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The Church, Kingston, NY (2025)

08/01/2025

Isaiah 11:6-9 (NIV):
The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

07/31/2025

The Way of Life

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. James 4:17 (NLT)

Daily Bible Reading

On Thursday, July 31, 2025, the Bible reading is from James 4:13-17(NLT).

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

The letter from James, found in the New Testament, is overflowing with practical wisdom for our daily lives. James was the brother of Jesus, and his writings are full of teachings similar to how Jesus taught in the Gospels. James 4:17 provides us with a very simple definition of sin. James says that sin is when we know what we ought to do and we do not do it. It's when we have knowledge of what's right, but we deliberately choose not to do it.

There are many ways that we learn what the right thing to do is. When we read Scripture, we are constantly learning how God wants us to live, and what He wants us to do with our lives. We also have the Holy Spirit within us who guides and teaches us. We have no excuse for not knowing the right thing to do in almost every situation—because God has told us how He's designed things to work and how we should act. So when we decide not to live according to God's ways, we are sinning. But the beauty of the gospel is that when we sin against God, we can still come to Him and confess our sins. God's Word says that when we confess our sins to God, He is faithful to forgive us—and He doesn't count our sins against us.

Today, take some time to think about an area where you know you're not following God's best for your life. Confess your sin to God and ask Him for forgiveness. Then, walk in the assurance that God loves you, has forgiven you, and provided a way for you to walk in the newness of life. Thank Him for His faithfulness today!

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

07/29/2025

Cast it Off

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 (ESV)

Daily Bible Reading

On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the Bible reading is from Psalm 55 (ESV).

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

Are you overwhelmed by the weight of a burden you were never meant to carry? Let the timeless words of King David in Today's Verse of the Day, inspired by the Holy Spirit, sink deep into your soul. The word cast in Hebrew means to throw, hurl, shed, or fling. To propel something as far as possible. To sling something out of your sight. We know that the author, King David, had plenty of burdens to cast off. Not only did he carry the weight and responsibility of being King of Israel, but he also had an explicitly muddy record. And yet, even with David's downfalls and heartaches, he knew where to cast his burdens. He knew who to turn to for help. He knew how to humble himself, repent of his sins, and cling to God's mercy and grace.

So, what about you? What burdens are you carrying? The big ones, the little ones, and everything in between. The everyday worries, the soul-crushing fears, the agonizing shame. Did you know that you can surrender all of them to the Lord—rather than crumbling under their pressure? God wants to carry your burdens, but you have to cast them off.

So today, don't just half-heartedly set down your burdens or passively give them to God; cast them at His feet. You can trust that He will sustain you and give you the strength to stand.

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

07/25/2025

What God Loves

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord Psalm 33:5 (NLT)

Commentary on the Verse of the Day

Psalm 33 is a beautiful chapter of the Bible. The writer's motivation is clear: praise. Praise God for how powerful He is, how good He is, how righteous He is. Praise Him for His steady plans, His all-knowing faithfulness, His love for His people. Praise God.Early on in this outpouring of praise, the psalmist says our Verse of the Day about God He doesn't just appreciate, tolerate, or approve of justice and righteousness. He loves them.If we, like God, love righteousness and justice, that means we cannot also love anything that is unrighteous or unjust. The world is full of dark things that call for our attention and affection. But God, in His steadiness, never stops loving the exact same things: righteousness and justice.Is the earth full of darkness, evil, and sin? Yes. But don't forget, this verse reminds us of something else the earth is full of: His unfailing love.

Today, take a moment to read all of Psalm 33 below. Look for how you can add your praise of God to this psalm of praise. Has God brought justice for you? Has He helped you turn from sin and toward righteousness? How has God been good to you? Let the last three verses put your heart at ease, washing over you and encouraging you today:

"We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone." Psalm 33:20-22 NLT

(Today's commentary by Your Version)

Daily Bible Reading

On Friday, July 25, 2025, the Bible reading is from Psalm 33 (NIV).
��1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;� it is fitting for the pure to praise him.�2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;� make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.�3 Sing a new song of praise to him;� play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.�4 For the word of the Lord holds true,� and we can trust everything he does.�5 He loves whatever is just and good;� the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
6 The Lord merely spoke,� and the heavens were created.�He breathed the word,� and all the stars were born.�7 He assigned the sea its boundaries� and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.�8 Let the whole world fear the Lord,� and let everyone stand in awe of him.�9 For when he spoke, the world began!� It appeared at his command.
10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations� and thwarts all their schemes.�11 But the Lord's plans stand firm forever;� his intentions can never be shaken.
12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord,� whose people he has chosen as his inheritance.
13 The Lord looks down from heaven� and sees the whole human race.�14 From his throne he observes� all who live on the earth.�15 He made their hearts,� so he understands everything they do.�16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king,� nor is great strength enough to save a warrior.�17 Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory—� for all its strength, it cannot save you.
18 But the Lord watches over those who fear him,� those who rely on his unfailing love.�19 He rescues them from death� and keeps them alive in times of famine.
20 We put our hope in the Lord.� He is our help and our shield.�21 In him our hearts rejoice,� for we trust in his holy name.�22 Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord,� for our hope is in you alone.

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

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