Longing to Prosper

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Friday September 25, 2009 and we are studying the book of Micah, please read chapters 1-7 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-september-25 Today's Message: Longing to Prosper While we all want to be prosperous, many Christian's are longing to prosper from the things that are in the world instead of from God. The book of Micah is the thirty-third book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains seven chapters. The author of the book is Micah and it was written to the people of Judah and Israel. The purpose of the book is a call to repentance to avoid judgment, what we are to learn from the book is that God judges the oppressors of His people. Micah was raised up to support Isaiah, and to confirm his predictions, he encouraged the northern kingdom of Samaria and the southern kingdom of Judah (Jerusalem) to repent. “The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the LORD from his holy temple. For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem? Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof. And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot.” - Micah 1:1-7. God is addressing everyone that is on the earth and warning them that He is going to come down to earth and destroy all the high places. The high places were where the Israelite's were forbidden to set up altars, but they did just that in order to worship other gods. Jerusalem is actually on a hill and the reason it is referred to as a high place is because it had ceased to be the place where they worshiped only God. He is telling everyone that is found worshiping idols that destruction will come their way. Their idols will never prosper nor do them any good because what they got by one lust is laid in waste by another. God is addressing all of us today as well, He is trying to tell us that nothing we do will satisfy us because once we get what we want we get bored with it and want more. All the money or possessions in the world can not satisfy those whom seek only to please themselves. 700 years before Jesus was born, Micah was led to prophesy about it, “Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.” - Micah 5:1-7. Having showed how low the house of David would be brought, a prediction of the Messiah and his kingdom is added to encourage the faith of God's people. His existence from eternity as God, and his office as Mediator, are noticed. Here is foretold that Bethlehem should be his birthplace. As a descendant of King David, Joseph had to go to David's hometown of Bethlehem to register. In issuing his command from Rome, Caesar could only have thought of his own kingdom. However, he had no idea that God used the heathen emperor's authority to fulfill Micah's prophecy. The most significant statement of Micah's prophecy is, “Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting”. This proclaims the deity and eternal existence of the Redeemer who will be King, Jesus. He could not have been the Savior of mankind and suffer for the sins of the world if He had a sinful nature like everyone else. Because of this, Jesus the Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary without a human father. I have seen many people over the years, including myself, search endlessly for something to give meaning to their lives, yet never satisfied with anything once they get it. The truth is that No possession on earth can give meaning to our lives like Jesus Christ can, He gives our lives meaning and a purpose. When we receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of our lives, we no longer long for the things that we want, but long for the things God wants. This in turn not only helps us to prosper, it also helps us to keep our relationship with God in tact. Today's Prayer: Dear God, Lord, so many of us live in a state of discontent when we find ourselves long for things of the world. It distorts our priorities and while it gives temporary thrills, it always leaves us with long term dissatisfaction within ourselves and our relationships. Lord, help us learn to place You above all material things for you promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us and that You will provide us all the desires of our hearts as we put our trust and faith in Jesus Christ, Your Son, who died to save us all and give us the most important and wonderful gift of eternal life, which no possession here on earth can compare. In Jesus' Name..........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and God Bless You, Christina Need More Inspiration? Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com/ Missed A Lesson? Go to: Daily Bible Study http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation (0) Comments

Posted: 9/25/2009 9:05:35 AM

Friends With Enemies

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Saturday August 08, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Isaiah, please read chapters 38-42 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2038-42&version=9 Today's Message: Friends With Enemies As Christian's, we are to tell all about Christ and what He has done to us, but we need to be very careful whom we reveal more than the Gospel to the lost. Hezekiah knew who God was and sought Him in His time of need, when the Assyrian army was surrounding the city, and about to starve it out, Hezekiah went to the Lord and Jerusalem was saved. However, Hezekiah had a problem with seeking God when things were going well in his life. Isaiah came to him with a message from the Lord. That message was to get his personal matters in order because he is going to die. “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Then came the word of the LORD to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.” - Isaiah 38:1-5. Hezekiah did not ask Isaiah to intercede on his behalf, he humbly went to God, repented and made himself right with God. Then, God heard his prayer and added fifteen years on to his life. Just like God added years to Hezekiah's life, He can add years to our lives as well. It's not just having faith that adds on the years, its the service that we give Him during our time here that also keeps us here on earth a little longer. After God had healed Hezekiah, he just could not wait to show and tell everyone what God had done for him, but he erred in that he was willing to tell everyone that would listen. “At that time Merodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered. And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.….....Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts: Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” - Isaiah 39:1,2,5-7. Now, the error was not in telling the people about what God had done for him, it is who and what he told them. When Hezekiah received their letter with their gift, he was too quick to treat them as a friend. He showed them everything he had. He was proud of all the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointments, as well as all of their armor, and other treasures that had been stored in the Temple since the days of Solomon, with all his wealth. All the doors were opened, and they were allowed to view it all and record it for king Merodachbaladan. The warning here is to watch out what you show and tell to anyone who does not know God or His Word, for that is what shall be used against you in due time. Many of the circumstances in the world, regardless of whether it is war, disease, or poverty, comes from the decisions we make. Many people wonder if there is a God then why all the war, why all the suffering, why all the disease, but in reality, none of these would have even come into play had we listened to God in the first place and that means all of us and all of His Word. “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.” - Proverbs 13:18. God has given us every warning and instructions on how we can avoid all these tragedies, but it is self-righteousness, ignorance and rebellion that keep us from seeing peace in the world. All one has to do is take a look around the world today and see that Isaiah's prophecy is coming into play once again, only this time it will be our own nation. Does Hezekiah's foolishness of telling Babylon their secrets sound like us today? Our leaders and military generals quick to show our enemies all of our armor, and telling them the capabilities of their use. Our weakness are blabbed around the world, and we just cant give our wealth away fast enough. As a nation we are taking the presents that the enemies are giving us, and buying into their one world system. They are writing the interpretations of God's Holy Word and the churches are believing their lies and traditions, just as they did when they crucified Jesus Christ. It is sad and scary to see all these things come into play, but we as Children of God can rest assure that we have Jesus and one day all of the wars, diseases, and poverty of the world will come to an end and we will truly have peace in the world. Today's Prayer: Dear God, Lord, we are known as one nation under God, but lately it is becoming one nation under power, greed, and money. Just as we have seen your predictions come to reality in the past, new ones are quickly coming into play. Lord, watch over us and protect us as we patiently await Your return. Help us to get the Gospel out to as many as we can so they too know the truth, work in their hearts and help them to understand before it is too late. Also, guide us and help us to be mindful and careful not to reveal too much to the enemy. In Jesus' Name..........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your weekend. God Bless You, Christina Missed A Lesson? Go to: Daily Bible Study http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study.php Learn More About Salvation Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation.php (0) Comments

Posted: 8/8/2009 9:33:30 PM

True Messiah

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Wednesday August 05, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Isaiah, please read chapters 22-26 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2022-26&version=9 Today's Message: True Messiah All we have to do is take a look around the world today and realize that many of the prophecies of Revelation are coming to pass, many will claim to be Christ, but there is only One True Messiah. Isaiah's prophecy was first directed to Judah, then to Israel, then to the surrounding Gentile nations, and finally to all the world. Just as surely as many of the prophecies were fulfilled in ancient history, we can also expect that the Messiah Jesus will return as Christ the King. Isaiah 22 starts out with "The burden of the valley of vision"; it is not a warning, but an oracle written to and about Jerusalem. An "oracle" is an Divinely inspired writing of inspiration and revelation. Jerusalem is called the "valley of vision" because of the hills that it is built on, and around. It is a city of valleys, of Kedren, Megiddo, and so on. So what this chapter is talking about is the city of Jerusalem, and an inspiring revelation that will be given about her. “The burden of the valley of vision. What aileth thee now, that thou art wholly gone up to the housetops? Thou that art full of stirs, a tumultuous city, joyous city: thy slain men are not slain with the sword, nor dead in battle. All thy rulers are fled together, they are bound by the archers: all that are found in thee are bound together, which have fled from far. Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people. For it is a day of trouble, and of treading down, and of perplexity by the Lord GOD of hosts in the valley of vision, breaking down the walls, and of crying to the mountains.” - Isaiah 22:1-5. This means that these people will be taken in a spiritual death by believing that Satan, who will be playing many roles including the role of Messiah, and they believe him to be God. In history, when both the Assyrian army came against the house of Israel, and the Babylonian army came against the house of Judah, their leaders ran. They snuck through the wall at night and ran from the enemy. Those that gave the commands to fight had fled afar. After the battle when the fighting is over, these so-called leaders will see what they have done, and will weep bitterly for the shame that they have brought upon themselves. When the spoiling takes place after the war, after the battle is lost and the leaders are gone, the people will see what they have done to themselves, and they will not want anyone to look at them because of the shame that they feel about themselves. This is why the prophet says there will be great shame on all of them. It is amazing to read these revelations from the book of Isaiah, in a prophetic sense for our generation, the Antichrist is going to come, and the church system's leaders will also flee to the enemy, and from their teachings and commands all, but the elect of God will follow them. These so-called Christian's will give themselves over to the false messiah. Then on that day when the spoiling is complete and the people that have had their celebration, and in ignorance declare Satan to be their God. Jesus will then come to earth. The people of the entire earth will see what they have done, and weep bitterly for their shame. They will know what they have done, and that they allowed themselves to be deceived. We are told to "always watch Jerusalem" for the signs of the end times which will take place in Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the fountain seed of all prophecy in our Father's Word, and it is from this geographic location that we can figure out that the true Messiah will be coming very soon. “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” - Luke 21:24-27. It is a bit scary to see the many prophecies of the “sign of the times” taking place, but we have nothing to worry about because we are God's elect, those whom have accepted the true Christ into their lives. We can rejoice in our Salvation knowing that none of us have to face that horrible day. “O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. For thou hast made of a city an heap; of a defenced city a ruin: a palace of strangers to be no city; it shall never be built. Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee. For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall............. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” - Isaiah 25:1-4,8,9. As Christian's we truly need to be following Christ's command to tell all nations about Him, He is coming real soon and once that happens we are not going to be here to help them. If they do not follow at least we did our part and all we can do is pray that they will come around before it is too late, but remember, only an elect few, those whom truly believe will be saved. We have sown the seed, it is up to them to cultivate it. Today's Prayer: Dear God, Lord, help us to remain faithful in planting Your seed of salvation to those who have not yet bowed their knee, to those who have not yet confessed with their tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord. Whenever we open our mouths, may words be given to us so that we will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel to those who have not yet heard. In Jesus' Name.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week. God Bless, Christina Missed A Lesson? Go to: Daily Bible Study http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study.php Learn More About Salvation Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation.php (0) Comments

Posted: 8/6/2009 9:37:08 AM

Religion Deceit

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Monday July 27, 209 and we are completing our studies on the book of Proverbs, please read chapters 27-31 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2027-31&version=9 Today's Message: Religion Deceit Many people, including Christian's, fall into the deceitfulness of religion, God wants nothing to do with religion, yet that's all He seems to be associated with. If we love someone, we want to be with them and know what pleases them so that we can develop a lasting relationship. We also want to know what they dislike so that we can avoid words or actions that would displease them. Our relationship with God should be the desire to love Him just as we would our loved ones and to learn of the things that displease Him so we can receive the blessings that He intended for us to have. God warns us, once again to stay away from wicked people and things that they use to persuade us. “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father. He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.” - Proverbs 28:4-10. We need to be very careful of false Christian's, they are very good at persuading true Christian's to follow them. I really had no intention of writing a message about false religion today, but for some reason the Holy Spirit directed me to it. I have been doing a lot of research about it previously, which is so mind boggling. It's amazing that many will criticize me for my beliefs, yet at least mine conforms to the actual King James Bible while theirs conforms to man made beliefs. God warns us about following those whom are in authority, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn..............Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.” - Proverbs 29:2,8-13. Sadly, there are many false religions out there that mimic Jesus, yet deep down they are deceiving and bringing millions of people down with them. In order to overcome that we need to read God's Word, all of it and study it too. Religion is deceitful, no where in the Bible is it ever referenced as anything of good, in fact it was religion that killed Jesus. Many people are unaware of the difference between the two, religion has nothing to do with God, oh they might give the impression that their religion is about God, but in reality they have no clue who God is. “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” - James 1:23-27. True Christian's do not put themselves on a pedestal for being a particular religion, they do not use that as the basis of knowing God and heaven. There is only one way to heaven and that is by knowing Jesus Christ, and the exact truth about Jesus Christ. That He is the only begotten Son of God, whom is God in the flesh, that died for all of our sins, was buried in a tomb for three days, then arose and is alive today through all believers in the form of the Holy Spirit. Religion should not be what people follow, that is not God, if a church does not follow the true doctrine of Christ than it is a false religion. Today's Prayer: Dear God, Lord, we confess that we are weak and fearful people, apart from Your Holy Spirit that makes us strong as we stand up for Your righteousness. The conflicting philosophies, the indulgent sinful behaviors of humanity, the worship of creatures rather than our Creator, and the false religions that abound require us to be equipped daily in Your spiritual armor. Our struggle is not physical, but spiritual in nature as the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces in the heavenly world battle for our souls. This conflict will not end until we unite with You in heaven, so keep us vigilant and trusting as we do battle with our enemy. You are the captain of our army and we will be victorious as we follow Your every command. In Jesus' Name...........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy your week. God Bless You, Christina Missed A Lesson? Please Go to: Daily Bible Study http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study.php Learn More About Salvation Please Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation.php (0) Comments

Posted: 7/28/2009 7:51:32 PM

Wait on Him

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Thursday July 16, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Psalm, please read chapters 120-131 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20120-131&version=9 Today's Message: Wait on Him Patience is one thing that we all lack especially when we want something to happen, but it becomes easier to be patient when we fully realize God never goes back on His Word and all we have do is to wait on Him. Many of the Psalms were sung by men as they journeyed toward Jerusalem, Law required all male Jews physically able and ceremonially clean to go to Jerusalem three times a year to participate in the seven feasts. “Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year. Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread: (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:) And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours, which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering, which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field. Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the LORD God.” - Exodus 23:14-17. Even though some may have had to travel as much as one to three weeks to arrive in Jerusalem, these were to be journeys of great joy. They sang with assurance that the Lord would protect their homes and possessions during their absence. With confidence in the Lord's protection on the journeys, the Israelite worshipers would sing, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” - Psalm 121. The Israelite's were taught to trust in the Lord for provisions and protection. We are all on a journey, the things we do in life make or break us depending on whether or not we let God be with us on that journey. He is our guide, our shade, our protector, and all who trust Him on their journey will reach each destination with joy and perseverance. Christian's have frustrations and fears and it is of utmost importance that we know how to resolve these emotional problems. God led the psalmist to reveal the true source of help, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem...............Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.” - Psalm 122:1,2,7-9. Our help comes from God, when we surround ourselves within His walls we find peace and the patience we need to wait for things to come to pass. Patience is essential as we wait on God, it is only by waiting on Him will we find redemption and hope. “I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning. Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” - Psalm 130:5-8. Redemption from what you may ask? Impatience and all the frustrations that go along with it. Getting impatient with the Lord's delay may forfeit His fulfilling your heart's desire. Just rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. Waiting for the Lord is the expression of our faith in Him and allows God to deal with us in such a way and time as He thinks best. We have one great thing going for us that the Israelite's did not have, Jesus. Before Jesus, God only dwelt above the mercy seat in the Tabernacle in Jerusalem and the only way the people could get even get close to God was by going there. Can you imagine what it would be like today if we all had to travel to Jerusalem in order to feel the presence of God? Even then, we could not talk to Him face to face unless we were blessed to be a priest or prophet. Today, through Jesus we now have the presence of God indwelling within us every day. Now, we are God's Temple, therefore, His walls surround us all day long. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” - I Corinthians 3:16,17. Praise the Lord! Today's Prayer: Dear God, Lord, all my frustrations and all my fears I bring to the mercy seat and leave them there. You demonstrate mercy and compassion as You become strength in place of my weakness, wisdom in place of my lack of understanding and patience in my impatient heart. I look to You, not myself or to others, for the answers to my troubles and for Spirit-directed perspective in knowing how to deal with them. I choose to trust in You, Lord and wait patiently for the things I desire. I know that You are preparing the way for me and when the time is right You will give me all the things I am in need of. In Jesus' Name.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of you week. God Bless You, Christina Missed A Lesson? Visit: Daily Bible Study http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study.php Need More Inspiration and Encouragement? Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com/ (0) Comments

Posted: 7/16/2009 9:17:57 PM

Way of Life

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Wednesday July 15, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Psalm, please read chapter 119 in your Bible or Click Here to read it. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119&version=9 Today's Message: Way of Life Is one truly happy with a worldly life? Happiness is the outcome of a right relationship with God and living according to the way of life taught by His Word. I forgot to mention that Psalm 107 begins part five of the book of Psalm which centers around the Word of God. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the entire Bible and the entire Psalm is dedicated to God's Word, we are to delight in it and in His commands. “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.” - Psalm 119:1-7. The word undefiled means that we are to keep our thoughts and body pure and uncorrupted. The psalmist is saying that all who walk with God become blessed as they learn to keep their thoughts and body from being corrupted. Let's face it, there is a difference between doing something unknowingly and doing something intentionally, we all know when our thoughts and actions do not line up with God's Word. However, if we wholeheartedly seek God we are a testimony of the wonderful life that can be lived by following Him diligently. In His Word, God has provided everything we need to be the person He planned for us to be and to accomplish the purpose for which He created us. We are to delight in His Word and long to understand it so we know exactly what God's Will for our lives are. “Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness...............And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” - Psalm 119:33-36,47-50. Those who learn and study God's Word begin to understand what God's Will for their lives are. The once corrupted life turns to a more fulfilled life that gives one hope and comfort through all circumstances. I truly believe that the majority of those who do not follow God do so because they know their lives will change dramatically. Time and time again I hear people say, “I am going to live my life the way I want because it is the only life I have”. It is sad to hear those words because people with that attitude have no idea what they are missing and what is waiting for them after this temporal life on earth is over. Can you honestly say that you are truly happy doing things you really do not want to do because it is what your friends are doing? Look around, are any of the people you hang around truly your friends? Is going out every weekend drinking and partying truly the life to life? Does giving yourself to every person that looks at you really make you feel as though you are someone special? Do you really think that your soul mate can be found in a bar? “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” - I John 2:15-17. It is much harder and unsatisfying to try and fit in with the world than to just live for God. The world can care less about us, but God loves us and wants to see us truly happy and successful. Trust me, I have lived in the world, I thought that I had a boring life and was missing something, boy was I missing something and it was not anything that the world had to offer. I was missing Jesus and in the process defiled my thoughts and body in order to seek something I had all along and that was God's Word. All I had to do to find it was call on Jesus and all my past and everything I did in it was redeemed. I thank Jesus every morning for taking me out of the wasteful life that I lived when all I did was search for things that had no meaning. Praise God! We can not change the past, but we can change today, when we call on Jesus He gives us new meaning of what life truly is about and I pray that all will see this before it is too late. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” - Philippians 4:4-9. Today's Prayer: Dear God, Lord, it is Your desire that we stay faithful to Your teachings. Scripture gives many examples of those who knew to do right, but instead yielded to temptation. The consequences of their wrong actions inflicted a great deal of loss, life-long regret and emotional pain. Help us to avoid the traps Satan has set for the believers by not only reading Your Word, but applying its truth to our lives, and standing firm when the temptation to do wrong is ever before us. In Jesus' Name...........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week. God Bless You, Christina Missed A Lesson? Visit: Daily Bible Study http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study.php Need Some Encouragement or Inspiration? Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com/ (0) Comments

Posted: 7/15/2009 8:37:58 PM

God's Instructions

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Saturday July 11, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Psalm, please read chapters 92-100 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2092-100&version=9 Today's Message: God's Instructions As Christian's, we long for a deep relationship with God, but in order to have that we must know the steps we need to take. God gives us all the instructions we need to enjoy a wonderful and lasting relationship with Him here on earth and through eternity. An amazing thing begins to happen when one praises God through difficulties, all the frustration, restlessness, sleeplessness, and other effects brought on by our motions seems to disappear. “IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH: To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever: But thou, LORD, art most high for evermore.” - Psalm 92:1-8. The Psalmist is telling us that no matter what we are going through we need to thank God and praise Him through it all. Put on some uplifting music and sing to God, it does not matter if you can not sing, it's beautiful music to Him. If you play an instrument, praise Him by playing music for Him, as you do these things your mood and your attitude begins to change, you no longer feel hopeless, confused, or frustrated, but feel a great sense of relief. No one of the world and even some who call themselves Christian's can not understand how one can be so happy when things look so bad. They will never know because they never took or take the time to know God personally, only relying on things that have been told to them rather than seeking to know Him personally. Take for instance someone who is a faithful servant, although he is faithful, he is still human and will make mistakes. Does God cast us away? Absolutely not. He may correct us, but He will never cast us away. “The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it.” - Psalm 94:11-15. God knows our heart and also knows that we are going to get into trouble from time to time, but regardless He will not cast us away, making sure that we return to righteousness. What a wonderful thought to know that no matter how many mistakes we make God will get us back on the right path. The world will never understand what that means, but we can thank God and sing praise to Him knowing that He is teaching us to be the best that we can be. Praising God will lift worship far beyond the level of just seeking instruction in order to help with our personal needs, it also teaches us how to have a personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ as well and the indwelling Holy Spirit, without knowing these two we can never have a personal relationship with God. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” - John 14:6,7. Worship becomes more meaningful when it is preceded by our heartfelt expressions of praise and adoration for our Heavenly Father, our Lord Jesus, and the guiding Holy Spirit. A "self-centered" person assumes the "worship" service was meant for his personal satisfaction. Consequently, we hear some say: "I didn't get much out of the service." The reason is clear, they didn't put much into it in order to get anything our of it. Incidentally, the faithful Israelite's had one thing going for them that got them to heaven. The listened to God's instructions and too believed in Jesus, known by them as the Messiah. If one truly wants a relationship with God, every message that has been given comes with some meaning. Praise God! Today's Prayer: Dear God, Lord, You do the impossible and provide for our every need. You divided the sea and led the Israelite's through to safety.  You guided them with the cloud by day and the fire by night. You split rocks in the desert and gave water in abundance.  You rained down manna and gave them more than they could eat. And yet in spite of all this they kept on sinning; in spite of Your miraculous wonders they did not believe. What a picture this is for us today when we put You to the test, when we rebel against Your statutes, when we abandon Your truths. Father, search our hearts today and see if there be unbelief or wickedness within. Cleanse us by the fire of Your Holy Spirit so that we may be renewed in spirit and resolved in our absolute commitment to be faithful in our walk. No matter the wilderness ahead we are guided by You to safety and we are consoled by the fact that the Promised Land awaits those who endure to the end. In Jesus' Name........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and weekend. God Bless, Christina Missed A Lesson? Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study.php (0) Comments

Posted: 7/11/2009 10:31:44 AM

Count Your Blessings

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Wednesday July 08, 2009 and we are continuing our studies in the book of Psalm, please read chapters 78-80 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online, http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2078-80&version=9 Today's Message: Count Your Blessings When times of discouragement come, then is the best time to count our blessings and remember where the Lord brought us from. God had chosen Israel to be His witness to the world, they were to be an example of how He would bless all who honored Him and His Word. The psalmist Asaph, reminded the new generation of Israelite's of how God they were to praise and honor God and be a testimony for future generations, not be as their fathers whom were rebellious. “Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.” - Psalm 78:1-8. We are blessed to know the truth, therefore we too are to teach our children to honor and obey God. Though we may have had rebellious parents, it is up to us to be an example to all future generations. If our heart is right with God than it will reflect onto our children and they too will honor and obey God and His Word. Asaph also reminded them of the heartbreak and horror that was felt following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. The sad thing was that these people assumed that since they were God's chosen there were free to do whatever they please and still receive the blessings of God. Asaph, pleads with God, “How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire? Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name. For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place. O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.” - Psalm 79:5-9. We all need to be reminded that although we are saved by the blood of Jesus we are not exempt from following His commands. Of course we will go to heaven, but we will face judgment for the things we could have, but failed to do. Since the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, there has been no Temple, no Brazen Altar, no Laver, no Golden Candlestick, no Table of Showbread, no Ark of the Covenant, no Altar of Incense, and no way to observe the Day of Atonement or any other sacrifice as commanded by God. All of Israel's sacrifices and feasts were symbols created by God to foreshadow and explain all that was accomplished by Jesus their Messiah. After Jesus' sacrificial death, all of the Old Testament sacrifices for sins were made obsolete and the old sacrificial system under the Law was destroyed soon after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The blood sacrifices of animals would no longer temporarily atone for their sins since they were not needed. Christ became the ultimate sacrifice that replaced the need for daily animal sacrifices. Praise God! “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” - Ephesians 5:1,2. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross made it possible for both Jews and Gentiles, who recognize themselves as lost sinners, truly repent, and receive Jesus as their Savior, to be forgiven of their sins. Believe it or not, our children mimic us and if we have no interest in God and His Word, they will not either, and will probably know less about God than we do, leaving it up to them to figure it out. Sadly, they will fall into the hands of the false prophets and sooner or later, just like Jerusalem was destroyed, our nation too will be destroyed. Today's Prayer: Dear God, We trust You for You are worthy of implicit confidence. No problem is too difficult for You since Your power is supernatural and unlimited in strength. There is no prayer request that we bring to You that is too perplexing or hard for You to answer, no need too great for You to supply, no misdirected passion too strong for You to restrain; no temptation too powerful for You to deliver us from, and no misery too deep for You to relieve us from, for You are the Strength of our lives. And when we rest on these truths we are confident and trusting and there is no enemy force of which we should be afraid. In Jesus' Name.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week. God bless, Christina Missed A Lesson? Visit I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com/ (0) Comments

Posted: 7/8/2009 9:10:27 PM

We Can Survive

Hello My Friends/Guest, Today is Sunday July 05, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Psalm, please read chapters 60-66 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2060-66&version=9 Today's Message: We Can Survive We will face many unpleasant circumstances in our lives, but no matter how hopeless it looks we can not cease from singing and praising God through it all. He is our Salvation, our Rock, and our Refuge, with Him We Can Survive! David was forced to leave the promised land to escape from Saul, exiled from his loved ones and the physical comforts of the palace, he wrote this Psalm, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” - Psalm 61. David was overwhelmed with sorrow and loneliness, he prayed intensely, asking God to hear his prayer. He confessed his distress, but also his confidence in God whom was the Rock that was higher than him. He knew that God was his shelter and the strength he needed to fight the enemy. He vowed to abide with God forever, singing praises to Him and spending time with Him daily, knowing that God would save him. We too have been in David's shoes, sometimes it feels as though the more we seek God the more trouble we face, but that is just Satan telling us that. We can not let Satan control us, we must seek God in all that we do and never cease from singing praises and spending time with Him in prayer and reading His Word. Although David's difficult circumstances remained the same for many years, he never stopped waiting on God. “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” - Psalm 62:1-8. David put his trust in God, knowing that eventually he would deliver him, declaring that He would wait on God, whom was his salvation, his rock, and his defense (safeguard). David then turned his thoughts to others who faced trials and suffering, urging them to take refuge in God as well. Once we place our trust in God, knowing that He will save us, we can put our focus on others and not worry about ourselves. God truly is our refuge and He alone will take care of us. God really does not want to see us suffer, but He knows that suffering not only brings us closer to Him, it also takes us one step closer to becoming more like Jesus. We can only imagine the pain that Jesus went through as He was mocked, beaten , and tortured, then forced to carry the wooden cross that He would be nailed to and hung on until He died. “Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.” - John 19:29-36. Although He suffered for a time He was delivered from His pain, and got the victory because three days later He rose from the dead. “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my LORD, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.” - John 20:11-16. Jesus is a testimony to all who suffer that we can survive! When you feel as though everything is hopeless seek God in everything, sing to Him, Praise Him, Read His Word, and Talk to Him, He is there and will help you and deliver you from all your pain and suffering. Today's Prayer: Dear God, We want to trust You at all times, in the good times and in the troubled times. Thank You for Your promise that You will not let us drown when we pass through the deep waters. We will not be burned nor will the flames hurt us when we walk through the raging fires that seek to engulf us. We don’t have to be afraid because You have saved us and called us by name. You are truly our Refuge and we pour out our hearts to You for all that we have need of. May our faith increase and our devotion deepen as we seek You and Praise You in all that we do. In Jesus' Name............Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and week. God Bless, Christina Learn More About Jesus Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com/ (0) Comments

Posted: 7/5/2009 9:22:35 PM

Never Cease

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Thursday July 02, 2009 and we are continuing our studies of the book of Psalms, please read chapters 40-45 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2040-45&version=9 Today's Message: Never Cease During times when we just do not understand we need to Trust in the Lord for all of our daily needs and never cease from praising Him Today we begin reading the Psalms that are centered around God's deliverance of Israel, her ruin, and her Redeemer, in other words, salvation. Many of the Psalms were written while David was in exile from Saul for about ten years. He was forced from his palace, worship at the Temple, and even not able to participate in the holy festivals prescribed by God (Passover). Through it all David never stopped praising Him through each and every struggle. “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.” - Psalm 40:1-6. David knew that God was with him and even though he was unable to participate in the festivals he knew that He would not leave him. God knew David's heart and knew that he desired to do the things that He commanded, but was unable to do them due to his circumstances. Therefore, God did not condemn him for not being able to give the burnt and sin offerings. God still does the same for us, there are times in our lives when no matter how much we try we simply are unable to do God's Will, things such as sickness, accidents, etc. He knows we long to do them, we just can not at the time and that is a big difference between someone who wants to do the will of God and someone who cares less. David, more than anything longed for God, he desired to know Him and often expressed it in the Psalms, but at times even he questioned if God was with him. “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” - Psalm 42:1-5. Although David did not understand, he knew deep down that God was with him and never stopped praising Him. God placed David exactly where he was in order to complete His purpose for him. Like David, we too will face circumstances that we may not understand, but they are all meant to fulfill god's purpose. Each circumstance we face grows us and prepares us to not only be able to handle things in the future, it also allows us to be a witness and testimony to others of the glory of God. When we recognize that each situation we are faced with, whether it appears to be pleasant or distressing, is for our own good and God's Glory. Through every circumstance we are to pour out our hearts in devotion to Him without ceasing. “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - I Thessalonians 5:15-23. Today's Prayer: Dear God, I will praise You, my great Redeemer, for who You are and for all that You do for me. Although I may not understand some of the things that I go through, I will not cease from praising You. I will praise You and thank You for everything because You never cease from working in my behalf. Your mercy, love, strength, and comfort, Your sustaining power and guiding hand are only a tiny fraction of the many reasons that lead me to praise You daily. Instead of a murmuring and ungrateful attitude, I want to join with the multitude of believers and sing of my Great Redeemer’s praise to everyone, everywhere, all the time. In Jesus' Name.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week, hang in there, it's almost over. God Bless, Christina Need More Inspiration? Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com/ (0) Comments

Posted: 7/2/2009 8:29:23 PM

Praise The Lord, Always

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Tuesday June 30, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Psalms, please read chapters 31-35 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2031-35&version=9 Today's Message: Praise The Lord, Always Often, we may not feel like praising God because of some of the circumstances we face. Satan loves to keep us wallowing in our sorrows, but when we praise God through them we will not only find joy, we will kick Satan to the curb. David faced constant danger, grief, trouble, or humiliation, but regardless of what he was facing he always trusted God and went straight to Him in prayer. “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.” - Psalm 31:1-4. As a Christian we seem to face more challenges then others simply because we choose to follow Christ. Satan will stop at nothing to use our circumstances as a way to prove to the world that we are fools for standing up for Christ. However, the great thing is that God is right there with us and no matter what He will deliver us out of the net that Satan casts over us. David gives all of us hope that no matter how new or old we are at serving God we are forgiven of our sins when we come to Him. As godly as David was, there were times in his life where he let his flesh make decisions for him instead of God. When Nathan the prophet confronted David with his iniquity, he confessed his sin and his need for mercy and forgiveness. “I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” - Psalm 32:5. The word Selah, means to pause for a moment and reflect on that verse. When we acknowledge our sin we are telling God that we admit we did wrong, when we confess our sin to Him we are telling Him we are not hiding our sin, but confessing that we did commit the sin. Then, God is merciful to forgive us and it is all forgotten. The truth is, God already knows what we did, I always imagine Him sitting on His throne, looking down at what we are doing and just shaking His head as He sees His children try to hide their shame for the sins they just committed. He knows that we have this flesh that is hard to control sometimes, especially when we are not walking with God. Remember, we are like sheep who easily become lost when we are not guided by our shepherd. We do not have to be ashamed, we did wrong and we have to admit that, but that's the hardest part. Once we confess, we are forgiven and a huge burden is lifted off of us as God takes it all away. What a wonderful God we have! What a privilege we have to join with David and the multitudes since his time, praising the Lord for all the blessings He has given us, even the blessing of discipline. “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” - Psalm 34:1-7. David praised God no matter what he was going through and he always encouraged those around him to do the same. When we praise God during church services, at mealtime, and during daily devotions is good and right and fills our hearts with joy, but if we take that even further and do it throughout the day, especially when we have burdens in our heart we will always see joy in the midst of them. Those who live in the world and even some Christian's never understand how a person going through so much pain is always so happy. That is the joy of the Lord. Amen! I will tell you that for the past few weeks I have been writing a commentary for my website on God vs science and I will tell you what, there are so many deceived people out there. The more I learn the more I praise God every day that I know the truth. I will gladly shout off the rooftops that, “I Am A Child Of God! Praise God! Halleluiah! Amen!” It is those constant praises and the power of God that keeps me lifted and full of joy as I see so many corrupted people defending Satan himself. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” - Romans 1:16. Today's Prayer: Dear Lord, There are so many opportunities for praising You and rejoicing in You. Your mercies are renewed daily and Your provision is experienced in our lives each moment of every day. Though we cannot predict the future we can predict Your faithfulness because You are a God that does not change. Every promise You’ve made is true as we have seen in the Biblical records. This gives us reason to trust You for the dawning of a new year where we will once again experience Your guiding presence in our daily lives. In Jesus' Name.............Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week. God Bless, Christina Need More Inspiration? Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/30/2009 7:40:12 PM

Don't Feel Like It

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Monday June 29, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Psalm, please read chapters 23-30 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023-30&version=9 Today's Message: Don't Feel Like It Physical and mental pain can ruin any joy that we have, but giving praise to the Lord, even when we don't feel like it brings powerful deliverance and wonderful blessings. David, who grew up a shepherd boy, now king, saw himself nothing more than sheep being led, he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to to write the most famous Psalm in the Bible. "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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." - Psalm 23. No other livestock requires more attention than sheep. Left alone, they can easily become separated from the flock and get lost, who are also the most defenseless and helpless animals that God has created. By nature we are all like sheep, as long as we have the Good Shepherd watching over us we are safe and can not fall into danger. "Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep..........I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." - John 10:7,11. However, if we stop following Him, we easily go astray, get lost and head straight for the wolf in sheep's clothing, whom is none other than Satan himself. After David's recovery from an affliction which had very nearly proven fatal, he wrote this Psalm. "I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." - Psalm 30:1-5. David began to praise God for healing him and encouraged all to praise Him and thank Him for His grace. Distress of the body is common and sooner or later comes to almost everyone. This distress was the instrument that God used to urge David to write this Psalm, glorifying our wonderful God. David knew that God was the source of his recovery, he prayed wholeheartedly and wholehearted prayer always leads to praise and glory, despite what looks hopeless. We overcome the fears of affliction when we recognize that it is not chance but God that lifted us up. Whatever else God in mercy, grace, and wisdom may have in mind for His children who experience afflictions, there is one thing very clear, the Lord is near those who are suffering. We can not question why we are faced with bodily pain and suffering, it's not anything that we have done or a punishment from God, as we learned from the book of Job. Instead of wallowing in sorrow for our suffering to end we need to praise God, the only thing wallowing will do it make things worse. "But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;" - II Corinthians 1:9,10. It is we who convince ourselves that there is no hope, but if we put our trust in god and praise Him during every bit of affliction we face, we can always be sure that God will deliver us our of our pain. Praise God! Today's Prayer: Dear God, There may be readers who are suffering today, but we know that You alone are the source for healing those fragile bodies. Lord, touch them and give them comfort today knowing that You are near and will heal them when the time is right. Lord, we too struggle at times with suffering, whether it is physical or even mental, help us to rid ourselves of habits and attitudes that bring a complaining, ungrateful or begrudging spirit. Renew us with a persistent spirit of joyful praise, contentment, and gratitude for as long as we live. We can rejoice in your goodness toward us and in Your steadfast love that never ceases. In Jesus' Name.........Amen. Have a wonderful day/night and week. God Bless, Christina P.S. Please forgive me for being behind on posting the daily messages, I myself have been suffering physically, but I am rejoicing because God has delivered me from my suffering. Praise God! All should be back to normal as of today. Thank you for being such faithful readers, I may not even know you by name, but know that I am praying for each and every one of my readers. If you have just found me, welcome and know that I am praying for you too. God bless each and every one of you. Missed A Lesson? Please Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/29/2009 9:06:29 PM

God's Grace

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Thursday June 25, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Job, please read chapters 38-40 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2038-40&version=9 Today's Message: God's Grace When our world turns upside down and everything and everyone seems to be against us, God has promised that He would never leave us. His grace is sufficent enough to help us overcome all the circumstances we face. While Elihu continued his condemnation against Job, a storm was brewing, which halted in his speech. Suddenly the voice of God was heard out of the whirlwind and all his accusations came to an end. “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” - Job 38:1-4. God was saying to Job, “Why are you giving advice without any knowledge of the truth? Brace yourself, be a man, and answer me. Did I not create the earth? Then why are you questioning My wisdom over your own understanding.” Day after day, Job was left to wonder why he experienced all the disasters, but there was not even the slightest word to explain his suffering. Instead, God revealed His greatness, power, and wisdom, through His creation. God asked Job about 80 questions no man can answer, reminding Job of man's limited knowledge and of God's infinite wisdom “Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are?” - Job 38:31-35. The Mighty God, who created the universe, also created us, cares for us, patiently listens to our prayers, and provides us with what is best for us in the light of our eternal destination. Even the wisest astronomer or the most spiritual person can not explain or change one star in the marvelous array of Pleiades, one of the most beautiful clusters of stars visible to the naked eye. Job's only reply was, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.” - Job 40:4-5). Job realized how unqualified he was to question why the Lord would allow him to experience such pitiful humiliation and intense suffering. When we consider the greatness of God's wisdom, we recognize how unfit we are to understand God's ways. We all need to see how unqualified we are to question His wisdom. Nothing is unforeseen and no one is overlooked or left out by our Creator. He imparts inner strength and sustains us by His indwelling Holy Spirit who guides us and reminds us that God's grace will help us overcome all of our circumstances. “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” - II Corinthians 12:9. Today's Psalm: 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Today's Prayer: Dear God, It's amazing to know that You tenderly care for all our needs. Even though we may not always understand what is going on, Your grace is beyond measure and more than sufficient for our daily needs. When we are weary and discouraged You restore our soul and renew our hope, in this life, and most especially through life’s circumstances. Thank You for Your anointing and outpouring of blessings that overflow in our lives. For all that we have we give You thanks! In Jesus' Name.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your week, the weekend is almost here, Praise God. God bless, Christina Missed A Lesson? Visit I'm Following Jesus! Http://www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/25/2009 8:25:48 PM

Just Keep praying

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today Tuesday June 23, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read chapters 30-33 in your Bible, or Click Here to read them. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2030-33&version=9 Today's Message: Just Keep Praying When circumstances arise we as Christian's are told to keep praying and God will answer our prayers, but sometimes it seems as though we pray and pray and pray and God is not listening. God is in fact listening, it's when we stop that He backs off, but if we just keep praying He will answer, one way or another. There is no other person in biblical history, other than Jesus Christ, that suffered so much physical and emotional pain and public humiliation as Job did. There seemed to be no end to the cruelty of the people who made his suffering even more painful and miserable. “They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me. Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.” - Job 30:10- 12. There seemed to be no end to the anguish which Job suffered, even contempt from those who spit in his face as he cried out in prayer. Godly men and women are often falsely accused, criticized, and condemned as hypocrites. The best saint often receives the worst disgrace from the self serving crowd. What was more discouraging to Job was that he felt as if God was not hearing his prayers. “He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance. For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.” - Job 30:19-24. Job, must have felt as though the whole world was against him and that he was destined to die miserably. During times like these, our faith is often put to the test. We are to walk by faith and not be dependent upon the things that we can not see. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” - Hebrews 1:1. However, that can be a challenge at times. In order to over come our circumstances, we must put our trust in God and the promises of His Word at all times, faith does not originate on it's own, it is a gift from God and we must ask Him to increase our faith every day. One of the most difficult trials for a Christian is praying, especially when circumstances arise, and to continue praying even though there are no signs that God is listening. However, the effectiveness of our prayers can not be judged by immediate results. There are many reasons why God delays in answering prayers, nevertheless He answers them all. There is a poem that I read once, called No, Slow, Go. It relates to how God answers prayers, I do not know the poem by heart, but this will give you an idea of what I am saying. 1. No, at times God says no, this may because what we are asking for may bring harm to us or to others. Or it may be something that He knows will hinder our relationship with Him. 2. Slow, at times God says no for a time because He is preparing us to be able to handle what we are asking for. Or we are desiring the thing we are asking more than God, therefore we need wait a while. 3. Go, this is when God says yes, we are ready to handle things. One thing I would like to point out is that God rarely answers a prayer in the way that we expect, usually it is far better than what we have been asking for. Also, be very careful of what you are asking for, sometimes He just may answer a prayer that you really do not need answered to prove a point. The very fact that our requests are sometimes granted and sometimes denied is proof in itself that we are cared for by a God of love whose ways are governed by His wisdom and always for our own good. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38,39. Today's Psalm: 5:3 “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Today's Prayer: Dear God, I want to praise You, my great Redeemer, for who You are and for Your acts of kindness seen so many times throughout my day. I never cease to praise You because You never cease to work on my behalf. Your mercy and love, Your strength and comfort, Your sustaining power and guiding hand are only a tiny fraction of the many reasons that lead me to praise You. Instead of a murmuring and ungrateful attitude, I want to join with the multitude of believers and sing of my Great Redeemer’s praise to everyone, everywhere, all the time. In Jesus' Name..........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night. God Bless, Christina Need More Inspiration? Visit: I'm Following Jesus! Http://www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/24/2009 9:07:29 PM

Spiritual Defeat

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Sunday June 21, 2009 (Happy Father's Day!) and we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read chapters 21-24 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2021-24&version=9 Today's Message: Spiritual Defeat Spiritual defeat inevitably faces the Christian who lives year after year, never reading through the Bible because they ignorantly believe they have sufficient wisdom without God's Only Written Word. Job's friends mistakenly assumed that all his problems were the result of his secret sins. They assumed that wicked men are miserable and, since Job was exceedingly miserable, he must be very wicked. Job responds to his friends and the question arises: Why do the wicked prosper and go unpunished? “Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.” - Job 21:7-9. We often do not understand why we face disappointments, sufferings, or being misunderstood, but we can believe and trust in God, since He always gives His best to all who desire to do His will. Eliphaz, continued with his blunt, critical, and cruel condemnation of Job, telling him to repent and return to God. “Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect? Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment? Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?...............Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.” - Job 22:3-5,21-23. There are still self-righteous, overbearing, opinionated people like Eliphaz, who are quick to pass judgment on anyone who doesn't believe as they do or who experience difficulties or sickness. Job, confident in his faith declared, “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” - Job 23:8-12. Job believed that, since God was faithful to His Word, He also would be faithful to His obedient servant. Furthermore, he believed that although God seemed nowhere to be found, his faith did not rest in his fears and feelings, but in His Word. The devotion of Job should be an inspiration to all of us who are not as concerned about knowing the "reason" for our suffering as with knowing God and His Word, the only true source of guidance. Some have assumed they were a Christian because they were a member of a church, but they have not experienced the transforming power of God's Word, they may talk like a Christian and yet they do not desire Christ as Lord of their lives. To have a Bible but no desire to know how God would have them live is useless. Until they repent of their sins and accept Christ as both Savior and Lord, the Bible has little value. “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” - Colossians 2:6-8. Today's Psalm: 126:6 “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Today's Prayer: Dear God, We are so thankful that there is nothing in our past or future that can separate us from Your love or daily provision for our lives. You provide the necessary tools to overcome the difficulties we encounter from earliest childhood to present day. Though the enemy seeks to disrupt our lives, pollute our minds and sear our conscience we will not be defeated by evil. Instead we overcome evil with the steadfast goodness You instill in our hearts as we hold dearly to the light of Your Word. We say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passion as we eagerly wait for our great hope in the second coming of Your Son, Jesus, who will unite us with You in heaven. In Jesus' Name..........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and week. God Bless, Christina Visit: I'm Following Jesus! Http://www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/21/2009 8:41:04 PM

Redeemed

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Saturday June 20, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read chapters 17-20 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%2017-20&version=9 Today's Message: Redeemed As Christians we are constantly being misjudged, even by family and friends, however Jesus Christ, Our Redeemer, has faith in us and will always help us endure all the pain and suffering we face. After countless accusations from his friends, Job lost all hope of any recovery, he was ready to join God in heaven saying, “My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?............... Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. …........ But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you. My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.” - Job 17:1-3,7,10,11. Job just wanted all the pain to be over with, including the endless slandering by his friends. There are times in all of our lives when it seems everyone is against us, even God. However, God is in fact with us and all we need to do to get His attention is call on Him. That is where many people fail, it's easy to have a relationship with God while everything is going well, but it becomes harder as things start falling apart. You see, what actually happens is that we get so confident while things are going well that we actually stop seeking God's help. We slowly lose that mentality that we no longer need God (usually without realizing it) and that's when things start to fall. Now, this is not punishment, it is merely God's way of showing us that we need Him every day. Bildad spoke a second time, and this time his words were more severe, making the assumption that his suffering was due to him being a sinful hypocrite, trying to exempt himself. “He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place? Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him..............His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted. Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.” - Job 18:4-6,17-21. Here is a man, who is supposed to be a friend, literally telling Job that he was dying because of his wickedness and that not even his family will remember him. I imagine by now Job was anxiously waiting for God to just take him out of his misery, but these accusations must have left him heartbroken and thinking that he was going to die being misjudged as a sinful hypocrite. He knew that his heart was right with God, but his friends refused to believe that. There is no worse feeling then being accused of things that you know you did not do, especially when your family and friends will not believe you. We can overcome, even the worst of criticism, simply by putting our faith and trust in God. With every lash of condemnation from his friends, came a greater depth to Job's confidence in his life beyond the grave. The only way he was able to bear the unjust reproach of his friends was by living in the expectation of the glorious appearance of his coming King. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.” - Job 19:25-29. This revelation of life after death is one of the greatest told in the Old Testament. God leads us to see, through Job, that we have no valid excuse for complaining about our suffering, material loss, or being misunderstood by others because Our Redeemer will come to take us away from all pain and suffering. According to the Law, a redeemer was the next of kin who was responsible for redeeming (buying back) an enslaved kinsman or his lost inheritance (Leviticus 25:25). Today, Our Redeemer is the Lord, Jesus Christ. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” - Romans 3:23-25. Today, I am going to close with the chorus of an old church hymn, Redeemed. Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, redeemed, His child and forever I am. Today's Prayer: Dear Jesus, I want to fix my eyes, my thoughts, and my affections on You, my blessed Redeemer. Though You faced enormous opposition that would provide understandable excuse for altering Your redemption plan, You endured Calvary’s cross for us. When I consider the depth of Your commitment I am determined to be faithful even when no one else approves of my Christian walk. Jesus, help me to endure by keeping my eyes, not on that which is seen, but on the future rewards that You promise to those who are faithful. In Your Name, Jesus..........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and enjoy the rest of your weekend. God Bless, Christina Visit: I'm Following Jesus! http://www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/21/2009 8:21:00 PM

More to Life

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Friday June 19, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read chapters 13-16 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Job/13,1-16,last/13.html Today's Message: More to Life In the middle of our worst trials, we must not lose sight of the fact that this life is not all there is. For a Christian, we will enjoy an eternity in heaven. Satan stops at nothing to prove to God that He does not have any faithful servants here on earth. However, God knows us better than Satan and in the end he is the one who will suffer more that any of us, and he knows it too, "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." - Revelation 20:10. Satan knows that he will suffer severely an eternity for the pain that he caused God's people. Satan's accusation against Job was that he would give up everything, even his faith in God, to save his earthly life. However, the boldness of Job's faith and faithfulness brought on a new revelation of his relationship with God. It was the turning point in the conflict between God and Satan. Job made it clear to his friends that although he was being afflicted he placed his trust and life in God's hands, whom will justify him. "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified." - Job 13:15-18. Job also made it clear to them that God was his salvation. Today, Jesus is our salvation and we too need to place our trust and life in His hands. He alone can get us through every bit of the pain and suffering that Satan instills in us. Although Job gave up hope of recovering his health, wealth, children, or high esteem among the people, he did not become bitter or resentful toward his accusers or toward God. Instead, he looked forward to being with the Lord after his death. "If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands." - Job 14:14,15. Job was assuring his friends that there will be a time when after death, he had the utmost confidence that he would live again and be changed. When we realize that our lives are in His control, we will put our complete trust is hands knowing that He will fully accomplish His purpose in us. Job, sets an example for all of us to follow, we can not let circumstances control our lives. Many people want to blame God or others for the wrongs in their lives. Instead of making the best of their situation they easily become dissatisfied, bitter, or engulfed in self-pity. Their self-image depends on others' reactions. When others praise them, their self-esteem rises; when they are criticized or their plans fail, they feel defeated. However, Job didn't need praise from people in order to maintain his faith since he retained his confidence in the wisdom and justice of God. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:16-18. All who accept Christ are children of God, therefore we will be glorified through our suffering. Today's Psalm: 50:14,15 "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Today's Prayer: Dear God, Your grace and tender mercies are present in the midst of the suffering that develops in our lives and the lives of those whom we love. Your power working within us takes the bad things that Satan hurls at us and turns them into testimonies of praise and thanksgiving when we seek to glorify You in the midst of all suffering. Only You can help us to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. As we share in Your sufferings, we also share in Your glory. Be glorifed in our lives; in the good, in the bad, and in the mysterious circumstances of our lives. In Jesus' name.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed night/day and weekend. God Bless, Christina Visit: I'm Following Jesus http://www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/19/2009 1:24:24 PM

Comfort From Others

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Wednesday June 17, 2009 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read Chapters 5-8 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Job/5,1-8,last/5.html Today's Message: Comfort From Others As Christian's we are constantly being watched, but often it's not to be observed as an example to follow, but to be caught doing something that would prove us to be hypocrites. We need to be extra careful of how we comfort our fellow believers because Satan is the accuser of the brethren and will try anything to cause friction, especially between Christian's. When Job's friends came to see him the best thing they did for him was to sit still and be silent for a week. In addition to his physical sufferings, his financial loss, the death of his children, and his wife's bitterness toward God, all three of his friends misjudged his integrity and continued to unmercifully attack him day after day. Eliphaz, his eldest friend spoke first. “Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause...........Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.” - Job 5:6-8, 27. Do you see how Eliphaz was trying to get Job to admit that he needed to confess his hidden sin? And on top of that he tried to tell him that he needed to hear this for his own good. I bet you have come across some people like that in your life? And the crazy thing is that we start to second guess ourselves into to thinking that we really did do something wrong. This is nothing, but the work of Satan himself, he will stop at nothing to get us to question whether or not we are living righteously for God. After listening to lengthy accusations, Job replies in a pitiful plea for God to take him out of his misery. “But Job answered and said, Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.............Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!” - Job 6:1-4,8,9. Job was at lost for words, he felt as though God was piercing him with arrows that were drying up his spirit. All he could say was, God destroy me and cut me off. I imagine that it was pretty agonizing to suffer so much and instead of being comforted by his friends he was being accused of being a hypocrite. Yet, through it all, he remained faithful to God. We can not allow circumstances to hinder our relationship with God, of course we may have questions and wonder why we are going through these things, but as long as we remain faithful to Him we will overcome any situation. There was a time in my life when I felt the same way and prayed for God just to take me away from my misery, but instead He strengthened me and now I wake up every morning praising Him for the things He showed me through my pain. Too often, friends like Eliphaz give hasty, harsh rebuke without sensing the intensity of the suffering. They jump to conclusions based on what they observe merely on the outside and rarely try to see beyond the circumstances. They are quick to believe that we must be doing something wrong instead of just being there to comfort us during our time of need. However, we can not let people destroy our faith in the Almighty, we may not always understand God's reason for affliction, but He will not allow us to suffer beyond what is best to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. All suffering is geared at strengthening our spiritual connection with God, it prepares us and grows us into perfect and upright Christian's. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:37-39. Jesus is our strength and as long as we have Him by our side nothing can separate us from God. Today, instead of filling discouraged, look to God and praise Him for what you are going through. The more you praise Him, the more you will receive the better blessings that can only come from a relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today's Psalm: Psalm 34:1 “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Today's Prayer: Dear God, We don’t always know where our present steps will take us on life’s journey, but we do know they lead us to heaven as we walk with You. Our steps here may lead to cold, dark mountains or deep valleys, but ultimately we will rest where the steps of Jesus end at heaven’s throne. There we will no longer have questions about our future, for we know that we will spend eternity forever worshiping You as we give You glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving. Give us peace and joy for our journey here below and heavenward anticipation for our future above. In Jesus' Name, I pray...........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night. God Bless, Christina Missed A Lesson? 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Posted: 6/17/2009 9:02:10 PM

Why We Suffer

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Tuesday June 16, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book of Job, Please read Chapters 1-4 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Job/1,1-4,last/1.html Today's Message: Why We Suffer? As a Christian we are faced with so many challenges, persecution, judgment, and yes, even suffering caused by sin. However, one of the biggest challenges we face is the question of why we suffer when we are doing everything right. The book of Job is the eighteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains forty-two chapters. The author of the book is unknown and it was written to all people who experience suffering for unexplained reasons. The purpose of the book is to explain the question "Why the righteous suffer?". What we are to learn from the book is that there is a spiritual reason behind the suffering of the righteous. Suffering is not necessarily evidence of God's displeasure, but evidence that we are perfect, upright, and abstain from evil. Job, a man who God Himself said was perfect, upright, and abstained from evil, had everything he ever wanted and more, a loving family, wealth, possessions, and fame, but in a matter of minutes everything that meant anything to him was gone. Satan was determined to prove to God that Job would not remain faithful to Him, but little does he know the heart of God's people. One thing that will shock you the most in this book is to find out that Satan can roam where he pleases, even the gates of heaven. He was wandering around, looking for trouble when God showed him Job. "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." - Job 1:6-11. Do you see how Satan was questioning Job's faithfulness. He assumed that, like every self-serving person, Job was faithful only because God would reward him. During his intense suffering and testing, Job's wife even suggested that he walk away from God, and die. She too had suffered loss, but it seems that her greatest loss was her faith in God. No matter what we are going through we can not allow Satan to hinder our relationship with God. He is there to take care of us and help us, not to hurt us. Job realized he was not the owner of all he possessed, not even of his children, but he was merely the Lord's manager of things entrusted to his care. From there, it was just one more step of faith for Job to accept that God, in His infinite wisdom, had the right to reclaim His possessions anytime He chose. Instead of cursing God, Job worshiped Him, "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." - 1:20-22. Behind all the world's evil is Satan in his continuous effort to destroy all that is good. But Satan is under the constant surveillance of God and can do nothing without His permission. He delights in using family, friends, coworkers, and even fellow church members to criticize, belittle, and condemn one another. However, Our God, the Master Planner, is still in full control. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever." - Hebrews 13:8. The book of Job is very special to me, I almost lost my life and if it wasn't for God directing this book to me I would have saw Jesus quicker than I thought. Hopefully as we read through it together you will find peace and understanding as well. Today's Psalm: 1:1 "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful." Today's Prayer: Dear God, Your grace and tender mercies are present in the midst of perplexing situations that develop in our lives and the lives of those whom we love. Your sovereign power working within us takes the bad things that Satan hurls at us and turns them into testimonies of praise and thanksgiving when we seek to glorify You in the midst of suffering. Only You can help us not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. As we share in Your sufferings, we also share in Your glory. In Jesus' Name, I pray..........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night. God Bless You, Christina Missed A Lesson? Visit: I'm Following Jesus http://www.readytofollow.com/ (0) Comments

Posted: 6/17/2009 8:31:48 PM

Justice is Served

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Monday June 15, 2009 and we are completing our studies on the book of Esther. Please read Chapters 8-10 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Esther/8,1-10,last/8.html Today's Message: Justice is Served The world says “I will get even” but the Christian knows that vengeance belongs only to the One True King, The Lord Jesus Christ. He alone will see that justice is served. America is said to be the land of the free, but lately it seems Christians are not apart of the “free”, we are often persecuted, mocked, maimed, and sometimes it seems there is no merit in being a Christian, this is even more true in many other countries. However, no matter what obstacle, trial, or suffering we face nothing can replace the relationship we have with our true King, Jesus Christ. He is with us and will not forsake us, and today we will see proof that Christian's can prevail and make a difference in the world. The wicked Haman appeared to be invincible and his decree to execute all the Jews seemed final. The law had been made and approved by the king of Persia, Ahasuerus, and under the law of the Medes and Persians a decree could not have been altered, even by the king himself. However, all that was about to change after Haman had been executed. “On that day did the king Ahasuerus give the house of Haman the Jews' enemy unto Esther the queen. And Mordecai came before the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman. And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews...........Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.” - Esther 8:1-3,7,8. King Ahasuerus, not only saved the Jews, but gave Esther control of it. What a wonderful change of events, instead of the Jews fearing for their lives they can now rejoice knowing that their lives are not threatened. Before Haman's execution he had his astrologers cast Pur meaning, they had cast stones or other objects as a means of divination to determine the most favorable time for the execution of all the Jews. Haman's "lucky day" fell on the thirteenth day of the last month, Adar. “Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people.…........Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them; But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows. Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year; “- Esther 9:1,2, 24-27. The fixed day of execution, which came to be known as Purim, was turned from death to deliverance by the intervening providence of God. Haman did not realize that Mordecai's God is always in control of the affairs of earth. Esther and Mordecai are testimonies proving that even in a nation dominated by wicked people, God can and will protect all His children. However, He does expect us, like Esther, to respond courageously, in faith, to those who try to threaten, mock, or maim us. We can find peace and enjoy a wonderful life as a Christian, we just have to be willing to stand up to the majority and keep rejoicing that we are the minority, the True Christian's of the world. Praise God!!!! Today's Psalm: 89:14 “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.” Today's Prayer: Dear God, My hope is built on Jesus’ blood and righteousness. It is on this solid Rock that I stand and anchor my soul until the storms of life are passed. You uphold me by Your Spirit giving me faith that smiles when skies are frowning, faith that is purified by my suffering. Firm and fearless, help me to be as I walk the path designed for me. When thorns at times will pierce me, may my faith be unwavering as I hold to You, my King above all Kings. In Jesus' Name, I pray.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day and week. God Bless, Christina Missed A Message? Visit Following Jesus http://www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/15/2009 8:05:12 AM

Ignorant to God's Word

Hello My Friend./Guest, Today is Thursday June 11, 2009 and we are completing our studies on the book of Nehemiah. Please read chapters 11-13 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Nehemiah/11,1-13,last/11.html Today’s Message: Ignorant to God’s Word To resist worldly influence calls for tough decisions to be made in order to remain faithful to God's Word. We must not make the mistake of being ignorant to His Word in order to compromise with the world or obtain the things that we desire. After the walls of Jerusalem were completed, Nehemiah went back home to Babylon, only a few people lived inside the city. Most of the Jews lived in nearby suburbs so they could grow crops, pasture their animals, and make a living more easily. Because of this, there were not enough people living in the city to help maintain security and to protect it. “And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.” - Nehemiah 11:1-2. Do you see how this can be disastrous? The people were more focused on providing for themselves that they were on keeping God’s city growing. It’s very important that we set aside our own needs in order to help God’s community grow. God will always provide us with the things we are in need of and even many of the things we really do not need, but we must be willing to put God first. Upon arriving back in Jerusalem, Nehemiah finds the people once again ignoring the Word of God and returning to sinful practices. He discovered the Levites working in the fields instead of serving in the Temple. The tithes that were designated to support the Levites remained in the people's hands, the House of God was forsaken, and the Sabbath day was desecrated by the majority. Eliashib, the high priest, who had been a co-worker with Nehemiah in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, even went so far as to prepare Tobiah a place to live the courts of the House of God. Eliashib associated with Tobiah, the Ammonite, probably because of a marriage relationship even though Tobiah had been one of the enemies who had tried to stop Nehemiah from completing the walls years earlier. “On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude. And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah: And he had prepared for him a great chamber, where aforetime they laid the meat offerings, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine, and the oil, which was commanded to be given to the Levites, and the singers, and the porters; and the offerings of the priests.” - Nehemiah 13:1-5. Do you see where the people erred? They erred because they did not stay in God’s Word, had they read it daily he would have known the stay away from the Ammonite’s and Moabite’s, this would have saved them a lot of grief from marrying the wrong people. Nehemiah again took a firm stand for the Word of God and would not consent to their compromising attitude toward sin. He would not tolerate dishonoring the Sabbath day or intermarriage of idol worshipers with Israelites. His reforms were resisted by an influential group of Israelites whose children had intermarried with Moabites or Ammonites, but he did not back down. “Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the priests and the Levites, every one in his business; And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.” - Nehemiah 13:29-31. Like Nehemiah we too can make a difference in our world, but in order to do that we must not forget our Creator. All of His instructions or commands are given for a reason and that reason is not to deny us things, but to keep us from living a long, suffering life by making a huge mistake. Too often Christians compromise with the world because they lack knowledge of the Scriptures, they excuse disloyalty to God by saying they don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. But where there is obvious opposition to what is clearly stated in God's Word, we must take a positive stand for Christ. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” - Galatians 5:1 Today’s Psalm:119:161 “Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.” Today’s Prayer: Dear God, We give thanks to You that we can walk in victory because of Your Son Jesus Christ. Once we were held captive by sin and its enslavement, but we have been set free through the redemptive work of Jesus and His glorious resurrection. Each day brings new challenges, but we overcome them through the blood of the Lamb. Help us to stand firm in our faith and immovable in Your truths, as we daily serve You. We are encouraged to know that nothing we do for You is in vain though we may not see immediate results. Keep us obedient and trusting. In Jesus’ Name………Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night. God Bless, Christina Visit Following Jesus www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/13/2009 7:58:28 AM

Brand New Heart

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Wednesday June 10, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Nehemiah. Please read chapters 9-10 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Nehemiah/9,1-10,last/9.html Today's Prayer: Brand New Heart God can bring a miraculous change about when one gets sick and tired of living in sin and repents. God is willing and able to give us a brand new heart as long as we allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide. The Holy Spirit is essential to have in our lives if we ever want to know the true meaning of God's Word and how to live according to them. Later in the message I will explain how we receive the Holy Spirit for those who may not know. The Feast of Tabernacles lasted from the 15th day through the 21st day of Tishri (the seventh month of the Jewish religious year, September/October). On the 24th day of Tishri the Israelites gathered, while fasting, to read the Book of Law (God's Word). "Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God." (Nehemiah 9:1-3). Do you see how the Israelites separated themselves from strangers? It is very important that All Christians separate themselves from the world, and that includes worldly Christians. If we are to hear God's Word and apply it to our lives then we must be willing to give up a friendship with someone whom the devil, unknowingly, uses to get us away from living a godly life. If they are a true friend they will not reject God. Upon reading the book of Law, the Israelites confessed their sins and worshiped God. Then the Levites told them to stand up for God and praise Him above all things they are blessed with. "Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee." (9:5-6). As you read this passage you will see that the Levites acknowledged that God is the creator of all things. We are to always thank and praise God of the fact that He is the creator of all things and that He uses everything to instruct and guide us in the way that we should be. The Levites, while reminding the Israelites of the blessings that were given to their ancestors as they wandered in the wilderness, revealed to them how God provided a way for them to be instructed and guided. "Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them, and withheldest not thy manna from their mouth, and gavest them water for their thirst." (Nehemiah 9:20). This good spirit was of course the Holy Spirit and we too are guided by Him. How do we know that we are guided by Him? All who accept Jesus as their Savior receive the Holy Spirit inside of them and are guided by Him. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38). Everything that we encounter, whether it be to serve God, to be corrected by Him, or to be instructed by Him comes from the Holy Spirit. The Israelites then made an oath to restore all tithes and sacrifices that the Law had earlier ordained. Though they were living in poverty they agreed do whatever God asked them to do for to serve in the Temple. The whole assembly, in unison with their governor, repeated with one mind, one heart, and one mouth. "And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding; They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;..........For the children of Israel and the children of Levi shall bring the offering of the corn, of the new wine, and the oil, unto the chambers, where are the vessels of the sanctuary, and the priests that minister, and the porters, and the singers: and we will not forsake the house of our God." (Nehemiah 10:28-29, 39). "Entered into a curse", means that the people vowed to be connected to the Temple as one, meaning that together they were one body of God and if they were to separate from the Temple they would be cursed (live in affliction). We as Christians are One Body in Christ, therefore we too are to be one body of the Church. The second we separate from the body we are cursed, think about times when you have been away from God for a time, life seemed to be emptier and more oppressed, well imagine that if you did not have God at all. It's time for all who have been slipping and have fallen from God to repent and return to Him. It does not matter what happened in the past, He loves you and accepts you. You are still saved by the blood of Christ and are a child of God. Seek the Holy Spirit, He is right there inside of you, all you have to do is awaken Him by asking Him to stir a new spirit within you, He will give you a new heart and a new purpose. Today's Psalm: 9:1 "I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works." Today's Prayer: Dear God, When we gave you our heart, we made the willful choice to no longer conform to the trends and philosophies of this world. Instead we ask You to daily renew our minds so that we see this world and its philosophies through the eyes of Christ. We are put to the test daily in deciding what is truth and what is error. May Your Holy Word be our reference point and Your Spirit be our Guide as we are exposed to countless philosophies based on human understanding and the basic principles of this world rather than Your eternal foundational truths. Sharpen our discernment and grant us courage so that we readily know truth from error and are fearless in saying so. In Jesus' Name............Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night. God Bless, Christina Visit: Following Jesus www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/13/2009 7:40:03 AM

