Repentance

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Repentance 
Date: Saturday May 12, 2012Today's Chapters: 2 Chronicles 12-14

Hello My Friend,

There is a quote that I use quite often lately, “Christians are not sinless, they sin less.” I heard someone on the radio define whom she thought was a Christian, her idea of a Christian was far from what God's idea of a Christian is. It was sad to hear how she distorted God, I couldn't hear another word and turned it off, vowing to never listen to her show again. Now, God loves everyone of His people, regardless of whether or not they live in sin, but that does not mean we can live in sin and just go up to heaven with no consequences for our actions while we are still here. Jesus said, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” - Luke 17:3,4.
When Rehoboam was so strong that he assumed he had nothing to fear from Jeroboam, he cast off his dependence on God and so did Judah, resulting in a war between Judah and Egypt. God quickly brought troubles upon Judah, to awaken the people to repentance, before their hearts were hardened.

“And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him. And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD, Whereupon the princes of Israel and the king humbled themselves; and they said, The LORD is righteous. And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they shall be his servants; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries.” - 2 Chronicles 12:1,2,6-8. 

People have no idea what the word repent means, they think it just means to seek forgiveness of their sins. To repent means to feel pain, sorrow or regret for something done or spoken and to change ones mind. In some cases God does want us to repent of our sins, in other words, He wants us to feel deep sorrow and pain for living in sin, but He also wants us to stop committing the sin all together, that is repentance of sin not merely forgiveness of sin. Repentance is about changing your perception of things and acting upon them. God repents sometimes, that doesn't mean He sins, it just means that He changed His mind about some things. Every person born is born with a death sentence, but when they repent themselves, knowing that only Jesus can acquit them, God repents of that death sentence and gives them eternal life. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9.

After Rehoboam died his son, Abijah, only reigned for three years, but during that time a civil work took place between Israel and Judah, in which Judah prevailed. “And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men. Thus the children of Israel were brought under at that time, and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied upon the LORD God of their fathers. And Abijah pursued after Jeroboam, and took cities from him, Bethel with the towns thereof, and Jeshanah with the towns thereof, and Ephrain with the towns thereof.” - 2 Chronicles 13:17-19.

Asa, followed Rehoboam after he died, Asa was like his great-great-grandfather, David. He rejected the heathen gods and idols that were in Judah and removed them all. He encouraged the people to seek and serve God and because he had a perfect heart for God all was quiet in the land for ten years. “So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years. And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God: For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.” - 2 Chronicles 14:1-4.

We face many more battles than we need to when we seek our own means to handle the difficulties we encounter. It's not that God wants us to just sit there, He wants to keep going, by faith, doing what is possible for us to do, then letting Him take care of the impossible. As we seek God when things are quiet and going well, we assure God that we know He is there and that He is the reason why we are at peace and everything is going so well. God assures us that when we seek Him at all times there is nothing that He will not do for us. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 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.” - Psalm 1:1-3.

As long as Asa sought God he and all of Judah was at peace, but do not be surprised if God does not test our faith when everything is going well. The ten year rest in Judah was about to come to an end when Zerah, the Ethiopian king, declared war on the Southern Kingdom. Asa and the nation of Judah were faced with a million soldiers who had 300 chariots, the largest army recorded in the Old Testament. When Asa saw that army all he could think to do was pray, and God did hear his prayer. “And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.” - 2 Chronicles 14:11-13.

As Asa prayed he told God that he acknowledged that without Him they would be defeated, and that He alone is the only one who could give them the victory. Sometimes things go so smoothly that we forget that God is still around so, He will send a battle our way to remind us that without Him no battle is won. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” - 1 John 5:3,4. 
Today's Psalm: 106:45 - “And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.”

Today's Proverb: 10:10 - “He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.”

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for Your mercy, grace, and forgiveness. You never forsake me nor give up on me no matter how many times I mess up. God, open my heart to things in my life that I need to repent of and give me Your power, will, and strength to overcome them. 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 Knows

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: God Knows
Date: Friday May 11, 2012Today's Chapters: 2 Chronicles 8-11

Hello My Friend,

Quite often as Christians I image we all have times where we look back at things, scratch our heads and wonder, “How did I get out of that?” or even worse, “How did I get into that?” The truth is, God allows it all, the good, the bad, and even the ugly things in our lives. You think God did not know that we were going to go down that path and not show us how to get out of it? Of course, He does. I was talking with someone who kept crying about all his misfortunes in life. I responded by saying, “Sometimes God takes things away from us to get us to realize when need to depend on Him. As long as you have faith in God He will see you through.” He didn't like that response, guess he wanted me to wallow in his sorrows with him. Wallowing in sorrow does nothing for us, but using it to motivate us to do something about it does. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” - James 2:17,18. 
Solomon was a man of great wisdom, he did not spend his days just sitting on the throne, although they were in a time of peace it was important for him to be preparing for war. Solomon gathered all the strangers that dwelt on the land and put them to work to build the city, but the men of Israel he prepared them for war. “And Baalath, and all the store cities that Solomon had, and all the chariot cities, and the cities of the horsemen, and all that Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and throughout all the land of his dominion. As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel, But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day. But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen. And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.” - 2 Chronicles 8:6-10.
It's important that while things are going well in life that we never stop preparing for battle, it's coming, and if we are not ready it is going to hit us like a train. When Jesus returns, He is not going to be subtle about it, and those who are not prepared will lose that battle. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” - 2 Peter 3:9,10,13. 
Solomon's success as king soon spread abroad, kings and queens came from all over the world came to Israel to meet this king to see if he was all they claimed him to be and if this living God of his really existed. We learn more about this when Solomon got a visit from the queen of Sheba. “And when the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, to be king for the LORD thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.” - 2 Chronicles 9:3,5,6,8.

The queen of Sheba put herself to a great deal of trouble and expense to find out if Solomon was as successful as she heard. She discovered that his success was greater than she heard not by anything that he had done, but what God did in his life. Faith in God comes by others as we who live for God become a testimony and example of the wonderful life that can be lived with God in it. If not for our living for God many people would not know God themselves. “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 2:25-26. 
After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king, not long after his being ordained he made a decision that would cause the division of the nation. The leaders of Israel met with Rehoboam asking that he ease up on the hard labor and punishments that his father had imposed upon them. Rehoboam sought advice from Solomon's advisers and his friends, he chose the advice of his friends, which was a harsher punishment. This caused ten of the twelve tribes to rebel against him. Now, Rehoboam is fuming, he wants to show Israel who is in charge, he gathers up an army to fight against them, just as the battle began God orders them to stop the fight.

“And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he gathered of the house of Judah and Benjamin an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against Israel, that he might bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam. But the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren: return every man to his house: for this thing is done of me. And they obeyed the words of the LORD, and returned from going against Jeroboam.” - 2 Chronicles 11:1-4.

God wanted the rebellion to take place, it was intended to be a punishment of the house of David for Solomon forsaking God (Explained further in I Kings 12). This event marks a great importance in the history of the nation as it is today. It is known as, a kingdom divided against itself, and one day the two kingdoms will be reunited along with every nation to form Christ's Kingdom. “And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” - Revelation 7:2-4,9,10.
Sometimes God allows a division of our families. Why? God knew where the Northern Kingdom was headed and did not want His faithful to head in the same direction. We all have to admit that we have family members that are not good for us, while we all want to see them saved, God just does not want us being corrupted by them nor fighting with them so, He will separate us from them to protect us. “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 6:17,18.

God has a reason for everything He allows in our lives, whether it is something of His will or our own, it's not to punish us or condemn us, it's to get us to be dependent only on Him. God knows what you are going through, He just wants you to trust Him and have some faith that while you do everything in your power God is doing everything in His. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” - Romans 15:4,13.
Today's Psalm: 4:3 - “But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.”

Today's Proverb: 3:6 - “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Today's Prayer: God, Your gift of free will allows me to choose whether to follow Your path or my own, both paths will have their challenges, but I know that regardless of which one I take You allow it for my own good. Thank You, God, for always being there for me, even when I chose to follow my own will sometimes, while I may be out of Your will at times I am never out of Your grace. God, I want to follow Your path as it not only saves me some tears it helps others find You as well. Lead me and guide me, let me be a testimony of just how wonderful and merciful You are, let me not forget that You will always see me through. 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 Temple

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: God's Temple
Date: Wednesday May 09, 2012Today's Chapters: 2 Chronicles 1-4

Hello My Friend,
The book of 2 Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-six chapters. The time line for these events took place approximately 1015 BC – 610 BC. The author of the book is the prophet Ezra and the book was written to the Jews who were in captivity in Babylon for seventy years. The purpose of the book was to record the religious history of Judah. What we are to learn from the book is that the blessings that God give to us comes through our humbling ourselves and seeking Him in all that we do. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14.

After David died Solomon was given the task to not only reign over the kingdom, but to build the first temple for people to worship God. I imagine Solomon was a bit uneasy about such a huge task, but God was with him and knew what he was feeling. Through a dream Solomon had a very inspiring conversation with God. “And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king:” - 2 Chronicles 1:8-11.

God spoke to Solomon in a dream because it was His intention to get Solomon to see what that more important than riches and fame was to be obedient to the Word of God. When we live in submission to God we become more obedient to the Word of God as we learn it. The key is learning it, we cannot know the best things that God has in store for us unless we learn what He has to say. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15.
Now with a new outlook, Solomon was determined to build the temple as his father David instructed, he began to gather only the best people along with those David appointed. Solomon sent message to Huram, one of David's trusted friends, that he needed some of his people. “Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.” - 2 Chronicles 2:4-7.

Solomon expresses that building a house for God would not be a place to contain Him as He cannot be contained, but it would be a place to worship Him and where He would be graciously present. Today, we still cannot contain God in one building, in fact, God does not dwell in a building, He dwells within every believer who accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” - 2 Corinthians 3:16,17.
Solomon not only used Jews to help build the Temple he used Gentiles as well (people other than Jews). “And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.“ - 2 Chronicles 2:17,18.

While God chose the Jews as the people that would represent Him as His people, He did not stop any of the people from other nations from wanting to be His people. They were merely the foundation set to prove that there is only one living God to live by. Being a Jew or Gentile does not save a person, believing in Jesus Christ is what saves a person. “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:” - Romans 9:26,27. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” - Galatians 3:26-29.

It took about seven and a half years for the temple to be completed, but every detail was precise and everything that went into the Temple was pure and only of the best quality. The furniture and amount of items in the temple, compared with that of the Tabernacle, showed that God's church would be enlarged, as His worshipers multiplied. “Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof. He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in. And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left. He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.” - 2 Chronicles 4:1,6-8.

It was important that everything that went into the temple be pure and perfect, a foreseen quality that would be of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, those who are saved are the temple of God, He dwells within the soul of every believer. Since we are His temple it is just as important that everything we put into it be pure. We are not perfect, but we can be pure, keeping our body and mind undefiled, in other words living by some standards and morals. “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.” - Romans 12:1,2.
Today's Psalm: 119:1 - “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.”

Today's Proverb: 28:9 - “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”

Today's Prayer: God, I understand that the second I called on Your Son Jesus Christ to save me Your Spirit entered my body and now You dwell in me just like You dwelt in the temple in Jerusalem so many years ago. God, I want to feel Your presence upon my live, help me to remove the impurities that keep me from seeing You bless me as You did Solomon, not with riches beyond my need, but wisdom and a wiling heart to be a faithful servant and a holy temple for You to dwell in. 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 Chosen

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: You Are Chosen
Date: Tuesday May 08, 2012Today's Chapters: 1 Chronicles 27-29

Hello My Friend,

Are you struggling right now? Are you weary and tired? We all get that way from time to time, much too often we just do not know how to get out of it. There is a way out of every situation, Jesus Christ. If you have called on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you and are trusting in Him alone for your salvation than you are God's kid . Rejoice! He doesn't want to see you suffer. God chose you to go through what you are going through and if you have faith and trust Him He will not only give you rest He will use you to save others and that is His main purpose for allowing us to suffer. “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. 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 2:19,24-26. 
After David appointed the Levites their duties in the temple he sets order in his kingdom, the groundskeepers to the captains of the guards, every person was chosen by David himself. “Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of the courses, which came in and went out month by month throughout all the months of the year, of every course were twenty and four thousand. And over the king's treasures was Azmaveth the son of Adiel: and over the storehouses in the fields, in the cities, and in the villages, and in the castles, was Jehonathan the son of Uzziah: Also Jonathan David's uncle was a counsellor, a wise man, and a scribe: and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons:” - 1 Chronicles 27:1,25,32.
Jesus chooses every one of the people He ordains in His Kingdom, from working in the church to the work outside of the church. “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:15,16.
David reminds Solomon and all the people that God chose Solomon Himself to be king as well as the house in which He would establish through his kingdom. “And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, if he be constant to do my commandments and my judgments, as at this day. Now therefore in the sight of all Israel the congregation of the LORD, and in the audience of our God, keep and seek for all the commandments of the LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever.” - 1 Chronicles 28:5-8.

God has already predestined you for the work He calls you to do well before you were even born. Even if it takes you years to accomplish what He calls for you to do, He never stops working in you until you accomplish that task. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:” - Ephesians 1:4,5,9-11.
God knows our hearts and intentions, if we are serving Him wholeheartedly He will always be with us, helping us, and giving us the power and strength to accomplish our work. After David's instructions, he offered one of the most inspiring prayers recorded in Scripture, a prayer of thanksgiving, praise, adoration, and God's great love. “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.” - 1 Chronicles 29:11-15.

David's heartfelt prayer is a reminder to all of us that prayer should be a time of praising and worshiping God with thanksgiving for who He is, as well as for what He has given us. As we recognize our total dependence upon God for everything, we will praise Him for His provisions. When we neglect to praise God daily, our worship often becomes a mere ritual. Every day, under every circumstance, in every thing, we need to give thanks to the Lord. It is often through praise and worship, especially through our trying days, that God will lift us up and give us the strength to keep going. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:8-10.

Today's Psalm: 105:43 - “And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:”

Today's Proverb: 22:1 - “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

Today's Prayer: God, It is so easy to get caught up in every day life that I become weary and tired not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. I just do not know how to find the strength to keep going sometimes. I understand that it is when I am weak that You give me strength to keep going. I am asking You for that strength. Strengthen my mind, spirit, and body to be used of You wherever You need me. I know that as I serve You with all my heart that my faith, trust, and dependence on You will not only give me peace, but also victory as You break the chains that Satan has bound me to. In Jesus name. Amen.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night. God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Pure Religion

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Pure Religion
Date: Monday May 07, 2012Today's Chapters: 1 Chronicles 25-26

Hello My Friend,

Perhaps one of the biggest replies I get from people that do not want to go to church is, I don't believe in religion. When I respond with, Neither does God, I get a weird look and response. The truth is God is not religion He is God, the Bible says, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” - James 1:26,27.

Religious people hold on to what they have been taught in their church, more often then none they are only taught half truths about God and have to follow rules way more strict and controlling than God gives us. Think about it, religion does not even use a Bible as it's authority, they use a book written by someone who says they read and studied the Bible. While one would like to think that all religions lead to One God, but only a select few follow pure religion straight from God's Word. People trusting in their religion to take them to heaven will have the shock of their lives. Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: ” - Matthew 7:22-24,26.

There is only one religion that is pure and that is one that hears and does what Jesus says, not what a group of men or women have decided they want you to follow. Since there are many false religions and only one pure religion God leaves the task of getting the truth out to those who know the truth. “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” - Ephesians 4:4-7,11,12.

The last things that David did before he died was set up the order of the temple that was to be built under his son, Solomon's reign. He instructed the Levites on the duties they would have according to their families. Now, we come to music. David appointed certain men and women even for the task of providing music not only for the people, but for God as well. “All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman. So the number of them, with their brethren that were instructed in the songs of the LORD, even all that were cunning, was two hundred fourscore and eight.” - 1 Chronicles 25:5-7.

Perhaps one of the most influential things to the body is music, music gets our attention, now, some types of music get the attention of the flesh, while others get the attention of the soul, which is the music we need to be listening to. We should not only sing those songs in church, but throughout the day, God loves to hear us sing out to Him, the more we sing the more He is lifted, which lifts us up and increases our faith as well. “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” - Ephesians 5:18-20.

Every task that God calls us to do is very important to Him, David now appointed who would be the gate keepers and treasurers of the Temple. “Concerning the divisions of the porters: Of the Korhites was Meshelemiah the son of Kore, of the sons of Asaph...The sons of Jehieli; Zetham, and Joel his brother, which were over the treasures of the house of the LORD...Which Shelomith and his brethren were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated. Out of the spoils won in battles did they dedicate to maintain the house of the LORD. And all that Samuel the seer, and Saul the son of Kish, and Abner the son of Ner, and Joab the son of Zeruiah, had dedicated; and whosoever had dedicated any thing, it was under the hand of Shelomith, and of his brethren.” - 1 Chronicles 26:1,22,26-28.

Men and women alike were appointed positions in the house of the Lord. Every position was equally important to maintain worship in the temple as required by God. This same is true today, whether we are sweeping floors, greeting people at the door, teaching God's Word, singing in the choir, or a preacher, we all have the same purpose to worship and serve the Almighty God in the way that He teaches us, not what some religion teaches. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” - Hebrews 9:14,15.

The most important task in the world for every Christian is to teach others the truth about Jesus Christ. Jesus Said to all who accept Him as their Savior, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." -Matthew 28:18-20. We are to, but sow the seed, everything else is up to God and the person. We may see them accept Christ in person or will never know that they did until we meet them in heaven, but as long as we do out part in fulfilling the Great Commission we will be blessed and honored by God.
One more thing about false religion, it teaches people that they have to work to keep their salvation or keep repenting to God. You will find none of that by pure religion, of course, God would love for you to live the way He wants you to live, but it is not our works that save us nor keep us saved. It is Jesus Christ that saves us and if we are depending on anything else to save us than we are not saved. “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;” - Titus 3:5,6.
Today's Psalm: 19:8 - “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”

Today's Proverb: 30:12 - “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.”

Today's Prayer: God, I remember a time in my life where I never understood what it meant to be saved, I never even heard that term. All I heard was what I could and could not do or I would end up in hell. It wasn't until I was brought to a church that followed Your Word that I learned the truth. Thank You for your patience and willingness to wait for me to learn the truth. I am not saved from hell by anything I do or don't do, I am saved by my faith and trust in what Your Son, Jesus Christ, did on the cross for me and by Him alone. Now, I want to serve You wherever You send me, not because I have to, but because of what You did for 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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