give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Commentary

If we want to know the will of God for our lives here is one clue: Give thanks in all circumstances. One might say, "How could I give thanks? You don't know my circumstances. I have absolutely no reason to give thanks for what happened to me." But in not giving thanks we relegate ourselves to the tyranny of a broken and fallen world. The Bible speaks of a fallen creation that needs rescue. Giving thanks reminds us and aligns us with God's rescue plan for our lives.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Philippians 4:12-13
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:12-13

Commentary

The apostle Paul applies the strength of God both to good and bad circumstances. He is basically saying that the gospel gives him the power to process victory and defeat similarly: as under the hand of God. In other words, how we handle our victories is also the way we handle our defeats. When our identity is in Christ and not in our achievement, success and setback are held in the same hand.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. This is my command: Love each other.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.
You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. "This I command you, that you love one another."
John 15:16-17

Commentary

We would like to think that we found God - but He actually chose us! Our ability to bear fruit doesn't come from our own will power, but from a heavenly intervention on our behalf. We are not our own - to ask based around our own agendas betrays the fact that we have been chosen and appointed. Chosen for what? Appointed for what? To love one another. This begins the pilgrim's journey. This forms the asking. This becomes the great adventure of following Jesus.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
John 15:4

Commentary

This is both sobering and liberating! To experience a growing, vibrant spiritual life with Jesus is not just an intellectual exercise. Nor is it and exhausting series of good deeds. It is in remaining in the vine that our fulfillment comes. From the vine comes knowledge and good works, but now it's from a position of having experienced God's love and acceptance. We must resist the urge to do things to get God's acceptance. He is offering us a resting place with Him with amazing results.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."
John 15:1-2

Commentary

Notice that both branches get cut. The difference is in how we respond to the pain of the pruning. In many ways, the way that we bear the pruning is how we know that we are growing in our relationship with God. Do we get bitter, or better? What does the experience of loss or hindrance expose in us? Our Father is a faithful gardener, ready to cut off the things in our lives that don't bear fruit, and reminding the fruitful ones that our life is not in the fruit, but only in the vine.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
and he who looks after his master will be honored.
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.
Proverbs 27:18

Commentary

In this comparison, we see a picture of competence and loyalty. The master is like the fig tree, providing for the needs of his servant. But if the tree is not tended, no one benefits. If the master is not looked after, he won't have the resources to honor his servant. Today, we could remove the master/slave titles and put in employer/employee, or entrepreneur/client. To tend to our source of provision is to take care of ourselves.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing.
Deuteronomy 25:4

Commentary

Muzzling the ox would have kept the ox from eating from the grain while it worked. This command from the laws of Moses reminds us that it is not unreasonable to provide for the needs of an animal that is producing profit for us. Remember that this was written after God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; where they were treated as little more than animals. To allow the ox to eat the grain that it's treading tells us that He cares that we benefit from the results of our work.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal,
But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.
Proverbs 12:10

Commentary

This proverb follows a commonly used literary tool of contrast. To follow in the ways of God (the righteous) causes one to pay attention to the smallest details with care. In a similar way, those who resist the ways of God (the wicked) have no hope of compensating for their hardness of heart. Even acts of kindness won't cover selfish motives.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Genesis 1:28

Commentary

This is the first Great Commission that is given to mankind. Notice that God tells Adam and Eve to actively engage the world that He has created. This was repeated thousands of years later when Jesus said to His disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:18-12) Like Adam and Eve, we are called to engage the world with the good news of God's mercy in Jesus.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.
Genesis 2:15

Commentary

The garden was perfectly prepared. It was man's home and he had to tend and keep it. Even the biblical paradise required work (1:26-28)!

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ge 2:15). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

The Garden of Eden - the first home of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman (2:4-3:24). Eden is a translation of a Hebrew word which means "Delight," suggesting a "Garden of Delight."

Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Nelson's complete book of Bible maps & charts : Old and New Testaments. "Completely revised and updated comfort print edition"; Includes indexes. (Rev. and updated ed.). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the LORD.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But victory belongs to the LORD.
Proverbs 21:31

Commentary

This is not a condemnation of adequate preparation but rather of reliance on it for victory, instead of on the Lord (cf. Ezra 8:22; Ps. 20:7; Is. 31:1-3; Hos. 1:7).
MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Pr 21:31). Nashville: Word Pub.

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."
John 14:2-3

Commentary

Mansions refers to dwelling places. Everybody has a longing for a permanent, secure place. Such places have already been set aside for all of God's children. Jesus has gone ahead to prepare our place. Peter never got over the wonder of his unfading, reserved, heavenly home (1 Pet. 1:3, 4). The Lord is telling them that though they are disturbed now, they will have rest and refreshment later.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jn 14:2). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
Philippians 3:20

Commentary

Christians need to remember that though we are in this world we are not of this world; our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. The eager desire of Christians is not earthly things, but a heavenly Person, the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:19-25).
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Php 3:20). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

Commentary

David wrote this psalm as he was about to retire for the night (v. 8). He could not do much about the war around him, but he could do something about the war within him. He did not want to lie in bed and worry, so he committed himself and his situation to the Lord.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1997, c1991). With the word Bible commentary (Ps 4:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1

Commentary

An ideal of conduct is urged in the comments on how we should say what we say (v. 1). A soft answer is a concilatory answer, often relieving a tense situation by dissolving a person's anger. Such responses require kindness, self-control, patience, love, peace - all the fruit of the Spirit.

Thomas Nelson, I. (1997, c1995). Woman's study Bible . (Pr 15:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
"Anger is removed by a gentle response, but a heated response fuels the flame."

King James Version study Bible . 1997, c1988 (electronic ed.) (Pr 15:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

It is to a man's honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel.
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
But any fool will quarrel.
Proverbs 20:3

Commentary

One who is a peacemaker is under the blessing of God (Matt. 5:9). A needlessly contentious person is but a fool. The man of peace has glory; the fool, only shame.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Pr 20:3). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
Related Verse

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension,
but a patient man calms a quarrel.

-Proverbs 15:18 (NIV)

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Romans 13:1

Commentary

Believers are to be model citizens, known as law abiding not rabble-rousing, obedient rather than rebellious, respectful of government rather than demeaning of it. We must speak against sin, against injustice, against immorality and ungodliness with fearless dedication, but we must do it within the framework of civil law and with respect for civil authorities.
MacArthur, J. (1996, c1991, c1994). Romans (216). Chicago: Moody Press.
"be subject"

This Greek word was used of a soldier's absolute obedience to his superior officer. Scripture makes one exception to this command: when obedience to civil authority would require disobedience to God's Word (Ex. 1:17; Dan. 3:16-18; 6:7, 10; see notes on Acts 4:19, 20; 5:28, 29).
MacArthur, J. J. (1997, c1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed.) (Ro 13:1). Nashville: Word Pub.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1-2

Commentary

The idea of praying for kings (or national leaders) has a twofold emphasis. First, it is a specific way to pray for all men, because the actions of a king affect society as a whole. Second, it reminds believers that God is the ultimate Sovereign. He is in control, and our prayers affect decisions at the highest level.

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (1 Ti 2:1-2). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Psalm 146:3-4

Commentary

The point is that even the best of people are not adequate help in times of terrible stress. Even princes (national leaders) are mortal, and are not able even to help themselves (118:9). In contrast is the individual who finds ultimate help in God who lives forever (vv. 5-7).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ps 146:3). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
Joshua 1:8

Commentary

To meditate means much more than just contemplation. The idea here is that one should reflect upon God's Word in a thoughtful way, appropriating its truths personally and applying them to life (Ps. 1:2, 3).

Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jos 1:8-9). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

Verse Background

Joshua had just succeeded Moses in the leadership of the nation Israel. Moses had led the nation for forty years and had the benefit that all the wisdom and culture of Egypt and the king's household could provide. Moses was a seasoned, multitalented man who had walked closely with God. Joshua, by contrast, was relatively untried. He was assuming an awesome responsibility in taking command of two-and-a-half million people. Joshua is to meditate upon the Word of God day and night (i.e., at all times), and is promised (1) prosperity and (2) good success in the God-given task that lies ahead. Reading and memorizing God's Word provide the basis for meditating upon God's Word. You meditate upon the Word of God by rehearsing its thoughts over and over in order to understand its implications for the situations of life.

The Open Bible : New King James Version. 1998, c1997. Includes indexes. (electronic ed.) (Jos 1:8). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.