New Beginnings

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-21

Focus Verse: Philippians 3:13  “No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing, forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”

As 2021 comes to a close we can probably all think of things we regret and victories from this past year.  Paul says let’s put the past behind us.  It’s good to learn from our mistakes and to be encouraged by our victories in life, but we can’t live in the past.  Do not be controlled by your mistakes or be so proud of your victories that you don’t move forward.  A new year is before us and God will have new opportunities for you in this coming year.  In verse 14 Paul says “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

In Italy they have a custom for New Year’s Eve.  As midnight approaches everyone goes inside their homes and closes their windows.  As the clock passes from the old year to the new year they open the windows and throw out something that’s a symbol of something they want to get rid of in their lives.  

 

As we begin this new year let’s not be weighted down by our past.  This is a New Beginning. Let’s look for new opportunities in 2022 that the Lord will bring into our lives as we serve Him.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Shepherds

Shepherds

by Will Graham

Scripture: Luke 2:8-18, NKJV

Imagine you are a shepherd in ancient Israel: Your job is mundane, dirty, and maybe even a little frightening. You’re out in the wilderness, away from town, and the only light you see at night comes from the fire around which you are huddled and the moon hanging overhead. With that small field of vision, you’re supposed to not only keep track of your sheep, but also protect them from attack.

Suddenly, a supernatural brightness—“the glory of the Lord”—blinds your eyes, and there’s somebody there, unlike anything you’ve seen before. Perhaps you immediately realize that it’s the angel of the Lord, or maybe you are so consumed with confusion that it takes a minute to sink in that this being is from the heavenly realm. Either way, you’re so awe-struck that the angel’s first words are, “Do not be afraid.”

“Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

I wonder if the shepherds collapsed to the ground during this overwhelming experience. We know they felt fear, of course, but imagine the flood of emotions as they begin to realize that the angel of the Lord is proclaiming the news of the arrival of the Messiah!

What is the Messiah? The One promised since Genesis 3, who would come and rescue all of mankind. For the Jewish people, this is the One they had been longing for. And the shepherds are some of the first to hear of His arrival.

If the knees of the shepherds hadn’t buckled by that point, you can be sure that they did when suddenly the skies lit up and one angel became “a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’”

It’s no surprise that they immediately ran to find the Child in the manger, and returned passionately glorifying and praising God!

Fear, confusion, awe, joy—the shepherds experienced the gamut of emotions that historic night.

How about you? As you read this passage, are you still filled with awe? Do you empathize with the confusion and fear? Can you feel their joy? If not, re-read Luke 2 and try to envision it from the shepherd’s perspective once again, and pray that the Holy Spirit will fill you with His joy this Christmas season.

Discussion Questions: As you contemplate Christmas, what are some ways that Jesus’ birth brings you joy? How is your life different today because of that pivotal moment in Bethlehem?

Prayer: Dear God, This Christmas season, help me to focus on the incredible heavenly appearing of Jesus in this world, and what that has meant for all of mankind. Renew my passion for You. Rekindle in me the joy of my salvation! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jesus came to save the world from the grip of sin. But first you must ask Him to forgive your sins and be part of your life.

 

~Will Graham

Billy Graham Evangelistic association

God Came Close

Scripture Reading: Luke 2: 8-20

Focus Verse: Luke 2: 17 “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.”

All through the Old Testament we read of times when God came near.  Genesis 3:8  says that  Adam and Eve walked in the garden with the Lord God.  Exodus 3: 4  says, God spoke to Moses from a burning bush.  And many other places that God made His presence known.  But the greatest of all these appearances is in the New Testament when Jesus (God in flesh) came to earth and lived among us.  

 

Why did God send His only Son to earth from heaven?  Heaven is so much better than earth, so why would He come here?  Babies are born to live.  But Jesus was born to live a sinless life but also had a big purpose to die.  He was on a rescue mission and came to personally relate to us, to teach us and to walk with us.  He can identify with all of your sorrows, pains and temptations because he became human as well as fully God. Jesus came to earth as the best gift we could receive. He can truly be a friend to me.

 

His purpose in coming to earth was to show us how to live a life pleasing to God and then to die.  It wasn't an ordinary death.  He died in a special way for us.  He died a death that each of us should have died because of our sin.  The amazing thing is that he rose again and lives.  He defeated death in the tomb.  This is the most significant event in human history.  It’s so important that the world marks time by this event in 2021.  

 

I hope this event has changed your life forever as it has mine. You see if Jesus had not come then we have no hope.  We would be doomed to an eternity in hell.  We would have been left alone without a savior.  God came close to this world at Christmas time like the world had never seen before.  We can walk with Him on earth and for eternity!  Now let’s go and do as the shepherds did and make this good news widely known.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Give Encouragement to God’s Servants

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19

Focus Verse 1 Thessalonians 5:12   “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work.  They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.”

It has been said that hundreds of pastors leave the ministry every month.  They walk away from their churches for different reasons.  Some may just be ready to retire, but could another be because they are not getting encouragement from the membership?  Is there more of a critical spirit or a spurring on?

Paul says we are to honor those in spiritual leadership over us.  We know that Christ is the head of the church, but the pastor is appointed by God to feed the church, pray for the church, and lead the church.  God is pleased when we support and encourage our spiritual leaders.  I don’t have to tell you that your pastor is not perfect.  The only perfect person on this earth was Jesus.  In spite of your pastor’s faults, he needs your encouragement.  Pastoring a church is not an easy task.  It takes a lot of patience to deal with all the different personalities within a church.  So as Paul has instructed us let’s honor those in spiritual leadership over us, and let them know we are supporting them.  They will appreciate it, and your encouragement will enable them to do their job for The Lord better.

Our missions pastor, Will Gatling, has served our church for over 30 years, some of those years were serving as associate pastor.  He has been a faithful pastor and we are so thankful for the guidance,  teaching and leading our church to reach out with the Gospel.  Our church will honor him for his faithfulness.  This is good, but we should not wait for someone to retire before honoring them with words of encouragement.


Bobby & Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Don’t Separate

Bible Reading:  Matthew 19:1-12
Focus Verse: Hebrews 3:8  "Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness."

Jesus had just finished teaching about how to handle a brother’s sin against you and how much we should forgive.  I don’t think it’s an accident that that is covered just before marriage.  Forgiveness is needed regularly in any marriage based on our nature to sin.  The Pharisees came to test him and asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?”  Jesus replied that from the beginning, God created them male and female to be united as one.  God joins them together and man should not separate.  There was a concession given by Moses for marital unfaithfulness, but only because of the hardness of their hearts.  He said it wasn’t that way in the beginning.  Jesus went so far as to call it adultery if someone divorces and remarries for any reason other than that. 

There is a beautiful trinity in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  At the end of each day of creation, God said it was good.  After He created Man and Woman, he said it was “Very good!”  Why this difference.  We are not like the animals.  Marriage is a reflection of the unity found in the trinity.  Jesus many times said that the “Father and I are one”.  Now he says that man and wife will become one.  We are to honor that commitment. 

After saying this, it stands to reason that you should be careful and prayerful as you choose the person you will marry.  I remember when I was in High School that I made a list of the qualities that I was looking for in a husband.  I then rated them in priority.  Sure, we can get swept up in emotional love, but the lasting marriage takes commitment.  Remember how I started this devotion?  It was about forgiveness.  It really works.  Be sure that when you marry, you both are committed for life!  Begin now by praying about the person that you will marry.  Pray for that person as they walk with Christ.  If you are married, pray for your spouse and seek to build the unity between you through becoming closer to Christ together.  Pray together,  read God's word together and serve God together.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Jesus is Enough

 Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2 
Focus Verse:  " For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2

Are you having financial trouble?
Are you sick and hurting?
Are you lonely?
Are you rejected?
Are you mourning?
Are you discouraged?
Are you depressed?
Are you anxious?
Are you troubled?
Can Jesus really be enough for you?

When you are going through your life, you will have troubles.  Do not be surprised.   Everyone will face life's trials, each in our own way.  Where do we turn when we suffer and strive?  We only need to reach out to him and talk with him. When we spend time in prayer and reading the Bible, we will find the help we need.

“My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior” 2 Samuel 22:3

Jesus said, "Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned: he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

Anne Graham Lotz says this, "If Jesus is God in human flesh, revealing to us exactly what God is like...
If Jesus holds the highest position in the universe, and everything and everyone is subject to His authority...
If Jesus is greater that anyone or anything in the visible and invisible world...
If Jesus has a purpose that He is actively completing in the universe as well as in your own life...
Then HE IS ENOUGH!"

No matter what life holds, no matter our trials of health, people that betray or disappoint, personal failure, or difficult finances, if we have JESUS, He is enough.  Decide today to seek him through the Word of God, through Christian discipleship and in prayer.

Thank God for Jesus.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries 

Additional reading Romans 8:18-39

Friends With The World

Scripture Reading:  Genesis 19:1-30

Focus verse: Romans 12:2  "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

One time when I was traveling to Kenya my luggage got lost and I was without it for six days. I only had two sets of clothes.  The Kenyan pastor asked me, “how are you keeping your clothes clean”?  My answer was, “I’m careful not to get them dirty in the first place.”  James 4:4 says, Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God.”  If you make friendship with the world, then next you will love the world.  John warns us about this in 1 John 2:15 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.” 

There is someone in the Old Testament that had a problem with loving the things of this world.  The Bible tells us that Lot saw the lush land was good for a livelihood and moved his tent near Sodom, then later he actually moved into Sodom.  Lot moved closer to the wickedness even though 2 Peter 2:7-8 says that the sinful city tormented his righteous soul.  Sodom was a filthy wicked city.  The Bible tells us that when God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, God agreed with Abraham to save Lot's family and sent angels for that act of mercy.  Lot began to warn his family, but he had no credibility with his sons in law and they joked about it.  On the morning of destruction, Lot and his family were not taking it seriously and the angels had to physically move him, his wife and daughters out of the city.  He was warned to stay far away or he would be consumed with the iniquity (wickedness) of the cities. 

 

We need to be careful about our friendship with the world.  It could cost us our life, just as it almost did for Lot.  The wickedness of the city became less and less repulsive as he moved closer and closer.  Even a righteous man who compromises to live next to wickedness can become tolerant and make unwise decisions.  Lot lost his wife.   His daughters, who were traumatized, made terrible decisions.  There is grace and forgiveness in Christ when you repent and submit yourself to Him.  Who is your best friend, Jesus or the world?

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Look Upward for Help

Scripture Reading: Psalm 121

Focus Verses: Psalm 121:1-3  "I look up to the mountains, does my help come from there?  My help comes from the Lord, who makes heaven and earth!  He will not let you stumble, the one who watches over you will not slumber."

Do you look to the mountains for your help?  Some Bible teachers believe the psalmist was actually referring to idols that were built on the mountains.  People throughout history have made for themselves gods and idols.  A true believer can look at the mountains and remember the ancestors who would look to gods for rains and know that this was not truth.  They know they have the very Creator of those mountains as a friend because of Jesus and our decision to follow Him.   We have been reminded that the best help doesn't come from those idols on the mountains,  but help comes from the one who made the mountains, Creator God.   We only strive to walk with God, know God and talk with God.

Our life can be full of busyness, sickness or trials of life, but this is to bring us close to God.  Sometimes we tend to look to different people, governments, things or places in this world for help.  But real help can only come from the Lord, the One who made us.  He is never tired or too busy to help us.  In fact, He wants us to come to Him for help.  If we have truly been born again into God's family, this is our privilege as one of God's children.  Let us pray: "God show me if I've been looking for help in the wrong places, and help me look only to You for help and guidance, in Jesus name, amen."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Be Watchful, But Busy

 Be Watchful, But Busy

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Focus Verses: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17  "For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God.  First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves.  Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with Him forever."

Did you know that Jesus is coming back to this earth one day?  He's coming back to take us to heaven, but only those who are His children.  The Bible teaches that the rapture of the church is the next big event on God's timeline.  Jesus could come back at any time.  I am looking forward to that event.  But I'm not just sitting waiting.  We should be busy telling others about this big event, so that as many people as possible will be with us in heaven.

