Daily Reading

Since I will be away from my computer for the next few days - I'm going to post the next four readings today:
5/20 - Acts 17:1-34; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 11:1-3
5/21 - Acts 18:1-21; Psalm 52:1-6; Proverbs 11:4
5/23 - Acts 18:22-19:12; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6
5/24 - Acts 19:13-14; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7

The missionary journey continues & churches are established in:

1. Thessalonica - here the non-believing Jews stir up the community & Paul and Silas are urged to leave for their safety.


2. Berea - here they are warmly received, but Jews from Thessalonica come & stir up the crowd. Once again, Paul leaves for his safety. Silas & Timothy stay in with plans to join him later.


3. Athens - a city full of idol worship and curiosity concerning anything new & unusual. Paul was asked to preach. Note that Paul did not give a wishy-washy sermon so as not to offend anyone. Rather, Paul spoke the truth in love. Some followed, some did not - as has been the case in each city. Missionary work is not about manipulating the Good News into something that everyone will accept. It is about presenting the Truth to people & letting the Holy Spirit work in their lives. Remember, you cannot save anyone with your words, you can simply present them with the opportunity of salvation. The rest is up to them. So don't water down the Gospel for in doing so, you're not really helping anyone find the Truth, you're really selling them a cheap lie.


4. Corinth - Paul spent at least a year & a half here at the instruction of the Lord. The Jews attempted to have the government intervene, but the proconsul was unwilling to address matters concerning religion. The Jews handled the matter themselves by beating Paul. From Corinth, Paul sails to Ephesus, leaving Priscilla & Aquila there. Then he headed back to Antioch.

*There is a note concerning Paul cutting his hair, which is interesting. Paul was probably keeping the vow of the Nazarite (Numbers 6). The purpose of this vow was to express a dedication to the service of the Lord. The person taking the vow would not cut their hair, would not eat anything pertaining to a grape, and would not go near a dead body. Once the vow was over, the person would cut their hair & present it to the Lord in a special offering in Jerusalem.

Paul took a rest in Antioch before starting out on his third missionary journey. He then headed to:

1. The Galacian region where he visited the established churches.


2. Ephesus - Paul now enters into Asia for the next two years, teaching & making disciples. Many have heard of John the Baptist, but they have no further teaching. Paul teaches them about Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. God was also performing mightily miracles through Paul. In fact, some non-believing Jews attempted to use the name of Jesus almost like a magic spell. This backfired on them and many people became believers. Once again greed takes over, for the idol business has been in recession due to the growth of the church. A silversmith incites other businessmen & a great riot breaks out. Our reading ends when a town clerk speaks sanity into the crowd.

So, what can we learn from this long reading? Follow the leading of the Lord. Speak the Truth in Love. Keep on keeping on - there will always be people we resent the truth & will do almost anything to quench it. Don't lose heart, for God is mightier than these people.