Tuesday, December 10, 2024

345: December 11 Special Announcements


Hi Everyone!

I’m so glad that you are listening to this extra podcast episode, because something that may cause confusion is going to happen soon. If you are listening to the NLT podcast series, and if you are now ready to listen to episode 345, you are used to seeing your next episode appearing daily at the top of your app's list. Starting this Sunday, my volunteer secretary, Vicky, will be releasing seven episodes in a row, just minutes a part. So when you open your podcast player on next Monday, your Monday episode will be the 7th one down the list. Then no new episodes will be released until the next Sunday. In other words, every Sunday afternoon, episodes for Monday through next Sunday will be released.

With most podcast players, the episodes you have aready listened to are shown in a different color than your not-yet-listened-to episodes. So hopefully it will always be visually clear where in the list for your next episode is. For instance, in the Antenapod app, episodes I have listened to are listed with a gray overlay, and unlistened to episodes show up normally.

For these remaining days of 2024, the above change will only happen in the NLT podcast, while the GNT will start with this new release method on the week of January 1st, 2025.

Because 2024 has been a leap year, our current podcasts will end on December 30th instead of the 31st. So this is a perfect opportunity for YOU to record something that I can put into a special episode for the last day of the year. This is open to anyone listening to the Daily Bible Reading Podcast series, even if you are on day 12 or 300-something. What was the most valuable insight you gained so far from listening to the podcasts? To avoid an echo in your recording, try recording in your car, parked in some quiet place.

Let me tell you about the new ministry that I am trying to launch here in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. There is a printed publication of the New Living Translation that is called Immerse. The Immerse Bible splits the Bible into six paper-back books, in which the NLT text is given without verse numbers or section headings. Readers can interact with the uncluttered content without visual distractions, just like reading a novel.

This happens to be a very strategic time in the USA when many people want to find out what the Bible really says, and those interested are often not church goers. Have you heard the news? Sales of printed Bibles are up 22% this year.

So in Siloam Springs, I am starting what we're calling TheGoodBook Reading Clubs. Groups of 12 people will agree on how much they will read per week, and find a time to meet in a coffee shop or restaurant. The meetings will not resemble a church service. In fact, we will ban any talk about churches. Instead we will simply ask,”What stood out to you in the pages we read this week?”

The six books of the Immerse Bible are titled Beginnings, Kingdoms, Chronicles, Poets, Prophets, and Messiah. The Messiah book contains the whole New Testament, but the books are reordered in an engaging way, starting with Luke, Acts, I and 2 Thessalonians. We will start the year reading the Messiah book. The Immerse Messiah book costs $11 at many Internet bookstores.

Normally, around this time every year, I suggest to listeners to find a different Bible podcast to listen to. But this year I want to suggest to everyone to start a Bible Reading Club, to experience the encouragement and discipleship that can happen in a group.

Back to my previous announcements:

Please remember that the DBRP NLT series will now be released in a different way, which will be visible in your podcast app on Monday.

To send your recording, go to https://ddeeper.today and use the contact button.

And to all listeners, what was your most important insight from God's Word this year? Please share a recording of you answering that question.

May the Lord bless you ‘real good’!

Phil & Gale


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Wednesday, November 20, 2024

325: Buckling the Belt Lesson 6: Know who you are.


Lesson 6

THEME: Buckle up the belt of truth by believing you are ACCEPTED, SECURE, AND SIGNIFICANT.

According to Dr. Neil T. Anderson, nearly all Christians struggle to overcome Satan’s lies in at least one of these three areas:

1) I’m not accepted. No one wants me. God certainly couldn’t want someone like me. Even though I confess sins, I never feel that I am fully forgiven.

2) I’m not secure. I am weak. The evil one is stronger than I am. I'm gonna fall into the trap of sin and never get out.

3) I’m not significant. I never live up to anyone’s expectations, even my own. I am worthless and stupid.

If you are a believer in Christ and believe in what God’s Word says, these are lies. I hope that the outcome of this lesson is that you know which of the three lies is the one you struggle with the most. Then, when you figure out which is your weakness, Anderson’s Freedom In Christ Ministries gives you verses you can memorize to combat the problem. https://www.ficm.org/about-us/who-i-am-in-christ/ Buckle the belt of truth in your area of weakness.

Of course, it seems obvious that the three areas I listed will likely be related to each person’s personal history. Some children are permanently scarred by parents who cannot be pleased, no matter how hard one tries. Parents, after all, come with hang-ups that they have inherited from their parents. Other children suffer long periods wondering if they will have a mother or father tomorrow. In my case, I think my weakness relates to not learning to read in my first three grades of school.

I think that harassing evil spirits possess keen observational powers by which they discover our weaknesses. I think they can tell when their whispered temptations work. So beware! Evil spirits often introduce thoughts into our minds which they pass off as our own thoughts. In other words, they don’t tell you, “You’re worthless.” Instead they pass off the suggestion as if it came from your own mind, by whispering, “I’m worthless.” If you experience insistent negative thoughts about yourself, I urge you to ask God to reveal the source of them.

In my introduction above, I have stated the three weaknesses negatively. When stated positively, as I will start to do now, these three inner-messages are the foundation of your spiritual identity. Let’s go through them one by one in the order given by Anderson.

 

=====Say to yourself: I am ACCEPTED by Christ=====

If you believe in Jesus and simply come to him, the Bible tells you, “You are accepted by him.”

John 1:12 is the first verse Anderson gives as an antidote to this problem:

  • But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

For many verses given as antidotes to this problem, I find myself arguing if I can fulfill the conditions. The verse just quoted has easy conditions. Do I believe in Jesus? Yes. Have I asked Him to come into my life? Yes. I have accepted Him, and that means He accepts me! The verse says, “to all” who do those two things, “he gave the right …” So I’m not left out! He gives to all who believe and accept Him “the right to become children of God.” The next verse goes on to say that those same people become reborn.

I will depart from Anderson’s list to give some of my favorites:

  • Mat. 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

If you fit the description, notice the word ‘all’.

I find many such verses in John’s writings. In Rev. 21:6 Jesus—from his position sitting on the throne with God — says,

  • “To all who are thirsty, I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.”

Then in chapter 22:17,

  • “The Spirit and the bride (that is the whole assembly of redeemed people) say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.”

Similarly, in John 7:38, Jesus promises,

  • “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

For your convenience, in the episode notes, I list the verses that Anderson gives that help you to claim that YOU are ACCEPTED by God:

I am accepted…

John 1:12 I am God’s child.

John 15:15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1 I have been justified.

1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.

1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ’s body.

Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.

Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.

Hebrews 4:14-16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.

 

=====Say to yourself: I am SECURE=====

I love how Romans 8 gives us a wonderful logical progression to tell us that we are secure.

  • We are one with Christ, or as the NLT translates it, we belong to Christ.
  • This means no one can condemn us.
  • Those in that position will find the life-giving Spirit working in them.
  • Other than transforming our lives, the Spirit is a guarantee that we are God's sons. Again God's Word uses the word ‘all’:

    Romans 8:14 NLT

  • For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
    • Even though, to be gender sensitive, some translations use ‘children’ here, I think it is good for women to also consider that they become— spiritually speaking— ‘sons’. (Men have a similar difficulty in accepting that they are part of the ‘bride of Christ’.) The precious thing here is that these verses say that we ALL are given the legal status of ‘sonship’, which according to Roman law, could not be changed. (Rom. 8:15)
  • Having this legal position of sonship means that no one and no spiritual power can separate us from the love of God and of Christ. Romans 8 is the most emphatic statement about our security that you will find in Scripture!

Once again, in the episode notes I give the nine verses Anderson lists:

I am secure!
Romans 8:1-2 I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:1-4 I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.

 

=====Say to yourself: I am SIGNIFICANT=====

It is actually a short logical step from our believing that we are Accepted and Secure to believing that we are SIGNIFICANT in God’s eyes. For instance, if you are one with Christ, it is like you are part of his body. Let's say a little toe. Well just think: No one wants to lose a toe! Every little part of our body is significant to us, especially if it becomes hurt.

I suspect that Satan's lackies whisper to people that believing yourself to be significant to God is prideful. But it is not being prideful to tell the truth about yourself. Base your significance on the amazing things God's Word says about you, then your significance will not be prideful.

It can be helpful to notice the times when the Holy Spirit gives you a nudge.

  • Do you feel it natural to call God your Father (Abba) when you pray?— as Romans 8 talks about.
  • Have you ever felt the nudge to pray for someone?
  • Has a verse of Scripture ever sort of ‘jumped off the page’? Did that ever cause you to repent or take some action?
  • In a conversation, have you ever suddenly felt that you should say something to help someone.
  • Has anything ever happened to you that might be leading you to exercise a spiritual gift? (Gifts like teaching, counseling, encouraging, being generous, etc.)

These things can be reassuring, we must not totally rely on such experiences, to encourage us about our significance. Please also realize that having a packed schedule of all kinds of church volunteering will never bring a true assurance of your significance.

Consider these eye-opening verses assembled by Dr. Neil Anderson:

I am significant…
John 15:5 I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am God’s temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

So, the identity we possess in Christ means that we are ACCEPTED, SECURE, AND SIGNIFICANT. And I think it is revealing how this relates to our spiritual armor, as found in Ephesians 6. The seven items of our armor are seven facets of every believer's identity.

There is a PDF file attached to this episode that documents what the figures of speech mean for each item of our spiritual armor: Armor Handout: Understanding how to wear our spiritual armor

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Yyi6NShxL3bmz_-SMMsomuBauK0Y754A/view?usp=drive_link

 

14a belt of truth — significant

14b breastplate of righteousness — accepted

15 shoes — accepted, secure, and significant

16 shield of faith — secure

17a helmet of salvation — accepted

17b sword of the spirit — secure

18 cell phone of prayer — accepted and significant

 

[Improved from lesson 4:]

How to pray to make sure you are wearing your spiritual armor:

Lord God, give me strength to stand firm. Help me to wear— and be aware— of all the spiritual armor You have given to me, so that I can stand against Satan and his forces:

  • Please remind me that I am already wearing the breastplate of righteousness, because Jesus died and was raised to life, and He has given me right standing in your sight.
  • Help me to keep on the boots of the Gospel of peace, not only being ready to share the good news about Christ, but also anchoring my life in the truth of the Gospel.
  • May I always wear the belt of truth, believing in everything you say about me in the Bible,
  • and therefore never letting go of my shield, which is fully believing that you will shield me when I experience Satan's temptations and be with me in all my trials.
  • May I always have the helmet of salvation, because I know You have saved me.
  • Help me to study the Word of God, so that it is a ready resource that the Holy Spirit will use (like a scalpel) to operate on me, as well as prompting me to lovingly share Your truth with others.
  • And help me to never forget that the Holy Spirit gives me an instant connection to You in prayer.

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Friday, January 19, 2024

019: Genesis 32-33; Job 19; Mark 12:1-27


GENESIS 32-33:
Yesterday we heard how Jacob and his big family got away from Laban and started the journey home. When Laban caught up with him, he and Jacob got into a quarrel and ended up making a covenant.

JOB 19:
In chapter 18, Bildad once again gave a speech about what happens to wicked people, and by implication, he said, “You're just getting what you deserve.” Job’s response in today’s chapter includes amazing revelations. Verses 23-27 can be compared with the second half of 1Corinthians 15.

MARK 12a:
In Mark 11, Jesus was welcomed in triumph in Jerusalem, he cursed a fig tree and taught about prayer, and cleansed the temple of merchant activity. Then he answered and confuted the chief priests who challenged his authority to “do these things,”— in particular, taking their businesses out of the temple.

 

NLT Translation notes:
Job 19:15 My servants and maids [even/0] consider me a stranger.
I am like a foreigner to them.
16 When I call my servant, he doesn’t [even/0] come;
I have to plead with him!
====
Mrk. 12:1 Then Jesus began teaching them with stories [like this one]: “A man planted a vineyard. …
13 Later the leaders sent some Pharisees and supporters of [king/0] Herod to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested.
16 When they handed [one/it] to him, he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped [here//on it]?”
26b Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, ‘I am the God [Abraham worships//of Abraham], the God [Isaac worships], and the God [Jacob worships].’
27 PET God spoke of our three forefathers as men who still live and worship Him. …
[In Lumina.Bible.org Constable quotes Lane:
“If the death of the patriarchs is the last word of their history, there has been a breach of the promises of God guaranteed by the [Abrahamic] covenant, and of which the formula ‘the God of Abraham, of Isaac and of Jacob’ is the symbol. It is in fidelity to his covenant that God will resurrect the dead.”
Using a present tense verb makes it obvious to the English-speaking listener that the three patriarchs are still living. However, the problem becomes that if the Hebrew had been that specific, everyone would have understood that the patriarchs were still living. So my fix here, I now admit, goes too far.]

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.


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