Verse of the Day 4/28

Verse of the Day 4/28

Isaiah 26:3-4

English Standard Version

3 You keep him in perfect peace

    whose mind is stayed on you,
    because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

My wife Jean had declared the year of 2025 to be a year of perseverance and she did right to the end and it became the same for me as I dealt with grief. At the beginning of 2026 I declared 2026 to be the year of rest for me, not one of sitting back and withdrawing, but taking more time to spend in God’s Word and in prayer and not to be pressured to have to be doing things all the time, things that in the scheme of things don’t really matter.

Reading today’s verses made me realize a key component of that rest, finding peace.  It can be found as we find our rest in Him. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and you will find rest for your souls.” Finding and having that rest can bring the peace we need. The two go together.

Last September I began a BSF Bible study “Exile and Return” with a group of men.  We were asked to fill out a card and turn it in as to what we hoped for through the study and in our lives for the next few months.  The cards were handed back out last night in our final study before summer break.  I wrote: “To better understand the sense of longing in my heart for healing, restoration and promise for today and the future.  To find meaning in these difficult and challenging times.”  My hopes were realized and was greatly helped by the study and the men in the group.  The Lord also orchestrated many other things that helped me in ways that I couldn’t have imagined.  He brought someone (Cheryl) into my life and together helped navigate through this season and help bring healing, restoration and peace.

One of the last songs that I played for Jean just before she passed was “There Was Jesus”.   Yesterday, the following verses from that song came to my mind.

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace (mm)
For forgiveness at a price I couldn't pay (mm)
I'm not perfect so I thank God every day
There was Jesus (there was Jesus)

In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus

On the mountain, in the valleys (there was Jesus)
In the shadows of the alleys (there was Jesus)
In the fire, in the flood (there was Jesus)
Always is and always was
No, I never walk alone (never walk alone)
You are always there

All I can say to you is:

Isaiah 26:4

English Standard Version

4 Trust in the Lord forever,

    for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

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 26:1-9

English Standard Version

26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

“We have a strong city;
    he sets up salvation
    as walls and bulwarks.
2 Open the gates,
    that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in.
3 You keep him in perfect peace
    whose mind is stayed on you,
    because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
5 For he has humbled
    the inhabitants of the height,
    the lofty city.
He lays it low, lays it low to the ground,
    casts it to the dust.
6 The foot tramples it,
    the feet of the poor,
    the steps of the needy.”

7 The path of the righteous is level;
    you make level the way of the righteous.
8 In the path of your judgments,
    O Lord, we wait for you;
your name and remembrance
    are the desire of our soul.
9 My soul yearns for you in the night;
    my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.
For when your judgments are in the earth,

    the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.

Verse of the day 4/5

Verse of the Day 4/5

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

 

For Christ's love compels us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died. And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.

Happy Easter!  He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Today's verses came up in my devotions this morning.  With Easter reminding me/us of what Jesus Christ has done for us, what He accomplished for us through His death on the cross and resurrection these verses call us to consider what it should mean in our hearts and in our lives.  What should it "compel" us to do.  I like this translation.  Compel is a powerful word, you get the picture of being moved into action.  His love poured out for us, His Spirit living within us will not lay dormant, it should spur us on to action.  Not just for a day, today, but each day for the rest of our lives.

Let us be reminded of that today as we head out to worship and sing praises to our God, but just as importantly, let us be compeled to live for Him day by day.

1 Living for Jesus a life that is true,
striving to please Him in all that I do,
yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
this is the pathway of blessing for me.

Refrain:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee;
for Thou, in Thine attonement,
didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other master;
my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.

2 Living for Jesus, who died in my place,
bearing on Calv'ry my sin and disgrace-
such love constrains me to answer His call,
follow His leading, and give Him my all. [Refrain]

3 Living for Jesus wherever I am,
doing each duty in His holy name,
willing to suffer affliction or loss,
deeming each trial a part of my cross! [Refrain]

4 Living for Jesus through earth's little while,
my dearest treasure, the light of His smile,
seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
bringing the weary to find rest in Him! [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

2 Corinthians 5:11-15

Holman Christian Standard Bible

11 Therefore, because we know the fear of the Lord, we seek to persuade people. We are completely open before God, and I hope we are completely open to your consciences as well. 12 We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to be proud of us, so that you may have a reply for those who take pride in the outward appearance[a] rather than in the heart. 13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we have a sound mind, it is for you. 14 For Christ's love compels[b] us, since we have reached this conclusion: If One died for all, then all died. 15 And He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.

