A DREAM OF A BLOOD-RED TRACTOR-TRAILER

In the dream I was standing with two other people and watched as a tractor-trailer came down the road and slowed to a stop before us. It was striking because the trailer was literally blood-red, as if painted with fresh dripping blood!

I felt this was about the delivery of the benefits of Jesus’ blood. We are going to appreciate the blood of Jesus in greater measure as we discover the cargo in the trailer! As Israel left Egypt the last memory of their homes would be the bloody door jams. They left Egypt strong, disease-free, loaded with a new prosperity, united as a nation and off on a great adventure. The ultimate escape plan was blood on the doorposts!

OUR CHILDREN SPRINKLED IN BLOOD

Picture this: Your children return to you after Church with their Sunday-best covered with blood spots. Thoroughly alarmed you ask, “What in the world happened?!” The children reply excited and pleased, “Daddy! Mommy! The Sunday school teacher sprinkled blood on all the children. Now we are free from all our sins!!”

Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Exodus 24:8

THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE CROSS

Some look back on the ancient practices of sacrifice and are appalled. Many call it gruesome and gross, barbaric and foolish. Actually, this mentality is a sign we have chosen to minimize the weight of our sins. “I’m OK, Your OK. We don’t need anyone dying to save us.”

Some of us reduce our sins to little mistakes and missteps. By minimizing the seriousness of our sins, we minimize the necessity of Christ’s nasty execution. We think of the vulgarity of the cross rather than the vulgarity of our sin. “I’m a pretty great person, I have a good attitude and a healthy self-image. Therefore, I don’t need anyone dying on a cross for me.” We believe we’re righteousness enough. “My life is a little messy but blood is way too messy, and unnecessary for me!”

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. … For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  1 Cor 1:18

Christianity only exists because of bloody and ghastly sacrifice. Somber and serious stuff! But do you know why we Christians can laugh, be silly, carefree and goofy? Why we can run and frolic in pure delight? The potent blood of our precious Savior sets us free from the death-spiral of pride and fear, shame and condemnation! It removes every last vestige of the fear of death! This is why we take communion sober and thoughtful, but also gleeful and jubilant! THIS STUFF IS INSIDE THE TRUCK!

EARLY JEWISH BELIEVERS PRACTICED BLOOD SACRIFICE

The early church recognized the ultimate covenantal agreement and cleansing in Jesus’ bloody death. Many modern believers poopoo the former temple sacrifices because of the excellence and completion of a better covenant in Christ. It would be good to remember that the early Jewish believers in Jesus continued the temple sacrifices until the destruction of the temple in 70 AD by Titus.

When Paul spoke of hurrying to get to Jerusalem by Passover he knew he would offer the sacrifice of a lamb there. (Acts 20:16) When he paid the expenses for men who were taking vows he was purchasing the animals slaughtered for their purification. (Acts 21:24). Every time the early Jewish believers went to the temple and made blood sacrifices they would remember the wonderful sacrifice the Lord Jesus had made for them!

SPRINKLED WITH BLOOD

I have always hated killing and slaughtering animals. On our farm we raised chickens, rabbits, sheep and goats. All of them had to be killed to get to our pantry and plates. I hated shooting the sheep in their heads, cutting their necks, draining them out, and cutting them up, but it was necessary.

The complicated and Gory temple sacrifices are “only” types and shadows, but they illuminate our New Covenant. Blood was sprinkled on all the tabernacle utensils and draperies to purify them. It was sprinkled on priests and people. “Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”  Hebrews 9:22

We have come “to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. “ Hebrews 12:24

We saints have been “chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood”  1 Peter 1:2

LEARNING TO APPRECIATE OUR SAVIOR’S BLOOD

I had a pastor friend who told me that regardless what topic he preached on he would always mention, if only for a few moments, the sacrifice and the blood of Jesus. I took this to heart, for I never want to forget that precious blood, nor do I want those I love to forget. In fact, I want to prize the blood of Jesus more and more as I anticipate seeing Him face to face.

Are you hit-and-miss about remembering the sacrifice of Jesus? Let’s endeavor every day to recall the extent of His poured-out love! Recalling what the Hero of our story did to save his True Love is the secret of returning to first love. There will be truckloads of benefits!

SINGING BLOOD-LOVE

We sing exuberantly, “I’m forever grateful to you! I’m forever grateful for the cross!

We revel in the answer to the stubborn question; “What can wash away my sins?” We shout our remedy, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”

We sing with Andre’ Crouch, “The blood!”

YOUR FEED-BACK

Tell us what you think of Jesus’ bloody sacrifice.

What benefits have you received?

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  1 John 1:7

Steven C Johnson

Landingstripentprises.com

 

A VISION OF PASSOVER BLOOD

 

POWER FOR PURCHASING

 

LEVERAGING CRIMSON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jesus “broke” the quarantine rules of the day, but got away with it!

According to Moses, lepers were to be isolated outside the camp. No one got close to lepers. It was revolting and unthinkable. If you accidently came in contact with a leper there were all sorts of religious cleansings you were obligated to observe. But Jesus touched the leper and got away with it, because as soon as he touched him the leper was a leper no more.

 

Only the closest of family were to touch dead bodies.If you touched a dead body there were rituals of cleansing and sacrifice to follow. But Jesus got away with it, because when he touched the dead they came to life.

 

To be touched by a woman with an issue of blood was to be defiled. There were rituals to follow in order to be cleansed. But Jesus was touched by a woman unclean because of a persistent bleeding problem. Yes, he was touched and would have been contaminated according to the law, but the woman who touched Him was no longer defiled.

