Up For The Challenge

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Monday, November 23, 2015
Chapters: Romans 11-13
Message Title: Up For The Challenge

Hello My Friend,

I was playing a rather challenging solitaire game, when I finally figured out the key to winning a game it occurred to me how many times I gave up on winning a hand because it was more challenging. That got me thinking how easily we as Christians give up on God. I don't mean walking away from Him, but seeing Him do amazing things in our lives because we're not willing to do more for Him when life is more challenging. We must understand that God is going to always give us challenges, they are what help us grow into the likeness of His Son, the key to winning them is, in fact, His Son. We get close to Him, He helps us win every challenge, and see some amazing things out of it. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” - 1 Peter 5:6,7.

“that he may exalt you” Believe it or not, God wants us to shine, He just wants to be the one we trust and obey when we do. God doesn't care where we came from, what we did in the past, or who we know, He cares about us as any father would any of their children. If you are born again, than you are a child of God, and that means you are equal with every other child of His. There was some strife going on in Rome, the Jews and Romans were arguing that they were the only people God saves. The Jews believed since they were God's chosen only they could be saved. The Romans believed since the Jews rejected Christ only they could. Paul had been already been addressing the Jews, now, it's the Romans turn (Gentiles).

“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:” - Romans 11:13-20.

“because of unbelief they were broken off,” Grafted, to insert in a body to which it did not originally belong. When we receive Christ as our Saviour, we are grafted into the body of Christ, not by heritage, but by our belief in Him and accepting Him as our only way to salvation. People make the assumption that being Jewish is a religion, it really not, it's a family. When we receive Christ, we become part of God's family, therefore, we are Christians, a family of Christ. Emulation, the act of attempting to equal or excel in qualities or actions. There is absolutely no way we can ever excel in the qualities of Christ, but we can be equal, in fact, we are equal to Him because we belong to Him. Paul stresses the importance that we all must realize, we are part of the same body of Christ.

“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. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” - Romans 12:3-9.

“Let love be without dissimulation.” Dissimulation, a hiding under a false appearance. We are all part of the body of Christ, that means we are not better than anyone else. There is a reason why God has people of different diversities in His family, they bring more people into the family. We are to love all our brothers and sisters in Christ the same way. You know, it is a good thing Christ's love for us is not determined by how we treat Him or others. For the life of me I will never understand how a person can turn their love on and off like a light switch, but we don't have to worry about that with Jesus, He never stops loving us, He just wants us to love as He does. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” - John 13:34,35.

When we allow Christ to live in a dwell in us, He literally transforms us into His image, giving others a chance to see Him for who He is, and possibly get saved as well. When we transform to Christ, we do and see things differently, we no longer want things that please the flesh, but God. Those who are saved, that never see a difference in their lives are not allowing Christ in their lives. Paul addresses the importance of all Christians living in subject to God. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.” - Romans 13:1-5.

“but also for conscience sake.” God doesn't want us obeying His rules because it's something we are forced or obligated to do, which we are not, He wants us to do it because it's the right thing to do. Living as a Christian is sometimes the biggest challenge we face. It means we are going to have to deal with some ungodly people in our lives. Our relationship with them can't alter our relationship with God, no matter who that person is. Over the years I have come to realize that people who encourage you to live in sin don't care about you, all they care about is themselves, and while you live with the guilt, shame, and distress, they have already forgotten about you. Don't walk away from your challenge, embrace it, and let Jesus lead you to victory. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 15:57,58.

Today's Prayer: God, Your love for us is astounding, no one can love us as much as You. No matter how many times I mess up You never leave nor forsake me. Lord, forgive me for the challenges I have given up on because I tried to handle them on my own. I know that Your love and power is strong enough to help me endure and break free from every evil that is trying to defeat me. Continue to grow me and teach me to love others as You love me, even those who have treated me badly. Also help me to let go of my pride and humble myself to You so I can see a great victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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