Sunday, August 31, 2014

DBRP_Sept01_2014 1Chron13-14 Pro18b 1Thes3


Yesterday we heard of mighty men who joined David in war, and the roll call of people who joined him politically to become king. And today we hear more about important events under David’s leadership.

 

A highlighted verse for today:

22 The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,

and he receives favor from the LORD.

 

Yesterday Paul reminded the Thessalonians of the way he, Silas, and Timothy lived among them, and they definitely loved them like family. And at the end of the chapter Paul compares them to a crown (or like the crowning achievement in their ministry) which he longs to bring before Christ at His second coming.


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Saturday, August 30, 2014

DBRP_Aug31_2014 1Chron11-12 Pro18a 1Thes2


In yesterday’s reading, we heard of the people who returned after the exile. Then, starting with the genealogy of King Saul, we jumped to the story of how he died. This prepares us for the stories about King David.

 

Our highlighted verse today:

10 The name of the LORD is a strong fortress;

the godly run to him and are safe.

 

Chapter 1 ended with Paul saying what other people were saying about the Thessalonians: “how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.”


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Friday, August 29, 2014

DBRP_Aug30_2014 1Chron9-10 Pro17b 1Thes1


This is the last name chapter at the beginning of this book, bringing us up to the time of the returning exiles. And king Saul’s genealogy is given, because we pick up Israel’s narrative with Saul in the next chapter.

 

This special verse reminds me of the song we used to sing every Sunday evening at our Danau Bira sing-a-long.

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

 

The book of Revelation has the reputation of being about the second coming of Christ, but our doctrines about the second coming come much more from the two letters to Thessalonica. Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians ends with a reference to the second coming. And the second coming is mentioned 20 times in these two little letters. Paul, Timothy and Silas spent only three Sabbath days in Thessalonica. They did an amazing work in grounding these believers, and Timothy was sent back soon afterward. But there were problems. Some were worried about believers who had died or would die before Christ’s return. Others were thinking Jesus would return so soon that they need not do any work now. This is a highly personal letter to people who had become dear in a very short time to Paul, and one of his earliest letters, written around 51AD. 


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Thursday, August 28, 2014

DBRP_Aug29_2014 1Chron8 Pro17a Eph6b


Hang on! We’re almost through with the names chapters! 

 

I highlight another proverb. And I must say that it is hard to choose just one verse to highlight:

9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,

but dwelling on it separates close friends.

 

Today in the armor portion I am reading from our Plain English Translation, which is the English translation of our Indonesian translation. This translation explains the metaphors, which may seem overly pedantic to you in English. However it helps many of our readers. This translation helps the reader understand how the various parts of the armor are actually applied or ‘picked up’ and ‘worn’.


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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

DBRP_Aug28_2014 1Chron7 Pro16b Eph6a


Yesterday we heard about Levite and priestly genealogies and their allotment of towns. The pace quickens as today we hear of six tribes. 

 

Today’s highlighted verse is this:

18 Pride goes before destruction,

and haughtiness before a fall.

 

This is another chapter break that interrupts the flow. Yesterday we started a new topic with the words “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” We have heard about the husband wife relationship under this, and now we hear of two more relationship pairs.


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Tuesday, August 26, 2014

DBRP_Aug27_2014 1Chron6 Pro16a Eph5b


Today we hear about Levite and priestly genealogies and their allotment of towns.

 

Today’s collection of proverbs contains a famous one:

3 Commit your actions to the LORD,

and your plans will succeed.

 

Although today’s chapter does not contain an instance of the theme words “joined with Christ”, this chapter contains the highest example and explanation of that oneness.


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Monday, August 25, 2014

DBRP_Aug26_2014 1Chron5 Pro15b Eph5a


In yesterday’s reading, we heard of important ancestors of the tribes of Judah and Simeon. In Ezra’s time, I can imagine that it was important to figure out who was who and what their relationship was, as this would determine the redistribution of land.

 

I wish I was more like this proverb:

23 Everyone enjoys a fitting reply;

it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

 

There is no topic change at the first of this chapter. Chapter 4 ended with this:

30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,e guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God [has forgiven you because of your being joined with Christ.


