KJB
Daily Devotion – Following
Jesus With Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, December 05, 2015
Chapters: Ephesians 4-6
Message Title: Walk As Children Of Light
Hello My Friend,
Light, A source of illumination, Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information. Those who know and have trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour are His light. Now, we must be careful what light we give off, we can either show the love of Christ that would bring others to Him or we could show the corruption of the flesh that would push others away from Him. “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 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 5:14,17-20.
“Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,” Before we were saved we were walking corpses because we didn't have the Spirit of God in us. The second we learned of, believed, and received Christ as our Saviour we were filled with the Spirit of God and awaken with new life. Paul stresses the importance of making the best of our new life with Christ so that we do shine in His light. “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” - Ephesians 4:20-27.
“Neither give place to the devil.” The devil loves to deceive us into believing that we can live the same life we lived before Christ was in us and not face any consequences for it. This is not true, while we can't lose our salvation after we are saved we can lose our connection with God. We are not perfect, but we are God's people, we can't stop people from living the life they want, but they can't stop us from living for God either. Christ alone is the key to standing firm in our beliefs and not giving into their temptations. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13.
We who are saved are children of the living God, that means we are the sons and daughters of God, not just His creation. We are to be the light others follow to Christ, even if we are surrounded by those who are not. Believe it or not, we do make an impression on some of them, if they see us stand by our beliefs it is possible that they will be converted one day. However, all it takes is one bad light, which is why so many people reject the Christian life. The world loves to distort the image of God through these bad lights instead of showing the true meaning of Christianity. Paul encourages the Ephesians to keep walking with Christ, reminding them that they are the light and need to come out of the darkness.
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” - Ephesians 5:2-8.
“walk as children of light:” We are representatives of Christ, meaning we cannot do what the world does if we want to show the world that they need Christ in their lives. You see, God doesn't want see His children living sinful lives, therefore, He always judges them before the world. We are set apart just for God, and He wants the light of His Son to shine through them, not the light of sinful flesh, if we are living sinful lives than we are going to get His chastening. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” - Revelation 3:19.
People who live a worldly life do not care about serving God, they care about serving their flesh, which is just fine if that is the life they want to choose. The sad thing is that they often drag those who truly want to serve God into their endeavors, it is as if they get some kind of thrill out of getting a Christian to go against God. As Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians he reminds them that as children of the light they can be the light of Christ and overcome any temptation by putting in the whole armor of God.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” - Ephesians 6:11-18.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith,” Living the Christian life and being the light of Christ may not always be easy, but it's one of great rewards. We are in a spiritual battle, God versus Satan, each one trying to get us on their side, the side of Satan always leaves us in pain, suffering, and shame in the end. The side of God always gives us peace and comfort during the pain and suffering, plus victory in the end. It may not always be a glamorous life to be a Christian, but in the end, when everyone finally comes to the realization that they do need Christ, we will already be rejoicing in the Kingdom of God. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” -Revelations 21:4.
Today's Prayer: God, I admit that it's not always easy to follow in the footsteps of Your Son, it's tough out here in the world. I can truly say with all my heart that I do not miss the worldly life at all, but it is constantly trying to bring me back into it. I know the only way to withstand Satan is to stand strong in my faith, trust in You, and keep myself clothed in Your armor. Lord, I am weak, I know I can't do this on my own, but with You I am strong. Lead me and guide me, let me me the light that others need to see the true Christ in me. I love You Lord, and ask these things 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
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Date: Saturday, December 05, 2015
Chapters: Ephesians 4-6
Message Title: Walk As Children Of Light
Hello My Friend,
Light, A source of illumination, Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information. Those who know and have trusted Jesus Christ as their Saviour are His light. Now, we must be careful what light we give off, we can either show the love of Christ that would bring others to Him or we could show the corruption of the flesh that would push others away from Him. “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 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 5:14,17-20.
“Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,” Before we were saved we were walking corpses because we didn't have the Spirit of God in us. The second we learned of, believed, and received Christ as our Saviour we were filled with the Spirit of God and awaken with new life. Paul stresses the importance of making the best of our new life with Christ so that we do shine in His light. “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” - Ephesians 4:20-27.
“Neither give place to the devil.” The devil loves to deceive us into believing that we can live the same life we lived before Christ was in us and not face any consequences for it. This is not true, while we can't lose our salvation after we are saved we can lose our connection with God. We are not perfect, but we are God's people, we can't stop people from living the life they want, but they can't stop us from living for God either. Christ alone is the key to standing firm in our beliefs and not giving into their temptations. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13.
We who are saved are children of the living God, that means we are the sons and daughters of God, not just His creation. We are to be the light others follow to Christ, even if we are surrounded by those who are not. Believe it or not, we do make an impression on some of them, if they see us stand by our beliefs it is possible that they will be converted one day. However, all it takes is one bad light, which is why so many people reject the Christian life. The world loves to distort the image of God through these bad lights instead of showing the true meaning of Christianity. Paul encourages the Ephesians to keep walking with Christ, reminding them that they are the light and need to come out of the darkness.
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” - Ephesians 5:2-8.
“walk as children of light:” We are representatives of Christ, meaning we cannot do what the world does if we want to show the world that they need Christ in their lives. You see, God doesn't want see His children living sinful lives, therefore, He always judges them before the world. We are set apart just for God, and He wants the light of His Son to shine through them, not the light of sinful flesh, if we are living sinful lives than we are going to get His chastening. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” - Revelation 3:19.
People who live a worldly life do not care about serving God, they care about serving their flesh, which is just fine if that is the life they want to choose. The sad thing is that they often drag those who truly want to serve God into their endeavors, it is as if they get some kind of thrill out of getting a Christian to go against God. As Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians he reminds them that as children of the light they can be the light of Christ and overcome any temptation by putting in the whole armor of God.
“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” - Ephesians 6:11-18.
“Above all, taking the shield of faith,” Living the Christian life and being the light of Christ may not always be easy, but it's one of great rewards. We are in a spiritual battle, God versus Satan, each one trying to get us on their side, the side of Satan always leaves us in pain, suffering, and shame in the end. The side of God always gives us peace and comfort during the pain and suffering, plus victory in the end. It may not always be a glamorous life to be a Christian, but in the end, when everyone finally comes to the realization that they do need Christ, we will already be rejoicing in the Kingdom of God. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” -Revelations 21:4.
Today's Prayer: God, I admit that it's not always easy to follow in the footsteps of Your Son, it's tough out here in the world. I can truly say with all my heart that I do not miss the worldly life at all, but it is constantly trying to bring me back into it. I know the only way to withstand Satan is to stand strong in my faith, trust in You, and keep myself clothed in Your armor. Lord, I am weak, I know I can't do this on my own, but with You I am strong. Lead me and guide me, let me me the light that others need to see the true Christ in me. I love You Lord, and ask these things 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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