Today’s Bible Reading
January 15

Old Testament 1
Genesis 20 & 21

When Abimelech took Abraham’s wife, Sarah, God appeared to him in a dream, warned him and told him to give Abraham His wife back.

This is to tell us God is ready to fight our battle. No one tampers with the children of God, we are protected by God. No one hurts our loved ones, no one takes what’s ours and goes scot free.

Also in this scripture we can see that God has the power to stop someone from sinning.

In chapter 20 verse 6, God told Abimelech “…for I also withheld you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her”

Are you struggling with sin, talk to God, ask Him to withhold you from sinning against Him.

Furthermore in the scripture, Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken’

Has God spoken a thing concerning your life, trust Him, what He said would come to pass. Wait on Him, Don’t give up (He makes everything beautiful in its time)

Also in the scripture, Sarah told Abraham to send Hagar and Esau away because Hagar son scoffed ( chapter 21:9)

God told Abraham He should listen to Sarah, but He would still bless Hagar son because he is abraham’s seed

This tells us when we are of God, and God bless us, the blessing affects everything we touch, it touches everyone we are related to. Even strangers get blessed by associating with us.

The water Hagar had finished and he laid his son afar from herself so she won’t see her son die. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.

The bible didn’t say if the water was there all this while, but the key takeaway here is God showed up for her need. May God also open our eyes to see the solution to our problem and show us everytime we need help.


Old Testament 2
Job 23 & 24

Job is saying here that the righteous could ask God questions from a place of trust in Him as we have established in our previous exposition. God is a good listener. The righteous have boldness before God, this boldness shouldn't be misconstrued as pride. But boldness in knowing who God is. They have a close relationship with God to know when they are not out of line. People who are scared of crossing the boundary with God are those already far from Him.

Furthermore in chapter 24

Job explained the mystery of evil doers living long without evil befalling them. Job explained even though it appears evil people aren't reaping their evil. It will only appear like that for a time, eventually their end is destruction


New Testament
Matthew 11:2-30

John was already losing patience, we really can't tell John expectations of Christ because the Bible didn't state it here, but whatever it is, it appears not met. John seemed to be bothered if Jesus was really Christ, John sent his Disciples to Jesus for confirmation.

This is to show that as humans we have feelings and during tribulation, one might doubt if God no longer exists, but He is always with us.

Also there are people who do not believe God is real because they want to experience a personal miracle or they expect God to do something for them.

Jesus was literally performing miracles everywhere but John the baptist was in the prison.

Maybe John expected Jesus to free him from prison. We really can't tell, but John started to doubt if Jesus was The Savior.

(That's why we just need to believe in Jesus because He is God. Whether He does what we are believing Him for or not, whether He does that miracle or not, He is God and we should keep believing Him.)

Jesus sent a message back to him like I don't know what your expectations of me are, but the sick are getting healed here, miracles are happening, and people are preached to.

[11:5 the blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them).

11:6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me]

Furthermore,

[11:15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He has a demon.

11:19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, look at glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners! But wisdom is justified by her children]

As a believer, Do not seek to please the world. It is established here that whatever you do, people will still say what they want, and it won't change their opinion of you. Seek to only please God.

[11:28 Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

11:30 For My yoke is easy and my burden is light]

To conclude the chapter, this is a call to Salvation. Rest is in Jesus. Do you want rest for your soul? Do you want peace? Choose Jesus.


Action Point

Repent from evil

Do you want rest? Choose Jesus

Do not doubt God's promises. Believe Him

Always seek to please God


Quote

People who are scared of crossing the boundary with God are those already far from Him.

Prayer Points

Thank God for always fighting your battle

Ask for mercy for your sins

pray that God should withhold you from sinning

pray that God open your eyes to see the solution to your problem/challenge

Pray for God's provision

Pray that God increases your faith and He should hold you.

God help me that my focus will be on you and that i do not seek to please man

God help me to shun and run away from evil

Everything that the devil has taken from you or anybody has taken from you, God should make them restless till they return it back to you.

Dear God, teach me your ways that I may walk in it

Let me see rest in you in this earth and in the world to come


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