Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 343

Day 343 – Reading – Romans 8 – 10

Read and believe in Jesus!

Romans 8-10 is a tough section of scripture for us mortals to understand. Paul does a good job, but we need the Holy Spirit’s help more than ever.

Chapter 8 begins with a heart-swelling statement.

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are IN Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free IN Christ Jesus from the Law of sin and death. (Praise God!)

Here’s how God did it. It’s the Gospel.

“By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us,”

Then he puts forth some serious considerations.

“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit IF in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. (Anyone who does not have the Spirit of God does not belong to Him.)
“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through the Spirit who dwells in you.”
“IF you live according to the flesh you will die, but IF by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs … provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.”

And not only does the Holy Spirit of God witness that we are God’s children, He also intercedes for us when we attempt to pray. And He intercedes according to God’s will.

Then Paul lists the order of our salvation, which is ALL God’s doing. This is hard to understand, and often hard to WANT to understand.

“For those whom He FORENEW, He also PREDESTINED to be conformed to the image of His Son. And those whom He predestined He also CALLED, and those He called He also JUSTIFIED, and those whom He justified He also GLORIFIED.”

Then Paul asks these questions, “If God is for us, who can be against us? Who shall bring any charge against God’s ELECT? Who is to condemn? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

And he answers them. “I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 9.

Here, Paul bares his heart and soul about his fellow countrymen, the Jews. He grieves for them for their hardness of heart and rejection of Jesus. He says they have had and still do have so many privileges, like the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the law, the worship, the promise of the Messiah. They have the patriarchs, and from their own race, they have the CHRIST.

Paul knows that not all Jews belong to “Israel.” Not all the offspring of Abraham are his “children.” God elects only SOME of them. It depends NOT on human will or exertion, BUT ON GOD, who has mercy (on whomever He wills, and hardens whomever He wills).

Okay. Say it. That doesn’t seem fair.

Aha! It’s as if Paul has heard your response.

“Who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Has the potter no right over the clay to make… (what He wants, vessels of wrath and vessels of mercy, both of which will be for His glory)?

Romans 10.

Paul – whom God has sent to bring the Gentiles into His kingdom – has a heart aching for his own people too… another reason why he takes the message to the Jews first in any new town he visits.

“My heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved!”

He says they (like so many today) have a ZEAL for God, and they are seeking RIGHTEOUSNESS. But NOT the way God demands – by faith. They strive by their own effort, their own strength, and do not seek or submit to God’s Way. Pride is the culprit.

God says that the “righteous shall LIVE by faith.”

The word (of faith) is near you, in your mouth and in your heart; because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. EVERYONE (Jew or Gentile) who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Then he asks these progressive questions that put an urgency on us today to go and preach the gospel.

How will they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
How are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?
How are they to hear without someone preaching?
How are they to preach unless they are sent?

(How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!)

And then Paul adds his sad conclusions:

But they have not all obeyed the gospel.
“But of Israel, Isaiah says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

Chapter 11 will go on with this thought, speaking of a REMNANT of ISRAEL.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 341 & 342

Dec8

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 341 – Reading – Romans 1 – 3

Day 342 – Reading – Romans 4 – 7

Read and believe in Jesus!

“Some of those converted on the day of Pentecost founded the church at Rome. Paul had long sought to visit the Roman church, but had been prevented. In God’s providence, Paul’s inability to visit Rome resulted in this masterpiece of gospel doctrine.
The theme of Romans is the righteousness that comes from God: the glorious truth that God justifies guilty, condemned sinners by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. Chapters 1-11 give theological truths, while chapters 12-16 detail the practical working out of those truths.” (from John MacArthur’s commentary)

SUNDAY – Day 341 – Romans 1.

Paul introduces himself and greets the church in Rome. He calls himself both a servant (slave) of Jesus and an apostle (sent one). Paul was called to share the gospel (good news) of God, which God promised through His prophets in the Old Testament concerning His Son, to the nations, including the Romans. He prays for them, the Grace and Peace of God.

Then Paul tells them how he’s been longing to come to Rome, but it has never worked out. But he has been praying non-stop for them because he so wants to impart a spiritual gift to them to strengthen them… and be strengthened BY them. He knows there is a huge harvest there among both the Jews and Gentiles, just the people God is sending him to.

“I am eager to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome! For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the POWER of God for salvation to EVERYONE who believes. In the gospel is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God revealed.

Next, as is necessary, Paul presents the evidence of man’s overwhelming sinfulness and how man deserves God’s judgment. They have suppressed the truth about God and ignored His attributes and power.

“Although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and worshiped images of man, birds, animals, and creeping things … instead of the immortal, glorious God. So… God gave them up to impurity, to serve the creature rather than the Creator.

Then Paul lists the despicable, gross, unrighteous things that their debased minds prompt them to do. (Not only to DO, but to approve of others doing too! Ugh!!

(Read this awful list carefully, for in it, we also will see some things that we are/were guilty of at one time.)

Romans 2.

Paul nails that thought down even tighter.

“You have no excuse, O man, EVERY ONE OF YOU who judges. For in passing judgment on another, you condemn yourself. You, the judge, practice the very same things!!”

Then Paul strikes deeper into the Self-righteous in us all.

“Do you suppose, you who practice the very same things, will escape judgment? Do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Don’t store up wrath for yourself when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

Paul (and God) shows no difference between Gentiles and Jews in the matter of sin.

For all who have sinned “outside the law” will also perish “outside the law. All who have sinned “under the law” will be judged “by the law.”

It is the “doers” of the law who will be justified, not just those who “hear” it. Gentiles may not know the letter of the Mosaic Law, but the law is “written on their hearts.”

No one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, but inwardly by the Spirit, and not by the letter.

Romans 3.

Then Paul asks a question. What is the advantage then of the Jew? MUCH!

They were entrusted with the Words of God! What IF some were unfaithful, did that nullify God’s word?

And then, seemingly, the opposite question. Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. The whole population is under the curse of sin and death…

‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God; ALL have turned aside; together they have become worthless. No one does good, not even one.”

This is a terrible position to be in, to comprehend, but he says it so NO ONE can justify themselves.

Yes…. ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…… and are justified by His GRACE as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus….. whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood….. to be received by FAITH.

Oh, what hope he brings to the desperate, soul-sick sinner!

MONDAY – Day 342 – Romans 4.

Paul then calms the worries of the Jewish believers reading his letter. Yes, Father Abraham IS included in righteousness by faith alone. He BELIEVED God’s promises (personal to him as well as about the future Messiah). And so, God counted that as righteousness for him. This was BEFORE the law, and even before Abe and his family were circumcised. Faith alone in the promises of God!

“To the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.”

Praise God! And not to Abraham only.

“It will be counted to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, the One who was delivered up for our trespasses and was raised for our justification.”

Romans 5.

Then Paul writes those promises that are so sweet to us who have believed. Hopefully we have memorized them.

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame … BECAUSE God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
a. “For while we were still WEAK, at the right time, Christ died for the UNGODLY.
b. “God shows His love for us in that while we were still SINNERS, Christ died for us.
c. “For while we were ENEMIES, we were reconciled to God by the death of His son, and saved by his life.

Weak, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. Oh, the matchless love, grace, and mercy of God toward us for Jesus’ sake!

Paul then reminds them of how it all happened.

SIN came into the world through one man (Adam), and DEATH came through that sin. Then death spread to all men because, after Adam, we ALL HAVE SINNED. (And as we will see in 6:23, the WAGES or PAYMENT for sin is death.)

However, life, eternal life through Jesus, is a GIFT by God’s grace. If death reigns because of the sin of one man (Adam), Paul says that righteousness reigns through one perfect “man,” Jesus Christ. As the ONE ACT of trespass led to condemnation for all men, so ONE ACT of righteousness (the cross) leads to justification and life for all men.

Romans 6.

Paul says it gets even closer to Home.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised by the dead by the glory of the Father, WE TOO might walk in the newness of life.
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
LET NOT SIN REIGN IN YOUR BODY TO OBEY ITS PASSIONS.
Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness.
Present your members as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.
“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Amen and amen!

Romans 7.

Paul then speaks mostly to Jewish believers about the Mosaic Law. After a lifetime trying to keep the LETTER of that law and failing, failing, failing, it is hard to let it go and simply TRUST in Christ. Paul compares it to a marriage. A married woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from that marriage.

“Likewise, my brothers, YOU also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead. And so, you are released from the law, so that they can serve in the new way of the Spirit.

Paul isn’t saying the Law is bad – for how could we know what sin is, unless God gave the law against it. But the law does try to draw him back into sin. It’s a huge struggle sometimes. for…

I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
Now, if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good,
It is no longer “I” who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep doing.
If I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death!!
Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Wow, do you ever feel that way? I do. I keep on doing the things I don’t want to, and as for the things I want to do to please God… well often they never happen.

But the VERY BEST NEWS COMES IN VERSE ONE AND TWO OF THE NEXT CHAPTER! Take a peek at it right now!!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 339

Dec5

The LAST Month of 2025’s Reading!

Day 339 – Reading – 2 Corinthians 5 – 9

Read and believe in Jesus!

2 Corinthians 5.

Paul continues to exhort the church at Corinth on the importance of the Gospel, despite the accusations of the false apostles. Paul is not eloquent or glamorous but lowly and common. He had the “treasure” (Gospel) of God in “a clay jar.” It was God’s surpassing power that enabled him. They were to keep in view the “things that were unseen,” the eternal weight of glory awaiting them.

Our Heavenly Dwelling

Paul, so familiar with tents because of his “day job,” compares this earthly body to a tent that will eventually be destroyed, as opposed to the “building” from God, a “house” not made with hands, eternal in heaven. Alive in this body, we walk by faith, not sight. But one day we will be “at home with the Lord.”

The Ministry of Reconciliation

Either way, Paul says our aim should be to “please Him” and persuade others.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him, who for their sake died and was raised.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ, reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.
“Be reconciled to God. For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Paul continues in the urgency of the message.

“Behold, NOW is the favorable time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.”

Either way, Paul says our aim should be to “please Him” and persuade others.

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him, who for their sake died and was raised.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ, reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. We are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.
“Be reconciled to God. For our sake, He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

2 Corinthians 6.

No Fault in Our Ministry

Then Paul provides a list of experiences he’s endured that might “prove” or “confirm” the validity of his character as a true apostle.

Great endurance in afflictions, hardships, calamities,
Beatings, imprisonments, riots,
Labors, sleepless nights, hunger,
By purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love,
By truthful speech, and the power of God,
With the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
Through honor and dishonor,
Through slander and praise.
We are treated as impostors, and yet are true;
As unknown, and yet well known;
As dying and behold, we live;
As punished, and yet not killed;
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing,
As poor, yet making many rich,
As having nothing, yet possessing everything.

He spoke very freely to the Corinthians, “Our heart is wide open, widen your hearts also.”

The Temple of the Living God

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers!
What partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?
What fellowship has light with darkness?
What accord has Christ with Belial (Satan)?
What portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?
What agreement has the temple of God with idols?
FOR WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD.

“And since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

2 Corinthians 7

Paul’s Joy

Paul loves those rascals! “Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one.” “I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.”

Then he tells them about the anxiety he had for them after his harsh letter. How he yearned for news back from Titus. How could he not stay in Troas, but sailed to Macedonia. And then Titus came with news of their mourning, and their zeal for him, and he rejoiced. Their grief was a godly grief that led to repentance and salvation without regret.

2 Corinthians 8.

Encouragement to Give Generously

Now on to practical things. He reminds them of the offering they are to lay aside each week for the needy in Jerusalem and tells them of the good work the Macedonians have done. “In their affliction and extreme poverty, they gave according to their means, and BEYOND their means, begging Paul for a part in the relief of the saints.”

So now, it was the Corinthians’ turn. He urges them to complete the offering they began a year ago, so it would be ready when he came.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.”

Commendation of Titus

He recommends to them Titus (Paul’s partner and fellow worker), another well-known brother/preacher, as well as one more “tested” and earnest brother (messengers of the churches), for these will be taking the money to Jerusalem.

“So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men.”

2 Corinthians 9

The Collection for Christians in Jerusalem

Paul admits that he is encouraging them now to be ready. If they come to get the money and the Corinthians are NOT prepared with it, it would be humiliating to all concerned.

The Cheerful Giver

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
“You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 338

Dec4

The LAST Month of 2025’s Reading!

Day 338 – Reading – 2 Corinthians 1 – 4.

Read and believe in Jesus!

2 Corinthians

SECOND Corinthians is probably the third letter Paul sent to Corinth, although we don’t have access to the missing one(s). God oversees His Word, and these two letters are what WE are meant to read.

There was a letter FROM the Corinthians, then a “painful” visit by Paul to Corinth, and finally Paul’s “severe” letter back to Corinth carried by Titus. Paul probably wrote 2nd Corinthians from Philippi, after leaving Ephesus, and finally hearing good news from Titus.

The Corinthians were a carnal, cantankerous bunch, but Paul was determined to set his “spiritual children” right. (Have any of you ever had a child like that?)

2 Corinthians 1.

The God of All Comfort

After greeting the Corinthians and saints in all of Greece, Paul turns to praising “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He calls Him “the Father of mercies” and “the God of all comfort. He says that God comforts HIM in HIS affliction, so he can in turn comfort the Corinthians as they suffer for Christ.

Then Paul explains a bit of the affliction he experienced in Asia. He says he “despaired of life,” thinking that surely this time he would die for the Gospel and cut short his ministry. His hope that God could raise him from the dead was the only hope of rescue he had.

(Too bad we don’t know what this horrible experience for Paul was.)

Paul tells them that God “delivered him from a deadly peril” and he trusts He will do it again. But he tells the Corinthians, “You must help us by prayer.”

Paul’s Change of Plans

Paul had wanted to go to Corinth again after his “painful” visit and “severe” letter, to bring a blessing of GRACE. But for some reason his plans changed and he went straight to Macedonia. Some false apostles took advantage of his change of plans, telling the Corinthians who “untrustworthy” he was. And they tried to discredit him in other ways, saying his yes didn’t mean yes, and his no didn’t mean no.

Paul counters by saying that it was for THEIR benefit that he didn’t come. To spare them. He even calls God as his witness to this.

2 Corinthians 2.

Forgive the sinner

Paul then brings up the incidence mentioned in his first letter about the gross sin they were allowing in the church – a man living with his mother in law, and their not correcting him. (1 Corinthians5:4-13) It seems they had obeyed and followed the correct process of discipline and punishment. Now, since the man had repented, they were to allow him back into fellowship in an act of forgiveness. Forgiving a repentant sinner is just what God had done for them. Let the man experience joy again.

If they remain unforgiving and unwelcoming, they might be “outwitted by Satan’s designs,” which are to destroy unity in the church. God forbid.

Triumph in Christ

Then Paul confesses his distraught feeling for them before he heard how things were in Corinth. He’d arrived in Troas from Ephesus intending to preach the Gospel there. But – even though a door was opened for him in the Lord – his spirit was not at rest, because he hadn’t heard news of them. (Titus hadn’t arrived yet.) So, even with a door open to ministry in Troas, Paul sailed over to Macedonia, where he finally met up with Titus and rejoiced when he heard the good news.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal processions and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the AROMA of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.

And then a “slam” to those false apostles who were trying to discredit Paul while he was away,

For we are not – like so many (the majority of) peddlers of God’s word – but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God. In the sight of God we speak in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3.

Ministers of the New Covenant

The false apostles attacked Paul’s competency as a minister of the Gospel – he was not eloquent, he was poor and had to work for a living, he didn’t have the “right” documents of authority (from Jerusalem).

Paul answered that last accusation with,

YOU yourselves are our “letter of recommendation,” written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. You are a letter from Christ delivered to us, written not with ink, but wit the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.”

Paul claimed that his “sufficiency” came not from men, but from God, “who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not by LETTER but by the SPIRIT.”

Paul relates a story of the OT Israelites whose minds were hardened and to this day also when they read the Law. They did not grasp the glory then, nor now, because of their UNBELIEF. But when a person comes to Christ, the veil is lifted and his spiritual perception is no longer impaired. With the veil of unbelief lifted, believers are now able to see the glory of God revealed in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4.

The Light of the Gospel

Paul continues from chapter 3, saying they have THIS MINISTRY by the mercy of God. In comparison to those fake apostles, “We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth, we commend ourselves in the light of God.

“If our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. The god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

“For what we proclaim is NOT ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

Treasures in Clay Jars

Paul continues,

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, so show that the surpassing power belongs to GOD and not to US.
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed;
Perplexed, but not driven to despair;
Persecuted but not forsaken;
Struck down, but not destroyed;
Always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
Death is at work in us, but life in you.

It is all for your sake (o you Corinthians), so thanksgiving may increase to the glory of God.

“So we don’t lose heart.
Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day after day.
This light, momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comprehension.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 334 & 335

Dec1

A NEW Month!

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 334 – Reading – 1 Corinthians 5 – 8

Day 335 – Reading – 1 Corinthians 9 – 11

Read and believe in Jesus!

SUNDAY – Day 334 –

I Corinthians 5 – 8.

Paul reviews more nitty-gritty problems in the Corinthian church stemming from reports from Chloe’s people or from letters some of the members had written. You would NOT think such problems as these would be found in a church, but we have to remember, these new believers have come out of heavy idolatry with its pagan worship practices.

Immorality in the Church

Paul is shocked at the level of immorality that these believers were allowing to go unheeded in the church.

A man was living immorally with his father’s wife (step-mom), and no one said a thing. The deed would have been punished by death under the Old Testament Jewish law, and in fact, was illegal under Roman law. Paul said such “extreme wickedness” should result in the man being “removed” from the church. It was both a cancer to the body, but a horrible witness to outsiders.

Paul judged the man, and now the congregation needed to act too. As long as the man remained unrepentant, they were to “turn him over to Satan” for the destruction of the flesh, so his redeemed spirit might be saved.

“Do not associate with anyone in the world, and now especially anyone who bears the name of a Christian who is sexually immoral, an idolater, reviler, drunkard, swindler, or greedy. Do not even eat with such a person. Purge this evil person from among you.”

Paul tells them ALL to flee sexual immorality.

“Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?”

He admits that some of them were in deep sin before they trusted in Christ.

“But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

And reminds them,

“Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? And do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price.” So, glorify God in your body.”

Lawsuits

Another “worldly” thing they were doing was taking a fellow believer to court for minor and major grievances.

“Don’t you know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters about THIS life.”

He told them they should settle matters between themselves and not do anything that could make the outside world ridicule them, for the sake of Christ. Or…. if need be, they were to simply suffer the wrong done to them.

Marriage (or Not)

Paul was not married. His entire life was taken up by the mission God gave to him to take the Gospel to the Gentiles. He admitted that a wife to him would be a hindrance, for part of him would want to serve his wife. Now he could wholeheartedly live for Christ, especially as persecution of Christians was escalating.

But it was not wrong to want to be married, and if both parties wanted that, they should go ahead, neither withholding their bodies from the other (except for a brief time for mutual prayer).

But to the unmarried and widows, Paul says it is good for them to remain single. As long as her husband is alive, the wife is bound to her husband. But if he dies, she is free to live alone or remarry. “In my judgment, she is happier if she remains single.”

To the new believer who is married to an unbeliever, don’t be separated, for the spouse and the children are made “holy” by the believer. However, if the unbeliever wants to leave, that is okay, but the parties should not divorce.

“Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to Him, and to which God has called him.”

In fact, Paul continues, “it’s best for anyone to remain in the position or condition in which you were called by God.” Circumcised? Don’t be… er… uncircumcised. Uncircumcised? Don’t be circumcised. A slave, don’t be concerned about it, unless you are offered freedom. A freedman? Well, you are now a slave/servant of Christ.

“So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

Food Offered to Idols

This seems like no big deal to us today. Because what difference is it if the steaks in the deli have been “waved” before an idol or not? Meat is meat. An idol is nothing.

But for the Corinthians, this was an “iffy” problem. All their lives, if most of them wanted to eat meat, they would go to the temple and buy it there, knowing these animals had been killed ritually in worship of a false god. And that the ritual worship involved prostitution of both young women and men. It was all very sordid. And wild. And fleshly.

Paul knew meat was meat. But to these new Christians, meat – if they knew it came from the temple – stirred horrid memories of their old life. When they cut into a steak, perhaps a female prostitute would come to mind… or other things. If they went ahead and ate it, they would feel contaminated and wretched.

So, Paul says if eating (and serving) that food offered to idols would cause a Christian brother to stumble, THEY WERE NOT TO EAT MEAT. Hey, veggies and quinoa are healthier anyway! Of course, if it were possible to NOT KNOW where the meat came from (say they were eating with a shepherd or herdsman), then believers could eat freely. It was not the MEAT. It was the CONSCIENCE.

Even if your newbie guest does not partake, YOU might be hurting their conscience if you go ahead and eat the meat. For they couldn’t help but judge you. So… best not to serve to or eat in front of them.

“Sinning against your brother in this case and wounding their conscience when it is weak, means you are SINNING AGAINST CHRIST. ‘Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I MAKE HIM stumble.'”

###

MONDAY – Day 335

1 Corinthians 9 – 11.

Paul goes on instructing the Corinthian Church in nitty-gritty matters we may not have to face today. But the principles remain the same. We are Christ’s, and our lives should glorify Him in everything.

Paul Surrenders His Rights.

All for Christ and His kingdom is Paul’s motto. As a verified apostle, he would be free to claim some “rights.” One was to take a wife along with him, as Peter did. Another was the right to be financially supported by the church congregations or by those who originally sent him out.

We have that today. We pay pastors and visiting evangelists. We support the missionaries we send to foreign countries. We want these workers to focus solely on the ministry. Nothing wrong with that.

But Paul wanted to remain above reproach. Yes, he agreed, as the Law of Moses said, an ox that ground the grain was not to be muzzled (he could munch a bit as he worked). Also, both the plowman and the thresher should work in hopes of a portion of the crop.

And who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some milk? What soldier serves at his own expense. Nothing is wrong with all this.

He then asks, “Missionaries “sow” spiritual things among the people; would it be too much to “reap” material things from them?” The answer is it would NOT be too much to ask.

But Paul has a higher thing. He will not be obligated to anyone to support him. (When he does collect an offering from these Corinthians, it is for the needy in Jerusalem.) Wherever Paul goes to preach and “reason” in synagogues, he works at his livelihood; tent-making.

Why?

Because he would rather die than preach the Gospel for reward (or even the semblance of reward). He wants to present the gospel “free of charge.” He is entrusted with this “stewardship,” and he will be rewarded … later.

And he is free from any obligation to anyone, so that he might win more of them. Jews and Gentiles, the weak and strong.”

“I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. And …. I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be ‘disqualified’ as in a running race.”

Warnings Against Idolatry

Paul then turns to the history of Israel and their “love affair” not with God, but with idols. He says that 1.) all the rescued Israelites went through the Red Sea on dry ground, 2.) all were under the “cloud” of God’s protection day and night in the wilderness, and 3.) all ate Manna and drank water from the Rock. But God was not pleased with most of them, and overthrew them in the wilderness.

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were, and 23,000 were killed in one day.
Do not indulge in sexual immorality.
Do not put Christ to the test as some did and were killed by serpents.
Do not grumble as some did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
All these things were written to them for our example, our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, H will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
THEREFORE, flee from idolatry.

Do All to the Glory of God.

The Paul reminds them that “all things are lawful (legal), but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.

“Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without ASKING any questions.

“If you are invited to dinner and you go, eat whatever is put before you ASKING no questions.

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the GLORY OF GOD.”

“Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God.”

“Don’t seek your own advantage.”

Head Coverings (or Not)?

Should ladies wear hats? Wear their hair down? Cut their hair? Put ribbons and jewels in it? Should men cut their hair? Cut off their beards or sideburns?

SHEESH, these Corinthians were sure bothered by “much ado about nothing.”

At least to us.

But hair stuff was important culture to the Corinthians. Certain things MEANT certain things to them. There were ways to honor and dishonor one another with head covering or head uncovering.

Every man who prayed with his head covered dishonored Christ. (Yikes, what about yarmulkes or “beanies” today?)

Every wife who prayed with her head UNCOVERED, dishonored her husband. (Same, if her head was shaved.)

Short hair on women was disgraceful. Long hair on women is their “glory.”

If a man wears long hair, it is a disgrace.

Okay, is all that settled?

The Lord’s Supper.

Then Paul turns from hair to a sacred practice in our churches today, to The LORD’s Supper, or as we oldies say, “Communion.”

Paul first warns them about practices that dishonor the sacred memorial. Greed, discrimination, and divisions among them. They were coming to the “Table” in order to eat, not to remember the Lord. “Straighten up and fly right!”

Then he goes over the order of service.

Taking the bread, the Lord gave thanks, broke it, and shared it, saying, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Then He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Then Paul’s warnings.

‘Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For….. anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks JUDGMENT on himself.”

That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have DIED.

Then before going on to Spiritual Gifts, Paul says… “About the other things, I will give directions when I come.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 332

Nov28

Day 332 – Reading – Acts 18 – 19

Read and believe in Jesus!

Acts 18.

Paul leaves Athens for Corinth and stays there a long time.

In Corinth, Paul (a tentmaker himself) meets and stays with a Jewish tentmaking couple. Aquila and Prisilla had fled from Rome because of Emperor Claudius. Paul earned a living during the week and “reasoned” each Sabbath in the Synagogue, trying to persuade both Jews and Gentiles that Jesus was the Messiah, slain and resurrected.

Silas and Timothy finally arrived from Macedonia to help in the ministry. But the Jews were resistant, so the missionaries “shook out the garments,” saying he was on to the Gentiles.

Next store to the synagogue lived Titus Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, also believed in the LORD with his entire household and was baptized. Paul based his ministry there, and one night had a clear vision from the Lord.

“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”

Paul stayed in Corinth for another 18 months, teaching the word of God among them.

During the time Gallio was the Proconsul of Greece, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him to court, saying,

“This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the Law.”

But Gallio had no time for them.

“If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to judge on these things.”

The angry Jews then seized Sosthenes, another believing ruler in the synagogue, and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio paid no attention to all of this.

Paul visits Ephesus for a short time.

After this incident, Paul stayed in Corinth for many days. Then he said goodbye and set sail for Ephesus, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him. He spent a short time reasoning with the Jews in the synagogue, then he left the tentmaking couple there and sailed on to Caesarea.

He traveled up from there to Jerusalem to complete the vow he’d made. After that, he returned to his “sending” church in Antioch and spent some time there.

Acts 18b.

Paul travels back to Ephesus.

Paul visited the original churches in Galatia and Phrygia to strengthen them, then kept going toward Ephesus.

While Paul was on the way, a man from Alexandria named Apollos arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker, competent in the Scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, and fervent in Spirit. He began speaking boldly in the Synagogue, but not the “whole story.” Aquila and Priscilla took him aside and “caught him up” about the ‘Way” more accurately.

