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.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

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