Looking at the Invisible

Bible Reading:  Hebrews 11:1-40

Focus Verses:  Hebrews 11:1,27  "(1) Faith shows the reality of what we hope for, it is the evidence of things we cannot see.   (27) It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger.  He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible. "

There are many people mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11 and they all have one thing in common.  They all made mistakes.  Not one of them was perfect.  Have you ever done something you wished you hadn’t?  Did you ever say to yourself “I wish I could live that day over again?  I have. Even though these people made mistakes they also had something else in common.  They had great faith.  Many of the verses in this chapter start by saying “It was by faith”.

Moses is mentioned in this chapter for his faith.  Moses made mistakes.  He failed in Exodus 2:12 by killing a man and then ran away.  Even after he thought he was unable to serve God, he still had faith.  The Bible says in verse 27 “It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger.  He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the One who is invisible. We know who the invisible One is, it’s God.  Even after he escorted the Israelites out of Egypt, he failed again!  In Exodus 20, he struck a rock in disobedience. I’m sure if Moses could live that day over again he would just speak to the rock like God said instead of striking it. Even with this, Moses is not defined by this mistake, but by his faith.

Today let’s not be defined by our mistakes.  We are all going to make mistakes.  Let us be defined by our faith.  The invisible God that we serve is a God of second chances.  It takes great faith to keep our eyes on Someone that is invisible.  And one day, because of our faith, we will see Him face to face.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

What Are You Wearing?

Bible Reading: Romans 13: 8-14

 

Focus Verse:  "Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires."

—Romans 13:14 

Most of the time I like to wear jeans and a T-shirt or some sort of comfortable shirt. I don’t like shirts that are stiff or too heavy. Instead, I like clothing that moves where I move.

In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul wrote, “Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires” (Romans 13:14 NLT).

The J. B. Phillips translation puts it as follows: “Let us be Christ’s men from head to foot, and give no chances to the flesh to have its fling.”

Paul was saying, in effect, that putting on the Lord Jesus is like putting on clothes. When we put on the Lord Jesus Christ, we’re making Christ a part of our lives every day.

When Jesus said to Matthew the tax collector, “Follow me” (Mark 2:14 NLT), it also could be translated, “Follow with me,” which speaks of companionship, relationship, and friendship. In other words, “Let’s enter into a friendship. Let’s enter into a relationship together.”

Yes, the Lord wants our obedience, but He also wants our companionship. Jesus was saying to Matthew, “I don’t want you to just be one of my disciples; I want you to be one of my friends.” And He offers that same invitation to us.

We often view God as harsh, austere, and angry, but nothing could be further from the truth. God is loving, God is compassionate, and God is caring. And He wants to enter into a friendship with us.

Jesus said, “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me” (NLT). So follow Jesus every day throughout your life until the end. And wherever you go, put on Jesus.

Written by Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries

https://harvest.org/resources/explore-resources/?type=devotion

 

Fear God With a Fear That Keeps You Close

Bible Reading: Psalm 76

Memory verse: Psalm 111:10  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and they who live by it grow in understanding..."
 
Fear God.  Some people struggle with that, but knowing His power, I fear.   Fear is what brings us to understand that we need a Savior.

Romans 3:23 tells us that we have fallen short of God's standard with our sin.
Romans 6:23 says that God's price for our sin is death.
Jesus paid that price (Romans 5:8) with His death on the cross and resurrection.
John 3:16 tells us that God loved us enough to send His Son Jesus so that if you CHOOSE to believe and follow Him then your soul will not perish, but have eternal life after the earthly death.   What will you choose?

Those who never choose to follow Him, should fear for their eternal judgement. But knowing His love, I have joined Him, love Him, accepted Jesus as my Savior and will follow Him.   Fear... respect... adore... worship... reverence... honor... glory... fear.  Yes, fear. Not a fear that keeps me away, but a fear that keeps me CLOSE to Him in obedience and trust.   I have begun to appreciate the kindness of God, but also the fact that He is Just and He will rebuke and discipline when we sin.  There comes an earthly consequence to sin even as there is still eternal life for the believer.  We will strive to please Him, and when we fail, we should quickly return to Him in repentance.  Do not give up or lose heart.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

More verses to meditate on today:
Prov 8:13 (NIV) "To fear the Lord is to hate evil."
Prov 19:23 (NEB) "The fear of the Lord is life; he who is full of it will rest untouched by evil."
Prov 16:6 (NEB) ...the fear of the Lord makes men turn from evil.
Job 28:28 (NEB) ..."The fear of the Lord is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding."

Welcome Home

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Focus Verse: Luke 15:17  He finally came to his senses.

I was recently in Kenya for a mission.  During the mission we were able to have a four day  evangelistic crusade in the western town of Rongo (near Kisii).  On the final night of the crusade I preached a message on "The Prodigal Son” from Luke 15.  

 

Here was a very foolish son that asked for his inheritance early.  He took that money and wasted all of it on wild living.  After all his money was gone he was in great need.  The Bible says no one gave him anything.  Now I want you to notice something in verse 17.  The Bible says that he came to his senses. The New King James version says it this way “he came to himself”.  I believe that means that he looked down deep into his heart and he didn’t like what he saw. He was down in a pit.  He was at the end of his rope.  He was at rock bottom.  He knew he had disobeyed his father, but more importantly he had disobeyed his heavenly Father, God.  He was sorry for what he had done.  He was ready to go home, he was ready to repent (to turn away from his sin).  When he got home his father welcomed him home with open arms.  The father still loved him because he was still his son.  

It’s the same way with our Father in heaven.  Is it time to stop seeking in places where God is not dwelling?  He is waiting for us to return home, and He is waiting to welcome us home with open arms because He loves us so much.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Everyone is Invited

Scripture Reading:  Philemon

Focus Verses: Philemon 10-12 "I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,  who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.  I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,"

As we continue to learn about a Christian Community, is there anyone that should be excluded from becoming a part of God's family.  No.  When Christ died on the cross, His death covered the sins of everyone on the whole earth.  No one is beyond the reach of Christ's love.  Sometimes we try to qualify people and say, "Oh, they would never become a Christian."

What is the purpose of Paul's writing of Philemon?  It was to get Philemon to accept Onesimus.  Onesimus' name means "useful".  In verse 11 Paul talks of his usefulness to himself and Philemon.  Everyone who belongs to Jesus has a place in the body of believers.  I have heard my pastor say, "If God is calling you to join in this fellowship, then this church is incomplete without you."

Sometimes we may feel that we have an exclusive attitude with those in our Christian community.  If we have that attitude, then we are missing a piece of the body of Christ.  Think of some people in your community that need to feel the love of a fellowship or church.  How can you reach out to them this week?

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Why Do We Suffer?

Scripture Reading: Job 1

Focus Verses: "Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."   John 9:1-3

When God created the first man and woman, and put them in the Garden of Eden, it was a perfect environment without troubles or sin.  Some day in the future, Jesus is going to take every believer to heaven where there will be no more sorrow or pain.  Heaven will be a perfect environment just like in the beginning.  But where are we now?  We are in this middle period of time when our human nature of sin and Satan, with his demons, are trying to take control of this earth.  We see a lot of suffering.  This period of sin, trials, suffering, and tribulation is actually brought on by humanity's disobedience of God.

The Bible has a lot to say about suffering.  We read that God can work His will for our lives through our suffering.  When I think of suffering in the Bible the first name that comes to my mind is Job.  We see that even though everything was taken from Job he did not turn his back on God.  Job 1:22 "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."  James even says we should be joyful when we have trials.  James 1:2-4  "My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. "  We know that when hard times come God is just getting us ready for eternity.  Suffering will either make us bitter or better.

Sometimes suffering is because of our own mistakes or choices.  Sometimes it is because of someone else's choice.  But other times, it is just because of the natural ways of this world.  The Bible tells us that we will have trouble. Jesus said,  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In our focus verses today Jesus said that suffering is allowed so that the power of God can be seen in our lives.  All of us will go through suffering at some point in our lives.  Some of us will go through more than others.  I don't have a good answer for why a child dies.  Or why do wars happen.  Or why does someone go through great financial loss.  But I do know that God loves His children and not a one of them are lost.  You have so much to look forward to if you are a child of God.  Pray that your suffering will make you better.  

Romans 8:18  "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later."

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

False Teachers

Bible Reading: Jude
Focus verse: "I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 4

Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote a letter to those who are together in the salvation of Jesus.  He really wanted to send a letter rejoicing in their common salvation, but could sense that he should be sending some warnings as well.  The first warning is to strive to keep the gospel pure and not distorted.  He wants you to check what preachers teach to see if they match up to the Bible, the original writings.  False teachers will be plentiful in the last days.  It's interesting that the book of Jude comes before Revelation in the Bible.  There are many who claim to speak for God today.  Nobody, not even a great preacher, Instagram influencer, or famous Christian artist, has the right to change the message that God gave us. 

How can you find the true preachers?  How do you notice a false teacher?

First, you must study the Word of God for yourself.  When you know the truth, you will recognize a lie.

Second, be sure of their views are right on who Jesus is, the trinity, repentance and Christ's work of redemption for salvation.  Matthew 16:15-16  Is the Gospel part of their message or does it seem incomplete or perverted?  The apostle Paul said, “If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:9) ESV.

 
Third, look for the fruit of a Christian in their lives. Matthew 12:33 Do you see a heart that is affected by the Holy Spirit in their lives. Nobody is perfect, but do their lives show fruits of the Spirit?  Galatians 5:22-23  Do you see humility or pride? 

Fourth, are they teaching from the Bible or their own ideas and thoughts of what is reasonable to them? A false teacher will say things that seem wonderful. A false teacher will make you feel so good about your standing with God with no challenges to scripture reading.  It may sound good, but our hearts can deceive us.  2 Peter 2:1-3 includes "They will secretly introduce destructive heresies", so it won't be very obvious unless you know God's Word. They will mix a LIE into the truth and maybe not even know they have done it.   The Bible says "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." 2 John 9  Remember that at false teacher can even have good intentions, but in the end, they are a tool of the enemy.    

Thanks Jude, for the warnings, caution and encouragement!  We must be aware of false teachers and the dangers of following them.  We must remain faithful to the true Gospel and encourage one another.  We must show mercy to those whose faith wavers, rescue some from judgement, show mercy to people while hating the sin that contaminates their lives.  May God have glory in our lives as he keeps us completely His forever.

~Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

More on False teachers found in:  Galatians, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, and Jude