Category: Knowing God

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21:22

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Holy Spirit, Jesus, Knowing GodLeave a comment

               Would you drive the length of a football field with your eyes closed? Probably not. But if you take 5 seconds to send or read a text while driving 55 mph you are doing exactly that. Texting and talking on a cell phone are called distracted driving along with eating and drinking, talking to passengers, and trying to operate the radio, entertainment, or navigation system.

               Looking at the list, I can see distracted driving is common. It is easy to get caught up in the conversation when we drive with others in the car and we often place our coffee or a soft drink in the convenient cupholder manufacturers install.

               In John 21 Jesus warns us of another type of distraction…distracted service. This is where we take our eyes off our calling to examine the work of our brothers and sisters in Christ. After the resurrection, before Jesus ascended to heaven, He met a few of His disciples fishing on the Sea of Galilee. He served breakfast, then instructed Peter to feed His sheep and shared the type of death required of him to glorify God. When Peter asked about John’s fate, he was told it did not concern him.

What Is That To You?         

               It is easy to get caught up in things that do not concern us. Perhaps we try to fix relationships, listening to both sides to gain insight into the problem and determine what might be done. Or we monitor service in the church evaluating who is and is not fulfilling their calling. Essentially, we are wasting time figuring out solutions to problems out of our control and judging another servant without the knowledge needed for a fair assessment. Each time we expend energy on things that are not our business we are slacking on our duties.   

               We want to know how other disciples are faring as servants and worshipers of the living God. Are they doing well in the roles they have been given whether wife, mother, friend, sister, aunt, or niece?  Are they excelling in their jobs and professions and developing their talents whether as a financial wizard or fine artist? While it is right to care, we can’t supervise the walk of another Christian because we do not know the work of the Spirit in their life nor do we know the plans God has for them. It isn’t up to us to assess another Christian’s walk. We will all stand before the judgement seat of Christ individually (2 Corinthians 5:10). We only have control over our responses.

In His Word

               How do we take our eyes off Jesus and what He requests of us?

One: We can become judgmental, looking at another Christian’s walk, pointing out how they fall short of all Jesus commands thus failing in our sanctification process.

Matthew 7:3-5—”Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” ESV

Two: We can fail to acknowledge our sinful ways, and judging can be one of them.

James 4:17—”So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”

Three: Comparison leads to wrong conclusions. We may begin to feel either superior or inferior. Both keep us from fulfilling our calling.

2 Corinthians 10:12—”Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”

Four: Comparison can cause us to strive, working hard to achieve another’s calling. We look fruitful but are not.

Ecclesiastes 4:4—”Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity[a] and a striving after wind.”

Walking It Out

Jesus told Peter what He wanted him to do. “Tend My sheep” (John 21:16). I personally long to hear such clear direction… tend, feed. But have I asked Jesus for my assignment? Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7

These are instructions for intensity, passion, and persistence in prayer, writes David Guzik in his online Bible commentary.

Step One: Make our requests known to God.

Step Two: Search after God, His Word, His will.

Step Three: Knock until the door is opened.1

The apostle Paul uses the analogy of the human body to explain how the body of Christ has many members working together to do the work of the ministry. Paul says the body is not one member but many with some assigned to be a foot, another a hand, others an ear or an eye. “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased” (1 Cor. 12:18).

If we don’t know, we should ask Jesus for our assignment and then follow Him. Not looking at others called to be a foot or hand, but what kind of a foot or hand God has asked us to be. Once we know what God has called us to, we keep our eyes on Jesus to be our very best.  

© 2026 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Resources:

1-enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-7/

Do You Think That I Cannot?

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Growing in Christ, Knowing GodLeave a comment

Matthew 26:53: Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

               Do you think that I cannot? I want to say, “No, God, never!” but this is not true. I often dwell on problems trying to resolve them. This is tax season, so I am considering how to pay the accountant and cover any taxes that are due. Also, I have been counting weeks to calculate when it will be my turn to cover the days off for my mom’s caregiver. So far, I have penciled in the dates through October. It is stressful trying to keep appointments, special events, and ministry obligations from colliding with the allotted time. Plus, my mom wants personal hugs, and I live a four-hour drive away from her home.

These are only a few of the things that turn my thoughts from the present causing me to miss the main point of my pastor’s sermon or to slip from worship to worry during my devotional time. Sometimes I fail to savor the cappuccino I order at a coffee house or notice the moonrise or sunset. This is because I depend on my wisdom, my abilities, and my ingenuity to meet whatever needs I have, whether financial, relational, professional, or ministry related.

Drawing Our Sword

               We are often like the one who drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest as if Jesus needed to be defended (Matthew 26:51). Jesus revealed that this disciple lacked faith—his thinking was skewed. Jesus said that His Father would send more than twelve legions of angels, which is a minimum of 72,000.

Our efforts are no comparison to what God can do. Yet we often take a stab at the situation to bring a desired outcome, something we think is good. But God is fully aware of the situation and good is not necessarily His best.    

Wielding the sword could not stop the cross. It was meant to be. Jesus said, “But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so (Matthew 26:54)?”

In His Word

El Elyon, meaning God Most High, is a name that reveals His power, mercy, and sovereignty as beyond compare. “No matter how high your problems mount, God is higher still,” writes Ann Spangler, author of Praying the Names of God.

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.

I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. (Psalm 57:1-2)”

Spangler writes to take refuge in God Most High requires four steps—praying, repenting, obeying, and believing. We stay close to God if these are done on a regular basis. If we habitually practice these steps, we will know the rest and peace that comes from living in the shadow of the God for whom nothing is impossible. 1

Walking It Out

               God had a plan and Jesus was committed to walking it out. Throughout Scripture He reveals plans for His people.

               He had a plan for the Israelites sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

               He has plans for all who are in Christ. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

               He has personal plans for me and you. “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:16

               And when tribulation comes that tempts us to take matters into our own hands, we take refuge in God Most High. First, we pray. Then we repent of any tendency toward self-sufficiency and obey His instructions, trusting Him. In doing so, we declare with confidence — yes, God can, and He will fulfill His purpose for us.  

© 2026 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

References:

1-Praying the Names of God by Ann Spanger. Published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2004.

Leaving What Is Familiar

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Holy Spirit, Knowing God, Walk in the SpiritLeave a comment

Matthew 4:20—Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:22—Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. ESV

               When Christ called, I did not walk away from all I knew. I remained in the fourplex my husband and I rented, writing in the extra bedroom on the second story.  To supplement my income, I continued serving tables in a family-owned restaurant, where the owners treated their employees like family. My heart’s desire was to write freelance full time, and that too remained unchanged.  

               My clothing closet was not culled, nor my grocery list edited, and I strapped on my running shoes each morning to exercise on the American River Bike Trail a mile from my house.  Although the TV shows I watched and the movies that drew me to the theater didn’t have the Christian Good Seal of Approval, I was not dissuaded by conscience or any other deterrent from viewing them.

               What I did do, similar to the first disciples, was to find a good source of teaching. I found a Bible-teaching church and began to attend regularly.  In the Scripture from Matthew chapter four, quoted at the top of this blog, the reference is to the response of Simon Peter and Andrew, as well as James and John, when invited by Christ to follow Him. In the era when Jesus called this group of brothers, young men were invited by Rabbis to study under them. They would follow the Rabbi around to absorb his teaching. This was by choice, not by summons. 1 They followed a good teacher.

               Leaving the Familiar Way

               Although the twelve disciples Jesus chose to apprentice with Him left their professions and homes, like us they didn’t immediately become like Jesus. They had some personality traits that needed refining and they had to be taught Jesus’ ways.  

When Jesus told of His death and resurrection, Peter proclaimed that it should not happen. At this proclamation, Jesus answered, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:23)  

Jesus rebuked James and John when they asked to consume the residents of a Samaritan village with fire from heaven, when they did not receive Jesus.

When we walk out of the world and into the Kingdom of God, we find ourselves in unfamiliar territory. Much biblical instruction is counterintuitive to our sin-nature.  Let me give some examples.

–In humility, count others more significant than yourselves (Philippians 2:3b).

It is difficult to live selflessly, refraining from asking, “How does this impact me?” Meeting the needs of others often requires that we give up something important to us such as money set aside for something we wish to purchase or the free hour we hoped to sit down and read a book.    

–Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

We try to “wrap our minds” around situations. But sometimes God is doing a work, and we just need to place our trust in Him. Remember Abraham and his journey to the region of Moriah to sacrifice his son Isaac? When Abraham took the knife to slay his son, God stopped him. The purpose of the request was to test Abraham’s reverence for God and his confidence in God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant promise. 2 Abraham did not lean on his own understanding, but trusted God instead.

In His Word

               We become transformed by renewing our mind through the reading and practice of God’s Word.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 NKJV)  

God’s ways are perfect. As we practice them in our everyday life, we prove the statement the apostle Paul made to the Romans is true.  Do we choose familiar worldly ways, or do we test God’s ways by putting them into practice? When we do practice them, we discover God’s will is good, acceptable, and perfect.2   

Walking It Out

               Jesus would teach God’s ways and demonstrate to the disciples how to walk in them. The Holy Spirit teaches in the same way. We read the Word, looking at the context of the passage to comprehend it, then try to determine how to live it if applicable. The Holy Spirit brings it to mind at times it is applicable to help us learn how to walk it out. 

For example, to teach the disciples selfless service, Jesus took the role of a servant and washed the disciples’ feet. This passage may come to mind when we are faced with a menial task we might be tempted to think is beneath our dignity.  This is the point of choice. Will we do what is unfamiliar and immediately follow Jesus’ teaching, becoming more like Him as we do, or not try to practice it?

Let us determine to step immediately into the unfamiliar way, the way that seems counterintuitive, and trust the Holy Spirit to help us learn to walk it out.

© 2025 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Photo from Pixabay

Resources:

  1. Enduring Word Commentary by David Guzik (enduringword.com/bible-commentary/Matthew-4/)
  2. Spirit Filled Life Bible published by Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville. Kingdom Dynamics page 36.

By This We May Know

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Growing in Christ, Knowing GodLeave a comment

1 John 2:5b-6- By this we may know that we are in Him: whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.

               There are many ways to measure knowledge. Before my driver’s license was renewed the State of California required me to take a written test on the rules of the road. By this, they knew I understood how to merge in a roundabout or when to dim my headlights at night as an oncoming car approached.

               A few months ago, I made an apple pie to take on a visit with my mom. When my brother saw the pie, he was astonished at how ‘professional’ it looked. “I thought you bought it,” he said. “I didn’t know you were such a good baker.”  The pie was evidence of my baking skills. By this, he knew I could bake desserts.

               The Apostle John tells us there is a way to know we abide in Christ.  We walk in the same way He walked.  This is why it is so important to take the time to get to know Jesus. There are many examples of the works Jesus did, but walking in the same way Jesus walked isn’t necessarily doing exactly what He did. It is doing it in the same way He does it, with love, grace, patience, compassion, and concern for others.

Reflecting Jesus’ Attributes

               We may not be able to list all the characteristics Jesus exhibited in his time on earth, but for some reason we know when someone imitates Jesus. While my husband and I were securing the eight-foot lights in the bed of our pickup truck for the drive home from the hardware store, another truck pulled into the parking space next to us quite close to the driver’s side door.  

               When the man exited his truck he hollered, “Am I parked too close? Can you get in?”

               It was a question of concern for another human being, an example of caring. My husband answered, “Thanks for asking, I’ll make it.”

               “God bless you!” he answered.

               “He has greatly,” said my husband.

               “Me too!” replied the man.

               As we drove away, I told my husband it was great to see Christians glorify Christ with their behavior. Graciousness is an attribute of Jesus.

In His Word

               In 1 John 2:3-6 the author offers a test for proving we know Jesus. We keep His commandments. To claim to know Jesus without obeying Him is a lie because the truth is not in us. Just as I studied for my driving test to learn the laws that make roadways safe, we study the Bible to learn all that Jesus commands-His instructions for walking as He did.

               Often they are contrary to our natural inclinations. If they weren’t He wouldn’t have to tell us. John provides insight into a basic characteristic that every Christian should exhibit if they are abiding in Christ… agape love. He tells us this love, the love of God, is perfected when we keep His word.

