Wednesday, August 31, 2016

DBRP_245 1CH.15 1CH.16 PRO.19.1-15 1TH.4


1CHRONICLES 15-16:
Yesterday we heard about the first attempt to move the Ark, more about David’s family, and his defeat of the Philistines.

Translation notes:
16:29 Praise the [Lord for his glorious reputation//Lord's glorious name]; bring an offering and come into his Temple. Bow down before the Holy One when he appears;
43 [NLT Then all the people returned to their homes, and David turned and went home to bless his own family.//GNT Then everyone went home, and David went home to spend some time with his family.]

PROVERBS 19a:
A highlight from today’s chapter in Proverbs:

14 A man can inherit a house and money from his parents, but only the Lord can give him a sensible wife.

1THESSALONIANS 4:
Paul and his companions prayed, and God answered: The Thessalonian believers stayed strong in their believing in the Gospel.

Translation note:
14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will [bring//take] back with Jesus [all] those who have died believing in him.


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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

DBRP_244 1CH.13 1CH.14 PRO.18.13-24 1TH.3


1CHRONICLES 13-14:
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.

PROVERBS 18b:
A highlighted verse for today:
22 Find a wife and you find a good thing; it shows that the Lord is good to you.

1THESSALONIANS 3:
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. Paul’s statement that “God’s anger has come down on” the Jews, shows that events were moving toward the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD.

Translation note:
2 while we sent Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in preaching the Good News about Christ. We sent him to strengthen you and [encourage you in your fully believing in Christ//help your faith],
5 That is why I had to send Timothy. I could not bear it any longer, so I sent him to find out [whether you were still fully believing in Christ//about your faith]. Surely it could not be that the Devil had tempted you and all our work had been for nothing!
6  Now Timothy has come back, and he has brought us the welcome news [that you still fully believe in Christ//about your faith and love]. He has told us that you always think well of us and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you.
7 So, in all our trouble and suffering we have been encouraged about you, friends. It was your [fully believing//faith] that encouraged us,
10 Day and night we ask him with all our heart to let us see you personally and supply what is needed [in order to strengthen your belief//in your faith].


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Monday, August 29, 2016

DBRP_243 1CH.11 1CH.12 PRO.18.1-12 1TH.2


1CHRONICLES 11-12:
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.

PROVERBS 18a:
Our highlighted verse today:

10 [GNT The Lord is like a strong tower, where the righteous can go and be safe.//The name of the LORD is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.]
[The GNT translates the Jewish metonymy of ‘the Lord’s name’ correctly. This way of translating will prevent readers who don’t understand how metonymy works in Scripture from supposing that Christians should use the name of the LORD (‘YHWH’) as a magic charm.]

1THESSALONIANS 2:
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.” (NLT)

 


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Sunday, August 28, 2016

DBRP_242 1CH.9 1CH.10 PRO.17.14-28 1TH.1


1CHRONICLES 9-10:
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.

PROVERBS 17b:
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. (NLT)

1st THESSALONIANS 1:
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 includes 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. The believers had questions. 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 to Paul in a very short time, and one of his earliest letters, written around 51 AD.


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Saturday, August 27, 2016

DBRP_241 1CH.8 PRO.17.1-14 EPH.6


1CHRONICLES 8:
Hang on! We’re almost through with the names chapters!

PROVERBS 17a:
I must say that it is hard to choose just one verse to highlight in today’s reading:
9 Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends. (NLT)

Rereading EPHESIANS 6:
I like the way our translation of the spiritual armor portion of this chapter helps the reader understand how the various parts of the armor are actually applied or ‘picked up’ and ‘worn’. So in the podcast for today I read verses 10-17 in an English translation of our plain Indonesian translation.

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 given by 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.

Translation notes:
1 Children, it is your [duty as the Lord’s followers//Christian duty] to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do. [The command,]
4 Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them [bitter//angry]. Instead, raise them with [the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord//Christian discipline and instruction].
16 At all times carry [belief in Christ//faith] as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.
23 [Dear brothers and sisters, my prayer is that//May] God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give [you peace, love and full belief//to all Christians peace and love with faith].

 


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JoySightings_036 Burning Place


The 12th and final chapter of Tales of the Resistance by David and Karen Mains:

Burning Place


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Friday, August 26, 2016

DBRP_240 1CH.7 PRO.16.18-33 EPH.6


1CHRONICLES 7:
Yesterday we heard about Levite and priestly genealogies and their allotment of towns. The pace quickens as today we hear of six tribes.

PROVERBS 16b:
Today’s highlighted verse is this:
18 Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.

EPHESIANS 6:
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 notes:
1 Children, it is your [duty as the Lord’s followers//Christian duty] to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do. [The command,]
4 Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them [bitter//angry]. Instead, raise them with [the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord//Christian discipline and instruction].
16 At all times carry [belief in Christ//faith] as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.
23 [Dear brothers and sisters, my prayer is that//May] God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give [you peace, love and full belief//to all Christians peace and love with faith].


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Thursday, August 25, 2016

DBRP_239 1CH.6 PRO.16.1-17 EPH.5


1CHRONICLES 6:
Yesterday we heard details about the leaders of three tribes, Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh.

PROVERBS 16a:
Today’s collection of proverbs contains a famous one:
3 Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.

Rereading EPHESIANS 5:
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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Wednesday, August 24, 2016

DBRP_238 1CH.5 PRO.15.16-33 EPH.5


1CHRONICLES 5
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 to the exiles who were returning.

PROVERBS 15b:
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! (NLT)

 

EPHESIANS 5:
There is no topic change at the first of this chapter. Chapter 4 ended with this:

30 And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort.
32 Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.


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Tuesday, August 23, 2016

DBRP_237 1CH.4 PRO.15.1-17 EPH.4


1CHRONICLES 4:
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.

Translation notes:
21 Shelah was one of Judah's sons. His descendants included [six groups. First,] Er, who founded the town of Lecah; [Second,] Laadah, founder of the town of Mareshah; [third,] the clan of linen weavers, who lived in the town of Beth Ashbea;
22 [Fourth,] Jokim and the people who lived in the town of Cozeba; [And fifth and sixth,//and] Joash and Saraph, who married Moabite women and then settled in Bethlehem. (These traditions are very old.)

PROVERBS 15a:
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. (NLT)

Translation note:
13 [NLT A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
//GNT When people are happy, they smile, but when they are sad, they look depressed.]

Rereading EPHESIANS 4:
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. Let me share this translation note about the verse mentioning baptism:

5 NLT [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!

Translation note:
12 He did this to prepare all God's people for [his//the work of Christian] service, in order to build up the body of Christ.
13 And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our [believing//faith] and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature.
22 So[, like throwing away old clothes,] get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires.
24 and [like putting on new clothes,] you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.


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Monday, August 22, 2016

DBRP_236 1CH.3 PRO.14.17-35 EPH.4


1CHRONICLES 3:
So far we have traced Jakob/Israel’s descendants into the time of David, and today’s reading picks up with David himself.

PROVERBS 3b:
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.” (NLT)

EPHESIANS 4:
Paul’s letters are usually divided into two parts, with the ethereal and theological part first, followed by the practical part. Yesterday we concluded the ethereal and theological part with Paul’s incredible prayer for his readers and for us at the end of chapter 3. And now we enter the practical part of his letter.

NLT 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!

Translation notes:
13 And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our [believing//faith] and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature.
22 So[, like throwing away old clothes,] get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires.
24 and [like putting on new clothes,] you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy.


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Sunday, August 21, 2016

DBRP_235 1CH.2 PRO.14.1-18 EPH.3


1CHRONICLES 2:
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 frequently called by his other name, Israel. (GNT has used ‘Jacob’ instead in this chapter, as it is more understandable for modern readers.)

Translation note:
47 (A man named Jahdai [whose relationship was not specified] had six sons: Regem, Jotham, Geshan, Pelet, Ephah, and Shaaph.)

PROVERBS 14a:
This chapter has one of my all-time favorite proverbs:

4 [NLT Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.//GNT Without any oxen to pull the plow your barn will be empty, but with them it will be full of grain.]

Rereading EPHESIANS 3:
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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Saturday, August 20, 2016

DBRP_234 1CH.1 PRO.13.12-25 EPH.3


1st CHRONICLES 1:
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. So we turn from the Prophets and return to the books of history.

PROVERBS 13b:
Here is a favorite verse from today’s reading:
16 Wise people think before they act;
fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness. (NLT)

EPHESIANS 3:
At the first of chapter 1, Paul mentioned God’s “secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. This plan … was to bring Everything together with Christ as head.” At the end of chapter 2, we learned that specifically, through our union with Christ, all believers are made one— no matter if they are Jews or non-Jews. Paul restates God’s secret plan in a more concise and clear way in today’s chapter as he moves to this letter’s second major prayer.

There are two instances of ‘joined/in union with Christ’ in this chapter.

Translation notes:
12 In union with Christ and through our [believing//faith] in him we have the boldness to go into God's presence with all confidence.
17 and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through [your believing//faith]. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love,


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JoySightings_035 Traffic Court


Chapter 11 of Tales of the Resistance, by David and Karen Mains:

Traffic Court


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Friday, August 19, 2016

DBRP_233 LAM.4 LAM.5 PRO.13.1-13 EPH.2


LAMENTATIONS 4-5:
In yesterday's reading, the sun pierced the dark clouds with this glorious section:

22 The Lord's unfailing love and mercy still continue,
23  Fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise.
24 The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.
25 The Lord is good to everyone who trusts in him,

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

Translation notes:
5:8 NDT [Slaves have now become our masters; there is no one left to rescue us.//Our rulers are no better than slaves, and no one can save us from their power.]
15 Happiness has gone out of our lives; grief has taken the place of our [dancing//dances].

PROVERBS 13a:
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. (NLT)

Rereading EPHESIANS 2:
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! We’re already there! In my speaking about this in Indonesia I often say, “We’re not sitting on plastic folding chairs in heaven.” Understanding and believing this spiritual reality should transform our prayers. Imagine how your spirit is seated with Christ right now, and pray from your heavenly position.

Translation notes:
2 At that time you followed the world's evil way; you obeyed the [commander of the powers in the unseen world (NLT)//ruler of the spiritual powers in space], the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God.
6 In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him [to sit beside him on his throne//to rule with him] in the heavenly world.
8-9 For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through [believing//faith]. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.
11 You Gentiles by birth—called “the uncircumcised” by the Jews, who call themselves the circumcised (which refers to [a physical ceremony performed upon the bodies of men//what men do to their bodies])—remember what you were in the past.

 


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Thursday, August 18, 2016

DBRP_232 LAM.3 PRO.12.14-28 EPH.2


LAMENTATIONS 3:
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.

The last so poignant line from yesterday’s reading was,
“The enemy has killed all the children
whom I carried and raised.”

Today Jeremiah again speaks in the first person.

Translation note:
Why should we ever complain when we are punished for our [own] sin?

PROVERBS 12b:
A favorite verse to introduce today’s proverbs:
23 Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

EPHESIANS 2:
The first chapter has 4 instances of ‘joined with Christ’, and this chapter has seven.

In his first chapter, Paul wrote in a formal style and showed his enthusiasm for his topic by his use of long sentences in Greek. Verse 3-14 are one long sentence, with a cascade of phrases modifying other phrases. And verses 15-23 are another long sentence. Long sentences like that seem clearer to me in Greek than they do in English. Another notable place Paul does this is in Colossians.

Translation notes:
In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him [to sit beside him on his throne//to rule with him] in the heavenly world.
8-9 For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through [believing//faith]. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.
11 You Gentiles by birth—called “the uncircumcised” by the Jews, who call themselves the circumcised (which refers to [a physical ceremony performed upon the bodies of men//what men do to their bodies])—remember what you were in the past.


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Wednesday, August 17, 2016

DBRP_231 LAM.1 LAM.2 PRO.12.1-15 EPH.1


LAMENTATIONS 1-2:
In the early chapters of his book, Jeremiah spoke several times of his tears.  Lamentations will help us to understand how this ‘weeping prophet’ felt, and 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.

Translation notes:
13 O Jerusalem, beloved Jerusalem, what can I say? How can I comfort you? No one has ever suffered like this. Your disaster is [as] boundless as the ocean; there is no possible hope.
15 People passing by the city look at you in scorn. They shake their heads and laugh at Jerusalem's ruins: [They mock,] “Is this that lovely city? Is this the pride of the world?”

PROVERBS 12a:
A favorite verse to introduce today’s proverbs:
12 NLT Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,
but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit.

Rereading EPHESIANS 1:
This chapter has four instances of ‘joined in union’ with Christ.

I want to give a note about how Paul calls the Ephesians “God’s holy people” (in the NLT), or in the KJV and the ESV it is ‘saints’. The problem with both of these ways of translating the Greek is that most of us Christians do not see ourselves as saints or ‘holy people’. In our translation work in Indonesia we found the same problem. The solution we found is to translate that we are ‘people who have been made Holy by God’. That is the meaning! The people in Ephesus were ordinary humans, and were not holy because of their own efforts. God makes us holy when we fully believe in the Good News about Christ that is proclaimed in this letter. And again I want to highlight that believing what God says about our identity is key in being able to live appropriately in that identity.

Translation notes:
1 [To our brothers and sisters in Ephesus— who believe fully in Christ Jesus and are made holy by Him, from Paul— who by God's will is an apostle of Christ Jesus.//From Paul, who by God's will is an apostle of Christ Jesus— To God's people in Ephesus, who are faithful in their life in union with Christ Jesus:]
14 [NLT The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.//GNT The Spirit is the guarantee that we shall receive what God has promised his people, and this assures us that God will give complete freedom to those who are his. Let us praise his glory!]
15 For this reason, ever since I heard of your [believing//faith] in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people,

 


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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

DBRP_230 JER.52 PRO.11.16-31 EPH.1


JEREMIAH 52:
We come to the addendum to Jeremiah— seemingly written by someone else, perhaps Baruch.

I commented yesterday how chapter 51 foreshadows Revelation 18. Jeremiah was prophesying the downfall of the real city of Babylon.What he foretold happened around 70 years later. His prophecy includes details about the enemies being from Media, about the drunkenness of the Babylon’s leaders, and God proclaims more than once that Babylon will become a desert for all time to come. The famous hanging gardens of Babylon would never be restored, even though Sadam Hussein wanted to see that happen. Observe how all this fits with a theme that runs all the way through Scripture: We see the City of Man going all through the Bible, represented by Babel, Nineveh, Babylon, Rome (figuratively called Babylon), and finally the Babylon in Revelation. Guess which city we are all living in (figuratively) today?!

PROVERBS 11b:
I’m going to repeat this today: An important thing about the book of Proverbs is that it contains 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.

Translation note:
16 NLT [A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.//GNT A gracious woman is respected, but a woman without virtue is a disgrace. Lazy people will never have money, but aggressive people will get rich.]
[The reason I like the NLT better is that it follows the Hebrew only, without adding a number of words that come from the ancient Septuagint translation into classical Greek. But no matter which translation you use, Solomon is not promoting the idea that we be ruthless in order to get rich. Look at the parallelism: Women in Jewish culture were very much in an inferior position, but here a woman would gain the lasting blessing of respect, a quality that would last beyond her life in this world. Whereas a ruthless man would only get money, and he will be lucky if that will last to his dying day.]

EPHESIANS 1:
In verse 1 of the ascription of this letter, the words ‘in Ephesus’ are missing from the best manuscripts. 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 [in Ephesians], 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 [was//has been] hidden from before the foundation of the world.

An important theme in Ephesians is one I have often 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 union 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 believers— is true.

Translation note:
1 [To our brothers and sisters in Ephesus— who believe fully in Christ Jesus and are made holy by Him, from Paul— who by God's will is an apostle of Christ Jesus.//From Paul, who by God's will is an apostle of Christ Jesus— To God's people in Ephesus, who are faithful in their life in union with Christ Jesus:]
14 [NLT The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.//GNT The Spirit is the guarantee that we shall receive what God has promised his people, and this assures us that God will give complete freedom to those who are his. Let us praise his glory!]
15 For this reason, ever since I heard of your [believing//faith] in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people,


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Monday, August 15, 2016

DBRP_229 JER.51 PRO.11.1-16 1JN.4.15-21 1JN.5


JEREMIAH 51:
Today the Lord continues the long prophecy against Babylon. This chapter foreshadows what will happen to the figurative Babylon in Revelation 18.

PROVERBS 11a:
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. However, the principles hold true.

1JOHN 1JN.4.15-21—5:
John has been giving us important keys that will unlock assurance and victory in our spiritual lives. This also will provide confidence and power in our prayers.

Translation notes:
4 because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our [believing//faith].
6  Jesus Christ is the one who came [showing the signs of water and blood//with the water of his baptism and the blood of his death]. He came not only with the water, but with both the water and the blood. And the Spirit himself testifies that this is true, because the Spirit is truth.
[This verse and the two following have been the subject of hot debate since at least the time of Erasmus! (Please note: The added words found in the KJV in verses 7-8 were definitely not part of the original Greek text.) In verse 6, I particularly don’t agree with the GNT translators adding the words ‘of his baptism’, even though I happen to be a member of a Baptist church. Now finally, about how to actually understand this verse, I hope you remember my comments on the Gospel of John in chapter 19. Seek the treasure, and you will find it!]
10 So those who believe in the Son of God have this testimony in their own heart; but those who do not believe God, [make him out to be a liar//have made a liar of him], because they have not believed what God has said about his Son.


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Sunday, August 14, 2016

DBRP_228 JER.50 PRO.10.16-32 1JN.3.19-24 1JN.4


JEREMIAH 50:
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.

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

23 NLT 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.

1JOHN 3:19—4:
Chapter 3 of 1John circles around the theme of being children of God. There are important verses at the end of chapter 3 which can provide assurance and power when we pray. If our consciences do not condemn us— which is strongly related to living the way John has urged us in this chapter, then we can boldly come to God in prayer and have courage to ask for ‘whatever’. I have met people with overactive consciences. If you are the kind of person who always feels guilty even though you have just finished asking God for forgiveness, this passage helps you too! Verse 20 says “God is greater than our conscience and he knows everything.” He knows if you are having trouble believing that Jesus would forgive you, or if you have demons feeding you false guilt messages. Read the chapter again and see how you are doing in the areas John mentions.  Pray asking the Holy Spirit to remove false guilt, or to reveal any reason you keep feeling guilty. Here is just one of many: If there are people you have harmed, make restitution. THEN, when you have done this homework, pray with boldness, because you have done everything needed to have a clear conscience.

Translation notes:
2 This is how you will be able to know whether [such a person has//someone has//it is] God's Spirit: anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came as a human being has the Spirit who comes from God.
3 But anyone who denies this about Jesus does not have the Spirit from God. The spirit that he has is from the Enemy of Christ; you heard that [the Enemy//it] would come, and now [his representatives are//it is] here in the world already.


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Saturday, August 13, 2016

JoySightings_034 The Enchanter's Revenge


Chapter 10 of Tales of the Resistance, by David & Karen Mains:

The Enchanter's Revenge


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DBRP_227 JER.49 PRO.10.1-17 1JN.2.28-29 1JN.3


JEREMIAH 49:
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.

Translation note:
32 [I, the Lord, say,] “Take their camels and all their livestock! I will scatter in every direction those people who cut their hair short, and I will bring disaster on them from every side.

Proverbs 10a:
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 a 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. (NLT)

‘Tainted wealth’ in the first line is a contrast with ‘right living’ in the second. 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’.

1JOHN 3:
At the close of chapter 2, John was speaking to us about living like God’s children. Let’s review the last two verses of chapter 2 before reading chapter 3:

28 Yes, my children, remain in union with [Christ//him], so that when he appears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the Day he comes.
29 You know that Christ is righteous; you should know, then, that everyone who does what is right is God's child.

Translation notes:
8 Whoever continues to sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the Devil [has//had] done.
14 We know that we have left death and come over into life; we know [that//it] because we love others. Those who do not love are still under the power of death.


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Friday, August 12, 2016

DBRP_226 JER.48 PRO.9 1JN.2


JEREMIAH 48:
In yesterday’s reading, the Lord began giving oracles about different nations, with one chapter concerning Egypt and the next one about Philistia. Today we’ll hear about Moab.

Translation note:
13 GNT Then the Moabites will be disillusioned with their god Chemosh, just as the Israelites were disillusioned with Bethel, a god in whom they trusted.//NLT 13 At last Moab will be ashamed of his idol Chemosh, as the people of Israel were ashamed of their gold calf at Bethel.

PROVERBS 9:
Today’s chapter is the last of the thematic chapters at the beginning of this book. Lady Wisdom speaks, and we find that she is opposed by Lady [Folly/Stupidity].

Translation note:
18 Her victims do not know that the people [who go to her house die//die who go to her house], that those who have already entered are now deep in the world of the dead.

1JOHN 2:
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.

Translation notes:
5 But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can [know for sure//be sure] that we are in union with God:
6 if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live [in the same way//just] as Jesus Christ [lived//did].
8 However, the command I now write [to] you is new, because its truth is seen in Christ and also in you. For the darkness is passing away, and the real light is already shining.
14 [So (let me emphasize)] I write to you, my children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know [God’s Son//him] who has existed from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong; the word of God lives in you, and you have defeated the Evil One.


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Thursday, August 11, 2016

DBRP_225 JER.46 JER.47 PRO.8.17-36 1JN.1


JEREMIAH 46-47:
After finally being able to give a comforting message (“Stay here in Judah and don't go to Egypt. The Lord will take care of you”), 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 heard the short special message to the official Baruch, Jeremiah’s faithful secretary. In today’s reading, the Lord begins giving oracles about different nations.

PROVERBS 8b:
Lady Wisdom continues to speak.

1JOHN 1:
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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Wednesday, August 10, 2016

DBRP_224 JER.44 JER.45 PRO.8.1-21 1CO.16


JEREMIAH 44-45:
After all Jeremiah's messages of doom, he was able to give a comforting message to the Judeans who had been through so much. He might have thought, “At last I get to preach good news.” The Lord said 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 had longed to hear for years. But even at this point, they break their promise and don’t listen to Jeremiah! After that, when he had been forcibly taken off to Egypt with the others, Jeremiah predicted that Nebuchadnezzar would come and defeat Egypt also.

PROVERBS 8a:
For the last two days we heard the wisdom of a father to his sons. Today Lady Wisdom speaks.

1CORINTHIANS 16:
Yesterday we finished the Resurrection Chapter, and today we see glimpses of the life of the early church through Paul’s final words.

Translation note:
13 Be alert, stand firm in [believing in Christ//the faith], be brave, be strong.


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Tuesday, August 9, 2016

DBRP_223 JER.42 JER.43 PRO.7 1CO.15.20-58


Mat. 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets. I have not come to do away with them, but to make their teachings come true.

JEREMIAH 42-43:
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 happened to Gedaliah. Evidently Jeremiah was not around at that point to warn him.

PROVERBS 7:
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!

1CORINTHIANS 15b:
Yesterday we read the first part of this famous Resurrection Chapter. The first part 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. All of this chapter holds wonderful promises for us.

Let’s talk about a few verses we will reread today dealing with being baptized for deceased people: We do not find evidence that the practice was widespread or that it continued. Constable’s Notes for this section (lumina.bible.org) cites information that there was a pre-Christian mystery religion in the area of Corinth that practiced proxy baptism on behalf of dead relatives. Some early Corinthian Christians may have carried this practice over into their new faith, or Paul may simply have been using this local pagan religious practice as an example in order to say, “What is the point of doing that if the dead will not be raised to life?” Paul does not mention this practice in order to encourage it, but to strengthen his point: The resurrection of all believers is a promise that follows logically from Christ’s resurrection.

Translation notes:
1 And now I want to remind you, my friends, of the Good News which I preached to you, which you received, and on which [you stand//your faith stands firm].
2 GNT That is the gospel, the message that I preached to you. You are saved by the gospel if you hold firmly to it—unless [unless you think now that it was useless to believe it in the first place.//it was for nothing that you believed]. NLT 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you[. 1) Otherwise, it was useless that you became believers in the first place! //2) —unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.//3) unless you never believed it in the first place.]
[This is a difficult place to interpret what Paul meant, and I think at least 3 possibilities deserve consideration, and all seem to me to be equally possible.]
21 For just as death came by means of a man, [(Adam,)] in the same way the rising from death comes by means of a man[, ([Christ])].
32 If I have, as it were, fought “wild beasts” here in Ephesus simply from human motives, what have I gained? [0//But] if the dead are not raised to life, then, as the saying goes, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die.”
29 Now, what about those people who are baptized for the dead? What do they hope to accomplish? If it is true, as some claim, that the dead are not raised to life, why are [these people bothering to be//those people being] baptized for the dead?
33 Do not be fooled. [As the saying goes,] “Bad companions ruin good character.
55 [As the Scripture says,] “Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your power to hurt?”


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Monday, August 8, 2016

DBRP_222 JER.40 JER.41 PRO.6 1CO.15.1-34


Mat. 5:11 “Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.
12 Be happy and glad, for a great reward is kept for you in heaven. This is how the prophets who lived before you were persecuted.

JEREMIAH 40-41:
Yesterday we heard of Jeremiah being put in a dry but muddy well, 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.

Ezekiel, who was about 20 years younger than Jeremiah prophesied about Zedekiah:

NLT 12:12 “Even Zedekiah will leave Jerusalem at night through a hole in the wall, taking only what he can carry with him. He will cover his face, and his eyes will not see the land he is leaving.
13 Then I will throw my net over him and capture him in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Babylonians, though he will never see it, and he will die there.

PROVERBS 6:
In yesterday’s chapter we heard a clear theme:

NLT Drink water from your own well—
share your love only with your wife.

The teaching in today’s passage is insistent:

NLT My son, obey your father’s commands,
and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.

1CORINTHIANS 15a:
In yesterday’s reading of chapter 14 Paul wrapped up the theme about spiritual gifts that he started in chapter 12. Note that at the end he became vehement and insistent, signalling that he knew there would be people who would argue with him. 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, we fall into the trap of thinking we are wiser than Paul (and we can even say, the Holy Spirit). However, 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.

Translation notes:
1 And now I want to remind you, my friends, of the Good News which I preached to you, which you received, and on which [you stand//your faith stands firm].
2 That is the gospel, the message that I preached to you. You are saved by the gospel if you hold firmly to it—unless [unless you think now that it was useless to believe it in the first place.//it was for nothing that you believed].
[This is a difficult place to interpret what Paul meant, and I think at least 3 possibilities deserve consideration, and all seem to me to be equally possible.]
NLT 2 It is this Good News that saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you[. Otherwise, it was useless that you became believers in the first place! //—unless, of course, you believed something that was never true in the first place.//unless you never believed it in the first place.]
21 For just as death came by means of a man, [(Adam,)] in the same way the rising from death comes by means of a man[, ([Christ])].
32 If I have, as it were, fought “wild beasts” here in Ephesus simply from human motives, what have I gained? [0//But] if the dead are not raised to life, then, as the saying goes, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we will die.”


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Sunday, August 7, 2016

DBRP_221 JER.38 JER.39 PRO.5 1CO.14


Mat. 5:10 “Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;
the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

JEREMIAH 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:

NLT 15 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.

Translation notes:
8 And if the [soldier//one] who plays the bugle does not sound a clear call, who will prepare for battle?
32 The gift of proclaiming God's message [is//should be] under the speaker's control,


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Saturday, August 6, 2016

DBRP_220 JER.36 JER.37 PRO.4.14-27 1CO.13


Mat. 5:4 “Happy are those who mourn;
God will comfort them!

JEREMIAH 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:

7 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:
To give us the transition, let’s review these verses the end of chapter 12:

27 All of you are Christ's body, and each one is a part of it.
28 In the church God has put all in place: in the first place apostles, in the second place prophets, and in the third place teachers; then those who perform miracles, followed by those who are given the power to heal or to help others or to direct them or to speak in strange tongues.
29 They are not all apostles or prophets or teachers. Not everyone has the power to work miracles
30 or to heal diseases or to speak in strange tongues or to explain what is said.
31 Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts.
Best of all, however, is the following way.

 


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Friday, August 5, 2016

JoySightings_033 The Orphan Exodus


Chapter 9 of Tales of the Resistance by David and Karen Mains:

The Orphan Exodus


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DBRP_219 JER.34 JER.35 PRO.4.1-14 1CO.12


Mat. 5:9 “Happy are those who work for peace;
God will call them his children!

JEREMIAH 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.

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.

33:16 The people of Judah and of Jerusalem will be rescued and will live in safety. The city will be called ‘The Lord Our Salvation.’

There is no conflict in this. The Lord is emphasizing something! Keep it in mind.

Translation note:
6 Then I gave [that//this] message to King Zedekiah in Jerusalem

PROVERBS 4a:
Proverbs 3 extolled the virtues of Lady Wisdom and ended with various nuggets of wisdom.

1CORINTHIANS 12:
Yesterday’s chapter has two clear parts. The second section is the often-quoted teaching about the Lord’s supper. My opinion is that ‘discerning the body’ is about recognizing the symbolism of the Lord’s body in the communion elements, not about the church as the ‘body of Christ’.

The first section of chapter 11 has to do with visually portraying the God-ordained hierarchy of leadership within the main church worship services. (Note: Paul was not talking about general dress everywhere else, but just the worship services.) There is good information about the head ‘covering’ in a NET footnote. (See lumina.bible.org.) That note shows why long hair cannot be considered to be the head covering Paul was talking about. (That is a frequent misunderstanding.) I do NOT think we may just dismiss what Paul teaches here by saying that our culture does not visually portray male/female roles in the same way as the Judeo/Roman culture of Paul’s day. Yes, our cultures are so different. But rather than dismissing Paul’s ideas, I challenge us to explore how we may visually display the same spiritual considerations in our worship services in a way that makes sense in our cultures. Remember that he closes with these emphatic words:

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 think it is a good idea to pay attention any time Paul becomes emphatic.

Translation notes:
9 One and the same Spirit gives [full belief//faith] to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal.
11 But it is [the] one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.
14 For [any body//the body itself] is not made up of only one part, but of many parts.
20 As it is, [in the body of Christ,] there are many parts but one body.
27 All of you are Christ's body, and each one [of you] is a part of it.


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Thursday, August 4, 2016

DBRP_218 JER.32 JER.33 PRO.3.18-35 1CO.11


Mat. 5:8 “Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!

JEREMIAH 32-33:
In yesterday’s reading we heard some of Jeremiah’s most important words:

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.

NLT: 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.
6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.
7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
8 If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.

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:

“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.”

Translation note:
20 When you meet together as a group, it [turns out not to be//is not] the Lord's Supper that you eat.


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Wednesday, August 3, 2016

DBRP_217 JER.30 JER.31 PRO.3.1-18 1CO.10 1CO.11.1


Mat 5:7 “Happy are those who are merciful to others;
God will be merciful to them!

JEREMIAH 30-31:
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. An often quoted verse from yesterday’s reading is Jer. 29:11:

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 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.

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 men. Lady Wisdom appears again in today’s chapter in verses 13-18, although, for naturalness sake in English, the GNT does not make use of personification like the Hebrew.

1CORINTHIANS 10—11:1:
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.

Translation notes:
2 In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized[— so to speak,] as followers of Moses.
23 [Some people will say,] “We are allowed to do anything,” [0//so they say.] That is true, but not everything is good. [Okay!] “We are allowed to do anything”—but not everything is helpful.
29 that is, not your own conscience, but the other person's conscience. “Well, then,” someone [will ask//asks], “why should my freedom to act be limited by another person's conscience?


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Tuesday, August 2, 2016

DBRP_216QuickInfo


This quick announcement is for those of you who are following the Digging Deeper Daily reading plan in the Youversion/Bible.com app. If you just listen to the DBRP while driving or doing something else, you can skip this episode.

On July 7th I updated the Digging Deeper Daily reading plan in the Youversion/Bible.com app. But then I didn’t see it for three weeks, so I finally contacted Youversion to find out why. It turns out that you will only see the new plan if you sign out of your Youversion app and sign back in again.

Here’s why I would like you to have the newest version of the plan:

  • I have corrected some mistakes in the devotional text in the first 230 days of the year.
  • There are now direct links to the podcast recordings at the upper right corner of the Devotional text.

After I was able to see the new plan, I discovered that I had messed up the formatting of the devotional text for days 216 through the end of the year. I expect my new update to be ready for viewing anytime after August 3rd. So sometime soon, please sign off from the Bible app and sign back in again— especially if you are reading along past day 215.

It’s not easy to find out where to sign out within the Youversion Bible app! For the Android app, choose the very bottom icon in the icon bar that appears on the left, then choose the bottom item in that menu, which is labeled Settings. The settings area lets you choose text size and font, etc. The Sign Out button is located at the very top.

If you have listened this far, it is likely that you are one of those who read along while listening to the podcasts. I think it will probably be more comfortable for you to just keep on listening using whatever app you have been using. Check out dailybiblereading.info for information on listening apps. No matter whether you are using a different listening app or the embedded links, one still has to switch between applications.

Please try out the new podcast links and let me know if you find any problems with them. My favorite way to contact me would be through a Facebook message (to philip.c.fields), or by posting on the Digging Deeper Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DBRPdiggingdeeper/

I have just put out an e-mail update praising the Lord for what is happening now in our ministry in Indonesia. If you would like to be on our letter list, you can sign up using this link:

http://pioneerbible.us1.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=6087c6506e6f44abed060167e&id=c4c06b0c71

As always: May the Lord bless you real good.


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DBRP_216 JER.28 JER.29 PRO.2 1CO.9


Mat 5:5 “Happy are those who are humble;
they will receive what God has promised!

JEREMIAH 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.

Translation note:
28:15 [After telling Hananiah that, I added,//Then I told Hananiah this, and added,] “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord did not send you, and you are making these people believe a lie.

PROVERBS 2:
Yesterday's reading in Proverbs contained the first speech of Lady Wisdom, the personification of God's wisdom. Just as an incidental point and because we have 1-2 Indonesian listeners, I would like to explain: Because personification is shown by ‘she’ and ‘her’ in English, these portions come out poorly when translated literally into Indonesian, which doesn't keep track of masculine/feminine gender. An added problem is that the Indonesian language seems to never use personification. But even in English, it does seem weird when the abstract noun 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.

Translation note:
22 Among the weak [0?//in faith] I become weak like one of them, in order to win them. So I become all things to all people, that I may save some of them by whatever means are possible.
[Greek lacks the words ‘in faith’ here. The meaning seems to be weak in regard to believing the full implications of how Christ fulfilled the Jewish law for those who are joined as one with him.]


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