King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Mind of Christ
Date: Saturday July 23, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 29-30, Proverb 23, Psalm 43
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-23
Details of Today's Chapters: Warnings given to Judah and Jerusalem of their impending discipline, the blessing to come after the final deliverance, warnings against their alliance with Egypt against Sennacherib and exhortation to turn to the Lord for help.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“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. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” - I Corinthians 2:9-16.
Thousands of people preach about God's Word, the sad thing is that the majority of them have no clue as to what God's and His Word truly is and are deceiving themselves as well as thousands, maybe even millions of people on this earth. Until we have the mind of Christ, which only comes from the Holy Spirit dwelling in the believer, we will never know the gifts freely given to us by God.
This is nothing new, people have been distorting God's Word since God created the world, through Isaiah God warns Jerusalem and Judah about the rod that would be placed upon them for ignoring the true Word of God and listening to those who claim to know it.
“For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” - Isaiah 29:10-14.
The Bible is a sealed book to everyone, saved or unsaved, until they begin to study it with a simple heart and a teachable spirit, which only comes when we surrender to the Holy Spirit. God is not going to entrust His precious Word to just anyone, one must believe and follow it to receive that honor. “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” - I Corinthians 4:1,2.
When sin has brought men into distress, it is their wisdom, in repentance, to turn to God for deliverance, but those who think to prosper in their sin, by the help of the world, add sin to sin and invite worse disaster upon themselves. Through Isaiah God foretells of the judgment that will be placed upon Israel for aligning themselves up with Egypt once again.
“Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion...Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us. Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon: Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.” - Isaiah 30:1-3,11-13.
The Jews were God's chosen people, the ones He entrusted to show the rest of the world how merciful, loving, and gracious He is so that they too would believe in the one and only living God. Yet many among them were rebellious, they rejected the Word of God for their own pleasures, the same fate for the Jews is the same fate of every soul, no one escapes God's judgment, but they can be redeemed from it if they repent. “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;..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 3:22,23,29,30.
Even before God chose the Jews to represent Him, He was still the God of all, He promises to receive anyone who believes in His Son, this is confirmed once again through Isaiah. God does not promise a relief from affliction, but He does promise that it will not last and that one day there will be no more affliction.
“For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not. But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.” Isaiah 30:15-19.
Sadly, out of the billions of people in the world, from the time God created the earth, millions will flee and reject Christ, but the few that do receive Him God will wait patiently for. God is so amazing that He is willing to wait until all His lost people find His Son before He sends Jesus for Judgment Day. Those who have put their faith and trust in the Savior are a beacon of light, a signal from God that He is the truth, the life, and the way. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - II Peter 3:9.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Every Word
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Every Word
Date: Friday July 22, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 27-28, Proverb 2, Psalm 42
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-22
Details of Today's Chapters: The punishment of the proud enemy of God’s people, Israel to restored and fruitful,
the woe of Ephriam due to drunkenness, the prediction of Assyrian captivity of Ephriam and Ephriam’s fate.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” - Matthew 4:3-11.
Yes, even Satan knows Scripture, but he only quotes a few verses to get you to think it is God, then once he gets you reeled into believing that it is God he destroys you. No one is exempt from the temptations of Satan, even Jesus was tempted by him, the only way he was able to , and everyone else can, overcome Satan is through knowing every Word of God.
Israel and their surrounding nations was about to face judgment from God, while we hear of the grim outcome of Israel and even the world we are given a bit of hope as Gods reveals to His people that even though they will be afflicted it will not be forever. Through Isaiah God foretells the day Jesus returns.
“In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me. He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” - Isaiah 27:1-6.
The Lord Jesus with His strong sword, which is the Word of God, the virtue of His death, and the preaching of His Gospel, does and will destroy the power of death and that is Satan himself, that old serpent. The world is a fruitless, but the church is a vineyard, a place that has great care taken of it, and from which precious fruits are gathered. God will keep it in the night of affliction and persecution, and in the day of peace and prosperity, the temptations of which are not less dangerous. Although God sometimes chastises His people, He graciously awaits to be reconciled with them.
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons...Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:6-8,11.
To be reconciled means to call back into a union and friendship with God, sin separates a person from God, Jesus is the bridge that brings the person back to Him. Those who reject God nor want to even be reconciled with Him are usually that way due to either pride or rebellion, maybe even both. God explains this further through Isaiah.
“Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” - Isaiah 28:2-7.
It is only through Jesus Christ that we can even communicate with God, the only way to Jesus is by believing in Him, confessing that you are a sinner and asking Him to save you. Those who alter the Word of God by by being drunk with wine or intoxicated with false doctrines and notions concerning the kingdom of God and salvation of the Messiah, not only err themselves, but lead multitudes to err. They too suffer the same fate as Satan. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” - Revelation 19:20,21.
It is vital that the same doctrine and the same words be often repeated to us, that we may the better understand them. God knows we are not going to get everything He wants us to know the first time we read even one verse a hundred times, but the more we read it the more we understand it. God, by His word, calls us to what is really for our own advantage, the service of God is the only true rest for those weary of the service of sin, and there is no refreshment, but under the easy yoke of the Savior. If we are at peace with God, we have, made a covenant with death; whenever it comes, it cannot do us any real damage, if we are Christ's.
“Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” - II Corinthians 5:5-10.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be: http://www.godsprice.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
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Message Title: Every Word
Date: Friday July 22, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 27-28, Proverb 2, Psalm 42
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-22
Details of Today's Chapters: The punishment of the proud enemy of God’s people, Israel to restored and fruitful,
the woe of Ephriam due to drunkenness, the prediction of Assyrian captivity of Ephriam and Ephriam’s fate.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” - Matthew 4:3-11.
Yes, even Satan knows Scripture, but he only quotes a few verses to get you to think it is God, then once he gets you reeled into believing that it is God he destroys you. No one is exempt from the temptations of Satan, even Jesus was tempted by him, the only way he was able to , and everyone else can, overcome Satan is through knowing every Word of God.
Israel and their surrounding nations was about to face judgment from God, while we hear of the grim outcome of Israel and even the world we are given a bit of hope as Gods reveals to His people that even though they will be afflicted it will not be forever. Through Isaiah God foretells the day Jesus returns.
“In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea. In that day sing ye unto her, A vineyard of red wine. I the LORD do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. Fury is not in me: who would set the briers and thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me. He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.” - Isaiah 27:1-6.
The Lord Jesus with His strong sword, which is the Word of God, the virtue of His death, and the preaching of His Gospel, does and will destroy the power of death and that is Satan himself, that old serpent. The world is a fruitless, but the church is a vineyard, a place that has great care taken of it, and from which precious fruits are gathered. God will keep it in the night of affliction and persecution, and in the day of peace and prosperity, the temptations of which are not less dangerous. Although God sometimes chastises His people, He graciously awaits to be reconciled with them.
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons...Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:6-8,11.
To be reconciled means to call back into a union and friendship with God, sin separates a person from God, Jesus is the bridge that brings the person back to Him. Those who reject God nor want to even be reconciled with Him are usually that way due to either pride or rebellion, maybe even both. God explains this further through Isaiah.
“Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” - Isaiah 28:2-7.
It is only through Jesus Christ that we can even communicate with God, the only way to Jesus is by believing in Him, confessing that you are a sinner and asking Him to save you. Those who alter the Word of God by by being drunk with wine or intoxicated with false doctrines and notions concerning the kingdom of God and salvation of the Messiah, not only err themselves, but lead multitudes to err. They too suffer the same fate as Satan. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” - Revelation 19:20,21.
It is vital that the same doctrine and the same words be often repeated to us, that we may the better understand them. God knows we are not going to get everything He wants us to know the first time we read even one verse a hundred times, but the more we read it the more we understand it. God, by His word, calls us to what is really for our own advantage, the service of God is the only true rest for those weary of the service of sin, and there is no refreshment, but under the easy yoke of the Savior. If we are at peace with God, we have, made a covenant with death; whenever it comes, it cannot do us any real damage, if we are Christ's.
“Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” - II Corinthians 5:5-10.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be: http://www.godsprice.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
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Patience Under Sufferings
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Patience Under Sufferings
Date: Thursday July 21, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 25-26, Proverb 21, Psalm 41
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-21.php
Details of Today's Chapters: The triumphs of the coming Kingdom age, and worship and testimony of a restored and converted Israel in the Kingdom age.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” - II Thessalonians 1:6-10.
We can not by all our sufferings, any more than by our services, merit heaven, but by our patience under sufferings, we are prepared for the promised joy that is to come. God will trouble those that trouble His people, He will give them rest from tribulation, sin, and sorrow. The Lord Jesus will in that day appear from heaven, He will come in all the glory and power of the upper world. His light will be piercing, and His power consuming to all who do not believe or have not put their faith and trust in Him to save them.
Isaiah's prophecy was first directed to Judah, then Israel, then to the surrounding Gentile nations, and finally to all the world. Just as surely as many of the prophecies were fulfilled in ancient history, we can also expect that the Messiah, Jesus Christ will return in all His glory as King of all. It is a bit scary to see the many prophecies of the “sign of the times” taking place, but those who know Christ as their Savior have nothing to worry about because they are God's people. Through Isaiah God foretells this wonderful Kingdom age
“And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” - Isaiah 25:6-9.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can save us, we can not escape tribulation, but those who have accepted Him into their lives have already swallowed up death in victory. Christ did it for us and one day because we have trusted Him for our salvation we will no longer have to suffer anymore. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7,8.
