Verse of the Day - weekend 2/28

Through the Bible - Numbers 25-28, Mark 8:22- 9:50

 

Good morning,

This morning we'll stay with the theme of finding rest in God by turning to Psalm 23.  I've gone to Psalm 23 several times over the years in VOTD but I don't believe I've quoted these verses.

 

I remember when our three kids were little, very little, that they loved playing outside in our big yard.  Often times it was hard for Jean to get Laurie and Jason to take naps (with Jeff it didn't seem to be a problem).  We, most often Jean, would have to try to force them to take naps.  If they didn't take one by the time supper time came around they would be tired.  There were several times, (we have pictures to prove it), that Jason would fall asleep in his macaroni and cheese or spaghetti.

 

Sometimes, as Christians, we can be much like those kids, being so busy that when it comes to be fed we are ready to fall asleep, and miss out on the spiritual nourishment that we so desperately need.

 

Ps 23:2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.    NKJV

or from the NLT

Ps 23:2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.

It's a peaceful picture.  I'm reminded of time spent in the mountains next to quiet streams and beaver ponds up in the mountains with God's Word in hand when I read those words.

I'm also reminded of times where it might have been an illness or an injury that God used to force me to slow down to get rest.  This rest is not only for our physical bodies, it is for our soul, for the core of our being. 

 

You will notice from the beginning of the psalm, in the NLT that the Lord "let's me rest, leads me, renews me, and guides me". all these things " for His name's sake", that we remember Him and just who He is.

 

I read the following poem in "The Daily Bread" devotional the other day.

 

The quiet times we spend with God

In solitude and prayer

Will strengthen and restore our souls

And help us sense His care.

 

How has your work week been?  Do you need to sense His care?  Spend some time this weekend in His Word and in prayer. Be fed, be nourished, be joyful in your heart, and praise Him for it this weekend.

 

Don't forget to read the last line of the psalm below,  " Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life", may we all be aware of and feel this being "pursued by God".

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Ps 23:1-24:1

 

23 1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.   NLT

Verse of the Day 2/27

Through the Bible - Numbers22-24, Mark 8:1-21

 

Good morning,

In today's society, whether you have a secular job or are involved in ministry, most people would say that they are (always) busy.  There doesn't seem to be enough time in our days to get things done, to go where we need to go, and do what we need (like) to do.

 

We seldom find, or set time aside, to think straight, to pray, to communicate with God or our loved ones as we should.

 

As we've been reading through the gospels to start the year you can see that crowds were always around Jesus.  He seemed to be pressed from every side, yet, He knew that He needed time with His Father, and He needed to train His disciples to understand that they needed the same thing as well.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Mark chapter 6.

Mark 6:30 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. 31 Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn't even have time to eat.  NLT

It wasn't a "magical ministry tour", they had been working and were tired  Jesus knew what they needed just as He knows what we need.

 

At a previous job I was so "busy" that for a long time I seldom took time to eat lunch away from my desk.  I didn't skip lunch, I just ate at my desk.  One day, probably after reading something like this passage, I realized that I needed that time to eat, think, read, and pray.  I began taking my lunch time to recharge my batteries.  I believe that I was more productive for the rest of the day.

 

Gordon MacDonald wrote, "Jesus knew His limits well.  Strange as it may seem, He knew what we conveniently forget: that time must be properly budgeted for the gathering of inner strength and resolve in order to compensate for one's weaknesses when spiritual warfare begins."

 

We need to budget time with God as well.  Perhaps with the rain forecasted for the weekend, it will allow some of us here in NC to draw closer to God for a time.

 

If you choose to do so,perhaps one of the things to think about is how you would answer this question:

In as many ways as you can, finish this sentence: "A true follower of Christ should.....".  I'm not talking about legalism here, but back up your answers with scripture.

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

Mark 6:30-32

30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
NKJV

Verse of the Day 2/26

Through the Bible - Numbers 19-21, Mark 7:14-37

 

Good morning,

For today's verse we'll go back to Mark chapter one where Jesus heals a leper.  As we have seen in recent days Jesus is willing to break the rules of touching the dead and here touching a leper.  In other miracles he is touched by "unclean" people and associates with prostitutes and various other "sinners".  Early on this riled the Pharisees who could not see beyond the rules to the compassion displayed by Jesus.

 

Mark 1:41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."  42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.    NKJV

Once it was determined that someone was a leper, they became an outcast in Jewish society.  There life as it had been was over, they would now be put out, away from family, friends, and community.

 

Laws regarding lepers are found in Leviticus 13-14.  These regulations were to prevent the spread of the deadly disease.  This was adhered to so strictly that if someone known to be a leper was out in public they were to cry out "unclean, unclean!". (Lev. 13:45-46).

 

Jesus broke the rules in order to show compassion, to bring restoration.  After healing Him, He tells the man to go and show himself to the priest.  In doing so he could officially be restored to his position in society.

 

What are the things that make people "unclean" in our society's eyes?  Who are the people, what are the places that we should stay away from?  If you are prompted by the Holy Spirit to go to one of these places will you be willing to go even though it may cost you in the way of being "judged" by friends to be "too radical" in your "religion"?

 

I read the following verses in today's "Today in the Word" devotional (www.todayintheword.com) and it made me think of Jesus risking the "judgement" of the Pharisees.

 

1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear,   NKJV

I hadn't thought of the "day of judgment" pertaining to the here and now, but in some respects, we are tempted not to act in the boldness of Jesus because of how we will be judged today by others.  We will be judged upon how we act in these situations in the judgment day. Which day has more significance?  It should affect how we act today.  "His perfect love casts out fear", the fear of acting as Jesus did.

 

"John's point in this passage was that love must be essential to our very natures as believers if we are to be associated with God. Jesus Christ, being the epitome of human and divine love, was not to be considered just one in a catalog of options (v. 15). Love is the defining test of our association with Christ—if we don't love, we can't claim to be His followers" - Today in the Word 2/26

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Mark 1:40-2:1

 

Jesus Cleanses a Leper
(Matt 8:1-4; Luke 5:12-16)

 

40 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean."

 

41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."  42 As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. 43 And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

 

45 However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.   NKJV

Verse of the Day 2/25

Through the Bible - Numbers 16-18, Mark 7:1-13

 

Good morning,

For today's vese we'll turn back to Mark chapter 4 for his account of Jesus calming the storm.  It's easy to picture the scene as if it were in a Hollywood movie complete with "Dolby" sound to capture the fury of the raging storm tossing this little boat around like a bobber.  The storm devolops and continues to build.  You can see the concern on the disciples faces.  What are they going to do?  They are amazed that Jesus is still sleeping on a pillow, how could he sleep through this?  Finally as the water starts crashing over the bow and they fear of being capsized and drowning, they turn to Jesus.  What He says and what happens in response to His command astounds them.

 

Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"    NKJV

 

He calls out "peace, be still!".  It's the same wording that we have in Psalm 46:10 where R.C. Sproul says that the proper message conveyed would be more like a shout, "shut up", stop your ranting.  I can picture Jesus actually shouting or yelling at the waves, and in an instant, the loud Dolby sound vanishes and there is calm.  Ps 46:10  "Be still, and know that I am God!

"Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"  (v41).

" There is something exceedingly authoritative and majestic in this command of our Lord. Standing amid the howling tempest, on the heaving sea, and in the darkness of night, by his own power he stills the waves and bids the storm subside. None but the GOD of the storms and the billows could awe by a word the troubled elements, and send a universal peace and stillness among the winds and waves. He MUST, therefore, be divine. "  (from Barnes' Notes)

 

Jesus speaks to them about their lack of faith.  There is no indication that they had prayed at any point in the event.  Aren't we the same way?  We often let things get way out of hand and don't think of asking God for help.  He has the power to calm the storms in our lives and in our hearts.  Will we seek Him.

 

Has He calmed storms in your life in miraculous ways?  His Words still have authority.  Do you seek answers in His Word?

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Mark 4:35-5:1

 

Wind and Wave Obey Jesus
(Matt 8:23-27; Luke 8:22-25)

 

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."  36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him,"Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"

 

39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"  41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"    NKJV

Verse of the Day 2/24

Through the Bible - Numbers 13-15, Mark 6:30-56

 

Good morning,

I enjoy being up in the mountains, the fresh air, the panoramic view give something other than your everyday perspective of the world around you.  One of my most vivid hunting experiences was up on a mountain in Colorado.  Our camp was at about 9500 feet and I was hunting even higher.  While up there clouds moved in and I was enveloped by them.  All of a sudden there was a thunder clasp, it was if it was all around me.  Fear came over me when I realized that I was carrying a rifle, a lightning rod as it were.  I quickly and literally ran down the mountain for fear of being struck.

For today's verse we go to a mountaintop experience described in the book of Mark.

 

In this passage Peter, James, and John went up to a mountain with Jesus.  Here, Elijah and Moses appeared to them.  Wouldn't you be excited to meet them, or perhaps a great evangelist such as Billy Graham or D.L. Moody?  They were ready to set up "tabernacles" for Jesus, Moses and Elijah.

 

Here is what happened next.

Mark 9:7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.   NKJV

The voice must hae thundered as if it were all around them.  It definitely got their attention, they must have cowered in fear, covered their heads and eyes.   What did the voice tell them?  When they looked up Moses and Elijah were no longer there.  God was telling them to hear, to listen to Jesus only.

 

Jesus was elevated in position in their eyes.  Jesus was seen, thought of by many to be a prophet like Moses or Elijah, Mark tells us that many popularly thought that Jesus was a reincarnation of Elijah (6:15).  "According to Luke ihis sermon in the Nazareth synagogue referred to the miracles of Elijah and Elisha and the widow's son at Nain (yesterday) was closely similar to the miracle performed by Elijah in nearby Shunem.  All Christians agree that Jesus shared the spiritual splendor of Moses and Elijah as courageous and vastly influential witnesses to the power and holiness of the one true God.... In Lystra  another healing miracle made the people shout: "The gods have come down to us in human form!" (Acts 14:11) - David Edwards.

 

What God is saying here about His Son, is that Jesus is above, set apart from the other prophets.  They were pointing to Him.  Jesus is above all other "gods" or people that we'd like to make as gods.  Jesus is the One, we are to listen to and follow Him.  This thinking will transfigure, will change us, if we realize who Jesus really is, and live like we believe it.

 

There are so many things in this passage that we can't even begin to deal with in a devotional.  But take some time today to read it and consider what it means to us today. 

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Mark 9:1-14

 

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
The Transfiguration of Christ(Matt 16:28-17:13; Luke 9:27-36; 2 Peter 1:16-18)
9 And He said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power."
2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" —  6 because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" 8 Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9 Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
11 And they asked Him, saying, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
12 Then He answered and told them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?  13 But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him."
NKJV

Verse of the Day 2/23

Through the Bible - Numbers 10-12, Mark 6:1-29

For several years CSI, crime scene investigators, has been one of the most popular TV shows, so popular that we now have the "spinoffs" CSI Miami and CSI New York.  One of the reasons for the popularity was that the show used a new way to present the mystery of solving crime.  It showed how crime solving has become high tech.  One of the ways that it showed this was to have the camera zoom in, in microscopic detail the path of a bullet, knife or even the effects of a drug on the nervous system.

 

As we go through the Bible we see many "scenes" which give us details, sometimes in very few words, as to what is going on.  It's easy to gloss over and miss things.  Perhaps we need to be BSI's, Bible scene investigators, to slow down and see what has been given to us to help us understand what has truly taken place in the passage, follow the path of Jesus healing and saving power.

 

For today's verse we'll go to the book of Luke where we have the account of the raising of the son of the widow from Nain.  As you read it, look at it this way.  Picture the camera zooming in to the woman as Jesus "saw" her, to the coffin when Jesus touched it and the men stood still.  To the effect that His touch, his call, had upon the dead son.  Think of what has to take place for someone to come back to life, for the heart to start pumping and for the blood to flow (among other things).

 

Luke 7:13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, "Do not weep."  14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise."    NKJV

Jesus sees her among the crowd of mourners.  He saw that she was a widow, her husband and son gone, what were her prospects for the future.  What hope was there for her, what would her life be like in that society from that day on being on her own.  Basically, hopeless.

See the touch of Jesus.  Did power go out from Him as he touched the casket?  Did the men feel it, is that why they stopped?  Or was it because He would reach out and touch the casket, touch the dead person, were they amazed that He would defile Himself?  Was He being disrespectful?  While wanting to show compassion were His words of "don't cry" insensitive?

 

The raising of this young man was one of the most commanding and instructive of Jesus' miracles.  There is no question that he was dead, the large processing giving evidence, and the destination was burial outside of the city.  Jesus is headed in the opposite direction, he had to see what was coming.  He could easily have avoided them as the pharisees avoided the injured man in the story of the good Samaritan.  Instead, he reached out to the woman and her son with compassion.  As with Lazarus, Jesus call was decisive and the young man responded immediately.  Who of those present could doubt Jesus' authority, by a word, he had restored the young man's life and hope for his mother.

 

"The whole scene was affecting. Here was a widowed mother who was following her only son, her stay and hope, to the grave. He was carried along-one in the prime of life and the only comfort of his parent-impressive proof that the young, the useful, the vigorous, and the lovely may die. Jesus met them, apparently a stranger. He approached the procession as if he had something important to say; he touched the coffin and the procession stood still. He was full of compassion for the weeping parent, and by a word restored the youth, stretched upon the coffin, to life. He sat up, and spoke. Jesus therefore had power over the dead. He also has power to raise sinners, dead in trespasses and sins, to life. He can speak the word, and, though in their death of sin they are borne along toward ruin, he can open their eyes, and raise them up, and restore them revived to REAL life or to their friends. Often he raises up children in this manner, and gives them, converted to God, to their friends, imparting as REAL joy as he gave to the widow of Nain by raising her son from the dead, And every child should remember, if he has pious parents, that there is "no way" in which he can give so much joy to them as by embracing Him who is the resurrection and the life, and resolving to live to his glory". - Barnes notes

 

What do we learn about compassion?  The first element is seeing, then the heart is "moved" to react, to the point of overflowing, then comes knowing how to respond, not worrying about 'the rules" (such as touching a dead person) but using the powers and resources that you've been given.  All from a heart for others and for God's glory.

As you read through the Bible, try to "picture" the scene, the setting, and the action words, their purpose and the outcome of the situation.  What can we learn from it?

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Luke 7:11-18

 

Jesus Raises a Widow's Son

 

11 Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. 12 A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow's only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" he said. 14 Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. "Young man," he said, "I tell you, get up." 15 Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

 

16 Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, "A mighty prophet has risen among us," and "God has visited his people today." 17 And the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside.  NLT

Verse of the Day - weekend 2/21

Through the Bible - Leviticus 4-9, Mark 5:21-43

 

Good morning,

How often do you step back and think of what God's Word means to you, what it does to and for you?

For today's verse we'll go to Psalm 19, a chapter which focuses on these topics.

 

Ps 19:7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.   NLT

Have you gone through times in your life, perhaps even now, when you were downcast?  God's word is able to "revive the soul".  It's something that can lift us from deep down and set us on the rock or in a broad place as we read in other psalms.

 

In reading this psalm you will notice that it is laid out with precision.  It is something that must have taken some thought from someone who was devoted to God's Word.   Let's take a look.

 

In verses 7-8 we see the attributes, the characteristics of God's word - His Word is - perfect, trustworthy, right and clear.

 

In verses 9-11 we see what appreciation of the Word, knowing that - it is clean and endures, it is true and puts us in right standing before God (righteous), it is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey, in keeping it there will be great reward.

 

In verses 12-14 we see what listening to God's Word, applying it to our lives will do - it will help us to understand our mistakes (sins) and cleanse us from them,  it will keep us from commiting deliberate sins and prevent them from taking control of us, that we may be blameless and innocent of great transgressions - "crossing the line".

 

The words of the psalm are offered as a sacrifice of praise as we see in the closing of the chapter:

Ps 19:14-20:1

 

14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  NLT

 

Meditate on these verses this weekend.  Sing songs of praise to God this weekend for His enduring Word.

 

May the Words of My Mouth

 

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart
Bless Your name, bless Your name, Jesus
And the deeds of the day and the truth in my ways
Speak of You, speak of You, Jesus
For this is what I'm glad to do
It's time to live a life of love that pleases You
And I will give my all to You
Surrender everything I have and follow You
I'll follow You
Lord, will You be my vision, Lord, will You be my guide
Be my hope, be my light and the way
And I'll look not for riches, nor praises on earth
Only You'll be the first of my heart
I will follow
I will follow
I will follow You

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ps 19:7-20:1

 

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold,Yea, than much fine gold;Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,And in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors?Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;Let them not have dominion over me.Then I shall be blameless,And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heartBe acceptable in Your sight,O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

NKJV

Verse of the Day 2/20

Through the Bible - Leviticus 2-3, Mark 5:1-20

 

Good morning,

In yesterday's devotional in Mark 13 we read the words "take heed, watch and pray".  For today's verse we'lll back up, or rewind if you will, to Mark chapter 4 where Jesus tells us "take heed what you hear".

 

Mark 4:24 Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.  25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."   NKJV
or from the NLT

Mark 4:24 Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."

To "take heed", as the NLT incicates is to pay close attention to what you hear, listen closely, remember it, and most importantly apply it.

When you see the word "devotional" it's obvious that it stems from the word devotion.  Think about that word, what it means to you and what it means about your relationship to Christ and others.  To be devoted means being dedicated, consecrated or set apart for someone or something, being loyal, being loving, and being faithful.

 

In these verses we see that we are to have that kind of regard for Jesus and the Word of God.  Study, listen to His teaching, apply it.  As we do so we will be given even more.  The flipside is, if we don't do this, if we neglect God and His Word, we will drift.  As we do our understanding, the application of God's Word in our live will as well and Jesus says here our understanding of God will be taken from us.  What a dreadful thought.

Many verses and passages can and should come to mind as you consider this.   Think of John 15 and the Vine and the Branches, the thought of abiding in Christ and He in you.

 

Regarding "with the same measure"  John MacArthur writes, "The spiritual results which the disciples realized were to be based on the amount of effort they put forth; they would reap as they had sewn.  The one who has learned spiritual truth and applied it diligently will receive even more truth to faithfully apply."

 

John 15:9-12  Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!   NLT

As I thought about this earlier this morning, a song of devotion came to mind.

 

Take My Life And Let It Be

 

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

 

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

 

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

May that be our attitude today, as we read, study and apply His word, showing devotion to Him.

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Mark 4:21-26

 

Parable of the Lamp

 

21 Then Jesus asked them, "Would anyone light a lamp and then put it under a basket or under a bed? Of course not! A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light will shine. 22 For everything that is hidden will eventually be brought into the open, and every secret will be brought to light. 23 Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand."

 

24 Then he added, "Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. 25 To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them."

 

 

Verse of the Day 2/19

Through the Bible - Leviticus 27 - Numbers 1, Mark 4

 

Good morning,

The day is here, Feb. 19, do you know what I'm talking about?  This is the day that digital TV was to take over the airwaves.  It's been talked about on TV with commercials, notifications running across the bottom of your screen, talked about on the news.  Who could possibly have missed it.  But guess what, many people didn't get the news, or at least put off doing anything about it for too long, and would not be ready if the "switch" was to be made today.  So, in most instances the day has been pushed back.  At least once, who knows when the next predicted day comes up and people still aren't ready.

 

The solution has been available, a coupon which could be redeemed would save you $40 for the price of the unit.  But people put if off and as the day approached no more coupons were available.

 

Do you see any Biblical paralells here?

For today's verse we'll fast forward to Mark 13 which warns the readers to be ready for an even bigger day.

Mark 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.   NKJV

Or from the NLT

Mark 13:32 "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

Many people through the ages and especially in the last century had predicted "with authority" (not God's authority) that they knew when Christ would return, or when the end of the earth was coming.  Many people made preparations, tragically many people were mislead, costing them dearly, and when the anticipated day came and went they realized that they didn't know the day.

 

We know from other passages that the disciples also wanted to know , to get a fix on the precise time of His second coming but we see here that Jesus tells them that this was not for them or us to know.  John MacArthur writes, "Christ's emphasis instead is on faithfulness, watchfulness, expectancy, and preparedness, these are the lessons that He taught in the parables."

 

If someone tells you they know of the exact time of His coming, don't be fooled, but be prepared.  Watch and pray.  As you go through life, have your eyes open: (Eph 5:15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.) 
 to what is going on in the world around you.  Be prepared to give your testimony , "1 Peter 3:15-"you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it."

You may be ready for the switch to digital TV, but are you ready to face eternity?

 

Watch and pray that you would be.

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

 

The Parable of the Fig Tree
(Matt 24:32-35; Luke 21:29-33)

 

28 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that it is near — at the doors!  30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.  31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

 

No One Knows the Day or Hour
(Matt 24:36-44; Luke 21:34-36)

 

32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  33 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.  34 It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.  35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming — in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning —   36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.  37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

 

NKJV

Verse of the Day 12/18

Through the Bible - Leviticus 24-26, Mark 3

 

Good morning,

Some question why God would allow others to believe in other gods?   Reading through the Bible gives us many answers.  Some will struggle with "free will" and God's sovereignty, while both are spoken of the Bible.  Coming to grips with that one is a matter of faith and wont be resolved, in my opinion on this earth.

But what we see in the Bible, from Pharoah in Egypt, to King Herod in the New Testament, to Pilate with his flippant remark to Jesus "what is truth?", is that people hear God's word and choose not to believe, refuse to believe it. 

 

As you read through this fast paced book of Mark you will find verses like today's, (which is in today's read through the Bible plan), that make us stop and think, and question, trying to understand what exactly the writer meant. 

 

Mark 3:28 "I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, 29 but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences." 30 He told them this because they were saying, "He's possessed by an evil spirit."  NLT
or from the NKJV

Mark 3:28 "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;  29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation" —  30 because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."    NKJV

What we need to do more often than just surmise on our own is to search out other passages that relate to it and help us come up with the answer.  As you do so you will also find, time and time again, the disdain , rejection, and even hatred, for Jesus and His teachings and what He accomplished through His healings and other miracles.

 

John Piper writes about another significant question regarding these verses, "But why does this one particular sin, this one blasphemy, make it impossible to repent and be forgiven? What about blasphemy against the Son of God, or God the Father, or angels, or Scripture, or the church? Why do these not put us beyond repentance and forgiveness? Why only blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? I think it's because of the unique and decisive role the Holy Spirit plays in our salvation. If we look to God the Father and then turn from his glory to embrace sin, that is bad. If we look to his Son Jesus Christ whom he sent into the world and then turn away from his glory to embrace sin, that is doubly bad. But in either case there is hope. The Father has planned redemption, the Son has accomplished redemption. This wonderful redemption is outside ourselves and available to us if we repent of our sin and turn back to Christ in faith. But it is the unique and special role of the Holy Spirit to apply the Father's plan and the Son's accomplishment of it to our hearts. It is the Spirit's work to open our eyes, to grant repentance, and to make us beneficiaries of all that the Father has planned and all that Christ has done for us. If we blaspheme and reject the Father and the Son, there is still hope, for the Spirit may yet work within us to humble us and bring us to repentance. But if behind the Father and the Son we see and taste the power of the Holy Spirit and reject his work as no more precious than the work of Satan, we shut ourselves off from the only one who could ever bring us to repentance. And so we shut ourselves off from forgiveness. "

 

Reading these verses and John Piper's observations several verses came to mind.  I'll leave you with these to consider in how they relate.

 

John 16:13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.  14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.  15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.    NKJV

John 8:31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."   NIV

2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.   NKJV

Read the chapter, see the opportunity that the people had to hear and see the truth but refused.  Consider how the verse above relate to each other and the passage.  Think again about the Trinity and authority and how they are shown here.

 

Reading and considering God's Word should make us hear the question "who do you say I Am"?

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

Mark 3:20-31

A House Divided Cannot Stand
(Matt 12:22-30; Luke 11:14-23)

20 Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. 21 But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind."

22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said,"He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons."

23 So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan?  24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  25 And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  26 And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.  27 No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

The Unpardonable Sin
(Matt 12:31,32; Luke 12:10)

28 "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;  29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation" —  30 because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."

NKJV

Verse of the Day 2/17

Through the Bible - Leviticus 21-23, Mark 2

 

Good morning,

Having gone through Matthew and moving into Mark you will notice several changes.

Matthew had been a tax collector and his gospel was detailed and spent a lot of time in covering certain important events such as the "Sermon on the Mount".  I've studied and been involved in studies in Matthew, Luke, and John but for whatever reason, not Mark.

 

Preparing to go through Mark this month I did some background reading.  Matthew's gospel was written primarily to a Jewish audience whereas Marks was targeted towards Roman believers and other gentiles.  This would explain why Matthew references the kingdom of heaven (not wanting to use the word God) in writing to his Jewish audience and Mark writing about the kingdom of God.

 

One pastor recommended listening to the book on tape in one sitting.  I did so on the way down to Anderson SC the other night.

 

Then it pretty much hit me.  The other gospels went into more detail in some areas, focusing on some as "episodes" as it were.  The book of Mark is set up more like an autobiographical movie.  Listening to the book on tape takes about an hour and a half, about the length of an average movie.  It moves from scene to scene at a quick pace accentuated by the use of the word "immediately" which , depending on translations, will come up some 40 times, more than twice as much as in Matthew and Luke combined.

 

Another important point in this "movie" is something that we considered yesterday in the "great commision", authority.  Today's verse touches on the subject.

 

Mark 1:21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.   NKJV
or from the NLT

Mark 1:21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

Many times you'lll see the works of Jesus, showing His authority, showing immediate results, contrary to the words of the scribes - the teachers of the religious law.

 

John MacArthur writes, "Jesus' authoritative teaching, as the spoken Word of God was in sharp contrast to that of the scribes (experts in the O.T. scriptures) who based their authority largely on that of other rabbis. Jesus' direct, personal, and forceful teaching was so foreign to their experience that those who heard Him were astonished."

 

In the world around us, even in our churches, there are many 12 step programs which guide us through and beyond problems.  Often times we think it is unreasonable to expect an about face, especially in an area of our lives which with we've struggled with for years.  But Christ through God's Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, has the power to change us, in an instant.  Will we believe it?

 

From here Mark leads us through miracles and teachings of Jesus that astonish people and flabergast the pharisees because the evidence of His power, His authority, is put before them in rapidfire progression.

Take a few minutes and read the first chapter.  If you have time during the week or next weekend and have access to it on tape give it a listen.  Perhaps you, like I , will have a greater appreciation of this gospel and God's Word.

 

What authority does God's Word have for you, does it show in your life?

In Christ,

Mike

 

Mark 1:21-29

Jesus Casts Out an Evil Spirit

21 Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit began shouting, 24 "Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One sent from God!"

25 Jesus cut him short. "Be quiet! Come out of the man," he ordered. 26 At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

27 Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. "What sort of new teaching is this?" they asked excitedly. "It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!" 28 The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.   NLT

Trinity

Sorry, here it the correct link to the study on the Trinity.

http://www.ligonier.org/media_player.php?tabID=0&id=447

Verse of the Day 2/16

Through the Bible - Leviticus 19-20, Mark 1

 

Good morning,

The read through the Bible plan, above, today moves into the book of Mark.  Before going there we'll take a look at another familiar verse from Matthew 28 that points us to some important things to consider, some of which will help us in our understanding of the book of Mark.

 

In this passage we have what has become known as the great commision.  One of the requirements of a commission is the authority of the one doing the sending.

 

John Piper gives us the context of the commission, he writes, "Before telling us to do anything for him in v. 19, he tells us what he can do for us in v. 18. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." "Authority" means the right and power to do something. So Jesus means that he has absolute right and all power to do as he pleases in heaven and on earth. There is no authority in heaven which can call the will of Jesus into question, and there is no authority on earth that can call the will of Jesus into question. And no power on earth or in heaven can frustrate his will when he exerts all his power to achieve it. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

 

As Sovereign over the universe, Jesus has more authority than any earthly powers, mre than President Obama, more than the other military powers and organizations of the world, more than the CEO's and the leaders on Wall Street, and as we see in His miracles, authority over all of the natural elements "even the winds and waves obey Him."  Therefore, at some point "every knee will bow before Him.

 

In light of that read today's verse.

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,    NKJV

You will notice something else in these verses.  The Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all mentioned together.

 

One of the students in our High School Sunday School class, when asked of what are some of the difficult things to understand in the Bible, brought up the Trinity.  While not explaining it here, John Piper points out the significance in this passage.

 

"When it says in verse 19 that we are to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I think the point is that every member of the Trinity is active in the conversion which baptism signifies. When a person becomes a disciple of Jesus, he relates in a new way to the entire Godhead. The Father becomes our heavenly Father, the Son our Lord, the Spirit our indwelling enabler. And in the act of baptism we submit ourselves to all three, and we pledge allegiance to all three."

 

Read the passage below today.  Take some time to consider the significance of the authority of Jesus, and of the importance of the Trinity.  What do they mean to you?

 

For a good teaching on the Trinity you may check out what R.C. Sproul has to say about it at:

http://www.ligonier.org/media_player.php?tabID=0&id=37

As you consider the Trinity perhaps you will recall the old hymn, "Holy, Holy, Holy", "God in three persons, blessed Trinity".

In Christ,

Mike

 

Matt 28:16-20

The Great Commission
(Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:6-8)

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

NKJV

Verse of the Day 1/14

Through the Bible - Leviticus 16-18, Matthew 28

 

Good morning,

Happy Valentine's Day.

For today's verse we will go to the book of Ruth to what may seem to be a couple of "obscure" verses for Valentines Day because the word love is not even mentioned in the verses.  Love, is written all over this little book, not in direct words but borne out in the devotion of Ruth to Naomi, the obedience of Ruth, the heart of Boaz to act as the "kinsman redeemer", and the testimony of Boaz and Ruth as evidenced in the reaction of the people to their "love story".

 

Ruth 4:11 Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, "We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 And may the Lord give you descendants by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah."  NLT

 

In a short summary, Ruth was Naomi's daughter in law, both of them had lost their husbands.  Ruth had been freed to start up a new life on her own at the urging of Naomi.  Ruth would not leave her.  In a time of famine they travelled back to Israel, Naomi's homeland.  Through chance and random instances (do you think) Ruth stumbles upon the field of a relative of Naomi, Boaz.  Ruth and Boaz fall in love, but instead of taking matters into their own hands submit to the customs of the day, which meant that a closer relative would have to be offered the responsibility of being the kinsman redeemer.  When he saw the "baggage involved" he declined.  Boaz and Ruth were married and because they had acted honorably received the blessing of the elders and "all the people" as stated in today's verses.

 

There is so much here in the book of Ruth that I can hardly begin to delve into it, but I'll touch on a few things.  Naomi was an Israelite who had left the homeland and had now returned.  The story takes place in Bethlehem, Ephrathah with past and future historical significance.  But of most significance was that King David and ultimately Jesus, the Messiah came through this lineage.

"Today in the Word" from Moody Bible Institute had this to say about it in their devotional for today:

'Boaz and Ruth's love for each other affected generations in both directions—Naomi received honor beyond measure with a new grandson and a restoration of family. The generations to come received a king in David, and the world was given the King of Kings in his descendant, Jesus Christ. In those days when everyone did as they saw fit (1:1; Judge. 21:25), at least one family loved and obeyed faithfully."
"Not everything done "in the name of love" is automatically justifiable, even on Valentine's Day. If you want to show meaningful love to someone today, do so within God's guidelines. You could show love to a superior in the form of respect and compliant service. You could show love to coworkers by refraining from inappropriate flirtation. You could love someone who is suffering by praying for them and writing a note of encouragement. It might not be the stuff greeting cards are made of, but obedience honors God! "

Greeting cards are fine, but along with that, try showing love today "within" and "according to" God's guidelines today.  It just may have an affect on generations.

 

2 John 6 Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.  NLT

to see the Today in the Word devotional in it's entirety, go to www.todayintheword.com

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Ruth 4:9-22

 

9 Then Boaz said to the elders and to the crowd standing around, "You are witnesses that today I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon. 10 And with the land I have acquired Ruth, the Moabite widow of Mahlon, to be my wife. This way she can have a son to carry on the family name of her dead husband and to inherit the family property here in his hometown. You are all witnesses today."

 

11 Then the elders and all the people standing in the gate replied, "We are witnesses! May the Lord make this woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, from whom all the nation of Israel descended! May you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 And may the Lord give you descendants by this young woman who will be like those of our ancestor Perez, the son of Tamar and Judah."

 

The Descendants of Boaz

 

13 So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. 14 Then the women of the town said to Naomi, "Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. 15 May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!"

 

16 Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. 17 The neighbor women said, "Now at last Naomi has a son again!" And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.

 

18 This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez:

 

Perez was the father of Hezron.
19 Hezron was the father of Ram.
Ram was the father of Amminadab.
20 Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
21 Salmon was the father of Boaz.
Boaz was the father of Obed.
22 Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David.

 

 

 

 

 

Verse of the Day 1/13

Thkrough the Bible - Leviticus 13-15, Matthew 27

 

Good morning,

In yesterday's devotional we considered how an aroma can bring about a flashback.  Yesterday's New Testament reading in Matthew covered Peter's denials of Christ, where Christ's words "flashed" in Peter's mind as he heard the rooster crow after his third denial.

 

The NLT Life Application Bible notes that "there were three stages in Peter's denial.  First he acted confused and said he didn't know what the girl was talking about.  Second, using an oath he denied that he knew Jesus.  Third he began to curse and swear.  Believers who deny Jesus Christ often do so subtly by pretending not to know him.  When opportunities to discuss religious issues come up, they walk away or pretend they don't know the answers.  With only a little more pressure, they can be induced to flatly deny their relationship to Christ.  If you find yourself subtly avoiding occasions to talk about Christ, watch out.  You may be on the road to denying him."

 

For today's verse we'll go to the end of the passage  where Peter hits rock bottom in the stages outlined above.

Matt 26:74 Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying—I don't know the man!" And immediately the rooster crowed.

75 Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he went away, weeping bitterly.  Holy Bible, New Living Translation 

 

We're often too quick to become critical of Peter.  Try to put yourself in the same shoes.  Have you gone through some, possibly all of those stages at some point in your life?  Before "jumping on the bandwagon" of criticism, consider this:

 

I was forwarded a note from my mom's Pastor,  Ray Kollbocker of Parkside Community Churchwhich he recently sent out to  the congregation,  encouraging them to live, taking some risks , through which God may  bring purpose to life.   "Remember the time in Matthew 11 when all the disciples were in a boat and saw Jesus out on the water? So often the Apostle Peter gets a bum rap as the guy who lacked faith and sunk, but we forget the fact that he's the only one who risked getting out of the boat in the first place.  As a result, he's the only disciple who ever walked on water.  Peter is also the disciple who denied Christ three times, but he was the only one who risked getting close enough to Jesus to get caught.  He's also the guy who took a swing and cut off a dude's ear, but again he was the only one who came to Jesus' defense. 

 

In short, taking a swing for Jesus is better than standing idly by; sinking is better than sitting.  When everything is said and done, I think our greatest regrets will be the risks we didn't take.  We won't regret sinking.  We will regret sitting.  The German writer Goethe said, "Hell begins the day God grants you the vision to see all that you could have done, should have done, and would have done, but did not do."

 

Thankfully, the God we serve is a God of second, and third chances.  He can use our failures to teach us valuable lessons.  Later, after His resurrection, Jesus asks Peter three times "do you love me?"  Peter answered "you know I do", and Jesus did.

 

Both instances worked together to strengthen Peter for the road ahead, to the point where in Acts chapter four, he and John boldly stand before the very people that crucified Christ, refusing to deny Him, or stop speaking about Him.  Their courage and faith did not go unoticed.

 

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.    NKJV

How does the passage speak to you?  Does it warn you about pride?  Encourage you to let Christ pick you up if you've fallen?  Or possibly to strengthen others who may have fallen and need to be lifted up.  Someone in need of mercy?

 

Look at Jesus words to Peter  in Luke 22:

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

In Christ,

Mike

 

Matt 26:69-27:1

Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps Bitterly

69 Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."

70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying."

71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth."

72 But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!"

73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you."

74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!"

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

NKJV

 

Verse of the Day 2/12

Through the Bible - Leviticus 10-12, Matthew 26:57-75

 

Good morning,

A while back I walked into a customers warehouse.  The smell, the aroma of the place brought me back to my first job.  It smelled exactly like the storage room of the store that I worked at.  I had not thought about what the old place smelled like, but as soon as I walked through the door my mind brought me back there in a flash.  I am sure that we've all had similar experiences.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 26 where Mary annoints Jesus for burial, with fine perfume, which must have had a strong, unique aroma.

Matt 26:12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."      Holy Bible, New Living Translation

 

In yesterday's devotional I noted that, "Seeing the need, with a heart of compassion, willing to help, in spite of what others may think, that's mercy."  Mary demonstrated this here.  She probably did not even know what she was doing, but she felt compelled to do it for her Master in spite of the ridicule that she faced.  Jesus praised her for it and it is still talked about until this day.

 

Think for a moment about the aroma.  Do you think that anyone present there would remember the incident each time they caught a "waft" of that aroma, wherever, whenever it would occur?  It was a strong perfume, poured on Jesus feet.  Do you think it stayed with Him, remained even as He was on the cross?

Do you think it could have been etched in the minds of those who were there with Him at the cross?  The images to be renewed each time they noticed that particular aroma?

 

Acts of mercy may not involve an actual "aroma", but they will be etched in the minds of the recipients, and to those who witness the act firsthand.  Often times they will be talked about for years to come; sometimes for generations.  The Apostle Paul could relate to acts of kindness this way:

Phil 4:18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. NKJV

If you feel compelled today to show an act of kindness, mercy, or compassion may you be encouraged to follow through on it in spite of how others may feel.  It just may be create a sweet smelling "aroma" to the person, and well pleasing to God.

 

I know that I've shared it before, but I'm reminded of the song "Make Me a Blessing".  I wont post all of the words here today, but here are a few lines.  "Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad.  Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.  Make me a blessing O Saviour I pray, make me a blessing to someone  - today.   If you know them sing them in your heart or out loud today.  May the song and the Holy Spirit guide you, inspire you to be a blessing today.

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

Matt 26:6-14

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste of money," they said. 9 "It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor."

10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. 12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial. 13 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman's deed will be remembered and discussed."

Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Verse of the Day 2/11

Through the Bible - Leviticus 7-9, Matthew 26:36-56

 

Good morning,

It's interesting to note that yesterday's challenging teaching to reach out to "the least of these" was the last thing that Jesus taught the disciples prior to the last supper and His betrayal.  It was the culmination of His teaching ministry, one that would be remembered by His disciples.  As Christians at some point in our lives Jesus Christ reached out to us as the "least of these", the least deserving.  We should remember Paul's words in Romans 5: 8, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

To see this last teaching spelled out to us, we can go back to Jesus "first teaching" and look at these two as bookends of His Gospel ministry.

 

Matt 5:7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.  NLT

 

Where does mercy come from?  John Piper writes, "mercy comes from a  heart that has first felt it's spiritual bankruptcy, and has come  to grief over it's sin, and has learned to wait meekly for the timing of the Lord, and to cry out in hunger for the work of his mercy to satisfy us with the righteousness we need.   .....Mercy comes from mercy.  Our mercy to each other comes from God's mercy to us."

What is the opposite of mercy?  It relates to the "straining out of gnats" that we looked at in Matthew 23 the other day.  Piper writes, "the opposite of mercy is when your religious impulses are exhausted after you have decided whether to tithe on your gross income or your net income or on your birthday gifts.... Don't "neglect the weightier matters of the law", beware of going through the day doing only trivial things, thinking only trivial thoughts, feeling only trivial things, ....making no plans for the weightier matters of mercy."

 

How much of our time is spent on "trivial things", the urgency of the generally insignificant?  Seeing the need, with a heart of compassion, willing to help, in spite of what others may think, that's mercy.

Can you think of Biblical examples?

 

A friend sent the following quote to me after reading yesterday's devotional regarding helping "the least of these".

 

" On its own, the commandment cannot provide the incentive or the power to fulfill it, and this might foster either discouragement or indifference. But those who are in touch with the very source of love, who have been shown what love is and who are the recipients of a great and healing love, can receive the commandment with hope and joy. For they are not commanded to do something that is alien to their experience or beyond their ability to learn and to do." 

 

Mercy comes from mercy.  Have you felt it?  Will you spread it?

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

Matt 5:1-11

5 One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

3 "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation

Verse of the Day 2/10

Through the Bible

 

Good morning,

For today's verse we'll move on to Matthew 21 where Jesus makes some statements that may be hard to understand.  He tells his followers that in the final judgement He will separate the sheep from the goats.  The saved and the unsaved.  It's sobering to see what criteria He uses.

 

Matt 25:35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'   NKJV

 

The "righteous" question Him, basically saying we never saw you like that, we would have helped you.

For today's verse, Jesus tells them what He expects, look out for everyone in that condition:

Matt 25:44 "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'  45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'  NKJV

And just who are the least of these but the very people in that condition?   John Piper writes, "Galatians 6:10 puts it like this: "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." The "especially" is because there is the added delight of affirming in them what God has already done in saving them. So in the complexities of urban trouble and ministries of mercy we are carried by two motives: on the one hand, the desire to confirm and honor the Christ-exalting faith of a brother or sister who is suffering by giving them relief and help; and on the other hand, the desire to waken Christ-exalting faith in suffering unbelievers by giving them relief and help in Jesus' name and with Jesus' gospel.

 

This is not a "works" mentality, it's a matter of the heart, of heats set apart for the glory of God.

 

 If we are a true church, if we are true disciples of Jesus, then we will be drawn to show mercy to some suffering people precisely because they are Christians. And we will be drawn to show mercy to other suffering people because they are not Christians. We will be like our Heavenly Father, when we love his children and love our enemies. And that love means "doing good" to them.

It is not always easy to know what the good is in complexities of urban pain, or what mercy should look like in Haiti or Florida or Sudan or your loved one's hospice. But Christ never said it would be easy. He simply said, Love your neighbor as you love yourself. And then he died and rose again to cover all our sin and make mercy possible..

 

This is not "Christianity Lite", or what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called "easy believism", it is where the rubber meets the road.  What would happen if we lived this out in our lives, our families, or churches and in our church outreach ministries here and abroad?  How many would be healed, made whole, through the imitators of Christ?

 

Our motives are also important.  It should  not be in building ourselves up as was the case with the Pharisees, and too often in ourselves but for the glory of God.

 

John Stott writes in "Our Guilty Silence", "Our motive must be concern for the glory of God, not the glory of the Church or our own glory.  Our message must be the gospel of God, as given by Christ and His apostles, not the traditions of men our our own opinions.  Our manpower must be the Church of God, and every member of it, not a privileged few who want to retain evangelism as their own prerogative.  Our dynamic must be the "Spirit of God", not the power of human personality, organization or eloquence."

 

Let it be the power of Christ living in you as was noticed of Peter and John in Acts 4:13-14 where the NLT refers to them as being recognized as "companions with Jesus".  Wouldn't you want to be considered a "companion" of Jesus?  Who are the "least of these" in your life?  What can you do for them in Jesus name today?

 

In Christ,

Mike

Matt 25:30-26:1

The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations

31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.  32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.  33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.  34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?  38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?  39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'  40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'

41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand,'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:  42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;  43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'

44 "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'  45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'  46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

NKJV

Verse of the Day 2/9

Through the Bible - Leviticus 2-3, Matthew 25:31-46

 

Good morning,

I work for a textile mill and have the oppurtunity to spend time at the plant.  The production of woven fabrics is still a time consuming process.  People who have gone through tours of our plants come away amazed at what it takes, what goes into the process of making a yard of fabric.  From standard weaves to complex jacquards where you can weave intricate designs into the fabric, it all takes time and attention to detail in every step of the process from spinning to finishing.

 

Making cloth (spinning and weaving) takes a great deal of time today, you can imagine what it took in Moses day.  When you read the account in the NLT, which breaks the measurements down into feet instead of cubits, you get a better idea of how much effort went into producing the fabric for the tabernacle.

It must have taken community effort.

 

Having just completed the book of Exodus in the bible reading plan above, I thought I'd refer to a verse that would most often be overlooked.

 

Ex 36:8 The skilled craftsmen made ten curtains of finely woven linen for the Tabernacle. Then Bezalel decorated the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. 9 All ten curtains were exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide.   NLT

 

The Israelites left Egypt where they were slave laborers where they were so busy producing for Pharoah that they didn't have/find time to worship properly, let alone build such a tabernacle.

 

In following God's instructions for the tabernacle they were building worship into their lives.  They had been led out of Egypt, been given the Ten Commandments, and now were being prepared to worship.

The NLT Applicaction Bible comments, "God's law system had three interwoven parts.  The Ten Commandments were the first part, containing the absolutes of spiritual and moral life.  The civil law was the second part, giving the people rules to manage their lives.  The ceremonial law ws the third part showing them patterns for building the Tabernacle for worship.

 

God was teaching Israel the importance of  choice and responsibility.  When they obeyed the conditions of the law He blessed them; if they forgot or disobeyed , He punished them or allowed disasters to come upon them."

 

God's laws, His moral laws are the basis for the legal systems in many countries today, including our own.

The "interwoven parts" mentioned above still give us the foundations for managing our day to day lives and for worship.

 

Which of the qualities mentioned above are most important for your relationship to God at this time?  How about that of your church?

 

Has God delivered you from the "slavery" of the rat race to be able to spend more time in worship at home and at church?  As you consider the community effort described in Exodus, think of the community effort that is put forth in your church and it's ministries.  What are you offering to contribute?

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

Ex 36:8-20

Building the Tabernacle

8 The skilled craftsmen made ten curtains of finely woven linen for the Tabernacle. Then Bezalel decorated the curtains with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim. 9 All ten curtains were exactly the same size—42 feet long and 6 feet wide. 10 Five of these curtains were joined together to make one long curtain, and the other five were joined to make a second long curtain. 11 He made fifty loops of blue yarn and put them along the edge of the last curtain in each set. 12 The fifty loops along the edge of one curtain matched the fifty loops along the edge of the other curtain. 13 Then he made fifty gold clasps and fastened the long curtains together with the clasps. In this way, the Tabernacle was made of one continuous piece.

14 He made eleven curtains of goat-hair cloth to serve as a tent covering for the Tabernacle. 15 These eleven curtains were all exactly the same size—45 feet long and 6 feet wide. 16 Bezalel joined five of these curtains together to make one long curtain, and the other six were joined to make a second long curtain. 17 He made fifty loops for the edge of each large curtain. 18 He also made fifty bronze clasps to fasten the long curtains together. In this way, the tent covering was made of one continuous piece. 19 He completed the tent covering with a layer of tanned ram skins and a layer of fine goatskin leather.

NLT