King James Bible Daily Devotion –
Learning Scripture One
Day At A Time
Date:
Saturday,
August 22, 2015
Chapters:
Jeremiah
39-42
Message Title:
Truly God's Blessed
Hello
My Friend,
Blessed, to make happy in a future life, to
set apart or consecrate for holy purposes. The second a person trusts
Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they are blessed, not only for are
they saved from hell, they are also set apart for God to be used for
His holy purposes. God blesses His people greatly, yes we do face
constant criticism, false accusations, and even persecution from the
world, but we are truly blessed, especially when we endure the trials
we face. We just need to keep pressing toward the mark, enduring the
trials, trusting Christ, knowing we are truly His blessed. “Brethren,
I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto
those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize
of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many
as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise
minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” - Philippians
3:13-15.
Oh, when we are facing trials it can be hard to
see the blessings, in fact, believe it or not the trials are
blessings, everything led by the hand of God is a blessing. When
Jeremiah was stuck in a dungeon sinking in muck, I am sure he
wondered if he was going to die there, but by the hand of God he was
rescued by Ebedmelech and thirty other men risking their lives to do
the right thing. Now, after all their attempts to stop Jeremiah from
telling the truth, the judgment of the princes and the king we taking
place. The princes were captured, king Zedekiah had to witness his
sons being executed before his eyes were gouged out and then taken to
Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar tells the captain of the guard not to harm
Jeremiah, God told Jeremiah to speak to Ebedmelech.
“Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave
charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard,
saying, Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do
unto him even as he shall say unto thee. Now the word of the LORD
came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison,
saying, Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith
the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words
upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be
accomplished in that day before thee. But I will deliver thee in that
day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the
men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou
shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto
thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.”
- Jeremiah 39:11,12,15-18.
God promised Ebedmelech that he
would be safe and no harm would come to him for helping Jeremiah, but
warned him that because he put his trust in Him he was going to be
constant prey by those who don't. It seems like it is much easier for
the wicked to pick on those who trust Jesus Christ, even He warns us
that we are prey as well, but just as God promised Ebedmelech that he
would be protected we will be also. “Now the
brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son;
and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause
them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my
name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved.” - Mark 13:12,13.
When God called Jeremiah
to speak to the people of Judah about the judgment that they were
about to face I imagine that he had no idea how much he would have to
deal with just by relaying the message. Perhaps things were going to
get better now that only a remnant remained in Jerusalem. The captain
of the guard unchained Jeremiah, and encourages him to come to
Babylon with him. “And the captain of the
guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath
pronounced this evil upon this place. Now the LORD hath brought it,
and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against
the LORD, and have not obeyed his voice, therefore this thing is come
upon you. And now, behold, I loose thee this day from the chains
which were upon thine hand. If it seem good unto thee to come with me
into Babylon, come; and I will look well unto thee: but if it seem
ill unto thee to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the
land is before thee: whither it seemeth good and convenient for thee
to go, thither go.” - Jeremiah 40:2-4.
Jeremiah
gets a choice, stay in Jerusalem and suffer or go to Babylon where he
would be taken care of. Once we get saved, we have a choice, live in
the world and suffer or live with Jesus and be taken care of. I have
to tell you, I was saved for quite some time before I chose to live
with Christ, and it was a disaster. When God brought me to my senses
I was in the muck, sinking deep, but Jesus pulled me out, cleaned me
up, and took me where I would be safe. Is it always easy walking with
Christ? No. You see, we who are of Christ are not of the world, and
we will never fit in with them. And let me tell you, persecution with
Christ is better than being accepted in the world any day. “I
have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they
are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that
thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest
keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not
of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
- John 17:14-17.
Things were getting out of hand, people
were conspiring against each other and being killed left and right.
It was then that some of the remnant find Jeremiah and ask him for
help from God. The people are telling Jeremiah that they want God to
give them direction and they would do whatever He tells them, but
these are the same people who did not listen to him when he warned
them the first time. God answers them with a judgment warning.
“For
thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As mine anger and my
fury hath been poured forth upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem; so
shall my fury be poured forth upon you, when ye shall enter into
Egypt: and ye shall be an execration, and an astonishment, and a
curse, and a reproach; and ye shall see this place no more. The LORD
hath said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah; Go ye not into
Egypt: know certainly that I have admonished you this day. For ye
dissembled in your hearts, when ye sent me unto the LORD your God,
saying, Pray for us unto the LORD our God; and according unto all
that the LORD our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do
it. And now I have this day declared it to you; but ye have not
obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, nor any thing for the which he
hath sent me unto you.” - Jeremiah 42:18-21.
Yes,
we have a choice, and God will accept any choice we make, but that
still does not stop His judgment upon us for sin. From the beginning
of creation until Jesus returns, the punishment for sin is death, not
the death of the flesh, that is something that we cannot escape, the
death of the soul. Yes, the soul is real, and until Christ applies
His blood on it, it is dead. Once the flesh dies, the soul goes to
one of two places, heaven or hell, it is by our choice that we end up
in heaven or hell, no one else's. “And as it
is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that
look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto
salvation.” - Hebrews 9:27,28.
Today's
Prayer: God, You promise that You will always be with us,
through our trials it can seem like You are so far, but You are
always with us. There is not one trial that we cannot win with You
leading the way. When things get tough, remind us that we have a
tougher, stronger God on our side to help us. God, give us Your
power, strength, and courage to face the trials before us knowing
that You will always give us the victory. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Saturday, August 22, 2015
Friday, August 21, 2015
Power In The Word
King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Friday, August 21, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 36-38
Message Title: Power In The Word
Hello My Friend,
The Word, God's Word, the Bible, whatever you call it, never in your life will you read a book with such power, saved or not, this book is life, and comes to life as you read it. Some receive it gladly, some hate it passionately, and some down right try to destroy it. No one can destroy God's Word no matter how many times they try to change it, rearrange it, or get rid of it. Why? God's Word is infallible, meaning it is true, it is does not fail, it is everlasting, settled in heaven, and in the soul of every person who receives Christ, who is the Word in the flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” - John 1:1,2,14.
Ever since God instructed Holy Spirit filled men to write down His words, man has been trying to destroy them. God instructs Jeremiah while still locked up in prison to write down some things and send it to the king. With the help of Baruch as his scribe, he sends him off with the book. As the king sits down to hear the words that God had to say a man named Jehudi began reading it, and after a few pages cut it up and threw it in the fireplace.
“And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them. But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them. Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.” - Jeremiah 36:23-28.
People think if they go as far as burning the Bible and destroying any traces of it that they are going to stop God from doing what He says He is going to do. Ignore it, change it, burn it, do whatever you want to try and stop God. Guess what? He's unstoppable. Ignorance nor rebellion will stop God's judgment upon the world, Jesus is returning and nothing will stop Him, anyone not knowing Him personally as their Saviour will be judged with eternal death. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:8.
Instead of doing what God had instructed them to do, the princes rebelled, they went after Jeremiah again, this time casting him into a dungeon for being the one who sent them the book. “And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans. Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes. Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison. When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days; Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” - Jeremiah 37:13-17.
You know, the world might deny Christ and ignore God, but when fear kicks in, the most powerful man will be on his knees begging for answers from God. There are many instances where those who have scoffed at God and mocked at His people have in moments of great fear sought out the very people whom they have despised and persecuted to beg for intercession with God on their behalf. We must never compromise our faith and obedience to God, we never know when the most ruthless person will come to us to know Christ themselves. “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.
Now, you would have thought that with this news the king would have listened to God, but he did not, none of them did, in fact, getting angrier at Jeremiah. The king allows the princes to take him and without his knowledge Jeremiah is thrown into a miry pit, with the object that he may starve to death. At the intercession of when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, went to the king and by special order, he is taken up out of the dungeon and confined only to the court of the prison. He has another private conference with Jeremiah, this time promising not to let anyone trying to kill him near him.
“So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me. Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me? So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life. But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.” - Jeremiah 38:13-16,20.
Everyone needs an intercessor, a person willing to put their lives on the line, even if they get persecuted for it. Jesus became the intercessor between God and man, He put His entire life on the line, and He got persecuted, He died in order to save us. Only by believing in Him and receiving Him as our Saviour can our soul live, this has always been and it will never change. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:33-34.38,39.
Today's Prayer: God, How amazing is Your indescribable love and grace that You should love a sinner such as I. Though I deserve death You granted me eternal life by believing in and accepting Your Son into my life. Now, I am accepted into Your family through the obedience and love of Your Son, who died for my sins. Let me learn from the example of Christ who suffered more than anyone else for crimes He did commit to remain in obedience to Your will no matter what trials I face. Lead me and guide me, and help me to be a living sacrifice for You. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date: Friday, August 21, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 36-38
Message Title: Power In The Word
Hello My Friend,
The Word, God's Word, the Bible, whatever you call it, never in your life will you read a book with such power, saved or not, this book is life, and comes to life as you read it. Some receive it gladly, some hate it passionately, and some down right try to destroy it. No one can destroy God's Word no matter how many times they try to change it, rearrange it, or get rid of it. Why? God's Word is infallible, meaning it is true, it is does not fail, it is everlasting, settled in heaven, and in the soul of every person who receives Christ, who is the Word in the flesh. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” - John 1:1,2,14.
Ever since God instructed Holy Spirit filled men to write down His words, man has been trying to destroy them. God instructs Jeremiah while still locked up in prison to write down some things and send it to the king. With the help of Baruch as his scribe, he sends him off with the book. As the king sits down to hear the words that God had to say a man named Jehudi began reading it, and after a few pages cut it up and threw it in the fireplace.
“And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them. But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the LORD hid them. Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.” - Jeremiah 36:23-28.
People think if they go as far as burning the Bible and destroying any traces of it that they are going to stop God from doing what He says He is going to do. Ignore it, change it, burn it, do whatever you want to try and stop God. Guess what? He's unstoppable. Ignorance nor rebellion will stop God's judgment upon the world, Jesus is returning and nothing will stop Him, anyone not knowing Him personally as their Saviour will be judged with eternal death. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:8.
Instead of doing what God had instructed them to do, the princes rebelled, they went after Jeremiah again, this time casting him into a dungeon for being the one who sent them the book. “And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans. Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes. Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison. When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days; Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” - Jeremiah 37:13-17.
You know, the world might deny Christ and ignore God, but when fear kicks in, the most powerful man will be on his knees begging for answers from God. There are many instances where those who have scoffed at God and mocked at His people have in moments of great fear sought out the very people whom they have despised and persecuted to beg for intercession with God on their behalf. We must never compromise our faith and obedience to God, we never know when the most ruthless person will come to us to know Christ themselves. “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.
Now, you would have thought that with this news the king would have listened to God, but he did not, none of them did, in fact, getting angrier at Jeremiah. The king allows the princes to take him and without his knowledge Jeremiah is thrown into a miry pit, with the object that he may starve to death. At the intercession of when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, went to the king and by special order, he is taken up out of the dungeon and confined only to the court of the prison. He has another private conference with Jeremiah, this time promising not to let anyone trying to kill him near him.
“So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison. Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me. Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me? So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life. But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.” - Jeremiah 38:13-16,20.
Everyone needs an intercessor, a person willing to put their lives on the line, even if they get persecuted for it. Jesus became the intercessor between God and man, He put His entire life on the line, and He got persecuted, He died in order to save us. Only by believing in Him and receiving Him as our Saviour can our soul live, this has always been and it will never change. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:33-34.38,39.
Today's Prayer: God, How amazing is Your indescribable love and grace that You should love a sinner such as I. Though I deserve death You granted me eternal life by believing in and accepting Your Son into my life. Now, I am accepted into Your family through the obedience and love of Your Son, who died for my sins. Let me learn from the example of Christ who suffered more than anyone else for crimes He did commit to remain in obedience to Your will no matter what trials I face. Lead me and guide me, and help me to be a living sacrifice for You. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Thursday, August 20, 2015
Repentance From Dead Works
King James Bible Daily Devotion –
Learning Scripture One
Day At A Time
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 33-35
Message Title: Repentance From Dead Works
Hello My Friend,
Repentance, a change of mind, a deep regret over sin or a decision made, a conversion from sin to God. When John the Baptist was baptizing people in the Jordan, it was a proclamation that they were repenting of their sins and turning to God. Today, when we accept the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we proclaim that we are repenting of our dead works for the remission of sins and turning to Christ. Salvation is a gift given only by the grace of God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Good works are not necessary to keep our salvation, but they are necessary to maintain a good relationship with Christ. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” - Hebrews 6:4-6.
Judah had been taken over by the Babylonians, most of the Jews had been taken into Babylon, those remaining scrambled to figure out what to do. They go after Jeremiah as the cause of the problem, and here he is sitting in a jail cell wondering whats going to happen. It was then that God spoke to him about restoring not only Judah, but all of Israel, this time promising many things, including a nation rebuilt and reigning under the throne of David. “And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;” - Jeremiah 33:7,8,15-17.
The Branch is the Messiah, Jesus Christ Himself, He executes just judgment, it is only through Him that we are called righteous. You see, once we accept Christ as our Saviour, God no longer sees a sinner, He sees a saint, one of His saints. Why? God looks at us through His Son, not us. If Christ is in us, He sees His Son in us, hence His righteousness, hence, The LORD our righteousness. “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 5:19-21.
With Jews left in Jerusalem trying to salvage what's left and get God to repent of the judgment, you can imagine what was going on. No, they were not repenting, instead they were rebelling. In the one instance that they did repent of their sins they were found out to be lying in order to get the judgment lifted. This was in regards to the law of a servant, the law stated that anyone owing a debt paid it off working seven years as a servant, after seven years they would be free. However, many were not set free and still working, when told about this sin they let the servants go free, only to force them back into servitude after things started easing up for them. God comes to them with a greater judgment.
“Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof, The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf; I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.” - Jeremiah 34:17-20.
People think they can get around the Law, which is the Word of God, by making different versions of the Bible, making up their own laws, or simply using their salvation as a means to justify their actions. Now, what many people do not understand is that this judgment was not upon those who already repented or their sin and turned to God, they had already been taken into Babylon. This judgment was upon those who claimed to know God, priests, princes, and even other prophets, these all rebelled against the Word of God and were defying it. Those who go against the Word of God will have God to answer to. “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” - Galatians 6:6-8.
God uses a variety of methods to try and get people to repent and come to Him, when those methods do not work, that is when His judgment comes. God used the obedience of a family that would not go against the commands of their father, to shame the Jews into repenting. “Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me: Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.” - Jeremiah 35:16-19.
Do you know how many people pray and obey a set of rules made by man concerning God in hopes of reaching God? Millions, and millions die and end up following these rules because they did not put their faith and trust in the one and only person who could save them. The obedience of many unsaved people to the moral laws laid down by men of the world should put to shame many professing Christians who are disobedient to the Word of God. Yes, we are saved by the grace of God through our faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Saviour, no we are not exempt from the judgments caused by living in sin, if we do not repent of them and return to Christ we will suffer needlessly here on earth. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - 1 Peter 4:17-19.
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Your Son to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, with His sinless death, burial, and resurrection You not only gave us a way to be saved from death and hell, You accept us and make us one of Your own. Only by believing in and trusting Jesus as our Saviour are we saved, and not by any works that we do. Lord, I know that I am only saved by Your grace, but I want to live my life in obedience to Your Word so that I can be the example and testimony that You need to bring others to Your Son. Lead me and guide me, show me the way You want me to walk, reveal to me any sin that hinders my walk with You, give me Your strength and power to repent of it, let me not get caught up in dead works, but work only to glorify You. I love You Lord and ask these things in Jesus' name, amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date: Thursday, August 20, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 33-35
Message Title: Repentance From Dead Works
Hello My Friend,
Repentance, a change of mind, a deep regret over sin or a decision made, a conversion from sin to God. When John the Baptist was baptizing people in the Jordan, it was a proclamation that they were repenting of their sins and turning to God. Today, when we accept the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we proclaim that we are repenting of our dead works for the remission of sins and turning to Christ. Salvation is a gift given only by the grace of God through the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Good works are not necessary to keep our salvation, but they are necessary to maintain a good relationship with Christ. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” - Hebrews 6:4-6.
Judah had been taken over by the Babylonians, most of the Jews had been taken into Babylon, those remaining scrambled to figure out what to do. They go after Jeremiah as the cause of the problem, and here he is sitting in a jail cell wondering whats going to happen. It was then that God spoke to him about restoring not only Judah, but all of Israel, this time promising many things, including a nation rebuilt and reigning under the throne of David. “And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the Branch of righteousness to grow up unto David; and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. For thus saith the LORD; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;” - Jeremiah 33:7,8,15-17.
The Branch is the Messiah, Jesus Christ Himself, He executes just judgment, it is only through Him that we are called righteous. You see, once we accept Christ as our Saviour, God no longer sees a sinner, He sees a saint, one of His saints. Why? God looks at us through His Son, not us. If Christ is in us, He sees His Son in us, hence His righteousness, hence, The LORD our righteousness. “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 5:19-21.
With Jews left in Jerusalem trying to salvage what's left and get God to repent of the judgment, you can imagine what was going on. No, they were not repenting, instead they were rebelling. In the one instance that they did repent of their sins they were found out to be lying in order to get the judgment lifted. This was in regards to the law of a servant, the law stated that anyone owing a debt paid it off working seven years as a servant, after seven years they would be free. However, many were not set free and still working, when told about this sin they let the servants go free, only to force them back into servitude after things started easing up for them. God comes to them with a greater judgment.
“Therefore thus saith the LORD; Ye have not hearkened unto me, in proclaiming liberty, every one to his brother, and every man to his neighbour: behold, I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the LORD, to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine; and I will make you to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth. And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof, The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf; I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.” - Jeremiah 34:17-20.
People think they can get around the Law, which is the Word of God, by making different versions of the Bible, making up their own laws, or simply using their salvation as a means to justify their actions. Now, what many people do not understand is that this judgment was not upon those who already repented or their sin and turned to God, they had already been taken into Babylon. This judgment was upon those who claimed to know God, priests, princes, and even other prophets, these all rebelled against the Word of God and were defying it. Those who go against the Word of God will have God to answer to. “Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” - Galatians 6:6-8.
God uses a variety of methods to try and get people to repent and come to Him, when those methods do not work, that is when His judgment comes. God used the obedience of a family that would not go against the commands of their father, to shame the Jews into repenting. “Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me: Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.” - Jeremiah 35:16-19.
Do you know how many people pray and obey a set of rules made by man concerning God in hopes of reaching God? Millions, and millions die and end up following these rules because they did not put their faith and trust in the one and only person who could save them. The obedience of many unsaved people to the moral laws laid down by men of the world should put to shame many professing Christians who are disobedient to the Word of God. Yes, we are saved by the grace of God through our faith and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Saviour, no we are not exempt from the judgments caused by living in sin, if we do not repent of them and return to Christ we will suffer needlessly here on earth. “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - 1 Peter 4:17-19.
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Your Son to make the ultimate sacrifice for us, with His sinless death, burial, and resurrection You not only gave us a way to be saved from death and hell, You accept us and make us one of Your own. Only by believing in and trusting Jesus as our Saviour are we saved, and not by any works that we do. Lord, I know that I am only saved by Your grace, but I want to live my life in obedience to Your Word so that I can be the example and testimony that You need to bring others to Your Son. Lead me and guide me, show me the way You want me to walk, reveal to me any sin that hinders my walk with You, give me Your strength and power to repent of it, let me not get caught up in dead works, but work only to glorify You. I love You Lord and ask these things in Jesus' name, amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Calling All Children Of Israel
King James Bible Daily Devotion –
Learning Scripture One
Day At A Time
Date: Wednesday, August 09, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 30-32
Message Title: Calling All Children Of Israel
Hello My Friend,
Israel, the world thinks of it simply as a nation, it is often a hated nation, but that is mainly because it is a nation in which Christ walked, a nation in which many people who believe in or know of Christ flock just to walk where He walked. Israel is not just some land that God gave the children of Israel, it is a nation of God's people, not of Jews, but of all who have received His Son as their Saviour. “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:11-13.
When God told Jacob that he was going to be a father of so many that they would cover the earth as dust, He didn't choose him because of his faithfulness, He chose him because of the covenant He made with Abraham. God was going to use the children of Jacob (Israel) to show the rest of the world what happens not only when they obey, but go against Him, and He wasn't just referring to offspring, this goes for all of His people. God instructs Jeremiah to write some things in a book, after many years of wandering among all nations, Israel as a nation of people will finally be purified in a season of great tribulation, in which they will return to God, and then be restored as a nation.
“Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines. For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” - Jeremiah 30:10-13,17.
The second we believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Saviour and accept Him we are one of God's people, we are adopted into the family of Israel. We are scattered all over the world, getting into all sorts of trouble (for good and bad), and we are suffering for it, but there will come a time when He will gather all His children and bring them home. Man, the world, they do not seek after Zion, in which we will all gather, to them we are an Outcast, but to Christ we are His, and no one will take them away from Him. “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” - Galatians 4:3-7.
Restore, to return to a person which has been taken from Him and unjustly detained. Sin separates us from God, it holds us bondage, and quite unjustly by the way, meaning it puts us in a prison even when we do not realize we are sinning. Through Jeremiah, God assures His people that He would in due time restore them or their children to their own land, and make them a great and happy nation again. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.” - Jeremiah 31:3-6,11.
Everlasting love, never ending love, that is what God gives His people, no matter how many times they imprison themselves in sin. You see, we are not saved by our works, but by the finished work of Christ, who died a sinless death, taking all our sins on the cross with Him, was buried in a tomb, burying all that sin with Him, and resurrected three days later, assuring us that even death cannot separate us from God once we believe in His Son. Jesus paid the price for our sins, He ransomed His life, and shed His blood so that we would be saved from not only the bondage of sin, but punishment it brings as well. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” - 1 Timothy 2:3-6.
Jeremiah prophesies that both the city and the court shall fall into the hands of the king of Babylon. For this he gets arrested, and while in jail God calls him to buy a piece of land. He prays to God for some understanding in all this, and discovers the purpose of the land and God's wrath against the present generation, and of His grace.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it: And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger. And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:” - Jeremiah 32:27-29,36-38.
Jeremiah's purchase was the pledge of the inheritance in which all of God's people will receive, one that cannot be bought or sold. One in which, all of His people will gather, His wrath will be like no other, and we will dwell in safely. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” - 1 Peter 1:3-5.
Today's Prayer: God, You made a promise thousands of years ago that there will an end to all the suffering that comes from sin, including the separation it brings with You. You fulfilled that promise by sending Your Son, and now all who believe are not only reconciled with You, we get are one of Your very own children. We belong to You, and nothing we or anyone else can do to us will take us away from You. Sin can still separate us from You, and yes, You will chasten us when we do, but You love us too much to leave us the way we are. Lord, lead us and guide us, keep us looking to You and walking with Your Son so we do not get tempted to stray. Give us Your power to endure all the affliction we face and remain faithful to You even if we suffer for something we did not do. In Jesus' name, amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date: Wednesday, August 09, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 30-32
Message Title: Calling All Children Of Israel
Hello My Friend,
Israel, the world thinks of it simply as a nation, it is often a hated nation, but that is mainly because it is a nation in which Christ walked, a nation in which many people who believe in or know of Christ flock just to walk where He walked. Israel is not just some land that God gave the children of Israel, it is a nation of God's people, not of Jews, but of all who have received His Son as their Saviour. “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:11-13.
When God told Jacob that he was going to be a father of so many that they would cover the earth as dust, He didn't choose him because of his faithfulness, He chose him because of the covenant He made with Abraham. God was going to use the children of Jacob (Israel) to show the rest of the world what happens not only when they obey, but go against Him, and He wasn't just referring to offspring, this goes for all of His people. God instructs Jeremiah to write some things in a book, after many years of wandering among all nations, Israel as a nation of people will finally be purified in a season of great tribulation, in which they will return to God, and then be restored as a nation.
“Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished. For thus saith the LORD, Thy bruise is incurable, and thy wound is grievous. There is none to plead thy cause, that thou mayest be bound up: thou hast no healing medicines. For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” - Jeremiah 30:10-13,17.
The second we believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ as our Saviour and accept Him we are one of God's people, we are adopted into the family of Israel. We are scattered all over the world, getting into all sorts of trouble (for good and bad), and we are suffering for it, but there will come a time when He will gather all His children and bring them home. Man, the world, they do not seek after Zion, in which we will all gather, to them we are an Outcast, but to Christ we are His, and no one will take them away from Him. “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” - Galatians 4:3-7.
Restore, to return to a person which has been taken from Him and unjustly detained. Sin separates us from God, it holds us bondage, and quite unjustly by the way, meaning it puts us in a prison even when we do not realize we are sinning. Through Jeremiah, God assures His people that He would in due time restore them or their children to their own land, and make them a great and happy nation again. “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon the mountains of Samaria: the planters shall plant, and shall eat them as common things. For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God. For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger than he.” - Jeremiah 31:3-6,11.
Everlasting love, never ending love, that is what God gives His people, no matter how many times they imprison themselves in sin. You see, we are not saved by our works, but by the finished work of Christ, who died a sinless death, taking all our sins on the cross with Him, was buried in a tomb, burying all that sin with Him, and resurrected three days later, assuring us that even death cannot separate us from God once we believe in His Son. Jesus paid the price for our sins, He ransomed His life, and shed His blood so that we would be saved from not only the bondage of sin, but punishment it brings as well. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” - 1 Timothy 2:3-6.
Jeremiah prophesies that both the city and the court shall fall into the hands of the king of Babylon. For this he gets arrested, and while in jail God calls him to buy a piece of land. He prays to God for some understanding in all this, and discovers the purpose of the land and God's wrath against the present generation, and of His grace.
“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me? Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give this city into the hand of the Chaldeans, and into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and he shall take it: And the Chaldeans, that fight against this city, shall come and set fire on this city, and burn it with the houses, upon whose roofs they have offered incense unto Baal, and poured out drink offerings unto other gods, to provoke me to anger. And now therefore thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning this city, whereof ye say, It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence; Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in mine anger, and in my fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely: And they shall be my people, and I will be their God:” - Jeremiah 32:27-29,36-38.
Jeremiah's purchase was the pledge of the inheritance in which all of God's people will receive, one that cannot be bought or sold. One in which, all of His people will gather, His wrath will be like no other, and we will dwell in safely. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” - 1 Peter 1:3-5.
Today's Prayer: God, You made a promise thousands of years ago that there will an end to all the suffering that comes from sin, including the separation it brings with You. You fulfilled that promise by sending Your Son, and now all who believe are not only reconciled with You, we get are one of Your very own children. We belong to You, and nothing we or anyone else can do to us will take us away from You. Sin can still separate us from You, and yes, You will chasten us when we do, but You love us too much to leave us the way we are. Lord, lead us and guide us, keep us looking to You and walking with Your Son so we do not get tempted to stray. Give us Your power to endure all the affliction we face and remain faithful to You even if we suffer for something we did not do. In Jesus' name, amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Peace Through Adversity
King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 27-29
Message Title: Peace Through Adversity
Hello My Friend,
So many people want to blame God for all the evil that is taking place all over the world, but it's not God, it's not even Satan, it's people, rebellious people, working the works of their own hands, causing their own hurt. Sadly, we who do follow God often get caught up in the crossfire, but even then He provides an escape. “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.
God's escape route for Judah was that he sent them to live as captives in Babylon for seventy years, He warns other nations not to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, whom would be under their authority for seventy years also. “And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand. Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.” - Jeremiah 27:8-11.
God commanded Judah and all nations to live under the authority of Babylon, if they tried to rebel they would suffer the same fate as Judah. While it seemed as though they were losing their freedom becoming servants, God was actually saving their lives. The same reigns true for those who yoke themselves with Christ, while it may seem that we are losing our freedom under the authority of Christ, He is actually saving our lives. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:13-16.
The news of Judah having to live under the command of Nebuchadnezzar did not go very well, it did not take long for some people to cause trouble. A man named Hananiah decided to challenge God by saying that he would brake the yoke himself within two years. “And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD. So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.” - Jeremiah 28:1-3,15-17.
Some people will never learn that they cannot fight God nor play God, rebellion does nothing, but get innocent people hurt and death upon themselves. Look at the fate of the devil for his causing all of mankind to fall, which is the fate of every person that tries to fight or play God. We are going to face adversity simply because we have this sin nature we carry around with us. The only way we can change our own fate is by knowing Jesus Christ personally as our Saviour and remaining yoked with 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.
Now, Jerusalem was under siege and many of the Jews are being taken away from their homes, and carried into Babylon where they will remain there in captivity for seventy years. God instructed Jeremiah to send a letter to them. “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” - Jeremiah 29:10-14.
God wanted them to know that even though He sent them away from home He was still with them. And what the Jews imagined as seventy years of slavery was promised as seventy years of peace, even though they were in captivity. God is always with us, especially through adversity, in fact, He allows adversity to show us that He never leaves nor forsakes us, even if we are the cause of it. “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.” - Psalms 94:12-15.
Today's Prayer: God, I know I am not perfect, I know I am going to make lots of mistakes, even when following You. Lord, give me Your power to follow You faithfully and let me not be tempted to turn to the right or left, but keep my eyes on You. Help me heed and listen for the warnings as I serve You, knowing that no matter where You take me, it will lead me to where You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 27-29
Message Title: Peace Through Adversity
Hello My Friend,
So many people want to blame God for all the evil that is taking place all over the world, but it's not God, it's not even Satan, it's people, rebellious people, working the works of their own hands, causing their own hurt. Sadly, we who do follow God often get caught up in the crossfire, but even then He provides an escape. “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.
God's escape route for Judah was that he sent them to live as captives in Babylon for seventy years, He warns other nations not to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, whom would be under their authority for seventy years also. “And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand. Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: For they prophesy a lie unto you, to remove you far from your land; and that I should drive you out, and ye should perish. But the nations that bring their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him, those will I let remain still in their own land, saith the LORD; and they shall till it, and dwell therein.” - Jeremiah 27:8-11.
God commanded Judah and all nations to live under the authority of Babylon, if they tried to rebel they would suffer the same fate as Judah. While it seemed as though they were losing their freedom becoming servants, God was actually saving their lives. The same reigns true for those who yoke themselves with Christ, while it may seem that we are losing our freedom under the authority of Christ, He is actually saving our lives. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” - John 15:13-16.
The news of Judah having to live under the command of Nebuchadnezzar did not go very well, it did not take long for some people to cause trouble. A man named Hananiah decided to challenge God by saying that he would brake the yoke himself within two years. “And it came to pass the same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, which was of Gibeon, spake unto me in the house of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon: Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD. So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.” - Jeremiah 28:1-3,15-17.
Some people will never learn that they cannot fight God nor play God, rebellion does nothing, but get innocent people hurt and death upon themselves. Look at the fate of the devil for his causing all of mankind to fall, which is the fate of every person that tries to fight or play God. We are going to face adversity simply because we have this sin nature we carry around with us. The only way we can change our own fate is by knowing Jesus Christ personally as our Saviour and remaining yoked with 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.
Now, Jerusalem was under siege and many of the Jews are being taken away from their homes, and carried into Babylon where they will remain there in captivity for seventy years. God instructed Jeremiah to send a letter to them. “For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” - Jeremiah 29:10-14.
God wanted them to know that even though He sent them away from home He was still with them. And what the Jews imagined as seventy years of slavery was promised as seventy years of peace, even though they were in captivity. God is always with us, especially through adversity, in fact, He allows adversity to show us that He never leaves nor forsakes us, even if we are the cause of it. “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.” - Psalms 94:12-15.
Today's Prayer: God, I know I am not perfect, I know I am going to make lots of mistakes, even when following You. Lord, give me Your power to follow You faithfully and let me not be tempted to turn to the right or left, but keep my eyes on You. Help me heed and listen for the warnings as I serve You, knowing that no matter where You take me, it will lead me to where You want me to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Monday, August 17, 2015
The Power Of Words
King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Monday, August 17, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 24-26
Message Title: The Power Of Words
Hello My Friend,
Words, letters formed together to make a sound, words are essential in life, without them we would not be able to communicate very well. Oh, we could use some kind of body language to communicate, but without knowing words it would be very hard to interpret what we are saying. There is a quote, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Oh, this could not be further from the truth, words can make or break us in an instant, it's really not the words spoken that break us it's how we hear them that does. Take God's Word for instance, what one person sees it as a loving God, another sees it as a cruel God. Of all the words we will hear in our lifetime, the words of God are the most powerful. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Hebrews 4:12.
While the destruction of Jerusalem was definitely coming, God was not about to leave His people to be destroyed with it. Through an odd illustration of edible and inedible figs, God promises that He will always protect His people, even if that means he has to put them in captivity for a while. “Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” - Jeremiah 24:5-7.
God is using this situation to bring His people to Him, we must understand that not all of Israel would be saved, they had to believe to be saved, just like we do. It is the heart that interprets the Word of God as something good or bad, if we open our heart to it, we will believe and receive His words and come to God through Christ, if we remain hard hearted than we will despise the Word of God and Christ Himself. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” - Matthew 13:19,23.
God gave the people of Judah one last chance to repent before Jerusalem was to be destroyed, He did not say that He was not going to stop the destruction, but He did say that all who repent will endure the suffering and be saved. “Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.” - Jeremiah 25:9-12.
God is about to use a wicked king from a wicked nation to serve Him and save His people, for seventy years they would be held in captivity to Babylon. Let me tell you, if God sent the faithful Jews into a wicked nation for safety can you imagine how wicked the city of God was? It must have been pretty bad if God was willing to destroy the promised land before another corrupt nation. Sometimes it may seem strange and unfair what God allows us to go through, but He really knows what is best for us. While we may not understand at the time, He works all burdens and suffering into something for our own good. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:27,28.
After Jeremiah got done speaking the people were getting rather angry, especially the priests and prophets that thought they knew everything about God. They captured Jeremiah and wanted to kill him for making such accusations, but Jeremiah would not stop telling them what God wanted him to tell them, even if it meant that would die.
“Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.” - Jeremiah 26:11-15.
Over the years I have learned just how cruel and mean the world, and quite frankly, many who call themselves Christians are the worst. You know what? We have no right to question anyones faith or lifestyle, but we do have a right to live by what we believe. We do have a right to live by the Word of God, and choose not to participate in something we feel goes against it. We are the ones who must face God, not the person who stirs up trouble. We are accountable for the things we do, those who ignore the truth are not of God, they are under the control of the devil. “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” - John 8:43-47.
Today's Prayer: God, It's heartbreaking to hear and see so many Christians being targeted as haters, bigots, and hypocrites. Every time you turn around another state or country rules that we cannot discriminate against race, religion, or sexual orientation, however, there are no rights for the Christian who is being discriminated against living in obedience to You. God, put Your hedge of protection upon us, let us not be intimidated or manipulated into going against Your Word. Keep us safe, be with those who are being persecuted, touch them and give them peace of mind, and hope of an expected end. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
Date: Monday, August 17, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 24-26
Message Title: The Power Of Words
Hello My Friend,
Words, letters formed together to make a sound, words are essential in life, without them we would not be able to communicate very well. Oh, we could use some kind of body language to communicate, but without knowing words it would be very hard to interpret what we are saying. There is a quote, “Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Oh, this could not be further from the truth, words can make or break us in an instant, it's really not the words spoken that break us it's how we hear them that does. Take God's Word for instance, what one person sees it as a loving God, another sees it as a cruel God. Of all the words we will hear in our lifetime, the words of God are the most powerful. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” - Hebrews 4:12.
While the destruction of Jerusalem was definitely coming, God was not about to leave His people to be destroyed with it. Through an odd illustration of edible and inedible figs, God promises that He will always protect His people, even if that means he has to put them in captivity for a while. “Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Like these good figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.” - Jeremiah 24:5-7.
God is using this situation to bring His people to Him, we must understand that not all of Israel would be saved, they had to believe to be saved, just like we do. It is the heart that interprets the Word of God as something good or bad, if we open our heart to it, we will believe and receive His words and come to God through Christ, if we remain hard hearted than we will despise the Word of God and Christ Himself. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” - Matthew 13:19,23.
God gave the people of Judah one last chance to repent before Jerusalem was to be destroyed, He did not say that He was not going to stop the destruction, but He did say that all who repent will endure the suffering and be saved. “Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations. Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle. And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations.” - Jeremiah 25:9-12.
God is about to use a wicked king from a wicked nation to serve Him and save His people, for seventy years they would be held in captivity to Babylon. Let me tell you, if God sent the faithful Jews into a wicked nation for safety can you imagine how wicked the city of God was? It must have been pretty bad if God was willing to destroy the promised land before another corrupt nation. Sometimes it may seem strange and unfair what God allows us to go through, but He really knows what is best for us. While we may not understand at the time, He works all burdens and suffering into something for our own good. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:27,28.
After Jeremiah got done speaking the people were getting rather angry, especially the priests and prophets that thought they knew everything about God. They captured Jeremiah and wanted to kill him for making such accusations, but Jeremiah would not stop telling them what God wanted him to tell them, even if it meant that would die.
“Then spake the priests and the prophets unto the princes and to all the people, saying, This man is worthy to die; for he hath prophesied against this city, as ye have heard with your ears. Then spake Jeremiah unto all the princes and to all the people, saying, The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that ye have heard. Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. As for me, behold, I am in your hand: do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon yourselves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof: for of a truth the LORD hath sent me unto you to speak all these words in your ears.” - Jeremiah 26:11-15.
Over the years I have learned just how cruel and mean the world, and quite frankly, many who call themselves Christians are the worst. You know what? We have no right to question anyones faith or lifestyle, but we do have a right to live by what we believe. We do have a right to live by the Word of God, and choose not to participate in something we feel goes against it. We are the ones who must face God, not the person who stirs up trouble. We are accountable for the things we do, those who ignore the truth are not of God, they are under the control of the devil. “Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” - John 8:43-47.
Today's Prayer: God, It's heartbreaking to hear and see so many Christians being targeted as haters, bigots, and hypocrites. Every time you turn around another state or country rules that we cannot discriminate against race, religion, or sexual orientation, however, there are no rights for the Christian who is being discriminated against living in obedience to You. God, put Your hedge of protection upon us, let us not be intimidated or manipulated into going against Your Word. Keep us safe, be with those who are being persecuted, touch them and give them peace of mind, and hope of an expected end. In Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Sunday, August 16, 2015
Every Word Of God
King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Sunday, August 16, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 22-23
Message Title: Every Word Of God
Hello My Friend,
Of all the people in the world, the ones that get God boiling the most are preachers and teachers who distort His Word. Think about it, how do you feel when someone says you said something when you did not? God is our Creator, not some mythological creature made up by the imagination of a rebellious heart. All who teach and trust these people have a price to pay. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” - Revelation 22:18,19.
Zedekiah was the last son of the house of David to reign as king in Judah, and he was not a very good king, in fact, he was down right evil. God gave him one last chance to repent before he gets captured and sent to Babylon. “Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place. For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people. But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation. But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.” - Jeremiah 22:3-5,12.
The word desolation means ruin or waste, many leaders who do not know God are causing ruin wherever they go. In order for a nation to prosper it needs godly leaders, once they start disappearing the nation begins to fall and sooner or later it will be in ruin. It's sad to see my own country becoming a desolation because our leaders are either distorting or ignoring the Word of God. Unless we who know the truth stand up and tell the truth it's only going to get worse. We cannot expect change if we do not do anything to change ourselves. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” - Revelation 22:14,15.
Let me tell you, knowing all that God wants us to know does not happen over night, it takes a lifetime, but as long as we make an effort God sees it and blesses us for it. We all have to admit that whenever we try to do things all on our own we can make a mess of things, but that is why God sent Jesus to help us. He knows that flesh can only do so much and if we truly want to live by God's truths we need a guide. Through Jeremiah, God foretells the glorious day that Jesus would reign after he warns the false pastors of their fate.
“Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” - Jeremiah 23:2-6.
Notice the word, Branch, Jesus is not the actual seed of David, He is the Branch of God or Vine sent to execute correct judgment and justice upon everyone. Incidentally, those who believe in the Son, and receive Him are one of His branches. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” - John 15:1-4.
People who head up these false religions and make new versions of God's Word to conform to their lifestyles are only sending people to hell and causing tons of those who were saved to be deceived into believing that they are living by the Word of God. Through Jeremiah, God continues to upbraid the false teachers, and tells His people not to listen to them. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.” - Jeremiah 23:16-19.
You have the right to know and understand the truth, all you have to do to find the truth is to read the King James Bible. God has told all in the pages of His Word, and everything will happen exactly as He has stated. A church or religion does not take anyone to heaven, Jesus does. Jesus is coming and those who have not asked Him to save them will not be saved from His judgment. It does matter what church you attend or if you have trusted a false teacher, it will not save you. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” - 2 Timothy 2:14-16.
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for Your Word, my guide to everything that is true and right. Lord, I know that I will not learn everything You have to tell me all at once, but as I keep reading Your Word You will reveal things to me day by day as I let, Your Son work in and through me. I may not get it right all the time, but let me not forget that I serve the only living God and that Christ lives in me. He and He alone is my strength and guide to the truth and living by it. I Love You Lord, I love Your Word, and I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Date: Sunday, August 16, 2015
Chapters: Jeremiah 22-23
Message Title: Every Word Of God
Hello My Friend,
Of all the people in the world, the ones that get God boiling the most are preachers and teachers who distort His Word. Think about it, how do you feel when someone says you said something when you did not? God is our Creator, not some mythological creature made up by the imagination of a rebellious heart. All who teach and trust these people have a price to pay. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” - Revelation 22:18,19.
Zedekiah was the last son of the house of David to reign as king in Judah, and he was not a very good king, in fact, he was down right evil. God gave him one last chance to repent before he gets captured and sent to Babylon. “Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place. For if ye do this thing indeed, then shall there enter in by the gates of this house kings sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, he, and his servants, and his people. But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation. But he shall die in the place whither they have led him captive, and shall see this land no more.” - Jeremiah 22:3-5,12.
The word desolation means ruin or waste, many leaders who do not know God are causing ruin wherever they go. In order for a nation to prosper it needs godly leaders, once they start disappearing the nation begins to fall and sooner or later it will be in ruin. It's sad to see my own country becoming a desolation because our leaders are either distorting or ignoring the Word of God. Unless we who know the truth stand up and tell the truth it's only going to get worse. We cannot expect change if we do not do anything to change ourselves. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” - Revelation 22:14,15.
Let me tell you, knowing all that God wants us to know does not happen over night, it takes a lifetime, but as long as we make an effort God sees it and blesses us for it. We all have to admit that whenever we try to do things all on our own we can make a mess of things, but that is why God sent Jesus to help us. He knows that flesh can only do so much and if we truly want to live by God's truths we need a guide. Through Jeremiah, God foretells the glorious day that Jesus would reign after he warns the false pastors of their fate.
“Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD. Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” - Jeremiah 23:2-6.
Notice the word, Branch, Jesus is not the actual seed of David, He is the Branch of God or Vine sent to execute correct judgment and justice upon everyone. Incidentally, those who believe in the Son, and receive Him are one of His branches. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” - John 15:1-4.
People who head up these false religions and make new versions of God's Word to conform to their lifestyles are only sending people to hell and causing tons of those who were saved to be deceived into believing that they are living by the Word of God. Through Jeremiah, God continues to upbraid the false teachers, and tells His people not to listen to them. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD. They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it? Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall grievously upon the head of the wicked.” - Jeremiah 23:16-19.
You have the right to know and understand the truth, all you have to do to find the truth is to read the King James Bible. God has told all in the pages of His Word, and everything will happen exactly as He has stated. A church or religion does not take anyone to heaven, Jesus does. Jesus is coming and those who have not asked Him to save them will not be saved from His judgment. It does matter what church you attend or if you have trusted a false teacher, it will not save you. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” - 2 Timothy 2:14-16.
Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for Your Word, my guide to everything that is true and right. Lord, I know that I will not learn everything You have to tell me all at once, but as I keep reading Your Word You will reveal things to me day by day as I let, Your Son work in and through me. I may not get it right all the time, but let me not forget that I serve the only living God and that Christ lives in me. He and He alone is my strength and guide to the truth and living by it. I Love You Lord, I love Your Word, and I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Copyright © 2015 I'm Following Jesus, All rights reserved.
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