Today’s Bible Reading
January 14

Old Testament 1
Genesis 19

Lot’s act of kindness saved him and his family.

We should emulate this attitude and be kind to strangers.

When Lot warned his son in laws, they didn’t believe him they took it as a joke. Same way there are those who think the second coming of Jesus Christ is a joke. We pray they have a change of heart before Jesus Christ comes back.

While Lot, his wife and children escaped, Lot's wife looked back and turned to a pillar of salt.

Here we learn we shouldn’t look back to what God has saved us from.

Let’s focus on the future God has for us.

Furthermore in the scripture, the angel told Lot to flee to the mountain and Lot said he doesn’t want to flee there because he is scared something bad could happen to him there.

Let’s get this straight, Angels that just saved you from destruction told you to run to a certain place but you are scared? You would rather choose somewhere close to where it is being destroyed?? (we are yet to discover Lot’s love for that land)

Furthermore in the scripture, Lot’s two daughters slept with him and both had a child for him

We could attribute Lot’s daughter’s action to two causes

They grew up in Sodom and Gomorrah. The promiscuity of the land must have grown on them to have thought what they did was ok. This teaches us our surroundings has influence over us. We should be careful of what we allow in our space, we shouldn’t live in a toxic environment.

Lot didn’t flee to where the angels suggested, if Lot had done that, his daughters were most likely to see men that would marry them. This is how a lot of people believe they know best in a situation. They give God suggestions of what they feel it’s best for them even after God has told them what He knows is best for them.


Old Testament 2
Job 22

Eliphaz, Job’s friend didn’t understand what was happening, he was so convinced Job was a sinner, because he believes a righteous person can’t be afflicted.

Everything Eliphaz said is true concerning a sinner, if you sin and ask God for forgiveness and repent, He will forgive you. But here, the case is different. Eliphaz was wrong to call Job a sinner because Job didn’t sin.

Beware of people who craftily want to put fault or blame on you. This is why we need to be sure of our righteousness.


New Testament
Matthew 10:26 - 11:1

[10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.]

Jesus was preparing the disciple for the work of evangelism he sent them.

we shouldn't be afraid of preaching the Gospel, we should be bold. Jesus says we shouldn't fear those who can only kill the body but not the soul.

Jesus tells us where our priority should lie. God should be our number 1 priority. Any other person or thing before that has made that thing our idol.

God should come before our family and even before us.

Take God first in everything you do. God over everything. God before yourself.

If you take your life more precious than God, you have idolized yourself. And Jesus warns In Matthew 10:39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Trust God with your life. He has the hair on you numbered

[10:30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. ]

The Gospel is not easy as most people say it,

[10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

10:38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.]

Christianity requires commitment and perseverance. We have to be committed to God's cause. Which is spreading the Gospel.

[10:42 And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward]

This is in reference to when Jesus told His disciples to go and preach the gospel even in strange lands. So if they are not welcomed they can dust their feet and leave. Now, Jesus is making reference to that and saying whoever gives you only a cup of water will be rewarded.

Think of it this way; you have been on a journey , there was no car then so you have probably been preaching in the sun and you get to a house, the owner of the house didn't just listened to what you have to say at the door, but brings you into the house and gave you just a cup of cold water. You know how precious that water is. That means the person is welcoming. In the same way we should welcome God’s word. There's a reward if we welcome the word God speaks to us, through His ministers or members in the church or any vessel God uses.


New Testament
Matthew 10:26 - 11:1

[11:1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities.]

There's a word here; COMMAND. As disciples of Jesus Christ, preaching the gospel is not a choice. It’s a COMMAND.

To conclude,

Jesus didn't sit down and relax after He sent His Disciples to preach.

He didn't sit in one place and ordered His disciples around. Jesus already said in the previous chapter (Matthew 9:37) that the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.

All hands should be on deck.

There's no time to relax, there's no retirement in evangelism.

Jesus demonstrated this, we should do the same.

We also learn that we shouldn’t focus on things that are temporary, our focus shouldn't be in this world.

The earth shall pass away. (bible ref)

Set your mind on things above ( bible ref)


Action Point

Determine to be kind

Are there things you need to let go in the past? Do that now! Start focusing on thr future God has for you

Make God your number one priority

Be committed to God's work

Set a goal on how many souls you will preach to per week

Support Christian missionaries with your resources


Quote

Preaching the gospel is not a choice. It’s a COMMAND.

There's no retirement in evangelism.


Prayer Points

Pray that God gives you the spirit of kindness

Pray that Holy Spirit helps you to make God your number one priority

Pray for power and boldness to preach the gospel

Pray for Christian missionaries; that God strengthens them and protects them.

Pray that every soul come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ even as we reach out to them

Lord give me the grace to know the day of your visitation for me good

Give me the Spirit to endure temptation

Help me to follow your instruction


#BibleInAYear