I'm Following Jesus – Page 1117 – Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34

Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2021
Chapters: I Chronicles 6
Message: A Reflection of Jesus

Hello My Friend,

When I was growing up my physical features resembled my father, in fact, I was told that I was built like my paternal grandmother, but the older I get I actually see features of my mother, especially in my face. You know how the saying goes, “You become like your parents”? It does not matter how much you try to convince yourself that you are not going to become like them, you always do. We are all a collection of who we were influenced by as we grew up. And yes, this is why many children who are raised in homes with adults who struggled with substance abuse end up following the same path. Now, with that said, anyone can overcome a destructive path that their parents led, and even if they had fallen into it, break free from it. Likewise, anyone can get caught up in a destructive path, even saved, born again, Christians. Remember, it is who we get around that we become a reflection of, [John 13:15-17 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.]

Of course, it is Jesus who said the above passage after He washed the disciples feet and right after they ate of the Passover and before He would be captured. Our salvation is more than just Jesus saving our soul from hell, it is a lifelong, even if we only have a few short hours left to live, commitment. The more time we spend with Him, the more influenced we are by Him, and start to become like Him as we do as He has done. Now, after an account is given of the chief of the tribes of Judah and Simeon, then of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, we come to Levi. The kingdom was given to Judah, the birthright to Joseph, but the ministry, God’s own ministry, He gave to the children of Levi.

[I Chronicles 6:1-3,22-28 The sons of Levi; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 2 And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. 3 And the children of Amram; Aaron, and Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 22 The sons of Kohath; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, 23 Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son, 24 Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. 25 And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth. 26 As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai his son, and Nahath his son, 27 Eliab his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. 28 And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah.]

[Elkanah his son.] Elkanah is the father of Samuel, by whom Hannah, his mother had prayed to God for a son and said that she would give him to God. Samuel’s lineage did not go any further because his sons were wicked, and used their heritage as a means to manipulate and bribe the people, plus they were rather conspicuous, [I Samuel 8]. This is proof that one, you can raise up a child in the ways of God and still be influenced by the world, and two, we must all given an account of ourselves before Jesus, [Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.]

Now, and account is given to the sons of Merari, from whom Asaph would descend.

[I Chronicles 6:29-33,39 The sons of Merari; Mahli, Libni his son, Shimei his son, Uzza his son, 30 Shimea his son, Haggiah his son, Asaiah his son. 31 And these are they whom David set over the service of song in the house of the LORD, after that the ark had rest. 32 And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order. 33 And these are they that waited with their children. Of the sons of the Kohathites: Heman a singer, the son of Joel, the son of Shemuel, 39 And his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, even Asaph the son of Berachiah, the son of Shimea,]

[then they waited on their office according to their order.] Asaph, who is accredited for many of the Psalms, even David dedicated many of them to him. David appointed the jobs they would do in the temple once it was built, which Solomon would have built according to David’s specifications once his reign began, [II Samuel 7]. For those that God uses to work in His ministry, there is always an abundance of service to be done in His house. While not everyone is chosen to be a pastor or an evangelist, many are chosen to be a part of the church, janitorial work, babysitting, teaching, singing, or even a pastor’s wife, every skill is given by God to enable them to be used in His ministry, and every one of them honorable to God. Now, it takes a very brave warrior to become a pastor, it is one of the most demanding, selfless jobs that anyone will ever have. There are different levels of pastors, some are associates, some heads of the church, they truly are giving their entire life to not only serve God, but their staff and congregation as well. It was Aaron and his sons that were appointed to be the priests, any male born from that lineage was taught to minister to and eventually receive the sacrifices from the people so they could make an atonement for their sins.

[I Chronicles 6:48-52 Their brethren also the Levites were appointed unto all manner of service of the tabernacle of the house of God. 49 But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. 50 And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, 51 Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, 52 Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son,]

[and to make an atonement for Israel,] I imagine Levi, who was the third child of Jacob, never thought that he or his descendants would be ministers of God. And yet, right after Aaron had helped the people build the golden calf and it was dismantled that God had chose him and his descendants to serve him as priests, [Exodus 32]. This is all proof that His people are no where near perfect, and that while blessings do come through obedience, even more come by His mercies. Amen! And perhaps the reason He does use the least likely to succeed is to show all of us that while we are the chiefest of sinners, we are still His faithful witnesses, [I Timothy 1:15-16 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.]

Aaron’s son Eleazar, was devoted to his calling as a priest, but his two oldest sons Nadab and Abihu were struck dead when they ignored commands of God and offered strange fire up to Him, which is why you do not see their names here. This brings up the point that not everyone who appears to be God is true, which is why we have to make sure that any man of God is living by the Word of God in and out of the church and instills that teaching upon his congregation. Now, we come to the towns the Levites were given to live from the other tribes as they were not given any specifically for themselves. Since God was their inheritance, it was God that took care of them, and made sure that every other tribe provided for them, [I Chronicles 6:54-57 Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot. 55 And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it. 56 But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 57 And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs,]

[Hebron, the city of refuge,] It is interesting that David chose to live in the city of refuge for seven years as king of Judah. This was a town where the accused of murder could hide out and not be hunted and killed until it was proven whether or not it was by accident or intentional. They were allowed to remain there until they were proven innocent or while the high priest was alive. While we are not all murderers on the run, we are all sinners, and have a death warrant out on us. However, there is a way for us to be pardoned, and that is Jesus Christ, who is not only our refuge, but our high priest, who still lives today. Amen! It does not matter if we were born into a Godly, Christian family or a heathen, wicked family, we are a reflection of who we get around. It is only by allowing Jesus to live in and through us that we can not only overcome any sin, we can become a great witness and testimony of Christ, [I Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.]

Jesus Christ Magnified: [I Chronicles 6:49 But Aaron and his sons offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, and on the altar of incense, and were appointed for all the work of the place most holy, and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.]

Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for saving me, cleansing me, and making me one of Yours. You have given me many skills and talents over the years and while I do not understand all the uses for them, I do understand that You have a reason and purpose for them. You have given us an example on how we are to live as not only a testimony of Your great sacrifice saving my soul from hell, but a reflection of You. Lord, lead me and guide me, show me how and where to use the skills, talents, and gifts that You have given me to be used for Your glory. Never let me forget that it is not how much I serve You or even where I serve You that matters most to You, it is serving You with my whole heart, and leading the lost to You through my own testimony. I love You and ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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