Verse of the Day 1/2

Verse of the Day 1/2

Proverbs 1:1-3 These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel.

² Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline,
    to help them understand the insights of the wise.
³ Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives,
    to help them do what is right, just, and fair.    New Living Translation (NLT)

Many people begin the new year with a resolution to read the Bible, some of them will plan to read through the Bible in a year.  It takes effort but once you establish it, it becomes a habit and something you plan for, look forward to and benefit from every day.  There are many reading plans available, the whole Bible, Old or New Testaments, blended readings of Old, New and Psalms and so on.  I read through the New Testament in a year and the Old Testament in two.  I also spend time in the Psalms and Proverbs daily.

Yesterday I started at the beginning of Proverbs again and read today's verses.  They give us good reasons to read not only the Proverbs; but also God's Word, the rest of the Bible in general.  The Bible teaches us wisdom and discipline, gives understanding and insight into how God operates and how we are to operate as God's followers.  They are designed to teach us to live with discipline and be successful and to do what is right, just and fair.

Verse 7 is not in the first "section" of the chapter in my Bible, but it is a helpful reminder for us that the reading is not the goal in and of itself, nor strictly to be wiser and more knowledgeable about the Bible.  Start with God, bow down in prayer and ask Him to guide you through His Word.

Proverbs 1:7 Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
    only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. The Message

One of the things that we'll learn is that we need God's Word.  As we do, we learn to depend upon it "through it all".

I've had many tears and sorrows,
I've had questions for tomorrow,
there's been times I didn't know right from wrong.
But in every situation,
God gave me blessed consolation,
that my trials come to only make me strong.

I've been to lots of places,

I've seen a lot of faces,
there's been times I felt so all alone.
But in my lonely hours,
yes, those precious lonely hours,
Jesus lets me know that I was His own

Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to trust in Jesus,
I've learned to trust in God.

Through it all,
through it all,
I've learned to depend upon His Word.

As you go through the year, may you read His Word, trust in Jesus, and depend upon Him and God's Word.

--   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    

Proverbs 1:1-7 The Message (MSG)

Wise Sayings of Solomon

A Manual for Living

1 ^1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
    David's son, Israel's king—
Written down so we'll know how to live well and right,
    to understand what life means and where it's going;
A manual for living,
    for learning what's right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
    and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
    still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
    the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Start with God

⁷ Start with God—the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
    only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

Verse of the Day 1/1

Verse of the Day 1/1

Psalm 105:1-2 Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; 

    make known his deeds among the peoples!
² Sing to him, sing praises to him;
    tell of all his wondrous works!     English Standard Version (ESV)

Happy New Year!

This psalm may not be one that you would think of as a New Year's psalm but as I read the first few verses, the message that it has for us is fitting to start out the new year and for the whole year.  Give thanks, call upon Him, make Him known among the people in our lives, and sing praises to Him.  The word worship is not found in the verses but the message and the heart of worship are written all over them.

There will be plenty of resolutions made today and there will be many things that come along in our lives to derail those hopes, plans and goals.  But what we should not do is to try to do it on our own.  Call on God, seek His face, His heart, sing His praise, tell of Him and He can help you achieve those goals that are in accordance of His will.

A.W. Tozer writes, "Whatever interferes with one's personal worship of God needs to be properly dealt with and dismissed.  Keep in mind that above all else, worship is an attitude, a state of mind and a sustained act.  It is not a physical attitude, but an inward act of the heart towards God."   Think about that again "worship is an attitude, a state of mind and a sustained act".

May our lives this year be a "sustained act" of worship, praise and obedience towards Him.  If they are, everything else will fall into place.  Thinking of that sustained act reminded me of the last words of the first stanza of "Praise Him, Praise Him, Jesus Our Blessed Redeemer - ever in joyful song.

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!   Sing, ye saints! His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! hail Him! mightiest angels in glory;   Strength and honor give to His holy name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will feed His people,   In His arms He carries them all day long; O ye saints that live in the light of His presence,   Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song!

--   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    

Psalm 105:1-6 The Message (MSG)

105 ^1-6 Hallelujah!

Thank God! Pray to him by name!
    Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
    translate his wonders into music!
Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
    you who seek God. Live a happy life!
Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
    be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made,
    his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered—
        O seed of Abraham, his servant,
        O child of Jacob, his chosen.

Verse of the Day 12/31

Verse of the Day 12/31

Jeremiah 33:3   Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.   English Standard Version (ESV)

This is a day, New Years Eve, when there will be a lot of looking back at the year that has passed and looking ahead to the coming year.  Plans will be laid, goals and resolutions will be made, but most likely, the vast majority of them will be done to the tune "My Way" by Frank Sinatra.  As Christians, we too can look to the coming year, but as we look and especially before we leap, may we call on the Lord for His guidance, for His presence and He will prove Himself faithful as He has been in the past.

A.W. Tozer writes, "I decided long ago that instead of trusting my way, I will gladly trust blindly in the wisdom of God.  If I trust blindly in God's wisdom, He will lead me by a way that I know not.  He will guide me in paths where I have not been before.  He will make darkness light before me and make crooked things straight, and will lead me through into His marvelous light."

I think that it is safe to say that I haven't quoted Petula Clark often in these posts, but as I read the first words of today's verse, her song from the 60's came to mind, call me.

If you're feeling sad and lonely
There's a service I can render
Tell the one who loves you only
I can be so warm and tender

When it seems your friends desert you
There's somebody thinking of you
I'm the one who'll never hurt you
Maybe that's because I love you

Now, don't forget me 'cause if you let me
I will always stay by you
You gotta trust me that's how it must be
There's so much that I can do

Call me don't be afraid, you can call me
Maybe it's late, but just call me
Tell me, and I'll be around

Read verses 2 and 3 from The Message below.  Think and know that the God who made the earth livable and lasting is waiting for your call today and as you head into the New Year, may you make it a practice to call on Him every day; He'll be around.

--   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    

Jeremiah 33:3 The Message (MSG)

^2-3 "This is God's Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: 'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.'

12/28

Verse of the Day 12/28

1 Peter 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  English Standard Version (ESV)

It is always hard to deal with the loss of a loved one, but especially so around Christmas.  It is hard, but not all that uncommon.  People suffering from long illnesses often "hang on" during these times in order to see their loved ones one last time.  They are precious moments.

For Christians the hurt and loss are still there, but we hold onto hope.   I read this passage today with the previous thoughts already in mind due to the passing of the mother of a friend of mine.  The verses are ones that can lift us up with that same "living hope" through His great mercy and the fact that Jesus lead the way through His resurrection to prove that it was so.

Inheritance is often thought of as something that is coming to us as heirs in a family.  But as Christians we should realize the reality of it is that Christ earned that inheritance that He has passed down to us.  There is no way that we could earn it, but in His mercy, He is willing to give it to us.  Unlike the things that many people treasure that are to be left behind, as these verses point out, ours is "imperishable – it won't rot or decay, undefiled – it can't be soiled or stained; unfading – it will keep it's full color and radiance and it is there for us.  He has prepared a place for us where we'll have all we need (John 14).

The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.  ! Peter 1:4 (The Message)

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

1 Peter 1:3-5 The Message (MSG)

A New Life

^3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

 

 

 

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Verse of the Day 12/25

Verse of the Day 12/25

Luke 2:11-12  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 

 English Standard Version (ESV)

Merry Christmas everyone!  It is Christmas morning, gifts have been exchanged and their is joy in the household.  As Christians it is a day to celebrate the greatest gift.  Today's passage is a familiar one that we've probably read and heard several times this Christmas season, but the words that I'd like to focus on this morning are "unto you".  This gift is especially for you, God has prepared it for you and delivered it, Jesus went through a lot to bring it to completion and it is yours if you will accept it.   Once it is received it will never wear out, grow old or lose it's significance.

Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "No matter what happens in life, remember this: You have a Savior. As a Christian, you have been saved from death. You have been saved from eternal punishment and hell. You have the hope that when you die, you will go straight to heaven. That is the most important thing about the Christian life. There is a heaven waiting for you. You have a Savior".

I'm reminded of  my favorite line of any of the Christmas carols and hymns, from O Little Town of Bethlehem"; "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight".

Whatever this past year has brought and whatever the next will bring, "unto you" was born, a Savior.  Turn to Him day by day in His Word and in prayer.

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.

--   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    

Luke 2:8-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"^[a]

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Verse of the Day 12/24

Verse of the Day 12/24

Psalm 100:4-5 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. New King James Version (NKJV)

I read a Psalm, or a portion thereof, every day in my devotions which means that I'll read each one at least twice a year. Year by year the timing changes. I read Psalm 100 the other day and the words meant more to me this year, at this time of year, this Advent Season preparing for Christmas.

As we go to worship this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day may we enter our church with thanksgiving and praise for our Savior, Jesus, who came to be born, live, serve, die and rise again for us, that salvation would be available to us. A gift, something that we could not earn.

This day, this season may we, this Christmas Eve:

Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. NKJV

The truth of Christmas will last to all generations until He comes again. His mercies will be new every morning, and His truth will endure. Celebrate it this Holy Night.

O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine

Blessings,

Mike

Psalm 100 New King James Version (NKJV)

A Song of Praise for the Lord's Faithfulness to His People
A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

100 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, [a]all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and [b]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Verse of the Day 12/21

Verse of the Day 12/21

Psalm 101:3-4   I will not set before my eyes

    anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
    it shall not cling to me.
⁴ A perverse heart shall be far from me;
    I will know nothing of evil.     English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read today's verses in my reading in the Psalms this morning what caught my attention was "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless".  Something that is worthless has no lasting value.  What came to mind then were all of the commercials about "stuff" for the season. In particular there is a car commercial where a husband and wife come out of a house with not one, but two SUV's on display, a red on and a blue one.  The wife walks up to the blue one and  says "I love it".  You can tell that the husband had planned it the other way around but he makes the sacrifice of accepting the red one as his.  What a sacrifice.

Those SUV's, jewelry, expensive perfumes, TV's and all the other gifts being advertised, in light of eternity are worthless things.  They won't make it to eternity.  They will rust, break down, be used up or end up in a garage or estate sale.  But what will last, what won't pass away is the true worship of our Lord and Savior.  Worshiping Him not only individually, but as families, celebrating the greatest gift, His presence.

Delving a little further into "worthless things"  I'm reminded of the hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", more of an Easter hymn but also the fulfillment of what Christ came to do.   All the vain things are swept away by His sacrifice on the cross.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

VERSE 2
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

VERSE 3
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

VERSE 4
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Think of His gift, this season, His sacrifice, His coming to earth for us.  Celebrate it, worship Him for it, sing praises and tell of His love.

--   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    

Psalm 101:3-8 The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

101 ^1-8 My theme song is God's love and justice,
    and I'm singing it right to you, God.
I'm finding my way down the road of right living,
    but how long before you show up?
I'm doing the very best I can,
    and I'm doing it at home, where it counts.
I refuse to take a second look
    at corrupting people and degrading things.
I reject made-in-Canaan gods,
    stay clear of contamination.
The crooked in heart keep their distance;
    I refuse to shake hands with those who plan evil.
I put a gag on the gossip
    who bad-mouths his neighbor;
I can't stand
    arrogance.
But I have my eye on salt-of-the-earth people—
    they're the ones I want working with me;
Men and women on the straight and narrow—
    these are the ones I want at my side.
But no one who traffics in lies
    gets a job with me; I have no patience with liars.
I've rounded up all the wicked like cattle
    and herded them right out of the country.
I purged God's city
    of all who make a business of evil.