Wisdom Verses

Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, says in Proverbs 4:6-7, "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." 

Knowing that wisdom is available to us as such a protection, should encourage us to spend a little time meditating on not just these words of wisdom but on all of Solomon’s wisdom verses. The Bible, and especially the book of Proverbs, is filled with words of wisdom. 

Below are just a few verses of wisdom taken from the Bible to help you grasp God’s concept of wisdom and understanding. I urge you to delve even deeper by studying God’s Word on this topic. 

Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 

Proverbs 13:10 (NIV) 

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. 

Proverbs 16:16 (NIV) 

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! 

Ephesians 5:15-16(NIV)

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity… 

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NIV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV) 

It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

1 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) 

Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.

Wisdom Verses Shelley Johnson 23-Apr-16

Tiredness

“... but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Many times we become so tired that we do not even have the strength to pray but our God can renew our strength. 

God is the strength of your life. 

When you are tired, weak, and weary, seek the Lord for strength, it is He who gives strength to those who grow tired and increases the strength of those who are weak.

I declare,

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.”

(Habakkuk 3:19)

Tiredness © 2012 Shelley Johnson 18-Dec-2012

Unloved

See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are! 

1 John 3:1 (NLT)

Feeling unloved creates an inner emptiness that is beyond expression but God loves you beyond measure. You are His precious child, the apple of His eye.

God loves you so much that He sacrificed His only Son for you, sent Him to die in your place. 

Today, may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is…that is a picture of the cross of Jesus Christ…

Unloved © 2012 Shelley Johnson 18-Dec-2012

Let us pray…

Lord, I pray that I will find my identity in You. Help me to understand my worth, to recognize the unique qualities that You have placed in me and to appreciate them. 

Enable me to see myself the way You see me, understanding that You have crowned me with glory and honour. Quiet any voices that tell me otherwise and instead, give me ears to hear and eyes that see. 

Reveal to me who I am in Christ as You make me into the person You intend for me to be. Make me whole by creating in me a heart for God, and renewing a steadfast spirit within me. 

Mend my broken spirit and give me the peace and security of knowing that I am accepted and not rejected, I am worthy of the very best that life has to offer and I need not settle for mediocrity. 

Free me from a negative self-image and any strongholds that have imprisoned my soul. Stamp my true self, which is the image of You, upon my soul. 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation through Jesus Christ my Lord and my Saviour. Amen.

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread

The Holy Bible tells us in John 19:14, 31 and Luke 23:54, that Jesus Christ died on the day of Preparation when Jews were preparing for the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread by removing all leaven from the household. 

“…for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.” Leviticus 23:6

Leaven, a rising agent such as yeast, symbolizes anything that will give rise to sin. In Matthew 16:6, Jesus told His disciples that they should be careful and guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. He was referring to their false teachings (see Matthew 16:12). As followers of Christ, we too are to be careful and guard against yeast in our lives; not just of false teachings and doctrine but also of being puffed up with pride and self exaltation and the rising up of a spirit of rebellion within us (see 1 Corinthians 5:6). 

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were both fulfilled in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And even though we are not obligated to observe these Jewish feasts in the natural, we are to do so spiritually because Passover symbolizes our deliverance from spiritual bondage and Unleavened Bread is symbolic of our being cleansed of sin, and without believing in our deliverance and spiritual cleansing of sin through Jesus Christ we cannot be saved (Acts 16:31).

Jesus, Himself, is our Unleavened Bread of purity and truth, sinless (Luke 22:19); He is our deliverance from spiritual bondage (Hebrews 2:14, 15). So, “Let us celebrate our Passover then, not with bread having the old yeast of sin and wickedness but with the bread that has no yeast, the bread of purity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8).

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread ©2013 Shelley Johnson 27-Feb-13

My Hope

My Hope © 2012 Shelley Johnson 28 Dec 2012

Disappointment

Every one of us, Christian or not, new believer or long-time believer have experienced some kind of disappointment or other. When we feel that life isn’t going the way we expected; when a trusted friend does something or says something that hurt us; when a family member takes a wrong turn; not getting that long awaited promotion; losing a race and the list can go on and on. There are so many reasons that cause us to feel disappointed in others, in ourselves, and even in God. 

