Fear God With a Fear That Keeps You Close

Bible Reading: Psalm 76

Memory verse: Psalm 111:10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and they who live by it grow in understanding..."
 
Fear God.  Some people struggle with that, but knowing His power, I fear.   Fear is what brings us to understand that we need a Savior.

Romans 3:23 tells us that we have fallen short of God's standard with our sin.
Romans 6:23 says that God's price for our sin is death.
Jesus paid that price (Romans 5:8) with His death on the cross and resurrection.
John 3:16 tells us that God loved us enough to send His Son Jesus so that if you CHOOSE to believe and follow Him then your soul will not perish, but have eternal life after the earthly death.   What will you choose?

Those who never choose to follow Him, should fear for their eternal judgement. But knowing His love, I have joined Him, love Him, accepted Jesus as my Savior and will follow Him.   Fear... respect... adore... worship... reverence... honor... glory... fear.  Yes, fear. Not a fear that keeps me away, but a fear that keeps me CLOSE to Him in obedience and trust.   I have begun to appreciate the kindness of God, but also the fact that He is Just and He will rebuke and discipline when we sin.  There comes an earthly consequence to sin even as there is still eternal life for the believer.  We will strive to please Him, and when we fail, we should quickly return to Him in repentance.  Do not give up or lose heart.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

More verses to meditate on today:
Prov 8:13 (NIV) "To fear the Lord is to hate evil."
Prov 19:23 (NEB) "The fear of the Lord is life; he who is full of it will rest untouched by evil."
Prov 16:6 (NEB) ...the fear of the Lord makes men turn from evil.
Job 28:28 (NEB) ..."The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding."

Welcome Home

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Focus Verse: Luke 15:17  He finally came to his senses.

I was recently in Kenya for a mission.  During the mission we were able to have a four day  evangelistic crusade in the western town of Rongo (near Kisii).  On the final night of the crusade I preached a message on "The Prodigal Son” from Luke 15.  

 

Here was a very foolish son that asked for his inheritance early.  He took that money and wasted all of it on wild living.  After all his money was gone he was in great need.  The Bible says no one gave him anything.  Now I want you to notice something in verse 17.  The Bible says that he came to his senses. The New King James version says it this way “he came to himself”.  I believe that means that he looked down deep into his heart and he didn’t like what he saw. He was down in a pit.  He was at the end of his rope.  He was at rock bottom.  He knew he had disobeyed his father, but more importantly he had disobeyed his heavenly Father, God.  He was sorry for what he had done.  He was ready to go home, he was ready to repent (to turn away from his sin).  When he got home his father welcomed him home with open arms.  The father still loved him because he was still his son.  

It’s the same way with our Father in heaven.  Is it time to stop seeking in places where God is not dwelling?  He is waiting for us to return home, and He is waiting to welcome us home with open arms because He loves us so much.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Everyone is Invited

Scripture Reading:  Philemon

Focus Verses: Philemon 10-12 "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,  who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.  I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,"

As we continue to learn about a Christian Community, is there anyone that should be excluded from becoming a part of God's family.  No.  When Christ died on the cross, His death covered the sins of everyone on the whole earth.  No one is beyond the reach of Christ's love.  Sometimes we try to qualify people and say, "Oh, they would never become a Christian."

What is the purpose of Paul's writing of Philemon?  It was to get Philemon to accept Onesimus.  Onesimus' name means "useful".  In verse 11 Paul talks of his usefulness to himself and Philemon.  Everyone who belongs to Jesus has a place in the body of believers.  I have heard my pastor say, "If God is calling you to join in this fellowship, then this church is incomplete without you."

Sometimes we may feel that we have an exclusive attitude with those in our Christian community.  If we have that attitude, then we are missing a piece of the body of Christ.  Think of some people in your community that need to feel the love of a fellowship or church.  How can you reach out to them this week?

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Why Do We Suffer?

Scripture Reading: Job 1

Focus Verses: "Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."   John 9:1-3

When God created the first man and woman, and put them in the Garden of Eden, it was a perfect environment without troubles or sin.  Some day in the future, Jesus is going to take every believer to heaven where there will be no more sorrow or pain.  Heaven will be a perfect environment just like in the beginning.  But where are we now?  We are in this middle period of time when our human nature of sin and Satan, with his demons, are trying to take control of this earth.  We see a lot of suffering.  This period of sin, trials, suffering, and tribulation is actually brought on by humanity's disobedience of God.

The Bible has a lot to say about suffering.  We read that God can work His will for our lives through our suffering.  When I think of suffering in the Bible the first name that comes to my mind is Job.  We see that even though everything was taken from Job he did not turn his back on God.  Job 1:22 "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."  James even says we should be joyful when we have trials.  James 1:2-4  "My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. "  We know that when hard times come God is just getting us ready for eternity.  Suffering will either make us bitter or better.

Sometimes suffering is because of our own mistakes or choices.  Sometimes it is because of someone else's choice.  But other times, it is just because of the natural ways of this world.  The Bible tells us that we will have trouble. Jesus said,  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In our focus verses today Jesus said that suffering is allowed so that the power of God can be seen in our lives.  All of us will go through suffering at some point in our lives.  Some of us will go through more than others.  I don't have a good answer for why a child dies.  Or why do wars happen.  Or why does someone go through great financial loss.  But I do know that God loves His children and not a one of them are lost.  You have so much to look forward to if you are a child of God.  Pray that your suffering will make you better.  

Romans 8:18  "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later."

