Don't Waste Your Life

Don’t Waste Your Life

Scripture Reading: John 9:1-15

Focus Verse: John 9:4  “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.”

Jesus was sent from heaven for a task to do. Every day He walked about fulfilling His purpose. He knew there would come a day when he would not be on the earth and the time for this work would be done.

I see so many people today that are wasting their lives doing things that will not matter in the light of eternity.  Some people when they get old and look back on their whole life, they will think what a waste the way I have spent my life.  They will think why didn’t I do more for God’s Kingdom?  I have wasted my time on things that didn’t matter.  

Nothing is ever wasted when we do what God has called us to do.  I just returned from a mission trip to Kenya.  I feel like my time was well spent doing things on that trip that will matter for eternity in helping build God’s Kingdom.  Yes, there are things I might have wanted to do if I stayed home, but each day, God was showing me things He wanted me to do on that trip.

God will test all the things we as Christians have done on earth.  And the test will be by fire.  If it’s not burned up it will last.  1 Corinthians 3:13 talks about this.  “But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.”  If the things we have done are not burned up then we will receive a reward.  In the same way that Jesus made use of His time on earth, let us do all we should with the time God has given us, because night is coming when our work will be done.  Even if we are faithful, I’m sure on that final day we will still wish we had done more.  Let us take advantage of the time we are given and not waste our lives.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Wisdom in Numbers

 I want to share a devotion from Wisdom Hunters written by Tripp Prince. 

Wisdom in Numbers

Bible Reading Acts 15

Focus Verse: "Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter."
Acts 15:6

In the book of Acts, we encounter one of the most significant controversies within the early Church: how should Gentiles be received as members of the new people of God? More specifically, was it necessary for them to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses in order to be full members, as was the requirement of their Jewish brethren? As the defining reality of what it meant to be Jewish, discarding these requirements was no small thing! Yet God in Christ had radically redefined what it meant to be a member of the family of God, and the early leaders of the Church realized this and knew it to be true, thus deciding that the way forward was to “not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,” limiting their observance of the law to freedom from idolatry, sexual immorality, and from food that had been strangled or that still contained blood (see verses 19 and 20). 

While this is the clear teaching of these early Christian leaders and the clear teaching offered to the Gentiles, what’s of interest to me today is the way in which they arrived at this position. Note the words in verse 6: “Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.” Wisdom was not isolated to a single leader, but was found in the patient process of listening to the counsel of many voices, and then prayerfully seeking to discern the Spirit’s leading within them. This was true of the Jerusalem Council, and it is true for you and me today. 

Be wary of isolated wisdom. Look suspiciously upon counsel that proclaims its truth from an island of one person. And be especially cautious when you are the one offering this alienated advice! When you find yourself at a crossroads and needing clear direction, be suspicious of your motives, especially when they lack the insight and collective wisdom of multiple counselors. Instead, seek out other trusted men and women in your life and invite them into the decision-making process. As we see in Acts, the Spirit’s leading is most often found when the people of God prayerfully come together. Embrace this wisdom today in your own life, and be quick to discover the wisdom that’s found in numbers!

 

 Wisdom Hunters Devotions: https://www.wisdomhunters.com/

Dangerous Compromise

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."

How Do You Define Success?

 How Do You Define Success?

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:15-17

Focus Verse: 1 John 2:15 “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”

Many people (even some so-called Christians) who love the world, will define their success by their achievements and possessions.  Verse 17 says “this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.”  Jesus said, “be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.  The prosperity gospel is preached in many parts of the world which leads people to desire things of this world more than the creator. This is dangerous teaching and can lead our affections astray.  Jesus never promised to make you rich while you are here on this earth.  We are to be satisfied in Him, but for true believers He also is preparing a place for us in heaven.

 

If you ask ten different people “how do you define success?” you will probably get ten different answers.  If you’re talking with someone, and you’re not sure what their relationship with God is like, this is a good question to ask them.  All of us want to be successful.  A true follower of Jesus will answer that question much differently than someone who does not follow Jesus.  In fact the answer to this question will also reveal if someone is a strong Christian or a weak Christian.  Maybe a pastor would answer that question, "to be successful is to have a large church",  but that is the wrong answer.  You may only have three people in your church, but if you are leading that church in the way that honors God, then God says you are successful. There are many Christians around the world, quietly serving God faithfully, who the world doesn’t even notice. Yet God would call that person successful because they are obeying what God told them to do. Success to a Christian is obedience to the will of God whether they might go through trials or blessings. 

Job in the Bible had many possessions and the world would have called him successful.  Job was not successful because of what he owned, but because he was a man who honored God.  Therefore, when he lost it all and did not blame God, He was pleased with Job’s life.  And God spoke with Job near the end of the suffering and taught him more about Himself.  That time spent with God are the riches.  Let’s be careful how we define success in our lives. We should not care if the world calls us successful, but if we love God and obey Him, we are successful.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Desire God's Best

 Desire God's Best

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:13-26

Focus Verses:  Proverbs 3:13-18  “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding, for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.  She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.”

What do people chase after most in this world?  Money, power, fame, comfort, success?  Some people desire a home, a family, a good job to be able to meet their obligations.  These are all human desires.  Jesus did not die on the cross to give us possessions or popularity, or a comfortable life.  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.  The things of this world cannot give you an abundant life.  The things of this world eventually will bring you disappointment.  Your investment of money can fail to give you a return.  Your friend that was once loyal to you can turn against you.  The job that you enjoyed so much has not given you a promotion like you anticipated.

There is only one desire that will never fail you.  That is to know God intimately through His Word and prayer.  Your investment in time with God will always give you a return more than you thought.  God will never turn against you.  He will always be a trusted friend.  God has a promotion for you one day when you reach heaven that will be unlike anything you have ever seen.  So don’t desire the cheap imitation that the world offers.  Instead desire what God offers.  The rewards will last forever.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Love a Neighbor

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.  

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

Don’t Be Surprised By Suffering

Don’t Be Surprised By Suffering

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Focus Verses: 1 Peter 4:12-13   " Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world."

 

Peter tells us not to be surprised if we go through suffering.  Everyone on earth will go through some kind of suffering.  This is a fallen world and things are broken here. But Peter says we can be glad when trials come our way.  It sounds really strange that we can be glad when we are suffering. Peter then says that because of our suffering we can be joyful because one day we will see God’s glory.

The world has seen in the news that Kenya has suffered greatly with flooding rains.  Many people have lost their homes and all their possessions, and some have even lost loved ones.  I have seen videos of streets that I walked on just a few months ago that look like a raging river.  It is very sad to see people's belongings just being washed away.

So why do bad things like this happen? My answer is, I don’t know.  But I do know that God is good all the time.  And God is in control all the time.  God always has a plan.  God has never has to say "oops". God never makes mistakes. Nothing happens to us that God doesn’t allow for the good even if we can't see it at the time.  Remember that the worst thing to happen in the history of the world was when Jesus was tortured, crucified and killed on the cross.  But God turned that bad event into the best thing that ever happened in the history of the world.  Jesus went to the cross to save the whole world from their sins. But for only those that would repent and accept this forgiveness by faith.  So don’t be surprised the next time you are going through a difficulty, God is up to something.  He is working out His perfect plan for you.  And He is there to help us through any difficulty.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries