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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 141

May21

Day 135.  Reading 2 Samuel 22 – 23, Psalm 57.

 
Read Today’s Scriptures.
 

(We are still in the book’s epilogue, and review of David’s past history, glory, and praise.)

2 Samuel 22.

This chapter contains a PSALM!  

The chapter begins by telling us this psalm was spoken to God on the day He delivered David from the hand of Saul.  So we know this was before he was King, before his sin, and before Absalom’s disastrous coup.

Look at all the things that David says God is like to him — “my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, my savior!”  In this way, David “called upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised.”

  • In my distress, I called upon the LORD; to my God, I called.   From His temple, He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears.

Then comes an amazing picturesque description of God – showing in David’s imagination – the power and fury (as a mama bear?) as he comes to David’s defense. (Verses 8-16) Read it!!!

  • He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy; from those who hated me; for they were too mighty for me.  They confronted me on the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”
  • This God – His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD proves true; He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.  The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be my God, the rock of my salvation!

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2 Samuel 23.

This chapter has the heading, “the last words of David.”  But it is not actually his LAST words.  This is the last literary “oracle” and final song-speech.  (We’ll read more of David in 1 Kings and 1 Chronicles.)

Note the ways he identifies himself and the honor he gives to God.

  • The oracle of David, the son of Jesse, the oracle of the man who was raised on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, the “sweet psalmist of Israel.”  
  • The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; His word is on my tongue.  The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: “When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God, He dawns on them like the mourning light, like the sun shining forth on a cloudless morning, like rain that makes grass to sprout from the earth.“
  • For does not MY HOUSE stand so with God?  For He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For will HE not cause to prosper all my help and my desire?

Then Samuel reviews the names of David’s mighty men and their deeds. (It is pretty much the same as 1 Chronicles 11:10-41.)  These are the men who helped David to become king.  Interestingly, the very last one mentioned is … Uriah the Hittite.

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Psalm 57.

As with 2 Samuel 22, this psalm was written when he fled from Saul in the cave.

  • Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge till the storms of destruction pass by. 
  • My soul is in the midst of lions, I lie down amid fiery beasts – the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way….. but……. they have fallen into it themselves!

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  • Awake my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn!  I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.  Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let You glory be over all the earth!

Amen, LORD!!

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Hey! Today is my 80th birthday. God has been so faithful to me. Praise Him!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 66

Mar7
Day 66.  Reading Numbers 28-30. 
 

Read today’s scripture.

What do you learn about God’s goodness?

Who can you share that with today?

Numbers 28-29.

The LORD has Moses review some important things for this new generation as they are poised to enter the Promised Land. The first thing is the offerings He requires daily, weekly (on Sabbath), and annually, as well as those on the special holy days. Why so many, you might ask. Doesn’t this deplete their herds and flocks?  

First, remember that these offerings, except for the sin and guilt offerings that were burned totally, were for the priests and Levites.  Their total service was to the Lord. They would not have their own flocks and herds.  This is the way Israel would support them and at the same time, acknowledge their thanksgiving and worship to God.

Numbers 30.

This section on men and women and making vows may seem patronizing, but it actually protects women who are usually (but not always) more emotional.  First, when a man makes a vow to God, it is binding. Period.  But, if a woman makes a vow to the LORD, binding herself by a pledge, her father (if she is single) or her husband (when married) can nullify that vow. 

The LORD – knowing women very well – sometimes calls these vows “thoughtless utterances of her lips.”  (We might say, frivolous, and you know exactly what He means. Women are women and sometimes nasty!)  In such a case, the man in her life could cancel those vows, and she would not be held to them before the LORD. (And I might say, to her relief most of the time!). But a husband or father, seeing an earnest heart, may also NOT void her vow.   

I think of Hannah, years later, who had no children. She went to the Tabernacle and VOWED that if the LORD would give her a son, she would give him back for all of his life.  Her husband, Elkanah, learned of her pledge and did not cancel it.  The LORD heard Hannah, saw her heart, and gave her a son whom she named Samuel. When he was weaned, she took him to the Tabernacle and gave him up for his lifetime.  God honored her vow and fulfillment by giving her other children. (1 Samuel 1 and 2)

(Of course, men make foolish vows too, often in the heat of battle or boasting!  See Judges 11:29-40, Jephthah’s tragic vow, and  1 Samuel 14:24-48 King Saul’s rash vow.)  (I bet these men wished someone had stopped their vows!!)

  • LORD, help me to never begrudge the offerings I give to You, in whatever ways you use them.   May my heart and hand be always “open.”
  • And LORD, may I always think before I speak. Help me to consider your Word and ways before I say something foolish. And when I do spout something I regret, lead me to confession and your forgiveness.

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 15

Jan15

Day 15. Reading in Job 40 – 42. 

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and write “in the comments” what was meaningful to YOU. We can encourage each other in Him.

Job 40.

.This is a terrifying moment for Job.  He’s been calling to God to answer his questions, to come and hear his case, but now it is God asking the questions. And now, God faces Job directly with severity.

“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?  He who argues with God, let him answer.“

Can you see the fear in Job’s eyes as he begins to speak? Perhaps he cleared his throat and swallowed hard.  “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”

  • Yes, our God loves us and is patient with His children. But sometimes, I just think I NEED to see Him as the Eternal, Almighty God of the Universe, who holds the whisper of my life in His hands. I need to tremble sometimes. 

Then, beginning again as He did in chapter 38, God speaks out of a whirlwind and tells Job to stand up straight and answer.  He asks Job if he thinks he’s like God, “Have you an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like God?”  I can picture Job, his hand still across his mouth, wide-eyed, shaking his head.

Job 41.

God then showcases two magnificent creatures He’s made, the Behemoth and the Leviathan.  They truly ARE wonders that probably (thankfully) don’t exist today. 

The grass-eating Behemoth, with iron-like legs and cedar-like tail, bones like bronze, must be a dinosaur of some kind, maybe a brontosaurus. (You know, the beasts with long, thin necks chomping on treetops and a massive body with a huge muscular tail.)  It could “swallow” the Jordan River with no problem, God says!!  He also states it was the foremost (biggest) of His works. 

Next, God reminds Job of Leviathan, another of His massive creatures, only this one “plays in the sea.”  With the descriptions, you really must consider it a fire-breathing, scaled sea serpent dragon. Tell me what YOU think.

No fisherman or whaler could harpoon this creature. “His back is made from rows of shields, tightly fit together.” “His “sneezings” flash forth light.”  “Out of its mouth go flaming torches; sparks of fire leap forth. Out of his nostrils come forth smoke as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. His breath kindles coals, and a flame comes forth from his mouth.”  WOW!

“Though the sword reaches him, it does not avail, nor the spear, the dart, or the javelin. He counts iron as straw and bronze as rotten wood.”  (Arrows, stones, and clubs are like stubble.)  God says there was none like Leviathan on earth, a creature without fear.

SO GLAD these creatures do not exist now, but God must have had fun making them!

Job 42.

Job is genuinely shaken and put in his place, and he voices his contrition. “I know that YOU can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (You are Sovereign.)  “I have uttered what I did not understand.”

  • Job says, “I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my “eyes” see You; therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.“
  • God has been so patient with me when I’ve cried out (okay, demanded) answers to my questions, but as I review these scenes in Job, I tremble at my gall.  Wow.  HE IS God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth.  How dared I?  I, too, repent and confess my sin.

Job had not sinned in the ways Satan or his “friends” had accused him.  But he HAD sinned in presuming on God, accusing Him of unfairness, and demanding that He come and answer him.  At this realization, Job hated himself and confessed profoundly and honestly.  He had a “broken and contrite heart,” and God will not “despise” these. 

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THEN, GOD TURNS TO Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.  (Ah-oh!)  “My anger burns against you, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as my servant Job has.”

He tells them to take seven bulls and seven rams to Job and offer up a burnt offering (sin offering) for themselves.  “My servant Job will pray for you. I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly.  You have not spoken of Me what was right.” 

They obeyed, Job prayed, and God accepted Job’s prayer.

  • (Father, please keep me from speaking about You wrongly, here in these studies, or anytime in my life.)

Job never discovers WHY he experienced such suffering, pain, loss, and verbal abuse. He never found out what WE know from the first chapters of how Satan was “allowed” to afflict him for a purpose.  He had held steadfast in his faith in God’s character.  

Now, God restored Job’s fortunes – the ones Satan was allowed to strip from him.  The LORD gave Job twice what he had before in possessions.

All his family came to him again and fellowshipped with him. They (NOW) showed him sympathy and comforted him. And – perhaps out of guilt that they had not supported him before – each gave him a piece of money and a gold ring. (Huh!)

God gave Job twice as many sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys as before.  God blessed Job with his once complaining wife, by giving him SEVEN sons and THREE daughters.  Also, HIGHLY UNUSUAL is the fact that he NAMES his three beautiful daughters – Jemimah, Keziah, and Keren-happuch – and gives them each an inheritance along with their brothers. 

Job lived 140 more years and saw his grandchildren and great-grandchildren for four generations.  Then he died, old and full of days.  Did he EVER imagine all this in those weeks of sorrow and pain?

 

It’s a bit of a picture of our devilish struggles on Earth and then our future home and joy in Heaven. 

  • Lord, thank You once again for this study in the Book of Job. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 9

Jan9

Day 9. Reading in Job 21 – 23. 

I invite you to read the scripture for the day and write “in the comments” what was meaningful to YOU. We can encourage each other in Him.

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Job 21.

Job’s turn.  All along, his mocking friends have claimed that his suffering is caused by his wickedness and that he should repent. 

Job (perhaps) clears his  throat and says, “Bear with me, and I will speak, and after I have spoken, mock on.” He describes wicked people from his point of view.  They DO NOT suffer (like Job).  They…

  • live to an old age and grow mighty in power
  • their offspring are established
  • their homes are safe from fear
  • no “rod of God” is upon them
  • their livestock multiply 100%
  • their children dance, play, rejoice, and sing to the tambourine, lyre, and pipe
  • they spend their days in prosperity 
  • they go to the grave in peace
  • they boldly say to God, “Depart, we don’t want Your knowledge, why should we serve You? What profit do we get if we pray?”
  • One day, they die in full vigor, being wholly at ease and secure, with their “pails full of milk” and their bone marrow moist. 

Does this look like me? Job seems to ask.  “How then will you comfort me with “empty nothings”? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood.”

Job 22.

Unable to stay silent, Eliphaz arises to speak a third time. And he gets rather nasty with Job.  “God doesn’t really care about you at all, Job!  He takes no notice of you.“

Then, he lists various sins against humanity as the reason for Job’s trouble, saying that he’s treated his brothers, the needy, the widows, and the orphans foully, sending them away empty and crushed.

Next, Eliphaz gives Job advice that is good in itself but not in the way he says it. “Agree with God about your sin. Receive instruction from His mouth and keep His Words in your heart. Return to the Almighty, delight yourself in the Almighty, and lift your face to God.  Make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you.” (vss. 21-23, 26-27

Eliphaz seems to relate these good things as acts of penance or as good works done to appease God, INSTEAD of heart acts of love towards a Heavenly Father. 

Job 23.

It’s almost in meekness that Job answers.  It’s as if he’s talking to his own heart.

  • “Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His seat! I would lay my case before him.”   “I would know what He would answer me and understand what He would say to me.”  “Would He contend with me in the greatness of His power?  No, He would pay attention to me.”  “I would be acquitted forever by my Judge.”

I love Job’s confidence in God. He’s obviously had a sweet relationship with Him before all this happened, and he KNOWS he stands “acquitted” before God. 

  • In Christ, we can have that same confidence when we stand before God in “the final courtroom.” (“And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life…” 1 John 5:11-12)

Job may be in a humbled state right then. It may seem he can’t find God to talk to Him how he desires.  But in faith, he can say, “He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”   “I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.” (vs.12)

Yes, Job knows God is sovereign in all His ways (“He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him back? What he desires, that He does. For He will complete what He appoints for me…” vs. 12-14)  Job may be “terrified at His presence,” but he stands in the knowledge that “though God slay him, yet will he trust Him.”

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Sadly, tomorrow, we will see Job back in his former mood. “The unrighteous prosper.”  That leads to a terse comeback from Bildad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 352

Dec18

   Day 352—We are in the LAST month of Bible reading for the year, studying the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 352 – 1 Timothy 1 – 6 (Paul’s letter to Timothy, warnings, the gospel, gifts, overseers/deacons, church instructions/warnings, the good fight.)

This is one of two letters Paul wrote to his “beloved son in the faith.”  After being released from house arrest in Rome, Paul & Timothy (and others) traveled to Ephesus. When Paul went on to Macedonia, he left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the church. Now, Paul writes encouragement & instructions to him.

1 Timothy 1.

Paul reminds Timothy that he left the young missionary in Ephesus to clear out any false teachings that had begun there, especially by legalists who emphasized keeping the law of Moses. “The law is good if one uses it lawfully, for the ungodly and sinners.”

1 Timothy 2.

Paul urges Timothy to pray (in supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings) for all people, kings, and those in high positions so that they may lead peaceful and quiet lives.  He reminds Timothy that Christ Jesus Himself is the ONE mediator between God and men. “I desire that in every place that men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.”

1 Timothy 3.

Paul then lays out the qualifications for overseers and deacons who lead in the church. “They must be “above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, NOT a drunkard, NOT violent, but gentle, NOT quarrelsome, and NOT a lover of money.  He must be able to manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive. He must NOT be a new convert. He must be well thought of by outsiders.” 

WOW!!

Paul assures Timothy that he hopes to come there soon, but in case of delay, he might know how they ought to behave in the household of God, the church of the Living God.

1 Timothy 4.

He warns Timothy that some will depart from the faith, devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teaching of demons.  If he warns the brothers to beware of these things, he will be “a good servant of Christ Jesus.”

He urges Timothy to train himself for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and the life to come.  

“Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth. Set the believers an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.  Until I come, devote yourself to public reading of Scripture, exhortation, and teaching.  Don’t neglect the gift you have by prophecy and the laying on of hands.” 

1 Timothy 5.

Paul instructs him further. “In the church, do not rebuke an older man, but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters in all purity. And honor true widows.” 

“As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all so that the rest may stand in fear. Keep yourself pure.”

1 Timothy 6.

Paul reminds them, “There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and cannot take anything out of it.  If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For, the LOVE OF MONEY is a root of all kinds of evil.”

“But you (Timothy), O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.” 

Then Paul bursts into doxology!  “He, who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who ALONE has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom NO ONE has ever seen or can see. TO HIM, be honor and eternal dominion!  Amen.”

Paul ends his letter by urging his son, “O, Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Grace be with you!

 

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 347

Dec13

   Day 347—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 347 – Acts 24 – 26 (Paul appears before Governor Felix, High Priest Ananias, lawyer Tertullus, crowds of Jews, Governor Festus, & King Agrippa. He speaks on either his personal testimony or his belief in the resurrection of the dead.)

(Earlier in Acts 22-23) The Roman Tribune, Claudius Lysias, saved Paul from the angry crowd of Jews in the temple and allowed him to tell his testimony before the crowds once he discovered Paul was not an anarchist. But the mobs rushed him again when he mentioned the Gentiles, so the Tribune brought him into the barracks to be flogged. Learning Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, he fearfully backed off.

The next day, he took Paul to the Jewish Council meeting for an official charge.  But when Paul mentioned the resurrection, the Sadducees in the group began to riot, and the Tribune had to rescue him again.

Later that night, Paul received encouragement from God, saying he would indeed testify in Rome.

Also, during the night, the Tribune heard about a plot to kill Paul and decided to send him down to Governor Felix in Caesarea. (This was way “above his pay grade.”) He sent Paul with a Roman guard of 400 men, and a letter to the Governor about the matter.  (Done!)

Acts 24.

Paul is safely in Caesarea, and the Jews realize their plot has failed. Five days later, High Priest Ananias, some elders, and a lawyer-spokesman named Tertullus arrive in Caesarea too.  They flatter Felix into hearing their accusation against Paul.  He allows the apostle to speak, and after Paul affirms he is a Jew “through & through,” he says he has hope in the resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Felix decides to delay the matter until the Tribune Lysias comes to Caesarea. (What?). He will decide Paul’s case then. (The tribune never appears.)  Meanwhile, Paul was “kept in custody with some liberty, allowing his friends to attend to his needs.

(Did Dr. Luke come?  Who else from the Jerusalem church, I wonder?)

Felix and his wife, Drusilla, were also entertained now and then by Paul speaking about faith in Jesus Christ, righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment.  When the topic of judgment came up, it scared Felix, and he sent Paul back to his room. He kept Paul there for TWO YEARS!!! All the while, he hoped that Paul and his friends would give him money.

Somehow, Felix lost favor with the “powers-to-be” and was replaced as Governor by Festus.

Acts 25.

Governor Festus first appears in Jerusalem and meets with the chief priests and principal men of the Jews. (Protocol?)  They discuss the “old” case against Paul and ask Festus to bring him to Jerusalem to be tried. Festus is not fooled.  He says Paul is staying where he is, but they are welcome to “go down with him,” and he will see about a hearing.

Eventually, Festus sits in court and orders Paul to be brought.  The Jews bring many serious charges against Paul that they cannot prove.  Paul argues in his defense.  Festus asks Paul if he wants to go to Jerusalem and be charged. Paul says he has broken no Jewish law (as Festus well knows).

“I appeal to Caesar!” says the Apostle whom God told would indeed go to Rome.

“To Caesar, you have appealed; to Caesar, you will go.” (You can almost hear Festus sigh.)

But before Paul can be sent off, King Agrippa II arrives in Caesarea with his wife, Bernice.  (He is the son of the Herod who killed James and imprisoned Peter.)   Festus eventually tells the king about Paul, the complicated case against him by the Jews, and his appeal to Caesar.  Festus tells the king he doesn’t really have a charge against Paul to send to Caesar. 

“I would like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa tells Festus.

“Tomorrow, you will hear him.”

With great pomp, King Agrippa, Bernice, and Festus enter the audience hall. Military tribunes and prominent men of the city arrive, too. Paul is brought in.  Everyone’s eyes are upon him.

Acts 26.

Agrippa signals Paul. “You have permission to speak for yourself.”  

Paul begins a lengthy retelling of his testimony, describing himself as a fierce Pharisee with a mind to kill all those of “the Way.” He strictly obeyed all the laws of Moses and had the HOPE in the promise God made to the Jews – the VERY thing he was being tried for – hope in the resurrection. 

He tells how he persecuted believers in Jesus and, in fact, had been going to Damascus to bring some of them back to prison when he “saw the light.”  It was Jesus who told him he was wrong to persecute them.  Jesus commissioned Paul to be a preacher and a witness for Him.  Furthermore, Jesus sent Paul to preach the Good News to the Gentiles. Paul believed and was baptized. Then he set out to obey the Lord.

It was a very long sermon in his defense, and in the middle, Festus burst out with, “PAUL, YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR MIND; YOUR GREAT LEARNING IS DRIVING YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!”

“I am NOT out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.” And he looked at King Agrippa. “The king knows about the things, and to him, I boldly speak.”

“Paul, in a short time, would you persuade ME to be a Christian?” asked the king.

“Whether a short time or long,” Paul answered. “I would that not only YOU but ALL who hear me today might become such as I am — except for these chains.”

The king and governor withdraw and discuss Paul. 

“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment. He could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.“

 

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 323

Nov19

    Day 323—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 323 – Acts 9 – 10 (Saul persecutes, Saul saved & commissioned, Peter heals Aeneas & Dorcus, Peter & Cornelius/gentiles)

Acts 9.

Saul, an extreme Pharisee and keeper of every letter of the Law, is out to punish or kill anyone whom he believes is NOT keeping it. The new growing group of believers in Christ seems to be the biggest threat, so he wildly runs to and fro, jailing them and killing them, with the total agreement of the religious leaders.  Believers flee Jerusalem for safety and to fulfill Jesus’ command to take the Good News to the surrounding areas and the world.

With papers of authority to the synagogues to arrest any he found of “The Way,” Saul charges towards Damascus. But on the way, Jesus stops him with a blinding vision and a direct word. Jesus identifies with His followers when He asks Saul, “Why are you persecuting Me?” Saul, having been thrown to the ground and now blind, asks who the voice is. Jesus identifies Himself and tells Saul to go into the city and wait.

He obeys and spends three blind days praying (and perhaps receiving clarity about the Scriptures he sought to protect and how they related to Jesus as the Messiah, much like the two on the road to Emmaus).  Then, a believer named Ananias fearfully obeys God, comes to Saul, and touches his eyes. Saul’s blindness leaves and the Holy Spirit enters his soul.  He is immediately baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah.

Full of the Holy Spirit and the corrected teaching of the Law concerning Jesus, Saul immediately starts proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues in Damascus, saying, “Jesus is the Son of God.”  At first the people could not believe he was the same man whose threats they feared. But Saul increased in wisdom concerning the Scriptures, proving that Jesus was the Christ, and they embraced him.

Now, of course, it is Saul whose life is in danger from the Jews. And the believers smuggle him out of the city at night in a basket let down over the wall.

(NOTE:  This may be when Saul spent three years in Arabia, studying and receiving direct revelation from God about Jesus in the Scriptures, preparing him to go to the Gentiles with the Good News. See Galatians 1:11-17)

Next, Saul goes to Jerusalem and attempts to join the disciples, but they are still fear him. Barnabas – that “son of encouragement” – takes Saul under his wing and vouches for him. So Saul boldly preaches the Good News and disputes with the very Hellenists in the synagogue he’d belonged to. But they seek to kill him, as they had done to Stephen, so the brothers send him back to his hometown of Tarsus in Cilicia, where he ministers for years.   And the church multiplies.

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Meanwhile, Peter is ministering along the coast at Lydda. He preaches to the believers there and heals a man who’d been crippled for eight years, causing many more to turn to the Lord.

Next, he goes north to Joppa and learns that a saintly woman, Tabitha (Dorcas is her Greek name), who did many good works of charity, has died. He goes to there and sees all the sewing she’s done for the poor. He goes into the house, kneels down, and speaks to her body, “Tabitha, arise,” and she is raised to life.  Many more believe in the Lord.

Next, Peter goes to Simon, the tanner, and stays in Joppa with him.

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Acts 10.

In Caesarea, about 30 miles north of Joppa, there is a Roman Centurion named Cornelius.  He is a devout man who fears God, with all his household.  He continually prays to God and is generous with giving alms. One day, he receives a vision of an angel (who terrifies him). The angel says his prayers and alms have been noticed by God.  The angel directs Cornelius to Joppa to escort Simon Peter back to his house. The next day, he sends a couple servants and a soldier to Joppa.

Meanwhile, back in Joppa, it’s noon, and Peter is hungry. While he’s waiting for lunch, God shows him a vision, repeated three times. (Peter is good with threes, it seems!)  A colossal sheet is let down – from Heaven – containing all kinds of “unclean” animals, like reptiles, raptors, camels, hogs, and rabbits.  Peter is told to kill and eat them.

“NO WAY!” says the ex-fisherman. “I have NEVER eaten anything common or unclean.”

THREE TIMES this happens. (Sigh)

Peter is left perplexed as to what the vision might mean. But he doesn’t have to wait long, for the men (Gentiles and “unclean”) that Cornelius sent have arrived at his door.  While he might hesitate to let these men into the house, Peter gets another word from God.  “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”

Peter goes beyond listening to these men. He invites them in as his guests to eat and stay the night!

The next morning, Peter – and a few brothers as witnesses – goes with them on the journey back to Caesarea.

At Caesarea, after a little hesitation, Peter and the brothers go into this Gentile home, which is now crowded with people eager to hear what he says.  The story of the vision is told (and maybe Peter’s visions as well).  And so, Peter opens his mouth and preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who is Lord over all, now going to  “people of every nation who believe.”

At the end of his sermon about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, and the offer of forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name to all who believe…. OH MY!  The Holy Spirit falls on this room full of Gentiles, and they speak with other tongues and praise God – just like Peter and the others at Pentecost!

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” declares Peter, amazed.  He commands them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then he stays there some days (teaching them the scriptures concerning Jesus).

NOTE:  The door to “the uttermost part of the world” has been opened. Peter has used his “keys of the kingdom” to unlock it.  He must do a little explaining to the group in Jerusalem, but then God has His powerful ambassador, Saul/Paul, poised to step through that door with the message to the then-known world. Jesus Saves!

All praise and glory to Jesus and to God Supreme!

2024GOAL – Reading Through The Bible Chronologically, day 320

Nov16

Day 320—We are in the ELEVENTH month of Bible reading and studying The ACTS of the Apostles with the LETTERS of the Apostles.

Day 320 – Acts 1 – 3 (Jesus last appearance, His ascension, Holy Spirit, preaching and converts, miracle healing)

Acts 1.

While Jesus was still on earth, He ordered His disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for “the promise of the Father, the baptism with the Holy Spirit.

They asked Jesus WHEN He was going to restore the kingdom of Israel. Jesus told them it wasn’t for them to know, only the Father.  FIRST, they were to be witnesses for Him throughout the whole earth, beginning in Jerusalem and spiraling out.  Then – before their very eyes – Jesus was lifted up to heaven, disappearing in a cloud.  They stared and stared until two angels called them back to reality.  “This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw Him go.”

When they returned to the city from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus had ascended, they all met together in the upper room. 120 were all of one accord and devoted themselves to prayer.  Peter, taking his position as leader, brought up the topic of Judas. Their first order of business after praying was to choose a disciple to replace him. When two men’s names were put before them – men who had been with Jesus from His baptism by John until His ascension – they prayed again and cast lots.  Matthias was chosen to join the eleven. (See Proverbs 16:33.)

(NOTE: This was the last time the Old Testament method of revealing God’s will was used. After the Holy Spirit came and indwelt them, it was not necessary.)

Acts 2.

Finally, the day of Pentecost arrived. (50 days after Passover, and a time to show God gratitude for the beginning of their harvest season*.)  And while the 120 men and women were together in the upper room….suddenly, from heaven, a SOUND like a mighty rushing wind was heard, filling the entire house.  Divided TONGUES AS OF FIRE appeared to them and rested on each one. THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Outside the house were crowds of Jews and Gentile converts who had come to Jerusalem for the Feasts.  At the sound of the wind and the speaking, they came together to investigate.  They each heard the 120 speaking the mighty works of God in the language of their own country. They were bewildered, amazed, and astonished.

“Are not these all Galileans?”

“How is it that we hear each of us in our own native language?” (16 languages are named)

“What does this mean?”

“They must be filled with new wine.”

But Peter, the bold, outspoken, sometimes foolish disciple, is now filled with the Holy Spirit and power from above. “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem…these people are NOT DRUNK, since it’s only 9:00 am. THIS is what the prophet JOEL said.”  (He quotes Joel 2:28-32, about how, in the last days, God’s Spirit will be poured out on all flesh, and they will speak, prophesy, and do signs and wonders. And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Then he preaches a powerful sermon about how the righteous Jesus was put to death by lawless men, but God raised Him up.  He quotes other scriptures as if he were a studied rabbi but solely empowered by the Spirit.  He tells them “we all are witnesses of the resurrection!”

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

These Spirit-empowered words cut to the hearts of the multitude. “Brothers, what shall we do??”

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins!” And with many other words, Peter bore witness and continued to exhort them. And those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about 3,000 souls.

And all these devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Day by day, they attended the temple together, broke bread in their homes, and praised God.

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 3.

One day, on the way to the temple, Peter and John saw a beggar near the gate called the Beautiful Gate, asking for alms.  The two apostles fixed their eyes on him and said, “Look at us.”  The man looked at them, expecting some hand-outs.  But Peter said those words that have been made into a wonderful children’s song, “Silver and gold have I none. But such as I have, give I to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Peter took the man by the hand and pulled him up, and IMMEDIATELY, his feet and ankles were healed. And he went with them “walking and leaping and praising God” into the Temple.  And all who saw him were “filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.”

Taking advantage of the crowds, Peter again preaches a powerful sermon, denying they had any power to heal except what God gave them in Jesus’ name.

“The God of our fathers glorified His servant Jesus, WHOM YOU DENIED in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release Him. YOU DENIED THE HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS ONE and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and YOU KILLED THE AUTHOR OF LIFE, whom God raised from the dead.”

“REPENT THEREFORE and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.”

And while they were speaking…… (Continued tomorrow.)