Verse of the Day 11/30

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 45-46, 1 John 2

 

Good morning,

I hope that you all had a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday.

 

I don't know how many of you watched the Florida vs.Florida State game.  It featured Heisman Trophy candidate Tim Tebow in his last home game.  Tebow is a professing Christian and in the black under his eyes he had the scripture reference to Heb. 12:1-2.  As I saw that and the tears in his eyes as he headed out onto the field I was struck by what those verses say.

 

Heb 12:1-2   Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.  NLT

Tebow has never (that I know of) shyed away from sharing his faith.  He is arguably one of the best college players that has come along in years.  He had the opportunity to "jump" to the NFL for the last couple of years but decided to stay the course in college, ignoring the lure of million dollar contracts.  He has had other things in minds.

 

He knew the gravity of the situation.  He knew he was playing before a huge crowd at the stadium, on television across the country, before alumni and those who had gone before them.  He played with the inspiration of someone that knew the significance of the moment.

 

For today's verse we'll go to 1 John 1, where John shared his heart in written words.  He was the last remaining apostle, he knew that his earthly life would be coming to an end and wanted to share his heart about the one who had initiated, sustained, and built his faith and the faith of his fellow apostles.  He knew the significance of the moment.

 

1 John 1:1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. 2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.   NLT
There was a lot of false teaching that was already going on in the early church.  John wanted to let his readers know who it was that he followed and now worshipped.

 

John MacArthur writes, "John affirms the physical reality of Jesus Christ's having come "in the flesh".  In this way John accentuated the gravity of the false teaching by immediately focusing on a strongly possitive affirmation of the historic reality of Jesus humanity and the certainty of the gospel..... The affirmation of a proper view of Christ constitutes the first test of genuine fellowship."

 

Think of the statement from Hebrews those words from Hebrews 12:1-2:  "And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith."

 

Over the weekend Tim Tebow played the game that was set before him, affirmed in the power of his faith In Christ.

How may we, how will we run the race today?  Do you grasp the significance of the moment?

 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 John 1:1-5

 

Introduction

 

1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. 2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.   NLT

Verse of the Day - weekend 11/28

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 41-44, 2 Peter 3 - 1 John 1

 

Good morning,

As we recover from the Thanksgiving meals and time with our families we now turn our thoughts towards Christmas.  For this weekend's verse we'll go to 1 Chronicles 16 for a verse that ties Thanksgiving to the call to make known the real meaning of Christmas, to make known the wonderful things he has done.

 

1 Chron 16:8 Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
9 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.   NIV

As Christians, making Him known this season or any season, should be at the heart of our love for Christ.  It is done out of love, devotion, gratitude and thanksgiving.  To truly love Him is to make Him known.

 

The Mission - Steve Green

 

To love the Lord our God
Is the heartbeat of our mission
The spring from which our service overflows
Across the street
Or around the world
The mission's still the same
Proclaim and live the Truth
In Jesus' name

As a candle is consumed by the passion of the flame
Spilling light unsparingly throughout a darkened room
Let us burn to know Him deeper
Then our service flaming bright
Will radiate his passions
And blaze with holy light

There will be plenty of opportunities to share with others what Christ has done and means to us in the coming month and the coming year in our daily lives, in ministries, and in missions work here and across the world.

 

Mark 16:20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.  NIV

 

John MacArthur writes that the "signs" - "point to the power of God behind miracles - marvels that have no value unless they point to God and His truth.  Such works were often done by the Holy Spirit through the apostles and their associates to authenticate them as the messengers of God's truth."

Notice that the works were done by the apostles and associates, they partnered with others to get the word out.  Who will you be willing to partner with across the street or around the world?

 

Blessings,
Mike

 

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

1 Chron 16:8-16

8 Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
9 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
10 Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
11 Search for the Lord and for his strength;

continually seek him.
12 Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
13 you children of his servant Israel,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

14 He is the Lord our God.
His justice is seen throughout the land.
15 Remember his covenant forever—
the commitment he made to a thousand generations.  NLT

 

1 Chron 16:31 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
Tell all the nations, "The Lord reigns!"

Verse of the Day 11/27

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 29-40, 2 Peter 2

 

Good morning,

I'm sure that many children, along with their parents watched the Thanksgiving Day parades yesterday, and many of the parents encouraged thier children to wait for the end of the parade for a "surprise" visit from Santa Claus.

After Thanksgiving Dinner, many, teens through adults, aniticipated  "black Friday", the traditional biggest shopping day of the year, many would be flocking to the stores at 4 am to be among those who would be able to get the "limited supply" offers from TV's, to video games, and other toys.

 

As Christians we look forward to the Christmas celebration which means much more to us than presents under the tree.  Beyond Christmas, we also believe that He is coming again, we look forward to that day with great expectation.

 

Rev 1:7 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."   NKJV

 

As I read the verse above and considered it for the verse of the day, a couple of songs came to mind.  The first one, "He is the One", actually both of them capture that thoughts of those who have looked for the Saviour through the ages.

He is the One,   - Wes King

 

In the days of Moses and Abraham
They looked to the future
And to the promised land
They looked for a savior
They longed for a Messiah
They prayed for deliverance from the hands of man
Their faith was counted as righteousness to them
It was a faith in the One who was to come

CHORUS:
He's the One
The One who was to come
He's the One
Yeah, well He is the One who came
He's the One
He is the One who shall return
He is the One

In the days of Augustus
In the fullness of time
They saw the fulfillment of a holy design
He was born of a virgin
She was blessed among women
He was the cup of redemption
He was a light divine
He brought salvation and healing in His hands
To all who believe He was the One that God had sent     - 

 

He is the One.

He was with God in the beginning, He came to earth as baby Jesus, He went back to the Father, He is coming again to bring us to Him, in the meantime, He is living in us in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

As we look towards Christmas and beyond, may our hearts echo the sentiment of the following hymn:

 

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus

 

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

 

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Sing this in preparing your heart for worship this weekend, this season and beyond.  As John said in Rev. 1:4 "Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come,"   NKJV

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

Rev 1:4-9

 

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."   NKJV

Verse of the Day 11/26

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 37-38, 2 Peter 1

 

Happy Thanksgiving,

 

"Over 147 years ago, on October 3, 1863, Abraham Lincoln stated: "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added . . . They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God . . . It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States . . . to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."   -  From "Today in the Word" www.todayintheword.com

 

In celebrating Thanksgiving you may not think that it has much to do with repentance, but when you think about it, it is about turning away from the daily cares of this world and turning our attention to our families and for Christians, to our Heavenly Father, thanking and praising Him for the many blessings we have received.

 

The word translated as "repentance" is a from the word "metanoia" which means to change one's mind.  The original Hebrew word means "to turn around".   It's about changing our minds and moving in another, even opposite direction.  In our relationship with God it is back towards Him when we realize that we've been wandering from Him.   It is done with an attitude of thanksgiving.

 

I shared Phil. 4:6 a few weeks ago and focused on the "peace that passes understanding".  This peace comes from a heart that has been changed, in a person whose life has been turned around because the circumstances in his life have brought him home to God.

 

Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.   NKJV

Helmut Thielicke writes as the conclusion of his book "Christ and the Meaning of Life",  " Repentance is not the negation of what lies behind us, it is rather a joyful setting out for what lies ahead of us.  To receive forgiveness means that our past is cancelled and we have a new future.  The Day of Repentance is the solemn promise that there is waiting for us and that there is always a tomorrow.  The one thing needful is also the one thing that is promised.  Blessed are those that have a home, for they can come home."

 

For today's verse we'll go to Colassians chapter 2 where we who have "come home to Christ" are told to walk in Him.  Part of what this will do for and in us is to enable us to abound with Thanksgiving.

 

Turning back to God in Thanksgiving can change the course of our lives, bring about reconciliation in our familes, with our neighbors, churches and in our nation.  It leads to the question, again, "who is my neighbor" or perhaps "whose neighbor am I'. 

 

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

Today we celebrate a day when differences were put aside and the pilgrims and native Indians .  May we also "come home",  put aside differences within our families, repent, change our minds, forgive and seek forgiveness, turn and joyfully set out for what lies ahead of us, walking "in Him".

 

Ps 68:19 Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation!   NKJV

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

Col 2:6-11

 

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

Verse of the Day 11/25

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 35-36, 1 Peter 5

 

Good morning,

In preparation for Thanksgiving, today's devotional will touch on repentance.  I recently quoted Abraham Lincoln, when he called for a national day of prayer he stated " We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God"

It was not only a call for  prayer it was for  repentance.  Yesterday I read the following verse in  Joel 2:

 

Joel 2:12 That is why the Lord says,
"Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts.
Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
13 Don't tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead."
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.  NLT

The prophet challenges the people not to tear their garments (as was the custom) as an outward show of repentance, he was asking for repentance, a change of heart in the people.  To do so they needed to feel the pain and sorrow for letting things get out of hand as they did.  An outward show is not wrong, but it must be accompanied by a change inside, a change of heart, a heart after God.

For today's verse we'll go to 1 John 1:

 

1 John 1:8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  NLT

In response to the "VOTD" recently where I quoted Lamentations 3:23 that God's mercies are "new every morning" a friend wrote, "One of the "evangelical fallacies" if you will that we have recently dealt with in men's group is the date of salvation.  While we may point back to a day when we know that we gave (returned) our life to Christ, we need to approach each day as the Old Testament does in that each day God is saving us.  Each day is a day of salvation.  Salvation is an ongoing yet fresh each day revelation of Father God to His children.  Indeed, His mercies are new every morning and we can rejoice that this is a day that the Lord has made because His saving work is fresh for us each day."

Yesterday's "Tabletalk" devotional on these verses echoed this sentiment when it stated, "We are accustomed to thinking of conversion only as a one time event that initiates our walk with Christ.  Yet while there is a decisive moment of rebirth, the entire Christian life is one of conversion from beginning to end.  Christians must turn from sin and to Jesus every day of their lives.".

 

In today's Old Testament reading from Ezekiel 36 we read these verses that should give us incentive to "turn back" to return to the Lord.  He will remove the deadness from our hearts and make us "living stones" as we read yesterday.

 

Ezek 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.  28 Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.   NKJV

A heart that is alive in Christ is one that can truly be thankful.  What is the condition of your heart? 

 

Pray for the heart of our nation.

 

In Christ,

Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

1 John 1:5-2:1

 

Living in the Light

 

5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. 6 So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

 

8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.  NLT

Verse of the Day 11/24

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 32-34, 1 Peter 4

 

Good morning,

In reflecting on yesterday's verse which called us to "crave" spiritual milk I thought about how a child, (a little child at least) desires to be like their parents.  Perhaps you've seen this in your own kids, or brothers or sisters, or even grandchildren.  It is a natural part of their growth.

 

That desire should be in us to be like Christ.  I thought of the old hymn, "Oh to be Like Thee", here are a few lines.

Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.

Refrain:
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.

Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion,
Loving, forgiving, tender and kind,
Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting,
Seeking the wand'ring sinner to find.

 

That thought, the desire to be like Him carries over to today's verse which followed yesterday's in 1 Peter 2:

 

1 Peter 2:4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.   NLT

In a sermon on this passage, John Piper states that, "when we come to the living stone and are shaped into living stones ourselves, we are built into a "spiritual house." Christ is the builder here. He builds individual Christians into a spiritual temple. It's spiritual because it houses the Holy Spirit. "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). (That's a reference to the local church, not to individuals in this context.)"

 

When we come to Him, He takes us and shapes us, uses the gifts that He has given each of us to build His church.  Each stone is custom made.  How precious, of how much worth is that?

 

Piper continues, "God's aim is that we offer him spiritual sacrifices (we'll talk about what that is in a minute). And we can only do that "through Jesus Christ." Jesus is the Living Stone. Everything hangs on our coming to the Living Stone. If we don't come to Jesus, the Living Stone, then we don't have life and we are not built into a spiritual house, and we do not become a holy priesthood, and we will not offer spiritual sacrifices. It all hangs on Jesus and connecting with Jesus—coming to Jesus. That's why Peter ends verse 5 with the words "to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

If we are to grow, if we are to please Him we must come to Him.  He will lead us to offer spiritual sacrifices.  What will these look like?   "They are the deeds you do, the words you speak, the songs you sing—when you do them spiritually. That is, when you do them in reliance on the power of the Spirit, according to the will of the Spirit, and for a manifestation of the Spirit—which is a manifestation of Christ."    John Piper

Think of the missions projects going on in your church.  Think of all of the aspects  that can be applied to these verses.  These acts of worship bring food, care, water, buildings and bridges to people who need them, while those who serve receive blessings for being a part of it.

 

If you're interested you can read, listen or watch this sermon at http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByScripture/4/865_Becoming_a_Spiritual_House_and_Holy_Priesthood/

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

1 Peter 2:4-10

 

The Chosen Stone and His Chosen People

 

4 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

 

"Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame."

 

7 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

 

"The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,"

 

8 and

 

"A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense."

 

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

 

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.   NKJV

Verse of the Day 11/23

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 30-31, 1 Peter 3

 

Good morning,

One of the things that I'm looking forward to and thankful for this Thanksgiving is to see my grandaughter Layna.  We've seen her a few times during the year and even though we've seen her by using "Skype" I'm sure we'll be surprised by her growth.  Earlier in the year when we saw her I was amazed at how quickly she downed a glass of milk from her sipper cup.

 

Babies don't need to be taught to "crave" milk, in fact they cry out for it.  The growth that they show is also evidence that this craving has been fulfilled.

 

In 1 Peter 2, Peter is telling us that it should be the same with our spiritual growth.

 

 1 Peter 2:2  Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,   ³Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord.^{(A)  Amplified Bible}

or from the NLT

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.   NIV

 

Have you come to times in your spiritual journey where you don't have the desire for God's Word, where you don't feel like you are growing, that you are stuck in a rut?  John Piper refers to it as "spiritual fatalism" if you feel that it's "just who I am" and "I'll never be able to change".

 

These verses actually give us a command to long for and desire God's word, to  "crave" the nourishment that you receive from Him.  How does that work?

 

John Piper quoted a poem from John Bunyan and said that "It's one of the best statements I have ever heard about the difference between the law and the gospel. You'll see how it relates.

Run, John, run, the law commands
But gives us neither feet nor hands,
Far better news the gospel brings:
It bids us fly and gives us wings.

In other words in the old covenant God gave commandments, but by and large did not give the divine enablement that overcomes the deadness and depravity and rebellion of the heart. But in the new covenant, which God set up at the cross of Christ, God gives even harder commands, but he also gives the power we need to fulfill them (Romans 8:4–6), through faith (1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11). "

Other religions can give commands to live by, true Christianity is the ownly one that gives us commands and provides the means to achieve them.  Christ living in us through the Holy Spirit.

 

Piper noted that "spiritual milk" comes from but is not limited to the Word, it is the growth that comes from taking it and applying it.  I'm reminded of the goal of "Feed the Hunger".  It is the goal to provide food for the hungry at the same time providing the tools for teaching.  Those that are involved in carrying this out experience growth in several ways. Starving people are fed, they grow physically and spiritually, and those who serve  grow spiritually, encouraging and challenging  others to do the same.  We can be the "feet and the hands" to help the hungry or save unborn children.

 

If you are working with "Feed the Hunger" or another cause, may your prayer be that of Augustine,   "O love that ever burnest and art never quenched!  O Charity, my God, enkindle me! ....  Grant what thou commandest and command what thou wilt."

 

If you feel that you've been in a rut.  Seek Him, God's Word provides the command and His Spirit provides the means for our growth if we will allow Him.  Follow where the Spirit leads you.  Join the cause, for Christ.

 

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 Peter 1:21-2:5

 

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

 

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

 

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. 24 As the Scriptures say,

 

"People are like grass;
their beauty is like a flower in the field.
The grass withers and the flower fades.
25 But the word of the Lord remains forever."

 

And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.

 

2 So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness.

4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.  NLT

 

Verse of the Day - weekend 11/21

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 27-29, 1 Peter 1

 

Good morning,

Many of the verses we've considered recently have focused on faith and hope.  For today's verse we'll go to 1 Peter 1 where Peter confirms our hope, where it comes from, and what it should lead to. 

 

1 Peter 1:21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.  NLT

 

Our foundation and the chuch's foundation are faith, hope, and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ.  I'm reminded of the old hymn "The Church's One Foundation".  Read or sing in your mind or out loud if you know it in preparation for worship this weekend.

 

Church's One Foundation, The

 

The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord,
She is His new creation
By water and the Word.
From heaven He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her
And for her life He died.

 

She is from every nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy Name she blesses,
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With every grace endued.

 

What does it mean to you to be His new creation? 

 

We press on in hope with every grace that we will need, supplied by our Lord and Saviour, that we may be able to "love each other deeply with all our heart"(v.22).

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 Peter 1:13-24

 

A Call to Holy Living

 

13 So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."

 

17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as "foreigners in the land." 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.

 

21 Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory.

 

22 You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

 

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Verse of the Day 11/20

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 25-26, James 5

 

Good morning,

After doing yesterday's devotional the thought of "standing in the gap" stayed on my mind.

 

I remember going on vacation with our family to Colorado and seeing the Royal Gorge.  I wonder what the Indians or first settlers thought when the first saw it.  The temptation would be to stand there and gape at the chasm, wondering how you would cross it, how would it be possible to bridge that gap on our own?

 

If you are seeking after God, the same thought the same problem exists, only the gap there is wider than the Grand Canyon.  But as with the Royal Gorge, thankfully there is a bridge and it is the cross of Christ.   Today, to cross the Royal Gorge you can lead someone to the bridge that has been built.  To cross the divide to reach God, you can lead them to the cross, lead them to Christ.

For today's verse we'll go to James chapter 5

 

James 5:19 - My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

THE MESSAGE

If someone has wandered away from the faith or has approached the gap, the gorge and turned away because they felt that they couldn't cross it alone, will you just stand as a "gaper" and watch?  What does it take to turn the person back?  It takes another "P", adding another "P" as in the power of the cross you can become a "gapper", one who stands in the gap as we considered yesterday, to point others to the cross, the bridge

across the great divide.  Here are a few lines from the song "The Great Divide" by Point of Grace.

 

Silence
Trying to fathom the distance
Looking out 'cross the canyon carved
By my hands
God is gracious
Sin would still separate us
Were it not for the bridge His grace
Has made us
His love will carry me

(Chorus)
There's a bridge to cross the great divide
A way was made to reach the other side
The mercy of the Father, cost His son
His life
His love is deep, His love is wide
There's a cross to bridge the great divide

 

May we be gapper's instead of "gaper's".

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

James 5:13 - 1 Peter 1:1

Prayer to Be Reckoned With

Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven — healed inside and out.

Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't — not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.

My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

THE MESSAGE

Verse of the Day 11/19

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 22-24, James 4   Good morning,  If you were asked to give the qualities the attributes of God what would you say?  Would being humble be one of them?   The men's small group that I'm in just completed "The Truth Project".  In the final lesson Dell Tacket shared how this thought, this concept impacted his life.  He referenced Matthew 11:28-29.  Normally, when we read these verses we tend to focus on the words "come to me" being under heavy burden, to find rest.  Today let's consider that Jesus considered himself to be "gentle" and "humble" in heart.   Matt 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  NIV   For today's verses we'll continue in the book of James, where James tells us. James 4: 6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you.  NLT . Think of the ways Jesus showed himself to be humble.  He came to earth in humility being born in a manger.  He humbled himself in serving his disciples, washing their feet. He humbled himself in serving the "lowest" in society, the downcast, the sick, the helpless and raising them up, giving them hope, healing, and life.  To do this he had to take, make the time for those he served.   You might say he stood in the gap for them, he bridged the gap for them and offers to do the same for us.  If we are his we should be looking to stand in the gap for others as well.   Today's Old Testament reading was in the book of Ezekiel where the prophet had these words for God's people.   Ezek 22:30 "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.  NIV When God looks in your town for someone to stand in the gap, will He find someone?  Will it be you?  God gives us the grace to stand, to stand in the gap. (v.6)   James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. NIV   He will lift you up and help you to stand for Him in the gap. In Christ, Mike James 4:5-13  6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. Warning against Judging Others 11 Don't speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God's law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?  NLT

Verse of the Day 11/18

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 21, James 3   Good morning, Are you a peacemaker?   Years ago I worked in a shop where guys would gather at breaktime.  Often there would be an argument of somekind on any number of topics.  There was one person who my boss and friend used to refer to as "coal adder".  He wouldn't start the argument, the fire, but would keep it going by adding a comment, adding fuel to keep and sometimes heighten the debate.   Today's verse comes from James chapter 3 and tells us that as Christians we are to be "peacemakers" not coal adders.   James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.  NLT There have been theologians through the Bible that have thought that the book of James should not be in the New Testament because it taught "works" and not grace, mainly from 2:24" You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."   NKJV Paul taught in Romans that we are justified by faith alone (Rom. 4:5), that the only thing that unites us to Christ is dependence on Christ.  What James is saying in James 2:24 he is speaking of a faith that does not remain alone.  True faith is not passive, it will be put into action, it will be applied in our lives in doing good works.   A good paralell passage to James 2 and 3 would be Galations chapter 5 where Paul gives us the following verses. Gal 5:6 For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.  NLT Gal 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.  NLT If the Holy Spirit is living and working in us there will be evidence in good deeds, which James referred to as works that he points out in today's verse is "planting seeds of peace".   Are you a peacemaker or a coal adder?   In Christ, Mike   James 3:13-4:1 Live Well, Live Wisely Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom — it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats. Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. (from THE MESSAGE:)

Verse of the Day 11/17

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 18-20, James 2   Good morning, Yesterday, we considered James 1:17 and the statement in that verse that with God "there is no shadow of turning".  It tells us that God is faithful and doesn't change. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.   NKJV That verse stayed on my mind throughout the day and I woke up last night thinking about another aspect of it, "every good and pefect gift".   Christmas music is already playing on some radio stations, stores have their Christmas displays, and advertisements will be encouaging us to look for "the perfect gift".   How would you describe a "perfect gift"?  I'll give a few thoughts and you can ad others. The verse starts out with the first qualification it is good for  the person.  It is something that they need, it will benefit them.  It should be something that will last, it should be enduring (you've heard diamonds are forever, that's not what I'm talking about here).  It quite possibly be something we could not afford ourselves or at least wouldn't pay for ourselves.  It should be something that you will treasure, something you'll hold on to, something that will help you in times of trouble.   These gifts often come in packages that don't reveal or give a clue to what is inside, they remain hidden until the right time.   There are few gifts that meet all of these qualities and perhaps additional qualities that you've added.   Tears came to my eyes as I considered these gifts (the tears have returned).  Two such gifts came to mind.   One is my son Jeff (no disrespect Jean,  Laurie and Jason) who was given back to us after nearly losing him.  After the accident a Christian friend, seeing the outcome and the prognosis told me "you've just received a life sentence".  It's a matter of perception.   Time has gone on to show that Jeff is one of the perfect gifts.  He thanks us often for "this wonderful life".  I can't think of another human being that I know that loves more, trusts more, is more joyful, humble (even though we joke about it), and has taught us more about all these things.  He teaches some of these qualities to just about everyone that gets to know him.  He's a "special needs" child, but whose special needs am I talking about?   The second one is the gift of salvation in the gift of Jesus Christ.  What God did in John 3:16, sending His Son, coming down to our level, to our "special needs", lifting us up to an abundant life that begins here but has no ending.   The verse I'll quote today for the verse of the day is from 2 Corinthians 9 in a passage which speaks of "grace abounding".    2 Cor 9:15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!   NKJV Is their a special needs child or person in your life?  Why not get to know them better?  Be counter cultural..  Encourage them learn from them, praise God for them.    I'll let you think about what "special needs" are.   In Christ, Mike 2 Cor 9:8-10:1 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever."  10 Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,  14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! NKJV

