Day 154 Bible Readings – Acts 1: 4-5 (ESV)

2 Samuel 3: 22-39, 2 Samuel 4, Acts 1, Psalm 89: 14-18

Acts 1: 4-5 (ESV)

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

In verses 4 and 5 from Acts 1, Jesus tells his disciples to not leave Jerusalem and wait to be baptized with the Holy Spirit which Father-God promised. Jesus promised his disciples an “Advocate” to help them, and to empower them for the mission that Jesus was going to give them. These verses also fulfill what John the Baptist had prophesied when he said that Jesus will baptize them with the Holy Spirit. When I read these verses, it makes me realize how important it is for believers in Jesus Christ to make sure they are baptized with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a gift from Father-God and Jesus Christ and is the third part of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is needed for all believers in Jesus Christ because Jesus promised in John 14: 26 that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of everything Jesus had said to his disciples. As believers of Christ if we want to spread the teachings of Christ like his disciples, we need the Holy Spirit to dwell within us because the Holy Spirit is the only one who has the power to bring people to Christ.

If you enjoyed my thoughts on these verses, find yourself a good full-gospel Holy Spirit filled church so you can experience the power and baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Day 153 Bible Readings – John 21: 17-19 (ESV)

2 Samuel 2: 8-32, 2 Samuel 3: 1-21, John 21, Psalm 89: 9-13

John 21: 17-19 (ESV)

“He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

In verses 17 through 19 from John 21, Jesus asked SImon for the third time if he loved him. The author of a Bible study I read wrote that Jesus needed to ask Simon three times in public if Simon loved him, because Simon had denied knowing Jesus three times in public. I love the symmetry of Jesus’ three questions to Simon about loving him because it negates the three times that Simon denied knowing Jesus. Then Jesus prophesies to Simon that what kind of death he would have, and invites him again to “Follow me.”. Jesus wanted Simon to have the choice again to follow him, knowing that he would be killed like Jesus for his faith. The first time Jesus told Simon to follow him, he did so willingly without knowing what would happen. We know from the Acts of the Apostles that Simon who was renamed by Jesus as Peter, would become the father of the Christian faith, convert thousands of people, and start the new church devoted to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

I love how these verses show that even though Simon had failed Jesus by denying him three times in public, Jesus forgave him and restored him as an apostle so he could continue telling people about his teachings. But Jesus gave Simon a choice to follow him, knowing that telling people about his teachings would lead to his death. Jesus would never have asked anyone to follow him, if he did not think they had the strength and faith to do it. As followers of Christ, we need to trust in Father-God and his plans for us since he has sovereignty over all things.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find a good Bible-based church so you can hear and read about how others are interpreting the words of Christ in the Bible.

Day 152 Bible Readings – John 20: 27-29 (ESV)

2 Samuel 1, 2 Samuel 2: 1-7, John 20, Psalm 89: 1-8

John 20: 27-29 (ESV)

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

In verses 27 through 29 from John 20, we read about Jesus having to prove to his doubting disciple Thomas that he was resurrected from the dead. Then Jesus blessed those people who would believe in him without needing to see physical evidence of his resurrection. I used to think that Thomas was the one disciple I could relate to out of all the disciples. I need physical evidence like Thomas to really believe in anything. But recently after an impartation of faith, I know I need to find another character that in the Bible that is more like the new me. I used to think I was a person of little faith, but in re-examining my life I’ve come to the realization that I am a person of great faith. I had great faith in moving to a different state 6 years ago when I had no job, because Holy Spirit said I would find a job in 6 months. This prophecy came true because I found a job in 6 months and was offered a good salary from a company that still gave out yearly bonuses.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these verses, find yourself a good Bible-based church that preaches the full gospel, heals the sick, and believes in the laying of hands for healing and impartation.  You won’t regret it

Day 151 Bible Readings for June 1 – 1 Samuel 30: 8 (ESV)

1 Samuel 28-31, John 19: 28-42, Psalm 88: 10-18

1 Samuel 30: 8 (ESV)

“And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.”

In verse 8 from 1 Samuel 30, we see how David always asked for guidance from Father-God. David was always seeking guidance from Father-God which shows how much David relied on the divine wisdom from God. David shows us how much he desired approval from Father-God before taking an action or making any decision. David also sought guidance on whether he would be successful in his actions, which show how much David believed he needed God’s blessing for success in any conflict. And we see how Father-God responded to David’s inquiry right away, which shows Father-God’s willingness to guide those who seek his guidance. Once David received the answers from Father-God he had the confidence he needed, and was successful in overtaking the band that had kidnapped his wives and children just as Father-God had promised. As believers in Christ, we need to follow David’s actions and ask God for guidance and the results of our actions if we follow God’s advice.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this verse from the Bible, find yourself a good Bible-based church so you can read and hear more about the verses in the Bible.