Day 180 Bible Readings – Acts 19: 15-16 (ESV)

1 Kings 22, Acts 19: 14-41, Psalm 104: 19-30

Acts 19: 15-16 (ESV)

“But the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped on them, mastered all of them and overpowered them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

In verses 15 and 16 from Acts 19, we read about how the evil Spirit answered the seven sons of a Jewish priest named Sceva. The seven sons did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ nor did they Paul, but they were using the name of Christ to cast out demons. When the seven sons of Sceva tried to cast out a powerful demon from a man, the evil Spirit told them that he knew both Jesus Christ and Paul but not them. Then the evil Spirit attacked the seven sons of Sceva, and they fled the house without clothes and were wounded. Even in people did not believe in Jesus Christ and his divine and powerful nature, the demons recognized who Jesus was and his power. The demons also knew who Paul was because he was able to cast out demons. Evil Spirits know who their enemies are and are afraid of them. It doesn’t make sense that people who believe that demons and evil spirits are real often do not believe in the powerful nature of Jesus Christ, even when they have evidence that demons are afraid of Christ and his power. If you believe that evil spirits and demons are real, why is it so impossible to believe that Christ was real and was resurrected? There were exorcists in the time of Jesus and there are still exorcists today who cast out demons in the name of Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ was powerful during the time of the Book of Acts and still is today to cast out evil spirits and demons, either real beings or the demons of addiction and other illnesses, if you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and learn to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Day 179 Bible Readings – Acts: 18: 9-11 (ESV)

1 Kings 20-21, Acts 18: 9-28, Acts 19: 1-13, Psalm 104: 1-18

Acts: 18: 9-11 (ESV)

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”  And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

I love verses 9 through 11 from Acts 18 because I love how Father-God appeared to Paul in a vision one night. Father-God communicated to many people in the Bible through visions and it shows the Paul had a personal relationship with him. Paul experienced fear due to the challenges he experienced in Corinth when he was ministering in the synagogue. Father-God told Paul to not fear and to go on speaking. He then reassured Paul that he would not be attacked or harmed because there were many in Corinth who were the Lord’s people. Afterwards, we find out that Paul stayed for 18 months in Corinth ministering to the people. Paul’s experience shows us that when we are guided to do a task for Father-God, we have his protection. Father-God has a divine plan and strategy, and he would not have asked us to do the task, unless he knew that ultimately, we would be successful despite the challenges we faced. We need to trust in Father-God’s guidance and be persistent in completing our task, knowing that he is always there to strengthen and support us in our task. Even if you must pray every day, Father-God will always be there to hear and listen to you and give you the protection and support you need.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts about these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of the Lord preached and be strengthened and supported to fulfill Father-God’s plan for your life.

Day 178 Bible Readings – Acts 17: 26-28 (ESV)

1 Kings 18-19, Acts 17: 22-34, Acts 18: 1-8, Psalm 103: 13-22

Acts 17: 26-28 (ESV)

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’”

In verses 26 through 28, Paul preached to people of Athens telling them that Father-God created us because we are all descendants of Adam. Father-God also is ruler over all things and has plans for all nations and its people. Father-God is not a distant god of stone, silver or gold. Father-God is near to each of us and invites us to search and find him. Paul emphasizes that Father-God is not far from each of us, because he made us and we are his offspring. Paul tells us that we live and move in Father-God. If we can really understand as Paul has said that we are Father-God’s children, then our whole identity will revolve around how we connect to our Father-God, how we praise him, and how we are solely dependent on him for all our needs. If we live and move and have our being in Father-God, then we also know that his presence is not inside a specific location. Father-God is near and within us because he is the one true god. The hardest thing to grok, at least for me, is knowing that I am a child of Father-God and that I can be dependent on him for all my needs. I was taught that when I grew up, I would be independent from my parents and responsible for my own decisions. I couldn’t rely on anyone but myself and any family I might have. But as a follower of Jesus Christ, I’ve learned that I am not alone. Father-God is my spiritual parent, and I can rely on him and the Holy Spirit for all my needs, because Father-God is sovereign over all things.

If you enjoyed reading my thoughts on these Bible verses, find yourself a Holy Spirit filled, full Gospel, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of God preached and learn what it truly means to be a child of Father-God.

Day 177 Bible Readings – Psalm 103: 2-5 (ESV)

1 Kings 16-17, Acts 17: 1-21, Psalm 103: 1-12

Psalm 103: 2-5 (ESV)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”

In verses 2 through 5 from Psalm 103, David the writer of this psalm tells us we must not forget all the benefits that Father-God gave to his people. Father God forgives all our sins, and he heals all our diseases. We can pray to Father-God to heal in natural and miraculous ways, whether they are spiritual or physical. Father-God also rescues us spiritual death or despair. Father-God also blesses us with steadfast love and mercy. Father-God also brings satisfaction and goodness to our lives, and this satisfaction becomes a source of strength and energy. From the Lord, we have his provision and generosity for all good things spiritual and physical. And finally, Father-God ensures that we have the power of self-renewal so that we have the vitality and strength of our youth.

I wrote these verses down on a notecard so I can say them when I need to praise and bless Father-God, or when I have doubts about the benefits I receive daily because of my belief in Father-God, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The blessings of Father-God are everything I need to truly lead a satisfying and long life.

If you enjoying reading my thoughts about these verses, find yourself a full Gospel, Holy Spirit filled, Bible-based church where you can hear the word of Father-God and praise and remember all the benefits that come from being a follower of Jesus Christ.