Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 365: Eternity

Good morning, everyone!

Today is the last day of 2018, which means, we did it! I read through the whole Bible in a year, and you made it through all of these blog posts. I hope you learned as much as I did. It's going to be really weird not blogging every day.

Without further ado, on with today's post! Today I read Revelation 20-22.

First of all, an angel comes down and binds Satan for a thousand years in the pit.

Then, those who were beheaded because of their belief in Christ, and who would not accept the mark of the beast came alive to reign with Christ for those thousand years.

After that time, Satan is once again freed to deceive the people of the earth. He will gather them for war against the saints, but he will not succeed. This, my friends, is his downfall. Finally, Satan is overcome, and thrown into the lake of fire along with the beast and the false prophet where he will remain for eternity, tormented forever because of his wicked deeds.

Then comes God's judgment of all people for their deeds - either righteous or wicked. Those whose name was in the Book of Life, Jesus will speak for them - "I died for their sin. They are Mine," and they will enter into eternity with God. But those whose name is not written in the Book of Life, who did not repent of their wickedness, will be cast into the lake of fire along with Satan, where they will remain for eternity.

After that, God creates a new heaven and a new earth, and for those whose name was in the Lamb's Book of Life, there will be no more sickness, sorrow, pain, war, or death. Rather, we will live forever with God, in eternity.

Revelation 21:5 - And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

Revelation 21:6-8- Then He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega. The beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Do you know Jesus today? Do you want to drink from the water of life? It won't cost you anything. Jesus already paid the price for your sins. All you need to do is repent, sincerely, and ask Jesus to be Lord of your life. Then, learn of Him, so that you may know how to walk blameless before Him. But if you mess up, as we all have and do and will, He is more merciful than I could ever explain. His mercy is enough to cover all your sins. And His grace is enough to get you through each day, no matter the trial. Dear friend, I hope you choose to serve the Lord God Almighty today, so that we may meet again in eternity with Him.

God bless and keep you all. Thank you for taking this journey with me.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 364: Christ Victorious

Good morning, everyone!

I have a cat laying on my arm right now, so typing this is hard. He's really cute though. All warm and snuggly...

Moving on.

Today I read Revelation 17-19.

There was a lot I don't understand, but I got the basics, I think.

I don't know who Babylon is supposed to be, and I don't understand all the imagery associated with it.

What I did understand is that Babylon is a city (or several cities) or a country. And this place blasphemes, deceives, and seduces people away from God. It (or its rulers) kill God's people, too.

But then Christ shows up. Glorious, eternal, and victorious. And even though the kings of Babylon (I think. Correct me if I'm wrong. Please.) wage war against Him, they cannot even hope to compete.

John is being shown this by an angel who says:

Revelation 17:14 - "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen faithful."

So Babylon falls.

After that, there is a "fourfold Hallelujah" which rings out in heaven. Crying, four times, Hallelujah to God. The voice of the multitude praises God's judgments and praises Him for avenging his people by His judgment on Babylon who slew so many.

Revelation 19:6 - Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!"

Soon after, Christ comes to make war against the beast. And the beast and the false prophet will be seized and they will be thrown into the lake of fire. 

Christ is victorious. Eternally victorious.

Hallelujah. The Lord God Almighty reigns victorious.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 20-22.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 363: The Beasts and the Plagues

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read Revelation 13-16.

In today's reading, the beast appears. And the beast does miracles, including a fatal wound healing. And the world marvels and worships the beast. The beast speaks blasphemies against God and is allowed to make war with God's people.

Then another beast appears. This one has all the authority of the first beast and causes all those on earth to worship the first beast. This second beast is a deceiver. And it is given to this beast to cause those who do not worship the image of the first beast to be put to death.

Those who do not accept the mark of the beast will be killed also.

After this time, Jesus appears with the 144,000, and these chosen sing a song of praise to God.

After this, God's word will be preached throughout the earth.

And some will heed the warning and choose God.

After this, there will be seven plagues upon the earth, yet no one will repent, instead cursing and blaspheming God because of their torment.

Yikes! That was a lot today! I confess that I didn't understand all of what I read today, but I tried to give you an overview of what I did understand.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Revelation 17-19.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 362: Seals and Woes

Good morning, everyone!

I have no idea what happened to my numbers, but we have 365 days in the year, which means today is actually day 362. I don't know what went wrong. I was 10 days behind, but I fixed it. So, I just don't know anymore. If anyone is really bored and wants to find out, feel free, but I'm too busy at this point to go back and figure it out. Sorry!

Anyway, today I read Revelation 9-12.

And I didn't understand any of it.

Well...

Most of it.

I understand that more of the seals are opening, and that the woes are coming on the earth. God is releasing the angels to bring plagues and pestilence on the earth. The stars begin to fall.

And the ones who are attacked are those who do not have God's seal, who are not God's people.

And it gets really bad.

But all I can do is give you an overview, because for all that I can explain what happened, the meaning is a bit lost. As I mentioned earlier, I didn't understand the book of Revelation the last time I read it. But at least this time it doesn't scare me. I think I understand it a little better now, but not enough to really talk about it.

When there is something I understand, I will be sure to share it with all of you.

Until then, I hope you'll still join me tomorrow when I read Revelation 13-16.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 359: The First Seals

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Revelation 4-8.

In today's reading, John has a vision of God on His throne, with heavenly creatures continually crying "Holy, holy, holy!"

And a vision of Jesus, appearing as a Lamb who was slain, and the same heavenly creatures crying "Worthy, worthy, worthy!"

Then, John has a vision of the seals that will be released to allow war, famine, pestilence, and death on the earth.

Then, he sees a vision of 144,000 of the tribes of Israel - sealed for God.

There is a lot of imagery in the book of Revelation, and I still don't understand all of it, but I feel like I understand more than I did last time.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Revelation 9-12.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 358: Alpha and Omega

Good afternoon, everyone!

So, my posts actually had the wrong numbers on them. Because of a typo on one post, I was 10 days behind on my count. But that's all fixed now. Yay! It actually looks like I'm almost done with my RBY challenge!

Today, I read Revelation 1-3.

I want to be very upfront with this: Last time I read Revelation, I didn't understand a word of it. I won't discuss anything here that I don't understand, unless I pose it as a question.

Revelation is a book of visions given to the disciple John.

So, on to some verses I did understand today!

Revelation 1:8: "I am the Alpha an the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

God reigns eternal. Eternal. It's a hard word for our mortal minds to understand. We can't even fathom how long that is. God was from the beginning. He is in the present. He will forever be.

There were warnings to the churches in these chapters as well. They were mostly doing things right, but there were warnings for some of the things they were letting slip.

Jesus also says:

Revelation 3:20 - "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."

Jesus desires that we should be with Him forever. He wants to talk with us and help us. But we have to let Him in.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Revelation 4-8.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 357: Jesus

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Today I read 2 John 1, 3 John 1, and Jude 1.

As we gather with our friends and families today, as we make plans and preparations, as we rush to get to our gifts under the tree, let us remember that we celebrate Christmas not because of the gifts under the tree, but because of the greatest gift of all: God's Son, Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself to be born as a man, to live and die as we do, but who rose again so that we can live, who now reigns eternal.

Jude 1:24-25 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

I hope you all enjoy this time with your families and friends. Merry Christmas!

I hope you join me tomorrow when I read Revelation 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 356: Love

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 1 John 1-5.

1 John 3:1 - See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

1 John 4:7-11 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has send His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:18-19 - There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts our fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.

1 John 4:20-21 - If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

1 John 5:1 - Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 2 John 1, 3 John 1, and Jude 1.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 355: Be on Guard

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 1 Peter 1-3.

I'll be honest, I didn't understand a lot of what I read today. It's possible I just read it too fast without absorbing much of it. Which means I'll need to read it again. Probably again and again. Which makes me really happy. Even when I don't understand what's going on, I love to read my Bible.

That wasn't always the case. When I first started reading my Bible again, I liked reading it, but I wasn't very consistent. And when I tried to make it a habit to read every day, everything in me rebelled. I didn't want to read it at all some days, and some days I would forget, and then I'd feel really bad. 

It took a long time-it always takes a long time to build a habit-but now I can't begin my morning without reading my Bible, and I love to do it.

Well, that was a long digression, but I felt it was important to say that this morning.

So, 1 Peter...let me see if I can find something that resounded within me this morning...

Ah, yes. Peter is talking about watching for the coming day of the Lord, and not being frustrated because He will be on time, since He wants to give everyone a chance at salvation.

1 Peter 3:14-18 - Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your on steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

So, Peter is saying to be vigilant, because false prophets will arise who will distort scripture (on purpose or by mistake, I would think) and this can lead people astray.

So, my ramble earlier wasn't really such a ramble. I love when that happens! So, we must be diligent in reading God's word, so that we know what it really says. And then if someone tries to distort it, we will know not to believe them. Possibly, we will even have the chance to correct them if they did it in error.

So, that's today's musing. I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 John 1-5.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 354: Out of Darkness

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 1 Peter 1-5.

I'll admit, some of today's reading was a little confusing. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to post about some of those things, but today I just want to focus on this:

1 Peter 2:9-10 - But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

Okay. I'm totally not yelling at you. Anytime something in the New Testament is in all caps, they're quoting something from the Old Testament. I use italics instead of quotations, so this format looks a little weird today, but bear with me and focus on the words themselves.

We are chosen, belonging to God's royal priesthood. We are designed to worship only Him.
God called us out of the darkness, and brought us into the light, so that we may glorify Him.
We once did not belong, but now He has made us one nation-His people.
Once were were in sin without mercy or hope, but when He called us, He freely offered us mercy and salvation.

Isn't that amazing when you break it down? Wow.

My favorite part is that we once were in darkness but He brought us into the light.

Which part is your favorite? Or do you prefer a different verse from 1 Peter? Let me know in the comments.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 2 Peter 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 353: Wisdom and Faith

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read James 1-5.

There is a lot going on in these chapters, so please read them for yourselves, as I will only be able to share a small portion.

James 1:5 - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

I don't know about you, but I always need wisdom. I pray for wisdom all the time. Looking back on my life, I can see times when I didn't always make the wisest of choices, and though I know it may happen again, if it must, at least I don't want it to happen as often. And so I pray for wisdom.

James 1:6-8 -  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

That sounds a little harsh, maybe, but it's true. We can't expect God to do something if we don't believe He can or will. We must believe that He is able, and that He is faithful

When we were children, we asked our parents for things, knowing that if it was good for us, and in their power, they would do it or get it for us.

It's the same with God. His power is limitless, so He can. If it's good for us, He will. But when we ask, we must believe that this is true.

Faith always sounds complicated. But it isn't. It's a choice to believe. Even when doubt creeps in and tries to overtake our faith, we must decide to believe despite our doubts, and overtake them with our faith.

Sometimes it isn't easy, but it isn't complicated.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Peter 1-5.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 352: Faith

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Hebrews 11-13.

In today's reading, Paul talks about faith.

Hebrews 11:1-3 - Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, sot hat what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Paul then goes on to list people who obeyed God in faith, or because of faith:

Abel
Enoch
Noah
Abraham
Sarah
Isaac
Jacob
Joseph
Moses

And then Paul declares that he will run out of time if he details all the examples, going on to simply list the names of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets.

By faith these received the promises of God. By faith, they walked in obedience to God. By faith, they experienced the miracles of God.

And by faith, so can we.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read James 1-5.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 351: Jesus is Our High Priest

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Hebrews 7-10.

In today's reading, Paul continues his reminder of how Jesus is our high priest. He also discusses the order of Melchizedek, who was a king who appeared in Genesis, in Abraham's story. Melchizedek is a king with no beginning and no end. Look up that story.

Hebrews 7:25-28 - Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Hebrews 11-13.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 350: Our High Priest

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Hebrews 1-6.

In this letter, Paul talks about Jesus, who He is, what He has done for all people, and declares Him to be our high priest.

See, Paul talks first about the priests and prophets of old, and how God talked to His people through them, and how God now talks to His people through Jesus.

Hebrews 2:17-18 - Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Jesus is our High Priest. He intercedes with God on our behalf. And He understands us. We can tell Him anything, and ask about anything. No matter what we are going through, Jesus understands, because He has walked where we walked, experienced all the temptation and fear that we experience. And He overcame it. He lived a life with no sin, so that He could be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.

He understands you. He knows you. He knows what you are going through. No matter how rough or ugly or painful your days get, Jesus knows and He understands, because He has been there.

He was mocked. Taunted. Beaten. Bruised. Killed.

And He overcame it all, so that He could intercede for you and me, and say that He understands us.

I don't know what you're going through today, but our High Priest, Jesus, does. And He has been where you are. He has been tempted and hurt as you are. And He overcame it so that He could help you overcome it too.

Seek Him today, and ask for His help. He will give it.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Hebrews 7-10.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 349: On Our Best Behavior

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Titus 1-3. I also read Philemon 1.

These are letters from Paul in prison to the people whose names are used as titles for the books.

In his letters to Titus, Paul discusses appropriate behavior for the leaders of the church.

From today's reading, I want to share this:

Titus 3:1-8 - Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to b peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared. He saved us not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, b y the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

In this, Paul urges Titus to urge the church to treat others with consideration, for we were all once sinners. I don't know the full historical context, if this was just a general reminder, or if they were being disrespectful to those who weren't believers.

Either way, this is a good reminder for all of us. We know the salvation and love of God. If we behave otherwise, why would anyone who doesn't know God want what we have? We must always behave in a way that shows God's love and enduring mercy, so that we may lead by example.

This is difficult sometimes, and we might have a bad day or two, but overall, what people should see is Christ in us. Then, they can wonder how we can take the bad days with such grace, and when they ask, we can claim Christ as our only reason for such behavior.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Hebrews 1-6.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 348: Confidence

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read 2 Timothy 1-4.

From today's reading, I just want to share one verse with you today. I hope each of you finds it uplifting.

2 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

This is taken from my Bible, the New American Standard Version.

Other versions say:

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. - NIV

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. - KJV

Whichever version you are reading, this verse makes it clear that God does not want us to fear, nor cause us to be timid. Rather, God gives us power, love, and discipline, so that we can walk in confidence.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Titus 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 347: God's Mercy, Jesus' Sacrifice

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 1 Timothy 1-6.

Paul had a lot to discuss in this letter to Timothy, but I'm only going to cover one part today. There are some other points in this letter that warrant further discussion, so stay tuned for individual blog posts on those.

1 Timothy 1:12-17 - I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul declares himself to be the worst of sinners. He persecuted the church. He killed believers of Jesus Christ. He blasphemed God. He upheld a false interpretation of God's word.

And yet, God forgave Paul, and Paul went on to preach God's word and saw many people saved, and gave instruction to many churches.

Paul's sins were great, but God's mercy was greater.

God's forgiveness and mercy are not limited. As humans, we have to limit everything. Our minds cannot comprehend the limitless. And so we try to put God in our box of limits.

But He is not inhibited as we are. His mercy knows no limits. When we repent, He forgives. When we seek mercy, He gives it.

A hundred times over.

Even for such as Paul, who persecuted God's own people.

And the same is true for you and me. God's mercy knows no limits. We mess up. We have sinned. And yet He forgives us. All we have to do is ask. There is no secret ritual or great punishment. Jesus took the punishment on Himself so that we would not have to bear it. Jesus Himself will stand beside us at the judgment day, and when our sins are read out, He will say "I paid the cost for that. This child of Mine is clean."

Isn't that wonderful?

If you don't know Jesus as your Savior today, and you want to, there is no secret formula or prayer.

But if you don't know how to get started, just ask Him to come and be the Lord of your life. Ask Him to enter your heart and cleanse you, and forgive you of your sins.

And that's all there is to it. It's just a plea for mercy.

This isn't a magical formula either. It's still a daily choice to choose God over sin, and sometimes it's hard. But you can do it. Paul did it. And I do it. We all mess up sometimes, but choosing God is the best decision, because His mercy abounds.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 2 Timothy 1-4.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 346: The Lord is Faithful

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 2 Thessalonians 1-3.

Paul wrote this letter to the Thessalonian church while he was in prison. He wrote to encourage them as in the last letter, but also to admonish them, as he had heard that some of their members were not doing what they were supposed to do.

There was a lot in today's reading that I didn't understand, and part of it would make more sense if I understood the context and the time period better.

That said, I do want to share one verse with you today.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 - But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

The evil one, of course, is Satan, who tries everything in his power to turn us from God and prevent God's word from being spoken.

This verse can stand on its own, but if you wish for the context, Paul is asking for prayer that they can still preach the gospel and for the release of himself and the other prisoners who are there for preaching the gospel. After the verse, he declares his confidence in the Thessalonian church that they will continue to do what is asked of them.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Timothy 1-6.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 345: 1 Thessalonians

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 1 Thessalonians 1-5.

Today's reading was a letter from Paul to the church of the Thessalonians.

He writes to encourage them and to give them news of himself, Timothy, and the other apostles.

I felt like I've talked about most of the stuff Paul wrote about in this letter, so I don't have anything to say today.

Naturally, Paul repeats a lot of good instruction for each of the churches, and that is good for us as well, because it serves as a reminder for how we, also, should conduct ourselves - as people who serve God.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 2 Thessalonians 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 344: Colosians

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Colossians 1-4.

Paul is writing to the church at Colossae from prison. He sends his own regards and those of some of his fellow prisoners and writes to them of the visits of some of his fellow believers.

He writes to encourage them, and to remind them of their lives in Christ.

I don't have much to say about today's reading, so I just wanted to give you a brief rundown.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Thessalonians 1-5.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 343: God is Working in Us

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read Philippians 1-4.

Today's reading is a letter from Paul while he was in prison to the church at Philippi.

Philippians 1:6 - For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

God never gives up on us. We mess up. We fail. We slip. We slide. We fall down. And sometimes it feels like we've moved so far away from God that He will never let us close again.

But that isn't the case. God is perfecting us. He is recreating us in the image of Christ. His own perfection. And He never gives up.

We will have good days and bad days. But God continues perfecting us, and will do so until Jesus Christ comes back.

There is hope. There is time. We are His, and He will never give up on us. He will continue working in us as long as we let Him.

He began this good work in us. And He won't stop, because He isn't finished with us yet. 

Day by day, He molds us closer to His eternal perfection.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Colossians 1-4.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 342: Anger

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Ephesians 4-6.

Paul talked about a lot in these chapters, some of which I will revisit for more in-depth blog posts.

Today, however, I want to talk about anger.

We all get angry sometimes, right? Well, I do anyway.

