Bible Reading: Psalm 34:17-22
Focus verse: Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite (or crushed) spirit."
Did you ever wonder if God is near or far? If you are struggling in your life, you need to understand that everyone struggles. Even if you do good and right, you will still have troubles in this world.
The key is to know that you don't have to struggle alone. God hears those who call out to Him. He is close to those whose hearts have been broken. He saves those who's spirits are crushed. If you serve the Lord, he will set you free. Run to God and He will be near to you.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Showing posts with label world. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world. Show all posts
Friday, July 5, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Pursuing Pleasure
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Focus Verse: Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
We can read in God's Word about signs that the coming of Jesus is soon. One of those signs is that people will pursue pleasure more than God. People are looking for an escape from the real world. They are trying to escape their problems with alcohol, immoral sex, their jobs, or gaining much education. 1 Timothy 5:6 says, "She who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives." When pleasure is placed above God it is wrong. When it takes the place of taking care of our responsibilities it is wrong. But God doesn't condemn all our pursuits of pleasure. God even promises us pleasure when we walk with Him.
When we pursue the pleasure the world gives, it doesn't satisfy. It might only bring a temporary happiness but also emptiness. Jesus put it so well in Luke 9:23 when He said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." We are to deny what our flesh desires, and set our hearts on following and obeying Christ. Then we will find the pleasure that God has us pursuing.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
We can read in God's Word about signs that the coming of Jesus is soon. One of those signs is that people will pursue pleasure more than God. People are looking for an escape from the real world. They are trying to escape their problems with alcohol, immoral sex, their jobs, or gaining much education. 1 Timothy 5:6 says, "She who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives." When pleasure is placed above God it is wrong. When it takes the place of taking care of our responsibilities it is wrong. But God doesn't condemn all our pursuits of pleasure. God even promises us pleasure when we walk with Him.
When we pursue the pleasure the world gives, it doesn't satisfy. It might only bring a temporary happiness but also emptiness. Jesus put it so well in Luke 9:23 when He said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." We are to deny what our flesh desires, and set our hearts on following and obeying Christ. Then we will find the pleasure that God has us pursuing.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, November 9, 2012
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
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
Friday, August 24, 2012
Where Is Happiness Found?
Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:34-40
Focus Verses: Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
The world spends lots of money on advertising products every year. They try to convince us that we need many things in our lives. They say that these things will bring happiness into our lives. Some things are truly needed in our lives like, food, shelter, and clothing.
In our verses today Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments in all the Bible. Love God, and love others. That sounds simple, doesn't it? If you think about it, all of life comes down to those two things, loving God, and loving others. Everything else in this world will one day pass away. But God and people will last forever.
The things of this world do bring a kind of happiness. But it's not a lasting happiness. You have to keep looking for the next thing to keep your happiness. God designed us with a void or emptiness in our lives that only He can fill. He knew the value of our loving Him and loving others. He also knew how self serving we, as humans, can be, and that we would fill our lives with empty pursuits if He didn't command us to love Him and to love others. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 "there is coming a day when all our works will be tested by fire." Only what is done for Christ will last.
In true love and obedience to God is where we can find real happiness. We will experience real joy in giving of ourselves to God and others out of love. It is in this love that we find purpose in life, and it is from this purpose that we can gain true happiness.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
The world spends lots of money on advertising products every year. They try to convince us that we need many things in our lives. They say that these things will bring happiness into our lives. Some things are truly needed in our lives like, food, shelter, and clothing.
In our verses today Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments in all the Bible. Love God, and love others. That sounds simple, doesn't it? If you think about it, all of life comes down to those two things, loving God, and loving others. Everything else in this world will one day pass away. But God and people will last forever.
The things of this world do bring a kind of happiness. But it's not a lasting happiness. You have to keep looking for the next thing to keep your happiness. God designed us with a void or emptiness in our lives that only He can fill. He knew the value of our loving Him and loving others. He also knew how self serving we, as humans, can be, and that we would fill our lives with empty pursuits if He didn't command us to love Him and to love others. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 "there is coming a day when all our works will be tested by fire." Only what is done for Christ will last.
In true love and obedience to God is where we can find real happiness. We will experience real joy in giving of ourselves to God and others out of love. It is in this love that we find purpose in life, and it is from this purpose that we can gain true happiness.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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