Through the Bible - Malachi 3-4, Revelation 22
Good morning,
"Nothing is more strengthening to faith, stabilizing to the mind, and tranquilizing to the heart of a Christian--than for him to be enabled to discern his Father's hand guiding, shaping, and controlling everything which enters his life; and not only so, but that He is also governing this world, and all people and events in it. Alas, we are living in an age of terrible skepticism, when most of what happens is attributed to natural causes, while God is more and more banished from the world, in the consideration of His creatures. It is not only a fact that God governs the world in a general sense, but He also regulates all its affairs, and controls all creatures in it, "working all things after the counsel of His own will" (Ephesians 1:11)." - Arthur Pink - Divine Providence
Look again at the first line of the statement above, don't we all need those things - strengthening of faith, stabilizing of the mind, and tranquilizing, quieting of the heart. December 31 is a day of looking back and looking forward. We can look back on how God has accomplished these things in our lives and we can look forward to Him doing so in the future, if we will draw upon, lean upon Him.
For today's verse we'll go to Colossians chapter 2:
Col 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. NKJV
or from The Message
Col 2:6-7 My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: Just go ahead with what you've been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You're deeply rooted in him. You're well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you've been taught. School's out; quit studying the subject and start living it! And let your living spill over into thanksgiving.
These verses could do a lot for us if we applied them to our lives in the coming year. If you've received Christ, walk in Him. Doing so you will be rooted (think of the tree firmly planted Ps.1:3), built up, established, and abounding (overflowing) with thanksgiving. The last three - built up, established, and abounding are in the present tense and point to continual growth for those who truly will walk with Christ.
J.I. Packer writes that these verses " sum up the message of Colossians. Let Jesus Christ be everything to you, Paul says. Live in Him; acknowledge Him as the ground in which you are rooted and the one who builds you up in the church; the one for whom you should constantly give God thanks because of the wealth he has brought you."
I woke up this morning and for some reason this song was in my mind, it was fitting for the year end, looking back and looking ahead.
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield;
Be Thou still my Strength and Shield.
Ps 48:13-14
Then you can tell the next generation
detail by detail the story of God,
Our God forever,
who guides us till the end of time.
Let God guide you this coming year, and given the opportunity, tell the "next generation" about what He has done.
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Col 2:1-11
Not Philosophy but Christ
2 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4 Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
NKJV
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/30
Through the Bible - Malachi 1-2, Revelation 21
Good morning,
As we come to the end of a year and look to the beginning of a new one, there is a lot of uncertainty as to what the New Year will bring. There is a lot of consideration already being given to new resolutions (sometimes the same old ones like losing weight). There are new fads, new diets, new ways being offered to bring change to our lives. Most of these resolutions will be with good intentions.
Arthur Pink writes, "It as been said with considerable truth, that the way to Hell is paved with good intentions. There will be many in the Lake of Fire who lived with good intentions, honest resolutions and exalted ideals; who were just in their dealings and charitable in all their ways; men who prided themselves in their integrity--but who sought to justify themselves before God by their own righteousness; men who were moral and kind--but who never saw themselves as guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinners, needing a Savior. Such is the way which "seems right." Such is the way that commends itself to the carnal mind and recommends itself to multitudes of deluded ones today. The Devil's Delusion is that we can be saved by our own works, and justified by our own deeds!"
We may have good intentions but will it be our way or God's way?
Today's verse goes back to Jeremiah 6 and a call to the "old paths" and to "walk in them".
Jer 6:16 Thus says the Lord:
"Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
17 Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'
But they said, 'We will not listen.' NKJV
or from The Message
Jer 6:16-18 God's Message yet again:
"Go stand at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for directions to the old road,
The tried and true road. Then take it.
Discover the right route for your souls.
But they said, 'Nothing doing.
We aren't going that way.'
I even provided watchmen for them
to warn them, to set off the alarm.
But the people said, 'It's a false alarm.
It doesn't concern us.'
You have to opportunity to decide which path you'll take in the year to come. You'll decide what your priorities will be and live them out. Those early decisions will influence how you live the rest of the year. Why not start off on the right foot and commit to the tried and true road of following God, spending time daily in His Word and prayer? See where He will lead you.
In 2009, a year that promises continued economic turmoil, choose the good way and walk in it. Only there will you find peace.
Read the passage below, and today's Old Testament reading in Malachi. What similarities do you see between those "ancient times" and today?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Jer 6:10-21
Is Anybody Listening?
"I've got something to say. Is anybody listening?I've a warning to post. Will anyone notice?It's hopeless! Their ears are stuffed with wax — deaf as a post, blind as a bat.It's hopeless! They've tuned out God.They don't want to hear from me. But I'm bursting with the wrath of God.I can't hold it in much longer.
"So dump it on the children in the streets.Let it loose on the gangs of youth.For no one's exempt: Husbands and wives will be taken,the old and those ready to die; Their homes will be given away — all they own, even their loved ones — When I give the signal against all who live in this country."God's Decree.
"Everyone's after the dishonest dollar,little people and big people alike.Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth. My people are broken — shattered! — and they put on band-aids, Saying, 'It's not so bad. You'll be just fine.'But things are not 'just fine'! Do you suppose they are embarrassed over this outrage?No, they have no shame.They don't even know how to blush.There's no hope for them. They've hit bottom and there's no getting up.As far as I'm concerned,they're finished."God has spoken.
Death Is on the Prowl
God's Message yet again:
"Go stand at the crossroads and look around.Ask for directions to the old road,The tried and true road. Then take it.Discover the right route for your souls.But they said, 'Nothing doing.We aren't going that way.' I even provided watchmen for themto warn them, to set off the alarm.But the people said, 'It's a false alarm.It doesn't concern us.' And so I'm calling in the nations as witnesses:'Watch, witnesses, what happens to them!' And, 'Pay attention, earth!Don't miss these bulletins.'I'm visiting catastrophe on this people, the end resultof the games they've been playing with me.They've ignored everything I've said,had nothing but contempt for my teaching. What would I want with incense brought in from Sheba,rare spices from exotic places?Your burnt sacrifices in worship give me no pleasure.Your religious rituals mean nothing to me."
Good morning,
As we come to the end of a year and look to the beginning of a new one, there is a lot of uncertainty as to what the New Year will bring. There is a lot of consideration already being given to new resolutions (sometimes the same old ones like losing weight). There are new fads, new diets, new ways being offered to bring change to our lives. Most of these resolutions will be with good intentions.
Arthur Pink writes, "It as been said with considerable truth, that the way to Hell is paved with good intentions. There will be many in the Lake of Fire who lived with good intentions, honest resolutions and exalted ideals; who were just in their dealings and charitable in all their ways; men who prided themselves in their integrity--but who sought to justify themselves before God by their own righteousness; men who were moral and kind--but who never saw themselves as guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinners, needing a Savior. Such is the way which "seems right." Such is the way that commends itself to the carnal mind and recommends itself to multitudes of deluded ones today. The Devil's Delusion is that we can be saved by our own works, and justified by our own deeds!"
We may have good intentions but will it be our way or God's way?
Today's verse goes back to Jeremiah 6 and a call to the "old paths" and to "walk in them".
Jer 6:16 Thus says the Lord:
"Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
17 Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
'Listen to the sound of the trumpet!'
But they said, 'We will not listen.' NKJV
or from The Message
Jer 6:16-18 God's Message yet again:
"Go stand at the crossroads and look around.
Ask for directions to the old road,
The tried and true road. Then take it.
Discover the right route for your souls.
But they said, 'Nothing doing.
We aren't going that way.'
I even provided watchmen for them
to warn them, to set off the alarm.
But the people said, 'It's a false alarm.
It doesn't concern us.'
You have to opportunity to decide which path you'll take in the year to come. You'll decide what your priorities will be and live them out. Those early decisions will influence how you live the rest of the year. Why not start off on the right foot and commit to the tried and true road of following God, spending time daily in His Word and prayer? See where He will lead you.
In 2009, a year that promises continued economic turmoil, choose the good way and walk in it. Only there will you find peace.
Read the passage below, and today's Old Testament reading in Malachi. What similarities do you see between those "ancient times" and today?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Jer 6:10-21
Is Anybody Listening?
"I've got something to say. Is anybody listening?I've a warning to post. Will anyone notice?It's hopeless! Their ears are stuffed with wax — deaf as a post, blind as a bat.It's hopeless! They've tuned out God.They don't want to hear from me. But I'm bursting with the wrath of God.I can't hold it in much longer.
"So dump it on the children in the streets.Let it loose on the gangs of youth.For no one's exempt: Husbands and wives will be taken,the old and those ready to die; Their homes will be given away — all they own, even their loved ones — When I give the signal against all who live in this country."God's Decree.
"Everyone's after the dishonest dollar,little people and big people alike.Prophets and priests and everyone in between twist words and doctor truth. My people are broken — shattered! — and they put on band-aids, Saying, 'It's not so bad. You'll be just fine.'But things are not 'just fine'! Do you suppose they are embarrassed over this outrage?No, they have no shame.They don't even know how to blush.There's no hope for them. They've hit bottom and there's no getting up.As far as I'm concerned,they're finished."God has spoken.
Death Is on the Prowl
God's Message yet again:
"Go stand at the crossroads and look around.Ask for directions to the old road,The tried and true road. Then take it.Discover the right route for your souls.But they said, 'Nothing doing.We aren't going that way.' I even provided watchmen for themto warn them, to set off the alarm.But the people said, 'It's a false alarm.It doesn't concern us.' And so I'm calling in the nations as witnesses:'Watch, witnesses, what happens to them!' And, 'Pay attention, earth!Don't miss these bulletins.'I'm visiting catastrophe on this people, the end resultof the games they've been playing with me.They've ignored everything I've said,had nothing but contempt for my teaching. What would I want with incense brought in from Sheba,rare spices from exotic places?Your burnt sacrifices in worship give me no pleasure.Your religious rituals mean nothing to me."
Monday, December 29, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/29
Through the Bible - Malachi 1-2, Revelation 20
Good morning,
We recently looked back to Isaiah 9 where among other names, Jesus is referred to as "Everlasting Father", that He would establish His kingdom.
Over the weekend I read Hebrews 1 & 2. The book of Hebrews speaks to the supremacy of Christ. Today's verse speaks of "the captain of their salvation".
Heb 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. NKJV
The NKJV commentary states that "the word used for "captain" means "leader" or "originator", the word describes a pioneer or pathfinder. Jesus endurance of sufferings on this earth makes Him our leader. ... He not only endured them, but triumphed over sin, death and Satan through them. His sinless life has blazed a path to God, a path we must follow."
For some reason, reading this made me think of the poem "Invictus", by William Earnest Hensley, and the famous lines "I am the captain of my soul".
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
The poem points to the unknown, the "horror of the shade", but the writer thinks that he'll face it unafraid, with human pride, thinking that he is in charge of his destiny.
The Bible speaks of Jesus as being "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) as well as being the "author and finisher" of our faith.
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, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If we are to truly endure the struggles and trials of our lives and look to the brighter eternity, we must look to Jesus, not ourselves as the "Captain" of our souls.
Timothy McVey, the man responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing, chose "Invictus" as his final statement before his execution.
Who is your Captain? If it is Christ, follow Him, and don't drift away (Heb. 2:1)
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Heb 2:1-13
Do Not Neglect Salvation
2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
The Son Made Lower than Angels(cf. Ps 8)
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
"What is man that You are mindful of him,Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet."
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
"I will declare Your name to My brethren;In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."
13 And again:
"I will put My trust in Him."
NKJV
Good morning,
We recently looked back to Isaiah 9 where among other names, Jesus is referred to as "Everlasting Father", that He would establish His kingdom.
Over the weekend I read Hebrews 1 & 2. The book of Hebrews speaks to the supremacy of Christ. Today's verse speaks of "the captain of their salvation".
Heb 2:10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. NKJV
The NKJV commentary states that "the word used for "captain" means "leader" or "originator", the word describes a pioneer or pathfinder. Jesus endurance of sufferings on this earth makes Him our leader. ... He not only endured them, but triumphed over sin, death and Satan through them. His sinless life has blazed a path to God, a path we must follow."
For some reason, reading this made me think of the poem "Invictus", by William Earnest Hensley, and the famous lines "I am the captain of my soul".
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
The poem points to the unknown, the "horror of the shade", but the writer thinks that he'll face it unafraid, with human pride, thinking that he is in charge of his destiny.
The Bible speaks of Jesus as being "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) as well as being the "author and finisher" of our faith.
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, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
If we are to truly endure the struggles and trials of our lives and look to the brighter eternity, we must look to Jesus, not ourselves as the "Captain" of our souls.
Timothy McVey, the man responsible for the Oklahoma City bombing, chose "Invictus" as his final statement before his execution.
Who is your Captain? If it is Christ, follow Him, and don't drift away (Heb. 2:1)
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Heb 2:1-13
Do Not Neglect Salvation
2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
The Son Made Lower than Angels(cf. Ps 8)
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:
"What is man that You are mindful of him,Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet."
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
"I will declare Your name to My brethren;In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You."
13 And again:
"I will put My trust in Him."
NKJV
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Verse of the Day - weekend 12/27
Through the Bible - Zechariah 7-12, Revelation 19
Good morning,
The Old Testament Bible reading plan (above) is in the book of Zechariah. Today's verse comes from yesterday's reading, I'll start with the translation from The Message which is what I read it from:
Zech 4:10 Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They'll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!"
Or from the NKJV
Zech 4:10 For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth." NKJV
The temple had been destroyed. Zerubbabel was commissioned by God to rebuild it. It may have been discouraging to some, seeing that in it's plans, it would not measure up to the original temples' scope and grandeur, but in effect he was saying "don't despise what pleases God. MacArthur writes " this was only a picture of the glorious restoration when Messiah comes to reign."
Over this Christmas season, I'm sure that many have come away from it changed. Pastor Bob's Christmas Eve message was "A Baby Changes Everything", for those turning or returning to Christ, it will have an impact and change the way they live their lives.
It may not be a drastic change at first but as these verses say "don't despise" these "small beginnings". It is only a glimpse of "the glorious restoration" when the Messiah comes to reign in hearts and lives.
One of the things that happens when someone turns to Christ is that they realize that their lives had been "off centered", out of plumb as a carpenter would say. The walls in our lives need to be torn down, down to the foundation, the cornerstone of our faith, Jesus Christ. He can rebuild the broken walls of our lives using the plumb line of His Word to guide us, to build us straight.
Christ also builds us by functioning as Priest:
“Our Lord Jesus Christ is doing for His people the work which the Jewish high-priest of old did on behalf of the Israelites. He is acting as the manager, the representative, the mediator in all things between His people and God.
He is ever presenting on their behalf His own perfect sacrifice, and His all sufficient merit, before God the Father. He is ever obtaining daily supplies of fresh mercy and of fresh grace for His poor, weak servants, who need daily mercy for daily sins, and daily grace for daily necessities.
He ever prays for them. He presents their names before God the Father. He carries their names upon His heart, the place of love; and upon His shoulder, the place of power, as the high-priest carried the names of all the tribes of Israel, from the least to the greatest, when he wore his robes of office. He presents their prayers before God. They go up before God the Father mingled with Christ’s all-prevailing intercession, and so are so acceptable in God’s sight.
He lives, in one word, to be the friend, the advocate, the priest, the all-prevailing agent, of all who are His members here upon earth.” —J.C. Ryle,
From the humble beginnings of a changed heart, Christ will be faithful to complete it.
Phil 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
NIV
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Zech 4:6-5:1
6 So he answered and said to me:
"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'Says the Lord of hosts. 7 'Who are you, O great mountain?Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstoneWith shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"'"
8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
9 "The hands of ZerubbabelHave laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will knowThat the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to seeThe plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth." 11 Then I answered and said to him, "What are these two olive trees — at the right of the lampstand and at its left?" 12 And I further answered and said to him, "What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?"
13 Then he answered me and said, "Do you not know what these are?"
And I said, "No, my lord."
14 So he said,"These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth."
NKJV
Good morning,
The Old Testament Bible reading plan (above) is in the book of Zechariah. Today's verse comes from yesterday's reading, I'll start with the translation from The Message which is what I read it from:
Zech 4:10 Does anyone dare despise this day of small beginnings? They'll change their tune when they see Zerubbabel setting the last stone in place!"
Or from the NKJV
Zech 4:10 For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth." NKJV
The temple had been destroyed. Zerubbabel was commissioned by God to rebuild it. It may have been discouraging to some, seeing that in it's plans, it would not measure up to the original temples' scope and grandeur, but in effect he was saying "don't despise what pleases God. MacArthur writes " this was only a picture of the glorious restoration when Messiah comes to reign."
Over this Christmas season, I'm sure that many have come away from it changed. Pastor Bob's Christmas Eve message was "A Baby Changes Everything", for those turning or returning to Christ, it will have an impact and change the way they live their lives.
It may not be a drastic change at first but as these verses say "don't despise" these "small beginnings". It is only a glimpse of "the glorious restoration" when the Messiah comes to reign in hearts and lives.
One of the things that happens when someone turns to Christ is that they realize that their lives had been "off centered", out of plumb as a carpenter would say. The walls in our lives need to be torn down, down to the foundation, the cornerstone of our faith, Jesus Christ. He can rebuild the broken walls of our lives using the plumb line of His Word to guide us, to build us straight.
Christ also builds us by functioning as Priest:
“Our Lord Jesus Christ is doing for His people the work which the Jewish high-priest of old did on behalf of the Israelites. He is acting as the manager, the representative, the mediator in all things between His people and God.
He is ever presenting on their behalf His own perfect sacrifice, and His all sufficient merit, before God the Father. He is ever obtaining daily supplies of fresh mercy and of fresh grace for His poor, weak servants, who need daily mercy for daily sins, and daily grace for daily necessities.
He ever prays for them. He presents their names before God the Father. He carries their names upon His heart, the place of love; and upon His shoulder, the place of power, as the high-priest carried the names of all the tribes of Israel, from the least to the greatest, when he wore his robes of office. He presents their prayers before God. They go up before God the Father mingled with Christ’s all-prevailing intercession, and so are so acceptable in God’s sight.
He lives, in one word, to be the friend, the advocate, the priest, the all-prevailing agent, of all who are His members here upon earth.” —J.C. Ryle,
From the humble beginnings of a changed heart, Christ will be faithful to complete it.
Phil 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
NIV
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Zech 4:6-5:1
6 So he answered and said to me:
"This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,'Says the Lord of hosts. 7 'Who are you, O great mountain?Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstoneWith shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"'"
8 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
9 "The hands of ZerubbabelHave laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will knowThat the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to seeThe plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth." 11 Then I answered and said to him, "What are these two olive trees — at the right of the lampstand and at its left?" 12 And I further answered and said to him, "What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?"
13 Then he answered me and said, "Do you not know what these are?"
And I said, "No, my lord."
14 So he said,"These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth."
NKJV
Friday, December 26, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/26
Through the Bible - Zechariah 4-6, Revelation 18
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll go back to the book of Isaiah to one of the great Old Testament prophecies about Jesus Christ;
Isa 9:6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NKJV
or from The Message:
Isa 9:6-7
For a child has been born — for us!
the gift of a son — for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
By telling of a government it is telling us of His rule, His dominion.
When we read of the Everlasting Father we must recall that it is talking about Jesus and not God the Father. How is He then our Father?
Think of George Washington as the father of our country. When a new kingdom is set up, new policies, new ways of doing things are established. These can be sweeping and wholesale changes about the way we live our lives. They will last as long as the kingdom lasts. Think of the importance of our constitution.
This new way of doing things, this government, is on His shoulders. His kingdom is being established and it will last into eternity.
If you decide to follow a read through the Bible plan next year, you'll probably start in Matthew. If you do, as you read all the references to the Kingdom of God or His Kingdom, think of this verse.
And what does the New Testament say about him?
"You shall call His name Jesus--for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
First, He shall save them from the pleasure or love of sin by bestowing a nature which hates it--this is the great miracle of grace. Second, He shall save them from the penalty or punishment of sin, by remitting all its guilt--this is the grand marvel of grace. Third, He shall save them from the power or dominion of sin, by the workings of His Spirit--this reveals the wondrous might of grace. Fourth, He shall save them from the presence or indwelling of sin--this will demonstrate the glorious magnitude of grace!" - Arthur Pink
And what would be His way of life in a nutshell?
Matt 22:37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." NKJV
Are you a part of His kingdom? Is He your Saviour?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Isa 9:1-8
The Government of the Promised Son(Isa 11:1-9)
9 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,As when at first He lightly esteemedThe land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,And afterward more heavily oppressed her,By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,In Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walked in darknessHave seen a great light;Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,Upon them a light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nationAnd increased its joy; They rejoice before YouAccording to the joy of harvest,As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You have broken the yoke of his burdenAnd the staff of his shoulder,The rod of his oppressor,As in the day of Midian. 5 For every warrior's sandal from the noisy battle,And garments rolled in blood,Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peaceThere will be no end,Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,To order it and establish it with judgment and justiceFrom that time forward, even forever.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
NKJV
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll go back to the book of Isaiah to one of the great Old Testament prophecies about Jesus Christ;
Isa 9:6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. NKJV
or from The Message:
Isa 9:6-7
For a child has been born — for us!
the gift of a son — for us!
He'll take over
the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
Strong God,
Eternal Father,
Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
By telling of a government it is telling us of His rule, His dominion.
When we read of the Everlasting Father we must recall that it is talking about Jesus and not God the Father. How is He then our Father?
Think of George Washington as the father of our country. When a new kingdom is set up, new policies, new ways of doing things are established. These can be sweeping and wholesale changes about the way we live our lives. They will last as long as the kingdom lasts. Think of the importance of our constitution.
This new way of doing things, this government, is on His shoulders. His kingdom is being established and it will last into eternity.
If you decide to follow a read through the Bible plan next year, you'll probably start in Matthew. If you do, as you read all the references to the Kingdom of God or His Kingdom, think of this verse.
And what does the New Testament say about him?
"You shall call His name Jesus--for He shall save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
First, He shall save them from the pleasure or love of sin by bestowing a nature which hates it--this is the great miracle of grace. Second, He shall save them from the penalty or punishment of sin, by remitting all its guilt--this is the grand marvel of grace. Third, He shall save them from the power or dominion of sin, by the workings of His Spirit--this reveals the wondrous might of grace. Fourth, He shall save them from the presence or indwelling of sin--this will demonstrate the glorious magnitude of grace!" - Arthur Pink
And what would be His way of life in a nutshell?
Matt 22:37 Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." NKJV
Are you a part of His kingdom? Is He your Saviour?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Isa 9:1-8
The Government of the Promised Son(Isa 11:1-9)
9 Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,As when at first He lightly esteemedThe land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,And afterward more heavily oppressed her,By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,In Galilee of the Gentiles. 2 The people who walked in darknessHave seen a great light;Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,Upon them a light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nationAnd increased its joy; They rejoice before YouAccording to the joy of harvest,As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. 4 For You have broken the yoke of his burdenAnd the staff of his shoulder,The rod of his oppressor,As in the day of Midian. 5 For every warrior's sandal from the noisy battle,And garments rolled in blood,Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.
6 For unto us a Child is born,Unto us a Son is given;And the government will be upon His shoulder.And His name will be calledWonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peaceThere will be no end,Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,To order it and establish it with judgment and justiceFrom that time forward, even forever.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
NKJV
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/25
Through the Bible - Zechariah 1-3, Revelation 17
Merry Christmas,
Most of you have probably seen some of the recent commercials, especially on cable TV, for gold. One of them states "gold has never been worth nothing". My son Jason and I were laughing about that yesterday, as if to say "dah, that's pretty obvious".
For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 2 to the account of the Wise Men coming to visit Jesus. They brought gifts to Jesus, heading the list was gold.
I read a devotional the other day that was in Philipians:
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. NKJV
Yesterday I read Matthew 2 and thought about the integrity of the Wise Men. They had approached Herod and the scribes to find out where they might find this child. The scribes whose interest should have been piqued, showed little interest, you might call it indifference or total disregard for the possibility that the prophecies could be coming true before their eyes. The Wise Men pressed on. They were not swayed from their original goal of finding the Christ child.
They found Him and delivered their valuable gifts.
Matt 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. NKJV
We celebrate Christmas, the time when God gave us His Son (John 3:16) that whosever believes in Him may live with Him eternally. But the key to it is being willing to receive the gift. The gift is only shows it's value to the one who receives it, otherwise it does nothing for them.
