Verse of the Day 2/8

 

John 14:2-3  In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?^[a]3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

My wife Jean and I went out to dinner with some good friends.  The topic of heaven accounted for much of our conversation.  We each had different ideas of what it would be like but were all in agreement that it is where we wanted to spend eternity. 

 

As I read the beginning of John 14 a word spoken twice in these verses catch my attention.  The word is prepare.  God is preparing a place for us.  The same God who has created the earth, all of its natural beauty as well as the talent in people to create beautiful works of art and music (which are trying to give us a hint of His majesty, beauty and glory), is preparing a special place for us.  I can tell you one thing, it is not going to be boring.

 

David Jeremiah writes, "Heaven is not a figment of imagination.  It is not a feeling or an emotion.  It is not the "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere".  It is a place for a prepared people....   Our Redeemer is in heaven:  our relationships are there, those who have gone before us; our resources are there, the investments we've made in eternity; our residence is in heaven, our rewards and our riches.  Think about that often, and do not let your hearts be troubled.  He who has gone to prepare a place for us will soon come again, that where He is we may be also."

 

Think about that heaven is a place prepared by God for prepared people.  What are you doing to prepare for it?  Jesus is coming again, let's be prepared for what He is preparing for us.

 

Coming again, Coming again,
May be morning, may be noon,
May be evening and may be soon!
Coming again, Coming again;
O what a wonderful day it will be -
Jesus is coming again!

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 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 14:1

The Message (MSG)

The Road

14 ^1-4 "Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don't you? Trust me. There is plenty of room for you in my Father's home. If that weren't so, would I have told you that I'm on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I'm on my way to get your room ready, I'll come back and get you so you can live where I live. And you already know the road I'm taking."

Verse of the Day 2/7

 

Matthew 14:30-31  ³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind,^[a] he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me!"  ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

We've been considering walking with God in the desert, where floods can spring up almost instantly and their is need of deliverance.  There are times when we are in familiar settings where storms will come up and we can still be afraid, still need deliverance.

 

In today's passage, these experienced fishermen were out at sea during the night.  A fierce storm comes up, Jesus comes and meets them. Walking on the water.  Jesus call Peter to "come", the impulsive, enthusiastic and committed Peter jumps out of the boat into the crashing waves, then as fear comes over him so do the waves.  Jesus reaches down, lifts him up and calms the seas, calms the storm.

 

Whether it be in desert places or being tossed about in a storm at sea, Jesus is Lord of the storms, and He is worth trusting in our own turbulent times.  Jesus first words are often, fear not, don't be afraid, or take courage because "I am with you, I am here."  It points back to another familiar verse in Isaiah 43:

 

Isaiah 43:1-2  But now thus says the Lord
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.

² 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Next time we find ourselves in the torrent or in the turbulence and we cry out and He delivers us, will Jesus speak to us like He did to Peter "faint heart, what got into you"? (The Message).

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 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 14:26-31

The Message (MSG)

^24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.

²⁷ But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."

²⁸ Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."

^29-30 He said, "Come ahead."

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"

³¹ Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"