A Prayer For Today

O Lord, You are the One upon whom no limits can be placed, You cannot be contained, and nothing is impossible for You, for You can do anything – immeasurably more than I can ever ask or imagine.

Today I pray that You would forgive me for the limits I have placed upon You, thinking of You in my limited human terms and not as the all mighty, omnipotent, omniscient, universe-filling God that You are.

Cause me to lift up my eyes from the natural realm so that I may truly perceive the spiritual. Teach me the truth of Who You are, the I AM that I AM.

I long to clearly understand Your invisible attributes, Your divine nature, and to experience Your eternal power, in every area of my life.

I thank You for Your Spirit in me, my Teacher, Who brings revelation of the truth and for Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who has made reconciliation with You possible through His incomparable sacrifice.

I pray that I will not yield to temptation, instead I will yield myself to You as never before. Thank You for delivering me from the evil one and keeping me safe under Your protective wings.

To You who alone are God, my Saviour through Jesus Christ my Lord, all glory, majesty, power, and authority are Yours before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time!

I pray in the powerful and matchless name of Jesus, Amen†

 

Shelley Johnson “A Prayer For Today” © 2016 revisited November 19, 2025

God wants you to do nothing

 

Several years ago, I was faced with what would surely be considered dire circumstances. I knew I had to do something about the situation in which I’d found myself, so like any good Christian, I came up with a plan.

And, as a good Christian with a brilliant solution to a problem, the first thing that I thought that I must do before executing my well-thought-out agenda was to go to the Lord in prayer to present my plan to Him.  

I “humbled” myself before my God, thanking Him for the incredibly fool-proof plan that I was about to execute to lift myself out of the miry clay and place my feet on solid ground.

What a great solution I’d devised and after I’d poured it all out onto the table, so to speak, I heard, “Do Nothing”

I countered,

“Huh? Say what?”

”Do Nothing”, same response, same gentle tone. 

I protested,

“Do nothing? But what about my incredibly-brilliant-well-thought-out-fool-proof solution to my present danger problem? I can’t just sit and do nothing about it, something must be done, Lord!” 

His response,

“Yes, something must be done but not by you. I Am, already doing something about your situation, be still, do nothing.”

You see, God is always working. He does not sleep, it’s true. He has already devised solutions to every one of your dire circumstances, all you have to do is co-operate, comply, and if you are required to “stand still and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes” (1 Samuel 12:16 ERV), then stand still.

Jeremiah 10:23 says, “I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.” (NLT)

And in John 8:28 Jesus said, “…I do nothing on My own, but I say these things as the Father instructed Me. (NASB)

Understand that Jesus, though Divine was also human and therefore in complete subjection to the Father, He did nothing on His own initiative, and that’s how God wants us to operate. Not on our own but to totally depend on Him, in complete subjection to His way and will. I know, for some, this is a hard pill to swallow. 

 During my time of trial, some of my closest relatives asked me why I was not doing something about my situation. They called me lazy, and stupid, and, reading from the book of Exodus, they said I was stiff-necked, stubborn and arrogant, and proclaimed me a fool for believing nonsense.

They accused me of doing my own thing because God would never tell me to do nothing. They quoted from the Bible, “God helps those who help themselves!” – this is not in the Bible, but I didn’t have the heart to interrupt their rant to let them know that.

They cited the account of Noah, saying, even Noah built the ark when God told him about the flood. Yes, a feat which took more than 50 years mind you and for all those years, Noah was being obedient to God’s instructions, doing nothing on his own initiative, again I did not interrupt the rant.

It was during that time that I recognized that people who believe they know what’s best for you will not understand and you cannot make them understand, only God can penetrate the closed hearts of those who’ve already come to their own conclusions. But you have to be obedient to Him, no matter what (read Matthew 10:16-42).

We don’t see the entire picture but God does, and believe it or not He does not need our help to carry out His plan for our lives – a Truth that Job painfully had to learn. Oftentimes God allows us to take part, but it’s never that He can do nothing without us, on the contrary, we can do nothing without Him (John 15:5).

Ephesians 1:11 clearly states, “…God is the One who makes everything agree with what He decides and wants.” (ICB)

Since then, when God tells me to do nothing, that’s exactly what I do because I know that He has His reasons and it’s not necessary for me or any of us to know what those reasons are. If God chooses to let you know then be grateful, if not, still be grateful. The truth of the matter is, we just need to trust God’s way of doing what He does. 

Beloved, genuine followers of Jesus follow the examples Jesus Himself set for us – do nothing of your own initiative but do anything and everything that God would have you do. 

So, in the midst of flying objections from every side, do nothing if God wants you to do nothing. 

 

Amen†

 

 

Shelley Johnson “God wants you to do nothing” © 2016 revisited November 18, 2025

 

 

 

 

When you know what’s Right, do Right

 

As recorded in Hosea 4:6 (MSG), the Lord says,

“My people are ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true. Because you’ve turned your back on knowledge…”

Okay, to be fair, if you don’t know what’s right then you can’t do right. But how can you know what’s right? 

God’s Word.

In God’s Word you will learn God’s will and His ways and what’s right, in His eyes.

In God’s Word you’ll learn about Jesus, how He lived, what He taught and what He has done so now there’s no need for any of us to ever again be destroyed or “ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true”.

The problem is, like most people, you think you already know what’s right and you don’t just turn your back on knowledge, you actively reject it.

When you refuse to even thumb through a Bible and heaven forbid that you should step foot in a church because “I know all that already, I don’t need to go to church, there’s nothing anybody could tell me that I don’t already know; yes, I read my Bible once a year, I don’t understand it but I read it…”

Believing that you know it all is pride, another topic for another day but for today, be reminded “First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.” (Proverbs 16:18 MSG).

We often believe we know what’s right but human reasoning can be quite flawed so, to avoid that, we need to turn to the Bible. 

The Bible is the handbook for every topic we could ever imagine, but if you don’t read it, you won’t know and when you don’t know you become an easy target for Satan. Yes you will, because, he is the deceiver and when you do not know the truth, you will believe his lies, and when you believe the lies you’ll live a sin-filled life of misery which will ultimately lead to your ruin.

Remember, where there’s no vision – divine revelation of truth – people perish (see Proverbs 29:18). God’s Word is that revelation of truth.

Beloved, ask God to give you a yearning for knowledge, and a strong desire to study and understand His Word of truth so that you will know what’s right and therefore able to do right.

As Jesus said in John 13:17 (ERV),

“If you know these things, great blessings will be yours if you do them.”

Amen†

Shelley Johnson “When you know what’s Right, do Right´© 2016 revisited November 17, 2025

 

 

God is good all the time, and all the time…

 

“God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, No matter how desperate the trouble.” 

(Nahum 1:7 MSG)

Nahum reminds us that God is good. Goodness is one of God’s many character traits. Good is not just what God does, good is who God is and He cannot be anything else but good. This is why, God is good ALL the time, and ALL the time God is good.

“…No one is good, only God.” 

(Mark 10:18 MSG) 

Because God is good all the time, you must expect Him to respond in ways that are consistent with His character. So that when troubles arise, and they will from time to time, remain in faith and take refuge in God, knowing that He will bring about the very best solution. 

 “You are good, and the source of good…my troubles turned out all for the best— they forced me to learn from your textbook.”

(Psalm 119:68 & 71 MSG)

Understand that God knows who is trusting in Him and He has already designed a great plan for your deliverance even before your troubles started. Be mindful that, when you place your trust in God, you’ve already won the battle long before the war began (see Romans 8:35-37).

So, do not worry and do not be afraid, God is fighting this battle for you, all you have to do is take refuge and trust in Him.

When king Jehoshaphat found himself in desperate trouble surrounded by enemies, he went to God looking for help, God recognized and welcomed him and said,

“Don’t be afraid; don’t pay any mind to this vandal horde. This is God’s war, not yours...You won’t have to lift a hand in this battle; just stand firm…and watch God’s saving work for you take shape. Don’t be afraid, don’t waver.”

(2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 MSG)

What God said to Jehoshaphat then, is the exact same thing He is saying to you right now.

Beloved, just believe because “…if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"

(John 11:40 NIV)

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “God is good all the time, and all the time…” © 2016 revisited November 16, 2025

 

 

 

DO NOT GIVE UP!

  

You go through all sorts of trials and challenges sailing along on this journey called life.

In the midst of them, your vision becomes blurred, you can't see anything clearly, and you're not sure of the outcome.

But these are the times when you are to take hold of the promises of God.

His promises are sure. God has promised you that He knows the plans He has for you, to bring about the future you hope for…

This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.

(Jeremiah 29:11ERV)

So beloved, no matter what you're going through right now, no matter what it looks like, hold on.

DO NOT give up!

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “DO NOT GIVE UP!” ©2012 revisited November 15, 2025

Climbing a Tree to See

 

 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. – Luke 19:2-4 (NIV)

Jesus had entered Jericho and His good reputation having far preceded Him, commanded great crowds to gather.

The people yearned to hear Him, to touch Him and to see Him. Zacchaeus was no different, as he too clamoured to see but due to his diminutive stature, was overshadowed by the massive crowd. So, he runs ahead and climbing a tree to see, unknowingly, had positioned himself to have an encounter with Christ.

Now, first-century Jews despised tax collectors, they were seen as betrayers of their own people because they worked for Rome, the enemy of the Jews.

It’s no surprise that Zacchaeus, as a wealthy, very high-ranking tax collector possessed an awful reputation.

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. – Luke 19:5-6 (NIV)

Jesus stopped and called out to Zacchaeus, beckoning the traitor to come down from his perch. Needless to say the Jews were flabbergasted.

All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” – Luke 19:7 (NIV)

Yes, Jesus had gone to be the guest of a sinner.

That right there is the whole crux of the matter.

We, rather than encouraging those deemed sinners to repentance by being welcoming, treat them as outcasts due to our own ingrained bias while proudly displaying a WWJD band on our wrists.

Certainly, Jesus would not do those things we do. He sports no such band on His wrist – What Would Christians Do.

Yes, Jesus still goes to be the guest of sinners.

Sadly we, who claim to be followers of Jesus, are just like those first-century Jews, muttering criticisms under our breath about those persons we see as unworthy. Casting judgment on this sinner and that sinner, conveniently forgetting that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s divine greatness but for His grace, through the blood sacrifice of Jesus, we are made free from sin (see Romans 3:21-31).

I am sure that Zacchaeus wasn’t lost on the reputation he had in his community, but he climbed that tree anyway not knowing that his life was about to be impacted in an unimaginable way.

Beloved, like Zacchaeus, despite what others may think of you, and in spite of your past or present misdeeds, you just have to run ahead, not aimlessly but with purpose, climbing a tree until you’re able to see, and position yourself to encounter Jesus.

Proverbs 4:12 (AMPC) tells us,

When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Climbing a Tree to See” © November 13, 2025

 

 

 

Tiredness

 

Photo courtesy O'Reilly Lewis

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

(Isaiah 40:31 AMPC)

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

Beloved, 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.

 

Declare aloud,

 The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].

(Habakkuk 3:19 AMP)

 

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Tiredness” © 2012 revisited November 13, 2025

Take My Burden

 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

Matthew 11:28 (AMPC)

 

Pray...

 

Father, I understand that it is not Your will for me to worry and carry this burden of (mention the problem, care or burden). Your Word says that I should give You all my worries and cares.

Today Father, I am placing it into Your hands. Help me to leave it with You and not try to take it back.

I thank You for caring for me. I thank You for providing me with all that I need, including relief from this burden. In the Name of Jesus, my burden bearer and yoke destroyer. Amen.

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Take My Burden” ©2013 revisited November 12, 2025

From whom are you seeking help?

 

Isaiah 30:7 (KJV), as it is written,

“For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.”

In the Bible, Egyptians are symbolic of those who are estranged from God. This estrangement comes about when one is under the bondage of human effort and religious works. Also, when you see Egypt and Egyptians, know that they represent captivity, or any type of enslavement, including enslavement to sin as well as spiritual and physical bondage – any place or state of being from which we need deliverance.

Since the time of Moses and the Exodus, God has been delivering His children out of Egypt and from the Egyptians, yet we continue to go back there seeking help instead of looking to God.

Today’s Scripture verse clearly tells us that the help of those who are estranged from God is “vain and to no purpose”. In other words, their help is completely useless – as useless as having a pile of tyres but no car. They can do and will do nothing for you, they are incapable of delivering you out of any sort of trouble, it’s to absolutely no avail.

These kinds of people are worthless to you, they will only bring you shame, disgrace, and utter embarrassment in the end. They’re prideful, full of themselves and their only strength is inaction.

I’m sure you know at least one person like that. Someone you cannot depend on, who only makes a show of help – a real busy body but nothing to show for it (hopefully it’s not you).

“Egyptians” are bearers of humiliation and confusion. They are sorely lacking in faith and trust in God but full of faith and trust in themselves. They present themselves as hardworking go-getters, and are eager to volunteer, but they produce nothing of any substance whatsoever.

You know who these people are – they’re in church, at work, at school, they’re your neighbours, and even show up in your own family – and you need to stop seeking their assistance.

Stop depending on these boastful talkers who turn out to be all words and no action. Go to God in prayer and allow Him to provide the help you require. Depend on God.

Stop placing your hope in man, instead, put your hope in God (see Psalm 42:5, 11).

And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. – Romans 5:5 (NLT)

Beloved, God is earnestly waiting for you to turn to Him in confident trust. He is longing to be gracious to you. He is longing to be your salvation in times of trouble. He is longing to bring you stability in every area of your life.

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “From whom are you seeking help?” © 2016 revisited November 11, 2025

The one that’s fed wins

I once heard of a notorious gambler who, desperate for revenue, would organize dogfights. He owned two dogs, a ferocious Doberman Pincer and a docile German Shepherd and every weekend this man, would pit one dog against the other, establish the odds, and collect money from persons who bet on their favoured dog. Most weekends, not surprisingly, the ferocious Doberman would win while on other weekends the docile Shepherd would pin down the Doberman rendering him helpless.

A regular loser of money at these fights became curious and asked the gambler the reason for this seemingly inexplicable change in each dog’s nature. The notorious one chuckled and revealed his secret, “During the week, I feed one dog and starve the other, the one that’s fed wins. It’s that simple.”

We, human beings, all have two natures within us, one has to do with our flesh and the other, our spirit. And just like the dogs in that story, the one that’s fed wins. It is indeed that simple.

This built-in duality represents the fight between our flesh (selfish desires, sinful nature) and the Spirit (Divine nature, spiritual nature). In his letter to the church at Galatia, Paul wrote, 

“…everything the flesh desires goes against the Spirit, and everything the Spirit desires goes against the flesh. There is a constant battle raging between them that prevents you from doing the good you want to do.” – Galatians 5:17 (VOICE)

So as a solution, Paul gave these instructions, “walk in the Spirit, and let the Spirit bring order to your life. If you do, you will never give in to your selfish and sinful cravings.” – Galatians 5:16 (VOICE)

The prodigal son was one who gave into his “selfish and sinful cravings”, he reached to a point of actually desiring to eat the food of the pigs he was feeding. It was at this lowest point of need that he “came to himself” and chose to return to his father, who had an abundance of food that would be beneficial to him. He realized that at his father’s he would be well-fed and receive proper nourishment (see Luke 15:11-17).

Proper food that will sustain and nourish your spiritual nature comes only from your Father in heaven through His Word – spoken, written, and of course Jesus, Himself the Living Word of God (see John 1:1, 14; 1 John 1:1-2). When you feed on the Word your spirit is fed and you partake of the Divine nature but when you feed on the world the flesh is fed and you are actually feeding the sinful nature. 

When in John 6:32-59, Jesus told the multitude about the heavenly manna, they were only mindful of their physical gratification, their next meal, but Jesus was pointing to Himself as the real food that was necessary.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (v 35 NIV)

When they caught on to what Jesus was really saying, they began to walk away, something a lot of us do even today. Will you also walk away when what you’re hearing seems too ridiculous to be true?

The things of the flesh do not comprehend spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:14), they’re in constant opposition and therefore are not bedfellows. One must defeat the other; one must die, one must be starved while the other is fed. The choice is yours; which one will you feed? 

Before you decide, know that in order to remain in God’s presence you must allow the flesh to die. If however, you choose to feed the flesh and “enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25), know that it is short-lived and you will experience spiritual death, separation from God and eventually, physical decay (see Romans 8:12-13).

The notorious gambler gambled with his poor dogs’ nature; are you willing to gamble with yours? Which nature will you feed, keep in mind that the one that’s fed wins.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “The one that’s fed wins” © 2017 revisited November 10, 2025

 

 

 

Sneaky Sin

 

Sin is designed to lure and entrap you in the most surreptitious of ways. The devil is a master of disguise who veils his schemes in things that appear to be innocuous.  He wraps sin up in a variety of packaging, often under the guise of fun and entertainment. A television show, a theatrical play, a game, a movie, even a song, are not exempt from his methods of deceit.

The evil one will place his mark on them all as he seeks to entangle and destroy you. It is his sneaky way of distracting the unsuspecting believer away from the Lord and getting you mired in sin.

Sin can begin as the smallest and simplest of distractions. Something that seems to be just innocent fun turns out to be innocent fun with a side order of sin and sadly, many times, you’ve placed that order yourself. The devil’s expertise is sneakiness, and you cannot afford to be deceived.

Satan has had thousands of years to perfect his trade, so he is crafty and adept at it and it’s easy to be outwitted by him, but you cannot allow folly to outweigh wisdom.

Without becoming fanatical, you need to get into the habit of carefully examining the things that you’re getting involved in; those seemingly “innocent fun” things that are demanding all your attention and taking you into the idol worship zone, are traps that anyone can fall into without even realizing it.

Apostle Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 10 to stay away from idol worship. He reminds us about what happened to the Israelites who indulged in idol worship and subsequently other sinful behavior while they were on their sojourn to the Promised Land. When your focus has shifted to constantly engaging in everything other than the things of God, you’re going to encounter the problem of yielding to temptation. 

Forever prowling (1 Peter 5:8), the devil is counting on your willingness to compromise but Christians must set an example of restraint.

It is not an easy road to walk but if you are sincere and serious, walk you must, always keeping in mind that you are not alone on your journey, you have an aid, a helper, a guide, advocate and counselor – the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will give you a heads-up if you’ll be sensitive to His nudging and attentive to His leading.

The Israelites, throughout their journey to the Promised Land, had the presence of God with them constantly, night and day, hovering and covering, yet still they chose to be wayward. They committed sexual sins, had wild drunkard parties, complained bitterly and tested the Lord. Please know that you can’t have it both ways; you cannot expect to have the Holy Spirit and deliberately partake in sin at the same time as if it's par for the course. 

The Apostle wrote,

“They all ate the same spiritual food, and they all drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from that spiritual rock that was with them, and that rock was Christ. But God was not pleased with most of those people…So anyone who thinks they are standing strong should be careful that they don’t fall. The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God…when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation…So, my dear friends, stay away from worshiping idols. You are intelligent people.”

(1 Corinthians 10:3-5, 12, 13, 14, 15 ERV)

Beloved, you are intelligent, trust God, He is your escape, ask Him for wisdom to quickly recognize that sneaky sin that can so easily entrap you and hinder your spiritual walk.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Sneaky Sin” © 2017 revisited November 9, 2025

Faith is Caught and Taught

 

“Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)

In the above verse Paul told the young Timothy that he must be an example to other believers and from this same verse we can garner that, as believers, we too must be examples for others to follow, especially in our own families.

In our households, we ought to lead by example. It’s the people at home that witness our true characters. Even our level of faith is revealed by how we respond to everyday life situations. Our behavior at home, godly and ungodly, exposes the fruit we’re cultivating within our hearts, whether spiritual or otherwise. In Matthew 7:16 Jesus says that people can be identified by the fruit they produce, in other words, by the way they act.

How have you been behaving?

Are you one way in public but completely different in private? When your family looks at you what are they seeing? Are they seeing a person who exercises authentic faith? A person who, in spite of the challenges of life, stands firm in faith that is steadfast? A person unmoved by the raging storm because you know that Jesus, in whom you trust, has authority over every storm?

What are they seeing?

Does your family see divine inner strength in you? Do they see a person who boldly goes to the Lord in prayer about everything with thanksgiving, seeking His direction?

Who do they see?

Do they see a person so convinced of the ability and willingness of Jesus Christ to provide an abundant life, that you do not hesitate to share with them the faith that you have in Him, so that they too may experience a wonderful faith-filled life?

Are you living by faith?

Faith is caught and if you are unwilling to show your family that you are living by faith in Jesus, then you are not leaving an example of authentic faith for your family to see and follow.

If your family never observes you giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), then you are not leaving an example of authentic faith for your family to see and follow.

 If your family never hears you declaring that God is working all things together for good because you love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), then you are not leaving an example of authentic faith for your family to see and follow.

If you have not demonstrated that you recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17), then you are denying your family an opportunity to see genuine faith at work right in their own home.

Giving your family a practical example is just part of the legacy of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. You must also teach your family about Jesus and their need for Him in their lives. I’m not talking here about brow-beating anyone into believing or hitting them over the head with your Bible and condemning anybody of just how much of a sinner they are, no that’s not the way.

If you are genuinely concerned about leading your family to Jesus, then talk about Him. Just as you’d talk about anyone else that you love a lot, simply let them know, from your heart, about Him. Make Jesus the object of your desire, explain how He makes you feel, without turning the conversation into a monologue about yourself.

People need to know what Jesus can effect in their lives. Speak in terms of how God is able to do immeasurably more than they could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Sit together and delve into the Word, not as a chore but read and discuss the Word, for faith comes by hearing God’s Word. 

Love your family enough to let them in on the Good News of Jesus and the unconditional love the Father has for them.

