Two year Bible reading program.

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:17 Understanding to grow in So within thity or so years, the gospel was being boldly poclaimed in Rome - the centre of the world. Indeed, the conclusion of the book suggests one of Luke's main purposes is to show how the gospel went to the Gentiles with the Jews largely rejected it. Moreover, God's protection of Paul and the way that gained the attention of the sailors and islanders demonstrates his power and purpose behind the gospel's success. It should encourage and embolden us in our own evangelistic efforts. As you read note the different ways God ensured people heard of him. Acts 27-28 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:16 Understanding to grow in Jesus had promised his disciples "you will be brought before kings and governors," and that he would give them sufficient words and wisdom (Lk 21v12-15). Here we see just that. And it should encourage us to speak up when opportunity comes to us too. As you read, note what Paul teaches about Christ. Acts 25-26 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then  praise  him for this. 2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then  pray  that home. Devotion to offer up You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboar...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:15 Understanding to grow in Paul's case before Felix is important in showing the charges of the Jews were groundless, and so commending faith in Christ to Jews. Paul also sets an example of perseverence under trial for his faith, being imprisoned for two years; and of persistence in taking every opportunity during that time to speak of Christ. As often happens, rather than acknowledge the truth of what he hears, Felix backs off when he recognizes its seriousness (24v25). As you read note how God is at work protecting Paul. Acts 23:12-24:27 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then  praise  hi...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:13-14 Understanding to grow in Paul is now in Jerusalem, and the prophecies given about him are fulfilled (20v23, 21v11-14). We should consider his courage - choosing at the risk of his own life to address those baying for his blood. We should also consider his testimony. Paul's conversion is one of the great foundation stones of Christian faith. Nothing can explain such a change from persecutor to preacher, but that he did indeed see and hear from the risen Christ. As this passage shows, Paul had absolutely nothing to gain from becoming a Christian, but for potential death. However, no matter how compelling the evidence for faith, those whose hearts are hard will not be moved. Paul's hear...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:12 Understanding to grow in One theme today is the fellowship not just between Paul's ministry team but between Paul and those he ministered to. The gospel builds a community of genuine love. But more dominant is the theme of Paul's ministry itself. It is affirmed by James (Jesus' half-brother) and the elders in Jerusalem. And it is not challenged by them urging Paul to show he was living in obedience to the law. Their intent was to show Jewish Christians that Paul was not undermining their freedom to keep living according to their inherited Old Testament practices if they wanted to - as long as they were trusting Christ alone for salvation. As you read note the different ways the impo...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:11 Understanding to grow in A couple who have a missionary to stay and who involve him in their business to help him earn. Two co-workers who enable the missionary to go full-time in his preaching, and who he can send to areas he is unable to get to. A gifted convert who speaks boldly of Christ. By these means the word of God spreads today just as it did from Corinth to Ephesus. Yet again, our passage records how it does so amidst persecution, as the gospel challenges people's beliefs or affects people's income, and as the few whip up the many in opposition. As for the authorities? Some are complacent and some prepared to intervene. Our reading continues the record of general rejection by ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:10 Understanding to grow in A number of threads come together here. First, we see that salvation comes only by belief "in the Lord." This is true even for those who were previously worshippers of the true God through Judaism. Faith in Christ is now necessary. And at times whole households were baptised. Most likely this included servants and children. Second, we see false ideas challenged. Paul's sermon in Athens is a masterclass in persuasion that starts with his hearer's worldview and leads them to gospel truth and the evidence that supports it. Third, we see the message of Christ bringing hostility because of the way it challenges people's beliefs or livelihoods. The jewis...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:9 Understanding to grow in The church has always had to navigate disagreement. Here some Jewish Christians state that Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses - implying they are not truly saved without it. This is serious as it could not only keep Gentiles from becoming Christians, but encourage those that do to rely on their own righteousness which could never be suffcient to merit God's favour. Peter's response brings us all relief. People are saved "through grace" and so not required to obey Old Testament law as a system (15v11). Christ has done it all. Neverthless, Christian unity is important. So the council urged Gentiles to abstain from sexual immorality (a ...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:7-8 Understanding to grow in Paul and Barnabus' mission continues with mixed response from Jews and Gentiles. Yet, throughout the church continues to grow under the "grace of God" - his free favour dispensed by his Holy Spirit. It's a reminder that a degree of conflict is the norm when Christians share their faith, just as it marked Jesus' ministry in almost every possible way. As you read note the different forms in which opposition came. Acts 13:13-14:28 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then  praise  him for this. 2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:6 Understanding to grow in The early Christians clearly saw the sort of events surrounding the apostles as exceptional. Peter himself is suprised (12v11). The point, however, is that nothing can hinder the word of the gospel. It "continued to spread and flourish" despite the opposition of King Herod, religious leaders and a sorcerer (12v24). It should encourage us in a day of increasing opposition that God's word will fulfil the purpose he has for it. Indeed, he may use opposition to spread the gospel just as he used the persecution in Jerusalem to spread the first believers (11v19). As you read note what God does to ensure the gospel multiplies. Acts 11:19-13:12 Finish this read...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:5 Understanding to grow in God works particularly astonishing miracles through the disciples. They are what Paul calls "marks of a true apostle" (2 Cor 12v12), focusing people's attention on his appointed spokesmen so that they might listen to their message. But the centre of this section, and the shock for the first Jewish Christians, who is saved: a Gentile centurion. Much space is given to this to affirm that God's purposes are now universal. Any who repent and believe in Christ are accepted by God and so equal members of his people with all that entails (10v34-36). We should not take our salvation for granted. It is by God's gracious gift that he includes even us, and thi...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:4 Understanding to grow in Because salvation is by grace all who are willing can receive it. Today's passage details some unexpected conversions: despised Samaritans, a Gentile (non-Jewish) Eunuch (see Deut 23v1) and a murderous Jew. The point is that the gospel is going global. And if such people can receive it, be baptised and receive the promised Holy Spirit, so can you and I. Christ is for everyone. But Simon the sorcerer shows that our response must be sincere. As you read note how each person's inclusion is affirmed. Acts 8:4-9:31 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then  praise  him f...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:2-3 Understanding to grow in Here we are encouraged to see just how sufficiently the Holy Spirit can equip God's people for bearing witness to Christ, but also the potential cost of doing so. Stephen's message challenges any tendency in us to reject Christ, whilst his example urges us instead to speak boldly of him. As you read note the attitudes he confronts in his hearers. Acts 6:8-8:3 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then  praise  him for this. 2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then  pray  that home. Devotion to offer up Y...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 13:1 Understanding to grow in It is both awe-inspiring and terrifying to consider God is especially present within his church. Here we see his presence moved the believers to the sort of generosity and love that reflect his own character, caused dramatic miracles that marked out the apostles and their message - even freeing them from prison to continue their preaching, and equipped the church with capable leaders so that the apostles could continue their ministry unhindered. Yet the incident with Ananias and Sapphira shows that just as we saw in Leviticus, to sin in close vicinity to this holy God may cause his wrath to break out. The event is not portrayed as normative, but takes place when God is m...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 12:28 Understanding to grow in Christ's works of healing continue. But their importance is in how they point to him. Peter uses the opportunity of the healed beggar to poclaim the gospel - and with a boldness in the Spirit that he of all the disciples lacked before Pentecost. Yet although many come to faith the Jewish leaders haven't learnt. They cannot deny the miracle but still seek to hush the disciples up (4v16-17). The prayer of 4v23-31 acknowledges this is futile, just as was the attempt to silence Christ through the cross. What encouragement as hostility to Christianity is on the increase. We will see throughout Acts that nothing can thwart the advance of the gospel. As you read note w...

BEGIN WITH PRAYER "Lord open my eyes and my heart." Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, yor family, your church and the world. Wisdom to chew on Proverbs 12:27 Understanding to grow in What should the church be doing until Christ returns? Bearing witness that God raised him as Lord and King, with all that implies. And we have been given the Spirit to enable this (1v6-8, 9-11, 2v17-21, 2v32-38). Acts is Luke's second book. He begins telling us its theme is what Jesus continued to do and teach having ascended into heaven - work he did by his Holy Spirit, through his apostles, and through those who believed their message (1v1-2). As you read note what we are told the giving of the Holy Spirit signified, and the difference he immediately made. Acts 1:1-2:47 Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself: 1) What’s the main thing it teaches me ab...