Verse of the Day 12/31

Through the Bible - Malachi 3-4, Revelation 22

Good morning,
"Nothing is more strengthening to faith, stabilizing to the mind, and tranquilizing to the heart of a Christian--than for him to be enabled to discern his Father's hand guiding, shaping, and controlling everything which enters his life; and not only so, but that He is also governing this world, and all people and events in it. Alas, we are living in an age of terrible skepticism, when most of what happens is attributed to natural causes, while God is more and more banished from the world, in the consideration of His creatures. It is not only a fact that God governs the world in a general sense, but He also regulates all its affairs, and controls all creatures in it, "working all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11)." - Arthur Pink - Divine Providence

Look again at the first line of the statement above, don't we all need those things - strengthening of faith, stabilizing of the mind, and tranquilizing, quieting of the heart. December 31 is a day of looking back and looking forward. We can look back on how God has accomplished these things in our lives and we can look forward to Him doing so in the future, if we will draw upon, lean upon Him.

For today's verse we'll go to Colossians chapter 2:
Col 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. NKJV
or from The Message
Col 2:6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

These verses could do a lot for us if we applied them to our lives in the coming year. If you've received Christ, walk in Him. Doing so you will be rooted (think of the tree firmly planted Ps.1:3), built up, established, and abounding (overflowing) with thanksgiving. The last three - built up, established, and abounding are in the present tense and point to continual growth for those who truly will walk with Christ.

J.I. Packer writes that these verses " sum up the message of Colossians. Let Jesus Christ be everything to you, Paul says. Live in Him; acknowledge Him as the ground in which you are rooted and the one who builds you up in the church; the one for whom you should constantly give God thanks because of the wealth he has brought you."

I woke up this morning and for some reason this song was in my mind, it was fitting for the year end, looking back and looking ahead.

Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.

Ps 48:13-14
Then you can tell the next generation
detail by detail the story of God,
Our God forever,
who guides us till the end of time.

Let God guide you this coming year, and given the opportunity, tell the "next generation" about what He has done.

Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

Col 2:1-11

Not Philosophy but Christ

2 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.


NKJV