               I have this quote from Jen Wilkin’s book Ten Words pinned on the bulletin board in front of my desk. “To obey the law is to look like Jesus Christ. While legalism builds self-righteousness, lawfulness builds righteousness.”

Walking It Out

The commandments aren’t consistently walked out until our character is changed. When our godly response is automatic rather than prompted by careful thought, we know we have been transformed. The Holy Spirit is our helper, but it’s important to consciously practice what we learn until it becomes part of our nature.  

It is like learning to type. While we are memorizing the keyboard, we look for the letters as we slowly peck out the words. But once we have mastered typing, we don’t even think about the letters.

As we read our Bibles let’s look for the ways Jesus walked, the examples He set for patience, kindness, exhorting, guiding, and inviting people to Kingdom living.

© 2025 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Storing Up Treasure in Heaven

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Growing in Christ, Knowing God, Soul CareLeave a comment

     “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20 ESV

     My sister is culling her belongings– purging closets, the garage, and storage bins of those “maybe I might need this in the future” items, the “I can’t let go of this memory” items, and the “maybe this is a collector’s item I can sell.”

     She does not want to burden her daughter and grandchildren with this task one day. Not everyone thinks this way. When my great-aunt died my mom and her cousin spent weeks cleaning her house so it could be sold. One spare bedroom was filled with old magazines–stack upon stack, year upon year.

     Our material belongings are earthly treasures. Often, things we value are difficult to let go, and we mourn their loss whether from natural elements or theft. These treasures might be a set of dishes we inherited or a big-screen TV we saved money to purchase. In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus warns us not to “store up” (gather, reserve) these treasures filling closets, garages, spare bedrooms, and rented space at storage units.

What Does “Storing Up?” Mean?

     To help His disciples understand this concept, Jesus told a parable about a rich man who built larger barns to store the abundant crops his land produced (Luke 12:16-21). With ample goods laid up for many years, he thought he could “relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God called him a fool, because that night he died. All he had worked for was given to someone else.

     Jesus said, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God” (Luke 12:21, NLT). This relationship is ours to keep forever, no one else can inherit it.

     It isn’t wrong to have “stuff.” For example, my husband and I have backpacks, a tent, and cooking gear for overnight trips into the backcountry. Also, we have kayaks nestled against the house for paddling on a nearby lake. We don’t have gear stockpiled, but just what we need for those breaks from work– those times of refreshing. Our hearts overflow with gratitude as we enjoy God’s provision.

In His Word

     While it isn’t difficult to envision physical treasures and the untidy rooms they can create when we accumulate too much, we need God’s Word to uncover the spiritual treasures we are to lay up. Descriptions are scattered throughout Scripture.

One is the opposite of laying up earthly treasures: generosity. In the apostle Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he gave instructions for those who are rich in the present world: “Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others” (1 Timothy 6:18, NLT).

     Our attitude toward God is another heavenly treasure. Isaiah tells us the fear of the Lord is treasure. To those who revere Him, He richly provides salvation, wisdom, and knowledge (Isaiah 33:6). A right relationship with God enriches our earthly life as well as our eternal life. Do we bow down to God in obedience, learning His Word so we can practice it?

     We want to be heavenly minded, not earthly minded, remembering our soul goes to heaven not our house, clothes, jewelry, cars, boats, furniture, art collection, chef’s range, paddle board, or…

     Our faithfulness will be rewarded in heaven (Matthew 25:21).

Walking It Out

     What captures our attention and consumes our time defines our treasure. And wherever our treasure is, the desires of our heart will also be (Luke 12:34).

     In his gospel, Luke included the lesson Jesus taught His disciples on worry immediately after the parable of the rich fool who built new barns to store his abundant goods. It is the “don’t worry about what to eat or wear” lesson, also found in Matthew chapter 6.

     Instead, Jesus taught His disciples to seek the Kingdom of God above all else. When this task is our focus, God will give us everything we need.

     “To seek God’s kingdom is to seek to live in accordance with His standards and guidelines,” explains Tony Evans in his Bible commentary. God isn’t where we go when all else fails, writes Evans.1 We seek Him first when we need guidance in decision-making, counsel to handle a difficult situation, mental or physical healing, provision, an attitude adjustment, or refreshing when we are weary.

     Let’s be bountiful in good works and all the other actions in the Bible that will cause Jesus to say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” These acts of obedience cannot be taken from us. They are heavenly treasures.

©2025 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Resources:

1-The Tony Evens Bible Commentary published by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee.

Longing for the Lord’s Return

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Growing in Christ, Knowing God, Walk in the SpiritLeave a comment

2 Tim 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.” ESV

     There’s a crown for believer’s who long for Christ’s return and live in anticipation of His kingdom. It’s the Crown of Righteousness, a reward given in heaven.

     If I am honest, the thought of Christ’s return is rarely foremost in my mind. I am wedded to this familiar life on earth, beginning with a cup of coffee at sunrise and ending with a few pages of a good book before the bedside lamp is turned off. Yes, “Come Lord Jesus!” (Rev.22:20), but first let me…

     Host one more deck dinner. I have a list of people I want to invite into my backyard garden to dine at tables set up on my deck. As the sun sets, strings of lights cast a glow on guests passing dishes prepared with agape love, and conversation flows.

     Also, there is a cardboard regatta on the calendar for next August. The first was this year at the Canyon Dam boat launch on Lake Almanor, and the contestants and their crews were inventive and fun. I want to participate rather than spectate.

     Then there are writing projects, such as my Bible study, which is a work in progress, and household improvement projects like the plans for painting the living room, as well as places to explore and adventures to experience.

     Could you create a list of things you would like to finish, accomplish, see happen before Christ returns?

What Are We Waiting For?

     Jesus has prepared a place in his kingdom for believers and will return for them.

     One place we find this promise is John 14:2-3: “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” ESV

     According to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, there are over 300 references to Christ’s second coming in the New Testament.

     Another familiar verse is 1 Thess 4:15-18: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” ESV

     This verse is a description of the rapture of the church, a time when Jesus comes for believers both living and dead. In the book of Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul introduced the concept of the rapture. It is the English term for the Latin verb rapere used in the Latin Vulgate translation of the New Testament. Rapere is the Latin word for the Greek word harpadzo, which means “caught up.”1

In His Word

Christians through the ages have expected Jesus to return. Although He hasn’t appeared yet, we don’t know the day or the hour (Matthew 24:36). In the book of 2 Timothy, Paul wrote that “on that day” he would receive the crown of righteousness along with all Christians who have loved Christ’s appearing. Some Bible versions read “longed for his appearing” (NIV) or “who eagerly look forward to his appearing”(NLT). 

Bible scholars state the crown referenced is figurative rather than anything that could be placed on someone’s head. They believe the Apostle Paul may have had the victor’s garland in mind for athletic events such as a footrace. This seems probable, since Paul mentioned three victories: fighting the good fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith.

F.F. Bruce suggests in his Bible commentary that it might describe righteousness, once imputed, as becoming a reality. “A crown will be the lot of all whose lives have been controlled by the prospect of his appearing,” writes Bruce.

Walking It Out

     I think of the parable of the talents found in Matthew 25:14-30 when I read Bruce’s comment. In this parable, a man going on a journey entrusts his property to his servants, each according to their ability. Two of the servants invest what was given them, and the third buries it. The two who invested wisely were called faithful upon their master’s return and rewarded for their work.

Paul is like these faithful servants. God sent him out as a missionary, and he faithfully spread the gospel and discipled those who believed his message. There are plenty of instructions in Scripture that tell us how to be living as we wait for Christ’s return. In keeping with his discipleship duties, Paul left a list. You’ll find it at the end of his letter to the Thessalonians in verses 5:12-22.

     His advice is to honor our leaders in the Lord’s work. Show great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. No one is perfect; therefore, love, honor, and respect are given despite their flaws and mistakes.

     We are to live peacefully with each other. Instead of living in a critique mode, refrain from judging. Ask if the issue is that important on a scale of one to ten. The format of the church bulletin, the menu for a luncheon, or how a ministry is organized is often just a matter of opinion.

     Those who are idle should be warned. People are to be doing what Jesus has instructed when He returns. Erin Davis in a podcast episode of “The Deep Well” said to call people out of the pews and into the work of the church. Help them see their gifts and remind them Christianity is not a spectator sport.

     The body of Christ is to help one another be ready for Christ’s return, so we encourage those who are timid, lacking courage or confidence. We take tender care of the weak, whether the ailment is physical or spiritual. Patience is required for everyone.

     If we are wronged in some way, rather than trying to “pay back evil for evil,” we do good to each other and all people.

     Because we belong to Christ Jesus, we are always joyful, thankful in all circumstances, and consistent in prayer. After all, we are living in light of His return.

     We are to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in us and through us and not scoff at prophecy, but test it. Hold on to what is good, but avoid every kind of evil.

     We can do all these things as we go about our activities of daily living, enjoying coffee in the morning and reading a good book before bedtime. We don’t drop out of life, but we live life differently, aware that our present reality is not forever. Jesus Christ will return.

©2025 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Resource:

1-The Rapture of the Church by Don Stewart published by Eternity Bound Publishing, San Clemente, California.

Great Love Does Not Retreat

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Agape Love, Growing in Christ, Holy Spirit, Knowing GodLeave a comment

     “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13 ESV

     I found it difficult to understand how anyone might show the greater love mentioned by Jesus, “to lay down his life for his friends.” Then I read news blurbs about Dick Eastland, co-owner and director of Camp Mystic which was built on the banks of the Guadalupe River. He was swept away during the flash flood early Saturday morning, July 5, while rescuing girls at the Christian summer camp. The water along the riverbanks reportedly rose 26 feet within 45 minutes.

     When we see someone in earnest need of help, we rush in because we intensely will the best for them, and that is agape love. It may be a violent robbery at a subway station, a cry for help from a swimmer trapped in river currents as we sunbath on the beach, or witnessing an attack from a wild animal along a hiking trail in a national park. Whatever the scenario, agape love causes us to rush in.

Giving Not Getting

     Dick Eastland was practicing selflessness as rising water rushed through cabins at dawn. Most likely he was not thinking about what his efforts would personally cost him but rather the good of others. The young campers and counselors needed to be rescued, guided to high ground so they would not be swept away and he was committed to the task.

     To give out such love we need to be personally filled with it. It’s not natural, it comes from God. The Holy Spirit pours God’s agape love into our hearts. This love is “An intelligent, purposeful attitude of esteem and devotion; a selfless, purposeful, outgoing attitude that desires to do good to the one loved.”1

     God demonstrates this love. Jesus Christ redeemed us by paying the penalty for our sin on the cross. He laid down His life for each person who has been reconciled to God through His selfless act.

     In a day when many ask, “What’s in it for me?” those filled with agape love run into danger to rescue others unconcerned about the reward or cost. That was Eastland.

In His Word

Agape love is not based on how worthy the object of this love is, whether the recipient is deserving. God demonstrated this aspect of agape when Christ died for sinners, according to the apostle Paul (Romans 5:8). That means none of us are worthy whether we are considered outstanding citizens or not.

Sacrifice is also a hallmark of agape. God sacrificed His Son because He willed the best for humanity, a restored relationship with Him. Are we willing to sacrifice what’s best for us for the benefit of another?

In 1 Corinthians we find a comprehensive description of agape in chapter 13.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Cor 13:4-7 ESV

We can define agape love as unconditional, sacrificial, patient, kind, enduring, protective, hopeful, and originating form God’s own nature.

Walking it Out

     It is good to know what agape love looks like by knowing Scripture, but it requires a work of the Spirit to live it.

     When 50,000 Jews, exiled in Babylon, were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple the prophet Zechariah gave them a message from the Lord. The temple would not be built by human skills, resources, or determination but by the power of God.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6 ESV

Because agape love is a selfless love it comes with surrender. We humble ourselves before the Lord and allow Him to do the work with no thought to our abilities, resources, or willpower.

Perhaps agape love happens when we rush in, fully committed to the task at hand. It’s not calculated or planned. We have no time to think about our abilities or the object of this love. Therefore, we rely completely on God.

©2025 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

1-Abide, A Study of 1,2,&3 John by Jen Wilkin published by Lifeway Press in Brentwood, TN.

