Daily Bible Reading Phil Fields

Join us in reading through the whole NLT Bible in 365 20-minute-long podcasts! This podcast was previously named Daily Bible Reading.

NL-Day096 Deuteronomy 7-8; Psalm 53; Acts 9:17-43 03/30/2025

NL-Day096 Deuteronomy 7-8; Psalm 53; Acts 9:17-43 DEUTERONOMY 7-8:Yesterday in Deuteronomy we heard Moses repeating the 10 Commandments and pleading with the people that they remain faithful in obeying all the commands and regulations the Lord gave. The reading ended with an important statement to remember when considering the difference between the old and new covenants: NLT: 6:25 “For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the LORD our God has given us.’” PSALM 53:This is another Psalm that is quoted in the New Testament, and therefore, often quoted in general. This is a tell-it-like-it-is psalm, not a sweet and flowery poem. ACTS 9b:In the first half of this chapter, we heard most of the story of Saul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus. NLT Translation notes:Deut. 7:4 for they will lead your children away from [the LORD//me] to worship other Gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and he will quickly destroy you. [GNT says ‘the LORD’ here. Many translations do not catch the fact that Moses is speaking, not the LORD. Actually the Hebrew also says 'me'. Either the scribe writing Moses' words forgot that Moses, not the LORD, was speaking, or else he forgot to show where Moses began quoting the LORD.]Acts 9:14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name [here//0].”21 All who heard him were amazed [and asked//0]. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” [0//they asked]. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”25 So during the night, some of [his fellow/the other] believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ] heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5221877

NL-Day095 Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 52; Acts 9:1-21 03/30/2025

NL-Day095 Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 52; Acts 9:1-21 DEUTERONOMY 5-6:Yesterday we heard Moses expound on the most important command to never worship any idol or any god other than the Lord. He based this on the Israelite's experience of hearing God's voice and not seeing his form. Moses was realistic and knew that Israel would eventually leave God, and that God would judge them. He gave them this amazing promise: “from there (where you have been exiled by your enemies) you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” PSALM 52:This is another psalm from David's experiences. He was betrayed by a man called Doeg, and then that man killed priests who had done nothing wrong. This psalm stands as testimony that God notices such things and will eventually bring just punishment for all injustice. ACTS 9a:In chapter 8, we heard the fantastic way the Lord led Philip. The Lord wanted a certain Ethiopian high official to be saved. The traditional church in Ethiopia still traces its history to that official. And Philip had the privilege of being miraculously teleported to a new location. He continued from there in preaching the Gospel, all the way to Caesarea, which is where we find him later. NLT Translation notes:Ps. 52:9 I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good [reputation//name] in the presence of your faithful people.====Acts 9:14 And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name [here//0].”21 All who heard him were amazed [and asked//0]. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” [0//they asked]. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”25 So during the night, some of [his fellow/the other] believers lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ] heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5221578

NL-Day094 Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 51; Acts 8:25-40 03/30/2025

NL-Day094 Deuteronomy 4; Psalm 51; Acts 8:25-40 DEUTERONOMY 4:Yesterday Moses gave his personal account of how God led the people of Israel in not attacking three nations, but finally led them in attacking two kings. Moses pleaded with God to allow him to cross the Jordan into the promised land, but God refused to let him. PSALM 51:This is one of the most quoted and most famous psalms. David's sincere and broken-hearted prayer for forgiveness is a pattern for all of us to follow. ACTS 8b:Yesterday we heard how the believers in Jerusalem were scattered by a wave of persecution following Stephen's martyrdom. Philip (the deacon, not the apostle) is given the wonderful privilege to turn many to the Lord in Samaria. My own thought about why the Holy Spirit was not given when the believers were baptized is because Peter really was given the “keys to the kingdom.” Peter was present when the Jewish people received the Holy Spirit, and when the despised mixed-breed Samaritans received the Holy Spirit, and when non-Jews received that same gift. NLT Translation notes:Ps. 51:7 [Please perform the ritual of purification over me to cleanse me from my sins//Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;]wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,and make me willing to obey you [once again//0].15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,that my mouth may praise you [again/0].====Acts 8:12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and [about Jesus as the Christ or Messiah//the name of Jesus Christ]. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, [although/for] they had [0/only] been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah [while a driver was driving the carriage//0].30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading [aloud/0] from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5220496

NL-Day093 Deuteronomy 2-3; Psalm 50; Acts 8:1-25 03/30/2025

NL-Day093 Deuteronomy 2-3; Psalm 50; Acts 8:1-25 DEUTERONOMY 2-3:Yesterday we heard Moses preaching and confronting the people of Israel about their bickering and their incredible stubbornness in refusing to believe the Lord's commands, and their refusal to believe God’s loving intent in his commands. PSALM 50:Remember what Moses said yesterday in Deuteronomy? This Psalm tells us what God wants most from his people. ACTS 8:Yesterday we heard the conclusion of Stephen's speech. He confronted the high council with the indisputable fact that the people of Israel had always refused to follow what God told them and killed the prophets. “They (our ancestors) even killed the ones who predicted the coming of the Righteous One—the Messiah whom you betrayed and murdered.” Shortly after saying that, Stephen died as Saul watched. NLT Translation notes:Ps. 50:14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to [Me, your] God,and keep the vows you made to [Me,/0] the Most High.23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.If you keep to my path,I will reveal to you the salvation [given by Me, your God!//of your God].”====Acts 8:12 But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and [about Jesus as the Christ or Messiah//the name of Jesus Christ]. As a result, many men and women were baptized.16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, [although/for] they had [0/only] been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah [while a driver was driving the carriage//0].30 Philip ran over and heard the man reading [aloud/0] from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5219921

NL-Day092 Deuteronomy 1; Psalm 49; Acts 7:30-60 03/30/2025

NL-Day092 Deuteronomy 1; Psalm 49; Acts 7:30-60 DEUTERONOMY 1:Yesterday in the conclusion of Numbers, we learned that each clan's allotment of land must stay within that clan, even when parcels of land could be inherited by daughters. Mears says, “Deuteronomy is a book of remembrance. The name ‘Deuteronomy’ means “second law,” which indicates that the law is repeated. Moses did this to remind the people what God had done for them and what they were to do to serve Him when they reached the Promised Land. This book omits the things that relate to the priests and Levites but includes the things that the people should know. And the happenings in this book would cover only about two months, including the 30 days of mourning for Moses.” I love this book because it seems to be a transcription of Moses’ last sermons to the people. Imagine sitting at the feet of the aged and revered leader and hearing him tell what is most important! I love the way this book frequently records Moses speaking in the first person. PSALM 49:This powerfully thought-provoking psalm shares important wisdom which should help us be content with whatever our situation is in this life. Note the parallels with Jesus' teaching. ACTS 7:Yesterday we heard the first part of Stephen's speech. Shephen was accused of two things: “This man is always speaking against the holy Temple and against the law of Moses. We have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy the Temple and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” So far it is clear that Stephen was NOT teaching against the laws or customs Moses gave the people of Israel. NLT Translation notes:Ps. 49:14 Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd.In the morning the godly will rule over them.[The bodies of those so-called wise people//Their bodies] will rot in the grave,far from their grand estates.====Acts 7:37 “Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.[That Prophet is Jesus!]42b ‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?43 No, you carried your pagan gods—the shrine of Molech,the star of your god Rephan,and the images you made to worship them.[This is not to be taken literally. This is hyperbole which highlights that the people were not faithful to the tabernacle.]48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As [God said through a prophet,//the prophet says,]56 And he [said/told] to them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5218695

NL-Day091 Numbers 36; Psalm 48; Acts 7:1-39 03/30/2025

NL-Day091 Numbers 36; Psalm 48; Acts 7:1-39 NUMBERS 36:Yesterday we heard about the boundaries for the nation of Israel, the 12 clan leaders appointed by the Lord, and about cities set aside for the Levites and cities of refuge— to protect from unjust prosecution of murder. PSALM 48:This psalm praises God for Jerusalem and shows that Jerusalem is a reflection of God's glory. It is clear that more than the earthly Jerusalem is the topic. God has prepared a city for us! ACTS 7a:Yesterday in chapter 6 we heard how grumbling in the ever-expanding group of believers in Jerusalem required that seven helpers (the first deacons) be appointed. (The word ‘deacon’ comes directly from a verb in Greek that means ‘to serve’.) One of them, Stephen, became the object of controversy with the Greek-speaking Jews. Before the council, his face shone with radiance like that of an angel. The false witnesses made two accusations against Stephen, and today we hear his defence against the first of them. NLT Translation notes:Acts 7:37 “Moses himself told the people of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your own people.[That Prophet is Jesus!]42b ‘Was it to me you were bringing sacrifices and offerings during those forty years in the wilderness, Israel?43 No, you carried your pagan gods—the shrine of Molech,the star of your god Rephan,and the images you made to worship them.[This is not to be taken literally. This is hyperbole which highlights that the people were not faithful to the tabernacle.]48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. As [God said through a prophet,//the prophet says,]56 And he [said/told] to them, “Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5218244

NL-Day090 Numbers 34-35; Psalm 47; Acts 6 03/30/2025

NL-Day089 Numbers 33; Psalm 46; Acts 5:17-42 03/23/2025

NL-Day088 Numbers 32; Psalm 45; Acts 5:1-21 03/23/2025

NL-Day087 Numbers 31; Psalm 44; Acts 4:19-37 03/23/2025

NL-Day086 Numbers 29-30; Psalm 43; Acts 4:1-22 03/23/2025

NL-Day085 Numbers 27-28; Psalm 42; Acts 3 03/23/2025

NL-Day085 Numbers 27-28; Psalm 42; Acts 3 NUMBERS 27-28:Yesterday we heard of the second registration of Israel's troops. PSALM 42:This Psalm contains words we often sing. It is a song about renewing hope in the Lord after discouragement. ACTS 3:Yesterday we heard the conclusion of Peter's first sermon. 3,000 believed in Christ that day and were baptized. And the believers devoted themselves totally to the apostles' teaching. NLT/GNT Translation notes:Num. 27:1 Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah were the daughters of Zelophehad[. Zelophehad traced his genealogy as the] son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph.2 [His daughters//They] went and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole community at the entrance of the Tent of the Lord's presence and said,====Ps. 42 [I hope that you remember who the clan of Korah was! Note that the presence of this Psalm is an interesting proof that God forgave and accepted the service of Korah’s clan. This is another Psalm where the writer speaks honorific fashion to the Lord, speaking to him using the third person. To us, this makes it seem that the writer switches back and forth rapidly to talking about the Lord and talking to the Lord. I agree with CEV in adapting this Psalm to modern English and maintaining the perception that the whole poem is a prayer. Rather than reading from the CEV, I have simply made the required changes in the GNT at verses 4-9, and verse 11.]==== Act. 3:6 But Peter said to him, “I have no money at all, but I give you what I have: [by the power//in the name] of Jesus Christ of Nazareth I order you to get up and walk!”16 GNT: It was the power of [Jesus//his name] that gave strength to this lame man. [This miracle that you can plainly//What you] see and know was done by [believing in Him//faith in his name]; it was [belief//faith] in Jesus that has made him well, as you can all see.16 revised NLT: “Through [fully believing//faith] in [Jesus//the name of Jesus], this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. [Fully believing in Jesus//Faith in Jesus’ name] has healed him before your very eyes.[Peter uses a common Jewish metonymy here— where ‘name’ stands for the whole person of Jesus. We use metonymy in English (in sayings like “The _pen_ is mightier than the _sword_.”) While many English speakers will understand ‘name of Jesus’ to simply refer to Jesus himself, others (and especially some of my podcast listeners from other cultures) could mistakenly think that the Bible teaches followers of Christ use ‘the name of Jesus’ like magic words.NET has this note at 3:6: In the name. … The reference to “the name” is not like a magical incantation, but is designed to indicate the _agent_ who performs the healing. The theme is quite frequent in Acts (2:38 plus 21 other times).If any of you say, “I’ve never heard ‘in the name of Jesus’ used like magic words!” I answer: Start listening! It’s happening all the time.] NLT Translation notes:Num28:24 On each of the seven days of the festival, this is how you must prepare the food offering that is presented as a special gift, a pleasing aroma to [Me,/0] the LORD. These will be offered in addition to the regular burnt offerings and liquid offerings.====Act.3:6 But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of [Christ Jesus//Jesus Christ] the Nazarene,a get up and walk!”16 “Through [fully believing//faith] in [Jesus//the name of Jesus], this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. [Fully believing in Jesus//Faith in Jesus’ name] has healed him before your very eyes.[Peter uses a common Jewish metonymy here, where 'name' stands for the whole person of Jesus. We use metonymy in English (in sayings like “The pen is mightier than the sword.”) While many English speakers will understand 'name of Jesus' simply to refer to Jesus himself, others (and especially some of my listeners from other cultures) could be tempted to think that the Bible teaches followers of Christ use 'the name of Jesus' like magic 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5054961

084: Reader, Take Note: When anxiety takes root 03/23/2025

NL-Day084 Numbers 26; Psalm 41; Acts 2:16-47 03/23/2025

NL-Day083 Numbers 24-25; Psalm 40; Acts 2:1-24 03/23/2025

NL-Day082 Numbers 22-23; Psalm 39; Acts 1 03/16/2025

NL-Day082 Numbers 22-23; Psalm 39; Acts 1 NUMBERS 22-23:In Numbers 21, the Lord gave victory to the Israelites over the Amorites, and then over King Sihon. And because of Israel’s grumbling, the Lord sent poisonous snakes among them. When the people cried out to Moses, the Lord told him to make a snake and set it up on a pole. This is an unannounced picture of Christ. PSALM 39:This is a prayer for relief by David when he felt he was under the discipline of the Lord. ACTS 1:We follow up Luke's first report to Theophilus with his second to the same man. (Or perhaps Luke meant this account to be for any 'lover of God'.) The book covers the story of what happened after Jesus’ death in 33AD to Paul’s two-year house arrest that ended in 62AD. Since only a few of the apostles are told about in this book, rather than ‘Acts of the Apostles’, others have suggested the name ‘Acts of the Holy Spirit’. Constable quotes William Neil, who starts out quoting Streeter: “Streeter suggested that an alternative title for the book of Acts might be ‘The Road to Rome’, for this is indeed the significance of Luke’s work. Whatever minor motifs Luke had in mind— such as the establishment of Christianity in men’s minds as a constructive and not destructive element in the social order, his main concern was to show that, in God’s plan for the renewal of the life of mankind, Jerusalem, the heart of old Israel, was the goal of Stage I [i.e., the Book of Luke], while Rome, the centre of the world, was the goal of Stage II [i.e., the Book of Acts].” And here is a more pointed quote from Rosner: “. . . Luke in Acts is not merely concerned to draw a link between the time of Jesus and the time of the early church, as is commonly noticed, but also between the time of Israel and the time of Jesus and His church. Acts insists that the God who was at work in the history of his ancient people, Israel, bringing them salvation, is the same God who is at work in the church.” 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5051770

NL-Day081 Numbers 21; Psalm 38; Luke 24:30-53 03/16/2025

NL-Day080 Numbers 19-20; Psalm 37:20-40; Luke 24:1-34 03/16/2025

NL-Day079 Numbers 17-18; Psalm 37:1-20; Luke 23:26-56 03/16/2025

NL-Day079 Numbers 17-18; Psalm 37:1-20; Luke 23:26-56 NUMBERS 17-18:Yesterday we heard another dramatic chapter in Israel's history: The rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. They must have been included in those who refused to go to the Promised Land, but then they had the gall to find fault with Moses that he didn't lead them to that land. It is also incredible that God would prove Moses' authority so dramatically (resulting in the death of the three conspirators and their families), yet the people would the next day without fear accuse Moses of killing the Lord's people (further resulting in a plague). PSALM 37a:This is an acrostic poem,and a great Psalm for giving us the right perspective in our fallen world. LUKE 23b:In the first half of this chapter, Jesus was tried by Pilatos (the phonetic pronunciation I will use in the podcasts) and Herod, before finally Pilatos caved into pressure and sentenced Jesus to death. Let’s repeat a few verses, starting at verse 36. For today’s prayer, I read the hymn “How deep the Father’s love for us.” This was composed by Stuart Townend, and here is the link to his story about writing it: NLT Translation notes:3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”Jesus replied, “[You are the one who says it.//You have said it.]”34 Jesus said [about the ones crucifying him//0], “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was [one of those//0] waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5048785

