Thanks to a miraculous healing, the good people of Lystra erupted in praise. The gods have come down to us in human form! Not missing an opportunity, the priest of Zeus bedecked the city gates with flowers and herded bulls into town to sacrifice to Paul and Barnabus.

Once Paul and Barnabus understood the situation, they ripped their clothes in distress and shouted, Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God. Even with their pleading, the crowd edged toward worship.

Then a turn as voices fed discontent. Perhaps disappointment and embarrassment fueled their anger, but adoring twisted into nasty. The mob stoned Paul, dragged him out of town and left him for dead. Somehow Paul survived and went back into the city. That took guts.

Beware the popularity of the in-crowd. Fickle and easily manipulated, the mob devours whoever stands in its path. Social media mobs run as helter-skelter as the swarm in Lystra, causing much broader damage. If you happen to join one, get out quickly, for the mob eventually turns on itself.

As Paul and Barnabus moved on, they added a new insight to their teaching—We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. Words they preached and more importantly, words they lived, carrying the scars of their hardships to the end of their days.

Acts 14 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Andrea Lightfoot

An initial glance over 1 Chronicles brings a yawn. Unless you’re into genealogies of ancient middle-eastern peoples, you skip to the good parts. Personally I skim these passages, appreciating the more interesting names, like Lud (sounds like a big, slow guy); Peleg (I picture a pirate); and Joktan (a guy who gets things done). Forgive my active imagination.

Thousands of names litter the pages of our Bibles, most of which we know nothing about. People fill the stories found in the scriptures. All the commands of God, the thou shalts and thou shalt nots were given in the context of the Lord’s relationship to his people. God is personal, and relates to humankind as such.

God created the world and dwells in unapproachable light, and yet God remains close and connected to each one of us.

Take a pause and slowly read this verse (one I tend to skim) a couple times—The sons of Jahdai: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ehpah and Shaaph. Listen closely. What do these men whisper about following the Lord? I don’t know if they lived devout lives, or tortured those around them. But at this moment each holds a view of eternity far in advance of ours. They wait where we are headed.

Follow the footsteps of the wise. Learn from those who’ve gone before and emulate their best practices. Enjoy these lists of seemingly random names, knowing the Lord knew each one intimately, just as he knows you and me.

1 Chronicles 2 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Jon Tyson

At times I listen in on a conversation and realize, I should keep my mouth shut, this is none of my business. But as things progress I start to think, I have some great insights to add, and these folks need them. Then I say something that was neither great nor needed. Once again, betrayed by my tongue.

David described his efforts to keep speech in check: I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth…I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue.

Sound familiar? I too want to hold my tongue, but the fire burns and I blurt out something stupid.

A later frustrated writer spoke directly to a wicked tongue: What will God do to you, you deceitful tongue? He will punish you with arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush. Even the promised wrath of God fails to hold the tongue in check.

Thanks to the megaphone of social media, tongues cause more damage than ever. Not sure the world possesses enough arrows to shoot all those who deserve one.

All I can do is ask the Holy Spirit to control my tongue, then help me to apologize quickly when I babble out something hurtful.

Psalm 39 & 120 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Girl with red hat

Ever wonder how people describe you to others? I don’t mean when someone’s angry and down-streaming you with four letter descriptors, but when a friend talks about you.

Do they say, he’s a good guy, or she’s reliable, or he talks a lot, or she tends to worry?

Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, described Barnabus in this way: He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

Barnabus encouraged the new followers of Jesus in Antioch to remain true to God, and in his wake a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Next Barnabus began working with Paul, helping develop his fresh faith. As Barnabus and Paul ministered together in Antioch, the Jesus people gained a new name—Christians.

People around Barnabus flourished, because he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

What do you think your friends say about you?

Acts 11 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Aziz Acharki