Verse of the Day 11/5

Verse of the Day 11/5

Hebrews 1:3

New International Version

3 The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

Today's verse came up in my daily read through the New Testament plan. It is election day and our nation will be choosing who will lead our country.  No matter who wins, based on the polls, appproximately half of the people will be disappointed with the results.  Today's verse and other passages should give us some comfort and encourage us to rise above any such disappointment.  Jesus is the sustainer of all things including our government.  Whoever wins, it will be according to His purposes.

Jesus was the "exact representation" of the Father.  He was a mirror image putting God on display in bodily form.. I like the way The Message puts it below.  The "Son perfectly mirrors God and is stamped with God's nature".

The hymn "Oh to be Like Thee".  We should be praying that the Lord have His way today in our nation and in our hearts.  May we pray to have His image stamped deep on our hearts - loving, forgiving, tender and kind in the face of any bitterness or unkindness that we may see around us today.

1. Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Refrain:
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.

2. Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand'ring sinner to find.

3. Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit,
Holy and harmless, patient and brave;
Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
Willing to suffer, others to save.

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 1:3-6

The Message

1 1-3 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!

Verse of the Day 9/25

Verse of the Day 9/25

Psalm 130:5-6

New International Version

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Today's verses came up in my daily reading from the Psalms.  Some translations say "my soul waits for the Lord", here the NIV states, I wait "with my whole being".  With all that is within me.  It points to dependence on God, while holding onto Him in faith, trusting that He will come, He will deliver from this current situation or trail.

I spent some time in a hunting blind this weekend with my son Jeff.  We waited, hoping that a deer would come by.  We waited expectantly and our eyes remained fixed on the field in front of us so as not to miss "the appearing" and the opportunity that would present itself.  How often in life are we searching, waiting for an answer "expectantly waiting" in hope that the Lord will deliver.  

Through the old testament and the new, God's people have waited on Him expectantly.  Hebrews 11 catalogs many of them, who by faith were strengthened while living expectantly by faith.

I was reminded of the song by the late Rich Mullins, "My Deliverer".  Jesus hears the cries of the whole world and He will come again to deliver us.

Joseph took his wife and her child and they went to Africa
To escape the rage of a deadly king
There along the banks of the Nile, Jesus listened to the song
That the captive children used to sing, they were singing...

My Deliverer is coming... My Deliverer is standing by [x2]

Through a dry and thirsty land
Water from the Kenyon heights, pours itself out of Lake Sangra's broken heart
There in the Sahara winds, Jesus heard the whole world cry
For the healing that would flow from His own scars, the world was singing...

My Deliverer is coming... My Deliverer is standing by [x2]
He will never break His promise - He has written it upon the sky
My Deliverer is coming... My Deliverer is standing by

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 130

New International Version

Psalm 130

A song of ascents.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2     Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
    to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
    Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
    so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
    for with the Lord is unfailing love
    and with him is full redemption.
8 He himself will redeem Israel
    from all their sins.

Verse of the Day 9/20

Verse of the Day 9/20    

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

English Standard Version

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

We are about to head into a new season, autumn.  We don't often think of fall as being a time of "new creations" or even renewal but it can be.  This summer we had some work done in our yard that pretty much destroyed the lawn.  We didn't plant new seed because it was recommended to wait until fall.  Well we jumped the gun by a few weeks but as I looked out the window this morning into our back yard, the bare, dead areas are now a vibrant bright green with the promise of growth.

While we can't be "re-created", we can turn the page on an old season and seek renewal.  Jesus said  "come to me... and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).  He also said in John 3 "you must be born again."  We are never too old, or beyond hope.  God can do a "Genesis work" in a life (Psalm 51:17 The Message).

Psalm 51:10 God, make a fresh start in me,
    shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.  The Message

Sometimes what we need is a new or renewed perspective.  Albert Barnes writes:

The understanding is consecrated to new objects,

the body is employed in new service,

the heart forms new attachments.

All is new! There are . . .

  new views of God, and of Jesus Christ;

  new views of this world, and of the world to come;

  new views of truth, and of duty; and

  everything is seen in a new aspect, and with new feelings.

The Bible seems to be a new book; and though they may have often read it before, yet there is a beauty about it which they never saw before, and which they wonder they have not before perceived. 

He has the power to make all things new.

