Verse of the Day 3/31

Verse of the Day 3/31

1 Corinthians 15:51-52

New International Version

51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Happy Easter!  He is risen! He is risen indeed! Today we celebrate Easter when Jesus arose from the grave showing victory over death.  Through His resurrection, and faith in Him, we too can look forward to new life once we leave this world.  We will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, to new resurrected bodies.  No more sorenss, sickness, disease, anger - forever.

It is nothing that we can earn by things that we do it is through His grace, His love, His power.

And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2

'Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

3

He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race:
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

5

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

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 Corinthians 15:50-58

New International Version

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."[a]

55 "Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?"[b]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Verse of the Day 3/30

Verse of the Day 3/30

Romans 8:31-32

New International Version

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Last night our family attended a Good Friday service at our church.  Many people came to come and reflect on what Jesus had done for us and what it means to us.

Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard observed, "Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." Think of this in terms of Good Friday and Easter and eternity. Without Easter and the resurrection, we could not understand Good Friday.  We could not understand the cross, the suffering, the brualiity.  But because  He arose, He lives, we too can live now and forever with the living hope that we have in the resurrection of Jesus.

John Piper writes, "Romans 8:32 is a precious friend. The promise of God's future grace is simply overwhelming. But all-important is the foundation: I have called it the logic of heaven. Here is a place to stand against all obstacles. God did not spare his own Son! Therefore! Therefore! The logic of heaven! Therefore, how much more will he not spare any effort to give us all that Christ died to purchase — all things, all good, and all bad working for our good! "

Today is the meantime, while we wait, we contemplate what tomorrow will bring, based on what Jesus has already done.

1 Low in the grave he lay, Jesus my Savior,
waiting the coming day, Jesus my Lord!

Refrain:
Up from the grave he arose;
with a mighty triumph o'er his foes;
he arose a victor from the dark domain,
and he lives forever, with his saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

2 Vainly they watch his bed, Jesus my Savior,
vainly they seal the dead, Jesus my Lord! [Refrain]

3 Death cannot keep its prey, Jesus my Savior;
he tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord! [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

Romans 8:31-39

New International Version

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."[a]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Verse of the Day 3/27

Verse of the Day 3/27

Isaiah 45:7

New International Version

7 I form the light and create darkness,

    I bring prosperity and create disaster;
    I, the Lord, do all these things.

Our Tuesday Men's Bible study has been going through the miracles of Jesus.  Each of them shows Jesus' power and authority over various aspects of creation.  We see His power over nature when He calmed the see in Mark 4.  We saw His power over the elements in His turning water into wine.  We saw His power over illness and disablility ih healing the man with the withered hand and raising the paralytic. We saw His power of the spiritual world as He cast out the demons out of one who was possessed by thousands of demons.  We saw not only His power put on display but His power and authoritiy to "de'fuse" power.

Today's verse is a reminder of the power and authority of God in all of creation and in the day to day circumstances in our lives.

As I right this, storms are rolling through the area.  Clouds will darken the sky but God has created it and He will also bring back the blue skies.  So it is with our lives.  In all of these things He deserves our praise, for we know the Lord does all things.  It's His breath our lungs, so let's pour out our prasie.

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken

PRECHORUS
Great are You, Lord

CHORUS
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise, We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

VERSE 2
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken

BRIDGE
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord.                                    (Great Are You Lord - Casting Crowns)

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

Isaiah 45

New International Version

45 "This is what the Lord says to his anointed,

    to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of
to subdue nations before him
    and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him
    so that gates will not be shut:
2 I will go before you
    and will level the mountains
I will break down gates of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron.
3 I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
4 For the sake of Jacob my servant,
    of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
    and bestow on you a title of honor,
    though you do not acknowledge me.
5 I am the Lord, and there is no other;
    apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
    though you have not acknowledged me,
6 so that from the rising of the sun
    to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.
    I am the Lord, and there is no other.
7 I form the light and create darkness,
    I bring prosperity and create disaster;
    I, the Lord, do all these things.

Verse of the Day 3/25

Verse of the Day 3/25

Ezekiel 36:26-27

New International Version

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Our Monday Men's Bible study reviewed the parable of the "rich young ruler" in Matthew 19 this morning.  The young man asked Jesus "what must I do to inherit eternal life".  He thought that he had kept "all the commandments" since childhood but still obviously realized that he lacked something.  He had held onto his wealth and own works but had not held onto God, had not received Him, had not submitted to Him as Savior.

  

Today's verses also remind me of John 3 where Jesus told Nicomdemus "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God".  Then in John 3:16 Jesus said, "whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life".  The one who believes receives from God a new heart and a new Spirit and the grace to follow Him.

That new heart draws near to the heart of God and finds a place of full release.

1. There is a place of quiet rest,
   Near to the heart of God;
   A place where sin cannot molest,
   Near to the heart of God.
   • Refrain:
     O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
     Sent from the heart of God;
     Hold us, who wait before Thee,
     Near to the heart of God.
2. There is a place of comfort sweet,
   Near to the heart of God;
   A place where we our Savior meet,
   Near to the heart of God.
3. There is a place of full release,
   Near to the heart of God;
   A place where all is joy and peace,
   Near to the heart of God.

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

Ezekiel 36:24-32

New International Version

24 "'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. 32 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!

Verse of the Day 3/24

Verse of the Day 3/24

Hebrews 10:38-39

New International Version

38 And,

"But my righteous[a] one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back."

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

In yesterday's post we considered faith as portrayed in Hebrews chapter 11, the "Hall of Faith", but it is important to back up a few verses to see what led to that discourse.  Chapter 10:38 says "my righteous one will live by faith".  The person who. is in right standing with God is the one who lives by faith, they don't shrink back when trouble comes, but they persevere, trusting God and are saved.

John Piper wries, "mainly we must focus on the preciousness of the promises and help each other value above all things how great the reward is that Christ has purchased for us. We must say to each other what Hebrews 10:35 says: "Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward." And then we must help each other see the greatness of the reward.....That is the main task of preaching, and the main purpose of small groups and all the ministries of the church: helping people see the greatness of what Christ has purchased for everyone who will value it above the world. Helping people see it and savor it, so that God's superior worth shines in their satisfaction and in the sacrifices that come from such a heart. "

Take some time today to consider these verses and what they mean to you.  If you have a few minutes, read chapter 11 and see the examples of those who did not shrink back, who persevered by faith and were saved.  Faith is the victory.

1. Encamped along the hills of light,
   Ye Christian soldiers, rise,
   And press the battle ere the night
   Shall veil the glowing skies.
   Against the foe in vales below
   Let all our strength be hurled;
   Faith is the victory, we know,
   That overcomes the world.
   • Refrain:
     Faith is the victory!
     Faith is the victory!
     Oh, glorious victory,
     That overcomes the world.
2. His banner over us is love,
   Our sword the Word of God;
   We tread the road the saints above
   With shouts of triumph trod.
   By faith, they like a whirlwind's breath,
   Swept on o'er every field;
   The faith by which they conquered death
   Is still our shining shield.

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 10:36-39

New International Version

36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For,

"In just a little while,
    he who is coming will come
    and will not delay."[a]

38 And,

"But my righteous[b] one will live by faith.
    And I take no pleasure
    in the one who shrinks back."

39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Verse of the Day 11/23

Verse of the Day 11/3

Hebrews 11:6

New International Version

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

After Romans 28, Hebrews 11 is probably my second favorite chapter in the Bible.  It is all about faith, faith through history and most importantly faith in God and the Lord Jesus Christ.  Is a favorite for several reasons, but mainly it has been an anchor for me throughout life.  I read Hebrews 11 on what was probably the most trying day of my life when my son Jeff was involved in an accident, by a drunk driver, which left him disabled for the rest of his life here on this earth.  One of the reasons this chapter is held so dear is that Jeff has faith in God and through that faith I know that he has an eternity of being healed and being with Jesus ahead of him.

The chapter begins with verse 1 "faih is the substance of things hope, the evidence of things not seen", the things to come.  Faith is not something for the weak, it is the power of God to overcome what life throws at us.

C. S. Lewis defined faith as "the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods." Faith is not a spiritual mood or an emotional state. It may influence our emotions, but faith is ultimately a conviction." Today in the Word devotional

Today's verse tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please Him, but wait there's more, "He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."   That diligence can also be interpreted as "striving".  I'm reminded of two old hymns "Faith is the Victory" and " A Mighty Fortress",  In a Mighty Fortress we sing of a "bullwark" never failing, and that our striving would be losing, if it were not for faith.  Faith is that bullwark against the storms of life, that anchor that holds, and it is not just faith itself, it is Whom that faith is secured, our Lord Jesus Christ.

1	A mighty Fortress is our God, A Bulwark never failing; Our Helper He amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
2	Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God's own choosing: Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His Name, From age to age the same, And He must win the battle.
3	And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us: The Prince of Darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.
4	That word above all earthly powers, No thanks to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth: Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also; The body they may kill: God's truth abideth still, His Kingdom is 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

Hebrews 11:1-6

New International Version

Faith in Action

11 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away."[a]

Hebrews 11:1-6 NIV - - Bible Gateway

 For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.