Day 169 Bible Readings – Acts 13: 11-12 (ESV)

1 Kings 3: 16-28, 1 Kings 4-5 Acts 12: 20-25, Acts 13: 1-12, Psalm 97

Acts 13: 11-12 (ESV)

“And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord”

In verse 11 from Acts 13, we read about the supernatural power of Father-God when Paul curses Elymas the sorcerer who tried to persuade the Proconsul of Cyprus from speaking to Paul.  I think it’s interesting that Paul cursed Elymas the Sorcerer with blindness, since he himself was struck with blindness by Father-God on the road to Damascus. Elymas was like Paul when he was Saul and tried to stop the Proconsul from hearing about the teachings of Jesus Christ. And Paul was merciful to Elymas because the blindness was not going to be permanent but only for a time. It makes me wonder if Paul thought that Elymas would come to faith like he did, but we will never know that since he is no longer mentioned in Acts. But Paul’s curse on Elymas the sorcerer furthered Father-God’s plan because the Proconsul converted as soon as he saw what happened to Elymas. Paul demonstrated the judgement of Father-God on Elymas, and it served his plan to convert the Proconsul to the faith. I love these stories of the supernatural power of Father-God that is demonstrated through the first apostles of Jesus Christ. While we don’t hear about believers in Christ demonstrating Father-God’s power through curses, there are countless stories of Father-God’s power being demonstrated in miraculous healing by pastor and evangelists around the world.

If you enjoyed reading the thoughts on these Biblical verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible based church where you can hear and see demonstrations of Father-God’s supernatural powers through miraculous healings.

Day 168 Bible Readings – Acts 12: 5-7 (ESV)

1 Kings 2: 13-46, 1 Kings 3: 1-15, Acts 11: 19-30, Acts 12: 1-19, Psalm 96

Acts 12: 5-7 (ESV)

“So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison.  And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.”

In verses 5 through 7 from Acts 12, we see an example of intercessory prayer and how Father-God responded to intercessory prayer. Peter was imprisoned by Herod, and his followers responded by praying fervently, and turning to Father-God in this time of crisis as Peter was their leader. We also see in the next two verses that Father-God responded to the church’s intercessory prayer and sent an angel to help Peter get out of prison. When we as believers unite in intercessory prayer, it shows our trust in Father-God to intervene in times of crisis. Intercessory prayer also brings a community of faith together in the act of praying for someone or some event. The early church also shows us not to despair when we are in crisis, but to pray and show our faith in the Father-God’s control over all situations. But as believers we also need to keep praying, even when there is no immediate result. It may take awhile as it did in verse 7 to Father-God intervene in the situation. We must also remember that if we do not get the result we want, we must have faith in Father-God that he is working all situations for the greater good and according to his plans for the world.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church where you can join with others in intercessory prayer for your crises and the crises of others in your faith community.

Day 167 Bible Readings – Acts 10: 44-46 (ESV)

1 Kings 1, 1 Kings 2: 1-12, Acts 10: 24-48, Acts 11: 1-18, Psalm 96

Acts 10: 44-46 (ESV)

“While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.”

In verses 44 through 45, we read about the second Pentecost but this time for the Gentiles. I love how the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles while Peter was speaking, and then the people started speaking in tongues and praising Father-God. The people present were surprised that this event happened, but Jesus prophesied in John 12: 32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Jesus knew that after his resurrection, he would draw all people to myself. In a Bible study I read, the author noted that people were surprised that the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit before they were converted or baptized. The author also stated that the people were surprised because the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit in the same way that happened during Pentecost. But what this means for me, is that Father-God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is for all people and not just for the Jewish people. As a Gentile, I can expect to have what Father-God promised to the Chosen people. The teachings of Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are for anyone who has faith in God’s words in the Bible.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel Bible-based church so you can receive the Holy Spirit and enjoy the spiritual gift and fruits of the spirit.

Day 166 Bible Readings – Psalm 94: 12-13 (ESV)

2 Samuel 23: 8-39, 2 Samuel 24, Acts 9: 32-43, Acts 10: 1-23, Psalm 94: 12-23

Psalm 94: 12-13 (ESV)

“Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.”

Verses 12 and 13 from Psalm 94 stood out to me in daily Bible readings. I feel like Father-God has been in my life for a long time, with the Holy Spirit guiding me and disciplining me to more closely obey the teachings in the Bible. I resented it for a long time because I thought I was being picked on, and the Holy Spirit was constantly pointing out what I was doing wrong. I had a tennis teacher who did the same thing in college. She kept ragging on about my backswing, and how I was doing everything wrong. It was a group class, and I never saw her pointing out the errors of the other like she was doing with me. She must have seen how angry and upset I was over her criticism one day, because she pulled me aside and told me that I had the best backhand swing she had ever seen. And if I listened to her advice, I could improve it and play competitively. I was so floored by what she said, because I thought the woman couldn’t stand me and wanted to make my life miserable.

It took me a long time to realize that Father-God and the Holy Spirit were guiding me in the same way as the tennis teacher. Father-God loves me so much that he directed the Holy Spirit to constantly correct me so I could lead a blessed life. Yes, I’ve had my share of troubles, dry seasons, and death of family members and loved ones, and Father-God has always been there for me to give me the peace that goes beyond all understanding. I know I’ve led a charmed and blessed life compared to others, and I attribute that blessing to constant discipline I’ve been under from the Holy Spirit. I feel even more blessed today that Father-God took such an interest and never ever gave up on me. I am now fully open to the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit, and I cannot wait to enjoy the rewards that Father-God has planned for my life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, full gospel Bible-based church so you can be guided by the Holy Spirit to lead a life full of Father-God’s blessings and rewards.