King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Scripture Reading: Revelation 19:11-16

Focus Verse: Revelation 19:16  “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

Every country has it's leader, president, dictator or queen.  I’m sure many of you reading this devotion have learned by now that America now has a new president.  At noon on January 20th our new president was sworn into power.  At that moment power was transferred from one president to another.  Now the US military and all other branches of government answer to a new president.  It seems there are always some people who are not happy with a new president. In fact they don’t even like to hear his name said and they don’t want to submit under his authority. Their dislike doesn’t change the fact that he is now our president.

Our scripture today teaches us about our greater authority from heaven.  I have noticed that some people don’t want to hear the name of Jesus.  You talk with them about spiritual matters, and as soon as you mention the name of Jesus they want to walk away.  Maybe it’s because they know there is a judgment coming.  Or maybe it’s because they don’t want to submit to His authority.  Philippians 2:10 says, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.”  Everyone that has ever lived will one day submit to the authority of Jesus.  Just because someone doesn’t want to submit to Jesus that doesn’t change the fact of who He is.  You can submit today and live a joy filled peaceful life, or you can submit later after you die in a place called hell.  Jesus is coming back one day.  With all the things I see happening in the world today His return could be sooner rather than later.

No president or king whether good or bad gets into power without God allowing them that authority.  God is still in complete control over this world no matter the chaos that we see.  The first time Jesus came to this earth He came as a little baby born in a manger. When Jesus comes the second time He will come as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” to rule the world.  Are you ready to meet Him?

 

~Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

 

Walking Step by Step

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4: 7-18

Focus Verses: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18   Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

As we walk through this Christian life we understand that we will go through difficult times.  Most times we would like to see what is ahead for us, especially when difficult times are coming.  Sometimes we even face storms in life when are doing our best to be in a right relationship with the Lord.  You may have read the verse in Psalm 34:19 that says “many are the afflictions of the righteous”.  But sometimes we fail to read the rest of the verse that says “But the Lord delivers us from them all.” 

Today's scripture reading tells us to make a comparison between the temporary with the eternal.  The light afflictions we have here on earth compared to the glory of heaven,  and the seen to the unseen.  If we have the right perspective on life with God’s help we can endure any trial by taking it one step at a time.  The unseen of heaven one day we will see.  Then the trials of this world will just be a faded memory.  So take this journey with the Lord step by step and remember to look for the unseen eternal.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Victory Is Promised

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:14-21

Focus Verse: Isaiah 43:19  “For I am about to do something new.  See I have already begun!  Do you not see it?  I will make a pathway through the wilderness.  I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

This past year will be a year that none of us will forget.  As a matter of fact we have started 2021 with most of the same problems we had in 2020.  The Covid-19 virus has instilled fear and hardship in many people around the world.  And in the US we have endured some major problems besides the virus.  I normally go to Kenya four times a year for ministry.  But because of the virus it has now been a year since I’ve traveled to Kenya.  I am missing them and they are missing me.

Let me ask you a question.  Do you believe God is in control of this world?  Do you believe Almighty God can do anything?  Maybe God has us right where He wants us.  Do you remember the nation of Israel?  God led them up to the Red Sea.  Pharaoh’s army was behind them, and the mountains were all around them.  There was no way out.  They had to fully depend on God.  Are you at the point where you have to fully depend on God?  Maybe your children have not been in school for almost a year.  Maybe you have lost your job because of the virus, and you have nowhere else to turn.  That’s where the Children of Israel where.  God wanted to do something new and exciting for them.  He wanted to rescue them.  He wanted to save them.  And He did it in a way that only God could have done it.  He parted the Red Sea!  The waters stood up like a wall on two sides so that the nation of Israel walked through on dry land and escaped from their enemies.  

 

God showed a great love toward Israel and showed them that he will care for them.  God goes before us to prepare a place for us, as Gentiles.  We just need to follow Him.  Maybe God wants to do something new in your life.  If you’re still alive on this earth then God has a plan for your life.  And it’s not a plan to harm you, it’s a plan to give you a hope and a future.  Jesus said in John 16:33  “In this world you will have troubles, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.  God will never leave us or forsake us.  So don’t lose hope, because God might be getting you ready to so something new in your life.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Forward Focus

Forward Focus

by Pastor Greg Laurie

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

—Philippians 3:13

I don’t know about New Year’s resolutions, but I do believe in resolution, which means having resolve or determination to do something. Every one of us should have resolution in our lives. We need goals. We need objectives. And we need things to aim for in life.

After years of walking with God, the apostle Paul wrote, “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:13–14 NLT).

We need to realize that we have a long way to go spiritually. I wish you could have met me when I was 21 because I thought I had come so far. And in many ways, I had because only a few years before, I was living in complete darkness without God in my life.

