5/31 The Church of God
King
James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message
Title:
The
Church of God
Date:
Thursday May 31, 2012
Today's
Chapters:
Esther
8-10
Hello My Friend,
Right now someone has just
bowed their head to the ground and asked Jesus Christ to save them,
from that moment on they have been converted, not into a religion,
but into a church. Not a church that contains four walls, chairs, an
organ, and traditions. It is a church that is unseen to the eyes, but
dwells in every converted soul, that church is none other than the
Church of God. Now, every member of the church of Christ faces some
difficulties in life, being saved doesn't mean our problems will go
away, it means God is there to help us get through them. It is
through our faith and trust in God through the difficulties that He
shows Himself mighty.
“Salute
one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Now
I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences
contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For
they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the
simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad
therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that
which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall
bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you. Amen.”
- Romans 16:16-20.
The
Book of Esther testifies to the secret watch and care that God has
over His people no matter where they are. Amazingly not once is God's
name mentioned, but no other book of the Bible is His presence more
revealed. After Haman was hung by the very gallows he had made for
Mordecai, the king asked Esther what else he could do to make things
right. She asked him to allow the Jews to defend themselves of the
decree that Haman had forged concerning that all Jews be executed.
“Write
ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal
it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the
king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.
Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather
themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to
slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and
province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to
take the spoil of them for a prey, The Jews had light, and gladness,
and joy, and honour. And in every province, and in every city,
whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews
had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people
of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them.”
- Esther 8:8,11,16,17.
Many of the people converted to
Judaism after they realized there was only one God and the Jews had
His favor. When believers trust God and walk in godly fear through
their difficulties the church of God will increase in number and any
attempts of Satan to destroy the church will always increase the
number of true Christians. “Then
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day
there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And
they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every
soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And
they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking
bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of heart, Praising
God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.”
- Acts 2:41-43,46,47.
King
Ahasuerus made Mordecai his next in command and allowed him to write
a new decree to give the Jews freedom and the right to defend
themselves from their enemies. He then granted queen Esther to set
Mordecai over the house of Haman to allow the Jews to use any means
necessary to defend themselves from those out to destroy them.
Seventy-five thousand people who were set out to destroy the Jews
were slain within three days time.
“Then
said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews
which are in Shushan to do to morrow also according unto this day's
decree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon the gallows. And the
king commanded it so to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan;
and they hanged Haman's ten sons. For the Jews that were in Shushan
gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month
Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they
laid not their hand. But the other Jews that were in the king's
provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives,
and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and
five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,”
- Esther 9:13-16.
While
vengeance is God's, He will allow any means for us to protect
ourselves, God does not want to see us get hurt, even when we sin.
God just wants us to put our faith and trust in Him and Him alone, in
all that we do and go through. Being converted is more than just
salvation from hell, it is faith that God can do all He says He can
do. “That
your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of
God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the
wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to
nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden
wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which
none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they
would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye
hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of
man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
- 1 Corinthians 2:5-9.
As Christians we need to stand
together in the Church of God, striving to be the examples that God
wants us to be, it is only by our faith and trust in Him that others
will believe, be converted, and become members of the Church of God.
“For
if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for
which I give thanks? Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
of God. Give
none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the
church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking
mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”
-1 Corinthians 10:30-33.
Today's
Prayer:
God, As I look back on my life I can see all the difficulties that
You have allowed in my life and just how much Your hand played a part
in my enduring them, even when I did not always have faith in You. I
thank You for the cross that I bare and how You bring me to victory
every time I place my faith and trust in You. I am glad to be a
member of Your church and learning to live day by day on Your daily
bread. I love You and pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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In : Daily Devotion
Tags: church of god

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