Bible In A Year with Jim McCracken

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 31stOur bible reading today is in Revelation 19-22...the last day of the year ushering in something new, something Praiseworthy, something hopeful is our prayer...And we come to such a passage in our reading as we finish our Bible in a Year journey.Before we get into the text I want to thank each of you who have made the journey with me in 2020. You had plenty of choices as to bible reading programs and devotional thoughts to go along with your time in the Word. You chose the ARCC Bible In A Year schedule and podcast to guide you in your bible reading. And you have blessed me and encouraged me along the way by your participation.I want to thank the elders of ARCC for asking me to do the daily podcast this year. Little did they know that I needed the challenge as much as any member participating.Because reading and thinking through the bible texts regularly isn't easy. The enemy will do everything that he can to keep us out of the bible. And I for one fell to those temptations many times this year.Reading through the Bible requires not just a love and respect for God’s word but also a desire to hear from God. And some days that is easier said than done. O but the reward is great.By the way, I had an advantage friends. And that advantage was James Evans our producer. His kind encouragement and spot-on suggestions for excellence pushed me just when I needed it. Thanks, James.Now...New Years...and something hopeful ahead...it’s in our reading today.In John’s God-given vision we read of such a glorious day to come..." the marriage supper of the Lamb”...the party of all parties...where all the church experiences the fullness of happiness and joy in the perfect union with her Savior and Lord, Jesus...together (think on it...all the church...down through the ages), in heaven together with the God of salvation, Jesus!“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 30The bible reading today is in the book of Revelation chapters 12-18.From chapter 4-19, John was showing the 7 churches of Asia what God’s future work on earth looked like from heaven’s vantage point.Over the years, I have read what my spiritual mentors had to say about the unveiling of future events found in Revelation. Some differed widely. But one thing that they all had in common was how important it was to understand that heaven shows us “what” happens and not necessarily “when”.So I have tried to concentrate on the occurrences themselves and not lose their significance by getting bogged down in a timeline. Sometimes the occurrences and a timeline fit perfectly. But sometimes they don't.Spurgeon told his church family that his messages on Revelation came from his Spirit-filled heart. But...He had no doubt that there were deeper meanings to the visions of earth from heaven than he understood at the time of his life and ministry.And I say Amen and Amen to that!Now to the text in chapter 12...“And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 29thThe bible reading is in Revelation chapters 6-11.“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 28thThe bible reading today is Revelation chapters 1-5.The word Revelation comes from a Greek word meaning apocalypse. That makes sense because The Revelation is a book of disclosure and unveiling of events in the future.Tradition says that Roman authorities took elderly John into custody...tried him...found him guilty and put him into a pot of boiling oil to execute him.But God intervened and miraculously saved him, like he did with the three Hebrew children who were thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebechadnezer for their refusal to deny their Lord.So the Roman authorities exiled John to the Isle of Patmos. It was there that John received visions from God around 95 AD. John wrote them down and sent them to seven churches in Asia...beginning with the church in Ephesus where he served the last years before Patmos.Spirit inspired John begins The Revelation with prophetic words to the pastors of the seven churches. ““To the Pastor and the church in Ephesus write:...I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance"...In other words...You are Heroes to your children...your courageous lives during suffering...commendable indeed."And...I know...how you cannot bear with those who are evil, those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.”I know how you seek to protect your church family from false doctrine...not tolerating evil in the church to go unchecked...Yes, you have a testimony of being bold and brave...

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 27thThe bible reading today are two short, one chapter letters from the apostle John...2 John and 3 John. “The elder to the elect lady and her children, The elder is the apostle John...a leader and missionary in the church from the beginning...The elect lady and her children could refer metaphorically to the church in Asia. And her children could refer to church members in particular.I lean toward the literal “Christian lady” and her sons and daughters...so John was writing to a friend in the faith whom it appears was a friend for some time.Whom I love in truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth,”John expressing his love and appreciation for this sister and her testimony of faith.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 26thThe bible reading today is in 1 John 1-5.There is no doubt in the general theological community that the apostle John wrote 1,2,3 John. And I believe that too.The gospel of John and these three epistles have many similarities...but the main ones that I see are the eternal life that is in Jesus and the love of God that is seen through Jesus and those who believe him.There doesn't seem to be a particular recipient of 1 John. However, we have reason to believe that this letter was written in the early 90s...about the same time he penned Revelations to 7 churches in Asia.Some commentators believe that it's possible 1,2,3 John were written to those same 7 churches and some individuals in them.We will ask John when we get to heaven.Now to the text...1 John 1:1,2“That which was from the beginning, Who was that? from the beginning? God...Father Son Holy Spirit...which we have heard.Who was that? Jesus...which we have seen with our eye. Who was that? Jesus...which we looked upon and have touched with our hands. Who was that? Jesus...concerning the “word of life".Who was the Word of life? Jesus... the “life” was made manifest, and we have seen it.Who was that? Jesus...and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life.Who did they testify of? Jesus...who was with the Father and was made manifest to us—Jesus.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 25thThe Bible reading today is in 2 Peter and Jude.We will start with an introduction to 2 Peter.Since Peter’s first letter, Paul had learned that there were false prophets in the region of Pontus, Galatia, and Capodicea in western Asia Minor north of Lystra and Derbe.Peter wrote the church leaders in that region calling them to be alert to that insidious ploy by Satan to disrupt the church families and corrupt their sound doctrine.“...false prophets arose among the people...and the result, if left unchecked, will eventually be” false teachers among you,”Right in the church...“secretly bringing in destructive heresies”, that is...Opinions and beliefs that are contrary to God’s word...“even denying the Master” even denying Jesus as Lord...the one who supposedly saved them according to their initial confession of faith...bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 24thThe bible reading today is another pastoral letter...2Timothy.By the time Paul wrote this encouraging letter to the young pastor, Timothy had been pastoring in Ephesus for over 4 years.Timothy received Paul’s first letter some 3 1/2 years before this one.Timothy left his home in Lystra over 10 years before to join Paul on his second and then his third missionary journeys. And Timothy ministered alongside his mentor Paul in Ephesus for about three years at the end of that third missionary journey.At the end of the third missionary journey, Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to serve the growing church there. Four years into his ministry in Ephesus Timothy was facing trials and difficulties and uncertainties inside his church. Thus, Paul wrote to encourage and inspire the young pastor.Paul was in a cold and damp cell in a Roman prison when he wrote this letter. Paul had been out of prison for a season. But somewhere along the timeline, he was apprehended by Nero’s persecution squad. Shortly after Paul sent the 2nd letter to his young protege’ he was beheaded by Roman officials...This letter was sort of a “state of the church” address. Paul let Timothy know some of the things that God was up to in other churches. Paul was hoping to build faith in his young friend.Paul knew that his time on earth was short and he wanted to instruct Timothy in such a way that he could continue with courage the ministry God called him to in Ephesus...especially when the aged apostle was gone to heaven.Let us hear and feel the passion of Paul for his beloved student...“I charge you, Timothy, He was saying...This is important, my young friend...listen...and recognize where I get my authority to charge you...I charge you Timothy...in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, This is not frivolous...this is not extracurricular...this is as important as anything the Lord has laid on my heart to teach you...And I don't carelessly say this because God the Father and Jesus are watching and listening...And they judge the living and the dead...so here it is...“preach the word”...The words of God...for they are God-breathed and not just man spoken...“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man and woman of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 23rdThe bible reading today is in the final chapters of Hebrews...chapters 11, 12, and 13.To this point in our reading, we heard the case that...Jesus is better...and...that is what I'm going to tag Hebrews with...“Jesus is just magnanimously Better than everything else.We read that Jesus was and is greater than Moses. Moses was a rescuer...rescuing Israel from Egyptian bondage. Moses was the lawgiver from Mt Sinai...Moses was the covenant agent for Israel with God...And Moses was the warrior prophet and chosen intercessor with God for God’s chosen ones...He led Israel through the wilderness and to the entrance of the promised land. Moses was a great man.But Jesus is better!Jesus rescues people, Jews, and Gentiles, from something much worse than Egyptian abuse. Jesus rescued and rescues sinners from the jaws of hell to the Kingdom of heaven.Jesus did not give the law of sin and death. He, through his atoning death, gave a different law...the law of the Spirit of life...grace and truth and mercy!Moses sat on a hillside and raised his staff during Joshua’s battle with the Amalekites in the wilderness journey to the land of promise. As long as Moses held his hands up Joshua prevailed.Jesus stretched his arms and hands and feet on an old rugged cross. He chose the help of Roman spikes driven through his hands and feet to keep his arms raised. And for 6 hours he battled hell on a hillside called Calvary and won salvation to the fullest for his followers.Yes, Moses was great, but Jesus was and is better.“By faith, Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than his brother, Cain...And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 22ndThe bible reading is in Hebrews chapters 7-10. Jesus is better. Jesus is a better Priest than Aaron and his line of sons who became High Priests after him. Let us listen...“And the lineage of Aaron indeed have been made priests...as God commanded Moses to bestow the High Priest office upon his brother Aaron and his sons after him. There were many in number...in the hundreds up until the time of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem...because by death they were hindered from continuing:Just like Aaron died so did his sons...they were all mortal...“but he...”Jesus...“because he lives forever, his priesthood is forever unchangeable.”Jesus was mortal and immortal in the same body...every bit man and every bit God...Jesus suffered and died on the cross in his mortality and was raised from the dead to live forever...never to die again...showing his immortality.“Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost (even to the guttermost) them that draw near unto God through him,”The priests in Aaron’s order could only present sacrifices to save in their short lifetimes. There was bound to be Israelites who mourned Aaron’s death because they were now without an intercessor between them and God...forever how long that may be.But Jesus is better...the better High Priest because...“He ever lives for us." That phrase, he ever lives for us, thrills my soul...it doesn't say that the one who went to extraordinary measures to save me from my sins lives for me until he doesn't...he died for me and now lives for me forever. Praise his name.And in particular, Jesus ever lives...to make intercession for us who believe!.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 21stThe bible reading today is in Hebrews chapters 1-6.60 years after the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ this letter to the believers on the western front of the spread of the gospel was received and accepted as worthy to be apart of the Biblical record.The authorship of the letter is certainly God, but who he used to pen this scroll is still a mystery.Many believe the author of Hebrews was Paul. Still, others thought it was Apollos. And still, others thought it was Clement of Rome, a disciple of Paul and Peter before their deaths. Imagine learning of Jesus at the feet of Peter and Paul. Well historians say that Clement, mentioned in Philippians, and who became the leader of the church in Rome, he was that person of that tutelage privilege.So who penned Hebrews? I don't know. I want to lean toward Paul. All I really know for sure is that its message is from heaven for Jewish believers in Jesus, most likely in Rome.The author writes...“Since we have a great high priest...The one who makes sacrifice for sinners...who has passed through the heavens, Not the Tabernacle...not the Temple made with human hands...but our high priest came from heaven...not an earthly high priest, but a heavenly one...Jesus, the Son of God, Not Aaron or any of the sons of Aaron...but Jesus, God the son, is our high priest who made the perfect sacrifice for our sins...So...let us hold fast our confession. Let us not be intimidated or made fearful and doubting...say it out loud...Jesus is Lord...our perfect high priest who makes the way for sinners to fellowship with God and worship Him...justified and sanctified unto God forever!And we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, Our high priest was/is perfect...but he was and is human...and understands our temptations and our spiritual challenges in our flesh and blood. Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.Since we have a high priest who saves sinners like us through his perfect sacrifice, let us also be confident that he saves and “keeps” his own with abundant grace for every other need that we have on our journey from earth to heaven."

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 20thThe bible reading today is in the book of 1 Peter. Yes, all five chapters...but it’s worth the read.The apostle Peter wrote to a group of disciples, Jews, and Gentiles, scattered through the northern mountain ranges of Asia...modern-day Turkey.Peter wrote quite a lot about persecution aimed at Christians. By tradition, Peter spent his final years ministering in and around Rome. More than likely, Peter wrote his epistles from Rome just before Nero began all-out destruction of Christianity, including mass murdering of the followers of the way.Peter wrote a message preparing the believers for suffering.“For this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God...what is?...suffering unjustly just as the savior suffered for you and me without bitterness...that is a thing only accomplished by the grace of God...pray for it...What is that gracious thing? It’s when a believer endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a “gracious thing” in the sight of God.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 19thThe bible reading today is in the three chapters of Titus.“To Titus, my true child in a common faith:"No one is absolutely sure about the nature of Titus’ relationship with Paul. Most believe that he was converted to Christ during one of the missionary journeys of Paul. And that he served alongside of Paul on parts of his first missionary journey.However, Paul calls Titus his “true child” in the faith. Perhaps Paul got to lead Titus to Christ in a one on one witnessing experience. I wouldn't doubt it.It is obvious that Paul held Titus in great respect. Paul called him a friend and a fellow worker in the Gospel ministry.

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 18thThe bible reading today is the book of 1 Timothy...Paul’s first letter to his disciple from Lystra, young Timothy.1 Timothy along with 2 Timothy and Titus make up Paul’s final letters...we call them the pastoral letters of Paul...offering practical pastoral counsel from the Holy Spirit...to these young pastors.Paul had recruited young Timothy to accompany him on his second missionary journey alongside Silas. Timothy would be much-needed refreshment for Paul since his recent split with friend and partner, Barnabas. Maybe Paul learned something from Barnabas’ heart for training young John Mark.The book of Acts ends with Paul sitting in prison awaiting an audience with Caesar Nero. Paul was expecting to be released. Perhaps he was. And from there, perhaps Paul took a fourth missionary journey. Perhaps this was when he visited Ephesus again...placing Timothy over the church there. And then Paul winds up back in a Roman cell awaiting his death. And this would be where the aged Paul wrote Timothy and Titus pastoral letters. Just my accumulative info on when Paul died.Why is 1 Timothy so important? Perhaps it is because it is the most complete instruction on pastoral leadership for the church in our New Testaments.We read where Paul by the Spirit made it clear that order for worship and living was essential for a healthy church. He gave instruction on the qualifications and duties of elders and deacons.Paul was trying to help Timothy to understand the importance of the purity of heart and life for leaders in the church. And he was also giving guidelines for the gatherings that Timothy would oversee.Paul knew that Timothy’s youth would be a blessing and a curse for his pastoral ministry. Let us listen to Paul’s encouragement.“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 17thThe bible reading today is in the four-chapter letter of Paul to the church at Philippi...probably the last of the four prison epistles written during his first imprisonment in Rome.The Prison Epistles from Rome..? Philemon was a letter to a personal friend in the church of Colossae...concerning victory that comes through forgiveness.Colossians was a letter to a church that dealt with the divinity of Christ that had been denied by some teachers in that church.Ephesians was a formal letter to the church at Ephesus dealing with the doctrines and applications of such doctrines in the daily disciple life of doing church together as the Holy Spirit-filled body of Christ.And now Philippians...A brother in the Lord from the church in Philippi, Epaphroditus, came to Rome to see Paul. He was delivering a financial love offering from the church. Paul’s heart was lifted and the joy of the Lord became his renewed strength for carrying on while in the custody of Rome.Paul’s letter was a thank you to the church for their timely gift. He wanted to encourage them as they encouraged him. He wanted to give them something that would make their hearts glad forever. And he did.Now for some of my favorite texts in this letter of joy.“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 16thThe bible reading today is Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus.For a brief time at the end of his second missionary journey and for over two years during his third missionary journey, Paul ministered the gospel in Ephesus.Paul wrote this letter about the same time as the letters to Colossae, Philemon, and Philippians...60-61 AD...making them the 4 prison epistles in our New Testaments.While Galatians and 2 Corinthians abound in personal bits of Paul’s life, the good and the stressful, Ephesians is on the opposite end of the spectrum. The letter to the Ephesian church is quite formal.Paul addressed a particular problem in Galatians and how to deal with the trend toward legalism. In Ephesians, Paul addressed what it meant to be a Christian, regardless of what the problems were in and around the church. Paul dealt with core convictions and the practical living out of those basic beliefs no matter what.So what was the big idea in Ephesians? God creating a holy community by his grace through the death burial and resurrection of His son, Jesus, and blessing them with that same grace to live well for God’s honor.“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,"Wow...a fact...one to base our life and faith upon...The Ephesian friends in Christ were blessed by God...HOW?...with “every spiritual blessing” in heaven.O come on....could that be true? Could that be true for us in Christ?...for us in the church today?YES!That means that we don't have to wait until we get to heaven to know and fellowship and work with the God of heaven. We don't have to wait till heaven to be benefited by heavenly dwellers...God the Father, God the Son, God the Spirit, angel beings, and angel armies at our prayer and call...And...saints already in heaven interceding for us (Revelation 6:10)... “ And Paul writing...“For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom “every family” in “heaven and “on earth” is named,

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 15thThe bible reading today is in the letters Paul sent to a friend named Philemon, and the church in Colossae.Paul was in his first Roman imprisonment, around 60AD when he wrote these letters.He asked his friend, Tychicus, to deliver the letters for him and take a newly converted slave named Onesimus with him.Onesimus belongs to Philemon’s letter. Onesimus was a runaway slave from Colossae. He made his way to Rome to get lost in the big city and start a new life. There he met Paul and Jesus. His life would never be the same. He did indeed start a new life...a life on mission with Jesus.Question: What about his runaway slave status? Paul told Onesimus that he needed to go back to his master and ask for forgiveness. And trust God with the results.Maybe God would work in the heart of Philemon and Philemon would send him back to Rome to serve the purpose of God as a new brother in Christ, there with Paul.And what was the message to Philemon? “Forgive Onesimus and treat him as a brother in the Lord...and if Onesimus owes you anything, put it on my account, I'll cover it later. And if you could, please send Onesimus back to me. He could serve me and Christ in your absence.Paul is best known for his letters to the churches. But he had more than a passing interest in the individual believer...especially those who came to Christ under his ministry. Philemon was one such brother.Paul called him, “my fellow worker in the gospel”...friends in the faith for sure...but Paul spoke straight with his friend...” as Christ forgave you, you must forgive the debt Onesimus owes you.”Thank’s Lord for this personal snapshot of what forgiveness looks like. May we never forget it!On to the Colossian letter...A brother named Epaphras, probably the pastor of the church in Colossae, made his way to Rome to visit his mentor, the Apostle Paul.Epaphras was probably converted to Christ in Ephesus during Paul’s 3rd missionary journey. He knew that if anyone could shed some light on the church’s struggles in Colossae, it would be Paul.Epaphras told Paul that there were some “so-called” Christians in Colossae, teaching that Jesus was not God. After Epaphras’ visit, Paul penned a letter to the church regarding the false teachers.“Make no mistake, Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 14thThe bible reading today is in Acts 27 and 28.“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. 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.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 13thThe bible reading today is in Acts chapters 24-26.We finished yesterday’s reading at the end of the Apostle Paul’s three-year third missionary journey.Eight men joined him on the mission, including Paul’s disciple Timothy. They visited the churches in Galatia again, encouraging the fellow followers of Jesus there.They visited Ephesus again. The church was blessed with many converts. It was also tested. Riots broke out against Paul and the gospel he preached.Paul and his friends revisited Macedonia and Greece and the churches Paul had planted there. Then Paul and his friends sailed back home...to Caesarea and then to Jerusalem.And that brings us to today’s text.“And after five days the high priest Ananias came down from Jerusalem to Caesarea with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.”

Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472December 12thThe bible reading today is in Acts chapters 20-23.“After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia.”