But now I realize that I have so far to go. I have a lot to change. I hope you see that in yourself as well. And I hope we all realize that we are works in progress. We all need to be growing and deepening our walk with the Lord.

However, we cannot be controlled by past mistakes or live in past victories. So if you blew it last year, then learn from it and don’t do it again. Make changes in your behavior, your habit patterns, and your choices so you won’t go down that road again.

At the same time, if God did something wonderful in your life last year, don’t live in past victories. A whole new year is before you with many new opportunities. So press on toward what God has for you.

~Pastor Greg Laurie

Don’t Be Afraid

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:8-20

Focus Verse: Luke 2:10  “Then the angel said to them, do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”

Today is Christmas Eve, and we will soon be saying goodby to 2020.  Can you remember one year ago during this time?  We had no idea what was ahead for us in 2020.  For many people around the world 2020 has been a year filled with fear and uncertainty.  Jobs have been lost, loved ones have been lost, hope has been lost, dreams have been lost and all due to a world wide pandemic that no one saw coming.  The world was taken by surprise.

The shepherds who lived in Israel also lived during a frightening time.  They lived under the rule of King Herod who would sometimes kill people for what seemed like no reason at all.  The shepherds also lived in a land where the Romans took control.  They were not free to live as they wanted and wondered if the Romans would ever leave.  In the midst of living under harsh rulers, an angel brought a message to the shepherds one night.  The angel said, “Don’t be afraid.  The Messiah has come.”  

 

There are many things that could bring fear into our lives today.  You may wonder, "Will I get the Coronavirus?"  "Will I lose my job?"  "How will I take care of my family?"  and the list of things to fear can go on?  A lot of things are a concern to us, but the Christmas message is the same for us today as it was for the shepherds 2000 years ago.  “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10   Jesus came to bring peace on earth.  God is in complete control of everything that is happening on this earth and we don't always understand His ways.  He has not forgotten you.  He knows what is of concern to you. Maybe this Christmas you can give God your fears and let Jesus fill you with the peace of knowing that God’s got it under control.  

Merry Christmas and may you have a blessed New Year!

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

The Christmas Gift

Scripture:  Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Focus Verse:  John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

We like to give gifts to those that we love at Christmas time.  We also like to get gifts at Christmas time.  Sometimes we like the gift and sometimes we may not like a gift that was given to us.  We use the gift for a short time and it breaks or wears out.  Maybe you have wondered where the tradition came from of giving gifts at Christmas time.  

 

We read in Matthew chapter two that wise men came to worship Jesus and brought Him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.  Could it be that this is where the tradition came from?  Perhaps, but it's also likely the tradition came from the Gift that God gave.  God gave His only Son as a Gift to the whole world.  This Gift was offered to every person who has ever lived and ever will live.  If God had never given this Gift of Jesus we would have no hope.  Romans 6:23 says “we deserve death for our sins.”  Not just death when they put our bodies in the ground, but death for all eternity.  Jesus came that we might not die spiritually, but that we might live forever with Him in heaven.  

 

Sadly there are many people that don’t know about this Gift or they have rejected accepting God's Gift.  If you never have accepted this free gift of Jesus why not receive Him this Christmas.  He wants to forgive your sins, be your savior, King and friend forever.  We can also look forward to being in heaven with Him forever.

 

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

 

Home for Christmas

Scripture Reading:  Luke 2:8-20

Focus Verse: Luke 2:11-12   “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign to you, you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

Around Christmas time there is a lot of talk about going home for Christmas.  Christmas time is one of the most traveled times of the year.  People travel by airplane, by train, by car, by motor bike or by foot.  We all like to be home with family for Christmas.

Jesus had a very nice home in Heaven, but He was willing to come to this earth and be born in a dirty stable with animals all around. A cold and damp animal stable is not a very nice place to make your home.  What an amazing sacrifice Jesus made for us when he came. Jesus was born here so that we could be born again!  He was willing to make His home among us.  Why would Jesus do this?  He did this because He knew that He must pay the sacrifice for our sin. He came in such a humble way because He loves us so much.  Christmas is all about love. God loved us so much that He sent His Son (John 3:16).  

 

When you confess your sins, accept His forgiveness, repent and invite Christ to rule your life He cleans you up and makes His home inside of you.  It’s not something we can do on our own. Jesus took away my sin and as a result I want to keep my life clean so Jesus has a nice place to live.  Obedience is the best way for me to show my love for Jesus.  If you have never done this, maybe this Christmas you will invite Jesus to come and make His home in your life.  It will be the best decision you could ever make.  We can live our lives as disciples here on earth and then one day we will live with Jesus in His home in Heaven forever.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries