Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #75

Deliverance

Judges 3

I pray blessings on you as you read.

(v. 5-6) "The Israelites lived among the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. They took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons, and served their gods." (v. 9) "But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othneil son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother, who saved them." (v. 15) "Again the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he gave them a deliverer--Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with a tribute to Eglon king of Moab."

My Thoughts

So many times the Israelites forgot God and disobeyed Him, turning away and following after the nations around them. They left God to serve gods of wood, stone and metal. Each time, as punishment, God put them in the hands of their enemies, and each time, they would cry out to God. God would hear them and raise up a deliverer for them to save them and to lead them. Once that leader had died, the cycle repeats.

You know, with how many times the Israelites had turned from God, you can tell how stubborn they were and persistent in doing things their own way instead of God's. More than that, we see clearly how persistent God is for His people. The same kind of things may not happen anymore, but you can be sure that we are God's people. Each one of us is a part of God's family, whether you accept it or not, just like your brothers and sisters and mom and dad are always, unequivocally your family. Having estranged family members doesn't break that.

God is so persistent for each of us that He gave us His only Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for us. God delivered His people from the hands of their enemies countless times. Not only the times like those written in Judges, but anytime a servant of God was persecuted for doing God's work. That is how important we are to God and how much He loves us.

Even now, when you find yourself in times of trouble, whether you are persecuted for your faith in Christ or otherwise, God is there with you. He won't leave you. You just need to trust in Him and be faithful to him and God will deliver you from trouble. Keep your heart in the right place though. God will deliver you from troubled times, but He will not always make them top or go away completely. Remember, it is His will that be done.

If you are ill, God will deliver you from that. That doesn't necessarily mean that He will give complete healing immediately when you ask, even if you do everything pleasing to Him and never make another mistake in your life. What God may do is give you peace about it, or wisdom and understanding, or He may lessen it in some way. Keep your heart in the right place and remember that no matter what happens, God has His plan for you.

Prayer Time

Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.

Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!

Daily Bible Reading with DragoNate #46

Mercy and Deliverance

Acts 22

I pray blessings on you as you read.

(v. 4) "I persecuted the followers of this way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison," (v. 6-7) " About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' " (v. 20) "And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.' "

My Thoughts

Paul was once an enemy of Christ. He persecuted people who followed Christ, threw them into prison and even had some killed. He gave approval of the killing as well. How could this man, who once persecuted and killed followers of Christ, come to know Christ Jesus himself? Jesus spoke to him in a personal way, through a bright light from heaven, which blinded him. Paul's companions saw the light as well, but couldn't understand the voice that spoke to Paul.

After this encounter with Christ, Paul turned right around and started to live for Jesus instead of against Him. What was your encounter with Christ? Have you had one? It may not be the same as what happened to Paul, but I can tell you, the encounter you have with Christ will not be something easily forgotten.

Jesus changed Paul's heart and Paul accepted Him into his heart. After that, God led him into Damascus to a brother. Later, God told Paul that he needed to leave because the people were not going to accept his testimony. God protected him and delivered him from the hands of people. Even in this chapter, as Paul is telling of these things, he was on trial. God delivered him from the hands of the commander as well.

God has mercy on all. As you can see in Paul's case, it does not matter what you have done, God will have mercy on you. You need only accept His Son, Jesus. If that is something that you want, all you have to do is tell God that you have sinned, ask for forgiveness and accept it, and ask Jesus to come into your heart. By saying this, you have made a choice to change our life and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. If you prayed from the heart, know that your prayer has been answered. What you do from there is change your ways to follow after Jesus.

God had a plan for Paul, and you can be sure that He has a plan for you as well. If you prayed that prayer just a second ago, you have been delivered from the hands of Satan. You have received mercy and are now made new in Jesus Christ! What is in the past no longer means anything, and I welcome you to the family of Christ!

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Prayer Time

Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.

Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.

Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!