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-Day263 2 Chronicles 7-8; Proverbs 28:1-14; Matthew 10:16-42 09/13/2026

NL-Day262 2 Chronicles 6; Proverbs 27:14-27; Matthew 10:1-33 09/13/2026

NL-Day261 2 Chronicles 4-5; Proverbs 27:1-14; Matthew 9 09/13/2026

NL-Day260 2 Chronicles 2-3; Proverbs 26:13-28; Matthew 8 09/13/2026

NL-Day259 2 Chronicles 1; Proverbs 26:1-16; Matthew 7:12-29 09/13/2026

258: Buckling the Belt of Truth Lesson 5: Don't look back 09/13/2026

258: Buckling the Belt of Truth Lesson 5: Don't look back THEME: Buckle up the belt of truth by FOCUSING YOUR GAZE ON CHRIST. OK, in my last episode I told you about my nightmare. There was a visitor on my porch that night. That visitor was a picture of the demon who had gained a foothold in my life. He had been tempting me for years and knew just how to do it. He got on the exercise bicycle on my front porch— which, as I told you, did not exist— rather it was a symbol. I believe that the Lord helped me figure out the meaning of that symbol. The night-time visitor got on the bike and kind of lazily gave a few turns of the wheel. But he was watching me. This time the wheel didn’t do the trick. Normally if he said the tempting two words and generated that flickering light by turning the wheel, I would go back into my past to re-live one of several temptations. Now I will say the awful truth: His temptation was sexual fantasy. If I went with him on the journey into my past, I would fantasize about taking advantage of situations where in the past I had wisely avoided completely falling into sin. I would, in other words, take advantage of the situation and plunge into sin. Oddly, I never seemed to fantasize about all the times when I had actually acted sinfully with some woman, but rather it was all the times where I had actually escaped from a very sinful situation. Normally, if I would let the demon take me back into the past, he would pedal the bike longer and harder. But this time when I didn’t go with him, he got off the bike and came up to the window. He shone his flashlight in. That’s when, with great effort, I was able to force my body to move, grabbing my pillow and covering up my face. The demon was shining his light in to look for some other weakness where he could find an additional foothold. I was not safe. He would succeed. The strategy of Satan was all too clear. The constant lure of sexual fantasy would slowly weaken me. Then Satan would arrange a perfect opportunity for me to fall into sin. He would provide the perfect time to live out my fantasy. Then the world would hear of another missionary who committed a shameful moral failure. He would make certain that my fall didn’t go unnoticed. For one thing, I knew that I myself would not have the heart to conceal such a sin forever. I would confess the devastating truth to my wife, my family, plus our mission’s leadership, and we would leave the mission field in disgrace. I could see a pattern: Satan had already tried that trick on me. But I escaped. Those experiences joined older ones for me to fantasize about. But one day the temptation of a perfect opportunity would be too great to escape. I was not getting wiser and stronger, but weaker. To go back to the last lesson, when I was with Jim, rebuking and forbidding that demon’s influence on me, I called that tempter, “Demon of sexual fantasy.” I verbally forbid the demon to bother me. This included naming the women, one-by-one, who had become the objects of my lust. I broke any bond or hook that Satan had in me based on my experience with them. At the risk of sounding really dumb, I admit that it took me way too long before it dawned on me that my worst sinful desires have to do with revisiting my past. There must be people who are more tempted by imagining sins in the future, but not me. It just so happened that when God showed me the backward-looking nature of my problem, my translation team was working with me to translate Philippians and we were in the 3rd chapter. Philippians 3:13b-14 GW says, “I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize…” Other translations are just as helpful— such as NLT: “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Before the realization above dawned on me, if I managed to realize that I was entering into sinful territories of my mind, I would despair, “How can I stop thinking about these things?!” Each time I told myself to stop thinking of some past event, the stronger the desire would be to follow those thoughts again. And it was at night when I was the weakest and couldn’t resist. But now I am no longer powerless. I have found the way to banish those evil thoughts! The answer is in the verses just quoted. It is to ask the question, “What are the most beautiful things I might be able to do to please the Lord in the near future?” I find that if I consciously direct my mind to the future where— praise the Lord— I have goals and aspirations I am enthusiastic about, then those tempting thoughts vanish. And not surprisingly, it helps even more if I pray, “Lord, help me to forget that terrible and worthless memory and lean forward and gaze at what is ahead.” Some of my listeners will probably be thinking, “Well Phil should have realized he could just think of something else.” There’s more to it than that. As long as there was that demon tempter maintaining his stronghold over me, just trying to turn my thoughts to something else never worked. When I was finally free from him, suddenly things that other Christians recommended worked for me too. Philippians 3:10-14 NLT 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Philippians 3:12‭-‬14 GW It’s not that I’ve already reached the goal or have already completed the course. But I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can’t consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12‭-‬14 NLT I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. It is not just the future we are to gaze at! Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to “fix our eyes” on Jesus. While in that passage, in addition to gazing at Jesus, it is no small encouragement to realize that we have an awesome crowd of witnesses cheering us on and waiting for us at the finish line. If we focus on that, we are using the same strategy for victory that Jesus used when He was suffering on earth. Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.[] Because of the joy[] awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. We’re not just vaguely looking in Jesus’ direction. In our passages in 2 Corinthians we are encouraged to gaze right into his face. This is beyond my ability to imagine! But we are helped in this life-transforming vision by the Buckling Belt Lesson 2 (being resurrected and seated now with Christ in heaven) and Lesson 3 (being aided by the Holy Spirit). My favorite thought in this is: This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal. A few years ago when a board member was helping me with organizational planning, because he is so talented in helping people plan, I asked him to help me with my personal planning. I thought, “I only have a few years left in my life, and I want to end well.” We went through a process where I figured out three things: What I wanted to achieve Activities that I thought would bring about the achievements Why I wanted to do those things He told me that the #3 Why list (which expresses my motivation) would be the engine that would keep me going. The reason I mention this is that it seems to me that it will help you to overcome Satan's temptations if you have goals and motivations that you are excited about. For Harry Potter fans, this is your Patronas charm to expel your Dementor. It makes sense to me to take the time to thoroughly understand and powerfully express your core motivations. I have heard many people complain that they cannot get rid of certain evil thoughts. I have just given you the answer and will say it one more time: “This is what I do: I don’t look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God’s heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus.” If turning your thoughts to the things you know Jesus wants you to meditate and the goals you want to achieve doesn’t work, then please go back and check out Lesson 4 of the Buckling the Belt series. Pray like this: Lord help me to lengthen my stride and strain forward— forgetting what lies behind. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on the glorious face of Jesus. PHP.3.10-14 1CO.9.24-27 MAT.14.28-31 HEB.12.1-2 2CO.3.18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2CO.4.6 For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 2CO.4.18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/28036404

NL-Day258 Hosea 13-14; Proverbs 25:15-28; Matthew 7:1-20 09/13/2026

NL-Day258 Hosea 13-14; Proverbs 25:15-28; Matthew 7:1-20 HOSEA 13-14:Yesterday’s reading had this significant prophecy, prefaced by the words that God would not come to totally destroy: Hos. 11:10 NLT For someday the people will follow me.I, the LORD, will roar like a lion.And when I roar,my people will return trembling from the west.11 Like a flock of birds, they will come from Egypt.Trembling like doves, they will return from Assyria.And I will bring them home again,”says the LORD. Hosea begins chapter 13 speaking against the tribe of Ephraim, but in the prophetic writings, that one tribe often stands for the whole northern kingdom. So the heading in the NLT says, “The LORD’s Anger against Israel.” PROVERBS 25b:Interesting and varied proverbs today include this: Pro. 25:20 NLT Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound. MATTHEW 7a:Yesterday’s reading in the second half of chapter 6 dealt with the subject of complete trust in God for all that we need, seeking first the kingdom of God (meaning putting God’s will as your top priority), and not bowing down at the altar of money or material gain. A part of that chapter which is often glossed over is this: Mat. 6:22 NLT “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light.23 But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! In Biblical culture, an ‘evil’ or ‘bad’ eye was one that is greedy. So this figurative speech is actually right on topic for this section. Note that our eye will be full of light if we keep our eyes on Jesus— like we read in Philippians 3. 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/5516511

NL-Day257 Hosea 11-12; Proverbs 25:1-14; Matthew 6:19-34 09/13/2026

NL-Day256 2 Chronicles 10-11; Proverbs 29:1-14; Matthew 11:16-30 09/07/2026

NL-Day255 Hosea 6-7; Proverbs 24:1-18; Matthew 5:27-48 09/07/2026

NL-Day254 Hosea 3-5; Proverbs 23:17-35; Matthew 5:1-26 09/07/2026

NL-Day254 Hosea 3-5; Proverbs 23:17-35; Matthew 5:1-26 HOSEA 3-5:Beautifully interwoven word plays or metaphors were constructed using the names of Hosea’s three children. And verses of yesterday’s reading, are quoted in Romans 9 and 1Peter 2. The last verse ended: Hos. 2:23 NLT “I will show loveto those I called ‘Not loved.’And to those I called ‘Not my people,’I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’” PROVERBS 23b:As you may have noticed yesterday, this chapter is much more thematic than chapters 10 through 22. The second half of chapter 23 is the words of a father to his son. This verse is so true and wise! Pro. 23:23 NLT Get truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment. MATTHEW 5a:Today we start the chapters called the Sermon on the Mount, and these are the crowning jewels of Jesus’ teaching. Note the times when Jesus says, “You have heard it said/taught… but I say to you.” These statements are one reason why the people reacted that “Jesus taught with authority.” Note also how often Jesus tells us that the Father sees what is done in secret. NLT Translation notes:Mat. 5:15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed [up] on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.34 But I say, do not make any vows! Do not [make an oath saying//swear//say], ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne.35 And do not [swear/say], ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not [swear/say], ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.36 Do not even [swear/say], ‘By my [own] head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. 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/5509348

NL-Day253 Hosea 1-2; Proverbs 23:1-18; Matthew 4 09/07/2026

NL-Day251 1 Chronicles 27-28; Proverbs 22:1-15; Matthew 2 09/06/2026

NL-Day250 1 Chronicles 25-26; Proverbs 21:15-31; Matthew 1 09/06/2026

NL-Day250 1 Chronicles 25-26; Proverbs 21:15-31; Matthew 1 1CHRONICLES 25-26:There was a rather important shift in Israel’s religious life that happened with David and his plans for temple worship rather than the older pattern of worship at the Tabernacle: It was that the priests and Levites were re-organized into groups appropriate to the new state of affairs, introducing divisions on top of the old system which was based on family lines. This reordering was still in effect at the beginning of the New Testament, where we read that Zechariah was a member of the priestly division of Abijah. So we have precedent for not always ‘doing it’ the way it was done in the past. PROVERBS 21b:Today’s highlighted verse: Pro. 21:30 GNT Human wisdom, brilliance, insight—they are of no help if the Lord is against you. MATTHEW 1:In my earlier podcast for this day 250, I stated that “Matthew’s Gospel was perhaps written as early as 50 AD, and some material was based on Mark’s Gospel.” In so saying, I simply followed what I had repeatedly heard. However the view that Mark was written first did not gain wide acceptance until the early 20th century. Throughout history, Christians believed that copies of Matthew’s Gospel were distributed first, and that Mark was not released until around the time that Luke’s Gospel appeared. (See the Wikipedia article on Marcan priority, and David A. Black’s article in the book Perspectives on the Ending of Mark.) It is generally accepted that Matthew was written by Levi Matthew, the tax collector and the disciple of Jesus. He does not identify himself (similarly to John in John’s Gospel), but if he had identified himself, he would have started to do so in chapter 9. It is clear that Matthew was written for the Jewish audience, and indeed, at the time it was written, the Gospel had not yet gone far among the non-Jews. Again and again Matthew points to fullfilments of Scripture. And at times, especially near the end, he does not bother to use the words “This fulfilled …” but just includes a couple of words that would have been obvious allusions to Scripture for his audience. An odd feature of this gospel is that Matthew three-times records two people or donkeys, whereas other Gospels record only one. My own original opinion on that feature is this: Every assertion according to the Law needed to be maintained by at least two witnesses. At the times 1 becomes 2, I think Matthew is dropping the hint that he was an eyewitness. I saved Matthew for the last of the Gospels to be read in our reading calendar because I wanted to group together several New Testament books written to the Jewish audience. Today we will hear the genealogy of Jesus. 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/5502916

NL-Day249 1 Chronicles 23-24; Proverbs 21:1-16; Titus 3 08/30/2026

NL-Day249 1 Chronicles 23-24; Proverbs 21:1-16; Titus 3 1CHRONICLES 23-24:Yesterday we heard a rather odd story about how “Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census.” But in 2Samuel 24:1 we read that “Again the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, ‘Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.’” So who was it— Satan or the Lord? And if the problem was caused by someone else, why was David and all Israel punished?! I think, in a place like this, we have to go back to what we learned in Job. God brought up a topic to Satan, Satan responds predictably, and God gives him permission to tempt and sets the boundaries. In other words, both God and Satan are involved. God does not tempt people to do evil, and God is in ultimate control. Satan is like a dog on a leash. And about that punishment: God arranges events in such a way that man (in this case David) is still in control and responsible for his choices. Why was the census considered a sin? This seems to be founded on the idea that Israel— according to God’s promise, was to be as many as the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea shore, in other words, uncountable. When Moses conducted a census, there was a money offering given for every male counted. Making a military census would also show that David was trusting in numbers instead of God’s power. (See 1Chron 27:23-24.) PROVERBS 21a:Here is the verse I chose to highlight today: Pro. 21:13 NLT Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. TITUS 3:We continue today with more true teaching for our spiritual health. We might consider 2:14 as a heading for all of today’s reading. That verse says, Pro. 2:14 NLT He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. 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/5502893

NL-Day248 1 Chronicles 21-22; Proverbs 20:16-30; Titus 2 08/30/2026

NL-Day247 1 Chronicles 19-20; Proverbs 20:1-15; Titus 1 08/30/2026

NL-Day247 1 Chronicles 19-20; Proverbs 20:1-15; Titus 1 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. 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5501586

NL-Day246 1 Chronicles 17-18; Proverbs 19:14-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:28 08/30/2026

NL-Day245 1 Chronicles 15-16; Proverbs 19:1-15; 1 Thessalonians 4 08/30/2026

NL-Day244 1 Chronicles 13-14; Proverbs 18:13-24; 1 Thessalonians 3 08/30/2026

NL-Day243 1 Chronicles 11-12; Proverbs 18:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 2 08/30/2026

NL-Day242 1 Chronicles 9-10; Proverbs 17:14-28; 1 Thessalonians 1 08/23/2026

242: JoySightings 11: The man from Jonesville; Lying Offshore 08/23/2026

NL-Day241 1 Chronicles 8; Proverbs 17:1-14; Ephesians 6 08/23/2026

NL-Day241 1 Chronicles 8; Proverbs 17:1-14; Ephesians 6 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5499502

NL-Day240 1 Chronicles 7; Proverbs 16:18-33; Ephesians 6 08/23/2026

NL-Day239 1 Chronicles 6; Proverbs 16:1-17; Ephesians 5 08/23/2026

NL-Day238 1 Chronicles 5; Proverbs 15:16-33; Ephesians 5 08/23/2026

NL-Day237 1 Chronicles 4; Proverbs 15:1-17; Ephesians 4 08/23/2026

NL-Day237 1 Chronicles 4; Proverbs 15:1-17; Ephesians 4 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 baptism: 5 NLT [We all worship//There is] one Lord, [we all fully believe in Christ/one faith], [we all have been baptized as his followers/one baptism], In Indonesia ‘one baptism’ has been misunderstood by people on both sides of the main baptism debate. One side say, “One baptism means you should only be baptized once (so if you were baptized as a baby, don’t get baptized again anywhere else!)” The other side says, “One baptism means there is only one way to be baptized, and that is by immersion.” Both sides miss the point, because this passage is about things that unify us, not divide us! NLT Translation notes:Eph. 4:5 [We all worship//There is] one Lord, [we all fully believe in Christ/one faith], [we all have been baptized as his followers/one baptism],[In Indonesia ‘one baptism’ has been misunderstood by people on both sides of the main baptism debate. One side say, “One baptism means you should only be baptized once (so if you were baptized as a baby, don’t get baptized again anywhere else!)” The other side says, “One baptism means there is only one way to be baptized, and that is by immersion.” Both sides miss the point, because this passage is about things that unify us, not divide us!]6 and [we all serve the same//one] God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the [non-Jewish pagans/Gentiles] do, for they are hopelessly confused. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God [has forgiven you because of your being joined to Christ./through Christ has forgiven 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/5499360

NL-Day236 1 Chronicles 3; Proverbs 14:17-35; Ephesians 4 08/23/2026

NL-Day236 1 Chronicles 3; Proverbs 14:17-35; Ephesians 4 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 enter the practical part of his letter. NLT Translation notes:Pro. 3:5An honest witness does not lie;a false witness breathes [out] lies.====Eph. 4:5 [We all worship//There is] one Lord, [we all fully believe in Christ/one faith], [we all have been baptized as his followers/one baptism],[In Indonesia ‘one baptism’ has been misunderstood by people on both sides of the main baptism debate. One side say, “One baptism means you should only be baptized once (so if you were baptized as a baby, don’t get baptized again anywhere else!)” The other side says, “One baptism means there is only one way to be baptized, and that is by immersion.” Both sides miss the point, because this passage is about things that unify us, not divide us!]6 and [we all serve the same//one] God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the [non-Jewish pagans/Gentiles] do, for they are hopelessly confused. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God [has forgiven you because of your being joined to Christ./through Christ has forgiven 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/5499085

NL-Day235 1 Chronicles 2; Proverbs 14:1-18; Ephesians 3 08/16/2026

NL-Day235 1 Chronicles 2; Proverbs 14:1-18; Ephesians 3 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 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.====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, 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. /episode/index/show/dailybiblereading/id/5498766

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