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2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 349-350 (Part 1)

Dec16

   Days 349 & 350—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE:  Sunday & Monday studies are posted together on MONDAYS. (This is Part ONE.)

Day 349 – Colossians 1 – 4, Philemon. (Personal matters, instructions, practical things)  (A request of Philemon)

Colossians 1.

Paul, writing from prison in Rome, and Timothy send their greetings to the church in Colossae by the hand of Tychicus. Although Paul has never personally ministered there, he thanks God for them and prays earnestly for them, that they “will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so they will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, and bearing fruit in every good work.”

Colossians 2.

Paul reminds them (and the church at nearby Laodicea) that they are to “walk” in Christ Jesus the Lord, rooted and built up in Him, as they were taught (by Epaphras), and to abound with thanksgiving.  They are to beware of anyone who would steer them away from the true faith in Christ. Because they, who were dead in trespasses, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven all their trespasses by canceling the debt record against them.  This God set aside, nailing it to the cross of Jesus.

Colossians 3.

Since now, they have been raised with Christ to new life, they are to “seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. “Set your minds on things that are above, and not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  They are also to “Put to death what is earthly in you (sins of action, thought, and speech), seeing that they have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its Creator.”  Paul then lists the godly attitudes and actions that they are to “put on” that please God.

“Wives submit to your husbands… Husbands love your wives… Children, obey your parents… Fathers, do not provoke your children… Slaves obey in everything, and not just by paying ‘lip service….”  Masters treat your slaves justly and fairly…”

Colossians 4. 

Paul gives a few final exhortations. “Continue steadfastly in prayer, with thanksgiving. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Let your speech be gracious, seasoned with salt, so you know how you ought to answer each other.”

He closes with a long list of greetings. He says Tychicus will tell them about all his activities, so as to encourage them. 

Then he mentions Onesimus, who is with Tychicus. (See Philemon’s letter below.)  He calls him his faithful and beloved brother and says the two men will tell the Colossians ALL that has happened.

He also mentions Epaphras, their founder, and tells them he struggles daily in prayer on their behalf, that they would stand “mature and fully assured in all the will of God.

His closing words are, “Remember my chains. Grace be with you all.”

.

Philemon.

 Along with the letter to the church at Colossae, Paul sends this personal letter to Philemon, in whose large house the church meets. Tychicus hand-delivers it to him along with his former slave, Onesimus.

Paul first reminds Philemon that he remembers him always in his prayers, thanking God for his love and faith toward Jesus and all the saints. Paul’s heart is blessed to hear how Philemon has “refreshed the hearts of the saints.”  But now, Paul has a favor to ask.

The history is that Onesimus was a slave of Philemon. Onesimus had done some wrong to his master – perhaps stolen from him – and had run away. (a capital offense)  By God’s will and grace, the slave had ended up in Rome and had heard Paul preaching.  He’d been won to Christ by the Holy Spirit and become Paul’s “righthand man” and a “beloved brother in Christ.”

Paul would have loved to “keep him” but knew what to do.  He sent Onesimus back with Tychicus and the letters. (This shows Onesimus’ changed heart in his willingness to go.)  Now, it was up to Philemon. He had every right to punish his slave, even by death, but Paul asked him to treat Onesimus as “a brother in Christ.”  Paul offers to pay any debt that might have been incurred. (Paul even signs his own signature here.)

Paul is very confident in Philemon’s obedience, knowing he will do what he asks. 

“Oh, and prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers, I will be graciously coming to you.”

(We don’t KNOW, but we can feel very sure that Philemon welcomed Onesimus back as a fellow believer in Christ and put him to work for the Kingdom of God, which the ex-slave gladly did.)

 

***Usually, I post TWO DAYS’ worth of study on Monday, but since these are complete books, I will put Ephesians in a separate post. 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 348

Dec14

   Day 348—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the ACTS of the Apostles and the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 348 – Acts 27 – 28 (Paul to Italy, shipwrecked, Malta, preaching in Rome)

Acts 27.

King Agrippa’s final words, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” (Acts 26:32)

And so Paul, with some other prisoners, was delivered into the custody of a  Centurion named  Julius to catch a ship to Rome. Paul’s friend, Aristarchus, the Thessalonian, was allowed to go with him. They sailed as far as Sidon, where Julius allowed Paul off the ship to visit fellow believers and receive care.

It was late in the year, and the winds were unfavorable.  They sailed past Cyprus and Cilicia and stopped at Myra, where Julius found an Alexandrian ship bound for Rome.  Slowly and with great difficulty, they sailed past desirable ports and came to Fair Havens on the island of Crete.  It was very late in the season, and the winds were fierce. 

Paul, who had sailed many times on the Mediterranean, advised the Centurion to stay put, for he feared the ship, its cargo, and all passengers would be lost in the winter storms.  But Julius paid more attention to the harbor pilot and the ship’s owner. Fair Havens was not a desirable place to spend the winter. They decided on a chance run to Phoenix, further around Crete. When the winds let up, they took a chance and sailed westward, close to shore.

But they soon encountered the “Northeaster,” a tempestuous wind, and the ship was blown out to sea. The wind and waves battered the ship mercilessly. With great difficulty, they used rope supports to undergird the ship. Then they lowered the gear and let the boat run where she would.  The next day, they tossed all the cargo overboard, and the following day all the ships tackle.  For many days, they were at the mercy of the tempest and lost hope of ever being saved.

Paul, “You should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete. But, take heart, for there will be NO LOSS OF LIFE among you…..only the ship.” This was not good for the ship’s owner, but perhaps the passengers felt somewhat relieved.  Paul then told him how he knew this truth, “This very night there stood before me an angel of God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and He said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you ALL those who sail with you.'”

Paul told them he had FAITH in God that they would all be saved, but they had to run the ship aground on some island.

About two weeks after leaving Crete, somewhere in the Adriatic Sea, the sailors took soundings and discovered they were nearing land. They let down four anchors off the stern and prayed for daylight. Some of the sailors secretly put the dingy overboard with plans to escape. But Paul caught them. “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” The soldiers cut the dingy free.

As the day was breaking, Paul urged them all to eat. He took bread, thanked God in the presence of all of them, and began eating. Everyone was encouraged as they ate food, too. 

When it was light, they saw land but didn’t recognize it. But they did see a bay. Quickly, they cut the anchors, hoisted the foresail, and made for the beach.  The ship’s bow hit a hidden reef and stuck while the stern began to break up.  The soldiers planned to kill all the prisoners lest they escape, but Julius, wishing to save Paul, stopped them. He ordered all who could swim to jump overboard and make for land.  The others were to grab a plank from the ship and ride it ashore. (No, not surfing!)

And so it was that ALL were brought safely to land! (Just as God had promised Paul.)

Acts 28, the last chapter.

Once on the island, they learned they had shipwrecked on Malta. The native people were kind, welcomed the weary passengers, and kindled a fire because it was raining and they were cold.  Paul grabbed some firewood, and out popped a viper which had been hiding there.  It sunk its fangs into Paul’s hand.  Everyone gasped in horror and expected Paul to fall down dead, for the snake was very poisonous. But Paul shook it off and continued to stoke the fire.  

At first, the people thought him a murderer and said the viper was meting out justice. But when Paul showed no signs of illness or death, they changed their minds and thought he was a god. 

The chief guy, named Publius, showed them hospitality. When Paul learned that his father was very sick, he went to him and prayed, laying his hands on the man. When he was healed, the rest of the people on the island brought their sick, and they were cured, too.

After about three months on Malta, the winter storms were done with their terror. Julius secured a ship from Alexandria that had wintered on Malta. The islanders help to stock the ship with provisions for them.

They sailed to Syracuse on the island of Sicily and stayed three days. From there, they went to Rhegium on the southern tip of the Italian peninsula and then on to Puteoli (Naples) where Paul disembarked and was met by fellow believers.  He stayed there for a week, and then, together, they traveled along the Appian Way to Rome. 

Paul made it to Rome, just as God had told him. 

In Rome, under house arrest, until he was seen by Caesar, Paul preached from morning to night to Jews and Gentiles alike about “the hope of Israel,” the Messiah, Jesus.   Some were convinced, but others disbelieved.  (Just as scripture foretold. Isaiah 6:9-10) 

He lived there two whole years at his own expense and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

End of Acts.

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 346

Dec12

   Day 346—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the ACTS of the Apostles, and the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 346 – Acts 20 – 23 (Paul seeing to details & farewells on the way to Jerusalem, warnings, riots & arrests, testimony, escape to Caesarea)

Acts 20.

After those riots in Ephesus, Paul went to Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea) Then, he headed down to Greece (Corinth), where he spent 3 months (and wrote the letter to the Romans). He planned to check in at Syria (Ephesus) on the way to Jerusalem, but he heard of a plot to kill him, so he sailed back to Macedonia instead. 

From Philippi, he sailed to Troas and spent seven days. Remember, Paul had earlier been in Troas, where “a door was opened for me in the Lord to preach the gospel,” but he had been so concerned about the Corinthian church that he left. (2 Corinthians 2:12-13)  Now, it seems he took that opportunity to preach in Troas for many hours! 

On Sunday, he was preached until midnight and had no plans to stop.  But, in the room, it was hot and stuffy with many people and lamps, and the listeners were getting tired. A young man, Eutychus, sitting on the window sill to get some cool air, fell asleep and plunged down three stories to his death. Paul said not to worry and raised him from the dead by the power of the Lord Jesus.  After a bite to eat, they all returned upstairs, their minds alert, and listened to Paul until the sunrise. 

Then, having preached the Gospel in Troas (finally), Paul and company caught a ship for Assos, then to Mytilene, and the next day to Chios, then Samos and Miletus (near Ephesus). He didn’t want to go into that great city, so he sent a message to the elders of Ephesus to meet him on the beach. They had a great time of exhortation, fellowship, and weeping, for they all knew he would not return to them. Paul told them he was ready to die for the Lord!  Then he knelt and prayed with them all. 

Acts 21.

From there, Paul and company sailed to Cos, Rhodes, and Patara and headed toward Phoenicia, past Cyprus to Tyre. Paul spent another seven days there encouraging believers. They also warned him of trouble in Jerusalem. Before boarding another ship, Paul knelt in the sand with them, prayed, and wished them a final farewell.

Paul next arrived at Ptolemais (Acco) to greet the believers. The next day, he sailed to Caesarea where Peter had first introduced the Gospel to the Gentiles at the Centurion, Cornelius’s home. Paul stayed with Philip there. (Remember him and his evangelism from Acts 6:5-6 and 8:4-40) Philip’s four daughters, plus Agabus, a Judean prophet, all said he would be arrested in Jerusalem. 

Paul told them, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus!”

Finally, Paul and company went up to Jerusalem, along with some disciples from Caesarea. The brothers there gladly received Paul and his collected offering and listened to him relating, one by one, all the things God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.  And they all glorified God.

Then, they warned Paul of a conspiracy by the religious Jews to kill him. Those men believed that Paul was preaching to the JEWS that they – and not only the Gentiles – did not have to observe the Jewish traditions. The brothers offered a solution for Paul. Join a group of four men to fulfill a vow in the temple. His enemies would see he was observant. 

But it backfired, and a riot broke out. Paul was being beaten almost to death when a Roman Tribune rescued/arrested him and brought him to the barracks. The Tribune thought Paul was the infamous Egyptian who was causing trouble in Jerusalem. But when he discovered Paul was a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, he let him speak again before the crowd.

As he began in Hebrew, there was a great hush….

Acts 22.

Paul began telling his testimony, starting when he was a staunch Pharisee, trained under the great Gamaliel in the strict manner of the law of Moses. He’d been zealous, persecuting, arresting, and seeing to the death people of the “Way.” Then, one day, on the road to Damascus, he saw a vision of Jesus. After being led, blind, into Damascus, he was visited by Ananias, who said God had appointed Paul to be a “witness to everyone.” After his sight returned and he was baptized, God spoke to Paul, “Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”

At this, the crowd screamed, “AWAY WITH HIM! He should not be allowed to live!” 

The Tribune took Paul inside to be interviewed “by torture,” but after learning he was a Roman Citizen (Eeek!!!), he released him.  But, wanting to know more about Paul, he commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet. He then brought Paul down to be formally accused by them.

Acts 23.

Paul looked intently at the council (the Sanhedrin, before whom Jesus had also faced condemnation) and spoke. He said his life before God had been lived in good conscience. But (also like with Jesus), he was struck in the face.

UNLIKE Jesus, Paul fired back at the man, “God is going to strike YOU, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law, you order me to be stuck??”   (Remember, Paul had been trained by the best lawyer on ALL the points of the law.)

Whoa! they said. “Would you revile God’s high priest??”

Paul immediately apologized and “practiced what he had preached” in Romans 13, where he wrote to give respect where respect was due to those in authority over you. “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people’.”

Then Paul realized that the Sanhedrin was made up of both Pharisees (like he was) and Sadducees (who did NOT believe in the resurrection from the dead).  “Brothers, it is concerning the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial………..”  

Immediately, a great dissension arose in the “hallowed halls” of the Council.  The louder Pharisees proclaimed, “WE FIND NOTHING WRONG IN THIS MAN!”  Violence ensued, so the Tribune had to intervene and take him away. 

That night, God came to Paul in a vision. “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in ROME.”

Forty Jews plotted the next day and vowed a hunger strike if, in the next 40 days, they did not KILL Paul.  The plot was made known to the Tribune via a boy (Paul’s nephew), and immediately, that very night, he whisked Paul off to Caesarea with an armed guard of 400 Roman soldiers and horsemen.  He sent a message with Paul to Governor Felix, describing all that had happened so far and emphasizing that Paul was a ROMAN CITIZEN.

At Caesarea, after discovering what province Paul was from (Cilicia), Governor Felix said he would give him a hearing as soon as his accusers arrived.

TO BE CONTINUED tomorrow….. 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 344

Dec10

   Day 344—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 344 – Romans 11 – 13 (Israel: remnant & olive tree, a living sacrifice, gifts of Spirit, submission & honor to authorities)

Romans 11.

Still writing about his people, Paul tells the Corinthians that God has not forsaken or rejected Israel. He has kept a remnant (like Paul) for salvation, but the rest have hardened hearts, blind eyes, and deaf ears. They have stumbled on the rock, which is Jesus the Messiah.

Their hardheartedness opened the way for the Gentiles to receive God’s salvation. Paul hopes it will also make them jealous and cause them to return to their God.

Paul also cautions the Gentiles not to become proud, for as God removed some natural branches of the Olive tree, which is Israel, to “graft” them in, He can also remove the grafted branches.

“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you (Gentiles), provided you continue in His kindness.”  Paul further cautions them, “Lest you be wise in your own eyes, I want you to understand this mystery: a partial hardening has come upon Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in.  And, in this way, all Israel will be saved.”

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!”

Romans 12.

Paul then appeals to the Corinthian believers to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewable of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Paul tells them that they are ONE body with MANY members who do not have the same function in the body of Christ. He then lists some of the gifts of the Spirit that have been given to them separately. They are to USE them.

  • prophecy, in proportion to their faith
  • service, in serving one another.
  • teaching
  • exhorting
  • contributing with generosity
  • leadership, with zeal
  • acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

(Compare these with the gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 & 14)

The marks of every TRUE CHRISTIAN are:

  • genuine love,
  • honoring each other,
  • fervency in Spirit,
  • service to the Lord,
  • rejoicing in hope,
  • patience in tribulation,
  • constancy in prayer,
  • generosity in giving,
  • showing hospitality,
  • living in harmony with each other,
  • associating with the lowly,
  • repaying no one evil for evil,
  • living peaceably with everyone.

All Christians should show these traits.  (Seriously, this list is so good for all of us to ponder!!)

Romans 13,

Paul charges them to “be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist WILL incur judgment.” 

(Whoa, this is absolutely appropriate for today!!)

Rulers are NOT a terror to good conduct, but to bad. If you do wrong…BE AFRAID.  He is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.  PAY YOUR TAXES, for the authorities are ministers of God.  “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, HONOR to whom honor is due.”

OWE NO ONE ANYTHING except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, it fulfills the law.

“The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then, let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and made no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 342-343

Dec9

   Days 342 & 343—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.  NOTE:  Sunday & Monday studies are posted together on MONDAYS.

Day 342 – Romans 4 – 7 (Paul continues on with the Gospel of faith, the law, sin, and justification)

Romans 4.

Paul ended chapter 3 by saying BOTH the circumcised (Jews) and uncircumcised (Gentiles) are justified (considered righteous by God) through faith.  Now, he takes a closer look at the Law. Is it considered useless?

Scripture clearly states that Abraham was “counted as righteous” by God because of his faith. However, he was later circumcised. So which is it? Both. Abraham’s later circumcision was a “sign” or “seal” of the righteousness he already had by faith.  The purpose of BOTH is so that Jews AND Gentiles alike can be counted in God’s promise of blessing to “all nations.”

Romans 5.

Justified believers have peace with God through Jesus. And the Holy Spirit pours His love into our hearts. “God shows His love for us in that, while we were still sinners (weak and ungodly), Christ died for us. And since we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.“

Paul now illustrates our innate sinfulness and imputed righteousness, using the two “men,” Adam and Christ. He says that all men received the curse of sin in their lives through ONE MAN, Adam, with his sin against God. And, with our sinful nature, death reigned. But in another ONE MAN, Christ, we died to that sin, were “buried with Him,” and raised to new, eternal life.  With the one man, Adam, we received death, but with the one man, Christ, we received an abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness.

Romans 6.

Then, should we continue in sin?  No way! The one who has “died to sin” has been set free from sin. So, we are to “consider ourselves dead to sinning” and not allow it to reign in our bodies.  “Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness.”

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

Romans 7.

Although believers are “dead to the Law” through the body of Christ, who was raised from the dead, the law is still good.  It points out our sins and makes us hate them. “For I do not understand my own actions. I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. If I do what I do NOT want, I agree with the law, which is good. It reveals the sin living in me.

For I know that nothing good dwells in me (in my flesh). I desire to do what is right but I do not have 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 on doing! But it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

“I delight in the law of God – in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me a captive to the law of sin.  WRETCHED MAN THAT I AM! WHO WILL DELIVER ME FROM THIS BODY OF DEATH?

Oh, thanks be to GOD through Jesus Christ our Lord!

.

Day 343 – Romans 8 – 10 (Paul describes Christian life, God’s sovereignty, Salvation to all)

Romans 8.

“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.” — (The mountain peak of Romans.)

God did what humanity could not do – save themselves from the wrath of God on sin. He sent His own Son in the likeness of human flesh for sin and condemned HIM so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in US.  

Any of us “in the flesh” cannot please God.

We are NOT in the flesh, but in the Spirit, IF, IN FACT, the Spirit of God dwells in us.  

“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 His Spirit who dwells in you.” 

“And the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ….provided we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him”

Paul tells them that the Holy Spirit helps believers when they do not know how to pray.  He intercedes for the saints according to God’s will.  And “we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.“

Paul also tells the order of salvation:  foreknowledge – predestination – calling – justification – glorification.

God is FOR us. He didn’t spare His own Son for us.  So now, who can condemn us? Who can separate us from the love of Christ?   

Paul says, “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.”  WOW!

Romans 9.

Paul then confesses his great concern, increasing anguish, and love for his own Jewish people.  He claims he would be willing to be “accursed and cut off from Christ” for their sake.  He lists all these privileges they have had: 

  1. the adoption
  2. the glory
  3. the covenants
  4. the giving of the law
  5. the worship
  6. the promises
  7. the patriarchs
  8. and, from their race, according to the flesh, is the Messiah, the Christ! 

But it is not as if the Word of God failed. Not all the descendants of Abraham are Israel; only those through Isaac and then Jacob/Israel.) 

Then Paul explains God’s sovereignty through his purpose of ELECTION.  No, there is NO INJUSTICE on God’s part.  He told Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”  

God has mercy on whomever He wills, and He hardens the hearts of whomever He wills. 

You might think this unfair.

You may ask, ‘Why does He still find fault? Who can resist his will?”

Paul answers sharply.

“But who are YOU, O man, to answer back to God?  Will what is molded say to the molder, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Has the Potter no right over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 

What if God, desiring to show his wrath and power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath in order to make known the riches of His glory for vessels of mercy?

Although the number of the sons of Israel is as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved.  Why?  Because they did not pursue righteousness BY FAITH but by their own works. 

Romans 10.

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

“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; with the mouth, one confesses and is saved.

EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME! There is no distinction between JEW and GREEK, for the same Lord is over all people.  For EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!

Beautiful are “the feet” of those sent to preach the Gospel, for “the faith to call on His name” comes from hearing the Word of Christ. 

And yet, “All day long, I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” (God says to Isaiah in 65:1-2.)

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 340

Dec6

   Day 340—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 340 – 2 Corinthians 10 – 13 (Paul defends his ministry, compares self to false apostles, his sufferings, A revelation of heaven, thorn in flesh, examine yourselves!)

2 Corinthians.

Paul speaks of Christ’s meekness and gentleness and hopes he can come to the Corinthians with the same attitude and not with boldness, scolding their disobedience. For the believers’ “weapons” have divine power to destroy arguments and lofty opinions, and take every thought into captivity to obey Christ, and are ready to punish every disobedience.

But that’s not how Paul wants to visit them.  He admits they think he is “soft” in person while fiery in his letters. But he can be tough too, although he doesn’t want to.

2 Corinthians 11.

Paul here begs the Corinthians to “bear with him in a little foolishness” as he boasts and compares himself to the false apostles plaguing them. He is a Hebrew, an Israelite, an offspring of Abraham, and a servant of Christ.  Are these other men?

He far surpasses them in labor and hardships, if that is the criteria for apostleship. He’s been beaten five times with 39 stripes and once stoned and left for dead.  He’s been in shipwrecks, adrift on the sea, on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, robbers, irate Jews, Gentiles, and false brothers, in the city, wilderness, at sea, in toils, sleepless nights, hunger, thirst, cold and exposure.  PLUS, Paul has the daily pressure of anxiety for all the churches. He even escaped arrest and imprisonment by being let down a city wall in a basket, for goodness sake!

2 Corinthians 12.

Paul, embarrassed, goes on with his boasting, sure that none of “them” have had such a vision as he. Fourteen years before, just ten years after his conversion, Paul was “caught up to the third heaven (whether in the body or not, he didn’t know). There, he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not speak.”

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given 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 to me, ‘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 upon 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 claims that he’s been a fool to boast like this, but they “made him so it” with their tales of those “super-apostles.”   But he will most gladly spend and be spent for their souls.

2 Corinthians.

Paul reminds the Corinthian church that he is coming to them (He’ll pick up their offering for the Jerusalem church.). He wants to make sure that everything has been dealt with.  He tells them to “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.”

He’s writing to them strongly so that, when he arrives, he can be gentle.  “REJOICE, brothers, 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.”

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 337

Dec3

   Day 337—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 337 – 1 Corinthians 15 – 16 (Resurrection of Jesus and believers, Offerings for the needy, End talk)

1 Corinthians 15.

Paul now addresses another problem in Corinth. Some had stopped believing in the physical resurrection of the Lord and of those who died (or will die).

He reminds them that at their conversion, when he was first in Corinth, they had believed in the Gospel, which teaches how Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was RAISED ON THE THIRD DAY, all according to the Scriptures.  Paul then mentions many who SAW the resurrected Jesus: the disciples, 500 followers, James, and at last, Paul himself.

Therefore, if “Christ raised from the dead” is part of the Gospel that saved them, how can they question it?  Indeed, their faith is in VAIN if Christ has not been raised.

He tells them again that Jesus is the FIRST FRUITS of the resurrection.  He first, then all who believe shall be made alive at His coming.

The Corinthians also asked what a resurrection body is like.  Paul reminded them of growing plants.  You plant a withered, brown seed in the ground, and in due time, a glorious, fruitful plant grows. And so, a dead body is sown in dishonor, weakness, and natural form. At the coming of the Lord Jesus, it will be raised in glory and power as a spiritual body. “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we shall also bear the image of the Man of heaven (Jesus).”

It’s a mystery, Paul agrees, but flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.  We will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet sound.  The dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. When that happens, it will fulfill Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, 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!

1 Corinthians 16.

Now for the mundane.  Paul is heading to Jerusalem with an offering for destitute believers in the famine-stricken city. He has already collected from Galatia, Macedonia, and Achaia, but now he asks them again. They were to put aside money on the first of every week, and when he arrived, he would collect it all.  It was to be a free-will offering of love.

He says a few words about their beloved teacher, Apollos, who will return to them again when he has the opportunity. Meanwhile, they are to be watchful, standing firm in the faith. He reminds them of what he said in chapter 13, that all they do should be done in LOVE.

He sends greetings from all the churches in Asia, and from Aquila and Priscilla (who were there when he first planted the church). He gives his final blessing: “May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, days 335 & 336

Dec2

   Day 335—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 335 – 1 Corinthians 9 – 11 (Rights, privileges, & service, Idolatry, the glory of God, Head coverings, The Lord’s supper)

1 Corinthians 9.

In the previous chapter, Paul talked about his freedom to eat meat offered to idols, EXCEPT when it offended a weaker brother. He would never do anything to make such a one stumble.

Now, he talks about his freedoms and rights he does NOT insist upon.  Other apostles and missionaries,  like Jesus’ brothers and even Peter, took their believing wives with them. Was it only Barnabas and Paul who worked for a living as well as preached?  Wasn’t a soldier due his own expenses? Didn’t a vineyard planter eat the fruit?   He then quotes Deuteronomy 25:4 about not muzzling an ox who grinds the grain. Does not HE have the same rightful claim?

Yet, Paul chose NOT to claim the privilege but to work and impose no obligation on the people. He would rather die than have anyone deprive him of his ability to “present the gospel free of charge.”  He’s made himself a servant of all, that he might win more of them, Jews or Gentiles.  He compares this self-discipline to men in a race, running to “win the prize.”  He does it to win “the imperishable victory.” (Souls for the Lord Jesus)

1 Corinthians 10.

Next, Paul segues into comparing the Israelites of Moses’ time to those alive in that day.  “Those ancient Jews were examples for current believers.  Although they saw the miracles of God firsthand, they desired evil, were idolaters, and committed sexual immorality when they worshiped the golden calf Aaron made. That day, 23,000 were killed by God’s wrath. When they complained, thousands were destroyed by serpents. 

Paul urges the Corinthian church, “We must not put Christ to the test.” He encourages them, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

And so, he tells them to FLEE FROM IDOLATRY. (Corinth was full of idolatry, a great temptation.)  You can not worship idols (demons) and worship Christ too. 

“All things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.”  “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Give no offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God.  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 11.

Paul then addresses head coverings for both men and women. Culturally, Corinthian men covered their heads when worshiping in pagan temples, while women only covered theirs when married.  Paul says men are to stand with heads uncovered because Christ is the head of every man in Christ.  

These traditions worked in the early church in Corinth to distinguish Christians from pagans. The same is true for women who covered their heads and had long hair, while men did not. The idea is to glorify Christ in all you do.

Then Paul gives explicit instructions for the Lord’s Supper. Verses 23-26 are often repeated in our services today when we observe Communion. 

He reminds us, too, of Jesus’ sacrificial death, his blood as a ransom payment for our sins, and his bodily death in our place.  He urges the Corinthians (and us) to examine and judge themselves and partake worthily.

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Day 336 – 1 Corinthians 12 – 14 (Spiritual gifts, the Love Chapter, Prophecy & tongues, orderly worship)

1 Corinthians 12.

Paul next clarifies a controversial subject in the Corinthian church. Spiritual gifts were needed in the newly planted churches because the New Testament had not yet been written. Not many Gentile churches would have the Torah, Prophets, and Teachings scrolls of the Old Testament.  And so the Spirit of God distributed to each church what the leaders and congregations needed.  The Corinthian church was fully blessed in this way. But they were viewing and using these gifts in the wrong ways.

First, they were to discern if the gifts in question were from the Spirit of God. Paul reminded them how they’d been fooled by worshiping idols and demons.  “No one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says that Jesus is accursed.  And no one can say Jesus is Lord except in the Holy Spirit.” 

Once that is settled, he describes the various spiritual gifts, services, and activities that are given to the church by the Holy Spirit…FOR THE COMMON GOOD, not for individual glory. They are the gifts of wisdom and knowledge spoken to edify the church, extraordinary faith, gifts of healing and working of miracles, prophetic speaking, discernment of spirits, various tongues, and the interpretation of the tongues. (Others are included in lists in Romans 12 and 1 Peter 4)

“All these gifts are empowered by one Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.”  “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.”

They were not to quarrel, envy each other’s spiritual gifts, or seek the “flashiest” ones.  All the gifts were needed and valuable.

Next, Paul lists the “gifted men” God appointed to lead the church. These were: Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Miracle workers, Healers, Help ministers, Administrators, and Speakers of various languages.  In these, Paul recommends asking God for the “higher” gifts, but ALL were to be used in a “MORE EXCELLENT WAY.”

1 Corinthians 13.

And, that excellent way was/is in…LOVE.  

This chapter is known as “The Love Chapter.” Paul says that any of the above gifts and gifted offices, if used purely for selfish motives and not with the Spirit’s fruit of LOVE, are merely annoying noise, less than nothing.

Then, Paul lists the numerous aspects of love that believers will show towards one another if ruled by God’s Spirit.  (These are very convicting. Take some time to read verses 4 – 8 and apply them to yourself.  Then ask God to make them evident in your life.)

Eventually, all the gifts will disappear when the Lord returns and takes His family to Heaven. But love never ends.  “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 14.

After that strong teaching on how all the gifts of the Spirit are to be used – with true love – Paul sheds more light on two gifts being abused in the Corinthian church: Prophecy and Tongues.

Paul urges them to pursue love and the spiritual gift of prophesy. (Not necessarily of FORE-telling, but of FORTH-telling the Word of God, for the edification of the whole church.)  And if the gift of tongues is used, they were to make sure someone was there to interpret what was said, or else how could the entire church be helped?

Paul tells them that these ministry gifts IN CHURCH MEETINGS were to be performed by men only. Yes, women would be blessed by gifts, but they should use them in the home or as in our times, in women’s ministries. 

Paul concludes by saying, “Earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done decently and in order.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 317

Nov13

     Day 317—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 317 – Luke 23, John 18 – 19 (Judas’ betrayal, Passover/Lord’s Supper, Jesus foretells Peter’s denial, Gethsemane, Arrest and trial, Peter’s denial)

After the Last Supper and Jesus’ private teaching of the disciples and prayer, the group leaves for the Mount of Olives and Gethsemane, where Jesus and His disciples are used to hanging out.  Judas knows this and leads the religious leader and soldiers there so Jesus can be arrested.

When they take Jesus away, the eleven disciples flee in fear. John and then Peter follow the crowd to Caiaphas’s palace, where several mock, illegal trials are held for Jesus. He remains silent even with the false accusations and abuse but finally says that He IS the Son of God, as they say.  Meanwhile, Peter is met with three accusations. At each, he proclaims and swears that he is NOT a follower of Jesus and, in fact, he does not even know Him. A rooster crows, Jesus looks at Peter, and the “brave” disciple runs away in great remorse.  

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Next, Jesus is taken to Pilate, who questions Him extensively about being a “king.”  Jesus says He is a king, but His kingdom is not of this world. Pilate learns Jesus is from Galilee and tries to shirk his duty by sending Him before King Herod, who is also in town. 

Herod is gleeful. He’s wanted to see the “miracle worker” for a long time and hoped to see Jesus do some miracle.  Jesus remains silent before “that fox,” and so Herod arrays Jesus in fine clothing and allows his soldiers to mock and mistreat Him. Then, he sends Jesus back to Pilate. “Herod and Pilate become friends from that day.” 

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Pilate approaches the Jewish leaders and says he finds NO GUILT in Jesus, and neither has Herod. “Therefore, I will punish and release him.”

The crowds, stirred by their leaders, respond, “Away with this man. Release to us, Barabbas! Crucify, crucify Him.”  Finally, Pilate, tired of the matter, washes his hands and tells them to do with Him as they wish. He turns Jesus over to their will.

“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews,” Pilate had written on a sign to be placed above Jesus’ head, showing the “crime” he was accused of. The Jews objected, but Pilate was firm.

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And so, the procession to Golgotha. Jesus, struggling under the weight of the beam, is helped by a stranger. He speaks warning to some weeping women along the way. Two other criminals follow to be crucified with Him. 

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At the place of The Skull, they nail Jesus to the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The soldiers cast lots for His garments and His robe as was usual, AND as it was prophesied (Psalm 22:18).

Inspired by Satan, who is still trying to keep Jesus from dying on the cross (and ending his power over mankind), people taunt Jesus to come down from the cross to save Himself…. IF HE IS THE CHRIST.

The criminals beside Jesus mock Him, too, but then one of them turns, repents, and asks Jesus to “remember him in His kingdom.”  “Truly, I say to you, today, you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Standing near Jesus’ cross were His mother, Mary, with three other women, and John.  “Woman, behold your son!” Jesus said to her. To John, indicating His mother, He said, “Behold your mother!”  And from then on, John took her into his own home. 

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At noon, a gloomy darkness covered the land until 3:00pm and Jesus cried out, Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani? (My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?)  Spectators thought Jesus was asking for Elijah and said, “Wait, let’s see if Elijah comes.”

With a parched mouth, Jesus rasped, “I thirst.” They dipped a sponge into some sour wine (vinegar) and held it to His mouth. Moisture returned, and He said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”  And with a final breath, Jesus cried aloud, “It is finished!”  And. He. Died. (Satan, YOU LOSE!!)

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A great earthquake shook the earth and split rocks. Tombs were opened, and saints walked about. AND THE CURTAIN IN THE TEMPLE WHICH SEPARATED THE HOLY PLACE FROM THE MOST HOLY PLACE….TORE IN TWO FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP! (Opening the way for all people to approach God through His blood/death.)

“Truly, this man was the Son of God!” cried the Centurion overseeing the crucifixion. 

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Ever suspicious and worried about their own status, the Jews went to Pilate and asked that the crucified men’s legs be broken to hurry on their deaths. They needed the bodies DOWN before the sun went down and the Sabbath began.  A soldier did the deed, and the two criminals soon died. But when he came to Jesus, he saw He was already dead. He thrust his spear into Jesus’ side and saw the blood and clear fluid flowing out, proof of death, so Jesus’ legs were not broken. (This fulfilled Numbers 9:12, Zechariah 12:10)

There was a man, Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin, a good and righteous man who had NOT agreed to the verdict and action by the council, a man looking for the kingdom of God, a secret disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus to bury Him.  After Pilate confirmed that Jesus was indeed dead, he agreed. Joseph and the other secret disciple, Nicodemus, took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in linen with many pounds of burial spices, and laid it in Joseph’s newly hewn tomb. He rolled the stone across the opening.  The women who were at the cross followed and noted where Jesus was buried. 

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The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate. They were worried about the rumors circulating about Jesus’ promise to “rise again” on the third day.  They asked Pilate to make sure the tomb stayed closed by posting a guard to keep the disciples from “stealing his body” and claiming Jesus had been resurrected. (They knew that this circumstance would have been worse than the first.)

Pilate gave them a guard (16) of soldiers. “Go, make it as secure as you can.”  These Jews made sure a Roman seal was put on the stone, sealing it (like an official envelope), and set the Roman guard around it.  There!  Done and dusted!

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AS IF… a wax seal and 16 puny humans could stop the SON of GOD from coming to life!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 316

Nov12

     Day 316—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying the New Testament Gospels.

Day 316 – Matthew 27, Mark 15. (Judas, Pilate, Barabbas, Crucifixion/Death, two thieves, Burial/Tomb)

(Today’s and tomorrow’s readings cover the same events,  so we will look at the details of each.)

The Jews, finished with their three mock trials with their verdict of “blasphemy” (John 18), now deliver Jesus to the Roman authorities to get the death penalty. (The Jews, under Roman rule, were not allowed to impose the death sentence. Also, their means of death would have been stoning, and prophecy stated that Jesus would die cursed “on a tree”

Judas sees Jesus condemned to death, and changes his mind (not his heart in true repentance). He tries to return the 30 pieces of silver he was paid and stop the fiasco, but the Jews do not care for him and refuse.  He throws the money at them, then goes out and hangs himself.  They take the “blood money” and buy a burial ground for strangers.

“Are you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asks Jesus.

“You have said so.” (In other words, yes.)

(Luke 23 here tells how Pilate, trying to get out of his responsibility, sends Jesus to Herod. Herod sends him back.)  (John 18 tells of Pilate’s extended conversation with Jesus about truth and His kingdom that was not of this world, and his attempts to release Him.)

“I find no guilt in Him,” says Pilate. “And according to my tradition, I will release one criminal to the people at Passover.  Do you want Barabbas (a murderer and insurrectionist), or Jesus who is called the Christ (Messiah)?”

“BARRABAS!!” they shouted.

“Then what do you want me to do with Jesus?” he asks in desperation.

“Let Him be crucified!” they shouted.

“Why? What evil has He done?”

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”

“Okay,” Pilate finally agrees, knowing they wanted Him dead out of envy, “but I am innocent of this man’s blood.”

“His blood be on us and on our children,” shouted the Jews.  (They meant the “guilt” of Jesus’s death, but in reality, Jesus’ blood on us is what saves us in God’s sight.)

So Pilate released Barabbas, scourged Jesus, and delivered Him to be crucified.  It was the soldiers, a whole battalion of them, who scourged Jesus (whipped Him with cords embedded with bits of bone). They also mocked him, putting on a scarlet robe and a crown of thorns and kneeling before him. They struck him about the head with a reed and spit on Him. “Hail, you King of the Jews!” Then they stripped Him of the robe.

They laid the cross piece of the cross on Jesus’ bloody shoulders and compelled Him to carry it up Golgotha’s hill. When He stumbled and fell, they compelled a stranger, in town for the Feast – Simon of Cyrene – to carry it for Him. (Luke 23 tells about Jesus addressing some weeping women along the way.)

They offered a drugged wine for Jesus to drink to dull the pain, but Jesus refused it. Then the nailed Jesus to the cross, hands and feet.