New Testament in a Year

Acts 25:1-27
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We see continued incredible wisdom displayed by Paul in today’s readings!  His appeal to Caesar may look like on first glance he was trying to save his life.  Many commentators believe that Paul was actually doing this strategically to get to Rome so he could preach the Gospel in Rome!  Yes, he’d be arriving in Rome as a prisoner, but, if we know Paul at all, we know that being a prisoner will not stop him from preaching the Gospel!  I love this whole scenario.  Paul certainly seems a bit “down and out” on the ways things are going in his life.  He’s been imprisoned for two years, he is barely avoiding being killed or beaten, and yet he’s continuing to think of every way to preach the Gospel and advance the Kingdom of God!  I wonder about this in our lives today?  Are we like Paul in this regard?  Are we constantly thinking of ways to preach the Gospel and advance the kingdom?  My hunch is that most of us are living very nice lives – no real threat of being killed or imprisoned.  And I sometimes wonder if our comfort is maybe the real enemy?  Are we not focused on preaching the Gospel or advancing the Kingdom of God because we are simply too comfortable?  I do think one of the devil’s greatest tricks is to simply distract us.  Not to get us to do evil.  But to distract us.  Make us too comfortable perhaps?  I don’t know…  I’m just so impressed with how Paul was so focused on the Gospel and building the Kingdom, in the midst of all his challenges.  And I worry about why we are not so focused – and I think it might be our comfortable distractions…

Below is a great image of Festus’ conversation with King Agrippa about Paul’s case from verses 21 & 22: “^“But Paul appealed to the emperor. So I ordered him back to jail until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.” “I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said. And Festus replied, “You shall–tomorrow!”

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

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the song “Mighty to Save” sung here by Michael W. Smith:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYZQ6KN13jU

Has our mighty God saved you? Click here for salvation!

Do you believe our God is mighty to save?  Click here for Might!

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 24:1-27
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Today we read about Paul before the Roman Governor Felix.  I love this image below of Paul expertly laying out his case!

(image courtesty of https://www.lamp.ac.uk/hogarth/81to100.htm)

The close of today’s readings are interesting.  It seems to me that Felix has a double-edged reason for keeping Paul in prison for two years.  1.  Felix enjoys talking to Paul!  Why do you suppose this is?  Do you suppose Felix was hearing the Truth from Paul?  I’m sure that he was…   2. Verse 27 tells us: “And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish leaders, he left Paul in prison.”  So, Felix gets to hear the Truth from Paul and hopefully keep his job by appeasing the Jewish leaders.  Sounds reasonable, right?  However… it is interesting to see that he is balancing the Truth with the World.  How often in our lives do we try to balance the Truth with the World?  I am afraid this is a tough balance to keep…  Remember always that we are to be “in the world, but not of it.”  Don’t let the World outweigh the Truth in your life…

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Paul Stands Before Felix: The Preacher and the Politician” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Peter Furler’s fantastic song “Reach:”

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

Do you know that God is reaching for you? Click here and allow Him to reach you!

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 23:11-35
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Our readings in Acts today open up with a very encouraging word to Paul from Jesus in verse 11 – “That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have told the people about me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome.””  That is awesome that this occurred in the midst of all of Paul’s trials and imprisonment.  Jesus was there with him.  How about in our lives today – think Jesus is always with us?   Is there any circumstance you can find yourself in that Jesus won’t be there?  Is there anywhere on this earth you can go where Jesus won’t be there?

An interesting note on verses 12 & 13 in today’s readings – “The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath to neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty of them.”  It is believed by some scholars that these 40 men may have been part of the Zealots – the group that later led the revolt against Rome in A.D. 66-70.

Paul is taken to Governor Felix at the end of today’s readings in Acts.  Felix is in the same position that Pontius Pilate was.  I find it kind of interesting that both Jesus and Paul were brought before the same-positioned Roman ruler.  It reminds me of Jesus’ words in John 15 verse 20 to his disciples – “Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” If Jesus was brought before a Roman governor, it’s no surprise that Paul was too.  I think you and I should remember Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John as well.  I know oftentimes we don’t seem persecuted at all – maybe most of the time really.  But, I think we need to remember, it can happen.  If we are truly living our faith and truly following Jesus, persecution will come in some form or another.  No servant is greater than his master… Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? Are you willing to be persecuted for your faith?

Worship Video: Today’s readings remind me of the terrific CeCe Winans song, “Believe For It:”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd24fpsF1Qw

Do you believe God? Click here to Believe in Him!

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 22:17-23:10
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Today at the end of Acts 22 Paul threw out this incendiary statement that shocked the crowd:  “”But the Lord said to me, `Leave Jerusalem, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”  This reminds me that the Gospel today still shocks people.  The Gospel is still moving forward in our world to people that we sometimes may not think “deserve” it, like this crowd didn’t think the Gentiles deserved relationship with “their” God of Israel.  God is bigger than we think He is.  God is pursuing the whole world.  Let us pray he continues to shock crowds like he did in Acts 22…  It’s so interesting – looking at this image below of Paul’s presence and words creating chaos in a crowd and the Roman guards being there in the midst.  This is so reminiscent of Jesus’ final day in Jerusalem before he walked up the hill to Golgotha.  Think Paul was emulating his Savior?  How about you?  Are you emulating your Savior?  Or are you playing it safe?

We can see Paul’s wisdom at work in today’s Acts readings!  First he shares at the appropriate time that he is a Roman citizen – by birth – which means he cannot be punished until proven guilty.

Then, before the High Council he wisely throws out in Acts 23 verse 6 – “”Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were all my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”  This instantly divides the Pharisees and Sadducees at the council – and allows things to get heated enough that the soldiers take Paul out of the council for his safety.  Bible.org’s fantastic look at “Paul’s Trial before the Sanhedrin” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of the song “I’ve Always Loved You” by Third Day:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nYmMlrbCL8

Do you know One who has always loved you? Click here for Love!

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 21:37-22:16
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We get some classic Paul in today’s Acts readings!  You’ll recall from yesterday’s readings, the crowd in Jerusalem got riled up against Paul and the crowd was beating on Paul.  Then, some Roman soldiers come to try to keep the peace and end up arresting Paul and putting him in chains. But what does Paul do?  Go quietly into that good night?  No way!  He speaks to the Roman commander in Greek – which surprises the commander.  (It is thought that Paul spoke 4 languages – Greek, Aramaic, Hebrew & Latin)  And then he speaks to the crowd in Aramaic.  The crowd that was just beating on him!  He turns around and speaks with Love and Truth.  So amazing…  What do you think you or I would do in this type of situation today?  Could we continue to speak Love and Truth to people that were just beating on us?  I am not so sure that I could… I pray that I could!  I pray that I would…  Below is an oil on canvas painting by the Spanish painter El Greco from the year 1614 of “St. Paul”:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “Paul’s Defense to the Jews in Jerusalem” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Forrest Frank’s song “Your Way’s Better:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1LRsp8qBY0

Is God’s way better than your way? Click here for His way in your life!

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 21:18-36
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New Testament – Wow… tough week for Paul in today’s readings.  Scary how the readings end today – with the mob chanting “Kill Him!  Kill Him!”  Does this remind you of anyone else?  Perhaps Paul’s Savior?

You might be asking why did Paul agree to take part in the Jewish purification ceremony in today’s readings?  I think you’ll find the answer to this question in Paul’s own words from his first letter to the Corinthians, verses 19 through 23 – “Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”  How about you in your life today?  Do you make yourself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible?  Do you become all things to all people so that by all possible means you might save some?  Below is an image of the Apostle Paul, by Rembrandt, from 1657:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Giving and Taking of Advice” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminded me of Jordan St. Cyr’s song “Fires:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOrSj9w01xw

Have you been through fires? Click here for Holy Water!

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 21:1-17
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Wow.  Check out Paul’s words in Acts 21 verse 13 after it was prophesied that he would be jailed in Jerusalem: “But Paul said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! For I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but also to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.””  What about you?  Are you ready to be jailed for your faith?  Are you willing to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus?  These are challenging questions to consider I realize.  But, I think they are useful for us to ask.  If we are not ready to be jailed for our faith or not willing to die for the sake of Jesus, are we truly following Jesus?  Or are we just pretending?

Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem wraps up his 3rd missionary journey.  Below is a quick recap of this journey of Paul’s we’ve been reading about the past couple of days:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s Acts readings titled “The Giving and Taking of Advice” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of this video by Jars of Clay for their song “Two Hands” which was filmed in part in Africa:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0h2sUC6wPg

Do you have two hands? Click here to meet the One who gave you your Hands!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “But Paul said, ‘Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.’” Acts 21:13 NLT

Prayer Point: Pray that you are willing to die for the sake of your Lord, Jesus. Pray that you are prepared to not only be jailed for your faith in Jesus, but to die for your 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 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!