A Journey of Returning

Every single one of us is on the ultimate journey, the journey that takes us back to God and this larger journey is comprised of smaller journeys along the way as we trek upon the spiritual path towards our Creator. Each one of these small journeys is a journey of returning.

For whatever reason, we humans tend to slip off the path from time to time.

It happens to all of us so let’s not pretend that we have never been so distracted by the pleasurable taste of sin that we have never found ourselves heading in the opposite direction meandering away from God.

The problem is that we lose our focus, getting caught up in this and that, we find ourselves spiritually wandering off in a direction which we’re not meant to be journeying, then at some point, we come to ourselves and turn back hoping to resume our journey.

Thankfully, the Lord, who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 103:8) sees us through the sacrifice of His Son and says to you and to me, “…you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you.” (Malachi 3:7 NIV).

Beloved, even now you may be asking, “How am I to return?”

Lent is the perfect time to reevaluate your life and the path you’re on. Use these 40 days to consciously journey toward God; return to Him seeking unity and complete fellowship with Him.

This journey of returning is reminiscent of the 40 days Christ spent in the wilderness, where like Him, you’re in close communion with the Holy Spirit as He strengthens your resolve to remain on the right path to continue the journey.

A journey of returning is your personal sojourn, it is your act of repentance, prompted not by the fear of punishment but by sheer love and reverence.

You must confess that you have strayed (see 1 John 1:9), crying out to God in sincerity,

Restore me, and I will return, because you are the Lord my God. (Jeremiah 31:18, 19 NIV).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “A Journey of Returning” ©2026 February 20, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shema

 

Shema is a Hebrew word which basically means to listen or hear but it’s much more than that – it is hearing that leads to alignment.

In many places Shema is defined as hearing which leads to obedience however that conjures up an image of forced, coerced submission. But it’s not obedience as in a slave and slave master relationship, it is obedience which stems from loving compliance, and reverence and trust and loyalty.

Every day Jewish people confess these words from Deuteronomy,

Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord].

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might. (6:4-5 AMPC)

The very first word “Hear” – “Shema” – is setting the tone for what’s to follow in bringing God’s people into alignment with all that He is and all that He’s about to say.

The Israelites had recently been redeemed from bondage in Egypt and with this redemption came freedom from the ways and customs to which they had become accustomed; God was about to do a new thing, and He needed His people to perceive it.

God was moving them from a materialistic mindset to a divine reality – from Egypt, double difficulty, to Canaan, the Land of Promise.

These once long-enslaved people, with the adoption of their slave master’s ways and lifestyle, had become slaves to their master’s ritualistic practices, including their worship of other gods. "Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad", was a declaration of God’s identity. This act of restoration involved a reintroduction of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of all generations, the only Lord to which they were to align and to love deeply.

The only Lord to which we are to align and love deeply.

During this Lenten season, perhaps we should all seek a reintroduction to God, a realignment to Him and a rekindling of our love for Him.

God wanted His people then and wants us now to truly understand who He is. He wants us to know that He is our Liberator. He gave up His only begotten Son (John 3:16) to set us free.

Beloved, just as the Israelites were unable to free themselves from the more than 400 years of captivity, you and I cannot free ourselves from our various enslavements – our addictions, our vices, our unmanageable lusts and unhealthy habits. It is God who affords us freedom through Jesus Christ His Son because if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free (John 8:36 AMPC).

Understand that you don’t obey to get free, you align because you are already free; you don’t obey to receive God’s love, you align because you are already loved by God.

Shema (the hearing, the obedience, the alignment), is foundational to our relationship with God – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Shema is not just a call to hear or listen, it is a call to act, a call to align with Love in love ; Shema is pinned to the outcome of the act of listening to God.

God is calling you out of your skewed alignment with the gods of Egypt – enslaved by money, worldly success, power and status – into alignment with Him, the God of freedom, where He provides everything that you need.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Shema” ©2026 February 19, 2026

 

 

 

 

An Everlasting Love

 

We are all familiar with John 3:16 as we should be, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (NLT) and though this is undeniable proof of God’s love for all people, He has been protesting His love for over thousands of years with several verses in Scripture that corroborate God’s everlasting love for His people.

One such verse, Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV) reads,

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”  

While this chapter is directed to Israel, it is relevant to all people even today. It is a declaration of God’s love for His people and reveals His heart towards us as He continues to draw all of us to Himself with unfailing kindness.

God’s love is not temporary. His love is not dependent on what we do. He is faithful in His love even when we are unfaithful in our love of Him.

This chapter in Jeremiah is a promise of the complete restoration of a people who, after God had redeemed them from bondage in Egypt and provided for them throughout their sojourn in the desert, defied Him by breaking the covenant He had made with them. They were rebellious at best and suffered punishment for it yet God, with an everlasting love, turned their mourning into gladness and gave them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Sometimes we, like the Israelites of old, cut ourselves off from the intimacy of God when we deem ourselves unworthy of His love because of sin, with its resulting guilt and shame.

We turn away from God, believing the lies that we tell ourselves, the lies that others tell us and the lies we hear from the world around us, and we cling to those things and those people who we hope will satisfy our need for the love we crave but no matter how hard we hold on to the what and the who, we are still left wanting.

