Bible Reading: Genesis 50Focus Verse: Genesis 50:20 "As
for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring
it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."
This was intended harm that brought life instead: Joseph's
brothers put him in a well and then sold him into slavery. God meant it for good so that Joseph could save his family during the famine.
Do you ever feel like you are in a pit? Some pits are just part of life, some pits we fall into for lack of awareness, some pits are from decisions others make, and other pits are from our own decisions.
There's a story: One day a farmer's donkey
fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the
farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal
was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't
worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all his neighbors to
come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel
dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and
cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down.
A
few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was
astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back,
the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a
step up.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on
top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty
soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the
well and happily trotted off!
Understand this :
Life is going to shovel
dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The people intended it for burial, but
God used it for GOOD. We can get out of the deepest wells just by
trusting God to show us the way out. Shake it off and take a step up.
~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, November 30, 2018
Saturday, November 17, 2018
Community of Care
Scripture 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 our neighbors 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 to pray with them. 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.
When you help someone, the Holy Spirit confirms in your heart that you are doing something good. You know that is a good feeling. 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 today. May God be glorified in any effort of care that I show to someone today.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Also read Acts 2:40-47
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 our neighbors 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 to pray with them. 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.
When you help someone, the Holy Spirit confirms in your heart that you are doing something good. You know that is a good feeling. 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 today. May God be glorified in any effort of care that I show to someone today.
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Also read Acts 2:40-47
Saturday, November 10, 2018
God Administers the Pay Back
Scripture Reading: Romans 12
Focus Verses: Hebrews 10:30-31 “For we know Him who said, It is mine to avenge, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge His people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Do you dream of revenge on someone? Have you ever had someone who owed you a debt that would not repay? Maybe you have been treated unfairly. Or maybe you have been accused of something you did not do. There are a lot of unjust things that happen to us in our lives. In the scriptures, God is asking us to let go of our heart of revenge and let Him handle making things right. Our revenge can make things worse, but trusting God’s repayment of a situation is always perfect even if you can't see it.
Our life gets more messy and complicated when we take on the responsibility of making sure the other person gets what we think they deserve. How can we know what others deserve for their injustices? Our role is not to BE God, but to SERVE God. When God makes a person pay for their injustices, it is done perfectly. Something we cannot do. God may have different plans for paying back injustices. He may choose to show mercy and forgive their sin with minimal consequences. God may choose to bring them to the end of themselves through trials and tribulations. Or it may mean an eternity separated from God because of their deeds done on earth and rejection of Christ. Our job is to forgive the other person, no matter how hard it may be. God’s job is to give the proper judgment and consequences.
We are to give the situation over to God to do what is best. It could be that your forgiveness may be the very thing God uses to bring that person to Christ. Regardless, you do the right thing, and trust God to do the right thing. Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, It is mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord.” Who do you feel has wronged you that you feel the need to get even with? How can Christ give you the strength to forgive them in love in spite of what they have done?
Additional Reading: Deuteronomy 32:35, Leviticus 19:18, Proverbs 20:22, Proverbs 24:29, Romans 12:17
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verses: Hebrews 10:30-31 “For we know Him who said, It is mine to avenge, I will repay, and again, The Lord will judge His people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Do you dream of revenge on someone? Have you ever had someone who owed you a debt that would not repay? Maybe you have been treated unfairly. Or maybe you have been accused of something you did not do. There are a lot of unjust things that happen to us in our lives. In the scriptures, God is asking us to let go of our heart of revenge and let Him handle making things right. Our revenge can make things worse, but trusting God’s repayment of a situation is always perfect even if you can't see it.
Our life gets more messy and complicated when we take on the responsibility of making sure the other person gets what we think they deserve. How can we know what others deserve for their injustices? Our role is not to BE God, but to SERVE God. When God makes a person pay for their injustices, it is done perfectly. Something we cannot do. God may have different plans for paying back injustices. He may choose to show mercy and forgive their sin with minimal consequences. God may choose to bring them to the end of themselves through trials and tribulations. Or it may mean an eternity separated from God because of their deeds done on earth and rejection of Christ. Our job is to forgive the other person, no matter how hard it may be. God’s job is to give the proper judgment and consequences.
We are to give the situation over to God to do what is best. It could be that your forgiveness may be the very thing God uses to bring that person to Christ. Regardless, you do the right thing, and trust God to do the right thing. Romans 12:19 says, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written, It is mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord.” Who do you feel has wronged you that you feel the need to get even with? How can Christ give you the strength to forgive them in love in spite of what they have done?
Additional Reading: Deuteronomy 32:35, Leviticus 19:18, Proverbs 20:22, Proverbs 24:29, Romans 12:17
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, November 2, 2018
Self Righteousness
Scripture Reading: Luke 18:9-14
Focus Verse: Luke 18:9 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told a parable.”