This is what Paul says about anger:

Ephesians 4:26-27 - BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:29-32 - Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

So, basically, it's okay to get angry. Sometimes. Sometimes we can't help it. But we shouldn't stay angry. We should always forgive. Infinitely. Because God has forgiven us, and has let go of His wrath against us. And guaranteed we have sinned against God more often and greater than anyone else has sinned against us.

Rather, we should be kind to one another. If we always react in anger, we aren't showing God's love. But if we react in grace, with forgiveness, we are showing God's love to other people. And that might make them ask us how we can do that, and give us an opportunity to tell them about Jesus.

I know it's not easy.

But as Paul said, "Be angry, but do not sin."

It's okay to get mad. Just don't act on it, and don't stay mad or let it lead to unforgiveness. That can lead to bitterness, or hatred. And God says that when we hate someone, we have already killed them in our hearts.

Be angry, but do not sin.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Philippians 1-4.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 341: Adoption Into the Kingdom of God

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Ephesians 1-3. This is Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus. This letter was written while he was in prison.

I just want to share a few verses with you today.

Ephesians 1:3-6 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

God adopted us through Jesus. He chose us before time. We are His, and He has blessed us with spiritual blessings.

Isn't that a wonderful thought? Life isn't easy, but we can always rest in the promises of God. He is faithful to His own, and we are His.

Paul goes on to encourage the church of Ephesus, so I encourage you to read the rest of today's reading for yourselves. I just wanted to share a small portion of what I read today.

I have been finding more and more verses lately that give me hope even when the world seems so dark. I hope you will as well.

I also hope that you'll join me tomorrow when I read Ephesians 4-6.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 340: Spirit vs. Flesh

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Galatians 4-6.

In today's reading, Paul talks about the differences between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-24 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outburst of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Does that sound difficult to you? I know I have done several of the things of the flesh, and I still struggle with a few of them. And those who do them will not inherit the kingdom of God.

That sounds hopeless. And it is. Without Jesus. Jesus took our punishment on Himself, so that we could be with Him forever in heaven, and He will speak for us when we get to heaven.

So, we war. We struggle against the flesh. We pray, knowing that God hears us and will help us. We have to daily defeat the flesh and let the Spirit abound within us.

And it's not easy. Well, some days are easier than others, I should say. The flesh really wants to win. But so does the Spirit. And so it comes down to a choice. Day by day. Minute by minute.

And God is merciful, so if we fail, He is faithful to forgive us. But we still have to try to succeed.

As I said, I'm still struggling with some of these. In particular, I often struggle with jealousy and envy. And I have to daily allow the Holy Spirit to help me with my self-control.

What are you struggling with?

I hope you join me tomorrow when I read Ephesians 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 339: Perverting the Gospel

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Galatians 1-3.

Paul is writing a letter to the church at Galatia.

He begins by stating that the letter is from himself and other brethren with him.

Then he goes on to scold the church at Galatia for corrupting the gospel.

Whoa! That's not good.

He says that they are preaching the gospel, but distorting it. Using the same words, but the wrong meaning.

And Paul scolds them quite strongly for it, in hopes that the church will correct this error.

Because that's a big deal.

I mean, a really big deal. Distorting or perverting or corrupting God's word is a big deal.

Now, I'm the first to admit that I don't understand everything that I read in the Bible. And when I don't, I may speculate, but I always try to say "I think this means..." because I'm not sure. And that's why I ask questions about things I don't understand.

And if you ever catch me saying something incorrectly, please tell me, so I can correct it. Because I don't ever want to say something false about God's word. Ever.

Because that would be horrible. To say something the wrong way because I didn't understand it and to lead someone astray....that would be awful!

So, my point is...we all have to be careful when we talk about God's word. We know what is true and what isn't. And if we aren't sure, we should clarify that and ask questions of someone we know is more mature in the word than we are.

So, that's all for today. I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Galatians 4-6.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 338: Taking Captive Our Thoughts

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 2 Corinthians 10-13.

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.

We walk in an earthly body. Yet our enemies are not earthly. We fight, instead, against spiritual enemies, who know how to distract us by attacking our thoughts.

And so, we must master our own flesh, our own thoughts, and bind them in service to God. Our minds will naturally want to wander away from the things of God, will naturally want to focus on earthly things. But we have the power to bring them into alignment with the things of God, through obedience and the study of God's word.

You've probably heard "mind over matter," right? Well, there's some accuracy to it. Our willpower can be a great asset. When we use it. And if you don't have willpower, or self-control, ask the Holy Spirit to help you. It is, after all, a fruit of the Spirit. And we can use our willpower to control our thoughts as well. 

Every time an unholy thought comes to our minds - despair, unbelief, lust, doubt, anger - we can overcome it with God's help. It won't be easy at first, because we aren't used to doing it, but practice makes perfect, after all.

My challenge for all of us this week is this: when fleshly thoughts come to us, let's take them captive with the word of God.

When a lie runs through your mind this week - about who you are, who God is, or what He thinks of you - defeat it with truth. And if you don't know the truth for the lie, look it up. I guarantee it's in your Bible.

Well, that's all I have time for today. I need to get ready for work. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.

And, as always, I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Galatians 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 337: This World Will Never Feel Like Home

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read 2 Corinthians 5-9.

In today's reading, Paul reminds the church at Corinth, and therefore us, that while we are "at home with" Christ, we are absent from the body (the flesh/the world) and while we are at home in "the body," we are absent from Christ.

What does this mean?

When we seek the things of this world, we cannot be with Christ, and when we seek the things of God, we no longer find the world comfortable.

When we become believers in Christ, this world is no longer our home. This is not as good as it gets. Often, we feel discontent here. We are often persecuted, hassled, and harassed. And that's normal, because we don't belong to this world anymore.

God never promises this will be easy, or that life won't ever suck. He promises to be with us always, through all the trials and all the times that life sucks. And one day we'll get to go home and be with Him forever with no more pain, suffering, or discontent.

Until that time, I encourage each of you to draw closer to God. He makes the sucky times less sucky, and the miserable times less miserable. He provides hope to the hopeless, and life to the lifeless.

Keep going, and don't give up. It's not over yet. There's still fight in you. I know it.

Be discontented in this world. But don't be discontented with Christ.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 2 Corinthians 10-13.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 336: Things Which Are...

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read 2 Corinthians 1-4.

In today's reading, Paul begins another letter to the church at Corinth.

He speaks to them about integrity, suffering, and comfort. He reminds them that God is faithful, and that they will triumph in Christ, even if they suffer in the world.

And, though a letter should obviously be read in its entirety, Paul ends this portion of the letter with a much-quoted verse.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 - Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 2 Corinthians 5-9.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 335: Bad Company

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read 1 Corinthians 15-16.

I thought Paul wrote all his letters from prison, but now I'm not sure. He mentions in this letter that he hopes to come to the church at Corinth soon, and mentions that he is in Ephesus.

Does anyone have clarification for this?

Paul also wrote something that I felt was good food for thought, so I'm just going to share one verse today.

For context, he was writing specifically to the church at Corinth. He wrote before and after this verse about what their behavior should be as people who believe in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

We can choose to listen to people who build us up or tear us down. We can choose to give our ear to good advice or bad advice. We can choose to spend time with wise people or foolish people. We can choose good morals. But if we spend time with the wrong people, our flesh begins to want to please those people, and can cause us to compromise our morals and do things we know are wrong.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 2 Corinthians 1-4.

Read Through the Bible in a Year Day 334: Spiritual Gifts

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read 1 Corinthians 12-14.

In today's reading, Paul writes to the church at Corinth about spiritual gifts. I've talked about it before in this post, so I won't rehash it.

I will give a quick recap: In this letter, Paul discusses the different spiritual gifts, declares that they are given by the Holy Spirit, and that not every person shares the same gifts or the same works.

He also states that we are all members of the same body - the body of Christ - and just as different parts of our human bodies have different functions, so do we all have different and specific functions in the church.

He does say that speaking in tongues edifies the person who speaks them, and that if they are interpreted, then the whole church is edified.

I think sometimes people misinterpret some of Paul's words to mean that everyone should speak in tongues and that there is something wrong with them if they don't.

I don't believe that. I believe that it's great if you do speak in tongues, but just because you don't, doesn't mean you've failed as a member of the church, because the Holy Spirit may have given you a different gift.

Any thoughts on this subject?

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Corinthians 15-16.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 333: 1 Corinthians 9-11

Good evening, everyone!

Wow. It's late here. Almost tomorrow.

Today I read 1 Corinthians 9-11.

Honestly, I didn't fully understand everything. I need to do some more in-depth study of these chapters.

If any of you have insight, I would love to hear them.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Corinthians 12-14.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 332: Leaven

Good morning, everyone!

I'm not feeling very well today, so this post is going to be short. Today I read 1 Corinthians 5-8, and these are some great chapters. I'm probably going to do a further study and other blog posts on some of the verses. Today, however, I want to focus on just a few verses.

First, remember context: Paul is writing to the church at Corinth, and in this letter, he is rebuking them for allowing immorality in their church, specifically, one of their members has his father's wife. I'm also going to assume at this point that she's also his mother.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 - Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough.

We can apply this to our lives. If we hang around with people who do not serve God, especially if they claim they do, if they are our closest friends, and are close enough to us to influence us, we need to back off so that they don't have the opportunity to influence us away from God.

Also, if we allow even one sin in our lives, it can change our entire mind and heart, even turning us away from God. Therefore, we must be vigilant to root out all sin from our lives.

Now, that said, Paul goes on to say this:

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 - I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler-not even to eat with such a one.

He goes on to say that God judges those who are outside the church, and that does not fall to those in the church.

So, if someone claims to be a Christian, but doesn't act like it...ever, then that isn't someone you want to associate with. Certainly, pray for them, and don't abandon them completely, but remember Paul's warning. A little leaven leavens the whole dough. Be careful about being influenced by someone like this.

But don't give up talking to people outside the church. If we don't talk to them, how can they possibly hear the good news of Christ and what He has done in our lives.

Now, that said, I want to add my own point: don't beat someone over the head with Bible verses. For example, if you see someone drinking alcohol, don't yell at them that the Bible says not to drink alcohol. Rather, by example, and by your own testimony, show them Christ. Jesus will change their hearts, just as He changed ours. It's only our job to tell people about Him.

And this can be difficult. I have great difficulty with this. But when it comes up in conversation, or makes a natural segue, I will say something. Sometimes people have questions, and sometimes they really don't want to hear anymore.

That's okay. We plant the seed. God reaps the harvest.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Corinthians 9-11.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 331: The Church at Corinth

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read 1 Corinthians 1-4.

In today's reading, Paul exhorts the church at Corinth to be united, not dissenting saying that one is of Paul, and another of Apolos (another disciple) but to remember that they are all of Christ.

He goes on to say that we should not consider ourselves wise, but to remember that we are foolish compared to God.

And that we are considered temples of God, since He dwells in our hearts. He reminds the church that God's temple is holy, and that if anyone destroys God's temple, God also will destroy them.

As we continue in our reading of First and Second Corinthians, let's remember to keep it all in context. Paul wrote these letters to the church of Corinth for a specific purpose. Naturally, it can apply to our lives as well, but we must keep it in context.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Corinthians 5-8.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 330: Strong Faith

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read Romans 14-16.

Today I just want to share one verse, though there is much to learn from these chapters.

Romans 15:1 - Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.

This comes after he warns against judging someone for having less faith than you do. Therefore, he is saying that those who are strong in faith should bear up those who are weak in faith, and not judge, because we don't know why someone doesn't have as much faith as they do.

Paul goes on to talk about accepting one another and not judging one another.

In these chapters, he also prays that God will give those who read his letter peace and hope.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Corinthians 1-4.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 329: Arrogance

Good evening, everyone!

Today I read Romans 11-13.

In today's reading, Paul reminds us (or rather reminded the Romans) that Israel was not forsaken by God, and that God extended His mercy and salvation to the Gentiles (us) - for our sakes, certainly - but also to make Israel jealous, so that they might return to Him with zeal.

He reminds the Romans (and us by extension) that we are the branches, but that Jesus is the root, and that He supports us and that without the root, a tree will lose all of its branches. He warns the Romans against arrogance, which is a good lesson for us as well. Without Christ, we were dead in sin. And now, with His support, we can truly grow and produce fruit. But we did not accomplish this on our own.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 14-16.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 328: No Condemnation

Good afternoon, everyone!

Today I read Romans 8-10.

Romans 8:1 - Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

We are not condemned for our sins, because Jesus took that condemnation for us. We are now clean and free from that burden of atonement. That does not, however, give us leave to sin whenever we feel like it without regard for consequences. If we mess up, and ask forgiveness, however, we will receive it.

Romans 8:2-17 - For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

I'm going to break this up before I got to verse 9, because this is quite long. When we are in Christ, we are made new, and as such, Christ renews our minds, and we are to do so continually, focusing on things of God, rather than the things of the flesh. Sometimes this is difficult, because the flesh never wants to obey God. But with Christ, we can overcome our flesh.

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

When we accept Christ, we become children of God. As God's children, He will help us when we ask Him. That doesn't mean the road will always be smooth, or that we won't fall or fail. Just as we sometimes fail our earthly parents, we can also fail our Heavenly Father. But we are not condemned when we are in Christ, as long as we truly live by the Spirit. When we mess up, He is faithful to forgive us.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 11-13.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 327: Trials Lead to Hope

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Romans 4-7.

And today I want to share a few verses.

Romans 5:1-5 - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

We may go through trials that seem so tough we won't ever make it. But God is always with us, and these trials strengthen us. They prove our character and help us to persevere and lead us to hope.

There is a lot more I could talk about in these chapters, but I don't feel that I could do them justice today. Which means each concept that intrigued, confused, or stuck with me today should get its own blog post sometime in the future.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 8-10.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 326: Context

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Romans 1-3.

There are quite a few verses I could talk about today, but I'm going to do something a little different to kick off our study of Romans.

The book of Romans is actually a letter written by Paul to the Romans to tell them about the gospel of Christ. It is one of many that he wrote while in prison.

Many of Paul's letters are in the New Testament, and we'll get to them later as well. Before we do, I wanted to take a moment here at the beginning of Romans to talk about context.

Sometimes, reading Paul's letters can feel like he's hitting you over the head, as though you've done something wrong. The reason some of his letters are worded so strongly is because he was writing them for a specific group of people, specifically the churches in different areas, who professed to know Jesus and to follow Him, but were doing all the wrong things, according to their own desires.

Context means taking into account who Paul was writing to, and why he was writing to them. The purpose of his letters.

I have been following a great Bible study on Youtube, and there was recently a lesson on context. It was super informative, and I encourage you to listen to it.

So, moving forward into Paul's letters, I hope we can all remember to keep it in context. Some of it may be strong, or it may feel like Paul is scolding.

Some of it may seem like he's talking to us, or about people we know. Some of what he says may seem like it applies to your generation, or my generation.

And perhaps it does. Perhaps something Paul wrote will speak to us, teach us, or encourage us to change something in our lives that we know to be wrong.

But if we don't keep it in context - in this case, Paul is writing to the Romans - then sometimes Paul can seem abrasive.

So, that's what I wanted to share today. I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 4-7.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 325: The Shipwreck

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 27-28.

In today's reading, Paul is sent to Rome to appeal to Caesar.

They change ships along the way, and one of the ships runs into a storm. Paul advises them to put into port, but they ignore him.

When the storm then overtakes the ship, Paul tells them not to get into the little boats, that they will lose the ship, but no lives will be lost. The centurion and soldiers believed him, and cut the little boats away.

Thus, though they lost the ship, they arrived safe at Malta.

After a time there, they finally set out for and arrived at Rome, where Paul was kept a prisoner, but under the care of the jailer he was used to, and he was allowed to see his friends, and to preach and be ministered to.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Romans 1-3.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 324: Paul's Trials

Good afternoon, everyone! Happy Thanksgiving to all the American and Canadian readers!

Today I read Acts 24-26.

In today's reading, Paul goes before different governors for his trials. During this time, he gets the chance to tell different people about Jesus and God's laws.

One governor even confesses that Paul almost has him converted.

It was even said that Paul would have gone free sooner, but he appealed directly to Caesar.

And I wonder if that was the point. Paul knew they had no evidence. He knew they could not condemn him.

But by appealing, his trial was prolonged and he got to tell even more people about Christ.

I wonder if he meant to do that. What do you think?

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 27-28.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 323: Paul's Arrest

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 21-23.

And to be honest, I didn't understand everything that was going on.

Paul continued on his travels, teaching and preaching, and then a man told him he would be bound if he went to Jerusalem, but he had to go, so he went and preached. Then, the priests and elders had him arrested.

He spoke to the people in Hebrew, declaring himself to be a Jew of Tarsus, and they went silent until he started criticizing them. Then they cried out for him to be taken away.

The Romans were going to scourge him, but he declared himself to be Roman, and they could not, and were afraid because they had arrested him.

This was a little confusing to me, but I think if I study it, it would make more sense.

It's possible he just didn't want to be scourged. Understandably.

At the end of these chapters, he was awaiting trial.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 24-26.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 322: Preaching to the Gentiles

Good morning, everyone!

Today I read Acts 18-20.

In today's reading, Paul and his friends were traveling all over, preaching the gospel and teaching. They would get yelled at by the Jews, and so most often went to the Gentiles. Sometimes people there, like the smiths who made graven images, thought they were disrupting their businesses, so they had them brought before the courts. But the courts didn't find any problem with them. So they continued on their way.

Still, many people believed and were baptized.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 21-23.

Read Through the Bible in a Year 2018 Day 321: Paul and Silas

Good evening, everyone!

I meant to post this earlier, but I got busy today and totally forgot.

Unfortunately, that means this post will be short because I have to get to bed.

Today I read Acts 16-17.

In today's reading, Paul and Silas are preaching in a city in Europe, where a demon-possessed woman was shouting how they served the Most-High God, causing a stir. So, Paul commands the demon to come out of her. Her masters are angry because they got money from her divinations, so they have Paul and Silas arrested.

While in prison, under heavy guard and bound with chains, Paul and Silas began praising God. Suddenly the earth quakes, and their chains fall off and all the prison doors open.

The jailer rushes in, and assuming that all the prisoners have escaped, prepares to kill himself. Paul and Silas step out of their cell, and stop him from harming himself, because all the prisoners are there.

The man asks how he can also be saved, so they tell him, and he and his whole house convert.

Now, the point I really took from this - though there is a lot to be learned from this story - is that Paul and Silas praised God through their imprisonment. They prayed and praised so loudly, in fact, despite their circumstances, that they were freed.

That can happen to us too. When we focus on God rather than our circumstances, they can't bind us. When we praise rather than complain and pray rather than despair, our circumstances will not become our prisons.

I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read Acts 18-20.