Daily Bible Reading Podcast

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NL-Day119 Joshua 16-17; Psalm 74; Acts 24 Apr 26, 2026

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JOSHUA 16-17:Yesterday Caleb received his special portion within Judah's allotment of land, and then we heard the detailed list of Judah's boundaries and towns. Chapter 15 may be the most challenging passage in all the Old Testament to read out loud!

PSALM 74:Could this psalm really have been written by Asaph?! If so, Asaph was a prophet as he seems to describe events that happened hundreds of years later in the Babylonian conquest. It is possible he could have been a 100 year old man when writing this, speaking of the destruction caused by Pharaoh Shishak. It must also be observed that the attributions in the Psalms were written centuries later than the Psalms themselves and are not to be considered part of the inspired text. (However, I still think that Asaph was a prophet!)

ACTS 24:A plot was made to kill Paul. Paul's nephew "just happened" to get wind of it. The Roman commander ordered that Paul be taken to the governor in Caesarea.

NLT Translation notes: Ps. 74:21 We no longer see your miraculous signs. All the prophets are gone, and no one can tell us when [this//it] will end.Ps. 74:21 Don't let [us/the] downtrodden [people] be humiliated again.Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.====Acts 24:24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about [fully believing/faith] in Christ Jesus.

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-Day118 Joshua 14-15; Psalm 73; Acts 23:19-35 Apr 26, 2026

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JOSHUA 14-15:Yesterday in Joshua we heard an inventory of the kings conquered so far and details about the allotments of land for the 2 1/2 tribes east of the Jordan.

PSALM 73:This is one of my favorite psalms because it speaks to an intellectual problem that so often bothers me. The turning point is verse 17 in this poem by Asaph.

ACTS 23b:Paul before the council cried out words that divided the council, "Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!" Note that no one said, "But who says that Jesus has risen from the dead?!" The leaders could produce no proof that Jesus had not risen from the dead, and this fact also refuted the teaching of their sect, the sect of the Sadducees. So the resurrection of Jesus touched a very raw nerve for them. In the night, Jesus came personally to encourage Paul.

NLT Translation notes:Ps. 73:15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people[— O God].26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but [You, O] God remain[0//s] the strength of my heart; [You are//he is] mine forever. Ps. 73:27 Those who desert [You, O Lord//him] will perish,for you destroy those who abandon you.28 But as for me, how good it is to be near [You, O] God!I have made [You O//the] Sovereign LORD my shelter,and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

NL-Day117 Joshua 12-13; Psalm 72; Acts 23:1-22 Apr 26, 2026

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JOSHUA 12-13:As we heard yesterday, God fought for Israel, even causing the sun and moon to stand still. Basically the main central body of land was conquered in only two campaigns. It is important to remember that the total destruction of the people groups listed was commanded by God because of their disgusting pagan and idolatrous practices. Joshua 10:40 "… This was what the Lord God of Israel had commanded." See also 11:20.

PSALM 72:It is clear that this psalm, written by King Solomon— or more likely written about King Solomon, goes beyond Solomon, giving adoration to the King of Kings.

ACTS 23a:Paul gave his defense from the top of the stairway leading to the military headquarters. In spite of the miracles in his story, the mob was not impressed. It was the word 'Gentiles' that caused the final violent reaction.

NLT Translation notes:Ps. 72 A psalm [for/of] Solomon.[NET tn The preposition could be understood as indicating authorship ("Of Solomon"), but since the psalm is a prayer for a king, it may be that the superscription reflects a tradition that understood this as a prayer for Solomon.]Ps. 72:6 May [our/the] king's rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass,like the showers that water the earth.

NL-Day116 Joshua 10-11; Psalm 71; Acts 22 Apr 19, 2026

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JOSHUA 10-11:The king of Ai trusted in appearances, and was defeated. And the leaders of Israel trusted in appearances and failed to ask God for guidance, leading to a problem that would later cause more pain.

PSALM 71:This is a poem written by an senior citizen with examples for our prayers that are appropriate for 'youth' of all ages.

ACTS 22:In the last part of Acts 21, people from the Roman province of Asia recognized Paul and started a riot in the temple. Paul was arrested and now gives his speech to the angry mob.

NLT Translation notes:Josh. 10:39 He captured the town, its king, and all of its surrounding villages. He completely destroyed everyone in it, leaving no survivors. He did to Debir and its king just what he had done to Hebron and [0/to ] Libnah and [their kings//its king].====

====Ps. 71:6 Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother's womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always [singing your praises//praising you]!Ps. 71:22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.I will sing praises to you with a [harp//lyre], O Holy One of Israel. [Who knows what a lyre is these days. But people still know what a liar is.] ====Acts 22:11 "I was blinded by [that/the] intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions.28 [The commander scoffed, "Oh yeah, I've heard that one before! Now you're gonna say, 'It cost me pleanty to buy my citizenship.'" //"I am, too," the commander muttered, "and it cost me plenty!"]

NL-Day115 Joshua 8-9; Psalm 70; Acts 21:20-40 Apr 19, 2026

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JOSHUA 8-9:Yesterday the walls of Jericho "came a-tumbling down" after some skillful trumpet playing while marching around the city for 7 days. The city was devoted to destruction, meaning that this was God's judgement upon them, and that everything was to be destroyed. Right after this amazing victory, Israel learned through a man named Achan that keeping treasures devoted to destruction makes oneself devoted to destruction.

PSALM 70:David pleads in this psalm for help against his enemies. And this poem is a repetition of the last part of Psalm 40.

ACTS 21b:Paul, Luke, and the other companions arrived in Jerusalem. On the way, Paul heard the prophecies that he should not go to Jerusalem. Once there, he received advice from James and the others which turned out to be disastrous in the end. Should Paul have followed the advice he was given by prophecy? My opinion is that he did the will of God which had already been revealed to him before those prophecies. In other words, the information in those prophecies that Paul would be arrested and beaten was from God. The interpretation that Paul should not go there was added by people, and Paul was right in not following their advice.

NLT Translation notes:Ps. 70:2 May those who [are trying//try] to kill me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.5 But as for me [now], I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O Lord , do not delay.

NL-Day114 Joshua 6-7; Psalm 69:19-36; Acts 21:1-25 Apr 19, 2026

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JOSHUA 6-7:In yesterday's reading, Joshua lead the people across the Jordan on dry ground, and they set up 12 stones in two places to be memorial reminders for the people of this miracle. All the men were circumcised, and the angel who is the commander of God's army revealed himself to Joshua.

PSALM 69:In yesterday's reading, I appreciated that the writer appealed to God based on the Lord's 'constant love'. Let's continue the reading of Ps 69 with four verses appropriate to Jesus' life. Note that verse 22 is quoted by Paul in Romans 11.

ACTS 21a:Yesterday we heard Paul's speech to the Ephesian elders. The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that they would never see him again. He warned them to be faithful in shepherding the people and to watch out for false teaching. In Revelation 2 we find out that they did as Paul commanded, but in their zeal to protect from error, they forgot to be loving.

NLT Translation notes:Ps. 69:30 Then I will praise [Your name, O God//God's name] with singing,and I will honor [You/him] with thanksgiving.31 For this will please [You/the] LORD more than sacrificing cattle,more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.32 The humble will see their [You, O] God[,] at work and be glad.Let all who seek [your help, O God//God's help] be encouraged. Acts 21:4 and 12 NLT has 'not go on' and I read 'not go'. My mistake! But many other translations do not have the word 'on' and I didn't see it both times.

NL-Day113 Joshua 4-5; Psalm 69:1-18; Acts 20:17-38 Apr 19, 2026

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JOSHUA 4-5:In yesterday's reading, Joshua sent out two spies. Rahab, who was a prostitute and later became an outstanding example of God's grace, protected them and eventually became a full member of Israel. The people of Israel crossed the Jordan miraculously on dry ground— even though the river was in flood stage, as Joshua leads following God's instructions.

PSALM 69:This poem contains words that were quoted about Jesus (v. 4 and 9). Those verses give us an inside view of the nature of Jesus' suffering while on earth in his public ministry.

ACTS 20:In yesterday's reading, Paul left Ephesus and prepared other churches for his departure. In Troas, Paul preached all night. Eutychus had trouble staying awake. And today we will hear all of Paul's speech at Miletus to the elders from the church at Ephesus.

NLT Translation notes:Josh. 5:13 When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and [asked him//demanded], "Are you friend or foe?" ====Ps. 69:3I am exhausted from crying for help;my throat is parched.My eyes are swollen with weeping,waiting for [You] my God to help me.====Acts 20:18 When they arrived he [began his speech//declared], "You know that from the day I set foot in the province of Asia until now 21 I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of [fully believing//having faith] in our Lord Jesus.25 "And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached the [Good News about God's] Kingdom will ever see me again. 28 "So guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as [elders//leaders].

NL-Day112 Joshua 2-3; Psalm 68:19-35; Acts 20:1-25 Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

JOSHUA 2-3:Yesterday we started the book of Joshua, named after the man God chose as Moses' successor. In this book we will see the victory of the Chosen People in conquering the Promised Land (chapters 1-12) and then the occupation of the Promised Land (chapters 13-24). Three times i n Deuteronomy 31, we heard the charge, "Be determined and confident," and that command was repeated three more times to Joshua in chapter 1.

PSALM 68b:This psalm starts with the words Moses spoke whenever the Ark of the Covenant was taken up to be moved to another place:"1 Rise up, O God, and scatter your enemies."And David adds, "Let those who hate God run for their lives."

ACTS 20a:Yesterday we heard of how Demetrius— the silver-smith shrine-making businessman, incited a riot against Paul.

NLT Translation note:Ps. 68:31 NLT Version difference in Line B: let Ethiopia bow in submission to God.Acts 20:25 "And now I know that none of you to whom I have preached [this news about//the] [God's] Kingdom will ever see me again.

NL-Day111 Joshua 1; Psalm 68:1-19; Acts 19:23-41 Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

JOSHUA 1:Yesterday we read the conclusion of Deuteronomy with Moses blessing eleven of the twelve tribes with a prophetic blessing. And then Moses died and the Lord buried him in an unknown location in Moab.

Now we turn to Joshua, the book named after the man God chose as Moses' successor. In this book we see the victory of the Chosen People in conquering the Promised Land (chapters 1-12) and then the occupation of the Promised Land (chapters 13-24). Three times in Deuteronomy 31, we find the charge, "Be determined and confident," and that command is repeated to Joshua in the beginning of this book.

PSALM 68a:This beautiful song of praise is filled with poetic imagery celebrating the victories God gives his people. So this song is very appropriate for us to read as a preface to the book of Joshua. This starts with the words that Moses spoke whenever the Ark of the Covenant was moved. Paul quotes from v18 and 20 in Eph 4.

ACTS 19b:Apollos was introduced in yesterday's reading. And Paul returned to Ephesus and had a miraculous and fruitful ministry there for three years.

NL-Day110 Deuteronomy 33-34; Psalm 67; Acts 19:1-22 Apr 19, 2026

Show notes

DEUTERONOMY 33-34: In yesterday's reading, Moses showed Israel that the leadership was given to Joshua, and he gave the command that this book of Deuteronomy be kept near the Arc of the Covenant. Then God gave Moses a long song to teach people, to help them remember. In this song, God described some future events as happening in the past tense. This is a feature many prophetic writings. Here is one detail you might want to notice today in chapter 33: In Moses' blessings for the tribes of Israel, only 11 are listed. So I'm giving a digging deeper challenge: Which tribe is left out, and what theory do you propose for that one being left out? PSALM 67: The theme of this beautiful psalm is that the salvation that God gives is to be made known to people everywhere, to every ethnic group. ACTS 19a: Yesterday in Acts 18, Paul met and began working with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth. When put on trial before Gallio, God defended him so that he didn't even need to speak. Then that night Jesus strengthened him to keep on speaking boldly. NLT Translation note: Ps. 67:7 Yes, [You, O ] God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear [You/him].

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