Day 171 Bible Readings – Acts 13: 50-52 (ESV)

1 Kings 7: 23-51, 1 Kings 8: 1-21, Acts 13: 42-52, Psalm 99

Acts 13: 50-52 (ESV)

“But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

In verses 50 through 52, we read about Paul and Barnabas getting kicked out of Antioch. Instead of stopping their preaching, Paul and Barnabas went on to the next town and were filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabas did as Jesus commanded when he sent the disciples out two by two to preach; they shook off the dust from their feet. This phrase meant one should not have judgement about their preaching or what they were preaching because the judgement is on the people who rejected the teachings. Even though they were rejected, Paul and Barnabas continued preaching trusting God that leaving Antioch was the best thing to do and they were many other cities that needed to hear their preaching. Paul and Barnabas did not experience the hurt of rejection; they only experienced joy because their joy came from the Holy Spirit and not because of their circumstances. If we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we will experience joy no matter what our circumstances. Paul and Barnabas are good examples for us to follow when we experience rejection when sharing with someone the words of Christ. If we are rejected, we should move on and remember the joy that comes of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible based church where you hear encouraging words and the joy that comes with being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Day 170 Bible Readings – 1 Kings 6: 11-13 (ESV)

1 Kings 6, 1 Kings 7: 1-22, Acts 13: 13-41, Psalm 98

1 Kings 6: 11-13 (ESV)

“Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father.  And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.””

In verses 11 through 13 from 1 Kings 6, we read about what Father-God said Solomon when he was building the temple. Father-God told Solomon that if he followed his statutes and rules and keep the commandment, then Father-God would dwell in the kingdom and not forsake its people. Solomon was tasked with rebuilding the temple of Jerusalem, and Father-God made promises to him if he completed it and lived and followed his rules. We may not be tasked with building a temple, but if we complete the work that Father-God has asked us to then we can expect the same promises that he made to Solomon. Father-God’s actions are the same now and they were in Old Testament. If we follow Father-God’s plan for our life and keep his rules and laws, then he will dwell among us and not forsake us. The temple might be a family, a house, a ministry, a marriage, and even our body. If we build the temple and dedicate it to Father-God and follow his rules and commandments, then he will dwell among us and in us and never forsake us.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of Father-God and be encouraged to build your temple so you can have Father-God dwell within you and never forsake you.

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.