Dad Reads the Word

Back after a (too) long hiatus.   6 main things to avoid are presented in Proverbs 6, along with the potential consequences if you choose no to: Don't be surety for your neighbor  Don't be lazy Don't be a devious schemer that causes trouble among other Don't do what God hates Don't forget the wisdom you have learned Don't commit adultery Scripture reading  is from the World English Bible.  

Proverbs 5 is description using vivid verbal imagery of what sexual immorality truly is and its consequences.  The call to the young man is avoid adultery and find and be committed to and captivated solely by a loving wife.   Memory Verse:  Proverbs 5:20-21 For why should you, my son, be captivated with an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another? For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes. He examines all his paths.

Proverbs 4 is a father's call to his child to gain wisdom.  It expounds upon the value and benefit of wisdom and contrasts it with the path and actions of those who reject wisdom and embrace evil.     Memory Verse:  Proverbs 4:7 (WEB) Wisdom is supreme. Get wisdom. Yes, though it costs all your possessions, get understanding.

In Proverbs 3, there are many short and important wisdom statements about what to value highly (wisdom over wealth, giving over hoarding, kindness over selfishness, good over evil), and many contrasting statements about the blessings of following wisdom and the consequences of not doing so.   Memory Verse:  Proverbs 3:5-6 (WEB): Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

In Proverbs 2, wisdom is described as being a guard against  following the path of evil.  Seeking out and listening to wisdom is akin to seeking out and listening to God, the true source of wisdom  Key verse:  Proverbs 2:6 (WEB) "For Yahweh (the LORD) gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding."    

Proverbs is a book of wisdom.  In this chapter, Proverbs 1, its stated purpose is to give instruction to young people on "wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity".  It also describes and contrasts the call of wisdom and the call of sin.   Memory Verse: Proverbs 1:10 (WEB) "My son, if sinners entice you, don’t consent." 

John 21 concludes this chapter and story of Jesus's life, death and resurrection.  The disciples decide to go back to their profession of fishing, but catch nothing after fishing all night.  Christ appears to them on the shore, and after a miraculous catch of fish, they recognize who he is.  Christ commands Peter to watch over his sheep, his people, and tells him the manner in which he will die.  The disciple whom Jesus loved, John, concludes by affirming he wrote the book and while it tells Jesus' story, it doesn't tell everything he did.      

In John 20, which starts 3 days after Christ was crucified and died, Mary comes to his tomb and finds it empty.  She tells two of his disciples and they come and see it also.  Later, as Mary is crying, angels appear to her, and then Jesus himself appears and reveals himself to her.  Later he reveals himself to the all of the disciples except Thomas, and they believe he is risen, but not Thomas (note:  this is probably where we get the English saying "Doubting Thomas").  Later Jesus shows himself to the disciples (including Thomas), and Thomas believes also.   All of this has been written so that you will believe these things are true, and by listening and believing, you will be saved to an eternal full life with Christ.  

John 19 is one of the hardest passages of scripture to read.  Pilate has Jesus beaten and scoured, and then gives the Jews another chance to change their mind.  But they don't, and Jesus is handed over to them.  He carries a heavy wooden cross up to the hill of Golgotha, and is hung on it on a cross between two others who are also condemned to die.  Christ gives his mother over to one of his disciples to care for her, and the dies. His body is taken to an unused tomb, in a garden, and prepared for burial as was customary at the time.  

In John 18, Jesus is betrayed by Judas, taken into custody,  and brought before the religious leaders.  Peter, as Jesus has foretold, denies him three separate times.  Jesus is then brought to Pilate, the Roman ruler of the region, and the Jews ask that they can put Jesus to death.  Pilate finds no basis for this, but gives in to the crowd as they demand the that Jesus be killed.  

In John 17, which is entirely a prayer by Jesus, he prays for his disciples and those who do and will believe in him after he is gone.  

In John 16 Jesus describes in more detail that that the Holy Spirit will come after he departs, and that his disciples will face persecution and dangers at that time also.  But, they are to be hopeful because Jesus has overcome the world!

In John 14 Jesus describes further that he will be leaving, and that his disciples will understand why after he is gone.  The Holy Spirit will come and help them to remember his words and they will see more clearly what he meant.   At the end of the chapter they arise and go out from their dinner.  

In John 13, we hear the story of the disciples gathered together for a meal with Jesus.  Jesus shows an example of servanthood by washing his disciples feet, and gives them a command to love one another.  During the meal Jesus tells them he will be betrayed, and it is revealed in the narrative that Judas will be the betrayer.  Jesus also tells Peter that he will deny him.  

In John 12 the story of Mary washing Jesus' feet and anointing his feet with expensive perfume is told.   Later Jesus enters into Jerusalem, on a donkey, with a large crowd hailing him as if he were a king.  The Pharisees express their frustration that there seems there is nothing they can do to thwart Jesus.  Jesus foretells his coming death and explains that it is necessary to save the world.   No commentary today, just the Word.  But, you can feel the tension building, as if something big is going to happen soon.  

In John 11, we hear the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, further confirm he is the Son of God and providing hope for us, that he has the power. over life and death and we can have eternal life through faith in him.  It is prophesied he will die for the nation of Israel and all those who are in God's nation, the collection of those who believe in Christ.  

In John 10 tells a parable, describing how he relates to this who are his own and who believe in him.  He is the shepherd, and his sheep hear his voice.   Later in the chapter he is challenged by the Jewish religious leaders to claim that he is the Christ.  He answers by challenging them back, asking what do my works testify about me?  Again, Jesus claims he is God's son and the Jewish leaders seek to stone him, but he leaves and goes out into the wilderness to continue to teach and many come and listen and believe in him.  

In John 9 Jesus is leaving the temple and passes by a man born blind from birth.  He heals the man and gives him sight, and stirs up more controversy among the Jewish religious leaders about who Jesus really is.  Jesus came to give sight to those who are blind in there sin, but many who think they see but don't believe are really blind themselves.  

In John 8, a woman who had be caught in the act of adultery is brought before Jesus, and the religious crowd demands that she be stoned according to the Jewish law.  Jesus utters one of his most well known responses, "Let him who is without sin throw the first stone.", leading the crowd to disperse. This follows with another debate in the Temple where the religious leaders question and mock Jesus, demanding to know who Jesus thinks he is.  This culminates in Jesus calling them out for their hypocrisy and lack of believe, and finally stating "I AM", claiming to be God, and further enraging the religious leaders.  

In John 7, Jesus's brothers mockingly encourage him to go back to Jerusalem to show "his works" to the crowds during the Feast of Booths.  Jesus declines to go with them, but instead goes separately and secretly.  However, the secret does last long as the crowds seek him out to listen to him and possibly to see if he will do another miracle like he had done on his previous visit.   The Jewish religious leaders further plot and scheme to arrest him, but because of all the attention Jesus is getting, and because as Christ said "it was not yet his time", their plans were not fulfilled.  

After a recap of John 5, we move on to John 6.  Jesus crosses the Red Sea, and teach on the mountain side He performs another miracle by feeding thousands of people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish The disciples depart to go back across the sea to Capernum and Jesus meets them on the sea by walking out on the water. Jesus describes what it is to do God's work Jesus describes that he is the Bread of Life Jesus tells that he knows one of the 12 disciples will betray him (Judas)

In this episode, we do a brief recap of John 4, and then move on to John 5. Jesus encounters a disable or sickly man by the pool of Bethesda, a place where people gathered and it was rumored or known that sometimes people would be healed by entering the water.  Jesus heals the man and commands him to get up and walk...on the Sabbath!  That stirs up controversy with the Jewish religious leaders.  And then...Jesus claims he is the Son of God!  Which further stirs them up.  Jesus describes to him all of the ways and people who have and are testifying that he is the Son of God.  

In this episode we do a brief recap of John 3, and then read John 4.   This includes Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well.  Jesus reveals to her that he knows her life story even though she had never met him before, and after confronting her about her immoral lifestyle, she believes.  Her testimony led to several other Samaritans to also come listen to Jesus and may of them also believed. The chapter ends with Jesus performing his second miracle in Galilee, the healing of a nobleman's son.   Scripture reading comes from the World English Bible, and Intro and Outro music courtesy of this Youtube video

After a short review of John 2, we read through John 3.  Key points of this chapter are:   Nicodemus ( a senior Jewish rabbi) meets with Jesus, where Jesus tells him that to be saved, you must be born again.   This chapter includes probably the most well known verse the the Bible, John 3:16:  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal live".   John the Baptist clarifies that he is not the Christ, that Jesus is the Christ. Intro and Outro music courtesy of this Youtube video  

Starting with a brief review of John 1, and then reading through John 2 from the World English Bible.   Intro and Outro music courtesy of this Youtube video

This briefly introduces the book of John.  The purpose of this book is to give the facts about Jesus and to encourage people to believe in Him so that they can find life in His name.   The brief introduction comes from the NIV Topical Study Bible, which is out of print, but a great study bible if you can get your hands on it.   The scripture reading of John 1 came from the World English Bible (US).  

Introducting a new podcast, "Dad Reads The Word", a periodic podcast by Sam Gardner where he endeavors to read through the Scripture.  This podcast is for his family and friends, but also for anyone that wants to listen to the word.  Sam's hope is that by listening you will be encouraged and believe.