Being Robbed Of Joy – I'm Following Jesus

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, October 24, 216
Chapters: John 9-10
Message: Being Robbed Of Joy

Hello My Friend,

free-from-fear When I was a teen, my family and I used to love going to the park, we would pack up a wagon full of drinks and sandwiches, and begin our journey, which actually took about an hour and a half just to get there, but we did not mind because we knew what we had to look forward to. One day we came home to find our house had been broken into, I will never forget the fear we had, my mom nailed all the windows so they could only open just enough for some air, we did not even want to go to the park anymore for fear that it would happen again. We were robbed of more than possessions, we were robbed of our joy. When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we find joy like we have never known, sometimes it is a journey to get there, but something to look forward to. There are thieves larking, about eager to take our joy away from us, and they will use every means to rob us of our joy, but Jesus our Shepherd, and as long as we remain close to Him, we will give us joy, even when we are scared. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10.

Do you know what truly bothers people who live in the world? Seeing Jesus working in your life. As you get God’s Word in you you see just how much He does love you, He does not want to see us in pain or suffering, He just wants us to believe and trust Him. As Jesus was walking by He saw a blind beggar sitting in the street, His disciples asked Him what sin this man committed that caused him to go blind, but Jesus responded with something they never heard before. “And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” – John 9:1-5.

“but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” There are things that happen in our lives that are no fault of our own, but are allowed so that God could be seen and glorified through it. Sometimes God will place infirmities on people to draw them closer to Him. Jesus put some clay into the mans eyes, told him to go wash his face in the Pool of Siloam and he could instantly see. While this gave him great joy, others tried to rob him of that joy by questioning him and his parents over and over again, doubting the miracle. When questioned about about Jesus, the man

“The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.” – John 9:30-39.

“Thou wast altogether born in sins,” Do you want to see a crowd turn on you completely? Start preaching truth to a bunch of liars. The world loves to discredit God for things only He can do, often chalking it up as chance or a medical miracle, but those whom have been touched by Jesus know the truth and will not falter. It was not the man being healed that saved him, it was that he believed in Jesus. This man illustrates the terrible condition of everyone without Jesus Christ, they are spiritually blind, they cannot see the need for a Saviour when they are consumed in their own self righteousness, one Jesus touches them they clearly see and believe. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” – Romans 3:22-24.

One of the distinguishing marks of a Christian is recognizing the need for guidance and a desire to follow the Saviour. A sheepfold is a holding place where the shepherd houses the sheep for the night, it was a place for protection from predators. When the shepherd would open the gate, he would hold out his rod, and count the sheep as they passed. This assured him that every one of his sheep were accounted for. God often refers to His people as sheep without a sheep without a shepherd. Jesus explains that He is the Shepherd to lost sheep.

“Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” – John 10:7-12,16.

“All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers:” These are the false prophets who fed themselves, and not the flock, but lorded it over God’s heritage. There are still thieves and robbers out there who pretend to be godly, Christlike, preaching a false gospel, robbing God of His authority, glory, taking money and possessions from unsuspecting people, and destroy their souls. There is only one door to God, and that is Jesus Christ, the only ones who will hear His voice are those who believe in and receive Him as their Saviour, many Jews reject Jesus, but Gentiles, who are not of the same fold, willing receive Him and all become one who will follow the Good Shepherd. The Jews did not like hearing this one bit, they picked up stones to try and stone Him.

“Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.” – John 10:31-38.

“I said, Ye are gods?” Jesus is quoting from the Book of Psalms, “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” – Psalms 82:5-7. People who believe themselves to be a god cannot see pass the need for a Saviour, they will forever be blind to Christ, and when they do see Him face to face it will be too late, they will die in their sins. Those who receive Christ are one with Him, joint heirs, they are sons and daughters of the King. Do not live in fear of those who try to rob our joy, live in confidence knowing that we are free in Christ. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” – Romans 8:15-17.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” – John 10:14

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, No matter how I feel on the outside I know You are with me, not because of any good that I do, but because I believe in and trust in what You have done for me. Lord, sometimes it is hard to see You when I have so many people and things trying to rob me of my joy, but as long as I abide with You I know I can see You. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to withstand every obstacle and to trust You with all of my life, let me not let anyone rob me of the joy that You bring to me as I walk with You. In Your name Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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