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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 362

Dec29

Day 362 – Reading – Revelation 1 – 5

Read and believe in Jesus!

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Yep, that’s the full title of the book. 

“Revelation” means “an uncovering,” “an unveiling,” or “a disclosure.” What this book reveals is Jesus Christ in glory.  The truths about Him and His final victory that the Scriptures allude to become visible in this book. 

(Visible, but “through a glass darkly,” at least for me.)

The Apostle John is the author. He is the only one who refers to Jesus as “the Word” and “the Lamb” both in his Gospel and this book.

The spiritual decline of the seven churches of Asia Minor tells us that John wrote this book last, after his three letters.  He is a very old man, the last of the original apostles, and he’s in exile on the small, barren island of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea just southwest of Ephesus.  He’s been banished there for his faithful preaching of the gospel.  While there, he received this vision.

This is a message of hope to the faltering churches experiencing persecution. God is sovereign in all the events of history, and though evil men often seem all-powerful, their ultimate doom is certain. Christ will come in glory to judge and rule.  (I wonder how the churches responded as this letter/book was read to them.)

In The Revelation (past the messages to the seven churches), we “learn about:

  • the final political setup of the world;
  • the last battle of human history;
  • the career and ultimate defeat of Antichrist;
  • Christ’s 1,000-year earthly kingdom;
  • the glories of heaven and the eternal state;
  • and the final state of the wicked and the righteous.

God rules over the kingdoms of men and will accomplish His sovereign purposes regardless of human or demonic opposition.  Hallelujah!  Praise Him forever!

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Revelation 1

God gave this revelation first to His Beloved Son as a reward for His perfect submission, to show Him His future glory.  It was then given to John to share abroad.

BLESSED is the one who READS ALOUD the words of this prophecy (Go ahead, do it!).  And BLESSED are those who HEAR it and KEEP what is written in it.  (What promises!!)

And so John begins the most magnificent letter of revelation that he’s ever written.   

“To the seven churches that are in Asia.  Grace to you and peace from Him, who IS and who WAS and who IS TO COME, from the seven-fold Spirit before the throne, and from Jesus Christ, faithful witness, firstborn of the dead, and ruler of all kings on earth. And behold, He is coming with the clouds and every eye will see Him.”

What a salutation!!

Then a side note from John, who tells how it happened.  I’m your brother in tribulation, and while I was in exile on Patmos, I had this vision and commission. 

“Write what you see in a book and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.” 

Now if you look on your Bible map, you will see these churches form a loose horse shoe shape, curving up, around and then back down again.  A perfect order for circulation.

Then John turned around to SEE who was speaking the voice that he had HEARD.

  • One like the Son of Man,
  • Clothed with a long robe with a golden sash around his chest,
  • The hairs on His head white as wool or snow.
  • His eyes like a flame of fire,
  • His feet like burnished bronze,
  • His voice like the roar of many waters.
  • In his right hand, seven stars.
  • From His mouth, a sharp two-edged sword,
  • His face like the sun shining at full strength.

This was no humble carpenter from Nazareth!!  When John saw Him, he fell at His feet like a dead man.

“Don’t be afraid, said the exalted Jesus. “I am the first and last, the living one. I died and behold I am alive forever.  And I have the keys of Death and Hades.”

And this glorious Savior-God tells John to write down what he’s seen, what things are, and those things that are to take place after this.   Then a hint at what John saw already.  The “stars” you saw in my hand are the angels (perhaps the key elders) of the seven churches, and the “lampstands” are the seven churches.”

So John takes up his parchment and quill and prepares to write…

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Revelation 2 & 3.

Chapters two and three are the personal, individual messages to those seven churches.  These were ACTUAL churches, with the problems listed. But, they can also represent the “types” of churches that have existed throughout the church age.  What the glorified Jesus says to them, is relevant today.

In each, Jesus identifies Himself in a particular way.  He reveals what He knows about the churches, both the good, bad, and the ugly. He sometimes commends them. He often scolds and warns them. And He usually gives an ultimatum and/or a promise.  LOOK FOR THESE as you read.

EPHESUS:

(Jesus, the One who holds the seven stars and walks among the lampstands.) 

Jesus knows how hard they are working and enduring, and that they hate the “Nicolaitans.” (False teachers leading the people into immorality.)  However, they “have lost their first love” towards Him. He calls for them to repent. and promises the Tree of Life in Paradise if they do.

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SMYRNA

(Jesus, the first and last, who died and came to life.)

Jesus tells this persecuted church that He KNOWS their tribulation, and the slander hurled against them by Jews who are really Satan’s emisaries.  Jesus warns them that they will be tested severely, imprisoned, and martyred.  “Be faithful to death and I will give you the Crown of Life. You won’t be hurt by the “second death.“

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PERGAMUM

(Jesus, who has the sharp two-edged sword.) 

Jesus tells this church that He KNOWS they are situated right in the center of Satanic activity and false religions. (On the acropolis was a giant alter to Zeus. A god of healing, represented by a snake, was also associated with Pergamum, and the “medicine men” forced the sick to lie in the temple with snakes crawling over them!!!)  Immorality was also rampant.  Jesus tells them to REPENT!  If they obey, He will give them some of the “hidden manna” (spiritual bread of life), and a “white stone with a new name on it” (symbol of reaching the winner’s circle.

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THYATIRA

(Jesus , the Son of God whose eyes are like fire and feet are like fiery bronze.)

Jesus, the Son of God, tells this church He KNOWS about their love, faith, service, and patient endurance. However, He is NOT PLEASED with how they tolerate the woman called Jezebel, who says she’s a prophetess, but who teaches and seduces them into sexual immorality.  Just reprisals will be laid against her and all who follow her.  BUT, to those who resist her teaching, Jesus says to “hold fast until I come,” and He will give them authority over nations to rule. He will also give them the “morning star” (Christ Himself.)

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SARDIS

(Jesus who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.)

Although this church had the reputation of being alive, Jesus knows they are DEAD. “Wake up!” He says. “Remember what you received and heard. Keep it, and REPENT!  If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief against you.”  And yet…. Jesus sees a few in Sardis who have not “soiled their garments” (Not stained their characters, but remained godly).  THESE will walk with Jesus in white. He will never blot their names out of the book of life, but confess them before His Father.”