Verse of the Day 11/16

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 15-16, James 1

 

Good morning,

Last week the Old Testament reading in Lamentations brought us to verse 22 where we read:

Lam 3:22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.   NKJV

The song that I referrenced that day was "New Mercy".  The reason I didn't print the words "Great is Thy Faithfulness" then was because I knew that we were approaching James chapter 1 where we will go for  today's verse and the words to "Great is Thy Faithfulness".

 

James 1:17   Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.  NKJV
The words that I'd like to focus on today are no "shadow of turning".  This time we will go to the old hymn, that still rings true, "Great is Thy Faithfulness".

 

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

 

In ancient times a sun dial was used to tell time.  It did so by using the shadow of the sun to tell time.  The angle of the shadow would turn as the sun went across the sky.  The perception was that the sun moved.  The taller the sun dial, the longer the shadow.  As with watchning the sunrise or sunset over the horizon, especially over the ocean you can literally see it move.  In actuallity it is the earth revolving around the sun.  It is not the sun moving it is us.

 

The point here is that God doesn't change.  It ties in well with this verse from the final chapter in Hebrews just completed.  Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.   NIV

God doesn't change.  If our perception of God has changed, it is not God that has moved it is us.  The good part is that He will bring us back around if we are His.  The world, our worlds, are spinning, sometimes seemingly out of control, when that is the case, trust in Jesus, He doesn't change, He'll see you though to a bright new morning.

 

1 John 1:5" This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. "  NLT  No darkness not even a shadow. 

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

James 1:12-19

 

12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

 

16 So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.   NLT

Verse of the Day -weekend 11/14

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 10-14, Hebrews 12-13

 

Good morning,

I read a passage in Romans 5 that seemed to tie the verses of this week together.  They speak of faith and hope that can give us the peace that we need.

Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.    NKJV
The passage culminates with the following verse, how God reaches us while "we're yet sinners".  He meets us where we are in the mud and the muck of our lives, to save us, to put our feet on the Rock.

Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  NKJV
During the week I had thought of the following verses from Psalm 40 for this weekend's verses.  The passage in Romans confirmed it.

 

Ps 40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth —
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.    NKJV
or from The Message

Ps 40:2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.  NLT

 

The cares and seductions of this world can lure us away from Christ and into sins that will "entangle us.  Let's go to Hebrews 12 from this weekend's reading.

Heb 12:1-2  "let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,"
NIV

 

Instead of turning to the world we should go to Jesus, go to The Rock.

 

I Go to the Rock - Aaron Jeoffrey

Where do I go
When there's no body else to turn to
Who do I talk to
When no one wants to listen
Who do I lean on
When there's no foundation stable
I go to the Rock I know He's able
I go to the Rock

CHORUS
I go to the Rock of my Salvation
I go to the Stone that the builders rejected
I run to the mountain and the mountain stands by me
When the earth all around me is sinking sand
On Christ, the solid rock I stand
When I need a shelter, When I need a friend,
I go to the Rock

Where do I hide
When the storms of life are threatening
Where do I run to
When the winds of sorrow blow
Is there a refuge (a refuge) in the time of tribulation
Cause I go to the Rock
I know (I know) He's able.

CHORUS

When the earth all around is a-sinking sand
On Christ, the solid rock I stand
When I need a shelter, When I need a friend,
When the earth all around is sinking sand
On Christ the solid rock I stand
When I need a shelter, When I need a friend
I go to the Rock

Do you need a shelter, a friend this weekend?  Go to the Rock.

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
Psalm 40:1-8

 

40 1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.

 

4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.

 

6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—
you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7 Then I said, "Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:
8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart."   NLT

Verse of the Day 11/13

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 7-9, Hebrews 11:17-40   Good morning, Before reading today's devotional, I'd suggest that you read Hebrews 11 or at least verses 17-40 listed above.   What these verses show is something that I hope that you feel, that better day's are coming no matter what today brings.  Perhaps you've personally taken hold of the faith and know that it's real, that it is the substance of things hoped for as we read yesterday.  Perhaps you have realized as the author did at the end of chapter 10:   Heb 10:34  "You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever." Reading this verse the Jeremy Camp song came to mind, here are some of the words: There Will be a Day   I try to hold on to this world with everything I have But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth, that we will enter in this rest with wonders anew But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings That there will be a place with no more suffering (Chorus) There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears There will be a day when the burdens of this place, will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face But until that day, we'll hold on to you always   After having read chapter 11, we'll go back to chapter 10 for today's verses: Heb 10:35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.  NLT   This weekend, when a message of hope is preached to you, may you "taste and see" that the Lord is good.   John Piper concluded a sermon on Hebrews 11:1-3 with the following words: "This is what happens when the Gospel is preached. It is what is happening right now for many of you. The word of God is spoken - broken like sweet bread and poured out like refreshing water - and the spiritual taste of your heart is awakened, and you know that there is more here than the mere opinion of a man. Just like it says in Hebrews 10:34, you "know that you have a better possession and an abiding one."   In summary then faith is a kind of spiritual tasting of what God has promised so that we feel a deep, substantial assurance of things hoped for; and faith is a kind of spiritual seeing of the invisible fingerprints of God in the things he has made. By the one we know God's power and wisdom to make us, and by the other we know his goodness and grace to save us."   Psalm 34:8, O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!   In Christ, Mike   Heb 10:32-11:1 32 Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.. 33 Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. 34 You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever. 35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. 37 "For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. 38 And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away." 39 But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls will be saved.   NLT

Verse of the Day 11/11

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 4-6, Hebrews 11:1-16

 

Good morning,

 

This mornings New Testament reading brings us to a passage that I've referred to in these devotionals as much, if not more, than any other passage that I can think of.  It is partially because faith and hope are so essential for us as Christians and finally it is a passage that I go to, time and time again, when I need to be reminded of it's truths.

 

The chapter starts by getting right down to it.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

 

Let's consider "Faith is the conviction (or the evidence) of things not seen".  John Piper writes, "The word for "conviction" or "evidence" is not used anywhere else in the New Testament.  Outside the New Testament, it's normal use is "proof" or "argument" or "evidence", something objective - about the world rather than subjective about how we feel about the world".

 

Think of it in a courtroom situation.  If our hope is on trial, our faith is the proof, the argument, the evidence that our hope is real.  We look back to those mentioned in this chapter, and hopefully look back on examples from our own lives that back it up.

 

Today's verse tells us something more, if we desire to please God, our faith needs to be applied.  We must believe that He is in control and diligently seek Him in the very trials that cause others to question our faith and our hope.  It becomes our testimony.

 

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him   NKJV
or from The Message

Heb 11:6  It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

What can faith do?  I was struck by the lyrics of the following song as I came home from a powerful study with the High School students last Sunday morning.  The thoughts stayed with me as did Hebrews 11 all during the week.

That's What Faith Can Do - Kutless

 

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard
Impossible is not a word
It's just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody's scared to death
You may decide to take that step
Out on the water
But it'll be all right

Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

Overcome the odds
When you don't have a chance
(That's what faith can do)
When the world says you can't
It will tell you that it can

If you apply your faith as the evidence of things hoped for what kind of testimony would it be?

 

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

Heb 11:1-8

 

11 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

 

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

 

Faith at the Dawn of History
(Gen 4:1-16; 5:18-24; 6:5-8:22)

 

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

 

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.   NKJV

Verse of the Day 11/11

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 2-3 , Hebrews 10   Good morning, If you are following the read through the Bible plan you recently read Lamentations 3:22 which I referenced yesterday. Lam 3:21 This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I hope in Him!"   NKJV   The verses bring to mind several songs from "Great is Thy Faithfulness" to the more recent "New Mercy".  Here are a few lines from New Mercy by Phillips,Craig & Dean   I thought I'd used up all the grace Set aside for my mistakes So many On my knees I found to my surprise That your mercy renewed with the sunrise You make Your mercy new every day You change my life in so many ways You cradle me in Your sweet grace You fill me Yesterday, today, forever more There's one thing I know for sure Fresh as the morning dew You make Your mercy new Every morning   For today's verse we'll go to today's New Testament reading from Hebrews chapter 10:  23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  NLT   The author encourages us to "hold tightly" to the hope that we have... "without wavering" for "God can be trusted to keep his promise". He will continue to "make His mercy new".  Knowing this, experiencing this, having seen Him deliver us through the darkness in the past should encourage us to "stir up" love and good works in one another.   As we've experienced His mercy, it should be our goal to share it, spread his mercy and love.  Jesus gave us an example of why we should do this in Matthew 24.   Matt 24:12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.    NKJV We see what seems to be increased "lawlessness" around us every day, just watch the news.  This verse tells us that as this happens, love tends to grow cold.  We need to stir it up, keep it from growing cold, this is to be done in community as we learn to apply our faith and give hope to others that desparately need it.  John Piper states that "the whole book of Hebrews is written to give foundation to the hope that is the foundation of a life of radical, risk taking, sacrificial love."   Do you know someone who needs comfort, encouragement, and hope today?   In Christ, Mike Heb 10:19-26 A Call to Persevere 19 And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.  NLT

