Day 231 Bible Readings – 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (ESV)

Song of Solomon 5-8, 1 Corinthians 13, Psalm 119: 169-176

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 (ESV)

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

I was reading verses 4 through 7 from 1 Corinthians 13, and I was struck by how these verses can apply any relationship a person might have. I know many people use these verses as part of their marriage vows, but using these verses in any relationship will help to keep that relationship strong and long lasting. I love all the friends that I have, but sometimes they do things which irritate me so much that I no longer look forward to seeing them. I have a church friend whom I love very dearly, but she is very insistent on having everything exactly to her liking. I go early to church service and try to save seats for this one friend as well as others. I do not like sitting in the front row including the sides of the first row. Instead, I like to sit in the middle so I can see the pastor and the front center screen. This friend came to service 15 minutes before it started and looked at the seat I saved for her, then proceeded to scold me for not saving her a seat in the front row. I was not happy about her rebuke. The whole time she was speaking to me, the only thought in my head was if you don’t like the seat I saved for you then you should come early and get the seat that you want instead of relying on me to save you a seat. She knows I never save seats in the front row, so my choice of seats was not a surprise to her, but her scolding me was a shock to me. This friend has always been kind to me, and we’ve had some amazing Holy-Spirit filled experiences together. But I’ve had to repeatedly ask the Holy Spirit for guidance on how to forgive her for complaining about the seat I saved for her. I know these verses stood out to me today because Holy Spirit is guiding me to use these verses when I think of my complaining friend. Love isn’t just a feeling or emotion. Paul says love is a deliberate choice to act with kindness and compassion. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I can choose to have love for my church friend and endure all the challenges in our relationship because I value her as a fellow member of the body of Jesus Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, and you want to choose love in all of your relationships because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 230 Bible Readings – Psalm 119: 165-166 (ESV)

Song of Solomon: 1-4, 1 Corinthians 12: 27-31, Psalm 119: 161-168

Psalm 119: 165-166 (ESV)

“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. I hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments.”

In verses 165 to 166 from Psalm 119, King David tells us that his great love for the words and laws of Father-God brought great peace to his life. David emphasizes that it was the type of peace that brought him so much stability in his life, that nothing made him stumble. The peace does not come to those who perfectly keep Father-God’s law, but to those believers who love the words of Father-God. If you love the words of Father-God, it means you have a relationship with him and the Holy Spirit. Having a relationship with the Holy Spirit means you have the guidance to avoid sin and errors in your life. David then tells us if you have great peace which comes from having a relationship with Father-God, you can place your hope in the promise that he will save you. When you have a relationship with Father-God, you love him, and your faith is demonstrated in obeying his words.

I know that since I’ve been reading the Bible every day, I have a deeper relationship with Father-God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. My life is not trouble free, but I have a daily sense of peace that Father-God loves me and is aware of everything that goes on in my life. When I make a decision, I pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit so everything that I do in my life will reflect my love for Father-God. I never want to do what Father-God doesn’t want me to do because I love him so much, and I’m so grateful that I feel his love for me every day. It’s the most amazing feeling to know that Father-God loves you, and I don’t know how anyone wouldn’t want to have this feeling every day in your life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want to have the feeling that you are loved every day by Father-God through your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 229 Bible Readings – Psalm 119: 153-154 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 7-9, 1 Corinthians 12: 1-26, Psalm 119: 153-160

Psalm 119: 153-154 (ESV)

“Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law. Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!”

In verses 153 and 154 from Psalm 119 King David reminds each believer that Father-God is aware our struggles, so we can call on him to deliver us. David is also the example for believers to draw closer to Father-God in times of trouble, and not away from the Lord. David reminds us that we do not have bear our troubles alone because Father-God is always with us, and we can call on him. David also tells us we need to always read Father-God’s words and keep his laws when we are in times of trouble. We can rely on Father-God to intervene for us in times in troubles, and trust in him to be our advocate. We can rely on the words in the Bible to renew us, and for Father-God to redeem us. Lastly, David tells us to remember the promises of Father-God in the Bible, knowing that the Lord will always fulfill his promises to us. I like these verses because David makes it clear that in times of troubles, we need to draw closer to Father-God and not away from him and remember his promises to children.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want to know that you are entitled to the promises of Father-God because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 228 Bible Readings – Psalm 119: 151-152 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 5-6, 1 Corinthians 11, Psalm 119: 145-152

Psalm 119: 151-152 (ESV)

“But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true. Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.”

In verses 151-152 from Psalm 119, King David reminds that Father-God is always near to those who believe in him and who seek him. This verse reminds us that the presence of Father-God in our life can be source of source of comfort to us in a season of trouble since we can be confident that Father-God is always near us. We can also take comfort in knowing that the promises of Father-God are true, and that he will also keep his promises to us. The next verses, David reminds us Father-God’s nature is unchanging and that he is the same today as he was in the past. I can imagine David pondering the promises of Father-God when he was hiding out from King Saul. That he had to have total confidence in Father-God’s promises to him even when he was in several seasons of affliction. Bible scholars tell us that David was on the run from Saul for 7-13 years. When facing challenges, I try to remember David's greater hardships and trust that God, who was faithful to him, will also be faithful to me. And so far, like David, Father-God has always kept his promises to me.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want to have the assurance that the Lord will always be faithful in his promises to you because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 227 Bible Readings for August 16 – 1 Corinthians 10: 31-33 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 2-4, 1 Corinthians 9: 19-27, 1 Corinthians 10, Psalm 119: 137-144

1 Corinthians 10: 31-33 (ESV)

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”

In verses 31 through 33 from 1 Corinthians 10, Paul tells the church of Corinth that everything they do should be to honor Father-God. Paul tells us even ordinary things like eating and drinking can be an opportunity to honor Father-God. The purpose for our actions should be to honor and glorify Father-God. Our way of living needs to be a testimony to our faith in Father-God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Paul then tells us to live in a way that does not cause obstacles for other believers or cause them to stumble in their faith. Our behavior towards other people need to reflect Christ’s love for people. I love that Paul models for us that our lives should always be in service to leading other people to Christ. Even if we aren’t in a paid ministry job, we can always teach people around us about how much Father-God loves them, the gospels of Jesus Christ, and the role the Holy Spirit plays in a person’s life. I love that I can lead other people to know how much Father-God loves them, so they won’t spend their lives the way I did thinking they were unloved by the Lord.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want to have your life to be a ministry to lead others faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 226 Bible Readings – 2 Chronicles 1: 7-10 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 1, 1 Corinthians 9: 1-18, Psalm 119: 129-136

2 Chronicles 1: 7-10 (ESV)

“In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. O Lord God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great?”

