Scripture Reading: Romans 12: 8-12
Focus Verse: Romans 12:8 If it is to encourage, then give encouragement, if it is giving, then give generously, if it is to lead, do it diligently, if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Good leadership is utmost important if a group of people are to move forward for God. There are many different types of leaders today. You may be the leader of a church, a family, a board, a ministry, or a mission. We all have been given the ability by God to lead in one way or another.
Good leaders first of all are followers of God. A gifted leader is able to influence others to follow God as well. People that you are leading need to know that you love them. They will be much more willing to follow you if you have shown your love for them. Godly leaders are an example of how to live the Christian life. When others see your life lived for Christ they will want to follow that example.
Being a leader can be a big responsibility. Because we don't want to lead others astray. God will give you wisdom as you lead in what ever capacity you have to lead others. Psalms says "And David shepherded them with integrity of heart, with skillful hands he led them." Psalm 78:72 Being a leader is not always easy. When things don't go well the leader gets blamed. But if the leaders eyes are on Christ our perfect leader He will give us wisdom to lead through every situation.
Let our prayer be "Father, lead me, so that in humility I can lead others in Your ways.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, October 19, 2012
Friday, October 12, 2012
Teaching Children
Scripture Reading: Psalm 78
Focus verse: Psalm 78:4 "We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done."
We read in Psalm 78 the instruction for the adults to teach the children the works of the Lord. They were to tell the children the stories of the faithful and obedient followers of the Lord. This would give them an encouragement to soften their own hearts and follow God in the same way as the faithful. Children love to mimic and follow others. They will copy the behavior and words of those that they are around. We should teach them the ways that they should go as they follow God.
Also included in Psalm 78 are stories of people who were stubborn and rebellious. Some followed God for the most part, but then had some failure in faith. These stories must also be taught to the children. If you have a failure in your life, you will suffer the natural consequences of that failure. He will punish those who never repent, but God can be faithful to forgive those who return to Him in repentance. We will all fail at something, but we learn to return to God in obedience if we have a soft heart for Him.
Learn these stories of the Bible and teach them to your children and the children in the community. We can all be encouraged by them.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries.
Focus verse: Psalm 78:4 "We will not hide them from their children,
Telling to the generation to come the praises of the Lord,
And His strength and His wonderful works that He has done."
We read in Psalm 78 the instruction for the adults to teach the children the works of the Lord. They were to tell the children the stories of the faithful and obedient followers of the Lord. This would give them an encouragement to soften their own hearts and follow God in the same way as the faithful. Children love to mimic and follow others. They will copy the behavior and words of those that they are around. We should teach them the ways that they should go as they follow God.
Also included in Psalm 78 are stories of people who were stubborn and rebellious. Some followed God for the most part, but then had some failure in faith. These stories must also be taught to the children. If you have a failure in your life, you will suffer the natural consequences of that failure. He will punish those who never repent, but God can be faithful to forgive those who return to Him in repentance. We will all fail at something, but we learn to return to God in obedience if we have a soft heart for Him.
Learn these stories of the Bible and teach them to your children and the children in the community. We can all be encouraged by them.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Preach The Word
Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Focus Verse: 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
God reminded me on this last trip to Kenya that there is an urgency to sharing the gospel. Paul is telling Timothy that he is to be ready at any time to share his faith. Inside each of us is a heart that is ticking. One day that heart is going to stop ticking. It will be a complete surprise to most of us when it stops. For each of us God has our days on this earth numbered. Some of us may have 20 years left to live. Some of us may have 5 years left to live.
When Tausi Oguma from Gwassi heard the gospel preached he had just 3 days left to live. You see when Tousi accepted Christ as his Savior on Friday he had no idea that on Monday he would be drowned in Lake Victoria. Today he is in heaven because of the decision he made on that Friday.
Are you willing to share the good news of the Gospel with those around you? For some of those people their heart is about to stop. They need to hear the good news of Jesus before it is eternally too late. God willing, I will be coming back to Kenya to tell more people like Tausi the good news before their heart stops. Meanwhile, reach others with the Gospel. Preach the Word.
In the picture is Tausi Oguma (with a brown shirt and glasses) as he accepted Christ in the town of Nyandiwa in Gwassi. The Gospel reached him just in time.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2b
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
God reminded me on this last trip to Kenya that there is an urgency to sharing the gospel. Paul is telling Timothy that he is to be ready at any time to share his faith. Inside each of us is a heart that is ticking. One day that heart is going to stop ticking. It will be a complete surprise to most of us when it stops. For each of us God has our days on this earth numbered. Some of us may have 20 years left to live. Some of us may have 5 years left to live.
When Tausi Oguma from Gwassi heard the gospel preached he had just 3 days left to live. You see when Tousi accepted Christ as his Savior on Friday he had no idea that on Monday he would be drowned in Lake Victoria. Today he is in heaven because of the decision he made on that Friday. Are you willing to share the good news of the Gospel with those around you? For some of those people their heart is about to stop. They need to hear the good news of Jesus before it is eternally too late. God willing, I will be coming back to Kenya to tell more people like Tausi the good news before their heart stops. Meanwhile, reach others with the Gospel. Preach the Word.
In the picture is Tausi Oguma (with a brown shirt and glasses) as he accepted Christ in the town of Nyandiwa in Gwassi. The Gospel reached him just in time.
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Cor. 6:2b
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 28, 2012
Moved with Compassion
Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-34
Focus Verse: Mark 6:34 "And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things."
The word Christian means follower or slave of Christ. Some have said that the word means "Little Christ". This must be because we, as Christians are to be like Christ. Today's reading gives us a hint at the compassion that Jesus had. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can have that same compassion.
If we see people like Jesus does, we see that there are many people without a someone to disciple them. Bobby & Page are working to disciple many people in Kenya through visits, literature, and this devotion. Maybe you are seeing that there is someone or a group of people that you can disciple where you live. All you have to do, is to teach them what you already know. You don't have to know all the answers. It is ok to say that you don't know some things. We are all still learning. If the task seems too large, you can ask others to help. God will provide.
If God is leading you to disciple someone or a group of people, then you should begin to obey that today. If you don't know or care about it, then maybe you need to pray that God will move you with compassion for others.
Teach them many things.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Mark 6:34 "And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things."
The word Christian means follower or slave of Christ. Some have said that the word means "Little Christ". This must be because we, as Christians are to be like Christ. Today's reading gives us a hint at the compassion that Jesus had. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can have that same compassion.
If we see people like Jesus does, we see that there are many people without a someone to disciple them. Bobby & Page are working to disciple many people in Kenya through visits, literature, and this devotion. Maybe you are seeing that there is someone or a group of people that you can disciple where you live. All you have to do, is to teach them what you already know. You don't have to know all the answers. It is ok to say that you don't know some things. We are all still learning. If the task seems too large, you can ask others to help. God will provide.
If God is leading you to disciple someone or a group of people, then you should begin to obey that today. If you don't know or care about it, then maybe you need to pray that God will move you with compassion for others.
Teach them many things.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 21, 2012
Constantly Giving
Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-37
Focus verse: "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus."
Acts 9:27
The original word for "encouragement" in the New Testament -- as when Barnabas is referred to as the "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36) -- is from the same root as the word paraklete -- the Word used to describe the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26). Both words come from a root that means to be called alongside -- as an encourager like Barnabas or as a divine Comforter like the Holy Spirit.
An encourager is a person who dispenses courage to those who are weak or fearful. And in Barnabas' case, his generosity with courage should come as no surprise since he was also generous in other ways. For instance, he sold a piece of personal property and donated the money to help care for the needy in the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37). And he generously introduced the new apostle, Paul, to the other apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27).
People who are generous are constantly giving things away: courage, money, introductions -- whatever is needed. Look around today and see what you have in abundance that others might be lacking.
Seeking empties a life while giving fills it.
Unknown
Devotion written by Dr. David Jeremiah
Focus verse: "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus."
Acts 9:27
The original word for "encouragement" in the New Testament -- as when Barnabas is referred to as the "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36) -- is from the same root as the word paraklete -- the Word used to describe the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26). Both words come from a root that means to be called alongside -- as an encourager like Barnabas or as a divine Comforter like the Holy Spirit.
An encourager is a person who dispenses courage to those who are weak or fearful. And in Barnabas' case, his generosity with courage should come as no surprise since he was also generous in other ways. For instance, he sold a piece of personal property and donated the money to help care for the needy in the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37). And he generously introduced the new apostle, Paul, to the other apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27).
People who are generous are constantly giving things away: courage, money, introductions -- whatever is needed. Look around today and see what you have in abundance that others might be lacking.
Seeking empties a life while giving fills it.
Unknown
Devotion written by Dr. David Jeremiah
Friday, September 14, 2012
Human Leadership or Servant Leader?
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3
Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 3: 10 "Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build."
Are you seeking to be a leader? Are you seeking to be a servant of Christ? The apostle Paul is one of the most well known leaders of the New Testament. He did not use his leadership for gain. He did not use it as a source of pride. He used it to serve. It was through serving that his leadership was established. He knew that it all belonged to God.
Paul became confronted by some who would wish to follow Apollos. These people were arguing and living by the world's standards. What did Paul do? He did NOT respond with jealousy. He condemned them for their arguing. (He said that jealousy and quarreling showed their worldly behavior.) He knew that this was not a ministry that belonged to him or to anyone else. Paul was a servant of Christ, by whom many learned to believe. He said that each one will do the work that God has for him. It does not make any difference who builds which part of the ministry. Each person will do his part that the Lord gives him to do. Paul was a servant first and a leader second.
If you have a position of leadership, you are told (in verse 18) to not be wise by the world's standard. You must depend on the Lord to teach you each day. "Let each man be careful how he builds." (verse 10) Verse 18 tells us that it is possible for us to fool ourselves. This should make us very cautious. Because we are able to fool ourselves, we should trust the Lord more each day as we seek His council.
Very few of us will be leaders, but we are ALL called to be servants of Christ.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 3: 10 "Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build."
Are you seeking to be a leader? Are you seeking to be a servant of Christ? The apostle Paul is one of the most well known leaders of the New Testament. He did not use his leadership for gain. He did not use it as a source of pride. He used it to serve. It was through serving that his leadership was established. He knew that it all belonged to God.
Paul became confronted by some who would wish to follow Apollos. These people were arguing and living by the world's standards. What did Paul do? He did NOT respond with jealousy. He condemned them for their arguing. (He said that jealousy and quarreling showed their worldly behavior.) He knew that this was not a ministry that belonged to him or to anyone else. Paul was a servant of Christ, by whom many learned to believe. He said that each one will do the work that God has for him. It does not make any difference who builds which part of the ministry. Each person will do his part that the Lord gives him to do. Paul was a servant first and a leader second.
If you have a position of leadership, you are told (in verse 18) to not be wise by the world's standard. You must depend on the Lord to teach you each day. "Let each man be careful how he builds." (verse 10) Verse 18 tells us that it is possible for us to fool ourselves. This should make us very cautious. Because we are able to fool ourselves, we should trust the Lord more each day as we seek His council.
Very few of us will be leaders, but we are ALL called to be servants of Christ.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 7, 2012
Studying the Bible Keeps Us Spiritually Strong
Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:9-24
Focus Verse: Psalm 119:9 "How can young people keep their lives pure?
By obeying your commands."
God has given us an instruction manual for life. It is called the Bible. As Christians in this world we cannot overcome the enemy in our own strength. "How can a man cleanse his ways?" Not on his own. On our own, we would struggle and fail. We need help, and that help is available to us through the Bible. Our focus verse ask a question. How can we stay pure? Verse 11 gives us the answer, by hiding God's Word in our hearts. I wish I had memorized more scripture when I was young, because it is harder to do now that I am older. In verse 24 he calls God's "testimonies" his counselor. God will always show us and teach us as we read the Bible.
The study and application of God's Word will keep us from sin, even though we live in a sinful world. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in Luke 4 we see Jesus quoting scripture with every temptation. If you are a Christian and you don't have peace and joy in your life, you might have unrepentant sin and/or there may be a lack of Bible study and scripture memorization in your life.
Some people view God's laws as a list of "DON'Ts", but these are really a shelter to protect us. God gives us plenty of things we should "DO". Take some time today to evaluate your spiritual strength. Make a plan to increase the strength through God's Holy Word.
"Either God's Word will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from God's word." ~Unknown
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Psalm 119:9 "How can young people keep their lives pure?
By obeying your commands."
God has given us an instruction manual for life. It is called the Bible. As Christians in this world we cannot overcome the enemy in our own strength. "How can a man cleanse his ways?" Not on his own. On our own, we would struggle and fail. We need help, and that help is available to us through the Bible. Our focus verse ask a question. How can we stay pure? Verse 11 gives us the answer, by hiding God's Word in our hearts. I wish I had memorized more scripture when I was young, because it is harder to do now that I am older. In verse 24 he calls God's "testimonies" his counselor. God will always show us and teach us as we read the Bible.
The study and application of God's Word will keep us from sin, even though we live in a sinful world. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in Luke 4 we see Jesus quoting scripture with every temptation. If you are a Christian and you don't have peace and joy in your life, you might have unrepentant sin and/or there may be a lack of Bible study and scripture memorization in your life.
Some people view God's laws as a list of "DON'Ts", but these are really a shelter to protect us. God gives us plenty of things we should "DO". Take some time today to evaluate your spiritual strength. Make a plan to increase the strength through God's Holy Word.
"Either God's Word will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from God's word." ~Unknown
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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