Simple Devotions

Christian inspirations and poetry

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

This Has to Stop

 This Has to Stop


This has to stop! It's time to make our stand. 

This has to stop, we have to obey God's command. 

No more forcing vaccines on the masses. 

In the name of herd immunity for all classes.


This has to stop, the lies that they tell. 

Calling evil good, and good evil as well

Prosecuting someone for standing up for life 

This has to stop we need to put it in to all of the strife.


This has to stop all the name calling we see.

Calling people Nazis and demonizing Humanity.

When you have no clue what that person believes.

This has to stop it's time to unroll your sleeves.


We are better than this. We were created in the image of God

We have to follow him alone, yes this has to stop.

We need to learn to forgive our fellow man,

And agree to disagree where we stand.


We all have a right to express our point of view

And we can debate whether or not what we believe it is true

But it needs to be done in the spirit of love.

We need to learn to keep our hearts focused above.


This has to stop, the hateful rhetoric and gossip.

The name calling the accusations, we need to just toss it. 

We have to stop devaluing the United States Constitution,

And as its people, letting them get away with this revolution.


This has to stop and it starts today.

As his people get on bended knee and pray.

And we clean our own hearts and confess before him or sin.

This will stop hopefully maybe then.


In the meantime, I will stand up for what I believe.

I will not let the world or its leaders keep me deceived.

I pray that this will encourage you to stand up too

Only then can our country be renewed.


© 2024 Sandra C. Johnson

 



No One Else Will

 No One Else Will


I stand here before you because no one else will.

No one wants to fight this battle that is until,

Until there is a victory won on their behalf.

Then more people will stand and walk in this path.


But until then I am in the fight alone,

Except for the heavenly angels on God's throne.

They are standing beside me though no one can see.

And with them I will gain the victory.


Throughout the ages in times past

Stood many against the tyranny at last.

Our forefathers who settled here in our land

Alone against England they took their stand


They did what they did because no one else would

They fought against tyranny as only they could

Clear back in the Ancient of Days,

With Gideon, a small army was raised.


What started with thousands was narrowed down

Until only 300 soldiers could be found

But who gave them victory in the end?

It was God in heaven; no one dares fight against Him.


I stand up for the broken because no one else will. 

But then God reminds me no, there are others still.

When Elijah hid in the cave thinking he was the only one.

God told him no there are others like you my son.


I stand here today alone fighting 

Will you stand alongside me or are you still deciding. 

I invite you to come join the battle with me

As we stand for the truth and set others free. 


© 2024 Sandra C. Johnson


The Highway of Holiness

 The Highway of Holiness


On the Highway of Holiness is where we all begin. 

Learning of His ways, listening to Him. 

It begins at the bottom of the steep mountain ahead. 

And we head out on this path, sometimes with dread. 


As we climb the terrain, many times we think it’s impossible 

The terrain is not smooth and there are many obstacles. 

We run out of breath, because spiritually we are not fit. 

Unknown to us, this walk of faith is a workout  bit by bit. 


It’s on this highway of holiness we learn to walk in faith. 

It’s more than just believing, it’s living it day by day. 

Sometimes, we get a reprieve and the path becomes smooth 

But then a little more walking and some rocks become loose 



We then lose our footing and begin to fall. 

And cry in frustration asking ourselves is it worth it at all? 

But we are not walking on this path alone. 

Others come by and pick us up as we walk into the unknown. 


There are few on this path that we walk. 

Others ridicule us for it and at us they gawk. 

But we know and understand our destination. 

And we hike up the hill to our salvation. 


It’s not that we have to take this path in life. 

We can accept Jesus and live in HIs light. 

But there is a higher calling that some of us attain. 

And that is the highway of holiness and its terrain. 


Have you been called to walk this path too? 

Are you ready to join the chosen few?  

You may go to Church each week and say all prayers 

I guarantee you the Highway of holiness is not there. 


The highway of holiness is the high call of God. 

It’s the path that only few take and only few trod. 

So if you're called on this path and you feel alone. 

Know that Christ is walking beside you guiding you home. 


©2024 Sandra C. Johnson

This poem was inspired by one of my favorite authors. I was reading his book “Habakkuk Prophet of Faith" and read the following quotation which inspired the above poem. 

The distance between existence and manifested reality is time, and we walk that distance by faith on the Highway of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8). -Stephen Jones from his Book “Habakkuk: Prophet of Faith Chapter 3-The Life of Faith.”

https://godskingdom.org/studies/books/habakkuk-prophet-of-faith/chapter-3-the-life-of-faith/


Isaiah 35: 8-10 reads: 

And a highway will be there;

    it will be called the Way of Holiness;

    it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;

    wicked fools will not go about on it.

No lion will be there,

    nor any ravenous beast;

    they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

10 

    and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

    everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

    and sorrow and sighing will flee away.



Giants

 Giants


David went against a giant and we read the story over and over again

We stand amazed at the power of God and feel we can win. 

We face our own battles, but the enemy seems so strong. 

We don't feel so confident, and wonder what if we are wrong?


God allows these giants in our path, to guide us to the truth. 

He makes them look insurmountable from our point of view.  

But He is with us in every interaction and in every fight. 

We just have to make sure we are standing for what is right. 


David went out to this giant with just a sling and a few stones.

He went and faced him bravely because he knew he was not alone. 

God was with him and protected him in this fight. 

So David boldly proclaimed the truth and marched courageously into the night. 


We have giants in our life that scare us into falling in line. 

Despite what we know is true we feel outnumbered and want a sign. 

We want to be assured that this fight is where we should be. 

We don’t want to stir the pot unnecessarily. 


But my friends, let’s not complicate what God has put on our heart. 

We don’t need to reason or calculate His part. 

We just need to have faith that He is in control of each move we make. 

And He will hold us in His hand.  He determines our fate. 


So go into the valley alone with your sling and stones. 

Go out into the dark and face the giant alone. 

Because up in the heavens there is an army on your side. 

And they will light your path and be your guide. 


David faced a giant and we all know how that turned out. 

God will take them down.   Have fear and never doubt. 

His plan will be accomplished with or without us, as He is sovereign in the earth. 

So trust Him and go forth in His armor with His weapons and His Word. 


© 2024 Sandra C. Johnson



  


Sunday, November 17, 2024

Come What May

 Come What May


Come what may, I know Lord you are in control. 

Come what may God, you are the one who gives me hope. 

As I wait for another to decide my destiny. 

I know it is you who takes care of me and my posterity. 


Come what may Lord, I will still stand up for the broken. 

I will fall on my knees to worship despite what is spoken. 

I will follow Your lead as what to do next. 

With  you I am accepted so I will not fret. 


You know the plans for me and for those I defend. 

It’s your story you know the beginning and end. 

Come what may, you hold each life in your hand. 

And you will cover them right where  they stand 


So as I pray for the doors to stay open that allow me to serve. 

To help those in my community and give them what they deserve. 

Show me the path and make it clear to those that decide. 

That they can’t thwart your plan and your love won’t be denied. 


Come what may, I will obey you my God, protector and healer .

My Father who loves me, and is my defender.

I will stay the course and live my life according to your command. 

Knowing your ways are perfect and so is your plan.


Come what may, I will say amen to your will for my life. 

And pray for those who think they are in the right. 

Knowing all things work for good to those who believe

So I will follow your path in word and in deed. 


Come what may, you are the final judge. 

And from your WORD, I will not budge. 

Because I know at the end of the day you have my back. 

And through your provision, there is nothing I lack. 


© 2024 Sandra C. Johnson




 


He Wrote the Script

He Wrote the Script


Come to the theater, come take your seat. 

Get your popcorn and get your drinks. 

Sit down my friend and enjoy the show. 

The author wrote it centuries ago. 


He wrote the script, and He knows the ending. 

He is the alpha Omega, He is the beginning. 

There have been many who have tried to upsurp His plan. 

They have attempted to take the pen out of His hand. 


But He wrote the script and throughout the story. 

We see over and over how He shows His glory. 

We see no matter how many have tried to change His plan. 

He always ends up the victor as only He can. 


He wrote the script, no matter who wins elections. 

Throughout it all, we are assured of His protection.. 

It's His story to tell, and though the characters may think they can. 

He alone makes them fall and He makes them stand. 


He wrote the script from the beginning of time. 

As history unfolds it shows how He is divine. 

In His story, Kingdoms rise and Kingdoms fall. 

But the great author is in control of it all. 


There are times of suspense too that makes us wonder. 

What will be the outcome as we see the rain and the thunder. 

Then we see the great end of the battle and we understand. 

Everything that happens is according to His plan. 


He wrote the script, so just rest in Him. 

He will come through for His people again and again. 

So relax in Him, enjoy your popcorn, wait and see. 

The finale is about to unfold and set us all free. 


© 2024 Sandra C. Johnson


Open the Gates

Open the Gates 


Entering through the gate is the only way to enter the land. 

This is the legal way to obtain citizenship by God’s command. 

While we fight over the border crisis in America today. 

There is a more important City to enter and there is but one way. 


I desire to be a legal citizen of God’s Kingdom on earth. 

I desire to enter through the gates and experience new birth. 

The gatekeeper holds the key to enter in. 

So I entreat and confess my total dependence in Him. 


"Open the Gates" is what many will yell, who are on the outside. 

Unlike our American borders, many will  be denied. 

Not because they are not good people and didn’t live a good life. 

But because no matter how good we are, we still need Jesus Christ. 


Jesus is the only way we can enter in through the gate. 

“No admittance” is the sign they will see, if that is their fate. 

To enter the Kingdom, we must know and understand. 

That God is the one who makes us righteous where we stand. 


Open the Gates is what they will say they are entitled to. 

Because they have a different gospel and point of view. 

For too long these usurpers have been in control of the nation’s fate,. 

They will learn when the true Kingdom is established they made a mistake. 


Open the Gates is my prayer and I hope your prayer as well. 

And to enter in is to be blessed to live and with Jesus to dwell. 

It’s a place of peace and comfort where there will be no more tears. 

The lion will dwell with the lamb and remove all our fears. 


But we need to enter in by the gate, and have a relationship with Him. 

He will do a work in our lives and forgive us of all of our sins. 

At that time He will look to us and say to those whose faith is true. 

Enter in you blessed of my Father into the inheritance prepared for you. 


© 2024 Sandra C. Johnson