Reading And Practicing God's Word

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Reading And Practicing God's Word
Date: Saturday February 25, 2012Today's Chapters: Deuteronomy 16-19

Hello My Friend,

I know this woman, she watches and reads every kind of religious information she can find, she picks up bits and pieces of each and has drummed up her own view on who God is based on all this information. The one book she never picked up is a Bible, once I talked to her about false religion and had her intrigued until her son, who actually got saved himself, informed me not to preach to his family. We drifted since then without me ever getting the chance to talk to her and her son fell so far away from God that he even renounced himself as a Christian. How does a person get to either point? 1. They are not reading God's Word. 2. They are not practicing God's Word.

“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things...It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself...Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness...Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” - 2 Timothy 2:7,11-13,15,16,19.
The word study means a setting of the mind or thoughts upon a subject; hence, application of mind of books, to arts or science, or to any subject, for the purpose of learning what is not before known. God's words are not just some words put together to form a sentence, they are His thoughts, His views, and our only connection to understanding Him. God gave us His words for the purpose of learning what is not before known, therefore, it is important that we study His words diligently. Another importance is a place of worship, Moses reminds Israel of the three feasts of the year,besides sabbath days, in which they were to partake to worship God, but it would not be any place, it would be the place He chooses.
“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” - Deuteronomy 16:16-20.

To worship God means the act of paying divine honors to Him; it's the reverence and respect paid to Him in religious exercises, consisting of adoration, confession, prayer, tithes, offerings, thanksgiving and the like. Sure, we can worship God at home, but God wants us to publicly honor Him too, and interestingly enough, in the place where He chooses. In the act of giving offerings it is important that it be only to God and it be pure, Moses explains this further to Israel.
“Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God. If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and enquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel: Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.” - Deuteronomy 17:1-5.

Not all churches are the same, even denominations of churches are not the same, therefore, if we are going to worship God we need to make sure we are offering ourselves and possessions to the LORD, thy God. How do you know if you are worshiping the one true living God? Your house of worship needs to believe that there is a heaven and hell, believe in the Gospel of Christ, believe in the Godhead, that Christ is the head of the church, that all authority of the church is based on God's Word, and truly understand that salvation comes by faith in Christ alone and not by any other actions taken. Any person using any other means to reach God and heaven is false and even if a person is led to false religion out of ignorance it is cause for death because they are trusting in that false religion. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” - Titus 3:5-7.

In Moses' speech we find an interesting prophecy of Jesus Christ, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.” - Deuteronomy 18:15-20.

There are many claiming to know God's Word, the one thing that aggravates me the most is when someone starts quoting God's Word to me completely twisting it to make themselves look good and righteous. Let me tell you, listen to those lies long enough and you will start doubting yourself. I thank God for the ability to have His Word with me every day and for the Holy Spirit's radar that goes off whenever someone tries confusing me. “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” - Matthew 13:11,12.

So many people die every day and end up in hell because they have trusted a false prophets lies, they refuse to listen to the truth because of what they have been taught. God will not save anyone who will not come to Him, it's not that He does not love them, He truly loves everyone, but if they believe the lies over His truths then how can He save them. “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 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 21:6-8.
Today's Psalm: 56:4 - “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.”

Today's Proverb: 14:15 - ”The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for giving us Your Word, while we do not need it to know that You exist, we do need it to know how we can exist. Until I had Your Word as my guide I was lost and had no direction, but now I can actually find where I am going as I apply Your truths to my walk. I know I have messed up, I know I have ignored some things that You have tried to warn me about, but thank You for Your love, patience, mercy, and grace that always gives me a second chance. I love You, Lord and need You, help me to grow each day as I read some of Your Word and practice what I am taught. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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The People of God

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The People of God
Date: Friday February 24, 2012Today's Chapters: Deuteronomy 12-15

Hello My Friend,

If you were to ask any person off the street who God's people are, you may get one of three responses, I do not believe in God, we are all God's people, or those who live right are God's people. Ask a born again believer who God's people are and you may get one of two responses, those who receive Christ are God's people or those who receive Christ and live right are God's people. The truth is, we are all God's creation, but not all God's people. Unbelievers, those who think they are God's people because of their religion, and those who are trusting in any other means than Jesus Christ to save them are not God's people. God's people are only those who have accepted and received Jesus Christ as their Savior and are only trusting in Him for their salvation. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ...But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” - 1 Peter 2:5,9,10.

Moses continues to instruct Israel on what they were to do when they get to the promised land, now, he explains where they will offer sacrifices. The command is given to destroy all altars, pillars, groves, and images, made for the worship of idols in the land of Canaan, and to bring all sacrifices and holy things unto the place which the Lord should choose for His habitation.
“These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth...And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee...When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after. If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after...Only thy holy things which thou hast, and thy vows, thou shalt take, and go unto the place which the LORD shall choose:” - Deuteronomy 12:1,7,20,21,26.

Today, God does not choose one particular place to dwell, He dwells in the soul of every born again believer. We are free to enjoy the things that our soul desires, God just wants us to give reverence to Him in all things. Key word, soul, God wants us to feed the desires of our soul, not the lusts of our flesh. When we acknowledge God and thank Him for every thing we are less likely to do the things that feed the lusts of the flesh. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein...By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” - Hebrews 13:8,9,15,16.
Moses warns them that they are going to be approached by people who think they are God's people, but are not. They were warned not even to patiently listen to false teachers and dreamers, but to instantly reject it as unscriptural. “If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.” - Deuteronomy 13:1-5.

There are many religions claiming to know God and even Jesus Christ, God allows these false religions for one reason and one reason only, to prove our faith in Him. There is only One God and He is in the form of three persons, God the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, any other perception of God is false. There is only One Way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ, any other way is false. There is only One Life and that is eternal life with Jesus Christ. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” -John 14:1-4,6,7.

Moses tells the people of Israel how God had given them three distinguishing privileges, God chose them, they were His children, and they were holy people. Since they were God's people they were peculiar people lead to live above the rest. “Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing...And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always...And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,” - Deuteronomy 14:1-3,23,26.

When a person accepts and receives Jesus Christ as their Savior they receive the same privileges, God chose them, they are His children, and they are holy people. God's people are required to be holy, and if they are holy, they are indebted to the grace in which God which makes them so. Those who God chooses to be His children, He will transform to be a holy people, zealous of good works. They must be careful to avoid every thing which might disgrace their profession, in the sight of those who watch for their fall. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” - Romans 12:1-3.

To be released means to be free from confinement, bondage, or obligation, God enforced a release every seven years on any debt owed by any person that was not paid. If a person owed money to a creditor and could not afford to pay it, the creditor had seven years to try to claim it, at the end of the seven years, if it has not been claimed, that person would be released from paying the debt. Moses explains this further,
“Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day. For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee. If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth...Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.” - Deuteronomy 15:5-8,10.

The year of release is representative of the grace of the Gospel in which it is proclaimed the acceptable year of the Lord. The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, when one believes in the Gospel and asks Jesus to save them they are released from the debt owed for their sins, which is death and hell. All who call upon the Lord obtain the release of their sin debts, are pardoned of their sins, and are taught to forgive others debts as they have been forgiven. “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors...For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” - Matthew 6:12,14,15.
Today's Psalm: 33:12 - “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

Today's Proverb: 14:34 - “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”

Today's Prayer: God, I will never understand that the qualifications to being one of Your children is simply believing in Your Son, but nevertheless I am and that is truly a blessing in itself. Lord, I know Jesus paid the price for me and that no work I do for You is needed, but I want to live in obedience to Your commands and to serve You with all my heart and soul. Show me the way, Lord, keep me in Your Word to know Your truths and live in obedience to You, help me to be able to discern truth from lies and to warn others too. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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God's Amazing Grace

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: God's Amazing Grace
Date: Thursday February 23, 2012Today's Chapters: Deuteronomy 9-11

Hello My Friend,

Okay, so most people, regardless or their faith in God, try to do good in hopes of a better life, but the truth is no matter how good we try to be we have this flesh that will turn away from good in an instant given the right moment and circumstance. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God...For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:10,11,23.

As Moses continues his speech to the new generation of Israel in preparation of their entrance into the promised land he assures them that God will be there for there, He will go before them, fight for them, and help them drive the inhabitants out of the land. He also points out that they are not receiving the land for any good that they have done, but because of His promise.
“Hear, O Israel: Thou art to pass over Jordan this day, to go in to possess nations greater and mightier than thyself, cities great and fenced up to heaven, A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak! Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is he which goeth over before thee; as a consuming fire he shall destroy them, and he shall bring them down before thy face: so shalt thou drive them out, and destroy them quickly, as the LORD hath said unto thee. Speak not thou in thine heart, after that the LORD thy God hath cast them out from before thee, saying, For my righteousness the LORD hath brought me in to possess this land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD doth drive them out from before thee. Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou art a stiffnecked people.” -Deuteronomy 9:1-6.

Because we have sinned we all deserve death and hell, now, no one wants the admit that even their little white lie deserves death and hell, but the truth is it is a sin and any wrongdoing, whether it was meant for good or evil receives the same judgment. That is where Jesus comes in, not by any works of righteousness God promises to save us, but through our faith and acceptance in Jesus Christ. Why? Because we are stiffnecked people, which means, stubbornly adhering to one's purpose, difficult to manage, unyielding to God. It is only by God's grace that we have been saved, His unmerited love, “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” - Titus 3:3-7.

Does that mean we can live the life we want to live after we are saved? You are free to live however you want to live, but if you choose to live your way instead of God's way you will never see what God can do. Moses encourages the Jews to circumcise their heart. “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day. Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked...Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.” - Deuteronomy 10:12-16,20,21.

Once you are saved you are always saved, but do not underestimate God, He knows every heart, He knows the heart that just cannot let go of that one thing to serve Him. He knows the heart of those who serve Him with the foreskin (sin) upon it. He also knows the heart of those who have circumcised (cleansed) their foreskin and truly love God, they see those miracles of God and realize that they truly are a miracle themselves. “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.” - 1 Corinthians 2:9.

The heart is the center of our feelings, the thoughts we get in our head come from the heart. The soul is the center of our physical bodies, the feelings we get in our heart come from the soul. The soul craves love just as much as the heart does and it will follow along side by side, even if it knows it is dangerous. Why? The soul is our inner most being, our center of life, it follows what we feel. As Moses continues to remind Israel of the miracles and chastening they have witnessed over the years he explains the importance of keeping God in both their heart and soul.
“Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him; Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves...Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.” - Deuteronomy 11:18-23,26-28.

When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior we receive a blessing and a curse, the blessing, God will always be with us, no matter how stiffnecked we are. He will grow us, strengthen us, and help us to prosper as we learn of Him and allow Him to go before us. The curse, those who never go beyond receiving Christ will never understand or acknowledge how amazing God is, how much He loves them, and how much He wants to be apart of their lives. They will face much tribulation here on earth and never know just how blessed they are if they just turned from their false gods to the living God living inside them. “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Corinthians 6:16-18.
Today's Psalm: 84:11 - “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”

Today's Proverb: 3:34 - “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”

Today's Prayer: God, All we have to do to realize how blessed we are is to look back on the life we lived without You in it. It was cold, dark, and depressing, trying to fit in where we didn't belong, trying to blend in with a world that did not quite accept us. Oh, we had some fun, but in the end we are the ones who suffered. It is only by Your grace, Your love and favor of me, that You picked me up out of the rut I was in and gave me a new life. The world still tries to drag me in, now that I really do not fit in, but I know You are always with me, right there in front of me, making sure that I am safe and secure. I know I will mess up, but thanks to Your amazing grace all I have to do is come to You and You will make it right. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Be Free

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Be Free
Date: Wednesday February 22, 2012Today's Chapters: Deuteronomy 5-8

Hello My Friend,

God is committed to all who believe in and accept His Son, Jesus Christ as their Savior. He knows who are His and knows they are going to mess up sometimes, but He never forgets nor forsakes who are His. Jesus said, “Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me...I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him...And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free...Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” - John 8:15,16,26,32,34-36.
The Jews were about to enter the beautiful land promised to them by God Almighty, there was only one problem, it was already in possession by others, of course, God knew this already, but that was part of the challenge. Moses reminds them of the ten commandments that God had given in order to keep them from falling into the corruption of the ones dwelling there.

“Thou shalt have none other gods before me. Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:..Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee...Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Thou shalt not kill. Neither shalt thou commit adultery. Neither shalt thou steal. Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's...Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.” - Deuteronomy 5:7,8,11,12,16-21,33.

We obviously cannot avoid some people in life, but we can choose not to get caught up in the lifestyles they choose by keeping God's commands. No matter how good we are or try to be, if we get around them without God we will become like them or at least pick up some of their corruptible habits. I am proof of that, but praise God that He pulled me out of all that mess before things got really out of hand. While we may suffer some consequences for our actions God never gives up on us and always helps us out of every situation that we want out of when we seek Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30.

Moses reminds the Jews of God's promise and how they are to fear Him, “Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey...Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.” - Deuteronomy 6:1-3,13-15..

Fearing God does not mean to be afraid of doing anything for fear that you would get severely punished, religion does that. Fearing God is respecting Him, acknowledging Him, and living by His commands, not because we have to, but because we love Him and want to. God does not force us to do anything, but if we say that we want Him in our lives we better be committed to Him, just like an unfaithful spouse would become jealous and angry so does God when we are unfaithful to Him. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15,16.

We need to think of God's commandments as guides, not something that we are bound to, laws are set for law breakers not those who try to live right. And truthfully, only those who become offended by God's laws are the ones breaking them. God's people are to separate themselves from among the world to keep us from falling into those wicked temptations. Moses warns the Jews if they get around them they will become like them. “When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.” - Deuteronomy 7:1-4.

Living in sin literally destroys a person, God is not actually the one that does the destroying, it is the person. One can blame the person who caused them to sin, but they still allowed it to happen. I fell into sin because I allowed myself to dwell with those living in sin, but I was just as accountable for my own actions as they were for subjecting me to them. However, praise God for His mercy and forgiveness! God knows that we are going to sin, but He never breaks His promise to always be there for us, even when we mess things up. We can expect some chastisement but, we can also expect God's blessings.

“All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.” - Deuteronomy 8:1-6.

Just like a parent would punish a child for wrong doing God punishes His child for wrong doing. It does not mean that He does not love us, in fact, it means He loves us very much. When you punish a child you do it out of love and to teach them not to do it again. We are not perfect, God does not expect us to be, what He does expect us to be is faithful and remain that way during our journey through the wilderness. As we walk through the maze of life we become humbled, dependent upon Him, learn to trust Him more, and He blesses us through our faith and obedience to His commands. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” - James 1:12-14.
Today's Psalm: 118:18 - “The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.”

Today's Proverb: 3:11 - “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:”

Today's Prayer: God, in the process of being molded and fashioned into Your likeness we are often unyielding and struggle in the process of becoming more like You. At various times You place people in our lives that stretch and challenge us, which produces faith and obedience to You. Thank You for the challenges and for helping me endure them all. Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me no matter how many times I messed up. Thank You for correcting me and growing me into person You want me to be and thank You for setting me free. I love You, Lord. Amen. 
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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One God, One Way

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: One God, One Way
Date: Tuesday February 21, 2012Today's Chapters: Deuteronomy 3-4

Hello My Friend,

I had a visitor in my Sunday school class, he was 6 years old, it was the first time he ever even heard of God, let alone Jesus, heaven and hell. It was kind of sad to talk to this boy that really had no interest in even learning about God, but at least the seed was planted, hopefully God will open his heart and the rest of his family to want to learn more. I got to thinking about this, we are all born with the knowledge of God in us at birth, it is the lifestyles that we are exposed to that take people from knowing God's existence to having no clue He is even their Creator. People who choose to erase God out of existence receive the same fate as anyone else no matter where their imaginations take them. “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.

Moses continues giving the new generation of Israel a recap of the past forty-two years in the wilderness, now Moses gave them a review of the commands that God had given to their fathers, which are now being passed down to them and from generation to generation. These commands were to be used specifically in the land they were about to possess as they were about to enter an ungodly, corrupt nation, which God already knew was before them when they left Egypt. Moses assures them that if they follow God's commands they will have nothing to worry about because God will be there to fight for them.
“Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you. And I besought the LORD at that time, saying, O Lord GOD, thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness, and thy mighty hand: for what God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might? I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter. Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.” - Deuteronomy 3:22-28.

As Christians we are faced with constant battles in a corrupt, ungodly nation, it does not matter what nation we live in we are all in the midst of idolatry, immorality, and sorcery. If we choose Christ we are going to face some afflictions, but God will fight for us, He will help us win the battle every time. There are some things in life that we are going to forfeit because we made a wrong decision, but it is not cause to dismiss God, we must learn to serve Him at all times, not just when we are receiving the things we are asking Him for, even when He say no. “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 12:28.
Now Moses encourages the people to follow God's commands and teach them to their children and if they do they will be blessed, but cautioned them against adding to or taking away from His commands. “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day...Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” - Deuteronomy 4:1-4,9,10.

God warns the same thing to us, He makes serving Him simple, we complicate it by following religions that add to His commands or eliminate them for the sake of justifying their sinful lifestyles. There is only one way to save your soul and that is through Jesus Christ, there is only one way to avoid the consequences of sin and that is by living by God's commands. While many of the laws given to the Jews are no longer a factor for us today, they still teach us moral values that we should be living today. People wonder why their kids become such a handful, it's what we teach and allow others to teach them that brings about their behavior. “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” - 1 Timothy 8-11.

Before Moses completed his speech he reminded them that God will always be with them, he foretold of some events that would take place when they fall, but assured them that even if they fall God is merciful and will forgiven them if they come to Him.

“Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee. For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God. When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:..But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them...Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.” - Deuteronomy 4:23-25,29-31,39.

I was watching a program last night and this guy was talking about his converting to a Muslim, he insisted that he was still a Christian and that the god he bows to is the same God we bow to. The Muslim's god is not the living God we know as Jesus Christ, the Buddhist’s god is not the living God we know as Jesus Christ, the Jehovah's Witness god is not the living God we know as Jesus Christ. A person can say that the god of their religion is the same Almighty living God that we know, but they are wrong, they are creating this false image of God. There is only One God and He lives in the form of three persons, God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, any alteration of this provokes God to anger and will face judgment for it.

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:.Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” - Romans 1:18-20,29-32.
Today's Psalm: 25:14 - “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”

Today's Proverb: 22:6 - “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Today's Prayer: God, It is Your desire that we stay faithful to Your teachings. Scripture gives many examples of those who knew to do right, but chose to do wrong. The consequences of their wrong actions not only made them suffer, but others around them as well. Lord, help me to avoid the traps that take me away from Your truth and living an alternate, destructive life. It is only by reading Your Word, but applying its truth to my life that I even have a chance to fight the battles around me. Help me to be the godly example that You want me to be for all who cross my path. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Pray Believing

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Pray Believing 
Date: Sunday February 19, 2012Today's Chapters: Numbers 33-36

Hello My Friend,

Perhaps one of the most frustrating things to do as a Christian is wait, we all want things, but we cannot have them all exactly when we want them. I often say to my kids in my Sunday school class, “If you prayed for God to give you are car would He give it to you right away?” Of course, they laugh and say no unless it was a toy, I proceed to tell them, that while we can pray to God for anything, the timing in which He gives it often relates to how prepared we are to receive it. When we pray to God we are to pray believing and actually envision seeing it unfold, remember, without vision, the people perish, but those who pray believing will see what they have been asking for one day. Keep in mind, people, places, and things, play a part in how God answers prayer, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” - James 4:2-4. 
It had been forty years since the Jews stepped foot off Egyptian soil and headed for the promised land, theyjourneyed from Rameses to the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, a couple of times, now, their journey was about to end and a new one begin in the promised land, but before they could enter God gave them some final instructions and a stern warning.

“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it. And ye shall divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families: and to the more ye shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer ye shall give the less inheritance: every man's inheritance shall be in the place where his lot falleth; according to the tribes of your fathers ye shall inherit. But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.” - Numbers 33:51-56.

Once they crossed over the Jordan, they were about to enter a land full of temptation and wicked behavior. They were commanded to drive out all of the people and everything that would give them cause to sin. If they did not they would face constant affliction and suffering, not only by them, but by God Himself. While we are to be cordial to all, God also gives us a stern warning to drive out anyone in our lives that would cause us to sin. Why? No matter how strong we are in our faith or how close we are to God, if the temptation remains eventually one will give into it, we are to separate ourselves from anyone who would lead us to sin, no matter how hard it would be. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?..Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” - 2 Corinthians 6:14,17,18.

God appointed Eleazar the high priest and Joshua to be the ones who would divide Canaan up for the tribes, each tribe was given a certain amount of cities according to the number or people in the tribe. Since Gad and Reuben chose to dwell outside Canaan and the Levi would receive their inheritance from God , that left nine tribes to be divided among the nation. “And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe: For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance: The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.” -Numbers 34:13-15.

Now, all who receive and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior receive a part of the inheritance in the Kingdom of God and while our works do not get us to or keep us in heaven, they do determine how much of the inheritance we get. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” - Matthew 16:24-27.

After God gave the instructions on where they would dwell He gave them instructions on where the Levites were to dwell. No, He did not leave the Levites out, since they were ministers of His service they were appointed cities to dwell in within each tribes inheritance . They were to be given forty-eight cities, six of those were known as cities of refuge. “Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them. And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts...And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.” - Numbers 35:2,3,6.
The Levites were given cities among all the tribes so they could minister to people without them having to go to the tabernacle every time. The cities of refuge were given as a safe place for an offender to dwell until either he was acquitted or had someone after him and needed a safe place to hide. Today, our refuge is Jesus Christ, as long as we dwell in His safe place. Jesus said, “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:” - Luke 12:4-8.

God will give us anything we ask for, but the key, we must ask Him, yes, He knows what we need, but just like anyone else, He will not give us anything unless we ask for it. Then, comes the hard part, waiting. Whether it takes one, five, ten, or forty years for God to answer a prayer we are to never stop praying, and to ask believing. “Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” - Mathew 21:21,22.
Today's Psalm: 21:4 - “He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever.”

Today's Proverb: 29:18 - “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

Today's Prayer: God, I know that everything is in Your timing and in Your will for me, and I also know that You promise if I ask anything believing that I will receive it. You know what is best for me and You know when I am truly ready to receive the things I am asking You for. Lord, help me endure the waiting, help me to serve You with all my heart, mind, and soul, and to remove any hindrances that may be keeping me from receiving some of the things I am asking You for. Open my eyes, help me to see beyond the surface and envision the amazing life You have for me as my prayers unfold before my very eyes. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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