Author: Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 27:12-27

12   The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
    but the simple go on and suffer for it.
13   Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger,
    and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.
14   Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,
    rising early in the morning,
    will be counted as cursing.
15   A continual dripping on a rainy day
    and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
16   to restrain her is to restrain the wind
    or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.
17   Iron sharpens iron,
    and one man sharpens another.
18   Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and he who guards his master will be honored.
19   As in water face reflects face,
    so the heart of man reflects the man.
20   Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
    and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
21   The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
    and a man is tested by his praise.
22   Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle
    along with crushed grain,
    yet his folly will not depart from him.
23   Know well the condition of your flocks,
    and give attention to your herds,
24   for riches do not last forever;
    and does a crown endure to all generations?
25   When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
    and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
26   the lambs will provide your clothing,
    and the goats the price of a field.
27   There will be enough goats’ milk for your food,
    for the food of your household
    and maintenance for your girls.

(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 44

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

1   O God, we have heard with our ears,
    our fathers have told us,
  what deeds you performed in their days,
    in the days of old:
2   you with your own hand drove out the nations,
    but them you planted;
  you afflicted the peoples,
    but them you set free;
3   for not by their own sword did they win the land,
    nor did their own arm save them,
  but your right hand and your arm,
    and the light of your face,
    for you delighted in them.
4   You are my King, O God;
    ordain salvation for Jacob!
5   Through you we push down our foes;
    through your name we tread down those who rise up against us.
6   For not in my bow do I trust,
    nor can my sword save me.
7   But you have saved us from our foes
    and have put to shame those who hate us.
8   In God we have boasted continually,
    and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
9   But you have rejected us and disgraced us
    and have not gone out with our armies.
10   You have made us turn back from the foe,
    and those who hate us have gotten spoil.
11   You have made us like sheep for slaughter
    and have scattered us among the nations.
12   You have sold your people for a trifle,
    demanding no high price for them.
13   You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
    the derision and scorn of those around us.
14   You have made us a byword among the nations,
    a laughingstock among the peoples.
15   All day long my disgrace is before me,
    and shame has covered my face
16   at the sound of the taunter and reviler,
    at the sight of the enemy and the avenger.
17   All this has come upon us,
    though we have not forgotten you,
    and we have not been false to your covenant.
18   Our heart has not turned back,
    nor have our steps departed from your way;
19   yet you have broken us in the place of jackals
    and covered us with the shadow of death.
20   If we had forgotten the name of our God
    or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21   would not God discover this?
    For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22   Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.
23   Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
    Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
24   Why do you hide your face?
    Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25   For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
    our belly clings to the ground.
26   Rise up; come to our help!
    Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

(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 15:36-16:5

36 And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

16:1 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.

(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 suggested to Barnabas that they return to the churches they had established on their first missionary journey and see how they were doing. Barnabas agreed and wanted to take John Mark, his cousin, with them. But Paul didn’t like the idea of taking along someone who had left them early on in their first trip (Acts 13:13). The two had a sharp disagreement and then conceded to separate. Barnabas took Mark with him and Paul took Silas. Later we see that John Mark did minister with Paul again and even became “very useful” to him (Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11; Phlm 24). Luke only records the dispute and doesn’t indicate any sinfulness in their interaction. Paul was pragmatic and didn’t want to take someone who might let them down again. Barnabas, the encourager (Acts 4:36), showed faith in Mark even when others didn’t. By giving Mark the benefit of the doubt, Mark was restored to usefulness in ministry. God used this difference in opinion to form two missionary journeys. Luke focuses on Paul’s journey. He was again sent by the believers in Antioch by the grace of the Lord. He travelled through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches.

When Paul arrived in Derbe and Lystra, he found a believer named Timothy whose mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy had a good testimony with the believers at Lystra and Iconium so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. Paul had Timothy circumcised because of the Jews in the area who all knew his father was a Greek. This seems like a contradictory action considering a large part of his mission was to relay the decision of the Jerusalem council that Gentile believers didn’t need to be circumcised. Because of his mother, Timothy may have been considered a Jew (later Jewish law would declare that a child born of a Jewish mother and Gentile father would be considered Jewish). Because Paul would visit synagogues first in each city he came to, having a member of his team of Jewish lineage but uncircumcised would have caused unnecessary contention. While the Jerusalem council had declared it unnecessary for Gentiles to become Jews in order to be saved, it was also not required that Jews abandon circumcision as their mark of membership in God’s covenant people. It seems that Paul had Timothy circumcised to make it easier to reach both Jew and Gentile (1 Cor 9:19-23). Paul, Silas, and Timothy returned to the churches from his first missionary journey and relayed to them the decision that had been reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. The churches were strengthened in the faith and continued to grow daily.

Some disagreements can be over two right ways to do something. Are you able to disagree with other believers while maintaining the unity of the church, your testimony, and keeping relationships open? Jesus gave up His glory and laid down His life to reconcile us to Him. What are you willing to give up for the sake of His body, the church?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Pressing Towards the Goal: Philippians 3-4

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 15:1-35

1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. 4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”

6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

16   “‘After this I will return,
  and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
  I will rebuild its ruins,
     and I will restore it,
17   that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
    and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
    says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’

19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, 23 with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

30 So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. 31 And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. 33 And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

(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

While Paul and Barnabas were staying in Antioch, some men came down from Judea and began to teach that the Gentiles could not be saved unless they were circumcised according to the custom of Moses. This was a serious situation and Paul and Barnabas debated over the merits of their stipulations. Paul, Barnabas, and some others were sent up to Jerusalem to get a resolution on the matter from the apostles and elders. On their journey up they stopped in at the churches in Phoenicia and Samaria and shared how the Gentiles had received salvation by faith alone and this brought great joy to the believers there.

When they arrived in Jerusalem, they described all the things that God had done with them. Some of the Pharisees stood up and said it was necessary for the new Gentile believers to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. This was a slightly different message from those who had traveled to Antioch. Luke specifically mentioned that these Pharisees were believers and they were not stating that circumcision was a condition of salvation but that it was a requirement for the ongoing Christian walk (sanctification). The apostles and elders gathered together to consider the matter giving it close evaluation and consideration. Finally, Peter stood up and, based on his experience with Cornelius and his household, explained that the only requirement was that Gentiles “hear the gospel and believe.” His evidence was that God bore witness to their belief by giving them the Holy Spirit in the same way he had to the Jews. The Jews, therefore, had no spiritual advantage over them for they had received the Holy Spirit without circumcision or obedience to the law of Moses. Peter also pointed out they were placing demands on the Gentiles that God hadn’t and that they themselves were unable to bear. Peter concluded that Jews are saved in the same way, by grace through faith alone, as they, the Gentiles, are.

The gathering fell silent and then listened to Barnabas and Paul relay the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. When they finished speaking, James explained how Peter’s recount of how God had saved the Gentiles was in accordance with God’s prophecy in Amos 9:11-12. The paraphrased prophecy speaks of a time when Messiah will reestablish the Davidic kingdom after the tribulation and rule from David’s throne in Jerusalem. Peter’s experience aligns with what God will do in the future kingdom and therefore poses no problem in the church context. They were not to restrict something God had planned from the beginning and was blessing in the present. James concluded that they should place no additional burden on the Gentiles but that it was prudent that they abstain from things that were commonly associated with participation in idol worship including abstaining from food connected to idol worship, sexual immorality most likely linked to temple prostitution, animals strangled in pagan rituals, and from blood drunk or eaten in raw meat. These things would help the Gentiles avoid things that would hinder their witness for the Gospel. James did not include circumcision or observing the Sabbath in this list. James’s list included the very basic things that would allow the Jewish and Gentile Christians to co-exist in harmony. These were the same things found in Leviticus 17 and 18 for the resident alien to live within the Jewish community.

The leaders of the church agreed and sent a letter with Paul and Barnabas to that effect. Along with them, the church sent Judas and Silas who would back up the content of the letter with a word of mouth testimony. When they gathered the church in Antioch and read the letter, the believers there were encouraged and rejoiced. Then Judas and Silas remained for a period and exhorted and encouraged the believers. After some time they returned to Jerusalem in peace but Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch and continued to teach and preach the word of God.

When you are confronted with a challenge in the church, what is your response? Do you react based on your personal preference, guided by what you have always done? Or are you open to examining the Scriptures in Christian debate to really understand the foundational requirements that God has for the church?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Advance of the Gospel: Philippians 1-2

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 14:19-28

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

(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

Not content with chasing Paul and Barnabas out of Iconium, the Jews from Antioch and Iconium followed them to Lystra and incited the crowds there against them. Collectively they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. Fortunately, he had not been abandoned by the believers who gathered around him. Though not dead, Paul miraculously recovered, rose up, and returned to the city. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. In Derbe, they preached the gospel and discipled the new believers there. Then they backtracked along their journey returning to Lystra, then Iconium, and then Antioch in Pisidia. Along their return journey, they encouraged the believers to persevere in their faith. While we never can lose our salvation, often our perseverance will necessitate hardship as we await our entrance into the kingdom of God. Finally, they appointed elders in every church, and with prayer and fasting, they committed them to Lord who would sustain them. Paul didn’t leave the churches until they had established leadership to ensure their continued growth.

Prom Pisidia they came through Pamphylia returning to Perga. They stopped at Attalia, which had not been previously mentioned, and then finally returned to Antioch from where they were originally commissioned for the work they had just completed. They gathered the church together and then gave God credit for the work that He had done and described how God had made a way for Gentiles to be saved through faith. Finally, they were given a time of rest from their travels and were able to fellowship with the disciples in Antioch.

The Christian life is hard and, in order to persevere in faith, we need support and encouragement. Paul returned to each of the churches he had established and encouraged the believers. Then, when he and Barnabas returned home, they spent time being encouraged by the disciples there. Are you meeting regularly with other believers, being encouraged and encouraging them?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Children and Parents: Ephesians 5-6

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 14:1-18

1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

(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

Arriving in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas again started by going to the Jewish synagogue. Despite his mission to the Gentiles, Paul never gave up on the Jews. This time many Jews and Greeks heard the gospel and responded with belief. But again opposition arose. The unbelieving Jews didn’t just stand against them, they actively poisoned the minds of those who had not yet believed. In the face of this opposition, Paul and Barnabas remained. They preached boldly for the Lord and He validated their message of His grace through signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and some siding with the apostles. Eventually, the opposition reached a point where they intended to stone Paul and Barnabas. Learning of this, they fled to Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia where they continued to preach the gospel.

In Lystra, Paul encountered a man who had been a cripple from birth. This story is similar to the story of Peter and John entering the temple (Acts 3:1-10). Paul saw that the man had faith to be healed (or to be saved) and said to him, “Stand upright on your feet.” He immediately jumped up and began to walk. This incident shows Paul to be equal to Peter as an apostle. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, their response was clouded by their own religious culture. Speaking in Lycoanian, meaning Paul and Barnabas couldn’t understand, they reckoned that the gods had come down as men and they called Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes. Then their priests attempted to offer sacrifices to them. When they realised what they were doing, Barnabas and Paul addressed the crowd and explained the error of their actions. They pointed out that they were just ordinary men, just like them. They brought a message of good news intended to turn them away from their futile religious practices to a relationship with the living God who created everything. God had permitted but not approved of their choice of belief system. While God had not revealed Himself to the Gentiles as He had to the Jews, he had not left them without evidence of His existence. He revealed His goodness in giving them rains and fruitful seasons, blessing them with food and sustenance. Even with their explanation, they were barely able to stop the people from offering sacrifices to them.

God does not force anyone to believe in Him. Paul and Barnabas presented the gospel but did not push those who rejected the message. God has also left no one with an excuse because everyone is exposed to evidence of His existence. As you meet people, there will be some who are open to hearing the gospel and those who are closed. You do not have to win souls for Christ, you simply need to be ready and willing to share. The real question is, are you ready and willing to share the gospel?

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Unity and Diversity Among Believers: Ephesians 3-4

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Acts 13:44-52

44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,

  “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

(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 previous Sabbath, the people had begged Paul to come back and continue teaching them and now almost the whole city had gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But the Jewish leaders were filled with jealousy at the site of the crowds listening to Paul so they began to contradict what he taught and insulted him. Paul and Barnabas spoke against them. They had come to the Jews first but because they had rejected the message and made their own choice to forsake eternal life, they would now reach the Gentiles just as God had said Messiah would back in Isaiah 49:6. At this, the Gentiles began rejoicing and honoured God’s word (perhaps specifically a reaction to this prophecy in Isaiah). They praised God because the salvation of Jesus extended beyond the Jews to them. Those that were appointed to eternal life, the Gentiles to whom the gospel had been made available, believed. In this passage, we see the coexistence of God’s sovereign will and human freedom. The gospel was made available to both Jew and Gentile. The Jews rejected it and the Gentles accepted it and believed. The word of God spread throughout the region but the Jewish leaders incited persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of the district. Paul and Barnabas didn’t try to force belief on anyone. Instead, they shook the dust off their feet (Luke 9:5; 10:11) as a sign of leaving them with their own responsibility for their choices and then went to Iconium. But those [Gentiles] who had believed were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

While God has sent a Saviour in Jesus and made a way for everyone to be reconciled to Him, we are all responsible for our own choice whether to believe or reject Him. As believers who share the gospel with others, we must remember that we cannot argue or force anyone into the kingdom. We can only present God’s message clearly (Col 4:4) and then it is their choice.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Prayer for Spiritual Insight: Ephesians 1-2

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake

Proverbs 27:1-11

1   Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.
2   Let another praise you, and not your own mouth;
    a stranger, and not your own lips.
3   A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4   Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?
5   Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
6   Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
    profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
7   One who is full loathes honey,
    but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
8   Like a bird that strays from its nest
    is a man who strays from his home.
9   Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
    and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
10   Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend,
    and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity.
  Better is a neighbor who is near
    than a brother who is far away.
11   Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
    that I may answer him who reproaches me.

(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 43

1   Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
    against an ungodly people,
  from the deceitful and unjust man
    deliver me!
2   For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
    why have you rejected me?
  Why do I go about mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?
3   Send out your light and your truth;
    let them lead me;
  let them bring me to your holy hill
    and to your dwelling!
4   Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God my exceeding joy,
  and I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.
5   Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
  Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

(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 13:13-43

13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:

“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

  “‘You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you.’

34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

  “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’

35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,

  “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’

36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:

41   “‘Look, you scoffers,
    be astounded and perish;
  for I am doing a work in your days,
    a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.

(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, Barnabas, and John Mark left Paphos and went to Perga in Pamphylia. From there John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. We don’t know why Mark left but because of Acts 15:36-40, it seems that it was for an unjustified reason. They continued on to Antioch in Pisidia. On the Sabbath day, they went to the synagogue where they were invited to speak after the reading of the Law and the Prophets. Paul got up and addressed both the Jews and God-fearing Gentiles. Paul spoke about how God had chosen the patriarchs through whom He grew a nation. God led the nation out of Egypt with power after Pharoah turned against them. In the wilderness they disobeyed God but He cared for them for forty years. Then God gave them the land of Canaan as an inheritance, destroying the seven nations in the land (Deut 7:1). In Canaan, God gave the people judges to provide deliverance until Samuel the prophet. Everything to this point was done by God through his sovereign choice. Then the nation asked for a king and God gave them Saul. After forty years, God removed Saul and raised up David as king, a man He found to be after His heart, a man who would do His will. God promised that from David’s offspring a saviour would come. Jesus was that promised Saviour. Before Jesus came, John the Baptist proclaimed a baptism of repentance to ready the nation for Jesus’ arrival. When John was finishing his ministry he acknowledged that he was nobody in comparison. The One who would come after him he was not worthy to even untie His sandals.

Paul then explained that the salvation promised was for a broader audience than the Jews. Those in Jerusalem and their leaders didn’t recognise Jesus as the Messiah because they didn’t understand the prophets that they read from every Sabbath, yet they fulfilled those prophecies by condemning Jesus. Though they could find no guilt in Him, they asked Pilate to have Him executed. When they had done all that was written about what was to be done to Jesus, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead and He appeared to many eyewitnesses. Then Paul presents the good news that what God promised to the Jewish patriarchs was now fulfilled when God raised Jesus from the dead. Not only is Jesus resurrected but He will never die again. Paul explained that while David served God, he ultimately died. Jesus’ resurrection proves that He is the subject of the prophecy. Therefore, through Jesus forgiveness of sins is offered and through Him, everyone who believes is freed. Belief is the only way to be justified. The Law cannot free you, it can only condemn. Paul quoted Habakkuk 1:5 in which God spoke of the Babylonian siege against Judah that was considered unbelievable by those who were warned. Now Paul applied it to his hearers warning them not to God’s Word, but to believe it. Those who heard Paul begged him to come and speak again the next Sabbath. They expressed a genuine desire to hear and learn more.

The gospel is only good news in the context of the reality of our sinfulness. Paul gave his hearers a background that helped them recognise that they needed Jesus. When you share the gospel with others, remember that they need to understand the reality of their position before a holy and just God first. When we understand our need for a saviour, then the gospel is truly good news. Perhaps you also need a reminder of how much you need Jesus—even if you’ve already believed.

Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan

Carry Each Other’s Burdens: Galatians 5-6

Posted on by Andrew Timberlake