Day 199 Bible Readings – Romans 4: 19-21 (ESV)

Amos 6-7, Romans 4: 16-25, Romans 5: 1-11, Psalm 111

Romans 4: 19-21 (ESV)

“He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.”

In verses 19 through 21 from Romans 4, Paul talks about the Abraham’s faith when Father-God told him he would be the father of many nations. Abraham didn’t think that what the Lord said was impossible given his circumstances. Abraham was about a hundred years old and considered dead, and his wife was a few years younger but was unable to have children. Abraham’s faith was in Father-God, and his faith did not waver. He was fully convinced of the Lord’s power to perform miracles in his and Sarah’s bodies. Abraham’s faith was so strong that he gave glory and praised the Lord. Paul tells us that Abraham’s faith is an example of and a model to follow for believers in Jesus Christ. I heard a preacher say that faith does not ignore reality. A person of faith acknowledges reality but believes in their heart the power of Father-God to perform miracles in impossible circumstances. Father-God can bring light and life to situations that are dead like Sarah’s womb. To have faith like Father Abraham, we must be fully convinced and persuaded of the promises of Father-God and have total confidence in his ability to deliver them. In my faith journey, I explored other gods and religions. But I never saw and experienced the signs, wonders, and miracles that belief in Jesus Christ performed in my life and those of my fellow believers. I may not have the depth of faith of Abraham, but I am fully convinced and persuaded that I believe in a God who is faithful and will bring life and miracles to where there is no life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to experience a God that will bring miracles to your life through faith in Jesus Christ, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I admit that I’ve sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I‘ve received forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 198 Bible Readings – Romans 4: 13-15 (ESV)

Amos 5, Romans 4: 1-15, Psalm 110

Romans 4: 13-15 (ESV)

“For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression.”

In verses 13 through 15 from Romans 4, Paul tells us that Father-God’s promise to Abraham was based on his faith and not law or his works. Father-God promised Abraham, who is the father of our faith, to make him a great nation and will bless the rest of the earth through him. While gentiles are not blood-related to Abraham, they are grafted onto the bloodline of Abraham through faith in his descendant Jesus Christ. Father-God made this promise to Abraham before he was circumcised and before his descendant Moses gave the people laws to follow. When Father-God asked Abraham to leave his country and to the land of Cannan in Genesis 12: 1-3, he did as the Lord asked without questioning or hesitation. Paul tells us that we will receive Father-God’s promises through faith and not by our own efforts. Paul then says the laws are there to reveal our sin and to act as a mirror to reflect where we fall short of the Lord’s standards. But because of the sacrifice and blood of Jesus Christ, we are no longer condemned by the law and have freedom. If we believe and are saved by Jesus Christ, we are free from sin and live under his grace. We follow the Lord’s law not in fear of punishment, but because we love the Lord and want to please him. I once believed obeying biblical laws was central to faith, but now I understand that God values my faith in Him, just as He valued Abraham's. And that I am entitled, just like Abraham, to all the blessings of the Lord because of my faith in Jesus Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to experience the blessings that faith in Jesus Christ can bring to your life, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I admit that I’ve sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I‘ve received forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 197 Bible Readings – Amos 3: 7-8 (ESV)

Amos 3 & 4, Romans 3: 9-31, Psalm 109: 21-31

Amos 3: 7-8 (ESV)

“For the Lord God does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord God has spoken; who can but prophesy?”

In verses 7 through 8 from Amos 3, the minor prophet Amos tells us Father-God reveals some of his secrets to the prophets who have no choice but spread the words of the Lord. Amos was a shepherd and fig tree farmer, so he wasn’t a career prophet. The Lord called on Amos to deliver the message of his judgement and their coming exile to the Northern Kingdom of Israel. But in this prophecy of strong discipline, woven throughout the message is a call for the people to return to Father-God so they can be restored. In the end, Amos tells us that God is merciful and will one day rescue his people from exile and hints at the coming of Jesus Christ.

There were many prophets in the Old Testament, some minor and some major, but their mission was to reveal the secrets of Father-God’s plan for his people and call people back to the Lord. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes prophecy as a gift of the Holy Spirit, suggesting the presence of prophets today. One prophet and evangelist that I have been listening to is Ted Shuttlesworth, who has been working as Pentecostal minister for over 40 years. Pastor Ted primarily holds Faith and Healing crusades, but he sometimes prophesies in interviews and during his crusades.  appreciate that Pastor Ted carefully considers and prays over any prophetic message he receives from God. When he shares a prophetic message, I pay close attention, as it may be guidance from God about the future or a call to repentance. If want to check out Pastor Ted, check out his website- Faith Alive or watch him YouTube - Ted Shuttlesworth- Faith Alive, where you can decide for yourself if he is a modern-day prophet of the Lord. I like listening to prophets of the Lord because they confirm to me that Father-God is looking out for his people, and his mercy and blessings are still available to us if we pray to him.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses and you want to experience the mercy and blessings that faith in Jesus Christ can bring to your life, please pray this prayer out loud:

Heavenly Father, I admit that I’ve sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I‘ve received forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.

Day 196 Bible Readings – Romans 2: 25 (ESV)

Amos 1-2, Romans 2: 17-29, Romans 3: 1-8, Psalm 109: 1-20

Romans 2: 25 (ESV)

“For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.”

Paul, in verse 25 from Romans 2, uses the example of circumcision to talk about how our faith must be demonstrated in our actions and not just by our rituals and external symbols. As part of the covenant with Abraham, Father-God required the physical sign of circumcision for the Jewish people. This act symbolized not only a commitment to the Father-God’s covenant, but also to his commandments and laws. However, Paul emphasizes that circumcision was only an outward sign of obedience. When you do not have commitment and inner obedience and you break the laws and commandments, then you lose the value of the circumcision. You cannot rely only on physical signs and performing rituals to show your commitment to Father-God. Your faith must be reflected in your actions and obedience to Father-God. To put it simply, if you really loved Father-God that much wouldn’t want to do everything to please him and follow the things he wants you to do. And the things the Lord wants you to do is to follow the laws and commandments set forth in the Bible. Jesus Christ simplified following the laws and commandments in the Bible when he said, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 26: 37)

This year, I lived the example of verse 25 from Romans 2 when I realized I was praising myself for being devoted simply because I attended church four times a week. I went to the Sunday and midweek services, and I participated in two prayer groups that met at church. I was happy for awhile in my rituals, but then I started to feel a sense of unhappiness. One day during prayer, I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me that I had hatred in my heart for people who are doing wrong in the world. Holy Spirit guided me to repent to Father-God for my hatred and ask him to change my hatred to disagreement. I can disagree with the actions of people who do wrong things, but I cannot hate them. I also needed to pray for Father-God to send the Holy Spirit into the lives of these people so they can come to know and love Jesus Christ. I now have inner and outward signs of my faith in life.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this Bible verse and you want to experience what faith in Jesus Christ can bring to your life, please pray this prayer out loud:

 Heavenly Father, I admit that I’ve sinned. I repent. I believe in my heart you raised Jesus from the dead. I confess with my mouth Jesus is my Lord and Savior. Right now, I‘ve received forgiveness by the blood of Jesus. I am saved in Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, welcome to the family of God! Do yourself a favor and find and join a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the words of Father-God preached and experience signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.