Today’s Bible Reading
January 22

Old Testament 1
Genesis 28

[28:16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it]

Do you know the Lord is with you? Are you aware of God's presence?!

If you are aware of God's presence, you wouldn't be sinning when nobody is watching, because you know God is watching. You won't be afraid because you know the Lord is with you.

You won't be in a rebellious group or a gossip group.

You will behave accordingly like a child of God because you are aware of His presence.

[28:22 And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.]

We should learn how to give back to God out of what He has given us.

The problem is some do not even believe God is The source of their blessings in the first place.

Giving 10% of our income is not too much for God. We still have 90%.


Old Testament 2
Job 36 & 37

[37:14 Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.

[37:23 As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress]

Elihu still continued his apologetic statement to defend God and he said God is great, he can do anything without consulting anyone or taking an excuse from anybody. Yes, but he is not a wicked God, but He knows the end before the beginning of all situations. Definitely, He knows the way out for those tempted that is why we should praise Him in the time of temptation. Our song should be blessed by His name, for He is greater than any difficulty we may experience, and Satan will leave us when we praise God because when we pray, God will send His angel but when we praise he attended to us by Himself, and no darkness can withstand his presence. Positively, complaining of Job could not bring down the presence of God, likewise our complaints cannot take away any pain but when we praise we forget our sorrow; the grace to praise God in our difficult situations may the Lord enhance us in the name of Jesus Christ.


New Testament
Matthew 15:1-28

We are to honor our parents.

[15:8 These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me]

If you are in this category, repent.

Our actions should show our belief in God.

And we act right when our heart is right with God


[15:11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man]

This is why we need to guide our heart with all diligence (proverbs 4:23)

We should be careful of the contents we take in e.g music, movies, books and the likes.

What we listen to, who we associate with, the company we keep shapes our thinking, if we listen to what doesn't glorify God, it makes our heart far from God, and when our heart is far from God, we make mistakes ,we do things that do not please Him.

Furthermore,

[15:13 But He answered and said, Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.]

Jesus came to fulfil the law but not abort it but some laws, some kingdoms, some doctrines that aren't founded on Jesus Christ will be uprooted.

[15:16 So Jesus said, Are you also still without understanding?]

Jesus expects us to grow in Him. The more we spend time with Him. The more we are supposed to know Him more and grow in knowledge

[15:28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire And her daughter was healed from that very hour.]

Faith in Jesus is the requirement for a miracle.


Action Point

Make it a habit to praise God instead of complaining

Make giving a habit

Forgive your parents if they offended you even without their apology

Flee from what draws your heart away from God (unsubscribe that channel, delete that movie/music, take that bold step God would be proud of)


Quote

The more Grateful I am, the more beauty I see

-Mary Davis


If it’s not drawing you closer to God, it’s drawing you away from God



Prayer Points

Thank God for His blessing, for his wonderful works, for everything

Praise God for He is God

Ask for mercy for times you were ungrateful

Pray that God increase your faith

Pray that God help you deal with the things that draw your heart away from Him


#BibleInAYear