Cover to Cover

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Tuesday June 9, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Nehemiah. Please read chapters 7-8 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Nehemiah/7,1-8,last/7.html Today's Message: Cover to Cover From cover to cover the Bible has everything we need to live a long, prosperous, joyful life, but we must be willing to learn all of it to enjoy all of these blessings. God's Word is given to us in order to give us instructions on how we can live the best life possible, it teaches us about love, honor, discipline, and even how to obtain our desires. The key is to read and learn all of God's Word, not part of it. After the walls of Jerusalem were complete all of the Israelites gathered together to hear Ezra read the Book of Law. Thousands of Jews assembled in Jerusalem day after day from sunrise until noon to hear Ezra and the Levites read and explain the Book of the Law. This resulted in a renewal of the Covenant relationship of the Israelites with God and the restoration of scriptural worship. "And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the priest brought the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law." (Nehemiah 8:1-3). Do you see how the people were eager to hear God's Word? It's not enough to read His Word, we must want to hear it. Otherwise we will never understand the true meaning of what He wants us to know. God speaks to us through His Word and, as we read it, our various acts of disobedience, whether by ignorance, omission or commission, are brought to mind. This will lead to our conviction, confession, and cleansing. We will then become not only hearers of the Word, but doers as well. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:" (James 1:22-23). After Ezra and the other Levites explained the Scriptures, a marvelous revival took place. The people, overwhelmed by what they were taught, wept as they realized that they had forsaken God's commands. "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (8:8-10). Ezra told the people that they no longer needed to mourn or cry over their sins because God had forgiven them. They were to rejoice as God had forgiven them and given them the strength to live for Him. We too need to be reminded that once we confess our sins we are forgiven and no longer need to mourn or cry over them. Rejoice! You are forgiven and are cleansed from all of your sins! A growing number of Christian's are relying on others to tell them about God's Word or even worse, reading books that claim to be the Bible, yet have taken out or even added to God's Word, which God's warns deeply against. "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Revelation 22:18-19). You say you do not understand the Bible and that is why you do not read it? Well, there are one of two reasons why you can not understand it. 1. You are not saved. In order to understand God's Word you must have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." (I Corinthians 2:12). The only way to receive the Holy Spirit is by accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior. "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38). 2. You are not reading with your heart. It's not enough to read the Bible, you have to want to read it. I can understand that there might be some gruesome events recorded in the Bible, but unless you read all of it you will never know how those things came to play. Think about life today, we face all types of issues, including war, famine, poverty, and even homosexuality. The Bible is no different than what we deal with on a daily bases, except it takes place centuries ago. Take the time to read the Bible daily, read it cover to cover and do not stop after that. God designed the book so that you are about to learn something new every time you re-read a verse. Take you time, you do not have to rush, God is with you and will help you understand. Of course, it's perfectly fine to meet with others for Bible study or read messages like these to help you understand as well, but never underestimate the power of reading God's Word for yourself. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night. God Bless you, Christina Visit: Following Jesus www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/10/2009 11:35:52 AM

A Dedicated Christian

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Sunday June 7, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Nehemiah. Please read chapters 4-6 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Nehemiah/4,1-6,last/4.html For those of you who are regular readers of these messages, I want to note a bit of a change in how I write them. The Holy Spirit is leading me to be a little more interactive with the verses so please bare with me for a few days as I adjust to this new format myself. Today's Message: A Dedicated Christian Do not expect a lot of people to be happy that you are a dedicated Christian, but the opposition and testing will make your faith more precious than gold. You can be sure once you set out to do something for God the devil will try numerous times to discourage, distract, or disqualify you from fulfilling His will. There are examples all through the Bible proving this fact, even Jesus Himself was constantly subject to the devil's opposition. We'll discuss that a little later in the message, but right now let's take a look at the opposition Nehemiah faced as he was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was determined to rebuild the walls, yet there were many determined to get him to stop. "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall." (Nehemiah 4:1-3). Do you see how Sanballat's anger caused him to gossip and speak badly about the Israelites? And to make matters worse he got others involved. The devil was trying to get Nehemiah and the Israelites to feel inadequate, as if they were not qualified enough to do God's work. You will rarely see a bitter person stay to themselves, they will always get other bitter people to join in with them. That's why it is very important that we stay faithful to God and His Word, this often happens to Christians as well. He will teach us to recognize gossip and give us the strength to ignore it and keep moving forward. Nehemiah counteracted Sanballat's attempt to stop them, "And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work." (4:14-15). Nehemiah encouraged the Israelites to keep going by reassuring them that God was with them and would protect them and their families as well. From that day forward they continued on with faith knowing that God was with them. "And God had brought their counsel to nought", means that God showed the Israelite's that the enemies mockery and opinions were meaningless to them. We will always be subject to unwanted, sometimes critical advice, even from other Christians, but always remember that their mockery and opinions are meaningless as well. What is important is completing God's Work, of course, we are going to make mistakes along the way, but that's how we learn and grow. God knows our hearts and He will guide us and show us exactly how He wants things done regardless of how many enemies we face. Do you think that the opposition stopped there? Of course not. Sanballat again attempted to stop their work, this time by trying to convince Nehemiah to meet with him. After Sanballat made five attempts to meet with Nehemiah, he then accused him of rebelling against the king of Persia. When this failed, he hired a prophet to foretell Nehemiah's death. However, none of his attempts were successful and the wall was completed in fifty two days. "So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God." (Nehemiah 6:15-16). Do you see how the enemy knew perfectly well that God was the one who made the rebuilding of the wall complete? All they could do was hang their heads in shame knowing that they were defeated by the Almighty God who was in complete control the whole time. As I said earlier, Jesus Himself faced opposition from the devil. He tried to tempt Jesus several times, but failed because Jesus held true to His faith in God's Word. "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:1-4). We will constantly face temptation, which is a form of opposition, if the devil can distract us and get us to focus on the things we desire from our flesh then he has defeated us. However, if we keep our focus on God and His Word than nothing can stop us from being defeated. Incedently, we are not the ones at battle, God is, and when we realize that He is the One who allows the opposition, we need not panic. It's not us that the enemy opposes, it's God and we just happen to be the fuel that adds to their hatred. However, God gives us the strength to overcome the enemy and that strength comes from our Lord Jesus Christ. His spirit indwells in us and allows us to continue and conquer the battle until victory is won. Today's Prayer: Dear God, We give thanks to You that we can walk in victory because of Your Son Jesus Christ. Once we were held captive by sin and its enslavement, but we have been set free through the redemptive work of Jesus and His glorious resurrection. Each day brings new battles, but we overcome them through the blood of the Lamb. Help us to stand firm in our faith and Your truths, as we daily serve You. We are encouraged to know that nothing we do for You is in vain though we may not see immediate results. Keep us obedient and trusting. In Jesus' Name.......Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed week. God Bless, Christina Visit My New Website: Following Jesus www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/9/2009 8:55:41 AM

Path of Resistance

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Saturday June 6, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book of Nehemiah. Please read chapters 1-3 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Nehemiah/1,1-3,last/1.html Today's Message: Path of Resistance God's path is rarely the path of least resistance, but God gives us the wisdom and strength to keep going forward to victory as long as we seek Him in every area of our lives. The book of Nehemiah is the sixteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains thirteen chapters. The author of the book is Nehemiah and it was originally written to the Israelites. The purpose of the book was to continue showing the history of Israel and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. What we are to learn from the book is that there is not opportunity without opposition and that faith without works is dead. When Nehemiah's relative Hanani arrived in Persia from Jerusalem, he told Nehemiah of the pitiful conditions that existed there. "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire." (Nehemiah 1:1-3). Over a period of about four months, Nehemiah fasted and prayed, "And it came to pass, when I heard These words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned." (1:4-6). King Artaxerxes saw Nehemiah's grief and asked why he was so sad. Nehemiah then explained to the king that he grieved over the ruins of Jerusalem. The king graciously responded by appointing him governor over Judah and commissioning him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The king even provided some of the materials. " And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time. Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah; And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me." (Nehemiah 2:6-8). God answers every prayer request that we send up to Him, but He rarely answers it in a way that we expect, often we get more that we ever hoped for. Soon after the king sent Nehemiah to Jerusalem he faced opposition from Sanballat and his crowd of followers. "But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem." (2:19-20). Of course, the closer we draw near to God the more opposition we face from the devil. He will send many people and objects in our path to try and stop us from being so faithful to God. There are three basic characteristics that contributed to Nehemiah's success. First, he has a desire to do the will of God. God's will led him to leave a life of luxury in the kings palace to endure the hardships of Jerusalem in order to restore the City of God. It is very important that our first desire be to do the will of God, no matter where that might take us. Enduring the hardships allows us to not only draw even closer to God it also blesses us even more that er expect. Second, he not only prayed, he fasted and confessed their sins as well. He recognized that obedience to the Word of God is essential to answered prayer. Never under estimate the power of fasting and prayer. Jesus himself said that some requests can only be answered by fasting and prayer. "And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:20-21). Third, he never gave up and was determined to get the people to join him in rebuilding the walls. He refused to become discouraged and give up on accomplishing God's will, regardless of any opposition he faced. Accomplishing the will of God is dependent upon remembering that He is Sovereign over all the affairs of our lives. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrews 13:5-6) Today's Prayer: Dear God, May we desire to do Your will, to hide Your Word deep in our hearts so that we will not walk in the ways of sin but instead the paths of righteousness. Help us to seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness above all so that we will do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with You, our Lord and God. In Jesus' Name...........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night . God Bless, Christina Visit: Following Jesus www.readytofollow.com (0) Comments

Posted: 6/8/2009 8:39:11 AM

Source of Strength

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Thursday June 4, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Ezra. Please read chapters 6-8 in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Ezra/6,1-8,last/6.html Today's Message: Source of Strength God's Word is the source of strength by which His children cannot be defeated. His work can only be sustained and strengthened through obedience to His Word, which is the foundation of our Christian lives. After the foundation was complete the Israelites began building their own houses, it did not take long before their focus became more on the houses rather than the Temple, which caused them to cease from completing it. Prophets Haggai and Zechariah reminded the Israelites that the real reason the Lord's work went unfinished was because their first interest was in building their own homes. These anointed men boldly preached the Word of God and inspired the people to continue rebuilding the Temple. "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them. Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shetharboznai and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter." (Ezra 5:1-5). The building of the Temple had been left unfinished for many years, but once God's Word and authority were recognized they Ezra was born during the Babylonian captivity. He was a descendant of Aaron, Israel's first high priest. The key to Ezra's great effectiveness in accomplishing the will of God is clear, he prepared his heart to seek God. "This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him............For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." (Ezra 7:6,9-10). The key to Ezra's success was threefold, first, he prepared his heart to seek God's Word, second he committed himself to obey His Word, and third, he planned to teach it to others. He also depended upon God in prayer, fasting, and recognized the sovereignty of God and gave Him all the glory. "And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know them not. And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me." (Ezra 7:25-28). Ezra was committed to seeking, doing, and teaching God's Word. This should be a reminder that, if we want God to bless our lives, we too must set our hearts upon the whole counsel of God. God's Word is One power that Satan can never overcome, it is the most powerful weapon anyone can use to defeat the enemy. "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." (Hebrews 4:12-13). The Word of God becomes our inner strength as the Holy Spirit enlightens and guides us as we read it. And, as we accept it by faith, He then enables us to teach it to others. Today's Psalm: 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Today's Prayer: Dear God, As we live in the Light of Your Word the devil’s venomous plots are exposed. We are not caught by surprise, but prepared to be on the offense rather than the defense. As we wear the full armor of Your Word we are protected and can fight against all the devil’s evil tricks. We walk in truth and confidence as we stand strong against the powers of this world’s darkness and the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. We pray for the power of the Holy Spirit, continuously asking for Your discernment strength, and guidance as we face any obstacles in our way that try and stop us from following Your Will. In Jesus' Name.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed night/day. God Bless, Christina Visit A Spiritual Guide www.aspiritualguide.net (0) Comments

Posted: 6/7/2009 6:58:02 AM

Willing to Sacrifice

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Wednesday June 3, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of Ezra, please read chapters 3-5 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Ezra/3,1-5,999/3.html Today's Message: Willing to Sacrifice Too often we put our wants and desires ahead of God's will for our lives, but those who are willing to sacrifice their time for God will always receive His blessings. Zerubbabel and the returning Jews left the luxuries of Persia for the hardships of Jerusalem. What once had been the glorious promised land was now a heap of rubble. However, they pressed on and began rebuilding the Temple. Many needs for existence such as food and shelter for their families and animals claimed their attention, but personal necessities were set aside until they had first rebuilt the altar of God and reestablished worship to the One True God. "And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening." (Ezra 3:1-3). The decision to serve God does not guarantee that one will live a life with out any problems. Satan will use everything in his power to convince us that we cannot finish the task we have set out to accomplish. However, we have the Power of the Almighty God with us and He will always give us the strength to endure every obstacle we face. As the builders completed the foundation of the Temple the priests and the Levites began rejoicing and all the people around them began praising and giving thanks to God as well. Some of the elders were weeping after the foundation was laid. "And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off." (3:10-13). It is unsure why the elders were weeping, perhaps they were weeping with joy over seeing the altar complete or they realized their past sins and how they contributed to the destruction of the Temple. It is a good thing for us to sorrow over our past sins, which have brought the judgment of God upon us, but after repenting and forsaking them we are to forget about them. We should not continue to grieve over past losses that blur opportunities for the present and the future, but thank Him for His mercy and grace. We need to daily move on with our lives and join the Israelites as they praised and gave thanks to God. When our hearts desire to be obedient to God and His Word, the Holy Spirit will teach us to abandon our dependence on ourselves and material things and rely on God to provide for us. Now, this does not mean that all we are to do is sit there and pray and read and everything will be handed to us. Yes, is a great thing to do, but we must be willing to do whatever God calls us to do. If we just sit there we will never fulfill His purpose for our lives. Sacrificial giving, devoted work, and faithful attendance in church are outward manifestations of a restored relationship with God. Every single thing we do for God brings us closer to Him, we may be called to do some pretty boring things, but they are not boring to God. He is actually testing us to see if we are worthy of handling more important things. If we are unwilling to do the small stuff what would keep us from walking away from the big stuff? "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:31-33) Today's Psalm: 23:3 "He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Today's Prayer: Dear God, Your grace is beyond measure and more than sufficient for our daily needs. When we are weary and discouraged You restore our soul and renew our hope, in this life, and most especially through the eternal perspective of life's circumstances. Thank You for Your anointing and outpouring of blessings that overflow in our lives. Thank You for the work that You call us to do, it's comforting to know that we are so important to You that You call us to do even the smallest of tasks. In Jesus' name........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night. God Bless, Christina Visit A Spiritual Guide www.aspiritualguide.net P.S. I apologize for getting this out a day late, I was doing other work for God. (0) Comments

Posted: 6/4/2009 9:39:01 PM

Waiting on God's Promises

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today us Tuesday June 2, 2009 and we are beginning our studies on the book of Ezra. Please read chapters 1-2 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.allonlinebible.com/Ezra/1,1-2,last/1.html Today's Message: Waiting on God's Promises God's promises always come to pass exactly as He says. He knows when and how to meet our needs, our task is to wait on the Lord. The book of Ezra is the fifteenth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains ten chapters. The author of the book is Ezra the prophet and it was originally written to the Israelites. The purpose of the book was to record the Israelites return from exile, after Jerusalem had been destroyed, to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. What we are to learn from the book is the basic principles of repentance, returning to God and restoring our relationship with Him. Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, the Israelites were forced to live in captivity in Babylon for seventy years, due to their sins. "And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations." (Jeremiah 25:11-12). About 200 years before the time of Ezra, Isaiah prophesied that Babylon would be overthrown by a man named Cyrus and that he would rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.................I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts." (Issiah 44:28,45:13). These prophecies reassured the Israelites that, following the judgment foretold by Jeremiah, God would restore them once again to the promised land. King Cyrus, of Persia made a proclamation throughout all of Persia to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. " (Ezra 1:1-3). There are times when God will call us to do things that may be a little bit uncomfortable to us, but He is always with us guiding us to do exactly what He needs us to do, when the time is right. Most of the new generation of Judah had never been in Jerusalem so the only reason they would even leave Babylon would be to rebuild the Temple in the old, ruined city of Jerusalem, which was about 900 miles away. There were only a few willing to endure the long four month journey on foot, but they knew that they were going back to the place where they could restore true worship of God. "Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;" (Ezra 1:5-7). Unlike their ancestors, who traveled from Egypt to the promised land, there was no pillar of fire by night or a cloud by day to guide them and no manna fell from the heaven, but there is not one complaint recorded about their journey. God promises to give us everything that we need and even the things that we desire, but He never said that we could receive them instantly. Some times we do get an answer quickly, but more often He is preparing us and growing us to fulfill a purpose and when all things come to pass we will receive what we sensibly desire. When we recognize that God controls everything that affects our lives, we can truly enjoy His peace, while fulfilling His purpose, regardless of the circumstances, for God works all things together for good to all who love Him. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28). Today's Prayer: Dear God, Though I am called to go through many hardships, there isn’t one that I face alone. For in my weakness You are made strong, in my folly You are the God of infinite wisdom, and in my fear I take hold of the hope You offer to me which is firm and secure. You will not abandon the work of Your hands but fulfill Your purpose for me as You strengthen, sustain, and instruct me during times of testing. I do not want to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. In Jesus' Name..........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed day/night. God Bless, Christina Visit A Spiritual Guide www.aspiritualguide.net (0) Comments

Posted: 6/3/2009 8:04:26 AM

Long Suffering

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is June 1, 2009 and we are completing our studies on the book of II Chronicles. Please read chapters 32-36 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.allonlinebible.com/2%20Chronicles/32,1-36,last/32.html Today's Message: Long Suffering We can rejoice that God is long suffering and patient with us, but it is a sin to assume we can take advantage of His graciousness by continued disobedience. Josiah began to reign at the age of eight. He reigned on David's throne for thirty-one years. Josiah's religious leadership ranked him with David, Jehoshaphat, and Hezekiah as an outstanding godly ruler, for he took a firm stand against idol worship and other evils that had saturated his kingdom. "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images." (II Chronicles 34:1-3). Josiah was the last king to restore Temple worship to the One True God before the destruction of the southern kingdom and Jerusalem. Josiah's leadership abruptly ended when he attempted to stop Pharaoh Necho's plans to attack the Assyrians. He was fatally wounded at Megiddo, but he fulfilled the will of God who spared him from the tragedies that were to soon come upon Jerusalem and the Temple. The last four kings of Judah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah, were all evil, and led the nation in a descending course to its disastrous end morally, politically, and spiritually. During his reign of 11 years, Zedekiah, the youngest son of Josiah, rebelled against Babylon's domination because he thought he had the support of Egypt. "And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD. And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel." (II Chronicles 36:10-13). There are going to be numerous times in our lives when we try to reach the lost, only to get the door slammed in our faces, or even worse, but no matter what happens we can not stop. It's nothing personal, it's them, they are lost and do not know what they are doing, many are even living in sin and afraid to seek God for forgiveness. All we can do is pray, press forward, and move on just as Jermiah did. Nebuchadnezzar's soldiers eventually broke through the north wall and mercilessly butchered both young and old. This time there was no room for repentance, the Lord left the Israelites to their ruin, some escaped, but most were carried off as slaves to become exiles in a foreign land. "And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia: To fulfil the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept sabbath, to fulfil threescore and ten years." (36:19-21). Long suffering means to have patience when enduring pain or sorrow. What this means to us is that God instills patience on those who are enduring pain or sorrow. "But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left," (II Corinthians 6:4-7). God also is long suffering toward us as he waits patiently for us to seek Him for forgiveness and repentance of our sins. The long-suffering of God can be seen here in that He sent the Israelites messengers, prophets, and priests to teach and warn them to repent and turn from their wicked ways. God has compassion on all His people, but He will not be mocked. He will not allow a person to continue to live in sin knowing perfectly well that all he has to do is call on Him for forgiveness. It's as if a person says I am going to murder this person because God will forgive me for it. We can not say that we want to live for God and not do anything to change the way we live our lives. God will not stand for it. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7). Long suffering also teaches us that God will not allow the devil to tempt us beyond what we can not handle or get out of. Many temptations face every one of us, but the Word of God provides guidance so that we might find a way out of it. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (I Corinthians 10:13). Today's Psalm: 86:15 "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth." Today's Prayer: Dear God, We’re so thankful that when our earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from You, an eternal house in heaven. May we be consoled in knowing the greater the suffering here on earth the greater the glory awaits us in heaven. We make it our life long goal to remain strangers in this world as we maintain friendship with You. We press forward that goal to win the prize for which You have called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. In Your appointed hour our bodies will be transformed so that they will be like Your glorious body. We eagerly await that transformation day when anticipation becomes reality for all of Your children. In Jesus' Name.......Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed night/day and week. God Bless, Christina Visit A Spiritual Guide www.aspiritualguide.net (0) Comments

Posted: 6/2/2009 6:26:15 AM

Never Give Up

Hello My Friend/Guest, Today is Sunday May 31, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of II Chronicles. Please read chapters 28-31 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. http://www.allonlinebible.com/2%20Chronicles/28,1-31,999/28.html Today's Message: Never Give Up The devil will stop at nothing to get us to give up on ever seeking victory over our struggles, but we have the one and only powerful God in our corner and He will lead indeed lead all who seek Him to victory. After the death of wicked King Ahaz, his godly son Hezekiah became king and assumed leadership of a nation where idol worship was both popular and prevalent. "Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done." (II Chronicles 29:1-2). Hezekiah indeed inherited a mess to clean up from his father. He had placed the kingdom of Judah in subjection to Assyria, which was fast becoming the world's most powerful kingdom. Its seemingly invincible armies had seized control of both Syria and the northern kingdom of Israel. In addition, Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had jurisdiction over 46 walled cities inside the kingdom of Judah. Hezekiah could have given up all hope of getting his kingdom back in order, but instead of being bitter or angry he chose to do something about it. Hezekiah knew that if he just sat there nothing would change so he put his faith in God and did what he knew was right, in the midst of a nation full of sin, he began cleaning up the city, starting with the house of the Lord. "He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street, And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place." (29:3-5). I am sure Hezekiah felt a little overwhelmed at times and maybe was a little frightened too, but he knew that God was with him and regardless of the circumstances he never gave up hope that his kingdom would turn away from sin and back on God. God is with us too, in fact we have something even better than what Hezekiah had, we have Jesus. We no longer have to kill a bunch of animals to be cleansed from sin. Jesus took the place of all of them when He shed His own blood to cleanse us from our sins. Hezekiah was successful, he observed the Passover, reopened the Temple, and restored worship of the true God. "Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD." (II Chronicles 31:1-2). As with Hezekiah, who inherited serious problems because his father was evil, we too may be the victim of other people's sins, but Christians need not fear the future or the unfortunate circumstances of the past. The Apostle Paul said "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14). We do not need to be concerned about any sins that we inherited or other situations we can not control. Dwelling in the past does nothing for us except make us bitter, angry, depressed, and hateful not only toward others, but ourselves as well. We need to press forward with our faith in God knowing that He will bring all things to pass and help us reach our goals. Today's Psalm: 86:13 "For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell." Today's Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for sending Your son, Jesus to cleanse me from all my sins. Thank You, Jesus for dying on the cross for me. You willingly became the sacrificial Lamb whose death freed me from the heavy shackles of sin, degradation, and eternal damnation. My response to Your act of mercy and grace toward me is that I place my faith in You and recognize that Your love, so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. Lord, give me the strength that I know only comes from You to overcome each and everyone of my struggles. I will press onward and forward knowing that You will bring all things to pass and lead me to victory. In Your great name, Jesus.........Amen. Have a wonderful and blessed Lords day/night. God bless you, Christina Visit A Spiritual Guide www.aspiritualguide.net (0) Comments

Posted: 6/1/2009 9:04:17 PM