Pride Brings Destruction

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 16:18-33

Focus Verse: Proverbs 16:18  “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

I don’t really like to be around people who are prideful.  These are people who think they are better than everyone else.  They think they know more than everyone else.  They think they are more important than everyone else.  But watch out! If we are not careful, we can be the ones who are prideful.   Satan can trick you into thinking you are better, know more, have more things and are more important than everyone else.  Here’s what Jesus has to say about pride in Luke 14:11 “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”  God is not happy when we have prideful attitudes.  Pride is what led to Lucifer being thrown out of heaven.  

As children of God we are to humble ourselves before God and man.  Don’t take credit for what has been accomplished in your life, but give the credit to God.  Jesus said, “without me you can do nothing.”  How can we take the credit, when it is God who gives us our next breath and our next heart beat?  Let’s remember that it is much better for us to humble ourselves than for God to humble us, because just as the Bible says, pride always brings destruction. 

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Human or Spirit Led?

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:13-26

Focus verse: "As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another." Galatians 5:13

Jesus called to me and I said, "Yes, Lord".  I began to follow Him and was set free from my sins.  He made me into a new creation, a new "me" that lives with His Spirit in me.  I found the fruits of the Holy Spirit nature coming into my life.  But sometimes, the human, selfish nature comes out in front and I fail.

In my freedom, I do not give excuses for following my own selfish desires.  I need to realize that my human nature will lie to me and so will the enemy.  My human nature will lead me astray and will not honor God.  My human nature will lead me to anger, jealousy, selfish ambition, fighting, and separation from other believers.  If I follow my human nature long enough, I can become blinded by it and fall deeper into sin.  I will blame others and make excuses for my decisions and actions.  I will not even see the pit that I am in, until suddenly, God makes it clear.

I need to decide every day to love, forgive and serve others.  This is what the Spirit produces:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control. Is this what my life looks like?  You can not follow selfish human desires and the Spirit at the same time.

Today is a good day to examine your life.  Do you see the fruits of human nature or the fruits of Spirit nature?  Commit to spend some time in prayer today about anything that you need to change in your life.  Ask God to show you how He sees your life.  Allow Him to change your heart so that you can change any actions that need to come under the Spirit's control.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Steady as She Goes

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 3: 7-15

Focus Verse:  Hebrews 3:14  “We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.”

"Steady as she goes” is a saying that is used by sea captains on the open ocean.  Many times they would say this as their ship is progressing onward in a steady manner and no corrections are needed.  Can a sea captain say this even when being pounded by a storm?  Even though the storm is relentless against the ship, they could continue forward making steady progress.  

Hebrews tells us that we can have the confidence of Christ in our lives no matter how the storm is raging all around us.  For those of us who are children of God, we have the eternal security of knowing that Jesus has all things under His control.  Nothing comes across our path that is not allowed by Him.  We should abide in Christ no matter what comes at us.  We can be steady in the way we follow Christ and continue to make spiritual progress.  

We know this life on earth is temporary, and that we have an eternal home that is waiting for us.  When you continue "steady as she goes" in this life with Christ, it confirms your relationship with Him.  We are called to be beacons of hope in the storms of this lost and dying world and others may follow our example.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Forgiven to Forgive

Bible Reading: Colossians 3:1-17
Focus verse: "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7

Colossians 3:13 says, "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."

When we are born again, we begin a new life in Christ.  Colossians 3 teaches us so much about that new life.  We don't have to hate, hold a grudge or take revenge.  Jesus forgave us and we must also learn to forgive others.

Forgiving someone is a decision, not an emotion.  It is a decision based on our worship of our Heavenly Father and honoring His command for us. It is a decision to release that person from your right to punish or take revenge.  It is showing mercy.  

Sometimes you decide to forgive and then your emotions of anger return and challenge your decision.  You must then continue to make the decision again and again.  
  
If you are a new believer or if this is a big challenge to you, you should seek God.  Read the Bible, pray and ask stronger believers to pray with you about it.  God will give you success in time.

Remember, you sinned against God and deserve Hell.  God, in His mercy and through your submission to Him, forgave you of your sin against Him.  Surely you can forgive others.  God's command is for our own good.  When you forgive, you will find freedom.  The burden is lifted and you realize that your unforgiveness was only hurting yourself.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries