Verse of the Day 5/31

 

Acts 4:20  But we [ourselves] cannot help telling what we have seen and heard.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Have you ever gone somewhere, perhaps on a wonderful vacation, seen a great 7th game of a World Series, or perhaps been delivered, cured from a disease or injury and couldn't wait to tell friends and family about it?  That is the attitude of the heart of Peter and John in Acts 4.  Nothing could stand in their way, not even the threat of being thrown (back) in jail.  They had to tell it, they had a case of what an old preacher called "the can't help it's".

 

The events that I described earlier may we worth telling to others.  But how about the things that God has done for us in our lives.  Acts of love, mercy and grace in saving, healing and delivering us.  Do you make telling of the "matchless grace of Jesus a part of your speech?

 

Read the words to the old hymn "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" below, sing it in your heart or out loud if you know the tune.  May it inspire you to have a case of the "can't help its", to tell others of what you have seen, heard and experienced in Jesus.

 

Wonderful grace of Jesus, greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it, where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden, setting my spirit free,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned, saved to the uttermost;
Chains have been torn asunder, giving me liberty,
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

Wonderful grace of Jesus, reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power, making him God's dear child.
Purchasing peace and heaven for all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

REFRAIN: Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,
All-sufficient grace for even me;
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame;
O magnify the precious name of Jesus, praise His name!

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Acts 4:19-21

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, ²⁰ for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." ²¹ And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened.

Verse of the Day 5/30

Verse of the Day 5/30      

 

Romans 15:13  May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

 

In yesterday's verse the Old Testament prophet encouraged his hearers then and now to "seek righteousness" which is to be in right standing before God and to "seek humility".  It calls for putting our faith into practice.  Seeking is not passive, it is active, it requires effort.  But it is not an effort that is tedious, boring, or dull, it is seeking in order to win the prize as the apostle Paul would put it.  It is effort that enables us to experience, hope, "with all joy and peace in believing" spoken of in today's verse.

 

Thomas Brooks in "Heaven on Earth" writes, "He who honors Christ by believing, by fresh and frequent acts of faith upon Christ, him will Christ certainly honor and secure by setting his seal and mark upon him, and by assuring him of an unshakable kingdom, incorruptable riches, and an unfading crown of glory......That is, while you are in the exercise and actings of faith, the God of hope shall fill you with that joy that is "unspeakable and full of glory."

 

Would those last words of the Amplified version describe you, "bubbling over with hope"?  It speaks of someone who is "experiencing their faith".  Oh that he would fill me, may the God of hope fill us with His Spirit to the point that we are bubbling over.

 

Keep believing in what you know is true, keep believing - you know the Lord will see you through.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Romans 15:12-14

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² And again Isaiah says,

"The root of Jesse will come,
    even he who arises to rule the Gentiles;
in him will the Gentiles hope."

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Paul the Minister to the Gentiles

¹⁴ I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers,^[a] that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.

Verse of the Day 5/29

 

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
    you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
    perhaps you will be sheltered
    on the day of the Lord's anger. New International Version (NIV)

 

I read today's verse in a devotional this morning.  It is one that makes you stop and take notice.  The passage speaks of a "shameless" nation and today's verse speaks of what one of his followers should do in such a situation.

 

When you see all of the turmoil around us in this world today and even in our nation with the scandals in government, the things that people take a stand, fight and lobby for that are contrary to God's Word and will, you wonder how long he will put up with it, put up with us, before doing something.

 

As Christians we should take this verse to heart and act upon it.  We are called to seek righteousness, which is being in right standing with God, acting, living and walking according to His Word and His will.  We are to do so in humility, not acting proudly, but humbly doing right.  This doesn't mean that we are to live our faith in secret, as secret agent Christians, but that we live in love and mercy, showing compassion, to walk as Jesus walked.  In doing so, "perhaps we will be sheltered" when the Lord reveals His anger.

 

May we be able to say, I  "Live What I Believe"

These are the days 
For the children of faith 
To stand up and be counted 
Now is the time 
For the light in us to shine 
On whoever's around it

One life can be the proof 
Of the hope that is You

I'm gonna live what I believe 
I'm gonna walk that line 
If it costs me everything 
I'm gonna stand for what is right 
So that everyone can see 
It's Jesus that they need 
I'm gonna live what I believe   - Russ Lee

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Zephaniah 2:1-3

English Standard Version (ESV)

Judgment on Judah's Enemies

2 Gather together, yes, gather,
    O shameless nation,
² before the decree takes effect^[a]
    —before the day passes away like chaff—
before there comes upon you
    the burning anger of the Lord,
before there comes upon you
    the day of the anger of the Lord.
³ Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
    who do his just commands;^[b]
seek righteousness; seek humility;
    perhaps you may be hidden
    on the day of the anger of the Lord.

Verse of the Day 5/28

     

Deuteronomy 8:18  But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.  New International Version (NIV)

 

We've just come off of Memorial Day where we have remembered the sacrifice of those who have served our country to give us the freedoms that we enjoy.  Today's verse calls us to remember the Lord our God, who has given us all we have including the strength to serve and the strength to work.

 

In this day and age we don't consider covenants all that much.  Sometimes we have covenants in homeowners associations which put restrictions on what we can do with our homes and our yards.  The are only valid as long as the association remains in tact and is willing to enforce the rules.  We live in an age of contracts, I'll do this if you do that for a specified period of time.  Thankfully, we don't enter into a contract with God for our salvation.  It is not something that we have to worry about enforcing or expiring.  Even if we fail, God holds up His end of the covenant.

 

Take some time today to remember the Lord our God, thank Him for the strength to work, thanks Him for all His blessings.  Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, remember what God has done.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Deuteronomy 8:17-19

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁷ Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' ¹⁸ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. ¹⁹ And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.

Verse of the Day 5/27

 

James 2:10  For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Most of us have probably had the experience of breaking a window.  Not just cracking it, but having it shattered.  Perhaps the best example is that of a car side window.  When they break, they normally shatter in a thousand pieces.  There is no way to put it back together. 

Reading today's verse in the ESV, the words that jumped out at me were "has become accountable".  We may have areas of our lives where we are in control and wouldn't sin.  However, we all have weaknesses, and have sinned.  These sins have the same effect on our relationship with God without Christ, it has been shattered.  John MacArthur writes, "The law of God is not like a series of detached injunctions but a basic unity that requires perfect love of Him and our neighbors.  Although all sins are not equally damaging or heinous, that all shatter that unity and render men as transgressors, much like hitting a window with a hammer at only one point will shatter and destroy the whole window."

 

We have all "shattered" the window.   Romans 3:23 comes to mind.  Thankfully,  Jesus took our sins and put them on His account, redeeming us to be His own and we have Romans 3:24 to look at.  While we can't put the pieces back together in our relationship, Jesus Christ can.

 

Romans 3:21-24  But in our time something new has been added. What Moses and the prophets witnessed to all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we've compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we're in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.  The Message (MSG)

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

James 2:9-11

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁹ But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. ¹⁰ For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. ¹¹ For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Verse of the Day 5/26

 

1 Thessalonians 2:4  but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

It seems to be the case more and more in today's society that politicians have become people pleasers.  They say things, develop policies designed to please as many people as possible in order to secure votes and keep the party in power, in control.  Seldom do we see someone who is willing to take a stand in what they believe in even though it may be contrary to the winds of public opinion.

 

Paul looked at himself as someone "entrusted" with the gospel, the truth, and was compelled to hold to it, not to please people but to please God.  He called for his readers to do the same and he calls on us to follow in that tradition this day.  Just how do we go about doing that and putting our faith into action?  It is by seeking His will through His Word and in prayer, calling upon Father, Son and Holy Spirit to do their work in our lives.

 

An old hymn came to mind as I thought about that.  "Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart".  May it be our prayer to follow Him more closely this day.

 

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;  wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;  stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art,  and make me love thee as I ought to love.	

  Has thou not bid me love thee, God and King?  All, all thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.  I see thy cross; there teach my heart to cling.  O let me seek thee, and O let me find.

