Kataluma

Just as it is nowadays where persons are required to register in the municipality in which they live, so it was in ancient Israel. With that in mind, we read,

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.  – Luke 2:4-5 (ESV)

Joseph and Mary left Nazareth to become residents of Bethlehem before Jesus was born in order to fulfil prophecy.

“O Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are but a small Judean village, yet you will be the birthplace of my King who is alive from everlasting ages past!”  – Micah 5:2 (TLB)

As Israelites, both Joseph and Mary would have known of Micah’s prophecy therefore their relocation was deliberate.

The registration drive was in full swing and so all the people were on their way to register for the census, each to his own city (Luke 2:3 NASB). Needless to say, every city, Bethlehem included, was packed with people, more people than could be accommodated.

Luke 2:7 (NIV) verifies this fact.

there was no guest room available for them.

Several translations and tradition have told us that there was no room in the inn, giving the impression that Joseph and pregnant Mary could not find a hotel or motel in which to stay. However, they were not trying to make a reservation at the Hilton or Benoni’s Bed n Breakfast.

Joseph and Mary were in search of a kataluma which was not uncommon accommodation in those days. Kataluma is a Greek word which is translated guest room and was located on the upper floor of a Jewish home. It was an upper room specifically reserved for visiting family and friends, while the rest of the household occupied the lower floor.

Kataluma is the same word used for the “upper room” in Luke 22:12 and Acts 1:13 where the Last Supper took place, while pandocheion, inn, can be found in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Unable to find a kataluma, this newly married couple, under the strain of extremely curious and challenging circumstances, could easily have given up but they did not, instead with love for God, and abiding trust in the word of God, they humbly remained true to their calling and strengthened by faith, accepted their fate determined to fulfil the purpose of God.

the time came for the baby to be born – Luke 2:6 (NIV)

But with already jam-packed lower and upper floors, what was the next best option? There was no inn in the little village of Bethlehem, no barn as is often depicted and no kataluma available for them but there was an area on the lower floor, a space where the household’s animals were placed at night.

and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger – Luke 2:7 (NIV)

Mary lovingly lay her new-born baby in a limestone feeding trough.

Beloved, when you are called by God to fulfil His purposes, you just have to do whatever it is you must do.

Has God has given you a word? Was everything going well, working out as you imagined, but just as you were about to give birth to it, suddenly things became bleak, no longer going the way you imagined and now you’re wondering “What is God doing?”

Remember God always has a good plan. Joseph and Mary may have been going through that same mental torture when to every home they went there was no unoccupied kataluma. But look how it turned out, look at the significance of Jesus, the Bread of Life being born in Bethlehem, “house of bread”, and placed in a manger, a feeding trough.

Beloved, chew on that.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Kataluma” © 2025, December 21, 2025

And the Angels Sang

 

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord…” 

(Luke 2:8-11 NIV)

After an angel of the Lord had delivered the incredible message of Christ’s birth to the watchful shepherds living out in the fields, the Bible tells us that “a great company of heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God“.

“Alleluia! O how the angels sang.
Alleluia! How it rang!
And the sky was bright with a holy light,
'Twas the birthday of a King.”

(William Harold Neidlinger)

The angels descended upon Bethlehem singing glorious songs of praise in celebration of the birth of Christ – it was Christmas!

It’s not yet December 25^th, the day we celebrate the glorious birth that continues to cause great joy for all the people but today and every day can be Christmas Day for you.

Beloved, Christ’s birth – the manifestation of God in human form here on earth (see John 1:14) – can be an intimate, personal celebration in your life today. Simply ask Him to come into your heart and He will bring you new birth; if you have already done so, you can ask Him to be birthed anew in you.

When Christ comes into your life, you too, like the angels, will burst into songs of praise saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

(Luke 2:14 NIV)

And the Lord of peace himself will give you peace at all times in every way and cover you with favour as with a shield (2 Thessalonians 3:16 & Psalm 5:12).

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(1 Thessalonians 5:23 AMP)

Amen †

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “And the Angels Sang” ©2013 revisited December 20, 2025

Let it be to me

 

For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

(Luke 1:37 AMPC)

When angel Gabriel came to Mary with the fantastic news of Jesus' conception and birth, she did not hesitate to believe. Despite the shock and ridicule she would have to face, Mary accepted the reality of what would be with humble acquiescence.

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”
(Luke 1:38 ESV)

As a matter of fact, Mary, as a sign of her trust in, and devotion to God, sang a song of praise. And in that song, she glorified God, she rejoiced in Him and declared His goodness. Mary believed and therefore, in her case, sang (see Luke 1:46-55).

If we believe, we too must sing praises to God.

Beloved, determine in your heart to believe and therefore speak,

God’s plan for my life is far greater than what I am currently living! God’s word contains power and no word from Him is impossible of fulfillment! I am the Lord’s servant and what the Lord has said, will be fulfilled in my life. Everything is possible to me because I believe!

(see 2 Corinthians 4:13; Mark 9:23)

 

Amen †

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Let it be to me” © 2014 revisited December 19, 2025

Our Verb

 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28 (NLT)

As children of God our verb must be “know”. With synonyms like, apprehend, recognize, grasp, perceive, appreciate, discern, and differentiate, surely, when it comes to our verb “know”, certitude has to be our attitude.

To know is to be keenly aware of something.

To know something is to have perception of a fact or truth.

To know a truth is not simply to understand its meaning but more so to comprehend its implications and applications.

Apostle Paul’s Romans 8:28 is a God-guaranteed truth which we can know with absolute assurance.

However, there is no absolute assurance in God’s guarantees without faith.

Faith is the essential element that actuates our verb.

Our verb confirms our belief in God’s promises which shall not fail.

Failure is not an option as God is faithful to His Word and faithful in His Word.

God’s Word, written and verbal, logos and rhema, is His bond, He does not make empty promises; He cannot lie.

To lie is a human malady which causes us to distort the truth, mostly about and to ourselves.

This distortion of truth exposes low self-esteem and emphasizes a general lack of confidence.

To know is to have confidence; confidence not just in ourselves but more than ever in a God who will never distort the truth but extends to every one of us, the truth of His Word as a spiritual lifeline to grab hold of and never let go.

The truth of His Word as a spiritual lifeline that we have been given is Jesus Christ our Saviour!

In Jesus Christ is the certitude our verb encapsulates, for in Him “we know” things that others doubt.

In Him we know that our Redeemer lives! (see Job 19:25)

In Him we know that we have “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10 TLB).

In Him we know that our sins have been forgiven (see 1 John 2:12).

In Him we know that “God will liberally supply (fill to the full) [our] every need” (Philippians 4:19 AMPC)

In Him “We know [positively] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] is under the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19 AMPC)

In Him “we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he really is.”  (1 John 3:2 GNT)

Beloved, our verb is not to misunderstand or calculate or think up or conjure up or devise, our verb is to know. Our verb is about the certainties which Jesus Christ brought to us, so do not hesitate to use our verb instead be bold, steadfast and sure of what you know.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Our Verb” © 2025 December 17, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Believed

 

The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, revealing to her the greatest and most incredible news.

“Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end! For there is nothing that God cannot do.”

(Luke 1:30-33 & 37 GNT)

Mary, in humility, chose to believe.

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

(Luke 1:45 NLT)

Beloved, decree and declare from today,

God is gracious to me!

I am blessed because I believe that what the Lord has said to me will be accomplished!

I believe that God is the God of the impossible! There is nothing that He cannot do!

I believe that God will do what He has said that He will do!

I believe that God will bless me beyond my imagination!

I believe in God and today I choose to trust and obey Him!

Praise be to God!

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Mary Believed” ©2012 revisited December 17, 2025

“What about Joseph?”

 

As you know we’re in the season of Advent – the time when we celebrate the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. And, during this season, through different media, we are transported back to when Jesus was born. We hear the familiar story of God choosing a humble young woman named Mary from an insignificant town named Nazareth to give birth to the Christ. And, of course, we hear about the baby, Jesus, after all, He is the reason for this celebration.

But, what about Joseph, Mary’s husband? No one seems to pay him much attention. His journey must have been quite a perplexing one. God had also chosen Joseph, he was engaged to Mary and was to be father to God’s “only begotten (unique)”  Son Jesus. Like Mary, he too had to pay a very dear price for his role in humiliation. Let’s go to the Gospel of Matthew for Joseph’s perspective.

Matthew chapter one lets us know that Joseph was already engaged to be married to Mary when she would have received the message from the angel Gabriel. Verse18 tells us that “before they came together, she was found to be with child”. What a blow!

Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes for a moment. You’re about to marry a young sweet virgin girl; all the plans are in place and preparations for the wedding have already begun. You see, in those days, once that pledge had been made and accepted, immediately preparations began for the big day.

Joseph would have journeyed from his father’s house to offer Mary’s father a price for marrying her; the two would have agreed, the price paid, and a covenant made and Joseph and Mary would drink from a single cup to symbolize their shared life.

Then Joseph would have gone back to his father’s house to wait and prepare their future home, while Mary prepared herself and her clothing and waited for Joseph to return. This was a 12-month period of sacred separation where they were absolutely committed to be faithful and pure.

The couple was committed to being faithful and pure, you get the picture.

So, to hear from his wife, that she is pregnant? He knew that “he had no union with her” (v 25). What thoughts must have run through Joseph’s head. He might have said “What manner of story is this Mary? Didn’t we commit to be faithful and pure? I was.”

“Then Joseph her husband, being just and not willing to expose her publicly, desired to leave her secretly.” Matthew 1:19 (JUB)

Joseph was a just man – morally upright and obviously well brought up – he wasn’t one to hastily jump on Facebook and twitter to air his dirty laundry in an attempt to embarrass his wife for her perceived indiscretion.

Joseph did not fight humiliation with humiliation. He was not determined to seek revenge. Instead, despite the hurt, the confusion, the disappointment, the mistrust, the emptiness, the emotional upheaval, and the humiliation he must have been feeling, Joseph decided to divorce Mary quietly.

Joseph’s reaction to his dilemma ought to teach us all a lesson. He patiently and thoughtfully considered what he should do. His was not a knee-jerk reaction. And it proved to be a good thing because it was while he was contemplating his next move that “an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream” (v 20).

How do you react to news that impinges upon your ego?

How do you respond to perplexing situations?

When your spouse, significant other, or loved one tells you something that leaves you confused and dumbfounded, what do you do?

Beloved, Joseph did not go to God, God came to him through an angel of the Lord but nothing is stopping you from going to God if you find yourself in similar unimaginable circumstances.

Do not be hasty, instead, like Joseph, take time to consider, and talk to God. Ask Him to lead and guide you. Then wait patiently for God, allow Him to sort things out for you.

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “What about Joseph?”  © 2015 revisited December 16, 2025

Let us Pray…standing firmly on His Word

 

Gracious God, I come before You in the precious Name of my Lord Jesus to pray according to what You have said in Isaiah 65:24, “I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!” So, I call to You, confident that while I am still talking You will answer my prayer. I ask You to step into (name whatever you need) and bring about a miracle for Your glory.

Your Word also tells me that if I believe, I will see the glory of God (John 11:40) and that’s exactly what I have chosen to do, I choose to believe no matter what I feel, see, or hear because according to Your Word in Mark 9:23, anything is possible if I believe. I am believing You for a mighty miracle for You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples (Psalm 77:14).

I give thanks to You who alone do mighty miracles (Psalm 136:4).

Heavenly Father, You have also told me, through Your Beloved Son Jesus, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you…the spirits submit to you.” (Luke 10:19, 20) Moreover, You have given me the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, so that whatever I bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18).

So, in the mighty Name of Jesus I exercise the authority of Almighty God and declare, in and through Jesus Christ, I bind every enemy of God that would interfere with the answer to my prayer and the miracle I am believing God to perform.

Dear God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – as I stand firmly on Your Word, I thank You in advance for what You are already doing and about to do in my life; for answering my prayer before I even call to You. For Your faithfulness and Your love that endure forever, I thank You. All the glory belongs to You and You only!

I offer my prayer in the matchless Name of Jesus Christ with much gratitude, Amen†

 

Shelley Johnson “Let us pray…standing firmly on His Word” © 2016 revisited December 15, 2025

Speak the Word

 

The Word of God says, “Just as the rain and the snow come down from the sky and don’t return there without watering the earth, making it conceive and yield plants and providing seed to the sower and food to the eater, so is My word that comes from My mouth; it does not return to Me empty. Instead, it does what I want, and accomplishes what I intend.”

(Isaiah 55:10-11 CEB)

The Word of God holds inherent power. That is, God’s Word cannot be separated from Who He is, His character, His nature. God is His Word and His Word is Him.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

(John 1:1CEB)

When God speaks, power is released and whatever He says will accomplish its purpose, make no mistake about that.

God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared. 

(Genesis 1:3 CEB)

And having been created in God’s image and likeness (Genesis 1:26), we reflect His nature therefore, when we speak God’s Word, in faith, power is also released and that power can change our circumstances.

Your reward depends on what you say 

(Proverbs 12:14 GNT)

You see the Word is truth and the truth sets us free (see John 17:17 & 8:32); free from bondage, sickness, depression, fear, loneliness, temptation, bitterness, anger, doubt, despair, worry, addiction, loss, and other negative circumstances in our lives. All these may be the facts that plague our lives, but the truth is more powerful than any negative facts we may be experiencing.

Beloved, even if your life is great, speaking the Word will only make it so much better.

I am the Lord! The word that I speak is the word that I will speak! It will happen and be delayed no longer. In your own days, household of rebels, I speak a word and make it happen. This is what the Lord God says!

(Ezekiel 12:25 CEB)

The Word is like a seed that is planted every time we speak it, and God promises that it will fulfill its intended purpose.

This seed is God’s life-giving and enduring word.

(1 Peter 1:23 CEB)

So, speak the Word, declare God’s truth into your circumstances and over your life, and see your life transform.

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Speak the Word” © 2016 revisited December 14, 2025

Free to Help

 

Jesus sent the twelve men out with these instructions: “Don’t go to the non-Jewish people. And don’t go into any town where the Samaritans live. But go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that are lost. When you go, tell them this: ‘God’s kingdom is now very near.’ Heal the sick. Bring the dead back to life. Heal the people who have leprosy. And force demons out of people. I give you these powers freely, so help others freely.

(Matthew 10:5-8 ERV)

For the disciples’ first mission, Jesus sent them out with very specific instructions. They were to go only to those within their community. They were to stay close to home and not venture outside of familiar territory. They were relegated to proclaim the good news to, heal, revive and exorcise their own family members, friends and neighbours.

What a task for the first phase of their commission!

After all, “People everywhere give honor to a prophet, except in his own town, with his own people, or in his home.”  (Mark 6:4 ERV)

Knowing this truth, Jesus then reminds the twelve, “I give you these powers freely, so help others freely.”

In other translations it reads, “Freely you have received; freely give.”

This power and authority that Jesus had gifted to His disciples made them free to help others, provided the recipients were willing to receive the help.

Be mindful that this passage also tells us that these powers can neither be earned or owned. These Jesus-gifted powers are freely given to His authentic followers and are not theirs to cling to but must be freely given to anyone and everyone in need of help.

As Jesus’ disciples, we are called to be cheerful givers; we are not to hold on to powers we have freely received as a personal possession but are to be generous, giving as freely as we have ourselves received.

Having these powerful gifts is not for use as a means to control but to help others freely, embody the Kingdom, and glorify God through generous actions.

Beloved, freely you receive making you free to help so, freely give.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Free to Help” ©2025 December 13, 2025

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