King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: The Called
Date: Monday November 07, 2011
Chapters: John 17-18
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-november-7

Hello My Friend,

“And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose...What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?.. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:27,28,31-35,38,39.

The word intercession means the act of interceding, meditating, or pleading, it is someone praying in favor of another. Before a person even asks Christ to save them, amazingly, He is already praying for them, literally pleading with God to tender their heart to receive Him. The second a person says I believe and asks Jesus to come into their heart and save them He is with them forever, and nothing, I mean nothing, can separate us from Him. We are God's elect, the called, and even though we cannot escape trials and tribulations Christ is right there with us, not only praying for us, but making a way for them to come to pass even stronger in our faith.

Just before Jesus was taken and would be crucified He was praying to God. “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” - John 17:1-5.

Eternal life is everlasting life, while the flesh cannot last forever, the soul can and does, whether it is in heaven or hell, which is eternal damnation, the soul is forever. Believe in Christ and what He has done for you and you are given eternal life, it's that simple, you do not have to serve God, go to church, or even be good. Eternal life is given freely to all who believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Why? Since we carry around this flesh with us we will always have sin in our lives, that means we will never be sin free or measure up to God's standards, but we can be one of His elect simply by believing in the one who gave His life for all. “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” - Romans 3:20-24.

Jesus says a special prayer for those who are, the called, “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” - John 8-17.

Trials and tribulations are going to come our way because we believe in Christ and follow Him, but Jesus is always with us. He is ours and we are His, since we are His and He is ours, God is ours too, He is the God to all who believe in His Son. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away...He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” - Revelation 21:3,4,17.

Christ, being made a sin-offering for us, to free us from the bonds of sin, submitted Himself to be bound for us. To His bonds we owe our liberty, believing in the Son sets us free, but before He could set us free He had to be captured. After Jesus prayed He came down from the mountain and was captured, submitting Himself solely to the will of God.

“And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none. Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,” -John 18:2-12.

Christ set an example for us to follow, not in becoming a human sacrifice, no one can die themselves to get to God, but in becoming a living sacrifice, meaning humbling ourselves in submission to God's will, even when we are suffering. It is but a cup, a small matter, sufferings are gifts from God, our Father, He does not place suffering in our lives to condemn us, but to correct, strengthen, and get us to depend solely upon Him. From the example of our Savior we should learn how to receive trials and afflictions with joy, knowing that we are His elect, the called, according to His purpose. “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...For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” - I Peter 2:9,10,19-21.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, I want to thank You for sending Your Son to save me, I am trusting fully in Him for eternal life with You. While I endure my cup, help me to submit solely unto You, with all the joy, peace, and comfort that only comes from Christ who is mine. Lord, just as You are the example that I need to follow let me be the example for someone else to follow in hopes that they too can find peace in the Savior. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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