King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Get God's Attention
Date: Saturday August 06, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 57-58, Proverb 6, Psalm 57
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-6
Details of Today's Chapters: The abominable idolatry of the Jewish nation, promised made to the humble and contrite, hypocrisy, false and true fasting for God, and keeping the sabbath holy.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” -Luke 18:9-14.

While we as Christians think that everyone that comes to church on a fairly regular basis is saved and living their lives for God, we have no idea what they are really doing. Sadly, I have learned over the years that some saved Christians live a more wicked life than some that never step foot in church. It is no wonder that the world frowns upon the the Christian life, if they are seeing the wicked behavior of someone that is supposed to be a Christian than what is the point of converting into one. Here is the point, the few, faithful, true Christians who do live their lives for Christ actually do make a difference. “If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” - I Corinthians 3:15.

While living right does not determine our salvation, remember, we are saved by grace, it is the living right that God does honor us with as we humble ourselves before Him, never forgetting that we are sinners saved by the grace of God. In fact, the more we live for God the more we realize just how sinful we are and do not deserve God's blessings and that is what gets God's attention. Through Isaiah, God gives us some assurance to those who are saved and living the right way and also gives a warning to those who have been pretending.

“I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee. When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” - Isaiah 57:12-15.

Those who claim to live the Christian life and are not are in constant turmoil, oh, they have their bit of fun to try and mask the guilt and shame, but it is all in vain, wasteful, and unprofitable. You can not accept Christ into your life and continue to live a wicked life, once Christ is in you, conviction never ceases, it can not be masked because God knows everything and let me tell you people see it too. No one has to live in guilt and shame, but sadly, they do and do not know what to do. All they have to do to find peace within themselves is to humble themselves before God and ask for forgiveness, it's that simple. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” - I John 1:8,9.

You have probably heard me mention this before, but if you ever wondered why there were so many different religions out there here is your answer. We all want God's blessings on our lives, everyone does, whether they admit it or not, the problem is not everyone wants to live by every Word of God, if they did that it means they would have to give up some of the things they do. Now, we all sin unintentionally every day, even by trying to live by every Word of God, but there is a big difference between those living by the Word of God and living by what they claim the Word of God to be, hence new religion to justify their intentional sins. Through Isaiah, God exposes those trying to seek His attention and blessings through fasting.

“Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward.” - Isaiah 58:4-8.

Fasting is abstaining from food or particular kinds of food for a period of time in an attempt to get closer to God and see Him answer prayer. Fasting is the most unselfish act a person can do and one that does get God's attention. A fast is a day to afflict the soul, if it does not express true sorrow for sin and does not promote the putting away of sin, it is not a godly fast. A fast is also a day to think less of yourself and more of others, if we are fasting as a means to get others attention it is not a godly fast. “Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.” - Matthew 6:16-18.

Our good works get God's attention only when we serve Him with all our heart, soul, and might and when we get God's attention there is nothing that He will not do for us. “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might...Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers,” - Deuteronomy 6:6,17,18.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
I can not fathom the amazing grace that You gave me and still give me, to take a life that was a complete mess and turn it into one that has meaning and purpose to it is just a miracle that only You can produce. Thank You God, for seeing something in me that is of good use to you, thank you for your grace and mercy and never giving up on me. God, as I humble myself before You, be merciful to me, a sinner, lead me and guide me, help me to never cease from serving You with all my heart, soul, and might. I love You Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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