Jesus, The Only Way

Scripture Reading:  John 14:1-14

Focus Verses: John 14:5-7 “Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?  Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”

In the world today there is probably more confusion about how to get to heaven than any other subject.  Every religion seems to think they know how to get to heaven.  Most all of them involve some type of works based salvation.  But salvation is not about what we can do.  It’s about what Jesus has already done for us.  The only way to God is through faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the only path to God.  If we could do anything to earn our way to heaven,  then Jesus’ death on the cross was in vain and all the pain that Jesus endured on the cross would be worthless.  

What the Bible teaches is true.  There is no other way to heaven except through Jesus.  There is no other way to God except through Jesus.  Salvation is so simple, yet so many people are missing it.  You will end up in hell one day if you’re counting on getting to heaven another way.  The Bible has always been true, and it always will be true.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Religious Freedoms

Religious Freedoms

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:11-24

Focus Verse: Galatians 1:13  "You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion, how I violently persecuted God's church.  I did my best to destroy it."

There are people in the world trying to destroy our religious freedoms just like Paul was doing in the first century church.  They think Christians are the enemy, and they are doing all they can to destroy the church.  Christians are labeled as infidels.  Some Christians around the world because of their stand for Christ are being killed, raped, or even driven from their homeland.  Darkness is trying to drive away the light.  But the darkness cannot win.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 says, "Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."  Jesus told us that we would have trouble in this world.  Persecution should not be a surprise to those of us that love the Lord.  Persecution can make the church stronger and drive those away that are not truly Christ followers.  Matthew 5:12 says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 
Let us pray for those Christians that are enduring severe persecution.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

God Never Leaves You

God Never Leaves You

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Focus Verse Deuteronomy 31:6  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you."

I have noticed as I go through life that I have friendships and relationships of different levels with people.  Some close friends and some distant friends. 

Relationships are made stronger by the time and effort we put into the relationship.  God wants us to put time and effort into our relationship with Him.  As a result, He said that He would never leave us.  Even though we may do things that displease Him, He still will never leave us.  Just as a wayward child that displeases his parents, he is still their child.  We can never do anything that would make God turn His back on us and quit loving us.  What a great comfort for us as God's children in knowing that Hebrews 13:5 will always be true.  "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Love a Neighbor

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 25:31-46

Focus Verse: "“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" Matthew 25: 37-40

Jesus was clear in his teaching to care for others who are struggling with sickness and physical needs.  We may find that the needs are great around us and feel like we can't do much.  Jesus didn't say that we should solve all of their problems, but that there is something, even something small, that we can do.  Anyone can give a drink to someone or visit someone who is sick.  How difficult is it to give a shirt or dress to someone whose clothes are torn and tattered.  If you don't have something, maybe you can ask some friends to help you to get some clothes for someone in need.  

When you help someone, the Holy Spirit confirms in your heart that you are doing something good.  You know that is a good feeling.  When you join together as a community to help others, then it strengthens the community. 

My prayer is that God will show me where to help someone today.  May God be glorified in any effort of care that I show to someone today.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries