“Charitoo”

The purpose of today’s devotion is to introduce you to a unique word used only twice in the Bible, and only in the New Testament. It is the Greek word ”Charitoo”. 

Charitoo, pronounced khar-ee-to-o, is a verb and the root of the Greek words used first in Luke 1:28 and then in Ephesians 1:6.

Luke 1:28 records the Angel Gabriel’s greeting when he was sent by God to a young, not yet wed virgin girl named Mary. The Virgin Mary was chosen by God to be an instrument of Life – God, the incarnate Word.

“And he came to her and said, Hail, O favoured one [endued with grace]! The Lord is with you. Blessed (favoured of God) are you before all other women!” (AMP)

And in Ephesians 1:6 the verb is used to tell of our adoption into the family of God through Christ Jesus.

“[So we might be] to the praise and commendation of His glorious grace (favour and mercy), which He so freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” (AMP)

“Charitoo”, rendered “Full of Grace”, is a verb which is unique in that it is in the past, present, and future tense all at the same time. 

In the first instance, Luke 1:28, it speaks of an action, having already been completed still has a powerful effect in this present day and will continue to have such an effect well into the future – an action with a permanent, continuous result. 

In its second instance, Ephesians 1:6, though it appears to be more of a momentary action, one that is brought to pass, like the first, it’s effect is marked by continuity.

In both occurrences God used this unique word, “Charitoo”, in His Word to reveal to us, His children, that we have been accepted, and approved, and completely, perfectly, and enduringly endowed with grace, grace that enables the capacity for the reception of Divine Life.

“Charitoo” ©2013 Shelley Johnson 2-Sep-13

Peter’s Exercise Programme

God wants you to be able to face the tidal waves of life and still trust Him. He wants you to have faith in Him in the midst of the boisterous storm. 

In the midst of the storm, when the wind was fierce, the rain a tempest and the waves were crashing down onto the boat, Peter stepped out in faith. 

When, after fishing all night with nothing to show for it, Jesus commanded that they let down their nets one more time, even though undoubtedly tired, Peter launched out in faith and received an abundant catch.

These are just two examples of Peter’s great faith. Peter had developed an abiding faith. Faith that remains. Faith that does not take into account the impossibility of a situation. Faith that far outweighs the elements of your fears. 

It is this abiding faith that Peter continuously exercised because he understood that unless he exercised his faith it would not remain or abide. You too can exercise such if you follow Peter‘s Exercise Programme found in 2 Peter 1:4-8.

Peter’s Exercise Programme not only develops your faith but virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and Christian love. 

Keep in mind that in order to see your progress in this exercise programme, your faith will be sorely tested but do not give up or give in, do not quit, do not despair, do not grow weary, for faith brings great rewards. God will honour your faith.

Peter’s Exercise Programme ©2014 Shelley Johnson 24-May-14

Morning Mist

To Obey is Better

All my material for this blog is stored on my laptop but recently, over the past few days, I've not been able to post anything from it since, for some odd reason, there's no internet access on my little laptop.

Now, when I received the instruction from God to begin a blog, He mentioned something about a tablet. Now, I hadn't a tablet nor the means to acquire one but, if God says so then it is so...not so? However, I did not begin blogging for I had no tablet on which to blog. But I had all this stuff that I'd written stored on my little laptop. Then one day, lo and behold, I was given a tablet. 

Humans have a malady named disobedience. We may not intend to be, but it works out that way. For some, it takes many takes before obedience kicks into gear. So now that I received this gracious gift of a tablet I proceeded to begin blogging...on my little laptop.

Thank God, I thought, the blog was up and running; it quickly acquired regular readers and I was as pleased as punch as they say. Finally I was a blogger...blogging upon my little laptop while my newly received tablet looked on.

Why do we do it? Why do we not follow every word of instruction? The time has come for us to truly understand that partial obedience is disobedience. We cannot obey halfway. Yes I'm blogging; but did I not hear "on your tablet"? Didn't I receive said tablet upon which to blog? So then, why was I still pounding out words on my little laptop? It is sheer disobedience on my part. And I believe that because I wasn't following all God's instructions my little laptop lost access to the internet and I now have no other choice, I must turn to this gracious gift of a tablet. 

Today, let us determine to live in obedience to every word of God for as it is written,

"What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)

To Obey is Better   Shelley Johnson 08-Sep-2015

Blessings of Shoes

I wore the same pair of sandals for three years. Not because I wanted to, but because it was the only pair of shoes that I owned. 

A couple years before, I’d bought two pairs of sandals – one black and one bronze coloured. They’d been on sale, a BOGO sale…Buy One Get One half off. At that time I never would have imagined that one of these sandals would pull me through three years of semi bare footedness. 

You see, somewhat inexplicably, one after another, all my shoes became unwearable. If it wasn't broken heals, it was dry rot, and after just a few months, even my new pair of bronze sandals fell victim to the destruction. The straps of the bronze pair burst and so I was left with the black.

I’d always been a lover of shoes and there was a time in my life when I’d amassed so many pairs of shoes that I was forced to store them in labeled boxes. A sort of fixed asset register of shoes. But how times had changed. To own so many shoes was no longer a priority but to own just one pair of inexpensive sandals was never where I thought I’d end up either.

I wore those sandals everywhere and on every occasion. I now had “tan lines” as evidence of our intimate relationship. I imagined myself a sojourning Israelite and every morning, as I placed my feet into the sandals I would say,

“Father, I thank You that as You lead me through this period of wilderness, my sandals do not wear out and my feet do not swell.” (Deuteronomy 29:5 and 8:4)

Each morning for three years I repeated that same prayer. Then one day, sometime earlier this year, while scouring Facebook, I came across a post by one of my nieces who lives in the British Virgin Island of Tortola. She was selling a pair of shoes and that prompted me to ask her if she purchased her shoes online or during her many travels. Her answer was the latter.

“… because”, she explained, “I’m sure of a better fit in person.” Yet still she went on to tell me of websites I could go to if I was interested in purchasing. I told her that I couldn’t afford to at this time. After the briefest pause, she then offered to purchase whatever shoes I chose. Needless to say I was flabbergasted. My eyes overflowed with tears which I quickly wiped away as I hurriedly logged onto the sites she suggested, lest she should change her mind. Every pair of shoes on those sites cost upwards of $40.00. Nope…that would not be economically prudent, since she’d given me a budget of US$120.00. On to amazon.com.

What a windfall! I chose five pairs of shoes/sandals/slippers totaling US$119.35. Now...if I could just find a pair on sale for sixty five cents. I sent her my choices. When the package arrived, there were six pairs. And they all fit perfectly. 

In the meanwhile, my sister had come across a box of new shoes she’d somehow forgotten about after moving back home from Canada, five years ago. But what’s even more surprising, and most curious, they were all my size. She promptly telephoned me to collect this suddenly discovered treasure trove of shoes. 

God is so good, He always gives you more than you expect!

But let us not lose sight of the lesson here, for it is not in the shoes themselves but rather the blessings that they represent. 

It’s always amazing to me how God works His purposes out in our lives. The ways He chooses to deliver His blessings to us. God is well aware of all our needs and He has His own means of ensuring that those needs are met.

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)

During that sojourn, there was lack but I neither complained nor murmured about what I didn’t have. Instead I thanked and praised God every day for what I did have.

“…stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening.” 1 Chronicles 23:30 (NKJV)

Amen†

Blessings of Shoes Shelley Johnson 02-Sep-2015

Blessed Assurance

What is that state of being that endures beyond the trials of life? That state of being that eclipses the emotions? That state of being that allows us to know that everything is alright despite all appearances to the contrary?

It is that state of peace that transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7) and is our inheritance from our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you.” – John 14:27 (AMP)

The world can offer us nothing like this. This peace is not sentimental but is able to surpass the limitations of joy and sorrow, hope and despair. It has the capacity to garrison and mount guard over our hearts and minds.

Jesus, on the day of His resurrection, said to His disciples, “Peace to you!” – John 20:21 (AMP), after which He breathed the Holy Spirit into them (v 22).

Peace is the Blessed Assurance of the Divine presence forever deep within us (1 John 4:13); the Divine indwelling that is active in our souls, always directing us to a unique place of calm in the midst of crises.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His Kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (AMP)

Blessed Assurance ©2013 Shelley Johnson 7-Feb-13

Blessings

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him Who called us by His own glory and goodness. – 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

According to 2 Peter 1:3, God’s divine power has already provided every blessing you will ever need in this life through the knowledge of our Saviour Jesus Christ. In order for us to experience these blessings all we have to do is believe and rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Pray that God will bring His blessings to pass in your life.

Let us pray...

Bless me

God, like Jabez, I pray, that You would bless me and enlarge my border, let Your hand be with me, and keep me from evil and anything that can harm me. In the Name of Jesus, I thank You for granting my request. Amen.

Thank You Lord for All the Blessings 

Lord, I come to You to give You thanks and praise for all the blessings You lovingly bestow upon me and my family. Lord, make me truly thankful.

Praise, glory and honour are Yours now and forever. In Jesus’ Name I receive Your blessings. Amen.

Blessed to be a Blessing

Lord I thank You for blessing me so that I may be a blessing to others. I pray that I will seek Your wise counsel first before giving advice. Keep me from following the example of persons who have no use for God and always surround me with the blessings of heaven. Lord, I thank You for blessing me and prospering me through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen

Truly Blessed 

Praise God! Praise God! Hallelujah!

Lord I thank You for the Blessings and good fortune that I continuously receive from You. My life is truly prospered by You. I have all that I need and much more. I am truly and divinely blessed by the glory and goodness of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.





Blessings © 2013 Shelley Johnson 5-Feb-13; Bless me © 2013 Shelley Johnson 5-Feb-13; Thank You Lord for All the Blessings ©1999 Shelley Johnson 15-Jan-1999; Blessed to be a Blessing ©2001 Shelley Johnson 09-09-2001; Truly Blessed ©2000 Shelley Johnson 28-04-2000