Author: Andrew Timberlake

Acts 27:27-44

27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.

33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

After two weeks in the storm, the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. They measured the depth by dropping a line with lead on it and found that it was decreasing from about 35 meters to 25 meters deep. Scared that they might run aground on some rocks, they dropped four anchors and prayed for day to come. The sailors planned to escape the ship. They had lowered the skiff while pretending to lower anchors from the front of the ship. Paul warned the centurion that unless everyone remained on the boat they would not all be saved as promised. The soldiers then cut the ropes and let the lifeboat float away.

As the day was about to dawn, Paul urged everyone to eat some food because they hadn’t eaten for fourteen days. He reminded them of God’s promise that all would survive and encouraged them to eat to regain some strength. Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God in front of everyone, broke the bread, and began to eat. His actions sound a lot like the Lord’s Supper, but it wouldn’t have been because most of the people on the ship would not have been believers. Instead, Paul was publicly acknowledging God as the provider of their food. He was saying grace before eating. Paul’s eating encouraged everyone else and they all ate some food. Luke mentions that there were 276 people on board the ship. After eating, they lightened the ship further by throwing the wheat into the sea.

When day broke they did not recognise the land but noticed a bay with a beach that they could run ashore. They released the anchors and hoisted the foresail to make a run for the beach. But they stuck fast to a reef and the back of the ship began to break up. The soldiers, who were personally responsible for their prisoners at the cost of their own lives, planned to kill the prisoners rather than letting them escape. But the centurion, motivated to save Paul stopped them. He ordered those who could swim to head for the beach and the rest held on to planks and pieces of the ship and everyone made it to shore. Just as God had promised, everyone survived but they lost their ship as they ran aground on some island (Acts 27:24-26).

Sometimes our lives can feel a bit like a ship tossed at sea about to wreck. In a situation like that are you more inclined to act frantically seeking some measure of control, or are you able to rest in the promises of God and calmly focus on what matters and rest in the knowledge that God is in control?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Hearing and Applying: James 1-2

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 27:1-26

1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.

9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” 11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.

21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26 But we must run aground on some island.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

When it was decided that Paul would set sail for Italy, he was sent with a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julias. Luke was present on this voyage along with Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica who accompanied Paul as his helper. Aristarchus remained with Paul during his incarceration in Rome (Col 4:10; Phile 24). Luke describes their voyage with geographical and nautical precision and recounts the challenges they encountered along the way. When they harbored at Sidon, Julius, the centurion, showed Paul kindness and allowed him to be cared for by his friends. Then they made their way across the open sea and when they came to Myra, the centurion found them a ship bound for Italy. They made slow progress against the wind towards the island of Crete. The voyage had become more dangerous because the Fast was over. This refers to the Day of Atonement which occurred from September to early October. At this time of year, weather patterns made sailing dangerous, and sea traffic tended to cease by early November. Paul suggested that it would be dangerous to continue and they were likely to suffer injury and loss if they proceeded. Paul was not speaking prophetically but with wisdom from his travel experience. But they were faced with another problem, the harbour they were in was not suitable for remaining through winter so the centurion listened to the pilot and the ship’s owner and they decided to continue up the Creten coast, hoping to make it to Phoenix and spend the winter there.

They initially thought their plan was working but a north-easterly wind blew them back until they eventually had to give way to the wind and were blown south and then west under the island of Cauda. The storm was so severe that they had to bind the ship with supports and throw the cargo overboard. On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard. The storm continued for many days and they lost all hope of being saved. They had not eaten for some time so Paul stood up. He first reminded them of the advice he’d given them in Crete but now encouraged them because he had seen a vision from God. Through an angel, God told Paul that he would certainly stand before Caesar as promised and that everyone’s lives would be spared along with his. Paul expressed faith that things would happen exactly as God told him but first they would need to run aground on some island.

Who’s advice do you give more weight? Are you more inclined to seek out advice from godly people who show evidence of wisdom? Or are you more likely to listen to the advice of the world, which may be sound but lacks biblical insight?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Final Exhortations: Hebrews 13

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 29:13-27

13   The poor man and the oppressor meet together;
    the LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
14   If a king faithfully judges the poor,
    his throne will be established forever.
15   The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16   When the wicked increase, transgression increases,
    but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17   Discipline your son, and he will give you rest;
    he will give delight to your heart.
18   Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
    but blessed is he who keeps the law.
19   By mere words a servant is not disciplined,
    for though he understands, he will not respond.
20   Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21   Whoever pampers his servant from childhood
    will in the end find him his heir.
22   A man of wrath stirs up strife,
    and one given to anger causes much transgression.
23   One’s pride will bring him low,
    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24   The partner of a thief hates his own life;
    he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
25   The fear of man lays a snare,
    but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
26   Many seek the face of a ruler,
    but it is from the LORD that a man gets justice.
27   An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,
    but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Psalm 48

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

1   Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised
    in the city of our God!
  His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation,
    is the joy of all the earth,
  Mount Zion, in the far north,
    the city of the great King.
3   Within her citadels God
    has made himself known as a fortress.
4   For behold, the kings assembled;
    they came on together.
5   As soon as they saw it, they were astounded;
    they were in panic; they took to flight.
6   Trembling took hold of them there,
    anguish as of a woman in labor.
7   By the east wind you shattered
    the ships of Tarshish.
8   As we have heard, so have we seen
    in the city of the LORD of hosts,
  in the city of our God,
    which God will establish forever. Selah
9   We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,
    in the midst of your temple.
10   As your name, O God,
    so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
  Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11     Let Mount Zion be glad!
  Let the daughters of Judah rejoice
    because of your judgments!
12   Walk about Zion, go around her,
    number her towers,
13   consider well her ramparts,
    go through her citadels,
  that you may tell the next generation
14     that this is God,
  our God forever and ever.
    He will guide us forever.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The Psalms are great for helping us relate to God and worship Him. It’s wonderful to spend time in the word and grow in your knowledge of God at a head level. Use today to do your quiet time a little differently and try to grow in your knowledge of God at a heart level. We must always strive to move from knowing of God to knowing God.

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 26:1-32

1 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. 5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. 14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. 22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Paul stood before governor Portius Festus and his guest, King Agrippa. Paul considered it fortunate to give his defense to King Agrippa because he was well acquainted with Jewish customs and was culturally related to Paul. Paul began with his background and how the Jews who accused him knew that he was raised according to the strict regulations of the Pharisees. Paul presents his case, not just as a defense of his innocence, but in a skillful presentation of the gospel. He stood on trial because of his hope in the promise made by God to their ancestors which all the tribes of Israel, including his accusers, hoped to attain. Paul’s question includes Agrippa when he asked, “Why is it considered incredible by you (plural) that God raises the dead?”

Paul then explained how he too reacted negatively to the message of Jesus Christ. He originally had opposed those who believed in Jesus, locking up many of the saints in prison under authority from the chief priests. He was in agreement when they were put to death. He tried to force them to recount their belief in Jesus (“tried to make them blaspheme”). He dragged them from the synagogues. And he pursued them and persecuted them in foreign cities. To this end, he had journeyed to Damascus when he was confronted by a bright light. In this account (also Acts 9:1–19; 22:1–21) he included the fact that Jesus spoke to him in Aramaic (the Hebrew language). When Jesus asked why Paul was persecuting Him, He also said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” This was a reference to God’s work in his life. Goads were used by farmers to prod animals in the direction they should go. God persuades unbelievers, guiding them with prompts and prods in the direction they should go, but without forcing them. They always have the free will to resist and go their own way. Paul explained that the voice was that of Jesus and how he had been given the mission to be His servant and witness of the gospel to the Gentiles. The Lord also promised him protection both from his own countrymen and the Gentiles to whom he was being sent.

Paul explained how he obeyed the Lord’s commission beginning right there in Damascus, then Jerusalem, then Judea, and also to the Gentiles. Everywhere he declared the message that they should repent and turn to God and then do good works befitting their decision. In speaking to a primarily Jewish audience, Paul’s reference to repentance most likely refers to changing one’s mind about God which is also indicated by the phrase turn to God. Paul’s message here is consistent with Ephesians 2:8-10, where salvation is by grace alone through faith alone and the result should be good works that flow from that. It was because of Paul’s witness of Christ’s resurrection and taking that message to the Gentiles that he was seized in the temple and the Jews tried to kill him. Paul acknowledged God’s help in keeping him alive. He declared before small and great a message that was consistent with what Moses and the prophets had predicted would happen, that the Christ must suffer and as the first to rise from the dead would be the pattern for all who believed to follow.

While Paul was directing his defense to King Agrippa, it was Festus who exclaimed that Paul must be out of his mind. But Paul declared that he was not out of his mind but was speaking truth that was rational—it can be tested and verified as true. Then Paul pointed out that none of what he had said had escaped Agrippa’s notice. Finally, Paul asked the king, “do you believe the prophets?” Skillfully avoiding any potential embarrassment by forcing the king to answer, he continued, “I know that you do believe.” King Agrippa believed what the prophets wrote about the Messiah. Agrippa asked Paul if he expected him in such a short time to be convinced to become a Christian. His question seems to evade making a decision. Paul pressed on undeterred, whether it took anyone a short or a long time, Paul’s only hope was that everyone who heard him would believe and commit to following Jesus openly. After conversing briefly with Festus, Agrippa determined that Paul was innocent and, had he not appealed to Caesar, he could have been set free.

Paul used every opportunity to share the gospel. Being in chains gave him access to those in authority which might not have been possible otherwise (similar to Phil 1:12-14). You to can use the position God has placed you in to further the gospel. Who can you begin a gospel conversation with today?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Heroes of the Faith: Hebrews 11-12

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 25:1-27

1 Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. 8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went to Jerusalem from Caesarea. There the Jews laid out their case against Paul and urged Festus to have Paul brought down to Jerusalem to be tried. Paul had been confined in Caesarea for two years and their murderous intentions had not dissipated. Their intention was to ambush and kill Paul on the way. Festus said he was heading to Caesarea and they could go down with him and present their case against Paul there.

Festus had Paul brought before him and the Jews presented much the same case as they had to Felix. They brought many serious charges against him but could prove none of them. Paul’s defense was that he had not committed an offense against the Jews, the temple, or Caesar (Roman law). In an attempt to appease the Jews, Festus suggested Paul go down to Jerusalem and be tried there. Paul refused because he had done nothing wrong against the Jews, as Festus well knew, and he was in the right court for this hearing. Paul declared that he was willing to accept even the death penalty if that was a just verdict, but there was no substance to their charges therefore to hand him over to them would be unjust. Paul then directly appealed to Caesar. Festus conferred with his council and then answered, “To Caesar you have appealed, to Caesar you shall go.”

Some days later, King Agrippa II (son of Agrippa I and grandson of Herod the Great) arrived with his sister Bernice at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Festus explained Paul’s case to Agrippa and the events that had transpired up to that point. He explained that the case didn’t unveil any serious crimes as he had supposed it would, instead it was simply points of dispute about their religion and about Jesus who was dead and Paul claimed was alive. Festus admitted to being ill-equipped to investigate this case and that Paul was being held until he could be transferred to stand before Caesar. Agrippa’s knowledge of Jewish affairs would be helpful to Festus. He had Paul brought before Agrippa so that he could evaluate the case and help him draft a letter of charges to send with him to Caesar. Nero was the reigning Ceasar at this time but it was still early in his reign. At this time he was still considered a fair-minded ruler. Later Nero would initiate persecution against Christians and both Peter and Paul would die under his reign.

