Can You See a Difference?

Bible Reading: Mark 8:22-25
Focus verse: Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, and to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners”

The passage in Mark talks about a blind person who was brought to Jesus by some people who then begged Jesus to touch him that he may be healed. Jesus accepted their request and took the man by the hand and led him outside the village. He then spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him and asked the man if he could see anything. The man looked up and responded that “I see people; they look like trees walking”. He is later fully healed by Jesus’ second touch on his eye.

Many people, both Christians and non Christian have suffered different kind of life challenges. We are at times worse hit with life experiences so that we are not able see our way out. Sometimes the challenges have been so overwhelming so that we have become a burden to other people, including their resources. We may try seeking guidance from other people but their advice may fail so that our situation grows worse. There is an answer; we all need Jesus just like the blind man needed him to be healed, so we are able to see our way. Without Jesus we are blind!

Most people who come to Jesus with their problems want Him to take the whole problem out immediately. Some run away from Him, thinking Jesus is taking too long solving their problems. Jesus had the authority to heal the man at once but decided to do it in stages. He is always able to take us away from that disturbing condition instantly, but sometimes he chooses to do it in stages. We may fail to acknowledge the small steps he has moved with us since we are so fixed into having the whole load off quickly.

The blind man acknowledged the simple difference. He told Jesus that things are never the same since He first touched his eye. I see people move like trees, something that had never happened to him. Though not fully healed by then, but he knew things were different from before Jesus’ touch. He had hope and kept trusting that Jesus was able to clear it all even as he appreciated the work already done. We all need to thank God for every simple step he takes with our lives. Did you ever call Him into your life or your troubles? Are you seeing any differences since He came? Yes, we need to tell him that we are seeing a difference. Don’t forget to appreciate God for any step he takes with your life. That’s his will. 

Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries

God Communicates Through His Word

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-18

Focus Verse: John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Some people say they pray and read the Bible, but God never says anything back to them.  To that person I would say the Bible is the voice of God talking to us.  The Bible is His love letter to every person on earth.  Maybe some people think God is not speaking unless they have this big emotional experience.  God’s Word is also the road map for life.  If we will take the time to read it, we will discover our purpose for life, and the pathway God wants us to take.  Most importantly, God also reveals to us through His Word and gives understanding by the Holy Spirit concerning many things about Himself and how to have a relationship with Him. 

Further Reading:

2 Timothy 3:16  "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness so that we can be equipped for every good work.”

Jeremiah 15:16 “When I discovered your words, I devoured them.  They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heavens’s Armies.”

Hebrews 4:12 “For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

 

Don’t let Satan fool you into thinking God doesn’t speak to us.  He surely does, and most of the time it’s directly through His Word.  

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Can We Trust our Money?

Can We Trust our Money?

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-34

Focus Verse: Matthew 6:24  “No one can serve two masters.  For you will hate one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”

Jesus probably talked about money more than any other subject.  One reason is that He knows the temptation that we face of putting our trust in money.  I think the founding fathers of America also knew this, because on every piece of US cash is written, “In God We Trust”. No matter how much cash we  have, our temptation is to always try and get a little bit more.  Although it is wise for us to do financial planning for the future, if this becomes so important in our lives that we are no longer dependent on God, then there is a problem.  When you are totally concerned about your need for more money, that’s when you are placing your trust in money and not in God.  Do you think you can trust money and God at the same time?  The answer is no.  Jesus clearly said, “no one can serve two masters".  God is trustworthy, money is not trustworthy.  

We all need cash to live.  We cannot survive without it.  Someone wiser than me once said, “money is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.”  When money takes control of your life, you turn into someone you don’t want to be.  The Bible never says that it is wrong to have money or even a lot of money.  But when your money has control of you, that’s wrong. When you have a love for money, you will never have enough.

Here are some things you can do so that your money doesn’t take control of your life.  First, be thankful to God for the way He meets your needs.  Second, you can be a generous giver to the Lord and to those in need.  Third, discover your true treasure.   You will know that your trust is in the Lord, and not in your money when your treasure in heaven exceeds your treasure on earth. People that are constantly chasing the next shilling or dollar never have peace in their lives.  Philippians 4:7 says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  So the answer is, no, we can’t trust our money, but we can trust our God.  When you make Jesus your treasure you will find peace and satisfaction and your desires will line up with God's desires.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Maintaining A Clean Heart

Scripture Reading: Matthew 15:1-20

Focus Verses: Matthew 15:18-20  “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  These are what make a man unclean.”

We are faced every day with choices in life.  Sometime we make good choices and sometime we make bad choices.  Our choices come out of our heart.  If you have a clean heart, you will likely make good choices according to God’s Word.  Our focus verses give us a list of things that make up a dirty heart.  When I say "heart", I don’t mean the organ in your chest that pumps blood.  I’m talking about the inside part of you that drives your words and deeds.  Here on earth we will struggle with making right decisions until we see Jesus face-to-face in heaven.  However making good decisions is possible with an intimate relationship with Christ.  Psalm 25:21 says, “May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.”  Intimacy with God leads to integrity which allows God to create a clean heart in me. 

Some people think they can have a divided heart both good and bad.  But this can’t happen. If you have an avocado that is rotten and bad, and you put it into a basket of good ones, will it then become good?  No!  1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for bad company corrupts good character.”  We are to live a life of self-control and be alert because we have an enemy, the devil.  1 Peter 5:8-9 describes him this way.  “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”   It’s not always easy to make right choices in this day and time but it is possible with God.  The Bible says we are to clothe ourselves with humility.  1 Peter 5:5-6 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”  Keeping a clean heart is a battle we all face.  “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”  Hebrews 10:22.  As Christ followers, maintaining a relationship with God can help maintain a clean heart... and that is something we must do.

May our prayer be, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries