NL-Day235 1 Chronicles 2; Proverbs 14:1-18; Ephesians 3
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
Release Date: 08/22/2024
NL-Day271 2 Chronicles 20-21; Ecclesiastes 1; Matthew 15:1-20
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 20-21:Yesterday we heard of Jehoshaphat wisely appointing judges, and he also travelled all over Israel personally encouraging people to follow the Lord. ECCLESIASTES 1:The book of Ecclesiastes is the record of Solomon seeking to find God in a worldly way. This is a book of worldly wisdom. Solomon repeatedly uses the key theme word ‘useless’ to describe our lives on earth. God had not given clear promises about how all mankind will live after death, and Solomon considers the afterlife an open question. Had he known what we know, his opinions on many things would have changed....
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NL-Day270 2 Chronicles 19; Proverbs 31:10-31; Matthew 14
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 19:Yesterday we heard the story of how Jehoshaphat helped Ahab in battle. God had already spoken through a prophet that Ahab would meet his downfall and how the dogs would lick up his blood. This happened, as we already read in 1Kings 22, when they took his chariot back to Samaria. PROVERBS 31b:Speaking of a capable and virtuous wife, this chapter says: Pro. 31:28-29 NLT Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” MATTHEW...
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NL-Day269 2 Chronicles 18; Proverbs 31:1-21; Matthew 13:31-58
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 18:Woops. Asa didn’t end nearly as well as he started. And his son Jehoshaphat starts out well, but makes unfortunate alliances. PROVERBS 31a:Today and tomorrow are our last two days in Proverbs. Verses 10-31 of chapter 31 comprise a Hebrew acrostic poem; each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Our highlighted verse today is verse 10. I like NLT’s translation for this verse because the Hebrew word describing a good wife means more than just capable. It also includes valor and virtue. Pro. 31:10 NLT Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?She is more...
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NL-Day268 2 Chronicles 16-17; Proverbs 30:15-33; Matthew 12:17-33
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 16-17:Judah’s kingdom was truly blessed by Asa’s wise reign. The Lord rewarded the country for returning to Him. PROVERBS 30b:Today’s highlighted verse is Pro. 30:20 NLT An adulterous woman consumes a man,then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?” MATTHEW 13a:Jesus gave a stinging reply to his critics in yesterday’s reading. The part about a demon leaving a person and then returning with seven demons is often used to teach that there cannot be a spiritual vacuum in a person. But really, the main thing Jesus is ‘on about’ is illustrating what will...
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NL-Day267 2 Chronicles 14-15; Proverbs 30:1-17; Matthew 12:22-50
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 14-15:Yesterday we heard the conclusion of Rehoboam’s reign, and the writer classed him as a wicked king. Then his son, King Abijah gave a truly amazing speech before his epic victory over Israel. PROVERBS 30a:Today I chose to highlight two verses: Pro. 30:5-6 NLT Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. 6 Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. MATTHEW 12b:How ironic that the religious leaders would make a problem about picking and eating a few heads of wheat, or healing a man with just a word and no...
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NL-Day266 2 Chronicles 12-13; Proverbs 29:15-27; Matthew 12:1-21
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 12-13:Yesterday we heard of David’s grandson, Rehoboam, and the unfortunate start to his reign. The northern tribes revolted and went with Jeroboam. Rehoboam seems to have made wise choices after that, at least for a short time. PROVERBS 29b:Today’s highlighted verse: Pro. 29:23 NLT Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. MATTHEW 12a:Yesterday’s reading included the judgements against the cities that refused to repent even though they witnessed Jesus’ miracles. Chapter 11 also includes Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving, and closes with Jesus’ famous words:...
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NL-Day265 2 Chronicles 10-11; Proverbs 29:1-14; Matthew 11:16-30
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 10-11:Yesterday we completed the story of Solomon’s achievements. PROVERBS 29a:A highlight for today: Pro. 29:11 NLT Fools vent their anger,but the wise quietly hold it back. MATTHEW 11b:Yesterday we heard Jesus’ teaching about John the Baptist. NLT Translation note: 2Chon. 10:18 NLT96 edition has ‘labor force’, and newer editions have ‘forced labor’.Mat. 11:19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks [normally], and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its...
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NL-Day264 2 Chronicles 9; Proverbs 28:15-28; Matthew 11:1-19
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 9:Yesterday we heard God’s famous response to Solomon, which is so often applied as a promise to America. It is stretching it past the breaking point to apply that promise to America. First of all, our country does not have a personal relationship with God like that of Israel in Solomon’s time. We also skate over all the conditions of humbling ourselves, turning from wicked ways, and praying. And we are not in the position of having made corporate sacrifices to the Lord. PROVERBS 28b:Here is today’s highlighted verse: Pro. 28:26 NLT Those who trust their own insight are...
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NL-Day263 2 Chronicles 7-8; Proverbs 28:1-14; Matthew 10:16-42
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 7-8:Yesterday we heard Solomon’s famous prayer at the dedication of the temple. He understood that the people would need forgiveness from the Lord, and requested the Lord’s mercy. PROVERBS 28a:Another favorite: Pro. 28:8 NLT Income from charging high interest rateswill end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor. MATTHEW 10b:Yesterday we heard the list of the twelve apostles, and the beginning of the instructions to them as He sent them out. It is clear that Jesus gave this message for more than just the twelve. The word ‘apostle’ (which is a word transliterated...
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NL-Day262 2 Chronicles 6; Proverbs 27:14-27; Matthew 10:1-33
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
2CHRONICLES 6:Yesterday we heard of the various things that Huram-abi made under Solomon’s direction for the temple, and of the dedication of the temple. In today’s (not reverent) language, we might say that the Lord ‘showed up’ for that dedication, just like He did for the dedication of the tabernacle. PROVERBS 27b:Our hightlighted verse for today: Pro. 27:21 NLT Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,but a person is tested by being praised.] MATTHEW 10a:Many stories were brought together by Matthew in chapter 9, including the calling of Matthew— who is most likely the writer of...
info_outline1CHRONICLES 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.)
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.]
Re-reading EPHESIANS 3:
There are two instances of ‘joined with Christ’ in this chapter. This brings the total to 13 so far in this letter.
NLT Translation notes:
Pro. 14:5 An honest witness does not lie;
a false witness breathes [out] lies.
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Eph. 3:5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed [that secret plan//it] to his holy apostles and prophets.
12 [PET: Because we who fully believe in Christ are joined as one with Him, we feel confident/bold/free and no longer need to be afraid to come to God in prayer.//Because of Christ and our faith in him,d we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.]
20-21 PET: May God— who is able to do far more than we can ask or think, always be glorified by the unity of His whole church. Let us glorify Him because of His amazing power which works in each of our lives. And because we are one with Christ Jesus, let us glorify God from age to age, forever! Amen!///NLT:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
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.