Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13Focus verse 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Samuel is sent to the family of Jesse to anoint one of his sons to be
the king of Israel. Jesse presents seven of his sons but none of them is
anointed by God to be the king. Maybe Jesse thought the king would
anointed be based on height, masculine body, handsome appearance, age
factor, voice projection, strength etc but all these failed. God tells
Samuel that, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have
rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man
looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Proverbs 30:31 – Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting but a woman
who fears the Lord is to be praised. Jesus was friends with the rejected
and did not love partially but gave himself for all people regardless
how they appear or what they are in the society. In fact he even advised
believers on who to put in their guest list whenever they have
celebrations, Luke 14:13-14 “But when you give a banquet, invite the
poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind; and you will be blessed.
Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection
of the righteous.”
I will admit that this is one area where I have to repent and do it the right way. Did you ever travel in a public bus where seats are free for you to choose which one to sit? In Kenya we do. In fact we even have the motorbike transportation where many motorbike riders commonly known as “boda-boda” all park together and it is upon the customer to chose who to ride them. Or say you walk into a restaurant and find two ladies serving waitress, one looking more beautiful than the other and they all come to take orders from. Therefore, how do you choose who to take your orders, or who to ride you on a motorbike or who to sit closer to in a public bus or public function? If you will be honest with me you will accept that the hook of choosing by appearance has caught you severely. In addition we have many relationships that were started based on physical appearance without considering what is in the heart.
Let us not be guided by what our physical eyes are telling us. Remember there are also wolves in sheep clothes! Let us consider the heart of people.
Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Makira Baptist Church - Mfangano
Friday, February 22, 2019
Friday, February 15, 2019
Being Called Names?
Bible Reading Luke 7:18-35
Focus Verse: Luke 7:33-34 “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘he has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”
A few weeks ago I had a counseling serving with a lady who felt she needed to quit her church because she felt in her heart that another lady in the church was out to criticize her in most of the things she said or does. She explained that she has grown cold feet in serving God using her gifts and resources since someone was out to discredit her in all she did. God led me into helping her understand that the gospel has suffered opposition from the time of Jesus and the Apostles, and until today. The devil is a liar who uses liars to further his work and discourage Christians from serving God. You must never quit serving God because people are turning your good intentions for their ill motives and are calling you names. Satan will always find a false reason to discourage you from serving God. He knew that John was a messenger from God who had come to prepare the way for The Son of God. He had to find false accusation and false names against him. He tried to oppose peoples’ attention towards Jesus by calling him names. In fact, Jesus did not quit serving the needs of the people because of being called names. He did it more and more till His earthly mission was accomplished.
John 15:18 – If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Romans 8:31-32: What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? You are not the only Christian facing opposition, many have gone through what you are presently passing, 1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Makira Baptist Church - Mfangano
Additional reading: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10: 24-25
Focus Verse: Luke 7:33-34 “For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘he has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”
A few weeks ago I had a counseling serving with a lady who felt she needed to quit her church because she felt in her heart that another lady in the church was out to criticize her in most of the things she said or does. She explained that she has grown cold feet in serving God using her gifts and resources since someone was out to discredit her in all she did. God led me into helping her understand that the gospel has suffered opposition from the time of Jesus and the Apostles, and until today. The devil is a liar who uses liars to further his work and discourage Christians from serving God. You must never quit serving God because people are turning your good intentions for their ill motives and are calling you names. Satan will always find a false reason to discourage you from serving God. He knew that John was a messenger from God who had come to prepare the way for The Son of God. He had to find false accusation and false names against him. He tried to oppose peoples’ attention towards Jesus by calling him names. In fact, Jesus did not quit serving the needs of the people because of being called names. He did it more and more till His earthly mission was accomplished.
John 15:18 – If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Romans 8:31-32: What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? You are not the only Christian facing opposition, many have gone through what you are presently passing, 1 Cor. 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Makira Baptist Church - Mfangano
Additional reading: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35
"And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10: 24-25
Friday, February 8, 2019
Preaching & Teaching Scripture
Bible reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12
Focus verse: "So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them." Nehemiah 8:12
The people understood the Scriptures as Ezra read them. God opened their ears and eyes to understanding.
Jesus wants us to know the scriptures. He rebuked ministers for not knowing the scriptures in Matthew 12:3-5, 19:4, 21:42 and 22:31, where He says, "Have you not read?" and "Did you not read in the scriptures" When teaching the Word of God, it is important that you understand it's meaning. There are scriptures, that when taken out of context, can have a different meaning. As you read God's Word, it is important to understand the meaning of the scriptures in the entire book, before deciding what one verse means. It is a common mistake.
As a preacher and teacher, you must be sure of what you say before you say it. We are judged more than those who do not teach God's Word. Go to God in all humility and ask Him to allow the Holy Spirit to give understanding as you read the Bible. We do not teach merely our own ideas, but teach the truth of God's Word.
It is better to say, "I don't know" to a follower of Christ than to give an answer that is not correct.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: "So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them." Nehemiah 8:12
The people understood the Scriptures as Ezra read them. God opened their ears and eyes to understanding.
Jesus wants us to know the scriptures. He rebuked ministers for not knowing the scriptures in Matthew 12:3-5, 19:4, 21:42 and 22:31, where He says, "Have you not read?" and "Did you not read in the scriptures" When teaching the Word of God, it is important that you understand it's meaning. There are scriptures, that when taken out of context, can have a different meaning. As you read God's Word, it is important to understand the meaning of the scriptures in the entire book, before deciding what one verse means. It is a common mistake.
As a preacher and teacher, you must be sure of what you say before you say it. We are judged more than those who do not teach God's Word. Go to God in all humility and ask Him to allow the Holy Spirit to give understanding as you read the Bible. We do not teach merely our own ideas, but teach the truth of God's Word.
It is better to say, "I don't know" to a follower of Christ than to give an answer that is not correct.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, February 1, 2019
Giving God the Glory
Scripture Reading: Romans 1:1-27
Focus Verse: Romans 1:5 “Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His name.
I have heard the definition that "darkness is the absence of light.” God is Light and His light is in all those who believe and follow Him. As God’s children we should let our lights shine in this dark world. Jesus said to His followers, “You are the light of the world, let your light so shire before men, that they may see your good works and glorify you Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14. All of creation was designed to bring God glory. Romans 1:20. We need to let the light of Christ shine through us, just as it shines through all of creation. This world is so lost. Romans 1:22 says, “Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.” The world has a great need, and that is for Christians to proclaim the good news and let our light shine. We should not be ashamed of Christ. God has chosen us to give this good news of the Gospel. God loves the world, and He wants every person to give Him glory.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Further reading:
Isaiah 43:6-7
2 Corinthians 4:7
Focus Verse: Romans 1:5 “Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His name.
I have heard the definition that "darkness is the absence of light.” God is Light and His light is in all those who believe and follow Him. As God’s children we should let our lights shine in this dark world. Jesus said to His followers, “You are the light of the world, let your light so shire before men, that they may see your good works and glorify you Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14. All of creation was designed to bring God glory. Romans 1:20. We need to let the light of Christ shine through us, just as it shines through all of creation. This world is so lost. Romans 1:22 says, “Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools.” The world has a great need, and that is for Christians to proclaim the good news and let our light shine. We should not be ashamed of Christ. God has chosen us to give this good news of the Gospel. God loves the world, and He wants every person to give Him glory.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Further reading:
Isaiah 43:6-7
2 Corinthians 4:7
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