The World Needs Revival

Scripture Reading:  Jonah 3

Focus Verse: Jonah 3:5  “The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.”  

Many people think that what happened in Nineveh was the greatest change of an entire city that the world has ever seen.  The Bible says from the greatest to the least turned from their wicked ways and turned to God.  That’s a powerful repentance.  And God used Jonah, a man who was not even obedient to God, at first, to go to Nineveh.  No man can manufacture a massive conversion of the heart like this.  Only the Spirit of God can bring about this kind of change.  God knew what He wanted to do in Nineveh and He would have accomplished it either with Jonah or without Jonah.  No man can start a Godly movement and no man can stop it.

Here in the US we are seeing an impressive revival that started as an ordinary chapel program until one young man gave a testimony of God.  This began a cascade of repentance among those present.  The service continued through the night and into the next day and has not stopped for a full week.  They switch out those leading in prayer, reading of the scripture, leading in worship, etc. People are coming from all over to attend.  We are seeing God’s Spirit working on this Kentucky college campus in the lives of many young people.  I pray that this may be the beginning of America turning back to God.  We realize that in the last few years America has drifted so far away from God.  

A revival starts when God’s Spirit pours out into individual lives.  The evidence of true revival, a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers, is changed lives.  Let God do the work of revival in my heart.  Allow God to do the work of revival in your own heart.  Now is the time to lay aside the sin and hindrances of this world and submit ourselves to Him fully.  Romans 13:11 says, “This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is... time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”   We do not know the day or the hour of Jesus' return.  Let this revival of God working begin in our lives, and then share it with others.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Wait for God's time

Read: Matthew 4
Focus Scripture : Matthew 4:8-9  Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Have you ever felt the temptation to get something before it's right time? You know very well that you need it but you don't want to wait for God's time before you can finally have it. Maybe the pressure to have sex before marriage or the temptations not to wait with your partner when you still don't have a child. Did you ever feel like, okey "God knows I am His child and that I should be entitled to these things so nothing wrong even if I have them now?"

Jesus found himself in such a situation with Satan. He had just begun His ministry which would finally bring glory to Him and the Father. Satan knew very well that Jesus was going to overcome and finally be crowned with glory so he wanted Jesus to have this kingship before God's appointed time. Jesus came to overcome but He had to go through trials, rejection, pain, crucifixion and death before He could be finally crowned. He had the choice of bowing before satan and having it easy but He didn't fall into the trap of Satan. He knew that true glory only comes from obedience to God the Father.  You, too, must be willing to endure your cross if you truly want God's best plan.  Satan is a deceiver who doesn't want believers to accept to wait patiently upon God's time. He has a photocopy of what you need but God has the original of your need.

Finally, after Jesus had endured and refuted the tricks of Satan and went to the cross and overcame, he quotes these beautiful words in Matthew 28:18 - “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." What the devil wanted to give Him as He began his ministry is now fully given to Him by God the Father in a glorious way but He had to endure the cross. Believers need to wait for it from God and never rush into the offers of Satan.   Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens. Romans 8:18 - For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Whatever God wants to be yours will be yours regardless of what time, but you must be willing to endure and persevere for it. Refute and resist the devil and he will flee away from you. (James 4:7)

By,
Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Director Bethesda Faith Ministries

False Teachers

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.

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?

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?  It may sound good, but our hearts can deceive us.  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 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

The Spiritual Is Important

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 4:1-11

Focus Verses: Matthew 4:3-4 “During that time the devil came and said to Him, If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.  But Jesus told him, No! The Scriptures say, People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

When Jesus was on the earth He was completely God and completely human. Jesus allowed Himself to be tempted so that He could identify with us when we are tempted.  Jesus had complete control over this situation of temptation.  Jesus could have sent the devil to hell with just a word, but this was not the right time. His time will come later.  

 

Now, Jesus was hungry when he went into the wilderness to be tempted.   He resisted the temptation to turn the stones to bread.  He knew the spiritual was more important than the physical.  We are tempted in this physical way many times also.  Satan comes to you and says go ahead and do this thing it will make you feel so good.  Maybe it’s drinking alcohol, having sex with someone you are not married to, lying, stealing or cheating to get something that you think will satisfy you.  This is putting the physical ahead of the spiritual and that is wrong.  Satan is clever and the father of all lies.  He makes sin look pleasurable and good, but then you are left with the guilt of your sin and the consequences of that sin.  

 

Every time the devil tempted Jesus in a different area Jesus said, “The Scriptures say” and He would quote the Scripture.  It is good for us to know the Bible and to memorize it.  We have Bible verses written in different places in our home.  As I see them and read them soon they will stick with me.  Let us do as Jesus did and quote Scripture back to Satan when he comes to tempt us to do something wrong.  Let us also do as Jesus did and keep the spiritual more important than the physical.  The Word of God is powerful and satisfies.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

 

 

Following Jesus

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:24-28

Focus Verse: Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me."

What does it mean to follow Jesus?  Back when Jesus was walking on the earth, and Jesus said to the disciples "follow me”, the disciples walked close behind Jesus and followed Him, and that is quite literally how it started.  Of course we know that for the disciples it involved much more than just walking behind Jesus.

For us today what does it mean for us to follow Jesus?  Many books have been written on this subject, but let's look at a few basic thoughts.  

If we are to follow Jesus, let's think first about "where did He go?"  As we read about Jesus in the New Testament we see that He was usually alone praying, or with His closest friends, or He was spending time with those that were looked down on. Example, the sick, tax collectors, sinners.  We like spending time with friends, but how are we doing with praying and spending time with those that are looked down on?

If we are to follow Jesus, what did He do?  As Jesus went His way he encountered people. All kinds of people.  The rich, the poor, the sick, the lost, the proud.  Jesus loved everyone He encountered, and knew just the right thing to say to each person.  The story of the woman at the well in John 4 shows Jesus’ love for her.  Even though she had sinned and was living with a man that was not her husband Jesus loved her, and she eventually became a believer.

If we are to follow Jesus, how did He feel?  Jesus' primary purpose in coming to earth was to reconcile people to God.  He felt this way because He had compassion for people and loved them.  Right now this world is lacking love for each other.  What if the outside world saw a genuine love within the church?  

 

Most importantly, Jesus did the will of the Father. (John 14:31)   You may call yourself a Christian but are you really following Jesus?  Let’s follow Jesus by doing what God would want us to do.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

God's Gift of Life

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-18

Focus Verse: John 1:10 “He came into the very world He created”…

On December 27th I welcomed my first grandchild into the world.  Eloise Rose Johnson was born to my son Caleb and our daughter in law Abby.  It has been such a great blessing to receive this gift of life into our family.  As you can imagine I am a proud grandfather.  We recognize that God gave the gift of life to each one of us at birth.

Over two thousand years ago, God sent His plan of eternal life into this world. We have just finished celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior at Christmas time.  The Savior, Jesus, is a gift that God is offering to each one of us.  Sadly many in the world have rejected this gift of Jesus and salvation.  I’m thankful that at the age of six years old I received the gift of salvation that God offered to me.  At that time I began a relationship with God that I have never regretted.  God is offering this gift of life to everyone.  Eternal life with God in heaven one day is a  promise from God for whoever believes in His Son Jesus, the One who died on the cross for your sins and mine.  Why not confess your sin and need of His forgiveness, repent and put your faith and trust in Him today.

 

God gave us all the gift of life when we were born and now He offers the gift of eternal life.  John 3:16-17 says, "“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Let God Lead You

Let God Lead You  

Shared from The Encouraging Word

 Bible reading: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: "He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name." NLT

Life is full of choices, decisions, and options. It’s also full of people with strong opinions who will try to tell you which way they think you ought to go. If we could turn back the hands of time, nearly all of us would alter some of our past choices because they have caused us to find ourselves in the path of “wrongness” rather than “righteousness.” Sheep will gravitate toward whatever appeals to their instincts, such as a berry bush, even though it will take them away from the flock and the shepherd’s protective care. They think they know the right path when they really have no clue. 

Question: Have you been following your appetites and instincts rather than your shepherd? You say, “But God has given me a brain to use.” Sure, and you need to develop it. But it’s limited, and it will only take you so far. The Holy Spirit desires to take you beyond those limits. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). 

How does God lead us? Objectively through His Word, and subjectively through His Spirit. As you read His Word, you hear His voice, and as you “lie down” (Psalm 23:2), He impresses upon your heart what He wants you to do. If you have gotten onto the wrong path, turn to God and He will guide you back onto the right path. You say, “Would God actually speak to someone like me?” Yes, “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out…he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3-4 NKJV). Today, let God lead you!