Verse of the Day 3/11

Through the Bible - Deuteronomy 17-19, Mark 14:32-52

 

Good morning,

In yesterday's devotional I quoted the words to "Refiners Fire" which ended with the words "set apart for You my Master, ready to do your will".

 

Proverbs 9:10 tells us  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  NIV

Francis Chan, in his book "Crazy Love" said that for him "fear is no longer the word I use to describe how I feel about God.  Now I use words like reverrent intimacy.  I still fear God, and I pray that I always will....but for a long time, I narrowly focused on His fearsomeness to the exclusion of His great and abounding love."

 

Have you ever thought about just who does the setting apart?

For today's verse we'll go to Jeremiah chapter where the prophet brings it together, notice Who does the setting apart here.

 

Jer 1:4 The Lord gave me this message:

 

5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations."  NLT

Could it be that God has set you and I apart for Himself?

 

We may be tempted to think that maybe all of this pertained only to the life of Jeremiah or the other Old Testament prophets or Paul and the disciples in the New Testament.  But before you do so consider what Paul wrote to those in the church in Ephesus and conveys to us today.  Eph 2:10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

Have you felt that God is calling you to a deeper level of commitment to His Word and/or a ministry?  Don't dismiss it, Jeremiah tried to, but God had an answer for him  (v.6). , be ready.  Never feel that you are too young physically or spiritually to do His will, God will lead you and provide for you.

 

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
Jer 1:4-11

 

Jeremiah's Call and First Visions

 

4 The Lord gave me this message:

 

5 "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb.
Before you were born I set you apart
and appointed you as my prophet to the nations."

 

6 "O Sovereign Lord," I said, "I can't speak for you! I'm too young!"

 

7 The Lord replied, "Don't say, 'I'm too young,' for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. 8 And don't be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!" 9 Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said,

 

"Look, I have put my words in your mouth!
10 Today I appoint you to stand up
against nations and kingdoms.
Some you must uproot and tear down,
destroy and overthrow.
Others you must build up
and plant."  NLT