Bible reading: Philippians 2:1-11
Focus verse: "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:5
How can a human have the attitude of Christ? We are selfish sinners by nature, but when you were born again, the Holy Spirit begins His work on you.
The new nature is the one of Christ. With His power in us, we don't have to look out for our own interests, we don't demand privileges, we don't think of ourselves as better than others, but we humble ourselves as Christ did. We think of other brothers and sisters in Christ with love, compassion and work together as one body.
We do this out of the encouragement, love and fellowship that we have with the Father through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We also encourage one another as we fellowship together.
Sometimes we fail, gossip, have bitter envy, selfish desires and for that we must repent. The Christ-like attitude is what God is working in us. When you spend time in fellowship with God, He will hold you accountable for your attitude.
Where your attitude is, your action will follow.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, September 19, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Can You See a Difference?
Can You See a Difference?
Bible Reading: Mark 8:22-25
Focus verse: Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, and to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners”
The passage in Mark talks about a blind person who was brought to Jesus by some people who then begged Jesus to touch him that he may be healed. Jesus accepted their request and took the man by the hand and led him outside the village. He then spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him and asked the man if he could see anything. The man looked up and responded that “I see people; they look like trees walking”. He is later fully healed by Jesus’ second touch on his eye.
Many people, both Christians and non Christian have suffered different kind of life challenges. We are at times worse hit with life experiences so that we are not able see our way out. Sometimes the challenges have been so overwhelming so that we have become a burden to other people, including their resources. We may try seeking guidance from other people but their advice may fail so that our situation grows worse. There is an answer; we all need Jesus just like the blind man needed him to be healed, so we are able to see our way. Without Jesus we are blind!
Most people who come to Jesus with their problems want Him to take the whole problem out immediately. Some run away from Him, thinking Jesus is taking too long solving their problems. Jesus had the authority to heal the man at once but decided to do it in stages. He is always able to take us away from that disturbing condition instantly, but sometimes he chooses to do it in stages. We may fail to acknowledge the small steps he has moved with us since we are so fixed into having the whole load off quickly.
The blind man acknowledged the simple difference. He told Jesus that things are never the same since He first touched his eye. I see people move like trees, something that had never happened to him. Though not fully healed by then, but he knew things were different from before Jesus’ touch. He had hope and kept trusting that Jesus was able to clear it all even as he appreciated the work already done. We all need to thank God for every simple step he takes with our lives. Did you ever call Him into your life or your troubles? Are you seeing any differences since He came? Yes, we need to tell him that we are seeing a difference. Don’t forget to appreciate God for any step he takes with your life. That’s his will.
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries
Bible Reading: Mark 8:22-25
Focus verse: Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, and to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from the darkness for the prisoners”
The passage in Mark talks about a blind person who was brought to Jesus by some people who then begged Jesus to touch him that he may be healed. Jesus accepted their request and took the man by the hand and led him outside the village. He then spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him and asked the man if he could see anything. The man looked up and responded that “I see people; they look like trees walking”. He is later fully healed by Jesus’ second touch on his eye.
Many people, both Christians and non Christian have suffered different kind of life challenges. We are at times worse hit with life experiences so that we are not able see our way out. Sometimes the challenges have been so overwhelming so that we have become a burden to other people, including their resources. We may try seeking guidance from other people but their advice may fail so that our situation grows worse. There is an answer; we all need Jesus just like the blind man needed him to be healed, so we are able to see our way. Without Jesus we are blind!
Most people who come to Jesus with their problems want Him to take the whole problem out immediately. Some run away from Him, thinking Jesus is taking too long solving their problems. Jesus had the authority to heal the man at once but decided to do it in stages. He is always able to take us away from that disturbing condition instantly, but sometimes he chooses to do it in stages. We may fail to acknowledge the small steps he has moved with us since we are so fixed into having the whole load off quickly.
The blind man acknowledged the simple difference. He told Jesus that things are never the same since He first touched his eye. I see people move like trees, something that had never happened to him. Though not fully healed by then, but he knew things were different from before Jesus’ touch. He had hope and kept trusting that Jesus was able to clear it all even as he appreciated the work already done. We all need to thank God for every simple step he takes with our lives. Did you ever call Him into your life or your troubles? Are you seeing any differences since He came? Yes, we need to tell him that we are seeing a difference. Don’t forget to appreciate God for any step he takes with your life. That’s his will.
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Praying or sleeping!
Focus scripture Mark 14:32-41
Focus verse: Psalm 48:8 "But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life."
Jesus knew the events that were to come. He knew he was to be arrested, beaten, mocked, subjected to public humiliation and be nailed on the cross. In all these, he decided he would remain humble in prayers for only God’s will to happen. He knew the importance of combined prayers, so he took three of his disciples to go with him that they would watch and pray with him. He instructed them to sit and watch in prayers with him as he drew himself a little distance. Luke 22:44, records that the Lord’s anguish overwhelmed him so that his sweat fell on the ground like blood.
One thing that catches attention in this passage is how the three disciples failed to pray with Jesus at that hard and painful moment of His life. It’s quite hard to imagine that in one night Jesus had to wake them three times but still not even one of them stayed awake. The Lord was in deep sorrow and needed prayers from people that he had loved and served. Though he felt deserted in this anguish but he wanted the company and prayers from friends.
Our personal challenges can make us feel like we are deserted by everyone. We can find ourselves in situations of sorrow. Our tears have always needed somebody to stand with us in encouragement. Our marriages have suffered wounds so that we see nothing pleasant in them and need prayers of healing. We have been badly affected by sicknesses so that we feel like we are losing hope. Yes, we have to admit that this is the life of a Christian, but there is hope in prayer!
We often tell friends to stand with us in prayers. Sometimes we remind them about the need to pray with us more and more. We admit to pray, but surely have you been praying? Some will find themselves so tired in the physical so that they forget to pray. Did you ever receive a prayer request from a trusted friend, or relative or anyone who needed our prayers? Did we ever accept that we would pray with them? What have we done since they reminded us to continue praying for them? How often do we pray for those who need our prayers?
Equally, those who are in problems must not stop praying because they have told friends to pray with them. Jesus did not stop even when he found the disciples sleeping instead of praying. Yes, we need to have trusted friends who can faithfully pray with us. Jesus had some, do you have one?
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries & Director of Repairer Christian School
Focus verse: Psalm 48:8 "But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life."
Jesus knew the events that were to come. He knew he was to be arrested, beaten, mocked, subjected to public humiliation and be nailed on the cross. In all these, he decided he would remain humble in prayers for only God’s will to happen. He knew the importance of combined prayers, so he took three of his disciples to go with him that they would watch and pray with him. He instructed them to sit and watch in prayers with him as he drew himself a little distance. Luke 22:44, records that the Lord’s anguish overwhelmed him so that his sweat fell on the ground like blood.
One thing that catches attention in this passage is how the three disciples failed to pray with Jesus at that hard and painful moment of His life. It’s quite hard to imagine that in one night Jesus had to wake them three times but still not even one of them stayed awake. The Lord was in deep sorrow and needed prayers from people that he had loved and served. Though he felt deserted in this anguish but he wanted the company and prayers from friends.
Our personal challenges can make us feel like we are deserted by everyone. We can find ourselves in situations of sorrow. Our tears have always needed somebody to stand with us in encouragement. Our marriages have suffered wounds so that we see nothing pleasant in them and need prayers of healing. We have been badly affected by sicknesses so that we feel like we are losing hope. Yes, we have to admit that this is the life of a Christian, but there is hope in prayer!
We often tell friends to stand with us in prayers. Sometimes we remind them about the need to pray with us more and more. We admit to pray, but surely have you been praying? Some will find themselves so tired in the physical so that they forget to pray. Did you ever receive a prayer request from a trusted friend, or relative or anyone who needed our prayers? Did we ever accept that we would pray with them? What have we done since they reminded us to continue praying for them? How often do we pray for those who need our prayers?
Equally, those who are in problems must not stop praying because they have told friends to pray with them. Jesus did not stop even when he found the disciples sleeping instead of praying. Yes, we need to have trusted friends who can faithfully pray with us. Jesus had some, do you have one?
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries & Director of Repairer Christian School
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
God's Direction Won't Disgrace
Bible Reading: Psalm 25:2-6
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Focus verse: Psalm 25:5 "Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you."
Do you ever struggle with the fear of failure? Do you worry about the shame you may suffer for not finishing what you started? Our failure and disgrace will come if we lose our focus. If we focus on ourselves and what pleases "me", then we will be shamed and humbled. If we are full of pride and deceive others we will be shamed and humbled.
Our focus should be on our Lord and our hope should be in Him. We should seek Him to teach us His ways and to point out the road for us to follow. If we trust in God and our focus is for Him only, then we will not be disgraced. If God points you in a direction and you follow, you will succeed.
Who do you follow? Is it man, yourself or God? Choose TODAY to get on the path that God chose for you.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4 Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Do you ever struggle with the fear of failure? Do you worry about the shame you may suffer for not finishing what you started? Our failure and disgrace will come if we lose our focus. If we focus on ourselves and what pleases "me", then we will be shamed and humbled. If we are full of pride and deceive others we will be shamed and humbled.
Our focus should be on our Lord and our hope should be in Him. We should seek Him to teach us His ways and to point out the road for us to follow. If we trust in God and our focus is for Him only, then we will not be disgraced. If God points you in a direction and you follow, you will succeed.
Who do you follow? Is it man, yourself or God? Choose TODAY to get on the path that God chose for you.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, August 15, 2014
Shield of Faith
Shield of Faith
Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-16
Focus Verse: Ephesians 6:16 "In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil."
With praise and thanksgiving we continue to give God the glory. His strength is always seen in our weaknesses and for his victory to be seen there must be a battle. I know some battles can at times push our strength to the wall but remember that with Jesus we cannot be shaken.
The devil fights by causing worries which torment our mind and makes our faith be weak so that we feel like we are losing. I am brave for I know that He who commissioned has given us a helper we can always rely on. Again, be still, for the battle is not ours but for the Lord. As long as we remain faithful in serving God we must be great enemies of Satan. We have to be ready to move on in the battle. You never know how strong your opponents can always attack but your joy will expand when all these turns to be our victory in Christ. Western Kenya ministry through IM is beyond faithless threats of Satan! The ministry remains lifted higher in prayers always.
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries
Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-16
Focus Verse: Ephesians 6:16 "In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil."
With praise and thanksgiving we continue to give God the glory. His strength is always seen in our weaknesses and for his victory to be seen there must be a battle. I know some battles can at times push our strength to the wall but remember that with Jesus we cannot be shaken.
The devil fights by causing worries which torment our mind and makes our faith be weak so that we feel like we are losing. I am brave for I know that He who commissioned has given us a helper we can always rely on. Again, be still, for the battle is not ours but for the Lord. As long as we remain faithful in serving God we must be great enemies of Satan. We have to be ready to move on in the battle. You never know how strong your opponents can always attack but your joy will expand when all these turns to be our victory in Christ. Western Kenya ministry through IM is beyond faithless threats of Satan! The ministry remains lifted higher in prayers always.
Eliazar Wambo
Bethesda Faith Ministries
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Are You Making A Difference When Times Are Tough?
Are You A Faithful Servant When Times Are Tough?
Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:42-51
Focus Verse: Matthew 24:45 "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them."
As you look at the bad news from around the world today, you would think that the world is falling apart. It's true that there is conflict and serious problems in many countries, but what are we to do during such difficult times?
Dwight Moody once said, "I look upon this world as a wrecked vessel. It's ruin is getting nearer and nearer. God said, Moody, here's a lifeboat. Go out and rescue as many as you can before the ship sinks."
The answer is that we are to do the same thing now that we do during times of peace when everything is going well. John 9:4 says, "We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work." There is a final day coming when our work must stop. If we don't get busy now, we will not be able to finish the task Christ has given us to do.
If the end seemed near then in 1899 when Moody lived, how much closer to the end we must be now? Much of the world is still open to the Gospel. What are you doing about it? We are not responsible for the generation that lived before us, and we are not responsible for the generation that will live after us. We are responsible to reach this generation for Christ.
Every year we are seeing thousands of people come to Christ in Western Kenya, but also every year thousands of people die and slip into eternity without Christ. We will not stop giving out the good news. We will not retreat, we will not get tired. We will work until that final day when Christ returns and takes us home.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:42-51
Focus Verse: Matthew 24:45 "A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them."
As you look at the bad news from around the world today, you would think that the world is falling apart. It's true that there is conflict and serious problems in many countries, but what are we to do during such difficult times?
Dwight Moody once said, "I look upon this world as a wrecked vessel. It's ruin is getting nearer and nearer. God said, Moody, here's a lifeboat. Go out and rescue as many as you can before the ship sinks."
The answer is that we are to do the same thing now that we do during times of peace when everything is going well. John 9:4 says, "We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work." There is a final day coming when our work must stop. If we don't get busy now, we will not be able to finish the task Christ has given us to do.
If the end seemed near then in 1899 when Moody lived, how much closer to the end we must be now? Much of the world is still open to the Gospel. What are you doing about it? We are not responsible for the generation that lived before us, and we are not responsible for the generation that will live after us. We are responsible to reach this generation for Christ.
Every year we are seeing thousands of people come to Christ in Western Kenya, but also every year thousands of people die and slip into eternity without Christ. We will not stop giving out the good news. We will not retreat, we will not get tired. We will work until that final day when Christ returns and takes us home.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, July 25, 2014
The Power to Say, "No".
The Power to Say, "No".
Scripture Reading: Esther 1:3-19
Focus Verse: Esther 1:12 "But when they conveyed the king's order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger."
Vashti was queen of Persia and the wife of King Xerxes. He reigned the territory from India to Ethiopia. The king gave a great party with many guests. As everyone became drunk he ordered his wife, Vashti, to come and dance before the guests. She sent word back to the king that she would not dance. Even though it meant she could lose her life or lose every luxury that she enjoyed as queen. She said, "no. She would not expose her body and degrade herself.
One hundred years ago a man converted to Christ. He became a pastor and took missions to the poor and oppressed in the slums of London. Many times he would preach on street corners. He became an embarrassment to the well known pastors of the city. When he was called before a conference of the religious leaders, they said. "William Booth, will you go where we tell you to go? If not, we will strip you of your pastorate." His wife, Catherine stood and said, "William, say, 'No, never!'" His courage to say no that day, changed the history of Great Britain and many other parts of the world. William Booth was the founder of The Salvation Army that has helped millions of people around the world.
If you ever feel pressured to conform to others' prideful or sinful plans, it may seem too difficult to resist. If it is not God's plan, you should resist them. You don't have to resist in your own strength, because with God's help you can have the power to say "No".
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: Esther 1:3-19
Focus Verse: Esther 1:12 "But when they conveyed the king's order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come. This made the king furious, and he burned with anger."
Vashti was queen of Persia and the wife of King Xerxes. He reigned the territory from India to Ethiopia. The king gave a great party with many guests. As everyone became drunk he ordered his wife, Vashti, to come and dance before the guests. She sent word back to the king that she would not dance. Even though it meant she could lose her life or lose every luxury that she enjoyed as queen. She said, "no. She would not expose her body and degrade herself.
One hundred years ago a man converted to Christ. He became a pastor and took missions to the poor and oppressed in the slums of London. Many times he would preach on street corners. He became an embarrassment to the well known pastors of the city. When he was called before a conference of the religious leaders, they said. "William Booth, will you go where we tell you to go? If not, we will strip you of your pastorate." His wife, Catherine stood and said, "William, say, 'No, never!'" His courage to say no that day, changed the history of Great Britain and many other parts of the world. William Booth was the founder of The Salvation Army that has helped millions of people around the world.
If you ever feel pressured to conform to others' prideful or sinful plans, it may seem too difficult to resist. If it is not God's plan, you should resist them. You don't have to resist in your own strength, because with God's help you can have the power to say "No".
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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