The Bible says in Ephesians 2:4-7  That God is looking forward to us getting to heaven, because He want to show us grace, kindness and how much He loves us.  I hope you are watching for His return, but I also hope you are busy tell others of this great promise of Jesus' return.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Praying or Sleeping

 Focus scripture Mark 14:32-41

Focus verse: Psalm 48:8 "But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life."
 
Jesus knew the events that were to come. He knew he was to be arrested, beaten, mocked, subjected to public humiliation and be nailed on the cross. In all these, he decided he would remain humble in prayers for only God’s will to happen. He knew the importance of combined prayers, so he took three of his disciples to go with him that they would watch and pray with him. He instructed them to sit and watch in prayers with him as he drew himself a little distance. Luke 22:44, records that the Lord’s anguish overwhelmed him so that his sweat fell on the ground like blood.

One thing that catches attention in this passage is how the three disciples failed to pray with Jesus at that hard and painful moment of His life. It’s quite hard to imagine that in one night Jesus had to wake them three times but still not even one of them stayed awake. The Lord was in deep sorrow and needed prayers from people that he had loved and served. Though he felt deserted in this anguish but he wanted the company and prayers from friends.

Our personal challenges can make us feel like we are deserted by everyone. We can find ourselves in situations of sorrow. Our tears have always needed somebody to stand with us in encouragement. Our marriages have suffered wounds so that we see nothing pleasant in them and need prayers of healing. We have been badly affected by sicknesses so that we feel like we are losing hope. Yes, we have to admit that this is the life of a Christian, but there is hope in prayer!

We often tell friends to stand with us in prayers. Sometimes we remind them about the need to pray with us more and more. We admit to pray, but surely have you been praying? Some will find themselves so tired in the physical so that they forget to pray. Did you ever receive a prayer request from a trusted friend, or relative or anyone who needed our prayers? Did we ever accept that we would pray with them? What have we done since they reminded us to continue praying for them? How often do we pray for those who need our prayers?

Equally, those who are in problems must not stop praying because they have told friends to pray with them. Jesus did not stop even when he found the disciples sleeping instead of praying. Yes, we need to have trusted friends who can faithfully pray with us. Jesus had some, do you have one?

Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries & Director of Repairer Christian School

 

Originally posted in August 2014

Who Do You Worship?

Who Do You Worship?

Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:18-21

Focus Verse: 1 John 5:21 “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”

Everybody on earth worships something or someone.  Even the atheist (who says there is no God) worships things or even self.  Whatever is most important to you is what you worship. Think about that for a moment.  What is most important to you?  What can you absolutely not live without?  Some people may say “I cannot live without my job.”  Some may say “I cannot live without my money.”  Some may say “I cannot live without my children, or my wife.”  There are a lot of people in this world that would say “they consider themselves the most important”, therefore they worship themselves.  

 

2 Timothy 3:1-3 says,  “In the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money.  They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.  They will consider nothing sacred.  They will be unloving and unforgiving, they will slander others and have no self-control.  They will be cruel and hate what is good.”  I believe we are living in the days these verses are talking about.  I see these things all around me.

Let me ask you another question.  What is going to get you to heaven one day?  Is your job, or your money going to get you to heaven?   Are your children going to get you to heaven one day?  For those that are in a right relationship with God, there is only one answer to the question “what is most important to you?"  The answer is God, Amen.  There may be a lot of things and people who are important in our lives, but God should be the most important.  Jesus said in John 15:5 “without me you can do nothing.”  So, then, without God you can’t even take your next breath.  Even as Christians, we need to be careful to keep God as most important in our lives.  He is the only One we should be worshiping.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

"Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears."  2 Samuel 7:22

 

God Comforts in Sorrow

Bible Reading: Psalm 91

Focus verse: “But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.” Psalm 10:14

I am writing this devotion in honor of my friends in Kenya experiencing the loss of a sister.  Life is difficult when a loved one dies.

