Life Betterment Through God

MARK 1-16The Gospel of Mark is traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of the Apostle Peter. Early Christian writers, such as Papias of Hierapolis (around 120-130 AD), state that Mark acted as Peter's interpreter and recorded his accounts of Jesus' life and teachings.John Mark appears several times in the New Testament:* Acts 12:12, 25; 13:5, 13; 15:37-39:* John Mark is first mentioned as the son of Mary, whose house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for early Christians (Acts 12:12).* He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their missionary journeys but left them early on, which caused a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:13; 15:37-39). This disagreement led to Paul and Barnabas parting ways, with Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus.* Colossians 4:10:* Paul refers to Mark as the cousin of Barnabas and indicates that he is with him, giving instructions to welcome Mark if he comes to them.* Philemon 1:24:* Mark is listed among Paul's fellow workers, showing that their relationship had been restored.* 2 Timothy 4:11:* Paul asks Timothy to bring Mark with him because he is helpful in his ministry, indicating Mark's continued significance in the early Christian community.These references collectively portray John Mark as a significant figure in the early Christian movement, despite his initial departure from Paul's mission. His eventual reconciliation with Paul and continued missionary work highlight his dedication and contribution to the spread of Christianity. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Joel 1-3Amos 1-9 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Exodus 21-40 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Exodus 1-20 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Genesis 31-50 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Read along in Bible Gateway Revelation 1:3 God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Genesis 1-30Sodom and Gomorrah The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.”“No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”“Get out of our way,” they replied. “This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please! Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.”He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar.)By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land.But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.Genesis 19 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Jonah 1-4Jesus refers to Jonah being the only sign in Matthew 12:39-41:"But Jesus replied, 'Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.'" This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Matthew 1-28I wept when I got to the part when the woman prepares Jesus for burial with the alabaster box of perfume; and continued to read. May you experience the reality of the crucifixion and His sacrifice for us with me as I read to the end tearfully and choked up. My glasses were fogging up! These readings are all unedited and each in one sitting. I post one a week; however I have been reading one a day, making for intense revelation as I immerse myself in the Word of God. While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He was reclining at the table.When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her." Matthew 26:6-13The alabaster box of perfume poured on Jesus, often identified as containing spikenard (John 12:3), is described in the Bible as very costly. The value of the perfume is estimated at 300 denarii, which was roughly equivalent to a year's wages for a laborer at that time. Due to its rarity and the labor-intensive process required to extract the oil, spikenard was very expensive. It was often kept in alabaster jars, which helped preserve its fragrance and quality. The price of spikenard was so high that it was typically reserved for royalty or religious purposes, indicating its significant worth and luxury status. It was known for its therapeutic properties and was used in traditional medicine for various ailments.To estimate its value in today's dollars, we can use a rough equivalent of a year's wages for a laborer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for a laborer in 2023 was approximately $40,000.Therefore, the value of the alabaster box of perfume in today's dollars would be roughly equivalent to $40,000. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Isaiah 34-66 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Isaiah 1-33Look! The Lord is about to destroy the earth and make it a vast wasteland. He devastates the surface of the earth and scatters the people. Priests and laypeople, servants and masters, maids and mistresses, buyers and sellers, lenders and borrowers, bankers and debtors—none will be spared. The earth will be completely emptied and looted. The Lord has spoken!The earth mourns and dries up, and the land wastes away and withers. Even the greatest people on earth waste away. The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse consumes the earth. Its people must pay the price for their sin. They are destroyed by fire, and only a few are left alive.The grapevines waste away, and there is no new wine. All the merrymakers sigh and mourn. The cheerful sound of tambourines is stilled; the happy cries of celebration are heard no more. The melodious chords of the harp are silent. Gone are the joys of wine and song; alcoholic drink turns bitter in the mouth. The city writhes in chaos; every home is locked to keep out intruders. Mobs gather in the streets, crying out for wine. Joy has turned to gloom. Gladness has been banished from the land. The city is left in ruins, its gates battered down. Throughout the earth the story is the same—only a remnant is left, like the stray olives left on the tree or the few grapes left on the vine after harvest.But all who are left shout and sing for joy. Those in the west praise the Lord’s majesty. In eastern lands, give glory to the Lord. In the lands beyond the sea, praise the name of the Lord, the God of Israel. We hear songs of praise from the ends of the earth, songs that give glory to the Righteous One! But my heart is heavy with grief. Weep for me, for I wither away. Deceit still prevails, and treachery is everywhere.Terror and traps and snares will be your lot, you people of the earth. Those who flee in terror will fall into a trap, and those who escape the trap will be caught in a snare. Destruction falls like rain from the heavens; the foundations of the earth shake. The earth has broken up. It has utterly collapsed; it is violently shaken. The earth staggers like a drunk. It trembles like a tent in a storm. It falls and will not rise again, for the guilt of its rebellion is very heavy.In that day the Lord will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. They will be rounded up and put in prison. They will be shut up in prison and will finally be punished. Then the glory of the moon will wane, and the brightness of the sun will fade, for the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will rule on Mount Zion. He will rule in great glory in Jerusalem, in the sight of all the leaders of his people.Isaiah 24 This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

1st JOHNWarning about Antichrists18 Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. 19 These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.20 But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit,[h] and all of you know the truth. 21 So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.22 And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ.[i] Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.[j] 23 Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.24 So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. 25 And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.26 I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. 27 But you have received the Holy Spirit,[k] and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit[l] teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.Discerning False Prophets4 Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 2 This is how we know if they have the Spirit of God: If a person claiming to be a prophet[s] acknowledges that Jesus Christ came in a real body, that person has the Spirit of God. 3 But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist, which you heard is coming into the world and indeed is already here.4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 5 Those people belong to this world, so they speak from the world’s viewpoint, and the world listens to them. 6 But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.2nd JOHN3rd JOHN This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

1 Thessalonians The Hope of the Resurrection13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[n] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[o] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died[p] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.5 Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters,[q] we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.[r] 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.2 Thessalonians Events prior to the Lord’s Second Coming2 Now, dear brothers and sisters,[e] let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. 2 Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.3 Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness[f] is revealed—the one who brings destruction.[g]4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.5 Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. 8 Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.9 This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles.10 He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. 11 So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. 12 Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

This one chapter book of the Bible speaks clearly to our current spiritual state in modern Christianity. JUDE must be read aloud in every church service by pastors and priests in every Christian denomination. Then, Bible study must follow with conversations, and correction in love. Read it as your next sermon! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

PROVERBS gives us wisdom and understanding, helping us with our decision making skills. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Philemon Leadership Hack: How to ask when we need something done without coercion. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Follow along with me HERE. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

1 Timothy2 Timothy This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Jesus was moved by compassion to feed people, heal people, raise people from the dead, shepherd them and teach. Are we moved by deadlines, ego, money, church growth, people pleasing? Be filled with the Holy Spirit to BE moved with compassion and do the works Jesus did. KJVMatthew 14:14: "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick."Matthew 15:32: "Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way."Matthew 9:36: “But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd."Mark 1:41: “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean."Luke 7:13: "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not." This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe

Who was Luke?Luke is traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Key points about Luke include:* Physician:* Luke is described as a physician, as noted in Colossians 4:14: "Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you."* Companion of Paul:* Luke was a companion of the Apostle Paul on some of his missionary journeys. This is evident from the "we" passages in Acts, which suggest that the author was a participant in the events.* Gentile:* Luke is often thought to be a Gentile (non-Jew), making him unique among the New Testament writers. This perspective might have influenced the universal themes in his writings.Luke, traditionally identified as the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles, was not a direct eyewitness of Jesus during his earthly ministry. Instead, Luke compiled his Gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles based on meticulous research and interviews with those who were eyewitnesses of Jesus' life, teachings, death, and resurrection.Here’s how Luke's approach to witnessing Jesus can be understood:* Historical Investigation: Luke explicitly states his methodology at the beginning of his Gospel. He writes to Theophilus, stating that he has "carefully investigated everything from the beginning" and has "decided to write an orderly account" (Luke 1:1-4). This indicates that Luke gathered information from various sources, including eyewitness testimonies.* Eyewitness Testimonies: While Luke himself was not a direct eyewitness, he had access to those who were. He likely interviewed and consulted with apostles, disciples, and others who had personal encounters with Jesus. This allowed him to compile a thorough and accurate narrative of Jesus' life, ministry, death, and resurrection.* Companionship with Paul: Luke traveled extensively with the apostle Paul during his missionary journeys (as indicated by the "we" passages in Acts, where the narrative shifts to the first person plural). While this does not provide firsthand knowledge of Jesus' ministry, it gave Luke a deep understanding of early Christian teachings and the spread of the gospel.* Divine Inspiration: Like all Scripture, Luke's writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16-17). While Luke’s Gospel and Acts are grounded in historical research, they are also guided by divine inspiration to ensure accuracy and theological significance.The Gospel of Luke emphasizes several main themes, reflecting its unique perspective and theological concerns. Here are some of the key themes:* Jesus as the Savior for All People:* Luke portrays Jesus as the universal Savior, emphasizing that his message and salvation are available to all, including Gentiles, Samaritans, women, the poor, and sinners.* The Role of the Holy Spirit:* The Holy Spirit is prominently featured throughout Luke, from the announcement of Jesus' birth to his ministry and beyond. The Spirit's guidance and empowerment are central themes.* Compassion for the Marginalized:* Luke highlights Jesus' compassion and outreach to the poor, the oppressed, women, children, and social outcasts. Parables like the Good Samaritan and stories such as Zacchaeus underscore this theme.* Prayer and Devotion:* Jesus' example of prayer and teaching on the importance of prayer are significant in Luke. The gospel includes several unique prayers and parables about persistence in prayer.* Joy and Praise:* The theme of joy is prevalent, especially in the early chapters, with songs like Mary’s Magnificat and the angels' announcement to the shepherds. Praise and rejoicing in God's actions are frequent.* Salvation History and Fulfillment of Scripture:* Luke often connects Jesus' life and ministry to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and God's overarching plan for salvation history, emphasizing continuity with Israel's story.* Discipleship and Following Jesus:* The gospel calls for a radical commitment to discipleship, highlighting the cost of following Jesus and the call to take up one's cross.* The Reversal of Fortunes:* Luke frequently portrays a reversal of social and spiritual fortunes, where the humble are exalted, and the proud are brought low, aligning with Jesus' message about the Kingdom of God.These themes collectively underscore Luke's theological message about who Jesus is, the nature of his mission, and the inclusive scope of God's salvation. In the Gospel of Luke, the events before Jesus' journey to Jerusalem encompass a significant portion of the text. Luke can be roughly divided into sections based on Jesus' geographic and thematic movements. The division relating to Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is particularly clear in Luke's narrative structure.* Introduction and Infancy Narratives (Chapters 1-2):* These chapters cover the announcements and births of John the Baptist and Jesus, as well as Jesus' early childhood.* Preparation for Ministry (Chapters 3-4):* John the Baptist's ministry, Jesus' baptism, genealogy, and temptation in the wilderness are described here.* Galilean Ministry (Chapters 4-9):* This section details Jesus' teachings, miracles, and interactions while ministering in Galilee.* Journey to Jerusalem (Chapters 9-19):* Starting in Luke 9:51, when Jesus resolutely sets out for Jerusalem, this section follows his travels and teachings on the way to the city.The time frame from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he rides a donkey, to his crucifixion is generally understood to be about one week. This period is known as Holy Week or Passion Week in Christian tradition. The triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is described in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 19. Specifically, the narrative can be found in Luke 19:28-44. This passage includes Jesus instructing his disciples to find a colt, his entry into Jerusalem riding the colt, and the crowd's reaction, which includes spreading cloaks on the road and shouting praises.Here is a more detailed breakdown of the key events and their traditional timeline Luke 19-24:* Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday):* Day: Sunday* Event: Jesus enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. Crowds welcome him with palm branches and shouts of "Hosanna!"* Events in Jerusalem:* Days: Monday to Wednesday* Events: Jesus cleanses the Temple, teaches in the Temple courts, and engages in various discussions and confrontations with religious leaders. He also predicts the destruction of the Temple and discusses end-times prophecies.* The Last Supper (Maundy Thursday):* Day: Thursday evening* Event: Jesus celebrates the Passover meal with his disciples, instituting the Lord's Supper (Eucharist). He also washes the disciples' feet, gives the new commandment to love one another, and foretells Peter's denial.* Gethsemane and Arrest:* Night: Thursday night into early Friday morning* Event: Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. He is arrested by the temple guards following Judas' betrayal.* Trials and Crucifixion (Good Friday):* Day: Friday* Events: Jesus undergoes a series of trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, and Herod Antipas. He is sentenced to death and crucified at Golgotha. He dies in the afternoon and is buried before sundown.* Burial and Sabbath:* Days: Friday evening to Saturday evening* Event: Jesus' body rests in the tomb during the Sabbath.* Resurrection (Easter Sunday):* Day: Sunday* Event: Jesus rises from the dead. The empty tomb is discovered by women followers, and Jesus appears to his disciples and others.Thus, the time frame from the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to the crucifixion on Good Friday spans approximately five days, and from the triumphal entry to the resurrection on Easter Sunday is a week. This is captured in Luke 19-24.Read along with me HERE for the final chapters of Luke 23-24.Reference and Further Reading: The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings by Bart D. EhrmanPaul’s Great OfferingIn the early days of the Christian church, the Apostle Paul undertook a mission to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, and Romans during his third missionary journey, which is generally dated to 53–57 AD, which took place between Acts 18:23 and 21:14 in the Bible.The story of Paul and the early churches, particularly the Corinthians and Macedonians, revolves around a commitment to generosity and unity in spreading the Gospel and supporting fellow believers. Paul, urging the Corinthians to fulfill their promise of contribution, highlights the importance of cheerful giving, contrasting it with the sacrificial generosity of the Macedonian churches despite their own hardships. His plans extended beyond mere fundraising, encompassing journeys to Rome and eventually Spain, aiming to unify believers and share the Gospel widely. However, his arrival in Jerusalem led to his arrest amidst turmoil, underscoring the challenges faced in his mission. Despite these trials, Paul's teachings emphasize the spiritual bounty of generous giving and the promise of blessings that transcend material wealth, reinforcing the unity and equality among early Christian communities.“I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey. But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.” Romans 15:24-26 When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, he was arrested. Despite his arrest, Paul’s mission highlighted the importance of unity and generosity delivering the offerings from the Macedonians and Corinthians. “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.” Acts 24:17The Chinese Communist Party is rewriting the Bible This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit alexia.substack.com/subscribe