On the Side of Truth: A Nine-Month Devotional

By Kelly Citrowske

On the Side of Truth is a devotional proclaiming the unashamed truth of God and His Word. It provides a weekly challenge to its readers to thoughtfully consider specific teachings and doctrines of Gods Word as well as reflect upon the condition of their own heart regarding their walk with Christ. On the Side of Truth contrasts the many opposites in Scripture and brings to light the amazing truths of God and His ways. It reveals the sinfulness of man in light of Gods holiness, judgment, and redemption. Lastly, this book differentiates true followers of Christ from the false and challenges the reader to completely submit to Jesus Christ as Lord and proclaim His truths to a lost and dying world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 24, 2016
• ISBN: 9781512747676

Kelly Citrowske

Kelly Citrowske is a wife and mother who loves to study the Word of God. She and her family reside in a small, northern, Minnesota town. She is active in her church and has served in various capacities since becoming a Christian years ago. Her greatest desire is to see others come to Salvation in Christ and continue to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. Kelly has facilitated many Bible studies, attended several short-term mission trips around the world, and has been involved with youth and jail ministries. Nothing gives her more joy than to teach others about the Word of God.

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Copyright © 2016 Kelly Citrowske.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4768-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4769-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-4767-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016910346

WestBow Press rev. date: 8/23/2016

Contents

Preface

Part 1: The Spiritual Realm

WEEK 1 Earthly vs. Heavenly

WEEK 2 The Creator vs. the Created

WEEK 3 God vs. Satan

WEEK 4 The First Adam vs. the Last Adam

WEEK 5 The Word of God vs. Worldly Wisdom

WEEK 6 Heaven vs. Hell

Part 2: The Truth Shall Set You Free!

WEEK 7 The Truth of God vs. the Lies of Satan

WEEK 8 Light vs. Darkness

WEEK 9 The Wise vs. the Foolish

WEEK 10 The Righteous vs. the Wicked

WEEK 11 Works vs. Grace

WEEK 12 Belief vs. Unbelief

Part 3: Salvation’s Reward

WEEK 13 Life vs. Death

WEEK 14 Forgiven vs. Unforgiven

WEEK 15 Liberty vs. Bondage

WEEK 16 Joy vs. Sorrow

WEEK 17 Mercy vs. Judgment

WEEK 18 Blessed vs. Cursed

Part 4: Genuine Christianity

WEEK 19 Child of God vs. Child of the Devil

WEEK 20 The Shepherd vs. the Sheep

WEEK 21 The Bloodthirsty vs. the Blameless

WEEK 22 The Bloodthirsty vs. the Blameless

WEEK 23 The True Gospel vs. False Gospels

WEEK 24 True Christianity vs. False Christianity

Part 5: The Christian Life

WEEK 25 Flesh vs. Spirit

WEEK 26 Obedience vs. Rebellion

WEEK 27 Good vs. Evil

WEEK 28 The Proud vs. the Humble

WEEK 29 Worship vs. Idolatry

WEEK 30 Courage vs. Fear

WEEK 31 Love vs. Hate

WEEK 32 Pure vs. Profane

WEEK 33 Giving vs. Greediness

WEEK 34 Worry vs. Prayer

WEEK 35 Self-Control vs. Lust

WEEK 36 Servanthood vs. Self-seeking

Acknowledgements

This devotional may also be used as a Bible study in a small group setting. For further discussion questions and leader notes please see Kelly’s website at http://www.kellycitrowske-truth.com

This devotional may also be used as a Bible study in a small group setting. For further discussion questions and leader notes please see Kelly’s website at http://www.kellycitrowske-truth.com

Preface

Ever since I have become a Christian, I have loved to dig deep into the Word of God. My personal study of God’s Word has included completing many workbook, topical, and word studies. It was, in fact, one of my word studies that led to this devotional being written. It began with a desire to complete a contrasting word study of light versus darkness. The truth that came to light through the verses was so fascinating, I decided to join them together as one compiled work. The result was astounding. I dove into another contrasting word study on the wise versus the foolish and it, too, was amazing. I was so excited about the truths and consistency revealed in Scripture, I shared it with my husband and my closest friends. Everyone loved to read them and they all encouraged me to write more. However, it was my spiritual mentor who led me to Christ, Bobbie Ekman, who inspired me to continue with the contrasting word studies and make a devotional out of them. So began my journey to write my first book, a devotional proclaiming the uncompromising truth of God’s Word.

Now, I must warn you, this devotional is not for the faint of heart. It is the unabashed and unashamed Word of God confronting the sin and lies that so easily ensnare us. It will indeed challenge the reader as it has challenged me as I have written it. Through writing this devotion, God has convicted me of personal sin and revealed misconceptions I have held about His Word and His Truth. It is my prayer that this devotional will do the same for you. I pray it will challenge you to look deep into the Word of God and your heart. I hope it will stir up a deep love for God’s Word as well as challenge your walk with the Lord. I pray a fire will be ignited not only to share with the lost the grave truths of Scripture for those who do not know the Lord, but also to share the wonderful promises of Scripture for those who do. May Jesus bless you richly and give you wisdom through this study of His beautiful truths!

PART 1

The Spiritual Realm

The Spiritual Realm

Very few people believe we simply live and then die. Most people readily admit there is something beyond the visible world. Psychics and ghost hunters claim encounters with a spiritual realm. Rumors of aliens exist on every continent. Most religions speak of the next life and have identified the way to reach that life. People are both fascinated and terrified by what lies beyond this life, causing them to seek out many counterfeits of the truth about the spiritual realm.

Indeed, there is much confusion in the world about the spiritual realm, leaving Christians with a great responsibility to proclaim the truth. As Christians, we need to be prepared to answer tough questions and accusations with the truth of God’s Word. The study of Scripture is necessary in order to identify lies as well as to defend the truth. Christians are the only souls on Earth who know how to escape the fires of hell. If we do not share with the lost the grace that can be found only in Christ Jesus, how then will they know?

We must proclaim the truth to the world that a battle rages between good and evil over the souls of mankind. People must know they have an enemy, Satan, so evil that he seeks to kill and destroy them by any means necessary. On the other hand, people need to know that there is a God who loves them so greatly that He sent His Son to die on the cross for them. The world must know that each and every soul will face God in judgment to be found either forgiven or guilty. They must know those forgiven will spend eternity in heaven while the guilty will spend eternity in hell.

Undeniably, the existence of a spiritual realm carries both grave consequences for lost man, and great responsibility for those who know Jesus as their Lord. Therefore, let us take the next seven weeks to delve into this very important and difficult topic of the spiritual realm.

WEEK 1

Earthly vs. Heavenly

Introduction

All we have ever experienced is of the earth. We know only what Scripture tells us of what heaven will be like, yet a longing for what is heavenly comes naturally to us. Even some self-proclaimed atheists have expressed a desire for something beyond earth when death draws near. Why this longing for something we have never seen? Why this desire for something we know very little about? When considered carefully, we find this longing for heaven actually helps us to know it is in fact real. The desire for something beyond this earth helps us to know something more must exist, for we cannot long for something that is impossible to attain.

Take a moment to ponder this logic. We long to fill our bellies with food because food exists. We long for physical touch and human interaction because other people exist. Imagine how ludicrous it would be to long for something we could not attain. To long for friendship when no other person existed would be senseless. To long for warmth when no warmth could be found would be incomprehensible. We cannot long for the unknown, the impossible, or the unattainable for by definition the unknown cannot be known, the impossible is not possible, and the unattainable cannot be attained. It simply does not make sense. Consequently, the very desire for something demands there be something to fulfill that desire, even if it may be a cheap counterfeit of the real thing.

The same is true for a better world beyond this one. Every religion offers its own better place. This desire is placed within all of us. We all long for something better after this life, a place of peace and refuge from suffering. The longing for the heavenly speaks to our soul that we were made for something more, something beyond this earth. So then, let us explore Scripture to gain a better understanding of how the knowledge of the heavenly should affect our time here on Earth.

Devotion

He that is of the earth is earthly and speaketh of the earth (John 3:31). But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves (Jude 1:10). For many walk that are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who mind earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19). This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish (James 3:15).

Therefore, beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8). Likewise, let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:18-19).

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy (James 3:17). But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). But if we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, we might know the things that are freely given to us of God (1 Corinthians 2:12).

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein time past ye walked according to the course of this world, (Ephesians 2:1-2), be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be (Romans 8:7).

So then, deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12). Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal (Matthew 6:19-20). Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. For if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). Or know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (James 4:4).

Remember, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world (Ephesians 6:12). Indeed, no man that wareth entagleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier (2 Timothy 2:4). And if the world hate you, ye know that it hated Jesus before it hated you. But because ye are not of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:18-19). Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).

But ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). And the Lord shall deliver you from every evil work, and will preserve you unto his heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:18). Remember what Jesus said, In my Father’s house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2). Indeed, our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1).

Memory Verses

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

1 Corinthians 3:18-19

Weekly Challenges

This world that we live in has so much to offer. Pleasure and entertainment can be found around every corner. We live in a society in which people seek to please themselves and make life as burden free as possible. We are bombarded with messages telling us that we deserve time off, a nicer car, or a vacation in paradise. However, is this the lifestyle Christians should be striving for – a life of ease, luxury, and entertainment? Is that what Scripture teaches us? On the contrary, Scripture teaches us that everything this world has to offer is a distraction from what is really happening around us – a battle for people’s souls. The fact is, every day people are dying and going to hell, a place of eternal torment, while Christians are engaging themselves in the affairs of this world. Your challenge this week is to take a hard, honest look at your love for the world. Ask yourself the tough questions: Have you forgotten you are in the middle of a spiritual war? Have you made friends with the world? Have you taken your eyes off heaven? When was the last time you shared the gospel with someone? What is distracting you in this world from what is really important – souls? Spend time reevaluating your priorities and then take immediate steps to change those that need changing.

Jesus told us that the world would hate us because it hated Him and because we are not part of this world. This is not to say that everyone will hate Christians, but rather as Christians we will cause waves, especially when sharing the gospel. The gospel requires people to take a hard look at their sin, something people will often avoid at any cost. Blame is the name of the game. Excuses are given and responsibility is avoided. The last thing people want to admit is that they are deserving of hell. For this reason, the gospel is offensive to them. Yet it is this message Christians are called to preach. Do not be fooled: despite the gospel being a message of love and forgiveness, it calls for people to first acknowledge and then repent of their sin. So, how about you? Have you been hated for the cause of Christ? Do you avoid getting too preachy or serious about sin when sharing the gospel? Or maybe you avoid sharing the gospel altogether, justifying that if people wanted to know they would ask? Pray to God this week for boldness in sharing His gospel with others. Pray for a willingness of spirit to suffer with Christ for Christ.

WEEK 2

The Creator vs. the Created

Introduction

Death surrounds us. We cannot escape it. We are constantly