Ecclesiastes 10:12 - Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious

Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Our words reveal our character (Matthew 12:34) and we should choose our words wisely.

The fool makes false assumptions and therefore even more errant conclusions. He babbles on and on without thinking. (Ecclesiastes 10:14)

Let's be gracious with our words today, praying and reflecting before sharing and speaking.

As our grandparents said, "we have two ears and one mouth for a reason."

Psalm 1:1-2 - Delight is in the law of the LORD

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Christians are to engage in the world, but not be of the world.

Did you see Miss California last Sunday in the Miss USA competition?

I'm grateful for Miss California's choice to speak the Word of God instead of succumbing to the pressure of the world.

What do you think? Let us know on The Daily Bible Verse's Facebook page.

Proverbs 22:1 - A good name is more desirable than great riches

A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

What's in a name? Plenty!

In today's world where anyone can "google" you, a good name is worth more than ever.

Today's employers research potential candidates using all types of online tools.

I read an article recently which stated that we are the first generation whose grandchildren will be able to see everything about our lives electronically.

Can you imagine your grandchildren seeing archived editions of your blog? Your Facebook profile? Your status updates?

Each day we are truly building our own legacy. We should live our lives as Godly men and women of character who are not afraid to attach our names to anything we do.

Proverbs 10:9 - He who takes crooked paths will be found out

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Bernie Madoff was convicted of operating a Ponzi scheme that has been called the largest investor fraud ever committed by a single person.

In this "one big lie", as Madoff described it, Madoff stole from his own clients a staggering $65 billion dollars.

The person who walks securely is the one who lives with integrity according to God's Word. Though he may stumble, he will not fall.

Psalm 138:2 - I will bow down toward your holy temple

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

David's psalm of thanksgiving begins with individual praise.

Since Solomon's temple has not yet been built, David worships towards the tabernacle instead. He worships God for his steadfast love and faithfullness.

Is there something hold you back from worship today? Worship God where you are -- you don't have to wait for the "perfect" church.

World Malaria Day

For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

God has promised that one day all sickness and suffering will end on Earth. And God always keeps His promises! Until that day, we are called to help our fellow man.

April 25th is World Malaria Day and I decided to break our usual format today to help raise awareness.

Bill Gates released mosquitoes into the audience during his speech at the TED conference this year saying "Not only poor people should experience this." The mosquitoes he released were not carriers of Malaria, but Bill certainly made his point!

So what's the big deal about Malaria? It's fatal (especially to children) and it is mostly preventable.

Ninety percent of those who die from malaria are African children. Yet, a simple bed-net to protect a child's bed is just $10.

If you would like to learn more about Malaria and what you can do to help, please visit BiteBack.net

1 Samuel 16:7 - Man looks at the outward appearance

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart

for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

It's our sinful human nature to judge on appearances.

Have you seen the Susan Boyle video this week? Were you as astonished as I was?

Susan Boyle's video reminds us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

The Bible is full of accounts of ordinary men and women who were used mightily by God. God made them exactly as they were and used the abilities He gave them for His own purposes and glory.

God uses ordinary people for His extraordinary purposes!

John 7:24 - Stop judging by mere appearances

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Jesus rebuked the Jewish religious teachers who were angry with Him for "working" by healing a man on the Sabbath.

They weren't happy that the man was healed. Instead, they were jealous of Jesus's power, wisdom, and the attention He was receiving from the crowds. Hypocritically, they themselves also worked on the Sabbath.

Jesus rebuked them by telling them to make a righteous judgement, not the wrong judgement they made based on their own jealousy and self-interest.

When we judge, aren't we often motivated by our own self-interests as well?

Psalm 115:16 - The earth He has given to man

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man.

The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

God created the earth and He has graciously given this incredible gift to man as a dwelling place.

We are to be good stewards of the earth and it's resources; not because it is ours, but because it is HIS.

Jeremiah 10:12 - He established the world by His wisdom

But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

By God's power and wisdom He created the heavens and earth -- by simply commanding them into existence.

People have long asked the question "can something come from nothing?" The correct answer has always been and will always be YES.

From nothing came all of the heavens, the earth, and everything on the earth simply because He willed it so!

John 1:5 - The light shines in the darkness

The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

In the opening verses of John's Gospel, the Apostle has taught us that Jesus Christ is eternal and divine (vv. 1-2), He has created all things (v. 3), and He is the source of all life (v. 4). Now, the writer goes on to make a comment or two about Christian salvation. In verse 4, John described how Jesus "was the light of men." Now in verse 5, he says that while Jesus' light shines in the darkness, the darkness has not understood it.

"The darkness" here is another way of saying "those who are not Christians." If the only light of men is found in Jesus Christ, then there is no way to escape darkness without Him.

While other religions and philosophies may have a lot to offer, they cannot offer the light that leads to salvation; that is only offered through the Son of God. And, because of the simplicity of that, those who are not Christians cannot understand it apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:6-8; Titus 3:5-7).

Today's commentary by:
Jeremy Cagle, Pastor
Middletown Bible Church, Middletown, IL www.justthesimpletruth.com

John 1:4 - In Him was life

In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

There is a very old Latin law of science that goes like this: ex nihilo nihil fit. "Out of nothing, nothing comes."

In other words, nothing does not produce something. Yet, every theory of creation except the Biblical one violates this simple law.

In the Big Bang Theory, everything came from hydrogen. But since hydrogen is not believed to be eternal, the most scientific guess for evolutionists as to its origin is that it just "appeared" out of thin air.

In the Hindu view of creation, the world came to being on top of a gigantic elephant, which rests on top of a gigantic turtle. That turtle rests on top of another turtle and on and on to infinity until one turtle just "appears." In both theories of creation, nothing produced something.

In the Biblical view of creation, everything that exists originally came from God. All life originated in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Here in John 1:4, the Apostle tells us that life came from Jesus Christ. And Jesus used His life here on earth to serve as a light to men, teaching them about salvation (see John 8:12).

Today's commentary by:
Jeremy Cagle, Pastor
Middletown Bible Church, Middletown, IL www.justthesimpletruth.com

John 1:3 - Through Jesus all things were made

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John's Gospel is neatly divided into three sections: the Introduction (1:1-1:18), the Body (1:19-20:29), and the Conclusion (20:30-21:25). So far in his Introduction, John has discussed Jesus' relationship to God the Father, as well as Jesus' Divinity and eternality.

In verse 3, the Apostle begins to discuss Jesus' creativity - all things were made through Him and nothing was made without Him. As God, Jesus was involved in every aspect of creation.

The Greek word for "made" is ginomai, from which we get the English word "genesis." It means to "to come into being, to happen, to become." God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit brought everything into being out of nothing.

Everything in the universe, from the stars to the planets to the trees to the animals, was originally spoken into being by God. And Jesus Christ, before He entered time and became a man, was alongside His Father in this act of creation.

Today's commentary by:
Jeremy Cagle, Pastor
Middletown Bible Church, Middletown, IL www.justthesimpletruth.com

John 1:2 - Jesus existed in the beginning with God

He was with God in the beginning.

The same was in the beginning with God.

The Apostle John reminds his readers of two truths: Jesus Christ has a unique relationship with God and Jesus Christ is eternal.

John places these two truths side -by-side in saying that before anything was made, Jesus was with God. Being divine Himself (see Colossians 1:19; 2:9) and being involved in creation Himself (see Colossians 1:16-17), Jesus existed alongside God the Father.

Today's commentary by:
Jeremy Cagle, Pastor
Middletown Bible Church, Middletown, IL www.justthesimpletruth.com

John 1:1 - The Word was with God

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Of all four Gospels, the Gospel of John is certainly the most unique. In fact, John Calvin made the interesting comment that if Matthew, Mark, and Luke exhibit Jesus' body, John's Gospel "exhibits his soul."

And in this exhibition, John starts off with a description of Jesus Christ in which he says four things about Him.

1) Jesus is the Word. In Greek, Jesus is the logos, the cause or reason for everything that exists.

2) Jesus existed in the beginning. Before time began, Jesus was.

3) Jesus was with God. Although Jesus is divine Himself, He exists in a Trinitarian relationship with God the Father.

4) Jesus is God. He contains all the attributes and characteristics of God the Father.

Today's commentary by:
Jeremy Cagle, Pastor
Middletown Bible Church, Middletown, IL

www.justthesimpletruth.com

Acts 1:3 - Jesus appeared to them over a period of forty days

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

What if I told you that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most documented event of ancient history?

Whether through the consistency of Scripture, the amount of non-Biblical accounts of Christ's death and resurrection, or just the devotion of followers who were willing to die for their faith, there are so many convincing proofs around us that it takes a lot of denial to ignore the resurrection!

Look at the evidence and see for yourself: Jesus is alive.

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

Romans 8:31-34 - He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Think about this: you are so valuable to God that He sent His own Son to pay the price for your sins. You are VERY special to God!

We all face internal and external voices that speak negatively of our worth, but God made the final statement in Christ. Do you feel guilty? God comes to your aid.

Jesus took the wrath of God so we could have His favor. He is standing the gap for us today! God wants us to know this and live in the truth of it.

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

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 - For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Western culture has been formed by our view of the individual.

We talk of a personal Savior. But the Scripture challenges that assumption. From God's point of view, what we do not only affects us, but everyone around us.

Because of Adam's disobedience, we all suffer under sin. Because of Christ's obedience all can be made alive. So we need to see that our choices have far reaching implications.

So choose today to follow Jesus. That choice has far greater implications than you know.

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

Matthew 28:2-6 - He is not here; He has risen, just as He said

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Notice how the angel of the Lord bypasses the guards and speaks to women about the resurrection.

God chose to reveal His truth to a people group who, in that day, could not testify in a court of law. God's love challenges our paradigms in order to free us to be the children of God.

As the apostle Paul writes, there is neither male nor female in Christ. What was scandalous in the 1st Century becomes freeing for all of eternity.

The resurrection is an event that includes everybody! Happy Easter!

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

Matthew 27:64-65 - Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how

So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first. "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how."

Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

People may think, that there is a lot of antagonism to the Christian faith today, but the opposition toward Jesus during His time was far greater.

With the Jewish leaders trying to protect their religious power and the Romans asserting their military might, they were not about to let this renegade rabbi Jesus become a symbol of challenge. But even with their best efforts, the power of God could not be stopped.

Empires have tried to stop the gospel for centuries, but no one can keep Jesus body in the grave. His resurrection power lives on and is spreading across the earth!

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

Mark 15:37-39 - Jesus breathed his last

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

How could an act of weakness, such as a man dying on a cross, cause this kind of response in an elite Roman soldier?

In the Jewish temple there was a place called the Holy of holies. A heavy curtain covered the entrance; separated unholy man from a holy God. When that curtain was ripped in two the separation between God and man was gone.

Suddenly the centurion saw what he couldn't see before: Jesus was not an ordinary man, but God's very act of reconciliation. Can you see that? Or do you still see just a man on a cross?

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

Matthew 26:31-33 - Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will

Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:" 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

The Last Supper is noted for its gift to all of us of the communion table.

But it is also the moment when empty promises were made and the betrayal had begun. Yet in all of that, God used those broken promises to set the stage for our Redeemer to free us!

Do you feel like you've failed God? This week reminds us that God can use our failures to fulfill His ultimate purposes. He waits ahead of us in His victory!

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

Isaiah 53:5 - By His wounds we are healed

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

What happens when the judge is also the father of the accused?

That was the "dilemma" God had when Adam rebelled against God. God loves his children, but they have sinned against His nature and the punishment for that is death.

So He determined to take the punishment of man's rebellion Himself. Jesus Christ came as a man and took the judgment due to us so that we could experience the favor due to Him.

Because of Jesus, we have an open door to the Creator. And that door brings us into peace and healing. God's justice and love meet in Jesus Christ.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYCIsaiah 53:5 - By his wounds we are healed

Luke 22:19-20 - This cup is the new covenant

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

We are created as multi sensory creatures, and our Creator gave us a way to experience Him that emphasizes the senses.

To feel the bread break; to taste of the cup. These are not abstract concepts but actions that capture our senses and brings them into play.

His sacrifice is more than a story; it is to be a physical encounter. Jesus wants to be remembered in a way that makes us come, taste, and see that the Lord is good!

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

Luke 18:32-33 - They will mock Him, insult Him, spit on Him, flog Him and kill Him

He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.

For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

Jesus said this to His disciples long before He entered Jerusalem.

He knew what would to happen, yet He willingly went to His destiny: to be the sacrifice that fully pays the price for the sin of the world.

Jesus wasn't tricked into going to the cross, nor was He manipulated. He went with the full knowledge of what lay before Him. He also knew that on the third day His Father's love would come to break the hold of death and open the path to our freedom as well.

What faith in the Father's love! What an example for us to learn from and walk in!