Devoted to Scripture

https://netbible.org/bible/Acts+8-9/

This is day 314 of our journey.

The death of Stephen started a period of persecution for the church as Saul was seeking to arrest them.  As a result, many of the disciples fled from Jerusalem and spread the knowledge of Jesus as they went.  Philip went into the region of Samaria, performing miracles and preaching the good news.  Many more came to believe in Jesus Christ.  Then, Saul traveled to Damascus to arrest another group of Christians and take them back to Jerusalem for trial.  On the way, Jesus appeared to him!  Jesus sent Saul into the city to meet a believer named Ananias who lived there.  Ananias prayed for Saul and baptized him.  Saul immediately changed from a man who was persecuting believers to a man that was proclaiming Jesus as Messiah!

Join me in Acts 8-9 to see the power of Christ in action!

Key verses:

Acts 8:4

Now those who had been forced to scatter went around proclaiming the good news of the word.  

Acts 9:17

So Ananias departed and entered the house, placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Acts+6-7/

This is day 313 of our journey.

As the disciples were continuing to grow in number, a complaint arose among the Greek-speaking Jews that their widows were not receiving their share in the distribution of food.  To counter this, the apostles appointed 7 men as deacons to oversee the service of the saints.  One of these deacons was a man named Stephen.  Stephen spoke boldly about Jesus and performed powerful miracles in his name.  He was falsely accused of blasphemy and brought before the council.  Stephen, led by the Holy Spirit, gave a clear defense of the truth, starting from Abraham and continuing through the prophets.  He ends his defense with a charge against the council for their part in the death of the prophets and of Jesus.  The council then drags Stephen out and kills him by stoning.  As this happens, we see a young man named Saul watching the proceedings.

Join me in Acts 6-7 and rely confidently on the Holy Spirit!

Key verses:

Acts 6:7

The word of God continued to spread, the number of disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.  

Acts 7:55

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked intently toward heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Acts+3-5/

This is day 312 of our journey.

The good news of Jesus Christ continues to spread as God empowers Peter, John, and the other disciples to perform miracles in the name of Christ.  Many new believers are added to the growing group of Christian brothers and sisters.  But this rapid growth catches the attention of the religious leaders who arrest early church leaders and bring them in for questioning.  After questioning them, they tell the disciples to stop speaking in the name of Jesus.   The disciples respond by saying that they must obey God rather than men.  As the church continues to grow, the believers share everything as common property so that those amongst them that are poor can be cared for as Jesus intended.  Many believers sell property and donate the proceeds to the disciples to provide for those who are in need.  

Join me in Acts 3-5 and let God's power guide you and work in you.

Key verses:

Acts 3:6

But Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, stand up and walk!”  

Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.”  

Acts 5:29

But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than people.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Acts+1-2/

This is day 311 of our journey.

The book of Acts is a sequel to the book of Luke's Gospel.  Luke picks up the story with Jesus' final words of instruction and commissioning: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses".  After Jesus ascended to heaven, the disciples gather together and choose another apostle to replace Judas who had betrayed Jesus.  Then, fifty days after Jesus death, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon them and they began to speak in foreign languages.  The crowds were amazed as they had gathered from all regions of the world, yet they were hearing these Galileans speaking in their own languages.  Peter stepped up in front of the crowd and explained to them about what was happening and who Jesus was.  As a result of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit, 3000 people were added to the number of believers!

Join me in Acts 1-2 for the anointing of the Holy Spirit on God's people.

Key verses:

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”  

Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified both Lord and Christ.”  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Acts/

https://netbible.org/bible/John+20-21/

This is day 310 of our journey.

John ends his gospel with a detailed description of Jesus' resurrection and the interactions he had after he was raised.  Jesus first appeared to Mary Magdalene and sent her to let the disciples know that he had risen.  Later that day, Jesus appeared to the disciples who had gathered in a locked room.  Still later, some of the disciples decided to go fishing again.  They were unable to catch any fish all night, but Jesus came to them in the morning and provided them with a miraculous catch (153 large fish).  As soon as this happened, they realized that it was Jesus and Peter ran to him.  As they sat down to eat a meal with him, Jesus reinstated Peter (and contrasted his previous denials) by asking him three times about his love.

Join me in John 20-21 and believe in the risen Lord!

Key verses:

John 20:31

But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.  

John 21:25

There are many other things that Jesus did. If every one of them were written down, I suppose the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/John+18-19/

This is day 309 of our journey.

After Jesus prayed for his disciples, Judas arrived leading a company of soldiers to arrest Jesus and take him before the high priest.  The high priest then sent Jesus to be tried by Pilate, but, despite repeated questioning and the insistence of the religious leaders, Pilate can find nothing in Jesus deserving of punishment.  Pilate makes an attempt to release Jesus, but in the end, he hands him over to be crucified.  On the cross, Jesus cries out, "It is completed!" and dies.  Then, two of his followers take his body and place him in a tomb.

Join me in John 18-19 for Jesus' arrest, trial, conviction, and crucifiction.

Key verses:

John 18:36

Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”  

John 19:30

When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/John+15-17/

This is day 308 of our journey.

John 15-17 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.  In John 15, Jesus tells us our responsibility in bearing fruit for his name:  We must remain in him.  It is as simple and difficult as that.  All our striving to do good and to obey his commands is worthless; we cannot do these things apart from him!  John 16 is full of Jesus' encouragement for us in the face of trials and persecution.  Jesus warns us that the hardships and trials will come in this world, but take heart, He has overcome the world!  Then, in John 17, we get to listen in as Jesus prays for his disciples and, ultimately, for US!  He prays that we will be unified, because our unity will show the world who he is and draw them to him.

Join me in John 15-17 and abide in Christ!

Key verses:

John 15:5

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.  

John 16:33

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.”  

John 17:21

that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/John+13-14/

This is day 307 of our journey.

The Gospel of John devotes 4 chapters to Jesus' final words to his disciples during the feast of Passover.  Jesus begins the Passover meal by taking on the role of a servant and washing the feet of his disciples.  He challenges them to follow his example and be servants to all.  Jesus then predicts his betrayal by Judas and Judas, in response, leaves the gathering.  After Judas' departure, Jesus begins teaching even more plainly about his death that is to come.  He encourages his disciples that, while he is going away, he is preparing a place for them to join him!

Join me in John 13-14 serve those around you and look forward to Jesus' return!

Key verses:

John 13:14

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet.  

John 14:3

And if I go and make ready a place for you, I will come again and take you to be with me, so that where I am you may be too.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/John+11-12/

This is day 306 of our journey.

The tension between Jesus and the religious leaders continues to grow.  In John 11, we read the account of Lazarus.  Lazarus has died, but Jesus comes to his tomb 4 days later and raises him back to life!  Jesus makes it clear that HE is the resurrection and the life, anyone who believes in him will have life!  This miracle happened in Bethany, only a couple miles from Jerusalem and it attracted the attention of a large crowd of Jewish people.  The Pharisees and religious leaders started seeking even more for a way to execute Jesus.  After this, Jesus enters Jerusalem for the final time.  The crowds greet him with praise and adulation.  John 12 ends with Jesus giving his final public words, making it clear that he has come from the Father and speaks for the Father.

Join me in John 11-12 believe in the Son of God and receive life!

Key verses:

John 11:25

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies,  

John 12:25

The one who loves his life destroys it, and the one who hates his life in this world guards it for eternal life.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/John+9-10/

This is day 305 of our journey.

John chapter 9 is a great account of Jesus healing a man who was born blind.  The healing happened on the Sabbath again, so the religious leaders confront the man and question him repeatedly about the healing and about Jesus.  The man doesn't know all the details, but he takes a strong stand against the leaders for their lack of faith in the man who healed him.  In the end, the leaders throw the healed man out of the synagogue.  In chapter 10, Jesus speaks plainly about who he is.  He is the Good Shepherd and his people recognize his voice.  He is also the Son of God.  This claim has the Jewish leaders ready to stone him for blasphemy, but they are unable to lay a hand on him.  Jesus points to the deeds he has been doing as the evidence for his standing and position before God.

Join me in John 9-10 and allow your blinders to be removed so you can rejoice in the Son of God!

Key verses:

John 9:30

The man replied, “This is a remarkable thing, that you don’t know where he comes from, and yet he caused me to see!  

John 10:4

When he has brought all his own sheep out, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.