Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-20
Focus verse: Read John 10:30 where Jesus says, “I and my Father are one.”
If I ask you to describe a person that you know very well, like a parent or a brother, you might describe them, not by their looks, but by their nature. You can tell of their values, their hopes, their attitudes and their accomplishments.
How do you describe God? God is Spirit and therefore unseen. We all can see God’s creation. We can know God’s works and His ways through the scriptures and also the ways He works in our lives. But no one has seen the face of God. God was pleased to have all the fullness of himself, exist as Jesus. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Jesus was born fully human, but without sin. He was, in flesh, the image of the invisible God. God was flesh, Jesus, and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)
When we repent of our sin, allow Jesus to forgive, and place our trust in Him, He begins to work in us to restore the image of God in which we were made. We become Christ followers, also known as Christians.
Humans are made in the image of God, but Jesus IS the image of the invisible God.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, October 18, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
The Truth Or A Lie
Scripture Reading: John 14:1-14
Focus Verse: John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. On one can come to the Father except through me."
What is truth? Jesus said that He is truth. So the next obvious question is, "What is a lie?" Jesus gives us the answer to that question in John 8:44 "Satan was a murder from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." So who do you take sides with? Jesus: the truth or Satan: the lies. Sometimes, if we are not careful, we can speak a lie so easily out of fear. We are afraid we will lose something if we don't lie. We may lose money, friends, or our job if we don't lie, but in the long run it will cost us even more by not telling the truth. "It is better to lose a little with honesty than a lot with lies."
"If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth." 1 John 1:6 The first lie in the Bible was told to Eve by Satan. He told her she could be like God. Many times we are tempted to make ourselves better than we really are. But we are to exalt Christ and not ourselves.
So be honest with yourself. Speak truth to others. Determine today that you will speak the truth. Christ can help you.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: John 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth and the life. On one can come to the Father except through me."
What is truth? Jesus said that He is truth. So the next obvious question is, "What is a lie?" Jesus gives us the answer to that question in John 8:44 "Satan was a murder from the beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies." So who do you take sides with? Jesus: the truth or Satan: the lies. Sometimes, if we are not careful, we can speak a lie so easily out of fear. We are afraid we will lose something if we don't lie. We may lose money, friends, or our job if we don't lie, but in the long run it will cost us even more by not telling the truth. "It is better to lose a little with honesty than a lot with lies."
"If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth." 1 John 1:6 The first lie in the Bible was told to Eve by Satan. He told her she could be like God. Many times we are tempted to make ourselves better than we really are. But we are to exalt Christ and not ourselves.
So be honest with yourself. Speak truth to others. Determine today that you will speak the truth. Christ can help you.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, October 4, 2013
What Concerns God?
Scripture Reading: Mark 8:31-38
Focus Verse: Mark 8:33 "But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter. Get behind me, Satan! He said. You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
What concerns God the most? God is concerned that His will be done on earth just like in heaven. God is concerned with how His Kingdom is being built, not the kingdoms of the earth. The Kingdom of heaven begins in our hearts with love for others and obedience to God.
God is concerned that He keep His promises to us. For example, He answers our prayers. Exodus 2:24-25 says, "God heard their groaning and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them."
God is also concerned when you are going through hard times of suffering. He wants you to come to Him during those times for help. Sadly, many people walk away from God during times of suffering. Exodus 3:7 says, "The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their sufferings." God is concerned about the things we are concerned with. Today, let our prayer to God be, "Father, keep my concerns in line with Your concerns."
Bobby Johnson
Director, Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Mark 8:33 "But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter. Get behind me, Satan! He said. You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
What concerns God the most? God is concerned that His will be done on earth just like in heaven. God is concerned with how His Kingdom is being built, not the kingdoms of the earth. The Kingdom of heaven begins in our hearts with love for others and obedience to God.
God is concerned that He keep His promises to us. For example, He answers our prayers. Exodus 2:24-25 says, "God heard their groaning and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them."
God is also concerned when you are going through hard times of suffering. He wants you to come to Him during those times for help. Sadly, many people walk away from God during times of suffering. Exodus 3:7 says, "The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their sufferings." God is concerned about the things we are concerned with. Today, let our prayer to God be, "Father, keep my concerns in line with Your concerns."
Bobby Johnson
Director, Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 27, 2013
Bread of Life
Bread of Life
Bible Reading: John 6:10-14; 24-27; 35
Focus Verse: John 6:35 "Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
What is your definition of a miracle? It is something that only God can do. When God decides to make a miracle, he has a purpose. In the scripture reading above, we read about how Jesus fed over 5,000 people by multiplying the food. The people were happy to have been fed and followed Jesus.
The focus of this event isn't the food or that people were fed, but that Jesus was teaching something about Himself. He wants us to hunger for Him and to seek Him first.
The good things in your life are not for the sole purpose of your enjoyment, but that our Lord has decided to reveal Himself to you. Over the next few days, challenge yourself to pray that God will open your eyes to the wonderful things around you and that you will learn more about who He is.
God is Good all the time.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Bible Reading: John 6:10-14; 24-27; 35
Focus Verse: John 6:35 "Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
What is your definition of a miracle? It is something that only God can do. When God decides to make a miracle, he has a purpose. In the scripture reading above, we read about how Jesus fed over 5,000 people by multiplying the food. The people were happy to have been fed and followed Jesus.
The focus of this event isn't the food or that people were fed, but that Jesus was teaching something about Himself. He wants us to hunger for Him and to seek Him first.
The good things in your life are not for the sole purpose of your enjoyment, but that our Lord has decided to reveal Himself to you. Over the next few days, challenge yourself to pray that God will open your eyes to the wonderful things around you and that you will learn more about who He is.
God is Good all the time.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 20, 2013
Merciful Savior
Scripture Reading: Mark 5:1-20
Focus Verse: Luke 15:6 "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost."
Satan is never happy when someone is receiving help. In this passage in scripture we see the devil trying to prevent Jesus and His disciples from reaching the tortured man living among the tombs. How many times when we have tried to help someone, do we run into difficulties? Satan is will do all in his power to prevent us from helping someone in Jesus name. But don't be discouraged for we know that "greater is He (Christ) that is in us, than he (Satan) that is in the world." The love and concern that we show the world is how the world will be won for Christ.
It is also very important how Christians treat each other because we are to be merciful as He has shown mercy. The world is watching how we act. If we are not treating each other with love and respect, the world will say "why should they become a Christian if we act the same as them?
Reach out to someone today in Jesus name that needs help. Don't expect anything in return. Great will be your reward in heaven one day.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Luke 15:6 "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost."
Satan is never happy when someone is receiving help. In this passage in scripture we see the devil trying to prevent Jesus and His disciples from reaching the tortured man living among the tombs. How many times when we have tried to help someone, do we run into difficulties? Satan is will do all in his power to prevent us from helping someone in Jesus name. But don't be discouraged for we know that "greater is He (Christ) that is in us, than he (Satan) that is in the world." The love and concern that we show the world is how the world will be won for Christ.
It is also very important how Christians treat each other because we are to be merciful as He has shown mercy. The world is watching how we act. If we are not treating each other with love and respect, the world will say "why should they become a Christian if we act the same as them?
Reach out to someone today in Jesus name that needs help. Don't expect anything in return. Great will be your reward in heaven one day.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 13, 2013
Make His Desires, Your Own
Bible Reading:
Psalm 37:3-7a
"Trust in the Lord and do good, dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…"
Trusting God when we do not know what will happen next can be hard. These verses remind me that He has our best interests at heart. There are several instructions listed here:
1. Trust - Know that God is for you and will take care of you.
2. Do good - do what you know is right. Help others.
3. Dwell in the land - You are where you are for a reason.
4. Cultivate faithfulness - the translation for this also can mean "feed on faithfulness". A great picture of a farmer cultivating a crop, harvesting it, and feeding on it.
5. Delight yourself in the Lord - Focus on Him to find delight!
Then a promise: He will give you the desires of your heart. This doesn't mean that He will supply you with all of your wants, but that He will give of Himself and His desires. He will place His desires in your heart.
And one last instruction or command, commit your way to the Lord. Then He will show righteousness through you. Rest in Him - He is doing the work!
Be encouraged to know that God is on your side!
by Amy Warr
Camp Victory
Friday, September 6, 2013
A Life Lesson About Money
A Life Lesson About Money
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:9 The Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."
Augustine gives us a quote about his observation of Christian giving and tithing. "We give earth, and receive heaven. We give temporal, and receive the eternal. We give things corruptible, and receive the immortal. Lastly we give what God has bestowed, and receive God Himself. Let us not be slothful in such a commerce as this. Let us not continue to be poor."
When we give our tithes and offerings to God we never lose, we always gain. God always promises blessings to those who give to Him. Many Christians give to the Lord because they think, now I will get more, but this is the wrong motivation. We give to the Lord out of love, devotion, and cheerful obedience as well as a form of worship, not just so we can get something in return. We can rejoice in knowing that when we give to meet the needs of others, that God can in turn meet our needs.
Who do you know today that you could bless in Jesus name?
"Giving to the Lord never impoverishes."
George W. Brown
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:1-15
Focus Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:9 The Scriptures say, "Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten."
Augustine gives us a quote about his observation of Christian giving and tithing. "We give earth, and receive heaven. We give temporal, and receive the eternal. We give things corruptible, and receive the immortal. Lastly we give what God has bestowed, and receive God Himself. Let us not be slothful in such a commerce as this. Let us not continue to be poor."
When we give our tithes and offerings to God we never lose, we always gain. God always promises blessings to those who give to Him. Many Christians give to the Lord because they think, now I will get more, but this is the wrong motivation. We give to the Lord out of love, devotion, and cheerful obedience as well as a form of worship, not just so we can get something in return. We can rejoice in knowing that when we give to meet the needs of others, that God can in turn meet our needs.
Who do you know today that you could bless in Jesus name?
"Giving to the Lord never impoverishes."
George W. Brown
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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