Notes from Linda:
12/1/22: I just found out that most of the commentaries on the Bible Study Tools website are no longer free. That's where most of the quotes that appear on the "Verse of the Day" and "Previous Verses" pages of my website are taken from, so from now on, many of the "Source:" links that I provide on those pages will not contain the quoted text.I was disgusted to read about the organization's new "PLUS" membership, and the only thing I can say about it is that the Bible has this warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 for the owner of Bible Study Tools: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
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8/8/21: Something is wrong with my Christian forum. Everything seems to be working normally (i.e., the articles are there, and the links work), but for some reason, the forum's format has changed slightly, and I am currently unable to post anything new.
I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully, the problem is only temporay and will be fixed soon.
* * * * *
Note: Additional "Verse of the Day"
Bible verses can be found here:
Current Month
Previous Months and Years
Note: Additional "Verse of the Day"
Bible verses can be found here:
Current Month
Previous Months and Years
Notes from Linda:
12/1/22: I just found out that most of the commentaries on the Bible Study Tools website are no longer free. That's where most of the quotes that appear on the "Verse of the Day" and "Previous Verses" pages of my website are taken from, so from now on, many of the "Source:" links that I provide on those pages will not contain the quoted text.I was disgusted to read about the organization's new "PLUS" membership, and the only thing I can say about it is that the Bible has this warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 for the owner of Bible Study Tools: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
____________________
8/8/21: Something is wrong with my Christian forum. Everything seems to be working normally (i.e., the articles are there, and the links work), but for some reason, the forum's format has changed slightly, and I am currently unable to post anything new.
I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully, the problem is only temporay and will be fixed soon.
* * * * *
Note: Additional "Verse of the Day"
Bible verses can be found here:
Current Month
Previous Months and Years
Note: Additional "Verse of the Day"
Bible verses can be found here:
Current Month
Previous Months and Years
"Verse of the Day"
Bible Verse(s)
Bible Verse(s)
Today
December 12, 2024
This message from God was delivered to the people of Israel (and to everyone else in the world) by God's prophet Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 23:1: "Woe [great sorrow or distress shall] be unto the pastors [in this case, referring to both religious and government leaders] that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! [referring to the people of Israel (comparing them to sheep), and also to born-again Christians] saith [says] the LORD."
Jeremiah 23:2: "Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed [lead, guide, direct] my people; Ye [you] have scattered my flock [my people], and [have] driven them away, and have not visited [or paid attention to] them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings [deeds], saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 23:3: "And I will gather the remnant [remainder, or survivors] of my flock out of all countries whither [to which] I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds [safe places, just as a sheepfold is a pen or shelter for sheep]; and they shall be fruitful [fertile] and [shall] increase [in number]."
Jeremiah 23:4: "And I will set up shepherds [rulers and leaders] over them [the sheep] which shall feed them: and they [the sheep] shall fear no more, nor be dismayed [alarmed, worried], neither shall they [any of the sheep] be lacking [missing or lost], saith the LORD."
"… What a dreadful woe this is upon all false shepherds, -- those who profess [claim] to be sent of [by, from] God to instruct the people, but who are not sent of God at all, whose labours [labors, efforts] only result in the scattering of the sheep, and destroying them, instead of gathering them to [Jesus] Christ for their salvation! …"
(Source: https://www.truthaccordingtoscripture.com/commentaries/spe/jeremiah-23.php, "Verses 1-32")
Jeremiah 23:1: "Woe [great sorrow or distress shall] be unto the pastors [in this case, referring to both religious and government leaders] that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! [referring to the people of Israel (comparing them to sheep), and also to born-again Christians] saith [says] the LORD."
Jeremiah 23:2: "Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed [lead, guide, direct] my people; Ye [you] have scattered my flock [my people], and [have] driven them away, and have not visited [or paid attention to] them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings [deeds], saith the LORD."
Jeremiah 23:3: "And I will gather the remnant [remainder, or survivors] of my flock out of all countries whither [to which] I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds [safe places, just as a sheepfold is a pen or shelter for sheep]; and they shall be fruitful [fertile] and [shall] increase [in number]."
Jeremiah 23:4: "And I will set up shepherds [rulers and leaders] over them [the sheep] which shall feed them: and they [the sheep] shall fear no more, nor be dismayed [alarmed, worried], neither shall they [any of the sheep] be lacking [missing or lost], saith the LORD."
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God punishes and gets rid of false prophets and wicked rulers, who mislead and/or neglect or refuse to feed, care for, and protect his people.* * * * *
Regarding Jeremiah 23:1, Charles Spurgeon wrote:"… What a dreadful woe this is upon all false shepherds, -- those who profess [claim] to be sent of [by, from] God to instruct the people, but who are not sent of God at all, whose labours [labors, efforts] only result in the scattering of the sheep, and destroying them, instead of gathering them to [Jesus] Christ for their salvation! …"
(Source: https://www.truthaccordingtoscripture.com/commentaries/spe/jeremiah-23.php, "Verses 1-32")
In case you're wondering, before adding my comments
in brackets to the above verse(s), I usually refer to Bible
commentaries by Albert Barnes, Matthew Henry, John Gill,
and others (which can be found online) and try to summarize
what they say. For verses from Proverbs, I also refer to the
Bible study notes written by Jim Delany, pastor of Salem
Bible Church. Word definitions are taken from online
dictionaries (including Bible dictionaries).
* * * * *
Note: The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters and is full of wisdom.
It's been suggested in the past that Christians should get in the habit
of reading one chapter from Proverbs each day, corresponding to
the date of the month. I think it's a great idea and have decided
to follow that advice. The chapter for today is posted below:
Proverbs Chapter 12
1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.in brackets to the above verse(s), I usually refer to Bible
commentaries by Albert Barnes, Matthew Henry, John Gill,
and others (which can be found online) and try to summarize
what they say. For verses from Proverbs, I also refer to the
Bible study notes written by Jim Delany, pastor of Salem
Bible Church. Word definitions are taken from online
dictionaries (including Bible dictionaries).
* * * * *
Note: The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters and is full of wisdom.
It's been suggested in the past that Christians should get in the habit
of reading one chapter from Proverbs each day, corresponding to
the date of the month. I think it's a great idea and have decided
to follow that advice. The chapter for today is posted below:
Proverbs Chapter 12
2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.
10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.
25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.
27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.
28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.