ever mindful that the will of God supersedes your own since God knows what is best for you. So, when your prayer is not answered, or is answered in a way that you did not expect, know that it is His will and see the value in the answer that is given.

If what you are asking for is promised in God’s Word, rest assured that you have asked according to the will of God. And, if it is according to His will, then God hears your prayer.

“He hears us whenever we ask Him (according to His will); and since we know this is true, we know also that He gives us what we ask from Him.” 1 John 5:15 (GNT)

Knowing that you’ve prayed according to the will of God and knowing that God has heard your prayer, you can be confident that you have whatever you’ve asked from Him. Though it may not be physically apparent, know that it is already yours because,

1) you asked according to God’s will

2) God has heard your prayer

3) and therefore He has granted your request

The Word of God says,

· believe and you will receive [Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24]

· believe and do not doubt [James 1:6]

You can be sure that if God says so then it is so! Take it by faith in the infallible Word of God because God is faithful to His Word [Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 55:11].

Amen †

Receiving whatever you ask from Him ©2013 Shelley Johnson 19-Apr-13

Love is a consuming fire

Since “our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29) and “God is love” (1 John 4:8), we can say that Love is a consuming fire. Here’s why:

God, through the work of His Holy Spirit in us, teaches us how to love. She teaches us God’s way of love, authentic love. God’s love cannot exist in us unless we are renewed in spirit (Ephesians 4:23; Psalm 51:10). We must get rid of the old ideas, beliefs and ways of thinking which are natural (carnal, of the world) and replace them with a spiritual sensibility.

The only way to do this is by allowing Spirit to renew our minds through the process of purification. God purifies us by fire (trials, challenges, tests) – “…and I will purify them…by fire” Zecharia 13:9 – like gold is purified (1 Peter 1:7 “…as fire tests and purifies gold”); the dross is thoroughly burned away (Isaiah 1:25). 

This is what God’s love does in us and to us: the fire of God’s love consumes us and we are made beautiful – He gives us beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3). And like the phoenix, a symbol of early Christianity, is burned to ashes and reborn a thing of beauty, so too are we reborn after experiencing the consuming fire of God’s authentic love. All that is ugly in us is burnt up and what emerges is the beauty of God’s love expressed through us.

Love is a consuming fire ©2013 Shelley Johnson 09-Mar-2013

Build up your most holy faith...Let us pray

Build up your most holy faith...Let us pray       Shelley Johnson 17-Jan-2016

The Righteousness of God in Christ

Romans 10:3-4 “Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the Law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

God has given His children many gifts; one such gift is Righteousness. Unfortunately many believers are under the impression that righteousness is a reward for their perfect obedience. They believe that a person has to do right in order to become righteous, or that righteousness is achieved through acts of penance. These beliefs are not based in the Truth of God’s Word but are lies of your enemy, the devil. It is part of his strategy of deception that he perpetuates to not only cause the believer to live a life of defeat but also to dishonour Jesus and His finished work.

You must reject, outright, any teaching that says that you have to earn your righteousness. Being morally upright is admirable but does not make you righteous. Your right conduct is a good thing but cannot establish your righteousness. Righteousness is a gift; you cannot earn it through your own works. If you have to work for it, then it is not a gift.

Romans 4:4-5 “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.”

When Jesus gave Himself up as the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary, He exchanged places with you. Jesus took all your sin and in its place, gave you His righteousness. 

2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Beloved, it is through Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross that makes you righteous. It is not through your own efforts, works, conduct or obedience. When you receive Jesus Christ into your life and, by faith, believe in Him and His finished work, God sees you as righteous. 

Romans 3:23 “This righteousness from God comes through Faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

Today, God is telling you to forget all your misconceptions about righteousness and awaken to the Truth – “You are the righteousness of God in Christ!”

See also Romans 3:21-31; 4:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:34; Hebrews 8:8-13

The Righteousness of God in Christ ©2013 Shelley Johnson 6-Feb-13

Not our Choice

Beloved, we cannot choose the field of service we want and then ask the Holy Spirit to make it work for us. Neither is it in our place to select the spiritual gifts and then pray the Holy Spirit endue us with said gifts. Trying to operate through a gift that was not imparted by Spirit will only end in disaster.

We are to completely surrender to God, placing ourselves at His disposal to choose for us the gifts that, in His divine wisdom, are best suited to us and to impart to us those gifts through the working in us of the Holy Spirit. In the same way, service to perform His will is imparted. 

[Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11]

The Lord knows the plans He has for us and He qualifies us for His service. Christian service and work are not to be attempted in the power of our own endowment, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. We must recognize that our intellectual, physical, moral or religious abilities are of no importance, for it is God who chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). What is important, however, is the Holy Spirit’s ability, and what He will and can do through us.

The time has come for us to give up choosing for ourselves and allow the Holy Spirit of God to make the selection. It is not our choice but His – His is the perfect choice because He is perfect. 

Amen †

Not our Choice ©2013 Shelley Johnson 9-Apr-13

The Favour of God is on You

“They didn’t win the land with their swords. They didn’t gain success with their powerful arms. Your powerful right hand and Your mighty arm gave them success. You looked on them with favour. You loved them.” – Psalm 44:3

The Word of God tells you that God looks on you with favour. Because of this Truth, you can, without doubt, believe it, declare it, claim it and proclaim it. God’s favour on you means that you can expect God to manifest the best for you in all things.

There is no limit to your Heavenly Father’s resources, so even though you live in this world of limitations, you are not limited by this world. You can depend on God to give you success in every area of your life. Having God’s favour on you means that He will fight your battles, and He will give you success through His powerful and mighty blessings. 

The favour of God is on you because God loves you, therefore as a beloved child of God, remain conscious of His favour that is on you and you will experience it.

The Favour of God is on You ©2013 Shelley Johnson 25-Sep-13

Knowing your heavenly Father

Would you like to know your heavenly Father? God reveals Himself to us through His Word – it helps us to understand the many different aspects of our heavenly Father’s character. Even His names reveal His character. He does not hide Himself from His children but is eager for us to know Who He is. Let’s take a look at just twelve attributes of God as revealed in His Word.

Restorer: “He restores my strength.” 

Psalm 23:3

Helper: “You are my helper” 

Psalm 70:5

Deliverer: “I will deliver him” 

Psalm 91:15

Redeemer: “You, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer”

Isaiah 63:16

Strength: “The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength”

Isaiah 12:2

Guide: “The Lord will guide you always” 

Psalm 58:11

Counselor: “I bless the Lord who gives me counsel” 

Psalm 16:7

Strong Tower: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower”

Proverbs 18:10

Love: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love”  

1 John 4:8

Provider: “And my God will meet all your needs”

Philippians 4:19

Healer: “And the Lord will take away from you all sickness”  

Deuteronomy 7:15

Everlasting Father: “…and He is named…Everlasting Father” 

Isaiah 9:6

These twelve verses are merely a fraction of Who God is – He is so much more. God is everything, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things” (Romans 11:36). Be encouraged to read the Bible so that you may know your heavenly Father.

Knowing your heavenly Father ©2013 Shelley Johnson 7-Jul-13

Let’s Gather Together

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of His return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

These present days are filled with all and every sort of challenge – events that test our faith and the love we’re exhorted to have for our fellow man. Oftentimes we just need to be motivated and encouraged through the daily grind so that our faith remains strong and we persevere in love. 

Going to church on Sundays in the company of other believers, hearing an inspiring sermon and singing hymns and other songs of worship give us such a boost but, is it enough. Even though church services are great opportunities to gather, Christian people need to gather together outside of the regular once a week service on Sundays. We need to do exactly what Hebrews 10:24 and 25 tell us to do and get together more often. 

Coming together with other believers promotes faith building, provokes acts of love and good deeds, and encourages each person to stay faithful to Christ and to one another. So, let’s gather together!

Let’s Gather Together ©2013 Shelley Johnson 6-Oct-13

God Chose You from the Beginning

Did you know that God chose you from the very beginning? God does not make mistakes, so don’t ever think that you were a mistake or an accident. You were deliberately planned and created by the tender hands of God, your Father, who loves you passionately. You have a very special purpose here on earth and because of that, you have been given specific gifts, talents, and abilities. 

The time has come for you to see yourself as God sees you – as a reflection of His own Son Jesus Christ. Do not believe what others have said about you or how you feel about yourself; people’s opinions are just that, their own judgments not based on facts. Feelings are not dependable; they go this way then that; feelings lie. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, seek out the Truth of who you are in the Word of God. His Spirit guides you into ALL Truth and His Word never fails. 

Ephesians 1:11-13 (ERV)

In Christ we were chosen to be God’s people. God had already planned for us to be His people, because that is what He wanted. And He is the one who makes everything agree with what He decides and wants. We Jews were the first to hope in Christ. And we were chosen so that we would bring praise to God in all His glory. It is the same with you. You heard the true message, the Good News about the way God saves you. When you heard that Good News, you believed in Christ. And in Christ, God put His special mark on you by giving you the Holy Spirit that He promised.

This is the Word of God…Amen †

God Chose You from the Beginning ©2013 Shelley Johnson 24-Jun-13

Great Is Your Faithfulness!

As you enter a new week, keep God’s great faithfulness foremost in your heart. Step out in confidence knowing that He is eternally faithful and will never go back on His promises. 

God is faithful to Christ’s completed work. Christ’s victory is yours to appropriate. 

When you meditate on God’s great faithfulness, your own faith will be strengthened. 

Below are five verses from Scripture to remind you of the faithfulness of your heavenly Father. You can find many more in the Bible. As you read and meditate on them, do not hesitate to boldly declare, 

“Great is Your faithfulness!”

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

For the word of the LORD is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. 

Psalm 33:4 (NIV)

But You, Lord, are a compassionate God, merciful and patient, with unending gracious love and faithfulness. 

Psalm 86:15 (ISV)

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep His promise. 

Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Great Is Your Faithfulness! ©2013 Shelley Johnson 8-Sep-13

My Life is Turned Upside Down...Let us pray

Oh Lord, troubles have turned my life upside down and I just can’t get a handle on things. I am weary from worrying and I cannot see clearly or even think straight. 

The paths, where Your Divine Providence seems to be leading me, are all blurred right now and I feel utterly lost. 

Help me Lord to keep an unlimited hope in You. 

Help me to stay the course that You have set for me even in my loss of vision and direction. 

I pray that this fog that has invaded my life will soon be cleared away and all this will just be a distant memory. 

Thank You Lord, that in all this darkness You are still my Light. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen. 

My Life is Turned Upside Down ©2013 Shelley Johnson 5-Feb-13