Proverbs 19:17

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. – Proverbs 19:17

It’s important to remember that when we give to those in need, we are also giving to God! Our heavenly Father notices every act of kindness. He sees every need that you help meet. Nothing goes unnoticed.

I can do it myself! Jeremiah 2:13

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water. – Jeremiah 2:13

This passage in Jeremiah mirrors the story in the Garden of Eden. Once again, mankind doesn’t want the tree of life, but they wanted their own version of the knowledge of good and evil with disastrous results. The first sin of forsaking the Lord means that we have to create an alternate solution for our needs. So we create our own cisterns to hold water, but our own creations can create new complexities. Do you feel that your life is too complex? Ask the Lord about this in prayer. Don’t be surprised if you find some self-made solutions that need to be dismantled in order to come back to the living water.

This scripture reminds of of a two year old screaming.... I can do it myself without you.  That's what we do isn't it.  Tell God, I won't trouble you I can do it myself.   But we don't have the wisdom we need, me must ask Him.  But we don't creating two errors.  Not asking God, creating something unsusttainable without his wisdom  We're so stupid sometimges. 

Acts 5:42

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. – Acts 5:42

Notice that they were proclaiming that Jesus IS the Christ, not WAS the Christ. They were experiencing the reality of Jesus on a day-to-day basis. What about us? Are we still remembering how God changed our life years ago? That is good, but if that is the basis of our walk with God, then we will find ourselves building a monument to an event. The good news is that Jesus is alive TODAY! Ask God to open your eyes to what He is doing now!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

This is my favorite scripture.  We all have talents and comforting is one of mine.  I love that God has chosen ways to comfort me and that in the learning of that comfort, I will be able to comfort another when the time comes.  

Lost a loved one? Had cancer? Had a miscarriage? Lost a job? Shared an experience?  When God offers comfort by placing some near us who has also experienced our need..... we get God with skin on. He comes even nearer to us.  I love this verse.  It brings me such comfort.

Deuteronomy 8:10

When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. – Deuteronomy 8:10

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.
_____

This scripture instantly said to me that we pray at the end of the meal and thank him that our belly is full.  A very different take from what we normally see done and I think a fantastic thing to try differently. 

+++++++

I am richly blessed this week having spent 2 days in an Italian hospital.  I'm lucky, blessed and completely enriched that God has answered my prayers.  What a blessing, what a blessing.
I can't thank you enough God, there are just no words to convey the gratefulness I feel.

Penny

I don't know exactly what scripture as mine today, but I do know that this mone came to mind all day.
All can be done for the Lord witn only the faith of a mustrad seed. My faith is often small like that, but I want to  be bigger and so letting my faith be bigger right now be passionate, about my God right now in the little place that I can be.  it's important to me.  We have so much we could worry about right now, but we are taking the changes in stridge.

Colossians 1:10

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God – Colossians 1:10

According to Paul, truth is revealed by our lives, not just our thoughts. But the information age causes a problem: we think that because we’ve learned about something that we are living it. We want to gather data about prayer, but we fail to pray! But Paul reminds us that it’s the actual actions of our lives that proclaim the truth that we know. We know enough, now it’s time to apply. What do you need to apply today? Don’t try to get more information, do what you know now!

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org



All these little nuggets are so important to me in knowing how to Grow in God and to please Him.  He makes it so simple.  I make it so hard!

Proverbs 3:27-28

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”- when you now have it with you. – Proverbs 3:27-28

In many ways our view of possessions, time, and money is exposed when we are faced with the inconvenient needs of a neighbor. Yet many times God is in the inconvenient moments — the times that we don’t want to help someone around us. Sometimes it takes a disaster like a hurricane or earthquake to activate people toward acts of service for each other, but for the Christian the Scripture tells us to act now! As we do, we may be surprised that we find Jesus in the person that we give water to, or the friend in the hospital, or the needy neighbor who needs an act of compassion. When God gives you the opportunity to serve those around you don’t let it pass by!

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Judges 2:10

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. – Judges 2:10

And so the book of Judges chronicles a people who turned their hearts from God, came under judgment, cried out to God, and were delivered. The only problem is that this pattern happened over and over again. One of the issues was that generations grew up who were not taught the ways of God. Whether as a parent or a leader in the church, are we empowering the next generation with God’s words and deeds, or are we protecting our achievements for our own satisfaction? The book of Judges stands as witness and a warning of what happens when the current generation does not take the time or energy to invest into the next generation.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

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

This is a big concern in my family write now.  Christian rights are being taken away left and right.  Who is going to stand up for the rights of these new generations while satan continues to tell them that it is okay to walk down this road.  this is heavy on my heart.

Hebrews 4:9-11 – a Sabbath-rest for the people of God

Hebrews 4:9-11 – a Sabbath-rest for the people of God

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. – Hebrews 4:9-11

Just like the other commandments, the Sabbath of Moses was a shadow of the Sabbath that Christ gives us. Jewish adherents celebrate Sabbath once a week, but Christ wants to offer Sabbath to his people everyday. Notice that we are to take great effort to enter the rest of God, because we are prone to take the burden of our work and our lives everyday. But to constantly wrestle with those burdens, willingly lay them down and rest is an action of faith and obedience that God blesses.


A friend of mine recently started doing this.  Willing putting away the daily work they would do and celebrate that God gave them the day to rest in him.  Pajama day, resting, doing little things but not all out work. They found it to be the most refreshing, family invigorating day of the week.  Following her lead we have done some of that same thing here.  It is unifying and gratifying that our God would induce our need to rest.  We sould take advantage of it and praise him for It

Philippians 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:3-6

So many times sincere believers feel anxious about where they stand in life. How do I know that I’m in God’s will? How can I be sure that I haven’t missed something along the way? Paul assures the Philippian church and the church today that God is ultimately in control. He is able to hold us to Him better than we are able to hold onto Him.

Today’s commentary by:

Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

This scripture is just what I needed to hear today.  I do hope he is holding on to me at the times that I don't know what I'm holding onto, I'm just holding on, hoping I'll only fall into the cup of his hand when I surely fall.  We are waiting for some big and important news right now, but it's just not going very fast, just not happening  and we are holding on, waiting to see what his will is.  Will we be happy when we get it?  Are we rushing the decision for nothing? 

Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. – Romans 4:4-5

This cuts us to our core. If we were honest, we want to work for our righteousness. We like the feeling of accomplishment as we figure out how to be in right standing with our boss, our spouse, or our friends. But the gospel tells us something very demeaning: we are not smart enough, strong enough, or good enough to be in right standing with God. This insults our intelligence, but maybe that’s the point. Maybe the gospel is not about our abilities, but God’s mercy. If the doorway to righteousness is humility, then this righteousness becomes available to any who are willing to receive. It is an equal opportunity message. It is also an equal opportunity revolution, for the gift that God gives has the power to change us in ways in which we can’t change ourselves.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

This hits me right at my core.  I'm a checklist girl.  But, I can't earn enough checks, I can only  allow the blood to keep me in righteousness.  So very humbling.

Mark 5:30-31

At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” – Mark 5:30-31

We may react to Jesus question in the same way as the disciples. Then we find out that a woman, who was ceremonially unclean and therefore not supposed to touch anyone, had risked death to come and touch Jesus. God the Father was making a statement. Maybe the crowds saw Jesus as a great teacher, but this woman saw something more. When her uncleanness met Jesus, she was no longer unclean. Jesus was greater than her defilement. He was greater than her fear. To approach God in prayer when we feel unclean, weak and fearful is an act of faith that can cleanse and heal us as well. This woman knew that Jesus was greater than all of her issues. Do we see Jesus in the same way?

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

Psalm 119:37

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. – Psalm 119:37

This Scripture has more importance in our day than ever. How we guide our eyes in a visual age makes all the difference to the well being of our souls. Worthless things surround us. The sensuality of this culture is so obvious that it doesn’t need much explanation. But there are many worthless things that are not so obvious. How many hours have we wasted on the internet? Look at our habits when we have a television remote in our hand. What did it take to get to the 42nd level in that video game? Many times the key to cultivating the best in us does not occur during the work week, but how we handle our leisure time. To make God’s words a priority during our down time will preserve our lives from worthless distractions.

John 1: 12-13

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. – John 1: 12-13

Many times we talk about our experience with God in terms of our decision. But the Bible places that moment in a rich context – we were brought to that point of decision by the will of God! There is a mystery here: we decided to follow Jesus because God gave us the right to decide. In no way could we create that right ourselves! This places us squarely dependent upon the God from whom all blessings flow. That dependence positions us as a child, and therefore an heir, to all that our heavenly Father has to give us.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about God and our own will.  We wouldn't BE without God so of course, he had to GIVE us the free will we use to choose.  So, the right to decide had to be granted and the choice had to be given.  My finite mind barely grasps this concept of "free will" versus "God's Will."   I prefer to follow under his law and so I choose to obey His will.  I could choose to not follow His law, but then He gave me that choice too.  

Joshua 3:5

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” – Joshua 3:5

The word “consecrate” means “to set ourselves apart”.  Are we willing to believe that God will do amazing things among us if we set ourselves apart to be ready for it?

my world

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? – Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

No matter your status in life, there is no fulfillment without God.  I wonder this about people all the time who claim not to have "religion."  Having religion or not, having God, accepting God, is fulfillment.  It does make the day easier, the work more joyful, the food taste better, the drink quench the thirst.  Solomon had everything in the world, and yet was unfulfilled in his soul as he wavered back and forth in life and in God.  

I know what it is like to be unfulfilled in my soul.  To wonder why I'm doing this or that.  When I accepted the rich forgiveness of Grace, it changed my day to day gratefulness.  Everything is better.  When we are grateful to God for what he blesses us with, no matter what it is..... there is satisfaction.

Hebrews 11:24-26

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. – Hebrews 11:24-26

The writer of Hebrews gives us an interesting twist: Moses suffered for Christ. But Jesus hadn’t been born yet! Yet how could a murderer like Moses interact with God? Only through grace! Jesus was in the burning bush, the cloud by day and fire by night. When Moses chose allegiance to God over the pleasures of Egypt, he was guiding all of us to our Savior. Even if that choice causes suffering, there is a greater value in the grace that Christ gives than anything the world can provide.

Today’s commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

1 Peter 3:15-16

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. – 1 Peter 3:15-16

Have you ever met a Christian who was prepared to correct everyone around them but didn’t have gentleness or respect for those who disagree? In an age of reality TV we have lost the art of respectfully disagreeing. One of the things that I have come to realize is that it’s my job to answer those around me who ask about Christ, but it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to win their hearts. This keeps me from taking on the pressure to be right or win the argument. We can win the battle but lose the war for someone’s soul. Sometimes the greatest statement is how we endure ridicule or slander. Remember Jesus, who when He was slandered didn’t retaliate. Sometimes it’s our suffering that becomes our greatest witness.

Today’s commentary by:

Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org

What a great scripture and this preacher's commentary is right on.  Respectfully disagreeing is a lost art in today's world.  It's probably a lost art in my world.  I still harbor great anger toward some people who ridiculed and slandered me. I have great THOUGHTS of retaliation for things people have done to me.  If I followed Jesus example, I would put those thoughts away as He often explained that our thoughts can rule us if we let them.  God grants us the ability through him to release our disagreement in a gentle and respectful way with a clear conscience.  May God clear my conscience and bless me with better gentleness in the future.