Psalm 127:3: "Lo [look, or notice this fact:], children are an heritage of [an inheritance from] the LORD: and the fruit of the womb [referring to one or more babies, who are conceived in, nourished (fed, or provided with food and nutrients to promote growth) in, and delivered from a woman's uterus] is his [God's] reward [gift--to the parents]."
Proverbs 30:12: "There is a generation [a segment of society which is made up of a group of people who were born and grew up at around the same time] that are pure [clean, righteous (morally right), without fault] in their own eyes, and yet [in God's eyes (and in other people's eyes, too),] [this generation] is not washed from their filthiness [the filthiness of their hearts, which is the source of the bad things that they think, say, and do]."
According to Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church, self-righteous people need to repent (change their way of thinking) and acknowledge the truth (see themselves as God sees them).
The pastor's commentary on this verse has many examples of people (both saved and unsaved) who are self-righteous hypocrites. If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-30-index/proverbs-30_12/.
Note: Everyone on earth has inherited a sin nature from Adam and Eve, and consequently we were born with filthy hearts, which get dirtier and dirtier each time we sin as we go through life. We are 'washed from our filthiness' (cleansed from sin) for the first time when we, through faith, accept Jesus' death as full payment for our sins, ask him to come into our hearts, and receive him as our personal Savior. After that, whenever we sin, we need to pray and ask for God's forgiveness, and then our slate is wiped clean again.
Proverbs 29:9: "If a wise man [or woman or child] contendeth [has an argument, disagreement, or debate] with a foolish man [person], whether he [or she, referring to the 'foolish man'] rage [becomes angry and/or violent] or laugh [makes fun of the 'wise man,' doesn't take the 'wise man' seriously, etc.], there is no rest [quietness, peace] [for the 'wise man']."
In commenting on the above verse, Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church said, "While Solomon doesn't make any specific commands in this proverb, the point is pretty clear: don't even ENTER into a debate with a fool!" That's because "… It is a losing proposition."
If you want to read the commentary, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-29-index/proverbs-29_9/.
Psalm 51:12-13 [King David prayed to God]: "Restore [bring back, return] unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [hold me up, support me, keep me from falling--into temptation, sin, etc.] with thy free spirit [with the Holy Spirit's help]. Then will I teach transgressors [sinners, or people who break God's laws, either accidentally or on purpose] thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee [sinners will turn back to God]."
When this psalm was written, David had fallen into sin (by committing adultery with Bathsheba and causing the death of her husband, Uriah), and he wanted God to forgive him and restore the joy that he had when he first got saved. He also needed the Holy Spirit's help to resist temptation and avoid depression in the future. David promised that if and when God answered this prayer, he would tell others what they must do to have their sins forgiven, and, as a result, sinners would get saved, and backslidden Christians would "get right with God."
If you're unfamiliar with the term backslidden Christians, a good article to read is "What does it mean to backslide?" Here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/backslide.html.
Proverbs 27:9: "Ointment [oil-based substances that are rubbed on the skin, such as lotions, creams, etc.] and perfume [especially when they smell good] rejoice the heart [have a calming, soothing effect on people]: so doth [does] the sweetness of a man's [or woman's or child's] friend by [the giving of] hearty counsel [i.e., through that friend's heartfelt, caring advice] [rejoice the heart]."
In other words, having "sweet fellowship" with a close friend that we can confide in and receive good advice from makes us happy and content.
Salem Bible Church has a good commentary on this verse. If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-27-index/proverbs-27_9/.
1 John 4:20: "If a man say [if a person says], I love God, and hateth his [or her] brother [or sister] [in Christ, meaning fellow Christian--or, for that matter, if he or she hates any man, woman, or child], he [or she] is a liar: for he [or she] that loveth not [does not love or have compassion for (referring to brotherly love, not romantic or sexual love)] his [or her] brother [or other person] whom he [or she] hath seen, how can he [or she] love God whom he [or she] hath not seen?"
Verse 5: "And when thou prayest [to God], thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [for example, the scribes and Pharisees] are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues [places of worship and other public places, such as marketplaces and courts, where people tended to gather, meet, or assemble,] and in the corners of the streets [on street corners], [so] that they may be seen of men [and women and children]. Verily [truly] I say unto you , They [the hypocrites] have their reward [in this life, in the form of praise from people]."
Verse 6: "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet [secret room, or prayer closet, meaning you should go to a place where you can pray privately], and when thou hast shut thy [closet] door [i.e., when you are alone, to minimize distractions], pray to thy Father [in heaven, meaning God] which is in secret [who is hidden, invisible, unseen]; and thy Father which seeth [who sees what you are doing] in secret shall reward thee [answer your prayer and/or bless you in other ways] openly [publicly, in view of others, both on earth and in heaven]."
In other words, according to Matthew Henry: "… Public places are not proper for private solemn prayer. …" (Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/matthew/6.html, "Verses 5-8").
"1. In the morning. Nothing can be more appropriate when we have been preserved through the night, and when we are about to enter upon the duties and dangers of another day, than to render to our great Preserver thanks, and to commit ourselves to His fatherly care.
"4. … when we are beset with strong temptations.
"5. … when the [Holy] Spirit prompts us to pray …"
Matthew 10:28: "And fear not [don't be afraid of] them which kill the body [our mortal part, which has a limited life span], but are not able to kill the soul [our immortal part, which lives forever]: but rather fear him [God] which is able to destroy [torment and punish] both soul and body in hell."
This verse is both a comfort to born-again Christians and a warning to unsaved people.
James 2:19: "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils [evil spirits, demons] also believe [that there is one God], and [they] tremble [shake involuntarily, in fear of God's wrath (extreme anger) and of being tormented forever in the lake of fire]."
In other words, simply believing in God is not enough to get you to heaven; you must be born again.
To be born again according to the Bible, you must, through prayer, ask Jesus to come into your heart and save you so you can go to heaven when you die. Why now do it now?
Note: If you want or need more detailed instructions on salvation, they can be found in the "Printable Gospel Tracts" section of my website. Here's the link to that page: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he [or she] should go [in other words, get him or her started on the right pathway of life--the way of righteousness and godliness]: and [hopefully,] when he [or she] is old [grows up], he [or she] will not depart [turn aside, go away] from it."
Salem Bible Church has an excellent commentary on this verse. In it, comparing a child to a plant, Pastor Jim Delany says, "It is the responsibility of the parent to bend that little plant away from the wrong direction it WANTS to go in… and direct it towards the way it SHOULD go."
"4. There is a good word of encouragement in this proverb to every parent of a prodigal child.
"a. Good training in his early years always gives the hope that one day… perhaps when down and out… he will recall that training, and it will kick in… and he will repent and return to the way that he should go.
"b. It might even be after the parents are gone to glory.
"c. Good training early on at the very least provides them with a MEANS to return.
"• They may not presently LIKE the way they should go, but at least they know where it is… how to find it.
"• Many young people are wandering about without a clue as to where the way they should go is to be found! Even if they wanted to get on the right path, they wouldn't know where to find it.
"• But the one who received good training early on, WILL know where to find it.
"d. There is no need for shame in the heart of the parent who trained them in the way they ought to go.
"e. But there IS shame to be had when the training was NOT provided! (Prov. 29:15 - [']A child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.'"
If you want to read more of the commentary, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-22-index/proverbs-22_6/.
Proverbs 21:24: "Proud and haughty [arrogant, conceited] scorner [mocker] is his [or her] name, [referring to the person] who dealeth in proud wrath [who has outbursts of anger and rage resulting from pride]."
According to Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church, people with explosive tempers that are set off on a regular basis (sometimes daily), as opposed to people who occasionally get mad, need to take anger management classes rather than medication, as the problem is due to sin (i.e., pride), not sickness. We should stay away from these types of people.
"b. The point is that this [i.e., proud wrath] is more than just an occasional failure.
"• We ALL lose our tempers on occasion.
"• We have all blown up at one time or another. Perhaps many times over a period of years.
"• But Solomon is not talking about someone who has a normal struggle with anger.
"• The man he describes here has a REAL problem with anger… with proud wrath.
"• He DEALS with proud anger. He conducts his life this way. It is part of his lifestyle. It is how he deals with anyone or anything that crosses him.
"• If you do something he doesn't like, you will experience his proud wrath."
"d. A haughty person believes he is the greatest and that the world revolves around him… or at least that it should, if it were functioning properly.
"e. For this man, life is [always] about me, myself, and I. Those are his three best friends. (Usually his only friends!)"
If you want to read more of the commentary, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-21-index/proverbs-21_24/.
