King James Daily Bible Study: God's Power
Date: Saturday April 02, 2011
Chapters: I Samuel 4-7
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-2
Details of Today's Reading: The Philistines fight with the Israelites and take the Ark of God, the Ark of God becomes a curse to Philistines, the Ark is sent back to the Israelites, a revival takes place, the Israelites put away their false gods to serve only God, and Samuel judges Israel.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
I have been doing research on various religions to show the difference between what that religion follows and what God says otherwise. Just about every religion I research talks about God and thinks that they are following God, the problem is not all are following what the Bible says. If we are going to follow God doesn't it make sense to follow His Word, since it is God? Of course it does, but the truth is the majority of religions out there either follow some form of God's Word or make up their own words all together, which makes God to be no longer the Almighty God, but a god that they created in their own image. The Bible says, “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” - Revelation 22:18,19.
The “Ark of God” or the “Ark of the Covenant” was a wooden box that contained a very precious jewel, the Word of God. Just by holding the Word of God you can feel God's power, but without God's power in you it is just an ordinary book. While in a battle with the Philistines, the Israelites came up with an idea, to take the Ark of God, as if it would save themselves and placing it outside of the Tabernacle.
“And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again...And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.” - I Samuel 4:3-5,10,11.
The Israelites foolishly put their faith in the Ark of God, instead of God Himself. Although the Ark held the presence of God, it was not the ark itself that held the power, it was God. The Bible is worthless in our hands if we do not have the power of God upon us. Hophni and Phinehas are examples of those who are brought up religious, but never received the power of God upon them. Every person who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior receives the power of God upon them. No amount of praying, reading the Bible, or good deeds will save you, only Jesus can save you. However, even if we are saved that does not mean that we are invincible if we do not acknowledge that God is the source of that power. “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” - II Corinthians 13:4,5. Reprobate means a person that can not tell right from wrong.
Now, take the Word of God and mix it in with false religion and see what happens. The Philistines, now in possession of the Ark, had this idea that because they had Israels God they would be blessed more, after all they thought their god helped the defeat the Israelites. However, they got the surprise of their lives when they places the Ark next to their Dagon. Dagon was a statue with the upper body of a woman and lower body of a fish, who they idolized and galled their god.
“When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon. And when they of Ashdod arose early on the morrow, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. And they took Dagon, and set him in his place again. And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day. But the hand of the LORD was heavy upon them of Ashdod, and he destroyed them, and smote them with emerods, even Ashdod and the coasts thereof.” - I Samuel 5:2-6.
It is incredible and quite laughable to read about the Philistines passing the Ark from one place to another and the curse it brought upon them until they got rid of it. The Philistines knew that the Almighty God truly existed and they were so scared that they thought of everything they could to get rid of Him. This is the exact same reason false religions starts, they know that something they are doing goes against God's Word so, they do anything they can to get rid of the Almighty and replace Him with a god that would allow them to do it. However, changing God in the image that they want Him to be never changes God, He still is the same as He was then, now, and will be the same for eternity. “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.” - Hebrews 13:7-9.
After the Israelites got the Ark back in their possession Samuel spoke to them, it was time for them to get right with God if they wanted peace with the Philistines. “And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh..And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.” - I Samuel 7:3-6,14,15.
In order for us to have peace in our lives we need to prepare our hearts and serve only Him. Let me tell you, I have tried to serve God on my terms and I was cursed the entire time, falling deeper and deeper into the whole I dug myself into. It was not until I literally almost killed myself before I heard God tell me “Get up, I did not make you to go like this!”, that was when He got me up and I started serving God on His terms. Oh, I am still growing, but I know the Power of God is upon me, I know the power of His Word lives in me because Jesus lives in me. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the rock called Ebenezer, (7:12) which means the stone of help. Jesus is the Rock of our salvation. “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” - I Corinthians 10:4.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: Just Ask
King James Daily Bible Study: Just Ask
Date: April 01, 2011
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-1
Details of Today's Reading: Eli the priest, Hannah's vow, the birth of Samuel, Hannah’s prophetic prayer, Eli's evil sons, Eli's warning about his sons, Samuel becomes God’s prophet and priest.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word pray is defined as to ask with earnestness or zeal, as for a favor, or for something desirable, to entreat, to supplicate. Simply put, praying is asking God for the things we desire. Now, we can praise God and thank Him, which is often added to prayer, but praying is just asking. Jesus said, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” - Luke 11:9,10.
The Book of I Samuel is the ninth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-one chapters. The author of the book is Samuel and it was written to the Israelites. The book records the history of three people, Samuel, the last judge of Israel, Saul, the first king, and David, who succeeds Saul as king. The time line for these events took place approximately 1171 BC to 1056 BC. The purpose of the book was to continue to record how God dealt with His people. What we are to learn from the book is the importance of being obedient to God first rather than giving a sacrifice for repentance later. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” - I Samuel 15:22.
Hannah was a godly, faithful woman who had everything she ever needed or dreamed of except one thing, children. She desperately wanted a child, but God had made her barren. One day, while at the Temple of the Lord she poured out her heart to God, she was praying so hard and intense that she felt the Spirit in her, she knew God was listen.
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.” - I Samuel 1:10-17.
Most of the time we have to admit when we pray, we really are not expecting God to give us the things we ask for. Think about it, when asking God for money to pay a bill, even though we are asking God for it, we are counting on our source of income for the money, rather than God just giving to us. However, once in a while God gets our whole heart when praying, I am talking about the down on your knees, weeping, and running nose kind of praying. Those are the prayers that we know God is with us because we feel Him there. God does hear all of our prayers, but these are the ones that touch His heart more than any. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” - Psalm 34:15.
God heard Hannah's cry and blessed her with a son, whom she name Samuel, meaning “God has heard” and just as she promised to gave her first born to God to be raised in the Temple, she brought him to Eli where he from his birth taught him about God and the duties of a priest. Because of her sacrifice and faithfulness to God Hannah was blessed with five more children, but every year she came by to visit Samuel.
“Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.” - I Samuel 2:19-21.
Part of receiving God's blessings is following through with the vows we make with Him. An amazing relationship with God can be formed when we are not only obedient to Him, but trust Him and are committed to Him as well. Samuel was just a little boy, perhaps he did not completely understand all that was going on with him or why he only saw his mother once a year, but he grew up knowing God had a plan for him. God had a plan indeed, Samuel would grow up to be a priest, prophet, and a judge for Israel. Samuel was just a child when God spoke to him for the first time.
“And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” - I Samuel 3:1-3.
This is a perfect illustration of how often God calls out to us, even those serving Him, but we are often unaware that it is Him. Probably our biggest misconception about God is that He does not answer all our prayers. The truth is He answers every prayer, He just rarely answers them in the way we expect. I think of God answering a prayer as a stop light: red, meaning no, yellow, meaning yes, but not yet, and green, meaning okay, now you can have it. It's all about putting our faith and trusting in Him while remaining committed to Him. “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” -Psalm 37:4-6.
God has His reasons for answering prayers the way He does, some day we will understand why, perhaps it may never be until the day we meet Him face to face, but until then we must not forget that prayer is essential to our communicating with God. If we do not ask we do not receive. “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.” - James 1:5-7.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Samuel who grew in favor with God and men (2:26) When Jesus was a child He grew in favor with God and man. “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” - Luke 2:40.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: April 01, 2011
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-april-1
Details of Today's Reading: Eli the priest, Hannah's vow, the birth of Samuel, Hannah’s prophetic prayer, Eli's evil sons, Eli's warning about his sons, Samuel becomes God’s prophet and priest.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word pray is defined as to ask with earnestness or zeal, as for a favor, or for something desirable, to entreat, to supplicate. Simply put, praying is asking God for the things we desire. Now, we can praise God and thank Him, which is often added to prayer, but praying is just asking. Jesus said, “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” - Luke 11:9,10.
The Book of I Samuel is the ninth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-one chapters. The author of the book is Samuel and it was written to the Israelites. The book records the history of three people, Samuel, the last judge of Israel, Saul, the first king, and David, who succeeds Saul as king. The time line for these events took place approximately 1171 BC to 1056 BC. The purpose of the book was to continue to record how God dealt with His people. What we are to learn from the book is the importance of being obedient to God first rather than giving a sacrifice for repentance later. “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” - I Samuel 15:22.
Hannah was a godly, faithful woman who had everything she ever needed or dreamed of except one thing, children. She desperately wanted a child, but God had made her barren. One day, while at the Temple of the Lord she poured out her heart to God, she was praying so hard and intense that she felt the Spirit in her, she knew God was listen.
“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.” - I Samuel 1:10-17.
Most of the time we have to admit when we pray, we really are not expecting God to give us the things we ask for. Think about it, when asking God for money to pay a bill, even though we are asking God for it, we are counting on our source of income for the money, rather than God just giving to us. However, once in a while God gets our whole heart when praying, I am talking about the down on your knees, weeping, and running nose kind of praying. Those are the prayers that we know God is with us because we feel Him there. God does hear all of our prayers, but these are the ones that touch His heart more than any. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” - Psalm 34:15.
God heard Hannah's cry and blessed her with a son, whom she name Samuel, meaning “God has heard” and just as she promised to gave her first born to God to be raised in the Temple, she brought him to Eli where he from his birth taught him about God and the duties of a priest. Because of her sacrifice and faithfulness to God Hannah was blessed with five more children, but every year she came by to visit Samuel.
“Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home. And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.” - I Samuel 2:19-21.
Part of receiving God's blessings is following through with the vows we make with Him. An amazing relationship with God can be formed when we are not only obedient to Him, but trust Him and are committed to Him as well. Samuel was just a little boy, perhaps he did not completely understand all that was going on with him or why he only saw his mother once a year, but he grew up knowing God had a plan for him. God had a plan indeed, Samuel would grow up to be a priest, prophet, and a judge for Israel. Samuel was just a child when God spoke to him for the first time.
“And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” - I Samuel 3:1-3.
This is a perfect illustration of how often God calls out to us, even those serving Him, but we are often unaware that it is Him. Probably our biggest misconception about God is that He does not answer all our prayers. The truth is He answers every prayer, He just rarely answers them in the way we expect. I think of God answering a prayer as a stop light: red, meaning no, yellow, meaning yes, but not yet, and green, meaning okay, now you can have it. It's all about putting our faith and trusting in Him while remaining committed to Him. “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.” -Psalm 37:4-6.
God has His reasons for answering prayers the way He does, some day we will understand why, perhaps it may never be until the day we meet Him face to face, but until then we must not forget that prayer is essential to our communicating with God. If we do not ask we do not receive. “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.” - James 1:5-7.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Samuel who grew in favor with God and men (2:26) When Jesus was a child He grew in favor with God and man. “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” - Luke 2:40.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Thursday, March 31, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: God's Delight
King James Daily Bible Study: God's Delight
Date: Thursday March 31, 2011
Chapters: The Book of Ruth
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-31
Details of Today's Reading: Elimelech and take their sons to Moab during a famine, the sons get married, Elimelech and the sons die, Naomi returns to Bethlehem with Ruth, Ruth serves Boaz, Ruth finds reward in her marriage to Boaz.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word recompense is defined as to compensate, to make return of an equivalent for any thing given, done or suffered for. There is no greater joy than to see the blessings that God gives us for the things we have given, done, or suffered through. The Bible says, “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.” - Psalm 18:20-24. God delights in our faithfulness and compensates us for it, especially when we remain faithful to Him through our afflictions.
The Book of Ruth is the eighth book of the Old Testament/Bible, the author of the book is unknown, but it was first written to the Israelites during the time of Judges. The time line for theses events is approximately 1312 BC. The purpose of the book was to show that even Gentiles who are faithful to God become a part of His People. Ruth became the great grandmother of David. It also illustrates the kinsman-redeemer relationship of Jesus Christ. What we are to learn from the book is that God can turn bitterness into blessings for all who come to Him, whether Jew or Gentile. “And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age:” - Ruth 4:15a.
Before Joshua died he gave instructions on who the tribes were to marry in order to keep their inheritance, basically they were to marry within their own tribe. After Joshua died God appointed judges to rule over the Israelites, during that time we learn of Elimelech who was of the tribe of Judah, he married a woman named Naomi and they had two sons. There was a famine in land so, Elimelech packed everyone up and headed to Moab, where the family resided.
“And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread...And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me...And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” - Ruth 1:3-6, 8,16,17.
Ruth had no idea what would become of her, the only thing she knew was that she did not want to go back to the life she lived and back to the false gods she grew up with. She was determined to follow Naomi and make her God her God also. Ruth is an example of the grace of God, giving life to the soul of all who seek to know Him, regardless of who they are born of or where they have come from. God delights in all who seek 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. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:12,13.
When Ruth got to Bethlehem I imagine she was overwhelmed, after all, she was a stranger in a strange land. She could have hid herself, she could have mingled with the crowds, but instead she chose to go to work. She went to work for a man named Boaz, who was kin to her late father-in-law Elimelech.
“Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” - Ruth 2:8-12.
A mere stranger, blessed to even be able to work in a place where she were not fit and worthy to enter into the congregation of the Lord finds grace in the eyes of her master. This is a perfect picture of the grace of God, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23. who finds grace in the eyes of a sinner. None of us are worthy to enter into the congregation of the Lord. It is only by His grace and our humbling ourselves before Him that we find His grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” - Ephesians 2:8,9. Our recompense for humbling ourselves before God and professing our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ gives us the reward of the Kingdom of God. Praise God!
Ruth had such an impression on Boaz that he eventually made her his wife, this is the third time that we learn of a person outside of a Jew becoming part of the heritage that would be were Jesus would descend from, proving that all who choose Christ are a part of the kingdom of God, both Jew and Gentile. “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.” - I Corinthians 12:12,13.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Bethlehem, which means "House of Bread." Jesus, the Bread of Life, satisfies the spiritual hunger of all who come to Him. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” - John 6:51.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: Thursday March 31, 2011
Chapters: The Book of Ruth
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-31
Details of Today's Reading: Elimelech and take their sons to Moab during a famine, the sons get married, Elimelech and the sons die, Naomi returns to Bethlehem with Ruth, Ruth serves Boaz, Ruth finds reward in her marriage to Boaz.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word recompense is defined as to compensate, to make return of an equivalent for any thing given, done or suffered for. There is no greater joy than to see the blessings that God gives us for the things we have given, done, or suffered through. The Bible says, “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.” - Psalm 18:20-24. God delights in our faithfulness and compensates us for it, especially when we remain faithful to Him through our afflictions.
The Book of Ruth is the eighth book of the Old Testament/Bible, the author of the book is unknown, but it was first written to the Israelites during the time of Judges. The time line for theses events is approximately 1312 BC. The purpose of the book was to show that even Gentiles who are faithful to God become a part of His People. Ruth became the great grandmother of David. It also illustrates the kinsman-redeemer relationship of Jesus Christ. What we are to learn from the book is that God can turn bitterness into blessings for all who come to Him, whether Jew or Gentile. “And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age:” - Ruth 4:15a.
Before Joshua died he gave instructions on who the tribes were to marry in order to keep their inheritance, basically they were to marry within their own tribe. After Joshua died God appointed judges to rule over the Israelites, during that time we learn of Elimelech who was of the tribe of Judah, he married a woman named Naomi and they had two sons. There was a famine in land so, Elimelech packed everyone up and headed to Moab, where the family resided.
“And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread...And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me...And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” - Ruth 1:3-6, 8,16,17.
Ruth had no idea what would become of her, the only thing she knew was that she did not want to go back to the life she lived and back to the false gods she grew up with. She was determined to follow Naomi and make her God her God also. Ruth is an example of the grace of God, giving life to the soul of all who seek to know Him, regardless of who they are born of or where they have come from. God delights in all who seek 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. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:12,13.
When Ruth got to Bethlehem I imagine she was overwhelmed, after all, she was a stranger in a strange land. She could have hid herself, she could have mingled with the crowds, but instead she chose to go to work. She went to work for a man named Boaz, who was kin to her late father-in-law Elimelech.
“Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” - Ruth 2:8-12.
A mere stranger, blessed to even be able to work in a place where she were not fit and worthy to enter into the congregation of the Lord finds grace in the eyes of her master. This is a perfect picture of the grace of God, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23. who finds grace in the eyes of a sinner. None of us are worthy to enter into the congregation of the Lord. It is only by His grace and our humbling ourselves before Him that we find His grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” - Ephesians 2:8,9. Our recompense for humbling ourselves before God and professing our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ gives us the reward of the Kingdom of God. Praise God!
Ruth had such an impression on Boaz that he eventually made her his wife, this is the third time that we learn of a person outside of a Jew becoming part of the heritage that would be were Jesus would descend from, proving that all who choose Christ are a part of the kingdom of God, both Jew and Gentile. “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.” - I Corinthians 12:12,13.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Bethlehem, which means "House of Bread." Jesus, the Bread of Life, satisfies the spiritual hunger of all who come to Him. “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” - John 6:51.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: A Season
King James Daily Bible Study: A Season
Date: Wednesday March 30, 2011
Chapters: Judges 20-21
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-30
Details of Today's Reading: The civil war between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, the tribe of Benjamin nearly destroyed, the Israelites weep for the tribe if Benjamin.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
When you hear about all the wars and natural disasters going on around the world today one can not help, but weep, if you are human, you must have some kind of compassion for those who are suffering, especially when they really have no idea what is going on. Even Jesus cries and prays for His people, He may place judgment upon all, but He does not wish any to end up in hell. The Bible says:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
Through one man's sin elevated a civil war between the entire nation of Israel against one tribe, the Benjamites. Why? It was the Benjamites who allowed the children of Belial, who were sodomites, to dwell in their land.
“And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead. And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel...So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.” - Judges 20:4-7,11.
The Levite wanted vengeance for the tragic death of his concubine. While we are all responsible for our own actions, God will use circumstances like these to His advantage. The war was not only an act of judgment upon all of Israel, it was an act of repentance and a reminder that we are all children of God. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:16-18.
The first two times that Israel finally began seeking God's counsel He allowed the Benjamites to defeat them. “And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men. And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day. (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.) And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day. And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.” - Judges 20:21-25.
Truthfully, Israel was right to go up against the Benjamites, their disobedience to God was enough to cause God to place judgment upon them. However, God allowed the Benjamites to defeat Israel for one reason and one reason only. To get them to repent as well.
“Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.” - Judges 20:26-28.
What comes to mind here is, no sin goes unpunished, one might think that they have gotten away with something, but it all catches up to them eventually. And until they repent, there is no peace. “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;” - Romans 2:9-12.
God lead Israel to destroy nearly all the Benjamites, but after the war they cried, had compassion on their brother, and helped them get things back in order.
“And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore; And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel? And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings...And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” - Judges 21:2-4,24,25.
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, yes, we are going to suffer affliction through others sin, we are going to fight, but just like Jesus loves all, gave His life for all, and forgave them, we too are to show love and compassion to all who have wronged us. Once again, we learn that there was no king in Israel, which means if they had set their eyes on God they would have known that He was their king. “Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.” - Psalm 72:11-14.
There is a time and season for all things to come to pass, while justice may or may not be what we think is fair, it's all God's call. He is in control, He is King of all and He takes care of His own, whether it be through rewards, trials, or chastisement. All things that we go through are for our own good, one day we will see the blessings through them. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Deliverer (20:26-28). Jesus is our deliverer. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” - II Peter 2:9.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: Wednesday March 30, 2011
Chapters: Judges 20-21
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-30
Details of Today's Reading: The civil war between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, the tribe of Benjamin nearly destroyed, the Israelites weep for the tribe if Benjamin.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
When you hear about all the wars and natural disasters going on around the world today one can not help, but weep, if you are human, you must have some kind of compassion for those who are suffering, especially when they really have no idea what is going on. Even Jesus cries and prays for His people, He may place judgment upon all, but He does not wish any to end up in hell. The Bible says:
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.
Through one man's sin elevated a civil war between the entire nation of Israel against one tribe, the Benjamites. Why? It was the Benjamites who allowed the children of Belial, who were sodomites, to dwell in their land.
“And the Levite, the husband of the woman that was slain, answered and said, I came into Gibeah that belongeth to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to lodge. And the men of Gibeah rose against me, and beset the house round about upon me by night, and thought to have slain me: and my concubine have they forced, that she is dead. And I took my concubine, and cut her in pieces, and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel: for they have committed lewdness and folly in Israel. Behold, ye are all children of Israel; give here your advice and counsel...So all the men of Israel were gathered against the city, knit together as one man.” - Judges 20:4-7,11.
The Levite wanted vengeance for the tragic death of his concubine. While we are all responsible for our own actions, God will use circumstances like these to His advantage. The war was not only an act of judgment upon all of Israel, it was an act of repentance and a reminder that we are all children of God. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” - Romans 8:16-18.
The first two times that Israel finally began seeking God's counsel He allowed the Benjamites to defeat them. “And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men. And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day. (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.) And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day. And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword.” - Judges 20:21-25.
Truthfully, Israel was right to go up against the Benjamites, their disobedience to God was enough to cause God to place judgment upon them. However, God allowed the Benjamites to defeat Israel for one reason and one reason only. To get them to repent as well.
“Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, (for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days,) saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.” - Judges 20:26-28.
What comes to mind here is, no sin goes unpunished, one might think that they have gotten away with something, but it all catches up to them eventually. And until they repent, there is no peace. “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;” - Romans 2:9-12.
God lead Israel to destroy nearly all the Benjamites, but after the war they cried, had compassion on their brother, and helped them get things back in order.
“And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore; And said, O LORD God of Israel, why is this come to pass in Israel, that there should be to day one tribe lacking in Israel? And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings...And the children of Israel departed thence at that time, every man to his tribe and to his family, and they went out from thence every man to his inheritance. In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” - Judges 21:2-4,24,25.
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, yes, we are going to suffer affliction through others sin, we are going to fight, but just like Jesus loves all, gave His life for all, and forgave them, we too are to show love and compassion to all who have wronged us. Once again, we learn that there was no king in Israel, which means if they had set their eyes on God they would have known that He was their king. “Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.” - Psalm 72:11-14.
There is a time and season for all things to come to pass, while justice may or may not be what we think is fair, it's all God's call. He is in control, He is King of all and He takes care of His own, whether it be through rewards, trials, or chastisement. All things that we go through are for our own good, one day we will see the blessings through them. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Deliverer (20:26-28). Jesus is our deliverer. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” - II Peter 2:9.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: His Own Eyes
King James Daily Bible Study: His Own Eyes
Date: Tuesday March 29, 2011
Chapters: Judges 18-19
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-29
Details of Today's Reading: The Danites seek to enlarge their inheritance, and rob Micah, the wickedness of the men of Gibeah.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The last five chapters of the Book of Judges explain how the Israelites fell into corruption, first with the introduction of false gods and idolatry, then homosexuality and rape. You know, usually when we are going through some kind of affliction we can not understand why, but after a while we realize it was not just one thing that caused it, it was several little things adding up to it. These chapters give us a little insight as to how one can turn from being a faithful servant of God to not knowing God at all. The Bible says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” - Romans 1:18-21. We are all born with the knowledge of God, but the more one ignores God, the more they sin, the further away the get from Him and of the truth, hence they make up their own god through their own imaginations.
After Joshua died the Israelites were left without a leader, almost instantly, the Israelites went from knowing the one true God to following false gods and idolatry. How? “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” - Judges 17:6. They did what they thought was the right thing to do with their own eyes. So, it did not take long for them to become so corrupted that they had no idea who the true Almighty God was any more. When the promised land was distributed by Joshua, considerable territory was allotted to the tribe of Dan, but submission and obedience to the will of God was missing. As a result, they did not succeed in defeating the inhabitants as God had commanded them to do. Now, they were out to find land of their own and came upon the house of Micah.
“And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there. When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here? And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest...And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war. ” - Judges 18:2-4,17.
Those five men took off with all Micah's idols and the priest he hired, this goes to show us that everyone wants God in their lives, and His blessings, and are willing to go through anything to get them. The sad thing is that they go about it the wrong way, instead of listening to God and learning His way they do what they think is best,
creating a god of their own. Micah's only response when confronting the Danites. “Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?” - Judges 18:24. They took his gods, which he made, Micah thought he lost everything he had, including God. He did lose God, but all he had to do to see him was learn of Him and repent.
What he and many others fail to realize is that God is not a statue or an image, He is God. We do not need a statue, an image, or person to remind us who God is. God reminds us who He is, from the beauty of the world, to the birth of a baby, to His Word, God reminds us who He is. The key to knowing Him is having faith in Him. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. 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.” - Hebrews 11:1-3.
The consequences and repercussions of sin rarely effect just the individual, it effects everyone around them. We learn of this through another illustration of a Levite and his concubine. When a Levite thought in his own eyes to get involved with a woman outside of his tribe he never realized the consequences of that sin, not only for him, but the woman, and all of Israel. The woman left him and went back home to her father, four months later the Levite went to retrieve her resulting in a mess of introducing them to adultery, homosexuality, rape, murder, and vengeance
“And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah...And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites...Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him. And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly...But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.” - Judges 19:11-13,16,22,23,25.
The woman died, the Levite later declared vengeance, causing a civil war between the tribes. Sin is sin and the consequences of it is death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. We can praise God for sending Jesus to redeem us from sin, but the repercussions of it will never go away. The best thing we can do to avoid unnecessary suffering is to do what is right in God's eyes, not what is right in our own. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.” - Psalm 119:165-167.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the days there was non king in Israel. The Israelites were to have one king, God, but they rejected Him as king, in search of an earthly king. Christ was the rejected King of Israel. “But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.” - John 19:15.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: Tuesday March 29, 2011
Chapters: Judges 18-19
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-29
Details of Today's Reading: The Danites seek to enlarge their inheritance, and rob Micah, the wickedness of the men of Gibeah.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
The last five chapters of the Book of Judges explain how the Israelites fell into corruption, first with the introduction of false gods and idolatry, then homosexuality and rape. You know, usually when we are going through some kind of affliction we can not understand why, but after a while we realize it was not just one thing that caused it, it was several little things adding up to it. These chapters give us a little insight as to how one can turn from being a faithful servant of God to not knowing God at all. The Bible says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” - Romans 1:18-21. We are all born with the knowledge of God, but the more one ignores God, the more they sin, the further away the get from Him and of the truth, hence they make up their own god through their own imaginations.
After Joshua died the Israelites were left without a leader, almost instantly, the Israelites went from knowing the one true God to following false gods and idolatry. How? “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” - Judges 17:6. They did what they thought was the right thing to do with their own eyes. So, it did not take long for them to become so corrupted that they had no idea who the true Almighty God was any more. When the promised land was distributed by Joshua, considerable territory was allotted to the tribe of Dan, but submission and obedience to the will of God was missing. As a result, they did not succeed in defeating the inhabitants as God had commanded them to do. Now, they were out to find land of their own and came upon the house of Micah.
“And the children of Dan sent of their family five men from their coasts, men of valour, from Zorah, and from Eshtaol, to spy out the land, and to search it; and they said unto them, Go, search the land: who when they came to mount Ephraim, to the house of Micah, they lodged there. When they were by the house of Micah, they knew the voice of the young man the Levite: and they turned in thither, and said unto him, Who brought thee hither? and what makest thou in this place? and what hast thou here? And he said unto them, Thus and thus dealeth Micah with me, and hath hired me, and I am his priest...And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war. ” - Judges 18:2-4,17.
Those five men took off with all Micah's idols and the priest he hired, this goes to show us that everyone wants God in their lives, and His blessings, and are willing to go through anything to get them. The sad thing is that they go about it the wrong way, instead of listening to God and learning His way they do what they think is best,
creating a god of their own. Micah's only response when confronting the Danites. “Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee?” - Judges 18:24. They took his gods, which he made, Micah thought he lost everything he had, including God. He did lose God, but all he had to do to see him was learn of Him and repent.
