Daily Bible Reading Podcast

1CHRONICLES 19-20:Yesterday we heard about one of David's greatest hours, and I think David would rank this as better than the killing of Goliath. It was the time when he wanted to build a house for God, and instead God promised to build his house— making for him an everlasting dynasty. Then we heard of his leading in even more amazing military victories.

PROVERBS 20a:Today's highlighted verse:

Pro. 20:3 GNT Any fool can start arguments; the honorable thing is to stay out of them.

TITUS 1:Commentators say that Paul wrote his letter to Titus in about the year 66, and that evidence from chapter 3:12 reveals that Paul may have written this in Nicopolis in Epirus, where he spent the winter. The letter has much in common with 1 Timothy which was written around the same time. Paul had given Titus a difficult pastoral assignment, and this letter includes advice that has been so helpful to many pastors. And personally and to my own shame, I always remember this epistle as the location of my worst argument with one of my translation consultants. Recently in Proverbs 18 we read a proverb that applies to that situation, it is this:

Pro. 18:19 NLT An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

NLT Translation notes:Tit. 1:1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim [news about how to fully believe in Christ//faith] to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. 4 I am writing to Titus, [whom I consider] my true son [because we share the same beliefs//the faith that we share].May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.13 This is true. So reprimand them sternly [so that they will continue to fully believe in true teachings//to make them strong in the faith].

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.

1CHRONICLES 17-18:Yesterday we heard of the careful moving of the Ark, this time successfully. We heard exactly which men played what instruments. Then there was a sample of their praise. The psalm in chapter 18 is made of quotes from Psalms 105 and 96 and some other isolated verses.

PROVERBS 19b:Our highlighted verse:

Pro. 19:17 NLT If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord—and he will repay you!

1THESSALONIANS 5:Before reading chapter 5, let's review the resurrection portion of chapter 4, starting with verse 13.

NLT Translation note:8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of [fully believing/faith] and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.

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.

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.

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

Pro. 19:14 NLT Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife.

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

NLT Translation note:1Th. 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him [all of/the] believers who have died.

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.

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:

Pro. 18:22 NLT The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD.

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.

NLT Translation note:1Th. 3:10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your [believing/faith].

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.

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:

Pro. 18:10 NLT The LORD is [like] a strong fortress;the godly run to him and are safe.

In this verse Solomon used 'the Lord's name' as a metonymy (a type of figure of speech). In other words, 'the LORD's name' represents all of the LORD, in the same way that Americans often use 'the White House' as a metonymy to stand for our government's administrative branch. It is good to understand how this metonymy works in Scripture, to keep us 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:

1Th. 1:10 NLT And they speak of 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.

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.

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 an old song we used to sing every Sunday evening with fellow missionaries.

Pro. 17:22 NLT A cheerful heart is good medicine,but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.

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.

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.

This is a bonus episode republished from my JoySightings.info podcast.

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:

Pro. 17:9 NLT Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Re-reading 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.

NLT Translation notes:Eph. 6:10 A[s my] final word: [PET: each one of you, be strong because you keep on hoping completely in the Lord's amazing power, and also because you are joined as one with Him.//NLT Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.]21-22 [PET: Our beloved brother, Tychicus, has brought this letter to you. He serves the Lord very faithfully as our brother who is joined as one with the Lord. I also sent him so that he could give you news about my situation and ministry, so that you can know about our situation and so that he can strengthen your hearts.//NLT To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord's work. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.]

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.

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:

Pro. 16:18 NLT Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

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.

NLT Translation notes:1Chr. 7:21 Zabad, Shuthelah, Ezer, and Elead. These [last] two were killed trying to steal livestock from the local farmers near Gath. ====Eph. 6:10 A[s my] final word: [PET: each one of you, be strong because you keep on hoping completely in the Lord's amazing power, and also because you are joined as one with Him.//NLT Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.] 21-22 [PET: Our beloved brother, Tychicus, has brought this letter to you. He serves the Lord very faithfully as our brother who is joined as one with the Lord. I also sent him so that he could give you news about my situation and ministry, so that you can know about our situation and so that he can strengthen your hearts.//NLT To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord's work. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.]

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.

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:

Pro. 16:3 NLT Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

Re-reading 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.

NLT Translation notes:Eph. 5:28 In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually [is showing//shows] love for himself. 32 This is a great mystery, [and I am saying that it is also//but it is] an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.

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.