Today’s Bible Reading
February 23

Old Testament 1
Exodus 14:5-31

14:13 And Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.

14:14 The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace

Whatever the challenges or trouble confronting you. Stand still ,hold your peace, the Lord will fight for you. Like He did for the Israelites


Old Testament 2
Psalms 49 & 50

God likes our praise and we should praise Him more

God has no interest in how people attach importance to the offerings than their service. No wonder Paul advises the saints to give themselves as a living sacrifice which is the best sacrifice that is acceptable to God.


New Testament
Acts 7:30 through 8:4

7:35 This Moses whom they rejected, saying, Who made you a ruler and a judge? is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush

People tend to have the picture of whom they thought or want their Savior to be. But it's not ours to decide. God decides and we will be doing ourselves harm if we rejected whom God has chosen

7:47 But Solomon built Him a house.

7:48 However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

7:49 Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest?

7:51 You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

Here, we are made to understand God doesn't dwell in the building no matter how big or beautiful the structure is. God dwells in our heart. He wants to live in our heart. But unfortunately, there are some who do not want to give God a chance in their heart, they have hardened their heart like pharaoh, no matter the sermon they hear, they still continue doing what doesn't please God. Some do not even listen at all.

And the word of God says (faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God alone). How can God dwell in your heart if you do not even hear His word. Repent today!

And there are people who have occupied their heart with worries of this world or anxiety or pleasures of this world. So there’s no room for God to come in, let alone dwell. If this is you, repent now, let go of all those burdens, let go of malice, let go of self, pride, greed, e.t.c Invite Jesus to come into your heart.

7:59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit

7:60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not charge them with this sin And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

We need to learn tolerance and forgiving Spirit like Stephen here and Stephen learnt it from Jesus. Even while he was being persecuted, he still prayed for those persecuting him.

8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

8:4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.

The persecution led to furtherance of the Gospel. When the Disciples were persecuted, they couldn't stay together again so they were scattered in different places, but the great thing was they didn't hide themselves where they are, they continued preaching the gospel individually.

This brings us to the question, would you still witness Jesus if you didn't have the congregation around you?!

It's great to have people around you but what you should know is all you need is God with you. And Jesus had promised us when He commanded us to preach the Gospel that He is always with us. (Matthew 28:20)


Action point

If you are yet to accept Jesus into your heart, ask God for mercy and invite Him into your life right now


Quote

“Jesus lives in my heart so I'm perfect”

-Joey the poet

Prayers

1. Thank God for every battle He has won for that you are ignorant of

2. Ask God for mercy

3. Pray for the boldness to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ

4. Pray for the Grace to do what pleases God everyday

5. Pray for a forgiving Spirit


#BibleInAYear

Contributions

Pastor M.O Shodipe