Daily Bible Reading Podcast

Phil Fields
  • 4.5 (52)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Daily

Listen to the whole NLT or GNT Bible in 365 20-minute-long podcasts!

  1. 6d ago

    249: 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.

  2. 6d ago

    248: 1 Chronicles 21-22; Proverbs 20:16-30; Titus 2

    1CHRONICLES 21-22: Yesterday we heard the part where the writer of Chronicles skated over where David had his affair with Bathsheba. But we heard of the military victories and especially the misunderstanding that became the reason for the war with the Ammonites. PROVERBS 20b: Our highlighted verse for today: Pro. 20:24 NLT The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Another proverb with deep significance is: 27 The Lord's light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. TITUS 2: A major theme of this book is literally 'healthy faith' and 'healthy teaching.' This is a figure of speech that boils down to believing in true teachings. (NLT translates that well as 'wholesome teaching'.) NLT Translation notes: 1 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects [true/wholesome] teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must [fully believe our true teachings//have sound faith] and be filled with love and patience.   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.

  3. 6d ago

    247: 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. 4 I am writing to Titus, [whom I consider] my true son [because we share the same beliefs//the faith that we share]. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace. 13 This is true. So reprimand them sternly [so that they will continue to fully believe in true teachings//to make them strong in the faith].   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  4. 6d ago

    246: 1 Chronicles 17-18; Proverbs 19:14-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:28

    1CHRONICLES 17-18: Yesterday we heard of the careful moving of the Ark, this time successfully. We heard exactly which men played what instruments.  Then there was a sample of their praise. The psalm in chapter 18 is made of quotes from Psalms 105 and 96 and some other isolated verses. PROVERBS 19b: Our highlighted verse: Pro. 19:17 NLT If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you! 1THESSALONIANS 5: Before reading chapter 5, let's review the resurrection portion of chapter 4, starting with verse 13. NLT Translation note: 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of [fully believing/faith] and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  5. 6d ago

    245: 1 Chronicles 15-16; Proverbs 19:1-15; 1 Thessalonians 4

    1CHRONICLES 15-16: Yesterday we heard about the first attempt to move the Ark, more about David's family, and his defeat of the Philistines. PROVERBS 19a: A highlight from today's chapter in Proverbs: Pro. 19:14 NLT Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife. 1THESSALONIANS 4: Paul and his companions prayed, and God answered: The Thessalonian believers stayed strong in their believing in the Gospel. NLT Translation note: 1Th. 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him [all of/the] believers who have died.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  6. 6d ago

    244: 1 Chronicles 13-14; Proverbs 18:13-24; 1 Thessalonians 3

    1CHRONICLES 13-14: Yesterday we heard of mighty men who joined David in war, and the roll call of people who joined him politically to become king. And today we hear more about important events under David's leadership. PROVERBS 18b: A highlighted verse for today: Pro. 18:22 NLT The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD. 1THESSALONIANS 3: Yesterday Paul reminded the Thessalonians of the way he, Silas, and Timothy lived among them, and they definitely loved them like family. And at the end of the chapter Paul compares them to a crown (or like the crowning achievement in their ministry) which he longs to bring before Christ at His second coming. Paul's statement that "God's anger has come down on" the Jews, shows that events were moving toward the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. NLT Translation note: 1Th. 3:10 Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your [believing/faith].   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  7. Aug 30

    243: 1 Chronicles 11-12; Proverbs 18:1-12; 1 Thessalonians 2

    1CHRONICLES 11-12: In yesterday's reading, we heard of the people who returned after the exile. Then, starting with the genealogy of King Saul, we jumped to the story of how he died. This prepares us for the stories about King David. PROVERBS 18a: Our highlighted verse today: Pro. 18:10 NLT The LORD is [like] a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe. In this verse Solomon used 'the Lord's name' as a metonymy (a type of figure of speech). In other words, 'the LORD's name' represents all of the LORD, in the same way that Americans often use  'the White House' as a metonymy to stand for our government's administrative branch. It is good to understand how this metonymy works in Scripture, to keep us from supposing that Christians should use the name of the LORD ('YHWH') as a magic charm. 1THESSALONIANS 2: Chapter 1 ended with Paul saying what other people were saying about the Thessalonians:  1Th. 1:10 NLT And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment.   Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

  8. Aug 23

    242: 1 Chronicles 9-10; Proverbs 17:14-28; 1 Thessalonians 1

    1CHRONICLES 9-10: This is the last name chapter at the beginning of this book, bringing us up to the time of the returning exiles. And king Saul's genealogy is given, because we pick up Israel's narrative with Saul in the next chapter. PROVERBS 17b: This special verse reminds me of an old song we used to sing every Sunday evening with fellow missionaries. Pro. 17:22 NLT A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength. 1st THESSALONIANS 1: The book of Revelation has the reputation of being about the second coming of Christ, but our doctrines about the second coming come much more from the two letters to Thessalonica. Every chapter of 1 Thessalonians includes a reference to the second coming. And the second coming is mentioned 20 times in these two little letters. Paul, Timothy and Silas spent only three Sabbath days in Thessalonica. They did an amazing work in grounding these believers, and Timothy was sent back soon afterward. The believers had questions. Some were worried about believers who had died or would die before Christ's return. Others were thinking Jesus would return so soon that they need not do any work now. This is a highly personal letter to people who had become dear to Paul in a very short time, and one of his earliest letters, written around 51 AD.     Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Listen to the whole NLT or GNT Bible in 365 20-minute-long podcasts!

Information

  • Creator
    Phil Fields
  • Years Active
    2013 - 2026
  • Episodes
    385
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2014-2023, by Phil Fields
  • Show Website
    Daily Bible Reading Podcast

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