Tripped up by Traffic

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Growing in Christ, Holy Spirit, Knowing God, Walk in the SpiritLeave a comment

     Scripture never fails to convict. And this is good, oh so good. Just when we think “not me” the Holy Spirit says “yes, you too.” This keeps us from becoming arrogant. It keeps us humble.

     John 17:17

“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” ESV

A trip to the Sacramento metropolitan area took me out of the mountains where traffic jams only occur during roadwork as pilot cars lead a line of vehicles through a construction zone. In cities bumper to bumper seems to be routine as drivers in a rush tailgate those driving slower as if to relay the message, “get out of my way.” As I navigate city streets there always seems to be pressure to drive faster or move over.

One afternoon as I drove to the store with my elderly mother to pick up a few groceries, I became irritated by the pushy drivers. She lives in a small, rural community in the foothills above the city but the roads have become congested with commuter traffic. Drivers zipping through the area make pulling out of driveways or turning onto side streets dangerous.

On the way home a big pickup truck seemed attached to the bumper of my car, but despite the driver’s persistent efforts to increase my speed I held my pace not wanting to whip my mom, who is 95 years old, from side to side. My assessment of this driver was less than kind.

But the incident proved to be a lesson in sanctification by the truth of God’s Word for me, not the irritating driver who followed me to my mother’s house. When I drove back into the mountains, on my return trip home, I found myself pushing drivers in front of me not as familiar with the mountain roads.

And so, I was convicted as the Holy Spirit brought this Scripture to mind. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matt 7:1-2 ESV

I was acting no better than the driver on the Latrobe Road as I returned from the grocery store with my mother. It is a self-centered attitude rather than other centered. It is sin. A simple definition of sin is to “miss the mark.” Generally, it is anything that “falls short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)

All who want to be like Jesus Christ in character and deed know this battle. The Apostle Paul describes it in the book of Romans: “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” Romans 7:21-25 NLT

But remember, Paul tells us as we continue to read Romans chapter eight that we do have power over sin through the Holy Spirit given to us when we receive restoration through Jesus Christ. The old person lingers but we are a new creation.

Paul’s confession of his battle is not permission to shrug off sin. Instead, we are to walk in the Spirit rather than according to the flesh. It is a conscious choice. God gave Cain some directives on how to make the right choice when we are tempted to sin.

“You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” Genesis 4:7 NLT

What or who is in charge, sin, or the Spirit of God? “If our minds are set on the wrong things, our feet will automatically go the wrong way,” writes Tony Evans in his Bible commentary.1  

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 ESV

When the Holy Spirit reveals situations or behaviors of others that cause us to stumble it is time to prepare. We can set our minds on things of the Spirit determining to be gracious, loving, patient and kind. And we will succeed because walking in the Spirit results in self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

©2025 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Reference:

1-The Tony Evans Bible Commentary by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee.

This Moment is Mine

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Growing in Christ, Holy Spirit, Knowing God, Walk in the SpiritLeave a comment

     Our culture is plan focused. We tend to map out our future, creating calendars for each day, one and five-year plans for all the aspects of life, and even itineraries for vacations.

My days begin as planned. This cold, February morning I built a fire in the woodstove while our Cuisinart coffeemaker ground the beans and perked the coffee. My cup of choice was large, and bowl-shaped, enough to complete one day of homework for the seven-week Bible study I am working on, which is focused on various types of prayer. This week we learn to pray for unity in the church. Then I read the section of the book of Mark and a Psalm that is on my read through the New Testament and Psalms plan for this year. Is this my rhythm or my regimen?

God has slowly been teaching me to write plans in pencil rather than ink. To not be so attached to what I view as my best and trust in Him, the God who intensely, intelligently, wills the best for me. A God who sees me, who knows all things, and has thoughts that are higher than mine.

Several months ago, as I stood in line to pay for purchases at a Christian bookstore, I dropped a tumbled marble square by Twelve Stone Art with these words imprinted: “My Future is in Your Hands.” (Psalm 16:5) I was going to give it to a sister in Christ in need of encouragement but had to gather the pieces and pay for the shattered square. Later I glued it together. It now sits in the window of my study, the cracks clearly visible.

