Daily Bible Reading Podcast

EZEKIEL 20:In yesterday's reading in Ezekiel, the Lord refuted the saying that the Israelite's were using, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children's mouths pucker at the taste." And then Ezekiel conveyed two poems about the kings of Judah, spoken of symbolically as two lion cubs and like a vine.

ISAIAH 3:24—4:Isaiah, like Ezekiel, also spoke of Israel like a vine, and in yesterday's reading the Lord and Isaiah characterized Israel as a pampered, vain, and spoiled woman.

HEBREWS 1:In heaven, I hope to find out who it was who wrote the book of Hebrews. The book doesn't show signs of Pauline authorship. Important in this, there is no salutation like in all of Paul's letters. Also, the writer does not claim to have been an eyewitness of Christ (2:3), as Paul claimed. The letter was probably written somewhat before AD 70, because even though the author talks much of the temple, he never mentions its destruction.

Mears points out that the word 'better' occurs 10 times, signalling a theme that Christians have been given a better way. In the first chapter the theme is that Christ is supreme and far superior to angels.

For many years I wondered why the writer did not return to his theme of our 'place of rest', which he gives in chapters 3-4. Now I think that he does in fact return to that theme! See if you can find it as we read through! And here's a hint: Note that Israel's ancestors failed to enter the place of rest because of their refusal to believe God. Hebrews 11 (which is called the Faith Chapter) shows that we enter that place of rest through fully believing God. (That is what faith is!)

NLT Translation note:Heb. 1:2And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God [has] promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe.

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.

EZEKIEL 18-19:Yesterday in Ezekiel we read the riddle of the two eagles, portraying Israel's king breaking his sworn covenant with Babylon. There is a lesson here for us. Normally Babylon would be considered the enemy, and getting free from the enemy would be considered a good thing. But NOT SO if the country has made a promise of loyalty sealed by a vow taken in God's name! Faithfulness to oaths and promises in God's name take precedence over 'business as usual'.

ISAIAH 3:These famous words from yesterday's chapter in Isaiah bear repeating today:

Isaiah 2:2-4 NLT 2 In the last days, the mountain of the Lord's house will be the highest of all— the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. 3 People from many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob's God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For the Lord's teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. 4 The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

JUDE:We come today to the little epistle from Jude, the brother of Jesus. But, significantly, he doesn't call himself Jesus' half-brother. He calls himself the Slave of Christ Jesus. Jude wrote his letter around the same time as 2 Peter, sometime around AD 60-80. I think that Peter borrowed material from Jude, rather than the other way around. One thing that makes me think this is that Jude uses more material from extra-biblical sources than Peter does in 2 Peter 2. Jude and Peter were writing in a very difficult time for Christians, and Jude calls us to contend for the 'faith'— the teachings that God has given to us to fully believe.

NLT Translation notes:Jud. 1This letter is from Jude, a slave of [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ] and a brother of James.I am writing to all who have been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ.20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,[Footnote: Faith = belief. Holy beliefs can be summarized as the content of the Gospel and all of God's Word. These are the 'healthy teachings' that Paul spoke about in Titus and his other books.]

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.

EZEKIEL 17:Yesterday's chapter graphically portrayed how God considers idolatry like the adultery of a faithless wife. Jerusalem (as Judah's capital) was compared— in a very unflattering way, to her two sister cities, Samaria and Sodom.

ISAIAH 2:In the first chapter of Isaiah, we heard the Lord compare Israel to Sodom and Gomorrah. And we heard how the Lord hates false religious rituals, including the sacrifices that were specified in the Law. If these are done without a corresponding attempt to live in God's will, they are a stench to Him.

MATTHEW 28:Yesterday's reading ended with Jesus's body wrapped in a shroud and laid in Joseph of Arimathea's tomb. The tomb was sealed and Roman soldiers were standing guard.

NLT Translation notes:Mat. 28:1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary [from the village of] Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell [that story//it] today.

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.

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.

• This is the link to the display of "Who I am in Christ" at the Freedomn In Christ Ministries website:
• https://www.ficm.org/about-us/who-i-am-in-christ/

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.

EZEKIEL 16:This book should make modern day 'prophets' reconsider what they do in the Lord's name. In this book we have heard again and again that the Lord will punish those who prophesy falsely. And in the part about the wood of a vine being useless in yesterday's reading, there is only one useful thing a grape vine does, and this is bear grapes. And God was saying that since Israel did not bear the proper fruit, He would judge them, and do this without delay. The complaints become even more graphic in today's reading.

ISAIAH 1:For a number of years now, Isaiah has marked the end of my year. We will be reading Isaiah in our poetry portions until day number three hundred and 65. Since I start my readings anew every January 1st, I always enjoy the preparation Isaiah gives for Christmas, and also the correspondences with Revelation in the New Testament, which we also will read at the end of our reading calendar.

Isaiah was written between 739 and 681 BC. I am of the opinion that the break in material at chapter 40 does not signal a different author. Isaiah simply was older and the Lord gave him different messages at the end of his life. Isaiah was a man of royal blood and of high standing.

In the New Testament, Isaiah is the most frequently quoted OT book. Isaiah has 66 chapters and the Bible has 66 books. Further, Isaiah dIvides just where the testaments break, with 40 corresponding to Matthew in the NT. The first part of Isaiah deals with God's judgment on Judah and on other nations. The senselessness of idolatry is preached against all the way through Isaiah. In Isaiah we can also see two comings for Christ, with Isaiah giving the wonderful 53rd chapter about the suffering Servant (Christ), and his coming in power is spoken about in chapter 34.

MATTHEW 27b:Today we hear the second half of the crucifixion events.

NLT Translation note:Mat. 27:56 Among them were Mary [from the village of Magdala//Magdalene], Mary (the mother of James and Joseph ([who were Jesus' half-brothers//0]), and the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee.

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.

EZEKIEL 14-15:The title that the Lord calls Ezekiel is 'son of man', which the Lord is using in the normal sense, meaning 'ordinary human'. The title for Jesus— 'Son of Man', is a special usage. For that, check out Daniel 7.

Note in yesterday's reading when Ezekiel acted out how King Zedekiah would go into exile, Ezekiel covered his eyes. It was revealed to Ezekiel that Zedekiah would go to Babylon but not see it. This was fulfilled since Zedekiah had his eyes blinded after watching his sons' deaths. This also fulfilled the prophecy against his sons.

SONG OF SOLOMON 8:Yesterday we heard more passionate expressions of love, and today is the final chapter of Solomon's Song.

MATTHEW 27a:I imagine that as the high priest tore his clothes and shouted 'blasphemy', the expression on his face would not have been one of grief, but of triumph. And Peter recognized that Jesus was to be sentenced to death when he denied Christ.

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.

EZEKIEL 12-13:In yesterday's reading, the vision of the glory of the Lord left the temple. Then God disagreed with what the leaders of the Israelites were saying, that they were safe in the 'pot' of Jerusalem.

SONG OF SOLOMON 7:As we heard yesterday, the bride is captivating in beauty, and so radiant that she is compared to the sun and moon.

MATTHEW 26b:In yesterday's reading we heard about these events: the plot to kill Jesus, Jesus being anointed at Bethany, the Last Supper, and Peter vowing that he would never deny Jesus.

NLT Translation notes:Ez. 12:11 [Then] Explain [to them] that your actions are a sign to show what will soon happen to them, for they will be driven into exile as captives.====SS. [In the NLT, the chapter break comes at an inconvenient place. GNT interprets the last verse as the woman's words.]

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.

EZEKIEL 10-11:Yesterday in chapters 8-9 we heard the story of Ezekiel's being transported to Jerusalem and his awesome vision of our glorious God revealing the idolatry of Israel happening right at the temple. Some of the locations shown are literal, and some are to be taken figuratively. One clearly sees that God has every right to be highly offended. Note that the people sharing God's grief at this idolatrous situation received a mark on their foreheads.

SONG OF SOLOMON 6:Yesterday in chapter 5, we heard the young woman relating her dream.

MATTHEW 26a:Yesterday we heard Jesus' direct and clear teaching about the final judgment. This was no parable. And note the words, "eternal punishment."

NLT Translation note:Mat. 26:14 Then Judas [, from the village of Kariot//Iscariot], one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests 15 and asked, "How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you?" And they gave him thirty pieces of silver.

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.

EZEKIEL 8-9:Terrible destruction is prophesied against Judah and Jerusalem. The trumpet will sound the battle call, but no one will get ready, because they are under God's wrath.

SONG OF SOLOMON 5:Yesterday the young man extolled the perfection of his bride.

MATTHEW 25b: Yesterday in Matthew 25, we heard two parables that speak about being ready for Christ's return. Something that is repeated in the parables on this topic is that, "outside there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Jesus is by those words teaching an important idea: That the punishment in hell will be conscious punishment (shown by the weeping), and it will be painful (as shown by the gnashing of teeth).

NLT Translation notes:Mat. 25:14 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted [them to do business with//0] his money [0//to them] while he was gone. 21 "The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good andfaithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this smallamount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. [Come! Celebrate together with me!//Let's celebrate together!]'23 ending same as at the end of 21.25 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it [a hole in the ground//in the earth]. Look, here is your money back.'45 "And [I/he] will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'

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.

EZEKIEL 6-7: In yesterday's reading Ezekiel portrayed the punishment of Israel and the siege on Jerusalem for a total of 430 days. Then he took a razor and cut his hair and divided it into three parts with a little left over. This was used as a demonstration that a third of the people would die in the city from disease and famine. The distress will be so severe that parents will eat their children. A third will be killed by the enemy outside the city, and the last third will be scattered by the sword. A small remnant will be saved.

SONG OF SOLOMON 4:Yesterday the woman had an extended speech. Today it is the man's turn.

MATTHEW 25a:Yesterday was Jesus' extended teaching about the end times and His own return, and the parables about our Being READY to receive our Master. And at the beginning of this chapter, we have one of my favorite parables.

NLT Translation notes:Mat. 25:14 "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted [them to do business with//0] his money [0//to them] while he was gone. 21 "The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. [Come! Celebrate together with me!//Let's celebrate together!]'23 ending same as at the end of 2125 I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it [a hole in the ground//in the earth]. Look, here is your money back.'40 "And [I, as the King,//the King] will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,f you were doing it to me!'41 "Then [I, as the King,//the King] will turn to those on the left and say, 'Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.45 "And [I/he] will answer, 'I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.'

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.