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Podcast Introduction

Since today it is Sunday we read from one of the Epistles. Today we finish the book of Ephesians. We’ll read chapters 4-6. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “ Shields Up.”

Comments on Ephesians 6

In chapter six, Paul mentioned that we are in a battle against the rulers, against the authorities,  against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil  in the heavens. Sometimes it looks as if we are battling people, but the fight is deeper than...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we’ll read Luke 11-12. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “No Vacancy.”

Comments on Luke 11

24  “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell ther...

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Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-6 NASB

Podcast Introduction

It’s Prophecy Friday, and we’ll read Ezekiel 1-6. I’m calling this episode “Wheels Within Wheels.”

Comments on Ezekiel 1

Regarding the visions that Ezekiel saw in chapter one, I have to say that it is hard to envision what he describes. Don’t you think? I can only imagine that he must have been terrified. The storm, the four beings (which some commentators say are angels...

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Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Proverbs 4. I’m calling today’s episode “It’s Worth It.”

Comments on Proverbs 4

The father is now teaching not just his son, but his children. This lesson is intended for all of his offspring.

Would that every parent had this wisdom to impart these lessons to every one of their children. But sadly, it seems as if wisdom is in very short supply, and has been for at least the last three or four generations. And yes, I include mine.

The lesso...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today Psalms 69-71. I’m calling today’s episode “Stand Up.”

Comments on Psalm 69

This is a psalm which is especially applicable to today, and will become even more so as we approach the Last Days.

David began this psalm asking God to save him, and he writes about how utterly miserable he feels: “I am tired of crying. My throat is hoarse. My eyes are exhausted with waiting for my God.”

In verse 4 he reveals the reason for his misery: “More numerous t...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we’ll read 1 Kings 10-1, and after the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “How To Stay Faithful.”

Comments on 1 Kings 11

In chapter 11, we saw that Solomon wandered from God because he loved many foreign women. He had 700 wives of royal birth, and 300 concubines. This went against Deuteronomy 17:17 which says, “The king must not have many wives. If he does, they will lead him astray.”. The fact that he married Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Sidonians made it even worse.

Com...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we’ll read Leviticus 1-3. Before starting the reading, I’ll give you a brief introduction to Leviticus, and after the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Three of Five.”

Comments on

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-2 ESV; Ch. 3 LEB

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we’ll read Ephesians 1-3. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “United.”

Comments on Ephesians 2

I don’t know about your upbringing, how your parents and extended family and others around you treated you, but I’ve been around long enough to know that when a child is taught from his earliest years that he is really something special, that child begins to believe that he really is above everyone else. He believes that he is better, that he i...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today is  Luke 9-10.  I’m calling today’s episode “You Gotta Be Kidding.”

Comments on Luke 9

12Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

13He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 1...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we will complete our catch-up chapters, caused by my little unscheduled stay in the hospital a couple weeks ago. We’ll read Lamentations 3-5 and Ezekiel 1-6. The title of this episode is “Visions.”

Comments on Ezekiel 1

Regarding the visions that Ezekiel saw in chapter one, I have to say that it is hard to envision what he describes. Don’t you think? I can only imagine that he must have been terrified. The storm, the four beings (which some commentators say are angels) with the...

Transcript

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 2 ERV; Ch. 3 NASB

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Howie

Podcast Introduction

It’s Poetry Thursday, and we’ll read Proverbs 2-3. I’m calling this episode “Trust.”

Comments on Proverbs 2-3

Thoughts on Proverbs 2

Chapter 2 encourages us to pursue wisdom, because in so doing we will come to know God. If that is not a worthy endeavor, I don’t know what is. 

Much of the...

Transcript

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 66 GWT; Ch. 67 NLV; Ch. 68 GWT

Podcast Introduction

It’s Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 66-68. I’m calling this episode “Essentials.”

Comments on Psalm 66

This psalm opens with a call to all the earth to praise God because of His awesome (in the truest sense of the word…awe-inspiring) deeds. It even gives a sample of what should be said to God: “How awe-inspiring are your deeds! Your power is so g...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today 1 Kings 5-9. I’m calling today’s episode “A Diverse Group.”

Comments on 1 Kings 5-9

King Hiram had been friends with King David for many years. Note that Hiram was not a Jew, but it does appear as if he had become a believer in the one true God…as a result of his long friendship with David. And David arranged for King Hiram to be the supplier of lumber and some of the labor for the temple.

It’s interesting to note that the...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we’ll complete the book of  Exodus by reading chapters 37-40.  I’m calling today’s episode “Jesus In the Tabernacle.”

Comments on the Tabernacle

As we close the book of Exodus, I think it’s important to talk about the significance of the Tabernacle. Given the fact that God gave Moses such intricate detail about how it was to be constructed, we can see how important the Tabernacle was to God and therefore, His people.

Why was it so important? It represented th...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we’ll complete the book of Galatians with the reading of chapters 4-6. I’m calling today’s episode “I Choose Freedom.”

Comments on Galatians

Paul’s biggest concern with the Galatian church was that some believed the teaching of the false teachers who were saying that it was necessary to follow the Mosaic Law. In chapter 5:2-4, Paul answered that teaching very succinctly. “2I, Paul, promise you that Christ won’t do you any good if you get circumcised. 3If you do, you must obey the whol...

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Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Luke 7-8. I’m calling today’s episode “Got A Light?”

Comments on Luke 8

Jesus speaking: 16“No one lights a lamp and then hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand. Then those who come in can see its light.

Jesus is saying here that when you have a light, you let the light shine. Of course, in this chapter Jesus is speaking in parables. In this parable He is saying that when...

Transcript

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 47-49 NLT, Ch. 50-52 HCSB

Podcast Introduction

It’s Prophecy Friday, and we’ll read chapters 47-52,of Jeremiah, which will complete the book. I’m calling this episode “Is There A Limit To God’s Patience?”

Comments on Jeremiah 47-52

In the book of Jeremiah, much of what we read was God warning the people of coming judgement, and does not make for fun reading, does it? But ima...

Transcript

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1 ERV

Podcast Introduction

It’s Poetry Thursday, and well begin the book of Proverbs with chapter 1. I’m calling this episode “God’s Wisdom.”

Comments on Proverbs 1

The book of Proverbs was written by King David’s son, Solomon. Solomon is commonly thought of as the wisest man, and the richest man who ever lived. His wisdom was a gift from God as a result of the prayer he ma...

Transcript

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 63 HCSB; Ch. 64 NLT; Ch. 65 ERV

Podcast Introduction

It’s Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 63-65. I’m calling this episode “Safe In God’s Strong Hand.” As always with the Psalms, I’ll give you a brief introduction before reading each chapter, and I’ll end the reading with some comments.

Comments on Psalms 63-65

Introduction to Psalm 63

The title of this psalm is A Davidic p...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is 1 Kings 1-4. I’m calling today’s episode “Another Pretender To the Throne.”

Comments on 1 Kings 1-2

Once again we see a member of David’s family trying to grab the throne. 

Adonijah knows that David is near death, and he thinks that by being proactive he can take the throne. He knows that Solomon is the one chosen to succeed David, and once David dies it will be too late because Solomon will immediately become king. Solomon was God’s choice to become kin...

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Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Exodus 33-36. I’m calling today’s episode “Alone.”

Comments on Exodus 33

Chapter 33 begins where chapter 32 left off, immediately after the people made the golden calf. The Lord is angry, and tells Moses to quickly leave this place. And he tells Moses that He will not go with them, but will send an angel to go with them instead, because, “you are a stiff-necked people, and I might destroy you on the way.”

There are two things I would like to talk about in thi...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Galatians 1-3. I’m calling today’s episode “Ultimate Truth.”

Comments on Galatians 1

Paul opens the letter by establishing that he is an apostle, chosen not by men, but by Jesus Christ Himself and God the Father. Those are some pretty impressive bona fides, wouldn’t you say? He’s not doing this to impress them, but to answer the charges brought against him by those who made their way into the Galatian church who were questioning his qualifications.

After this, Paul expresses hi...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Luke 5-6, and I’m calling the episode “Let’s Go Fishin’.”

Comments on Luke 5

Jesus’ first request of Simon didn’t require much faith from him, did it?

He got into Simon’s boat, and asked Simon to put out a little way from the shore. That’s all He asked. “Take me out just a little way, Simon.” He wanted to speak to the people who had been pushing and crowding Him so they could hear the Word of God. 

Picture the scene. Simon Peter...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Jeremiah 42-46, and I’m calling the episode “But You Promised.”

Comments on Jeremiah 42 and 46

Thoughts on Jeremiah 42 

Have you ever made a bargain with God? You’ve been in trouble or in some other hard place, and you said, “Lord, help me here and I will never sin again! I’ll devote my life to you!” And then the trouble passes, and you go right back to your old ways. Yeah. Most of us probably have done that, and let me say that it’s not a good thin...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is  we will complete the book of Job 41-42, and I’m calling the episode “A New Beginning.”

Comments on Job

Alexander Maclaren wrote in his “Expositions of Holy Scripture” “The close of the book of Job must be taken in connection with its prologue in order to get the full view of its solution of the mystery of pain and suffering. Indeed the prologue is more completely the solution than the endings; for it shows the purpose of Job’s trials as being, not his punishment but his testing.” “...

Some verses feel like they were written for the moments when your vocabulary fails—when you’ve prayed all you know to pray, and all that’s left is a quiet hope that God is still at work. In this episode of Verses We Missed, we sit with Ephesians 3:20 and listen to Paul stretch language to the breaking point as he points us to a God whose power and generosity are beyond measure.

Today’s Reading

Today’s reading is Ephesians 3:20 (ESV).

Reading: Ephesians 3:20

Follow along here: Ephesians 3:20 (ESV) on BibleGa...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Psalms 60-62, and I’m calling the episode “Be Quiet.”

Comments on Psalm 62

“1 It is surely true that I find my rest in God.” NIRV

I believe that the NASB is a better translation: “1 My soul waits in silence for God only;” NASB

Sometimes, the very best thing we can do is come before God and…just…be quiet. FB Meyer wrote, “This is why God keeps you waiting. All that is of self and nature must be silence; one voice after another cease to boast; one l...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is 2 Samuel 20-24, which will complete that book. I’m calling today’s episode “Forgiven and Forgotten.”

Commentary on 2 Samuel 22

Chapter 22 is David’s wonderful song of praise to God, whom he had served his entire life.

As David wrote this, he included the highs and the lows from his life. How God had delivered him from his enemies, and how he was blessed. He gave praise for who God is and how incomparable He is. He acknowledged that God was his source of…everything.

Did any pa...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Exodus 29-32. Since it’s Monday, you know that this is one of the books of the Law. I’m calling today’s episode “It’s All Him.”

Comments on Exodus 29-32

Oh my goodness. What a tremendous range our reading covered today. From the anointing of Aaron and his sons as priests, to the instructions for sacrifices, to God’s giving the tablets of the Law, inscribed with his own finger, to the abomination of the golden calf, to Moses’ interceding on behalf of the people. I hardly know wh...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is 2 Corinthians 11-13, which completes the book. Yesterday I got ahead of myself and said we would be starting the book of Galatians today. That’s next Sunday. I’m calling today’s episode “Is It Time For An Audit?” 

Comments on Chapter 13

Put yourselves through a test. See if you belong to Christ. Then you will know you belong to Christ, unless you do not pass the test.

2 Corinthians 13:5 NLV

The apostle Paul was having some difficulties with some of the peop...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Luke 3-4, and I’m calling the episode “How To Resist Temptation.”

Comments on Luke 4

Jesus gave us the perfect plan for when we are being tempted. Remember this, beloved. Jesus was fully human, as well as fully God. Jesus was a real man. So the temptations that Satan put before Him were real. These were not theoretical. 

Jesus had flesh. And notice the very first temptation Satan put in front of Jesus. Jesus had been in the desert for forty days and had not eaten. H...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Jeremiah 37-41, and I’m calling the episode “The Cowardly Mob.” 

Comments on Jeremiah 38

In chapter 38, Shephatiah, Gedaliah, Jehucal and Pashhur, who were princes of Judah, did not like the message that Jeremiah was preaching: 

 “The Lord says, ‘Those who stay in this city will die in battle or of starvation or disease. Those who leave the city and surrender to the Babylonians will live. They will escape with their lives.’” 3 They had also heard him say, “The Lord says, ‘This city will certainly be handed over to the arm...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is  Job 39-40, and I’m calling the episode “The Voice of God.”

Comments on Job 39-40

It’s easy to think of this scene with God’s awesome, booming voice rumbling and shaking everything around for miles as He speaks out of the storm. And maybe it did happen that way. He can be a fearsome God. 

But I like what the commentator F. B. Meyer wrote: “Divine power and human ignorance. When the storm had ceased and the thunder was hushed, a voice spoke out of the gol...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Psalms 57-59, and I’m calling the episode “On the Run.”

Comments on Psalms 57-59

Introduction to Psalm 57

The title of this psalm is To the Chief Musician. Set to “Do Not Destroy.” A Michtam of David when he fled from Saul into the cave.

Regarding “Do not Destroy”, Bible commentator Derek Kidner said: “This may well be a tune-indication: cf. Isaiah 65:8, where the phrase is identified as a popular saying (perhaps a snatch of vintage song), and borrowed to become a reassuring word from God. Y...

Why does God conceal some things instead of explaining everything? Proverbs 25:2 answers that question in a surprising way. Rather than eliminating mystery, the verse reveals that divine mystery is part of God’s glory. At the same time, it invites believers to search the Scriptures with humility and curiosity.

In this episode of Verses We Missed, we explore Proverbs 25:2 and a question many believers whisper in seasons of uncertainty: why doesn’t God explain more? Although the verse doesn’t remove the fog entirely, it does reveal something beautiful—mystery is not a flaw in the Christian life. In...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is 2 Samuel 15-19, and I’m calling the episode “A House Divided.”

Comments on 2 Samuel 15-19

Reading chapters 15-19 is like reading an adventure novel, isn’t it? There’s the dysfunctional family, where the son of the king leads a national revolt, there’s raw ambition, betrayal, loyalty, sex, spies, murder, revenge and heartbreak. It’s all there. And it’s all real. These events really happened. 

Where to begin? I think we need to talk about David. There are so many characters in these five chapters tha...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Exodus 25-28, and I’m calling the episode “The God of Details.”

Comments on Exodus 25-28

The first time I read these chapters, I was struck by the detail of God’s instructions. Nothing was left out. Everything that was to go into the tabernacle was intricately laid out, from the materials to use, to the measurements, to the design, to the placement of the items. 

But of course, that God thought of every detail is not at all surprising, right? He is a God of detail...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is  2 Corinthians 9-10, and I’m calling the episode “Take Control of Your Thoughts.”

Comments on 2 Corinthians 10

As we have mentioned before, there are those in the church at Corinth who did not recognize Paul’s authority as an apostle. Much of this chapter has Paul defending that authority. Not for his own benefit, but for theirs. What he has to say is important. After all, as an apostle he is bringing God’s message…and they should receive it as from God.

In the first five verses o...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Luke 1-2, and I’m calling the episode “The Child’s Answers.”

Comments on Luke 2

We’re obviously just a couple weeks past Christmas, but it’s always good to read the account of Jesus’ birth. But in reading such familiar chapters as these first two of Luke, we run the risk of not really hearing them, don’t you think? Every Christmas season, we hear these verses read. So can we find anything new? Is it important to see something new? I think the answer to that question is...

Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is  Jeremiah 32-36, and I’m calling the episode “I Can’t Hear You.”

Comments

Thoughts on Jeremiah 35 

The Lord had Jeremiah invite the Rechabites in for a little social activity, and He told Jeremiah to provide wine to them. When it was offered to them, they declined, saying that their ancestor Jonadab told them not to ever drink wine. In addition, they weren’t to build houses, plant crops or build houses to live in. So they had always refrained from doing any of those things.