No Pretense!
“Whom say the people that I am” (ST. Luke 9:18b)?
May I be a bit personal with you? Hope it helps us all. I am deeply indebted to my wife all these years and others who remind me of who I am. I think we all want a certain amount of attention for our accomplishments; however, Nancy Jean has always had that loving, kind and I might say honest way of bringing me down to reality; and “and who I actually am. ”Who are you?“ Whom do people say you are?” Seriously!
Somehow ego has a way of surfacing for all of us now and then. I truly feel I have the worst myself at times. The Lord already knew what other people thought of Him. This question was not for His benefit, this was for His disciples’ benefit. He wanted them to know clearly and unquestionably who He was. He also wanted them to be just who they were, and nobody else. That is a hard task in itself. I cannot speak for others, but I am always in need of being grinded upon; to have more and more sanding and polishing of my personality. I detest who I am some days just like anyone else because “I” am in the way; when it should be about others and about our loving, forgiving and saving Lord.
Writing to the Corinthians the great Apostle wants to assuage his readers from a life of selfishness and haughtiness, so he writes, “Let no man glory in men” ( 1Corinthians 3:21 KJV).
The enigma of the Christ is His lowliness, genuineness and humbleness. No man has proven to be a more noble, “true-blue” Gentleman and King. What He did He did only to validate and reveal His person and His God-Man character. Nothing veneer about this One! Nothing! No secrets. No sneakiness! No pretense! Absolutely none! His job was the cross. But on the way to that office and job He never wavered; in the face of the worst petulance and ridicule. He was who He was and no one else. And in the end that centurion had to cry out, “Truly this Man was the son of God!” And He was.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Mercy
“For I desired mercy and not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6a) KJV).
In the ancient world there were not enough lambs, calves, and fowl to appease Almighty. Yet the people came on the Day of Atonement with their many sacrifices hoping for peace with God and His righteous mercifulness. Yom Kippur (Hebrew Yom hakippurim) means The Day of Atonement. It is the most holy day of the year in Judaism. This year it will be on September 22ND, 2007.The Jewish people all over the world observe this day through repentance, sacrifice, fasting and prayers for forgiveness. This most sacred day of the year falls on the 10TH day of the Hebrew calendar, Tishri.
In our world today just like those of this ancient era people still want to appease God by what they can bring to Him. Reality is sacrifices get in the way of the soul. Through this Old Testament prophet’s message God simply wanted His people, not their proud sacrifices or sentimental ritual offerings. Religion with our Lord is about the heart, not about the gifts we give unto Him. All the gold and silver, all the riches of the earth and even more is not enough to compare with our love and loyalty to Jesus who gave his life and his blood for our sins. In and through Christ we have a direct entrance into the Holiest of Holies, right before the very throne of Almighty. He craves our life, not just a lamb. This is the passionate longing in God’s heart. “For I desired mercy (devotion, genuine spirit before God), not sacrifices (stuff).”
For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills…..If I were hungry, I would nottell you; for the world is mine, and everything that is in it.(Psalm 50:10, 12 RKJV).
God has the gifts, He wants the giver.
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Ronnie Johnson
The Book
“His delight is in the law of the Lord” (Psalm 1:2 KJV).
Methamphetamine has become a huge industry in this country because it can be manufactured most anywhere; namely in people’s garages. This is why you see on your evening news channel a nice home in a nice neighborhood turned into a methamphetamine lab. A couple of those ingredients often used to make this drug are, oddly enough, cat food and antifreeze. The crystal methamphetamine is the more expensive mind altering drug and psycho-stimulant. When drug people convert powered methamphetamine into crystal methamphetamine the vapors from this process become extremely volatile. Police are very careful when they open a freezer or refrigerator because the sudden switch of the light inside the appliance can trigger an explosion.
What people do for comfort! Comfort in their mind, comfort in their heart, comfort in their life. Tranquility can come from another source, however, that is far more potent and helpful. It called by some The Book. It is a publication by God. It is a deep well where the sweetest of waters are found. It is piece of literature often read at special occasions like weddings, funerals and graduations. It has been called The Book of Life. It has been read at the inaugurations of presidents. It was taken into space and placed on the moon when man first walked on it. You see it in almost every hotel room. It is the best-selling book of all times. In prisons it often the book of choice. It is comprised of 66 little books and was inspired by God’s spirit as it was penned through the hands of men. Many verses bring a spiritual psycho-stimulant that is indefinable and inexplicable. It is no wonder that many prisoners have The Book read right before their execution. In The Book and through The Book there is a river of comfort, assurance and unspeakable peace. And such marvelous inspiration is found in this God-given treasure to mankind compiled together after many centuries have passed—THE BOOK!
Remember The Word unto your servant, upon which you have caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction; for your Word has made me alive!(Psalm 119: 49, 50 RKJV).
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Ronnie Johnson
FREEDOM
“And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 RKJV).
America began on such shaky ground. Our freedom was destined to be, however, and those early settlers here miraculously fought for the freedom we now enjoy and embrace. Those 13 British colonies in North America were so diverse when it came to religion, vocation, attitudes and different cultures, yet together they upheld that one tribute and value that no man could take from them—the desire for liberty. The American Revolution was fought from 1775 to 1783. This American War of Independence (1775-1783), and then the formation of the American Government were laid out by the Constitution of the United States Government 1787. Following a decade of conflict between the British Government and the colonists, came the Stamp Act Crisis in 1765. This led to the outbreak of war in 1775 and the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Within this sacred document written by Jefferson in just three weeks of time we read these infamous lines:
....We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Freedom. Thank God for Freedom! Today on this Holiday (July 4TH, 2007) we remember the blessings of yesteryear and the daring, gallant Americans who have given their own life, their own liberty and their own pursuit of happiness that we might enjoy it.
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Ronnie Johnson
Refreshed
“The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me” (2 Timothy 1:16a KJV).
I take a brisk walk just about every day of my life. This is a kind of refreshment I feel that I give to myself. My mind seems to be clearer as pressing, even urgent calls and appointments with clients always come into my thoughts. Just a little exercise creates new blood flow in our bodies and new oxygen as well into our lungs. The next thing I know I am back at the office taking care of those pressing and often urgent calls and appointments with a refreshed enthusiasm.
Just recently I was on one of those early morning brisk walks and I saw in front of me a distinguished looking elderly African American lady. Underneath her arm was a tennis racket in a case. As we both converged on the same street corner simultaneously I could not help but ask, “Miss, do you play tennis?”
“Yes, I do,” she retorted. “But at almost eighty years of age I just do the best I can,” she continued.
Wow! That did it for me! She became one of many Onesiphorus people I have met in life’s travels. What a special refreshment! While so many people in their Golden and even Platinum years give in to age and aches, here is a lady still playing in life and enjoying her God-given gifts. In life you cannot just “stop, sit, spit and whittle” or you will die. Life is made for activity—your body is made for movement and change.
You and I have a mission just like Onesiphorus; to refresh those in our own world. As you give you will receive. It is a spiritual law just as gravity is a physical law. Who can you refresh today? Where is your tennis court? Someone is watching you. You have a wonderful opportunity to inspire and encourage someone around you to keep their head up, a smile on their face and a joy in their heart.
God created us to be resilient if we rely on Him and exercise our faith as we run.He renews those who are weary and exhausted from the arduous journeys and rocky pitfalls of life.
—-Bishop T. D. Jakes
“For he oft refreshed me.” Tennis anyone?
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Ronnie Johnson
Gold
“When he has tried me I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 RKJV).
Most people think of money when they hear the word gold. However, gold is used in a variety of products that we often take for granted. From mobile phones to computers, from flat screen TV’s to smoke detectors gold is a priceless component of these and many other products. At least 10% of gold demand is for a diverse range of industrial applications. The electronic components demand gold because of its unique combination of properties. Gold of all metallic chemical elements has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Also the gold found in electronic contacts remains free from tarnish and oxidation due to its high corrosive resistance. Hence reliable electrical connections can be made, even after thousands of operations.
No wonder Job had it right. In the face of all his adversity and heartaches he knew God would bring him through. So he could only think of that enormously efficient element in this earth that helps with connections that are made, even thousands of times in its operations. Gold stands the test of time. Gold weathers the worst of storms. Gold stays. It does not corrode. It is not easily shaken. It is timeless like our Lord’s guiding hand. When others go through the fires of life and discover spiritually that their spirit and attitude are tarnishing and oxidizing, those with the faith of gold stay pure-stay true to the Lord.
Oddly enough gold is extremely malleable, too. One ounce of gold can be beaten into a sheet covering over 9 square meters. What a perfect picture of what God does with a human—especially Job of old. He knew that through all of his dilemmas God would eventually bring him through the worst beating a man could withstand. So Job appropriately and wisely cried out:
“When he has tried me I shall come forth as GOLD.”
And he did.
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Ronnie Johnson
Whispering Wind
“The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that rules among fools” (Ecclesiastes 9:17 RKJV).
The whispering wind enchanted my ears recently as I sat in a tree house in Pike’s National Forest in colorful Colorado. Our son worked out the arrangements for us to go with the grand children into this remote get-away in the mountainous terrain. The seclusion along with the panoramic view of Pike’s Peak Mountain from an angle I had never seen before was stunning and arresting to say the least. As the wind blew those Aspen trees their small delicate leaves shimmered and shined before us in the sun. And the deafening quiet at times only gave way to this breeze upon the trees. You could just sense the presence of Almighty, His wonders to perform. The Pike’s Peak Mountain that lay before my eyes with a gorgeous valley and lush green meadow in between was even more beautiful in this mountain hide-away—so serene.
For whatever reason the owners of this mountain cabin built a huge tree house up in the trees. We sat there and just starred at Pike’s Peak. It was ravishing and exhilarating to say the least. No TV or movie screen or video could capture this. This is one of those first hand experiences one must attend in order to appreciate its glorious scenery. Positively picturesque! Filling! And then that whispering wind making a hush upon those pines and Aspens made you stop and think. God sees this and hears this daily. The quietness…..the gentle breeze…..alone….....a spectacle to behold!
Wisdom truly is found in quietness. The loud boisterous hollering and shouting is for fools. But the wise are still. Only the whispering of the wind fills the air about them. Even in the most metropolitan conglomeration and hurried commerce still the wise are heard more than the loudness of a fool. God speaks through His whispering wind. And He is wise I think. How fun it is to hear His mighty voice through the Wind. Someone once declared:
The wind blows (breathes) where it will; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.(John 3:8 ABV).
Listen to the wise. Listen to the quiet words, “the still small voice” of the Wind.
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Ronnie Johnson
Pass It On Down the Line
What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 LBV).
I have a client who fought in WWII, and for years and years he and his platoon have met together and reminisced about their war days. They also had bought a bottle of special whiskey just after the War that they want the last surviving soldier to drink after everyone else is gone. So over these decades they have passed on this bottle to only a few now who are “still kicking.” My client just recently met with a couple of the men who fought so bravely for our country’s freedom. Only he and these two other men pass on that bottle of whiskey today.
“Let me show you something Ron you won’t believe,” my 85 year old client insisted that day he revealed this to me. He went into a room of his house and brought out a picture of many soldiers who were his comrades in wartime, his platoon. “Can you find me in this?” Then he pointed out as he continued, “And here is the famous bottle of whiskey (holding it high into the air with one arm) I hope like the others to be the last one to drink it. Each year that we have met all this time,” he said with a glint of hope in his eye, “we have passed it on down the line you might say. This is my year to keep it again.”
Not whiskey, of course, but spiritual comfort is what the great Apostle passed on down the line. He knew that the source of all comfort had come from his God and King, Jesus Christ. So in this fantastic letter to the church in Corinth Paul declared that “we can pass on to them this same comfort God has given us.” Whether death has taken hold or some other tragedy, whether it is divorce, illness and any other ugly grief we must encounter, thank goodness we have “The God of all comfort” to lean upon and get us through our heart ache. But even more importantly we have that awesome opportunity to “pass it (comfort) on down the line.”
You will touch someone today. Pass that comfort, that care and love and grace of God within you down the line. Lift a heart. Bring a smile. Light up a life. Give a hug. Touch a soul. Inspire a friend. Feed a mouth. Clothe a back. Carry comfort to someone today. “Pass it on down the line.”
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Pillars of Water
He divided the sea and cause them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap (Psalm 78:13 KJV).
In the Message Version we read, “He split the Sea and they walked right through it; he piled the waters to right and to the left” (Psalm 78:13 TMV).
Austere, quaint, unusual, mind-boggling, overwhelming, extraordinary and miraculous are just some of the adjectives we can use. How did God pile up water like a wall and allow His Children of Israel walked through the sea dry, unharmed ands even undaunted by Egypt’s soldiers? The Old Testament Hebrew word for stand in this verse is natsab. It refers to the same meaning that use for pillar today. God created pillars of water in this sea and His people passed through safely. He opened up the sea. He made pillars of the water. And His people traveled through a highway where no highway was imaginable, much less possible to travel upon.
We must train our mind to believe; to believe that God can make a way where there is no way imaginable or possible. Your mind is that trainable. If you think He can….He can; if you think you can, you can, too. “With God all things are possible.” He can make pillars from the sea for you and me.
In Mother Teresa’s book, A Simple Path, she quotes Sister Theresina:
Our faith is meant to grow and mature. There are people who are perhaps very well educated, yet their faith is still at the first-grade level, and they don’t find any meaning in the world. They have probably never read scripture, never got to know God, never really got to know the beautiful person that He is—and so they look at God a little suspiciously. To them, he’s like the judge or the very strict father who doesn’t want them to have any fun.
How big is your God? How great is your God? Is your God capable of making pillars of water in a sea? Can He change the inevitable for you and me? Can He? Or, is he like some judge looking over your shoulder or strict dad who doesn’t want you to have any fun down here?
He divided the sea and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
Hum-m-m-m-m!
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Ronnie Johnson
God’s Kid
The Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! (Hebrews 1:3 TMV).
Each summer our grandkids come to Colorado and visit us. This is not only always a highlight to Jean and me, but it is a very educational experience as well. This year she is teaching them a summer school course (parent-motivated, of course) each morning. However, the greater, higher and even more profound school takes place around the dinner table in the evening.
One night we are sitting there and for whatever reason religion came up. Davin is 9 years old and Blaine is 6.Some how we got on the subject of God and Jesus, his Son. Out of the blue Blaine blurted out a question I will take with me to my grave and beyond I know. He asked in his innocent little tone of voice, “Well…., Nana is Jesus God’s kid?”
See what I mean? That is a loaded question. That kind of lesson in school truly is greater, higher and even more profound than the Three R’s. Now we’re talking about the Three P’s (Persons of God….in God….who are God).
Well…., is Jesus God’s kid? How many volumes of books have been written about this subject? Only a six year old could ask such, too, and mean every word of the question. But the real question still stands before every human who breathes on this planet—well…., is Jesus God’s kid? Only you by faith can answer if he is or if he isn’t. Remember he asked a similar question himself while touring life and a world he came to save.
Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?......Whom do you say that I am?
(Matthew 16:13b, 15b RKJV).
Well…., is Jesus God’s kid? Is He? Or, isn’t He?
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
