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Daily Bible Reading Podcast
Hosted by Phil Fields · EN
Listen to the whole NLT or GNT Bible in 365 20-minute-long podcasts!
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NL-Day221 Jeremiah 38-39; Proverbs 5; 1 Corinthians 14
2w ago00:22:49Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 38-39:Yesterday we heard of persecution against Jeremiah, his being imprisoned so that he had his secretary, Baruch convey his messages, and then his being imprisoned in the dungeon at Jonathan's house. And today he is put in a muddy cistern. PROVERBS 5:Today's chapter of Proverbs has a clear theme. Here is a verse from the middle that typifies that theme: Prov. 5:15 NLT Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife. 1CORINTHIANS 14:This chapter gives Paul's conclusions about spiritual gifts— the theme he started in chapter 12. NLT Translation note:1Cor. 14:38 But if you do not recognize this, you yourself [are not/should not/will not] be recognized. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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NL-Day220 Jeremiah 36-37; Proverbs 4:14-27; 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:31
2w ago00:19:33Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 36-37:In yesterday's reading in Jeremiah, he gave more specific warnings to King Zedekiah. And then we heard of the inspiring example of the Recabites. PROVERBS 4b:Yesterday in the first half of chapter 4, we heard again about Lady Wisdom. I highlight these important words: Prov. 4:7 GNT Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight.10 Listen to me, my child. Take seriously what I am telling you, and you will live a long life. 11 I have taught you wisdom and the right way to live. 12 Nothing will stand in your way if you walk wisely, and you will not stumble when you run. Solomon introduces some of these words saying that he was taught them by his father, which would be, of course, King David. It is interesting to consider that we could be hearing some of David's wisdom in those verses. 1CORINTHIANS 13:Spiritual gifts are important! They are sovereignly given by the Holy Spirit. We will be happiest and the most productive in our ministries when we function in accordance with our gifting from God. Every believer is given a gift, and chapter 12 portrays with clear analogies how the gifts are to used in the context of the body. So don't assume that you can go off anywhere outside your local body and use your gift. My experience is that gifting can change a bit based on what local body you are participating in. The Holy Spirit can loan a gift to you at any time. The gifts are to help us function as a unified body, NOT to divide us— as so sadly has happened again and again. Selfishness is diametrically opposed to spiritual gifts. So, as important as spiritual gifts are, there is something more important, as we will hear today. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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NL-Day219 Jeremiah 34-35; Proverbs 4:1-14; 1 Corinthians 12
2w ago00:24:28Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 34-35:In yesterday's reading, Jeremiah bought a field according to the Lord's instructions. Under the circumstances, that seemed a futile thing to do. He prayed, and the Lord used the situation as a backdrop for wonderful promises to the nation of Israel. In chapter 33:3 we heard a frequently quoted verse which says, Jer. 33:3 NLT Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. Please do NOT rip a verse like this out of context and then boast that you have become a prophet like Jeremiah. There are some wonderful verses in God's Word that we should be very careful about 'claiming' as applying to us. See what the 'remarkable secrets' 'about things to come' are by re-reading that chapter! I highlighted a verse earlier in Jeremiah where the coming Righteous King was named, 'The Lord Our Salvation.' In yesterday's reading it was the city of Jerusalem that is so named. Jer. 33:16 NLT In that day Judah will be savedand Jerusalem will live in safety.And this will be [Jerusalem's/its] name:'The LORD is Our Righteousness.' There is no conflict in this. The Lord is emphasizing something! Keep it in mind. PROVERBS 4a:Proverbs 3 extolled the virtues of Lady Wisdom and ended with various nuggets of wisdom. Here are verses that stood out to me from that chapter: NLT Prov. 3:21 My child, don't lose sight of common sense and discernment.Hang on to them,…24 You can go to bed without fear;you will lie down and sleep soundly.25 You need not be afraid of sudden disasteror the destruction that comes upon the wicked,26 for the LORD is your security. … 1CORINTHIANS 12:Yesterday's chapter has two clear parts. NLT has given this helpful section heading for the first section of chapter 11, verses 2-16: Instructions for Public Worship. The section includes Paul's instruction about head coverings for women in worship services. I think it behooves us to pay attention any time an apostle becomes emphatic or vehement in his language. Verse 16 is a case in point: 1Cor. 11:16 NLT But if anyone wants to argue about this, I simply say that we have no other custom than this, and neither do God's other churches. I therefore feel that we cannot just write off what Paul was saying as no longer relevant because it seems not to fit in our culture. Yes, this section certainly is discordant with our modern culture. But I maintain that this should make us pay closer attention to it. God's Word consistently shows