Tag: Bible

wonder and be astounded

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spring 2025 | marking 10 years of blogging . . .

In the midst of uncertainty and struggles, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or even question God and what He’s doing or seemingly not doing. Ask me how I know . . .

Last summer when I was fired from my job, why is what mostly occupied my thoughts, followed by how am I going to make it. But I turned to the Scripture that I’d centered on at the start of the year: “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told”(Habakkuk 1:5, ESV).

Centered. Finding myself at loss, God began His work (He never stopped, actually), reminding me that He’s always at work, even when we can’t see it. The Habakkuk verse calls us to step back and marvel—to look for the signs of His movement in the world and trust that He is orchestrating things for a purpose, above and beyond what we can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Even in challenging times, He is doing something amazing, and if we keep our eyes open, we’ll see it unfold. Trust His perfect timing and know that He is at work in ways that will leave you speechless.

So, keep your heart open, stay faithful, and watch in awe as God’s will manifests in your life and in the world. I never thought that after my termination the Lord would lead me to one of the most fulfilling roles I’ve ever had, working in ministry, growing and learning in new gifting, tying it together with what I do on MELCHEE personally, and enjoying it all immensely. Wonder and be astounded.
-Melchee Johnson

In worship of God, in service to others

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For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son | John 3:16

New Day has a new look and name: MELCHEE (well, except for the New Day LIVE! talk show). Welcome to those new to these parts!

Our mission remains the same: to point others to Christ and serve in love. Faith and community continue to be the heart of what we do, and I’m grateful to be a carrier of this work. To God be the glory in all.

Here in the midst of Lent, our hearts are focused on Christ. We reflect on our need for forgiveness and receive His unmatched love to wash away our sins. What a great and mighty God we serve to think of us in such a way as to save us. We’re undeserving, but His love shines greater than the whole of our sins. It’s often mysterious, hard to grasp, unfeelable. But it’s available to those who say yes to it.

The end of our fasting, praying, and reading during this season should be change. We should have renewed focus to live for Christ. Fasting (from food, the biblical way) should show our need to turn away from sin, and so our commitment must be firm. We will fall, but the goal is to fall less. We should see growth and strength as a result of our time spent with the Lord and resurrection with Christ from the dead of our choices. Thank God for allowing us to be in worship of Him!

Here at MELCHEE, we don’t just share empty words that you’ll soon forget, but our hope is that you’ll see our every effort to share Christ’s message of amazing grace and to enrourage involvement in community, helping brothers and sisters in need, showing Christ’s love tangibly. This is the favorable time, and it’s the time to live for Him. We pray you’ll join us on this journey.

Love Pt. II

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Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal…  4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up… 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (1 Corinthians 13, in part; KJV)

I call it The Love Chapter. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us how love behaves, what it is and what it isn’t, what it does and does not do. In essence, it tells us who Jesus is – the One who loves perfectly. Greatly.

I used to publish a little Christian magazine called PRAISE!. Each edition contained poetry, prose, all things inspirational, all meant to bring praise to God. I loved that little book and was so proud of it. My editor’s page was titled The Greatest of These. It was dedicated to love, because love is the center of all. Love had to be at the center of praise.

And love remains. It teaches and corrects, saves and helps, is humble and not boastful. It knows when to speak, what to say, and how to say it. IT IS LIFE’S GUIDE. Love is because God is. It saved my very soul while I was yet a sinner. It gives me joy unspeakable each and every new day.

Do I love perfectly? No. But I am perfectly loved, by Love Himself. He’s just awesome, our awesome God. No greater love than this, than a man would lay down his life for a friend. That’s what Jesus did. And that’s love.

xoxo