King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Portraying The Life Of A Christian
Date: Saturday October 08, 2011
Chapters: Matthew 18-20, Proverbs 8, Psalm 113
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-8

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“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. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” - Revelation 3:15-21.

Many people are good at portraying the life of a Christian, perhaps they go to church, give tithes, donate to charities, are the first to volunteer, and some may even speak of Jesus and how amazing He is. Anyone can look like a Christian on the outside, but Jesus knows the truth, He knows who are His. Jesus stands there at the door of every heart, knocking and knocking, but He will never force Himself in, He only comes in the hearts of those who open the door. Those who open the door and allow Him in their lives are changed from the inside out. A true believer of Christ will be tried and purified as gold, not by what they possess, but by whom they possess. They do not blend in with the world and are seen as different, much different than those just portraying to be a Christian. However, they will overcome every trial, every affliction, and every circumstance to sit beside Him in the Kingdom of God.

Choosing to follow the life of Christ is not always easy, many will be offended at your beliefs, I was listening to a man on the radio talk about God, he encouraged people to pray, to talk to God, but what he never did was mention Jesus. Unless we know Jesus God will not hear us, we cannot be afraid to say the name Jesus because we do not want to offend people, we should be the ones offended, but that would not make us Christians, or followers of Christ. Jesus addresses those who are offended as well as those who are the offenders.

“Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” -Matthew 18:7-14..

A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones. God takes care of all His children, that is, the little ones that believe and accept in Christ; for He is not speaking of infants in age, but of those who might be compared to such, as a little child who fears their father, humbles themselves before him, and receives him with a pure heart. We should not be offended by those who do not believe nor by those who condemn us for believing, rather we should continue in our faith, trusting in Jesus to handle it for us. If anything our continued faith will open their hearts to Christ as well. God does not want to see anyone end up in hell, but He will not save anyone unless they open that door. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19,20.

There are many people in the world truly trying to live the Christian life, but the one thing they are lacking is Jesus. The word Christian means, ”Follower of Christ” or “Little Christ”, that means you are to live a Christ lived. God does not want us to sit in a corner and do nothing, He wants us to enjoy life, just have a little morals, and you can live a moral life and still enjoy life. A man came up to Jesus as asked Him how he could have eternal life.

“Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:18-26.

If that man was willing to sell all his possessions he would have been saved, it was not a matter of selling them, it was a matter of what was more important. A person who is rich rarely sees the need for God, therefore, you will not see many receive Christ. However, that does not mean that we can not live a rich life by receiving Christ, when we completely put our faith and trust in God, reminding ourselves that everything we possess comes from God, we live a rich life. We are going to be put through the fire, we are going to be tried and tested of our faith, those who endure receive more than any possession they receive here on earth. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 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 3:11-15.

Often, people try to interfere with those seeking to follow Christ completely, let me tell you, even fellow Christians will do this too, but we cannot let anyone discourage us or get us to live in sin because we do not want to offend anyone. Jesus is always there to help us when we call on Him. Two blind men were calling for Jesus to come to them, people kept trying to shut them up, but Jesus still heard them and went to them. “And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.” - Matthew 20:29-34.

Jesus hears everyone who calls for Him, we can distance ourselves from Him for years living in sin, but He never stops caring for us neither does He forsake us. He simply knocks, waiting for us to repent and return to Him. He loves everyone, He gave His life for everyone, if we are portraying ourselves as Christians, wouldn't it be wise to have the person in it that we are trying to be. “Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:..That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory...For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” - I Thessalonians 2:10,12,19,20.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, You are my witness that I not only believed in Your Son, but received Him as my Savior, I am trusting only in Him to take me to heaven. Until that time comes I want to live the richest life I can live here on earth with You leading the way. Lead me and guide me, show me thy ways, and help me to continue in faith knowing that my best possession is Your Son, Jesus Christ living in me. Let me not be deceived, easily offended, or afraid to tell those I know or come into contact with that Jesus lives in me and I am living my life the way He wants me to live. 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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