The Power of God In You

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Power of God In You 
Date: Saturday March 17, 2012Today's Chapters: Judges 14-16

Hello My Friend,

The word reprobate means a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation. Now, anyone can receive Christ as their Savior and be saved, but true Christians cannot understand for the life of them how God accepted them and not only that give them eternal life. While we do not deserve salvation we receive it by the power of God through the Lord Jesus Christ alone and while we may do the right things we need to remember that is not what saves us, Christ saves us. “For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.” - 2 Corinthians 13:4-7.

The Philistines were probably Israels biggest thorn in their side, they were in constant battle with one another, sometimes Israel would be in control, but often God allowed them to control Israel, that is until they had enough and sought God's help in defeating them after repenting. God brought up a man named Samson, a Nazarite, chosen before he was even conceived to serve God as judge in Israel, and to free Israel from the Philistines. Unfortunately Samson's heart was not always with God and instead of fighting them he made friends with the Philistines and even married one. The amazing thing about it, it was in God's will.
“And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife. Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel. Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.” - Judges 14:2-6.

God makes use of Samson's potential marriage with a Philistine woman to punish the people. When God has a purpose for us He uses every situation, even those against His will, to do the job He calls us to do. Receiving Christ as your Savior immediately brings the Spirit of God upon you and His power can produce some great miracles in you. Often God will prove His power in us through something that just seems impossible, but unless we have a relationship with God we may not know that it is Him. “And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.” - I Corinthians 6:14.
God used Samson to judge Israel for twenty years, but just like every heart that does not give God 100% his halfheartedness caught up to him when he met another Philistine woman named Delilah. She made a deal with the Philistines to reveal Samson's weakness in exchange for money. Deliah pressed Samson continually to reveal to her what would defeat him, finally, she convinced him to reveal that, which lead to his capture.
“And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength lieth. And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. And when Delilah saw that he had told her all his heart, she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines, saying, Come up this once, for he hath shewed me all his heart. Then the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and brought money in their hand. And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him.” - Judges 16:15-19.

The strongest man on earth is a weakling without the power of God, Samson was captured, his eyes were gouged out, and he was forced to live and serve the Philistines like an animal. Now, whenever one of God's people get defeated there is always going to be someone gloating over it, in this case, the Philistines were boasting about their god and how it delivered Samson into their hands. Little did they realize that God was using Samson's capture to deliver them to their death. Samson knew his life was coming to an end, during his time of blindness and slavery his eyes were finally opened to see that his purpose in life was to serve God. He repented and asked God for His strength one last time to defeat the Philistines taking out their false god temple in the process. “And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life.” -Judges 16:28-30.

Samson’s strength was not really in his hair, but in the power of God that lived in Him, his long hair was merely a badge that showed that he was one of God's people. By losing the badge, he forfeited the strength of God that came through it. All who receive Christ have God's power in them, our badge is how we live our lives through Christ to prove to the world that He is alive. “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.

Someone made a comment about a quote I used, “If you don't believe in miracles perhaps you've forgotten you are one.” They said, “There are 358,192 people born in the world every day, on average. Not necessarily what I'd call a miracle.” Christ is alive and lives in everyone who believes in and accepts Him. To allow Christ to live in you and see His power come through as you transform into something you thought impossible is truly a miracle and only comes from the power of God. It's not about how we got here or what we did in the past, it's about now and allowing Christ to work in us. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” - John 14:12,21.
Today's Psalm: 49:15 - “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.”

Today's Proverb: 18:10 - “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”

Today's Prayer: God, I know I am not perfect, I know I mess up every day, but You still use me for Your glory. I will never understand why You chose me, but I do understand that my faith in Your Son has redeemed me. I do want to live my life for You and do want to show the world that You are the Almighty miracle producing God that is alive and living in me. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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You Are Royalty

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: You Are Royalty
Date: Friday March 16, 2012Today's Chapters: Judges 11-13

Hello My Friend,

Have you ever talked to someone you haven't seen in a long time after you decided to give up the worldly life and live through Jesus Christ? If that person lives in the world you can pretty much get the same response that I get, “Are you really happy?” My reply is always the same, “Yes I am”, but they just cannot understand how I can be so happy when I do not go out and party or hang out with a bunch of people that can care less about me. The truth is, those of us who choose God over the world are peculiar, we truly are, and let me tell you, I like being peculiar, because I know that I am God's and He is mine and He makes me happy. Praise God that I can go to sleep every night and feel good that I am royalty and so are you. “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...For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:” - 1 Peter 2:9,10,15.

Now, we all come from different families, some poor, some rich, some good, some bad, but we were born into that family for a reason. God has a purpose and a place for everyone in every situation they were brought up in, whether it was something they were born into or created on their own. We all have a choice to let our past determine our future and if we trust God He will help us get through it and find the good in every situation. There was a man named Jephthah, he was a god fearing man, the problem that many people could not get past, he was the son of a harlot, a prostitute. They picked on him and cast him out of Gilead, but would come to realize that they needed his help.

“Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valour, and he was the son of an harlot: and Gilead begat Jephthah. And Gilead's wife bare him sons; and his wife's sons grew up, and they thrust out Jephthah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father's house; for thou art the son of a strange woman. Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him. And it came to pass in process of time, that the children of Ammon made war against Israel. And it was so, that when the children of Ammon made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephthah out of the land of Tob: And they said unto Jephthah, Come, and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.” - Judges 11:1-6.
Now, Jephthah could have refused to help Gilead, but he knew that it was God's will that he go and that it was the right thing to do. God had forgiven Israel, therefore, Jephthah knew it was fitting for him forgive them for the way they treated him. We cannot be blamed nor need not be ashamed of the parents that we are born into. God has a reason for why He chooses to bring us into the world the way He brings us and while we may not understand right now there will come a time when we do. Keep in mind, those who mock us will be seen as fools eventually, likewise if we mock others we will be seen as fools as well. When God chose which tribe in which Jesus would descend, He chose Judah, who slept with is own daughter-in-law, thinking she was a prostitute. Where we come from does not qualify us to serve God or even be a part of His family, who we believe qualifies us. “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” - Galatians 4:5-7.

When people find out that God really has played a part in your life, you can expect some jealously from those who have not played a part in your life for quite some time. After Jephthah, now judge over Israel, lead Gilead to victory over the Ammonites here comes Ephriam once again arguing that they did not have a part in the war, just as they did with Gideon. This time there was no reasoning, they went to war with their own people. “And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went northward, and said unto Jephthah, Wherefore passedst thou over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? we will burn thine house upon thee with fire. And Jephthah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon; and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands. And when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in my hands, and passed over against the children of Ammon, and the LORD delivered them into my hand: wherefore then are ye come up unto me this day, to fight against me?” - Judges 12:1-3.

Ephriam's jealousy lead to the death of forty-two thousand of their men. Jealousy brings serious consequences, not only does the person who is jealous get hurt, but countless others who got dragged into the battle as well. As Christians, we are all members of one body and that is Jesus Christ, we are not to be fighting with and deceiving one another. I do not like the way some of my family and friends behave, but I do not judge them, that is God's job. We are to be setting the example and showing the world not only how important it is to receive Christ, but that life is a whole lot better with Him in it. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” - 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

After Jephthah died Israel went through a few more judges, after the last judge, Abdon died, Israel went forty years under the hands of the Philistines. God decided to bring a judge to them that would be brought up fearing God from birth, he choose a God fearing couple named Zorah and Manoah to bring up as a Nazarite.
“And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son. Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing: For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines...Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born...And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware...And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God. But his wife said unto him, If the LORD were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt offering and a meat offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would as at this time have told us such things as these. And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the LORD blessed him.” - Judges 13:3-5,8,13,22-24.

A Nazarite is a person who was bound by a vow of a peculiar kind to be set apart from others for the service of God. A Nazarite is like being a Christian, is not about going to church, giving tithes, or donations, of course, it is good to do these things, but this is all surface stuff. Being a Christian is about allowing Christ to live in and through you, when others look at you they should be able to see Christ in you. Now, we all grow at different stages, but the more we grow with Christ the more He reflects through us. People may get jealous, mock you, or even try to get you to fall, but remember, you are royalty, an heir of God's and God takes that seriously. Do not be ashamed to be a Christian, be strong, for Christ will give you the strength to endure and you will reap the benefits too. “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” - Romans 8:16,17.
Today's Psalm: 139:14 - “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

Today's Proverb: 29:13 - “The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.”

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for making me royalty, I might not have a fancy car, mansion, or lots of things I desire, but I have You. You are worth more than anything money can buy and when people try to call me crazy for sticking by You I will never forget what You have done for me. I know people are going to show up or reappear that want to see me fall, but I know that with You by my side I can stand. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Is It In God's Will?

Is It In God's Will? 03.15.12

Posted by Christina Scovone on Thursday, March 15, 2012 Under: Daily Devotion

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Is It In God's Will?
Date: Thursday March 15, 2012Today's Chapters: Judges 9-10

Hello My Friend,

We all want to be successful in life, we all feel good about accomplishing something we worked so hard for, but I know when I fail at something, especially when I worked so hard, I do not feel so great, in fact, I feel like a complete failure at everything I do. The truth is, I am not a failure and neither are you! Let me tell you, the majority of the time the reason we fail at something is not because of something we are or are not doing, it's because it is not in God's will for us. When people desire things that are against God's will one of two things happens, they either move on and through God's grace find they are successful in something else or they continue to go against God's will and find success in through deception. However, sooner or later, anyone who goes up against God will fail and it will be fatal. “But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another...Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” -Galatians 6:4,7-9.

Gideon, had several wives, so many the he had seventy sons as a result, he also had one concubine, in Shechem, which also bare him a son, named Abimelech. Abimelech, wanted nothing to do with God, he wanted to be a powerful leader, like his father, more than that, he wanted to be king of Israel and stooped to the lowest level he could possibly have to do that. After Gideon (also named Jerubbaal) died, Abimelech urged his seventy half-brothers to let him become the first king of Israel. However, his brothers knew that God was their king and against Gideon's wishes, but that did not stop him. He negotiated with the people in Shechem and received a large sum of money from the false god Baal temple treasury to pay men to murder his brothers, all except one was killed, Jotham. In this rather odd illustration Jotham explains the importance of keeping God as king.

“And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?..Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.” - Judges 9:7-9,14,15.

The trees represent Israel, the olive tree, which was the most useful of all the trees represents Gideon, and the bramble a worthless plant, whose end is to be burned, represented Abimelech. Jotham points out the ingratitude of the people in raising Abimelech upon the ruin of Gideon’s house, and foretells the judgment which would fall upon both parties for making him a king. While we are to respect all who are in authority, there is only One King and that is Jesus Christ, His decisions and judgment goes above any earthly ruler and we have the right to do what is right. “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...Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you...Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” - Hebrews 13:9,17,20,21.

For three years Abimelech was in his glory, he reigned as king, but a battle broke out and not only did the people of Shechem die, Abimelech was later killed as well, by a woman, which was the shame of a man. “And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire. And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull. Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.” - Judges 9:52-55.

Those who choose to obtain things in a wicked way will always reap wickedness upon themselves, they have no one to blame, but themselves for the suffering and in some cases even death that they brought upon them.God will help us succeed and will even give us what we desire, but, there are two reasons we do not get them, instead of waiting on God's time table and letting Him get us their, we take things into our own hands. Or we are asking Him for something that goes completely against His will for us. Why would something not be in God's will? God will go against anything that we desire that goes completely against His commands, that could will harm us, or cause harm to others, this includes marriage and careers. “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...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 4:2-4,8-10. 

