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.
"Verse of the Day"
Bible Verses
Bible Verses
"Verse of the Day"
Bible Verses
Bible Verses
Previous Verses
February 2025
FEBRUARY 28
Proverbs 28:1: "The wicked [referring to people who do bad things (like lie, steal, cheat, etc.) and have guilty consciences] flee [run away or hide] when no man pursueth [when nobody is pursuing (chasing or following) them, intending to capture them, kill them, etc.; in other words, they flee from perceived, or imagined, danger]: but the righteous [i.e., honest, 'good' people, especially born-again, or saved, people, who obey the law and consequently do not have guilty consciences] are [as] bold [brave, fearless, courageous, confident] as a [young] lion."
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In contrast to guilty people, as Pastor Delany said, "God gives boldness to righteous men [like Moses, during his confrontation (or when he met) with the Egyptian pharaoh, and Daniel, after being thrown into the lion's den]. He [God] gives the [righteous people] boldness to stand when they need to stand; boldness to face danger; boldness to deal with difficult situations; boldness to deal with difficult people."
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If you want to read more of the above-mentioned commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "28:1."
FEBRUARY 27
Colossians 3:20: "Children, obey your parents [both father and mother] in all things [that are good and lawful--i.e., not sinful]: for [because] this [thing--obedience] is well pleasing unto the Lord [God]."
"… It is important [that children obey their parents], because the family government is designed to be an imitation of the government of God. The government of God is what a perfect family government would be; and to accustom a child to be [or to help the child become used to being] obedient to a parent, is designed to be one method of leading him [or her--the child] to be obedient to God. No child that is disobedient to a parent will be obedient to God; and that child that is most obedient to a father and mother will be most likely to become a Christian, and an heir [inheritor] of heaven. And it may be observed, in general, that no disobedient child is virtuous [morally correct], prosperous [successful], or happy. Everyone foresees [predicts] the ruin of such a child; and most of the cases of crime that lead to the penitentiary [prison], or the gallows [a place for hanging, representing the death penalty], commence by [or begin with] disobedience to parents …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/ephesians-6.html, "Verse 1")
"… Children were obeying their parents long before Jesus died for our sins. But this is a different type or quality of obedience. This isn"t the grudging [reluctant, halfhearted] obedience found in the world. And neither is it, 'I will merely cooperate now, but once I turn 18, they [my parents] can"t tell me what to do anymore.' Rather, this is an obedience that pleases God, that finds favor with both God and men [or 'people'] (Luke 2:52)."
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dun/colossians-3.html, "Dunagan's Commentary on the Bible," "Verse 20")
--"What does the Bible say about obeying parents?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-obeying-parents.html)
-- "What does it mean to obey your parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1)?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/obey-your-parents.html)
-- "What does the Bible say about respecting your parents?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/respecting-your-parents.html)
FEBRUARY 26
We don't know who wrote this psalm, but its words apply to all of us:
Psalm 66:18: "If I regard [see, perceive, am aware of] iniquity [wickedness, evil] in my heart [mind] [and do nothing about it--meaning that if I take pleasure and delight in sinful thoughts and/or actions], the Lord will not hear me [when I pray]:"
"… 'If I have favourable [favorable, positive, approving] thoughts of it [i.e., iniquity, or a 'heart-sin'], if I love it, indulge [or yield to] it, and allow myself [to participate] in it, if I treat it as a friend and bid it welcome, make provision for it and am loth [loath, reluctant, or unwilling] to part with it, …, if I delight in it …, God will not hear my prayer, will not accept it [my prayer], nor be pleased with it, nor can I expect an answer of peace to it …'"
(Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/psalms/66.html, "(v. 18)")
"(a) to secret purposes of sin; to sinful desires, corrupt passions [sinful desires that are immoral or depraved (wicked, perverted)]. and evil propensities [having an inclination or natural tendency to do bad things];
"(b) to acts of sin in individuals, as when a man is pursuing [involved in] a business founded on fraud [wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain], dishonesty, oppression, and wrong [wrongdoing, lawlessness];
"(c) to public acts of sin, as when a people fast and pray Isaiah 58:1-14, and yet hold their fellow-men [or 'other people'] in bondage; or enact and maintain unjust and unrighteous laws; or uphold the acts of wicked rulers; or countenance [approve of] and support by law that which is contrary [or opposite in nature] to the law of God; and
"(d) to the feelings of an awakened and trembling [humble] sinner when he [or she] is professedly [apparently] seeking salvation …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/psalms-66.html, "Verse 18")
FEBRUARY 24-25
Helpful advice for Christians from the apostle James:
James 4:7: "Submit yourselves [be obedient] therefore to God. Resist the devil [when he tempts you to sin; for example, say (out loud) something like this: 'Go away, Satan, in Jesus' name--leave me alone!'], and he will flee [run away] from you."
"… While you yield to [or 'obey'] God in all things, you are to yield [submit] to the devil in none [or 'in anything']. You are to resist and oppose him [the devil, or Satan] in whatever way he may approach you, whether by allurements [attraction to desirable things], by flattering [complimentary] promises, by the fascinations of the world, by temptation, or by threats. See 1 Peter 5:9. Satan makes his way, and secures his triumphs [victories, achievements], rather by art, cunning [manipulation], deception, and threatenings, than by true courage; and when [he is] opposed manfully [bravely], he flies [away]. The true way of meeting him [Satan] is by direct resistance, rather than by argument; by steadfastly [or in a steady way] refusing to yield [surrender] in the slightest degree, rather than by a belief that we can either convince him [Satan] that he is wrong, or can return to virtue [morality, good morals] when we have gone a certain length in complying with his [the devil's] demands. No one is safe who yields in the least to the suggestions of the tempter [Satan]; there is no one who is not safe if he does not yield [to Satan's demands]. A man, for example, is always safe from intemperance [lack of moderation or restraint; excessive indulgence, especially of alcohol] if he resists all allurements to indulgence in strong drink, and [if he] never yields in the slightest degree [or 'in the smallest way;]; no one is certainly safe if he [or she] drinks even moderately [or in what is considered a reasonable manner]."
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/james-4.html, "Verse 7")
-- "What does it mean to resist the devil?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/resist-the-devil.html)
-- "Does a believer have authority over Satan?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/authority-over-Satan.html)
FEBRUARY 23
Advice for "Commoners"
Proverbs 23:1:"When thou sittest [when you sit down--at a state dinner, royal banquet, etc.] to eat with a ruler [someone who is 'out of your class' (a person of influence and power, with a position of authority or leadership), such as your boss, the chief executive officer (CEO) of a company, the leader of a country, or a senator, governor, billionaire, etc.], consider diligently what is before thee [or in front of you, or 'carefully consider your surroundings']:"
Proverbs 23:2: "And put a knife to thy [your] throat [meaning exercise self-control], if thou be [if you are] a man [or woman or child] given to appetite [i.e., overeating or talking too much]."
Proverbs 23:3: "Be not desirous of [don't covet or crave] his [the ruler's] dainties [delicacies]: for they are deceitful [deceptive, misleading] meat [food]. [In other words, watch what you say and do, and don't believe everything that you see and hear, because the ruler may have ulterior motives (or hidden reasons) for dining with you.]"
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At the beginning of his commentary, Pastor Delany says:
"If Solomon wrote this, these words are words of advice from a King to perhaps ordinary citizens, who because of their diligence [conscientiousness], competence [ability to do things well], and skill, find themselves in a setting with the upper class [i.e., people with a high social status]. … The point is that 'commoners' don't always know how to behave themselves before the upper crust of society and sometimes make a fool of themselves [as they did on 'The Beverly Hillbillies' TV show in the 1960s]."
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Pastor Delany goes on to offer some advice from King Solomon on how to avoid making a fool of yourself if and when you sit down to "eat with a ruler." Here are some excerpts from the commentary:
"1. The first part of the exhortation [advice] was to 'consider whose presence you are in.'
"2. The second part of the exhortation is to curb your appetite.
"3. You may really LOVE to eat. The food and the presentation may be fabulous [extraordinary]…like you've never seen or tasted before.
"4. But before you ask for your third plateful, you might want to consider this proverb.
"5. 'Put a knife to your throat' before you go [back] for thirds.
"a. Obviously, this is a figure of speech -- an idiom.
"b. The author is not suggesting [that] you commit suicide. This is hyperbole [a statement that is not intended to be taken literally].
"c. But in a very graphic way, he [King Solomon] gets his point across."
"d. Matt.18:8 -- 'Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off.' The Lord [Jesus Christ] also used hyperbole to make His point. The point is not 'cut your hand off,' but get to the root of the problem and deal with the problem.
"e. In the setting of Proverbs 23--before the ruler--you want to demonstrate restraint, self control, moderation, and self discipline.
"f. This goes for eating, but could also be applied to the conversation. Don't eat too much. Don't talk too much. Know your place. Keep things under check… under control. Restrain yourself."
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The commentary ends with a warning that the host may have ulterior motives [hidden reasons for saying or doing something]. Pastor Delany says, "The invitation to the feast might at first seem like a wonderful opportunity for advancement and promotion (and it may be)… but don't be so sure. … The ruler may have something sinister [i.e., with evil, harmful, or malicious intentions] in mind."
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If you want to read more of the commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "23:1-3."
FEBRUARY 22
Proverbs 22:16: "He [or she] that oppresseth [oppresses, mistreats, robs or cheats] the poor [people] [for example, through an abuse of power or authority] to increase his [or her] riches, and he [or she] that giveth [gives] [bribes] to the rich [people], shall surely come to want."
"b. The powerful oppress the weak.
"c. That normally translates into the rich trample over the poor.
"d. The rich have many tricks up their sleeves to oppress the poor: keeping back their hire [or not hiring them again], not paying them what they are worth; by usury (exorbitant [unreasonably high] interest rates) and outright extortion [obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats].
"e. This is human nature. We are by nature [or 'naturally'] selfish and greedy."
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"3. The PURPOSE of oppression
"a. 'To increase his riches.'
"b. Increase: To multiply; to make big; to become larger; to become abundant.
"c. The rich take advantage of the poor.
"d. The rich use the poor to cause the rich to grow richer.
"e. This is the meaning of the first part of this proverb.
"f. It should be noted that the words 'his riches' do not appear in the original [text]. The text simply says, 'to increase.'
"g. Thus, it [the meaning] is much broader than just silver and gold.
"h. It could be to increase his power, his social standing, his political position, his military might [strength], his borders [i.e., his territory or area of influence], his name and prestige [or 'his name recognition'], etc.
"i. It could be a combination of all [of] the above."
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"3. Why would someone give to the wealthy [rich] man who is in a position of influence and political power?
"a. Just watch the six o'clock news! It happens all the time. The city of Chicago [Illinois] is known for its corruption [dishonesty]. We have recently had a case there of just this sort of crime: buying political appointments… giving money to the rich.
"b. The author [of Proverbs 22:16] is speaking here of bribes to BUY influence and position.
"c. Prov. 18:16 -- A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
"• A bribe will often attract the attention of great and important men. Bribes 'open doors' that would otherwise be closed.
"• For a mere [or 'for only'] $700.00 a plate you can go to a dinner with the Clintons [i.e., former president Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary] (or other political figures) and be introduced to the movers and shakers [i.e., powerful people] in your area!
"• In that company you might be able to broker a deal ([in other words:] I'll give you a gift and you look the other way as I continue to oppress the poor!)
"• Hush money keeps a lot of people quiet… and looking the other way as oppression and corruption continue.
"d. Prov. 17:8 -- Bribes work! It's a fact of life.
"e. Prov.17:23 -- People give money to the rich in order to buy justice or to buy their way out of a conviction [in court].
"• If a shady businessman has been dishonestly overcharging the poor or overworking the poor, a bribe to the right judge or political figure might just take the heat off him and enable him to continue to oppress the poor.
"• Perversion of justice is nothing new either. People with money seem to get off the hook [or out of trouble] for crimes that the average person would be jailed for."
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"5. The MAIN point of the proverb is this: these two common, greedy, selfish practices may seem to result in an increase (wealth; position; power) in the immediate [time, or 'now'], but in the long run, it results in poverty (want).
"a. This proverb describes two possible approaches to 'increase' (wealth).
"• Those who use these approaches THINK that it is the way to wealth and increase.
"• One man assumes that he will increase [or have more] by oppressing the poor.
"• The other man assumes that he will increase by giving (bribing) the wealthy.
"• But in the end, both men come to poverty!
"b. This is the essence [basic meaning] of the proverb:
"• Two actions seem opposite (taking from the poor; giving to the rich).
"• They are opposite actions, yet, their purpose is really the same: to increase and get rich.
"• They are opposite actions, yet their END [result] is also the same: they both lead to poverty.
"c. And as opposite as these actions are, there are some obvious similarities too:
"• Both demonstrate no fear of God.
"• Both demonstrate no love for one's brother (neighbor).
"• Both are the result of the same motive: self seeking.
"• Both are motivated by greed.
"• Both meet the same end: poverty."
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If you want to read more of the commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "22:16."
FEBRUARY 21
Proverbs 21:13: "Whoso stoppeth [stops, shuts] his [or her] ears at [or 'whoever refuses to listen to or ignores'] the cry of the poor [for help, in the form of food, money, assistance, etc.--see note below*], he [or she] also shall cry himself [or herself] [to others, and/or to God in prayer, when he (or she) has a need], but shall not be heard [or answered]."
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him [the injured man], he passed by on the other side [of the road].
32 And likewise a Levite [a descendant of Levi, who would have provided assistance to priests in the Jewish temple], when he was at the place, came and looked on him [the injured man], and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed [traveled], came where he [the injured man] was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And [he] went to him, and bound up [bandaged] his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast [of burden], and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow [the next day] when he departed [went away, left], he took out two pence [pennies], and gave them to the host [or innkeeper], and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever [whatever] thou spendest [you spent] more [than that], when I come again, I will repay thee [you].
36 Which now of these three [men], thinkest thou [do you think], was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed [showed] mercy on him [the injured man]. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise [or 'do the same'].
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GotQuestions.org has some articles about the Good Samaritan. You'll find them here:
-- "What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-Good-Samaritan.html)
-- "What does the Bible say about giving to the poor?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/giving-to-the-poor.html)
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The following excerpts are from Pastor Delany's commentary on Proverbs 21:13:
"4. Here Solomon speaks about the consequences of being a heartless [unfeeling, unkind, unsympathetic], stingy [penny-pinching] scrooge… a selfish miser [cheapskate] who ignores the plight [troubles] of others.
"5. This proverb doesn't tell us to DO anything… it simply sets forth the consequences of actions."
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"g. The kind of person [King] Solomon is describing in verse 13 appears to be a man who is simply 'poor.'
"• No reason for his poverty is given.
"• However, in light of what Solomon says elsewhere in the book [of Proverbs] about laziness and reaping what we sow, it can be assumed that this man is poor… and it is not his fault.
"• Honest, hard working, diligent [conscientious] men CAN become poor!"
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As usual, Pastor Delany has written an excellent commentary on this verse. If you want to read it, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "21:13."
FEBRUARY 20
Proverbs 20:21: "An inheritance [money, property, possessions, etc.] may be gotten hastily [quickly] at the beginning [for example, before or after a parent dies]; but the end [result] thereof shall not be blessed [by God]."
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Pastor Delany says that the term gotten hastily in Proverbs 20:21 can be taken in two ways--good and bad. The good way is when a parent dies of natural causes (such as old age or illness) and leaves an inheritance for his or her children. A bad way is when one of the children tries to speed everything up (i.e., receive his or her inheritance faster) by poisoning the parent, declaring him or her incompetent (unable to do things properly), tricking the parent into signing over his or her finances, lying about why the "child" needs the money (e.g., to pay off a gambling debt), etc.
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In addition, many people get in trouble when they suddenly become rich and famous (this includes movie stars, rock stars, and athletes), win the lottery, inherit a business, etc., especially when they are young and inexperienced. Because these people lack wisdom, they spend the money foolishly and it doesn't last very long.
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Here's an excerpt from Pastor Delany's commentary:
"4. Then we have the many cases of the son who instantly inherits his father's business when his father dies.
"a. The father worked many decades [ten-year periods] to get that business on its feet [or 'up and running.' or fully operatioinal].
"b. He [the father] put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears [or 'extremely hard work'] into building up that business.
"c. He knew what it meant to work well into the night to balance the books [or make sure that the money spent was not more than the money taken in]…
"d. The father knew what it to took to keep the business afloat [out of debt] during an economic recession…
"e. The father learned about the importance of having good employees and he learned to treat them fairly.
"f. The father knew about all the extras that it took to keep the business going [strong:]… advertising… upkeep of the property…
"g. The father spent years putting out the very best product that he could.
"h. The father spent 50 years building up that business.
"i. The son inherits [the business] and drives it into the ground [i.e., ruins or destroys it] in a year and a half.
"j. Becoming the head of a big business like that came to him [the son] so easily; he thought that running it [the business] would be easy too. He was dead [or 'completely'] wrong.
"k. Instead of investing some of the profits [from the business] in upkeep and taking care of his employees, he blew the cash [or 'carelessly spent the money'] on a big new house, a boat, and a ski chalet at Vail [Colorado]!
"l. And before you know it--his father's business was worthless.
"m. What seemed to be a great blessing when he [the son] inherited it [the business], was not a blessing in the end."
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There is much more excellent material in Pastor Delany's commentary on today's verse. If you want to read it, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "20:21."
