Date:
Saturday,
June 13, 2015
Chapters: Psalms 30-34
Message Title: Courage To Stay Faithful
Hello My Friend,
I do not know about you, but I hate the news anymore, people going crazy, Christians being killed for their faith, war everywhere, and there is no such thing as agreeing to disagree. We are in the midst a wicked world that, quite frankly, will be the death of our nations. Nations that once stood by the principles of God are literally throwing God to the curb for the sake of a few rebellious people with big mouths and lots of money. One day, Jesus will return, and when that happens it will be over. As Christians, it's our job to be the ones with the courage to stand up for our right to be a Christian. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:6-9.
While David recognized that his belief in the Lord was the only thing saving his soul from hell, that did not stop him from seeking to follow God's commands, even as king. He reflects on the mercies of God in his life, even during the times that he sinned. “O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.” - Psalms 30:2-6.
God chastens His faithful more than those who are not. Why? We know better. In the end, we will be better for it, and even be blessed for enduring the punishment. “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. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 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?” - 1 Peter 4:12,13,16,17.
We may not always see God, but we can know His presence is always with those who love Him. David recalls God's goodness, even when he didn't see Him. “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” - Psalms 31:5-9,21-24.
David committed his fair share of sins, and he and his family suffered for them. David praises God's forgiveness and reminds us all that our sins are covered and washed away, once we confess them to God. “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” - Psalms 32:5-8.
No sin is committed in secret, God knows what we have done, a probably a few others that we are not aware of. Since God does know what we have done, it's wise to confess, not to remind Him of what we have done, but to remind ourselves that hidden sin destroys us. The guilt and shame alone destroy us, and that is why telling God covers our sin and washes us. God doesn't remember our sins when we confess them, He forgives us, it is the devil who remembers them, and keeps us in bondage to our past. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:22-24.
The most important thing we need to remember is that everything God says goes, whatever He promises, that He will do, whatever He commands, that we are to do. The key phrase we need to remember is, “Fear God.” If we want to break the chain of doubt we need to fear God. “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” - Psalms 34:11-18.
Today's Prayer: God, You want all You children to be honest, faithful, and true to You. In a world full of wicked devices it can be hard to remain faithful to You when faced with so many challenges. You are our strength to remain faithful when everyone else is against us. You are our courage to keep going when all we want to do is quit. You are our power to stand when we cannot stand up any longer. You are our grace to remember that we are forgiven. Lord, help us to be faithful to You in all that we do, and be ready for the day Your Son returns. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Chapters: Psalms 30-34
Message Title: Courage To Stay Faithful
Hello My Friend,
I do not know about you, but I hate the news anymore, people going crazy, Christians being killed for their faith, war everywhere, and there is no such thing as agreeing to disagree. We are in the midst a wicked world that, quite frankly, will be the death of our nations. Nations that once stood by the principles of God are literally throwing God to the curb for the sake of a few rebellious people with big mouths and lots of money. One day, Jesus will return, and when that happens it will be over. As Christians, it's our job to be the ones with the courage to stand up for our right to be a Christian. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isaiah 55:6-9.
While David recognized that his belief in the Lord was the only thing saving his soul from hell, that did not stop him from seeking to follow God's commands, even as king. He reflects on the mercies of God in his life, even during the times that he sinned. “O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.” - Psalms 30:2-6.
God chastens His faithful more than those who are not. Why? We know better. In the end, we will be better for it, and even be blessed for enduring the punishment. “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. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 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?” - 1 Peter 4:12,13,16,17.
We may not always see God, but we can know His presence is always with those who love Him. David recalls God's goodness, even when he didn't see Him. “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room. Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” - Psalms 31:5-9,21-24.
David committed his fair share of sins, and he and his family suffered for them. David praises God's forgiveness and reminds us all that our sins are covered and washed away, once we confess them to God. “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” - Psalms 32:5-8.
No sin is committed in secret, God knows what we have done, a probably a few others that we are not aware of. Since God does know what we have done, it's wise to confess, not to remind Him of what we have done, but to remind ourselves that hidden sin destroys us. The guilt and shame alone destroy us, and that is why telling God covers our sin and washes us. God doesn't remember our sins when we confess them, He forgives us, it is the devil who remembers them, and keeps us in bondage to our past. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:22-24.
The most important thing we need to remember is that everything God says goes, whatever He promises, that He will do, whatever He commands, that we are to do. The key phrase we need to remember is, “Fear God.” If we want to break the chain of doubt we need to fear God. “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” - Psalms 34:11-18.
Today's Prayer: God, You want all You children to be honest, faithful, and true to You. In a world full of wicked devices it can be hard to remain faithful to You when faced with so many challenges. You are our strength to remain faithful when everyone else is against us. You are our courage to keep going when all we want to do is quit. You are our power to stand when we cannot stand up any longer. You are our grace to remember that we are forgiven. Lord, help us to be faithful to You in all that we do, and be ready for the day Your Son returns. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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