Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-32
Focus Verses: Ephesians 4:22-24 “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy."
As we come to the end of 2016 we often look back. Some of us look back and see things we regret. Some of us look back and see success in our lives. The regrets and the successes should help us strive to improve. God has put before all of us a New Year so we can also look forward. What will you do with these new opportunities that God is giving us? Are we going to say "yes" to God's opportunities and "no" to the opportunities of the enemy? The apostle Paul tells us to get rid of our sinful nature, our former way of life. Instead he says to renew our thoughts and attitudes, and to put on our new nature. 2017 could be your best year yet, but a lot is determined by our thoughts and attitudes. Would you commit to prayer and Bible reading every day in 2017? This is how the Spirit can renew your thoughts and attitudes, and will help you to be truly righteous and holy.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, December 30, 2016
Friday, December 23, 2016
The Joy of Christmas
Scripture Reading: Luke 1:14-47 and Luke 2:10
Focus Verse: Matthew 2:10 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
When Jesus came into the world over 2000 years ago there was trouble in the world just like there is today. When Jesus was born words like “joyful” and “rejoice” were used by many people. Mary said, “oh how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” The angel told Zechariah, “you will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice a His birth.” When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, she said, “the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” When the Magi saw the star, “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” And the shepherds heard the angel say, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” No matter your circumstances you can have great joy because of the birth of Jesus. Because we know He is the one that has made it possible for us to live in heaven one day for all eternity. Remember, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Matthew 2:10 “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.”
When Jesus came into the world over 2000 years ago there was trouble in the world just like there is today. When Jesus was born words like “joyful” and “rejoice” were used by many people. Mary said, “oh how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” The angel told Zechariah, “you will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice a His birth.” When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, she said, “the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” When the Magi saw the star, “they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.” And the shepherds heard the angel say, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” No matter your circumstances you can have great joy because of the birth of Jesus. Because we know He is the one that has made it possible for us to live in heaven one day for all eternity. Remember, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, November 19, 2016
The Good Shepherd
The Good Shepherd
Scripture Reading: John 10:25-30
Focus Verse: John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me.
Jesus would often use ordinary examples to teach extraordinary truth. In Jesus day, a shepherd was an ordinary job. The shepherd’s job was to feed the sheep, look after their health, protect them from animals that would bring harm. Sheep are defenseless, and not very smart. Our Shepherd, Jesus knows everything about us. He knows our name and he call us by name. He paid for us by His very blood shed on the cross. We are His, and He has promised that nothing can snatch us from His hand. Jesus gives us the security we need that the world can not offer. He is our Good Shepherd, and we will be with Him for all eternity, but only if we follow and obey Him.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: John 10:25-30
Focus Verse: John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice, I know them, and they follow me.
Jesus would often use ordinary examples to teach extraordinary truth. In Jesus day, a shepherd was an ordinary job. The shepherd’s job was to feed the sheep, look after their health, protect them from animals that would bring harm. Sheep are defenseless, and not very smart. Our Shepherd, Jesus knows everything about us. He knows our name and he call us by name. He paid for us by His very blood shed on the cross. We are His, and He has promised that nothing can snatch us from His hand. Jesus gives us the security we need that the world can not offer. He is our Good Shepherd, and we will be with Him for all eternity, but only if we follow and obey Him.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, November 11, 2016
One Way To Heaven
Scripture Reading John 3:16-17
Focus Verse John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.”
I take a long trip to Kenya four times a year. This is how I travel: I drive in my car from my home to the airport, then I get on the airplane and fly to Amsterdam in Europe, then I get on a second airplane and fly to Nairobi. Total travel time is about 24 hours. But there is another way I could get to Kenya. I could drive three hours from my home and go to the ocean. Then I could get on a ship and travel to Mombasa on the coast of Kenya. To travel by ship would probably take a month to reach Kenya. Or I could swim the ocean to Kenya and that would take even longer, that is, if I were strong enough to do so, haha. So, there are many ways I could get to Kenya.
A lot of people think there are many ways to get to heaven. Research shows that seventy percent of people affiliated with a religion believe that many religions lead to heaven. That is a lie of Satan. The Bible teaches something very different. Our way to heaven has nothing to do with religion. Our way to heaven has to do with a Person, and His name is Jesus. God provided a way for us, and it’s the only way, and it’s through His Son Jesus. Some people say well that’s a narrow way of thinking. Yes, Jesus said “narrow is the way that leads to life in heaven. But it’s a choice and you must choose it. It’s up to you. Choose Jesus today. He’s your only way to heaven.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.”
I take a long trip to Kenya four times a year. This is how I travel: I drive in my car from my home to the airport, then I get on the airplane and fly to Amsterdam in Europe, then I get on a second airplane and fly to Nairobi. Total travel time is about 24 hours. But there is another way I could get to Kenya. I could drive three hours from my home and go to the ocean. Then I could get on a ship and travel to Mombasa on the coast of Kenya. To travel by ship would probably take a month to reach Kenya. Or I could swim the ocean to Kenya and that would take even longer, that is, if I were strong enough to do so, haha. So, there are many ways I could get to Kenya.
A lot of people think there are many ways to get to heaven. Research shows that seventy percent of people affiliated with a religion believe that many religions lead to heaven. That is a lie of Satan. The Bible teaches something very different. Our way to heaven has nothing to do with religion. Our way to heaven has to do with a Person, and His name is Jesus. God provided a way for us, and it’s the only way, and it’s through His Son Jesus. Some people say well that’s a narrow way of thinking. Yes, Jesus said “narrow is the way that leads to life in heaven. But it’s a choice and you must choose it. It’s up to you. Choose Jesus today. He’s your only way to heaven.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, November 4, 2016
Eternal Life With Jesus
Eternal Life With Jesus
Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:18-21
Focus Verses: 1 John 5:19-20 “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.”
Most people would say that eternal life is in heaven, and that’s true. But our scripture reading says that Jesus is eternal life. When I die one day I’m not so concerned about the location of heaven, I just want to be where Jesus is. He is the One that has saved my soul, and He’s the One I want to see. Eternal life is not so much about a place as it is about a Person. Our eternal life begins here on earth with Jesus in our hearts, and will continue in heaven as we see Jesus face to face. How great that will be! If you are not sure of having this eternal life, surrender your life to Jesus today. Ask Him to forgive you of all your sins, and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. It will be the best decision you have ever made.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: 1 John 5:18-21
Focus Verses: 1 John 5:19-20 “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.”
Most people would say that eternal life is in heaven, and that’s true. But our scripture reading says that Jesus is eternal life. When I die one day I’m not so concerned about the location of heaven, I just want to be where Jesus is. He is the One that has saved my soul, and He’s the One I want to see. Eternal life is not so much about a place as it is about a Person. Our eternal life begins here on earth with Jesus in our hearts, and will continue in heaven as we see Jesus face to face. How great that will be! If you are not sure of having this eternal life, surrender your life to Jesus today. Ask Him to forgive you of all your sins, and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. It will be the best decision you have ever made.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Great is Thy Faithfulness
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
The Story Behind the Hymn by Bill & Gloria Gaither
Bible Reading: Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24
You don’t need to be rescued from life-threatening danger or see God’s miraculous provision in the direst of financial crises to truly know the faithfulness of the Lord. God remains faithful day in and day out in the largest and smallest of circumstances.
Thomas Chisholm wrote “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” as a testament to God’s faithfulness through his very ordinary life. Born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky, Chisholm became a Christian when he was twenty-seven and entered the ministry when he was thirty-six, though poor health forced him to retire after just one year. During the rest of his life, Chisholm spent many years living in New Jersey and working as a life insurance agent. Still, even with a desk job, he wrote nearly 1,200 poems throughout his life, including several published hymns.
Chisholm explained toward the end of his life, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”
Just think, with each new day, God gives us the chance to prove His faithfulness. And throughout history, He’s never once been proven wrong, for His mercies are new every morning, no matter what.
***
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas Chisholm – 1925
Great Is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Though changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Refrain:
Great Is Thy faithfulness,
Great Is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Refrain
Pardon for Sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
The Story Behind the Hymn by Bill & Gloria Gaither
Bible Reading: Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:22-24
You don’t need to be rescued from life-threatening danger or see God’s miraculous provision in the direst of financial crises to truly know the faithfulness of the Lord. God remains faithful day in and day out in the largest and smallest of circumstances.
Thomas Chisholm wrote “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” as a testament to God’s faithfulness through his very ordinary life. Born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky, Chisholm became a Christian when he was twenty-seven and entered the ministry when he was thirty-six, though poor health forced him to retire after just one year. During the rest of his life, Chisholm spent many years living in New Jersey and working as a life insurance agent. Still, even with a desk job, he wrote nearly 1,200 poems throughout his life, including several published hymns.
Chisholm explained toward the end of his life, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”
Just think, with each new day, God gives us the chance to prove His faithfulness. And throughout history, He’s never once been proven wrong, for His mercies are new every morning, no matter what.
***
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Thomas Chisholm – 1925
Great Is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Though changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Refrain:
Great Is Thy faithfulness,
Great Is Thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me!
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
Refrain
Pardon for Sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Saturday, October 22, 2016
Why We Have Adversity
Scripture Reading: Psalm 73
Focus Verse: Psalm 73:28 “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart, he is mine forever.”
Why do we face adversity in this life? I don’t fully know, but the Bible has a lot to say about our troubles. First of all Jesus promised us in John 16:33 “in this life you will have many trials and sorrows.” I can testify that is true. Although I’ve not had as many as some people, I've had my share. James 1:2 tells us “when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” God does not really speak to us out loud today, but He can speak to us through our trials. When we are suffering He knows we are paying attention. So if you are going through a storm, be on the lookout because God is up to something in your life. He as well has promised to help you through it. John 16:33b Jesus said “take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus suffered greatly on the cross. It was for the purpose of saving all of mankind. Maybe one day when we reach heaven we will look back at our time on earth and see the trials we went through, and be able to see how God was working His purpose in our lives.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Psalm 73:28 “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart, he is mine forever.”
Why do we face adversity in this life? I don’t fully know, but the Bible has a lot to say about our troubles. First of all Jesus promised us in John 16:33 “in this life you will have many trials and sorrows.” I can testify that is true. Although I’ve not had as many as some people, I've had my share. James 1:2 tells us “when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” God does not really speak to us out loud today, but He can speak to us through our trials. When we are suffering He knows we are paying attention. So if you are going through a storm, be on the lookout because God is up to something in your life. He as well has promised to help you through it. John 16:33b Jesus said “take heart, because I have overcome the world.” Jesus suffered greatly on the cross. It was for the purpose of saving all of mankind. Maybe one day when we reach heaven we will look back at our time on earth and see the trials we went through, and be able to see how God was working His purpose in our lives.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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