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