Day 175 Bible Readings – Acts 16: 6-7 (ESV)

1 Kings 12: 25-33, 1 Kings 13, 1 Kings 14: 1-20, Acts 16: 1-15, Psalm 102: 12-17

Acts 16: 6-7 (ESV)

“And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them.”

Verses 6 and 7 from Acts 16 show the Holy Spirit guiding Paul and Timothy in their mission work. Paul always consulted with the Holy Spirit in his mission work and if a door was closed to him, he just went in a different direction. These verses show us that Father-God has a strategic and divine plan, and if we follow it, we will have our victories. Paul would later return to Asia, which in Biblical times was western Turkey, and establish the church in Ephesus. Paul was always supposed to establish a church in Asia, but it wasn’t the right time. As believers in Jesus Christ, we must always be open to changes in our plans and be willing to adapt to where the Holy Spirit is guiding us. We might not understand the guidance and it might not make sense at the time, but we must trust that the guidance we receive from the Holy Spirit. Before I moved to my current location, my plan was to move a year earlier than I did and to have a job waiting for me. But the guidance I kept getting from the Holy Spirit was that it wasn’t time. The job search did not produce any results and during that year, I was promoted and ended up receiving a substantial bonus. That bonus allowed me to move without a job and gave me the time to search for a new job. Had I not followed and trusted in the guidance of the Holy Spirit; I know my move would have been more financially stressful.  

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled and Bible based church where you hear the full gospel preached and learn to deepen your trust in the Holy Spirit and Father-God’s divine plan for your life.

Day 174 Bible Readings – 1 Kings 11: 34-36 (ESV)

1 Kings 11: 14-43, 1 Kings 12: 1-24, Acts 15: 22-41, Psalm 102: 1-11

1 Kings 11: 34-36 (ESV)

“Nevertheless, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of David my servant whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes.  I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and will give it to you, ten tribes. Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name.”

In verse 34 from 1 Kings 11, we read about the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite gave a prophecy from Father-God to Jeroboam. Jeroboam was the son of King Solomon servant Nebat, who had earlier rebelled against King Solomon. Ahijah told Jeroboam that Father-God was going to take away (10) tribes from King Solomon’s successor because of the king’s disobedience and give the tribes to Jeroboam to rule. Even though Father-God had judged King Solomon and punished him, we also read about Father-God’s mercy and compassion. Father-God did not completely remove the whole kingdom from King Solomon and was going to do it after Solomon died. Only the tribe of Judah and the city of Jerusalem would be left to Solomon’s s son to rule. Father-God punished Solomon, but he kept his promise to Solomon’s father David who for the most part always obeyed the Lord. Father-God’s actions tell us that even when we are punished for our failures, he is still faithful and merciful to his children. The Lord has infinite patience with his children and will always give us the opportunity for repentance. As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to remember that Father-God is always faithful to us even when we are going through a season of difficult circumstances.

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 taught to strengthen your faith in his faithfulness, compassion, and mercy.

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.