Day 146 Bible Readings – John 16: 2 (ESV)

1 Samuel 17: 38-58, 1 Samuel 18, John 16, Psalm 85: 8-13

John 16: 2 (ESV)

“They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”

In verse 2 from John 16, Jesus tells his disciples and what will happen to them because they believe in him. Jesus tells them they will put you out of the synagogues, and that they will be persecuted and killed and think they are offering a service to God. Jesus was prophesying what would happen to the early Christians and to the Jewish people who believed in him. But this warning of Jesus not only applies to his early followers, but to all Christians even to this day. Christians today are being persecuted around the world and in the United States of America for their beliefs. On Saturday May 24, a few Seattle churches held a peaceful worship service in a park in downtown Seattle and was attacked by an anti-Christian crowd. The Mayor of Seattle then blamed the Christian worshipers for the violence. Pastor calls for Seattle mayor's apology after Christians attacked at 'don't mess with our kids' event

As a follower of Christ, we need to expect opposition as a normal part of our life, but I think we often forget this warning from Jesus. But we need to remember it because sadly, culture is against people who love and believe in Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, find yourself a Bible-based Christian church who will teach you about Jesus Christ and how to have a relationship with him.

Day 145 Bible Readings for May 26 – 1 Samuel 16: 7 (ESV)

Happy Belated Memorial Day!

1 Samuel 16, 1 Samuel 17: 1-37, John 15, Psalm 85: 1-7

1 Samuel 16: 7 (ESV)

“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

When I was reading the Bible readings for this day, verse 7 from 1 Samuel 16 stood out to me. I love how Father-God spoke to Samuel as he was looking at the sons of Jessie the Bethlehemite. Samuel had such an intimate relationship with Father-God that he received instructions in his head as he was looking at each boy. The Lord told Samuel do not judge a person’s leadership potential by their height and stature, in other words, don’t judge a person by their appearance. Because God can see into a man’s heart, we need to always seek the Lord’s guidance when making any decision. As believers of faith in Jesus Christ, we also need to judge people the way Father-God judges someone, which is on their inner character and not on their outward appearance. What this verse also shows is that whomever God chooses may not line up with our own human expectations, so we need to trust in God’s judgement always because he can see more than we can see with our human eyes. This verse also tells us that God can use anyone to do his work, even those feel weak and not strong in statue.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about the day’s Bible verse(s), do yourself a favor and find a Bible-based church so you can join a community that teaches you how to have a relationship with Father-God, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Day 144 Bible Readings – John 14: 27 (ESV)

1 Samuel 14: 24-52, 1 Samuel 15, John 14, Psalm 84: 8-12

John 14: 27 (ESV)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

The first sentence of Verse 27 from John 14 is what is said around the world in Christian churches. This verse was part of what Jesus said to his disciples during the Last Supper. The concept of giving someone “peace or Shalom” was common in the culture of the Jewish people during the time of Jesus. But the peace that faith in Jesus promises us is different than what peace means in the culture, which is the absence of conflict and a sense of well-being which is temporary and based on circumstances. Jesus offers his followers the peace that is rooted in a relationship with Father-God and himself and the Holy Spirit. The peace that Jesus gives to us is the promise of salvation and eternal life with Father-God through Christ. The peace of Jesus is unconditional and eternal, so we are not troubled or afraid. If we trust in Christ, we will have the peace that surpasses all understanding which means that we can have peace in our life no matter what is happening. The peace that Jesus promises his followers is a gift and not something that we need to earn because he loves us and will take care of us, now and in time after death. As followers of Jesus, we must also offer peace to those around us like Jesus did.

Day 143 Bible Readings – John 13: 34-35 (ESV)

1 Samuel 12-13, 1 Samuel 14: 1-23, John 13: 18-38, Psalm 84: 1-7

John 13: 34-35 (ESV)

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

During the Last Supper Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment which we read in verses 34 and 35 from John 13. Jesus told his disciples that they need to love each other as Jesus loved them. Jesus gave himself as the example for how he wanted his disciples to love each other. Jesus had demonstrated to his disciples his compassion and service and unconditional love for people. Jesus wanted his disciples and his followers to choose to love each other and be unified, and to act in the best interest of each other. Jesus knew that if people of faith acted like this, their actions would serve as a testimony to how the belief in Jesus can transform a person’s life. I love this new commandment that Jesus gave his disciples because he tells people of faith that if we treat fellow believers in the way Jesus treated us, then we will stand out in the world for unity and love towards each other. How we treat each other can become a recruiting tool for non-believers to start to believe in how Jesus can