Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Saturday October 23, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Luke, chapters 6-7. In these chapters we will read about, the Lord of the Sabbath, the sermon on the mount, more miracles from Jesus, John the Baptist, and a woman anointing Jesus; feet. 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-23
Today's Message: A Full Life
The word full is defined as being completely filled, containing all that can be held, and is abundant in supply, quantity, or number. We all long for a full life, one that is completely filled and abundant in supply, however, as Christians, it is what we do to become full that can either help or hurt us. You know, when we made the choice to allow Christ to be in our lives, we made a commitment with Him to let Him be Lord of our lives. That does not mean that God does not want us to enjoy a full life, it means that He wants us to enjoy a full life with Him in it. “And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” - Hebrews 10:21,22.
When we draw near to our high priest, Jesus Christ, we cleanse ourselves from the things that are not so good for us and for the things that God wants us to have. In return we long for a full life with God in it. Think about it, did you ever overeat on something that really wasn't good for you? You feel sick and uncomfortable and sometimes even vomit. The same thing happens when we cram in all this stuff (work, hobbies, people, self improvements, etc.) that we think is going to make us full, but is not really good for us. So, how do we enjoy a full life without making ourselves sick? The Bible says, “There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.” - Psalm 81:9,10.
The first commandment of God is, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” - Exodus 20:3. Every time a job, hobby, person, or lifestyle takes place over God God sees it as a another or strange god, therefore, if we want an abundant, full life, we need to put God above all these things. After Jesus chose His disciples He took them upon a mountain and preached to them. “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.”- Luke 6:20-23.
Can you just imagine having Jesus preach a sermon to you? What a full life that would be? Of course, it will be when we are in heaven, Praise God!. Jesus said, because we believe in and follow Him we are going to face some rejection and affliction, but we are to rejoice in all of it because our greatest reward will be when we get to heaven. The more you do for Jesus the more affliction you are going to face, but count it as a blessing because He is working a great work in you. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” -II Corinthians 4:16-18.
Jesus continues preaching and explains why we are to love those who afflict us, “For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” - Luke 6:32-36.
Some people are just born plain wicked and will never change, but the majority of people that do wicked things do them because they are bitter about something or just do not know any better. When Jesus was hanging on the cross and the people were mocking and cursing Him, He said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” - Luke 23:34. Forgiveness is the key to moving forward and enjoying a full life with God in it. If we are just kind to those who are good to us we will never see the power of God, but if we are kind to those who cause us pain we will see the great power of God working in our lives and enjoy a full life. Besides we do not have to cause affliction upon them because Gods will do it for us. “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:9-21.
We all have done things in our lives that we are ashamed of and are not worthy to receive anything, but the amazing thing is that God knows our faith. If we humble ourselves before Him we learn that we no longer need the things we thought would bless us with a full life, but for the things that will truly bless us with a full life. An army commander humbled himself before Jesus to ask Him to help one of his servants who was dying. “Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.” - Luke 10:6-10.
This leader felt so worthless and ashamed of his life that he did not even want Jesus to step foot in his door, but Jesus saw this mans faith and the man was healed. When we humble ourselves before Jesus, He heals us from all all of our sin and in fact cleanses us. If we want to enjoy a full life, we need to eliminate some things that keep us from truly knowing what it means to allow Christ to be Lord of our lives. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ” -Philippians 4:11-13.
Give a little and you will get a lot, when we allow Christ to be Lord He becomes our strength and allows us to reach for the true things that give us an abundant, full life not only in heaven, but here on earth as well. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Saturday, October 23, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Bible Study: Be A Minister
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Friday October 22, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Luke, chapters 4-5. In these chapters we will read about, the devil tempting Jesus, Jesus teaching in the synagogue and cast out of it, Jesus healing many and preaching repentance in every city. 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-22
Today's Message: Be A Minister
When you see or hear the word minister most people think it to be the leader of a church, but there is another meaning to the word that many do not realize. A minister is also defined as a person acting as the agent or instrument of another, to give service to, care for, or aid to others, and to be of comfort to them. In other words, as Christians, we are an agent for Christ, we are to give service to, care for, aid, and be of comfort to those representing Christ. The Bible says, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” - I Timothy 4:4-6.
If we say we are Christians then we are to receive Christ with thanksgiving, for we are sanctified or cleansed through His death, burial, and resurrection when we trust Him as our Savior. To show our thanks to Christ we minister to those who need to be cared for. The reason I said, if we say we are Christians is that many religions claim to represent Christ, but they are far from being Christians, they are falsely representing Christ. Satan has deceived many through religious leaders and he will not stop until he is thrown into the lake of fire. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 20:10.
You think that Satan does not know God's Word? He does and he knows how to use it to deceive people. The devil tries to deceive everyone, he even tried to deceive Jesus by quoting Scripture. “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” - Luke 4:3-13.
Notice that it says that Satan departed from Him for a season? The devil will never leave a believer alone, even God Himself, he will always be on the attack, if you have flesh, he will always try to deceive you. Why? Do you think he wants everyone to be in harmony with God? No, because if we were it would only cast him into the lake of fire sooner. Whenever I read about the lake of fire I think of lava coming out of a volcano, just how painful it would be to be in it, and I praise God that I trusted in Jesus to keep me from being cast into it. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. Praise God!
Just as Jesus uses those whom trusted in and believe Him to minister the Gospel to all around them, Satan uses people to deceive others into thinking that Jesus is not real or just a prophet. Do you think that the people helping Satan do not know that Christ is real and God in the flesh? Of course they do. Jesus was casting out devils, knowing He was Christ. “And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.” - Luke 4:38-44.
