Don’t Refuse What is True

Bible Reading: Mark 16:1-14Memory verse: 3 John 1:3 "Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth."

Followers of Jesus were mourning his death.  They were listening to other followers claim to have seen Jesus and must have thought that they were crazy.  Jesus showed up and rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him.

Is it too good to be true?  Why did the followers of Jesus, not believe when they were told of Jesus being alive and speaking to Mary and the other witnesses?  I have heard that some people must hear the gospel many times before they believe.  Others believe the first time. 

We are given truths in the Bible.  We lack faith if we read the Word of God and then refuse to believe it. 

Maybe you are struggling to believe in Christ as your Saviour. Read 2 Corinthians 6:2.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your future.  Read Jeremiah 29:11.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your finances.  Read Philippians 4:19.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your fears.  Read Joshua 1:9 & Proverbs 29:25.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your health. Read Psalm 41:3.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your confidence.  Read Jeremiah 17:7

Read the Word of God on these things and choose to believe the truth.  Then prove it by your actions.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Plan Your Escape

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13  “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

I have a dog.  Sometimes when I’m with her, she sees a wild animal in the bush.  Then she wants to chase it, so I keep her on the rope.  But even though she knows I won't let her chase it, she continues to look at the wild animal and that only makes her want to chase it more.  That is how temptation is in our lives.  We see the sin.  Satan tempts us to want it.  If we continue to look at it, the temptation becomes even more difficult to resist. 

When you are tempted to do what is wrong, remove yourself from the temptation.  God has promised you a way out.  So get your eyes off the temptation, and start looking for the escape route God has promised for you.  Joseph in the Bible was being seduced by a woman.  We read in Genesis that he didn’t look twice, instead he pointed his feet in the opposite direction and ran.  Some things to remember when being tempted:

• The Word of God is our first defense. 
• Sometimes fleeing is the only way to resist.  
• Remember we are in a fight, a spiritual battle.  
• Fellowship with the right kind of people, not people that will drag you down.  
• Follow Jesus example, when He said “Get behind Me, Satan.”   
• Remember, the way you live does matter, so plan your escape.

Remember verse 12 as a warning, "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

We Are At War

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:16-26
Focus Verses: Galatians 5:16-17  “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.  Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.  The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions."

We have a choice.  Are we going to walk in the flesh, or are we going to walk in the Spirit?  This is a battle that goes on in every believer.  We are born with a strike against us.  We were born in sin.  We were born in the flesh.  Within us are two natures, good and evil, and they are constantly in conflict.  How do you know if you are walking in the flesh or the Spirit?  Our scripture reading gives us two different list.  Read them again.  Which of these activities are most likely to be seen in your life? 

We have been set free.  We no longer have to be a slave to sin.  Our sin was nailed to the cross 2000 years ago.   Verse 26 says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there."  Therefore, today, and every day we yield to the lordship of Christ so that we can win this war.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Standing Firm

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 3

Focus Verses: Hebrews 3:12-14  “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.  Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God.  You must warn each other every day, while it is still today, so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.  For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.”

When Jesus gave the Great Commission to make disciples, it was not just for his twelve disciples, it was not just for Kenyans, it was not just for Americans.  It was for all Christians everywhere.  We are to share the message of the Gospel.  We are also to warn one another about sin that can entangle us.  The writer of Hebrews tells us to be firm in what we believe about God.  Let us not deceive ourselves or others by our own sin.  Let us examine our own walk with the Lord.  Are we standing firm in our own faith?  Some people are only faithful to God when everything is going well for them.  Some are only faithful when they want something from God.  When our faith is tested, our neighbors are watching to see if we will stand firm.  So let us live in such a way that others will see that we are a Christ follower.  Stand firm in your faith.


Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Don’t Let Your Hope Waver

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-39

Focus Verse: Hebrews 10:23  “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

There are times that it would seem that the world is falling apart.  We hear of natural disasters.  We hear of terrorist attacks almost on a daily basis.  We hear of strife between countries.  We hear of racial tensions.  Where can we place our hope to fix all these things?  I can tell you who is not going to fix all these problems.  It’s not going to be a person, a politician or a government.  The only one that can control these problems is the LORD.  God is the one in whom we can place our hope.  Hebrews says that we are to hold tightly to the hope we have in God’s promises.  God has us in his hands.  Everything that happens is what He allows.  He will turn the evil that happens in this world into fulfilling His purpose in the end.  So when you feel all hope is lost, hold tightly to the only One that can give hope. 

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Not Guilty

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-17
Focus Verses: Romans 8:1-2  “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

Someone who is being charged with a crime would be very glad to hear the words “not guilty”  because that means they would be able to go free instead of jail.  In God’s eyes we have all committed the crime of sin, but because of what Jesus did on the cross, we have the opportunity to hear God say “not guilty".  The gospel message can set us free.  If we accepted this free gift of salvation we have been forgiven.  We no longer are chained by the sins of this world that lead to death.  God said he wants to remove your sin as far as the east is from the west.  We can look to the Holy Spirit to guide us through this life the way God wants you to live.  Satan will try to discourage you by reminding you of all your past sins and tell you how guilty you are.  When that happens, you can remind him that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection you are “not guilty”.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Eternal Perspective

Eternal Perspective
Bible reading: Matthew 6: 19-34

Focus verse: Matthew 6: 33 "Seek the Kingdom of God^[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."

There is no happiness in our possessions.  The more we have, the more we have responsibility for and our focus can change away from the Lord.  We are to be stewards of our possessions, but we shouldn't be possessed by them.  Matthew 19:23 says, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."


Sometimes we may see what others have and desire to have that same thing too.  It is common to feel these things, but we should realize that God will give us what we need and many times he gives us more than we need as an extra blessing.  

We should seek after the eternal value in all that we do.  Have our goals be such that would bring honor and glory to our LORD.  Allow God to decide our possessions and add them as He desires.  When we have possessions, we should ask God for wisdom in our stewardship of them.

Seek first the Kingdom of God.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries