Verse of the Day 12/22

Verse of the Dayb 12/22

John 20:30-31

New International Version

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe.that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Today's verses may not appear to be "Christmans verses" but Christmas has everything to do with them. The true meaning of Christmas is that we believe that Jesus truly did come to earth as a little child, grewu up, was crucified, buried and then rose again to give us eternal life.

When you think about it, all true Christmans hymns and songs about Jesus are that we may know what happened and believe.  It is not something like Santa Claus that we grow up believing and then realize that it is a story.  No, this is not just a story, it is true, and in believing in Jesus we may have eternal life.  That's what He came for, that's why we celebrate and that's why we give presents, to express joy over the greatest gift ever given.

John 3:16-17

New International Version

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

You came to the world to abide with us and now, for those who believe, He lives in us, our Lord Emmanuel.

1 O 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.

2 For Christ is born of Mary;
and, gathered all above,
while mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wond'ring love.
O morning stars, together
proclaim the holy birth,
and praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth.

3 How silently, how silently,
the wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His heav'n.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin,
where meek souls will receive Him still,
the dear Christ enters in.

4 O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
cast out our sin and enter in;
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels,
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!

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

John 20:24-31

New International Version

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

The Purpose of John's Gospel

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[b] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Verse of the Day 12/17

Verse of the Day 12/17    

1 Peter 5:6-7

New International Version

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Even though it is the Christmas season, it doesn't mean that we are free from anxieties.  They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, some of them related to the season. But whenever we face challenges that bring on anxiety, anxious thoughts, how do we handle them?  Do we just ad them to the pile or do we feel that we can handle them ourselves?  Do we come to God as a last resort?

Today's verses call us to humble ourselves, realize that we can't do it ourselves, know that God cares for us and that He will lift us up "in due time".

James Smith writes:

The Lord knows all His people--all their needs, and all their trials.

He thinks upon them--to bless, deliver and supply them.

He keeps His eye upon them--in all places, at all times, and under all circumstances.

He has them in His hand--and will not loosen His hold.

He looks upon them always as His own treasured possession . . .

  the objects of His eternal love,

  the purchase of His Son's blood,

  the temples of His Holy Spirit.

They are precious in His sight!  

Humbling ourselves involves realizing that we don't have the answers and can't solve our problems ourselves and that He has the power to help, then turning to Him in prayer.

We learned a song in Sunday school when I was a child, a simple song that taught us early to humble ourselves in this way.

Why worry when you can pray?

Trust Jesus, He'll be your stay.

Don't be a doubting Thomas,

Rest fully on His promise,

Why worry, worry, worry, worry, when you can pray?

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 5:5-11

New International Version

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

"God opposes the proud
    but shows favor to the humble."[a]

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Verse of the Day 12/15

Verse of the Day 12/15

Psalm 33:20-21

New International Version

20 We wait in hope for the Lord;

    he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.

Today's verses came up in my daily reading in Psalms.  They are probably not thought of as Christmas verses but there is no reason that they shouldn't be. Waiting "in hope" was a common theme in the Psalms and in Isaiah, two books that contain a lot of prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus.  Through life's ups and downs, the mountain top experiences and the valleys for us as Christians  He remains to be our hope and shield, our Redeemer, our Deliverer and it is in Him that we put our trust eternally.

My wife Jean has often said "come Lord Jesus, come".  She said that long  before her battle with cancer.  She'd rather have Him come and end her suffering, but she knows that regardless if He were to come today or at any time, she is ready for Him. Whenever we willl meet Jesus He will set us free from pain, illness and loss, He will release us and we will find our rest in Him.

1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

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 33:13-22

New International Version

13 From heaven the Lord looks down
    and sees all mankind;
14 from his dwelling place he watches
    all who live on earth—
15 he who forms the hearts of all,
    who considers everything they do.

16 No king is saved by the size of his army;
    no warrior escapes by his great strength.
17 A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
    despite all its great strength it cannot save.
18 But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
    on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
19 to deliver them from death
    and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
22 May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

Verse of the Day 12/8

Verse of the Day 12/8

Psalm 27:13-14

New International Version

13 I remain confident of this:

    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Today's verss came up in my daily reading in the Psalms.  As you read many of the pslams written by David, you can see why he was known as " a man after God's own heart".  It comes through pslam after psalm through many stages of his life.  There are psalms of prasise, psalms for deliverance, psalms of repentance, and psalms for guidance.  So it should be through our lifetimes.  We will go through similar periods in our lives, the question is will we remain in Him, will we seek the heart of God through all of our days.  I pray that it would be so for you and for me.

I love You, Lord
For Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

[Chorus]
'Cause all my life you have been faithful
And all my life you have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

[Verse 2]
I love Your voice
You have lead me through the fire
In darkest nights
You are close like no other
I've known You as a Father
I've known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God 

Whether you have already gone to church or you are going or perhaps watching online, sing a song of praise for the goodness 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

Psalm 27:7-14

New International Version

7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord;

    be merciful to me and answer me.
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

13 I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

Verse of the Day 12/7

Verse of the Day 12/7    

Job 19:23-25

English Standard Version

23 "Oh that my words were written!

    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
    they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

My daily reading in the Old Testament has brought me to the book of Job and today's verses were from this morning's reading.  It fits in well with what we've been considering for the last few days.  In this chapter Job's internal conflict has reached it's high point.  He has been put through the wringer, so to speak, but has held onto his faith.  His desire is that his words, his emotions, his life but more importantly what he knows about God will be remembered.  He prays as such and as we read them today, his prayers are still being answered.

In one of the oldest books of the Bible, actually in recorded history, Job calls out and proclaims "I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end He will stand upon the earth".  Because of his faith in God he stands faultless before the throne.

We have magic markers with "indelible" ink.  Bjut we know that this ink doesn't last forever.  But these words are etched in stone with an iron pen.  They hold true, they remain and will remain forever.  His words didn't come easy, they were hard fought but sing a hallelujah.

I'll bring my hard-fought heartfelt
Been-through-hell hallelujah
I'll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail
Story to tell hallelujah
God, You've been patient
God, You've been gracious
Faithful whatever I'm feeling or facing
So I'll bring my hard-fought, heartfelt
It is well hallelujah
Woah-oh-oh-oh
Hallelujah, hallelujah

[Verse 2]
I've wrestled with the darkness
But I'm trying to reach for the light
Yeah, the struggle keeps me honest
And it breaks down the walls of my pride
'Cause faith isn't proven like gold
'Til it's been through the fire
Yeah, yeah
My head, heart and hands are feeling heavy
And that's when I lift them just a little higher.   (Brandon Lake - Hard Faught Hallelujah)

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

Job 19:23-27

English Standard Version

23 "Oh that my words were written!

    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
    they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.[a]
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!