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

Built to Last

During the next 12 weeks we will study how to have a Strong Christian Community

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22

Focus Verse: Ephesians 2:21  The whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

This Christian community of friends around us is built to last, because we will be with these people for all eternity.  Keep in mind we will have perfect bodies once we get to heaven.  Let's look at what Paul has to say about building a strong Christian community that will last.

There were some problems between the Gentiles and Jews described in verses 11-13.  But Paul wants wants to bring these groups together in a peaceful way.  Paul says in verse 14 that Christ has broken down the wall of separation between man and God.  This also breaks the wall of separation between all believers.  This is very important to understand because when Christians are divided it is a bad testimony to the outside community.

Christ himself is our peace through the cross.  As members of Christ body we stick together like bricks of a building.  We are strong when we are interlocked together.  When we are separated we make ourselves weak and vulnerable to attack from the enemy.

I like to think of it like a building.  A good caretaker will maintain a building.  He will see problems when they are small and make repairs before they get big.  This is how we can maintain a strong Christian community that is built to last.  Let us be strong together for Christ.  Let Christ Jesus be the mortar that brings us together to build the strong body of Christ.  You can't control the actions of others, but as far as yourself, you can control your reactions.  God bless you as you grow strong together.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

The Power of Prayer

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 6: 5-15

Focus Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:17  Pray without ceasing.

In Matthew, Jesus taught the disciples about prayer.  Today I was reminded of the power of prayer.  Yesterday my mom became sick suddenly.  She was taken to the hospital.  She could not talk to us or open her eyes but only moaning senselessly.  The doctors had no idea what was wrong.  We told everyone to begin praying for her.  We prayed and trusted that God's will would be done.  This morning, 18 hours later, she is back to normal.  We are praising God for her healing.  We know that it is the power of God through prayer from God's people.  The doctors will try to explain how she got better.  But let's just call it "A Miracle".

So many times we underestimate the power of prayer in our lives.  If we could speak to the president of Kenya or the president of the United States we would consider it a great honor.  Every minute of every day we have the opportunity to speak to the God that created the universe.  Paul says we are to pray without ceasing.  This doesn't mean we should be on our knees all day long, but we should always be in an attitude of prayer.  As a believer in Jesus Christ, God is our best friend and we are to stay connected to Him.  God wants to help us with things going on in our lives, but He wants us to come to Him with these request.

Notice the picture of a young man named Emmanuel, from Repairer Christian School on Mfangano Island, Kenya.  I heard him pray boldly to God in September.  Let us take advantage of the greatest power available to us as Christians.  The power of prayer to the only true God.  God Almighty.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Leadership

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

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.

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