Daily Bible Verse - 1/31/2008 - John 6:35-36

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe."

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. "But I said to you that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe."

John 6:35-36

Commentary
Now Jesus stated the truth simply and clearly. He is the bread of life. Those who come to Him find enough in Him to satisfy their spiritual hunger forever. Those who believe on Him find their thirst forever quenched.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jn 6:35). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Bread of Life
When Jesus called Himself the "bread of life" (John 6:35; also 6:32-33, 41, 48), He was using as an image more than a staple of the diet, He was drawing on a rich symbol of Jewish life. Throughout the Exodus, God miraculously sustained His people by sending manna from heaven each morning (Ex. 16). The bread-like manna was a "small round substance as fine as frost" (16:14). It looked "like white coriander seed" and tasted like "wafers made with honey" (16:31) or "pastry prepared with oil" (Num. 11:8).
It was this manna that Jesus was recalling when He called Himself "the true bread from heaven" (John 6:32), "the bread which came down from heaven" (6:41), and the "bread of life" (6:48-51, 58). Symbolically, Jesus is the heavenly manna, the spiritual or supernatural food given by the Father to those who ask, seek, and knock (6:45; Matt. 7:7-8).

Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Jn 6:35). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.D

Daily Bible Verse - 1/30/2008 - John 1:12

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

John 1:12

Commentary
Fallen human beings are not children of God by nature; this is the privilege only of those who have faith, a faith generated in them by the sovereign action of God (v. 13).

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (Jn 1:12). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Did you know?
John softens the sweeping rejection of Messiah by stressing a believing remnant. This previews the book (JOHN) since the first 12 chapters stress the rejection of Christ, while chaps. 13-21 focus on the believing remnant who received Him.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Jn 1:12). Nashville: Word Pub.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/29/2008 - John 8:24

"I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins."

John 8:24

Commentary
Jesus often used repetition for emphasis. Here He solemnly warned them again that they would die in their sins. If they steadfastly refused to believe on Him, there was no alternative. Apart from the Lord Jesus, there is no way to obtain forgiveness of sins, and those who die with sins unforgiven cannot possibly enter heaven at last.
The word He is not found in this verse in the original, though it may be implied. It reads literally: "If you do not believe that I am, you will die in your sins." We see in the words I am another claim to deity by the Lord Jesus.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jn 8:24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

"I AM"
"I am" was God's designation of Himself (Ex. 3:14). Jesus was claiming to be God. This assertion was not understood by the religious leaders at this time. Later, Jesus' claim to be the "I AM" (v. 58) prompted the Jewish leaders to seek His life (v. 59).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jn 8:24-25). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/28/2008 - Luke 16:10

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."

He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.

"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much."

Luke 16:10

Commentary
If we are faithful in our stewardship of what is least (money), then we will be faithful in handling what is much (spiritual treasures). On the other hand, a man who is unrighteous in using the money which God has entrusted to him is unrighteous when bigger considerations are at stake. The relative unimportance of money is empha sized by the expression what is least.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Lk 16:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?
Jesus and His disciples had a common treasury; the responsibility for handling it was given to one of the group, Judas Iscariot. The unfaithfulness of Judas in this task (which they dubbed the "least") revealed his unworthiness to be entrusted with true riches (Luke 16:10-11; John 12:6).

Packer, J., Tenney, M. C., & White, W. (1997, c1995). Nelson's illustrated manners and customs of the Bible (333). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/27/2008 - Proverbs 3:9

Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;

Proverbs 3:9

Commentary
A biblical view of possessions demands using them for honoring God. This is accomplished by trusting God (v. 5); by giving the first and best to God ("firstfruits"; cf. Ex. 22:29; 23:19; Deut. 18:4); by being fair (vv. 27, 28); by giving generously (11:25); and by expressing gratitude for all He gives (Deut. 6:9-11). The result of such faithfulness to honor Him is prosperity and satisfaction.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Pr 3:9). Nashville: Word Pub.

FirstFruits
The ancient Israelites gave to God the "firstfruits," the firstborn of the flocks and the first crops gathered at harvest time. These were dedicated to God by formally presenting them at the temple on the day of Pentecost (Num. 28:26). Giving to God the first and the best of one's harvest indicated a recognition that everything belonged to Him.

Thomas Nelson Publishers. (2001). What does the Bible say about-- : The ultimate A to Z resource fully illustrated. Nelson's A to Z series (383). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/26/2008 - Matthew 6:31-33

So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "

Matthew 6:31-33

Commentary
The conclusion is that we should not spend our lives in anxious pursuit of food, drink, and clothing for the future.

The unconverted Gentileslive for the mad accumulation of material things, as if food and clothing were the whole of life. But it should not be so with Christians, who have a heavenly Father who knows their basic needs.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Mt 6:31). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/25/2008 - Matthew 6:24

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth.

Matthew 6:24

Commentary
We need things to live (v. 32), and God provides these things for us (v. 33); but acquiring things must not be the main goal of life. You are living for things when they capture your heart (vv. 19-21), divide your mind (vv. 22-23), and control your will (v. 24); and the result of this is worry. The solution is to put God first and start living with eternity's values in view.

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Mt 6:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?

"Mammon" is from an Aramaic word denoting "what is stored up" (property). Hence it came to have the meaning of riches or wealth. Etymologically it may refer to anything in which one puts his trust.

Believer's Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (Mt 6:24). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/24/2008 - Psalm 119:36-37

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain. Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.

Psalm 119:36-37

Commentary
If you want real values, get them from the Word of God (v. 37). How tragic that so many people waste time, energy, and money on things that amount to little or nothing (Isa. 55:2).

Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Ps 119:33). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?
Well known as the longest chapter in the Bible (Psalm 119), this psalm is one of the acrostics. However, unlike the other acrostics, which contain only one verse for each of the 22 Hebrew letters, Psalm 119 includes eight verses for each letter, making a total of 176 verses!

King James Version study Bible . 1997, c1988 (electronic ed.) (Ps 119:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/23/2008 - 1 Timothy 6:9

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

1 Timothy 6:9

Commentary
It is not the possession of riches, but the love of them that leads men into temptation.

Vincent, M. R. (2002). Word studies in the New Testament (4:276). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

In the New Testament, many warnings are given of the dangers of letting money and things possess a person's heart. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of "treasures on earth" and "treasures in heaven" and called upon His followers to be careful of which treasure they chose (Matt. 6:19-21, 24).

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/22/2008 - Ecclesiastes 5:10

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Commentary
People who love money are never satisfied; they always want more. Wealth does not buy contentment.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ec 5:10). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?
The possession of wealth is not always the sign of God's favor. "Why does the way of the wicked prosper?" (Jer. 12:1) became a familiar theme to the writers of the Old Testament. The popular view that wickedness brings poverty and goodness brings wealth is strongly opposed by the Book of Job.

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/20/2008 - Acts 20:28

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Acts 20:28

Commentary
This verse is rich with lessons about leadership in the church: 1) Take heed to yourselves means "pay close attention." Leaders must first guard themselves before they can oversee the church adequately. 2) Church leaders are not self-made. They are appointed by the Spirit. 3) Overseers is from the same Greek root translated "overshadow" in Luke 1:35. An overseer is one who covers and protects the flock. 4) The church belongs to God. He owns it because He bought it. What God does through the leaders of the church does not belong to them. In contrast, Paul warns of false leaders in vv. 29-31.

Spirit filled life study Bible. 1997, c1991 (electronic ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?
Overseers in the NT are also called bishops, elders, and presbyters.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ac 20:28). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/19/2008 - Romans 12:15-16

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Romans 12:15-16

Commentary
Our tendency is to be jealous when others rejoice, and to pass by when they mourn. God's way is to enter into the joys and sorrows of those around us.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ro 12:15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?
In no way should you be conceited, or in any respect consider yourself better than fellow believers. Instead, God wants you to accept and embrace every member of the body of Christ: "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4).

MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (226). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/18/2008 - James 5:13

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.

James 5:13

Commentary
In every circumstance of life, we should go to the Lord in prayer. When in trouble, we should approach Him with earnest entreaties. In times of rejoicing, we should lift our hearts to Him in praise.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Jas 5:13). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?

Tradition ascribes great piety to James, whose nickname was "camel-knees," because of the calluses on his knees caused from spending so much time in prayer. James's commitment to the practical expression of a true faith in Christ is clearly seen in the way of life taught in the book that carries his name.

Richards, L. (1999). Every man in the Bible (212). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/17/2008 - Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

Hebrews 10:23

Commentary
Persecution will come (2 Tim. 3:12), but God is faithful. Temptations will abound, but God is faithful to provide an escape (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13). God's promises are reliable (1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Thess. 5:24; Jude 24,25). With that confidence, the believer can persevere.

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Heb 10:23). Nashville: Word Pub.

Definition
HOPE - confident expectancy. Hope does not arise from the individual's desires or wishes but from God, who is Himself the believer's hope: "My hope is in You" (Ps. 39:7). Genuine hope is not wishful thinking, but a firm assurance about things that are unseen and still in the future (Rom. 8:24-25; Heb. 11:1, 7).

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.

Daily Bible Verse - 1/16/2008 - Hebrews 10:22

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

Commentary

10:22 Let us draw near. This is the believer's blood-bought privilege. How wonderful beyond all words that we are invited to have audience, not with this world's celebrities, but with the Sovereign of the universe! The extent to which we value the invitation is shown by the manner in which we respond to it.

There is a fourfold description of how we should be spiritually groomed in entering the throne room.

1. With a true heart. The people of Israel drew near to God with their mouth, and honored Him with their lips, but their heart was often far from Him (Matt. 15:8). Our approach should be with utter sincerity.

2. In full assurance of faith. We draw near with utter confidence in the promises of God and with the firm conviction that we shall have a gracious reception into His presence.

3. Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. This can be brought about only by the new birth. When we trust Christ, we appropriate the value of His blood. Figuratively speaking, we sprinkle our hearts with it, just as the Israelites sprinkled their doors with the blood of the Passover lamb.

4. And our bodies washed with pure water. Again this is symbolic language. Our bodies represent our lives. The pure water might refer either to the word (Eph 5:25, 26), to the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39), or to the Holy Spirit using the word in cleansing our lives from daily defilement. We are cleansed once for all from the guilt of sin by the death of Christ, but cleansed repeatedly from the defilement of sin by the Spirit through the word (see John 13:10).

Thus we might summarize the four requisites for entering God's presence as sincerity, assurance, salvation, and sanctification.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Heb 10:22). Nashville: Thomas Nelson

Daily Bible Verse - 1/15/2008 - Ezekiel 36:26-27

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances."

Ezekiel 36:26-27

Commentary
This is the clearest statement of the N.T. concept of conversion to be found anywhere in the O.T. In the N.T. a new heart is the result of conversion (Matt. 5:8; 22:37; Rom. 10:10; 2 Cor. 4:6; Eph. 6:6; 1 Pet. 3:15). Receiving the "spirit" is also fulfilled in Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18, 23; 16:7-15) and the ultimate fulfillment at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). One day all of this shall also be true for repentant Israel.

Believer's Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (Eze 36:25). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?
The prospect of God placing His own Spirit within His people to help them walk in His ways (Ezek. 36:26-27) was an exciting new development. The Holy Spirit inspired Old Testament believers to pursue holiness, and from time to time He came upon certain leaders in a way that gave them extraordinary power. But He was not a permanent resident in God's people as He is today. So Ezekiel's vision of an indwelling Spirit must have filled his listeners with anticipation.

Word in life study Bible . 1997, c1996 (electronic ed.) (Eze 38:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.