Today’s Bible Reading

January 8

Old Testament 1

Genesis 10 - 11:26

This scripture is about the genealogy of Noah.

You will notice, we all came from the same root. The Philistines and the Israelites came from the same root, they were family. 

And later in the scripture we read how they all were United and agreed to build a tower (Babel) to heaven. God saw that they would achieve this because they are United and have one language, so He gave them different languages to confuse them (Genesis 11:8)

God didn't hate that they were United, It's what they chose to do in their unity that was the problem. 

It was in rebellion against God. God's instruction to Noah and man was to be fruitful and multiply and fill the whole earth. But they united and instead built towards heaven.

We should learn here that we can achieve anything through unity. So we should be united as a church. And also, we shouldn't just be united, what we choose to do in our unity should be what God approves. We shouldn't unite to do evil or rebel against the authority of the Church or God's authority.


Old Testament 2

Job 13, 14

Job's friends were kind of projecting that he deserves what has come upon him, they tried to tell him everything he's going through is because of his sin. They were basically trying to shut him up. Job's friends were really crafty about this. When they talked about the sovereignty of God and His power, they weren't wrong so to speak, but it's the application. They were trying to use it to shut Job up and basically saying, just accept what has come upon you. You can't change it. God has done what he wants to do. He is God. You can't question Him and you don't have a say.  

This is similar to those who try to comfort people grieving with you can't question God. It's ok to ask God questions from a place of trust in Him. 

It could be a form of coping with whatever you are passing through. 


In this scripture, Job made his friends understand he's only reasoning with God , he knows they are wise and knows about the sovereignty of God, so does he. 

Instead of Jobs' friend to encourage him, what they were actually insinuating was; give up, God is God and there's nothing you can do about what He has done to you.

But Job shunned them and encourage himself (in Chapter 14:14)

Job still had hope



New Testament

Matthew 6:19 - 7:6

6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

This scripture is mostly telling us where our priority should lie as a Christian.

We shouldn't let worry also take over our hearts. Worry about food, clothing, money, etc.

Verse 24 No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 

So in a way, it's possible to idolize your needs, wants. 

When you have all this things feeling your heart where God should be, it has turn to your idol 

Jesus said seek first the kingdom

Furthermore, Jesus tells us not to judge

(7:1 Judge not, that you be not judged)

This verse is misunderstood often

People do bad things and quote “judge not”.

Jesus was talking to hypocrites. 

People are happy to condemn others even if they are perpetrators of the act they condemn.

Jesus is acknowledging here that God is the only just judge. 

(In the subsequent verse we will see clearly the condition for us to judge)

7:6 do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Chapter 7:6 

This verse teaches us to know where to give our attention to. 

Know where to give your value. Don't stay where you are not valued or appreciated. It's toxic and would eventually get you hurt. 


Action Point

Determine to never unite against God's will

Be conscious of association that unites to do evil

Don't give up hope

Seek God

Know your worth


Quote

We can achieve anything through unity



Prayer Points

Pray that God should give you Grace to live in harmony with others

Pray against spirit of disunity in the church of God

Pray for strength to carry on in Faith & what you might be passing through

Pray against worry and anxiety

Pray to know God more


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