Verse of the Day 10/31

Verse of the Day 10/31

2 Timothy 3:14-15 New International Version

14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Our Men's Tuesday Bible study will be in Hebrews chapter 4 this week where in verse 12 we read that the "word of God is living and active".  It is not something that we take in or even memorize and let it lay dormant until we feel that "we need it".  It is to be at work in our lives, and if it is to be at work we have to be in it, drawing upon it, thinking about it and with the Help of the Holy Spirit, guiding our thoughs and actions,

In today's passage Paul tells us that the word, the scriptures were "God breathed", inspired by God to equip us for every good work.  There are all kinds of things that vie for our attention, calliing out to us to follow, but we must not give in, instead, hold on and continue in the things that we have learned, they will carry us on to the end, which is our salvation inn Jesus Christ.

The Word, the Bible is God's truth spoken to us, we should listen to the voice of truth.  Don't listen to other voices, as for you "choose to listen and believe the voice of Truth."

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (Calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

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

2 Timothy 3:10-17

New International Version

A Final Charge to Timothy

10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Verse of the Day 10/3

Verse of the Day 10/30

1 Peter 1:24-25

New International Version

24 For,

"All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever."

And this is the word that was preached to you.

Right now here in North Carolina I would say that the fall colors are at their peak.  The trees are gold, yellow, red and all shades in between.  But soon, within a few weeks the trees will be down and will be piled up along the streets waiting to be picked up.  (No more burning here).

Being a senior citizen it is easy to realize that life is short and that we are not what we used to be.  We should enjoy each season in life but we should always plan for the future, our eternal future.  Even savings and 401k's will lose thier significance when we come to the end. We are to live like this world is not our home, it is a temporary residence and that our eternal home where things won't fade, won't rust, won't wear out.

God's Word on the other hand is eternal.  It never fades, it never loses it's significance, and it never loses it's power. May we learn to trust in and rely on it each day of our lives, it will never fade, it will retain it's beauty here and now and for eternity.

The Word is living
The Word is light
The Word delights my soul
Preserves my life
Holy and hidden
Forever true
The perfect sacrifice
Our Lord…Jesus Christ

The Word is wisdom
The Word is true
The Word takes all that's old
And makes it new
When hearts are broken
He makes them whole
The One who paid the price
Our Lord…Jesus Christ

The Word is calling
Time and again
The Word is grieving still
For those in sin
Come now believing
This Word is true
The cross speaks this advice
"Trust Me…Jesus Christ".                  (The Word - Steve Green)

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

1 Peter 1:13-25

New International Version

Be Holy

13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."[a]

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

"All people are like grass,
    and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever."[c]

And this is the word that was preached to you.

Verse of the Day 10/27

Verse of the Day 10/27

Psalm 5:3

New King James Version

3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;

In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.

Your probably heard a response from someone when asking the question "how are things going?", "things are looking up".  It points to a turn around but also indicates their focus, looking forward.  All to often, when we are down we tend to focus on the situation at hand, worse yet we may wallow in it and not seek outside help including the most important source, seeking God.

In the beginning of this pslam, David is crying out to God, while doing so and recording it, he reveals his standard response to such feelings.  Day by day, morning by morning, he seeks the Lord.  As he states in today's verse he "looks up" to God" and away from the circumstances.

Pastor James Smith writes: 

Look up!

This was the Psalmist's determination in the morning, and it should be ours.

Preserved and protected through the night, we should look up with gratitude and praise our God for His goodness.

Aware of our dependence and needs, we should look up and beg mercies of our Almighty God for the new-born day.

Sensible of our foes and dangers, we should look up and pray to be kept, guided, and sanctified by our ever-present God.

If we look within, it will dispirit us;

if we look around, it may distract us;

if we look back, it may awaken fears;

if we look forward, it may arouse foreboding!

But if we look UP to God, it will preserve . . .

the head from swimming,

the heart from sinking,

the feet from slipping, and

the hands from hanging down! 

James Smith's words remind me of the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" which comes from the midpoint of the book of Lamentations, where the writer is doing the same thing, "looking up", and praising God for what He will do based on what He has done in the past.

1. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
   There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
   Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
   As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
   • Refrain:
     Great is Thy faithfulness!
     Great is Thy faithfulness!
     Morning by morning new mercies I see:
     All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
     Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
   Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
   Join with all nature in manifold witness
   To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
   Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
   Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow—
   Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Read the passage below.  Sing the hymn in your mind our out loud, may you "look up", pray to the Lord and praise the Lord.

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

Psalm 5:1-8

New King James Version

A Prayer for Guidance

To the Chief Musician. With [a]flutes. A Psalm of David.

5 Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my [b]meditation.
2 Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You I will pray.
3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness,
Nor shall evil [c]dwell with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight;
You hate all workers of iniquity.
6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.

Verse of the Day 10/26

Verse of the Day 10/26

Hebrews 3:1-2

English Standard Version

3 Therefore, holy brothers,[a] you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house.

The heading for this passage in Hebrews 3 is "Jesus is Greater than Moses."  Through the ages people have had to decide who the will follow, who they will listen to and obey. In the book of Hebrews they were dealing with Moses, Abraham and angels, among others, but is Jesus who is truly "greater", it is He that we should listen to and obey.

There are many self help books that we can turn to today, many that have made a living giving advice, telling us what we should or shouldn't do.  They may sound good and compelling, but how do they line up with what Jesus has said and taught?

A.W. Tozer writes, "Anyone who wishes to check on his true spiritual condition may do so by noting what his voluntary thoughts have been over the last hours or days. What has he thought about, when free to think of what he pleased? Toward what has his inner heart turned, when it was free to turn where it would?"

Where has your heart been turned, what has captured your thoughts , or who have you been listening to?  We are called to listen and believe the One who is greatest, who speaks the voice of truth..

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again, "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.    (Casting Crowns - The Voice of Truth)

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

Hebrews 3:1-4

English Standard Version

Jesus Greater Than Moses

3 Therefore, holy brothers,[a] you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's[b]

Heb 3:1-4 ESV - - Bible Gateway

 house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.)

Verse of the Day 10/23

Verse of the Day 10/23

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

English Standard Version

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

The old song, "Home on the Range" said, "where seldom is heard a discouraging word", it would be good if that could be said of us, all the days of our lives.  It is not that we won't face challenges, trials and times of discouragement, but for the Christian there is hope for tomorrow and hope for eternity in Christ.  This hope does not come natrually, but as Paul points out in this letter, hope comes through the grace of God.  This grace will comfort and "establish" our hearts.

We should be encouraged by the verses and should be inspired to encourage others today.  We should aslo be encouraged in our hearts to praise Him.  The old Fanny Crosby hymn comes to mind.  Read it, sing along in your heart or out loud.  May we ever stand firm in our faith, be in joyful song for He is our Rock and our hope of eternal salvation.

1. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
   Sing, O earth—His wonderful love proclaim!
   Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
   Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
   Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
   In His arms He carries them all day long.
   • Refrain:
     Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
     Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!
2. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
   For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
   He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
   Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.
   Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows,
   Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong.
3. Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
   Heav'nly portals loud with hosannas ring!
   Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever;
   Crown Him! Crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King!
   Christ is coming! over the world victorious,
   Pow'r and glory unto the Lord belong

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

2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

English Standard Version

Stand Firm

13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits[a] to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17 comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.