OCTOBER 31
2 Chronicles 33:1-6: "Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen [non-Jews], whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down, and he reared up altars for Baalim, and made groves, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them. Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever. And he built altars for all the host of heaven [sun, moon, and stars] in the two courts of the house of the LORD. And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
OCTOBER 30
Job 1:10 [Satan, complaining to God about Job, before being given permission to test his faith]: "Hast not thou made an hedge [a wall of protection] about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land."
OCTOBER 29
For the following verse, I tried to summarize what was said in three
different commentaries. In the brackets following each highlighted
portion of text, the first phrase (up to the semicolon) was gleaned
from Adam Clarke's commentary; the second, from Albert Barnes';
and the third, from John Gill's. (See links below the verse.)
Hopefully, I haven't confused you.
Philippians 4:8 [the apostle Paul, encouraging Christian behavior]: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true [are learned from nature and God; promote high moral standards; agree with the scriptures], whatsoever things are honest [decent; worthy of reputation or honor; in the sight of men], whatsoever things are just [agreeable to justice and righteousness; in all of a person's dealings; not offensive to God or man], whatsoever things are pure [in regard to mind and body, in regard to mind and body; in words and deeds], whatsoever things are lovely [a friendly and pleasant manner; a controlled temper; love and friendship], whatsoever things are of good report [useful and profitable to men; exhibit courtesy, kindness, respect, etc.; are well spoken of and establish a good name]; if there be any virtue [something calculated to promote the general good of mankind; that isn't specified here; good moral behavior], and if there be any praise [anything praiseworthy; anything worthy of praise; anything deserving praise], think on these things [esteem them highly, recommend them heartily, and practice them fervently; recommend and practice them; meditate on them and put them into practice]."
[Note: Adam Clarke and Albert Barnes have good commentaries on this verse. If you want to read them, click on the link (http://www.godvine.com/bible/philippians/4-8) and scroll down to "Clarke's Commentary" and/or "Barnes' Notes." John Gill also has a good commentary. Here's that link: http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/philippians-4-8.html.]
OCTOBER 28
Proverbs 14:8: "The wisdom of the prudent [someone showing good judgment] is to understand his way: but the folly [unwise behavior] of fools is deceit."
OCTOBER 27
Jeremiah 23:24: "Can any[one] hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD."
OCTOBER 26
Matthew 25:41 [what Jesus will say to unsaved people on judgment day]: "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire [hell], prepared for the devil and his angels:"
OCTOBER 25
Deuteronomy 16:17: "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee."
OCTOBER 24
2 Timothy 4:7-8: "I [Paul] have fought a good fight [in living the Christian life], I have finished my course [race], I have kept the faith: Henceforth [from this time on] there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord [Jesus Christ], the righteous judge, shall give me at that day [judgment day]: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing [at the second coming].
OCTOBER 23
2 Corinthians 5:7: "(For we walk [live] by faith, not by sight:)"
OCTOBER 22
John 15:18 [Jesus, speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper following the departure of Judas Iscariot]: "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."
OCTOBER 21
Hebrews 4:13: "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight [i.e., there is no person who is not wholly known to God]: but all things are naked and opened [exposed] unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do [give account]."
OCTOBER 20
Proverbs 12:10: "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast [i.e., takes care of his animals]: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel."
OCTOBER 19
Luke 3:7-14: "Then said he [John the Baptist] to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance [do things to prove that your repentance is sincere], and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn [cut] down, and cast into the fire. And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then? He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to [share with] him that hath none; and he that hath meat [food], let him do likewise. Then came also publicans [tax collectors] to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact [demand, or take] no more than that which is appointed you [by the government]. And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content [satisfied] with your wages."
[Note: Adam Clarke and Albert Barnes have good commentaries on these verses. If you want to read them, click on the link (http://www.godvine.com/bible/luke/3-10) and scroll down to "Clarke's Commentary" and/or "Barnes' Notes." This link is for verse 10; you can go backward or forward from there to read the other verses.]
OCTOBER 18
Psalm 84:11: "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."
OCTOBER 17
Exodus 23:2: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude [for example, a gang] to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause [in court] to decline after many to wrest judgment [pervert justice]:"
OCTOBER 16 - Nicodemus and the New Birth
John 3:1-8: "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily [truly], I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God [heaven]. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [physical birth] and of the Spirit [spiritual birth], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the [Holy] Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth [pleases], and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence [from where] it cometh, and whither [where] it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit [i.e., you may not understand the new birth, but you will see its effects, or notice the changes, in someone who has been born again]."
OCTOBER 15
Ephesians 5:25: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church [all born-again Christians], and gave himself for it [died on the cross to redeem, or save, it];"
OCTOBER 14
James 1:14-15: "But every man is tempted [to sin], when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed [lured]. Then when lust hath conceived [when an improper desire to have or do something is acted upon], it bringeth forth [results in] sin: and sin, when it is finished [has been committed], bringeth forth death."
OCTOBER 13
2 Timothy 1:8-9 [the apostle Paul, writing to Timothy from prison]: "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord [the gospel of Jesus Christ], nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel [i.e., pain, suffering, or distress that may result from your profession of the gospel] according to the power of God; Who hath saved us [from sin], and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,"
OCTOBER 12
2 Chronicles 16:12-13: "And Asa [king of Judah] in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease [probably gout] was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but [only] to the physicians. And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign."
OCTOBER 11
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 [the apostle Paul, in a letter to the Corinthian church]: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual [Christians], but as unto carnal [under the influence of fleshly appetites; coveting and living for the things of this life], even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk [taught only the basics of the gospel], and not with meat [the more profound doctrines of the Christian religion]: for hitherto [until now] ye were not able to bear it [understand], neither yet now are ye able [to do so]. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"
OCTOBER 10
Psalm 37:14-15: "The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay [kill in a violent way] such as be of upright conversation [lifestyle]. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken."
OCTOBER 9
1 Corinthians 10:14 [the apostle Paul, in a letter to the Corinthian church]: "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."
OCTOBER 8
Proverbs 16:31: "The hoary head [gray or white hair due to advanced age] is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness [i.e., on someone who is trying to obey God's word]."
OCTOBER 7
2 Chronicles 25:7-8: "But there came a man of God to him [Amaziah, king of Judah], saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee [to war with Edom]; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit [namely], with all the children of Ephraim. But if thou wilt [will] go, do it, be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down."
OCTOBER 6
1 Timothy 5:8: "But if any[one] provide not for his own [relatives], and specially for those of his own house [family], he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel [unbeliever]."
OCTOBER 5
Ephesians 4:25 [the apostle Paul, writing to the Christians at Ephesus]: "Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another [i.e., members of the body of Christ--the church]."
OCTOBER 4
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant:
Matthew 18:23-35 [Jesus speaking]:
Verse 23: "Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants."
Verses 24-27: "And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents [millions of dollars]. But forasmuch as he had not to pay [was unable to pay], his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him [let him go], and forgave him the debt."
Verses 28-30: "But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence [one pence, or denarius, was a day's wage--about sixteen cents]: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt."
Verses 31-34: "So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth [very angry], and delivered him to the tormentors [put him in prison], till he should pay all that was due unto him."
Verse 35: "So likewise shall my heavenly Father [God] do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses [offences]."
[Note: Money values were taken from this article: www.gotquestions.org/parable-unforgiving-servant.html.]
OCTOBER 3
Matthew 6:34: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow [don't worry about tomorrow]: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof [i.e., each day has its own problems]."
OCTOBER 2
Proverbs 12:25: "Heaviness [sorrow, anxiety, etc.] in the heart of man maketh it stoop [sink to a lower place, be depressed]: but a good [compassionate or encouraging] word maketh it glad."
OCTOBER 1
Proverbs 28:13: "He that covereth [hides or makes excuses for] his sins shall not prosper: but whoso[ever] confesseth [them to God in prayer] and forsaketh [gives up or renounces] them shall have mercy."