King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Crown of Righteousness
For: Friday December 10, 2010
Chapters: The Book of II Timothy
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-december-10

Details of Today's Chapters: Be ready to receive affliction for Christ, a soldier of Christ, the foundation of God, a vessel of honor, use God's Word to endure dangerous times ahead, and a crown of righteousness.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
I was watching the news the other day, this boy, or the parents rather, are suing his school for $600,000 because a principle talked to him about God. I do not know if he won, but the principle got fired anyway because he would not apologize to the boy for speaking to him about God. As crazy as that sounds people all over the world are being persecuted for remaining faithful to God without shame. The Bible says, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - I Peter 4:16,17.

The Book of II Timothy is the sixteenth book of the New Testament, the fifty-fifth book of the Bible, and contains four chapters. The author of this epistle (letter) is Paul and it was written to Timothy. This was the second letter written to Timothy, which was written from prison fearing he would soon be executed for holding on to his faith. The purpose of the letter was to challenge Timothy to assume responsibility for the ministry which the apostle was handing over to him while facing persecution. What we are to learn from the book is that each person who receives Christ will suffer affliction, but He gives us the power to endure and be a witness to others. “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” - II Timothy 1:8,9.

The word work means exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something. No amount of exertion or effort can get us to accomplish heaven. There is only one way to heaven and that is by believing in Jesus Christ and asking Him to save you from the death sentence that all are given for sin. It is the gift of God through grace, therefore it can not be obtained by works, only by faith. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 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:” - Romans 3:22-24.

Being saved does not exempt us from being persecuted, in fact, those who stand by their faith in Jesus Christ will face even more persecution. Why? Jesus said, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” - Mark 13:13. Instead of feeling defeated, rejoice knowing that your persecution is not in vain, you have the victory because you are going to heaven, you are going to walk the streets of gold and swim in the crystal river. Paul encourages Timothy not to give up, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” -II Timothy 2:3-7.

God knows what we are going through, He allows it to keep us faithful. You know, when I decided that it was time to give my life over to God I faced all sorts of persecution, but the more I suffered the more I thanked God for getting me away from the people who caused so much trouble in my life in the first place. There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank God for taking me out of the mess I was in. While we may not understand why we are going through the things we go through at the time, God will help us understand when the time is right. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James 1:12.

A crown is defined as the highest or most perfect state of anything and to bring to a successful or triumphant conclusion. God promises a crown to those who stand by Him, the more we do, the more blessed we become. Paul encourages Timothy and all of us that the best way to overcome persecution is by telling the Gospel. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine...But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” -II Timothy 4:2,5-8.

The word righteousness is defined as honor, respect, and virtue. The more we preach the Gospel the more righteous we become. Think about it. If you were constantly telling people about Jesus do you think you would be doing half the things you were doing? I do not think so. Now, imagine how blessed you would be if you told someone you have difficulties with about Jesus? I know the last person you would want to see in heaven is the one that gives you the most problems, but when you are in heaven you will not even remember any of it. God will wipe all the tears away, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” - Revelation 21:4. Praise God!

Be blessed, enjoy the rest of your day/night and have a wonderful weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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