Today’s Bible Reading
March 04

Old Testament I
Exodus 23:10-33 

God already told the Israelites what they would encounter on the way and what to do but the Israelites still disobeyed God

Here, God said an Angel will lead the Israelites, but in the New Testament, our Angel leading us and telling us things before they happen and what we should do is The Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, like the Israelites, a lot of people aren't listening to Him today. 


23:25 So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. 

23:26 No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days


God has promised to bless us and we have a claim to these blessings as children of God. 



23:33 They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.


The association we keep matters. When you don't associate with people with same goals as you, you are compromised and you won't be able to achieve your goal.

Align yourself with people that are going the same way as you. As a Christian, surround yourself with people with same value as you.  It's impossible not to come in contact with people with different values from us but you should set boundaries. If you don’t, they will influence you & you will join them in going against God's will.


Old Testament 2

Psalms 66 & 67

66:1 Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! 

66:2 Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious.

66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear. 

66:20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer, Nor His mercy from me

67:5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 

67:6 Then the earth shall yield her increase; God, our own God, shall bless us.


This is a psalm of praise. 

The psalmist says if I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me. This is why we need to repent from our sins and ask for God's mercy always. Before you quickly assume it’s the devil attacking your prayer request, have you looked inward and examine yourself, if you are the cause, if you are harboring a sin in your heart, it could be unforgiveness, malice, lie e.t.c  Repent and ask God for mercy so that your prayer would be answered 



New Testament

Acts 13:1-25

13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them 

13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. 


The early church; the Disciples were governed and gets their direction from the Holy Spirit. It's sad to see that some churches today get their direction from trends or try to come up with projects based solely on their intellect. They start projects and try to carry the Holy Spirit along when they are almost done. This is wrong. Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and we should listen to the Holy Spirit on what to do even before we start anything.


Also when the Holy Spirit chose Barnabas & Saul for a work. The church didn't just send them off to start working, they fasted and prayed and laid hands on them to prepare them for the task ahead. They also didn't question why they weren't chosen instead, they simply supported Barnabas and Saul. They did their own part by praying for Barnabas and Saul.


13:9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 


Paul could heal the man because He was filled with the Holy Spirit. This is why we need to be filled with the power of Holy Spirit as a believer. You need to tarry for the power of Holy Spirit. God is more than willing to fill you. Holy Spirit is promised to us believers.


13:23 From this man's seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior--Jesus-- 

13:24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 

13:25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.


Jesus is the promised Savior to the descendant of Israel and the world. It’s left to you to accept Him into your life. The Bible says WHOSOEVER that calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved! (Romans 10:13).



Action Point

If you are yet to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, Now is the best time to do that.

Ask God for the power of Holy Spirit


Quote

Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals. -1 Cor 15:33


To pray in the Holy Spirit simply means to lean upon His divine help as we pray.

-William Thrasher


God speaks through a variety of means. In the present God primarily speaks by the Holy Spirit, through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church.

- Henry Blackaby


Prayer Points

Thank God for the blessing of the Holy Spirit

Thank Jesus for coming to save you

Ask God for forgiveness for disobedience

Ask God for mercy

Pray for the power of Holy Spirit

Pray for the Power to yield to the leading of the Holy Spirit


#BibleInAYearChallenge