Month: August 2018

Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Monday August 27, 2018 (NIV)

Job 23-27

Job Speaks: Where Can I Find God?

Then Job replied to his friends,

2 “My complaint is bitter again today.
I try hard to control my sighing.

3 “If only I knew where I could find God!
I would go where he lives.
4 I would present my case to him.
I would have a mouthful of arguments.
5 I want to know the words he would use to answer me.
I want to understand the things he would say to me.
6 Would he sue me and hide behind great legal maneuvers?
No, he certainly would press charges against me.
7 Then decent people could argue with him,
and I would escape my judgment forever.
8 However, if I go east, he isn’t there.
If I go west, I can’t find him.
9 If I go northward, where he is at work, I can’t observe him.
If I turn southward, I can’t see him.
10 I can’t find him because he knows the road I take.
When he tests me,
I’ll come out as pure as gold.
11 I have followed his footsteps closely.
I have stayed on his path and did not turn from it.
12 I have not left his commands behind.
I have treasured his words in my heart.

God Is Against Me

13 “But God is one of a kind.
Who can make him change his mind?
He does whatever he wants!
14 He will carry out his orders concerning me
as he does with so many other things.[a]
15 That is why I’m terrified of him.
When I think of it, I’m afraid of him.
16 God has discouraged me.
The Almighty has filled me with terror.
17 But I am not silenced by the dark
or by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Job Continues: Why Doesn’t God Punish Those Who Do Evil?

“Why doesn’t the Almighty set aside times for punishment?
Why don’t those who are close to him see his days of judgment?

2 “People move boundary markers.
They steal flocks and tend them as shepherds.
3 They drive away the orphan’s donkey.
They take the widow’s ox as security for a loan.
4 They force needy people off the road.
All the poor people of the country go into hiding.
5 Like wild donkeys in the desert,
poor people go out to do their work, looking for food.
The plains provide food for their children.
6 They harvest animal food in the field to feed themselves.
They pick the leftover grapes in the wicked person’s vineyard.
7 All night they lie naked
without a covering from the cold.
8 They are drenched by the rainstorms in the mountains.
They hug the rocks because they can’t find shelter.

9 “People snatch the nursing orphan from a breast
and take a poor woman’s baby as security for a loan.
10 That is why the poor go around naked.
They are hungry, yet they carry bundles of grain.
11 They press out olive oil between rows of olive trees.
They stomp on grapes in wine vats, yet they are thirsty.
12 Those dying in the city groan.
Wounded people cry for help,
but God pays no attention to their prayers.

13 “Such people are among those who rebel against the light.
They are not acquainted with its ways.
They do not stay on its paths.
14 At dawn murderers rise; they kill the poor and needy.
At night they become thieves.
15 Adulterers watch for twilight.
They say, ‘No one is watching us,’ as they cover their faces.
16 In the dark, they break into houses,
but by day they lock themselves in.
They do not even know the light,
17 because morning and deep darkness are the same to them,
because they are familiar with the terrors of deep darkness.
18 Such people are like scum on the surface of the water.
Their property is cursed in the land.
People do not travel the road that goes to their vineyards.
19 Just as drought and heat steal water from snow,
so the grave steals people who sin.
20 The womb forgets them.
Worms feast on them.
No one remembers them anymore,
and wickedness is snapped like a twig.
21 These men take advantage of childless women.
These men show no kindness to widows.
22 God will drag away these mighty men by his power.
These people may prosper,
but they will never feel secure about life.
23 God may let them feel confident and self-reliant,
but his eyes are on their ways.
24 Such people may be prosperous for a little while,
but then they’re gone.
They are brought down low and disappear like everything else.[b]
They wither like heads of grain.

25 “If it isn’t so, who can prove I’m a liar
and show that my words are worthless?”

Bildad Speaks: No One Is Righteous to God

Then Bildad from Shuah replied to Job,

2 “Authority and terror belong to God.
He establishes peace in his high places.
3 Is there any limit to the number of his troops?
Is there anyone on whom his light does not rise?
4 How can a person be righteous to God?
How can anyone born of a woman be pure?
5 Even the moon isn’t bright,
and the stars aren’t pure in his sight.
6 How much less pure is a mortal—who is only a maggot—
a descendant of Adam—who is only a worm!”

Job Speaks: My Friends Have Offered Useless Advice

Then Job replied to his friends,

2 “You have helped the person who has no power
and saved the arm that isn’t strong.
3 You have advised the person who has no wisdom
and offered so much assistance.
4 To whom have you spoken these words,
and whose spirit has spoken through you?

God’s Power over Creation

5 “The souls of the dead tremble beneath the water,
and so do the creatures living there.
6 Sheol is naked in God’s presence,
and Abaddon has no clothing.

7 “He stretches out his heavens[c] over empty space.
He hangs the earth on nothing whatsoever.
8 He holds the water in his thick clouds,
and the clouds don’t even split under its weight.
9 He covers his throne[d]
by spreading his cloud over it.
10 He marks the horizon on the surface of the water
at the boundary where light meets dark.
11 The pillars of heaven tremble
and are astonished when he yells at them.
12 With his power he calmed the sea.
With his insight he killed Rahab the sea monster.
13 With his wind the sky was cleared.
With his hand he stabbed the fleeing snake.

14 “These are only glimpses of what he does.
We only hear a whisper of him!
Who can understand the thunder of his power?”

Job Continues: I Insist I Am Innocent

Job continued his poems and said,

2 “I swear an oath
by God, the one who has taken away my rights,
by the Almighty, who has made my life bitter:
3 ‘As long as there is one breath left in me
and God’s breath fills my nostrils,
4 my lips will not say anything wrong,
and my tongue will not mumble anything deceitful.’
5 It’s unthinkable for me to admit that you are right.
Until I breathe my last breath, I will never give up my claim of integrity.
6 I cling to my righteousness and won’t let go.
My conscience won’t accuse me as long as I live.

7 “Let my enemy be treated like wicked people.
Let anyone who attacks me be treated like unrighteous people.
8 After all, what hope does the godless person have when he is cut off,
when God takes away his life?
9 Will God hear his cry when trouble comes upon him?
10 Can he be happy with the Almighty?
Can he call on God at all times?

What God Has in Store for Wicked People

11 “I will teach you about God’s power.
I will not hide what the Almighty has done.
12 Certainly, you have all seen it.
Why then do you chatter on about such nonsense?
13 This is what God has waiting for the wicked person,
the inheritance that tyrants receive from the Almighty:
14 If he has many children, swords will kill them,
and his descendants won’t have enough food.
15 Those who survive him will be buried by a plague,
and their widows won’t cry for them.
16 Though he collects silver like dust
and piles up clothing like dirt,
17 righteous people will wear what he piles up,
and the innocent will divide the silver
among themselves.
18 He builds his house like a moth,
like a shack that a watchman makes.
19 He may go to bed rich, but he’ll never be rich again.
When he opens his eyes, nothing will be left.
20 Terrors overtake him like a flood.
A windstorm snatches him away at night.
21 The east wind carries him away, and he’s gone.
It sweeps him from his place.
22 It hurls itself at him without mercy.
He flees from its power.
23 It claps its hands over him.
It whistles at him from his own place.

Footnotes:

  1. Job 23:14 Hebrew meaning uncertain.
  2. Job 24:24 Hebrew meaning of this line uncertain.
  3. Job 26:7 Or “the north.”
  4. Job 26:9 Or “the face of the moon.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

2 Corinthians 1:12-2:11

Paul’s Reason for Being Proud

12 We are proud that our conscience is clear. We are proud of the way that we have lived in this world. We have lived with a God-given holiness[a] and sincerity, especially toward you. It was not by human wisdom that we have lived but by God’s kindness. [b] 13 We are only writing you what you already knew before you read this. I hope you will understand this as long as you live, 14 even though you now understand it only partially. We are your reason to be proud, as you will be our reason to be proud on the day of our Lord Jesus.

Why Paul Changed His Plans

15 Confident of this, I had previously wanted to visit you so that you could benefit twice. 16 My plans had been to go from the city of Corinth to the province of Macedonia. Then from Macedonia I had planned to return to you again in Corinth and have you support my trip to Judea.

17 You don’t think that I made these plans lightly, do you? Do you think that when I make plans, I make them in a sinful way? Why would I say that something is true when it isn’t? 18 You can depend on God. Our message to you isn’t false; it’s true. 19 God’s Son, Jesus Christ, whom I, Silvanus, and Timothy told you about, was true not false. Because of him our message was always true. 20 Certainly, Christ made God’s many promises come true. For that reason, because of our message, people also honor God by saying, “Amen!”

21 God establishes us, together with you, in a relationship with Christ. He has also anointed us. 22 In addition, he has put his seal of ownership on us and has given us the Spirit as his guarantee.

23 I appeal to God as a witness on my behalf, that I stayed away from Corinth because I wanted to spare you. 24 It isn’t that we want to have control over your Christian faith. Rather, we want to work with you so that you will be happy. Certainly, you are firmly established in the Christian faith.

2 I decided not to visit you again while I was distressed. 2 After all, if I had made you uncomfortable, how could you have cheered me up when you were uncomfortable?

3 This is the very reason I wrote to you. I didn’t want to visit you and be distressed by those who should make me happy. I’m confident about all of you that whatever makes me happy also makes you happy.

4 I was deeply troubled and anguished. In fact, I had tears in my eyes when I wrote to you. I didn’t write to make you uncomfortable but to let you know how much I love you.

Forgive the Person Who Sinned

5 If someone caused distress, I’m not the one really affected. To some extent—although I don’t want to emphasize this too much—it has affected all of you. 6 The majority of you have imposed a severe enough punishment on that person. 7 So now forgive and comfort him. Such distress could overwhelm someone like that if he’s not forgiven and comforted. 8 That is why I urge you to assure him that you love him. 9 I had also written to you to test you. I wanted to see if you would be obedient in every way.

10 If you forgive someone, so do I. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did in the presence of Christ for your benefit. 11 I don’t want Satan to outwit us. After all, we are not ignorant about Satan’s scheming.

Footnotes:

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:12 Some manuscripts and translations read “God-given openness.”
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:13 Or “grace.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 41

Psalm 41

For the choir director; a psalm by David.

1 Blessed is the one who has concern for helpless people.
The Lord will rescue him in times of trouble.
2 The Lord will protect him and keep him alive.
He will be blessed in the land.
Do not place him at the mercy of his enemies.
3 The Lord will support him on his sickbed.
You will restore this person to health when he is ill.

4 I said, “O Lord, have pity on me!
Heal my soul because I have sinned against you.”
5 My enemies say terrible things about me:
“When will he die, and when will his family name disappear?”
6 When one of them comes to visit me, he speaks foolishly.
His heart collects gossip.
Then he leaves to tell others.
7 Everyone who hates me whispers about me.
They think evil things about me and say,
8 “A devilish disease has attached itself to him.
He will never leave his sickbed.”
9 Even my closest friend whom I trusted,
the one who ate my bread,
has lifted his heel against me.
10 Have pity on me, O Lord!
Raise me up so that I can pay them back
11 and my enemy cannot shout in triumph over me.
When you do this, I know that you are pleased with me.
12 You defend my integrity,
and you set me in your presence forever.

13 Thank the Lord God of Israel through all eternity!
Amen and amen!

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 22:5-6

5 A devious person has thorns and traps ahead of him.
Whoever guards himself will stay far away from them.
6 Train a child in the way he should go,
and even when he is old he will not turn away from it.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Posted on

08/26/2018 DAB Transcript

Job 20:1-22:30 , 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 , Psalms 40:11-17 , Proverbs 22:2-4

Today is the 26th day of August. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian. It’s great to be here with you as we, together, turn the knob, open the door, walk through the threshold into a shiny, sparkly, new week. And this is the last week of this month. So, we’ll be closing out this month this week. And, yeah, as we close out this week we will be will…we will find ourselves at the Daily Audio Bible family reunion here in the rolling hills of Tennessee. So, we’ve got a big week here. Let’s dive in. We’ll read from the God’s word Translation this week and we’ll pick up where we left off last week, which was yesterday. Job chapter 20 verse 1, through 22 verse 30.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for this brand-new week and we’ve just stepped through the threshold into it as a community here as we follow the rhythm of the Scriptures in our lives each and every day. And, so, we invite you Holy Spirit to not only plant today what we’ve heard today in our lives, but with anticipation, we look for your counsel and your comfort and your direction, we choose now to walk with you every moment of this coming week. Come Holy Spirit we pray. In Jesus’ name we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, its home base, its where you find out what’s going on around here. So, be sure to check it out.

Yeah this…this coming weekend will be the Daily Audio Bible family reunion. So, I’m sure we will post some things on social media and stay connected that way. We can talk about it as we get closer. I definitely want to pray as a community over all the people that will be traveling, whether by road or by air. And, so, we’ll be looking forward to that very much.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible here in the summer months, thank you. Thank you humbly, thank you profoundly. There is a link that lives on the homepage of dailyaudionbible.com. I thank you for those who have clicked that link. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian. I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hi there. This is Holly from Washington. I’m calling for the August 18th two ladies that called. Forgive me, I don’t know your names. __ with my almost 2-year-old. So, first to the lady in a situation where they don’t have a church that they’re at, where they’re employed at now and the woman that __ supposed to go to __ . I ask for that the Lord resolve all of the stumbling blocks would be removed and that He will show you all the right places you’re supposed to be at and you’ll have your children and all will be made known and clear, that there will be no group confusion and that the courts __ for the things that need to be done, they understand this stuff that happened in their own family. And it is all on a heartache. I also pray for the lady that called __ abused verbally with her ex…I believe. You have your child now to think about. And I just pray a word that came to me - vindication and I ask that the Lord would vindicate you and that everybody would be known, the message wouldn’t be hidden any more __ , and the Lord, above all, uphold __ this person, that this gentleman heart would made right. I pray that you will have peace, that you son will be protected __ and you with your ex and that God’s glory would shine, there’d be no fear. And if she is not meant to have custody, I’d say that the Lord protects her either way. __. Want to say thank you to Brian in Jill. __ I’ve been listening for almost 2 years I think. First time calling. And I love you guys all and God bless you.

Hi this is Stephen. It is August 21st. And as we started today, the book of Job, and I heard that story again and heard Brian’s comments, I couldn’t help thinking about my brother Pelham about an hour down the road, down south of me. So, he actually sent me a worship song on Sunday that’s just awesome and Pelham has had so many hard things happen in his life and yet he still is choosing to bless the Lord. So, will you join me in praying for our brother Pelham? Father, thank you for our brother Pelham. And Lord, thank you. Like Job, he’s endured so much more than a lot of people have in his life yet he still chooses to bless your name and to praise you. I ask Father, we ask, this whole community asks that You restore his marriage, bring his family back together in Jesus’ name. Bring his son back so they can be the family that you designed and that he can live long and prosper. I ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Pelham, we love you.

Hello. This is Paul from Wales. I’ll begin with a praise report. I put a prayer request on the wall to get me back into action. I’ve missed church for two weeks and I haven’t been to any Bible studies. Tonight I’ve caught up with them all. I’m going to a Christian event tomorrow. I’ve done more than 10 prayers in response to the wall. My prayers have been answered. The three consecutive Bible studies have been fantastic and I was moved to read __ from the shop. This really is a fantastic family and keep supporting each other. And thank you all much. That’s all I’ve got to say for the prayer report and I love the DABbers. Ok. Bye now.

Hey DAB this is Curtis from Callie. It’s been a while since I’ve called but. __ check in with a prayer here and a prayer request. Kind of gonna get a little honest with you all in this one. I don’t really share this much with outside people. But you guys are like family and you have been for almost 9 years now. But through my life I’ve suffered with anxiety and depression off and on really bad, probably about seven, eight years ago. It got better and just recently though I’ve been struggling again with my…I’ve kind of got a lot of OCD issues, with thoughts. Your thoughts kind of take control and it’s hard for me to shake. There’s a lot of OCD stuff. Their stuff that’s called __. You know, you just kind of think something or you hear the news and its awful news. You know, recently there was a really bad news that happened and it triggered my OCD again and it drives me crazy guys. I get so sad and I get depressed from a and I think why me, why do I gotta…you know…when you have an internal struggle that people can’t really see…it’s not a broken arm but inside hurts. And you try to put on that happy face especially if you go to work and you’re out in the public. It can be very draining and I’m just really drained right now, questioning things and it’s sad. So, you know guys, if you could  lift me up in prayer that would be great. I need it desperately right now. And I love you guys. Thank you.

Yeah, this is David in South Carolina. I’m just calling in about the August 17th. Today’s August 22nd actually. I’m calling about the August 17th Old Testament reading and Brian’s commentary on that. I like what he said about Nehemiah, saying Lord, recount this to my favor. I’ve been dealing with my son’s addiction issues now for about 10 years. And the first time I called and was the first of May and he was coming home and we were going to try to work through some things. But on Father’s Day he told me he couldn’t do it and he left and went back to what he was doing again. Then about, I don’t know, six weeks later I get a call saying, I can’t do this anymore. So, I got him __ to come back and try to help them again. And you know, had things lined up. Had a job, had a place to live and he just threw it away. And now he’s in jail for the same behavior he’s been dealing with. And I also have a friend of mine who’s…she’s dealing with her younger daughter with the same types of issues. They kind of manifest themselves differently but that was just such a word of comfort there to both of us about, you know, just trying to do the right thing. Anyway, in my case, I’ve gotta cut him off. I’ve got to let him go. I mean, I think maybe part of the problem is is that I’m there is an option to turn rather than God when things get bacd for him. So, I’m gonna to take my take myself out of that equation. But anyway, I just want to thank you for that. That was just really great timing on that. And the other thing is, I just want to lift up Terry the trucker. He had an accident and man I just hope you get well soon and you get back on your feet and get back to normal. But just keep on keeping on brother. Like I told you the first time, you’re my adopted son. I just want you to know I appreciate this podcast and it’s just…it’s just really great. Keep on keeping on guys. You’re doing a great job. Thank you.

Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Sunday August 26, 2018 (NIV)

Job 20-22

Zophar Speaks: Here Is My Answer

Then Zophar from Naama replied to Job,

2 “My disturbing thoughts make me answer,
and because of them I am upset.
3 I have heard criticism that makes me ashamed,
but a spirit beyond my understanding gives me answers.

A Wicked Person’s Joy Is Short, His Pain Long

4 “Don’t you know
that from ancient times,
from the time humans were placed on earth,
5 the triumph of the wicked is short-lived,
and the joy of the godless person lasts only a moment?
6 If his height reaches to the sky
and his head touches the clouds,
7 he will certainly rot[a] like his own feces.
Those who have seen him will say, ‘Where is he?’
8 He will fly away like a dream and not be found.
He will be chased away like a vision in the night.
9 Eyes that saw him will see him no more.
His home will not look at him again.
10 His children will have to ask the poor for help.
His own hands will have to give back his wealth.
11 His bones, once full of youthful vigor,
will lie down with him in the dust.

12 “Though evil is sweet in his mouth
and he hides it under his tongue. . . .
13 Though he savors it and won’t let go of it
and he holds it on the roof of his mouth,
14 the food in his belly turns sour.
It becomes snake venom in his stomach.
15 He vomits up the riches that he swallowed.
God forces them out of his stomach.
16 The godless person sucks the poison of snakes.
A viper’s fang kills him.
17 He won’t be able to drink from the streams
or from the rivers of honey and buttermilk.
18 He will give back what he earned without enjoying it.
He will get no joy from the profits of his business
19 because he crushed and abandoned the poor.
He has taken by force a house that he didn’t build.
20 He will never know peace in his heart.
He will never allow anything he desires to escape his grasp.
21 “Nothing is left for him to eat.
His prosperity won’t last.
22 Even with all his wealth
the full force of misery comes down on him.
23 Let that misery fill his belly.
God throws his burning anger at the godless person
and makes his wrath come down on him like rain.
24 If that person flees from an iron weapon,
a bronze bow will pierce him.
25 He pulls it out, and it comes out of his back.
The glittering point comes out of his gallbladder.

“Terrors come quickly to the godless person:
26 Total darkness waits in hiding for his treasure.
A fire that no one fans will burn him.
Whatever is left in his tent will be devoured.
27 Heaven exposes his sin.
Earth rises up against him.
28 A flood will sweep away his house,
a flash flood on the day of his anger.
29 This is the reward God gives to the wicked person,
the inheritance God has appointed for him.”

Job Speaks: Comfort Me by Listening to Me

Then Job replied to his friends,

2 “Listen carefully to my words,
and let that be the comfort you offer me.
3 Bear with me while I speak.
Then after I’ve spoken, you may go on mocking.
4 Am I complaining about a person?
Why shouldn’t I be impatient?
5 Look at me, and be shocked,
and put your hand over your mouth.
6 When I remember it, I’m terrified,
and shuddering seizes my body.

Wicked People Do Not Suffer for Their Sins

7 “Why do the wicked go on living, grow old,
and even become more powerful?
8 They see their children firmly established with them,
and they get to see their descendants.
9 Their homes are free from fear,
and God doesn’t use his rod on them.
10 Their bulls are fertile when they breed.
Their cows give birth to calves and never miscarry.
11 They send their little children out to play
like a flock of lambs,
and their children dance around.
12 They sing with the tambourine and lyre,
and they are happy with the music of the flute.
13 They spend their days in happiness,
and they go peacefully to the grave.
14 But they say to God,
‘Leave us alone.
We don’t want to know your ways.
15 Who is the Almighty that we should serve him?
What do we gain if we pray to him?’
16 Anyhow, isn’t their happiness in their own power?
(The plan of the wicked is foreign to my way of thinking.)

17 “How often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out?
How often does disaster happen to them?
How often does an angry God give them pain?
18 How often are they like straw in the wind
or like husks that the storm sweeps away?

19 “You say, ‘God saves a person’s punishment for his children.’
God should pay back that person
so that he would know that it is a punishment.
20 His eyes should see his own ruin.
He should drink from the wrath of the Almighty.
21 How can he be interested in his family after he’s gone,
when the number of his months is cut short?

No One Understands How God Deals with Humans

22 “Can anyone teach God knowledge?
Can anyone judge the Most High?
23 One person dies in his prime
and feels altogether happy and contented.
24 His stomach is full of milk,
and his bones are strong and healthy.
25 Another person, never having tasted happiness,
dies with a bitter soul.
26 Together they lie down in the dust,
and worms cover them.

My Friends Have Betrayed Me

27 “You see, I know your thoughts
and the schemes you plot against me
28 because you ask,
‘Where is the house of the influential person?
Where is the tent where wicked people live?’
29 Haven’t you asked travelers?
But you didn’t pay attention to their directions.
30 On the day of disaster the wicked person is spared.
On the day of God’s anger he is rescued.
31 Who will tell him to his face how he lived?
Who will pay him back for what he did?
32 He is carried to the cemetery,
and his grave is guarded.
33 The soil in the creekbed is sweet to him.
Everyone follows him.
Countless others went before him.
34 How can you comfort me with this nonsense
when your answers continue to betray me?”

Eliphaz Speaks: Admit You Are Wicked, Job

Then Eliphaz from Teman replied to Job,

2 “Can a human be of any use to God
when even a wise person is only useful to himself?
3 Is the Almighty pleased when you are righteous?
Does he gain anything when you follow the path of integrity?
4 Does God correct you
and bring you into a court of law because you fear him?

5 “Aren’t you really very wicked?
Is there no end to your wrongdoing?
6 For no reason you take your brothers’ goods as security for a loan
and strip them of their clothes.[b]
7 You don’t even give a tired person a drink of water,
and you take food away from hungry people.
8 A strong person owns the land.
A privileged person lives in it.
9 You send widows away empty-handed,
and the arms of orphans are broken.
10 That is why traps are all around you
and great fear suddenly grips you.
11 That is why darkness surrounds you and you cannot see
and a flood of water covers you.

12 “Isn’t God high above in the heavens?
Look how high the highest stars are!
13 You ask, ‘What does God know?
Can he judge anything from behind a dark cloud?
14 Thick clouds surround him so that he cannot see.
He walks above the clouds.’[c]

15 “Are you following the old path that wicked people have taken?
16 They are snatched up before their time.
A river washes their foundation away.
17 They told God, ‘Leave us alone!
What can the Almighty do for us?’
18 Yet, he filled their homes with good things.
(The plan of the wicked is foreign to my way of thinking.)
19 The righteous saw it and were glad,
and the innocent made fun of them by saying,
20 ‘Indeed, their wealth has been wiped out,
and a fire has burned up what little they had left.’

Make Peace with God

21 “Be in harmony and at peace with God.
In this way you will have prosperity.
22 Accept instruction from his mouth,
and keep his words in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will prosper.
If you put wrongdoing out of your tent,
24 and lay your gold down in the dust,
and put your gold from Ophir among the pebbles in the rivers,
25 then the Almighty will become your gold
and your large supply of silver.
26 Then you will be happy with the Almighty
and look up toward God.
27 You will pray to him, and he will listen to you,
and you will keep your vow to him.
28 When you promise to do something, you will succeed,
and light will shine on your path.
29 When others are discouraged, you will say, ‘Cheer up!’
Then he will save the humble person.[d]
30 He will rescue one who is not innocent.
That person will be rescued by your purity.”

Footnotes:

  1. Job 20:7 Or “he will be dead forever.”
  2. Job 22:6 Clothes were often used as security deposits for loans in biblical times.
  3. Job 22:14 English equivalent difficult.
  4. Job 22:29 Or “you will say, ‘It’s conceit.’ But he will save the humble person.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

1 Corinthians 1:1-11

Greeting

1 From Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and from Sosthenes, our brother in the Christian faith.

2 To God’s church that was made holy by Christ Jesus and called to be God’s holy people in the city of Corinth and to people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Good will[a] and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are yours!

4 I always thank God for you because Christ Jesus has shown you God’s good will. 5 Through Christ Jesus you have become rich in every way—in speech and knowledge of every kind. 6 Our message about Christ has been verified among you. 7 Therefore, you don’t lack any gift as you wait eagerly for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will continue to give you strength until the end so that no one can accuse you of anything on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God faithfully keeps his promises. He called you to be partners with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

God’s Wisdom Is Better Than the World’s Wisdom

10 Brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to agree with each other and not to split into opposing groups. I want you to be united in your understanding and opinions. 11 Brothers and sisters, some people from Chloe’s family have made it clear to me that you are quarreling among yourselves.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:3 Or “Grace.”
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Psalm 40:11-17

11 Do not withhold your compassion from me, O Lord.
May your mercy and your truth always protect me.
12 Countless evils have surrounded me.
My sins have caught up with me so that I can no longer see.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
I have lost heart.

13 O Lord, please rescue me!
Come quickly to help me, O Lord![a]
14 Let all those who seek to end my life
be confused and put to shame.
Let those who want my downfall
be turned back and disgraced.
15 Let those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be stunned by their own shame.
16 Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad because of you.
Let those who love your salvation continually say,
“The Lord is great!”

17 But I am oppressed and needy.
May the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my savior.
O my God, do not delay!

Footnotes:

  1. Psalm 40:13 Verses 13–17 are virtually identical in wording to Psalm 70.
GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Proverbs 22:2-4

2 The rich and the poor have this in common:
the Lord is the maker of them all.
3 Sensible people foresee trouble and hide from it,
but gullible people go ahead and suffer the consequence.
4 On the heels of humility (the fear of the Lord)
are riches and honor and life.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group

Posted on

08/25/2018 DAB Transcript

Job 16:1-19:29 , 1 Corinthians 16:1-24 , Psalms 40:1-10 , Proverbs 22:1

Today is the 25th day of August. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian and it’s always great to be here with you, but it’s great to be here with you as we close down another one of our weeks together. And man, we’re pushing our way through another month and it won’t be that long before we’re pushing into a new season, but that’s all out in front of us and it’s not happening now. what’s happening right now is that we’re taking the next step forward as we close down another week. And we’ve been reading from the Contemporary English Version this week. Job chapter 16 verse 1 through 19 verse 29 today.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You for another week in Your word as we continue to move through the seasons of the year and experience all the nuances of nature but of Your word as it speaks to all the different nuances of our lives. And, so, here we are ending week and we ask for You to plant all that we’ve learned and heard into our lives deeply so that they yield fruit for Your kingdom, and the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Come Jesus we pray in Your precious name. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, its home base, its where you find out what’s going on around here. So, be sure to check it out.

Stay connected. Stay connected to your brothers and sisters at the prayer wall. Stay connected on social media, we’re continual conversation is happening. And visit the Daily Audio Bible shop while your there. Find resources that are available for this journey.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com as well. There is a link on the homepage and I thank you, every one of you who has clicked that link. I thank you humbly. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian. I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hi all. This is the Misfit Man from Cincinnati. I was calling today because my Bluetooth in my car stopped working a couple weeks ago after the battery died and had to be replaced. And also my Bluetooth didn’t work. So, I was sitting here in my car, listening to the community prayer line and just thinking, man, I have been complaining so much, you know, to myself about me not having Bluetooth in my car and I was just thinking how silly is it that I can complain about something like that. And I know myself, and I’m sure a lot of you, tend to just get distracted by the negative things in life and in the situations. But then I started to think, man, how blessed am I that I have a cell phone that I can listen to the Daily Audio Bible in my car. How blessed am I that I have a car that works. How blessed am I that I have five healthy beautiful children, that I have a wife, that I have a job, I have so many things to be thankful for and it just made me think about how the Bible says, do all things without grumbling or complaining. And it’s so that we’ll show the world the light inside of us that is different. So, I just want to encourage everyone today to look at the bright side of life. Look at the positive things in all situations. Try and find them. Try and find them in situations and people. Do it so that you will be the light of Jesus Christ for the world. All right, everybody. Love you. Have a blessed day. Bye.

Hi Daily Audio Bible. This is Emily from Australia. This is my first year of listening to Daily Audio Bible all the way through. This is my first time calling too. I’m calling to ask for prayer and also to praise God. I have chronic fatigue syndrome and I also have a lot of homemade issues which are debilitating. Today, I found a doctor that I think is going to help me. My doctor’s appointment is on the 18th September. Daily Audio Bible family, please join me in prayer, that this doctor will look into my issues and take me seriously and that the Lord would bless him with wisdom and with a curious mind and with the skill that he needs to be able to treat me. I also ask that you pray for me to accept whatever the Lords will is. Thank you all so much. I pray along with all of your prayers after Brian’s message. Thank you

Terry the Trucker, I heard your prayer request today from Jackson Mississippi. I live in the Jackson area. so I was particularly attuned for what you were asking for prayer. I want you to know that you are in our prayers and I call out to you, Isaiah 41:10 as encouragement. And I’d like to help you any way I can. And probably the best way to reach me is through email, crosenblat@gmail.com. And we’ll be praying for you Terry the Trucker. All right. Bye-bye

Good morning Daily Audio Bible. Today is August 21st. I just listened to brother Brian and, thank you for today’s message from Job. My daughter is the one who passed away three years ago and my grandchildren. I thank you all for praying. You have humbled me and blessed me through your prayers. Her children are still so brokenhearted. Her oldest who is now 19 has one foot outside of jail and is making extremely poor decisions with his life through drugs, through alcohol, through living a very perverse life with young girls and I just pray that the bondage would be broking off of her children. My granddaughter who is now 16 with this young man who does not know the Lord as his personal Lord and Savior and is so close to sexual temptation because of it and is choosing to go that way. I fear my daughter was living in satanic worship. I don’t know. I know that she feared the Lord for many years and has attempted her life many times prior to that but was always so afraid of meeting God. But at the end her home, her heart was so hopeless and her daughter told me that, grandma you don’t even understand, the house had nothing but demons and the day that my brother had to cut my mom down. So, thank you for your prayers and I tell you I appreciate all of you so much. And to all of you who have been calling in for prayers who I just want you to know that I do pray daily for you. The young man who had the truck accident and his dog has gone and he’s sitting in the hospital. I’m praying for you. Victoria soldier, thank you…

This is Michael __ from way out west. A.k.a. the Greatest Trucker. Don’t take much to be the greatest trucker and sometimes the greatest trucker, he ain’t so great. And I’m calling in today because I was shocked and horrified and dismayed at Terry the Trucker saying that he blew a steer tire that took him into a guardrail that took him in to a bridge embankment over the edge. And the poor guy dislocated his shoulder. I mean, this…blowing a steer tire is…it’s a constant fear in trucking. You don’t know when it’s coming. I’ve done it, I don’t known, two or three times anyways and, you know, you don’t know where it’s coming from. You don’t know…you’re out of control instantly and __. And I heard you say you’re thinking of stepping away from it. I would not blame you at all for stepping away from it. It’s like getting bumped off. You’ve just gotta regroup. So, I’m praying for you brother and I’m not giving you any advice. I’m asking you to just get your advice from God. Because blowing a steer tire is very, very disconcerting and it’s time to reassess. When you blow a steer tire it’s time to reassess. When you blow a steer tire and it puts you in the hospital it’s definitely time to reassess. Praying for you. Praying for God to give you His wisdom __. And I’m sorry about your dog.

Posted on

08/24/2018 DAB Transcript

Job 8:1-11:20 , 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 , Psalms 38:1-22 , Proverbs 21:28-29

Today is the 24th day of August. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian. And it is a pleasure and an honor to be here with you today as we approach the end of another week and another work week and take the next step forward in the Scriptures. So, we’ve been reading from the Contemporary English Version this week. And we have also begun to move our way through the book of Job. So, we will pick up, of course, where we left off yesterday. Job 12:1-15:35. And a conversation is happening, a lengthy one, between Job’s friends and Job over who is just and who is wrong.

Commentary:

Alright. So, in our reading from Job, we saw the contrast between Job’s claims of his own total innocence in his suffering and then his friends responding in agitation, trying to help him reason it all out. And Job just wanted his friends to be fair. The problem was that he was asking them to be impartial witnesses between him and God, which they couldn’t do, right? I mean, we couldn’t either. For Job’s friends, God could not possibly be to blame for Job’s misfortune. And he can certainly be the cause of it, but only if Job deserved judgement, right? So, for them, the only path forward for Job was to examine his own heart and realize that he was in the wrong and repent of his pride. But Job wouldn’t even look down that path. He stuck to the conviction that he was, in fact, righteous and blameless before God. Job says it. Are you defending God with lies? You make dishonest arguments for his sake. Are you planning your testimony in his favor? Are you trying to argue God’s case for him? So, Job’s frustration was more out of the fact that he and his friends both believed God to be righteous, holy and absolutely almighty. They both believed that. They both believed that God was good and just. And yet Job sincerely believed that he had done nothing unholy before God to receive this wrath, which was what he was assuming. (He) was assuming all that had happened to him had happened at the hand of God. That God was himself doing this to him. And it was terribly confusing because Job’s friends, they’re trying to help him. They’re saying the kinds of things we would probably be saying. But Job thought he knew. He already knew this stuff. He felt like he knew the answers his friends were giving him. And they weren’t bringing him wisdom that he didn’t already have. But the problem still remained. If God was just and good and Job was completely innocent and righteous before God, then why the suffering? And Job was begging to understand. He was frustrated because there was no human wisdom that could adequately answer his questions. And so he wanted to argue his case before God himself, in person. But he didn’t know where to find him or what he could possibly say to him that would make a difference. Which brings us to one of the most riveting verses in the whole of the Bible. God might kill me, but still I will trust him. That… Wow, that. I mean, to be able to hold on to that when you’re going through things that you don’t understand. Even if this kills me dead, I will still hope in God. Wow! That’s something we’ve gotta consider as we consider whatever we might be going through. Because, in essence, Job’s posture was that if pursuing God proved hopeless, right? Even if he continued to be righteous before God the best that he could and it came to nothing, still he would hope in God. Man, we gotta let that sink in and then wrestle with that today. Because so often we are an if then kind of people, right? Sure I will trust in the Lord if he does X, Y and Z. Or if I can get my theology in order, I will certainly believe this if X, Y and Z pans out. What Job is saying is throw it all away. Everything that I think that I know, everything that I’ve ever been told. It doesn’t matter. I’m here at the bottom of my life. There is nowhere further to go besides to die. And even if God kills me, I will still hope in him. That is a riveting posture of heart.

Prayer:

And so Father, we come into that. And we would each probably like to confess that, to say that. But we can’t just say it flippantly. It’s something that we’ve gotta consider. And so we invite your Holy Spirit to come in today and help us to realize the conditional behaviors. The conditional relationship that we’re having with you. If you will do this, then we will do that. If we do this, then you must do that. And yet, Job’s posture was even if I die, I’m not losing hope in God. There is no other hope. So, come Holy Spirit and show us the ways that we’re not living like that. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, its home base, its where you find out what’s going on around here. So, be sure to check it out and pray for your brothers and sisters at the prayer wall.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com. There is a link on the homepage. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the give button in the upper right-hand corner. Or if you prefer, the mailing address is P.O. Box 1996, Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian. I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Good morning Daily Audio Bible family. This is Lee from New Jersey. Today is August 20th and today is Monday morning. So, I’ve got a few things to say. I’ll see if I can fit it all in within two minutes. That is very challenging. But let’s do it. So, yesterday, my went through a very bad situation or has been going through a very bad situation, but yesterday was like the climax with her and her parents, namely with her mother. There’s been issues with her mother. Basically, it started out the way her mother just started confessing things to her about her past, when my wife was born or when she was conceived. She was conceived out of wedlock and four months later her and her father were married and basically she told my wife that she was considering abortion and that my wife’s father forced her basically not to do it and she was forced into marriage and because of that pregnancy she’s had to live in a very unhappy marriage for like the last 30 years. That is very __ for anyone to hear at any age. So, pray for my wife for peace because my wife also has a brother and is about…let’s say he’s made some…he’s not proud of himself in life and he’s way…he’s almost in his 40s and he’s still a little mama’s boy. He’s married. He’s married to an attorney. So, that’s the meat of the story and that’s gonna take a long time but it looks like my mother-in-law favors him over my wife and it’s very obvious. So, pray for peace for my wife. Pray for peace and I guess wisdom for my in-laws because they need it. And they’re in their 70s almost. And they’re…wisdom….God’s wisdom doesn’t apply. They still don’t understand the Scriptures. They just see it from the surface and they don’t get it. They think that my wife and I are Christian nuts and we’re zealots or whatever they consider us to be. So, let’s pray for that. Father, today is day 69 that we’re praying against anger Lord. Thank you for guiding us through this journey Lord, this 90 day journey that there’s still a lot to go Lord. Their still so much to learn about ourselves through your Lord…

Hi DAB family this is Will beautiful Bozeman Montana. I want to thank you for praying for me. I really have felt those prayers. God just changing my heart. My marriage is still struggling but, you know, God is on the throne and I know that, number one, He is in control and the enemy does not want our marriages to work. And, so, I just want to pray. Father, thank You so much for this platform and thank You so much for the gift of Your son and thank You so much that God, we can put on the armor of God and stand against the enemy and his efforts and cast down these demons and these demonic efforts to destroy us and to destroy our family members and our marriages. I pray against those things in the name of Jesus and I lift up my brothers and sisters in the DAB family, those who are struggling, those who are challenged with their own faith, those who are just trying to hold on. Lord Jesus, I just pray that You would just breathe into their lives, tap them on the shoulder of their heart, and let them know that You are with them father. And I just lift up Brian and Jill and just pray for a blessing over them and for each and every one participates in praying and speaking words of encouragement. Thank You so much for the prophetic word that was spoken. Thank You so much for the power and passion that came with it. It just fired me up. And I just love You Lord. We praise You and we thank You and we know who You are. We ask all of this in Jesus name. Amen.

Hi Daily Audio Bible family. This is Ohio Archie. I called back in June asking for prayer to help me with alcohol addiction. I’m calling today to say thank you, all the people who pray for me. I was relieved by the alcoholic demon but it was replaced by addiction and abuse of antidepressants, pain medication, sleeping pills and immoral thoughts. These abuses have led me to a lot of physical pain, unbearable physical pain. My favorite book of the Bible is Job. I realized this morning that I am living my summer of Joe and I’ve lost all my family. I have no friends to boot. Now I am experiencing all of the physical Job endured but my God still loves and I love Him and I trust Him completely. Just for me, outwardly, that the answer is not to request more prayers from you but to pray for you. Today I would like to pray for truck driver Terry who is battling an alcohol problem also and was injured in an accident with his best friend this past weekend. Father, and of praying in agreement with Terry and everyone that is praying for Terry that his recovery from alcohol and the injuries sustained in the accident. I know that You are all powerful and can make Terry whole. Father, I also know that You are all wise and all loving. And I request that Your will, not our will, be done in the situation. Thank you Daily Audio Bible family.

A Daily Audio Bible family. This is Scott from Carolina. I’m calling in today for Terry the trucker. Man I am so sorry to hear about your accident, about your dog, and about all that will probably happen or not happen as a result. But I want to praise God that you made it, that you’re alive, and I want to just pray with you and with the family for your healing man. All right, well let’s just Pray. Dear heavenly Father, I thank You so much for saving Terry and we thank You for his faith and Father we just pray that You would give the family faith to heal for the loss of their pet and Lord, no doubt from the financial loss of not being able to work. Lord, we pray that You just work in his life Lord and we thank You for all You do in Jesus name. Hey everyone, just want to say I love you. Please pray for my wife Janice also. She’s been really struggling with her back with lots of surgeries and I’m sure many of you know how that is. Just lots of pain every day. But the Lord will help us through it. Thanks everyone. Love you. Bye.

Hello Daily Audio Bible family. This is Prosperous Pam from the bay area, San Francisco Bay area. I am calling tol…I’m listening to the August 20th playback of the Daily Audio Bible. It was amazing. I need to go back and listen to it again because so many things were spoken about that. But the main reason why I’m calling is because there was…this is for the woman…she identified herself as Prophetic Intercessor from North Carolina. God bless your heart Ms. Prophetic Intercessor from North Carolina. I was __. I’ve been listening to the Daily Audio Bible as I’m,  like, doing house work, and when you just started speaking and, like, the prayer that you just had and the singing, I knew that was for me. So, God bless you my sister. I just wanted to say thank you, God bless you, and the body of Christ is amazing. This Daily Audio Bible family is amazing. Brian, thank you for what you do every single day and for your family. And this is Prosperous Pam. I’ve been part of Daily Audio Bible for about a year and I am just seeing God move, move, move and it’s a beautiful thing. So, I am going to continue to trust in Him and I’m just so thankful to have a beautiful family who loves the Lord as I do. So, have a blessed day everyone. Bye-bye.

Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Saturday August 25, 2018 (NIV)

Job 16-19

Job’s Reply to Eliphaz

I Have Often Heard This

16 Job said:

2 I have often heard this,
and it offers no comfort.
3 So why don’t you keep quiet?
What’s bothering you?
4 If I were in your place,
it would be easy to criticize
or to give advice.
5 But I would offer hope
and comfort instead.

6 If I speak, or if I don’t,
I hurt all the same.
My torment continues.
7 God has worn me down
and destroyed my family;
8 my shriveled up skin proves
that I am his prisoner.
9 God is my hateful enemy,
glaring at me
and attacking
with his sharp teeth.
10 Everyone is against me;
they sneer and slap my face.
11 And God is the one
who handed me over
to this merciless mob.

Everything Was Going Well

12 Everything was going well,
until God grabbed my neck
and shook me to pieces.
God set me up as the target
13 for his arrows,
and without showing mercy,
he slashed my stomach open,
spilling out my insides.
14 God never stops attacking,
15 and so, in my sorrow
I dress in sackcloth[a]
and sit in the dust.
16 My face is red with tears,
and dark shadows
circle my eyes,
17 though I am not violent,
and my prayers are sincere.

18 If I should die,
I beg the earth
not to cover
my cry for justice.
19 Even now, God in heaven
is both my witness
and my protector.
20 My friends have rejected me,
but God is the one I beg[b]
21 to show that I am right,
just as a friend should.
22 Because in only a few years,
I will be dead and gone.

Job Complains to God

My Hopes Have Died

17 My hopes have died,
my time is up,
and the grave is ready.
2 All I can see are angry crowds,
making fun of me.
3 If you, Lord, don’t help,
who will pay the price
for my release?
4 My friends won’t really listen,
all because of you,
and so you must be the one
to prove them wrong.
5 They have condemned me,
just to benefit themselves;
now blind their children.

6 You, God, are the reason
I am insulted and spit on.
7 I am almost blind with grief;
my body is a mere shadow.

8 People who are truly good
would feel so alarmed,
that they would become angry
at my worthless friends.
9 They would do the right thing
and because they did,
they would grow stronger.[c]
10 But none of my friends
show any sense.

11 My life is drawing to an end;
hope has disappeared.
12 But all my friends can do
is offer empty hopes.[d]
13 I could tell the world below
to prepare me a bed.
14 Then I could greet the grave
as my father
and say to the worms,
“Hello, mother and sisters!”

15 But what kind of hope is that?
16 Will it keep me company
in the world of the dead?

Bildad’s Second Speech

How Long Will You Talk?

18 Bildad from Shuah[e] said:

2 How long will you talk?
Be sensible! Let us speak.
3 Or do you think that we
are dumb animals?
4 You cut yourself in anger.
Will that shake the earth
or even move the rocks?

5 The lamps of sinful people
soon are snuffed out,
6 leaving their tents dark.
7 Their powerful legs become weak,
and they stumble on schemes
of their own doing.
8 Before they know it,
9 they are trapped
in a net,
10 hidden along the path.
11 Terror strikes and pursues
from every side.
12 Starving, they run,
only to meet disaster,
13 then afterwards to be eaten alive
by death itself.

14 Those sinners are dragged
from the safety of their tents
to die a gruesome death.
15 Then their tents and possessions
are burned to ashes,
16 and they are left like trees,
dried up from the roots.
17 They are gone and forgotten,
18 thrown far from the light
into a world of darkness,
19 without any children
to carry on their name.
20 Everyone, from east to west,
is overwhelmed with horror.
21 Such is the fate of sinners
and their families
who don’t know God.

Job’s Reply to Bildad

How Long Will You Torture Me?

19 Job said:

2 How long will you torture me
with your words?
3 Isn’t ten times enough
for you to accuse me?
Aren’t you ashamed?
4 Even if I have sinned,
you haven’t been harmed.
5 You boast of your goodness,
claiming I am suffering
because I am guilty.
6 But God is the one at fault
for finding fault with me.

7 Though I pray to be rescued
from this torment,
no whisper of justice
answers me.
8 God has me trapped
with a wall of darkness
9 and stripped of respect.
10 God rips me apart,
uproots my hopes,
11 and attacks with fierce anger,
as though I were his enemy.
12 His entire army advances,
then surrounds my tent.

I Am Forgotten

13 God has turned relatives
and friends against me,
14 and I am forgotten.
15 My guests and my servants
consider me a stranger,
16 and when I call my servants,
they pay no attention.
17 My breath disgusts my wife;
everyone in my family
turns away.
18 Young children can’t stand me,
and when I come near,
they make fun.
19 My best friends and loved ones
have turned from me.
20 I am skin and bones—
just barely alive.
21 My friends, I beg you for pity!
God has made me his target.
22 Hasn’t he already done enough?
Why do you join the attack?

23 I wish that my words
could be written down
24 or chiseled into rock.
25 I know that my Savior[f] lives,
and at the end
he will stand on this earth.
26 My flesh may be destroyed,
yet from this body
I will see God.[g]
27 Yes, I will see him for myself,
and I long for that moment.

28 My friends, you think up ways
to blame and torment me,
saying
I brought it on myself.
29 But watch out for the judgment,
when God will punish you!

Footnotes:

  1. 16.15 sackcloth: A rough, dark-colored cloth made from goat hair and used to make grain sacks. It was worn in times of trouble or sorrow.
  2. 16.20 My friends. . . beg: Or “God is my friend, and he is the one I beg.”
  3. 17.9 stronger: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 8,9.
  4. 17.12 hopes: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 12.
  5. 18.1 Shuah: See the note at 2.11.
  6. 19.25 Savior: Or “Defender.”
  7. 19.26 God: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verses 25,26.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

1 Corinthians 16

A Collection for God’s People

16 When you collect money for God’s people, I want you to do exactly what I told the churches in Galatia to do. 2 That is, each Sunday each of you must put aside part of what you have earned. If you do this, you won’t have to take up a collection when I come. 3 Choose some followers to take the money to Jerusalem. I will send them on with the money and with letters which show that you approve of them. 4 If you think I should go along, they can go with me.

Paul’s Travel Plans

5 After I have gone through Macedonia, I hope to see you 6 and visit with you for a while. I may even stay all winter, so that you can help me on my way to wherever I will be going next. 7 If the Lord lets me, I would rather come later for a longer visit than to stop off now for only a short visit. 8 I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because there is a wonderful opportunity for me to do some work here. But there are also many people who are against me.

10 When Timothy arrives, give him a friendly welcome. He is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 Don’t let anyone mistreat him. I am looking for him to return to me together with the other followers. So when he leaves, send him off with your blessings.

12 I have tried hard to get our friend Apollos to visit you with the other followers. He doesn’t want to come just now, but he will come when he can.

Personal Concerns and Greetings

13 Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong. 14 Show love in everything you do.

15 You know that Stephanas and his family were the first in Achaia to have faith in the Lord. They have done all they can for God’s people. My friends, I ask you 16 to obey leaders like them and to do the same for all others who work hard with you.

17 I was glad to see Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus. Having them here was like having you. 18 They made me feel much better, just as they made you feel better. You should appreciate people like them.

19 Greetings from the churches in Asia.

Aquila and Priscilla, together with the church that meets in their house, send greetings in the name of the Lord.

20 All of the Lord’s followers send their greetings.

Give each other a warm greeting.

21 I am signing this letter myself: PAUL.

22 I pray that God will put a curse on everyone who doesn’t love the Lord. And may the Lord come soon.

23 I pray that the Lord Jesus will be kind to you.

24 I love everyone who belongs to Christ Jesus.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Psalm 40:1-10

(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

A Prayer for Help

40 I patiently waited, Lord,
for you to hear my prayer.
You listened 2 and pulled me
from a lonely pit
full of mud and mire.
You let me stand on a rock
with my feet firm,
3 and you gave me a new song,
a song of praise to you.
Many will see this,
and they will honor
and trust
you, the Lord God.

4 You bless all of those
who trust you, Lord,
and refuse to worship idols
or follow false gods.
5 You, Lord God, have done
many wonderful things,
and you have planned
marvelous things for us.
No one is like you!
I would never be able to tell
all you have done.

6 Sacrifices and offerings
are not what please you;
gifts and payment for sin
are not what you demand.
But you made me willing
to listen and obey.
7 And so, I said, “I am here
to do what is written
about me in the book,
where it says,
8 ’I enjoy pleasing you.
Your Law is in my heart.’”

9 When your people worshiped,
you know I told them,
“Our Lord always helps!”
10 When all your people met,
I did not keep silent.
I said, “Our Lord is kind.
He is faithful and caring,
and he saves us.”

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Proverbs 22:1

The Value of a Good Reputation

22 A good reputation and respect
are worth much more
than silver and gold.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Friday August 24, 2018 (NIV)

Job 12-15

Job’s Reply to Zophar

You Think You Are So Great

12 Job said to his friends:

2 You think you are so great,
with all the answers.
3 But I know as much as you do,
and so does everyone else.
4 I have always lived right,
and God answered my prayers;
now friends make fun of me.
5 It’s easy to condemn
those who are suffering,
when you have no troubles.
6 Robbers and other godless people
live safely at home
and say,
“God is in our hands!”[a]

If You Want To Learn

7 If you want to learn,
then go and ask
the wild animals and the birds,
8 the flowers and the fish.
9 Any of them can tell you
what the Lord has done.[b]
10 Every living creature
is in the hands of God.

11 We hear with our ears,
taste with our tongues,
12 and gain some wisdom from those
who have lived a long time.
13 But God is the real source
of wisdom and strength.
14 No one can rebuild
what he destroys,
or release
those he has imprisoned.
15 God can hold back the rain
or send a flood,
16 just as he rules over liars
and those they lie to.

17 God destroys counselors,
turns judges into fools,
18 and makes slaves of kings.
19 God removes priests and others
who have great power—
20 he confuses wise,
experienced advisors,
21 puts mighty kings to shame,
and takes away their power.
22 God turns darkness to light;
23 he makes nations strong,
then shatters their strength.
24 God strikes their rulers senseless,
then leaves them to roam
through barren deserts,
25 lost in the dark, staggering
like someone drunk.

Job Continues

I Know and Understand

13 I know and understand
every bit of this.
2 None of you are smarter
than I am;
there’s nothing you know
that I don’t.
3 But I prefer to argue my case
with God All-Powerful—
4 you are merely useless doctors,
who treat me with lies.
5 The wisest thing you can do
is to keep quiet
6 and listen
to my argument.
7 Are you telling lies for God
8 and not telling the whole truth
when you argue his case?
9 If he took you to court,
could you fool him,
just as you fool others?
10 If you were secretly unfair,
he would correct you,
11 and his glorious splendor
would make you terrified.
12 Your wisdom and arguments
are as delicate as dust.

Be Quiet While I Speak

13 Be quiet while I speak,
then say what you will.
14 I will be responsible
for what happens to me.
15 God may kill me, but still
I will trust him[c]
and offer my defense.
16 This may be what saves me,
because no guilty person
would come to his court.
17 Listen carefully to my words!
18 I have prepared my case well,
and I am certain to win.
19 If you can prove me guilty,
I will give up and die.

Job Prays

I Ask Only Two Things

20 I ask only two things
of you, my God,
and I will no longer
hide from you—
21 stop punishing
and terrifying me!

22 Then speak, and I will reply;
or else let me speak,
and you reply.
23 Please point out my sins,
so I will know them.
24 Why have you turned your back
and count me your enemy?
25 Do you really enjoy
frightening a fallen leaf?
26 Why do you accuse me
of horrible crimes
and make me pay for sins
I did in my youth?
27 You have tied my feet down
and keep me surrounded;
28 I am rotting away like cloth
eaten by worms.

Job Continues his Prayer

Life Is Short and Sorrowful

14 Life is short and sorrowful
for every living soul.
2 We are flowers that fade
and shadows that vanish.
3 And so, I ask you, God,
why pick on me?
4 There’s no way a human
can be completely pure.
5 Our time on earth is brief;
the number of our days
is already decided by you.
6 Why don’t you leave us alone
and let us find some happiness
while we toil and labor?

When a Tree Is Chopped Down

7 When a tree is chopped down,
there is always the hope
that it will sprout again.
8 Its roots and stump may rot,
9 but at the touch of water,
fresh twigs shoot up.
10 Humans are different—
we die, and that’s the end.
11 We are like streams and lakes
after the water has gone;
12 we fall into the sleep of death,
never to rise again,
until the sky disappears.
13 Please hide me, God,
deep in the ground—
and when you are angry no more,
remember to rescue me.

Will We Humans Live Again?

14 Will we humans live again?
I would gladly suffer
and wait for my time.
15 My Creator, you would want me;
you would call out,
and I would answer.
16 You would take care of me,
but not count my sins—
17 you would put them in a bag,
tie it tight,
and toss them away.
18 But in the real world,
mountains tumble,
and rocks crumble;
19 streams wear away stones
and wash away soil.
And you destroy our hopes!
20 You change the way we look,
then send us away,
wiped out forever.
21 We never live to know
if our children are praised
or disgraced.
22 We feel no pain but our own,
and when we mourn,
it’s only for ourselves.

Eliphaz’s Second Speech

If You Had Any Sense

15 Eliphaz from Teman[d] said:

2 Job, if you had any sense,
3 you would stop spreading
all of this hot air.
4 Your words are enough
to make others turn from God
and lead them to doubt.
5 And your sinful, scheming mind
is the source of all you say.
6 I am not here as your judge;
your own words are witnesses
against you.

7 Were you the first human?
Are you older than the hills?
8 Have you ever been present
when God’s council[e] meets?
Do you alone have wisdom?
9 Do you know and understand
something we don’t?
10 We have the benefit of wisdom
older than your father.
11 And you have been offered
comforting words from God.
Isn’t this enough?

12 Your emotions are out of control,
making you look fierce;
13 that’s why you attack God
with everything you say.
14 No human is pure and innocent,
15 and neither are angels—
not in the sight of God.
If God doesn’t trust his angels,
16 what chance do humans have?
We are so terribly evil
that we thirst for sin.

Just Listen to What I Know

17 Just listen to what I know,
and you will learn
18 wisdom known by others
since ancient times.
19 Those who gained such insights
also gained the land,
and they were not influenced
by foreign teachings.
20 But suffering is in store
each day for those who sin.
21 Even in times of success,
they constantly hear
the threat of doom.
22 Darkness, despair, and death
are their destiny.
23 They scrounge around for food,
all the while dreading
the approaching darkness.
24 They are overcome with despair,
like a terrified king
about to go into battle.
25 This is because they rebelled
against God All-Powerful
26 and have attacked him
with their weapons.

27 They may be rich and fat,
28 but they will live in the ruins
of deserted towns.
29 Their property and wealth
will shrink and disappear.
30 They won’t escape the darkness,
and the blazing breath of God
will set their future aflame.
31 They have put their trust
in something worthless;
now they will become worthless
32 like a date palm tree
without a leaf.[f]
33 Or like vineyards or orchards
whose blossoms and unripe fruit
drop to the ground.
34 Yes, the godless and the greedy
will have nothing but flames
feasting on their homes,
35 because they are the parents
of trouble and vicious lies.

Footnotes:

  1. 12.6 God is in our hands: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  2. 12.9 Any. . . done: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  3. 13.15 God. . . trust him: Or “God will surely kill me; I have lost all hope.”
  4. 15.1 Teman: See the note at 2.11.
  5. 15.8 God’s council: The angels and others who gather to discuss matters with God (see 1.6; 2.1).
  6. 15.32 leaf: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of Verse 32.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

1 Corinthians 15:29-58

29 If the dead are not going to be raised to life, what will people do who are being baptized for them? Why are they being baptized for those dead people? 30 And why do we always risk our lives 31 and face death every day? The pride that I have in you because of Christ Jesus our Lord is what makes me say this. 32 What do you think I gained by fighting wild animals in Ephesus? If the dead are not raised to life,

“Let’s eat and drink.
Tomorrow we die.”

33 Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. 34 Be sensible and stop sinning. You should be embarrassed that some people still don’t know about God.

What Our Bodies Will Be Like

35 Some of you have asked, “How will the dead be raised to life? What kind of bodies will they have?” 36 Don’t be foolish. A seed must die before it can sprout from the ground. 37 Wheat seeds and all other seeds look different from the sprouts that come up. 38 This is because God gives everything the kind of body he wants it to have. 39 People, animals, birds, and fish are each made of flesh, but none of them are alike. 40 Everything in the heavens has a body, and so does everything on earth. But each one is very different from all the others. 41 The sun isn’t like the moon, the moon isn’t like the stars, and each star is different.

42 That’s how it will be when our bodies are raised to life. These bodies will die, but the bodies that are raised will live forever. 43 These ugly and weak bodies will become beautiful and strong. 44 As surely as there are physical bodies, there are spiritual bodies. And our physical bodies will be changed into spiritual bodies.

45 The first man was named Adam, and the Scriptures tell us that he was a living person. But Jesus, who may be called the last Adam, is a life-giving spirit. 46 We see that the one with a spiritual body did not come first. He came after the one who had a physical body. 47 The first man was made from the dust of the earth, but the second man came from heaven. 48 Everyone on earth has a body like the body of the one who was made from the dust of the earth. And everyone in heaven has a body like the body of the one who came from heaven. 49 Just as we are like the one who was made out of earth, we will be like the one who came from heaven.

50 My friends, I want you to know that our bodies of flesh and blood will decay. This means that they cannot share in God’s kingdom, which lasts forever. 51 I will explain a mystery to you. Not every one of us will die, but we will all be changed. 52 It will happen suddenly, quicker than the blink of an eye. At the sound of the last trumpet the dead will be raised. We will all be changed, so that we will never die again. 53 Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won’t die or decay. 54 The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true,

“Death has lost the battle!
55 Where is its victory?
Where is its sting?”

56 Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57 But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!

58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Psalm 39

(A psalm by David for Jeduthun, the music leader.)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

39 I told myself, “I’ll be careful
not to sin by what I say,
and I’ll muzzle my mouth
when evil people are near.”
2 I kept completely silent,
but it did no good,[a]
and I hurt even worse.

3 I felt a fire burning inside,
and the more I thought,
the more it burned,
until at last I said:
4 “Please, Lord,
show me my future.
Will I soon be gone?
5 You made my life short,
so brief that the time
means nothing to you.

“Human life is but a breath,
6 and it disappears
like a shadow.
Our struggles are senseless;
we store up more and more,
without ever knowing
who will get it all.

7 “What am I waiting for?
I depend on you, Lord!
8 Save me from my sins.
Don’t let fools sneer at me.
9 You treated me like this,
and I kept silent,
not saying a word.

10 “Won’t you stop punishing me?
You have worn me down.
11 You punish us severely
because of our sins.
Like a moth, you destroy
what we treasure most.
We are as frail as a breath.

12 “Listen, Lord, to my prayer!
My eyes are flooded with tears,
as I pray to you.
I am merely a stranger
visiting in your home
as my ancestors did.
13 Stop being angry with me
and let me smile again
before I am dead and gone.”

Footnotes:

  1. 39.2 but. . . good: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Proverbs 21:30-31

30 No matter how much you know
or what plans you make,
you can’t defeat the Lord.
31 Even if your army has horses
ready for battle,
the Lord will always win.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Posted on

08/23/2018 DAB Transcript

Job 8:1-11:20 , 1 Corinthians 15:1-28 , Psalms 38:1-22 , Proverbs 21:28-29

Today is the 23rd day of August. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I’m Brian and it’s a pleasure and an honor and a joy and all kinds of good things to be here with you today taking the next step forward. And that is always a joy. It’s always a joy to sit down and turn the mic on and know we are we are entering into the rhythm together and taking the next step forward that will lead us all the way through the Bible, all the way to the very last words on December 31. But this is August 23rd. So, we’ve got some ground cover. And let’s dive in. We’re reading from the book of Job. And we’ll read chapter 8 verse 1 through 11 verse 20 today from the Contemporary English version this week. And, by way of reminder, Job and his friend Eliphaz were having a conversation yesterday. And today we’ll hear from another of Job’s friends. His name is Bildad. So, let’s dive in. Job chapter 8.

Okay. So, in our reading from 1 Corinthians today we heard Paul discuss the resurrection of Jesus, and he did it with passion. In fact, we watched Paul being quite the Pharisee today, which is how he was religiously trained. So, here’s how. During the span of history that included Jesus and Paul there were two different schools of thought that prevailed in Judaism. On one hand you had the Sadducees who were the ruling elite among the Jews and they considered themselves be the true ancestors among the priests and they were mostly centered in Jerusalem. And they were very powerful and very conservative. On the other hand, the Pharisees were more plentiful and were spread throughout the land, making them more in touch with the people. And then collectively, councils made up of Sadducees and Pharisees were called the Sanhedrin. And these were the people who interpreted and enforced Mosaic law. And they wrestled with the Torah and instructed people on how to obey it. So, Paul was a trained Pharisee. And one of the greatest distinctions between Sadducees and Pharisees was there differences in theological thought regarding resurrection from the dead. And, so, Sadducees did not believe that the dead would rise again. For them, when a person died they returned to God and that was that. That was the end of the story. Pharisees, on the other hand, hoped in the resurrection from the dead. And we can easily say that Jesus took the pharisaical view in that regard because He talked about resurrection from the dead and then, ironically, He resurrected from the dead. So, as a trained Pharisee, Paul hoped in resurrection. I mean it was Jesus resurrection that won Paul. Paul would’ve continued to persecute believers in Jesus had he not experienced the resurrected Christ. So, Jesus resurrection was proof for Paul that his religious convictions were true. And in Paul’s view, Jesus resurrection was the centerpiece for hope and proved that it was the whole proof that God was doing a new thing in the world. For Paul, Jesus resurrection signified the continuation of not only the Jewish story but also the human story. Through Jesus, God was inaugurating a new kind of human species, one that allowed humans to be reunited with God in Spirit. In other words, the human and the divine can be reunited as we were always intended to be through Jesus. Paul said it like this, just as death came into the world through a man now the resurrection from the dead is begun through another man, just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection. Christ was raised as the first of the harvest, then all who belong to Christ will be raised when He comes back. So, let’s consider the implications of what’s being said today about resurrection’s because as believers this is our hope, eternal life.

Prayer:

Father, we thank You. We thank You that we’re working our way through this life, walking with You and learning so much each and every day about what it means to be human. But this is only the first chapter. This is only the beginning. And this is what we put our hope in, full union with You forever and ever and ever. And we are so grateful. As we look around at the circumstances of our lives and things that we may be facing today or this week, we can become overwhelmed by a very, very small story because we forget to look at the implications of forever and ever and ever to be with You in Your presence. And, so, we begin living more like a Sadducee, living for right now, believing that this is all that there is when there is forever. And when we keep the context of eternity in Your presence it makes things not less difficult to go through but have a perspective of how small they are in the grand scheme of things. And, so, we invite Your Holy Spirit into that today to give us perspective and context as we move through this day knowing that this is just one day of an endless supply. Come Holy Spirit we pray. In Jesus name we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website, its home base, its where you find out what’s going on around here. So, be sure to check in and check it out.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible as we move through these summer months, I can’t thank you enough. I can’t possibly thank you enough. We are here around this global campfire because we are all in this together. And, so, thank you for your partnership. There’s a link on the homepage of dailyaudiobible.com. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the Give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996 Spring Hill Tennessee 37174.

