Verse of the Day 12/31

Through the Bible - Malachi 3-4, Revelation 22

 

Good morning,

Chuck Colson defines your worldview as "the way you think the world works and how you fit into it."  He also states that worldviews answer four questions: 1) Where did I come from?  2) Why is the world such a mess?  3) Is there a solution? and 4) What is my purpose?

 

The definition and the questions are things to think about as we look back at 2009 and look forward, make plans and goals for 2010.

Psalm 37 tells us not to "fret" but to trust in God.

 

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

 

It is only in trusting Him and acting upon that trust that we can find peace.

 

Isa 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.   NKJV

Peace is something that I desire, I struggle with.  Any number of things can get me down, and I rob myself of this peace through my lack of trust.  I have a son who displays this peace before my very eyes every day.  He has it because he trusts, he has faith.  This gives me hope.  God's Word gives me hope.

 

I read these words yesterday from John 16 from a verse of the day from Bible Gateway.  I have it set up to come in the Amplified Bible translation.  This will serve as our verse for the day.

 

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]  - Amplified Bible

 

Consider these words and those of Psalm 37 below as you think about how your world works.  May you find the answers to the questions through faith and trust in Christ in the coming year.  May He keep you in perfect peace because your mind is stayed, set on Jesus Christ.  As the Amplified Bible challenges us, "take courage, be confident, certain, undaunted", don't fret or be envious of others but commit your way, trust, and find rest in the Lord.

 

As you head into the new year, why not make spending more time in God's Word one of your, perhaps your foremost priority.  Charles Spurgeon wrote, "The prayerful study of the Word is not only a means of instruction--but an act of devotion wherein the transforming power of grace is often exercised, changing us into the image of Christ, of whom the Word is a mirror.

Within the Scripture, there is a balm for every wound, a salve for every sore. Oh, the wondrous power in the Scripture to create a heart of hope, within the ribs of despair! Amidst sharp and strong temptations, and fierce and bitter trials, the Word of the Lord has preserved us. Amidst discouragements which damped our hopes, and disappointments which wounded our hearts, our Bibles have brought us a secret, unconquerable consolation."

 

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

Ps 37:1-9
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.

 

3 Trust in the Lord, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

 

5 Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.

 

7 Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret — it only causes harm.

 

NKJV