Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:14-30
Focus Verse: Matthew 25:21 “His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”
On February 21, 2018 one of the worlds greatest evangelist was promoted to heaven. The Reverend Billy Graham went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Billy Graham was quoted as saying, “Some day you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.” What a great positive way to think of death. As a believer in Christ, we have the hope of being alive in heaven. It has been said that Billy Graham was the greatest communicator of the Gospel since the apostle Paul. More than two billion people in this world have heard his message of salvation through crusades, radio and television. He conducted 417 crusades in 185 countries and territories on six continents. Countless millions of people have surrendered their lives to Christ through his ministry of 80 years. I am told that Billy Graham preached in Kenya on two occasions, Kisumu in 1960 and Nairobi in 1976.
Billy Graham’s main message did not change over those 80 years, because the Gospel message is the same yesterday, today and forever, and because God’s Word never changes. “I have one message: that Jesus Christ came, he died on a cross, he
rose again, and he asked us to repent of our sins and receive him by
faith as Lord and Savior, and if we do, we have forgiveness of all of
our sins,” said Graham at his final Crusade in June 2005 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in New York.
Billy Graham’s life is an example of a life that was completely surrendered to Christ. God can use you and me in amazing ways, if we will fully surrender our lives to God. Ephesians 3:20 “God wants to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we might ask or think.” Since Billy Graham’s death people have been asking “who will be the next Billy Graham?” Any one of us can be the next Billy Graham. Anyone of us can go into this world and share the Gospel. I am sure that when Billy Graham reached heavens gate yesterday that Jesus welcomed him in by saying “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant.” Billy Graham promoted to heaven at the age of 99. November 7, 1918 - February 21, 2018. Let Billy Graham’s life and death be an example to all of us of a life surrendered to God and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me … has passed from death into life” (John 5:24 NKJV).
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Read more on this website: https://memorial.billygraham.org/official-obituary/
Friday, February 23, 2018
Friday, February 16, 2018
Running The Race
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12: 1-13Focus Verse: Hebrews 12: 1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.”
The winter Olympic games are being held in South Korea this month. We are watching on TV as the athletes from many different countries are competing against each other. We are watching them as they race on the ice and snow. These athletes train for many years so their bodies will be ready to compete in these races.
The Bible also has a lot to say about races. It describes the life that we live as a race, and that we all should desire to win this race. Our focus verse says we should strip off every weight that can slow us down. I did not see any Olympic athletes that were wearing backpacks while they were racing. In fact the athletes even wear special suits so even the air does not slow them down. The writer of Hebrews says we should get rid of anything that can slow us down, especially sin. So many of us as we get ready for the race of life, the first thing we do is strap on a backpack full of sin. There is no way we can win the race with all that unnecessary weight. 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” Everyone of us has the opportunity to win at this race called life. But you need to be willing to do the training, and also be willing to strip off all the extra weight that could keep you from winning. Jesus can help you do this. Each of us right now are probably thinking of a weight or burden that is on our back that we need to get rid of. Just as those Olympic athletes are working so hard to win that gold metal, we should be striving for the reward that Jesus has reserved for us when we reach heaven. So run your race with endurance. Jesus will help you.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
The winter Olympic games are being held in South Korea this month. We are watching on TV as the athletes from many different countries are competing against each other. We are watching them as they race on the ice and snow. These athletes train for many years so their bodies will be ready to compete in these races.
The Bible also has a lot to say about races. It describes the life that we live as a race, and that we all should desire to win this race. Our focus verse says we should strip off every weight that can slow us down. I did not see any Olympic athletes that were wearing backpacks while they were racing. In fact the athletes even wear special suits so even the air does not slow them down. The writer of Hebrews says we should get rid of anything that can slow us down, especially sin. So many of us as we get ready for the race of life, the first thing we do is strap on a backpack full of sin. There is no way we can win the race with all that unnecessary weight. 1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” Everyone of us has the opportunity to win at this race called life. But you need to be willing to do the training, and also be willing to strip off all the extra weight that could keep you from winning. Jesus can help you do this. Each of us right now are probably thinking of a weight or burden that is on our back that we need to get rid of. Just as those Olympic athletes are working so hard to win that gold metal, we should be striving for the reward that Jesus has reserved for us when we reach heaven. So run your race with endurance. Jesus will help you.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, February 9, 2018
Unexpected Journey
Bible Reading: Ruth 1
Focus Verse: "A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9
Ruth, a Moabite woman, was married for 10 years to an Israelite man and was settled in her life. Suddenly, he died along with his brother. Now her husband's father had also died. This left Naomi, the mother-in-law and the two women alone. They heard that the crops were good in Judah and began their journey there. One of the women turned back, but Ruth made a commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi. This commitment resulted in a great blessing to both Ruth and Naomi.
Many times we make a plan for our life, but tragedy strikes or something happens that keeps our plans from coming true. If we are following God, we will have the wisdom to find the path to take. God has a plan for our life. No matter the pain, suffering, confusion or disappointment in losing our original plan, we can rest in the knowledge that God is directing our next step.
More reading: Psalm 16:7, Jeremiah 10:23, Psalm 37:23 Trust Him.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, February 2, 2018
Government Can't Save You
Government Can't Save You
Bible Reading: Matthew 8:5-13
Focus Verse: Matthew 28: 19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What is the role of the believer in the politics of our world? What is the role of the pastor?
Jesus, the Messiah, came at a time when the area was under Roman Rule and the people thought that He came to save them by overthrowing the government. Those obsessed with that idea got frustrated and left Jesus because Jesus didn't speak to incite the people against Rome. Those who understood heavenly eternity stayed by Jesus' side. The reason He acted this way has to do with the nature of His kingdom - it was not of this world system. Jesus said that he was to be about his Father's business. There were more important battles and those were to heal our wicked hearts.
Jesus did not come offering judgement on the rulers of the world, but mercy. When the Roman soldier came to Jesus, there was no debate on the government, fair treatment, corruption, brutal slavery, but there was heavenly mercy. In that mercy, the Roman had faith. Can pursuing discipleship topple a corrupt government? Some historians cite that the spread of Christianity contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.
We should never look to the Government to save us, but maybe we can lead someone in government to the Savior.
What is the role of the believer in the politics of our world? To be a good citizen, vote if you can vote, obey the laws of the land, and submit to the earthly authority obeying the laws of the land. Romans 13 1 Peter 2:13-17 We are to be about our command: Matthew 28: 19-20 and focus on making disciples. We can effect change in our communities through reaching the hearts. It is not good to turn your mission field into your enemy.
What is the role of the pastor? To be the shepherd of the believers, know Jesus, to whom you belong, follow Him and proclaim Him and the truth of the Word of God. Boldness in love bring forth the light for the world that is lost in darkness. Strengthen the church and the community will strengthen. If all pastors do this, then the country will strengthen. May God be glorified.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Seeking more about discipleship: https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog-and-stories/disciple-making-bible-verses.html?relatedposts_start=2
Bible Reading: Matthew 8:5-13
Focus Verse: Matthew 28: 19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What is the role of the believer in the politics of our world? What is the role of the pastor?
Jesus, the Messiah, came at a time when the area was under Roman Rule and the people thought that He came to save them by overthrowing the government. Those obsessed with that idea got frustrated and left Jesus because Jesus didn't speak to incite the people against Rome. Those who understood heavenly eternity stayed by Jesus' side. The reason He acted this way has to do with the nature of His kingdom - it was not of this world system. Jesus said that he was to be about his Father's business. There were more important battles and those were to heal our wicked hearts.
Jesus did not come offering judgement on the rulers of the world, but mercy. When the Roman soldier came to Jesus, there was no debate on the government, fair treatment, corruption, brutal slavery, but there was heavenly mercy. In that mercy, the Roman had faith. Can pursuing discipleship topple a corrupt government? Some historians cite that the spread of Christianity contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.
We should never look to the Government to save us, but maybe we can lead someone in government to the Savior.
What is the role of the believer in the politics of our world? To be a good citizen, vote if you can vote, obey the laws of the land, and submit to the earthly authority obeying the laws of the land. Romans 13 1 Peter 2:13-17 We are to be about our command: Matthew 28: 19-20 and focus on making disciples. We can effect change in our communities through reaching the hearts. It is not good to turn your mission field into your enemy.
What is the role of the pastor? To be the shepherd of the believers, know Jesus, to whom you belong, follow Him and proclaim Him and the truth of the Word of God. Boldness in love bring forth the light for the world that is lost in darkness. Strengthen the church and the community will strengthen. If all pastors do this, then the country will strengthen. May God be glorified.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Seeking more about discipleship: https://www.jesusfilm.org/blog-and-stories/disciple-making-bible-verses.html?relatedposts_start=2
Saturday, January 27, 2018
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 in tough times 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
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 in tough times 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, January 19, 2018
Dangerous Compromise
Bible Reading: Exodus 8:25-30
Focus verse: "So humble and submit yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Moses confronted Pharaoh and did as the Lord commanded. All the doors shut in his face. Did you ever step out in obedience to the Lord and find that doors shut to you? This is a time to keep your eyes and your faith on God. Continue to do as the Lord commands, refuse the compromise and wait for God's timing to open doors. Pharaoh offered for them to go into the wilderness, but not to leave the land. Satan does not want us to go too far from our old lifestyle. Later, Pharaoh asks them to go, but to leave their flocks and in Exodus 10:26 But Moses replied "not a hoof will be left behind." Moses was confronted repeatedly with the opportunity for compromise, but he refused to move from what God had told him. Satan doesn't want you to go too far in following Christ and will be relentless in his attempts to get you to compromise. HOLD FIRM. Tell the devil that he gets nothing and God gets everything!
Before salvation, we were under the control of Satan even though we thought we were under our own control. We didn't realize this because Satan is a liar. After salvation, we can see the truth more clearly, but Satan hates our salvation so much that he will seek to tempt and manipulate, battle your godly decisions, and destroy our lives with his strategies. One of his strategies is compromise.
God tells us to make a break with our past ruler, Satan, and not to be partners with those who live in the dark. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) If we compromise, we remain in captivity. A life lived in obedience will speak more to the unbelievers than a life of compromise. And your children will respond to the life you lead more than the life you speak.
You can't negotiate with the Devil. A hunter finds a bear and wants a fur coat but the bear wants to discuss the matter. If the hunter does not shoot the bear, then the bear will eat the hunter and the hunter gets his fur coat, though he is dead inside of it. That is how it is to compromise with the devil. Compromise will not bring us to the place that God wants us, but leaves behind a destroyed life and regrets.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Extra reading: 2 Corinthians 6: 14-17 (The Message version) "Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God. “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I’ll be a Father to you you’ll be sons and daughters to me.” The Word of the Master, God."
Focus verse: "So humble and submit yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
Moses confronted Pharaoh and did as the Lord commanded. All the doors shut in his face. Did you ever step out in obedience to the Lord and find that doors shut to you? This is a time to keep your eyes and your faith on God. Continue to do as the Lord commands, refuse the compromise and wait for God's timing to open doors. Pharaoh offered for them to go into the wilderness, but not to leave the land. Satan does not want us to go too far from our old lifestyle. Later, Pharaoh asks them to go, but to leave their flocks and in Exodus 10:26 But Moses replied "not a hoof will be left behind." Moses was confronted repeatedly with the opportunity for compromise, but he refused to move from what God had told him. Satan doesn't want you to go too far in following Christ and will be relentless in his attempts to get you to compromise. HOLD FIRM. Tell the devil that he gets nothing and God gets everything!
Before salvation, we were under the control of Satan even though we thought we were under our own control. We didn't realize this because Satan is a liar. After salvation, we can see the truth more clearly, but Satan hates our salvation so much that he will seek to tempt and manipulate, battle your godly decisions, and destroy our lives with his strategies. One of his strategies is compromise.
God tells us to make a break with our past ruler, Satan, and not to be partners with those who live in the dark. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) If we compromise, we remain in captivity. A life lived in obedience will speak more to the unbelievers than a life of compromise. And your children will respond to the life you lead more than the life you speak.
You can't negotiate with the Devil. A hunter finds a bear and wants a fur coat but the bear wants to discuss the matter. If the hunter does not shoot the bear, then the bear will eat the hunter and the hunter gets his fur coat, though he is dead inside of it. That is how it is to compromise with the devil. Compromise will not bring us to the place that God wants us, but leaves behind a destroyed life and regrets.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Extra reading: 2 Corinthians 6: 14-17 (The Message version) "Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God. “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. I’ll be a Father to you you’ll be sons and daughters to me.” The Word of the Master, God."
Friday, January 12, 2018
Thinking Right Thoughts
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55
Focus Verses: Isaiah 55: 8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Sometimes the ways of God do not make sense to us. That because we use our human understanding. If we are left to our own understanding we would be miserable. God wants us to tap into His divine understanding. When we learn to think how God thinks it can save us from going down the wrong paths. God’s pathway may not look like the correct way now, but later it will. We must trust His way by faith.
To think like God takes discipline. The world does not understand thoughts of eternal things. The unsaved think the things of the cross are foolishness. 1 Corinthians 2:16 says “You can think like God because you have the mind of Christ.” When you think like Christ you let Him be in control. You trust Him to be in control of circumstances. In this new year lets seek God's thoughts and not our own. Let's pursue God more than other things. God wants to teach you more than you could imagine. Just as rain helps the garden to grow, God's word will bring forth fruit and accomplish everything that He intends. Isaiah 55:10-11
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: Isaiah 55: 8-9 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts, says the Lord. And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Sometimes the ways of God do not make sense to us. That because we use our human understanding. If we are left to our own understanding we would be miserable. God wants us to tap into His divine understanding. When we learn to think how God thinks it can save us from going down the wrong paths. God’s pathway may not look like the correct way now, but later it will. We must trust His way by faith.
To think like God takes discipline. The world does not understand thoughts of eternal things. The unsaved think the things of the cross are foolishness. 1 Corinthians 2:16 says “You can think like God because you have the mind of Christ.” When you think like Christ you let Him be in control. You trust Him to be in control of circumstances. In this new year lets seek God's thoughts and not our own. Let's pursue God more than other things. God wants to teach you more than you could imagine. Just as rain helps the garden to grow, God's word will bring forth fruit and accomplish everything that He intends. Isaiah 55:10-11
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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