Opportunities to Learn and Grow

Bible reading: Daniel 1:3-20
Focus verse: Daniel 1:18-20 “At the end of time set by the king to bring them in, the chief officials presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked to them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hannania, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.”

Testing is one of the ways in which learning is evaluated. Each day we are presented with opportunities to learn and grow in new ideas and we have the chance to better our understanding of the word of God. Daniel together with his three other friends are taken into a ten day learning experience and to be presented for testing after ten days. They refuse to defile their bodies with food and drinks that were not holy and pure before God but accept to take only what will please God. At the end of ten days the testing results show that they are ten times better than the other people.

Ten times better in ten days! Isn’t that encouraging.  Not nine times, or eight times, or five times better in ten days. This means each day was an opportunity for them to grow and they did not miss any single opportunity. Imagine if believers would grow in their faith and understanding and service of God each day. The result could be a well varied difference between the world and believers. For some of us, it would be thousands of times better than the world given the number of days we have lived as God’s own children. But is that the truth or we are mixed into the world so that barely any difference is seen regardless of the number of days we have lived as God’s children. Have we grown in proportion to our life spent with God? 2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word truth.  Avoid godless character, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.   

Take opportunities to learn and grow.

Pastor Eliazar Wambo
Makira Baptist Church – Mfangano Kenya

Easter Changed Everything

 Easter Changed Everything

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 28:1-10

Focus Verses: Matthew 28:5-7  "Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.  And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.”

Focus Verses: Matthew 28:5-7  "Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.  And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead.”

Let us imagine for a moment that after three days in the grave Jesus' body continued to lay in the grave. The stone was never rolled back from the door of the grave.  If this had happened we would have no hope of salvation.  We would have no hope of our sins being forgiven.  We would have no hope of heaven.  

Sunday morning changed everything.  We know that the stone was rolled away from the grave.  We know that Jesus did come out of that grave and he lives!  We know that God has power over death and the grave.  And that changes everything for us.  We have hope because we serve a risen Jesus not a dead Jesus.  The love that God has for us is what put Jesus on that cross.  I don’t think we can imagine the pain and suffering that Jesus went through because of our sins.

After Jesus' resurrection the disciples knew everything that had happened was true because they were willing to die because of the testimony of what they had seen.  And the resurrection of Jesus can change your life too.  The Bible says that after the two women visited the empty grave, the angel told them to go quickly and tell the disciples the good news.  We have now also been given a task to do.  We are to share the good news of the Gospel with others that don’t know that Jesus is alive.  Let us share this hope that we have because Easter has changed everything!

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

A Great Conversation

 A Great Conversation

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Focus Verse:

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.  " Colossians 4: 2-6

The last few verses in the book of Matthew are called “The Great Commission”.  This is a command that Jesus gave His followers before returning to heaven.  Jesus’ command is that we tell the Gospel (good news) to others and disciple them.  That means after we share the good news with them and they accept Christ, we disciple them by teaching them how to live the Christian life.  This is not complicated.  As we go about our daily lives we share what Christ has done in our lives with others as the opportunity arises.  Not everybody we talk to will accept our message, but that’s okay we are just being obedient to do what Jesus asked us to do.

A few years ago, my daughter had opportunities to speak with a person named Tom about Jesus at a coffee shop several times for a few weeks.  He told her that he doesn’t know where to begin reading the Bible.  She suggested that he start with the book of John since this tells a lot about the life of Jesus.  We can pray for Tom that God would open his eyes to the Salvation that God wants to bring into his life.  

 

You can be obedient to what Jesus has asked us to do by starting a conversation with someone you meet as you are going about your business, whether it's at a coffee shop, the lake, the market or at school.   Luke 15:7 says,  “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away.”  When someone accepts Christ you will experience a great blessing in your life and there will be joy in heaven for this one lost sinner that repents and turns to God.  

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

 

Pursuing Happiness

 Pursuing Happiness 

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:31-38

Focus Verse: Mark 8:35  “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”

Have you ever seen someone take a picture of themselves with their phone?  That’s called a “selfie”.  Some people have put themselves in very dangerous positions to get the photo that they want, and many have died taking selfies.  For example:  Someone decided they want a photo of themselves with a lion in the background and the lion attacks them.  Today people are so obsessed with themselves they are willing to risk their lives to make themselves look great among their friends.

The Bible has predicted this selfish period of time we are living in.  This is one of the signs that we are living in the last days.  2 Timothy 3:1-2 says, “In the last days there will be very difficult times.  For people will love only themselves and their money.  They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful.  They will consider nothing sacred.”  I am seeing a lot of what these two verses are talking about.

People who are only thinking of themselves are generally unhappy.  The harder you chase happiness, the less satisfied you become. I have found in my own life that when I’m thinking of myself too much, that’s when I need to do something for someone else.  Focusing on God and others can help to bring my life back into balance.  Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.”  Mark 8:35

I think Jesus is telling us that if you get your priorities in order and find God's purpose for your life, then you will find fulfillment in your life.  It’s okay to want to be happy, but when that is your focus it will escape you.  You will only find true happiness when you put God first and follow Him.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

We Live To Please God

We Live To Please God

Scripture Reading:  Romans 8:5-8

Focus Verse:  Romans 8:5   “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”

Many people struggle to obey what’s written in the Bible. Some people may think they can earn God’s favor through acts of kindness and church attendance but they still can't seem to stop sinning.  Sinful thoughts usually result in sinful actions if you don't push them away when they come.  If you want to live a life pleasing to God, Paul the author of Romans says the first step is to control what you think about. Romans 8 lets us know that we can live a pure life and please God.  When you come into a relationship with Jesus, God gives you the power over sin. The desires of the world can be very strong, and only God can give you the power to resist this pull.

Paul many times referred to himself as a slave of his master who is Christ.  We know that Christ loves us so much, and that’s what makes us want to obey Him.  If we don’t completely surrender our lives to Him, then it is impossible to live a pure life and our sinful nature will continue to take control of us.  But God wants us to serve Him not out of fear but out of love and gratitude.  The closeness through our relationship with God will give us the motivation and power to live a life that is pleasing to God. The Spirit of God can help us resist the thoughts by focusing on Him.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Jesus Never Changes

 Jesus Never Changes

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 13:7-17

Focus Verse: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

During this time of year in America, March and April , the seasons are changing. The temperature changes from cool to warm. As spring approaches and the daylight hours are lengthened the leaves on the trees begin to sprout freshly green and flowers will start sprouting up.   I have also seen the seasons in Kenya are rainy sometimes and very dry and dusty in other months.  Sometimes the rains don't come when you expect them and sometimes they come too fast and flood.  Our weather and seasons are always changing and sometimes unpredictable.

I am glad we can have a friend in Jesus that never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Sometimes we change in our relationship towards Jesus, but Jesus still never changes.  He is someone that you can always count on to be there for you.  All your other friends may leave you, but Jesus never will.  We have seen a lot of changes in this world over the past few years causing so many problems, but God is still in control. He has not changed. He will never change.  This can bring great peace into our lives during times of so much unrest. 

 

As a follower of Christ, what Jesus thinks about you will never change.  He’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

 

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

What Concerns God?

Scripture Reading: Mark 8:31-38

Focus Verse: Mark 8:33  "But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter.  Get behind me, Satan! He said.  You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."

What concerns God the most?  God is concerned that His will be done on earth just like in heaven.  God is concerned with how His Kingdom is being built, not the kingdoms of the earth.  The Kingdom of heaven begins in our hearts with love for others and obedience to God.

God is concerned that He keeps His promises to us.  For example, He answers our prayers.  Exodus 2:24-25 says,  "God heard their groaning and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.  So God looked at the Israelites and was concerned about them."

God is also concerned when you are going through hard times of suffering.  He wants you to come to Him during those times for help.  Sadly, many people walk away from God during times of suffering.  Exodus 3:7 says,  "The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt.  I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their sufferings."  God is concerned about the things we are concerned with.   Today, let our prayer to God be, "Father, keep my concerns in line with Your concerns."

Bobby Johnson
Director, Interlocking Ministries