SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:1-16 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The Lord provides. A warm reception, gracious hospitality and supplies for the journey. Christ-followers (“brothers”) in Puteoli, and more who traveled from Rome to meet Paul and escort him to the city. The Lord’s favour is with Paul, but not just for Paul’s comfort and ease, but for the Lord’s purpose. The…
Nov 8 — Acts 27:27-44
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:27-44 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Once again I am struck by how calm and confident Paul is. In the midst of the storm, Paul leads them in a communion like meal, showing the others the grace and strength of God in Him. Th others are encouraged, not just by Paul’s courage, but by the calming presence of…
Nov 7 — Acts 27:1-26
SCRIPTURE: Acts 27:1-26 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This is a fascinating, well-written ‘play by play’ account of Paul’s journey to Rome. Paul doesn’t seem to be stressed by being sent to Rome. He does take the opportunity to say “I told you so” (v.21), but he encourages them to keep on hoping. Actually, Paul’s presence on the ship is…
Nov 6 — Acts 26:12-32
SCRIPTURE: Acts 26:12-32 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Here we see Paul’s evangelism skills in action. He speaks boldly yet graciously. He connects the coming of Jesus to the old covenant story of Israel. He highlights the need for eyes to be opened, repentance, turning from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to the power of God. He…
Nov 5 — Acts 26:1-11
SCRIPTURE: Acts 26:1-11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: It seems that for Paul, the heart of his message, the hope of all of Israel, “the promise the twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night” is the resurrection of Jesus. All religions speak have their worship, their ethics, their hopes for life beyond…
Nov 4 — Acts 25:13-27
SCRIPTURE: Acts 25:13-27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This is all “behind the scenes” stuff, where God is not mentioned or visible. Like the book of Esther, where God is nowhere even mentioned, we do not see God in an obvious way. Like reading a newspaper today, where events are recorded but God is not included. And yet, as in…
Nov 3 — Acts 25:1-12
SCRIPTURE: Acts 25:1-12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: What has to happen within ‘righteous’ people that would bring them to this point, that they would be willing to “prepare an ambush to kill” Paul, all in the name of their religion. Sadly, this has happened often, and many of those people claimed to be Christ-followers. Jesus called these Jewish leaders…
Nov 2 — Acts 24:10-27
SCRIPTURE: Acts 24:10-27 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Paul did not intentionally provoke the Jews, and he did not “desecrate” the temple, as the Jews from Asia said (Acts 21:27-29). I like how the movement is called “the Way”, since it describes a way of life. Paul mentions that he believes everything that agrees with the Law, but this does not…
Nov 1 — Acts 23:23-24:9
SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:23-24:9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This story reminds me of what is happening here in Canada, with the Dalai Lama in town, and the Chinese government accusing him of being a terrorist, promoting violence and rebellion against the nation of China. No doubt he does pose a threat to their authority, but he does not promote violence….
Bible Readings (February)
FEBRUARY 1. Revelation 18:1-24 2. Revelation 19:1-10 3. Revelation 19:11-21 4. Revelation 20:1-15 5. Revelation 21:1-8 6. Revelation 21:9-27 7. Revelation 22:1-11 8. Revelation 22:12-21 9. Joshua 9:1-15 10. Joshua 9:16-27 11. Joshua 10:1-15 12. Joshua 10:16-28 13. Joshua 10:29-43 14. Joshua 11:1-15 15. Joshua 11:16-23 16. Joshua 12:1-24 17. Joshua 13:1-14 18. Joshua 13:15-33 …