I'm Following Jesus – Page 3075 – 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.

KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Monday, November 21, 2016
Chapters: Acts 11-12
Message: My Voice My Choice

Hello My Friend,

In Me While God used the Jews for a time to represent and show the world the power of the only living God, He never intended to keep Himself to them. From the time God created man He wanted all to worship only Him, but the devil himself started the whole my choice, my voice movement when he wanted to take the throne from God. It was God who decided that it would be up to each individual to choose who they worship. Democracy is a good thing, just think of where we would be if we were forced to follow one religion or die. This is why America exists today, brave men and women, wanted to worship God the way He intended, not what someone else dictated. Sadly, democracy is not created equal, while the world is sure to cry our my choice, my voice, Christians are prosecuted for choosing Chrsit. Nevertheless, we have work to do because Jesus came here for all.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” – John 3:16-18.

Condemnation, this is something no one likes to hear, people want to be free to do and worship what they want, and God gives them every right to do so, but that does not mean we are not to tell everyone we know about Him while we have the chance. Something strange happened the second the apostles and disciples, heard that Gentiles were getting saved, they questioned how Peter could be preaching the Gospel to them. How could he tell those heathens about Jesus? The thing with that is that we are all heathens, we are all sinners who enjoy the pleasures of the world, some just a little more than others. God did not send His Son just for the Jews, He wanted all to know Him. Peter tells them the vision that God gave him, and who was he to go against God.

“Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” – Acts 11:17-21.

“And the hand of the Lord was with them:” You know, God’s hand is in everything, He knows when it is time to speak to someone about Jesus, regardless of who they are or what they have done, He died for all and saves all who believe in and receive His Son. Who are we to question who God wants us to preach the Gospel to? Prisons see more people saved than some churches, this is not about a person, while we think some people ought to rot in hell, Jesus died for all, and believe it or not, someone things we should rot in hell also. This is why God calls the shots and not us, and believe me, God knows who is sincere or not in receiving His Son, while we may not always be able to tell true Christians, they do tend to be known by their actions.

“Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.” – Romans 2:9-13.

When Herod got word that people were being saved and converted away from his pagan religion he wanted to quickly put a stop to it, but he was not alone, the unbelieving Jews wanted to stop it as well. Herod captures and kills James, only to find out that he was greatly praised by the Jews for killing him, wanting to be praised more, he set his eyes on Peter. Miraculously, Peter was freed in the middle of the night.

“And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.” – Acts 12:3-9.

“and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel;” Peter thought he was dreaming or something until he realized he was outside of the jail. Let me tell you, once you give your life over to doing God’s work He takes care of you, sometimes we may suffer more than others, but if we can endure we will see His hand in all of it. “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” – I Peter 4:1-16.

Millions of men and women all over the world have been killed preaching or defending their faith in Jesus, in fact, Christian prosecution is in record numbers again. We as Christians cannot be afraid to preach the Gospel to those who need Jesus for fear that we will be persecuted or even killed. God will take care of us, He will defend us and prosecute our accusers. Herod got exactly what he deserved for having James killed.

“And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” – Acts 12:19-23.

“It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.” God did not take it too kindly that Herod, of all people, was taking the credit for something that came from Him. Not only did he die, he was eaten alive by worms. This hater of God, and persecutor of His people, received an end yet more despicable, and loathsome than those he killed for their faith. We need not to seek vengeance ourselves, God will always fight for us. “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” – Hebrews 10:29-31.

Jesus Christ Magnified: “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.” – Acts 11:14-15.

Today’s Prayer: God, There is nothing more comforting than to know that Your Son gives life to all who believe in and receive Him. I am a witness to the amazing transformation taking place by receiving Christ into my soul. Lord, let me be a witness and a testimony to those who do not know You and even those who have fallen away from You. Shine through me, give me peace, comfort, and hope through my struggles and keep reminding me that you have a purpose for me and have not given up on me. I love You Lord, and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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