King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Good And Bad Fruit
Date: Tuesday April 24, 2012
Today's Chapters: 2 Kings 20-21

Hello My Friend,

The last few days or so I keep playing over what Jesus said about corrupt fruit being born corrupt and good fruit being born good (see Luke 6) and there is no changing them. While those who have truthfully accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and allow Him to be Lord of their lives are capable of doing bad things, they can only go so far and it's usually because they were exposed to someone who was corrupt in the first place. While those who are corrupt are capable to doing good, it is usually because they are up to no go in the first place. While we may not always be able to distinguish good fruit from bad Jesus can and they will pay for causing His people to sin.

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” - Matthew 25:31-34,41.

Everyone of us will be a leader or a follower, when we are leaders we have the task of setting the example for our followers. If the leader is corrupt the follower will fall into corruption and pass it onto others, likewise, if the leader is good the follower will do good and pass it onto others. Shortly after their victory over Assyria, Hezekiah became very ill and was on the verge of death, the prophet Isaiah came to meet with him and told him to be prepared to die. Hezekiah was not ready to die, so he turned to God in prayer.

“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.” - 2 Kings 20:1-3,5,6.

Hezekiah does not speak to God as if He needed to be reminded of the things that he had done, but he asks Him to remember that he was a faithful servant and lead the people away from sin. Hezekiah humbly, cried before God and because of that prayer God decided to add fifteen more years to his life. Those who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior get more than 15 years, they get eternity, not because of any good that they have done, but for God's sake. He defends and delivers all who believe in His Son out of the hands of Satan. “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” - Galatians 1:4.

After Hezekiah died, his son Manasseh reigned and he did more evil than any other king in the four hundred and fifty years that Israel had kings, he even did worse than the heathen nations that were cast out of Canaan, in which he built groves and worshiped heathen gods inside the House of the Lord.

“And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD said, In Jerusalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.” - 2 Kings 21:2-6.

While God creates every person He does not force Himself upon anyone, we are all free to worship whoever we choose to worship. However, mess with His people or get others to fall into the same corruption and there will be a price to pay. “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. “ - Revelation 21:6-8.

There was a price to pay, God gathered up all the faithful prophets He could find left in Jerusalem and told them the fate of Jerusalem and all Judah. “Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies;” - 2 Kings 21:12-14.

While God in all His wrath allowed the enemy to bring evil upon Israel He did not forsake all of them, He knew there would be a few that would remain faithful wherever they went. God knows the heart of every person He created and whether or not they were born corrupt or good. Those who are born good may be surrounded by those who are corrupt and get lead into a situation they have a hard time getting out of, but God will deliver them out of it as long as they go to Him. WE do not have to suffer, God will heal the wounds, He will mend the cuts and bruises, and He will give us peace and a new meaning to life. Just go to Jesus and He will take care of it. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30.

Today's Psalm: 1:3 - “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

Today's Proverb: 27:18 - “Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.”

Today's Prayer: God, While I do not know the heart of every person I can learn to avoid those who are corrupt as I draw near to You and keep You close by my side. I still struggle with the past and the things I have done and allowed because I did not want to hurt or offend people, but the only person who got truly hurt was me. God, forgive me for holding onto the past, I know You have already forgiven me and even forgot the things I cannot seem to forget. Thank You for that, but I need Your help to move forward, help me find peace, forgiveness, and an end to this battle in my mind and heart. I give it all over to You, give me rest to my soul, mind, and spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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