There is shock and disbelief.  There is loss and sorrow.  How do you move from that sorrow and mourning into a place of accepting life without the one who died?  When you face sorrow, seek the face of God because he sees your trouble and affliction.  Psalm 91:15 says, "He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble;"

Psalm 91:2 says, "I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  God is your refuge.  God cares and will hold you in His hand and care for you.  It takes time, but God will heal the sorrow as we trust Him.  He will turn our hearts and we begin to see a glimpse of hope among moments of sadness.  He will nurture the hope in your heart and through faith, it will grow into joy, once again. 

Friends can comfort, but God heals the heart.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

In loving memory of Happiness "Asupi", the sister of Harriet Otieno

Inspect Your Life

Inspect Your Life

Scripture Reading:  2 Corinthians 13:1-10

Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:5  “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.  Test yourselves.  Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you, if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

My son Caleb started a new job a few years ago.  He does inspections on new home construction.  A new home may have many different inspections, but Caleb’s inspection deals with how air tight the building is.  So the inspection is checking to see if there is air leaking around the doors and windows.  The builder of the house does all the work to build, and then these different inspections are done to ensure that the work was done right.  Then when the house passes all the different inspections the new owner of the home has peace of mind that the house is in good shape to live in.  

What if someone did an inspection of your Christian life?  Would you pass the test?  You see the house could have a nice fresh coat of paint on the outside, but what if an inspection of the foundation was made and it failed the test.  The problem may not be visible because the problem might be below the ground level and the house could fall one day.  If an inspection was done on the foundation of your Christian life would you pass the test of faith.  Although I have determined that my faith is in the one true God, some days the fruit of my faith isn't producing the way it could.  Maybe you have a nice fresh coat of paint on the outside of your Christian life, but you know the foundation has some cracks that are causing problems.  Maybe your faith has been weakened with doubt.  In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus talks about a wise man who built his house on the rock, and a foolish man who built on the sand. You know the story, the foolish man suffered loss.  God can help you when the storms of life come.  God can help you strengthen your faith through scriptures and prayer when your eyes are on Him.  Let’s all inspect our lives and see if we need to make some repairs and improvements in our relationship with God. 

 

Sometimes Caleb needs to go back and do a retest after a house has failed an inspection.  I’m thankful we serve a God that gives second chances and that he gives us the opportunity to know Him, our firm foundation.

Bobby Johnson

Spreading The Gospel

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Focus Verse: Matthew 28:19  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Ten years ago Interlocking Ministries (based in the US) along with Bethesda Faith Ministries (based in Kenya) began holding Christian camps for the students in Western Kenya near Lake Victoria.  We never could have imagined how God would use these camps to touch so many lives.  Over these past ten years we have seen God reach over 20,000 Kenyan students who attended the camps.  Thousands of these students have trusted Christ for salvation and made commitments to True Love Says Wait, a sexual purity program.

Many years ago God told me to take the Gospel to Kenya.  So I got on an airplane and I went because I remembered the verse in the Bible that says “go and make disciples of all the nations.”  Maybe you are not able to get on an airplane and go half way around the world to tell someone about Jesus, but we have neighbors who need to hear.  We all work with other people that need to hear.  We all buy products from other people that need to hear.  As I write this devotion God has expanded the camps in Kenya to a new area on the island of Rusinga in Lake Victoria.  There are 500 students in Christian camps there this week.  This is all part of what Jesus told us to do 2,000 years ago.  Take the Gospel to every nation and make disciples.  We will do this until God calls us home to heaven.  It is not because we are smart or clever, but it is God who is powerful and doing the work in the hearts of people.  

 

Will you join us in spreading the Gospel?

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

How Are You Listening?

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:1-20

Focus Verse: Mark 4:20  “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who listened and accepted God’s Word and produced a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.”

If you have a friend that seems to talk all the time and doesn’t say much that is important you may not listen very carefully when they are speaking.  However, if your doctor is speaking to you and giving you instructions on how to get well when you are very sick, you would be listening very carefully to what he is saying.  Because your life depends on what he is saying.

How are you listening to God’s Word?  Are you listening as if it’s a friend speaking that has nothing important to say, or are you listening as if it’s your doctor telling you what you should do to get over your sickness?  If you want to be a disciple of Jesus you need to read and listen very carefully to the Word of God.  In our passage of scripture there were people who listened to God’s Word in different ways.  As the different kinds of soil are mentioned, those people listened differently.  Only one listened intently and it made a difference in their life and it produced a harvest.

Is God’s Word making a difference in your life?  If not, maybe you aren’t listening correctly.  Just like a farmer always wants to see a harvest at the end of the growing season, we as disciples of Christ should all want to see a spiritual harvest in our lives as well.

 

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Anniversaries

Scripture Reading: Psalm 91

Focus Verse: Psalm 91:1 “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Anniversaries are markers in our lives.  We have many anniversaries as we go through life.  Some are happy anniversaries like a wedding anniversary.  But we also have sad anniversaries such as the death of a loved one, and we remember the day they died each year that passes.

This past week America remembered a sad anniversary.  20 years ago America was attacked by terrorists and thousands of people died on September 11, 2001.  That is a sad day that all Americans can remember.  Also, I am remembering a happy 20th anniversary.  On September 19, 2001 was my first trip to Kenya on a missions trip.  That was the beginning of 20 years of ministry in Kenya.  Praise God I have seen thousands of people come to Christ.

But whether we have good anniversaries or sad anniversaries God, in Psalm 91, has promised that God is with us.  We can find shelter in Him and we can find rest in His shadow.  Life here on earth is not easy.  For many of us 2020 and 2021 have been very difficult years as we have gone through this pandemic.  But God will always be faithful.  He will never leave us or forsake us.  He has also promised us he will take us safely to heaven if we have put our faith and hope in Him.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Set up Some Safeguards

"You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master" Genesis 4:7

There are certain questions in life that we don’t need to think about or pray about. Why? Because we already know what God says about them.

For example, we already know that it’s not okay to steal because God tells us, “You must not steal” (Exodus 20:15 NLT). We already know that it’s not okay to have an adulterous relationship because God says, “You must not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14 NLT).

But then there are things that we’re unsure about. We don’t know for certain whether they’re right or wrong.

The good news is that we can set up some safeguards in our lives to help us determine what we should do. Before you engage in that activity you’re uncertain about, ask yourself some questions.

First, does it build you up spiritually, or does it tear you down? The apostle Paul wrote, “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is good for you. You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything’—but not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT).

You should avoid, at all costs, anything that could tear you down spiritually, pull you away from the people of God, keep you from Christian fellowship, or take the edge off your desire for prayer or Bible study.

Second, does it bring you under its power? Again, Paul wrote, “I must not become a slave to anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12 NLT). I don’t want to be under the control of anyone or anything except Jesus Christ.

Third, do you have an uneasy conscience about it? Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning” (Romans 14:23 NLT).

These are things we need to consider as believers because we have an adversary, the Devil, who is waiting to strike. So be careful.

By Greg Laurie Harvest Ministries

https://harvest.org/resources/devotions/

Stop Doubting God

Scripture reading: Matthew 11: 1-19

Focus verse: Matthew 11:1-6 - "After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

The news that surrounds our lives today is mostly NO good news. There has been the emergence of bad infections like Covid-19 pandemic and the massive deaths associated with these infections. We hear of devastating floods and hurricanes and the massive loss of lives and properties associated with the same. We wake up to war amongst nations as is presently felt in Afghanistan where many lives are being slaughtered. Our governments are deep in corruption and have failed to show good leadership. Marriages are breaking each day, innocent babies are being aborted and many lives are being loosed through suicide. In all these, Christian have not been spared too, but have been victims of some worse scenarios. They have loosed friends to wars and disease, and they have been victims of bad disasters. During such times, we may be tempted to ask if really God is with us, if he is in control or if we are in the wrong faith. 

John is put to jail because of rebuking sin; He told Herod that it was not lawful to have Herodias (his brother Philips wife) as his wife. He finds himself in the unpleasant jail condition. This made him to send a word to Jesus through his disciples to ask Jesus if for sure He was the one to come or to still wait for another Man. Jesus tells the disciples to get back to John and tell him what they have seen God continue to do. The blind are receiving their sight, the lame walk, the deaf hear, the dead are raised and the good news is preached to the poor.

Well, we read about John the Baptist as the one who prepared the way for Jesus. He as well baptized Him and identified Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of man. But when faced with life challenges, he doubted Jesus and all that which had been clearly revealed to him by God. That’s exactly how some believers have doubted God and what He can do in the midst of challenges. We question His presence and power over our physical afflictions. We ask if we really made the right choice to be His followers. None the less, we need to know that God has not been limited by our afflictions. Being that He is not answering our prayers according to how we want does not mean He is not at work. His plan and ours are different. In fact He tells John’s disciples to go and tell John that he is still at work and a lot is happening. Let our life afflictions make us doubt Him, He is God and He chooses to work where He wishes and how He wants it. If it is His will that we go through all these afflictions then we still must trust Him fully and believe that all things work together for those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Director Bethesda Faith Ministries Kenya

Hold Tightly to Hope

Hold Tightly to Hope

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-39

Focus Verse: Hebrews 10:23  “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

There are times that it would seem that the world is falling apart.  We hear of natural disasters.  We hear of terrorist attacks almost on a daily basis.  We hear of strife between countries.  We hear of racial tensions.  Where can we place our hope to fix all these things?  I can tell you who is not going to fix all these problems.  It’s not going to be a person, a politician or a government.  The only one that can control these problems is the LORD.  God is the one in whom we can place our hope.  Hebrews says that we are to hold tightly to the hope we have in God’s promises.  God has us in his hands.  Everything that happens is what He allows.  He will turn the evil that happens in this world into fulfilling His purpose in the end.  So when you feel all hope is lost, hold tightly to the only One that can give hope. 

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

When You Order What You Don't Know

Scripture reading:

Mark 10:35-38 - Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”  “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”  “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”

About three years back I was privileged to visit the USA. One thing I will never forget was the many American foods that I could see in the restaurants we visited. They looked delicious but I became so careful not to order what I didn’t know so I let my host Bobby and Page to always guide my menu. I may have looked remote in the eyes of other men but I was being honest to myself and others. I had surely not seen a “hot dog” so I had to be careful in ordering such a meal. It’s obvious that if you ask what you don’t know but pretend to know it, then you may look a fool before the people. You may end up wasting your money or get humiliated before others. 

The two sons of Zebedee make “honorary” request to be allowed to sit one on the right and another to the left in Christ’s glory. Jesus tells them, “You don’t know what you are asking”. He then explains to them who is able to sit on the sides of the Lord in His glory. They would later realize that what they were asking for, had suffering associated with it.

That’s how believers have often behaved! We have not allowed God’s will to happen but keep asking for what we think will make us comfortable. We pretend to know it all and do not want to spend time with Him or listen to His wisdom. We follow Christ but at times with wrong motives e.g. looking fame or other physical request. Our concern at times has been how to make ourselves happy and we are not willing to suffer with Christ. At times we want to lean on our own understanding and not trusting in Him for direction. God understands what’s best for us even during hard and trying moments. We must not allow our ego or our situations to guide our requests to Him. We need to fully trust in Him and allow His will to happen. We must not look for what will satisfy our earthly desires but look for that which is eternal.

Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Makira Baptist Church – Mfangano Kenya

The Purpose of the Church

 Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 

Focus verses: "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10: 24-25
 
What is the church?
The church, also known in scripture as “the body of Christ” (Colossians 1:24, Ephesians 5:23), it is not the building we gather in on Sunday morning, although that is what we often think of when we consider the church. The church is made up of the believers in Christ, those who believe that Jesus Christ came to earth and died for our sins, and trust Him as the way to receive forgiveness for the sins we have committed, so that we can have a relationship with God. Together we encourage one another as we go through life, build each other up as we seek to follow Christ. 

