Day 165 Bible Readings – 2 Samuel 22: 29 (ESV)

2 Samuel 22, 2 Samuel 23: 1-7, Acts 9: 1-31, Psalm 94: 1-11

2 Samuel 22: 29 (ESV)

“For you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness.”

Verse 29 from 2 Sameul 22 may be one of my favorite verses from the Bible. Father-God has always been the light that drew me out of the darkness of my own misery. Father-God’s light pulled me from the deepest of pits of despair and depression when I was going through those seasons in my life. However, when I was reading a couple of Bible studies on these verses I found other meanings for Father-God’s light. Father-God is also a source of divine guidance and a way to navigate the darkness like a lamp. Father-Gpd also can dispel the darkness of chaos, ignorance, and adversity. Hs light also brings salvation and spiritual enlightenment, which gives us hope and the promise of deliverance through his presence in times of trouble. For David, Father-God illuminated his path to victory over his enemies and guided him through his reign’s uncertainties and challenges. And like David, we must always seek Father-God’s wisdom and direction in all things if we want to have lives that are full of peace and pleasing to Father-God.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church where you can learn and develop your ability to rely on Father-God to be the lamp in your life.

Day 164 Bible Readings – Act 8: 20-21 (ESV)

2 Samuel 20-21, Acts 8, Psalm 93

Act 8: 20-21 (ESV)

“But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.”

In verse 20-21from Acts 8, we read about Peter’s rebuke to Simon the Magician in Samaria who wanted to pay for Simon to give him the power to give people the Holy Spirit. Peter scolds Simon and tells him that you cannot buy spiritual gifts, because the grace of Father-God cannot be purchased or earned. The gift of being able to lay hands on people so they receive the Holy Spirit comes to those who repent and right with Father-God. Simon wanted to lay hands on people to give the gift of the Holy Spirit for his own selfish purposes, and not to serve and spread the message of Jesus Christ and glorify Father-God. Father-God wants our motives to be aligned with his will which is serve him and follow his will for our life. I think Simon the Magician would feel right at home in our current age of celebrity on social media by wanting to have gifts from God, so he could be a star and makes a video that goes viral. But Peter speaks for Father-God when he tells Simon his motives are wrong, and that you cannot have the gifts of the Holy Spirit unless you repent of your sins and are right with God. The gifts of the Holy Spirit will only be given to those who are right with God and want to serve him according to his will for their lives.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church where you can listen to the word of God and discern his plan for your life.

Day 163 Bible Readings – Psalm 92: 12 (ESV)

2 Samuel 18: 19-33, 2 Samuel 19, Acts 7: 44-60, Psalm 92

Psalm 92: 12 (ESV)

“The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”

In verse 12 from Psalm, we read about one of the promises of Father-God. If you are believer in Jesus Christ and follow his commandments, you will flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. In Biblical times, the palm tree was known to have long life and have the ability to thrive in the desert, which meant the palm tree has resilience and endurance. For the tribes of ancient Israel, the palm branches were also used to signify victory and triumph over one’s adversaries. If we are like palm trees, this means that Father-God promised that we will flourish even in the toughest of condition and have victory because we are under his protection, grace, and mercy. We will not just survive harsh circumstances; we will flourish in them as a blessing from Father-God. The cedar trees were also known for their strength, height, and durability. Cedar trees were used for the construction of temples and palaces because of their stability and longevity. As believers in Father-God, we have the cedar tree’s strength and durability in our faith so we become temples for the Father-God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. I know for myself that deepening my relationship with Father-God has given me the strength to endure life’s most difficult circumstances, and has given me the feeling that I am always flourishing and have the strength to endure whatever life throws my way.

If you enjoyed reading about my thoughts on these Biblical verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church so you can learn about all of the promise Fathe-God made to his people.

Day 162 Bible Readings – Psalm 91: 11-12 (ESV)

2 Samuel 16: 15-23, 2 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 18: 1-18, Acts 7: 20-43, Psalm 91: 9-16

Psalm 91: 11-12 (ESV)

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”

Verses 11 and 12 from Psalm 91 stood out to me because the Bible Study I was reading noted that these verses were quoted and used by Satan when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4: 5-7). Satan used these verses and twisted them to tempt Jesus to throw himself down from the top of the temple to test God if he really was the son of God. Jesus quoted scripture back and told the Satan that you cannot put God to the test. These verses show us how Satan will twist verses from the Bible to put doubt in our mind. If you have doubts about what Father-God is doing in your life, as believers in Christ we need to refer back to the Bible to find out if Father-God really said that and the promises he made to his people. Jesus then gave us the template of how to respond to doubt or attacks from Satan. We need to do what Jesus did and quote scripture back to him and say that Father-God didn’t say that, and here are the Bible verses that prove or talk about the promises Father-God made to his people. If we follow the example Jesus left for us for how to deal with temptation, we will be able to overcome it like he did.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirited filled, Bible-based church where you can learn how to respond to the doubts and temptation in your life.