Day 160 Bible Readings – Acts 5: 17-21 (ESV)

2 Samuel 14, 2 Samuel 15: 1-12, Act 5: 12-42, Psalm 88: 10-19

“But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, “Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.” And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.”

Verses 17 through 21 from Acts 5 show the rescue of the apostles b an angel of God when they were locked up for preaching about Christ. The angel freed the disciples and told them to preach, and the disciples breached again in the morning. I love these miracles of Christ, but then I remember that the disciples of Christ were for the most martyred for their faith. They died very painful deaths for preaching about the resurrection of Christ.

I sometimes wonder if that’s why some churches do not fully preach all of God’s teachings. All Christians know that the early followers of Christ died horrible deaths, and I think they are afraid of the same thing happening to them. In today’s times, we don’t see many Christians dying of horrible deaths in the western countries. But there are parts of the worlds where Christians are still persecuted and killed like the first disciples of Christ. It takes a lot to be a Christian in today’s world, where talking about your faith will lead to cancellation and name-calling on social media. But the true followers of Christ in the early church didn’t let torture and murder stop them. They just kept on going and we need to follow in their example.

Day 159 Bible Readings – Acts 5: 5 (ESV)

 These are the Bible readings for June 9.

2 Samuel 13 Acts 4: 23-37, Act 5: 1-11

Acts 5: 5 (ESV)

“When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it.”

Verse 5 from Acts 5 shows what happens when we lie to God about our behavior. Ananias said they would give all their money to the church, but they lied and kept a portion back for themselves because they wanted the benefits that come with extreme generosity. When Ananias was called out by Peter, he died. He died for the sin of lying. Whether it was supernatural or shock when Peter called him out doesn’t matter. He died and God didn’t save him. This was Ananias’ judgement day played out before the disciples and their followers.

Some of the Bible commentaries I read have noted that in past revivals, a type of Judgement Day happened. God passed judgement on pastors and those who believed in him. I believe a great revival is coming soon, and many Christians, pastors, and churches will be judged by God for their behavior and obedience to God’s words. I think as long as one is trying to do their very best to follow God’s laws, God will have mercy because God knows the hearts of his true believers. Do I fear a judgement day if revival comes? No not for myself, but I do fear for those who profess loudly to follow God’s words and have sinned like Ananias. 

Day 158 Bible Reading - 2 Samuel 11: 1 (ESV)

These are the Bible readings for June 8.

2 Samuel 11 & 12, Acts 4: 1-22, Psalm 87

2 Samuel 11: 1 (ESV)

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.”

Verse 1 from 2 Samuel 11 gives us a brief description of the time of year and what David was doing. The bible commentaries note that Spring was usually a time of fighting when Kings go out to battle. But David instead sent Joab to go to war while he himself remained in Jerusalem. Many of the bible commentaries wrote that if David had gone to fight instead of remaining at home, he might never have seen Bathsheba, and God might never have been displeased with him. But this wasn’t the first time David ignored God’s wishes, but it would be the one that would cause God to be displeased with him.

John Trapp, an English American bible commentator, wrote “If David’s attention had been where God wanted, he would never it where God didn’t want it.” If I think back to my life, I have been where David was many times. I have gone down wrong paths because I wasn’t paying attention where God was asking me to be. It was a learning situation to be sure, but it was also at times very painful. I know my life would have been better and smoother if I had not strayed from where God was asking me to be.

Day 157 Bible Readings – Acts 3: 7-8 (ESV)

2  Samuel 9 & 10, Acts 3, Psalm 86: 11-17

Acts 3: 7-8 (ESV)

“And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.”

Verses 7 and 8 from Acts 3 is an account of Peter performing his first healing after Jesus died. It was true healing miracle of a man who had been lame since birth. I would love to see this kind of supernatural miracle in person. I’ve experienced many miracles in my life, but nothing this supernatural. I have also witnessed miracles of healing in person, but it was nothing like this. I know they still happen because I’ve read about them happening, but there is probably nothing more amazing than to witness this type of miracle in person.

I’ve a believer in small miracles. For me, sometimes just getting out of bed is a miracle. If I think about it more, I don’t know what would be more fun to see - the miracle itself or the joy of the person who experienced the miracle. Then I imagine all the hoopla and commotion that would follow. The cellphone cameras would come out, people would run down the aisles to get a picture, the praises of God from the audience watching, and the tears of the people in the room of pure joy since they were a witness to God’s miraculous healing power. I would love to go to a true revival to be a witness of the miracles of healing. that I read took place in past revival meetings. For me the most important miracle is being able to witness God’s healing grace still going strong centuries after Peter’s first healing.