Verse of the Day 10/15

Through the Bible - Isaiah 59-61, 2 Thessalonians 1

 

Good morning,

I recently donated blood for the first time through the American Red Cross.  The other day I received a letter of thanks from them and a card indicating my blood type.  The letter and card informed meThat my blood type is O positive, making me a universal donor.  This blood type is in the highest demand because it is used so often in emergency situations where there may not be time to test the patient's blood type.  It told me that 1 pint of blood could save two or three lives.  It made me feel good about donating and I plan on doing it again.

 

Jesus, is the ultimate blood donor, His blood was truly universal.  It was through His shed blood, death, burial and resurrection that those who believe, trust in and cling to Him may have eternal life.  His blood has the power to save for eternity.  No need for another transfusion.

 

When I donated, I sat in a comfortable, reclining chair and afterwards was treated to a soft drink, cake, and cookies.  The whole process (being the first time) took about an hour and a half.

Christ shed His blood in beatings and suffering on the cross, while being struck, spit on, and despised with curses.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Colossians 1 where Paul describes what He has done for us.

Colossians 1:19-21 (New International Version)  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

What does this mean to you, how does it impact your life, your future, not only here and now but for eternity?  Has it, will it change how you live your life?

 

Consider the words of The Wonderful Cross from Chris Tomlin.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

If you were dying and in need of a transfusion you wouldn't turn it down would you.   Read the passage below from The Message which tells us "You don't walk away from a gift like that! " 

 

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

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

Colossians 1:19-21 (The Message)

 ^18-20He was supreme in the beginning and—leading the resurrection parade—he is supreme in the end. From beginning to end he's there, towering far above everything, everyone. So spacious is he, so roomy, that everything of God finds its proper place in him without crowding. Not only that, but all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.

 ^21-23You yourselves are a case study of what he does. At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message.