KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, December 11, 2017
Chapters: Romans 13-16
Message: The Roller Coaster Of Faith
Hello My Friend,
Life; it certainly has a way of draining every bit of faith we have out of us, and that is why we need constant contact with not only God, but other Christians as well. Let me tell you, no matter how much we love and believe that with God nothing is impossible there are times in every Christians life that our faith is weak, and may not even be the size of a mustard seed. Be careful who you get around when you are weak in your faith, they may make things worse. The same thing goes for those who are stronger in their faith, be careful how you respond to those who are weak in their faith, it may cause them to walk away.
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” – Romans 14:13-14,17.
“that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” I have seen so many people leave the church entirely because they were treated harshly by someone who thought differently then them. I have left a couple of churches because a family member or friend was treated harshly. Paul stresses the importance of us not being so judgmental of those whom choose to live differently than we do, likewise, the weak must not get so offended by those whom have built their lives on what they believe, they know what works for them.
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.” – Romans 14:1-6.
“to his own master he standeth or falleth.” Since we are such a diversity of people we all have different views on things, therefore, we must not judge them for how they live. Let me tell you, there are a lot of saved, born again Christians who choose to follow a specific religion, but as long as the doctrine of Christ remains the same let them live how they choose, it is God they have to answer not us. With that said, since God is judge, we must not boast about nor shame those who are being judged. You know, we think that all these horrible things going on in the world today are just the signs of the times, but they are actually judgments from God, yes, He knows what is going on, He knows about the maniacs killing innocent people, about the wild fires, the floods, and the hurricanes destroying things and displacing so many people. If God judged Israel, He will certainly judge the rest of the world. Paul stresses the importance of us realizing that God allows evil in to get His people right.
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.” – Romans 13:1-5.
“a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” Take a look around you, yes, there are many innocent lives that get caught up in the crossfire of the wicked, and it is very heartbreaking, but stop to think about why these things are happening. California, Nevada, Florida, Texas, in fact, the entire nation, look at what they are allowing, same sex marriage, gender neutralization, legal drugs, abortions, and that is just a few of the things. How long do people think that they can destroy everything God stands for without there being consequences? And Christians who condone or even encourage these things are not off the hook either, judgment begins with us first. “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?” – I Peter 4:17.
I knew this guy, actually dated him for a long time, he kept me strung because he knew my faith in Christ and actually used Him to get to me, claimed he got saved, and was even baptized. Now, I am not going to question whether or not He got saved, it is God he has to face for that, but what he actually did was hinder me from God blessing me. I struggled for three years and did not realize it was him until I took him completely out of my life. You see, while I thought I was the one encouraging him to have more faith in God, he was actually hindering me in my faith, I can only imagine the mess I would be in if I had continued dating him. You see, our faith actually increases when we see God working in someone else’s life. Naturally, the more we see others blessed for our kindness the more our faith increases as we are reminded that, nothing is, in fact, impossible with God. Paul reminds us of the blessings that come from God when we learn to take care of others before ourselves.
“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” – Romans 15:1-7.
“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God,” Pessimist; Believing that the evil or hardships in life outweigh the good. There was this lady in knew, sweet woman, but she always had something negative to say. My first thought was to stay away from her when I am feeling blue because she would make me feel worse. Believe it or not, our faith in God is increased when we get around others who are optimistic and strong in their faith. There are just some people that God does not want us to get around because they would weaken our faith. As Paul completes his letter, he thanks a lot of people who helped keep him going, and warns them to stay away from those who just want to cause a division, and follow a different doctrine.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” – Romans 16:17-20.
“mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned;” My friend, the one who charmed me with his words, if I had continued my relationship with him would have caused me not to only be divided among my family, but God as well. God knew this mans intentions, that it was evil, but He took that evil and used it for good. Praise God! You see, lack of faith can actually make us stronger as we stop to think about all the things God has gotten us through over the years. We already have the victory, we have Christ, we can kick that old devil right in his behind as we live by faith and not our circumstances. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1,2.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.” – Romans 14:9.
Today’s Prayer: God, Our faith in You truly does go up and down like a roller coaster, but deep down You know our hearts. As life’s events drag us down and make us weak in our faith, You always have ways to get us back up, but sometimes we do things that can hinder You. Lord, lead us and guide us, give us Your power, Your mercy and grace, increase our faith and help us see past our circumstances to see Your Son who is right there beside us. Help us who are stronger in faith be a blessing to others, to help encourage them and be the light they need in their darkness. Keep us always looking to You, the author and finisher of our faith. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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