When Apollos desired to go across to Greece to minister there, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the believers there to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Messiah was Jesus.

Acts 19.

Paul’s 3-year stay in Ephesus was eventful.

He first ran into twelve converts of Apollos and asked them if they’d received the Holy Spirit when they believed. They hadn’t, Paul explained that John’s baptism was only for repentance. Paul explained Jesus more clearly, and they believed. He then baptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus, and they received the gift of the Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues.

Paul went to the synagogue again and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them. But when some were stubborn and continued in unbelief, even speaking evil of “The Way,” Paul withdrew and afterwards spoke daily in a community center called the Hall of Tyrannus. This continued two years, and ALL THE RESIDENTS of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks. WOW!

Miracles and Exorcists.

Amazing miracles verified the spoken word by the hands of Paul. Even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched him were carried away to heal the sick and send out demons. Then, as in Samaria, seven exorcists, all sons of one man, wanted that power. They tried to cast out devils, too. Their words did not come with Holy Spirit power, however. They said,

“We adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims, come out.”

The evil spirits said,

“Jesus, we know, and Paul, we recognize, but who are YOU?”

Then the demons attacked the exorcists, stripping them and beating them up.

Seeing the weakness of human spiritualism, many former exorcists and magicians in the city, who had now come to believe in Jesus, came forward to confess and divulge their practices. They brought their books of spells and black arts and burned them in the sight of all. (Worth 50,000 silver pieces!)

So the Word of the Lord continued to increase and prevailed mightily.

A Riot at Ephesus

The increase in the number and power of believers, along with the witness of the Holy Spirit and miracles, led many devotees to lose trust in the idols they had worshiped. Ephesus was the center of the worship of Artemis (Diana), and the Silversmiths’ Union was powerful. When fewer people bought their little silver statues and shrines, their business began to hurt.

The Union leader, one Demetrius, gathered together workmen of similar trades and roused them against Paul and the other believers. With more tradesmen and spectators gathering every minute, a great disturbance rocked the city. The mob called, chanted, and screamed.

“Great is Artemis of Ephesus! Great is Artemis of Ephesus! GREAT IS ARTEMIS OF EPHESUS!!”

For two hours, the rioters shouted, pumped fists, and threatened to rage out of control. Confusion reigned. Then some of the rioters dragged out Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonian men who were traveling with Paul. Paul wanted to go help them, but the believers there held him back.

A Jew named Alexander tried to make a defense, but they overpowered him with their continuous chanting. Finally the town clerk was able to quiet them down.

“Men of Ephesus, who is it that does not know that the city of the Ephesians is the temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash.
For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemous of our goddess. If Demetrius and the craftsmen have a complaint, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring a legal charge. For … we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause to justify this commotion!”

And he dismissed the assembly.

North to Macedonia.

(After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell, and they departed for Macedonia.)

WHEW!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 331

Nov27

Day 331 – Reading – 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians (Wow)

Read and believe in Jesus!

1 & 2 Thessalonians

These are the two letters that Paul sent to the churches of Thessalonica. His visit there was cut short after the angry Jews from Philippi came and disrupted his ministry. But many Jews, Gentiles, and prominent women were saved, and the Bereans made sure their beliefs were correct by checking out all the scripture references Paul stated. (They would make good teachers!)

After Paul was hurried off to Athens for his own safety, he was concerned about these believers. Silas and Timothy joined Paul in Athens, but were soon sent off to check on the believers – Silas to Philippi and Timothy to Thessalonica. Paul then went to Corinth.

When they later joined him there, bringing news and concerns, Paul wrote the first letter of encouragement to the baby church. Then he wrote the second one a few months later, after hearing of some false doctrine that had begun there.

1 Thessalonians

Paul’s purposes in writing the first letter were many. (I’m sure he wished he were there to tell them in person, but God graciously arranged these letters for OUR benefit too. Praise Him!

Encouraging the church.

After sending greetings from all three of them to the new church, Paul jumps right in to encourage them. He thanks God for them. He prays for them. He tells them that God has chosen them and loves them. He tells them their faith is an example to the other churches.

Oh, how we should encourage other believers like this.

Answering false allegations

Paul says they are missionaries who came to them to declare the gospel of God. They came with gentleness. They were NOT a burden to them, but worked for their living. They did NOT come to please men by flattery. They did NOT seek glory from people. They did NOT come as a pretext of greed. They came only to share the Gospel.

Comforting the persecuted flock

Paul thanks God constantly for them, because when they HEARD the word of God preached, they ACCEPTED it as coming from God, and not men. And like their brethren in Judea, they suffered the same persecution.

Expressing joy in their faith

Paul says he was desperate to come to them personally, but was hindered. He views them as his hope, his joy, his crown of boasting before the LORD at His coming. He was so eager to learn about them that he sent Timothy. And when Timothy returned with the news that they were standing fast in the LORD, he overflowed with thanksgiving and joy.

He sends them a mini prayer – “Now may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, so He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before God, at the coming of Jesus.”

Reminders of the importance of moral purity

Then Paul urges them to continue and do more to walk and please God. For the will of God is their sanctification (growing in holiness). They are to abstain from immorality, for God has called them to holiness and has given them the Holy Spirit.

Condemning the “sluggard” lifestyle

He tells them they have been loving one another as they were taught, but to do so more and more. And also to: aspire to live quietly, to mind their own affairs, and to work with their hands, as he taught them. This is so they may walk properly before unbelievers (and be dependent on no one).

Correcting their understanding of prophetic events.

Then Paul approaches the false teaching they have received about the second coming of Jesus. He tells them not to grieve those believers who have died. They have NOT missed Jesus, but will rise again, as He did, at His Coming. Living believers will not precede them. They will rise first, meeting those still alive, and both shall arise in the air to meet Jesus, and so all believers will always be with the LORD.

Then he addresses the false teaching that Jesus has ALREADY come, and they missed Him. He tells them that NO ONE WILL KNOW Jesus has come until the very moment of His coming. There will be a command, the voice of an archangel, the sound of the trumpet of God. They will KNOW.

“God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are AWAKE or ASLEEP, we might live with Him.

Defusing tensions within the flock

Paul also addressed their attitude towards the ones he’s left in charge as their teachers and overseers. He tells them to “respect them who labor among you and are over you,” and to “esteem them very highly in love because of their work.”

Exhortations on the basics of Christian Living.

Then, he gives a series of short exhortations: “Admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all!” “Don’t repay evil for evil, but always seek to do good.” “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” “Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophecies, but test them.” “Abstain from every form of evil.”

Benediction

“And may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and my your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.”

2 Thessalonians

Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian church was shorter and may have served as a postscript, summarizing what he had heard and wanted to add to their instruction after the first letter.

The first two chapters contain a lot of prophetic material about Jesus’ second coming, because this was the main issue the false teachers were preaching. Some said Jesus had ALREADY come. Others said that believers who had died would miss out on Heaven.

Paul comforted the persecuted believers.

And again, Paul gives thanks for the believers in Thessalonica, for their faith and love for one another, even though suffering. Those who afflict God’s people, will be punished in eternal destruction from the Lord. Paul prays that the name of Jesus will be glorified in them.

Paul corrected the believers who had been taught falsely and were frightened.

He tells them not to be “shaken” thinking they missed the coming of Jesus. “Let no one deceive you that the day has come!” Paul assures them that it won’t happen until the “Antichrist” (the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction) appears and does his despicable work.

Paul had told them about this when he was there, now he tells them to remember. This lawless one, whom the Lord will kill, is the activity of Satan for those who are perishing. God is sending to these condemned people a strong delusion that they will believe the lie.

BUT, Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians, because God chose them to be saved, through the sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. They will obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. So stand firm and hold fast to what you were taught in our spoken words and this letter.

And he prays for them, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our father, who love us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.”

Paul confronted the disobedient and undisciplined believers.

Paul asks that they also pray for him and the others that they be delivered from wicked and evil men who oppose the Gospel.

Again he exhorts them against idleness. Waiting for Christ return does not mean doing nothing. They are to work, and not eat if they don’t work. Even as they preach and minister to each other, they are to hold jobs and labor, just as Paul had done, and not be a burden to anyone.

They are also to not grow weary in doing good. If anyone of you does, take note of him and I’ll deal with it when I come again.

Benediction

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”

Then Paul signs the letter in the typical way he does, with large letters. Some say his eyesight is failing.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 330

Nov26

Day 330 – Reading – Acts 17

Read and believe in Jesus!

Acts 17.

Thessalonica

We left Paul and company politely being asked to leave Philippi, after being imprisoned, loosed by an earthquake, and the salvation of the jailor. Paul does not often claim the power of his Roman citizenship, but it’s part of who he is.

After this, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and Luke make their way west across Macedonia to Thessalonica, a major city. Finding a synagogue of Jews, Paul went in (as was his habit: to the Jews first) on three Sabbaths, and “reasoned” with them from the Scriptures. He showed them that the Messiah needed to suffer (die) and be raised from the dead, and that this Jesus is the Messiah.

Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas. A great many devout Greeks and quite a few leading women also believed. Of course, this causes jealousy among the unbelieving Jews, and they mobbed Jason’s house, thinking the missionaries were staying there. But they weren’t, so the mob grabbed Jason and some of the new believers and took them before the city authorities.

Accusations were made that they were “turning the world upside down,” and that they were telling people to honor another King besides Caesar.

But Jason, a wealthy man, paid the surety for himself and the others, and they were let go.

Berea

That night, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to the nearby town of Berea. They arrived in the morning and immediately found and entered the Jewish synagogue.

Paul says that the Jews of Berea were more “noble” than those of Thessalonica. They received the Word with eagerness, and then examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true. Many, therefore, believed in Jesus, including some prominent women, because the Word is a powerful tool in evangelism.

But the irate Jews from Thessalonica came to cause trouble, and the Berean believers whisked the apostle off to Athens by boat. Silas and Timothy stayed behind to nurture the new believers. As soon as Paul arrived in Greece, he sent word back for Silas and Timothy to come ASAP.

Athens

The first thing Paul noticed was the many statues and idols in town. Then he “reasoned” with the Jews and devout Gentiles in the synagogues, and in the marketplace every day. Various Greek philosophers talked with him and asked him to stay for more “conversation” (debate?). But when Paul mentioned Jesus’ resurrection, they laughed and turned away. “Perhaps another day.”

The Areopagus

Paul was then taken to the Areopagus, an open-air court, and asked to defend his claims. EVERYBODY liked nothing more than to spend their time telling and hearing new things. So Paul obliged.

He began, “Men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious.” He then pointed out their statue to “The Unknown God,” built possibly so no god would feel offended. But Paul used it to point them to the God they did not know, and His Son, who was sent to save mankind from sin by first dying and then being resurrected. Mankind now needed to repent because God had set a day for judgment.

But again, the topic of the resurrection turned them to mocking. However, a few men joined him and believed, plus a woman named Damaris and a few others.

Tomorrow we read Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian believers.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 325

Nov21

Day 325 – Reading – Acts 13-14

Read and believe in Jesus!

Acts 13 – 14

These two chapters tell of Paul’s first Missionary Journey.

Note the circumstances of his name change in 13:1-13.

In the Antioch church, there were five main prophets/teachers. Barnabas, Simeon (a black man), Lucius from Cyrene, Manaen (of Herod Antipas’s court), and Saul, the ex-persecutor of Christians. (Wow, what an eclectic group!) A perfect combo to lead and grow the Gentile church at Antioch.

During one worship service, the Holy Spirit set apart Barnabas and Saul for missionary work. The group prayed and fasted, and then laid their hands on these two men to send them off. Barnabas took along his young cousin, John Mark, even though the Holy Spirit did not call the young man.

The Holy Spirit leading them, the men went down to the port of Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus, Barnabas’ homeland.

In the town of Salamis, SAUL proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the JEWS. When the men had visited synagogues throughout the island, they came to Paphos and happened upon a certain magician or sorcerer. He is described as “a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.” It seems he may have been an adviser to the Roman Proconsul, Sergius Paulus.

The Proconsul summoned Barnabas and Saul, because he wanted to hear the word of God. However, the sorcerer opposed them, seeking to turn Sergius away from the faith.

SAUL, now called by his Roman name, PAUL, looked sternly at the man and proclaimed, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? Now, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.”

Immediately, darkness fell on the man, and he went around seeking people to lead him by the hand.

Then the Proconsul BELIEVED the message of salvation, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga. (Did you notice that now Paul is leading the group and not Barnabas?) Also, this “missionary business” with all the travel, and maybe especially the cursing of sorcerers, was too “heavy” for the young John Mark, and he left the team at Perga and went home to Jerusalem.

(This could be a warning that believers are to wait for the definite calling of the Lord in their lives before starting out. Jesus had told his followers to “count the cost.”)

From the port town of Perga, Paul and Barnabas went on to Antioch in Pisidia. There, they attended a synagogue service. And as was the custom, after the reading of the scriptures, they were invited to give a “word of encouragement” for the people. So Paul stood up and began … preaching.

He started with the history of Israel (like Stephan had). The patriarchs, the time in Egypt, the wilderness wanderings, conquering the Promised Land, the time of the judges, the prophet Samuel, and the first king. He ended with King David, a man after God’s heart. THEN came the “main point.”

“Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as He promised.” And then, “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this savior/salvation.”

Paul goes on to describe that, although He was sinless, Pilate executed him. And this was according to the scriptures. And how this Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, again according to the scriptures.

“And we bring you the Good News that what God promised to our fathers, this He has fulfilled to us, their children, by raising Jesus.” “Let it be known to you, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by Him, everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the Law of Moses.”

Whoa, Paul!!

But as they left the synagogue, the people begged that these things might be told them again the next Sabbath. And after the meeting, the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas.

The next Sabbath, almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. BUT… when the Jews saw the crowds… they were FILLED with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul said.

Paul enraged them more by saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you FIRST. But since you thrust it aside, you judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life. Behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.”

At this, the Gentiles rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the Word spread through the whole region.

BUT THE JEWS incited devout WOMEN of high standing, and the leading MEN of the city, who stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out. At the city line, the missionaries shook off the dust of the city of Antioch in Pisidia from their feet (as Jesus had instructed his apostles) and went on to Iconium.

And, the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 14.

In Iconium, they again FIRST entered the synagogue and spoke “in such a way” that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

But again, the unbelieving Jews stirred them up and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

However, Paul and Barnabas stayed there a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who granted them signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Eventually, the unbelieving Jews stirred up some people to attempt to stone the apostles. They learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding country. And … they continued to preach the Gospel.

Now at Lystra, a crippled man who had NEVER walked, listened to Paul speaking, and faith was built up in him. Paul looked at him, seeing the faith, and said aloud, “Stand upright on your feet.” The man, crippled from birth, sprang up and began walking!

WHOA!

When the crowds saw this miracle, they immediately thought Paul and Barnabas were the Greek gods, Zeus and Hermes, come to visit them. The priest of Zeus brought out garlands and oxen and wanted to offer sacrifices.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

When Paul and Barnabas saw what they were about to do, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, saying. “Men, why are you doing this? WE are men like you, and have brought the Good News that you should turn from these things to THE LIVING GOD, Creator of Heaven and Earth.”

But even with these words, they were scarcely able to restrain the people from offering sacrifices to them!

About then, the men from Antioch and Iconium came and persuaded the roused crowds to stone Paul. They did!!! And they dragged him out of the city as dead.

But, when the new believers gathered about him (did they pray?), Paul rose up and entered the city again. (FEARLESS!)

The next day, Paul and Barnabas went on to Derbe. They preached the Gospel there and many were made disciples.

Then the pair circled back through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, strengthening the new disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Paul also appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting.

Then the missionaries continued back through Pisidia, and to Pamphylia, and Perga. There, they caught a boat back to the home church in Antioch, where they had been commissioned.

And, as missionaries do today, they gathered the church together and told them all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

Then they rested for a while.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 320 & 321

Nov17

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 320 – Reading – Acts 1 – 3

Day 321 – Reading – Acts 4 – 6

Read and believe in Jesus!

SUNDAY – Day 320 – Acts 1 – 3.

A new era is beginning. Jesus has instructed His hand-picked men (less one) in the message of Salvation. He has demonstrated His power over death and the devil. Soon they will be empowered from above as He promised. His “work” on earth finished, Jesus raises His arms in blessing and returns to His Father, leaving these precious “earthen vessels” waiting to be lit by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Is the world ready for them and their message??

Ascension and Promises.

We got a glimpse of Jesus’ ascension yesterday in the Gospel of Luke, but here in Acts, the good doctor provides more details.

Jesus stayed around after His resurrection for 40 days (40 being a time of testing or proof). He showed Himself to the disciples, His brothers, and groups of believers up to 500 at a time. There can be no doubt. Now it was the time for Jesus to return to His Father. Another member of the trinity, who could be present with them all, individually and forever, would be sent by the Father. They were to wait for this Heavenly baptism.

“Oh, but Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? “they asked,

(“Seriously, guys?) “It’s not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” Jesus again reminded them. “After the Holy Spirit comes with power, you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem … in all Judea … Samaria … and to the ENDS of the earth.”

Then Jesus began to rise right off the ground, and up toward the sky, and into the clouds until He vanished. The disciples stood gawking, their mouths hung open, hardly believing what their eyes saw.

“Men of Galilee!” a voice interrupted. They blinked and looked around, seeing two angels in brilliant white robes. “Why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

A Replacement Apostle.

After Jesus’ ascension, the disciples/apostles returned to Jerusalem to the upper room where they were staying. All eleven, along with the women and Jesus’ mother Mary, and Jesus’ brothers (who now believed) were of one accord, giving themselves to prayer.

Peter, taking the leadership that Jesus had given him, stood up and said they should replace Judas (who had betrayed the Lord and then gone and hung himself) among the twelve apostles. The person had to have been with them since Jesus was baptized by John and had witnessed the resurrection. All agreed.

There were two men eligible, Matthias and Joseph Barsabbas. They prayed and drew lots, leaving the choice up to God. Matthias was chosen. He was thereafter numbered with the eleven.

Pentecost & The Holy Spirit.

As Jesus instructed, they all waited in Jerusalem for Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit with power. All 120 of them were in the upper room when suddenly there came from Heaven the sound like a mighty rushing wind which filled the entire house where they were sitting. Then the appearance of divided tongues of five, dividing and resting on each one of them.

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues/languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Since it was the Feast of Pentecost (or “Weeks” referring to 50 days after Passover, one of the three festivals required of Jewish men to attend), Jerusalem was crowded with Jews from far and wide who had come to celebrate. All spoke Hebrew, as well as the tongues of the countries they lived in – Parthians, Medes, Elamites, People of Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya, Cyrene, Rome, Crete, and Arabia.

At the sounds of the 120 speaking other languages, these foreign Jews all came together. And they were bewildered, amazed, and perplexed because EACH ONE was hearing them speak in their own language.

“What does this mean?” they said to one another

“Ha! They are filled with new wine!” said others, mocking.

Peter’s First Sermon.

But Peter, the rock, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them. “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you. These people are NOT DRUNK, as you suppose, since it is only 9 a.m. But this is what the prophet JOEL prophesied.

“In the last days…I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh…

in those days, I will pour out my Spirit and they shall prophesy…

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord

will be saved.”

And Peter began his first sermon, a beautiful and powerful sermon that pointed out their sin in killing Jesus (although it was indeed God’s plan from the beginning of time), and the mighty resurrection, again quoting Psalms.

“Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom YOU crucified.”

“Brothers, what shall we do?” the crowd cried.

“Repent, and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…. for the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day … about three thousand souls.

And these new believing souls devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” “And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

A Lame Beggar Healed.

Peter and John were going to the temple to pray around 3 p.m. when they noticed a lame man being carried to the “Beautiful Gate” of the temple. He was going to beg for alms as people entered the temple. The lame man called out to the apostles, “Alms! Alms!”

Peter and John stopped and asked the man to look at them. When he did, Peter said, ‘I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.”

Then Peter took the man by the hand and pulled him upright. Immediately, the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. The man leaped up to his feet and began walking. He went into the temple with them, walking, and leaping, and praising God!

All the people saw him and recognized him as the lame beggar. They were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. They ran together to the portico called Solomon’s Porch, where Peter and John were.

Peter’s Second Sermon

Peter saw the opportunity to preach. He immediately told them that the power to heal the lame man did not come from themselves. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob glorified His Servant, Jesus – whom THEY had delivered to Pilate to be crucified. THEY had denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be released. THEY had killed the Author of Life….. whom God RAISED FROM THE DEAD.

WE are witnesses, Peter preached. “And in His name – by faith in His Name – have made this man strong. Faith, through Jesus, has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.”

That miracle settled, Peter went on preaching for their souls. “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.

###

MONDAY – Day 321 – Acts 4 – 6.

The glory of Pentecost and the massive response to Peter’s preaching, plus the healing of a man who was lame from birth, caught the attention of the religious leaders in Jerusalem. They were greatly annoyed at Peter and the others who preached and proclaimed that Jesus (whom they had killed) had been resurrected from the dead. (NOT THIS. again!!)

They arrested Peter and John.

Did Jesus’ words come to the apostles’ minds in that cell? “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” and “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you.”

Peter and John Before the Council

Priests, Sadducees and the captain of the temple guard heard Peter preaching. They were greatly annoyed that they were teaching and proclaiming to the people that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. (Remember the Sadducees did NOT believe in resurrection.)

The arrested Peter and John and put them into custody until the next day. (Peter and John were the only ones present at Jesus’ trials before these men. Did they wonder what was to happen?

(Meanwhile, those that the two had been talking to BELIEVED their message, making the total amount of believers around 5,000!)

The next day, the Jewish leaders gathered together in Jerusalem with Annas, the high priest, his father-in-law, Caiaphas, as well as John, Alexander, and all who were of the high priestly family.

“By what power or what name did you do this healing?” they demanded.

And just like Jesus promised, that when they were before magistrates, the Holy Spirit would tell them what to say, Peter opened his mouth. “If we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, but what means this man was healed ….. let it be known to YOU and to all the people of Israel that by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom YOU crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead … by Him this man is standing before you well.

(The Jews thought they were done with this Jesus, and people getting healed.) But Peter wasn’t finished.

“This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you! He’s become the cornerstone. AND, there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved!”

When these men saw Peter and John – uneducated men – speak with such boldness, they KNEW they had been with Jesus. Gulp. Now what? They took them out of the room to have a private consultation.

“What shall we do with these men, for a notable sign has been performed, and we cannot deny it.?”

“Let us warn them to speak no more in this “Name.” (And they called Peter and John back.)

“Okay, we’ll give you a warning. Do not speak or teach any more in the name of Jesus.”

“Ha! Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge. For we CANNOT BUT SPEAK of what we have seen and heard!”

Because of the people who were praising God at the miracle, the rulers threatened Peter and John, then let them go, finding no reason to punish them.

When they were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests had said. And there was great rejoicing and praised their Sovereign Lord. And they prayed further,

The Believers Pray for Boldness

“And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while signs and wonders are performed through the name of Your Holy servant, Jesus.

After that prayer and praise, the whole house was shaken and all who were there were filled with the Holy Spirit.

They Had Everything In Common

Such love did these new believers have, that they sold their possessions to help each other, for some were very needy. One particular, godly man, Barnabas, a Levite from Cyprus sold his property and brought the money to the apostles for that use.

Ananias and Sapphira

Barnabas, had a pure heart of love. He encouraged the needy by his selfless act. (He was the very opposite of the Rich Young Ruler who had come to Jesus. He did not find it in his heart to sell his possessions and give to the poor.)

There was another couple who wanted to get in on the glory. They sold a piece of property, kept some back for themselves in case they also came on hard times. The rest of the cash they gave to Peter, indicating they had done as Barnabas and given ALL to the poor.

Peter: “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy spirit and keep back a portion for yourself? It was YOURS you could have kept all or part of the money. BUT to say you are giving all to be seen as “holy” before men, is a great sin. You have lied to God.” And Ananias fell down dead.

The same thing happened when Sapphira claimed the same thing before the Apostle. She also fell down dead.

“And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things.”

Many Signs and Wonders Done

Teaching and preaching continued by the Apostles. Many miracles were performed to verify their words, and multitudes of both men and women were added to the Lord. People began bringing the sick and possessed to the apostles, and they were all healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Freed

But this did not please the high priest, and all the Sadducees with him. They were filled with jealousy and arrested Peter and John again, putting them into public prison.

BUT!!! During the night and angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, telling them to go to the temple and continue to speak to the people “all the words of this life. And they obeyed.

Next day when the council called for the prisoners, but it was told to them that the apostles were gone. The prison was locked securely and the guards were on duty… but the cell was empty! The Jews were perplexed.

Then someone came to tell them Peter and John were in the temple teaching. A guard was sent to get them – but not by force, for they feared the people. Politely they brought the apostles before the council for questioning.

Council. “We told you not to teach in that name, and you have FILLED Jerusalem with your teaching. You intend to bring this Man’s blood upon us.”

Peter: “We MUST obey God more than man. God raised Jesus – whom YOU killed. God exalted Him at His right hand – to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. WE are witnesses.”

This infuriated the council, and they wanted to kill Peter and John.

Gamaliel, a Pharisee: “Wait, wait!” And after the apostles were take out again, he continued, “Men of Israel, be careful what you are about to do to these men. Keep away from them. Let them alone. For if this plan is of man, it will fail. But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

So, they beat the apostles, and again let them go, charging them NOT to speak or teach in that Name.

Peter and John left there rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ Name. And… they DID NOT cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Seven Chosen to Serve.

A small problem arose in the growing “church,” as they struggled to meet the physical needs as well as the spiritual needs of the multitudes of believers. The apostles thought it not right to have their time taken up with all the details of distribution. God had called them to preach. So seven men of good refute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, were chosen to run the operations. Steven was one of the seven chosen, a man full of faith and the Spirit.

And so the word of God continued and the number of disciples increased greatly in Jerusalem. EVEN a great many PRIESTS became obedient to the faith.

Stephen is Seized.

Stephen – full of grace and power – was doing great wonders and signs among the people. But some of the Greek synagogue rose up to dispute with him. Some from Cilicia….. rose up against him too. But they could not withstand the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke. (Remember, Saul/Paul was from Cilicia. He probably was a member of this synagogue….)

The disputers secretly instigated men who said they’d heard Steven blaspheme Moses and God. And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes. These religious rulers came upon Stephen and seized him and brought him before the council, and they brought false witnesses (Just like with Jesus) who claimed Stephen spoke against the Temple and the Law, saying that that Jesus of Nazareth would destroy the temple and change customs.

But the council, gazing at Stephen, “saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”

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Morning Meditations

Beginning the day in God's Word

Archives

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 343

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 341 & 342

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 339

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 338

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 334 & 335

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 332

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 331

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 330

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 325

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 320 & 321