Scripture Reading: Psalm 121
Focus Verses: Psalm 121:1-3 "I look up to the mountains, does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who make heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble, the one who watches over you will not slumber."
Do you look to the mountains for your help? Some Bible teachers believe the psalmist was actually referring to idols that were built on the mountains. Just imagine a true believer in Christ walking on that road to Jerusalem in that day, and seeing the idols on the mountains. He would have been reminded that his help doesn't come from those idols on the mountains, but his help comes from the one who made the mountains, Creator God.
Sometimes we tend to look to different people, government, things or places in this world for help. But real help can only come from the Lord, the One who made us. He is never tired or too busy to help us. In fact, He wants us to come to Him for help. If we have truly been born again into God's family, this is our privilege as one of God's children. Let us pray: "God show me if I've been looking for help in the wrong places, and help me look only to You for help and guidance, in Jesus name, amen."
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, April 24, 2015
Friday, April 17, 2015
Joy Over One
Joy Over One
Bible Reading: Luke 15:3-7
Focus verse: "In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!" Luke 15:7
What would cause a sheep to be led astray? There could be distractions of the world or just the natural wandering. Whatever the cause, the sheep is lost. The shepherd loves the sheep and will put all effort in seeking out the one that is lost. He will leave the 99 at home and search. When the lost sheep is found, he will lovingly carry the sheep on his shoulder and call his friends to rejoice.
Jesus taught this parable to help us understand how much God, our shepherd, loves us. God sent Jesus to seek and save those that are lost. (Luke 19:10) God loves us and does not abandon us when our world grows dark and dim.
Do you feel like you are one of the 99 or the lost one? If you are with God as the 99, then there was a day that you were the one that was lost and Jesus found you. If I am part of the 99, I am resting in His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. I am listening to Him and obeying Him every day. I am turning left or right and doing His will.
If you are lost, you can be found. Hear the voice of the shepherd calling? Return to Him and answer Him in a prayer.
There is JOY over one who repents and returns to God!
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Bible Reading: Luke 15:3-7
Focus verse: "In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!" Luke 15:7
What would cause a sheep to be led astray? There could be distractions of the world or just the natural wandering. Whatever the cause, the sheep is lost. The shepherd loves the sheep and will put all effort in seeking out the one that is lost. He will leave the 99 at home and search. When the lost sheep is found, he will lovingly carry the sheep on his shoulder and call his friends to rejoice.
Jesus taught this parable to help us understand how much God, our shepherd, loves us. God sent Jesus to seek and save those that are lost. (Luke 19:10) God loves us and does not abandon us when our world grows dark and dim.
Do you feel like you are one of the 99 or the lost one? If you are with God as the 99, then there was a day that you were the one that was lost and Jesus found you. If I am part of the 99, I am resting in His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. I am listening to Him and obeying Him every day. I am turning left or right and doing His will.
If you are lost, you can be found. Hear the voice of the shepherd calling? Return to Him and answer Him in a prayer.
There is JOY over one who repents and returns to God!
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, April 10, 2015
Have Hope When Fearful
Scripture Reading: John 6:16-21
Focus Verse: John 6:20 "Jesus called out to them, don't be afraid. I am here."
The recent terror attacks on the Kenyan people are still fresh in our minds. Christians have been persecuted for the cause of Christ ever since the first century of the church. It is easy to be overcome with fear of the enemy, but we don't have to focus on our fear because we have a hope in Jesus.
Jesus' disciples found themselves in a severe storm. They were afraid that they would perish that night on the Sea of Galilee. Sometimes God will test our trust in Him. He allows us to struggle sometimes. If we never had any crisis we may tend to be proud and self sufficient. But God alone is in control of all that goes on in our lives. "He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea." Job 9:8
If you find yourself in the middle of a crisis, you can have hope. Jesus is walking toward you and wants to calm the storms in your life. In this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), but we can rejoice that Jesus has overcome the world. We can also have the hope of heaven when all our tears will be wiped away. All our problems will be gone. All our suffering will come to an end. He is preparing a place for us of unimaginable joy. There we will be with Jesus for ever and ever.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
www.interlockingministries.org
Focus Verse: John 6:20 "Jesus called out to them, don't be afraid. I am here."
The recent terror attacks on the Kenyan people are still fresh in our minds. Christians have been persecuted for the cause of Christ ever since the first century of the church. It is easy to be overcome with fear of the enemy, but we don't have to focus on our fear because we have a hope in Jesus.
Jesus' disciples found themselves in a severe storm. They were afraid that they would perish that night on the Sea of Galilee. Sometimes God will test our trust in Him. He allows us to struggle sometimes. If we never had any crisis we may tend to be proud and self sufficient. But God alone is in control of all that goes on in our lives. "He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea." Job 9:8
If you find yourself in the middle of a crisis, you can have hope. Jesus is walking toward you and wants to calm the storms in your life. In this world we will have trouble (John 16:33), but we can rejoice that Jesus has overcome the world. We can also have the hope of heaven when all our tears will be wiped away. All our problems will be gone. All our suffering will come to an end. He is preparing a place for us of unimaginable joy. There we will be with Jesus for ever and ever.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
www.interlockingministries.org
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Jesus is Alive and Well
Scripture Reading: Mark 16:9-20
Focus Verse: Mark 16:14 "Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating, He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
This is the time of year that we celebrate Easter. Crucifixion Friday was a day filled with disappointment, but Resurrection Sunday is the day that all our hope is realized when we see Jesus alive and well. The Bible says that many of Jesus' followers didn't believe He had risen until they saw Him.
Through the years, many have tried to disprove the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, but you can believe it's true, because the Bible says it's true. The Bible says that Jesus is alive and well today. I know this is true because He is alive and well - living in me. Have you had the same experience of Christ living in you? For everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him, He will forgive their sins and take up residence in their hearts. Easter is the time when we can be reminded that Christ is living.
We are mourning for the loss of many lives in Kenya due to people who hate Christians. They killed many people at Garissa University this week. In our mourning, we do not have despair. Christ is alive and well and you can rise above your circumstances, your hurt, and your fears. Let us live lives that are victorious, because we know that Jesus is alive and well.
"With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all" Acts 4:33.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Mark 16:14 "Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating, He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
This is the time of year that we celebrate Easter. Crucifixion Friday was a day filled with disappointment, but Resurrection Sunday is the day that all our hope is realized when we see Jesus alive and well. The Bible says that many of Jesus' followers didn't believe He had risen until they saw Him.
Through the years, many have tried to disprove the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, but you can believe it's true, because the Bible says it's true. The Bible says that Jesus is alive and well today. I know this is true because He is alive and well - living in me. Have you had the same experience of Christ living in you? For everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him, He will forgive their sins and take up residence in their hearts. Easter is the time when we can be reminded that Christ is living.
We are mourning for the loss of many lives in Kenya due to people who hate Christians. They killed many people at Garissa University this week. In our mourning, we do not have despair. Christ is alive and well and you can rise above your circumstances, your hurt, and your fears. Let us live lives that are victorious, because we know that Jesus is alive and well.
"With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all" Acts 4:33.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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