Revelation 21:5

King James Version

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

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 Corinthians 5:16-21

English Standard Version

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Verse of the Day 9/11

Verse of the Day 9/11

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

English Standard Version

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.[

In yesterday's post we considered who God is, the Almighty, the Creator and our heavenly Father.  In today's verses Paul points out that it is God's work that has "established" us in Christ along with all other believers.  He has also appointed us to do His will. What caught my attention in reading these verses was that He has "put His seal on us".  The kings seal indicated ownership and it carried weight wherever it went.  He has put His seal upon us and we carry it with us as His representives in our world.

What should be our response to this?  As I read those words I remembered a few words from the hymn, "Have Thine Own Way", "stamp thine own image deep on my heart".  That image, that seal pressed on our hearts, in our inner being.

1 Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter,
I am the clay.
Mold me and make me
after thy will,
while I am waiting,
yielded and still.

2 Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Search me and try me,
Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord,
wash me just now,
as in thy presence
humbly I bow.

3 Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary,
help me I pray!
Power, all power,
surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me,
Savior divine!

4 Have thine own way, Lord!
Have thine own way!
Hold o'er my being
absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit
till all shall see
Christ only, always,
living in me!

With His seal upon us are we willing to say "hold over my being absolute sway"?  It is only possible with Christ only, always, living in 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 Corinthians 1:12-22

English Standard Version

Paul's Change of Plans

12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity[a]

2 Corinthians 1:12-22 ESV - - Bible Gateway

 and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.

15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say "Yes, yes" and "No, no" at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

Verse of the Day 9/10

Verse of the Day 9/10

Revelation 1:8

English Standard Version

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Last night was the first night of a study in the book of Revelation with BSF, Bible Study Fellowship.  For the next 29 weeks we will be going through the book and try to gain a better understanding of the book, the prophecies within, and our call to action in response to the book.  Today's verse comes from the first chapter in Revelation sets the tone.  God declares "I am the Alpha and Omega" the beginning and the end, He is the Almighty.

Stop and think for a moment of what that means for us.  Almighty.  This encompasses being all knowing, all powerful, ever present, and creator of all that is.  It is this God who loves us and gave us His Son Jeesus, that we might know HIm better, experience His love, pass it on and glorify Him in the process.

As I considered all of this, the Apostles Creed came to mind.  It is an affirmation and declaration of who God is, reviews the Trinity, God - Three in One.  All bible study involves learning more about and treasuring the God we serve more and serving Him in love, with hope through faith.

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.

Amen.

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

Revelation 1:4-8

English Standard Version

Greeting to the Seven Churches

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Verse of the Day 9/3

Verse of the Day 9/3

Isaiah 48:17

English Standard Version

17 Thus says the Lord,

    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you to profit,
    who leads you in the way you should go.

There come times in our lives when we come to a crossroad, a decision has to be made for the path forward.  We fret, we worry but how often to we pray?  How often do we take some time to reflect on what God has done, is doing and will do in our lives?  Today's verses serve as a good reminder of who God is, beginning with our "Redeemer", the Holy One, set apart and above all else.

When we take time to read, to study, to pray and reflect we realize that He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end and that nothing happens apart from HIm.  We can trust Him, lean upon Him and lean into Him to help find direction. He will lead you in the way you should go.

All the way my Savior leads me;
  What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
  Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
  Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well,
For I know, whate'er befall me,
  Jesus doeth all things well.

2

All the way my Savior leads me,
  Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
  Feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
  And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
  Lo! a spring of joy I see.

3

All the way my Savior leads me;
  Oh, the fullness of His grace!
Perfect rest to me is promised
  In my Father's blest embrace.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
  Wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way,
This my song through endless ages:
  Jesus led me all the way.

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 48:12-17

English Standard Version

The Lord's Call to Israel

12 "Listen to me, O Jacob,
    and Israel, whom I called!
I am he; I am the first,
    and I am the last.
13 My hand laid the foundation of the earth,
    and my right hand spread out the heavens;
when I call to them,
    they stand forth together.

14 "Assemble, all of you, and listen!
    Who among them has declared these things?
The Lord loves him;
    he shall perform his purpose on Babylon,
    and his arm shall be against the Chaldeans.
15 I, even I, have spoken and called him;
    I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way.
16 Draw near to me, hear this:
    from the beginning I have not spoken in secret,
    from the time it came to be I have been there."
And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit.

17 Thus says the Lord,
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you to profit,
    who leads you in the way you should go.