Daily Audio Bible - November 25, 2020

To hear Brian Hardin read today's Scripture selection, click here and then click the audio button in the top left. Daniel 1:1-2:23 Daniel's Training in Babylon 1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king's service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service. 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you." 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see." 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Nebuchadnezzar's Dream 2 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, "I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means." 4 Then the astrologers answered the king, "May the king live forever! Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it." 5 The king replied to the astrologers, "This is what I have firmly decided: If you do not tell me what my dream was and interpret it, I will have you cut into pieces and your houses turned into piles of rubble. 6 But if you tell me the dream and explain it, you will receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor. So tell me the dream and interpret it for me." 7 Once more they replied, "Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will interpret it." 8 Then the king answered, "I am certain that you are trying to gain time, because you realize that this is what I have firmly decided: 9 If you do not tell me the dream, there is only one penalty for you. You have conspired to tell me misleading and wicked things, hoping the situation will change. So then, tell me the dream, and I will know that you can interpret it for me." 10 The astrologers answered the king, "There is no one on earth who can do what the king asks! No king, however great and mighty, has ever asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or astrologer. 11 What the king asks is too difficult. No one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans." 12 This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death. 14 When Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king's officer, "Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him. 17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;     wisdom and power are his. 21 He changes times and seasons;     he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise     and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things;     he knows what lies in darkness,     and light dwells with him. 23 I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors:     You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you,     you have made known to us the dream of the king." New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. 1 Peter 3:8-4:6 Suffering for Doing Good 8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, "Whoever would love life     and see good days must keep their tongue from evil     and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good;     they must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous     and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. Living for God 4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Psalm 119:65-80 ט Teth 65 Do good to your servant     according to your word, Lord. 66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,     for I trust your commands. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,     but now I obey your word. 68 You are good, and what you do is good;     teach me your decrees. 69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,     I keep your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,     but I delight in your law. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted     so that I might learn your decrees. 72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me     than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. י Yodh 73 Your hands made me and formed me;     give me understanding to learn your commands. 74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,     for I have put my hope in your word. 75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,     and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,     according to your promise to your servant. 77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,     for your law is my delight. 78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;     but I will meditate on your precepts. 79 May those who fear you turn to me,     those who understand your statutes. 80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,     that I may not be put to shame. New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Proverbs 28:14 14 Blessed is the one who always trembles before God,     but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble. New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.     Bible Gateway Recommendations Buy Now The One Year Adventure with the God of Your Story Did you find this devotional helpful and inspiring? Read the book for more! Copyright Information Daily Audio Bible. Copyright © 2015 Daily Audio Bible. Used by permission. Subscription Information This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog by Bible Gateway, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA. This email is part of a devotional or newsletter that you signed up for on BibleGateway.com. 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Night Light for Parents- November 24, 2020

Living in the Present We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair. 2 Corinthians 4:8 Author Donna Partow writes that her unemployed husband, Cameron, began a job search with high hopes. But the "Aha!" of finding a new job never came. Cameron networked; he knocked on doors; he circled want ads. He even dialed job hot lines until midnight each evening. Then he began to bog down emotionally. He and Donna would tell their daughter, "Well, honey, I wish we could do such and such, but we'll just have to wait until Daddy gets a job." Suddenly Cameron and Donna realized that they had put life on hold, freeze-framing every fun moment until their hard times passed. They resolved that day to live in the present regardless of their situation. They began going out for fast food like other families, although they'd buy only one item each. They maintained a busy social life and did inexpensive but meaningful activities together as a family. Most importantly, they refused to give in to despair and depression. Such measures, of course, don't bring employment or relieve financial strain—but they sure beat self-pity and despondency. The apostle Paul encouraged new believers with a reminder of when they "joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property" because of their faith (Hebrews 10:34). Likewise, let's remember the joy we always have in Christ—no matter what the circumstances. Before you say good night… Are you putting parts of your lives "on hold" because of hard times? How can you help your family enjoy life despite any current trials? Father, we thank You for Your provision for our needs and for forgiveness of sins. Grant us Your joy and peace, no matter what our daily challenges, and help us to always place our trust in You. Amen. From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Night Light for Parents- November 25, 2020

Let God Be God In God I trust; I will not be afraid. Psalm 56:4 Dr. Jim Conway was a guest on a Focus on the Family radio broadcast to relate the story of his daughter, Becki. When Becki was fifteen, she began having trouble with one of her knees. For the next eighteen months, doctors ran tests and took biopsies. Finally, a doctor came to the Conway home and delivered the distressing verdict—Becki had a malignancy and her leg would have to be amputated. Dr. Conway, a pastor, refused to believe it. He was convinced that God was about to perform a miracle. His church began a twenty-four-hour vigil of fasting and prayer. On the morning of the scheduled surgery, he asked the surgeon to verify that Becki's cancer had been healed. But it hadn't. Becki's leg was lost—as was the faith of a crushed, angry, and confused father. Over the next several weeks, Dr. Conway battled his feelings over Becki's amputation. He eventually realized that he had two choices: continue along a path of anger and despair over the loss of Becky's leg or put the matter in God's hands and choose to believe that He knew what He was doing. He decided, in his words, to "let God be God" and trust Him to turn tragedy into triumph. The struggles with his emotions didn't completely disappear. But like Job, Dr. Conway chose to draw on the wisdom and love of our sovereign Creator: "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15). There are times that God simply doesn't make sense. When He allows tragedy to strike your family, a sense of abandonment or despair can be overwhelming. But in your hour of crisis, I urge you not to lean on your own ability to understand. Don't demand explanations. You will find peace only when you choose to "let God be God," rest in His wisdom and protection, and heed the words of David in Psalm 52:8: "I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." - Shirley M Dobson From Night Light For Parents, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Copyright Information These devotionals are drawn from Night Light for Parents by Dr. James and Shirley Dobson. For more information or to buy a print copy, see Night Light for Parents.  Subscription Information This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog by Bible Gateway, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA. This email is part of a devotional or newsletter that you signed up for on BibleGateway.com. For information regarding our privacy policy,click here. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, please contact us. *Manage all Bible Gateway subscriptions — *Opt Out of all Bible Gateway communication *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally