King James Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Fear Not Little Flock
For: Saturday December 11, 2010
Chapters: The Books of Titus & Philemon
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-december-11

Details of Today's Chapters:

Hello My Friend/Guest,
The word sober means not intoxicated or drunk, not given to excessive indulgence in drink or any other activity, showing self-control, calm, peaceful, and sane or rational. The Bible says, “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.” - I Thessalonians 5:5-7. Did you ever see someone that was drunk or perhaps you have been drunk before? You stagger around, can not focus, fall into temptations, do not make wise decisions, some people get depressed, some get foolish, some become violent, some get so crazy that it is down right shameful. As Christians we are to be sober at all times, being the examples that those who are drunk or live in the dark can follow.

The books of Titus and Philemon are the seventeenth and eighteenth books of the New Testament, and the fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh books of the Bible. The author of these epistles (letters) is Paul, Titus was written to a man named Titus, a Greek convert and fellow worker with Paul to correct problems within the churches in Crete. What we are to learn from it is that founding a good work is not enough. That work must be established and organized according to the principles of God's Word. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;” - Titus 2:12. Philemon was written to a convert named Philemon who lived in Colosse and it was written to seek help for a runaway slave named Onesimus. What we are to learn from it is that Christian principles must be applied to social relationships as well as personal. “That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” - Philemon 1:6.

Paul stressed the importance for all to be sober, men, women, and children. “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,” - Titus 2:1-7.

Do you know why the majority of people do not follow Christ? They do not see a reason to follow Him when they are doing the exact same things that people in the world do. Think about it. Many Christians live worldlier lives than those who live in the world, in fact, some have down right destroyed the Christian race. You can watch the news almost every day and see something about a pastor or priest that got caught doing something illegal. These are not true Christians and are making the rest of us look bad. Therefore, it is important that we be sober and show a pattern of sobriety, proving that a life truly can be changed and blessed with Christ in it. “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” - I Peter 5:2-4.

While our works do not save us they do help us have a peaceful life here on earth without needless suffering. We are saved by God's good grace, not anything that we ever done for Him, but remaining faithful to God benefits everyone, especially one own self. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” - Titus 3:5-8.

When Paul wrote to Philemon, he was in a Roman prison, however, he knew who really had control of his life, therefore, he identifies himself as a prisoner of Christ. He expressed the same attitude of gratitude. “Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.” - Philemon 1:5-9.

The world believes Christian's to be stiff necked, unhappy people, with no life to them, but they fail to realize that when we live a godly life we do have life and no matter what we face we can rejoice through it all because we know that Christ is with us and will take care of us. Although Paul spent a lot of time in prison among other things he suffered he got through every one of them knowing that Christ was with him. He never knew when his last day on earth would be, but he did know where he was going when he did leave and that was joining Jesus in the Kingdom of God. “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” - Luke 12:29-32. Praise God!

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

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