Verse of the Day 9/29

Through the Bible - Isaiah 18-20, Ephesians 3

Good morning,

If you were to ask the average person, the average Christian (if there is such a thing) what is eternal life?, they would probably say something about heaven. When asked to describe what heaven might be like it is usually some kind of response which revolves around something they like to do. It might involve playing golf on the most beautiful courses, sand traps and all (but of course in heaven you'd never find yourself in one). There have even been commercials about drinking beer in heaven where the beer is replaced without asking.

But what does the Bible say about "eternal life", what will be our greatest joy?

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. NKJV

I read a devotional the other day from J.I. Packer which took a look at Matthew 6:4 which takes a look at doing "charitable deeds".

Matt 6:3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. NKJV

Packer comments, "The activity of which Matthew chapter 6 speaks is the service of God; looking toward him, reaching out to him, praising, praying, worshipping, adoring, loving, and obeying him, and thus enjoying fellowship with him. The reward for that is an ever-closer relationship with God himself. Hereafter we will not literally be walking around a place called heaven wearing heavy, jewel studded gold bracelets: that picture is a pointer to something else. Our reward will be that for which we have been qualifying throughout our discipleship on earth. God's welcome, his well done! and the communication to us of his love in his immediate actual presence."
Somehow, I believe that that is a better picture of eternal life, heaven, than playing golf, collecting sea shells on the eternal shores, or a continual supply of our favorite beer.

Eternal life starts here and now. What are we doing to know Jesus here and now? What are we doing to develop that "ever-closer" relationship that will carry over to the other side?

Will you live your life today, from here forward with a better "picture" of eternal life and live to know Him, the only true God, and Jesus Christ who was sent to give us this life?

I don't know what heaven would be like. I wouldn't even mind if there was golf there (where I would play better), but it has no significance, we will find our joy, rest, and peace in Him who is worthy of eternal praise. Nothing eles matters.

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

John 17:1-20

17 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

6 "I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7 Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8 For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

9 "I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.


NKJV

Verse of the Day - weekend 9/27

Through the Bible - Isaiah 13-17, Ephesians 1-2

Good morning.
It has been a rough week in many respects for many of you who receive these devotionals.

I apologize for not being able to put out a Verse of the Day for a couple of days this week.

My wife Jean was rushed to the hospital on Thursday night with a bleeding ulcer (mostly due to prolonged use of pain medication for a herniated disc in her neck). Please remember her in prayer this weekend.

I was out of town on business and flew home yesterday morning. I hadn't had the time to do my devotions earlier, so I began them on the plane as we were preparing to take off.

Part of my reading was Psalm 150. I was reading it just as the jet was taking off.

Ps 150:1 Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy house of worship,
praise him under the open skies;
Praise him for his acts of power,
praise him for his magnificent greatness; (from THE MESSAGE)

It was overcast and drizzly when I left Florida and was the same when I landed in Raleigh. But taking off we rose through the clouds to see a bright sunshine. While rising up in takeoff I was given a different view of the landscape than you can get when on the ground.

God has a different view of our lives. He sees the whole picture. Even when clouds block our view, His light shines through just like the UV rays penetrate the clouds and can give us warmth (and a sunburn), even in the cloudy days of life, He can bring us peace, warmth, and comfort in times of need.

When I landed and was heading to the hospital to see Jean, I listened to one of the new songs from Chris Tomlin, "I Will Rise".

Read the lyrics as an offering of praise to God this weekend.

I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
And I hear the cry of every longing heart,
"Worthy is the Lamb"
(x2)

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

To listen to the song you can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yvfso4Q8xg

Praise Him this weekend even if it is a cloudy day.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

Ps 150:1 -

150 Hallelujah!
Praise God in his holy house of worship,
praise him under the open skies;
Praise him for his acts of power,
praise him for his magnificent greatness;
Praise with a blast on the trumpet,
praise by strumming soft strings;
Praise him with castanets and dance,
praise him with banjo and flute;
Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum,
praise him with fiddles and mandolin.
Let every living, breathing creature praise God!
Hallelujah!


(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

Verse of the Day 9/24

Through the Bible - Isaiah 4-6, Galations 4

Good morning,
For this morning's verse, we'll go to the close of the book of 1 Thessalonians where we find another one of Paul's encouraging benedictions.

1 Thess 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us. NKJV

I've heard from a few of you recently of hardships, loss of jobs, changes in ministry, and personal/relational struggles. In those times especially we need God's peace. It is not the peace of the world, it can only come from God.

Yesterday's devotional spoke of holiness, today's speaks of sanctification, this is done by the work of the holy spirit working within us, changing us, strengthening us in and for the troubled times.

Paul is encouraging his readers then and now to be transformed in spirit, soul, and body and concludes by asking for prayers for "us".

Let us pray for each other. Lift up those today that are facing hard times. As verse 23 starts out pray that the peace would come "now".

As the Holy Spirit works in you, may he bring about the "fruit of the Spirit" mentioned in Galations 5:22 which will be part of tomorrow's New Testament reading.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. NKJV


In Christ,
Mike

1 Thess 5:12-28
Various Exhortations
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Blessing and Admonition
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/23

Through the Bible - Isaiah 2-3, Galations 3

Good morning,
The read through the Bible plan above will be in Isaiah for the next few weeks. If you have never read through the book I would recommend that you do so. If you have gone through it, maybe you could try a different translation such as The Message. If you don't have a copy, it is available at www.biblegateway.com.

Isaiah's name means "the Lord is salvation. The intro into the book from the Message states " Isaiah does not merely convey information. He creates visions, delivers revelation, arouses belief." Eugene Peterson goes on to say that " the impressive art of Isaiah involves taking the stuff out of our ordinary and often disappointing human experience and showin us how it is the very stuff that God uses to create, save, and give hope."
Reading these early chapters in the book you can't help but see the similarities between today's society and Isaiah's. The need is also the same. The need of a Saviour.

Isa 2:6-9
God, you've walked out on your family Jacob
because their world is full of hokey religion,
Philistine witchcraft, and pagan hocus-pocus,
a world rolling in wealth,
Stuffed with things,
no end to its machines and gadgets,
And gods — gods of all sorts and sizes.
These people make their own gods and worship what they make.
A degenerate race, facedown in the gutter.
Don't bother with them! They're not worth forgiving!
(from THE MESSAGE)

Doesn't that sound like today in America, stuffed with machines and gadgets, people making their own gods and worshipping what they make?

But God sees, and he doesn't abandon us, and he does offer forgiveness.

May we be examples in this world and shine as lights. This involves "holiness" being set apart by God for God.

There are many themes or subthemes in the book of Isaiah, one of them being holiness.

Peterson writes, "The more hours we spend pondering the words of Isaiah, the mor the word "holy" changes in our understanding. If "holy" was ever a pious, pastel tinted word in our vocabularies, the Isaiah preaching quickly turns it into something blazing. Holiness is the most attractive quality, the most intense experience we ever get of sheer life - authentic, firsthand living, not life looked at and enjoyed from a distance. ... Holiness is a furnace that transforms the men and women who enter it. Holy, Holy, Holy is not needlepoint. It is the banner of a revolution, the revolution."

We here many calls for change in our society from politicians to the pulpits. This is the change, the "revolution" that we need. It is accomplished by living in faith, in trusting, and obeying.

Faith is as much the rule of temporal as of spiritual life; we ought to have faith in God for our earthly affairs as well as for our heavenly business. It is only as we learn to trust in God for the supply of all our daily need that we shall live above the world. We are not to be idle, that would show we did not trust in God, who worketh hitherto, but in the devil, who is the father of idleness. We are not to be imprudent or rash; that were to trust chance, and not the living God, who is a God of economy and order. Acting in all prudence and uprightness, we are to rely simply and entirely upon the Lord at all times. - Charles Spurgeon

Spend some time in Isaiah in the coming days and weeks.

In Christ,
Mike

Isa 2:1-12
The Future House of God(Mic 4:1-5)
The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter daysThat the mountain of the Lord's houseShall be established on the top of the mountains,And shall be exalted above the hills;And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say,"Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,To the house of the God of Jacob;He will teach us His ways,And we shall walk in His paths."For out of Zion shall go forth the law,And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations,And rebuke many people;They shall beat their swords into plowshares,And their spears into pruning hooks;Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,Neither shall they learn war anymore.
The Day of the Lord
5 O house of Jacob, come and let us walkIn the light of the Lord.
6 For You have forsaken Your people, the house of Jacob,Because they are filled with eastern ways;They are soothsayers like the Philistines,And they are pleased with the children of foreigners. 7 Their land is also full of silver and gold,And there is no end to their treasures;Their land is also full of horses,And there is no end to their chariots. 8 Their land is also full of idols;They worship the work of their own hands,That which their own fingers have made. 9 People bow down,And each man humbles himself;Therefore do not forgive them. 10 Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust,From the terror of the LordAnd the glory of His majesty. 11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled,The haughtiness of men shall be bowed down,And the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.
1
NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/22

Through the Bible - Song of Solomon 7, Isaiah 1, Galations 2

Good morning,
I've been sending out these "Verse of the Day" devotionals now for more than 4 years. It started with something I started to send out to the men's Bible study group that I was leading at the time. At that time we were studying the book of Isaiah.
This morning's verse will come from the Old Testament reading above, Isaiah chapter 1.
Isa 1:17 Learn to do good;
Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor;
Defend the fatherless,
Plead for the widow.

18 "Come now, and let us reason together,"
Says the Lord,
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool. NKJV

The verses are probably better remembered for the call to "do good, seek justice and to defend and plead" for the less fortunate, as well as the reference to the cleansing power of the coming Messiah.

But what we'll look at as our Bible study group did back then was the simple phrase "come now, and let us reason togther". The call is to make a "legal decision". It's almost like a courtroom decision. The evidence is weighed, testimonies, witnesses have stated their case. Now it is time to decide. Having heard what they had been called to do in the previous verse the decision to made is "will I decide to follow" to live my life that way?

Here it denotes the kind of contention, or argumentation, which occurs in a court of justice, where the parties reciprocally state the grounds of their cause. God had been addressing magistrates particularly, and commanding them to seek judgment, to relieve the oppressed, to do justice to the orphan and widow; all of which terms are taken from courts of law. He here continues the language, and addresses them as accustomed to the proceedings of courts, and proposes to submit the case as if on trial. He then proceeds (Isa 1:18-20), to adduce the principles on which he is willing to bestow pardon on them; and submits the case to them, assured that those principles will commend themselves to their reason and sober judgment. (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database)

As we study God's Word, listen to messages, and pray, we are still being called daily by the Holy Spirit, "come, let us reason together",

It is still the thought behind these devotionals. My hope is that they may spur some of you on.

Read the passage below from "The Message". How does it speak to you today?

I have created a blog where you can read these same devotionals and also have the opportunity to convey your thoughts and insights into the verses and the devotionals.
I don't know where it is going, but much like how these devotionals started, I feel compelled that it is something that I am supposed to view. If you haven't done so you can click on http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com to go to the blog. It is available at the bottom of these devotionals on most days.

If God lays something on your heart, don't be afraid to share it.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net


Isa 1:13-21

"Quit your worship charades.I can't stand your trivial religious games:Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings — meetings, meetings, meetings — I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!You've worn me out!I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance,I'll be looking the other way.No matter how long or loud or often you pray,I'll not be listening.And do you know why? Because you've been tearingpeople to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up.Clean up your act.Sweep your lives clean of your evildoingsso I don't have to look at them any longer.Say no to wrong. Learn to do good.Work for justice.Help the down-and-out.Stand up for the homeless.Go to bat for the defenseless.
Let's Argue This Out
"Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out."This is God's Message:"If your sins are blood-red,they'll be snow-white.If they're red like crimson,they'll be like wool. If you'll willingly obey,you'll feast like kings. But if you're willful and stubborn,you'll die like dogs."That's right. God says so.

(from THE MESSAGE: )

Verse of the Day - weekend 9/20

Through the Bible - Song of Solomon 1-6, 2 Corinthians 13, Galations 1

Good morning,
For this weekend's verse we'll go to 1 Timothy chapter one.
In a passage where Paul is telling Timothy of the praiseworthiness of God for His grace we have a benediction of sorts at the end of the passage. This will be today's verse:
1 Tim 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
NKJV

In a passage where Paul was telling Timothy how he considered himself to be the "chief of sinners" he speaks of a "faithful saying" (v.15). He used these words in other Pastoral Epistles and they refer to key doctrines, basic principles to take hold of and be grounded in. He considered himself to be first in rank in one thing, as a sinner.

With this attitude he would not look down on others or feel superiority in himself. This is a faithful saying, one that would keep him, keep Timothy and hopefully in reading it, keep us humble.

This attitude is modelled in reaching out to sinners, to prisoners (of sin,in jail or not) , and anyone in need of a saviour. It is rejected by the self righteous who do not see themselves as sinners at all. When they (the self righteous) think of the word "sinner" they think only of others.

Paul's personal testimony, shared several times in the New Testament has been influential in bringing many to Christ through the ages. Having his attitude, and living it out could have the same effect on those around us to this day. May we use this as a "pattern" for our lives.

Many of Paul's benedictions have been made into songs and hymns. We'll close with one from today's verse. Read it, sing it to yourself our out loud as an offering of praise and thanksgiving this weekend.

Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
But of all Thy rich graces this grace, Lord, impart
Take the veil from our faces, the vile from our heart.

All laud we would render; O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee,
And so let Thy glory, almighty, impart,
Through Christ in His story, Thy Christ to the heart.
(from Biblesoft Hymnal, PC Study Bible electronic database Copyright © 2003-2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

1 Tim 1:12-18

Glory to God for His Grace
(cf. Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-19)

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Verse of the Day 9/19

Through the Bible - Ecclesiastes 10-12, 2 Corinthians 12

Good morning,
Awakening. What comes to mind when you read that word? Wiping away the cobwebs and sitting down to a cup of coffee or tea in the morning?

Have you ever prayed for a spriritual awakening in a friend or loved one, for a church, or for our nation?
I know I've prayed for an awakening of a different kind. It was when our oldest son Jeff was injured in a car accident and was in a coma. I prayed for that awakening like I had never prayed for anything before.
Jeff came out of his coma, but his awakening was a long slow process.

Sometimes it is like that spiritually. God awakens someone as He did with the Apostle Paul. Others over a long period of time. But in all cases it is the work of God.

Today's verse comes from a passage in Isaiah 64. Verse one starts with "Oh that You would rend the heavens and come down". It is a prayer from the heart that God would awaken His people and draw them to Him.

Today's verse comes a little later in the chapter:
Isa 64:8 But now, O Lord,
You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.
9 Do not be furious, O Lord,
Nor remember iniquity forever;
Indeed, please look — we all are Your people! NKJV

God does the calling, the work. It is when He reveals to us that we are broken, needful, sinful people that are in need of a Saviour that we will truly seek Him and not try to find Him in our own works and ways. It is when we consider our own efforts as "filthy rags" that shows that our hearts are ready to be molded.

MacArthur writes, "Such seeking and calling on the Lord as Isaiah describes in Isa. 55:6-7 cannot occur apart from the powerful conviction and awakening of the sinful heart by the Holy Spirit. Thus the prayer recognizes God as a potter in control of clay and pleads for Him to do a saving work. Such a work is what God promised to end His fury and His memory of sin."

I stil pray for and ask you to pray for a continued awakening (physical) in Jeff. I have seen a spiritual awakening in him by comments that he makes, by the "'Amens" or "ooh hoos' in church.

I need more of that awakening in myself. I believe that we need it in our church and in our country. Will you pray for it and seek it today?

I'll finish with the word of a song "Great Awakenings" by 4 Him. It was a song that I listened to time and time again in the weeks and months surrounding Jeff's injury, coma, and gradual awakening. I prayed then and I still do for physical and spiritual awakening.

Like a machine in pursuit, on the horizon like a raging fire, we move,
driven by questions in an endless search for truth. there is a
stirring in us, a great awakening begins

Chorus: I believe there's a mighty power. I believe it's a latter
rain. I believe there's a move of God calling us all higher. Oh I
believe these are the days of the great awakening.

More than our hearts can contain, it is an overflow of God's amazing
grace coming to reconcile a world that's lost its way. Oh all
consuming fire come purify us once again.

Repeat Chorus
Bridge: there's no containing this great move of restoration. It
knows no wall, no boundaries or lines. Without a doubt I do believe if
we'll just get down on our knees the latter rain is gonna fall. It's
just a matter of time.

In Christ,
Mike

Isa 64:1-9
A Prayer for Help
64 Oh, that You would rend the heavens!That You would come down!That the mountains might shake at Your presence — 2 As fire burns brushwood,As fire causes water to boil — To make Your name known to Your adversaries,That the nations may tremble at Your presence! 3 When You did awesome things for which we did not look,You came down,The mountains shook at Your presence. 4 For since the beginning of the worldMen have not heard nor perceived by the ear,Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,Who acts for the one who waits for Him. 5 You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness,Who remembers You in Your ways.You are indeed angry, for we have sinned — In these ways we continue;And we need to be saved.
6 But we are all like an unclean thing,And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;We all fade as a leaf,And our iniquities, like the wind,Have taken us away. 7 And there is no one who calls on Your name,Who stirs himself up to take hold of You;For You have hidden Your face from us,And have consumed us because of our iniquities.
8 But now, O Lord,You are our Father;We are the clay, and You our potter;And all we are the work of Your hand.
NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/17

Through the Bible - Ecclesiastes 5-6, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Good morning,

Yesterday we looked at how we are not to get caught up in the fray, to live our lives on a higher plane.
I was reading in Ephesians 2 this morning in a wonderful passage that we are more familiar with because it says "for by grace are you saved by faith, not of works" while telling us that we are "created in Christ for good works".

Before that, today's verses tell us that God "made us sit together".

"But God" (v.4).....Eph 2:6-raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. NKJV

Have you ever been busy working on something at work, home, or church and felt that you needed a break but just couldn't pull yourself away? Then a coworker, boss, pastor, or spouse comes along and says, "you need to take a break" and offers you to sit down, go to lunch or share a cup of coffee. The task may still be there to be done, but won't you be better prepared if you take some time to sit with the Master. Doing so, you'll be better prepared for the task.

God calls us out by his grace, shows us mercy and let's us in on what He wants us to do, when we pull ourselves (sometimes pry) from the work, the task at hand, and spend some time with Him.

MacArthur comments that "the tense of raised and made indicates that these are immediate and direct results of salvation. Not only is the believer dead to sin and alive to righteousness through Christ's resurrection, but he also enjoys His Lords exaltation and shares in His pre-eminent joy."

I'm reminded of the old song/hymn Jesus Calls Us

Jesus calls us over the tumult
Of our life’s wild, restless, sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, “Christian, follow Me!”
Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love Me more!”
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love Me more than these!”
Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.

If Jesus is calling you to sit down and spend some time with Him today, will you?

In Christ,
Mike

Eph 2:1-10
By Grace Through Faith
2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/16

Through the Bible - Ecclesiastes 3-4, 2 Corinthians 10

Good morning,
I used the word barrage the other day to talk about the sexual tempations that are seemingly hurled at us in various forms of media today.

There is another barrage that we face in this election year and it is the constant accusations and finger pointing that is going on between candidates, parties, media and yes even professing Christians.

A friend sent me this note the other day and gave me permission to post it.
"I have become increasingly burdened by the way many of my fellow saints have been responding to the presidential election. It seems as if Christians are morphing into democrats or republicans as their identity instead of their identity being “In Christ Alone”. I realize this phenomenon is not an anomaly to this election year, but I have noticed an increased passion or level of intensity among my Christian brothers & sisters this year. The area that has been most heartbreaking and angering to me is the amount of joy people are displaying regarding the current candidates being smeared by the respective political parties and then to share that joy with others to get a rise out of them. To find joy at the expense of someone else, whether you personally know the person or not is almost beyond my comprehension. But we did see that being done to Christ during his life and especially during his many trials. Finding joy at another’s expense no matter how that person is acting is being conformed to this world not being transformed to it; exactly what Paul tells us in Rom 12:1-2. We aren’t renewing our minds through the Holy Sprit’s leading we are conforming our minds to Satan’s leading."

Today's verses come from 1 Peter, out of a passage that is titled in the NKJV as "Living Before the World".

1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. NKJV

In these conditions we as Christians should be willing to take the "high road", not to get caught up in the fray, not to join in in the finger pointing. We should be living counter culturally, with honorable conduct. The verse spells out why, that others will notice the difference in us, that it is Christ and glorify God (at some point, maybe not now). The day of visitation is a time when God will draw near to His people in judgement or blessing. In either case, people will glorify God for the actions of His people in the midst of the fray.

MacArthur comments: "The Greek word honorable is rich in meaning, it implies the purest, highest, noblest kind of goodness. It means lovely, winsome, gracious, noble and excellent." Isn't this the kind of character, the kind of speech that we'd like to here in the political candidates today?

If we are not hearing it in our own circles may we lead by example.

For more on the subject go to the "Daily Bread" at www.rbc.org where Bill Crowder writes, "Criticism can consume our lives to the point of emotional paralysis, or we can set our hearts to serve God faithfully, undeterred by that criticism and put God on display. When we do that, we won't need to answer our critics with words - our lives will say all that is needed."
Read the passage below. How does it speak to you today? Be a living stone.

In Christ,
Mike

1 Peter 2:4-13
The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People
4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
"Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."
7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
"The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,"
8 and
"A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense."
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Living Before the World
11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/15

Through the Bible - Proverbs 31- Ecclesiastes 1-2, 2 Corinthians 9

Good morning,
In our High School Sunday School class yesterday we looked at the account of the "rich young ruler" in Matthew 19. In preparation we looked at Matthew 6:33 which will serve as today's verse of the day.

I'll copy it in the more familiar (perhaps) NKJV but also show the Amplifed version.

Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. NKJV

33But seek ([a]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([b]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [c]taken together will be given you besides.

The verse is one that we should be familiar with about "seek ye first". This "first" is not only in time, in order, but in priority. It is not a one time thing but continual, and something that takes diligence and striving after, make it your top priority.

The kingdom of God is mentioned in many parables. It is easy to think of this as heaven or eternal life. But it starts here and now and is exemplified in the thought of the parable of the "pearl of great price" where the person sold all he had to obtain it.

Notice also that it is "His righteousness". Not something we do, but that He has done and can work through us. The NKJV commentary states that "Luther defined the righteousness of God as a righteousness valid before God, which a man may possess through faith. Luther said that this righteousness is the first and last need of any sinful individual. The word righteousness in Paul's letter to the Romans carries a double sense, and may be labeled both legal and moral. In other words the word refers to the legal action God takes in declaring sinners as righteous, but is also refers to perfect righteousness, a characheristic which can only be attributed to God Himself in Scripture and is the lofty standard for human behavior."
I'll post the Matthew 19 passage below. Read it with this verse as a back drop. Notice how the young man came looking for something he could do. He had acquired much but was seeking more. His priorities were wrong.

He felt that he had fulfilled the "law". Jesus had quoted six of the commandments but left out the first about having "no other gods before me" and the last "thou shalt not covet". Think about that one.
When it came down to it his possessions held him. He could not part with them.

How about us? Who or what are we seeking first? What are we willing to give up to seek His kingdom?
How does the story speak to you today.

In Christ,
Mike

Matt 19:16-30
The Rich Man
16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"
17 "Why ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments."
18 "Which ones?" the man asked.
And Jesus replied: "'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20 "I've obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?"
21 Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away very sad, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I'll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"
25 The disciples were astounded. "Then who in the world can be saved?" they asked.
26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."

Verse of the Day - weekend 9/13

Through the Bible - Proverbs 25-30, 2 Corinthians 7:2- 8:24

Good morning,
I have family and friends that receive these "VOTD" devotionals that are waiting for healing.

For this weekends devotional I thought that I'd do something a little different. I'll start with a verse which I read in the "Daily Bread" devotional (www.rbc.org) and follow with a chain of verses that sprung out of that in my mind and my reading this morning.

Ps 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life. NKJV

I've mentioned this before and I hope that it holds true in your life as well, that even in tough, stressful times, time spent in His Word and in prayer can bring comfort and strength. (See also verses 53 and 76 in this chapter)

2 Cor 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. NKJV

As we are comforted in our troubles, may we reach out to others who may be going through the same or similar things. If you've received peace, be a peacemaker.

Rom 14:9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. NKJV
Christ is Lord of all. As Christ rose again, in His time we will rise also. My Bible referenced Acts 10:36, so we'll go there.

Acts 10:36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ — He is Lord of all — NKJV

We can have peace through Jesus Christ because He is Lord of all, those who have gone before and those living now, who trust in His name.
The thought of "Lord of the dead and the living made me think of Hebrew 11 and the "Hall of Faith". For a gliimpse of that we'll go to Hebrews 11 and then the beginning of chapter 12.

Heb 11:27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. NKJV

How do we go through tough times by faith? We endure by seeing Him who is invisible. This is faith, this is trust.

Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, NKJV
Remember that it is through Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

Ps 139:17-18 Your thoughts — how rare, how beautiful!
God, I'll never comprehend them!
I couldn't even begin to count them —
any more than I could count the sand of the sea.
Oh, let me rise in the morning and live always with you! THE MESSAGE:

No matter what the circumstances, "let me rise in the morning (here or in eternity) and live always with you."

Prov 4:1-3
Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice;
sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live.
I'm giving you good counsel;
don't let it go in one ear and out the other. THE MESSAGE

The Bible has good counsel for us every day. But let's apply it and not let it go in one ear and out the other. The same goes for the sermons we'll hear this weekend.

And we'll close with a couple of verses from today's read through the Bible plan:

2 Cor 7:10

Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets. THE MESSAGE:

May we learn to let the stresses, anxieties, and troubles drive us to God to turn us around.

Praise Him this weekend for His excellent greatness, ever in joyful song.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net


Ps 119:49-57

Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
51 The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord,
And have comforted myself.
53 Indignation has taken hold of me
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I remember Your name in the night, O Lord,
And I keep Your law.
56 This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.


NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/12

Through the Bible - Proverbs 23-24, 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Good morning,
In my devotions this morning I read ahead of Moody's "Today in the Word" (which stopped at 1 Thes. 3:13) and read through 4:3 which reads:
1 Thess 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; NKJV
We may ask ourselves "what is God's will for my life" with some degree of uncertainty. However, one thing we can be sure of is that His will is to "abstain", stay away, run away form sexual immorality.

In today's society it is all around us from TV shows and ads, movies, magazines, and the internet and on and on. It may be hard to "stand" against the barrage, but it is what we are called to do. If we have fallen, we are to repent, to turn back to God for reconciliation and forgiveness. If we are being tempted we are to call on God and others to help, strengthen and encourage us in the fight.

Going back to Romans 12 and and the thoughts of not being "conformed" to this world but "transformed" by taking His Word to heart and obeying, for today's verse we'll go to the New Testament reading for today in 2 Corinthians:

2 Cor 7:1 With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. THE MESSAGE:

or from the NKJV

2 Cor 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. NKJV

The promises mentioned come from the preceeding passage:

2 Cor 6:16-18
"I'll live in them, move into them;I'll be their God and they'll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise;leave it for good," says God."Don't link up with those who will pollute you.I want you all for myself. I'll be a Father to you;you'll be sons and daughters to me."The Word of the Master, God.
(from THE MESSAGE: )

The NKJV refers to "perfecting holiness", MacArthur comments " The Greek word for "perfecting" means to finish or to complete. Holiness refers to separation from all that would defile the body and the mind. Complete or perfect holiness was embodied only in Christ, thus believers are to pursue Him."

Do you need strength to stand today against the barrage of garbage that is thrown your way today? Don't "link up" with those who will pollute you and "make a clean break", call on the Lord Jesus Christ for strength and grace to face the day.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
2 Cor 6:11-7:1

Be Holy

11 O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same(I speak as to children), you also be open.

14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

"I will dwell in themAnd walk among them.I will be their God,And they shall be My people."

17 Therefore

"Come out from among themAnd be separate, says the Lord.Do not touch what is unclean,And I will receive you." 18 'I will be a Father to you,And you shall be My sons and daughters,Says the Lord Almighty."

The Corinthians' Repentance

7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/11

Through the Bible - Proverbs 21-22, 2 Corinthians 5:1- 6:13

Good morning,
For today's verse we'll again go to the passage from the New Testament portion of the read through the Bible plan above. Sometimes it is unfortunate where the chapters have been divided in the Bible, at least in the "flow" of reading and thought. 2 Cor. 6:1-2 go together with the previous passage about being reconciled to God. The thought and reminder of being "ambassadors for God" needs to be carried over.
We are to "put on Christ" to be ambassadors for him every day. Sometimes we put off witnessing for Christ, feeling that it is not the time. I know that I have been guilty of this. The passage reminds us that "now is the day of salvation". If we have the opportunity, don't put it off.
MacArthur writes, "There is a time in God's economy when He listens to sinners and responds to those who are repentant - and it was and is that time. However, there will also be an end to that time, which is why Paul's exhortation is so passionate."
Let us not pass up the opportunities that the day holds to be ambassadors for Christ.
2 Cor 6:1-3 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. God reminds us,
I heard your call in the nick of time;The day you needed me, I was there to help.
Well, now is the right time to listen, the day to be helped. Don't put it off; - The Message

or from the NKJV
2 Cor 6:1 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:
"In an acceptable time I have heard you,And in the day of salvation I have helped you."
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Going back to chapter 5:14-21 you will notice that
1) our motivation for life has become different (14,15) we have been loved and claimed
2) our vision for life has become different (16,17). We see people in a new way.
3) our relation to God has become different (18,19) Once we were at odds with God, now God has reconciled, brought us to Himself.
4) our relationto others has become different (20,21) Nobody ever approaches others in the way that we do. For we go to them as ambassadors for Christ, workers with God, God's persuaders, messengers from heaven. God making his appeal through us. ----- J. I. Packer
What opportunities will we have today to be "ambassadors for Christ"? May we look for them.

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
2 Cor 5:12-6:3

Be Reconciled to God

12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Marks of the Ministry

6 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:

"In an acceptable time I have heard you,And in the day of salvation I have helped you."

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Verse of the Day 9/10

Through the Bible - Proverbs 19-20, 2 Corinthians 4

Good morning,
This morning is another one of those that I had something that I had intended to write but changed course because of something I read this morning.
My parents are going through some tough times right now, waiting for healing for my dad and to make decisions on their future. Navigating through these times takes faith, hope, and love.
Today's verse comes from 2 Corinthians 4 which is the New Testament reading in today's "read through the Bible" above.
2 Cor 4:1-3 Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. - The Message
or from the NKJV
2 Cor 4:1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. NKJV

It takes us back to last week with the thought of "out shining" even in the difficult times.

John MacArthur has this to say about not "losing heart", "A strong Greek term which refers to abandoning oneself to cowardly surrender. That was not how Paul responded to the continual attacks he faced. The task of ministering the New Covenant was too noble to lose heart over. Since God had called him to proclaim it, Paul would not abandon his calling. Instead he trusted God to strengthen him."

The passage and thought relates to another devotional for today from Today in the Word(www.todayintheword.com).
The passage there was in 1 Thessalonians 3.
1 Thess 3:8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. NKJV

Standing fast in the difficult times will have an impact on others. It can inspire, encourage and challenge to take a similar stand in similar or other trying circumstances.
In choosing to take a stand in faith you might think of it as "choosing to be a blessing".

The Blessing
(Joe Waller)
Chorus: Let it be said of us While we walked among the living. Let it be said of us By the ones we leave behind. Let it be said of us That we lived to be a blessing for life. Let it be said of us That we gave to reach the dying.Let it be said of us By the fruit we leave behind. Let it be said of us That our legacy is blessing for life. This day You set life, you set death right before us, This day Every blessing and curse is a choice now, And we will choose to be a blessing for life. Let it be said of us That our hearts belonged to Jesus. Let it be said of us That we spoke the words of life. Let it be said of us That our heritage is blessing for life. This day You set life, you set death right before us, This day Every blessing and curse is a choice now, And we will choose to be a blessing for life. we will choose to be a blessing for life. *Because blessings and curses are choicesWill we build up, tear down moment of truth is now*This day You set life, you set death right before us, This day Every blessing and curse is a choice now, And we will choose to be a blessing for life. we will choose to be a blessing for life. For your Kingdom, for our Children For the sake of every nationFor your Kingdom, for our Children For the sake of every nationWe will choose to be a blessing for life. For life. Blessing for life.
Be praying for my mom and dad, for healing wisdom, and strength.
Read the chapter below which ends with:

So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. (2 Cor. 4:16-18)
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.

2 Cor 4:1-5:1

Trial and Torture4 Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we're not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get. Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us — trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us — he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best! We're not keeping this quiet, not on your life. Just like the psalmist who wrote, "I believed it, so I said it," we say what we believe. And what we believe is that the One who raised up the Master Jesus will just as certainly raise us up with you, alive. Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever. 5

Verse of the Day 9/9

Through the Bible - Proverbs 17-18, 2 Corinthians 3

Good morning,
At some time, some point in our lives, I'm sure that we have felt personally and for our nation that God was on "our side". In our lives and our churches we meet someone new and try to figure out, maybe even ask "are you for us, do you agree with us, our are you against us."

For today's verse we'll go to the book of Joshua. Joshua is facing Jericho with what seem to be large impenetrable walls. How is he going to defeat them? He meets a Man, an imposing figure with sword drawn and asks him a question.

Josh 5:13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?"

14 So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." NKJV

Joshua comes to realize that this is no ordinary man, ordinary soldier. He is the Commander of the Lord's army, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, (a Christophany) and as a Messenger.

But notice the answer. He didn't say that He was for or against Joshua, He said "no". Basically, Joshua had it wrong, it was the wrong question. What should it have been.

Erwin Lutzer writes in "Is God on America's Side", "I marvel, as I am sure you have, at the wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, America's most admired president. He was asked whether God was on his side and he replied, "I do not care whether God is on my side; the important question is whether I am on God's side, for God is always right. "Yes, that is the important question: Are we on God's side?.

In this day and age people are still asking the question. Some, perhaps many assume that God is on our side as a nation. In this political season the question should be asked of us, of our leaders, of our nation "are we on God's side? If so it will be evidenced our in our actions and decisions.
The following verse from Romans may come to mind:

Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? NKJV
How is this different?
If you have some time read Romans 8. If we are on God's side, He for sure will be on ours.

Rom 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJV

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Josh 5:13-6:1

The Commander of the Army of the Lord

13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?"

14 So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come."

And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?"

15 Then the Commander of the Lord's army said to Joshua,"Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.

NKJV

Verse of the Day - weekend 9/6

Through the Bible - Proverbs 11-14, 1Corinthians 16 - 2 Corinthians 1

In my devotions this morning I read one of Paul's benedictions in 1 Corinthians 13. Today's verse comes from that passage, verse 14 mentions God in the three "persons" of the Trinity.

But the word that caught my attention this morning was the "communion" of the Holy Spirit. Think of this communion, communion between us and the Holy Spirt which leads to communion, fellowship, and love between believers.

"communion" -koinoonia- means properly participation, fellowship, or having anything in common; This is also a wish or prayer of the apostle Paul; and the desire is either that they might partake of the views and feelings of the Holy Spirit; that is, that they might have fellowship with him; or that they might all in common partake of the gifts and graces which the Spirit of God imparts. He gives love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith (Gal 5:22), as well as miraculous endowments; and Paul prays that these things might be imparted freely to all the church in common, that all might participate in them; all might share them. From Barnes Notes
2 Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. NKJV

Some within the Christian church do not ascribe to the personal aspects of the trinity, instead trying to one God manifested in different ways. This verse and others show us the distinctiveness of each of the three "persons" of the Trinity.

MacArthur writes, "The Trinitarian benediction reminded the Corinthians of the blessings they had received: "grace" from the Lord Jesus Christ (8:9), "love" from God the Father (1:1) and "communion" with God and each other through the Holy Spirit. (1:22, 5:5). Jesus was mentioned before the Father because His sacrificial death is the ultimate expression of God's love."

The verse and the commentaries reminded me of several songs. As tropical storm Hanna moved through this morning it brought not a storm but soaking rains. I was reminded of Todd Agnew's "Grace Like Rain". I also thought of "Showers of Blessing" and finally I thought of one of my favorite hymns Holy, Holy, Holy.

As you read the lyrics take the words "God in three Persons blessed Trinity" to heart.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

I've copied the passage from the NKJV and the Message below. Let is speak to you today, this weekend as a preparation for, and an act of worship.

In Christ,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul Prefers Gentleness

7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Greetings and Benediction

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

2 Cor 13:5 -

Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. I hope the test won't show that we have failed. But if it comes to that, we'd rather the test showed our failure than yours. We're rooting for the truth to win out in you. We couldn't possibly do otherwise.

We don't just put up with our limitations; we celebrate them, and then go on to celebrate every strength, every triumph of the truth in you. We pray hard that it will all come together in your lives.

I'm writing this to you now so that when I come I won't have to say another word on the subject. The authority the Master gave me is for putting people together, not taking them apart. I want to get on with it, and not have to spend time on reprimands.



And that's about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello.

The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you.

Verse of the Day 9/5

Through the Bible - Proverbs 9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Good morning,
Having become believers, followers of Christ, we will have experienced transformation as we've seen in the verses of this week. It is a continuing process. If we are not "pressing on" we will drift and fall back.
Those of us who have raised children, especially through the teenage years, have probably seen them go through some sort, some degree of rebellion. This may result in consequences that did not need to happen. When this happens we may feel "grieved", feeling that we have raised them better, taught them, and warned them.
Can we apply this to ourselves in our relationship to Christ?
Today's verse comes from Ephesians 4 and warns us of "grieving the Holy Spirit".
Eph 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. NKJV

We are not to be "secret agent" Christians. We should display His seal, His identifying mark upon the way we live our lives.
How do we grieve other people, even those close to us? In our actions, actions that go against what we know and profess. They are actions, sins, that disappoint or embarrass. How about ignoring, not spending time with family and friends or coming to them only when we're in trouble or in need of something.
Think about your ways or things that you do that would cause God to be grieved. Will you seek forgiveness? Will you change, repent?
The verses immediately following today's verse give us an idea of how this can be done. Put those foolish things away and turn in the right direction.

Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. NKJV
Read the passage below. How does it speak to you? What kind of effect will it have upon your day?
Ps 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,That I might not sin against You. NKJV
What other verses or passages come to mind?

May this old hymn be our prayer today.

O to be like Thee! blessèd Redeemer,This is my constant longing and prayer;Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
Refrain
O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee,Blessèd Redeemer, pure as Thou art;Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
O to be like Thee! full of compassion,Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,Seeking the wandering sinner to find.
Refrain
O to be like Thee! lowly in spirit,Holy and harmless, patient and brave;Meekly enduring cruel reproaches,Willing to suffer others to save.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
4:25-5:1

Do Not Grieve the Spirit

25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another. 26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
NKJV
Or from The Message Eph 4:25-

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry — but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted.

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Verse of the Day 9/4

Through the Bible - Proverbs 7-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Good morning,
Moody Bible Institute's devotional, "Today in the Word" is going through the book of 1 Thessalonians this month (www.todayintheword.com). Today, we'll go to the first chapter of that book for the verse of the day.
1 Thess 1:5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. NKJV

We've recently looked at Romans 12:1-2 about being transformed by the renewing of your mind. This verse and passage describe how this takes place. It comes from power from the Word and the working of the Holy Spirit.

Our Gospel the Gospel of Christ is the good news that comes not in word only but in power. What does this infer? 1 that it comes from the Word being REVEALED and received by us. 2) There is EVIDENCE, it is accompanied by a changed life. 3) When it is APPLIED it energizes us with power, power that affects our lives and those around us. 4) When is is DISPLAYED in our lives it will bring glory to God and He will accomplish His purposes in and through us.

Oh that we would take the gospel to heart, live it, display it in our lives. What impact would it have in our lives, our homes, our churches, our communities and beyond.

Today's read through the Bible plan bring us to 1 Corinthians 15 which shows the Apostle Paul displaying this kind of life. It is based on the Gospel and resurrection power.
1 Cor 15:30-35
And why do you think I keep risking my neck in this dangerous work? I look death in the face practically every day I live. Do you think I'd do this if I wasn't convinced of your resurrection and mine as guaranteed by the resurrected Messiah Jesus? Do you think I was just trying to act heroic when I fought the wild beasts at Ephesus, hoping it wouldn't be the end of me? Not on your life! It's resurrection, resurrection, always resurrection, that undergirds what I do and say, the way I live. If there's no resurrection, "We eat, we drink, the next day we die," and that's all there is to it. But don't fool yourselves. Don't let yourselves be poisoned by this anti-resurrection loose talk. "Bad company ruins good manners."
Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can't afford in times like these. Aren't you embarrassed that you've let this kind of thing go on as long as you have? - The Message
As the Michael W. Smith song states, I need-
More grace
More power
More of You in my life.
In Christ,
Mike

1 Thess 1:2-2:1
Their Good Example
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.
6 And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/3

Through the Bible - Proverbs 5-6, 1 Corinthians 14

Good morning,
It's so easy to get caught up in the concerns of daily life. A busy work schedule with various responsibilities, concerns on the home front from illness to strained relationships, concerns for our church, for our nation.... the list goes on.

One of the biggest things that gets left out of our schedules it time with God which actually would help us deal and cope with the stresses of the day.

Today's verse comes from Psalm 139. Reading this psalm should help us to realize and remember that God knows all about our daily struggles, many of which are the result of sin, which may include pride, selfishness or any number of things that get in the way of our relationship with God and others.
Ps 139:1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,And are acquainted with all my ways. NKJV

This Psalm starts and ends with a call for God to search our hearts, to reveal to us who we truly are before Him, that we would know ourselves, our shortcomings, and that though we may fool others we will not fool Him.

What the psalm should help us realize that there is more to this life than all the struggles, stresses, and challenges that make it hard to make it through the day.

By turning to Him instead of away from Him, Jesus will lead us in the way everlasting. He will give us the strength for each day.
I was reminded of the song "More to this Life" by Steven Curtis Chapman.

Today I watched in silence as people passed me by,And I strained to see if there was something hidden in their eyes;But they all looked at me as if to sayLife just goes on.The old familiar story told in different ways,Make the most of your own journey from the cradle to the grave;Dream your dreams tomorrow because todayLife must go on.[Chorus:]But there's more to this life than living and dying,More than just trying to make it through the day;More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see,And there's more than this life alone can be.Tonight he lies in silence staring into space,And looks for ways to make tomorrow better than today,But in the morning light it looks the same;Life just goes on.He takes care of his family, he takes care of his work,And every Sunday morning he takes his place at the church;And somehow he still feels a need to search,But life just goes on.[Chorus]So where do we start to find every partOf what makes this life complete;If we turn our eyes to Jesus we'll findLife's true beginning is there at the cross where He died.He died to bring us...

More to this life and to everlasting life.

Read the psalm below. How does God's Word speak to you today?
Ps 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;When I awake, I am still with You. NKJV
Wouldn't you like to start the day this way, every day?
In Christ,
Mike

Ps 139:1-140:1O Lord, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue,But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. 5 You have hedged me behind and before,And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;It is high, I cannot attain it. 7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning,And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me,"Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,But the night shines as the day;The darkness and the light are both alike to You. 13 For You formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works,And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You,When I was made in secret,And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.And in Your book they all were written,The days fashioned for me,When as yet there were none of them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;When I awake, I am still with You. 19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men. 20 For they speak against You wickedly;Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred;I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;Try me, and know my anxieties; 24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,And lead me in the way everlasting. NKJV

Verse of the Day 9/1

Through the Bible - Psalms 149 - Proverbs 1, 1 Corinthians 12:11-32

Good morning,
I hope that you will have a great Labor Day and have some time off, some rest from your labor.
For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 20 in a passage that involves the parable of the laborers. Have any of you had experience as a day laborer, someone hired to work for the day, paid by the hour? The people in the parable were paid a denarius, a days wage, we might think of it more like the "minimum wage". It is basically the minimum that someone would need to "get by".
In those days it would have been hard labor. I remember spreading mulch the first spring in North Carolina. It was hot exhausting work and I worked at it all day. This parable made me think of how I would have felt if I had been doing it for pay and someone else came for the last hour and received the same pay.
At the end of the day everyone gathered to receive their pay. There were different expectations among the laborers. Who do you think would expect the most pay? Who would be most offended? Who would appreciate the pay most?
Matt 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen." NKJV

In a previous job, I had some experience with hiring day laborers. Many of them were recovering alcoholics, had spent time in jail, or were recent immigrants. They all had the same basic needs as everyone else, but their past made it hard for them to get hired. Some of them turned out to be great workers and employees. They needed a chance, a second chance, they needed to be called, hired.

A key component in this passage is need. No matter how much or how long each of the laborers worked, at the end of the day their need was the same. They all needed the days wage for food for them and possibly their families. Jesus was paying them according to their need. It wasn't up to the worker to determine when they were called. It was determined by the master, he hired them, chose them in his timing for his purposes. So it is with us.

[Many be called, but few chosen] The meaning of this, in this connection, I take to be simply this: "Many are called into my kingdom; they come and labor as I command them; many of them are comparatively unknown and obscure; yet they are real Christians, and shall all receive the proper reward. A few I have chosen for higher stations in the church. I have endowed them with apostolic gifts or with superior talents, and suited them for wider usefulness. They may not be as long in the vineyard as others; their race may be sooner run; but I have chosen to honor them in this manner, and I have a right to do it. I injure no one, and have a right to do what I will with my own." Thus explained, this parable has no reference to the call of the Gentiles, nor to the call of aged sinners, nor to the call of sinners out of the church at all. It is simply designed to teach that in the church, among the multitudes who will be saved, Christ makes a difference. He makes some more useful than others, without regard to the time which they serve, and he will reward them accordingly. (from Barnes' Notes)
When were you called for Christian labor? What have you been called to do?
Don't worry about when others are called or what they are called to do. Be transformed, we are living sacrifices, giving ourselves to what He has called us to do.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Matt 20:1-17

The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard

20 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.'

8 "So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."

NKJV

Verse of the Day - weekend 8/31

Thruugh the Bible - 145-148. 1 Corinthians 11:17-12:11

Good morning,
A couple of this weeks devotionals dealt with the topic of anxiety.
A friend of mine on the mailing list had just brought his oldest daughter to college last week. I can recall the anxiety in that process when our son Jason first went off to school.
He sent the following note to me:
"We have the choice to deal with anxiety the worldly way, i.e. anger, fear, worry, substance abuse and list goes on or deal with it God’s way. I experienced God’s comfort and peace in a brand new way when we took Laina to college; my mind was renewed and now can worship Abba Father with that renewed mind which is utterly fantastic and indescribable. What an unexpected gift I received while sending my daughter to college. God is so intensely in touch with our hearts and sadly most of time we don’t realize it or pursue wanting more of it.
John Piper did a sermon on this passage called “All of Life as Worship” and John says regarding the concept of renewing one’s mind, “Be transformed! It’s present tense, ongoing, continual growth in un-conforming yourself to the world.” John says, “The root issue is more than right thinking. It is right valuing.” In other words John says we need to be renewed so deeply in our minds that we go way beyond the knowledge of it, we approve of it and then treasure it; we understand the immense value of what God is teaching us compared to what the world is teaching us. “…mind-renewal is a deep spiritual change in how the mind assesses things and values things.”
For this weekend's verse we'll turn to Psalm 125:
Ps 125:1 Those who trust in the LordAre like Mount Zion,Which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,So the Lord surrounds His peopleFrom this time forth and forever.
Or from the Message:
Ps 125:1-2 Those who trust in Godare like Zion Mountain:Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountainyou can always depend on. Mountains encircle Jerusalem,and God encircles his people — always has and always will.
I know of friends, family members, church members and co-workers in the mailing list for the VOTD that have things going on in their lives that have them anxious about what the future holds for them and their loved ones.
It is in these times that God encircles us with His presence. His presence may also be felt in the community of believers that are there to encircle, support, encourage, and strengthen us in many ways, not the least of which is in prayer.
May we all be able to take comfort in the fact that the Lord "encamps, surrounds, and encircles His people even or especially in these times. As the Message puts it He "always has and always will."
If you have an interest in reading or listening to John Piper's sermon "All of Life as Worship" please go to :http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByScripture/10/1019_All_of_Life_as_Worship/

If our minds are being transformed it will show in our lives with the Lord being the strength of our hearts.

When a man seriously thinks . . .
it is my God who cheers me with His presence,
it is my God who supports me with His power,
it is my God who guides me by His counsel,
it is my God who supplies me with His goodness,
it is my God who blesses all my blessings to me;
it is my God who afflicts me in love,
it is my God who has broken me in my estate,
it is my God who has sorely visited His child,
it is my God who has passed this sentence of death upon a friend,
it is my God who has thus cast me down-
-how do these thoughts cheer up the spirit of a man, and make every bitter--sweet; and every burden--light unto him.O Christians! A clear sight of your property in God is . . .
a pearl of great price,
your paradise,
manna in a wilderness,
water out of a rock,
a cloud by day,
and a pillar of fire by night,
a salve for every sore,
a cure for every disease,
a remedy against every malady, an anchor at sea,
and a shield on shore,
a star to guide you,
a staff to support you,
a sword to defend you,
a pavilion to hide you,
a fire to warm you,
a banquet to refresh you,
a city of refuge to secure you,
a cordial to cheer you!
What more could you desire? - Thomas Brooks
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Ps 125:1-126:1
125 Those who trust in Godare like Zion Mountain:Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountainyou can always depend on. Mountains encircle Jerusalem,and God encircles his people — always has and always will. The fist of the wickedwill never violateWhat is due the righteous,provoking wrongful violence. Be good to your good people, God,to those whose hearts are right! God will round up the backsliders,corral them with the incorrigibles.Peace over Israel!
from THE MESSAGE: