Hosea 6:3 - As surely as the sun rises, He will appear
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Let us acknowledge the LORD;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth. (NIV)

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. (KJV)

So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth. (NASB)

Hosea 6:3

Commentary

Like the call to return (v. 1), the call to true knowledge of the Lord is central to Hosea's message (2:8, 20; 4:1, 6; 5:4; 6:6). "as the morning / like the rain" - These similes compare God's reliability to the recurrent events of nature.

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (Ho 6:3). Nashville: T. Nelson.

Did you know?

Hosea's name, in Hebrew, is almost identical to the names of Jesus and Joshua. All three mean "God saves." Hosea saves his wife from slavery, Joshua saves Israel from defeat, and Jesus saves the world from sin.

Miller, S. M., & Gross, P. (1998). How to get into the Bible. Includes index. (210). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

10:47 PM - 44 Comments - 48 Kudos - Add Comment

Philippians 1:27 - conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel (NIV)

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (KJV)

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (NASB)

Philippians 1:27

Commentary

    Now Paul adds a word of caution: "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ." Christians should be Christlike. Citizens of heaven should behave accordingly. We should be in practice what we are in position. In addition to this plea for consistency, the apostle makes an appeal for constancy. Specifically, he desires that whether he comes to them personally, or, being absent, hears reports about them, he may know that they are standing fast with a common spirit, and unitedly laboring earnestly for the faith of the gospel, that is, the Christian faith. Christians face a common foe; they should not fight each other but should unite against the enemy.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Php 1:27). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Did you know?  

    The city of Philippi prized its Roman citizenship, but Paul reminds his readers that the most important conduct is to behave in a manner befitting citizens of the kingdom of God.

Spirit filled life study Bible. 1997, c1991 (electronic ed.). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 

7:05 AM - 47 Comments - 52 Kudos - Add Comment

Isaiah 2:4 - Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.
Category: Religion and Philosophy

He will judge between the nations
       and will settle disputes for many peoples.
       They will beat their swords into plowshares
       and their spears into pruning hooks.
       Nation will not take up sword against nation,
       nor will they train for war anymore. (NIV)

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (KJV)

And He will judge between the nations,
         And will render decisions for many peoples;
         And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks
         Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
         And never again will they learn war. (NASB)

Isaiah 2:4

Commentary

    The nations of the earth have been caught up in warfare since the dawn of human history. Yet in a future glorious day there will be an end to all weapons and warfare. This will only be possible because of the reign of the Prince of Peace (9:6), the Savior King whose Name is Jesus.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Is 2:4). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers

"Swords into Plowshares" - A plowshare is a blade of a plow used for tilling the soil. The prophets Micah and Isaiah both spoke of making plowshares from weapons as a sign of the peace to be accomplished in the coming reign of God (Is. 2:4; Mic. 4:3).

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson. 

8:01 AM - 34 Comments - 31 Kudos - Add Comment

2 Timothy 2:3 - A good soldier of Christ Jesus
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus (NASB)

2 Timothy 2:3

Commentary

    Just as our soldiers suffer hardships and give the ultimate sacrifice for our country, we as Christians should joyfully serve our Commander and His Kingdom dutifully at any cost.

"a good soldier" - The metaphor of the Christian life as warfare (against the evil world system, the believer's sinful human nature, and Satan) is a familiar one in the NT (cf. 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-20; 1 Thess. 4:8; 1 Tim. 1:18; 4:7; 6:12). Here Paul is dealing with the conflict against the hostile world and the persecution (cf. v. 9; 1:8; 3:11,12; 4:7).

 MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (2 Ti 2:3). Nashville: Word Pub.

1:00 PM - 25 Comments - 26 Kudos - Add Comment

Psalm 26:8 - I love the house where you live, O LORD
Category: Religion and Philosophy

I love the house where you live, O LORD,
       the place where your glory dwells. (NIV)

LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. (KJV)

O LORD, I love the habitation of Your house
         And the place where Your glory dwells. (NASB)

Psalm 26:8

Commentary

      The Bible speaks often of the glory of God-the visible appearance of His beauty and perfection reduced to blazing light. His glory appeared to Moses in a burning bush in Midian (Ex. 3:1-6), in a cloud on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 24:15-17), and in a rock on Mt. Sinai (Ex. 33:18-23). The glory of God also filled the tabernacle (Ex. 40:34), led the people as a pillar of fire and cloud (Ex. 40:35-38), and also filled the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kin. 8:10, 11). When Aaron made the first sacrifice in the wilderness, as a priest, the "glory of the Lord appeared to all the people." In these manifestations, God was revealing His righteousness, holiness, truth, wisdom, and grace-the sum of all He is. However, nowhere has God's glory been more perfectly expressed than in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:14). It will be seen on earth again when He returns (Matt. 24:29-31; 25:31).

MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Le 9:23). Nashville: Word Pub.

8:02 AM - 24 Comments - 30 Kudos - Add Comment

Ephesians 5:19-20 - always giving thanks to God the Father for everything...
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (KJV)

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; (NASB)


Ephesians 5:19-20

Commentary

      One of the natural outcomes of being filled with the Spirit is singing and making melody to God. Some take the three types of music that Paul mentions in this verse to refer to different parts of the Book of Psalms. Most believe that these words refer to three larger categories: (1) the 150 psalms in the Psalter, plus other psalmlike poems throughout the Scripture; (2) hymns, compositions addressed directly to God, like the modern song "How Great Thou Art"; (3) spiritual songs, hymns about the Christian experience, like "Amazing Grace."

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Eph 5:19). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Did you know?
   Parts of The Book of Psalms were used as a hymnal in the worship services of ancient Israel.

Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson. 

7:25 AM - 30 Comments - 31 Kudos - Add Comment

Acts 3:19 - Repent, then, and turn to God
Category: Religion and Philosophy

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (NIV)

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. (KJV)

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (NASB)

Acts 3:19

Commentary

    Peter's sermon illustrates the two sides of repentance, that is, turning aside in sorrow from sin, and turning to God in faith. The call to repentance and faith is a necessary element of the apostolic preaching (2:38; 17:30; 20:21). In the order of the gospel, repentance and faith receive from God forgiveness and removal of sins.

Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version. Includes index. (Ac 3:19). Nashville: T. Nelson.

"times of refreshing"
    Prior to the time when God shall send Jesus Christ again, He who has now ascended into heaven, the believing remnant of Israel will repent and turn to God in preparation for the Millennium which is to follow (cf. Deut 30:1-3; Zech 12:10-14). Peter implores national Israel to repent of their sins so that they may be part of that remnant when the "times of refreshing" come.

KJV Bible commentary. 1997, c1994 (2135). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

12:59 PM - 24 Comments - 28 Kudos - Add Comment

1 John 5:20 - the Son of God has come and has given us understanding
Category: Religion and Philosophy

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true-even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. (NIV)

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (KJV)

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (NASB)

1 John 5:20

Commentary

    The coming of the Lord Jesus revealed to us Him who is true, that is, the true God. God the Father can only be known through the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through Me."  John is teaching what the Gnostics denied, namely, that Jesus Christ is God, and that eternal life is found only in Him.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (1 Jn 5:20). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Gnosticism - a Heretical movement in the early Christian centuries that emphasized salvation through a secret gnosis or knowledge. Originating as perversion of Jewish and Christian truths, it developed into an independent religious phenomenon.

Kurian, G. T. (2001). Nelson's new Christian dictionary : The authoritative resource on the Christian world. Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson Pubs.

6:28 AM - 30 Comments - 33 Kudos - Add Comment

John 3:35-36 - Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life
Category: Religion and Philosophy

The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him. (NIV)

The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (KJV)

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NASB)

John 3:35-36

Commentary

    This is one of the clearest verses in all the Bible on how a person can be saved. It is simply by believing in the Son. As we read this verse, we should realize that God is speaking. He is making a promise that can never be broken. He says, clearly and distinctly, that anyone who believes in His Son has everlasting life. To accept this promise is not a leap in the dark. It is simply believing what could not possibly be false. Those who do not obey the Son of God shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on them already. From this verse we learn that our eternal destiny depends on what we do with the Son of God. If we receive Him, God gives us eternal life as a free gift. If we reject Him, we will never enjoy everlasting life, and not only so, but God's wrath already hangs over us, ready to fall at any moment.
    Notice that there is nothing in this verse about keeping the law, obeying the Golden Rule, going to church, doing the best we can, or working our way to heaven.

MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary  : Old and New Testaments (Jn 3:36). Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 

4:44 AM - 27 Comments - 24 Kudos - Add Comment

Proverbs 12:25 - An anxious heart...
Category: Religion and Philosophy

An anxious heart weighs a man down,
       but a kind word cheers him up. (NIV)

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. (KJV)

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down,
         But a good word makes it glad. (NASB)

Proverbs 12:25

Commentary

   God tells us to cast all our cares on Him (1 Pet. 5:7) and not to be anxious (Phil. 4:6). Yet how uplifting it is in the midst of a trial to hear a word of encouragement! Encouragement stirs up, provokes, incites people in a given direction.

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Pr 12:25). Nashville: Thomas Nelson

9:20 PM - 68 Comments - 82 Kudos - Add Comment