Where is Your Treasure?

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-34

Focus Verses: Matthew 6:20-22 “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.   Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.”

It is not wrong for us to possess treasures or things.  But it is wrong to let those things to possess us.  1 Timothy 6:10 does not say money is the root of all kinds of evil.  It says “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”  Jesus said “do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 John 2:15-16

You see, what you love the most is where your heart is.  If you love the world more than God, that’s where your heart is.  Jesus told us not to invest in things that wear out.  Our security is not found in our possessions, but our security is only found in Jesus. So don’t allow your possessions to get too tight of a grip on you.  Hold Jesus tight and your possessions loosely.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Don’t Refuse What is True

Bible Reading: Mark 16:1-14Memory verse: 3 John 1:3 "Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth."

Followers of Jesus were mourning his death.  They were listening to other followers claim to have seen Jesus and must have thought that they were crazy.  Jesus showed up and rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him.

Is it too good to be true?  Why did the followers of Jesus, not believe when they were told of Jesus being alive and speaking to Mary and the other witnesses?  I have heard that some people must hear the gospel many times before they believe.  Others believe the first time. 

We are given truths in the Bible.  We lack faith if we read the Word of God and then refuse to believe it. 

Maybe you are struggling to believe in Christ as your Saviour. Read 2 Corinthians 6:2.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your future.  Read Jeremiah 29:11.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your finances.  Read Philippians 4:19.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your fears.  Read Joshua 1:9 & Proverbs 29:25.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your health. Read Psalm 41:3.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your confidence.  Read Jeremiah 17:7

Read the Word of God on these things and choose to believe the truth.  Then prove it by your actions.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Plan Your Escape

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13  “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

I have a dog.  Sometimes when I’m with her, she sees a wild animal in the bush.  Then she wants to chase it, so I keep her on the rope.  But even though she knows I won't let her chase it, she continues to look at the wild animal and that only makes her want to chase it more.  That is how temptation is in our lives.  We see the sin.  Satan tempts us to want it.  If we continue to look at it, the temptation becomes even more difficult to resist. 

When you are tempted to do what is wrong, remove yourself from the temptation.  God has promised you a way out.  So get your eyes off the temptation, and start looking for the escape route God has promised for you.  Joseph in the Bible was being seduced by a woman.  We read in Genesis that he didn’t look twice, instead he pointed his feet in the opposite direction and ran.  Some things to remember when being tempted:

• The Word of God is our first defense. 
• Sometimes fleeing is the only way to resist.  
• Remember we are in a fight, a spiritual battle.  
• Fellowship with the right kind of people, not people that will drag you down.  
• Follow Jesus example, when He said “Get behind Me, Satan.”   
• Remember, the way you live does matter, so plan your escape.

Remember verse 12 as a warning, "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

We Are At War

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:16-26
Focus Verses: Galatians 5:16-17  “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.  Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.  The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions."

We have a choice.  Are we going to walk in the flesh, or are we going to walk in the Spirit?  This is a battle that goes on in every believer.  We are born with a strike against us.  We were born in sin.  We were born in the flesh.  Within us are two natures, good and evil, and they are constantly in conflict.  How do you know if you are walking in the flesh or the Spirit?  Our scripture reading gives us two different list.  Read them again.  Which of these activities are most likely to be seen in your life? 

We have been set free.  We no longer have to be a slave to sin.  Our sin was nailed to the cross 2000 years ago.   Verse 26 says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there."  Therefore, today, and every day we yield to the lordship of Christ so that we can win this war.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries