King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Godliness With Contentment
Date: Monday November 14, 2011
Chapters: Acts 14-16
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-14

Hello My Friend,

“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” - I Timothy 6:3-12.

Take a look at all the mega churches out there, they are televised for all the world to see, beautiful buildings, thousands of people attending, music that stirs the soul or rather the flesh, and a person preaching a positive uplifted message, perhaps mentions God here and there with a bit of Scripture added for good measure, they will even freely give a copy of some version of the Bible to all who come to them to repent. What's missing? Jesus. Oh, they might mention Jesus once in a while, but what are they saying about Jesus? Are they telling people that they need Jesus? Are the telling people why they need Jesus? That He is the only way to be saved from hell? Are they making up extra rules to follow in order to keep their salvation? Mega churches have one goal in mind, that is money, they attract people who are lost and looking for some kind of hope, they will lay their hands on them, chant some strange words, and conform themselves into an ungodly lifestyle. They will do whatever it takes to use God's name to make a profit, claiming their that their gain comes from God, even if it means they have to distort the truth. A true church bases it's doctrine solely on Jesus Christ, and the Gospel.

Paul and Barnabas went from town to town preaching the Gospel in Gentile nations, just like the Jews, some believed and some did not. Quite often the unbelieving Jews caused havoc upon the Gentiles, so much havoc that there would be riots. Of course, they would blame Paul and Barnabas for starting it and cast them out. They found themselves in a town called Lystra, where they met a man who was crippled.

“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men...Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.” - Acts 14:8-11,14-18.

Paul stressed that he and Barnabas were of the same flesh, that they were no gods, and instead of worshiping their false gods they needed to be worshiping the Living God, whom was the Creator of all things. Those who live in the world will never be able to understand that all the miracles or what they see as fate, comes from the living God. There is only One Almighty Living God and He does not live in a building, animal, or statue, He lives inside of every saved person, but we are not gods, we are living souls, saved by putting our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Godliness with contentment comes first by realizing that Jesus is the only way to God and to be saved. “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” - I Timothy 2:3-6.

Paul and Barnabas met up with Peter and some of the other apostles, there was some confusion going around as to how salvation was obtained, many of the Jews who were converted added that to be saved a person had to believe in Jesus and be circumcised.

“And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved...But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” -Acts 15:1,5-11.

Now, there are many religions out there that do preach that they need Jesus to be saved, but they add to the doctrine, enforce rules upon them and or the constant need for repentance. The truth is, salvation is by grace alone, you can only be saved once, you salvation cannot be taken away from you no matter how much you sin, and repentance is not seeking forgiveness like people are mislead to believe, it is turning away from sin. Yes, it can lead someone to seek forgiveness for sin, but repentance is turning away from the sin and turning to God. I came from a religion where it taught that you have to work to keep your salvation, that even of you were good there is still a chance that you will be sent to hell. We are all sinners, we have all sinned, we could never do enough good to earn our salvation, that is why you cannot get save yourself by repentance, baptism, or circumcision. You need Jesus and Jesus alone to save you from hell. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” -Titus 3:5-7.

When God set up the law of the Jews it was given to set His people apart from the heathens of the world. God was protecting them, everything that He told them to stay away from and do was for their own protection. While these laws no longer apply to the Christian, God just wants us to live a moral, godly life, so, many of them are still good practice. I had someone comment about something I said, he replied, “You could do that, I thought you were a Christian?” Christians are not perfect, they do not sit in a corner all day praying and reading the Bible, which is probably a good thing sometimes. They do not preach to everyone they see, nor do they throw Scripture around every time they see someone doing something wrong, we do wrong too. Christians let Christ come into their lives, yes, they seek a more conservative lifestyle, not because they are required to, but because they want to. We can find godliness with contentment by seeking the things that are godly, “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:” - Hebrews 12:28.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, thank You for Your grace, it is sufficient enough to save me from hell and from every other trial I face. While I cannot work my way to salvation, I can show You my love and thanks by living a more godly life. As Christ lives in me, lead me and guide me in Your will, and help me to serve You in all that I do with contentment, reverence, and respect for You. I love You Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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