Verse of the Day 10/12

Through the Bible - Isaiah 51-53, 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

 

Good morning,

I'm sure that each of us has heard something about the "green movement" and sustainability.  Going to Wikopedia (I know it isn't an official definition) you find this:

Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the capacity to endure. In eology,  the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time. For humans it is the potential for long-term maintenance of wellbeing, which in turn depends on the wellbeing of the natural world and the responsible use of natural resources .

 

In our High School Bible study class this week we were looking at John chapter 6 where we'll go for today's verse.

John 6:26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."   NIV

The word that struck me was that word endures.  Never ending, an endless supply, that is available every day, is new every morning. 

 

As we went through the chapter we consideded the feeding of the 5000, we considered the manna that God gave to the Israelites in the desert.  They were resources that came from God.  God is the ulitmate authority of being "green".  He sustains us every day, we can be renewed every day from his abundant limitless supply.

 

We concluded our class with the following verses from that chapter.

 

John 6:66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?"

 

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."   NKJV

 

If you have some time read through the chapter.  Perhaps a portion each day for the next several days.  Look for God's formula "sustainability" seeking Him for the strength for the day, for each passing moment.  I was reminded of the old hymn "Day by Day and with Each Passing Moment.

 

1. Day by day, and with each passing moment,
   Strength I find to meet my trials here;
   Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
   I've no cause for worry or for fear.
   He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
   Gives unto each day what He deems best,
   Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
   Mingling toil with peace and rest.
2. Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
   With a special mercy for each hour;
   All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
   He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r.
   The protection of His child and treasure
   Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
   "As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,"
   This the pledge to me He made.
3. Help me then, in every tribulation,
   So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
   That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,
   Offered me within Thy holy Word.
   Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
   E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
   One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
   Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

The strength that God supplies endures.  It is for today, he will provide it tomorrow and it will endure to eternity.  All the other things that we strive for will pass away.  But His love, mercy, and compassion will endure forever.  What other verses or passages come to your mind to reinforce this?

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

John 6:22-41

 

The Bread from Heaven

 

22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone —  23 however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks —  24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?"

 

26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.  27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

 

28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"

 

29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

 

30 Therefore they said to Him,"What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'"

 

32 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

 

34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always."

 

35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."

 

NKJV