Day 173 Bible Readings – Acts 15: 10-11 (ESV)

 1 Kings 9: 10-28, 1 Kings 11: 1-13, Acts 15: 1-21, Psalm 101

Acts 15: 10-11 (ESV)

“Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.””

In verses 10 through 11, we read about Peter’s response the apostles and elders if whether the Gentiles who were converting to the faith of Jesus Christ needed to be circumcised. Peter earlier told the apostles and elders that the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon the Gentiles in the same that they experienced being bestowed upon then. Peter reminded them that by asking this question they were questioning Father-God’s judgement and putting him to a test. Peter also reminded them following the laws of Moses completely was hard for their ancestors and it was for them. Peter then tells them that salvation is a gift from God. We cannot earn it by our human effort or by faithfully adhering to Jewish law. Being saved through grace is for all and not just for those try hard enough or are following the law of Moses. The laws of Moses serve as reminders to us of Father-God standards to love the Lord your God will everything you have and to love and treat other people as Father-God loves and treats us. If we follow the law, it is because we love Father-God and want to please him. If we do good works, it is because we are demonstrating by our actions the fruits and power of the Holy Spirit that Father-God bestowed upon us.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church where you can obtain salvation by the grace of Jesus Christ, understand Father-God’s standards, and learn how to more abundantly demonstrate in your life the fruits and power of the Holy Spirit.

Day 172 Bible Readings for June 22 – Acts 14: 19-20 (ESV)

1 Kings 8: 22-66, 1 Kings 9: 1-9, Acts 14, Psalm 100

Acts 14: 19-20 (ESV)

“But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.”

In verses 19 through 20 from Acts 14, we read that Paul was stoned by the crowds from Antioch and Iconium and then dragged out of the city. After the disciples gathered around him, they found out that Paul wasn’t dead. And I love this part; Paul got up and returned to the city. Some Biblical scholars have suggested that Paul was hurt and was miraculously healed by Father-God, while others have suggested that Paul was rendered unconscious by one of the stones that hit him. I find it interesting that the crowds who stoned him thought Paul was dead, which makes me think they checked him for signs of life before dragging him out of the city. The important point in these verses isn’t the miracle of Paul being still alive after being stoned and dragged out of the city, but that Paul wasn’t freaked out by it all. Paul’s faith in his mission to spread the teachings of Jesus Christ was so strong, that after being stoned and thought dead, he picked himself up and went back to the city and then left the next day with Barnabas to go to Derbe.

Paul’s behavior shows us that even if we are knocked down and left for dead Father-God will heal us, and the power of the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to keep going on with our mission from God. Because if it was done for Paul, it will be done for any believer.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a good, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church where you hear about the word of God and be filled with healing miracles for Father-God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

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.