Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:18-25
Focus verse: Matthew 27:32 "Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross."
Jesus is our example. Jesus submitted to the authority of those who condemned him to die. He allowed them to lead him to the cross without fighting back. Because Christ suffered for us, we should also suffer patiently for the sake of God's will. Christ was our example. He did not sin or tell a lie. When he was insulted, he did not insult his persecutors. In fact, he blessed them and asked God to forgive them. When he suffered at their hands, he did not threaten to pay them back, but put his trust in God the true judge.
The suffering that Christ endured, even unto death, made it possible for us to live in righteousness. It is because of His wounds that we can be healed from our sins. He was raised from the dead so that we can walk in the newness of life. Why submit? Because God commands it here as well as Romans 13.
The Roman soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross of Jesus. He obeyed. God does not condone or approve of poor authority, but we
are responsible for how we react to it. We are called to follow the example of Christ as we walk in the new life. If we patiently endure suffering from a husband, boss, slave owner, or soldier that we don't deserve, then God says that we will be blessed for it in verse 20.
Happy Easter!
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 29, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Respecting Poor Authority
Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 24
Focus verse: 1 Samuel 24:5-6 " Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”"
also: Ephesians 6:5 "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;"
David had been anointed by Samuel the priest to be the next king (1 Samuel 16). He would rule after king Saul died. David knew how to wait and patiently honored his king, his authority. This was not always easy for him. King Saul was often depressed and had a troubling spirit ever since he disobeyed God (1 Samuel 15). Once, he threw a spear at David as he played music for the king. (1 Samuel 18:10-11) He even spent time hunting David down. This is what was going on when we come to read 1 Samuel 24.
David could have easily killed Saul and become king, but he chose to cut off a piece of his robe. Even this action caused David regret. David knew the Lord would want him to have total respect for authority, even though the King was doing a poor job and even though the King was hunting him to kill him.
David's life is a good example of how we can obey and respect authority that we don't agree with or think is wrong. I am not responsible for how our authority behaves, but I am responsible for how I react and respect that authority. Pray that God will give you the grace and mercy to respect and obey the authority that has been placed over you.
Author's note: Realize that this is not talking about following a leader that prevents you from obeying God's commands or leads you into sin. This does not include false prophets either. That is a different subject. You might also like reading Romans 13 that relates to authority.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: 1 Samuel 24:5-6 " Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe. And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”"
also: Ephesians 6:5 "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;"
David had been anointed by Samuel the priest to be the next king (1 Samuel 16). He would rule after king Saul died. David knew how to wait and patiently honored his king, his authority. This was not always easy for him. King Saul was often depressed and had a troubling spirit ever since he disobeyed God (1 Samuel 15). Once, he threw a spear at David as he played music for the king. (1 Samuel 18:10-11) He even spent time hunting David down. This is what was going on when we come to read 1 Samuel 24.
David could have easily killed Saul and become king, but he chose to cut off a piece of his robe. Even this action caused David regret. David knew the Lord would want him to have total respect for authority, even though the King was doing a poor job and even though the King was hunting him to kill him.
David's life is a good example of how we can obey and respect authority that we don't agree with or think is wrong. I am not responsible for how our authority behaves, but I am responsible for how I react and respect that authority. Pray that God will give you the grace and mercy to respect and obey the authority that has been placed over you.
Author's note: Realize that this is not talking about following a leader that prevents you from obeying God's commands or leads you into sin. This does not include false prophets either. That is a different subject. You might also like reading Romans 13 that relates to authority.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 15, 2013
The First Earthly Authority
Scripture reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Focus verses: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3
We read in Exodus that God has given the ten commandments because the people needed to know what God requires. It is impossible to live a perfect life, but it is good for Christians to strive to walk in righteousness.
God sets up the lines of authority. God is to be our only god. We are to have no other things that come before him. He is our first authority. He also tells us that our parents are the earthly authority for their children. We are to obey our parents and honor them. Parents have had more years of experience and wisdom. This is increased greatly if the parents follow Christ and Godly wisdom.
