Always Trusting God
Scripture Reading: Psalm 18:30-50
Focus
Verses: Psalm 18:30-32 “As for God, His way is perfect, the word of
the Lord is proven, He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is
God, except the Lord? And who is a rock except our God? It is God who
arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.”
God’s
ways will always be much higher than our ways. Why is that? Because
God is all knowing and all powerful. No one knows more than God, and no
one is more powerful than God. This is the God that created the
universe with everything we see. He cares for you individually and
loves you individually. Today’s verses tell us that God’s ways are
complete. God is our shield, our defense, and our rock when we place
our faith in Him. God Almighty is a sure foundation that can not be
shaken, not even by Satan himself. The Lord our God can be completely
trusted at all times. Even when we don’t understand what is going on,
God can still be completely trusted. Where else can you turn when
troubles arise? It only makes sense to turn to the most powerful One.
So trust God at all times and walk in His ways. Obey what He says in
His word. There is no one like our God. You can always and completely
trust Him.
What area of your life are you needing to trust God more than trusting your own strength?
Additional study of the life of Gideon and God's ways in Judges chapters 6-7
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, June 30, 2018
Friday, June 22, 2018
Thanks Jude
Thanks Jude
Bible Reading: Jude
Focus verse: "I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 4
Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a letter to those who are together in the salvation of Jesus. He really wanted to send a letter rejoicing in their common salvation, but could sense that he should be sending some warnings as well. The first warning is to strive to keep the gospel pure and not distorted. He wants you to check what preachers teach to see if they match up to the Bible, the original writings. False teachers will be plentiful in the last days. It's interesting that the book of Jude comes before Revelation in the Bible. There are many who claim to speak for God today.
How can you find the true preachers? How do you notice a false teacher?
First, you must study the Word of God for yourself. When you know the truth, you will recognize a lie.
Second, be sure of their views are right on who Jesus is, the trinity, repentance and Christ's work of redemption for salvation. Matthew 16:15-16 Is the Gospel part of their message or does it seem incomplete or perverted?
Third, look for the fruit of a Christian in their lives. Matthew 12:33 Do you see a heart that is affected by the Holy Spirit in their lives. Nobody is perfect, but do their lives show fruits of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23 Do you see humility or pride?
Fourth, are they teaching from the Bible or their own ideas and thoughts of what is reasonable to them? It may sound good, but our hearts can deceive us. The Bible says "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." 2 John 9 Remember that at false teacher can have good intentions, but in the end, they are a tool of the enemy
Thanks Jude, for the warnings, caution and encouragement! We must be aware of false teachers and the dangers of following them. We must remain faithful to the true Gospel and encourage one another. We must show mercy to those whose faith wavers, rescue some from judgement, show mercy to people while hating the sin that contaminates their lives. May God have glory in our lives as he keeps us completely His forever.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Bible Reading: Jude
Focus verse: "I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 4
Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a letter to those who are together in the salvation of Jesus. He really wanted to send a letter rejoicing in their common salvation, but could sense that he should be sending some warnings as well. The first warning is to strive to keep the gospel pure and not distorted. He wants you to check what preachers teach to see if they match up to the Bible, the original writings. False teachers will be plentiful in the last days. It's interesting that the book of Jude comes before Revelation in the Bible. There are many who claim to speak for God today.
How can you find the true preachers? How do you notice a false teacher?
First, you must study the Word of God for yourself. When you know the truth, you will recognize a lie.
Second, be sure of their views are right on who Jesus is, the trinity, repentance and Christ's work of redemption for salvation. Matthew 16:15-16 Is the Gospel part of their message or does it seem incomplete or perverted?
Third, look for the fruit of a Christian in their lives. Matthew 12:33 Do you see a heart that is affected by the Holy Spirit in their lives. Nobody is perfect, but do their lives show fruits of the Spirit? Galatians 5:22-23 Do you see humility or pride?
Fourth, are they teaching from the Bible or their own ideas and thoughts of what is reasonable to them? It may sound good, but our hearts can deceive us. The Bible says "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." 2 John 9 Remember that at false teacher can have good intentions, but in the end, they are a tool of the enemy
Thanks Jude, for the warnings, caution and encouragement! We must be aware of false teachers and the dangers of following them. We must remain faithful to the true Gospel and encourage one another. We must show mercy to those whose faith wavers, rescue some from judgement, show mercy to people while hating the sin that contaminates their lives. May God have glory in our lives as he keeps us completely His forever.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, June 15, 2018
Remember Who The Enemy Is
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 6: 1-7
Focus Verse: "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world" Ephesians 6:12
One day I was in a meeting of 12 people. There was a decision to be made and the vote was 9 -3. One of the three people gave a very emotional complaint after the vote because she didn't think the decision was good. Although she doesn't agree, she faced a choice to accept the vote and live in peace or choose to live in discord and maybe anger. One way shows humility, the other is pride.
I realize that people, yes, even believers are not always going to think the same way. They are not always going to agree. Sometimes the matter is small and other times the matter seems to be big. The Bible reading today tells us that nothing on this earth that we argue about is greater than the heavenly judgements to come. God tells us to have unity and love one another in humility.
When you find yourself in a dispute with a fellow Christian, ask yourself if you can accept the way things are with the help of Christ and live in peace. If you can not make peace, rather than brother against brother in court thus shaming the church, it becomes necessary that Christian brother s (sisters) should together seek out a fellow Christian . Even then, if you don't agree... In the end of the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:7 says that it is better to allow yourself to be wronged and cheated than to take a believer to court of unbelievers.
The enemy is not your brother; remember who the enemy REALLY is. The true enemy, Satan and his demons, seek to sow discord in the body of Christ. We do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the unseen enemy of evil.
Further reading: James 4
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Minstries
Focus Verse: "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world" Ephesians 6:12
One day I was in a meeting of 12 people. There was a decision to be made and the vote was 9 -3. One of the three people gave a very emotional complaint after the vote because she didn't think the decision was good. Although she doesn't agree, she faced a choice to accept the vote and live in peace or choose to live in discord and maybe anger. One way shows humility, the other is pride.
I realize that people, yes, even believers are not always going to think the same way. They are not always going to agree. Sometimes the matter is small and other times the matter seems to be big. The Bible reading today tells us that nothing on this earth that we argue about is greater than the heavenly judgements to come. God tells us to have unity and love one another in humility.
When you find yourself in a dispute with a fellow Christian, ask yourself if you can accept the way things are with the help of Christ and live in peace. If you can not make peace, rather than brother against brother in court thus shaming the church, it becomes necessary that Christian brother s (sisters) should together seek out a fellow Christian . Even then, if you don't agree... In the end of the scripture 1 Corinthians 6:7 says that it is better to allow yourself to be wronged and cheated than to take a believer to court of unbelievers.
The enemy is not your brother; remember who the enemy REALLY is. The true enemy, Satan and his demons, seek to sow discord in the body of Christ. We do not fight against flesh and blood, but against the unseen enemy of evil.
Further reading: James 4
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Minstries
Friday, June 8, 2018
Head or Heart Knowledge?
Head or Heart Knowledge?
Scripture Reading: Romans 10
Focus Verses: Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Some people don’t realize it, but there is a big difference between having head knowledge about God and having faith in God in your heart. If you know facts about God that is totally different than having faith in God. You could actually miss heaven by 45 centimeters. That’s the distance between your head and your heart.
Maybe you’ve got all the facts about God in your head, but you have never repented (turned away from) your sins and accepted by faith (complete trust) in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 says by faith you are saved, not what you know or what you have done. You can talk the Christian language, go to church, be a kind person, give money to the poor and not really be saved. You can fool others and maybe even fool yourself, but you can’t fool God. He can see right through a fake relationship with Him. The question is, have you ever been transformed through God’s saving power through Jesus Christ?
Isaiah 29:13 “The Lord says, These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught." Don’t resist yielding to God with all the head knowledge that you may have of Him. He wants you to come to Jesus with a childlike faith and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior.
If you never have humbled yourself, bow your head now. Ask forgiveness of your sins in humble repentance, and accept Him into your live as Lord and Savior. John 3:3 Jesus said, “except a man is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Additional reading for assurance of salvation. 1 John 5:13 Are you placing your complete hopes on Jesus our yourself? Colossians 3:12 You also have a new nature that brings new desires; godly desires. That's how you know.
Scripture Reading: Romans 10
Focus Verses: Romans 10:9-10 “If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
Some people don’t realize it, but there is a big difference between having head knowledge about God and having faith in God in your heart. If you know facts about God that is totally different than having faith in God. You could actually miss heaven by 45 centimeters. That’s the distance between your head and your heart.
Maybe you’ve got all the facts about God in your head, but you have never repented (turned away from) your sins and accepted by faith (complete trust) in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 says by faith you are saved, not what you know or what you have done. You can talk the Christian language, go to church, be a kind person, give money to the poor and not really be saved. You can fool others and maybe even fool yourself, but you can’t fool God. He can see right through a fake relationship with Him. The question is, have you ever been transformed through God’s saving power through Jesus Christ?
Isaiah 29:13 “The Lord says, These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught." Don’t resist yielding to God with all the head knowledge that you may have of Him. He wants you to come to Jesus with a childlike faith and receive Christ as your Lord and Savior.
If you never have humbled yourself, bow your head now. Ask forgiveness of your sins in humble repentance, and accept Him into your live as Lord and Savior. John 3:3 Jesus said, “except a man is born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Additional reading for assurance of salvation. 1 John 5:13 Are you placing your complete hopes on Jesus our yourself? Colossians 3:12 You also have a new nature that brings new desires; godly desires. That's how you know.
Friday, June 1, 2018
Full Obedience in Faith
Bible reading: Judges 1:19-36
Back
in Exodus 23: 23-33, God gave the rules for entering and living in the
promised land. He said clearly that were not to make any agreements
with the enemy or even allow them to live in the land or else they would
cause them to sin and their worship of other gods would be a snare to
them. Now we read in Judges that they went into the land, but did not
complete the command to totally drive out the people. They lived with
them. They kept some as slaves. The Danites (Dan line of the
Israelites) never entered their land, but lived on the rugged edges of
it. There were consequences for this partial obedience. They began to
weaken and began serving Baal.
Obedience is also the evidence of faith. It takes faith to obey things we don't fully understand. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6 Obedience flows from this faith that pleases God and it proves that we love Jesus. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands." John 14:15
The Bible clearly tells us the things that we should do. We may try to think in our own minds why we would not obey God completely, but only part of it. We become an enemy of our own selves when we talk ourselves out of obeying God. We miss out on His blessings and suffer consequences. If you have disobeyed, then you should repent and begin obeying Him.
What is God telling you? Obey it completely. Even if you feel like you are alone in your obedience to God, continue in your trust in Him and obey. He promises to equip you with all you need to do His will.
Quote: “Satan's cause is never more in danger than when a human being..., intending to do God's will, looks around upon a world from which every trace of God seems to have vanished and asks why he has been forsaken, yet still obeys.” ~C. S. Lewis
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen."
Obedience is also the evidence of faith. It takes faith to obey things we don't fully understand. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6 Obedience flows from this faith that pleases God and it proves that we love Jesus. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands." John 14:15
The Bible clearly tells us the things that we should do. We may try to think in our own minds why we would not obey God completely, but only part of it. We become an enemy of our own selves when we talk ourselves out of obeying God. We miss out on His blessings and suffer consequences. If you have disobeyed, then you should repent and begin obeying Him.
What is God telling you? Obey it completely. Even if you feel like you are alone in your obedience to God, continue in your trust in Him and obey. He promises to equip you with all you need to do His will.
Quote: “Satan's cause is never more in danger than when a human being..., intending to do God's will, looks around upon a world from which every trace of God seems to have vanished and asks why he has been forsaken, yet still obeys.” ~C. S. Lewis
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)