Verse of the Day 11/10

Through the Bible - Lamentations 5- Ezekiel 1, Hebrews 9   Good morning, I don't know what it was like in your part of the world this past weekend but it was a perfect fall weekend in North Carolina.  We enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine and had the opportunity to see Jeff go horseback riding at Koppertop. It was kind of surreal watching  the sun filtering through the branches of a huge tree, feeling the warmth of the sun on a fall day.  The tree was probably  6 feet or more in diameter and as I sat there I thought "if that tree had eyes what would it have seen" over the course of 150 years, back to the civil war days.  I watched Jeff ride a horse just as someone else may have watched their son from that vantage point 150 years ago.    What would that person have hoped for, what do I hope for?   In yesterday's devotional we considered how Jesus came to earth, reaching us where we are to save us to the uttermost.  Today we'll consider what it means for us to have a God who also sees the whole picture.  He knows what has gone before us and what will happen after us.  He was there before the old tree was a sapling  and will be there at the end of time as we know it with or without global warming.  It gives us great hope and confidence to read verses like we read recently in Jeremiah when God the Father told us that we have a "hope and a future in God."   Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.   NKJV For today's verse we'll go to Hebrews 8 for a similar future promise.   Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.   NKJV The law in the Old Testament, the Old Covenant was primarily external, but the New Covenanat spoken of here is internal.  It is written on our hearts and will live within our hearts inspiring hope towards a future in Jesus Christ, our King.    Go back in time to, say, 1860, to a slave sitting under that same tree mentioned earlier.  Where was his hope?   Where was the hope of the country?  In a coming president? Where was the hope  In my darkest hours where was my hope for Jeff?  In a doctor, in a miracle cure?  Where is the hope in this nation that is involved in war and economic uncertainty?  It is not in a president or congress, my hope our hope is in God, and that we may know Him better.   Chuck Colson states, "Where is the hope? I meet millions of people who feel demoralized by the decay around us. The hope that each of us has is not in who governs us, or what laws we pass, or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. And that's where our hope is in this country. And that's where our hope is in life."   Without Christ there is no true comfort or hope for the future.  Christ's death for us and His promise to return give us a bright hope for tomorrow.  (Lam. 3:22-24).  Great is His faithfulness.  Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.  Don't we all need that? In Christ, Mike   Heb 8:7-9:1 A New Covenant (Jer 31:31-34) 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second. 8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah —   9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.  10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  11 None of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.  12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."  13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.    NKJV

Verse of the Day 11/9

Through the Bible - Lamentations 2-4, Hebrews 8

 

Good morning,

The thought from this weekend was that Christ reaches down to us, He is the anchor and the holder.

Today's verse comes from Hebrews chapter 7 and tells us that Christ is able to save "to the uttermost".  He reaches us in the depths and brings us to uppermost heights in relationship to Him, for eternity.

Heb 7:24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.   NKJV
or from the Amplified Bible -

Hebrews 7:24 But He holds His priesthood unchangeably, because He lives on forever.

25 Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.

 

When you read the words from the Amplified version about your salvation, how do you feel?  What does it mean to you to be saved "competely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity.  Do you realize how this was accomplished?

 

Helmut Thielicke wrote, "I see that he, whom "all the universe cannot contain", comes down into the world of little things, the little things of my life, into the world of homelessness and refugees, a world where there are lepers, lost sons, poor old ladies, and men and women who are afraid, a world in which men cheat and are cheated, in which men die and are killed.  Crib and cross; these are the nethermost extreme's of life's curve; no man can go any deeper than this; an he traversed it all.  I do not need first to become godly and noble before I can have part in him.  For there are no depths in my life where he has not already come to meet me, no depths to which he has not been able to give meaning by surrounding them with love and making them the place where he visits me and brings me back home."

 

Other religions stress the heights that their followers must achieve through works.  Christ came down into our world (read Philippians 2), humbled Himself in order to reach us.  Other religions stress the heights that their followers must achieve to reach their god before he would accept them.  Our God proves that He is a living God by proving His love for us through the depths to which He descended.

He saves to the uttermost by living in us.

 

Rom 8:9-11  But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells — even though you still experience all the limitations of sin — you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!    from THE MESSAGE

Christ lives in us to reach those in our world where there are lepers, lost sons, poor old ladies, and men and women who are afraid.

 

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
Heb 7:20-8:1

 

Greatness of the New Priest

 

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

 

"The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
'You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek'"),

 

22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

 

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

 

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.   NKJV