That moment in the bookstore, as the stone artwork broke, the Holy Spirit revealed that I was deceived to think I was trusting God with my future. More accurately I was trusting God to complete the plans I made.

I do want to accomplish certain things in life… my dream of writing a book is not dead. Perhaps this desire to have certain dreams come true was the reason the crash between the Black Hawk helicopter and the commercial airliner in January triggered a state of depression. All those dreams, such as skating in the winter Olympics, ending up at the bottom of the Potomac River.

But again, God spoke. “You have this moment in time,” he said. Tomorrow, next week, or next year is not guaranteed.

We do not know the number of our days. But we have this moment. What might we do with it? I am writing this blog.

We shape our future moment by moment knowing God has our best in mind, ultimately, we will be honed into the image of Jesus Christ. I may not write the book but during my writing time I will pursue the dream at appropriate moments in time.

It’s not so much what we are doing but how we are doing it. Each moment is a choice. Will we walk with God or go our own way?

©2025 Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

Photo from Pixabay.

Feeling Wobbly in Your Current Situation? Reach for God’s Hand

On By Susan Cort JohnsonIn Growing in Christ, Knowing GodLeave a comment

     “Take my hand.” We say this to children as we cross a busy street or navigate a crowded public venue. Sometimes they grasp hold, fearful of losing sight of us, at other times they pull away desiring to assert their independence.

     But our hand is used in more ways than to protect a child or keep a child from getting lost. Sometimes we gently encourage by placing our hand on the child or gently nudging them forward when their feet are stuck in obstinance due to self-consciousness, fear, or self-doubt.

     As children of God, we have access to His hand. But what exactly does that mean. How is His hand an asset? Afterall, our heavenly Father is not flesh and blood but Spirit. There is no physical hand to grasp.

Let’s check Scripture to see the significance of having access to the hand of our Father and how we can take advantage of it.

–The Lord is always with us.

     God is fully present everywhere, that is the attribute of omnipresence. The author of Psalm 16 finds this comforting. In verse 8 he states that because God is at his right hand he will not be shaken. No matter what we walk through He is right beside us. We can reach up and grab His hand.

     –The Lord supports us.

     David declares in Psalm 18 that the Lord was with Him in battle bringing victory. “Your right hand supports me,” he states (18:35b). When we are in the middle of conflict, feeling a little unstable in our situation we can know the Lord’s hand is upon us providing stability. We can remind ourself that the hand of an all-powerful God keeps us from toppling.

–He holds our future.

Psalm 31:15a reads: “My times are in your hand.” ESV

The New Living Translation of the Bible translates this section of Scripture as: “My future is in your hands.” 

Derek Kidner writes in his commentary on the Psalms, “The very expression “my time” which faces the necessary fact of transience and change, both in one’s own being and in one’s surroundings, makes adversity easier to accept; while the knowledge that change is not chance (thy hand) can make the acceptance positive and personal. The Lord will be the stability of your times.”1

–The Lord’s hand steadies us.

Life has ups and downs that stumble us in the physical realm. Perhaps an unexpected bill from a medical practitioner, an expense not covered by insurance. But stumble is all such adversity can do because the Lord has our hand keeping us from tumbling to the ground. “Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:24 NLT) That is reassuring!

–God’s grasp keeps us from straying.

Ps 63:8—“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” ESV

Our ability to cling to God has little to do with us and everything to do with the tight hold He has on us. We could easily push away if His strong right hand didn’t have us securely in His grasp.

–God’s hand gives out provisions.

Psalm 104 praises God for the variety of things He has made that benefit all living creatures. For example, the cedars of Lebanon providing a place for birds to nest. Verse 28 states all are dependent upon God for their food. It reveals the personal care God gives by stating, “You open your hand to feed them, and they are richly satisfied.”

The image of God’s hand is a reminder that we walk in the presence of God. He is there for us always in every situation. Tell Him what you need and watch for His hand to provide it whether support, stabilizing, security, or straight paths. Take hold when it comes with a grateful heart.

©2025Susan Cort Johnson *All Rights Reserved

References:

1-Psalms 1-72 an Introduction & Commentary by Derek Kidner published by Inter-Varsity Press Downers Grove, Illinois