Verse of the Day 2/27

Verse of the Day 2/27

Psalm 139:23-24

New King James Version

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

Today's verses came up in my daily reading in the Psalms. Many of us are familiar with them but that doesn't mean that we often ask the Lord to "search" our hearts.  It is actually a time of self searching, having God search and reveal to us what is in our hearts.  The key then is to purge those things from our lives.  That searching can and should make us uncorfortable.  

We often put off going to a doctor becaues we don't want to hear bad news that we may suspect is coming.  But without the examination we don't know for sure if there is anything that needs attention.

The philosopher Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." If a common philosopher could think that, how much more we Christians ought to listen to the Holy Spirit when He says, "Examine yourself." An unexamined Christian lies like an unattended garden. Let your garden go unattended for a few months, and you will not have roses and tomatoes but weeds. An unexamined Christian life is like an unkempt house. Lock your house up as tight as you will and leave it long enough, and when you come back you will not believe the dirt that got in from somewhere. An unexamined Christian is like an untaught child. A child that is not taught will be a little savage. It takes examination, teaching, instruction, discipline, caring, tending, weeding and cultivating to keep the life right. ( from: Rut, Rot or Revival: The Condition of the Church).

May we be able to sing this old hymn from our hearts.

1. Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
   Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
   See if there be some wicked way in me;
   Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
2. I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
   Fulfill Thy word and make me pure within;
   Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame;
   Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.
3. Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
   Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
   Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
   I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.
4. O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
   Send a revival, start the work in me;
   Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
   For blessings now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Psalm 139:17-24

New King James Version

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you [a]bloodthirsty men.
20 For they speak against You wickedly;
[b]Your enemies take Your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22 I hate them with 

perfect hatred;

I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

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

Verse of the Day 2/26

Verse of the Day 2/26

Acts 5:19-20

New King James Version

19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."

The Apostles had been arrested for preaching the gospel.  While there, an angel of the Lord delivered met them,, opened the prison doors and told them what he wanted them to do.  "Go", stand in the temple and procliam the words of this life", the life of being a Christ follower, serving Him and making Him famous.

We may not have been let out of a jail cell, or suffered any persecution for telling others about Christ, but we have been set free from the punishment of our sins, past, present, and future if we have put our faith and trust in Christ.  We should not hold back on speaking the "words of life".  

1. Sing them over again to me,
   Wonderful words of life;
   Let me more of their beauty see,
   Wonderful words of life.
   Words of life and beauty
   Teach me faith and duty;
   • Refrain:
     Beautiful words, wonderful words,
     Wonderful words of life;
     Beautiful words, wonderful words,
     Wonderful words of life.
2. Christ, the blessed One, gives to all
   Wonderful words of life;
   Sinner, list to the loving call,
   Wonderful words of life.
   All so freely given,
   Wooing us to heaven;
3. Sweetly echo the Gospel call,
   Wonderful words of life;
   Offer pardon and peace to all,
   Wonderful words of life.
   Jesus, only Savior,
   Sanctify forever;

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

Acts 5:17-21

New King James Version

Imprisoned Apostles Freed

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with [a]indignation, 18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison. 19 But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, 20 "Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life."

21 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the [b]council together, with all the [c]

Acts 5:17-21 NKJV - - Bible Gateway

elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

Verse of the Day 2/25

Verse of the Day 2/25

Galatians 6:9-10

New King James Version

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Our Men's Bible study is currently going through a series about Jesus' miricacles.  The read through the Bible plan that I follow is now in the book of Mark and is also going through some of His miricalces.  It has always amazed me how the Pharisees were looking to trap or "get Jesus" by breaking the law of the Sabbath in healing someone.  As I read the passage in Mark 3 about healing the man with the withered hand several other verses and passages came to mind including today's verses.

Genesis chapter 12 is another one where God told Abraham that he was "blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12:3). Being a blessing is "doing good" when we have the opportunity to do so and we shouldn't be hindered from doing good by considering what others might think.

I was also reminded of the old hymn, "Make Me a Blessing", may we "give as was given in time of our need".

Out in the highways and byways of life,   Many are weary and sad; Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,   Making the sorrowing glad.
	Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, Out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,   Make me a blessing to someone today.
2	Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,   Tell of His pow'r to forgive; Others will trust Him if only you prove   True, every moment you live.
3	Give as 'twas given to you in your need,   Love as the Master loved you; Be to the helpless a helper indeed,   Unto your mission be true.

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

Galatians 6:6-10

New King James Version

Be Generous and Do Good

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Verse of the Day 2/17

Verse of the Day 2/17

Matthew 28:19-20

New King James Version

19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." [b]Amen.

Today's verses came up in the read through the New Testament plan that I follow.  They are the final verses in the book of Matthew and give the marching orders for all who will call themselves disciples or followers of Jesus.  It starts with "go", it requires action and it doesn't happen by chance, we don't wait for it, we go out and reach others.

We've spent some time in verses and posts, as well as hymns saying how important it is to spending time with God in His Word.  It lays the groundwork for the "go and make disciples".  If we are to go out and proclaim we have to know what the good Word truly is.

The other thing to keep in mind is that we are never alone in this, Jesus promises to be with us "always, even to the end of the age".

I believe that it was Francis of Assisi that said "go and preach the gospel, and if necessary use words."  He wasn't saying that we need not study, but rather it was a matter of applyiing our faith, living it out, demonstating Christ in us, the power of the gospel.

1 Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.

Refrain:
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing.
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray.
Make me a blessing to someone today.

2 Tell the sweet story of Christ and his love,
Tell of his pow'r to forgive;
Others will trust him if only you prove
True, ev'ry moment you live. [Refrain]

3 Give as 'twas given to you in your need,
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed,
Unto your mission be true. [Refrain]

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

Matthew 28:16-20

New King James Version

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." [b]Amen.

Verse of the Day 2/15

Verse of the Day 2/15

Psalm 16:11

New King James Version

11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Yesterday's post from Matthew 6 cames from the Lord's prayer and showed us where drawing near to God begins.  Our drawing near involves prayer, reading God's Word, meditating and studying and acting upon His Word and the Holy Spirit's promptings.

Today's verses come from David, "a man after God's own heart".  I don't know when David wrote this psalm, but in reading it you can see how important "his time" with God was.  He could look back at where God had been with him, how He had brought him to this place and trusted in where God would lead him.  This brought him "fullness of joy". He looked forward to enjoying it, enjoying God's presence forever.  We can feel that way too.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism of 1648 is really good as it sates, "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever." Did you catch that? We were created to glorify God and enjoy God forever. And forever is supposed to start right now!

Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,

From Him no pow'r of evil can sever,

He gave His life to ransom my soul;

Now I belong to Him;

 

Chorus

Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity.

 

Once I was lost in sin's degradation,

Jesus came down to bring me salvation,

Lifted me up from sorrow and shame,

Now I belong to Him;

https://lyricstranslate.com

Norman J. Clayton - Now I belong to Jesus lyrics Norman J. Clayton Now I belong to Jesus lyrics: Jesus, my Lord will love me fo

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 16

New King James Version

The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah's Victory

A Michtam of David.

16 Preserve[a] me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
"You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You."
3 As for the saints who are on the earth,
"They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight."

4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
Nor take up their names on my lips.

5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You [b]maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.

7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My [c]heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will [d]rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in [e]Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to [f]

Psalm 16 NKJV - - Bible Gateway

see corruption.

11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.