2015DBRP_244 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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.13.nlt

A highlighted verse for today:

22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure,

and he receives favor from the LORD.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.18

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.

Translation note:

10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your [believing/faith].

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1th.3

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2015DBRP_243 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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.11.nlt

Our highlighted verse today:

10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress;

the godly run to him and are safe.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.18

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.”

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1th.2

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2015DBRP_242 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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.9.nlt

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

22A cheerful heart is good medicine,

but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.17

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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1th.1

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Mains, Tales of the kingdom: The Apprentice Juggler

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2015DBRP_241 1Chron8 Pro17a Eph6b

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

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.8.nlt

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

9Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,

but dwelling on it separates close friends.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.17

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’.

PET: 10 As final instructions, you should each become strong because you keep on hoping completely in the Lord's amazing power, and also because you have become one with Him. 11 Just like a soldier wears his equipment for war, you must wear all the battle equipment that God gives us. In that way you can reject the devil's lies. 12 For we aren't fighting against people on this earth. But we fight against evil spirits and all the powers who rule those evil spirits. They're the ones who now control this dark world from the sky above. 13 That's why you need to use all the tools of war from God, so that when the enemy comes to attack you, you won't run, but can oppose him and keep enduring until the war is over.

14 So stand firm. Hold on to the true teaching from God, because true teaching is like a belt that makes you ready to act. Live a righteous life, because a righteous life is like a metal vest that will protect you from the enemy's attacks. 15 And keep holding on to the Good News about Christ. That news helps you to feel calm in the protection of God. Continually hold on to that news, just like a soldier always wears strong boots, so that you stand firm in war. 16 Besides that, keep believing in the Lord. For your [fully believing/faith] is like a shield that protects you from all of the flaming arrows that the devil shoots at us. 17 Keep on being certain that God has saved you, because that is like your war helmet. And hold onto all of God's words like holding a sword, because His words have the power of the Holy Spirit.18 Always pray in every situation. And hope completely in the Holy Spirit for everything you need. You should be alert for things that need to be prayed for. Don't give in! And keep praying for all of God's people.

19 And I hope you'll pray for me too. Pray that the Lord gives me wisdom so that I will speak boldly when I give the Good News that used to be kept secret. 20 For I'm God's messenger to tell about His kingdom, even though at this moment I'm in prison and bound with chains. So pray that I can tell the news from God with boldness, according to my duty.

21-22 [PET: Our beloved brother, Tychicus, has brought this letter to you. He serves the Lord very faithfully as our brother in being joined as one with the Lord. I also sent him so that he could give you news about my situation and ministry, so that you can know about our situation and so that he can strengthen your hearts.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.6

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2015DBRP_240 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.

Translation note:

21 Zabad, Shuthelah, Ezer, and Elead. These [last] two were killed trying to steal livestock from the local farmers near Gath.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.7.nlt

Today’s highlighted verse is this:

18Pride goes before destruction,

and haughtiness before a fall.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.16

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.

Translation note:

10 A[s my] final word: [PET: each one of you, be strong because you keep on hoping completely in the Lord's amazing power, and also because you are joined as one with Him.//Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.]

21-22 [PET: Our beloved brother, Tychicus, has brought this letter to you. He serves the Lord very faithfully as our brother who is joined as one with the Lord. I also sent him so that he could give you news about my situation and ministry, so that you can know about our situation and so that he can strengthen your hearts.//To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.]

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.6

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2015DBRP_239 1Chron6 Pro16a Eph5b

Yesterday we heard details about the leaders of three tribes, Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.6.nlt

Today’s collection of proverbs contains a famous one:

3Commit your actions to the LORD,

and your plans will succeed.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.16

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.

Translation notes:

28In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually [is showing//shows] love for himself.

32This is a great mystery, [and I am saying that it is also//but it is] an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.5

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2015DBRP_238 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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.5.nlt

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!

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.15

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

30And 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.

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

Translation notes:

28In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually [is showing//shows] love for himself.

32This is a great mystery, [and I am saying that it is also//but it is] an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.5

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2015DBRP_237 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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.4.nlt

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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.15

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.

Translation notes:

5 [We all worship//There is] one Lord, [we all fully believe in Christ/one faith], [we all have been baptized as his followers/one baptism],

In Indonesia ‘one baptism’ has been misunderstood by people on both sides of the main baptism debate. One side say, “One baptism means you should only be baptized once (so if you were baptized as a baby, don’t get baptized again anywhere else!)” The other side says, “One baptism means there is only one way to be baptized, and that is by immersion.” Both sides miss the point, because this passage is about things that unify us, not divide us.

6and [we all serve the same//one] God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

17With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the [non-Jewish pagans/Gentiles] do, for they are hopelessly confused.

32Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God [has forgiven you because of your being joined to Christ./through Christ has forgiven you.]

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.4

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2015DBRP_236 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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.3.nlt

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.”

Translation note:

5An honest witness does not lie;

a false witness breathes [out] lies.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.14

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.

Translation notes:

5 [We all worship//There is] one Lord, [we all fully believe in Christ/one faith], [we all have been baptized as his followers/one baptism],

In Indonesia ‘one baptism’ has been misunderstood by people on both sides of the main baptism debate. One side say, “One baptism means you should only be baptized once (so if you were baptized as a baby, don’t get baptized again anywhere else!)” The other side says, “One baptism means there is only one way to be baptized, and that is by immersion.” Both sides miss the point, because this passage is about things that unify us, not divide us.

6and [we all serve the same//one] God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

17With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the [non-Jewish pagans/Gentiles] do, for they are hopelessly confused.

32Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God [has forgiven you because of your being joined to Christ./through Christ has forgiven you.]

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.4

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2015DBRP_235 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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.2.nlt

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.

Translation note:

5An honest witness does not lie;

a false witness breathes [out] lies.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.14

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

Translation notes:

5God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed [that secret plan//it] to his holy apostles and prophets.

12[PET: Because we who fully believe in Christ are joined as one with Him, we feel confident/bold/free and no longer need to be afraid to come to God in prayer.//Because of Christ and our faith in him,d we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.]

20-21 PET: May God— who is able to do far more than we can ask or think, always be glorified by the unity of His whole church. Let us glorify Him because of His amazing power which works in each of our lives. And because we are one with Christ Jesus, let us glorify God from age to age, forever! Amen!///NLT:20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.3

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2015DBRP_234 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.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/1ch.1.nlt

Here is a favorite verse from today’s reading:

16Wise people think before they act;

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

Translation note:

23A poor person’s farm may produce much food,

but injustice [can sweep//sweeps] it all away.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.13

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.

Translation notes:

5God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed [that secret plan//it] to his holy apostles and prophets.

12[PET: Because we who fully believe in Christ are joined as one with Him, we feel confident/bold/free and no longer need to be afraid to come to God in prayer.//Because of Christ and our faith in him,d we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.]

20-21 PET: May God— who is able to do far more than we can ask or think, always be glorified by the unity of His whole church. Let us glorify Him because of His amazing power which works in each of our lives. And because we are one with Christ Jesus, let us glorify God from age to age, forever! Amen!///NLT:20Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.3

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Chapter 2 of Tales of the Kingdom: The Orphan Keeper's Assistant

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2015DBRP_233 Lam4-5 Pro13a Eph2b

In yesterday's reading, the sun pierced 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 [still] hope in him!”

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

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/lam.4.nlt

Here is a favorite proverb from today’s reading:

Some who are poor pretend to be rich;

others who are rich pretend to be poor.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.13

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.

Translation notes:

6For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are [joined as one/united] with Christ Jesus.

7So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are [joined/united] with Christ Jesus.

8God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for [that/this]; it is a gift from God. 9Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

10For we are God’s masterpiece. [We who are joined with Christ Jesus have been like recreated,//He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,] so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

11Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who [are so/were] proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.

13But now you have been [jointed/united] with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

15He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. [PET: That means that everyone, from every people group— each of them being [joined/one] with Christ, are as if created to become a new people group, and a peaceful nation.//He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups.]

21[PET: When each of us becomes [joined as] one with Christ, the whole building is growing larger until it becomes a holy Temple for God.//We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.]

 

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/eph.2

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