As for Me...

Scripture Reading: Joshua 24: 14-18  (<-- make sure you click the scripture to open the verses)

Focus Verse: "...as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" Joshua 24:15

Moses was no longer leading the Israelites to promised land.  Although he helped to start the journey, it was now time for Joshua to complete the mission.  Joshua was leading the tribe and wanted them to know that they should follow God completely.  They should put away their idols and serve God alone.  It is a choice that each person should make on their own.  He declared that for his family, that they would serve the Lord.   The Israelites then committed to follow God, who had rescued them from their enemies and preserved them.  They followed their leader's example and took a stand.

Many times we are tempted to follow the traditions of the past.  The Israelites had lived with idols in Egypt and it was a part of normal life.  Now they were challenged to never return to living that way.  We are often challenged with following Christ and leaving behind some traditions.  The more you learn of Christ and the Word of God, the more you realize that some of your traditions should change.  This is true whether you live in America or Kenya.

Are you faced with the need of renewing your commitment to God.  Maybe you have been falling back into some traditions that have been a part of your life before.  Maybe you are looking at the path that you should take.  Don't run from God.  Renew your commitment to Him today.  Take a stand. Proclaim your complete commitment to God: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Theodore Epp said, "Our strength is seen in the things we stand for; our weakness is seen in the things we fall for."

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Recognizing Our True Condition

Scripture Reading: Matthew 5 (<--- remember to click on the reference to see the entire scripture.)

Focus Verses:
Matthew 5: 3-5  “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
    For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
    For they shall inherit the earth.

Do you know the way to true blessedness?  Jesus teaches us three things about good spiritual health. 

1.  To see ourselves as we really are.  When we realize that we need God as the focus of our lives we see ourselves as we really are: a sinner, in need of God's forgiveness.  To realize your need of God is to see that you are spiritually bankrupt.  We have nothing without Him.

2.  Take action and turn.  When we see ourselves as we really are, we are sorry for our condition. Then this leads us to take action and make changes in our lives.  2 Corinthians 7:10 says  "For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation.  We will never regret that kind of sorrow.  But sorrow without repentance is the kind that results in death."  Our true sorrow will lead to joy and salvation in Jesus Christ as well as a changed life.

3.  Pursue meekness.  We will no longer have pride in our lives.  This contradicts the way the world thinks; standing up for our rights, putting ourselves above others, always wanting to win arguments.  The meekness that Jesus describes here is not weakness, but rather power under constraint.  Much like a big horse controlled by a small  bit in his mouth.

When we recognize our true condition, we humble ourselves and confront our weaknesses.  We will see a change in our lives as we rely on God's power in our meekness. We will be happier with ourselves and others.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Living To Please God

Scripture Reading:  Romans 8

Focus Verses:  Romans 8:5-8   "Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.  So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.  For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.  That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God."

Living a life that pleases God can seem like a difficult thing.  And for some people it is.  They try to live according to a list of rules, trying to obtain God's favor through acts of kindness or compassion.  No one has ever kept all of God's commandments, except for Christ.  On our own we could never live a life that pleased God because we relied on our human - sinful nature.  Romans chapter 8 teaches us that we can live a life that is pure and pleasing to God.  The beginning verse explains that a relationship with Jesus Christ frees us from sin through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The only way to be free from sin is to be "bound" to Jesus.  We become a slave to Christ.  Not because we have to, but because we want to.  We want to serve Him.

That old sinful nature will continue to try and take control of our lives at times through thoughts that lead to sinful actions.  But if you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit you will serve God out of love and gratitude.  Your service will not be motivated by a desire to earn God's approval, but will be motivated by a desire to be closer to Jesus and bring Him the honor He deserves.  We know we already have God's approval by what Jesus did for us on the cross, if we have accepted His forgiveness of our sins.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

What is Truth

Bible Reading John 18 & 19

Focus verse: 

“Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.  John 18:37-38

Do you know the Truth?  Pilate struggled to find the truth when he questioned Jesus.  Jesus answered that “Everyone who is of the Truth hears my voice.”  

In the presence of Pilate, Jesus declared who He is.  He is  a King, but not of this world.  Jesus is a witness.  He came to bear witness to the truth and be heard by those who are of the truth. He is the giver of earthly powers (Mark 19:11).  Jesus is the Judge of sins.  

All of us struggle to find the truth in life.  When things are not going as we had hoped, we look for the truth in this life.  It is a mistake to search for the truth in worldly things.  You will not find truth in money.  You will not find truth in power.  You will not find truth in sex outside of monogamous marriage.  You will not find truth in anything that you treasure above God.  In the end, Pilate allowed his decision for crucifixion to be based on fear of the public opinion.  Do not crucify your King Jesus to the lies of power, sex or money.

You will find truth in Christ alone.  You can not hear him unless you belong to him.  You can not hear him if you are in the pit of lies in your life.  If you are struggling with truth today, seek God.  Seek the risen Christ.  Surrender to Him.  Commit to following Him above all things in the world.  He can lift you from the pit of lies in this world and hold you to Himself.  The Truth.

How do we know if Jesus is speaking to us?  If you know the Truth, you will hear his voice.

~Page Johnson