1 Timothy 6:6-8 - For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Do we believe that we have a good God who knows exactly what we truly need? (need not want) Or are we discontent, continually feeling the need to provide a little more for ourselves? The Apostle Paul is reminding us here that even if we go to church and pray regularly, give to the poor and do all the things that "super Christians" appear to do, we are missing everything if we are not content with what God has given us! Contentment is born out of faith in our hearts.We can trust in God's goodness and provision over our own today.

Today's commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Habakkuk 2:20 - Let all the earth be silent before Him

But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Habakkuk is a unique dialogue between the prophet and God. 50-80 years after Isaiah, Habakkuk was to help the nation of Israel make sense of the Babylonian invasion through this drama that is played out for the readers. In the prior verses, God ridicules the idols that cannot speak to those who make them. In contrast, it is the earth that is to be silent before the living God because He is the one who speaks! Like Israel in that day, we want fast answers to our crisis, but if we want to hear the God who speaks, we must learn the discipline of silence. It is the supreme act of faith and surrender to simply wait upon the Lord. He is there and He wants to speak to His children, but it will be on His terms and not ours.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Luke 12:15 - Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

In these verses, Jesus is addressing two brothers fighting over their inheritance. He gives them a strong warning about thinking that their possessions can give their life worth and ultimate value. Greed grips are hearts when we place material things (or anything) in the place of God and his ultimate approval and blessings in our life. Christmas should serve as the ultimate reminder that we have been given the very best God has to offer in the form of his Son!

Today's commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Our hearts guide and direct all that we do. Every word that comes out of our mouth starts in the heart. All of our actions and choices are driven by the desires of the heart.

We often spend large sums of money to guard our earthly possessions. But God tells us that it is even more important to guard our hearts. If we don't it can lead to spiritual ruin!

Who we are in Christ is being formed in our hearts. If we let them be filled with perverse or unrighteous things we live at odds to God's purposes. Ask God to show you the areas of your heart that need guarding.

Today's commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

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.

Thousands 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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

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.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Hebrews 12:28 - let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe

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

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

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.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Psalm 145:9 - The LORD has compassion on all He has made

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

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.

Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Psalm 100:3 - We are his people, the sheep of his pasture

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

It's powerful and comforting to contemplate that the Lord your God is your shepherd. He chose you to be in His flock!

Trust the Lord your God. He is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and He will lead and protect His flock.

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Genesis 12:1 - Go to the land I will show you

The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."

Notice that God initiates His relationship with Abram with a command. Why else would Abram leave the security of his homeland and venture into a wilderness? God had crossed Abram's will with His purposes. This has been the case from the trees in the garden to the One who hung on a tree for our sins. We want to try to understand God with our minds, but God starts with our hearts. This is the message of repentance. Obedience reminds us of who is the Creator and who is the created.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Luke 7:20-23 - Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?

When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'" At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers, "Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me."

How could John the Baptist even ask that question? John proclaimed Jesus Christ before Jesus ever showed up. John was the one who baptized Jesus and saw the heavenly dove descend. Yet even with all of that, our souls are fickle. John's association with Jesus had brought much hardship and his death was immanent. John wondered if he made the biggest mistake in his life. But hardship does not mean failure. There is a blessing reserved for those who can stay true to Jesus even when the blessing seems far from them.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Luke 13:18-19 - What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?

Then Jesus asked, "What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air perched in its branches."

We like to see big things happen. We like incredible success stories that give us hope that we too, could be successful. But the kingdom of God has small beginnings. The mustard seed is extremely small yet, given time, will grow into a large tree. For many of us, we can face anxiety when we try to compare the small seed that God has sown in us with a mature tree that took decades to form. But we must trust in the power of the seed, even when we see no sprout above the ground. As time goes on, we will be surprised as what seemed small and insignificant in our life becomes a place of refuge for many.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Luke 12:32-34 - A treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

If God were to examine where our heart is, where would he look? The Scripture tells us that one of the first spots is how we use our resources. God has assured us that He wants to give us the kingdom, and the way to proclaim that assurance is in how we treat the poor. It has been well said that if one wants to know what we really value the first place to look is our checkbook. Take some time to look at your spending habits. What do you see? Give some of your resources to those in need and watch what happens to your heart.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Luke 9:23-25 - What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"

Unfortunately we live in an age where Christianity has become a product. From Christian mints to bobble head Jesus, the faith has been commercialized to the point that we go to the church of our choice, we rate the preacher or music, we'll even opt for online community because sacred space and live people seem too inconvenient. We've created a consumer Christian who, according to recent polls, is more dissatisfied with their spiritual walk than ever. But the true Christian message is one of denial, not convenience. A cross-less Christ becomes stale bread and cheap wine. It has no power and therefore can be easily parodied and marketed.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

John 7:24 - Make a right judgment

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right 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?

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

John 1:5 - The light shines in the darkness

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

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, justthesimpletruth.com

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

John 1:4 - That life was the light of men

In him was life, and that 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 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, 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.

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, justthesimpletruth.com

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

2 Timothy 2:3 - A good soldier of Christ Jesus

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Just as our soldiers endure hardships and sacrifice for our country, we as Christians should joyfully serve our Commander and His Kingdom dutifully at any cost.

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

He was with God in the beginning.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

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.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the full armor of God

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

The Armor of God is an expression used in the Bible to symbolize the combat equipment of a Christian soldier who fights against spiritual wickedness.

When our brave soldiers fight for our country, they wear protective armor. No soldier would go into battle without it.

Paul urges Christians to protect themselves in battle each day with godly attributes of armor such as truth, faith, righteousness, peace, and the Word of God.

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Romans 12:15 - Mourn with those who mourn

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

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.

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

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Ecclesiastes 10:12 - A fool is consumed by his own lips

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

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."

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse

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.

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.

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.

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Colossians 3:23 - Working for the Lord, not for men

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

Our work is both given by God and should be done in service to Him; no matter how small or great the task.

God promises to recognize and reward our efforts whether others do or not. (Matt. 6:19-21; Heb. 6:10).

Further, Jesus taught that if believers do something solely for the recognition of others, they completely miss God's reward.

A Christian's work should be characterized by enthusiasm, confidence, and diligence in work.

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1 Peter 3:10 - Whoever would love life and see good days...

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."

To enjoy life we must refrain from speaking evil and keep our lips from lying.

Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16a (see memory verse below) to confirm that God's blessing rests on those who practices righteousness.

Why is speech so important? Consider the following verse:

"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body." - James 3:5-6a

ACTION: What steps can you take to guard your tongue today?

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Genesis 39:1-4 - his master saw that the LORD was with him

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.

Up to this point in Genesis, Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob have experienced miracles. God is very visible and audible through visions and appearances.

But when we get to the abduction and selling of Joseph into slavery, there seems to be silence. But God's silence is not his absence. When Joseph thinks that he has been doomed to destruction, God was preparing for a day when Joseph would save not only his own family but much of the ancient world.

When God seems the most hidden, he is working nonetheless.

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

What do you think? Discussion at: http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse