Friday, July 8, 2016

Walking The God Led Paths

KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, July 08, 2016
Chapters: Proverbs 4-6
Message: Walking The God Led Paths

Hello My Friend,

As I sat in Wednesday night Bible study listening to the preacher talk about how everything we do, think, or say ever escapes God I pondered the thought of being disappointing to God. Then it hit me, God does know everything about me, He made me, He knows my strengths, weaknesses, talents, skills, demeanor, my heart, my spirit, what I feel, and what I am going through. I often ask God why He allowed me to learn something that perhaps was never intended for me to learn, His response, “To give me glory through it.” Our past experiences were never meant to condemn us, although all sin leads to death, they were meant to bring glory to God as we come to know His Son.

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. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” - Romans 8:27-30.

Moreover whom he did predestinate,” God had a plan for us from conception, it is our freewill that enables us to choose the paths that has been predestined for us or follow our own. Some of us do pretty good following our own paths for a while, but if you ever wondered why there were so many obstacles it was because He was trying to get you on His path. If God wanted to, He could give us anything we wanted, when we want them, no exceptions, no questions, no motives, no work, and while He does do that occasionally, the majority of the time it involves action on our part, particularly in the paths He leads us on, which by the way are quite crooked. We must not mistake God’s paths of faith and loyalty with the devil’s paths of wickedness and deception. Proverbs 4 teaches us that it is by living under God’s commandments that keeps us from stumbling on His paths.

He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” - Proverbs 4:4-6,11-16,26,27.

unless they cause some to fall.” Oh my, do these words hit home. Did you know that the devil will put some people in your life, perhaps someone from your past or even a new person to try and get you to make a detour on the path God gave you? They claim they follow Christ, and for a while even appear to be doing so to get you to trust them, once you do they reveal their true selves after you have given in to them. We can thank God for His mercy and grace on this, because we are going to take some detours on His path, but He is always there to put us back in place.

And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” - I Timothy 1:14-17.

You know, taking the path that God chose for us was never meant to keep us from living a joyful, and prosperous life, it was meant to keep us from unnecessary suffering as we pass through. If anyone knew a thing or two about taking wrong paths it was Solomon, with all his women and religions he got himself caught up in he sure does have the wisdom to tell us what not to do. God pointed out to me that it was time to talk about something that is quite taboo, the intimate relationship between a husband and wife, married or not, we are reminded to love and be faithful to the one we are with, of course, all intimacy must be sustained until we are married.

“I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets. Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.” - Proverbs 5:14-21.

and he pondereth all his goings.” It is God who ponders the things that we do, what are our motives for doing the things we do. Are we doing something just to fulfill the lusts of our flesh or are we doing it to give God the glory. A true, godly relationship between a man and woman glorifies God, and gives Him pleasure to see them walking His godly path in courting and marrying one another.

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” - I Corinthians 7:1-5.

As we consider the paths that God leads us on we must think about who we are walking with, are we fully complying to His ways with them or are we going the wrong way on a one way road. To be froward means not willing to yield or comply with what is required. God keeps us away from certain people to keep us from getting hurt, and while we may think we can turn them on the right path, the majority of the time they are the ones who change our paths. Proverbs 6 tells us why we are to stay away from those who are not willing to walk God’s path.

A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” - Proverbs 6:12-19.

feet that be swift in running to mischief,” How often do you come across someone who says, I’m going to do what I want because I am saved? They may even throw Bible verses at you in an attempt to justify what they are doing. Being saved does not justify our living in sin, if you are only walking certain paths for God and not all of them you are going to suffer. If anything has come out of the tragedy that happened in a gay nightclub it is that people realize they are not walking godly paths. We cannot avoid tragic things all the time, some things just happen, like disease, storms, and unexplained death, but we can avoid things that lead to more suffering. The only way we can do that is by getting on God’s paths and staying on them, if you make a detour, turn around and let God lead you back. While God’s paths are often crooked, they are pretty straight and narrow. “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” - Matthew 7:13,14.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” - Proverbs 4:18. Jesus is our shining light that leads us on every good path. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” - I John 1:7.

Today's Prayer: God, You tell us time and time again that if we want a blessed and prosperous life we need to follow Your commands. While we are saved by grace You still want us to follow Your commands and live, and it is really the only way we can truly enjoy the gifts that You gave us. Lord, lead me and guide me on the paths that You have for me, search my heart, try me, and see if there be any wickedness in me. Let me ponder all the paths I take and if they are not led by You, turn me around and get back in the right direction. Fill me with Your wisdom, understanding, mercy, grace, and let me never become forward in my actions. I ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Thursday, July 7, 2016

Only Trust God’s Wisdom

KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, July 07, 2016
Chapters: Proverbs 1-3
Message: Only Trust God’s Wisdom

Hello My Friend,

The Book of Proverbs is the twentieth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-one chapters, most of the book is penned down by King Solomon, the timeline is about 990 to 995 BC. The book was first written to the Jews, but these truths are addressed to all believers. The purpose of the book is to teach wisdom, instruction, and correction to all who fear God. What we are to learn from it is that, God teaches us wisdom, instruction, and correction so that we can live a prosperous life through Him. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” - Proverbs 3:5,6.

When you first begin reading the Proverbs they seem like a bunch of sentences jumbled together, but as you begin to study them you realize this is not Solomon speaking, who wrote most of them, this is God. It is recorded in the Book of I Kings that Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs, all under the inspiration of God. Now, eve
n though Solomon was the most wisest man and one of the greatest kings, he made a lot of mistakes, most of all taking wives that were of different faiths, which is why he got caught up in every religion you can think of. It was at the end of his life that he realized his mistake in not keeping God apart of his life and how no mans wisdom can compare to God’s.

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” - Proverbs 1:1-7,27-29.

but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” I was watching the news as NASA praised themselves on being able to bring a satellite close to Jupiter so they could observe it. One of the men knew for sure that studying the planet will give them some insight on what is happening to earth. Between this and their trying to figure out how they can put man on Mars you can see their fear. We who know Christ as our Saviour know that this planet is not our home and have nothing to worry about, praise God, but the world does. There will come a time when the foolish will seek God, but, their foolishness will be their destruction. When we are too proud to admit we do not know everything, we become fools. When we are too proud to admit we have sinned, we become fools. When we are too proud to admit we need Christ, we become fools. When we humble ourselves as though we are fools and seek God we become wise.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” - I Corinthians 3:18-20.

Wisdom, The right use or exercise of knowledge. There is a good reason why God does not give us knowledge of certain things. God’s wisdom far exceeds that of mans, and the sooner we figure that out the longer we will live not only in this life, but in the life yet to come if we receive Christ as our Saviour. God gives His wisdom to His people.

For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:” - Proverbs 2:6-11.

Discretion shall preserve thee,” Discretion, That discernment which enables a person to judge of what is correct and proper. God gives His people the wisdom not only to preserve our soul, but to live a prosperous life here on earth. I say His people, because only those who come to Him through His Son are His people. Do you see what man has done in trying to create or change life in their wisdom? From killing life in the womb, to trying to change genders, to genetically modifying plants and animals, they are trying to play God and what they are actually doing is making fools out of themselves. What they are doing in their attempts to sustain life is actually decreasing life. Do you know how much garbage we consume by the food we eat? Do you know how dependent we are on prescription drugs? They taunt people about obesity and sickness, but the very food and medicines they push on us are creating more illnesses and diseases because of all the over processed genetically modified garbage we consume. God has all the power and wisdom to sustain life, if we believe in and follow His Word we do not have to worry about anything.

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” - James 3:11-17.

For where envying and strife is,” Here is the sum of the whole matter, the devil who is full of envy and strife toward God knows that he can only go so far with God, and he uses man to cause confusion. People who discredit and deny God think of themselves as a god, just like the devil does, only their doings lead to their destruction. God’s doings lead to a blessed life full of integrity and good works. We are reminded through the proverbs that our understanding of things is finite, but God’s is infinite and if we lean on His we will be prosperous.

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” - Proverbs 3:1-8,24-26.

For the LORD shall be thy confidence,” The devil can afflict us if we are saved, but we belong to Jesus and nothing can separate us from our Saviour. Sometimes things happen that instill fear, this is not the painful emotion brought on by an expectation of evil, but the passion of our nature which excites us to provide for our security. When we go to God with our fears we find rest, peace, sweet sleep, and confidence in His taking care of us. Praise God!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:35-39.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.” - Proverbs 3:33. Jesus became the curse to put an end to the curse of death passed down to all of us through the fall of man. “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” - Galatians 3:13.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for Your wisdom and showing us how to take the knowledge You gave us and use it for Your glory. We may not always understand it, but when we take the time to study Your Word, receive it, and obey it, You will make us wiser and respectable in Your sight and those around us. Lord, Lead us and guide us, fill us with Your wisdom, give us the strength to not lean on our own understanding, but Yours. Direct our paths and show Yourself mighty in our lives for all to see. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Wednesday, July 6, 2016

When In Doubt Praise The Lord

KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, July 6, 2016
Chapters: Psalms 146-150
Message: When In Doubt Praise The Lord

Hello My Friend,

Doubt, To waver or fluctuate in opinion; to hesitate; to be in suspense. How many times do you tell yourself that you can do something only to talk yourself out of it? If you think about it, more often than not. I thought I was one of those people who just shrug things off, if it did not happen, no big deal cause there is something better out there. However, the more disappointments that came the less confident I got in the next venture, and before I knew it there was no hope at all. Sound familiar? That horrible thing called doubt, that is what it is, and it can stop us in our tracks if we let it. Something incredible happens though when we praise God in the midst of our what seems like worthless ventures, we find hope, and it is not the hope that the world has, it is the hope that only God can give.

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” - Romans 8:24-26.

for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:” See the key in the phrase there, for we know not. What happens when doubt sets in, is that we begin asking for things we really do not want just to give us some kind of hope. While we are to be content with what we have, that does not mean we are to settle for the mediocre, we are to keep going, trusting God, and hoping for much more. People got it all wrong, yes, God wants us to think of others needs, but He also cares about our needs, and there is nothing He will not do for us with a little faith.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.” - Psalm 146:5-10.

The LORD looseth the prisoners:” We are prisoners to anything that keeps us from enjoying life. I look at people with disabilities, they are happy with who they are, they get through the obstacles and enjoy the life that God gave them. The devil is the one who puts doubt in our heads and keeps us bondage to it, who makes us lose hope in the things we desire. When in doubt, praise God, sing to Him and He will give us new hope.

Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion. For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee. He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.” - Psalm 147:7-15.

he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.” Let me tell you, God does not want us to fend for ourselves and just take what we can get, savages do that and we are not savages. We are His people, His children, and His glory. While He does want us to make some effort as faith without works are dead, He also wants us completely trusting in Him, and as we work together He will take care of us. Disappointments are not God’s way of telling us that He does not want us to have something, it is His way of say, trust my ways, do my work, without any doubt and you shall have it.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” - Matthew 21:22. Do you know how many people take this verse out of context to try and prove that God does not exist? They ask a bunch of people to pray for something like, ask God to cure cancer and if he does we will believe. God can do the impossible, and He does cure cancer, but He will never do something just to prove to some skeptic and unbelievers that He exists. Besides, He has proven over and over again to them that He is God, they are just too hardhearted and proud to admit that. Yes, there are things in this world that came from the fall of man that God allows us to be afflicted with, including diseases. Life is not a game of poker, God does not just pull cards out of the deck of life and tell you to figure it all out, He hands us things in life to strengthen our relationship with Him, He knows what we need and what we can handle, so if He has given you something that feels overwhelming, praise Him, and you will see the blessings.

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass. Praise the LORD from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word: Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars: Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.” - Psalm 148:5-14.

the praise of all his saints;” His saints are those who are saved. You know, while Old Testament times were based on the law of Moses, salvation was still granted upon their believing God was their Saviour. They like us served God in good works because they believed in Him and followed His commands, and that is how their works mattered. The difference, our good works matter after we are saved because salvation is now granted solely by grace through our believing in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Before or after Christ came, we were all sinners and need salvation.

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” - Titus 3:3-7.

but according to his mercy he saved us,” Salvation has always been about the mercy of God, the best Christian still sins, but by His mercy we are saved. We do not always have to ask God for things, sometimes it is good to just praise Him. “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.” - Psalm 149:1-5.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.” - Psalm 149:2. The God and King of Israel is the same God and King we trust, Jesus Christ. “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.” - Revelation 17:14.

Today's Prayer: God, In a world of doubt we can forget that in the midst of our trials and tribulations You are there, leading us and guiding us to great things. It is time to put away all doubts, to filly trust You with our lives, and to praise You for all that You do for us. God, Praise You for Your Son, our salvation, a new day, Your hedge of protection, Your provisions, Your love, mercy, and grace. Praise You that we are no longer saved by works, but Christ’s finished work. Praise You for giving us hope, that hope that no one in the world will ever have, and praise You for being You, for never wavering and never changing. I love You LORD, and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Happy People Whose God Is The LORD

KJB Daily DevotionFollowing Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: July 05, 2016
Chapters: Psalms 141-145
Message: Happy People Whose God Is The LORD

Hello My Friend,

Worship, The reverence and homage paid to God in adoration, confession, prayer, thanksgiving and the like. We who are saved by the Lord, Jesus Christ know that there is only one God that we worship, but oddly enough not everyone who worships God is worshiping the one true God, who is the Lord, Jesus Christ Himself. People might find temporary happiness from time to time as they worship a god they believe to be the LORD, but there is no true happiness unless we worship the LORD, even through trials we find happiness in the LORD. “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” - Romans 15:13.

Worshiping God has nothing to do with kneeling and bowing yourself to God, chanting some repetitive words or prayers, it is about making Christ a part of your life. It is not just about getting saved, it is about Christ being active in your life, and living your life in a way that pleases God. The first step is salvation, we must know Christ as our Saviour, meaning admit we have sinned and that Christ alone, by His death, burial, and resurrection is the only one who can save us from hell, and ask Him to save us. The second step, start confessing and removing sin from our lives. God does not expect us to be perfect, He does expect us to seek His help in getting rid of things that are displeasing to Him. We are to daily ask God to search our hearts for any sin and ask His help in removing them.

A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee. Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties. Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities.” - Psalm 141:1-5.

Let the righteous smite me;” This means we are not to get offended by those who correct us, there is a difference between judging someone with harsh criticism and making good judgment. If someone comes up to us and says they believe what we are doing is sin, do not get offended or defensive, doing that just means the Holy Spirit has placed some conviction in our heart about something, it may not even be about what they are confronting us with. Now, the only judge is God, it is Him that we have to face, so if we are feeling convicted about something we need to ask God to help us figure out what that is and let Him help us deal with it. If we are walking with Christ daily and are not happy there is something going on with us deep inside and only He can help us draw it out and help us.

Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.” - Psalm 143:7-11.

for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.” When our spirit is sad everything else will be as well, we may appear to be happy on the outside, but it is only a visage. The third step to being happy in the LORD is talking to God, praying, supplication, asking Him to help you through your troubles. True happiness does not mean we do not get sad, mad, or upset about things, it does mean that we can find joy in the comfort of the Saviour when our soul is troubled. Christ wants to be in every part of our lives, even when we are troubled about something we did long ago, He will help us through everything, but we must talk to Him if we want to find happiness in the LORD.

A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” - Psalm 144:1-4,10,15.

that thou makest account of him!” Do you think that happiness comes from doing and getting everything we enjoy? Stuff and people are not what make us happy, if our heart, soul, or spirit are not right nothing will make us happy. Once we receive Christ we are His, that means we belong to Him and a very valuable to Him, He does not want us wallowing in our sorrows, but trusting Him. We are going to fall down, we are going to mess up, we are going to take things into our own hands and make some bad decisions, God knows all of this, yet He loves us and never leaves us. We can do all these things, confess, pray, praise, and give thanks to God, but the key that opens the lock to being happy in the LORD is trust. We must trust Him at all times, that includes while we are waiting for Him

The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.” - Psalm 145:14-20.

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him,” God never leaves us, we cannot always see Him, but He is always there, and will answer our calls to Him. Keep in mind, God does not hear the prayers of those who are living in sin, we must confess sin in order for God to hear our cries. Happiness in the LORD comes with A.C.T.S. to God, Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication, true happiness in the LORD comes when we trust Him as we serve Him, even when we are troubled. You are preserved by Christ, trust Him, not your circumstances, let Him be your reason for happiness and He will take care of the rest.

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” - I Peter 3:13-16.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” - Psalm 142:5. Jesus is our refuge and all we need in the land of the living to give us happiness.

Today's Prayer: God, I admit that in my troubles I have not always prayed and have even lost faith in You changing my circumstances, but know when I called You You heard me. You truly are the only way to happiness no matter what we are going through, I know what You have done for me and brought me through, I know that nothing is too hard or impossible for You. When we base our happiness in stuff or people we always come short, we must be right in our heart, spirit, and soul to find true happiness, which comes from our realtionship with You. Lord, search my heart, reveal any iniquites in me, give me Your power and strength to endure every trial, keep me trusting only in You, and fill me with Your joy so that I can tell those who ask that You are my hope, my joy, and my salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Monday, July 4, 2016

True Independence

KJB Daily DevotionFollowing 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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