King James Daily Bible Study: A Soldier For Christ
Date: Saturday February 12, 2011
Chapters: Numbers 1-2
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-12
Details of Today's Reading: The numbering of the tribes of Israel, every male 20 years and older was numbered among the tribes except for the Levites, and the order of their tribes in their tents.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
An army is defined as a military unit usually consisting of two or more corps (bands of people) with supporting arms and services, any large body of people united for some specific purpose. As Christians we have been enlisted into the army, the Lord's Army. We are at war, not with people of the world, but with religious people. A person can mention God and pretty much all will agree that God exists, but mention Jesus Christ and that is a different story, people have been killed for preaching Jesus, even Jesus was killed for preaching Jesus. By who? Religious people. The Bible says, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier...Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” - II Timothy 2:3,4,10. Because we believe in Jesus and live our lives for Him we are going to face a lot of criticism and rejection, but we are soldiers for Christ, His very own elect, and the amazing thing is that He is right there with us. He is our Captain, He is very pleased that we have not gone AWOL on Him, and He will always lead us to victory and even a few more souls saved.
The Book of Numbers is the forth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-six chapters. The author of the book is Moses and it was originally written to the Israelites. The time line that these events took place is approximately 1490-1451BC. The purpose of the book was to record the forty years of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness as a result of their disobedience to God. What we are to learn from the book is that God is not pleased with anything less than a total commitment to Him. “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.” - Numbers 30:2.
It had been two years since God brought the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt, God ordered the first census among the people, every male 20 years and older was numbered according to their tribe and automatically drafted into the army, except for the tribe of the Levites.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies...Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.” - Numbers 1:1-3,49,50.
The Levites were not numbered because they would be the tribe that would be in charge of the Tabernacle, no one outside of the tribe of Levites was able to touch even one candlestick. While the other tribes were laymen for God the Levites were the actual ministers, men of God, to the people. Still today, God enlists some people to keep the church in order, but most are laymen, followers, people who do not have specialized knowledge of the church, but are nevertheless, followers of Christ. It is important that we as soldiers of Christ do not disregard true men of God (there is a difference) who God ordained to teach and help us learn the truth of God rather than all the garbage these false religions try to teach us. A true man of God will not distort the Gospel or any part of God's Word. “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” - Hebrews 13:7-9.
After the tribes were numbered the tribes were given specific areas within the camp to dwell according to the number of people in the tribe. The tribes were to encamp about the Tabernacle, which was to be in the midst of them. It was a token of God's gracious presence among them, yet, they were to pitch their tents afar off, in reverence to the sanctuary, remember, anyone other than a Levite was not allowed to touch any part of the Tabernacle.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father's house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch...These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.” - Numbers 2:1,2,32-34.
God is a God of order and not confusion, therefore the camp of His followers should be compact, knowing and keeping his God appointed place in the world. We are soldiers for Christ, spread abroad, teaching the Gospel to all who will listen throughout small camps all over the world. Why? Remember our beginning verses? “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” - II Timothy 2:10. We keep going, where ever God leads us to find soldiers that are MIA so, they too will keep fighting the good fight. “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses...That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” - I Timothy 6:12,18,19.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Moses as he led the people. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” - John 10:14.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: Allowing Christ To Live In You
King James Daily Bible Study: Allowing Christ To Live In You
Date: Friday February 11, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 26-27
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-11
Details of Today's Reading: Promises upon keeping the precepts, warnings against disobeying God's commands, God promises to remember those who repent, the law concerning vows of persons, animals, houses and land, and giving tithe.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? Was there a time that you said in some form, “God, I admit I am a sinner, I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, that He died to save me, and arose from the dead to give me life too. I ask You to save me and from this moment on I am depending on Him for my salvation. Amen.” If you said something like that than you are a sinner saved by grace and child of the one and only living God. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10. Praise God!
Regardless of whether you said that prayer today or forty years ago, you are a saved child of God. Have you messed up since then? Sure you have, we all have, we still tote this flesh around us and until it's gone we will still sin from time to time. Are you still saved? Sure you are, Jesus died once on the cross, that means we only have to ask Him once to save us. No matter what we have done or will do in the future we are still saved. Now, that does not mean that we will not face any chastisement, but it does still mean that you are a sinner saved by grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” - Ephesians 2:8,9. We can all praise God that we do not have to go through all the rituals and laws that the Israelites or anyone that chose to follow God had to go through to be saved. When Jesus died for us He put a stop to the need of countless sacrifices and laws. Praise God!
However, that does not mean that we are to disregard His commands of yesteryear, we are to respect all of God's commands and follow them. God promises if we obey His commands, He will continue to bless us, but if we disregard them we can expect to face some consequences. God said, “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;..For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. And I set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people...But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.” - Leviticus 26:3,9-12,14-16.
When we allow Christ to live through us it only gets better, however, if we choose to live the same life we lived before we got saved with no intention of letting Him live through us than we are going to face some serious tribulations. While God wants to see everyone trust in His Son for their salvation, He will not allow a person to get saved without facing some trials. It is much better to deal with the trials we face with Christ than without Him. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:..For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - I Peter 4:12,17-19.
Did you ever get caught in a mess and when you tried to think of how you got to that point you realized it was something simple that you could have avoided? God warns us well in advance of the consequences we will face just by that one decision, often, we are just not aware of them at the time. The more we allow Christ to live through us the easier it is for us to be aware of these things. God foretold to the Israelites of the trials they would face if they did not follow Him commands. “And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.” - Leviticus 26:27-30.
Once in a while I will get someone quoting Bible verses like this to me, claiming God is not the loving God He says He is, that He is cruel and will strike you down if you cross Him. What people fail to realize is that first you have to believe in God, second, you have to be saved, and third, you need to read all of the Bible to understand many of the situations and circumstances that took place that caused these events. While these verses sound cruel, God was giving a prophecy of the events that would take place if they turned away from Him and followed the false gods of the land, hence the high places and idols. At one time they did walk away from God and there was a famine in the land so great that people were dying and the ones that were still alive were eating people. (See II Kings 6). Had they listened to God in the first place these events would have not taken place, but every one of these predictions came to pass because they did not walk with God nor listen to His warnings. It is important to listen to what God has to say, He talks to you through Scripture, Old and New Testaments alike, through prayer, sermons, devotions, and even other people, the more you walk with Him the more you will understand His Word and see that He really does not want to see any of these things happen and that He truly is a loving God. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” - I John 5:2-4.
God gave up His only begotten Son to give us life, all He really asks of us is one thing, thank Him. Thank Him for everything that He has given you. “Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD. None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death. And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.” - Leviticus 27:28-30.
Everything we get comes from God, all God asks is for us to remember that and give Him back part of what He has given us. He promises to give us back even more than what we gave Him back. While money is involved in giving tithe, other things are as well, food, clothes, personal time, all these things are a part of giving to God and letting Him know that we are thankful for all that He has done for us. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” - I Timothy 4:4,5.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Tabernacle to be sent to dwell among us. Jesus dwells in all who call on Him to save them through the Holy Spirit. “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” - I John 4:15.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: Friday February 11, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 26-27
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-11
Details of Today's Reading: Promises upon keeping the precepts, warnings against disobeying God's commands, God promises to remember those who repent, the law concerning vows of persons, animals, houses and land, and giving tithe.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? Was there a time that you said in some form, “God, I admit I am a sinner, I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, that He died to save me, and arose from the dead to give me life too. I ask You to save me and from this moment on I am depending on Him for my salvation. Amen.” If you said something like that than you are a sinner saved by grace and child of the one and only living God. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10. Praise God!
Regardless of whether you said that prayer today or forty years ago, you are a saved child of God. Have you messed up since then? Sure you have, we all have, we still tote this flesh around us and until it's gone we will still sin from time to time. Are you still saved? Sure you are, Jesus died once on the cross, that means we only have to ask Him once to save us. No matter what we have done or will do in the future we are still saved. Now, that does not mean that we will not face any chastisement, but it does still mean that you are a sinner saved by grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” - Ephesians 2:8,9. We can all praise God that we do not have to go through all the rituals and laws that the Israelites or anyone that chose to follow God had to go through to be saved. When Jesus died for us He put a stop to the need of countless sacrifices and laws. Praise God!
However, that does not mean that we are to disregard His commands of yesteryear, we are to respect all of God's commands and follow them. God promises if we obey His commands, He will continue to bless us, but if we disregard them we can expect to face some consequences. God said, “If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;..For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. And I set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people...But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.” - Leviticus 26:3,9-12,14-16.
When we allow Christ to live through us it only gets better, however, if we choose to live the same life we lived before we got saved with no intention of letting Him live through us than we are going to face some serious tribulations. While God wants to see everyone trust in His Son for their salvation, He will not allow a person to get saved without facing some trials. It is much better to deal with the trials we face with Christ than without Him. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:..For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - I Peter 4:12,17-19.
Did you ever get caught in a mess and when you tried to think of how you got to that point you realized it was something simple that you could have avoided? God warns us well in advance of the consequences we will face just by that one decision, often, we are just not aware of them at the time. The more we allow Christ to live through us the easier it is for us to be aware of these things. God foretold to the Israelites of the trials they would face if they did not follow Him commands. “And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.” - Leviticus 26:27-30.
Once in a while I will get someone quoting Bible verses like this to me, claiming God is not the loving God He says He is, that He is cruel and will strike you down if you cross Him. What people fail to realize is that first you have to believe in God, second, you have to be saved, and third, you need to read all of the Bible to understand many of the situations and circumstances that took place that caused these events. While these verses sound cruel, God was giving a prophecy of the events that would take place if they turned away from Him and followed the false gods of the land, hence the high places and idols. At one time they did walk away from God and there was a famine in the land so great that people were dying and the ones that were still alive were eating people. (See II Kings 6). Had they listened to God in the first place these events would have not taken place, but every one of these predictions came to pass because they did not walk with God nor listen to His warnings. It is important to listen to what God has to say, He talks to you through Scripture, Old and New Testaments alike, through prayer, sermons, devotions, and even other people, the more you walk with Him the more you will understand His Word and see that He really does not want to see any of these things happen and that He truly is a loving God. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” - I John 5:2-4.
God gave up His only begotten Son to give us life, all He really asks of us is one thing, thank Him. Thank Him for everything that He has given you. “Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD. None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death. And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.” - Leviticus 27:28-30.
Everything we get comes from God, all God asks is for us to remember that and give Him back part of what He has given us. He promises to give us back even more than what we gave Him back. While money is involved in giving tithe, other things are as well, food, clothes, personal time, all these things are a part of giving to God and letting Him know that we are thankful for all that He has done for us. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” - I Timothy 4:4,5.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Tabernacle to be sent to dwell among us. Jesus dwells in all who call on Him to save them through the Holy Spirit. “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” - I John 4:15.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Thursday, February 10, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: God Takes The Blame
King James Daily Bible Study: God Takes The Blame
Date: Thursday February 10, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 24-25
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-10
Details of Today's Reading: Oil for the lamps to be burned daily, the shewbread, the law against blasphemy, all blasphemers are stoned, the sabbath of rest for the land every seventh year, the year of jubilee every fiftieth year, redemption of the land and houses, compassion on the poor, and the laws respecting bondmen.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word blaspheme is defined as to speak evil of, to swear, slander, or abuse, especially toward God or in reference to Him. We all go through things in life or see things happening and wonder at times why God allows them to happen. That is natural and God expects and accepts our questions, even when we get angry or upset. It is not God that we are really angry with, it is the person or circumstance, God just happens to take the blame for it. The Bible says, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil...Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:26,27,29-32.
God can handle anger, what He can not handle is speaking evil of, slandering, or abusing His name. Think about it. How do you feel when someone speaks lies about you? Or even worse judges you because you chose not to participate in some stupid pastime or act that others are doing? It makes you angry, right? You just want to go up to the person who started it all and smack them, right? Well, speak bad about God and you will get worse than a smack. There was a man among the Israelites, who was married to a Israelite woman that found our first hand the cost of blaspheming God.
“And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them...And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.” - Leviticus 24:10-12,15, 16.
Today, we are lucky that this law is no longer in effect, but the same rule applies to the blasphemer, to the one who curses God, he shall bear his sin, that is, bare the punishment for cursing God. Out of all the things we can do with our bodies nothing is more dangerous than the speaking of the tongue. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell...Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom...And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” - James 3:6,13,18. There is a saying I remember growing up, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words may never hurt me.” Words do hurt and they can destroy our relationship with God, but they can also mend it. “Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.” - Psalm 106:43-45.
Even God repents of His anger when we humbly go before Him, regardless of what people think, God does have compassion on His people, even when they mess up. God does not want to cause hurt upon anyone, we really do it to our ourselves, God just takes the blame for it. The year of jubile was a time of restoration, it was a yearlong period to be observed by the Jews once every fifty years, during which Jewish slaves were to be freed, alienated lands were to be restored to the original owner or an heir, and all agricultural labors were to be suspended.
“And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field...Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God:for I am the LORD your God. Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety. And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.” - Leviticus 25:10-12,17-19.
To fear God is to have respect for Him, to acknowledge Him, and to just live a moral life with Him in it. We can all fear God and mean it if we just let go of the things that cause us to jump out of His safety zone. The majority of people that walk away from God do it because they can not let go of the past, are angry with something that someone has or they themselves have done, or have the false sense that following God I supposed to take all their care away. God did not promise to take the problems away, but He did promise to help us through the problems, if we just trust Him, even if we cause the problem ourselves. We can not live for God and not be blessed, if we are doing the best we can to live right and trusting in God we are going to be blessed as we endure the circumstances. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - I Peter 4:12,13.
God took on the blame for all of our sins when He came down here through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus bared all the iniquities of our sins for us so we can not only be reconciled with God, but escape the burning fire of hell, all who ask Jesus to save them escape this horrid fate. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” - Romans 5:9-11. Praise God!
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. No matter what you have done in your life, Jesus will save you if you just go to Him. He has already taken the blame for you by giving His life for you, show Him how thankful you are and how much you love Him by going to Him. He will change your life for the better, but He can not change it as long as you keep holding on to the one thing that you can not let go of. It is time to let go and just go to Jesus.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the shewbread and oil that remained in the tabernacle (24:2-7). Jesus is our light and the bread of life, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” - John 6:51.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: Thursday February 10, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 24-25
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-10
Details of Today's Reading: Oil for the lamps to be burned daily, the shewbread, the law against blasphemy, all blasphemers are stoned, the sabbath of rest for the land every seventh year, the year of jubilee every fiftieth year, redemption of the land and houses, compassion on the poor, and the laws respecting bondmen.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word blaspheme is defined as to speak evil of, to swear, slander, or abuse, especially toward God or in reference to Him. We all go through things in life or see things happening and wonder at times why God allows them to happen. That is natural and God expects and accepts our questions, even when we get angry or upset. It is not God that we are really angry with, it is the person or circumstance, God just happens to take the blame for it. The Bible says, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil...Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:26,27,29-32.
God can handle anger, what He can not handle is speaking evil of, slandering, or abusing His name. Think about it. How do you feel when someone speaks lies about you? Or even worse judges you because you chose not to participate in some stupid pastime or act that others are doing? It makes you angry, right? You just want to go up to the person who started it all and smack them, right? Well, speak bad about God and you will get worse than a smack. There was a man among the Israelites, who was married to a Israelite woman that found our first hand the cost of blaspheming God.
“And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name of the Lord, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) And they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them...And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.” - Leviticus 24:10-12,15, 16.
Today, we are lucky that this law is no longer in effect, but the same rule applies to the blasphemer, to the one who curses God, he shall bear his sin, that is, bare the punishment for cursing God. Out of all the things we can do with our bodies nothing is more dangerous than the speaking of the tongue. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell...Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom...And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” - James 3:6,13,18. There is a saying I remember growing up, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words may never hurt me.” Words do hurt and they can destroy our relationship with God, but they can also mend it. “Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.” - Psalm 106:43-45.
Even God repents of His anger when we humbly go before Him, regardless of what people think, God does have compassion on His people, even when they mess up. God does not want to cause hurt upon anyone, we really do it to our ourselves, God just takes the blame for it. The year of jubile was a time of restoration, it was a yearlong period to be observed by the Jews once every fifty years, during which Jewish slaves were to be freed, alienated lands were to be restored to the original owner or an heir, and all agricultural labors were to be suspended.
“And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof: it shall be a jubile unto you; and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man unto his family. A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed. For it is the jubile; it shall be holy unto you: ye shall eat the increase thereof out of the field...Ye shall not therefore oppress one another; but thou shalt fear thy God:for I am the LORD your God. Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety. And the land shall yield her fruit, and ye shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety.” - Leviticus 25:10-12,17-19.
To fear God is to have respect for Him, to acknowledge Him, and to just live a moral life with Him in it. We can all fear God and mean it if we just let go of the things that cause us to jump out of His safety zone. The majority of people that walk away from God do it because they can not let go of the past, are angry with something that someone has or they themselves have done, or have the false sense that following God I supposed to take all their care away. God did not promise to take the problems away, but He did promise to help us through the problems, if we just trust Him, even if we cause the problem ourselves. We can not live for God and not be blessed, if we are doing the best we can to live right and trusting in God we are going to be blessed as we endure the circumstances. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - I Peter 4:12,13.
God took on the blame for all of our sins when He came down here through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus bared all the iniquities of our sins for us so we can not only be reconciled with God, but escape the burning fire of hell, all who ask Jesus to save them escape this horrid fate. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” - Romans 5:9-11. Praise God!
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. No matter what you have done in your life, Jesus will save you if you just go to Him. He has already taken the blame for you by giving His life for you, show Him how thankful you are and how much you love Him by going to Him. He will change your life for the better, but He can not change it as long as you keep holding on to the one thing that you can not let go of. It is time to let go and just go to Jesus.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the shewbread and oil that remained in the tabernacle (24:2-7). Jesus is our light and the bread of life, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” - John 6:51.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: Removing The Blemishes
King James Daily Bible Study: Removing The Blemishes
Date: Wednesday February 09, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 22-23
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-9
Details of Today's Reading: The laws concerning the priests, their families, and the offerings, the feasts of the Lord, the Sabbath, Passover, offering of first-fruits, feast of Pentecost, feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the feast of Tabernacles .
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word blemish is defined as an imperfection, defect, mark, or flaw, a stain, or something tarnished. Even a tiny blemish can ruin something beautiful. Sin is a blemish, a mark that can leave a pretty good stain on a person, even if it is tiny. Quite often when asked the question, “Do you admit you are a sinner?” the reply is, “Well, I can not say that I am a sinner, I am a good person, I try to always do the right thing.” The truth is no matter how good we try to be, we have all sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23. Whether it was today, yesterday, or forty years ago, we all have blemishes from sin, even the tiniest of blemishes constitutes as being a sinner. There is only one person that has never sinned and that is Jesus Christ. How? He is God in the flesh, He is perfect. He was not born into the world like you and I, He chose to enter it as a baby. Remember, Jesus, who is God and the Word, was here before the earth was even thought of. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” - I John 5:7.
Why do I need to know this? Because Jesus Christ gave us a way out of the endless animal sacrifices and ceremonies needed to remove the blemishes for good. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” - Hebrews 9:12-14. Although we should, being good has nothing to do with being redeemed, only by believing in and personally asking Jesus to save you are you redeemed, and we need to only ask Him once. Praise God!
Aaron and his sons were commanded to keep away from the holy gifts of the children of Israel, which were consecrated (cleansed) for God, that they might not profane the holy name of God by defiling them with any blemishes that they may have encountered.
“Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD. Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD...Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath; The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water. And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it is his food.”- Leviticus 22:2,3,5-7.
This should be a reminder to all of us that we need to ask God to bless the food that He has blessed us with before we eat it. I love to cook and when I do I have a habit of tasting the food as I go to make sure it is seasoned well, more often than I realize I forget to ask God to bless that taste test. We need to give God thanks for even the tiniest of blessings, it shows Him that we really are thankful for even the little things. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7.
It was not uncommon for the Israelites to have feasts to the Lord in honor of thanksgiving. In fact, God commanded it, now, they were not forced to participate, but whoever chose to participate needed to do it wholeheartedly. God even invited the strangers to participate, but all had to do it of their own free will.
“Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering; Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD.” - Leviticus 22:18-22.
When offering an offering they had to do it willingly and the offering had to be without any blemishes, this is a way of God saying, “If you are going to choose to follow me then give yourself to me wholeheartedly.” I heard someone once say that following God is not of our own free will, that is just absurd, God will not force anyone to do anything. God truly does love everyone He created, but He will never force Himself upon you. Have you ever been madly in love with someone yet they wanted nothing to do with you? You tried everything to get that person to see how much you love them, but the more you tried the further they got? Well, that is how God feels when He tries to show us His love and we reject Him. So, instead of getting hurt He backs off and lets the person come willingly, leaving subtle hints along the way. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - II Peter 3:9.
There is nothing like a feast to bring people together, whether it is for fellowship, celebration, or mourning, food is a big part of any gathering. The Feasts of the Lord were observed as reminders of the freedom, gifts, and miracles that God had given to the Israelites as He protected, provided, and fulfilled His promises to them. These were not ordinary feasts, they were sabbath days used to atone and reflect on the freedom, provisions, and hope that only God could give.
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.” - Leviticus 23:2-4.
Today, we no longer have to observe these feasts with all the sacrifices or the Sabbath, in fact, we have new feasts to observes as well, but we should not wait until these holy days come around before we go to God with all of our sins, and remember that Jesus Christ removed all the blemishes of sin in our lives. “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” - Luke 22:19,20.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the seven great Feasts of the Lord. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” - Romans 5:10,11.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: Wednesday February 09, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 22-23
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-9
Details of Today's Reading: The laws concerning the priests, their families, and the offerings, the feasts of the Lord, the Sabbath, Passover, offering of first-fruits, feast of Pentecost, feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the feast of Tabernacles .
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word blemish is defined as an imperfection, defect, mark, or flaw, a stain, or something tarnished. Even a tiny blemish can ruin something beautiful. Sin is a blemish, a mark that can leave a pretty good stain on a person, even if it is tiny. Quite often when asked the question, “Do you admit you are a sinner?” the reply is, “Well, I can not say that I am a sinner, I am a good person, I try to always do the right thing.” The truth is no matter how good we try to be, we have all sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23. Whether it was today, yesterday, or forty years ago, we all have blemishes from sin, even the tiniest of blemishes constitutes as being a sinner. There is only one person that has never sinned and that is Jesus Christ. How? He is God in the flesh, He is perfect. He was not born into the world like you and I, He chose to enter it as a baby. Remember, Jesus, who is God and the Word, was here before the earth was even thought of. “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” - I John 5:7.
Why do I need to know this? Because Jesus Christ gave us a way out of the endless animal sacrifices and ceremonies needed to remove the blemishes for good. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” - Hebrews 9:12-14. Although we should, being good has nothing to do with being redeemed, only by believing in and personally asking Jesus to save you are you redeemed, and we need to only ask Him once. Praise God!
Aaron and his sons were commanded to keep away from the holy gifts of the children of Israel, which were consecrated (cleansed) for God, that they might not profane the holy name of God by defiling them with any blemishes that they may have encountered.
“Speak unto Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, and that they profane not my holy name in those things which they hallow unto me: I am the LORD. Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD...Or whosoever toucheth any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatsoever uncleanness he hath; The soul which hath touched any such shall be unclean until even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he wash his flesh with water. And when the sun is down, he shall be clean, and shall afterward eat of the holy things; because it is his food.”- Leviticus 22:2,3,5-7.
This should be a reminder to all of us that we need to ask God to bless the food that He has blessed us with before we eat it. I love to cook and when I do I have a habit of tasting the food as I go to make sure it is seasoned well, more often than I realize I forget to ask God to bless that taste test. We need to give God thanks for even the tiniest of blessings, it shows Him that we really are thankful for even the little things. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:5-7.
It was not uncommon for the Israelites to have feasts to the Lord in honor of thanksgiving. In fact, God commanded it, now, they were not forced to participate, but whoever chose to participate needed to do it wholeheartedly. God even invited the strangers to participate, but all had to do it of their own free will.
“Speak unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them, Whatsoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering; Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats. But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering by fire of them upon the altar unto the LORD.” - Leviticus 22:18-22.
When offering an offering they had to do it willingly and the offering had to be without any blemishes, this is a way of God saying, “If you are going to choose to follow me then give yourself to me wholeheartedly.” I heard someone once say that following God is not of our own free will, that is just absurd, God will not force anyone to do anything. God truly does love everyone He created, but He will never force Himself upon you. Have you ever been madly in love with someone yet they wanted nothing to do with you? You tried everything to get that person to see how much you love them, but the more you tried the further they got? Well, that is how God feels when He tries to show us His love and we reject Him. So, instead of getting hurt He backs off and lets the person come willingly, leaving subtle hints along the way. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - II Peter 3:9.
There is nothing like a feast to bring people together, whether it is for fellowship, celebration, or mourning, food is a big part of any gathering. The Feasts of the Lord were observed as reminders of the freedom, gifts, and miracles that God had given to the Israelites as He protected, provided, and fulfilled His promises to them. These were not ordinary feasts, they were sabbath days used to atone and reflect on the freedom, provisions, and hope that only God could give.
“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings. These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.” - Leviticus 23:2-4.
Today, we no longer have to observe these feasts with all the sacrifices or the Sabbath, in fact, we have new feasts to observes as well, but we should not wait until these holy days come around before we go to God with all of our sins, and remember that Jesus Christ removed all the blemishes of sin in our lives. “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” - Luke 22:19,20.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the seven great Feasts of the Lord. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” - Romans 5:10,11.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: Totally Devoted To God
King James Daily Bible Study: Totally Devoted To God
Date: Tuesday February 08, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 19-21
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-8
Details of Today's Reading: The laws concerning the ten commandments, God's people are to be holy, the laws against sacrificing children, cursing parents, and concerning the priests.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” - John 1:1-3,14. Before God made anything here on earth and before people made anything from the things that God made God's Word existed. If we never had the Bible to read, God's Word would still be in existence, The Word is God Himself and He made His Word become flesh, through Jesus Christ. So, how did people know that God existed when they did not have the Bible? That is where the Israelites came in. I do not know why God chose Israel to represent Him, but He had to chose one nation to represent Him first. Why? To show the rest of the world that there is a big difference between being a creation of God and being one of His very own people. It was important that God separate one nation to show the rest that God is not just something they made up, but a living God that truly exists, dwells among, and blesses those who realize that.
Many people read through these books and wonder why God was so cruel to kill a person over something that seemed like nothing. Well, it is nothing to God, it shows rebellion, not separation. God was adamant about the Israelites being separated from the worldly people. Why? It causes confusion and it really does cause people to live a pretty wicked life. God had to put fear in them to keep them from falling into the corruption that would be dwelling among them.
“Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God. And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will...Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” - Leviticus 19:2-5, 31-34.
God is holy, meaning He is divine, faultless, good, perfect, and uncorrupted, His people are to be the same way. He does not force anyone to follow Him, but if they chose to He expects total devotion. The amazing thing here is that God did not just enforce these laws on the Israelites, but any foreigner that dwelt among them, in fact, if they were devoted to Him, they were no longer strangers, but adopted into the family. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and accepts Him into their lives is adopted into God's family. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you...For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” - Romans 8:11,14-17.
Notice the caution against having anything to do with spiritism, we know them today as astrologers, physics, and spiritual healers. Spiritism is spiritual adultery, giving honor to the devil which is due to God. We are to never seek them or receive advice from them, it is an abomination to God. God addresses this issue even further.
“Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people...But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.” - Leviticus 20:2-5,24-27.
The key word here is separation, if we are going to be totally devoted to God we need to be separated from anything that the world has to offer. Molech was a bronze statue with a head of a calf or bull, and the base of a man and it was hollow. When a fire was built at the base, the fire would spew out its eyes, nose and mouth. Molech stood with outstretched hands, beckoning followers to come and the people would give their children to this statue as a sacrifice. God was commanding the Israelite's to stay away from this practice or they too would be put to death. Today, many of these gruesome practices still take place, while God may test our faith He will never cause us or anyone to become a human sacrifice, why do you think He used animals. God sent one person to become a human sacrifice in order to save His people from hell and that was Himself, through Jesus Christ. God gave Himself for us, He want us to be a living sacrifice not a dead one. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:1,2.
As Christians we must set the example and abstain from any conduct that may influence others to be less than their best for Christ. We are children of God placed in a nation full of heathens and God is preparing us for the promised land. Although, Praise God, we can not get be put to death for doing some of the things we know are wrong today, we are to still think about what we are doing and make sure everything we do keeps us holy before God and shows Him that we are totally devoted to Him. Of course, God knows we are going to mess up from time to time, but God knows our heart, whether we are totally devoted to Him. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” - Revelation 21:3,4.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed as the source of true guidance, in contrast to evil guidance. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” - John 16:13.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
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Date: Tuesday February 08, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 19-21
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-8
Details of Today's Reading: The laws concerning the ten commandments, God's people are to be holy, the laws against sacrificing children, cursing parents, and concerning the priests.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” - John 1:1-3,14. Before God made anything here on earth and before people made anything from the things that God made God's Word existed. If we never had the Bible to read, God's Word would still be in existence, The Word is God Himself and He made His Word become flesh, through Jesus Christ. So, how did people know that God existed when they did not have the Bible? That is where the Israelites came in. I do not know why God chose Israel to represent Him, but He had to chose one nation to represent Him first. Why? To show the rest of the world that there is a big difference between being a creation of God and being one of His very own people. It was important that God separate one nation to show the rest that God is not just something they made up, but a living God that truly exists, dwells among, and blesses those who realize that.
Many people read through these books and wonder why God was so cruel to kill a person over something that seemed like nothing. Well, it is nothing to God, it shows rebellion, not separation. God was adamant about the Israelites being separated from the worldly people. Why? It causes confusion and it really does cause people to live a pretty wicked life. God had to put fear in them to keep them from falling into the corruption that would be dwelling among them.
“Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God. And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will...Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD. And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.” - Leviticus 19:2-5, 31-34.
God is holy, meaning He is divine, faultless, good, perfect, and uncorrupted, His people are to be the same way. He does not force anyone to follow Him, but if they chose to He expects total devotion. The amazing thing here is that God did not just enforce these laws on the Israelites, but any foreigner that dwelt among them, in fact, if they were devoted to Him, they were no longer strangers, but adopted into the family. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and accepts Him into their lives is adopted into God's family. “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you...For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” - Romans 8:11,14-17.
Notice the caution against having anything to do with spiritism, we know them today as astrologers, physics, and spiritual healers. Spiritism is spiritual adultery, giving honor to the devil which is due to God. We are to never seek them or receive advice from them, it is an abomination to God. God addresses this issue even further.
“Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people...But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.” - Leviticus 20:2-5,24-27.
The key word here is separation, if we are going to be totally devoted to God we need to be separated from anything that the world has to offer. Molech was a bronze statue with a head of a calf or bull, and the base of a man and it was hollow. When a fire was built at the base, the fire would spew out its eyes, nose and mouth. Molech stood with outstretched hands, beckoning followers to come and the people would give their children to this statue as a sacrifice. God was commanding the Israelite's to stay away from this practice or they too would be put to death. Today, many of these gruesome practices still take place, while God may test our faith He will never cause us or anyone to become a human sacrifice, why do you think He used animals. God sent one person to become a human sacrifice in order to save His people from hell and that was Himself, through Jesus Christ. God gave Himself for us, He want us to be a living sacrifice not a dead one. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:1,2.
As Christians we must set the example and abstain from any conduct that may influence others to be less than their best for Christ. We are children of God placed in a nation full of heathens and God is preparing us for the promised land. Although, Praise God, we can not get be put to death for doing some of the things we know are wrong today, we are to still think about what we are doing and make sure everything we do keeps us holy before God and shows Him that we are totally devoted to Him. Of course, God knows we are going to mess up from time to time, but God knows our heart, whether we are totally devoted to Him. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” - Revelation 21:3,4.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed as the source of true guidance, in contrast to evil guidance. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” - John 16:13.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: Lifelined or Flatlined
King James Daily Bible Study: Lifelined or Flatlined
Date: Monday February 07, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 16-18
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-7
Details of Today's Reading: The day of atonement, the sacrifices on it, and the scape-goat, sacrifices to be offered at the tabernacle only, eating of blood forbidden, unlawful marriages and fleshly lusts.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Did you ever see a person hooked up to a heart monitor? There is a line that goes across the screen, you hear bleeps when the heart beats, the faster the heart beats the more bleeps you hear. The bleeps are a persons lifeline, it represents how much life is in a person. The key to keeping the heart pumping is the blood, without it instead of hearing lifeline you would hear flatline. As Christians, it truly is amazing to let Christ live through you, but from time to time life gets so overwhelming that you flatline, it seems like you have no life in you at all. During times like these we need to be thankful of the promise that Jesus gave us. “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.
The Day of Atonement was the one day of the year that the high priest could make an atonement for the entire congregation for their sins of the past year. In addition to the normal sin, trespass, and peace offering were two goats.
“And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.” - Leviticus 16:7-10.
One of the goats was offered as a sin offering, the sinner had to eat of that flesh in order to receive an atonement for their sins. Since it was for the entire congregation Aaron, the high priest, in a sense, took on all their sins. Then Aaron had to put his hands on the second goat, placing all those sins on that goat, he said a prayer and let the goat take off into the wilderness, taking all the sins with it. This entire ceremony is representative of Christ, first, He is our high priest, He took on every sin known to man. Second, He became the sin sacrifice, and third He became the scapegoat, which took all the sins of the people away, making an atonement for their sins. A scapegoat is a person who takes the blame for others, Jesus took the blame for you and gave His life for you. Incidentally, the scapegoat being let out into the wilderness also represents the resurrection of Christ when God raise Him from the dead three days later. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” - Romans 10:9.
Blood is so important to God that He forbade anyone to even touch blood from a dead animal, you can imagine how He felt about someone consumming it, “Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off. And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean. But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.” - Leviticus 17:12-16.
Blood is our life line, it is what gives us the energy to even get up. There are times when I get so drained that nothing cures me, but eating a good steak. The rich blood in that meat brings me back to life, if you have Jesus in you, you have His blood pumping through you, He is your lifeline, He brings you back to life. Jesus said, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” - John 6:53-57. This is spiritually speaking, when we receive Christ we spiritually eat the sin sacrifice, and drink of the blood that He shed for us, which then gives us His rich blood and brings us back to life.
There is a reason why God wants His people to be separated from the world, fleshly lusts war against the soul and will certainly be the ruin of it, if God’s mercy and grace prevent not. There are many sins which level men with the beasts, but some sink men lower than beasts. God addresses these, “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD...Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:.For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.” - Leviticus 18:3-5,24-26,29.
We think that what we see going around the world is something new, it is not new to God. There is not one thing in this life that God has not seen already over the centuries, this includes every immoral, lustful, and abominable act such as eating dead animals, blood, fornication, incest, bestiality, homosexuality, and even giving into brutal lusts within a marriage bed. We are children of God, that means that we are to start acting like it and not do the things that we see or have done while we were in the world either. Yes, we may have done some things while in the world that we were ignorant to, but that does not give us an excuse to do them now. “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - I Corinthians 6:18-20.
When a person is in flatline he is given a jolt, a shock to revive the heart, it is the second chance needed for survival. Today, are you in flatline? Do you need a shock? Or are you in a shock already? Jesus is waiting for you, in fact, He gives you more than a second chance, He gives you several. Praise God! Whatever you are going through, give it over to Jesus, He will take care of you, you just need to trust Him and let Him abide in you. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ...If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” - I Corinthians 3:9-11,14.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the two goats used on the Day of Atonement. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” - Hebrews 8:12.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: Monday February 07, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 16-18
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-7
Details of Today's Reading: The day of atonement, the sacrifices on it, and the scape-goat, sacrifices to be offered at the tabernacle only, eating of blood forbidden, unlawful marriages and fleshly lusts.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Did you ever see a person hooked up to a heart monitor? There is a line that goes across the screen, you hear bleeps when the heart beats, the faster the heart beats the more bleeps you hear. The bleeps are a persons lifeline, it represents how much life is in a person. The key to keeping the heart pumping is the blood, without it instead of hearing lifeline you would hear flatline. As Christians, it truly is amazing to let Christ live through you, but from time to time life gets so overwhelming that you flatline, it seems like you have no life in you at all. During times like these we need to be thankful of the promise that Jesus gave us. “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.
The Day of Atonement was the one day of the year that the high priest could make an atonement for the entire congregation for their sins of the past year. In addition to the normal sin, trespass, and peace offering were two goats.
“And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat. And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD's lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering. But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.” - Leviticus 16:7-10.
One of the goats was offered as a sin offering, the sinner had to eat of that flesh in order to receive an atonement for their sins. Since it was for the entire congregation Aaron, the high priest, in a sense, took on all their sins. Then Aaron had to put his hands on the second goat, placing all those sins on that goat, he said a prayer and let the goat take off into the wilderness, taking all the sins with it. This entire ceremony is representative of Christ, first, He is our high priest, He took on every sin known to man. Second, He became the sin sacrifice, and third He became the scapegoat, which took all the sins of the people away, making an atonement for their sins. A scapegoat is a person who takes the blame for others, Jesus took the blame for you and gave His life for you. Incidentally, the scapegoat being let out into the wilderness also represents the resurrection of Christ when God raise Him from the dead three days later. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” - Romans 10:9.
Blood is so important to God that He forbade anyone to even touch blood from a dead animal, you can imagine how He felt about someone consumming it, “Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood. And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust. For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off. And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean. But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.” - Leviticus 17:12-16.
Blood is our life line, it is what gives us the energy to even get up. There are times when I get so drained that nothing cures me, but eating a good steak. The rich blood in that meat brings me back to life, if you have Jesus in you, you have His blood pumping through you, He is your lifeline, He brings you back to life. Jesus said, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” - John 6:53-57. This is spiritually speaking, when we receive Christ we spiritually eat the sin sacrifice, and drink of the blood that He shed for us, which then gives us His rich blood and brings us back to life.
There is a reason why God wants His people to be separated from the world, fleshly lusts war against the soul and will certainly be the ruin of it, if God’s mercy and grace prevent not. There are many sins which level men with the beasts, but some sink men lower than beasts. God addresses these, “After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD...Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:.For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.” - Leviticus 18:3-5,24-26,29.
We think that what we see going around the world is something new, it is not new to God. There is not one thing in this life that God has not seen already over the centuries, this includes every immoral, lustful, and abominable act such as eating dead animals, blood, fornication, incest, bestiality, homosexuality, and even giving into brutal lusts within a marriage bed. We are children of God, that means that we are to start acting like it and not do the things that we see or have done while we were in the world either. Yes, we may have done some things while in the world that we were ignorant to, but that does not give us an excuse to do them now. “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - I Corinthians 6:18-20.
When a person is in flatline he is given a jolt, a shock to revive the heart, it is the second chance needed for survival. Today, are you in flatline? Do you need a shock? Or are you in a shock already? Jesus is waiting for you, in fact, He gives you more than a second chance, He gives you several. Praise God! Whatever you are going through, give it over to Jesus, He will take care of you, you just need to trust Him and let Him abide in you. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ...If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” - I Corinthians 3:9-11,14.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the two goats used on the Day of Atonement. “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” - Hebrews 8:12.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Sunday, February 6, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: Showered In His Blood
King James Daily Bible Study: Showered In His Blood
Date: Sunday February 06, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 14-15
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-6
Details of Today's Reading: The laws concerning the cleansing of lepers and the laws concerning personal cleanliness.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Do you know the feeling you get when you step foot in a hot shower, especially if you are really dirty? All the sweat, dirt, and grime just melts away and you start to feel clean again? Well, that is the power of Jesus Christ as He showers us with His blood and melts away all the dirt and grime of sin that has caked upon us over the years. The Bible says, “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” - II Corinthians 1:21,22. We, who are Christians, children of God, are not only cleansed, but anointed by God Himself through the blood that His Son shed for us and now lives inside us.
In the last couple of chapters we have been reading about leprosy, an infectious disease, which often represents sin. The word leprosy struck terror in the heart of an Israelite for two reasons. First, the person who had leprosy became an outcast from society. He was forced to leave his home, family, friends, and the place of worship. When anyone went near him, the leper had to cry out, Unclean, Unclean, and people had to avoid him. Now, regardless of how many sacrifices brought to the priests the only way a person could have been cured from the disease was by God Himself. When God cured the person of the disease he was able to take the steps needed to be fully cleansed and able to return to society and God.
“Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.” - Leviticus 14:4-8.
The steps taken for an Israelite to be cleansed are representative of Christ, the two birds represent, Christ dying for our sins and rising again to cleanse us, freeing us from our sins. The cedar wood is representative of the freedom given by Jesus to remove all the corruption that sin had brought upon our lives. Scarlet is representative of the persons stained blood and also the blood of Christ that removed those stains. Hyssop is representative of the fragrant smell given off as we are cleansed from our sins, deemed holy, and reconciled with God. “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.” - II Corinthians 5:17-19.
Besides leprosy, there were other issues that a person had to be cleansed from that could spread illness and disease. God even addresses how a woman was to be separated from the people when she was menstruating. Do you know how many diseases can be spread simply by touching someones infected blood? It was for that reason why God enforced these rules.
“Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean. And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even... And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even... And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean... And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even...Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.” - Leviticus 15:4-6,10,13,19,31.
Whenever a person is sick he is to be separated from everyone, he truly is unclean and anyone who goes near him can get infected and some infections can be life threatening. Uncleanness is representative of sin and how an infectious disease it is when we are in it, which spreads to everyone around us. Our cure, is Jesus Christ. We can praise God for one drop of the blood that Jesus spreads, it is the only blood that is pure and comes into the soul for a good cleansing “by water and blood”. “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one...He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - I John 5:5-8,12.
Christ will cleanse anyone who comes to Him for nice hot shower of His blood, all you have to do is call on Him and I will tell you what, you will feel all that dirt and grime just melt away and all the weight of sin just come off your body. And when you allow Christ to live inside of you, it just gets better and better, even through the trials. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” - I Peter 4:12-14.
Maybe you have gotten caught up in something that you think God can never forgive you for. God forgives all who repent and He will cleanse you too. If you have been saved, nothing can take you away from God, you might have to endure some chastisement, which in most cases you have already felt, but nothing you do can make God take back His gift of salvation. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:34-39. Praise God! You are already showered in His blood, just talk to Him, tell Him you are sorry, and He will forgive you.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the priest who made atonement for the leper. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:10.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
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Date: Sunday February 06, 2011
Chapters: Leviticus 14-15
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-february-6
Details of Today's Reading: The laws concerning the cleansing of lepers and the laws concerning personal cleanliness.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Do you know the feeling you get when you step foot in a hot shower, especially if you are really dirty? All the sweat, dirt, and grime just melts away and you start to feel clean again? Well, that is the power of Jesus Christ as He showers us with His blood and melts away all the dirt and grime of sin that has caked upon us over the years. The Bible says, “Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” - II Corinthians 1:21,22. We, who are Christians, children of God, are not only cleansed, but anointed by God Himself through the blood that His Son shed for us and now lives inside us.
In the last couple of chapters we have been reading about leprosy, an infectious disease, which often represents sin. The word leprosy struck terror in the heart of an Israelite for two reasons. First, the person who had leprosy became an outcast from society. He was forced to leave his home, family, friends, and the place of worship. When anyone went near him, the leper had to cry out, Unclean, Unclean, and people had to avoid him. Now, regardless of how many sacrifices brought to the priests the only way a person could have been cured from the disease was by God Himself. When God cured the person of the disease he was able to take the steps needed to be fully cleansed and able to return to society and God.
“Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.” - Leviticus 14:4-8.
The steps taken for an Israelite to be cleansed are representative of Christ, the two birds represent, Christ dying for our sins and rising again to cleanse us, freeing us from our sins. The cedar wood is representative of the freedom given by Jesus to remove all the corruption that sin had brought upon our lives. Scarlet is representative of the persons stained blood and also the blood of Christ that removed those stains. Hyssop is representative of the fragrant smell given off as we are cleansed from our sins, deemed holy, and reconciled with God. “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.” - II Corinthians 5:17-19.
Besides leprosy, there were other issues that a person had to be cleansed from that could spread illness and disease. God even addresses how a woman was to be separated from the people when she was menstruating. Do you know how many diseases can be spread simply by touching someones infected blood? It was for that reason why God enforced these rules.
“Every bed, whereon he lieth that hath the issue, is unclean: and every thing, whereon he sitteth, shall be unclean. And whosoever toucheth his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And he that sitteth on any thing whereon he sat that hath the issue shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even... And whosoever toucheth any thing that was under him shall be unclean until the even: and he that beareth any of those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even... And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean... And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even...Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.” - Leviticus 15:4-6,10,13,19,31.
Whenever a person is sick he is to be separated from everyone, he truly is unclean and anyone who goes near him can get infected and some infections can be life threatening. Uncleanness is representative of sin and how an infectious disease it is when we are in it, which spreads to everyone around us. Our cure, is Jesus Christ. We can praise God for one drop of the blood that Jesus spreads, it is the only blood that is pure and comes into the soul for a good cleansing “by water and blood”. “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one...He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - I John 5:5-8,12.
Christ will cleanse anyone who comes to Him for nice hot shower of His blood, all you have to do is call on Him and I will tell you what, you will feel all that dirt and grime just melt away and all the weight of sin just come off your body. And when you allow Christ to live inside of you, it just gets better and better, even through the trials. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” - I Peter 4:12-14.
Maybe you have gotten caught up in something that you think God can never forgive you for. God forgives all who repent and He will cleanse you too. If you have been saved, nothing can take you away from God, you might have to endure some chastisement, which in most cases you have already felt, but nothing you do can make God take back His gift of salvation. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:34-39. Praise God! You are already showered in His blood, just talk to Him, tell Him you are sorry, and He will forgive you.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the priest who made atonement for the leper. “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:10.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
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