that our Creator wants men and women to have different roles, not just in worship services, but in marriage and in life itself. Beside the God-designed role-differences between men and women, note that Paul gives another reason for his instructions: Angels are present and watching our public services. What angels think about the roles of men and women has probably not shifted to fit our modern culture. For anyone who thinks that verse 15 means that long hair can substitute for the 'covering' Paul intends in the previous verses, please see the footnote found for that verse in the NET. The second section is the often-quoted teaching about the Lord's supper. My opinion is that 'honoring/discerning the body of Christ' in 11:29 is about recognizing the symbolism of the Lord's body in the communion elements, not about the united and universal church as the 'body of Christ'. The Lord's Supper should never be allowed to become a routine event. I have visited a church where communion was taken without explanation, like serving oneself coffee and doughnuts at a buffet while everyone else is singing. Instead, the Lord's supper should be a solemn, dignified, and thought-provoking time. Beware that failure to give proper respect to the Lord's body and blood can cause the church to come under the Lord's discipline, which according to verse 30 can result in physical weakness, sickness, and even death. NLT Translation note:1Cor. 12:29 Are we all apostles? [No.] Are we all prophets? [No.] Are we all teachers? [No.] Do we all have the power to do miracles? [No.] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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219: Buckle the Belt of Truth Lesson4: Resist Satan
2w ago00:30:15Tap to summarizeDay 4 THEME: Buckle up the belt of truth about RESISTING SATAN. All of the Buckling the belt episodes are scattered throughout the Bible reading calendar. This episode will be folded in at episode 219. You can find this and all the other Buckling the belt episodes by searching for the word 'buckling' at dailybiblereading.info. Searching for that word might also work in your podcast app. After searching for answers in the Bible and reading a few books that talked about the topics we read about in days 1-3, I found myself still bothered and worried because I couldn't seem to experience the level of victory that others talked about. I will tell the story today about how the Lord gave me the answer to my problem by showing me how to resist Satan. Satan is alive and well. Yes, there are demons. No, Satan himself probably doesn't have time to bother you or me directly. But he leads an army of evil spirits. They will not want you to listen to this podcast. Please try to push through their opposition. The more you feel interference and oppression, the greater your need is for the information I will share. Because I am concerned that we get a good start on this topic, and with the hope that you will be able to listen to this podcast to the end, I would like to pray this prayer based on Ephesians 6: How to pray to make sure you are wearing your spiritual armor: Lord God, give me strength to stand firm. Help me to wear all of the spiritual armor You have given to me, so that I can stand against Satan and his forces: Please remind me that I am always wearing the breastplate of righteousness, because Jesus died and was raised to life, and He has given me right standing in your sight. Help me to keep on the boots of the Gospel, being ready to share the good news about Christ whether people are eager to hear it or not. May I always wear the belt of truth, realizing who I am in unity with You, and therefore never letting go of my shield, which is fully believing in You. May I always have the helmet of salvation, because I know You have saved me. Help me to know the Word of God and use it as my sword, not to hurt people, but to tell the truth in a spirit of love. And help me to never forget that my instant connection to You is prayer. Make my love grow for my fellow believers, and may Jesus find me among those who are blameless and holy when He comes. The existence of Satan and his dark forces is something that those same forces normally seek to suppress. That's why many in today's Western culture can read the whole Bible and never notice that we have a living and dangerously powerful enemy. Satan first appears in Genesis 3, then his work is visible in the OT in the kingdoms of man opposed to God and his people, and in the persistent, seeming unconquerable desire of humans to worship idols, which actually represent demons. Take a close look at the things demon worshippers did in the OT, and you will see the same evil things in our culture today, including such things as male and female prostitution, and the killing of babies. Then in the NT, Satan is more personally revealed, starting with Jesus being tempted by him and with Jesus directly teaching about him. If you were to cross out every page in the NT that mentions Satan, evil spirits, or believers somehow struggling against the dark forces, you wouldn't have very many pages left. The book of Revelation would be totally missing. So, we have an enemy, and he's not nice. As I have said in my podcast, demon possession in the Bible is not what we now refer to as mental disease. I do not discount that there is real mental disease. But I believe that we are unwise to think that there is no spiritual component in such things as depression, suicidal ideation, gender disphoria, schitsophrenia, and all the rest. I suggest that if we don't deal with