KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Saturday, June 11, 2016
Chapters: Psalms 23-29
Message: That Is What Jesus Is For
Hello My Friend,
As I was reading the chapters this morning tears formed in my eyes, I was thinking of how merciful God is as I was trying to read His Word in a rush, and how much He really loves and takes care of us, even when we are distracted by life. You know, life can take such a toll on us that we can lose sight of God, even when He is prominent in our lives. It is the times that we cannot see Him that we bad decisions, lat lead to sinful behavior. That is what Jesus is for, we do not have to worry about messing up when we cannot see Him because He will carry us through. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” – Psalm 28:7.
If you ever watched a TV drama you will often see people trying to come to grips with tragedies, especially when a person is dying, sometimes they will even go as far as creating an out of body experience with people to see what they would be missing if they died. I bring this up because the question always comes up about life after death, this means that the majority of people in the world are not sold on this whole, you live and die garbage, and have no idea what will happen to them when they die. Of course, the truth is, there is only one way to heaven, and that is Jesus Christ, and only God holds the throne. Believe it or not, that is your choice, but all who find Christ will find life after death. Even the Psalmist knew that before Jesus even came to earth. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” – Psalms 23:4-6.
“and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Do you know how amazing that is? When we receive Christ, we dwell in the House of God forever. Right now, He dwells in us through the Holy Spirit, but when our time here is done and we see Jesus face to face, we will be in His own house forever. And that is what Jesus is for. “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” – II Corinthians 5:8.
“and to be present with the Lord.” The world likes to deceive people into believing that they believe in God, that as ling as they are good they get to see heaven. The truth is, I do not know what god they believe in, but it is not God Almighty. To know the one and only true God they must admit they are sinners and only Christ, who died in there place, can save them. We must understand that while our works have nothing to do with our salvation, they do teach us to fear God and be a testimony for Him. Of course, the saved are going to mess up many times before they get to heaven, but that is what Jesus is for. We do not have to be perfect because He is perfect in us, we do have to confess our sins if we want Him to hear us. “All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” – Psalms 25:10-14.
“and he will shew them his covenant.” What is His covenant? He promises everlasting life to all who believe in His Son, regardless of whether or not they do good. You know, I always say that fearing God means to honor and respect Him, but it also means to be afraid, not of losing your salvation, but of losing that close connection with God. Some people believe that if they are saved they can live anyway they want, that since they are not under the law they do not have to follow any of God’s commands. Let me tell you, that is not how God works, we will suffer if we live in sin. Just because we are now under the law of grace that does not mean there are no consequences for living in sin, those come before we get to heaven. We are walking, talking testimonies of Jesus Christ, what we do, say, believe, these all matter to God. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” – Romans 6:15-18.
“ye became the servants of righteousness.” How awesome is that! Righteousness, justification. We are justified, pardoned of all our sins when we believe in and follow Christ. Receiving Christ is not a one time deal, it is a lifetime commitment, meaning we do not just live and die, we live through Christ always and forever. What we do with our lives as born again believers makes an impact on what we will receive not only in this lifetime, but in His Kingdom. God blesses us greatly for following His commands, especially when we are not required to do anything, but believe. Therefore, it would be wise to learn of God’s ways and live by them, and that is what Jesus is for. Jesus teaches us the ways of God, our biggest defense that keeps us faithful, prayer. Pray often, when we are strong or weak, happy or sad, rejoicing or grieving, influenced or tempted, pray to God and He will lead us. “I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” – Psalms 26:6-11.
“I will walk in mine integrity:” I use to like to say, we are a work in progress, in fact, so many encourage us not to give up because we are a work in progress. The truth is, we are not a work, we are not laboring for anything, we are a child of God through Christ. Stop letting sinful habits control you, and start letting God do His work in you. We will never be sin free until we see Jesus, of course, we grow in Christ as we learn and live our lives through Him, but salvation is not a free ticket to say, it is okay to do something because I know God will forgive me. Of course, God forgives and forgets all our sins when we confess them, and yes, we do improve as we walk with Him, but it is time to take responsibility for our actions, and that is what Jesus us for, to keep us walking in our integrity. Cry out to Him and He will free us from anything. “Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” – Psalms 27:7-14.
Jesus Christ Revealed: Today, Jesus is revealed as the King of glory (24:6-10). Jesus is King of kings and LORD of Lords, and every knee will bow to Him. “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:10,11.
Today’s Prayer: (Psalms 25:4-8) Jesus, “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD. Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way.” Lord, give me Your power, strength, wisdom, love, mercy, and grace, wrap me up in Your arms and keep me protected as I await Your return or You come to get me. In Your name, Jesus, I pray, Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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