King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Splendor & Bliss of Heaven
For: Saturday November 20, 2010
Chapters: Romans 4-7
Click Here to Read Chapters Or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-20
Details of Today's Chapters: Salvation, grace, circumcision, justified by faith, how sin entered the world, the likeness of Jesus, baptism, and the wages of sin.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
We learned in yesterday's reading that the Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23. The word glory means the splendor and bliss of heaven, God is telling us that we are all sinners and come short or lost the privilege of enjoying the splendor and bliss of heaven because of our sin. A lot of people will not accept Christ because they believe that they are not sinners, the most common reply a person gives when asked if they know for sure they are going to heaven is, “Well, I try to be good.” This is something we have been taught, that we must be good in order to get to heaven. I spent years of my life afraid to make a wrong move because it meant I would go to hell. But the reality of it is, while we do want to do good, it is not what gets us in heaven, only by admitting that we are a sinner, believing in Jesus, and asking Him to save us are we able to enjoy the splendor and bliss of heaven. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” -I John 1:8,9.
Paul explains this further, “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness...And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.” - Romans 4:4-9,12.
To be circumcised means to be purified spiritually, this means no amount of work (goodness) that we do can purify us spiritually. The reason being is stated in verse 4, if we try to work to enjoy the splendor and bliss of heaven than we are not putting our faith in God, but trying to work for a debt we owe ourselves. Remember, we are not saved by works, but by our faith in Jesus Christ, so unless we believe in Jesus nothing we do counts as righteousness. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us...Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” - Romans 5:1-5,9.
So, how is it that we are all sinners? Paul explains this as well, “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:.Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 5:12, 18-21.
Paul explains that by one man's sin, being Adam, death and hell (condemnation) passed upon all of us. To explain this further we have to look at where sin began with Adam and Eve. God gave them one command, “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” - Genesis 2:16,17. God was not referring to a physical death, but a spiritual death. First, Eve was tempted by Satan and ate of the tree, then she gave some to Adam, hence, by one man sin and death entered the world and was passed on to all of us.
How was it passed on to us? God said, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” - Genesis 3:15. The word enmity means hostility, God is declaring war with Satan and since Eve was deceived by him first and she convinced Adam to sin the sin nature got passed down to all of us. However within this verse contains the promise of God's seed. Satan, by whose action and deceit as a serpent deceived the woman. Satan shall bruise Christ and his members, but not overcome them. This being Christ death and resurrection. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8
Because Jesus died for us, we no longer have to work to pay those wages, that is why salvation is a gift and not something we work for. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. If we want to see the splendor and bliss of heaven nothing we do in the flesh will get us there, but by accepting God's gift we can, and to accept it you just have to ask Him for it. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:13. Praise God!
Have you accepted God's gift? If you have, you can say I know that I am going to enjoy the splendor and bliss of heaven. If you have not, the time to receive it is now, so you too can say, I am going to enjoy the splendor and bliss of heaven.
Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night, weekend and God Bless You.
I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn About Salvation: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Bible Study: One God For All
King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: One God For All
For: Friday November 19, 2010
Chapters: Acts 1-3
Click Here to Read Chapters Or Go to: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-19.php
Details of Today's Reading: Paul explains how people lose their knowledge of God, that both Jew and Gentile come from the same God, that we are all subject to God's judgment and no law can save us, only by our faith in Jesus Christ are we saved.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Now we begin reading the epistles (letters), most of which were written by Paul during his ministry (Noted in the Book of Acts). The Book of Romans is the sixth book of the New Testament, forty-fifth book of the Bible, and contains sixteen chapters. The author of the book is Paul and it was written to the believers in Rome. The purpose of the book, also known as Romans road, was to show that salvation is given by faith to all believers of Christ and not by any law. It details the previous law of Moses and presents the meaning of the Gospel in relation to law, prophecy, and the universal need of man for salvation only by faith. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” - Romans 1:16.
Paul is writing a letter to the Romans, he was in Corinth and heard about their faith in the Gospel, but there was some confusion between the Jews and Christians. “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” - Romans 1:11-16.
Paul confirms to all that salvation is not just for the Jews or Gentiles (anyone not a Jew), it is for all who believe. The Gospel, is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is to be preached to all, without faith in the Gospel you can not be saved, regardless of who you are. He then explains that we are all born with the knowledge of God from birth, but we lose that knowledge when we give in to our own imaginations. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things...And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” - Romans 1:20-23,28.
The word reprobate means to be rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation, these are people who reject that God even exists and come up with theses theories of evolution, the big bang, and whatever else they try to drum up with their vain imaginations. The truth is that they do not want to accept that there is a much higher power above them that created them. Whether Jew or Gentile, we are all going to face Jesus one day, no one is exempt from judgment day, “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” - Romans 2:6-13.
In fact, Paul stresses that the Jews did not get it right either, there are just as unrighteous as the Gentiles. “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. ” - Romans 3:9-12.
Sometimes I envy the Jews, they were God's chosen people, they witnessed manna, His presence over a cloud, the parting of the Red sea, miracle after miracle, yet never showed gratitude and obeyed only when they wanted something. Then it comes to me, I have witnessed my own miracles and have not shown gratitude or always obeyed Him either. I am no different that a Jew, Christ died for me and for you, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” - Romans 3:22-26.
To be justified means to be acquitted, set free from all our sins, by our faith in Jesus Christ. We are not set free by what we do for God, who we are, or where we came from, we are set free by accepting that we are a sinner and believing in Jesus, who died and shed His blood to set us free. “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” -Romans 3:26-30.
Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend, and God Bless You.
I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn About Salvation: godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Message Title: One God For All
For: Friday November 19, 2010
Chapters: Acts 1-3
Click Here to Read Chapters Or Go to: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-19.php
Details of Today's Reading: Paul explains how people lose their knowledge of God, that both Jew and Gentile come from the same God, that we are all subject to God's judgment and no law can save us, only by our faith in Jesus Christ are we saved.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Now we begin reading the epistles (letters), most of which were written by Paul during his ministry (Noted in the Book of Acts). The Book of Romans is the sixth book of the New Testament, forty-fifth book of the Bible, and contains sixteen chapters. The author of the book is Paul and it was written to the believers in Rome. The purpose of the book, also known as Romans road, was to show that salvation is given by faith to all believers of Christ and not by any law. It details the previous law of Moses and presents the meaning of the Gospel in relation to law, prophecy, and the universal need of man for salvation only by faith. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” - Romans 1:16.
Paul is writing a letter to the Romans, he was in Corinth and heard about their faith in the Gospel, but there was some confusion between the Jews and Christians. “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” - Romans 1:11-16.
Paul confirms to all that salvation is not just for the Jews or Gentiles (anyone not a Jew), it is for all who believe. The Gospel, is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and it is to be preached to all, without faith in the Gospel you can not be saved, regardless of who you are. He then explains that we are all born with the knowledge of God from birth, but we lose that knowledge when we give in to our own imaginations. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things...And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” - Romans 1:20-23,28.
The word reprobate means to be rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation, these are people who reject that God even exists and come up with theses theories of evolution, the big bang, and whatever else they try to drum up with their vain imaginations. The truth is that they do not want to accept that there is a much higher power above them that created them. Whether Jew or Gentile, we are all going to face Jesus one day, no one is exempt from judgment day, “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” - Romans 2:6-13.
In fact, Paul stresses that the Jews did not get it right either, there are just as unrighteous as the Gentiles. “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. ” - Romans 3:9-12.
Sometimes I envy the Jews, they were God's chosen people, they witnessed manna, His presence over a cloud, the parting of the Red sea, miracle after miracle, yet never showed gratitude and obeyed only when they wanted something. Then it comes to me, I have witnessed my own miracles and have not shown gratitude or always obeyed Him either. I am no different that a Jew, Christ died for me and for you, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” - Romans 3:22-26.
To be justified means to be acquitted, set free from all our sins, by our faith in Jesus Christ. We are not set free by what we do for God, who we are, or where we came from, we are set free by accepting that we are a sinner and believing in Jesus, who died and shed His blood to set us free. “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.” -Romans 3:26-30.
Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend, and God Bless You.
I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn About Salvation: godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Bible Study: Abide In The Ship
King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Abide In The Ship
For: Thursday November 18, 2010
Chapters: Acts 26-28
Click Here to Read Chapters Or Go to: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-18
Details of Today's Reading: Paul defends himself before King Agrippa, his voyage to Rome, the storm at sea, shipwrecked at Melita, Paul arrives in Rome and meets Caesar, and his ministry in Rome.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
A ship is a large vessel, a container, that cannot be carried aboard another. Have you seen some of the ships out there? They are huge, I guess they would have to be in order to transport so many things and withstand the storms out there. Now, imagine that ship being Jesus Christ, He is so big that nothing else can be carried aboard Him. The second we accept Him as our Savior we enter His ship, we become contained and protected within His walls. Now, when the storms of life try to shipwreck us we can be confident that we will be able to withstand them. However, at times, even the strongest Christian can weaken and lose sight of Him. When we get to that point it is time to call Him and get back on the ship. “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” - Psalm 107:28-30.
When Paul headed back to Jerusalem he had no idea what would become of him, he heard rumors, people warned him to stay away before he got killed, he got arrested, and even some of the Jews plotted to kill him. I am sure that he was a bit depressed and nervous at times, but the one thing he could count on was that he knew God was with him. After they could not find anything to charge him with he was sent from one country to another in hopes that someone would find something to charge him with and kill him. Now, he is standing before King Agrippa and gets to defend himself. “For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles...And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. ” - Acts 26:21-23,30-32.
Paul never stopped witnessing the Gospel to anyone God led him to no matter what he was going through. King Agrippa was about to let him go, but he knew he had to stand before Caesar so, he was boarded on a prisoner ship headed for Rome along with 275 other men. As they were sailing a storm was brewing, Paul warned them not to continue in the direction that they were going, but they refused to listen and headed right for it. “Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.” - Acts 27:9-11.
For 14 days Paul and the other men were in the middle of a hurricane, then Paul spoke up. “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved... And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship... And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” - Acts 27:31,39,42-44.
The Holy Spirit warns us about storms that are brewing in our own lives, often we ignore those warnings and it is only when we are in the middle of a hurricane that we realize we should have listened. The amazing thing about God is that even when we do ignore the warnings He will help us out of the storm. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.
The time had come for Paul to face Caesar, first he went before the chief of the Jews, “And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans...For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening...And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” - Acts 28: 17,20-23,30,31.
After all the treacherous storms Paul went through and not knowing what was to come of him when he arrived in Rome, he prevailed through his faith in God and was blessed after his suffering. Paul, a man that began his life persecuting Christians, turned his life around and became the most well known and greatest evangelist there ever was. He endured much pain, suffering, and some humiliation, but never lost sight of Christ. He is a testimony that anyone can turn their life around and be blessed by living their lives for Christ. It's not easy to remain faithful, sometimes we may even get shipwrecked, but Christ is always there and when we humble ourselves and abide in His ship He will make sure that we too prevail and are blessed through our suffering.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2.
Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and week,
and God Bless You.
I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn About Salvation: godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Message Title: Abide In The Ship
For: Thursday November 18, 2010
Chapters: Acts 26-28
Click Here to Read Chapters Or Go to: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-18
Details of Today's Reading: Paul defends himself before King Agrippa, his voyage to Rome, the storm at sea, shipwrecked at Melita, Paul arrives in Rome and meets Caesar, and his ministry in Rome.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
A ship is a large vessel, a container, that cannot be carried aboard another. Have you seen some of the ships out there? They are huge, I guess they would have to be in order to transport so many things and withstand the storms out there. Now, imagine that ship being Jesus Christ, He is so big that nothing else can be carried aboard Him. The second we accept Him as our Savior we enter His ship, we become contained and protected within His walls. Now, when the storms of life try to shipwreck us we can be confident that we will be able to withstand them. However, at times, even the strongest Christian can weaken and lose sight of Him. When we get to that point it is time to call Him and get back on the ship. “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.” - Psalm 107:28-30.
When Paul headed back to Jerusalem he had no idea what would become of him, he heard rumors, people warned him to stay away before he got killed, he got arrested, and even some of the Jews plotted to kill him. I am sure that he was a bit depressed and nervous at times, but the one thing he could count on was that he knew God was with him. After they could not find anything to charge him with he was sent from one country to another in hopes that someone would find something to charge him with and kill him. Now, he is standing before King Agrippa and gets to defend himself. “For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles...And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. ” - Acts 26:21-23,30-32.
Paul never stopped witnessing the Gospel to anyone God led him to no matter what he was going through. King Agrippa was about to let him go, but he knew he had to stand before Caesar so, he was boarded on a prisoner ship headed for Rome along with 275 other men. As they were sailing a storm was brewing, Paul warned them not to continue in the direction that they were going, but they refused to listen and headed right for it. “Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.” - Acts 27:9-11.
For 14 days Paul and the other men were in the middle of a hurricane, then Paul spoke up. “Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved... And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship... And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape. But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.” - Acts 27:31,39,42-44.
The Holy Spirit warns us about storms that are brewing in our own lives, often we ignore those warnings and it is only when we are in the middle of a hurricane that we realize we should have listened. The amazing thing about God is that even when we do ignore the warnings He will help us out of the storm. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.
The time had come for Paul to face Caesar, first he went before the chief of the Jews, “And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them, Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people, or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans...For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came shewed or spake any harm of thee. But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening...And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.” - Acts 28: 17,20-23,30,31.
After all the treacherous storms Paul went through and not knowing what was to come of him when he arrived in Rome, he prevailed through his faith in God and was blessed after his suffering. Paul, a man that began his life persecuting Christians, turned his life around and became the most well known and greatest evangelist there ever was. He endured much pain, suffering, and some humiliation, but never lost sight of Christ. He is a testimony that anyone can turn their life around and be blessed by living their lives for Christ. It's not easy to remain faithful, sometimes we may even get shipwrecked, but Christ is always there and when we humble ourselves and abide in His ship He will make sure that we too prevail and are blessed through our suffering.
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:1,2.
Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and week,
and God Bless You.
I am praying for you,
Christina
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Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Bible Study: In God We Trust
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Wednesday November 17, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Acts, chapters 23-25. In these chapters we will read about, Paul standing before the religious rulers in Jerusalem, the Jews plot to have Paul killed, Paul is sent to Caesarea, the to Rome, where he goes before Festus, and his appeal to Caesar. 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-november-17 All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version.
Today's Message: In God We Trust
Amazingly you can look around anywhere and see that God's presence is known, I was watching tv last night, they were in a court room and behind the judge was the inscription, “In God we trust”, in fact, the same inscription is printed on US money as well, but do we really trust Him? Many say they do, but what god are they putting their trust in. It is easy to say that I believe in God, but, we all have to ask ourselves this question. Am I believing in the God that is or the god that man says is? There is a difference, it's much easier to believe and follow the laws and regulations of what man believes God to be than simply following God's truths. “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..And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” - Romans 1:21,23.
You know, the funny thing is that God makes it simple, believe in my Son and I will take care of you and even give you eternal life, yet man makes it complicated by adding all these rules along with it. They enforce things like, you must get baptized, must pay money, must join my church, must get people to join my church, must remain good, must confess your sins to a priest, etc. Can I tell you that none of these things get you to heaven? The only way to get to heaven is by admitting that you are a sinner, believing in Jesus Christ, and asking Him to save you. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10.
This is not something new, this is what Paul preached during his ministry and what he was arrested for in Jerusalem. In fact, Paul was transferred from one country to another in hopes that the Jews would convince one of these leaders that he needed to die for telling people about Jesus. As he stood before the religious leaders in Jerusalem he noticed one thing. “But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” - Acts 23:6-11.
Here are these two different religious groups divided among one another, both believed in God, but one did not believe in the resurrection and the other did. Religion has nothing to do with God's Word, it's all about using bits and pieces of it in order to create their own set of rules and laws in how they want people to worship them. Sadly, many churches will claim that they know who Jesus is, but they are just as lost as the rest of the world. It was religious people that killed Jesus and still today they literally kill and send thousands of people to hell. None of us want to admit this fact, but it is the truth. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” -Revelation 20:14,15.
It was believed to be that Paul's fate was in the hands of these men, but little did they know that God was with him and that he was in control of Paul's fate. No matter where Paul went he was somehow allowed to speak in his defense, he never stopped confessing that he followed God and His Word and no fault was found in him by the rulers. “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.” -24:14-16. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23.
Paul lived by the Scriptures and it was by doing so that he knew the truth and also trusted in the hope of God to get him through every one of the circumstances he faced. He knew who God was and he was not about to compromise his beliefs in order to save his life, he knew that his life was saved already because he knew who God was and even if he died he would be right there with Him in heaven. We should all have the same confidence that Paul had and if we have accept Christ as our Savior we can. “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” - I Timothy 4:10.
Be blessed, 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
Want To Receive This Devotion in Your Email?
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Today is Wednesday November 17, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Acts, chapters 23-25. In these chapters we will read about, Paul standing before the religious rulers in Jerusalem, the Jews plot to have Paul killed, Paul is sent to Caesarea, the to Rome, where he goes before Festus, and his appeal to Caesar. 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-november-17 All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version.
Today's Message: In God We Trust
Amazingly you can look around anywhere and see that God's presence is known, I was watching tv last night, they were in a court room and behind the judge was the inscription, “In God we trust”, in fact, the same inscription is printed on US money as well, but do we really trust Him? Many say they do, but what god are they putting their trust in. It is easy to say that I believe in God, but, we all have to ask ourselves this question. Am I believing in the God that is or the god that man says is? There is a difference, it's much easier to believe and follow the laws and regulations of what man believes God to be than simply following God's truths. “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..And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.” - Romans 1:21,23.
You know, the funny thing is that God makes it simple, believe in my Son and I will take care of you and even give you eternal life, yet man makes it complicated by adding all these rules along with it. They enforce things like, you must get baptized, must pay money, must join my church, must get people to join my church, must remain good, must confess your sins to a priest, etc. Can I tell you that none of these things get you to heaven? The only way to get to heaven is by admitting that you are a sinner, believing in Jesus Christ, and asking Him to save you. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:9,10.
This is not something new, this is what Paul preached during his ministry and what he was arrested for in Jerusalem. In fact, Paul was transferred from one country to another in hopes that the Jews would convince one of these leaders that he needed to die for telling people about Jesus. As he stood before the religious leaders in Jerusalem he noticed one thing. “But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” - Acts 23:6-11.
Here are these two different religious groups divided among one another, both believed in God, but one did not believe in the resurrection and the other did. Religion has nothing to do with God's Word, it's all about using bits and pieces of it in order to create their own set of rules and laws in how they want people to worship them. Sadly, many churches will claim that they know who Jesus is, but they are just as lost as the rest of the world. It was religious people that killed Jesus and still today they literally kill and send thousands of people to hell. None of us want to admit this fact, but it is the truth. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” -Revelation 20:14,15.
It was believed to be that Paul's fate was in the hands of these men, but little did they know that God was with him and that he was in control of Paul's fate. No matter where Paul went he was somehow allowed to speak in his defense, he never stopped confessing that he followed God and His Word and no fault was found in him by the rulers. “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.” -24:14-16. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23.
Paul lived by the Scriptures and it was by doing so that he knew the truth and also trusted in the hope of God to get him through every one of the circumstances he faced. He knew who God was and he was not about to compromise his beliefs in order to save his life, he knew that his life was saved already because he knew who God was and even if he died he would be right there with Him in heaven. We should all have the same confidence that Paul had and if we have accept Christ as our Savior we can. “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” - I Timothy 4:10.
Be blessed, 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
Want To Receive This Devotion in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Bible Study: Strength In God's Will
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Tuesday November 16, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Acts, chapters 20-22. In these chapters we will read about, Paul's mission in Macedonia and Greece, the raising of Eutychus from death, a message to the Ephesian elders, and Paul seized in the Temple at Jerusalem. 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-november-16 All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version.
Today's Message: Strength In God's Will
The word will is defined as a personal choice, a desire, when we choose to live in the will of God we are saying that we are going to live our lives as the personal choice that God has chosen for us or as He desires us to live. When Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them to pray the first thing He said was, “When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” - Luke 11:2. When we are up in heaven we will always be in God's will so we might as well get use to it now. It's not always easy following the will of God, we are going to face lots of temptations, trials, and even some suffering, but God is always with us and as we endure these things with Him we can be sure that our greater reward awaits us. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” -Revelation 21:7.
No matter what Paul was going through he did everything in that the Holy Spirit led him to do, if it meant that he was going to suffer he gladly accepted the challenge and did whatever God asked him to do. Paul was heading back to Jerusalem, along the way he stopped to preach the Gospel where the Holy Spirit led him, while in Miletus he spoke to the elders of the church from Ephesus. “And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,.. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God...Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” - Acts 20:18,22-24,28.
Paul did not know what was going to happen to him when he arrived in Jerusalem, he was well aware that there would be some affliction and he was joyful about it. He encouraged the elders to keep preaching the Gospel and reminded them that Christ paid for their lives as well with His blood. Even when he expects persecution and affliction, the love of Christ gives him the strength to proceed. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - I Peter 5:10.
When trying to do the will of God we are always going to get opposition, even if it is not intentional. Along his journey back to Jerusalem a man named Agabus who was a prophet urged Paul not to continue on his journey. “And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” - Acts 21:11-14.
Paul was willing to accept that he may die in Jerusalem saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” The powerful influences of the Holy Spirit bind the true Christian to his duty. While we can not know what the future holds even throughout the day, we can be joyful knowing that one thing in our future does hold true and that is being in the Kingdom of God. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - I Corinthians 6:9-11.
While Paul went through much suffering following God's will none of it can compare to the suffering that Jesus endured as He shed His blood to save us. Jesus died for all with joy, He took on the sin debt that every living soul owed by giving His life for them. He bore much pain, humiliation, and suffering so we do not have to spend eternity in hell. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” -Romans 5:8,9.
Although Christ died for all He will not give eternal life to anyone unless they ask Him to save them. That is God's will for everyone, but sadly, few will allow Him to choose their will for them. It takes a strong person to follow the will of God, but we do not have to gather the strength ourselves. Paul knew where his strength came from and that is what enabled him to follow God's will. It came from Christ, and no matter what we are going through we can join Paul in saying, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:13. Praise God!
Be blessed, 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
Want To Receive This Devotion in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Today is Tuesday November 16, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Acts, chapters 20-22. In these chapters we will read about, Paul's mission in Macedonia and Greece, the raising of Eutychus from death, a message to the Ephesian elders, and Paul seized in the Temple at Jerusalem. 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-november-16 All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version.
Today's Message: Strength In God's Will
The word will is defined as a personal choice, a desire, when we choose to live in the will of God we are saying that we are going to live our lives as the personal choice that God has chosen for us or as He desires us to live. When Jesus' disciples asked Him to teach them to pray the first thing He said was, “When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.” - Luke 11:2. When we are up in heaven we will always be in God's will so we might as well get use to it now. It's not always easy following the will of God, we are going to face lots of temptations, trials, and even some suffering, but God is always with us and as we endure these things with Him we can be sure that our greater reward awaits us. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” -Revelation 21:7.
No matter what Paul was going through he did everything in that the Holy Spirit led him to do, if it meant that he was going to suffer he gladly accepted the challenge and did whatever God asked him to do. Paul was heading back to Jerusalem, along the way he stopped to preach the Gospel where the Holy Spirit led him, while in Miletus he spoke to the elders of the church from Ephesus. “And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,.. And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God...Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” - Acts 20:18,22-24,28.
Paul did not know what was going to happen to him when he arrived in Jerusalem, he was well aware that there would be some affliction and he was joyful about it. He encouraged the elders to keep preaching the Gospel and reminded them that Christ paid for their lives as well with His blood. Even when he expects persecution and affliction, the love of Christ gives him the strength to proceed. “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - I Peter 5:10.
When trying to do the will of God we are always going to get opposition, even if it is not intentional. Along his journey back to Jerusalem a man named Agabus who was a prophet urged Paul not to continue on his journey. “And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” - Acts 21:11-14.
Paul was willing to accept that he may die in Jerusalem saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” The powerful influences of the Holy Spirit bind the true Christian to his duty. While we can not know what the future holds even throughout the day, we can be joyful knowing that one thing in our future does hold true and that is being in the Kingdom of God. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - I Corinthians 6:9-11.
While Paul went through much suffering following God's will none of it can compare to the suffering that Jesus endured as He shed His blood to save us. Jesus died for all with joy, He took on the sin debt that every living soul owed by giving His life for them. He bore much pain, humiliation, and suffering so we do not have to spend eternity in hell. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” -Romans 5:8,9.
Although Christ died for all He will not give eternal life to anyone unless they ask Him to save them. That is God's will for everyone, but sadly, few will allow Him to choose their will for them. It takes a strong person to follow the will of God, but we do not have to gather the strength ourselves. Paul knew where his strength came from and that is what enabled him to follow God's will. It came from Christ, and no matter what we are going through we can join Paul in saying, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:13. Praise God!
Be blessed, 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
Want To Receive This Devotion in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Monday, November 15, 2010
Bible Study: Pass It On
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Monday November 15, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Acts, chapters 17-19. In these chapters we will read about, Jewish opposition, Paul and Silas in Berea, Paul on Mars Hill, Paul meets Priscilla and Aquila, Ephesus, and the silversmiths. 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-november-15
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version.
Today's Message: Pass It On
Did you ever play the game pass it on? You have a line of people, one person tells a story to the person next to them and that person tells the story to the person next to them and so on until it reaches the last person. By the time the story gets to the last person it is completely different and hardly any truth to it at all. How does that happen? When someone tells us a story we only pick up bits and pieces of it so when we tell it to someone else we tell them the things that we remembered or thought they remembered. It's not really done intentionally, it's just our ability to comprehend a certain amount of information at one time. Well, imagine how distorted the truths of the Bible have become over the centuries from one person telling bits and pieces of the story that they have heard? The Bible says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” -I Corinthians 2:9,10.
This was the challenge that Paul and Silas dealt with when ministering to the people in Greece. By the time they got there word had surely gotten passed around about Jesus, the challenge was getting them to see the truth verses something they just heard about. Paul challenges the Greeks and their worship of idols, false gods, and philosophers. “And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things...And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. ” - Acts 17:4-8,10.
The unbelieving Jews were angry, because the apostles preached to the Gentiles, that they too might be saved. How strange it is, that men should grudge others the privileges they will not themselves accept. We should never be afraid to approach someone with the Gospel, regardless of their race, God is God of all and saves all who believe in His Son. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” - I Corinthians 12:12-14.
Paul was led to preach to the people in Athens, “Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is...Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious...God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;..Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device...And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter...Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” - Acts 17:18,19,22,24,32,34.
The Epicureans entirely denied a providence, and held the world to be the effect of mere chance, asserting sensual pleasure to be man's chief good, and that the soul and body died together. The Stoics held, that matter was eternal and that all things were governed by irresistible fate, that virtue was its own sufficient reward, and vice its own sufficient punishment. Paul's intention through the Holy Spirit was to open the door to the truth. Anytime we preach the Gospel to unbelievers we at least open the door to give them the opportunity to know the truth. The rest is up to God and their willingness to accept it. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” - I Corinthians 3:9-11.
