Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:1-17
Focus Verse: Colossians 3:14 "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection"
One of the greatest human emotions that God has given us is love. We all have a deep need in our lives to be loved. As Christians, God wants us to give our love to others. I'm not speaking of the romantic love that a husband and wife share, but the love that will lead a lost world to Christ.
Paul says that we are to put on love. What do people see when they look at you? The world is watching us. They are watching to see how Christians love each other, and they are watching to see how we will love them. When I'm talking with someone, it doesn't take me very long before I can tell if someone has "put on love". 1 Peter 4:8 says "love covers a multitude of sins". You might know someone who has sinned against you, but if you now truly love them, your love can forgive and cover that sin that is between you.
When you really love someone (not just say it but show it) it empowers them to do great things. When Christians feel loved by other Christians they can accomplish great things for the Lord. So what are you putting on every day when you get up? Love for someone is one of the most important things you can do for that relationship.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, May 17, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Why Are You Hiding?
Scripture reading: Genesis 3: 1-11
Focus verse: Gen 3:10 “I had you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid”
Nobody with sound mind would wish to be physically naked in public. Adam and Eve realized how awkward it was to be found naked, and so they chose not only to hide, but to sew fig leaves for their coverings. The Bible says, their eyes opened after eating the fruit, and realized they were naked. This informs that our eyes are never closed once we do something evil.
Very often our hearts have made a decision to create coverings and hide just like Adam chose to when he realized he was naked. We forget to realize the cause of our nakedness but concentrate more on wanting to hid and cover up. We may even end up losing jobs, good friends, Brethren fellowship, marriages etc, in our attempts to cover up our sin. But the question is, do all these attempts wipe the conviction in our hearts? Do we realize that we are losing? Is possible to hide forever? For how long will the coverings last?
Take a look at the beautiful words in Luke 15:18 “I will set out and go to my father and say to him: Father I have sinned against you…”, in other terms “I will not continue hiding but will go for forgiveness” The runaway son hid for a long time but found it wasting, hurting, depriving etc. and decided to return to the Father where he found forgiveness.
Maybe there is one whose eyes have opened due to sin. Have you created a covering for your heart, but find that you are suffering still? Will you choose to go Adam’s way or come back like the son did?
by Eliazar Wambo
Focus verse: Gen 3:10 “I had you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid”
Nobody with sound mind would wish to be physically naked in public. Adam and Eve realized how awkward it was to be found naked, and so they chose not only to hide, but to sew fig leaves for their coverings. The Bible says, their eyes opened after eating the fruit, and realized they were naked. This informs that our eyes are never closed once we do something evil.
Very often our hearts have made a decision to create coverings and hide just like Adam chose to when he realized he was naked. We forget to realize the cause of our nakedness but concentrate more on wanting to hid and cover up. We may even end up losing jobs, good friends, Brethren fellowship, marriages etc, in our attempts to cover up our sin. But the question is, do all these attempts wipe the conviction in our hearts? Do we realize that we are losing? Is possible to hide forever? For how long will the coverings last?
Take a look at the beautiful words in Luke 15:18 “I will set out and go to my father and say to him: Father I have sinned against you…”, in other terms “I will not continue hiding but will go for forgiveness” The runaway son hid for a long time but found it wasting, hurting, depriving etc. and decided to return to the Father where he found forgiveness.
Maybe there is one whose eyes have opened due to sin. Have you created a covering for your heart, but find that you are suffering still? Will you choose to go Adam’s way or come back like the son did?
by Eliazar Wambo
Friday, May 3, 2013
No Compromise
Scripture Reading: Daniel 1:8-20
Focus Verse: Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods."
As we look around us today we see sports figures, government officials and other people in the public spotlight that have made some of the most foolish choices for their lives. When temptation came their way, they took the bait that Satan offered. The result has been disgrace and living a wasted life. They hurt themselves and those that love them. Integrity and character need to be buried deep inside you so that when temptation strikes, you have already made the right choice.
We can be thankful for the story of Daniel in the Bible and the example he gives us to live a godly life. We find nowhere did he compromise even when faced with a den of lions. He simply said "no" when faced with temptations. He did not compromise when it came to following the laws that God established.
There are blessings or consequences following our decisions. One wrong choice could make a mess of your life. Let's be boldly obedient like Daniel, and we won't have regrets. There is a great reward in living an uncompromising life. Daniel was determined and God can help you make the right choice even before temptation comes your way.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods."
As we look around us today we see sports figures, government officials and other people in the public spotlight that have made some of the most foolish choices for their lives. When temptation came their way, they took the bait that Satan offered. The result has been disgrace and living a wasted life. They hurt themselves and those that love them. Integrity and character need to be buried deep inside you so that when temptation strikes, you have already made the right choice.
We can be thankful for the story of Daniel in the Bible and the example he gives us to live a godly life. We find nowhere did he compromise even when faced with a den of lions. He simply said "no" when faced with temptations. He did not compromise when it came to following the laws that God established.
There are blessings or consequences following our decisions. One wrong choice could make a mess of your life. Let's be boldly obedient like Daniel, and we won't have regrets. There is a great reward in living an uncompromising life. Daniel was determined and God can help you make the right choice even before temptation comes your way.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, April 26, 2013
Jesus Said, "You Will Have Troubles"
Scripture Reading: Job1:1-22
Focus Verse: Job 2:10 Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never adversity? So in all this Job said nothing wrong.
Sometimes in our lives we tend to remember all the bad things that have happened to us and forget the good things. We remember Job for all the bad that happened to him. But we should remember how Job had victory in spite of his adversity. There were four things that were important to Job: his faith, family, friends and his fortune. Satan tried to take all of them from Job hoping he would curse God. Instead we see Job thinking on the goodness of God and worshiping His greatness. Satan was probably the one cursing and not Job. At no time do we see Job blaming God for these things. God was enough for Job, with or without the other things Job had. Job said in 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
Do you bless God and praise Him even when you don't understand what is going on in your life? Job's faith is a great lesson to us on how we can trust in God even though we may be going through unexplained trials. Job did express his grief to God, and God wants us to cry out to Him also. Remember Job for his victory during the trials and we can do the same with God's help. Almighty God is enough. We need nothing else.
"He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only".
C.S. Lewis
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Job 2:10 Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never adversity? So in all this Job said nothing wrong.
Sometimes in our lives we tend to remember all the bad things that have happened to us and forget the good things. We remember Job for all the bad that happened to him. But we should remember how Job had victory in spite of his adversity. There were four things that were important to Job: his faith, family, friends and his fortune. Satan tried to take all of them from Job hoping he would curse God. Instead we see Job thinking on the goodness of God and worshiping His greatness. Satan was probably the one cursing and not Job. At no time do we see Job blaming God for these things. God was enough for Job, with or without the other things Job had. Job said in 13:15 "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him."
Do you bless God and praise Him even when you don't understand what is going on in your life? Job's faith is a great lesson to us on how we can trust in God even though we may be going through unexplained trials. Job did express his grief to God, and God wants us to cry out to Him also. Remember Job for his victory during the trials and we can do the same with God's help. Almighty God is enough. We need nothing else.
"He who has God and everything else has no more than he who has God only".
C.S. Lewis
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Monday, April 22, 2013
Three Words to Overcome Temptation
Scripture Reading: Luke 4:1-12
Focus Verse: Psalm 119:11 Your Word I have Hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
How did Jesus stand up to the temptations of Satan in the wilderness? He did it by quoting Scripture. "It is written".
If Jesus needed the Bible to overcome temptation, how do we think we can live a pure life without it. So many times we find ourselves in a mess and can't understand why, but we haven't gone to the only source that can really help us. We make Satan weak and defeated in our lives when we pray and read the Bible. Satan knows that his time is limited here on earth, and he's going to do all he can to destroy God's greatest creation, "us".
God has given us everything we need to stand up to his attacks. The question is, "will we use it, or try to resist on our own?" I have seen in my own life I can never be victorious on my own. I must rely on Christ and the power of His Word every day to overcome the evil powers of this world. As believers we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. "It is written "we can have victory".
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Psalm 119:11 Your Word I have Hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
How did Jesus stand up to the temptations of Satan in the wilderness? He did it by quoting Scripture. "It is written".
If Jesus needed the Bible to overcome temptation, how do we think we can live a pure life without it. So many times we find ourselves in a mess and can't understand why, but we haven't gone to the only source that can really help us. We make Satan weak and defeated in our lives when we pray and read the Bible. Satan knows that his time is limited here on earth, and he's going to do all he can to destroy God's greatest creation, "us".
God has given us everything we need to stand up to his attacks. The question is, "will we use it, or try to resist on our own?" I have seen in my own life I can never be victorious on my own. I must rely on Christ and the power of His Word every day to overcome the evil powers of this world. As believers we have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. "It is written "we can have victory".
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, April 12, 2013
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
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
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Authority Disobeyed to Obey God
Scripture Reading: Acts 4:13-22
Focus Verse: Acts 4:18 "So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus."
The Bible commands us to obey the authority that is placed over us. Is there ever a time that God would want us to disobey that authority? I believe that whenever that authority gives a command that keeps us from obeying God then we must follow the Bible and not the authority.
In our scripture reading Peter and John are told by the Jewish Sanhedrin council not to speak in Jesus name. Their response was, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Clearly Peter and John had to talk about the things of Jesus they had witnessed. Jesus commanded them to do this. In fact they believed so much in what they were talking about, they were willing to die for it.
Are you willing to speak about Jesus no matter what kind of opposition you get? The Bible has given us as believers to take this Gospel to the whole world. So if you have opposition to speaking in Jesus name, be encouraged, it's been happening for centuries. There are many in the world that will continue to reject the message of Jesus. But there are some that will believe and receive.
Focus Verse: Acts 4:18 "So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus."
The Bible commands us to obey the authority that is placed over us. Is there ever a time that God would want us to disobey that authority? I believe that whenever that authority gives a command that keeps us from obeying God then we must follow the Bible and not the authority.
In our scripture reading Peter and John are told by the Jewish Sanhedrin council not to speak in Jesus name. Their response was, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Clearly Peter and John had to talk about the things of Jesus they had witnessed. Jesus commanded them to do this. In fact they believed so much in what they were talking about, they were willing to die for it.
Are you willing to speak about Jesus no matter what kind of opposition you get? The Bible has given us as believers to take this Gospel to the whole world. So if you have opposition to speaking in Jesus name, be encouraged, it's been happening for centuries. There are many in the world that will continue to reject the message of Jesus. But there are some that will believe and receive.
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