Self righteousness is ugly. God doesn’t like it, and others don’t like it. The interesting thing is that the people who display self righteousness don’t realize that they are doing this. Have you ever noticed that when someone smells bad they don’t notice, but everyone around them notices. This is how self righteousness is. It’s kind of sad, but if we are honest, we must admit that sometimes we have been the one that smells bad. We also have all been the self righteous one at some time. We have been the ones that made unfair judgments of others. We keep track who’s better, us or them. It could become a completion of who is the better Christian? Or who can use the right phrase of words in church so people will think we are more spiritual. I know that I have been guilty of that. It’s really sad when those that are self righteous are the ones that have influence, such as the Pharisees in our scripture reading.
Self righteousness is not acceptable to God, and we should humbly examine it's presence in our own lives. Self righteousness is driven by pride. And we know what God thinks of pride. People with this problem when they pray it is a show rather than speaking humbly with God. I wonder if the Pharisees ever prayed when they were alone, when only God could hear? It is important for God to root out pride in our lives on a regular basis. We can keep pride in check by following Christ and obeying Him. Humble people are quick to confess their sins, and yes pride and self righteousness is a sin. Let's be quick to confess.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Luke 18:9 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told a parable.”
Self righteousness is ugly. God doesn’t like it, and others don’t like it. The interesting thing is that the people who display self righteousness don’t realize that they are doing this. Have you ever noticed that when someone smells bad they don’t notice, but everyone around them notices. This is how self righteousness is. It’s kind of sad, but if we are honest, we must admit that sometimes we have been the one that smells bad. We also have all been the self righteous one at some time. We have been the ones that made unfair judgments of others. We keep track who’s better, us or them. It could become a completion of who is the better Christian? Or who can use the right phrase of words in church so people will think we are more spiritual. I know that I have been guilty of that. It’s really sad when those that are self righteous are the ones that have influence, such as the Pharisees in our scripture reading.
Self righteousness is not acceptable to God, and we should humbly examine it's presence in our own lives. Self righteousness is driven by pride. And we know what God thinks of pride. People with this problem when they pray it is a show rather than speaking humbly with God. I wonder if the Pharisees ever prayed when they were alone, when only God could hear? It is important for God to root out pride in our lives on a regular basis. We can keep pride in check by following Christ and obeying Him. Humble people are quick to confess their sins, and yes pride and self righteousness is a sin. Let's be quick to confess.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Saturday, October 27, 2018
Doubting God
Doubting God
Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:1-19
Focus Verse: Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?”
Satan’s main purpose is to get you to worship him, but if he is unable to do that, then he will try and get you to doubt God. He knows that your faith in God will be of little good if it is filled with doubt. As followers of Christ we all go through periods of doubt, but this should not be an on going pattern in your life. Thomas had some doubts for a short time about the resurrected Christ. Even John the Baptist had a moment of doubt (Matthew 11). Don’t underestimate the power Satan can have in getting you to doubt God. If Satan has planted seeds of doubt in your life, that needs to be removed as soon as possible. If weeds are left unattended in your garden they will choke out any fruit that tries to grow. If doubt is left unattended in your life you will not be able to bear fruit for Christ.
For some people it was easier to trust God when they first believed, but now they have gotten so familiar with the Christian life they have gotten relaxed and Satan has slipped doubt into their lives unnoticed. Doubt has begun to replace God’s promises. Did God really say that Jesus is the only way to heaven John 14:6? Did God really say if you reject Jesus you will go to hell Revelation 20:15? Did God really say I am to love my wife even when I don’t feel like it? Did God really say I am to forgive my friend for the wrong he did? Did God really say I am to trust Him even when I don’t understand what He’s doing? The answer to all these questions, no doubt, is YES, God did say that.
Satan will many times try to tell you that God is holding back something that is good for you. Just like he deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. There are no gray areas in God’s Word. If you are not sure if something is good or evil, confirm it in God’s Word. God can be trusted. He does not mix His words. We doubt Satan, and we trust God.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Scripture Reading: Genesis 3:1-19
Focus Verse: Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, you must not eat from any tree in the garden?”
Satan’s main purpose is to get you to worship him, but if he is unable to do that, then he will try and get you to doubt God. He knows that your faith in God will be of little good if it is filled with doubt. As followers of Christ we all go through periods of doubt, but this should not be an on going pattern in your life. Thomas had some doubts for a short time about the resurrected Christ. Even John the Baptist had a moment of doubt (Matthew 11). Don’t underestimate the power Satan can have in getting you to doubt God. If Satan has planted seeds of doubt in your life, that needs to be removed as soon as possible. If weeds are left unattended in your garden they will choke out any fruit that tries to grow. If doubt is left unattended in your life you will not be able to bear fruit for Christ.
For some people it was easier to trust God when they first believed, but now they have gotten so familiar with the Christian life they have gotten relaxed and Satan has slipped doubt into their lives unnoticed. Doubt has begun to replace God’s promises. Did God really say that Jesus is the only way to heaven John 14:6? Did God really say if you reject Jesus you will go to hell Revelation 20:15? Did God really say I am to love my wife even when I don’t feel like it? Did God really say I am to forgive my friend for the wrong he did? Did God really say I am to trust Him even when I don’t understand what He’s doing? The answer to all these questions, no doubt, is YES, God did say that.
Satan will many times try to tell you that God is holding back something that is good for you. Just like he deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. There are no gray areas in God’s Word. If you are not sure if something is good or evil, confirm it in God’s Word. God can be trusted. He does not mix His words. We doubt Satan, and we trust God.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Friday, October 19, 2018
Jesus: He Is Enough
Jesus: He is Enough
Do you ever get the feeling that there is no such thing as having enough in our world?...
It would be wonderful if people saw the Bible and the Gospel in all its rich clarity and realized that Christ alone is sufficient for salvation and for every spiritual need of the human soul.
But unfortunately...the world has infiltrated the Church and has created a mindset and attitude that is an affront to God: People are bringing additives to the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.
Isn’t it true that many people want to add on to their faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus alone doesn’t seem to be enough for the world today—even for the Christian community! Whether it is incorporating good works for salvation or non-Christian practices from other religions into their faith, people frequently function as if Jesus is not enough in their lives. They may claim that He is their Savior, but their acts and attitudes toward Him reveal the truth—that they believe they must “add” something to His work on the cross.
But the Bible is very clear that Jesus was and is the “plan of enough” from God. First Corinthians 3:11 says, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” And Jesus Himself declared in John 6:51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” There is no question about it—Jesus is enough!
I want to encourage you to live daily in light of His “sufficiency.” When you do, you will be surprised at how fulfilled and content you will be in your everyday life. And if you start to feel the urge to apply additives to your faith, just be reminded of these three things:
Jesus is Savior enough.
Jesus is Sufficient enough.
Jesus is Security enough.
He is enough!
Written by Dr. David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point for God, and serves as Senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California.
Do you ever get the feeling that there is no such thing as having enough in our world?...
It would be wonderful if people saw the Bible and the Gospel in all its rich clarity and realized that Christ alone is sufficient for salvation and for every spiritual need of the human soul.
But unfortunately...the world has infiltrated the Church and has created a mindset and attitude that is an affront to God: People are bringing additives to the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.
Isn’t it true that many people want to add on to their faith in Jesus Christ? Jesus alone doesn’t seem to be enough for the world today—even for the Christian community! Whether it is incorporating good works for salvation or non-Christian practices from other religions into their faith, people frequently function as if Jesus is not enough in their lives. They may claim that He is their Savior, but their acts and attitudes toward Him reveal the truth—that they believe they must “add” something to His work on the cross.
But the Bible is very clear that Jesus was and is the “plan of enough” from God. First Corinthians 3:11 says, “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” And Jesus Himself declared in John 6:51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” There is no question about it—Jesus is enough!
I want to encourage you to live daily in light of His “sufficiency.” When you do, you will be surprised at how fulfilled and content you will be in your everyday life. And if you start to feel the urge to apply additives to your faith, just be reminded of these three things:
Jesus is Savior enough.
Jesus is Sufficient enough.
Jesus is Security enough.
He is enough!
Written by Dr. David Jeremiah is the founder of Turning Point for God, and serves as Senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon, California.
Friday, October 12, 2018
Your Choice
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:19-24
Focus Verse: Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.”
Joshua’s message to the Israelites was that they had to choose who they would serve. There is a worldly pull toward things of this world and a spiritual pull toward the Lord God. Joshua said, “as for me and my house, we will sere the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) You must choose the master of your life. Many people serve themselves and are their own master. When you are serving yourself, you are not serving the Lord. Also, when you serve the Lord, you are not serving yourself. God, your Creator, wants to have the number one spot in your life. God gave you the freedom to choose who will be the master. Although the world will tell you otherwise, if you choose anything other than God, your life will become a mess. Satan decided that he wanted to be his own master and that he would be greater than God. We know that can't be true and he will end up in Hell forever. We can not deceive ourselves to think that we can be a better master than our Creator God. God will always do a better job at running your life than you will. So give Him full control of your life today and walk in obedience to Him. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
Focus Verse: Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.”
Joshua’s message to the Israelites was that they had to choose who they would serve. There is a worldly pull toward things of this world and a spiritual pull toward the Lord God. Joshua said, “as for me and my house, we will sere the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) You must choose the master of your life. Many people serve themselves and are their own master. When you are serving yourself, you are not serving the Lord. Also, when you serve the Lord, you are not serving yourself. God, your Creator, wants to have the number one spot in your life. God gave you the freedom to choose who will be the master. Although the world will tell you otherwise, if you choose anything other than God, your life will become a mess. Satan decided that he wanted to be his own master and that he would be greater than God. We know that can't be true and he will end up in Hell forever. We can not deceive ourselves to think that we can be a better master than our Creator God. God will always do a better job at running your life than you will. So give Him full control of your life today and walk in obedience to Him. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries
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