As Christians we often tend to think that following Christ ought to afford us immunity against disappointing circumstances and the troubles and challenges life has a habit of throwing at us. Like Peter, we want to say to Jesus, “But Lord, I’ve left everything to follow You…so why am I going through this?” (see Mark 10:28)

Perhaps you haven’t left everything, but some have, and all, I’m sure, have made painful sacrifices along the way. And maybe, more times than not, you’ve questioned: 

“Doesn’t that count for something? Shouldn’t my sacrifices give me freedom from disappointment?”

“Why is it that godless people are thriving while, a Christian like me is struggling?”

“They haven’t seen the inside of a church since Noah built the ark, how come they’re doing so well and we’re not?”

You’ve been faced with one disappointment after another, there seems to be no letting up. You’re fighting your way through a seemingly never-ending stream of loss, debt, heartache, and disappointment and can’t help but wonder what’s going on. Has God forgotten you? Isn’t God seeing what’s going on? 

"Where’s God, I need help!" 

"Jesus, don’t You see that I’m drowning?"

Beloved, God is aware of everything that you’re going through. God’s eye is on you. God’s Word is filled with answers to every one of your questions. 

Below are just a few Scripture verses to remind you that God knows of your situation and He hasn’t turned away but first, let’s see what was Jesus’ answer to Peter in the Gospel of Mark,

"I tell all of you with certainty, there is no one who has left his home, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or fields because of Me and the gospel who will not receive a hundred times as much here in this world—homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, along with persecution—as well as eternal life in the age to come.” (v. 29-30)

What a promise! 

Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:6-7

From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. 

Psalm 121:1-3

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. 

Isaiah 40:29

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble… 

Psalm 46:1

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God… 

Psalm 42:11

[God said] I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. 

Joel 2:25

Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 

John 16:33

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. 

Psalm 34:18

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. 

Psalm 30:5

Give your burdens to the Lord, and He will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. 

Psalm 55:22

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 

Romans 12:12

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. 

Deuteronomy 31:6

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! 

Psalm 37:7

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. 

Romans 8:28 

Disappointment Shelley Johnson 15-Apr-2016

Financial Wealth

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19 NKJV)

The Lord supplies all your needs and that even includes your financial needs. It is the Lord Who gives us the ability to gain wealth. Problems occur when we, like the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30), cannot even observe the very first Commandment. When our love of money supercedes all else, including God.

Keep in mind Paul's warning to Timothy, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, in their eagerness to get rich, have wandered away from the faith and caused themselves a lot of pain." (1 Timothy 6:10 ISV)

We must be ever mindful that all we have is the Lord’s, a trust from Him to be used to fulfill His purpose in our lives and in the lives of those in need whom He places in our paths.

Let's pray...

My faithful Father, I come to You today, as my Provider, the Provider of all things and every good thing. Thank You for providing me with financial wealth so that I may meet all my needs and not be in debt. Thank You for unexpected income. Thank You that I am a lender and not a borrower. Thank You for filling my cup until it overflows with financial blessings. Thank You for giving me the ability to gain wealth, and for making me a financial blessing to those in need. 

Holy Spirit help me to remain mindful that it is the Lord Who gives me the power to gain wealth. 

Father, I do not habitually tithe, but I want to partake of the blessing that tithing carries. I commit today to tithe so that I may enjoy Your promise that if I bring my tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in Your house, You will open up the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing on me, so much, that I will not have enough room to receive it. This is Your promise to me upon which I stand firm. 

Lord of Heaven’s Armies, I thank You for rebuking the devourer for my sake. By the power of Your living Word, I declare that he will not destroy the fruits of my ground, neither shall my vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, I am a land of delight and all nations shall call me happy and blessed and everything I touch shall prosper. Praise God! 

Merciful Father, forgive me for being selfish and stingy and greedy. Forgive me for not being a cheerful giver and for unwise spending. Forgive me for creating unnecessary debt. Forgive me for the willful wasting of money. Forgive me for not remembering that every good gift comes from You, that it is all Yours. 

Holy Spirit, work in me to trust God completely concerning my finances. Teach me how to be a wise and faithful steward of all that my Father has entrusted to me. Remind me of anyone that I need to forgive, especially with regard to my finances and help me to be quick to forgive. 

Father, I pray that I will not yield to temptation but that You will deliver me from all kinds of evil. 

Now to You Lord, my Father, Creator of all that is seen and unseen, the One Who declares the end and the result from the beginning and all that is not yet done, be all honour and glory and majesty forever and ever, in the mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.

Financial Wealth  Shelley Johnson 14-Apr-2016 

Lacking Direction

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” 
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Yes, God will show you which path to take but you must be willing to submit to Him and His perfect will. The problem is that most of us do not want to humbly follow God’s direction; we think that we have it all figured out. We figure that we’re of age, independent and can therefore make our own decisions. We believe that we know what’s best for us, we don’t need anyone’s help, and especially the help of a far-removed God up in heaven. But…nothing can be farther from the truth. 

Friends, we need God’s direction in our lives. We do not see the big picture but He does. God sees the front and back and everything in-between of the parade all at the same time, and from an envious vantage point. With this in mind, wouldn’t it make sense to relinquish our intentions to God and seek His will in all we do?

Another thing we’re guilty of doing is proclaiming that we’ve submitted our will to God but really it’s only for the big life-altering, earth shattering decisions; the small stuff, we could handle that. No!!! The Word of God is very clear, do not depend on yourself – “…lean not on your own…” 

We continue to relish our dependence on self and more often than not end up confused about what decisions to make, where we ought to go, what we should do and so on. When we depend on our own understanding, when we plan our own way it becomes very easy to wander off that path.

“She does not ponder the path of life; her ways wander, and she does not know it.” – Proverbs 5:6 (ESV)

God’s way is firm. When He establishes your steps there’ll be no confusion as to which way to turn – you won’t be lacking direction.

Hear what else the Word of God says,

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in His way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” – Psalm 37:23-24 (ESV)

Beloved, there’s only one solution for the lack of direction in your life – seek God’s will in all you do; delight in His way; allow His will to prevail in every decision you face and then follow His direction. God will instruct you every step of the way.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” – Psalm 32:8 (ESV)

“You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail.” – Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)

Jeremiah 29:11 tells you that God has already mapped out a great plan for your life, why not follow it. His purpose is going to prevail anyway. God’s way is sure, you’ll not lack direction and the journey will be much nicer.

Lacking Direction Shelley Johnson 13-Apr-2016

Prayer for a Calm Spirit

Prayer for a Calm Spirit ©2013 Shelley Johnson 5-Feb-13

Let’s get personal…How do you treat your pets?

Recently, I was having a conversation with someone about my two dogs. I told the person that I considered my dogs as gifts from God because of the way I acquired them. They vehemently scoffed at that notion adding that they did not see dogs as anything other than a deterrent to intruders. And further more felt strongly that dogs were not deserving of our love and affection. I’m quite sure that this person is not alone in their thinking; there are many others who feel the same way.

 

Duke and Rhino as puppies

What about you, how do you feel about the creatures in your care? Your pets – dogs, cats, birds, whatever that pet may be. How do you care for them and treat them? Do you realize that the well-being of animals matters to God and that God is engaged with all of creation, not just humans? Animals are part of His original design.

“God made each kind of the earth's animals” – Genesis 1:25 (ISV)

The Word of God compels us to treat with God’s creation well – that includes the pets that live with us. God has placed them in our lives to enrich our lives in some way, for He created them just before creating man. Animals were created for us for varying reasons and our pets are part of that. They’re not to be abused but rather we are to cherish and love them as God Himself does. Remember, they are part of creation just as we are. 

“Look at the birds…your Father in heaven takes care of them.” – Matthew 6:26 (GNT)

Do you know that the way we treat our pets is directly linked to our relationships with people and with God? Do you know that God, Who can do anything, can use animals to teach us lessons?

Job 12:7-10

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you…and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”

God can use the animals in our care, even our pets, to teach us spiritual lessons. They are aware of the reality of the spiritual realm. We are shown this quite clearly in Numbers chapter twenty two.

“…the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside…The angel demanded, Why have you beaten your donkey three times like this? I have come to bar your way, because you should not be making this journey. But your donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If it hadn't, I would have killed you and spared the donkey.” (v. 23, 32-33)

First Kings 4:33 records that Solomon, to whom God gave unprecedented wisdom, very great insight, and unmatched understanding, taught about animals. He said in Proverbs 12:10, “The righteous care for the needs of their animals…”. So you see, there is a direct correlation to righteousness and how we treat the animals in our care.

There is so much more that can be said on this particular topic, Scripture is rife with examples but that would require a part two or even a series on this blog. Let me just leave you with this for today…

Make no mistake, God cares for the animals He has created. We, humans, have been created in God’s image and likeness but that doesn’t mean that the rest of creation is of no value to God. We’ve been designated caretakers, trustees, stewards of His creation. We’ve been given authority to rule over our pets (see Genesis 1:26) but they still belong to God, for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it contains (Psalm 24:1-2). They may be subject to us but like everything else, they do not belong to us.

God Himself said, “With My great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of Mine to anyone I choose.” (Jeremiah 27:5) And so I believe that my two dogs are gifts from God and I intend to treat them as such. 

Duke and Rhino today

So, how do you treat your pets? God showers compassion on all His creation (Psalm 145:9); shouldn’t you?

How do you treat your pets? Shelley Johnson 11-Apr-16 

A Timely Word...

"...how good is a timely word!"  -  Proverbs 15:23

A Timely Word... Shelley Johnson 10-Apr-2016

The Comforter

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever…But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, Whom the Father will send in My Name… “ [John 14:16…26]

During His time on earth, Jesus was comforter to His disciples but the time had come for Him to depart, to go back to the Father. At His announcement, the disciples were overcome by sadness as they contemplated what a future without Jesus would mean – loneliness, helplessness, desolation, victimization. John 14:16 and 26 reveal to us that Jesus, very aware of the great sorrow that filled their hearts, promised them “another Comforter”, the Holy Spirit. Jesus assures them that He was not about to leave them comfortless; they would not be left alone, and Another, just as Divine as He is Divine, would take His place. This promise of “another Comforter” was not for the disciples of that time only but is for every single believer, then, now, and in the time to come.

As Comforter, the Holy Spirit is not just called to our side but when we receive Jesus Christ as our Saviour – born again from above – abides within us. Therefore, as believers in and followers of Jesus Christ, Spirit is our constant companion, ever present, ready and prepared to stand by us and take our part in everything in which we require consolation and help. 

Today, determine to remember that you have an ever present Comforter with you when troubles arise, in times of sadness, dejection, despair, loneliness, helplessness, and fear. 

Let us pray,

Father, I thank You for the indescribable gift of Your Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Who never leaves my side. I thank You for this divine Comforter, the promise of all promises, abiding within me to bring me comfort in every area of my life. Blessed Spirit, my Comforter, You are here and so I am never alone. Reveal to me this day, the deep and glorious things about my Lord Jesus, things that fill my heart with comfort, joy, peace, and rest. I thank You divine Comforter for Your presence abiding in me and Your manifesting power working in me, as I pray in the Name of my Lord Jesus, now and forever more. Amen.

The Comforter ©2013 Shelley Johnson 20-Sep-13

Psalm 46, a Declaration...

Today, declare the Word of God over your life...

From Psalm 46:1-3, 7, 10

Hardened Toward Unbelief

Our five natural senses condition us to conclude that our prayers are not being answered when we are still in pain, or if we are not seeing any difference in our situation. This can lead to doubt and unbelief. 

Unbelief comes through our natural senses and Jesus said that we can only overcome this by prayer and fasting.

“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” – Matthew 17:21

Prayer and fasting hardens us toward unbelief and activates the flow of our faith. 

Prayer and fasting brings our physical senses under submission to our spirits and subsequently sensitizes us to the spirit realm by retraining our physical senses to be responsive to what cannot be perceived in the natural. 

So, when you declare, “By His stripes I am healed!”, it will not matter if you feel it, see it, taste it, hear it, or smell it yet, you just know that you know that you know without a doubt that you are healed!

Understand that your body and its senses do not want to relinquish control to your spirit and will attempt to coerce you to quit the fast by preying on your faith, but once you do not give in, you will learn to master your flesh-senses (Romans 8:12-13). 

Fasting, combined with prayer has the power to, overcome unbelief, tear down strongholds, break down barriers, enable great victories, open doors to the spiritual realm, cause revival, restore brokenness, change lives, strengthen our relationship with God, and keep us in faith. 

Hardened Toward Unbelief ©2013 Shelley Johnson 15-Feb-13

Parables

In classical Greek, the noun parabolē meant “juxtaposition, comparison, illustration”; in the New Testament, the word parable is applied to a story that seeks to drive home a point the storyteller wishes to emphasize by illustrating it from familiar situations in the life of the listener.

When we hear the word parable, immediately we think of the stories told by Jesus. Jesus used parables in His preaching to the crowds that flocked to hear Him, in His debates with the scribes and Pharisees, and in His instruction and teaching of the disciples. The use of parables was Jesus’ regular method of divulging Truth. Matthew 13:34 tells us, “Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; He did not say anything to them without using a parable.” Jesus Himself told the disciples that His use of parables was an effective way of revealing Truth to the spiritual and ready mind while at the same time concealing it from others (see Matthew 13:11). 

Jesus’ parables brought His teaching to life – the details of His stories were vivid, enabling hearers to see what He was saying to them, making it easy for them to relate it to what they were accustomed to in their everyday lives. Each parable of our Lord Jesus drives home one major point – the most distinctive being the parables of the Kingdom of God, which embody the Kingdom and bear testimony to Jesus and His mission.

In studying the parables of Jesus, keep in mind that His parables are not mere illustrations but are integral to the whole ministry of Jesus Christ and can be seen as being in three distinct categories:

• Didactic Parables – parables that contain a moral message or teach a moral lesson
  
  
• Evangelical Parables – parables that express personal     conversion through faith in Christ
  
  
• Prophetic and Judicial Parables – parables that foretell coming events by divine inspiration and relate to the administration of divine justice.

Our response to Jesus’ parables is in fact our response to the Kingdom and to Jesus Himself, so it is prudent for us to gain understanding of the Truth contained in His parables. We must therefore seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit who guides us into all Truth (John 16:13).

Amen †

Parables ©2013 Shelley Johnson 13-Jul-13

Streams of Living Water:

John 7:37-39, as it is written,

“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whosoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.”

It was the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, where the water libation ritual was practiced year after year. Water would be drawn from the pool at Siloam. This water, originating from a spring, could not be stagnant, it had to be fresh and able to give life – it was running or living water. It is not insignificant that it was at this very important Feast that Jesus chose to declare that He was the true water, the true giver of life through whom the Spirit is given – only through Him can you receive lasting salvation and truly experience the reality of Life.

Jesus is speaking here of a spiritual thirst, not a physical thirst. He is telling us that “whosoever” you may be, once you believe in Him you will receive, coming from inside of you, streams of water that are alive and “do not fail” (Isaiah 58:11). As the above passage tells us, Jesus is in fact referring to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the “living water” that never runs dry.

As streams of natural living water transforms dry, barren places, so Spirit, the true Living Water, will transform the dryness and barrenness of your spiritual life. Just like the woman at the well in John 4, you too will never again be thirsty.

However, this Living Water is not solely for your benefit, as this Spiritual stream gushes forth from deep within you, you are to share this eternal life water with others, so that they too may experience the transforming power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Streams of Living Water: ©2012 Shelley Johnson 14-Nov-12

Photo: Three Pools Maracas Valley Waterfall Trinidad