Scripture Reading: Mark 8:34-35 "And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, Jesus said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel's will save it."
When I share a witness for Christ and talk with them about receiving salvation, sometimes the other person will complain that the churches are full of hypocrites. Well, they are right. The church is for sinners saved by God's grace to follow Christ. I think the main reason people don't come to Christ is that they don't want to pay the price of self denial. God will not compromise or negotiate. We come by repentance and faith in Christ, or we can't come at all.
Jesus also said, "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36
So if you had all the wealth in the whole world, and lost you soul, would it be worth it? Your possessions will not be with you after you die. Your soul will live forever in one of two places. The decisions that you make about Christ now, will determine where you will be one million years from now. Eternity is too long to be wrong.
He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. Proverbs 29:1
You have to be willing to tell God you are a sinner and that you are sorry for that sin. You have to be willing to turn away from that sin. This is called repentance. Then by faith you have to commit your life to Christ and make Him Lord in your life. If you have never done that, why not commit your life to Him today?
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, May 16, 2014
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Old to New
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:1-10
Focus Verse: Matthew 18:3 Then Jesus said, "I assure you, unless you are converted and turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."
What does it mean to convert something? In America electricity is 120 volts. In Kenya electricity is 240 volts. If I want to use an appliance in Kenya that comes from America, the electricity must be converted, or changed.
Jesus said, "if you want to go to heaven, you must be converted, or changed. You cannot stay the same, there must be a change in your life. The word repent is used in the Bible over 85 times. It means to change your direction, or to turn from your sin. If you say you love God, if you say you love Jesus, then there will be a change in your life. You will begin obeying with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Does that mean when you are saved you completely stop sinning? No, but it does mean that when you stumble and fall, as children do, you repent of your sin. Christ followers will learn to love the things God loves, and you will begin to hate the things God hates. My life is different than before I turned to Christ. I am now running towards the things I used to run away from, and I'm running away from the things I used to run towards. The old has passed away, and God wants to make all things new in your life. Become followers of Christ as a small child follows a parent.
Psalm 42:1 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God."
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Matthew 18:3 Then Jesus said, "I assure you, unless you are converted and turn from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven."
What does it mean to convert something? In America electricity is 120 volts. In Kenya electricity is 240 volts. If I want to use an appliance in Kenya that comes from America, the electricity must be converted, or changed.
Jesus said, "if you want to go to heaven, you must be converted, or changed. You cannot stay the same, there must be a change in your life. The word repent is used in the Bible over 85 times. It means to change your direction, or to turn from your sin. If you say you love God, if you say you love Jesus, then there will be a change in your life. You will begin obeying with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Does that mean when you are saved you completely stop sinning? No, but it does mean that when you stumble and fall, as children do, you repent of your sin. Christ followers will learn to love the things God loves, and you will begin to hate the things God hates. My life is different than before I turned to Christ. I am now running towards the things I used to run away from, and I'm running away from the things I used to run towards. The old has passed away, and God wants to make all things new in your life. Become followers of Christ as a small child follows a parent.
Psalm 42:1 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God."
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, May 2, 2014
Disciple the Children
Disciple the Children
Bible Reading: Titus 2:1-8
Focus Verse: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
It is a clear role of the father to bring up his children in the discipline (the act of being discipled) and instruction of the Lord. Though mothers also play an important role, it is the father who represents the spiritual head of the home. If there is no father in the home, then a child may find a godly spiritual father to instruct and disciple them. I have seen men who have taken on that role for children who don't have fathers.
Spiritual lessons learned at church or a Christian school have great value, but it can never be as powerful as the faithful testimony of a godly father.
In the eyes of a child, watching a father live his life for God speaks more than words, but they still need to hear their father teach them about God. If you are a father, (or even a mother), study the Word of God and teach it to your children.
No time is wasted when you teach a child how to follow Christ.
Bible Reading: Titus 2:1-8
Focus Verse: "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
It is a clear role of the father to bring up his children in the discipline (the act of being discipled) and instruction of the Lord. Though mothers also play an important role, it is the father who represents the spiritual head of the home. If there is no father in the home, then a child may find a godly spiritual father to instruct and disciple them. I have seen men who have taken on that role for children who don't have fathers.
Spiritual lessons learned at church or a Christian school have great value, but it can never be as powerful as the faithful testimony of a godly father.
In the eyes of a child, watching a father live his life for God speaks more than words, but they still need to hear their father teach them about God. If you are a father, (or even a mother), study the Word of God and teach it to your children.
No time is wasted when you teach a child how to follow Christ.
Friday, April 25, 2014
The Race You Can Finish
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Focus Verse: Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
Maybe you have noticed when you watch a race, some runners start out very fast. But if it is a long race, those runners may become too tired to finish the race well. Because they have not paced themselves, they either quit the race early or finish with a poor time. Smart runners don't carry backpacks or luggage when they run. No, they have just the clothes they need to wear and a good pair of running shoes.
The apostle Paul compares the Christian life to a race. He says "let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." As I work in ministry in Kenya, I know that all of Africa will not be saved through my own efforts, but I do know that God will help me disciple some to follow Him. Some of those will, in turn, also make new disciples. This can branch out like a tree of runners.
So we pace ourselves in this Christian life to do what God enables us to do. Paul has also told us to take off the backpack of sin so we can run this race strong. Ineffective Christians are carrying the luggage of sin on their backs. Paul says strip it off, get rid of the things that weight you down. In Philippians 3:14 Paul writes, "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." He encourages us to finish the race strong.
When we come to the end of our life, let us be able to say as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." Are you a disciple ... running?
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."
Maybe you have noticed when you watch a race, some runners start out very fast. But if it is a long race, those runners may become too tired to finish the race well. Because they have not paced themselves, they either quit the race early or finish with a poor time. Smart runners don't carry backpacks or luggage when they run. No, they have just the clothes they need to wear and a good pair of running shoes.
The apostle Paul compares the Christian life to a race. He says "let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." As I work in ministry in Kenya, I know that all of Africa will not be saved through my own efforts, but I do know that God will help me disciple some to follow Him. Some of those will, in turn, also make new disciples. This can branch out like a tree of runners.
So we pace ourselves in this Christian life to do what God enables us to do. Paul has also told us to take off the backpack of sin so we can run this race strong. Ineffective Christians are carrying the luggage of sin on their backs. Paul says strip it off, get rid of the things that weight you down. In Philippians 3:14 Paul writes, "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." He encourages us to finish the race strong.
When we come to the end of our life, let us be able to say as Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful." Are you a disciple ... running?
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, April 18, 2014
Wasted Opportunities
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
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 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
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