Let them know that God loves them so much that He allowed His one and only Son to die on their behalf for every sin that they have committed, are committing, and will ever commit; dying such an awful and cruel death so that they could inherit eternal life (John 3:16).

Help your family understand the manner of love God has for them and just how much He values them – His treasured and prized creation, fearfully and wonderfully made (see Psalm 139).

Let them know that absolutely nothing can separate them from the love God has for them (Romans 8:38-39).

However, nothing you say to your family will hold any weight if your relationship with them is not the best, you’ll just come across as disingenuous. If you’re not showing love to your own family, then every time you attempt to speak to them, all they will hear is the sound of clanging cymbals (1 Corinthians 13). You cannot be talking about the love of God and your love for God when you’re not demonstrating love, especially to your children.

Providing your child’s basic needs is one thing, getting involved in their lives through genuine interest and concern and care is another. Too often as a parent, you tend to be constantly critical every time you set eyes on your child, letting loose a barrage of negative speech geared towards everything that child does.

What type of relationship are you breeding?

Cultivate a relationship that would allow you to have a positive influence on your child’s life. When he knows that you care, he’d be inclined to listen to you. Jesus related to individuals in love and then He was able to meet their spiritual needs because He had established a loving connection with them.

The way you treat your child will determine the way they respond to you. And the way they respond to their earthly parent is the way they’ll respond to their heavenly Father. So it is very important to lay a secure foundation upon which they could successfully build; a groundwork for how they will perceive God.

For instance, if you are a parent that keeps his word then they will trust that God will be true to His word. Spend time with your child, enjoy his company, and no matter the age, find ways to stay connected in love.

Beloved, seize those teachable moments in practical ways and teach through love and gentleness. Do all you can to point your family toward Jesus, by the way you live and by what you teach; be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and your purity.

Beloved, pray without ceasing for your loved ones. Realize that it is not your responsibility to make a person accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour, but it is your responsibility to share the gospel, the good news, of Jesus. Be faithful in doing your part but keep in mind that each of us has been given free will to choose or not to choose Jesus.

Beloved, do not be harsh on your family if they are not responding to Jesus in the way you think they should. Do not give up on them; remember, your family members will receive Jesus only when they recognize that they need Him. Just continue to lift Jesus up and He will draw all people to Himself (John 12:32).

keep the Lord Christ holy in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have. – 1 Peter 3:15 (ERV)

Beloved, pray to be a godly example to others, setting apart Christ as Lord, always prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have and to always do so with gentleness and respect.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Faith is Caught and Taught” © 2017 revisited November 8, 2025

Christ is All that Matters

 

 

“In this new life it doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, circumcised or not. It doesn’t matter if you speak a different language or even if you are a Scythian. It doesn’t matter if you are a slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and He is in all of you.” – Colossians 3:11(ERV)

Christ is equally available to all of us and when you choose to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour, your life begins anew. And in this new life, Christ is all that matters.

Colossians 3:11 clearly points out that when living as a follower of Christ, one’s nationality, race, physical appearance, social status and education are unimportant.

Too often, even after receiving Christ as Saviour, we quibble about many things that, in the big scheme of things, really do not matter. So much emphasis is placed upon those things, that we lose sight of what is really important and meaningful.

Beloved, as a follower of Christ, you are to place your unbridled attention upon Him and living a renewed life recreated in His image because, when all is said and done Christ is all that matters.

 

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Christ is All that Matters” ©2013 revisited November 7, 2025

Just One Thing

 

There are times when you may be faced with situations that render you powerless but through every difficulty and every challenge, God wants you to know just one thing,

My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.

(2 Corinthians 12:9 AMPC)

Beloved, God’s grace is sufficient in your moments of weakness, and He wants you to do just one thing – tap into His all-sufficient grace, which He freely gives to enable you to go through those moments, “that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon” you.

Accept God’s grace in faith…

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.

To Him be the dominion (power, authority, rule) forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

(1 Peter 5:10-11 AMPC)

So be it indeed. Amen †

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Just One Thing” ©2014 revisited November 6, 2025

Angel Assignment

 

Are you aware that as a child of God, you are assigned angels to look over you, “to guard you in all your ways”?

There are many believers who, not only doubt but also deny this Truth. But Scripture provides all the evidence you need. Let’s look at a few verses regarding angel assignment.

Psalm 91:11 (AMPC),

For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].

What a promise! Imagine, God Himself gives His angels “especial charge over” you. This speaks of exceptional guardianship.

Understand that as God’s beloved child, you have His Holy Spirit within you and this divine host of angels to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways and wherever you go!

One working internally, others externally, and all at the same time. You are well covered.

Psalm 34:7 (AMP),

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience], And He rescues [each of] them.

The Angel of the Lord, who in the Old Testament, is believed to be the pre-incarnate Christ, Himself encamps around you! That’s the highest level of divine fortification!

Oh, what protection God provides! Your God desires your safety from attacks of the enemy. One translation of this same verse says,

God’s angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. (MSG)

Picture yourself in prayer with a host of angels surrounding you. Not little chubby infants with tiny bows and arrows, as the world loves to portray angels, but gigantic strong warriors brandishing luminous swords, ready for battle. Rest assured beloved, that even while you are praying, you are under His special protection.

Hebrews 1:14 (AMP),

Are not the angels all ministering spirits (servants) sent out in the service [of God for the assistance] of those who are to inherit salvation? [Of course they are!]

Of course they are! God’s angels are sent to be of service to you, to help you, attend to your needs and to carry out specified orders and this is for every believer in Christ Jesus.

Beloved, throughout the Bible, the evidence is clear. Angels are all around you. You may not see them, but they certainly see you.

Investigate for yourself and thank God for the unfathomable concern and love He has for you that He should be so mindful of you and care for you.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Angel Assignment” ©2014 revisited November 5, 2025

Jesus Weeps

 

At the site of Jesus’ last miracle was recorded one of the shortest, yet perhaps the most poignant verses in the Bible, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35 NIV)

Like the Jews that witnessed this event, many of us believe that Jesus wept because His dear friend Lazarus had died. But was this the reason for Jesus’ tears?

If we go back to verse 33, we see that when Jesus saw Mary, Lazarus’ sister, and the Jews who’d come with her, sobbing, ”he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled”

Moving ahead to verse 38, we read that Jesus was “again sighing repeatedly and deeply disquieted”

Now armed with this information, let’s imagine the scene that has been set for us, keeping in mind that.

This was the same Mary who had sat at Jesus’ feet feeding on the Bread of Life (see Luke 10:39)

The same Mary who, standing at the entrance to Lazarus’ tomb along with her sister Martha, would have undoubtedly heard Jesus say to Martha,

Did I not tell you and promise you that if you would believe and rely on Me, you would see the glory of God? (John 10:40 AMPC)

It was this same Mary, who Jesus considered a dear friend, loved and held in loving esteem (see John 11:5)

It was that same Mary who, in an offering of love and complete devotion giving herself in an act of humble submission and dependence would take, a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard [a rare perfume] that was very expensive, and she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. (John 12:3 AMPC)

This same Mary who had chosen the one thing that was needful…

In other words, Mary knew Jesus intimately, yet lapsed into a state of unbelief, sobbing in agreement with those insincere Jews, at a time when her faith in Jesus should have been exercised and proven. And this is why Jesus wept!

Beloved, Jesus weeps when, after all that He Himself has revealed to you, and even after He has arrived on the scene, you still sob in unbelief.

Jesus desires that you believe, believe Who you know He is.

He wants you to have faith and not doubt.

Jesus wants you to agree with what you know and not with what you feel.

Jesus exhorts you to look at Him and not at the scene of your circumstances.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Jesus Weeps” ©2014 revisited November 4, 2025

Not Forsaken

 

In ancient times scripture was learnt by heart. There was no bible as there is today, no division into chapters, no numbered verses, just one continuous scroll and in those days, the tradition was that the rabbi would quote a line and his listeners were able to fill in the rest.

These days, there are some persons who do the same thing, especially with very familiar scripture passages.

Jesus, on the cross, cries aloud, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” as recorded in Matthew 27:46 (NIV) which lets us know that it means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Jesus uttered seven sentences from the cross that day but this one in particular, has always baffled me. Have you ever wondered why Jesus would have felt that His Father had forsaken Him?

The Amplified version says, “why have You abandoned Me [leaving Me helpless, forsaking and failing Me in My need]?”

Had the Father abandoned His beloved Son?

Had the Father left His beloved Son helpless?

Had the Father forsaken His beloved Son?

Had the Father failed His beloved Son in His need?

Over the years I have heard many preachers offer many reasons for Jesus’ sense of abandonment by His Father, our heavenly Father, while He hung on that cross, but I felt sure that there must be more to it than their proffered anecdotes.

What was Jesus doing? The time was drawing near, it was three o’clock, the ninth hour, His fourth sentence.

In Deuteronomy 31:8, Moses gives Joshua the assurance that,

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (NRSVUE)

Actually, he had already done so in verse 6, and we see this same assurance in 1 Chronicles 28:20, when David speaking to his son Solomon says,

“Be strong and of good courage, and act. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.” (NRSVUE)

This same assurance is again found in the Book of Hebrews, chapter 13 verses 5 and 6,

“for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me?” (AMPC)

So, what was Jesus doing when He uttered these words of seeming forsakenness?

The Father did not abandon His only begotten beloved Son in His time of need and Jesus was reminding anyone in earshot of His voice of that Truth – those who had gathered at the foot of the cross then and those who gather at His feet now.

This Truth is repeated too many times in His Word for us to ever believe otherwise. We are not forsaken.

God is always with you even when you cannot feel His presence, and that, I believe, was what Jesus was doing; He was giving a reminder of that Truth.

Psalm 22 begins with these words,

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Sounds familiar?

Jesus’ hearers upon hearing this first line of scripture would have, by rote, filled in the rest of this Psalm. Line by beautiful line, they would have been reminded of the love of the Father.

Just a few lines down, they would have remembered,

“Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them. To you they cried and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.”

They would have remembered,

“For he did not despise or abhor the affliction of the afflicted; he did not hide his face from me but heard when I cried to him.”

Beloved, I encourage you to step into the shoes of those who would have heard Jesus’ reminder and read Psalm 22 for yourself so that you may understand that He was not forsaken by God and neither are you.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Not Forsaken” © November 3, 2025

 

 

Affirming the I am in you

 

We are created in the image and likeness of God, for God said in Genesis 1:26, 27 (NIV),

“Let us make mankind in our own image, in our likeness…So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

No more convincing is necessary. And, in Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses,

“I AM Who I AM”.

Now, since we are created in the image of God the Father, we have the I AM of God embedded in us. I AM is who we are, it is our identity, yet we choose, too often, to identify with “I am not”.

Beloved, do not identify with “I am not” but instead, from today, begin to affirm the I am in you by declaring God’s Word over your life.

 

Declare:

 

I am God’s child for I am born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God, which lives and abides forever [1 Peter 1:23].

 

I am forgiven of all my sins and washed in the Blood [Ephesians 1:7].

 

I am the temple of the Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 6:19].

 

I am the righteousness of God in Christ [2 Corinthians 5:21].

 

I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ unto good works [Ephesians 2:10].

 

I am alive with Christ [Ephesians 2:5].

 

I am a new creature in Christ [2 Corinthians 5:17].

 

I am a partaker of His divine nature [2 Peter 1:3-4].

 

I am a spirit being alive to God [Romans 6:11].

 

I am complete in Him Who is the Head of all principality and power [Colossians 2:10].

 

I am the head and not the tail; I am always at the top, never at the bottom [Deuteronomy 28:13].

 

I am made all things to all people that I might by all means save some [1 Corinthians 9:22].

 

I am obedient to the Lord my God therefore I am redeemed from all curses including the curses of sin, sickness, and poverty [Deuteronomy 28:15-68; Galatians 3:13].

 

I am free from the law of sin and death through Christ Jesus [Romans 8:2].

 

I am a believer, so the light of the Gospel shines in my mind [2 Corinthians 4:4].

 

I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions [James 1:22-25].

 

I am a joint-heir with Christ [Romans 8:17].

 

I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me [Romans 8:37].

 

I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony [Revelation 12:11].

 

I am an ambassador for Christ, I am reconciled to God [2 Corinthians 5:20].

 

I am part of a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people; I am God’s special possession [1 Peter 2:9].

 

I am the light of the world [Matthew 5:14].

 

I am His elect, full of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience [Colossians 3:12].

 

I am delivered from the power of darkness and translated into God’s kingdom [Colossians 1:13].

 

I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude [Colossians 2:7].

 

I am called of God to be the voice of His praise [Psalm 66].

 

I am healed by the wounds of Jesus [Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24].

 

I am strengthened with all might according to His glorious power [Colossians 1:11].

 

I am raised up with Christ and seated in heavenly places; as He is so am I in this world [Ephesians 2:6; 1 John 4:17].

 

I am submitted to God, and the devil flees from me because I resist him in the Name of Jesus [James 4:7].

 

I am greatly loved by God [Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4].

 

“…I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus my Lord.”  

[Romans 8:38-39 NIV].

 

 

Amen †

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Affirming the I am in you” ©2013 revisited November 2, 2025