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Today is Tuesday August 17, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Jeremiah, chapters 11-14. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-17

Today's Message: A Strong Christian

Reading through the Book of Jeremiah one can not help, but think that many of the prophecies given are so true today. You will hear so many people try and say that the Bible is outdated and not for today's generation, but they have no clue what they are talking about. You could swear that God is speaking about today in these chapters. The false churches, gods, religions, and prophets are no different than they are today, in fact, today there are even more, but all of them have been predicted. These are all the product of Satan and since he is the master deceiver it is not surprising that many people fall into his deception, it takes a strong Christian to be able to decipher God's truths from Satan's lies, but it can be done.

Most of the Israelites of the Northern Kingdom turned from God and sought the false gods created by people still inhibiting the land. The Southern Kingdom was the center of God and where His Temple was so, you would think that they would have remained faithful to God since He was right there. Yet right under His nose they were doing the same things that the Northern Kingdom was doing. This angered God more because while all the Israelites were His chosen people, the Southern Kingdom were the ones who stood by God the most so, when they began following in the footsteps of the Northern Kingdom God did not take it very well. Speaking with Jeremiah, God reveals His anger toward the Southern Kingdom and that they too will face His judgment. “Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them. Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble. For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.” - Jeremiah 11:11-14. Do you know someone who has bounced from religion to religion? They are in constant search of a god that fits them. Let me tell you something, there is only One God and the Christian life is not, have it your way, it's God's way. If people would just realize that, it would save them a lot of pain and suffering. And you know what? God will give you anything you want just by being faithful to Him.

Okay, so you are faithful to God and it seems the more faithful you are to Him the more you suffer. At the same time you see those who continue to live in sin prosper and seem to have everything going great for them. It can seem that way at times, but it will all catch up to us eventually. Jeremiah asked God these same questions, here is God's response, “Thus saith the LORD against all mine evil neighbours, that touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit; Behold, I will pluck them out of their land, and pluck out the house of Judah from among them. And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, The LORD liveth; as they taught my people to swear by Baal; then shall they be built in the midst of my people. But if they will not obey, I will utterly pluck up and destroy that nation, saith the LORD.” - Jeremiah 12:14-17. God is saying here that He will not forget those who remain faithful to Him. He is going to remove anyone that tries to corrupt His people, including those who seem to be prospering by their wickedness (swear by Baal). Only those who remain faithful (know Christ) will be saved. There is also a prophecy here, when Jesus returns all of God's people of all nations will return to Jerusalem to their promised land. God places the wicked among the good so that they can see that what they need is God, but if they never learn, He will take them away. A strong Christian will, in the midst of suffering, remain faithful to God, knowing that he has a wonderful inheritance awaiting him.

So, how to do you become a strong Christian? First of all you need Jesus, without Him you are wasting your time praying or doing anything for God because He will not hear or see you. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Matthew 7:21-23.

Secondly, you need to be praying, praying keeps our mind on God and increases our faith, the more you pray the more you want to learn about God's will, the ore you want to know God's will, the more you will read the Bible and follow it. It is a win win cycle. No one is perfect, but if you try, and if you care to live your life through His will, there is forgiveness, and a great inheritance awaiting you. Friend, God has promised it to you. As long as you care, and repent in Jesus name, you will not be judged for any sin, and God has said that if I have forgiven you, then it is forgiven, and there is no need to bring it up again.

Perhaps the most important thing in becoming a strong Christian is to remember that you can not get through life alone and you do not have to. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:13. Jesus Christ is our strength, while we all get a little weak in our faith from time to time it is good to know that Jesus is always with us and He is all we need to be a strong Christian so that we can know what Satan is up to and how to stand up to him. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

All Scripture is quoted from the King James Version.
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