Be Watchful, But Busy
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Focus Verses: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever."
Did you know that Jesus is coming back to this earth one day? He's coming back to take us to heaven, but only those who are His children. The Bible teaches that the rapture of the church is the next big event on God's timeline. Jesus could come back at any time. I am looking forward to that event. But I'm not just sitting waiting. We should be busy telling others about this big event, so that as many people as possible will be with us in heaven.
The Bible says in Ephesians 2:4-7 That God is looking forward to us getting to heaven, because He want to show us grace, kindness and how much He loves us. I hope you are watching for His return, but I also hope you are busy tell others of this great promise of Jesus' return.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, August 30, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
The Family Under Attack
Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 3:2-5
Focus Verse: Proverbs 12:7 "The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm."
It seems like today the family unit is under attack from every angle. I believe that Satan knows how powerful a Christian family can be to the Kingdom of God. We see pornography seeking to destroy marriages. Unfaithful spouses bring HIV into the home. The homosexual agenda is seeking to destroy the definition of marriage between one man and one woman as God intended. There is a lack of love and honor in the home, but instead it is full of pride, always blaming the other person. The father and mother are too busy to teach their children about God. Satan aims many arrows at the family that he wants to destroy.
This coming September 20-21 we will hold a marriage conference in Kenya on Mfangano Island. We recognize that to build a strong Christian community in western Kenya there needs to be strong Christian families. The world today does not put very much importance on the family. But God does. Psalm 112:1-2 says, "Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed." There is a great blessing in store for the Christian family that is faithful to God. We get our strength from the Lord to lead strong Christian families. Join us for this marriage conference as we seek the Lord in building strong marriages and families.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Proverbs 12:7 "The wicked die and disappear, but the family of the godly stands firm."
It seems like today the family unit is under attack from every angle. I believe that Satan knows how powerful a Christian family can be to the Kingdom of God. We see pornography seeking to destroy marriages. Unfaithful spouses bring HIV into the home. The homosexual agenda is seeking to destroy the definition of marriage between one man and one woman as God intended. There is a lack of love and honor in the home, but instead it is full of pride, always blaming the other person. The father and mother are too busy to teach their children about God. Satan aims many arrows at the family that he wants to destroy.
This coming September 20-21 we will hold a marriage conference in Kenya on Mfangano Island. We recognize that to build a strong Christian community in western Kenya there needs to be strong Christian families. The world today does not put very much importance on the family. But God does. Psalm 112:1-2 says, "Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed." There is a great blessing in store for the Christian family that is faithful to God. We get our strength from the Lord to lead strong Christian families. Join us for this marriage conference as we seek the Lord in building strong marriages and families.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, August 17, 2013
For the Sake of Peace
Scripture reading, Genesis 13:6-9.
Focus verse: Gen 13:8 "So Abram said to Lot “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”
Abram and Lot had been living together as relatives and friends. Their friendship was good such that when God called Abram he decided he would not leave his nephew (Lot) back, but would go with him to the unknown destination God told him. Lot on the other hand trusted Abram such that he was willing to go with him to unknown destination. God blessed them with many animals and other possessions that later brought unrest between the two and their herdsmen. Hence Abram was never living in peace again with his friend/relative. Neither was there peace between Abram’s workers and Lot’s workers. Maybe the end result of this quarrel would have been a big fight that would have resulted into injuries or even death.
Abram decides to take a step that would let him stay in peace with his brother but more so with God who called him and had a mission for his life. He decided to take a bold decision that would make him have peace for his life. Yes, he understood the relationship between him and Lot but strongly proposes a separation between them for the sake of peace. Peace is a key need in everyone’s everyday life and that’s why even Christ himself came that the world may have it.
Have you ever felt in your life that someone you had loved like your friend you had always hanged around with? May be your relative or your workmate is not allowing you to have peace? Have you found it so hard to let go your old friends who still lure you into your old nature? Have you ever felt like each day you fall into the same sin you repent of? Or maybe wanting to always please your friends to the expense of relationship with God? Maybe you have even tried through dialogue/consensus meetings which have not worked well for you?
It reaches a time in our lives when we must let go for the sake of our peace and more so peace with God no matter how helpful or beautiful they might be. We must accept to let go our old nature and stay away from things that makes us to lose peace. Separating your friendship with a friend who causes you to sin is the best remedy. Stay as far as east is from west of right from left just like Abram. When we think about having peace let us be ready to separate from things that causes us not to have peace and be ready to let go for our peace to come. Peace is always there waiting for us to say no to things that keeps it (peace) away.
Eliazar Wambo
pastor of Makira Baptist Church, Mfangano, Kenya
Focus verse: Gen 13:8 "So Abram said to Lot “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”
Abram and Lot had been living together as relatives and friends. Their friendship was good such that when God called Abram he decided he would not leave his nephew (Lot) back, but would go with him to the unknown destination God told him. Lot on the other hand trusted Abram such that he was willing to go with him to unknown destination. God blessed them with many animals and other possessions that later brought unrest between the two and their herdsmen. Hence Abram was never living in peace again with his friend/relative. Neither was there peace between Abram’s workers and Lot’s workers. Maybe the end result of this quarrel would have been a big fight that would have resulted into injuries or even death.
Abram decides to take a step that would let him stay in peace with his brother but more so with God who called him and had a mission for his life. He decided to take a bold decision that would make him have peace for his life. Yes, he understood the relationship between him and Lot but strongly proposes a separation between them for the sake of peace. Peace is a key need in everyone’s everyday life and that’s why even Christ himself came that the world may have it.
Have you ever felt in your life that someone you had loved like your friend you had always hanged around with? May be your relative or your workmate is not allowing you to have peace? Have you found it so hard to let go your old friends who still lure you into your old nature? Have you ever felt like each day you fall into the same sin you repent of? Or maybe wanting to always please your friends to the expense of relationship with God? Maybe you have even tried through dialogue/consensus meetings which have not worked well for you?
It reaches a time in our lives when we must let go for the sake of our peace and more so peace with God no matter how helpful or beautiful they might be. We must accept to let go our old nature and stay away from things that makes us to lose peace. Separating your friendship with a friend who causes you to sin is the best remedy. Stay as far as east is from west of right from left just like Abram. When we think about having peace let us be ready to separate from things that causes us not to have peace and be ready to let go for our peace to come. Peace is always there waiting for us to say no to things that keeps it (peace) away.
Eliazar Wambo
pastor of Makira Baptist Church, Mfangano, Kenya
Friday, August 9, 2013
When Life Isn't Fair
Scripture Reading: Matthew 20:1-16
Focus Verse: Luke 23:42 Then the thief said to Jesus, "Lord remember me when You come into Your Kingdom."
Have you ever felt at times that life isn't fair? I sure have. Maybe you weren't treated fairly as a child when compared to brothers or sisters. Or perhaps a situation at your job was not handled fairly for you. I'm sure that Joseph in the Bible didn't think it was fair when he was wrongly accused of attacking Potiphar's wife. He then spent the next two years in prison for it. He must have thought that God had forgotten him. But the Bible says "God was with Joseph".
We see in our passage that laborers were paid the same wage even though they work different amounts of time. That doesn't sound fair. We also read in the Bible that the thief that died on the cross next to Jesus was granted eternal life because he believed in the last hour of his life. That's not fair, some people have served God many years and both get the same eternal life. Let's look at it this way. We all deserve Hell after the first sin we commit. That is fairness in God's sight. What is not fair is that Jesus died on a cross having done nothing wrong. He did that in our place. We should be so thankful that this is not fair. We should be so glad as believers in Christ that we are not getting what we deserve: death. Hell is fair. You can think about what Jesus did for you on the cross, and be thankful that life isn't fair.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Luke 23:42 Then the thief said to Jesus, "Lord remember me when You come into Your Kingdom."
Have you ever felt at times that life isn't fair? I sure have. Maybe you weren't treated fairly as a child when compared to brothers or sisters. Or perhaps a situation at your job was not handled fairly for you. I'm sure that Joseph in the Bible didn't think it was fair when he was wrongly accused of attacking Potiphar's wife. He then spent the next two years in prison for it. He must have thought that God had forgotten him. But the Bible says "God was with Joseph".
We see in our passage that laborers were paid the same wage even though they work different amounts of time. That doesn't sound fair. We also read in the Bible that the thief that died on the cross next to Jesus was granted eternal life because he believed in the last hour of his life. That's not fair, some people have served God many years and both get the same eternal life. Let's look at it this way. We all deserve Hell after the first sin we commit. That is fairness in God's sight. What is not fair is that Jesus died on a cross having done nothing wrong. He did that in our place. We should be so thankful that this is not fair. We should be so glad as believers in Christ that we are not getting what we deserve: death. Hell is fair. You can think about what Jesus did for you on the cross, and be thankful that life isn't fair.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, August 2, 2013
Jesus Is Watching Out For You
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:31-39
Focus Verse: Romans 8:34 "Who then is the one who condemns [God's chosen ones]? No one. Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Did you know that Satan goes before God accusing you of things? But Jesus is right there covering our case before God. Some of what Satan is saying to God about us is true because as believers we are still sinful creatures. But I'm glad it is all forgiven with the blood of Jesus. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God watching out for you. He is qualified because He never sinned. When God looks at us He sees His Son Jesus, and He sees the righteousness. Hebrews 7:25 says, "Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through Him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf."
Jesus also has another job to do. When we pray to God, He makes our prayers to be appropriate for God. Jesus knows just the right thing to say to God on our behalf. Hebrews 9:24 says, "For Christ has entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate. He did not go into the earthly place of worship, for that was merely a copy of the real Temple in heaven."
So, thank Jesus today for watching out for you before a Holy and Awesome God.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Romans 8:34 "Who then is the one who condemns [God's chosen ones]? No one. Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
Did you know that Satan goes before God accusing you of things? But Jesus is right there covering our case before God. Some of what Satan is saying to God about us is true because as believers we are still sinful creatures. But I'm glad it is all forgiven with the blood of Jesus. Jesus is seated at the right hand of God watching out for you. He is qualified because He never sinned. When God looks at us He sees His Son Jesus, and He sees the righteousness. Hebrews 7:25 says, "Therefore He is able, once and forever, to save everyone who comes to God through Him. He lives forever to plead with God on their behalf."
Jesus also has another job to do. When we pray to God, He makes our prayers to be appropriate for God. Jesus knows just the right thing to say to God on our behalf. Hebrews 9:24 says, "For Christ has entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate. He did not go into the earthly place of worship, for that was merely a copy of the real Temple in heaven."
So, thank Jesus today for watching out for you before a Holy and Awesome God.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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