Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:21-28
Focus Verse: Matthew 16:22 But Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him for saying such things. "Heaven forbid Lord", he said. "This will never happen to you."
How do you handle it when God changes your plans? I should be in Kenya right now, but I’m still at home. There was a mechanical issue with the airplane, so my trip is delayed 24 hours. Sometimes we don’t like it and have a hard time adjusting when God changes our plans. In our text Peter had a hard time adjusting to a different plan. Peter could not accept the fact that Jesus had to die on a cross. Peter said that will never happen, and even rebuked Jesus for saying such a thing. Peter was so concerned with the change of plan in his mind, that he didn’t even hear Jesus say that He would be raised from the dead on the third day. So think about this, if Peter had his way, with no change of plans, then the redemption of mankind would not have happened. I think God had a better plan of sending Jesus to the cross. Sometimes we may never know why God changes our plans. But He is in control and has the right to change our plans anytime. So just be flexible, because your plans are going to change sometimes.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 4, 2016
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Plant, Nurture, Harvest, and Repeat
Bible Reading
Matthew l3: 1-23
Focus Verse:
Matthew 13:23 "The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Do you have a favorite childhood story that your parents or a teacher told you that taught you a lesson or truth? An analogy that parallels a truth makes that truth easier to understand whether you are a child or an adult. Jesus, in Matthew 13, teaches the disciples and the crowd about the kingdom using 7 parables. He explained 2 of them, one being the parable of the sower.
First there is a Sower which represents God, Jesus, and the believers. Second there is the Seed which represents The Word or the gospel and how the seed is often lost and not reproduced. Third there is the Soil, Jesus described 3 bad soils and one good soil, showing how people receive and respond to the gospel. A man’s reception of God Word is determined by the condition of his heart.
The hard soil or hard heart hears the Word but doesn’t understand it. So the birds/Satan snatches it away.
The rocky ground hears the Word with joy, but has no root, so doesn’t last when the hot sun or persecution, pressure or trouble come because of the Word.
The thorny/weedy soil hears the Word but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches chokes the Word, v.22.
The good soil hears the Word, understands it and then bears fruit, like good seed, reproducing 30 times, 60 times, or 100 times itself.
Have you ever sown seed and seen it land on one of these soils? God does not expect us to have control over the hearers of the gospel but we are to sow the seed. If someone looks at your life what kind of soil would they see? Sometimes Christians fall back into sin. Some Christians fail to be productive, because they are not developing and/or using the gifts God has given them.
We can ask ourselves 1. Am I compassionate about the fields that are white unto harvest?
Am I planting seeds? 3. Am I nurturing seedlings? 4. Am I reaping the harvest?
The solutions to these situations is to renew our commitment to serve Jesus as Lord. Jesus expects every believer to be fruitful and productive. May our faith and our lives exemplify the “good soil”.
Written by Nancy Olive
Mother of Page Johnson, Interlocking Ministries
Matthew l3: 1-23
Focus Verse:
Matthew 13:23 "The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
Do you have a favorite childhood story that your parents or a teacher told you that taught you a lesson or truth? An analogy that parallels a truth makes that truth easier to understand whether you are a child or an adult. Jesus, in Matthew 13, teaches the disciples and the crowd about the kingdom using 7 parables. He explained 2 of them, one being the parable of the sower.
First there is a Sower which represents God, Jesus, and the believers. Second there is the Seed which represents The Word or the gospel and how the seed is often lost and not reproduced. Third there is the Soil, Jesus described 3 bad soils and one good soil, showing how people receive and respond to the gospel. A man’s reception of God Word is determined by the condition of his heart.
The hard soil or hard heart hears the Word but doesn’t understand it. So the birds/Satan snatches it away.
The rocky ground hears the Word with joy, but has no root, so doesn’t last when the hot sun or persecution, pressure or trouble come because of the Word.
The thorny/weedy soil hears the Word but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches chokes the Word, v.22.
The good soil hears the Word, understands it and then bears fruit, like good seed, reproducing 30 times, 60 times, or 100 times itself.
Have you ever sown seed and seen it land on one of these soils? God does not expect us to have control over the hearers of the gospel but we are to sow the seed. If someone looks at your life what kind of soil would they see? Sometimes Christians fall back into sin. Some Christians fail to be productive, because they are not developing and/or using the gifts God has given them.
We can ask ourselves 1. Am I compassionate about the fields that are white unto harvest?
Am I planting seeds? 3. Am I nurturing seedlings? 4. Am I reaping the harvest?
The solutions to these situations is to renew our commitment to serve Jesus as Lord. Jesus expects every believer to be fruitful and productive. May our faith and our lives exemplify the “good soil”.
Written by Nancy Olive
Mother of Page Johnson, Interlocking Ministries
Friday, February 19, 2016
Preaching & Teaching Scripture
Bible reading: Nehemiah 8:1-12
Focus verse: "So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them." Nehemiah 8:12
The people understood the Scriptures as Ezra read them. God opened their ears and eyes to understanding.
Jesus wants us to know the scriptures. He rebuked ministers for not knowing the scriptures in Matthew 12:3-5, 19:4, 21:42 and 22:31, where He says, "Have you not read?" and "Did you not read in the scriptures" When teaching the Word of God, it is important that you understand it's meaning. There are scriptures, that when taken out of context, can have a different meaning. As you read God's Word, it is important to understand the meaning of the scriptures in the entire book, before deciding what one verse means. It is a common mistake.
As a preacher and teacher, you must be sure of what you say before you say it. We are judged more than those who do not teach God's Word. Go to God in all humility and ask Him to allow the Holy Spirit to give understanding as you read the Bible. We do not teach merely our own ideas, but teach the truth of God's Word.
It is better to say, "I don't know" to a follower of Christ than to give an answer that is not correct.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: "So the people went away to eat and drink at a festive meal, to share gifts of food, and to celebrate with great joy because they had heard God’s words and understood them." Nehemiah 8:12
The people understood the Scriptures as Ezra read them. God opened their ears and eyes to understanding.
Jesus wants us to know the scriptures. He rebuked ministers for not knowing the scriptures in Matthew 12:3-5, 19:4, 21:42 and 22:31, where He says, "Have you not read?" and "Did you not read in the scriptures" When teaching the Word of God, it is important that you understand it's meaning. There are scriptures, that when taken out of context, can have a different meaning. As you read God's Word, it is important to understand the meaning of the scriptures in the entire book, before deciding what one verse means. It is a common mistake.
As a preacher and teacher, you must be sure of what you say before you say it. We are judged more than those who do not teach God's Word. Go to God in all humility and ask Him to allow the Holy Spirit to give understanding as you read the Bible. We do not teach merely our own ideas, but teach the truth of God's Word.
It is better to say, "I don't know" to a follower of Christ than to give an answer that is not correct.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Commitment
Scripture Reading: John 2:1-12
Focus Verses: John 2:1-2 "On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.”
True love is making a commitment to each other for life. What is a commitment? I can remember when I was a young child it was rare to hear of a married couple getting a divorce. Now, it is a bit more common. Secondly, I can remember when business partners could complete a business deal with a hand shake. Not anymore. Now lawyers must draw us contracts that both parties must sign to hold each other to the deal. Still, contracts are broken and settlements are made in court. This is not how God intended for us to treat commitment.
As Christians we are to stand by our commitments. Marriages should be a life long commitment to each other and if you make a business deal with someone, keep your commitment that you have agreed on with that person. Your word is at stake. Let the world see that as Christians we can stand by our commitments. God stands by his commitments and so should we. Seek God and He will help you keep your commitments.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: John 2:1-2 "On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.”
True love is making a commitment to each other for life. What is a commitment? I can remember when I was a young child it was rare to hear of a married couple getting a divorce. Now, it is a bit more common. Secondly, I can remember when business partners could complete a business deal with a hand shake. Not anymore. Now lawyers must draw us contracts that both parties must sign to hold each other to the deal. Still, contracts are broken and settlements are made in court. This is not how God intended for us to treat commitment.
As Christians we are to stand by our commitments. Marriages should be a life long commitment to each other and if you make a business deal with someone, keep your commitment that you have agreed on with that person. Your word is at stake. Let the world see that as Christians we can stand by our commitments. God stands by his commitments and so should we. Seek God and He will help you keep your commitments.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, January 29, 2016
God’s Heart For The Lost
God’s Heart For The Lost
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3
Focus Verse: 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
God has a heart for those that are lost. God loves the lost and desires a relationship with them. God is also patient. Some lost people may think God will not judge their sin. The reality is that God does judge sin. He may be exercising His patience right now and giving them time to repent before His judgment falls on them. Could some believers think the same thing? What happens when a believer is living in sin? God can not have fellowship with those who love their sin and refuse to repent. God can not hear their prayers. God disciplines those he loves because He desires them to come back into a right relationship with Him through repentance. God is long suffering toward us.
Jesus gave us a great example of this in Luke 15 with the story of the prodigal son. The father gave the son enough freedom until the son hit the bottom of his life. The Bible says that the son came to his senses and returned to the father. Maybe you are living a life of sin and you don’t think God is concerned with your sin. Let me tell you God is concerned with your sin, and the only reason you are still on this earth is God is giving you time to come back to Him before it is too late. So let us love the things God loves, and hate the things that God hates, and take our sin as seriously as God takes it.
God is always patiently pursuing us.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3
Focus Verse: 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
God has a heart for those that are lost. God loves the lost and desires a relationship with them. God is also patient. Some lost people may think God will not judge their sin. The reality is that God does judge sin. He may be exercising His patience right now and giving them time to repent before His judgment falls on them. Could some believers think the same thing? What happens when a believer is living in sin? God can not have fellowship with those who love their sin and refuse to repent. God can not hear their prayers. God disciplines those he loves because He desires them to come back into a right relationship with Him through repentance. God is long suffering toward us.
Jesus gave us a great example of this in Luke 15 with the story of the prodigal son. The father gave the son enough freedom until the son hit the bottom of his life. The Bible says that the son came to his senses and returned to the father. Maybe you are living a life of sin and you don’t think God is concerned with your sin. Let me tell you God is concerned with your sin, and the only reason you are still on this earth is God is giving you time to come back to Him before it is too late. So let us love the things God loves, and hate the things that God hates, and take our sin as seriously as God takes it.
God is always patiently pursuing us.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Monday, January 11, 2016
Give Encouragement to God’s Servants
Give Encouragement to God’s Servants
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19
Focus Verse 1 Thessalonians 5:12 “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.”
It has been said that hundreds of pastors leave the ministry every month. They walk away from their churches for different reasons. Could it be that the main reason is because they are not getting any encouragement from the membership?
Paul says we are to honor those in spiritual leadership over us. We know that Christ is the head of the church, but the pastor is appointed by God to feed the church, pray for the church, and lead the church. God is pleased when we support and encourage our spiritual leaders. I don’t have to tell you that your pastor is not perfect. The only perfect person on this earth was Jesus. In spite of your pastor’s faults, he needs your encouragement. Pastoring a church is not an easy task. It takes a lot of patience to deal with all the different personalities within a church. So as Paul has instructed us let’s honor those in spiritual leadership over us, and let them know we are supporting them. They will appreciate it, and your encouragement will enable them to do their job for The Lord better.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-19
Focus Verse 1 Thessalonians 5:12 “Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.”
It has been said that hundreds of pastors leave the ministry every month. They walk away from their churches for different reasons. Could it be that the main reason is because they are not getting any encouragement from the membership?
Paul says we are to honor those in spiritual leadership over us. We know that Christ is the head of the church, but the pastor is appointed by God to feed the church, pray for the church, and lead the church. God is pleased when we support and encourage our spiritual leaders. I don’t have to tell you that your pastor is not perfect. The only perfect person on this earth was Jesus. In spite of your pastor’s faults, he needs your encouragement. Pastoring a church is not an easy task. It takes a lot of patience to deal with all the different personalities within a church. So as Paul has instructed us let’s honor those in spiritual leadership over us, and let them know we are supporting them. They will appreciate it, and your encouragement will enable them to do their job for The Lord better.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Monday, January 4, 2016
The Nature of Evangelism
Scripture reading: Luke 10: 1-24
Focus verse: Luke 10:1-3 "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves."
There's a moment when you know that the harvest is ready and it's time to collect the harvest. You need to get the food out of the field. If you have a large field, you find people who can work in the fields and gather it together. You have a limited time before the harvest spoils and so you work very hard together.
This is the scene that Jesus used to describe evangelism. In our scripture reading, Jesus sent them out two by two. We also might remember that Paul traveled with partners or small groups. Evangelism is best accomplished together. It is great that we get to see this example in scripture of Jesus sending his disciples out in pairs. We need each other as an encouragement and protection as we go out.
The hired worker wouldn't bring back the crop and say that he, himself, made the fruit or vegetable. In the same way, those who share the good news can't say that we made the conversions. We understand that it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the soul and makes a life new. In the same way, we neither take the blame when someone rejects the Gospel if it is presented clearly.
Evangelism is a community event. In pairs or groups, we go into the fields for harvest when the crops are ripe. God is the one who changes hearts.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: Luke 10:1-3 "After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves."
There's a moment when you know that the harvest is ready and it's time to collect the harvest. You need to get the food out of the field. If you have a large field, you find people who can work in the fields and gather it together. You have a limited time before the harvest spoils and so you work very hard together.
This is the scene that Jesus used to describe evangelism. In our scripture reading, Jesus sent them out two by two. We also might remember that Paul traveled with partners or small groups. Evangelism is best accomplished together. It is great that we get to see this example in scripture of Jesus sending his disciples out in pairs. We need each other as an encouragement and protection as we go out.
The hired worker wouldn't bring back the crop and say that he, himself, made the fruit or vegetable. In the same way, those who share the good news can't say that we made the conversions. We understand that it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the soul and makes a life new. In the same way, we neither take the blame when someone rejects the Gospel if it is presented clearly.
Evangelism is a community event. In pairs or groups, we go into the fields for harvest when the crops are ripe. God is the one who changes hearts.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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