The Spiritual Is Important

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 4:1-11

Focus Verses: Matthew 4:3-4 “During that time the devil came and said to Him, If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.  But Jesus told him, No! The Scriptures say, People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

When Jesus was on the earth He was completely God and completely human. Jesus allowed Himself to be tempted so that He could identify with us when we are tempted.  Jesus had complete control over this situation of temptation.  Jesus could have sent the devil to hell with just a word, but this was not the right time. His time will come later.  

 

Now, Jesus was hungry when he went into the wilderness to be tempted.   He resisted the temptation to turn the stones to bread.  He knew the spiritual was more important than the physical.  We are tempted in this physical way many times also.  Satan comes to you and says go ahead and do this thing it will make you feel so good.  Maybe it’s drinking alcohol, having sex with someone you are not married to, lying, stealing or cheating to get something that you think will satisfy you.  This is putting the physical ahead of the spiritual and that is wrong.  Satan is clever and the father of all lies.  He makes sin look pleasurable and good, but then you are left with the guilt of your sin and the consequences of that sin.  

 

Every time the devil tempted Jesus in a different area Jesus said, “The Scriptures say” and He would quote the Scripture.  It is good for us to know the Bible and to memorize it.  We have Bible verses written in different places in our home.  As I see them and read them soon they will stick with me.  Let us do as Jesus did and quote Scripture back to Satan when he comes to tempt us to do something wrong.  Let us also do as Jesus did and keep the spiritual more important than the physical.  The Word of God is powerful and satisfies.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

 

 

Following Jesus

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:24-28

Focus Verse: Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me."

What does it mean to follow Jesus?  Back when Jesus was walking on the earth, and Jesus said to the disciples "follow me”, the disciples walked close behind Jesus and followed Him, and that is quite literally how it started.  Of course we know that for the disciples it involved much more than just walking behind Jesus.

For us today what does it mean for us to follow Jesus?  Many books have been written on this subject, but let's look at a few basic thoughts.  

If we are to follow Jesus, let's think first about "where did He go?"  As we read about Jesus in the New Testament we see that He was usually alone praying, or with His closest friends, or He was spending time with those that were looked down on. Example, the sick, tax collectors, sinners.  We like spending time with friends, but how are we doing with praying and spending time with those that are looked down on?

If we are to follow Jesus, what did He do?  As Jesus went His way he encountered people. All kinds of people.  The rich, the poor, the sick, the lost, the proud.  Jesus loved everyone He encountered, and knew just the right thing to say to each person.  The story of the woman at the well in John 4 shows Jesus’ love for her.  Even though she had sinned and was living with a man that was not her husband Jesus loved her, and she eventually became a believer.

If we are to follow Jesus, how did He feel?  Jesus' primary purpose in coming to earth was to reconcile people to God.  He felt this way because He had compassion for people and loved them.  Right now this world is lacking love for each other.  What if the outside world saw a genuine love within the church?  

 

Most importantly, Jesus did the will of the Father. (John 14:31)   You may call yourself a Christian but are you really following Jesus?  Let’s follow Jesus by doing what God would want us to do.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

God's Gift of Life

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-18

Focus Verse: John 1:10 “He came into the very world He created”…

On December 27th I welcomed my first grandchild into the world.  Eloise Rose Johnson was born to my son Caleb and our daughter in law Abby.  It has been such a great blessing to receive this gift of life into our family.  As you can imagine I am a proud grandfather.  We recognize that God gave the gift of life to each one of us at birth.

Over two thousand years ago, God sent His plan of eternal life into this world. We have just finished celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior at Christmas time.  The Savior, Jesus, is a gift that God is offering to each one of us.  Sadly many in the world have rejected this gift of Jesus and salvation.  I’m thankful that at the age of six years old I received the gift of salvation that God offered to me.  At that time I began a relationship with God that I have never regretted.  God is offering this gift of life to everyone.  Eternal life with God in heaven one day is a  promise from God for whoever believes in His Son Jesus, the One who died on the cross for your sins and mine.  Why not confess your sin and need of His forgiveness, repent and put your faith and trust in Him today.

 

God gave us all the gift of life when we were born and now He offers the gift of eternal life.  John 3:16-17 says, "“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Let God Lead You

Let God Lead You  

Shared from The Encouraging Word

 Bible reading: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: "He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name." NLT

Life is full of choices, decisions, and options. It’s also full of people with strong opinions who will try to tell you which way they think you ought to go. If we could turn back the hands of time, nearly all of us would alter some of our past choices because they have caused us to find ourselves in the path of “wrongness” rather than “righteousness.” Sheep will gravitate toward whatever appeals to their instincts, such as a berry bush, even though it will take them away from the flock and the shepherd’s protective care. They think they know the right path when they really have no clue. 

Question: Have you been following your appetites and instincts rather than your shepherd? You say, “But God has given me a brain to use.” Sure, and you need to develop it. But it’s limited, and it will only take you so far. The Holy Spirit desires to take you beyond those limits. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). 

How does God lead us? Objectively through His Word, and subjectively through His Spirit. As you read His Word, you hear His voice, and as you “lie down” (Psalm 23:2), He impresses upon your heart what He wants you to do. If you have gotten onto the wrong path, turn to God and He will guide you back onto the right path. You say, “Would God actually speak to someone like me?” Yes, “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3-4 NKJV). Today, let God lead you!