But there is a new covenant to which we are bound, fulfilled by the One Who suffered punishment for all the sin of the entire world which includes yours and mine.

Your story hasn’t ended; sin, guilt and shame do not define you. God is pursuing you, but you just won’t allow Him to catch up. He is calling out to you by name, longing for you to turn back, see Him and hear Him saying to you,

“I have loved you with an everlasting love”

Beloved, God’s desire for an intimate relationship with you is evident, His expression of love for you cannot be denied, He longs to draw you to Himself. Won’t you open your heart to receive His love, an everlasting love like no other? You mean everything to God.

As you make your way through this Lenten season, remember God’s deep love for you, not the sin, not the guilt, not the shame, instead get ready to be fully loved just as you are, look back and turn back to Him calling out “Here I am! Ready to receive Your everlasting love.”

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “An Everlasting Love” ©2026 February 18, 2026

Doubting Jesus

 

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.  He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. – Matthew 16:1-4 (ESV)

All too often we behave like the Pharisees and Sadducees always wanting a sign. This simply means that we’re doubting Jesus.

Gideon, doubting the word of God, asked for a sign (see Judges 6). Thomas, doubting Jesus, asked for a sign (John 20).

Gideon had heard time and time again of all God’s wondrous works, yet still he doubted that God would choose him. And Thomas, the Pharisees and the Sadducees had seen all of Jesus’ wondrous miracles, yet that was not enough for them, doubting Jesus, they wanted proof.

Don’t we do the same though? Aren’t we doubting Jesus? Always wanting proof that meets our expectations rather than taking Him at His word or reflecting on what He has already shown us?

We are always seeking proof of some kind instead of trusting God. He has already done so much yet we dismiss it all and require just a little more proof.

“God if this, then do that”

“Lord Jesus, if that, then do this”

Like the Pharisees and Sadducees, we are doubting Jesus, His abilities and His authority. Loyal churchgoers, avid Word-readers yet blind to the spiritual, unable to properly interpret the signs of the times.

Beloved, stop waiting for a sign, stop doubting Jesus instead pay attention to the thread of His faithfulness woven into the everyday moments of your life. Jesus has already given us a spectacular sign in the sign of Jonah which symbolizes His death and resurrection. 

What more do you need? Isn’t that enough? No other proof of His love can be greater (John 3:16).

Jesus has already given us, all of mankind, everything.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Doubting Jesus” ©2026 February 15, 2026

 

Believe to See

The world says “Seeing is believing” but in God’s economy we have to believe to see. This is clearly illustrated in Matthew 20: 29 – 34 (ERV) when Jesus encountered two blind men seated on the roadside.

When Jesus and his followers were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the road. They heard that Jesus was coming by. So they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, please help us!”

 The people there criticized the blind men and told them to be quiet. But they shouted more and more, “Lord, Son of David, please help us!”

Jesus stopped and said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

 They answered, “Lord, we want to be able to see.”

Jesus felt sorry for the blind men. He touched their eyes, and immediately they were able to see. Then they became followers of Jesus.

Despite the crowd’s castigation of them, these two blind men did not let that deter them from seeking Jesus’ help.

They heard that Jesus was coming their way and put a plan into action. They could not see Him approaching but believed what they had heard.

Most of us always need to see before we believe however, sometimes God is leading us in the opposite direction where He wants us to learn to accept His promises as true before they’re manifested.

With Jesus standing right in front of him, Thomas, the disciple, still desired to see before he would believe.

A week later the followers were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked, but Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace be with you!”  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. Look at my hands. Put your hand here in my side. Stop doubting and believe.”  – John 20:26-27 (ERV)

Unlike Thomas, these men did not require any proof or signs in order to believe. Unlike Thomas, these two men did not know Jesus personally, but they knew of Him and were sure that He was able help them see. Unlike Thomas, these two men were not doubting but believing.

Persistent, they shouted and shouted and Jesus paid attention. He stopped. He asked. They answered, “Lord, we want to be able to see.”

Beloved, you may have your sight, but are you able to see? Perhaps you have not seen because you do not truly believe.

These blind men believed and Jesus did not hesitate to grant their request. His response was immediate. Feeling compassion for them, Jesus touched their eyes and gave them their sight. In turn, these two men, now able to see clearly, did not walk away from Jesus but became His followers.

What do you want Jesus to do for you? Have you been crying out to Him without a response? Perhaps He is waiting for you to believe to see.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Believe to See” ©2026 February 15, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confronting Confrontation

 

There are times we have to deal with people and situations face to face. We may not want to, but sometimes we haven’t an alternative.

The church at Corinth was plagued with problems, one of which was their struggle with carnality. And in that struggle, there was much confrontation amongst members. To deal with that situation, Apostle Paul was forced into confronting confrontation.

To prepare for this fight, I believe that Paul must have drawn from his store of spiritual knowledge on how to live from a place of victory. He would have taken possession of his soul and not allow his personal feelings towards the Corinthians, the members themselves or their actions, to dominate the situation at hand.

Confronting confrontation requires sobriety where the mind is clear, emotions are checked, biases pushed aside and prayer to bring the whole sordid affair under subjection to God.

At the end of his letter to the church, Paul wrote,

Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service]. – 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (AMP)

According to Paul, it is necessary to be razor focused on the task at hand. Distraction is not an option. But how do we get there?

Beloved, in confronting confrontation, it really all boils down to self-control or better yet soul-control; if you allow the body to take control, then eventually everything will end up out of control and that’s not where you want to be when addressing confrontational situations.

As you may already know, self-control is just one of nine elements that make up the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) so, before confronting confrontation, look to the Spirit of God and follow His direction rather than the desires and temptations of your body.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Confronting Confrontation” ©2026 February 15, 2026

 

 

Relinquishing Your Power

 

Beloved, when you allow someone else’s wrongful treatment of you to remain a bastion in your life then you are relinquishing your power to that individual.

I am in no way trivializing trauma and abuse which are serious conditions that need to be properly dealt with due to their long-term emotional and psychological effects. Even if it is not deemed as serious as that, living in dysfunction because of another’s actions even after that person is no longer a part of your life is allowing them to have power over you. Don’t give them that power, take it back.

Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthian church members said,

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (12:10 NIV)

On the surface, For when I am weak, then I am strong seems to make no sense, but Paul was saying that he was not dependent on his own strength, instead when faced with all kinds of troubles that he was incapable of handling, he was in the habit of relinquishing his power to Christ Jesus.

In Psalm 27 verse 1, the psalmist says, The Lord is the stronghold of my life, and you must do the same, recognizing that it is the Lord in whom your power rests. The psalmist, in the same verse, goes on to ask, of whom shall I be afraid?

When the Lord is your strength, you don’t have to live fearfully; you don’t have to settle for unhealthy relationships; you don’t have to suffer all the issues that dysfunction brings.

Place your trust in God at all times, He is the rock of your strength (Psalm 62:7 & 8); rely on Him and in the power of His might (ref. Ephesians 6:10).

It is not an easy road to walk and may not happen overnight, though with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

Beloved, relinquishing your power to God does not make you weak, it makes you strong. So, keep trusting in God and in His power and not your own.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Relinquishing Your Power” ©2026 February 14, 2026

 

Walls

 

Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control. – Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

In Scripture, walls symbolize protection, particularly God’s protection so, when Solomon in his wisdom writes that a person who lacks self-control is like a city whose walls have been “broken through” what he is in fact saying is that person, by their inability to regulate their emotions, thoughts and behaviour, is easily manipulated and coerced into compromising their divine security.

The person who lacks self-control allows every negative word they hear and every trial that comes their way to affect their life. When you lack self-control, your walls collapse.

God does His part by providing His protection, but you have to take responsibility to ensure that your spirituality is not infiltrated.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways – Psalm 91:9-11 (NIV)

You must entrust your safekeeping to God. Look at what divine protection affords you when you declare that God is your security and you abide in Him. No outside forces can breach your walls.

The person who lacks self-control is not placing their trust in God but is allowing whatever is happening around them to govern their life.

When you place your trust in God, external circumstances will neither control you nor affect you.

Things happening outside of you do not have to become the things inside you. Poverty that surrounds you does not have to govern your life instead trust God and my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19 NIV).

The self-control that the bible talks about has nothing to do with not eating another slice of cake, that’s restraint, biblical self-control has to do with controlling your soul – feelings, thoughts, intentions.

Situations and people’s actions do not have to trigger a reaction from you. Isaiah 53:7 says about the coming Messiah,

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Adopt this as your mantra.

Beloved, when you’re surrounded completely by God’s protection there’s no fear of the walls being broken through by enemies. As He did with Job (Job 1), God places a wall of protection around those who love and acknowledge Him.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. (Psalm 91:14 NIV)

These aren’t walls that we’ve built ourselves which are prone to breach and collapse, these are the fortified impenetrable walls of God; it’s being hedged by God Himself.

Placing your trust in God will keep your walls from being broken through and you can rest assured that the Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:7-8 NIV).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Walls” ©2026 February 14, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

The Little Ones

 

The disciples had posed a question to Jesus (Matthew 18:1) and in responding to them He said,

“If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of things that cause sin! Such things are bound to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! – Matthew 18:6-7 (NRSVUE)

Then not long after that, in verses 10 through 14, Jesus told them a parable about a sheep that had gone astray; He said to them,

“Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven. What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost”.

Matthew uses the terms “gone astray” and “went astray” in describing what has happened to this single sheep. It is interesting to note that the Greek word that was used in the original text is the verb “planao” which means to lead astray, deceive, wander or roam.

Now Jesus tells this parable to emphasize His point about causing the little ones who believe in Him to sin.

He compares the little ones who believe in Him to innocent, easily lead sheep. Matthew’s record of Jesus’ Lost Sheep Parable, unlike Luke’s of the same title, is not about a sheep that a shepherd lost but is about a sheep that someone has purposely lead astray through deceptive or misleading doctrine.

To have a better understanding, perhaps this verse should be translated as,

If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has been deceived, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that is deceived? 

This parable is about those who have been led away from the Truth and the church’s responsibility to care enough to seek them out; it’s about the church’s responsibility to bring its members, who may be deceived and mislead by false claims, back onto the right path doctrinally and theologically.

As a church what are we doing about the little ones?

Their angels continually see God in heaven, but it is up to the shepherds here on earth – priests, pastors, ministers, preachers – to go out and find those who have stopped coming to church or reach out to those who are seated in the pews but spiritually lost.

Sadly however, some members of the clergy fall into the category of those led-astray-sheep, lost and desperately in need of finding by a responsible shepherd.

Beloved, the truth is we all need to be more active in searching for the little ones who are lost; to make every effort to find and reclaim them for God. Our challenge is not only to seek but to take notice of who might have gone astray, even when immediately present.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The Little Ones” ©2026 February 12, 2026

This is Madness

 

After everything God had done in leading His people, those same people wanted a change in leadership. In fact, they demanded it. Samuel, as God’s appointed leader, judge, prophet and priest was crushed by their demand for a king to rule them; lusting after worldly solutions rather than trusting God’s rule.

1 Samuel 8:6-9 (MSG) tells us,

When Samuel heard their demand – “Give us a king to rule us!” – he was crushed. How awful! Samuel prayed to God.

God answered Samuel, “Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected me as their King. From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they’ve been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they’re doing it to you. So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they’re in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they’re likely to get from a king.”

They were determined to replace God’s leadership, with human kingship instead.

Though God knew that their choice was imperfect He still gave them what they wanted – He raised up Saul to be king.

Saul son of Kish was chosen. But when the people looked for Saul, they could not find him.  Then they asked the Lord, “Has Saul come here yet?” The Lord said, “Saul is hiding behind the supplies.”  – 1 Samuel 10:21-22 (ERV)

Saul, not wanting to appear hungry for his new role as king, hid himself, displaying a sort of humility. I say sort of because feigned humility can quickly mutate into pride and you’ll see what I mean a little further on.

Keep in mind that humility must mature into obedience, not simply now-and-again obedience but sustained obedience to God that will not collapse under pressure.

Saul led by the Spirit of God experience many victories in battle as true victory comes through Spirit’s leading not human effort.

be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. – 1 Samuel 12:24 (NIV)

With these many triumphs Saul began to go ahead of himself and a military crisis with the Philistines revealed some flaws in the character of this once humble farmer turned king.

Keep in mind, God’s blessings are tied to faithfulness.

When Samuel was late in coming to make an offering before battle, Saul, impatient, took matters into his own hands and made the offering himself (1 Samuel 13:8-9).

Oftentimes we, like Saul, are tempted to rush rather than practice patience.

Beloved, God’s timing may seem slow but moving ahead of God is madness.

Saul’s actions revealed that a spirit of pride was developing. Samuel told Saul that he had done a foolish thing by not adhering to God’s command. Even when God’s instruction is given through another person, we must follow it.

Samuel said, “You did a foolish thing. You did not obey the Lord your God. If you had done what he commanded, the Lord would have let your family rule Israel forever. But now your kingdom won’t continue. The Lord was looking for a man who wants to obey him. He has found that man – and the Lord has chosen him to be the new leader of his people, because you didn’t obey his command.” – 1 Samuel 13:13-14 (ERV)

Saul’s was a display of abject disobedience. Obedience to God is not optional; it is essential. Saul lost out on having his kingdom securely established by God and paid a hefty price for his wanton disobedience. God values obedience above outward success or appearances.

We have a tendency to compromise thinking that disobedience is a light infraction but our obedience to God must overpower our penchant for convenience.

We must take it seriously. We must treasure obedience. Saul did neither.

Now the men of Israel were pressed to exhaustion that day, because Saul had placed them under an oath, saying, “Let a curse fall on anyone who eats before evening—before I have full revenge on my enemies.” So no one ate anything all day, – 1 Samuel 14:24 (NIV)

Placing his soldiers under such an oath is madness; he put these men in terrible danger.

As an Israelite, Saul would have known the Scriptures well, so the Lord’s declaration of, “Vengeance is Mine and recompense;” (ref. Deuteronomy 32 :35 also quoted in Romans 12:17-19) was not foreign to him yet, sinking deeper into pride, he sought vengeance for himself.

Saul made a hasty decision rather than depend on God’s wisdom.

We must slow down and pause before making any decisions. We must look to God for wisdom and guidance.

Unlike his son, Saul so full of pride was no longer trusting in God. He was fully vested in his own power, wisdom and prideful control. His leadership was driven more by fear than faith.

Beloved, our fears can lead us into making rash decisions and choices.

Fear of being disliked

Fear of being ridiculed

Fear of being criticised

Fear of being exposed

Fear, fear, fear in all forms…

We let fear dictate our stance instead of listening to God, trusting in God, and following His leading.

Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice,

Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king. – 1 Samuel 15:22, 23 (NLT)

Saul’s pride-led behaviour cost him his position as king.

Beloved, God is not pleased with disobedience or partial obedience or half-witted obedience.  Obeying God when it’s reasonable to you is selective obedience which is still disobedience.

Saul admitted to his sin (1 Samuel 15:24) but was not remorseful and he lost everything, every blessing, every favour (1 Samuel 15:28).

Saul’s pride led to his persistent disobedience which led to his downfall.

Living a life of constant compromise is madness; it repels God’s blessings and favour.

Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit[a] that filled him with depression and fear.– 1 Samuel 16:14 (NLT)

A life apart from God leaves one vulnerable and open to all sorts of torment.

Saul made David a commander over his troops ( ref. 1 Samuel 18:5). Then what followed thereafter pushed Saul over the edge. The people sang a song of triumph,

“Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands!”

This made Saul very angry. “What’s this?” he said. “They credit David with ten thousands and me with only thousands. Next they’ll be making him their king!” So from that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David. – 1 Samuel 18:7-9 (NLT)

Saul became increasingly jealous of David’s success in battle; he was unable to rejoice in his newly appointed commander’s victories and triumphs.

God removed His Spirit from Saul to rest upon David.

Saul’s jealousy of David further intensified into hatred and soon enough escalated to attempted murder (ref. 1 Samuel 18:11).

This is madness.

Saul became obsessed with eliminating David, devising ways in which to do so, even resorting to use his own daughter in his diabolical plot. This maniacal obsession blinded him from reasonable thought (see 1 Samuel 19:9-10).

Saul’s hatred consumed him.

Saul’s anger and jealousy dominated his life.

Bitterness and resentment took root in Saul’s heart.

Saul hunted David relentlessly.

Beloved, when we do not surrender hate, anger, jealousy, bitterness resentment and any sinful behaviour to God, it grows into an obsession.

Deeper and deeper Saul sunk into the mire, loosing his footing (ref. Psalm 69:2), as he moved farther away from God.

This is madness…

Thinking that you can overpower God’s plan.

Believing that you can successfully oppose God’s will.

Trying to get rid of God’s true leader.

Purposely fighting against what God has already decided.

Constantly resisting God’s direction.

It will all come crashing down eventually. No matter what, God has the final say.

Saul, in his paranoia, even turned against God’s priests, employing a hitman to kill them (ref. 1 Samuel 22:18). This is madness.

Saul’s rage even destroyed his relationships with his son and his daughter.

Beloved, all of this to show you how humility can morph into pride especially if it is not completely genuine, giving rise to disobedience to God, as you begin to trust in your own ability, then that turns into obsession, paranoia and madness.

This is madness that no psychiatrist could cure because it wasn’t solely physical but it was a spiritual condition and the only cure for Saul and anyone else in a similar position is repentance – to be honest and admit your sin, confess it, take responsibility for it and turn back to God.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “This is Madness” ©2026 February 11, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

Justice was Served

 

I believe that many Christians have not understood that when Christ Jesus, the Lamb, was slain, all of humanity was justified.

Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. – Romans 3:24-26 (NLT)

Justice was served and is still being served to this day. The redeeming work of Jesus’ death and His righteousness are the sole basis for God’s justice toward sinners.

God did this for all, however it is by faith that we receive this justice, when, by faith, we accept the work of Jesus at Calvary.

people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners. – Romans 4:5 (NLT)

We must recognize that justification is an act of God where He remits sin in complete forgiveness. Forgiveness that is not unique to any particular group of people but is extended to everyone.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to see other persons as justified but we don’t. Church goers get upset for something as trivial as what someone is wearing or angry about what you believe or how you lead worship or if you sit in their spot in the pew and then they begin to complain and murmur. They go to church Sunday after Sunday vexed, bitter, resentful, with their hearts blistering with unforgiveness.

Reciting the Apostle’s Creed, responding to the preacher’s sermon in a chorus of “Amens” yet refusing to forgive their brothers and sisters, leaving their tainted gifts at the altar.

We have all sinned and fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23) so let’s not pretend. Throw off your cloak of self-righteousness. Let’s allow Christ’s love to control us; we must believe that Christ died for all, also we must believe that we have all died to our old life (ref. 2 Corinthians 5:14).

Understanding that He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them (ref. 2 Corinthians 5:15) is supposed to lead the believer into a new way of life.

Let us truly embrace this new life by coming out of our own flesh and stop regarding others according to the flesh.

So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! (2 Corinthians 5:16).

The truth is, when you’re unwilling to forgive, you are still evaluating others from a human point of view; you are still thinking of Jesus in Human terms, and you don’t really know Him. You have not allowed Him to impact your reality.

Living with unforgiveness keeps you in a subservient reality. Subservient to your soulish impulses but not to Christ. This self-absorbed condition leaves you wanting and unfulfilled.

Unforgiveness is self-serving. It is having a victim mentality which, believe it or not, places you under the control of another human being, that is, the person you’re refusing to forgive.

Unforgiveness keeps you stagnant, it stimies your growth and you cannot enjoy the fullness of the life in Christ.

Beloved, holding onto offenses and seeking justice for someone’s ill-treatment of you is holding you captive. It’s time to forgive. You are one with Jesus, a new creation, so let go of the old judgmental ways where you are judge, jury and executioner (see Matthew 7:1). That is not your place. It’s time for you to come to terms with the truth that justice was served.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Justice was Served” ©2026 February 10, 2026

 

 

Worth a Reminder

 

When you begin your spiritual walk, one of the very first things that you are required to do is to engage in a period of forgiveness. How long this period lasts depends on the amount of people you need to forgive and the number of persons you have to ask to forgive you.

You think I’m joking? Ask anyone who is on their journey and they will confirm it.

Jesus told Peter that he must always forgive others, not just seven times but seventy times seven or, in some translations, seventy seven times (ref. Matthew 18:21-22).

And in Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV) Jesus said,

if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Yes, Jesus said to leave your gift at the altar and go engage in forgiveness first then come back. Jesus is letting us know just how important it is to forgive others. Forgiveness must be a priority. He knew the heavy price that unforgiveness carries.

As you may already know, when you harbour unforgiveness toward anyone, even if that person is someone from your past, you are the one who’s paying the price. You are the one in bondage. You are the one who is being held back from manifesting the fullness of God in your life.

I once read somewhere that when you are unforgiving it’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. This might have caused you and me to chuckle but it’s an apt analogy.

Chances are the person you’re holding in your mind doesn’t even remember his transgression toward you because he may not have realized that he had hurt your feelings or done anything untoward against you. Or if he knows, you still have to forgive that person. It is hard but it is necessary.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. – Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT)

Yes beloved, you must forgive others, otherwise you will hamper your spiritual walk; that’s why it’s one of the first requirements before you can move forward.

I know you have heard this forgiveness lecture before, but it is worth a reminder. We tend to forget to forgive when we get offended and are tardy in asking for others’ forgiveness when we offend.

Beloved, not forgiving is demanding a price for justice that has already been paid. God loves justice but it’s a far cry from the justice we love to seek. We pray, forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (Matthew 6:12 NLT) while clinging to our debtors’ necks.

The simple truth is, you can’t live free when you are hanging a debt of unforgiveness over another. Your need for repayment will be demanded of you if you require it.

Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving debtor in Matthew 18:21-35 is worth a reminder, perhaps you should read it.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Worth a Reminder” ©2026 February 9, 2026

 

The Curtain

 

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh) – Hebrews 10:19-20 (NRSVUE)

The writer of Hebrews tells us clearly that “the curtain” represents Jesus’ flesh. Also, other translations instead of “the sanctuary”, have used “the Holy Place”, “the Holy of Holies” or “Most Holy Place”, that is the third and innermost room of the Tabernacle where God Himself is present and is accessible only to the High Priest.

The passage above shows us that Jesus isn’t only the curtain but is also the one who opens the curtain; the only one who had access into the innermost room of the Tabernacle was the High Priest, therefore Jesus is also the High Priest. He opens the curtain into the Most Holy Place.

Through Jesus’ atoning death we now have boldness and confident access to the Most Holy Place, (Ephesians 3:12), an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear according to the Amplified Classic Edition translation.

The curtain also represents any fleshly barrier between God and man. In the Tabernacle, the curtain was made of linen (Exodus 26:31), which is symbolic of righteousness but righteousness in the flesh, as in those days, the curtain also represented the Law of Moses which pertained to the flesh.

Now the Law could make no one righteous.

For no person will be justified [freed of guilt and declared righteous] in His sight by [trying to do] the works of the Law. For through the Law we become conscious of sin [and the recognition of sin directs us toward repentance, but provides no remedy for sin].  – Romans 3:20 (AMP)

So, something had to be done because only the righteous – those made right with God – could pass beyond the curtain.

This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God – Romans 3:22-23 (AMP)

Since the curtain was the only way to enter, something had to happen to the curtain itself. The curtain had to be removed.

Keeping in mind that the curtain also represents Jesus, let’s read Matthew 27:50-51 (ESV),

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. 

The curtain was torn from top to bottom. The curtain, our Lord Jesus, was the only one qualified to accomplish God’s plan of redemption. He had to be torn apart, for He was the only person on earth who was righteous in the flesh.

Hanging on the cross, He took all the sin of the world and suffered the agonizing tearing so that we could enter the presence of God as a gift of His grace.

being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus – Romans 3:24 (AMP)

We have been made right with God without any religious requirement on our part. There is no more curtain to pass through, the curtain has been destroyed.

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help. – Hebrews 4:14-16 (MSG)

Beloved, the way is clear for you to walk right up to God, but you need to tear apart the curtain that you’ve hung up so that you could enter into the fullness of His presence.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “The Curtain” ©2026 February 8, 2026

 

 

 

Also Crucified

 

Several times I’ve heard that we need to crucify our flesh and every time I’ve heard this it gave me pause. Because if we have to crucify our flesh daily then what did Jesus do for us on the cross?

Apostle Paul in Galatians 2:20 (AMP) said,

I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Paul explained that he had been crucified with Christ and in Him, the life he was living in the body thereafter was a life of faith in Jesus. 

Like the Apostle, our flesh was also crucified with Christ on that cross. When Jesus cried out “It is finished!” He was declaring that everything He had come to do was completely done including putting to death of the “corrupt ways of the flesh” (ref. Romans 8:13).

As God’s children we became co-heirs with Christ and everything that was never intended for us to be, was crucified with Him.

Just as we must work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12), we have to work out our crucifixion by the renewing of our minds, in effect our souls (Romans 12:2) and appropriate the finished work in our lives.

So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]— for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. – Romans 8:12-13 (AMP)

It is those fleshly impulses that we habitually do that undermine our efforts. Habits of the flesh – the sinful deeds of the body – are stored in the soul so a renewal or reprogramming is necessary. Remember, it is the soul that dictates the actions of the body or flesh.

Understand that living according to those impulses includes inclinations to religious legalism, and slowness in understanding the amazing power that was wrought at Calvary to remove all sin.

Yes, even followers of Christ create barriers that hamper proper communion with God. We confess to belief in Jesus Christ but then that confession remains in our mouths and is not effectuated in our deeds. The reality that our souls carry must be aligned with and governed by our confession.

As our flesh was also crucified, we need to leave the old habits on the cross for bringing what was into what is will only ruin the new.

No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the [fermenting] wine will [expand and] burst the skins, and the wine is lost as well as the wineskins. But new wine must be put into new wineskins. – Mark 2:22 (AMP)

Beloved, it’s so important for you to grasp that Jesus completed everything and now you can participate in His triumph; you are His co-heir. You have access to all that He had access to while He lived on earth and can do all that He did and even more (ref. John 14:12) because He has given you His own Spirit who dwells in you, effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] (Philippians 2:13 AMP).

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Also Crucified” ©2026 February 8, 2026

Making a Gold Calf

 

Exodus 32:1 (EXB)

The people saw that ·a long time had passed and Moses had not [Moses delayed to] come down from the mountain. So they ·gathered [assembled] ·around [or against] Aaron and said, “[This man] Moses ·led [brought] us out of Egypt, but we don’t know what has happened to him. Make us ·gods [or a god; or an image of God] who will ·lead [go before] us.”

Moses had gone to meet with God on behalf of the people of Israel, but these people became weary of waiting his return so, they confronted Moses’ right-hand man, his brother Aaron.

As a man of God, what was Aaron to say, what was he to do?

Tell them be still and know (Psalm 46:10)?

Tell them to wait patiently for the Lord (Psalm 40:1)?

Tell them to wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! (Psalm 27:14)?

Tell them if it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time (ref. Habakkuk 2:3)?

Exodus 32:2 & 4 (EXB) gives us the answer,

Aaron said to ·the people [them], “·Take [Pull] off the gold earrings that your wives, sons, and daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” He took ·the gold [it] from ·the people [their hands] and formed it ·with a tool [or in a mold] and made a ·statue [image] of a calf.

Then this High Priest of Israel went on to build an altar before the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a ·special feast to honor [festival for] the Lord.” (v5)

Right…

Clearly Aaron was just as impatient as all the people and his trust in Moses’ mission from God and in God Himself had begun to wane. Why else would he cave so easily to the demands of the crowd and not stand firm? Aaron’s belief and faith had wavered.

Oh beloved, human nature remains the same to this day. As people of God, how often does this happen to us? The answer, too often.

You receive a promise from God, but you think it’s taking way too much time to come down from the mountain so, you decide to make your own plan. You decide to manipulate a situation and perhaps confront a person in order to make things happen.

Seems like you’ve forgotten the countless times God has come through for you? All those times He brought you out of worse situations, led you out of Egypt? Yes, you fail to recall and to think of those times, instead you’re making a gold calf, creating a way out for yourself.

Pulling at this and that, listening to this one and that one and not remembering the vision God gave you, not your friends, not your family members, the vision He gave to you.

Beloved, today God is saying to you,

it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will certainly take place, and it will not be delayed. (Habukkuk 2:3 GNT)

So, don’t let your impatience lead you into making a gold calf, it may look good but it’s not the real thing. What God has planned for you is solid, real, lasting. God is busy causing everything to work together for your good (Romans 8:28) and that takes time. Put down whatever tools you’re using to form and mould your life into the image you believe it should look like.

You have surrendered to God, trust Him, He made the plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11), He made the way of escape from any and all situations (1 Corinthians 10:13). See what you’re going through as just that, something that you are going through, nothing remains the same (Ecclesiastes 3:1); this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble (2 Corinthians 4:17 GNT).

It may seem slow in coming but patiently wait, just wait because making a gold calf will only lead to a terrible outcome.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Making a Gold Calf” ©2026 February 6, 2026

 

 

What about the Book of Jashar?

 

There are 66 Books of the Bible and 9 of them have “J” names – Joshua, Judges, Job, Jeremiah, Joel and Jonah in the Old Testament and in the New, John, James and Jude. Jashar is not one of those books yet reference to the Book of Jashar, pronounced “Jay’shuh”, can be found in two verses in the Old Testament.

And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. – Joshua 10:13 (ESV)

and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said: “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!” – 2 Samuel 1:18-19 (ESV)

So, what was this book and what was written in it? This called for some digging to find out about the Book of Jashar.

The writers of the books of Joshua and second Samuel thought it significant enough to quote from the Book of Jashar and today, without knowing it, we too have quoted from this book when we say, How the mighty have fallen.

The mere fact that the Book of Jashar was employed as a reference, not once but twice, is enough for us to presume that it was a well-known and respected narrative in the ancient world.

This book may no longer extant but on the basis of what was written in Joshua and second Samuel, it appears as though it may have been somewhat poetic while at the same time of a historical nature. Some scholars believe that its compilation began in the early stages of Israel’s history.

Though not mentioned, it makes one wonder if other writers of the Old Testament might have sourced material from the Book of Jashar.

Beloved, before you label me blasphemous or accuse me of peddling false doctrine, this is far from that. The Bible is indeed God’s Word, however there is evidence that other ancient Holy Spirit inspired texts existed, the Book of Jashar mentioned in these two passages attest to that.

Case in point, in 1947 shepherds discovered a collection of about 950 scrolls in caves in Qumran on the shore of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea scrolls, as they are called, consist of ancient Hebrew biblical manuscripts, sectarian documents and apocryphal texts, which most Christians hardly know anything about.

All this to say that it’s okay to refer to other Spirit inspired books, texts and documents to enhance your understanding of the bible.

Beloved, nothing can replace the Scriptures, but secondary resources can be quite useful in providing comprehensive context and deeper study of the Word. It is obvious that the Book of Jashar did just that.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “What about the Book of Jashar?” ©2026 February 5, 2026

 

The Fourth Cup

Deuteronomy 16:16 (AMP) reads,

“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) and at the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles), and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed.

The Lord instituted three major feasts; these were all commanded as part of the Mosaic Covenant. Today our focus will be on the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover.

Passover is a commemoration of the deliverance of the Jews from Egypt and the establishment of Israel as a nation by God’s redemptive act.

Now, contained in this feast are three feasts, so feasts within a feast: the Passover Night, The Feast of Unleavened Bread and The Sheaf of Firstfruits.

Our focus will be narrowed even further as we reflect on the Passover Night as it pertains specifically to the Last Supper.

The Feast of Passover in Hebrew is called Pesakh and the focus of the feast is the lamb.

As was and still is the custom, Jesus and His disciples would have eaten the Passover meal just after sunset. The scene must be seen from a Jewish perspective because that’s the only way it can be properly understood, so let’s start with the familiar image that has been seared into our consciousness where Jesus and the twelve are seated at a long dinner table.

This imagery is certainly not biblical as sharing a meal together was an act of intimacy, it denoted closeness; John 13:23 (NIV) attests to that, One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Instead of sitting upright and unconnected, Jesus and His disciples would have been on the floor, reclining around a triclinium, a low three-legged table, that accommodated the meal.

 Normally the centrepiece of the meal was the lamb, however, in the Gospel account there is no mention of a lamb at the Last supper, neither is there any mention of the bitter herbs (maror), the only similarity to the first Passover was the unleavened bread.

Also, Jesus introduced an element to the meal that was not a part of the original – wine.

Every omission and every addition to this Passover Feast which took place on the night before Jesus’ crucifixion was intentional. The absence of lamb is not insignificant as Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29), He is the real lamb that was about to be killed. The bitter herbs that were also missing was a sign that Jesus would take all the bitterness upon Himself.

So now there is only the bread and the wine.

The unleavened bread. Have you ever seen bread made without any rising agents? It is very flat and with this particular Passover-meal bread, called matzah or matzo, it is punctured and lined, reminiscent of Isaiah 53:5 (AMP).

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our   injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.

These days at the Passover meal, wine is drunk four times from a cup with each drink representing the four promises made by the Lord in Exodus 6:6-7.

I will bring you out – the cup of Sanctification

I will rescue you – the cup of Deliverance  

I will redeem you – the cup of Redemption

I will take you as My people – the cup of Praise 

The Passover cup which Jesus gave to His disciples to drink was symbolic of His approaching suffering and death. In Luke’s account it appears that Jesus Himself did not drink from that cup and certainly never drank the fourth cup.

And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” – Luke 22:17-18 (AMP)

However, in Mark’s account Jesus says,

Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” – Mark 14:25 (ESV)

The fourth cup, symbolic of when the Lord takes us as His people had not and has not yet been fulfilled. He will not drink of the cup again until He returns.

The fourth cup, symbolic of when the Lord takes us as His people had not and has not yet been fulfilled. He will not drink the cup until He returns.

Jesus raised the cup before they ate and raised the cup after the meal saying,

“This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant [ratified] in My blood” – Luke 22:20 (AMP)

The Last Supper is filled with symbolism, symbolism that Jesus made clear as Luke 22:15-25 recounts. Jesus declared that the bread and wine were symbols of His body and blood.

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life [which it represents].’  – Leviticus 17:11(AMP)

Beloved, Jesus is our Passover lamb, nowadays the entire feast represents what He did for all of humanity on the cross. Passover typifies the atoning sacrifice of our Lamb, Jesus. The price He paid in His body and His blood is symbolized by the bread and the wine. 

Jesus may not have drunk the fourth cup but the cup of judgment He drank became a cup of blessing to us all (Mark 14:36).

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “The Fourth Cup” ©2026 February 4, 2026