In that day, the Gospel day, which the day of the victories and enlargements of the Old Testament church was typical, there shall be a new song sung, it shall be sung in the land of Judah, which was a figure of the Gospel church, for the Gospel covenant is said to be made within the house of Judah. Glorious things are said of the new church of God.
“In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.” - Isaiah 26:2-5.
The unchangeable promise and covenant of the Lord Jesus Christ are the walls of the church of God. The gates of this city shall be open. Let sinners then be encouraged to trust in the Lord before it is too late. Trust in the Lord for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever. Whatever we trust the world for, it will last only for a moment, but those who trust Christ not only find in Him, but shall receive from Him and strength that will carry them to that blessedness which is for ever. Let us then acknowledge Him in all our ways, and rely on Him through all our trials.
Most people in the world believe that when you die you die, it's all over, but that is not the case, you see, the body is made up of flesh, soul, and spirit. The spirit is what gives life to the flesh, this is a temporal spirit, when the flesh dies the soul has no where to go except for one of two places for eternity, heaven or hell. Only if the soul has Christ in it will the soul be saved from death, which is known as the second death. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever...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 20:10,14,15.
No one has to spend eternity in hell, no one has to be tormented forever, no one has to endure this second death, but the only way one can is through Jesus Christ. Only He can save you! “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” - I John 5:10-13.
It is not enough to believe in the Savior, many believe in Him and are in hell right now, you must ask Him to save you, otherwise believing will only be in vain. “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.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
P.S. I apologize for sending this out a day late, all will resume to normal later today.
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Message Title: Patience Under Sufferings
Date: Thursday July 21, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 25-26, Proverb 21, Psalm 41
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-21.php
Details of Today's Chapters: The triumphs of the coming Kingdom age, and worship and testimony of a restored and converted Israel in the Kingdom age.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” - II Thessalonians 1:6-10.
We can not by all our sufferings, any more than by our services, merit heaven, but by our patience under sufferings, we are prepared for the promised joy that is to come. God will trouble those that trouble His people, He will give them rest from tribulation, sin, and sorrow. The Lord Jesus will in that day appear from heaven, He will come in all the glory and power of the upper world. His light will be piercing, and His power consuming to all who do not believe or have not put their faith and trust in Him to save them.
Isaiah's prophecy was first directed to Judah, then Israel, then to the surrounding Gentile nations, and finally to all the world. Just as surely as many of the prophecies were fulfilled in ancient history, we can also expect that the Messiah, Jesus Christ will return in all His glory as King of all. It is a bit scary to see the many prophecies of the “sign of the times” taking place, but those who know Christ as their Savior have nothing to worry about because they are God's people. Through Isaiah God foretells this wonderful Kingdom age
“And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” - Isaiah 25:6-9.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can save us, we can not escape tribulation, but those who have accepted Him into their lives have already swallowed up death in victory. Christ did it for us and one day because we have trusted Him for our salvation we will no longer have to suffer anymore. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7,8.
In that day, the Gospel day, which the day of the victories and enlargements of the Old Testament church was typical, there shall be a new song sung, it shall be sung in the land of Judah, which was a figure of the Gospel church, for the Gospel covenant is said to be made within the house of Judah. Glorious things are said of the new church of God.
“In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust.” - Isaiah 26:2-5.
The unchangeable promise and covenant of the Lord Jesus Christ are the walls of the church of God. The gates of this city shall be open. Let sinners then be encouraged to trust in the Lord before it is too late. Trust in the Lord for that peace, that portion, which will be for ever. Whatever we trust the world for, it will last only for a moment, but those who trust Christ not only find in Him, but shall receive from Him and strength that will carry them to that blessedness which is for ever. Let us then acknowledge Him in all our ways, and rely on Him through all our trials.
Most people in the world believe that when you die you die, it's all over, but that is not the case, you see, the body is made up of flesh, soul, and spirit. The spirit is what gives life to the flesh, this is a temporal spirit, when the flesh dies the soul has no where to go except for one of two places for eternity, heaven or hell. Only if the soul has Christ in it will the soul be saved from death, which is known as the second death. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever...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 20:10,14,15.
No one has to spend eternity in hell, no one has to be tormented forever, no one has to endure this second death, but the only way one can is through Jesus Christ. Only He can save you! “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” - I John 5:10-13.
It is not enough to believe in the Savior, many believe in Him and are in hell right now, you must ask Him to save you, otherwise believing will only be in vain. “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.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
P.S. I apologize for sending this out a day late, all will resume to normal later today.
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Peace Through The Storms
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Peace Through The Storms
Date: Wednesday July 20, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 23-24, Proverb 20, Psalm 40
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-20
Details of Today's Chapters: The burden of Tyre, desolation preceding the final deliverance of Israel, A few shall be preserved, and God's kingdom advanced by His judgments.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” - Luke 8:22-25.
Storms of life are coming, we can not avoid them, we can not run from them, we do not have to fear them, we do have to face them, but we do not have to face them alone, Jesus Christ is right there. There is no better comfort than in the Savior, even when things are going well and it seems as though all is still, Jesus is right there with those who have put their faith and trust in Him. He gives peace through every storm to those who have faith in Him, even when that faith is minimal. He never leaves us and is closer than we think, all we need to do to find Him is call His name.
Tyre, an ancient wealthy city, situated upon the sea, and for many ages one of the most celebrated cities for trade and merchandise in those parts of the world. Through Isaiah, God foretold of both the desolation of Tyre and of it's restoration.
“Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations. Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre...And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.” - Isaiah 23:2-5,17,18.
Interestingly, when things are going well we tend to lose sight of God, not in a sense that we have forgotten Him, but that we do not need His help. Can I tell you that, whether life is good or bad we always need God's help. God blesses us with the ability to prosper in a world full of heathens, but if we are not careful we can forget that it is all from God and He can take it away quicker than He gave it to us. However, when we abide in Christ in our worldly callings, when we do all that is in our power to further the Gospel, that is when our prosperity is holiness to the Lord and He gives back to us what He has taken away and then some. “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” - Mark 10:29,30.
God created the earth in six days, before He created it it was dark, depressing, and had no life to it, just as the many other planets in the universe. Each day that goes by the earth is quickly turning back into that dark and depressing place and will have no life to it, no amount of money or possession will change that fact. Through Isaiah, God gives us a grim glimpse of what is to come of the beautiful world He created due to the sin an corruption in it.
“Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof...The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word... The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left... And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.” - Isaiah 24:1,3,5,6,18.
Earth is polluted by the sins of men and will be made utterly desolate and empty by the judgments of God. Satan and anti-Christian world powers will be cast into the pit, there is no escape from the pit except through the Lord, Jesus Christ. While they may have to endure some suffering, those and only those who accept Christ as their Savior will be saved from the fire and the pit. “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death...And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 12:10,11,20:10.
The storms are here and they are going to get worse, we do not have to fear them, we just need to trust in our Savior, He will calm them and just as every storm will come to pass, so will these. While we can not avoid them we can find peace through them as we look to Jesus and keep our eyes on Him. “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...And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” - Hebrews 12:1,2,27,28.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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I'm Following Jesus
Message Title: Peace Through The Storms
Date: Wednesday July 20, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 23-24, Proverb 20, Psalm 40
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-20
Details of Today's Chapters: The burden of Tyre, desolation preceding the final deliverance of Israel, A few shall be preserved, and God's kingdom advanced by His judgments.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” - Luke 8:22-25.
Storms of life are coming, we can not avoid them, we can not run from them, we do not have to fear them, we do have to face them, but we do not have to face them alone, Jesus Christ is right there. There is no better comfort than in the Savior, even when things are going well and it seems as though all is still, Jesus is right there with those who have put their faith and trust in Him. He gives peace through every storm to those who have faith in Him, even when that faith is minimal. He never leaves us and is closer than we think, all we need to do to find Him is call His name.
Tyre, an ancient wealthy city, situated upon the sea, and for many ages one of the most celebrated cities for trade and merchandise in those parts of the world. Through Isaiah, God foretold of both the desolation of Tyre and of it's restoration.
“Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished. And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations. Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins. As at the report concerning Egypt, so shall they be sorely pained at the report of Tyre...And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing.” - Isaiah 23:2-5,17,18.
Interestingly, when things are going well we tend to lose sight of God, not in a sense that we have forgotten Him, but that we do not need His help. Can I tell you that, whether life is good or bad we always need God's help. God blesses us with the ability to prosper in a world full of heathens, but if we are not careful we can forget that it is all from God and He can take it away quicker than He gave it to us. However, when we abide in Christ in our worldly callings, when we do all that is in our power to further the Gospel, that is when our prosperity is holiness to the Lord and He gives back to us what He has taken away and then some. “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” - Mark 10:29,30.
God created the earth in six days, before He created it it was dark, depressing, and had no life to it, just as the many other planets in the universe. Each day that goes by the earth is quickly turning back into that dark and depressing place and will have no life to it, no amount of money or possession will change that fact. Through Isaiah, God gives us a grim glimpse of what is to come of the beautiful world He created due to the sin an corruption in it.
“Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof...The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word... The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left... And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open, and the foundations of the earth do shake.” - Isaiah 24:1,3,5,6,18.
Earth is polluted by the sins of men and will be made utterly desolate and empty by the judgments of God. Satan and anti-Christian world powers will be cast into the pit, there is no escape from the pit except through the Lord, Jesus Christ. While they may have to endure some suffering, those and only those who accept Christ as their Savior will be saved from the fire and the pit. “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death...And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” - Revelation 12:10,11,20:10.
The storms are here and they are going to get worse, we do not have to fear them, we just need to trust in our Savior, He will calm them and just as every storm will come to pass, so will these. While we can not avoid them we can find peace through them as we look to Jesus and keep our eyes on Him. “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...And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” - Hebrews 12:1,2,27,28.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Watch
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Watch
Date: Tuesday July 19, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 21-22, Proverb 19, Psalm 39
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-19
Details of Today's Chapters: The burdens of Babylon and other countries, the burden of the valley of vision, and the coming grievous distress is foretold of Jerusalem.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” - Mark 13:30-37.
The word watch is defined as paying attention, close observation, to be on guard, and vigilance for keeping or protecting against danger. While we do not know the hour in which Jesus will return we do know that He is coming and we better be paying attention to the signs. The truth is, God does not give us the exact timing of anything, but does promise that it will come to pass, He is gracious to give us an advanced warning before He brings them to pass. Jesus Christ commands something from all His servants, we ought to be on watch at all times in expectation of His return. This applies to Christ's coming to us through death, as well as on judgment day.
The destruction of Israel was inevitable, they could expect it to come very shortly, little did the rest of the surrounding countries know that they too were about face the same fate as Israel. Through Isaiah God warns these nations that they too will face destruction, this time Isaiah foretells the burdens of Babylon. Babylon is called the desert or plain of the sea, for it was a flat country, and full of lakes and was abundantly watered with the many streams of the river Euphrates.
“The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.” - Isaiah 21:1-6.
We are to keep watch, be prepared for what is to come, but enjoy what God is providing for us in the mean time. God will take care of His people, we just have to keep our eyes on Him and trust in His Word. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” - Philippians 3:13-15.
Now, we learn of the judgment to come of Jerusalem and Israel, known as “the burden of the valley of vision,”. When God threatens His people with judgment, He expects and requires that they will humble themselves under His mighty hand, and if they do not do so, His judgments will follow them to the grave. Isaiah seeing this vision grieves for his people.
“All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far. Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains. And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.” - Isaiah 22:3-6.
Hearing of what is to come of our world can be very grieving and scary, as we approach 2012 many people fear what is to come of it from the many predictions given of it, but we have nothing to be afraid of, God will take care of His people. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” - Hebrews 10:35-37.
The same promise God gives to us was given to the Jews, after Isaiah foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and Israel he gives them a promise. Those called to places of trust and power, should seek to God for grace to enable them to do their duty. Eliakim's advancement is described.
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.” - Isaiah 22:20-25.
Eliakim means resurrection of God, Hilkiah means God is my portion, our Lord Jesus describes His own power as Mediator, as a nail in a sure place. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” - I Timothy 2:3-6.
The soul that comes to Him can not perish, which is by faith hung upon Christ. He will set before the believer an open door, which no man can shut, and bring both body and soul to eternal glory. But those who neglect so great salvation will find, that when he shuts the door no one can open it, whether it be shutting one out of heaven, or shutting one up in hell for ever. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death....He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” - Revelation 1:18, 3:5.
While we can not know the hour in which Jesus will come we can enjoy life and be prepared for His coming, if you do not have Christ in your life you are not prepared, and just saying that you know who Christ is does not mean you have Christ in your life. The only way to have Christ in your life is to ask Him to come into it, then and only then will your name be in the book of life. “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.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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I'm Following Jesus
Message Title: Watch
Date: Tuesday July 19, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 21-22, Proverb 19, Psalm 39
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-19
Details of Today's Chapters: The burdens of Babylon and other countries, the burden of the valley of vision, and the coming grievous distress is foretold of Jerusalem.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” - Mark 13:30-37.
The word watch is defined as paying attention, close observation, to be on guard, and vigilance for keeping or protecting against danger. While we do not know the hour in which Jesus will return we do know that He is coming and we better be paying attention to the signs. The truth is, God does not give us the exact timing of anything, but does promise that it will come to pass, He is gracious to give us an advanced warning before He brings them to pass. Jesus Christ commands something from all His servants, we ought to be on watch at all times in expectation of His return. This applies to Christ's coming to us through death, as well as on judgment day.
The destruction of Israel was inevitable, they could expect it to come very shortly, little did the rest of the surrounding countries know that they too were about face the same fate as Israel. Through Isaiah God warns these nations that they too will face destruction, this time Isaiah foretells the burdens of Babylon. Babylon is called the desert or plain of the sea, for it was a flat country, and full of lakes and was abundantly watered with the many streams of the river Euphrates.
“The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me. Prepare the table, watch in the watchtower, eat, drink: arise, ye princes, and anoint the shield. For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Go, set a watchman, let him declare what he seeth.” - Isaiah 21:1-6.
We are to keep watch, be prepared for what is to come, but enjoy what God is providing for us in the mean time. God will take care of His people, we just have to keep our eyes on Him and trust in His Word. “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” - Philippians 3:13-15.
Now, we learn of the judgment to come of Jerusalem and Israel, known as “the burden of the valley of vision,”. When God threatens His people with judgment, He expects and requires that they will humble themselves under His mighty hand, and if they do not do so, His judgments will follow them to the grave. Isaiah seeing this vision grieves for his people.
“All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far. Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains. And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.” - Isaiah 22:3-6.
Hearing of what is to come of our world can be very grieving and scary, as we approach 2012 many people fear what is to come of it from the many predictions given of it, but we have nothing to be afraid of, God will take care of His people. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” - Hebrews 10:35-37.
The same promise God gives to us was given to the Jews, after Isaiah foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and Israel he gives them a promise. Those called to places of trust and power, should seek to God for grace to enable them to do their duty. Eliakim's advancement is described.
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.” - Isaiah 22:20-25.
Eliakim means resurrection of God, Hilkiah means God is my portion, our Lord Jesus describes His own power as Mediator, as a nail in a sure place. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” - I Timothy 2:3-6.
The soul that comes to Him can not perish, which is by faith hung upon Christ. He will set before the believer an open door, which no man can shut, and bring both body and soul to eternal glory. But those who neglect so great salvation will find, that when he shuts the door no one can open it, whether it be shutting one out of heaven, or shutting one up in hell for ever. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death....He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” - Revelation 1:18, 3:5.
While we can not know the hour in which Jesus will come we can enjoy life and be prepared for His coming, if you do not have Christ in your life you are not prepared, and just saying that you know who Christ is does not mean you have Christ in your life. The only way to have Christ in your life is to ask Him to come into it, then and only then will your name be in the book of life. “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.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Unusual Commands From God
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Unusual Commands From God
Date: Monday July 18, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 19-20, Proverb 18, Psalm 38
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-18
Details of Today's Chapters: The burden of Egypt, looking forward, through desolation to Kingdom blessing with Israel, and the prophecies of the wasting of Egypt and Ethiopia by Assyria.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” - II Peter 3:9-14.
The heavens and the earth which now are, will be destroyed by fire, this is as sure to come as Jesus came to earth in the flesh the first time. In the blink of an eye Jesus will be here and when He does all will know that He truly is the Savior and judge of all. Why hasn't He returned yet? God is longsuffering in that none should perish, meaning He does not want to see anyone end up in hell. The word longsuffering means to be patient, not easily provoked, while God could send Jesus in an instant, He is patient, not willing to destroy the earth until every person who believes in His Son is presented before Him without spot. We can not stop His return, but we can be ready for it by making sure we and everyone we know personally knows the Savior.
Through Isaiah God foretold the coming destruction of Egypt, though the land of Egypt had of old been a house of bondage to the people of God, they kept up an alliance with them, which caused many of the Jews to forsake God and turn to them for help. For this reason Egypt would now face God's judgment.
“The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.” - Isaiah 19:1-4.
No nation escapes God's judgment, before Jesus returns, there will be much more destruction, and the cause of the destruction will be the people of that nation themselves. Everything going on in the world today is only the beginning, but no one has to fear His coming. Jesus said, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows...But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” - Matthew 24:6-8,13,14.
While God did promise destruction to come upon Egypt, He also foretold their seeking Him and His acceptance of them. At a time which was to come, the Egyptians shall speak the holy language, the Scripture language, not only understand it, but follow it and tell it to others.
“In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.” - Isaiah 19:19-22.
The Gentile nations shall not only unite with each other in the Gospel under Christ, the great Shepherd, they shall all be united with the Jews. They shall all share in one and the same blessing, meeting at the same throne of grace, and serving with each other, ending all disputes and uniting the hearts of believers to each other in holy love. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” - I Peter 5:2-4.
Christians speak a different language than the world, those who know Christ, know God's Word, understand it, and teach it to others. Before one can know the language of God, one must know Christ, otherwise it is as a foreign language to them. It is usually when we are brokenhearted and have been afflicted by God that we learn the true meaning of repentance and salvation. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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 4:7-10.
When we are doing as God commands, however strange, foolish, or unusual it may seem, we must trust Him for He truly knows what He is doing and it is usually to ours and others advantage as well. In an unusual attempt to show Israel what was to come of them God had Isaiah dress in some strange attire. He commonly wore sackcloth as a prophet, to show himself mortified to the world. He was to loose this from his loins to wear no upper garments, and to go barefooted.
“In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it; At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia; So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.” - Isaiah 20:1-4.
By his unusual dress for three years he had been a sign to his own people of the melancholy times that had come and were coming upon them, the Egyptians, and Ethiopians as they would be led away captives by the king of Assyria, thus stripped naked. The same lesson is in force now and where shall we look for aid in the hour of necessity, but to the Lord who removes our shame. The world will often deem believers as foolish, especially when singular in obedience to God, but God will support His servants under the most trying effects of their obedience. “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...For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” - Hebrews 12:1,2,6.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Message Title: Unusual Commands From God
Date: Monday July 18, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 19-20, Proverb 18, Psalm 38
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-18
Details of Today's Chapters: The burden of Egypt, looking forward, through desolation to Kingdom blessing with Israel, and the prophecies of the wasting of Egypt and Ethiopia by Assyria.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” - II Peter 3:9-14.
The heavens and the earth which now are, will be destroyed by fire, this is as sure to come as Jesus came to earth in the flesh the first time. In the blink of an eye Jesus will be here and when He does all will know that He truly is the Savior and judge of all. Why hasn't He returned yet? God is longsuffering in that none should perish, meaning He does not want to see anyone end up in hell. The word longsuffering means to be patient, not easily provoked, while God could send Jesus in an instant, He is patient, not willing to destroy the earth until every person who believes in His Son is presented before Him without spot. We can not stop His return, but we can be ready for it by making sure we and everyone we know personally knows the Savior.
Through Isaiah God foretold the coming destruction of Egypt, though the land of Egypt had of old been a house of bondage to the people of God, they kept up an alliance with them, which caused many of the Jews to forsake God and turn to them for help. For this reason Egypt would now face God's judgment.
“The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.” - Isaiah 19:1-4.
No nation escapes God's judgment, before Jesus returns, there will be much more destruction, and the cause of the destruction will be the people of that nation themselves. Everything going on in the world today is only the beginning, but no one has to fear His coming. Jesus said, “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows...But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” - Matthew 24:6-8,13,14.
While God did promise destruction to come upon Egypt, He also foretold their seeking Him and His acceptance of them. At a time which was to come, the Egyptians shall speak the holy language, the Scripture language, not only understand it, but follow it and tell it to others.
“In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.” - Isaiah 19:19-22.
The Gentile nations shall not only unite with each other in the Gospel under Christ, the great Shepherd, they shall all be united with the Jews. They shall all share in one and the same blessing, meeting at the same throne of grace, and serving with each other, ending all disputes and uniting the hearts of believers to each other in holy love. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” - I Peter 5:2-4.
Christians speak a different language than the world, those who know Christ, know God's Word, understand it, and teach it to others. Before one can know the language of God, one must know Christ, otherwise it is as a foreign language to them. It is usually when we are brokenhearted and have been afflicted by God that we learn the true meaning of repentance and salvation. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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 4:7-10.
When we are doing as God commands, however strange, foolish, or unusual it may seem, we must trust Him for He truly knows what He is doing and it is usually to ours and others advantage as well. In an unusual attempt to show Israel what was to come of them God had Isaiah dress in some strange attire. He commonly wore sackcloth as a prophet, to show himself mortified to the world. He was to loose this from his loins to wear no upper garments, and to go barefooted.
“In the year that Tartan came unto Ashdod, (when Sargon the king of Assyria sent him,) and fought against Ashdod, and took it; At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot. And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia; So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.” - Isaiah 20:1-4.
By his unusual dress for three years he had been a sign to his own people of the melancholy times that had come and were coming upon them, the Egyptians, and Ethiopians as they would be led away captives by the king of Assyria, thus stripped naked. The same lesson is in force now and where shall we look for aid in the hour of necessity, but to the Lord who removes our shame. The world will often deem believers as foolish, especially when singular in obedience to God, but God will support His servants under the most trying effects of their obedience. “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...For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” - Hebrews 12:1,2,6.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be: http://www.godsprice.com
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Monday, July 18, 2011
The Stumblingstone
King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Stumblingstone
Date: Sunday July 17, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 17-18, Proverb 17, Psalm 37
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-17
Details of Today's Chapters: The burden of Damascus, the foretelling destruction of the cities of Syria and Israel, the woe of the land beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, in the day of Israel’s regathering.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth...But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” - Romans 9:26-28,31-33.
A stumblingstone is an obstacle or hindrance to progress, God has placed a stumblingstone between Himself and man, which means He places an obstacle before all mankind that keeps them from being His children. That obstacle is Jesus Christ, if you get to Jesus then you get to God. Whether Jew or Gentile, the only way to get to Jesus is by believing in Him, then and only then will a person go from being a mere creation of God to a child of the only living God.
Through God, Isaiah foretold the ruin of the rest of the tribes of Israel along with Syria, also known as Damascus. The destruction of Damascus, which is the metropolis of Syria, and of other cities, will be destroyed, just like Jerusalem and yet a remnant would be preserved.
“The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts... Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel. At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.” - Isaiah 17:1-3,6,7.
Just as the gathering of grapes or olives will leave a few that are inaccessible at the very top of the branches, only a few of the billions of people on the earth will look to their Maker and be saved from destruction. Mercy is reserved in the midst of His judgment, but only for the remnant, the one who put their faith and trust in His Son. This remnant shall be made holy, acknowledging God's hand in all things, giving Him the respect and glory due to His name. “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 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 10:11-13.
Every nation will fall, therefore, every nation is called to observe the judgment that is about to be inflicted upon them. Through Isaiah God tells of the desolation coming of a land or country, but also assures His children that He will protect them and give them rest and a dwelling place away from the desolation.
“For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches. They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them. In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.” - Isaiah 18:4-7.
While a child of God will have to go through some suffering from time to time, God is always with them and will give them rest through that suffering. God’s people are trampled on as a nation, scattered and abused, no nation, will escape. Though they are cast down, they are not utterly forgotten of God. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6.
When Christ returns we will have Zion to look forward to, but until then God's children have heaven to look forward to. If you are not one of God's children you will not be saved from any of the destruction, but you can become a child of God before it is too late. The only way to avoid the destruction and hell itself is to get to the stumblingstone, which is Jesus Christ. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” - I John 5:11-13. Praise God!
P.S. I apologize for this being sent out a day late, I have been ill, all will resume to normal tomorrow. Thanks for your patience, I apologize for any inconvenience.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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I'm Following Jesus
Message Title: The Stumblingstone
Date: Sunday July 17, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 17-18, Proverb 17, Psalm 37
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-17
Details of Today's Chapters: The burden of Damascus, the foretelling destruction of the cities of Syria and Israel, the woe of the land beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, in the day of Israel’s regathering.
Hello My Friend/Guest,
“And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth...But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” - Romans 9:26-28,31-33.
A stumblingstone is an obstacle or hindrance to progress, God has placed a stumblingstone between Himself and man, which means He places an obstacle before all mankind that keeps them from being His children. That obstacle is Jesus Christ, if you get to Jesus then you get to God. Whether Jew or Gentile, the only way to get to Jesus is by believing in Him, then and only then will a person go from being a mere creation of God to a child of the only living God.
Through God, Isaiah foretold the ruin of the rest of the tribes of Israel along with Syria, also known as Damascus. The destruction of Damascus, which is the metropolis of Syria, and of other cities, will be destroyed, just like Jerusalem and yet a remnant would be preserved.
“The burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap. The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid. The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts... Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel. At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.” - Isaiah 17:1-3,6,7.
Just as the gathering of grapes or olives will leave a few that are inaccessible at the very top of the branches, only a few of the billions of people on the earth will look to their Maker and be saved from destruction. Mercy is reserved in the midst of His judgment, but only for the remnant, the one who put their faith and trust in His Son. This remnant shall be made holy, acknowledging God's hand in all things, giving Him the respect and glory due to His name. “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 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 10:11-13.
Every nation will fall, therefore, every nation is called to observe the judgment that is about to be inflicted upon them. Through Isaiah God tells of the desolation coming of a land or country, but also assures His children that He will protect them and give them rest and a dwelling place away from the desolation.
“For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest. For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches. They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them. In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.” - Isaiah 18:4-7.
While a child of God will have to go through some suffering from time to time, God is always with them and will give them rest through that suffering. God’s people are trampled on as a nation, scattered and abused, no nation, will escape. Though they are cast down, they are not utterly forgotten of God. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:5,6.
When Christ returns we will have Zion to look forward to, but until then God's children have heaven to look forward to. If you are not one of God's children you will not be saved from any of the destruction, but you can become a child of God before it is too late. The only way to avoid the destruction and hell itself is to get to the stumblingstone, which is Jesus Christ. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” - I John 5:11-13. Praise God!
P.S. I apologize for this being sent out a day late, I have been ill, all will resume to normal tomorrow. Thanks for your patience, I apologize for any inconvenience.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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