The Rewards of Humility

Bible reading: Luke 18Focus verse: "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 18:14

 

Written by Greg Laurie:

The great evangelist Dwight L. Moody said, “I have had more trouble with D. L. Moody than with any other man who has crossed my path. If I can keep him right, I don’t have any trouble with other people.”

We love to blame things on other people when, in reality, the problem lies with us. We can point fingers and complain about this person doing that thing and that person doing another thing. But the truth is that our own hearts aren’t right.

It’s no different than Adam and Eve shifting blame in the Garden of Eden. Adam said, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then Eve said, “The serpent deceived me. . . . That’s why I ate it” (Genesis 3:12–13 NLT).

All too often we blame other people or our circumstances rather than admit that we’re responsible for what we do.

Jesus told a parable about two men who went into the temple to pray. One was a sinner, and the other was a Pharisee. The sinner would not even lift his eyes to Heaven. Instead, he said, “O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner” (Luke 18:13 NLT). This guy was bad, and he knew it.

Meanwhile, the Bible says, “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican” (verse 11 KJV).
Jesus said, “I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (verse 14 NLT).

The one who admitted his sin, the one who owned it, is the one who went home justified before God.

Written by Greg Laurie

Stay Close to the Shepherd

Stay Close to the Shepherd

Scripture Reading: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

I have heard Psalm 23:4 quoted many times at funerals or to comfort someone who is on their deathbed.  It’s a great verse, but is this really the correct use of the verse?  Is that really how the Psalmist  David meant it when he wrote it?  David says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”  He talks about walking.  What could this mean?

I picture this verse being used by a soldier that is walking through enemy territory.  He wants to keep walking.  He wants to keep moving and he’s calling on the Lord as his Shepherd to get him through this situation.  

Life takes us through valleys and over mountaintops.  Would it be nice if we stayed on the mountaintops all the time?  Here’s a quote from Greg Laurie, "Spiritual fruit doesn’t grow on mountaintops. It grows in valleys. And the real fruit and depth and character in your Christian life will not come through the good times. Instead, it will come from times of difficulty and suffering as you are being conformed into the image of Jesus Christ and are learning to completely trust Him.”   

If you find yourself in a valley stay close to the Shepherd.  He will never leave you and He will see you through to the other side.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Keep in Step

Bible Reading Daniel 1Focus verse: "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:24-25

In the Bible reading today, we see that Daniel and his friends have been taken up to serve in the King's palace.  This meant that they were going to be given all the richest of food and wine and walk in step with all that their world thought was good.  It is thought that the king's meal was not according to the laws of eating that God had given to the Israelites and that to violate that law would have been out of step with God.  Therefore, Daniel did not want to defile himself (to make himself unclean) with the king's food and wine and requested that they be given vegetables and water to drink.  They were granted the request and fed vegetables and water for ten days and were found to be stronger and in good health.  God gave them knowledge, skills and wisdom.

God desires that you keep in step with the Holy Spirit.  Sometimes that is very easy, but other times it is a challenge.  We can be challenged by friends and neighbors around us who are not in step with the Spirit.  We an also be challenged by our own passions and desires.  It is easier to just walk in step with everyone around you than to examine whether or not it is in step with the Spirit.  Every decision is a spiritual decision. Daniel didn't want to disturb his relationship with God and gave a firm rejection of the temptation.

When the Holy Spirit gives conviction, we must remember it. We can't be led astray by whispers of the enemy. We can't follow our passions and our own desires.  Even a little foot misplaced can lead us off into the wrong direction in our lives.  It takes a spiritual discipline and self sacrifice to remain in step with God.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Simeon Saw the Light

Bible Reading: Luke 2

Focus verse: " Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”
Luke 2:28-32 NLT

Simeon, a righteous and devout man, was waiting for the promised messiah.  He recognized the Christ child as soon as he held him!  The Holy Spirit revealed the truth to him and he praised God.  God reveals truth through the Holy Spirit. 

I would not have come to understand the Gospel if the Holy Spirit hadn't revealed it in my soul.  When I considered Jesus, I was aware of my great need for Him.  He is the light.  Just as Simeon declared, "Jesus is the Light to reveal God to the nations".  Praise God for providing His Son for us!

Pray for God to reveal more of Jesus to you every day as you read the Bible and pray with Him.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Jesus Came to Die

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-20

Focus Verses: Luke 2:6-7   So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Certainly God sent Jesus to the earth for many reasons.  Jesus came to show us how we should live our lives.  He came to heal the sick of their physical problems.  But most importantly He came to heal us of our spiritual problem.  The only way He could heal us of our spiritual problem was to die.  At the birth of a new born baby we are not usually thinking about death.  We are thinking about the new life that has just come into the world. But God was thinking about death when He sent His Son to be born on earth.  You see there is no other way that our sin problem could be dealt with, except that a perfect person die to take the penalty that we deserve.  There was only one person that has lived a perfect life to pay that penalty, and His name is Jesus.  That was a very loving thing that God did for us.  We did not deserve such a gift that God has given us.  But He did this because He loved us so much.  God has offered you this great gift at this time of year we call Christmas.  But you cannot benefit from this gift unless you accept this gift from God.  If you haven't already, why not bow your head right now and accept God's gift by asking forgiveness of your sins and accept God's gift of salvation through Jesus.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Influence Your World

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 5:13-16

Focus Verses:  Matthew 5:13-14  “You are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.”

In our passage of scripture Jesus is telling His disciples and us today what our responsibility is as we live in this world.  He is referring to two things that are very common, salt and light.  We use salt to preserve food or to make food taste better.  Light is used to help us find our way in the darkness.  

As we share our faith with others, Jesus says we are to be like salt and light.  We need wisdom in doing this so we get this wisdom from God through prayer.  How much salt and light are needed?  Have you ever eaten something that had too much salt added?  It doesn’t taste very good.  Or eaten something with not enough salt? You say "oh this needs more salt" so it will taste good.  Perhaps you have looked at the sun before.  Which is not a good idea because it can cause blindness because it is so bright.  Or maybe you have walked a path with your torch that had a weak battery and you could not see where you were going.  When we share our faith with others we need to use the right amount of salt and light so that others will be attracted to Jesus.  Many times the Holy Spirit will guide you as you talk with others about their lost condition.  So as a cooking recipe calls for the right amount of ingredients, today let’s use our salt and light in the right amounts that will attract people to Jesus.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Anxiety, Stress and Worry

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 5: 1-11

Focus verse: 1 Peter 5:6-7 " So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

Peter wrote the instructions in chapter 5 for the elders and the young men.  I am sure that along with the responsibilities that both generations had, there was a lot of stress about the leadership, decisions, sufferings of life and more. 

We all have times of worry.  Some struggle every day with anxiety.  Some of us may have a strong faith but some fear can grip us suddenly and give us anxiety.  Having occasional anxiety means that you are a normal person.  God knew that, so he gave instruction on how to deal with this anxiety.  We are to trust God enough to give it to Him.  God cares more for you than you can imagine and will work all things together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)  Knowing these things can strengthen your faith.

As our faith grows stronger, the waves of our worries grow smaller.

Psalm 56:3 says, "
But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you."

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries