Shari Johnson (The Jesus Chick)
As I’m winding down reading through the Bible again, my current state of mind has me reading through with a deeper desire to better understand God’s state of mind.
My second day in the book of Hebrews has me less concerned about who wrote it, than I am loving whomever the vessel God chose to use was. Thankful for his obedience. Wishing I would have been far more obedient in my 64 years and not so neglectful of matters of the ways of God.
The writer of Hebrews was writing to what would be called in today’s modern times, Messianic Jews. Having been brought up in stiff religious legalism, their desire to return to the laws of their early beliefs would have been an ongoing battle. Sometimes the “thou shalt not’s” are easier to understand than, “can I do that?” I can’t even imagine a legalistic desire. I’ve been a rebel from the beginning. So, when I was saved in an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, Jesus had His work cut out in keeping me from contesting any idea of legalistic attitudes and conformity to their rules, which in my opinion often rivaled that of the Jews. I told you I was a rebel.
Leaving the Independent Baptist movement in 2023 for other reasons, I began a new journey but on the same path; with the only goal being a closer relationship with Christ Jesus. Getting sidelined in Church service through the caretaking of my Mother created an opportunity to study, and an opportunity to battle spiritual warfare like never before, often feeling like a complete ministry failure in that I didn’t feel I had ministry purpose. I wasn’t teaching, singing, speaking…. None of the things that kept me in God’s word. So I read every day but I didn’t apply it or share it. Ridgeview News kept me focused on very secular thoughts and I neglected my spiritual thoughts.
Hebrews 2:1-4 KJV
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
Don’t Neglect What You Hear
“And how shall they hear without a preacher?” – Romans 10:14. That’s what Paul wrote to the Romans because He knew that if the church didn’t have a Spirit filled leadership to follow, they’d resort back to the ways of the past. It’s true. By being out of church and weekly fellowship with other believers, I found myself without encouragement. It didn’t have to be that way. If I was a disciplined gal, I could have had me a mini Revival right there with Momma. But that’s not where my mind went. I became like the dry bones in the book of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 37:1-4 KJV
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, [2] And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. [3] And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. [4] Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
And they did!
Ezekiel 37:5-10 KJV
Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: [6] And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [7] So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. [8] And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. [9] Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. [10] So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
Those bones jumped up out of that valley and danced a jig for Ezekiel. That is of course the Bible according to Shari. It does not say they danced, but it does say they stood up upon their feet!
There are people inside and outside the church today that are a sack of dry bones. They either don’t take heed to the preaching, the preacher’s not preaching or they’re not in a position to hear the word.
Living a successful life is taking every advantage you have of hearing the word preached.
Don’t Neglect the Warnings
[2] For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
If God punished us immediately upon bad behavior in the manner for which the Old Testament scriptures called for, we’d all likely be dead. But the bible says,
Hebrews 9:27 KJV
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
While judgement does sometimes fall in this life, the final judgement will be when you stand before a Holy God, in your unholy state and answer as to whether or not you were willing to accept His gift of His Son. If you have, you’ll stand before God and answer for how you lived your life and what you did for Him. For that which you’ve done you’ll be rewarded. For that which you neglected, you’ll be without excuse and a sorrowful beyond understanding.
Don’t Neglect Salvation!
[3] How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Those who have failed to accept the Gift of salvation through Christ’s own sacrifice on the Cross to pay the penalty for our failures, will stand before the Holy God, in their unholy state, and receive the final judgement which is separation from God, Christ and His children. Your children. Your family. Your friends. Anyone who did accept what Jesus did.
Hearing the word of God and understanding how wonderful He was to make a way for me to be with Him and my family eternally in Paradise has encouraged me not to neglect time in His word and time in prayer for my family and friends who are lost. I want to be in Heaven with everyone. Even those who consider me the enemy.
Don’t Neglect the Witnesses
[4] God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
I have in my 64 years witnessed countless miracles. But not the kind you’d imagine. When my 19 years old brother was killed in a car accident, I witnessed the faith of my parents and a mother who answered my question “Why didn’t you blame God when Richard was killed?” And she responded, “How can I blame the only one who will allow me to see him again?”
When my dad faced his own death, he told me the story of his salvation of being a five year old boy talking to God, under an apple tree. His parents were in the field working and he said he told God, “If you’ll let me keep my parents until they’re old, I’ll serve You.” And when my Dad was 30 years old, God called him on that promise. My Dad was saved and served God the rest of his life. What a witness!
When I myself laid in Morgantown awaiting open heart surgery without fear, I knew I knew God. Glorrrraaaaayyyyy. Don’t neglect our witness. Know those things for yourself so you’ll have the peace and grace Christ affords.
Long before I was Ridgeview News Publisher, I was Shari, the Jesus Chick. I’ve been an actual blogger. So when those who like to refer to me now as a blogger instead of a reporter, I’m not the least bit offended. Because there is no greater job than working for Jesus. Be blessed! And if you have questions or comments, let me have them!