Proverbs 20:6: "Most men [and women and children] will proclaim [announce] [to] every one his [or her] own goodness [referring to their good qualities (such as kindness) and good works (the good things they have done); in other words, most people brag about themselves]: but a faithful man [or woman or child--who really is a 'good' person and can be trusted to tell the whole truth about himself or herself, and will faithfully and honestly recount all of the facts regarding things that happen in life, without embellishment, exaggeration, or withholding information,] who can find [referring to 'a faithful man']?"
Most people think they're good, but few people really are good. As Christians, we should resist the urge to brag about ourselves and "spin" facts (like they do in politics).
"5. Solomon suggests by his language here that men who proclaim their own goodness are not faithful to the truth!
"b. We have a tendency to minimize our failures and faults.
"c. As we proclaim our goodness, we have a tendency to leave out details that put us in a less than favorable light.
"d. We may tell the truth, but not always the WHOLE truth.
"e. We have a tendency to see ourselves through rose tinted glasses.
"f. That slant is not being faithful to the truth… to reality.
"g. We have serious blind spots when it comes to how we see self.
6. For this reason it is necessary to hear BOTH sides of a story before drawing any conclusions."
"People who boast about their charity, kindness, piety and faithfulness rarely possess those qualities. … Those who are ACTUALLY good, kind, and faithful do NOT normally proclaim it. They do not boast about it. … That is because those good qualities are usually accompanied by another good quality: humility."
"Men who SAY they are good and faithful are a dime a dozen. … But men who are TRULY good and faithful are hard to come by. It is a rare breed."
If you want to read the commentary, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-20-index/proverbs-20_6/.
Proverbs 19:5: "A false witness [for example, the person who gives false testimony (intentionally gives false information or makes misleading statements) in court] shall not be unpunished [by God], and he [or she] that speaketh lies [in daily conversations, referring to a habitual liar] shall not escape [judgment and/or punishment] [by God]."
"c. God is not impressed with numbers"
"b. Surely we know people who have lied and deceived others and have never been caught. Nobody ever found out. They seemed to get away with it.
"c. BUT the eyes of the Lord are everywhere… and so are His ears.
"d. The liar may escape punishment on earth… but never before God.
"e. And even if God doesn't punish him on earth-the day of reckoning will come… and we shall give account for every idle word… and every lie or deception.
"f. Lies may escape the notice of man, but nothing ever escapes the notice of the Lord.
If you want to read the rest of the commentary, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-19-index/proverbs-19_5/.
Proverbs 18:1: "Through desire [by choice, due to personal cravings or desires,] a man [or woman or child], having separated himself [or herself] [from society, by keeping to himself/herself and avoiding interaction with others], seeketh [his/her own way] and intermeddleth with all wisdom [rejects wisdom from counselors] [in other words, the person avoids taking advice from others and chooses to 'do his or her own thing']."
In his commentary, Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church says that this verse is apparently speaking about people who are loners and recluses. They avoid social contact and reject the wisdom of counselors and eventually "develop bizarre and unusual thought patterns." Ted Kaczynski, the "Unabomber," is a good example of what sometimes can happen to this type of person.
If you want to read Pastor Delany's commentary and/or learn how Ted Kaczynski became known as the Unabomber, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-18-index/proverbs-18_1/.
Another Bible commentator wrote: "Evidently … 'He who separates himself [from other people]' does so because he wants his own way and does not want others to restrain him. Such an approach runs counter to sound wisdom because we all need input from other people to make wise decisions. It is unwise to be antisocial …"
Psalm 119:89 [The writer of this psalm, probably King David, said to God]: "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled [fixed, established] in heaven."
In other words, the Bible (containing God's laws, counsel/advice, promises, etc.) is complete and will never change.
In his commentary on this verse, Albert Barnes said: "… The meaning here is, that the word - the law - the promise - of God was made firm, established, stable, in heaven; and would be so forever and ever. What God had ordained as law would always remain law; what he had affirmed would always remain true; what he had promised would be sure forever."
Proverbs 16:19: "Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly [people, financially speaking, referring to those who are poor], than to divide the spoil [or share the booty, or loot, referring to things that are stolen or taken forcibly from people or places or obtained through oppression, fraud (trickery, cheating, deception), war, etc.] with the proud [referring to people who are proud and dishonest--and, usually, rich]."
"c. All throughout history there has been a great DIVIDE between the haves and the have nots.
"d. Medieval times - the wealthy land owners and the serfs.
"e. Colonial times - the slave owners and the slaves.
"f. Today there are many poor countries that are actually RICH in natural resources, but they remain poor because the arrogant, wealthy class has all the power and they live like royalty as the people suffer and starve.
"g. One day all men will stand before God and will have to give an account of their actions.
"h. In that day, (if not before) it will be manifest that it is better to have been of a humble spirit with the lowly… than to have been dividing the spoil with the proud."
If you want to read more of the commentary, here's the link: https://www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-16-index/proverbs-16_19/.
Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD [to the nation of Israel in Bible times, and to all sinners today]: though your sins be as scarlet [a bright red color, which is impossible to remove from fabric when used as a dye; likewise, it is impossible for you (without God's help) to remove the sins that have stained your souls] [and though they're scarlet now--before salvation], they [your sins] shall be as white as snow [after you get saved] [in other words, when a person gets saved, or born again, his or her sins are pardoned by God, and his or her soul is made pure]; though they [your sins] be red like crimson [a deep purplish red] [now], they shall be as [white as undyed] wool [after salvation]."
That's what born-again Christians mean when they sing, "What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus."
If you want to be saved and have your sins washed away, please follow the instructions in one of the tracts listed on the "Printable Gospel Tracts" page of my website. Here's the link: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
Commenting on the colors used in the above verse, one Bible commentator said: "Sins are here likened to scarlet and crimson dye, and with good reason, indeed. For, first of all, scarlet and crimson are the most glaring and flaunting of colours; and sin is the most audacious as well as self-delusive appearance, under which man affronts the majesty of God in the sight of heaven and earth. Scarlet and crimson, also, are the blush of shame. And what so shameful as sin, or rather what can be shameful but sin! Scarlet and crimson are also the colour of blood; and blood is on the head of every sinner, as St: Paul, told the unbelieving Jews when they refused to be converted from their sins: [']Your blood be upon your own heads' And scarlet and crimson were (whatever they may be now) colours which it was beyond all men's power and skill to discharge from the cloth which had been ones [once] dyed with them. And is it not equally beyond all man's power to cleanse his own soul from the dye of sin? …"
Proverbs 14:9: "Fools [morally foolish people, who apparently have no conscience] make a mock at [laugh at, ridicule, joke about, make fun of] sin [and sinful things, and they also make fun of: God and those who love him, hell and the lake of fire, salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ, etc.]: but among the righteous [people] [i.e., those with a right attitude about sin, meaning they hate it because God says it's bad] there is favour [of, or approval from and acceptance by, God--and people, too]."
According to Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Bible Church: "Fools live in sin and make light of it… eventually, they will pay a price. But the righteous lead godly lives and find the favor of God." Some examples that are given of the price that fools pay for mocking sin include jail time, physical suffering, and illness for a sinful lifestyle.
If you want to read the commentary, here's the link: www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-14-index/proverbs-14_9/.
"1. There are some who scoff, openly profane, and set at defiance the law of God. Of these there are two classes, the one urged by their sensual appetites, the other by their intellectual pride. There are others who see the necessity of a certain attention to moral conduct, but look with a sullen, contemptuous, sceptical eye upon revelation.
"2. There are some who mock at sin by ' trifling' with it. They suffer almost anything to set aside obedience to God; they expose themselves unnecessarily to temptation; they frequent companies and places, involve themselves in employments, which are likely to lead them to sin, and yet mock at the idea of danger from them. They do not give the law of God, in reference to the regulation of their daily conduct, a thought either one way or the other.
"3. There are others who may be said to mock at sin by 'excusing and palliating it.' They contend that there is more good than evil in the world. They think the gospel dispensation has lowered the requirements of the law."
Proverbs 13:2: "A man [or woman or child] shall eat good by [shall benefit from] the fruit of his [or her] mouth [from the good things that he or she says]: but the soul of the transgressors [people who stir up anger] shall eat violence [shall lose friends and/or cause division, fights, etc., because of what they say]."
According to Pastor Jim Delany of Salem Baptist Church: "Instead of saying you REAP what you sow, here the illustration is that you EAT what you grow."
Some benefits from good speech include peace, happiness, healthy relationships, and a trouble-free life. Pastor Delany explains why this is true, and he also gives additional examples of the results of good and bad speech, in his commentary on the above verse. If you want to read it, here's the link: www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-13-index/proverbs-132/.
Joshua 1:8 [After Moses died, God told Joshua, perhaps in a dream or vision]: "This book of the law [of God, as recorded in the Bible--in this case, referring specifically to the part that was written by Moses] shall not depart out of thy mouth [meaning all commands that Joshua (Moses' successor) would give to the people of Israel should be based on God's word]; but thou shalt meditate therein [study the Bible] day and night, [so] that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein [so that you might obey God's commands]: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Like Joshua, we should study, memorize, and obey God's word (the Bible) if we want to be successful in life.
Proverbs 11:17: "The merciful [kind] man [and woman and child] doeth good to his [or her] own soul [i.e., to himself or herself]: but he [or she] that is cruel [mean] [to others] troubleth his [or her] own flesh [and blood, meaning himself or herself, and/or his or her family members]."
Salem Bible Church's commentary summarizes the above verse as follows: "Blessed and happy are the merciful. Miserable are the mean!"
"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 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 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 do not know any individual's heart-it is hard for me to believe that those men do not know exactly what they are doing-twisting scripture for their own advantage!
"• And not only are THEY greedy, but they are promoting greed.
"• Nothing could be further from the kind of mercy… selfless giving… the Scriptures describe!"
-- Be tormented by guilt, or have guilty consciences.
-- Incur the wrath of God and man (i.e., punishment by God, revenge by other people).
-- Bring trouble upon themselves and their families.
If you want to read more of the commentary, here's the link: www.salembible.org/proverbs-index/proverbs-11-index/proverbs-11_17/.
Jeremiah 17:11: "As the partridge sitteth on eggs [perhaps because they were stolen from other birds], and hatcheth them not [is unable to hatch them]; so he [or she] that getteth riches, and not by right [i.e., dishonestly--through theft, lies, etc.], shall leave them in the midst [middle] of his [or her] days [life], and at his [or her] end [of life] shall be a fool."
In other words, covetous people are eventually parted from money that is not rightfully theirs. This may happen, for example, when they die (from natural causes, accidents, murder, etc.) or end up in jail.
Romans 5:3-4: "And not only so [do born-again Christians rejoice in good times (when our families are healthy, we can afford to pay our bills on time, etc.) and because we are cleansed from sin, have peace with God, and will have a home in heaven someday], but we glory [rejoice, take pleasure] in tribulations [troubles, afflictions, bad times] also: knowing that tribulation worketh [produces, brings about, results in] patience [a calm temper]; And patience, [produces] experience; and experience, [produces] hope:"
Isaiah 40:31 [Regarding our Christian journey through life, the prophet Isaiah said]: "But they that wait upon the LORD [for help and guidance] shall renew their strength [become strong in faith]; they shall mount up with wings as eagles [fly heavenward spiritually (get closer to God), and fly strongly, quickly, and high, out of the reach of danger]; they shall run [through this life], and not be weary [tired, worn out]; and they shall walk [with God through life], and not faint [from fatigue or exhaustion]."
"I. The eagle is built for FLIGHT.
"1. His structure marvellously combines strength, lightness, and muscular power. The anatomy of the bird shows feathers, bones, muscles, and sinews to be designed by the Creator for the purpose of flying; and a master specimen of perfect adaptation e.g., the cylindrical structure of bones and feathers makes each virtually a balloon, so that when the wings are spread for flight, the tendency is upward instead of downward, and no effort is needed to support the body upon the air, which rather buoys it up.
"2. Built for high flights, capable of mounting above all other birds, no other being capable of rising to such elevations, or being so at home in the upper atmosphere. In fact, as the air becomes more ratified, the bird seems to soar with greater ease and rapidity, and finds it the more natural to ascend.
"3. Built for sustained and tireless flights, maintaining himself without exhaustion for any length of time, and resting on the wing. Those who have watched the eagle's flight have observed that there is no apparent effort; he rather finds in it rest and recreation than a struggle to maintain himself.
"4. Built for fearless flight. The eagle soars above the abyss without even a trace of timidity, a stranger to all fear. What to us is danger, is to him delight, challenging and provoking his flight.
"II. The eagle is built for REPOSE. No bird can be so still and motionless when he rests. When the eagle perches on the crag, and grasps it with his talons, the more he settles down, the firmer and more immovable his clutch. The anatomy of his legs exhibits the adaptation of his whole structure to the purposes of perching. The weight of the body, resting upon the lower portion of the legs, increases the tenacity of the hold upon whatever is chosen as a resting-place. His sleep, therefore, is secure, for h,.'s [his] grasp can only relax as he rises upon his feet and so releases all the sinews by which his talons grip the rock. He goes to sleep, therefore, without a doubt that he will find himself there in the morning.
"III. The eagle is built for the STORM. He perceives it afar off and is not afraid. This king of birds detects the approach of the storm-cloud, not only with eyes and ears, but with mysterious senses to which we are strangers; and, when as yet there is no appearance of the coming tempest above the horizon, he scents its approach, lifts up his majestic head, looks toward the coming storm, and prepares himself for a gigantic grapple with the forces of nature. He welcomes tempests before which wild beasts flee to their dens in terror. He preens his feathers, shakes himself as tornado and tempest approach, actually takes the very front and leads the storm, outflying it at its most rapid pace, rejoicing in its violence, and, when he will, rising far above it into the clear heights of cloudless day, whence he looks down upon it.
"IV. The eagle LIVES A SOLITARY LIFE. There is no bird so alone. Other birds go in flocks; the eagle, never; if two are seen together, they are mates. Its majesty consists partly in its solitariness. It lives apart because other birds cannot live where and as it lives, and follow where it leads.
"V. The eagle is TRAINED BY DISCIPLINE. The parent bird trains the young to fly; and, if need be, the mother pushes the young bird off the edge of the cliff, and lets it fall over into the abyss, and tumble screaming and screeching, apparently doomed to be dashed in pieces; but the mother bird watching, drops like a plummet, with incredible rapidity, beneath the young bird, and receives it on her broad maternal wings and bears it up to the heights only to let it drop again; until, by and by, the fledgling is prepared, as the mother bird swoops down to arrest its fall, to take the wing and follow the parent on her majestic flight.
"VI. The healthy eagle IMPARTS STRENGTH. A sick eagle, whose vitality had been reduced by long confinement, was set loose and placed on the heather, but only drooped and seemed ready to die. Then another eagle, that from the heights saw the feeble bird, swept down and touched and fanned it with his great wings. This was repeated until the sick bird, gradually feeling the inspiration of the other's vitality, preened itself, expanded its wings, and ultimately followed in the upward flight. We seldom get an upward look, aspiration, or ascent, unless someone from the heights sweeps down add touches us.
"VII. The eagle, thus built for the heights, is NOT CONTENT TO DWELL ON EARTH …"
Acts 8:12: "But when they [the people in a city of Samaria] believed Philip [a deacon/evangelist (not the apostle), who was] preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God [he preached about heaven], and the name of Jesus Christ [i.e., how to be saved, which is through faith, not works--by believing that Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins and by receiving (trusting) him as our personal Savior, not by doing good things], they were baptized [by immersion, in a large body of water], both men and women."
Baptism by immersion (i.e., going down into the water and coming up again) is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The following article explains what that means: "What is the symbolism of water baptism?" Here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/water-baptism.html.
Psalm 34:18: "The LORD [God] is nigh unto [near, willing to help] them that are of a broken heart [those who are broken-hearted, referring to Christians who are overwhelmed by sin, or by depression or grief, as when a romantic relationship ends or a loved one dies]; and [he] saveth such as be of a contrite spirit [those who are remorseful or repentant, meaning they humbly accept responsibility for their sins and are sincerely sorry for them]."
Jeremiah 32:26-27: "Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah [an Old Testament prophet, while he was praying; i.e., God spoke to him], saying, Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh [the creator of people, animals, all living things]: is there any thing too hard for me [to do]? [The answer is: No!]"
In the above verse, according to one Bible commentator, "Jehovah retorts [responds to] Jeremiah's own words: I am indeed, as thou sayest (Jeremiah 32:17), the God and Creator of 'all flesh,' and 'nothing is too hard for Me'; thine own words ought to have taught thee that, though Judea and Jerusalem are given up to the Chaldeans now for the sins of the Jews, yet it will not be hard to Me, when I please, to restore the state so that houses and lands therein shall be possessed in safety (Jeremiah 32:36-44)."
Ephesians 4:26 [In his letter to the 'saints at Ephesus,' the apostle Paul advised all Christians]:"Be ye angry, and sin not [i.e., if you become angry at other people's sins or at unfortunate circumstances (bad things that happen to you or other people), etc., don't let your anger cause you to sin]: let not the sun go down [don't let the sun set, don't let the day end] upon your wrath [indignation, exasperation--i.e., without letting it go; in other words, try not to hold a grudge or seek revenge]:"
Meaning of the above verse, according to Albert Barnes: "… 'If you be angry, which may be the case, and which may be unavoidable, see that the sudden excitement does not become sin. Do not let it overleap its proper bounds; do not cherish it; do not let it remain in your bosom even to the setting of the sun. Though the sun be sinking in the west, let not the passion linger in the bosom, but let his last rays find you always peaceful and calm.'"
"Never let it outlive the day, but forgive ere the sun goes down."
Verse 5: "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers [i.e., both are servants of God, not heads (or leaders) of different parties (or groups) within the church] by whom ye believed [the gospel], even as the Lord gave [gifts, talents, abilities] to every man?"
Verse 6: "I [Paul] have planted [(sowed) the seed of the gospel, meaning Paul had preached the gospel and established the Christian church in Corinth], Apollos watered [that seed, meaning he had continued Paul's work of preaching and teaching]; but God gave the increase [God gave life to the church and made it grow]."
Verse 7: "So then neither is he [the minister] that planteth [the seed of the gospel] any thing [worth mentioning, meaning he is not more important than other ministers], neither [is] he [the minister] that watereth [the seed of the gospel] [anything worth mentioning, meaning he is not more important than other ministers]; but God that giveth the increase [but God, who saves the souls and grows the church,] [is greater and more important than those who plant and water the seed (i.e., the ministers, who preach and teach God's word)]."
Verse 8: "Now he [the minister] that planteth [the seed of the gospel] and he [the minister] that watereth [the seed] are one [are united in doing one part of building up the church; God does the other part]: and every man [every minister--see note below*] shall receive his own reward [from God] according to his own labour [referring to what he (the minister) has done for the sake of the gospel]."
Verse 9: "For we [ministers] are labourers together with God: ye [you, members of the Corinthian church] are God's husbandry [an agricultural metaphor comparing the church at Corinth to a cultivated field (i.e., land that has been prepared by God to raise crops, or be fruitful)], [and] ye are God's building [an architectural metaphor indicating that God was the builder of the Corinthian church]."
"So while we must properly appreciate what ministers do, if they do it humbly and faithfully, we must remember, and they must remember, that they are merely earthly vessels. Sometimes their work will prosper, and sometimes it will seem to languish (although the seed grows secretly). It will all depend on God's activity, without which their work is useless. And sometimes work will seem to prosper which is earthly work and not heavenly work at all. But anything worthwhile that comes out of it will be God's work, not theirs. It will be accomplished through the word of the cross, not through the word of men."
Verse 8: "… and every man [and woman and child] shall receive his [or her] own reward [on judgment day] according to his [or her] own labour [referring to punishment in hell for unsaved people, and rewards in heaven for Christians (for what they did on earth for God)]."
Verse 13: "For such [men, like Paul had been talking about] are false apostles [false teachers], deceitful [dishonest, untrustworthy] workers [also known as imposters], transforming themselves into the apostles of [Jesus] Christ [i.e., pretending to be like them in what they think, say, and do]."
Verse 14: "And no marvel [no wonder]; for Satan himself [the 'prince of darkness'--an evil angel] is transformed into an angel of light [a good angel; in other words, he can change himself into almost any shape or form and appear to be something that he's not]."
Verse 15: "Therefore it is no great thing [it is not surprising] if his ministers [i.e., Satan's servants, or false teachers] also be transformed as [appear to be] the ministers [religious leaders] of righteousness [good]; whose end [final destiny, fate--referring to Satan's servants] shall be [ruin and destruction,] according to their works [of deception]."
"(3) we are not to sup pose [suppose] that all that appears to be piety is piety. Some of the most plausible appearances of piety are assumed by Satan and his ministers. None ever professed a profounder regard for the authority of God than Satan did when he tempted the Saviour. And if the prince of wickedness can appear to be an angel of light, we are not to be surprised if those who have the blackest hearts appear to be people of most eminent piety.
"(4) we should be on our guard. We should not listen to suggestions merely because they appear to come from a pious [religious] man, nor because they seem to be prompted by a regard to the will of God. We may be always sure that, if we are to be tempted, it will be by some one having a great appearance of virtue and religion."