True Independence

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, July 04, 2016
Chapters: Psalms 136-140
Message: True Independence

Hello My Friend,

Declaration of Independence, the solemn declaration of the Congress of the United States of America, on the 4th of July 1776, by which they formally renounced their subjection to the government of Great Britain. This declaration has not only given Americans the freedom from the government controlling their every move, but also on how we worship God. Sadly, we are losing our freedoms every day, from dictating what we are to eat to how we are raise our children, and if the corrupt government keeps gets their way we will be losing our freedom to worship God as the Bible tells us. Once declared one nation under God, we are now one nation under Satan, and as long as Christians keep silent or live the same corrupted lives as those in the world it is going to get worse. There is only one true source of independence, and that is Jesus Christ. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:32.

Independence, A state in which a person does not rely on others for subsistence; ability to support one's self. I have always been a very independent woman, worked hard to get the things I wanted, took pride in my work, and if I got knocked down I got back up and kept on going. You could imagine my reaction when I began losing everything I had and could not get back up no matter what I tried to do. That was when I went to the only option left, God, as much as God would love to help us, it is only when we come to Him that He does.

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever: Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever: And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.” - Psalm 136:1-4,16-18,23-26.

“Who remembered us in our low estate:” Some people are blessed to have been brought up in a Christ centered home, most people are brought up in a religious or no God at all home. Religion or ignorance to God does not save us, I grew up half my life in a religious home, without fully understanding what Christ did for me. I knew I was a sinner and I was going to hell, it was not until I was at my lowest that Christ spoke to me and I heard Him. On July 10, 2004 I knew it was time to make some changes in my life and Christ in it would be one of them. Two years later (found a new church) I was baptized to profess my faith in Christ and my life has never been the same. God does not recognize us when we are too proud to admit we need Him, but He does when we humble ourselves before Him.

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

Independence, A state of mind in which a person acts without bias or influence from others; exemption from undue influence; self-direction. No matter what country we belong to we do have the independence to choose to worship God as the Bible says. Governments can burn, hide, or try to keep people from God’s Word, but they cannot keep them from believing in Jesus Christ. Christ will protect and strengthen us when we put our souls in His hands

“In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD. Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” - Psalm 138:3-8.

It is not easy to be a true Christian today, we are going to get persecuted, falsely accused, mocked, and threatened for our faith in Christ, but Christ is right there with us and will help us endure, He is our true independence. “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” - Mark 13:13.

Independence, A state of being not dependent; complete exemption from control, or the power of others; as the independence of the Supreme Being. It may not seem like it to the world, but independence only comes through our relationship with the only Supreme Being, God. As someone who is independent I understand how hard it is to learn to depend on others, you could imagine my how hard it for me to be dependent upon God. To this day I will never understand why He uses me to do so many things for Him when I still try to do everything on my own, but who am I to question His reasons. You know, there are many things that we will never understand about God, but that is okay, the only thing we need to understand is that He is always in control.

“Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.” - Psalm 139:3-11.

“if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.” There is not one person in hell that is not reminded daily that God is real and they could have been saved if they just got over themselves and realize they needed Him. The truth is, I always thought that God wanted me to do everything on my own, but follow His rules, I never understood that He wanted to be in every part of my life. Do you understand that God made you, He created you, and designed you just for Him?

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” - Psalm 139:13-18.

“yet being unperfect;” God loves us just the way we are because He made us just the way we are. No, He did not make us to live in sin, our sin nature does that if we become dependent on the lusts of our flesh. No one is perfect, except Christ, but those who trust Christ are perfect through Him. Of course, God gives you the choice to choose Him, but that does not mean you lose your independence if you do, it is giving you true independence. Independence from religion that sends people to hell, independence from sin that made you captive, and independence from the true enemy, Satan. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” - Hebrews 10:12-14.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.” - Psalm 140:7. There will be one final battle when Christ returns, He has covered those who are saved with His blood. “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” - Romans 5:9.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for giving us independence, the right to choose to worship You according to Your Word. With the world quickly destroying everything that Christ has set us free from we need to be more dependent upon You than ever. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Give me Your power, strength, and discernment to endure the trials I face, let me learn to be completely dependent upon You, giving you control of everything in my life, and give me the independence to walk away from anything that will be a snare in my relationship with You. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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