Bible Readings for November 27, 2017

Today our passages are Daniel 4:1-37; 2 Peter 1:1-21; Psalm 119:97-112; and Proverbs 28:17-18.  The readings are from the Contemporary English Version. If you find these readings helpful, please consider sending an offering directly to Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Steet, Weirton, West Virginia or through PayPal by using the link below.

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Daniel 4:1-37 (Contemporary English Version)

Daniel 4

King Nebuchadnezzar's Letter about His Second Dream

 ¹King Nebuchadnezzar sent the following letter to the people of all nations and races on the earth:   Greetings to all of you!
    ²I am glad to tell about
   the wonderful miracles
   God Most High
   has done for me.
    ³His miracles are mighty
   and marvelous.
   He will rule forever,
   and his kingdom
   will never end.
    ⁴I was enjoying a time of peace and prosperity, ⁵when suddenly I had some horrifying dreams and visions. ⁶Then I commanded every wise man in Babylonia to appear in my court, so they could explain the meaning of my dream. ⁷After they arrived, I told them my dream, but they were not able to say what it meant. ⁸Finally, a young man named Daniel came in, and I told him the dream. The holy gods had given him special powers, and I had renamed him Belteshazzar after my own god.
    ⁹I said, " Belteshazzar, not only are you the wisest of all advisors and counselors, but the holy gods have given you special powers to solve the most difficult mysteries. So listen to what I dreamed and tell me what it means:
    ¹⁰In my sleep I saw
   a very tall tree
   in the center of the world.
    ¹¹It grew stronger and higher,
   until it reached to heaven
   and could be seen
   from anywhere on earth.
    ¹²It was covered with leaves
   and heavy with fruit--
   enough for all nations.
   Wild animals enjoyed its shade,
   birds nested in its branches,
   and all creatures on earth
   lived on its fruit.
    ¹³" While I was in bed, having this vision, a holy angel ^a] came down from heaven ¹⁴and shouted: `Chop down the tree
   and cut off its branches;
   strip off its leaves
   and scatter its fruit.
   Make the animals leave its shade
   and send the birds flying
   from its branches.
    <sup>15</sup>But leave its stump and roots
   in the ground,
   surrounded by grass
   and held by chains
   of iron and bronze.
   `Make sure that this ruler
   lives like the animals
   out in the open fields,
   unprotected from the dew.
    ¹⁶Give him the mind
   of a wild animal
   for seven long years. ^b] 17This punishment is given
   at the command
   of the holy angels. ^c] It will show to all who live
   that God Most High
   controls all kingdoms
   and chooses for their rulers
   persons of humble birth.'
    ¹⁸" Daniel, ^d] that was the dream that none of the wise men in my kingdom were able to understand. But I am sure that you will understand what it means, because the holy gods have given you some special powers." ¹⁹For a while, Daniel was terribly confused and worried by what he was thinking. But I said, " Don't be bothered either by the dream or by what it means."
   Daniel replied:
   Your Majesty, I wish the dream had been against your enemies. ²⁰You saw a tree that grew so big and strong that it reached up to heaven and could be seen from anywhere on earth. ²¹Its leaves were beautiful, and it produced enough fruit for all living creatures; animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. ²²Your Majesty, that tree is you. Your glorious reputation has reached heaven, and your kingdom covers the earth.
    ²³Then you saw a holy angel ^e] come down from heaven and say, " Chop down the tree and destroy it! But leave its stump and roots in the ground, fastened there by a chain of iron and bronze. Let it stay for seven years ^f] out in the field with the wild animals, unprotected from the dew."
    ²⁴Your Majesty, God Most High has sent you this message, and it means ²⁵that you will be forced to live with the wild animals, far away from humans. You will eat grass like a wild animal and live outdoors for seven years ^g], until you learn that God Most High controls all earthly kingdoms and chooses their rulers. ²⁶But he gave orders not to disturb the stump and roots. This is to show that you will be king once again, after you learn that the God who rules from heaven is in control. ²⁷Your Majesty, please be willing to do what I say. Turn from your sins and start living right; have mercy on those who are mistreated. Then all will go well with you for a long time.
   

The Rest of Nebuchadnezzar's Letter about His Second Dream

 ^28-30About twelve months later, I was walking on the flat roof of my royal palace and admiring the beautiful city of Babylon, when these things started happening to me. I was saying to myself, " Just look at this wonderful capital city that I have built by my own power and for my own glory!"    ³¹But before I could finish speaking, a voice from heaven interrupted:
   King Nebuchadnezzar, this kingdom is no longer yours. ³²You will be forced to live with the wild animals, away from people. For seven years ^h] you will eat grass, as though you were an ox, until you learn that God Most High is in control of all earthly kingdoms and that he is the one who chooses their rulers. ³³This was no sooner said than done--I was forced to live like a wild animal; I ate grass and was unprotected from the dew. As time went by, my hair grew longer than eagle feathers, and my fingernails looked like the claws of a bird.
    ³⁴Finally, I prayed to God in heaven, and my mind was healed. Then I said:
   " I praise and honor
   God Most High.
   He lives forever,
   and his kingdom
   will never end.
    ³⁵To him the nations
   are far less than nothing;
   God controls the stars in the sky
   and everyone on this earth.
   When God does something,
   we cannot change it
   or even ask why."
    ³⁶At that time my mind was healed, and once again I became the ruler of my glorious kingdom. My advisors and officials returned to me, and I had greater power than ever before. ³⁷That's why I say:
   " Praise and honor the King
   who rules from heaven!
   Everything he does
   is honest and fair,
   and he can shatter the power
   of those who are proud."
   

Footnotes:

1. Daniel 4:13 angel: The Aramaic text has " watcher," which may be some special class of angel.
2. Daniel 4:16 long years: Aramaic " times."
3. Daniel 4:17 angels: See the note at 4.13.
4. Daniel 4:18 Daniel: See the note at 2.26.
5. Daniel 4:23 angel: See the note at 4.13.
6. Daniel 4:23 years: Aramaic " times."
7. Daniel 4:25 years: Aramaic " times."
8. Daniel 4:32 years: Aramaic " times."

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2 Peter 1:1-21 (Contemporary English Version)

2 Peter 1

 ¹From Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ.   To everyone who shares with us in the privilege of believing that our God and Savior Jesus Christ will do what is just and fair. ^a] 2I pray that God will be kind to you and will let you live in perfect peace! May you keep learning more and more about God and our Lord Jesus.
   

Living as the Lord's Followers

 ³We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God's own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. ⁴God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.    ⁵Do your best to improve your faith. You can do this by adding goodness, understanding, ⁶self-control, patience, devotion to God,⁷concern for others, and love. ⁸If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful. ⁹But if you don't grow, you are like someone who is nearsighted or blind, and you have forgotten that your past sins are forgiven.
    ¹⁰My friends, you must do all you can to show that God has really chosen and selected you. If you keep on doing this, you won't stumble and fall. ¹¹Then our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will give you a glorious welcome into his kingdom that will last forever.
    ¹²You are holding firmly to the truth that you were given. But I am still going to remind you of these things. ¹³In fact, I think I should keep on reminding you until I leave this body. ¹⁴And our Lord Jesus Christ has already told me that I will soon leave it behind. ¹⁵That is why I am doing my best to make sure that each of you remembers all of this after I am gone.
   

The Message about the Glory of Christ

 ¹⁶When we told you about the power and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling clever stories that someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness. ¹⁷God, our great and wonderful Father, truly honored him by saying, "This is my own dear Son, and I am pleased with him." ¹⁸We were there with Jesus on the holy mountain and heard this voice speak from heaven.    ¹⁹All of this makes us even more certain that what the prophets said is true. So you should pay close attention to their message, as you would to a lamp shining in some dark place. You must keep on paying attention until daylight comes and the morning star rises in your hearts. ²⁰But you need to realize that no one alone can understand any of the prophecies in the Scriptures. ²¹The prophets did not think these things up on their own, but they were guided by the Spirit of God.
   

Footnotes:

1. 2 Peter 1:1 To everyone who. . . just and fair: Or "To everyone whose faith in the justice and fairness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ is as precious as our own faith."

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Psalm 119:97-112 (Contemporary English Version)

⁹⁷I deeply love your Law!
   I think about it all day.
    ⁹⁸Your laws never leave my mind,
   and they make me much wiser
   than my enemies.
    ⁹⁹Thinking about your teachings
   gives me better understanding
   than my teachers,
    ¹⁰⁰and obeying your laws
   makes me wiser
   than those
   who have lived a long time.
    ¹⁰¹I obey your word
   instead of following a way
   that leads to trouble.
    ¹⁰²You have been my teacher,
   and I won't reject
   your instructions.
    ¹⁰³Your teachings are sweeter
   than honey.
    ¹⁰⁴They give me understanding
   and make me hate all lies.
    ¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp
   that gives light
   wherever I walk.
    ¹⁰⁶Your laws are fair,
   and I have given my word
   to respect them all.
    ¹⁰⁷I am in terrible pain!
   Save me, LORD,
   as you said you would.
    ¹⁰⁸Accept my offerings of praise
   and teach me your laws.
    ¹⁰⁹I never forget your teachings,
   although my life is always
   in danger.
    ¹¹⁰Some merciless people
   are trying to trap me,
   but I never turn my back
   on your teachings.
    ¹¹¹They will always be
   my most prized possession
   and my source of joy.
    ¹¹²I have made up my mind
   to obey your laws forever,
   no matter what.

