King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015
Chapters: Acts 13-15
Message Title: Person Of Faith
Hello My Friend,
“Person of faith”, that is the polite way the media introduces a man or woman of God who has been caught doing something questionable. Now, not every religion that claims God and Jesus is true, but they still represent God to the world, and what the world is trying to do is prove that those who serve and worship God are hypocrites. It's funny how people in the world can do some pretty sick and immoral things yet no one condemns them, but when a “person of faith” is caught doing something silly they are exposed and convicted to the fullest extent of the law. The truth is, we are all sinners, every single one of us, we all have something that we struggle with, and since we belong to God we can expect judgment or persecution for things we haven't done. We must remember that God has our back, we are not to fear anything man can do t us, but what God can do. “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” - 1 Peter 3:16-18.
“that he might bring us to God” Jesus did not die just for Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, or Atheists, I mention all these groups because Jesus is not a religion, He is a person, and He died for all, regardless of whether or not we believe in Him. There are literally hundreds of religious groups, but there there is only one Jesus. We who are saved, born again Christians are stuck in the midst of all these religion groups for one purpose and one purpose only, to bring others to God. We will not bring all of them, but through our suffering we will bring some. Now, as Peter and John preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, and they began believing in and accepting Christ the news of it did not go so well with the other apostles, and they confronted Peter about it.
“And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” - Acts 11:1-4,16-18.
“what was I, that I could withstand God?” We are not to question God's reasons for who He chooses to know the Gospel and those who get saved, we are not to question any of God's reasons because they all have a purpose. We are to accept that He knows what He is doing and obey what He tells us to do, regardless of what others think. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19,20.
“he which converteth the sinner” We, who are saved, born again Christians who walk with Jesus begin to act like Jesus, this is the most important thing we can do to reach the lost. Our testimonies of what Christ has done in our lives is often what brings others to Him. However, doing the will of God and preaching the Gospel of Jesus often comes with persecution, it's not something that God wants us to deal with, but it happens because the world despises Jesus, and since we are representing Him they are going to try to stop us. When Jesus was here in the flesh, He warned the disciples that they would face persecution, some may be put in prison, and may even die for their faith, and now we learn of the first apostle to be killed for preaching Jesus and the horrible acts that king Herod tried to commit to increase his fame.
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” - Acts 12:1-7.
“And because he saw it pleased the Jews,”
The world cares less about Christians, what they care about is fame
and glory. Look at all the other religions out there, do you see them
being persecuted and told to stop preaching about their god? No, they
are protected and encouraged. Do you see a man who claims to be a
woman being persecuted for publicly going against God as his Creator.
No, he gets glorified and honored. Do you see a Christian who has
every right to reject an offer to make a wedding cake for a gay
couple because it goes against her faith being persecuted? Yes, and
they get ridiculed for it. Again, we represent the true God, we are
going to get persecuted, but He has our back. By the way, the Easter
mentioned here is a pagan holiday, where they do some disgusting and
immoral things, which is why those who know the truth about Easter
call the day the celebration of when Christ arose from the dead
Resurrection Day. “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.” - Romans
12:19,20.Date: Saturday, November 14, 2015
Chapters: Acts 13-15
Message Title: Person Of Faith
Hello My Friend,
“Person of faith”, that is the polite way the media introduces a man or woman of God who has been caught doing something questionable. Now, not every religion that claims God and Jesus is true, but they still represent God to the world, and what the world is trying to do is prove that those who serve and worship God are hypocrites. It's funny how people in the world can do some pretty sick and immoral things yet no one condemns them, but when a “person of faith” is caught doing something silly they are exposed and convicted to the fullest extent of the law. The truth is, we are all sinners, every single one of us, we all have something that we struggle with, and since we belong to God we can expect judgment or persecution for things we haven't done. We must remember that God has our back, we are not to fear anything man can do t us, but what God can do. “Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” - 1 Peter 3:16-18.
“that he might bring us to God” Jesus did not die just for Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, or Atheists, I mention all these groups because Jesus is not a religion, He is a person, and He died for all, regardless of whether or not we believe in Him. There are literally hundreds of religious groups, but there there is only one Jesus. We who are saved, born again Christians are stuck in the midst of all these religion groups for one purpose and one purpose only, to bring others to God. We will not bring all of them, but through our suffering we will bring some. Now, as Peter and John preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, and they began believing in and accepting Christ the news of it did not go so well with the other apostles, and they confronted Peter about it.
“And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” - Acts 11:1-4,16-18.
“what was I, that I could withstand God?” We are not to question God's reasons for who He chooses to know the Gospel and those who get saved, we are not to question any of God's reasons because they all have a purpose. We are to accept that He knows what He is doing and obey what He tells us to do, regardless of what others think. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19,20.
“he which converteth the sinner” We, who are saved, born again Christians who walk with Jesus begin to act like Jesus, this is the most important thing we can do to reach the lost. Our testimonies of what Christ has done in our lives is often what brings others to Him. However, doing the will of God and preaching the Gospel of Jesus often comes with persecution, it's not something that God wants us to deal with, but it happens because the world despises Jesus, and since we are representing Him they are going to try to stop us. When Jesus was here in the flesh, He warned the disciples that they would face persecution, some may be put in prison, and may even die for their faith, and now we learn of the first apostle to be killed for preaching Jesus and the horrible acts that king Herod tried to commit to increase his fame.
“Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.” - Acts 12:1-7.
“Vengeance is mine;” God always gets vengeance on His people, Herod would eventually get killed for what he had done. While we may face public persecution from the world, those in the world face public persecution from God. They will either receive Him or reject Him, but no one escapes knowing the one and only true God and Christ. Now Saul who became Paul, had his share of problems, in fact, he faced more persecution than any of the apostles, but he never stopped preaching Jesus. When a sorcerer who was also a false prophet named Barjesus (Elymas) sought them to know more from the Word of God in order to capture them, God used it to His advantage.
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.” - Acts 13:8-12.
“when he saw what was done, believed,” It often takes another persons afflictions and pain for one to see the truth about Jesus and believe in Him. That's why it's important for us to remain faithful to God, we not only are able to confront those who persecute us, we can be witnesses to many others. We are the example, and yes, the world hates our example because we follow Christ, but we must keep living by faith and not become stagnant or afraid to express our faith. Yes, there are times when we have to remain silent, but the Holy Spirit tells us when it's time to speak up, as we listen to Him, we will not fear what man can do to us, and we will boldly proclaim that Jesus is ours. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” - Hebrews 13:5-8.
Today's Prayer: God, We don't have to go far to see that there is a war against Christians, especially by those who even call themselves Christians. You warned us that since we are not of the world we are going to face persecution, but You also gave us a promise that You will never leave nor forsake us. Lord, as we draw closer to Your return, lead us and guide us, protect us from the enemy, and give us the strength and courage we need to boldly proclaim our faith in You. Let us not be afraid and never stop being the example You need us to be to win a lost soul. Keep us in Your mercy and grace, and give us Your power to get through this life as we await the day we get to be with You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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