Paul, who had been through a period of intense ministry, establishing churches, and seeing many come to Christ, now sat in prison and seemed to have very little forward motion. It’s in times like this that we need to remember that it’s not about us. God is always working and He does things on an eternal time scale. We may need to rest in Him while He prepares things for our next move.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Perfect Sacrifice: Hebrews 9-10

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 24:1-27

1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Paul remained confined for five days until Ananias came to Caesarea with some elders and an orator named Tertullus. Before Tertullus presented the facts of the case, he opened with flattery, describing how, under Felix, they enjoyed much peace and prosperity in the nation. The reality, revealed by Tacitus, the Roman historian, is that Felix “reveled in cruelty and lust, and wielded the power of a king with the mind of a slave.” His time in office yielded neither peace nor prosperity. Tertullus then presented Paul’s case in a completely different light to the official letter Felix had received from Claudius Lysias, the commander in Jerusalem. He described Paul as a plague who caused dissension among the Jews and throughout the world. He referred to him as a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (named after Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth). The climax of their accusation was that Paul had tried to profane the temple but they seized him. The Jews with them confirmed all that was said.

When Paul was given a chance to speak he didn’t flatter Felix but acknowledged his ability to judge accurately. Paul explained that he had only recently arrived in Jerusalem to worship and deliver a financial gift to the church in Jerusalem (Rom 15:25-29). He rightly claimed that they had not found him disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple, in the synagogues, or anywhere in the city and they were unable to prove the claims they had made against him. Paul explained that his belief, which they called a sect, was essentially the same as his accusers. They worshipped the same God and believed the same Scriptures and had a shared hope in the resurrection (with the Pharisees). Paul asserted that he had always sought to keep a clear conscience before God and man. Paul explained that some Jews from Asia had found him purified in the temple without any crowd or uproar. They were the ones who had the original problem with him and should have been present to make their case if they had anything against him. Alternatively those present should explain what wrongdoing they found in him when he appeared before their council. Because they had not found him guilty, they had no legitimate case against him.

Felix already had a good understanding of the Way (Christianity) and so he adjourned the meeting and held his judgment for a later time. In what was likely a delay tactic, he said he would decide the case when Lysias came down, but he already had his views in the letter. He gave orders to the centurion to keep Paul in custody but with some liberty and will full access by his friends to care for his needs.

Felix then had Paul speak about his faith before him and his wife, Drusilla, a Jew. When Paul spoke of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix was convicted and sent Paul away. His conviction didn’t lead to any life change because over the next two years he kept summoning Paul to discuss these matters, but his underlying motivation was to receive a bribe. Felix never did rule on Paul’s case but left him in prison when he was succeeded by Porcius Festus.

Despite his difficult circumstance, Paul knew he would make it to Rome. He didn’t turn to lies or bribery to get out of his situation but he rested in the knowledge that God was in control. Does your faith in God’s sovereign control allow you to live a life of integrity?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

A Superior Priesthood: Hebrews 7-8

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 23:12-35

12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:

26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”

31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The Jews hated Paul so much that a group of more than forty bound themselves by an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed him. They conspired with the chief priests and elders to have Paul brought back before the council for further questioning. They guaranteed that Paul would not make it to the council. Paul’s nephew heard about the conspiracy and went to warn Paul. Paul had a centurion take the young man (probably aged twenty or thirty) to the commander. He informed the commander of the Jews’ plot to kill Paul including their oath not to eat or drink until they succeeded which highlighted their determination. The commander sent the young man off with instructions not to let anyone know he had revealed their plan to him.

The commander arranged for Paul to be escorted by a significant guard to Caesarea during the night. Caesarea would be safer for Paul than Jerusalem and he was also being moved up the chain of command, a step closer to Rome. Because the commander was passing the prisoner up to a superior, he sent with him a letter outlining the case and what had transpired up to that point. In his letter, the commander was creative with the truth in stating he rescued Paul, conveniently leaving out the part where he bound Paul, a Roman citizen, and intended to have him flogged. The importance of this document is that the commander declared Paul to be innocent. Luke, the historian, likely had a copy of the letter to be able to quote it verbatim. The soldiers dutifully carried out their orders and took Paul by night to Antipatris, a city established by Herod the Great and named in honour of his father, Antipater. With the danger out of the way, the soldiers returned to the barracks while the horsemen continued with Paul to Caesarea where he was delivered, along with the letter, to governer Felix. After reading the letter, Felix asked Paul what province he was from. When Paul told him he was from Cilicia, he had the option of sending him to the governor of that area, but Roman law didn’t require that, so he chose to hear Paul’s case when his accusers arrived. In the meantime, he had Paul guarded in Herod’s praetorium.

Trusting in God’s sovereignty isn’t the same as leaving everything to chance. Paul used information he obtained to help secure his safety even though he knew his route to Rome was going to be laced with suffering.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Warning Against Regression: Hebrews 5-6

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 22:23-23:11

23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

23:1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

The crowd was in such an angry rage that they threw off their cloaks and flung dust into the air. The Roman commander, who wouldn’t have understood what Paul had said in Aramaic, had him taken back into the barracks where he intended to flog him in order to find out what all this commotion was about. While he was being tied down, Paul asked the centurion if it was lawful for him to flog a man who was a Roman citizen and had not been condemned. Under Roman law, a citizen was protected from punishment until proven guilty. No one would claim citizenship just to avoid a beating because the penalty for lying about one’s citizenship was death. Still, the commander confirmed Paul’s citizenship. Unlike the commander who had purchased his citizenship for a large sum of money, Paul was a citizen by birth. God had providently cared for Paul even through his birthplace. The commander was afraid because he had violated Roman law by putting Paul in chains.

The next day, still desiring to understand why Paul was being accused by the Jews, the commander arranged for Paul to stand before the Jewish council and face his accusers. Paul declared that he had lived in good conscience before God up until that time. Ananias, the high priest, responded to Paul’s claim of innocence and ordered those close to him to strike him on the mouth. This was a violation of Jewish law which presumed the accused to be innocent until proven guilty. Paul responded by saying God would strike him and called him a whitewashed wall. Ananias was sitting in a position expected to fairly evaluate Paul and yet he acted unjustly and in a manner unworthy of the high priest. Those standing by came to the high priest’s defense and asked Paul if he would revile God’s high priest. Paul’s response is difficult to decipher. At face value, it appears Paul didn’t know that Ananias was the high priest and he then apologised. But it’s also difficult to think Paul didn’t know that Ananias was the high priest. It’s probable that Ananias wasn’t wearing his priestly garments and it’s also possible that Paul didn’t know that he was the high priest because the office changed hands frequently. Another possibility is that Paul was referring to Ananias’s character as not befitting the office of a true high priest of God. Either way, Paul did affirm his recognition and respect of the office by quoting Exodus 22:28.

Noticing that the council comprised of both Pharisees and Sadducees he saw an opportunity to cause division amongst his enemy. He cried out that he was a Pharisee, born of a Pharisee and that he was on trial because he had hope in the resurrection of the dead. The assembly was immediately divided because the Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledged them all. The Pharisees believed in the entire Old Testament while the Sadducees only believed in the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible (even though angels are mentioned). The Pharisees then rose to Paul’s defense as a fellow Pharisee conceding that the resurrected Jesus could potentially be a spirit or an angel. The dissension again became violent so the commander had Paul forcibly returned to the barracks.

The next night Paul was encouraged by Jesus who stood by his side and said he would testify to the facts about Him in Rome as he had there in Jerusalem. This validated his decision to travel to Jerusalem on route to Rome (Acts 19:21).

God prepared Paul for his ministry using his place of birth and his education. What situations and experiences has God allowed in your life and how can you use them for His glory today?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

The Promised Rest: Hebrews 3-4

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 29:1-12

1   He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck,
    will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2   When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
    but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3   He who loves wisdom makes his father glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
4   By justice a king builds up the land,
    but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
5   A man who flatters his neighbor
    spreads a net for his feet.
6   An evil man is ensnared in his transgression,
    but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
7   A righteous man knows the rights of the poor;
    a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
8   Scoffers set a city aflame,
    but the wise turn away wrath.
9   If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
10   Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless
    and seek the life of the upright.
11   A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.
12   If a ruler listens to falsehood,
    all his officials will be wicked.

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time

Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that are easily applied to everyday situations. Consider carefully which of the sayings you’ve read today are particularly applicable to you today and in the coming week. What do you need to change or do more of to make use of God’s wisdom in your life?

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake