Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Focus Verses: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a price. So you must honor God with your body.”
As a child of God you do not own your body. Jesus sacrifice paid for your freedom from sin, death and hell. A great exchange took place when you put your faith in Christ. What’s yours became His, and what’s His became yours. All the riches of God became ours when Jesus came into our life. And our body, our life, is the most important thing we have to offer God. But be careful or pride can get in the way of this great exchange. Pride can resist the direction God has for your life.
This great exchange can bring a peace to a Christian’s life that the world cannot understand. The world sees this exchange as binding, but in reality it is freedom. This exchange has taken away the bondage of sin, and frees us to honor God with our bodies. Let’s not forget to share with a lost world how this exchange can bring peace, joy and freedom that can only be found in Christ.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, January 25, 2019
Friday, January 18, 2019
Naked Obedience
Bible reading: Isaiah 20
Focus Verse: "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16
Isaiah was a humble prophet as well as a poet whose very name means “Yahweh Is Salvation” and he worked tirelessly to turn the people back to God. He was a true servant of the Lord and had a connection with God that sparked during an encounter with the Lord at the Temple where he received an anointing in chapter 6. Ministry should always start with a personal relationship with God and not from our own ideas and efforts because we are utterly inadequate without Him. His ministry is characterized by his willingness to present God’s messages obediently. We see in Isaiah 5 that he boldly announces God’s judgement on the nation Judah, that although God cared for it as a Father, the people were following their own ways and faced judgement. Surely, he was not popular for announcing that message. By chapter 20, God had even asked Isaiah to remove the sackcloth from his body and the sandals from his feet and to remain naked and barefoot for three years as a sign of the fate that awaited Egypt at the hands of Assyrians. God brought this to pass that the Egyptians were taken away in shame, naked and barefoot, into exile and captivity.
Isaiah was willing to be obedient unto the Lord God even unto nakedness, for the glory of His Lord. Some of us are not even bold enough to obey the simple things that God asks of us. It takes effort to make changes in our life in order to walk in obedience. Many in the world will not understand when we love our enemy, read our Bibles, pray with others, give to our neighbors, share the Gospel of Hope, go to church, abstain from evil activities and care for the things that God cares for. How many of us face the opportunity to be bold enough to obey God when the world doesn’t understand and even reject us? He is not likely to ask you to be naked for 3 years, but maybe there is something that He is asking of you?
Isaiah’s ministry ends with the message of the hope of restoration and the coming of the Messiah (Jesus). God is giving you a way back to Him because He has a heart for you and a heart for the world. He made a way through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life to walk in obedience. Where do you need to unashamedly walk in obedience?
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Philippians 2:14-16
Isaiah was a humble prophet as well as a poet whose very name means “Yahweh Is Salvation” and he worked tirelessly to turn the people back to God. He was a true servant of the Lord and had a connection with God that sparked during an encounter with the Lord at the Temple where he received an anointing in chapter 6. Ministry should always start with a personal relationship with God and not from our own ideas and efforts because we are utterly inadequate without Him. His ministry is characterized by his willingness to present God’s messages obediently. We see in Isaiah 5 that he boldly announces God’s judgement on the nation Judah, that although God cared for it as a Father, the people were following their own ways and faced judgement. Surely, he was not popular for announcing that message. By chapter 20, God had even asked Isaiah to remove the sackcloth from his body and the sandals from his feet and to remain naked and barefoot for three years as a sign of the fate that awaited Egypt at the hands of Assyrians. God brought this to pass that the Egyptians were taken away in shame, naked and barefoot, into exile and captivity.
Isaiah was willing to be obedient unto the Lord God even unto nakedness, for the glory of His Lord. Some of us are not even bold enough to obey the simple things that God asks of us. It takes effort to make changes in our life in order to walk in obedience. Many in the world will not understand when we love our enemy, read our Bibles, pray with others, give to our neighbors, share the Gospel of Hope, go to church, abstain from evil activities and care for the things that God cares for. How many of us face the opportunity to be bold enough to obey God when the world doesn’t understand and even reject us? He is not likely to ask you to be naked for 3 years, but maybe there is something that He is asking of you?
Isaiah’s ministry ends with the message of the hope of restoration and the coming of the Messiah (Jesus). God is giving you a way back to Him because He has a heart for you and a heart for the world. He made a way through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life to walk in obedience. Where do you need to unashamedly walk in obedience?
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, January 11, 2019
Doing Hard Things
Scripture Reading: Genesis 18:1-15
Focus Verses: Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
Our December camp in Kenya had the theme “Nothing is too hard for God.” Many people don’t like doing hard things. They put them off to do later. For me, I like to go ahead do them, and put it behind me. Like hard conversations with people, going to the doctor, hard financial decisions. These things are not fun. But the hard things in life give us an opportunity to trust God about them.
God told Abraham and Sarah something that was hard to believe. God promised them a son in their old age. Hebrews 11:11 says, “And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”
What are some hard things you are facing this year? Is it a failing marriage you need to do something about? Is it hard financial decisions you know you should make? Maybe it’s a hard conversation you know you need to have with your employer because of a situation at your work. Maybe it’s a temptation, and yielding to that temptation to do something wrong, and you know you need to put a hard stop to it. Some of us face really hard things we know we need to do. Trust God to help you. God wants an opportunity to show Himself faithful to you. God wants to show you that He is stronger than the hard things you face. He wants to help you make the hard choices.
Faith, is what can get you through the hard things. By faith, you can believe what the Lord has said. Just like Abraham and Sarah by faith believed what the Lord had said. Jesus is with you, not only through the good times, but most importantly through the hard difficult times. In Luke 18:27 Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Pray for God to give you the strength and courage to do the hard things.
Extra Reading: Job 42:2, Isaiah 40:29, Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37, Romans 4:21
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?”
Our December camp in Kenya had the theme “Nothing is too hard for God.” Many people don’t like doing hard things. They put them off to do later. For me, I like to go ahead do them, and put it behind me. Like hard conversations with people, going to the doctor, hard financial decisions. These things are not fun. But the hard things in life give us an opportunity to trust God about them.
God told Abraham and Sarah something that was hard to believe. God promised them a son in their old age. Hebrews 11:11 says, “And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered Him faithful who had made the promise.”
What are some hard things you are facing this year? Is it a failing marriage you need to do something about? Is it hard financial decisions you know you should make? Maybe it’s a hard conversation you know you need to have with your employer because of a situation at your work. Maybe it’s a temptation, and yielding to that temptation to do something wrong, and you know you need to put a hard stop to it. Some of us face really hard things we know we need to do. Trust God to help you. God wants an opportunity to show Himself faithful to you. God wants to show you that He is stronger than the hard things you face. He wants to help you make the hard choices.
Faith, is what can get you through the hard things. By faith, you can believe what the Lord has said. Just like Abraham and Sarah by faith believed what the Lord had said. Jesus is with you, not only through the good times, but most importantly through the hard difficult times. In Luke 18:27 Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Pray for God to give you the strength and courage to do the hard things.
Extra Reading: Job 42:2, Isaiah 40:29, Jeremiah 32:17, Luke 1:37, Romans 4:21
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, January 4, 2019
Simple Truth
Scripture Reading: John 15:9-17
Focus Verses: John 15:5 & 9 “I am the vine, you are the branches, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you, abide in My love.”
Dr. Karl Barth was a great theologian. Some have regarded him as the greatest theologian of the twentieth century. One day he was teaching a seminary class and one of his students asked him this question. "What is the greatest truth in all the world?" All of the students sat on the edge of their seats anticipating what great, profound answer this great theologian would give. Dr. Barth thought for a moment, then said, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Do you know that most of the world does not know this simple truth: Jesus loves you and Jesus loves me. You will have a much better 2019 if you will remember that Jesus loves you. As human beings one of our greatest needs is to be loved. To be loved by the God who created the universe and knows us completely is really special. Another truth that most people in the world don’t know, is that without God they can DO NOTHING. For every person on earth, it is true that God gives the next breath. It is God who gives the next heartbeat. Many people give God no acknowlegement for anything, yet it is He who keeps them alive. God desires for people to love Him and worship Him.
In 2019, let us be mindful and remember that God loves us so very much and cares about us, for without God we can do nothing. Let us honor, glorify and worship Him everyday and in all things.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Other scripture:
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 8:37-39 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:4-5 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved ...
Romans 5:8 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Focus Verses: John 15:5 & 9 “I am the vine, you are the branches, He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you, abide in My love.”
Dr. Karl Barth was a great theologian. Some have regarded him as the greatest theologian of the twentieth century. One day he was teaching a seminary class and one of his students asked him this question. "What is the greatest truth in all the world?" All of the students sat on the edge of their seats anticipating what great, profound answer this great theologian would give. Dr. Barth thought for a moment, then said, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Do you know that most of the world does not know this simple truth: Jesus loves you and Jesus loves me. You will have a much better 2019 if you will remember that Jesus loves you. As human beings one of our greatest needs is to be loved. To be loved by the God who created the universe and knows us completely is really special. Another truth that most people in the world don’t know, is that without God they can DO NOTHING. For every person on earth, it is true that God gives the next breath. It is God who gives the next heartbeat. Many people give God no acknowlegement for anything, yet it is He who keeps them alive. God desires for people to love Him and worship Him.
In 2019, let us be mindful and remember that God loves us so very much and cares about us, for without God we can do nothing. Let us honor, glorify and worship Him everyday and in all things.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Other scripture:
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Romans 8:37-39 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Ephesians 2:4-5 - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved ...
Romans 5:8 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Zephaniah 3:17 - The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
1 Peter 5:6-7 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Friday, December 28, 2018
Goals for a New Year
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4: 9-12
Focus Verse: 1 Peter 3:4 “You should clothe yourselves with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
As we look forward to January 1, 2019 we think about the year ahead. I have found myself looking at the calendar for 2019 and seeing the things that I want to do this coming year. We make for ourselves dreams and goals for the year ahead. Maybe you want to get out of debt in 2019. Maybe you want to see your child graduate form four, or attend a university in 2019. Maybe you want to live a more healthy lifestyle. There are many different goals we could set for ourselves. But many times people set ambitious goals that they are not able to accomplish. When March gets here they can’t even remember what their goals were.
The Bible tells us to be ambitious and work hard with our hands, but at the same time it says to live a peaceful and quiet life. Many times we are working hard because we are discontent, and unhappy. We look for the next new thing, the next new job, the next marriage. We think this will satisfy us, only to leave us still searching. It is a cycle that never ends. This year you could make it your goal to live a content, and quiet life. Maybe you could take time this year to live a life of peace and contentment that often comes from living a simple quiet life with God. Living a simple life doesn’t mean that you don’t accomplish much for God. I’m reminded of the life of Evangelist Billy Graham. He lived a rather simple life, but he accomplished so much for God. I remember teaching my children that a house rule is to be happy with what you have. That is a simple way to think of contentment, but a good way to teach children when they are young and can help us learn contentment in whatever God chooses to provide. So this coming year let us be ambitious towards the things that matter most to God and content and grateful with how He provides for us.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: 1 Peter 3:4 “You should clothe yourselves with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
As we look forward to January 1, 2019 we think about the year ahead. I have found myself looking at the calendar for 2019 and seeing the things that I want to do this coming year. We make for ourselves dreams and goals for the year ahead. Maybe you want to get out of debt in 2019. Maybe you want to see your child graduate form four, or attend a university in 2019. Maybe you want to live a more healthy lifestyle. There are many different goals we could set for ourselves. But many times people set ambitious goals that they are not able to accomplish. When March gets here they can’t even remember what their goals were.
The Bible tells us to be ambitious and work hard with our hands, but at the same time it says to live a peaceful and quiet life. Many times we are working hard because we are discontent, and unhappy. We look for the next new thing, the next new job, the next marriage. We think this will satisfy us, only to leave us still searching. It is a cycle that never ends. This year you could make it your goal to live a content, and quiet life. Maybe you could take time this year to live a life of peace and contentment that often comes from living a simple quiet life with God. Living a simple life doesn’t mean that you don’t accomplish much for God. I’m reminded of the life of Evangelist Billy Graham. He lived a rather simple life, but he accomplished so much for God. I remember teaching my children that a house rule is to be happy with what you have. That is a simple way to think of contentment, but a good way to teach children when they are young and can help us learn contentment in whatever God chooses to provide. So this coming year let us be ambitious towards the things that matter most to God and content and grateful with how He provides for us.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, December 21, 2018
Three Important Dates
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-23
Focus Verse: Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
There are three important dates in the life of every believer that is going to heaven. The first important date is Christmas. We are not sure if the date Christ was born was on December 25th, but we are sure that there was a day when he left heaven to come to this earth, and was born of a virgin. If there were no reason for Christmas, we would not have the opportunity for heaven. The second important date is Easter. This is the date that Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. He paid for the penalty of sin that we could not pay for ourselves. If there were no Easter, we would not have the opportunity for heaven. This life and death of Christ is a sacrificial gift that God in is offering to every person on earth. The third important date is the day you were born again. This is the date that you received God’s free gift of Christ into your life. Without this third important date in your life, you will not be going to heaven. If you have never invited Christ into your life and accepted this free gift of salvation, what better time to do it than Christmas time. These three dates are of upmost importance in your life. If you leave out any one of the three, there is no salvation and no eternity in heaven.
*Extra Bible Reading: John 3:3, John 11:25-26, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:12
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
There are three important dates in the life of every believer that is going to heaven. The first important date is Christmas. We are not sure if the date Christ was born was on December 25th, but we are sure that there was a day when he left heaven to come to this earth, and was born of a virgin. If there were no reason for Christmas, we would not have the opportunity for heaven. The second important date is Easter. This is the date that Christians celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ. He paid for the penalty of sin that we could not pay for ourselves. If there were no Easter, we would not have the opportunity for heaven. This life and death of Christ is a sacrificial gift that God in is offering to every person on earth. The third important date is the day you were born again. This is the date that you received God’s free gift of Christ into your life. Without this third important date in your life, you will not be going to heaven. If you have never invited Christ into your life and accepted this free gift of salvation, what better time to do it than Christmas time. These three dates are of upmost importance in your life. If you leave out any one of the three, there is no salvation and no eternity in heaven.
*Extra Bible Reading: John 3:3, John 11:25-26, Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:12
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, December 14, 2018
Peace on Earth
Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-20
Focus Verse: Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Because of God's great love for us, He has made it possible for us to have peace. We see in the scripture, the angels were proclaiming it over mankind. Peace on earth starts with peace in our hearts. When there is peace inwardly then there can be peace outwardly. Romans 5:1-2 says, “Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” It is God’s grace that allows us to experience this peace, and it’s through Jesus that God offers this peace to us.
Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Jesus came to this earth that we might experience the peace of God. Do you have this peace in your heart this Christmas season? If you are a believer in Christ does this mean you will experience 100% peace in your life? No, because truth divides, and not everyone believes in truth. Jesus said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.” Luke 12:51-52. There will be division on this earth as long as there are those who don’t believe in Christ.
So let us stand for humility, grace, and truth this Christmas season, and trust God for others around us to stand for the same so that they may experience this same Peace On Earth.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Because of God's great love for us, He has made it possible for us to have peace. We see in the scripture, the angels were proclaiming it over mankind. Peace on earth starts with peace in our hearts. When there is peace inwardly then there can be peace outwardly. Romans 5:1-2 says, “Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.” It is God’s grace that allows us to experience this peace, and it’s through Jesus that God offers this peace to us.
Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Jesus came to this earth that we might experience the peace of God. Do you have this peace in your heart this Christmas season? If you are a believer in Christ does this mean you will experience 100% peace in your life? No, because truth divides, and not everyone believes in truth. Jesus said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.” Luke 12:51-52. There will be division on this earth as long as there are those who don’t believe in Christ.
So let us stand for humility, grace, and truth this Christmas season, and trust God for others around us to stand for the same so that they may experience this same Peace On Earth.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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