Tag Archive | Bible

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

Dec8

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 341 – Reading – Romans 1 – 3

Day 342 – Reading – Romans 4 – 7

Read and believe in Jesus!

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

SUNDAY – Day 341 – Romans 1.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Romans 2.

Paul nails that thought down even tighter.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Romans 3. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MONDAY – Day 342 – Romans 4.

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

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

Praise God!  And not to Abraham only.

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

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Romans 5.

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

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

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

Paul then reminds them of how it all happened.

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

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

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Romans 6.

Paul says it gets even closer to Home. 

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

Amen and amen!

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Romans 7.

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 331

Nov27

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

Read and believe in Jesus!

1 & 2 Thessalonians

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

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

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

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1 Thessalonians

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

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Encouraging the church.

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

Oh, how we should encourage other believers like this.

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Answering false allegations

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

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Comforting the persecuted flock

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

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Expressing joy in their faith

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

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

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Reminders of the importance of moral purity

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

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Condemning the “sluggard” lifestyle

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

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Correcting their understanding of prophetic events.

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

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

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

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Defusing tensions within the flock

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

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Exhortations on the basics of Christian Living.

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

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Benediction

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

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2 Thessalonians

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

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

Paul comforted the persecuted believers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Paul confronted the disobedient and undisciplined believers.

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

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

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

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Benediction

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

 

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

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 329

Nov25

Day 329 – Reading – Galatians 4 – 6

Read and believe in Jesus!

Galatians 4.

Paul continues his letter, urging the new believers in those four churches in Galatia to hold fast to their faith. He first scolds them, calling them foolish,  and then pleads with them not to go back into the “slavery” of justification by good works.

  • “STAND FAST in the liberty in which Christ has set you free. BE NOT ENTANGLED with the yoke of bondage.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for ANYTHING.”  Only FAITH in Christ’s atoning work on the Cross.”

Paul gives an example from the Old Testament of believing in God totally VS depending on our own strength for righteousness.”  Abraham’s son, Ishmael, was conceived by Hagar from Abraham (and Sarah’s) own self-will.  But Isaac was the son whom God planned and promised. He was conceived and born way after the time Sarah could naturally become pregnant.  Hagar represents receiving the promises of God by the “flesh” (Paul says, Mount Sinai and the Law), while Sarah represents “faith” and the Heavenly Jerusalem.

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Galatians 5

Don’t go back to a system that put a heavy yoke on you, and it didn’t work to make you righteous! 

  • Walk by the Spirit of God. 
  • If you are led by the Spirit, you are NOT under the law. 
  • The WORKS of the flesh are impure, sinful, evil, mean, argumentative, divisive, and selfish. If you do those things, you will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 
  • Live by the Spirit. 
  • The Spirit’s fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, and against all of these there is no law.
  • Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 
  • If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  

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Galatians 6.

Paul writes further, illustrating how a person lives by the Spirit in all goodness.

Restore a brother who is caught in a transgression … in a spirit of gentleness. 

Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the “law” of Christ (which is love).

Do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

  • “Be not deceived.  God is not mocked.  Whatever you sow, that is what you will reap. The one who sows to his own flesh, will from the flesh reap corruption.  But the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

And remember, those who want YOU to be circumcised want it so THEY can boast in you.  THEY don’t keep the law; they just want YOU to so they can boast. 

As for me, I “boast” only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.   Circumcision doesn’t matter!! Only being a new creation in Christ matters. 

And to all of you who think this way, “Peace and Mercy” be upon you, and upon the Israel of God. 

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. 

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Days 327 & 328

Nov24

SUNDAY and MONDAY studies are posted together on Mondays

Day 327 – Reading – Acts 15 – 16.

Day 328 – Reading – Galatians 1 – 3

Read and believe in Jesus!

SUNDAY – Day 327 – Acts 15 – 16.

The trouble begins. Some Pharisee-believers were appalled that “Gentiles” were believing in the Jewish Messiah and were welcomed into the synagogue services.  They still looked “unclean” to these ultra strict believers.  Shouldn’t they have to “become Jews” before being accepted?  Be circumcised?  Eat kosher? Keep the Levitical laws?

A group of these men traveled to the source of the problem – Antioch, where these Messiah-believers were called “Christians” (Christ ones).  These men began teaching the laws of Moses that they were so familiar with.  Circumcision equaled Salvation. 

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Paul and Barnabas disputed hotly.  “Salvation is by faith, not keeping the Jewish laws. WE couldn’t keep them, why put them on the Gentile believers?”

And so Paul and Barnabas, along with these men, were sent to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to “settle” the question.  A huge debate ensued.

Peter stood up and repeated his experience with the family of the Roman Centurion, how, when they believed in the redemptive work of Jesus, the Messiah, they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit (just as the apostles were) and spoke in other tongues.  The only other requirement from Jesus was baptism, and these Gentile believers had been baptized. 

Paul and Barnabas also joined in with the many Gentiles in their ministry in Galatia, who had believed and received the Holy Spirit. Their hearts, too, had been cleansed by their faith.  How could this Council put  God to the test by adding Jewish rites to their faith?

When they finished speaking, James briefly reviewed the testimonies of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, then he quoted God in Amos 9:11, 12, “”I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles, who are called by My Name…”

James:  “Therefore, my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should WRITE TO THEM to 1.) abstain from the things polluted by idols, and 2.) from sexual immorality, and 3.) from meat that has been strangled, and blood.”   

(These requirements were not to assure salvation, but to make worship between Jews and Gentiles more compatible, since they were mainly meeting in synagogues.)

This seemed good to the apostles, elders, and the whole church.  They appointed two men to take the letter to Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia, with Paul and Barnabas.  The sent Silas, and Judas Barsabbas (one of the two qualified, but not chosen, disciples considered to replace Judas Iscariot in the twelve. See Acts 1:23)

At Antioch, they gathered the congregation together and read the letter.  Everyone rejoiced because of its encouragement.  Judas and Silas, also prophets, stayed and encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.  

Judas returned to Jerusalem, but it seemed good to Silas to remain there.

After a while, Paul decided that he and Barnabas should “visit the brothers in the cities where they proclaimed the word of the Lord and see how they were doing.”

Barnabas was cool with that and sent for his cousin John Mark, meaning to take him along again.  However, Paul strongly disagreed, fearing that Barnabas’s young cousin would disrupt the team again and fly off home at the first struggle.

Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement, and they even separated.  But God used it for good.  Paul asked Silas to accompany him, while Barnabas took the young John Mark.  Now, two teams were going out with the Good News! 

Barnabas headed again to his homeland, Cyprus, to strengthen the new believers, and even the Roman Proconsul.   

Paul took Silas and headed back to the cities of Galatia, going overland this time through Syria and Cilicia, instead of sailing to Perga. They met and strengthened the believers in the cities of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia.

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Acts 16.

When Paul and Silas came to Derbe, they met a young believer named Timothy. His mother was Jewish, but his father was Greek. (This meant he was NOT circumcised.)  He had a godly mom and grandma who taught him well in the Scriptures, and was well spoken of by the believers there and in Lystra and Iconium.

Paul wanted Timothy to join the team on this second missionary journey.  Because Paul’s practice was to go FIRST to the Jews, he didn’t want Timothy to be a hindrance.  So he circumcised the young man.  NOT to make sure he was saved, but so there would be less hassle among the Jews.  Paul’s outlook was to be all things to all people, so he could win some.

As Paul and Silas, and now Timothy went through the cities, they shared the letter from the Council, stating  the three things of agreement, that would help Jews and Gentile believers to worship together in love.

Paul’s aim was to head north-west into Asia, but the Holy Spirit hindered him. Paul then headed for Bithynia and south to Mysia, but got the same caution word from Jesus.  No, not here, now.  So he led the team to Troas, a coastal city on the Aegean Sea. Where was God leading them?  Were they to hop a boat and return home?  Were they to go to Greece?

That night, Paul had a vision of a desperate man in Macedonia, standing there, urging Paul to “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”  So, in the morning, the team caught a boat and sailed across the Aegean to Macedonia to preach the Good News to them.

In Troas, Paul also picked up Dr. Luke, who joined his mission team. (We don’t know when Luke was saved, perhaps in Troas when Paul was waiting for direction, or maybe from on of the other cities in Galatia.

The newly expanded team sailed to Samothrace, then Neapolis, and finally to Philippi, the leading city in the district and a Roman colony. 

After a few days, on the Sabbath, they went outside the city to the seaside, where they “supposed” there was a place of prayer (???).  There, they spoke to some godly women who had come together. One was a wealthy woman named Lydia.  She was a “seller” of rare purple cloth and a worshipper of God.

As Paul preached about Jesus, she listened carefully. The Lord opened her heart, and she believed.  After she and “her house” were baptized, she invited Paul and company to stay in her house.  So they made their headquarters there.

One day, when they were going back to that place of prayer to preach, they came upon a slave girl who had a spirit of divination.  She brought her owners much income through fortune-telling.  She followed Paul and the group crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation. 

While this was absolutely true, she followed them for days, hindering Paul’s ministry.  Finally, he turned to her and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” It did, and she was free.

But her owners were furious.  There went their means of income. They seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the magistrates. 

The rulers stripped Paul and Silas, gave orders to beat them with many rods, and put them into prison, their feet fastened in stocks.

Wow.  

Did the missionaries pout and moan about their wounds and predicament?  Nope. They sang songs of praise to God and prayed.  And all their “captive” audience listened.  

Suddenly, there was an earthquake.  What next???  The foundations of the prison shook, and all the cell doors were opened.  All chains fell off, and their stocks broke open.  Whoa, a “good” earthquake. Everyone sat perfectly still. None tried to escape.

The jailor rushed into the jailhouse, carrying his dagger, ready to kill himself, for if any prisoner escaped, that would be his punishment..

“WAIT!!” cried Paul.  “We are all here!”

The jailor got torches and looked around. Sure enough, while the cell doors were open, all inmates were still inside.  With fear and trembling, the jailor came to Paul, and fell to his knees.

“Sir, what must tI do to be saved?”

“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”  And Paul preached the Gospel to him and to all the prisoners.

The believing jailor took Paul and Silas into his own house, bathed their wounds, and fed them.  And he rejoiced with his household.   And somewhere inside, these new believers were baptized.

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The next day, the magistrates thought the men had learned their lesson and sent the police to let them go.  But Paul and Silas refused!!

 Yes, refused to go.  Paul said, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned men, who are ROMAN CITIZENS, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly?  NO! Let them come themselves and take us out.

When the police reported these words to the magistrates, that they were Roman Citizens, the magistrates came quickly and apologized to them.  They they escorted them out, and asked them (politely) to leave the city,

So they visited Lydia one last time, and encouraged them.  Then they departed for…. 

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MONDAY – Day 328 – Galatians

Galatians was written by Paul to the four churches he established in Southern Galatia during his and Barnabas’ first missionary journey: Antioch (Pisidian), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

After returning from that trip, some Judaizers (ultra orthodox believing Pharisees) came to the home church and began teaching that the “Christians” there had to become Jews before they were saved. (Circumcision. Kosher laws, etc.)  Paul was furious, saying that Faith in Jesus alone for salvation is all that is needed. Doing “works of the law” did not save a person. 

On Paul’s second missionary trip with Silas, he shared the official letter written by James at the Jerusalem Council, stating only 3 things that the Gentile believers were to do, and these could not save them but were asked so both peoples could worship together without offense.

But the unbelieving Jews in these towns, as well as the Judaizers from Jerusalem, put strong pressure on these new Gentile Christians to “conform” to the Jewish image.  Some were caving in.  We see that even Peter (!!!) did when he visited there, and Paul had to publicly reprimand him.

It’s believed that this book was written by Paul from Ephesus. 

Galatians 1,

After introducing himself and giving a quickie Gospel portion, Paul tells the reason for the letter in “heated” words.

  • “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel (not that there is one), but there are some there who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”
  • “If we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached, LET HIM BE ACCURSED!”  (Then Paul repeats that statement for emphasis.)

Then Paul gives some of his credentials, elevating his authority OVER the believing Pharisees.  HE received the Gospel, not from men, but by revelation of Jesus Christ.

Paul admits that he “advanced in Judaism beyond any his age, so extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers, that he murdered any who opposed them.”

 

But God, who called Paul by His grace and revealed His Son to him so he could preach to the Gentiles. For three years in the Arabian desert, Jesus was revealed to him from the Scriptures.  Then he briefly saw Peter and James in Jerusalem, before going back home to Cilicia to “practice” preaching what he know. 

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Galatians 2.

Three years later (14 in all) he went to Jerusalem again and was taken into full apostleship, to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. A Greek “brother”, Titus, was with him, and they did not require him to be circumcised. 

The Jerusalem Church Council okayed Paul to go to the Gentiles with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the same as Peter was entrusted with the Gospel to the Jews. James, John, and Peter gave Paul the “right hand of fellowship.”  

Paul then mentions a time when Peter came to the original Antioch.  He was gladly fellowshipping and eating with Gentiles.  But when some Judaizers came, Peter excused himself and went to eat only with the Jewish believers.  Even Barnabas, did the same, copying Peter’s example. Paul had to call them out. 

  • “If YOU, Peter, though a jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew…. how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews.”
  • Then Paul again states the Gospel message of Faith Alone.  “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but though faith in Jesus Christ, so… we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, AND NOT BY WORKS OF THE LAW, because by works of the law NO ONE WILL BE JUSTIFIED!”
  • And his personal testimony.  “I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

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Galatians 3.

You can hear Paul’s frustrations with the Galatians leaning toward works for salvation.

  • “O foolish Galatians!  WHO has bewitched you?  Let me ask you this question. ‘Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law… or the hearing of faith?’  FOOLISH GALATIANS!  Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh (works)?  Does He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, do so by works of the law… or by hearing with faith?”
  • “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us… so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.”
  • “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith,  For as many as you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  You are all ONE in Christ Jesus.”

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You can hear that Paul is just getting wound up.  In the next chapters he will go into even more of the difference between their position in Christ by faith, and  works.  He will plead with them.  They are FREE. don’t go back into the “yoke of slavery.”   Walk by the Spirit, Be filled with the Sprit’s fruit, and live by the Spirit.  (TOMRROW)

 

 

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 316

Nov13

Day 316 – Reading – Matthew 27 and Mark 15

Read and believe in Jesus!

Matthew 27 and Mark 15 cover the Roman trials of Jesus, His crucifixion, and His burial (as will Luke and John in tomorrow’s study).   It’s good to take a long, hard look at what Jesus endured to secure our salvation. He received the judgment that was rightly ours in God’s sight.  

 

Jesus Delivered to Pilate.

The Jewish Sanhedrin condemned Jesus to death for blasphemy in their three “mock’ trials, because He said -under oath – that He WAS the Son of God.  Under Roman rule, the Jews did not have the power to execute someone.  This fulfilled prophecy, because Jesus was to “hang on a tree” and not be stoned.  And so they bound Jesus and led Him to Governor Pilate.

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Judas Hangs himself

Judas must have been hanging around the courts too, because when he saw that Jesus was actually condemned to death, he changed his mind.  He brought back the thirty pieces of silver he’d earned to betray Jesus. Was he hoping to stop the execution??

Judas: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood!“

The Jews: “What is that to us?  See to it yourself.“

Judas threw the silver coins into the Temple, and went out and hung himself.

The Jews, picking up the coins, said, “Well, it is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” Instead, they purchased the potter’s field as a place to bury strangers. (This also fulfilled prophecy. (See Zechariah 11:12-13.)

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Jesus Stands Before Pilate

Pilate asks Jesus a question, right off, because this is a crime against Caesar, and He could give the death sentence the jews wanted.  “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus agreed.  Meanwhile, outside the chief priests and elders were shouting accusations.  Pilate turned to Jesus, “Have You no answer to make?  See how many charges they bring against you?”  But Jesus was silent.

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The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

Pilate went out to the crowds of people gathered outside.  At Passover, it was his custom to release one of his prisoners to them.  Currently, he had one nasty dude, an insurrectionist and a murderer, Barabbas.  Surely, in comparison, the people would want Jesus. 

“Do you want me to release to you the ‘king of the Jews?’  But the Jews had roused the people to call for the criminal.

“Barabbas!”

“Then what should I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?”

“Crucify Him!”

“Why?  What evil has he done?”

“Crucify Him! Crucify Him!”  

The Jewish leaders had done their job well, exiting the crowd who had called Jesus their king less than a week earlier, to now scream for Him to be crucified.

Pilate took a bowl of water, and in the sight of the crowd and leaders, “washed his hands.”  “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.”

And they all answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”

Pilate released Barabbas, had Jesus scourged, and sent Him to be crucified.

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Jesus is Mocked

Pilate’s soldiers sought to have some fun with the prisoner before they took Him to be crucified.  They stripped Jesus, and put on Him a scarlet robe, and a “crown” they twisted from some thorns, handing him a stick as a scepter.   They kneeled before him and mocked him. “Hail, King of the Jews!”  They spit on him and took the stick and beat Him on the head.  Then they stripped Him of the red robe, put His own clothes back on and led Jesus away to be crucified.

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The Crucifixion

As Jesus climbed Golgotha’s hill, the soldiers conscripted a strong man to carry His cross. It was a man from Cyrene, named Simon. 

When they arrived at the ‘Place of the Skull,’ they offered him a drink of drugged wine to dull the pain, but Jesus refused.  They took off his clothes, dividing them among themselves by casting lots.  And they nailed him to the cross.  Over his head, in the place reserved for the list of crimes committed by the prisoner,  they nailed a sign that Pilate sent along.  it said, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews” in three languages.

Two robbers were also crucified with Jesus. They put one on either side of Him.

And then the mocking began. 

“You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself!”

“If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”

“He saved others, but He cannot save Himself!”

“Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.”

“He trust in God; let God deliver Him now.”

And the robbers on either side of Jesus also mocked Him.
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The Death of Jesus

At noon, darkness spread over the whole land for three hours.

About 3:00 p.m., Jesus cried out, “Eli, Eli, Lama sabachthani?” (My God, my God, why have You forsaken me.)

Some thought Jesus was crying out for Elijah and ran to get a sponge so He could speak more.

“No, wait, let’s see whether Elijah will come and take him down.”

Jesus cried out with a loud voice (“It is finished!”) and breathed His last breath, yielding up His Spirit.

THEN! 

—–The veil in the Temple that covered the Most Holy Place was torn in two from the TOP to the Bottom.

—–The earth shook and rocks were split.

—–Tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints were raised, coming out of their tombs.

The Centurion who saw the earthquake and what happened was filled with awe.  “Truly, this was the Son of God!”

There were also women watching from a distance who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him.

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Jesus is Buried.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, a respected member of the Council, who was also a disciple of Jesus.  He (took courage) and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised that Jesus was dead already and asked the Centurion. When he learned Jesus WAS dead, he ordered His body to be given to Joseph.  Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb.  He rolled a great stone to the entrance and went away.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there and saw when Joseph put Jesus’ body.

The next day, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate.

“Sir, we remember how that imposter said, while he was still alive, that after three days, He would rise.  Therefore, order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. The last fraud would be worse than the first.”

Pilate: “Here’s a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

So they sealed the stone of the tomb and set a guard.

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 302

Oct29

Day 302 – Reading – John 11

Read and believe in Jesus!

John 11.

THIS Lazarus (brother to Martha & Mary) is not the same as the poor beggar, Lazarus, who sat begging at the rich man’s gate, died, and went to Abraham’s side, in yesterday’s reading.  This man is probably the youngest of the three siblings in a semi-wealthy family. Not rich by any means, but owning a house that could accommodate Jesus and His disciples. 

The Setting:  Jesus and His disciples are way North-East of the Holy City, on the other side of the Jordan River. Jesus had barely escaped being stoned to death for blasphemy in Jerusalem by the Jews. He was well aware of the events that must occur before Passover and His death, and He adjusted His ways.  He later referenced this when He said that the daylight was only for twelve hours each day, and He must “work” while it was light, before the darkness came.

Anyway, while there, a message comes to Him from Martha and Mary. “Lord, he whom You love is ill.” There was no demand for Him to come, although it was probably in their hearts.  Just a statement of need.

(Why aren’t our prayers so simple?  Why do we usually try to plan out all the ways God could answer our desperate needs?)

Jesus immediately tells his disciples that Lazarus’ illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, and so the Son may also be glorified through it. They rest at ease.  Jesus loved this family, but He deliberately stayed two more days where he was.  The disciples didn’t question Him.

Finally, another message arrives saying, “Lazarus is dead.” 

Without sharing that news with His men, Jesus announces, “Let us go to Judea again.”  This confounded them.  If He didn’t go when His friend was sick, why was He going now?  It was dangerous there.  He was a “wanted man.” 

“Rabbi!’ they cried. “The jews were just now seeking to stone you, and you are going there again?”

“Our friend, Lazarus, has ‘fallen asleep,’  but I go to ‘awaken him.’“

“Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover!” they cry.

“Lazarus is dead,” Jesus said plainly. “And for YOUR sake, I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.  Let us go to him.”

Thomas, that melancholy disciple, looked around at his fellows and said with a sigh, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.”

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By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany (only 2 miles from Jerusalem), Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. When Martha heard that Jesus was near, she went out to meet him.  “Lord! If You had been here, my brother would not have died!” Then she steadied herself. “But even now I know that whatever You ask from God, God will give you.”

Jesus: “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha: “I know that he will rise again… in the resurrection on the Last Day.”

Jesus: “I AM the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, THOUGH HE DIES, yet shall he live. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this?”

Martha: “Yes, Lord; I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

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After proclaiming that truth, Martha went to Mary and told her privately (for there were many well-wishers around), that “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.”

Mary rose quickly and went to Him.  When she saw Him, she fell at His feet. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  (Surely the sisters had been saying that to each other for days.)

Jesus spoke to Mary much differently than to Martha.  He responded not in an intellectual way, as with Martha, but purely emotionally, like Mary herself.  He was greatly “moved” in His spirit, and wept with her.  “Where have you laid him?” He asked.  “Lord, come and see.”  

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Jesus was totally overwhelmed again when He arrived at the tomb with Mary.  Martha had gone there earlier. 

Jesus: “Take away the stone.”  (The tomb was a cave with a large stone rolled over the opening.) 

Martha: “Lord, by this time there will be a death odor, for he has been dead FOUR days.”

Jesus: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

Martha stared at Him a moment, and then commanded that they take away the stone covering the tomb’s entrance.

Jesus looked to heaven and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I know that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

Then, He shouted ……. “Lazarus, come out!”

Breathless silence, then…..

The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. (a living mummy)

“Unbind him, and let him go,” Jesus said.

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Many of the Jews who had come to comfort Mary and Martha SAW what Jesus did, and believed in Him.  However, (HOW CAN THIS BE TRUE???) some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.

The chief priests and Pharisees gathered the Council and said, “WHAT are we TO DO?  This man performs many signs. If we let Him go on like this … everyone will believe in Him…. and then the Romans will come and take away both our place, and our nation!”

Caiaphas, the high priest that year, coolly responded, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that …. it is better for you that ONE MAN should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”

(He didn’t realize that, as high priest, he was prophesying for God, that Jesus would die, not only for the nation of Israel, but to gather into ONE the children of God who are scattered abroad.)

And so, from that day on, they made plans to put Jesus to death.

Jesus, fully aware of His approaching trial and death, went with His men, about 12 miles north of Jerusalem, to a town near the wilderness, until it was time for His triumphal entry into the Holy City as the Messiah.

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Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, people were looking for and talking about Jesus. “What do you think? Will He not come to the festival at all?”

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Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 301

Oct28

Day 301 – Reading – Luke 16 – 17

Read and believe in Jesus!

Luke 16.

Jesus teaches TWO more in parables, which seem to be about wealth and what one does with it, leading off from the Prodigal Son who wasted half a fortune.

Do the religious leaders who stalk Jesus understand?

Do the crowds hear what He is saying and apply it?

Are the disciples confused?

The first parable seems to be taught to the disciples. 

  • The Dishonest Manager. (Actually, all the characters in this parable are dishonest and corrupt.)  A wealthy man (Rich) had a manager (Manny) who oversaw everything in his master’s estate, including buying, selling, distributing, and collecting debts in his master’s name.   (Think of the righteous Joseph in Potiphar’s house.) Rich had nothing to worry about as long as Manny was on the job. He went out golfing almost every day.
  • But, unknown to Rich, Manny was wasting his wealth by pilfering, embezzling, or just not paying attention. The news reached Rich, and he brought charges against Manny.  He told his worker he had to “turn in the books.”  He was fired.
  • “What shall I do?” Manny asked himself. “I can’t do physical labor” (too fat, with soft hands and flabby muscles), “and I’m ashamed to beg.” (a big shudder)   “I know!” he said at last. “When I’m kicked out here, I’ll find a place among my ex-master’s debtors.”
  • Manny went around with the books and marked their debts as partly paid. No longer did they owe 200 Denarii, but 150, or even 100.  The greedy debtors (Dexter, Daniel, and Debby) gleefully signed the books. “Sure… We’ve got a spare room.  Any time,” they offered. Now both parties were guilty of fraud.
  • Of course, Rick discovered this when he went to collect what was owed. All the bills were signed and stamped, so he could do nothing.  And being a deceptive man himself, Rich recognized and applauded Manny’s shrewdness. (Hear that slow clap?)

Jesus turned to his disciples, who all had puzzled expressions.  “The sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.”

What did THAT mean?

“I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings,”  Jesus continued.

Huh?

Believers are to use their Master’s “money” to gain friends for eternity, by investing in the Gospel that brings sinners to salvation. When believers arrive in Heaven, those sinners will be there to welcome them.

And then, Jesus’ well know declaration: “No servant can serve two masters. He will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.  YOU CANNOT SERVE GOD AND MONEY.”

The Pharisees ridiculed Jesus, of course, because they were lovers of money.

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The second parable is also about wealth, but how it will fail you in a crucial time.

  • The Rich Man and Lazarus. This parable contrasts two very different men. 
  • One is a rich man (Richie), clothed in purple and fine linen. The other, Lazarus (not Martha’s brother), lay at his gate in rags, covered with sores, which dogs came and licked.
  • Richie ate sumptuously every day. Lazarus desired only to be fed the crumbs that fell from Richie’s table.
  • Eventually, the poor man died. He was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. Eventually, Richie died and was buried. He found himself in Hades, being in torment. 
  • Dimly, Richie could see far off Lazarus with Abraham.
  • “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.”
  •          (Whoa!  Richie still wants to order Lazarus around like a slave!)
  • “Sorry, Charlie (or Richie).  Remember that you, in your lifetime, received GOOD things, and Lazarus in like banner BAD things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish,” stated Abraham.”
  • “And besides all this,” Abe continued, “between us and you, a great chasm has been fixed. Neither we, nor you, can pass from here to there.”
  • Richie wailed. “Then I beg you, Father Abraham, to send him to my father’s house – for I have five brothers – so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment!”
  • (Again with the ordering Lazarus to serve!!)
  • Abraham:  “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear THEM.”
  • Richie: “No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them FROM THE DEAD, they will repent.”
  • Abraham: “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced … if Someone should rise from the dead…..”

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Luke 17.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

Jesus: “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would say to the mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

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Still traveling with his face set for Jerusalem, Jesus entered a village and met TEN LEPERS there.  They stood at a distance (as they should) and cried, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.”  (This is what one who is cleansed from leprosy would do to prove his cleansing.)

As they went, they were cleansed.   One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. (He was a Samaritan.)

Jesus: “Were not ten lepers cleansed?  Where are the nine?  Was no one found to return and give thanks to God except this foreigner?  Then looking at him, Jesus said, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

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Some Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God would come.  Jesus answered, “Behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

Then to His disciples he said, “As the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day.  But FIRST, He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.”

“Just like it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark.  And then the flood came and destroyed them all.”

“Likewise, just like it was in the days of Lot.  They were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. Then, when Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all.   

“So it will be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed.”

Whoa!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 288

Oct15

Day 288 – Reading – Mark 4 – 5

Read and believe in Jesus!

Mark 4 and 5.

There are some repeated passages here from the other Gospels. I’ll just emphasize a couple of them.

“This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, all the time.

Hide it under a bushel, No! I’m going to let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel, No! I’m going to let it shine.

Let it shine, let it shine, all the time.”

This kids’ song is from Mark 4:21-25, and the “light” it refers to is a believer’s witness or testimony of the Lord dwelling in him. Don’t hide it under “a basket” or a bed, but put it on a lampstand. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Testify of the Lord Jesus Christ at home, and out in the world. Let your light shine!

Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.”

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(Mark 4:35-41)  Then, after Jesus was sitting in a boat and teaching the crowds at the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He turned to the disciples and said, “Let us go across to the other side.”  It was toward evening, so they might have hesitated, yet, at His word, they pushed off and began rowing.  Jesus made his way to the rear of the boat and lay down across the bench. Instantly, He was asleep.

Then one of those massive storms erupted on the Sea. “A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was filling!”

One of them staggered to the stern and shook Jesus, “Master, don’t you care that we are perishing?!”

Jesus awoke, and maybe (who knows) before even sitting up, called out to the wind and sea, “Peace!  Be still!”  Instantly, the wind ceased, and there was a great calm on the Sea.

Jesus perhaps sat up then and looked around at His disciples. “Why are you so afraid?  Have you no faith?”

The disciples were maybe lacking in faith, but they sure weren’t in fear.  “They were filled with GREAT fear and asked each other, “WHO THEN IS THIS??? That even the wind and the sea obey Him??”

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This incident reminds me of Philippians 4:6-7.

“Do not be anxious about anything.

But in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving,

Let your requests be made known to God.

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

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Then, after that awesome incident, they arrived on the other (Gentile) side of the Sea. (Mark 5:1-20)

Peter and Andrew jumped out of the boat to secure it with ropes.

Jesus barely had a sandaled foot on the sand when a wild, crazy man RUSHED AT HIM, screaming.  He’d been living in the tombs, and with his bleeding, scratched skin, ragged clothes, and wild, unkempt beard and hair, he looked terrifying!   

The fishermen were about to climb back into the boat and push off when the wild man fell down at Jesus’ feet.

“What have You to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God. I beg you by God, do not torment me!” screamed the man.

While the man screamed this, Jesus commanded, “Come out of this man, you unclean spirit!”  (Whose voice do you think prevailed?)

When the screaming stopped, Jesus asked, “What is your name?”

The demon in the man answered, “My name is ‘Legion,’ for we are many. Oh, don’t send us out of the country!! Send us into those pigs!!“

Jesus looked at the massive herd of unclean swine and nodded.  Immediately, the herd – like a swarm of lemmings – plunged down the hill and off the cliff, falling into the Sea.

The herdsmen saw this and fled back to town, and people came out to see what had happened.  What they SAW was MORE amazing, although they didn’t acknowledge it.  No pigs were in sight, but the crazy man, the wild and dangerous demon-possessed man, who terrified them, was —

  • Sitting there calmly
  • Clothed
  • In his right mind.

“Go away, you Jesus!” they cried.

The disciples held the boat ready, and Jesus began to climb in.

“O Jesus,” the healed man begged. “Please let me go with You!“

Smiling, Jesus shook his head. He had a more important job than ‘disciple’ for this Gentile man.  “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” 

The ex-demoniac was to be a witness for Jesus and an evangelist.  And I can’t help but think that, like the town in Samaria that all came to the Lord at one shunned woman’s testimony, that THIS area (perhaps minus the pig owners) would do the same.  

He went away and began to proclaim in the cities of Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him.  And everyone marveled.

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(O LORD, thank you for your mercy and gentleness. Truly, like You told the disciples, You are “gentle and lowly at heart.” But Lord, I also saw your great power in these verses too!  You calmed a raging wind and sea instantly.  Creation recognized its Master and instantly obeyed!  How I wish I would do the same!  I also saw Your extreme power when thousands of demons instantly fell at your feet and immediately obeyed your word.  What a strong God I have!) 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 282

Oct9

THE NEW TESTAMENT!

Day 282 – Reading – Matthew 12, Mark 3, and Luke 6

Read and believe in Jesus!

Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6

SABBATH ARGUMENTS AND TRICKS

As in John 5 (yesterday’s study), the Sabbath Laws and healing on the Sabbath are addressed again in these chapters. Jesus never broke the commands God gave Israel about the Sabbath.  He did, however, seem to flaunt disobedience to the “traditions of man,” those extra laws that the Pharisees added to “protect” God’s Word. (As if He needed help!)

Jesus’ disciples were caught eating grain from a field they were passing.

(Did the Religious Leaders follow them everywhere??  Were they always looking for opportunities to “catch” Jesus in some “sin?”  Yes, they were!) 

But, this practice of picking a few heads of grain, rolling it in your hands to remove the husks, then crunching on the grain inside, WAS LEGAL.  In fact, it was a law that helped provide for the poor. Farmers were instructed not to harvest the edges and corners of their fields, leaving those for the needy to glean. 

THAT wasn’t the problem. The day of the week was.  Sabbath. The simple act of plucking and eating a few kernels was considered WORK.  Say what?  Well, plucking was “harvesting.”  Rolling the grain in your hands and blowing the chaff away was “winnowing.”

“YOU ARE WORKING ON THE SABBATH!” They accused.

Jesus, who knew the Scriptures FAR BETTER than the teachers of the Law, reminded them of a time when David and a few of his men were desperately hungry. They asked the priest to give them the previous day’s bread that had been in the Tabernacle on the Table of Showbread.  The priest gave it to them as an act of mercy and kindness. (This bread was usually eaten by the priests.)

Then Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 for them. “If you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.” Then Jesus added, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” HE had the right to rule over, not only THEIR rules, but also the Sabbath itself, for it was designed to worship God.  (This was another claim to deity by Jesus.)

Right after that, Jesus went to the nearby synagogue.  OF COURSE, there was a man who desperately needed healing.  (Did those rulers put the man there on purpose???)

Jesus immediately SAW the man and KNEW what they were thinking. They asked Him, “the” question, “Is it lawful TO HEAL on the Sabbath?”  They needed something to accuse him.

And again Jesus speaks of MERCY above sacrifice.  “Would you save one of your sheep who’d fallen into a pit on the Sabbath? (yes, of course)  How much more valuable is a man than a sheep?”

Then Jesus re-asks their question, slightly different, “Is it lawful to DO GOOD on the Sabbath?”

And just like that, Jesus healed the man.

And the Pharisees fumed. They went outside and conspired on how to DESTROY Jesus.

And Jesus, aware of this, went out from them. Many followed, and HE HEALED THEM ALL!”  Ha!

  • (Matthew then quotes from Isaiah about Jesus. “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not quench…”  Mercy, kindness, and justice for the needy, Jesus was an example to all.)

 

.THE TWELVE APPOINTED

Jesus slipped away for some quiet time with his followers.  He called twelve of them to be His appointed apostles (messengers). He would later send them out to preach on their own (as practice for later).

He called Simon Peter; James, and John (the sons of Zebedee, which Jesus named “Sons of Thunder”);  He called Peter’s brother, Andrew; and Philip; Bartholomew (Nathaniel); and Matthew (Levi); and Thomas (the melancholy one; another James who was the son of Alphaeus; and Thaddaeus (another Judas, the son of James); Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him.

A motley crew, indeed. I wonder how the Zealot and the ex-tax collector got along. How did Judas “Iscariot” (meaning “a man of the city”) get along with all those fishermen? Was his “city” background why they appointed him group treasurer?  Jesus knew all their hearts and their potential.

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DEMONS AND DEVILS VS THE HOLY SPIRIT

Some in the crowds of people Jesus healed were filled with unclean spirits (demons).  When Jesus forced them out by His command, those devils often cried out, “You are the Son of God!”  Jesus silenced them. He did NOT want the testimony of the agents of Satan.

But some of the people who saw and heard picked up on this and asked, “CAN this be the Son of David (Messiah)?

When the Scribes and Pharisees heard what they were saying, they rushed to refute it. 

“It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this Man casts out demons.” 

(Gasp!  Clutch your heart!!)

Jesus responded. “Now that is downright foolish.  If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against HIMSELF. How will his kingdom stand?  But I cast out demons by THE SPIRIT OF GOD, so the Kingdom of God has come upon you. WHOEVER is not with Me and does not gather with Me… scatters. 

And then Jesus defends the precious Spirit of God, the third person of the Holy Trinity.

  • “Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but not the blasphemy against the Spirit. Whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will NOT be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

“Either make the tree good so the fruit is good, or make the tree bad, so it produces bad fruit. THE TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT.   You brood of vipers!  How can you speak good, when you are evil???

And then the portion that we often recite.

  • Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
  • The good person, out of his good treasure, brings forth good.
  • The evil person, out of his evil treasure, speaks forth evil.
  • On Judgment Day, people will give account for EVERY CARELESS WORD they speak.
  • By your WORDS you will be justified, and by your WORDS you will be condemned.

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A SIGN FROM JONAH

Not afraid of Jesus’ fiery answer, the Scribes and Pharisees come back at Jesus, asking Him to do some “wondrous” sign.”  They want to see a sign, a miracle, a wonder.

“No sign will be given to YOU, but the sign of the prophet Jonah.”

  • Three days and nights Jonah was in the belly of the great fish.
  • So the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights.

“Those men of Nineveh (who repented at Jonah’s words) will rise up on Judgment Day and CONDEMN this generation ….. for someone greater than Jonah is here.”

“The queen of Sheba will ALSO rise up in judgment with this generation and CONDEMN it.  She came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon ….. and something greater than Solomon is here.”

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A MOM IS WORRIED

When Jesus’ family saw and heard Jesus speaking, and saw the crowds pressing in on Him, and watched the angry religious leaders threatening Him, they tried to rescue Jesus.  They may have tried to excuse His exuberance by saying, “He’s out of his mind.”

The crowds around Him noticed the distraught mom with her other sons, and, while He was still speaking, said to Jesus, “Your mother and your brothers are outside seeking You.”

Looking around Him at the crowd who was sitting around him, Jesus said with outspread arms, “HERE are my mother and my brothers! For whosoever does the will of God, he is my brother, sister, and mother.”

Jesus was not “dissing” his earthly family. He was emphasizing the importance of SPIRITUAL relationships.  After all, his own family needed Him as Savior. (See John 7:5)  And besides that, even in His intense physical pain on the cross a few years later, Jesus carefully put His mother into the hands of His beloved disciple, John. (See John 19:26-27)

 

 

 

 

Journaling through the Bible Chronologically in 2025, Day 280

Oct7

THE NEW TESTAMENT!

Day 280 – Reading – Matthew 8 and Mark 2

Read and believe in Jesus!

Matthew and Mark

In these two chapters, we see a flurry of miracles by Jesus – healings and deliverances – and some thorny questions answered. 

Matthew 8.

Again, Jesus meets a leper, a man filled with faith. He responds by touching and healing him. Our sinless Savior does NOT become unclean, but instead extends His own “cleanness” to the man. He then tells him to go to the Priest, as the law requires, to prove healing.

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Before it was a city official, but now it is a Roman Centurion who comes to Jesus asking for healing for someone at home.  He tells Jesus that there is no need for Jesus to come in person, because he, a centurion, is a man of command. He recognizes that Jesus is, too.  “Say the word and my servant will be healed.”

Jesus is amazed at this Gentile’s faith, and says, “Go, let it be done for you according to your faith.”

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Crowds begin to press against Jesus and his disciples, so He calls for a boat to go to the other side of Galilee. Before it’s ready, a scribe comes up to Him and vows, “I will follow you wherever you go!” (Did he mean to the other side of the lake??)

Another man tells Jesus he will follow Him anywhere, but first let him go bury his father. (This doesn’t mean his father is dead!  He simply wanted to remain at home and collect his inheritance before following Jesus.)

Jesus answered them curiously. “Foxes have holes and birds have nests. I have nowhere (permanently) to lay my head.” And, “Follow me and let the dead bury their dead.”

What in the world did Jesus mean?  He was saying to count the cost.  They must be willing to leave EVERYTHING to follow Him.

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The boat comes and they climb aboard.  The disciples (at least the fishermen) begin rowing towards the other side.  Jesus goes to the bench at the back of the boat – and without a pillow – lies down and immediately falls asleep.

A great storm arises.

The boat is flooding.

The disciples panic.

“Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”  (Whoa, how appropriate! For in reality, this is what Jesus came to the world to do. But alas, they meant from the storm.)

Jesus speaks and there is now a great calm. They whisper and ask each other, “What sort of man is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

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On the east side of the lake, a demoniac or two greet them with wild screams and threats. THE DEMONS inside him recognized Jesus, even if the crowds did not.  “What have You to do with us, O Son of God?  Have You come here to torment us before the time?”

Jesus sends the devilish horde into the nearby herd of swine, which promptly runs to a cliff, and like lemmings, leap off to their death.  The man was FREE!  But the city wasn’t grateful.  “Please go away,” they tell Jesus.

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Mark 2.

In this story, Jesus has returned to Capernaum.  He was in the home where he stayed and hordes of people now pressed against him inside and out.  A paralytic is carried to the edge of the crowd, but there is NO WAY that stretcher will go through the crowd.  The friends look up and get an idea.  Around back they carry the man up to the roof and begin dismantling the roof.  Everyone inside watched (and ducked the dust) as the sick man is lowered down by Jesus.

He is pleased with their ingenuity and faith.  “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

“What???” think some scribes who were inside checking up on Jesus. “He is blaspheming! No man can forgive sins. Only God.“

(Well, duh!)

Jesus then asks a curious question. Think about it before answering. “Which is easier to SAY to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk?'”

Actually, it’s easier to SAY ‘your sins are forgiven,’ because you don’t have to prove it outwardly.  It’s much harder to SAY ‘get up and walk’ because either the man can or cannot do it.

Either way, Jesus tells the man to get up, take his stretcher-bed, and walk. (He’s already forgiven his sins.}  Jesus, our all-powerful God in the flesh, can and does both forgive and heal.  PRAISE HIM!

The crowds were amazed and glorified God.  The scribes were silent.

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Next, the people ask a question. “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but YOUR disciples don’t?

Simple.  Can you fast while the Bridegroom is here?  No. It’s time to rejoice.  When He is taken away, then there will be fasting.  Huh? Not sure if the people understood that. Or the disciples.  Jesus further causes their brains to work. “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Or the patch tears away in the first wash. No one puts NEW WINE into old wineskins. Or the expanding, fermenting wine will split the old stiff wineskin.” 

 What in the world is Jesus saying? He is telling them that a NEW DAY has come. The Messiah is here. Rejoice for His coming and accept the prophesied Good News!

Not sure they totally understood.  But the disciples will.  Later.