Verse of the Day 1/20

Verse of the Day 1/20

Psalm 27:13-14

New King James Version

13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

14 Wait[a] on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Today's verses came up in my daily reading in the Psalms this morning.  They serve as a good reminder for me of the past year.  Through the suffering, loss and grief, unless I had believed, unless the Lord had lifted me up through that time, surrounded me with friends and family that cared, encouraged and comforted I would have lost heart, but I didn't lose heart,

As I heal, as the Lord restores me and strengthens me for what He has next for me, I am confident that I will see the goodness of God "in the land of the living". This year will be a year of rest, emotionallly and physically as I wait on the Lord.  But it won't be a passive rest a passive wait.  I will be cutting some things out and spending, devoting even more time to knowing God better and Lord willing sharing more of what He is doing with others including you who read these posts. As I started writing this sentence the song "Made for More" came on in the background. It is fittilng.

I know who I am 'cause I know who You are
The cross of salvation was only the start
Now I am chosen, free and forgiven
I have a future and it's worth the living

[Chorus]
'Cause I wasn't made to be tending a grave
I was called by name
Born and raised back to life again
I was made for more
So why would I make a bed in my shame
When a fountain of grace is running my way
I know I am Yours
And I was made for more

[Verse 2]
I know who I am 'cause I know who You are
The cross of salvation was only the start
Now I am chosen, free and forgiven
I have a future and it's worth the living

[Chorus]
'Cause I wasn't made to be tending a grave
I was called by namе
Born and raised back to life again
I was made for morе
So why would I make a bed in my shame
When a fountain of grace is running my way
I know I am Yours
And I was made for more             (Made for More - Josh Baldwin)           

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 King James Version

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When You said, "Seek My face,"
My heart said to You, "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 help;
Do not leave me nor forsake me,
O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
Then the Lord will take care of me.

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord,
And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
For false witnesses have risen against me,
And such as breathe out violence.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.

14 Wait[a] on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Verse of the Day 1/17

Verse of the Day 1/17

Psalm 25:4-5

New International Version

4 Show me your ways, Lord,

    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.

Today's verses came up in my daily reading in the Psalms. They are good verses for the beginning of the year, when we face a crossroads where we will be changing the direction of our life, or when we venture off on a new mission. We trust Him now because He has been faithful in the past.  He has led us before and He will do so again.

David is seeking guidance, he seeks to be taught along the way in the path of his life, he desires to be guided in God's truth, His everlasting Word, he recognizes God as his Savior and his hope for evey hour of the day.

In verse 6 David then calls upon trhe Lord to remember His tender mercies, a reminder of Jeremiah's statement in Lamentations 3:22-23

Lamentations 3:22-23

New King James Version

22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,

Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

The psalmist and other Bible authors express what they need every hour.

1 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like Thine
can peace afford.

Refrain:
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
ev'ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.

2 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
stay Thou nearby;
temptations lose their pow'r
when Thou art nigh. [Refrain]

3 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide,
or life is vain. [Refrain]

4 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
teach me Thy will;
and Thy rich promises
in me fulfill. [Refrain]

5 I need Thee ev'ry hour,
most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son. 

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 25:1-6

New International Version

Psalm 25[a]

Of David.

1 In you, Lord my God,
    I put my trust.

2 I trust in you;
    do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3 No one who hopes in you
    will ever be put to shame,
but shame will come on those
    who are treacherous without cause.

4 Show me your ways, Lord,
    teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.
6 Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love,
    for they are from of old.

Verse of the Day 1/16

Verse of the Day 1/16

Matthew 11:28-29

New International Version

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Today's verses came up in my read through the New Testament plan for this year.  In our family 2024 Christmas letter my wife Jean wrote that 2025 would be the year of perseverence, which it proved to be.  This year, I've chosen "rest" to be the word to focus on in scripture this year and in my life.  It is not a passive rest, but to truly rest, some other things need to be cut down or cut out of my life.  I need to not let myself feel "under the gun" to get things done in a hurry, but go about at a more deliberate and sensible pace.

Today's verses tell me that to help find that rest there is no other go to person than Jesus. Knowing that His yoke is easy and His burden is light exemplifies that deliberate sensible pace.

Max Lucado writes, " Jesus does not say, "Come to me all you who are perfect and sinless." He says just the opposite, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest".

Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?
Does the road you travel, harbor dangers yet unknown?
Are you growin' weary in the struggle of it all?
Jesus will help you with all his name you call

He's always there hearing every prayer, faithful and true
Walking by our side, in his love we hide all the day through
When you get discouraged just remember what to do
Reach out to Jesus, he's reaching out to you

Is the life you're living filled with sorrow and dispair?
Does the future press you with its worry and its scare?
Are you tired and jealous, have you almost your way?
Jesus will help you, just talk to him today.                        (Reach Out to Jesus - Ralph Carmichael)

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 11:25-30

New International Version

The Father Revealed in the Son

25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."