What he and many others fail to realize is that God is not a statue or an image, He is God. We do not need a statue, an image, or person to remind us who God is. God reminds us who He is, from the beauty of the world, to the birth of a baby, to His Word, God reminds us who He is. The key to knowing Him is having faith in Him. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. 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.” - Hebrews 11:1-3.
The consequences and repercussions of sin rarely effect just the individual, it effects everyone around them. We learn of this through another illustration of a Levite and his concubine. When a Levite thought in his own eyes to get involved with a woman outside of his tribe he never realized the consequences of that sin, not only for him, but the woman, and all of Israel. The woman left him and went back home to her father, four months later the Levite went to retrieve her resulting in a mess of introducing them to adultery, homosexuality, rape, murder, and vengeance
“And when they were by Jebus, the day was far spent; and the servant said unto his master, Come, I pray thee, and let us turn in into this city of the Jebusites, and lodge in it. And his master said unto him, We will not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger, that is not of the children of Israel; we will pass over to Gibeah. And he said unto his servant, Come, and let us draw near to one of these places to lodge all night, in Gibeah, or in Ramah...And, behold, there came an old man from his work out of the field at even, which was also of mount Ephraim; and he sojourned in Gibeah: but the men of the place were Benjamites...Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him. And the man, the master of the house, went out unto them, and said unto them, Nay, my brethren, nay, I pray you, do not so wickedly; seeing that this man is come into mine house, do not this folly...But the men would not hearken to him: so the man took his concubine, and brought her forth unto them; and they knew her, and abused her all the night until the morning: and when the day began to spring, they let her go.” - Judges 19:11-13,16,22,23,25.
The woman died, the Levite later declared vengeance, causing a civil war between the tribes. Sin is sin and the consequences of it is death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23. We can praise God for sending Jesus to redeem us from sin, but the repercussions of it will never go away. The best thing we can do to avoid unnecessary suffering is to do what is right in God's eyes, not what is right in our own. “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.” - Psalm 119:165-167.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the days there was non king in Israel. The Israelites were to have one king, God, but they rejected Him as king, in search of an earthly king. Christ was the rejected King of Israel. “But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.” - John 19:15.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Sunday, March 27, 2011
King James Daily Bible Study: Heart, Mind, & Soul
King James Daily Bible Study: Heart, Mind, & Soul
Date: Saturday March 26, 2011
Chapters: Judges 10-11
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-26
Details of Today's Reading: Tola and Jair judge Israel, Israel forsakes God again and is given into the hands of the Philistines, Israel repents, God sends Jepthah to help.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
While God is a God of mercy, grace, and forgiveness, He will not be mocked, He knows when we are sincere and when we have no intention of changing our ways. The Bible says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:7-9. As long as we follow God with all our heart, mind, and soul we will see blessings come out of it, but those who really have no intention of following God, only to seek His help when they are in trouble will go through a lot of suffering before God will hear their cry.
For eighteen years the Israelites had been under the control of the Philistines, they had done evil in the sight of the Lord once again, forsaking Him for the false gods of not only the Philistines, but the Amorites, Ammonites, and every other man made god of the people dwelling in Canaan. This time when the Israelites went to God for help they did not get the answer they were waiting for.
“And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.” - Judges 10:11-16.
God did help them after they sincerely repented and got rid of their false gods, a false god is more than some statute, symbol, or god that someone made up, a false god is anything that takes the place of God. If a job, hobby, person, or lifestyle takes first place in a persons life, God sees that as a god. Now, God does not want you to quit your job or sit in a corner all day and do nothing, but if that job, hobby, person, or lifestyle goes against your morals or is corrupting you, of course, God wants you to remove that from your life. God's soul will not grieve over a soul that has no intention of removing the false gods from their lives. Yes, it takes time to overcome some sins, but if one is truly sincere God will hear their misery and His soul will grieve for them. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” - Matthew 5:6-8.
God sent a man named Jephthah to help deliver the Israelites out of the hands of the Philistines. Now, Jephthah was rejected by many, including his half brothers, because he was the son of a harlot, a prostitute, but that rejection soon turned into a plea for help when the Ammonites started war with the Gilead.
“Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman. Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him...And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon. And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress? And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” -Judges 11:1-3,6-8.
Now, Jephthah could have refused to help Gilead, but he knew that it was God's will that he go and that it was the right thing to do. God had forgiven Israel, therefore, Jephthah knew it was fitting for him forgive them for the way they treated him. We can not be blamed or need not be ashamed of the parents that we are born into. God has a reason for why He chooses to bring us into the world the way He brings us and while we may not understand right now there will come a time when we do. God chose to send Jesus through the lineage of Judah, who slept with his daughter-in-law, whom God used to bare the son who would carry on the seed of Judah (See Genesis 38:11-26). “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” - Psalm 139:13,14.
You know, God knows we carry around this flesh with us and because of that we are going to sin, but there is a difference between a person truly wanting to follow God with all their heart, mind, and soul and one that has no intention of ever following Him. So many people think that salvation gives them the right to do as they please without any repercussions however, serious repercussions result in abusing God's good graces. While one may not be cast into hell they will suffer here on earth before they are allowed to see paradise. Ever wonder why the wicked always seem to prosper and live longer? God wants them to suffer. The amazing thing is that while we think they are living the good life, they are suffering, they just do not want to admit it. The hard thing is not saying, “I told you so.” when seeing them fall. Praise God that His soul grieves for those who truly repent and is faithful to forgive us, even if we have stopped following Him with our heart, mind, and soul. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Jephthah's only child as she wholly submitted to her father's will (11:34-40). Jesus, who is the Son of God and God in the flesh, wholly submitted His heart, mind, and soul to the Father's will. “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” - Matthew 26:39.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
Date: Saturday March 26, 2011
Chapters: Judges 10-11
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-march-26
Details of Today's Reading: Tola and Jair judge Israel, Israel forsakes God again and is given into the hands of the Philistines, Israel repents, God sends Jepthah to help.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
While God is a God of mercy, grace, and forgiveness, He will not be mocked, He knows when we are sincere and when we have no intention of changing our ways. The Bible says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” - Galatians 6:7-9. As long as we follow God with all our heart, mind, and soul we will see blessings come out of it, but those who really have no intention of following God, only to seek His help when they are in trouble will go through a lot of suffering before God will hear their cry.
For eighteen years the Israelites had been under the control of the Philistines, they had done evil in the sight of the Lord once again, forsaking Him for the false gods of not only the Philistines, but the Amorites, Ammonites, and every other man made god of the people dwelling in Canaan. This time when the Israelites went to God for help they did not get the answer they were waiting for.
“And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.” - Judges 10:11-16.
God did help them after they sincerely repented and got rid of their false gods, a false god is more than some statute, symbol, or god that someone made up, a false god is anything that takes the place of God. If a job, hobby, person, or lifestyle takes first place in a persons life, God sees that as a god. Now, God does not want you to quit your job or sit in a corner all day and do nothing, but if that job, hobby, person, or lifestyle goes against your morals or is corrupting you, of course, God wants you to remove that from your life. God's soul will not grieve over a soul that has no intention of removing the false gods from their lives. Yes, it takes time to overcome some sins, but if one is truly sincere God will hear their misery and His soul will grieve for them. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” - Matthew 5:6-8.
God sent a man named Jephthah to help deliver the Israelites out of the hands of the Philistines. Now, Jephthah was rejected by many, including his half brothers, because he was the son of a harlot, a prostitute, but that rejection soon turned into a plea for help when the Ammonites started war with the Gilead.
“Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman. Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him...And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon. And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress? And the elders of Gilead said unto Jephthah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.” -Judges 11:1-3,6-8.
Now, Jephthah could have refused to help Gilead, but he knew that it was God's will that he go and that it was the right thing to do. God had forgiven Israel, therefore, Jephthah knew it was fitting for him forgive them for the way they treated him. We can not be blamed or need not be ashamed of the parents that we are born into. God has a reason for why He chooses to bring us into the world the way He brings us and while we may not understand right now there will come a time when we do. God chose to send Jesus through the lineage of Judah, who slept with his daughter-in-law, whom God used to bare the son who would carry on the seed of Judah (See Genesis 38:11-26). “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” - Psalm 139:13,14.
You know, God knows we carry around this flesh with us and because of that we are going to sin, but there is a difference between a person truly wanting to follow God with all their heart, mind, and soul and one that has no intention of ever following Him. So many people think that salvation gives them the right to do as they please without any repercussions however, serious repercussions result in abusing God's good graces. While one may not be cast into hell they will suffer here on earth before they are allowed to see paradise. Ever wonder why the wicked always seem to prosper and live longer? God wants them to suffer. The amazing thing is that while we think they are living the good life, they are suffering, they just do not want to admit it. The hard thing is not saying, “I told you so.” when seeing them fall. Praise God that His soul grieves for those who truly repent and is faithful to forgive us, even if we have stopped following Him with our heart, mind, and soul. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:9.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through Jephthah's only child as she wholly submitted to her father's will (11:34-40). Jesus, who is the Son of God and God in the flesh, wholly submitted His heart, mind, and soul to the Father's will. “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” - Matthew 26:39.
Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Learn How Jesus Can Set You Free: http://www.godsprice.com
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
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