Scripture Reading: Acts 5:17-27
Focus Verse: Acts 5:19 "But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth."
God will not have His plan thwarted. There is a spiritual battle for the souls and we should make sure we are on the Lord's side.
Demonic
activity is on the increase, because Satan knows that his time is
short. I have seen the influence of evil on some lives in Kenya.
Sometimes I think the enemy works extra hard on someone who has abandoned
his old life and is working to spread the Gospel. The good news is that if you put your trust in God, He will not allow His plan to be ruined. He will work all things for the good. (Romans 8:28) He has sent His angels to help us and to watch over
us. They work in obedience to God. In our passage in Acts we see that the angel of the Lord came to
the apostles at night and released them from jail. God did this because
He had a job for them to do, to take the message of life to the people
at the temple.
As a believer in Christ, God has a job for you to
do also. He will not allow Satan to stand in the way. So the next time
Satan attempts to block your efforts, remember God's angels are all
around you. God will make a way for you to obey.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Read more about abandoning the old life: Ephesians 4
Friday, September 28, 2018
Friday, September 21, 2018
Christ, The Foundation for Reconciliation!
Christ, The Foundation for Reconciliation!
Bible Reading: Mathew 5: 21-24
Focus verse: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
We all make friendships which at times break when we get tired with putting up with one another. Good friends have many at times feel like great enemies for different reasons.
We all try to make parties where we can discuss our differences in attempts to reconcile with friends; some people may spend huge amounts of money or wealth in this attempt. Many communities in Africa believe in doing rituals which must involve shedding of the blood of an animal for reconciliation to happen. These and many others attempts that we make many at times have not yielded the true and lasting reconciliation that we needed.
Many fail to identify Jesus to be the foundation and author of reconciliation. They want bloodshed of animals but fail to recognize the unstained, perfect, holy, blameless blood of the Lamb that God has offered for their enmity. Jesus knows your differences and He understands how to mend.
Our sins have separated us from God and we live as his enemies. God does not want us to stay as enemies with him or with other human beings/creatures. He has offered Christ so that we don’t live again as enemies but be reconciled back to him and then to othes. Christ is today standing at each ones door, wanting to help make their relationship with our God and others, which has not worked despite our attempts. He does not want us to continue to stay far from him or our other friends. He wants us back to Him and as well want our loved friends back to us. He wants to save us from spending our wealth and time in building reconciliations by offering the perfect Reconciler at a free cost. Each time we are faced with differences we need to let Christ be the reason for our reconciliation, he is able to bring true repentance of forgiveness from the heart.
Eliazar Wambo
Pastor Makira Baptist Church, Mfangano
Additional verses:
Romans 5:10
Matthew 18:15
Bible Reading: Mathew 5: 21-24
Focus verse: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
We all make friendships which at times break when we get tired with putting up with one another. Good friends have many at times feel like great enemies for different reasons.
We all try to make parties where we can discuss our differences in attempts to reconcile with friends; some people may spend huge amounts of money or wealth in this attempt. Many communities in Africa believe in doing rituals which must involve shedding of the blood of an animal for reconciliation to happen. These and many others attempts that we make many at times have not yielded the true and lasting reconciliation that we needed.
Many fail to identify Jesus to be the foundation and author of reconciliation. They want bloodshed of animals but fail to recognize the unstained, perfect, holy, blameless blood of the Lamb that God has offered for their enmity. Jesus knows your differences and He understands how to mend.
Our sins have separated us from God and we live as his enemies. God does not want us to stay as enemies with him or with other human beings/creatures. He has offered Christ so that we don’t live again as enemies but be reconciled back to him and then to othes. Christ is today standing at each ones door, wanting to help make their relationship with our God and others, which has not worked despite our attempts. He does not want us to continue to stay far from him or our other friends. He wants us back to Him and as well want our loved friends back to us. He wants to save us from spending our wealth and time in building reconciliations by offering the perfect Reconciler at a free cost. Each time we are faced with differences we need to let Christ be the reason for our reconciliation, he is able to bring true repentance of forgiveness from the heart.
Eliazar Wambo
Pastor Makira Baptist Church, Mfangano
Additional verses:
Romans 5:10
Matthew 18:15
Friday, September 14, 2018
Love a Neighbor
Bible 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.
Today I went to visit a sick friend. I was able to help her with a few things at her home, care for her, and then shared a Bible reading and prayer with her. She was so encouraged and thanked me many times for coming. When you help someone, the Holy Spirit confirms in your heart that you are doing something good. You know that is a good feeling. It is good to join others in their time of suffering and need. 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 each day. May God be glorified in any effort of care that I show to someone today. May we work together showing the care that would cause Jesus to be pleased.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Extra reading: portrayals of many good Samaritans in Luke 17:11-19; Acts 8:5-7; 15:3, as well as John 4:4-42
Friday, September 7, 2018
Jesus is Enough
Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 2
Focus Verse: " For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2
Are you having financial trouble?
Are you sick and hurting?
Are you lonely?
Are you rejected?
Are you mourning?
Are you discouraged?
Are you depressed?
Are you anxious?
Are you troubled?
Can Jesus really be enough for you?
When you are going through your life, you will have troubles. Do not be surprised because everyone will face life's trials, each in our own way. We only need to reach out to him and talk with him. When we spend time in prayer and reading the Bible, we will find the help we need.
“My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior” 2 Samuel 22:3
Jesus said, "Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned: he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24
"If Jesus is God in human flesh, revealing to us exactly what God is like...
If Jesus holds the highest position in the universe, and everything and everyone is subject to His authority...
If Jesus is greater that anyone or anything in the visible and invisible world...
If Jesus has a purpose that He is actively completing in the universe as well as in your own life...
Then HE IS ENOUGH!" ~Anne Graham Lotz
No matter what life holds, no matter our trials of health, people that betray or disappoint, personal failure, or difficult finances, if we have JESUS, He is enough. Decide today to seek him through the Word of God, through Christian discipleship and in prayer.
Thank God for Jesus.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Additional reading Romans 8:18-39
Focus Verse: " For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2
Are you having financial trouble?
Are you sick and hurting?
Are you lonely?
Are you rejected?
Are you mourning?
Are you discouraged?
Are you depressed?
Are you anxious?
Are you troubled?
Can Jesus really be enough for you?
When you are going through your life, you will have troubles. Do not be surprised because everyone will face life's trials, each in our own way. We only need to reach out to him and talk with him. When we spend time in prayer and reading the Bible, we will find the help we need.
“My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior” 2 Samuel 22:3
Jesus said, "Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned: he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24
"If Jesus is God in human flesh, revealing to us exactly what God is like...
If Jesus holds the highest position in the universe, and everything and everyone is subject to His authority...
If Jesus is greater that anyone or anything in the visible and invisible world...
If Jesus has a purpose that He is actively completing in the universe as well as in your own life...
Then HE IS ENOUGH!" ~Anne Graham Lotz
No matter what life holds, no matter our trials of health, people that betray or disappoint, personal failure, or difficult finances, if we have JESUS, He is enough. Decide today to seek him through the Word of God, through Christian discipleship and in prayer.
Thank God for Jesus.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Additional reading Romans 8:18-39
Friday, August 31, 2018
Joy In Heaven
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:1-7
Focus Verse: Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Have you ever lost your phone or the key to your house? I have, and I can tell you it’s not a good feeling to lose something. Actually many times I haven’t lost it, I just can’t remember where I put it. In Luke 15 Jesus is telling us three stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Jesus told these stories to help those listening to develop a passion to reach lost souls. But the Pharisees did not care about the lost. They only cared about their own religious self-righteousness and had so much pride. They complained because a lost sinner mattered so much to Jesus. Jesus wants us to reach out to the lost. And when one sinner is converted, there should be a joyous celebration. How can we help the lost to find their way? We can start by living a godly life ourselves, not of our own power, but through the Holy Spirit. When people see you living not like the rest of the world, they may ask you about the hope and peace that you have in your life. So be ready to share the Gospel if someone should ask you. You can also be alert to someone going through a change in their life. Marriage, divorce, birth, illness, death, or job change. Many times people are open to the gospel when there is a change in their life. Thirdly, you can share the gospel with someone you just meet because you never know how God is working in their heart.
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, but God can use what we say to lead them to Christ. Then when someone does receive Christ, your job is just beginning as you disciple. You need to help them grow in their new faith in Christ, just as you would feed a new born baby. Make sure they can find a good church where they can learn and grow. There will be joy in heaven over each person who repents and comes to Christ. “Surely this is our God, we trust in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him, let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9
Do you still remember the joy you had when you first believed and trusted in Jesus? There is joy in heaven and hopefully in our own hearts as we see someone repent and begin to follow Christ.
Extra Reading: Psalm 13:5, Isaiah 61:10, Colossians 4:5-6
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Luke 15:7 “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Have you ever lost your phone or the key to your house? I have, and I can tell you it’s not a good feeling to lose something. Actually many times I haven’t lost it, I just can’t remember where I put it. In Luke 15 Jesus is telling us three stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Jesus told these stories to help those listening to develop a passion to reach lost souls. But the Pharisees did not care about the lost. They only cared about their own religious self-righteousness and had so much pride. They complained because a lost sinner mattered so much to Jesus. Jesus wants us to reach out to the lost. And when one sinner is converted, there should be a joyous celebration. How can we help the lost to find their way? We can start by living a godly life ourselves, not of our own power, but through the Holy Spirit. When people see you living not like the rest of the world, they may ask you about the hope and peace that you have in your life. So be ready to share the Gospel if someone should ask you. You can also be alert to someone going through a change in their life. Marriage, divorce, birth, illness, death, or job change. Many times people are open to the gospel when there is a change in their life. Thirdly, you can share the gospel with someone you just meet because you never know how God is working in their heart.
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, but God can use what we say to lead them to Christ. Then when someone does receive Christ, your job is just beginning as you disciple. You need to help them grow in their new faith in Christ, just as you would feed a new born baby. Make sure they can find a good church where they can learn and grow. There will be joy in heaven over each person who repents and comes to Christ. “Surely this is our God, we trust in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him, let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9
Do you still remember the joy you had when you first believed and trusted in Jesus? There is joy in heaven and hopefully in our own hearts as we see someone repent and begin to follow Christ.
Extra Reading: Psalm 13:5, Isaiah 61:10, Colossians 4:5-6
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, August 24, 2018
Interlocking in Ministry
Bible Reading: Ephesians 4
Focus Verse: "He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:16
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1
Did you ever work on a puzzle? When we gather for time as a family, sometimes we will find a puzzle and put it together. The pieces interlock together to form a beautiful picture. It takes focus and effort to find how they fit, but if we don't give up, we will succeed. Or maybe your puzzle is the house that you are building and the parts of the house must fit together in the right order.
It is how things are supposed to work in the ministry of God when we are yielded to Him. We fit together... work together with other believers as each of us is shaped differently and filling different roles. We interlock together, bound by Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit and we function as the body of Christ. It is a beautiful picture of the community we are supposed to have as we love one another, respecting the different roles that God has given us.
We need to work together with others who are in line with correct theology, but that doesn't mean there is never a struggle. Do you ever struggle with other ministries or other believers in the same ministry? As different people, we are sure to struggle to understand one another, but if we approach it in love instead of pride, God will help us to find our roles. If we push our pride out, we can respect one another and find order in ministry under the headship of Christ. Together we are stronger and more effective as we walk in unity. We can use our differences to strengthen and sharpen each other as we serve together in love. As we strive toward the goal of loving God, loving others and making disciples, we realize how much we need each other to form the beautiful picture that God is making of our lives. As we make disciples, God is adding to the beautiful picture, one soul at a time.
As we bring each new soul into the church, God is forming His beautiful family. Each part helping the other to grow.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Additional scripture on the Body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12
Focus Verse: "He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:16
"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1
Did you ever work on a puzzle? When we gather for time as a family, sometimes we will find a puzzle and put it together. The pieces interlock together to form a beautiful picture. It takes focus and effort to find how they fit, but if we don't give up, we will succeed. Or maybe your puzzle is the house that you are building and the parts of the house must fit together in the right order.
It is how things are supposed to work in the ministry of God when we are yielded to Him. We fit together... work together with other believers as each of us is shaped differently and filling different roles. We interlock together, bound by Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit and we function as the body of Christ. It is a beautiful picture of the community we are supposed to have as we love one another, respecting the different roles that God has given us.
We need to work together with others who are in line with correct theology, but that doesn't mean there is never a struggle. Do you ever struggle with other ministries or other believers in the same ministry? As different people, we are sure to struggle to understand one another, but if we approach it in love instead of pride, God will help us to find our roles. If we push our pride out, we can respect one another and find order in ministry under the headship of Christ. Together we are stronger and more effective as we walk in unity. We can use our differences to strengthen and sharpen each other as we serve together in love. As we strive toward the goal of loving God, loving others and making disciples, we realize how much we need each other to form the beautiful picture that God is making of our lives. As we make disciples, God is adding to the beautiful picture, one soul at a time.
As we bring each new soul into the church, God is forming His beautiful family. Each part helping the other to grow.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Additional scripture on the Body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12
Friday, August 10, 2018
The Kingdom of Heaven
Scripture Reading: Matthew 13: 24-52
Focus Verses: Matthew 13: 31-32 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom of Heaven in chapter 13. For us when we think about the Kingdom of Heaven we think about the place where we will go when we die, if we are a believer in Christ. Jesus’ listeners had a hard time understanding what He was talking about. The Kingdom of Heaven is not an easy subject to understand, so Jesus used parables. He told stories about food, work, gardening, and fishing to help His listeners understand. The way Jesus told His stories the message was not always clear, and this would cause the listener to search and seek out the hidden meaning. In the words of T.S. Eliot, “hints followed by guesses”. We do see that He would explain the meanings to His disciples when he was alone with them.
When Jesus spoke of the mustard seed growing from a tiny seed into a great tree, this parable reminds us that our hope is in a kingdom that is coming. But going deeper into this parable, trees in the Bible are often linked to God’s rule and reign that is great and strong, and this is seen throughout the earth. Daniel 4:11. Also birds are often linked to God’s oppressed people who are in search of a home and place of rest. God is going to provide shelter for the vulnerable that are searching for safety in a home. “Under His tree every kind of bird will live, in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind.” Ezekiel 17:23
Jesus’ story reminds us that our hope is in His coming Kingdom. God invites everyone who is tired and weary to come and find their rest and true home. “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Can you claim this promise of rest in God’s coming Kingdom? If not, trust Christ today for the forgiveness of your sins, and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. If you have trusted Christ for your savior, you can be encouraged that a greater thing is coming, the Kingdom of Heaven!
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: Matthew 13: 31-32 “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”
Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom of Heaven in chapter 13. For us when we think about the Kingdom of Heaven we think about the place where we will go when we die, if we are a believer in Christ. Jesus’ listeners had a hard time understanding what He was talking about. The Kingdom of Heaven is not an easy subject to understand, so Jesus used parables. He told stories about food, work, gardening, and fishing to help His listeners understand. The way Jesus told His stories the message was not always clear, and this would cause the listener to search and seek out the hidden meaning. In the words of T.S. Eliot, “hints followed by guesses”. We do see that He would explain the meanings to His disciples when he was alone with them.
When Jesus spoke of the mustard seed growing from a tiny seed into a great tree, this parable reminds us that our hope is in a kingdom that is coming. But going deeper into this parable, trees in the Bible are often linked to God’s rule and reign that is great and strong, and this is seen throughout the earth. Daniel 4:11. Also birds are often linked to God’s oppressed people who are in search of a home and place of rest. God is going to provide shelter for the vulnerable that are searching for safety in a home. “Under His tree every kind of bird will live, in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind.” Ezekiel 17:23
Jesus’ story reminds us that our hope is in His coming Kingdom. God invites everyone who is tired and weary to come and find their rest and true home. “Come to Me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Can you claim this promise of rest in God’s coming Kingdom? If not, trust Christ today for the forgiveness of your sins, and invite Him to be your Lord and Savior. If you have trusted Christ for your savior, you can be encouraged that a greater thing is coming, the Kingdom of Heaven!
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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