What God offers, what God gives us, cannot be purchased at any price. When it comes to salvation, it can't be bought, all the gold in the world cannot buy it.. Salvation is God's free gift, apart from Jesus gold is worth nothing. Maybe up to this point gold has never been worth nothing. But there will come a day...
What kind of gifts did you receive for Christmas? Will they last?
What are you doing in regards to Jesus? Will you search for Him, desire to know Him better, press on when others disregard Him? What will you bring, what will you offer to Him this coming year?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Matt 2:1-12
Wise Men from the East
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying,"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
NKJV
Merry Christmas,
Most of you have probably seen some of the recent commercials, especially on cable TV, for gold. One of them states "gold has never been worth nothing". My son Jason and I were laughing about that yesterday, as if to say "dah, that's pretty obvious".
For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 2 to the account of the Wise Men coming to visit Jesus. They brought gifts to Jesus, heading the list was gold.
I read a devotional the other day that was in Philipians:
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. NKJV
Yesterday I read Matthew 2 and thought about the integrity of the Wise Men. They had approached Herod and the scribes to find out where they might find this child. The scribes whose interest should have been piqued, showed little interest, you might call it indifference or total disregard for the possibility that the prophecies could be coming true before their eyes. The Wise Men pressed on. They were not swayed from their original goal of finding the Christ child.
They found Him and delivered their valuable gifts.
Matt 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. NKJV
We celebrate Christmas, the time when God gave us His Son (John 3:16) that whosever believes in Him may live with Him eternally. But the key to it is being willing to receive the gift. The gift is only shows it's value to the one who receives it, otherwise it does nothing for them.
What God offers, what God gives us, cannot be purchased at any price. When it comes to salvation, it can't be bought, all the gold in the world cannot buy it.. Salvation is God's free gift, apart from Jesus gold is worth nothing. Maybe up to this point gold has never been worth nothing. But there will come a day...
What kind of gifts did you receive for Christmas? Will they last?
What are you doing in regards to Jesus? Will you search for Him, desire to know Him better, press on when others disregard Him? What will you bring, what will you offer to Him this coming year?
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Matt 2:1-12
Wise Men from the East
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying,"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:
6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."
9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
NKJV
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/24
Through the Bible - Zephaniah 3- Haggai 2, Revelation 16
Good morning,
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "Ebenezer"? I posed the question to the High School Sunday School kids last week and there was a unanimous response, "Ebenezer Scrooge", the famous character from Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol". I would guess that 90% or more of people that you asked on the street, even in church would have the same response.
In the film and in plays, the character gives a strong testimony of what greed and selfishness can do to a person, and what it can rob him of.
But do you know what the word really means? It's an old Hebrew word that can be found in the Old Testament, it means "stone of remembrance".
I was used by Samuel when he spoke to the people of Israel after defeating the Philistines, telling them to "put away their foreign gods".
1 Sam 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." NKJV
Matthew Henry wrote, "Samuel erected a thankful memorial of this victory, to the glory of God and for the encouragement of Israel, v. 12. He set up an Eben-ezer, the stone of help. If ever the people's hard hearts should lose the impressions of this providence, this stone would either revive the remembrance of it, and make them thankful, or remain a standing witness against them for their unthankfulness."
He was telling the people that it was God who had helped them, delivered them in the past, that they should look to Him in faith for their future.
The other day I was reading in Ecclesiastes and read the following verse, I thought that it (and the rest of the passage) tied in well with the thought of Ebenezer, (Scrooge that is).
Eccl 5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,
Whether he eats little or much;
But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. NKJV
or from The Message:
Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep,
Whether supper is beans or steak.
But a rich man's belly gives him insomnia.
Ebenezer Scrooge, couldn't sleep, his greed ate away at him. He envied and didn't understand how those with so little could still have such joy. His dreams revealed to him that he needed to change his ways. Giving away what he had greedily gathered, thinking of others instead of only himself, finally brought him joy.
The story is a good reminder for us at Christmastime. If you have time, watch one of the many versions at home or with family. Maybe it will convict you.
I found the following in Wikopedia, "Contemporaries noted that the story's popularity played a critical role in redefining the importance of Christmas and the major sentiments associated with the holiday. A Christmas Carol was written during a time of decline in the old Christmas traditions. "If Christmas, with its ancient and hospitable customs, its social and charitable observances, were in danger of decay, this is the book that would give them a new lease", said English poet Thomas Hood."
Thomas Hood had some good words to say, I think that we can definitely relate to all of the "anti Christmas" mentality that is out there today. I would differ with his opinion on at least one point. The Bible and the Saviour that it points to is what could give the "Scrooges" of today a new lease on life.
It's funny, but when you think about it Ebenezer Scrooge just could be the ebenezer, the stone of remembrance to turn a life towards things or better yet, the thing that matters most this Christmas, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I'll close with a song that is not known as a Christmas carol, but it could be. Note that it makes mention of "my ebenezer".
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I've come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
Come thou long expected Jesus, come!
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Eccl 5:8-6:1
The Vanity of Gain and Honor
8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
9 Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field.
10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;Nor he who loves abundance, with increase.This also is vanity.
11 When goods increase,They increase who eat them;So what profit have the ownersExcept to see them with their eyes?
12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,Whether he eats little or much;But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.
13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun:Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. 14 But those riches perish through misfortune;When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return,To go as he came;And he shall take nothing from his laborWhich he may carry away in his hand.
16 And this also is a severe evil — Just exactly as he came, so shall he go.And what profit has he who has labored for the wind? 17 All his days he also eats in darkness,And he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.
18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor — this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.
NKJV
Good morning,
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word "Ebenezer"? I posed the question to the High School Sunday School kids last week and there was a unanimous response, "Ebenezer Scrooge", the famous character from Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol". I would guess that 90% or more of people that you asked on the street, even in church would have the same response.
In the film and in plays, the character gives a strong testimony of what greed and selfishness can do to a person, and what it can rob him of.
But do you know what the word really means? It's an old Hebrew word that can be found in the Old Testament, it means "stone of remembrance".
I was used by Samuel when he spoke to the people of Israel after defeating the Philistines, telling them to "put away their foreign gods".
1 Sam 7:12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us." NKJV
Matthew Henry wrote, "Samuel erected a thankful memorial of this victory, to the glory of God and for the encouragement of Israel, v. 12. He set up an Eben-ezer, the stone of help. If ever the people's hard hearts should lose the impressions of this providence, this stone would either revive the remembrance of it, and make them thankful, or remain a standing witness against them for their unthankfulness."
He was telling the people that it was God who had helped them, delivered them in the past, that they should look to Him in faith for their future.
The other day I was reading in Ecclesiastes and read the following verse, I thought that it (and the rest of the passage) tied in well with the thought of Ebenezer, (Scrooge that is).
Eccl 5:12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,
Whether he eats little or much;
But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. NKJV
or from The Message:
Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep,
Whether supper is beans or steak.
But a rich man's belly gives him insomnia.
Ebenezer Scrooge, couldn't sleep, his greed ate away at him. He envied and didn't understand how those with so little could still have such joy. His dreams revealed to him that he needed to change his ways. Giving away what he had greedily gathered, thinking of others instead of only himself, finally brought him joy.
The story is a good reminder for us at Christmastime. If you have time, watch one of the many versions at home or with family. Maybe it will convict you.
I found the following in Wikopedia, "Contemporaries noted that the story's popularity played a critical role in redefining the importance of Christmas and the major sentiments associated with the holiday. A Christmas Carol was written during a time of decline in the old Christmas traditions. "If Christmas, with its ancient and hospitable customs, its social and charitable observances, were in danger of decay, this is the book that would give them a new lease", said English poet Thomas Hood."
Thomas Hood had some good words to say, I think that we can definitely relate to all of the "anti Christmas" mentality that is out there today. I would differ with his opinion on at least one point. The Bible and the Saviour that it points to is what could give the "Scrooges" of today a new lease on life.
It's funny, but when you think about it Ebenezer Scrooge just could be the ebenezer, the stone of remembrance to turn a life towards things or better yet, the thing that matters most this Christmas, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I'll close with a song that is not known as a Christmas carol, but it could be. Note that it makes mention of "my ebenezer".
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above.
Praise the mount! I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Here by Thy great help I've come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.
O to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.
O that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace;
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day.
Come thou long expected Jesus, come!
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Eccl 5:8-6:1
The Vanity of Gain and Honor
8 If you see the oppression of the poor, and the violent perversion of justice and righteousness in a province, do not marvel at the matter; for high official watches over high official, and higher officials are over them.
9 Moreover the profit of the land is for all; even the king is served from the field.
10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver;Nor he who loves abundance, with increase.This also is vanity.
11 When goods increase,They increase who eat them;So what profit have the ownersExcept to see them with their eyes?
12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,Whether he eats little or much;But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep.
13 There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun:Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. 14 But those riches perish through misfortune;When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. 15 As he came from his mother's womb, naked shall he return,To go as he came;And he shall take nothing from his laborWhich he may carry away in his hand.
16 And this also is a severe evil — Just exactly as he came, so shall he go.And what profit has he who has labored for the wind? 17 All his days he also eats in darkness,And he has much sorrow and sickness and anger.
18 Here is what I have seen: It is good and fitting for one to eat and drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor in which he toils under the sun all the days of his life which God gives him; for it is his heritage. 19 As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor — this is the gift of God. 20 For he will not dwell unduly on the days of his life, because God keeps him busy with the joy of his heart.
NKJV
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/23
Through the Bible - Habakkuk 3 - Zephaniah 2, Revelation 15
Good morning,
I recently signed up for "facebook" on the internet. It is a simple and effective way to communicate with friends over the internet. One of the features of facebook is "the wall" where you can post comments and ask questions. You then sit back and wait for a response.
Today's verse comes from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk where the prophet is standing on the wall, the rampart of the city and posing questions to God, waiting for His response.
Hab 2:1-2
What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst.
I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon.
I'll wait to see what God says,
how he'll answer my complaint. (from THE MESSAGE)
The prophet, like many of us today, was troubled by what he saw going on in the world around him. He wondered where is God in all of this? Will He do something about the oppression, pain and suffering, injustice, wars and diseases that are destroying humanity and the world he lived in? If He is there and is all powerful, why doesn't he speak, why doesn't he act? If He is loving why doesn't He do something about it?
Today's verses are God's response, His post on the wall.
Hab 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said:
"Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
4 "Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith. NKJV
The prophet is basically told that God will reveal Himself, His will in His time, and that he is to wait for it, no matter how long it takes. Searching, asking the tough questions is not wrong, but those who have regard for God will seek for answers in Him and in His Word, learning to live by faith until those answers are revealed.
The Babylonians had no regard for God, they were proud of themselves and ridiculed those who believed in and called on God. A proud person relies on self, power, position, status and his own accomplishments and lauds himself over others. You can see this time and time again through the Old Testament in the kings who defied the God of Israel and Judah, only to be crushed by Him.
The NKJV commentary states that "Habakkuk probably had little idea of the explosive truth contained in God's statement. It came as part of a prelude to a taunting song that the prophet was instructed to give against Babylon (2:1-6). The Lord was explaining why the Babylonians would be judged. Fundamentally they were a "proud" people in the sense that they had no fear of God. By contrast the just person, - the individual deserving of God's favor and blessing- would find favor because of His faith in God.".
This statement "the just shall live by faith" would have, and continues to have a far reaching impact. It impacted the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:17, a verse which became pivotal in the life of Martin Luther instrumental in the Protestant Reformation. Paul referred to it again in the book of Galatians (3:11,12) in combating the legalistic tendencies in that church. It impacted the writer of the book of Hebrews who used it as a leading to Hebrews 11 and the "Hall of Faith".
We may not have, we never find all the answers, but our call is to press on in faith. What will you post on "the wall"? Will you wait for His response? How will you go about waiting?
The prophet summed it all up in his benediction, which is part of today's O.T. reading in the read through the Bible plan above:
A Hymn of Faith
Hab 3:17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls —
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills. NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Hab 2:1-3:1
2:1 I will stand my watchAnd set myself on the rampart,And watch to see what He will say to me,And what I will answer when I am corrected.
The Just Live by Faith
2 Then the Lord answered me and said:
"Write the visionAnd make it plain on tablets,That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.Though it tarries, wait for it;Because it will surely come,It will not tarry.
4 "Behold the proud,His soul is not upright in him;But the just shall live by his faith.
Woe to the Wicked
5 "Indeed, because he transgresses by wine,He is a proud man, And he does not stay at home.Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples.
6 "Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases What is not his — how long?And to him who loads himself with many pledges'? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations,All the remnant of the people shall plunder you,Because of men's bloodAnd the violence of the land and the city,And of all who dwell in it.
9 "Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house,That he may set his nest on high,That he may be delivered from the power of disaster! 10 You give shameful counsel to your house,Cutting off many peoples, And sin against your soul. 11 For the stone will cry out from the wall, And the beam from the timbers will answer it.
12 "Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed, Who establishes a city by iniquity! 13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hostsThat the peoples labor to feed the fire, And nations weary themselves in vain? 14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
15 "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, Even to make him drunk, That you may look on his nakedness! 16 You are filled with shame instead of glory.You also — drink! And be exposed as uncircumcised! The cup of the Lord's right hand will be turned against you, And utter shame will be on your glory. 17 For the violence done to Lebanon will cover you,And the plunder of beasts which made them afraid, Because of men's bloodAnd the violence of the land and the city,And of all who dwell in it.
18 "What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it,The molded image, a teacher of lies,That the maker of its mold should trust in it,To make mute idols? 19 Woe to him who says to wood, 'Awake!'To silent stone, 'Arise! It shall teach!'Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver,Yet in it there is no breath at all.
20 "But the Lord is in His holy temple.Let all the earth keep silence before Him."
NKJV
Good morning,
I recently signed up for "facebook" on the internet. It is a simple and effective way to communicate with friends over the internet. One of the features of facebook is "the wall" where you can post comments and ask questions. You then sit back and wait for a response.
Today's verse comes from the Old Testament book of Habakkuk where the prophet is standing on the wall, the rampart of the city and posing questions to God, waiting for His response.
Hab 2:1-2
What's God going to say to my questions? I'm braced for the worst.
I'll climb to the lookout tower and scan the horizon.
I'll wait to see what God says,
how he'll answer my complaint. (from THE MESSAGE)
The prophet, like many of us today, was troubled by what he saw going on in the world around him. He wondered where is God in all of this? Will He do something about the oppression, pain and suffering, injustice, wars and diseases that are destroying humanity and the world he lived in? If He is there and is all powerful, why doesn't he speak, why doesn't he act? If He is loving why doesn't He do something about it?
Today's verses are God's response, His post on the wall.
Hab 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said:
"Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.
Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.
4 "Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith. NKJV
The prophet is basically told that God will reveal Himself, His will in His time, and that he is to wait for it, no matter how long it takes. Searching, asking the tough questions is not wrong, but those who have regard for God will seek for answers in Him and in His Word, learning to live by faith until those answers are revealed.
The Babylonians had no regard for God, they were proud of themselves and ridiculed those who believed in and called on God. A proud person relies on self, power, position, status and his own accomplishments and lauds himself over others. You can see this time and time again through the Old Testament in the kings who defied the God of Israel and Judah, only to be crushed by Him.
The NKJV commentary states that "Habakkuk probably had little idea of the explosive truth contained in God's statement. It came as part of a prelude to a taunting song that the prophet was instructed to give against Babylon (2:1-6). The Lord was explaining why the Babylonians would be judged. Fundamentally they were a "proud" people in the sense that they had no fear of God. By contrast the just person, - the individual deserving of God's favor and blessing- would find favor because of His faith in God.".
This statement "the just shall live by faith" would have, and continues to have a far reaching impact. It impacted the Apostle Paul in Romans 1:17, a verse which became pivotal in the life of Martin Luther instrumental in the Protestant Reformation. Paul referred to it again in the book of Galatians (3:11,12) in combating the legalistic tendencies in that church. It impacted the writer of the book of Hebrews who used it as a leading to Hebrews 11 and the "Hall of Faith".
We may not have, we never find all the answers, but our call is to press on in faith. What will you post on "the wall"? Will you wait for His response? How will you go about waiting?
The prophet summed it all up in his benediction, which is part of today's O.T. reading in the read through the Bible plan above:
A Hymn of Faith
Hab 3:17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls —
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills. NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Hab 2:1-3:1
2:1 I will stand my watchAnd set myself on the rampart,And watch to see what He will say to me,And what I will answer when I am corrected.
The Just Live by Faith
2 Then the Lord answered me and said:
"Write the visionAnd make it plain on tablets,That he may run who reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time;But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.Though it tarries, wait for it;Because it will surely come,It will not tarry.
4 "Behold the proud,His soul is not upright in him;But the just shall live by his faith.
Woe to the Wicked
5 "Indeed, because he transgresses by wine,He is a proud man, And he does not stay at home.Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples.
6 "Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases What is not his — how long?And to him who loads himself with many pledges'? 7 Will not your creditors rise up suddenly? Will they not awaken who oppress you? And you will become their booty. 8 Because you have plundered many nations,All the remnant of the people shall plunder you,Because of men's bloodAnd the violence of the land and the city,And of all who dwell in it.
9 "Woe to him who covets evil gain for his house,That he may set his nest on high,That he may be delivered from the power of disaster! 10 You give shameful counsel to your house,Cutting off many peoples, And sin against your soul. 11 For the stone will cry out from the wall, And the beam from the timbers will answer it.
12 "Woe to him who builds a town with bloodshed, Who establishes a city by iniquity! 13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hostsThat the peoples labor to feed the fire, And nations weary themselves in vain? 14 For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.
15 "Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbor, Pressing him to your bottle, Even to make him drunk, That you may look on his nakedness! 16 You are filled with shame instead of glory.You also — drink! And be exposed as uncircumcised! The cup of the Lord's right hand will be turned against you, And utter shame will be on your glory. 17 For the violence done to Lebanon will cover you,And the plunder of beasts which made them afraid, Because of men's bloodAnd the violence of the land and the city,And of all who dwell in it.
18 "What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it,The molded image, a teacher of lies,That the maker of its mold should trust in it,To make mute idols? 19 Woe to him who says to wood, 'Awake!'To silent stone, 'Arise! It shall teach!'Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver,Yet in it there is no breath at all.
20 "But the Lord is in His holy temple.Let all the earth keep silence before Him."
NKJV
Monday, December 22, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/22
Through the Bible - Habakkuk 1-2, Revelation 14
Good morning,
Often overlooked in the Christmas story was the shepherd's reaction to what transpired, which we ended with on Saturday. It will serve as today's verse:
Luke 2:17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. NKJV
They didn't have all of the "head knowledge" of the Pharisees, they may not have realized the full significance of what they saw, but they did have to wonder "what child is this?". These lowly shepherds were amazed at what they heard and saw and had to spread the news.
What Child Is This?
What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
We don't know of the conversations between Joseph, Mary and the shepherds. Perhaps they explained how they had arrived there, who this child was, and how the angels had spoken to them about the events that were now taking place. It would only have added to the wonder of it all, and increased there desire to share the message.
Those who should have cared most about His coming were indifferent. Most people today are still indifferent to who this Christ child was, or I should say, is.
A friend of mine recently led a medical missions trip to Nicaragua. Among others his sister and niece came along. Neither were Christians and even heading into the trip you might say that they were still indifferent about Jesus. But seeing the love of Christ displayed among the people, how the other team members spoke of what Christ had done for each of them, and the love shown to them by the people of Nicaragua in gratitude, their hearts were melted. Later that week both of them came to know the Lord as their personal Saviour. I believe that this Christmas will be different for them, and as they gaze upon a manger scene or sing hymns and carols like Silent Night or O Holy Night, they will wonder themselves "what Child is this", that came to die for me, that has now changed my life, given me new life.
As you here some of the carols and hymns this week, take some time to listen to the words, print them, read them during a quiet time or possibly a break time at work. As you find some solitude in your church, in your home, before a Christmas (not holiday) tree, think about "what child is this?"
Those who remain indifferent will miss out on the greatest gift ever. So many need light in this dark world, so many are looking for peace.
By the way, the day that the mother and daughter received Christ as their Saviour had been the birthday of the mother of the brother and sister. Now, everytime they think of her birthday they will be reminded of their "second birth". Sometimes God changes the order of the "love, win, build, send" formula, and those sent are loved and won in order to come home to be built up.
I was reminded of another song, that summed up what had been evidenced on the mission trip. What God had shown in sending His Son. Here from the song "We Are One in the Spirit". The shepherds had seen and heard of the love of God from the angels and from Mary and Joseph. The mother and daughter had seen and heard of the love of Christ in the Christians as they served, they showed them the love of God working out in their lives.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land.
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride.
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.
May that we our goal, to spread the news, that others will witness Christ by the love shown in His people.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Luke 2:15-21
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
NKJV
Luke 2:25-36
Simeon Sees God's Salvation
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."
33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
NKJV
Good morning,
Often overlooked in the Christmas story was the shepherd's reaction to what transpired, which we ended with on Saturday. It will serve as today's verse:
Luke 2:17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. NKJV
They didn't have all of the "head knowledge" of the Pharisees, they may not have realized the full significance of what they saw, but they did have to wonder "what child is this?". These lowly shepherds were amazed at what they heard and saw and had to spread the news.
What Child Is This?
What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
We don't know of the conversations between Joseph, Mary and the shepherds. Perhaps they explained how they had arrived there, who this child was, and how the angels had spoken to them about the events that were now taking place. It would only have added to the wonder of it all, and increased there desire to share the message.
Those who should have cared most about His coming were indifferent. Most people today are still indifferent to who this Christ child was, or I should say, is.
A friend of mine recently led a medical missions trip to Nicaragua. Among others his sister and niece came along. Neither were Christians and even heading into the trip you might say that they were still indifferent about Jesus. But seeing the love of Christ displayed among the people, how the other team members spoke of what Christ had done for each of them, and the love shown to them by the people of Nicaragua in gratitude, their hearts were melted. Later that week both of them came to know the Lord as their personal Saviour. I believe that this Christmas will be different for them, and as they gaze upon a manger scene or sing hymns and carols like Silent Night or O Holy Night, they will wonder themselves "what Child is this", that came to die for me, that has now changed my life, given me new life.
As you here some of the carols and hymns this week, take some time to listen to the words, print them, read them during a quiet time or possibly a break time at work. As you find some solitude in your church, in your home, before a Christmas (not holiday) tree, think about "what child is this?"
Those who remain indifferent will miss out on the greatest gift ever. So many need light in this dark world, so many are looking for peace.
By the way, the day that the mother and daughter received Christ as their Saviour had been the birthday of the mother of the brother and sister. Now, everytime they think of her birthday they will be reminded of their "second birth". Sometimes God changes the order of the "love, win, build, send" formula, and those sent are loved and won in order to come home to be built up.
I was reminded of another song, that summed up what had been evidenced on the mission trip. What God had shown in sending His Son. Here from the song "We Are One in the Spirit". The shepherds had seen and heard of the love of God from the angels and from Mary and Joseph. The mother and daughter had seen and heard of the love of Christ in the Christians as they served, they showed them the love of God working out in their lives.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land.
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
We will work with each other, we will work side by side.
And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride.
And they'll know we are Christians
By our love, by our love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.
May that we our goal, to spread the news, that others will witness Christ by the love shown in His people.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Luke 2:15-21
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
NKJV
Luke 2:25-36
Simeon Sees God's Salvation
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."
33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
NKJV
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Verse of the Day - weekend 12/20
Through the Bible - Micah 6-Nahum 3, Revelation 13
Good morning,
I was driving down to South Carolina for work the other day and was listening to a Chris Tomlin CD where I heard the song "Glory in the Highest". I had bought the CD earlier in the year but for whatever reason had never equated the song with the Christmas story when listening to it until just then.
I was moved by Chris Tomlin's modern version of a Hallelujah Chorus. Just think of what the shepherds must have felt when they heard the original chorus in person. Read the verses here or the passage below. Take a minute and try to imagine what it would have been like.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" NKJV
or from The Message:
Luke 2:13-15 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
Sometimes today I get the feeling that we rely too much on all the high tech audio and video equipment and feel that we cannot worship properly without it. Looking back over the years, some of the most moving Christmas experiences was when at our old little church, we circled the sanctuary, lit by the candles in our hands, and sang hymns accapella in praise to our newborn King.
Read the words of Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" as an act of praise and preparation for worship this weekend.
Glory in the Highest
You are the first
You go before
You are the last
Lord, You're the encore
Your name's in lights
For all to see
The starry Host
Declare Your glory
Glory in the highest
Apart from You
There is no God
Light of the world
The Bright and Morning Star
Your name will shine
For all to see
You are the One
You are my glory
Glory in the highest
And no one else could ever compare
To You, Lord
All the earth together declares
Glory in the highest
To You, Lord
All the earth will sing Your praise
The moon and stars, the sun and rain
Every nation will proclaim
That You are God, and You will reign
So Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, Glory, to You, Lord
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Hallelujah
The shepherds after hearing about this and finding the baby Jesus, knew to do with good news, they shared it.
Luke 2:17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, NIV
Share the joy of the Saviour's birth, invite someone to one of the services this weekend.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Luke 2:8-21
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them,"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
NKJV
Good morning,
I was driving down to South Carolina for work the other day and was listening to a Chris Tomlin CD where I heard the song "Glory in the Highest". I had bought the CD earlier in the year but for whatever reason had never equated the song with the Christmas story when listening to it until just then.
I was moved by Chris Tomlin's modern version of a Hallelujah Chorus. Just think of what the shepherds must have felt when they heard the original chorus in person. Read the verses here or the passage below. Take a minute and try to imagine what it would have been like.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" NKJV
or from The Message:
Luke 2:13-15 At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:
Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.
Sometimes today I get the feeling that we rely too much on all the high tech audio and video equipment and feel that we cannot worship properly without it. Looking back over the years, some of the most moving Christmas experiences was when at our old little church, we circled the sanctuary, lit by the candles in our hands, and sang hymns accapella in praise to our newborn King.
Read the words of Chris Tomlin's "Glory in the Highest" as an act of praise and preparation for worship this weekend.
Glory in the Highest
You are the first
You go before
You are the last
Lord, You're the encore
Your name's in lights
For all to see
The starry Host
Declare Your glory
Glory in the highest
Apart from You
There is no God
Light of the world
The Bright and Morning Star
Your name will shine
For all to see
You are the One
You are my glory
Glory in the highest
And no one else could ever compare
To You, Lord
All the earth together declares
Glory in the highest
To You, Lord
All the earth will sing Your praise
The moon and stars, the sun and rain
Every nation will proclaim
That You are God, and You will reign
So Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, Glory, to You, Lord
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Hallelujah
The shepherds after hearing about this and finding the baby Jesus, knew to do with good news, they shared it.
Luke 2:17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, NIV
Share the joy of the Saviour's birth, invite someone to one of the services this weekend.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Luke 2:8-21
Glory in the Highest
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them,"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
NKJV
Friday, December 19, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/19
Through the Bible - Micah 4-5, Revelation 12
Good morning,
We'll take one more look at the churches in Revelation returning to the church in Laodicea, and Jesus' closing statement "I stand at the door and knock."
Over the years,many, myself included when I was involved in jail ministries, used this verse in personal evangelism, encouraging the listener to "open the door of their heart to Jesus". It's a nice sentiment but not what the verse is about.
I came to realize (not on my own) that it is really a picture of Christ, standing outside of the church knocking, seeing if they are willing or as we saw yesterday, felt a need for Him to come in. I recall the painting of this scene growing up, later noticing that the door had no handle on the outside.
MacArthur writes, "The door on which Christ is knocking is not the door to a single human heart, but to the Laodicean church. Christ was outside the apostate church and wanted to come in - something that could only happen if the people repented."
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. NKJV
Thriving churches have a passion for Christ, for ministry, they are not "cookie cutter" churches, they are different, some grow from their passion for youth, young adults, missions, prayer, teaching and sending or any combination of these. The lukewarm church was indifferent, what went on around them really didn't matter, it didn't concern them.
J. I. Packer points out that "marks of decline (of a church) include high tolerance for half heartedness, moral failure, and compromise; low expectations of holiness in oneself and others; willingness to remain spiritual pigmies; apathy about the advancement of God's cause and His glory; and contentment, even complacency, with things as they are. Charles Finney once said, "Christians are more to blame for not being revived than sinners are for not being converted."
What was lacking was something that was pointed out in Hebrews 4:2
Heb 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. NKJV
How does the Word impact you? Does it inspire you, move you to change, to action? What about your church? Is the door closed? If so will you be one who would open the door? Hearing, as we just read in Heb. 4:2, must be mixed with faith. Faith is an action word, it needs to be applied. Hearing mixed with faith and applied is a recipe for life, and also life in a church.
IF you question this take a few minutes this weekend and read Hebrews 11 which begins by saying:
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. NKJV
Faith involves opening that door.
In Christ,
Mike
Rev 3:14-4:1
The Lukewarm Church
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say,'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"
NKJV
Good morning,
We'll take one more look at the churches in Revelation returning to the church in Laodicea, and Jesus' closing statement "I stand at the door and knock."
Over the years,many, myself included when I was involved in jail ministries, used this verse in personal evangelism, encouraging the listener to "open the door of their heart to Jesus". It's a nice sentiment but not what the verse is about.
I came to realize (not on my own) that it is really a picture of Christ, standing outside of the church knocking, seeing if they are willing or as we saw yesterday, felt a need for Him to come in. I recall the painting of this scene growing up, later noticing that the door had no handle on the outside.
MacArthur writes, "The door on which Christ is knocking is not the door to a single human heart, but to the Laodicean church. Christ was outside the apostate church and wanted to come in - something that could only happen if the people repented."
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. NKJV
Thriving churches have a passion for Christ, for ministry, they are not "cookie cutter" churches, they are different, some grow from their passion for youth, young adults, missions, prayer, teaching and sending or any combination of these. The lukewarm church was indifferent, what went on around them really didn't matter, it didn't concern them.
J. I. Packer points out that "marks of decline (of a church) include high tolerance for half heartedness, moral failure, and compromise; low expectations of holiness in oneself and others; willingness to remain spiritual pigmies; apathy about the advancement of God's cause and His glory; and contentment, even complacency, with things as they are. Charles Finney once said, "Christians are more to blame for not being revived than sinners are for not being converted."
What was lacking was something that was pointed out in Hebrews 4:2
Heb 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. NKJV
How does the Word impact you? Does it inspire you, move you to change, to action? What about your church? Is the door closed? If so will you be one who would open the door? Hearing, as we just read in Heb. 4:2, must be mixed with faith. Faith is an action word, it needs to be applied. Hearing mixed with faith and applied is a recipe for life, and also life in a church.
IF you question this take a few minutes this weekend and read Hebrews 11 which begins by saying:
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. NKJV
Faith involves opening that door.
In Christ,
Mike
Rev 3:14-4:1
The Lukewarm Church
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say,'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'"
NKJV
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/18
Through the Bible - Micah 3, Revelation 11
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll return to Revelation 3 to see what Christ had to say to the final church, the church at Laodicea, the "lukewarm church". The city was a wealthy city with thriving, banking, medical, and textile industries. It was also known for it's sparse supply of water. All of these points come into play in the message to the church.
The church was wealthy and self sufficient, self reliant, at least financially, and boasted that they "were in need of nothing". It is noteworthy that this is the only church among the seven for which Jesus has nothing positive to say.
Barclay comments that the city "was famous for two kinds of medicine, namely, an ointment for soar ears and an eye powder for sore eyes." Sadly, they were blind to the vision of Christ and deaf to His words.
Rev 3:17 Because you say,'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. NKJV
or from The Message
Rev 3:17-19 You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.
John MacArthur writes, "The lukewarm are like the unbelieving Jews of whom Paul lamented, "for I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge" (Rom. 10:2). They are those who "(hold) to a form of Godliness, although they have denied it's power" (2 Tim. 3:5). Such obnoxious hypocrisy nauseates Christ."
John Stott compares the situation to what we see going on in the late 20th and into the 21st century, he writes that this letter "describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby and anaemic. We appear to have taken a lukewarm bath of religion."
What are we to watch out for? For being self absorbed, self sufficient as individuals and as a church, oblivious to our spiritual needs. Instead, (adding one more ingredient to what we considered yesterday), our desire should be - to love, win, build, and send, through the power of Christ in us.
We can also look back to the beginning of Christ's ministry when he quoted from the book of Isaiah in Luke chapter 4:
Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." NKJV
Notice the points in these verses compared to what Jesus calls the people in the church in Laodicea. They were "miserable, poor, blind, and naked" because though they had the resources there is no indication that they did anything for people in this physical condition, leaving them in that spiritual condition.
Read 3:19, what other verses and passages come to mind? Think of the invitition in Isaiah 55 or this from Matthew 6:
Matt 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. NKJV
Instead of posting this passage from Revelation 3, I'll post today's Old Testament reading from Micah which gives shows this spiritually blind condition.
In Christ,
Mike
Mic 3:5-4:1
Here is God's Message to the prophets,the preachers who lie to my people:"For as long as they're well paid and well fed,the prophets preach, 'Isn't life wonderful! Peace to all!'But if you don't pay up and jump on their bandwagon,their 'God bless you' turns into 'God damn you.' Therefore, you're going blind. You'll see nothing.You'll live in deep shadows and know nothing.The sun has set on the prophets.They've had their day; from now on it's night. Visionaries will be confused,experts will be all mixed up.They'll hide behind their reputations and make lame excusesto cover up their God-ignorance."
But me — I'm filled with God's power,filled with God's Spirit of justice and strength,Ready to confront Jacob's crimeand Israel's sin.
The leaders of Jacob andthe leaders of Israel areLeaders contemptuous of justice,who twist and distort right living, Leaders who build Zion by killing people,who expand Jerusalem by committing crimes. Judges sell verdicts to the highest bidder,priests mass-market their teaching,prophets preach for high fees,All the while posturing and pretendingdependence on God:"We've got God on our side.He'll protect us from disaster." Because of people like you,Zion will be turned back into farmland,Jerusalem end up as a pile of rubble,and instead of the Temple on the mountain,a few scraggly scrub pines.
(from THE MESSAGE)
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll return to Revelation 3 to see what Christ had to say to the final church, the church at Laodicea, the "lukewarm church". The city was a wealthy city with thriving, banking, medical, and textile industries. It was also known for it's sparse supply of water. All of these points come into play in the message to the church.
The church was wealthy and self sufficient, self reliant, at least financially, and boasted that they "were in need of nothing". It is noteworthy that this is the only church among the seven for which Jesus has nothing positive to say.
Barclay comments that the city "was famous for two kinds of medicine, namely, an ointment for soar ears and an eye powder for sore eyes." Sadly, they were blind to the vision of Christ and deaf to His words.
Rev 3:17 Because you say,'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked — 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. NKJV
or from The Message
Rev 3:17-19 You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
"Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.
John MacArthur writes, "The lukewarm are like the unbelieving Jews of whom Paul lamented, "for I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge" (Rom. 10:2). They are those who "(hold) to a form of Godliness, although they have denied it's power" (2 Tim. 3:5). Such obnoxious hypocrisy nauseates Christ."
John Stott compares the situation to what we see going on in the late 20th and into the 21st century, he writes that this letter "describes vividly the respectable, sentimental, nominal, skin deep religiosity which is so widespread among us today. Our Christianity is flabby and anaemic. We appear to have taken a lukewarm bath of religion."
What are we to watch out for? For being self absorbed, self sufficient as individuals and as a church, oblivious to our spiritual needs. Instead, (adding one more ingredient to what we considered yesterday), our desire should be - to love, win, build, and send, through the power of Christ in us.
We can also look back to the beginning of Christ's ministry when he quoted from the book of Isaiah in Luke chapter 4:
Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." NKJV
Notice the points in these verses compared to what Jesus calls the people in the church in Laodicea. They were "miserable, poor, blind, and naked" because though they had the resources there is no indication that they did anything for people in this physical condition, leaving them in that spiritual condition.
Read 3:19, what other verses and passages come to mind? Think of the invitition in Isaiah 55 or this from Matthew 6:
Matt 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. NKJV
Instead of posting this passage from Revelation 3, I'll post today's Old Testament reading from Micah which gives shows this spiritually blind condition.
In Christ,
Mike
Mic 3:5-4:1
Here is God's Message to the prophets,the preachers who lie to my people:"For as long as they're well paid and well fed,the prophets preach, 'Isn't life wonderful! Peace to all!'But if you don't pay up and jump on their bandwagon,their 'God bless you' turns into 'God damn you.' Therefore, you're going blind. You'll see nothing.You'll live in deep shadows and know nothing.The sun has set on the prophets.They've had their day; from now on it's night. Visionaries will be confused,experts will be all mixed up.They'll hide behind their reputations and make lame excusesto cover up their God-ignorance."
But me — I'm filled with God's power,filled with God's Spirit of justice and strength,Ready to confront Jacob's crimeand Israel's sin.
The leaders of Jacob andthe leaders of Israel areLeaders contemptuous of justice,who twist and distort right living, Leaders who build Zion by killing people,who expand Jerusalem by committing crimes. Judges sell verdicts to the highest bidder,priests mass-market their teaching,prophets preach for high fees,All the while posturing and pretendingdependence on God:"We've got God on our side.He'll protect us from disaster." Because of people like you,Zion will be turned back into farmland,Jerusalem end up as a pile of rubble,and instead of the Temple on the mountain,a few scraggly scrub pines.
(from THE MESSAGE)
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/17
Through the Bible - Jonah 4 - Micah 2, Revelation 10
Good morning,
We received a letter yesterday from some missionary friends who had just had their second child. What a gift. In the letter they gave an update on how things were going overseas. In doing so they shared their mission, it was very simple Win, Build, Send. Win others to Christ, build relationships with other believers and most importantly a solid foundational relationship with Christ, and then send them to serve Him. One of the young men that they had been working with was doing just that. He had come to know Christ, had learned and experienced the love of friends including Christ, and now he was off desiring to spread the love of God to where he was being sent.
It should be the goal of our church and every other church. The wife and mother mentioned above was won in our church, grew in faith here, and was sent out to serve.
Today we'll take a look at what Christ had to say to the church in Philadelphia, the faithful church. I would think that this church was doing those same things. The church wasn't large in stature, most likely it was a small church, but they were steadfast and faithful. When a church has these characteristics God will open doors for ministry.
Rev 3: 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. NKJV
Today's verse comes from a little further down in the passage.
Rev 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. NKJV
or from The Message:
Rev 3:12 "I'll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I'll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God's City — the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven — and my new Name.
(from THE MESSAGE)
Take note of phrase "I will make him a pillar". You here references to people being a pillar in the community or the church. The thought brings me back to pictures of some of the old cities in biblical times that had temples with huge pillars such as Priene. Did you ever think of what pillars do?
They stand firm and tall. They endure, through good times and bad. They support the rest of the structure. Remove or topple some of them ( as Samson did) and the building crumbles. Looking back at some of those pictures of Priene some of these pillars are still standing while the rest of the temple lies in ruins.
Something else you would notice about those pillars. Most often they had the names of the person who had created and formed them engraved on them. Notice what Jesus says to these "pillars", He will write the name of God, the name of God's City - the new Jerusalem, and write on him His new name.
It starts with a simple plan, win, build, and send. Those who maintain this for a lifetime will be those pillars with God's name inscribed on them.
It goes beyond the outside, it's in the heart. I'm reminded of the old hymn "O to be Like Thee", here is one line from that song.
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
MacArthur writes that "the letter to the faithful Philadelphia church reveals that the holy, true, sovereign, omnipotent God pours out His blessings on the churches that remain loyal to Him. He will bless them with open doors for evangelism, eternal salvation, kingdom blessings, and deliverance form the great time of testing that will come on the earth. He will ultimately bring all those who persevere in their faith to the eternal bliss of heaven, where He will reveal Himself fully to them."
Would you, would your church want to be know as a "dead church" or one that "perseveres"? It will have a lot to do with that simple formula - win, build, and send.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Rev 3:7-14
The Faithful Church
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'
NKJV
Good morning,
We received a letter yesterday from some missionary friends who had just had their second child. What a gift. In the letter they gave an update on how things were going overseas. In doing so they shared their mission, it was very simple Win, Build, Send. Win others to Christ, build relationships with other believers and most importantly a solid foundational relationship with Christ, and then send them to serve Him. One of the young men that they had been working with was doing just that. He had come to know Christ, had learned and experienced the love of friends including Christ, and now he was off desiring to spread the love of God to where he was being sent.
It should be the goal of our church and every other church. The wife and mother mentioned above was won in our church, grew in faith here, and was sent out to serve.
Today we'll take a look at what Christ had to say to the church in Philadelphia, the faithful church. I would think that this church was doing those same things. The church wasn't large in stature, most likely it was a small church, but they were steadfast and faithful. When a church has these characteristics God will open doors for ministry.
Rev 3: 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. NKJV
Today's verse comes from a little further down in the passage.
Rev 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. NKJV
or from The Message:
Rev 3:12 "I'll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I'll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God's City — the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven — and my new Name.
(from THE MESSAGE)
Take note of phrase "I will make him a pillar". You here references to people being a pillar in the community or the church. The thought brings me back to pictures of some of the old cities in biblical times that had temples with huge pillars such as Priene. Did you ever think of what pillars do?
They stand firm and tall. They endure, through good times and bad. They support the rest of the structure. Remove or topple some of them ( as Samson did) and the building crumbles. Looking back at some of those pictures of Priene some of these pillars are still standing while the rest of the temple lies in ruins.
Something else you would notice about those pillars. Most often they had the names of the person who had created and formed them engraved on them. Notice what Jesus says to these "pillars", He will write the name of God, the name of God's City - the new Jerusalem, and write on him His new name.
It starts with a simple plan, win, build, and send. Those who maintain this for a lifetime will be those pillars with God's name inscribed on them.
It goes beyond the outside, it's in the heart. I'm reminded of the old hymn "O to be Like Thee", here is one line from that song.
Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art;
Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
MacArthur writes that "the letter to the faithful Philadelphia church reveals that the holy, true, sovereign, omnipotent God pours out His blessings on the churches that remain loyal to Him. He will bless them with open doors for evangelism, eternal salvation, kingdom blessings, and deliverance form the great time of testing that will come on the earth. He will ultimately bring all those who persevere in their faith to the eternal bliss of heaven, where He will reveal Himself fully to them."
Would you, would your church want to be know as a "dead church" or one that "perseveres"? It will have a lot to do with that simple formula - win, build, and send.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Rev 3:7-14
The Faithful Church
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie — indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
13 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'
NKJV
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/16
Through the Bible - Obadiah - Jonah 3, Revelation 9
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll move into Revelation 3 and take a look at what Jesus has to say to the church in Sardis, noted as "the dead church".
Have you ever gone through a time in your life when you were in the "doldrums", the same old routine day after day, not much seems to change and there just doesn't seem to be any "spark" in your life? Or have you ever had to drive across the state, after eating lunch, the road is familiar and it takes almost all you have to try to stay awake.
These times can come upon us at any time in life, at school, work, at home, or in retirement.
This type of feeling, can become an attitude. The attitude is not limited to individuals, it can affect and even take over groups, organizations, and yes, even churches.
What we need is someone in our life to shout "wake up people", and I'm not talking about Pepsi Max.
That's exactly what Jesus had to say to this church as we see in today's verse.
Rev 3:2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. NIV
Barclay comments that a church "is in danger of death when it begins to worship it's own past.... when it is more concerned with forms than with life... when it loves systems more than it loves Jesus Christ, .... when it is more concerned with material than spiritual things."
Sadly, many of us, at least some point in our spiritual journey can relate to this, perhaps even now.
What does Jesus tell us? To look back, yes, but not to glory in the past, but remember what brought us, what brought the church life. Remember the way, the truth, the life that is in Jesus. The he challenges them to go back and do those things. If not, even what they have will be taken.
If you find yourself in such a place in your life in you home or in your church, turn back. Pray for restoration and desire not only to be blessed but to be a blessing.
Let's close by looking at what God had to say to Abram, way back in Genesis.
Gen 12:2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you." NIV
If you remember the old hymn, "Make Me a Blessing" why don't you sing it in your heart, pray it to God, and act it out in your life. I don't think that you or those around you will remain in the "doldrums". Notice where the song starts.
1 Out in the highways and byways of life,
many are weary and sad;
are weary and sad
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
making the sorrowing glad.
Refrain:
Make me a blessing,
Make me a blessing,
Out of my life
out of my life
May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray,
I pray Thee, my Savior,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
3:1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. NIV
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll move into Revelation 3 and take a look at what Jesus has to say to the church in Sardis, noted as "the dead church".
Have you ever gone through a time in your life when you were in the "doldrums", the same old routine day after day, not much seems to change and there just doesn't seem to be any "spark" in your life? Or have you ever had to drive across the state, after eating lunch, the road is familiar and it takes almost all you have to try to stay awake.
These times can come upon us at any time in life, at school, work, at home, or in retirement.
This type of feeling, can become an attitude. The attitude is not limited to individuals, it can affect and even take over groups, organizations, and yes, even churches.
What we need is someone in our life to shout "wake up people", and I'm not talking about Pepsi Max.
That's exactly what Jesus had to say to this church as we see in today's verse.
Rev 3:2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. NIV
Barclay comments that a church "is in danger of death when it begins to worship it's own past.... when it is more concerned with forms than with life... when it loves systems more than it loves Jesus Christ, .... when it is more concerned with material than spiritual things."
Sadly, many of us, at least some point in our spiritual journey can relate to this, perhaps even now.
What does Jesus tell us? To look back, yes, but not to glory in the past, but remember what brought us, what brought the church life. Remember the way, the truth, the life that is in Jesus. The he challenges them to go back and do those things. If not, even what they have will be taken.
If you find yourself in such a place in your life in you home or in your church, turn back. Pray for restoration and desire not only to be blessed but to be a blessing.
Let's close by looking at what God had to say to Abram, way back in Genesis.
Gen 12:2 "I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you." NIV
If you remember the old hymn, "Make Me a Blessing" why don't you sing it in your heart, pray it to God, and act it out in your life. I don't think that you or those around you will remain in the "doldrums". Notice where the song starts.
1 Out in the highways and byways of life,
many are weary and sad;
are weary and sad
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
making the sorrowing glad.
Refrain:
Make me a blessing,
Make me a blessing,
Out of my life
out of my life
May Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O savior, I pray,
I pray Thee, my Savior,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
3:1 "To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. NIV
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/15
Through the Bible - Amos 7-9, Revelation 7
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll return to Revelation chapter 2 and see what Christ has to say to the church at Thyatira.
It is worth noting that the church was commended for it's generosity and love, something that had not been said of the previous churches. In fact the word used for faith, pistis is better translated "fidelity" or "faithfulness". MacArthur notes that "true Christians there were dependable, reliable and consistent." Their faith and love "grew into service and perseverence."
You get the picture that it is a church with a lot of programs, which desires to be inclusive, but somehow, at some point began to forget what they had been taught, not holding onto the doctrines of the faith, they allowed, even welcomed, some of the culture and practices of the society around them to creep into the church. The church is described here as the "corrupt church", Websters defines corrupt as - "changed from a sound condition to an unsound one, spoiled, contaminated, rotten."
The reference to that "Jezebel" in verse 20 may be a reference to the personality of the Jezebel from the Old Testament, who here brought devious practices into the church.
Rev 2:25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations — NKJV
The church needed to love what Jesus loved and to hate what Jesus hated. Jesus loved the sinner but hated the sin.
Pastor Bob shared how his recent series "Decent Exposure" was not well received by some. He dealt with some very sensitive issues regarding sexual purity and the need for Christians to take there stand in these areas. He chose not to look the other way but to challenge the congregation, young and old, to face and deal with the issues head on, for the sake of their spouses, families, their reputation and most importantly their God.
Then and now it is not an easy thing to do. John MacArthur comments, "The pressure faced by the Christians in Thyatira came from the guilds. To hold a job or run a business, it was necessary to be a member of a guild. Each guild had it's patron deity, in whose honor feasts were held, complete with meat sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. Christians faced the dilema of attending those feasts or possibly losing their livelihood. How some in the church of Thyatira were handling the situations caused the Lord Jesus Christ great concerns."
What happens when some of these same business leaders become leaders in the church? It becomes "corrupt".
The situation is not that different today in certains circles, and the Christian businesman must avoid, flee from, the opportunities and temptations for payoffs, bribes, and improper business "entertainment", anything that could even be remotely considered "questionable". All this while knowing that refraining from joining in these activities could have an impact on his job and livelihood.
May we be those, who as Jesus says, "overcomes" and keeps, follows "His works" to the end.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Rev 2:18-3:1
The Corrupt Church
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations —
27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' —
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'
NKJV
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll return to Revelation chapter 2 and see what Christ has to say to the church at Thyatira.
It is worth noting that the church was commended for it's generosity and love, something that had not been said of the previous churches. In fact the word used for faith, pistis is better translated "fidelity" or "faithfulness". MacArthur notes that "true Christians there were dependable, reliable and consistent." Their faith and love "grew into service and perseverence."
You get the picture that it is a church with a lot of programs, which desires to be inclusive, but somehow, at some point began to forget what they had been taught, not holding onto the doctrines of the faith, they allowed, even welcomed, some of the culture and practices of the society around them to creep into the church. The church is described here as the "corrupt church", Websters defines corrupt as - "changed from a sound condition to an unsound one, spoiled, contaminated, rotten."
The reference to that "Jezebel" in verse 20 may be a reference to the personality of the Jezebel from the Old Testament, who here brought devious practices into the church.
Rev 2:25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations — NKJV
The church needed to love what Jesus loved and to hate what Jesus hated. Jesus loved the sinner but hated the sin.
Pastor Bob shared how his recent series "Decent Exposure" was not well received by some. He dealt with some very sensitive issues regarding sexual purity and the need for Christians to take there stand in these areas. He chose not to look the other way but to challenge the congregation, young and old, to face and deal with the issues head on, for the sake of their spouses, families, their reputation and most importantly their God.
Then and now it is not an easy thing to do. John MacArthur comments, "The pressure faced by the Christians in Thyatira came from the guilds. To hold a job or run a business, it was necessary to be a member of a guild. Each guild had it's patron deity, in whose honor feasts were held, complete with meat sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality. Christians faced the dilema of attending those feasts or possibly losing their livelihood. How some in the church of Thyatira were handling the situations caused the Lord Jesus Christ great concerns."
What happens when some of these same business leaders become leaders in the church? It becomes "corrupt".
The situation is not that different today in certains circles, and the Christian businesman must avoid, flee from, the opportunities and temptations for payoffs, bribes, and improper business "entertainment", anything that could even be remotely considered "questionable". All this while knowing that refraining from joining in these activities could have an impact on his job and livelihood.
May we be those, who as Jesus says, "overcomes" and keeps, follows "His works" to the end.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Rev 2:18-3:1
The Corrupt Church
18 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations —
27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels' —
as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.
29 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."'
NKJV
Verse of the Day - weekend 12/14
Through the Bible - Amos 1-6, Revelation 6-7
Good morning,
The other day I read Psalm 30 as part of my devotions and came across the following verse which will be today's verse. The few words that I'd like to focus on is "His favor is for life". I'm sure that we may have gone through times in our life where we felt that God must be angry with us. It may have been a time of weeping, weeping over guilt or over circumstances in our lives. These may be the loss of loved ones, illnesses or any number of things that seem to hit us hard in the night.
I know I've experienced long nights, but as the verse states, "joy comes in the morning", joy can come in the morning when God speaks to us as we pray and through His Word.
Ps 30:4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning. NKJV
or from The Message:
Ps 30:4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.
Think about how The Message puts it, "He gets angry once in a while, but over a lifetime we can look back at His love.
In this Christmas season, at some point you'll probably read or hear Luke's account of the Christmas story and the following verse:
Luke 1:28 And having come in, the angel said to her,"Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" NKJV
Mary was about to be told that she would be an unwed mother with all of the ramifications in her life that would come from that. It may not have seemed at the moment that she was so "highly favored".
Moody's "Today in the Word" devotional on 12/10 had this to say about it:
After the promissing introduction, "The message Gabriel brought, however, didn't sound at first like a blessing. For a virgin (v. 27) to become pregnant (v. 31) was a shameful impossibility, a possible death sentence. It would likely put an end to her betrothal (something more than a modern engagement but not yet an actual marriage). Was God going to show His favor by making her into an unwed teenage mother? Yes. Mary would become pregnant, and the child would be named “God saves.” In Him, the covenant of David and the prophecies of Isaiah would be fulfilled (vv. 32-33). "
I'm sure that as the years went by and Jesus grew up Mary realized regularly just how "highly favored" she was.
How about you? Have you had events and even seasons in your life that challenged you to the core of your being, your faith, but looking back you can see how through it all, God had blessed, had favored you?
Think about it today, this season, and as you go to worship this weekend.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Ps 30:1-31:1
The Blessedness of Answered Prayer
A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the house of David.
30 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,And have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried out to You,And You healed me. 3 O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave;You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment,His favor is for life;Weeping may endure for a night,But joy comes in the morning.
6 Now in my prosperity I said,"I shall never be moved." 7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;You hid Your face, and I was troubled.
8 I cried out to You, O Lord;And to the Lord I made supplication: 9 "What profit is there in my blood,When I go down to the pit?Will the dust praise You?Will it declare Your truth? 10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;Lord, be my helper!"
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
NKJV
Good morning,
The other day I read Psalm 30 as part of my devotions and came across the following verse which will be today's verse. The few words that I'd like to focus on is "His favor is for life". I'm sure that we may have gone through times in our life where we felt that God must be angry with us. It may have been a time of weeping, weeping over guilt or over circumstances in our lives. These may be the loss of loved ones, illnesses or any number of things that seem to hit us hard in the night.
I know I've experienced long nights, but as the verse states, "joy comes in the morning", joy can come in the morning when God speaks to us as we pray and through His Word.
Ps 30:4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
5 For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning. NKJV
or from The Message:
Ps 30:4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
give way to days of laughter.
Think about how The Message puts it, "He gets angry once in a while, but over a lifetime we can look back at His love.
In this Christmas season, at some point you'll probably read or hear Luke's account of the Christmas story and the following verse:
Luke 1:28 And having come in, the angel said to her,"Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" NKJV
Mary was about to be told that she would be an unwed mother with all of the ramifications in her life that would come from that. It may not have seemed at the moment that she was so "highly favored".
Moody's "Today in the Word" devotional on 12/10 had this to say about it:
After the promissing introduction, "The message Gabriel brought, however, didn't sound at first like a blessing. For a virgin (v. 27) to become pregnant (v. 31) was a shameful impossibility, a possible death sentence. It would likely put an end to her betrothal (something more than a modern engagement but not yet an actual marriage). Was God going to show His favor by making her into an unwed teenage mother? Yes. Mary would become pregnant, and the child would be named “God saves.” In Him, the covenant of David and the prophecies of Isaiah would be fulfilled (vv. 32-33). "
I'm sure that as the years went by and Jesus grew up Mary realized regularly just how "highly favored" she was.
How about you? Have you had events and even seasons in your life that challenged you to the core of your being, your faith, but looking back you can see how through it all, God had blessed, had favored you?
Think about it today, this season, and as you go to worship this weekend.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Ps 30:1-31:1
The Blessedness of Answered Prayer
A Psalm. A Song at the dedication of the house of David.
30 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,And have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried out to You,And You healed me. 3 O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave;You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment,His favor is for life;Weeping may endure for a night,But joy comes in the morning.
6 Now in my prosperity I said,"I shall never be moved." 7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;You hid Your face, and I was troubled.
8 I cried out to You, O Lord;And to the Lord I made supplication: 9 "What profit is there in my blood,When I go down to the pit?Will the dust praise You?Will it declare Your truth? 10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;Lord, be my helper!"
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
NKJV
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/12
Through the Bible - Joel, Revelation 5
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll continue in Revelation 2 and look at what Jesus had to say to those in the church in Pergamum. It was a wealthy city with many temples devoted to idol worship with stautues of the various gods prominent in the city. It would not have been popular to be a Christian in Pergamum. Kevin DeYoung writes, " yet believers there did not renounce the name of Jesus. They were strongest in the very areas where Ephasus was weakest. The Ephesians didn't love anymore. They turned their lights inward on one another instead of out in the world. But those at Pergamum held together. They were loyal and did not turn on one another when they faced persecution. They were bold in their witness to an enemy culture."
Wouldn't you say that these are some of the same problems in churches across the USA today, that they had turned their lights inward? Notice also that he speaks of an "enemy culture". The word has to go out into the culture but that culture is not to become the culture of the church.
What does God's Word say to this church?
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. NKJV
DeYoung writes, "They were undiscerning, which is why Jesus introduced Himself as He who wielded the sharp two edged sword. The Christians at Pergamum didn't have a kean eye for the orthodoxy and moral uprightness like those at Ephasus. The held to the teachings of the Nicolaitans. In short they had been deceived.... Ephasus was under engaged with the culture, Pergamum over identified with the culture. Their indifference to religious and moral deviancy was not a sign of their great relevance to the culture, or their great broadmindedness, or a great testimony to their ability to focus on God's love; it was a blight on their otherwise passionate, faithful witness."
We, as Christians, need to live in the culture, be engaged in it, but not become like the culture. We live counter culturally, showing a better way, loving God and loving others.
The double edged sword, the Word of God, offers grace, forgiveness and salvation while at the same time bringing judgement to those who will not hear what it has to say to them and reject the Gospel, the Good Word.
Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God of being living and active. May it be so in our hearts and lives.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Rev 2:12-18
To Pergamum
Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth — out come the sword words:
"I see where you live, right under the shadow of Satan's throne. But you continue boldly in my Name; you never once denied my Name, even when the pressure was worst, when they martyred Antipas, my witness who stayed faithful to me on Satan's turf.
"But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Don't you remember that Balaam was an enemy agent, seducing Balak and sabotaging Israel's holy pilgrimage by throwing unholy parties? And why do you put up with the Nicolaitans, who do the same thing?
"Enough! Don't give in to them; I'll be with you soon. I'm fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words.
"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I'll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I'll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name."
(from THE MESSAGE)
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll continue in Revelation 2 and look at what Jesus had to say to those in the church in Pergamum. It was a wealthy city with many temples devoted to idol worship with stautues of the various gods prominent in the city. It would not have been popular to be a Christian in Pergamum. Kevin DeYoung writes, " yet believers there did not renounce the name of Jesus. They were strongest in the very areas where Ephasus was weakest. The Ephesians didn't love anymore. They turned their lights inward on one another instead of out in the world. But those at Pergamum held together. They were loyal and did not turn on one another when they faced persecution. They were bold in their witness to an enemy culture."
Wouldn't you say that these are some of the same problems in churches across the USA today, that they had turned their lights inward? Notice also that he speaks of an "enemy culture". The word has to go out into the culture but that culture is not to become the culture of the church.
What does God's Word say to this church?
Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. NKJV
DeYoung writes, "They were undiscerning, which is why Jesus introduced Himself as He who wielded the sharp two edged sword. The Christians at Pergamum didn't have a kean eye for the orthodoxy and moral uprightness like those at Ephasus. The held to the teachings of the Nicolaitans. In short they had been deceived.... Ephasus was under engaged with the culture, Pergamum over identified with the culture. Their indifference to religious and moral deviancy was not a sign of their great relevance to the culture, or their great broadmindedness, or a great testimony to their ability to focus on God's love; it was a blight on their otherwise passionate, faithful witness."
We, as Christians, need to live in the culture, be engaged in it, but not become like the culture. We live counter culturally, showing a better way, loving God and loving others.
The double edged sword, the Word of God, offers grace, forgiveness and salvation while at the same time bringing judgement to those who will not hear what it has to say to them and reject the Gospel, the Good Word.
Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God of being living and active. May it be so in our hearts and lives.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Rev 2:12-18
To Pergamum
Write this to Pergamum, to the Angel of the church. The One with the sharp-biting sword draws from the sheath of his mouth — out come the sword words:
"I see where you live, right under the shadow of Satan's throne. But you continue boldly in my Name; you never once denied my Name, even when the pressure was worst, when they martyred Antipas, my witness who stayed faithful to me on Satan's turf.
"But why do you indulge that Balaam crowd? Don't you remember that Balaam was an enemy agent, seducing Balak and sabotaging Israel's holy pilgrimage by throwing unholy parties? And why do you put up with the Nicolaitans, who do the same thing?
"Enough! Don't give in to them; I'll be with you soon. I'm fed up and about to cut them to pieces with my sword-sharp words.
"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I'll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I'll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name."
(from THE MESSAGE)
Verse of the Day 12/11
Through the Bible -Hosea 11-14, Revelation 4
Good morning,
Today we'll continue our look at the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3 where we read about Smyrna, "The Persecuted Church".
Smyrna was a wealthy city, a seaport, and in ancient times was known as "the lovely, the crown of Ionia- the ornament of Asia." Historians note that it was known for it's wickedness and it's opposition to the Christian gospel. Life for the early Christian was not easy in this community.
John Walvoord in his commentary on Revelation notes, "Smyrna itself means "myrrh" a sweat perfume used in embalming dead bodies, and used in the annointing oil uses in the tabernacle worship in the Old Testament."
Today's veres comes from this passage where Jesus commends the chuch for their stand and encourages them to be faithful.
Rev 2: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. NKJV
Cities and societies may look beautiful but can be cold hearted, dead and lifeless on the inside, and in the hearts of the people. The Christians here were known for their "poverty", Walvoord tells us that the Greek word used here means abject poverty. He writes, "They were not just poor. It may be that they were drawn from a poor class of people, but it is more probable that their extreme poverty is explained by the fact that they had been robbed of their goods in the process of their persecution and afflictioin. He quickly reminds them however, "but thou art rich"." They were rich in faith, a faith that would have eternal rewards in glory.
At least some people then took Jesus words to heart. One of them was Polycarp, one of the early church fathers, assumed the office of bishop in the church in Smyrna. As he faced death at the hand of his persecutors, when asked by the heathen judges to renounce his Christian faith, he replied, "Four score and six years have I served the Lord, and He has never wronged me; how then can I blaspheme my Lord and Saviour."
It seems that through through the ages, the strongest faith was shown by those being persecuted for their faith. Pray for those serving the Lord in places today where they face persecution, that they may be strong in their faith, able to stand.
In Christ,
Mike
Rev 2:8-12
The Persecuted Church
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
NKJV
Good morning,
Today we'll continue our look at the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3 where we read about Smyrna, "The Persecuted Church".
Smyrna was a wealthy city, a seaport, and in ancient times was known as "the lovely, the crown of Ionia- the ornament of Asia." Historians note that it was known for it's wickedness and it's opposition to the Christian gospel. Life for the early Christian was not easy in this community.
John Walvoord in his commentary on Revelation notes, "Smyrna itself means "myrrh" a sweat perfume used in embalming dead bodies, and used in the annointing oil uses in the tabernacle worship in the Old Testament."
Today's veres comes from this passage where Jesus commends the chuch for their stand and encourages them to be faithful.
Rev 2: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. NKJV
Cities and societies may look beautiful but can be cold hearted, dead and lifeless on the inside, and in the hearts of the people. The Christians here were known for their "poverty", Walvoord tells us that the Greek word used here means abject poverty. He writes, "They were not just poor. It may be that they were drawn from a poor class of people, but it is more probable that their extreme poverty is explained by the fact that they had been robbed of their goods in the process of their persecution and afflictioin. He quickly reminds them however, "but thou art rich"." They were rich in faith, a faith that would have eternal rewards in glory.
At least some people then took Jesus words to heart. One of them was Polycarp, one of the early church fathers, assumed the office of bishop in the church in Smyrna. As he faced death at the hand of his persecutors, when asked by the heathen judges to renounce his Christian faith, he replied, "Four score and six years have I served the Lord, and He has never wronged me; how then can I blaspheme my Lord and Saviour."
It seems that through through the ages, the strongest faith was shown by those being persecuted for their faith. Pray for those serving the Lord in places today where they face persecution, that they may be strong in their faith, able to stand.
In Christ,
Mike
Rev 2:8-12
The Persecuted Church
8 "And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write,
'These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: 9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
NKJV
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/10
Through the Bible - Hosea 7-10, Revelation 3
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll go to Revelation chapter 2 where today we'll look at what Jesus had to say to the church at Ephasus. The church is commneded for it's works, labor, patience and adherence to the doctrines of the faith.
Kevin DeYoung writes, "Jesus commended them for two virtues scarcely mentioned in the emerging church: intolerance (of false teaching) and hatrred (of immorality). For all the talk in emerging circles about the supremely inclusive kingdom of God, it should not escape our notice that Ephasus was not praised for it's inclusion, but for their exclusion."
That being said, he also noted that "The church at Ephasus was your exemplary fundamentalist, evangelical church with a good Protestant work ethic and a close eye on theological orthodoxy. This was good, but these things aren't the only things that matter in a church. Ephasus had one big, cancerous problem. They didn't love."
What was the solution? We go to today's verse.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. NKJV
or from The Message
Rev 2:5-6 Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall!
"Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.
Jesus starts with a word that has also come out of favor with many in "Christian" circles and churches today, repentance. Repentance involves stopping, realizing your condition, your needs; then turning and changing your ways, acknowledging your sin, acknowledging God, and following (submitting) to Him.
DeYoung writes, "some (churches) grow sterile and cold, petrified as the frozen chosen, not compromising with the world, but not engaging it either."
The church in Ephasus had stopped doing something that they used to do. They followed the first commandment, to love God, but had neglected, perhaps forgotten about the second, to "love your neighbor as yourself."
We must not become "the frozen chosen". We constantly need to turn to Jesus and have Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to "Teach us to Love".
Teach Me to Love - Steve Green
All my life I've had to struggle to be free
Though I see no end in sight
I stand in line with men
Who made a vow to never stop the fight
And to trust that you can comprehend
A loss you've never known
Will take a love that I have searched for
But love I cannot find alone
There's no power but the power of the cross
That can melt my hardened heart
And show me all the pride and arrogance
That tear our souls apart
For injustice that you suffer
And for our nation's shameful sin
I humbly ask for your forgiveness
We need to learn to love again
Chorus:
Lord, teach me to love
Show me how to care for others
Cause my soul to burn within
For the fellowship of my brother
Only You can break the chains
That have held me for so long
Lord, You're my hope, my only hope
Teach me to love
Chorus
So daily I seek to know the Christ
Who suffered for all men
For in Him I find the courage
To ask again and again
Teach me to love.
May that be our hearts desire not only in this season but every day.
In Christ,
Mike
Rev 2:1-8
The Loveless Church
2 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
NKJV
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll go to Revelation chapter 2 where today we'll look at what Jesus had to say to the church at Ephasus. The church is commneded for it's works, labor, patience and adherence to the doctrines of the faith.
Kevin DeYoung writes, "Jesus commended them for two virtues scarcely mentioned in the emerging church: intolerance (of false teaching) and hatrred (of immorality). For all the talk in emerging circles about the supremely inclusive kingdom of God, it should not escape our notice that Ephasus was not praised for it's inclusion, but for their exclusion."
That being said, he also noted that "The church at Ephasus was your exemplary fundamentalist, evangelical church with a good Protestant work ethic and a close eye on theological orthodoxy. This was good, but these things aren't the only things that matter in a church. Ephasus had one big, cancerous problem. They didn't love."
What was the solution? We go to today's verse.
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. NKJV
or from The Message
Rev 2:5-6 Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall!
"Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.
Jesus starts with a word that has also come out of favor with many in "Christian" circles and churches today, repentance. Repentance involves stopping, realizing your condition, your needs; then turning and changing your ways, acknowledging your sin, acknowledging God, and following (submitting) to Him.
DeYoung writes, "some (churches) grow sterile and cold, petrified as the frozen chosen, not compromising with the world, but not engaging it either."
The church in Ephasus had stopped doing something that they used to do. They followed the first commandment, to love God, but had neglected, perhaps forgotten about the second, to "love your neighbor as yourself."
We must not become "the frozen chosen". We constantly need to turn to Jesus and have Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to "Teach us to Love".
Teach Me to Love - Steve Green
All my life I've had to struggle to be free
Though I see no end in sight
I stand in line with men
Who made a vow to never stop the fight
And to trust that you can comprehend
A loss you've never known
Will take a love that I have searched for
But love I cannot find alone
There's no power but the power of the cross
That can melt my hardened heart
And show me all the pride and arrogance
That tear our souls apart
For injustice that you suffer
And for our nation's shameful sin
I humbly ask for your forgiveness
We need to learn to love again
Chorus:
Lord, teach me to love
Show me how to care for others
Cause my soul to burn within
For the fellowship of my brother
Only You can break the chains
That have held me for so long
Lord, You're my hope, my only hope
Teach me to love
Chorus
So daily I seek to know the Christ
Who suffered for all men
For in Him I find the courage
To ask again and again
Teach me to love.
May that be our hearts desire not only in this season but every day.
In Christ,
Mike
Rev 2:1-8
The Loveless Church
2 "To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
'These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
NKJV
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Verse of the Day 12/9
Through the Bible - Hosea 5-6, Revelation 2
Good morning,
A friend of mine that works for Moody Publishing recently gave me some new books to read. Among them were "Why We're Not Emergent" and a commentary on the book of Revelation. I've read the first and am in the process of reading the second. The final chapter of "Emergent" also contains a commentary on some of the chuches mentioned in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation.
Kevin DeYoung writes, "If we had to distill our advice to the emerging church into one sentence, it would be this: Listen to all the churches in Revelation. Emergent leaders need to celebrate all the strengths and shun the weaknesses of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 - and admit that Jesus description for health is more than community, authenticity, and inclusion."
Besides being an apocalypse and a prophecy, the book of Revelation "was also a letter - a letter addressed to the churches in Asia minor. The number seven suggests that the churches were more than real churches; they were also representative churches, symbolic of the church universal. In other words, the problems in these seven churches are the root problems in all churches. Their strengths were our strengths and their weaknesses are our weaknesses."
Read the introduction to the book, the first few verses from The Message:
Rev 1:1-3 A revealing of Jesus, the Messiah. God gave it to make plain to his servants what is about to happen. He published and delivered it by Angel to his servant John. And John told everything he saw: God's Word — the witness of Jesus Christ!
How blessed the reader! How blessed the hearers and keepers of these oracle words, all the words written in this book!
Time is just about up.
Today's verse is verse 3 from that passage.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. NKJV
In the next few days, I hope that you'll take a few minutes to read about these seven churches. Look for, dig, see if you find the similarities with your own church or others in your community, or possibly,where you came from and/or grew up in.
Kevin DeYoung writes, "Christians like me would get a lot more out of emergent critiques if they recognized that there are just as many undiscerning, overtolerant Pergamums and Thyatiras in North America and the United Kingdom as there are loveless Ephasuses."
Whether conservative, liberal, orthodox or emergent, I think that we can all learn a lot from what Christ had to say to these seven churches.
I'll close with a verse from Hosea 6 which is today's Old Testament reading.
Hosea 6: 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
In Christ,
Mike
Rev 1:1-2:1
Introduction and Benediction
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Greeting the Seven Churches
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Vision of the Son of Man
9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
NKJV
Good morning,
A friend of mine that works for Moody Publishing recently gave me some new books to read. Among them were "Why We're Not Emergent" and a commentary on the book of Revelation. I've read the first and am in the process of reading the second. The final chapter of "Emergent" also contains a commentary on some of the chuches mentioned in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation.
Kevin DeYoung writes, "If we had to distill our advice to the emerging church into one sentence, it would be this: Listen to all the churches in Revelation. Emergent leaders need to celebrate all the strengths and shun the weaknesses of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 - and admit that Jesus description for health is more than community, authenticity, and inclusion."
Besides being an apocalypse and a prophecy, the book of Revelation "was also a letter - a letter addressed to the churches in Asia minor. The number seven suggests that the churches were more than real churches; they were also representative churches, symbolic of the church universal. In other words, the problems in these seven churches are the root problems in all churches. Their strengths were our strengths and their weaknesses are our weaknesses."
Read the introduction to the book, the first few verses from The Message:
Rev 1:1-3 A revealing of Jesus, the Messiah. God gave it to make plain to his servants what is about to happen. He published and delivered it by Angel to his servant John. And John told everything he saw: God's Word — the witness of Jesus Christ!
How blessed the reader! How blessed the hearers and keepers of these oracle words, all the words written in this book!
Time is just about up.
Today's verse is verse 3 from that passage.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. NKJV
In the next few days, I hope that you'll take a few minutes to read about these seven churches. Look for, dig, see if you find the similarities with your own church or others in your community, or possibly,where you came from and/or grew up in.
Kevin DeYoung writes, "Christians like me would get a lot more out of emergent critiques if they recognized that there are just as many undiscerning, overtolerant Pergamums and Thyatiras in North America and the United Kingdom as there are loveless Ephasuses."
Whether conservative, liberal, orthodox or emergent, I think that we can all learn a lot from what Christ had to say to these seven churches.
I'll close with a verse from Hosea 6 which is today's Old Testament reading.
Hosea 6: 6 For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
In Christ,
Mike
Rev 1:1-2:1
Introduction and Benediction
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants — things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Greeting the Seven Churches
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
Vision of the Son of Man
9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea."
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
NKJV
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