King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Chapters: Acts 4-6
Message Title: Called To Be A Soldier
Hello My Friend,
Anyone that has served Christ knows that sooner or later we all face the opposition. Of all the religions out there none face more opposition than one that follows the true Christ. It's not the rules or values they oppose because quite frankly, many religions teach to do good, it's the man they oppose. Why? Christ is the only living God, He not only came here in the flesh and gave His life for all mankind, He arose and is alive and well and sitting at the right hand of God still today. As Christians, we in a spiritual war that will not end until Christ returns, and have been drafted into the army of Christ to be soldiers. We are going to face opposition, and by the grace of God we will win. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 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.” - 2 Timothy 2:1-4.
“that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” While thousands of people get saved, Jesus only calls willing souls to be His soldiers. If you think that you are exempt and disqualified to be His in His army, think again, He knows who to call. Is it going to be easy? Just like any war, we are going to win some and lose some, but we just have to keep on doing what He called us to do. After the lame man got saved and began walking he ran into the temple praising God, it didn't take long for the skeptics to find fault in not only the man, but who he was believing in. The instant they found out that Peter and John were preaching the Gospel of Christ, they wanted them stopped, but the Holy Spirit directed Peter on what to say to them.
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” - Acts 4:8-13.
“perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men,” The world, especially those who refuse to admit they do nothing wrong, has a hard time comprehending that a man would die for all the people of the world and give ever lasting life to those who believe in Him, to them we who do believe are unlearned, and ignorant. All I have to say is at least I don't believe that I came from a monkey. The truth is, it's much easier to believe that man evolved into a being through trial and error of the environment rather than admit the things they are doing are immoral and just plain wrong. They are the ones who are ignorant to the truth, and there is no convincing them otherwise. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” - Romans 1:22-25.
Soldiers literally become living sacrifices to protect and serve their country, they are often treated with disrespect and pushed to the side by the very people they protect, yet they do it willingly and without complaint. When Christ gave His life on the cross, He didn't just do it for a certain group of people, He did if for all mankind, even if they reject Him, He did it willingly and without complaint. When Christ calls us to be soldiers we are those living sacrifices that are to protect and serve our Saviour, meaning keep living by faith, protecting the precious Gospel and do it willingly without complaint. As we know, being a soldier for Christ comes with some dangers, but He is watching over us and protecting us. He knows exactly to tell us when and when not to speak concerning the Gospel. Peter and John were arrested for preaching Jesus, but they were miraculously released and told to go back into the temple and preach.
“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” - Acts 5:17-21,27-29.
“and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” These people weren't worried about them preaching Jesus, but that the people would catch on that He is true and they were liars. I have never seen so many incidences in American over the courts getting involved in Christians businesses, and forcing them to go against what they morally know is wrong. And it's not only in American, all over the world Christians are being forced to follow the unjustly rules of the courts rather than obey God. Once again, as soldiers, we are going to face some opposition for our faith, but it is God that we have to face for any wrong decision we make that goes against His Word. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” - Matthew 12:36,37.
Part of being a soldier for Christ is taking care of the people in the church, some are called to be preachers, teachers, and ministers (workers), while others are just called to be there when the doors are open. God gave the church so that likeminded individuals have a place to worship Him, understand His Word, and grow as a Christian, and while money is not the object, it is what keeps the bills paid and doors open, which is why giving tithes has always been encouraged. There was some discord in the first church for Christ because people were not getting taken care of, Peter gathered seven Holy Spirit filled men to run the church, the most prosperous was Stephen, and the unbelieving Jews did not like it very much.
“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:” - Acts 6:7-13.
“Then they suborned men,” Because they could not find fault with Stephen, they found wicked false witnesses to accuse him of blaspheming God. The biggest battle as a soldier for Christ is false religion, there thousands of churches, some that claim to know Jesus, but He is not evident. When a church preaches about how much Jesus loves them, but never preaches the Gospel and remission of sins, something is wrong, and when you speak the truth they will put you out in a second. As soldiers, we must tell the truth, especially when God lays it upon our hearts to do so, and never fall for the lies of false witnesses, be the one who calls them out when they try to speak their lies. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” - 2 Timothy 2:14-16.
Today's Prayer: Jesus, You have called us to be soldiers, You didn't pick us because we had special skills or great strength, You picked us because we were willing to be a living sacrifice, to follow by Your example and be the true witness that the world needs. Like every soldier, serving You comes with some dangers, but You are right there with us and will protect us, even if you call us home. Lord, help me to be a good soldier, lead me and guide me, help me to grow each day with You, trusting in Your Word, Your mercy, grace, forgiveness, patience, and love, and give me the strength and boldness You need to stand by the truth and not be afraid to speak it when You tell us to. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Receive KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Do You Know For Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Chapters: Acts 4-6
Message Title: Called To Be A Soldier
Hello My Friend,
Anyone that has served Christ knows that sooner or later we all face the opposition. Of all the religions out there none face more opposition than one that follows the true Christ. It's not the rules or values they oppose because quite frankly, many religions teach to do good, it's the man they oppose. Why? Christ is the only living God, He not only came here in the flesh and gave His life for all mankind, He arose and is alive and well and sitting at the right hand of God still today. As Christians, we in a spiritual war that will not end until Christ returns, and have been drafted into the army of Christ to be soldiers. We are going to face opposition, and by the grace of God we will win. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 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.” - 2 Timothy 2:1-4.
“that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” While thousands of people get saved, Jesus only calls willing souls to be His soldiers. If you think that you are exempt and disqualified to be His in His army, think again, He knows who to call. Is it going to be easy? Just like any war, we are going to win some and lose some, but we just have to keep on doing what He called us to do. After the lame man got saved and began walking he ran into the temple praising God, it didn't take long for the skeptics to find fault in not only the man, but who he was believing in. The instant they found out that Peter and John were preaching the Gospel of Christ, they wanted them stopped, but the Holy Spirit directed Peter on what to say to them.
“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” - Acts 4:8-13.
“perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men,” The world, especially those who refuse to admit they do nothing wrong, has a hard time comprehending that a man would die for all the people of the world and give ever lasting life to those who believe in Him, to them we who do believe are unlearned, and ignorant. All I have to say is at least I don't believe that I came from a monkey. The truth is, it's much easier to believe that man evolved into a being through trial and error of the environment rather than admit the things they are doing are immoral and just plain wrong. They are the ones who are ignorant to the truth, and there is no convincing them otherwise. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.” - Romans 1:22-25.
Soldiers literally become living sacrifices to protect and serve their country, they are often treated with disrespect and pushed to the side by the very people they protect, yet they do it willingly and without complaint. When Christ gave His life on the cross, He didn't just do it for a certain group of people, He did if for all mankind, even if they reject Him, He did it willingly and without complaint. When Christ calls us to be soldiers we are those living sacrifices that are to protect and serve our Saviour, meaning keep living by faith, protecting the precious Gospel and do it willingly without complaint. As we know, being a soldier for Christ comes with some dangers, but He is watching over us and protecting us. He knows exactly to tell us when and when not to speak concerning the Gospel. Peter and John were arrested for preaching Jesus, but they were miraculously released and told to go back into the temple and preach.
“Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” - Acts 5:17-21,27-29.
“and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.” These people weren't worried about them preaching Jesus, but that the people would catch on that He is true and they were liars. I have never seen so many incidences in American over the courts getting involved in Christians businesses, and forcing them to go against what they morally know is wrong. And it's not only in American, all over the world Christians are being forced to follow the unjustly rules of the courts rather than obey God. Once again, as soldiers, we are going to face some opposition for our faith, but it is God that we have to face for any wrong decision we make that goes against His Word. “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” - Matthew 12:36,37.
Part of being a soldier for Christ is taking care of the people in the church, some are called to be preachers, teachers, and ministers (workers), while others are just called to be there when the doors are open. God gave the church so that likeminded individuals have a place to worship Him, understand His Word, and grow as a Christian, and while money is not the object, it is what keeps the bills paid and doors open, which is why giving tithes has always been encouraged. There was some discord in the first church for Christ because people were not getting taken care of, Peter gathered seven Holy Spirit filled men to run the church, the most prosperous was Stephen, and the unbelieving Jews did not like it very much.
“And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:” - Acts 6:7-13.
“Then they suborned men,” Because they could not find fault with Stephen, they found wicked false witnesses to accuse him of blaspheming God. The biggest battle as a soldier for Christ is false religion, there thousands of churches, some that claim to know Jesus, but He is not evident. When a church preaches about how much Jesus loves them, but never preaches the Gospel and remission of sins, something is wrong, and when you speak the truth they will put you out in a second. As soldiers, we must tell the truth, especially when God lays it upon our hearts to do so, and never fall for the lies of false witnesses, be the one who calls them out when they try to speak their lies. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” - 2 Timothy 2:14-16.
Today's Prayer: Jesus, You have called us to be soldiers, You didn't pick us because we had special skills or great strength, You picked us because we were willing to be a living sacrifice, to follow by Your example and be the true witness that the world needs. Like every soldier, serving You comes with some dangers, but You are right there with us and will protect us, even if you call us home. Lord, help me to be a good soldier, lead me and guide me, help me to grow each day with You, trusting in Your Word, Your mercy, grace, forgiveness, patience, and love, and give me the strength and boldness You need to stand by the truth and not be afraid to speak it when You tell us to. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Receive KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Do You Know For Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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