“so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects.” (Colossians 1:10)

            The Scriptures often tell us that we are not worthy of salvation – there is nothing you can do to be deserving of heaven.  None of us can boast (see 1 Corinthians 1:29).  So in what way can we walk in a “manner worthy” if we are unworthy?

            The key is context.  Paul tells Christians to walk in a manner worthy of pleasing God.  God is pleased by imperfect lives seeking to live faithfully.  God is pleased by repentance and feeble strength groping for Him.  God is pleased by good, faith, effort, and perseverance.  God is pleased by those who try, fail, and then get back up to do it all over again.  God is pleased by honest hearts which admit their faults and work out their salvation with fear and trembling.

            A life without pride or pretense that leans upon the Lord and not its own understanding… this is a life walked in a worthy manner, and it pleases Him.  May your day be full of worthy steps.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Colossians 1:11-23

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel.” (Colossians 1:5)

            The hope of heaven isn’t some fairy tale to help small children sleep at night.  It is a hope based upon “the word of truth”.  The gospel is good news precisely because it is true.  Without truth, the gospel wouldn’t be good news; it would be despair wrapped in the warm blanket of deception.

            We hope in what is real.  Heaven is real.  Jesus is real.  The cross and the empty tomb are real… and our faith is built upon real promises made from a real God.  Don’t sell your soul for the short-sighted lies of this world.  Hold on to your hope that lies in heaven.  The best days are yet to come.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Colossians 1:1-10

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.” (Acts 28:29)

            Paul’s explanation and defense of Christianity created quite a stir in the Jewish community of Rome.  This was a good thing.  The soil must be first tilled, overturned, and stirred up before the seed can take root.  The message of Jesus Christ must first make us uncomfortable before it can make us right.

            If sharing Jesus with others finds you disrupting their comfortable lives, be not dismayed.  This is as it ought to be.  Jesus came to seek and save that which is lost, not seek to make the lost comfortable in the wilderness.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 28:23-32

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“There we found some brethren and were invited to stay with them for seven days, and thus we came to Rome.” (Acts 28:14)

            Those brethren who offered hospitality to Paul also offered it to Paul’s captors.  Paul was a prisoner on his way to Rome.  While in Rome, he would remain under guard and house arrest.  I can only imagine the impression these Christians left upon the soldiers when they were offered a place to sleep, a hot meal, and kindness even though they were delivering an apostle to Rome for trial.

            When God’s people show goodness to all, they glorify God before all.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 28:11-22

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“The natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all.” (Acts 28:2)

            The natives of Malta were not yet Christians.  Paul hadn’t had a chance to preach the good news of Jesus Christ to them, but they are described as extraordinarily kind people.  What a commendation from the Holy Spirit!

            If those who did not yet know Christ could be known for their extraordinary kindness, how much more ought we who have tasted of the grace and mercy of God be of such character.  Whatever accomplishments you make in life, may your tombstone be worthy of the statement: “Here lies one who was extraordinarily kind.”

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 28:1-10

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…and so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.” (Acts 27:44)

Two weeks of violent wind, bitter waves, and darkness without a star in the sky.  Two weeks where hope was slowly abandoned along with all the ship’s tackle, the storehouses of food, and cargo.  Two weeks of 276 souls feeling desperately alone and without a chance of salvation.

No one could have imagined how God could work it out, but God did.  Leave the salvation to Him.  You focus on keeping the faith.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 27:33-44

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“…the God to whom I belong and whom I serve…” (Acts 27:23)

            In the midst of hopelessness and despair, God sent an angel to Paul to give him the good news of salvation on the shores of Malta.  I love how Paul refers to God.  It is so possessive.  Paul belongs to God, and God is Paul’s master.  There is such confidence in that statement.

            In your darkest hours, never forget that you belong to God.  If you are in Christ, then you are His.  We serve Him who holds our lives in the hollow of His hand.  He sees you, and He jealously guards that which is His.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 27:21-32

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned.” (Acts 27:20)

            Earthly hope is based upon what we can see.  If the storm gets big enough and the stars no longer give their light, we lose our compass, and hope fades away.  Two-hundred seventy-six souls prepared to drown to death on Paul’s ship because all the evidence pointed that way.

            But our hope isn’t in earthly things.  God can do whatever He wants.  Set your mind on the things above, and your hope will be tethered to stronger things.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 27:13-20

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them…” (Acts 27:9)

If you’ve ever felt like no one is listening, and you are dealing with the consequences of unreasonable people… if you’ve ever felt like the voice of the majority is making an overwhelming bad decision, and you are the only voice for sanity…

Remember Paul.  He took a pointless journey into the teeth of a completely avoidable storm and was shipwrecked in the middle of the Mediterranean all because nobody was willing to listen.

But his character in the face of being ignored glorified God.  Yours can, too.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 27:1-12

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“… for this has not been done in a corner.” (Acts 26:26)

            Christianity is not a matter of private interpretation.  It is a religion of public record.  This is unique amongst religious movements.  The basis of Christianity are historical facts which can be verified by historians today and were witnessed by the people of the first-century.  Unlike Mohammed’s private vision, Buddha’s personal philosophy, or Joseph’s Smith’s private visitation by an angel – the religion of Jesus Christ is based upon a public ministry, public miracles, a public crucifixion, a public burial, and a witnessed resurrection and empty tomb.

            Christianity is the most falsifiable religion in history.  Yet, the facts stand and faith spreads.  God is good, and Jesus is real.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Acts 26:22-23

Questions to ask:

1. How does this show the continuation of Jesus’ work now going on in the church?
2. How is the gospel, Paul’s preaching, and/or Paul’s defense received?
3. What is the Holy Spirit doing in this text?
4. What in our reading shows how Paul handled adversity and difficulty?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision