Verse of the Day 5/14

Verse of the Day 5/14

Romans 15:4   For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.  English Standard Version

In today's society there are plenty of new ideas or theories that are being promoted or sometimes forced upon us, with the thought in mind of benefitting a segment of society.  The message of the Gospel is one of peace, one of hope one of joy anchored in the Word of God that has been with us from the beginning.

"New ideas" are not new in history and history reveals some of the danger of these ideas that are not rooted in God or His Word. The ideas if put into practice will be measured in the course of history by what they brought forth.

VIctor Frankl writes, "I am absolutely convinced that the gas chambers of Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Maidanek were ultimately prepared not in some ministry or other in Berlin, but rather at the desks and in the lecture halls of nihilistic scientists and philosophers."  ("Victor Frankl at Ninety: An Interview," in First Things, April 1995, p. 41.)  In other words, ideas have consequences — consequences that bless or destroy. People's behavior — good and bad — does not come out of nowhere. It comes from prevailing views of reality that take root in the mind and bring forth good or evil.  (John Piper)

Days may be darkest
But Your light is greater
You light our way God You light our way

When evil is rising
You're rising higher
With power to save With power to save

You keep hope alive, You keep hope alive
From the beginning to end Your word never fails
You keep hope alive Because You are alive
Jesus You are alive

There's hope in the morning
Hope in the evening
Hope because You're living
Hope because You're breathing
There's hope in the breaking
Hope in the Sorrow
Hope for this moment
My hope for tomorrow   (You Keep Hope Alive - Phillips, Craig and Dean)

The message of the Gospel is hope, it is good news, proven through history.

John Piper writes, "Hope is not some vague emotion that comes out of nowhere, like a stomachache. Hope is the confidence that the stupendous future promised to us by the word of the Spirit is going to really come true. Therefore, the way to be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with his word. The way to have the power of the Spirit is to believe the promises of his word."

Blessings, 

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

Romans 15:1-4

English Standard Version

15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." 4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.