Why did Jesus forbid the devils to not speak of Him? Everything had to come to pass before the world knew that Jesus was the Christ everyone heard about in the Scriptures. You see, while Satan is powerful, he is not more powerful than God and even has to get permission from God to afflict us. Yes, it may sound strange, but Satan can not do anything to us without permission from God. This was confirmed in the Book of Job, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” - Job 1:8-12.
Satan was testing Job's faith and he tests ours as well, if he can get one person to turn his back on God, even if that person has been saved, he can continue deceiving people who are not. When God said, “Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” He was saying, “I will allow you to take away everything that you say keeps him faithful to me, but I will not allow you to kill him.” While Satan can afflict us, God will not allow him to afflict us beyond what we are able to handle. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - I Corinthians 10:13. Keep in mind, if you are saved and have turned from God, you are still saved, God knows the heart beyond the bitterness and pride of the flesh and will not condemn anyone for turning their backs on Him. Remember, we are reborn or the spirit and not the flesh so God will never leave us if all we do is just get saved.
Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - Luke 5:31,32. Jesus came here to minister to us, to heal us and cleanse us from our sins, we are no longer sinners headed for the lake of fire, we are sinners saved by grace through repentance. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” -Ephesians 1:5-7. Praise God! Go out today and minister the Gospel to someone, you will be saving a life. Praise God!
Praise God it's Friday! Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have an awesome weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website imfollowingjesus.com
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Today is Friday October 22, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Luke, chapters 4-5. In these chapters we will read about, the devil tempting Jesus, Jesus teaching in the synagogue and cast out of it, Jesus healing many and preaching repentance in every city. 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-22
Today's Message: Be A Minister
When you see or hear the word minister most people think it to be the leader of a church, but there is another meaning to the word that many do not realize. A minister is also defined as a person acting as the agent or instrument of another, to give service to, care for, or aid to others, and to be of comfort to them. In other words, as Christians, we are an agent for Christ, we are to give service to, care for, aid, and be of comfort to those representing Christ. The Bible says, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” - I Timothy 4:4-6.
If we say we are Christians then we are to receive Christ with thanksgiving, for we are sanctified or cleansed through His death, burial, and resurrection when we trust Him as our Savior. To show our thanks to Christ we minister to those who need to be cared for. The reason I said, if we say we are Christians is that many religions claim to represent Christ, but they are far from being Christians, they are falsely representing Christ. Satan has deceived many through religious leaders and he will not stop until he is thrown into the lake of fire. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 20:10.
You think that Satan does not know God's Word? He does and he knows how to use it to deceive people. The devil tries to deceive everyone, he even tried to deceive Jesus by quoting Scripture. “And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.” - Luke 4:3-13.
Notice that it says that Satan departed from Him for a season? The devil will never leave a believer alone, even God Himself, he will always be on the attack, if you have flesh, he will always try to deceive you. Why? Do you think he wants everyone to be in harmony with God? No, because if we were it would only cast him into the lake of fire sooner. Whenever I read about the lake of fire I think of lava coming out of a volcano, just how painful it would be to be in it, and I praise God that I trusted in Jesus to keep me from being cast into it. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. Praise God!
Just as Jesus uses those whom trusted in and believe Him to minister the Gospel to all around them, Satan uses people to deceive others into thinking that Jesus is not real or just a prophet. Do you think that the people helping Satan do not know that Christ is real and God in the flesh? Of course they do. Jesus was casting out devils, knowing He was Christ. “And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon's house. And Simon's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them. Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ. And when it was day, he departed and went into a desert place: and the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he should not depart from them. And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee.” - Luke 4:38-44.
Why did Jesus forbid the devils to not speak of Him? Everything had to come to pass before the world knew that Jesus was the Christ everyone heard about in the Scriptures. You see, while Satan is powerful, he is not more powerful than God and even has to get permission from God to afflict us. Yes, it may sound strange, but Satan can not do anything to us without permission from God. This was confirmed in the Book of Job, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” - Job 1:8-12.
Satan was testing Job's faith and he tests ours as well, if he can get one person to turn his back on God, even if that person has been saved, he can continue deceiving people who are not. When God said, “Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.” He was saying, “I will allow you to take away everything that you say keeps him faithful to me, but I will not allow you to kill him.” While Satan can afflict us, God will not allow him to afflict us beyond what we are able to handle. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - I Corinthians 10:13. Keep in mind, if you are saved and have turned from God, you are still saved, God knows the heart beyond the bitterness and pride of the flesh and will not condemn anyone for turning their backs on Him. Remember, we are reborn or the spirit and not the flesh so God will never leave us if all we do is just get saved.
Jesus said, “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” - Luke 5:31,32. Jesus came here to minister to us, to heal us and cleanse us from our sins, we are no longer sinners headed for the lake of fire, we are sinners saved by grace through repentance. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” -Ephesians 1:5-7. Praise God! Go out today and minister the Gospel to someone, you will be saving a life. Praise God!
Praise God it's Friday! Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have an awesome weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website imfollowingjesus.com
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Thursday, October 21, 2010
Bible Study: Ponder Upon God's Word
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Thursday October 21, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Luke, chapters 2-3. In these chapters we will read about, the birth of Jesus, Jesus in the Temple as a boy, John the Baptist, Jesus getting baptized, and His earthly genealogy. 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-21
Today's Message: Ponder Upon God's Word
The word ponder is defined as to seriously think about something, to meditate upon it. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1. As Christians, it is important that we not only read God's Word, but ponder or meditate upon it. Why? Here is the answer, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” - Joshua 1:8.
So, how do we become prosperous by reading God's Word? The Bible says, “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 12:2. Pondering God's Word renews our mind so we know the truth about the world and learn that the only prosperous life is a life with God in it. The world thinks that if you hand your life over to God it means that you have to live a dull, boring life. My preacher said something the other night that rang a bell, he was talking about how everyone, including his mother, questioned him when he started going to a Baptist church, they even asked him if he was in a cult because he was going three nights a week. I remember when I started going to church and got the same response too. If a cult is what it is defined as, a group sharing belief, then isn't the world a cult as well? Aren't those who live in the world pondering upon and doing what the world believes in? It is time to renew our minds by pondering upon God's Word and not on what the worlds sees as acceptable.
Mary was blessed to have been given the privilege to carry the baby Jesus for God, I often wonder what she thought the whole time, I imagine she often wondered if she were doing the right things. After she gave birth to Jesus and held that little baby in her arms, people were coming from all over to see the miracle that they have been hearing about. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn....And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” -Luke 2:7,16-19.
Mary pondered over all the things she had been told of herself, not only by the angel that visited her before she conceived, but over the things she witnessed. I imagine since she was a witness to the miracles of God, that she was even holding God in her arms, that it did not keep her from pondering what else the Scriptures had to say about her son. While we can all have faith in God, there is a difference between someone who has faith and lives by faith. The only way we can live by faith is by hearing His Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” - Romans 10:17.
Pondering God's Word keeps us faithful, obedient, and gives us morals, Jesus did not receive the power of the Holy Spirit inside of Him until He was thirty years old, so how do you think He remained sinless, He pondered the Scriptures. At the age of twelve He is found in the Temple, “And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it....And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” - Luke 2:42,43,48-52.
There is something awesome beyond words to express in the thought of Jesus as the Creator of all things submitting to earthly parents who were part of His creation, but the Son of God was a submissive son of Mary and Joseph. Although Mary did not understand all Jesus was saying, she kept His words in her heart. There are times when we may not understand what God is trying to tell us, but if we keep His sayings in our heart we will eventually understand when the time is right for Him to reveal them to us. “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” - I John 5:20.
John the Baptist was the forerunner who would lay the foundation of the Gospel (preaching repentance) awaiting Christ's ministry. “As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?...And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.” - Luke 3:4-7,15-17.
Why was he known as John the Baptist? The word baptist in this case means someone that baptizes. The scope and design of John's ministry were, to bring the people from their sins, and to the Savior. He came preaching, not a sect, or party, but a profession, the sign or ceremony of repentance was washing with water. Those that profess and promise repentance, must show it by reformation, according to their places and conditions. The Gospel requires mercy, not sacrifice and its design is, to engage us to do all the good we can, and to be just to all men. Not only by doing what we have pondered upon do we increase our faith, but when we are just to all. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” - Galatians 3:10,11. Pondering Upon God's Word helps us to be just and live by our faith in Jesus Christ.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Today is Thursday October 21, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Luke, chapters 2-3. In these chapters we will read about, the birth of Jesus, Jesus in the Temple as a boy, John the Baptist, Jesus getting baptized, and His earthly genealogy. 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-21
Today's Message: Ponder Upon God's Word
The word ponder is defined as to seriously think about something, to meditate upon it. The Bible says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalm 1. As Christians, it is important that we not only read God's Word, but ponder or meditate upon it. Why? Here is the answer, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” - Joshua 1:8.
So, how do we become prosperous by reading God's Word? The Bible says, “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 12:2. Pondering God's Word renews our mind so we know the truth about the world and learn that the only prosperous life is a life with God in it. The world thinks that if you hand your life over to God it means that you have to live a dull, boring life. My preacher said something the other night that rang a bell, he was talking about how everyone, including his mother, questioned him when he started going to a Baptist church, they even asked him if he was in a cult because he was going three nights a week. I remember when I started going to church and got the same response too. If a cult is what it is defined as, a group sharing belief, then isn't the world a cult as well? Aren't those who live in the world pondering upon and doing what the world believes in? It is time to renew our minds by pondering upon God's Word and not on what the worlds sees as acceptable.
Mary was blessed to have been given the privilege to carry the baby Jesus for God, I often wonder what she thought the whole time, I imagine she often wondered if she were doing the right things. After she gave birth to Jesus and held that little baby in her arms, people were coming from all over to see the miracle that they have been hearing about. “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn....And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” -Luke 2:7,16-19.
Mary pondered over all the things she had been told of herself, not only by the angel that visited her before she conceived, but over the things she witnessed. I imagine since she was a witness to the miracles of God, that she was even holding God in her arms, that it did not keep her from pondering what else the Scriptures had to say about her son. While we can all have faith in God, there is a difference between someone who has faith and lives by faith. The only way we can live by faith is by hearing His Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” - Romans 10:17.
Pondering God's Word keeps us faithful, obedient, and gives us morals, Jesus did not receive the power of the Holy Spirit inside of Him until He was thirty years old, so how do you think He remained sinless, He pondered the Scriptures. At the age of twelve He is found in the Temple, “And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it....And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” - Luke 2:42,43,48-52.
There is something awesome beyond words to express in the thought of Jesus as the Creator of all things submitting to earthly parents who were part of His creation, but the Son of God was a submissive son of Mary and Joseph. Although Mary did not understand all Jesus was saying, she kept His words in her heart. There are times when we may not understand what God is trying to tell us, but if we keep His sayings in our heart we will eventually understand when the time is right for Him to reveal them to us. “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” - I John 5:20.
John the Baptist was the forerunner who would lay the foundation of the Gospel (preaching repentance) awaiting Christ's ministry. “As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; And all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?...And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.” - Luke 3:4-7,15-17.
Why was he known as John the Baptist? The word baptist in this case means someone that baptizes. The scope and design of John's ministry were, to bring the people from their sins, and to the Savior. He came preaching, not a sect, or party, but a profession, the sign or ceremony of repentance was washing with water. Those that profess and promise repentance, must show it by reformation, according to their places and conditions. The Gospel requires mercy, not sacrifice and its design is, to engage us to do all the good we can, and to be just to all men. Not only by doing what we have pondered upon do we increase our faith, but when we are just to all. “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.” - Galatians 3:10,11. Pondering Upon God's Word helps us to be just and live by our faith in Jesus Christ.
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? godsprice.com
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Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Bible Study: If Thou Canst Believe
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Wednesday October 20, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Luke, chapter 1. In this chapter we will read about, Zacharias and Elisabeth, Zacharias gets a visit by Gabriel, Elisabeth conceives, Mary gets a visit by Gabriel and the virgin birth of Jesus is foretold, Mary visits Elisabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist. 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-20
Today's Message: If Thou Canst Believe
It is hard to believe that God loves everyone, it does not matter if they believe in Him, reject Him, or are the worst person on earth, He loves everyone. People of the world will never understand that God loves them and is not out to kill anyone who does not believe in or follow His rules. He does not want to see anyone perish and that is why he sent His Son, Jesus Christ. It does not matter how bad we are, God willingly accepts the worst sinner who turns to Him and trusts in His Son to save them. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - II Peter 3:9
The Gospel of Luke is the forty-second book of the Bible, the third book of the New Testament, and contains twenty-four chapters. The author of the Gospel is Luke and it was first aimed at reaching the Greeks, whom Jesus is presented as the perfect man. The purpose of this Gospel was to write an orderly account of the ministry of Jesus and to show all followers that He is the Messiah. What we are to learn from the book is that our mission is to be identical to that of Jesus, to reach all of the lost with the good news of the Gospel and to come to the realization that, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” - Luke 1:37.
The Holy Spirit singled out Luke, the beloved physician, to give us this inspired Gospel. The writer of the third Gospel is called by Paul the beloved physician, he also wrote the book of Acts and was Paul's frequent companion. His devotion to Christ caused him to treasure the words that He spoke, as well as everything that concerned the Savior's life. “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” - Luke 1:1-4.
Luke addresses one specific believer, Theophilus, the name Theophilus, means follower or beloved of God. So, Luke is writing to all who are beloved followers of God. It other words he is saying, “If you love God, I am addressing this to you”. Luke is recording the things that he witnessed, learned, heard, and perfectly understood while these events took place in order to minister the Gospel for all to believe. He is instructing all believers, so, we are to be witnesses as well. All who have accepted Christ become ministers of the Gospel, however, very few actually go out and witness to people. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” - II Corinthians 4:6.
Before God sent Jesus it was important for Him to send a forerunner, someone sent in advance to announce His coming. Zacharias, and Elisabeth were up in age so, it seemed that the one thing they hoped for, a child, would never be given to them. As Zacharias was a priest and he lighting incense and praying in the Temple, he received a visit from the angel, Gabriel. “And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John....And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” - Luke 1:11-13,18-20.
Because Zacharias did not believe that his prayer would be answered God made him mute until the baby was born. You know, most of our prayers remain unanswered because when we pray we do not really believe that we will receive the things we are asking Him for? God wants us to fully trust in Him and believe that He will provide us with the things we are asking Him for. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” - James 1:5-8.
Six months after Elisabeth conceived, Mary got a visit from the angel Gabriel, she would soon be blessed to carry the baby Jesus. Of course, she was scared and a bit confused, but did not doubt God. “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women...And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS....Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” - Luke 1:26-28,31, 34-38.
It was important that Jesus be born of a virgin, if He would have been conceived like any other child He would have been born into sin as all are born with the sinful nature of Adam. This would have made Jesus a sinner like all mankind and, thus, unable to be the sinless substitute for our sins. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.” - Romans 5:12-14.
Mary didn't question that it would be done, but how it was possible since she never knew a man. Gabriel's response, “for with God nothing shall be impossible”. Mary willingly accepted the answer and the call that God gave her to carry His Son. This is a lesson that we all need to hear and get into our heads, if we want our prayers answered, of we want to be blessed abundantly, we need to stop doubting and start trusting God, “for with God nothing shall be impossible”. No matter how bleak things look, God is in control of all things and all things are possible with God for those who believe. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” - Mark 9:23. 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? godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website imfollowingjesus.com
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Today is Wednesday October 20, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Luke, chapter 1. In this chapter we will read about, Zacharias and Elisabeth, Zacharias gets a visit by Gabriel, Elisabeth conceives, Mary gets a visit by Gabriel and the virgin birth of Jesus is foretold, Mary visits Elisabeth, and the birth of John the Baptist. 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-20
Today's Message: If Thou Canst Believe
It is hard to believe that God loves everyone, it does not matter if they believe in Him, reject Him, or are the worst person on earth, He loves everyone. People of the world will never understand that God loves them and is not out to kill anyone who does not believe in or follow His rules. He does not want to see anyone perish and that is why he sent His Son, Jesus Christ. It does not matter how bad we are, God willingly accepts the worst sinner who turns to Him and trusts in His Son to save them. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - II Peter 3:9
The Gospel of Luke is the forty-second book of the Bible, the third book of the New Testament, and contains twenty-four chapters. The author of the Gospel is Luke and it was first aimed at reaching the Greeks, whom Jesus is presented as the perfect man. The purpose of this Gospel was to write an orderly account of the ministry of Jesus and to show all followers that He is the Messiah. What we are to learn from the book is that our mission is to be identical to that of Jesus, to reach all of the lost with the good news of the Gospel and to come to the realization that, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” - Luke 1:37.
The Holy Spirit singled out Luke, the beloved physician, to give us this inspired Gospel. The writer of the third Gospel is called by Paul the beloved physician, he also wrote the book of Acts and was Paul's frequent companion. His devotion to Christ caused him to treasure the words that He spoke, as well as everything that concerned the Savior's life. “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.” - Luke 1:1-4.
Luke addresses one specific believer, Theophilus, the name Theophilus, means follower or beloved of God. So, Luke is writing to all who are beloved followers of God. It other words he is saying, “If you love God, I am addressing this to you”. Luke is recording the things that he witnessed, learned, heard, and perfectly understood while these events took place in order to minister the Gospel for all to believe. He is instructing all believers, so, we are to be witnesses as well. All who have accepted Christ become ministers of the Gospel, however, very few actually go out and witness to people. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” - II Corinthians 4:6.
Before God sent Jesus it was important for Him to send a forerunner, someone sent in advance to announce His coming. Zacharias, and Elisabeth were up in age so, it seemed that the one thing they hoped for, a child, would never be given to them. As Zacharias was a priest and he lighting incense and praying in the Temple, he received a visit from the angel, Gabriel. “And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John....And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.” - Luke 1:11-13,18-20.
Because Zacharias did not believe that his prayer would be answered God made him mute until the baby was born. You know, most of our prayers remain unanswered because when we pray we do not really believe that we will receive the things we are asking Him for? God wants us to fully trust in Him and believe that He will provide us with the things we are asking Him for. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” - James 1:5-8.
Six months after Elisabeth conceived, Mary got a visit from the angel Gabriel, she would soon be blessed to carry the baby Jesus. Of course, she was scared and a bit confused, but did not doubt God. “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women...And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS....Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” - Luke 1:26-28,31, 34-38.
It was important that Jesus be born of a virgin, if He would have been conceived like any other child He would have been born into sin as all are born with the sinful nature of Adam. This would have made Jesus a sinner like all mankind and, thus, unable to be the sinless substitute for our sins. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.” - Romans 5:12-14.
Mary didn't question that it would be done, but how it was possible since she never knew a man. Gabriel's response, “for with God nothing shall be impossible”. Mary willingly accepted the answer and the call that God gave her to carry His Son. This is a lesson that we all need to hear and get into our heads, if we want our prayers answered, of we want to be blessed abundantly, we need to stop doubting and start trusting God, “for with God nothing shall be impossible”. No matter how bleak things look, God is in control of all things and all things are possible with God for those who believe. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” - Mark 9:23. 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? godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website imfollowingjesus.com
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Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Bible Study: A Living Sacrifice
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Tuesday October 19, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Mark, chapters 14-16. In these chapters we will read about, Jesus anointed by a young woman, His last supper on earth, His betrayal by Judas, Peter's denial, His crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection, and His command to all believers. 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-19
Today's Message: A Living Sacrifice
The word sacrifice means to surrender something of value for the purpose of gaining something more desirable or preventing some kind of evil. 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. Since God is the God of the living we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him. In other words when we become a living sacrifice we take the most valuable thing that we have, life, and we surrender it over to God for the purpose of not only gaining something more desirable, but preventing evil as well.
Being a living sacrifice is more than just asking Jesus to save us, while He is the only one who can save us and we do not have to go beyond asking Him to save us to be saved, if we want our lives to be transformed we need to go beyond asking and start surrendering our lives over to Him. There was a young woman watching Jesus as He was eating dinner, she was poor, unmarried, and all she had was an alabaster box, a precious, valuable box, full of ointment (perfume) that was to only be opened for her husband on their wedding night. Knowing that she would never be able to marry, she took that box, broke it, and poured the perfume on Jesus' head. When the people saw what she had done, many complained, even some of the disciples, but Jesus knew what her intentions were. “And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”- Mark 14:6-9.
This woman presented herself as a living sacrifice by doing all she could to show Jesus that she surrendered to Him, if it meant that she gave up her chances to be a wife, she did what she could. That is all that God asks of all of us, He knows that life is hard and that we are not going to completely change over night, He just wants us to give Him our all. Often, I will get people saying to me, “I just can not be like you and give up everything all at once.” What they do not realize is that I did not completely surrender to God over night, it took years and He is still working on me, but I do what I can to show Him that I do want to present myself as a living sacrifice to Him. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you....Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:7,10.
Now, even when we do make the commitment to surrender our lives over to God as a living sacrifice that does not mean we are not going to have some falls from time to time. The strongest Christian can trip up once in a while, the disciples were witnesses to and walked with Jesus in the flesh, yet even they fell, but the amazing thing is that Jesus is still there to pick us back up. The even more amazing thing is that Jesus knows when we are going to fall and who will get back up, “And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.”- Mark 14:18-20,27,28.
Did you notice that all the disciples were questioning, “Is it I?” While we all do the best we can to live godly lives, when it comes down to facing Jesus we all wonder, “Is it I?” Thank God that when we do face Him He will say, “Thy sins are forgiven.” - Luke 7:48. Praise God! When Jesus got captured all the disciples did scatter, just as Jesus said, “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him, and took him. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. And they all forsook him, and fled.” - Mark 14:44-50.
The disciples were scared, they feared that they too would be captured so they fled, Jesus was crucified and died that day and buried, but just as Jesus promised that He would arise and meet them in Galilee He did. “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him....And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.” - Mark 16:1,5-7.
Jesus knows we are going to have falls, but He is always there to pick us up, there may be times when we will have to wait out the suffering as Jesus suffered, but it is through the suffering when we learn that we need Him and it is time to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”- Mark 16:14-16.
Jesus gives a command to all who present themselves as a living sacrifice, to go out and tell the world about Him. To clarify what Jesus meant when He said, “ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ”, this does not mean that you have to accept Christ and be baptized to be saved, it means you must believe to be saved, being baptized just confirms our belief in Him. He continues to say, “but he that believeth not shall be damned.” You have to believe in and accept Jesus first or baptism means nothing. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:...Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” -Romans 6:4,5,9-11. Jesus died for us once, that means we need to only ask Him once, we are no longer dead, we are a live, a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God. 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? godsprice.com
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Today is Tuesday October 19, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Mark, chapters 14-16. In these chapters we will read about, Jesus anointed by a young woman, His last supper on earth, His betrayal by Judas, Peter's denial, His crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection, and His command to all believers. 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-19
Today's Message: A Living Sacrifice
The word sacrifice means to surrender something of value for the purpose of gaining something more desirable or preventing some kind of evil. 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. Since God is the God of the living we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him. In other words when we become a living sacrifice we take the most valuable thing that we have, life, and we surrender it over to God for the purpose of not only gaining something more desirable, but preventing evil as well.
Being a living sacrifice is more than just asking Jesus to save us, while He is the only one who can save us and we do not have to go beyond asking Him to save us to be saved, if we want our lives to be transformed we need to go beyond asking and start surrendering our lives over to Him. There was a young woman watching Jesus as He was eating dinner, she was poor, unmarried, and all she had was an alabaster box, a precious, valuable box, full of ointment (perfume) that was to only be opened for her husband on their wedding night. Knowing that she would never be able to marry, she took that box, broke it, and poured the perfume on Jesus' head. When the people saw what she had done, many complained, even some of the disciples, but Jesus knew what her intentions were. “And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”- Mark 14:6-9.
This woman presented herself as a living sacrifice by doing all she could to show Jesus that she surrendered to Him, if it meant that she gave up her chances to be a wife, she did what she could. That is all that God asks of all of us, He knows that life is hard and that we are not going to completely change over night, He just wants us to give Him our all. Often, I will get people saying to me, “I just can not be like you and give up everything all at once.” What they do not realize is that I did not completely surrender to God over night, it took years and He is still working on me, but I do what I can to show Him that I do want to present myself as a living sacrifice to Him. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you....Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:7,10.
Now, even when we do make the commitment to surrender our lives over to God as a living sacrifice that does not mean we are not going to have some falls from time to time. The strongest Christian can trip up once in a while, the disciples were witnesses to and walked with Jesus in the flesh, yet even they fell, but the amazing thing is that Jesus is still there to pick us back up. The even more amazing thing is that Jesus knows when we are going to fall and who will get back up, “And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.”- Mark 14:18-20,27,28.
Did you notice that all the disciples were questioning, “Is it I?” While we all do the best we can to live godly lives, when it comes down to facing Jesus we all wonder, “Is it I?” Thank God that when we do face Him He will say, “Thy sins are forgiven.” - Luke 7:48. Praise God! When Jesus got captured all the disciples did scatter, just as Jesus said, “And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him, and took him. And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. And they all forsook him, and fled.” - Mark 14:44-50.
The disciples were scared, they feared that they too would be captured so they fled, Jesus was crucified and died that day and buried, but just as Jesus promised that He would arise and meet them in Galilee He did. “And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him....And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.” - Mark 16:1,5-7.
Jesus knows we are going to have falls, but He is always there to pick us up, there may be times when we will have to wait out the suffering as Jesus suffered, but it is through the suffering when we learn that we need Him and it is time to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”- Mark 16:14-16.
Jesus gives a command to all who present themselves as a living sacrifice, to go out and tell the world about Him. To clarify what Jesus meant when He said, “ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ”, this does not mean that you have to accept Christ and be baptized to be saved, it means you must believe to be saved, being baptized just confirms our belief in Him. He continues to say, “but he that believeth not shall be damned.” You have to believe in and accept Jesus first or baptism means nothing. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:...Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” -Romans 6:4,5,9-11. Jesus died for us once, that means we need to only ask Him once, we are no longer dead, we are a live, a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God. 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? godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website imfollowingjesus.com
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Monday, October 18, 2010
Bible Study: Learning The Truth
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Monday October 18, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible one day at a time. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Mark, chapters 12-13. In these chapters we will read about, the parable of the vineyard, the resurrection, the greatest commandment, false Christ's, and what needs to come to pass before Jesus returns. 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-18
Today's Message: Learning The Truth
As Christians it is important to read and study all of God's Word, it amazes me whenever a person tells me that the Old Testament is not significant for us today because we are to follow the New Testament. You know, the New Testament was taken from the Old Testament, in fact, it is a reflection of the Old. While we are not bound by many of the laws that were given through Moses, the same principles still apply. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” - II Timothy 3:16. It is important that we know all the Scriptures so we can learn the truth about everything the God wants us to know.
The center of the entire Bible is Jesus, they knew it back then as well, just like we are awaiting His return, they were waiting for His first coming. David himself said, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee...Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” - Psalm 2:6,7,12. Jesus will return one day and just like all the prophecies came to pass regarding His birth, death, burial, and resurrection, everything will come to pass regarding His return.
The Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees were very religious, but they were determined to destroy Jesus. Why? They did not want anyone proving them the liars that they were and would do anything necessary to keep the truth from being revealed. Jesus explained this further in a parable. “And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country....But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.' And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others....And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.” - Mark 12:1,7-9,12.
These men were determined to kill Jesus, they thought themselves to be righteous and God fearing, but the reality was they made up their own religion, instead of studying the Scriptures and learning the truth they did what they learned by bits and pieces of what they heard of God's Word, not by what they read. Religion is what destroys God's Word and it was the death of Jesus, piece by piece they remove God's truth and create their own image of who He is and what His truth is. “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. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” - Romans 1:21,22. The right knowledge of the Scripture and the foundation on which it is built, is the best prevention against error and being deceived by false religion.
The Sadducees believed in God, but not the resurrection, trying to catch Him in off guard they questioned Him about the resurrection using an example about a widow woman. Jesus responded, “Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.”- Mark 12:24-27.
The scribes, whom although knew a bit of Scripture, represent men and their traditions. They are the ones that put their own thoughts down, and call it "of God". They are the ones that think more of themselves and how they appear to others, than how God looks down upon them. Jesus is watching them as they cast their money into the treasury. “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”- Mark 12:41-44.
Jesus sat there and watched the people cast their money into the offering plate, Jesus watches as this poor widow woman cast in two mites, which were the smallest piece of money that could be accepted as an offering. This little bit of money meant more to Jesus than all that the scribes gave. Why? This says a great deal about this woman and her love for God. She cast all she had into the treasury, trusting in God to provide for her. Christian's have nothing to fear when we put our faith and trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and if anyone questions your loyalty to Him all you have to say is, “I am a forgiven child of the Living God, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ” “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” - Romans 5:9-11.
Our Lord Jesus, when He ascended on high, left something for all His servants to do. We ought to be always upon our watch, in expectation of His return. “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”- Mark 13:33-37.
Jesus is returning and when He does all the false prophets and religious leaders will see God's wrath. However, in the mean time, Jesus is trusting us to keep telling the truth and setting ourselves as the examples that we need to be to show all that they too need Jesus. “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:..For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:...Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 5For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” - I Peter 2:15,21,24,25. 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? godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website 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 18, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible one day at a time. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Mark, chapters 12-13. In these chapters we will read about, the parable of the vineyard, the resurrection, the greatest commandment, false Christ's, and what needs to come to pass before Jesus returns. 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-18
Today's Message: Learning The Truth
As Christians it is important to read and study all of God's Word, it amazes me whenever a person tells me that the Old Testament is not significant for us today because we are to follow the New Testament. You know, the New Testament was taken from the Old Testament, in fact, it is a reflection of the Old. While we are not bound by many of the laws that were given through Moses, the same principles still apply. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” - II Timothy 3:16. It is important that we know all the Scriptures so we can learn the truth about everything the God wants us to know.
The center of the entire Bible is Jesus, they knew it back then as well, just like we are awaiting His return, they were waiting for His first coming. David himself said, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee...Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.” - Psalm 2:6,7,12. Jesus will return one day and just like all the prophecies came to pass regarding His birth, death, burial, and resurrection, everything will come to pass regarding His return.
The Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees were very religious, but they were determined to destroy Jesus. Why? They did not want anyone proving them the liars that they were and would do anything necessary to keep the truth from being revealed. Jesus explained this further in a parable. “And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country....But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.' And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others....And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.” - Mark 12:1,7-9,12.
These men were determined to kill Jesus, they thought themselves to be righteous and God fearing, but the reality was they made up their own religion, instead of studying the Scriptures and learning the truth they did what they learned by bits and pieces of what they heard of God's Word, not by what they read. Religion is what destroys God's Word and it was the death of Jesus, piece by piece they remove God's truth and create their own image of who He is and what His truth is. “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. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,” - Romans 1:21,22. The right knowledge of the Scripture and the foundation on which it is built, is the best prevention against error and being deceived by false religion.
The Sadducees believed in God, but not the resurrection, trying to catch Him in off guard they questioned Him about the resurrection using an example about a widow woman. Jesus responded, “Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.”- Mark 12:24-27.
The scribes, whom although knew a bit of Scripture, represent men and their traditions. They are the ones that put their own thoughts down, and call it "of God". They are the ones that think more of themselves and how they appear to others, than how God looks down upon them. Jesus is watching them as they cast their money into the treasury. “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”- Mark 12:41-44.
Jesus sat there and watched the people cast their money into the offering plate, Jesus watches as this poor widow woman cast in two mites, which were the smallest piece of money that could be accepted as an offering. This little bit of money meant more to Jesus than all that the scribes gave. Why? This says a great deal about this woman and her love for God. She cast all she had into the treasury, trusting in God to provide for her. Christian's have nothing to fear when we put our faith and trust in the Lord, Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and if anyone questions your loyalty to Him all you have to say is, “I am a forgiven child of the Living God, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ” “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” - Romans 5:9-11.
Our Lord Jesus, when He ascended on high, left something for all His servants to do. We ought to be always upon our watch, in expectation of His return. “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.”- Mark 13:33-37.
Jesus is returning and when He does all the false prophets and religious leaders will see God's wrath. However, in the mean time, Jesus is trusting us to keep telling the truth and setting ourselves as the examples that we need to be to show all that they too need Jesus. “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:..For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:...Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 5For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” - I Peter 2:15,21,24,25. 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? godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website 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 17, 2010
Bible Study: Increasing Faith
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Sunday October 17, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible one day at a time. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Mark, chapters 10-11. In these chapters we will read about, divorce, eternal life, Jesus healing a blind man, Jesus arriving in Jerusalem and casting out those who were trading in the Temple, the withered fig tree, forgiveness, and faith. 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-17
Today's Message: Increasing Faith
The word faith is defined as having confidence or trust in a person or thing, it is also defined as having a strong or unshakeable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence. Okay, the world seems to have it half right, it sees our faith in God as without proof or evidence, it is good to know that we can find the truth from the book of all knowledge, the Bible. The true meaning of faith is, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen....Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear....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 11:1,3,6. Okay, so, the Bible tells us that faith is the core or center of putting our confidence or trust in God, whom we can not see, and receiving them with proof of His existence through our belief in Him.
Our faith in God is like a line graph chart, sometimes it is way up high a we feel God is with us and sometimes it is so low that we feel God is no where to be found. You know, if you are saved God is always with you, even if you are not, God is always there nudging you to get saved. The truth is this, our faith increases by the things we receive, the more we receive the more faith we have, but if we start losing things our faith decreases. The big reason for this, we want to receive things on our terms and not God's. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” - Hebrews 10:25,26.
The key to all blessings from God is knowing His terms and the only way to know His terms is to be saved and get in His Word. Reading His Word without being saved is like trying to find a house with absolutely no directions, you will never find or increase your faith in God if you are not saved. If I had stuck my face in this great book years ago it would have kept me from a lot of suffering, but thank God that He got me to read it before I suffered even more by marrying a man that had been divorced twice. Yes, divorce is not in the will of God, Jesus said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.”- Mark 10:11,12.
While divorce is not in the will of God, He does give us a way out of every situation and is forgiving to those who have divorced. “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.” - I Corinthians 7:15-17.
God will often place circumstances in our lives in order to increase our faith in Him, Jesus is always with us, we need, but to call Him, such as the case of a blind beggar who heard that Jesus was passing by. “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” - Mark 10:47-52.
Although Jesus was in His presence and knew what the man wanted He did not give Him what He wanted until first, he cried out to Him, and secondly, Jesus saw his faith. It is important that we have faith, but equally important to call Him. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him....So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” - Romans 10:12,17.
While nothing is impossible with God, sometimes the things we ask God for are just ridiculous, so, we should not expect them. Think about it, do you think God is going to give you gun to kill yourself? That is just something people do out of their own will and not God's. When Jesus was explaining to His disciples the things that were about to take place before He leaves the earth two of His disciples asked Jesus for something that He just could not give them. “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory...But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” -Mark 11:35-37,42-45.
Stop and think of what these were asking of God, the cup that Jesus is about to drink from, is His crucifixion, as well as the cup that he will pour out upon the earth at His return. However to be baptized with their baptism that Jesus is speaking of here is all the suffering and death that is right in from of Jesus. They cannot be there and go through those times and troubles, for Christ must go through it alone. Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, these two are asking to take the place of Almighty God. Their request is asked in ignorance, as are many of the requests that we ask of Him each day. Thank God that He does not give us our every request, and wishful desire. We need to remind ourselves that, the higher we rise in seeking to be like Christ, the lower we shall willingly stoop to serve those around us. A Christian should always be available to do what will the will of God and that will increase our faith and the blessings we receive. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” -I Peter 1:7-9. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have an awesome week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? godsprice.com
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Today is Sunday October 17, 2010 and we are reading through and studying the Bible one day at a time. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Mark, chapters 10-11. In these chapters we will read about, divorce, eternal life, Jesus healing a blind man, Jesus arriving in Jerusalem and casting out those who were trading in the Temple, the withered fig tree, forgiveness, and faith. 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-17
Today's Message: Increasing Faith
The word faith is defined as having confidence or trust in a person or thing, it is also defined as having a strong or unshakeable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence. Okay, the world seems to have it half right, it sees our faith in God as without proof or evidence, it is good to know that we can find the truth from the book of all knowledge, the Bible. The true meaning of faith is, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen....Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear....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 11:1,3,6. Okay, so, the Bible tells us that faith is the core or center of putting our confidence or trust in God, whom we can not see, and receiving them with proof of His existence through our belief in Him.
Our faith in God is like a line graph chart, sometimes it is way up high a we feel God is with us and sometimes it is so low that we feel God is no where to be found. You know, if you are saved God is always with you, even if you are not, God is always there nudging you to get saved. The truth is this, our faith increases by the things we receive, the more we receive the more faith we have, but if we start losing things our faith decreases. The big reason for this, we want to receive things on our terms and not God's. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” - Hebrews 10:25,26.
The key to all blessings from God is knowing His terms and the only way to know His terms is to be saved and get in His Word. Reading His Word without being saved is like trying to find a house with absolutely no directions, you will never find or increase your faith in God if you are not saved. If I had stuck my face in this great book years ago it would have kept me from a lot of suffering, but thank God that He got me to read it before I suffered even more by marrying a man that had been divorced twice. Yes, divorce is not in the will of God, Jesus said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.”- Mark 10:11,12.
While divorce is not in the will of God, He does give us a way out of every situation and is forgiving to those who have divorced. “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.” - I Corinthians 7:15-17.
God will often place circumstances in our lives in order to increase our faith in Him, Jesus is always with us, we need, but to call Him, such as the case of a blind beggar who heard that Jesus was passing by. “And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” - Mark 10:47-52.
Although Jesus was in His presence and knew what the man wanted He did not give Him what He wanted until first, he cried out to Him, and secondly, Jesus saw his faith. It is important that we have faith, but equally important to call Him. “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him....So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” - Romans 10:12,17.
While nothing is impossible with God, sometimes the things we ask God for are just ridiculous, so, we should not expect them. Think about it, do you think God is going to give you gun to kill yourself? That is just something people do out of their own will and not God's. When Jesus was explaining to His disciples the things that were about to take place before He leaves the earth two of His disciples asked Jesus for something that He just could not give them. “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory...But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” -Mark 11:35-37,42-45.
Stop and think of what these were asking of God, the cup that Jesus is about to drink from, is His crucifixion, as well as the cup that he will pour out upon the earth at His return. However to be baptized with their baptism that Jesus is speaking of here is all the suffering and death that is right in from of Jesus. They cannot be there and go through those times and troubles, for Christ must go through it alone. Jesus is on the right hand of the Father, these two are asking to take the place of Almighty God. Their request is asked in ignorance, as are many of the requests that we ask of Him each day. Thank God that He does not give us our every request, and wishful desire. We need to remind ourselves that, the higher we rise in seeking to be like Christ, the lower we shall willingly stoop to serve those around us. A Christian should always be available to do what will the will of God and that will increase our faith and the blessings we receive. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” -I Peter 1:7-9. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and have an awesome week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going to Heaven? godsprice.com
Visit The I'm Following Jesus Website imfollowingjesus.com
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
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