Bible Reading: Luke 22: 7-30
Focus Verse: Matthew 18:4 "So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven."
The disciples learned that as followers of Jesus Christ, they would be in Heaven's Kingdom some day. They wanted to know where they would stand in that Kingdom. Jesus had just been talking about the Kingdom, but he was also talking about suffering, His body being broken and His blood spilled out. It was through the humble Christ that the Kingdom of God would come. The disciples were taught that to be great, they must be humble and servants. Jesus was even an example of this.
Those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ will desire to please Him and do His will. Some will even become teachers and leaders in the church or in ministry. Leadership will always bring conflict with our human nature of desiring to be great. It can be more of a challenge to remain humble when you see many good results from your ministry. We can remain humble when we realize that it is only the Lord that brings forth any fruit from our labors. (Last week, we learned about the power of bearing fruit belongs to the Lord.) Being active in your community in serving the needs of others can also help you stay humble.
Do you love being commended? It can feel assuring and rewarding, but it shouldn't be our ultimate goal to be praised by men. As the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Thursday, August 17, 2017
A Friend of Jesus
Scripture Reading: John 15: 1-17
Focus Verses: John 15: 14-16 “You are my friend if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.”
Jesus says that we are His friend if we do what He says. Sounds a lot like the friendships we have with each other hear on earth. If you have a close friend, you want to please them. Not only does Jesus want you as His friend, but He wants you to know everything that God has told Him. That’s pretty awesome to think about. Jesus has told us everything that God told Him. Now here is where our passage of scripture gets a little hard to understand. We did not choose Jesus, but Jesus chose us. That’s right, Jesus chose us to remain in His love and produce fruit. As we are connected to Christ we have the power to produce this fruit. It all comes back to our obedience to Him. Let’s obey, so we can be friends of Jesus and be filled with His joy.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: John 15: 14-16 “You are my friend if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.”
Jesus says that we are His friend if we do what He says. Sounds a lot like the friendships we have with each other hear on earth. If you have a close friend, you want to please them. Not only does Jesus want you as His friend, but He wants you to know everything that God has told Him. That’s pretty awesome to think about. Jesus has told us everything that God told Him. Now here is where our passage of scripture gets a little hard to understand. We did not choose Jesus, but Jesus chose us. That’s right, Jesus chose us to remain in His love and produce fruit. As we are connected to Christ we have the power to produce this fruit. It all comes back to our obedience to Him. Let’s obey, so we can be friends of Jesus and be filled with His joy.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, August 11, 2017
Love One Another
Bible Reading: 1 John 3: 11-24
Focus verse : 1 John 3:11 "This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. "
God is loving and caring. He has called us to love and care for others as well. The old man (Marcus Ochieng) and his family today have a reason to thank God. For many years the family has had a poor shelter, small in size to accommodate the family and has had a leaking roof. His attempts to get a better shelter had not worked due to their merger income. Together with the wife they live by pulling nets for fish despite their old age. The man is about 80 years today.
God placed in my heart the burden to pray for them and help them get a better structure. Thanks to God for provision for their new semi permanent shelter of three rooms and with enough space for the whole family. Work has also been made easy through the church community of Makira Baptist Church who have volunteered to offer the needed man power to help raise the structure. Congratulations to the church for partnering to see this area come true through physical support and any donation added.
As we celebrate the miracle for this family, many other destitute families with poor shelters are praying for their miracles as well. God has placed in my heart the burden to pray and help meet shelter needs for the less fortunate more so old age, widows and orphans. Your prayers and donation can help do a miracle to another family. The church community is ready to labor together in this endeavour. After a few days, we today celebrate a house almost to full completion. Words can't tell this big joy to the family but the smile in Marcus face crowns it.
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries
Focus verse : 1 John 3:11 "This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. "
God is loving and caring. He has called us to love and care for others as well. The old man (Marcus Ochieng) and his family today have a reason to thank God. For many years the family has had a poor shelter, small in size to accommodate the family and has had a leaking roof. His attempts to get a better shelter had not worked due to their merger income. Together with the wife they live by pulling nets for fish despite their old age. The man is about 80 years today.
God placed in my heart the burden to pray for them and help them get a better structure. Thanks to God for provision for their new semi permanent shelter of three rooms and with enough space for the whole family. Work has also been made easy through the church community of Makira Baptist Church who have volunteered to offer the needed man power to help raise the structure. Congratulations to the church for partnering to see this area come true through physical support and any donation added.
As we celebrate the miracle for this family, many other destitute families with poor shelters are praying for their miracles as well. God has placed in my heart the burden to pray and help meet shelter needs for the less fortunate more so old age, widows and orphans. Your prayers and donation can help do a miracle to another family. The church community is ready to labor together in this endeavour. After a few days, we today celebrate a house almost to full completion. Words can't tell this big joy to the family but the smile in Marcus face crowns it.
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries
Friday, August 4, 2017
What Is Most Important To You?
Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:12-17
Focus Verses: 1 John 2:16-17 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever."
Possibly the number one thing that people value in the world is money. But think about this: Money can buy you a bed but not sleep. Money can buy you a clock but not time. Money can buy you a book but not knowledge. Money can buy you a position but not respect. Money can buy you medicine but not health. Money can buy you blood but not life, and money can buy you sex but not love. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 "We fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” Money can be used in God’s Kingdom for a lot of worthy causes, but money is also responsible for ruining countless lives. Anything in our lives more important than God is wrong. Children, a husband, a wife, a job, a friend, a pastor, a boat, a house, a piece of land, money, yourself, and the list goes on…… God wants to be number one in you life period. People spend a lot of money on nice things on the earth, but one day it’s all going to burn. What are you doing for God that will last forever? I hope God is what is most important to you.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: 1 John 2:16-17 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever."
Possibly the number one thing that people value in the world is money. But think about this: Money can buy you a bed but not sleep. Money can buy you a clock but not time. Money can buy you a book but not knowledge. Money can buy you a position but not respect. Money can buy you medicine but not health. Money can buy you blood but not life, and money can buy you sex but not love. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:18 "We fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” Money can be used in God’s Kingdom for a lot of worthy causes, but money is also responsible for ruining countless lives. Anything in our lives more important than God is wrong. Children, a husband, a wife, a job, a friend, a pastor, a boat, a house, a piece of land, money, yourself, and the list goes on…… God wants to be number one in you life period. People spend a lot of money on nice things on the earth, but one day it’s all going to burn. What are you doing for God that will last forever? I hope God is what is most important to you.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, July 28, 2017
Trust Takes Time
Scripture Reading: Psalm 9
Focus Verses: Psalm 9: 9-10 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Trust always takes time. As you get to know a good friend better, you begin to trust them more. The same it true with our relationship with God. We learn more about God by reading the Bible, then as we see Him work in our lives to help us through troubles and trials we begin to trust Him more and more. In our passage David learned about God’s promise to be our refuge in times of trouble. A refuge is a safe place to be when life rages on. This is not a physical place where we go, but the security of our relationship with God. Because of the relationship, we trust Him. As we look back over our lives we will see many times when He has carried us through uncertain times. To deeply trust in God’s faithfulness takes time to build, but His promises are always something we can trust in. The Lord will never forsake those who are seeking after Him. Trust a little now and then later you will trust more deeply.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: Psalm 9: 9-10 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Trust always takes time. As you get to know a good friend better, you begin to trust them more. The same it true with our relationship with God. We learn more about God by reading the Bible, then as we see Him work in our lives to help us through troubles and trials we begin to trust Him more and more. In our passage David learned about God’s promise to be our refuge in times of trouble. A refuge is a safe place to be when life rages on. This is not a physical place where we go, but the security of our relationship with God. Because of the relationship, we trust Him. As we look back over our lives we will see many times when He has carried us through uncertain times. To deeply trust in God’s faithfulness takes time to build, but His promises are always something we can trust in. The Lord will never forsake those who are seeking after Him. Trust a little now and then later you will trust more deeply.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Come to Jesus
Bible reading : Mark 5: 35-43
Focus Verse: "While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:35-36
When sickness and suffering in the lives of those we love weigh heavy on our hearts we can feel helpless and hopeless. We need divine intervention and understand our need for Jesus more deeply. This is exactly the sort of person Jesus encounters in Mark 5.
At verse 35 we see the situation as humanly hopeless, with word reaching Jairus that his daughter had already died. Then the messengers say, “why bother the teacher anymore?” When all hope is lost, why continue to trouble Jesus? Jesus’ response to this question invites us deeper into the mystery of God’s love, nature, and power. "Don't be afraid, just believe."
There is never a time, moment, or situation in which all hope is lost. We must remember that we serve a God who is Lord of heaven and earth, in whose hand “is the life of every living thing.” (Job 12:10) We must believe that the God who defeated death on the cross is powerful enough to bring hope and healing to the darkest and most painful moments of life, even when all hope seems to be lost.
Do we seek Jesus in prayer only for the things that seem likely to be answered, or are you and I willing to learn from this story and continue to open ourselves up to God’s plan and power even when it is beyond what we can see or understand?
How can you persistently seek the Lord in prayer and intercession, even when all hope seems to be lost? Take whatever weighs heavy on your heart today to the Lord in prayer, and find comfort and peace for your soul. Do not be afraid. The Lord is with you and will never abandon you, and in light of the resurrection we know that a day is coming when all shall be made well. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: "While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:35-36
When sickness and suffering in the lives of those we love weigh heavy on our hearts we can feel helpless and hopeless. We need divine intervention and understand our need for Jesus more deeply. This is exactly the sort of person Jesus encounters in Mark 5.
At verse 35 we see the situation as humanly hopeless, with word reaching Jairus that his daughter had already died. Then the messengers say, “why bother the teacher anymore?” When all hope is lost, why continue to trouble Jesus? Jesus’ response to this question invites us deeper into the mystery of God’s love, nature, and power. "Don't be afraid, just believe."
There is never a time, moment, or situation in which all hope is lost. We must remember that we serve a God who is Lord of heaven and earth, in whose hand “is the life of every living thing.” (Job 12:10) We must believe that the God who defeated death on the cross is powerful enough to bring hope and healing to the darkest and most painful moments of life, even when all hope seems to be lost.
Do we seek Jesus in prayer only for the things that seem likely to be answered, or are you and I willing to learn from this story and continue to open ourselves up to God’s plan and power even when it is beyond what we can see or understand?
How can you persistently seek the Lord in prayer and intercession, even when all hope seems to be lost? Take whatever weighs heavy on your heart today to the Lord in prayer, and find comfort and peace for your soul. Do not be afraid. The Lord is with you and will never abandon you, and in light of the resurrection we know that a day is coming when all shall be made well. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, July 14, 2017
Ask Anything in My Name
Bible Reading: John 14Focus verse: John 14:13-14 - "You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!"
(Last week's devotion was on spiritual healing. This week I want you to hear from a lady who was injured and she is paralyzed and in a wheelchair.)
Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada with a word about healing. There was a season in my life when I begged God to heal me. And one of the key verses I used in my prayers was John chapter 14, verses 13-14 where Jesus says, "I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." Well, that was quite a promise! Jesus will give us whatever we ask, as long as we ask in his name?!
Well, I kept doing just that—asking in His name, but nothing happened, so I dug deeper, confessing and repenting of whatever extra sin might stand in the way. But still, no healing. I wondered what I was doing wrong. So I went back to John 14, and this time I read all around it. I discovered that the context is all about "giving the gospel." After all, this chapter was our Savior's last chance to teach his disciples about "the main thing." And the main thing (as we'd all agree) is his Gospel. Jesus was so passionate about his disciples giving the good news, that he inasmuch said, “Look, if there are mountains in your way, I’ll move them. If there’s an obstacle in the way, I’ll help you get rid of it. If it means the advancement of God's kingdom, I’ll do it." Jesus was adamant about this because this is what would give his Father the most glory.
I began to grasp the fact that my suffering was part of God's strategy to further his gospel. After all, it says in First Peter 2:21-22, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps." Just as Christ suffered yet trusted the Father, I am to follow in His steps on the road marked with suffering and trust my heavenly Father,.
When we Christians trust the Lord in our hardships, it showcases to a skeptical, cynical and unbelieving world that God is worth trusting and the Bible is worth believing. The world can't argue when it sees people in pain rejoice in their God. Friend, no one goes to Christ’s heaven who doesn’t first share in Christ’s sufferings. And there’s a good reason for it. Heaven will be populated with people who opened their hearts to God because they saw the power and the reality of His Gospel demonstrated through you. And that’s worth more than being healed on your feet any day.
He has chosen not to heal me, but to hold me. The more intense the pain, the closer His embrace.
~Joni Eareckson Tada
(Last week's devotion was on spiritual healing. This week I want you to hear from a lady who was injured and she is paralyzed and in a wheelchair.)
Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada with a word about healing. There was a season in my life when I begged God to heal me. And one of the key verses I used in my prayers was John chapter 14, verses 13-14 where Jesus says, "I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." Well, that was quite a promise! Jesus will give us whatever we ask, as long as we ask in his name?!
Well, I kept doing just that—asking in His name, but nothing happened, so I dug deeper, confessing and repenting of whatever extra sin might stand in the way. But still, no healing. I wondered what I was doing wrong. So I went back to John 14, and this time I read all around it. I discovered that the context is all about "giving the gospel." After all, this chapter was our Savior's last chance to teach his disciples about "the main thing." And the main thing (as we'd all agree) is his Gospel. Jesus was so passionate about his disciples giving the good news, that he inasmuch said, “Look, if there are mountains in your way, I’ll move them. If there’s an obstacle in the way, I’ll help you get rid of it. If it means the advancement of God's kingdom, I’ll do it." Jesus was adamant about this because this is what would give his Father the most glory.
I began to grasp the fact that my suffering was part of God's strategy to further his gospel. After all, it says in First Peter 2:21-22, "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps." Just as Christ suffered yet trusted the Father, I am to follow in His steps on the road marked with suffering and trust my heavenly Father,.
When we Christians trust the Lord in our hardships, it showcases to a skeptical, cynical and unbelieving world that God is worth trusting and the Bible is worth believing. The world can't argue when it sees people in pain rejoice in their God. Friend, no one goes to Christ’s heaven who doesn’t first share in Christ’s sufferings. And there’s a good reason for it. Heaven will be populated with people who opened their hearts to God because they saw the power and the reality of His Gospel demonstrated through you. And that’s worth more than being healed on your feet any day.
He has chosen not to heal me, but to hold me. The more intense the pain, the closer His embrace.
~Joni Eareckson Tada
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