Notice that the command to honor your parents doesn't end after you become an adult. Notice also that the command doesn't say to honor them only if they believe in Christ. Celebrate that this is for our own good, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. If you are a parent, you should not abuse your authority. God warns, " And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." in Ephesians 6:4
What can you do today to show honor to your parents if they are still living?
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verses: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3
We read in Exodus that God has given the ten commandments because the people needed to know what God requires. It is impossible to live a perfect life, but it is good for Christians to strive to walk in righteousness.
God sets up the lines of authority. God is to be our only god. We are to have no other things that come before him. He is our first authority. He also tells us that our parents are the earthly authority for their children. We are to obey our parents and honor them. Parents have had more years of experience and wisdom. This is increased greatly if the parents follow Christ and Godly wisdom.
Notice that the command to honor your parents doesn't end after you become an adult. Notice also that the command doesn't say to honor them only if they believe in Christ. Celebrate that this is for our own good, that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. If you are a parent, you should not abuse your authority. God warns, " And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." in Ephesians 6:4
What can you do today to show honor to your parents if they are still living?
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 8, 2013
The Perfect Authority
Bible Reading: Genesis 3:1-5
Focus verse: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. " Genesis 1:1
What do you think when you hear the word "Authority"?
There are police, Chiefs, Managers, Presidents, teachers, parents, and if you work, you might have a boss. It is necessary that we have authority and follow it or else there would be chaos. We don't always agree with them, we may not have voted for them, but we accept it.
When you are under someone's authority, you may feel like you struggle with your attitude toward their them. You may even feel like rebelling. But, how does it feel if you are the one in authority? Suddenly, you want everyone to listen and follow you. Which do you prefer? We think that we have less freedom when we are under someone else's authority.
Really? That's what Eve thought in the Garden of Eden. She was interested in getting out from under authority, but she had the best authority... God. He was perfect, gave Adam and Eve everything they needed and allowed them to have such freedom in the Garden. They were only forbidden to eat of the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Lots of freedom.
Did Adam and Eve find more freedom or less freedom by disobeying their authority? We all are under authority of someone, and the perfect authority is God. We must choose to give ourselves over to God's authority if we want to be FREE. Truly free.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus verse: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. " Genesis 1:1
What do you think when you hear the word "Authority"?
There are police, Chiefs, Managers, Presidents, teachers, parents, and if you work, you might have a boss. It is necessary that we have authority and follow it or else there would be chaos. We don't always agree with them, we may not have voted for them, but we accept it.
When you are under someone's authority, you may feel like you struggle with your attitude toward their them. You may even feel like rebelling. But, how does it feel if you are the one in authority? Suddenly, you want everyone to listen and follow you. Which do you prefer? We think that we have less freedom when we are under someone else's authority.
Really? That's what Eve thought in the Garden of Eden. She was interested in getting out from under authority, but she had the best authority... God. He was perfect, gave Adam and Eve everything they needed and allowed them to have such freedom in the Garden. They were only forbidden to eat of the fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Lots of freedom.
Did Adam and Eve find more freedom or less freedom by disobeying their authority? We all are under authority of someone, and the perfect authority is God. We must choose to give ourselves over to God's authority if we want to be FREE. Truly free.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, March 1, 2013
Jesus Cleans From The Inside
Scripture Reading: Mark 7:1-23
Focus Verse: Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
Most of us never think about how bad our heart is until we've done something wrong. Jesus teaches us in Mark 7 that our defilement comes from within. The Pharisees always talked about how righteous they were. But Jesus could see right through them and knew how wicked their hearts were. God sees our hearts too. He knows the deepest secret motives of our hearts. You can be sure that the sins listed in our passage, anyone of us are capable of committing. Don't ever follow your heart. It will take you down the wrong path every time. You must lead your heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."
We must ask God to show us any wicked thing in our hearts and to cleans us. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness." So today take a look at your heart. Make things right with God and then teach others how to have a clean heart as well.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Jeremiah 17:9-10 "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
Most of us never think about how bad our heart is until we've done something wrong. Jesus teaches us in Mark 7 that our defilement comes from within. The Pharisees always talked about how righteous they were. But Jesus could see right through them and knew how wicked their hearts were. God sees our hearts too. He knows the deepest secret motives of our hearts. You can be sure that the sins listed in our passage, anyone of us are capable of committing. Don't ever follow your heart. It will take you down the wrong path every time. You must lead your heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."
We must ask God to show us any wicked thing in our hearts and to cleans us. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness." So today take a look at your heart. Make things right with God and then teach others how to have a clean heart as well.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, February 22, 2013
Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Scripture Reading: Matthew 27: 20-44
Focus Verse: Matthew 27: 24 "Pilate saw that he wasn't getting anywhere and that a riot was developing. So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd saying, I am innocent of the blood of this man. The responsibility is yours!"
Every person must decide who Jesus is for themselves and what they will do with Him. He is either a liar, crazy, or He is Lord. The people thought Jesus should prove who He was and save Himself by coming down off the cross. But instead He proved who He was by raising Himself from the dead and coming out of the tomb.
Pilate made a big mistake by listening to the public opinion and what the crowd wanted. He washed his hands of the matter and did what was easy rather than what was right. Every person on earth will either accept Him or reject Him, confess Him or deny Him. Only two choices. You must make the decision yourself. You might say "I just won't make any decision", but to make no decision is to reject Him, and by that decision you will spend an eternity in a place called hell.
Jesus went to the cross so that no person should ever go to hell. Choose Jesus, choose life today. Jesus is the Son of God, the Redeemer of all humanity. Repent of your sins and come to Him. He is waiting for you.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, February 16, 2013
God's Master Plan
Scripture Reading: Click to read: Romans 8: 18-30
Focus Verse: Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Sometimes in our lives God will do things or allow things that we can't understand. Like when a child dies or when someone hurts us. Our human mind wonders about God's plan? It doesn't make any sense to us. Because we can't see the big picture, we think God may have forgotten us. We need to be careful how we pray to God and not demand things of Him. We should pray for specific things, but also to pray for God's will to be done.
I can remember as a young person, praying to God that I sure would like to marry a certain girl. God did not allow that to happen. I can see now that the marriage would have been a mistake. God saw the master plan and I could not. Romans 8:28 is a great promise. God is working out all things for good when we love Him. Not only some things for good, but ALL things for good.
God has already seen tomorrow. He already knows next week. And His plans for next year have been made. He knows what is best for us because we are His children. On every piece of American money is printed "In God We Trust". We can trust that God has our best interest at heart. So the next time you are going through something that you don't understand, have peace that God knows exactly what is going on and He will work out that situation for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Because He has a master plan for your life. So, trust Him.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
Sometimes in our lives God will do things or allow things that we can't understand. Like when a child dies or when someone hurts us. Our human mind wonders about God's plan? It doesn't make any sense to us. Because we can't see the big picture, we think God may have forgotten us. We need to be careful how we pray to God and not demand things of Him. We should pray for specific things, but also to pray for God's will to be done.
I can remember as a young person, praying to God that I sure would like to marry a certain girl. God did not allow that to happen. I can see now that the marriage would have been a mistake. God saw the master plan and I could not. Romans 8:28 is a great promise. God is working out all things for good when we love Him. Not only some things for good, but ALL things for good.
God has already seen tomorrow. He already knows next week. And His plans for next year have been made. He knows what is best for us because we are His children. On every piece of American money is printed "In God We Trust". We can trust that God has our best interest at heart. So the next time you are going through something that you don't understand, have peace that God knows exactly what is going on and He will work out that situation for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Because He has a master plan for your life. So, trust Him.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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