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.

Day 195 Bible Readings – Romans 2: 6-8 (ESV)

Jonah 1-4, Romans 2: 1-16, Psalm 108: 6-13

Romans 2: 6-8 (ESV)

“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”

In verses 6 through 8 from Romans 2, Paul tells us that Father-God will judge each of us on our works because actions reflect your faith and character. To those people who demonstrate their faith by doing good works and seek to glory and honor Father-God, he will give eternal life. But for those people who focus on satisfying their own desires and ambitions and do not obey Father-God’s will and truth, they will experience his wrath. Paul’s advice tells us that we need to understand the consequences of our choices and actions. If we live our life to honor and glorify Father-God and our actions reflect our faith we will have eternal life. But if we choose temporary pleasures, live to satisfy our personal ambitions, and engage in actions that are contrary to Father-God’s words, then we will experience his judgement and his wrath. When I look over my life and the times my actions did not reflect my faith, I know I suffered from the consequences of my choices and did not feel any blessings from the Lord. But in the times in my life when my actions reflected my faith and I tried to honor and glorify Father-God, I experienced blessings and miracles from Father-God in my life and more inner peace and calmness in my life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you’d like to experience the blessings and peace in your life that faith in Jesus Christ can bring, 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 blessings and peace in your life.

Day 194 Bible Readings – Romans 1: 24-25 (ESV)

2 Kings 24: 8-20, 2 Kings 25, Romans 1: 18-32, Psalm 108: 1-5

Romans 1: 24-25 (ESV)

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”

In verses 24 and 25, Paul writes about what happens to people when they reject Father-God’s truth. Father-God respects human free will and passes judgement, by letting people explore and experience the consequences of their choices. Since we are made in Father-God’s image, “imago Dei”, when people reject him by dishonoring their bodies. Father-God gave us bodies so we can have an in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit and when we dishonor the body, the Holy Spirit cannot dwell within us giving us guidance. When people reject Father-God, they will begin to service other gods or anything that takes the place of Father-God in our lives. If we observe the people around us who do not believe in Jesus Christ, we can see that they choose to stop honoring their bodies and eventually suffer the consequences of their choices. When the people around us reject Christ, we see that they will worship other gods and end up being rich in whatever they worship but still unhappy. Watching the people in our lives who do not love Christ can sometimes be like watching a train wreck in slow motion; they will crash eventually. These verses teach us that as believers in Christ, we need to guard against prioritizing Father-God over everything in our life. That we must honor our bodies so the Holy Spirit can dwell within us and give us guidance. And we must always look at our hearts because the rejection of Father-God comes when we give into the desires of heart and act on them. I’ve experienced placing something else besides Father-God as a priority in my life and then faced the consequences of that choice, which was misery and unhappiness. It took me many years, but I’ve come to realize that I have the blessing of Father-God when he is the priority in my life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you’d like to experience the blessings that faith in Jesus can bring you, 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 his blessings in your life.

Day 193 Bible Readings – Psalm 107: 35 (ESV)

2 Kings 23, 2 Kings 24: 1-7, Romans 1: 1-17, Psalm 107: 33-43

Psalm 107: 35 (ESV)

“He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water.”

In verse 35 from Psalm 107, we read about Father-God’s power over the natural world. Deserts in the world of the Old Testament were a symbol of hardship Father-God can transform the dry and parched land of the desert, into pools and springs of water. Father-God brings life and abundance to place that once barren. A flowing spring in the desert also meant there would be continuous water and provision for the people in the desert. Sometimes life can feel like a desert. I know I’ve felt this way in the past. I’ve been in situations where I’ve felt desolation and hopelessness not just in my physical life, but in my spiritual life as well. I would pray and wonder if there was really a God out there listening to me, because I had no evidence to suggest that he was hearing me. But through the faithfulness of Father-God, I experienced a river of blessings into my life that parched the desert of my physical and spiritual life. Father-God has the power to not only change the physical world, but the spiritual world as well. The Lord can bring renewal into any situation, if we trust in his timing and his faithfulness. Father-God also has the power to make you feel like you have a continuous and eternal living spring of blessings and abundance inside of you.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse and you’d like to experience the eternal and living spring of blessings and abundance inside of you that faith in Jesus can bring you, 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 word of Father-God preached and experience the faithfulness of Jesus Christ who will give you the eternal and living spring of blessings into our life.

Day 192 Bible Readings – Acts 28: 30-31 (ESV)

2 Kings 21-22, Acts 28: 17-31, Psalm 107: 23-32

Acts 28: 30-31 (ESV)

“He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

In verses 30 through 31, we have a summary of Paul’s life while he was under house arrest. Paul lived in the rented house that he paid for and continued to speak to all who came to him teaching boldly about Christ and no one stopped him. History also tells us while in Rome, Paul wrote the Letters to the Ephesians, the Philippians, and the Colossians. Even though Paul was under house arrest and could not travel, he continued in his ministry to spread the words of Jesus Christ in whatever ways were available to him. Paul’s life in Rome under house arrest gives us an example of what we can accomplish no matter what our circumstances in life. Paul remained faithful to Father-God during his time in Rome and shows us to how much can be done to spread the words of Jesus Christ even when we are facing trials. Paul’s time in Rome also shows us that we need to trust that Father-God can use any situation to further his plans for earth. Paul’s faith in Jesus Christ gave him a spiritual freedom to not fear for his life. The power and grace of the Lord allowed Paul to teach boldly about Christ, and he was not stopped despite being under house arrest.

In our current time, we can face cancellation on social media and among our friends if we talk about Christ. But let’s use Paul’s time in Rome to inspire us to not be fearful about telling people about our faith in Jesus Christ. Even while imprisoned Paul was not afraid to talk about his faith and fulfill Father-God’s plan for his life. We need to follow Paul’s example and continue to follow the Lord’s plan for our life no matter what our circumstances.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you’d like to experience the strength and freedom to follow Father-God’s plan for 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 word of Father-God preached and experience the strength and spiritual freedom that believing in Jesus Christ can bring to your life.

Day 191 Bible Readings – Acts 28: 16 (ESV)

2 Kings 19: 14-37, 2 Kings 20, Acts 28: 1-16, Psalm 106: 10-22

Acts 28: 16 (ESV)

“And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.”

In verse 16 from Acts 28, Paul finally arrived in Rome and was put under house arrest. This verse tells us that the promise of Jesus was fulfilled that Paul would bear witness for him in Rome. Even when Paul was lost at sea, Christ promised him that he would make it to Rome so he could be brought before Caesar. Paul was also not in a normal prison but had his own living space in a rented house. In Philippians 1: 13, we find out that during his house arrest Paul preached to all the guards who watched him including the palace guards. Paul continued his ministry by writing letters to all the churches he started and was even allowed to have visitors. This verse also teaches believers in Christ to trust in Father-God’s timing and faithfulness. Even though Paul was under house arrest, the Lord was able to use this restrictive circumstance for good because it gave Paul the opportunity to continue his work and preach to the Roman guards who watched him. Father-God can work through any situation to fulfill his plans. What Paul’s journey teaches us is that we need to steadfast in the work Father-God want us to do whatever the obstacles, because Father-God will work all circumstances for his good to fulfill his plans for the earth.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse and you’d like to experience Father-God’s unwavering faithfulness and love in 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 word of Father-God preached and witness the signs, wonders, and miracles that believing in Jesus Christ can bring to your life.

Day 190 Bible Readings – Psalm 107: 9 (ESV)

2 Kings 18, 2 King 19: 1-13, Acts 27: 13-44, Psalm 107: 1-9

Psalm 107: 9 (ESV)

“For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.”

The Israelites were often in physical and spiritual need throughout their history. They first wandered in the desert after the exodus from Egypt and were often in exile from their lands. Verse 9 from Psalm 107 tells us that Father-God provided for them always, meeting their physical and spiritual needs. And just as he provided for the children of Abraham, Father-God will continue to provide for us today. We can count on the blessings of Father-God for our physical needs, but not just for survival. Father-God will also bless us with good things because of his generosity, and we will experience abundance. But more importantly, only Father-God can satisfy our deeper spiritual longings. When we put our trust in Father-God, we can experience true contentment that we will always be provided for no matter what we are going through. Since I’ve put my full trust in Father-God’s blessings through the words in the Bible, I’ve come to realize that he has blessed me throughout my life. The doubts that I often experienced about whether I even mattered to the Lord have quieted in my mind. I know I matter to Father-God and I just to have remember all the blessings and miracles he’s done in my life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse and you’d like to experience how much you matter to the Lord, 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 word of Father-God preached and witness the signs, wonders, and miracles that believing in Jesus Christ can bring to your life.

Day 189 Bible Readings – Acts 26: 30-32 (ESV)

2 Kings 16-17, Acts 26: 24-32, Acts 27: 1-12, Psalm 106: 40-48

Acts 26: 30-32 (ESV)

“Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.””

In verses 30 through 32 from Acts 26, we read about the conversation between King Agrippa, Festus and Berenice after listening to Paul speak during his hearing. They agreed that there was no evidence to support the accusations against Paul for death or imprisonment. Agrippa would have set Paul free had he not appealed to Caesar. After a casual reading of these verses, you might think that Paul committed a blunder by wanting to appeal to Caesar in Rome. But Paul was following Father-God’s plan for his life and the future of the faith. During his appeal to Caesar, Paul would be able to talk about this faith and conversion to the Roman emperor, which the Lord told him to do in Acts 23: 11 (“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”). Paul would spread the gospel to Rome, and in the future the faith of Jesus Christ would eventually become adopted by the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine. These verses tell us as believers in Jesus Christ, that we need to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Father-God’s plan for our life. Even if it seems our actions don't matter, we must trust they're part of Father-God’s greater plan.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you’d like to experience the presence of Jesus Christ in 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 word of Father-God preached and witness the wonders, signs, and miracles of the presence of Jesus Christ in your life.

Day 188 Bible Readings – Acts 26: 13-15 (ESV)

2 Kings 14: 23-29, 2 Kings 15, Acts 25: 23-27, Acts 26: 1-23, Psalm 106: 32-39

Acts 26: 13-15 (ESV)

“At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.”

In verses 13 through 15 in Acts 26, Paul recounts to King Agrippa how Jesus Christ revealed himself to him when he was on the road to Damascus. I love how Christ appeared to Paul as a bright light that was so bright it made him and his whole party fall to ground. Then Christ spoke to Paul in his own Hebrew language and asked him why Paul was persecuting him. Paul was so passionate in his ways and thinking that Christ could only appear to him in a supernatural way for him to be believe in Christ. Some folks are lucky because they don’t need a supernatural experience to believe. I find myself like Paul in that I need a supernatural and physical thing to happen to me before I believe it. In the past when I used to watch people fall after an evangelist or minister touched them, I thought it was staged or fake. It wasn’t until I was born again and had an impartation by an evangelist in May that I had a “supernatural experience” like Paul, where I felt things happening in my body that I couldn’t explain or deny. That experienced changed me to the point where I began to question everything I had been taught about religion and Jesus Christ. I'm still processing it, but I know it happened and that moment made Christ feel real to me, changing me forever. In whatever way for you Christ became alive and real in your life, you know what without a doubt you were changed and transformed like Paul.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you’d like to feel the presence of the still living and eternal Jesus Christ in 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 word of God preached and witness the wonders, signs, and miracles in your life of the very much alive and real Jesus Christ.

Day 187 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 13: 18-19 (ESV)

2 Kings 12-13, 2 Kings 14: 1-22, Acts 25: 1-22, Psalm 106: 16-31

2 Kings 13: 18-19 (ESV)

“And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. Then the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.””

In verses 18 and 19 from 2 Kings 13, the prophet Elisha said to King Jehoash to strike the ground with the arrows. But Jehoash struck the ground only three (3) times, which reflected his lack of faith and commitment in Elisha’s authority. Elisha became angry and rebuked King Jehoash and said that because the king only partially obeyed him, then the king would only have limited victory or Syria. Had the King fully obeyed Elisha’s words, the King would have battled Syria until he had total victory. This Bible story tells us if we only have half-hearted faith and do not completely obey the guidance of Father-God and the Holy Spirit, then we will only have limited success. If we have limited faith we will restrict God’s work in our lives. We need to have complete faith and zeal in the guidance we receive even if it seems the things that Holy Spirit is asking us to do seem insignificant and do not make sense in the natural world.

I’ve had this experience myself where Holy Spirit guided me to do something that didn’t make too much sense for what I was praying for, but I did it anyway and it turned out to be the best advice and led to the thing that I wanted. We need to have faith that whatever we are being guided to do is crucial to Father-God’ plan. Father-God wants us to have complete victory in our lives but if we only half-heartedly obey his guidance, we will only have partial victories in our lives.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you’d like to have Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior so you can have victory in 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 word of God preached and witness the wonders, signs, and miracles of the Lord in your life.

Day 186 Bible Readings – Psalm 106: 4-5 (ESV)

2 Kings 10, 2 Kings 11, Acts 24, Psalm 106: 1-15

Psalm 106: 4-5 (ESV)

“Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people; help me when you save them, that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation, that I may glory with your inheritance.”

Verses 4 and 5 from Psalm 106 are great verses to meditate on when we are trying to seek favor from Father-God. When you have salvation from Christ and a personal relationship with Father-God, you can confidently ask him for this attention and intervention in your life. You can remember all the times Father-God has bestowed blessings and prosperity on his people in the Bible and know that you are also entitled to the same blessings and prosperity since you are also a child of God. You can tell Father-God about your deepest desires and needs, and trust in his ability to respond. You are an heir to Father-God’s promises to his people, and you can celebrate the miracles you see in your faith community and for yourself. You can read about the miracles Father-God has performed for his people in the Bible or search on social media platforms for the signs, wonders, and miracles that are happening for people who are filled with the Holy Spirit. The Father-God that we worship is same today as he was in the Bible and will deliver the same blessings and prosperity for all his people.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you’ve never received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, 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 word of God preached and witness the wonders, signs, and miracles of the Lord.

Invite Jesus Into Your Life

The Holy Spirit has asked me to start including the prayer of repentance and faith at end of each of my blog posts, so if someone reading my blog wants to invite Jesus into their life they can do it. There is nothing that I have experienced in my life that can compare to being born again, and giving my life to Jesus Christ. I have seen signs, wonders, and miracles that I cannot ignore or explain, and it would be cruel of me to not offer the chance for salvation to someone who has been touched by the words in my blog posts. Your life will be forever full of signs, wondders, and miracles when you accept Jesus Christ into your life. You will never feel lost because Jesus Christ is your savior.

If the Holy Spirit has touched your heart as you read my blog posts, you can invite Jesus into your life by saying the following prayer:

Heavenly Father-God, I have sinnned against You. I want forgiveness for all of my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again. Father-God, I give you my life to do with as You wish. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart. I ask this is Jesus' name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, you are now born again and saved because you made the decision to trust Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can join a community of believers and learn to deepen your relationship with the Lord.

Day 185 Bible Readings – Psalm 105: 39-41 (ESV)

2 Kings 8: 16-29, 2 Kings 9, Acts 23: 12-35, Psalm 105: 37-45

Psalm 105: 39-41 (ESV)

“He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night. They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.”

Verses 39 through 41 from Psalm 105 remind us how Father-God cared for his people when they left Egypt and were wondering in the desert. The Lord provided them with a cloud for covering so they had shade during the day, and a fire at night to give them warmth and light. Then Father-God brought them quail and manna to break every day. To quench their third, the Lord opened a rock and let water gush out so that it flowed like a river in the desert. These verses tell us that Father-God is our provider and protector, and when he tells us to go on journey somewhere he will give us provisions and miracles. Even when we are in most challenging of circumstances, Father-God will provide for our needs for food and water. Our Lord is faithful to his people, and these verses from the Bible serve as a reminder that Father-God was faithful to his people then and will be faithful to his people now because he is eternal and unchanging. Father-God provides us not only with living water and food our souls, but also supernatural provision to live our daily lives.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and strengthen your faith and conviction that Father-God will always provide for the spiritual and physical needs of those who believe in him and follow his laws.

Day 184 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 7: 2 (ESV)

Happy Fourth of July - Indepoendene Day to Americans everywhere!

2 Kings 6:24-33, 2 Kings 7, 2 Kings 8: 1-15, Acts 22: 22-30, Acts 23: 1-11, Psalm 105: 23-36

2 Kings 7: 2 (ESV)

“Then the captain on whose hand the king leaned said to the man of God, “If the LORD himself should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” But he said, “You shall see it with your own eyes, but you shall not eat of it.”

In verse 2 from 2 Kings 7, we read about the captain who was sent from the King to see Elisha the prophet about the severe famine Samara that was caused by the Syrian siege. Elisha prophesied to the captain that there would be so much food that it would be sold for a cheap price. The captain questioned the possibility of Father-God sending a divine intervention in this dire situation. Elisha then prophesied that the captain would see the prophecy come true but would not be able to eat because he was going to be punished for his doubt and unbelief. The captain was full of doubt because the city was surrounded by a hostile army, and he had no faith in the Lord’s power and promises or the creativity of Father-God to bring about provision in a completely unexpected way.  Even in the worst circumstances, we must always trust in Father-God’s ability to provide and deliver on his promise to care for his people. If you have doubt or unbelief, you will see a miracle, but you will not be able to participate or partake in it. We find out later that the captain was trampled at the gate of the city when the people rushed the gates to get to the food left behind by Syrians. As people of faith, we need to always believe that Father-God will provide provision for us, no matter how unlikely it seems that provision can be delivered. Father-God is powerful and can bring about any miracle in most unexpected way. If we have doubts, then we will miss out on the blessings of the Lord.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-base church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and strengthen your faith in the Lord who keeps his promises and makes the impossible possible in the most unexpected of ways.

Day 183 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 4: 42-44 (ESV)

2 Kings 4: 38-44, 2 Kings 5, 2 Kings 6 1-23, Acts 21: 27-40, Acts 22: 1-22, Psalm 105: 12-22

2 Kings 4: 42-44 (ESV)

“A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord.”

In verses 42 through 44 from 2 Kings 4 Elisha the prophet performs a supernatural miracle that foreshadows Christ’s many miracles of feeding large crowds with very little provisions. When Elisha received the gift of bread and first fruits, he ordered his servant to serve it to the 100 men. The servant told Elisha it wasn’t enough food to feed all the men, and Elisha prophesied that the men will and there will be left over food. When the food was served to the 100 men, they ate and there was still left over food as Elisha had prophesied. This miracle feeding shows the faith of Elisha to trust Father-God over the visible evidence of our eyes or circumstances. Father-God provided manna for his people when they left Egypt and were wondering in the wilderness, so would he not do the same now for his prophet Elisha. Elisha’s feeding of the 100 men also demonstrates that when Father-God provides, he is generous and provides abundantly with always something left over. As children of Father-God and believers in Jesus Christ, we must always trust that Father-God is always able to meet our needs abundantly. We serve a good God who always delivers on his promises. We also serve a good God who will use all means to accomplish his purpose and to show his love for us his children. We must have faith that provision and supernatural miracles will come at the right time and in God’s perfect timing for our needs. Father-God is not deaf to our prayers, so we must have faith that he is the same God who rained down manna to his people who needed food in the desert. Father-God provided then, and he will provide for us today.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and increase your faith in the God of the supernatural miracles who always provides for his children.

Day 182 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 4: 2-7 (ESV)

2 Kings 3, 2 Kings 4: 1-37, Acts 21: 1-26, Psalm 105: 1-11

2 Kings 4: 2-7 (ESV)

“And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

In verses 2 through 7 from 2 Kings 4, we read about another supernatural miracle from Father-God on provision. A widow owed debt to creditors who were going to take her child as slaves, so she went to Elisha for help. When Elisha asked her what she had in her house, she told him she a small jar of anointing oil. Elisha told her to borrow all the vessels she could get hands from her neighbors. The widow was able to fill all the borrowed jars with oil from the one jar she had. She was able to pay off her debts and still had enough money left over to live on for herself and her sons.

I love this miracle of supernatural provision from Father-God. The widow had enough faith to do exactly as Elisha asked, and provision was her reward. We may get advice that doesn’t make sense from the Holy Spirit when we are praying for a miracle, but we must have enough faith to do exactly as requested and only then will we see a supernatural miracle from Father-God. We also need to have faith that the Lord in the Bible never changes, and he is the same then as he is now. Father-God was provider to his people then, and he is provider to his people today.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy-Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-base church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and strengthen your faith that Father-God is the provider of supernatural miracles.

Day 181 Bible Readings – 2 Kings 2: 11 (ESV)

2 Kings 1 & 2, Acts 20, Psalm 104: 31-35

2 Kings 2: 11 (ESV)

“And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”

Verse 11 from 2 Kings 2 shows us how Elijah the prophet died. Elijah didn’t die like a normal person. He was instead taken up to heaven by a whirlwind. I love how the death of Elijah is so supernatural, because it shows the power of Father-God. Elijah was a powerful prophet, and the Lord honored him by taking him up on heaven so he wouldn’t have to experience death. Elijah’s faithful service was rewarded by his unique departure, since no other Biblical figure was taken up to heaven in this way except for Jesus Christ. Many Biblical scholars have commented that Elijah’s ascension into heaven prefigures the ascension of Jesus Christ. Christ died because he was human like us but was resurrected after three (3) days. Christ then lived among his followers for 40 days before ascending into heaven. Unlike Elijah who was taken up in a whirlwind, Christ was taken to heaven in a cloud. Both ascension experiences give believers in Christ the hope that when we die, we will ascend into heaven like Christ to be with our Father-God. We might not ascend in a whirlwind or a cloud, but we will be resurrected to live in heaven after we die.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about this Bible verse, find yourself a Holy Spirit-filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of God preached and find assurance that one day you will live with Father-God after your earthly death.