King
James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning
Scripture One Day At A Time
Date: Tuesday,
November 24, 2015
Chapters: Romans
14-16
Message Title: Strength In Faith

Hello
My Friend,

Christians, children of God. We are children
of God by our faith in Jesus Christ, yet no matter how much we love
and believe God there are times in every Christians life that their
faith may not even be the size of a mustard seed. Life has a way of
draining every bit of faith we have out of us, and that is when we
need not only God, but to get around other likeminded Christians to
help lift us up and see us up. Be careful who you get around, they
may make things worse, also we who are stronger in faith must be
careful how we respond to those in need. “Let
us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather,
that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his
brother's way. Let us therefore follow after the things which make
for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” -
Romans 14:13,19.

“stumblingblock
or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
Stumblingblock, to obstruct in progress; to cause to trip or stop.
Did you know that the things we do can hinder the progress that God
makes with us? Sometimes that hindrance comes from ourselves, but
usually it comes from people we get around. We don't intentionally
walk into those who are obstructing God, but think about those who
are around you. Are they encouraging you, godly, saved themselves? As
Paul winds down his letter to the Romans he encourages the weak in
faith to come for help, but warns against judging those who are weak.


“Him that is weak in the faith
receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For whether we live, we
live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether
we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ
both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the
dead and living. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost
thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the
judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the
Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to
God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that
condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that
doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for
whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” - Romans
14:1,8-12,22,23.

“for whatsoever
is not of faith is sin.” Faith, it is the substance by which
we need to stand if we want God to do anything for us. Faith is more
than just believing, it's knowing that God will do what He says He
will do. Let's face it, our faith in God goes up and down like a
roller coaster, and sometimes those roller coasters are pretty steep.
When our faith is on that downhill slide it's great to have
encouragement by others to lift us back up. If the ones we are
depending on are criticizing and judging everything you do, perhaps
they are the stumblingblock that is keeping you from seeing God's
blessing upon your life. “But without faith
it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently
seek him.” - Hebrews 11:6.

I knew this guy,
actually dated him for a long time, he kept me strung because he knew
my faith in Christ and actually used Him to get to me, claimed he got
saved and baptized, and all that. Now, I am not going to question
whether or not He got saved, it is God he has to face for that, but
what he actually did was hinder me from God blessing me. I struggled
for three years and didn't realize it was him until I took him
completely out of my life. You see, while I thought I was the one
encouraging him, he was actually encouraging me, and I can only
imagine the mess I would be in if I had continued following him.
Thankfully, by the mercy and grace of God, some strange things
happened that not only opened my eyes, it let me be a strength of
faith to someone else, even though I was weak. Paul encourages those
who are stronger in faith to help those who are struggling.

“We
then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and
not to please ourselves. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ
also received us to the glory of God. Now I say that Jesus Christ was
a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the
promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify
God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to
thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. Nevertheless,
brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as
putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of
God,” - Romans 15:1,7-9,15.

“I
have written the more boldly unto you in some sort,” You
ever wonder why God seems to be harder on those who are faithful to
Him? We know better. We are the examples, the promises of God.
Someone asked if I believe in miracles, my response, “Yes, I am a
miracle!” We are all miracles by the mercy and grace of God. If you
knew me before I dedicated my life to Christ, you would have flipped.
We are not perfect, we are all work in progress, we may even be our
own stumblingblock, but we are miracles and God is going to be harder
on us because we know better. If we are lacking faith, walking around
with our heads to the ground, and being a pessimist we can expect
some swats on the behind from God. “Yet if
any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him
glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must
begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall
the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - 1
Peter 4:16,17.

Speaking of a pessimist, which is someone
who believes that the evil or hardships in life outweigh the good.
There is this lady in church, sweet woman, but she always has
something negative to say. My first thought was to stay away from her
when I am feeling blue. Believe it or not, our faith in God is
increased when we get around others who are optimistic and strong in
their faith. There are just some people that God doesn't want us to
get around, especially if we are weak in our faith. As Paul completes
his letter, he thanks a lot of people who helped keep him going, and
warns them to stay away from those who would cause problems.

“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 16:17-20.

“by
good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
My friend, the one who charmed me with his good words, if I had
continued my relationship with him would have caused me not to only
be divided among my family, but God as well. God knew this mans
intentions, that it was evil, but He took that evil and used it for
good. Praise God! You see, lack of faith can actually make us
stronger as we stop to think about all the things God has gotten us
through over the years. We already have the victory, we have Christ,
we can kick that old devil right in his behind as we live by faith
and not our present circumstances. “Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set
before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
- Hebrews 12:1,2.

Today's Prayer:
God, Our faith in You truly does go up and down like a roller
coaster, but deep down You know our hearts. As life's events drag us
down and make us weak in our faith, You always have ways to get us
back up, but sometimes we do things that can hinder You. Lord, lead
us and guide us, give us Your power, Your mercy and grace, increase
our faith and help us see past our circumstances and see Your Son
right there beside us. Help us who are stronger in faith be a
blessing to others, to help encourage them and be the light they need
in their darkness. Keep us always looking to You, the author and
finisher of our faith. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

God
Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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