King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: God's Simple Plan
Date: Friday October 07, 2011
Chapters: Matthew 15-17, Proverbs 7, Psalm 112
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-7

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ...That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:..Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” - Ephesians 4:4-7,14,15,29-32.

Contrary to what most religions teach and what the world believes, God is plain and simple. He gives a simple plan to live by, believe in Me, follow Me, and have no other gods before Me. Why do you think He came here in the flesh in the first place? Much more than becoming the sacrifice that would save all who believe in Him, He came here to show the world that you can live a moral, respectable life with God in it, and one that is full and blessed. God is not complicated, man is complicated, man made religion has distorted God's Word so much that no one knows the truth, they change His simple plan, try to justify themselves by eliminating truth, and even go as far as making themselves as equal to God. Even when Jesus came here in the flesh, He thought of Himself as not equal to God, the Father, but like an ordinary man. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” - Philippians 2:5-8.

When Jesus walked the earth in the flesh not a day went by where He was not being tempted, criticized, or put to the test. He is still being tempted, criticized, and put to the test today. Who was putting Him to the test? The religious people, the ones who created God in their own image, made up their own set of rules, and just added a little bit of Scripture to make themselves look good. Sound familiar? Jesus knew what they were up and every time He had some advice to give those who were trying to follow God's simple plan and those who were complicating it.

“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch...Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.” - Matthew 15:7-14,17-20.

Christ shows that the defilement they ought to fear was not from what entered their mouths as food, but from what came out of their mouths, which showed the wickedness of their hearts. It is the heart that is desperately wicked, for there is no sin in word or deed, which was not first in the heart. Where a weak head doubts concerning any word of Christ, an upright heart and a willing mind seek Him for instruction and truth. A froward heart and an unwilling mind seek their own instruction, regardless if it is truth. The amazing thing is that He will not force anyone to believe in Him, He gives everyone a choice, if they choose to believe the lies, He is okay with that. He rather a person not believe in Him than say they do and lie about it. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15,16.

During some down time, Jesus sitting with His disciples asked them two questions, first, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Second, “Whom say ye that I am?” “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” - Matthew 16:13-19.


Everyone has their own opinions of who Jesus is, even though they saw Him in the flesh they still came up with their own conclusions. The term “living God” was given to the true God to distinguish Him from idols that are dead or lifeless blocks and stones. God is also the Source of life, temporal, spiritual, and eternal. In this noble confession. Peter expressed the full belief of himself and of his brethren that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. Other people had very different opinions of Him, but the disciples were satisfied, and were not ashamed to confess that they knew truly knew Him to be God. Those who truly believe in Christ are not ashamed to say that they know Him. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” - Romans 10:10-12.

Jesus Christ is sealed of heaven as the beloved Son of God, He was often known as the Son of man throughout the Old Testament, glorious and mighty in His person, possessed of all power in heaven and earth, the Victor over death and the grave, yet to reign in glory. Genuine faith in Him gets God's attention and confirms what we believe. Peter, James, and John got a confirmation that they would have never imagined as they walked up to a mountain with Jesus.

“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” - Matthew 17:5-13.

God spoke to confirm to the disciples that it was their duty to hear Christ rather than any other, to honor Him more than Moses and Elijah, and to strengthen their faith in Him when they should go forth to preach the Gospel after He was shamefully put to death. God's plan is simple, have faith in Him, hear Him, and receive Him. Much more than seeing is believing is believing in the things you cannot see, Jesus said to Thomas as he showed proof to him that He had risen from the dead, “because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” - John 20:29b.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
I want to live a plain and simple life according to Your plan, watch over me, guide me, and keep the truth in me. Help me to learn and grow in Your Word so I can tell whether or not what people are telling me is the truth or lies. In the end, it is You who I follow to the truth, not anyone else. Open my heart to be receptive to You and only You, clear my mind of every doubt and fear and fill it with joy and peace only revealed as I yield myself to You. I love You, Lord and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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