Don't Argue With Mockers

Don't Argue With Mockers
Bible reading:  Nehemiah 2

Focus verse: "Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you."  Proverbs 9:7-8

I want to share a portion of a devotion from Boyd Bailey of Wisdom Hunters:

"Sometimes servants of God are mocked and ridiculed for their sincere service... The cynic does... attack people’s motives and attempt to label their enemies as rebels. Hate demonizes good people and tries to discredit anyone who disagrees with them...

How should we handle intimidation from jealous schoolmates, co-workers or neighbors? One approach is to see critics as heavenly sandpaper meant to refine our intent into integrity. Like a master wood craftsman meticulously smooths away any rough edges with their tool of the trade, so God’s Spirit uses coarse words to purify our motives. If only 1% of a skeptic’s scorn is accurate, it can scrub our soul, so it shines for our Savior Jesus. Ridicule is proof God’s work is at hand.

It is futile to attempt to reason with a mocker. Their mind is made up, unable to change unless Christ does a mental miracle... Pray for them and avoid harboring anger against them. Forgive and stay focused on Christ’s calling.

Furthermore, remain faithful where the Lord has you. Persevere in prayer at your work... Rebuild where God is working. He will bring you success. Ignore the noise of loud mockers and persuasive ridiculers. Listen only to the Lord’s quiet voice and obey by faith. " ~Boyd Bailey

If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer. Proverbs 9:12

Everyone who opposes you is not a mocker.  Sometimes they are sent by God.  Pray that God will give you courage to ignore those who mean harm and the discernment to listen to those whose intentions are honorable.   You can also examine your own motives when you oppose someone.  Have you been mocking and insulting a servant of God?  ~Page Johnson; Interlocking Ministries

Confession Builds Community

Confession builds Community

Scripture reading: Nehemiah 9:1-5 and James 5: 13-20

Focus verse: James 5:16 (HCS)  "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent [prayer] of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect."

When someone confesses to a sin, you see them humbled before you and God.  This brings the opportunity to build community when you pray for that person.

In the scripture reading, you see the Israelites of Nehemiah's time, and in James, the Christians, confessing their sins to each other.  This was a practice that helped build community.  When you read the Word of God and face your humanity, it humbles and brings confession.  All of us have sinned and fall short of God's best.  Community is built stronger when we realize that there is none righteous, but Jesus.  We recognize Jesus as the head of our community.

I remember at a campfire service, there were testimonies of the work of Christ in the lives of the people.  One young man stood and confessed to a hidden sin.  This humble act of confession sent shockwaves as two more young men stood to confess the same.  Many gathered around to pray for these men.

We don't need to confess every sin to everyone.  If you have sinned against someone, then a confession is necessary.  If you feel trapped in your sin, you need to confess to a strong believer for prayers and encouragement.  Prayerfully consider if there is sin that would be better brought into the light of confession.

by Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

How Will They Know We Are Christians?

How Will They Know We Are Christians?

Scripture Reading: John 13

Focus Verse: John 13:34   "So now I am giving you a new commandment.  Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.

(I am back to teaching the Christian Community devotions and we are on lesson 8)

We must ask ourselves how will the world know that we are Christians?  We could tell them with our mouth.  But if we say that we are Christians, our actions better be ready to backup what we say.

There are many Christians in the world today that are not obeying what Jesus said in John 13:34.  Jesus lived out what He preached.  In our scripture reading we see how Jesus served His disciples even though he was their teacher and leader.  This was a great example of how we should not strive to be served, but to seek out how we can serve one another in the body of Christ.  The community will see how the people of the church can love one another, take care of one another and serve one another.  Then they will know we are Christians.

Who is your fellow Christian that needs to be served today? What will you do to show love to them?

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
www.interlockingministries.org

Community of Care

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 25:31-46

Focus Verse: "“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" Matthew 25: 37-40

Jesus was clear in his teaching to care for others who are struggling with sickness and physical needs.  We may find that the needs are great around us and feel like we can't do much.  Jesus didn't say that we should solve all of their problems, but that there is something, even something small, that we can do.  Anyone can give a drink to someone or visit someone who is sick.  How difficult is it to give a shirt or dress to someone whose clothes are torn and tattered.  If you don't have something, maybe you can ask some friends to help you to get some clothes for someone in need.  

When you help someone, the Holy Spirit confirms in your heart that you are doing something good.  You know that is a good feeling.  When you join together as a community to help others, then it strengthens the community. 

My prayer is that God will show me where to help someone today.  May God be glorified in any effort of care that I show to someone today.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
www.interlockingministries.org

The Nature of Evangelism

Scripture reading: Luke 10: 1-24

Focus verse: Luke 10:1-3 "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.  Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.  Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves."

There's a moment when you know that the harvest is ready and it's time to collect the harvest.   You need to get the food out of the field.  If you have a large field, you find people who can work in the fields and gather it together.  You have a limited time before the harvest spoils and so you work very hard together.

This is the scene that Jesus used to describe evangelism.  In our scripture reading, Jesus sent them out two by two.  We also might remember that Paul traveled with partners or small groups.  Evangelism is best accomplished together.  It is great that we get to see this example in scripture of Jesus sending his disciples out in pairs.  We need each other as an encouragement and protection as we go out.

The hired worker wouldn't bring back the crop and say that he, himself, made the fruit or vegetable.  In the same way, those who share the good news can't say that we made the conversions.  We understand that it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the soul and makes a life new.  In the same way, we neither take the blame when someone rejects the Gospel if it is presented clearly.

Evangelism is a community event.  In pairs or groups, we go into the fields for harvest when the crops are ripe.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Worship Together

Scripture Reading: Psalm122

Focus Verse: Psalm 122: 1  "I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the Lord.""

We gather together as a community of believers to worship God.  There is great peace, comfort and unity in the Body of Christ when we can worship our Creator together.  It is important to meet together.  It doesn't matter as much if you meet in a church, a home or under the shade of a tree.  The main thing is that you worship together.  We should praise the name of the LORD.

We can see that by verse 8, the worshiper has found that as a result of worshiping God with his fellow believers, that he is wishing them peace and goodness.  He has spent time in the presence of the LORD and the LORD has given him a heart of love for others.  The love is shown through peace and goodness.  This can create a strong Christian community for the glory of God!

Are you glad when you go to meet others to worship?  Does your worship create a heart of love that shows?

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Everyone Is Invited

Scripture Reading:  Philemon

Focus Verses: Philemon 10-12 "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,  who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.  I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,"

As we continue to learn about a Christian Community, is there anyone that should be excluded from becoming a part of God's family.  No.  When Christ died on the cross, His death covered the sins of everyone on the whole earth.  No one is beyond the reach of Christ love.  Sometimes we try to qualify people and say, "Oh, they would never become a Christian."

What is the purpose of Paul's writing of Philemon?  It was to get Philemon to accept Onesimus.  Onesimus name means "useful".  In verse 11 Paul talks of his usefulness to himself and Philemon.  I have heard my pastor say, "If God is calling you to join in this fellowship, then this church is incomplete without you."

Sometimes we may feel that we have an exclusive attitude with those in our Christian community.  If we have that attitude, then we are missing a piece of the body of Christ.  Think of some people in your community that need to feel the love of a fellowship or church.  How can you reach out to them this week?

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

All Together

Scripture Reading:  Acts 2:40-47

Focus Verse: Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Sometimes when I preach in Kenya and I see many people accept Christ I wonder if they all knew what they were doing, and if they understand.  What kind of life do believers have after receiving Christ?  What should it look like to begin a Christian community.

As we continue our devotional study on "Christian community" let's observe a few things about the early church in Acts.  In this passage we see that about 3000 people were saved when Peter preached.  We see that right away these new believers were united with the other believers.  Verse 42 says they had fellowship with them, continued in the doctrine (teachings), they shared in the Lord's supper together, and they prayed together.

We see that these early believers shared what they had so that all could benefit from God's gifts.  Sometimes governments of some countries take taxes from those that earn money and then give to those that are in need.  Its a nice plan, but God says that it is the church's responsibility to help those in need, not just the government's.  When the outside world sees the church helping each other they will know something is different.  But so many times the outside world sees the church divided and not able to get along with each other.  This is damaging to our testimony.

A healthy Christian community attracts people to Christ.  The early church's passion for worship and love for each other was contagious.  A church that is healthy and loving will grow in numbers.  What can you do today within your church that will attract others to Christ?  Who is in need that you can help?


Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Where Should a Missionary Go?

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:1-14

Focus Verse: Matthew 24:14
"And this Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."

We continue on our four week devotional series about missionaries.  Today we will answer the question where should a missionary go to share the Gospel message?  Our focus verse says "all the nations."  2 Peter 3:9 says "the Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."  If God is not willing that any should perish, then everybody needs to hear the Gospel.  Everybody needs Jesus. 

Over ten years ago God opened my eyes to the fact that many Americans have been given numerous opportunities to accept the Gospel.  In 2001 on a trip to Kenya, Africa I came to realize that many people in other parts of the world have not been given the same opportunity.  It is now my goal to share this life changing message of the Gospel with as many of these people as I can.

Our focus verse says that there is an end coming.  One day this world will come to an end.  Then it will be too late to tell anyone else about Jesus.  Jesus said that His Gospel will be preached in every nation.  You must understand that you don't need to travel a long distance to share Jesus with someone.  God may lead you to speak to the lost people in your community.  The Gospel is only good news if it gets there in time.  Many people die everyday having never heard.  It is up to us to tell them.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries