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Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read  Leviticus 13-15. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “The Cleansing of the Leper.”

Comments on Leviticus 14

Well, this was fun reading today, wasn’t it? How about no?

I’m not going to go into any detail in my comments today. Not because I don’t think there is anything of value here, but because I personally find the find the details on how to deal with leprosy and bodily discharges somewhat distasteful for disc...

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Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read  Colossians 1-2. Afterwards I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “No Compromise.”

Comments on Colossians 1 and 2

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to encourage the Colossian church to stand fast in their faith, to not succumb to the seductions of the enemy by way of false teachings.

In chapter 2, verse 6-7 he says, “Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and firm in...

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Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read Luke 17-18.  Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “The One Millimeter Difference.”

Comments on Luke 17

Luke 17 begins with Jesus speaking to His disciples about sin, forgiveness and faith.

1Jesus said to his disciples: 

There will always be something that causes people to sin. But anyone who causes them to sin is in for trouble. A person who causes even one of my little followers to sin 2would be better off thrown into th...

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Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read Ezekiel 19-24. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “How Many Times?”

Comments on Ezekiel 19-24

These chapters tell a sad, tragic and horrific story. They are not easy to read, and even harder to contemplate.

These were God’s chosen people. He loved them, and made a covenant with them to bless them for all generations if they would just follow His commandments. Time and again, they turned away from Him, and time and again...

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Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read Proverbs 8-9, after which I have some comments on both chapters. I’m calling today’s episode “I’m Not A Smart Man.”

Comments on Proverbs 8-9

Wisdom is again personified in this chapter as a woman. And here she calls out from the hilltops, at the crossroads, at the entrance to the city, to everyone on earth! Wisdom is available to any who will listen, not only the learned, but even the most humble. When I first began to think about this truth, I thought of...

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Podcast Introduction

Can you feel the change?

I can feel it. It’s a change in momentum. We’re over the top and headed downhill. The other day when I walked home after locking my keys in the truck, most of the first half of the way was uphill. And once I reached the top, and was no longer fighting against gravity, it felt so good. Now we’ve passed the halfway mark. 

Today is a milestone. It begins the second half of our year long journey through the Bible togethe...

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Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read 2 Kings 1-5. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “It Can’t Be That Easy.”

Comments on 2 Kings 5

So this Naaman was an important guy, commander of the army of Syria. Note that Syria is not part of the Promised Land, and the Syrians are not part of God’s chosen people. As a matter of fact, one of the key people in this chapter was a young girl that was from Israel that had been captured by...

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Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read Leviticus 10-12. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “What Were They Thinking?”

Comments on Leviticus 10

Let’s look at verses 1 and 2:

Nadab and Abihu were two of Aaron’s sons. They got their shallow cups for burning incense. They put fire in them. They added incense to it. They made an offering to the Lord by using fire that wasn’t allowed. They did it against his command. So the Lord sent fire on them. It bu...

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Podcast Introduction

Today we’re going to complete the book of  Philippians 3-4. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “Peace.”

Comments on Philippians 4

I’m going to make an assumption…something that I try not to do with any regularity. But I think this is probably a safe assumption. I’m assuming that you would you agree with me that we live in turbulent, troubled times. Did I get that right? As a matter of fact, I’m so sure about it that I’m not...

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Podcast Introduction

It’s Saturday. So this must be our day for reading from the Gospels. Today we’ll read   Luke 15-16.   After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “What’s Your Plan?”

Comments on Luke 16

I don’t remember ever hearing a sermon based on this parable. It requires some thought.

There are three basic players in the story. The main character is the steward. Of second importance is the debtors, and finally we have the rich man.

It seems that the st...

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Podcast Introduction

Being Friday,  we’ll read from one of the books of Prophecy. Today we’ll read   Ezekiel 13-18.   After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Where Does the Buck Stop?”

Comments on Ezekiel 18

Chapter 18 clarifies and even puts to rest the idea that there is such a thing as a generational curse. Some believe that children are sometimes punished for the sins of the parents. The idea stems primarily, I think, from Exodus 20:5:

“You shall not bow down to [idols] or worship t...

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Episode transcript here.

Podcast Introduction

Comments on Proverbs 7

I like what Solomon said in verse two of chapter seven: Be as careful to follow my teaching as you are to protect your eyes.

I had a very scary experience with my eyesight a few years ago. The lovely lady LeeAnn and I had a rare day off, and I decided to take her on a drive down the coast. Most of you know that we live in southern California, and Pacific Coast Highway is only about an...

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Podcast Introduction

Since today is Wednesday we’re going to read from the Psalms. Today we’ll read   Psalms 75-77. I’m calling today’s episode “Words of Hope.”

Comments on Psalm 77

I wrote these comments at the end of 2020, and I think they still apply. In most areas of the world, the pandemic seems to be winding down. But not everywhere. Tyranny seems to be on the rise. War is looming. Crime is on the rise. Economies are in turmoil. Let’s face it…the world is still in upheaval. Let me...

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Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch.19-20 NLV, Ch. 21-22 CEB

Podcast Introduction

It’s  History Tuesday, and we’ll read 1 Kings 19-22. I’m calling this episode “Hearing From God.”

Comments on 1 Kings 19

When we last saw Elijah, God had answered his prayers to rain down fire on the sacrifice in order to show that Baal was a false god. God did that and more, remember?

And here we see Elijah cowering at a threat fro...

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Podcast Introduction

Today we’ll read Leviticus 7-9. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Only the Best.”

Comments on Leviticus 7

In this chapter we read the regulations for the guilt offering, the fellowship offering (also known as the peace offering in some Bible translations) and the priest’s share. And in these regulations, there is the requirement that the fat be burnt as a sacrifice, and must not be eaten.

So what’s the deal with the fat? In our supposedly enlig...

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Podcast Introduction

It’s Saturday. So this must be our day for reading from the Gospels. Today we’ll read   Philippians 1-2. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Rough Edges.”

Comments on Philippians 1

Chapter one, verse six is one of my favorite promises. It’s a promise I rely on when I’m not happy with my progress as a Christian. Here it is: “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until t...

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Podcast Introduction

Since today is Saturday we’re going to read from one of the Gospels. Right now we are in the book of Luke. We’ll read chapters 13-14. After the reading I’ll have some comments. Stick around, too for our prayer time. I’m calling today’s episode “Once and For All and Over and Over.”

Comments on Luke 13

1At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshiping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the a...

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Podcast Introduction

Since today is Friday we’re going to read from one of the prophetic books of the Bible, and we are currently in the book of Ezekiel. We’ll read chapters 7-12, and after the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Don’t Push It.”

Comments on Ezekiel 7-12

The message that God gave to Ezekiel would have been difficult to deliver and difficult to hear, wouldn’t it? 

If you’ve been listening for a while, you no doubt remember that we recen...

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Podcast Introduction

Since today is Thursday we’ll read  Proverbs 5-6.   and after the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “No Longer A Slave.”

Just a heads up if you are listening to this with children. Solomon’s teaching on adultery is very closely tied to the concept of pornography, and I will be discussing that topic in this episode. If you don’t want tender ears to hear, now would be a good time to skip forward a few minutes.

Comments on Proverbs 5

Solomon’s t...

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Podcast Introduction

In our reading today we’ll read Psalms 72-74, and after the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Persist.”

Comments on Psalms 72-74

Introduction to Psalm 72

This psalm is entitled “A Psalm of Solomon”, but translating from the Hebrew into English can be a bit inexact at times. This is one example. Some translations render the Hebrew here as “A Psalm for Solomon”, and still others as”A Psalm to Solomon.” As a matter of fact, nearly every psalm with this title can be translat...

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Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 14-15 NASB; Ch. 16-18 WEB

Associate Producer

Timothy LaFontaine

Podcast Introduction

It’s History Tuesday, and we’ll read 1 Kings 14-18. I’m calling this episode “Fire From Heaven.”

Comments on 1 Kings 17

In chapter 17 we were introduced to Elijah, who as we will come to see, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, and his appearance in 1 Kings 17 is the first mention of him...

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Podcast Introduction

Since today is Monday we’re going to read from one of the books of the Law, otherwise known as the Pentateuch. Today we’ll read Leviticus 4-6. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Tend the Flame.”

Comments on Leviticus 4-6

In chapter 4, did you notice that the sins for which the sin offerings could be made were unintentional or without knowledge? That’s right. If you sinned by accident, you could receive forgiveness through the sin offering. But if you sinned in reb...

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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

Associate Producer

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...

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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...

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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...