Off To Galatians

We're going to head to Paul's letter of Galatians now.  As Justin had pointed out, this letter was very likely written before Paul's letters to the Thessalonians based both on the content of the letter and the order of Paul's travels.

Galatia is a region in what is modern day Turkey and there are three main cities in Galatia that Paul visited - Iconium, Lystra, Derbe.  We read about these visits first in Acts 14 on Paul's first journey, after which he went to Jerusalem for the council on the topic of circumcision of Gentiles.  We also read about Paul visiting them again in Acts 16 on his second journey and in Acts 18 on his third journey.  So he visited the Galatian cities the most.  On the first visit in Acts 14, God did great miracles, many from the towns put their trust in Jesus but also in Iconium they were going to stone Paul so he fled.  Then in Lystra, they did in fact stone Paul to the point where they though that he was dead.

So Paul experienced great joy among the Galatians and great persecution and hardship as well.  So let's jump in to the letter to the Galatians!

2 Thessalonians Chapter 3 - Tough Love and Blessings

The most striking section of this chapter is when Paul is giving a "tough love" warning about those who are idle and not working.

First, he gives instructions to those who are idle - that they should do their work quietly and earn their own living (v12). It seems that the "quietly" part is in contrast to being a busybody - one who is going and gossiping and interfering in other people's business.

Paul also gives instructions to other believers in the church in how to relate to those who are idle - those who are part of the church and aren't willing to follow Paul's instructions to them: stay away from such persons and don't feed them. As we saw previously in Acts, the believers were providing food and taking care of the needs of the widows and those who were poor.  But Paul is addressing a different situation here - those who can work and choose not to.  The instruction to stay away from such a person, those who are in the church, calling themselves a believer but not obeying the instructions.  This may seem harsh, unfriendly or unloving but actually the opposite is true.  If someone is not following God's commands they are hurting themselves and others.  At the end of time, if they have chosen to go their own way and not obey, Jesus will say "depart from me I never knew you" (Matt 7:23) so this is very serious.  If we simply keep meeting with, being a "friend" to and acting like there is no problem for that person, we are effectively telling them that what they are doing doesn't matter and that they are OK as they are with no need to change.  But God is saying differently, so we'd be lying to them, deceiving them and securing their path to #hell.  I would say that is the opposite of love.  Not only that, but it would negatively effect the church as a whole because now others would be encouraged to do evil because they see the bad example in the church and it is seemingly being approved.  So now not only are we leading one person to hell, but many.  So Paul's instruction to stay away and not feed such a person is an example of what some call "tough love" (#toughlove).

Paul then follows up by encouraging all believers to not grow weary in doing good.  He then broadens the tough love to include anything that Paul has instructed and adds to not treat them as an enemy but warn them as a brother.  This topic of church discipline is sorely lacking in the church today and with very bad consequences.

Paul closes the letter with a blessing of God's peace to be upon them and for God himself to be with them.
Truly God's presence is what we need the most!

Lord Jesus, help us to follow you with all of our heart!  Let us love you and know you and serve you.  And let us love one another as well.  In areas like this that bristle against our "modern sensibilities" help us to submit our ways to you and please teach us your truth.

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 - Antichrist and End Times

Whoa!  This chapter starts out with some heavy stuff!  (I know..."heavy" is such a 60's retro word :) )

It seems that someone had told the Thessalonians that Jesus had already returned and making them afraid that they had missed it and that they weren't in fact in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Paul refutes that lie and gives some interesting details for us as we watch for the end times.  Paul says that the rebellion and the man of lawlessness  (called the Antichrist in 1 Jn 2:18 and others) must be revealed first.  Here are ways that Paul says we will recognize this Antichrist:
1) He will oppose and exalt himself above all gods or objects of worship
2) He will take his seat in the temple of God and call himself God (note that there needs to be a temple for this)
3) There will be many false signs and wonders
4) People will be deluded to believe in this antichrist

I personally find end-times details to be quite exciting and interesting.  At some later time we can go into more details but here are some important notes regarding these things:
1) As I had noted above, the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem will be a critical piece to be in place.  Watch for those persons who are instrumental in the rebuilding process with great wariness.
2) There will be false signs and wonders that come from Satan.  Many Christians falsely assume that miracles only come from God, especially when done in a church service.  The testimony of Scripture is that Satan can perform signs and wonders, so we should not just run after any miracles, but always test them to see if they are from God.  Are they pointing to/giving glory to God only?  Are they promoting holiness, bringing to repentance?  If so, Praise the Lord!!  If not, stay away!
3) God is going to be putting a strong delusion on people who refuse to love the truth so that they will be deceived by the Antichrist.  Already we see the god of this age blinding the minds of unbelievers (2 Cor 4:4) and we see those who trust in themselves and not God becoming foolish as their understanding is darkened (Rom 1:21), but this is a whole new level.  It certainly urges me on to make sure that I am choosing to love the truth.  Jesus is the truth and truth comes from God. We must make sure that we submit ourselves, our understanding and our beliefs to the Scripture, especially when they disagree.  A common area of disagreement is that of what is righteous vs. unrighteous especially regarding pleasure, as Paul says "they did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."  We must seek to know God and follow him completely so we can be saved and changed.

Lord Jesus, please save me and change me.  Let me see this world as you see it, let me know righteousness as you define it and let me love the truth, because you are the truth.

Paul finishes by encouraging the Thessalonians again since they were fearing that they had missed God.  But Paul confidently declares that they were chosen by God, so they need to stand firm in the teaching/traditions that Paul had taught them in person and in these letters.

As Paul prays, so I pray:  May God comfort you hearts and establish your hearts in every good work and word!!

2 Thessalonians Chapter 1

This letter starts out almost the same as the first letter to the Thessalonians but has an amazing change that follows.

He again says that he gives thanks always for them - which is right - because their faith and love are growing abundantly.  Again we see Paul as a loving parent, always bringing his children before God in prayer and with thanksgiving.  That is a good model both for parents and for leaders or any kind.

He also says that he boasts about them to others - for their steadfastness of faith in the face of all the persecutions and sufferings.  This again is interesting because he is telling others about how good they are doing - so this is also good to do as a parent - share the good news.  He is also telling them that he is boasting to others.  Clearly he is encouraging them and building them up in the face of suffering.  Sometimes we are uncertain about if and how much we should praise others, especially our children or those under our care, but Paul is not afraid to point out those good things, to boast to others and to let them know that he is doing so and that he is pleased with them.  My default instinct when someone is going through difficulty is to try to get them out of the difficulty.  But in some cases, this is not possible and probably not the best approach anyway.  This is a great lesson to husbands, parents, and leaders: when those you are serving are going through a difficulty, we need to encourage them by telling them all the good that they are doing, bragging on them to others and letting them know that we are doing so.  This encouragement will help them to keep going as we pray with them and as God is working out his plans in their lives.

Thank you Lord Jesus for teaching me and showing me how to live, how to be a godly husband, father and a pastor.  Your ways are good and they are right and true.

Obviously the Thessalonians are facing quite a bit of persecution because Paul not only encourages them with the positives that they are doing, but he also lays out the negatives that will come on those who are persecuting and attacking them.  This can also be important for us at times.  It is like when David was struggling in Psalm 73 with the prosperity of the wicked.  Why is it that the wicked seem to have all go well with them?  David struggled with this until he went into God's sanctuary and then he realized/remembered the ultimate outcome of the life of the wicked - judgement, separation and pain.

Thank you Lord Jesus for your mercy on me.  Though I deserve your judgement, you have called me out of darkness into your light, you have forgiven me, made me new and given me a living hope and salvation in your name.  Help me to keep my eyes on you, especially during hard times.

One thing caught my eye in Paul's statement of blessing: "To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power" (v11- ESV).  He asks for God to do two things: 1) make them worthy of his calling 2) fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith.  That is an AMAZING prayer! I think that it very nicely shows the balance between God's sovereign power ("God may make you..." - God is the one making the changes in us and enabling us to to do right) and our choice ("every resolve for good and every work of faith").  The "every resolve for good" (or "desire for goodness" NIV,NASB) is of particular interest.  He is asking that God bring about/fulfill every resolution/desire for good that is in our hearts.  Here our desire for good is met with God's power to bring about his will so that Jesus may be glorified!

I thank you Lord Jesus, that you have the power to change us and make us in your image.  I pray that you will shape and mold me in your image, in your plans to bring glory to your name.  I thank you for your love and goodness and your power!  Lord you are good and your mercy endures forever!

1 Thessalonians Chapter 5

This chapter is loaded with some very interesting things!
First off, after Paul had talked about the return of Jesus in the previous chapter, he begins by saying that he doesn't need to tell them about dates of that happening because they are aware that it will be at a time when no one knows, but that they will not be surprised like those who are in darkness.

He then plays with the word "sleep" and uses it in a different way and then again as a gentler term for death.  He says "let us not sleep, as others do, but keep awake" and be sober.  Clearly this cannot refer to death, since we don't have the ability to choose not to die, but Paul is now describing a "dark" lifestyle that is staying up at night and getting drunk.  He says that we should be sleeping at night, not getting drunk and we should be awake during the day.  He is calling the believers away from the late night partying, drunkenness and other sins that happen at night and saying to sleep at night.  And then they won't need to be sleeping during the day, like those who are "of the night" because with the night go the other sinful activity.  He says that we should stay away from such sinful activity because we are not destined for wrath - God's judgment - but for salvation through Jesus Christ.  Whether we live or die we will live with Christ.  So we are to encourage one another to stay away from such sin and encourage one another to live righteously in Christ Jesus.

Both as a father and as a pastor, I have found the simple, practical rule of getting to sleep on time and not staying up too late to be quite helpful for avoiding sins of the night such as sexual temptation and drunken temptation.  As a child I thought such rules were silly, but now I see the great benefits.  Obviously some people have to work at night and that is not what is being talked about.  But for those who are awake for reasons other than work, there is generally nothing good for you that is happening after midnight.  So as Paul, I encourage us to be people of the day, who sleep at night and are awake and alert during the day.

Paul then closes with some more practical instructions.  He had sent Timothy to encourage them and to appoint elders, so Paul says to respect and esteem them highly in love.  Any time there are other people put in charge, there are some who bristle under authority and need instruction and reminders to respect that authority.  Learning to live under and respect authority is an important discipleship growth step.

Then he has some densely packed instructions that carry important principles.  They seem to be more aimed at the leaders, but certainly have application for all.
1) admonish the idle - firmly warn and reprimand that they need to be working
2) encourage the fainthearted - stand with, hold up, help along those who are weak or afraid
3) help the weak - similar to previous but now in physical sense or those who haven't grown strong - they young in Christ
4) be patient with them all - an overriding instruction, a fruit of the spirit, and an attitude that we should have toward all people we interact with

Don't repay evil for evil but do good to one another and others.  He starts with those who are brothers and sisters in Christ, because those relationships are closer and rub against us more and yes, within the body of Christ we can be treated evilly. But in all situations, we are to repay with good.

1) Rejoice always - as Paul did even when in prison
2) Pray without ceasing - the key to #1 and to following Christ in general
3) Give thanks in all circumstances - another key to #1 - remembering the good things that God has done opens the way for salvation (Ps 50:23) and brings the peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:6-7)
4) Do not quench the Spirit - don't stop, prevent or not listen to the working of the Spirit (such as prophecy)
5) Do not despise prophecy - don't prevent it, don't ignore it.  In my life I have felt the bristling under prophetic words, generally due to sin and or the need for deliverance from the Queen of Heaven/spirit of Jezebel who opposes the prophets.  We must choose for truth.  We lose a valuable gift from God when we despise prophecy.
6) Test everything, hold to what is good - an instruction about prophecy but also applies to teaching and other words.  We need to recognize that not all prophecy and teaching are from God.  We must test them against the word of God and hold onto what is good.
7) Abstain from every form of evil - as we test everything, whether prophecies, teaching, actions, attitudes of our hearts, we are to align ourselves to God's standard and avoid and stop all that is evil.

Paul finishes with a blessing and encouragement that God himself will sanctify them completely - spirit, body and soul.  God wants all of us to be holy - our minds - thoughts, our body - actions, our soul - our emotions (joy) and our spirit - our inner decisions and communion with God.  Clearly this is a change that requires the work of God and the good news is that he is faithful and will do it.

Lord, please wash us and cleanse us so that all of us belongs to you and all of us brings glory to you.  Let us be holy as you are holy.

Paul then closes with a request for prayer, a greeting to all, a command to have the letter read to all and a blessing of God's gift to their lives.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for your goodness!  I thank you that you have called us and you save us and change us and make us like you!  You are good and you are loving and I thank you for your mercy on me!  I love you Lord Jesus!

1 Thessalonians Chapter 4

In the preceding chapters, Paul has been encouraging and telling of his love for the Thessalonians and now he beings to give instructions.  Even during his instructions he is still encouraging and highlighting the good things that they have done.

The first instruction is about holy living and staying away from sexual immorality.  Based on this, this was a problem area, probably that they were coming out from and was likely rampant in the culture around them - certainly just as it is a major problem in society today and a major concern to call believers out from.  He makes clear that God is the one calling them and that God will bring vengeance for disobedience and it is an act of disobedience against God, not Paul.

Lord, keep us free from the temptation of sexual immorality!

He give instructions about loving the brethren and to 1) live quietly 2) mind own affairs 3) work with your hands so that you may walk 1) walk properly before outsiders 2) be dependent on no one.  These instructions are interesting to me and probably to some degree are a part of the foundation of the "protestant work ethic":  Work hard, live right, don't be dependent on others.  As I look at life today, I believe that there is a place for civic/societal action, making a call for change, fighting against evil in society but points 1 and 2 seem to point to a focus of righteous living in a private (vs. public) sphere.  I believe that the private life and private sphere must always be developed first.  These are young believers and they need to have a firm foundation in place.  Thinking about persons that God called to more public ministry, including Paul (also Moses, Daniel, David and even Jesus), there were years of more private foundation laying, growth in Christ before they were called to a larger stage.  Learning faithfulness and developing character is something that is done in private.

Lord Jesus, I pray for your training, your work and your direction in our lives.  Help us to live quietly before you and to bring glory to you in our lives.

Paul then discusses those who "fall asleep", a euphemism for dying.  They must have had some believers who had already died, perhaps because of age or more likely due to persecution.  It appears that God gave him a specific word about the future here and describes what will happen in the future to those who die who belong to Christ Jesus.  Some interesting points: 1) those who die in Christ will be resurrected when Christ returns 2) those in Christ who are still alive will then join Jesus in the air 3) we will always be with the Lord.
The other items he lists agree with descriptions in Revelation about Christ's return that there will be his command, the archangel's voice and the sounding of a trumpet of God.  Before this they wouldn't have known what would happen to those who died, but now they are given hope for the future based on a word of God to Paul for them.

I thank you Lord Jesus that we have hope in you both in life and in death, that we will always be with you.  Lead us in you and keep us until that day of your return.

Why read the Bible each day?

I'm a few days behind in blogging and my reading is now ahead of my blogging.
Last time when I got behind, I plowed through and did two chapters a day for a couple of days to catch up.  While this is fine in some ways, I think that I lost some persons and lost some continuity in doing that.

Let me take a minute to emphasize that the purpose of our daily reading is not to check off some list.  Many times our reading "discipline" can become more of a duty and we get focused on getting it done and miss out on the real purpose.

So ask yourself, "Why do I/Why should I read the Bible each day?"  What is the purpose?  What is the goal?

Ultimately our life is about relationships - first with God and then with those around us.  Jesus said to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind - that this was the greatest commandment and that the second is like it - to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:28-31).

Our goal in reading the scripture daily is to develop a real, living relationship with God.  To know him, to listen to him, to spend time with him, to get direction from him, to love him and express our love to him.

Because that is the goal, for many people I find that reading one chapter a day is better than reading more.  For many years in my life I read around three chapters a day because at that rate you can read through the Bible in about a year.  If you haven't read through the Bible completely, then this is a very good thing to do and I recommend it to you.  On the other hand, I wouldn't recommend that as a starting place for a new believer in Christ unless you are a very avid reader and have plenty of time each day.  And many times I would say the same thing for someone who has been in Christ and has read through the Bible a few times - I would recommend a slower pace than three chapters a day unless you are a very avid reader and have plenty of time each day.

The key is to be reading at a pace that allows you to understand what you are reading and to take time to speak to God about what you are reading.  If you just rush through the reading to get it done it doesn't do you much good.  It helps some, but not nearly as much as spending time with God.

The daily part is important because when Jesus taught his disciples to pray, part of the prayer outline that he taught them was "give us this day our daily bread" (Matt 6:11).  Clearly this indicates a daily prayer time if we are praying for our "daily" bread (it also indicates a morning prayer time but that discussion is for a different time :) ).  Jesus also said that man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4).  So in addition to our daily eating, we should be praying daily and we should be listening to God's word daily as well.

If you think about it in the context of a relationship, those people with whom you have the closest relationship, you have daily time spent together, daily talking, daily sharing of life.  More time together develops a deeper, closer relationship.

So, with that being said, I am going to pick back up on the Blog on 1 Thess 4 and I'll move my reading back to that same place.

1 Thessalonians Chapter 3

Have you ever been anxiously waiting to hear the results of something - perhaps a test, or a doctor's diagnosis, or a response to a question?  Paul was greatly worried about the spiritual state of the Thessalonians after he had to leave them abruptly.  He was worried that the devil would have deceived them and led them astray.  He was like a parent watching his children going away from his sight for the first time and being very worried about their safety.

I have experienced this both as a parent and as a spiritual parent, wondering about those who have recently come to Christ and worried about their staying in Christ after we are separated for various reasons.  I can relate to his concern and worry, wanting to find out some news, any news.  After he couldn't bear the waiting any longer, he sent Timothy to encourage and strengthen them and find out how they are doing.

The depth of emotion that Paul shows is quite amazing!  Not only did he feel this worry, but he also tells them about it in very emotional, loving, encouraging language.  I think it is a good example for those men (like me) who tend to be the "strong silent" type.  It is important for us to be able to emote and communicate those feelings to those that we love.  We have to take down our walls and communicate the feelings that are happening on the inside.

Thank you Lord Jesus for the love that you showed to me and to the world!  You were humiliated for me, beaten for me and died for me - even though I didn't deserve it and wasn't a good person and still fail you.  Help me to love in the way that you love and to show that love to those who you bring to me.

1 Thessalonians Chapter 2

Several things stand out to me in this chapter: 1) suffering shared by believers 2) Paul's love as a parent for the believers in Thessalonica and 3) an example of godly living.

In the suffering department, Paul describes the suffering that we read about in Acts wherein he was imprisoned in Philippi.  Additionally, he was effectively run out of town by violence from jealousy in Thessalonica that even followed him to the next cities he visited.  Not only that but the Thessalonican believers are also facing suffering, and Jason, one of the believers was dragged before the town leaders and was forced to pay money before being released.  Paul compares this suffering to that of the church in Jerusalem, the prophets and Jesus.  The encouraging news for the Thessalonicans is that they are not alone in their suffering.  It isn't because they are doing something wrong but actually because they are doing right and God is working in them.

Interestingly Paul describes his love for them both in terms of a mother and a father - as a mother with gentleness and nursing care; as a father with exhortation (encouraging command), encouragement and command.  This is interesting in several ways, both in the depth of love that Paul shows for them, but also makes some interesting practical and theoretical statements of the roles of mothers and fathers in the lives of their children.  In this regard it shows that their love (fathers vs mothers) is different, but shows the importance of both of them.  I'm sure that some pretty deep studies could follow from these statements of Paul.

Finally Paul demonstrated a godly life to the Thessalonians: 1) pleasing God, not man 2) no flattery or greed 3) not seeking recognition or money 4) hard work 5) giving so as not to be a burden 6) proclaiming gospel 7) holy, righteous and blameless living.  It is quite an impressive list!

Lord help me to be godly in my example and living, seeking to honor you and not myself, so that I can lead others in your ways.  Help me also to love and give myself for those you have given me and help me to not be overcome when I face persecution, but to stand strong in you and bring glory to your name!

1 Thessalonians Chapter 1

OK, I only hit the second word in the letter, "Silvanus", and I already am thinking "who?" Paul I know and Timothy I'm aware of, but who is Silvanus?  Well it turns out that Silvanus is a variant of Silas.  That helps, since we remember that Paul, Silas and Timothy were travelling together when they first visited Thessalonica.

I don't want to stop on every word, but it is good to remind ourselves about the word "church" = "ecclesia" = "called out ones".  It is people not a building, those people who have put their trust in Jesus Christ and have been called out of the world to follow him, and who are, as Paul puts it, "in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ".  So they belong to, are protected by and are "in" the Father and Jesus.

Paul begins this chapter with much encouragement,  first in the fact that they belong to God, second that Paul, Silas and Timothy are constantly praying for them and remembering them and third that God chose them as is evidenced by God's works among them.  Since Paul wasn't long with them initially and they are very new believers he is expressing his love and concern and is encouraging them.  I'm sure that Paul, just like a parent, is very concerned for these believers

Paul not only encourages them, but he also praises them for their work, love and steadfastness (v3), their good example to others (v 7-10), the fact that others are telling Paul about them (v 9-10).

I think that Paul gives us a great example of how to relate to others, to disciple others and how to parent in these:  he starts his conversation with plenty of encouragement and praise.

Sometimes we as parents, disciplers or leaders of any kind think that we need to hold back on praise so we don't "spoil" our children.  Often the problems and issues are on the front of our mind so we talk about those things first.  But Paul gives this great example of encouraging and praising first and doing so lavishly, not holding back.

Lord Jesus, help me to see how you see and to show love as you love.  Help me to learn from this example of encouragement and praise, because that is how you have treated me with your lavish love and kindness.

Thessalonians Short Background

As we read in the book of Acts, Paul visited Thessalonica, which is in Macedonia (modern day Greece) on his second missionary journey.

He was only there approximately 3 weeks on his first visit and argued in the synagogue that Jesus was the Messiah and that he had to suffer according to the Scripture.  Some of the Jewish Thessalonians put their trust in Jesus "as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women" (Acts 17:4).  They then faced quite a bit of opposition from the non-believing Jewish community who stirred up problems and forced them out of town and even followed them to the next town (Berea) and caused problems for them there by agitating and stirring up the crowds against them.

Paul stops in to encourage them two times on his third journey, both on the way there and back (Acts 20:2-3).

It is likely that Paul wrote the letter to the Thessalonian believers between his first visit in Acts 17 and his second visit in Acts 20.  He hadn't spent much time with them at this point so they probably had many questions and could be easily misled.  They had the Old Testament to study and learn God's ways but they didn't have any of the New Testament books to read since they hadn't been written yet.

Paul's Travels Overview

I put together this chart to help me see which cities Paul visited and when and see who was with him.
I also wanted to see when he visited Thessalonica since we are reading that next.  He doesn't visit it until his second trip, which is one reason why some people say that he may have written his letter to the Galatians before the book to the Thessalonians.  Either way, we'll stick with reading Thessalonians next.

Trip #1
Region	City Visited	Present Day Country	Partner(s)	Acts Chapters	Duration
Syria	Antioch	Turkey	Barnabas, Mark	13:03
Cyprus	Salamis	Cyprus	Barnabas, Mark	13:4-12
Pamphilia	Perga	Turkey	Barnabas (Mark departs)	13:13
Galatia / Psidia	Antioch	Turkey	Barnabas	13:14-52
Galatia	Iconium	Turkey	Barnabas	14:1-5	Long time
Galatia / Lycaonia	Lystra	Turkey	Barnabas	14:06
Galatia / Lycaonia	Derbe	Turkey	Barnabas	14:20
Galatia / Lycaonia	Lystra	Turkey	Barnabas	14:21-23
Galatia	Iconium	Turkey	Barnabas	14:21-23
Galatia / Psidia	Antioch	Turkey	Barnabas	14:21-24
Pamphilia	Perga	Turkey	Barnabas	14:25
Syria	Antioch	Turkey	Barnabas	14:26-28	No Little Time
Trip #2
Region	City Visited	Present Day Country	Partner(s)	Acts Chapters	Duration
Syria / Cilicia		Turkey	Silas	15:40-41
Galatia / Lycaonia	Lystra/Derbe	Turkey	Silas (Timothy joins)	16:1-5
Galatia / Phrygia		Turkey	Silas,  Timothy	16:06
Mysia	Troas	Turkey	Silas,  Timothy	16:08
Macedonia	Samothrace	Greece	Silas,  Timothy	16:11	one night
Macedonia	Neapolis	Greece	Silas,  Timothy	16:11
Macedonia	Philippi	Greece	Silas,  Timothy	16:12-40	Some days
Macedonia	Amphipolis, Appolonia	Greece	Silas,  Timothy	17:01	passed through
Macedonia	Thessalonica	Greece	Silas,  Timothy	17:1-9	3 weeks
Macedonia	Berea	Greece	Silas,  Timothy	17:10-14
Greece	Athens	Greece	Paul alone	17:15-34
Greece	Corinth	Greece	Aquila, Priscilla, Silas, Timothy	18:1-17	1.5+ years
Greece	Cenchreae	Greece	Priscilla, Aquila	18:18
Asia	Ephesus	Turkey	Priscilla, Aquila	18:19-21	short time
Syria	Caesarea	Israel	?	18:22
Judea	Jerusalem	Israel	?	18:22
Syria	Antioch	Turkey	?	18:22-23	some time
Trip #3
Region	City Visited	Present Day Country	Partner(s)	Acts Chapters	Duration
Galatia / Phrygia		Turkey	?	18:23
Asia	Ephesus	Turkey	?	19:1-20:1	2 years
Macedonia	Various prob including Thessalonica, Philippi	Greece	?	20:02
Greece	Various prob include Corinth	Greece	?	20:03	Three months
Macedonia	Various including Philippi	Greece	Luke	20:03
Myasia	Troas	Turkey	Luke, Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, and of the Thessalonians,Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus	20:5-12	7 days
Asia	Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos	Turkey	see above	20:13-15	sailing stops (short)
Asia	Miletus	Turkey	see above	20:15-38	1 day
Asia/Phrygia	Cos, Rhodes, Patara	Turkey	see above	21:01	sailing stops (short)
Syria	Tyre	Lebanon	see above	21:2-6	7 days
Syria	Ptolemais	Israel	see above	21:07	1 day
Syria	Caesarea	Israel	see above	21:8-14	many days
Judea	Jerusalem	Israel	see above	21:15-17+

Here is a nice graphic that I found online that shows book writing dates mixed in with this (url at bottom):

http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/NT/Pauline/Ephesians/_res/Eph0/Paul-Chronology-chart.jpg

Some nice maps from this site (http://www.gracepointdevotions.org/2011/03/04/apostle-pauls-missionary-journeys/comment-page-1/)
Trip1:


Trip 2:

Trip 3:


To Rome: