Scripture Reading: Romans 12
Focus Verses: Romans 12: 1-2 "And so, dear brothers and sisters,
I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done
for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find
acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 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."
This past March we saw more than 800 people proclaim their new faith in Christ during a
trip to Kenya. We praise the Lord for touching their hearts. News like this is a light in a very dark world. I think Satan knows that
his days are numbered, and he is doing everything he can to keep God's
Kingdom from growing. I believe there is only one way to live the
Christian life during these times, and that is to be 100% sold out for
Jesus, no turning back. There are to many people living a half-way
Christian life. I was that way for 11 years after I got saved. I took
my faith for granted. Then God showed me what I had been doing. I
committed my life to Him 100%.
If you continue living the Christian life half-way, please don't tell anyone
that you are a Christian. You heard me right, "please don't tell anyone
you're a Christian". Because if you call yourself a Christian and live
like the world, then unsaved people will look at you and wonder why
they would need Salvation. There is no difference between you and the
world.
The apostle Paul said that his determined purpose is to know Christ (see Philippians 3:10-14).
What is your determined purpose in life? When you get up in the
morning, what do you live for? I know you may have your job to provide
for your family, you may go to school, or you may take care of your
children all day. But you can do all those things with a Christlike
attitude, and live in such a way that people will see Christ in you.
The only Jesus that most people in this world will ever see is the Jesus
that is lived out in our lives. Can you say with Paul, "My determined
purpose in life is to know Him"? I hope so. Think of how God used
Paul: many people were saved, many churches were started, he wrote a lot
of the New Testament that we hold as the very inspired Word of God.
Yet Paul realized he had so much more to learn. It's hard to believe
that Paul had the same struggles and temptations that we face, but he
did. Therefore, how much more should we be saying "I want to be more
like Christ this year." Read Romans 12 again. Paul gives us some good
advice on how to be more like Christ. As we seek to know Him, we will
be transformed. (changed)
Let it be our goal to have someone look at our life and say "if that's a Christian, then I want to follow Christ too."
~Bobby Johnson
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Friday, April 5, 2019
Obeying God and Doing His Purpose
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 7:23-26
Focus Verse: Jeremiah 6:16 "This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
God's chosen people, Israel, had a challenge with being obedient. We also have a hard time with our obedience to God. We know the good path, but do not always take it.
I believe that every Christian has been given a purpose and a mission by God. God has given us talent and gifts to fulfill that purpose. Through our obedience in all areas of our lives we can fulfill that purpose and mission. If we are disobedient we run the risk of the mission being given to someone else to fulfill. If we repent, then God may choose to show mercy and give another chance, but we are not guaranteed a second chance at the mission. God's work will be done, either by us or by someone else. There have been people, churches, ministries, and nations that have missed out on a blessing because of disobedience. There are many Christians that will come to the end of life and say "I wonder what God could have done through me had I been obedient to Him? That is a tragedy.
When I am standing at the crossroads and given the choice to do right or wrong, God can give me the strength to do what is right and follow the ancient path every time! I pray that I remain faithful. Our faithfulness is to the Glory of God.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 29, 2019
Jesus Cleans From The Inside
Jesus Cleans From The Inside
Focus Verse: Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
Most of us never think about how bad our heart is until we've done something wrong. Jesus teaches us in Mark 7 that our defilement comes from within. The Pharisees always talked about how righteous they were. But Jesus could see right through them and knew how wicked their hearts were. God sees our hearts too. He knows the deepest secret motives of our hearts. You can be sure that the sins listed in our passage, anyone of us are capable of committing. Don't ever follow your heart. It will take you down the wrong path every time. You must lead your heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."
We must ask God to show us any wicked thing in our hearts and to cleans us. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness." So today take a look at your heart. Make things right with God and then teach others how to have a clean heart as well.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 22, 2019
The First Earthly Authority
Scripture reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Focus verses: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3
We read in Exodus that God has given the ten commandments because the people needed to know what God requires. It is impossible to live a perfect life, but it is good for Christians to strive to walk in righteousness.
God sets up the lines of authority. God is to be our only god. We are to have no other things that come before him. He is our first authority. He also tells us that our parents are the earthly authority for their children. We are to obey our parents and honor them. Parents have had more years of experience and wisdom. This is increased greatly if the parents follow Christ and Godly wisdom.
Notice that the command to honor your parents doesn't end after you become an adult. Notice also that the command doesn't say to honor them only if they believe in Christ. Celebrate that this is for our own good, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. If you are a parent, you should not abuse your authority. God warns, " And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." in Ephesians 6:4
What can you do today to show honor to your parents if they are still living?
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verses: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3
We read in Exodus that God has given the ten commandments because the people needed to know what God requires. It is impossible to live a perfect life, but it is good for Christians to strive to walk in righteousness.
God sets up the lines of authority. God is to be our only god. We are to have no other things that come before him. He is our first authority. He also tells us that our parents are the earthly authority for their children. We are to obey our parents and honor them. Parents have had more years of experience and wisdom. This is increased greatly if the parents follow Christ and Godly wisdom.
Notice that the command to honor your parents doesn't end after you become an adult. Notice also that the command doesn't say to honor them only if they believe in Christ. Celebrate that this is for our own good, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. If you are a parent, you should not abuse your authority. God warns, " And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." in Ephesians 6:4
What can you do today to show honor to your parents if they are still living?
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 15, 2019
The Perfect Authority
Bible Reading: Genesis 3:1-5
Focus verse: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. " Genesis 1:1
What do you think when you hear the word "Authority"?
There are police, Chiefs, Managers, Presidents, teachers, parents, and if you work, you might have a boss. It is necessary that we have authority and follow it or else there would be chaos. We don't always agree with them, we may not have voted for them, but we accept it.
When you are under someone's authority, you may feel like you struggle with your attitude toward their them. You may even feel like rebelling. But, how does it feel if you are the one in authority? Suddenly, you want everyone to listen and follow you. Which do you prefer? We think that we have less freedom when we are under someone else's authority.
Really? That's what Eve thought in the Garden of Eden. She was interested in getting out from under authority, but she had the best authority... God. He was perfect, gave Adam and Eve everything they needed and allowed them to have such freedom in the Garden. They were only forbidden to eat of the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Lots of freedom.
Did Adam and Eve find more freedom or less freedom by disobeying their authority? In looking for freedom, Eve found a burden of sin. We all are under authority of someone, and the perfect authority is God. We must choose to give ourselves over to God's authority if we want to be FREE. Truly free.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. " Genesis 1:1
What do you think when you hear the word "Authority"?
There are police, Chiefs, Managers, Presidents, teachers, parents, and if you work, you might have a boss. It is necessary that we have authority and follow it or else there would be chaos. We don't always agree with them, we may not have voted for them, but we accept it.
When you are under someone's authority, you may feel like you struggle with your attitude toward their them. You may even feel like rebelling. But, how does it feel if you are the one in authority? Suddenly, you want everyone to listen and follow you. Which do you prefer? We think that we have less freedom when we are under someone else's authority.
Really? That's what Eve thought in the Garden of Eden. She was interested in getting out from under authority, but she had the best authority... God. He was perfect, gave Adam and Eve everything they needed and allowed them to have such freedom in the Garden. They were only forbidden to eat of the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Lots of freedom.
Did Adam and Eve find more freedom or less freedom by disobeying their authority? In looking for freedom, Eve found a burden of sin. We all are under authority of someone, and the perfect authority is God. We must choose to give ourselves over to God's authority if we want to be FREE. Truly free.
Additional reading:
The authority of God 1) the one triune God . You alone are the Lord. You
made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host,
the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You
give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. -
Nehemiah 9:6 NIV
"But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29
"Don’t let anyone capture
you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from
human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ." Colossians 2:8
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Jesus Cleans From The Inside
Scripture Reading: Mark 7:1-23
Focus Verse: Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
Most of us never think about how bad our heart is until we've done something wrong. Jesus teaches us in Mark 7 that our defilement comes from within. The Pharisees always talked about how righteous they were. But Jesus could see right through them and knew how wicked their hearts were. God sees our hearts too. He knows the deepest secret motives of our hearts. You can be sure that the sins listed in our passage, anyone of us are capable of committing. Don't ever follow your heart. It will take you down the wrong path every time. You must lead your heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."
We must ask God to show us any wicked thing in our hearts and to cleans us. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness." So today take a look at your heart. Make things right with God and then teach others how to have a clean heart as well.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 1, 2019
Called to Serve!
Scripture reading Luke 7:36-50
Focus verse: Luke 7:44-47 “The he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman from the time I entered has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil in my head but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
From the story of Simon inviting Jesus into his house we learn that Jesus wants us, who have been forgiven, to show love to him by serving Him. Inviting Jesus into our lives is one thing but service is the next thing. We have not been called to sit and watch things but to serve God using our God given talents. Service is not about when you came to know God. The lady came to Jesus after Simon had invited Him but she served more than Simon. Simon was not happy with this lady serving Jesus and spoke about her to himself. Satan will always want to oppose your love and service to God but don’t be discouraged as long as your motive is to bring glory to Jesus.
Have you invited Jesus into your life but do so little when it comes to loving and serving God? Some people are so quick to mention how long they have been Christians but cannot tell how far they have helped to further God’s kingdom through service. In fact some do less service but are also quick to criticize those who serve wholeheartedly. Ephesians 6:7 says, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people."
Our service is needed not just needed in the church alone but also in our communities, nation and even the world at large. Many people are still not yet reached with God’s message of salvation. Many marriages are breaking yet we have God’s word that can mend them. Many are still destitute and losing hope yet we have what can encourage or support them. Romans 12:6-8 - We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others; let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Revelation 22:12 “Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me and I will give everyone according to what he has done.”
Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Makira Baptist Church - Mfangano
Focus verse: Luke 7:44-47 “The he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman from the time I entered has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil in my head but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
From the story of Simon inviting Jesus into his house we learn that Jesus wants us, who have been forgiven, to show love to him by serving Him. Inviting Jesus into our lives is one thing but service is the next thing. We have not been called to sit and watch things but to serve God using our God given talents. Service is not about when you came to know God. The lady came to Jesus after Simon had invited Him but she served more than Simon. Simon was not happy with this lady serving Jesus and spoke about her to himself. Satan will always want to oppose your love and service to God but don’t be discouraged as long as your motive is to bring glory to Jesus.
Have you invited Jesus into your life but do so little when it comes to loving and serving God? Some people are so quick to mention how long they have been Christians but cannot tell how far they have helped to further God’s kingdom through service. In fact some do less service but are also quick to criticize those who serve wholeheartedly. Ephesians 6:7 says, "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people."
Our service is needed not just needed in the church alone but also in our communities, nation and even the world at large. Many people are still not yet reached with God’s message of salvation. Many marriages are breaking yet we have God’s word that can mend them. Many are still destitute and losing hope yet we have what can encourage or support them. Romans 12:6-8 - We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others; let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Revelation 22:12 “Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me and I will give everyone according to what he has done.”
Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Makira Baptist Church - Mfangano
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