Called to a Higher Standard

Called To A Higher Standard

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-25

Focus Verses: 1 Peter 1:15-16  “But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the scripture says, you must be holy because I am holy.”

As Christians God has called us to a standard that is above the world.  Peter says "we are to be holy in everything we do, just as God who chose us is holy."  Who can measure up to the standard of God?  Jesus makes that possible.  It is Jesus that has already experienced the temptations of this world, so He can identify with us in this higher standard we are to live.  1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”  If you are going to live a Christian life that is “all in” it’s not easy.  We all know people that call themselves Christians, but they still look like the world.  But if we are going to live a holy life with a higher standard then we have just put a target on our back, and Satan will be after us.  The Bible also says,”greater is He [Holy Spirit] that is in us, than he [Satan] that is in the world." (1John 4:4)  It is so important that we don’t get too far away from The Lord who is our source of help if we want to live this higher standard.  It’s not easy, but it is possible to live this Christian life with a higher standard because of our Him.  There can be victory in our lives!


Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Known and Loved

Bible Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Focus Verse: John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

There's something so wonderful about being KNOWN and LOVED.
To be known and not loved is heartbreaking and rejected.
To be loved without allowing yourself to be known is not satisfying and lonely.

If you find that you are known and loved by your family and friends it makes this life much more wonderful! 

The prodigal son was known by his father.  The son rejected everything his father had taught him and turned away from him.  The father always lovingly watched for the son.  The son returned and the father accepted him with love.

We all have flaws and failures in our life.  We disappoint others and ourselves.  There are things about us that we wish we could change.

But you should know that God knows you and loves you and is calling you to Himself. He wants a relationship with you and me.  He wants to be the one to love you where you are and to give you the power to become transformed.  It's beautiful and mysterious so answer the call. You will never regret.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Jesus, The Only Way

Scripture Reading:  John 14:1-14

Focus Verses: John 14:5-7 “Thomas said to him, Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?  Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”

In the world today there is probably more confusion about how to get to heaven than any other subject.  Every religion seems to think they know how to get to heaven.  Most all of them involve some type of works based salvation.  But salvation is not about what we can do.  It’s about what Jesus has already done for us.  The only way to God is through faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the only path to God.  If we could do anything to earn our way to heaven,  then Jesus’ death on the cross was in vain and all the pain that Jesus endured on the cross would be worthless.  

What the Bible teaches is true.  There is no other way to heaven except through Jesus.  There is no other way to God except through Jesus.  Salvation is so simple, yet so many people are missing it.  You will end up in hell one day if you’re counting on getting to heaven another way.  The Bible has always been true, and it always will be true.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Religious Freedoms

Religious Freedoms

Scripture Reading: Galatians 1:11-24

Focus Verse: Galatians 1:13  "You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion, how I violently persecuted God's church.  I did my best to destroy it."

There are people in the world trying to destroy our religious freedoms just like Paul was doing in the first century church.  They think Christians are the enemy, and they are doing all they can to destroy the church.  Christians are labeled as infidels.  Some Christians around the world because of their stand for Christ are being killed, raped, or even driven from their homeland.  Darkness is trying to drive away the light.  But the darkness cannot win.

2 Thessalonians 1:4 says, "Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring."  Jesus told us that we would have trouble in this world.  Persecution should not be a surprise to those of us that love the Lord.  Persecution can make the church stronger and drive those away that are not truly Christ followers.  Matthew 5:12 says, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." 
Let us pray for those Christians that are enduring severe persecution.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

God Never Leaves You

God Never Leaves You

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Focus Verse Deuteronomy 31:6  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you."

I have noticed as I go through life that I have friendships and relationships of different levels with people.  Some close friends and some distant friends. 

Relationships are made stronger by the time and effort we put into the relationship.  God wants us to put time and effort into our relationship with Him.  As a result, He said that He would never leave us.  Even though we may do things that displease Him, He still will never leave us.  Just as a wayward child that displeases his parents, he is still their child.  We can never do anything that would make God turn His back on us and quit loving us.  What a great comfort for us as God's children in knowing that Hebrews 13:5 will always be true.  "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Love a Neighbor

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 25:31-46

Focus Verse: "“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" Matthew 25: 37-40

Jesus was clear in his teaching to care for others who are struggling with sickness and physical needs.  We may find that the needs are great around us and feel like we can't do much.  Jesus didn't say that we should solve all of their problems, but that there is something, even something small, that we can do.  Anyone can give a drink to someone or visit someone who is sick.  How difficult is it to give a shirt or dress to someone whose clothes are torn and tattered.  If you don't have something, maybe you can ask some friends to help you to get some clothes for someone in need.  

When you help someone, the Holy Spirit confirms in your heart that you are doing something good.  You know that is a good feeling.  When you join together as a community to help others, then it strengthens the community. 

My prayer is that God will show me where to help someone today.  May God be glorified in any effort of care that I show to someone today.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Anxiety, Stress and Worry

Anxiety, Stress and Worry

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 5: 1-11

Focus verse: 1 Peter 5:6-7 " So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

Peter wrote the instructions in chapter 5 for the elders and the young men.  I am sure that along with the responsibilities that both generations had, there was a lot of stress about the leadership, decisions, sufferings of life and more. 

We all have times of worry.  Some struggle every day with anxiety.  This means that you are a normal person.  God knew that, so he gave instruction on how to deal with this anxiety.  We are to trust God enough to give it to Him.  God cares more for you than you can imagine and will work all things together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

As our faith grows stronger, the waves of our worries grow smaller.

Psalm 56:3 says, "
But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you."

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries