KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, September 16, 2017
Chapters: Daniel 10-12
Message: Making Jesus LORD
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading these chapters today I could not help, but be reminded of the time when I was at my lowest state, my life as I knew it was falling apart, I was extremely weak, tired, and struggling to even see the real me inside the life I was living. It took me having an allergic reaction to a mixture of herbal vitamins and caffeine tablets for me to be flat on my face on the floor, and asking God to end the pain. It was then that God shouted at me, telling me to get up because He did not bring me here to leave that way. That was when I knew the only way I was going to change my life was to make Jesus LORD of my life. Has it been easy? Not all the time. But when I look back on that day, July 10, 2004, where I was, and how much Jesus has changed me and what He has gotten me through since then, I know there is not other life. We face difficulties no matter what we do in life, but at least with Jesus we become stronger in Him and can overcome the most daunting challenges. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18.
The first part of making Jesus LORD is getting our heart right with Him, if we do not believe in Him and receive Him as our Saviour through our heart we will never fully understand Him nor will we understand His words. God was giving Daniel all sorts of visions about the end times, and although he really could not understand them all, he did understand that God had a plan and purpose for him revealing them to him. Daniel became so distraught about all the information that was given to him that he mourned for three weeks. God saw his pain and sent someone to ease his mind.
“Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.” – Daniel 10:8-12.
“for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand,” You see, in order to understand God and His ways, we must first have a perfect heart toward Him, once He knows our heart He will start to reveal things to us. I got saved when I was younger, but God did not show me anything until my heart was right and I was ready to truly make Jesus LORD of my life. That broken state I was in was the only option that God could use to show me that it was not enough to just make Jesus my Saviour, I needed to give Him my heart and make Him a permanent part of my life. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” – Hebrews 12:11.
I will be the first to admit that I have a hard time reading Daniel and Revelation because every time I do I see us getting closer and closer to Judgment Day. While I do not have to be concerned of where I will be when Jesus returns, I do need to be concerned of where others will be, after all, whether I think they deserve to know Christ and be saved is not my decision, God is the judge. If we think things are bad now, there will come a time when it will seem like all hell is literally breaking loose, that is until a charming, deceitful, cunning man will arise to bring peace to the world. Once he gets the people trusting him and make him king that is when the truth about him will be revealed. Jesus reveals to Daniel of what will come when this evil king arrives.
“Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.” – Daniel 11:34-39.
“and shall divide the land for gain.” Right now the devil is in all his glory as nation upon nation becomes more divided in their faith in Christ. And it is going to get much worse, he will have great power over this world, and for a time get his dream to be like God and rule over the people and nations. All I have to say is that I am glad I will be in heaven or in the clouds when all this takes place because it will be pure evil. However, his joy will not last, he will be destroyed along with his minions, followers, and those who never got saved. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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 21:7-8.
Just like God told Daniel, Jesus gives all who are saved at least an understanding of the Gospel so that we can tell others how to be saved also. He does not give us this job because we are sinless or even the best Christian, He gives it to us so that they too can know how to be saved from Judgment Day. Let me tell you, it can be a little overwhelming to discover all things God reveals to us about the end times and state of the world before His Son returns, but we can be at ease knowing that there will be a better end. Daniel pleads with God to reveal when all this will take place, but God does not give him specifics, only tells him to live and be prepared.
“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” – Daniel 12:1-3,8-10.
“some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” Does this passage sound familiar? Jesus said it at a later time, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” – John 5:28-29. Who is Michael? Jesus Himself. Michael, means, “Who is like God”, and He is the great Prince who will stand up for all who believe in and received Him as their Saviour. People will literally be coming out of the graves to join Jesus and live with Him in His Kingdom. Those whose names are not written in the book will join the devil, the Antichrist, and all unbelievers will be cast into the lake of fire for everlasting punishment. “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” – Revelation 20:10,13-15.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,” – Daniel 10:18.
Today’s Prayer: God, It sure is scary to think of all the crazy things going on all over the world today, it just keeps reminding us that we are getting closer to Your Son returning. Lord, shield our hearts, keep them tender for You, give us Your mercy, grace, protection, wisdom, guidance, and power to stay true to You. Give us Your strength and patience to wait and not give into the temptations that are all around us by the devil trying to get us to fall into his trap. Lead us and guide us, and help us endure the sufferings we face here as we await for You to come and get us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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