August 14, 2016. “And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) This past week at a bible study that the guys do on Thursday morning, my friend Jacob said something…
Tag: persecution
Acts 21-22: Paul in Jerusalem.
December 26, 2015. Daily Reading: Acts 21-22. Background: Acts 19-20. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 21 Paul in Jerusalem: As Paul set fourth to Jerusalem, he and his company made several stops along the way. Notice the bond of the brethren here as they stop and find disciples in various cities, prolonging their stay a bit…
Acts 15-18: The second missionary journey.
December 12, 2015. Daily reading: Acts 15-18. Background: Acts 13-14. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 15 1. The Jerusalem counsel: As Paul and Barnabas return from their first missionary journey and proceeded to tell the Jewish believers in Antioch all that God had done for the Gentiles through them, there were some men who were of…
Acts 13-14: The first missionary journey.
December 5, 2015. Daily reading: Acts 13-14. Background: Acts 10-12. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 13 The first missionary Journey, Paul and Barnabas: As Paul and Barnabas were staying in Antioch doing much teaching, the Holy Spirit called them out specifically to a work that He had appointed them to do. Notice that even after they were…
Psalm 129-131: Looking to the Lord.
December 2, 2015. Daily Reading: Psalm 129-131. Background: Psalm 126-128. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 129 Enduring affliction: Another psalm in the series of the songs of ascents (see psalm 120), this psalm recounts affliction that the people of Israel had endured from the people who oppressed them even from the beginning. As Israel was becoming a nation…
Acts 10-12: The gospel goes to the Gentiles.
November 28, 2015. Daily Reading: Acts 10-12. Background: Acts 9. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 10 The gospel given to the Gentiles: Up until this point in the book of acts, the good news about Christ really had only gone to the Jews. Even when the believers were scattered abroad after the stoning of Stephen spoke…
I Peter 4-5: Suffering and transformation.
November 22, 2015. Daily Reading: I Peter 4-5. Background: I Peter 1-3. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 4 1. Being transformed: As Peter gave the example of Christ’s suffering for righteousness sake in the previous chapter, he builds off the symbolism of the rebirth of baptism to show how we as Christians are to be dead…
Acts 9: Saul’s conversion.
November 21, 2015. Note that I have decided to only do Acts 9 today, as chapters 10 and 11 shouldn’t be split up in my opinion. Thus, next week we will do Acts 10-12. Thank you for following along with me. ___________________________________ Daily Reading: Acts 9. Background: Acts 7-8. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 9 1….
Acts 7-8: Stephen and the spread of the gospel.
November 14, 2015. Daily Reading: Acts 7-8. Background: Acts 5-6. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 7 Stephen: The previous chapter left of with the arrest of Stephen on the basis of false witnesses, being brought before the council of Jewish leaders. This chapter pics up here and records Stephen’s defense and message to the high priest…
James 1-3: Practical Christianity.
November 1, 2015. Daily Reading: James 1-3. Background: The book of James was most likely authored by James the brother of Jesus who was a prominent leader in the Jerusalem church and well recognized among the apostles (see Acts 12:17, 15:13-22, I Corinthians 15:7, Galatians 1:19 and 2:9), though he apparently didn’t become a follower…
John 13-15: Discussions with the disciples.
October 3, 2015. Daily Reading: John 13-15. Background: John 9-12. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 13 Jesus’ passover meal with the disciples: As Jesus’ time before the cross is quickly coming to an end, John records one of the last suppers that He and His disciples would experience together before He was delivered over to the…
II Timothy 3-4: Standing strong amidst godlessness.
September 11, 2015. Note that I am switching Sunday’s reading to today, likely to be followed by Daniel and then the reading from John. I apologize for any confusion. __________________________________________________________ Daily Reading: II Timothy 3-4. Background: II Timothy 1-2. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 3 1. The coming godlessness: Paul continues on with Timothy here warning him of…
Twenty Eight Eighteen 