Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Verse of the Day 11/30

 
Jeremiah 17:7-8    "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
    whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
    that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
    for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
    for it does not cease to bear fruit."  English Standard Version (ESV)
 
Yesterday we considered "the path of life" in Psalm  16, realizing  that  our life is  a journey a pilgrimage of following  Christ.  Today's verses refers to God followers as being  firmly planted.   Along  that path of  our  lifetime we will be planted in different places, the key is that  "trusting in the  Lord".  Our society tends to approve of and praise the  independent person, the self-sufficient, the achiever the ones who trust in themselves and don't want to, and feel they don't need help from anyone, let  alone God.  They look at those who trust in God as people  who  need a crutch, something to help boost them  up.
 
The Message in  verse 5 starts out  by saying  "cursed is the strong one", thinking that they can get by on their  own  strength they are setting  themselves up for a fall and when they do,  like  Humpty Dumpty they'll fall to pieces and won't be able  to pull themselves  together again.  Some  of  us may have  been  there  ourselves at some point in our  lives.
 
The firmly planted  tree has deep roots, roots  that  find  access  to  the  stream even in  the  droughts of summer.  He is sustained by what lies beneath the surface and may not be visible to others, but his life  gives evidence to the source.  The  "tumbleweed on  the  prairie" (v.6)  has no roots.  When the  drought comes it  dries up and  is uprooted and  blown away by the wind.
 
The  author  of Hebrews saw the  same  thing that the  prophet  Jeremiah  did, we are to trust,  to have faith in what  we do not  see.
 

Faith in What We Don't See

11 1-2 The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.  Hebrews 11:1-2  The Message (MSG)
If  you have some  time  over  the next couple  of  days, read through Hebrews 11, the "Hall of  Faith".  You'll  see a list of people who didn't trust in  themselves but  leaned and trusted in God,  lived by faith,  and  were  blessed by God.  May it be the same  with us.
 
 
Blessings,
 
Mike
 

Jeremiah 17:5-8The Message (MSG)

5-6 God's Message:
"Cursed is the strong one
    who depends on mere humans,
Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone
    and sets God aside as dead weight.
He's like a tumbleweed on the prairie,
    out of touch with the good earth.
He lives rootless and aimless
    in a land where nothing grows.
7-8 "But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
    the woman who sticks with God.
They're like trees replanted in Eden,
    putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
    never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts,
    bearing fresh fruit every season.
 

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Verse of the Day 11/29


 
Psalm 16:11    You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.   English Standard Version (ESV)
 
Many of the psalms are broken  up  by  the  word "selah" which means  to pause  and  think calmly about that.  This  psalm does not have that, but  reading this verse yesterday had that effect on me.  As I read those words I had to stop and reflect on those  words  and  what  they mean to  me.
 
We have heard and read many things  about  the  Christian "walk",  the  path  that we are on.  One  of  the most read books of all  time is  John  Bunyan's  "Pilgrim's  Progress" which is  an allegory  of  life  along  that  path, there were ups and downs, but the overall  trajectory of  that sojourn was upward  and  onward.  So it should be  with our  lives.  Wherever you are in life, God  has placed  you on  that  path and as you look  back you may see places  where you  have wandered or  strayed  but God has brought  you  back.  You will  also  see in  looking  back, that those  times of  "fullness and joy" when you felt His presence, His guidance and direction in your  life, as if  He were right there His right hand right there to take a hold of to lead you as His child.
 
I love the way The  Message  puts  it in verses 7 and  8 of the  psalm:
7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake
    is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I'll stick with God;
    I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.
 
May it be the attitude of our  hearts today wherever we find  ourselves  along  this  path of  life.  John Eldredge writes in "Fathered by God", "our life  is  a quest, my brothers, arranged  by our Father,  for  our  initiation.   There are gifts along the way to  remind  us  that  we are his beloved sons."  May our "quest",  like John Bunyan's be upward and onward, realizing that  it is  our  initiation  for an eternal future in  His presence.
 
Read the passage from Psalm 16 from  The Message  below.  May  we say:
 
5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only.
    And now I find I'm your choice!
 
Blessings,
 
Mike
 
Psalm 16:5-11The Message (MSG)
5-6 My choice is you, God, first and only.
    And now I find I'm your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
    And then you made me your heir!
7-8 The wise counsel God gives when I'm awake
    is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I'll stick with God;
    I've got a good thing going and I'm not letting go.
9-10 I'm happy from the inside out,
    and from the outside in, I'm firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
    that's not my destination!
11 Now you've got my feet on the life path,
    all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
    I'm on the right way.
 
 
 



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Sunday, November 27, 2016

Verse of the Day 11/27

Verse of the Day 11/27   

Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read today's verse in my devotions this morning I thought that it was a good one to transition from Thanksgiving to Advent and on to Christmas.  We are truly to remain thankful at all times, it is to be in our hearts, part of who we are.  Today's verse in the Amplified Bible expands on the thought, reminding us that we should allow God's Word to "permeate every aspect of our being", doing "everyting in the name of the Lord and in dependence on Him".

Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, many of you may have sung the hymn "Give Thanks", written by Henry Smith.  As we head towards Christmas we should continually give thanks with grateful hearts because of what the Lord has done for us.

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because he's given Jesus
Christ, his Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because he's given Jesus
Christ, his Son
And now, let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich"
Because of what the Lord has done for us
Give thanks

The Christmas season will be filled with singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs about Jesus.  May we pay attention to the words of each of these as we sing and listen to them, may they put us and keep us in "the mood" for Christmas.

In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Colossians 3:16-20Amplified Bible (AMP)

16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

  

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Verse of the Day 11/24

Verse of the Day 11/24

2 Corinthians 9:15Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!  New International Version (NIV)

In The Message the passage in 2 Corinthians where we find today's verse begins with "God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways", that thought is what is behind Thanksgiving here in the United States.  This day was established to thank God for His blessings upon us as a nation and as individuals.  Many today, before they begin their meals will go around the table to tell those gathered one thing  that they are thankful for this season.

I believe it was Thomas Watson who wrote:

For Christ who came from Heaven above,
For the cross and His redeeming love,
For His mighty power to seek and save,
For His glorious triumph o'er the grave.
For the lovely mansions in the sky,
For His blessed coming bye and bye--
I give Thee humble thanks.

Part of that giving thanks is to share of His grace, His mercy, His provision with others.

"This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God." 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 The Message

Celebrate the time you have today with family and friends, rejoice and give thanks.

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich
Because of what the Lord has done for us"
--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

2 Corinthians 9:10-15The Message (MSG)

8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
    giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
    never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

12-15 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!

  

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Verse of the Day 11/23

Verse of the Day 11/23

1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.    English Standard Version (ESV) 

For today's verse we'll return one more time to 1 Thessalonians 5 and these "short" memory verses that are long on meaning.  The preceding verse (21) that we are to test everything and hold on to what is good.  I like the way The Message puts it "don't be gullible... check out everything, and keep only what's good."  The testing is evaluating, making a sound judgement in our activities which are based of fulfilling our wants and desires.

The ESV states that we are to "abstain";  other translations say "avoid", "stay away from" and "reject" every form of evil.  I've served on church boards and the boards of other organizations.  When a decision is to be made the call goes out for a vote, most often a verbal vote "all in favor", "opposed" and "abstain" are the options.  The decision to abstain is not to vote for either one, not being able to go along with either of the choices.  In my experience it is not often done, but when a vote is made to abstain, the question is often asked "why".  It is one of the benefits in abstaining from "evil".  People may ask why we are not joining in, partaking in some activity or cause and we may have an opportunity to share our position, that of a Christian, a follower of Christ.

The Message challenges us to "throw out anything tainted with evil".  How much better off would we be if we memorized and put into practice this simple verse "abstain from every evil".

In Galatians 5 from The Message, Paul gives us an idea of what this looks like:

Galatians 5:19-24The Message (MSG)

19-21 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.

22-23 But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

May we "check out" and examine everything, avoiding the evil, if we do so by God's grace we'll make better decisions,  "able to marshal and direct our energies wisely".
--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 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 5:20-24The Message (MSG)

19-22 Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

23-24 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

  

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Verse of the Day 11/22

Verse of the Day 11/22

1 Thessalonians 5:19  Do not quench the Spirit.  English Standard Version (ESV)

For today's verse we've returned to 1 Thessalonians 5 to Paul's benediction to the church in which he gives them and us a number of short statements that should be easy to memorize but difficult to continually put into practice.  Most often we probably think of the word "quench" in relation to satisfying or putting out a thirst or perhaps a fire.  The Holy Spirit is what sets our hearts afire in devotion and service to our Lord, it is something that we don't want to be quenched our squelched.

The Message below says "don't suppress the Spirit" and "don't stifle".  It is a picture of restricting something, keeping it  from showing it's full colors or being evident in full measure.  John MacArthur writes that "the fire of God's Spirit is not to be doused with sin."  When you think about it, sin is the biggest thing to quench or  douse the Spirit.  It can happen from sins of "commission", things that we do; or "omission", not doing the things that the Spirit has prompted to do but we decide not to do.

Paul writes elsewhere that we are not to "grieve" the Holy Spirit but be controlled by it, yielding to His promptings, which is walking by the Spirit.   We may not be able to quickly memorize the "verses" that go along with it, but hopefully, we can memorize this short verse and allow us to recall what it means to us and for us.

Ephesians 4:30" And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."   English Standard Version (ESV)

Ephesians 5:18 "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,"   New Living Translation (NLT)

Galatians 5:16"So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves."  New Living Translation (NLT)

If the Holy Spirit prompts you to do something for someone today, don't quench the Spirit, act upon it, do it.  To God be the glory.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 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 5:19-22The Message (MSG)

19-22 Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.