Category: Acts

June 7, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Acts 5:1-11. Ananias and Sapphira were lying to the Holy Spirit and fell down dead. This lead to great fear and great power in the Church.

Proverbs 6 warns against cosigning documents with neighbors, condemns sluggards of their sleepy and lazy habits and points to the destruction of wicked men. It tells about seven detestable things to the LORD, and finally it takes a dim view of adultery, a sure way to destroy yourself and others.

Psalm 41, of David. A prayer for help in sickness and protection from traitors and other enemies.

June 6, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Acts 4.The Apostles Peter and John were arrested and hauled before the Sanhedrin, were told not to speak about Jesus anymore. Their response? “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” They were let go and continued telling about Jesus and his resurrection, and a good time was had by all, sharing all things.

2 Kings 24. Things went from bad to worse, Judah was overrun by enemies, Jehoiachin became king of Judah and was taken captive, Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem and made Zedekiah nominal king of Judah.

2 Kings 25. In this final chapter is vividly described the fall and captivity of Judah. Gedaliah was made Governor of Judah and Jehoiakin was released from prison. Thus ends 2 Kings.

June 5, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

In Acts 3 thje Apostle Peter healed a crippled man sitting at the Beautiful Gate with these words:  “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.” Then Peter preached at Solomon’s Portico. Read it!, It is powerful.

2 Kings 22. Josiah was king of Judah and Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law. The reading of the law pricked their conscience.

2 Kings 23. Having repented, Josiah restored the worship and even tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes and ended idol worship, but alas, too late. There still came impending judgment on Judah, Josiah died in battle at Megiddo. After that came the reign and captivity of Jehoahaz, after which Jehoiakim became king of Judah.

June 4, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Acts 2. At the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit arrived, and that day many languages were spoken by the disciples, at least 15 different tongues that the listeners understood. Peter stood up and delivered his first sermon, a powerful one that led to about 3000 new converts. The following few weeks were good times and the believers were in good fellowship with each other.

2 Kings 20. Hezekiah was ill unto death, but he prayed to the LORD, and got his life extended another fifteen years. From Babylon came envoys, Hezekiah showed them every treasure in his palace, for in doing so he thought “There will be peace for our time” just like Neville Chamberlain did before WWII.

2 Kings 21. Manasseh became King of Judah, doing more evil in the sight of the LORD than even the surrounding countries. After his death Amon reigned and died, followed by his son, Josiah.

June 3, read the Bible in a year; in PowerPoint, with comments.

Acts 1 begins with the disciples watching Jesus’ Ascension, but before he left Earth he promised they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. While waiting for the Holy Spirit to come Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot as one of the 12 Apostles.

2 Kings 18. Hezekiah reigned in Judah, and was threatened by the Assyrians. Sennacherib boasted against the LORD, but Hezekiah still trusted the LORD and that He would deliver His people. The chapter ends with a standoff.

2 Kings 19. The prophet Isaiah assured deliverance from Sennacherib’s threat. Hezekiah’s prayed for deliverance and Isaiah delivered the word of the LORD concerning Sennacherib. That night the Angel of the Lord slayed 185,000 men, and Sennacherib was defeated and died not long after.

Day 191 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Acts 28 records Paul’s ministry on Malta and his final sailing to Rome. After Paul arrived in Rome it tells of Paul’s ministry there, and he stayed in Rome freely proclaiming the gospel for two full years.

Nehemiah 1 records Nehemiah’s prayer.

Nehemiah 2. After some days of praying Nehemiah went to King Artaxerxes, told the King why he was sad and was sent to Judah where he viewed the wall of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 3 retells the start of rebuilding the wall.

Day 190 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Acts 27:13-44. Against better advice from God via Paul the captain and Centurion ignored Paul’s warning, and sure enough a great storm grew up and they were shipwrecked on Malta, but all got safely ashore.

Proverbs 9 contrasts the way of wisdom with the way of folly.

Psalm 51, of David, written after Nathan confronted David after his adultery with Bathsheba. This Psalm explains fully, how God would say, after David was pointed out to be both an adulterer and a murderer: “He was a man after God’s own heart”.

Psalm 52, of David. The Psalm is a contemplation of David, contrasting the final end of evil men with the rewards of the righteous.

Psalm 53. This is a short Psalm telling about fools that say “No God”

Day 189 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Acts 27:1-12 starts with Paul’s Voyage to Rome, how the winds were contrary and made the journey last into the stormy season. Paul’s warning was ignored, so the ship sailed on.

Ezra 8 starts with a list of the heads of families who returned with Ezra. Ezra separated twelve priests to be temple servants and led in fasting and prayer for protection. The people came with gifts for the temple as they returned to Jerusalem.

Ezra 9. Ezra prayed about Intermarriage with pagans and called it a sin according to the Law.

Ezra 10. The returning exiles made confession of improper marriages, and their pagan wives were put away

Day 188 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Acts 26. Paul gave his testimony, recounted his early life, his conversion and  his life as a Christian. Festus  shouted “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad” but Agrippa said  “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”

Ezra 5. The restoration of the Temple resumed.

Ezra 6 records the Decree of Darius and the Temple’s completion and dedication, after which the Passover was celebrated.

Ezra 7. Finally Ezra arrived in Jerusalem and the letter from Artaxerxes to Ezra is recorded .

Day 187 of reading the Holy Bible in 365 days.

Acts 25. Paul stood trial before Festus, and Festus found that the charges were all religious, so he suggested sending Paul to Jerusalem, but Paul Appealed to Caesar. To finalize the charges Paul then went before King Agrippa and client Queen Bernice (Festus could find nothing chargeable according to Roman Law on his own).

Ezra 1 begins with the end of the Babylonian captivity and Cyrus decree to rebuild the Temple. The people prepared to return to Jerusalem.

Ezra 2 lists the captives who returned to Jerusalem.

Ezra 3. Worship was restored in Jerusalem and the restoration of the Temple began to great rejoicing, but also weeping.

Ezra 4. The resistance to building the Temple was great, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem was successfully opposed (for a while).