A Message In A Bottle
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1 KJV).
Ever throw a bottle with a message in it over board into the ocean? I have, too. A well-sealed bottle is probably one of the most seaworthy objects for traveling midst hurricanes and strong gale storms upon the high seas. A bottle can travel as fast as four knots in the Gulf Stream or be as calm as a sleeping baby upon the ocean waters. When moving along in the ocean’s currents, a bottle can travel as much as a 100 miles a day. All sorts of messages have been found over the years from a message in a bottle.
Just imagine that you are on a deserted island far away from human touch and communications. But you walk out onto the beach one day and discover a bottle with a message inside it. You open it up and read these words, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” I can not think of a more reassuring and comforting message a person could find. God actually did send us a message in a baby long ago. He was the very character, face and person of God Himself. What He taught, and thought mirrored God His Father. He was the perfect message, the perfect reflection and expression of your own Creator and Maker. It is no wonder He declared, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me” (St. John 12:32 KJV).
God reveals Himself through His own creation. You can not help but wonder why people pass up His messages each day upon the high seas of life. “God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself,” (2 Corinthians 5:19a KJV) says the scriptures. His message is clear and emphatic. It is trustworthy. Redeeming. Powerful! Life changing! Transforming! And real! His message washed ashore on earth about 2,000 ago.
Chunosuke, a Japanese seaman, sent out a message in 1784 that he had carved upon a piece of wood; and sent in a bottle over the seas. He and his shipmates had been wrecked. He and his companions unfortunately died of starvation on a Pacific coral reef. However, the message was washed up approximately150 years later in 1935 at the very seaside where Matsuyama had been born.
There is a message for you today upon life’s seas. Don’t pass it up. God loves you.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Divine Character
For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as we did when we first became Christians, we will share in all that belongs to Christ (Hebrews 3:14 TLBV).
Real faith does not depend upon God’s blessings of any kind. In our Western Culture we are taught to believe that as we are faithful to God, He will shower upon us all kinds of gifts, talents, and rich, indescribable blessings. Not so! Not true! Oswald Chambers is right when he said:
God has to frequently knock the bottom board out of your experience if you are a saint in order to get you into contact with Him…..
Faith by its very nature must be tried, and the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character has to be cleared in our own minds. Faith in its actual working out has to go through spells of unsyllabled isolation. Never confound the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life; much that we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith in the Bible is faith in God against everything that contradicts Him—I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do.
Sound deep? It is. If you feel a bit inadequate about your own personal faith, don’t be surprised. The most committed, unselfish, devoted Christians around this world have had to learn through the toughest, ardent adversity that God’s character stands when nothing else does; not just their strong faith and belief in Almighty’s miraculous power. Trust is more than what you do or go through; it is Who God is that counts. This is where you hang your hat! Anchor your trust! He may allow the worst experience you could imagine in your life; but Bible faith as Chambers declared, is “in God against everything that contradicts Him.” WOW! He is absolutely right, too! You will never hear this message by many Western Christians today. Your faith is true when you remain true to God’s character. He and He alone makes all the difference in this world. He can change your life….forever—that’s in His perfect character.
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Ronnie Johnson
The Entrance
For we who have believed do enter into rest (Hebrews 4:3a RKJV).
Everything has an entrance to it. If you travel into space there is that entrance point. Think of the countries, communities, historical sites, famous buildings, homes, stadiums and places you have gone to. They all have an entrance. Whether you have toured Graceland’s Mansion, your state capitol, a friend’s home, the Astrodome, your church, or some small hut there is an entrance. With God there was no entrance for those who disobeyed Him in the wilderness; they sabotaged themselves from going into the Land of Milk and Honey. Their disbelief severed their tie with Jehovah.
So I swore in my wrath; they shall not enter into my rest (Hebrews 3:11 RKJV).
We cut ourselves off from God when we disobey Him. Rather than find the rest, we find reproof and restlessness. But oh the sweet rest we discover when we make that entrance into His fellowship and follow after the heart of God!
You see yonder ship. After a long voyage, it has neared the haven, but is much injured; the sails are rent to ribbons. That is like the righteous being “scarcely saved.” But do you see that other ship? It has made a prosperous voyage; and now, laden to the water’s edge, with the sails all up and with the white canvas filled with the wind; it rides into the harbor joyously and nobly. That is an “abundant entrance;” and if you and I are helped by God’s Spirit to add to our faith, virtue, and so on, we shall have at the last an “abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—Charles Spurgeon
That entrance, that abundant entrance; don’t miss it!
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Ronnie Johnson
The Entrance (Part II)
But this man because he continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood (Hebrews 7:24 RKJV).
The way to God, the incredible entrance to His heart is now through a different kind of Priest. It is no wonder He is assigned as one like Melchisedec; after such an order. Melchisedec came out of the blue. He is not in the Levi lineage. He is suni generis, one of a kind.
