Jesus is Our Example of Integrity

Scripture reading: Luke 4:1-13

Focus verse: Hebrews 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."

Jesus was tempted in every way as a man is. After He was baptized and full of the Holy Spirit, he was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert and fasted for 40 days.  He was tempted by Satan, but He remained resistant to every temptation and faithful to the Father.  Alone in the wilderness, hungry and weakened, He maintained integrity.  There was no corruption in Him, but a wholeness, perfection, uprightness, complete and honest.

Do you compare yourself to other people to decide if you are doing good?  Who is our only true example? As someone who has surrendered their life to Jesus, the Saviour, we are called to walk with Him as a child who is learning to walk like their father.  There is no true example of integrity than Jesus.  Luke 4:13 says that the devil ended every temptation.   Could it be that means that Jesus was tempted in every temptation ever to exist? According to our focus verse, it seems to be true.  Our Jesus, Lord and Saviour, knows about temptation and can sympathize with our weakness, though he never sinned.  He can teach us when we stumble how to resist the devil.

What kind of temptations have you faced?  Born Again Christians have the Holy Spirit to help us in our weakness. Jesus has prayed for us (John 17) so we can have hope for sanctification (spiritual growth).  When we are tempted to do something corrupt, something sinful, we have the choice on our action.  Our failures should push us to seek the Lord.  The more we surrender all in Christ, the more He will mold us to be like Him. I pray that you will be strengthened in the Lord to walk in integrity.

Page Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Lasting Fruit Takes Time

Scripture Reading:  John 15:1-17

Focus Verse:  John 15:4  “Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

Some things just take time.  Smart investors know that much time is needed to get a good return on your money after they have picked a good investment.  Those of you who have gardens, you know that you can’t plant seeds one day and the next day harvest the crops.  It takes time for the sun and the rain to do its work and for the crops to mature.

So often in our lives we get impatient.  We want things to happen immediately.   Some people may look for shortcuts to growing in their faith.  They want to be mature Christians the day after they receive salvation.  It doesn’t work that way.  A 5000 meter race is run by taking one step at a time over and over and over again until you reach the finish line.  If you want to be successful in your Christian life it will take a day after day commitment.  Fruit probably will not grow overnight, it will take time.  But after some weeks, months, and years you will see the spiritual fruit come.  Just as an investor checks on his investment and sees how his money has grown from where he started.

In John 15, Jesus talks about himself being the grapevine and us being the fruit.  Psalm 1 also says “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season.  Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

Galatians 5:22-23 refers to the fruits of the Spirit.  “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”  Be faithful and patient because this may not happen as quickly as you would like.  Lasting fruit takes time.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Our Job Description

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Focus Verses:  Matthew 28:18-20 

"Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Do you remember ever starting a new job?  The first thing you want to know about your new job is the job description.  You want to know what is going to be expected of you.  So you and your new boss or employer sit down together and he or she explains to you what you will be doing.

Jesus is doing much the same thing here in our scripture reading.  Jesus has been training His disciples for the past three years, and now He is reminding them of what they are to be doing.  Jesus is getting ready to go back to heaven, and He wants to be sure the disciples know what they are to be doing while He is gone.

If you are a follower of Jesus, He has given you the same job description.  His instructions are really quite simple.  You are to share the same good news that you heard when you believed in Jesus and wanted to follow Him.  So we are to share the Gospel and when someone accepts this good news then we are to disciple them or train them in how to follow Jesus.  You would be surprised that there are many Christians that have never told one person this good news.  Why would you not want to share with someone the best thing that has ever happened to you?  If you eat at a restaurant and the food is good, you will tell someone about your experience and how good the food was.  So of course we can tell others about Jesus!

Romans 10:14 says  “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”

1 Peter 3:15 says we are to always be ready to share the hope that we have within us.  This is not Jesus' suggestion to us, it’s Jesus' command to us.  You know what your job description is, now let’s go do our job.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries 

Jesus Saves and Leads

Scripture reading: Acts 12:5-11 

Focus verse: Acts 12:7-9 – Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 

A few weeks back I was travelling to the USA through Atlanta. This was my first trip through Atlanta Airport which is one of the worlds’ busiest Airports. I was already getting late for my connecting flight so I had to rush before my flight departed. Unfortunately, I found myself lost in the rush and couldn’t figure where my flight gate was located. After a few minutes of distress, I suddenly saw a lady dressed in a security uniform. I rushed to her and asked where gate T4, which was my departure gate. The lady realized that I seriously and quickly needed help, she kindly responded to me and told me to follow her. She walked with me past all other gates until we got to T4 just a few minutes before the close of boarding. I found peace in my heart and felt very relieved as I walked beside her. I was very thankful to her and felt in my heart that God sent his angel to come and save me and lead me out of the awkward situation.

Peter is put in jail bound with chains and put under guard of the soldiers. He had one night to live before Herod might kill him as he did to James, the brother of John. Suddenly, that night, God sent his angel to save Peter and release him from the jail. Light shone in the Jail at the appearance of the angel and the light struck Peter on the side. The angel raised up Peter and his chains fell off. He then led Peter through the soldiers and all jail gates until Peter was safe with his life. Then Peter realizes that surely God had sent his angel to come and deliver him. 

Salvation of Jesus takes one out of the chains and bondages of sins. It makes the chains fall off regardless of how strong the enemy has gotten hold of one’s life. God’s word is a light that can shine out hearts and make us be set free. But again, not only does Jesus save us from bondage of sin that has held us hostage; He also holds our hands and walks us out of the dangers that can stand in our way. He doesn’t save you and let you walk alone but navigates life challenges with you. Jesus is a true friend, He will lead his children out of any danger and will ensure that they are safely delivered to the Father.   

Eliazar Wambo Nyakwadah

Director Bethesda Faith Ministries & Pastor Makira Baptist church

Israel Has Been Attacked - Are We Nearing The End?

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:1-14

Focus Verse: Matthew 24:14   “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then the end will come.”

Maybe you have seen in the news that a bloody war has been going on between Israel and Iran. Knowing that Iran's government wants Israel wiped out and Iran's leaders have been sending groups of attacks into Israel, Israel has been hitting targets inside of Iran and countless bombs and missiles have been going back and forth and there are reports of nuclear bomb building in Iran.  The USA has been helping Israel defend itself from incoming Iranian missiles.  Now,  it looks like the United States is weighing whether to be involved in this war in a bigger way.  

This is not Israel's first battle. Israel has been persecuted by many countries that surround it - Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah just to name a few.  Some Bible scholars said that the six-day Arab-Israeli war in 1967 was the beginning of the end of the world.  Whenever the bombs are launched at Israel people start asking “is the end near?”  And the answer can be “yes”.   Jesus could return at any time.  There is nothing else on the prophetic calendar that needs to happen for Christ to return. He could come at any moment and no one can know when.  Let us not be so focused on when Jesus is returning.  Are you ready?  In our focus verse Jesus said “the Good News of the Gospel will be preached throughout the whole world so that all nations will hear it.  And then the end will come.  So let us be busy telling the Good News of the Gospel to everyone that has never heard. Then the end will come.  

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20   "Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”   So, yes we are nearing the end of time, and have been getting closer ever since Jesus walked on the earth.  When we see these wars going on, and earthquakes happening it should remind us to endure with Christ and continue sharing the Good News of the Gospel.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

World, Self or God?

Bible Reading: Romans 12

Focus verse: Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

I can serve one master. What's your priority? Satan doesn't try to get you to worship him. He wants you to focus on self. Make yourself a priority and it makes Satan win. Or you could hyper fixate on all the things Satan is doing in your life or in the world's problems, meditate in the turmoil that he is causing which is -- a crafty way to worship the Devil.  

If you are caught in that trap, look up. Luke 21:28, "Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near." Look to the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.

Isaiah 45:22-24 says "“Look to Me, and be saved,
All you ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.

I have sworn by Myself;
The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness,
And shall not return,
That to Me every knee shall bow,
Every tongue shall take an oath.

He shall say, ‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength.
To Him men shall come,
And all shall be ashamed
Who are incensed against Him."

Surrender:
James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Luke 9:23, “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

WE must, as Christians, see ourselves rightly as God sees us, and see the world events through God's directions. He will give you rest.

~Page Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Unanswered Prayers

Unanswered Prayers

Scripture Reading: John 11:1-44

Focus Verse: John 11:11  “Then He said, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up.”

Have you ever prayed a prayer, maybe even the same prayer for a long time?  And did it seem like God was not listening?  I can imagine this is how Mary and Martha must have felt.  They sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was sick, but Jesus did nothing to help Lazarus get well.  Then we read that Lazarus died from his illness.  Mary and Martha must have felt that Jesus had let them down.  Many times when hardships and difficulties happen to us we ask “where is God?  Why didn’t He do something?"  It looked like Jesus had forgotten about His friends, but really He was planning one of His greatest miracles.

Several things we should remember when we think our prayers are unanswered.  First, God’s timing is always perfect.  He’s never late, and He’s never early, He’s always right on time.  Secondly, Jesus identifies with us.  He knows how we feel.  Hebrews 4:15 says,  “Jesus faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”  and Hebrews 12:2 says that he endured the cross, despising shame.  Jesus experienced sorrow and pain. And third, God is all powerful.  He is in control of everything in our lives.  2 Corinthians 12:9 This should give us great peace and comfort in our times of trouble.

You see Mary and Martha wanted Jesus to come to heal Lazarus, but Jesus wanted to do something much more spectacular.  Jesus waited in order to raise Lazarus from the dead, so in order to do that He had to let Lazarus die.  When Lazarus walked out of that tomb after being dead for four days, God received a lot of glory and praise!  Let’s remember that God answers prayer in three ways: yes, no, and wait.  And the wait answer is always followed by a yes or no.  So don’t be discouraged, there are really no unanswered prayers.  We just need to be patient, and see what God is up to.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Built to Last

Built to Last 

Scripture Reading:  Ephesians 2:11-22

Focus Verse: Ephesians 2:21  The whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

This Christian community of friends around us is built to last, because we will be with these people for all eternity.  Keep in mind we will have perfect bodies once we get to heaven.  Let's look at what Paul has to say about building a strong Christian community that will last.

There were some problems between the Gentiles and Jews described in verses 11-13.  But Paul wants to bring these groups together in a peaceful way.  Paul says in verse 14 that Christ has broken down the wall of separation between man and God.  This also breaks the wall of separation between all believers.  This is very important to understand because when Christians are divided it is a bad testimony to the outside community.

Christ himself is our peace through the cross.  As members of Christ's body we are fitted together like bricks of a building.  We are strong and growing when we are interlocked together.  When we are separated we make ourselves weak and vulnerable to attack from the enemy.

I like to think of it like a building.  A good caretaker will maintain a building.  He will see problems when they are small and make repairs before they get big.  This is how we can maintain a strong Christian community that is built to last.  Let us be strong together for Christ.  Let Christ Jesus be the mortar that brings us together to build the strong body of Christ.  You can't control the actions of others, but as far as yourself, you can control your reactions.  God bless you as you grow strong together.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

God's Cell Phone

Bible Reading: Matthew 6:5-18

Focus Verse: John 17:20-21(Jesus prayed) "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.   I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me."

     Do you ever talk to God? Do you really know what prayer is? Do you know there are some things that you must know in order for God to answer His cell phone?
God really doesn’t have a cell phone, but the Bible tells us a lot about prayer. 

     First of all, prayer has two parts. One is that we talk to God either by word of mouth or by our thoughts. The second is that God talks to us through reading the Bible.

    Who can pray? The answer is that everyone can pray. However there are limitations for some people. If some praying people are not children of God, Luke 18:13 says that the only prayer that God hears from them is “God be merciful to me a sinner”.  If you are a child of God as described in John 1:12 which says, “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” you have the right to come to God at any time and ask for anything.

     God answers our prayers in three ways. The first is Yes. The second is No. The third is to wait a while. God knows what is best for us.

     Recently, I came across a very special verse in John 17:9 which says that Jesus prays for us. If Jesus thinks prayer is important, shouldn’t we?  

~Rev. Bob Johnson, Jr

Opportunities to Learn and 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

Easter Changed Everything

 Easter Changed Everything

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 28:1-10

Focus Verses: Matthew 28:5-7  "Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.  And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.”

Focus Verses: Matthew 28:5-7  "Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.  And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.”

Let us imagine for a moment that after three days in the grave Jesus' body continued to lay in the grave. The stone was never rolled back from the door of the grave.  If this had happened we would have no hope of salvation.  We would have no hope of our sins being forgiven.  We would have no hope of heaven.  

Sunday morning changed everything.  We know that the stone was rolled away from the grave.  We know that Jesus did come out of that grave and he lives!  We know that God has power over death and the grave.  And that changes everything for us.  We have hope because we serve a risen Jesus not a dead Jesus.  The love that God has for us is what put Jesus on that cross.  I don’t think we can imagine the pain and suffering that Jesus went through because of our sins.

After Jesus' resurrection the disciples knew everything that had happened was true because they were willing to die because of the testimony of what they had seen.  And the resurrection of Jesus can change your life too.  The Bible says that after the two women visited the empty grave, the angel told them to go quickly and tell the disciples the good news.  We have now also been given a task to do.  We are to share the good news of the Gospel with others that don’t know that Jesus is alive.  Let us share this hope that we have because Easter has changed everything!

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

A Great Conversation

 A Great Conversation

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Focus Verse:

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.  " Colossians 4: 2-6

The last few verses in the book of Matthew are called “The Great Commission”.  This is a command that Jesus gave His followers before returning to heaven.  Jesus’ command is that we tell the Gospel (good news) to others and disciple them.  That means after we share the good news with them and they accept Christ, we disciple them by teaching them how to live the Christian life.  This is not complicated.  As we go about our daily lives we share what Christ has done in our lives with others as the opportunity arises.  Not everybody we talk to will accept our message, but that’s okay we are just being obedient to do what Jesus asked us to do.

A few years ago, my daughter, Tamara, had opportunities to speak with a person named Tom about Jesus at a coffee shop several times for a few weeks.  He told her that he doesn’t know where to begin reading the Bible.  Tamara suggested that he start with the book of John since this tells a lot about the life of Jesus.  We can pray for Tom that God would open his eyes to the Salvation that God wants to bring into his life.  

 

You can be obedient to what Jesus has asked us to do by starting a conversation with someone you meet as you are going about your business, whether it's at a coffee shop, the lake, the market or at school.   Luke 15:7 says,  “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away.”  When someone accepts Christ you will experience a great blessing in your life and there will be joy in heaven for this one lost sinner that repents and turns to God.  

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

 

Pursuing Happiness

 Pursuing Happiness 

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:31-38

Focus Verse: Mark 8:35  “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”

Have you ever seen someone take a picture of themselves with their phone?  That’s called a “selfie”.  Some people have put themselves in very dangerous positions to get the photo that they want, and many have died taking selfies.  For example:  Someone decided they want a photo of themselves with a lion in the background and the lion attacks them.  Today people are so obsessed with themselves they are willing to risk their lives to make themselves look great among their friends.

The Bible has predicted this selfish period of time we are living in.  This is one of the signs that we are living in the last days.  2 Timothy 3:1-2 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.”  I am seeing a lot of what these two verses are talking about.

People who are only thinking of themselves are generally unhappy.  The harder you chase happiness, the less satisfied you become. I have found in my own life that when I’m thinking of myself too much, that’s when I need to do something for someone else.  Focusing on God and others can help to bring my life back into balance.  Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”  Mark 8:35

I think Jesus is telling us that if you get your priorities in order and find God's purpose for your life, then you will find fulfillment in your life.  It’s okay to want to be happy, but when that is your focus it will escape you.  You will only find true happiness when you put God first and follow Him.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

We Live To Please God

We Live To Please God

Scripture Reading:  Romans 8:5-8

Focus Verse:  Romans 8:5   “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”

Many people struggle to obey what’s written in the Bible. Some people may think they can earn God’s favor through acts of kindness and church attendance but they still can't seem to stop sinning.  Sinful thoughts usually result in sinful actions if you don't push them away when they come.  If you want to live a life pleasing to God, Paul the author of Romans says the first step is to control what you think about. Romans 8 lets us know that we can live a pure life and please God.  When you come into a relationship with Jesus, God gives you the power over sin. The desires of the world can be very strong, and only God can give you the power to resist this pull.

Paul many times referred to himself as a slave of his master who is Christ.  We know that Christ loves us so much, and that’s what makes us want to obey Him.  If we don’t completely surrender our lives to Him, then it is impossible to live a pure life and our sinful nature will continue to take control of us.  But God wants us to serve Him not out of fear but out of love and gratitude.  The closeness through our relationship with God will give us the motivation and power to live a life that is pleasing to God. The Spirit of God can help us resist the thoughts by focusing on Him.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Jesus Never Changes

 Jesus Never Changes

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 13:7-17

Focus Verse: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

During this time of year in America, March and April , the seasons are changing. The temperature changes from cool to warm. As spring approaches and the daylight hours are lengthened the leaves on the trees begin to sprout freshly green and flowers will start sprouting up.   I have also seen the seasons in Kenya are rainy sometimes and very dry and dusty in other months.  Sometimes the rains don't come when you expect them and sometimes they come too fast and flood.  Our weather and seasons are always changing and sometimes unpredictable.

I am glad we can have a friend in Jesus that never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Sometimes we change in our relationship towards Jesus, but Jesus still never changes.  He is someone that you can always count on to be there for you.  All your other friends may leave you, but Jesus never will.  We have seen a lot of changes in this world over the past few years causing so many problems, but God is still in control. He has not changed. He will never change.  This can bring great peace into our lives during times of so much unrest. 

 

As a follower of Christ, what Jesus thinks about you will never change.  He’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

 

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

What Concerns God?

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:31-38

Focus Verse: Mark 8:33  "But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter.  Get behind me, Satan! He said.  You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."

What concerns God the most?  God is concerned that His will be done on earth just like in heaven.  God is concerned with how His Kingdom is being built, not the kingdoms of the earth.  The Kingdom of heaven begins in our hearts with love for others and obedience to God.

God is concerned that He keeps His promises to us.  For example, He answers our prayers.  Exodus 2:24-25 says,  "God heard their groaning and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.  So God looked at the Israelites and was concerned about them."

God is also concerned when you are going through hard times of suffering.  He wants you to come to Him during those times for help.  Sadly, many people walk away from God during times of suffering.  Exodus 3:7 says,  "The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt.  I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their sufferings."  God is concerned about the things we are concerned with.   Today, let our prayer to God be, "Father, keep my concerns in line with Your concerns."

Bobby Johnson
Director, Interlocking Ministries

What About People Who Have Not Heard The Gospel?

 What About People Who Have Not Heard The Gospel?

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:18-23

Focus Verse: Romans 1:20 “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature.  So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

As we know from reading the Bible that God will hold us accountable for what we know of Him. Does this mean that someone who has not heard the Gospel will go to heaven?  No.  All of us were born with a soul. And until we know God there is an emptiness that exists within us until we know Him.  I believe that someone that is truly seeking God, God will reveal Himself to them.  God may send you to that person.

There is a story in Acts 10 of a man named Cornelius.  He was a religious man who prayed to God, but he did not know God’s plan of salvation.  God sent the apostle Peter to share the message of salvation to him, and he accepted salvation.

But sadly there are many who hear the Gospel message and do not respond by accepting salvation.  God will make Himself known to those who truly want to know Him.  But to those who want to reject God in their lives that is a choice they are allowed to make.  And one day they will have to pay for their own sins separated from God for all eternity in a place called hell.  If you have never trusted Christ for your salvation, do that today through repentance of your sins, and faith in what God has done for you through Jesus' death on the cross.  You have heard the message of the Gospel, now what will you do about it?

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Rejoicing In Our Troubles

Scripture Reading: James 1:2-18

Focus Verses: James 1:2-4   "Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James tells us that during difficult times we can actually rejoice because we can know that during these times we can grow stronger spiritually.  Jesus said in John 16:33 “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” 

Some people think that when they come to Christ for salvation all their troubles will go away.  They think I’ll have no more sickness, no more financial problems, no more relationship problems, etc.  The truth is some people actually have more problems after they come to Christ, because Satan is not happy with their decision.  If we had a choice I’m sure we would all choose to not have problems.  Handling problems is not one of my strong points.  I like to see things running smoothly.  If it’s broken I want to fix it.

In this world, we have troubles and trials. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. But we have a choice.  When difficulties come the circumstances will either make us better or bitter against God. The outcome is up to us.  Are we going to come out the other side of a trial stronger in our faith or resenting God for what He has allowed?  I heard a pastor say “a faith that can’t be tested, is a faith that can’t be trusted.”  Rejoicing in our troubles is a choice we can make because it gives us a chance to exercise faith and grow closer to Him.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Do You Want Jesus To Change You?

Do You Want Jesus To Change You?

Scripture Reading: John 5:1-15

Focus Verse: John 5:6  “When Jesus saw the lame man and knew he had been ill for a long time, He asked him, would you like to get well?”

John tells us that there was a lame man who couldn’t walk for 38 years.  That’s a long time.  One day Jesus was passing by and asked the lame man “would you like to get well?”  The lame man did not answer Jesus' question.  Instead he began to give Jesus all the reasons that he could not be healed. Jesus didn’t even acknowledge the reasons, but told him to stand up and walk! The man immediately stood up and picked up his mat.  

That lame man had been there for such a long time feeling discouraged. I don’t think the man knew that it was Jesus who spoke to him.  He was so concerned with getting into the pool after the waters had been stirred.  He didn’t realize this visitor before him could heal him with one spoken word.  This man was focused on what he needed to do on his own to be healed. Let us be more focused on the changes that Jesus can make in our lives when we surrender to Him. 

After the Jewish leaders complained about Jesus healing on the Sabbath, Jesus spoke to the healed man about not sinning anymore. Jesus changes us and wants our lives to reflect these changes.  And do we want these changes to occur? Jesus doesn’t want to leave us where we are.  God desires to change us and grow us into the image of His Son Jesus. Ephesians 4:24 says, "And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries