Daily Bible Verse - 9/30/2007 - Psalm 100:4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

Psalm 100:4

Commentary
The people of the Lord may actually come into His presence and bring Him worship that pleases Him. Be thankful is a command for public expression of praise (106:1).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ps 100:4). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?
Affectionately known as "Old Hundredth," (Psalm 100) from its tune in the Geneva Psalter (1551), this Psalm is a call to all the earth to worship Jehovah.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 101:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/29/2007 - John 13:34

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

John 13:34

Commentary
The command to love was new because Jesus gave it a new standard. Moses said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Lev. 19:18). Jesus said the new standard was as I have loved you. Jesus gave His disciples the example of love that they were to follow (vv. 1-17).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jn 13:34). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?

The warm word agape is the characteristic term of Christianity. This word for love is used several different ways in the Bible.

1. Agape love indicates the nature of the love of God toward His beloved Son (John 17:26), toward the human race generally (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8), and toward those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:21).

2. Agape love conveys God's will to His children about their attitude toward one another. Love for one another was a proof to the world of true discipleship (John 13:34-35).

3. Agape love also expresses the essential nature of God (1 John 4:8). Love can be known only from the actions it prompts, as seen in God's love in the gift of His Son (1 John 4:9-10). Love found its perfect expression in the Lord Jesus. Christian love is the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus in the believer (Gal. 5:22).

Hayford, J. W., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Hayford's Bible handbook. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/28/2007 - John 14:23

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him."

John 14:23

Commentary
Once again, Jesus emphasized the need for the habitual practice of obedience to His commands as evidence of the believer's love for Him and the Father (see note on v. 15). This is consistent with the teaching of James 2:14-26 that true saving faith is manifest by works produced by God in the transforming, regenerating power of the Spirit. Those works are expressions of the love which the Spirit pours into the believer's heart (Rom. 5:5; Gal. 5:22).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jn 14:21). Nashville: Word Pub.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/27/2007 - Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.

Deuteronomy 32:4

Commentary
the Rock. This word, representing the stability and permanence of God, was placed at the beginning of the verse for emphasis and was followed by a series of phrases which elaborated the attributes of God as the Rock of Israel. It is one of the principle themes in this song (see vv. 15, 18, 30, 31), stressing the unchanging nature of God in contrast with the fickle nature of the people.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Dt 32:4). Nashville: Word Pub.

GOD OF TRUTH
The Lord is titled "God of truth" in several Old Testament passages. As Moses approached his own death, "God of truth" was one of the first titles he gave to the Lord in a teaching song (which Moses then had Israel memorize).

He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He.
Deuteronomy 32:4

It's clear from this first occurrence of the title in Scripture that titling the Lord as "God of truth" is closely related to His moral character.

Richards, L. (2001). Every name of God in the Bible. Includes indexes. Everything in the Bible series (48). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/26/2007 - Matthew 7:24

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Matthew 7:24

Commentary
The house represents a religious life; the rain represents divine judgment. Only the one built on the foundation of obedience to God's Word stands, which calls for repentance, rejection of salvation by works, and trust in God's grace to save through His merciful provision.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Mt 7:24). Nashville: Word Pub.

Did you know?

The response of Jesus' listeners to His sermon (The Sermon on the Mount) was astonishment, "for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes" (7:29).

Richards, L., Pegoda, D., & Gross, P. (2001). Every teaching of Jesus in the Bible. Includes index. (56). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/25/2007 - James 1:22

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

James 1:22

Commentary
be doers. The fact that James calls professing believers to be "doers," rather than simply to do, emphasizes that their entire personality should be characterized in that way. See notes on Matt. 7:21-27.

deceiving. Lit. "reasoning beside or alongside" (as in "beside oneself"). This word was used in mathematics to refer to a miscalculation. Professing Christians who are content with only hearing the Word have made a serious spiritual miscalculation.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jas 1:22). Nashville: Word Pub.

Did you know?

James issues instructions more profusely than any of the other writers (of the New Testament). In the short space of 108 verses, there are fifty-four commands (imperative forms).

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jas 1:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/24/2007 - Psalms 27:4

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple.

Psalms 27:4

Commentary
27:4 One thing. The primary issue in David's life was to live in God's presence and by His purpose (cf. Pss. 15:1; 23:6; cf. Paul's "one thing" in Phil. 3:13).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ps 27:4). Nashville: Word Pub.

Did you know?
Because he was not a priest, David could not actually go into the tabernacle, but he could still rest in the Lord and trust Him as his refuge.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Ps 27:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/23/2007 - Deuteronomy 6:4

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

Deuteronomy 6:4

Commentary
Hear: The Hebrew word is shema˒. The verse starts with a command for the people to respond properly to God. They must listen and obey.
The Lord our God indicates the people's relationship with the living God. He had come into the lives of His people; it was not that they had ascended to Him. He had saved them from slavery in Egypt, guided them through the wilderness, and given them His instructions. Further, He was about to give them His land.
The Lord is one means "the Lord alone." There is only one God.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Dt 6:4). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/22/2007 - Nehemiah 9:6

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you.

Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.

You alone are the LORD You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You.

Nehemiah 9:6

Commentary
One of the fundamental teachings of Scripture is that God is not one among many; He alone is the living God (Deut. 6:4).
heaven .. earth .. seas: God alone has made all things, and He alone preserves all things. Therefore, worship is due Him. The first section of this psalm (vv. 5, 6) establishes the mood for the whole poem: God is incomparable (Num. 23:8, 9; Deut. 4:32-40; Ps. 113:4-6).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ne 9:6). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?
Angels are created beings. They are not demigods. They do not have attributes of deity, such as omniscience or omnipresence. They did not exist in eternity past. They are creatures. Nehemiah 9:6 says, "Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee" (emphasis added). That clearly indicates that God created the angels. It also suggests that angels-like all other intelligent creatures-were designed to render worship to God, not to receive worship themselves. In fact, in every case in Scripture, whenever angels are offered any form of worship, they always rebuke the worshiper and redirect all worship to God alone (cf. Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9).

MacArthur, J. (1996). The glory of heaven : The truth about heaven, angels, and eternal life (152). Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/21/2007 - Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

Commentary
The biblical message is clear. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). The apostle Peter proclaimed to a hostile audience, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). The apostle John wrote, "He who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36). Again and again, Scripture stresses that Jesus Christ is the only hope of salvation for the world. "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). Only Christ can atone for sin, and therefore only Christ can provide salvation. "And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:11-12).

MacArthur, J. (2002). Why one way? : Defending an exclusive claim in an inclusive world (11). Nashville: W Pub. Group.

Crosses by Brian
Creator of crosses that carry a message to be proclaimed with courage.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/20/2007 - Titus 3:5

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5

Commentary
3:5not by works of righteousness: Since Paul has been exhorting Titus to emphasize good works in his ministry with the Cretans, he wants to make it clear that such works have no value in saving a person. Rather, it is solely on the basis of God's mercy that we are delivered from the penalty of our sin.
washing of regeneration: This phrase refers to the work of the Holy Spirit, who in a moment makes a person new by the cleansing of regeneration (the new birth). This new nature is the ground for living the Christian life and performing good deeds.
renewing of the Holy Spirit: The continual process of Christian living is enabled by the Holy Spirit, resulting in growth in character and good works.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Tit 3:5). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Regeneration
(Gk. palingenēsia, lit. "becoming again" or "being born again") is produced by "the word of truth" (James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:23) and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5, 6). Regeneration and renewal describe the work of God in changing a heart from one that has a propensity to evil to one that is capable of faith and good works (Ezek. 36:26, 27).

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Tit 3:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/19/2007 - Isaiah 44:22

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.

"I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud And your sins like a heavy mist Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."

Isaiah 44:22

Commentary
blotted out .. your sins. Further reassurances of God's sovereign grace at work on behalf of Israel were given (43:25). God had blotted out their sins written in His book against them (cf. Rev. 20:12). As a person can't see what is ahead because it is blocked by a "thick cloud," so God obliterated the sins of those He redeemed.
Return to Me. God has already provided for redemption, even before the cross, but based on it alone. For those who turn from sin and return to Him, there is redemption (because the purchase price for the sinner was paid by the sacrifice of Christ). The Lord calls on His people to repent so they may receive the promised redemption (cf. Neh. 1:9; Jer 4:1; 24:7; Joel 2:12; Zech. 1:3; Mal. 3:7; Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Rom. 3:25,26; Heb. 9:15).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Is 44:22). Nashville: Word Pub.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/18/2007 - Acts 3:19

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 3:19

Commentary
It must be remembered that this message is addressed to the men of Israel (v. 12). It emphasizes that national repentance must precede national restoration and blessing. The times of refreshing .. from the presence of the Lord refer to the blessings of Christ's future kingdom on earth, as mentioned in the next verse.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ac 3:19). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Blotted out
"Blotted out" compares forgiveness to the complete wiping away of ink from the surface of a document (Col. 2:14).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ac 3:19). Nashville: Word Pub.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/17/2007 - Luke 12:39-40

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.

Luke 12:39-40

Commentary
Jesus changed the illustration slightly, comparing the watch to protecting against a robbery. Knowledge of the time would lead to vigilance. But since the time is not known, constant readiness is essential.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Lk 12:39-40). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?
No less than 82 times in the Gospels Jesus refers to Himself as the "Son of Man." We can tell from this repeated use that the title "Son of Man" was particularly significant to Jesus.

Richards, L. (2001). Every name of God in the Bible. Includes indexes. Everything in the Bible series (169). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/15/2007 - Lamentations 3:37-38

Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?

Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not? Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, Unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High That both good and ill go forth?

Lamentations 3:37-38

Did you know?
No other entire OT book contains only laments, as does this distressful dirge, marking the funeral of the once beautiful city of Jerusalem (cf. 2:15). This book keeps alive the memory of that fall and teaches all believers how to deal with suffering.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (La 1:1). Nashville: Word Pub.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/14/2007 - Psalm 115:3

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

Psalm 115:3

Commentary
The transcendence of God means that He is exalted above the universe, and has His being apart from it. The sovereignty of God means that He is free to do whatever He pleases, and what He pleases is always good, just and wise.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 115:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

"God in Heaven"

This descriptive phrase is found nine times in the Old Testament. In describing the Lord as "God in heaven," the writers of Scripture affirm several truths. Moses views God's position in heaven as giving Him the right to call on the Israelites to "keep.. His commandments" (Deut. 4:39, 40). Rahab, a citizen of Jericho, saw Yahweh's position as God in heaven as one of power. He was well able to aid Israel and to crush Jericho's walls (Josh. 2:11). When the Lord is addressed as "God in heaven" in 1 Kings 8:23, 2 Chronicles 6:14, and 20:6, it is His uniqueness that is in view. All other so-called deities are idols whose realms are limited to the earth. They are the inventions of demons whose forms are fashioned by people. Psalm 115:3-6 beautifully sums up what it means to know the Lord as God in heaven.

Richards, L. (2001). Every name of God in the Bible. Includes indexes. Everything in the Bible series (43). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 9/13/2007 - Psalm 34:3

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.

Psalm 34:3

Commentary
The determination of David to praise God is similar to the words of Paul in 1 Thess. 5:18. Exalt His name together is David's call for the congregation to join him in his praise of God.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ps 34:1-3). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.