Archive | November 2024

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 334

Nov30

   Day 334—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 334 – 1 Corinthians 5 – 8 (Paul teaches/corrects the Corinthians on immorality, lawsuits, marriage, and food)

1 Corinthians 5.

Paul calls them to task about reports he’s heard concerning flagrant immorality in the church.  “This is NOT Christian FREEDOM, but devilish sin.”

Paul then instructs them “not to associate with anyone who bears the name of “brother” if he is guilty of sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, drunkenness or swindling…. no, not even to eat with such a one.”  

1 Corinthians 6.

Another grievance Paul has is about them taking each other to court about minor wrongs done. He asks if there is not some WISE brother who could mediate between the parties.  After all, Paul reminds them, believers will one day judge ANGELS!!  It would be better to suffer wrong than go to the world’s court system with problems in the church. What kind of testimony is that?? He urges them not to be obstinate in such matters.

Paul then lists again the sins they were ALL involved in before they were saved. But now they are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God!  (So act like that!)

He reminds the Corinthians that their bodies are members of Christ. Should they take “Christ’s body” with them into gross sin?  Don’t they realize that their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells in them??  Glorify God in your body! he urges them.

1 Corinthians 7.

Then Paul discusses marriage, singleness, divorce/widowhood, and unbelieving mates. His own opinion is that everyone should stay single as he is so they can be free to do ministry anywhere, anytime. But he knows God has ordained marriage, and there is nothing wrong with it. He urges widows to remain single. However, those with unbelieving mates should not separate for that reason alone.  After all, that spouse may become a believer from the other’s example and testimony.

In conclusion, “let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him/her.” He says the same about other situations. If uncircumcised or a slave, don’t seek circumcision or to be freed. In whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. 

Returning to marriage, Paul says the same. “In view of the present distress (the appointed time has grown very short and the present form of the world is passing away),” it is good to marry if betrothed but otherwise remain single.  And if widowed, don’t remarry.  (This last part Paul admits is his opinion, but he “thinks he has the Spirit’s advice too.”

1 Corinthians 8.

Paul again turns to foods with more details, particularly those offered first to idols. (This was part of pagan false worship.) As mature believers, we know that all foods are okay to eat. The problem is, if an immature brother with a weak conscience sees you eating it, he may be conflicted, and it may cause him to sin in his heart if he too partakes along with you.

So, Paul’s advice is: if you are alone or with mature fellow believers, eat up and enjoy, for you are no part of pagan worship.  HOWEVER, if new believers recently out of that culture are eating with you, refrain for their conscience’s sake.  “If food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble,”

(More on this tomorrow.)

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 333

Nov29

   Day 333—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 333 – 1 Corinthians 1 – 4 (Paul writing to approve and scold the church in Corinth.)

1 Corinthians 1.

In Acts 18, we saw Sosthenes as the ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. Now, he is a believer and a helper of Paul, concerned about what they’ve heard happening in that city.  Paul is writing from Ephesus. (This is his second letter to Corinth. We don’t have #1.)

Paul begins by thanking God for the Corinthian church and the grace He showed them in Christ Jesus. However, he scolds them too.  They were given great mercy and gifts, but now they had fallen into disunity, a church split. The believers sought importance by bragging about whom they followed; Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. It was by faith in Christ that they were saved, not by who baptized them.

Paul claimed his ministry was to preach Christ and Him alone, which was foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews.  God CHOSE what was foolish and weak to reveal His glory so that no one could boast.  “Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD!”

1 Corinthians 2.

Paul repeats that he did not come to them with fancy words or the world’s wisdom (it hadn’t worked in Athens, after all) but with only the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 

1 Corinthians 3.

Paul calls the Corinthian church immature because they persist in divisions. They can be fed only the essential “milk” of God’s wisdom and not the “solid food” of doctrine. Paul says they are not ready for strong teaching while still “in the flesh.” 

“Who is Apollos? Who is Paul” he asks. “I merely planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. Apollos and I are fellow workers. YOU are God’s field, God’s building.”

Paul laid the foundation when he first went to Corinth.  Apollos and others have built on it. The foundation is Christ, so let anyone who builds on it take care.  Use only materials that will last in “the fire of That Day.”  You, Corinthians, are the building, the temple, and now the Holy Spirit lives IN you. 

1 Corinthians 4.

Paul says that the Corinthians should view them all as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. And yes, it is required that stewards be trustworthy.  Paul applied this to himself and to Apollos for the Corinthian church’s benefit, so they would learn from them and not be “puffed up” in favor of one against the other.

“I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world.  We are FOOLS for Christ’s sake. We are weak. We are held in disrepute. We hunger and thirst; we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless. We labor, working with our own hands.  When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat.  We have become, and are still like the “scum of the world,” the “refuse of all things.”  Whoa, Paul!!

Paul doesn’t write the above to shame them but to admonish them as loved children.  Paul had become like a father to them through the Gospel of Jesus.   He urges them to imitate him in the above ways and not be boastful. 

He tells the Corinthians that he sent Timothy to remind them of his ways in Christ and that he will soon personally come to them. He asks them if they want him to arrive with a “paddle” or with a spirit of gentleness.  

Stand up and fly right, he says, or Daddy’s coming to spank you!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 332

Nov28

   Day 332—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 332 – Acts 18 – 19 (Paul in Corinth, Priscilla & Aquila in Ephesus, Apollos, Paul in Ephesus, riots)

Acts 18.

After a minimal harvest of souls in Athens, Paul went to Corinth. There, he met Aquila & Priscilla, recently ejected from Rome. They were tentmakers and believers, so Paul (also a tentmaker) stayed with them and worked. He also reasoned every Sabbath in the synagogue.

Silas and Timothy finally arrived from Macedonia to help. The Jews rejected Christ, so Paul went exclusively to preach to the Gentiles. Titius Justus, a believer, lived next to the synagogue, so Paul set up headquarters there. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, with his household and many Corinthians, believed and were baptized.  The Lord encouraged Paul in a vision, telling him to remain in Corinth and not be afraid, for He was with Paul, and there were many to be saved. Paul stayed for 18 months.

There was an incident with the Roman authorities, but the proconsul, Gallio, dismissed them (like Pilate did), telling the Jews to take care of their own matters.

Meanwhile, Paul had taken a vow, probably in gratitude to God, which included not cutting his hair. That vow was about to end, so he cut his hair. (The shorn hair needed to be presented in the Temple within 30 days.)  So, taking Aquila & Priscilla, he sailed for Syria. He left the couple in Ephesus, and after preaching a few times in the synagogue, he set sail for Caesarea.  From there, he went up to Jerusalem to fulfill his vow and greet the church there.  Then he returned to his sending church in Antioch for a while.

Later, Paul traveled back by land through Galatia, strengthening the churches he and Barnabas had planted on the first missionary journey.

Meanwhile, back in Ephesus, a Jew from Alexandria arrived. He was eloquent and competent in the scriptures. And he preached “the way” of the Lord, being fervent in spirit. He accurately taught the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (and his sermons).  Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Then, Apollos felt the call to Achaia (Greece). Priscilla and Aquila wrote the brothers there to welcome him, which they did.  Apollos greatly helped them, for he powerfully refuted the Jews publicly, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah was Jesus.

Acts 19.

So while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and arrived in Ephesus.  He found some disciples there who had been taught by Apollos early on. They hadn’t heard of the Holy Spirit’s work, so Paul caught them up. They all agreed to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit came on them too.

Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years, speaking boldly in the synagogue and reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.  Some believed, but others were stubborn in their unbelief.  Paul simply moved the meeting place to the Hall f Tyrannus.  “All the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.”

Now, seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva lived there. They were “itinerant Jewish exorcists.”  They saw the miracles God performed through Paul and were jealous. They tried doing the same things but the evil spirits fought back, saying, “Jesus, I know, and Paul, I recognize… BUT WHO ARE YOU?”   The seven “wannabes” were then attacked and stripped naked, so they ran away wounded.  This caused the residents to become afraid, and the name of Jesus was extolled.

Many of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in the sight of all.  So, the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily in Ephesus and surroundings.

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After about two years, Paul resolved in the Spirit to travel up through Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, & Berea), down to Achaia (Athens, Corinth), and afterward go to Jerusalem.  “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”  He sent Timothy and Erastus ahead to Macedonia and stayed a bit longer in Ephesus.

However, a disturbance about the teachings of “the Way” (the Gospel) arose in Ephesus, led by a silversmith named Demetrius, whose business was faltering because fewer people were buying his statues. He went to the “union hall” of artisans. and riled them up, saying,

“Men, you know that from this business, we have our wealth. But in Ephesus and almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods.  He is endangering our trade. Our great temple of Artemis may even be discounted as “nothing.”  What should we do??”  

Enraged at these words, they shouted, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”  The mob rushed everywhere in the city with this cry.  They dragged Paul’s companions into the arena. (Paul’s close friends convinced him NOT to go there.)  There was so much confusion and shouting that some in the crowd did not even know what was happening.

Alexander, a leader, tried to stop the crowd, but when they recognized him as a Jew, they shouted even louder for two hours. Finally, the town clerk quieted them down by saying that if they continued, the Romans would come and accuse them of rioting. Everyone knew that Artemis was sacred and that the temple was great, so they ought to be quiet.  “Let Demetrius and the craftsmen take these men to court in an orderly fashion.”

Finally, the crowd settled and dispersed.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 331

Nov27

   Day 331—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 331 – 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Letters of love, reminders, admonitions, and hope)

1 Thessalonians 1.

Paul thanks God for the people of this church and prays for them. They turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, they were waiting for His Son from heaven, and they trusted in the resurrected Jesus to deliver them from God’s wrath.

1 Thessalonians 2.

Paul reminds them of his trial in Philippi before he came to them, and how he came with gentleness and encouragement. He thanks God for their “receiving the word of God and accepting it.”  Paul longed to see them again in person and tried often, but Satan had hindered him.  He calls the Thessalonians his “hope, joy, crown, and glory.”

1 Thessalonians 3.

Paul tells how he was worried about them when he was in Athens and sent Timothy to check up on them. He was comforted when Timothy reported their faith and love endured, and they also longed to see him. “For now, we live if you are standing fast in the Lord. For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before God, as we pray most earnestly night and day, that we may see you face to face…”   “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness…at the coming of our Lord Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 4.

Paul urges them to keep “walking to please God” and do it even more.  “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”   He commends them for their love for the brothers and urges them to do it more and more.  Paul also answers a pressing question about believers who have died. Would they miss the glorious return of Christ?  Paul assures them that they, too, will rise with Jesus. They first, then those who are alive will hear the cry from heaven, the voice of an archangel, and the sound of the trumpet of God, “and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.”

1 Thessalonians 5.

Paul tells them about the Day of the Lord, which will come as a thief in the night. “While people are saying ‘there is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them.”

Paul cautions them not to “sleep” but to keep awake, be sober, and keep on the armor of God. He encourages them, saying, “God has not destined us for wrath but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.”

Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Don’t quench the Spirit. Test all things and hold to that which is good. Abstain from evil.

Then his benediction: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

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2 Thessalonians 1.

Paul again writes to this church, thanking God their faith and love for each other is increasing.  He tells them the persecutions and afflictions they are enduring are evidence of the righteous judgment of God and that they are considered worthy of the Kingdom.  He prays for them that the name of the Lord Jesus would be glorified in them.

2 Thessalonians 2.

Paul then teaches them about the end times, warning them about the antichrist who will come. “Do not be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit, a spoken word, or a letter “seeming” to be from us, that the Day of the Lord has already come.” You won’t miss the wrath of God coming on the antichrist.

So brothers, he writes, stand firm and hold on to the traditions you were taught by us in spoken word and by letter.  And “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved you and gave you good hope, and chose you, and called you through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work and word.”

1 Thessalonians 3.

Paul ends this letter with a request of his own.  Pray for us… that we may come to you and be delivered from wicked and evil men.  And as for them, “Do not grow wearing in doing good.”  Then he gives a final blessing, “the Lord of Peace will give them peace at all times and in every way.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 330

Nov26

   Day 330—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 330 – Acts 17 (Paul & Silas, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens)

After being beaten and jailed, loosed in an earthquake, preached to a jailor, and apologized to by the magistrates, Paul and Silas left Philippi. The team (Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke) went through Amphipolis and Apollonia to the city of Thessalonica.

As was Paul’s pattern, he preached in the Jewish synagogue for three Sabbaths, explaining how the scriptures pointed to Christ’s death and resurrection. Some Jews were persuaded, plus many devout Greeks and leading women.

But the majority of the Jews were jealous, mobbed him, and set the city in an uproar, saying they preached against Caesar. The mob attacked Jason’s house, where Paul was staying. After the magistrates took security from him to assure Paul would cause no more trouble, Paul and his team left town that very night.

They went to Berea, and Paul immediately went to the synagogue. “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word eagerly, examining the Scriptures daily to see if the things Paul preached were so.” 

(Can you imagine them taking down the scrolls of the scriptures Paul mentioned, turning to the passages, and verifying what he preached? They would read and nod their heads and eagerly look up for more!)

As a consequence, many of them believed, including many Greek women of high standing. (Faith comes by hearing the Word, Romans 10:17.) However, when the Jews from Thessalonica heard of this, they came to Berea and agitated the crowds against Paul.  The Bereans immediately sent Paul (and Luke?) off by sea.  Silas and Timothy stayed there to continue teaching. But when Paul got to Athens, he sent a message for the two men to come to him as soon as possible.  (But they were delayed.)

Meanwhile, while Paul was waiting for them, his spirit was provoked as he saw all the idols in the city.  He reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews, as usual.  And every day, he spoke with the devout people in the marketplace. He also argued with some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers.  They took Paul to the Areopagus to defend his teaching, for they thought he was preaching “some foreign divinities.”  They enjoyed it immensely, for all the Athenians and foreigners loved to spend time telling or hearing “something new.”

Paul tried. He looked at the one statue dedicated to “the Unknown God” and pointed them towards God, the Lord of heaven and earth, creator of everything.

Paul waxed eloquent, as that’s what his listeners wanted. (Paul was all things to all men, so he could win some to the Gospel. 1 Corinthians 9:22) “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a Man whom He has appointed; and of this, He had given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” (verses 30-31)

Now, when they heard about the resurrection of the dead, they mocked Paul.  But some said, “Oh, we’ll hear you another time.”   Only a few believed: Dionysius, the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and a handful of others.

Perhaps discouraged at the lack of response, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 328 & 329

Nov25

    Day 328 & 329—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

NOTE: Sunday and Monday readings are posted together on Mondays.

Day 328 – Galatians 1 – 3 (Paul, Gospel v Law, Faith v works)

Galatians 1.

Paul writes to the churches he and Barnabas established on their first missionary journey. Paul establishes his authority by relating God’s choice, His revelation to Paul, and commission for his ministry at his conversion.

He is astonished that they have turned back to depending on the works of the law, from the faith in Jesus that he taught. Are they seeking man’s approval, or God’s?

Galatians 2.

Paul continues to give his testimony, how he spoke before the leaders in Jerusalem about Gentiles needing (or not needing!) to be circumcised to be saved. They agreed it was NOT necessary. Both Peter and John agreed and entrusted him with the Gospel to the Gentiles.

Nevertheless, some false brothers were still spreading this error.  Even Simon Peter got a bit carried away with it, and Paul had to admonish him.

Paul states that, although a Jew by birth, he knows a person is NOT justified by works of the law (circumcision in this case) but through faith in Christ Jesus.  Paul says that he “died” to the law so he might “live” to God.  “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  If righteousness were through the LAW, Christ died for no purpose.”

Galatians 3.

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?”  Then Paul asks them a series of questions that have obvious answers.

1) Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

2) Are you so foolish?

3) Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

4) Did you suffer so many things in vain, if indeed it was in vain?

5) Does he who supplies the Spirit in you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing of faith (like with Abraham who believed God and was counted righteous)?

No one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 10:38)  Christ redeemed us from the ‘curse of the law’ by becoming a curse for us (He hung on a tree. (Deut. 21:23)).  So, in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles (all nations will be blessed through Abraham’s offspring – Jesus.).

Why then, the law? They might ask.  Because of transgressions!  “The law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus, you are all sons of God, through faith. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all ONE in Christ Jesus. And if you are in Christ, then you (Gentiles) are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.”

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Day 329 – Galatians 4 – 6 (Sons v slaves, Hagar v Sarah, Freedom Works of flesh v Fruit of Spirit, Burdens)

Galatians 4.

Paul continues the illustration/allegory from Abraham’s life, using his two sons, Ishmael & Isaac, and their mothers, Hagar & Sarah, as examples of the “flesh” and the “spirit.”  The way the Galatians were trying to “earn” their salvation through circumcision and other works of the law was like Hagar and Ishmael. Paul urges them to be people of faith alone, as illustrated by Sarah and Isaac.  Be a true “son,” in which God has sent His Spirit to live.

Galatians 5.

Paul proclaims that through Christ, they have been “set free” from the burden of the law, which he calls the yoke of slavery. He urges them NOT to return to bearing that yoke.

As true children of God, they are free, but, they are not to use that freedom for the flesh. Let LOVE guide their every thought, word, and action.  “WALK by the Spirit,” he says, “and you will not fulfill the desires of the flesh.”  Then Paul lists fifteen appalling “works of the flesh,” including sexual immorality, idolatry, jealousy, drunkenness, etc. for them to avoid.

Alternately, the fruit of the Spirit is nine-fold; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is NO LAW against these, and those who are Christ’s exhibit them.

Galatians 6.

Paul teaches how the Galatians should act/react to those who continue in sin: restore them in a spirit of gentleness, testing their own motives and actions.

Those who are taught should share all good things with their teacher (supporting those who minister to them financially).   In fact, they are to do good to everyone, especially fellow believers.

In conclusion, Paul returns to the topic of circumcision, saying, “Neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.”  

“Far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.  From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear in my body the marks of Jesus.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 327

Nov23

    Day 327—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 327 – Acts 15 – 16 (Jerusalem Council, Letters, Paul/Barnabas argue, Silas & Timothy, Macedonia, Lydia, Prison)

Acts 15.

Some Pharisees believers caused trouble by going to Antioch and teaching the new Gentile converts that they needed to be circumcised according to Mosaic custom as a part of salvation. Paul and Barnabas object and head to Jerusalem to have a conference with the elders.

Both sides present their cases. Peter eventually stands up and recounts his experience with the Roman Centurion and his household. “God bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Why are we now putting God to the test by placing the yoke of the law on them? We are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they are.”  Paul and Barnabas relate the signs and wonders done among the Gentiles in their ministry, too.

Then, James, the leader of the Council, quotes Zechariah 8:20-23 about salvation being a ‘light to the Gentiles.’  All agree that the Gentiles should have no greater burden required of them except that which would disrupt unity.  Letters would be sent to the churches that they should 1) abstain from eating meat sacrificed to idols, 2) abstain from sexual immorality, and 3) abstain from eating things strangled and from blood.  (These things all were a part of their former pagan worship.) 

All agreed. Judas Barsabbas and Silas were sent with a letter to the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.  The letter was well received. Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the Word. Judas and Silas also encouraged and strengthened the brethren with many words.

Then Paul decided to “return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the Word and see how they are.”  Barnabas thought it a great idea and wanted to take John Mark with them again. (They were cousins.)  Paul strongly objected, and there was a sharp disagreement between them.

God used this to organize TWO missionary teams. Barnabas took John Mark and left for Cyprus.  Paul chose Silas and went by land through Syria and Cilicia to strengthen the churches.

Acts 16.

When Paul and Silas came to Lystra and Derbe, they met a young disciple named Timothy. The young man was half Jew (mother) and half Gentile (father). His believing mother and grandmother had taught him the scriptures thoroughly, and all had been saved during Paul’s first journey there.  The lad had not been circumcised, probably because of his Gentile father.  And Paul did an unusual thing, especially thinking of the recent Council in Jerusalem. After inviting Timothy to join his team and travel with him, he circumcised him.  Say what??  Why?

Everybody in the synagogue (where he and his mom and grandma attended) knew about his Greek father and that he hadn’t taken the step to join the Jewish community.  And since Paul’s permanent personal rule was to go to the town’s synagogue (the Jews) FIRST with the message of salvation, he saw that an uncircumcised Jewish lad might be a problem with unity.  It doesn’t seem that Timothy objected at all. 

So the 3-man team went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia. Paul attempted to lead them into Asia but was prevented by the Holy Spirit.  When they arrived at Troas (a port city) Paul had a vision of a man across the Sea in Macedonia calling to him for help.  He decided that it was in Macedonia that God was calling them to preach the gospel.  At this point, Dr. Luke (the book’s narrator) joined the team. (Nope, we don’t know the details.)

They set sail and docked at Samothrace and Neapolis before finally disembarking at Philippi, a leading city in the area AND a Roman colony.  On the Sabbath, they went outside the gate to the riverside where they’d heard there was a place of prayer.  They sat down and spoke to the women who had gathered there. One, named Lydia, a wealthy woman who sold valuable purple material was a worshiper of God. The Lord “opened her heart to pay attention to what Paul said.”  She became a believer and was baptized, as well as her household.  She invited the missionary team to come and stay at her house. 

One time, as they were going to that place of prayer, they were met by a demon-possessed girl slave. Her owners made much money by her fortune-telling.  She followed the mission team and kept crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”  Now, those words were true (demons have to speak truth in the presence of the Holy Spirit). Paul did not want their witness.  Besides, the crowds probably thought she was talking about the Greek/Roman god Zeus. 

“I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her! Paul demanded.

The demon had to come out, but the girl’s owners were VERY DISPLEASED.  There went their income.  They grabbed Paul and Silas, dragged them before the magistrates, and accused them of disturbing the peace. The crowd started attacking them, too (mob rule).  The magistrates ripped off their clothes and beat Paul and Silas, then threw them into prison with stocks on their feet.  Whoa!

But…. Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns while the other prisoners listened.  Suddenly an earthquake happened. Their stocks fell off, the prison doors opened, and all the prisoners’ bonds were unfastened.  When the jailer came in, he was terrified that they all had escaped and was about to take his own life.  But Paul stopped him, saying that they all were still there. He then went on to preach the Gospel. (The jailor had said, “What must I do to be saved?”)  Paul told him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and he’d be saved.

The man and his whole house believed. The jailor took Paul and Silas, washed their wounds, and fed them. Paul then baptized them all. 

The next day, the magistrates sent police to let Paul and Silas go. BUT Paul refused to go secretly. He claimed his Roman citizenship which terrified the leaders.  To whip and imprison a Roman citizen without a trial was a deadly error.  So, they, at Paul’s request, came personally to them and apologized. They politely asked them to leave the city. 

When they left prison, Paul and Silas (and the others) visited Lydia, saw the other believers, and encouraged them. THEN they left Philippi. 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 326

Nov22

    Day 326—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 326 – James 1 – 5 (Faith, wisdom, the Word, works, the tongue, worldliness, prayer)

James, the brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem church, writes to believing Jews living outside of Israel. His letter is rich in practical ways to live a life of faith.

James 1.

Be joyful when you experience trials, for they strengthen your faith. Ask God for the wisdom you need, and He will give it. Temptation is not from God but from your own sinful desires. Don’t just hear the teaching of the word, but work it out as well. Watch your tongue! True “religion” is shown by visiting orphans and widows and keeping yourself unstained by worldly things.

James 2.

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ show no partiality to the rich. Even if you are “righteous” in all other ways, this is lawbreaking.  Mercy triumphs over judgment. Faith without actions is dead faith. Yes, it is great that you believe, but even demons do that. Show your inner faith by how you live.  Check out the actions and faith of Abraham and Rahab in the Old Testament.

James 3.

Teachers, beware, for you will be judged with greater strictness.  “Be careful little tongue, what you say!”  Bits in horses’ mouths and rudders on ships control them.  YOU must control your speech.  What you say can be a scorching fire from hell, a world of unrighteousness, a restless evil full of deadly poison. Watch your tongue!  Remember, true wisdom is from God. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  Your good conduct will show you have this wisdom.

James 4.

Control your passions!  They will cause fights, quarrels, dissatisfactions, and even murders.  They make your prayers foolish, desiring things to lavish on yourself.   God gives grace to the humble, so submit yourselves to God.  Resist the devil and his ways…and he will flee from you. Draw near instead to God, who will respond.  Again, humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.  Don’t boast about tomorrow. Who knows anything about tomorrow?  Commit it all to the Lord.  And it’s a sin if you know the right thing to do, and you don’t do it.

James 5.

Don’t boast or have confidence in riches. They won’t help you on judgment day.  Be patient in your work for the Lord.  You know He is coming; work patiently till then and don’t grumble.  Let all your praying be done by faith. Whether praying for the sick or a sinning brother, your prayer of faith accomplishes much. Remember how Elijah prayed, and there was NO rain. Then he prayed again, and there was an abundance of rain.  If any one of you strays from the truth, bring him back. His soul will be saved and his sins covered.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 325

Nov21

    Day 325—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 325 – Acts 13 – 14 (1st missionary journey, Cyprus, Antioch #2, Iconium, Lystra, return home)

Acts 13.

While the prophets and teachers at Antioch were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit pointed out Barnabas and Saul for missionary work in Asia Minor. After those elders put their hands on them and prayed, Barnabas and Saul were sent off. The young John Mark went along to assist them.

The first stop was the island of Cyprus, where Barnabas’s home was, and where a sizeable Jewish population lived. They began at Salamis and proclaimed God’s word in the synagogues. They toured throughout the whole island and came to the capital, Paphos. There, the proconsul, Sergius Paulus summoned them to hear the word of God.  As they preached, the local magician, Elymas opposed them, trying to turn the proconsul’s attention away from the message.

But Paul (now called by his Roman name because he would be serving in the Roman world) cursed the sorcerer with the authority of the Holy Spirit, and this “enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, was made blind for a time.  (Did Paul hope his blindness would lead to his salvation, like Paul’s?)  With the evil man silenced, Sergius Paulus believed in the teaching of the Lord.

Next, Paul (now the group leader) and his companions sailed to Perga. For some reason, John Mark left Paul and Barnabas here and returned home to Jerusalem.  He was very young. Did the harshness of the journey, or the fierceness of the opposition, or maybe personal friction change his mind?

Paul and Barnabas went on to Antioch-Pisidia and preached in the synagogue on the Sabbath. He began with the history of Israel down to King David and segued to David’s greater son, Jesus, the promised Messiah.  But the Jerusalem leadership did not believe and condemned Him to death. However, God raised him from the dead. This Jesus was seen by many people, from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now His witnesses. We bring you this Good News that God promised our fathers.

Paul then quotes Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 53:3, Psalm 16:10 and Habakkuk 1:5.

The Gentiles loved the message and begged them to return. But jealous Jews contradicted and reviled them.  However, those Gentiles whom God had chosen, believed, rejoiced, and glorified the word of the Lord.

Acts 14.

The missionary duo journeyed on to Iconium and spoke in the synagogue.  Here, a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.  But the UNbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against Paul and Barnabas.  This only caused the two to stay longer in Iconium, speaking boldly for the Lord. The Holy Spirt granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.  However, when they heard of a plot to stone them, they moved on to the area of Lystra and Derbe, where they continued to preach the Gospel.

In Lystra, they saw a crippled man listening to the preaching.  Seeing that he had faith, Paul told him to “Stand upright on your feet.”  The man was instantly healed. But, instead of praising God, the people cried, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.” They called Paul, Zeus, and Barnabas, Hermes and brought festooned oxen to sacrifice on their behalf.

“NO, NO, NO!!” cried Paul. “Men, why are you doing this?  We are men like you.  We bring you Good News! You have to turn from these vain things to THE LIVING GOD!”  And he preached to them. Even then, the apostles scarcely restrained the people from sacrificing to them.

Then, Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrived and persuaded the crowd against them.  They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town as a dead man. Whoa!

But the new believers gathered around him (praying?), and Paul rose and entered the city. The next day, they went to Derbe, preached the Gospel, and made many disciples.

Then the duo began the return journey, checking in at each town they’d visited to strengthen the brothers, encourage them to continue in the faith, and saying that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”  They also appointed elders in every church and with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord.

On the return journey, they also preached in Perga before getting on a ship for home.  Back at their sending church at Antioch, “they declared all that God had done with them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”

And they stayed there for a time.

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 324

Nov20

    Day 324—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 324 – Acts 11 – 12 (Peter reports to the church, Antioch church, James killed, Peter arrested, Herod)

Acts 11.

After Peter’s astonishing experience with the Roman Centurion, Cornelius, he heard of rumbling from the apostles in Jerusalem about Gentiles, so he went there and told the complete story. He told about the vision with “unclean” animals in a sheet descending from heaven and how God told him to kill and eat them. He told them about the men who Cornelius sent, and how, after going to the Centurion’s house, the Holy Spirit fell on the people there as it had on them at Pentecost.

“If then God gave the same gift to them, as He gave to us, when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”  When they heard this, they stopped complaining.  “Glory to God! To the Gentiles, then, has God also granted repentance that leads to life.

And so the hand of the Lord was upon the Gentiles and Hellenists of Phoenicia, Cyprus, Cyrene, and Antioch, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. This report came to the apostles in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch to check it out.  When he saw the grace of God at work, he was glad and exhorted them to faithfulness. He also went to nearby Tarsus and brought back Saul to help teach the people. The two stayed there a whole year. And it was at Antioch that the disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians.”

Then, a prophet came from Jerusalem to Antioch and foretold of a great famine coming in the days of Claudius.  So these new “Christians” collected an offering and sent it to the brothers in Judea by Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 12.

About that time, King Herod Agrippa 1 laid violent hands on believers.  He killed the disciple James, the brother of John, with the sword (beheaded).  When he saw it pleased the Jewish leaders, he also arrested Peter during Passover, intending to do the same to him. He put Peter in prison with TWO chains between TWO guards. (Didn’t he know that Peter worked in THREES??)  Meanwhile, the church made EARNEST PRAYER to God for Peter.

The night before his execution, an angel of the Lord came to Peter in the jail cell. He punched him in the side to awaken him, saying, “Get up quickly!”  Immediately, the chains fell off Peter. “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.  Wrap your cloak around yourself and follow me.”  Peter obeyed, thinking it was all a dream.  But, after the prison doors opened before them, like grocery store doors, and Peter found himself outside in the street, he realized it was real.

Quickly, he went to John Mark’s mother’s house, where believers met and prayed. He knocked at the locked door, and a servant girl, Rhoda, came to answer.  When she learned it was Peter, she was so excited that she ran to tell the others, leaving Peter standing outside.  They quickly remedied that and brought Peter inside. In whispers, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the brothers,” he said, then went to another place.

(NOTE: He wanted them to tell James, the brother of Jesus, who was becoming the leader of the Jerusalem church, and NOT the disciple of Jesus, John’s brother, who had just been martyred.)

The next day, Herod sent for Peter to execute him, but they found him gone, vanished, with no explanation from the guards.  THEY were killed instead for negligence in letting a prisoner escape. Herod searched for Peter everywhere, but he could not be found.

Disgruntled or embarrassed, Herod left Judea and stayed in Caesarea awhile.  Herod took out his anger on the people north of him in Tyre and Sidon. They came and begged for peace.  On the day they came before him, Herod – dressed in his finest royal robes – sat on his throne and delivered a fancy speech to them. Trying to ingratiate themselves with him, the people shouted, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”  

The arrogant king did not deny the adulation or give GOD the glory.  Because of this, God struck him down and he was eaten by worms as he breathed his last.  Gulp!

But… the word of God increased and multiplied.

Barnabas and Saul returned to Antioch, bringing John Mark with them.

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