Other priest in the historical backdrop of time simply sacrificed for the people in order that they might have that entrance to God. They could only go as far as to the earthly priest—now there is a heavenly One. This Man, the Man from Galilee sacrificed Himself. He paid the price that you might have life. He caused the new Entrance.
The new covenant has opened the door to God so wide that most people think it is too good to be true. But now our Priest has flung open heaven’s doors. You have that access, that entrance that is available to everyone who comes by the way of the cross.
For we have not an high priest who can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15, 16 RKJV).
The wall of rejection is down. The laborious shackles of laws, rule-keeping and traditions are no more. No more sacrifices needed! Ever again! The baby from Bethlehem became the Priest of all believers. He gave you a personal, intimate opportunity to enter into the very presence of God’s throne through a simple prayer. You don’t even have to knock—you, yourself can just walk right through and speak to Almighty; your Savior, Creator and Comforter GOD.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
The Entrance (Part III)
But now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26 KJV).
I recently shared with my long time friend, a man I call, The Prophet, that I am trying more and more to give God my business totally into His mighty hands. I told him, “I think many people talk about giving God their business or some valuable asset in their life, but they really never totally give it to God.” I continued, “I understand this because it is a process of giving my business over and over, day after day into the Lord’s hands; and it is never easy when you meant it.”
My friend, The Prophet simply replied, “Ronnie, God doesn’t want your business, He wants you.”
It is obvious that the Christ, the Carpenter who drudge up that hill to Calvary and gave His own blood for the sins of the world, did not give His ministry or miracles back to God the Father—He gave Himself! He and He alone has provided your own entrance to God. He went into the second part of the tabernacle, not the first part and gave Himself as the supreme sacrifice of the ages. There is now no longer the need for the High Priest to go into the holy of holies (holiest of all) part of the tabernacle once a year to offer the blood of lambs and calves for a sacrifice for the sins of God’s people. The Highest Priest has gone there and offered Himself. The High Priest merely sprinkled the blood of animals upon the mercy seat of the tabernacle behind the second veil. The Christ shed His own blood behind the second veil. Now the veil is rent. You are a prayer away from the Holiest of Holies—Christ is your new mediator and intercessor. You can personally access God and get on His schedule for a private appointment—anytime, anywhere, any day or moment you wish.
After the Lord gave Himself, this opened up direct communications and relations to Almighty God for all people to enter behind the second veil themselves, the second part of the tabernacle. Now today, right this very moment a believer can approach his own Creator and Maker and Savior. WOW!
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13 NKJV).
So run to Him…..He’s waiting for you. There’s nothing between you and Him now. Nothing!
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
The Welcome
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2 KJV).
I have delved into Hebrews in the last few weeks only to discover how little I know about this small book in the New Testament. I really think the writer is also alluding to Christ (earth’s greatest stranger) in this verse. Naturally we read this and think about only the human element (or strangers we encounter); i. e., that whoever we greet and meet may, in fact, be an angel. But the earth had more than an angel it could have entertained, the Christ of the ages. However, He simply walked through the dust of our world and received rejection—not a warm, entertaining reception.
The Christ offered Himself totally to His creation; He gave everything that you and I may be sons of the King. He loved people as they were not how He thought they ought to be. He chose death that you might have life. He chose the cross, that you might not be lost. What unconditional love the Carpenter gave to humanity! But He was not welcomed here. He gave love and received hate.
Let us be very careful that we do not fail to entertain the One who loved us most. His way is never pushy. He goes where He is accepted. He goes to who will accept Him.
But although he made the world, the world didn’t recognize him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, the Jews, he was not accepted. Only a few would welcome and receive him. But to all who received him, he gave the right to become children of God. All they need to do was to trust him to save them.(John 1:10-12 TLBV).
Every day is a new day. Myriads of opportunities await you and me. Who will we entertain today? Who gets The Welcome to our home? Into our heart?
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Ronnie Johnson
A Sparrow World
“You are of more value than any sparrows” (Luke 12:7b RKJV).
A channel is a special way to carry water to a dry and thirsty land. Bearing that water to those who are thirsty makes the process even more valuable. There are two Greek words that make up this thought “are of more value.” And these are the two root terms, channel and bear through. You and I are made in the image of God. We are channels of life, transporting our own person through this world. People who lose their value lose the opportunity to transport the qualities and gifts they possess to others in this world.
A sparrow is a small defenseless little bird. These small chiefly brownish or grayish Old World oscine songbirds are known for their singing. They can be of the finch family (as a song sparrow or tree sparrow); these resemble the true sparrows.
That noise in the tree, that singing is for you and me. Birds are of value. Their singing sometime soothes our spirits, calms our nerves. But a You, a person, a people creature made in the very image of God is transporting so much more to God and to humanity. No wonder the Lord makes this awesome statement, “you are of more value than any sparrows.”
Your life is lived but once. Everyday is a day for you. Your life is one big step before you cross over to the other side. Your smile, your voice, your mannerisms and your ideas are inestimable. The sparrow has its place in the world, but you are the reason He made the world. People who throw their life away, who lose the worth of who they really are, reduce themselves to a sparrow world—how tragic! Think about it. There is no wisdom in the stupidity of losing yourself in a worthless life. How valuable are you? What is your worth today? Did you know that you are the most priceless, dearest and golden asset in this earth? You are a gem. A treasure.
Whereas you know not what shall be tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. (James 4:14 RKJV).
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
Tips
Better is a poor and wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished (Ecclesiastes 4:13 KJV).
Probably one of the smartest tips a person ever gave me came at a time in my life when I was down and out, frustrated to no end with my retail business; even ready to throw in the towel. The man had been a long time friend of my family. Get the picture if you will. I am on a kind of bench-like chair in my dad’s office. This gentleman is sitting right beside me. I am bemoaning my circumstances letting this tall, lanky 80 year old business man know how down I am. After I had gone through many different scenarios of failure, and gave him my “heart-gut” “heart-wrenching” worries, he stood up immediately and looked at me sternly. He said very emphatically with a red face,
“Damn! Be a man!
And he walked away. Now to some people they may have taken this to be offensive; perhaps down right insensitive. But for me it was at that moment in time one of the most valued pieces of wisdom I ever gained this side of heaven
Those who will not be admonished are no better off than a poor, but wise little kid on the streets of life; even if that person is the CEO of the biggest corporation in the world or the president and leader of the greatest nation on earth (no political pun intended).
An old golf pro was trying his darndest (not in Webster’s) to teach a young collegiate golfer golf lessons. The kid simply would not listen and even attempted to teach the pro himself how he thought he should swing his club. Finally the golf practice session ended. The old pro started walking away following the young golfer he had tried to teach. A man quickly stopped the old pro, and simply asked if he could run a question by him. And the old pro immediately agreed. “Sir, I could not help but overhear your practice lesson with that kid. Why in this world did you allow him to just take over and let him tell you how he should swing those clubs?”
Well, I will tell you. And this came to me after working with youngsters over many years now. As he was still carefully pocketing the money he had received from his fee, “I learned long ago that it’s a waste of time to try to sell answers to a person who only wants to buy echoes.”
You and I have a life Coach—the Pro of all pro’s. If we will listen and learn from Him, learn those tips that only He can give us through His Holy Word; it will make all the difference in this world for you and me. It will make the difference in our happiness, our purpose for being here and our fulfillment in this life. He is the ANSWER! He is in fact, “the Way, the Truth and the Life. ”And He has the best tips of all for living.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
YOU’RE GOOD TO GO
Set your affection on things above; not on things on earth (Colossians 3:2 KJV).
Go forward with your life. Look up. Look upward. Heavenward! Be positive. Believe in yourself today. Reassurance comes from the recharging of your own faith.
As the Apostle says, refocus your affection. Listen to Peterson’s version of Paul’s words to this Christian band in ancient Colosse:
So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.(Colossians 3:3:1, 2 TMV).
Can you imagine being in a home Bible Study with Paul the Apostle? He charged these Christians to be up and out, on the go, Christ-conscious, and ready for warfare. He urged these early Christians to look up. It’s like he is saying, “You’re good to go” when you are “looking up, being alert to what is going on around Christ…”
Hold your head high today. You are a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Stick your chest out. Don’t complain. Be positive. Optimistic! Look up. You’re good to go. You are supernaturally empowered by Christ’s Spirit who is present with you, ready to assist you; lead you, strengthen you, comfort you and guide you through this day. You’re good to go. Go into this day with a bright smile on your face, a deep joy in your heart, a new spring in your step squaring your shoulders for the battle before you. Give your own spirit and heart a hug from within. Realign and refocus those affections. You’re good to go. So, go.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
WHO MOVED?
Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat! (Job 23:3 KJV).
Where is God? Why does He seem to be so far away at times? Why is it when you pray that you feel that your prayers go no higher than the ceiling above you?
With all of Job’s horrible, sad losses, with all of his health issues; with all of his questions and troubles he could think of no better way than to find God, the Almighty. He wants more than anything to be able to let Him know first-hand what he really felt in his heart. But in his quest for God, in the seemingly absence of God’s glowing presence, Job cried out, “Oh that I knew where I might find him! That I might come even to his seat!” Ever feel this way, too? I do.
The aching of every soul is the mystery and magic of God and His awesome presence and reality. He just is that He is. He has always been an IS.I AM THAT I AM! He has never not existed. Poor grammar I’m sure—but this is God. His past is His present. His future is His now. He is the Always. The Forever. Time has no power with Jehovah God; no power over Him.
Whether you sleep or wake He IS. He was and is before you came. His person and way are endlessness. He is without beginning or ending.
My dear friend, The Prophet, over all these years now said to me recently, “Ronnie, you remember telling me that sometime you think God seems so far away? Remember you said it often feels like He is not even there and your words just rise into the thin air?”
“Yes,” I replied.
“Who moved?” asked the Prophet.
Down the road ...
Ronnie Johnson