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Sunday, August 24, 2014

DBRP_Aug25_2014 1Chron4 Pro15a Eph4b


In yesterday’s reading we started with David’s sons, then for the descendants of King Solomon, only the kings were listed. So we jumped up to the period of the exile to Babylon. 

 

Here is a favorite verse from today’s group of proverbs:

17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you love

is better than steak with someone you hate.

 

This chapter has only one instance of the words I translate as ‘joined as one with Christ’, but the chapter is all about that oneness. In that regard I have a footnote about baptism. The important thing about Paul's use of 'one baptism' is that this statement is meant to highlight our unity, not our divisions. 


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Saturday, August 23, 2014

DBRP_Aug24_2014 1Chron3 Pro14b Eph4a


So far we have traced Jakob/Israel’s descendants into the time of David, and today’s reading picks up with David himself.

 

Here is a quote from today’s group of proverbs:

20 The poor are despised even by their neighbors,

while the rich have many “friends.”

 

We concluded the ethereal and theological part at the end of chapter 3 with Paul’s incredible prayer for his readers— for us. And now we enter the practical part of his letter.


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Friday, August 22, 2014

DBRP_Aug23_2014 1Chron2 Pro14a Eph3b


Yesterday we traced from Adam to Noah, and the genealogy to Abraham.  Then we heard of Abraham’s two other families, those descending from Keturah and the sons and rulers descended from Esau. So now we take up Jacob’s descendants, but in this book he is called by his other name, Israel.

 

This chapter has one of my all-time favorite proverbs:

4 Without oxen a stable stays clean,

but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.

 

There are two instances of ‘joined with Christ’ in this chapter. This brings the total to 13 so far in this letter.


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Thursday, August 21, 2014

DBRP_Aug22_2014 1Chron1 Pro13b Eph3a


Jewish and Christian traditions hold that Jeremiah was the author of 1&2 Kings, which were originally one book. And that Ezra, the priest, wrote 1&2 Chronicles, which are also one book in the Hebrew. It may be that Ezra wrote these books after his return to Jerusalem. The Greek Septuagint names this book Paraleipomena, which means ‘things left over’. This book does supplement things not found in other books. Compared to the books of Samuel and Kings, Chronicles focuses more on the spiritual misdeeds of the kings and the importance of worshiping the Lord properly through the ministry of the priests and the Temple. This fits well with Ezra being the author.

 

A favorite from today’s reading:

16 Wise people think before they act;

fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

 

An important spiritual reality is expressed in chapter 2 verse 6: Because we are joined as one with Christ, we are already seated with Him, reigning together with Him, in heaven. We don't have to wait to die to find out if we will get into heaven! And in my speaking about this in Indonesia I often say, “Those chairs in heaven are not plastic folding chairs.” I also encourage us to bring our requests to God with this in mind— that we are spiritually speaking seated in one of the little thrones surrounding His throne. There are two instances of ‘joined with Christ’ in this chapter.


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Wednesday, August 20, 2014

DBRP_Aug21_2014 Lam4-5 Pro13a Eph2b


Lamentations ends with Jeremiah's prayer, and with sad questions:

Restore us, O LORD, and bring us back to you again!

Give us back the joys we once had!

22 Or have you utterly rejected us?

Are you angry with us still?

 

Two favorites from today’s reading:

Some who are poor pretend to be rich;

others who are rich pretend to be poor.

8 The rich can pay a ransom for their lives,

but the poor won’t even get threatened.

 

We have an important spiritual reality expressed in verse 6: Because we are joined as one with Christ, we are already seated with Him, reigning together with Him, in heaven. We don't wait to die to find out if we will get into heaven! And in my speaking about this in Indonesia I often say, “Those chairs in heaven are not plastic folding chairs.” I also encourage us to bring our requests to God with this in mind— that we are seated in one of the little thrones surrounding His throne.


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Tuesday, August 19, 2014

DBRP_Aug20_2014 Lam3 Pro12b Eph2a


In today's reading, the sun pierces the dark clouds with this glorious section:

The faithful love of the LORD never ends!

His mercies never cease.

23 Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance;

therefore, I will hope in him!”

I have only quoted the most famous part. There are many other precious verses there.

 

A favorite to introduce today’s proverbs:

23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,

but fools broadcast their foolishness.

 

The first chapter has 4 instances of ‘joined with Christ’, and this chapter has seven. We have an important spiritual reality expressed in verse 6: Because we are joined as one with Christ, we are already seated with Him, reigning together with Him, in heaven. We don't wait for death to find out if we will get into heaven! And in my speaking about this in Indonesia I often say, “Those chairs in heaven are not folding plastic chairs.” I also encourage us to bring our requests to God with this position in mind.


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Monday, August 18, 2014

DBRP_Aug19_2014 Lam1-2 Pro12a Eph1b


Jeremiah has already shown himself to be, as he is called, the weeping prophet. In this little book helps us to understand not only how Jeremiah felt, but how God mourned also. This book has been a comfort to many who mourn. Light breaks through in the middle, in chapter 3, with words that are used in one of our greatest hymns. The book ends with poignant questions to God.

 

A warning for our time is here in chapter 2:

14 Your prophets have said

so many foolish things, false to the core.

They did not save you from exile

by pointing out your sins.

Instead, they painted false pictures,

filling you with false hope.

 

A favorite to introduce today’s proverbs:

12 Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,

but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.

 

This chapter has four instances of ‘joined in unity’ with Christ. Note that Paul calls the Ephesians ‘holy people/saints’, but they were humans like us. In Indonesian, we found that it was better to translate, ‘people made holy by God’, as the readers could call themselves that, but didn't feel that they were up to being called ‘holy people’.


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Sunday, August 17, 2014

DBRP_Aug18_2014 Jer52 Pro11b Eph1a


We come to the addendum to Jeremiah— seemingly written by someone else, perhaps Baruch.

 

Today in Proverbs 11:

16 A gracious woman gains respect,

but ruthless men gain only wealth.

27 If you search for good, you will find favor;

but if you search for evil, it will find you!

 

The words ‘in Ephesus’ are missing from the best manuscripts of this letter. It is believed that this was a circular letter and every church who received it would fill in their location name.

H.C. Mears says of Ephesians:

In this epistle, we enter the holy of holies in Paul’s writings. Paul speaks in 2Corinthians 12:2 of being “caught up to the third heaven.” Here, as it were, he gives his report, and he seems to be carried away as he tells about it. It is the greatest revelation of truth that God has given to us, the revelation of a mystery that has been hidden from before the foundation of the world.

An important theme in Ephesians is one I have also highlighted this year. It is the idea of being (in literal translations) ‘in Christ’. This idea is also important in John’s writings, like the chapter we heard yesterday. Go back to the vine and branches metaphor in John 15. ‘In Christ’ doesn’t mean inside. It means being joined to Christ or one/in unity with Christ, like a branch is with the vine. 

This is the letter where we hear of the Christian’s armor. I believe that a key part of the belt of truth is to believe what God says about us is true.


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Saturday, August 16, 2014

DBRP_Aug17_2014 Jer51 Pro11a 1Jn5


Today we hear the second and final chapter of the prophecy against Babylon. Today's chapter contains prophecies that were fulfilled more than 70 years after this, long after Jeremiah lived. Key words, 'Medes', 'drunkenness', 'river'.

 

An important thing I didn’t mention before is that these proverbs represent principles, not promises. This particularly needs to be remembered for verses that talk about prosperity. There will be times, such as what Jeremiah experienced, when no amount of Godly living will bring us wealth.

 

Yesterday I highlighted these verses from chapter 4 of 1 John:

16 We [have come to] know how much God loves us, and we have [fully believed//put our trust] in his love.

God is love, and all who live in love live [joined in unity with/in] God, and God lives [joined in unity with/in] them. … 17 And as we live [joined in unity with/in] God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.

18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

Important in today's chapter are the words ‘believe’ and ‘joined together with’.


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Friday, August 15, 2014

DBRP_Aug16_2014 Jer50 Pro10b 1Jn4


Finally after hearing messages prophesying against so many nations, always telling or implying that the Babylonians would be God’s instrument to punish them, now this long chapter tells how Babylon will finally be judged as well, and God will return to take pity on Israel.

 

Here is another example of Hebrew parallelism from today’s 2nd half of Proverbs 10:

23 Doing wrong is fun for a fool,

but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.

‘Fool’ and ‘the sensible’ oppose each other. “Doing wrong is fun for a fool,” and it seems like ‘fun’ would only be temporary. Whereas the sensible who live wisely receive ‘pleasure’, which is much longer lasting than the ‘fun’ the fools get.

 

In yesterday’s reading, I highlighted verses near the end of the chapter:

20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

 


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Thursday, August 14, 2014

DBRP_Aug15_2014 Jer49 Pro10a 1Jn3


Having heard bad news about Egypt, Philistia, and Moab, we now hear the bad news for the nations of Ammon and Edom, the city of Damascus, and the nations of Kedar, Hazor, and Elam.

 

From here on in Proverbs we’ll go a bit slower, by half chapters, because each verse is a separate gem of wisdom. Almost all of these verses are examples of Hebrew parallelism. This means that the two lines of couplet mutually comment on each other. Let’s take verse 2 as an example: 

Tainted wealth has no lasting value,

but right living can save your life.

‘Tainted wealth’ is a contrast with ‘right living’. Solomon shows by this that doing things to obtain wealth dishonestly must not be considered ‘right living’. ‘No lasting value’ and ‘can save your life’ also comment on each other in an opposing way. Not only will tainted wealth quickly disappear, but it is dangerous for your life. You could get killed trying to get tainted wealth. And matching the lines in the opposite direction, if you want to gain lasting profit and prosperity, the way is by ‘right living’.

 

At the close of chapter 2, John was speaking to us about living like God’s children. Here are those last verses:

28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

29 Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.


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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

DBRP_Aug14_2014 Jer48 Pro9 1Jn2


In yesterday’s reading, the Lord began giving oracles about different nations, with a chapter concerning Egypt and the next about Philistia. Today we hear about Moab.

 

Today’s chapter is the last of the thematic chapters. Lady Wisdom speaks, and we find that she is opposed by Lady Folly.

 

John continues to address us as his dear children, and tells us things that we must know in order to be on guard and remain in fellowship with the Father and the Son.


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Tuesday, August 12, 2014

DBRP_Aug13_2014 Jer46-47 Pro8b 1Jn1


After finally being able to give a comforting message (“Stay here in Judah and don't go to Egypt.”), the people not only ran off to Egypt but took Jeremiah with them. (Or did he go along willingly?) Perhaps he thought that in Egypt the Lord's message to stop worshiping idols would have some traction. But again, alas... No. Then yesterday we heart the short special message to the official Baruch, Jeremiah’s faithful secretary. In today’s reading, the Lord begins giving oracles about different nations. Today we hear of Egypt and Philistia.

 

Today Lady Wisdom continues to speak.

 

It is believed that John wrote this letter later in his life, somewhere between AD 85 and 95, and perhaps from Ephesus. He addresses everyone as his ‘children’. Like the emphasis of John’s gospel, this little book focuses on the word ‘believe’. And the word ‘know’ is used over 30 times in this short book. And it is because of that very word that this letter is famous for giving assurance— especially to any who have trouble accepting that God would choose or love them.


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Monday, August 11, 2014

DBRP_Aug12_2014 Jer44-45 Pro8a 1Cor16


After finally being able to give a comforting message (“Stay here in Judah and don't go to Egypt.”), the people not only went to Egypt but took Jeremiah with them. (Or did he go along willingly?) Perhaps he thought that in Egypt the Lord's message to stop worshiping idols would have some traction. But again, alas... No. Then Jeremiah has a special message for his faithful secretary, the official named Baruch. I find this message very interesting.

 

For the last two days we heard the wisdom of a father to his sons. Today Lady Wisdom speaks.

 

Yesterday we finished the Resurrection Chapter, and today we see glimpses of the life of the early church through Paul’s final words.


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Sunday, August 10, 2014

DBRP_Aug11_2014 Jer42-43 Pro7 1Cor15b


After all Jeremiah's messages of doom, he is able to give a comforting message to the Judeans who have been through so much. In today's reading the Lord says through him, “I feel sorry for all you have had to suffer. Stay here. I will make the king of Babylon take pity on you. Don't fear the Babylonians.” That's the very thing the people have longed to hear for years. But do they listen to Jeremiah?!

 

The father instructing his son continues from yesterday’s reading. This is one of the most colorful chapters in God’s Word. If you haven’t read this before, prepare yourself to be shocked!

 

Yesterday's passage in 1 Corinthians was the first part of the famous Resurrection Chapter. That portion displays Paul's rigorous logic about the fact of Christ’s resurrection. The second part deals with the kind of body we will have after the Resurrection. This part has includes wonderful promises.


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Saturday, August 9, 2014

DBRP_Aug10_2014 Jer40-41 Pro6 1Cor15a


I have always found it fascinating what Jeremiah experienced in the aftermath of the fall of Judah's kingdom to the king of Babylon. It is interesting to me that he was led away in chains along with everyone else captured. But the king of Babylon had heard of him and left instructions about him. And it is a shame what happens to Gedaliah. Evidently Jeremiah was not around at that point to warn him.

 

Today's instruction from Proverbs are the words of an insistent father to his son.

 

Today's passage in 1 Corinthians is the famous Resurrection Chapter. This is one of those chapters that display Paul's rigorous logic. 


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Friday, August 8, 2014

DBRP_Aug09_2014 Jer38-39 Pro5 1Cor14


Today we hear of Jeremiah being put in a muddy cistern, and being rescued by the faithful official, Ebed-melech. And we heard the terrible and painful result of Zedekiah's cowardly failure to do as repeatedly instructed by the Lord.

 

Today’s chapter of Proverbs has a clear theme. Here is a verse from the middle that typifies that theme:

Drink water from your own well—

share your love only with your wife.

 

Paul wraps up the theme about spiritual gifts that was started in chapter 12. Note that at the end he becomes vehement and insistent, signalling that he knew there would be people who would think themselves wiser and more spiritual that Paul. I want to underline: Paul was the apostle of the Lord who wrote 13 books of our New Testament. Every church and Christian fellowship should take these instructions seriously. If we don't, it just proves that we are hypocrites— play actors. Those who seek spiritual gifts in a way that is not self-glorifying will find that the Spirit of the Lord still gives authentic gifts.


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Thursday, August 7, 2014

DBRP_Aug08_2014 Jer36-37 Pro4b 1Cor13


This is one of my favorite parts of Jeremiah. The prophet is imprisoned, but the Lord tells him to get a scroll and write down all of his messages. Baruch takes them all down as Jeremiah dictates. King Jehoiakim wasn't very open to the messages. In today's reading also we hear Jeremiah's next to last interview with King Zedekiah.

 

These verses from chapter 4 are inspiring to me:

Look straight ahead,

and fix your eyes on what lies before you.

Mark out a straight path for your feet;

stay on the safe path.

Don’t get sidetracked;

keep your feet from following evil.

 

Today we hear the famous Love Chapter of 1 Corinthians. I note that, when considered in context, most of this chapter is not all that appropriate for a wedding.


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Wednesday, August 6, 2014

DBRP_Aug07_2014 Jer34-35 Pro4a 1Cor12


Today's chapters in Jeremiah give more specific warnings to King Zedekiah. And then we hear of the inspiring example of the Recabites.

 

We hear again about Lady Wisdom:

Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!

When you walk, you won’t be held back;

when you run, you won’t stumble.

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.

 

We now have the first of two chapters on spiritual gifts. Key points given include that it is the Holy Spirit who decides what gift we each gift— not us. The gifts have different prominence, but each gift is necessary to how the Body of Christ will function. We violate our position in the body by vaunting any gift over another. A human body does not function this way, and neither should the Body of Christ. The gifts are so that we can help one another and meant to be used in the context of the Body. 

 

At the start of the chapter is also an important word concerning discernment of different spirits, such as demons. The Holy Spirit will never curse Jesus, and no one can truly confess that, “Jesus is Lord” apart from the Holy Spirit.


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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

DBRP_Aug06_2014 Jer32-33 Pro3b 1Cor11


In today's reading, Jeremiah says these words that are often quoted, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Even thought these are often quoted, I don't really think that these words apply to us. Or if they do, we should pray along this line about understanding God's Word and the issues mentioned in Romans 12:2.

 

Another famous passage in today's reading in Jeremiah is this: “This is what the LORD says: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that one does not follow the other, only then will my covenant with my servant David be broken. Only then will he no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne.”

 

These verses stood out to me in Proverbs 3 today:

My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.

Hang on to them,

You can go to bed without fear;

you will lie down and sleep soundly.

You need not be afraid of sudden disaster

or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,

for the LORD is your security.

 

I failed to look at the chapter break between 1Cor. 10 and 11. Note that one line was orphaned:

whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. (ch11)

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.


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Monday, August 4, 2014

DBRP_Aug05_2014 Jer30-31 Pro3a 1Cor10


Yesterday we heard more of Jeremiah’s struggle against false prophets. Just like in this 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. This is an often quoted verse, and I think it good to bear in mind that it was spoken NOT to the Jews left behind in Israel's land, but was part of the letter to the exiles in Babylon: 

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.

In today's reading, we have Jeremiah's frequently quoted passage about Rachel weeping for her children, and the amazing prophecy that God will give a new covenant.

 

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 better to follow the example of godly men. Lady Wisdom appears again in today’s chapter, and there are several promises that are frequently quoted, for good reason.

 

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. And that led Paul in chapter 9 to talk of the rights he and Barnabas had given up for the Gospel. In chapter 10 Paul preaches a convicting sermon. Here is what we ought to have learned from our readings in OT history this year.


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Sunday, August 3, 2014

DBRP_Aug04_2014 Jer28-29 Pro2 1Cor9


Today we hear more of Jeremiah's struggle against false prophets. Just like in this 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. This is an often quoted verse, and I think it good to bear in mind that it was spoken NOT to the Jews left behind in Israel's land, but to the exiles in Babylon: 

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. 12In those days when you pray, I will listen.

 

Following the path of wisdom is the way of common sense, and that leads one to avoid reckless sin of all kinds. It is better to follow the example of godly men.

 

In 1 Corinthians 8 Paul began his explanation about whether Christians can eat left over meat 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. 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. And that leads Paul to talk of the rights he and Barnabas have given up for the Gospel.


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Saturday, August 2, 2014

DBRP_Aug03_2014 Jer26-27 Pro1 1Cor8


In today's reading we move 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 today's reading, we hear how Jeremiah prophesied that more valuable articles would be taken away from the Temple, and that they would be brought back— a prophecy which we have already heard was fulfilled.

 

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, “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 extolls the blessedness of having a wise wife. 

 

Today's reading in Proverbs contains the first speech of Lady Wisdom, the personification of God's wisdom. Because personification is shown by 'she' and 'her' in English, these portions come out poorly in Indonesian, which doesn't keep track of masculine/feminine gender. An added problem is that the Indonesian seems to never use personification.

 

In 1 Corinthians 8 Paul begins 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 does not just give a rule to answer this question.


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Friday, August 1, 2014

DBRP_Aug02_2014 Jer24-25 Ps150 1Cor7


A stunning prophecy was given in yesterday's reading:

“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.

And this will be his name:

‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’

How amazing that this identity of ‘the Lord is our Righteousness’ is specifically linked with the Righteous Descendant! Yesterday's reading also contained the interesting command about not calling the Lord's message a ‘burden’. I did not read the NLT for that part and there is a note in yesterday’s PDF file about that section.

 

Today we have the closing symphony for the book of Psalms.

 

Summarizing important points about our position: Remember that we are joined as one with Christ— as in the vine and branch analogy. We are of ‘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)


Check out this episode!