Anxiety

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

If only we would stop focusing on the situation and look upward.

God is right here! Christ has risen! The Spirit has been poured out! They are all present with you right now so, do not be anxious.

Anxiety saps your strength and is the result of looking away from God.

Beloved, God loves you and cares for you deeply and wants you to be at peace. God is at your side, turn to Him, present your requests to Him, let Him know everything, and thank Him.

 

Let us pray...

Oh Holy and Most Merciful Father, I love and adore You. I cherish the relationship that I have with You and I thank You for Your wonderful Son, my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

I come before You this day to give You thanks and praise for where I am right now and for all that You have done and are doing in my life but Father, as You know, it is sometimes difficult for me not to be anxious. I ask You now to calm my spirit and fill me with Your strength, courage, and patience. Help me to focus on You and You alone.

Help me to always remember that You work in the supernatural realm, so that what I may see in the natural has no bearing on what is happening in the supernatural.

Help me always to live by faith and not by sight.

Help me not to concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me but to be still and quiet and wait on You Lord with confidence because I know that You, Who made the promise, are faithful.

My confidence in You, Lord, carries a great and glorious compensation of reward, for this, I am truly grateful.

Father, thank You for listening to me and answering my prayers. 

I will not be anxious, because I know, with unwavering assurance, that Your peace which transcends all understanding, guards my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.

I love You Father. Thank You for filling me with Your Love and for allowing me to place all my concerns, cares and anxieties upon You.

In the Name of Your Beloved Son, my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Anxiety” ©2013 revisited December 12, 2025

Remain in an Attitude of Gratitude

 “You must depend on Christ only, drawing life and strength from him. Just as you were taught the truth, continue to grow stronger in your understanding of it. And never stop giving thanks to God.” – Colossians 2:7 (ERV)

 

At the end of November, I invited you to join me in an experiment where our aim is to give thanks for a period of ninety days. Two weeks in, I trust that you’ve remembered to remain in an attitude of gratitude. If not, that’s okay, please do not beat yourself up, simply jump back into thankfulness mode and move forward.

Quite a bit has been happening over these last two weeks; things that have the potential to send me or anyone into a chasm of despair. So, to avoid that fate, I went into thankful overdrive and Spirit reminded me of a situation I’d gone through some years ago.

Please allow me to share with you what happened at that time.

It was September 2016, like now, I had been purposely giving thanks every day. “The Gratitude Experiment 2016”. One day I became aware that I was feeling different – a definite change had taken place. After a quizzical moment or two, it dawned on me that I was actually in a much better mood than I’d been before I started my gratitude experiment. “Wow…”, I thought with a smile, “…this feels good, kind of light, as if something’s lifting off of me.” And with that, my smile broadened to one of those awkward toothy grins, which automatically seem to manifest upon your unsuspecting face when you realize that you’ve made a new discovery.

There was no stopping me now!

God knew what was headed my way.

Not a day later, I was faced with a challenge. Without burdening you with too many details, there was a piece of equipment that I desperately needed for my business so, in anticipation of receiving a cheque for work done a month before, I made a small downpayment. Not too long after that, like a few moments later that day, I received a call letting me know that there was a “problem” with the cheque; I’d have to keep calling to see when it would be ready. The balance I owed on the equipment was due the following day, but the amount I was owed, was nowhere in sight. What a dilemma!

Feeling a lot defeated, I made the decision to remain in an attitude of gratitude. Immediately I began thanking God for working all things together for my good and His glory, for being my strength, for providing for me in every area of my life, for the lessons to be learnt in this situation, for being the only Source of all that I need, for this and for that. I just went full throttle into thanking Him.

Any thoughts of defeat soon dissipated, and I knew that no matter what, God is still in control.

The next day was the day that I was required to pay off for the equipment. I called back to enquire about the cheque and was told that it was ready for me to collect. However, when I got there, I was then told that due to “cash flow problems” they could pay only a portion of the amount. “Thank you” was my response, as I took the envelope from a young woman with an apologetic look upon her face.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26 (NIV)

I may have received only a quarter portion from man but God is my full portion forever – in Him is everything that I ever need. I peered into the envelope and I thanked God for the little that I could see and the more than enough that I could not see.

To cut an already long story short, I paid for the equipment, the balance due in full on the day that it was due. God, through an unexpected way, made it possible. Through the spirit of generosity instilled into the manager, I received a huge discount. The portion I was paid was the portion I needed after that tremendous discount.

Under the aforementioned circumstances, it would have been really easy for me to dwell on the lack that was before me, on what was said to me, on the deadline to pay the balance due, on what appeared to be sure defeat, on the brokenness in spirit.

So many things were available for me to latch on to. I could have begun a serious complaining and murmuring session, with intermittent bawling, instead, I remained in an attitude of gratitude, being thankful in this circumstance, and God worked it out.

