Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Saturday October 9, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 21-22. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-9 In today's Bible reading we will read about, the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, Jesus cleansing the Temple of God, Jesus teaching in the Temple, more parables and the resurrection are explained.
Today's Message: Allowing Christ to Abide in Us
As Christians, it is a wonderful comfort to know that no matter what we have done or will even do in the future that we do not have to worry about where we are going when our time here on earth is complete. It is not our works that get us to heaven, but our faith, acknowledgment, and trust in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that gets us to heaven. If you do not know Christ, you do not know God. The Bible says, “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” -I John 2:23-25. While our works do not get us eternal life, they do get us to remain faithful and allow Christ to abide in us. Since Jesus came here in the flesh to show us how to live in the will of God, it is important that we allow Him into our lives beyond salvation and do the things that He did.
Word had gotten around all over the country about the amazing and wonderful things that Jesus was doing for the Jews and even Gentiles, so, naturally when He came into Jerusalem he was cheered and praised upon entering. The first thing Jesus did when He entered Jerusalem was go into the Temple of God. “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.” - Matthew 21:12-14.
The people were buying and selling worldly things in the Temple, that was to be used just for worshiping God, Jesus cast all of them out and destroyed all the tables. Now, do not get this confused with giving tithe, giving tithe helps keep the church maintained and helps minister to the people, but selling things in the church for personal gain is what has Jesus all fired up. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” - Malachi 3:8-10.
Just as Jesus cleansed the Temple we too our to cleanse our Temples, God no longer dwells in a building, but in every person who accepts Christ as their Savior. We are to cast away all things that defile our Temples. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” - I Corinthians 3:16,17.
The amazing thing is that the more we allow Christ to abide in us the more faith we have in Him, the more blessings we receive. Jesus explains this further through a mere fig tree. “Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”- Matthew 21:18-22.
As our faith in Jesus grows we learn to trust Him more and lessen our doubt that He can deliver the things we are asking Him for. When we pray, we must pray as though we see it right before our eyes and that is the faith that gets prayers answered. “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6.
Once again, all are invited and encouraged to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, but not everyone will accept. Jesus explains this further in this parable, “And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage....And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.”-Matthew 22:1-4,11-14.
Receiving Christ as our Savior is much like a wedding, God is the King, and we are all invited to a wedding feast, Jesus is the Son and bridegroom, we are His bride, just as a man and woman become one when they marry, we become one with Christ when we ask Him to save us. The man that did not have on the wedding garment, was a person who hoped in his works to get him to heaven, but did not actually receive Him as his Savior. No matter who we are or what we do for God, unless we have accept His invitation we will be cast into the darkness (fire). “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:14,15.
When we allow Christ to abide (remain, continue) in us there is no better way to live, we not only learn the true meaning of what He actually sacrificed to give us eternal life, we also find peace, comfort, and and amazing blessings because we allowed Him to lead us. “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” - I John 3:22 Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
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Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Bible Study: Do Not Be Offended
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Thursday October 07, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 18-20. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-8 In today's Bible reading we will read about, conversion, entering in the kingdom of heaven, humility, forgiveness, lost sheep, and the parable of the householder (employer).
Today's Message: Do Not Be Offended
The word offend means to hurt, annoy, anger, or cause resentful displeasure in a person, since we all have this human flesh among us we all have been or have offended someone over the years. You know, it does not matter how much you try to please people, you can not please everyone, therefore, it is important that you remain positive and keep doing what you are doing. The Bible says, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.” - Psalm 119:165,166.
When we follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ the things that use to offend us shall come to pass and we learn that we are not as easily offended. The truth is this, people get offended when they are living in sin, another meaning for the word offend is to cause to fall into sinful ways. Jesus stresses the importance of humbling ourselves and removing the offensives in our lives, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” -Matthew 18:3-6.
Little children represent innocence and dependance, when we are little children we are unaware of sin, we still have a sin nature, but we are ignorant to the corruptible things that cause us to sin or offend immorally, therefore, we are dependent upon our parents. God is our Father, therefore, we are to humble ourselves as little children, become dependent upon Him to remove the offenses, and receive Christ as our Savior. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” - Colossians 3:12,13.
Even if we are saved that does not mean that we are never going to sin again, there are many ways that we sin and are unaware that it is sin, things such as being slothful, overeating, gossiping, and even doubting God are sin as well. Sin is sin in the eyes of God and causes serious consequences, for instance, gossip can seriously wreck a persons life, therefore, Jesus warns against offending people. “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!...Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”- Matthew 18:7,11.
Christ came into the world to save lost souls, and He will stop anyone who interferes with those who are trying to find Him. Considering the cunning and malice of Satan and the weakness and depravity of the heart, we are going to offend from time to time. God allows Satan to send temptations our way in order to teach us and show us that we need to be dependent upon Him in every area of our lives. There will be temptations, persecutors, and even bad examples constantly trying to hinder our relationship with God, but we must on constant guard as well. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” - Ephesians 6:11,12.
Christ will save anyone who comes to Him, of course, not everyone will come to Him, but all are encouraged. Jesus explained why some people will not enter God's kingdom, even if they are serving God. “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments....The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”-Matthew 18:16-18,20-26.
God has no problem giving His children money, He knows it is a necessity, however, He also knows that the more we have the less we rely on Him. A person that is born into money or has gotten it outside of God's will rarely seeks help from God, oh, they may go to church, give tithes, and even volunteer once in a while, but they rely on the material things they have gotten instead of God. I have this friend at church who grew up in church all her life, she said that sometimes it is hard for her to understand the blessings that God gives her because she never had to experience life without God in it. Well, the same thing rings true for those who have everything without God in their lives. The only way we are going to see God's blessings is first, by knowing and accepting Christ into our lives and second, learning to acknowledge and depend on Him in every area of our lives, even when things seem to be going well. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” - I Timothy 6:17.
Many people rely on works to get them to heaven and sadly they are being taught that they can lose their salvation unless they pay a certain amount of money or live a certain way. This is false, there is only one way to heaven and salvation and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to heaven and it is available to all whether they have been born as a Christian of just became one a second before they died. To explain this Jesus gives a parable about an employer of his vineyard, “And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?...But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee....So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. ” -Matthew 20:2-6,13-14,16.
Every time the man came out to see how his employees were doing he saw more people looking for work, the same agreement applied to them, therefore, all would receive a penny a day regardless of how long or how much they worked. The moral of the story is this, some people will receive Christ and serve Him early in their lives, some will later, and some will just receive Him and that is all they will do, but every person who calls on Jesus to save them, regardless of whether or not they serve Him receives the same gift and opportunity of eternal life as the rest of us. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation....For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:9,10,13. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Today is Thursday October 07, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 18-20. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-8 In today's Bible reading we will read about, conversion, entering in the kingdom of heaven, humility, forgiveness, lost sheep, and the parable of the householder (employer).
Today's Message: Do Not Be Offended
The word offend means to hurt, annoy, anger, or cause resentful displeasure in a person, since we all have this human flesh among us we all have been or have offended someone over the years. You know, it does not matter how much you try to please people, you can not please everyone, therefore, it is important that you remain positive and keep doing what you are doing. The Bible says, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.” - Psalm 119:165,166.
When we follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ the things that use to offend us shall come to pass and we learn that we are not as easily offended. The truth is this, people get offended when they are living in sin, another meaning for the word offend is to cause to fall into sinful ways. Jesus stresses the importance of humbling ourselves and removing the offensives in our lives, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” -Matthew 18:3-6.
Little children represent innocence and dependance, when we are little children we are unaware of sin, we still have a sin nature, but we are ignorant to the corruptible things that cause us to sin or offend immorally, therefore, we are dependent upon our parents. God is our Father, therefore, we are to humble ourselves as little children, become dependent upon Him to remove the offenses, and receive Christ as our Savior. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” - Colossians 3:12,13.
Even if we are saved that does not mean that we are never going to sin again, there are many ways that we sin and are unaware that it is sin, things such as being slothful, overeating, gossiping, and even doubting God are sin as well. Sin is sin in the eyes of God and causes serious consequences, for instance, gossip can seriously wreck a persons life, therefore, Jesus warns against offending people. “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!...Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”- Matthew 18:7,11.
Christ came into the world to save lost souls, and He will stop anyone who interferes with those who are trying to find Him. Considering the cunning and malice of Satan and the weakness and depravity of the heart, we are going to offend from time to time. God allows Satan to send temptations our way in order to teach us and show us that we need to be dependent upon Him in every area of our lives. There will be temptations, persecutors, and even bad examples constantly trying to hinder our relationship with God, but we must on constant guard as well. “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” - Ephesians 6:11,12.
Christ will save anyone who comes to Him, of course, not everyone will come to Him, but all are encouraged. Jesus explained why some people will not enter God's kingdom, even if they are serving God. “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments....The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”-Matthew 18:16-18,20-26.
God has no problem giving His children money, He knows it is a necessity, however, He also knows that the more we have the less we rely on Him. A person that is born into money or has gotten it outside of God's will rarely seeks help from God, oh, they may go to church, give tithes, and even volunteer once in a while, but they rely on the material things they have gotten instead of God. I have this friend at church who grew up in church all her life, she said that sometimes it is hard for her to understand the blessings that God gives her because she never had to experience life without God in it. Well, the same thing rings true for those who have everything without God in their lives. The only way we are going to see God's blessings is first, by knowing and accepting Christ into our lives and second, learning to acknowledge and depend on Him in every area of our lives, even when things seem to be going well. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” - I Timothy 6:17.
Many people rely on works to get them to heaven and sadly they are being taught that they can lose their salvation unless they pay a certain amount of money or live a certain way. This is false, there is only one way to heaven and salvation and that is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only way to heaven and it is available to all whether they have been born as a Christian of just became one a second before they died. To explain this Jesus gives a parable about an employer of his vineyard, “And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?...But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee....So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. ” -Matthew 20:2-6,13-14,16.
Every time the man came out to see how his employees were doing he saw more people looking for work, the same agreement applied to them, therefore, all would receive a penny a day regardless of how long or how much they worked. The moral of the story is this, some people will receive Christ and serve Him early in their lives, some will later, and some will just receive Him and that is all they will do, but every person who calls on Jesus to save them, regardless of whether or not they serve Him receives the same gift and opportunity of eternal life as the rest of us. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation....For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:9,10,13. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Bible Study: Following Traditions
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Thursday October 07, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 15-17. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-7. In today's Bible reading we will read about, Jesus rebuking the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus feeding 4000 men, Jesus coming to save everyone, the transfiguration of Jesus, and the disciples unbelief.
Today's Message: Following Traditions
The word tradition is defined as handing down the same customs, practices, beliefs, and information by word of mouth from generation to generation. The key to a tradition is, “by word of mouth”, regardless of whether or not we know something to be true, it is by what we hear others tell us by the mouth that makes it a tradition. Why? Because people will act upon what they hear, if a person hears from someone else that it is okay to do something, especially if it is someone they trust, then they will do it, continuing the tradition onto the next generation.
Everything we do in life needs to line up with the Word of God, including the traditions we follow, just because we follow a tradition from our family it does not mean that it lines up with the Word of God, in fact, most do not, they are just family traditions. When the scribes and Pharisees questioned Jesus about His disciples violation of the elders traditions, He said, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” - Matthew 15:3-6.
Jesus confronted them about their violating the fifth commandment by altering God's law to fit their needs. Additions to God's laws reflect upon His wisdom, as if He had left out something which was needed, which man could supply. How thankful ought we to be for the written Word of God! We are to never follow the traditions of others who claim that there are missing words or books missing from the Bible and especially wrote their own versions. This is not following God's Law, it's following mans, and will always lead us to in one way or other to disobey God. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” - Colossians 2:8.
Jesus continues and explains how God's law gets changed, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man....Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” - Matthew 15:8-11,17-19.
Many religions talk about Christ and even His death, but they do not acknowledge His burial and resurrection. And those that do acknowledge it, add to or take away from the doctrine of the Gospel. This is vain worship and following the traditions of man, in other words, following what others tell them instead of the truth from the Word of God. How do they even get to that point? Not following God with all their heart. Following God halfheartedly always leads to man altering His Word to fit their lifestyle, not altering their lifestyle to fit His Word. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” -Romans 2:20,21.
If we want to follow God's traditions, first, we must believe in the Gospel, secondly, we must be saved, and third, we must live by Every Word of God. Those who are not saved are those who question the Bible and alter it to fit their needs. Those who are saved live by or work to live by Every Word of God. Man's traditions also deceive people into thinking that they have to be a particular religion or race in order to be saved. Christ saves all and this is shown when a Caanite woman came to Him, “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” - Matthew 15:22-28.
Jesus was testing this woman's faith, the children represent the Jews, the bread represents Jesus, who is the bread of life, and the dogs represent the Gentiles. He said, “I was sent here for the Jews, why should I give my bread to the Gentiles?” The woman persisted, worshiped Jesus, pleaded for His help, and acknowledged that she was aware that He was sent to save the Jews, but even dogs get to eat the crumbs from the table, even though I am not a Jew I am willing to accept whatever I can get. Jesus saw her faith and healed her daughter. It does not matter if we were born of the Jews or Gentiles, Jesus came to save all and saves all who believes in Him. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” -I Corinthians 12:13.
We all have family traditions, but it is important to realize that if you are saved you are heirs with Christ, making you family, which means the most important family tradition to follow is that of Jesus Christ. “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” - Galatians 4:7. Since we are heirs with Christ we need to be aware that some of the customs, practices, and beliefs that we use to follow are ones that we need to avoid.“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil...And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” - II Thessalonians 3:3,5,6.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
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Today is Thursday October 07, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 15-17. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-7. In today's Bible reading we will read about, Jesus rebuking the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus feeding 4000 men, Jesus coming to save everyone, the transfiguration of Jesus, and the disciples unbelief.
Today's Message: Following Traditions
The word tradition is defined as handing down the same customs, practices, beliefs, and information by word of mouth from generation to generation. The key to a tradition is, “by word of mouth”, regardless of whether or not we know something to be true, it is by what we hear others tell us by the mouth that makes it a tradition. Why? Because people will act upon what they hear, if a person hears from someone else that it is okay to do something, especially if it is someone they trust, then they will do it, continuing the tradition onto the next generation.
Everything we do in life needs to line up with the Word of God, including the traditions we follow, just because we follow a tradition from our family it does not mean that it lines up with the Word of God, in fact, most do not, they are just family traditions. When the scribes and Pharisees questioned Jesus about His disciples violation of the elders traditions, He said, “Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.” - Matthew 15:3-6.
Jesus confronted them about their violating the fifth commandment by altering God's law to fit their needs. Additions to God's laws reflect upon His wisdom, as if He had left out something which was needed, which man could supply. How thankful ought we to be for the written Word of God! We are to never follow the traditions of others who claim that there are missing words or books missing from the Bible and especially wrote their own versions. This is not following God's Law, it's following mans, and will always lead us to in one way or other to disobey God. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” - Colossians 2:8.
Jesus continues and explains how God's law gets changed, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man....Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” - Matthew 15:8-11,17-19.
Many religions talk about Christ and even His death, but they do not acknowledge His burial and resurrection. And those that do acknowledge it, add to or take away from the doctrine of the Gospel. This is vain worship and following the traditions of man, in other words, following what others tell them instead of the truth from the Word of God. How do they even get to that point? Not following God with all their heart. Following God halfheartedly always leads to man altering His Word to fit their lifestyle, not altering their lifestyle to fit His Word. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” -Romans 2:20,21.
If we want to follow God's traditions, first, we must believe in the Gospel, secondly, we must be saved, and third, we must live by Every Word of God. Those who are not saved are those who question the Bible and alter it to fit their needs. Those who are saved live by or work to live by Every Word of God. Man's traditions also deceive people into thinking that they have to be a particular religion or race in order to be saved. Christ saves all and this is shown when a Caanite woman came to Him, “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.” - Matthew 15:22-28.
Jesus was testing this woman's faith, the children represent the Jews, the bread represents Jesus, who is the bread of life, and the dogs represent the Gentiles. He said, “I was sent here for the Jews, why should I give my bread to the Gentiles?” The woman persisted, worshiped Jesus, pleaded for His help, and acknowledged that she was aware that He was sent to save the Jews, but even dogs get to eat the crumbs from the table, even though I am not a Jew I am willing to accept whatever I can get. Jesus saw her faith and healed her daughter. It does not matter if we were born of the Jews or Gentiles, Jesus came to save all and saves all who believes in Him. “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” -I Corinthians 12:13.
We all have family traditions, but it is important to realize that if you are saved you are heirs with Christ, making you family, which means the most important family tradition to follow is that of Jesus Christ. “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” - Galatians 4:7. Since we are heirs with Christ we need to be aware that some of the customs, practices, and beliefs that we use to follow are ones that we need to avoid.“But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil...And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” - II Thessalonians 3:3,5,6.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
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Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Bible Study: Be Not Conformed
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Wednesday October 06, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 13-14. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-6. In today's Bible reading we will read about Jesus teaching in and explaining His reason for talking in parables, the parable of the sower, the death of John the Baptist, Jesus feeding 5000, and Jesus saves Peter from the rough seas.
Today's Message: Be Not Conformed
A parable is a short story that uses familiar events aimed to teach truth and morality, Jesus often spoke in parables. He wanted people to see how simple it was to live life for God the right way and still enjoy life. To be moral means to have respect for yourself, to go against what the world sees as normal and respect the body and mind that the Lord gave you. Anytime a person conforms to the standards of the world by wearing clothes that reveal the nakedness of the body, listening to music that only livens the flesh, and gives their body away to anyone is not only disrespecting the body God gave them, but also disrespecting God. The Bible says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” -Romans 12:1,2.
God makes it simple for us to get into His Kingdom, accept that you are a sinner, believe in His Son, confess that you are a sinner, and ask Jesus to save you from your sins. However, man makes it more complicated, they add in that you need to do all these things to get to heaven and throw in these extra rules that are not from God and tell you that if you will not follow them you will lose your right to heaven. Can I tell you that being moral does not get you to heaven, only Jesus does, but once we do get saved it is up to us whether or not we become transformed by what we have learned. Jesus explains how people receive this simple truth through a sower sowing seeds, “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” - Matthew 13:4-8.
No matter how much we learn through God's Word there is always more to learn and we are going to have some questions concerning what we read. Jesus' disciples were right there with Him in the flesh and they still had questions. They asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand....For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” - Matthew 13:11-13,15.
What Jesus is saying here is that He speaks in parables to make things easier to understand for those who are willing to be taught, but makes them harder for those who are willingly ignorant. He knows that those who really have no interest in what He is saying is not really listening, but those who do will hear and see what He is saying and be saved. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:...And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” - Ephesians 4:17,18,23,24.
Jesus also explains to the disciples who the sower is, “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also....He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” - Matthew 13:24-26,37-42.
The sower is Jesus, the field is the corruptible world, and the tares or weeds are Satan. There are going to be many weeds among us to corrupt us, some will remain faithful to God, some will get saved and will fall from God's grace, but when Jesus returns, those who truly believed in and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior will be found and saved from the fire. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” -I Peter 1:18-23.
The great thing is when we allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives He is always watching over us and even if we fall He is right there waiting for us to return to Him. “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” - Matthew 14:25-32. Jesus is not going to save anyone that does not want to be saved, but He will save all who ask Him to save them. We have faith in Jesus to save us, let's have faith in Him to lead us and guide us to the simple, moral, incorruptible, life that God truly blesses to those who believe in His Son.“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” - Revelation 22:13. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
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Today is Wednesday October 06, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 13-14. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-6. In today's Bible reading we will read about Jesus teaching in and explaining His reason for talking in parables, the parable of the sower, the death of John the Baptist, Jesus feeding 5000, and Jesus saves Peter from the rough seas.
Today's Message: Be Not Conformed
A parable is a short story that uses familiar events aimed to teach truth and morality, Jesus often spoke in parables. He wanted people to see how simple it was to live life for God the right way and still enjoy life. To be moral means to have respect for yourself, to go against what the world sees as normal and respect the body and mind that the Lord gave you. Anytime a person conforms to the standards of the world by wearing clothes that reveal the nakedness of the body, listening to music that only livens the flesh, and gives their body away to anyone is not only disrespecting the body God gave them, but also disrespecting God. The Bible says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” -Romans 12:1,2.
God makes it simple for us to get into His Kingdom, accept that you are a sinner, believe in His Son, confess that you are a sinner, and ask Jesus to save you from your sins. However, man makes it more complicated, they add in that you need to do all these things to get to heaven and throw in these extra rules that are not from God and tell you that if you will not follow them you will lose your right to heaven. Can I tell you that being moral does not get you to heaven, only Jesus does, but once we do get saved it is up to us whether or not we become transformed by what we have learned. Jesus explains how people receive this simple truth through a sower sowing seeds, “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.” - Matthew 13:4-8.
No matter how much we learn through God's Word there is always more to learn and we are going to have some questions concerning what we read. Jesus' disciples were right there with Him in the flesh and they still had questions. They asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, “He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand....For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” - Matthew 13:11-13,15.
What Jesus is saying here is that He speaks in parables to make things easier to understand for those who are willing to be taught, but makes them harder for those who are willingly ignorant. He knows that those who really have no interest in what He is saying is not really listening, but those who do will hear and see what He is saying and be saved. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:...And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” - Ephesians 4:17,18,23,24.
Jesus also explains to the disciples who the sower is, “Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also....He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” - Matthew 13:24-26,37-42.
The sower is Jesus, the field is the corruptible world, and the tares or weeds are Satan. There are going to be many weeds among us to corrupt us, some will remain faithful to God, some will get saved and will fall from God's grace, but when Jesus returns, those who truly believed in and accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior will be found and saved from the fire. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” -I Peter 1:18-23.
The great thing is when we allow Jesus to be Lord of our lives He is always watching over us and even if we fall He is right there waiting for us to return to Him. “And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” - Matthew 14:25-32. Jesus is not going to save anyone that does not want to be saved, but He will save all who ask Him to save them. We have faith in Jesus to save us, let's have faith in Him to lead us and guide us to the simple, moral, incorruptible, life that God truly blesses to those who believe in His Son.“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” - Revelation 22:13. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
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Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Bible Study: Opposition & The Devil
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Tuesday October 05, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapter 12. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-5
In Today's Bible Reading: Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, the Pharisees controversy with Jesus, Jesus explaining the one unpardonable sin, Jesus foretelling His death, burial, and resurrection, and a member of the family of Jesus.
Today's Message: Opposition & The Devil
As Christians we are constantly facing opposition over our faith in Jesus Christ, we even have family members that mock us and treat us like we have the plague or something because we stand by our faith in Him that live in the world. You know, it is actually a good thing that we have the opposition that we do? If we did not have the opposition that we have then would not be able to understand the importance of even having faith in Jesus. The Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” -I Peter 5:8-10. The devil will use anyone he can to get us to agree with him and walk away from God, but by remaining faithful to God, he can not stand. The more opposition we face from the devil the more we know we are following the will of God.
If we are facing opposition can you imagine the opposition that Jesus got Himself, the Pharisees were the largest group of Jews and the most influential. Their religion centered around obedience to the law, which they added to over the years, and oral traditional law interpreted for the people to be of God, and enforced it upon the people. This time the Pharisees were opposing the disciples picking corn in the field on the Sabbath, “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. ” - Matthew 12:1-8.
The Sabbath was a day of rest, no labor of any kind was allowed, they were not even allowed to cook a meal, so, when the disciples began picking the corn the Pharisees saw it as breaking the law. Religious people try to throw you off by knowing a little bit about Scripture, but they do not tell you all of it so, you are left putting your trust in them to show you what they believe the truth to be. Jesus is the Lord, He is not going to make us do something that goes against God and His Word. That is why it is so important to read the Bible for yourself and find a church that actually follows the doctrine of the Bible, not those made by man. “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do....Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” - I Timothy 1:4,9-11.
When Jesus healed on the Sabbath He got opposition from that as well, the Pharisees actually tried to tell the people that He was the son of Satan. “Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” -Matthew 12:22-28.
What Jesus is saying here is that if He were the son of Satan He would be casting out everyone that was evil and opposed God and if He did that then there would be no one left, but God's people. So, naturally Satan is not going to cast away those who believe as he does because there would be no one left to take away from God and he would be cast out. The Christian life is a constant battle between good and evil, but it is our faith and trust in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that gets us in the Kingdom of God. Worldly people and false religion will always oppose the Gospel.
“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.” - Matthew 12:38-41.
The world seeks a sign in front of them that God exists and that the Gospel is true, but but true Christians live by faith, holding on the the Gospel. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen....But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:1,5. It is only by our faith in Him that we can see wonderful things happening in our lives right before our eyes.
I can not stress enough how important it is for all to realize that religion is the biggest downfall of Christianity and will be what destroys the world. Religion goes well beyond Christianity, religious leaders create their own rules, books, and even gods, those who create occults and even evolution is a religion. Many so called Christian religions also make up their own rules rather than do what the Bible says. Oh, they read a little bit of Scripture to deceive the people, but have no idea what it means to be a Christian, in fact, religion is what actually led to Jesus being crucified. We are going to face opposition from the devil because we follow Christ, but it is a good thing because we are now family with Christ. All who believe in and accept Him into their lives become family with Jesus and God's Kingdom. “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”-Matthew 12:46-50. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
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Today is Tuesday October 05, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapter 12. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-5
In Today's Bible Reading: Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath, the Pharisees controversy with Jesus, Jesus explaining the one unpardonable sin, Jesus foretelling His death, burial, and resurrection, and a member of the family of Jesus.
Today's Message: Opposition & The Devil
As Christians we are constantly facing opposition over our faith in Jesus Christ, we even have family members that mock us and treat us like we have the plague or something because we stand by our faith in Him that live in the world. You know, it is actually a good thing that we have the opposition that we do? If we did not have the opposition that we have then would not be able to understand the importance of even having faith in Jesus. The Bible says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” -I Peter 5:8-10. The devil will use anyone he can to get us to agree with him and walk away from God, but by remaining faithful to God, he can not stand. The more opposition we face from the devil the more we know we are following the will of God.
If we are facing opposition can you imagine the opposition that Jesus got Himself, the Pharisees were the largest group of Jews and the most influential. Their religion centered around obedience to the law, which they added to over the years, and oral traditional law interpreted for the people to be of God, and enforced it upon the people. This time the Pharisees were opposing the disciples picking corn in the field on the Sabbath, “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. ” - Matthew 12:1-8.
The Sabbath was a day of rest, no labor of any kind was allowed, they were not even allowed to cook a meal, so, when the disciples began picking the corn the Pharisees saw it as breaking the law. Religious people try to throw you off by knowing a little bit about Scripture, but they do not tell you all of it so, you are left putting your trust in them to show you what they believe the truth to be. Jesus is the Lord, He is not going to make us do something that goes against God and His Word. That is why it is so important to read the Bible for yourself and find a church that actually follows the doctrine of the Bible, not those made by man. “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do....Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” - I Timothy 1:4,9-11.
When Jesus healed on the Sabbath He got opposition from that as well, the Pharisees actually tried to tell the people that He was the son of Satan. “Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.” -Matthew 12:22-28.
What Jesus is saying here is that if He were the son of Satan He would be casting out everyone that was evil and opposed God and if He did that then there would be no one left, but God's people. So, naturally Satan is not going to cast away those who believe as he does because there would be no one left to take away from God and he would be cast out. The Christian life is a constant battle between good and evil, but it is our faith and trust in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ that gets us in the Kingdom of God. Worldly people and false religion will always oppose the Gospel.
“Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.” - Matthew 12:38-41.
The world seeks a sign in front of them that God exists and that the Gospel is true, but but true Christians live by faith, holding on the the Gospel. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen....But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” - Hebrews 11:1,5. It is only by our faith in Him that we can see wonderful things happening in our lives right before our eyes.
I can not stress enough how important it is for all to realize that religion is the biggest downfall of Christianity and will be what destroys the world. Religion goes well beyond Christianity, religious leaders create their own rules, books, and even gods, those who create occults and even evolution is a religion. Many so called Christian religions also make up their own rules rather than do what the Bible says. Oh, they read a little bit of Scripture to deceive the people, but have no idea what it means to be a Christian, in fact, religion is what actually led to Jesus being crucified. We are going to face opposition from the devil because we follow Christ, but it is a good thing because we are now family with Christ. All who believe in and accept Him into their lives become family with Jesus and God's Kingdom. “While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”-Matthew 12:46-50. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
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Monday, October 4, 2010
God, The Servant
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Monday October 04, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 10-11. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-4
In Today's Bible Reading: Jesus sends His twelve apostles on a mission, questions from John the Baptist, Jesus declares judgment upon the unrepentant cities, and Jesus gives all an invitation.
Today's Message: God, The Servant
Did you know that Jesus, although the Son of God, was a servant? In fact, it was God Himself who came here in the flesh of Jesus to be a servant to us? “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” -Philippians 2:5-8. Does that sound impossible? With God, nothing is impossible. God is omnipresent, meaning He can show up everywhere at the same time and still do some miraculous things in every place. If He can heal a thousand people from all over the world He can most certainly come here in the flesh and be a servant.
Why would He do that when He has so much power? His love for us. He loves us so much that He would rather give His life for us than to see us end up in hell. He came here to show us that even though we carry around this wretched flesh we can still live right and serve God. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man....For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” - Hebrews 2:9,16-18.
So, what exactly is a servant? A servant is a person that is employed by another person, in other words, when we serve God we are employed by Him. Can you think of anyone better to work for? Jesus had a job for the apostles, an apostle is a disciple that worked with Jesus in the flesh, they were to go out and preach the Gospel.
“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand...Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet...For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” - Matthew 10:7,10-14,20.
The apostles were to visit everyone in the city they were visiting and present them with the Gospel. They were instructed to just bring themselves to the door and offer only the Gospel to them. He advised them that some will accept them and the Gospel, while others will not, but keep going, shake it off, do not take it personally, and understand that God is working through them. Jesus said, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” -Matthew 10:24-26.
A servant is not above his lord, in other words, an employer is not above his boss, if the boss gets a bad reputation so will the employer no matter how good the company is. The master of the household is God Himself, Beelzebub, is Satan, Satan is constantly attacking those whom work for God, Therefore, Jesus advises all who work for Him that they are not above Him, they will fave the same persecution that He did. However,
Jesus assures us that we do not need to fear what Satan tries to do to us because God will protect us, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 10:30-33.
All Christian's will face persecution at some point in our lives simply because they chose to follow Christ, those who are determined by faith, will not be intimidated or stopped by family members, friends, or fierce opposition against their Lord and Savior. They put their trust and protection in the Lord, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” -II Timothy 4:18.
Since we are all called to be God's servants, we must expect to enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations. However, we can not forget the master of the house, when we remain faithful to Him He will defend us from evil, and supply us with peace through it all. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:27-30. Our Savior has invited all that labor and are heavy-laden, to come to him. The convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror and the tempted and afflicted believer has labors and burdens. Christ invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone gives this invitation, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing His love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer.
If God can be a servant, that means we can be a servant as well, in fact, God has given every believer a job, the most important is to preach the Gospel to the lost, however, He gives us all an opportunity to serve Him in at least one other way. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” - Ephesians 4:11-13. The more we do to serve God the more knowledge we give to those who live in the world that a wonderful life can be lived with Jesus in it. Little by little I went from helping out a little bit at church to a soul winner, to a teacher, and now I sing in the church choir. I ran into an old friend I use to work with yesterday and when she heard all that I was doing she stopped and asked, how did you get from where you were to where you are now? I said, Jesus. Jesus was truly what I was missing in my life and I never want to go another day with Him not in it. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Today is Monday October 04, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 10-11. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-4
In Today's Bible Reading: Jesus sends His twelve apostles on a mission, questions from John the Baptist, Jesus declares judgment upon the unrepentant cities, and Jesus gives all an invitation.
Today's Message: God, The Servant
Did you know that Jesus, although the Son of God, was a servant? In fact, it was God Himself who came here in the flesh of Jesus to be a servant to us? “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” -Philippians 2:5-8. Does that sound impossible? With God, nothing is impossible. God is omnipresent, meaning He can show up everywhere at the same time and still do some miraculous things in every place. If He can heal a thousand people from all over the world He can most certainly come here in the flesh and be a servant.
Why would He do that when He has so much power? His love for us. He loves us so much that He would rather give His life for us than to see us end up in hell. He came here to show us that even though we carry around this wretched flesh we can still live right and serve God. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man....For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” - Hebrews 2:9,16-18.
So, what exactly is a servant? A servant is a person that is employed by another person, in other words, when we serve God we are employed by Him. Can you think of anyone better to work for? Jesus had a job for the apostles, an apostle is a disciple that worked with Jesus in the flesh, they were to go out and preach the Gospel.
“And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand...Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat. And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet...For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” - Matthew 10:7,10-14,20.
The apostles were to visit everyone in the city they were visiting and present them with the Gospel. They were instructed to just bring themselves to the door and offer only the Gospel to them. He advised them that some will accept them and the Gospel, while others will not, but keep going, shake it off, do not take it personally, and understand that God is working through them. Jesus said, “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” -Matthew 10:24-26.
A servant is not above his lord, in other words, an employer is not above his boss, if the boss gets a bad reputation so will the employer no matter how good the company is. The master of the household is God Himself, Beelzebub, is Satan, Satan is constantly attacking those whom work for God, Therefore, Jesus advises all who work for Him that they are not above Him, they will fave the same persecution that He did. However,
Jesus assures us that we do not need to fear what Satan tries to do to us because God will protect us, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 10:30-33.
All Christian's will face persecution at some point in our lives simply because they chose to follow Christ, those who are determined by faith, will not be intimidated or stopped by family members, friends, or fierce opposition against their Lord and Savior. They put their trust and protection in the Lord, “And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” -II Timothy 4:18.
Since we are all called to be God's servants, we must expect to enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations. However, we can not forget the master of the house, when we remain faithful to Him He will defend us from evil, and supply us with peace through it all. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:27-30. Our Savior has invited all that labor and are heavy-laden, to come to him. The convinced sinner is heavy-laden with guilt and terror and the tempted and afflicted believer has labors and burdens. Christ invites all to come to him for rest to their souls. He alone gives this invitation, when, feeling their guilt and misery, and believing His love and power to help, they seek him in fervent prayer.
If God can be a servant, that means we can be a servant as well, in fact, God has given every believer a job, the most important is to preach the Gospel to the lost, however, He gives us all an opportunity to serve Him in at least one other way. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” - Ephesians 4:11-13. The more we do to serve God the more knowledge we give to those who live in the world that a wonderful life can be lived with Jesus in it. Little by little I went from helping out a little bit at church to a soul winner, to a teacher, and now I sing in the church choir. I ran into an old friend I use to work with yesterday and when she heard all that I was doing she stopped and asked, how did you get from where you were to where you are now? I said, Jesus. Jesus was truly what I was missing in my life and I never want to go another day with Him not in it. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Bible Study: Dead or Alive 10.03.10
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Sunday October 03, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 7-9. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-3
In Today's Bible Reading: Jesus continues His sermon on the Mount, Jesus calming the storm, and Jesus healing and preaching the Gospel.
Today's Message: Dead or Alive
If you think that you never have a second to yourself think of how Jesus must have felt when He was constantly approached. He could not get to one stop to help someone without having several people stop Him in between on the way. The amazing thing is that Jesus loves helping people, He will help anyone who calls Him for help. What is the key to Jesus saving and healing so many people? Faith. The Bible says, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” - James 2:18-20,26. The path that leads to eternal life is more than just joining a church, paying tithes, or helping others, as good as these works are, without faith in the Lord Jesus Christ our works are dead.
True followers of Christ are not perfect, but have faith in, accepted, and follow Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. Life is not easy, there are so many temptations and circumstances in the world that it is impossible to handle them all on our own. Why do you think that there are so many people addicted to drugs, alcohol, and living immoral lives? We need someone to show us and guide us through all these trials in life. Jesus said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” - Matthew 7:11-14.
Jesus is who gives life to a dead spirit, it is not always easy to follow Christ, but imagine how much more joyful life is when we allow Him to lead and guide us, especially through our suffering. We have to accept that whether we live for Christ or not we are still going to suffer from time to time, Christ suffered as well, no one suffered more than He did, but He got through it and lived to tell about it. If we allow Christ to guide us through our trials we also will live to tell about it and find joy through them. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” -I Peter 4:12,13.
We can find exceeding joy in the Lord, but remember, God knows our heart, so, if we are going to follow Christ the most important thing to understand is that unless we personally ask Jesus to save us and come into our heart, nothing we do for Him will make a difference in our lives. Jesus only recognizes our works when we accept Him into our loves. 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.
A dead soul is one that does not have the Spirit of God in it, when we are born we are born with a body and a soul, even though we have life in us we are dead spiritually until we call on Jesus to save us. When we call on Jesus to save us the Spirit of God enters our soul and it comes alive, giving life to our dead soul, this is also known as being born again. When we say we are going to follow Him, He expects us to follow Him wholeheartedly. “And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” - Matthew 8:19-22.
The amazing thing is that Jesus is just as faithful to us as we are to Him, it may not seem like He is around at times, but He is always with those whom put their faith in Him, even if it is just a tiny bit of faith. “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” - Matthew 8:24-26.
Jesus lives right there inside us through the Holy Spirit, we have nothing the fear because He will always be with us and calm every one of the storms we face through our faith in Him. “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - Matthew 9:10-13.
Is your faith dead or alive? Can you say? “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20.
Jesus gave His life for each and every one of us, it is not by our works that we can get saved, it is only our faith in Him and the gift of God's grace that we can be saved. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:22,23. Praise God!
Jesus is with all who call on Him to save them, no matter how long it has been since they got saved, even if they walked away from Him. He does not get mad or take away anyone's salvation, but patiently waits for all who put their faith in Him to save them to follow and or return to Him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? http://www.godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
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Today is Sunday October 03, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Matthew, chapters 7-9. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-3
In Today's Bible Reading: Jesus continues His sermon on the Mount, Jesus calming the storm, and Jesus healing and preaching the Gospel.
Today's Message: Dead or Alive
If you think that you never have a second to yourself think of how Jesus must have felt when He was constantly approached. He could not get to one stop to help someone without having several people stop Him in between on the way. The amazing thing is that Jesus loves helping people, He will help anyone who calls Him for help. What is the key to Jesus saving and healing so many people? Faith. The Bible says, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?...For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” - James 2:18-20,26. The path that leads to eternal life is more than just joining a church, paying tithes, or helping others, as good as these works are, without faith in the Lord Jesus Christ our works are dead.
True followers of Christ are not perfect, but have faith in, accepted, and follow Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives. Life is not easy, there are so many temptations and circumstances in the world that it is impossible to handle them all on our own. Why do you think that there are so many people addicted to drugs, alcohol, and living immoral lives? We need someone to show us and guide us through all these trials in life. Jesus said, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” - Matthew 7:11-14.
Jesus is who gives life to a dead spirit, it is not always easy to follow Christ, but imagine how much more joyful life is when we allow Him to lead and guide us, especially through our suffering. We have to accept that whether we live for Christ or not we are still going to suffer from time to time, Christ suffered as well, no one suffered more than He did, but He got through it and lived to tell about it. If we allow Christ to guide us through our trials we also will live to tell about it and find joy through them. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” -I Peter 4:12,13.
We can find exceeding joy in the Lord, but remember, God knows our heart, so, if we are going to follow Christ the most important thing to understand is that unless we personally ask Jesus to save us and come into our heart, nothing we do for Him will make a difference in our lives. Jesus only recognizes our works when we accept Him into our loves. 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.
A dead soul is one that does not have the Spirit of God in it, when we are born we are born with a body and a soul, even though we have life in us we are dead spiritually until we call on Jesus to save us. When we call on Jesus to save us the Spirit of God enters our soul and it comes alive, giving life to our dead soul, this is also known as being born again. When we say we are going to follow Him, He expects us to follow Him wholeheartedly. “And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.” - Matthew 8:19-22.
The amazing thing is that Jesus is just as faithful to us as we are to Him, it may not seem like He is around at times, but He is always with those whom put their faith in Him, even if it is just a tiny bit of faith. “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” - Matthew 8:24-26.
Jesus lives right there inside us through the Holy Spirit, we have nothing the fear because He will always be with us and calm every one of the storms we face through our faith in Him. “And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - Matthew 9:10-13.
Is your faith dead or alive? Can you say? “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20.
Jesus gave His life for each and every one of us, it is not by our works that we can get saved, it is only our faith in Him and the gift of God's grace that we can be saved. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:22,23. Praise God!
Jesus is with all who call on Him to save them, no matter how long it has been since they got saved, even if they walked away from Him. He does not get mad or take away anyone's salvation, but patiently waits for all who put their faith in Him to save them to follow and or return to Him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a great week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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