Seeing The Invisible

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:18 "So we don’t spend all our time looking at what we can see. Instead, we look at what we can’t see. What can be seen lasts only a short time. But what can’t be seen will last forever."

We have all come to points in our lives where we feel like giving up and quitting.  I think it is during those times that we get too focused on the things that are seen.  Maybe our job is not going well, or you are having trouble with your grades in school.  Maybe there are issues in your marriage. In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks a lot about an inner strength that we can call on from the Holy Spirit.  Remember it is only through our weakness that God can be made strong in our lives.

Our ultimate hope during times of trouble or discouragement is the realization that this life is not all that there is.  We have life after death. Knowing that we will live in a place with God forever where there is no more sin, no more trouble, no more problems should give us great encouragement.  So let us not forget all that is waiting for us that we cannot see right now.  It is "earning for us a glory that will last forever."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Someone's Watching You

Someone's Watching You

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 139

Focus Verse: Psalm 139:1  "O Lord You have examined my heart and know everything about me."

Recently governments around the world have been accused of keeping too much personal information on computers about its citizens.  People are saying this is an invasion of privacy.  We should not forget that God is keeping detailed information on each one of us.  He is keeping much more information about us than any government could keep.  God knows more about you than you know about yourself.

Hebrews 4:13 says,  "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight .  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."  It amazes me that God knows all my shortcoming, my weaknesses, my sins, and all the things I thought were hidden from everyone, yet He loves me.  God desires to forgive me and help me overcome them in order to live a life more like His Son, Jesus.

Those of us who have repented and follow Christ have reason to rejoice.  Jesus has removed all these things from us just as if we never did them.  2 Corinthians 5:19 says, "For God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people's sins against them."  This is the wonderful message He has given us to tell others.  We have hope today because the One that is watching us is also the One forgiving us, as we place our trust in Him.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Who Will Teach Them?

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 6:1-9

Focus Verses:  “Samuel continued as judge over Israel all the days of his life. From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places” (1 Samuel 7:15–16). “But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice” (1Samuel 8:3).

Samuel was a judge over Israel and kept busy traveling and working.  The work he did was good.  Although he served God, he neglected his sons.  When he appointed them to be judges too, they weren't ready to withstand the temptations.  In the end, they were a shame unto him and caused the people to reject God as King.

It will be especially easy for those in ministry to be obsessed with their work and even with what God is doing.  Please, when you are home, be a father or be a mother.  Invest in your kids' lives and minister to them.  They need to know you care about them.  They need to know that they can trust God.  They need to know why they should obey God.

Deut. 6:7 says, "You shall teach them (God's commands) diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Near to God

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:17-22

Focus verse: Psalm 34:18  "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite (or crushed) spirit."

Did you ever wonder if God is near or far?  If you are struggling in your life, you need to understand that everyone struggles.  Even if you do good and right, you will still have troubles in this world. 

The key is to know that you don't have to struggle alone.  God hears those who call out to Him.  He is close to those whose hearts have been broken.  He saves those who's spirits are crushed.  If you serve the Lord, he will set you free.  Run to God and He will be near to you.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries