Chastened With Love

Date: Saturday, May 09, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 12-14
Message Title: Chastened With Love

Hello My Friend,

Faithful Christians are not perfect, in fact, they mess up pretty good sometimes, but thank God that we have a perfect Saviour, willing and able to come to our need when we come to Him. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30.

There are billions of people saved, but very few are faithful to Christ beyond their salvation. 2 Chronicles is primarily focused on Judah, who God chose to be the tribe in which He put His name above all the other tribes of Israel. Judah, was not always perfect, after all they had a sin nature just like the rest, but what set them apart was that when judgment came, they returned to God. After Solomon died, Rehoboam reigned over Judah, he didn't have the best track record as king, in fact, God place judgment upon them for the way he caused the division of the nation of Israel. Rehoboam did do one thing right, he humbled himself before God and repented of the judgment, he did however, chasten them.

“Then came Shemaiah the prophet to Rehoboam, and to the princes of Judah, that were gathered together to Jerusalem because of Shishak, and said unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak. 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 12:5-8.

When we sin against God, we can expect some chastisement, after all, we are His children, and any honorable parent would discipline their children when they do something bad. The second we ask Christ to save us from our sins, we become God's kids, and it's eternal, He will never destroy us, but we can expect some chastening. “Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:9-11.

Now, after Rehoboam died, his son Abijah reigned, and he was not pleased with Israel for turning their back on God, in fact, he went to war with them for causing Israel to sin. “And Abijah set the battle in array with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men: Jeroboam also set the battle in array against him with eight hundred thousand chosen men, being mighty men of valour. And Abijah stood up upon mount Zemaraim, which is in mount Ephraim, and said, Hear me, thou Jeroboam, and all Israel; Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, is risen up, and hath rebelled against his lord. And, behold, God himself is with us for our captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper. 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 13:3-6,12,19.

It would be wise for faithful Christians to influence non faithful to repent and turn to Christ. It's not salvation that rewards us with heavenly treasures or even earthly, it's the things we do after we are saved that do that. We all must stand before Christ and give an account for all the things we did not do after we got saved. We won't lose our salvation, but we will lose out on the crowns and rewards that we will get in His Kingdom. Not to mention, life here on earth won't be so awesome either, talk about chastening, and a well deserved one as well. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” - Revelation 3:17-19.

Now, after Abijah died, his son Asa reigned, God was so pleased with the way that Asa ran the kingdom that He gave him rest from war. It was during that time of rest that Asa cleaned up Jerusalem and built walls of protection to shield them from future attacks. “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. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered.” - 2 Chronicles 14:2-7.

God gives us rest from everything, it is during that rest that we especially need to prepare ourselves for future attacks. You never know when life or anything else is going to sneak up on you, we must be prepared, and the best protection is being armed with 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.” - Ephesians 6:11-13.

Today's Prayer: God, You love Your children so much that You settle for nothing less than our best. When our best gets fizzled and we fall into temptation, You do what every Father does, you ground us. Thank You for Your chastening, as painful as it is at the time, there is good reason for it, and always something positive coming out of it. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and endless grace, and for always being there for us, even when we mess up. You are an awesome God, and I'd rather be suffering with You than in the world with no one. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.

How Did That Happen

Date: Friday, May 08, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 9-11
Message Title: How Did That Happen

Hello My Friend,

Quite often as Christians I image we all have times where we look back at things, 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. 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 us through. Wallowing in our sorrows 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's success as king soon spread worldwide, kings and queens came from all over the world to meet this king to who knew the living God, and see if he was all they claimed him to be. We learn more about this when Solomon got a visit from the queen of Sheba, even she praised God for all that He had given to him. “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. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom. 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 9:5-8.

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 what she heard, and 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. “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” - James 1:21-25.

Solomon died, and his son Rehoboam became king, not long after, he made a foolish 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. Of course, this did not go well with the people.

“And the king answered them roughly; and king Rehoboam forsook the counsel of the old men, And answered them after the advice of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, but I will add thereto: my father chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. So the king hearkened not unto the people: for the cause was of God, that the LORD might perform his word, which he spake by the hand of Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat. And when all Israel saw that the king would not hearken unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own house. So all Israel went to their tents. But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.” - 2 Chronicles 10:13-17.

God knew that the majority of the tribes would turn from Him, He wanted to separate Judah from the rest of them. Christians may be living in the world, but they are not a part of the world, and believe me, people know it. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.” - John 15:18-21.

Now, with the news that everyone scattered, Rehoboam is fuming, he wants to show Israel who is in charge, he gathers up an army to fight against them, but 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.

Sometimes God allows a division of our families. Why? God knew where they were 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, and 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 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, for always being there for me, even when I chose to follow my own path sometimes, while I may be out of Your will, I am never out of Your grace. But God, I don't want to be out of Your will, 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.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.

It's Okay To Be Humble

Date: Thursday, May 07, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 6-8
Message Title: It's Okay To Be Humble

Hello My Friend,

To be humble, Christian or not, we are not very humble people. The word humble means having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance. In other words, we are not to think too highly of ourselves for accomplishments in our lives. Now, this does not mean that we are not to work hard and have confidence in a job well done, but it does mean is that we should never be too proud of what we accomplish because it can be taken away from us in an instant. “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” - Proverbs 16:4-6,18,19.

Being humble means thank God for everything we accomplish, while it takes an effort on our part to do the work, it is God who blesses the increase through our faithfulness and obedience to Him. After the temple was built and the ark carried to it's place, Solomon stood before the entire congregation and began to pray. This was no simple prayer, it was huge, and he asked for everything from God's hand upon Israel to their forgiveness, and even that all nations would be welcome to come to Him.

“Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee: And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest to them and to their fathers. Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name's sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.” - 2 Chronicles 6:19,24,25,32,33.

God may have used Israel as the people who were known as His, but He does mean that He limited any others from coming to Him. God used Israel to prove that He is God, and is merciful and gracious to even the worst offenders. I mean let's face it, Israel was and still is the worse example of their faithfulness to God, most refuse to even acknowledge Christ, they do not even follow the Bible past the Law of Moses, even though Christ is contained within those books as well. God gives every person, no matter what nation they were born into, the opportunity to know His Son. It's up to each one of us to humble ourselves to acknowledge and come to the Son. “Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.” - Romans 2:9-11.

God replied to Solomon's prayer, letting him know that He did hear his prayer, and hears all the prayers of those who humble themselves before Him, confess, and turn from their wicked ways. “Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 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. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” - 2 Chronicles 7:11-15.

God assured Solomon that if they humbled themselves before Him, repented of their sins, and sought His face, than they would be forgiven and He will hear their cries. God only listens to the prayers of those who seek His face, meaning those who humbly come to Him wholeheartedly and willingly. We can pray for someone, but that someone also needs to seek God's face also. Unless we admit our wrong and confess it to God, He will not hear our prayers. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - 1 John 1:8-10.

It the twenty years since Solomon built the temple for God, he was successful and prosperous. The key to his success, his relationship with God, he was by far, perfect, but he was faithful, but he one mistake that would change that, he married the Pharaoh of Egypt's daughter. “And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come. Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch, Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles. And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded. And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.” - 2 Chronicles 8:11-15.

The strongest Christian will fall if they allow themselves to be yoked with those who are not saved or living their lives with Christ. Solomon even kept her away from the city, fully knowing that she would not follow God, and eventually he too fell away from God. As much as we want to believe that our faith in and obedience to God can overcome any outside influence in our lives, it cannot. Yes, we can overcome any situation we get into, but we need the strength of God for that, He alone is the only one powerful enough to get us out of any situation, or even keep us from getting into it in the first place. The only way He will help is if we humble ourselves before Him. “Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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 4:5-10.

Today's Prayer: God, It's not easy coming to You when we have made bad decisions and do not know how to get out of the situations we are in, but in order for us to get out of them we need You. You love us and are willing to help us get out of any situation if we just humble ourselves and confess our sin to You. Lord, search our hearts, know our thoughts, see if there is any iniquity in them, and if there is, show us our error, and let us let go of our pride and seek Your face. Give us Your power to resist any outside influence that may pull us away from You, and give us the strength we need to walk away from any situation that may open the door for us to fall. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.

Fizzled Faith

Date: Wednesday, May 06, 2015
Chapters: 2 Chronicles 3-5
Message Title: Fizzled Faith

Hello My Friend,

Many Christians have a great relationship with God, but their love and faithfulness to God kind of fizzles as they become prosperous. Sometimes I wonder why God keeps me at a point to where I am always asking Him for funds, not for something I want, but things I desperately need. I come to the realization that God wants to give me, day by day my daily bread, to keep my love for Him going every day. I have times when I get discouraged and my faith does fizzle, but knowing that God always supplies me with what I need, gives me the strength to keep going because I know one day all my waiting will pay off. “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” - 1 John 3:18-22.

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. Solomon not only used Jews to help build the temple he used Gentiles as well, in fact, they built everything that was going to be in the temple. “Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign. Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.” - 2 Chronicles 3:1-3,8.

The threshing floor of Ornan was the place that David built the first altar to God outside of a tent, he built it when he wanted to reconcile with God and stop the plague that killed seventy thousand people after he sinned by ordering a census of the people. We need an altar to come to God when we mess up, sometimes the things we do need to be addressed other than saying, “Forgive me, God.”, we need to be at the altar. It's the only way we can find peace and reconciliation with God when we truly want to be forgiven of our sins, and see Him blessing our lives again. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - 1 John 1:8-10.

It took about seven and a half years for the temple to be completed, but every detail was precise, 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 and multiplied greatly. “Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out. And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set; Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold; And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold; And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.” - 2 Chronicles 4:18-22.

Every thing that comes into God's temple needs to be pure and of the best quality, God's temple is no longer in a building made with walls, it is within every saved, born again Christian. The second a person believes in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and accept Him as the only one who can save them from their sins, God enters their soul. We are His temple, and believe it or not, as filthy as we think we are, and rightfully should, God does not see our sin, He sees His Son, the blood of His Son, and that is what makes us pure and of great quality to Him. If we do not have Christ, we are filthy rags, but He cleans us up, and makes us stand before God spotless. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” - Isaiah 1:18.

Now after the temple was complete it was time to bring the Ark of God to it's final resting place. Solomon gathered the priests and Levites together and put the Ark and all the holy vessels in their place. The Ark was a token of the presence of God, when the people saw the Ark they knew that God was with them. There was nothing in the Ark except for the two tablets of stone with the first Ten Commandments that God wrote Himself. These were to be a constant reminder of God's Covenant with Israel and to make them a holy nation. With praise, thanksgiving, music, and singing all the people were gathered together as one to see this wonderful event take place. As soon as the Ark was in it's place God took possession of the temple.

“And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:) It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.” - 2 Chronicles 5:11-14.

The glory of the Lord, God shines through those of us who are living with Christ in our lives daily, He should be able to be seen in every Christian, but He is not. He is seen in those who follow Him, and allow Him to be Lord of their lives. God blesses us when we keep His temple clean, and if we do get it dirty, confess it and clean it up. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,19,20.

Today's Prayer: God, I admit that my whole life I had to be independent, I did not know what it meant to depend on others because I had no one to depend on. Now, that You are in my life I have had to learn to depend on others, and most of all upon You. I still struggle with this, yet You never stop showing me that no matter how low I get You are there to pick me back up. Lord, teach me to humble myself before You always, I know I would save myself a lot of tears and grief if I would just do that all the time. Give me Your strength to endure, peace and comfort to get through my struggles, and help me resist the temptation to walk in my flesh. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.

Faith Of A Mustard Seed

Date: Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Chapters: 1 Chronicles 29/2 Chronicles 1-2
Message Title: Faith Of A Mustard Seed

Hello My Friend,

The Book of 2 Chronicles is the fourteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirty-six chapters. The timeline 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 the tribe of Judah. What we are to learn from the book is that the blessings that God gives to us comes through 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.

God knows our hearts and intentions, if we are serving Him wholeheartedly He will always be with us, and even give us the power and strength to accomplish our work. After David's instructions, he offers one of the most inspiring prayers recorded in Scripture, a prayer of thanksgiving, praise, and adoration to God, and of His great love. “Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 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 29:10-15.

Our days on earth are as a shadow, they are always behind. We can never get back yesterday, but we can do something about today. We're not always going to give God a hundred percent, sometimes we may only have faith the size of a mustard seed, but that seed can move mountains. When things look as though there is no end in sight, use that mustard seed faith, praise God, thank Him, and humble yourself before Him. He will hear our prayers and take care of our needs. “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 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 4:2,3,7-10.

Now, after David died, Solomon was given the task to not only reign over the kingdom, but to build the first building 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 the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. 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: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like.” - 2 Chronicles 1:1,7-12.

God spoke to Solomon in a dream because it was His intention to get Solomon to see that more important than riches and fame was to be obedient to Him. When we live in submission to God we become more obedient to Him as we read His Word and follow it. “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” - James 1:21-25.

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.

“And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. 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 2:1,4-7.

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 at all, He dwells within every believer who accepted Christ as their Saviour. However, we do need a place to come together to worship God, it's more than just sitting in a pew, it's being with others who can help build our faith, and we may even be an encouragement to those who are struggling. “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” - James 5:13-16.

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.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.

You Have Work To Do

Date: Monday, May 04, 2015
Chapters: 1 Chronicles 26-28
Message Title: You Have Work To Do

Hello My Friend,

Jobs. We all have jobs, whether it is to be a baker, banker, house wife, or student, we all have jobs. And believe it or not, God even chooses our jobs for His children. It may not be the most glorious job to be a janitor, but it's what God has appointed you to do. Every job is important, every life is important, and God wants you to know that everything you did is important to Him. “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.

King David, who was getting everything in order before he died, made it his highest priority to see that the temple was taken care of after it was built, he now appoints 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. 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. Of the Izharites, Chenaniah and his sons were for the outward business over Israel, for officers and judges. And of the Hebronites, Hashabiah and his brethren, men of valour, a thousand and seven hundred, were officers among them of Israel on this side Jordan westward in all the business of the LORD, and in the service of the king.” - 1 Chronicles 26:1,28-30.

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 preaching, we all have the same purpose, to worship and serve the Almighty God in whatever He appoints us to do. “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.” - Hebrews 3:1-4.

Now, after David appointed the Levites their duties in the temple he sets order in his kingdom, everything from groundskeepers to captains, to cooks was appointed by someone and chosen by David himself. “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: And over them that did the work of the field for tillage of the ground was Ezri the son of Chelub: And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite: And over the olive trees and the sycomore trees that were in the low plains was Baalhanan the Gederite: and over the cellars of oil was Joash:” - 1 Chronicles 27:25-28.

We may not realize it, but God even appoints our jobs for us, I have been a cashier, waitress, bookkeeper, checked pockets in a dry cleaners, and everything in between, fun or not so much fun, they all taught me something. Today, as I am a Sunday school teacher and run my own ministry for God, I have many experiences to tell of the hand God that played in every one of them.

After David sets everything in order he sets his attention on Solomon, reminding him and everyone that God chose Solomon Himself to be king as well as the house in which He would establish through his kingdom. “Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: 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 28:4-8.

An inheritance for your children forever, the second we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we become part of His inheritance. That means that everything He has, we get passed down to us forever. We can see many blessings from God here on earth, well before He comes to take us home, the key to seeing them is keeping and seeking to know His commands. “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. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” - 1 Peter 5:6-10.

The most important task in the world for every Christian is to teach others the truth about Jesus. Jesus said to all who accept Him as their Saviour, “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.

God appoints all of us to tell those who are not saved how Jesus can save them, 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. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 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 5:7,8,20.

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. Lord, lead me and guide me, let me follow Your will to the task You have for me, and give me the wisdom, strength, and courage to do it. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Subscribe: Daily Devotion
Ready To Follow Jesus?: God's Price
Visit Our Website: I'm Following Jesus
Like Us On Facebook: I'm Following Jesus
Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.