Day 176 Bible Readings for June 27– Proverbs 3:5-7

Proverbs 1-3, Psalm 1

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”

In Proverbs 3:5-7, Solomon tells us to put our trust in the Lord with all our hearts. One Bible commentary I read noted that trusting Father-God with all our hearts means setting aside our own understanding and choosing instead to trust His wisdom, especially as revealed in His Word. When we trust the Lord with all our hearts, we honor and acknowledge Him in everything we do. We invite the Lord into our everyday lives and decisions. As we trust Father-God, He directs us through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our wisdom is never greater than the Lord’s wisdom. As we trust Him and come to know Him more deeply, we are drawn toward righteousness and away from evil.

What I like about these verses is that although Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom, he reminds us that the greatest source of wisdom is not human reasoning. Father-God is the One we must look to for true wisdom and guidance. The Lord’s ways are higher than our ways.

Solomon then tells us to seek the Lord’s guidance in every aspect of our lives, including our daily decisions. Father-God, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will show us which paths to take. Some Bible translations say that the Lord will make our paths straight, meaning a life free from unnecessary obstacles and confusion.

One Bible commentary I read noted that the straight path points to Jesus Christ, who is the only way to the Father. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Finally, Solomon tells us to turn away from sin and make daily decisions that align with the Lord’s Word. One Bible commentary I read noted that true wisdom comes when we recognize our limitations and resist the temptation to rely solely on our own intellect.

I know from my own life that when I relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, my life became filled with unexpected blessings and much greater peace. While I still experience challenges, I no longer carry the same fear and uncertainty because I trust the Lord to guide my steps.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is the true source of wisdom in your life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 175 Bible Readings - Psalm 1:2-3 (NLT)

Psalm 1-2 Psalm 20

Psalm 1:2-3 (NLT)

“But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.”

n Psalm 1:2-3, the psalmist tells us that righteous people delight in the laws of the Lord. They meditate on Father-God’s Word day and night. The Lord blesses the righteous and compares them to trees planted along a riverbank. A tree by a river has a continual source of water, which means it will never wither because it is always receiving what it needs. The tree remains strong and stable because its roots run deep. In the same way, righteous people continually bear spiritual fruit because the Lord is their source of life. The psalmist also tells us that the righteous prosper because Father-God watches over them in all circumstances.

These verses remind believers that true satisfaction and joy come from delighting in the Lord’s Word. One Bible commentary I read noted that this satisfaction comes from knowing and understanding Father-God’s will for our lives. Joy comes when we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and remain committed to the Lord. Continually reflecting on the words of Scripture leads to transformation because our thoughts and actions become aligned with the Lord’s will.

When we are rooted in the Lord’s Word, we become like trees that are continually nourished and sustained. We produce good works and spiritual fruit in every season, and we develop vitality and resilience even into old age. One Bible commentary I read noted that prosperity is not limited to material blessings but also includes spiritual and holistic well-being. We flourish because the Lord blesses us and guides us.

Every time I hear these verses in a sermon, I think of the lush trees I have seen growing along rivers. They always look so green and full of life. I once heard Pastor Russell Johnson of The Pursuit Northwest preach that this metaphor of the Lord’s blessings is fully realized when believers plant themselves in a local church and serve there. Attending church regularly provides spiritual nourishment because we gather to hear the Lord’s Word preached. Being rooted in a healthy church community helps us remain rooted in the presence of the Lord.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who blesses those who delight in Him and His Word—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 174 - Bible Readings - Malachi 3:1-2 (NLT)

Malachi 3-4, Psalm 19

Malachi 3:1-2 (NLT)

“‘Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,’ says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. ‘But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes.’”

In Malachi 3:1-2, the prophet Malachi says that the Lord is sending a messenger who will prepare the way. Many Bible scholars believe this messenger is a prophecy of the coming of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. The messenger of the covenant is also a reference to Jesus Christ. The second verse asks a rhetorical question about whether people will be ready when the Lord comes. One Bible commentary I read noted that the refiner’s fire and the launderer’s soap symbolize how the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ cleanse us from our sin.

These verses remind believers of the reliability of the Lord’s words and the fulfillment of His promises throughout the Bible. In Malachi, we have another prophecy about the mission of John the Baptist and the coming of Jesus Christ to cleanse us from all sin. Another Bible commentary I read noted that Malachi was also prophesying about the return of Jesus Christ, as foretold in Revelation.

The second verse reminds believers that when the Lord returns, the holiness of Father-God will expose every impurity. One Bible commentary I read noted that only those who are made righteous through faith will be able to stand. We must always be ready for the Lord’s return and remain committed to living lives of holiness.

I love prophecies that find their fulfillment in the New Testament. These prophetic messages show me that what the Lord reveals through His messengers is true. They also remind me that there are still many prophecies in the Bible awaiting fulfillment, encouraging me to watch with hope for the sure return of Jesus Christ. Because Father-God has kept these promises, I can trust Him with the promises He has made for my own life.

f these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whose words and promises are always true and can always be trusted—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 173 Bible Readings - Psalm 18:28-29 (NLT)

Malachi 1-2, Psalm 18

Psalm 18:28-29 (NLT)

“You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.”

In Psalm 18:28-29, David wrote these verses on the day that Father-God delivered him from his enemies and from Saul. David acknowledged the Lord as the source of his guidance and light. Father-God illuminated the darkness in David’s life. One Bible commentary I read noted that darkness can represent personal trials, spiritual confusion, or moral dilemmas. Another Bible commentary noted that verse 28 foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ, who said He is the “light of the world” in John 8:12. David then gave thanks to the Lord for his past victories and for the strength He provided. David relied on Father-God’s divine strength rather than his own and trusted the Lord’s assistance to overcome any barriers to victory.

These verses remind believers that we can trust in the Lord to guide us through our darkest and most difficult times, just as He guided David. Father-God provided David with guidance and direction while he was hiding and on the run from King Saul. We can also acknowledge, like David, that our own human strength is not enough. We need to rely on the Lord to help us dispel the darkness and overcome our obstacles.

David’s confidence in the Lord also led him to take bold actions because he trusted that Father-God would provide him with the strength he needed. The Lord delivered David from danger many times, and he knew that Father-God was always with him.

I love verses that describe the Lord as the source of light and guidance in a believer’s life. Father-God has always been the source of light in my life. In my darkest times, I cried out to Father-God for deliverance, and He always answered me with signs, miracles, and unexplainable feelings of peace. I also realized throughout my life that I could not rely on my own intelligence, strength, and wit to overcome life's challenges. I tried, but what I had was not enough. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, however, I was able to overcome the challenges and obstacles in my life.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whom you can rely on to light your path and guide you through the darkest times in your life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 172 Bible Readings - Zechariah 11:12-13 (NLT)

Zechariah 9-14, Psalm 17

Zechariah 11:12-13 (NLT)

“And I said to them, ‘If you like, give me my wages, whatever I am worth; but only if you want to.’ So they counted out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—this magnificent sum at which they valued me! So I took the thirty coins and threw them to the potter in the Temple of the Lord.”

In Zechariah 11:12-13, the prophet Zechariah acts out the symbolic role of a shepherd. One Bible commentary I read noted that Zechariah was representing the Lord’s leadership over Israel. Zechariah gives the people a choice to pay him wages according to what they think he is worth. The people responded by counting out thirty pieces of silver, which at the time was the price of a slave. Then the Lord told Zechariah to throw the pieces of silver to the potter, which was symbolic of Father-God’s authority over creation. One Bible commentary I read noted that throwing the silver to the potter in the Temple of the Lord symbolized a rejection of the value placed on the shepherd.

When I read these verses, I was reminded of the thirty pieces of silver that Judas accepted to betray Jesus Christ. Zechariah’s prophecy was fulfilled in the New Testament, as recorded in Matthew 26:14-16. In Matthew 27:3-7, Judas threw the money into the Temple, and the chief priests decided to use it to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. The second part of Zechariah’s prophecy was fulfilled through the actions of Judas and the temple priests.

When I read prophecies in the Old Testament that were fulfilled in the life of Christ with such specific detail, it strengthens my belief that the Bible is divinely inspired. Knowing that these prophecies were recorded and studied for centuries before the birth of Christ further strengthens my faith. It also reminds me that prophecies in the Old and New Testaments that have not yet come to pass will be fulfilled in the Lord’s timing.  

These verses give me confidence that the guidance I have received from the Holy Spirit about the Lord’s plan for my life will come to pass. Since I already experience the blessings of peace in my life, they also strengthen my faith that the other promises and blessings the Lord has spoken about for His people will be fulfilled. As I continue to obey Him and seek to reflect His character, I trust that His promises are true.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whose plan for the world and your life will always come to pass—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 171 Bible Readings - Zechariah 8:16-17 (NLT)

Zechariah 5-8, Psalm 16

Zechariah 8:16-17 (NLT)

“But this is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace. Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.”

In Zechariah 8:16-17, the Lord speaks through the prophet Zechariah and says that He is determined to bless His people, but only on the condition that they fulfill their part of the Mosaic covenant. One Bible commentary I read noted that Father-God desired a community grounded in righteousness and justice. The people were to tell the truth and render sound judgments in their courts. They were also not to plot evil against one another or make oaths and promises they had no intention of keeping. The Lord tells Zechariah that He hates all sin and injustice.

These verses reveal the Lord’s character to believers. Father-God desires His people to reflect His holiness. The Lord has an aversion to sin and injustice. If we know the Lord’s character and understand what He hates, we can be motivated to avoid those things. The commands the Lord gives through Zechariah are practical and can be acted upon immediately.

These verses remind me of the second greatest commandment in the New Testament, when Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Speaking the truth fosters unity and trust between people and within a community. Rendering just verdicts in the courts also promotes unity because people believe they are being treated fairly. Not harboring evil intentions toward others and not making promises you cannot keep are also ways of treating your neighbors as yourself.

When I follow these commands, I know I am reflecting the Lord’s character to others, which I believe pleases Him and helps me grow in holiness.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who transforms our hearts so we can reflect His character to others—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 170 Bible Readings - Zechariah 3:8-9 (NLT)

Zechariah 1-4, Psalm 15

Zechariah 3:8-9 (NLT)

“Listen to me, O Jeshua the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day.”

In Zechariah 3:8-9, the Lord gives Jeshua a message through the prophet Zechariah. The Lord says that He will bring His servant called the Branch. Father-God then gives another picture of a stone having seven eyes. The Lord will engrave an inscription on it, and He will remove the sins of the land in a single day.

These verses remind believers that the prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ was given to many prophets in the Old Testament. The prophet Zechariah ministered after the people returned from their 70-year exile in Babylon. The prophecy of the Branch points to the birth of Jesus Christ. One Bible commentary I read noted that the phrases “My Servant” and “the Branch” are Messianic titles that symbolize new growth emerging from the line of David.

Another Bible commentary I read noted that the stone symbolizes the foundation or cornerstone, which is also associated with the Messiah in biblical prophecy. There is also a prophecy that the Lord will remove the sins of the land in a single day, which points to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His atonement for the sins of mankind.

I love how the Lord continually seeded the promise of a coming Messiah through the prophets in the Old Testament. The life of Jesus Christ was always part of Father-God’s plan of redemption for the world. The Lord revealed several aspects of Christ’s life and mission, including His atoning death on the cross, which accomplished the forgiveness of sins in a single day.

When I read these verses, I can see how the Lord always had a plan for the world long before the birth of Jesus Christ. Each story in the Old Testament feels like another step on the path leading to Christ. These verses strengthen my trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit because they remind me that the Lord's plans unfold according to His purpose and timing.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whose plan for your life you can trust—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 169 Bible Readings for June 20 - Haggai 2:8-9 (NLT)

Haggai 1-2, Psalm 14

Haggai 2:8-9 (NLT)

“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!”

In Haggai 2:8-9, the Lord speaks through the prophet Haggai and tells the people that they do not need to be discouraged if they do not have the money to rebuild the Lord’s temple. The Lord says that He is sovereign over all material wealth, and He will provide the necessary resources when He wants His people to accomplish something. The people had been tasked with rebuilding the temple after their return from the Babylonian exile. Then the Lord tells them that the future temple will be greater than Solomon’s Temple. One Bible commentary I read noted that the reference to the future temple was another prophecy of Jesus Christ. Christ taught in the Second Temple and brought it greater glory through His presence. The peace mentioned in these verses was also brought by Jesus Christ, as believers find true peace through His presence.

These verses remind believers that when the Lord gives us a task to do, He will provide the resources needed to accomplish it because He is sovereign over all material wealth. The future peace that Haggai prophesied about was fulfilled through the birth of Jesus Christ. Christ embodied the presence of the Lord and brought peace to believers through His death and resurrection.

When I read these verses, I think about the peace that I feel as a follower of Jesus Christ. But Haggai also made me realize that this peace can apply to the work the Lord asks me to do. In the past, I felt fear when Father-God asked me to do something that I did not feel I had the resources to accomplish. When the Lord guided me to move to my current location, I focused on finding a job before I moved.

After searching for a job for six months with no success, I began to wonder if I had misunderstood the guidance the Lord gave me about moving. But the Holy Spirit told me to move anyway and trust that the Lord would provide for me. Right before I moved, I received a large raise, which enabled me to live without income in my new state. When I asked the Holy Spirit when I would get a job, the guidance I received was that I would find one in six months. Following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I applied for different types of jobs, and exactly six months later I received a job offer. That job ended up being the perfect job for me.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who never gives you something to do without first providing what you need to accomplish it—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 168 Bible Readings - Zephaniah 1:12-13 (NLT)

Zephaniah 1-3, Psalm 13

Zephaniah 1:12-13 (NLT)

“I will search with lanterns in Jerusalem’s darkest corners to punish those who sit complacent in their sins. They think the Lord will do nothing to them, either good or bad. So their property will be plundered, their homes will be ransacked. They will build new homes but never live in them. They will plant vineyards but never drink wine from them.”

In Zephaniah 1:12-13, the Lord tells the prophet Zephaniah that He will judge those who are complacent. One Bible commentary I read noted that when believers feel that Father-God is distant or detached from their lives, they can become complacent. Another Bible commentary said that complacency leads to spiritual apathy and moral decay because a believer becomes self-satisfied, believing that the Lord will not act to reward or punish them.

But the Lord tells Zephaniah that He will judge complacency, and the complacent will have their wealth and property taken away. They will not enjoy the fruits of their labor as a consequence of turning away from the Lord.

These verses remind believers not to have a false sense of security in their faith. The Lord is deeply involved in the lives of His people, and we cannot doubt that Father-God will act in our lives. Believers cannot become spiritually apathetic or ignore areas in our lives where we are not walking faithfully with the Lord. One Bible commentary I read noted that complacency often comes to those with wealth and security, since their trust is not in the Lord but in their wealth and possessions, which are temporary.

When I read these verses, I started to wonder if there were places in my life where I was being complacent, where I was self-satisfied, or where I was trusting in something that was not of the Lord or aligned with His purposes. I know that without a daily examination of my life, there could be areas where I have turned away from the Lord and placed my trust in something other than Him.

I appreciate the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who convicts me when I doubt the Lord’s involvement and sovereignty over my life, because that is what I used to believe. But after being born again, I wake up every day knowing that the Lord loves me and is active in guiding my life through the Holy Spirit.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is actively involved in your life through the guidance of the Holy Spirit—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are. 

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 167 Bible Readings - Habakkuk 2:4-5 (NLT)

Habakkuk 1-3, Psalm 12

Habakkuk 2:4-5 (NLT)

“Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Wealth is treacherous, and the arrogant are never at rest. They open their mouths as wide as the grave, and like death, they are never satisfied. In their greed they have gathered up many nations and swallowed many peoples.”

In Habakkuk 2:4-5, the Lord answered the prophet Habakkuk about why He chose the sinful nation of Babylon to bring judgment against Judah. Father-God told Habakkuk that He knew the people of Babylon were full of pride and were not righteous. The country was known for its arrogance and oppressive conquests. But the righteous live by their faithfulness to the Lord.

Babylon also had great wealth, which fed its pride and false sense of security. The king became arrogant and restlessly pursued power and status because he had an insatiable appetite that could never be satisfied, like death. The greed of the Babylonian people made them want to conquer and plunder other nations.

When I read these verses, I thought about all the places in my life where I still have pride. When I was listening to a sermon by Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, where he said we should be like sheep because Jesus Christ is our shepherd, I immediately resisted what he said. I saw pride inside me rearing its head because being a sheep is considered bad in modern culture. Sheep are often seen as dumb creatures who cannot care for themselves and will die because they simply follow the flock.

But when I thought about it, Bishop Dag was right. I am a sheep who needed Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead me. It is not that I am a dumb creature who followed the crowd, but I had allowed myself to follow my sinful nature, which was leading me to a life full of stress and destruction.

If I was a sheep, was I going to allow myself to be led by sin, which would lead me down a path of destruction? Or was I going to allow Jesus Christ to be my shepherd, the One who would lead me to a life of peace and blessings? By the grace of the Lord, I chose Jesus Christ to be my shepherd, and I have never regretted that decision.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who will guide you to a life of peace and blessings—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 166 Bible Readings - Nahum 1:7-8 (NLT)

Nahum 1-3, Psalm 11

Nahum 1:7-8 (NLT)

“The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. But he will sweep away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He will pursue his foes into the darkness of night.”

In Nahum 1:7-8, the prophet Nahum, who was delivering the Lord’s message of judgment against Nineveh, tells the people that in times of distress they can seek Father-God, who is a strong fortress. The Lord knows all those who trust Him because they are in relationship with Him. At the same time, the Lord does not allow wickedness to go unpunished. Nineveh was known as a wicked and cruel city and was an enemy of Israel. Father-God will punish those who oppose Him. The destruction of Nineveh also served as a warning to all nations that oppose the Lord and His people.

These verses serve as a reminder to believers that the Lord is a refuge and protector for those who believe in Him. Father-God knows those who trust in Him because He is in a covenant relationship with His people. But the Lord’s love is not unconditional, and He will judge wickedness in both people and nations. The prophecy of Nahum came true when Nineveh was destroyed by a coalition of Babylonians and their allies. One Bible commentary I read noted that unusually heavy rains caused the rivers to flood, undermining the city walls and allowing the invading armies to enter the city.

Nahum’s prophecy coming true reminds believers that the Lord’s Word is true and powerful and that His promises and warnings will come to pass. But it also means believers can trust in the Lord when they enter into a covenant relationship with Him. We can be assured of Father-God’s faithfulness, protection, and goodness.

These verses, which come in the midst of Nahum’s prophecy concerning Nineveh’s destruction, show me that there are blessings in choosing righteousness instead of sin and cruelty. The people of Nineveh repented when they heard the preaching of Jonah a hundred years earlier, but they eventually returned to their sinful ways. If we trust in the Lord, we can seek refuge in Him and trust in His goodness. Even in times of judgment, believers can trust the Lord to deliver them.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is your refuge in times of distress—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 165 4Bible Readings - Micah 5:2-3 (NLT)

Micah 5-7, Psalm 10

Micah 5:2-3 (NLT)

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land.”

In Micah 5:2-3, the prophet Micah told the people that the Lord would raise up a great ruler from the humble town of Bethlehem, which was the birthplace of King David. Bethlehem was a small town in Judah and not a great or influential city. Micah said that the people would be abandoned, but they would return to their own land.

These verses remind believers that the Lord can use the humble and lowly to accomplish His plan for the world. Father-God chose a small town in Judah as the birthplace of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. One Bible commentary I read noted that verse 2 was quoted by the chief priests and teachers of the law when Herod asked them about the birthplace of the Messiah (Matthew 2:5-6).

That Bible commentary also noted that Micah told the people of Israel that the origin of this ruler was “from ancient times” and that He would come on the Lord’s behalf. Micah’s revelation that Jesus Christ existed before His birth was revealed more fully in the New Testament in passages such as Ephesians 1:4 and 1 Peter 1:20.

I love these verses because they show that the Lord always had a plan for the birth of Jesus Christ before the world began, which also affirms the divinity of Jesus Christ and His eternal nature.

The choice to have Christ born in Bethlehem also shows that anyone can be used by the Lord to fulfill His plan for the world, even someone like me. I don’t consider myself anything special, so having a small part to play in the Lord’s plan for the world makes me feel privileged and grateful as a believer.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who can use anyone to fulfill His plan for the world—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 164 4Bible Readings - Micah 4:1-2 (NLT)

Micah 1-4, Psalm 9

Micah 4:1-2 (NLT)

“In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all—the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’ For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem.”

In Micah 4:1-2, the prophet Micah tells the people that Jerusalem will be restored and become the most important place on earth. All nations will be drawn to worship Father-God in Jerusalem. They will desire the Lord’s teachings and will want to obey and learn from Him. All the nations of the world will want to actively walk in the ways of the Lord.

When I first read these verses, I thought of the book of Revelation and the Messianic Age. One Bible commentary I read noted that these verses foreshadow the Great Commission from Matthew 28:19, where Christ tells His followers to preach His teachings to all nations. Micah’s prophecy is also a fulfillment of the promise that the Lord made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, when Father-God told Abraham, “All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

We can also see the fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy in people wanting to go to Jerusalem. Traveling to Jerusalem as a pilgrimage is a goal for many believers in Jesus Christ. Finally, Micah’s prophecy that the Lord’s teachings would go out from Jerusalem was fulfilled in Acts 1:8. Jesus Christ told His followers in Jerusalem to spread His teachings to the ends of the earth.

These verses remind me that the Lord had a plan for the salvation and restoration of all humanity long before the birth of Jesus Christ. Father-God was faithful to His promise to Abraham, and His nature is unchanging. The Lord will not break the promises He makes to those who believe in Him. I can see in my life the promises that the Lord made to me and has fulfilled. But I also have promises that are still unfulfilled. These verses give me the confidence to trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to me, just as He was faithful to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is faithful to the promises He makes to those who believe in Him—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 163 Bible Readings - Jonah 4:10-11 (NLT)

Jonah 1-4, Psalm 8

Jonah 4:10-11 (NLT)

"Then the Lord said, ‘You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there. It came quickly and died quickly. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such a great city?’”

In Jonah 4:10-11, the Lord explains to the prophet Jonah his misplaced priorities. Jonah felt sorry for the plant that died because it provided him temporary comfort from the sun, even though he didn’t create or maintain it. The plant grew in one day and withered away the next. Even though the people of Israel considered the people of Nineveh their enemies, Father-God showed them compassion and mercy, which angered Jonah.

These verses remind believers of the Lord’s compassion for everyone, even those who are far from Him. Father-God’s compassion extends to everyone, even to people whom we might consider undeserving. One Bible commentary I read noted that one of the reasons Jonah attempted to flee from the Lord’s call on his life was because he didn’t want the people of Nineveh to escape Father-God’s judgment. Jonah wanted the Lord to bring judgment upon the people he hated rather than save them.

Jonah’s distress over the plant dying also shows believers the temporary nature of our earthly comforts and possessions and how attached we can become to them. One Bible commentary I read noted that the dying plant metaphorically represents life’s fleeting nature. We can become emotionally attached to temporary things, while the Lord is concerned with the eternal souls of people.

Father-God’s compassion and mercy really touched me when I read these verses. No one is unredeemable in the Lord’s eyes. Father-God’s compassion and mercy, even for the enemies of the people He had a covenant with, show us that the Lord desires all people to come to repentance. We can never underestimate the Lord’s willingness to forgive those who come to Him in repentance. The Lord’s willingness to save Nineveh also foreshadows Jesus Christ’s mission to seek and save the lost and those who are spiritually blind.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who wants to save everyone, even those we deem unworthy—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 162 Bible Readings for June 13 - Obadiah 1:3-4 (NLT)

Obadiah 1, Psalm 7

Obadiah 1:3-4 (NLT)

“‘You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. ‘Who can ever reach us way up here?’ you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crashing down,’ says the Lord.”

In Obadiah 1:3-4, the prophet Obadiah told the people of Edom that the Lord was bringing judgment against them because of their pride. The Edomites, who were descended from Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the brother of Jacob, lived in the area of Mount Seir. Their pride came from the fact that Mount Seir provided them with natural fortifications. Their cities, such as Petra, were carved into the rock faces and gave them a sense of security, and they believed their location made them impossible to attack. The Edomites also boasted of their wisdom. But Father-God tells the people that He will bring them crashing down.

These verses remind believers about the dangers of pride. When we trust in worldly strengths such as physical security and our own wisdom, it can lead to our downfall. The Lord is sovereign, and true security can only be found in Him. Because of their pride, the Edomites were blind to their vulnerabilities and thought they were not subject to the Lord’s divine judgment. The people of Edom mistreated the people of Israel many times, including refusing to let them pass through their country to enter the Promised Land. Edom also allied with Moab and Ammon to attack the kingdom of Judah.

One Bible commentary I read noted that although the Edomites fought side by side with Israel in the rebellion against Rome in AD 66–70, they were defeated by Rome, and the Edomites were never heard from as a people again, fulfilling Obadiah’s prophecy.

When I read these verses, I saw examples in my own life where pride blinded me to my need for the Lord. When I was backsliding, I didn’t think I needed the Lord very much. I was born with intelligence, a good work ethic, and a strong sense of independence, and I was proud of those qualities. But as the years passed, my self-reliance proved to be a deception. I couldn’t rely on my own strength to bring me peace or make me feel secure in life. During my years of backsliding, I lived in a constant state of fear of losing everything.

When the company I worked for during that time started laying people off every two years to save money, I lived in fear of losing my job. It wasn’t until I started paying attention to the guidance of the Holy Spirit that I began to place my trust in the Lord rather than in myself or the world around me. When I became born again, I realized that any success or wealth in my life came from the Lord. While I still occasionally experience fearful thoughts of loss, I have learned to focus instead on the many ways the Lord has blessed my life.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who is the true source of all your strength and success in life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 161 Bible Readings - Amos 9:11-12 (NLT)

Amos 6-9, Psalm 6

Amos 9:11-12 (NLT)

“‘In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory. And Israel will possess what is left of Edom and all the nations I have called to be mine.’ The Lord has spoken, and he will do these things.”

In Amos 9:11-12, the Lord tells the prophet Amos that He will restore the royal line of King David to the northern kingdom of Israel, since they had rejected David’s heirs. Father-God also promised that He would take what was ruined and repair and rebuild it. Then the Lord announced that Edom and all nations would recognize His authority and worship Him.

These verses give us another prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ, since Christ was a descendant of King David. These verses are quoted by James in Acts 15:17 when he was speaking to the Jerusalem Council. A Bible commentary I read noted that James used these verses to demonstrate that Father-God had promised to reach the Gentiles and bring them into His kingdom through their faith in Jesus Christ.

These verses also remind believers that the Lord is always faithful to His promises. Father-God made a covenant with David, and despite the unfaithfulness of the people, the Lord promised to restore the fallen house of David through His descendant, Jesus Christ. The Lord also desires redemption for the whole world when He expanded His covenant to include Edom and all Gentile nations.

When I read these verses, I am reminded that the Lord rebuilt and renewed what was broken in my life. I was never good at managing money, but through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Father-God guided me to make decisions with my investments that helped make up for the years I spent not saving for retirement. I now have a peace of mind regarding money that I never had before.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who can rebuild and restore what is broken in your life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 160 Bible Readings - Amos 5:14-15 (NLT)

Amos 1-5, Psalm 5

Amos 5:14-15 (NLT)

“Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.”

In Amos 5:14-15, the prophet Amos tells the people of Israel of the Lord’s cure for their sin. Amos tells the people to pursue righteousness and actively reject evil as a way of life. The Lord wants the people to act with fairness and righteousness in matters of public justice. Amos prayed that the Lord’s mercy would be available to those who turn back to Him.

These verses remind believers that the cure for sin is to always return to the Lord. One Bible commentary I read noted that the people of Israel were guilty of social injustice and idolatry. Amos was warning the people of Father-God’s impending judgment and calling them to repent to avoid it. The people needed to return to the Lord and correct their actions by following the path of good instead of evil. They could not justly claim the Lord’s presence without being repentant and demonstrating through their actions that they valued fairness and righteousness.

What stood out to me in these verses is that my actions and my life need to reflect how my heart is aligned. If my heart is aligned with Father-God, then my actions will reflect the Lord’s values, especially those of fairness and righteousness. I cannot simply claim to love the Lord; my actions must reflect what Father-God values.

The Lord’s presence is conditional upon our obedience to His Word. Sometimes the Holy Spirit guides me to examine my interactions to see if I have been reflecting the Lord’s character through my actions. When I find myself falling short, I repent and ask the Holy Spirit to help me examine why I chose those actions in the first place. What idols am I holding onto that guided my actions? Why didn’t I more fully reflect the Lord’s character in my actions? With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I know I can more actively pursue goodness rather than the pathway of sin and evil.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who has given us the Holy Spirit to enrich our lives and guide us daily—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 159 Bible Readings - Joel 2:28-29 (NLT)

Joel 1-3, Psalm 4

Joel 2:28-29 (NLT)

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.”

In Joel 2:28-29, the Lord told the prophet Joel that there would be a time of restoration and blessing. During this time, Father-God would pour out His Spirit on all people. When that happened, everyone would prophesy and speak the Lord’s message. Even old men would have dreams, and young men would see visions.

These verses remind believers that the Holy Spirit is available to everyone. In the time of the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was given only to select people such as prophets, priests, and kings. Joel prophesied what would later be fulfilled at Pentecost in Acts 2, when the Holy Spirit descended upon believers, including both men and women. In the Old Testament, the role of prophecy was predominantly carried out by men. But with Pentecost, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not just for men, but for women as well.

A Bible commentary I read noted that dreams in the biblical context often serve as a medium for divine revelation, as seen in the lives of Joseph and Daniel. But the Lord tells Joel that age will not be a barrier to receiving Father-God’s revelation because old men will have dreams. The Lord also tells Joel that young men will have visions, which are another form of divine communication that provides guidance, encouragement, or revelation of the Lord’s plans.

My relationship with the Holy Spirit has been one of the greatest blessings of being born again. I don’t have dreams or visions, but when I pray, I hear the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit’s guidance has been instrumental in deepening my relationship with Father-God and filling my life with peace and the love of the Lord.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who has given us the Holy Spirit to enrich our lives and guide us daily—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 158 Bible Readings - Hosea 14:4-5 (NLT)

Hosea 11-14, Psalm 3

Hosea 14:4-5 (NLT)

“The Lord says, ‘Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever. I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon.'”

In Hosea 14:4-5, the Lord promises to restore Israel from their spiritual unfaithfulness and restore their covenant relationship with Him. The love of Father-God is freely given because it is a gift of grace. The Lord’s love is unconditional, remains steadfast, and is not based on our actions. Father-God’s anger has turned into mercy and compassion for His people. The Lord’s presence is compared to dew, and growth, beauty, and strength are restored when we return to Him.

These verses remind believers that the Lord will heal the spiritual wounds caused by our unfaithfulness. Other Bible translations of verse 4 refer to unfaithfulness as apostasy (the abandoning of one’s faith) or backsliding. One Bible commentary I read noted that the Lord’s healing is comprehensive and addresses both the root and the symptoms of sin. Father-God offers believers a fresh start when we repent. The Lord’s grace is given to us, not earned. Father-God’s anger becomes compassion and mercy, and comfort is given to us. The presence of the Lord in our lives brings spiritual growth, renewal, and deeper spiritual roots. When we return to the Lord, He will always offer us restoration and new life.

The Lord’s promise of healing after restoration is the most important thing to me. After I repented and returned to the Lord, I felt His love for me grow stronger. It took me a while to realize that Father-God’s love for me was always deep and unconditional. It wasn’t until I was born again that I was able to experience the Lord’s love more fully. And I still don’t think I fully grasp how much the Lord truly loves me, at least not on this side of eternity.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who loves you more than you can fully grasp on this side of eternity—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 157 Bible Readings - Hosea 6:1-3 (NLT)

Hosea 6-10, Psalm 2

Hosea 6:1-3 (NLT)

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

In Hosea 6:1-3, the prophet Hosea tells the people to return to the Lord after their correction. Hosea prayed in full confidence that Father-God would bandage their wounds and restore them because of His mercy and willingness to restore His people. Hosea tells the people to pursue knowing the Lord, and Father-God will respond to them because He is faithful to His people. The people can depend on the love of the Lord as they depend on the sun rising or the rains in early spring.

These verses remind believers of the covenant relationship we have with the Lord through our faith in Jesus Christ. Father-God will discipline and correct His people, but His discipline is for our redemption and to restore us to Him. Hosea emphasizes the importance of pursuing a deeper understanding of and relationship with the Lord so that we can know Father-God more intimately. We can trust in the Lord’s faithfulness to us. One Bible commentary I read noted that the Lord will refresh us like rain in times of spiritual dryness.

The King James Version of verse 2, “After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight,” foreshadows Christ’s resurrection on the third day. In Hosea, we have another prophecy of Jesus Christ.

I love these verses because they tell me that even when I am corrected and disciplined by the Lord, I can always return to Him. Father-God is always faithful and wants nothing more than for His children to be in covenant relationship with Him. The Lord offers restoration and an open invitation to pursue a relationship with Him again. Father-God’s presence in my life and His intervention are as certain as the rain and the rising sun. I can always expect the Lord’s continual work and presence in my life.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One whom you can trust to be a continual presence in your life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 156 Bible Readings - Hosea 3:1-2 (NLT)

Hosea 1-5, Psalm 1

Hosea 3:1-2 (NLT)

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.’ So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and five bushels of barley and a measure of wine.”

In Hosea 3:1-2, the Lord commands the prophet Hosea to go back to his wife, Gomer. Gomer was committing adultery, but Father-God directed Hosea to love her again. The Lord wanted to show that He still loved the people of Israel, even though they had loved and worshipped other gods. Hosea did as the Lord asked and bought Gomer out of prostitution.

These verses give believers a living example of what it means when the Lord takes us back after we turn away from Him. It is easy to imagine how hard it must have been for Hosea to take his wife back after she committed adultery and became a prostitute. But Father-God restores believers to relationship willingly because of His unwavering love.

Hosea’s act of buying Gomer back also mirrors the price Christ paid for our redemption. Jesus paid with His life to bring us back into relationship with the Lord. Through the resurrection of Christ, we also received a new covenant.

But Hosea also provides believers with an example of faithfulness through his obedience to the Lord. Hosea demonstrates that believers should have mercy and forgiveness for those who wrong us, just like Father-God does for His people.

These verses made me realize that when I stray from the Lord, it is the equivalent of cheating on a husband—on someone who loves me very much. It never quite occurred to me that in my backsliding, I was being unfaithful to the Lord. But these verses showed me I was, and it is a sobering thought. Now that I have the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will be reminded how awful straying from the Lord can be.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who loves you so much that He will take you back even when you stray from Him—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 155 Bible Readings for June 6 - Ezekiel 45:1-2 (NLT)

Ezekiel 44-48, Psalm 150

Ezekiel 45:1-2 (NLT)

“When you divide the land among the tribes of Israel, you must set aside a section for the Lord as his holy portion. This piece of land will be 8 1⁄3 miles long and 6 2⁄3 miles wide. The entire area will be holy. A section of this land, measuring 875 feet by 875 feet, will be set aside for the Temple. An additional strip of land 87 1⁄2 feet[c] wide is to be left empty all around it.”

In Ezekiel 45:1-2, the Lord told Ezekiel to set aside a section of land for the Lord where a temple would be built, and it would be considered holy. Father-God even gave Ezekiel specific measurements for the temple and the surrounding land.

These verses remind believers that dedicating parts of their lives and resources to the Lord is something that He expects. Father-God set apart a portion of the land for Himself so He could dwell there, so it makes sense that believers should do the same, so the Lord can dwell with us.

When I first read these verses, I immediately wondered if I was setting aside a portion of my life and time dedicated just to the Lord. I knew I was dedicating resources to Father-God through my tithe to my church, but I didn’t know if I had created specific time in my life strictly for worshipping the Lord. I knew the Holy Spirit was dwelling inside of me because of the death and resurrection of Christ, but I didn’t know if I was spending time acknowledging His presence in my life.

But I soon realized that I had carved out time in my life when I became born again to worship the Lord. I spend my mornings praying to the Lord in tongues and then reciting what I believe about the Lord and His promises in my life. I spend 30 minutes writing to the Lord during the day about my day, what happened, what I’m grateful for, and what I’m praying about. Finally, before I go to bed, I pray to the Lord in tongues again and tell Him what I’m grateful for that happened during the day.

When I didn’t have these practices, I only thought about the Lord when I went to church or when I was praying because something was going wrong in my life and I needed help. I felt far from the Lord. Spending time with Father-God has been such a blessing in my life because I now daily feel that the Lord is never far from me. I’ve dedicated time to acknowledge Father-God’s presence in my life, and I feel His love more strongly now than I ever have before.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who wants to dwell daily in your life if you let Him—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 154 Bible Readings - Psalm 149:5-6 (NLT)

Ezekiel 40-43, Psalm 149

Psalm 149:5-6 (NLT)

“Let the faithful rejoice that he honors them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds. Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands—”

In Psalm 149:5-6, the psalmist tells us that the faithful sing as they lie in their beds. One Bible commentary I read noted that the faithful’s worship extended beyond public spaces into their private lives. Worshipping in bed implied a deep and personal expression of gratitude. The psalmist portrays the Lord’s people as always ready for battle with their songs of praise and the sharp sword of the Lord’s Word.

One Bible commentary I read noted that praising the Lord is not just an act of worship, but also a powerful weapon. Praising the Lord with songs, even in bed, shows your joy in the Lord, but singing praise songs in bed can also be a weapon during challenging times.

When I read these verses, I think about Paul and Silas singing hymns to the Lord while they were in prison in Acts 16:25. Despite being imprisoned and beaten, they showed their faith in Father-God through prayer and worship. The praise of Paul and Silas became a weapon because soon afterward an earthquake struck the prison and the prison doors flew open.

Scenes of people singing while going through hard times have even become movie and stage tropes. People sing, and the song inspires them not to give up and keep fighting.

When I was going through hard times in my life, I forced myself to listen to praise songs to lighten my mood. I would sing praise songs while lying in bed, and they inspired me not to give up on my faith in the Lord. This practice brought me peace and helped keep me from falling further into depression, eventually inspiring me to take action to get out of my situation.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who brings peace to your life when you praise Him—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 153 Bible Readings - Ezekiel 38:28-29 (NLT)

Ezekiel 38-39, Psalm 148

Ezekiel 38:28-29 (NLT)

“Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God, because I sent them away to exile and brought them home again. I will leave none of my people behind. And I will never again turn my face from them, for I will pour out my Spirit upon the people of Israel. I, the Sovereign Lord, have spoken!”

In Ezekiel 38:28-29, the Lord tells Ezekiel that He will restore the people of Israel. Father-God sent the people into exile as a form of divine discipline meant to bring them to repentance. The Lord promised that He would never again turn His face away from His people, and He would pour out His Spirit upon them.

These verses remind believers that the Lord’s discipline is always for our redemption and not simply to punish us. When Father-God hid His face from people, historically it meant that the people were under judgment and the Lord was withholding His favor. But now the Lord tells Ezekiel that He will never again turn His face away, which reminds me of when the Lord told Noah, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race” (Genesis 8:21). Then the Lord says that He will pour out His Spirit upon the people, which I believe is another prophecy of the Holy Spirit that was fulfilled at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to believers.

I love these verses because they demonstrate to me that the Lord will always be faithful to His covenant with His people and that His nature is unchanging. The people went into exile in Babylon, but Father-God brought them back and left no one behind. The Lord then promised to never turn His face and divine favor away from the people and promised a new era of spiritual renewal by pouring out the Holy Spirit on His people. Father-God gave the people physical renewal by returning them to their land and spiritual renewal through His promise to pour out the Holy Spirit. The Lord restored intimacy with His people by promising to never hide His face.

I know I’ve seen the Lord’s promise of restoration in my own life. Despite my many years of backsliding, Father-God welcomed me back like the father welcomed back his prodigal son. The Lord gave me a new heart, a new life, and a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who will welcome and celebrate your return to covenant—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 152 Bible Readings - Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT)

Ezekiel 34-37, Psalm 147

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT)

“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.”

In Ezekiel 36:26-27, the Lord tells Ezekiel that He promises to spiritually renew Israel. Father-God promised that He would give the people of Israel a new heart and a new spirit within them. The Lord will put His Spirit into the people so they will follow His decrees and laws.

Reading these verses, I believe Ezekiel prophesied about the new covenant that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection would fulfill. In John 3, Jesus spoke about being born again to Nicodemus. Paul spoke about becoming a new person when you believe in Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:17. Jesus said believers would receive a new life, which includes a new heart.

The new spirit is a prophecy of the Holy Spirit that was fulfilled in Acts 1:8, when Jesus said the Holy Spirit would come upon believers and they would receive power. Christ said the Holy Spirit would dwell within us and give us guidance. The Holy Spirit helps us live according to the Lord’s will.

The new covenant with Jesus Christ is not established through obedience to the Law, but on grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The new covenant is internalized in our hearts and not written on stone like the old covenant.

When I joined my new church and received an impartation, it felt like Father-God had taken out my heart and replaced it with a new one. I felt so much pain in my heart region that I originally thought I might be having a heart attack. The feeling was so painful and strong that I started to hyperventilate. But instantly my body relaxed, and I felt peace descend upon me. I opened my eyes and thought, What the heck just happened? Then the pastor talked about receiving a new heart when you come into a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ, and I knew I had experienced in my body what those words meant. That experience changed my life and continues to change it daily.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who will give you a new heart and transform your life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 151 Bible Readings - Ezekiel 33:30-33 (NLT)

Ezekiel 31-33, Psalm 146

Ezekiel 33:30-33 (NLT)

“Son of man, your people talk about you in their houses and whisper about you at the doors. They say to each other, ‘Come on, let’s go hear the prophet tell us what the Lord is saying!’ So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money. You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it! But when all these terrible things happen to them—as they certainly will—then they will know a prophet has been among them.”

In Ezekiel 33:30-33, the Lord tells Ezekiel that the people listened to his prophecies, but they did not obey them. The people talked about Ezekiel’s prophecies and believed that the words did come from the Lord. The people even said kind things about Ezekiel’s preaching, but it made no difference in their hearts. They failed to commit to making the changes in their lives that Father-God required. The Lord compared Ezekiel to a singer. He was very entertaining to the people, and they appreciated his preaching. Then the Lord said that when Ezekiel’s prophecies came true, the people would realize the consequences of ignoring the Lord’s messengers.

These verses remind believers that true faith means aligning our actions and our lives with what we believe. We cannot just hear Father-God’s words and find them entertaining, like listening to a singer. We cannot listen to the Word of the Lord superficially. We cannot live for ourselves; we need to live for the honor of Father-God.

I sometimes wonder if I am engaging with the Lord’s Word on an intellectual level only. When this happens, I stop and assess the areas of my life where my actions are not aligned with Father-God’s teachings. Am I letting the Lord’s words transform my life? Am I professing my faith with my mouth while my heart is far from the Lord? Am I pursuing the Lord’s will or my own interests?

This self-assessment is hard to do because you might not like what you find. I didn’t. There are parts of my life that are still not aligned with the Lord’s plan for my life. I am working on them, and I know that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, my faith will be demonstrated through my obedience and application of the Lord’s teachings in my life, and I won’t face the consequences of sin and disobedience.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who wants to transform your life through the application of His Word—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 150 Bible Readings - Ezekiel 29:13-14 (NLT)

Ezekiel 29-30, Psalm 145

Ezekiel 29:13-14 (NLT)

“But this is what the Sovereign Lord also says: At the end of the forty years I will bring the Egyptians home again from the nations to which they have been scattered. I will restore the prosperity of Egypt and bring its people back to the land of Pathros in southern Egypt from which they came. But Egypt will remain an unimportant, minor kingdom.”

In Ezekiel 29:13-14, the Lord tells Ezekiel that He will bring back the Egyptians to their homeland forty years after King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered them. Father-God will restore the prosperity of Egypt, but it will never again be a great nation.

These verses remind believers that the Lord controls the rise and fall of all nations, and not just Israel. But Father-God also showed His mercy and promised to restore Egypt to prosperity, although it would never again be a great nation. One Bible commentary I read noted that the restoration of Egypt fulfills a prophecy in Isaiah 19:19-25, where Isaiah prophesied about an altar to the Lord in the heart of Egypt and that the Egyptians would know the Lord. Isaiah’s prophecy came true because the early Christian church had a strong presence in Egypt for over 600 years.

Another Bible commentary I read noted that the humbling of Egypt served as a warning to other nations opposing the will of the Lord. Egypt was also a proud nation, and its people boasted that they created the Nile River and that it belonged to them. Ezekiel’s prophecy shows Egypt that there are consequences for not recognizing and honoring the Lord as the Creator of everything.

These verses show me that the Lord always has a plan in mind. Father-God punished Egypt because they did not acknowledge Him, but I believe He also restored them because, in the future, after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there would be a Christian church in Egypt for over 600 years. The Lord has a plan not just for His people, but for the nations of the world. The Lord is merciful and offers restoration because He has plans for nations and people who may someday be instrumental in bringing others to salvation.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who has a plan for your life—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 149 Bible Readings for May 31 - Psalm 144:1-2 (NLT)

Ezekiel 25-28, Psalm 144

Psalm 144:1-2 (NLT)

“Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me.”

In Psalm 144:1-2, David praised the Lord as his stability and strength. David believed that Father-God trained him for war, as he had to engage in many battles to establish and defend his kingdom. David spent his early years as a shepherd. He sought the Lord’s guidance and protection before all his battles. When David was on the run from King Saul, he relied on Father-God for His help and protection. David considered the Lord his shield and his refuge, and believed that Father-God granted him victory over his enemies.

These verses remind believers that we can rely on the Lord to be our foundation and our source of strength. If Father-God has equipped us with a task, we can be assured that He will equip and train us for the challenges we may face. The love that the Lord has for His people is steadfast and constant, and we can trust Him. Father-God sent the Holy Spirit to guide us and rescue us from difficult situations. Our faith in the Lord is a shield that protects us from attacks. We may not face the physical battles and enemies that David did, but the Lord will help us with our problems so we can overcome them.

Reading these verses written by David gives me hope that whatever tasks the Lord has given me, I will be able to overcome them. Sometimes I fear that I don’t have the training or intelligence to fulfill my tasks, but then I remember David, who started out as a shepherd boy and, with Father-God’s help, went on to become Israel’s greatest king. David constantly acknowledged that he owed his change in fortune to the Lord’s guidance. I know that I would not have made it this far in my life if the Holy Spirit had not been there to constantly guide me. My whole life is a testament that the Lord is my rescuer, my ally, my shield, and my foundation.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who can be your rock and salvation—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 148 Bible Readings - Ezekiel 24:15-18 (NLT)

Ezekiel 21-24, Psalm 143

Ezekiel 24:15-18 (NLT)

“Then this message came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, with one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. Do not weep; let there be no tears. Groan silently, but let there be no wailing at her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.’ So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died. The next morning I did everything I had been told to do.”

In Ezekiel 24:15-18, we read about the depth of Ezekiel’s obedience to the Lord. Father-God told Ezekiel that He would take his wife and commanded him to refrain from the traditional mourning practices. His wife died in the evening, and the next morning Ezekiel did exactly what the Lord told him to do.

These verses remind believers that we must always be prepared to follow the Lord’s guidance even if it doesn’t follow what the world expects. People expected Ezekiel to groan, wail, uncover his head, and take off his sandals after his wife died to show that he was mourning. Father-God specifically told Ezekiel not to show outward sorrow at his wife’s death. Ezekiel sacrificed personal comfort and customs because the Lord told him to do so. Ezekiel had total trust in the Lord’s plans, and he didn’t hesitate to obey.

One Bible commentary I read noted that believers must always yield to Father-God even in the most difficult times. The love of the Lord must be greater than the love we have even for family and loved ones. Another Bible commentary said that these verses tell believers that they are not slaves to their emotions. We have the Holy Spirit to help us not be ruled by our emotions.

I am in awe of Ezekiel’s trust in the Lord and his absolute faithfulness to do whatever the Lord commanded him to do. I never thought of Ezekiel as a role model for how to be faithful to the Lord. Ezekiel prophesied during the time when the people of Israel were in exile in Babylon, and the Lord already told him to keep prophesying and be prepared for people not to listen to him. I know that when I have doubts about what the Lord wants me to do with my life, I can read these verses and be inspired to have the obedience of Ezekiel.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who gives us role models for our faith in the Bible to inspire us—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 146 Bible Readings - Ezekiel 16:59-60 (NLT)

Ezekiel 15-17, Psalm 141

Ezekiel 16:59-60 (NLT)

“Now this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will give you what you deserve, for you have taken your solemn vows lightly by breaking your covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you when you were young, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.”

In Ezekiel 16:59-60, the Lord tells Ezekiel that He will correct and pass judgement on Jerusalem and Judah for breaking their vows and their covenant with Him. But Father-God then tells Ezekiel that He will remember the covenant He made with His people when they were young. The Lord says He will offer restoration to His people and establish a covenant with them.

These verses tell believers that the Lord remembers His covenant with His people even when they fail Him. Father-God made a covenant with the descendants of Abraham and gave them laws and rules to live by. But the people continually broke the covenant laws, especially through their worship of idols and their unfaithfulness. Because the Lord loved His people, He disciplined them by allowing them to experience exile in Babylon. But the Lord never forgot the covenant. The Lord promises a path to restoration so they could once again have an everlasting covenant with Him.

These verses also show us the Lord’s character. Father-God is steadfast and committed to His promises. The Lord’s love and faithfulness are unchanging. Even after the unfaithfulness of His people, the Lord promises them an everlasting covenant. These verses give us another prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ, who will establish a new covenant with people through His death and resurrection. This new covenant will be based not on the law, but on grace that offers eternal life and a restored relationship with the Lord.

I love these verses because they give another prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ and the promise of a new and everlasting covenant with the Lord. I also love that these verses show the depth of the love the Lord has for His people. The earlier verses in Ezekiel 16 go into detail about all the ways the descendants of Abraham broke their covenant with the Lord and how much Father-God hated their disobedience. But then the Lord tells Ezekiel He has not forgotten His covenant with His people and will establish an everlasting covenant. 

I love that these verses show me how merciful the Lord is and the depth of His love for His people. I know that no matter how much I might fail the Lord, He will always offer me a path to restoration when I come to Him in repentance.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who will offer restoration and forgiveness even after failure—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 145 Bible Readings - Ezekiel 14:6-7 (NLT)

Ezekiel 12-14, Psalm 140

Ezekiel 14:6-7 (NLT)

“Therefore, tell the people of Israel, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Repent and turn away from your idols, and stop all your detestable sins. I, the Lord, will answer all those, both Israelites and foreigners, who reject me and set up idols in their hearts and so fall into sin, and who then come to a prophet asking for my advice.”

In Ezekiel 14:6–7, the Lord tells Ezekiel to say to the leaders of Israel that He knows when they have set up idols in their hearts, even when they come to seek guidance from the Lord through His prophets. Father-God tells the leaders of Israel to get rid of the idols in their hearts, repent, and turn away from their sins.

These verses remind believers that the Lord knows everything about the people who believe in Him. Nothing can be hidden from the Lord. Believers may not participate in external idol worship, but if they have idols in their hearts, they can become double-minded. The leaders of Israel pretended to serve the Lord, but their hearts were far from Him.

When I read these verses and think about inner idols and being double-minded, I see independence and doubt as idols I still wrestle with in my heart. When the Holy Spirit guides me to do or say something, there is still a part of me that resists the guidance. For much of my life before I was saved, I valued my independence and was proud of the fact that I did not need help from anyone. Surrendering my will completely to Father-God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit is still something I struggle with.

Doubt is another inner struggle that I continue to wrestle with. I do not want to doubt the Lord, and I do not worship doubt, but it has been with me for so long that I still struggle to fully let it go. For many years, I doubted the Lord and His promises because I did not see them happening in my life. When difficult things happened, doubt would rise up within me and ask why the Lord did not step in to stop them.

I know doubting the Lord is wrong, yet the doubt still lingers like an idol, even though I now have so much evidence that the Lord has always fulfilled His promises to me. But I also know that, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, my struggles with independence and doubt will lessen over time until they become only whispers in my heart that I hear but no longer follow.

If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who sees the idols in your heart and helps you overcome them—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.

Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.