NL-Day328 Nehemiah 7; Isaiah 37; Colossians 1
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
Release Date: 11/24/2024
NL-Day243 1 Chronicles 11-12; Proverbs 18:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 2
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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...
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NL-Day242 1 Chronicles 9-10; Proverbs 17:14-28; 1 Thessalonians 1
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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...
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NL-Day241 1 Chronicles 8; Proverbs 17:1-14; Ephesians 6
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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....
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NL-Day240 1 Chronicles 7; Proverbs 16:18-33; Ephesians 6
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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,...
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NL-Day239 1 Chronicles 6; Proverbs 16:1-17; Ephesians 5
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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...
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NL-Day238 1 Chronicles 5; Proverbs 15:16-33; Ephesians 5
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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. Paul is still giving instructions about our new life in union with Christ....
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NL-Day237 1 Chronicles 4; Proverbs 15:1-17; Ephesians 4
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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. PROVERBS 15a:Here is a favorite verse from today’s group of proverbs: Pro. 15 NLT 17 A bowl of vegetables with someone you loveis better than steak with someone you hate. Re-reading 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...
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NL-Day236 1 Chronicles 3; Proverbs 14:17-35; Ephesians 4
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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 14b:Here is a quote from today’s group of proverbs: Pro. 3:20 NLT The poor are despised even by their neighbors,while the rich have many “friends.” 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...
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NL-Day235 1 Chronicles 2; Proverbs 14:1-18; Ephesians 3
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
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.) 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...
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NL-Day_234 1Chronicles 1; Proverbs 13.12-25; Ephesians 3
Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields
1 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...
info_outlineNEHEMIAH 7:
Yesterday we read how Nehemiah stood up for all the common people in their financial difficulty. The nobles were rich, but everyone else was suffering— some even having no option but to sell their own children into slavery. Amazingly, he succeeded in convincing the nobles to forgive debts, and forced them take a solemn oath about that. The wall was finished in just 52 days, but Nehemiah was getting more and more threats from Sanballat and his cronies.
ISAIAH 37:
We heard the challenge and mocking of the Assyrian chief of staff— who brought the Assyrian King’s message to Jerusalem with a huge show of force. The challenge was shouted out in Hebrew for all the people to hear. (I always wonder how it was that the Assyrian commander was fluent in Hebrew!) What a thing to happen to a king that 2Kings 18 praises with these words:
2Kings 18:5 NLT Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time.
COLOSSIANS 1:
We finished the wonderful book of Philippians yesterday. I count three great promises in that 4th chapter. But note: This time I feel that all of them are really conditional promises— even the last one. If we are going to have God’s peace guarding our hearts and minds, and if we want God to supply our needs, then we must give attention to how Paul told the Philippians to live and how they were giving to support Paul’s mission.
I encourage everyone to spend more time looking at the treasures of Philippians, and the same goes for the book we start today— Colossians.
Colossians was written around the same time as Philippians, and Philemon was a member of this church. This letter has another wonderful poetic portion in chapter one exalting Christ. In most of my presentations in Indonesian seminaries, I introduce our translation by reading Colossians 2. The things Indonesians don’t understand in their Bibles— and the things I hope you will understand in the GNT or NLT, are spiritual realities. These are things that are true of us spiritually which cannot be seen with physical eyes. If you understand spiritual realities, you get the opportunity to believe them. If you believe them, meditate on them. If you meditate on them, you will find them working powerfully in your life to transform you and release you from sinful desires.
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.