 

The Covid 19 virus would not have been diagnosed in Jesus’ day. One thing we know is that people were brought to Jesus with all kinds of diseases, including the corona viruses of the day. Jesus was not afraid of become defiled and contaminated. When the sick touched Jesus they “contracted” Jesus’ vitalizing health!

There is a day when Jesus will walk through the graveyards. He will not be contaminated by doing this because the dead will rise!  Jesus did not actually break or degrade Moses’ law by breaking quarantine. He transcended and superseded it  with a superior covenant of love and power!

Today non-Christians don’t think of bringing their sick to a church for prayer. They know most Christians are powerless to help. It will not always be that way. The Church is laying hold of the “greater things!”

I am not suggesting you expose yourself to people defiled by Covid 19. Unless, of course, you possess Jesus’ revitalizing health to bring the cure.

Acts 5:15 ^“As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid

them on beds and mats so that at least

Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.“

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Are we to be satisfied with the present state of the Church’s power or are we to go up to new levels? 

Stretching with you for greater things!

Steven C Johnson

LandingStripEnterprises.com

HAVE YOU HAD A FREE LISTEN TO RIVERFRONT PROPERTY IN AUDIO?? 

Listen Freely and tell us what you think?

 

 

 

Would it surprise you to discover that Yeshua loved living at Peter’s home on the North shore of Galilee?

Did He relished the sunrise glinting on the water and the thunderstorms pelting and dotting the lake? Did Jesus love to see the wind ruffle Peter’s sail? Was he entranced as he looked back at the wake following the boat? Perhaps He was too spiritual for that….

Not at all! Remember Jesus is the one who told Nicodemus to be aware of the wind, the crowds, to get in touch with the birds and the lilies and the disciples to treasure the children!

Like us he was mesmerized by the water lapping at the hull and rocking the boat. Do you suppose Jesus was a swimmer? He couldn’t have been afraid of the water! Can you imagine our Lord stripping down with the guys and taking the challenge of racing out to Andrew’s boat?

There were plenty of trials in Messiah’s life and ministry but still, Jesus is the expert at wringing pleasure out of simple things. He loves to be around the water. Of course he does unusual things with it. He turns it to wine! He walks on it! Picture the tongue-in-cheek smile.

After a day of scrambling over the stony shore following and listening to their amazing Rabbi what did they do for dinner? Perhaps they barbequed fish with Peter’s patented seasoning mix. There was joy on the lake!

Steven C Johnson

Landingstripenterprises.com

 

I remember in the days of my earliest childhood being mesmerized by the lights and ornaments on the Christmas tree. Christmas has held a special wonder. I was hypnotized.

As a young adult I found that Christmas was grander than nostalgia and sentimentality. Heaven’s potency was compressed in the little baby.  Heaven had become manifest!

Beyond colored lights and sleigh bells, music and shopping sprees there is a Holy Spirit of Christmas.  It is beyond reason but so worthy of pondering.

I encourage you to feel the mystery of Christmas.  Take time to welcome the Holy Spirit of Christmas into your heart.

                How do we sensitize our spirits to the Holy Spirit of Christmas? 

     Feed your spirit on the Christmas stories in Matthew 1 and 2 and Luke 1 and 2. 

     Share the story with family and friends in such a way that meaning seeps in. 

     Sing some spiritual Christmas carols and talk about the words with the kids. 

     Take time for quite contemplation.  Don’t be too rushed for significance. 

     Consider sharing gifts beyond the common boundaries of friends and family.

These practices will help you welcome the Holy Spirit of Christmas.

Steven C Johnson

https://landingstripenterprises.com/

 

Steve and Pam

Anna and Tucker, Theresa and Denari, Claire and Jack

Hello Dear Ones!

Brian and Rebekah continue happily-ever-aftering in Issaquah, WA. Brian works with a company that engineers heating and cooling systems. He is finding his work a healthy challenge and enjoys his associates. Beautiful Rebekah is teaching dance and setting up their new apartment!

Tess has become the personal assistant to a fine gentleman who owns Little Valley Mountain Resort, a beautiful get-away in our neighborhood! He has employed all three of our daughters over the past 4 years. Tess re-enters beauty school in January to expand her skills and will move to Knoxville. We will miss her cheerfulness. We so appreciated her hard work to keep the place up while we were gone.

Anna is at U.T. Chattanooga, a Senior in Sociology, minoring in Marketing. She volunteers at Young Life and has a High School girls group Anna is never afraid to try something new. This year

Christmas is in Alaska. Claire is out of the nest and a sophomore at U.T. Chat majoring in Communications. She loves the campus life and has made good friends. Her faith is growing and her circle of friends is solid. She loves to tell them stories of growing up in the Johnson family. Yikes!

Most of you followed Steve and me as we ministered with our friends, the Bellas, in Israel this spring. At this stage I’m still slack jawed at all God did and continues to in our lives. Somehow I knew if we just obeyed and jumped with Him He would look after everything else. And He did! The over-looked path is a joyful faith walk!

We have found and been enfolded in a new congregation, Life Changers International. All I can say is check it out on Face Book. We love Pastor Sandra’s faith and real love for people. We love the Jesus focus, the call to intercession and worship and the enthusiasm of the believers. Steve will be teaching college level classes in the new year.

I have a sweet job as Inside Sales Agent at Kings of Real Estate. There’s a fun God story there! We His children are sweeping the planet! Our light shines!

The animals are happy and well. The garden is tucked away for the winter. Since I’m writing this on Dec. 21 we are not concerned this is the end of the world – although we are concerned for the state of America. Our hearts go out to those in Connecticut who have lost loved ones! We are turning heart to the Lord!

Love and blessings to all,

Pam and the Family