Influence of Impure Spirits
"Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek." Mark 1:23-26
There are impure spirits inside some people. Some even possess individuals in our places of worship. It is scary to see those who have Satan as their master and who are set on disrupting the work of God. They may say they believe in God, because ‘even the demons believe and tremble,’ but their heart is far from Him. Impure spirits try to blend in with true believers, but they are exposed as fakes to those with spiritual discernment. Christ’s presence drives them out.
Jesus encountered evil in the synagogue and cast out the impure spirit from the man. Demons are not comfortable where Christ is taught and where the Spirit of God has a powerful presence. Unfortunately, some impotent churches have people who go through the motions with zombie like spiritual energy. The enemy’s influence has embedded their minds. Evil induces individuals to smile and be satisfied to live for themselves. Impure spirits lead people to live impure lives.
"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." James 2:19
Therefore, make sure not to make light of the influence of impure spirits. If you embrace activities and entertainment that has evil, you expose yourself and your family to the influence of impure spirits. Even events done in fun and jest can open the door to the unintentional consequences of accepting the abnormal as normal. Your children can dress up and have fun without imitating witches, warlocks, spiritists and the occult. Why dance with the enemy and risk defilement by his influence?
Furthermore, pray against impure spirits in the pure name of Jesus Christ. They cannot stand it when we stand up to them in the mighty name of Jesus. Everyone will bow to our Lord Jesus, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11” Impure spirits cannot remain in the presence of Purity, the Lord Jesus.
Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19:31
by Boyd Bailey
Friday, November 1, 2013
Friday, October 25, 2013
We Have This Ministry
We Have This Ministry
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4: 1-6
Focus verse: 2 Corinthians 4: 1-2a "Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God."
Before you came to know Jesus as your Savior, you walked in shameful and deceptive ways. It is only because of God's mercy that we can now have a ministry of Christ. God revealed His Glory in the "face of Jesus Christ" and, having received Him, we are assigned to the ministry of teaching the truth of the Word of God.
We do not deserve to be the carriers of such a wonderful message. We were blemished with sin, but it is through Jesus that we have been made whole, clean and pure before God. The mercy that is shown to us should encourage us to continue in ministry to those who walk in darkness. We do not lose heart as we teach the truth of His mercy.
God's spirit produces courage in the believer for an open display of God's truth.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4: 1-6
Focus verse: 2 Corinthians 4: 1-2a "Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God."
Before you came to know Jesus as your Savior, you walked in shameful and deceptive ways. It is only because of God's mercy that we can now have a ministry of Christ. God revealed His Glory in the "face of Jesus Christ" and, having received Him, we are assigned to the ministry of teaching the truth of the Word of God.
We do not deserve to be the carriers of such a wonderful message. We were blemished with sin, but it is through Jesus that we have been made whole, clean and pure before God. The mercy that is shown to us should encourage us to continue in ministry to those who walk in darkness. We do not lose heart as we teach the truth of His mercy.
God's spirit produces courage in the believer for an open display of God's truth.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, October 18, 2013
Jesus IS God's Image
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
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 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
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