Verse of the Day 10/21

Through the Bible - Jeremiah 8-9, 1 Timothy 4

 

Good morning,

I just started reading a short book written by J.R. Miller in 1886 "Silent Times -  A Book to Help in Reading the Bible into Life".  It deals with the devotional life and stresses that the Bible's doctrines should be "transmuted" incorporated into our lives.

 

Miller writes,  "Every true Christian life needs its daily "silent times," when all shall be still, when the busy activity of other hours shall cease, and when the heart, in holy hush, shall commune with God. One of the greatest needs in Christian life in these days, is more devotion. Ours is not an age of prayer so much as an age of work. The tendency is to action rather than to worship; to busy toil rather than to quiet sitting at the Savior's feet to commune with him. The key-note of our present Christian life is consecration, which is understood to mean dedication to active service. On every hand we are incited to work. Our zeal is stirred by every inspiring incentive. The calls to duty come to us from a thousand earnest voices."

 

For today's verse we'll go to today's New Testament reading in 1 Timothy 4 in a passage where we are told to "give attention" to and "take heed " to the doctrines that we are taught in the Word.  Today's verses tell us to apply these to our lives.

 

1 Tim 4:11-15  Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed — keep that dusted off and in use.   The Message

 

Paul was instructing Timothy, a young pastor, but it doesn't matter how old we are or how young in the faith we are, we can apply what we learn and "teach others with our life".

 

Nietzsche made a true and convicting statement when he said, "You will have to look more redeemed if I am to believe in your Redeemer."

Yesterday we considered  in Jeremiah "Plow your unplowed fields, but then don't plant weeds in the soil! "   Combining yesterday's thoughtss with today's I go back to J.R. Miller  "All the noble things that fall from your hands, as you travel along life's paths, are seeds, and will not die. The good things we do, with the true words we speak, with the faithful example we show, with all the influences of our life that are Christlike, are living seeds which we sow in the lives of others. They will not fall into the ground and perish. They will stay where they drop, and you will find them again after many days. They will germinate and grow, and yield a harvest!

Go on doing the little things, no matter how small, only making sure that you breathe love into them. Let them fall where they may, no matter into what heart, no matter how silently, no matter how hopeless may seem the soil into which they drop, no matter how you yourself may appear to be forgotten or overlooked as you do your deeds of kindness, and speak your words of love. These words and deeds and influences of yours are living seeds, and not one of them shall perish!"

 

As we travell along life's path, we should be "getting the word out" in word and deed, scattering seeds of kindness and words of love.  Maybe someone with the outlook of Nietzsche would be more convinced of our Redeemer.

 

I'll close with a verse from today's Old Testament reading in Jeremiah:

Jer 9:23 Thus says the Lord:

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the Lord.   NKJV

 

Use some silent time each day to get to know Him and then live accordingly day by day.

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
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
1 Tim 4:6-5:1

 

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

 

6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

 

11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12 Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

 

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.  NLT