Wednesday, September 30, 2015

2015DBRP_274 2Chron26-27 Ecc3 Mat17


King Joash didn’t end so well, did he?! He killed Jehoiadah’s son Zechariah. When Jesus mentioned killing prophets A through Z, that Zechariah was the Z that he mentioned by name. Time and time again Judah’s kings needed to learn not to be proud, and that certainly happened to Joash’s son Amaziah, who was assassinated like his father.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.26.nlt

Chapter 2 ended with a significant conclusion or two:

24So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?b26God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

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

Yesterday we heard the words that remind me of Jim Elliot’s words, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

elliot.jpg

And Jesus said, 28And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.”

Translation note:

20 “[You don’t believe fully in me.//You don’t have enough faith,]” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had [belief/faith] even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

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


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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

2015DBRP_273 2Chron24-25 Ecc2b Mat16


Yesterday we heard of Ahaziah’s one year reign, and then his mother Athaliah’s reign. The baby Joash was the only descendant of David saved from slaughter. He was raised in the temple by Jehoiada and at 7 Jehoiada mounted a dangerous coup, which succeeded.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.24.nlt

In yesterday’s reading, Solomon sought to find meaning in life through pleasure, folly, wine, and hard work. But both the wise man and the fool share the same fate (as far as Solomon could see).

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

In yesterday’s reading, Matthew gave more than one hint that Jesus’ work would benefit more than just the Jews. Note that the baskets used in the feeding of the 5,000 were different than the baskets used for the feeding of the 4,000. In the first miracle, the smaller Jewish basket was used. But in the feeding of the 4,000, the larger Gentile basket was used. (This was the same size basket that was used to lower Paul down from the wall at Damascus.)

Translation notes:

13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, [“What role do people say that I, the Son of Man, am fulfilling?//Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”]c

14“Well,” they replied, “some say [the role of] John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

15Then he asked them, “But [what role do you say that I am fulfilling//who do you say I am?”]

16 [Peter— also called Simon//Simon  Peter} answered, “You are the Messiah,d the Son of the living God.”

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


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Monday, September 28, 2015

2015DBRP_272 2Chron22-23 Ecc2a Mat15b


Yesterday we heard of Jehoshaphat’s famous victory, accomplished only by prayer, worship, and the power of the Lord. Then his son Jehoram might possibly be Judah’s worst king, except for several at the very end of that kingdom.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.22.nlt

Yesterday the theme of Ecclesiastes was given in these words:

2“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!”

15What is wrong cannot be made right.

What is missing cannot be recovered.

18The greater my wisdom, the greater my grief.

To increase knowledge only increases sorrow.

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

In yesterday’s reading, the confrontation with the Jewish religious leaders about traditions of hand washing before eating led to Jesus’ revolutionary teaching about what defiles a person. It is what comes out of the heart that defiles people.

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


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Sunday, September 27, 2015

2015DBRP_271 2Chron20-21 Ecc1 Mat15a


Yesterday we heard of Jehoshaphat wisely appointing judges, and he also travelled all over Israel encouraging people to follow the Lord.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.20.nlt

The book of Ecclesiastes is the record of Solomon seeking to find God in a worldly way. This is a book of worldly wisdom. Solomon repeatedly uses the key theme word ‘useless’ to describe our lives on earth. God had not given clear promises about how all mankind will live after death, and Solomon considers the afterlife an open question. Had he known what we know, his opinions on many things would have changed. He does finally come to the same conclusion found in Proverbs, namely that the best thing is to fear God and keep his commands.

My friend in Jakarta, Santosa, reads our first chapter of Ecclesiastes.

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

Yesterday we heard of John the Baptist’s beheading. Jesus retreated to the countryside, but a huge crowd followed him. Then he worked several powerful miracles, which all have clear symbolic meanings.

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


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Saturday, September 26, 2015

2015DBRP_270 2Chron19 Pro31b Mat14


Yesterday we heard the story of how Jehoshaphat helped Ahab in battle. God had already spoken through a prophet that Ahab would meet his downfall and how the dogs would lick up his blood. This happened when they took his chariot back to Samaria.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.19.nlt

Speaking of a noble and virtous wife, this chapter of Proverbs says:

28 Her children stand and bless her.

Her husband praises her:

29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,

but you surpass them all!”

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.31

Yesterday we heard of the judgment at the end of time in two parables that spoke about a separation of humanity at the judgment. And we heard of the pearl and the treasure— illustrating the joy of finding our salvation in Christ.

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


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JoySightings_018


Mains, Tales of the Kingdom: The Baker Who Loved Bread 


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Friday, September 25, 2015

2015DBRP_269 2Chron18 Pro31a Mat13b


Woops. Asa didn’t end nearly as well as he started. And his son Jehoshaphat starts out well, but makes unfortunate alliances.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.18.nlt

Our last two days in Proverbs!

10b Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.31

Yesterday we heard the first two major parables in Jesus’ teaching, and the reason why He spoke in parables.

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


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Thursday, September 24, 2015

2015DBRP_268 2Chron16-17 Pro30b Mat13a


Judah’s kingdom was truly blessed by Asa’s wise reign. The Lord rewarded the country for returning to Him.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.16.nlt

Today’s highlighted verse is

20 An adulterous woman consumes a man,

then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?”

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.30

Jesus gave a stinging reply to his critics in yesterday’s reading. The part about a demon leaving a person and then returning with seven demons is often used to teach that there cannot be a spiritual vacuum in a person. But really, the main thing Jesus is ‘on about’ is illustrating what will happen to his critics.

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


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2015DBRP_267News


Here is an outline of topics in this podcast:

My trip to Indonesia will be from 5 October to November 23.

The second edition of the Plain Indonesian New Testament (TSI) is typeset and will soon be printed.

Please check my facebook page for updates and pictures while I am in Indonesia. Search for me as philip.c.fields.

If you would like to be my friend on Facebook, please send a personal message to me saying you listen to the DBRP. I will then send a friend request to you.

If you have been praying for us, THANKS!

If you help them, there are ways that non-Internet-connected people can listen to the Bible readings. One is that you can get an inexpensive MP3 player and copy episodes to that device. Another is that the MP3 files can be burned as audio CDs. Instructions are found linked on the front page of dailybiblereading.info under the title, ‘Listen using an MP3 player or using audio CDs’.

Now, more about our work in Indonesia: A big answer to prayer is that the Lord has opened the way for our team to work with Faith Comes By Hearing (bible.is), which produces polished audio Bibles. Please ask God to lead me to Christians in Jakarta will organize and lead this project to completion. Pray that within a year’s time an audio version of our New Testament will be ready to distribute to rural Indonesians.

Pray for 13 students taking our on-line Bible translation course. Please ask God to help me in discerning if 1-2 of them should become paid members of our translation team.

We are now translating the Old Testament. I am looking forward to sharing new Bible translation software with the five members of my team. I think it will double our productivity! I will need to purchase some new computers for the team.

I am posting the rest of our prayer update e-mail at dailybiblereading.info/forum.

Some of you who are listening to the DBRP may have missed listening to the JoySightings series. And some of you may have listened to one or two JoySightings episodes and decided you did not enjoy the parables of Safed the Sage. I suggest that you try listening to edition 12, where I start reading from a book by David and Karen Mains, Tales of the Kingdom. This book was such a blessing to our family when we had kids in grade school. See the link to the JoySightings table of contents when your mouse hovers over the New Episodes menu choice at the web site.

Remeber that I'll update my Facebook page while I am in Indonesia.

Please pray for Gale while I am away.

Lord bless you all!

Phil


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Wednesday, September 23, 2015

2015DBRP_267 2Chron14-15 Pro30a Mat12b


Yesterday we heard the conclusion of Rehoboam’s reign, and the writer classed him as a wicked king. Then his son, King Abijah gave a truly amazing speech before his epic victory over Israel.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.14.nlt

Today I chose to highlight two verses:

5Every word of God proves true.

He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

6Do not add to his words,

or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.30

How ironic that the religious leaders would make a problem about picking and eating a few heads of wheat or healing a man with a word on the Sabbath, then on the Sabbath they went out and plotted to kill Jesus. That, is the kind of work that God forbids, not just on the Sabbath but any day of the week! Note that this wasn’t casual opposition.

Translation note:

1 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. [We, ] His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them.

17This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: [where God said]

29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone [like Me, who is] even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.12


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Tuesday, September 22, 2015

2015DBRP_266 2Chron12-13 Pro29b Mat12a


Yesterday we heard of David’s grandson, Rehoboam, and the unfortunate start to his reign. The northern tribes revolted and went with Jeroboam. Rehoboam seems to have made wise choices after that, at least for a short time.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.12.nlt

Today’s highlighted verse:

23Pride ends in humiliation,

while humility brings honor.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.29

Yesterday’s reading included the judgments against the cities that witnessed Jesus’ miracles and did not repent, and Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving. Chapter 11 ends with Jesus’ famous words,

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Translation note:

1 At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. [We, ] His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them.

17This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: [where God said]

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.12


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Monday, September 21, 2015

2015DBRP_265 2Chron10-11 Pro29a Mat11b


Yesterday we completed the story of Solomon’s achievements.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.10.nlt

A highlight for today:

11Fools vent their anger,

but the wise quietly hold it back.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.29

Yesterday we heard Jesus’ teaching about John the Baptist.

Translation note:

19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks [normally], and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.”

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.11


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Sunday, September 20, 2015

2015DBRP_264 2Chron9 Pro28b Mat11a


Yesterday we heard God’s famous response to Solomon, which is so often applied as a promise to America. It is stretching it past the breaking point to apply that promise to America. First of all, our country does not have a personal relationship with God like that of Israel in Solomon’s time. We also skate over all the conditions of humbling ourselves, turning from wicked ways, and praying. And we are not in the position of having made many sacrifices to the Lord.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.9.nlt

Here is today’s highlighted verse:

26Those who trust their own insight are foolish,

but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.28

Jesus’ instructions to the disciples show that Jesus wants total commitment— even if it means dying in his service:

38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 39 If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.11


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Saturday, September 19, 2015

2015DBRP_263 2Chron7-8 Pro28a Mat10b


Yesterday we heard Solomon’s famous prayer at the dedication of the temple. He understood that the people would need forgiveness from the Lord, and requested the Lord’s mercy.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.7.nlt

Another favorite:

8Income from charging high interest rates

will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.28

Yesterday we heard the list of the 12, and the beginning of the instructions to them. It is clear that Jesus gave this message for all of us, not just the 12.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.10


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JoySightings_017


Tales of the Kingdom: Hero's Quest


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Friday, September 18, 2015

2015DBRP_262 2Chron6 Pro27b Mat10a


Yesterday we heard of the various things that Huram-abi made under Solomon’s direction for the temple, and of the dedication of the temple. In today’s (not reverent) language, we might say that the Lord ‘showed up’ for that dedication, just like He did for the dedication of the tabernacle.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.6.nlt

Our hightlighted verse for today:

21Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,

but a person is tested by being praised.d

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.27

Many stories were brought together in chapter 9, including the calling of Matthew, who is most likely the writer of this book. Note that opposition is ramping up against Jesus from the religious teachers and the Pharisees. Like at the end of John 4, Jesus spoke of the need for God to send workers into the spiritual harvest.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.10


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Thursday, September 17, 2015

2015DBRP_261 2Chron4-5 Pro27a Mat9


Yesterday we heard of the preparations for building the temple, and then the dimensions and the beginning of the construction starting in the 4th year of Solomon’s reign.

Translation note:

6He also made ten smaller basins for washing the utensils for the burnt offerings. He set five on the south side and five on the north. But the priests washed themselves [at/in] the Sea.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/2ch.4.nlt

Today’s first verse is very like the advice of James in the New Testament:

1Don’t brag about tomorrow,

since you don’t know what the day will bring.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.27

Yesterday we heard of several powerful healings and the miracle of calming the storm. One of the one-becomes-two instances is in the Gadarene demon possessed man, called Legion in the other Gospels. If Matthew was present, as I posited before, it would be before the story of his joining the disciples in this chapter.

Translation notes:

22Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “[0//Daughter,

]be encouraged! Your [belief in Me//faith] has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

29Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because [you have believed in Me//of your faith], it will happen.”

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.9


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Wednesday, September 16, 2015

2015DBRP_260 2Chron2-3 Pro26b Mat8


In yesterday’s reading we returned to the books of Chronicles, and picked up the story following King David, with the beginning of Solomon’s reign. Solomon gave 1,000 burnt offerings to the Lord, then the Lord appeared to Solomon. Solomon requested wisdom to rule Israel, and the Lord was pleased with his request.

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

Today’s highlighted verse:

23Smootha words may hide a wicked heart,

just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.26

We completed reading the Sermon on the Mount yesterday with the parable of building a house on sand or on a rock. Building a house on sand is easier. But let’s be those who persevere and lay a good foundation.

Translation note:

26 Jesus  responded, “Why are you afraid? [Why is your belief in me so small?//You have so little faith!]” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.8


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Tuesday, September 15, 2015

2015DBRP_259 2Chron1 Pro26a Mat7b


Yesterday we heard the touching conclusion of Hosea. Finally Hosea penned the people’s rather short apology and request for forgiveness, and God responded lovingly, pleading Israel to stay away from idols. And we return to the story in the books of Chronicles that we left in the middle.

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

A highlighted verse for today:

12There is more hope for fools

than for people who think they are wise.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/pro.26

Yesterday’s reading included one of the most often quoted but most poorly understood verses of the Bible. Check yourself before telling someone, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.” If you are saying that in order to deflect criticism against yourself,  you are doing what a hypocrite does. And ironically, not being a hypocrite is main point of the passage. Nor is the meaning that we Christians must not judge other people at all. We must not judge hypocritically, but the Bible shows us how to judge rightly and fairly— as is necessary for us in this world.

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/mat.7


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