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.

DECEMBER 12

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."
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")

DECEMBER 10-11

Someday, We'll All Worship the Lord Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:9: "Wherefore [for the reasons described in the preceding verses (Philippians 2:5-6,7,8); i.e., as a reward for the humiliation and suffering that Jesus endured when he became a man and died on the cross to pay for our sins] God [the Father] also hath [has] highly exalted [honored] him [Jesus], and [has] given him a name which is above [or 'which is greater or more excellent than'] every [other] name [in the universe]:"

Philippians 2:10-11: "[so] That at the name of Jesus [i.e., in recognition of his authority] every knee should bow [bend] [in worship of him], of things [referring to the bowing of knees of all beings, including people and angels] in heaven, and things [all beings] in earth, and things [all beings] under the earth; And [so] that every tongue [mouth] should confess [either willingly or unwillingly] that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father [thus bringing honor to Almighty God]."
Many people refuse to do so now, but someday in the future, everyone in heaven and everyone on and under the earth, whether living or dead, will "bow the knee" to Jesus and call him "Lord."

DECEMBER 8-9

Colossians 3:16: "Let the word of Christ [or the doctrine of Christ, referring to Jesus and the things that he did and taught, as recorded in the Bible] dwell in you [in your heart and mind] richly [abundantly] in all wisdom [or 'producing the spirit of true wisdom,' which happens, after salvation, when we memorize scripture (Bible verses) and try to obey God's commands]; [and use this wisdom when] teaching [one another--about the Bible] and admonishing one another [as in Christian counseling; i.e., when warning, advising, or correcting fellow believers, in order to assure their spiritual well-being] [and] in [singing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace [thanks] in your hearts to the Lord."
Perhaps this quote from Adam Clarke (with slightly different wording) will help make the above verse easier to understand:

"… Let the doctrine of Christ dwell richly among you; teaching and admonishing each other in all wisdom; singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord, in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs …"

(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/colossians/3-16.html, "Clarke's Commentary")

As you may know (since I've quoted him a lot in the "Verse of the Day" section of my website), Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church has done Bible studies on the entire book of Proverbs, but he also has done them for the book of Colossians. His commentary on the above verse is separated into eight parts (each of which, apparently, was taken from sermons that he preached to his congregation). If you want to read some or all of these excellent commentaries, here are the links:

-- 3:16a - "Indwelt by the Word of Christ"
    (https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16a/)

-- 3:16b - "Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You RICHLY"
    (https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16b/)

-- 3:16c - "The First Effect of the Indwelling Word"
    (https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16c/)

-- 3:16d - "Singing: Second Effect of the Indwelling Word"
    (https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16d/)

-- 3:16e - "Music That Pleases the Lord"
    (https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16e/)

-- 3:16f - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
    (https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16f/)

-- 3:16g - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
    (https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16g/)

-- 3:16h - "Music That Pleases the Lord" (Continued)
    (https://www.salembible.org/colossians-3-index/colossians-3_16h/)

DECEMBER 6-7

Because he had many enemies, King David said this to God in prayer:

Psalm 56:3: "What time [whenever] I am afraid, I will trust in thee [you] [for protection and help]."
Following King David's example, Christians can always look to God for help, especially when we find ourselves in danger and afraid.

Albert Barnes commented on today's verse as follows:

"… I will trust in thee [referring to God] - As one that is able to save, and one that will order all things as they should be ordered. It is only this that can make the mind calm in the midst [middle] of danger:

" (a) the feeling that God can protect us and save us from danger, and that he 'will' protect us if he sees fit [or thinks it is right or appropriate];

"(b) the feeling that whatever may be the result, whether life or death, it will be such as God sees to be best - if 'life,' that we may be useful, and glorify his name yet upon the earth; if 'death,' that it will occur not because he had not 'power' to interpose [intervene] and save, but because there were good and sufficient reasons why he should 'not' put forth his power on that occasion and rescue us.

"Of this we may be, however, assured, that God has 'power' to deliver us always, and that if [we are] not delivered from calamity [disaster] it is not because he is inattentive [not paying attention], or has not power [i.e., does not have the power to do so]. And of this higher truth also we may be assured always, that he [God] has power to save us from that which we have most occasion to fear - a dreadful [terrifying] [place called] hell. It is a good maxim [saying] with which to go into a world of danger; a good maxim to go to sea with; a good maxim in a storm; a good maxim when in danger on the land; a good maxim when we are sick; a good maxim when we think of death and the judgment - 'What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.'

(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/psalms-56.html, "Verse 3")

DECEMBER 5

When You Desire Answered Prayer

During the Last Supper, Jesus told his disciples (and all Christians) how to make sure that their (and our) prayers would (and will) be answered:

John 14:13 [Jesus said]: "And whatsoever [whatever] ye [you] shall ask in my [Jesus'] name [in faith, through prayer, according to the will of God--see Note 1 below], that will I do [or 'that is what I (Jesus) will give you'], [so] that [God] the Father [in heaven] may be glorified [honored, praised] in [through] the Son [of God (or God the Son), referring to himself (Jesus Christ)]."

John 14:14: "If ye shall ask [for] any thing [see Note 2 below] in my name, I [Jesus] will do it [meaning he will answer your prayer]."
Commenting on these verses, Charles Spurgeon said:

"… There are some of God's children [i.e., born-again Christians] who have little power with him [God] in prayer, -- some who walk so disorderly [disobediently] that, since they do not listen to God's words, he will not listen to theirs. Yet he [God] will give them necessaries, as you give [them] even to your naughty and disobedient children; but he will not give them [the disobedient Christians] the luxury of prevailing [persuasive] prayer, and that full fellowship with him [God] which comes through abiding in [or having a close relationship with] him. Such luxuries he saves for his obedient children …"

(Source: https://www.truthaccordingtoscripture.com/commentaries/spe/john-14.php, "Verses 1-21")

NOTE 1:

The Bible says that at least two more things are necessary for answered prayer. In addition to asking for things "in Jesus' name," we must pray to God in faith (per James 1:6-7) and in accordance with his will (per 1 John 5:14-15).

NOTE 2:

Regarding what we can and should pray about, Matthew Henry said:

"… 'Ask any thing, any thing that is good and proper for you; any thing, provided you know what you ask, you may ask; you may ask for assistance [help] in your work, for a mouth [to speak] and wisdom [to know what to say], for preservation out of the hands of [or 'protection from'] your enemies, for power to work miracles when there is occasion [or an opportunity to do so], for the success of the ministry in the conversion [or salvation] of souls; ask to be informed, directed, vindicated [cleared of blame or suspicion].' …"

(Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/john/14.html, "Verses 12-14," "(v. 13, 14)")

DECEMBER 4

1 Corinthians 11:14: "Doth [does] not even nature itself [i.e., your instinctive feelings or judgments, a deep internal sense of what is right and wrong] teach you, that, if a man [or boy] have long hair, it is a shame unto him [or 'it is improper and disgraceful']?"
Regarding men's and women's hair, Matthew Henry wrote in his commentary:

"… 'Judge in yourselves--consult your own reason [reasoning], hearken [pay attention] to what nature suggests--is it comely [suitable, something pleasant to look at] for a woman to pray to God uncovered [in regard to the hair on her head]? Should there not be a distinction [a difference between two similar things] kept up between the [male and female] sexes in wearing their hair [in certain hairstyles], since nature has made one [i.e., a distinction]? Is it not a distinction which nature has kept up among all civilized nations? The woman's hair is a natural covering [for her head]; to wear it [her hair] long is a glory [or 'an honor'] to her; but for a man to have long hair, or [to] cherish [adore, treasure] it, is a token [a sign, an indication] of softness and effeminacy [both of which are feminine (unmanly) characteristics or qualities]' …"

(Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/1-corinthians/11.html, "Verses 1-16," "(v. 13-15)")

Here are two GotQuestions.org articles about today's verse:

-- "What does the Bible say about hair length?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/hair-length.html)

-- "Did Jesus have long hair?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-long-hair.html)

DECEMBER 1-3

Jesus Began His Public Ministry by Being Baptized

Matthew 3:13: "Then cometh [comes, or came] Jesus from Galilee [specifically, from Nazareth, the city where he had lived for nearly 30 years] to [the river] Jordan unto John [the Baptist], to be baptized of [by] him."

Matthew 3:14-15: "But John forbad [refused] him [Jesus], saying, I have need to be baptized of thee [or 'by you'], and comest thou [you come] to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [allow] it to be so now: for thus it becometh [becomes] us [meaning it was suitable and proper for them to do that in order] to fulfil all righteousness [of the ceremonial law, by obeying God's commands]. Then he [John] suffered [permitted, allowed] him [Jesus] [to be baptized]."

Matthew 3:16,17: "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway [immediately] out of the water: and, lo [an exclamation meaning look, see, observe], the heavens were opened unto him [John the Baptist], and he saw the Spirit of God [the Holy Spirit] descending [coming down from heaven] like [or 'in the shape of'] a dove, and lighting [landing] upon him [Jesus]: And lo a voice from heaven [from God the Father] [was heard, probably by all who were there], saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
As you can see from these verses, all three persons of the Trinity were present during Jesus' baptism:

1. God the Father, speaking from heaven
2. God the Son (Jesus), in person
3. God the Holy Ghost, in the form of a dove

In his commentary on Matthew 3:16, Albert Barnes said that the Holy Spirit probably appeared in the form of a dove because:

"… The dove, among the Jews, was the symbol of purity of heart, harmlessness, and gentleness … The form chosen here was doubtless [no doubt] an emblem [or a symbol] of the innocence, meekness [humility], and tenderness of the Saviour [Jesus Christ] …"

(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/matthew-3.html, "Verse 16" - "The Spirit of God")

Here are two articles that relate to today's verses:

-- "Why was Jesus baptized?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-baptized.html)

-- "What does the Bible teach about the Trinity?"
    (https://www.gotquestions.org/Trinity-Bible.html)