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The Church, Kingston, NY (2025)

07/25/2025

No One Else

No one is holy like the Lord! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2 NLT

Daily Bible Reading

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Bible reading is from 1 Samuel 2:1-11 (NIV).

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

Hannah desperately wanted a child, but she wasn't able to conceive. Year after year, she was mocked, tormented, and left heartbroken because of her infertility.

Have you ever known an unfulfilled longing? Maybe you have desperately wanted something: a godly marriage, a healthy body, a thriving family, a hard-earned title, a close community, a restored relationship. Maybe you've looked around at everyone else's seemingly full lives and wondered why your arms were empty.

Eventually, after years of waiting, God answered Hannah's prayer. And because of that, she was filled with wonder and worship, saying Today's Verse of the Day. Despite the excruciating years of longing and disappointment, Hannah knew there was no replacement for God. There's no one else who's able to create something from nothing. There's no one else who holds the power of life.

There is no other Rock on which to build our faith. There's no one else who sees the worst of us and loves us anyway. There's no one else who has compassion for our deepest longings. There's no one else who can be trusted with the most tender part of our dreams. There's no one else who's there to guide, teach, and comfort—when it feels like everyone else has left. There's no one else who has the power to save.

Because God is holy, He is always good. Most of all, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Rest assured, there is no one else who's more worthy of your trust, your respect, and your heart.

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

07/23/2025

Your Battle is Won

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

Daily Bible Reading

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the Bible reading is from Ephesians 6:10-20 (NIV).

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by your circumstances or wondered why you keep fighting the same struggle?

Jesus taught us that life as a Christ-follower will be difficult. Our world is filled with broken people—ourselves included—who do broken things. There will be trials and challenges. When Adam and Eve decided to pursue something "good" apart from God, their decision allowed evil to enter the world. This means there is a spiritual battle that we cannot see, and it impacts our everyday lives.

When we give our lives to Jesus, we join His team—but this also means we become a target of the devil, our enemy. Every bad thing that happens to us is not necessarily a direct attack from Satan—sometimes it's just a result of living in a fallen, broken world. But there is a spiritual element to every situation because the devil is always trying to draw the world away from God, and he is looking for people to destroy. When struggles happen, the devil will try to get you to believe lies about God, your situation, yourself, or other people. He will try to get you to doubt your identity and your God-given authority. But God, who has victory over Satan, is always fighting for you. Nothing can overcome God, and so when we rely on God—nothing can overcome us. In every situation, we are more than conquerors because God deeply loves us. This is why we don't have to be afraid of the spiritual fight—God has already won it. We need to remind ourselves of this truth so that way we can withstand the attacks from Satan when they come. But attacks will end—because God will win. And know that no matter what you face—God is already fighting for you. He is in control, and He will never leave you. When you belong to God, you have the power to subdue, crush, and overthrow anything the devil throws at you. God's power makes you more than a conqueror.

So today, fill your mind with truth. Hold fast to your faith and guard your heart. Walk in peace toward everyone and memorize Scripture so that way you can wield it as a weapon against any spiritual attack that comes your way.

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

07/14/2025

Let There Be Light

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3,4 (NIV)

Daily Bible Reading

On Monday, July 14, 2025, the Bible reading is from Genesis 1 (NIV).

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

The word "light" appears hundreds of times in the Bible. It first appears just three verses into the first book, Genesis, during the Creation story as written in Today's Verse of the Day. Later, when the prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus' coming, he framed the Messiah as a "great light" that would dawn on those who were "walking in darkness" (Isaiah 9:2). Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in John 8:12 when He declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Darkness cannot exist where there is light. Genesis 1 says that God "separated" the light from the darkness that covered a formless, empty earth. The two things cannot coexist. The same is true of sin and perfection. The world fell into darkness when sin entered it. But the world wasn't completely consumed by darkness–we were only separated from God. That's why He sent Jesus, the Great Light, to guide us back to Him.

Just as a flame burns brightly, its fire also spreads. When He returned to Heaven, Jesus gave His Spirit to us, so that we might also be light to others! The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 5:8, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." As a child of light, you can be a light in our dark world by the way you live, speak, and act.

Today, ask yourself: how will I continue to walk in step with Jesus as my guiding light? What will I do to be a light in my world? Who will I share His light with?

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

06/30/2025

Oh Lord I thought the day would never come,
When I could lay my burdens down and walk with you
Each morning as I greet the Rising Son
The fondest of my dreams have all come true

And the Greatest Love you'll ever find is on a lonely mountain
And the highest high you'll ever reach is when you kneel to pray
And the Brightest Light you'll ever see is when you close your eyes
And the highest place you'll ever find is on a Lonely Mountain
Oh Lord you are my First Love at last I realize
Oh Lord you are my First Love at last I realize
UNKNOWN

06/29/2025

Is Your Heart Pure?

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 NIV

Daily Bible Reading

On Sunday, June 29, 2025, the Bible reading is from Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV).

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

What do you think about when you hear the word pure? Do you picture a tall glass of crystal clear water? A freshly washed load of white sheets? Or maybe someone who's morally wholesome and good?

In the sixth of the beatitudes—a series of promises Jesus made about God's Kingdom—Jesus said Today's Verse of the Day. The word "pure" means clean or blameless, free from corruption or contamination, purified by fire, or unstained by guilt. None of us can truly be pure on our own—despite our best efforts. Before Jesus showed up, the highest ranking Levitical priests were charged with ministering and mediating in the holiest spaces (inside the tabernacle in the wilderness and, later, the temple in Jerusalem)—where God's presence dwelled on earth. But even they had to be purified over and over again. Now, because of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, He has paved the way for us. His blood covered our sins, and when we accept the sacrifice, He makes us pure. Now and forever, we can "come boldly to the throne of our gracious God," where we can find mercy and grace when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16). Now, our bodies are the modern-day temples where God's Spirit has chosen to dwell. Being pure of heart is not about being perfect, but trusting in Jesus to purify our souls.

As Isaiah once prophesied…

"Come now, let's settle this," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool." Isaiah 1:18 NLT

Today, remember that Jesus' sacrifice made you pure in heart in the eyes of God.

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

06/27/2025

What Do You Crave?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6 NIV

Daily Bible Reading

On Friday, June 27, 2025, the Bible reading is from Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV).

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

Every day, multiple times a day, little alarms are triggered inside your brain. They make your stomach growl, your mouth water, or your mind become fixed on that which you crave. God gave us physical needs that mirror our spiritual needs. Needs that must be met to stay healthy and alive. Needs that must be satisfied over and over again. In fact, food is often used in the Bible as a metaphor for our spiritual needs (it's called "our daily bread" in Matthew and the "pure milk" of the Word in 1 Peter, to name a couple.)

In the fourth beatitude, which are a series of promises Jesus made about God's Kingdom, Jesus said Today's Verse of the Day. Do you long for righteousness and justice? Do you desire the ways of God? Do you yearn for His kingdom to come? Do you want to be someone who chases after that which can never truly satisfy, or someone who hungers and thirsts after God? In this upside-down kingdom where Jesus is Lord, the poor can be rich, the weak can be strong, and the empty can be filled. Jesus Christ not only holds the keys to "living water," but He is the "Bread of Life." So, when you feel Him prompting your heart—to fight for justice, to love the unloved, to stand up for what's right (even when it's not popular)—pay attention.

Every day, through eternity, He stands ready to fill you with everything you need.

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

06/26/2025

Meekness Isn't Weakness

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5 NIV

Daily Bible Reading

On Thursday, June 26, 2025, the Bible reading is from Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV).

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

Everything around us—the world, the culture, the people—tends to applaud power and strength, independence and intelligence, boldness and superiority.But in the third beatitude, a series of promises Jesus made about God's Kingdom, Jesus highlighted something different, saying Today's Verse of the Day. The English word "meek" comes from the Greek word "praeis." It means gentle, humble, or submissive; modest, mild, or unpretentious. In fact, when Paul describes the "fruits of the Spirit" (traits developed in His people by His Spirit), the words "meekness" and "gentleness" are often used interchangeably.

But, let's be clear: If such descriptions paint a frail and feeble picture in your mind, you can be certain that meekness isn't weakness. Meekness is strength under control. It's power submitted to God's authority. Now, if "meek" isn't a word that you'd use to currently describe yourself, that's okay. Jesus wasn't speaking to those who had it all together—and He isn't expecting a perfect version of us, either. Instead, He's extending a blessing on who His people were (and are) becoming. God is continually developing these beatitude traits inside of His followers. He's refining, sanctifying, and transforming us to be more and more like Him. In Scripture, Jesus Himself is called "meek." But as you probably know, He was far from passive, apathetic, or a pushover. Instead of relying on His own power—like summoning legions of angels to avoid hanging on that cross—He leaned into God's strength and restrained His limitless power.

Jesus' upside-down kingdom will be packed with those who harness their strength for God's glory and who humble themselves at His feet. Today, join his kingdom.

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

06/24/2025

Love Life

06/24/2025

Hope for the Poor in Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 ESV

Daily Bible Reading

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Bible reading is from Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV).

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

Jesus began His famous Sermon on the Mount with an upside-down perspective and eight counter-cultural blessings—commonly known as the beatitudes. To be physically poor is to lack resources or material possessions. The word "poor" might trigger a mental image of someone who can't pay their bills, can't break free from the cycle of poverty, or can't afford food, clothing, or shelter. So what does it mean to be spiritually poor, and why does Jesus think that's a good thing?

Those who realize their own spiritual poverty know that, without God, they are spiritually bankrupt. Those who are poor in spirit understand the desperation of their situation—that they can have nothing, do nothing, and be nothing without Him. Those who are poor in spirit recognize that it's humility, not pride or self-reliance, that's a common characteristic in the kingdom of heaven. Those who are poor in spirit know that they can't, but they trust that God can. If we're honest, most of us would prefer to be rich, comfortable, and self-dependent. We would rather lack nothing. But even if we happen to be financially stable or wealthy, we cannot save our own souls. We were created to need God. So if you're feeling weak, weary, or worn out, it's okay. If you feel like you have nothing to offer, Jesus actually says that you are blessed.

When you have a need, He can meet it. When you're not enough, He already is. And when you feel poor in spirit, you are in the perfect position to be saved and filled by God.

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

06/24/2025

Sometimes I ask myself did God make us flawed and sinful? God did not originally make us flawed and sinful.
Here's the biblical narrative:
* Original Creation: "Very Good"
* Genesis 1 describes God's creation of the world and humanity. After each day of creation, God declares it "good," and after creating humans "in his own image" (Genesis 1:27), he declares all of it "very good" (Genesis 1:31).
* This implies that Adam and Eve, in their original state in the Garden of Eden, were created perfectly, without sin, and in full fellowship with God. They had free will and the capacity to choose good.
* The Fall: Humanity's Choice
* The "flawed and sinful" state that we now experience is attributed to the "Fall" – the disobedience of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. They chose to defy God's command not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
* This act of rebellion, often referred to as "original sin," introduced sin, corruption, and death into the human experience and the world. It distorted the perfect image of God in humanity and broke the direct fellowship they had with Him.
* Inherited Sinful Nature
* According to Christian theology, because Adam and Eve were the first humans and the representatives of humanity, their sin had consequences for all their descendants. This is often explained through the concept of "original sin" or an "inherited sinful nature."
* Romans 5:12 states, "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned." This means that we are born into a fallen world with a propensity to sin, and we naturally gravitate towards disobedience to God. We are sinful not just because of the sins we commit, but because we are born with a sinful nature.
In summary:
* God created humanity good and perfect.
* Humanity, through Adam and Eve's free choice, introduced sin and imperfection.
* This sinful nature has been passed down through generations, resulting in our current "flawed and sinful" condition.
So, while God created us, He did not create us to be sinful. Our sinfulness is a result of humanity's rebellion and its subsequent consequences. However, the good news in Christian theology is that God, in His love, provided a way for humanity to be redeemed from sin through Jesus Christ.

06/16/2025

We Are All Just Seething Piles of Stardust

05/23/2024

Serve One Another Humbly in Love

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

On Thursday, May 23, 2024, the Bible reading is from Galatians 5:13-26.

Paul declared that Christ has called believers into freedom, and now he clarifies that this freedom is not intended as an excuse for sinful behavior. Instead, believers are to serve one another in love. Paul presents a startling paradox: freedom is given to Christians so that they may be servants to each other.

The theme of Christians living in love is prevalent throughout Paul’s writings. The reason love is so important for a Christian ethic is stated clearly in Galatians 5:1: love fulfills the entire law. Paul is emphasizing the freedom the Galatians have that should express itself in love by serving others.

(The Commentary is by Zondervan from NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible.)

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