King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015
Chapters: Acts 7-8 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-316.html
Message Title: Living With Christ Through Trials
Hello My Friend,
With all the trials and tribulations that come from being a Christian, there truly is no other life to live. Let me tell you, when we belong to Christ we are not a friend of the world, and the world will call us out in a second. The more we live with Christ the more we will be persecuted by the world, but remember this, you shine, you are the light that gives hope to others as Christ shines through you. It's all about following the will of God and believing in His promises, after all, we have nothing to be worried about, if our flesh goes to sleep we will wake up with Jesus. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14.
“concerning them which are asleep,” A saved soul dwells in the body of the person that it is living in, but when that body dies or in our case goes to sleep our soul is taken up to heaven with Jesus. A soul that does not know Jesus is cast into hell to await a more excruciating eternal death when Jesus returns to judge everyone. The Holy Spirit does some amazing things in us when we allow Him to work in us, but we also face some trials when we do. Stephen a true, born again Holy Spirit filled man of God, chosen along with six other men to head up the first Christian church in Antioch, was great at preaching the Gospel. He lead so many to the Lord, but this did not go well with the religious leaders because the people were turning away from them. Now he stands before the council to plead his case and interestingly, instead of defending himself he gave them a history lesson about Israel, including delivering Jesus to the Gentiles upon His death.
“Then said the high priest, Are these things so? And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.” - Acts 7:1-3,45-51,54.
“they were cut to the heart,” These men were literally biting him and beating on him, it was the only way they could stop him. They killed Stephen that day, and did it out of pure hatred of their own convictions. Conviction cuts straight to the heart, and sadly we are the targets because we are right there at the time. I remember the first time I went soul winning, the very first door I was yelled at. The man was not mad at me, he was bitter and angry over his life or past and I happened to be the one he went off on. It's personal to us, it's personal to God, it's Him that they are mad at. Jesus said, if they welcome us great, if not, move on and go to the next door, it's not us they have to face, but Jesus. “And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” - Luke 9:4,5.
Many times people believe a false religion because it's all they know, I grew up Catholic, and still today I catch myself following those traditions I was taught. Saul, was a Pharisee and did what he was taught, including persecuting Christians, he followed orders because he thought it was the right thing to do. Meanwhile, Philip, wondering if they would come after him too went into Samaria and continued preaching the Gospel there, introducing Christ to the Gentiles and leading many to the Lord, including a sorcerer named Simon.
“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” - Acts 8:1-6,13.
“he continued with Philip,” I mention Simon because we must realize that not everyone or religion that claims to know Christ is true. Simon was the first heretic in the Christian Church, the first to claim his fellowship with Christ, but was never actually saved. He followed Philip with the intent to figure out all the miracles being made and was found out when Peter and John showed up.
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” - Acts 8:14-22.
“for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” We may appear to know Christ, but God knows the heart of each and every person that truly accepts and believes in His Son. These people were not filled with the Holy Spirit by any special power that the Apostles had, it was their faith that filled them with Him. Salvation cannot be bought, it cannot be sold, and that is because it was already bought and paid for by Jesus, who died in our place for our sins. You can ask Jesus to save you and be baptized many times, but it doesn't work that way, you must believe in what Jesus is saving you from, and it only takes one time to ask Him. I am proof that, I asked Jesus to come into my heart many times, I was even baptized as a baby, but none of that saved me. It was only when I was presented with the Gospel and understood what Jesus did for me that I truly repented and received Him as my Saviour. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:22-24.
Today's Prayer: God, I cannot ever forget the love and mercy that You showed me when You brought me up out of the pit I was in and gave me a new beginning. No suffering can compare to what I would receive had I not put my faith and trust in Your Son to save me. It is only by Your power that I am what I am today and even though I am going through some struggles I know You are with me, and You will see me through them as I stand by my faith in You. I love You, Lord and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Receive KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Do You Know For Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Date: Thursday, November 12, 2015
Chapters: Acts 7-8 http://imfollowingjesus.com/Bible-Reading-316.html
Message Title: Living With Christ Through Trials
Hello My Friend,
With all the trials and tribulations that come from being a Christian, there truly is no other life to live. Let me tell you, when we belong to Christ we are not a friend of the world, and the world will call us out in a second. The more we live with Christ the more we will be persecuted by the world, but remember this, you shine, you are the light that gives hope to others as Christ shines through you. It's all about following the will of God and believing in His promises, after all, we have nothing to be worried about, if our flesh goes to sleep we will wake up with Jesus. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:13,14.
“concerning them which are asleep,” A saved soul dwells in the body of the person that it is living in, but when that body dies or in our case goes to sleep our soul is taken up to heaven with Jesus. A soul that does not know Jesus is cast into hell to await a more excruciating eternal death when Jesus returns to judge everyone. The Holy Spirit does some amazing things in us when we allow Him to work in us, but we also face some trials when we do. Stephen a true, born again Holy Spirit filled man of God, chosen along with six other men to head up the first Christian church in Antioch, was great at preaching the Gospel. He lead so many to the Lord, but this did not go well with the religious leaders because the people were turning away from them. Now he stands before the council to plead his case and interestingly, instead of defending himself he gave them a history lesson about Israel, including delivering Jesus to the Gentiles upon His death.
“Then said the high priest, Are these things so? And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things? Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.” - Acts 7:1-3,45-51,54.
“they were cut to the heart,” These men were literally biting him and beating on him, it was the only way they could stop him. They killed Stephen that day, and did it out of pure hatred of their own convictions. Conviction cuts straight to the heart, and sadly we are the targets because we are right there at the time. I remember the first time I went soul winning, the very first door I was yelled at. The man was not mad at me, he was bitter and angry over his life or past and I happened to be the one he went off on. It's personal to us, it's personal to God, it's Him that they are mad at. Jesus said, if they welcome us great, if not, move on and go to the next door, it's not us they have to face, but Jesus. “And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” - Luke 9:4,5.
Many times people believe a false religion because it's all they know, I grew up Catholic, and still today I catch myself following those traditions I was taught. Saul, was a Pharisee and did what he was taught, including persecuting Christians, he followed orders because he thought it was the right thing to do. Meanwhile, Philip, wondering if they would come after him too went into Samaria and continued preaching the Gospel there, introducing Christ to the Gentiles and leading many to the Lord, including a sorcerer named Simon.
“And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.” - Acts 8:1-6,13.
“he continued with Philip,” I mention Simon because we must realize that not everyone or religion that claims to know Christ is true. Simon was the first heretic in the Christian Church, the first to claim his fellowship with Christ, but was never actually saved. He followed Philip with the intent to figure out all the miracles being made and was found out when Peter and John showed up.
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” - Acts 8:14-22.
“for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.” We may appear to know Christ, but God knows the heart of each and every person that truly accepts and believes in His Son. These people were not filled with the Holy Spirit by any special power that the Apostles had, it was their faith that filled them with Him. Salvation cannot be bought, it cannot be sold, and that is because it was already bought and paid for by Jesus, who died in our place for our sins. You can ask Jesus to save you and be baptized many times, but it doesn't work that way, you must believe in what Jesus is saving you from, and it only takes one time to ask Him. I am proof that, I asked Jesus to come into my heart many times, I was even baptized as a baby, but none of that saved me. It was only when I was presented with the Gospel and understood what Jesus did for me that I truly repented and received Him as my Saviour. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:22-24.
Today's Prayer: God, I cannot ever forget the love and mercy that You showed me when You brought me up out of the pit I was in and gave me a new beginning. No suffering can compare to what I would receive had I not put my faith and trust in Your Son to save me. It is only by Your power that I am what I am today and even though I am going through some struggles I know You are with me, and You will see me through them as I stand by my faith in You. I love You, Lord and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Receive KJB Daily Devotions In Your Email: http://eepurl.com/2WMzT
Do You Know For Sure You Are Going To Heaven?: http://godsprice.com/
Visit I'm Following Jesus: http://imfollowingjesus.com/index.html
Like I'm Following Jesus On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/byhisstrength
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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