Verse of the Day 5/13

Verse of the Day 5/13

John 3:30

English Standard Version

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Good morning!  Today's verse came up in my read through the Bible plan that I follow in John chapter 3. It is probably one of the easiest verses in the Bible to memonrize, but also one of the most difficult ones to apply. It was my late wie Jean's life verse and she took it to heart and applied it right up to her final day.  She had been against tatoos all of her life, but in her final month, she had one applied.  She applied this verse to her life and to her arm, "He must increase I must decrease" in symble form facing away from her on her foreare so any one sitting near from her, drawing blood, applying a blood pressure cuff  or just sitting and having conversation with her would see it and ask her about it giving reason to share her faith and belief in eternal life through Jesus Christ.

John 3:15-16

English Standard Version

15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.[a]

16 “For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

He came that so whoever believed in Him would have eternal life.

John MacArthur writes:  Eternal life refers not only to eternal quantity but divine quality of life. It means literally “life of the age to come” and refers therefore to resurrection and heavenly existence in perfect glory and holiness. This life for believers in the Lord Jesus is experienced before heaven is reached. This “eternal life” is in essence nothing less than participation in the eternal life of the Living Word, Jesus Christ. It is the life of God in every believer, yet not fully manifest until the resurrection (Rom. 8:19–23; Phil. 3:20, 21).

Read and consider the verse again.  Will you apply it to your life today?  It doesn't need to be a tattoo, stamping His image on our hearts will be enough.

For Jean:

1 O 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! O 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 O 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. [Refrain]

3 O to be like Thee! Lowly in spirit,
holy and harmless, patient, and brave;
meekly enduring cruel reproaches,
willing to suffer, others to save. [Refrain]

4 O to be like Thee! Lord, I am coming
now to receive th’anointing divine;
all that I am and have I am bringing,
Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine. [Refrain]

5 O to be like Thee! While I am pleading,
pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love;
make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling,
fit me for life and heaven above.

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 3:22-30

English Standard Version

John the Baptist Exalts Christ

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).

25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Verse of the Day 5/10

Verse of the Day 5/10

Malachi 4:2

English Standard Version

2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers, grandmothers and mothers to be that will read this!

This is the first Mother's Day since my wife Jean passed away late last May. I know that she is in the presence of the Lord today and though my heart is heavy, I praise the Lord for her, the mom and wife that she was and whose legacy leaves and indelible mark on anyone that truly knew her.

This morning as I was preparing the final Bible Study of trhe year for my men's Bible study I read through Malachi, the last word from God through His prophets for 400 years until John the Baptist came followed by Jesus. His address, his message from God to his readers began with "I have loved you."  (Malachi 1:2) That hit me like a ton of bricks.  When Jean passed her cancer robber her ofd the opportunity of uttering final words, but if she would have been able to, I'm sure that they would have been something similar.  She loved me, our kids, grandkids, family friends and strangers.

In today's verse God said, "for you who fear my name,the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in it's wings". True healing comes only from One place, only God can truly heal.  For those ofthers of you who have recently lost someone close.  Turn to God, not from Him, for healing and life.

Charles Spurgeon writes:

Jesus, like the sun, is . . .

  the center and soul of all things,

  the fullness of all good,

  the lamp that lights us,

  the fire that warms us,

  the magnet that guides and controls us.

Jesus is the source and fountain of all . . .

  life,

  beauty,

  fruitfulness,

  and strength.

As you say goodbye this afternoon to mom's, family and friends.  Let them know that you love them.  Let God know that you love Him. He said it first "I have loved you."

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

Malachi 4

English Standard Version

The Great Day of the Lord

4 [a] “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

4 “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules[b] that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

5 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

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!