Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Saturday, June 19, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 17-20. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-19
Today's Message: Words That Hurt Help
As Christians we should never under estimate the power of the voice, we are God's voice, the world hears what we say and takes it literally as God Himself, they do not agree, but do listen and will wait for the perfect time to make God out to be a liar. There have been so many religious leaders over the centuries lying to people that even devout Christians have turned away from God because of their lies. “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” - James 1:7,8. There is an old saying that came to my mind as I read the chapters for today, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Sadly, can hurt, they can be like poison and destroy a person. You get around someone who is constantly negative toward you and eventually you will feel the effects of it and become negative of yourself, sometimes even believing what they claim. Imagine how Jesus must have felt about all the lies told about Him and the negativity He was around? We can not always change the situation we are in at present, but we can change how we handle the situation. As we put our faith and trust in God and His Word, He will give us peace and comfort, even around the most trying people.
Job was in a situation he could not control, he was in pain, still mourning the loss of his children, his wife did not recognize him, he lost everything he had of value, and on top of that he had four friends that just would not leave who were taking turns telling him that he was a hypocritical, wicked liar, deceiving himself, in fact, the more he defended himself the worse the words got about him. Bildad's words the second time around were even more cruel and critical than the first time he spoke, he assumed that Job's sufferings exposed him as a sinful hypocrite who was hopelessly condemned, “He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted. Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.” - Job 18:18-21. Here is Job, the most godliest man of his time being accused of not knowing God at all and being told that he is just a nobody pretending to be someone. I imagine he was getting tired of trying to defend himself and felt a little heartbroken at all the accusations. I do not know how many times I have had, what I call internet stalkers or people I no longer associate with give me a hard time. They called me every name of the book, some even try to quote Bible verses, claiming me to be a hypocrite and a liar and they do not stop until I myself just ignore them and stop trying to defend myself. The truth is I know who I am and God knows who I am, He will correct me if I am wrong. I know that I am living by God's Word and what I have written is the truth because it lines up with the Word of God and on top of that it lines up with what other honest, living by the New Testament, preachers and evangelists preach on. I do not have to justify myself because I am justified by Christ. We can be called hypocrites and liars, but nothing can change the fact that we are children of God through our faith in Jesus Christ and no one can take that away from us. Praise God!
What Job's friends did not realize was that every time they tried to condemn him the stronger his faith in God got. Job could bear the unjust reproach of his friends for he was living in the expectation of the glorious appearance of his coming King. “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself. If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach: Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net. Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment....Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?...For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” - Job 19:2-7,22,25-27. Job was literally saying, though you torment my soul with your words and I am suffering without judgment. I have a redeemer that will save me and I will go where God goes regardless of what you say or what happens to my flesh. According to the Law, a redeemer was the next of kin who was responsible for redeeming (buying back) an enslaved kinsman or his lost inheritance (Leviticus 25:25). The kinsman-redeemer foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, our Savior-Redeemer, who bought our inheritance into the Kingdom of God. Those who accept Christ are now heirs with Him and a child of God.
As long as we are living by the Word of God all accusations are just words, God knows the truth therefore, we have nothing to worry about. Sometimes we just can not do anything to change a persons perception of us, that is when we need to hand everything over to God. As Christians we are to, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - I Thessalonians 5:15-23. God will take care of everything all we need to do is keep our eyes on Him, stay in His Word, and thank Him for the situation we are in. Sometimes words do hurt, but as long as we have God on our side, they can help us. Everything we are going through strengthens us, if it were not for me receiving the criticism I have gotten, and have yet to get, I would not be as strong in the Lord as I am. Satan goes after those who are living righteously to make them feel like they are nobodies, but we are somebody, we are children of the living God saved by our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Praise God! No amount of words can change that fact. So, we can change that saying to, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never take me from my God.”
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Daily Bible Study: Justified By Christ or Yourself 06.18.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Friday June 18, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 13-16. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-18
Today's Message: Justified by Christ or Yourself
The word justify is defined as an acquittal, to be found as just or righteous in ones actions or words, in other words, to be acquitted of any charges against them. For example, a person who had charges brought up against them and has been found to be innocent has been justified or acquitted of all charges. When one accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, he/she is justified or acquitted of all the charges against them, meaning one no longer faces the death penalty for their sins. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. There is another meaning for the word justify, one that many will try to ignore and that is, making excuses, in other words one trying to justify or come up with an excuse as to why they have done something wrong. For example, a person who had charges brought up against them and has been found guilty will try to justify or make an excuse as to why he/she is guilty, but it does not stop them from facing the consequences of those charges. When one has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, he/she is found guilty of all charges against them, meaning they will face the death penalty for their sins. They can try to justify or make excuses for their guilt, but their excuses will not keep them from facing the death penalty. It is only through Jesus that one can escape the death penalty for their sins. If Jesus were to show up right now, how would you be justified? Will you be someone who is justified by Christ or yourself?
Job was a righteous and upright man, God Himself confirmed that, however, he was now facing all kinds of affliction, it was as if he were being punished for sins he committed although he did not know what he had done. I imagine he kind of felt like many of us who are living for God and facing affliction even though we do everything we can to live righteously. He has questions, is a little confused, but he trusts that God has put him through this for a reason and never once blames God or curses Him for his affliction, even though his friends were causing even more affliction. In fact the more affliction they brought upon him the more He put his trust in God. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.” - Job 13:15-18. It was because of the remarkable insight of Job that he expressed his confidence in a heavenly and holy all knowing God who knows our hearts. Job knew that he did not have to make excuses, He was justified by God and knew that at least He was on his side, regardless of what everyone else thought. He knew he was saved and where he was going. Every trial gives us an opportunity to draw closer to God and to become more like the person He created us to be.
This did not stop his friends from continuing to lash out at him, “Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.” - Job 15:1-5. Eliphaz was basically calling him a windbag, lying to God and everyone. However, Job knew that he had a heavenly witness that would testify that all these accusations were false. “I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.... Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.” - Job 16:2-5,19. There are just some people out there who have a lousy way of comforting people, Job knew that it would be a waste of time to argue with these men, they were not about to change their opinion of him, in fact the more he defended himself the worse they got. However, he knew he had a witness and that God would testify on his behalf.
Today, we are justified by Jesus, He goes to God and lets Him know if we have truly accepted Him and are living a righteous life. And because we have a personal relationship with Christ, all who are faithfully living for Him can say with much greater insight than Job that they too have a heavenly witness. “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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:26-28. God knows our hearts and witnesses our faith in Him by learning all of His Word and knowing His will for our lives.
Are you justified by Christ or yourself? Once one has accepted Christ as their Savior they are justified by Christ, acquitted, and reconciled with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” - Romans 5:1-5. We are not justified by our works, but through Jesus Christ. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” - Galatians 2:16. Excuses do not cover up the fact that everyone needs Christ, Jesus is our only Mediator to God, get to Jesus and you get to God.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend. Praise God it is Friday!
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
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Today is Friday June 18, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 13-16. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-18
Today's Message: Justified by Christ or Yourself
The word justify is defined as an acquittal, to be found as just or righteous in ones actions or words, in other words, to be acquitted of any charges against them. For example, a person who had charges brought up against them and has been found to be innocent has been justified or acquitted of all charges. When one accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, he/she is justified or acquitted of all the charges against them, meaning one no longer faces the death penalty for their sins. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. There is another meaning for the word justify, one that many will try to ignore and that is, making excuses, in other words one trying to justify or come up with an excuse as to why they have done something wrong. For example, a person who had charges brought up against them and has been found guilty will try to justify or make an excuse as to why he/she is guilty, but it does not stop them from facing the consequences of those charges. When one has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, he/she is found guilty of all charges against them, meaning they will face the death penalty for their sins. They can try to justify or make excuses for their guilt, but their excuses will not keep them from facing the death penalty. It is only through Jesus that one can escape the death penalty for their sins. If Jesus were to show up right now, how would you be justified? Will you be someone who is justified by Christ or yourself?
Job was a righteous and upright man, God Himself confirmed that, however, he was now facing all kinds of affliction, it was as if he were being punished for sins he committed although he did not know what he had done. I imagine he kind of felt like many of us who are living for God and facing affliction even though we do everything we can to live righteously. He has questions, is a little confused, but he trusts that God has put him through this for a reason and never once blames God or curses Him for his affliction, even though his friends were causing even more affliction. In fact the more affliction they brought upon him the more He put his trust in God. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.” - Job 13:15-18. It was because of the remarkable insight of Job that he expressed his confidence in a heavenly and holy all knowing God who knows our hearts. Job knew that he did not have to make excuses, He was justified by God and knew that at least He was on his side, regardless of what everyone else thought. He knew he was saved and where he was going. Every trial gives us an opportunity to draw closer to God and to become more like the person He created us to be.
This did not stop his friends from continuing to lash out at him, “Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.” - Job 15:1-5. Eliphaz was basically calling him a windbag, lying to God and everyone. However, Job knew that he had a heavenly witness that would testify that all these accusations were false. “I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.... Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.” - Job 16:2-5,19. There are just some people out there who have a lousy way of comforting people, Job knew that it would be a waste of time to argue with these men, they were not about to change their opinion of him, in fact the more he defended himself the worse they got. However, he knew he had a witness and that God would testify on his behalf.
Today, we are justified by Jesus, He goes to God and lets Him know if we have truly accepted Him and are living a righteous life. And because we have a personal relationship with Christ, all who are faithfully living for Him can say with much greater insight than Job that they too have a heavenly witness. “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. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:26-28. God knows our hearts and witnesses our faith in Him by learning all of His Word and knowing His will for our lives.
Are you justified by Christ or yourself? Once one has accepted Christ as their Savior they are justified by Christ, acquitted, and reconciled with God. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” - Romans 5:1-5. We are not justified by our works, but through Jesus Christ. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” - Galatians 2:16. Excuses do not cover up the fact that everyone needs Christ, Jesus is our only Mediator to God, get to Jesus and you get to God.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend. Praise God it is Friday!
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
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Thursday, June 17, 2010
Daily Bible Study: Got Questions? 06.17.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Thursday June 17, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 9-12. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-17
Today's Message: God Questions?
From time to time, even as faithful Christians, we all go through things that have us asking the question, why? We look up to God and say, Why are you doing this? It's okay to ask God questions, He will help us understand or comfort us even when some questions have not been answered. What we should not do is question God, He knows a lot more of what is going on than we do, while we may not understand what is going on, God knows exactly what is going on. He sees things in our future well beyond what we can ever imagine. It is however, what we do in the present that can make that journey and enjoyable one verses an unpleasant one, even during the trials we face. We all have to face the fact that whether we choose to follow Christ or not we are going to face trials, they do not go away, but they can get easier when we put our faith and trust in God. In fact, as we draw closer to Him through our trials we not only get a better insight spiritually, we also find answers to our questions.
Job must have had every emotion going on at the same time, he was confused, grieving, and in pain, on top of that the only people that would talk to him were ones that criticized him and kept making accusations at him. Amazingly though, the more these men belittled him the more he was able to see God. “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?...Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him....For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” - Job 9:2-4,11-14,32,33. Job admitted that God's dealings with him were beyond his ability to comprehend them, but he also realized that God was with him, even though he could not see Him. God is always with us, at times, it may seem as though He is no where to be found, but He never goes one day without His presence in our lives.
Incidentally, the word daysman means mediator, in other words Job was saying, we do not have a mediator among us to help us, someone who would stand in between the Holy God and sinful man. Today, we do have a mediator, that mediator is Jesus Christ, He is the middleman that allows us to communicate with God. Without Jesus, God can not hear us, no matter how much we scream and shout or how much we try to do for Him. Jesus Said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Matthew 7:21-23. Works do not get us to heaven, Jesus gets us to heaven!
Through Job, we are led to see that religious people who express unkind criticism of others do Satan's work. Zophar was no different, he literally scolded Job and called him a liar and pretender. “Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” - Job 11:2-6. Zophar accused Job as a man that loved to hear himself speak, though he could say nothing to the purpose, and as a man that maintained falsehoods. He was literally telling him that God was giving him what he deserved for his sins. You have to love advice from those who think they know more than you do? We are cautioned not to impose added suffering upon those who need our comfort. Judgmental critics often misunderstand the methods and purposes of God in dealing with His chosen followers, but we can overcome even them by keeping our eyes on God, He knows the truth and one day those critics will see the truth because God will take care of them for us.
Christians can sense the presence of God, not only in our trials, but also in our day to day activities. Although we cannot see Him, we know, through faith, that He is with us. God may never reveal a reason for our trials, but we should never question His actions. “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.” - Proverbs 3:3-7. To fear the Lord means to put all your faith and trust in God, to respect Him, and to obey Him. If we do not fear God we are left with our own human reasoning to figure things out and if we do not realize by now that that can really mess things up we better acknowledge that fast. Face it, we can not get through the trials we face alone, doing that always cause so much unneeded stress and suffering. Counselors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and foreign substances may mask things, but they can not replace the Only One who can make the rocky road path of life smoother to walk. Praise God! Got Questions? Put your faith and trust in Jesus, seek Him, for He is the only way to God and the answers.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
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Today is Thursday June 17, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 9-12. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-17
Today's Message: God Questions?
From time to time, even as faithful Christians, we all go through things that have us asking the question, why? We look up to God and say, Why are you doing this? It's okay to ask God questions, He will help us understand or comfort us even when some questions have not been answered. What we should not do is question God, He knows a lot more of what is going on than we do, while we may not understand what is going on, God knows exactly what is going on. He sees things in our future well beyond what we can ever imagine. It is however, what we do in the present that can make that journey and enjoyable one verses an unpleasant one, even during the trials we face. We all have to face the fact that whether we choose to follow Christ or not we are going to face trials, they do not go away, but they can get easier when we put our faith and trust in God. In fact, as we draw closer to Him through our trials we not only get a better insight spiritually, we also find answers to our questions.
Job must have had every emotion going on at the same time, he was confused, grieving, and in pain, on top of that the only people that would talk to him were ones that criticized him and kept making accusations at him. Amazingly though, the more these men belittled him the more he was able to see God. “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?...Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him....For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.” - Job 9:2-4,11-14,32,33. Job admitted that God's dealings with him were beyond his ability to comprehend them, but he also realized that God was with him, even though he could not see Him. God is always with us, at times, it may seem as though He is no where to be found, but He never goes one day without His presence in our lives.
Incidentally, the word daysman means mediator, in other words Job was saying, we do not have a mediator among us to help us, someone who would stand in between the Holy God and sinful man. Today, we do have a mediator, that mediator is Jesus Christ, He is the middleman that allows us to communicate with God. Without Jesus, God can not hear us, no matter how much we scream and shout or how much we try to do for Him. Jesus Said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Matthew 7:21-23. Works do not get us to heaven, Jesus gets us to heaven!
Through Job, we are led to see that religious people who express unkind criticism of others do Satan's work. Zophar was no different, he literally scolded Job and called him a liar and pretender. “Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” - Job 11:2-6. Zophar accused Job as a man that loved to hear himself speak, though he could say nothing to the purpose, and as a man that maintained falsehoods. He was literally telling him that God was giving him what he deserved for his sins. You have to love advice from those who think they know more than you do? We are cautioned not to impose added suffering upon those who need our comfort. Judgmental critics often misunderstand the methods and purposes of God in dealing with His chosen followers, but we can overcome even them by keeping our eyes on God, He knows the truth and one day those critics will see the truth because God will take care of them for us.
Christians can sense the presence of God, not only in our trials, but also in our day to day activities. Although we cannot see Him, we know, through faith, that He is with us. God may never reveal a reason for our trials, but we should never question His actions. “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.” - Proverbs 3:3-7. To fear the Lord means to put all your faith and trust in God, to respect Him, and to obey Him. If we do not fear God we are left with our own human reasoning to figure things out and if we do not realize by now that that can really mess things up we better acknowledge that fast. Face it, we can not get through the trials we face alone, doing that always cause so much unneeded stress and suffering. Counselors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and foreign substances may mask things, but they can not replace the Only One who can make the rocky road path of life smoother to walk. Praise God! Got Questions? Put your faith and trust in Jesus, seek Him, for He is the only way to God and the answers.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Daily Bible Study: For your Own Good 06.16.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Wednesday June 16, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 5-8. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-16
Today's Message: For Our Own Good
Those who choose to follow Christ rejoice in the fact no matter what they are going through Jesus is right there to carry the burdens and help them through every one of them. We praise God even when we are chastised for a sin we committed and take the steps needed to repent and reconcile with God. From time to time it seems as though we are being chastised for sins we have not committed. On top of that the first thing people, especially some Christians, think is what are you doing wrong that God is punishing you. The truth is we are all going to face what seems like chastisement at times, it is not a punishment, it is a kind of intervention to get us to put our trust in God, increase our faith in Him, and get us to take our minds off our own troubles and think of others. “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” - I Peter 2:19-22. There are going to be times when we suffer for things we have not done just as Jesus suffered for all the sins of the world and never committed one sin, but we must not forget that God is always with us and uses every one of the trials and sufferings that we face for our own good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.
Job, was even considered by God as a perfect man, he may have sinned from time to time, but he did everything he could to avoid sin and remained faithful to God and that made him perfect in God's eyes. All of a sudden it seemed as though Job were being severely chastised. Within a matter of days he suffered complete financial loss, all his children had been killed, his wife had turned against him, and he was experiencing intense physical suffering. Job was in severe pain, I am sure he felt a little discouraged, and felt all alone so, when four of his friends showed up he thought they would be the ones to comfort him and give him a little encouragement. For a week they just sat there in silence, that was probably the best thing they did for him because once they opened their mouths the persecution began. Eliphaz was the first to respond, telling Jon that he was being chastised by God for hidden sin. “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.” - Job 5:17-20. Eliphaz went as far as saying just come clean, God will forgive you for it. He was right in that God redeems all who repent, but he was wrong in assuming that Job was suffering because he had hidden sin in his life. That's why Jesus tells us, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” - John 7:24. We sometimes find ourselves making rash statements in the midst of unexpected trials, I admit there have been times when I have had my own opinion about someone who has not been to church for a while and hear about them struggling. However, I realize that I have no right to judge a person that is struggling, or soon I will be facing rightful judgment myself for my false judgment. We must not make the mistake of assumption based on what we see on the outside. The only one who truly knows what is going on is God.
For reasons Job did not understand, God was not coming to his defense, he responds to Eliphaz's accusations, “Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me...Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.” - Job 6:2-4,8-10. Job did not know what to say, he was spiritually drained and thought God had left him to deal with all this on his own, but he never once cursed God, but embraced Him. He was literally ready for God to just take him away from all this. When a child of God understands the reason for suffering, the heaviest load will not crush him, but when tragedy occurs with no sign of God's presence, we are all prone to become discouraged. However, we must not forget that God is always with us. He never leaves nor forsakes us. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6.
As Christian, we have a new nature in us, born of God, with the indwelling Holy Spirit who reminds us that God is still in control of our circumstances and that we can trust in the promises of His Word. The more we put our trust in God the more we can expect Satan to interfere, but we must not forget that God allows him to do this. We are going to face wrongful suffering and persecution for things we have not done, but as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus we can endure all of it and come out stronger and more powerful to withstand more of Satan's attacks. Jesus even had to face Satan, He had the same flesh that we have and could have fallen into his temptation as well, but He put His faith in someone much stronger than Satan. His God! He kept His eyes on God and He gave Him the power and strength to endure the temptations. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” -I Corinthians 10:13. God will never allow Satan to tempt us with things that we can not handle, He always makes a way for us to get out of every situation. Praise God! If you are struggling right now, being persecuted, or wrongfully judged by friends or enemies, cast your burdens upon Jesus. He will carry them for you, then you will be able to help others and soon yours will be lightened. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” - Psalm 55:22. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
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Today is Wednesday June 16, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 5-8. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-16
Today's Message: For Our Own Good
Those who choose to follow Christ rejoice in the fact no matter what they are going through Jesus is right there to carry the burdens and help them through every one of them. We praise God even when we are chastised for a sin we committed and take the steps needed to repent and reconcile with God. From time to time it seems as though we are being chastised for sins we have not committed. On top of that the first thing people, especially some Christians, think is what are you doing wrong that God is punishing you. The truth is we are all going to face what seems like chastisement at times, it is not a punishment, it is a kind of intervention to get us to put our trust in God, increase our faith in Him, and get us to take our minds off our own troubles and think of others. “For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” - I Peter 2:19-22. There are going to be times when we suffer for things we have not done just as Jesus suffered for all the sins of the world and never committed one sin, but we must not forget that God is always with us and uses every one of the trials and sufferings that we face for our own good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.
Job, was even considered by God as a perfect man, he may have sinned from time to time, but he did everything he could to avoid sin and remained faithful to God and that made him perfect in God's eyes. All of a sudden it seemed as though Job were being severely chastised. Within a matter of days he suffered complete financial loss, all his children had been killed, his wife had turned against him, and he was experiencing intense physical suffering. Job was in severe pain, I am sure he felt a little discouraged, and felt all alone so, when four of his friends showed up he thought they would be the ones to comfort him and give him a little encouragement. For a week they just sat there in silence, that was probably the best thing they did for him because once they opened their mouths the persecution began. Eliphaz was the first to respond, telling Jon that he was being chastised by God for hidden sin. “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.” - Job 5:17-20. Eliphaz went as far as saying just come clean, God will forgive you for it. He was right in that God redeems all who repent, but he was wrong in assuming that Job was suffering because he had hidden sin in his life. That's why Jesus tells us, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” - John 7:24. We sometimes find ourselves making rash statements in the midst of unexpected trials, I admit there have been times when I have had my own opinion about someone who has not been to church for a while and hear about them struggling. However, I realize that I have no right to judge a person that is struggling, or soon I will be facing rightful judgment myself for my false judgment. We must not make the mistake of assumption based on what we see on the outside. The only one who truly knows what is going on is God.
For reasons Job did not understand, God was not coming to his defense, he responds to Eliphaz's accusations, “Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me...Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.” - Job 6:2-4,8-10. Job did not know what to say, he was spiritually drained and thought God had left him to deal with all this on his own, but he never once cursed God, but embraced Him. He was literally ready for God to just take him away from all this. When a child of God understands the reason for suffering, the heaviest load will not crush him, but when tragedy occurs with no sign of God's presence, we are all prone to become discouraged. However, we must not forget that God is always with us. He never leaves nor forsakes us. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6.
As Christian, we have a new nature in us, born of God, with the indwelling Holy Spirit who reminds us that God is still in control of our circumstances and that we can trust in the promises of His Word. The more we put our trust in God the more we can expect Satan to interfere, but we must not forget that God allows him to do this. We are going to face wrongful suffering and persecution for things we have not done, but as long as we keep our eyes on Jesus we can endure all of it and come out stronger and more powerful to withstand more of Satan's attacks. Jesus even had to face Satan, He had the same flesh that we have and could have fallen into his temptation as well, but He put His faith in someone much stronger than Satan. His God! He kept His eyes on God and He gave Him the power and strength to endure the temptations. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” -I Corinthians 10:13. God will never allow Satan to tempt us with things that we can not handle, He always makes a way for us to get out of every situation. Praise God! If you are struggling right now, being persecuted, or wrongfully judged by friends or enemies, cast your burdens upon Jesus. He will carry them for you, then you will be able to help others and soon yours will be lightened. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” - Psalm 55:22. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
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Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Daily Bible Study: Human Reasoning Instead of God Reasoning
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Tuesday June 15, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 1-4. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-15
Today's Message: Human Reasoning Instead Of God Reasoning
I was flipping through channels on TV last night and came across this documentary titled, What the Bible says, I was not shocked, but a little dismayed about how much people of the world distort God's Word. They were actually trying to convince the world that God allowed homosexuality and that He made some people that way, when it is in fact a sin and something detestable in His eyes. One woman they interviewed said, I am a Christian and I do not read the Bible, I do not think many do read it, so we wait for someone to actually tell us what is says. Sadly, this is true and the reason why God's Word and the world is so corrupted today. They leave the reading up to people who think they know the Bible, but have no idea what it actually says themselves so they corrupt God and His Word. “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. You feel like complaining to the producers or writers and saying to them, why don't you get your facts straight, but they would not listen anyway. They are getting facts from the wrong people and if by chance they actually get someone to tell them the truth they make them out to be the bad guys in all this. The truth is that these people are trying to condone sin and bring the heathen world into God's World. Satan is slick, he probably reads the Bible more than some Christians, he quotes just enough Scripture to make one think that this is what God is saying, but all he is doing is reeling people in and destroying their faith and relationship with God, while allowing them to be left to human reasoning instead of God reasoning.
Sandwiched in the center of the Old Testament Books are known as Books of Poetry. Theses are the books of human experiences of the people of God under various exercises of earthly life. The book of Job is the eighteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains forty-two chapters. Job is in the form of a dramatic poem. It is probably the oldest of the Bible books, around the time of the Abrahamic Covenant. The author of the book is Moses and it was written to all people who experience suffering for unexplained reasons. The purpose of the book is to explain the question "Why the righteous suffer?". What we are to learn from the book is that there is a spiritual reason behind the suffering of the righteous. Suffering is not necessarily evidence of God's displeasure, but evidence that we are perfect, upright, and abstain from evil. Satan despises people who love God and prosper, so he is will do everything to try and get a person to curse God and walk away from Him, that is anything that God will allow him to do. That's right, the devil has to get permission from God to afflict us. Job, was was a godly man, who God Himself said was perfect, upright, and abstained from evil, he had everything he ever wanted and more, a loving family, wealth, possessions, and fame. All that was about to change, Satan was around and he was bound and determined to get Job to sin and walk away from God. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” - Job 1:8-11. Do you see how Satan was questioning Job's faithfulness? He assumed that, like every self-serving person, Job was faithful only because God would reward him. God will allow Satan to afflict us, even when we are living righteously, but He does not do it to punish us or cause us pain, He does it because He knows who we are and is showing Satan that even if we lost everything we had we would not lose our faith in God.
Job was afflicted, the devil took everything he had away from him, possessions, livestock, and even his children, yet Job did not sin. When that did not convince Satan that Job was not faithful he afflicted him with his health. “And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” - Job 2:4-10. During his intense suffering and testing, Job's wife even suggested that he curse God, and die. She too had suffered loss, but it seems that her greatest loss was her faith in God. No matter what we are going through we can not allow Satan to make us lose our faith in God. Whatever we are going through is not meant to take us away from our trust and faith in Him, but in fact, to strengthen and bring us even closer to Him. It is strange, but is the closer we get to God the more burdens we receive, but we do not have to carry the burdens alone, God is always with us, we just have to remind ourselves of that.
Behind all the world's evil is Satan in his continuous effort to destroy all that is good. But Satan is under the constant surveillance of God and can do nothing without His permission. He delights in using family, friends, coworkers, and even fellow church members to criticize, belittle, and condemn one another. However, Our God, the Master Planner, is still in full control. As we read through the Book of Job we are going to see a lot of human reasoning, his friends trying to give a scientific or biblical account as to why all this evil was placed upon Job. They were clueless as well as everyone else who is determined to give advice based on human reasoning instead of God reasoning. You want to know the truth? Read the Bible for yourself, find a church that teaches all of God's Word and get around people who follow all of God's Word. First of all, if you are not saved, seek Jesus. It is only by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior that we can even attempt to discern what the Bible tells us as it is only by accepting Christ that the Holy Spirit will work through us and help us learn little by little what God has to say to us. Jesus Said, “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” - John 14:25-27. The Holy Spirit is inside all who are saved is who gives us the knowledge of the Bible. Like I said a few days ago, sometimes the truth hurts, but knowing the truth can save us from a lot of needless suffering. You can praise God if you are saved because even if you continue to live in sin, God still loves you and will bring you to heaven, but if you choose to ignore the truth it is your own fault and you need not complain about the consequences you are or will face for continuing to live in sin.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven?
You Can Be: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
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Today is Tuesday June 15, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Job, chapters 1-4. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-15
Today's Message: Human Reasoning Instead Of God Reasoning
I was flipping through channels on TV last night and came across this documentary titled, What the Bible says, I was not shocked, but a little dismayed about how much people of the world distort God's Word. They were actually trying to convince the world that God allowed homosexuality and that He made some people that way, when it is in fact a sin and something detestable in His eyes. One woman they interviewed said, I am a Christian and I do not read the Bible, I do not think many do read it, so we wait for someone to actually tell us what is says. Sadly, this is true and the reason why God's Word and the world is so corrupted today. They leave the reading up to people who think they know the Bible, but have no idea what it actually says themselves so they corrupt God and His Word. “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. You feel like complaining to the producers or writers and saying to them, why don't you get your facts straight, but they would not listen anyway. They are getting facts from the wrong people and if by chance they actually get someone to tell them the truth they make them out to be the bad guys in all this. The truth is that these people are trying to condone sin and bring the heathen world into God's World. Satan is slick, he probably reads the Bible more than some Christians, he quotes just enough Scripture to make one think that this is what God is saying, but all he is doing is reeling people in and destroying their faith and relationship with God, while allowing them to be left to human reasoning instead of God reasoning.
Sandwiched in the center of the Old Testament Books are known as Books of Poetry. Theses are the books of human experiences of the people of God under various exercises of earthly life. The book of Job is the eighteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains forty-two chapters. Job is in the form of a dramatic poem. It is probably the oldest of the Bible books, around the time of the Abrahamic Covenant. The author of the book is Moses and it was written to all people who experience suffering for unexplained reasons. The purpose of the book is to explain the question "Why the righteous suffer?". What we are to learn from the book is that there is a spiritual reason behind the suffering of the righteous. Suffering is not necessarily evidence of God's displeasure, but evidence that we are perfect, upright, and abstain from evil. Satan despises people who love God and prosper, so he is will do everything to try and get a person to curse God and walk away from Him, that is anything that God will allow him to do. That's right, the devil has to get permission from God to afflict us. Job, was was a godly man, who God Himself said was perfect, upright, and abstained from evil, he had everything he ever wanted and more, a loving family, wealth, possessions, and fame. All that was about to change, Satan was around and he was bound and determined to get Job to sin and walk away from God. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” - Job 1:8-11. Do you see how Satan was questioning Job's faithfulness? He assumed that, like every self-serving person, Job was faithful only because God would reward him. God will allow Satan to afflict us, even when we are living righteously, but He does not do it to punish us or cause us pain, He does it because He knows who we are and is showing Satan that even if we lost everything we had we would not lose our faith in God.
Job was afflicted, the devil took everything he had away from him, possessions, livestock, and even his children, yet Job did not sin. When that did not convince Satan that Job was not faithful he afflicted him with his health. “And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” - Job 2:4-10. During his intense suffering and testing, Job's wife even suggested that he curse God, and die. She too had suffered loss, but it seems that her greatest loss was her faith in God. No matter what we are going through we can not allow Satan to make us lose our faith in God. Whatever we are going through is not meant to take us away from our trust and faith in Him, but in fact, to strengthen and bring us even closer to Him. It is strange, but is the closer we get to God the more burdens we receive, but we do not have to carry the burdens alone, God is always with us, we just have to remind ourselves of that.
Behind all the world's evil is Satan in his continuous effort to destroy all that is good. But Satan is under the constant surveillance of God and can do nothing without His permission. He delights in using family, friends, coworkers, and even fellow church members to criticize, belittle, and condemn one another. However, Our God, the Master Planner, is still in full control. As we read through the Book of Job we are going to see a lot of human reasoning, his friends trying to give a scientific or biblical account as to why all this evil was placed upon Job. They were clueless as well as everyone else who is determined to give advice based on human reasoning instead of God reasoning. You want to know the truth? Read the Bible for yourself, find a church that teaches all of God's Word and get around people who follow all of God's Word. First of all, if you are not saved, seek Jesus. It is only by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior that we can even attempt to discern what the Bible tells us as it is only by accepting Christ that the Holy Spirit will work through us and help us learn little by little what God has to say to us. Jesus Said, “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” - John 14:25-27. The Holy Spirit is inside all who are saved is who gives us the knowledge of the Bible. Like I said a few days ago, sometimes the truth hurts, but knowing the truth can save us from a lot of needless suffering. You can praise God if you are saved because even if you continue to live in sin, God still loves you and will bring you to heaven, but if you choose to ignore the truth it is your own fault and you need not complain about the consequences you are or will face for continuing to live in sin.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Monday, June 14, 2010
Daily Bible Study: The Price of Freedom 06.14.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Monday June 14, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Esther, chapters 8-10. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-14
Today's Message: The Price of Freedom
The word freedom is defined as being free or at liberty rather than to be in confinement or under physical restraint, meaning one is free to do what he wants. However, there is another meaning to the word which many of us are not aware of, abandon, a careless disregard for consequences. While freedom gives us the right to choose how we live it is the choices we make that can keep us in bondage. Freedom is not free, it comes with a price. Soldiers give their lives every day so we can be a free country. Jesus gave His life to save everyone, believers or not, from hell, but very few acknowledge that fact. I saw a bumper sticker that said it's your hell you die in it. It is carelessness like this that literally sends people to hell. I'd feel sorry for people who refuse to believe that there is a living God among us, that there is a heaven and a hell, but their arrogance does not deserve any pity. One day they will realize the consequences of their carelessness.
Following Haman's execution, the king made Mordecai his next in command and allowed him to write a new decree to give the Jews freedom and the right to defend themselves from their enemies. “And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, And said, If it please the king, and if I have favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.” - Esther 8:2-8. Queen Esther not only set Mordecai over the house of Haman she got the king to allow the Jews to use any means necessary to defend themselves from those out to destroy them. Seventy-five thousand people who were set out to destroy the Jews were slain within three days time. God does protect His people, we might endure some pain or fear from time to time, but He will always take care of His own.
The Book of Esther is a testimony to the fact that, even in a secular society, dominated by heathen power, our God can protect His people. Like Esther and Mordecai, their freedom came with a price, they gave themselves as living sacrifices, meaning they did not think of themselves and put the needs of the people first. The result was freedom for all the Jews, not just for themselves. There is a price for our freedom as well, death and hell. We are all sinners and the price we pay for sinning is hell. However, God came up with a way for us to pay that price without going to hell. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. Our freedom was bought through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus gave His life as a human sacrifice, meaning He did not think of Himself and put the needs of His people first. The result, freedom from hell and eternal life. Praise God! Sadly, many, many will not accept this gift and will continue to abandon their freedom, careless to the dangers around them. We can not take our freedom for granted, we can be careless and face the consequences or we can use our freedom to help God by standing true to our faith and giving ourselves as a living sacrifice to fulfill His will and receive the blessings waiting for us.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Today is Monday June 14, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Esther, chapters 8-10. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-14
Today's Message: The Price of Freedom
The word freedom is defined as being free or at liberty rather than to be in confinement or under physical restraint, meaning one is free to do what he wants. However, there is another meaning to the word which many of us are not aware of, abandon, a careless disregard for consequences. While freedom gives us the right to choose how we live it is the choices we make that can keep us in bondage. Freedom is not free, it comes with a price. Soldiers give their lives every day so we can be a free country. Jesus gave His life to save everyone, believers or not, from hell, but very few acknowledge that fact. I saw a bumper sticker that said it's your hell you die in it. It is carelessness like this that literally sends people to hell. I'd feel sorry for people who refuse to believe that there is a living God among us, that there is a heaven and a hell, but their arrogance does not deserve any pity. One day they will realize the consequences of their carelessness.
Following Haman's execution, the king made Mordecai his next in command and allowed him to write a new decree to give the Jews freedom and the right to defend themselves from their enemies. “And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews. Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king, And said, If it please the king, and if I have favour in his sight, and the thing seem right before the king, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the king's provinces: For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.” - Esther 8:2-8. Queen Esther not only set Mordecai over the house of Haman she got the king to allow the Jews to use any means necessary to defend themselves from those out to destroy them. Seventy-five thousand people who were set out to destroy the Jews were slain within three days time. God does protect His people, we might endure some pain or fear from time to time, but He will always take care of His own.
The Book of Esther is a testimony to the fact that, even in a secular society, dominated by heathen power, our God can protect His people. Like Esther and Mordecai, their freedom came with a price, they gave themselves as living sacrifices, meaning they did not think of themselves and put the needs of the people first. The result was freedom for all the Jews, not just for themselves. There is a price for our freedom as well, death and hell. We are all sinners and the price we pay for sinning is hell. However, God came up with a way for us to pay that price without going to hell. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. Our freedom was bought through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus gave His life as a human sacrifice, meaning He did not think of Himself and put the needs of His people first. The result, freedom from hell and eternal life. Praise God! Sadly, many, many will not accept this gift and will continue to abandon their freedom, careless to the dangers around them. We can not take our freedom for granted, we can be careless and face the consequences or we can use our freedom to help God by standing true to our faith and giving ourselves as a living sacrifice to fulfill His will and receive the blessings waiting for us.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Daily Bible Study: A Life Controlled By Pride 06.13.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Sunday June 13, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Esther, chapters 4-7. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-13
Today's Message: A Life Controlled by Pride
People of the world have no idea just how successful Christians become by serving and standing by our faith in God. Yes, God wants all His children to be successful, in fact, our greatest success in life is our salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, but He also allows us to be successful in our daily lives as well. In fact, the more we serve Him the more successful we can become. However, we have to be careful of our success, that nasty little thing called pride can sneak in and if we are not careful can take over our lives. The word pride is defined as having a high opinion of one's own importance, merit, or superiority, which is cherished in the mind and eventually displayed through their conduct. The more proud one becomes the higher the opinion of themselves, the more it is displayed through their actions. Ever get around someone who is too proud of themselves? They are arrogant, demanding, and unbearable to be around. We are to be humble through our success, to be humble means to be meek and modest, sure it is okay to feel good about a job well done, but we can not let our pride take over to the point that it destroys us. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” - Proverbs 16:18,19.
Haman, was the most powerful assistant to the king, he was by no means godly or humble, but is a perfect example of just how destructive pride is. Haman despised the Jews and had issued a decree to execute all in Babylon, one particular Jew that he despised the most was Mordecai. Day and night Mordecai stood in front of the palace gates, determined to get the king to overturn the execution some how. Finally queen Esther got word of what was going on, Mordecai pleaded with Esther to go to the king to save her people. Since no one knew that Esther was a Jew she was fearful and reminded him that Persian law stated that anyone who approached the king uninvited could be put to death. However, she requested that Mordecai get all the Jews together for three days of fasting and prayer while she and her servants did the same. “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:1-3, 13-16. There comes a time in every battle that we just need to stop, take a deep breath and get with God. We can not face every battle alone, we might be able to get help from people, but there are some things that only God can do and when it gets to that point, it's all about fasting and praying.
Three days later, queen Esther stood in the inner court of the king's house and waited to see if she would face life or death. The king welcomed her and offered to grant her request, the only thing she requested was a banquet with him and Haman. “Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.” - Esther 5:1-4. The king not only welcomed Esther, he said he would give her anything he asked and also gave her half the kingdom. Amazingly, God is the same way with all of His people. He will bless anyone who humbly goes before Him in prayer.
During the banquet, curious as to why the queen wanted Haman to join them for dinner, asked what she was requesting. Oddly enough all she asked for was a second banquet with the two of them. After Haman left the palace he gloated over being the only one there and on top of that he bragged about killing the Jews, making a special noose just to hang Mordecai with. “And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.” - Esther 5:11-14. Haman was so busy bragging on himself that he could not see the dangers lying ahead of him. People who are stuck on themselves are fools, they think they have everyone wrapped around their little finger, but the only people they really have on their side is egomaniac, wannabes trying to be like them. Sooner or later all egos will be crushed.
Now, during the second banquet the king once again asked the queen what she requested. This time she was begging for the king to save her life as well as the rest of the Jews. “And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:..And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.” - Esther 7:2,3,7-9. Haman was found out, all his wicked plans to execute the Jews was revealed. The king not only saved the queens life, but all the Jews and on top of that he was executed himself on the same noose that was meant for Mordecai. Haman let his pride kill him, he got so big headed about his successes that he became a danger to himself. Everyone gets their ego lifted or hurt from time to time, but we can not let it become controlled by pride. Be humble, trust and keep your eyes on Jesus and you will be and remain successful in all you do.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
P.S. Once again I am sorry for the late post, all will be back to normal posting times starting Monday morning. Thank you for your patience and understanding. God bless you.
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Today is Sunday June 13, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Esther, chapters 4-7. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-june-13
Today's Message: A Life Controlled by Pride
People of the world have no idea just how successful Christians become by serving and standing by our faith in God. Yes, God wants all His children to be successful, in fact, our greatest success in life is our salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, but He also allows us to be successful in our daily lives as well. In fact, the more we serve Him the more successful we can become. However, we have to be careful of our success, that nasty little thing called pride can sneak in and if we are not careful can take over our lives. The word pride is defined as having a high opinion of one's own importance, merit, or superiority, which is cherished in the mind and eventually displayed through their conduct. The more proud one becomes the higher the opinion of themselves, the more it is displayed through their actions. Ever get around someone who is too proud of themselves? They are arrogant, demanding, and unbearable to be around. We are to be humble through our success, to be humble means to be meek and modest, sure it is okay to feel good about a job well done, but we can not let our pride take over to the point that it destroys us. “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” - Proverbs 16:18,19.
Haman, was the most powerful assistant to the king, he was by no means godly or humble, but is a perfect example of just how destructive pride is. Haman despised the Jews and had issued a decree to execute all in Babylon, one particular Jew that he despised the most was Mordecai. Day and night Mordecai stood in front of the palace gates, determined to get the king to overturn the execution some how. Finally queen Esther got word of what was going on, Mordecai pleaded with Esther to go to the king to save her people. Since no one knew that Esther was a Jew she was fearful and reminded him that Persian law stated that anyone who approached the king uninvited could be put to death. However, she requested that Mordecai get all the Jews together for three days of fasting and prayer while she and her servants did the same. “Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.” - Esther 4:1-3, 13-16. There comes a time in every battle that we just need to stop, take a deep breath and get with God. We can not face every battle alone, we might be able to get help from people, but there are some things that only God can do and when it gets to that point, it's all about fasting and praying.
Three days later, queen Esther stood in the inner court of the king's house and waited to see if she would face life or death. The king welcomed her and offered to grant her request, the only thing she requested was a banquet with him and Haman. “Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day unto the banquet that I have prepared for him.” - Esther 5:1-4. The king not only welcomed Esther, he said he would give her anything he asked and also gave her half the kingdom. Amazingly, God is the same way with all of His people. He will bless anyone who humbly goes before Him in prayer.
During the banquet, curious as to why the queen wanted Haman to join them for dinner, asked what she was requesting. Oddly enough all she asked for was a second banquet with the two of them. After Haman left the palace he gloated over being the only one there and on top of that he bragged about killing the Jews, making a special noose just to hang Mordecai with. “And Haman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to morrow am I invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends unto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.” - Esther 5:11-14. Haman was so busy bragging on himself that he could not see the dangers lying ahead of him. People who are stuck on themselves are fools, they think they have everyone wrapped around their little finger, but the only people they really have on their side is egomaniac, wannabes trying to be like them. Sooner or later all egos will be crushed.
Now, during the second banquet the king once again asked the queen what she requested. This time she was begging for the king to save her life as well as the rest of the Jews. “And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the kingdom. Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:..And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon.” - Esther 7:2,3,7-9. Haman was found out, all his wicked plans to execute the Jews was revealed. The king not only saved the queens life, but all the Jews and on top of that he was executed himself on the same noose that was meant for Mordecai. Haman let his pride kill him, he got so big headed about his successes that he became a danger to himself. Everyone gets their ego lifted or hurt from time to time, but we can not let it become controlled by pride. Be humble, trust and keep your eyes on Jesus and you will be and remain successful in all you do.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
P.S. Once again I am sorry for the late post, all will be back to normal posting times starting Monday morning. Thank you for your patience and understanding. God bless you.
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