tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38824808258687557132024-03-13T06:35:25.386-07:00The Daily Bible Verse<a href="http://www.theDailyBibleVerse.org">theDailyBibleVerse.org</a> · <a href="http://www.theDailyBibleVerse.org/textmessage.asp">Daily Bible Verse Text Message</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.comBlogger1154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-9789296498012494002010-03-30T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-30T00:15:00.380-07:00Matthew 24:4-5 - For many will come in My name, claiming, 'I am the Christ'<blockquote>Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." - Matthew 24:4-5 (NIV)</blockquote>Taught during the last week of His life, Jesus was giving His followers some strong boundaries so that they would not fall away after He was gone. Here he talks of people who say that they are the Christ (“anointed one”). Notice the word that Jesus uses - deceive. To be deceived is to not know the difference between the truth and a falsehood - they both look the same. In a time when many are saying, “I am God’s anointed now.”, Jesus explicitly tells us that God’s anointed One is found in only one place - Jesus the Christ. Jesus is God’s final statement to humanity. <br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-72680394537505971222010-03-29T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-29T00:15:00.261-07:00John 12:23-26 - The man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life<blockquote>Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." - John 12:23-26 (NIV)</blockquote>The message of the gospel is so powerful that it is best described in the language of death and resurrection. It seems that as we follow after Christ we are brought to places where we must die to our will and plans. Unless we are willing “hate his life in this world” we will always go the route of safety and comfort. Yet the Christian walk is the road less traveled. Many times the roadblocks that we face can only be crossed when we let go our our lives to enter into the path that Christ walked on this Holy Week - a path of losing our lives to find them.<br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-32144962534896014322010-03-28T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-28T00:15:00.267-07:00Luke 19:37-40 - Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!<blockquote>When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:<br /><br />"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"<br /> "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"<br /><br />Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"<br /><br />"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."<br /></blockquote>When the miracle worker came into Jerusalem the Jewish crowds were ready for a king to sweep the Roman occupation out of power. The praise was overwhelming - so much that the Pharisees were nervous about the attention this would bring from the Roman guard. Yet Jesus had a bigger picture. He WAS the king, but this king was not coming to deliver the Jews from political oppression, but all of humanity from the oppression of sin. Even the rocks understood what the crowds didn’t; the King has come to take his rightful place on His throne. <br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-4974221446069869412010-03-27T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-27T00:15:00.546-07:00Amos 7:7-8 - Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel<blockquote>This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD asked me, "What do you see, Amos?" "A plumb line," I replied. Then the Lord said, "Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.<br />- Amos 7:7-8</blockquote>This passage compares the people of God to a wall built to the straight angles that plumb lines provided for ancient builders. Notice that the wall had been built true to plumb. The standards that God applied at the end had been there from the beginning. In other words, we serve a God who is not arbitrary. He equally applies law and grace to all that He does. Since this is the nature of God, how can we live up to this standard? Only through the One where the law and grace met perfectly - Jesus Christ. He became the plumb line for all humanity. He is the wall that is straight and true, and in Christ we have the resources needed to live according to God’s standard.<br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-13829634112152145592010-03-26T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-26T00:15:00.527-07:00Mark 6:14-15 - Jesus' name had become well known<blockquote>King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." Others said, "He is Elijah." And still others claimed, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago." - Mark 6:14-15</blockquote>Each year at this time we begin to see a flurry of “documentaries” that are trying to describe the life and impact of Jesus Christ. Yet just like the days of Jesus, there is much confusion about who this man is. Some will say that he is a mystic, others a prophet. Yet when the disciple Peter proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, Jesus told Peter that only God the Father could reveal God the Son. What was true back then is true today. If we look to major media networks to reveal the Christ we will become as confused as King Herod was. But for those who are willing to go to the source itself, Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scripture, we will encounter the same power that opened Peter’s eyes to the Word made flesh.<br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-10217747279213936322010-03-25T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-25T00:15:00.038-07:00Luke 9:43-44 - The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men<blockquote>And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, "Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men." - Luke 9:43-44 (NIV)</blockquote>There are many people who have been around Christian teaching their entire lives yet are fearful to ask about things they do not grasp. Many have felt that this would be a form of doubt, but if we look at the pattern of Scripture, we see that God will purposely hide things from our understanding. It is our religiousness that keeps us ignorant to what God is really doing in our time. The key that unlocks the mysteries of God is asking, seeking, knocking. To those who ask, God is ready to answer!<br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-9874565355513563592010-03-24T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-24T00:15:00.268-07:00John 6:28-29 - What must we do to do the works God requires?<blockquote>Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." - John 6:28-29 (NIV)</blockquote>Isn't it interesting that Jesus responds to a cry for action with a statement of belief? The disciples want to do stuff and Jesus tells them to believe. We are so interested in trying to get God’s attention by our religious activity. But Jesus is telling his followers that if they believe in Him they already HAVE God’s attention! This takes away the frenzied efforts to please God. It brings us to the shepherd who leads us to the works that HE has for us. The works of God that come out of relationship will be far greater, fulfilling and fruitful than the flurry of activity that we create to in order to appease our lack of belief.<br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-81313298941298617942010-03-23T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-23T00:15:00.115-07:00James 5:7 - Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming<blockquote>Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. - James 5:7 (NIV)</blockquote>The arrival of spring is a welcome event for most people (except for the allergies it brings). For many of us, we endure the winter with the knowledge that spring is around the corner. Without spring, winter would be almost unbearable. This is how we are to see the Lord’s coming. Without knowing that a day is coming when this broken world will be renewed fully, the day to day struggles would overwhelm us. But as spring is faithful, how much more can we trust that the Lord will come again? It is the faithfulness of the seasons that gives us the strength to wait patiently for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!<br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-31643684020939409092010-03-22T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-22T00:15:00.382-07:00Ecclesiastes 1:10 - Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"?<blockquote>Is there anything of which one can say,<br />"Look! This is something new"?<br />It was here already, long ago;<br />it was here before our time.<br />- Ecclesiastes 1:10 (NIV)</blockquote>When I hear of a "new revelation" or a bible teacher who says, "This has never been taught before," I want to run away!<br /><br />God is always doing something new, but if we look closely, we'll find that the new thing is actually something very old that has come to life in our generation. When one reads church history, we find many of the same challenges that we face today. To think that we are original is naïve at best and dangerous at worse.<br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-36712422066055995242010-03-21T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-21T00:15:00.624-07:00Psalm 122:6-7 - Pray for the peace of Jerusalem<blockquote>Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels." - Psalm 122:6-7</blockquote>Many scholars would say that this psalm was written to be sung as pilgrims would come into the temple in Jerusalem. It was a way to prepare the hearts of those who were coming to offer sacrifices to God. For those who are followers of Christ, we recognize that the sacrifice has been made once for all. We are free from the need to bring an animal to be slaughtered in our place for our sins. But when we come into the living temple of God's people, the church, do we pray for it's peace? Do we ask God to use our gatherings to be a citadel of security for the broken, the hurting, the pilgrim? This passage is rightly used to continue to pray for Jerusalem, but there is a "Jerusalem" that we should be a part of - a local church. Pray for your church today, and if you don't attend a community, may this Psalm become your guide as you start your pilgrimage to find one.<br /><br />Today's Commentary by: David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC<br /><br />What do you think? <br />Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-56112159918979603002010-03-20T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-20T00:15:00.476-07:00Nehemiah 4:15-16 - When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot...<blockquote>When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah<br />- Nehemiah 4:15-16 (NIV)<br /></blockquote>Even though God had frustrated the plans of Nehemiah's enemies, there was a level of diligence and readiness that was needed as they proceeded. As we experience God's grace and goodness in our day-to-day lives, we still need to work with a state of alertness. Unlike Nehemiah's day, our enemy is not physical. The Scripture talks of Satan as a prowling lion, therefore we need to keep on the alert with our skills to build in one hand and the word of God in the other.<br /><br />Today's commentary by: Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discussion at: <a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-18640509522793682072010-03-19T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-19T00:15:00.520-07:00Psalm 34:10 - those who seek the LORD lack no good thing<blockquote>The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. - Psalm 34:10 (NIV)</blockquote><br />Psalm 34 is all about praising the Almighty. Here, David praises God for his deliverance.<br /><br />The lion, even young and strong lions, do not always catch their prey. Time after time, however, the believer is able to attest how God has met their needs.<br /><br />How sweet that the Lord shows His goodness to us again and again. We grow weak more often than the mighty lion and are blessed far more. When you focus on the needs God has met in your life, you will find yourself praising Him like David.<br /><br />What do you think?<br />Discuss at: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://www.facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-74965127732825696942010-03-18T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-18T00:15:00.602-07:00Psalm 34:1 - I will extol the LORD at all times<blockquote>I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.- Psalm 34:1(NIV)</blockquote>The psalmist's resolve is to praise God in every situation and under every circumstance. Is this verse, David is giving praise to God for protection and deliverance from his enemies.<br><br>Do you praise Him during times of trial as well as times of deliverance<br><br>What do you think? <br/>Discuss at: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://www.facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-40225109541659213882010-03-17T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-17T00:15:00.281-07:00Matthew 7:28-29 - He taught as one who had authority<blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. - Matthew 7:28-29 (NIV)</span></blockquote><span style="font-size:100%;">It was Jesus self awareness that has troubled so many people. If taken just as moral instruction, the teachings of Christ have many benefits. It’s just that Christ never allowed his teachings to be just moral tales to be used as needed. He taught with an authority that demanded a response. This was not like the religious leaders, who were talking about God. This was God Himself telling His creation about who He is. The amazement came from the teaching because the teaching came from God.<br /><br />Today's commentary by:<br />Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org<br /><br />What do you think? Discuss at:<br /><a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a><br /></span>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-39877229588057415022010-03-16T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-16T00:15:00.157-07:00Matthew 6:22-23 - The eye is the lamp of the body<span style="font-size:130%;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! - Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)</span></blockquote><br />How do we view our circumstances? Jesus tells us that our perspective is very important. If we are able to look at the situations that life has through the lens of God’s promises, even though the circumstances are tough, we are filled with light. But if we look at our surroundings through the lens of a world without God, we are left with despair and hopelessness. Jesus is telling those who want to follow Him that seeing the world through the lens of Scripture is a discipline that brings great reward.<br /><br />What do you think? Discuss at:<br /><a href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a><br /><br /><br />Today's commentary by:<br />Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.orgtheDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-21449964558104054112010-03-15T00:15:00.000-07:002010-03-15T00:15:00.296-07:00Matthew 5:14-16 - You are the light of the world<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" ></span><blockquote><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;" >You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)</span></blockquote><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">How do you view your identity as a follower of Christ? Is it as a good church goer? Or reading your bible everyday? Jesus goes past all of that and calls us the light of the world. Do we see ourselves as a force that illuminates all that is around us? Notice that the light is based upon a life that is lived for those around us to see. True spirituality is not based upon religious observance, but upon bringing the reality of God to the places that need to know that God cares for the world.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">What do you think? Discuss at:</span><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today's commentary by:</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org</span>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-38748992337698309462010-03-14T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-14T00:15:00.416-08:00Psalm 138:2 - I will bow down<span style="font-size:130%;">I will bow down toward your holy temple<br />and will praise your name<br />for your love and your faithfulness,<br />for you have exalted above all things<br />your name and your word. - Psalm 138:2 (NIV)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >David's psalm of thanksgiving begins with individual praise.<br /><br />Since Solomon's temple has not yet been built, David worships towards the tabernacle instead. He worships God for his steadfast love and faithfulness.<br /><br />Is there something hold you back from worship today? Worship God where you are -- you don't have to wait for the "perfect" church.<br /><br />What do you think? Discuss at:<br /><a href='http://www.facebook.com/dailybibleverse'>http://www.facebook.com/dailybibleverse</a><br /></span>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-28966416273995505812010-03-13T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-13T00:15:00.316-08:00Revelation 4:8 - Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God AlmightyEach of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." - Revelation 4:8 (NIV)<br /><br />We often think of heaven as a pleasant, even sedate place. But the Scripture paints a very different picture. It seems that ethnicity is eternal, for John’s vision had people from many different tribes and tongues. It is filled with fantastic creatures like the ones this passage describe. But most pronounced in the midst of this is a greater sense of the majesty of God. Heaven is a place where God’s holiness is seen fully and that holiness causes such a response that all of heaven can’t help but worship. To be caught up in worship on earth is only a primer of what awaits us in heaven.<br /><br />What do you think? Discuss at:<br /><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"></span></span></span></span></span><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q8pu85cab.0.0.gtl596bab.0&ts=S0407&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDailyBibleVerse&id=preview" linktype="link" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(222, 112, 8);">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a><br /><br />Today's commentary by:<br />Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.orgtheDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-59885169512997973132010-03-12T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-12T09:15:41.534-08:00Matthew 4:18-20 - "Come, follow me," Jesus said<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. - Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">I often hear people say, “I'm not quite ready to follow Jesus.” Yet Jesus never asked us to pull ourselves together, then follow Him. Like the uneducated fishermen Simon and Andrew, Jesus called them to follow Him THEN he would make them fishers of men. Jesus did not chose them for their intellect, for fishermen of that day were simple people. He also did not chose them for their skill, for Jesus was about to redefine what fishing meant to these experienced fishermen. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">What excuses do we make in not following Jesus? It is neither our skill or lack of it that counts, but simply obeying when we hear the call.<br /><br />What do you think?<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Discuss at:</span><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:17px;" ><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q8pu85cab.0.0.gtl596bab.0&ts=S0407&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDailyBibleVerse&id=preview" linktype="link" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(222, 112, 8);">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a></span></span><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Today's commentary by:</span><br />Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org</span><br /></span></span>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-19654799628389801602010-03-11T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-11T00:15:00.759-08:00Philippians 2:3-4 - In humility consider others better than yourselves<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><blockquote>Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)</blockquote></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: verdana; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">The enemy of harmony and unity is selfish ambition. It quickly divides us.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br /><br />Paul is not saying that we should have an inferiority complex or belittle our own abilities. Rather, Christian love puts others above selfish ambition.<br /><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">What do you think? Discuss at:<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q8pu85cab.0.0.gtl596bab.0&ts=S0407&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDailyBibleVerse&id=preview" linktype="link" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(222, 112, 8);">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a></span></span></span></span></span>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-68951348479860366582010-03-10T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-10T00:15:00.220-08:00Ecclesiastes 10:12 - Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips. - Ecclesiastes 10:12 (NIV)</span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Our words reveal our character (Matthew 12:34) and we should choose our words wisely.<br /></p><p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">The fool makes false assumptions and therefore even more errant conclusions. He babbles on and on without thinking. (Ecclesiastes 10:14)</p><p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;">Let's be gracious with our words today, praying and reflecting before sharing and speaking.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">What do you think? Discuss at:<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q8pu85cab.0.0.gtl596bab.0&ts=S0407&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDailyBibleVerse&id=preview" linktype="link" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(222, 112, 8);">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a></span></span></span></span><br /></p></span></span></span>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-36809763921160727252010-03-09T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-09T07:47:38.323-08:001 Corinthians 13:3 - If I have not love, I gain nothing...<blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. - 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)<br /></span></blockquote><br />Jesus tells us that love is the key to life. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" - Matthew 22:37-38 (NIV).<br /><br />The Bible tells us that God is love. He loved us so much that He sent His son to die for us so we can have a relationship with Him.<br /><br />Giving is important. Sacrifice is significant. But loving God and others needs to be the focus of our lives. And when we truly grasp this concept - everything else falls into place.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;" ><span style="font-size:17px;"><span style="font-size:17px;"><span style="font-size:17px;">What do you think? Discuss at:<br /></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:17px;" ><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q8pu85cab.0.0.gtl596bab.0&ts=S0407&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDailyBibleVerse&id=preview" linktype="link" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(222, 112, 8);">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a></span></span></span></span><br /></span></span>theDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-32776988009979761832010-03-08T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-08T00:15:00.090-08:00Philippians 4:12-13 - I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation<span style="font-size:130%;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">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. - Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)</span></blockquote><br /><br />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.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;" ><span style="font-size:17px;"><span style="font-size:17px;"><span style="font-size:17px;">What do you think? Discuss at:<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:17px;"><span style="font-size:11px;"><span style="font-size:11px;"></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-size:medium;" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:17px;" ><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q8pu85cab.0.0.gtl596bab.0&ts=S0407&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDailyBibleVerse&id=preview" linktype="link" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(222, 112, 8);">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Today's commentary by:</span><br />Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.orgtheDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-13977645577524913482010-03-07T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-07T00:15:00.340-08:00Matthew 26:31-33 - Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will<span style="font-size:130%;"><blockquote>Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:"<br /><br />'I will strike the shepherd,<br />and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'<br /><br />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."<br />- Matthew 26:31-33 (NIV)</blockquote></span><br />The Last Supper is noted for its gift to all of us of the communion table.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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!<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">What do you think? Discuss at:<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q8pu85cab.0.0.gtl596bab.0&ts=S0407&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDailyBibleVerse&id=preview" linktype="link" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(222, 112, 8);">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a><br /><br /></span></span></span></span>Today's commentary by:<br />Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYCtheDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3882480825868755713.post-32511437840003645632010-03-06T00:15:00.000-08:002010-03-06T00:15:00.262-08:00Isaiah 54:10 - My unfailing love for you will not be shaken<span style="font-size:130%;">Though the mountains be shaken<br />and the hills be removed,<br />yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken<br />nor my covenant of peace be removed,"<br />says the LORD, who has compassion on you.<br />-Isaiah 54:10 (NIV)<br /><br /></span>After Israel has declined due to the rise of the Assyrians, Isaiah was sent by God to correct Israel of her stubborn heart. After chapters of correction, this passage finds Isaiah comforting Israel. He is contrasting where the Jewish people were at that moment to a story that was bigger than they could imagine. It was a story of hope, because much of what was happening to them at that time was confusing. With their national identity gone, Isaiah was reminding them that there was an unfailing love that would uphold them. A covenant of peace was eternally theirs. 800 years later, these words stood true as Jesus was born in a Jewish nation that should never have survived. The mountains were shaken, the hills removed, but God's covenant stood true.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br />What do you think? Discuss at:<br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"><span style="font-size: 11px;"></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><a track="on" href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=q8pu85cab.0.0.gtl596bab.0&ts=S0407&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDailyBibleVerse&id=preview" linktype="link" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(222, 112, 8);">http://facebook.com/DailyBibleVerse</a></span></span><br /><br />Today's commentary by:<br />Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.orgtheDailyBibleVerse.orghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00277785021949893080noreply@blogger.com0