Simple Devotions

Christian inspirations and poetry

Saturday, February 28, 2026

When we Stand Before the Throne

 WHEN WE STAND BEFORE THE THRONE


The King sitting on the throne. 

The pauper who doesn't have a home. 

The executive in a noble profession. 

The prostitute making an honest confession.


The nurse with many credentials to show. 

The mayor that everyone knows. 

The President of these United States; 

All men small and great. 


They will all stand before the God of the earth. 

All looking the same, regardless of birth. 

The rich man who had money to spare. 

The inventor and the doctor who truly cared. 


The preacher who dressed so nice every week. 

The one who gave to many in need. 

Regardless of what title you hold presently;

It will be different than the one in eternity. 


No master's degree will earn favor on high. 

"I don't know you" will be God's reply. 

Many will come to Him in that day; 

Speaking of the miracles and how much they prayed. 


They went to Church all the time. 

Involved in activities of every kind. 

Everyone knew them and knew them well. 

By their acts you could easily tell. 


But God will answer "but me you did not know.

You were to busy putting on a show.

Doing things to please man. 

You didn't seek me where I am. 


To know me is to be still and wait. 

Listen to my voice whether small or great. 

Let me inspire the acts you convey. 

Allowing my spirit to lead you when you pray." 


The good works you do today; 

In that time won't be on display. 

No one will know if you were someone known; 

For all will stand before God's throne. 


So as you serve your sisters and brothers. 

And announce your good christian works to others; 

Remember on that day, when questioned why you should enter in; 

Your answer should be Jesus died for my sin. 


He will be glorified for all you have done; 

Through Him alone will you overcome. 

So my friends, seek first His Kingdom and stay close to Him. 

It's His works only that will shine forth in the end. 


©1997 Sandra C. Johnson


Monday, February 9, 2026

Take it Up with the Almighty

Throughout the years, I’ve heard the same questions more than once: “Who are you to judge?” or “What makes you the authority?” Usually it comes up when I’m holding to a biblical standard—most recently, my pro‑life stance.

What some see as judgment is simply my attempt to stand on what God has already spoken. There are moments when I wish I could just nod along with the world’s ideology, accept every lifestyle or belief it celebrates, and avoid offending anyone. It would certainly be easier.

But God’s truth has always offended. From the earliest prophets who spoke to Israel, all the way to today, truth has a way of exposing what we’d rather ignore.

The poem below speaks to that tension—standing firm in a world that pushes back. My prayer is that these words encourage you to hold fast to what God has shown you, even when it isn’t popular.


Take it up with the Almighty

If you find yourself offended buy something that I say

Take it up with the Almighty in Heaven on that day. 

If you feel that I may be insensitive or unkind Take your case to heaven to the divine


Far be it for me to pass judgment on my fellow man

Without looking at my own heart and where I stand

I speak only what his word teaches and try to follow

I will not compromise or remain Hollow


But if my words trigger you in a sensitive place

Know that I speak in love, in honor and in grace.

I only say what I have heard from my father on high

And it's his word and Truth on which I rely


So if these words are offensive take it up with him

And I pray He will help you and it's not to condemn 

I only speak his truth and examining my own heart

Which inspires me to tell others and lead them out of the dark


Take it up with the Almighty let him come inside

As with us all  he removes our idols of hate and of pride

He humbles us And leads us in his love and grace

And writes as law within exposing our darkest place


So take it up with the Almighty If you dare

But know His court is just and fair

He will hear you out look at both sides

He sees everything within us that we try to hide


So take it to the Almighty if you're offended today

Please Go to him He will lead you in his way

He will change your life, expose your guilt and shame.

But when you leave his court, you will never be the same

©2026 Sandra C. Johnson


Friday, February 6, 2026

We Are All the Same

 WE ARE ALL THE SAME


No matter who we are or what walk of life we lead

We all still have the same struggles and the same basic needs. 

We all have had hurts and pains that chill us to the bone

We all have the same fears and doubts that all mankind have known.


We sometimes feel we’re the only ones who committed so great a sin

And we’re the only ones with such fear and doubt within.

When every person in the world has fought demons deep inside;

That haunt and torture us, and break down our pride. 


We’re all the same inside, and none of us can make it alone

The rich the poor, the one on the street without a home

The senators and high officials who are on TV each night 

The little girl, who came home crying from a school fight.


We’re all the same, and we all need a Savior to set us free. 

We all need His love, for only in Him, is the key. 

To being freed from our past and to a path this is pure. 

To a life of peace and one this is safe and secure. 


So, when you look at another whose life seems so important then;

And you feel a tad inferior, because your life doesn’t compare to him

Remember he is the same inside, though he covers it well,

Look into his heart for only then can you truly tell. 


He may need your prayers, though, he may never say

Look up to the heavens, and for this man please pray anyway. 

We need to stop passing judgment on someone who has less. 

Those we see as freaks, the beggars and the homeless. 


No matter what we think, only God knows what is truly going on.

So stop and pray for them it just takes a minute before moving on. 

Yes, we are all the same inside, each person on this earth. 

We all needs Jesus’ touch, we all need to put Him first. 


So pray for your fellow man, despite what you may see. 

Jesus alone for all of us is the one who can set us free. 

This is what we are all here for, to touch each other and to give.

Yes, we are truly all the same in this life on earth we live. 


© Copyright 2006 Sandra C. Johnson 

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Sunday, February 1, 2026

A New Dwelling Place

 A New Dwelling Place


God made a new place for His spirit to dwell. 

Not in a manmade temple high on the hill.

But in the heart who believes in His Son who died.

This is the place His Spirit resides. 


We look at churches and temples grand in design. 

And may stand in awe of the beauty that we find

But inside our hearts is where the true splendor lies. 

As He rewrites His truth there and in our lives. 


In streets where we walk and where we find. 

Across the earth throughout all mankind

His spirit moving to touch those that we see. 

Not just in Church are souls set free. 


His spirit is not contained within church  walls. 

Or under the cloak of religion and man's noble cause

But His spirit dwells in the heart of man. 

Not in buildings that fade by human hands. 


And since Jesus walked the earth, He made it clear. 

A new dwelling place is not far but near. 

And while we seek His fulfillment in man made designs. 

God has been building His temple one stone at a time. 


God made a new place for His spirit to dwell. 

Not in a manmade temple high on the hill.

We are all living stones placed where He called us to be.

A new dwelling, a new Temple stands eternally.


©2026 Sandra C. Johnson