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Proverbs 28:17-18 (Contemporary English Version)

¹⁷Don't give help to murderers!
   Make them stay on the run
   for as long as they live. ^a] 18Honesty will keep you safe,
   but everyone who is crooked
   will suddenly fall.
   

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 28:17 live: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 17.

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Verse of the Day

 

“Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.” - Colossians 3:16

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

Zionist leader and Israeli statesman who served as President of the Zionist Organization and later as the first President of Israel, Chaim Weizmann wrote, “Miracles sometimes occur, but one has to work terribly hard for them.”

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A Joke for Today

Three old men were sitting around and talking. The 80 year-old said, "The best thing that could happen to me would just to be able to have a good pee. I stand there for twenty minutes, and it dribbles and hurts. I have to go over and over again." 

The 85 year-old said, "The best thing that could happen to me is if I could have one good bowel movement. I take every kind of laxative I can get my hands on and it's still a problem."

Then the 90 year-old said, "That's not my problem. Every morning at 6:00 am sharp, I have a good long pee. At around 6:30 am I have a great bowel movement. The best thing that could happen to me would be if I could wake up before 7:00 am.

Bible Readings for November 26, 2017

Today our passages are Daniel 2:24–3:30; 1 Peter 4:7–5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; and Proverbs 28:15-16.  The readings are from the Contemporary English Version. If you find these readings helpful, please consider sending an offering directly to Cove Presbyterian Church, 3404 Main Steet, Weirton, West Virginia or through PayPal by using the link below.

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Daniel 2:24-3:30Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Daniel Interprets the Dream

24 Daniel went back to Arioch, the official in charge of executing the wise men. Daniel said, “Don’t kill those men! Take me to the king, and I will explain the meaning of his dream.”

25 Arioch rushed Daniel to the king and announced, “Your Majesty, I have found out that one of the men brought here from Judah can explain your dream.”

26 The king asked Daniel,[a] “Can you tell me my dream and what it means?”

27 Daniel answered:

Your Majesty, not even the smartest person in all the world can do what you are demanding. 28-29 But the God who rules from heaven can explain mysteries. And while you were sleeping, he showed you what will happen in the future. 30 However, you must realize that these mysteries weren’t explained to me because I am smarter than everyone else. Instead, it was done so that you would understand what you have seen.

31 Your Majesty, what you saw standing in front of you was a huge and terrifying statue, shining brightly. 32 Its head was made of gold, its chest and arms were silver, and from its waist down to its knees, it was bronze. 33 From there to its ankles it was iron, and its feet were a mixture of iron and clay.

34 As you watched, a stone was cut from a mountain—but not by human hands. The stone struck the feet, completely shattering the iron and clay. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed and blown away without a trace, like husks of wheat at threshing time. But the stone became a tremendous mountain that covered the entire earth.

36 That was the dream, and now I’ll tell you what it means. 37 Your Majesty, you are the greatest of kings, and God has highly honored you with power 38 over all humans, animals, and birds. You are the head of gold. 39 After you are gone, another kingdom will rule, but it won’t be as strong. Then it will be followed by a kingdom of bronze that will rule the whole world. 40 Next, a kingdom of iron will come to power, crushing and shattering everything.[b]

41-42 This fourth kingdom will be divided—it will be both strong and brittle, just as you saw that the feet and toes were a mixture of iron and clay. 43 This kingdom will be the result of a marriage between kingdoms, but it will crumble, just as iron and clay don’t stick together.

44-45 During the time of those kings, the God who rules from heaven will set up an eternal kingdom that will never fall. It will be like the stone that was cut from the mountain, but not by human hands—the stone that crushed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. Your Majesty, in your dream the great God has told you what is going to happen, and you can trust this interpretation.

Daniel Is Promoted

46 King Nebuchadnezzar bowed low to the ground and worshiped Daniel. Then he gave orders for incense to be burned and a sacrifice of grain to be offered in honor of Daniel. 47 The king said, “Now I know that your God is above all other gods and kings, because he gave you the power to explain this mystery.” 48 The king then presented Daniel with a lot of gifts; he promoted him to governor of Babylon Province and put him in charge of the other wise men. 49 At Daniel’s request, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to high positions in Babylon Province, and he let Daniel stay on as a palace official.

King Nebuchadnezzar’s Gold Statue

3 King Nebuchadnezzar ordered a gold statue to be built ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He had it set up in Dura Valley near the city of Babylon, 2 and he commanded his governors, advisors, treasurers, judges, and his other officials to come from everywhere in his kingdom to the dedication of the statue. 3 So all of them came and stood in front of it.

4 Then an official stood up and announced:

People of every nation and race, now listen to the king’s command! 5 Trumpets, flutes, harps, and all other kinds of musical instruments will soon start playing. When you hear the music, you must bow down and worship the statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Anyone who refuses will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace.

7 As soon as the people heard the music, they bowed down and worshiped the gold statue that the king had set up.

8 Some Babylonians used this as a chance to accuse the Jews to King Nebuchadnezzar. 9 They said, “Your Majesty, we hope you live forever! 10 You commanded everyone to bow down and worship the gold statue when the music played. 11 And you said that anyone who did not bow down and worship it would be thrown into a flaming furnace. 12 Sir, you appointed three men to high positions in Babylon Province, but they have disobeyed you. Those Jews, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refuse to worship your gods and the statue you have set up.”

13 King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. So he sent for the three young men and said, 14 “I hear that you refuse to worship my gods and the gold statue I have set up. 15 Now I am going to give you one more chance. If you bow down and worship the statue when you hear the music, everything will be all right. But if you don’t, you will at once be thrown into a flaming furnace. No god can save you from me.”

16 The three men replied, “Your Majesty, we don’t need to defend ourselves. 17 The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace. 18 But even if he doesn’t, we still won’t worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.”

19 Nebuchadnezzar’s face twisted with anger at the three men. And he ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. 20 Next, he commanded some of his strongest soldiers to tie up the men and throw them into the flaming furnace. 21-23 The king wanted it done at that very moment. So the soldiers tied up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and threw them into the flaming furnace with all of their clothes still on, including their turbans. The fire was so hot that flames leaped out and killed the soldiers.

24 Suddenly the king jumped up and shouted, “Weren’t only three men tied up and thrown into the fire?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the people answered.

25 “But I see four men walking around in the fire,” the king replied. “None of them is tied up or harmed, and the fourth one looks like a god.”[c]

26 Nebuchadnezzar went closer to the flaming furnace and said to the three young men, “You servants of the Most High God, come out at once!”

They came out, 27 and the king’s high officials, governors, and advisors all crowded around them. The men were not burned, their hair wasn’t scorched, and their clothes didn’t even smell like smoke. 28 King Nebuchadnezzar said:

Praise their God for sending an angel to rescue his servants! They trusted their God and refused to obey my commands. Yes, they chose to die rather than to worship or serve any god except their own. 29 And I won’t allow people of any nation or race to say anything against their God. Anyone who does will be chopped up and their houses will be torn down, because no other god has such great power to save.

30 After this happened, the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to even higher positions in Babylon Province.

Footnotes:

1. 2.26 Daniel: Aramaic “Daniel whose name was Belteshazzar” (see 1.7).
2. 2.40 crushing. . . everything: Three ancient translations; Aramaic adds “and like iron crushing.”
3. 3.25 a god: Aramaic, “a son of the gods.”

 

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1 Peter 4:7-5:14Contemporary English Version (CEV)

7 Everything will soon come to an end. So be serious and be sensible enough to pray.

8 Most important of all, you must sincerely love each other, because love wipes away many sins.

9 Welcome people into your home and don’t grumble about it.

10 Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well. 11 If you have the gift of speaking, preach God’s message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ, who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. 13 Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return.

14 Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God’s glorious Spirit is with you. 15 But you deserve to suffer if you are a murderer, a thief, a crook, or a busybody. 16 Don’t be ashamed to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God that you belong to him. 17 God has already begun judging his own people. And if his judgment begins with us, imagine how terrible it will be for those who refuse to obey his message. The Scriptures say,

18 “If good people barely escape,
    what will happen to sinners
and to others
    who don’t respect God?”

19 If you suffer for obeying God, you must have complete faith in your faithful Creator and keep on doing right.

Helping Christian Leaders

5 Church leaders,[a] I am writing to encourage you. I too am a leader, as well as a witness to Christ’s suffering, and I will share in his glory when it is shown to us.

2 Just as shepherds watch over their sheep, you must watch over everyone God has placed in your care. Do it willingly in order to please God, and not simply because you think you must. Let it be something you want to do, instead of something you do merely to make money. 3 Don’t be bossy to those people who are in your care, but set an example for them. 4 Then when Christ the Chief Shepherd returns, you will be given a crown that will never lose its glory.

5 All of you young people should obey your elders. In fact, everyone should be humble toward everyone else. The Scriptures say,

“God opposes proud people,
but he helps everyone
    who is humble.”

6 Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. 7 God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.

8 Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. 9 But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord’s followers are suffering just as you are. 10 But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That’s why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm. 11 God will be in control forever! Amen.

Final Greetings

12 Silvanus helped me write this short letter, and I consider him a faithful follower of the Lord. I wanted to encourage you and tell you how kind God really is, so that you will keep on having faith in him.

13 Greetings from the Lord’s followers in Babylon.[b] They are God’s chosen ones.

Mark, who is like a son to me, sends his greetings too.

14 Give each other a warm greeting. I pray that God will give peace to everyone who belongs to Christ.[c]

Footnotes:

1. 5.1 Church leaders: Or “Elders” or “Presbyters” or “Priests.”
2. 5.13 Babylon: This may be a secret name for the city of Rome.
3. 5.14 Christ: Some manuscripts add “Amen.”

  

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Psalm 119:81-96Contemporary English Version (CEV)

81 I long for you to rescue me!
    Your word is my only hope.
82 I am worn out from waiting
for you to keep your word.
    When will you have mercy?
83 My life is wasting away
    like a dried-up wineskin,[a]
    but I have not forgotten
    your teachings.
84 I am your servant!
    How long must I suffer?
    When will you punish
    those troublemakers?
85 Those proud people reject
    your teachings,
    and they dig pits
    for me to fall in.
86 Your laws can be trusted!
    Protect me from cruel liars.
87 They have almost killed me,
    but I have been faithful
    to your teachings.
88 Show that you love me
    and let me live,
    so that I may obey all
    of your commands.

89 Our Lord, you are eternal!
    Your word will last as long
    as the heavens.[b]
90 You remain faithful
    in every generation,
    and the earth you created
    will keep standing firm.
91 All things are your servants,
    and the laws you made
    are still in effect today.
92 If I had not found happiness
in obeying your Law,
    I would have died in misery.
93 I won’t ever forget
    your teachings,
    because you give me new life
    by following them.
94 I belong to you,
and I have respected your laws,
    so keep me safe.
95 Brutal enemies are waiting
to ambush and destroy me,
    but I obey your rules.
96 Nothing is completely perfect,
    except your teachings.

Footnotes:

1. 119.83 a dried-up wineskin: The Hebrew text has “a wineskin in the smoke.” In ancient times bags were made from animal skins to hold wine, but when the bags dried up they cracked and could no longer be used.
2. 119.89 Our. . . heavens: Or “Our Lord, your word is eternal. It will last as long as the heavens.”

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Proverbs 28:15-16Contemporary English Version (CEV)

15 A ruler who mistreats the poor
is like a roaring lion
    or a bear hunting for food.
16 A heartless leader is a fool,
    but anyone who refuses
to get rich by cheating others
    will live a long time. 

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Verse of the Day

We should be grateful that we were given a kingdom that cannot be shaken. And in this kingdom we please God by worshiping him and by showing him great honor and respect.

Hebrews 12:28 CEV

Today's passage is from the Contemporary English Version.

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Thought for the Day

Romanian-French playwright who wrote mostly in French, and one of the foremost figures of the French Avant-garde theatre, Eugène Ionesco wrote, “People always try to find base motives behind every good action. We are afraid of pure goodness and of pure evil.”

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A Joke for Today

Frank and Jim, are walking down the street when Jim turns to Frank and says, "Frank, if you had two of those top-of-the-line Mercedes Benz cars, with all the gear, electric windows, CD player and all of that, exactly the same, would you give me one?"

Frank says, "Jim, how long do we go back? Thirty years? We've been best friends since school, and if I had two of those Mercedes, top-of-the-line cars with all the trimmings, exactly the same, yeah, I would give the other one to you."

So, they keep walking. After a couple of minutes, Frank turns to Jim and says, "Jim, if you had two of those luxury type yachts, you know, with all the modern conveniences, and they were exactly the same, would you give one of them to me?"

Jim says, "Frank, you and me are like brothers, you were best man at my wedding, you attended my son's wedding, we have gone to the same lodge together for all these years. If I had two of those luxury yachts, exactly the same with all the modern conveniences, then yeah Frank, I really would give the other one to you."

They keep walking. A couple of minutes later, Jim turns to Frank, "Frank, if you had two chickens..."

"Now hold on there! Jim, you KNOW I've got two Chickens!"