Wasted Opportunities
Scripture Reading: Mark 14:10-11, 43-49
Focus Verse: Mark 14:10 "Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them."
As we observe Easter this coming week I'd like for us to look at the missed opportunities of one of Jesus' disciples. Here is Judas one of the twelve. He sat under the teaching of Jesus for three years. Jesus gave power to the disciples to heal and cast out demons. The disciples watched all that Jesus did. What a great opportunity the disciples had to walk with the Son of God that created the whole universe in bodily form. But Judas missed the opportunity for a decision to dramatically transform his life.
You and I are given the same opportunity today. Jesus is saying "come follow me" just as He said to those disciples 2000 years ago. What will your answer be? Will you allow God to do more in your life than you ever thought possible, Ephesians 3:20. Or will you waste the greatest opportunity that has ever been offered to you? Judas lived a wasted life because he chose greed and power. Satan used this weakness to take him further on the sinful path than Judas ever expected. He never realized the great plan that God had for him. God has a great plan for your life too. Are you going to put yourself in a position to receive that plan by guarding your heart and desires? Commit your desires to Christ and desire the things that He desires for us.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, April 18, 2014
Friday, April 11, 2014
Is Jesus Who He Says He Is?
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-23
Focus Verse: Colossians 1:16-17 "By Him all things were created... And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
When Jesus walked on this earth what kind of proof did He actually give us that He was God in flesh? Well, He was perfect. No one else before or since has lived a perfect life. In John 8:46, Jesus said, "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" No one could. Hebrews 4:15 says that, "He was tempted as we are, but is without sin."
We also have the evidence of His unlimited power. He raised the dead. He quieted the storms. He healed the sick. He restored sight to the blind. No one else has ever done these things.
Jesus fulfilled all of the prophesies in the Old Testament. In his book "The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict" in section 8, Josh McDowell says, "The Old Testament contains over three hundred references to the Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus." For example, hundreds of years before His birth we were given the precise place where he would be born in Micah 5:2. There are also details of His death and burial and resurrection.
Jesus is the only one who has the power to change a human heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."
Many religions of the world have leaders that have died, and where are their bodies? Still in the grave. Where is Jesus? He is alive today, and He is coming back to this earth one day. Yes, Jesus IS who He said He is. He is fully God, and He alone is worthy of your praise and worship.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Colossians 1:16-17 "By Him all things were created... And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
When Jesus walked on this earth what kind of proof did He actually give us that He was God in flesh? Well, He was perfect. No one else before or since has lived a perfect life. In John 8:46, Jesus said, "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?" No one could. Hebrews 4:15 says that, "He was tempted as we are, but is without sin."
We also have the evidence of His unlimited power. He raised the dead. He quieted the storms. He healed the sick. He restored sight to the blind. No one else has ever done these things.
Jesus fulfilled all of the prophesies in the Old Testament. In his book "The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict" in section 8, Josh McDowell says, "The Old Testament contains over three hundred references to the Messiah that were fulfilled in Jesus." For example, hundreds of years before His birth we were given the precise place where he would be born in Micah 5:2. There are also details of His death and burial and resurrection.
Jesus is the only one who has the power to change a human heart. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."
Many religions of the world have leaders that have died, and where are their bodies? Still in the grave. Where is Jesus? He is alive today, and He is coming back to this earth one day. Yes, Jesus IS who He said He is. He is fully God, and He alone is worthy of your praise and worship.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, April 4, 2014
Cheerful Heart Overflows
Bible Reading: Job 29:21-25
Focus verse: Proverbs 15:30 "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health." and Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength."
Cheerfulness is being full of good feelings. It comes when your heart is full of the joy of the Lord which is from the Holy Spirit. In the scripture reading, Job is describing a time in his life when he was a chief. People would take their problems to him and ask for his council. Job would smile and there would be a cheerful light in his facial expression. It delighted those who were near.
Sometimes we have challenges in our lives. Sometimes it is a small irritation of a problem. Sometimes others around us are grumpy. And we may even face severe trials where it is not easy to have a cheerful heart, but in time, God can return that cheerful heart to us as we trust in Him. His Holy Spirit can give the fruit of Joy to our hearts which brings good cheer, even as our situation is not better, we have our hope in God and Him alone.
Good cheer in my heart may bring good cheer to others. Lord, help me to trust in you to restore the joy that brings cheerfulness.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: Proverbs 15:30 "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
good news makes for good health." and Proverbs 17:22 "A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength."
Cheerfulness is being full of good feelings. It comes when your heart is full of the joy of the Lord which is from the Holy Spirit. In the scripture reading, Job is describing a time in his life when he was a chief. People would take their problems to him and ask for his council. Job would smile and there would be a cheerful light in his facial expression. It delighted those who were near.
Sometimes we have challenges in our lives. Sometimes it is a small irritation of a problem. Sometimes others around us are grumpy. And we may even face severe trials where it is not easy to have a cheerful heart, but in time, God can return that cheerful heart to us as we trust in Him. His Holy Spirit can give the fruit of Joy to our hearts which brings good cheer, even as our situation is not better, we have our hope in God and Him alone.
Good cheer in my heart may bring good cheer to others. Lord, help me to trust in you to restore the joy that brings cheerfulness.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 28, 2014
Seeking God
Bible reading: Luke 11:1-13
Focus verse: "So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Luke 11:9
I was discussing spiritual issues with a woman a few years ago. She had been a Christian for many years. She began to ask some questions about God that had answers easily found in the scriptures. I realized that although she was saved, she really hadn't studied the Word of God to seek Him.
The disciples, in the scripture reading, had some questions for Jesus. They called Him teacher. Jesus was easy to talk to. They asked Jesus to teach them to pray. After Jesus answered them, he encouraged them to continue seeking.
Jesus wants you to seek him. God has revealed so much in His Word, the Bible. It is a shame to own a Bible and not read it. If there are things that you don't understand, ask God to help you. He will be pleased and will help you find the truth.
"But seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 21, 2014
When Your Loved One Dies
Bible Reading: Psalm 91
Focus verse: “But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.” Psalm 10:14
I am writing this devotion in honor of my friends in Kenya experiencing the loss of a father and other friends who lost a child. Life is difficult when a loved one dies.
There is shock and disbelief. There is loss and sorrow. How do you move from that sorrow and mourning into a place of accepting life without the one who died? When you face sorrow, seek the face of God because he sees your trouble and affliction.
God is your refuge. God cares and will hold you in His hand and care for you. It takes time, but God will heal the sorrow as we trust Him. He will turn our hearts and we begin to see a glimpse of hope among moments of sadness. He will nurture the hope in your heart and through faith, it will grow into joy, once again.
Friends can comfort, but God heals the heart.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
In loving memory of Christopher Wambo, and four month old, Praise Nzenze, son of Pastor Tobias and Anna
Focus verse: “But You, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.” Psalm 10:14
I am writing this devotion in honor of my friends in Kenya experiencing the loss of a father and other friends who lost a child. Life is difficult when a loved one dies.
There is shock and disbelief. There is loss and sorrow. How do you move from that sorrow and mourning into a place of accepting life without the one who died? When you face sorrow, seek the face of God because he sees your trouble and affliction.
God is your refuge. God cares and will hold you in His hand and care for you. It takes time, but God will heal the sorrow as we trust Him. He will turn our hearts and we begin to see a glimpse of hope among moments of sadness. He will nurture the hope in your heart and through faith, it will grow into joy, once again.
Friends can comfort, but God heals the heart.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
In loving memory of Christopher Wambo, and four month old, Praise Nzenze, son of Pastor Tobias and Anna
Friday, March 14, 2014
When Saying "NO" Isn't enough
Scripture reading: Genesis 39
Focus verse: James 1:14-15 says “ but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
Joseph walked with the Lord and the Lord caused him to have favor in the eyes of his master, Potiphar. Although he was a slave, Joseph worked faithfully and desired to honor God with his life. Potiphar's wife took notice of the handsome Joseph and asked him to go to bed and lie with her. Joseph refused and explained his reason. Day after day she wanted him and would not honor him. He said "no" each time. One day, she enticed him, took him by the coat and said for him to come lie with him. Joseph ran. Yes, he ran and left the coat in her hand. He knew that he could not discuss it with her, because she would not listen. Joseph honored God in his decision. Sexual sin can also be very tempting. That day, saying "no" was not enough.
Sometimes you can explain the reasons why you choose to honor God with your decisions. Sometimes, your gentleness will win someone over to Christ. If a temptation continues to come at you from another person, especially someone who doesn't listen to reason, you must not have time with that person. You might even have to RUN!
Is someone tempting you? True love waits.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Monday, March 10, 2014
Jesus is Calling Your Name
Scripture Reading: John 10:1-21
Focus Verse: John 10:3 The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads then out.
Jesus likes calling you by name. In Luke 19 we read the story of Jesus calling Zacchaeus by name when he was up in a sycamore tree. Jesus has been calling sinners to Himself ever since. All through history God has been calling people personally. John 10 talks about Jesus being the good shepherd, and He calls His sheep by name. If we are truly His children, then we will know His voice when He calls us. God knows all about you. He even knows more about you than you know about yourself. God is calling you to make an unconditional commitment to Him. A commitment where you will leave everything behind, just as the early disciples did.
Even though there are billions of people in the world today, God is calling you by name, personally. He is first calling you to have a soul saving relationship with His Son Jesus, and then He's calling you into a deeper relationship with Himself.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: John 10:3 The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads then out.
Jesus likes calling you by name. In Luke 19 we read the story of Jesus calling Zacchaeus by name when he was up in a sycamore tree. Jesus has been calling sinners to Himself ever since. All through history God has been calling people personally. John 10 talks about Jesus being the good shepherd, and He calls His sheep by name. If we are truly His children, then we will know His voice when He calls us. God knows all about you. He even knows more about you than you know about yourself. God is calling you to make an unconditional commitment to Him. A commitment where you will leave everything behind, just as the early disciples did.
Even though there are billions of people in the world today, God is calling you by name, personally. He is first calling you to have a soul saving relationship with His Son Jesus, and then He's calling you into a deeper relationship with Himself.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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