Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-34
Focus Verse: Mark 6:34 "And Jesus, when He came
out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them,
because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach
them many things."
The word Christian means follower or slave of Christ. Some have said that the word means "Little Christ". This must be because we, as Christians are to be like Christ. Today's reading gives us a hint at the compassion that Jesus had. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can have that same compassion.
If we see people like Jesus does, we see that there are many people without a someone to disciple them. Bobby & Page are working to disciple many people in Kenya through visits, literature, and this devotion. Maybe you are seeing that there is someone or a group of people that you can disciple where you live. All you have to do, is to teach them what you already know. You don't have to know all the answers. It is ok to say that you don't know some things. We are all still learning. If the task seems too large, you can ask others to help. God will provide.
If God is leading you to disciple someone or a group of people, then you should begin to obey that today. If you don't know or care about it, then maybe you need to pray that God will move you with compassion for others.
Teach them many things.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 28, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Constantly Giving
Scripture Reading: Acts 4:32-37
Focus verse: "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus."
Acts 9:27
The original word for "encouragement" in the New Testament -- as when Barnabas is referred to as the "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36) -- is from the same root as the word paraklete -- the Word used to describe the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26). Both words come from a root that means to be called alongside -- as an encourager like Barnabas or as a divine Comforter like the Holy Spirit.
An encourager is a person who dispenses courage to those who are weak or fearful. And in Barnabas' case, his generosity with courage should come as no surprise since he was also generous in other ways. For instance, he sold a piece of personal property and donated the money to help care for the needy in the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37). And he generously introduced the new apostle, Paul, to the other apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27).
People who are generous are constantly giving things away: courage, money, introductions -- whatever is needed. Look around today and see what you have in abundance that others might be lacking.
Seeking empties a life while giving fills it.
Unknown
Devotion written by Dr. David Jeremiah
Focus verse: "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus."
Acts 9:27
The original word for "encouragement" in the New Testament -- as when Barnabas is referred to as the "Son of Encouragement" (Acts 4:36) -- is from the same root as the word paraklete -- the Word used to describe the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26). Both words come from a root that means to be called alongside -- as an encourager like Barnabas or as a divine Comforter like the Holy Spirit.
An encourager is a person who dispenses courage to those who are weak or fearful. And in Barnabas' case, his generosity with courage should come as no surprise since he was also generous in other ways. For instance, he sold a piece of personal property and donated the money to help care for the needy in the early church in Jerusalem (Acts 4:36-37). And he generously introduced the new apostle, Paul, to the other apostles and leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:27).
People who are generous are constantly giving things away: courage, money, introductions -- whatever is needed. Look around today and see what you have in abundance that others might be lacking.
Seeking empties a life while giving fills it.
Unknown
Devotion written by Dr. David Jeremiah
Friday, September 14, 2012
Human Leadership or Servant Leader?
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3
Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 3: 10 "Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build."
Are you seeking to be a leader? Are you seeking to be a servant of Christ? The apostle Paul is one of the most well known leaders of the New Testament. He did not use his leadership for gain. He did not use it as a source of pride. He used it to serve. It was through serving that his leadership was established. He knew that it all belonged to God.
Paul became confronted by some who would wish to follow Apollos. These people were arguing and living by the world's standards. What did Paul do? He did NOT respond with jealousy. He condemned them for their arguing. (He said that jealousy and quarreling showed their worldly behavior.) He knew that this was not a ministry that belonged to him or to anyone else. Paul was a servant of Christ, by whom many learned to believe. He said that each one will do the work that God has for him. It does not make any difference who builds which part of the ministry. Each person will do his part that the Lord gives him to do. Paul was a servant first and a leader second.
If you have a position of leadership, you are told (in verse 18) to not be wise by the world's standard. You must depend on the Lord to teach you each day. "Let each man be careful how he builds." (verse 10) Verse 18 tells us that it is possible for us to fool ourselves. This should make us very cautious. Because we are able to fool ourselves, we should trust the Lord more each day as we seek His council.
Very few of us will be leaders, but we are ALL called to be servants of Christ.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 3: 10 "Using the gift that God gave me, I did the work of an expert builder and laid the foundation, and someone else is building on it. But each of you must be careful how you build."
Are you seeking to be a leader? Are you seeking to be a servant of Christ? The apostle Paul is one of the most well known leaders of the New Testament. He did not use his leadership for gain. He did not use it as a source of pride. He used it to serve. It was through serving that his leadership was established. He knew that it all belonged to God.
Paul became confronted by some who would wish to follow Apollos. These people were arguing and living by the world's standards. What did Paul do? He did NOT respond with jealousy. He condemned them for their arguing. (He said that jealousy and quarreling showed their worldly behavior.) He knew that this was not a ministry that belonged to him or to anyone else. Paul was a servant of Christ, by whom many learned to believe. He said that each one will do the work that God has for him. It does not make any difference who builds which part of the ministry. Each person will do his part that the Lord gives him to do. Paul was a servant first and a leader second.
If you have a position of leadership, you are told (in verse 18) to not be wise by the world's standard. You must depend on the Lord to teach you each day. "Let each man be careful how he builds." (verse 10) Verse 18 tells us that it is possible for us to fool ourselves. This should make us very cautious. Because we are able to fool ourselves, we should trust the Lord more each day as we seek His council.
Very few of us will be leaders, but we are ALL called to be servants of Christ.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 7, 2012
Studying the Bible Keeps Us Spiritually Strong
Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:9-24
Focus Verse: Psalm 119:9 "How can young people keep their lives pure?
By obeying your commands."
God has given us an instruction manual for life. It is called the Bible. As Christians in this world we cannot overcome the enemy in our own strength. "How can a man cleanse his ways?" Not on his own. On our own, we would struggle and fail. We need help, and that help is available to us through the Bible. Our focus verse ask a question. How can we stay pure? Verse 11 gives us the answer, by hiding God's Word in our hearts. I wish I had memorized more scripture when I was young, because it is harder to do now that I am older. In verse 24 he calls God's "testimonies" his counselor. God will always show us and teach us as we read the Bible.
The study and application of God's Word will keep us from sin, even though we live in a sinful world. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in Luke 4 we see Jesus quoting scripture with every temptation. If you are a Christian and you don't have peace and joy in your life, you might have unrepentant sin and/or there may be a lack of Bible study and scripture memorization in your life.
Some people view God's laws as a list of "DON'Ts", but these are really a shelter to protect us. God gives us plenty of things we should "DO". Take some time today to evaluate your spiritual strength. Make a plan to increase the strength through God's Holy Word.
"Either God's Word will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from God's word." ~Unknown
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Psalm 119:9 "How can young people keep their lives pure?
By obeying your commands."
God has given us an instruction manual for life. It is called the Bible. As Christians in this world we cannot overcome the enemy in our own strength. "How can a man cleanse his ways?" Not on his own. On our own, we would struggle and fail. We need help, and that help is available to us through the Bible. Our focus verse ask a question. How can we stay pure? Verse 11 gives us the answer, by hiding God's Word in our hearts. I wish I had memorized more scripture when I was young, because it is harder to do now that I am older. In verse 24 he calls God's "testimonies" his counselor. God will always show us and teach us as we read the Bible.
The study and application of God's Word will keep us from sin, even though we live in a sinful world. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in Luke 4 we see Jesus quoting scripture with every temptation. If you are a Christian and you don't have peace and joy in your life, you might have unrepentant sin and/or there may be a lack of Bible study and scripture memorization in your life.
Some people view God's laws as a list of "DON'Ts", but these are really a shelter to protect us. God gives us plenty of things we should "DO". Take some time today to evaluate your spiritual strength. Make a plan to increase the strength through God's Holy Word.
"Either God's Word will keep us from sin, or sin will keep us from God's word." ~Unknown
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, August 31, 2012
Prayerful Courage (Devotion by David Jeremiah)
Scripture Reading: Esther 4:13-17
Focus Verse:
"Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalms 27:14
The word "courage" has somewhat of an identity crisis today. Some think of courage as the absence of fear. Actually, courage is persevering in spite of fear. Some of the most courageous men and women have prevailed in spite of weakness, sickness, and persecution.
After two millennia, the beautiful Jewish woman Esther is still remembered for courageously stepping forward to preserve the Jewish nation. When alerted to Haman's evil plan to annihilate the Jews, Esther asked her cousin Mordecai to mobilize the prayer team as she endangered her life to approach the king without his summons. In Esther's moment of crisis, she wisely spent three days in prayer and fasting--before making her request to the king.
If you're experiencing a situation where you need courage to make a decision, don't rush ahead. The more crucial the decision or project, the more critical the groundwork. Make preparation through prayer, asking others to support you. It is then that God will reinforce your courage and give you strength to proceed.
"Cowardice asks the question: "Is it safe?" Consensus asks the question: "Is it popular?" Courage asks the question: "Is it right?" ~Rod Rogers
Devotion by David Jeremiah
Focus Verse:
"Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!" Psalms 27:14
The word "courage" has somewhat of an identity crisis today. Some think of courage as the absence of fear. Actually, courage is persevering in spite of fear. Some of the most courageous men and women have prevailed in spite of weakness, sickness, and persecution.
After two millennia, the beautiful Jewish woman Esther is still remembered for courageously stepping forward to preserve the Jewish nation. When alerted to Haman's evil plan to annihilate the Jews, Esther asked her cousin Mordecai to mobilize the prayer team as she endangered her life to approach the king without his summons. In Esther's moment of crisis, she wisely spent three days in prayer and fasting--before making her request to the king.
If you're experiencing a situation where you need courage to make a decision, don't rush ahead. The more crucial the decision or project, the more critical the groundwork. Make preparation through prayer, asking others to support you. It is then that God will reinforce your courage and give you strength to proceed.
"Cowardice asks the question: "Is it safe?" Consensus asks the question: "Is it popular?" Courage asks the question: "Is it right?" ~Rod Rogers
Devotion by David Jeremiah
Friday, August 24, 2012
Where Is Happiness Found?
Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:34-40
Focus Verses: Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
The world spends lots of money on advertising products every year. They try to convince us that we need many things in our lives. They say that these things will bring happiness into our lives. Some things are truly needed in our lives like, food, shelter, and clothing.
In our verses today Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments in all the Bible. Love God, and love others. That sounds simple, doesn't it? If you think about it, all of life comes down to those two things, loving God, and loving others. Everything else in this world will one day pass away. But God and people will last forever.
The things of this world do bring a kind of happiness. But it's not a lasting happiness. You have to keep looking for the next thing to keep your happiness. God designed us with a void or emptiness in our lives that only He can fill. He knew the value of our loving Him and loving others. He also knew how self serving we, as humans, can be, and that we would fill our lives with empty pursuits if He didn't command us to love Him and to love others. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 "there is coming a day when all our works will be tested by fire." Only what is done for Christ will last.
In true love and obedience to God is where we can find real happiness. We will experience real joy in giving of ourselves to God and others out of love. It is in this love that we find purpose in life, and it is from this purpose that we can gain true happiness.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
The world spends lots of money on advertising products every year. They try to convince us that we need many things in our lives. They say that these things will bring happiness into our lives. Some things are truly needed in our lives like, food, shelter, and clothing.
In our verses today Jesus gives us the two greatest commandments in all the Bible. Love God, and love others. That sounds simple, doesn't it? If you think about it, all of life comes down to those two things, loving God, and loving others. Everything else in this world will one day pass away. But God and people will last forever.
The things of this world do bring a kind of happiness. But it's not a lasting happiness. You have to keep looking for the next thing to keep your happiness. God designed us with a void or emptiness in our lives that only He can fill. He knew the value of our loving Him and loving others. He also knew how self serving we, as humans, can be, and that we would fill our lives with empty pursuits if He didn't command us to love Him and to love others. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 "there is coming a day when all our works will be tested by fire." Only what is done for Christ will last.
In true love and obedience to God is where we can find real happiness. We will experience real joy in giving of ourselves to God and others out of love. It is in this love that we find purpose in life, and it is from this purpose that we can gain true happiness.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, August 17, 2012
Wonderful Counselor
Scripture Reading: Psalm 139
Focus Verse: "For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Jesus, the Son of God, has been given many different names in the Bible. Wonderful Counselor is a name that should give us great comfort as we go through this challenging life. Wonderful means "outside the realm of human explanation." Psalm 139:6 says, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain it." It describes something miraculous. Our sense of wonder should go beyond all human explanation. The prophet Isaiah declared that the coming Christ would be a wonder.
Long before the Son of God was given, Isaiah foretold that God was planning to send a Counselor for the brokenhearted people of the world. The Bible is full of counsel that has been given to us to be able to live this life. Even at 12 years old, Jesus astounded Jewish rabbis with His wisdom (Luke 2:46-47). In His public life people were amazed at His wise counsel. In Colossians 2:3 Paul says, "In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Are we as astonished at the wonder of the Counselor as Isaiah was? Are you amazed by His wise counsel? Where else can we get the assurance of acceptance and forgiveness of sins and comfort of God? Wonderful Counselor is our Creator and Savior. How thankful we should be that our Wonderful Counselor is also rightly named our Mighty God. Allow Him to counsel you each day.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: "For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6
Jesus, the Son of God, has been given many different names in the Bible. Wonderful Counselor is a name that should give us great comfort as we go through this challenging life. Wonderful means "outside the realm of human explanation." Psalm 139:6 says, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it is high, I cannot attain it." It describes something miraculous. Our sense of wonder should go beyond all human explanation. The prophet Isaiah declared that the coming Christ would be a wonder.
Long before the Son of God was given, Isaiah foretold that God was planning to send a Counselor for the brokenhearted people of the world. The Bible is full of counsel that has been given to us to be able to live this life. Even at 12 years old, Jesus astounded Jewish rabbis with His wisdom (Luke 2:46-47). In His public life people were amazed at His wise counsel. In Colossians 2:3 Paul says, "In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Are we as astonished at the wonder of the Counselor as Isaiah was? Are you amazed by His wise counsel? Where else can we get the assurance of acceptance and forgiveness of sins and comfort of God? Wonderful Counselor is our Creator and Savior. How thankful we should be that our Wonderful Counselor is also rightly named our Mighty God. Allow Him to counsel you each day.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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