NL-Day078 Numbers 16; Psalm 36; Luke 23:14-34 03/16/2025

NL-Day077 Numbers 15; Psalm 35; Luke 22:39-71 03/16/2025

NL-Day076 Numbers 14; Psalm 34; Luke 22:1-38 03/16/2025

NL-Day075 Numbers 12-13; Psalm 33; Luke 21:17-38 03/09/2025

NL-Day074 Numbers 10-11; Psalm 32; Luke 21:1-19 03/09/2025

NL-Day073 Numbers 8-9; Psalm 31; Luke 20:20-47 03/09/2025

NL-Day073 Numbers 8-9; Psalm 31; Luke 20:20-47 NUMBERS 8-9:In Numbers 7, we heard about the gifts given by the leaders of Israel following the dedication of the sacred tent. Translation note: How the ‘waving’ of the ‘wave offering’ was done is variously interpreted in 8:13. And it could be taken simply as a presentation, because it would be rather hard to ‘wave’ some objects. NLT: Then have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons, and raise your hands and present them as a special offering to the LORD. HCSB: … and you are to present them before the Lord as a presentation offering. CEV: They will stand at my altar in front of Aaron and his sons, who will dedicate the Levites to me. GNT: “Dedicate the Levites as a special gift to me, and put Aaron and his sons in charge of them. PSALM 31:Psalm 31 is a desperate, yet confident, prayer for protection. This prayer models the secret of effective prayer— praying with full belief in the Lord. LUKE 20b:Yesterday’s reading in first part of Luke 20 showed how the Jewish leaders tried to confront and discredit Jesus. I remember reading these passages in the summer after 6th grade and being so impressed with Jesus' wisdom. NLT Translation notes:Num. 8:13 [NLT Then have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons, and raise your hands and present them as a special offering to the LORD.//HCSB: … and you are to present them before the Lord as a presentation offering.]]CEV: They will stand at my altar in front of Aaron and his sons, who will dedicate the Levites to me.] [Who it is who does the ‘waving’ in this ‘wave offering’ is variously interpreted.]====Ps. 31:21 Praise [you/the] LORD,for [you have//he has] shown me the wonders of [your/his] unfailing love.[You have//He] kept me safe when my city was under attack.====Luk. 20:8 And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you [either/0] by what authority I do these things.”16 “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.”[His listeners protested, “Oh, may such a thing never happen!”//“How terrible that such a thing should ever happen.”]19 The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they [did nothing because//0] they were afraid of the people’s reaction.23 He saw through their [duplicity/trickery] and said, 24 “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped [here/0] on it?”37 “But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord d as ‘[the God Abraham worships//the God of Abraham], [the God Isaac worships//the God of Isaac], and [the God Jacob worships//the God of Jacob].’41 Then Jesus presented them with a [problem/question]. [“Note that there is a problem with the teaching that the Messiah will come as a descendant of David.”//”Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David?”]44 Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ [it is clear that the Messiah cannot just be his descendant!//how can the Messiah be his son?]” 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5046219

NL-Day072 Numbers 7; Psalm 30; Luke 20:1-26 03/09/2025

NL-Day072 Numbers 7; Psalm 30; Luke 20:1-26 NUMBERS 7:Yesterday we heard how people had to follow through with God’s commands, and those with defiling diseases were expelled from their camp until such time as they could be declared ritually clean again. And we heard about cleansing for issues involving the conscience, and what a man might do if he suspected his wife of unfaithfulness. (A man would have to be a terrible jerk to do this to his wife if he didn't have good reasons for his suspicions!) The 6th chapter dealt with the Nazarite vow, and the ended with the famous Aaronic blessing. In today’s chapter 7 of Numbers, the GNT has done a beautiful job of giving the complete information in a way that is clear, precise, and that reduces repetition. PSALM 30:This is a wonderful song of thanks to God. LUKE 20b:Yesterday in the second half of chapter 19, Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem. While on the road he wept over Jerusalem because of the spiritual blindness of the leaders, and he cleansed the temple of commerce. NLT Translation notes:8 I cried out to you, O LORD.I begged [You, Lord,//the Lord] for mercy, saying,====8 And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you [either/0] by what authority I do these things.”16 “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.”[His listeners protested, “Oh, may such a thing never happen!”//“How terrible that such a thing should ever happen.”]19 The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they [did nothing because//0] they were afraid of the people’s reaction.23 He saw through their [duplicity/trickery] and said, 24 “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped [here/0] on it?”41 Then Jesus presented them with a question. [“Note that there is a problem with the teaching that the Messiah will come as a descendant of David.”//”Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David?”]44 Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ [it is clear that the Messiah cannot just be his descendant!//how can the Messiah be his son?]” 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5046190

NL-Day071 Numbers 5-6; Psalm 29; Luke 19:20-48 03/09/2025

NL-Day070 Numbers 4; Psalm 28; Luke 19:1-27 03/09/2025

NL-Day070 Numbers 4; Psalm 28; Luke 19:1-27 NUMBERS 4:Yesterday we learned that the Levite clans were given separate tasks in the care of the sacred tent. The 22,000 Levites became substitutes for Israel's 22,273 first-born sons. PSALM 28:David cries out to the Lord with all his heart. I love the imagery of the Lord as David’s ‘rock’, ‘shield’, and ‘shepherd’. (v1, 7, 9) Bible translators who translate into ethnic languages often need to make the difficult choice of whether to retain a figure of speech more literally, or just to give its meaning. For instance, at the first of v1 and 7, the GNT chose to give the meaning without using metaphors, but the NLT translated David’s metaphors more literally. Luke 19a:Yesterday in Luke 18, we heard of Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man, Jesus again predicted his death, and blind Bartimaeus (as named in Mark) was healed at Jericho. NLT Translation notes:[This psalm starts out speaking directly to the Lord. But starting in verse 5, many English readers will think the psalmist suddenly starts talking _about_ the Lord. This is probably not the case! I interpret the Hebrew here as using the third person as an honorific while still speaking to the Lord. Similarly in English, it is possible to use the third person “Mr. President ... he...” when speaking formally to our president. (I suspect this is seldom done these days.) In my dialect of English, I much prefer making it clear that the psalmist is still speaking to the Lord, not just about the Lord. All the changes below are simply changing ‘he/his’ to ‘you/your’, and ‘the LORD’ to ‘you, LORD’.]5 They care nothing for what [You, LORD, have] doneor for what [your] hands have made.So [You] will tear them down,and they will never be rebuilt!6 Praise [You] LORD!For [You have] heard my cry for mercy.7 [You,] LORD [are] my strength and shield.I trust [in You] with all my heart.[You help] me, and my heart is filled with joy.I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.8 [You, LORD, give your] people strength.[You are] a safe fortress for [your] anointed king. 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5046148

NL-Day068 Numbers 2; Psalm 26; Luke 18:1-30 03/02/2025

NL-Day068 Numbers 2; Psalm 26; Luke 18:1-30 NUMBERS 2:Yesterday in chapter 1, God ordered a census of the men capable as soldiers in war. And we heard the list of the clan leaders of the 12 listed tribes— excluding Levi. (The number of tribes remains at 12 because the tribe of Joseph is split in two.) PSALM 26:This poem is a personal lament. It is similar to Psalm 25, but does not contain confession. David asks for God’s vindication because of his personal integrity, and shows his love for God by his devotion to God’s sanctuary. LUKE 18a:Yesterday we heard about the suddenness of the coming of Jesus as the Son of Man, and that believers will be suddenly taken out of a context that looks like ‘business as usual’. Jesus again says that first He must suffer and be rejected. I want to challenge everyone to dig deeper in God’s Word— including myself. The last verse of Luke 17 says, 37 The disciples asked him, “Where, Lord?” Jesus answered, “Wherever there is a dead body, the vultures will gather.”Greek does not differentiate between ‘vulture’ and ‘eagle’. Because of the presence of the word ‘dead body’, translators chose to translate ‘vulture’, but how would it change your ideas if we read this as ‘eagles’? Also, it is possible that Jesus’ response was a common proverb. If that is so, what did Jesus mean by quoting that proverb? See the Shovels page at dailybiblereading.info for web sites that will help you in researching such things. NLT Translation notes:Luk. 18:8 I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when [I,/0] the Son of Man returns, how many will [I/he] find on the earth who still [believe in Me//have faith]?”28 Peter said, “[How about us?!//0] We’ve left our homes to follow you!”31 Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, “Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning [me,//0] the Son of Man will come true. 32 [I/He] will be handed over to the Romans, and [I/he] will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon.33 They will flog [me/him] with a whip and kill [me/him], but on the third day [me/him] will rise again.”41 “What do you want me to do for you?”“Lord,” he said, “I want to see [again/0]!”42 And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! [It is because you fully believe in me that you are healed.//Your faith has healed 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5046098

NL-Day067 Numbers 1; Psalm 25; Luke 17:20-37 03/02/2025

NL-Day067 Numbers 1; Psalm 25; Luke 17:20-37 NUMBERS 1:Numbers is the 4th of Moses' 5 books. And this is the one that I have looked forward to as the hardest book of all to read in the podcast! In this book we will see that unbelief hinders God's blessings for Israel. HC Mears says, “Numbers might be called the Wilderness Wanderings,” because it chronicles the journey. And “Numbers might be called the book of the March and the Roll Call. ... It might, too, be called the Book of Murmurings, because from beginning to end it is filled with the spirit of rebellion against God.” “Leviticus dealt with the believers' worship— Numbers deals with the believer's walk. In Leviticus we see the believer’s privileges— in Numbers the wilderness is the drill field.” Important lessons from the Book of Numbers: We must trust God, not people. God will supply all we need, including food, meat, water, leaders, and land. We must worship God according to his instructions. PSALM 25:This is our first acrostic poem. Verse 14 is translated as ‘secret’ by older translations which followed the KJV, but is better translated as ‘friendship/friend’. Here we read of the privilege of an intimate relationship with the Lord. I am reminded of a few years ago when things were not going well for me in relation to the leaders of my organization. Psalms like this were very comforting to me. LUKE 17b: Yesterday in 17a Jesus taught about the importance of forgiving others, the importance of believing fully and being humble servants. Then we heard of the healing of 10 men who had a contageous/dreaded skin disease. NLT Translation notes:Luk. 17:3 So watch yourselves! “If your fellow believer sins, rebuke [him//that person]; then if [he repents//there is repentance], forgive [him/0].[I don’t mind some gender sensitivity, but NLT goes overboard here.]5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our [our level of believing in God//faith].”6 The Lord answered, “If your [belief in him is tiny, just as tiny as// had faith even as small] as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it would obey you!15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting [over and over again//0], “Praise God!”19 And Jesus said to the man, “[You may stand//Stand] up and go [now/0]. [It is because you believe fully in Me that you have been healed.//Your faith has healed you.]”22 Then he said to his disciples, “The time is coming when you will long to see the day when the [I—/0] Son of Man returns, but you won’t see it.24 For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so it will be on the day when [I—] the Son of Man [come/comes].26 “When [I return as//0] the Son of Man [0/returns], it will be like it was in Noah’s day.30 Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when [I—] the Son of Man[, am//is] revealed.37 “Where will this happen, Lord?”i the disciples asked. Jesus replied, “Just as the gathering of vultures shows [clearly that//there is] a carcass [is somewhere//0] nearby, so [the signs that indicate the end will be obvious//so these signs indicate that the end is near].” 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5046063

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