The Christmas Story is Believable

The Christmas Story is Believable

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

Focus Verse: Luke 2:20  “The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.  It was just as the angel had told them.”

I have heard the Christmas story so many times I can recite it from memory, but no matter how many times I hear it, I never get tired of hearing it.  Even though you have heard it so many times, do you really believe it? 

The shepherds were told the Christmas story by an angel.  What if they had not believed what the angel was telling them?  They would have missed out on seeing the greatest event in human history.  God coming to earth in the form of a baby.  After the shepherds responded to the invitation, they realized that the story was just as the angel said it would be.  The Bible tells us the way it happened many years ago.  You can believe it.  Don’t let your unbelief stand in the way of accepting the greatest story ever told. 

The shepherds were a not of high position in the community, but they were the ones visited by the Heavenly Hosts and told where to find the Christ child.  God means for each person to come equally to the merciful Savior to find love, mercy and forgiveness...and a friend. Just as the shepherds were invited to know Jesus, you are also invited.  How do you respond?

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Bonus scripture:  "Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Luke 2:28-32 NLT

Influence Your World

Influence Your World

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 5:13-16

Focus Verses:  Matthew 5:13-14  “You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.”

In our passage of scripture Jesus is telling His disciples and us today what our responsibility is as we live in this world.  He is referring to two things that are very common, salt and light.  We use salt to preserve food or to make food taste better.  Light is used to help us find our way in the darkness.  

As we share our faith with others, Jesus says we are to be like salt and light.  We need wisdom in doing this so we get this wisdom from God through prayer.  How much salt and light are needed?  Have you ever eaten something that had too much salt added?  It doesn’t taste very good.  Or eaten something with not enough salt? You say "oh this needs more salt" so it will taste good.  Perhaps you have looked at the sun before.  Which is not a good idea because it can cause blindness because it is so bright.  Or maybe you have walked a path with your torch that had a weak battery and you could not see where you were going.  When we share our faith with others we need to use the right amount of salt and light so that others will be attracted to Jesus.  Many times the Holy Spirit will guide you as you talk with others about their lost condition.  So as a cooking recipe calls for the right amount of ingredients, today let’s use our salt and light in the right amounts that will attract people to Jesus.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Spiritually Receptive

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 13:15-17

Focus Verse:  Mark 4:9  "Then Jesus said, He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

You must be receptive to grow closer to Jesus.  Jesus knew His listeners had to be receptive before they could understand and follow His teachings.  This is the attitude of a growing disciple of Christ.  Have you ever grown weary working for the Lord?  Yes, we all have at one time or another, but it's a patient and grateful attitude that hears Christ clearly.  God's Word lives in us, and with time will bear fruit.  God's Word is not important to just a few elite Christians.  No, God Word is important in the life of every Christian that seeks to know Christ in an intimate way.

Spiritually receptive means that our eyes and ears are open to God.  We submit to the Holy Spirit's prompting in our lives even if it means to wait.  This shows that we give Him control of our lives.  This is the best way to live, because when we take control of our own lives, we will make a mess every time.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Christ, The Foundation for Reconciliation!

Bible Reading: Mathew 5: 21-24

Focus verse: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

We all make friendships which at times break when we get tired with putting up with one another. Good friends have many at times feel like great enemies for different reasons.
We all try to make parties where we can discuss our differences in attempts to reconcile with friends; some people may spend huge amounts of money or wealth in this attempt. Many communities in Africa believe in doing rituals which must involve shedding of the blood of an animal for reconciliation to happen. These and many others attempts that we make many at times have not yielded the true and lasting reconciliation that we needed.

Many fail to identify Jesus to be the foundation and author of reconciliation. They want bloodshed of animals but fail to recognize the unstained, perfect, holy, blameless blood of the Lamb that God has offered for their enmity.   Jesus knows your differences and He understands how to mend.

Our sins have separated us from God and we live as his enemies. God does not want us to stay as enemies with him or with other human beings/creatures. He has offered Christ so that we don’t live again as enemies but be reconciled back to him and then to others. Christ is today standing at each ones door, wanting to help make their relationship with our God and others, which has not worked despite our attempts. He does not want us to continue to stay far from him or our other friends. He wants us back to Him and as well want our loved friends back to us. He wants to save us from spending our wealth and time in building reconciliations by offering the perfect Reconciler at a free cost.  Each time we are faced with differences we need to let Christ be the reason for our reconciliation, he is able to bring true repentance of forgiveness from the heart.

Eliazar Wambo
Pastor Makira Baptist Church, Mfangano