Day 242 Bible Readings – 2 Corinthians 3: 17 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 35-36, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 130

2 Corinthians 3: 17 (ESV)

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

I love verse 17 from 2 Corinthians 3. We sing this verse in song at least once a month in my church. Jesus Christ gave us a new covenant with Father-God, where he gave us the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ liberated us from the bondage of the old covenant of Moses with its laws, and the from the bondage of sin. We have the presence of the Holy Spirit within us, who brings us transformation into the ways of Jesus Christ. We are freed from sin because Jesus Christ died for us. Our new covenant with Father-God is now through the grace of his son Jesus Christ. In the old covenant with Moses, people had to veil themselves before approaching Father-God in the temple. Jesus Christ gave us a new covenant where that veil is no longer needed, because Jesus Christ removed it so we can approach Father-God with boldness.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to invite the present of the Holy Sprit into our lives. The Holy Spirit will guide and help us to have a deeper relationship with Father-God. We need to embrace the gifts of the spirits given us to by the Holy Spirit, so we can enjoy a more direct and person relationship with Father-God through his son Jesus Christ.

Having a relationship with the Holy Spirit has been the most important development in my spiritual journey to have a deeper relationship with Father-God through his son Jesus Christ. I seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in everything I do, and I love knowing that the guidance I am receiving is coming from Father-God and Jesus Christ because of the new covenant and the trinity.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, and through your faith in Jesus Christ you want to have a deeper relationship with Father-God through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, 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 this 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.

Here's the song inspired by this verse - Enjoy! 

Day 241 Bible Readings for August 30 – 2 Chronicles 33: 12-13 (ESV)

2 Corinthians 33-34, 2 Corinthians 2: 12-17, Psalm 129

2 Chronicles 33: 12-13 (ESV)

“And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.”

In verses 12 and 13, we read the response of King Manasseh when he was in a dire situation and taken captive by the Assyrians. Manasseh prayed, humbled himself, and repented to Father-God to deliver him. We also read about the mercy of Father-God and how he is always ready to forgive those who seek him, no matter how far away they have strayed from him. Manasseh was known for his idolatry and evil practices, and his rebellion against Father-God. Father-God heard Manasseh’s plea and restored him back to Jerusalem and his kingdom.

I love these verses because we see how merciful Father-God is, and how willing he is to restore a believer if they seek him and are repentant. Manasseh was the King of Judah, who willingly and deliberately turned his whole kingdom away from Father-God. He committed the greatest of sins, yet Father-God showed mercy and restored Manasseh physically and spiritually. No amount of my disobedience and sins towards Father-God can compare to Manasseh’s disobedience and sins, so I find it reassuring to know that Father-God loves his children so much that he will always show us mercy and grant us restoration if we seek him and are repentant.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and through your faith in Jesus Christ you want to have a relationship with a Father-God who will love you and show you mercy no matter how far you rebel against him if you seek him and are willing to repent, 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 this 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 240 Bible Readings – 2 Chronicles 32: 20-21 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 31-32, 2 Corinthians 2: 1-11, Psalm 128

2 Chronicles 32: 20-21 (ESV)

“Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword.”

In verses 20 and 21, we read about what happened to Sennacherib the king of Assyria when he blasphemed the god of King Hezekiah, who was faithful to Father-God. The King of Assyria wanted to destroy the people’s trust in Father-God.  Hezekiah found out about the king of Assyria was saying and doing, so he and Isaiah the prophet prayed to Father-God for help. The Lord sent an angel to destroy the army of the King of Assyria, and Hezekiah did not have to fight them. But the King of Assyria did not escape punishment from Father-God. When he returned home, he was killed by own sons.

These verses stood out to me today as we mourn the shooting of the Catholic children in Minnesota who were gunned down while praying, and the response of certain politicians who made comments that seemed to say prayer doesn’t work. These comments about prayer not working when you are killed while praying are meant to destroy people’s trust in Father-God. Their comments remind me of what Sennacherib the king of Assyria did to King Hezekiah and people of Jerusalem. We need to see these people’s comments as attempts to shake our trust in Father-God and remember the times in our life when Father-God delivered on his promises to protect and deliver us.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and through your faith in Jesus Christ you want to have faith that Father-God will deliver on his promises to protect and deliver you, 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 this 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 239 Bible Readings – Psalm 127: 1-2 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 29 & 30, 2 Corinthians 1: 12-24, Psalm 127

Psalm 127: 1-2 (ESV)

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

When I read verses 1 and 2 form Psalm 127, tears came to my eyes. If I think back through my life of all the times when I wasn’t consulting with the Holy Spirit about the decisions I needed to make, those times were full of difficulty. I had success but the journey was full of misery and stress. The times in my life where I prayed to Father-God for help in any decision I made and followed the advice of the Holy Spirit, the journey was smoother and worked out way better than I could ever imagine. I also noticed that any decision I made in my life without the blessing of Father-God never quite worked, and I ended up having to reverse course sometimes. I didn’t have the protection and blessings of Father-God to protect the decision I made in my life.

We need the involvement and guidance of Father-God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in our efforts for our life to be blessed and protected. We need to partner with Father-God to align our life and our goals with his plan and purposes for our life and for the world. I know for myself partnering with the Holy Spirit is a constant struggle for me because I like to think of myself as a smart and independent person. But I am slowly learning that my life works so much better and smoother if I consult with the Holy Spirit and pray for blessings and protection from Father-God in the name of his son Jesus Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and through your faith in Jesus Christ you want to feel like your efforts in life are blessed and protected and not in vain, 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 this 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 238 Bible Readings – Psalm 126: 5-6 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 26-28, 2 Corinthians 1: 1-11, Psalm 126

Psalm 126: 5-6 (ESV)

“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”

In verses 5 and 6 from Psalm 126 the Psalmist tells us when we labor in faith or invest in faith or sow in tears through difficult times, Father-God promises us a joyful harvest. When we labor or invest in faith which brings tears to our eyes, this indicates our faith in Father-God that he will bring us a future harvest. The Psalmist tells us our Father-God is faithful and knows all of our actions, and he will not forget what we did and had to endure to sow the seed. The Psalmist tells us our labor and suffering will not be in vain, and Father-God will reward us with a harvest where we will celebrate with shouts of joy.

These verses remind me of tithing during times of where I’ve felt the spirit of lack and doubt in my life. I’ve had to sometimes tithe where it was painful to do because of what was going on in my financial circumstances. These verses also recall the times when I was very doubtful of Father-God being in my life, and I went to church anyway. While sitting through the service I felt like I was sowing the seeds of my faithfulness with tears in my eyes, because I had so much doubt in my mind and heart. It was through perseverance in my faith and my tithing that I learned to trust in Father-God and his promises to me. Because after those difficult times were over, Father-God did bring me a bountiful harvest financially and in my faith. Father-God rewarded me for my sowing with tears by strengthening my finances and my faith, and I received a harvest of money and faith that made me shout with joy then and still fills me wonder at Father-God’s faithfulness even today.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, and through your faith in Jesus Christ you want to have the promises of Father-God even after you sow in tears, 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 this 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 237 Bible Readings – Psalm 125: 1-2 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 24 & 25, 1 Corinthians 16, Psalm 125

Psalm 125: 1-2 (ESV)

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.”

Verses 1 through 2 from Psalm 125 gives us a promise from Father-God to those who put their trust in him. If we trust in Father-God, he promises us the same security as Mount Zion. We will be like a mountain which is strong, stable, and secure. As we go through the seasons of trials in our life, Father-God will always be there in our life forever and his love for us cannot be changed or moved. As the mountains surrounded Jerusalem, Father-God promises that he will surround and protect us with his love. We can be assured of Father-God’s constant presence and guidance in our lives, the way that mountains are always in view. We will always have Father-God’s spiritual and physical protection in this life and the next. If we read through the Old Testament, Father-God’s showed his love and mercy towards his people even when they turned away from him. We can be assured that once Father-God makes a covenant, a promise with someone, that covenant is as everlasting as the one Father-God made with Abraham, Moses, and David. Father-God loved his people so much that he sent his only son to die for us, so we will not experience death but life everlasting. If Father-God was willing to sacrifice his son Jesus Christ, we can be assured he will offer us his protection and love that will surround us for the rest of our days like the mountains surrounding Jerusalem.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, and you want to have the protection and love of Father-God surrounding you like mountains every day 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 236 Bible Readings – 1 Corinthians 15: 58 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 21-23, 1 Corinthians 15: 50-58, Psalm 124

1 Corinthians 15: 58 (ESV)

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

In verse 58 from 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes to the church in Corinth to be firm and unwavering in their faith to Jesus Christ. Believers need to make sure that their faith cannot be shaken by external pressures or internal doubts. Paul then tells them to do the work of Father-God with continual excellence and dedication. Believers need to actively seek opportunities to serve and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Father-God knows what they are doing, so their work is always recognized. Believers also need to understand that Father-God is responsible for the outcome of their work, and that he will use any circumstances, good or bad, for his good. We can be assured that the work we do will always have significance since they are part of Father-God’s plan.

When I read this verse, I think about all the years I have prayed for my friends and family to be find faith in Jesus Christ. I read somewhere that a person sometimes needs over 50 encounters with the Holy Spirit to come to faith. This verse gives me the assurance that whatever I say to friends and family to bring them to faith is not in vain. That Father-God is using everything I do and everything everybody else is doing to bring my friends and family to faith. Father-God has a plan for everyone’s salvation, and we must never give up hope that our efforts our in vain because Father-God is sovereign over everything.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about this Bible verse, and you want to know that Father-God can use all things for his good 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 235 Bible Readings – 2 Chronicles 20: 15 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 18: 28-34, 2 Chronicles 19-20, 1 Corinthians 15: 35-49, Psalm 123

2 Chronicles 20: 15 (ESV)

“And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.”

In verse 15 from 2 Chronicles 20, the prophet Jahaziel tells King Jehoshaphat that the responsibility and outcome of the battle that he was praying for was in Father-God’ hands. Father-God is the protector and deliverer of his people, and he will always fight on behalf of his people. I love that how after King Jehoshaphat prayed, fasted, and asked for Father-God’s guidance, he was reassured by the prophet Jahaziel that his prayers were successful. King Jehoshaphat shows us that if we pray and ask for Father-God’s guidance against battles we are facing in life, Father-God will respond because he is in control of everything. Even when we feel like King Jehoshaphat that we are facing a great enemy and our circumstances for defeat are overwhelming, we just need to pray for Father-God guidance and protection, and he will hear us. I also like this verse tells us Father-God willing took responsibility for the outcome of the battle, so it was his and not ours.

This is a great verse to write out or to mark in your Bible, so you can refer to it when you are in a situation in life that feels overwhelming to you, and you feel fear and discouragement. You can read this verse and know that Father-God is on your side, and that the responsibility for the outcome of the battle belongs to him because you are a child of the Most High.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about this Bible verse, and you want to feel like Father-God is on your side and helping to fight all of your battles because you are born again 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 235 Bible Readings for August 23 – 2 Chronicles 16: 9 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 16-17, 2 Chronicles 18: 1-27, 1 Corinthians 15: 1-34, Psalm 122

2 Chronicles 16: 9 (ESV)

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.”

In verse 8 from 2 Chronicles 16, the prophet Hanani tells King Asa that Father-God looks for all over the earth to support someone who is committed to him. Father-God searches for those believers who love him so he can support them and show the people his strength. King Asa did not love or have any loyalty to Father-God. Asa put his trust in a pagan king, and not the Lord who helped him win a victory over the Ethiopians. Asa forgot about Father-God. So the prophet Hanani told King Asa that he would now have more wars and not have the protection and support of Father-God.

I see in King Asa’s actions many things I have done. I relied on myself when things were going well, rather than on Father-God. I thought I knew better than the Lord and didn’t need his help anymore. But when I look back on all the times, I relied on myself rather than on the guidance and help of the Holy Spirit there were negative consequences. Nothing went smoothly, and everything took way longer than planned. When I did rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, everything I tried went smoothly and came out better than expected. I know for myself the folly of not relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the support of Father-God.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about this Bible verse, and you want to always have the support of Father-God in your life because you are born again 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 233 Bible Readings - 2 Chronicles 15: 2 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 13-15, 1 Corinthians 14: 20-40, Psalm 121

2 Chronicles 15: 1-2 (ESV)

“The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded, and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.”

In verses 1 to 2 from 2 Chronicles 15, Azariah the prophet said to King Asa that he did not have a permanent claim on God’s favor and blessing after his victory over the Ethiopians. Azariah prophesied about abiding in Father-God. Azariah said if we seek Father-God, he will reveal himself to us because we are his children and he does not himself from us. The prophet reminds King Asa that Father-God has a covenant relationship with his people, that is conditional upon our obedience and faithfulness. The Lord gives us what we want from him. But the reverse is also true. If we do not want him, then Father-God will grant us that desire and stay away from us. And if we disobey Father-God and disobey his laws he will not protect us, and we will suffer from the consequences of our disobedience.

It took me a long time in my relationship with Father-God to realize that if I wasn’t seeking him every day and reading his word, he wasn’t in my life. I did not hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit or feel the peace and calmness that came from my relationship with Father-God. Then on day when I was experiencing a season of affliction and wondering where Father-God had gone in my life, I realized that the Lord wasn’t there for me because I had stopped seeking him. I didn’t want him in my life, and he gave me what I wanted. I'm not sure Father-God was ever truly absent from my life; at times, it felt like abandonment, but in reality, I was the one who abandoned him. As soon I had this realization, I started seeking Father-God again, and instantly he was there for me full of love. I learned the truth that Father-God will always be faithful to me and will welcome me back like a prodigal child. Father-God took me back, and because of his love and mercy he will always take me back if I repent and seek him again.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, and you want to feel that no matter how long you’ve turned away from Father-God he will always welcome you back because you are born again 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 232 Bible Readings – 1 Corinthians 14: 2-4 (ESV)

2 Chronicles 10-12, 1 Corinthians 14: 1-19, Psalm 120

1 Corinthians 14: 2-4 (ESV)

“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.”

In verses 2 through 4 from 1 Corinthians 14, Paul talks about the difference between the gifts of the spirits of speaking in tongues and to gift of prophesy. Paul tells us when you speak in tongues, you are speaking directly to Father-God because the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is within you. Speaking in tongues allows you to pray, praise and glorify Father-God directly. Paul tells us the gift of speaking in tongues will build you up and strengthen your relationship with Father-God. The gift of prophecy, on the other hand, is given to people to serve, build up, and strengthen the church.

I remember the first time I went to a Holy-Spirit filled church where people were speaking in tongues during the whole service. I was not used to it, and it seemed very strange to me. But after further study in the Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I now know that these people were speaking directly to Father-God. I wanted to have the gift of speaking in tongues and I had friends pray over me, but nothing ever came out. And if something did come out, it sounded like I was speaking nonsense. It took me a long time to figure out that the nonsense I was hearing was my mysterious way of speaking to Father-God, and it was okay that I couldn’t understand my own prayers. My soul knows and Father-God knows my prayers.  Praying in tongues lets me express my deepest feelings to Father-God and always moves me to tears. I feel so good after I pray in tongues because it makes me feel like I told Father-God what I want and need, and he heard me.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, and you want to feel that you can pray about everything you want and need to Father-God and that he hears 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 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.