After Abimelech died Israel went through the same pattern, served God under godly authority, did evil once the person died. Now, for eighteen years Israel had been under the control of the Philistines, they had done evil in the sight of the Lord once again, forsaking Him for the false gods of not only the Philistines, but the Amorites, Ammonites, and every other man made god of the people dwelling in Canaan. This time when the Israelites went to God for help they did not get the answer they were expecting. “And the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians, and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon, and from the Philistines? The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand. Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. Go and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen; let them deliver you in the time of your tribulation. And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.” - Judges 10:11-16.

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior then you are a child of God, that means God expects you to behave like one of His children. Of course, we are all sinners and need room to grow, but God's soul will not grieve over a soul that has no intention of removing known sin from their lives. Yes, it takes time to overcome some sins, but if one is truly sincere God will hear their misery and His soul will grieve for them and He will help them overcome them. God can help us overcome any sin, if we are willing to repent of it, meaning turn away from it. “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” - Matthew 5:6-8.

Today's Psalm: 10:4 - ”The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.”

Today's Proverb: 13:21 - “Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.”

Today's Prayer: God, I do want to be successful in all that You call me to do and I know that with Your help I can be. I know that my failures are partially because I have not been patient or it is simply not in Your will to give me what I am desiring. Lord, help me to understand Your will for me in every area of my life, show me any errors in obtaining things that go against Your commands or could cause harm to me or someone else. I want to be completely dependent on Your decisions and not my own reasoning. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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A Vessel Of Honor

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Vessel Of Honor
Date: Tuesday March 13, 2012Today's Chapters: Judges 4-5

Hello My Friend,

The word virtuous means morally good, the practicing of moral duties, and abstaining from corruption. It's being honest, chaste, pure, respectable, and trustworthy. There is nothing more encouraging to God than people of virtue, it is an honor to Him to see people who love Him practicing moral duties. While we hear quite a bit about honorable men we do not hear so much about honorable woman, mostly in part because they have been titled as the weaker vessel since Eve fell into temptation first. However, God loves and honors a virtuous woman just as much as a He does a virtuous man. “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies...Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness...Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.” - Proverbs 31:10,25,26,30,31.
Israel fell away from God once again after Ehud died, this time God gave them into the hands of the king of Canaan, Jabin, who oppressed them severely for twenty years with a powerful army leader named Sisera. This time God chose a woman to judge Israel.

“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?..And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh...And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.” - Judges 4:4-6,8,9,14.

Deborah was a prophetess, meaning she received counsel directly from the Spirit of God and related it to the people. While women should not be in authority over men, God will allow it in some cases, which was the case here. By God's direction, Deborah ordered Barak to raise an army to attack Jabin's forces, but Barak insisted upon her presence before he would go. She was eager to help, though reminding him that she would be the one honored, whom was the weaker vessel. However, Barak valued the satisfaction of his mind, and the good success of his enterprise, more than his honor. God created the woman to be a help meet for the man, to encourage him and be there for him, sometimes she is stronger in her faith, but God will not give us a task that we cannot handle, even if that means her strength has to help strengthen his. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” -Romans 15:1-3. 
After their victory, Deborah and Barak gave thanks to God and praising Him with song, “Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel...The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel...So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.” - Judges 5:1-3,7,31.

No time should be lost in returning thanks to God for His mercies, graces, and victories; for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable, when they flow from the heart. By this, love and gratitude would be more excited and more deeply fixed in the hearts of believers and the events would be more known and longer remembered. Whatever Deborah, Barak, or the army had done, the Lord must have all the praise. Since the will, the power, the skill, and the success were all from Him. Jesus Himself said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” - John 5:30.

God is in search of God fearing, virtuous men and women, to be used for His glory, in return for their faithfulness is not only eternal life through Jesus Christ, but honor, respect, and trustworthiness from God. Are we going to mess up sometimes? Sure we will, but God is faithful and just and will use us as long as we are willing to be used of Him. All throughout the Bible we read of men and women, some murders, cheats, adulterers, all sinners, used by God when they willingly offered themselves to Him. My class motto in my Sunday school class is, “Little kids can do big things for God too.” If God can use a five year old to reach someone, He can use anyone. We are all sinners saved by grace, all God needs is a few good men and women willing to be a vessel of honor. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” - 2 Timothy 2:21,22.
Today's Psalm: 91:15 - “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.”

Today's Proverb: 4:8 - “Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.”

Today's Prayer: God, I want to be a vessel of honor for You. I know that I am nothing without You and that everything in my life, good, bad, and the challenges too are allowed to mold me into that vessel of honor. Lord, purge me from the things that prevent me from being a vessel of honor, lead me and guide me and help me to find strength to stand before You as a virtuous vessel and to also be strong for someone who may need a helping hand. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Planting, Watering, And Sprouting

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Planting, Watering, And Sprouting 
Date: Monday March 12, 2012Today's Chapters: Judges 1-3

Hello My Friend,

As Christians we are constantly being tempted not by God or even Satan, but by the world. Yes, Satan can plant desires in our minds, but we are the ones who can water it and sprout the seeds. The only way we can guard ourselves against the temptations of the world and keep from falling into corruption is through the power of God, His Word, and planting, watering, and sprouting that in us. Yes, it is good to have a man of God to guide us, it's great to have Bible studies and devotions like these to help us understand God's Word, but what good is that man or Bible studies if we do not get in His Word ourselves. We cannot live the life God wants us to live without hearing His Word upon reading it for ourselves. “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God...But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)..So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” -Romans 10:3,6,17.
The Book of Judges is the seventh book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains twenty-one chapters. The author of the book is Samuel and it was written to Israel, the time line of these events took place approximately from 1425 BC to 1120 BC. The purpose of the book was to record Israels journey after the death of Joshua, their repeated sin, and the judges God sent, who ruled, to get them redeemed and right with God. What we are to learn from the book is that God's chastisement is for the benefit of all God's people to turn us away from sin and to the Savior. “And the children of Israel said unto the LORD, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever seemeth good unto thee; deliver us only, we pray thee, this day. And they put away the strange gods from among them, and served the LORD: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel.” - Judges 10:15,16.

The children of Israel are now facing life without their leader, Joshua, what were they to do. There were to do just as Joshua said, drive out all the inhabitants from the land and follow God's commands. Well, they followed some of the commands, but failed to do one important thing, drive out all the inhabitants from the land. First, we learn that the tribes of Judah and Simeon worked together to get the people out of their towns, but the rest of the tribes did not want to fight or were afraid of them, the result, either the Canaanites paid them or even worse they paid the Canaanites to keep the peace.

“And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them. Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries...Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries.” - Judges 1:28-30,33-35.

The word tributary means paying money to another, either from compulsion, as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the purpose of purchasing peace. When Jesus Christ died on the cross He paid tribute to God for every sinner, He paid the debt owed to them to find peace with God. All who call on Christ are secured, their debt is paid in full, and peace is made with God. What better way to give thanks for the debt paid is by honoring the promise we made. God will never expect us to do something we are unable to do, therefore, He will never ask us to do it. What He does ask is that we give it our all. “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” - Mark 12:30,31.

As God watched Israel compromising with the Canaanites, He did what He promised, He made them to be a snare in their side. God confronted Israel, reminding them of that very thing. “And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you. And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you...And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.” - Judges 2:1-3,14-16.

A snare is a pest, someone who always brings trouble, while God did make the Canaanites a snare to Israel, He did send judges from time to time in hopes that they would turn from following the false gods or their tribes and return to Him, the only living God. Snares do one thing in life, keep us closer to Jesus. “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - 2 Corinthians 12:8,9.
Israel was governed by judges for more than three hundred years. While they had a judge among them they were obedient, followed God wholeheartedly, and prospered, but when the judge died they quickly fell right back into the corruption of those who lived in the world, becoming enslaved to them. “Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan; Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;..And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites: And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.” - Judges 3:1,2,5-9.

While we cannot always be around godly people it is important that we live each day abiding in the only vine that gives us life. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” - John 15:1-4.
Today's Psalm: 1:3 - “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Today's Proverb: 4:5 - “ Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”

Today's Prayer: God, While we cannot avoid the snares in life that seem to never go away, we can overcome them by planting, watering, and sprouting the seed of Your Word in us. You are the rich soil that nurtures us into beautiful flowers and makes the thorns less painful. I trust You and know that good things will truly come to me as I remain faithful to You and abide in Your vine. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Cleaving To Christ

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Cleaving To Christ 
Date: Sunday March 11, 2012Today's Chapters: Joshua 23,24

Hello My Friend,

The word cleave means to stick, to hold on to, since we have been justified through grace, by faith in Jesus Christ, it is our first duty to cleave to Jesus in order to learn how to have the best relationship with God that we can possibly have here on earth. Since man became enemies to God, they have been enemies to one another. And those that cleave to Christ, must expect to meet with the same enemies who seldom agree with God. However, as Christians, we are not to overcome evil by being evil ourselves, but by cleaving to what is good. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;..Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:9911,19-21.

Joshua was now one hundred and ten years old, he knew his time on earth was coming to an end, before he passed he gathered all the elders together for one last remembrance of the miracles, lessons, blessings, and laws given by God. He left them with a warning also.
“And ye have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the LORD your God is he that hath fought for you. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them: But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day...Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you. When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.” -Joshua 23:3,6-8,15,16.

As all good things come upon the believer according to the promise, likewise, evil things will come upon the unbeliever, according to His promise. Love the Lord your God, and you will not leave him. Cleave to Him and you will not face unnecessary suffering. Conflicts may have been severe and long, trials great and many, but as long as we cleave to Christ we will see the victory. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” - 1 John 5:4,5.

Joshua reminded Israel that they are standing on the promised land not because of any work that they have done, but because God promised it to them. He also gave them a choice, “And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat. Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD...And the LORD drave out from before us all the people, even the Amorites which dwelt in the land: therefore will we also serve the LORD; for he is our God.” - Joshua 24:13-15,18.

We all have a choice, that is God's gift of free will, He does not and will not force Himself upon any of us, if we choose not to follow Him He is okay with that. God wants someone faithful to Him, someone who will cleave to Him, to serve Him willingly and wholeheartedly. He rather a person not follow Him at all then to say they do and lie about it. Jesus said, “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. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” -Revelation 3:15-19.

It is essential that the service of God's people be performed with a willing mind. For LOVE is the only genuine principle that is acceptable service to God. Joshua reminds Israel one last time that God is a jealous God and if they choose Him they will face consequences if they forsake Him. “And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the LORD. Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you the LORD, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses. Now therefore put away, said he, the strange gods which are among you, and incline your heart unto the LORD God of Israel. And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey...And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.” - Joshua 24:19-24,31.

It is important in our Christian walk to cleave to godly men and women who set the right example for us to follow. So many people are caught up in false religion, living the examples they were taught, but they were taught the wrong examples. Sadly, they chose to serve a false god instead of the living God, any religion that does not teach that the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ's death, burial, and resurrection alone is serving a false god. Jesus is God in the flesh, therefore, He is the only living God and the only one to cleave to. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” - John 1:1-4,14.
Today's Psalm: 34:11 - “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

Today's Proverb: 9:9 - “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.”

Today's Prayer: God, I want to be Your faithful follower as You fulfill Your purpose in my life. I need not fear when I cleave to You, for You will help guide me through the uncertainties and difficulties of life, for You truly know what Your intentions are for my life. I trust You for the days ahead and will not fear nor dread the future, since it is through the eyes of faith, that I will see the victory ahead! In Jesus' name. Amen. 
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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