FEBRUARY 18-19
Psalm 111:10: "The fear of the LORD [reverencing and fearing God, or having a deep respect and love for God and not wanting to offend (displease) him] is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they [or 'all the people'] that do [obey] his [God's] commandments: his [God's] praise endureth [endures, lasts, will remain in existence] for ever [which means that God will always deserve our praise]."
FEBRUARY 16-17
Matthew 25:41: "Then [on judgment day] shall he [the Lord Jesus Christ] say also unto them on the left hand [of his throne--i.e., all unsaved people (everyone who has not been born again according to the Bible)--see note below*], Depart from me, ye [you] cursed [people], into everlasting fire [referring to the lake of fire], [which was originally] prepared for the devil and his angels:"
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
"We approach the study of this [Bible] passage with an overwhelming sense of melancholy [sadness] and the deepest feelings of sorrow for the awful fate of the wicked [people]. Alas [an expression of grief, pity, or concern], the doctrine [set of beliefs] of hell is a prominent [or 'an important'] teaching of [Jesus Christ, who is] the Son of God. The sophistry [false argument] of our generation has tended to ameliorate the Master's [Jesus'] teaching on this subject [i.e., hell--or make it appear better or not so bad], but such a tendency is profoundly [extremely] sinful and foolish. A little reflection will suggest the most logical reasons why such a thing as hell is not only just [i.e., morally right and fair] and reasonable but also actually necessary. No industrial concern [such as a factory] ever operated without some means of waste disposal, and no well-managed kitchen ever existed without a garbage pail or its equivalent. How then, in all reason, could God Almighty be expected to operate a complex [a very complicated thing] as large and diverse [varied] as the universe without some means of destroying those portions of it which, if permitted, would circumvent [bypass] and countermand [revoke, withdraw] his benevolent [well-meaning and kindly] purpose for the entire creation? Hell is God's cosmic [celestial, heavenly] disposal unit; yet it is not prepared for men but for Satan [the devil] and his angels [in this case, bad angels, or demons], and the only persons who will be finally lost in hell are those who elect [choose] to follow the influence of Satan and must also partake of [or take part in] his destiny [future fate]. [Jesus] Christ spread wide his bleeding hands upon the cross in order to woo [try to win] men [and women and children] [over] and to save them, and redeem [rescue] them from the power of the evil one [i.e., Satan]. Men [and women and children] who rush past the warning signals can ultimately blame no one except themselves.
"Who can think of a better way to deal with Satan than by his being cast [thrown] into hell which God has prepared, or may be in the process of preparing, for the evil one [Satan]? (At the projected time of the scene presented in this chapter [of Matthew], hell will have been prepared; but, since [Jesus] Christ is now preparing the place for the righteous [ones; i.e., saved people, or born-again Christians] (John 14:1-6), it does not appear illogical [unreasonable] to suppose that the place of containment for the host of Satan [referring to Satan and his followers] is likewise currently in a state of preparation also). What would YOU do, if you were God? Would you permit [allow] Satan to continue [operating] unabated [at full strength or force] for all eternity with license to rob, rape, plunder [take things by force], seduce [lead astray by persuasion and false promises], destroy, and deceive [cheat], corrupt, wound [injure], and slay [kill] forever? Whatever YOU might fancy [imagine] you would do, God has revealed his will [in the Bible] in his announced purpose to overwhelm Satan and the fallen angels in the 'lake of fire that burneth with brimstone [sulfur].' [Note: The 'lake of fire' is similar to lava in a volcano, which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAdFvTo9874.] In a certain fearful sense, one may thank God for hell. It is the place where the great enemy of mankind [Satan] shall at last be destroyed. Since such a place actually exists, or is in state of being made ready, and since there is the dreadful certainty that men following the lead of Satan shall unwittingly partake of [or take part in] his overthrow, what a benign [gentle and kindly] and holy purpose is seen in the blessed words of the Lord [Jesus Christ] who revealed this astounding [amazing] fact and warned men how they might escape such an awful fate! Those [people] who have been deceived [fooled] into thinking of hell as some kind of torture arrangement which God, through peevishness [irritability, annoyance] or caprice [sudden, impulsive change], has devised for naughty children of men, have failed to comprehend the scope [extent] and power of the mighty spiritual conflict which has opened a seam in the nature of every person ever born on earth, nor have they taken account of the vicious [brutal, violent] destructiveness of man's arch-enemy, Satan.
"A number of years ago, a flood carried away one of the bridges over the Brown River near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A salesman, taken unaware, was able to halt [stop] his car only on the last few feet of pavement that remained. In a state of shock, he got out of his car and stood a few moments transfixed [astonished] by the boiling flood he had so narrowly escaped. Approaching headlights warned him of the danger to others, and he frantically tried to halt the drivers [or make them stop before it was too late] as several cars, one after another, ignored his desperate signals and plunged to destruction [meaning they drove into the river and drowned]. A total of eight persons lost their lives before he [the salesman] could turn his car [around] and blockade the road. Now was that salesman to be blamed for the death of those motorists [drivers] who ignored his warnings and plunged into the river? No! And in exactly the same way, God cannot be blamed for the eternal punishment men shall certainly incur [suffer] who ignore the divine warnings [i.e., messages from God], reject the Saviour's sacrifice [referring to Jesus' death on the cross to pay for our sins], and plunge headlong into eternal death [i.e., hell and the lake of fire]. Let the Saviour's words be viewed in such a light, and men [and women and children] will avoid the temptation to "humanize" the gospel. There are dark and terrible realities confronting the race [descendants] of Adam [and Eve], and no blind and prejudiced rejection of the divine Saviour's admonitions [referring to Jesus' warnings] will remove them. "He that hath [has] ears to hear, let him hear!"
"As to the speculation [guessing] of what hell will be like, it is safe to assert [state with assurance] that we do not know. It has not even entered into the heart of man what wonderful things God has prepared for the redeemed [i.e., saved people, born-again Christians] (1 Corinthians 2:9); and it may safely be assumed that man's mind has not fully conceived what may be the details of eternal punishment. The very figures used in Scripture such as 'lake of fire' and 'outer darkness' are not such as lend themselves to building a clear mental image of what hell will be. [It is] Enough that men have been adequately warned. May none [of the people] who read these lines ever know what it [hell and the lake of fire] will really be!"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/matthew/25-41.html, "Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible")
FEBRUARY 13-15
Having a "Love of Money" Can Wreck Your Life
1 Timothy 6:8: "And having food [things to eat and drink] and raiment [clothing and shelter] let us be therewith content [or 'let us be satisfied with those things']."
1 Timothy 6:9: "But they that will [or 'those who have a strong desire or craving to'] be rich fall into temptation [to do wicked things] and [fall into] a snare [or trap], and into many foolish and hurtful lusts [desires], which drown men [and women and children] in destruction and perdition [ruin--of their happiness, virtue (moral excellence), reputations, and souls (lives)]."
1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is the root [source, basic cause] of all [kinds of] evil [things]: which while some [people, including professing Christians] coveted [lusted] after [it (i.e., money), because they were greedy and had an insatiable (uncontrollable) desire to be rich], they have erred [wandered away, departed] from the faith [of Christ, or the Christian religion], and pierced themselves through with many sorrows [by causing themselves much heartache, pain, and sadness]."
"6:9 'But those who want to get rich': Here is the danger of seeking wealth [money, riches] as the prime end [or main goal] of life …
"6:9 'Fall into temptation and a snare': All men [and women and children] are tempted, but this is [referring to] the person who has fallen into a state of temptation, that is who is yielding to one temptation after another. The term 'snare' means a 'trap'. The word 'fall' is also in the present tense, suggesting a continual falling. This desire to be rich at all costs brings one temptation to compromise after another. Thus they [i.e., the people who have fallen into a state of temptation] are tempted to sacrifice morality [good behavior], principles [basic truths], honesty, kindness and friendship to get ahead. 'When top priority is given to amassing [accumulating] riches, such things as honesty, generosity, and helpfulness have to take second place, or third or fourth place!' …
"6:9 'And a snare': 'The idea here is that they who have this desire to become rich become so entangled [twisted, confused] that they cannot easily escape. In their efforts to make money, they can no longer be free men. They find themselves entrapped in temptation to lie, cheat, steal, to sell products they know to be harmful' … Please note also that many people who desire to get rich-never reach the goal. For every greedy person who reached the top there are thousands who found themselves entrapped in one bad business deal after another, or falling for one scam after another. There are many people in our current society who are willing to take advantage of and exploit [treat unfairly] the person who wants to get rich quick.
"6:9 'And many foolish': Greed will move a person to make unwise choices, and such desires are foolish in the sense that they do not yield the happiness they promised. In addition, people infected by greed often live in an unreal world, a world in which they demand that every desire they have be fulfilled and that the things they possess bring them happiness. It is foolish to believe that money can make us happy and it is equally foolish to believe that we deserve that every desire we have be fulfilled in the exact way in which we demand. Added to this, greed creates the false illusion that material possessions bring with them security and safety.
"6:9 'And harmful desires': Greed is often very harmful to oneself and others. 'They do great damage to one's character and spiritual life … [and] they destroy relationships that are rich and full' …
"6:9 'Which plunge men into ruin and destruction': The term here rendered 'plunge' or 'drown' refers not merely to a person drowning, but of a wreck, where the ship and all that is in it go down together … The terms 'ruin' and 'destruction' refer to utter [complete, absolute] ruin. Some believe that the distinction here is between the ruin in this life, that is, the total ruin of happiness, virtue, reputation, marriage, family and the destruction that awaits in eternity. 'It gives the picture of these lusts overwhelming the man, like the waves covering a sinking ship, and plunging him into perdition [eternal punishment, hell]' …
"The ruin mentioned in the above verse also would involve personal unhappiness and misery, for the person who desires to be rich above all else, is never satisfied even if they become rich … In reaching this goal they often have sacrificed everything else that is of true and lasting value … Life is tragic [very sad] for the person who has plenty to live on but nothing to live for."
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dun/1-timothy-6.html, "Dunagan's Commentary on the Bible," "Verse 9")
"… It is not said, those that are rich, but those that will be rich, that is, [those] that place their happiness in worldly wealth, that covet [crave] it inordinately [excessively], and are eager and violent in the pursuit of it. Those that are such [referring to people who 'will be rich'] fall into temptation and a snare, unavoidably; for, when the devil sees which way their lusts carry them, he will soon bait his hook accordingly …"
(Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/1-timothy/6.html, "Verses 6-12")
-- "Why is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/love-money-root-evil.html)
-- "Why are there so many fake Christians?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/fake-Christians.html)
FEBRUARY 12
John 1:3: "All things [in the universe] were made [created. formed from nothing] by him [Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God (or God the Son) and the second Person of the Trinity--see note below*)]; and without [or apart from] him [Jesus] was not any thing made that was made [which means that nothing came into existence without the exertion of Jesus' power]."
FEBRUARY 11
Proverbs 11:17: "The merciful [kind] man [and woman and child] doeth [does] good to his [or her] own soul [i.e., to himself (or herself)]: but he [or she] that is cruel [mean] [to other people] troubleth [troubles] his [or her] own flesh [and blood, meaning himself (or herself) and/or his (or her) family members]."
According to Pastor Delany, it's a good thing to help others because it also gives us joy, plus blessings and mercy from God. However, we must be careful to do it (help others) for the right reasons.
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In paragraph 3 of his commentary on the merciful part of Proverbs 11:17, the pastor says:
"a. We ARE to show mercy to others.
"b. And the giver gets a bigger blessing than the receiver.
"c. BUT--we are not to give IN ORDER to get!
"d. In other words, we are not to give to others SO THAT God will give to us 7 fold!
"e. I [Pastor Delany was referring to himself] have heard charismatic preachers tell their listeners to give generously to their ministry SO THAT God would bless them 7 fold!
"• The idea was, if you give me $100.00, God will send in $700.00 to you!
"• He [the charismatic preacher] was encouraging people to give in order to get more back!
"• The motivation in that kind of giving was not mercy. It was pure greed! Covetousness! Selfishness!
"• The charismatic preacher called it 'faith giving.' I call it a religious scam!
"• While I [Pastor Delany] do not know any individual's heart--it is hard for me to believe that those men [the charismatic preachers] do not know exactly what they are doing--twisting scripture for their own advantage!
"• Jude would say [in Jude 1:11], 'Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward!'
"• And not only are THEY greedy, but they are promoting greed.
"• Nothing could be further from the kind of mercy… selfless [unselfish] giving… the Scriptures describe!"
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In the cruelty part of the commentary, we find some examples of people who are mean-spirited:
-- Bullies at school, at work, and in the government
-- People who express prejudice and bigotry
-- Those who harm the innocent and helpless, as in abortion
-- People who spread gossip and rumors
-- Scam artists who take advantage of the elderly
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People who are mean to others will usually:
-- Be tormented by guilt, or have guilty consciences.
-- Incur the wrath [anger] of God and man (i.e., punishment by God, revenge by other people).
-- Bring trouble upon themselves and their families.
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If you want to read more of Pastor Delany's commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "11:17."
-- "What is the Charismatic movement?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/Charismatic-movement.html)
-- "What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/prosperity-gospel.html)
-- "What is the way of Cain (Jude 1:11)?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/way-of-Cain.html)
-- "Who was Balaam in the Bible?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-in-the-Bible.html)
And here are two word definitions, according to online dictionaries:
-- Prejudice: unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile [unfriendly] nature, regarding an ethnic, racial, social, or religious group.
-- Bigot: an obstinate [stubborn] or intolerant devotion to one's own opinions and prejudices.
"… You do yourself a favor when you are kind. If you are cruel, you only hurt yourself …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/proverbs/11-17.html, "Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible")
FEBRUARY 2-10
Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed [by God] unto men [and women and children, with few exceptions--see note below*] once to die [or 'to die only once'], but after this [occurs, then comes] the judgment [by God, in heaven; i.e., at the Great White Throne Judgment for those who are not saved, and at the Judgment Seat of Christ for those who have been born again according to the Bible--see note below**]:"
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Note: For detailed explanations of the plan of salvation, please visit the "Printable Gospel Tracts" section of my website. Here's a direct link to that page: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
"… No man [no person] can keep himself [or herself] from this [penalty (or punishment) for sin; i.e., dying once], it being the general rule of God's proceeding with all persons. The Supreme Legislator [God] may make what exceptions and provisos [conditions] to his law he pleaseth [pleases]. Those [people] that were translated [taken to heaven] by him [God], did suffer [experience] a change proportionable [proportional, corresponding, comparable] to death, as [did] Enoch, [per] Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 5:24, and Elijah, [per] 2 Kings 2:11,12; and those [Christians] that shall be changed at [Jesus] Christ's coming [during the rapture] must undergo the like [or 'the same'], as [per] 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:17 …"
(Source: "Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible," https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mpc/hebrews-9.html, "Verse 27")
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In addition to the above quote, you may want to read GotQuestion.org's answer to the question "Why did God take Enoch and Elijah to heaven without them dying?" Here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/Enoch-Elijah.html.
FEBRUARY 1
Jesus Promised Christians a Home in Heaven
During the Last Supper (just before his crucifixion), Jesus told his disciples:
John 14:2: "In my Father's [God's] house [in heaven] are many mansions [dwelling places]: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go [there] to prepare a place for you."
John 14:3: "And if I [Jesus] go [to heaven] and prepare a place for you, I will come [to earth] again [referring to the rapture and/or the second coming of Christ--see note below*], and receive you unto myself; [so] that where I am [either on earth or in heaven], there ye [you disciples, and all other born-again Christians] may be also."
-- "What is the rapture of the church?
(https://www.gotquestions.org/rapture-of-the-church.html)
-- "What will happen when Jesus returns?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/when-Jesus-returns.html)
Proverbs 28:1: "The wicked [referring to people who do bad things (like lie, steal, cheat, etc.) and have guilty consciences] flee [run away or hide] when no man pursueth [when nobody is pursuing (chasing or following) them, intending to capture them, kill them, etc.; in other words, they flee from perceived, or imagined, danger]: but the righteous [i.e., honest, 'good' people, especially born-again, or saved, people, who obey the law and consequently do not have guilty consciences] are [as] bold [brave, fearless, courageous, confident] as a [young] lion."
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In his commentary on Proverbs 28:1, Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church said: "Guilt brings fear; fear causes a man to want to run away and hide [like Adam and Eve did when they tried to hide from God after they sinned]. It has been this way ever since the Garden of Eden."____________________
In contrast to guilty people, as Pastor Delany said, "God gives boldness to righteous men [like Moses, during his confrontation (or when he met) with the Egyptian pharaoh, and Daniel, after being thrown into the lion's den]. He [God] gives the [righteous people] boldness to stand when they need to stand; boldness to face danger; boldness to deal with difficult situations; boldness to deal with difficult people."
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If you want to read more of the above-mentioned commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "28:1."
FEBRUARY 27
Colossians 3:20: "Children, obey your parents [both father and mother] in all things [that are good and lawful--i.e., not sinful]: for [because] this [thing--obedience] is well pleasing unto the Lord [God]."
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The above verse especially applies to children who are minors (which usually means they are under the age of 18) and who live with their parents and are still under their parents' care, guidance, protection, and authority.* * * * *
In his commentary on Ephesians 6:1, which is similar to today's verse, Albert Barnes said this about God's command for children to obey their parents :"… It is important [that children obey their parents], because the family government is designed to be an imitation of the government of God. The government of God is what a perfect family government would be; and to accustom a child to be [or to help the child become used to being] obedient to a parent, is designed to be one method of leading him [or her--the child] to be obedient to God. No child that is disobedient to a parent will be obedient to God; and that child that is most obedient to a father and mother will be most likely to become a Christian, and an heir [inheritor] of heaven. And it may be observed, in general, that no disobedient child is virtuous [morally correct], prosperous [successful], or happy. Everyone foresees [predicts] the ruin of such a child; and most of the cases of crime that lead to the penitentiary [prison], or the gallows [a place for hanging, representing the death penalty], commence by [or begin with] disobedience to parents …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/ephesians-6.html, "Verse 1")
* * * * *
Regarding children's obedience being "well pleasing unto the Lord," Mark Dunagan said:"… Children were obeying their parents long before Jesus died for our sins. But this is a different type or quality of obedience. This isn"t the grudging [reluctant, halfhearted] obedience found in the world. And neither is it, 'I will merely cooperate now, but once I turn 18, they [my parents] can"t tell me what to do anymore.' Rather, this is an obedience that pleases God, that finds favor with both God and men [or 'people'] (Luke 2:52)."
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dun/colossians-3.html, "Dunagan's Commentary on the Bible," "Verse 20")
* * * * *
Here are some articles about obedience to parents:--"What does the Bible say about obeying parents?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-obeying-parents.html)
-- "What does it mean to obey your parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1)?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/obey-your-parents.html)
-- "What does the Bible say about respecting your parents?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/respecting-your-parents.html)
FEBRUARY 26
We don't know who wrote this psalm, but its words apply to all of us:
Psalm 66:18: "If I regard [see, perceive, am aware of] iniquity [wickedness, evil] in my heart [mind] [and do nothing about it--meaning that if I take pleasure and delight in sinful thoughts and/or actions], the Lord will not hear me [when I pray]:"
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In his commentary, Matthew Henry explains the above verse like this:"… 'If I have favourable [favorable, positive, approving] thoughts of it [i.e., iniquity, or a 'heart-sin'], if I love it, indulge [or yield to] it, and allow myself [to participate] in it, if I treat it as a friend and bid it welcome, make provision for it and am loth [loath, reluctant, or unwilling] to part with it, …, if I delight in it …, God will not hear my prayer, will not accept it [my prayer], nor be pleased with it, nor can I expect an answer of peace to it …'"
(Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/psalms/66.html, "(v. 18)")
* * * * *
Albert Barnes says that "If I regard iniquity in my heart," meaning I am unwilling to forsake sin (or I have a desire to hold on to my sins), "… He [God] will not regard and answer my prayer. The idea is, that in order that prayer may be heard, there must be a purpose to forsake [abandon, give up] all forms of sin. This is a great and most important principle in regard to prayer. The same principle is affirmed [confirmed] or implied in Psalms 18:41; Psalms 34:15; Proverbs 1:28; Proverbs 15:29; Proverbs 28:9; Isaiah 15:1-9; Jeremiah 11:11; Jeremiah 14:12; Zechariah 7:13; John 9:31. It is also especially stated in Isaiah 58:3-7. The principle is applicable"(a) to secret purposes of sin; to sinful desires, corrupt passions [sinful desires that are immoral or depraved (wicked, perverted)]. and evil propensities [having an inclination or natural tendency to do bad things];
"(b) to acts of sin in individuals, as when a man is pursuing [involved in] a business founded on fraud [wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain], dishonesty, oppression, and wrong [wrongdoing, lawlessness];
"(c) to public acts of sin, as when a people fast and pray Isaiah 58:1-14, and yet hold their fellow-men [or 'other people'] in bondage; or enact and maintain unjust and unrighteous laws; or uphold the acts of wicked rulers; or countenance [approve of] and support by law that which is contrary [or opposite in nature] to the law of God; and
"(d) to the feelings of an awakened and trembling [humble] sinner when he [or she] is professedly [apparently] seeking salvation …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/psalms-66.html, "Verse 18")
* * * * *
GotQuestions.org has a good article about prayer. It's entitled "Are there any conditions to answered prayer?" and can be found here: https://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-conditions.html.FEBRUARY 24-25
Helpful advice for Christians from the apostle James:
James 4:7: "Submit yourselves [be obedient] therefore to God. Resist the devil [when he tempts you to sin; for example, say (out loud) something like this: 'Go away, Satan, in Jesus' name--leave me alone!'], and he will flee [run away] from you."
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In his commentary on this verse, especially in regard to resisting the devil, Albert Barnes wrote:"… While you yield to [or 'obey'] God in all things, you are to yield [submit] to the devil in none [or 'in anything']. You are to resist and oppose him [the devil, or Satan] in whatever way he may approach you, whether by allurements [attraction to desirable things], by flattering [complimentary] promises, by the fascinations of the world, by temptation, or by threats. See 1 Peter 5:9. Satan makes his way, and secures his triumphs [victories, achievements], rather by art, cunning [manipulation], deception, and threatenings, than by true courage; and when [he is] opposed manfully [bravely], he flies [away]. The true way of meeting him [Satan] is by direct resistance, rather than by argument; by steadfastly [or in a steady way] refusing to yield [surrender] in the slightest degree, rather than by a belief that we can either convince him [Satan] that he is wrong, or can return to virtue [morality, good morals] when we have gone a certain length in complying with his [the devil's] demands. No one is safe who yields in the least to the suggestions of the tempter [Satan]; there is no one who is not safe if he does not yield [to Satan's demands]. A man, for example, is always safe from intemperance [lack of moderation or restraint; excessive indulgence, especially of alcohol] if he resists all allurements to indulgence in strong drink, and [if he] never yields in the slightest degree [or 'in the smallest way;]; no one is certainly safe if he [or she] drinks even moderately [or in what is considered a reasonable manner]."
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/james-4.html, "Verse 7")
* * * * *
Here are two articles from GotQuestions.org regarding today's verse:-- "What does it mean to resist the devil?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/resist-the-devil.html)
-- "Does a believer have authority over Satan?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/authority-over-Satan.html)
FEBRUARY 23
Advice for "Commoners"
Proverbs 23:1:"When thou sittest [when you sit down--at a state dinner, royal banquet, etc.] to eat with a ruler [someone who is 'out of your class' (a person of influence and power, with a position of authority or leadership), such as your boss, the chief executive officer (CEO) of a company, the leader of a country, or a senator, governor, billionaire, etc.], consider diligently what is before thee [or in front of you, or 'carefully consider your surroundings']:"
Proverbs 23:2: "And put a knife to thy [your] throat [meaning exercise self-control], if thou be [if you are] a man [or woman or child] given to appetite [i.e., overeating or talking too much]."
Proverbs 23:3: "Be not desirous of [don't covet or crave] his [the ruler's] dainties [delicacies]: for they are deceitful [deceptive, misleading] meat [food]. [In other words, watch what you say and do, and don't believe everything that you see and hear, because the ruler may have ulterior motives (or hidden reasons) for dining with you.]"
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Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church has written an in-depth explanation of these verses.____________________
At the beginning of his commentary, Pastor Delany says:
"If Solomon wrote this, these words are words of advice from a King to perhaps ordinary citizens, who because of their diligence [conscientiousness], competence [ability to do things well], and skill, find themselves in a setting with the upper class [i.e., people with a high social status]. … The point is that 'commoners' don't always know how to behave themselves before the upper crust of society and sometimes make a fool of themselves [as they did on 'The Beverly Hillbillies' TV show in the 1960s]."
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Pastor Delany goes on to offer some advice from King Solomon on how to avoid making a fool of yourself if and when you sit down to "eat with a ruler." Here are some excerpts from the commentary:
"1. The first part of the exhortation [advice] was to 'consider whose presence you are in.'
"2. The second part of the exhortation is to curb your appetite.
"3. You may really LOVE to eat. The food and the presentation may be fabulous [extraordinary]…like you've never seen or tasted before.
"4. But before you ask for your third plateful, you might want to consider this proverb.
"5. 'Put a knife to your throat' before you go [back] for thirds.
"a. Obviously, this is a figure of speech -- an idiom.
"b. The author is not suggesting [that] you commit suicide. This is hyperbole [a statement that is not intended to be taken literally].
"c. But in a very graphic way, he [King Solomon] gets his point across."
"d. Matt.18:8 -- 'Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off.' The Lord [Jesus Christ] also used hyperbole to make His point. The point is not 'cut your hand off,' but get to the root of the problem and deal with the problem.
"e. In the setting of Proverbs 23--before the ruler--you want to demonstrate restraint, self control, moderation, and self discipline.
"f. This goes for eating, but could also be applied to the conversation. Don't eat too much. Don't talk too much. Know your place. Keep things under check… under control. Restrain yourself."
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The commentary ends with a warning that the host may have ulterior motives [hidden reasons for saying or doing something]. Pastor Delany says, "The invitation to the feast might at first seem like a wonderful opportunity for advancement and promotion (and it may be)… but don't be so sure. … The ruler may have something sinister [i.e., with evil, harmful, or malicious intentions] in mind."
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If you want to read more of the commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "23:1-3."
FEBRUARY 22
Proverbs 22:16: "He [or she] that oppresseth [oppresses, mistreats, robs or cheats] the poor [people] [for example, through an abuse of power or authority] to increase his [or her] riches, and he [or she] that giveth [gives] [bribes] to the rich [people], shall surely come to want."
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Salem Bible Church has a good commentary on this verse. Here are some excerpts:"b. The powerful oppress the weak.
"c. That normally translates into the rich trample over the poor.
"d. The rich have many tricks up their sleeves to oppress the poor: keeping back their hire [or not hiring them again], not paying them what they are worth; by usury (exorbitant [unreasonably high] interest rates) and outright extortion [obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats].
"e. This is human nature. We are by nature [or 'naturally'] selfish and greedy."
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"3. The PURPOSE of oppression
"a. 'To increase his riches.'
"b. Increase: To multiply; to make big; to become larger; to become abundant.
"c. The rich take advantage of the poor.
"d. The rich use the poor to cause the rich to grow richer.
"e. This is the meaning of the first part of this proverb.
"f. It should be noted that the words 'his riches' do not appear in the original [text]. The text simply says, 'to increase.'
"g. Thus, it [the meaning] is much broader than just silver and gold.
"h. It could be to increase his power, his social standing, his political position, his military might [strength], his borders [i.e., his territory or area of influence], his name and prestige [or 'his name recognition'], etc.
"i. It could be a combination of all [of] the above."
____________________
"3. Why would someone give to the wealthy [rich] man who is in a position of influence and political power?
"a. Just watch the six o'clock news! It happens all the time. The city of Chicago [Illinois] is known for its corruption [dishonesty]. We have recently had a case there of just this sort of crime: buying political appointments… giving money to the rich.
"b. The author [of Proverbs 22:16] is speaking here of bribes to BUY influence and position.
"c. Prov. 18:16 -- A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
"• A bribe will often attract the attention of great and important men. Bribes 'open doors' that would otherwise be closed.
"• For a mere [or 'for only'] $700.00 a plate you can go to a dinner with the Clintons [i.e., former president Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary] (or other political figures) and be introduced to the movers and shakers [i.e., powerful people] in your area!
"• In that company you might be able to broker a deal ([in other words:] I'll give you a gift and you look the other way as I continue to oppress the poor!)
"• Hush money keeps a lot of people quiet… and looking the other way as oppression and corruption continue.
"d. Prov. 17:8 -- Bribes work! It's a fact of life.
"e. Prov.17:23 -- People give money to the rich in order to buy justice or to buy their way out of a conviction [in court].
"• If a shady businessman has been dishonestly overcharging the poor or overworking the poor, a bribe to the right judge or political figure might just take the heat off him and enable him to continue to oppress the poor.
"• Perversion of justice is nothing new either. People with money seem to get off the hook [or out of trouble] for crimes that the average person would be jailed for."
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"5. The MAIN point of the proverb is this: these two common, greedy, selfish practices may seem to result in an increase (wealth; position; power) in the immediate [time, or 'now'], but in the long run, it results in poverty (want).
"a. This proverb describes two possible approaches to 'increase' (wealth).
"• Those who use these approaches THINK that it is the way to wealth and increase.
"• One man assumes that he will increase [or have more] by oppressing the poor.
"• The other man assumes that he will increase by giving (bribing) the wealthy.
"• But in the end, both men come to poverty!
"b. This is the essence [basic meaning] of the proverb:
"• Two actions seem opposite (taking from the poor; giving to the rich).
"• They are opposite actions, yet, their purpose is really the same: to increase and get rich.
"• They are opposite actions, yet their END [result] is also the same: they both lead to poverty.
"c. And as opposite as these actions are, there are some obvious similarities too:
"• Both demonstrate no fear of God.
"• Both demonstrate no love for one's brother (neighbor).
"• Both are the result of the same motive: self seeking.
"• Both are motivated by greed.
"• Both meet the same end: poverty."
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If you want to read more of the commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "22:16."
FEBRUARY 21
Proverbs 21:13: "Whoso stoppeth [stops, shuts] his [or her] ears at [or 'whoever refuses to listen to or ignores'] the cry of the poor [for help, in the form of food, money, assistance, etc.--see note below*], he [or she] also shall cry himself [or herself] [to others, and/or to God in prayer, when he (or she) has a need], but shall not be heard [or answered]."
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Following the example of the Samaritan in the story below, we should show mercy, kindness, and compassion (sympathy and concern) to and for others. If we don't, according to Proverbs 21:13, there will be consequences for our actions.Parable of the Good Samaritan (Quoted from Luke 10:30-37)
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment [clothes], and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him [the injured man], he passed by on the other side [of the road].
32 And likewise a Levite [a descendant of Levi, who would have provided assistance to priests in the Jewish temple], when he was at the place, came and looked on him [the injured man], and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed [traveled], came where he [the injured man] was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And [he] went to him, and bound up [bandaged] his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast [of burden], and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow [the next day] when he departed [went away, left], he took out two pence [pennies], and gave them to the host [or innkeeper], and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever [whatever] thou spendest [you spent] more [than that], when I come again, I will repay thee [you].
36 Which now of these three [men], thinkest thou [do you think], was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed [showed] mercy on him [the injured man]. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise [or 'do the same'].
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GotQuestions.org has some articles about the Good Samaritan. You'll find them here:
-- "What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-Good-Samaritan.html)
-- "What does the Bible say about giving to the poor?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/giving-to-the-poor.html)
* * * * *
*According to Pastor Delany of Salem Bible Church, "the poor" in the above verse is referring to people who are poor, not because of laziness or some type of addiction (drugs, alcohol, gambling, etc.), but through no fault of their own.____________________
The following excerpts are from Pastor Delany's commentary on Proverbs 21:13:
"4. Here Solomon speaks about the consequences of being a heartless [unfeeling, unkind, unsympathetic], stingy [penny-pinching] scrooge… a selfish miser [cheapskate] who ignores the plight [troubles] of others.
"5. This proverb doesn't tell us to DO anything… it simply sets forth the consequences of actions."
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"g. The kind of person [King] Solomon is describing in verse 13 appears to be a man who is simply 'poor.'
"• No reason for his poverty is given.
"• However, in light of what Solomon says elsewhere in the book [of Proverbs] about laziness and reaping what we sow, it can be assumed that this man is poor… and it is not his fault.
"• Honest, hard working, diligent [conscientious] men CAN become poor!"
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As usual, Pastor Delany has written an excellent commentary on this verse. If you want to read it, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "21:13."
FEBRUARY 20
Proverbs 20:21: "An inheritance [money, property, possessions, etc.] may be gotten hastily [quickly] at the beginning [for example, before or after a parent dies]; but the end [result] thereof shall not be blessed [by God]."
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According to Pastor Delany of Salem Bible Church, the real lesson of this proverb is "Easy come; easy go."____________________
Pastor Delany says that the term gotten hastily in Proverbs 20:21 can be taken in two ways--good and bad. The good way is when a parent dies of natural causes (such as old age or illness) and leaves an inheritance for his or her children. A bad way is when one of the children tries to speed everything up (i.e., receive his or her inheritance faster) by poisoning the parent, declaring him or her incompetent (unable to do things properly), tricking the parent into signing over his or her finances, lying about why the "child" needs the money (e.g., to pay off a gambling debt), etc.
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In addition, many people get in trouble when they suddenly become rich and famous (this includes movie stars, rock stars, and athletes), win the lottery, inherit a business, etc., especially when they are young and inexperienced. Because these people lack wisdom, they spend the money foolishly and it doesn't last very long.
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Here's an excerpt from Pastor Delany's commentary:
"4. Then we have the many cases of the son who instantly inherits his father's business when his father dies.
"a. The father worked many decades [ten-year periods] to get that business on its feet [or 'up and running.' or fully operatioinal].
"b. He [the father] put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears [or 'extremely hard work'] into building up that business.
"c. He knew what it meant to work well into the night to balance the books [or make sure that the money spent was not more than the money taken in]…
"d. The father knew what it to took to keep the business afloat [out of debt] during an economic recession…
"e. The father learned about the importance of having good employees and he learned to treat them fairly.
"f. The father knew about all the extras that it took to keep the business going [strong:]… advertising… upkeep of the property…
"g. The father spent years putting out the very best product that he could.
"h. The father spent 50 years building up that business.
"i. The son inherits [the business] and drives it into the ground [i.e., ruins or destroys it] in a year and a half.
"j. Becoming the head of a big business like that came to him [the son] so easily; he thought that running it [the business] would be easy too. He was dead [or 'completely'] wrong.
"k. Instead of investing some of the profits [from the business] in upkeep and taking care of his employees, he blew the cash [or 'carelessly spent the money'] on a big new house, a boat, and a ski chalet at Vail [Colorado]!
"l. And before you know it--his father's business was worthless.
"m. What seemed to be a great blessing when he [the son] inherited it [the business], was not a blessing in the end."
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There is much more excellent material in Pastor Delany's commentary on today's verse. If you want to read it, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "20:21."
FEBRUARY 18-19
Psalm 111:10: "The fear of the LORD [reverencing and fearing God, or having a deep respect and love for God and not wanting to offend (displease) him] is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they [or 'all the people'] that do [obey] his [God's] commandments: his [God's] praise endureth [endures, lasts, will remain in existence] for ever [which means that God will always deserve our praise]."
FEBRUARY 16-17
Matthew 25:41: "Then [on judgment day] shall he [the Lord Jesus Christ] say also unto them on the left hand [of his throne--i.e., all unsaved people (everyone who has not been born again according to the Bible)--see note below*], Depart from me, ye [you] cursed [people], into everlasting fire [referring to the lake of fire], [which was originally] prepared for the devil and his angels:"
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In his commentary on this verse, James Burton Coffman wrote:"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels.
"We approach the study of this [Bible] passage with an overwhelming sense of melancholy [sadness] and the deepest feelings of sorrow for the awful fate of the wicked [people]. Alas [an expression of grief, pity, or concern], the doctrine [set of beliefs] of hell is a prominent [or 'an important'] teaching of [Jesus Christ, who is] the Son of God. The sophistry [false argument] of our generation has tended to ameliorate the Master's [Jesus'] teaching on this subject [i.e., hell--or make it appear better or not so bad], but such a tendency is profoundly [extremely] sinful and foolish. A little reflection will suggest the most logical reasons why such a thing as hell is not only just [i.e., morally right and fair] and reasonable but also actually necessary. No industrial concern [such as a factory] ever operated without some means of waste disposal, and no well-managed kitchen ever existed without a garbage pail or its equivalent. How then, in all reason, could God Almighty be expected to operate a complex [a very complicated thing] as large and diverse [varied] as the universe without some means of destroying those portions of it which, if permitted, would circumvent [bypass] and countermand [revoke, withdraw] his benevolent [well-meaning and kindly] purpose for the entire creation? Hell is God's cosmic [celestial, heavenly] disposal unit; yet it is not prepared for men but for Satan [the devil] and his angels [in this case, bad angels, or demons], and the only persons who will be finally lost in hell are those who elect [choose] to follow the influence of Satan and must also partake of [or take part in] his destiny [future fate]. [Jesus] Christ spread wide his bleeding hands upon the cross in order to woo [try to win] men [and women and children] [over] and to save them, and redeem [rescue] them from the power of the evil one [i.e., Satan]. Men [and women and children] who rush past the warning signals can ultimately blame no one except themselves.
"Who can think of a better way to deal with Satan than by his being cast [thrown] into hell which God has prepared, or may be in the process of preparing, for the evil one [Satan]? (At the projected time of the scene presented in this chapter [of Matthew], hell will have been prepared; but, since [Jesus] Christ is now preparing the place for the righteous [ones; i.e., saved people, or born-again Christians] (John 14:1-6), it does not appear illogical [unreasonable] to suppose that the place of containment for the host of Satan [referring to Satan and his followers] is likewise currently in a state of preparation also). What would YOU do, if you were God? Would you permit [allow] Satan to continue [operating] unabated [at full strength or force] for all eternity with license to rob, rape, plunder [take things by force], seduce [lead astray by persuasion and false promises], destroy, and deceive [cheat], corrupt, wound [injure], and slay [kill] forever? Whatever YOU might fancy [imagine] you would do, God has revealed his will [in the Bible] in his announced purpose to overwhelm Satan and the fallen angels in the 'lake of fire that burneth with brimstone [sulfur].' [Note: The 'lake of fire' is similar to lava in a volcano, which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAdFvTo9874.] In a certain fearful sense, one may thank God for hell. It is the place where the great enemy of mankind [Satan] shall at last be destroyed. Since such a place actually exists, or is in state of being made ready, and since there is the dreadful certainty that men following the lead of Satan shall unwittingly partake of [or take part in] his overthrow, what a benign [gentle and kindly] and holy purpose is seen in the blessed words of the Lord [Jesus Christ] who revealed this astounding [amazing] fact and warned men how they might escape such an awful fate! Those [people] who have been deceived [fooled] into thinking of hell as some kind of torture arrangement which God, through peevishness [irritability, annoyance] or caprice [sudden, impulsive change], has devised for naughty children of men, have failed to comprehend the scope [extent] and power of the mighty spiritual conflict which has opened a seam in the nature of every person ever born on earth, nor have they taken account of the vicious [brutal, violent] destructiveness of man's arch-enemy, Satan.
"A number of years ago, a flood carried away one of the bridges over the Brown River near Vicksburg, Mississippi. A salesman, taken unaware, was able to halt [stop] his car only on the last few feet of pavement that remained. In a state of shock, he got out of his car and stood a few moments transfixed [astonished] by the boiling flood he had so narrowly escaped. Approaching headlights warned him of the danger to others, and he frantically tried to halt the drivers [or make them stop before it was too late] as several cars, one after another, ignored his desperate signals and plunged to destruction [meaning they drove into the river and drowned]. A total of eight persons lost their lives before he [the salesman] could turn his car [around] and blockade the road. Now was that salesman to be blamed for the death of those motorists [drivers] who ignored his warnings and plunged into the river? No! And in exactly the same way, God cannot be blamed for the eternal punishment men shall certainly incur [suffer] who ignore the divine warnings [i.e., messages from God], reject the Saviour's sacrifice [referring to Jesus' death on the cross to pay for our sins], and plunge headlong into eternal death [i.e., hell and the lake of fire]. Let the Saviour's words be viewed in such a light, and men [and women and children] will avoid the temptation to "humanize" the gospel. There are dark and terrible realities confronting the race [descendants] of Adam [and Eve], and no blind and prejudiced rejection of the divine Saviour's admonitions [referring to Jesus' warnings] will remove them. "He that hath [has] ears to hear, let him hear!"
"As to the speculation [guessing] of what hell will be like, it is safe to assert [state with assurance] that we do not know. It has not even entered into the heart of man what wonderful things God has prepared for the redeemed [i.e., saved people, born-again Christians] (1 Corinthians 2:9); and it may safely be assumed that man's mind has not fully conceived what may be the details of eternal punishment. The very figures used in Scripture such as 'lake of fire' and 'outer darkness' are not such as lend themselves to building a clear mental image of what hell will be. [It is] Enough that men have been adequately warned. May none [of the people] who read these lines ever know what it [hell and the lake of fire] will really be!"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/matthew/25-41.html, "Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible")
* * * * *
*If you don't want to be on Jesus' left hand on judgment day, you must be born again. You'll find instructions on how to do this in most of the gospel tracts on the "Printable Gospel Tracts" page of my website. Here's the link: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.FEBRUARY 13-15
Having a "Love of Money" Can Wreck Your Life
1 Timothy 6:8: "And having food [things to eat and drink] and raiment [clothing and shelter] let us be therewith content [or 'let us be satisfied with those things']."
1 Timothy 6:9: "But they that will [or 'those who have a strong desire or craving to'] be rich fall into temptation [to do wicked things] and [fall into] a snare [or trap], and into many foolish and hurtful lusts [desires], which drown men [and women and children] in destruction and perdition [ruin--of their happiness, virtue (moral excellence), reputations, and souls (lives)]."
1 Timothy 6:10: "For the love of money is the root [source, basic cause] of all [kinds of] evil [things]: which while some [people, including professing Christians] coveted [lusted] after [it (i.e., money), because they were greedy and had an insatiable (uncontrollable) desire to be rich], they have erred [wandered away, departed] from the faith [of Christ, or the Christian religion], and pierced themselves through with many sorrows [by causing themselves much heartache, pain, and sadness]."
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A Bible commentator named Mark Dunagan went into great detail explaining 1 Timothy 6:9. He wrote:"6:9 'But those who want to get rich': Here is the danger of seeking wealth [money, riches] as the prime end [or main goal] of life …
"6:9 'Fall into temptation and a snare': All men [and women and children] are tempted, but this is [referring to] the person who has fallen into a state of temptation, that is who is yielding to one temptation after another. The term 'snare' means a 'trap'. The word 'fall' is also in the present tense, suggesting a continual falling. This desire to be rich at all costs brings one temptation to compromise after another. Thus they [i.e., the people who have fallen into a state of temptation] are tempted to sacrifice morality [good behavior], principles [basic truths], honesty, kindness and friendship to get ahead. 'When top priority is given to amassing [accumulating] riches, such things as honesty, generosity, and helpfulness have to take second place, or third or fourth place!' …
"6:9 'And a snare': 'The idea here is that they who have this desire to become rich become so entangled [twisted, confused] that they cannot easily escape. In their efforts to make money, they can no longer be free men. They find themselves entrapped in temptation to lie, cheat, steal, to sell products they know to be harmful' … Please note also that many people who desire to get rich-never reach the goal. For every greedy person who reached the top there are thousands who found themselves entrapped in one bad business deal after another, or falling for one scam after another. There are many people in our current society who are willing to take advantage of and exploit [treat unfairly] the person who wants to get rich quick.
"6:9 'And many foolish': Greed will move a person to make unwise choices, and such desires are foolish in the sense that they do not yield the happiness they promised. In addition, people infected by greed often live in an unreal world, a world in which they demand that every desire they have be fulfilled and that the things they possess bring them happiness. It is foolish to believe that money can make us happy and it is equally foolish to believe that we deserve that every desire we have be fulfilled in the exact way in which we demand. Added to this, greed creates the false illusion that material possessions bring with them security and safety.
"6:9 'And harmful desires': Greed is often very harmful to oneself and others. 'They do great damage to one's character and spiritual life … [and] they destroy relationships that are rich and full' …
"6:9 'Which plunge men into ruin and destruction': The term here rendered 'plunge' or 'drown' refers not merely to a person drowning, but of a wreck, where the ship and all that is in it go down together … The terms 'ruin' and 'destruction' refer to utter [complete, absolute] ruin. Some believe that the distinction here is between the ruin in this life, that is, the total ruin of happiness, virtue, reputation, marriage, family and the destruction that awaits in eternity. 'It gives the picture of these lusts overwhelming the man, like the waves covering a sinking ship, and plunging him into perdition [eternal punishment, hell]' …
"The ruin mentioned in the above verse also would involve personal unhappiness and misery, for the person who desires to be rich above all else, is never satisfied even if they become rich … In reaching this goal they often have sacrificed everything else that is of true and lasting value … Life is tragic [very sad] for the person who has plenty to live on but nothing to live for."
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dun/1-timothy-6.html, "Dunagan's Commentary on the Bible," "Verse 9")
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Also commenting on 1 Timothy 6:9, Matthew Henry wrote:"… It is not said, those that are rich, but those that will be rich, that is, [those] that place their happiness in worldly wealth, that covet [crave] it inordinately [excessively], and are eager and violent in the pursuit of it. Those that are such [referring to people who 'will be rich'] fall into temptation and a snare, unavoidably; for, when the devil sees which way their lusts carry them, he will soon bait his hook accordingly …"
(Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/1-timothy/6.html, "Verses 6-12")
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Here are two GotQuestions.org articles related to today's verses:-- "Why is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/love-money-root-evil.html)
-- "Why are there so many fake Christians?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/fake-Christians.html)
FEBRUARY 12
John 1:3: "All things [in the universe] were made [created. formed from nothing] by him [Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God (or God the Son) and the second Person of the Trinity--see note below*)]; and without [or apart from] him [Jesus] was not any thing made that was made [which means that nothing came into existence without the exertion of Jesus' power]."
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*The Godhead consists of three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This concept, which is called the Trinity, is explained in the article entitled "What does it mean that the Trinity is God in three Persons?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/God-in-three-persons.html.FEBRUARY 11
Proverbs 11:17: "The merciful [kind] man [and woman and child] doeth [does] good to his [or her] own soul [i.e., to himself (or herself)]: but he [or she] that is cruel [mean] [to other people] troubleth [troubles] his [or her] own flesh [and blood, meaning himself (or herself) and/or his (or her) family members]."
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In his commentary, Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church summarizes the above verse as follows: "Blessed and happy are the merciful. Miserable are the mean!"According to Pastor Delany, it's a good thing to help others because it also gives us joy, plus blessings and mercy from God. However, we must be careful to do it (help others) for the right reasons.
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In paragraph 3 of his commentary on the merciful part of Proverbs 11:17, the pastor says:
"a. We ARE to show mercy to others.
"b. And the giver gets a bigger blessing than the receiver.
"c. BUT--we are not to give IN ORDER to get!
"d. In other words, we are not to give to others SO THAT God will give to us 7 fold!
"e. I [Pastor Delany was referring to himself] have heard charismatic preachers tell their listeners to give generously to their ministry SO THAT God would bless them 7 fold!
"• The idea was, if you give me $100.00, God will send in $700.00 to you!
"• He [the charismatic preacher] was encouraging people to give in order to get more back!
"• The motivation in that kind of giving was not mercy. It was pure greed! Covetousness! Selfishness!
"• The charismatic preacher called it 'faith giving.' I call it a religious scam!
"• While I [Pastor Delany] do not know any individual's heart--it is hard for me to believe that those men [the charismatic preachers] do not know exactly what they are doing--twisting scripture for their own advantage!
"• Jude would say [in Jude 1:11], 'Woe unto them! For they have gone in the way of Cain and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward!'
"• And not only are THEY greedy, but they are promoting greed.
"• Nothing could be further from the kind of mercy… selfless [unselfish] giving… the Scriptures describe!"
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In the cruelty part of the commentary, we find some examples of people who are mean-spirited:
-- Bullies at school, at work, and in the government
-- People who express prejudice and bigotry
-- Those who harm the innocent and helpless, as in abortion
-- People who spread gossip and rumors
-- Scam artists who take advantage of the elderly
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People who are mean to others will usually:
-- Be tormented by guilt, or have guilty consciences.
-- Incur the wrath [anger] of God and man (i.e., punishment by God, revenge by other people).
-- Bring trouble upon themselves and their families.
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If you want to read more of Pastor Delany's commentary, click on https://www.salembible.org/proverbs/, then scroll down to "11:17."
* * * * *
Here are articles related to some of the things that were mentioned in the above commentary:-- "What is the Charismatic movement?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/Charismatic-movement.html)
-- "What does the Bible say about the prosperity gospel?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/prosperity-gospel.html)
-- "What is the way of Cain (Jude 1:11)?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/way-of-Cain.html)
-- "Who was Balaam in the Bible?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/Balaam-in-the-Bible.html)
And here are two word definitions, according to online dictionaries:
-- Prejudice: unreasonable feelings, opinions, or attitudes, especially of a hostile [unfriendly] nature, regarding an ethnic, racial, social, or religious group.
-- Bigot: an obstinate [stubborn] or intolerant devotion to one's own opinions and prejudices.
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Another Bible commentator, James Burton Coffman, summarized Proverbs 11:17 like this:"… You do yourself a favor when you are kind. If you are cruel, you only hurt yourself …"
(Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/proverbs/11-17.html, "Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible")
FEBRUARY 2-10
Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed [by God] unto men [and women and children, with few exceptions--see note below*] once to die [or 'to die only once'], but after this [occurs, then comes] the judgment [by God, in heaven; i.e., at the Great White Throne Judgment for those who are not saved, and at the Judgment Seat of Christ for those who have been born again according to the Bible--see note below**]:"
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Please don't gamble with eternal life. If you want to go to heaven when you die, you must be saved now (while you are still alive)--before it's too late.____________________
Note: For detailed explanations of the plan of salvation, please visit the "Printable Gospel Tracts" section of my website. Here's a direct link to that page: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
* * * * *
*In the Bible, a few people didn't die at all, and some died more than once (such as Jesus' friend, Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead). Regarding this fact, Matthew Poole wrote:"… No man [no person] can keep himself [or herself] from this [penalty (or punishment) for sin; i.e., dying once], it being the general rule of God's proceeding with all persons. The Supreme Legislator [God] may make what exceptions and provisos [conditions] to his law he pleaseth [pleases]. Those [people] that were translated [taken to heaven] by him [God], did suffer [experience] a change proportionable [proportional, corresponding, comparable] to death, as [did] Enoch, [per] Hebrews 11:5; Genesis 5:24, and Elijah, [per] 2 Kings 2:11,12; and those [Christians] that shall be changed at [Jesus] Christ's coming [during the rapture] must undergo the like [or 'the same'], as [per] 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:17 …"
(Source: "Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible," https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/mpc/hebrews-9.html, "Verse 27")
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In addition to the above quote, you may want to read GotQuestion.org's answer to the question "Why did God take Enoch and Elijah to heaven without them dying?" Here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/Enoch-Elijah.html.
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**The Great White Throne Judgment and Judgment Seat of Christ are described in the article entitled "What does the Bible say about when God will judge us?" It can be found here: https://www.gotquestions.org/judgment.html.FEBRUARY 1
Jesus Promised Christians a Home in Heaven
During the Last Supper (just before his crucifixion), Jesus told his disciples:
John 14:2: "In my Father's [God's] house [in heaven] are many mansions [dwelling places]: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go [there] to prepare a place for you."
John 14:3: "And if I [Jesus] go [to heaven] and prepare a place for you, I will come [to earth] again [referring to the rapture and/or the second coming of Christ--see note below*], and receive you unto myself; [so] that where I am [either on earth or in heaven], there ye [you disciples, and all other born-again Christians] may be also."
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*The rapture and the second coming of Christ are described in the following articles:-- "What is the rapture of the church?
(https://www.gotquestions.org/rapture-of-the-church.html)
-- "What will happen when Jesus returns?"
(https://www.gotquestions.org/when-Jesus-returns.html)