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

False Teachers

Bible Reading: Jude
Focus verse: "I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 4

Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a letter to those who are together in the salvation of Jesus.  He really wanted to send a letter rejoicing in their common salvation, but could sense that he should be sending some warnings as well.  The first warning is to strive to keep the gospel pure and not distorted.  He wants you to check what preachers teach to see if they match up to the Bible, the original writings.  False teachers will be plentiful in the last days.  It's interesting that the book of Jude comes before Revelation in the Bible.  There are many who claim to speak for God today.  Nobody, not even a great preacher, Instagram influencer, or famous Christian artist, has the right to change the message that God gave us. 

How can you find the true preachers?  How do you notice a false teacher?

First, you must study the Word of God for yourself.  When you know the truth, you will recognize a lie.

Second, be sure of their views are right on who Jesus is, the trinity, repentance and Christ's work of redemption for salvation.  Matthew 16:15-16  Is the Gospel part of their message or does it seem incomplete or perverted?  The apostle Paul said, “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:9) ESV.

 
Third, look for the fruit of a Christian in their lives. Matthew 12:33 Do you see a heart that is affected by the Holy Spirit in their lives. Nobody is perfect, but do their lives show fruits of the Spirit?  Galatians 5:22-23  Do you see humility or pride? 

Fourth, are they teaching from the Bible or their own ideas and thoughts of what is reasonable to them? A false teacher will say things that seem wonderful. A false teacher will make you feel so good about your standing with God with no challenges to scripture reading.  It may sound good, but our hearts can deceive us.  2 Peter 2:1-3 includes "They will secretly introduce destructive heresies", so it won't be very obvious unless you know God's Word. They will mix a LIE into the truth and maybe not even know they have done it.   The Bible says "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." 2 John 9  Remember that at false teacher can even have good intentions, but in the end, they are a tool of the enemy.    

Thanks Jude, for the warnings, caution and encouragement!  We must be aware of false teachers and the dangers of following them.  We must remain faithful to the true Gospel and encourage one another.  We must show mercy to those whose faith wavers, rescue some from judgement, show mercy to people while hating the sin that contaminates their lives.  May God have glory in our lives as he keeps us completely His forever.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

More on False teachers found in:  Galatians, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, and Jude

Depression and Mercy

Bible reading: Jonah 4

Focus verse: "And the Lord God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant."

After God called Jonah to go to Nineveh to preach to the people, he didn't want to obey and so he went in the opposite direction.  During a storm at sea, being swallowed by a giant fish, he prayed to God and then was rescued and given a second chance.  He finally obeyed. He delivered God’s message to the people of Nineveh and said "“Forty days from now, Nineveh will be destroyed!”.  Because the people repented, God’s mercy reached out to all people who turned to Him and God didn't destroy the people of Nineveh. But instead of rejoicing, Jonah got mad and then depressed: “Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:3  And God had mercy on Jonah and grew a plant for shade to ease his discomfort.  God brought comfort to other depressed and downcast heroes of the faith including David, Elijah, Moses, Jeremiah and Job.  God understands our burden and provides mercy. 

Experiencing anxiety, hopelessness, fear, depression, doubt, and worry doesn’t mean that you are less of a Christian.  It simply means you are human. But if you are in Christ, you have the authority, by the power of the Spirit, to let the Lord speak louder than the feelings that you are experiencing.  Let God’s Word answer your prayers with His forgiveness, restoring peace, joy, sound mind, truth, love, hope, and trust.  Do you need to be lifted today?  Lay yourself before God and give him your burden in exchange for His.  He will carry your heavy one and you can carry his light one.  "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30  God understands our burdens and provides mercy.

~Page Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Additional verses:

James 4:7-10 says ^"Therefore submit, [fall down, confess, humble] yourselves to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope” Psalm 130:5

“The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63

There Will Be Storms

Scripture Reading: Mark 4:35-41

Focus Verse: Mark 4:38  “Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion.  The disciples woke him up, shouting, Teacher, don’t you care that we are going to drown?”

Storms are a part of life.  But I must admit to you that I’m seeing things in the world that are quite shocking.  Today I’m watching the news that Russia is attacking Ukraine by military force.  There have been over 130 Ukrainians killed so far today.  We are watching as food and petrol prices are going up very fast.  We are just starting to come out of the worst pandemic that world has known for over 100 years.  

We all go through storms in our lives.  Some storms are worse than others.  I heard a pastor say “we are either in a storm, or coming out of a storm, or heading for the next storm.”  The disciples were in a very bad storm because they felt as though they were going to drown.  But Jesus was at the back of the boat asleep.  Even though Jesus was asleep, He still knew exactly what was going on because He was God.  I also find it interesting that the storm didn’t wake Jesus, but the cry from the disciples did.  They cried, “Don’t you care that we are going to drown?  My pastor friend Greg Laurie puts it this way.  “In this sense, Jesus really was asleep, but in a broader sense, God never sleeps.  Remember, Jesus was fully God and fully man.  So he was exhausted and drained from the activities of the day.”  When Jesus awoke He rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “peace be still."  And suddenly the wind stopped and there was a great calm.

When you pray does it ever seem as though God is asleep?  It seems that way for me sometimes.  I think to myself God are you listening to me?  Maybe you’re in the middle of a storm right now.  Maybe you have a sick child, or maybe you have difficulties in your marriage,  or maybe things are not going well at your job.  We all go through hardships, difficulties, and tragedies at times.  And we cry out to the Lord just as those disciples did.  

God knows what is happening in Ukraine tonight.  Sometimes when we call on the Lord He stops the storm, and other times He wants to walk with us through the storm.  But you can take comfort in knowing that storms don’t last forever.  Just remember, God said “I will never leave you or forsake you.”  Deuteronomy 31:6  and "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries