Giving Thanks Honors God
Bible Reading: John 6
Focus Verse: John 6:11 "Then Jesus took the
loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people.
Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as
they wanted."
When someone gives you a gift, you generally thank them for it. That is a good thing to do because someone has shown you a kindness. In our story today, a young boy gave his lunch to Jesus for feeding the people. Jesus took the loaves and fish and gave thanks to God. Why do you think He did that?
We can get further insight with this verse:
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
The result of thanking God, was supply in the abundance! There was more food than the people could consume! This was a blessing indeed.
When someone gives you a gift, thank the giver, but don't forget to thank the God who is the ultimate giver. Without Him, the gift couldn't be given.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, February 27, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Future in Focus
Bible Reading: Psalm 23
With 2014 in the rear-view mirror and most of 2015 still before us, our thoughts tend to be future-oriented. What will this year's headlines reveal about the economy? The Middle East? ISIS? Wars and rumors of wars? Births and deaths? How will our own personal headlines read? As you navigate your way through 2015, is your outlook one of anticipation or apprehension? Confidence or consternation?
In Psalm 23, David expresses his optimism regarding the future: "Surely goodness and mercy (loving kindness, NASB) shall follow me all the days of my life" (v. 6). As he looks back on his life, David sees the faithful, loving, shepherding hand of God protecting, providing, leading, comforting, healing and delivering. His past experiences have forged an unwavering confidence in the present and an unshakable hope for the future. Not "possibly" or even "likely," but SURELY is the abiding reality of God's steadfast goodness and lovingkindness in his life. And just as surely is that wonderful promise given to all who possess the faith of David.
Knowing that a good God orders and oversees our days, however, doesn't mean that everything awaiting us in 2015 will be "good" (as we perceive it). David had to deal with ferocious lions, an intimidating giant, a paranoid, hot-tempered king, and a rebellious son, among other things. He knew what it was to feel isolated and lonely, abandoned and afraid, misunderstood and persecuted, weak and sinful and broken. But all along the way, a good and loving God was at work on his behalf to sustain, strengthen, forgive, restore and perfect. And as each day's happenings unfold for us in 2015, we, too, can rest in the knowledge that "in ALL THINGS God works for the GOOD of those who (like David) love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28, NIV).
As Haddon Robinson says in his book, Trusting the Shepherd: Insights from Psalm 23, "Surely goodness and mercy will pursue us. 'Surely,' because God has never failed us in the past. 'Surely,' because He does not begin a work He does not complete. 'Surely,' because the experience of His flock attests to what David knew: that God never forsakes us. If the Lord is your Shepherd and you are His sheep, He walks before you, and goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life. That includes today."
Scott Brinson
With 2014 in the rear-view mirror and most of 2015 still before us, our thoughts tend to be future-oriented. What will this year's headlines reveal about the economy? The Middle East? ISIS? Wars and rumors of wars? Births and deaths? How will our own personal headlines read? As you navigate your way through 2015, is your outlook one of anticipation or apprehension? Confidence or consternation?
In Psalm 23, David expresses his optimism regarding the future: "Surely goodness and mercy (loving kindness, NASB) shall follow me all the days of my life" (v. 6). As he looks back on his life, David sees the faithful, loving, shepherding hand of God protecting, providing, leading, comforting, healing and delivering. His past experiences have forged an unwavering confidence in the present and an unshakable hope for the future. Not "possibly" or even "likely," but SURELY is the abiding reality of God's steadfast goodness and lovingkindness in his life. And just as surely is that wonderful promise given to all who possess the faith of David.
Knowing that a good God orders and oversees our days, however, doesn't mean that everything awaiting us in 2015 will be "good" (as we perceive it). David had to deal with ferocious lions, an intimidating giant, a paranoid, hot-tempered king, and a rebellious son, among other things. He knew what it was to feel isolated and lonely, abandoned and afraid, misunderstood and persecuted, weak and sinful and broken. But all along the way, a good and loving God was at work on his behalf to sustain, strengthen, forgive, restore and perfect. And as each day's happenings unfold for us in 2015, we, too, can rest in the knowledge that "in ALL THINGS God works for the GOOD of those who (like David) love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28, NIV).
As Haddon Robinson says in his book, Trusting the Shepherd: Insights from Psalm 23, "Surely goodness and mercy will pursue us. 'Surely,' because God has never failed us in the past. 'Surely,' because He does not begin a work He does not complete. 'Surely,' because the experience of His flock attests to what David knew: that God never forsakes us. If the Lord is your Shepherd and you are His sheep, He walks before you, and goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life. That includes today."
Scott Brinson
Friday, February 13, 2015
Are You Compromising?
Are You Compromising?
Scripture Reading: Daniel 1
Focus Verse: Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods."
Every day we are faced with decisions to compromise or to not compromise our beliefs. We live in a land where many do not honor God. As Christians we must decide, will I compromise my purity? Will I compromise my integrity? Will I compromise my lifestyle? What kind of price do we pay for compromising these things in our life? Daniel decided in his heart that he would not eat the King's food and wine. It may be because the meat was not prepared by Jewish laws. However, his decision meant that he could have been put to death for not eating the food offered to him by the king. But he decided even if it meant death he would not compromise, and he would stay true to God.
Do you compromise your beliefs for gain? Are you willing to be dishonest in business to gain financially? Satan will tempt you into thinking that this is okay. Satan will say "after all you need to feed your family and provide for them. God can certainly provide for your family without you cheating and stealing to gain.
Don't compromise your Christian character and testimony by listening to Satan's lies. I hope we can all stand before God one day knowing that we have not compromised our beliefs to gain something that we can't keep anyway.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: Daniel 1
Focus Verse: Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods."
Every day we are faced with decisions to compromise or to not compromise our beliefs. We live in a land where many do not honor God. As Christians we must decide, will I compromise my purity? Will I compromise my integrity? Will I compromise my lifestyle? What kind of price do we pay for compromising these things in our life? Daniel decided in his heart that he would not eat the King's food and wine. It may be because the meat was not prepared by Jewish laws. However, his decision meant that he could have been put to death for not eating the food offered to him by the king. But he decided even if it meant death he would not compromise, and he would stay true to God.
Do you compromise your beliefs for gain? Are you willing to be dishonest in business to gain financially? Satan will tempt you into thinking that this is okay. Satan will say "after all you need to feed your family and provide for them. God can certainly provide for your family without you cheating and stealing to gain.
Don't compromise your Christian character and testimony by listening to Satan's lies. I hope we can all stand before God one day knowing that we have not compromised our beliefs to gain something that we can't keep anyway.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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