Definitely
“And when the people were gathered thick together” (St. Luke 11:29 KJV).
Recently I asked a little lady just what has it been like to grow in her Christian faith; and I asked her if she had grown closer and closer to the Lord over the years. This little lady has had many health issues for many years now and lives in enormous physical torment. In fact, she is on multiple medications and constantly undergoing medical treatments of some kind. However, when I asked her if she had indeed come to know the Lord in a deeper, richer relationship after all these years, she replied with a very distinct glow and glimmer upon her face as she threw her head back and said confidently and with an obvious assurance—even a sincere smile, “Definitely.”
What did she really mean? Definitely. I think I know. She has lived with the Friend of friends for so long now that not only is He a definite Figure in her life and constant Companion, but He is her “All-in-All.” She knows unquestionably that she has definitely come to know her Savior more and more. She has an intimate relationship that no one can steal from her.
Religion will only suffice so long, so much. But a true encounter with Christ is incomparable with any other relationship in this life; in this world and universe. In Christ there is a definite spiritual romance like no other feeling and understanding one can experience. Not only is He a “Definitely” in her life, but you, too, can come to this point in your own life down the road of your existence. You can avow with certainty and say with your own confidence that you and Him have Definitely come closer and closer moment by moment and day by day.
Why was this crowd so “thick” around the Lord when He taught? People wanted to hear more. They wanted healing. They sought the Light. They were desperate for hope and help. They hungered for the Truth. And surely some of these same people down the road of their own lives came to the conclusion this little lady had. They came to know Him more and more—Definitely more and more. Do you?
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
The Atmosphere
“And they laughed him to scorn” (ST. Mark 5:40 KJV).
I was in a home many years ago in North Texas. The family was quite strange to say the least. The home had a spooky, unsettling kind of atmosphere. There were several children in this household. The mother and father were totally wrapped up in a world of reptiles, namely snakes. I was asked by the pastor to go and visit them. I was conducting a revival that week in a local church. The pastor was trying to reach out to them.
The dad had a couple of rather large snakes around his shoulders and neck when he met me at the door. All through their house there were cages of mostly mice and snakes. Need I tell you what the mice were for? Each child had his or her favorite pet snake around them as well. The mother petted and consoled her snake, too. It was not well at the time of my visit. All through their home were snakes. They were everywhere. Crawling around. There were a couple of large pythons and boa constrictors. I must say I have never been back to that house or town sense then. The atmosphere in the home was eerie, scary and uneasy. Uncomfortable!
When the Master came to this house in His ministry He found people who were apart of the wrong atmosphere. He told them the daughter of the synagogue ruler was not dead, but asleep. “And the crowd laughed him to scorn.” So “He put them all out,” i.e., out of the house. Even the Son of God wanted the right atmosphere before He healed this daughter. “And he took the damsel by the hand, and said to her, Talitha cumi; which is being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise” (St. Mark 5:41 KJV).
One can just feel that positive, happy, excited, colorful, uplifting spirit in a home. Don’t you think so? It’s just there. It is an “it”. It’s not made with furniture or fixtures or fine China. It is an ambience all of its own. Augustine declared, “To be sound in faith and holy in life—this is the kernel of Christianity.” It is the atmosphere that brings cheer or fear, assurance or anxiety, calm or confusion. When Christ comes in, things are never the same again.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
The Penniless Preacher
“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way” (Matthew 1325 KJV).
It was called the bearded darnel. It looks kind of like wheat. It waves in the air like wheat. It grows up about the same height as wheat. It looks good to eat like wheat. But in the end when it is totally mature, even a child can tell it isn’t wheat. The gray seeded plant is in fact a poisonous weed. And in the East in the ancient world mean, unkind neighbors seeking retribution and revenge would plant these weeds in their neighbor’s fields. As they start growing together they root together; hence to pull up the weed, you will ruin the root of wheat. “Steal, destroy and kill!” Such neighbors are always present in your world, don’t you agree?
This penniless preacher came to town. And no one wanted him around. He grew up among bearded darnels. Their roots were steeped in the traditions of their fathers. They were toxic in their faith. They bore no fruit. They would weed themselves into the fabric of a society that wanted only laws without grace and mercy. In the end this penniless preacher taught them a new and living way. As he grew up among the weeds, it became obvious to those who picked him that he was anything but a weed. Anything but poisonous. He was indeed their food for life, their breath of hope, and the heart of mankind’s most meaningful and purposeful reason for being here. And still is.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
