NL-Day195 2 Kings 17-18; Psalm 131; John 14:15-31

NL-Day196 2 Kings 19-20; Psalm 132; John 15

2KINGS 19-20:The writer of 1 & 2 Kings was very brief about the sins of the people of Israel (in both kingdoms) until what we heard yesterday. He seems to have saved the moral of the story until chapter 17. And then we have the wonderful contrast with Hezekiah in chapter 18. Then the Asyrian king mocked the God of Israel at the end of chapter 18. We hear God's answer today. PSALM 132:It would appear that Solomon wrote this Psalm of Ascent, as part of it was quoted by him at the dedication of the temple. JOHN 15:Yesterday we heard Jesus promise that He would send our Advocate/Comforter/Helper, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the one who literally 'comes along beside' and will lead us into all truth and be with us forever. And I think it is really due to Him that we can have "a peace that the world cannot give or understand." NLT translation notes:Ps 132:2 He made a solemn promise to [You/the] LORD.He vowed to [You,] the Mighty One of Israel,====John 15:4 Remain [joined to//in] me, and I will remain [joined to//in] you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain [joined to//in] me. (Similarly in 5-7.)[When talking of the organic unity of a branch and a vine, we don't say a branch 'in' a vine, do we?! Greek says it that way. But it is much more natural it English to say a branch is 'joined' or is 'connected', and various other words. Because of this, we also tend to miss out on the meaning of 'in Him/Christ' that comes up so often in the New Testament. The meaning is NOT that we are 'inside' Him, but that we are joined as one with him.]16 You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, [for my name's sake/for the sake of my glory//using my name].[This promise is NOT about 'dropping' or 'using' Jesus' name! Ending a selfish prayer with, "in Jesus' name" does not transform it into a good prayer. We don't simply 'use' Jesus' name and cash in on this promise! God can tell the difference when people unselfishly pray for things in the cause of bringing glory to Christ.This must be one of the worst mistakes in the NLT! This translation shows that the translator has been affected by modern Christian culture and did not consider what this really means. But then, I must admit, every translator, including me, falls in this regard from time to time, and that is why it is said in the NIV introduction, "No translation is perfect."] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NL-Day195 2 Kings 17-18; Psalm 131; John 14:15-31

2KINGS 17-18:Yesterday we again heard quite a few names of kings, especially on the Israel/Northern side. And this culminated with Tiglath-pileser of Assyria deporting the people of Israel. Because of a heavy bribe, Judah avoided this by becoming a vassal state of Assyria. Actually, this was probably wise on king Ahaz's part. Judah was not always so wise in interpreting the signs of the time. PSALM 131:God's grace requires that we receive from the Lord, not insisting on our working to gain good standing by ceaselessly trying to earn points with God. We can learn from children. JOHN 14b:In John 14 yesterday, we read one of Jesus' most important and often quoted statements: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." NLT Translation notes:John 14:20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am [joined as one with/in] my Father, and you are [joined as one with/in] me, and I am [joined with/in] you. 22 Judas (not [the] Judas [from the village of Carioth//Iscariot], but the other disciple with that name) said to him, "Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?" Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NL-Day194 2 Kings 15-16; Psalm 130; John 14:1-21

2KINGS 15-16:Readers and listeners are frequently confused by the names of the kings in yesterday's reading in 2nd Kings. Judah' king, Joash, died at the end of chapter 12. Then on the Israel (10 tribes) side, we heard of Jehoahaz's reign, and then the reign of his son, Johoash. He was helped by Elisha's final prophecy. Also in yesterday's reading we heard about of the reign of Joash's son, Amaziah, in Judah. Amaziah was very unwise to insist on war with Israel's king Jehoash. PSALM 130:This Psalm of Ascent is one of the most beautiful of all the psalms, and an expression of hope for anyone in despair. JOHN 14a:In John 13 we heard of Jesus taking the role of a servant and washing the disciples' feet. Judas left the upper room, and Peter was told that he would deny knowing Jesus three times. NLT Translation notes:John 14:10 Don't you believe that I am [joined as one with// in] the Father and the Father is [joined as one with// in] me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me.[This is the same concept that we will see pictured as the vine metaphor in the next chapter!]11 Just believe that I am [joined as one with// in] the Father and the Father is [joined with// in] me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that [I, as ] the Son can bring glory to [my/the] Father. 14 [http://biblehub.com/john/14-14.htm]Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!17 He is the Holy Spirit, who [will lead you//leads] into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn't looking for him and doesn't recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.f [http://biblehub.com/nlt/john/14.htm#footnotesf]20 When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am [joined as one with/in] my Father, and you are [joined as one with/in] me, and I am [joined with/in] you. 22 Judas (not [the] Judas [from the village of Carioth//Iscariot], but the other disciple with that name) said to him, "Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?" Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NL-Day193 2 Kings 13-14; Psalm 129; John 13:12-38

2KINGS 13-14:Yesterday we heard of Athaliah's seven year reign over Judah, of how Joash was saved from being killed, and of Jehoida's successful plot to end Athaliah's reign. Joash turned out to be sorta good, but disappointing at the end of his reign. And it is interesting to note that the people who worked on restoring the temple evidently had more integrity than the priests. PSALM 129:This is another Psalm of Ascent and another nationalistic psalm. In this year's readings, in just a few days we will begin hearing the parts of Israel's history where this psalm writer could have received the scars on his back. (I like how the GNT shows that the scars on the back might be taken figuratively for the whole race, instead of personally for just the writer. But one just listening to a reading of this chapter will probably not pick up on that detail.) In our time, this psalm gives us permission to pray that the Lord's enemies do not prosper. JOHN 13b:John spends several chapters in the upper room, and this is the first. We hear the most complete account here about Judas, and only here do we find the story of Jesus washing the disciple's feet. This is another time where we see Jesus consciously acting out a parable for us. And because of that event, the interchange with Peter is more poignant, although John takes pity on Peter and does not include details of that conversation that are found elsewhere. NLT Translation notes:John 13:2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas[, 0>>//son of Simon Iscariot,] to betray Jesus. [Judas was the son of (a man named) Simon from the village Carioth.]|8 "No," Peter protested, "you will never ever wash my feet!"Jesus replied, "[PET: If I don't wash your feet, you're no longer My follower.///Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me.]"12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was [showing you//doing]?17 [You ought to wash each other's feet.] Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.[Repeating the thing Jesus wants them to do makes the last sentence more understandable. "Doing them" does not mean taking slaves or sending messages.]26 Jesus responded, "It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl." And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon[, the man from Carioth// Iscariot].31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, "The time has come for [Me] the Son of Man to enter into [my/his] glory, and God will be glorified because of [Me/him].32 And since [my Father, God,/God] receives glory because of [Me, his/the] Son,i [http://biblehub.com/nlt/john/13.htm#footnotesi] he will soon [also] give glory to [Me/the Son].36 [0/Simon] Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?"And Jesus replied, "You can't go with me now, but you will follow me later." Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

NL-Day192 2 Kings 11-12; Psalm 128; John 13:1-17

2KINGS 11-12:Yesterday's story was of Jehu, anointed on Elisha's orders, and who executed the Lord's vengeance on Ahab and his whole family, and even his friends and the worshipers of Baal. However, after that, he still didn't follow the Lord, but continued the idolatry of Israel. PSALM 128:Today's Song of Ascent has a similar theme about the Lord's blessings for families as yesterday's psalm. Unlike what I said about translating the Hebrew word 'sons' in Psalm 127, the context of today's psalm seems more inclusive, so we can easily agree with the NET and other versions in translating that word as 'children' here in Psalm 128. JOHN 13a:Jesus' words often have a double meaning. An example was heard yesterday when He said, "when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself." NLT Translation notes:John 13:2 It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas[, 0>>//son of Simon Iscariot,] to betray Jesus. [Judas was the son of (a man named) Simon from the village Carioth.] 8 "No," Peter protested, "you will never ever wash my feet!"Jesus replied, "[PET: If I don't wash your feet, you're no longer My follower.///Unless I wash you, you won't belong to me.]"12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was [showing you//doing]?17 [You ought to wash each other's feet.] Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.[Repeating the thing Jesus wants them to do makes the last sentence more understandable. "Doing them" does not mean taking slaves or sending messages.]26 Jesus responded, "It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl." And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon[, the man from Carioth// Iscariot].31 As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, "The time has come for [Me] the Son of Man to enter into [my/his] glory, and God will be glorified because of [Me/him].32 And since [my Father, God,/God] receives glory because of [Me, his/the] Son,i [http://biblehub.com/nlt/john/13.htm#footnotesi] he will soon [also] give glory to [Me/the Son]. 36 [0/Simon] Peter asked, "Lord, where are you going?"And Jesus replied, "You can't go with me now, but you will follow me later." Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.