Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Focus Verse: Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, least anyone should boast.”
The United States Constitution protects its citizens from being tried in a court of law for the same crime twice. But God does something for us that is even better than that. Over two thousand years ago God sent His only Son Jesus to die for us so we would not be guilty of any wrongdoing. That is Grace. Jesus paid the price of hell for you and me. But it’s up to us to choose if we will accept the payment Jesus made for us. Sadly there are some rich people, poor people, presidents, teachers, athletes, business owners, and pastors that have never made the decision to trust Jesus. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That my friend is Grace. The greatest possible gift God could give us is the forgiveness of our sins. GRACE is simply, God’s Riches At Christ Expense.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, January 27, 2017
Sunday, January 22, 2017
God’s Mercy and His Grace
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14-16
Focus Verses: Hebrews 4:15-16 “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Sometimes we think that God is so different from us and He can’t identify with us. But we must remember that He lived a human life here on earth. He was tempted in all the same ways we are tempted. He suffered and had trials just as we do, but through it all He was victorious. He lived a sinless life. So when He comes to your aid He knows what you need, because He has already gone through it. He knows loneliness, frustration, betrayal, misunderstanding. Because Jesus experienced all these things that we go through, He can now show us mercy and grace. Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. It’s because of His mercy and grace that we can come boldly to Him and ask for His help in time of need. Let us thank The Lord that He can identify with our weakness, and give us help.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: Hebrews 4:15-16 “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Sometimes we think that God is so different from us and He can’t identify with us. But we must remember that He lived a human life here on earth. He was tempted in all the same ways we are tempted. He suffered and had trials just as we do, but through it all He was victorious. He lived a sinless life. So when He comes to your aid He knows what you need, because He has already gone through it. He knows loneliness, frustration, betrayal, misunderstanding. Because Jesus experienced all these things that we go through, He can now show us mercy and grace. Mercy is God not giving us what we deserve. Grace is God giving us what we don’t deserve. It’s because of His mercy and grace that we can come boldly to Him and ask for His help in time of need. Let us thank The Lord that He can identify with our weakness, and give us help.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Monday, January 16, 2017
Never Thirst Again
Scripture Reading: John 4:1-26
Focus Verses: John 4:13-14 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
When Jesus decided to walk through Samaria, the disciples did not think this was a good idea. Jews and Samaritans were not good friends. Jesus even decided to talk with a Samaritan woman at a well. This was unheard of due to the low status of Samaritans and women. Jesus didn’t let any racial divide keep Him from building God’s Kingdom here on earth. Jesus knew everything about this woman, and loved her anyway. He wanted this woman to know her Creator and told her that the water she was drawing from that well would cause her to thirst again, but the water that Jesus was offering her would cause her to never thirst again. The water that we receive at the time of Salvation secures our eternal life in Jesus and is a never ending fountain so we never thirst again. Have you had a drink from this fountain?
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: John 4:13-14 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again, but those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
When Jesus decided to walk through Samaria, the disciples did not think this was a good idea. Jews and Samaritans were not good friends. Jesus even decided to talk with a Samaritan woman at a well. This was unheard of due to the low status of Samaritans and women. Jesus didn’t let any racial divide keep Him from building God’s Kingdom here on earth. Jesus knew everything about this woman, and loved her anyway. He wanted this woman to know her Creator and told her that the water she was drawing from that well would cause her to thirst again, but the water that Jesus was offering her would cause her to never thirst again. The water that we receive at the time of Salvation secures our eternal life in Jesus and is a never ending fountain so we never thirst again. Have you had a drink from this fountain?
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, January 7, 2017
The Moment We First Believe
Scripture Reading: John 5:16-30
Focus Verse: John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”
In our focus verse Jesus tells believers three things that happen when we first believe. First, Jesus says that the new believer has eternal life. Our eternal life starts the moment we believe, not when we die in this earthly body. Second, Jesus told new believers that we will not come into the judgement of God, because Jesus already paid for the penalty for our sins. Thirdly, Jesus is teaching that a new believer has passed from death to life. Without faith, and without trusting God we would face eternal death. Separated from God forever. The only way for us to pass from death to life is to repent from sin, receive this gift of Jesus, that God is offering to us and to trust him as Lord. There is nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it. Have you trusted Jesus or are you still trying to "be good enough"?
More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTkyOS9fqUE
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.”
In our focus verse Jesus tells believers three things that happen when we first believe. First, Jesus says that the new believer has eternal life. Our eternal life starts the moment we believe, not when we die in this earthly body. Second, Jesus told new believers that we will not come into the judgement of God, because Jesus already paid for the penalty for our sins. Thirdly, Jesus is teaching that a new believer has passed from death to life. Without faith, and without trusting God we would face eternal death. Separated from God forever. The only way for us to pass from death to life is to repent from sin, receive this gift of Jesus, that God is offering to us and to trust him as Lord. There is nothing we can do to earn it or deserve it. Have you trusted Jesus or are you still trying to "be good enough"?
More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTkyOS9fqUE
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, December 30, 2016
A New Year With God
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
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 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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)