Beloved, remain grateful despite what you may be feeling, thinking, seeing and hearing. Do not place any confidence in your natural senses, you know the truth, so stay in the will of God and keep on giving thanks. To know God’s will but not do it, is more tragic than if you never knew His will to begin with (see John 6:38 and 2 Pet. 2:21).

Amen†

 

Shelley Johnson © 2016 revisited December 11, 2025

Sent Out

 

Jesus called his twelve followers together. He gave them power over evil spirits and power to heal every kind of disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles:

Simon (also called Peter),

Andrew, the brother of Peter,

James, the son of Zebedee,

John, the brother of James,

Philip,

Bartholomew,

Thomas,

Matthew, the tax collector,

James, the son of Alphaeus,

Thaddaeus,

Simon, the Zealot,

Judas Iscariot (the one who handed Jesus over to his enemies).

Jesus sent the twelve men out…

(Matthew 10:1-5 ERV)

Matthew omitted no-one from his list of disciples that Jesus sent out. Jesus too left no-one out, He empowered them all to perform whatever they were sent out to do.

Beloved, what has Jesus sent you out to do but you haven’t yet done because you are feeling ill-equipped to do?

Jesus gave power even to Judas Iscariot, the same Judas who would eventually betray Him and He will also empower you. You will never be sent out without the necessary spiritual tools to get the job done.

Look at the composition of Matthews list again.

Some rowdy and at times ill-tempered fishermen, one prone to curiosity, a known sceptic, a tax collector – despised in those days, and another, zealous for the law and for God. These twelve were also diverse in their levels of education and wealth.

Matthew shows us that the twelve represented a diverse cross-section of humanity with their varying temperaments and characteristics, which places any of us in line to be chosen and sent out.

No-one is off limits. God can and will choose and empower anyone to fulfil His purpose. Brothers James and John, the sons of Zebedee, nicknamed “Sons of Thunder” were used despite their fiery tempers.

Apostle Paul formerly Saul, by his own admission, was once “the worst of all sinners”, proud and violent, an insulter of Jesus and a persecutor of His followers, yet he became a great apostle of Christ. God, in His mercy and by His grace transformed him into a true believer and man of utmost faith in Christ Jesus, “an example for those who would believe in him and have eternal life” (read 1 Timothy 1:12-17).

Beloved, these twelve and Paul, are prime examples of ordinary people sent out to do the extraordinary, to share in the ministry of Christ Jesus. The Shepherd knows His sheep.

So, do not discount yourself or others as being unfit for ministry.

And when you are sent out, always keep in mind that it is God who makes His power source available to you just as He did with the twelve.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Sent Out” © 2025 December 10, 2025

 

 

 

 

Prayer for Today

 

Let us meditate on the following for a moment…

“Give in to God, come to terms with Him and everything will turn out just fine. Let Him tell you what to do; take His words to heart. Come back to God Almighty and He’ll rebuild your life. Clean house of everything evil. Relax your grip on your money and abandon your gold-plated luxury. God Almighty will be your treasure, more wealth than you can imagine.” – Job 22:22-25 (MSG)

Now, let us pray,

Lord, You are my Treasure, far beyond any wealth that I can ever think of or imagine.

Thank You for revealing to me the true riches of Your Kingdom. I set my heart on You alone as I completely submit to Your way, Your will, and Your instruction.

Cleanse my heart of everything evil so that it may freely receive Your Word.

Help me to hold tightly onto You as I relax my grip on, and abandon, the things of this world.

Thank You for rebuilding my life and renewing my spirit.

Thank You for forgiving me of my sins; teach me how to forgive as You do, so that I will be quick to forgive.

Lord, make me truly grateful for all that You have given me and may I always delight myself in You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen †

 

Beloved, receive the blessing of the Lord...

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord smile down on you and show you His kindness.

The Lord answer your prayers and give you His peace.

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Prayer for Today” ©2013 revisited December 9, 2025

Pray...

let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;

(Psalm 32:6)

O Lord, You are my God; I trust in You; my times are in Your hands.

How great is Your goodness which You have stored up for me!

How great is Your goodness which You have bestowed upon me in the sight of men!

I take refuge in You. 

Thank You for hiding me in the shelter of Your presence.

Thank You for keeping me safe in Your dwelling.

Thank You for delivering me in Your righteousness.

Thank You O Lord, for being my refuge; let me never be put to shame. 

Thank You for turning Your ear to me, for coming quickly to my rescue and for being my rock of refuge – a strong fortress to save me.

Thank You O Lord, for leading me and guiding me.

Thank You for redeeming me.

I trust in the Lord! I am glad and rejoice in Your love.

Thank You for setting my foot in a spacious place.

You have shown me Your wonderful love.

Praise be to You O Lord!

Thank You for not cutting me off from Your sight, for hearing my cries, and for answering me when I call out to You for help.

Thank You for preserving me.

Now to You Lord, Who lets Your face shine on me and saves me in Your unfailing love, be all honour and glory forever and ever Amen †

[Prayer adapted from Psalm 31]

 

Shelley Johnson “Pray” © 2015 revisited December 8, 2025

Prayer

 

“Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 [AMPC]

Hallelujah!

Jesus makes three specific promises concerning prayer,

1. Anyone who asks in prayer and keeps asking receives.

2. Anyone who keeps seeking in prayer will find.

3. Anyone who keeps on knocking on spiritual doors through prayer would have those doors opened.

Asking, Seeking, and Knocking in prayer are integral to the process of receiving what we need and teaches us to be faithful, responsible and patient, all means of building solid Christian character. The moment we pray, the process begins.

“And [the angel] said to me,

Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.”  Daniel 10:11,12 [AMPC]

Prayer is the key to enter into the presence of God.

“Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You…”  Psalm 141:2 [AMPC].

Our prayers should come from our hearts, hearts that are pure, “without anger or quarrelling or resentment or doubt [in our minds]” (1Timothy 2:8 AMPC).

We must be true pray-ers, not like those Pharisees who love to be seen, making long public prayers (see Matthew 6:5) – those who utter useless hypocritical prayers for man’s recognition.

Apostle Paul, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, exhorts us to “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]”.

God wants to hear from us, His children. He looks forward to it and does not want us to withhold our prayers. Our Lord Jesus was always in prayer; He is our example to follow.

Jesus prayed for every reason and on all occasions and He taught His disciples how to be effective and efficient in prayer (read Matthew 6:6-15).

The disciples recognized the importance of going to the Father in prayer. And we too must come to that realization; we must bring all our concerns to God in prayer because everything that is of concern to us is of concern to our God and, even though He already knows, He desires to hear about it from us.

Prayer has the power to remove obstacles, break barriers, pull down strongholds, open doors, close doors, change lives, heal the sick, cure addictions, guide the lost back home, enable victories, calm the storms of life, restore broken marriages, create pure hearts, renew steadfast spirits, and strengthen our relationship with God.

Prayer is amazingly effective!

So, this week spend time in God's presence through prayer; utilize God's own Word to fashion personal prayers, as you ask and seek and knock.

Expect your prayers to be answered, because God's Word does not return to Him without effect (Isaiah 55:11).

Expect great things to happen in your life during your conversations with God; remember to listen out for His small, still voice (1 Kings 19:12).

Beloved, you will emerge better off than when you began, as you purposely spend time in His presence.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Prayer” ©2013 revisited December 7, 2025

What I Know

 

Beloved, it’s a good practice to make declarations from Scripture over your life, so today, declare what you know, confident that God’s Word shall not return to [Him] void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which [He] please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which [He] sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 AMPC).

I know that I love God because He first loved me!

God has called me by name, I am His. So, when I pass through the waters, God is with me; and when I pass through the rivers, they will not…yes, they will NOT sweep over me. When I walk through the fire, I will not be burned…no, no, no! The flames will not set me ablaze.

He is the Lord, my God! The Holy One, my Saviour! I am precious and honoured in His sight…and, God loves me…yes, God loves me. God loves me! I was created for His glory…I am His witness whom He has chosen…and…

I know and believe Him and understand that He is God.

Yes, no one can deliver out of His hand.

When God acts, no-one and nothing can reverse it…no-one, and nothing (period)

God is my Redeemer, the Lord, the Holy One, my Creator, my King. He makes a way through the sea; a path through the mighty waters – God is doing a new thing! I will NOT dwell on the past. God is making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland!

I know…that, because God loves me, and I love Him, and because He has called me according to His purpose, He is working together all these things I'm going through for my good…

God knows the plans He has for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me, to give me a future with hope…

I know when I call upon God and come and pray to Him, He listens to me; when I seek God with all my heart, I find Him. I find God and He brings me back – God restores me, and…restores to me. Hallelu-Yah! God restores my fortunes!

God is the One Who knows…and bears witness.

I know that God will fulfill His promise to me, His gracious promise of complete restoration – to bring me back…bring me right back to a place even better than it was before, in quality and quantity; double, twice as much, as I had before…and, even more than that!

I know, yes, I know Whom I have believed! And I am convinced that He is able!

I know that God can do ALL things. God can do ALL things!

I know...no plan of His can be thwarted, no purpose of His can be thwarted…the Lord will bless the latter part of my life more than the first. This is my inheritance from God, my Father.

I know…indeed I know, if God is all I have, then I have all I need!

Amen †

 

 

Shelley Johnson “What I Know” © 2015 revisited December 6, 2025

Church Membership is not Salvation

 

A person could be faithful in his commitment to attending church every Sunday, even performing good works of service in church but that is not salvation. Church membership does not necessarily mean that a person is saved.

There are people who have not received Christ as their Saviour attending church; they are unsaved members.

Some have not made a true commitment to be a follower of Christ – they are lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16 TLB).

I know you well—you are neither hot nor cold; I wish you were one or the other! But since you are merely lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth!

Some have not grasped the message of the Gospel though faithfully present at every service (Hebrews 4:2 GNT).

For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith.

Others are deluded in their belief that going to church and performing “good works” holds the same meaning as being a Christian (Matthew 7:21-23 MSG).

Knowing the correct password—saying ‘Master, Master,’ for instance—isn’t going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our super-spiritual projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’

Oftentimes aspects of church are confused with salvation.

Making a public statement of cognitive belief in Christ is not a means of salvation.

Making a public symbolic statement of immersion is not a means of salvation.

Conducting ministry and evangelism is not a means of salvation.

Beloved, know that “God our Savior, wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4 NIV).

Salvation is not about one’s works in the church. It’s not about organizing tea parties, playing the drums or being in the choir.

Salvation is about sincere repentance of one’s sins, placing faith in Christ and His finished work at Calvary, acknowledging and confessing Him to be Lord and believing in one’s heart that God raised Him from death (Romans 10:9-10 NRSVUE).

But what does it say?

“The word is near you,
    in your mouth and in your heart”

(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), because 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. For one believes with the heart, leading to righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, leading to salvation.

And then the journey begins...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Church Membership is not Salvation” ©2013 revisited December 5, 2025

God Loves You

 

"God's love for you is like a tree that can never be removed, it burns eternal in your heart there's nothing to compare it to, this love God feels for you"

Beloved, you can never be reminded enough of God’s love for you. 1 John 4:10 (NIV) tells us,

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

God loves you and the way God loves you is intimated in the words of 1 Corinthians chapter 13. This beautiful chapter of love is a precious gift to you from the God of love.

Romans 5:8 (NIV) lets you know that God loves you in spite of your sins, for as it is written,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Yes, God’s great love for you was wonderfully manifested when He sent His only begotten Son to save you (John 3:16). God poured out His love then and is still pouring out His love on you now.

So, beloved, you may rest assured 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 all creation, will be able to separate [you] from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

(Romans 8:38-39 NIV)

Amen †

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “God Loves You” ©2013 revisited December 4, 2025

From Adam to Noah

 

When God formed man from the earth, He named him Adam, demonstrating that names have meaning to God. Since then, people have been given names.

In times of old, only one name was given; some, like Jacob, “supplanter”, related to the circumstances surrounding their birth while others’ names were connected to a promise, Isaac, “he will laugh”.

In the naming of the ten generations from Adam to Noah, is such a case, where each name is connected to a promise. It is the promise that God, in His love and mercy, made to Adam “and the woman”, immediately after their display of wilful disobedience.

“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

In this verse, Genesis 3:15 (NKJV), lies the promise of redemption.

The woman’s Seed Who would bruise Satan’s head, is our Lord Jesus. On hearing this wonderful promise of God, faith must have been implanted into the hearts of Adam and the woman, for it was after hearing that promise, that Adam called the woman Eve, "living". And they believed that through Eve would come, the One Who would redeem all of mankind from the sin that the deception of Eve and Adam's disobedience had brought upon the world.

“And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.” – Genesis 3:20 (NKJV)

God’s glorious message of redemption is told in the names of those from Adam to Noah:

Adam – “man”

Seth – “appointed”

Enosh – “mortal”

Kenan – “sorrow”

Mahalalel – “the blessed God”

Jared – “shall come down”

Enoch – “teaching”

Methusalah – “his death shall bring”

Lamech – “despairing”

Noah – “rest”

“Man is appointed mortal sorrow, but the Blessed God shall come down, teaching that His death shall bring the despairing, Rest.”

Beloved, these ten names, from Adam to Noah, conceal irrefutable evidence of a loving God, Who, from the very beginning, had already laid out a plan for the redemption of sinful man.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “From Adam to Noah” ©2013 revisited December 3, 2025

Let us Pray…

 

Abba, Father, You are the true God and Eternal Life, You are the only One Who is able to keep me from falling, You are greater than my heart, and You know everything.

I thank You for the fellowship I have with You. I thank You for placing Your own Spirit in me so that I do not follow mere natural instincts, but I am led by Wisdom and Understanding.

Thank You for teaching me how to build myself up in my most holy faith and how to pray in the Holy Spirit.

Thank You for teaching me how to keep myself in Your love as I wait for the manifestation of Your promise to me in Christ Jesus.

I believe in my heart all that You have said; I have confidence in all Your words and in all Your promises. And I am confident that when I ask anything according to Your will, You hear me. I know that I already have whatever I ask of You.

I know that I am a child of God, born of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

I know that as a child of God, You keep me safe, and the evil one cannot harm me.

I know that as a child of God, Your Holy Spirit gives me understanding, so that I may know Him Who is true.

I know that as a child of God, I am in Him Who is true and He is in me.

I praise You and I thank You O God. I thank You that Your love is made complete in me. I thank You for giving me Your Spirit, so that the One Who is in me is greater than the one who is in the world. I thank You for bringing me out better than I was before. I thank You that the latter is greater than the former.

I give You all the praise and all the glory for this great and wonderful thing You have done in me, through Your love for me; I thank You for loving me. You are my everything.

I offer this prayer in no other name but the name which is above all names, Jesus, my Lord, my Saviour, my Deliverer, and my Redeemer.

Amen†

 

Shelley Johnson “Let us Pray” © 2016 revisited December 2, 2025

 

Meat in the Middle

 

Picture this…

You’ve left the shore and you’re in a boat rowing across a massive lake to get to the other side, to cross over. You’re mid-way there, in the middle of this endless sea of water, when suddenly, without notice, a storm breaks.

The wind is whipping up with unbridled ferocity, and it’s causing the water to heave. Rowing has become pointless as the oars break under the pressure.

What do you do?

The noise of the now swirling wind and crashing waves is tremendous. You call out to Jesus, but you cannot even hear your own voice over the torrent that has now engulfed you.

Is Jesus hearing your call?

You heard His when He told you to cross over to the other side. It was Jesus who told you that He would meet you in Bethsaida.

Then Jesus told the followers to get into the boat. He told them to go to the other side of the lake to Bethsaida. He said he would come later. – Mark 6:45 (ERV).

You know His voice; you’ve heard Him many times before. Could you be wrong this time? Your every fibre tells you that you’re not wrong; so what’s really happening then?

You were going through the middle to get to the other side and everything seemed fine.

You were already half-way there when this storm came out of nowhere.

Know that it’s in the middle of the spiritual journey when the storms come. These storms are not without purpose.

Early on, in the beginning, safely on shore, you were at the infant stage of your spiritual growth, but now the time has come for you to cross over to the other side.

On shore, you heard the Word and became familiar with the basics of the Word of God – this is milk. But you can’t stay at this stage if you’re to grow; no-one remains a baby forever.

For everyone who continues to feed on milk is obviously inexperienced and unskilled in the doctrine of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action), for he is a mere infant [not able to talk yet]! – Hebrews 5:13 (AMPC)

The time to be fed solid food must come. Solid food or meat speaks of deep teaching; you’ve done the hearing now it’s time to do the Word of God. It’s time for meat in the middle.

But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law. – Hebrews 5:14 (AMPC)

This spiritual meat builds you up, strengthens you, and develops you by experience.

This spiritual meat that you’re fed in the middle strengthens your character and builds your endurance in preparation for the next half of the journey.

In the middle, you may feel as if Jesus is ignoring your call but remember Jesus will never leave you. If you look carefully, you’ll catch a glimpse of Him through the haze, through the fog, just look beyond the raindrops; He is there waiting for you to come through. And as you regain your focus, even in the midst of the storm, you will see Him. You are not alone.

Do not give in to your fear of this storm you’ve never seen before. Push through it, do not give up and do not give in to your fear. Meditate on Jesus’ own words – “Do not be afraid! I Am!”

Yes, Jesus always “is”, so don’t be afraid. Jesus is always with you; even in the worst storm, He is.

Jesus will meet you on the other side. He may even meet you along the way for short periods to feed you the meat in the middle. Eat the meat. Sometimes the chewing is tedious and the meat hard to swallow but keep on eating.

Oftentimes we try to pound the meat in our own efforts to make it tender but to no avail. No amount of seasoning can make this meat palatable but do not spit it out; keep on eating the meat in the middle.

Beloved, before you know it, the storm would have passed, storms never last, and you’d be on the other side having safely crossed over.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Meat in the Middle” © 2016 revisited December 1, 2025

Being Thankful

 

As you already know, being thankful is God’s will for us. We’ve seen this all through Scripture but in particular, a familiar line in Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Thessalonica, where he told them, and tells us, quite clearly to “…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you…” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).

So, being thankful is not an option.

Can you imagine what might be accomplished if an entire country came together on a particular day, united in one accord, to give thanks to God? Even two believers, lifting their voices together in oneness of mind and purpose in earnest thankfulness to God can achieve the unimaginable.

Gratitude affects every area of your life; this is a message that is seen throughout the Word of God. Ephesians 5:19, 20 is just one example.

“Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)

When we are grateful in everything, and we say so it touches the heart of God.

When we are full of thankfulness, we are actually acknowledging that it is not our efforts that produce blessings and prosperity in our lives.

When we are thankful, we are acknowledging God as our source.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4 NIV)

Giving thanks to God keeps us humble, not pride-full. Giving thanks to Him keeps us God-centred, not self-centred.

Beloved, let us continue to purpose in our hearts and minds to be thankful every day; it’s not too late to cultivate an attitude of gratitude.

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Being Thankful” © 2012 revisited November 30, 2025

Why Be Grateful for Everything?

 

It is the Father’s will that you be thankful in all circumstances no matter what those circumstances may be, that’s because He has the ability to take all the elements of your circumstances, the good and the bad, and work them together to bring about not just a good resolution but the best resolution.

Romans 8:28 (NLT)

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.

How great is that? Shouldn’t you be grateful for that?

Remember that the Father designed good plans for your life even before He formed you in your mothers’ womb, so know that He can do all things and that no plan of His can be thwarted.

Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT)

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart

Job 42:2 (MSG)

I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans.

How great is that? Shouldn’t you be grateful for that?

Father, I thank You for designing an amazing plan for my life even before You knit me together in my mommy’s womb. This shows me that You can indeed do all things, You have already established Your plans for me and that’s why no-one and nothing can thwart those plans. Thank You Father. Amen.

The thing is, all of us have been raised by our parents and society to be independent but our heavenly Father desires that each of us be totally dependent on Him. It’s a difficult transition, yet it is a necessary one if you want to remain afloat, especially during challenging times. He longs for you to cast all your cares on Him; He will sustain you and never let you fall.

Psalm 55:22 (AMP)

Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).

How great is that? Shouldn’t you be grateful for that?

Father, I thank You that I can cast all my cares on You and You will sustain me; I thank You that no matter what You will never let me fall. Amen.

Beloved, from today, stop your endless striving and, with gratitude, commit everything to the Father. Even now, just because it is your intention to commit, He is already aligning all things in their proper order and putting all the right people in place for the incredible outcome.

Proverbs 16:3 (AMP)

Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

How great is that? Shouldn’t you be grateful for that?

Shelley Johnson “Why Be Grateful for Everything?” © 2016 revisited November 29, 2025

The Gratitude Experiment

 

Beloved, be assured that God has already planned a way that is best for you and though yours is specially customized for you, still the Bible has outlined a general way that’s best for every single person to follow. One such instruction, found in 1 Thessalonians, concerns gratitude. In this regard, Apostle Paul said,

“Be thankful, whatever the circumstances may be. If you follow this advice you will be working out the will of God expressed to you in Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 Phillips)

Beloved, God’s desire is that you express your gratitude “whatever the circumstances may be”. In other words, be thankful no matter what.

Beloved, God does not want your life and your happiness to be defined and dictated by your circumstances.

Listen, if being thankful is God’s will, that means it holds great importance to Him and therefore should be a top priority for you. You must always strive to do the will of God in your life, even Jesus Christ, on His way to the cross, said to God the Father, “…it is not My will, but Yours, that must be done.”  (Luke 22:42 Phillips)

Indulge me today as I explore a bit, with you, the will of God as it pertains to gratitude by linking other Scriptures that deal with God’s will to 1 Thessalonians 5:18. After which you and I are going to conduct an experiment over the next three months.

It’s said that it takes just over two months for behavior to change, so I figure in ninety days we should be well on our way to habitual thankfulness. Really and truly the numbers aren’t that important, what matters is for us to get started.

Please keep in mind that this is by no means an in-depth study, just a simple experiment that will have beneficial results for everyone who participates.

Now, reading 2 Peter 3:9 we see that it’s not God’s will that any of us should perish, so from this we can deduce that expressing gratitude will not be to our detriment but something great is bound to come out of it. These days human beings seem terribly reluctant to say thank you. Sadly, ingratitude has become the rule and not the exception.

Looking at Romans 12:2 we can say that to give thanks is good and acceptable and perfect in God’s sight because it’s His will.  Also, Mark 3:35 demonstrates that saying thank you qualifies you and I to be in relationship with Jesus as His siblings because being thankful is the will of God.

Please note that expressions of gratitude must be heartfelt and sincere, not an exercise in shallow lip service.

I’m thanking you, God, from a full heart (Psalm 9:1 MSG)

Recognize that even in suffering according to God’s will we need to be thankful because there’s always a reason for our suffering and through it His purpose will be fulfilled.

So if you are suffering according to God’s will, keep on doing what is right and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you. (1 Peter 4:19 TLB).

In other words, those trials and challenges that you face should never stop you from giving thanks. Be in a state of constant gratitude. Yes, it’s tough but doable, else God would not have told us to do it. Remember, His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Beloved, I believe that living in a constant state of gratitude will have a very positive effect, first on you as the grateful person and as you change everyone around you will also begin to change. Sincere gratitude promotes genuine all-round happiness all the time (see Psalm 95:1-3).

In order for this gratitude experiment to work we have to share this blog post, asking family and friends to participate and after three months, we’ll testify to our individual findings. I hope you’re up for the challenge; it’s worth a try.

Thank you for joining me and thank God for what is about to happen in, with, for, and through, all of us.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “The Gratitude Experiment” © 2016 revisited November 28, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving

 

Today Thanksgiving is being observed in the USA. For them, this is a huge celebration – schools close, offices shut down, and people are busy travelling from one state to another to join family and friends for a grand time of food and festivities.

For me, a person living outside of the US, looking on at the buzz that happens at this time of the year in the US, forces me to ponder deeply upon the whole concept of giving thanks.

I have experienced the terrific effort that is put out in the days leading up to, and the incredible energy that is spent in preparing for this single day of Thanksgiving, and thinking about that time, I can’t help but wonder if people, not just in the USA but people everywhere, on a daily basis, would simply be thankful to God on purpose, how lives would change for the better, if even half of this was done every day of their lives.

Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good – 1 Chronicles 15:34 (GNT)

I must admit that even though I intend to give thanks daily, some days I am hard pressed to do so but I know that I must make a better effort because I know that being thankful every day, no matter the events of the day, is to my benefit and the benefit of those with whom I come into contact.

Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all he has done. – Colossians 2:7 (TLB)

Beloved, it’s said that it takes an average of 66 days to form a habit, so I invite you to be intentionally thankful every day for anything, nothing and everything for the next few months. Remember it’s not a limited-edition concept; there really is no time limit on thanksgiving, just be thankful every day, all day. Let God and those around you know just how grateful you are.

Thank the Lord; call on God’s name; proclaim God’s deeds among the peoples; - Isaiah 12:4 (CEB)

Sometimes we do not recognize all the reasons why we ought to be giving thanks but even if you don’t, trust me, there is always a reason, so give thanks anyway.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Thanksgiving” © 2016 revisited November 27, 2025

A wise man will pacify anger

 

A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. (Proverbs 16:14 NIV)

I did not know my husband’s grandmother but from him I knew of her, and one of the things he told me about her is that she’d often say, “It’s the answer that brings the row”.

It takes much determination to live by such wisdom since our natural inclination is to respond to anger with anger. King Solomon, in his wisdom said it this way,

“A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.” (Proverbs 15:1 GNT)

Beloved, you should always seek to bring calm to a heated situation, to diffuse anger rather than intensify it.

You have the power in your mouth to change the atmosphere by using soft, gentle words that bring peace. Always choose to be the peacemaker – that is wisdom. Amen?

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “A wise man will pacify anger” © 2016 revisited November 26, 2025

Crossing Into...

 

Do you feel as if your life is at a standstill? Nothing seems to be working out?

You’ve prayed, obeyed, cried out, reached out, fasted, rested, affirmed, declared the Word, marched around the walls of your personal Jericho. You’ve done just about everything you could, yet your situation has remained unchanged?

Know that when you’re faced with challenges to your faith and to your courage, the Lord, your God is with you. He is your support, and He is watching over you.

During times like these, depend on God for the wisdom to make wise choices and sound decisions.

Carefully and prayerfully observe and meditate upon God’s Word to build up a foundation of confidence in God.

Understand that obedience to God is the key to victory, while disobedience to God only results in utter defeat.

With God at your side, you are sure to be more than a conqueror, and He will cause you to walk in victory and cross into your land of promise.

So beloved, get ready to cross into the land God is about to give you. 

Beloved, God will never leave you nor forsake you.

Beloved, be strong and courageous. Be strong and very courageous.

Beloved, be careful to obey all the law; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Beloved, keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 

Beloved, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

[adapted from Joshua 1:2, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 NIV]

 

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Crossing Into” ©2013 revisited November 25, 2024

The GOSPEL is Good News!

 

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

These accounts, called the Gospels, are ascribed to and bear the names of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John who tell us the Good News of Jesus’ coming to earth to save all of mankind from the punishment of sin and death.

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

God so loved the world that He gave His One and

Only

Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not

Perish but have

Eternal

Life

The GOSPEL is Good News!

Beloved, now that you know the Good News, pass it on to someone who doesn't.

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “The GOSPEL is Good News!” ©2014 revisited November 24, 2025

God’s Pruning

 

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  – John 15:2 (NIV)

Here, Jesus, in comparing Himself to a vine, speaks of the necessity of staying connected to Him. And in maintaining this vital connection there are certain elements of our lives that must be cut off, so do not be afraid to be pruned by God.

We suffer God's pruning so that we could get rid of all the unnecessary things in our lives. Every superfluous twig, those things and people that sap our energy, stunt our spiritual growth and are of no value, are cut off completely.

Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He chose you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever. – 1 Peter 5:10 (ERV)

God’s pruning removes anything that He sees as useless or a hindrance in our lives.

God's pruning refreshes us, revives us and renews us.

God's pruning causes us to stay fresh and green and still bear fruit in old age (Psalm 92:14).

Isaiah 5:6 lets us know that a lack of pruning results in desolation. So, we need to endure God’s pruning.

God desires us to produce an abundance of good fruit, fruit that will be of benefit to us and to others, so He prunes us to encourage new life and spiritual growth.

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness—in conformity to God’s will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God]. – Hebrews 12:11 (AMPC)

Beloved, pruning is a painful but necessary re-shaping of you, both inside and out, so that you become His new creation.

 

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “God’s Pruning” ©2014 revisited November 23, 2025

Persistent in Faith

 

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells a parable about a tenacious widow who comes before a judge who, by his own admission, has “no fear of God and no respect for anyone” (Luke 18:4 NRSV).

Now this widow was relentless in her pursuit for justice and soon enough this judge gives in to her saying, “because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.” (Luke 18:5 NRSV).

Then in verse 6, Jesus admonishes us to listen to what the self-righteous judge says and in conclusion tells us,

 “And will not [our just] God defend and protect and avenge His elect (His chosen ones), who cry to Him day and night? Will He defer them and delay help on their behalf? I tell you, He will defend and protect and avenge them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find persistence in] faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8 AMPC)

Will Jesus find you persistent in faith? Are you persistent in faith even now?

This parable is about constant prayer, but we cheat ourselves by not recognizing that this parable is also about being persistent in faith. Jesus is telling us that we are to be persistent and at the same time, that our God is persistent as well.

God is persistent in His faithfulness toward us, His elect, His chosen ones. Read verses 7 and 8 again; do you see?

God is persistent in faith even before you utter a word of prayer. Unlike the unjust judge in this parable, God’s reason for showing us justice has nothing to do with our being intolerably annoying.

We are to continuously bother God, wear Him out, assault Him through prayer, after all, it is God who insists that we “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMPC) but oftentimes we pray and still become discouraged.

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us not to allow discouragement to set in but to remain faith-filled.

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us that even when we are considered weak, we can still move mountains through perseverance in prayer and persistence in faith.

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us to be strong and determined in our resolve to see the glory of God on this side of the Kingdom.

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us that as we cry out to God, day and night, He will defend us, protect us and avenge us for He is persistent in His faithfulness toward us (see Lamentations 3:22-23).

Through this parable, Jesus is telling us that, like the widow, we are to boldly approach the Throne, confident that we will receive an answer to our prayer (see Hebrews 4:16).

Beloved, these lessons taught by Jesus, His parables, are meant to provoke our senses – morally and spiritually. This parable is no different, there is so much more to it than meets the eye and deserves more than a mere cursory glance. I encourage you to dive into Scripture, “go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets” (Luke 4:5 NET), you’ll be surprised at what you will catch.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Persistent in Faith” © November 21, 2025

 

 

Mirror, Mirror

 

“Just as water mirrors your face, so your face mirrors your heart.” – Proverbs 27:19 (MSG)

Peer into water and what do you see? You see a reflection of your true likeness. In the same way, your heart reflects your true character. Several times, in this blog, Bethel at Balata, I’ve written that your heart is that place deep within you beyond your conscious thoughts, your inner-most being and it possesses the power to motivate and compel you; if it is evil, you will tend to do evil but if it is good, you will tend to do good. In Luke 6:45 Jesus says,

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” (NIV)

Although outside influences affect you, your true character traits come from deep within. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts--murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15:19 (NIV).

Clearly, it is what’s in your fallen heart that corrupts your whole being. That is why David, after committing adultery and murder, pleaded with God to create in him a pure heart (Psalm 51:10). He understood that it was in the heart that sin is devised (see Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 6:18), but even more importantly, David recognized that it was not within his own power to overcome, and sought the help of the only One with real power to restore, God Almighty.

So too you must be honest with yourself, come clean with God about what’s really in your heart. Yes, it’s true, He already knows but this confession is not for God’s sake, it is for your sake. As 1 John 1:9 assures,

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (NIV)

This verse gives credence to the familiar old Scottish proverb: “Open confession is good for the soul.”

The “open” is usually left out but it is indeed open confession that is the prerequisite to repentance, and forgiveness from a God who delights in forgiving and forgetting.

Beloved, allow me to leave you with a few verses from the Bible upon which you can meditate:

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment…Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:3,4 (NIV)

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV)

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Mark 7:21-23 (NIV)

“Explore me, O God, and know the real me. Dig deeply and discover who I am. Put me to the test and watch how I handle the strain. Examine me to see if there is an evil bone in me, and guide me down Your path forever.” Psalm 139:23-24 (The Voice)

 

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Mirror, Mirror” © 2016 revisited November 21, 2025