King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Delusional Leaders
Date: Friday August 26, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 41-44, Proverb 26, Psalm 77
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-26
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - II Thessalonians 2:7-14.
The antichrist is a person with Christlike abilities that deceives people into thinking that they are following Christ. The antichrist is real and lives today, he has several people working for him, people such as pastors, popes, priests, evangelists, etc., spiritual leaders who know just enough Scripture to make one believe that they are of Christ, but are really of Satan. Those who know and accept the true Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, are saved from eternal damnation. “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.
Those who believe the lies of the antichrist and deny the true Christ face the same fate as the antichrist. God sends all who reject the Gospel, leaders and followers alike, strong delusion, a strong belief that they really believe what they are teaching. It is that delusion that will send them along with Satan into the lake of fire. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” -Revelation 21:7,8.
Sadly, it is these delusional, proud, know it all, envious leaders that have the most influence on the people. Even more sadder is the fact that these leaders are the ones who cause so much destruction and suffering of our nations and even in our lives. After the Babylonians left Jerusalem, a small remnant of people, including Jeremiah, were left in Judah and Jerusalem, a man named Gedaliah was placed in charge. However, a man named Ishmael claimed to be of the royal seed, believed that he should have been next in line to the throne before Nebuchadnezzar took charge, and he killed Gedaliah. That death did not place him in charge, instead it sent leaders looking for help from God.
“Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the LORD thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) That the LORD thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do. Then Jeremiah the prophet said unto them, I have heard you; behold, I will pray unto the LORD your God according to your words; and it shall come to pass, that whatsoever thing the LORD shall answer you, I will declare it unto you; I will keep nothing back from you. Then they said to Jeremiah, The LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not even according to all things for the which the LORD thy God shall send thee to us. Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.” - Jeremiah 42:1-6.
In very difficult circumstances, we must fix our eyes upon God for direction and we must open our hearts to obeying His instructions, no matter what He instructs us to do. Jeremiah acts as an intercessor for these people, a middle man that speaks to God on their behalf. While our faith and obedience plays a good part in God granting our requests it is good to have an intercessor standing before Him also on our behalf. Jesus is our intercessor, He is the one who goes before God and pleads our case before Him. However, only those who know the Son can reach the Father. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” - Matthew 11:27.
God is quick and willing to accept any person who comes to Him with a sincere heart, non matter what wrong they have done in the past. Although these people lived in sin and rejected God at one time God was willing to help them. Ten days after Johanan and the people went before Jeremiah God answered them.
“If ye will still abide in this land, then will I build you, and not pull you down, and I will plant you, and not pluck you up: for I repent me of the evil that I have done unto you. Be not afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom ye are afraid; be not afraid of him, saith the LORD: for I am with you to save you, and to deliver you from his hand. And I will shew mercies unto you, that he may have mercy upon you, and cause you to return to your own land. But if ye say, We will not dwell in this land, neither obey the voice of the LORD your God,..Then it shall come to pass, that the sword, which ye feared, shall overtake you there in the land of Egypt, and the famine, whereof ye were afraid, shall follow close after you there in Egypt; and there ye shall die.” - Jeremiah 42:10-13,16.
Sadly, we learn that they did not obey God's instructions, they did go to Egypt, they even dragged Jeremiah and his scribe with them. All the Jews that followed Johanan, except for a few that escaped out of Egypt, died just as God warned them. Leaders come and go, but true leaders live by every Word of God, false leaders will claim to be very spiritual, and in tune with God, but when the Word of God comes to direct them, they reject it, in fact, do the opposite. That is why we must hold on to the truth of the Gospel as well as every word that God has to say to us. To know His Word personally and to abide by it is the only way that we will know whether or not we are being deceived. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” - II Timothy 3:16,17.
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, because of Your amazing grace we are able to say no to ungodliness and yes to righteousness, no to lasciviousness and yes to self-control, no to the lust of the flesh and yes to the Spirit. We want to be quick to obey the Scriptures and discerning when anyone adds to or takes away from Your absolute truths that are to be followed in every generation. We want to align our desires with Yours, rather than trying to align Your truths with our desires. Lord, transform me day by day to be more like Your Son, help me to be able to discern the truths from the lies and to live in obedience to Your instruction, no matter how strange it may seem. You always know what is best for me and I love You for that. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Saturday, August 27, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
An Incorruptible Inheritance
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: An Incorruptible Inheritance
Date: Wednesday August 24, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 34-36, Proverb 24, Psalm 75
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-24
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time...Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” - I Peter 1:3-5,23-25.
If you are saved and born again, rejoice! Within your soul is Jesus Christ! God no longer sees a soul corrupted by sin, but one that is pure, undefiled, and without sin. Much more than a pure soul is receiving eternal life and an inheritance that only you will receive, reserved in heaven for you. That is God's gift and promise to you for believing in and accepting His Son. It is sad that the world has taken something so simple and pure and made it into something full of corruption. They have distorted God's Word, burned it, changed it, mocked it, and even tried to eliminate it, but no matter what they do God's Word endures forever and remains pure and undefiled in every believer.
Have you ever had a person say to you, “I thought you were a Christian.” or “That is not very Christian of you.”? That is the comments you get from the person who has no idea what it is like to be a Christian. Someone who has never even picked up a Bible, yet expects you to accept and compromise with them over all the garbage that is in the world, disregarding the fact that it is a complete abomination to God. The world loves to pretend that they know who God is, but they could not be further from the truth, they even quote Bible verses, but they really have no idea what they are saying. King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah to reign in Judah, God sent Jeremiah to warn him what was about to take place.
“This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them; That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother. Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go. But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids...Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.” - Jeremiah 34:8-11,17.
The covenant that Zedekiah made with the Jews was a command given by God to set free any servant who served them for seven years. Why was God so angry? They used His Word to deceive the people. When we use God's Word in any way, even if it is quoted not as God saying it, it mocks and discredits God, not the person. That is just as bad as the people today who preach salvation by grace and then say you have to act a certain way if you want to keep it. God will not be mocked, eventually all who make a mockery of His Word will face some consequences. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” - Galatians 6:7,8.
God takes commitment very seriously, now, we all mess up from time to time and God is okay with that, but when you make a commitment with God, never intending to follow through with it that is when He gets upset. God used a simple illustration of a common man, a Gentile with morals, who gave his kids some commands to follow and their obedience to him.
“The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me...Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.” - Jeremiah 35:14,17-19.
Jonadab was famous for his wisdom, he lived and gave these commands nearly 300 years before God placed His judgment upon Judah. Jonadab commanded his people not to drink wine and also appointed them to dwell in tents, or other movable dwellings, this would teach them not to think of settling any where in this corrupted world. It is amazing that the obedience of many unsaved people to the moral laws of the world put to shame many professing Christians who are disobedient to an infinite and Almighty God having no intention of following His commands. While we are saved by grace and do not need to work to keep our salvation, it does do good to show God your appreciation. “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 6:19,20.
Our time here on earth is short, we have a permanent dwelling place waiting for us in heaven, until then we need to show the world that we are not the wicked ones they think we are. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” - I Peter 2:9-12.
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Father, we thank You for making us joint heirs together with Your family of believers in this wonderful eternal inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for us. We gratefully and humbly claim this inheritance and await the appointed day when we will experience in full the blessings it provides for us. Troubles in this world can diminish our hope, but rejoicing in the life You have yet to reveal gives us a living hope! Help us to fix our present hope on the future return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Message Title: An Incorruptible Inheritance
Date: Wednesday August 24, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 34-36, Proverb 24, Psalm 75
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-24
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time...Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” - I Peter 1:3-5,23-25.
If you are saved and born again, rejoice! Within your soul is Jesus Christ! God no longer sees a soul corrupted by sin, but one that is pure, undefiled, and without sin. Much more than a pure soul is receiving eternal life and an inheritance that only you will receive, reserved in heaven for you. That is God's gift and promise to you for believing in and accepting His Son. It is sad that the world has taken something so simple and pure and made it into something full of corruption. They have distorted God's Word, burned it, changed it, mocked it, and even tried to eliminate it, but no matter what they do God's Word endures forever and remains pure and undefiled in every believer.
Have you ever had a person say to you, “I thought you were a Christian.” or “That is not very Christian of you.”? That is the comments you get from the person who has no idea what it is like to be a Christian. Someone who has never even picked up a Bible, yet expects you to accept and compromise with them over all the garbage that is in the world, disregarding the fact that it is a complete abomination to God. The world loves to pretend that they know who God is, but they could not be further from the truth, they even quote Bible verses, but they really have no idea what they are saying. King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah to reign in Judah, God sent Jeremiah to warn him what was about to take place.
“This is the word that came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, after that the king Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people which were at Jerusalem, to proclaim liberty unto them; That every man should let his manservant, and every man his maidservant, being an Hebrew or an Hebrewess, go free; that none should serve himself of them, to wit, of a Jew his brother. Now when all the princes, and all the people, which had entered into the covenant, heard that every one should let his manservant, and every one his maidservant, go free, that none should serve themselves of them any more, then they obeyed, and let them go. But afterward they turned, and caused the servants and the handmaids, whom they had let go free, to return, and brought them into subjection for servants and for handmaids...Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.” - Jeremiah 34:8-11,17.
The covenant that Zedekiah made with the Jews was a command given by God to set free any servant who served them for seven years. Why was God so angry? They used His Word to deceive the people. When we use God's Word in any way, even if it is quoted not as God saying it, it mocks and discredits God, not the person. That is just as bad as the people today who preach salvation by grace and then say you have to act a certain way if you want to keep it. God will not be mocked, eventually all who make a mockery of His Word will face some consequences. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” - Galatians 6:7,8.
God takes commitment very seriously, now, we all mess up from time to time and God is okay with that, but when you make a commitment with God, never intending to follow through with it that is when He gets upset. God used a simple illustration of a common man, a Gentile with morals, who gave his kids some commands to follow and their obedience to him.
“The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me...Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.” - Jeremiah 35:14,17-19.
Jonadab was famous for his wisdom, he lived and gave these commands nearly 300 years before God placed His judgment upon Judah. Jonadab commanded his people not to drink wine and also appointed them to dwell in tents, or other movable dwellings, this would teach them not to think of settling any where in this corrupted world. It is amazing that the obedience of many unsaved people to the moral laws of the world put to shame many professing Christians who are disobedient to an infinite and Almighty God having no intention of following His commands. While we are saved by grace and do not need to work to keep our salvation, it does do good to show God your appreciation. “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 6:19,20.
Our time here on earth is short, we have a permanent dwelling place waiting for us in heaven, until then we need to show the world that we are not the wicked ones they think we are. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” - I Peter 2:9-12.
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Father, we thank You for making us joint heirs together with Your family of believers in this wonderful eternal inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for us. We gratefully and humbly claim this inheritance and await the appointed day when we will experience in full the blessings it provides for us. Troubles in this world can diminish our hope, but rejoicing in the life You have yet to reveal gives us a living hope! Help us to fix our present hope on the future return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
A Better Covenant
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Better Covenant
Date: Tuesday August 23, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 31-33, Proverb 23, Psalm 74
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-23
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;.. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:..But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises...For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” - Hebrews 8:1,4,6,10-12.
A covenant is an agreement, a legal document so to speak between two people, it is written down, sealed, and executed just as the agreement was made. Should one fail to follow through with the agreement there is usually a price to pay for breaking it. When God created the world He made a covenant with Adam and Eve, “You are free to enjoy everything here, except one tree, stay away from it or you die.” Of course, we all know that Eve was tempted by Satan, ate the fruit, then gave it to Adam, and from that moment on the covenant between God and man was broken and the price they paid for sin was passed down to all of us. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” - Romans 5:12.
God decided to make a way for the covenant to be reconciled, first, He chose some people, Israel, then He made a new agreement with them, “Obey my commands and I will be your God and you will be my people, and there is nothing I will not do for you.” Of course, we all know that Israel broke that covenant time and time again, but God never broke the covenant Himself, always promising to keep them a nation. “(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” -Deuteronomy 4:31.
God knew all the way back when Adam and Eve sinned that no covenant between Him and man would be foolproof, that is until now. Every covenant made and broken by God and man was a foreshadow of Jesus Christ, who would became a better covenant, one that was foolproof and one that would truly reconcile God and man. “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 5:19.
Through Jeremiah God reconfirms His promise to the remnant of Jews being carried into Babylon as well as the ones who were scattered all over the world. “At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest...Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.” - Jeremiah 31:1,2,10-12.
This promise is not only for the believing Jews, but all who believe in the Shepherd, Jesus is our shepherd, He knows who are His, He is always watching over us, keeping us out of harms way, or directing us out of our troubles. One day we will no longer have to deal with Satan, sin, suffering, or pain, but until then there is nothing Jesus would not do for us, after all, He laid down His life for us. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” - John 10:14-16.
Through God, Jeremiah continues to assure the remnant of Jews that God has not forsaken them, that He has not forgotten His covenant with them, and that they will one day return to the promised land. “And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” - Jeremiah 32:36-40.
The everlasting covenant, the agreement that would replace the need for endless sacrifices to be reconciled with God. The everlasting covenant, the seal that would never be removed from the remnant who seek to be reconciled with God. The everlasting covenant, the better covenant that would save all who believe, the promise of eternal life, which is only made possible through Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for all. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 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.” - Romans 5:8-10.
Anyone can be a part of the remnant that God signs His name to, anyone can receive the everlasting covenant, we just have to believe then receive it. The only way to receive it is by asking Jesus to give it to you. “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!
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank You for the covenant that You made with me for believing in Your Son and accepting Him in my life. It is sad to learn that a large majority of people build their hopes and dreams on that which will pass away, but we who believe in Your Son build our lives on the better covenant which will be completely fulfilled as we cross over to the Promised Land. How wonderful to know that You save to the uttermost and no one will be denied a place in heaven who comes to You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You Jesus for laying down Your life for me and giving me eternal life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Message Title: A Better Covenant
Date: Tuesday August 23, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 31-33, Proverb 23, Psalm 74
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-23
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;.. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law:..But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises...For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” - Hebrews 8:1,4,6,10-12.
A covenant is an agreement, a legal document so to speak between two people, it is written down, sealed, and executed just as the agreement was made. Should one fail to follow through with the agreement there is usually a price to pay for breaking it. When God created the world He made a covenant with Adam and Eve, “You are free to enjoy everything here, except one tree, stay away from it or you die.” Of course, we all know that Eve was tempted by Satan, ate the fruit, then gave it to Adam, and from that moment on the covenant between God and man was broken and the price they paid for sin was passed down to all of us. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” - Romans 5:12.
God decided to make a way for the covenant to be reconciled, first, He chose some people, Israel, then He made a new agreement with them, “Obey my commands and I will be your God and you will be my people, and there is nothing I will not do for you.” Of course, we all know that Israel broke that covenant time and time again, but God never broke the covenant Himself, always promising to keep them a nation. “(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.” -Deuteronomy 4:31.
God knew all the way back when Adam and Eve sinned that no covenant between Him and man would be foolproof, that is until now. Every covenant made and broken by God and man was a foreshadow of Jesus Christ, who would became a better covenant, one that was foolproof and one that would truly reconcile God and man. “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 5:19.
Through Jeremiah God reconfirms His promise to the remnant of Jews being carried into Babylon as well as the ones who were scattered all over the world. “At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people. Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel, when I went to cause him to rest...Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he. Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all.” - Jeremiah 31:1,2,10-12.
This promise is not only for the believing Jews, but all who believe in the Shepherd, Jesus is our shepherd, He knows who are His, He is always watching over us, keeping us out of harms way, or directing us out of our troubles. One day we will no longer have to deal with Satan, sin, suffering, or pain, but until then there is nothing Jesus would not do for us, after all, He laid down His life for us. “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” - John 10:14-16.
Through God, Jeremiah continues to assure the remnant of Jews that God has not forsaken them, that He has not forgotten His covenant with them, and that they will one day return to the promised land. “And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God: And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.” - Jeremiah 32:36-40.
The everlasting covenant, the agreement that would replace the need for endless sacrifices to be reconciled with God. The everlasting covenant, the seal that would never be removed from the remnant who seek to be reconciled with God. The everlasting covenant, the better covenant that would save all who believe, the promise of eternal life, which is only made possible through Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for all. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 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.” - Romans 5:8-10.
Anyone can be a part of the remnant that God signs His name to, anyone can receive the everlasting covenant, we just have to believe then receive it. The only way to receive it is by asking Jesus to give it to you. “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!
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank You for the covenant that You made with me for believing in Your Son and accepting Him in my life. It is sad to learn that a large majority of people build their hopes and dreams on that which will pass away, but we who believe in Your Son build our lives on the better covenant which will be completely fulfilled as we cross over to the Promised Land. How wonderful to know that You save to the uttermost and no one will be denied a place in heaven who comes to You through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You Jesus for laying down Your life for me and giving me eternal life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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I'm Following Jesus
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Dealing With Adversity
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Dealing With Adversity
Date: Monday August 22, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 28-30, Proverb 22, Psalm 73
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-22
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know...Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” - John 14:1-4,12-14.
As Christians we are going to face adversities in life,in fact, amazingly enough, the more Christlike we become the more adversity we seem to face. It really is not that way, but it can get a little overwhelming when it seems to be one thing after another. Do not be troubled by adversity, I know that is easier said than done, but that is what Jesus is for. We trust Him to save us from hell, we can trust Him to help us through the trials we face too. Jesus is the way, let us follow Him day by day. Jesus is the truth, let us build upon that truth with confidence upon the precious promises He has waiting for us. Jesus is the life, let us learn to abide in Him, the true source of spiritual life, until He comes back to receive us and take us to the place he has prepared for us.
Talk about adversity, the time for God's judgment had come, everything that Jeremiah as well as many others have warned them about was coming to pass. Jerusalem was under siege and many of the Jews are being taken away from their homes, carried into Babylon where they will remain there in captivity for seventy years. God instructed Jeremiah to send a letter to the Jews in Babylon. God wanted them to know that even though He sent them away from their comfort zone that He was still with them and will always be with them and take care of them.
“Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;..Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” - Jeremiah 29:1,4-7.
What a twist of events, what the Jews imagined would probably be seventy years of slavery was promised as seventy years of peace, even though they were in captivity. God is always with us, especially through adversity, in fact, He allows adversity to show us that He never leaves nor forsakes us. When you think about it, as Christians we are held in captivity right now, God gives us peace through Jesus Christ, He tells us to go ahead and live our lives until Jesus comes to get us. What greater peace is there than to know that God not only blesses us with what we need and desire here on earth, but we have even greater things waiting for us when we leave this earth. “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” - I John 2:24,25.
Israel, after many years of wandering among all nations, will finally be purified in a season of tribulation that the world has never known nor will ever see thereafter. The purposes of God’s judgment upon all nations will all be fulfilled, and then Israel shall be gloriously restored as a nation. God instructs Jeremiah to write down the words He has given him in a book concerning this promise.
“Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it...Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.” -Jeremiah 30:2,3,10-12.
What God is saying here that no sin goes unpunished, even those who are saved must face the consequences of their sins, but God promises that all who are saved remain saved, we can not lose our salvation if we are living in sin. Never let a person, even a priest or pastor, convince you that you can lose your salvation. Once saved, always saved. Jesus died on the cross one time, that means we only have to ask Him once to save us. “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” -Romans 6:8-12.
Adversity is coming our way whether it is something we did to deserve it or God is just trying us with, regardless, we can find peace and even blessings through them. One day we will no longer have to deal with sin or adversities, but until then we just have to keep looking onto Jesus. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” - Philippians 3:20,21.
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, You grow and stretch my faithfulness to You through circumstances that don’t always reflect my choosing. Help me to be patient as I search Your Scripture and seek to understand Your plan as it unfolds in my life. Align my desires with Your own as I submit to Your will in my life. May I not be overcome by adversities, but seek You, Jesus, through them, as You carve me and mold me into Your image. I love You Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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I'm Following Jesus
Message Title: Dealing With Adversity
Date: Monday August 22, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 28-30, Proverb 22, Psalm 73
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-22
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know...Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” - John 14:1-4,12-14.
As Christians we are going to face adversities in life,in fact, amazingly enough, the more Christlike we become the more adversity we seem to face. It really is not that way, but it can get a little overwhelming when it seems to be one thing after another. Do not be troubled by adversity, I know that is easier said than done, but that is what Jesus is for. We trust Him to save us from hell, we can trust Him to help us through the trials we face too. Jesus is the way, let us follow Him day by day. Jesus is the truth, let us build upon that truth with confidence upon the precious promises He has waiting for us. Jesus is the life, let us learn to abide in Him, the true source of spiritual life, until He comes back to receive us and take us to the place he has prepared for us.
Talk about adversity, the time for God's judgment had come, everything that Jeremiah as well as many others have warned them about was coming to pass. Jerusalem was under siege and many of the Jews are being taken away from their homes, carried into Babylon where they will remain there in captivity for seventy years. God instructed Jeremiah to send a letter to the Jews in Babylon. God wanted them to know that even though He sent them away from their comfort zone that He was still with them and will always be with them and take care of them.
“Now these are the words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the residue of the elders which were carried away captives, and to the priests, and to the prophets, and to all the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon;..Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, unto all that are carried away captives, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem unto Babylon; Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the LORD for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.” - Jeremiah 29:1,4-7.
What a twist of events, what the Jews imagined would probably be seventy years of slavery was promised as seventy years of peace, even though they were in captivity. God is always with us, especially through adversity, in fact, He allows adversity to show us that He never leaves nor forsakes us. When you think about it, as Christians we are held in captivity right now, God gives us peace through Jesus Christ, He tells us to go ahead and live our lives until Jesus comes to get us. What greater peace is there than to know that God not only blesses us with what we need and desire here on earth, but we have even greater things waiting for us when we leave this earth. “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” - I John 2:24,25.
Israel, after many years of wandering among all nations, will finally be purified in a season of tribulation that the world has never known nor will ever see thereafter. The purposes of God’s judgment upon all nations will all be fulfilled, and then Israel shall be gloriously restored as a nation. God instructs Jeremiah to write down the words He has given him in a book concerning this promise.
“Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it...Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous.” -Jeremiah 30:2,3,10-12.
What God is saying here that no sin goes unpunished, even those who are saved must face the consequences of their sins, but God promises that all who are saved remain saved, we can not lose our salvation if we are living in sin. Never let a person, even a priest or pastor, convince you that you can lose your salvation. Once saved, always saved. Jesus died on the cross one time, that means we only have to ask Him once to save us. “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.” -Romans 6:8-12.
Adversity is coming our way whether it is something we did to deserve it or God is just trying us with, regardless, we can find peace and even blessings through them. One day we will no longer have to deal with sin or adversities, but until then we just have to keep looking onto Jesus. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” - Philippians 3:20,21.
Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, You grow and stretch my faithfulness to You through circumstances that don’t always reflect my choosing. Help me to be patient as I search Your Scripture and seek to understand Your plan as it unfolds in my life. Align my desires with Your own as I submit to Your will in my life. May I not be overcome by adversities, but seek You, Jesus, through them, as You carve me and mold me into Your image. I love You Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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I'm Following Jesus
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Linked With Jesus
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Linked With Jesus
Date: Sunday August 21, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 25-27, Proverb 21, Psalm 72
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-21
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 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 11:25-30.
The yoke Jesus describes here is like a chain, a link between two people, a husband and wife are linked in marriage, a child is linked to their parents. When you ask Jesus to save you, you are linked with Jesus and since Jesus is linked with God, you are linked with God also. No matter what we do we can not detach ourselves from the link, but think about this. Have you ever seen a dog that is on a leash refuse to walk with it's master, it just sits there as you tug at the leash, refusing to move? Well, we can get that way too, we are to walk side by side with Jesus, but more often than we think we just sit there, refusing to move. Why? We try to carry our burdens ourselves instead of letting Jesus help us. He is right there with us, yet day by day we struggle, refusing to heed His tugging to just come along with Him. You know, God does not want us to suffer, of course, He is going to try us sometimes, but we all have a choice whether we choose to embrace the suffering as a way to lessen our burdens or rebel and make things worse by creating more.
God gave the people of Judah one last chance to repent before Jerusalem was to be destroyed. He did not say that He was not going to stop the destruction, but He did say that all who repent will endure the suffering and be saved. However, they refused to listen and now they are hearing for the first time what is about to happen to Judah.
“Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” - Jeremiah 25:7-11.
God is about to use a wicked king from a wicked nation to serve Him and save His people, for seventy years the people of Judah and Jerusalem would be held in captivity to Babylon. Let me tell you, if God sent the faithful Jews into a wicked nation for safety can you imagine how wicked the city of God was? It must have been pretty wicked if God was willing to destroy the promised land before another corrupt nation. Sometimes it may seem strange and unfair what God allows us to go through, but He really knows what is best for us. While we may not understand at the time, He works all burdens and suffering into something for our own good. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:27,28.
After Jeremiah got done speaking the people were getting rather angry, especially the priests and prophets that thought they knew everything about God. They captured Jeremiah and wanted to kill him for making such accusations, but Jeremiah would not stop telling them what God wanted him to tell them, even if it meant that would die.
“Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD...Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.” - Jeremiah 26:8,9,11-13.
The people did come to their senses and realized that Jeremiah was telling the truth. Sometimes being linked with Jesus can seem like we get more burdens, people constantly accusing us of things and persecuting us for doing what God wants us to do. Can I tell you that it will never stop, if they accused Jesus they are going to accuse us of the same things. We are going to face some burdens in life just for remaining faithful to God, but after the burdens always come blessings. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” - Psalm 55:22.
I was talking with someone once and he accused me of trying to say that I thought I was a better Christian than he was. No one is a better Christian, we all have our own faults, but we can not give up living right for God, we are going to mess up, but we keep going, we heed the tugging of Jesus telling us to get back up, we walk side by side with Him, we let Him carry the burden, and we find rest in Him. “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” - Psalms 37:3-7.
Today's Prayer:
Jesus
Lord, my mind, body, and soul is weary, these burdens are just too much for me to carry. I know You are always with me, but sometimes I feel all alone. Stir me and shake me, revive me Lord. Pick me up and give me Your strength to keep going for You. Take all my burdens, carry them, and give me rest from the weariness inside. Lead me and guide me in Your will and Your way. I love You and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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I'm Following Jesus
Message Title: Linked With Jesus
Date: Sunday August 21, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 25-27, Proverb 21, Psalm 72
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-21
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 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 11:25-30.
The yoke Jesus describes here is like a chain, a link between two people, a husband and wife are linked in marriage, a child is linked to their parents. When you ask Jesus to save you, you are linked with Jesus and since Jesus is linked with God, you are linked with God also. No matter what we do we can not detach ourselves from the link, but think about this. Have you ever seen a dog that is on a leash refuse to walk with it's master, it just sits there as you tug at the leash, refusing to move? Well, we can get that way too, we are to walk side by side with Jesus, but more often than we think we just sit there, refusing to move. Why? We try to carry our burdens ourselves instead of letting Jesus help us. He is right there with us, yet day by day we struggle, refusing to heed His tugging to just come along with Him. You know, God does not want us to suffer, of course, He is going to try us sometimes, but we all have a choice whether we choose to embrace the suffering as a way to lessen our burdens or rebel and make things worse by creating more.
God gave the people of Judah one last chance to repent before Jerusalem was to be destroyed. He did not say that He was not going to stop the destruction, but He did say that all who repent will endure the suffering and be saved. However, they refused to listen and now they are hearing for the first time what is about to happen to Judah.
“Yet ye have not hearkened unto me, saith the LORD; that ye might provoke me to anger with the works of your hands to your own hurt. Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Because ye have not heard my words, Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” - Jeremiah 25:7-11.
God is about to use a wicked king from a wicked nation to serve Him and save His people, for seventy years the people of Judah and Jerusalem would be held in captivity to Babylon. Let me tell you, if God sent the faithful Jews into a wicked nation for safety can you imagine how wicked the city of God was? It must have been pretty wicked if God was willing to destroy the promised land before another corrupt nation. Sometimes it may seem strange and unfair what God allows us to go through, but He really knows what is best for us. While we may not understand at the time, He works all burdens and suffering into something for our own good. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:27,28.
After Jeremiah got done speaking the people were getting rather angry, especially the priests and prophets that thought they knew everything about God. They captured Jeremiah and wanted to kill him for making such accusations, but Jeremiah would not stop telling them what God wanted him to tell them, even if it meant that would die.
“Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die. Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD...Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you.” - Jeremiah 26:8,9,11-13.
The people did come to their senses and realized that Jeremiah was telling the truth. Sometimes being linked with Jesus can seem like we get more burdens, people constantly accusing us of things and persecuting us for doing what God wants us to do. Can I tell you that it will never stop, if they accused Jesus they are going to accuse us of the same things. We are going to face some burdens in life just for remaining faithful to God, but after the burdens always come blessings. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” - Psalm 55:22.
I was talking with someone once and he accused me of trying to say that I thought I was a better Christian than he was. No one is a better Christian, we all have our own faults, but we can not give up living right for God, we are going to mess up, but we keep going, we heed the tugging of Jesus telling us to get back up, we walk side by side with Him, we let Him carry the burden, and we find rest in Him. “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” - Psalms 37:3-7.
Today's Prayer:
Jesus
Lord, my mind, body, and soul is weary, these burdens are just too much for me to carry. I know You are always with me, but sometimes I feel all alone. Stir me and shake me, revive me Lord. Pick me up and give me Your strength to keep going for You. Take all my burdens, carry them, and give me rest from the weariness inside. Lead me and guide me in Your will and Your way. I love You and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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