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PHILADELPHIA

(Jesus, the holy One, the true One, who has the key of David, who opens and shuts and no one can undo it.) 

Jesus knows this church’s works. They have little power, but have kept His word and not denied Him. “I have loved you. And because you have kept my word, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world.  I’m coming soon!  Hold fast to what you have!”  To those who conquor, Jesus promises to make them a “pillar” in the Temple (a secure place in the presence of gGod). He will write the Name of God on them, and His own New Name.”

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LAODICEA

Jesus, the “Amen (so be it.), the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s Creation.)

Jesus knows the lukewarmness of this church. They are neither cold or hot, but a sickening blah taste.  Jesus says, “I will spit you out of my mouth!”   “You say you are rich, prosperous, need nothing…. but you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  I counsel you to buy GOLD REFINED IN THE FIRE, and WHITE GARMENTS, so the shame of your nakedness may not be seen.  Be zealous and REPENT!!  And if they truly do, Jesus promises them they will sit with Him on His throne. 

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches!”

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Revelation 4.

After John finished writing these notes to the seven churches, he looked up and saw…. “Behold, a door standing open in heaven!”   Then John heard the invitation, ““Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

And immediately, John was “in the Spirit.” 

He saw a glorious throne and the God of Heaven seated on it. He describes it, much like what Ezekiel and Daniel and Isaiah wrote.  Glorious colors and light, a crystal sea, emerald rainbows and loud thunderous sound.  Elders and angels and amazing creatures all singing praise and falling down in worship.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty; who was and is and is to come.”

The elders cast down their crowns before such a One.

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things and by Your will they existed and were created!”

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Revelation 5.

Then John saw in God’s right hand a scroll written on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  An angel called, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?”

Silence.

And John began to cry loudly.

Then an angel come to him and told him NOT to weep for THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, THE ROOT OF DAVID has conquored, and HE can open the scroll and seals.”

A lion….. but when John looked, it was a Lamb, standing there, looking as though it had been killed (bloody).   He walked to the throne and took the scroll….

And immediate praise erupted. Music and incense, and a NEW SONG sung.

“Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open it seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe , language, people, and nation, and You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

At that, John saw many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands all saying with a loud voice,

‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

And answering them was “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is them,

“To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever.”

Then the elders responded with “AMEN,” falling down before Him in worship.

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I mean, WOW!

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 360

Dec26

Day 360 – Reading – 1 John  1 – 5
Read and believe in Jesus!

1 John

(An aside: I just noticed that this is Day 360. 360 degrees is a perfect circle. That’s interesting because John writes this letter/sermon in a very circular manner, returning to and repeating things he’s already said, but in different ways. See if you notice it as you read.)

The author is John, the “beloved disciple” of Jesus.  He’s already written the Gospel of John.  He will write this letter/sermon, two more very short letters, and the massive book, The Revelation.   The Gospel and these letters were probably written while he was at Ephesus.  The Revelation was written while he was in exile on the island of Patmos.  John was an old man when he became an author. He was the last remaining “eyewitness” disciple of Jesus.

After the threat of “legalism” in Paul’s day, it is “Gnosticism” that now threatens to destroy the churches. It’s the belief that matter is evil and spirit is good. This means they taught that Jesus was God but not human (to preserve Him from that evil).  However, if Jesus were not human, He couldn’t have died as the redeemer of humanity. John emphasized that Jesus WAS human.  John was an eyewitness. He saw Him, heard Him, and TOUCHED Him. A test of a true believer was someone who would affirm that “Jesus has come in the flesh.” (1 John 4:2-3)

Also, since “the body” was evil, it didn’t matter what sins it committed. Indulgence and immorality were permissible. They could deny that sin even existed.  John boldly confronted this idea. (1 John 1:8-9. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…..But if we confess our sin… )

1 John is a call “back to the basics of Christianity.”  God had preserved John for such a time as this, and he wrote with true apostolic authority. 

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1 John 1.

Credentials:   “That which was from the beginning (Jesus), which we have HEARD, which we have SEEN WITH OUR EYES, which we looked upon and have TOUCHED WITH OUR HANDS….” The word of life — that which we have seen and heard, we PROCLAIM to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us.“

And what did John (and true believers) PROCLAIM?  

  • “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
  • If we SAY we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie…
  • If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all SIN.
  • If we SAY we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
  • If we CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us… and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 
  • If we say we have NOT sinned, we make Him a liar, and the truth is not in us.”

John’s first “chapter” refutes Gnostic beliefs.

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1 John 2.

John speaks more about sin.  It’s a real thing. It is against God’s laws.  His readers (and we) DO IT. And it’s wrong.

“Little children, I’m writing these things to you so that you may NOT sin. But IF anyone does sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the Father: Jesus Christ the Righteous.  He is the PROPITIATION (appeasement) for our sins.”

John offers some proofs that they really “know” Christ (and are saved).

  • “If we keep His commandments, we know “we know” Him.
  • Whoever says he knows Him, but does NOT keep His commandments, is a liar.
  • Whoever KEEPS His Word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.
  • Whoever SAYS he abides in Him ought to WALK in the same way in which He walked.”

John does a little wordplay with “old” and “new” commandments from Jesus.

  • The “old” commandment is still the same:  LOVE.
  • Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
  • Love “others’ as (you love) yourself.

Jesus raised the standard of love for others to a new level for His followers.

  • Love “others” as “I have loved you.”  (Sacrificially, to the death if need be.)

Again, SAYING and DOING make all the difference.

  • “Whoever SAYS he is in the light (saved) and yet hates his brother, is still in darkness (unsaved).
  • Whoever loves his brother, abides in the LIGHT, and there is no cause for stumbling.”
  • But… whoever HATES his brother is in the darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.  (Speaking about false teaching.)

And more on what NOT to LOVE.

  • “DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD, or the things of the world. 
  • If you do, the love of the Father is not in you.”
  • Everything in the world (lust, greed, and pride) is NOT from the Father and is passing away.
  • Whoever does the will of God abides forever.

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Next, John warns them about the false teachers, liars, antichrists, and deceivers.

Many antichrists have come already!  They are already here, in the form of those who would lead them astray.

“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?

If you confess the Son, you have the Father too, and eternal life.  You also have the anointing of the Holy Spirit, who teaches you what is true.  Abide in Jesus, so when He appears, you may have confidence.

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1 John 3.

“What love the Father has for us – that He calls us His children.  We are His children now, and when Jesus appears. we shall be like Him, because we shall SEE Him as he is.  WE have this HOPE, and it makes us want to live pure lives, as He is pure.

In Him, there is no sin. No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either SEEN Him or KNOWN Him.   Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil!  And the reason the Son of God appeared was TO DESTROY the works of the devil. NO ONE BORN OF GOD practices sinning.

Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God….. nor is anyone who does not love his brother. (Anyone who hates his brother – like Cain – is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal LIFE dwelling in him.)

Instead of killing, we should be “laying down our own lives” for the brothers.  And we should be loving, not in “talk” only, but in DEEDS and truth.

This is His commandment, that we BELIEVE in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Faith, love, and obedience.

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1 John 4.

Warning: Do NOT believe EVERY spirit, but TEST the spirits to see whether they are from God.  By THIS you will know the Spirit of God – that he confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.  By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

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“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

(Yes, I sang the song as I typed that!)

“And this is how the love of God is made manifest (evident) to us, that God sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. He loved us and sent His son to be the propitiation (appeasement) for our sins.”

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1 John 5.

  • “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.
  • Everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him.
  • By this, we KNOW that we love the children of God, when we LOVE God and OBEY His commands.
  • Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the World.
  • He who overcomes the world is the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 

John says three things testify that Jesus is the Son of God.  It’s the SPIRIT and the WATER and the BLOOD. The witness of God via the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism, and His blood shed on the cross for the redemption of sinners. 

HE IS GOD. HE DID COME IN THE FLESH. IN THE FLESH HE DIED AS THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TOOK AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD. HE AROSE, ASCENDED, AND NOW INTERCEEDS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TRUSTED IN HIM BY FAITH.

  • We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning.
  • We know that we are from God, and the world lies in the power of the evil one.
  • We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding to know Him who is true.

Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 351

Dec17

Day 351 – Reading – Philippians  1 – 4
Read and believe in Jesus!

Philippians.

This is another letter that Paul wrote while on house arrest in Rome, while awaiting an audience with Caesar. This was written toward the end of those two years, as he tells the Philippians, that the court date is approaching, and that he hopes to visit them when he’s freed.

It is written to the church at Philippi, the first in Europe (Macedonia), during Paul’s second missionary journey.  Remember how he first met with Lydia, the seller of purple, at a prayer meeting on the beach? She invited him to use her house as a base, and it went from there.  Persecution forced him to move to Thessalonica and Berea, and then to Greece.

When Paul cast out a demon from a young fortune-telling girl in Philippi, he got into trouble and was put in prison. That resulted in the prison guard and his whole house (and possibly some other prisoners) becoming believers.  He and Silas were nicely escorted out of this “proudly Roman town” after the officials learned he was a Roman Citizen.

The Philippian church was a “giving” church, generously supporting the needy in Jerusalem, Paul in prison at the beginning of his stay, and now again towards the end of his stay, sending a beloved member to help him in any way. Paul says they gave even beyond their means.

Paul truly loved the Philippian church.  There is not one bit of correction or scolding in this letter.  He thanks them, praises them, teaches and warns them, and tells them of his love. Pursuing Christlikeness was his theme.

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Philippians 1.

Paul says in Greetings, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all, making my prayer with joy — because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Then he encourages them, “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you, will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

“…I hold you in my heart…”

“…I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.”

Then he assures them by telling how his imprisonment has worked “for good.”  “…it served to advance the Gospel.” “…the whole imperial guard and all the rest,” have heard the gospel.”  And “…most of the believers here have become confident in the Lord, and much more bold to speak the Word without fear.”

“Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ THIS will turn out for my deliverance.”   Then he adds that it doesn’t really matter to HIM how it goes. To die and see Jesus is gain, but to live is more helpful for them, for their progress and joy in the faith.

He wants THEM to also stand firm in one spirit and with one mind, striving for the faith of the gospel, and NOT FRIGHTENED in anything by your opponents.  “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only BELIEVE IN HIM, but also SUFFER FOR HIS SAKE.”

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Philippians 2.

Paul encourages the Philippians to be like Christ: to do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but with humility, counting others more significant than themselves, looking not to their own interests, but the interests of others.  “Have this same mind among you, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”

Then he tells how Jesus did just that, leaving all the glory of heaven and suffering for them.  (A great passage to memorize, if you will.) (Philippians 2:6-11)

“Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God as a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of man. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death on the cross. 

THEREFORE God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the NAME (LORD) that is above every name, so that at THE NAME of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth, and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father.”

And so he continues, telling them to do all things without grumbling or questioning (like Jesus, who is their example), that you may be blameless and innocent children of God.  In the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, shine as lights of the world!

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He tells them he hopes to send Timothy to them soon, so he can get some “first-hand” cheerful news from them.  As soon as he knows the outcome of his trial, he’ll send “his son in the Lord,” and then come to them personally, as soon as he can.

He is also sending back Epaphroditus.  This man brought the last generous gift to Paul, but on the way had become deathly ill.  God brought him back to health, and in case they were unduly worrying about him, they would see him soon and well.

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Philippians 3.

Here, Paul warns them about “evildoers who insist that believers be circumcised.” He tells them, that Jews (like him) put NO CONFIDENCE in circumcision, in the flesh.  He reminds them, of course, of his own background, in case ANYONE should have confidence in the works of the Law.

He was circumcised on the 8th day, as all faithful Jewish parents did for their sons.  He knows his heritage, though he has no confidence in it for salvation. He is a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, and as for his zeal… he persecuted the church.  In the righteousness of the law, he considered himself blameless.

BUT, “whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord.”  He counted all that prestige as garbage so that he might gain Christ, and be found in Him, having His righteousness by faith.

Oh, he’s not perfect by any means, but “…forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Jesus Christ.”

Brothers, he urges, “…join in imitating me.”  “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.”

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Philippians 4.

Then, on to some practical things.

Two ladies, Euodia and Syntyche, who have been laboring side by side with Paul in the gospel, now have some disagreement.  He asks them to “agree in the LORD.”  And he asks one of the church elders to help them in this.  “Rejoice in the Lord always.” “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” 

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Then Paul gives some excellent exhortation for them and all of us too.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let yur requests be known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your Minds in Christ Jesus.

And finally…

  • “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
  • if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise… THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS.   
  • And what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things.  And the God of peace will be with you.

Paul tells these beloved Philippian believers that he so appreciates their concern for him.  “But in any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do ALL things through Him who strengthens me.”

Yet, he tells them it was kind of them to share with him. No such church entered into a partnership with him in giving, except them. They sent a gift once when he was first imprisoned, then again now with Epaphroditus. “They were a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”  He promises them, “My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

He sends final greetings to them all in Christ.  Then, I’m sure with a smile, he adds, “All the saints greet YOU, especially those of Caesar’s household.”   (These are the fruit of his ministry in prison, which they had helped to win by their generous gifts.)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 350 to

Dec16

Day 350 – Reading – Ephesians 1 – 6
Read and believe in Jesus!

Ephesians 1 – 6.

Ephesians was also written by Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome, perhaps at the same time as Colossians and Philemon.

Paul, Aquilla, and Priscilla were instrumental in the founding and growth of the church at Ephesus. It was a seaport and known for its massive Temple of Diana (Artemis). Paul pastored there for three years. When he left for Jerusalem (and eventually Rome), Timothy became the pastor. Like other churches, they were infiltrated by false teachers.

The first three chapters are theological, emphasizing doctrine, and the last three focus on the Christian walk. Paul reminds believers in Ephesus of their “immeasurable blessings in Jesus Christ.”  The blessings are both for saved Jews and Gentiles.  Both are heirs of the promises of Christ Jesus through the Gospel.

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Ephesians 1.

After his greetings, Paul spends paragraphs praising and uplifting Jesus Christ, and telling his readers how absolutely blessed they are IN HIM.  (chosen before the foundation of the world, predestined for adoption as sons, redeemed through His blood, forgiveness of sins, an inheritance, and the promised Holy Spirit)

He also continually gives thanks for the believers in Ephesus, and prays that God would give them wisdom, revelation, and knowledge, and that their eyes would be opened to the riches of His glory in their inheritance in Christ.

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Ephesus 2.

This chapter is a treasure of Gospel truth, emphasizing the grace given to believers through faith. 

Yes, while we were all DEAD IN TRESPASSES IN SIN… FOLLOWING THE DEVIL… SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE… CARRYING OUT THE PASSIONS OF OUR FLESH…. BY NATURE CHILDREN OF WRATH…

GOD LOVED US… GOD WAS RICH IN MERCY TOWARD US… GOD MADE US ALIVE WITH CHRIST… SAVED US… AND SEATED US WITH CHRIST IN HEAVENLY PLACES.

  • “By GRACE you have been saved through FAITH. And this is NOT your own doing, it is the GIFT of God, NOT as a result of works, so no one may boast.”

He urges both believing Jews and Gentiles to remember this.  It’s NOT by works that we have done, but according to God’s mercy that He saved us.

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Ephesians 3.

Here, Paul emphasizes again the “mystery” that was not clear in the Old Testament, that both Jews and Gentiles would be saved – both placed into the body of Christ – according to God’s grace.

And it seems as though Paul now falls to his knees in prayer for them….

  • “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, that according to the riches of His glory, He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being….
  • so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith….
  • that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints, what is the breadth, and length, and height, and depth….
  • and KNOW the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge…
  • and that you may be filled with all the fullness of God!”

(Wow… to think that this prayer is directed to us as well.  Re-read it!)  And then he says that God is able to do this, and “far more abundantly above all we ask or think.”  Praise Him!

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Ephesians 4.

And so – with all that in mind, all the blessings, etc., – Paul urges them to “walk in a manner worthy of their calling, with humility, gentleness, patience with each other, love, and unity f the Spirit in peace.

(That’s not much to ask from ones so blessed!)

Paul then lists the people who are “gifts” of God to the church (workers in different ministries): Apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers. These men will help the “body” to grow up into Christ and no longer be immature children, swayed by every wind of doctrine.

They are to “put off their OLD selves” which belong to their former way of living, and “be renewed.  They are to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Tough, but those gifted leaders will counsel and teach them.

And then, some practical notes:

  • Be angry, but don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.
  • Let the thief steal no more, but do honest work, so he can share with others.
  • Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouth.
  • Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
  • Put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander from you.
  • Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God, in Christ, forgave you!

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Ephesians  5.

  • “Be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Paul lists other details of the Christian life and walk, including what to avoid and what to do. And to sum it up,

  • “Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. 
  • And… try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”
  • Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual song, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.

Wow, have you ever tried that last one???  Addressing each other with singing!  Amazing!

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Then, like with the Colossian letter, Paul touches on the Christian way of family life. He speaks to wives and husbands (in more detail in this letter).

Ephesians 6.

Continuing to instruct in Christian family life for children, fathers, and also slaves and masters, including specifics, and even blessings for obedience.

And finally, that familiar passage:

  • Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
  • Put on the whole ARMOR OF GOD, to be able to stand against the devil.
  • Fasten on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness to share the Gospel, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…. and with all this, PRAYING AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT. 

He asks the Ephesians, as he did the Colossians, to PRAY FOR HIM, that words may be given him to boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel.

(We should all be praying this for each other and ourselves.)

And he closes with brief salutations and blessings.

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 348 & 349

Dec15

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on MONDAYS

Day 348 – Reading – Acts 27 – 28

Day 349 – Reading – Colossians 1 – 4, Philemon

Read and believe in Jesus!

Sunday, Acts 27.

And so begins the final leg of Paul’s journey to Rome, at last.  NOTE: If you are going on a Mediterranean Cruise soon, you may want to read over this lightly.

Luke joins the ship, as well as Paul’s good associate and helper from Thessalonica, Aristarchus. God oversaw the selection of the Roman centurion to accompany Paul and the other prisoners.  Julius was very lenient and kind to Paul for the entire trip. He “may” even have stayed with him after they all got to Rome.

First stop from Caesarea was Sidon, and Julius let Paul and associates leave the ship to meet with friends there and be cared for.  The weather was pithy, so they sailed close to the coast of Cyprus, Cilicia, and Pamphylia, and so arrived at Myra.  After the centurion found a larger ship from Alexandria (Egypt) heading for Italy, they started out again.  The wind was nasty and opposed their journey, but they finally slipped into a harbor in Crete called Fair Havens.

It was really too late to be traveling across the Mediterranean, even in a good-sized ship like theirs. Frankly, it was dangerous, and Paul believed they might lose the ship and everyone aboard. He advised them to winter over in Fair Havens, but the shipowner wanted to go farther and stay in the bigger port of Phoenix.  When the weather broke, they took a chance and sailed close to shore towards Phoenix.

  • “But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, whipped down from the land. The ship was caught in it and driven out to sea.  They took down the sails, managed to bring the dinghy on board, and undergirded the ship with ropes. Soon they began jettisoning the cargo, and then the ship’s tackle. 
  • For many days, neither the sun nor stars appeared, and the wild tempest lay on them. All hope of being saved was at last abandoned.

Paul couldn’t help it. He stood and said, “You should have listened to me and not set sail from Crete.  BUT… now I tell you to take heart, for there will be no LOSS OF LIFE among you.  Only the ship. 

Then he told of a vision from God, that they would all be safe. God had promised him he would stand before Caesar. “Have faith in God.  But… we must run aground on some island.”

As they were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, the sailors suspected they were nearing land.  They took soundings, and sure enough, the depth was getting shallow.   They threw out all four anchors from the stern, thinking to slow the ship and not run onto the rocks.

They prayed for the day to come.

But the sailors began to panic and planned to abandon ship.  However, Paul said if they did, ALL would be lost. Julius believed him and cut the dinghy away so they could not escape.  As dawn approached, Paul urged everyone to eat. (It had been two weeks since they’d had food.)  They listened to Paul and felt encouraged afterwards.  Then they lightened the ship even more, throwing all the wheat into the sea.

When it was light, they saw a bay on an unknown island before them, and thought they could make a run for the beach.  They cut the anchor ropes, tied the rudder straight, and hoisted the sail at the front of the boat.  They started to move, but soon the ship struck a reef and began to come apart.

The soldiers wanted to kill all the prisoners to keep them from escaping, but Julius, wishing to save Paul, stopped them.  He ordered swimmers to try to make it to shore, and non-swimmers to hold onto planks and try to reach land.

And so, ALL were brought safely to land.   WOW!

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Acts 28.

Once everyone was ashore, they learned that the island was Malta.  The native people there showed kindness to them, and kindled a fire to warm and dry them.  Paul started gathering wood for the fire, and…. OH GOODNES!!!  A poisonous viper latched onto his hand!

“Oh, he’s dead,” the people said, and thought Paul must be a murderer.  (Well, he was, but God forgave and saved him!).

But the snake didn’t seem to hurt him at all.

“Oh, he’s not hurt. He must be a god!” the people said.  (I’m sure Paul gave them a look that cleared THAT up.)

Publius was the chief there and entertained them hospitably for three days.  Paul heard that the chief’s father was sick and went to pray with him. He was healed, so many others brought sick people to him for healing.  (I’m sure, Paul also told them about Jesus, his death and resurrection, repentance, and the hope of salvation.)  When they eventually got another ship that had wintered on the island, the people stocked them up with food and supplies.

And so…………  three months after leaving Caesarea, they set sail again, arriving in Syracuse.  They docked there for three days getting more supplies, and then went on to Rhegium.  A favorable wind came, and they sailed the final leg to Puteoli.

Brothers, fellow believers, met them there. Paul and company stayed with them for a week, then FINALLY came to ROME.  (Just as God had promised Paul.)  Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with a soldier who guarded him.

Three days later, Paul was preaching to a group of Jewish leaders, telling his story, and the REASON for his arrest. (The belief in the “hope of Israel. i.e. the Resurrection.)  They called a larger group of Jews to listen to Paul’s “views.”  But after they heard him, most disbelieved.

Paul then AGAIN turns to the Gentiles with the wonderful message of salvation.

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Paul lived there two whole years (at his own expense), and welcomed all who came to hear him “proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ” without hindrance.

Wow. Amazing.  His dream at last was fulfilled, to encourage and be encouraged by the believers in the Roman church.

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##

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Monday, Colossians 1 – 4.

This general letter to the church at Colossae, as well as his personal letter to Philemon, were both written during Paul’s time in that house and under guard in Rome.

Paul didn’t plant the church in Colossae, which was about 100 miles east of Ephesus. It was founded by Epaphras, who had probably been saved during a visit to Ephesus while Paul was there.  Like many of the churches, it had a mixed congregation of Jews and Gentiles, so they had problems with both Jewish legalism and lingering pagan beliefs.

It seems that Epaphras visited Paul while he was in Rome, bringing both encouraging news and hints of problems back home. Also in Rome with Paul was another person from Colossae, a runaway slave named Onesimus, who had been saved and was now a “faithful and beloved brother” to Paul.

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Colossians 1.

Paul greets the people of this church as he would all believers and thanks God for what he’s heard from Epaphras about them.

He praises God for their faith, love, and hope and tells them he’s been praying for them, that they will be filled with all spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. He prays that they will walk pleasing before the Lord (who has delivered them from darkness into the kingdom of the Son) and be fruitful in every good work.

Then Paul praises and glorifies the Son who has redeemed them and forgave their sins. He is….

  • The image of the invisible God,
  • the firstborn (in preeminence) of all creation.
  • By, through, and for Him were all things created.
  • In Him all things hold together.
  • He is the head of the body, the church.
  • He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.
  • In Him all the fullness of God dwells,
  • He makes peace by the blood of His cross.

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Colossians 2.

Paul tells them (and those at Laodicea) that he “struggles” (in prayer) for them, that they will reach all the riches of assurance and the knowledge of Christ (in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge).  He prays that no one will delude them with false arguments, but that they remain firm in the faith in Christ.

  • “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

He warns them about empty philosophy and the deceit of human traditions.

  • “You, who were dead in your trespasses… God made alive together with Him, having forgiven all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us.

He tells them not to allow anyone to pass judgment on them concerning food and drink, festivals or new moon, or Sabbaths.  Don’t let anyone disqualify you!  Hold fast to the “Head.”

  • “If with Christ, you died to the ‘elemental spirits of the world,’ why do you submit to their regulations according to human precepts and teachings?

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Colossians 3.

Paul next exhorts and encourages the Colossians in Godly living, as Christ lives in them.

  • “If then you HAVE BEEN RAISED WITH CHRIST, seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
  • “Set your minds on things that are above, NOT on things of the earth.
  • “Put to death what is earthly in you.
  • “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you.”
  • “Put on love…. let the peace of Christ rule your hearts… and be thankful.
  • “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
  • “Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Then Paul heads towards the nitty-gritty of family life, giving instructions to WIVES, HUSBANDS, CHILDREN, and FATHERS, as well as to SLAVES and to MASTERS.  Everything, every attitude and act, should be well-pleasing to the LORD.

(Read the instructions to slaves and masters again, with Onesimus and Philemon in mind, after you read Paul’s letter to PHILEMON.)

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Colossians 4.

Next, Paul asks the Colossians to pray for him.

  • “…that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ,
  • …that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Then he sends final greetings from those who are working with him, including Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.

  • (Remember Mark?  The guy who so disappointed Paul, that he had a break up with Barnabas?  Well, Mark has matured, and become very useful in the ministry.  Praise God. There is hope for all of us!)

He tells them that Epaphras is praying for them, but will be staying with Paul a while longer.

He tells them he’s sending this letter with Tychicus, who is also bringing back Onesimus.  There will be instructions concerning him that they are to read as well.

Paul instructs them to send this letter to the church in Laodicea to be read, and to get the letter he sent to them (possibly referring to Ephesians, which was a circular letter) and read it themselves.

And to Archippus (possibly Philemon’s son), he encourages in the ministry, much as he did with Timothy.

And a final prayer request before blessing them,  “Remember my chains.”

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Philemon

This is a personal letter to the man who hosts the Colossian church in his home (Philemon), to his wife (Apphia), and his son (Archippus).  I guess they are all involved with the situation concerning their runaway slave, Onesimus.

Paul first thanks God for them, for their faith, and the work they are doing for Christ.  He has received much joy and comfort from their love (support?) and been refreshed by them.

And then to the man, Onesimus, who is patiently waiting beside Tychicus, as Philemon is reading this letter….

  • “I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner for Christ Jesus … appeal to you for my child, Onesimus.  Formerly, he was USELESS (what his name means) to you, but now he is indeed USEFUL to you and to me. 
  • I am sending him back to you, sending MY VERY HEART. (I would have been glad to keep him with me, that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment, but I preferred to do nothing without your consent.)
  • “Maybe this is why he was parted from you for a while – that you might have him back forever, no longer a slave, but a beloved brother – especially to me.
  • “If you consider me your partner … receive Onesimus as you would receive me.  
  • “If he’s wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge it to MY account.  I will repay it. 

Paul was confident of Philemon’s obedience, knowing he will do more than Paul asked for his ex-slave.  And he tells them, he hopes to visit them once he is released.  (Prayers for that, he asks.)

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(Paul’s plea for the born-again slave is much like Jesus’ prayer for us.  He loves us, wants to keep us near Him, considers us His sister or brother, and promises that if we owe anything from our past… HE WILL PAY.  Indeed He has paid for all our sins on the cross.  And God, the Father completely accepts us with open arms because of the redeeming sacrifice of the Son.)

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 345

Dec11

Day 345 – Reading – Romans 14 –  16
Read and believe in Jesus!

Romans 14.

  • “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him … but not to quarrel over opinions.“

Paul reminds the Romans of things he’s had to teach the Corinthians.  Eating certain foods (or not), observing certain days (or not) are not to cause divisions among the believers. 

  • “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.  Each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
  • “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” 

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Romans 15.

  • “We who are strong (in convictions and assurance) have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please Himself.”

Paul wanted the Romans to live in such harmony with each other that they would “glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (Whoa, is this ever a message for us today, too!)

Not only was there to be NO disputing about food and days, but they were also to accept Gentiles, as Christ had made a way for them in His family.

  • “…that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy,
  • “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people.
  • “The root of Jesse will come, even He who arises to rule the Gentiles.
  • “…in Him will the Gentiles hope.” 

All together then!  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Paul even reminds them that his PRIMARY ministry, as given to him by Jesus, is to minister the Gospel to the Gentiles.  And he has accomplished this… “by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, and by the power of the Spirit of God.”

He says,

  • “From Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the Gospel of Christ, and I make it my ambition to preach the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation.”

Paul wants to preach to those “…who have never been told of Him, and to those who have never heard.”

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He candidly tells the Roman believers that he has often wanted to, but has been hindered from coming to them. He hopes to do so soon. And perhaps they can help him financially in his plans to go to Spain as well. But in the meantime, his plans are to go to Jerusalem to deliver the offering from Greece and Macedonia. After that …. Rome, and then … hopefully, Spain!

  • “Pray for me, brothers, that I will be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea.
  • Pray that my service for Jerusalem will be acceptable.
  • And pray that I will come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.”

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Romans 16.

Paul ends this weighty letter with some personal greetings, warnings, and blessings.

First, he commends Phoebe to them.  She is the one bringing them this letter.  She is a servant of the church in Greece.  “Welcome her in a way worthy of the saints, and help her (financially), for she has served me and others well.”

He sends greetings to his beloved fellow workers, Pricilla and Aquila, who have returned to Rome, it seems. (Remember, they had fled Rome, met Paul in Greece, then worked with him in Ephesus.)

  • The list goes on: Epaenetus, Mary, Andronicus and Junia, Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, Aristobulus, Herodian, Narcissis, Tryphaena and Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus and his mother, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, Philogus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, Olympas. 

He tells the folks at the Rome church to greet all these for him with a holy kiss.  (Seems like he WILL have a great welcome when he arrives!)

  • And from Paul’s side, he sends greetings from his fellow workers;, Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus and Quartus. 

He ends his opus with a blessing and doxology.  

“Now unto Him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ …. to the only wise God, be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!  Amen.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 344

Dec10

Day 344 – Reading – Romans 11 – 13
Read and believe in Jesus!

Romans 11.

Paul continues  his thoughts on his own people, Israel, being saved.

“Has God rejected His People?  By no means!  I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has NOT rejected His people whom He foreknew. At the present time there is a remnant, choses by grace.”

Then Paul says the most amazing thing.  Yes, Israel stumbled, but they have not fallen.  Rather, because of there trespass, salvation has come to the Gentiles.  And if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles … how much more will their full inclusion mean!

Paul says he emphasizes his calling to minister to the Gentiles, in order to make the Jews jealous and perhaps save some of them.  For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world … what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead!

He tells Gentiles not to be arrogant of their place in salvation. They were grafted into the TRUE vine of Israel.  If THEY were, surely Israel can also be re-grafted in.  (Don’t be proud!)

“A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.  And in this way all Israel will be saved.”

Right now, Paul says, “they are enemies of God for YOUR sake.  But as regards election,  they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.  For the gifts and the “calling” of God are irrevocable.”

Then Paul bursts into a doxology!

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever!”

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Romans 12.

And in response to his final words of doxology (To Him be the glory forever!), Paul urges his Roman readers to:

  • Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
  • Don’t be confirmed to this world.
  • Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
  • And by testing, discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

And also, “Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought. Think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  And he lists the gifts God has given the church for their building up.

  • “Prophecy
  • Service
  • Teaching,
  • Exhortation,
  • Generous Contributing
  • Zealous Leadership
  • Cheerfully performing acts of Mercy

Besides the Holy Spirit-given gifts, Paul lists other marks of TRUE Christianity

  • Let your love be genuine.
  • Hate what is evil
  • Hold fast to what is good.
  • Love one another with brotherly affection.
  • Outdo one another in showing honor.
  • Don’t be slothful, but zealous.
  • Serve the Lord.
  • Rejoice in hope.
  • Be patient in tribulation.
  • Be constant in prayer.
  • Contribute to the needs of the saints.
  • Seek to show hospitality.
  • Bless those who persecute you (bless, and don’t curse!)
  • Rejoice with those who rejoice (and weep with those who weep).
  • Live in harmony with one another.
  • Don’t be haughty, (associate with the lowly).
  • Never be wise in your ow sight.
  • Repay no one evil for evil (do what is honorable).
  • If possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
  • Never avenge yourselves (leave that to God).
  • Do not be overcome by evil, (overcome evil with good).

 

This list is pretty inclusive, but remember, doing these things (or abstaining from some) does NOT buy your salvation!  NOT BY WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT WE HAVE DONE, but by God’s grace are we saved.

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Romans 13.

Paul continues his list of good Christian lifestyle, pertaining to authorities.

  • Be subject to the governing authorities. (and he gives reason why to do so is wise).
  • Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, and honor to whom honor is owed.
  • Owe no one anything (except to love each other).  Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

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REMEMBER:  Salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.  The night is far gone and the day is at hand.  Let us walk properly as in the daytime. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 340

Dec6

The LAST Month of 2025’s Reading!

Day 340 – Reading – 2 Corinthians 10 – 13

Read and believe in Jesus!

 2 Corinthians 10-13

Chapters 10-13 have a somewhat different tone as Paul prepares the Corinthians for his promised 3rd visit.  In these chapters, he defends his ministry (as opposed to those “super-apostles” trying to turn them away); he “boasts” some about his travails; mentions that amazing vision of Heaven and subsequent “thorn in the flesh;” and gives his final exhortation to them to examine their own hearts.

2 Corinthians 10.

Paul agrees with his accusers that when he is away from the Corinthians, he’s bold in his rebukes, but when he is with them, he’s like a lamb.  It’s because he loves them and want’s sweet fellowship with them when he is there. 

He admits that they are all walking in their “fleshly” bodies, but the war for their sanctification is waged spiritually.

  • “The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God. We take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.”

Paul says he doesn’t want to appear frightening to them with his boasts of the authority, but the Lord gave him such authority so to reach them. 

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2 Corinthians 11.

Paul is stern with them because he is divinely jealous of them, as a husband to a wife. He’s afraid they will be led astray from a “sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”  Let any who proclaim another Gospel be accursed.

“Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not unskilled in knowledge. I am not in the least inferior to those “super-apostles” who attempt to sway them. THEY are deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so no surprise that his servants make themselves appear righteous!

Paul’s embarrassed to boast of his credentials, but he feels the Corinthians need it. 

  • He, too, is a Hebrew and Israelite, a son of Abraham, and a better servant of Christ. 
  • He’s done far greater labors, far more imprisonments, countless beatings, and often near death.
  • Five times he received the 39 whips from the Jews, three times he was beaten with rods. Once, he was stoned. Three times he was shipwrecked (with 24 hours adrift in the sea)
  • On frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, robbers, his own people, Gentiles, in the city, in the wilderness, at sea, and from false brothers.
  • In toil and hardships, through many sleepless nights, hungry and thirsty, often without food, in cold and exposure.
  • AND … apart from that, there is the daily pressure on him of the anxiety for all the churches.
  • And once – this seems to be the most humiliating of all to Paul – he was let down in a basket through a window in the wall of Damascus to escape the governor!!!

WOW!! How much have “I” suffered for Christ and the ministry?  Nada.

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2 Corinthians 12.

And then Paul tells of the most amazing happening of all.  He uses the 3rd person to avoid self-aggrandizement. 

  • “Fourteen years ago, ‘this man’ was caught up into Heaven (God’s dwelling place), whether in the body or not, he couldn’t tell. ‘This man’ was in Paradise, and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of ‘this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will NOT boast, except on my weaknesses. I refrain from boasting SO THAT no one will think more highly of him than he should.
  • “So… to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ****
  • “Three times I pleaded with the LORD about this, that it should leave me.  But He said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak … then I am strong.”

Then Paul says he’s been a fool, but they forced him to do it.  THEY should have commended him, but he had to do it himself to show he was not inferior to those super-apostles. 

Paul did among them the signs of a TRUE APOSTLE – signs and wonders and mighty works.

Like a parent (which he was to them), he was glad to spend and be spent for their souls.  He LOVED them.

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2 Corinthians 13.

And so, before his third visit, Paul gives them final warnings. He would not “spare” those he’d warned before if they had not repented.

They are to “Examine themselves, to see whether they are IN THE FAITH.  They should test themselves to see if Jesus Christ is IN them.   “We pray to God that you may not do wrong, that you may have met the test and are doing what is right.”

THIS IS WHY he was writing to them.  Their restoration is what he prays for.  He doesn’t want to be so severe when he comes, using the authority the Lord gave him to build up the churches.

  • “And so, rejoice!  Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace;  and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

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**** NOTE:  There have been many speculations as to what that “thorn in the flesh” was.  Yes, it was “a messenger of Satan,” but it was GOD who sent it.  Like Job, God allowed Satan to afflict Paul’s body in some way to keep him humble.

Some believe it was a continual eye problem, a gradual blindness, perhaps.  Paul mentions that the Galatian churches would have gladly gouged out their own eyes and given them to him. (Galatians 4:15)

Some believe this “thorn” was a demonized person, a demon indwelling the ringleader of the Corinthian conspiracy, the leader of those “false apostles.”  Paul says the “thorn” was sent to “harass” him. “Harass” always refers to ill-treatment from other people. And in the O.T., Israel’s opponents are described “thorns.”

However you view Paul’s thorn, I think the identity was kept vague, so that we, too, might see an evil person, a condition, or an experience as a warning from God or a way to keep us humble.  AND to be assured that God’s GRACE is sufficient in whatever situation.  We can trust Him.

 

 

 

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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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.  

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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.”

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 337

Dec3

The LAST Month of 2025’s Reading!

Day 337 – Reading – 1 Corinthians 15 – 16

Read and believe in Jesus!

 I Corinthians 15.

This chapter is an extensive teaching on the RESURRECTION – of Jesus and of true believers.  The Corinthians had already heard the Gospel which Paul preached to them, including the resurrection of Jesus. They were saved by this Gospel.  He’s reminding them of it.

  • First:  Jesus died for our sins, as per the Scriptures.
  • Second: Jesus was buried.
  • Third: Jesus was raised on the third day, as per the Scriptures.
  • Fourth: Jesus appeared to Peter.
  • Fifth: Jesus appeared to the “Twelve” (Eleven)
  • Sixth: Jesus appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most still alive.
  • Seventh: Jesus appeared to James (His brother).
  • Eighth: Jesus appeared to all the apostles.
  • Ninth: Jesus appeared to Paul.

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The Corinthians believed the Gospel. They believed in the resurrection of Jesus, but they had a hard time believing in their own resurrection one day.  Part of this comes from their pagan beliefs and background, which taught that everything physical was “evil” so the idea of the resurrected body was disgusting.

Maybe some of the Jewish believers had also been influenced by the Sadducees (Sad, you see.), who also did not believe in resurrection. (Remember the test question they gave Jesus in Matthew 22:23-33?)  Jesus taught about it plainly, especially in John’s gospel.

So, Paul now lists six disastrous outcomes for believers, IF THERE WERE NO RESURRECTION. (Verses 13-19)

  • Preaching Christ would be senseless.
  • Faith in Christ would be useless.
  • All the witnesses and preachers of the resurrection would be liars.
  • No one would be redeemed from sin.
  • All former believers would have perished.
  • Christians would be the most pitiable people on earth.

WOW!

Then the coup de gras – “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.” 

But (Paul says) Christ HAS been raised from the dead, the “first fruits” of those who have fallen asleep.  

IN Adam we all die. 

IN Christ we shall all be made alive!   (Praise God!)

Then Paul is facetious.  “What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus, if the dead are not raised?”  If there is no resurrection, then…”Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”  HA!

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Then there is the discussion of what the resurrected body will look like. (Remember the Corinthians had been taught the “body” was evil.   Paul reminds them that “flesh and blood,” the body we see and feel now, can’t inherit the kingdom of God.  The flesh we see on our bodies is perishable (just ask an 80-year-old!), so it can’t inherit the imperishable. 

Yep, it’s a mystery.

At the sound of the last trumpet sound, we will ALL be changed in a blink of an eye.  Those who have died and been buried will rise first. (Why?) So they can meet those who are still alive above ground, and descend heavenward together, neither before the other. (See 1 Thessalonians 4:16)

The new, imperishable body will not be “disgusting,” aged, hurting, maimed, or decayed.  It will be changed in the “twinkle” of an eye – both the living and the dead bodies (The Lord God will push the “Refresh” key!  haha).  We’ll have imperishable bodies like Jesus.

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Paul quotes from Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14

  • He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away fears from all faces.” 
  • O death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting?

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

And so, Paul says, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is NOT in vain.” (see 15:14)

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1 Corinthians 16.

Since his last trip to Jerusalem to fulfill his vow, Paul has been very aware of the suffering and needs of the believers in Jerusalem. There has been persecution by the Roman rulers, and there has been a famine on top of that. They need help.  Paul wants the Corinthian believers to show love (as he preached about in chapter 13) and send an offering to them.  Here’s what he says,

  • “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper (no set amount or percentage), so there will be no (last-minute) collecting when I come.  Then, I will send those whom YOU accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If I need to go too, I will.”

 

Paul tells them he is in Ephesus now and will be until Pentecost. He then plans to go through Macedonia. Then he will come to Corinth and perhaps even stay the winter with them. (Ship travel is dangerous in winter.) 

He tells them Timothy is coming to see them (probably to deliver this letter).  They are to host him and send him back to Paul.  He had urged Apollos to visit them with Timothy, but it was not in Apollos’ plans at that time.  He would come when he got a chance.  Meanwhile, 

  • Be watchful,
  • Stand firm in the faith,
  • Act like men,
  • Be strong.
  • Let all you do be done in LOVE

He sends greetings from Asia, and especially hearty greetings from Aquila and Priscilla and the church in their house.

Then, with a scowl, “If anyone has NO LOVE for the Lord, let him be cursed.” and a softer, “My LOVE be with you all in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

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