Acts 13-14, Psalm 125
Acts 13:50-51 (NLT)
“Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium.”
In Acts 13:50–51, the Jewish leaders in Pisidian Antioch influenced prominent religious women and the leading men of the city to oppose Paul and Barnabas, who were preaching the Gospel. They stirred up persecution against them and drove them out of the city. Paul and Barnabas followed Jesus' instructions to His disciples about what to do when a town rejected His message. They shook the dust from their feet as a sign that the responsibility for rejecting the Gospel rested with those who refused to receive it after it had been faithfully proclaimed. Paul and Barnabas then went to Iconium, southeast of Antioch.
One Bible commentary I read on these verses noted that followers of Christ should anticipate resistance when sharing the Gospel because opposition can be part of the Christian journey. But believers need to persevere and continue their mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Believers can also learn from how Paul and Barnabas responded to the rejection of their preaching. Both men left the city and shook the dust from their feet, signifying that the responsibility for rejecting the Gospel lay with those who refused to receive it, not with those who had faithfully delivered the message.
What I like about these verses is the message to focus our efforts on people who are receptive and open to hearing the message of Jesus Christ. I don't need to be discouraged by rejection because I am responsible for faithfully sharing Christ's message, not for whether someone accepts it. I was with a group of friends for a few days and prayed for the Holy Spirit to show me who would be receptive to hearing the message of Jesus Christ. None of them seemed receptive, and instead, they openly mocked people who loved Christ. I prayed while listening to this discussion, asking for guidance about whether to speak up and say something, but the guidance I understood from the Holy Spirit was to stay silent and listen. I started to feel bad that I hadn't spoken up, but when I prayed about it afterward, I felt the Holy Spirit reassuring me that my words would not have been welcome. So I prayed for my friends and asked that the Holy Spirit work in their lives so that one day I might have an opportunity to tell them about the Lord.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who guides us as we share the Gospel and teaches us to trust Him even when others reject His message—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Day 284 Bible Readings - Acts 11:9-10 (NLT)
Acts 11-12, Psalm 124
Acts 11:9-10 (NLT)
“But the voice from heaven spoke again: ‘Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.’ This happened three times before the sheet and all it contained was pulled back up to heaven.”
In Acts 11:9–10, Peter described to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem what happened to him before he went to Caesarea. Peter had a vision and saw a sheet coming down from heaven. A voice from heaven urged him to kill and eat the animals that were in the sheet. Peter said no, and then the voice spoke again and told Peter not to call something unclean if God had declared it clean. Peter recounted that this happened three times before the sheet was pulled back up into heaven.
What struck me about these verses is that they are another example of how a believer must have faith and trust in the Lord to do as He asks. Peter had observed Mosaic dietary restrictions his whole life, which marked Israel as separate from other nations. When the voice from heaven commanded Peter to eat the animals, Peter said he had never eaten anything impure or unclean under Jewish law. But Peter eventually followed the Lord's guidance and went to the home of Cornelius, a Gentile. One Bible commentary I read noted that Peter's vision demonstrates for believers the importance of being open to Father-God's guidance, even when it challenges their preconceived notions or traditions.
My own testimony reminds me of what it means to follow the Lord's instructions, even when they challenge everything I thought I knew about how the world worked. When the Holy Spirit guided me to Phoenix, I thought I needed to have a job before I moved here. But the guidance I received from the Holy Spirit was to move without a job and that I would find one within six months of moving. I spent the first year trying to land a job without success. Then, the following year, I received a large bonus and decided to move without a job. And just as I believed the Holy Spirit had guided me, I received a job offer within exactly six months. Everything inside me resisted moving without a job because it didn't make any sense to me. But now, whenever I receive guidance from the Holy Spirit to do something that doesn't make sense to me, I remember this experience, and it helps me trust and follow the Holy Spirit's guidance for my life.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who sent the Holy Spirit to guide us—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Acts 11:9-10 (NLT)
“But the voice from heaven spoke again: ‘Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean.’ This happened three times before the sheet and all it contained was pulled back up to heaven.”
In Acts 11:9–10, Peter described to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem what happened to him before he went to Caesarea. Peter had a vision and saw a sheet coming down from heaven. A voice from heaven urged him to kill and eat the animals that were in the sheet. Peter said no, and then the voice spoke again and told Peter not to call something unclean if God had declared it clean. Peter recounted that this happened three times before the sheet was pulled back up into heaven.
What struck me about these verses is that they are another example of how a believer must have faith and trust in the Lord to do as He asks. Peter had observed Mosaic dietary restrictions his whole life, which marked Israel as separate from other nations. When the voice from heaven commanded Peter to eat the animals, Peter said he had never eaten anything impure or unclean under Jewish law. But Peter eventually followed the Lord's guidance and went to the home of Cornelius, a Gentile. One Bible commentary I read noted that Peter's vision demonstrates for believers the importance of being open to Father-God's guidance, even when it challenges their preconceived notions or traditions.
My own testimony reminds me of what it means to follow the Lord's instructions, even when they challenge everything I thought I knew about how the world worked. When the Holy Spirit guided me to Phoenix, I thought I needed to have a job before I moved here. But the guidance I received from the Holy Spirit was to move without a job and that I would find one within six months of moving. I spent the first year trying to land a job without success. Then, the following year, I received a large bonus and decided to move without a job. And just as I believed the Holy Spirit had guided me, I received a job offer within exactly six months. Everything inside me resisted moving without a job because it didn't make any sense to me. But now, whenever I receive guidance from the Holy Spirit to do something that doesn't make sense to me, I remember this experience, and it helps me trust and follow the Holy Spirit's guidance for my life.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who sent the Holy Spirit to guide us—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Monday, October 12, 2026
Day 283 Bible Readings - Acts 9:17-18 (NLT)
Acts 9-10, Psalm 123
Acts 9:17-18 (NLT)
“So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.”
In Acts 9:17–18, Ananias obeyed the Lord and went to find Saul of Tarsus, even though Ananias had heard that Saul was persecuting believers in Jesus. Ananias even addressed Saul as “Brother Saul” and told him that the Lord had sent him so Saul could regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias laid his hands on Saul, and Saul regained his sight and was baptized.
What struck me about these verses is how Ananias overcame his fear and hesitation and went to see Saul. Ananias even went out of his way to address Saul as “Brother Saul,” which one Bible commentary said signified acceptance into the Christian community. Ananias trusted Father-God's word even though he knew Saul had persecuted Christians. Another Bible commentary noted that it took great courage for Ananias to overcome his fear and suspicion and go find Saul.
I don't know if I have enough faith and trust in the Lord to go into a risky situation the way Ananias did with Saul. Ananias was told to lay hands on someone he had known as an enemy of Jesus and His followers. I don't know if I have Ananias's graciousness to address an enemy of the Lord as “Brother Saul.” But I pray that the Holy Spirit will increase my faith and trust in Father-God so that if I am ever asked to do something that would naturally make me fearful, I will have the obedience and faith of Ananias. Ananias demonstrates for believers what it means to trust and obey the Lord even in the face of fear.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who calls us to trust and follow Him even when we are afraid—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Acts 9:17-18 (NLT)
“So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.”
In Acts 9:17–18, Ananias obeyed the Lord and went to find Saul of Tarsus, even though Ananias had heard that Saul was persecuting believers in Jesus. Ananias even addressed Saul as “Brother Saul” and told him that the Lord had sent him so Saul could regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias laid his hands on Saul, and Saul regained his sight and was baptized.
What struck me about these verses is how Ananias overcame his fear and hesitation and went to see Saul. Ananias even went out of his way to address Saul as “Brother Saul,” which one Bible commentary said signified acceptance into the Christian community. Ananias trusted Father-God's word even though he knew Saul had persecuted Christians. Another Bible commentary noted that it took great courage for Ananias to overcome his fear and suspicion and go find Saul.
I don't know if I have enough faith and trust in the Lord to go into a risky situation the way Ananias did with Saul. Ananias was told to lay hands on someone he had known as an enemy of Jesus and His followers. I don't know if I have Ananias's graciousness to address an enemy of the Lord as “Brother Saul.” But I pray that the Holy Spirit will increase my faith and trust in Father-God so that if I am ever asked to do something that would naturally make me fearful, I will have the obedience and faith of Ananias. Ananias demonstrates for believers what it means to trust and obey the Lord even in the face of fear.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who calls us to trust and follow Him even when we are afraid—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Day 282 Bible Readings for October 11 - Acts 8:30-31 (NLT)
Acts 7-8, Psalm 122
Acts 8:30-31 (NLT)
“Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.”
In Acts 8:30–31, Philip, one of the seven men appointed to serve the Jerusalem church, encountered an Ethiopian court official who was returning from Jerusalem. After Stephen's death, Philip had gone to Samaria to preach. Later, the Holy Spirit told him to approach the chariot of the Ethiopian official. Philip heard the man reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah and asked whether he understood what he was reading. The man replied that he could not understand unless someone guided him. The Ethiopian court official then invited Philip to sit with him in the chariot.
What I liked about these verses is that they reminded me that I didn't really understand the Scriptures until I joined a Pentecostal, Holy Spirit-filled church. The pastors at my new church explained the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life and how to ask Him for guidance in my life. The pastors wanted to minister as the apostles did when the early church was being formed. My pastors teach about signs and wonders and pray for miraculous healings. I have witnessed what I believe were supernatural healings, including people whose hearing was restored. I've also heard testimonies of debts being mysteriously cleared overnight and of various health conditions being healed, sometimes accompanied by before-and-after medical images.
The preaching I received at this church made me feel like the Ethiopian court official in these verses. I felt like I didn't really understand the Bible until I heard my new pastors explain in depth what it meant to be in a covenant relationship with the Lord. Their preaching has made such a difference in my life and has inspired me to read the Bible daily so I can increase my understanding of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I feel the love of Father-God daily in my life in a way I never felt before, and I praise the Holy Spirit for leading me to a Holy Spirit-filled church.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whom the Scriptures reveal—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
Acts 8:30-31 (NLT)
“Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.”
In Acts 8:30–31, Philip, one of the seven men appointed to serve the Jerusalem church, encountered an Ethiopian court official who was returning from Jerusalem. After Stephen's death, Philip had gone to Samaria to preach. Later, the Holy Spirit told him to approach the chariot of the Ethiopian official. Philip heard the man reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah and asked whether he understood what he was reading. The man replied that he could not understand unless someone guided him. The Ethiopian court official then invited Philip to sit with him in the chariot.
What I liked about these verses is that they reminded me that I didn't really understand the Scriptures until I joined a Pentecostal, Holy Spirit-filled church. The pastors at my new church explained the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life and how to ask Him for guidance in my life. The pastors wanted to minister as the apostles did when the early church was being formed. My pastors teach about signs and wonders and pray for miraculous healings. I have witnessed what I believe were supernatural healings, including people whose hearing was restored. I've also heard testimonies of debts being mysteriously cleared overnight and of various health conditions being healed, sometimes accompanied by before-and-after medical images.
The preaching I received at this church made me feel like the Ethiopian court official in these verses. I felt like I didn't really understand the Bible until I heard my new pastors explain in depth what it meant to be in a covenant relationship with the Lord. Their preaching has made such a difference in my life and has inspired me to read the Bible daily so I can increase my understanding of the Lord, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I feel the love of Father-God daily in my life in a way I never felt before, and I praise the Holy Spirit for leading me to a Holy Spirit-filled church.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whom the Scriptures reveal—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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