The Race You Can Finish

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Focus Verse: Hebrews 12:1  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

Maybe you have noticed when you watch a race, some runners start out very fast.  But if it is a long race, those runners may become too tired to finish the race well.  Because they have not paced themselves, they either quit the race early or finish with a poor time.  Smart runners don't carry backpacks or luggage when they run.  No, they have just the clothes they need to wear and a good pair of running shoes.

The apostle Paul compares the Christian life to a race.  He says "let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."  As I work in ministry in Kenya, I know that all of Africa will not be saved through my own efforts,  but I do know that God will help me disciple some to follow Him.  Some of those will, in turn, also make new disciples.  This can branch out like a tree of runners. 

So we pace ourselves in this Christian life to do what God enables us to do.  Paul has also told us to take off the backpack of sin so we can run this race strong.  Ineffective Christians are carrying the luggage of sin on their backs.  Paul says strip it off, get rid of the things that weight you down.  In Philippians 3:14 Paul writes, "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."  He encourages us to finish the race strong.

When we come to the end of our life, let us be able to say as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7  "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."  Are you a disciple ... running?

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Wasted Opportunities

Wasted Opportunities

Scripture Reading: Mark 14:10-11, 43-49

Focus Verse: Mark 14:10  "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them."

As we observe Easter this coming week I'd like for us to look at the missed opportunities of one of Jesus' disciples.  Here is Judas one of the twelve.  He sat under the teaching of Jesus for three years.  Jesus gave power to the disciples to heal and cast out demons. The disciples watched all that Jesus did.  What a great opportunity the disciples had to walk with the Son of God that created the whole universe in bodily form.  But Judas missed the opportunity for a decision to dramatically transform his life. 
You and I are given the same opportunity today.  Jesus is saying "come follow me" just as He said to those disciples 2000 years ago.  What will your answer be?  Will you allow God to do more in your life than you ever thought possible, Ephesians 3:20.  Or will you waste the greatest opportunity that has ever been offered to you?  Judas lived a wasted life because he chose greed and power.  Satan used this weakness to take him further on the sinful path than Judas ever expected.  He never realized the great plan that God had for him.  God has a great plan for your life too.  Are you going to put yourself in a position to receive that plan by guarding your heart and desires?  Commit your desires to Christ and desire the things that He desires for us.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Is Jesus Who He Says He Is?

Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-23

Focus Verse: Colossians 1:16-17  "By Him all things were created...  And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

When Jesus walked on this earth what kind of proof did He actually give us that He was God in flesh?  Well, He was perfect.  No one else before or since has lived a perfect life.  In John 8:46, Jesus said, "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?"  No one could.  Hebrews 4:15 says that, "He was tempted as we are, but is without sin." 

We also have the evidence of His unlimited power.  He raised the dead.  He quieted the storms.  He healed the sick.  He restored sight to the blind.  No one else has ever done these things. 

Jesus fulfilled all of the prophesies in the Old Testament.  In his book "The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict" in section 8, Josh McDowell says, "The Old Testament contains over three hundred references to the Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus."  For example, hundreds of years before His birth we were given the precise place where he would be born in Micah 5:2.  There are also details of His death and burial and resurrection. 

Jesus is the only one who has the power to change a human heart.  2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."  

Many religions of the world have leaders that have died, and where are their bodies? Still in the grave.  Where is Jesus?  He is alive today, and He is coming back to this earth one day.  Yes, Jesus IS who He said He is.  He is fully God, and He alone is worthy of your praise and worship.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Cheerful Heart Overflows

Bible Reading: Job 29:21-25
Focus verse: Proverbs 15:30  "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health."  and Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength."

Cheerfulness is being full of good feelings.  It comes when your heart is full of the joy of the Lord which is from the Holy Spirit.  In the scripture reading, Job is describing a time in his life when he was a chief.  People would take their problems to him and ask for his council.  Job would smile and there would be a cheerful light in his facial expression.  It delighted those who were near.

Sometimes we have challenges in our lives.  Sometimes it is a small irritation of a problem.  Sometimes others around us are grumpy.  And we may even face severe trials where it is not easy to have a cheerful heart, but in time, God can return that cheerful heart to us as we trust in Him.  His Holy Spirit can give the fruit of Joy to our hearts which brings good cheer, even as our situation is not better, we have our hope in God and Him alone.

Good cheer in my heart may bring good cheer to others.  Lord, help me to trust in you to restore the joy that brings cheerfulness.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries