Revelation 20:12 - And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.

Revelation 20:12

Commentary

To think of a God who judges seems medieval, yet we recognize that this world is not what it is supposed to be. We get mad when we experience a business transaction that seems unbalanced. We protest when we see those in power taking advantage of the poor and helpless. We feel passion about what we consider fair or right, and we judge things that don't match up to that "right-ness". But our judgments of the world around us reveal that we are in the image of a Creator who will judge all of His creation someday.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Psalm 140:12 - I know that the LORD secures justice

I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.

I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted And justice for the poor.

Psalm 140:12

Commentary

This and the following three psalms are linked to the difficulties that David faced in his lifetime. This psalm deals with how David is coping with slander and this verse reveals how David copes with the anxiety that grips his soul: He knows that the Lord sees his trouble. He knows that the God he serves cares for the poor and needy. It is this knowledge that strengthens David to press on. It is God's faithfulness that helps David to see beyond the storm that is surrounding him.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

James 2:15-17 - Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food...

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

Deuteronomy 8:10

Commentary

The Scripture gives us a mandate to take care of those around us. It implies that we have the knowledge of those around us to know what their financial wellbeing. This is a passage addressing community as much as charity. We have a responsibility to be in a community that looks after the needs of each other.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Deuteronomy 8:10 - When you have eaten and are satisfied...

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.

When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.

When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you.

Deuteronomy 8:10

Commentary

Thousa.nds of years after this verse was written, in the midst of a hard winter that killed half of their fellow travelers, the Pilgrims who settled America still had a lot to be thankful for. Just before they arrived, a plague had wiped out a hostile tribe that would have killed them. Fifteen years earlier, one member of that tribe had been taken to Europe, was taught English, became a Christian, and came back to America just in time to teach the Pilgrims how to survive. Thanksgiving is a reminder that we have a good God who rescues us in a broken world.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Colossians 2:6-7 - Overflowing with thankfulness

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.

Colossians 2:6-7

Commentary

Paul is writing this due to an assault on the believers in Colossa. Many different heretical teachings were being thrust upon this new church that confused the identity of the Christians there. Paul is exhorting them to return to their roots. Remember the joy of knowing Christ because He first knew you. Remember the supernatural work that Christ did in your heart. As the reformer Martin Luther stated: "Christ plus nothing equals everything."

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Hebrews 12:28 - Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;

Hebrews 12:28

Commentary

The Scripture is clear that God has a fierce love for us. So fierce that He will shake anything that tries to compete with Him. Why do many of our plans come into opposition? Could it be from the One who will not allow the deceit of success to carry us away from Him? This is not to say that God is against success - He wants to bless His children. But He knows where false worship will lead us and will shake everything until even success takes it's place under His majesty and glory. He will bring us back to the first commandment to have no other gods but Him.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Psalm 145:9 - The LORD is good to all

The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.

The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

The LORD is good to all, And His mercies are over all His works.

Psalm 145:9

Commentary

Another passage of Scripture states that God allows the rain to fall on the righteous and unrighteous. God's nature is good to all. He is merciful even to those who consider themselves His enemies. The greatest example of this was Jesus, who died for those who disagreed with Him. God's compassion is seen with each breakthrough in science, art, or technology. Whether through the revelation from a pulpit or the revelation of a math problem solved, God's compassion is seen every moment of every day.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Zechariah 7:9 - Show mercy and compassion to one another

This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

Thus has the LORD of hosts said, 'Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother;'

Zechariah 7:9

Commentary

Zechariah was dealing with a nation that had corrupted their religious activities with self-interest. God's prescription for the religious abuse of Israel was to engage in humanitarian action. To show true salvation to people is to challenge them spiritually and minister to them materially. It's in the acts of justice, mercy and compassion that we exhibit God's goal to redeem his creation. To show true justice is to expose the corruption that we are all prone to. To show mercy is to lay down our quest for power. To show compassion is to enter into the lives of others to understand the brokenness of our world. This is the good news of God made visible.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Psalm 49:15 - But God will redeem my life from the grave

But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah

But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah.

Psalm 49:15

Commentary

This Psalm deals with death, which is not a popular subject in our day. We don't want to talk about death until it is thrust upon us through the passing of a relative or friend. It's been well said that we never see a hearse towing a U-Haul. But even though we can't take it with us, the good news is that God takes us with Him! We feel so unfulfilled with the achievements of this world because this world was never meant to fulfill us. We were created to long for the One who redeems our lives from the grave and takes us to Himself.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Commentary

If we want to know the will of God for our lives here is one clue: Give thanks in all circumstances. One might say, "How could I give thanks? You don't know my circumstances. I have absolutely no reason to give thanks for what happened to me." But in not giving thanks we relegate ourselves to the tyranny of a broken and fallen world. The Bible speaks of a fallen creation that needs rescue. Giving thanks reminds us and aligns us with God's rescue plan for our lives.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Philippians 4:12-13 - I can do everything through him who gives me strength

Philippians 4:12-13

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:12-13

Commentary

The apostle Paul applies the strength of God both to good and bad circumstances. He is basically saying that the gospel gives him the power to process victory and defeat similarly: as under the hand of God. In other words, how we handle our victories is also the way we handle our defeats. When our identity is in Christ and not in our achievement, success and setback are held in the same hand.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

John 15:16-17 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. "This I command you, that you love one another."

John 15:16-17

Commentary

We would like to think that we found God - but He actually chose us! Our ability to bear fruit doesn't come from our own will power, but from a heavenly intervention on our behalf. We are not our own - to ask based around our own agendas betrays the fact that we have been chosen and appointed. Chosen for what? Appointed for what? To love one another. This begins the pilgrim's journey. This forms the asking. This becomes the great adventure of following Jesus.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

John 15:4 - Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

John 15:4

Commentary

This is both sobering and liberating! To experience a growing, vibrant spiritual life with Jesus is not just an intellectual exercise. Nor is it and exhausting series of good deeds. It is in remaining in the vine that our fulfillment comes. From the vine comes knowledge and good works, but now it's from a position of having experienced God's love and acceptance. We must resist the urge to do things to get God's acceptance. He is offering us a resting place with Him with amazing results.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

John 15:1-2 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."

John 15:1-2

Commentary

Notice that both branches get cut. The difference is in how we respond to the pain of the pruning. In many ways, the way that we bear the pruning is how we know that we are growing in our relationship with God. Do we get bitter, or better? What does the experience of loss or hindrance expose in us? Our Father is a faithful gardener, ready to cut off the things in our lives that don't bear fruit, and reminding the fruitful ones that our life is not in the fruit, but only in the vine.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Proverbs 27:18 - He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored.

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.

Proverbs 27:18

Commentary

In this comparison, we see a picture of competence and loyalty. The master is like the fig tree, providing for the needs of his servant. But if the tree is not tended, no one benefits. If the master is not looked after, he won't have the resources to honor his servant. Today, we could remove the master/slave titles and put in employer/employee, or entrepreneur/client. To tend to our source of provision is to take care of ourselves.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Deuteronomy 25:4 - Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading

Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.

You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.

Deuteronomy 25:4

Commentary

Muzzling the ox would have kept the ox from eating from the grain while it worked. This command from the laws of Moses reminds us that it is not unreasonable to provide for the needs of an animal that is producing profit for us. Remember that this was written after God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; where they were treated as little more than animals. To allow the ox to eat the grain that it's treading tells us that He cares that we benefit from the results of our work.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Proverbs 12:10 - A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.

Proverbs 12:10

Commentary

This proverb follows a commonly used literary tool of contrast. To follow in the ways of God (the righteous) causes one to pay attention to the smallest details with care. In a similar way, those who resist the ways of God (the wicked) have no hope of compensating for their hardness of heart. Even acts of kindness won't cover selfish motives.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC