A number of parents hold off giving their babies sugary food until the child’s first birthday. Then they produce a chocolate cake for the big reveal. After a fistful or two eyes light up. Welcome to the wonderful world of sugar! Like the rest of us, the kid will never be the same.

A turn to Jesus often produces a similar hit. A great many people joined the Christian movement in Ephesus. Miracles took place alongside the preaching of Paul, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

Dramatic changes took place, including the repudiation of past lifestyles and practices: Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly.

Burning scrolls out in the open cost these new converts financially—estimates of their value in today’s dollars run into the millions. This fresh faith also carried a social price tag, as friends and family watched the growing bonfire. But the gain of new life in Christ far overwhelmed enslavement to the fear-based religions practiced before.

When people come to Jesus expect a change. Don’t slow them down or temper their enthusiasm. If a new believer feels led to burn past possessions that kept them from the Lord, then hand them a match. In fact, the light of their conversion helps us evaluate things dampening our own eagerness to follow the Lord.

Acts 19 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Wes Hicks

Over the years I’ve heard many good apologists (defenders of the faith) discuss the truths of Christianity. I’ve read even more, including CS Lewis who reminds us that Jesus, based on his claim to be God in the flesh, cannot be considered a great moral teacher. He stands as either a liar (he knew he was not God yet claimed the title); lunatic (he believed he was God and lived the delusion); or Lord (he was God and rose from the dead).

I enjoyed discussing these claims in dorms and fraternities. But I doubt I reasoned as well as Apollos, who vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Apollos likely decided to follow Jesus in Egypt, and later matured under the instruction of Priscilla and Aquila. Apollos flourished in public debate. He used what is our Old Testament to prove Jesus was truly the Messiah. I would love to see his notes (and steal his talking points).

Perhaps I can? Several biblical scholars believe Apollos authored the book of Hebrews, writing to Jewish Christians in danger of sliding back into their former life under the law. If so, I gain powerful insight into his reasoning.

While I may not know all the answers when discussing the truth claims of the Bible, it’s nice to knew better thinkers—like Apollos and CS Lewis—remain close at hand.

Acts 18 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Ben White

I always appreciate the right words spoken in just the right moment. Sometimes a winsome comment turns a situation from ugly to nice, allowing a calmness to settle where indignation boiled.

Abigail spoke in a winsome way when intercepting David and his mercenaries on their way to a violent afternoon. Nabal, Abigail’s husband, was a grade-A jerk. He returned David’s service and good will with a middle finger. David rode with a scourging in mind.

Abigail stopped the madness, especially with this comment to David—the lives of your enemies God will hurl away as from the pocket of a sling. Her intelligence sparkled, and David certainly noticed the veiled reference to his skill with a sling and a stone. Flattery goes a long way, especially when deserved.

To approach challenging conversations with winsome words requires patience and forethought. Abigail showed her skill in this interaction with David. May I learn from her example in my interactions with others.

1 Samuel 25 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Glen Carrie

It’s said that breaking up is hard to do, but not all break-ups are bad. Most junior high crushes are best left to memory, and parting ways with a bad work situation leads to a lifting of spirit and peace of mind.

Paul and Barnabus split ways over John Mark. Barnabus wanted to take him along on the next mission trip, but Paul disagreed. Mark deserted them earlier and Paul feared a repeat performance. Barnabus the encourager and believer of the best saw the redeemable side. So they had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.

Barnabus and Mark left for Cyprus while Paul recruited Silas and headed the other direction. Instead of one missionary band, two moved out to strengthen new church plants and talk about Jesus.

Sometimes good people disagree. Break-ups may be hard, but the results are not always bad. In fact, they often lead to flourishing. One beautiful result of the Paul versus Barnabus spat was that Mark matured under the leadership of Barnabus, so much so that Paul asked for Mark to visit him while imprisoned, writing of Mark, he is helpful to me in my ministry—a huge turn-around in their relationship.

As things start to come apart, remember that the Lord may have new ideas in mind. Perhaps the flourishing of those around us, or even our own, will result from the break-up at hand.

Acts 15 in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2023

Photo by Rommel Davila