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

My Hope is in the Lord

My Hope is in the Lord

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-11

Focus Verses:  Romans 5:3-5  "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.   And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Psalm 38:15 says, “For in You, O Lord, I hope, You will hear, O Lord my God."  David also tells us in another Psalm, “In the Word of the Lord I do hope.”  The world will never give you lasting satisfaction.  You may find temporary happiness in the world, but in the end you will be left empty.

There is a generation living in the world today who were born between 1995 to 2015.  Many in this generation live with hopelessness.  We know this because it has been observed that the rate of suicide is higher in this generation than any other generation.  I think this is because they are looking for hope and happiness in the things of the world.  This is lost thinking.  

 

 Only Jesus can give you lasting hope, peace, and happiness.  Many of us are now coming out of one of the hardest years of our lives.  Covid-19 has ruined many people's hopes and dreams for this life.  That’s because they have placed all their hopes in this world, in their money, and in their possessions.  Everything in this world is only temporary and will not last.  Gladly, when your hope is in Jesus, we know as believers in Him, He will walk with us now and carry us safely into eternity one day.   I have heard that Christians are like tea bags.  When you add hot water then you know if the flavor is good or bad.  We say someone is in "hot water" when they are having troubles.  Therefore, when Christians go through adversity and trials you find out what their faith is made of.  As we face this world let us say, “my hope is in the Lord, and in Him I will put my trust."  He will never let us down, because He loves us that much.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

What Are You Known For?

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 6:19-34

Focus Verse: Matthew 6:33  “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else….”

Jesus said “Seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness above everything else.  God’s Kingdom can never be taken away from those who have put their trust in Christ.  In the Bible reading today, Jesus tells us not to worry about money and possessions and that He will provide for our needs.

This past week we watched on TV as more than 12,000 homes burned to the ground here in the US in the state of California.  Wildfires spread by very high winds burned everything in its path, and many also lost their lives.  This was very sad to see. Yes, we need homes to live in.  Yes, we need money to buy things and provide for our families.  Yes, it's important to have an education, but let’s not put these temporary things above what Jesus has told us is the most important thing.

This is an important question to ask yourself.  What are you known for? We want to be known for the right things as children of God because of our relationship with Christ.   I go to Kenya often on missions and people know that I’m the director of Interlocking Ministries.  Most importantly I hope that people know I’m seeking God's Kingdom.  Whatever is important to God is what should be important to us.  

Does your life reflect the life of a child of God?  Many people are known for their accomplishments. While others are known for material possessions they have acquired.  Maybe it’s large amounts of money, or a large home that they are known for.  Maybe it’s a university education that some people are known for.  But what happens to these people if these things are taken away?  Let's remember that Jesus tells us not to worry about money and possessions and that He will be everything that we need because He cares for us.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Walking Step by Step

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4: 7-18

Focus Verses: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18   Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

In the new year, we don't know what our days will be like, but as followers of Christ, we know that God is with us.  As we walk through this Christian life we understand that we will go through difficult times.  Most times we would like to see what is ahead for us, especially when difficult times are coming.  Sometimes we even face storms in life when we are doing our best to be in a right relationship with the Lord.  You may have read the verse in Psalm 34:19 that says “many are the afflictions of the righteous”.  But sometimes we fail to read the rest of the verse that says “But the Lord delivers us from them all.” 

Today's scripture reading tells us to make a comparison between the temporary with the eternal.  The light afflictions we have here on earth compared to the glory of heaven,  and the seen to the unseen.  If we have the right perspective on life with God’s help we can endure any trial by taking it one step at a time.  The unseen of heaven one day we will see.  Then the trials of this world will just be a faded memory.  So take this journey with the Lord step by step and remember to look for the unseen eternal.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Daily Devotion by Greg Laurie: “The Word Became Flesh”

 Daily Devotion by Greg Laurie: “The Word Became Flesh”

Bible Reading John 1

Focus Verse: "In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God." John 1:1

John wastes no time in establishing Jesus’ identity. The apostle begins his Gospel with the same wording Moses used in Genesis 1:1 to show that God existed before creation. John’s point is that Jesus, too, existed before the world was created. Not only was He with God at the beginning, but He also was God. Jesus is the second person of the Trinity—that is, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus gave life and light to creation. And when the people who received life turned their backs on Him to pursue their own sinful ways, Jesus did something so amazing that John can barely find the words to do it justice.

Jesus, God Himself, entered the world He created. He squeezed His infinite presence into a small container of flesh. He made Himself susceptible to pain, weakness, sorrow, and rejection. He lived among us. He humbly, faithfully, and lovingly served the people He created.

John refers to Him as the Word because He embodied everything that God the Father wanted to communicate to us. Everything Jesus said and did reveals something about God.

Very few people recognized Him as God, even though the Jewish people of His day were waiting for the Messiah, the Son of God. The problem was that they’d already made up their minds about what the Messiah would be like and what He would do. And Jesus didn’t meet their expectations. So they rejected Him. And the ones who led the rejection were the ones who should have recognized Him first: the Jewish leaders of Israel.

Of course, God anticipated that people wouldn’t recognize His Son. So He sent John the Baptist to announce His coming. And He gave John the Baptist a sign so that he would recognize Jesus. When John the Baptist saw a dove descend on Him, he knew Jesus was the Chosen One. That’s why he was able to confidently point to Jesus and announce, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (verse 29)

Still, most people—including the Jewish religious leaders—refused to recognize the truth. The leaders even sent a delegation to John the Baptist to ask if he was the Messiah. All the while, John the Baptist kept pointing to Jesus.

While he was standing with two of his own disciples, John the Baptist saw Jesus and said, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples immediately left John the Baptist to follow Jesus.

Two thousand years later, this same scenario is still being played out. People still refuse to recognize the truth about Jesus because He doesn’t fit their idea of what the Son of God should be. And those of us who do recognize and follow Him still have the opportunity and responsibility to say, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

 Source: https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-word-became-flesh/