And, as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian. I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Good morning. My name is Joyful Julia in Virginia and I’ve been listening to you for about 10 years, maybe nine years. A seminary professor first told me about Daily Audio Bible. I’m calling today with praise and prayer. I’ve called in several times in the past decade and, in retrospect now, I see how looking back we definitely see the pattern of God answering our prayers even though it might take a decade or more. And I see that now and I’m very grateful. I just wanted to say hello and thank you for all your prayers. And it’s an excellent community, really, you know, that we can always reach out and be heard and also be encouraged and be prayed for. I love your readings Brian and especially the background music in the daily reading of the entire word. Encourage you not to change that music if at all possible. __. It’s very encouraging, very comforting. Well, praying for all you guys. Have a great time in September. Talk to you later. Bye.

Morning DAB. This is a phone call for Cole in Canada struggling through depression and anxiety. I feel like God is saying to us both, cause I struggle with depression and anxiety all the time and especially now. So, I can empathize with you. And this is Charlotte from England by the way. And, so I feel God is saying to us both that He’s already given us the victory and He’s given us all we need to fight the fight in the world. So, it’s up to us to…knowing that we’re going to heaven and knowing that His kingdom is full of grace and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…but it’s up to us to bring that down. And, so, I pray Lord for us both, that we take control of what God has already given us and take authority in the kingdom of heaven and bring it down right here in this moment. I pray power and strength and authority in the name of Jesus come right into us. And the Holy Spirit will empower us and remind us all the time of the scriptures and the words that we read in the Bible that say how loved we are and how good He has made us. So, thank you God for all the things that you’ve already done for in joy. And please let us take hold of that. Thanks. Thank you Cole. And thank you DAB. And love you all. Bye-bye.

Hello Daily Audio Bible family. This is Jay from Tennessee, Nashville. Just want you guys to pray for me. Sometimes doing the right thing won’t get you the result that you think you’re going to get. Sometimes following Christ will be difficult. We see that in the lives of Paul, the apostles. We see that in the life of our Christ. My girlfriend broke up with me earlier, well yesterday. It’s the way I am where I am and I can’t sleep. It was all because I recognized that us being in a small space together after dark was not a good idea. So, I said, you know, I think it’s a good idea if you go home because this may turn into something that won’t honor God. And that turned into her believing that we shouldn’t be together because I…I was honest and realized that it may turn into something, something sexual. That was unexpected. It came out of nowhere. But we must continue on in Christ. Please pray for me. Love you guys. Bye-bye.

The Lord will provide and I’m just calling in to celebrate my youngest son. I’m currently standing in a Bible college and I’m about to see him graduate from it. It’s such a good feeling as a father to see a son who loves the Lord and is gonna pursue him with all his heart. The second thing I’m calling about is to ask for prayer. Next week I serve at a special needs. These are people with a disability or a special need or a mental disability and I’m going to go tell them and serve them and wash their feet, disciple them because they are specifically here on earth by purpose by God to do God’s will with a disability. And, so, I just want to give that back to them, and encourage them of the word of God. And, so, I would encourage you because you are designed by God on earth for a purpose to do His will. And so, that’s my message to you. Have a great day and just…God bless you.

Hey this is PT from NC. I just wanted to call and pray for Joy in Texas. I heard your request regarding your husband and yourself, finding yourselves in between churches while you were doing exactly what you thought the Lord wanted you to do. I just want to encourage you both and tell you that while this may through you a loop God is not sitting in heaven wondering, oh my gosh, what am I gonna do. He is fully aware. None of this has caught Him off guard. He is still fully engaged. I want to read or really quote a scripture and then I’m gonna pray. And want to quote it just a little different. James chapter 1 verse 2 says, consider it all joy. I want to say it to you, consider it all Joy, when you face many challenges because the trying of your patience builds perseverance and it will make you mature and complete, lacking nothing. Lord, this morning I come to you before you and I ask that You would be with Joy and her husband. God they are serving You as pastors and now find themselves in a really precarious situation, not only with their job and church assignments but also in this legal battle trying to adopt. God, I just pray that You prove yourself to be faithful. God I pray that You would meet them at the point of their need and Lord I pray that You would encourage them. Lord I pray that they would not miss what You’re doing in them because they’re looking for what to do next. Lord, I pray that You would encourage them today. We pray this in Christ’s name. Amen. Love you DAB family.

Posted on

The Daily Audio Bible Reading for Thursday August 23, 2018 (NIV)

Job 8-11

Bildad’s First Speech

How Long Will You Talk?

8 Bildad from Shuah[a] said:

2 How long will you talk
and keep saying nothing?
3 Does God All-Powerful
stand in the way of justice?
4 He made your children pay
for their sins.
5 So why don’t you turn to him
6 and start living right?
Then he will decide
to rescue and restore you
to your place of honor.
7 Your future will be brighter
by far than your past.

Our Ancestors Were Wise

8 Our ancestors were wise,
so learn from them.
9 Our own time has been short,
like a fading shadow,
and we know very little.
10 But they will instruct you
with great understanding.

11 Papyrus reeds grow healthy
only in a swamp,
12 and if the water dries up,
they die sooner than grass.
13 Such is the hopeless future
of all who turn from God
14 and trust in something as frail
as a spider’s web—
15 they take hold and fall
because it’s so flimsy.
16 Sinful people are like plants
with spreading roots
and plenty
of sun and water.
17 They wrap their roots tightly
around rocks.[b]
18 But once they are pulled up,
they have no more place;
19 their life slips away,[c]
and other plants grow there.

20 We know God doesn’t reject
an innocent person
or help a sinner.
21 And so, he will make you happy
and give you something
to smile about.
22 But your evil enemies
will be put to shame
and disappear forever.

Job’s Reply to Bildad

What You Say Is True

9 Job said:

2 What you say is true.
No human is innocent
in the sight of God.
3 Not once in a thousand times
could we win our case
if we took him to court.
4 God is wise and powerful—
who could possibly
oppose him and win?
5 When God becomes angry,
he can move mountains
before they even know it.
6 God can shake the earth loose
from its foundations
7 or command the sun and stars
to hold back their light.
8 God alone stretched out the sky,
stepped on the sea,[d]
9 and set the stars in place—
the Big Dipper and Orion,
the Pleiades and the stars
in the southern sky.
10 Of all the miracles God works,
we cannot understand a one.
11 God walks right past me,
without making a sound.
12 And if he grabs something,
who can stop him
or raise a question?

13 When God showed his anger,
the servants of the sea monster[e]
fell at his feet.
14 How, then, could I possibly
argue my case with God?

Though I Am Innocent

15 Even though I am innocent,
I can only beg for mercy.
16 And if God came into court
when I called him,
he would not hear my case.
17 He would strike me with a storm[f]
and increase my injuries
for no reason at all.
18 Before I could get my breath,
my miseries would multiply.
19 God is much stronger than I am,
and who would call me into court
to give me justice?

20 Even if I were innocent,
God would prove me wrong.[g]
21 I am not guilty,
but I no longer care
what happens to me.
22 What difference does it make?
God destroys the innocent
along with the guilty.
23 When a good person dies
a sudden death,
God sits back and laughs.
24 And who else but God
blindfolds the judges,
then lets the wicked
take over the earth?

My Life Is Speeding By

25 My life is speeding by,
without a hope of happiness.
26 Each day passes swifter
than a sailing ship
or an eagle swooping down.
27 Sometimes I try to be cheerful
and to stop complaining,
28 but my sufferings frighten me,
because I know that God
still considers me guilty.
29 So what’s the use of trying
to prove my innocence?
30 Even if I washed myself
with the strongest soap,
31 God would throw me into a pit
of stinking slime,
leaving me
disgusting to my clothes.

32 God isn’t a mere human like me.
I can’t put him on trial.
33 Who could possibly judge
between the two of us?
34 Can someone snatch away
the stick God carries
to frighten me?
35 Then I could speak up
without fear of him,
but for now, I cannot speak.[h]

Job Complains to God

I Am Sick of Life!

10 I am sick of life!
And from my deep despair,
I complain to you, my God.
2 Don’t just condemn me!
Point out my sin.
3 Why do you take such delight
in destroying those you created
and in smiling on sinners?
4 Do you look at things
the way we humans do?
5 Is your life as short as ours?
6 Is that why you are so quick
to find fault with me?
7 You know I am innocent,
but who can defend me
against you?
8 Will you now destroy
someone you created?
9 Remember that you molded me
like a piece of clay.
So don’t turn me back
into dust once again.
10 As cheese is made from milk,
you created my body
from a tiny drop.
11 Then you tied my bones together
with muscles
and covered them
with flesh and skin.
12 You, the source of my life,
showered me with kindness
and watched over me.

You Have Not Explained

13 You have not explained
all of your mysteries,
14 but you catch and punish me
each time I sin.
15 Guilty or innocent,
I am condemned and ashamed
because of my troubles.
16 No matter how hard I try,
you keep hunting me down
like a powerful lion.[i]
17 You never stop accusing me;
you become furious and attack
over and over again.

18 Why did you let me be born?
I would rather have died
before birth
19 and been carried to the grave
without ever breathing.
20 I have only a few days left.
Why don’t you leave me alone?[j]
Let me find some relief,
21 before I travel to the land
22 of darkness and despair,
the place of no return.

Zophar’s First Speech

So Much Foolish Talk

11 Zophar from Naamah[k] said:

2 So much foolish talk
cannot go unanswered.
3 Your words have silenced others
and made them ashamed;
now it is only right for you
to be put to shame.
4 You claim to be innocent
and argue that your beliefs
are acceptable to God.
5 But I wish he would speak
6 and let you know
that wisdom
has many different sides.
You would then discover
that God has punished you
less
than you deserve.

7 Can you understand the mysteries
surrounding God All-Powerful?
8 They are higher than the heavens
and deeper than the grave.
So what can you do
when you know so little,
9 and these mysteries outreach
the earth and the ocean?

10 If God puts you in prison
or drags you to court,
what can you do?
11 God has the wisdom to know
when someone is worthless
and sinful,
12 but it’s easier to tame
a wild donkey
than to make a fool wise.[l]

Surrender Your Heart to God

13 Surrender your heart to God,
turn to him in prayer,
14 and give up your sins—
even those you do in secret.
15 Then you won’t be ashamed;
you will be confident
and fearless.
16 Your troubles will go away
like water beneath a bridge,
17 and your darkest night
will be brighter than noon.
18 You will rest safe and secure,
filled with hope
and emptied of worry.
19 You will sleep without fear
and be greatly respected.
20 But those who are evil
will go blind and lose their way.
Their only escape is death!

Footnotes:

  1. 8.1 Shuah: See the note at 2.11.
  2. 8.17 rocks: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 17.
  3. 8.19 their. . . away: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  4. 9.8 sea: Or “sea monster” (see verse 13 and the note there).
  5. 9.13 the sea monster: The Hebrew text has “Rahab,” which was some kind of sea monster with supernatural powers (see the notes at 3.8 and 26.12).
  6. 9.17 strike. . . storm: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  7. 9.20 God. . . wrong: Or “my own words would prove me wrong.”
  8. 9.35 but. . . speak: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  9. 10.16 lion: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 16.
  10. 10.20 I have only. . . alone: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
  11. 11.1 Naamah: See the note at 2.11.
  12. 11.12 it’s. . . wise: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

1 Corinthians 15:1-28

Christ Was Raised to Life

15 My friends, I want you to remember the message that I preached and that you believed and trusted. 2 You will be saved by this message, if you hold firmly to it. But if you don’t, your faith was all for nothing.

3 I told you the most important part of the message exactly as it was told to me. That part is:

Christ died for our sins,
as the Scriptures say.
4 He was buried,
and three days later
he was raised to life,
as the Scriptures say.
5 Christ appeared to Peter,[a]
then to the twelve.
6 After this, he appeared
to more than five hundred
other followers.
Most of them are still alive,
but some have died.
7 He also appeared to James,
and then to all
of the apostles.

8 Finally, he appeared to me, even though I am like someone who was born at the wrong time.[b]

9 I am the least important of all the apostles. In fact, I caused so much trouble for God’s church that I don’t even deserve to be called an apostle. 10 But God was kind! He made me what I am, and his wonderful kindness wasn’t wasted. I worked much harder than any of the other apostles, although it was really God’s kindness at work and not me. 11 But it doesn’t matter if I preached or if they preached. All of you believed the message just the same.

God’s People Will Be Raised to Life

12 If we preach that Christ was raised from death, how can some of you say that the dead will not be raised to life? 13 If they won’t be raised to life, Christ himself wasn’t raised to life. 14 And if Christ wasn’t raised to life, our message is worthless, and so is your faith. 15 If the dead won’t be raised to life, we have told lies about God by saying that he raised Christ to life, when he really did not.

16 So if the dead won’t be raised to life, Christ wasn’t raised to life. 17 Unless Christ was raised to life, your faith is useless, and you are still living in your sins. 18 And those people who died after putting their faith in him are completely lost. 19 If our hope in Christ is good only for this life, we are worse off than anyone else.

20 But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. 21 Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ. 22 Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us. 23 But we must each wait our turn. Christ was the first to be raised to life, and his people will be raised to life when he returns. 24 Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father.

25 Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power, 26 and the last enemy he destroys will be death. 27 When the Scriptures say that he will put everything under his power, they don’t include God. It was God who put everything under the power of Christ. 28 After everything is under the power of God’s Son, he will put himself under the power of God, who put everything under his Son’s power. Then God will mean everything to everyone.

Footnotes:

  1. 15.5 Peter: See the note at 1.12.
  2. 15.8 who was born at the wrong time: The meaning of these words in Greek is not clear.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Psalm 38

(A psalm by David to be used when an offering is made.)

A Prayer in Times of Trouble

38 When you are angry, Lord,
please don’t punish me
or even correct me.
2 You shot me with your arrows,
and you struck me
with your hand.

3 My body hurts all over
because of your anger.
Even my bones are in pain,
and my sins 4 are so heavy
that I am crushed.

5 Because of my foolishness,
I am covered with sores
that stink and spread.
6 My body is twisted and bent,
and I groan all day long.
7 Fever has my back in flames,
and I hurt all over.
8 I am worn out and weak,
moaning and in distress.

9 You, Lord, know every one
of my deepest desires,
and my noisy groans
are no secret to you.
10 My heart is beating fast.
I feel weak all over,
and my eyes are red.

11 Because of my sickness,
no friends or neighbors
will come near me.
12 All who want me dead
set traps to catch me,
and those who want
to harm and destroy me
plan and plot all day.

13 I am not able to hear
or speak a word;
14 I am completely deaf
and can’t make a sound.

15 I trust you, Lord God,
and you will do something.
16 I said, “Don’t let them laugh
or brag because I slip.”

17 I am about to collapse
from constant pain.
18 I told you my sins,
and I am sorry for them.
19 Many deadly and powerful
enemies hate me,
20 and they repay evil for good
because I try to do right.

21 You are the Lord God!
Stay nearby
and don’t desert me.
22 You are the one who saves me.
Please hurry and help.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Proverbs 21:28-29

28 If you tell lies in court,
you are done for;
only a reliable witness
can do the job.
29 Wicked people bluff their way,
but God’s people think
before they take a step.

Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society

Posted on

08/22/2018 DAB Transcript

Job 1:1-3:26 , 1 Corinthians 14:1-17 , Psalms 37:12-29 , Proverbs 21:25-26

Today is the 22nd day of August. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. And it’s great to be here with you today. I just poured us some coffee and threw another log on the global campfire and so here we go launching into the next step forward on our adventure through the Bible. And we began the book of Job yesterday. And as is our custom, we’ll pick up where we left off. Job 4:1-7:21 today. And we’re reading from the Contemporary English Version this week.

Commentary:

Okay. So, yesterday we began the book of Job and we talked about that. And then we dove in and started and we got the context. We saw Job’s life disintegrate before our eyes. And we saw him sitting in sackcloth and ashes and his friends, they came and sat with him for a week without saying anything. This is called sitting Shiva. So, we got the context and today the conversation began. Job poured out the anguish of his soul and then Job’s friend Eliphaz attempted to comfort him. And he basically told Job, things happen for a reason. And if Job would just trust in God, the Lord would rescue and restore him, right? So, this sentiment sounds very familiar because we say the same kinds of things when we’re attempting to be the voice of comfort. Things happen for a reason. And we’ll notice this throughout the book of Job. His friends will attempt very very diligently to reason with Job. And they’re gonna get increasingly agitated in their efforts because Job doesn’t want to hear the platitudes, right? He doesn’t want to hear things that he’s already heard before. He doesn’t want to hear things that he’s said before. He wants to find God. He doesn’t want the human explanations. And so this agitates and frustrates his friends. But we gotta listen to what his friends are saying. Because what his friends are saying are the kinds of things that we say. So, it begs the question: What do you say when there isn’t an answer? And this is what we’re exploring as we explore the book of Job.

Prayer:

Father, we have invited You into every scenario and situation that we have encountered in the Bible. And so many, in fact the majority, of these scenarios and situations directly apply to our lives because they are the human condition, the human scenario. And we are continually invited to look at how we are trying to make the human scenario work without You. And so every day, most every day, we invite You. And so today we are inviting You into this, into these questions. Because these are the deeper things that dredge up all kinds of stuff within us that isn’t most comfortable to consider. And yet we find this in the Scriptures and so You are bringing it up. You are dredging it up. You are wanting to heal us in places that we’ve walled off. And so we invite You as we move into the issues of suffering and meaning, purpose. Come Holy Spirit we pray. In Jesus name we ask. Amen.

Announcements:

dailyaudiobible.com is the website. It’s home base. It’s where you find out what’s going on around here, so be sure to check it out.

Be sure to pray for your brothers and sisters at the prayer wall. Visit the Daily Audio Bible shop. Stay connected on social media. All this stuff can be found at dailyaudiobible.com.

If you want to partner with the Daily Audio Bible, you can do that at dailyaudiobible.com as well. There’s a link that lives on the homepage. If you’re using the Daily Audio Bible app, you can press the give button in the upper right-hand corner or, if you prefer, the mailing address is PO Box 1996, Spring Hill, Tennessee, 37174.

And as always, if you have a prayer request or comment, there are a number of numbers you can dial depending on where you are in the world. But I guess you could dial any of these numbers from anywhere in the world. If you’re in the Americas, 877-942-4253 is the number to dial. If you are in the UK or Europe, 44-20-3608-8078 is the number to dial. And if you are in Australia or the lands down under, 61-3-8820-5459 is the number to call.

And that’s it for today. I’m Brian. I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Good morning Daily Audio Bible family. It’s Laura in Houston. I’m calling cause I really need your prayers. So, when my husband and I moved in, we got married, and we discovered we had a lot of things from being single for like 30 years. And it’s been really interesting to try to combine our households. And we just kind of put everything that wasn’t necessary, like old boxes full of stuff, in a couple of rooms. And everything else was needed. And I started to look through it was like all of this old stuff. But we need to go through it and the Lord has sent someone my way and my husband and I got excited about cleaning through all this stuff. And I started the process and it feels really good and at the same time it feels really holy and like letting into really emotional things for both of us. And the temptation is to be like, oh, don’t touch it, you know, that the past in the past, and just leave it in this room. And that’s really not practical or, I think, honoring or healthy. And I’m afraid sometimes. It’s just like, I don’t even know about this entire, you know, lifetime of beautiful memories that my husband has or he doesn’t even know about mine. How are we gonna get to know each other? And I feel discouraged. And I want to ask your prayers for our marriage, that, you know, nothing bad has happened about it but I just…I have this fear and I really want this housecleaning to be a spiritual and emotional exercise, not just getting rid of things but dealing with the emotions and the spiritual aspect of that. And I’d appreciate your prayers for that, that this will be a time when we actually grow closer and that all this emotional stuff that…all the things we have, that it doesn’t cause any kind of strife but…and that He opens up our hearts in new ways to some old things. I love you all. Thanks for praying.

Hello Daily Audio Bible family. This is Angela in Birmingham Alabama. It’s August 17th and I just got through listening to today’s podcast and the message from his little Sharif and Canada. I just wanted to let you know that you are so encouraging about the diversity of this community and how everyone is needed. It makes me feel, I don’t know, good and reassured because I’m not a typical or regular caller. I listen and I pray and I often pray even when I’m not listening to the podcast for the DAB family but I don’t call often. And sometimes I guess I feel guilt about that or wondering why I don’t feel compelled to call and just kind of a background listener. But I believe that we all have our purpose. And, so, I feel like you confirmed that today and I appreciate your call and your message today. I am a seven-year listener and I’ve called a few times but do know that I am praying with all of you, listening, and praying, and being encouraged by those who to call in. Thank you family. Have a good day.

Good morning or afternoon wherever you are. This is Sandy from Amarillo and today I’m calling for pray for myself. In 1962 I was single and pregnant. I could not afford to take care of my child so I gave him up for adoption. Well, on August the 15th of 2018, through DNA and ancestry.com my son found me. I need prayer that we can build a relationship together with the blessings of God to help us to get through all of the pain that we both went through through the years. I truly believe in prayer and I feel so connected to this Daily Audio Bible family and know and listen every day and know how prayer works, how the miracles happen. I thank you all in advance for your prayers. And thank you Brian and Jill for this wonderful, wonderful podcast and this beautiful campfire we all are around.

Hi. Hello. This is August 17th. My name is Naomi. This is the first time I’ve called them and I like to ask the Daily Audio family to pray for my pastors wife, Haleen. She just found out chief has an aggressive form of pancreatic cancer and we all are concerned about her and we…they’re new to our church but we just got to know them and they are dear to us. And we pray that Jesus will have a miracle for her. She wants to see her grandchildren grow up. So, please pray for her. Thank you very much. And I’ve been listening now for about four years. Thank you for being there. Goodbye.