Day 161 Bible Readings – Acts 6: 2-4 (ESV)

2 Samuel 15: 13-37, 2 Samuel 16: 1-14, Acts 6, Act 7: 1-19, Psalm 91: 1-8

Acts 6: 2-4 (ESV)

“And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

In verses 2 through 4 from Acts 6, we read about the disciples settled the problem of caring for others in the early church after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. These verses tell us that we each have a role to play in the body of Christ. Some are like the disciples who are meant to preach, lead prayer, and ministering the words of Christ. Others are meant to serve and care for the needy of the church. Father-God has a plan for each believer’s life that will help to serve his plan for the world.  But like the early disciples of Christ, all believers need to make sure they are praying and listening to the words of Christ and are full of the Holy Spirit. Whatever the role and gifts Father-God has given to us, we still need to make sure that are filled with the Holy Spirit who will guide us and give us the power to fulfill the plan Father-God has mapped out for our lives.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church where you can use the gifts and talents Father-God gave you to fulfill his plan for your life and the world.

Day 160 Bible Readings – Acts 5: 38-39 (ESV)

2 Samuel 14, 2 Samuel 15: 1-12, Acts 5: 12-42, Psalm 90: 11-17

Acts 5: 38-39 (ESV)

“So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”…”

In verses 38 and 39 from Acts 5, we read about Gamaliel’s response to the Sanhedrin about what to with Peter and John. Gamaliel’s advice was to let Peter and John go and wait and see if the teachings of Jesus were really from God, and if they were from God then there was nothing the Sanhedrin could do to stop them. Gamaliel then added that if the disciples were from God then stopping them would be opposing Father-God.

Gamaliel’s advice teaches us that as believers of Jesus Christ, we should not immediately act when facing opposition. We need to discern through observation and patience to see if action is needed. If something or someone is truly from God, then there is nothing we can do to stop what is happening. We must always seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for what actions to take. Gamaliel tells us Father-God is sovereign overall and opposing him will fail. If we are aligned with God’s purpose and plans, then there is nothing anyone can do to stop our plans.

If you enjoyed reading my thought about these Bible verses, find yourself a good Bible-based church where you will learn to hear the voice of Father-God and align your life with the plans that Father-God has for your life.

Day 159 Bible Readings – Acts 4: 31 (ESV)

2 Samuel 13, Acts 4: 23-37, Acts 5: 1-11, Psalm 90: 1-10       

Acts 4: 31 (ESV)

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

In verse 31 from Acts 4, we read about another act of signs and miracles after the disciples of Jesus Christ received power from the Holy Spirit. After Peter and John preached to the crowds again and then prayed, they felt the ground shake where they were gathered. Afterward they were all filed with the Holy Spirit, and Peter and John continued preaching with boldness. I love the demonstration of supernatural power of the earth shaking that happened to Peter and John and the crowd of believers, because it shows that Father-God is present when believers come together and pray. We also read about how the Holy Spirit filled the crowd and Pater and John, again fulfilling the promise Jesus that he would send a helper after he was resurrected. As a believer in Christ, I think we need to pray and expect the Holy Spirit to fill us daily so we can be filled with power to leave a sinless life and to feel the presence of Father-God in our lives.

If you enjoyed reading my thought on this Bible verse, find yourself a good Bible-based church where you can pray for and expect to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised to all of his followers.

Day 158 Bible Readings – 2 Sameul 11: 1 (ESV)

2 Samuel 11 & 12, Acts 4: 1-22, Psalm 89: 46-52

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.”

I’ve always found verse 1 from 2 Samuel 11 such an interesting verse in the Bible. If you read the rest of 2 Samuel 11 and 12 you find out that David’s simple act of not going to war with his men to besiege Rabba led to a series of events where David displeased the Lord. When David decided to remain in Jerusalem instead of going to fight the Ammonites at Rabbah, this small of act of neglecting his responsibilities as a King led him to sin with Bathsheba. I also find it interesting that David did not ask Father-God for guidance on what to do as he had done when facing other enemies. Because David did not consult with Father-God, he was tempted to lie with Bathsheba who was a married woman. David’s actions in verse 1 show us that if we forget that one time to consult with Father-God for guidance in our lives, the path towards sin and displeasing Father-God becomes easy and we will find ourselves facing the consequences of our actions as David did when his child with Bathsheba died. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must always consult with Father-God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit for guidance on any action we take in our lives if we want to follow God’s will and lead a sinless and temptation free life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, find yourself a good Bible-based church, where you can hear and read about using examples from the Bible to live a life that is please to Father-God.