Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13
Focus Verse: "Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy. It is not boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Marriage love works best when it is a love learned from God. In our scripture today, we learn that love is not taking too much thought about ourselves, but more for the the other person. Love is not self-seeking but it is looking out for the interests of our spouse. We decide that the welfare of another is more important than our own. Sometimes we can love easily, but other times it takes a sacrifice.
Maybe our spouse needs more than we think we can give. That is when we need to focus more on the Lord and find wisdom in these scriptures. God understands that in giving, with patience, kindness and hope to our spouse, we are actually giving to ourselves as well. The Bible says that in marriage, the two shall become one. If we are indeed "one", then in loving the spouse, I am loving myself as well!
Loving God's way will bring success and joy.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, June 21, 2019
Friday, June 14, 2019
Hope Won't Disappoint
Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-5
Focus verse: Psalm 119:116
"Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
Do not let my hope be crushed."
Have you had your sins erased, removed, forgiven? Have you had that saving faith? Have you been made right in God's sight by faith? If so, you have the gift of hope. You are strongest emotionally and spiritually when you have hope. Hope is generally realized when there are trials and struggles in your life. If you don't struggle, you can not understand hope. If you did not have hope, you would despair. To despair is to give up or "turn your back" on God.
Are you tempted to despair when you face trials? Even if others around you fall into despair, you can turn toward God and pray. Place your hope in Him. He longs for you to spend time with Him and when you do, you are strengthened. Our trials bring us closer to God. The hope in God will never disappoint.
Hope is the reason that we get out of our bed in the morning. We believe that there is something good coming that day. We have the hope of our salvation and the Holy Spirit that fills our hearts with love! There is always hope.
Romans 12:12
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: Psalm 119:116
"Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
Do not let my hope be crushed."
Have you had your sins erased, removed, forgiven? Have you had that saving faith? Have you been made right in God's sight by faith? If so, you have the gift of hope. You are strongest emotionally and spiritually when you have hope. Hope is generally realized when there are trials and struggles in your life. If you don't struggle, you can not understand hope. If you did not have hope, you would despair. To despair is to give up or "turn your back" on God.
Are you tempted to despair when you face trials? Even if others around you fall into despair, you can turn toward God and pray. Place your hope in Him. He longs for you to spend time with Him and when you do, you are strengthened. Our trials bring us closer to God. The hope in God will never disappoint.
Hope is the reason that we get out of our bed in the morning. We believe that there is something good coming that day. We have the hope of our salvation and the Holy Spirit that fills our hearts with love! There is always hope.
Romans 12:12
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, June 7, 2019
The Protective Fence
Bible Reading: Genesis 43:1-9
Focus Verse: " I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever." Genesis 43:9
Judas was convincing his father that he would watch out for his little brother Benjamin. His words were very strong. How many of you helped look after a younger brother or sister? The Bible says that when we are "born again" that we are babies in Christ and we drink the milk of the Word of God in order to grow. Our older brothers and sisters in Christ help watch out for us. There is evil in this world that would desire to damage and destroy these young believers. There are false teachers who will tickle their itching ears with things that are easy to hear, but lead away from God's truth. There are traps set. What are the older believers to do?
If you want a young plant to thrive when you plant it, you must water it and put a fence around it. This keeps the hungry goats and cows from doing damage and destroying the young plant. This keeps people from stepping on it. It helps you remember to water it when the rains don't come.
We need to think of this in our church. We need to put a fence around the younger believers and protect them from the wolves that would destroy their lives with immorality and false teaching. We need to train them up in the truth of God's Word. If you are an older believer, you should watch over the younger ones. Take care that you do not lead the young believers astray! Study the scriptures well so that you are teaching the truth to them. Do you know any younger believers who need someone to disciple them and protect them? What is God leading you to do?
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: " I personally guarantee his safety. You may hold me responsible if I don’t bring him back to you. Then let me bear the blame forever." Genesis 43:9
Judas was convincing his father that he would watch out for his little brother Benjamin. His words were very strong. How many of you helped look after a younger brother or sister? The Bible says that when we are "born again" that we are babies in Christ and we drink the milk of the Word of God in order to grow. Our older brothers and sisters in Christ help watch out for us. There is evil in this world that would desire to damage and destroy these young believers. There are false teachers who will tickle their itching ears with things that are easy to hear, but lead away from God's truth. There are traps set. What are the older believers to do?
If you want a young plant to thrive when you plant it, you must water it and put a fence around it. This keeps the hungry goats and cows from doing damage and destroying the young plant. This keeps people from stepping on it. It helps you remember to water it when the rains don't come.
We need to think of this in our church. We need to put a fence around the younger believers and protect them from the wolves that would destroy their lives with immorality and false teaching. We need to train them up in the truth of God's Word. If you are an older believer, you should watch over the younger ones. Take care that you do not lead the young believers astray! Study the scriptures well so that you are teaching the truth to them. Do you know any younger believers who need someone to disciple them and protect them? What is God leading you to do?
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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