Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Saturday July 03, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 46-51. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-july-3
Today's Message: Be Still And Listen
When was the last time you honestly just sat still and listened to all the things that are around you? It is amazing what you hear when all is quiet and you notice the sounds around you, birds chirping, rain dropping, the wind, the ac coming on, a fan whistling. Whether they are peaceful or annoying to you it does not take long before you get use to them and do not notice them as much. Now, think about the day you felt when you chose to follow Christ. You were excited, a little scared, and eager to learn just what following Christ entails, but once you figured out that we were just ordinary people, who sometimes sin, and are struggling just as you were, you felt like, I can do this. Ever want to do something sinful that you use to do, but just can't do it anymore? That is the Holy Spirit talking to you. As long as we keep listening to the Holy Spirit He will teach us many things, some will seem peaceful, while others will seem annoying, but as we grow in our walk with Christ we will learn that God is removing things from our lives for a good reason. As time goes by, and this happens to every Christian, we get so use to that voice that we do not notice the Holy Spirit as much. Then we start struggling with something and wonder where God is, but the truth is, He never left, He is right there trying to get our attention. If we want to hear what He has to say we just need to be still and listen to Him.
God speaks to us in many ways, most of all through His Word, without His Word we would still be trying to make it through this journey on earth without going insane, which incidentally many have. David faced many struggles, but he knew he could not get through any of them without God. He records, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” -Psalm 46:1-5. God truly is our refuge during our struggles, He can give us hope and encouragement even through the darkest times. I do not know how I made it through twenty-five years of my life without God's Word. All I do know is that God was watching over me the entire time and calling me, just waiting for the day I put my trust in Him to help me out of my troubles. God will help all who put their trust in Him.
One way to get go to respond is to praise Him, in the midst of David's troubles he never stopped praising God. Instead of wallowing in our sorrows we are to shout unto God, “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.” - Psalm 47:1-4. The word terrible in this case does not mean horrible, it means awesome. God is awesome and in control of all things, He has many blessings waiting for us through and as our struggles come to pass. Praise God! Amazingly, God wants to see His children prosper, but above all He wants us to realize that prosperity goes beyond what we can get here on earth. “Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding....They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it ceaseth for ever:) That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption....Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him.” - Psalm 49:4-3,6-9,16,17. It's not about what we have, whether we are rich or poor, or how many people we know. It's who we know, the Lord, Jesus Christ. Praise God!
You know, even if we mess up God is still speaking to us, this is evident through any conviction one feels, He knows we are going to sin, He just wants us to fess up to it and ask for forgiveness. David loved God with all his heart, but he still messed up a few times and got himself in trouble. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.” - Psalm 51:1-4. David knew he messed up, admitted his fault, sought forgiveness, and knew he would be forgiven. David's prayer for mercy is a prayer for release from the presence and power of sin. God forgives our sins when we repent and pray as David did, He also reveals how sinners who truly repent and forsake their sin can experience the same wonderful mercy and forgiving love of God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9. Praise God!
God is speaking to you in some way, be still and listen for Him, for a while this bird that lives in one of the trees in my backyard would start chirping around midnight. Although I would prefer him to sing to me when I do not have to get up at 5am, when I hear him I can not help, but be reminded of just how amazing God is. That is probably why God has him chirping at such a late hour. He has the strangest chirp, but it is beautiful to hear, I imagine he still chirps at the same time all the time, but I do not always hear him. It is amazing how the tiniest little thing can remind us of the wonders of God. There must be thousands of different species of birds, yet everyone of them have a distinct look, sound, and purpose for God. It is amazing, they trust in Him, get right to work, and while some may fall in the line of duty, they have no fear and keep doing what they are supposed to do. We can all learn a thing or two from the birds. “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” - Matthew 6:25,26. The birds trust in God to provide for them and we are much more important to God than they are, so why are we losing sleep over things when God has it all under control? It's time to be still and listen to God, He is trying to get your attention about something, you just have to start remembering the sound of His voice.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Daily Bible Study: Patience Through Difficulties 07.02.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Friday July 02, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 40-45. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-july-2
Today's Message: Patience Through Difficulties
As Christians one of the things we learn from God is patience, most of us, including me, have thought that having patience means that we are waiting for God to give us an answer to a prayer or bring something to pass. However, patience means much more than that, in fact, the word wait is not even mentioned in its definition. The word patience us defined as, the willingness to endure annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, or irritation. In other words we are to go through the trials we face without complaining, yelling, or getting aggravated about them. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” - James 1:2-4. The word divers means all sorts, we are going to be faced with all sorts of temptations to try our faith in God, and as we overcome those temptations we learn patience and the perfect will of God for our lives. Now, I do not know about you, but I know I get aggravated once in a while. I have a customer that can get a bit critical, he gives me junk to work with and expects a masterpiece, but I have learned to accept the criticism and keep changing it over and over until he is satisfied, without complaining too much. I have learned, especially over the past few years that complaining about something never gets me anywhere, but more complaining. Incidentally, the word complain means to constantly fuss about or criticize someone. So, if we want God to bless us we need to learn to endure the difficulties with patience.
You can be sure that if you have chosen to live your life for Christ that your patience will be tried. If anyone's patience was tried more, it was David's. He not only had to run from Saul, but at one time even his own son, but he never stopped praising God and waited patiently and trusted that God would help him out of his troubles. “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” - Psalm 40:1-4. Having patience means letting go of our pride, humbling ourselves before God, and putting our trust in Him. He hears us and knows what we are going through. He is trying our faith to seek Him in bringing our trials to pass. Of course we are going to have to make an effort to see things come to pass, but as long as we are trusting Him to lead the way He will show us the right way to handle things.
Do you think David did not get a little down at times? He asked God numerous times, “Where are you, God?” For about 10 years he remained in exile, constantly on the move from Saul who was trying to kill him. One thing David learned while in exile was that he could not stop praying and glorifying God. “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance...Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” - Psalm 42:2-5,8. Praying to God in our time of need gives us life and hope for an end to our troubles. If you are going to ask God for patience, He is going to place something before you that requires you to learn patience, but as you put your trust in Him and keep praising Him that patience will pay off. Learning patience has blessed me in many ways, for instance as I learn to handle difficult customers with patience I get blessed with more work. One of my biggest accounts was given because I have patience in dealing with a slow paying customer that wants changes made stat.
Do you ever wonder why you ask God for some things and end up getting the complete opposite? It's all about glorifying God. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” - Romans 15:4-6. God is going to place trials before us so that we learn to have patience and seek comfort in Him through His Word and prayer. Ever notice when you are facing trials that you read, pray, and come to church a little more that normal? God is no fool, He knows how to get us to glorify Him, the more we glorify Him, the more hope we have in Him, the more hope we have, the more He blesses us. Praise God! God knows what He is doing, He knows out hearts and when He gets the stubbornness of our pride to open our hearts he will get us to see that we can not get through any trial without Him.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and your weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Today is Friday July 02, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 40-45. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-july-2
Today's Message: Patience Through Difficulties
As Christians one of the things we learn from God is patience, most of us, including me, have thought that having patience means that we are waiting for God to give us an answer to a prayer or bring something to pass. However, patience means much more than that, in fact, the word wait is not even mentioned in its definition. The word patience us defined as, the willingness to endure annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, or irritation. In other words we are to go through the trials we face without complaining, yelling, or getting aggravated about them. “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” - James 1:2-4. The word divers means all sorts, we are going to be faced with all sorts of temptations to try our faith in God, and as we overcome those temptations we learn patience and the perfect will of God for our lives. Now, I do not know about you, but I know I get aggravated once in a while. I have a customer that can get a bit critical, he gives me junk to work with and expects a masterpiece, but I have learned to accept the criticism and keep changing it over and over until he is satisfied, without complaining too much. I have learned, especially over the past few years that complaining about something never gets me anywhere, but more complaining. Incidentally, the word complain means to constantly fuss about or criticize someone. So, if we want God to bless us we need to learn to endure the difficulties with patience.
You can be sure that if you have chosen to live your life for Christ that your patience will be tried. If anyone's patience was tried more, it was David's. He not only had to run from Saul, but at one time even his own son, but he never stopped praising God and waited patiently and trusted that God would help him out of his troubles. “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” - Psalm 40:1-4. Having patience means letting go of our pride, humbling ourselves before God, and putting our trust in Him. He hears us and knows what we are going through. He is trying our faith to seek Him in bringing our trials to pass. Of course we are going to have to make an effort to see things come to pass, but as long as we are trusting Him to lead the way He will show us the right way to handle things.
Do you think David did not get a little down at times? He asked God numerous times, “Where are you, God?” For about 10 years he remained in exile, constantly on the move from Saul who was trying to kill him. One thing David learned while in exile was that he could not stop praying and glorifying God. “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance...Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” - Psalm 42:2-5,8. Praying to God in our time of need gives us life and hope for an end to our troubles. If you are going to ask God for patience, He is going to place something before you that requires you to learn patience, but as you put your trust in Him and keep praising Him that patience will pay off. Learning patience has blessed me in many ways, for instance as I learn to handle difficult customers with patience I get blessed with more work. One of my biggest accounts was given because I have patience in dealing with a slow paying customer that wants changes made stat.
Do you ever wonder why you ask God for some things and end up getting the complete opposite? It's all about glorifying God. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ” - Romans 15:4-6. God is going to place trials before us so that we learn to have patience and seek comfort in Him through His Word and prayer. Ever notice when you are facing trials that you read, pray, and come to church a little more that normal? God is no fool, He knows how to get us to glorify Him, the more we glorify Him, the more hope we have in Him, the more hope we have, the more He blesses us. Praise God! God knows what He is doing, He knows out hearts and when He gets the stubbornness of our pride to open our hearts he will get us to see that we can not get through any trial without Him.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and your weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Daily Bible Study: Entering God's Kingdom 07.10.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Thursday July 1, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 36-39. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-july-1
Today's Message: Entering God's Kingdom
It is amazing just how fast the days go by, when we are little it seems as though time never goes fast enough, but it seems the older we get the faster it goes. God sees one year as a thousand, so can you imagine how fast it goes by for Him. I use to think that if I knew I only had a short time to live that I would do all these things that I never do, like travel all over the world and see things I have always wanted to see. Now that I have Christ with me, those things I use to want to do are barely thought about. Oh, I would still like to see a few places I have only seen pictures of, but I know that when I leave this earth everything I ever wanted to see and do is waiting for me in the Kingdom of God. Sadly, not everyone can say that they will ever see the Kingdom of God, but it is not too late if you are reading this. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God....Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” - John 3:3,5-7. To be born again is to accept the Gospel of Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection, if you have not accepted Him you can not enter into God's kingdom. No one is exempt from seeing the Kingdom of God, the worse person on earth can enter if he believes in, accepts, and asks Jesus Christ to save him from his sins. Praise God!
So, you have accepted Christ as you Savior and have made the choice to live your life for Him. Years later, something happens, you fall into sin and get away from God. Have you forfeited your right to enter the Kingdom of God? No, you have not. You are saved by the blood of Christ and nothing you do can make you forfeit your right to enter the Kingdom of God. Now, you are going to face some consequences, but one way or another God will get you right with Him if you truly, with all your heart, called on Jesus to save you. We think that we are privileged to have the New Testament to guide us and tell us about Jesus, but we are no different from the people of the Old Testament. They knew Jesus existed, they could not see Him either, but they knew the Messiah was coming in the flesh and that He was their Savior. David, numerous times, acknowledged Him as the Lord hundreds of years before He was even planted into the womb of Mary. “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” - Psalm 37:39,40. Every person who puts their trust in Jesus Christ to save them is saved from all their sins. Jesus is coming back and this time He is coming to get His people and when that happens you can literally say, “all hell will break loose”. It will be a battle between good and evil, Jesus and Satan, and in the end Satan is going to be cast down into a fiery pit. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 20:10.
Now, God does allow Satan to tempt us a little bit, but He never allows him to put us in a situation that we are unable to walk away from. However, the flesh is weak and if we take our eyes off God for a second we will fall right into sin. David wrote many prayers regarding this, “O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me....For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.” - Psalm 38:1-4,18-22. Sin destroys us, it becomes a burden that takes a harsh toll on the mind, body, soul, and spirit, but thank God that we do not have to carry the burdens all on our own. Jesus Said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus will carry the burdens and give rest to anyone who calls on Him to help them, even something that one has been dealing with the guilt of their sin for years.
It is the loving desire of God to gain first place in the hearts of all His children. He imparts His love and power to all who are willing to yield themselves to Him. As we yield to God, we can say with David, “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” - Psalm 36:5-9. Jesus is the light and when we put our trust in Him all our burdens will be easier to handle, we will see joy, even in the midst of sorrows, and we will receive more blessings that we can handle. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Today is Thursday July 1, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 36-39. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-july-1
Today's Message: Entering God's Kingdom
It is amazing just how fast the days go by, when we are little it seems as though time never goes fast enough, but it seems the older we get the faster it goes. God sees one year as a thousand, so can you imagine how fast it goes by for Him. I use to think that if I knew I only had a short time to live that I would do all these things that I never do, like travel all over the world and see things I have always wanted to see. Now that I have Christ with me, those things I use to want to do are barely thought about. Oh, I would still like to see a few places I have only seen pictures of, but I know that when I leave this earth everything I ever wanted to see and do is waiting for me in the Kingdom of God. Sadly, not everyone can say that they will ever see the Kingdom of God, but it is not too late if you are reading this. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God....Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” - John 3:3,5-7. To be born again is to accept the Gospel of Christ, His death, burial, and resurrection, if you have not accepted Him you can not enter into God's kingdom. No one is exempt from seeing the Kingdom of God, the worse person on earth can enter if he believes in, accepts, and asks Jesus Christ to save him from his sins. Praise God!
So, you have accepted Christ as you Savior and have made the choice to live your life for Him. Years later, something happens, you fall into sin and get away from God. Have you forfeited your right to enter the Kingdom of God? No, you have not. You are saved by the blood of Christ and nothing you do can make you forfeit your right to enter the Kingdom of God. Now, you are going to face some consequences, but one way or another God will get you right with Him if you truly, with all your heart, called on Jesus to save you. We think that we are privileged to have the New Testament to guide us and tell us about Jesus, but we are no different from the people of the Old Testament. They knew Jesus existed, they could not see Him either, but they knew the Messiah was coming in the flesh and that He was their Savior. David, numerous times, acknowledged Him as the Lord hundreds of years before He was even planted into the womb of Mary. “But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.” - Psalm 37:39,40. Every person who puts their trust in Jesus Christ to save them is saved from all their sins. Jesus is coming back and this time He is coming to get His people and when that happens you can literally say, “all hell will break loose”. It will be a battle between good and evil, Jesus and Satan, and in the end Satan is going to be cast down into a fiery pit. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 20:10.
Now, God does allow Satan to tempt us a little bit, but He never allows him to put us in a situation that we are unable to walk away from. However, the flesh is weak and if we take our eyes off God for a second we will fall right into sin. David wrote many prayers regarding this, “O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me....For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.” - Psalm 38:1-4,18-22. Sin destroys us, it becomes a burden that takes a harsh toll on the mind, body, soul, and spirit, but thank God that we do not have to carry the burdens all on our own. Jesus Said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus will carry the burdens and give rest to anyone who calls on Him to help them, even something that one has been dealing with the guilt of their sin for years.
It is the loving desire of God to gain first place in the hearts of all His children. He imparts His love and power to all who are willing to yield themselves to Him. As we yield to God, we can say with David, “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.” - Psalm 36:5-9. Jesus is the light and when we put our trust in Him all our burdens will be easier to handle, we will see joy, even in the midst of sorrows, and we will receive more blessings that we can handle. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Daily Bible Study: Praising God Consistently 06.30.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Wednesday June 30, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 31-35. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-30
Today's Message: Praising God Consistently
Praising God is a way to thank Him for all the things that He has blessed us with or gotten us through. While it is wonderful to praise God for all the wonderful things that He has given us, praising God goes beyond just giving thanks. The word praise is defined as an act of expressing approval or admiration, in other words when we praise God through our circumstances we are telling Him that we approve of what He has done and respect Him for it. As Christians, God has given us the best reason to praise Him, His Son Jesus. We are no longer strangers to God, but a part of Him and that deserves continuous praise. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” - I Peter 2:9. We are chosen and special to God, He respects us for believing in Him and His Son. Yes, God does have respect for those who respect Him. God respects all who serve Him faithfully through the good and bad times. We may not always understand the ways in which God handles things in our lives, but by praising Him we show Him that we approve of and respect His ways even though they seem strange to us.
God could have chosen anyone to represent Him in the Bible, He could have even chosen to write an entire book about you. Actually, He does have a book about each and every one of us, we are, but pages in a book that gets filled in every second of the day. However, He chose to use the testimonies of certain people to show that whether we are rich or poor we can all be used of God and none of us are perfect, except Jesus. David was no exception, he went from being a shepherd boy to a king. He was godly, in fact, he was known as the apple of God's eye and even was a part of the lineage to where Jesus would be born from. However, he was no saint and did his fair share of sinning. Most of the time his life consisted of daily conversations with the Lord, he knew how important it was to keep in constant contact with God. “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me....Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly....Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” - Psalm 31:1-3,9,21-24. David did not always understand why he was going through some of the things he did, but he knew God was with him and encouraged all to have hope in Him. We all need to have the relationship that David had with God, complete trust in Him, daily conversation, praise, reading His Word, and prayer are all essential if we want to have a good relationship with our Lord.
Every once in a while David let his flesh take over and of course, sin would enter his life. However, he knew he had to get right with God if he wanted to get out of trouble. After his affair with Bathsheba, he committed one sin after another trying to hide the first sin, only to fall further away from God in the process. No one wants to face God when they are living in sin, the guilt alone eats you up. Finally, Nathan the prophet confronted David and told him to repent and get right with God before anything else happened. David went straight to God seeking mercy and forgiveness, later on He wrote this Psalm, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” - Psalm 32. David was full of guilt over his sin, he knew that it was a result of not keeping God in his daily conversations, but once he went to God, acknowledged his sin and asked for forgiveness he knew he was forgiven and would be a testimony to teach others that they too can find be forgiven. God allows us to fall into sin so we can go through the experience and teach others how loving and forgiving God is to every sinner. The word Selah, means to ponder, to pause and think about it. Think about how blessed you are to know the Savior, to be forgiven of your sins, and to know that you will see Jesus face to face one day. Praise God!
We are to praise God at all times, through joy, sorrow, and even through chastisement and when everything seems to go wrong, when we are consistent in giving praise to God He always gives us a way out of our troubles. Like David we need to praise God continually and let everyone know you are praising Him too. “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” - Psalm 34:1-6. Jesus hears all who cry to Him and will save the worst of sinners. Praise God! Do you know Jesus? Praise God! If not, cry out to Him, tell Him you believe in Him, repent, and be forgiven. What do you have to lose, by trusting in the Savior?
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Today is Wednesday June 30, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 31-35. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-30
Today's Message: Praising God Consistently
Praising God is a way to thank Him for all the things that He has blessed us with or gotten us through. While it is wonderful to praise God for all the wonderful things that He has given us, praising God goes beyond just giving thanks. The word praise is defined as an act of expressing approval or admiration, in other words when we praise God through our circumstances we are telling Him that we approve of what He has done and respect Him for it. As Christians, God has given us the best reason to praise Him, His Son Jesus. We are no longer strangers to God, but a part of Him and that deserves continuous praise. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” - I Peter 2:9. We are chosen and special to God, He respects us for believing in Him and His Son. Yes, God does have respect for those who respect Him. God respects all who serve Him faithfully through the good and bad times. We may not always understand the ways in which God handles things in our lives, but by praising Him we show Him that we approve of and respect His ways even though they seem strange to us.
God could have chosen anyone to represent Him in the Bible, He could have even chosen to write an entire book about you. Actually, He does have a book about each and every one of us, we are, but pages in a book that gets filled in every second of the day. However, He chose to use the testimonies of certain people to show that whether we are rich or poor we can all be used of God and none of us are perfect, except Jesus. David was no exception, he went from being a shepherd boy to a king. He was godly, in fact, he was known as the apple of God's eye and even was a part of the lineage to where Jesus would be born from. However, he was no saint and did his fair share of sinning. Most of the time his life consisted of daily conversations with the Lord, he knew how important it was to keep in constant contact with God. “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me....Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly....Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” - Psalm 31:1-3,9,21-24. David did not always understand why he was going through some of the things he did, but he knew God was with him and encouraged all to have hope in Him. We all need to have the relationship that David had with God, complete trust in Him, daily conversation, praise, reading His Word, and prayer are all essential if we want to have a good relationship with our Lord.
Every once in a while David let his flesh take over and of course, sin would enter his life. However, he knew he had to get right with God if he wanted to get out of trouble. After his affair with Bathsheba, he committed one sin after another trying to hide the first sin, only to fall further away from God in the process. No one wants to face God when they are living in sin, the guilt alone eats you up. Finally, Nathan the prophet confronted David and told him to repent and get right with God before anything else happened. David went straight to God seeking mercy and forgiveness, later on He wrote this Psalm, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” - Psalm 32. David was full of guilt over his sin, he knew that it was a result of not keeping God in his daily conversations, but once he went to God, acknowledged his sin and asked for forgiveness he knew he was forgiven and would be a testimony to teach others that they too can find be forgiven. God allows us to fall into sin so we can go through the experience and teach others how loving and forgiving God is to every sinner. The word Selah, means to ponder, to pause and think about it. Think about how blessed you are to know the Savior, to be forgiven of your sins, and to know that you will see Jesus face to face one day. Praise God!
We are to praise God at all times, through joy, sorrow, and even through chastisement and when everything seems to go wrong, when we are consistent in giving praise to God He always gives us a way out of our troubles. Like David we need to praise God continually and let everyone know you are praising Him too. “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” - Psalm 34:1-6. Jesus hears all who cry to Him and will save the worst of sinners. Praise God! Do you know Jesus? Praise God! If not, cry out to Him, tell Him you believe in Him, repent, and be forgiven. What do you have to lose, by trusting in the Savior?
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Daily Bible Study: Giving Jesus Dominion 06.29.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Tuesday June 29, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 23-30. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-29
Today's Message: Giving Jesus Dominion
Whether or not we choose to follow Christ, we all have to admit that life is not easy, we are going to face trials, we are going to have to work to overcome them, and we are going to get ourselves into messes that seem to never get cleaned up. The difference between those who do follow Christ and those who do not, is that those who do put their trust and faith in Jesus to give Him control over their lives. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” - Romans 5:1. Christians are justified or acquitted by their faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This not only helps them face their trials and do the work needed to get through them, it also gets the messes cleaned up as well. Ever try to get out of a situation on your own? Usually you end up getting into a bigger one. Most people try to live a moral life, to help others, and to set a good example for those who look up to them. Sometimes life looks good and we think we finally made it, only to wake up one day to total chaos. We can not prevent all the chaos from showing up, but we can make it easier to endure by allowing Jesus to be in control. The word control is defined as, to exercise restraint or direction over, in other words, to have dominion over. So, if we look at this from a Christian perspective, those who choose to follow Christ allow Jesus to give them direction, or to have dominion over their lives. This does not mean that one is a slave to Jesus, it just means one chooses to allow Jesus to lead the way instead of by their own feelings and desires. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” - I Peter 5:10,11. Let's face it, we are going to suffer from time to time and those feelings can destroy us. By giving Jesus dominion over our lives we can avoid a lot of unnecessary suffering, plus it gives us strength and gets us right with God.
Even before Jesus came to earth the first time, they knew He existed, they could not see Him just like you and I, but they trusted God and had faith in His Word, if anything they needed more faith than we do because they did not have all of the Bible that we have to guide them. One of the most well known Psalms in the Bible is, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” - Psalm 23. David, who started out as nothing, but a shepherd boy, as king, still considered himself a lost sheep who needed a shepherd to guide him through the rough pastures that he would walk through. He did not fear what was waiting for him on the other side of the path because he allowed the Lord to lead the way or to have dominion. Sheep when guided by a shepherd always find their way, but can easily get distracted and get lost if they lose sight of the shepherd. We too need a shepherd to lead us to still waters. Jesus Said, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” - John 10:14,15. Jesus has given His life for His sheep.
The trouble is that many try to be their own shepherd, they try to convince themselves that they have everything under control themselves and they do not need Jesus in their lives, but the reality of it all is, they are allowing someone or thing to have dominion over their lives. Think about it, we are not in control over everything, whether someone is a preacher, a housewife, a mechanic, a builder, a thief, a prostitute, a drug addict, or whatever it is that they choose to allow in their lives, they are subject to some kind of control by it I design websites, while I have control in the ones I choose to build, they have control over the content, no matter how many times they want to change it I have to submit to their request. However, if it is changed to something that goes against my beliefs or puts me in a compromising situation with God, I will refuse and lose the sale. I would rather lose a customer than my relationship with God. We all have a choice and since we can not control everything we might as well make the right choice to avoid the consequences later on. Allowing Jesus to have dominion over our lives actually gives us freedom, the freedom we receive alone from hell is enough to call on Him in a heartbeat. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:31,32.
The truth is, God always has dominion, instead of trying to fight that fact, embrace it. He wants the best for everyone. Do you think He wants to see His creation suffering? We do not have to suffer. Yes, God can change any situation, but He will not unless we ask Him to. Giving Jesus dominion to lead us is the only way we can truly change the situations we are in. Like David we are to ask the Lord to lead us and wait patiently for Him. “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” - Psalm 25:4,5. “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me..... Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” - Psalm 27:4-7,11-14. Be of good courage, allow Jesus to have dominion, let Him direct your path and He will take care of you and get you our of any situation that you are in. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Today is Tuesday June 29, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 23-30. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-29
Today's Message: Giving Jesus Dominion
Whether or not we choose to follow Christ, we all have to admit that life is not easy, we are going to face trials, we are going to have to work to overcome them, and we are going to get ourselves into messes that seem to never get cleaned up. The difference between those who do follow Christ and those who do not, is that those who do put their trust and faith in Jesus to give Him control over their lives. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” - Romans 5:1. Christians are justified or acquitted by their faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This not only helps them face their trials and do the work needed to get through them, it also gets the messes cleaned up as well. Ever try to get out of a situation on your own? Usually you end up getting into a bigger one. Most people try to live a moral life, to help others, and to set a good example for those who look up to them. Sometimes life looks good and we think we finally made it, only to wake up one day to total chaos. We can not prevent all the chaos from showing up, but we can make it easier to endure by allowing Jesus to be in control. The word control is defined as, to exercise restraint or direction over, in other words, to have dominion over. So, if we look at this from a Christian perspective, those who choose to follow Christ allow Jesus to give them direction, or to have dominion over their lives. This does not mean that one is a slave to Jesus, it just means one chooses to allow Jesus to lead the way instead of by their own feelings and desires. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” - I Peter 5:10,11. Let's face it, we are going to suffer from time to time and those feelings can destroy us. By giving Jesus dominion over our lives we can avoid a lot of unnecessary suffering, plus it gives us strength and gets us right with God.
Even before Jesus came to earth the first time, they knew He existed, they could not see Him just like you and I, but they trusted God and had faith in His Word, if anything they needed more faith than we do because they did not have all of the Bible that we have to guide them. One of the most well known Psalms in the Bible is, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” - Psalm 23. David, who started out as nothing, but a shepherd boy, as king, still considered himself a lost sheep who needed a shepherd to guide him through the rough pastures that he would walk through. He did not fear what was waiting for him on the other side of the path because he allowed the Lord to lead the way or to have dominion. Sheep when guided by a shepherd always find their way, but can easily get distracted and get lost if they lose sight of the shepherd. We too need a shepherd to lead us to still waters. Jesus Said, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.” - John 10:14,15. Jesus has given His life for His sheep.
The trouble is that many try to be their own shepherd, they try to convince themselves that they have everything under control themselves and they do not need Jesus in their lives, but the reality of it all is, they are allowing someone or thing to have dominion over their lives. Think about it, we are not in control over everything, whether someone is a preacher, a housewife, a mechanic, a builder, a thief, a prostitute, a drug addict, or whatever it is that they choose to allow in their lives, they are subject to some kind of control by it I design websites, while I have control in the ones I choose to build, they have control over the content, no matter how many times they want to change it I have to submit to their request. However, if it is changed to something that goes against my beliefs or puts me in a compromising situation with God, I will refuse and lose the sale. I would rather lose a customer than my relationship with God. We all have a choice and since we can not control everything we might as well make the right choice to avoid the consequences later on. Allowing Jesus to have dominion over our lives actually gives us freedom, the freedom we receive alone from hell is enough to call on Him in a heartbeat. “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:31,32.
The truth is, God always has dominion, instead of trying to fight that fact, embrace it. He wants the best for everyone. Do you think He wants to see His creation suffering? We do not have to suffer. Yes, God can change any situation, but He will not unless we ask Him to. Giving Jesus dominion to lead us is the only way we can truly change the situations we are in. Like David we are to ask the Lord to lead us and wait patiently for Him. “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” - Psalm 25:4,5. “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me..... Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” - Psalm 27:4-7,11-14. Be of good courage, allow Jesus to have dominion, let Him direct your path and He will take care of you and get you our of any situation that you are in. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Monday, June 28, 2010
Daily Bible Study: Only You Can Stop God's Blessings
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Monday June 28, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 18-22. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-28
Today's Message: Only You Can Stop God's Blessings
As Christians we are going to constantly face criticism from those who have no interest in following or have fallen away from God. Have you heard comments like these before? “Where is your God now?”, “I thought you were a Christian?”, “That's not God, that's just coincidence.”, “I use to be like you, but I got smart.” Or my favorite, “You're a hypocrite, I know who you really are.” We are going to get all sorts of comments and criticism, but deep down they do it because they are envious of us. They see the change in us and the blessings from God, they see us happy and joyful even through sorrow. Then they look at themselves, wonder where their blessings are, why they are struggling, and get a little grievous of their lives and since we are close by we get the grunt of their guilt. All they have to do is get past their egos and they too can see their lives change and the blessings from God. Only we stop God's blessings, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments....Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” - I John 2:1-3,15-17. Nothing here on earth lasts forever, but those who put their trust in Christ, even if they have fallen, abide with Him forever. We may face criticism for putting our faith in and changing our lives through Christ, but we can not be removed from Him. Praise God!
“
The Bible was given to us to show us how we can have a relationship with God. While He could have chosen any nation God chose Israel to represent Him first. He chose people like you and I as His witness, all were sinners, some were murderers, adulterers, and idol worshipers too, but all used of God to show just how blessed one can be to have Him in their lives as well as how fast those blessings are lost by wrecking that relationship. David, was known as the apple of God's eye. He loved God with all his heart, mind, and soul. He was not perfect, but he knew that by keeping his faith in God he would always see victory, even when facing some harsh criticism and struggles. Many of the Psalms were written by David according to what he was going through, God had given him victory over Saul and his enemies and now he is king and rejoicing. The key to David's success, the Word of God. King David habitually sought instruction from God and testified how He delivered him on every occasion. “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” - Psalm 18:1-3. David knew that the Lord was his strength and trusted in Him for his salvation. All who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ are saved. They can criticize us all they want, but they can not remove us from our deliverer, our strength, or our salvation. Only we can remove Christ from our lives, but He will never remove us from His, if we have truly accepted Him as Lord and Savior He is always with us, even if we turn away from Him. Praise God for eternal life! Although the people of God who pray and trust in His unseen presence may appear outnumbered, they always rise up triumphantly while their enemies are brought down. “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” - Psalm 20:5-8.
The key to receiving God's blessings is knowing how God operates, to know how He operates we must read His Word. We can not just read parts of it, we must read all of it, including the Old Testament. It contains many insights, including the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, all throughout the Psalms we will discover prophecies of Christ, His crucifixion, and resurrection. These were all predicted centuries before they happened. For example, Psalm 18 foreshadows Jesus' death on the cross, “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.” - Psalm 18:6,7. This prophecy was confirmed as we read in Matthew chapter 27, “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” - Matthew 27:50,51. Psalm 22 foreshadows His crucifixion, “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him....For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” - Psalm 22:7,8,16-18. This was confirmed in Mark chapter 15, “And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him....And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.” - Mark 15:24,25,29-31. Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh, He was there from the beginning and will remain the Word of God for eternity. The effects of the Word of God are beyond compare, for it was by His Word that the worlds were created and by which they are still upheld.
Most exciting is the transforming power of Jesus, upon all who receive Him as Lord. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” - II Corinthians 5:17-21. Christ living inside of us changes our lives and blesses us, God will bless anyone who believes in His Son and wants Him in their lives. Praise God! Before I chose to live my life for Christ I was very unhealthy, depressed, lived an immoral life, and was engaged to an man in prison. Now, Jesus has transformed me into a godly, moral, upright, and prosperous woman, who not only lives her life for Christ and serves Him faithfully, but is also becoming a successful website designer. Only you can stop God's blessings, if you have been transformed, don't hide it, embrace it, let them keep on criticizing you, God knows your heart and wants to bless you for your faithfulness. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Today is Monday June 28, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 18-22. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-28
Today's Message: Only You Can Stop God's Blessings
As Christians we are going to constantly face criticism from those who have no interest in following or have fallen away from God. Have you heard comments like these before? “Where is your God now?”, “I thought you were a Christian?”, “That's not God, that's just coincidence.”, “I use to be like you, but I got smart.” Or my favorite, “You're a hypocrite, I know who you really are.” We are going to get all sorts of comments and criticism, but deep down they do it because they are envious of us. They see the change in us and the blessings from God, they see us happy and joyful even through sorrow. Then they look at themselves, wonder where their blessings are, why they are struggling, and get a little grievous of their lives and since we are close by we get the grunt of their guilt. All they have to do is get past their egos and they too can see their lives change and the blessings from God. Only we stop God's blessings, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments....Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” - I John 2:1-3,15-17. Nothing here on earth lasts forever, but those who put their trust in Christ, even if they have fallen, abide with Him forever. We may face criticism for putting our faith in and changing our lives through Christ, but we can not be removed from Him. Praise God!
“
The Bible was given to us to show us how we can have a relationship with God. While He could have chosen any nation God chose Israel to represent Him first. He chose people like you and I as His witness, all were sinners, some were murderers, adulterers, and idol worshipers too, but all used of God to show just how blessed one can be to have Him in their lives as well as how fast those blessings are lost by wrecking that relationship. David, was known as the apple of God's eye. He loved God with all his heart, mind, and soul. He was not perfect, but he knew that by keeping his faith in God he would always see victory, even when facing some harsh criticism and struggles. Many of the Psalms were written by David according to what he was going through, God had given him victory over Saul and his enemies and now he is king and rejoicing. The key to David's success, the Word of God. King David habitually sought instruction from God and testified how He delivered him on every occasion. “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” - Psalm 18:1-3. David knew that the Lord was his strength and trusted in Him for his salvation. All who call upon the Lord Jesus Christ are saved. They can criticize us all they want, but they can not remove us from our deliverer, our strength, or our salvation. Only we can remove Christ from our lives, but He will never remove us from His, if we have truly accepted Him as Lord and Savior He is always with us, even if we turn away from Him. Praise God for eternal life! Although the people of God who pray and trust in His unseen presence may appear outnumbered, they always rise up triumphantly while their enemies are brought down. “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” - Psalm 20:5-8.
The key to receiving God's blessings is knowing how God operates, to know how He operates we must read His Word. We can not just read parts of it, we must read all of it, including the Old Testament. It contains many insights, including the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, all throughout the Psalms we will discover prophecies of Christ, His crucifixion, and resurrection. These were all predicted centuries before they happened. For example, Psalm 18 foreshadows Jesus' death on the cross, “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.” - Psalm 18:6,7. This prophecy was confirmed as we read in Matthew chapter 27, “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;” - Matthew 27:50,51. Psalm 22 foreshadows His crucifixion, “All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him....For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” - Psalm 22:7,8,16-18. This was confirmed in Mark chapter 15, “And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him....And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.” - Mark 15:24,25,29-31. Jesus is the Word of God in the flesh, He was there from the beginning and will remain the Word of God for eternity. The effects of the Word of God are beyond compare, for it was by His Word that the worlds were created and by which they are still upheld.
Most exciting is the transforming power of Jesus, upon all who receive Him as Lord. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” - II Corinthians 5:17-21. Christ living inside of us changes our lives and blesses us, God will bless anyone who believes in His Son and wants Him in their lives. Praise God! Before I chose to live my life for Christ I was very unhealthy, depressed, lived an immoral life, and was engaged to an man in prison. Now, Jesus has transformed me into a godly, moral, upright, and prosperous woman, who not only lives her life for Christ and serves Him faithfully, but is also becoming a successful website designer. Only you can stop God's blessings, if you have been transformed, don't hide it, embrace it, let them keep on criticizing you, God knows your heart and wants to bless you for your faithfulness. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Daily Bible Study: Dealing With Conflicts 06.27.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Sunday June 27, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 10-17. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-27
Today's Message: Dealing With Conflicts
The word conflict is defined as warfare, a battle, as Christians we are going to face many conflicts in our lives, if not from people who live in the world than from fellow Christians. There is a constant conflict for a Christian to compromise one's faith in God for man. While we are to stand up and fight for our right to choose Christ and follow Him, there are times when we need to refrain from instead of adding fuel to the fire of the conflict. Those who are living in sin love to debate those who are living godly and will keep going on and on until they think they have you beat. “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” - I Corinthians 9:25. Every once in a while I will get someone thinking that I was personally talking about them in one of my messages and will call me every name in the book, I use to reply only to get a worse response each time. Then I realized these people just feel convicted by the Holy Spirit and it has nothing to do with me, I was just the closest person to blame. So, now I just let it go, they will either hate me or thank me later, but they will never forget that reminder they got. We may never understand why we face the conflicts we do, but one thing we can understand is that they too teach us something, to keep our faith in God.
David went from one battle after another from the time he was anointed to be king when he was just a teenager. Saul, who was God's first anointed king sinned against God and David would one day take his place. Because of this thee was much conflict between Saul and David, so much that Saul wanted to kill David. Many of the Psalms were written by David when he was running from Saul and some of them expressed his sorrow over Saul wanting to kill him, but he also knew God would take care of him. “He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble....The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.” - Psalm 10:8-12,16-18. We can all get where we do not understand why someone is out to get us and it can make one feel a bit discouraged. Thank God for prayer, it is our only communication with God, without prayer we will never see an end to a hopeless situation.
We can not always run from conflicts, but we can stand firm in our faith. David's friends advised him to flee to the mountainous parts of the land of Judah to escape the danger which was threatening him, instead he stood his ground and trusted in God. “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men....For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” - Psalm 11:1-7. David expressed his absolute assurance that righteousness shall triumph over the wicked. At one time or another, all of God's people may expect their faith to be severely tested. However, the more it is tested the more confidence we obtain as we put our faith in God that He and only He can resolve the problem.
One thing we should never do is try to get even with someone, conflicts come and go, but revenge is not the answer and solves no problem. Give it over to God and He will take care of it. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” - Romans 12:18,19. God is our body guard, He will protect us and if anything does happen to us, He will get vengeance.
Are you dealing with conflicts? Look to Jesus, He will tell you how to handle it. He will either help you avoid the conflict or face it, but one thing He will never do is let you handle it all on your own as long as you keep your eyes on Him. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and an awesome week
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
P.S. I apologize for this getting sent out so late, all will resume at normal times tomorrow.
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Today is Sunday June 27, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalms, chapters 10-17. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-27
Today's Message: Dealing With Conflicts
The word conflict is defined as warfare, a battle, as Christians we are going to face many conflicts in our lives, if not from people who live in the world than from fellow Christians. There is a constant conflict for a Christian to compromise one's faith in God for man. While we are to stand up and fight for our right to choose Christ and follow Him, there are times when we need to refrain from instead of adding fuel to the fire of the conflict. Those who are living in sin love to debate those who are living godly and will keep going on and on until they think they have you beat. “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” - I Corinthians 9:25. Every once in a while I will get someone thinking that I was personally talking about them in one of my messages and will call me every name in the book, I use to reply only to get a worse response each time. Then I realized these people just feel convicted by the Holy Spirit and it has nothing to do with me, I was just the closest person to blame. So, now I just let it go, they will either hate me or thank me later, but they will never forget that reminder they got. We may never understand why we face the conflicts we do, but one thing we can understand is that they too teach us something, to keep our faith in God.
David went from one battle after another from the time he was anointed to be king when he was just a teenager. Saul, who was God's first anointed king sinned against God and David would one day take his place. Because of this thee was much conflict between Saul and David, so much that Saul wanted to kill David. Many of the Psalms were written by David when he was running from Saul and some of them expressed his sorrow over Saul wanting to kill him, but he also knew God would take care of him. “He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor. He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth, and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it. Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble....The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.” - Psalm 10:8-12,16-18. We can all get where we do not understand why someone is out to get us and it can make one feel a bit discouraged. Thank God for prayer, it is our only communication with God, without prayer we will never see an end to a hopeless situation.
We can not always run from conflicts, but we can stand firm in our faith. David's friends advised him to flee to the mountainous parts of the land of Judah to escape the danger which was threatening him, instead he stood his ground and trusted in God. “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men....For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” - Psalm 11:1-7. David expressed his absolute assurance that righteousness shall triumph over the wicked. At one time or another, all of God's people may expect their faith to be severely tested. However, the more it is tested the more confidence we obtain as we put our faith in God that He and only He can resolve the problem.
One thing we should never do is try to get even with someone, conflicts come and go, but revenge is not the answer and solves no problem. Give it over to God and He will take care of it. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” - Romans 12:18,19. God is our body guard, He will protect us and if anything does happen to us, He will get vengeance.
Are you dealing with conflicts? Look to Jesus, He will tell you how to handle it. He will either help you avoid the conflict or face it, but one thing He will never do is let you handle it all on your own as long as you keep your eyes on Him. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and an awesome week
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
P.S. I apologize for this getting sent out so late, all will resume at normal times tomorrow.
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
devotion@readytofollow.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)