From the Beginning

 

How well do you know God? Do you truly see God in your life? Do you ever feel Emmanuel – God with us? Do you see God’s hand at work, or do you just chalk everything up to coincidence? What is your true perspective? What is the status of your relationship with God?

Our relationship with God is mapped out in Genesis chapters 1 and 2. From the beginning we can see God as crucial to life, not just our own, but the life of everything that exists.

In Nehemiah 9:6 (GNT) it is written,

“You, Lord, You alone are Lord; You made the heavens and the stars of the sky. You made land and sea and everything in them; You gave life to all.”

And Apostle Paul tells us this in Romans 1:20 (NRSV),

“Ever since the creation of the world His eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things He has made.”

So, if God gave life to all and we can see Him in everything that exists, then in a sense God is always with us; His hand is everywhere around us. With this in mind, shall we begin again, from the beginning, with a new perspective?

From the beginning God wanted to be in relationship with His creation, especially with man – you and me. Yes, God wants a relationship with you, otherwise you won’t be here; you won’t exist. Believe it.

The Bible tells us that when God decided to create man, unlike that which He’d already created by speaking them into being, God formed man, Adam, from the “dust of the earth”.

Have you ever formed anything from dirt?

When I was a child, I loved to play in the dirt and make things from dirt. I’d get down on the ground, digging up the earth to get the right amount of soil for my creation. I’d carefully remove any stones, pebbles and other debris, then add just the adequate amount of moisture to ensure that my dirt formation would come out as perfectly as I intended.

By the time I was done, mud would be encrusted in my fingernails, all over my face, and my clothes would be thoroughly soiled. A muddied mess, I’d take a step back to admire my mud masterpiece, created by my own hands, pleased with my crudely fashioned mud cake.

Adam was no crudely fashioned mud cake. Every line, every curve, every chiselled part of him was gently and deliberately sculpted. Then, cupping Adam’s face in His hands, God breathed His own breath into Adam’s nostrils.

What is the picture you see? I see an unusual intimacy; a love that is profoundly passionate and deeply rooted. The uniqueness of the love of the Creator for the only creation made in His own image and likeness is undoubtedly apparent.

Yes, from the beginning, we see a God that is so very powerful yet so very gentle. Speaking galaxies into being, yet caringly and lovingly breathing Adam into being. Creating everything for Adam’s comfort and pleasure even before placing him in the Garden. God’s and Adam’s beautiful relationship produced harmony in the Garden.

 Beloved, that same God, Who is powerful and gentle, transcendent and intimate, creates and relates, wants to have that relationship with you. He knows you but He longs for you to know Him, to see Him for who He truly is, to be in harmony with Him, and for you to understand what you mean to Him – your value, your worth…

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “From the Beginning” © 2018 revisited October 14, 2025

Photos courtesy Danae

Have a Heart to Serve

  

“His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever He tells you.’…Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.” – John 2:5, 7 (NIV)

God is looking for a heart that is willing to serve. God is not looking for the best or the one with the most degrees or letters behind his name. God is looking for the ordinary man and woman with a heart to serve. You see God uses the ordinary to perform the extraordinary. God chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise and the weak to shame the mighty (see 1 Corinthians 1:27).

God chooses whomever He desires to do His will. He does not look at the things we look at; we look at the outward appearance but God, He looks at our hearts (see 1 Samuel 16:7).

Do you have a heart to serve?

At the wedding at Cana, related in John chapter 2, Jesus used the servants in the performance of His first recorded miracle. They were not on the guest list, they were there only to serve the specially invited guests and serve they did, beyond what they could ever have anticipated. The unspeakable at any wedding of the day had occurred – the wine ran out and Jesus turned to the ordinary servants to assist in an extraordinary event.

What was it about these particular servants? They were willing to do whatever Jesus told them to do. They made themselves available to Him. They waited for Jesus’ instruction and direction and followed it precisely. They not only filled the jars when told to do so, they filled the jars to the brim.

Are you prepared to make yourself available like the servants at that wedding at Cana? Are you willing to serve in whatever capacity God may choose? Are you willing to be used by God even at those times when you do not understand what God is doing? Are you willing to accept the task before you know what that task is?

Do you have a willing heart to serve?

It takes humility to submit yourself as a vessel to be used by God; to say, “Here I am; send me!” when you hear the voice of God (see Isaiah 6:8). It takes humility to recognize that God uses different people from different walks of life to carry out His plans here on earth. It takes humility to serve; to wrap a towel around your waist and wash another’s feet.

Do you have a humble heart to serve?

Are you ready to place yourself in position to be used by God? Are you willing to believe the unbelievable and see the unimaginable? Are you willing to fill the jar to the brim with water, when wine is required? Are you willing to give 100% of yourself in service to God rather than the 10% you’d normally give? Are you willing to go all the way?

Are you ready to be that person of excellence in your service to God’s work here on earth? Are you ready to follow God’s directions precisely in obedience, in trust and in faith; knowing that nothing is impossible with God or too difficult for Him? Are you ready to serve whomsoever God will have you serve? For in serving others, you serve God.

Do you have a ready heart to serve?

Beloved, keep in mind that you are merely the vessel, it is God who does the work through you. So, have a heart to serve, for God is willing and ready to use you to accomplish amazing things.

Amen †

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Have a Heart to Serve” ©2013 revisited October 13, 2025

One Prayer, Seven Areas

 

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, Jesus prayed,

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name,

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

(Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV)

Jesus’ prayer teaches you how to pray for everything that God desires you to pray about and in so doing will align your will with God’s.

Jesus prayed a prayer that is completely God focused, Kingdom centred and chock full of power.

And, if you look at it carefully, you will realize that it comprises seven specific areas that you must cover to ensure that you render a powerful and effective prayer.

1. Praise and adore God and acknowledge and venerate His absolute holiness

2. Pray for God’s Kingdom to be established right here on earth

3. Pray for God’s will to be manifested in your life here on earth just as He has already ordained, designed and planned it in the heavenly realm

4. Pray for God to provide now all your needs, both physical and spiritual, for the day

5. Ask God to forgive you, and to empower you to forgive others with godly forgiveness

6. Pray that when the evil one comes to tempt you that God will keep you from giving in to his destructive and ungodly enticements

7. Engage in Kingdom praise and worship by venerating God’s absolute sovereignty

Beloved, by praying in the way Jesus Himself taught, you will produce power packed results because your prayer will be based entirely on His Word which achieves and accomplishes His purpose in your life.

Amen †

 

 

Shelley Johnson “One Prayer, Seven Areas” ©2013 revisited October 12, 2025

Prayers of Comfort

 

Our God cares about us and wants us never to be without comfort. He has given us a Comforter that is always with us, His Holy Spirit.

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may remain with you forever.” – John 14:16

Beloved remember, God knows what is going on in your life, He is your ever-present Comforter in times of need and will comfort you as you pray.

Lord, be my Comfort:

Lord I pray that Your unfailing love will be my comfort in this time of distress. Thank You for taking note of me. I will keep my eyes on You Lord because I know that You are my only consolation. Forgive me for looking to others for the comfort I should be seeking from You. All praise and glory to You, O Lord of my comfort, in the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The source of my comfort:

I bless You God, my Father for Your compassion toward me and I thank You for being the source of my comfort. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

Comfort in a Season of Trial:

Lord I thank You that through Jesus, the Spirit of Comfort was given. I pray that during this time of trial, Your same Spirit will comfort my heart and strengthen it in every good work and word.

Lord, even though this is a very disheartening time, I rest assured that this season of trial shall soon pass. I thank You that through it all, Jesus, in Whose Name I pray, will be glorified. Amen.

Being a comfort:

I praise You O God, Father of compassion and God of all comfort, for comforting me in all my troubles. I thank You that because of the comfort I receive from You, I now know what it is to be comforted and am able to comfort others. Let every word that I speak bring comfort to those who hear. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

 

 

Prayers of Comfort by Shelley Johnson ©2013

The Mirror

 

A mirror is defined in the dictionary as,

"A surface that reflects and produces an image of an object placed in front of it”

“A polished surface that forms images by reflecting light”

“A faithful depiction or reflection”

From these definitions one thing is certain, a mirror reflects. Therefore, when we stand in front of a mirror what we see is a reflection of who we are. It shows us a reflection of ourselves, externally.

Suppose you were given a mirror through which you could see deep inside yourself? A mirror, that reflects who you are on the inside rather than what you look like on the outside? A mirror, that is able to transform you on the inside, change your image and change your life? What would such a mirror be worth to you? Do you think that you could put a price on such a mirror? Do you think that its value can be compared to anything else?

What would you say if I told you that such a mirror already exists? And not only does it exist but that we all have access to this mirror. This is no ordinary, natural mirror but an extraordinary, supernatural mirror.

Let’s take a look in the short but informative letter written by Jesus’ brother James, a pillar of the early church,

“Whoever listens to the Word but does not put it into practice is like a man who looks in a mirror and sees himself as he is. He takes a good look at himself and then goes away and at once forgets what he looks like.”  – James 1:23-24 (GNBUK)

It is clear, from these two verses, that James is comparing the Word of God to a mirror.

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians tells us,

“For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly) but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].”  – 1 Corinthians 13:12 (AMPC)

Here we see that Paul too is comparing the Living Word of God to that of a mirror; he is actually pointing out the inadequacy of a natural mirror which can only give a blurred reflection.

From these passages of Scripture, we can safely deduce that the extraordinary, supernatural mirror mentioned earlier is the Word of God, but not just the Word, it is the Living Word of God.

The Apostle John tells us in 1 John 1:1-2 that Jesus Christ is the Living Word of God – the pre-existent Word Who existed before the beginning of time, the One Who became the Incarnate Word and Who exists eternally (see John 1:1-14).

Both James and Paul exhort us to keep focused on the Living Word of God because it is only when we fix our eyes upon the Word with intent and with purpose that we are transformed. A casual glance into the mirror will reap no benefits or blessings. We must gaze into the Living Word continuously with undivided attention.

“But if you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice—you will be blessed by God in what you do.”  – James 1:25 (GNT)

Jesus Christ, the Living Word of God is found throughout the pages of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.

We know, from the Apostle John, that both Jesus and the Spirit were with God in the beginning, when God said,

“Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness… So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”  – Genesis 1:26, 27 (NIV)

We were created in God’s image and likeness, but that image was tarnished and distorted by sin. The good news is that Jesus Christ has opened the way for our full restoration of that image.

When we truly see Jesus in the mirror of the Living Word of God, transformation begins to take place within us.

When we read and absorb the Word, we begin to truly see Jesus as the Living Word of God.

As we delve ever deeper into the Living Word, Jesus removes the veil of limitation from our hearts and our minds, and we receive understanding. Now, we can see His love, His magnificence, His incredible beauty and His glorious reflection.

On seeing His glorious reflection, we become acutely aware that a change is taking place within us.

“And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.”  – 2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMPC)

Note that it is through the power of God’s Spirit that this transformation takes place.

As we are placed in front of the mirror of the Word, the light of the Word is reflected and an accurate image of who we really are is revealed.

This self-revelation by God’s Living Word depicts who we are by nature and at the same time shows us who we can become. Looking intently at the Word will reunite us with Christ in Spirit, instilling in us all the attributes ascribed to Spirit. At that time, when Jesus looks at us, He will take an account of what He sees and He will see Himself, His own reflection in you and in me.

This miraculous transformation can only happen if we surrender our lives to Christ.

In the book of Exodus, we are told of a man named Bezalel, whom God Himself appointed and filled with the Spirit to perform the job of chief artisan of the Tabernacle of God. One of the items crafted by Bezalel was the laver, a basin that contained liquid for cleansing. The laver was made from the bronze mirrors which belonged to the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

These women surrendered their mirrors in order that the mirrors could be transformed into a new thing – a vessel for use by the High Priest for cleansing and restoration. We must also surrender our own “mirrors”, our vanities, so that we might be created anew for use by our High Priest, Jesus Christ, becoming the lavers into which our High Priest may look and see His own reflection.

The mirror is a symbol used in Scripture to denote the supernatural transformation that is possible for us to experience, if we would take heed and conform our lives according to the Word of God (see Psalm 119:9).

The Living Word of God is God’s spiritual mirror and until we gaze attentively into that mirror we will forever have a wrong image of ourselves.

Beloved, do not avert your eyes, but keep them fixed on Jesus, the Living Word of God, His spiritual mirror, and you will experience a miraculous transformation from the image of fallen man into the image of God Himself.

 

Amen †

 

 

Shelley Johnson “The Mirror” © 2013 revisited October 10, 2025

I never knew you

 

On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’  But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ – Matthew 7:22-23 (NLT)

Too many of us, clergy and laity alike, partition the Word of God into boxes. Do you know that there was a time when Scripture was read as one continuous scroll? That in the synagogue, the Rabbi could speak just a word or a phrase, and the people would know to what he was referring.  

There was no bible, so the ancients had to memorize the scriptures.

Then some “wise men” thought it best to punctuate it, divide it, and number it, without consideration for the amazing connection between its parts. And we further break that connection in the way we read and perceive the written Word. It is oftentimes disjointed, and we miss out on the conjoined meanings of the elements scripture contains.

For instance, the verse above, together with the verse that immediately precedes it, are often viewed in isolation to everything else that is written in Matthew chapter 7. Not only that, in this chapter, Jesus is winding up His incredible sermon which He began way back in chapter 5. Yes, what Jesus is saying in chapter 7, started with the Beatitudes.

It is a culmination of His entire sermon. As a matter of fact, chapters 5 to 7, are a continuation of His teachings on the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. – Matthew 4:23 (NLT)

On a hill overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Jesus concludes His sermon by calling on His followers and on all of us today, to make a choice – live by the teachings of wisdom or the teachings of vicious wolves disguised as harmless sheep. One way leads to the Kingdom, the other to destruction.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. – Matthew 7:21(NLT)

Jesus, throughout His sermon on the Mount, was giving His first century Hebrew audience and now us, a picture of the type of people who inhabit the Kingdom of Heaven; it’s a characterization of the Kingdom person, a true disciple.

A true disciple is one whose desire is to do the will of the Father in heaven. One who, above all else, wants God to have full control, not just in his life but the lives of every person. One who seeks God and His Kingdom first. One who longs for the lost to receive the salvation of Christ Jesus. One who prays, “your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” in earnest sincerity, so that God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – may take precedence in the lives of more and more people.

Beloved,

A Kingdom person does not judge others

A Kingdom person engages in effective praying

A Kingdom person follows the golden rule of “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you”

A Kingdom person willingly and gleefully travels the narrow, difficult road which leads to the gateway of life

A Kingdom person’s authentic actions produce good fruit, whatever he/she lays his/her hands on prospers

A Kingdom person “builds a house on solid rock”; though torrents and earthquakes assail, it doesn’t collapse

A Kingdom person can confidently call out “Lord! Lord!” assured that Jesus’ reply won’t be, “I never knew you.”

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “I never knew you” © October 8, 2025

 

 

Discipline your child

 

“If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.”

Proverbs 13:24

As a parent you want to ensure that your child, whom you love dearly, is heading in the right direction and to do so is to discipline her.

You want her to grow up to be a mature and responsible adult, and to experience a good and successful life.

So it is with God. When you are disciplined by God, your heavenly Father, it’s because He loves you.

You are His child, and like any parent, He wants the best for you. And, like any parent should, every time you go off course, He pulls you right back, with some form of correction.

Beloved, your heavenly Father’s desire is for you to grow up to be a mature and responsible Christian; if He were to leave you alone when you go astray, chances are you would fall into a habit of disobedience and disbelief, which are detrimental to both your emotional and spiritual well-being and in turn, your Christian walk.

So, as a child of God, keep His encouraging words in mind (Hebrews 12:5-6),

 “My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when He corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes those He accepts as His children.”

Amen †

 

 

 

Shelley Johnson “Discipline your child” ©2013 revisited October 8, 2025