Simple Devotions

Christian inspirations and poetry

Sunday, January 18, 2026

I Say Amen

I Say Amen


I've learned to say Amen to God's plan

I've learned to rest in him right where I stand.

I've learned it's not me that creates change

But a sovereign God who rules all things


We're but mere men, trying to navigate

Our way in a world governed by hate.

As we debate politics and philosophy

The world's wisdom is fading and it's ideology


I've learned to Simply rest and say Amen to God

I've learned it's all foolishness in this path that I trod.

Saying amen to his plan in the Earth

And following His lead Putting him first


I've learned to say Amen as I seek his way

As I watch him reign and have his say

I've watched Him sit back as rulers take their place

And have watched him intervene with mercy and with Grace


Sometimes we wonder what's happened in this world

Everything is upside down Moral values have been hurled

But I just stand for my savior and say Amen to his way

As he leads me to where I'm supposed to be each day


Yes I've learned to say Amen to God above

To not go out on my own but rest in his love

And I don't get dismantled over all the evil I see

I just say Amen to my father who shapes every destiny.

©2026 Sandra C. Johnson


Friday, January 2, 2026

There You Are

There You Are


"There you are" is what He will say. 

When he finds the lamb that has gone astray. 

As we feel the pressure of sadness and pain

Thinking in life we have nothing to gain. 


We wander off Into the unknown

Making choices that lead us farther from home. 

Be it drugs, gambling or some sexual sin. 

Be it robbery and violence done again and again.


When He finally finds us in that dark place

He simply holds us in His warm embrace. 

"There you are" are the words we will hear. 

As His recognition of us is all too clear. 


God the father of all of mankind. 

Never gives up or loses sight. 

He remembers us as He created us to be

"There you are" are his words to you and to me. 


"There you are" he says redeeming each lost soul

As His love begins to heal us and make us whole

His love is like nothing we can understand 

Because it comes from heaven and God's loving hand. 


You see He is seeking each lost lamb

And will never stop till they are in his hand

And when he finds you, with joyous love and affection

He'll exclaim “There you are” as he enfolds you in His arms of protection. 


©2025 Sandra C. Johnson


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