the root causes of such things, we will only be able to medicate ourselves in an attempt to deal with the symptoms. My topic today comes with a big caution label, which I will read to you now: Many followers of Christ will be able to use the Scriptures and books I will suggest without outside help and see increasing victory over evil desires and sinful habits of thinking. I suggest you start with my recommended resources, especially the seven Steps for Freedom in Christ by Neil T. Anderson. But if you encounter stiff spiritual opposition, please seek the help of a professional Christian counselor or a loving group of believers who will encourage you, pray with you, and help you stay accountable. One basic problem for me was that I thought Christians should not verbally rebuke the Devil, because the archangel Michael did not do so in the story Jude relates (Jude 1:9). (He told Satan, "May the Lord rebuke you.") But there are several key ways my hesitancy was wrong. 1) We are commanded at least three times in the NT to resist Satan. (1Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7; Eph. 6) 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. James 4:7 NLT So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 2) Resisting the Devil and forbidding his minions speaking to you is not the same as the prideful 'insulting' of spiritual powers that Jude was speaking against. 3) As we have seen in previous readings, we are now adopted as children of God. We are now unified with Jesus. This means that we have quite a different and better position than angels. Footnote: There is some kind of legal permission that has been granted when a demon has established a stronghold in someone. Because of that, (unless the person being harrassed is your own young child) it will not be appropriate for you to command a demon to leave another person. (Yes, I know that the apostle Paul did that in Acts 16:16-18, and Jesus certainly had that authority in Luke 8:29.) Please don't try to cast out someone else's demons. (The response could get ugly.) However YOU do have the legal authority to resist and forbid demonic influences harassing you. Because of your unity with Christ, you can rescind permission that was somehow previously given (by a reaction to some event or word, perhaps long ago and forgotten by you). Our authority over Satanic forces operating in our lives comes directly from who we are in Christ. It's so important to know who you are! If you see yourself as a weak and sinful person who is continually not able to control sinful thoughts, then that is who you will be. But if you have done your previous homework to buckle the belt of truth— believing that you are forgiven, loved by Christ, and joined as one with him— then you are on the road to finding victory. Who we believe ourselves to be will be shown in our lives. Don't believe Satan's lies! Let me tell you how that worked out for me. We had been working among the Orya people for 9 years, and I was in the village of Gwae leading the men working with me in translating Philippians. Two Orya boys were staying with me at night, since Gale was not with me. It was at Pentecost time and there were several extra church meetings. In one of them the pastor (Yakub) led a hymn in the national language, too high, too slow, and sounding like a dirge. I said to him, "There's no joy in these hymns." And in rare candor he replied, "Yeah, you're right. There is no joy in these hymns." So I suggested, "How about if I write several songs in the Orya language to sing at the Sunday service?" And he agreed. Starting that night, the boys and I put together three catchy little songs with melodies you could clap hands with. On Sunday, I cajoled the congregation to clap their hands while singing them. (It wasn't easy to get them to do it, because clapping was never done in that church.) But they finally got into it, and I have pictures of the smiles that resulted. Being a musician, I had tried introducing Orya worship songs before, but this was my first success. The boys and I created 8 more songs over the next 10 days. Then one Monday morning, when the translation team came to work, they told me, "Lëberina had a dream and you were in it. She's gonna come this afternoon at five to tell you about it." That day I could hardly wait for 5 o'clock to finally come! But I want to admit (and I want you to remember) that there was a tinge of worry in my waiting. I was thinking, "Oh no. What if her dream reveals something sinful in me." Lëberina was the oldest widow in the village. She was also respected for her knowledge of traditional Orya songs. She came right on time and told me, "It was evening in my dream. It was dark and people were cooking in their kitchens. Then all of a sudden there was a bright light in the direction of the sunrise. The light was so bright that it put out all the cooking fires and lanterns. We all went outside to see what was happening. You were there too, so we asked you, 'What's that?' And you said, 'That's got to be Jesus coming again.' And then you taught us a song, and here it is: Bian, enho enkam kië gwë'an. Bian, enho enkam kië gwë'an. Kwasang, kwasang enkam." I didn't waste any time in writing down the melody and words of the song that I had sung in her dream. Later, the boys and I added two more verses, and it became one of our worship songs. Then I did a stupid and prideful thing: I said to the Lord, "Hey, I'm the missionary here. How about giving me a dream?" Bad idea! I don't recommend being flippant with the Lord, especially if your prayer is laced...
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NL-Day218 Jeremiah 32-33; Proverbs 3:18-35; 1 Corinthians 11
2w ago00:27:07Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 32-33:In yesterday's reading we heard some of Jeremiah's most important words: Jer. 31:33-34 NLT … this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day," says the LORD."I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. … I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins." When you think about it, what God has always wanted is rather simple: He would like to be our God, and He would like us to be— and act like, His people. PROVERBS 3b:Let's read verses 5-8 as a reminder, because these represent the core of Proverbs. Proverbs 3:5-8 NLT 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. 1CORINTHIANS 11:In chapter 10 Paul wrapped up his discussion about food offered to idols. And an important part is to learn from what happened to Israel. Finally he summarized: 1Cor. 10:31 NLT "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don't give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God." NLT Translation notes:Prov. 3:14 For [she,] wisdom[,] is more profitable than silver,and her wages are better than gold.15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;nothing you desire can compare with [Lady Wisdom//her].====1Cor. 11:3 But there is one thing I want you to know: The head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is [the] man [(her husband or her father)], and the head of Christ is God.5 But a woman dishonors her headc if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this [would be//is] the same as shaving her head. 6 Yes, if she refuses to wear a head covering, she should cut off all her hair! But since it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut [short] or her head shaved, she should wear a covering.8 For the first man didn't come from woman, but the first woman came from man. 9 And [the first] man was not made for [the first] woman, but [the first] woman was made for [the first] man. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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NL-Day217 Jeremiah 30-31; Proverbs 3:1-18; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1
2w ago00:28:27Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 30-31:Yesterday we heard more of Jeremiah's struggle against false prophets. And now so many centuries later, in our day, the false message is what people desire to hear, even though the truth is actually better for us and much better for our preparation. There is an often quoted verse from yesterday's reading. I think it is good to bear in mind that this was NOT spoken to the Jews left behind in Israel's land, but was part of the letter to the exiles in Babylon. Jer. 29:11 NLT For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. I think it is great to pray to the Lord and ask that He would treat you the same way as the exiles in Babylon. I don't think it is good to rip this verse out of context and claim it as applying directly to you. However, regarding our future and hope, and how God listens to us when we pray, there are many other verses, especially in the New Testament, that we can claim. PROVERBS 3a:In yesterday's reading we heard that following the path of wisdom is the way of common sense, and that leads one to avoid reckless sin of all kinds. It is best to follow the example of godly people. Lady Wisdom appears again in today's chapter in verses 13-18. Look for the pronouns 'her' and 'she' in most translations. 1CORINTHIANS 10:In chapter 8, we heard that Christians who have 'superior wisdom' sometimes need to give up their 'rights' for the sake of not causing their brothers and sisters to fall or be tempted. (Often not really 'rights', but privileges we get too possessive about.) And that led Paul in chapter 9 to talk of the rights he and Barnabas had given up for the Gospel. NLT Translation notes:Jer. 31:17 There is hope for your future," says the LORD."Your children will come [back] again to their own land.====Prov. 3:13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,the one who gains understanding.14 For [she,] wisdom[,] is more profitable than silver,and her wages are better than gold.15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;nothing you desire can compare with [Lady Wisdom//her].18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;happy are those who hold [on to] her tightly.====1Cor. 10:4 and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and [by that, I mean that] that rock was Christ.20 No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are [actually] offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want you to participate with demons.24 Don't [just] be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.28 (But suppose someone tells you, "This meat was offered to an idol." [Then] Don't eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) [So now, someone is sure to ask, "[:/For] why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it?["] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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NL-Day216 Jeremiah 28-29; Proverbs 2; 1 Corinthians 9
2w ago00:22:13Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 28-29:In yesterday's reading we moved from more poetic content to the story of Jeremiah being opposed by priests, other prophets, and royal officials. Remember that God has promised that he will protect Jeremiah in the face of opposition, and this certainly was put to the test. At the end of yesterday's reading, we heard how Jeremiah prophesied that more valuable articles would be taken away from the Temple, and that they would be brought back eventually. When we read the book of Ezra, we will hear that this prophecy was fulfilled. PROVERBS 2: Yesterday's reading in Proverbs contained the first speech of Lady Wisdom, the personification of God's wisdom. Not every language uses personification, and one that never uses personification is Indonesian. In translating Proverbs into Indonesian, we needed to say, "Wisdom is like a teacher who does x, y, and z." Even in English, it can seem strange when Wisdom builds a house, calls out to people who pass by, and does other human actions. 1CORINTHIANS 9:In 1 Corinthians 8 Paul began his explanation about whether Christians can eat food left over from sacrifices to idols. To me it is another sign of inspiration and God-given wisdom that Paul did not just give a rule to answer this question. NLT Translation note:1Cor. 9:10 Wasn't he actually speaking [about/to] us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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NL-Day215 Jeremiah 26-27; Proverbs 1; 1 Corinthians 8
2w ago00:21:45Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 26-27:In yesterday's reading, some important points were revealed: The people the Lord was about to send into exile to the North would return to Him wholeheartedly and God would bring them back to their land. God would put it into their hearts to return to him! Those remaining in the land at the point of exile and their king would be scattered, cursed, and vanish. The exiles would come back after 70 years, and afterward Babylon would have its turn to be punished and would remain a ruin forever— as in fact it is! That 70 year time was important to the prophet Daniel when he discovered it when reading this book! PROVERBS 1:In our poetry readings this year, we started with Job, then Psalms, and now we enter the wisdom literature with Proverbs. Solomon wrote and compiled these proverbs around the year 950 BC, in the height of Israel's golden age. We will hear the theme statement of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes today in verse 7 (NLT), "Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge." There is a clear division in the organization of this book. The first 9 chapters are highly thematic and are especially directed to giving wisdom to Solomon's sons. Then there are proverbs giving every-day advice to everyone, followed by advice to rulers. The very last chapter is the one that extols the blessedness of having a wise wife. I thank Kayla Gray for reading the parts of Lady Widsom throughout the first part of Proverbs. Kayla and Austin Gray, with their five children, are members of our church, and (currently in 2024) are preparing for roles with Pioneer Bible Translators in Dallas. 1CORINTHIANS 8:Summarizing important points about our position that we have heard in 1 Corinthians 6-7: Remember that we are joined as one with Christ— as in the vine and branch metaphors. We are 'of one spirit with the Lord'. (6:17) We each have become the 'temple of God's Spirit'. (6:19) We are in the humble yet honored position of being 'slaves' of the Lord, the King of Kings. (7:22) We are not our own. We have been bought with a high price. (6:20 and 7:23) NLT Translation note:1Cor.8:13 So if what I eat [would cause/causes] another believer to sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live—for I don't want to cause another believer to stumble. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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NL-Day214 Jeremiah 24-25; Psalm 150; 1 Corinthians 6:17-7:40
3w ago00:24:41Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 24-25:A stunning prophecy was given in yesterday's reading: Jer. 23:5-6 NLT "For the time is coming," says the Lord, "when I will raise up a righteous descendant* from King David's line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. 6 And this will be his name: 'The Lord Is Our Righteousness.'* In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. How amazing it is that this identity of 'The Lord Our Salvation/Righteousness' is specifically linked with the Righteous Descendant— whom we now know is Jesus! Yesterday's reading, from chapter 23, verse 33 contains an interesting command about not calling the Lord's message a 'burden'. Note that in the Hebrew this is a play on words using the word 'burden' which can also mean 'message'. In other words, the people ask, "What is the Lord's message(meaning 2)" and Jeremiah is told to reply, "You are the burden(meaning 1)." Some Christian leaders today would do well to note God's angry statements about the prophets who pan off prophecies that just come from their own imaginations as coming from the Lord. I would not like to be in their shoes on Judgment Day! PSALM 150:The exuberant finale to the psalms! 1CORINTHIANS 6:17—7:Yesterday's reading in 1 Corinthians started out with Paul rebuking the Corinthian Christians for taking their fellow believers to court before secular judges. Paul returned briefly the theme of sexual sin. Then, in supporting his points, Paul gave some of the most amazing verses in all Scripture about our position in unity with Christ. Let's review the last four verses of chapter 6 to make the connection with chapter 7. NLT Translation notes:1Cor. 7:1 Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain [totally] from sexual relations.22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in [because you are joined with] the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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NL-Day213 Jeremiah 23; Psalm 149; 1 Corinthians 6
3w ago00:18:38Tap to summarizeJEREMIAH 23:In yesterday's reading, we heard how king Zedekiah sent two men to Jeremiah to ask him for help to pray for a miracle. And God made it ever so clear that no miracle of deliverance would be given. Jeremiah repeatedly tells the king what he needs to do, but Zedekiah just couldn't bring himself to do it. The area of giving justice was especially prominent in yesterday's readings. PSALM 149:We old saints should not despise all of the new songs of the young saints. Yet I totally understand the desire to avoid change. Here we see that Scripture commands that we sing new songs. And this whole psalm can be taken as a prelude to what we will see in the book of Revelation. 1CORINTHIANS 6:A few days ago I challenged you to find out what was special about the quote in John 19 about none of Jesus' bones being broken. In yesterday's reading in 1Corinthians 5, we heard several metaphors relating to that based on Jesus being our Passover Lamb. And now as we start chapter 6, we have a chapter break at the right place, as Paul starts a new topic. NLT Translation notes:Jer. 23:33 The Lord said to me, "Jeremiah, when one of these people, or a prophet, or a priest asks you, 'What [burden/burdensome message] do you have from the Lord?' [(meaning a message from me,)] Tell them, 'You are the burden, and I will cast you away. I, the Lord, affirm it! [There is a play on words here that is really hard to translate, and NLT doesn't show that in a way that makes sense to me. So I am basing the reading more on the NET.]34 I will punish any prophet, priest, or other person who [refers to a message from me as a burden//says "The Lord's message is burdensome]." I will punish both that person and his whole family.'"35 So I, Jeremiah, tell you, "Each of you people should say to his friend or his relative, 'How did the Lord answer? Or what did the Lord say?' 36 You must no longer [refer to a message from the Lord as a "burden".//say that the Lord's message is burdensome.] [NLT 1996 version: For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the LORD of Heaven's Armies.//For what is 'burdensome' really pertains to what a person himself says. You are misrepresenting the words of our God, the living God, the Lord who rules over all.] 37 Each of you should merely ask the prophet, 'What answer did the Lord give you? Or what did the Lord say?' 38 But just suppose you continue to [call the Lord's message "a burden".//say, 'The message of the Lord is burdensome.'] Here is what the Lord says will happen: 'I sent word to you that you must not [call my message a 'burden'.//say, "The Lord's message is burdensome."] But you [continued to say that anyway.//used the words "The Lord's message is burdensome" anyway.] 39 So I will carry you far off and throw you away. I will send both you and the city I gave to you and to your ancestors out of my sight.40 I will bring on you lasting shame and lasting disgrace which will never be forgotten!'"====1Cor. 6:11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on [0//the name of] the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.[This is a figure of speech called metonymy. 'The name' stands for the whole person. First of all, even though it sounds natural to us who have been around Bibles all our lives, it really is not natural English. One never would say, "Call on the name of Obama." We would simply call Obama, or call to Obama. Secondly, calling on a name sounds as if we are given magic words. It would be idolatry to worship a thing (even a name) rather than the Person himself.] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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