What is the purpose of the church?
Ultimately our purpose is to glorify God with our lives (1 Corinthians 10:23-33). As the church our role is to bring glory to God. As we see in our main reading that we are not each given the same role, we have different purposes within the body. The Lord has given each of us different personalities, skills, talents and spiritual gifts. When we compare ourselves to others we tend to get discouraged because we might get jealous of someone else’s gifts and not be happy with our own (v. 15-16). Instead we see that not everyone can be an eye (v. 17) we each have our own strengths to bring to the body of Christ. In the same way we should also be careful not to think of our gifts as better than the gifts of someone else (v. 22-23). What we as humans might consider as insignificant could be the most honorable. We need to make sure that we as the body of Christ are not divided (v. 25). There needs to be respect for one another, if there are any arguments we need to make sure we are not holding a grudge towards any believers. It is important that we remember that they are human too, they make mistakes just like you, we should be quick to forgive one another. If we are distracted with hatred towards one another this keeps us from fulfilling our purpose as the body of Christ. Our purpose is to suffer together and to rejoice together, we are the church so we don’t have to go through life alone, we need one another (v. 26). God has given each of us a different role so instead of getting jealous we need to learn what our gifts are and to use them to give God the glory. If you are unsure of what your spiritual gift is you can ask someone who knows you well that is a spiritual leader over you, maybe a parent, your youth pastor or a close friend. 

Pray:
God thank you for creating us differently and for a purpose. Help me to recognize the spiritual gifts you have given me. Show me how I can use these gifts to glorify you Lord. Help me to use the gifts to encourage other believers and in sharing the gospel with those who don’t have a relationship with you. Remind me that you have given me different gifts for a reason and that you would keep me from being jealous of others’ gifts. I love you Lord. Amen. 

written by Tamara Johnson 

 

POST NOTE: Will you meet with believers regularly no matter if it's two hundred or just two or three?  Government regulations of Covid can't shut down the real church...the people.   Meet together to fellowship, read scripture, worship, testify and pray. 

Opportunities to Learn & Grow

Bible reading: Daniel 1:3-20
Focus verse: Daniel 1:18-20 “At the end of time set by the king to bring them in, the chief officials presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked to them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hannania, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.”

Testing is one of the ways in which learning is evaluated. Each day we are presented with opportunities to learn and grow in new ideas and we have the chance to better our understanding of the word of God. Daniel together with his three other friends are taken into a ten day learning experience and to be presented for testing after ten days. They refuse to defile their bodies with food and drinks that were not holy and pure before God but accept to take only what will please God. At the end of ten days the testing results show that they are ten times better than the other people.

Ten times better in ten days! Isn’t that encouraging.  Not nine times, or eight times, or five times better in ten days. This means each day was an opportunity for them to grow and they did not miss any single opportunity. Imagine if believers would grow in their faith and understanding and service of God each day. The result could be a well varied difference between the world and believers. For some of us, it would be thousands of times better than the world given the number of days we have lived as God’s own children. But is that the truth or we are mixed into the world so that barely any difference is seen regardless of the number of days we have lived as God’s children. Have we grown in proportion to our life spent with God? 2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word truth.  Avoid godless character, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.   

Take opportunities to learn and grow.

Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Makira Baptist Church – Mfangano Kenya

We Race to Win

We Race to Win

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Focus Verse: Acts 20:24  " However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

The Olympic Games are taking place in Tokyo, Japan right now.  I have been able to watch many different sports on the TV.  The other night I watched the USA and Kenya play rugby.  Some of the sports are running, swimming, gymnastics, sailing, weightlifting, bicycling and many other sports.  I was amazed as I watched one of the races.  It was a swimming race.  There were many different countries represented.  As the race was coming to the end the athlete from the USA was in fourth place.  I thought "oh no he’s going to lose the race.”  But then something amazing happened, he started swimming with all the energy that he had at the very end of the race and he finished in first place to win the gold medal.  Everyone was shocked how he passed the other swimmers at the end.

The Bible has a lot to say about races.  It compares our lives here on earth to a race.  There are winners and losers in the race of life.  The apostle Paul said his only aim was to finish the race and complete the task Jesus had given him.  Paul gave his all to complete the task, much like the swimmer did to win the race.  How is your race going?  How is my race going?  We will all make mistakes along the way.  We may stumble and even fall.  The important thing is what do we do after we fall?  Do we quit or do we get back up and finish the race strong?  Paul says in Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

When we come to the end of our lives will we be able to say what Paul said?  2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”   Jesus has promised to help us.  We should all be in this race to win because we know God has an eternal prize waiting for us.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries