Scripture: Psalm 124: 2-3, 6-7

If the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, ³ they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; ⁷ We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. ⁸ Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Scripture Commentary:

Think of where you would be if the Lord had not been on your side. Look back into time and you will see how Our Lord has brought you to this place and time. Remember a time when you felt trapped by overwhelming problems and saw no way out. God brought you through, not because you asked but because He loves you.

We all go through life trying to deal with problems on our own, not calling on the Lord. In all honesty, when we reflect back we know it wasn’t us but God who got us through.

We will always have problems but with God there is no problem too big or too small.

We can always turn to Jesus Christ. He said knock and it shall be opened, and ask and it shall be given.

David compares our problems to that of a bird trapped in the fowler’s claws. But God who created the birds and created us can loosen what may be holding us. Call on God and see.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Psalm 124

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Psalms:

Blessed Is the One Who Trusts God

Don’t Worry That You Don’t Understand Everything

Scripture: John 6: 66-69

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. ⁶⁷ “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. ⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Scripture Commentary:

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Only Begotten Son? Why do you believe? Are you a pretender who goes to church for status, approval of family and friends, or for business contacts?

God has given each of us a choice to either accept Him or not.

There is no in-between.

The more people who heard Jesus’ message, the more divided they became. There were those who wanted to hear more and the ones who rejected Jesus because it went against their lifestyle.

What camp are you in?

Jesus asked the twelve, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asks the same question today.

Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go?“

The people in Jesus’s day did not give him a bed of roses to live on so don’t think you will have it easy. If you’re having an easy time of life, my question is are you doing Satan’s work? He will give you a fairytale lifestyle.

This short stay on earth is nothing compared to what awaits us in God’s kingdom.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

John 6

Read Other Commentary From the Book of John:

These Things I Have Spoken Unto You

Yea Lord, You Know I Love You

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4: 16, 18

¹⁶ For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ¹⁸ While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Scripture Commentary:

Here today, gone tomorrow. You’ve probably heard this saying. Have you considered its meaning? Our body will one day decay, rot and decompose. You will one day be a memory for maybe one, two, or three generations. Your future family may look at a few pictures of you and ask who this person is. You have probably already done this if you’ve run across some old family photos. This is a fact and that is a part of our present life here and now.

Jesus promises us that this is not our permanent home.

This is only a stopping station. The permanent home is not made with hands. It is a place with no sickness, death or sorrow. It is a place of love.

Our ultimate hope when we are experiencing illness and persecution is the realization that this is not the end. Knowing we will live forever in God’s kingdom and eternal house in heaven is our hope.

You may ask how do you get there. The answer is to accept Jesus Chris as your Lord and Savior, and repent.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 Corinthians 4

Read Other Commentary From the Book of 2 Corinthians:

Do Not Despair; God Is With You

Believers Spread the Aroma of the Knowledge of God

Scripture: 2 John 1: 9-11

Anyone who goes beyond Christ’s teaching and does not continue to follow only his teaching does not have God. But whoever continues to follow the teaching of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If someone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not welcome or accept that person into your house. ¹¹ If you welcome such a person, you share in the evil work.

Scripture Commentary:

Would you knowingly welcome a liar, thief or murderer into your home? In this chapter and verse John instructs believers not to show hospitality to false teachers. John is telling us that if you do invite them in and associate with them, you are encouraging them in the propagation of their falsehood.

In addition, if believers were to invite them in, such action shows that they approve of what the person is saying. If you know they are wrong, why put yourself into their lie?

It’s better to be faithful to God than merely courteous to people. John condemns the support of those who are dedicated to opposing the true teaching of God. John tells us that if you help or aid in the false teaching, then you are as guilty as the false teacher.

Teach God’s Word and no other.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 John 1

Read Other Commentary from 2 John:

Beware of False Teachings in the Church

Scripture: Leviticus 4: 32-33

“‘If someone brings a lamb as their sin offering, they are to bring a female without defect. ³³ They are to lay their hand on its head and slaughter it for a sin offering at the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered. 

Scripture Commentary:

Throughout history different religious groups made sacrifices without defect to gods. These rituals did not remove the sins they had. It’s like a defect on a new garment that you’ve just purchased but haven’t yet worn. When you try your best to fix the defective area, the garment doesn’t retain that prestige look.

In the Old Testament, animals were brought to the temple for sacrifice. To be acceptable, they must be without blemish. This symbolized righteousness. The animals were killed in the place of worship. The requirement for sin required a blood sacrifice.

There is no forgiveness without bloodshed.

Hebrews 9:22 teaches us that Jesus Christ is the perfect sacrifice. He died on our behalf so that our sins are covered. Not only is Jesus Christ the perfect Shepherd, He also is the perfect sacrifice. Our sins are washed away forever through Jesus, the Only Begotten Son of the Living God.

Jesus Christ’s righteousness has redeemed us once and for all. Thank you, God, the Father of us all.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Leviticus 4

Hebrews 9

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Leviticus:

Jesus Is the Ultimate Sin Offering

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6: 1, 6, 12

 I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: (1) even if he lives a thousand years twice over but fails to enjoy his prosperity. Do not all go to the same place? (6)  For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few and meaningless days they pass through like a shadow? Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone? (12) 

Scripture Commentary:

Here today, gone tomorrow. In the end, earthly treasure is meaningless. Solomon shows us that God is in control, not us. Prosperity is not always a sign that you are doing what God has for you to do.

In Mark 10: 21-22 Jesus tells the young man to sell all his treasure and follow him. But the man could not. Even if we live a long life and accumulate earthly wealth, it is ultimately meaningless because all that has been accumulated is left behind.

Each of us will die. Rich and poor will all end up in the grave. People work out and do things to prolong their physical life but what about spiritual life? What are we doing about the Holy Spirit that God gave each of us?

Do we feed it the Gospel or do we forget about it? It’s shortsighted to work hard to extend this life and not take the steps required to gain eternal life with God, our Father.

Solomon tells us the profound truth that we cannot predict what is ahead. The only one who can is God, our Creator, who sent His Son, Jesus, to save us.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Ecclesiastes 6

Mark 10

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Ecclesiastes:

What Does A Man Gain from His Toil?

What Is Your Duty?

Scripture: Judges 17: 1, 5-6

Now a man named Micah from the hill country of Ephraim(1) Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his sons as his priest. ⁶ In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.(5-6)

Scripture Commentary:

Micah and his mother seemed to be good, moral people and may have sincerely desired to worship God but they disobeyed Him. They did as they saw fit and followed their own desires instead of doing what God wanted.

The attitude of Micah’s day is found in our society today. Everyone is doing what they feel like doing. It’s remarkable that nothing has changed in 2,000 years!

God gives us standards to live by.

He does not leave our conduct up to us to do as we see fit. God provides His framework and standards. Today, as in Micah’s day, everyone wants to do their own thing. Human nature, unfortunately, has not changed. Micah made an idol to worship, and as a result, justice was replaced by revenge and chaos.

Ignoring God’s direction leads to confusion and destruction.

Submit to God’s way. Don’t continue to live as you see fit. Don’t head into Satan’s arms. So the question is this: are you trying to live as God would have you live?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Judges 17

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Judges:

Gideon Continued to Question God; Trust That What God Tells You Is True

Why Do We Disobey and Neglect God?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15: 8-10

 ⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 

Scripture Commentary: Jesus tells us that ‘whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Paul was a Pharisee who persecuted the Christian church. He felt he was the least of the apostles, unworthy to be one of them .

Do you feel unworthy to spread the Gospel of Christ?

Ask God for forgiveness like Paul did and by His grace, you will become God’s servant. Humble yourself to God and see His works both in and through you.

Because of Paul’s prominent position as a Pharisee, he was a greater object of persecution than the other apostles; thus he had to work harder to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Don’t think that things will be easy because you’re spreading God’s message. Look what they did to Christ as He went about preaching the Word.

Paul was saved on the road to Damascus and born again. Maybe you, like Paul, are on the road to Damascus. Ask God to detour you.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

1 Corinthians 15

Read Other Commentary from 1 Corinthians:

Spiritual Gifts Are Given for the Good of All

You Are God’s Temple

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10: 13, 21

¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted^[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,^[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.  ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 

Scripture Commentary:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. God will provide a way out if you call on Him when you are tempted.

Paul tells us there is a battle going on with the flesh and the spirit.

Paul isn’t referring to your physical flesh. He is referring to your spiritual soul. The “nature” self wants to do what feels good and easy. The Holy Spirit in you wants to glorify God, not yourself.

The flesh and the spirit are constantly against one another as long as you live.

Paul tells us that the flesh (Satan) desires what is contrary to the Holy Spirit (God). And consequently, the Spirit of God is contrary to the flesh.

The Holy Spirit inside you says, “Live for God,” and your flesh says, “Live for yourself.” Living for God means you submit to God daily by reading the Bible and calling on Him. This is how God nourishes your spirit (our soul).

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

1 Corinthians 10

Read Other Commentary from 1 Corinthians:

Now About Food Sacrificed to Idols

The Lord Offers You A Seat At His Table

Scripture: Genesis 3: 1-4

The Fall

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” ² The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, ³ but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” ⁴ “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. ⁵ “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Scripture Commentary:

This is the first recorded lie: Satan tempting Eve by pointing her to the one thing that she must not do. God gave Adam and Eve luscious, desirable fruits but we, like Eve, focus on the fruits of the flesh. This negativeness darkens our heart, mind and soul so that we succumb to Satan’s temptation.

When we focus on what we don’t have or on situations that displease us, our minds become darkened. We take for granted salvation and the countless gifts God has provided. We look for what we think is right.

1 John 2: 15 says “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father^[a] is not in them.”

And 1 John 4:8 says “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.“

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Genesis 3

1 John 2

1 John 4

Read Other Commentary from Genesis:

Don’t Be Ruled By Your Lusts

The Consequence of Knowing Good and Evil