The Dried Up Christian

Posted by Christina Scovone on Wednesday, August 17, 2011

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Dried Up Christian
Date: Tuesday August 16, 2011
Chapters: Jeremiah 13-14, Proverb 16, Psalm 67
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-august-16
Details of Today's Chapters: An illustration of a linen girdle and bottles filled with wine, and the drought of the land of Israel.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” - Ii Corinthians 5:17-21.

The second a person asks Jesus Christ to save them they become a new person, the heart is not merely set right, but a new heart has been given to them, a heart filled with the blood of Christ. True believers are a workmanship of God Himself created through Jesus Christ as they allow Him to work in and through them. Christ, who knew no sin was sent to suffer all the sins of mankind so that we may be reconciled with God and seen righteous in His eyes. Now, we who are saved are ambassadors for Christ, authorized messengers, sent to show His love to then lost in hopes that they too will become reconciled with God.

When God says something He will do it, when He says that we will receive eternal life through His Son He means it. When He told the Jews that He would always be there for them and protect them if they followed His commands He meant it. Likewise, when He told them that He would let them fall should they forsake Him He meant it. God promised to always provide for all of their needs through their obedience, yet instead of obeying the covenant the majority of the people had forsaken Him to worship idols and false gods. Strangely, God illustrates their backsliding as an old worn out girdle, that he commanded Jeremiah to wear and bury in a far land.

“And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock. So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me. And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there. Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing...This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing...And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.” - Jeremiah 13:3-7,10,14.

Jeremiah did whatever God commanded him to do, even if it did not seem to make sense, but like all things have a meaning and purpose to God so did this, the girdle represents the dried up Christian, the one who accepted Christ, but never did anything beyond that. The dried up Christian is unprofitable and serves no purpose for God and while God will not forsake them He will not have pity on them through their struggles nor stop the destruction of their worldly pursuits unless they repent. God provides us with everything we need and then some if we simply follow His commands, He will give us anything we want as long as we seek Him with all our heart. “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” - Psalm 37:4.

The inhabitants of Judah were the chosen of the chosen people of God, and the kingdom that had access to Him above all other nations. God sent warning after warning for them to change their ways before it was too late, but they refused to listen and now they are suffering because of it. However, there were a few that did not follow after the rest of them and while they did have to endure some suffering God did not break His promise to them. Jeremiah assures the Jews that those who wait upon the Lord will receive His blessings

“O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name's sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee. O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not...We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee. Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us. Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.” - Jeremiah 14:7-9,20-22.

Unfortunately, since we live in a corrupt and wicked world we are going to have to deal with some suffering, but those who wait patiently on the Lord will always prosper. Many times God uses circumstances in our lives to keep us on the right track, to keep us from backsliding. It is so easy to backslide when we lose sight of God through our troubles, but those who put their trust in Him will never suffer too long and will always see the blessings just waiting for them as they get around that hurdle with God's guidance. By the way, since we carry around this flesh with us we are going to mess up sometimes, but there is no need to hide from God, you can't hide from Him, just tell Him you are sorry, He is an amazingly, merciful, forgiving God who just wants us to keep Him in our lives.

“Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him...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 5:11-15,19,20.

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Jesus, help me to remain faithful to You and your calling upon my life. Strengthen and grow my faith as I daily search Your Scriptures and apply their truths to my spiritual walk. As I go through the trials and experiences of my earthly journey would You fix my eyes and my ever-wandering heart upon You. Search me, Lord and if there is any evil in me help me to break free from the bondage of it, repent and use my talents for Your glory. I ask this in Your name Jesus. Amen.