I love this story of Father-God asking King Solomon what he wanted in verses 7 through 10 from 2 Chronicles 1. Solomon was already a king, as heir to King David’s kingdom, so he already had wealth. Solomon had the freedom from Father-God to ask for whatever he wanted, and I love that he asked for wisdom and knowledge to govern his people. I believe I had a similar experience myself one early morning recently. I heard a voice whom I assumed was Holy Spirit ask me what I wanted in life and what was most important to me. I remember pondering the question for a minute, and the answer that came surprised me. I told Holy Spirit that I wanted to feel every day that Father-God loved me. I know I gave this answer after I realized that I had spent most of my life feeling unworthy of Father-God’s love because I was a sinner and never good enough. That was what I believed my religion had taught me, which is wrong. The Bible says that Father-God created me and loved me, even when I was a sinner. The Bible says that Father-God sent his son Jesus Christ to die for my sins, so I could be made new and resurrected with him with a new self. When Holy Spirit asked me that question of what I wanted in life, I knew that I wanted hat was promised in the Bible of getting everything back that the devil had stolen. I wanted to spend the rest of my life waking up and knowing that I am loved by Father-God because I am his child. Feeling loved by Father-God was more important to me than money, than security, nice clothes, a nice car, a nice place to live, etc.

If Father-God were to ask you the same question that he asked Solomon, what would your answer be?

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want to experience that you are always loved by Father-God through your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

 Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 225 Bible Readings – Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 (ESV)

Ecclesiastes 10-12, 1 Corinthians 7: 36-40, 1 Corinthians 8, Psalm 119: 121-128

Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 (ESV)

“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

At the of the Book of Ecclesiastes in verses 13 and 14 where Solomon examined the meaning of life through various pursuits, he tells us all these pursuits are meaningless without a relationship with Father-God. Solomon came to understand that it is worth it to obey Father-God, because there will an examination of everything that we’ve done in our life by him. Solomon confirms that there is an eternal God and is a rewarder of those who seek him and follow his laws. If we want to find purpose in our lives, we need to have a relationship with Father-God and find out what his plan is for our life. Father-God created each person to have a unique purpose, and Solomon tells us that true happiness, satisfaction, and contentment will only come when we are living according to design that Father-God has for our lives. Father-God is eternal, and we need to live our lives pleasing him and not seeking temporary gains.

King Solomon was the richest person in the world, having more wealth than any modern-day rich person. Solomon reminds us that these riches didn’t satisfy him or bring him comfort at the end of life. Solomon says that the only true lasting peace of mind comes from knowing that you have a relationship with Father-God and knowing that you spent your life trying to please him and living your life according to his design. Since Father-God will judge everything in our lives when we die, we will not know true peace of mind unless we make sure Father-God has an influence in our daily decisions and actions.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, and you want to have true peace of mind through your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 224 Bible Readings – 1 Corinthians 7: 17 (ESV)

Ecclesiastes 7-9, 1 Corinthians 7: 17-35, Psalm 119: 113-120

1 Corinthians 7: 17 (ESV)

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.”

Verse 17 from 1 Corinthians 7 is great advice from Paul. Father-God has a specific plan for each believer. When you first come to faith in Jesus Christ, you need to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show what is Father-God’s plan for your life. And when you figure what Father-God’s plan is for your life, Paul tells us we need to embrace the calling Father-God gave us. We need to find contentment and be faithful and be a good steward of that calling. We cannot compare our calling to other people’s calling, because we all have unique skills that are needed to fulfill Father-God’s plan for the world. We are a small puzzle piece in his plan and if we don’t play our part, the Lord’s plan and puzzle will be incomplete. I think that contentment with Father-God’s plan for your life can only come when you are in a church that teaches you to believe in all the things that are said in the Bible. I heard a preacher say that you cannot only believe that John 3: 16 (“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”), and think that the rest of what is written in the Bible is false. The Bible teaches that Father-God loves because he made each of us to be unique. The Bible teaches that Father-God has promises for his children, and the gifts that the Lord gave to his children throughout the Bible is available to us. And finally, the Bible teaches us that Father-God is the same is now as he was back then in the Biblical times because he is eternal and unchangeable.

I was raised in a religious home and was an active member of many churches when I grew up. I began to truly believe that Father-God loved me when I attended a full-Gospel church where the preacher affirmed the truth of everything in the Bible. The other churches I grew up with and later participated in, preached that I was a sinner and I had to constantly atone for my sins. I spent most of my life thinking Father-God never loved me because I was a sinner who couldn’t stop sinning. The other churches never emphasized that when we are saved by Jesus Christ, our old self dies, and we become a new creation because Jesus Christ died for our sins. Now I know that Father-God loves me because he created me, and when I was saved and born again all my sins were forgiven because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I am in tears every morning when I wake up and it hits that Father-God loves me because I am his child and he created me. I hope that everyone can experience this sense of assurance of Father-God’s love, particularly for those who, like myself, once believed that Father-God's love was inaccessible due their belief that they were perpetual sinners.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, and you want to feel that Father-God loves you through your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 223 Bible Readings – Ecclesiastes 6: 7-9 (ESV)

Ecclesiastes 4-6, 1 Corinthians 7: 1-16, Psalm 119: 105-112

Ecclesiastes 6: 7-9 (ESV)

“All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.”

I love the wisdom from King Solomon in verses 7 through 9 from Ecclesiastes 6. Solomon tells us we work for food, but we are never satisfied spiritually. Solomon then tells us that human wisdom does not give us an advantage either, because a person who has wisdom is no better off than a person without wisdom. Both will not find satisfaction. Our toil and labor are focused on fulfilling our immediate needs and desires, but we lack true satisfaction because hunger returns. Solomon also tells us if you are poor but you have socials skills and wisdom, such skills will not give you satisfaction either. Human wisdom cannot ultimately satisfy us or give us answers to the deeper questions of life. Solomon then talks about the value of contentment, because our physical desires make us want more which leads us to feel dissatisfied and spiritually empty. We need to be grateful and content with “what we can see in our lives” and not be distracted by what we don’t have. Focusing on our physical desires is like “striving after the wind”, which cannot be caught. We will never be satisfied if we have all our desires fulfilled because only the love of Father-God can truly satisfy us.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want to experience contentment in your life that can come from your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 222 Bible Readings – 1 Corinthians 6: 12 (ESV)

Ecclesiastes 1-3, 1 Corinthians 6, Psalm 119: 97-104

1 Corinthians 6: 12 (ESV)

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.”

Verse 6 from 1 Corinthians 6 stood out to me this morning. Paul was writing to the Christian church in Corinth, and the phrase “all things are lawful for me” was a common saying among the people. Paul tells them there is freedom in believing in Jesus Christ, but it is not a freedom to sin because not all lawful things are helpful your Christian life. Paul tells us to have true freedom as a Christian; we must live a life that honors Father-God. We need to have discernment and choose only those actions that will benefit ourselves and others spiritually. Paul lets us know that the practice of self-control is a fruit of having a relationship with the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit will guide us as to which actions will bring us closer to Father-God and which actions will take us further away from him. Paul also tells us that as believers in Jesus Christ, we must not be dominated by anything in the culture that may enslave us. This verse stood out to me because in today’s culture we are told to not let anything dominate us, which includes our belief in Christ. But this thinking means we are letting culture dominate and tell us what to do, so we trade one dominance for another. I’ve let culture tell me how I should think and behave, and I found no peace. True peace only came to me when I let myself be full of love for Father-God and followed his words in the Bible.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, and you want to experience true peace in your life because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 221 Bible Readings – 1 Chronicles 29: 14 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 28-29, 1 Corinthians 5, Psalm 119: 88-96

1 Chronicles 29: 14 (ESV)

“But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.”

In verse 14 from 1 Chronicles 29, David talks about the sovereignty of Father-God and how everything we possess is from him. David tells us our ability to give is a gift from Father-God, and that we are merely stewards of Father-God’s resources. David tells us that the very act of giving is an act of worship to honor Father-God and reflects his generosity towards his people. David also tells us that we are merely returning to Father-God what he has already provided to us. A Bible study I read on this verse talked about how Christ is the ultimate gift from Father-God which can been seen in the line “and of your own have we given you.” I like this view of giving as a way to honor Father-God and to reflect his generosity towards us. David is telling us we need to be in constant gratitude to Father-God’s provision in our lives, because everything comes from him. Our ability to be generous is a gift from the Lord, and I feel blessed whenever I can generously give to Father-God and to other people.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, and you want to experience the blessings of generosity because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 220 Bible Readings for August 9 – Psalm 119: 87-88 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 26: 20-32, 1 Chronicles 27, 1 Corinthians 4, Psalm 119: 81-88

Psalm 119: 87-88 (ESV)

“They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.”

In verses 87 through 88, King David the psalmist gives us a model for faith. King David who faced threats from many enemies never wavered in his commitment to Father-God and his laws. David teaches us to we always need to trust in Father-God’s words and promised when we are going through a season of troubles and adversities. David then asks Father-God to give him revival and renewal through the revelation of the Lord in his scriptures. I love that David is not seeking revival through external circumstances, but from reading the words of Father-God. David emphasizes that our spiritual vitality is dependent of the grace and mercy of Father-God. So when you feel the need for revival and renewal, David is teaching us that all we need to do read the Bible, and we will receive it because of Father-God’s grace and mercy and not through our own efforts. I love that revival and renewal may only be a Bible reading away, and that it is always available to me if I pray and meditate on the words of Father-God.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want to experience the promise of renewal and revival in your life because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 219 Bible Readings – 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 24-25, 1 Chronicles 26: 1-19, 1 Corinthians 3, Psalm 119: 73-80

1 Corinthians 3 16-17 (ESV)

“Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

In verses 16 and 17 from 1 Corinthians 3, Paul tells us the believers like the church are the temples of Father-God because the Holy Spirit dwells within us. If we are a temple of Father-God, we need to remember to treat our body like a temple and take care of it. We need to be good stewards of our temple-body and keep it healthy and fit. We need to also live a life that reflects that we are a temple of Father-God. Just as we would never defile a church, we need also never defile our own bodies. The world would have us think that we do not carry the spirit of Father-God within us, but Paul tells us that we do. We carry the presence of Father-God and the Holy Spirit wherever we go, so we need to be mindful of our actions towards ourselves and other people. Holy Spirit has guided me to think about eating food as a way to strengthen my body-temple. Whenever I think about something to eat, I ask myself will this food strengthen my body-temple or am I eating this food because it quenches a pleasurable desire for my body? If I eat delicious food every day but it doesn't support my body-temple, am I neglecting proper care of my temple-body and not being a good steward? I now view food differently, treating my body as a temple for Father-God and the Holy Spirit.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want your body to be a dwelling place for Father-God and the Holy Spirit through your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 218 Bible Readings – 1 Corinthians 2: 9-11 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 22-23, 1 Corinthians 2, Psalm 119: 65-72

1 Corinthians 2: 9-11 (ESV)

“But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.”

In verses 9 through 11 from 1 Corinthians 2, Paul tells us about the limitations of human understanding. Father-God’s plans and purposes can only be revealed through the Holy Spirit. We cannot use human wisdom and reasoning to understand the will of Father-God. If we have a relationship with Father-God through our faith in Jesus Christ, we also have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. We need to develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit to understand God’s plans for our life. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal to us the deeper truths in the Bible verses we read. We need to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit to transform our thinking and actions, so they are aligned more with Father-God. Paul tells us the Holy Spirit knows our all of our most intimate thoughts, just as the Holy Spirit knows the thoughts of Father-God. This same Holy Spirit is the conduit, the bridge, to help us not only understand the wisdom and teaching of Jesus Christ in the Bible, but to also give revelation and insight about how to deepen our relationship with Father-God. I’ve only recently developed a relationship with the Holy Spirit, since the former churches I attended did not teach that it was important to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. And now that I have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, I don’t know how anyone can develop a deeper relationship with Father-God without the Holy Spirit. A relationship with the Holy Spirit has transformed my life, allowing me to witness incredible signs and miracles If you don’t already have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, pray to Father-God for guidance on how to develop one. I promise that it will change your life!

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and you want to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit through your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 217 Bible Readings – 1 Corinthians 1: 25 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 19-21, 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31, Psalm 119: 57-64

1 Corinthians 1: 25 (ESV)

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

In verse 25 from 1 Corinthians 1, Paul tells us that the divine wisdom of Father-God doesn’t often make sense to people who only use human understanding and wisdom. Many believed at the time that it was foolish to call Jesus Christ the Messiah when he was crucified, since crucifixion was used by the Romans to humiliate and torture people. From a human perspective, one might conclude that Jesus Christ could not be considered the Messiah or the son of God due to his crucifixion. However, as believers in Christ, we know that the crucifixion was an intentional part of Father-God’s divine plan to provide salvation to humanity. Christ died for us, for our sins, so that we could be saved. As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to trust the wisdom of Father-God even when it contradicts human wisdom and logic. Father-God will use weakness and limitation as part of his divine plan, and not just strength and power. The Bible is full of examples besides Christ of Father-God using people who were considered weak and full of limitations in the eyes of the world, to manifest and achieve his divine plan on earth. If you have faith in Christ, never count yourself out if you think you look weak and limited in the eyes of the world. Father-God has a plan for you because you are his child, and because everyone is part of Father-God’s plan to bring salvation to the world.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, and you want to feel that despite your perceived failings and shortcoming that you have a part to play in the Lord’s divine plan to bring salvation to humanity through your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 216 Bible Readings - Psalm 119: 49-50 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 17 & 18, 1 Corinthians 1: 1-17, Psalm 119: 49-56

Psalm 119: 49-50 (ESV)

“Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.”

In verses 49 and 50 from Psalm 119, the psalmist tells Father-God to remember his promises to his servant because they give him hope. But these verses are also a reminder for believers to remember all the promises that Father-God made to his people in the Bible. Our hope is found in the promises of Father-God and his faithfulness in delivering his promises to his people. If we are bothered by the spirits of doubt and worry in our lives, we need to read and meditate on the promises of Father-God in the Bible. We will find comfort when we read about the faithfulness of Father-God to his people. Our faith will be renewed when we read about how Father-God always delivered his people from their afflictions, and the mercy he showed to his people even when they rejected him. Whenever I feel troubled, I can always find someone in the Bible who is going through a similar issue. I find great comfort and peace in reading about how Father-God dealt with the person and their issue. I know that Father-God is the same way today as he was in the Bible, and that his promises and actions are also available to me.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to have the comfort and peace in your life that comes from having faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 215 Bible Readings – Romans 16: 17-18 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 15 & 16, Romans 16, Psalm 119: 41-48

Romans 16: 17-18 (ESV)

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”

At the end of Romans 16 in verses 17 and 18, Paul tells us be watch out for people who cause division in the unity of your church community. Paul’s warning was especially crucial in the early Christian church when it was first being formed, but this warning also applies to the church community today. As believers in Jesus Christ, we must follow his teachings in all situations and seek harmony and peace among our fellow believers. Paul tells us that we must also be aware if there are people in our church community who do not seem to be committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ. We need to always go back to the Bible for the truth and discernment in anyone’s actions. Not only do we need to have discernment with other people’s actions, but with our own actions. We need to constantly examine our own motives and desires to make sure they align with serving Father-God, and not our own desires or personal ambitions and desires. I see this happening sometimes in my choice of where to sit in church. Do I want to sit in the first few rows where the pastor can see me so I can be recognized by him and called out for blessings? Or do I choose to sit where the Holy Spirit is guiding me to sit, so I can be of service to those around me and serve Father-God’s plan? Sometimes I’ve sat next to someone who said something to me, and it was exactly what I needed to hear from the Lord. I was meant to sit next to this person, so they could deliver Father-God’s message to me. I follow the Holy Spirit's guidance over my own ego because it leads me to where God wants me, making life feel smoother and more peaceful.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to have a smoother and more peaceful life that comes from having faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 214 Bible Readings – Psalm 119: 36-37 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 12: 23-40, 1 Chronicles 13-14, Romans 15: 14-33, Psalm 119: 33-40

Psalm 119: 36-37 (ESV)

“Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”

In Psalm 119, the Psalmist tells us we need to be careful of covetousness and prayed to Father-God to turn his mind towards his testimonies instead. There are many examples of covetousness in the Old Testament, where people have wanted things for their selfish gains. The temptation of materialism, greed, and worldly desire is great, and believers need to make sure they are always aligned with Father-God’s will. The Psalmist also asks the Lord to turn his eyes from looking at things that are worthless. Worthless things can refer to anything that distracts you from Father-God such as idols. Bur worthless can also refer to things that do no good, do not last, or have nothing to do with Jesus. The Psalmist also warns us to be careful of what we allow our eyes to see, since what we see can influence our thoughts and actions. But more importantly, the Psalmist tells us we need to seek Father-God’s help in maintaining our spiritual focus and vitality. I love that these verses are reminders that we need not do anything on our own, and that we can always pray to Father-God for his help.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to have Father-God’s help in whatever you do because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 213 Bible Readings – Romans 15: 5-6 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 11, 1 Chronicles 12: 1-22, Romans 15: 1-13, Psalm 119: 25-32

Romans 15: 5-6 (ESV)

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In verses 5 and 6 from Romans 15, Paul tells us that Father-God is a patience and encouragement. If we feel we are lacking in endurance and need encouragement, we need to look to our source, to our Father-God. Endurance and encouragement come from him, and he can give is to us so we can live in harmony with other people. If we try to do everything on our own, we will fail. We need to recognize that Father-God and the Holy Spirit is always there to help us with anything we want to do in our lives. Paul also tells us that we need to live in harmony with our fellow believers, so we can praise and glorify Fathe-God with one voice. We need to remember that our belief in Jesus Christ is the unifying factor in our lives and will be an example to the rest of the world of the power of transformation that is available through faith in Jesus Christ. But we are never alone in our quest to be in harmony with our fellow believers and with the world. Father-God and the Holy Spirit are always thee to guide us. The Lord is the source of patience and comfort, and if we ask it of him when we need it, he will give it to us because he is a good Father-God. I know sometimes that I feel shame because I have very little patience and that I often need encouragement. But then I remember that Father-God loves me, and he is not ashamed of me, and that he will provide me all the patience and comfort that I need in life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to have a continual source of patience and comfort in your life  because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life

Day 212 Bible Readings – 1 Chronicles 10: 13-14 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 9 & 10, Romans 14, Psalm 119: 17-24

1 Chronicles 10: 13-14 (ESV)

“So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”

If you want to read about what happens when you stop seeking guidance from Father-God, study the story of King Saul in the Old Testament. When he first started out, Saul was humble and had success because he was commissioned by Father-God by the prophet Samul to be the king.  But his reign was marked by his disobedience to the will of Father-God. In verses 13 and 14 from 1 Chronicles 10 we find out that the end of his reign, Saul lost the favor of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance which he knew was forbidden. If we stop seeking the guidance of Father-God, we will begin to disobey him and then justify our actions by seeking affirmation from outside sources. Saul’s disobedience led to his downfall and the Lord stopped protecting him, and he was punished with death. Saul’s failure is significant because as the king, he was responsible for being an example to the people of how to honor and obey the Lord. When we continually seek guidance from Father-God and the Holy Spirit, we will be guided and protected in whatever we do because we are the sons and daughters of Father-God. He will be faithful and bless us because we are his children. When I ignored the Holy Spirit, I felt anxious and made poor decisions. Following the Holy Spirit’s guidance brought me peace and better results, making me feel blessed.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to feel blessed and peace in your life because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 211 Bible Readings for July 31 – Romans 13: 8 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 7 & 8, Romans 13, Psalm 119: 9-16

Romans 13: 8 (ESV)

“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

In verse 8 from Romans 13, Paul says that we need to lead a life free from financial and moral obligations or debt, which could affect our ability to serve Father-God and others. The only debt or obligation Father-God approves of is the obligation to continually love other people. Loving others is a fulfillment of the law and a sign of our obedience to Father-God. Loving others is not just thinking about love, but in active and practical actions. We must always be kind, always forgiving, and always in service to others. Our love for other people shows other people how the power of Father-God’s love has transformed us and is reflected in our everyday actions. When I think about loving other people, judgement comes up for me because I cannot help but think about the actions of other people. But then I remember that it is not for me to judge them because that is not my job. Judgement belongs to the Lord, and not to me. All Father-God has asked me to do is reflect his love for me in my actions to other people. This doesn’t mean that I approve of the wrong actions of other people, because often I don’t. What it does mean is that my actions reflect God’s love for all people, and I treat people with kindness no matter what they’ve done.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse and you want to always show love to others because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 210 Bible Readings – Romans 12: 1-2 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 6, Romans 11: 33-36, Romans 12: 1-21, Psalm 119: 1-8

Romans 12: 1-2 (ESV)

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

In verses 1 and 2 from Romans 12, Paul outlines in two verses the foundation of someone who is a believer in Jesus Christ. Paul tells us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to Father-God, meaning that we need to dedicate our entire being as a living, ongoing act of worship to the Lord. Our lives need to reflect a life of holiness and service to Father-God. We need to remember that as believers in Jesus Christ, we have been set apart from the world and need to live that way. Our thoughts and actions need to be aligned with the will of Father-God. When we live as a sacrifice to Father-God, we need to take the practical steps of resisting sin, serving others, and always making Father-God a priority in our daily decisions. We will be able to resist the pressures and values of the world when we renew our mind by reading and dwelling in the Bible and let the Holy Spirit guide us in our actions. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can test and discern what is the will of Father-God for our life and our role in his plan for the rest of the world. When I do not feel the Holy Spirit within me, I feel fear and chaos in my mind.  But when I feel renewed by the Holy Spirit, I feel a sense of peace in my mind knowing that my life is good, acceptable, and perfect to Father-God.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to feel the peace that comes from being renewed by the Holy Spirit through your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 209 Bible Readings – 1 Chronicles 4: 9-10 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 4 & 5, Romans 11: 11-32, Psalm 118: 17-29

1 Chronicles 4: 9-10 (ESV)

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked.”

In verses 9 and 10 from 1 Chronicles, we read about the famous prayer of Jabez. His name stands out because he is only mentioned once in the Bible, and his story comes in the middle of long passages about the genealogies of King David’s line. All we know about Jabez is that he prayed to the God of Israel, and his prayer was answered. Jabez prayed for four (4) things from the Lord: 1) to be blessed, 2) for his territory to be enlarged, 3) that Father-God’s be with him, and 4) that he be kept from harm that brings him pain. We know that the prayer of Jabez was successful because we find that Father-God granted his requests. Many Biblical scholars have noted that the prayer of Jabez was specific and earnest, and not selfish. Jabez had a desire for Father-God’s favor, and he asked for the Lord to be with him and to protect him. I love the prayer of Jabez because we have another example to show us that Father-God will respond to our prayers if we are sincere and have complete faith and trust that he will answer us. The prayer of Jabez also gives us an example of what a sincere prayer to Father-God looks like, and how much this type of prayer is appreciated by the Lord. When I feel my prayers go unanswered, I read the prayer of Jabez and adapt my own accordingly. Each time I did this, I felt peaceful and believed Father-God heard my prayers. And soon enough, my prayers were always answered.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to feel the peace that comes from knowing your prayers to Father-God will be answered because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 208 Bible Readings – Romans 10: 16-17 (ESV)

1 Chronicles 2: 18-55, 1 Chronicles 3, Romans 10, Romans 11: 1-10, Psalm 118: 1-16

Romans 10: 16-17 (ESV)

“But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

In verses 16 through 17 from Romans 10, Paul tells us not everyone will accept the teachings of Jesus Christ so we must be persistent in sharing our faith. The process of accepting salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is a process, and each one of us has a role in the process of saving someone. The Bible's words, inspired by the Holy Spirit, carry divine power, prompting responses from both the mind and heart. I heard the great evangelist Kenneth Hagin say sometimes you must hear the words of the Lord spoken over and over and over again for it to gain traction in your heart. The words of Father-God are powerful and can transform our lives, but even long-time believers can benefit from hearing the words the Gospel preached because faith is a continuous journey. What Gospel teachings might not make sense at one stage in our life, will make total sense in a different stage in our life. Our faith in Jesus Christ isn’t stagnant. Our faith is a growing and living plant that needs constant nourishment from the living water and food found the words in the Bible. I love that faith is partnership with Father-God, and it’s not just self-generated from within us. Father-God sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in strengthening our faith; he did not leave us alone to keep our faith strong on our own. But we must do our part and take the physical action to hear the word of the Bible preached and meditate on the word of the Lord on our own. I know when I’ve done this myself, my love for the Lord has strengthened so much that I feel surrounded by his love from the time I get up till I’m bed again ready to fall asleep.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to feel the love of the Lord in every waking moment of your life because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 207 Bible Readings – Psalm 117

1 Chronicles 1, 1 Chronicles 2: 1-17, Romans 9: 22-33, Psalm 117

Psalm 117

“Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”

Psalm 117 is the shortest psalm with only two lines, but it is a great psalm for praising the Lord. The psalmist first tells us that we need to praise the Lord, but not just Israel, but all nations and all peoples. Some Biblical scholars have said that the first line is a prophecy because Father-God always intended to not only bless Israel, but all peoples including the Gentiles of all nations. The psalmist then tells us praise God and tell people why he is worthy of praise and worship. We can praise Father-God for his commitment to his people that steadfast and endures forever. Father-God is and will always be faithful and good to his people, now and forever. For believers like us today, this means that all the blessings we read that Father-God bestowed on his people in the Bible are also meant for us because the Lord is the same then in the Bible as he is today. Some churches do not teach that the blessings in the Bible from Father-God are not meant for us today. But this type of teaching doesn’t make sense if we believe the Lord’s love is eternal and unchanging. My pastor says that if we believe that John 3: 16 is true, how can we NOT believe that the rest of the Bible is true. We can’t. If we believe in one Bible verse, we must believe in the veracity of the whole Bible. I cannot pick and choose what to believe in the Bible because I’ve seen for myself the signs, wonders, and miracles that having faith in Jesus Christ has brought to and is continually bringing to my life and to the lives of my fellow believers.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to experience what faith in Jesus Christ can bring to your life, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 206 Bible Readings – Hosea 14: 5-7 (ESV)

Hosea 12-14, Romans 9: 1-21, Psalm 116: 12-19

Hosea 14: 5-7 (ESV)

“I will be like the dew to Israel; he shall blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon; his shoots shall spread out; his beauty shall be like the olive, and his fragrance like Lebanon. They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow; they shall flourish like the grain; they shall blossom like the vine; their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.”

In verses 5 through 7 from Hosea 14, the prophet Hosea said to the people of the Northern Kingdom of Isreal that if they renew their covenant with Father-God they will have his mercy. Father-God always invites his people to return to him after they turn away. Father-God will restore his people and heal them. The Lord will be like a dew and give us moisture, and we will blossom like the lily flower. We will have growth, and our strength will be restored, like a tree. We will flourish, have abundance, and safety. No matter what we’ve done in our life, if we repent and ask Father-God for his forgiveness, we can have a restored relationship with the Lord and the promise of his blessings, protection, and guidance. There is no greater example than Paul (Saul from Tarsus) of Father-God’s forgiveness, mercy, and blessings. Paul was transformed from someone who persecuted the early believers of Jesus Christ like Thomas the first martyr, to the greatest evangelist for Christ who spread his teachings to the gentiles and to the rest of the world.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you need forgiveness and spiritual renewal that comes from faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 205 Bible Readings – Romans 8: 28 (ESV)

Hosea 10 & 11, Romans 8: 18-39, Psalm 116: 1-11

Romans 8: 28 (ESV)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

I love verse 28 from Romans 8. Paul tells us Father-God loves us and is constantly active in our lives. He looks at everything that is happening in our lives, good and bad. Father-God uses the Holy Spirit to guide us to make sure that everything that happens in our life will work for his divine plan, even when we are going through trials. This verse has given me a new lens to look at anything that Is happening to me, and anything that is happening in the world. If I have true trust in Father-God, then I cannot look at the world through the lens of doom and gloom. I must trust that Father-God is working everything that happens in the world for the good, and for his divine plan. This trust in Father-God’s sovereignty gives me sense of calmness and peace of mind and lets me concentrate on how to strengthen my own faith and follow his plan for my life. Yes, I still go through trials and seasons in my life, but I now look at these periods as opportunities for gratitude and praise that I have a loving Father-God in my life because of my faith in Jesus Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse and you want to have peace and calmness in your life that comes from faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 204 Bible Readings – Romans 8: 16-17 (ESV)

Hosea 8 & 9, Romans 8: 1-17, Psalm 115: 12-18

Romans 8: 16-17 (ESV)

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

In verses 16 and 17 from Romans 8, Paul tells us that the Holy Sprit gives us assurance that as believers in Jesus Christ, we are Father-God’s children. As his children, we are entitled to all the rights and privileges of that are promised in the Bible. We need to embrace the suffering and trials in our life which will strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ. But we will not be alone because we will have the Holy Spirit to guide and help us. And we will have victory because Father-God will help us so we can praise him, in the knowledge that our triumph was not possible without him. As heirs to the kingdom of Christ, we must participate in spreading the message of Jesus Christ so Father-God’s plan can be fulfilled. If our lives are filled with signs, wonders, and miracles, we will be eager to tell everyone we know about Jesus Christ. I know for myself that there are physical healing miracles I’ve seen that I cannot unsee. Miracles in my own life that can only be explained by my faith in Jesus Christ. I’ve lived a blessed life because I am saved by Jesus Christ, and I want everyone to lead the same kind of life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to enjoy a life of blessings, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 203 Bible Readings – Romans 7: 21-23 (ESV)

Hosea 6 & 7, Romans 7: 7-24, Psalm 115:1-11

Romans 7: 21-23 (ESV)

“So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.  For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”

In verses 21 through 23, Paul tells us about a truth that we believers must face in our spiritual journey. Paul himself found out that the desire to do good is accompanied by the presence of sin in our flesh. There is an ongoing battle and war inside of us between wanting to do and wanting to sin. We cannot rely only on ourselves to win this battle. We must rely on Father-God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit to help us win this battle. We must seek the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives for guidance and strength. But since we love Father-God, we will find joy and satisfaction in his law and commandments since they reflect him and his plan for our lives. Once we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ, our sinful nature dies, and we are born again as children of a Father-God who love us as his own children.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to live a life as a free child of Father-God because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 202 Bible Readings – Romans 7: 5-6 (ESV)

Hosea 3 -5, Romans 6: 15-23, Romans 7: 1-6, Psalm 114

Romans 7: 5-6 (ESV)

“For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.”

In verses 5 and 6 from Romans 7 Paul tells us that before we accept Jesus Christ as our savior, we were governed by desires that led us to sin that were sometimes done to rebel against the laws and commandments of the Lord. The life of sin led us to physical and spiritual death. But now that we are saved through our faith in Jesus Christ, we are released from the law because we are now under a new covenant with Christ. Our old self died, and we are no long held captive by our sinful nature. Nor are we bound by the systems of laws and sacrifices that came before Christ. We now are free to lead a life that is full of the Holy Spirit, who guides and empowers us to lead lives full of gratitude and the desire to serve Father-God. We are transformed by the Holy Spirit from the inside out. We are motivated to love and serve our Lord by the Holy Spirit, and not because we are afraid of breaking the law or out of obligation. Paul explains that our love for Father-God, made possible through our faith in Jesus Christ, leads us to serve and obey Him out of genuine devotion and to show him how much we love him. Our daily morning thoughts become not one of “Please Lord, let me not sin today so I can stop feeling bad about myself,” but to “Please Lord, Please Holy Spirit, show me what I can to today to please Father-God to show him how much I love him.”

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to live a life free from sin because of your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 201 Bible Readings – Romans 6: 5-6 (ESV)

Hosea 1 & 2, Romans 6: 1-14, Psalm 113

Romans 6: 5-6 (ESV)

“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.”

In verses 5 and 6 from Romans 6, Paul tells us to consider what it means to have faith in Jesus Christ. If we are united with Jesus Christ, then we also experience his death and resurrection not from physical life, but from the life of sin. Our old self was crucified like Christ to wipe out our sins of the past, present, and future. Since our self no longer exists, we are no longer a slave to sin. Water baptism often is a symbol of our union with Christ in his death and resurrection. In a water baptism, going under water symbolizes death and coming back up is our resurrection. A water baptism is also a public declaration of our faith and commitment to the new life we have in Jesus Christ. Knowing we are free from sin allows us to choose a life that reflects our new commitment to actions that please God.

When we are first saved, we knew without a doubt it that we became a new person after we accepted Christ as our savior. But sometimes after a few years we may need to remind ourselves daily, we became new people because of our faith. We may also need to reexamine our lives and make new choices that again reflect that we became new people in Christ. We are not the same person we were before we got saved, and we are not the same person now. We are not sinners because that “old self” was crucified when we first accepted Christ in our lives, but we are instead believers who need to revive our faith in Jesus Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to revive your faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome back to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 200 Bible Readings – Psalm 112: 7-8 (ESV)

Amos 8 & 9, Romans 5: 12-21, Psalm 112

Psalm 112: 7-8 (ESV)

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.”

I love verses 7 through 8 from Psalm 112. The psalmist tells us about the blessings of having faith in Father-God. When you are saved by Jesus Christ, you will not be afraid of bad news because you have trust in Father-God’s faithfulness and power over all circumstances. Even in the more dire circumstances you will not be anxious but instead have peace. And when you are attacked by physical and spiritual enemies, you have an unfailing trust in Father-God that you will receive guidance from the Holy Spirit to overcome your enemies. You know you will triumph and not experience fear in your heart. I think these are great verses to write down and read when you receive bad news or find out you have enemies to remind yourself of the blessings that are yours when you are saved and faith in Jesus Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to experience the blessings that belong to you through faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I want to give you my Life. Forgive me of all of my sins. Wash me in your blood. I believe in my heart You raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 199 Bible Readings – Romans 4: 19-21 (ESV)

Amos 6-7, Romans 4: 16-25, Romans 5: 1-11, Psalm 111

Romans 4: 19-21 (ESV)

“He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

In verses 19 through 21 from Romans 4, Paul talks about the Abraham’s faith when Father-God told him he would be the father of many nations. Abraham didn’t think that what the Lord said was impossible given his circumstances. Abraham was about a hundred years old and considered dead, and his wife was a few years younger but was unable to have children. Abraham’s faith was in Father-God, and his faith did not waver. He was fully convinced of the Lord’s power to perform miracles in his and Sarah’s bodies. Abraham’s faith was so strong that he gave glory and praised the Lord. Paul tells us that Abraham’s faith is an example of and a model to follow for believers in Jesus Christ. I heard a preacher say that faith does not ignore reality. A person of faith acknowledges reality but believes in their heart the power of Father-God to perform miracles in impossible circumstances. Father-God can bring light and life to situations that are dead like Sarah’s womb. To have faith like Father Abraham, we must be fully convinced and persuaded of the promises of Father-God and have total confidence in his ability to deliver them. In my faith journey, I explored other gods and religions. But I never saw and experienced the signs, wonders, and miracles that belief in Jesus Christ performed in my life and those of my fellow believers. I may not have the depth of faith of Abraham, but I am fully convinced and persuaded that I believe in a God who is faithful and will bring life and miracles to where there is no life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to experience a God that will bring miracles to your life through faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I admit that I’ve sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I‘ve received forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 198 Bible Readings – Romans 4: 13-15 (ESV)

Amos 5, Romans 4: 1-15, Psalm 110

Romans 4: 13-15 (ESV)

“For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.”

In verses 13 through 15 from Romans 4, Paul tells us that Father-God’s promise to Abraham was based on his faith and not law or his works. Father-God promised Abraham, who is the father of our faith, to make him a great nation and will bless the rest of the earth through him. While gentiles are not blood-related to Abraham, they are grafted onto the bloodline of Abraham through faith in his descendant Jesus Christ. Father-God made this promise to Abraham before he was circumcised and before his descendant Moses gave the people laws to follow. When Father-God asked Abraham to leave his country and to the land of Cannan in Genesis 12: 1-3, he did as the Lord asked without questioning or hesitation. Paul tells us that we will receive Father-God’s promises through faith and not by our own efforts. Paul then says the laws are there to reveal our sin and to act as a mirror to reflect where we fall short of the Lord’s standards. But because of the sacrifice and blood of Jesus Christ, we are no longer condemned by the law and have freedom. If we believe and are saved by Jesus Christ, we are free from sin and live under his grace. We follow the Lord’s law not in fear of punishment, but because we love the Lord and want to please him. I once believed obeying biblical laws was central to faith, but now I understand that God values my faith in Him, just as He valued Abraham's. And that I am entitled, just like Abraham, to all the blessings of the Lord because of my faith in Jesus Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to experience the blessings that faith in Jesus Christ can bring to your life, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I admit that I’ve sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I‘ve received forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 197 Bible Readings – Amos 3: 7-8 (ESV)

Amos 3 & 4, Romans 3: 9-31, Psalm 109: 21-31

Amos 3: 7-8 (ESV)

“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

In verses 7 through 8 from Amos 3, the minor prophet Amos tells us Father-God reveals some of his secrets to the prophets who have no choice but spread the words of the Lord. Amos was a shepherd and fig tree farmer, so he wasn’t a career prophet. The Lord called on Amos to deliver the message of his judgement and their coming exile to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. But in this prophecy of strong discipline, woven throughout the message is a call for the people to return to Father-God so they can be restored. In the end, Amos tells us that God is merciful and will one day rescue his people from exile and hints at the coming of Jesus Christ.

There were many prophets in the Old Testament, some minor and some major, but their mission was to reveal the secrets of Father-God’s plan for his people and call people back to the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes prophecy as a gift of the Holy Spirit, suggesting the presence of prophets today. One prophet and evangelist that I have been listening to is Ted Shuttlesworth, who has been working as Pentecostal minister for over 40 years. Pastor Ted primarily holds Faith and Healing crusades, but he sometimes prophesies in interviews and during his crusades.  appreciate that Pastor Ted carefully considers and prays over any prophetic message he receives from God. When he shares a prophetic message, I pay close attention, as it may be guidance from God about the future or a call to repentance. If want to check out Pastor Ted, check out his website- Faith Alive or watch him YouTube - Ted Shuttlesworth- Faith Alive, where you can decide for yourself if he is a modern-day prophet of the Lord. I like listening to prophets of the Lord because they confirm to me that Father-God is looking out for his people, and his mercy and blessings are still available to us if we pray to him.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to experience the mercy and blessings that faith in Jesus Christ can bring to your life, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I admit that I’ve sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I‘ve received forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 196 Bible Readings – Romans 2: 25 (ESV)

Amos 1-2, Romans 2: 17-29, Romans 3: 1-8, Psalm 109: 1-20

Romans 2: 25 (ESV)

“For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.”

Paul, in verse 25 from Romans 2, uses the example of circumcision to talk about how our faith must be demonstrated in our actions and not just by our rituals and external symbols. As part of the covenant with Abraham, Father-God required the physical sign of circumcision for the Jewish people. This act symbolized not only a commitment to the Father-God’s covenant, but also to his commandments and laws. However, Paul emphasizes that circumcision was only an outward sign of obedience. When you do not have commitment and inner obedience and you break the laws and commandments, then you lose the value of the circumcision. You cannot rely only on physical signs and performing rituals to show your commitment to Father-God. Your faith must be reflected in your actions and obedience to Father-God. To put it simply, if you really loved Father-God that much wouldn’t want to do everything to please him and follow the things he wants you to do. And the things the Lord wants you to do is to follow the laws and commandments set forth in the Bible. Jesus Christ simplified following the laws and commandments in the Bible when he said, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 26: 37)

This year, I lived the example of verse 25 from Romans 2 when I realized I was praising myself for being devoted simply because I attended church four times a week. I went to the Sunday and midweek services, and I participated in two prayer groups that met at church. I was happy for awhile in my rituals, but then I started to feel a sense of unhappiness. One day during prayer, I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me that I had hatred in my heart for people who are doing wrong in the world. Holy Spirit guided me to repent to Father-God for my hatred and ask him to change my hatred to disagreement. I can disagree with the actions of people who do wrong things, but I cannot hate them. I also needed to pray for Father-God to send the Holy Spirit into the lives of these people so they can come to know and love Jesus Christ. I now have inner and outward signs of my faith in life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse and you want to experience what faith in Jesus Christ can bring to your life, please pray this prayer out loud:

 Heavenly Father, I admit that I’ve sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I‘ve received forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.