The Holy Spirit is who teaches us about God and His Word, without the Holy Spirit the Bible is just words in a book. Since the Holy Spirit is a spirit, that means that the only way to know God is through the Holy Spirit inside of you. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” - Romans 8:9-11.
The only way to get the Holy Spirit inside you is by believing in and asking Jesus to save you. Once you have the Spirit in you, He reveals things a little at a time so you can comprehend them rather than try to figure them all out in one reading. It's boggling every time someone says that they have read the Bible and know everything in it. One might know about Moses and David, but one can never know every thing that is contained in the Bible. Why? Because God wants us to pass it on in truth and not in bits and pieces of the truth. Learning God's Word slowly, day by day is the only way to keep the truth and pass it on to others. “Give us day by day our daily bread.” - Luke 11:3.
Be blessed, 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 Monday November 15, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Acts, chapters 17-19. In these chapters we will read about, Jewish opposition, Paul and Silas in Berea, Paul on Mars Hill, Paul meets Priscilla and Aquila, Ephesus, and the silversmiths. 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-november-15
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version.
Today's Message: Pass It On
Did you ever play the game pass it on? You have a line of people, one person tells a story to the person next to them and that person tells the story to the person next to them and so on until it reaches the last person. By the time the story gets to the last person it is completely different and hardly any truth to it at all. How does that happen? When someone tells us a story we only pick up bits and pieces of it so when we tell it to someone else we tell them the things that we remembered or thought they remembered. It's not really done intentionally, it's just our ability to comprehend a certain amount of information at one time. Well, imagine how distorted the truths of the Bible have become over the centuries from one person telling bits and pieces of the story that they have heard? The Bible says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” -I Corinthians 2:9,10.
This was the challenge that Paul and Silas dealt with when ministering to the people in Greece. By the time they got there word had surely gotten passed around about Jesus, the challenge was getting them to see the truth verses something they just heard about. Paul challenges the Greeks and their worship of idols, false gods, and philosophers. “And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things...And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. ” - Acts 17:4-8,10.
The unbelieving Jews were angry, because the apostles preached to the Gentiles, that they too might be saved. How strange it is, that men should grudge others the privileges they will not themselves accept. We should never be afraid to approach someone with the Gospel, regardless of their race, God is God of all and saves all who believe in His Son. “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.” - I Corinthians 12:12-14.
Paul was led to preach to the people in Athens, “Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is...Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious...God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;..Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device...And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter...Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” - Acts 17:18,19,22,24,32,34.
The Epicureans entirely denied a providence, and held the world to be the effect of mere chance, asserting sensual pleasure to be man's chief good, and that the soul and body died together. The Stoics held, that matter was eternal and that all things were governed by irresistible fate, that virtue was its own sufficient reward, and vice its own sufficient punishment. Paul's intention through the Holy Spirit was to open the door to the truth. Anytime we preach the Gospel to unbelievers we at least open the door to give them the opportunity to know the truth. The rest is up to God and their willingness to accept it. “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” - I Corinthians 3:9-11.
The Holy Spirit is who teaches us about God and His Word, without the Holy Spirit the Bible is just words in a book. Since the Holy Spirit is a spirit, that means that the only way to know God is through the Holy Spirit inside of you. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” - Romans 8:9-11.
The only way to get the Holy Spirit inside you is by believing in and asking Jesus to save you. Once you have the Spirit in you, He reveals things a little at a time so you can comprehend them rather than try to figure them all out in one reading. It's boggling every time someone says that they have read the Bible and know everything in it. One might know about Moses and David, but one can never know every thing that is contained in the Bible. Why? Because God wants us to pass it on in truth and not in bits and pieces of the truth. Learning God's Word slowly, day by day is the only way to keep the truth and pass it on to others. “Give us day by day our daily bread.” - Luke 11:3.
Be blessed, 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
Want To Receive This Devotion in Your Email?
Subscribe By Sending A Blank Email With the Subject Subscribe to: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
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