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

1 Thessalonians 2:3-5

The Message (MSG)

No Hidden Agendas

^3-5 God tested us thoroughly to make sure we were qualified to be trusted with this Message. Be assured that when we speak to you we're not after crowd approval—only God approval. Since we've been put through that battery of tests, you're guaranteed that both we and the Message are free of error, mixed motives, or hidden agendas. We never used words to butter you up. No one knows that better than you. And God knows we never used words as a smoke screen to take advantage of you.

Verse of the Day 5/25

 

Psalm 51:6  Behold, You desire truth in the inner being; make me therefore to know wisdom in my inmost heart.   Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

In place of truth, other translations use such words as integrity, faithfulness and honesty, they all basically mean the same thing.  As I read this in my devotions this morning I couldn't help but think of the many high ranking public officials who have testified before congress, the press, and on national television who said one thing and then within days, weeks or months came back before the same people with a totally different answer.  When this happens they lose their credibility, honor and respect.

 

It may sound strange, but the words to an old Styx song came to mind:

You're fooling yourself if you don't believe it,

You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it.

 

If you know the truth, but try to hide it, burry it or avoid it, you are only fooling or kidding yourself if you don't believe and hold to it.  As Christians we know the truth about Christ and God's Word reveals to us the truth about ourselves.  But how often do we try to hide the truth that has been revealed to us about God's plan for ourselves?

 

How can you be such an angry young man,

When your future looks quite bright to me,

How can there be such a sinister plan

That could hide such a lamb, such a caring young man

 

You're fooling yourself if you don't believe it,

You're kidding yourself if you don't believe it.

 

It's easy to point fingers at politicians and public officials.  But what about us?  If you have the time read Psalm 51 in which God revealed to David the truth about himself, it enabled God to do a genesis work in him, giving him a true, clean heart.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Psalm 51:6-15

The Message (MSG)

6 What you're after is truth from the inside out.
    Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

^7-15 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,
    scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
    set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don't look too close for blemishes,
    give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
    shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
    or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
    put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
    so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
    and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
    I'll let loose with your praise.

Verse of the Day 5/24

1 John 2:17  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.  New Living Translation (NLT)

Largely due to the help of a friend, I recently dropped a new engine into my 1977 Corvette.  I'd wanted to restore it for several years, recently it needed major repairs and it was a good time to do it.  It has many shiny new parts and runs great.  It will probably outlast me, but it won't last forever.

 

Today's verse mentions the things that people crave.  Other translations use the words desire, evil desires or lusts.  These can be anything that catches our attention and take our eyes off of our goal, our purpose in life, that of following our Savior. These things we crave or desire won't last forever, but if we turn to Jesus and live for Him through faith, we will live forever, far outlasting the passing vanities of this world.  In that future life, all of the things here that attract our attention, whether they be vanities or sorrows,  will grow "strangely dim".

 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

 

His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 John 2:16-18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Warnings Against Denying the Son

¹⁸ Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.

Verse of the Day 5/23

Colossians 2:7-8  Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful.

⁸ Be sure that no one leads you away with false and empty teaching that is only human, which comes from the ruling spirits of this world, and not from Christ.   New Century Version (NCV)

In today's passage Paul is telling us of the Christian walk, how we conduct ourselves and what it is that regulates our lives.  No matter what we say, something is regulating, having an influence on us and is directing the course of our lives.  Today's verses indicate that for us, it is being rooted, built up, and established in Him, receiving and applying His teachings, being strong in the faith and being thankful.  That's a mouthful, no that is a Spirit filled Christian.

 

The NCV version above starts the verse out with "keep your roots deep".  We have to stay rooted in Him for us to grow, mature, flourish and produce fruit.  I recently planted some flowers.  Some of the holes I dug were better than others.  It will be interesting to see if there will be a difference in the flowers as the summer progresses.  There were a few plants that were already wilted, I did not plant these.  Without any kind of root those plants will not grow, they will die.

 

We have the choice every day whether or not to keep our roots deep and keep being fed.  We can also be led astray and be uprooted by following fads, false "feel good" teachings, that are not rooted in the gospel.  What will it be for us today, each day?

 

Read the passage from the Amplified Bible below.  May it challenge you to "keep your roots deep".

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Colossians 2:6-8

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁶ As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.

⁷ Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.

⁸ See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men's ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).

Verse of the Day 5/22

 

Micah 7:18-19 )Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
    and passing over transgression
    for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
    because he delights in steadfast love.
¹⁹ He will again have compassion on us;
    he will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
    into the depths of the sea.   English Standard Version

Many people avoid the Old Testament feeling that it portrays God as a God of anger and wrath.  Today's verses go against that argument.  The prophet Micah starts off with a question "who is a God like you"?  The question is actually a play on the prophets own name which is a shortened version of Micaiah, which means "who is like the Lord".  He answers the question by listing some of God's attributes and character qualities.

 

He pardons, passes over willful disobedience on our part, doesn't remain angry but shows compassion, mercy and steadfast love and tosses the record of our transgressions to the depths of the sea.  As we've considered many times before, He accomplished this, showed His love for us in sending His Son, Jesus to deliver us, to redeem us, that we might live with Him  in fellowship for eternity by grace through faith. (John 3:16-17).

 

Charles Spurgeon writes, "cast the burdens of the present, along with the sins of the past and the fear of the future, upon the Lord, who forsakes not his saints."  The burdens start with our sins and transgressions but also include our hopes and fears for the present and future.  Remember today that He "delights" in showing His steadfast love.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Micah 7:18-20

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁸ Who is a God like You, Who forgives iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy and loving-kindness.

¹⁹ He will again have compassion on us; He will subdue and tread underfoot our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

²⁰ You will show Your faithfulness and perform the sure promise to Jacob and loving-kindness and mercy to Abraham, as You have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Verse of the Day 5/21

 

John 8:12  Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."   English Standard Version (ESV)
 

I recently purchased a new cordless drill and screwdriver.  The battery pack on my old one no longer took a charge.  A feature on the new one was that every time you pull the trigger a light comes on so that you can see what you are drilling into.  When in tight places it helps not to be drilling or driving blind.

 

Today's read through the Bible plan brought me to today's verse.  For us Christians, Jesus is the light of life.   He is with us all the time and if we pull the trigger, seek Him, He will lead us in the way we should go.  His light will shine on our way and help us see what we are drilling or driving into in the circumstances of our lives.

 

Unfortunately, at some point, my new cordless drills battery pack will also fail to take a charge and the whole thing will end up in the trash heap.  Fortunately for us, His love, His light, never fails.  He will lead, He will guide our way, shine the light on our path all of our days.  His word is enough for us, unlike the Pharisees who "needed more than this to go on" (see below).

                       

Blessings,
Mike
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John 8:11-13

The Message (MSG)

¹¹ "No one, Master."

"Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."

You're Missing God in All This

¹² Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."

¹³ The Pharisees objected, "All we have is your word on this. We need more than this to go on."

Verse of the Day 5/20

 

 

Isaiah 43:25  "I, I am he
    who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
    and I will not remember your sins.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Our Pastor Bob started a new series this weekend with the title "Graceonomics" which will delve, deeply I'm sure, into the subject of God's grace.

 

Today's verse is an Old Testament vision of that grace, showing God's willingness to blot out the record of Israel's and our sins and exchange it for His favor His grace, a right relationship with Him.

 

I read the following quote yesterday about the subject of God's grace.   "[Grace is] my favorite word in the lexicon of the English language.  It's a word I'm depending on.  The universe operates by Karma, we all know that.  For every action there's an equal and opposite reaction.  There is some atonement built in: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.  Then enters Grace and turns that upside down.  I love it.  I'm not talking about people being graceful in their actions but just covering over the cracks.  Christ's ministry really was a lot to do with pointing out how everybody is a screw-up in some shape or form, there's no way around it.  But then He was to say, well, I am going to deal with those sins for you.  I will take on Myself all the consequences of sin.  Even if you're not religious, I think you'd accept that there are consequences to all the mistakes we make.  And so Grace enters the picture to say, I'll take the blame, I'll carry the cross.  It is a powerful idea.  Grace interrupting Karma."  Bono, in U2 by U2 (London, 2006), page 300

 

The world has its own idea of how the world works, the "exchange" described as Karma.  Aren't you glad that God has a better idea?   It is called grace and it came in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

John 1:14,16-17  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth... ¹⁶ For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.^[a] 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.English Standard Version (ESV)

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Isaiah 43:24-26

English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁴ You have not bought me sweet cane with money,
    or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins;
    you have wearied me with your iniquities.

²⁵ "I, I am he
    who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
    and I will not remember your sins.
²⁶ Put me in remembrance; let us argue together;
    set forth your case, that you may be proved right.

Verse of the Day 5/19

 

Revelation 7:13-14 Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"

¹⁴ And I said to him, "Sir,^[a] you know."

So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.  New King James Version (NKJV)

 

I have friends and family members that battle chronic pain from from long term illnesses and injuries.  The perseverance and joy that is seen and flows from their lives are an inspiration to those that know them and are a testimony  to the One whom they serve.  Today's verses focus on persecution through tribulation, but I believe that these other circumstances can be taken into account as well.

 

Today's verses give those who persevere something to look forward to, knowing that their Lord and Savior knows what they are going through and will reward them for their faith and testimony.

 

J.R. Miller writes, "In John's vision the noble saints, shining in white garments and bearing the symbols of battle and victory, had come, not out of ease and soft circumstances; not out of experiences of luxury, from cozy homes, from favored spots and congenial conditions. Rather they had won their nobleness . . .
in hard circumstances,
in fierce struggles,
in sharp temptations,
in bitter sorrows,
in keen sufferings.

Some of us grow impatient of our difficulties and hardships. We brood over them, and come to think that we have not been fairly dealt with by God. Some of us resent our trials, and think that God has not been kind or just with us. ...Those who have the battles and the trials, and overcome in them, shall wear white robes and carry palm branches. They shall be among the victors at the last. Nothing noble is attained easily. The crowns of life, can only be won on the fields of struggle!"

If you know someone that is in the midst of one of these battles today, pray for them, but more than that, reach out to them, encourage them and let them know that others notice, and most importantly, their heavenly Father notices and will reward them for their faith and perseverance in these times.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Revelation 7:13-15

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"

¹⁴ And I said to him, "Sir,^[a] you know."

So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.

Verse of the Day 5/17

 

Isaiah 46:4  Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.  New International Version (NIV)

 

Reading this verse this morning caused me to stop and think.  I am 55 years old, but for the most part, I don't feel old.  I still have the strength to push our son Jeff up and down the hills of the neighborhood and to go swimming with my grandchildren and do many chores around the house.  In fact, I probably feel better today than I did a couple of years ago.  But the gray hairs on my head, higher in number every day, reveal that I am getting older.  The verse made me realize and appreciate too, that I didn't get to this place on my own and I will not get to my final destination on my own.  Physically and spiritually, my heavenly Father will sustain and carry me.

 

J. R. Miller writes,  " As we grow older there should be a constant gaining, never a losing in our spiritual life. Every year should find us living on a higher plane than the year before. Old age should always be the best of life, not marked by spiritual emptiness and decay--but by nobler fruitfulness and more gracious beauty. Paul was growing old, when he spoke of forgetting things which are behind, and reaching forth to things ahead. His best was yet to be attained. So it should always be with Christian old age."

 

As we grow older as Christians we should still be pushing on, moving upward.  The going may not be easy, but He will sustain, carry and rescue as when we don't have the strength ourselves.  He will plant our feet on higher ground.

 

I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

• Refrain:
  Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
  By faith, on Heaven's tableland,
  A higher plane than I have found;
  Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

 

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Isaiah 46:3-5

New International Version (NIV)

³ "Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,
    all the remnant of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,
    and have carried since you were born.
⁴ Even to your old age and gray hairs
    I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
    I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

⁵ "With whom will you compare me or count me equal?
    To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?