Humble in the Eyes of the Lord

Bible reading: Isaiah 66:1-6
Memory verse:  “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
    who tremble at my word.  But those who choose their own ways—
    delighting in their detestable sins will not have their offerings accepted."  Isaiah 66:2b-3a.


Have you ever heard the expression “It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”?  I remember the first time I heard it.  I was slightly shocked because it didn’t seem like it was ethical.  As I pondered it, I came to realize that it could be true if your parents or your boss was very forgiving.  You could really get into a habit of taking advantage of that forgiveness.  You could do things your way with your ideas and it will be much easier.  The attitude behind that thought process is not humility, but pride.  You are putting your own selfish desires above your authority.

The scripture reading today reminded me of this, because the Lord our God is the ultimate boss.  He is big and mighty.  He lives in heaven and puts his feet on earth.  If we know what is wrong and we do it anyway, we are living in pride.  Even if we come asking for forgiveness, it is does not honor God.  It reminds me of 1 Samuel 15:22 that says,

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
   as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

God says that He looks on us with favor when we are humble and recognize the authority of God.  When we hear His Word and tremble at His Word we are blessed.  Do you know what God expects from you?  Will you take advantage of his grace by sinning more or will you submit yourself to Him and humbly do His will?

It is better to ask for permission than forgiveness.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Beat By a Girl

Bible Reading Judges 9:34-56
Memory verse: Matthew 23:12 "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Abimelech was the king.  He forced his way to the throne.  He and his hired men killed seventy brothers.  His plan worked and he was king.  He had a few good years until Gaal came into town saying bad things about Abimelech and his position.  Abimelech heard about it and it bothered him so much that he set out with four companies of men.  People were killed in the fighting and Gaal and his brothers fled the city.  The next day, the attack continued against the people in the city and many were killed.  Some people who were in the city fled into a tower.  Abimelech ordered his men to burn the tower and the people died.  The rampage continued to the next city of Thebez.  When they attacked, the people fled to the tower.  As Abimelech led the men to burn it, a woman dropped a millstone on Abimelech's head and cracked his skull.  Not wanting to be killed by a woman, he asked his armor-bearer to kill him. 
A lot of people died because of the selfishness of Abimelech and his ambition.  I never plotted to kill people in order to get to be king, but I know I have been selfish.  God doesn’t want us to selfishly knock people down in order to be at the top.  I remember when I was a kid, playing a game called “King of the mountain”.  We would have to try to be the one standing at the top of a hill of dirt.  It was just the right size mound that only one person could stand at the top.  If I ever was able to shove my way to the top, it wouldn’t last long because someone would shove me back.
Examine your life to see if you are shoving people around in order to be at the top.  Are you wanting to be a leader in your community or church?  If you talk bad about others in order to make yourself look better, is that right?  Abimelech got paid back for his crimes when a woman dropped the stone on him in self defense.  He was beat by a girl.  The Bible says that if you exalt yourself, you will be humbled.

by Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Holding On

Holding On

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 13:1-4

Focus Verse: Deuteronomy 13:4  “Serve only the Lord your God and fear Him alone.  Obey His commands, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.”

What are some things that you depend on in your life?  We all depend on the sun to rise each morning.  We depend on gravity to hold us here on the earth.  Maybe you would say you depend on your job, or you depend on your money, or your government.  Do you depend on God as much as you depend on these other things?  This world is always changing. Just like shifting sand at the beach, the waves move the sand around and it is not secure.  Nothing in this world is 100% dependable.  But God has never changed, and He never will.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  His love and mercy for us is never changing, no matter how we change.  God wants you to put your anchor into the rock that can never move.  God will never let you go.  There is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of Christ.  So hold on to the things that never change in this world, God and His Word.  Our focus on Him can keep us from going astray.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Where is Your Treasure?

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-34

Focus Verses: Matthew 6:20-22 “Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.  Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.   Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light.”

It is not wrong for us to possess treasures or things.  But it is wrong to let those things to possess us.  1 Timothy 6:10 does not say money is the root of all kinds of evil.  It says “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”  Jesus said “do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.” 1 John 2:15-16

You see, what you love the most is where your heart is.  If you love the world more than God, that’s where your heart is.  Jesus told us not to invest in things that wear out.  Our security is not found in our possessions, but our security is only found in Jesus. So don’t allow your possessions to get too tight of a grip on you.  Hold Jesus tight and your possessions loosely.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Don’t Refuse What is True

Bible Reading: Mark 16:1-14Memory verse: 3 John 1:3 "Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth."

Followers of Jesus were mourning his death.  They were listening to other followers claim to have seen Jesus and must have thought that they were crazy.  Jesus showed up and rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him.

Is it too good to be true?  Why did the followers of Jesus, not believe when they were told of Jesus being alive and speaking to Mary and the other witnesses?  I have heard that some people must hear the gospel many times before they believe.  Others believe the first time. 

We are given truths in the Bible.  We lack faith if we read the Word of God and then refuse to believe it. 

Maybe you are struggling to believe in Christ as your Saviour. Read 2 Corinthians 6:2.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your future.  Read Jeremiah 29:11.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your finances.  Read Philippians 4:19.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your fears.  Read Joshua 1:9 & Proverbs 29:25.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your health. Read Psalm 41:3.
Maybe you are struggling to trust Him with your confidence.  Read Jeremiah 17:7

Read the Word of God on these things and choose to believe the truth.  Then prove it by your actions.

Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Plan Your Escape

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Focus Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13  “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.”

I have a dog.  Sometimes when I’m with her, she sees a wild animal in the bush.  Then she wants to chase it, so I keep her on the rope.  But even though she knows I won't let her chase it, she continues to look at the wild animal and that only makes her want to chase it more.  That is how temptation is in our lives.  We see the sin.  Satan tempts us to want it.  If we continue to look at it, the temptation becomes even more difficult to resist. 

When you are tempted to do what is wrong, remove yourself from the temptation.  God has promised you a way out.  So get your eyes off the temptation, and start looking for the escape route God has promised for you.  Joseph in the Bible was being seduced by a woman.  We read in Genesis that he didn’t look twice, instead he pointed his feet in the opposite direction and ran.  Some things to remember when being tempted:

• The Word of God is our first defense. 
• Sometimes fleeing is the only way to resist.  
• Remember we are in a fight, a spiritual battle.  
• Fellowship with the right kind of people, not people that will drag you down.  
• Follow Jesus example, when He said “Get behind Me, Satan.”   
• Remember, the way you live does matter, so plan your escape.

Remember verse 12 as a warning, "If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

We Are At War

Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:16-26
Focus Verses: Galatians 5:16-17  “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.  Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.  The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions."

We have a choice.  Are we going to walk in the flesh, or are we going to walk in the Spirit?  This is a battle that goes on in every believer.  We are born with a strike against us.  We were born in sin.  We were born in the flesh.  Within us are two natures, good and evil, and they are constantly in conflict.  How do you know if you are walking in the flesh or the Spirit?  Our scripture reading gives us two different list.  Read them again.  Which of these activities are most likely to be seen in your life? 

We have been set free.  We no longer have to be a slave to sin.  Our sin was nailed to the cross 2000 years ago.   Verse 26 says, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there."  Therefore, today, and every day we yield to the lordship of Christ so that we can win this war.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries