Thursday November 10: Acts 13-14 ~Cameron

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Acts 13-14

Paul and Barnabas faced some harsh opposition during their first mission trip.
- A governor whose adviser was a false prophet
- Crowds slandered them and argued against everything taught by Paul and Barnabas
- Other crowds were able to actually stone Paul

Each time this happened, Paul and Barnabas stayed on point and preached the good news. The impact of their news was more important than their reputations or lives.

Now consider rhetoric over the last 18 months culminating with yesterday's US election. Blatant attempts to slander and destroy without actually offering something of substance. Why could they not stay on point? Because there was no point!

Paul and Barnabas had a mission that had value. They were bringing value to everyone they encountered. Not a subset. The offer of Salvation is for all mankind. That is why they could focus on the news without feeling the need to defend themselves from hostile forces.

The world will not always receive our message well, and some reactions may be emotionally or physically violent. But we have to be focused on delivering the news. A lot more than 4 years in a big house is riding on it.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: James 1-5

Wednesday, November 9th: Acts 11-12 ~ Emma

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Acts 11-12

(Oops, Tammy here - I forgot to post Emma's post for her that she did for Nathan - she had it done on time!)

It was cool to see in today's reading where believers were first called Christians (end of Acts 11:26).

The main verse that stuck out to me, was Acts 12:11 which takes place after the angel had led Peter out of jail:

Peter finally came to his senses. "It's really true!" he said, "The Lord has sent His angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!"

I liked the wording: "Peter finally came to his senses." We clearly saw God working in this passage, but Peter only "came to his senses" later. So often, I pray earnestly for something (or even sometimes a small, little prayer), and then when God answers it, I don't even notice enough to say thank you. God clearly answers our prayers, even the prayers we don't say out loud, yet we don't always see it until later, if at all.  We need to not only ask, but also remember to thank God for answers to prayer.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Acts 13-14

Tuesday, November 8th: Acts 9-10 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Acts 9-10

I didn't really know what to write today. I mean, we've all heard the story of Paul’s conversion countless times & the rest of the chapters were pretty basic. So, I spent some time searching for commentary & found some interesting thoughts.


“Saul, Saul why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. (9:4-5)

Paul is confused. He doesn’t see himself as persecuting God. Paul thinks he is doing God a service, defending his way against the apostate Christians. Saul then asks, “Who are you, Lord?” Saul doesn’t yet know it is Jesus. He seems to understand his vision as a revelation from God. As the account shows, Paul is open to God’s self-revelation, even though he is unaware of his purpose.

I found it very interesting to stop & consider that Paul thought he was on the right track. He actually thought he was serving God, definitely not persecuting him.

How do we turn our service away from God or come up with a mission that we consider is for God & yet is not on the right track?

One thought that comes to mind is how social media is often used these days. People go on & rant about one thing or another or they will argue with others over their perspective of what is right or wrong. Is this really serving God’s purpose?  We may think that we have to prove our point or make it known how one viewpoint or another is so off base. And yet, will this method really bring anyone to the Lord? I think it probably does a whole lot more harm than good.



“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man & all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.”

The Lord does not directly answer Ananias's misgivings; he simply repeats his command: "Go!" The sovereign Lord has spoken. That is all the rationale Ananias or we need. Yet in his mercy the Lord also tells Ananias Saul's new status as my chosen instrument (Jer 18:1-11; 2 Cor 4:7; 2 Tim 2:20-21), his new mission, to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel, and new relationship to persecution, to suffer for Jesus' name. These new realities mean Ananias has nothing to fear from Saul.

When God commands, we must obey. He doesn't answer to us & we don't need to understand the “whys,”our only place is to follow. 

 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Acts 11-12

Monday, November 7: Acts 7-8 by Pamela

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Acts 7-8

Scripture: Acts 7:54
54 Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.

Observation: The truth hurts.

Application: Our Sunday school class this session has had a focus on sharing your faith. The facitator said that it is good practice to have a memorized concise testimony ready to share with anyone who is willing to listen. One thing he stressed is that no one can argue with a personal story. When you share what has personally happened there is no argument because it is what happened in your account. Stephan shared his testimony. He shared what had happened. He spoke truth. It was hard to hear.

When people get angry when we share our faith it is not that they are angry at us but rather they are angry at how it makes them feel when they hear the truth. When we speak the truth boldly then it can cause us harm. People would rather live comfortably in darkness than in the light of truth.

However, it is in the darkness that they seek the light and that God can do the impossible. Saul approved the execution of Stephen. It was Saul's mission to kill Christians. He wanted to silence the truth. I am sure that many early Christians feared Saul. They may have wished he was the one dead. They couldn't have known how God would use Saul/Paul in the most amazing way to spread His truth. The truth is that we are ALL sinners. Whether we persecuted Christians, approved executions, lied, cheated, or any host of other sins. When someone calls us out for our sins we may become enraged and we may grind our teeth at them. The truth -that we deserve death- hurts.

Thankfully, there is forgiveness for all sins and freedom from death through eternal life. May we have the prayer of Simon: “Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are the creator of us and we shun the Your truth often. We try to do our own things, on our own agenda, on our own strength and we deny our need for you. We don't want to hear the truth and it makes us angry when we are reminded that we don't deserve anything. Help us to give up our entitlement mindset and focus on You. Let us be like like Philip ready to share our testimony and also like the Ethiopian eunuch ready to hear the truth and repent and rejoice for all Christ has done for us. Amen

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Acts 9-10

Sunday, November 7th: Acts 4-6 ~ Jay

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is; Acts 4-6

I enjoy reading the Acts of the Apostles as I find it details many challenges which are similar to those that believers face today.  A few of the challenges noted in today's passages are as follows:

1) People today attempt to be somewhat "inclusive" in their beliefs and will promote the concept that there are a variety of ways to heaven...aside from Christ.  The apostles were very firm in their response" Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12.  This clearly dispels the myth of  multiple paths.

2) Another challenge we may face is the sense that we are inadequate in terms of our knowledge or ability to speak to others about Christ.  Peter and John astonished the religious leaders in terms of their courage and ability to articulate the gospel...even though they were "unschooled and ordinary men".  The key lies in Act 4 verse 8 where we find where their ability comes from - it is from the Holy Spirit.  We need only to be available to be used.

3) A third challenge that we face today today is our focus on self interest and building our own war chest for that rainy day.   It was almost heartwarming to read of the sense of community that the believers had in Act 4;32-35.  The key passage in those verses to me was, "There was no needy persons among them". How aware of we of the needs of those around us within the church?  Do we even really want to know, because it might result in personal sacrifice?  The fact that no one saw any of their possessions as their own and everything as a gift from God to be shared, causes me to take stock of my own openness to share the blessing that have been granted.

4) The final challenge I see comes from the story of Annias and Sapphira.  It revolves around our honesty with God. God knows our hearts and He knows our struggles, yet just like the two in the story, are we honest with Him when we say we are willing to go where He leads us? Willing to do whatever He asks of us? From the account of Annias and Sapphira it is clear that God does not tolerate dishonesty when it comes to our communication with Him.  How honest am I with God?

Prayer- Thank you Lord for the insight you provide as we study your Word.  We thanks you for providing a clear and singular path to salvation through your Son.  Please help us be aware that the blessing you provide to us are only temporarily in our care and are placed there to be shared with others.  Help me always be open and honest in my communication with you.  Amen.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Acts 7-8

Saturday, November 5th: Acts 1:1-3, Acts 1:12-26, Acts 2-3 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Acts 1:1-3, Acts 1:12-26, Acts 2-3

Acts 3:12 Peter saw his opportunity and addressed the crowd.

When the crippled beggar asked Peter and John for money, they were unable to grant his request, but instead answered a need he never thought possible by healing his legs and giving him the ability to walk, all while giving the glory to God.  The man responded in faith and soon a crowd had gathered, astounded by what had happened.

And what did Peter do?  He didn't just continue on to the temple to make it to the three o'clock service he had been going to.  Rather, he saw an opportunity to proclaim the good news, and he took it!  He had an audience, and he fearlessly proclaimed who Jesus was, how the Jews had rejected Him, why this rejection was fatal, but that they still had a choice to believe and receive Jesus as their Messiah and Lord.

What do we do with the opportunities God gives us?  Do we capitalize on them, or do we make excuses to stay silent?  Do we look for proactively look for opportunities or do we wait until someone directly asks us a question we have no choice but to answer?  Do we even take the initiative and purposefully create opportunities to bring the conversation around to Jesus Christ?

The Holy Spirit is within us, just as He was within Peter.  We have access to the same power that rose Jesus from the dead.  How can we stay silent?

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:

Friday, November 4th: Matthew 27:62-66, Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11, John 20:1-2, Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10, Matthew 28:9-10, Mark 16:9-11, John 20:11-18, Matthew 28:11-15, Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-35, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31, John 21, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:44-49, Acts 1:4-5, Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11 ~ Conrad

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is: Matthew 27:62-66, Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11, John 20:1-2, Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10, Matthew 28:9-10, Mark 16:9-11, John 20:11-18, Matthew 28:11-15, Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-35, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31, John 21, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:44-49, Acts 1:4-5, Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11 

The recent passages including todays reading, tells an awesome story including all kinds of different emotions.  The people during this time would have experienced feelings of fear, anger, sadness, joy, disgust, trust, anticipation, surprise, remorse, disapproval, acceptance, submission, love, grief, amazement, terror, optimism, and probably many more.

I wondered once again after reading this, what would my reaction and feelings have been?  Would I have been a doubting Thomas upon hearing of His resurrection?  Could this really happen?  Would I have thought that the guards did something with His body?  Would I have believed the guards saying that it was the disciples who took Jesus' body?  Or would I have been overwhelmed with joy and excitement that I would have wanted to tell others?  Out of these questions, I know what I hope my response would have been.  But then, do I have that response today?      

"Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it."  Mark 16:20

This command was not just given to the disciples, but to all believers.  The verse says that they preached everywhere.  But I really like the second half of this verse.  It says that the Lord worked with them, and that the words spoken were confirmed by signs that followed.

It is reassuring to know that when we are executing God's plan, He is with us.

"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."  John 20:29

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Acts 1:1-3, Acts 1:12-26, Acts 2-3

Thursday, Nov 3rd: Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-31, Matthew 27:33-44, Mark 15:22-32, Luke 23:32-43, John 19:17-27, Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-37, Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42 ~ Jeannine

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-31, Matthew 27:33-44, Mark 15:22-32, Luke 23:32-43, John 19:17-27, Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-37, Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42

I'm not sure what to write about today because I feel like everything sounds cliche.

But my thoughts when I read these passages are about the kind of torture that Jesus went through. The pain and the suffering that he endured. All for you and me. If that doesn't leave us feeling completely at a loss for words than I'm not sure what could.

There were 2 things though that I read and hadn't noticed before...

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27

Here Jesus is hanging on the cross and in the midst of his suffering he makes sure that his mom is cared for.

Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. John 19:31

The reason they observed the sabbath and the reason for their hope, all the things revealed in the prophecies were coming real right before their eyes and rather than paying attention, their biggest concern was getting the situation resolved before they needed to observe the Lord's day. A bit ironic if you ask me.

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Matthew 27:62-66, Matthew 28:1-8, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-11, John 20:1-2, Luke 24:12, John 20:3-10, Matthew 28:9-10, Mark 16:9-11, John 20:11-18, Matthew 28:11-15, Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-35, Mark 16:14, Luke 24:36-43, John 20:19-23, John 20:24-31, John 21, Matthew 28:16-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24:44-49, Acts 1:4-5, Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:6-11

Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-62, John 18:25-27, Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 22:66-71, Matthew 27:3-14, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:1-7, John 18:28-37, Luke 23:8-12, Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:38- 19:16

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-62, John 18:25-27, Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 22:66-71, Matthew 27:3-14, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:1-7, John 18:28-37, Luke 23:8-12, Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:38-19:16

The first few readings today talk about Peter's denials of Jesus, but if we look back at the man Peter was before this day, and also ahead to what he becomes, we see a man that lives the way we all want to live - for Christ. Jesus predicted these denials but Peter couldn't believe ahead of time that he would do this to Jesus.

Luke 22:60-62
Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. [61] The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” [62] And he went outside and wept bitterly.

We all make mistakes, but we need to ask for forgiveness and truly be sorry, then move on. If a man like Peter can make what we think are huge mistakes, and make things right again after, we need to as well.

Another part of today's reading that caught my attention was how Pilate tried to release Jesus, but eventually gave in to the pressure of the people and let Jesus be crucified.

Luke 23:13-16
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, [14] and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him.

Pilate tried to release Jesus, and stay away from this issue. He obviously didn't feel good about having Jesus locked up and eventually killed. But Pilate eventually left this issue alone, and therefore allowed Jesus to suffer and die.

Do we act like Pilate at times, do we try and please others first, instead of doing what's right and pleasing God first? Even when it was obvious to Pilate that Jesus didn't deserve the treatment He received, Pilate still allowed it to go on by stepping away. Do we allow negative pressure from others to influence us? I pray for strength in this, that I make good choices no matter the pressure I face to do the opposite.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage: Matthew 27:27-31, Mark 15:16-20, Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26-31, Matthew 27:33-44, Mark 15:22-32, Luke 23:32-43, John 19:17-27, Matthew 27:45-56, Mark 15:33-41, Luke 23:44-49, John 19:28-37, Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42

Tuesday, November 1st: John 17, Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-24, Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:54, Luke 22:63-65 ~ Danae

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is John 17, Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:39-46, Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:1-24, Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:54, Luke 22:63-65

There is so much that we can learn but today I'm choosing to just focus on 2 verses. To me these verses speak so loudly of the “goodness, greatness & grandeur” (to take Pastor Ron’s words) of a God who is so much bigger than we can fathom & loves us so much more than we deserve that I had to stop & absorb it all.

“I am he.” – John 18:5

That's it. Those three words.

Chief priests, Pharisees & a detachment of soldiers come carrying torches, lanterns, & weapons. A small army of men, equipped for battle, come for a single man. Just at their arrival it would seem that they recognized that he wasn't just an ordinary man.  Then he says those three little words when asked who he is & they fall. With just three words they, the armed soldiers, fell to the ground overcome by his obvious power & authority. 

“He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world, set himself free. He could have called ten thousand angels, but he died alone for you & for me.”

Every time I read this verse – Matthew 26:53 “ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, & he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” – I think of this old David Meece song & am blown away in amazement. He could have called on the angels, but he didn't. He didn't have to do what he did, but he chose to & he didn't do it for any other reason than for you & me. 

To me these are some powerful points in scripture. Wow, to even begin to fathom the awesome God we have & that he would love us! 

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage:  Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-62, John 18:25-27, Matthew 27:1-2, Mark 15:1, Luke 22:66-71, Matthew 27:3-14, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:1-7, John 18:28-37, Luke 23:8-12, Matthew 27:15-26, Mark 15:6-15, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:38-19:16