Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2022
This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but I have divided it so that we will spend half the year in the OT, and half the year in the NT.
Bible Readings: Acts 24:1-25:12
Background:
Before Festus and before Felix, Paul testified of the grace of God to a sinner, to an enemy of the cross. Face with the continued scheming of the religious leaders of Jerusalem, Paul did the thing he knew he needed to do, he appealed to Caesar. He'd been instructed by the Spirit that he was to go to Rome, so this was a natural response. He might well have been released had he not appealed, but that was not his goal. Obedience, not freedom, was Paul's plan.
Daily Devotional: Paul on Trial
Think about how time has changed things.
Back in that day, there were few of us that would have chosen Paul's place over either Festus or Felix' lofty position. They were men of power and influence - people served them, respected them, feared them. Paul? He was in chains. His life was in danger and people plotted against him. Festus and Felix had money and everything that came with it. Paul had nothing.
But now, as we look back, there are few of us that would not rather have been Paul. Though he suffered greatly he invested his life in things that were eternal. He gave himself to the gospel, to the message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. He was a fool for Christ and whatever it cost him during his lifetime it has given him back throughout time.
Of course, there is the most obvious issue of heaven and hell. But it goes beyond that. Paul devoted himself to serving Christ and because of that his work still goes on. Paul ministered to people who ministered to people who ministered to people who....ministered to people who ministered to you and me. We are the spiritual grandchildren of Paul. His life counted.
So, in reality, it wasn't Paul on trial before Festus and Felix, before Herod or eventually before Nero. They stood trial before him. Why, men, do you waste your lives on power and money and pleasure and temporal things when you could have given yourself to Jesus and experienced a life that matters for eternity and for generations to come.
Paul passed his trial. He proclaimed Christ.
Today. Tomorrow. Every day as you walk through life...will you pass the trial? Will your life count for now and forever?
Back in that day, there were few of us that would have chosen Paul's place over either Festus or Felix' lofty position. They were men of power and influence - people served them, respected them, feared them. Paul? He was in chains. His life was in danger and people plotted against him. Festus and Felix had money and everything that came with it. Paul had nothing.
But now, as we look back, there are few of us that would not rather have been Paul. Though he suffered greatly he invested his life in things that were eternal. He gave himself to the gospel, to the message of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. He was a fool for Christ and whatever it cost him during his lifetime it has given him back throughout time.
Of course, there is the most obvious issue of heaven and hell. But it goes beyond that. Paul devoted himself to serving Christ and because of that his work still goes on. Paul ministered to people who ministered to people who ministered to people who....ministered to people who ministered to you and me. We are the spiritual grandchildren of Paul. His life counted.
So, in reality, it wasn't Paul on trial before Festus and Felix, before Herod or eventually before Nero. They stood trial before him. Why, men, do you waste your lives on power and money and pleasure and temporal things when you could have given yourself to Jesus and experienced a life that matters for eternity and for generations to come.
Paul passed his trial. He proclaimed Christ.
Today. Tomorrow. Every day as you walk through life...will you pass the trial? Will your life count for now and forever?
Father, may my life be a life that matters, a life that counts for now and for generations to come, because I invest myself in your word, your people, and your work.
Consider God's Word:
Is your life eternal?
Is it invested in that which will impact generations for Christ?
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