KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Friday, October 21, 2016
Chapters: Matthew 17, Mark 9
Message: Boasting About Jesus
Hello My Friend,
Boast, To brag, to flaunt of one’s own worth, property, or actions. The rooster, he is so proud, and he lets you know it by puffing out his chest and crows for all to hear. The peacock, he is proud too, and he lets you know it as he spreads out his beautiful feathers, flaunting them for all to see. Pride is the thing that makes us work at being the best that we can be, but pride often keeps us from succeeding if we start boasting about what we have done in our own flesh rather than what Christ has done through it.
“Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.” – II Corinthians 10:7,12-13.
The world is good about measuring people on their success by how much money they make, the more they get the more they are adored, and it does not matter their character. If you were to take a look at Jesus when He lived here on earth you would recognize that He was poor, but He had great power. The truth is, we are not measured by our wealth, but by who we are with what we have, we do not need great wealth to be important or accomplish great things. Through an odd illustration Jesus shows us exactly how important money is to God.
“And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.” – Matthew 17:24-27.
“Then are the children free.” This was a tax of a peculiar kind, which every master of a family used to pay yearly to the service of the temple, to buy salt, and little things not otherwise provided for. It seems to have been a voluntary thing, which was custom rather than any law had established. Since, we who are saved, are children of God we are free and do not owe the world anything, who cares what they thing about us, it is what God thinks about us that matters. If we are faithful and trust Him, He will continuously provide our need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19.
We must understand that we are to do something, we cannot just sit there expecting God to do things for us without doing anything. The problem comes when are working without the faith, I have been there, and let me tell you, no good result comes from it. You can be faithful to God and still lack the faith to see Him do something for all your hard work. A man came up to Jesus pleading with Him, he went to every disciple asking for their help to heal his son who was possessed by a devil, yet no one could heal him, and until he finally found Jesus.
“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.” – Mark 9:23-27.
“help thou mine unbelief.” It does not matter how faithful we are or even that we believe all things are possible with God, we all have doubt sometimes, especially when it is something that concerns our own well being. It is doubt that keeps us from receiving many things that God is willing to give us, which is why we need to ask Him to even help our unbelief. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” – James 1:5-6.
For months I have been meaning to take some online classes, but kept putting it off trying to get my websites updated. While I did get a lot of things done I felt like I did not accomplish anything, and that made me feel inadequate and quite frankly, a failure. Then it hit me, I need to take those classes, so, this week I began. Most of the beginning is a recap of what I know, but something hit me as I listened, took notes, and completed the projects, I forgot how creative I am and what it felt like to see something I made come to life. I know there are others that know more than me, and I know more than others, but it is not what I know that makes an impact on whether or not I am a success, it is who I know. Jesus noticed the disciples arguing, but they never did tell Him what the argument was about. A little later He questioned them, fully knowing exactly what it was.
“And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” – Mark 9:33-37.
“who should be the greatest.” We have to be careful when we are living for Christ that we do not get a false sense of self worth, thinking that we are better than others and that is why we are being blessed. Boasting about our accomplishments will get us no where with God. Boasting of our accomplishments while giving God the glory for them does. This is exactly why we cannot get into heaven on our own, we would mess it up with all our boasting. As I was reading the chapters today what really grabbed my attention was how blessed we truly are to have Jesus. Jesus explains why it is more important to give up the things we desire if it means they take us away from God. While nothing we do can take away our salvation, we can lose God’s blessings.
“And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” – Mark 9:45-50.
“it is better for thee to enter halt into life,” Did you know there are people being cast into hell right now? That is a sobering reminder that we are not here just to accomplish great things for ourselves, we are here to make sure people know Jesus. God provides us with great talents to accomplish great things, and we will if we use those talents to do His work. This is where faith with works is necessary, we can do great things, boast of what God has done in our lives, and see Him accomplish great things through us. “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” – I Corinthians 12:4-6.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” – Matthew 17:5.
Today’s Prayer: God, it is amazing that we can simply come to You through Your Son, and be a part of Your Kingdom. We do not have to work our way to heaven because Jesus did the work for us, we just need to simply have faith in His finished work. Lord, I offer myself to You as a living sacrifice, I am trusting You to help me endure every trial and temptation as I do. I know that I do not need to do anything to keep by salvation, but if I want a lasting, fulfilled, and abundantly blessed life with You, I need give You all of me. Even if I fail I know that You are always with me and will help me when I humble myself before You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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