New Testament in a Year

Acts 20:1-38
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HALF-WAY – Big news! We cross the halfway threshold in our New Testament in a Year readings today! Whoo-hoo! Yep, June 30th marks the end of our first 6 months of readings and July 1st marks the beginning of our final 6 months of readings. Congratulations!

If by chance you’ve stopped reading the New Testament in a Year at some point this past six months, how about starting back up with us again as we embark on our final six months? We’d love to have you on the journey with us once again! Let’s go!

Acts 20 verse 7 is a great look at an early church service!  “On the first day of the week, we gathered to observe the Lord’s Supper.  Paul was preaching; and since he was leaving the next day, he talked until midnight.”  Paul preached until midnight?  That had to have been one great sermon I am sure!

Well, and yes, Paul raised to life a young man named Eutychus who fell from the window sill during his sermon if you didn’t notice!  Wow… that’s amazing.  I honestly think I’ve kind of flown by this little tidbit before.  Paul raised Eutychus from the dead!

Okay, later in the readings Paul gives a powerful farewell address to the elders of the church in Ephesus.  Great stuff…  Verses 36 & 37 do kind of bring a tear to the eye, no? – “When he had finished speaking, he knelt and prayed with them. They wept aloud as they embraced him in farewell, sad most of all because he had said that they would never see him again. Then they accompanied him down to the ship.”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Paul’s Parting Words” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Sidewalk Prophets “You Love Me Anyway:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8BBCYFAYRI

Do you know that God loves you anyway? Click here for true love!

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  How have the first 6 months of our New Testament Bible readings been for you?  Has God changed you in any way these past 6 months because of our readings?  What are you looking forward to as we look toward our next 6 months of readings coming up?  Alos, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 19:13-41
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Wow – strong readings today in Acts 19 verses 13 to 16 about the power of Jesus’ name – and how to incorrectly try to “use” his name too – “A team of Jews who were traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus. The incantation they used was this: “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But when they tried it on a man possessed by an evil spirit, the spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul. But who are you?” And he leaped on them and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and badly injured.”  Jesus’ name is the name above all other names – but we should never try to “use” Jesus’ name as an incantation or spell.  We can call upon Jesus believing that he and his power will be there with us.  But we should not call upon Jesus’ name as if His name was “magic” in some way.  It is holy.  It is not magic. When is the last time you called on Jesus’ name? How has calling on the holy name of Jesus ever changed a situation in your life?

Sad stuff that Demetrius stirs up the Ephesians against Paul for one primary reason – his pocketbook.  Paul’s preaching of the one true living God was cutting into D’s profits of handmade gods.  And so D called on patriotism and loyalty to Artemis to go against Paul’s truthful teaching.   I wonder if we in our lives today ever choose our finances over God?  Have you ever chosen finances over God? How does this play into your giving/tithing?  An interesting note from today’s readings is that the temple of Artemis in Ephesus was one of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”.  Jesus obviously is the One wonder of the entire world – ever ancient, ever new.  But fyi the temple of Artemis may have looked something like the image below:

 

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Evangelization of Ephesus” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the For King and Country song “Joy:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5xIZZmVUJM

Are you Joyful? Click here for JOY!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 18:23-19:12
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Today in our readings in Acts, we are introduced to Apollos!  Apollos loved God, but initially he didn’t fully understand that Jesus gave believers the gift of the Holy Spirit. Apollos understood repentance of sins very well – that was the “baptism of John (The Baptist)” that he preached.  Repent from sins and be baptized was Apollos’ message, without a strong teaching of the gift of the Holy Spirit after belief in Christ.  Well, Priscilla and Acquila more fully explained the Gospel and then Paul introduced the Holy Spirit to believers who were initially taught by Apollos before he learned the full Gospel.  A good overview of “Who was Apollos?” is at gotquestions.org at this link.  I love that they say at another commentary, “Apollos was teachable.”  Inferring that you and I should be teachable too when it comes to our faith!  Are you teachable?  Or do you know it all?  🙂

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the beautiful MercyMe song, “Make it Well:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i33lq97hD2w

Has Jesus made you well? Click here and Be Well!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 18:1-22
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Today’s readings in Acts 18 are important in that Paul is beginning his work of building the church in Corinth through his ministry!  We of course are very familiar now with Paul’s letters of 1st and 2nd Corinthians – today we get a glimpse of how Paul’s relationship with the city of Corinth began.  Verses 9 through 11 let us clearly know that the Lord was very involved in Paul’s ministry in Corinth: “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will harm you because many people here in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.” How are you involved in helping to build or support the church today? What are some ways that God has called you to love and serve your local church? How about the global church?

Per Tyndale’s One Year Bible Companion today: “Corinth was the political and commercial center of Greece, surpassing Athens in importance.  It had a reputation for great wickedness and immorality.  A temple to Aphrodite – goddess of love and war – had been built on the large hill behind the city.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of TobyMac’s song “Cornerstone:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws5Jnoq96qo

What’s your cornerstone in life? Click here for your eternal Cornerstone!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 17:1-34
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Great reading about Paul’s travels and preaching in Acts 17 today!

I absolutely love the quote in verse 6 where the Jewish leaders of Thessalonica say: “”Paul and Silas have turned the rest of the world upside down, and now they are here disturbing our city,” they shouted.”  Have you ever heard that the Kingdom of God is an “upside down” kingdom?  That the values of the Kingdom of God are upside down compared to worldly values?  Paul and Silas turned the world upside down.  How are you turning the world upside down in your life today?

Today in Acts 17 verses 22 & 23 we read – “Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.” Paul then went on to introduce to the Greeks our personal Creator, in contrast with their views of pantheistic Stoicism. Are there people in your life today that are perhaps like the Greeks Paul was speaking to? People who are religious but do not yet know our personal Creator? Are there people in your life who are seeking the Unknown God? Will you begin conversations with these people that God has placed in your life and let them know about the living God that you know and love? Will you let them know, as Paul let the Greeks know in verse 28 – “For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’”? The altar in the image below is located on Palatine Hill, Rome, where once stood the palaces of the Caesars. It dates from about 100 B.C. and has the inscription, ´To the unknown God.’  This could have been a similar altar to the one that Paul was referring to in today’s readings in Athens:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Evangelization of Thessalonica and Berea” is at this link and “The Apostle in Athens, Preaching to Philosophers” is at this link.  Below is a painting from the year 1515 by the Italian artist Raphael titled “St. Paul preaching in Athens”:

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Acts about Paul’s preaching in Athens reminded me of Micah Tyler’s song “Walking Free:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK4yBl5my8c

Are you walking free? Click here for freedom!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” Acts 17:28 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that in Jesus you live and move and have your being. Pray that you are a child of God, through your saving faith in Jesus.

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 16:16-40
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Today in Acts 16 we will read about the earthquake that comes while Paul and Silas are imprisoned!

As a trembling jailer comes to Paul and Silas we will read this in verses 30 through 34 – “”Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.” This is a wonderful look at how many of us become and grow as Christians! We first hear the Good News of how Jesus came to this earth fully human and fully God – how he lived a sinless life and died on the cross for our sins – and how he rose from the dead and will come again. Then, through God’s grace, we believe! We simply believe. From there we learn more about God from others and through studying his Word, the Bible – we can call this discipleship. Then comes a decision to be baptized – to publicly profess our faith in Jesus as our Savior. Then comes living a joyful life of community with others. Now – yes – this is a very abbreviated example of how one becomes and grows as a Christian. 🙂 And our various denominations will probably put the order of how all this happens in various ways. But, can you see similarities in your own faith journey with the jailer’s conversion, baptism, and growth as a Christian? Do you remember first hearing the Good News of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection? Do you remember the day you first Believed? Do you remember learning more about the Word, the Bible? (hopefully you’ll remember this year’s One Year Bible journey! 🙂 Do you remember being baptized (or maybe you’ll have photos or stories from your younger years)? Do you now joyfully live life in community with other Christians through your local church? If you haven’t yet experienced all of these things, will you pray to God asking him for the experiences He has planned for you? And, when others in your life come to you like the jailer, asking “What must I do to be saved?” are you prepared to give them the joyful answer?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Paul in Philippi: From the Purveyor of Purple to the Purveyor of Pain” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of Mac Powell’s song “New Creation:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHIMsGGsit4

Are you a new creation? Click here and be made new!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on three verses of Scripture today: “The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.” Acts 16:29-31 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you are telling other people in your life to “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” Pray that you life your life in such a Spirit-filled and loving way that people come to you periodically to ask, “What must I do to be saved?”

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 15:36-16:15
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In Acts 15 today we read about Paul not wanting to bring along John Mark on the next missionary journey.  Good news is that Paul and Mark were eventually reunited in missionary efforts.  Some speculate that it was because Barnabas went with Mark at this juncture, Barnabas’ patient encouragement helped Mark’s eventual effective ministry.  In fact, John Mark is the very same Mark who wrote the Gospel of Mark!  How’s that for encouragement changing the world?? Is there anyone in your life today who you think could be a great worker for God’s kingdom with some encouragement?  Will you be like Barnabas was for John Mark and work with and encourage that person?  Below is an image of Barnabas the encourager:

Today in Acts 16 we read about Paul’s 2nd missionary journey, which took place around AD 49-52.  – (map courtesy of ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm)

Great readings about the conversion of Lydia of Philippi today!  She was a business woman and a Gentile (like Cornelius) who loved God.  And the Lord opened her heart and she believed!  Praise God for his continual ministry of opening people’s hearts to the Gospel.  Has your heart been opened like Lydia’s was opened?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “When Division Becomes Multiplication” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of Nicole C. Mullen’s song “Call on Jesus:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Mbj5UUWwI

Have you called on Jesus?  Click here and make the Call! 

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 15:1-35
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Peter’s teaching at The Council at Jerusalem in Acts 15 verse 11 is one of the most important verses that all of us should really meditate upon and know and believe: “We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the special favor of the Lord Jesus.” Do you believe Peter here?  Do you believe this to be true?  Does this simple message of this little button below ring true to you?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Jerusalem Council: The Gospel Defined and Defended” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of MercyMe’s song “You Reign:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eow2hNlA-k

Do you know the One who reigns?  Click here to meet the King! 

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 14:8-28
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Wow… amazing readings today… Do you see the depth and strength and love of Paul’s faith in verses 19 & 20 – “Now some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and turned the crowds into a murderous mob. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, apparently dead. But as the believers stood around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.”  Paul is stoned and then gets back up and keeps going forward in his ministry for God!  Next thing you know he is praying and fasting for elders in churches – after nearly getting stoned to death!  I want a faith like that…  Also, it is wonderful to read in today’s readings how Paul and Barnabas tear their garments because they are so distressed that people were worshiping them as if they were gods!  Would we react so quickly to stop people from worshiping us today I wonder… ?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Mission Accomplished” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “Legacy” by Nichole Nordeman:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ah1COE39ARs

Do you want to leave a legacy?  Click here for the true Legacy!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Acts 13:42-14:7
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Brief post today – back to a faull post tomorrow. Great readings today about how Paul and Barnabas’ ministry to the Gentiles was growing!  Verse 52 is awesome: “And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of the awesome song, “Days of Elijah!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDf6PtSckio

Are these the days of Elijah for you?   Click here to meet Elijah’s God!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!