Simple Devotions

Christian inspirations and poetry

Friday, January 2, 2026

The God That You Know

 The God That You Know


Who is the God that you know? 

Who is it whose works that you show? 

On whom does your faith depend? 

Is it on Yahweh, or on the precepts of men? 


For all gods will soon be put to the test. 

Only Yahweh will stand above the rest.

And if you lean too much on the god that’ untrue;

The foundation will fall, that’s been holding you. 


As earthquakes have come and gone;

It tested the foundations to see if they were strong. 

But a bigger earthquake that will shake all you believe;

Is about to unravel all false gods and deceit. 


Yes, a time is coming my friend;

When all will crumble that is of mere men. 

And the only thing that will be left to stand;

Is God Almighty and what’s in His hand. 


It’s time to put our faith back in Him; 

Yahweh, only is the one in whom we must depend. 

And those who think other sources will lead them though;

Will be disappointed when faced with the truth. 


As Israel crossed the Jordan to find;

A woman who chose their God at the right time. 

She knew what to do, to keep wrath away. 

And gladly did she and her house obey. 


There is much work to do on the other side, 

And it can’t be done with vengeance or pride. 

Only in the name of our father above, 

Administering His justice out of His love. 


Who is the god that you know? 

Is it the one you see at the church where you go? 

Is it the one that your parents taught you of?

Or is the one birthed in your heart from above?


Now is the time to seek Yahweh’s face. 

To come before Him in our sin and disgrace;

To ask Him to reveal to us who He is;

So that we will know Him and learn godliness.


I’m still seeking Him, even today. 

God Almighty to whom I pray. 

Imitations come and whisper to us here;

Trying to cast doubt in the God whom we revere. 


So my friend, who is the God that you know? 

Who is the one that to others you show?

Let’s seek together so in that day when all will be known.

Our works tried in the fire will come out shining as gold. 


©1996 Sandra C. Johnson


Sunday, December 28, 2025

How is It?

How is It?

How is it that thunder rolls, and man fears it’s mighty roar? 

Yet, the one that causes that thunder man seems to ignore. 

How is it that hurricanes can make us tremble and run from our homes; 

Yet our fear of the creator is virtually unknown; 


How is it that man can declare there is no God, 

Yet at his works he continually will applaud. 

He has no logical answer for who created this blessing called earth. 

But he stands in awe of the beauty in all of its worth. 


He enacts celebrations, earth day, to preserve what He knows.

But He is unable to see the creator, despite the display that He shows. 

We construct shrines and worship mother earth. 

While denying its creator and His worth. 


How is it that we are blind to God's master plan? 

And cant see a baby in the womb as life not a mistake of man. 

How is it that we glorify sin in all its forms 

And are unable to hear the precious heartbeat of the unborn. 


I have no answers, as I contemplate our current state. 

But I know who my redeemer is and who determines my fate. 

The God of heaven and of earth.

Calls every shot for us each since our day of birth. 


He holds back the thunder and the rain. 

And brings the snow in their time and does not refrain.

He allows man to exercise His freedom to choose what is right. 

Because you see He won't force us to come into the light.


How is it that thunder rolls and we can't see God's hand?

I daresay we do, whether or not we understand.  

And in time, the eyes of all the world will be able to see.

That God is sovereign in the earth and reigns eternally. 


© 2025 Sandra C. Johnson



Friday, December 26, 2025

Faith that Can Move Mountains

Faith That Can Move Mountains


Jesus told us we could move mountains by faith. 

We just have to believe what God's word does say. 

He didn't tell us to believe in what's already here; 

But to believe we have received from HIm without fear. 


But too many times I've felt alone and afraid; 

Too many times I've let fear get in my way. 

So the mountain in my life has remained. 

Sunshine has been hidden by all of the rain. 


Yet God has been waiting for an honest prayer; 

One full of faith and void of despair. 

One that believes and has cast away all doubt. 

One that knows God's promises inside and out. 


And oh the burden is lifted once again.

The simplicity of leaning by faith in Him.

Having faith in Him and trusting His word. 

Letting Him remove the mountain from my life with just one word. 


Yes, I've asked God to come help me today. 

Help me live with a mountain, He's waiting to take away.

Forgetting He's able to cast that mountain into the sea; 

My faith in His word simply holds the key. 


So help me father trust you starting today. 

Renew my faith when I kneel down to pray. 

So that I may be strong in you. 

Knowing in every situation, you'll see me though. 


Jesus told me a mountain was clouding my view; 

From seeing His promises steadfast and true. 

So now I know my God will take the mountain away; 

And lead us more in His will with each passing day. 

©1997 Sandra C. Johnson

Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 

Mark 11:22-24



Thursday, December 25, 2025

God's Mosaic

There are moments when God lets us glimpse the bigger picture—how our individual stories, struggles, and gifts fit into something far greater than we can see. This poem, God’s Mosaic, came from reflecting on that truth: that each of us is a unique piece in His unfolding masterpiece. Though our paths differ, they all lead back to Him, and together we reveal the beauty of His plan. I pray these words encourage you to see your place in God’s mosaic and to trust the work He is doing in and through your life.


God’s Mosaic


God’s mosaic began ages ago,  

When He breathed life into man.  

And through His only Son who died for us,  

A new and holy age began.  


Little by little through the years,  

He has revealed His perfect plan—  

Speaking in different times and ways,  

Still guiding the heart of man.  


Hearing His voice brings understanding,  

A vision that leads us out of the dark.  

To some He gives a picture unique,  

A path designed for each heart.  


At the end of the road our journeys meet,  

As His voice draws our spirits near.  

Our wills and hearts align with His,  

And His truth becomes our song to share.  


We carry His law upon our hearts,  

Testifying freely of His sovereignty.  

We are members of the body of Christ,  

As His unfolding mosaic comes to be.  


Different colors, different stories,  

Different places where we stand—  

Yet we come together at the end of the age,  

Declaring the fullness of God’s plan.  


We each hold gifts that honor His glory,  

Designed with purpose from the start.  

Though we may not always agree,  

We look to the Father who frees every heart.  


His mosaic is a masterpiece—  

A beauty the world has never seen.  

A picture of the body of Christ,  

A gathering of the redeemed.  


From the beginning of time it has unfolded,  

A story of restoration divine—  

God’s mosaic, piece by piece,  

Revealing His love for all mankind.  


© 2024 Sandra C. Johnson


Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Into the Fire

A reflection on God’s refining love

There are seasons when life feels like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. We pray for God’s deliverance, yet the heat seems to rise instead of fade. But often, that very fire is where God does His deepest work — not to harm us, but to refine us.

From the Frying Pan Into the Fire


From the frying pan into the fire —  

that’s where we go when God tests desire.  

We pray for His deliverance today,  

then wonder why our hearts still ache this way.


It’s because He’s burning off the chaff,  

our worldly nature we still grasp.  

We cling to our own thoughts and plans,  

believing strength is in our hands.


It’s a hard lesson when we ask God to deliver,  

to lift us out of the heat we’re in.  

Yet when we pray, into the fire we go —  

a necessary part of His refining.


From the frying pan into the fire,  

He cleanses us of human desire.  

Though painful as the dross is stripped away,  

the heart is shaped into a child of His grace.


So when you ask God to deliver you today,  

hold tight — He works in His perfect way.  

You may walk through the burning flame,  

but He is with you, giving strength to sustain.


©2025 Sandra C. Johnson

When People Hurt Us

 When People Hurt Us

When people hurt us as they often do

We have a choice of how it affects our life’s view.

We can hold on and dwell on how bad we feel.

Or we can let go as if it’s no big deal.


But with hurt comes our emotional reaction.

To let go, sometimes gives us no satisfaction.

So we hang on either for a time or longer.

Thinking that it will somehow make us stronger.


But it hurts us inside when we fail to let go.

Over time, bitterness is all we can show.

We soon become a victim and like it that way.

Our relationships change with each passing day.


When people treat us unfairly, as they sometimes will.

We have a choice of how to react, despite how we feel.  

We can feel sorry for ourselves, and once again

Live in a dark place, with a bitter end.


But when we choose to let go, and give it Him.

He takes it far away where we won’t find it again.

And He fills us with His love that replaces the pain.

Our God’s healing will never leave us the same.


It’s okay to grieve when your heart is wounded within.

Stay for a time then leave it at His feet once again.

That’s when we grow, that’s when the best is yet to come.

When no burdens are bearing down on us, the past is done.


So when people betray you and the hurt runs so deep.

Go cry out to God, lay it all at His feet.

But then allow Him to carry it all far away.

He wants you to be free to love after today.


©2008 Sandra C. Johnson


Saturday, December 20, 2025

The Least of These

 The Least of These


Sometimes it's those little things we do.

To the least of those with a love that's true. 

We take a moment to send a text. 

To someone who was lonely thinking they had nothing left. 


We whisper a prayer for those we see. 

We simply say hello with quiet generosity.

It was said by Jesus when He  walked the earth

“If you did it to the least of these, you understood your worth.”


“You did it to me, your answered your call.”

It wasn't anything grand that made you stand tall. 

But it mattered to the lives that you touched. 

It's the least of these that matter so much. 


To the least of these we open our hearts.

We shine light into the lives that sit in the dark. 

We talked a woman out of a fatal decision. 

On her way to Planned Parenthood on a grim mission. 


To the least of these when we stopped on the road. 

Helping someone with a heavy load.

Not knowing a criminal would drive by later. 

With different intentions changing her fate forever. 


To the least of these- a daughter gone astray

Had her destiny changed by someone who prayed. 

Simply because they passed her that day, 

Her future shifted in a quiet, holy way. 


To the least of these we're given a chance. 

Each way we live, if we'll listen in advance

That's how He moves, How He draws us in. 

To the least of these He changes the hearts of men. 


©2025 Sandra C. Johnson


 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:34-40