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"Two-Step Heresy" November 20 Readings: Colossians 2:4-23

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Colossians 2:4-23 Background:    It is in this section that Paul confronts the heresy that was rampant in Colossae, which some have described as proto-gnostic while others have argued for something less specific and less defined. We may never know exactly what the heresy was, except that it did what all heresies do - it took the focus of the church away from Christ. So, Paul, having exalted Ch
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"King of the Hill" November 19 Readings: Colossians 1:1-2:3

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Colossians 1:1-2:3 Background:    Colossians is a powerful epistle. We have no record of Paul traveling to Colossae, though the Acts record is certainly not exhaustive. Still, he spent a long time in nearby Ephesus and was the spiritual father of the church. A heresy had arisen in the church - one which we know little about today. It was believed by many to be an early form of the later heresy
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"I Can Do All Things" November 18 Readings: Philippians 4

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Philippians 4 Background:    Our verse today is in the hall of fame of misinterpreted and misapplied verses.  Daily Devotional:  I Can Do All Things "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."   What a wonderful verse - and one that is much used in this world. I can hit a home run or score a touchdown through Christ who strengthens me. I can succeed in business through C
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"Jesus Is Better" November 17 Readings: Philippians 3

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Philippians 3 Background:    If you spoke Greek, you might be a little surprised at Philippians 3:8. Paul was a Jew and had lived his life to be a good one. He was up and coming in the religious and scholarly circles of Judaism and was a leader in the efforts to squash that troublesome sect that followed Jesus. Then, one day, he met that Jesus on the road to Damascus. Here, Paul describes how
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"Like Jesus" November 16 Readings: Philippians 2

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Philippians 2 Background:    This passage is another of my favorites. It says things that are shocking to our me-first, self-esteem culture. "Count others more significant than yourselves." Say what? The passage on the humility and exaltation of Jesus in verses 9-11, believed by many to be an early Christian hymn, is one of the New Testament's high points!   Daily Devotional:  Li
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"To Live Is Christ" November 15 Readings: Philippians 1

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Philippians 1 Background:    Philippians is an upbeat book, written to one of Paul's favorite churches. The church at Philippi did things right - they were faithful, generous, and committed. It is a joyful book. Paul wrote the book to explain this great church why he was in prison. Evidently, this was causing consternation to some and a few troublemakers were using it to undermine Paul.  T
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"Don't Settle" November 14 Readings: Ephesians 5:15-6:22

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  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024 This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened."  Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.   The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Ephesians 5:15-6:22 Background:    How should a Christian react to difficult, evil days? Panic? Throw your hands in the air? Judgment and condemnation? No, Paul said. In Ephesians 5, Paul talks about shining the light in the darkness and walking in the fullness of the Spirit.  After continuing the teachings of chapter 5 on the life of one filled with the Spirit into the roles of fathers and ch
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