King James Bible Study Daily Devotional

Message Title: Take A Stand
Date: Saturday June 11, 2011
Chapters: Nehemiah 13
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-june-11
Details of Today's Chapters: Cleansing the Temple, Nehemiah’s second visit to Jerusalem and his further reforms.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.“ - Matthew 21:10-13.

People will do anything to make money, including sell Christ, take a look at your Bible. What version do you have? Every version except for the King James Version is under copyright laws, meaning a person can only copy or quote a certain amount of words from that version and after that they have to pay and or give credit to the author of that version. There truly is only one author of the Holy Bible and that is God, but people all over the world make money trying to sell a version of His Word yet do not know one thing about God let alone His Word. True Bible believing Christians must take a stand for Jesus and not be afraid to speak and live by His truths no matter who tries to get in the way.

After being in Jerusalem for about 12 years Nehemiah said it was time to return home to Babylon, after all the Temple was in order and everyone was serving God faithfully. During his absence, the Jews began neglecting their duties and within a brief period of time, the people, including the spiritual leaders and church workers had lost interest in pleasing the Lord and began focusing once again on the things in the world. When Nehemiah arrived he was stricken with grief, how could such a small town get so out of touch with God so fast. Nehemiah quickly gathered everyone together, reminding them that were to separate themselves from among them.

“On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever; Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. Now it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated from Israel all the mixed multitude... And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. And it grieved me sore: therefore I cast forth all the household stuff of Tobiah out of the chamber. Then I commanded, and they cleansed the chambers: and thither brought I again the vessels of the house of God, with the meat offering and the frankincense.” - Nehemiah 13:1-3,7-9.

Israel was a peculiar people, and knew not to mingle with the heathens, but if they were not God's Word they would not have known who the heathen was. It is important that we as Christian realize we are a peculiar people also and are given the same commands as the Jews were given. Unless we learn who the heathen is we will be in the same predicament. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;” - I Peter 2:9-11.

It may sound strange and unfair for God to command that we separate ourselves from friends and family that are not living their lives for God But, let me tell you, God does it for our own good, there is a good reason why He separates us from them, while good always triumphs evil, evil takes control of God's people quickly if we are not staying in God's Word and heeding to that Word. It is not enough to read it we MUST follow it too. “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” - James 1:21,22.

The Jews kept giving one excuse after another as to why they were not following God's commands, even the priests were making up excuses. Nehemiah put an end to the excuses and demanded that the Levites cleanse themselves and the Temple, reminding them of what he brought them out of.


“In those days saw I in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals. There dwelt men of Tyre also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware, and sold on the sabbath unto the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?.. And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.” - Nehemiah 13:15-17,22.

We all need a true man of God leading us, a true man of God will not let the world intimidate them from telling and living by the truth. Of course, church leaders make mistakes, we are all human, but they are our guides to understanding the things that God wants us to know when we are unsure of it ourselves. Jesus Christ died for the church, if you are saved you are a part of His church. We all need godly men in our lives willing to give us a firm talking to so we can cleanse our Temple that He dwells in. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” - I Corinthians 3:16,17.

Much too often Christians compromise with those who live in the world because they lack knowledge of the Scriptures or do not want to offend people. Where there is obvious opposition to what is clearly stated in God's Word, we must take a positive stand for Christ. While all who call on Christ to save them are forgiven and do not forfeit their entrance into the Kingdom of God, we all have to face Him when He returns. Don't you want to be one of the people that Jesus says, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” - Matthew 25:21 to?

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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