Who Are You Connected To?

 Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8

Focus Verse: John 15:5  “I am the vine, you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.”

In America the news is currently dominated with information about the presidential election that will happen on November 3rd.  Each candidate tells you how good they are and what they are going to do for you.  You can be sure that some of what you hear is truth and some are lies.  Some people put all their hopes and dreams into a politician.  They think if their person gets into office all their problems will go away.  I can tell you that no politician can make all your problems go away.  If someone puts all their hopes in a politician, they have connected themselves to the wrong person.  The true hope is placed in the person of Jesus.

Jesus says in John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  Jesus also said in John 15:5 “without Me you can do nothing.”  Jesus is the person you want to be connected to.  He loves you.  He wants to care for you.  He wants what is good for you.  He wants to take away all your sin.  And He’s prepared a place for you where you can be with Him forever.  No matter what happens in this world, I place my hope in Jesus.  I’m going to stay connected to Jesus.  Who are you connected to?

 

Psalm 20:7 says, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

The Power to Say, "No".

Scripture Reading: Esther 1:3-19

Focus Verse: Esther 1:12 "But when they conveyed the king's order to Queen Vashti, she refused to come.  This made the king furious, and he burned with anger."

Vashti was queen of Persia and the wife of King Xerxes.  He reigned the territory from India to Ethiopia.  The king gave a great party with many guests.  As everyone became drunk he ordered his wife, Vashti, to come and dance before the guests.  She sent word back to the king that she would not dance.  Even though it meant she could lose her life or lose every luxury that she enjoyed as queen.  She said, "no.  She would not expose her body and degrade herself. 

One hundred years ago a young man converted to Christ.  He became a pastor and took missions to the poor and oppressed in the slums of London.  Many times he would preach on street corners.  He became an embarrassment to the well known pastors of the city.  When he was called before a conference of the religious leaders, they said.  "William Booth, will you go where we tell you to go?  If not, we will strip you of your pastorate."  His wife, Catherine stood and said, "William, say, 'No, never!'"  His courage to say no that day, changed the history of Great Britain and many other parts of the world.  William Booth was the founder of The Salvation Army that has helped millions of people around the world.

It is right to obey our leaders according to God's Word, but if the obedience will cause you to sin, you must resist.   If you ever feel pressured to conform to others' prideful or sinful plans, it may seem too difficult to resist.  If it is not God's plan, you should resist them. You don't have to resist in your own strength, because with God's help you can have the power to say "No".

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Knowledge of God Doesn’t Get You Into Heaven

Scripture Reading:  Acts 4:5-12

Focus Verses: Acts 4:11-12  "For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’  There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

I had the distinct privilege this week to hear United States of America President Donald Trump give a speech in person.  As he spoke there was something that caught my attention.  Someone told President Trump “your the most famous person in the world” and Trump's response was “no I’m not, I’m not even close”.  The person then asked "Well who is more famous?"  President Trump then said, “Jesus Christ”.  I don’t know if our President is truly saved.  He does acknowledge Jesus as a great person.  I pray that he is a saved person who submits to God.

How can we know who is getting into heaven?  I think we will be surprised one day to realize that there will be people in Hell that some would say were good people, but they never acknowledged their sins to God.  And also there will be people in Heaven who lived sinful lives but they repented of their sins to follow Christ. The Bible says that all people have sinned. Maybe you have done good things.  I have done good things. Being good doesn’t get us to heaven. Because you have to be perfect to get to Heaven, and none of us are perfect, we have all sinned.  That’s why Jesus came to die on the cross to take our punishment.  John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus not only saves us, but we make Him Lord of our life.  We have the righteousness of Christ.  When we accept God’s free gift of salvation we are saved.  So when God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin He sees His Son Jesus, and we are welcomed into Heaven.

 

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Jesus Never Changes

 Jesus Never Changes

Scripture Reading:  Hebrews 13:7-17

Focus Verse: Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

During this time of year in America, October and November, the seasons are changing. The temperature changes from warm to cool. As winter approaches and the daylight hours are shortened the leaves on the trees change from green to many different colors.  Some leaves change to orange, red, or yellow.  Then the leaves drop off the trees for the winter.  Sometimes we can have friends that act like the leaves on the trees.  One day they are nice and friendly to you, then the next day they have betrayed you.  It seems as if they changed overnight.

I am glad we can have a friend in Jesus that never changes.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Sometimes we change in our relationship towards Jesus, but Jesus still never changes.  He is someone that you can always count on to be there for you.  All your other friends may leave you, but Jesus never will.  We have seen a lot of changes in this world over the past few months with Covid19 pandemic causing so many problems.  But God is still in control. He has not changed. He will never change.  This can bring great peace into our lives during times of so much unrest.  What Jesus thinks about you will never change.  He’s a friend that sticks closer than a brother.

 

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Why Do 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.”

Covid19, the novel coronavirus is still going around the earth.  Humanity is seeking their joy in the wrong places that make their happiness to be temporary.  Pain of illness, loss and disappointment have touched us.  We can't seem to trust our governments.  Life has it's many trials for the saved and the unsaved.  The Born-Again never have to face trials alone because the Holy Spirit ministers to them throughout their lives and will not leave them.  If we are blessed, we also have the Body of Christ in our neighbors and churches to come along side of us as well.

So, 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

God Never Leaves You

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8

Focus Verse Deuteronomy 31:6  "Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, He will never leave you nor forsake you."

I have noticed as I go through life that I have friendships and relationships of different levels with people.  Some close friends and some distant friends.   This has never been more true than during the time of pandemic.  If you are to meet with a friend or care for a friend, this is going to take more effort now.  Sometimes we may feel lonely because we don't put forth an effort to be a friend to others.  There is a friend who will never leave you.  The very best friend is God.

Relationships are made stronger by the time and effort we put into the relationship.  God wants us to put time and effort into our relationship with Him.  As a result, He said that He would never leave us.  Even though we may do things that displease Him, He still will never leave us.  Just as a wayward child that displeases his parents, he is still their child.  We can never do anything that would make God turn His back on us and quit loving us.  He also loves us so much that we can't do more good to make Him love us more.  What a great comfort for us as God's children in knowing that Hebrews 13:5 will always be true.  "Never will I leave you, Never will I forsake you."

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Overwhelming Obstacles

by Greg Laurie, Harvest Ministries

Bible Reading Joshua 6

Focus Verse: Joshua 6:1-2 "Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.  Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men."

Have you ever faced what seemed like an insurmountable obstacle, something that was so big and so overwhelming that you wished you just could turn and run away? Maybe you’re facing something like that right now: an incurable illness, a prodigal child, or a marriage that is unraveling. Maybe you think it will never get fixed. If you have ever faced something like this, you have a general idea of how the nation of Israel felt as they stood before the massive, ancient city of Jericho, the city God said they were supposed to conquer. His battle plan was one of the most unorthodox ever envisioned in human history. They were to march around the city once for six days, and on the seventh day, they were to march around it seven times, blow trumpets, and shout. It was a plan designed by God to show His power. Sometimes God will allow a Jericho in our lives, something big and scary. It might be a problem. It might be a challenge. It might even be an opportunity. But all you know is that it’s massive, and there is no way you can deal with it in your own strength. For many, the greatest difficulty is getting to the place where they are willing to admit they need God. It’s that place where they are willing to admit the thing they’re facing is too big for them and that if God doesn’t come through, then they won’t get through it. That is not a bad place to be. God has a plan for you, but He won’t force His plan in your life. You can botch or sabotage the plan, or you can cooperate with the plan. That is up to you. God will not force His purpose in your life.

"When you get to the end of yourself, you get to the beginning of God."

by Greg Laurie, Harvest Ministries