January 20, 2015. Reading: Acts 23-26. Background: Acts 21-22. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 23 Paul’s defense and the people’s reaction: As Paul stands before the counsel, he goes to make his defense. However, he is almost immediately cut short when he tells his fellow Jews that he had lived in good conscience to that day….
Tag: trials
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 19-21: The death, burial and resurrection.
October 17, 2015. Daily Reading: John 19-21. Background: John 16-18. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 19 The crucifixion and burial: As we enter the final stage of Jesus’ trial before Pilate, we find a man who seems to be deeply conflicted, torn between the fear of the Jews and the fear of Jesus. Pilate has Jesus…
John 16-18: Jesus’ final days.
October 10, 2015. Daily Reading: John 16-18. Background: John 13-15. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 16 A final discourse with the disciples: As we near the passion narrative as presented by John, he gives us one of the final discussions that Jesus has with His disciples before He is taken to trial and the cross, followed…
Luke 23-24: The trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
August 21, 2015. I am switching Friday and Saturday’s reading this week due to timing issues. I appreciate you bearing with me. Thank you for reading and following along! _________________________________________________________ Daily Reading: Luke 23-24. Background: Luke 21-22. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 23 The trial, crucifixion and burial of Jesus: Luke, being the historian that he…
Luke 21-22: Signs and the betrayal.
August 15, 2015. Daily Reading: Luke 21-22. Background: Luke 19-20. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 21 1. The widow’s offering: This chapter opens up with the story of the widow that gives two small copper coins into the treasury as an offering to the temple. He says that she has put in more than all the…
II Corinthians 4-6: The glory of the gospel.
April 19, 2015. Daily Reading: II Corinthians 4-6. Background: II Corinthians 1-3. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 4 1. The light of the gospel: In the beginning, when all of the universe as we know it was nothing and there was no light, there was God, and God said “Let their be light,”- and light shined out…
Genesis 44-47: Reunited.
March 23, 2015. Daily Reading: Genesis 44-47. Background: Genesis 40-43. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 44 Joseph tests his brothers: Just as in chapter 42, it is hard to speculate why Joseph chose to not tell his brothers who he was right away, but rather set up a trap for them as they went home so that…
Job 12-14: Many words that have caused frustration.
February 19, 2015. Daily Reading: Job 12-14. Background: Job 11. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 12 1. Laughing at the misfortune of others: Sometimes, though it will seem very wrong when said aloud, we get some internal satisfaction when we see the misfortune of others, especially when it comes on people that we don’t particularly like…
Job 11: Kick ’em when he’s down.
February 12, 2015. Daily Reading: Job 11. Background: Job 9-10. Concepts and Connections. Chapter 11 1. When comfort turns into accusation: After Job has given two rebuttals to his friends ever pressing judgment on him, Zophar the Naamathite decides it is his turn to try to talk some sense into Job. However, probably due to his frustration…
Job 3-5: Lament and blame.
January 15, 2014. Daily Reading: Job 3-5. Background: Job 1-2. Job has lost everything, even his health, because he was righteous and is being tested. In this section of the story of Job, there has been seven days of silence before Job begins his lament. Chapters 4 and 5 are Eliphaz the Temanite’s rebuttal to Job’s…
Job 1-2: Serving God through the tough times.
January 8, 2014. Daily Reading: Job 1-2. Background: The book of Job is set in one of the earliest times in the bible, still in the Patriarchal age before the time of Moses, despite is position in the biblical cannon. Job could have been a contemporary with Abraham, though no one actually knows. Job lives…
Twenty Eight Eighteen 