Verse of the Day 1/31

Through the Bible - Isaiah 26-27, Mark 6:30-56

 

Good morning,

The other day I read the following quote from "Of First Importance" - www.firstimportance.org

 

"The measure of our new self in Christ—the renewed mind—is the degree to which we look away from ourselves to Christ as our treasure. If Christ is more to you, you are more. If Christ is less to you, you are less. Your measure rises and falls with your measure of him. Your valuing him is the value that you have. Your esteeming him is the esteem that you have. Your treasuring him is the treasure that you are."— John Piper

For today's verse we'll go to Luke 12 where Jesus tells us what is revealed in what we treasure.

 

Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.   NLT

 

John Piper's quote combines the thoughts of "treasure" and "measure".  What we treasure will be evident in how much it occupies our thoughts.  Are we consumed by things and the thoughts of achieving or accumulating more of what we will some day lose or throw away?

 

Some years ago 4 Him had a song that came to mind, "The Measure of a Man"

 

Oh, I say the measure of a man
Is not how tall you stand
How wealthy or intelligent you are
'Cause I've found out the measure of a man
God knows and understands
For He looks inside to the bottom of your heart
And what's in the heart defines
The measure of a man

 

If God were to look inside to the bottom of your heart (by the way, He already knows) what would He find, what would you find?

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

 

Luke 12:29-35

 

29 "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind.  30 For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things.  31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

 

32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.  34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   NKJV

Verse of the Day - weekend 1/29

Through the Bible - Isaiah 22-25, Mark 5:21- 6:29

 

Good morning,

It's hard to believe that we're almost a month into the year.  A month ago we were in that period of time between Christmas and New Years, it was an in-between time for many reasons.  Christmas had passed and New Years awaited.  Schools and many businesses were closed down.  Many people took vacation days.  For those that worked, the offices were quieter than normal.

 

There are many in between times in our lives.  Time between jobs and or ministries.   Times between schools, between relationships, between engagement periods and weddings.  We will experience times between illness and health, times of healing.  These are all times that can be filled with tension, anxiety,fears and uncertainties.  They can also be times of hope, joy, and love.  Often it depends on us and what we do during those times, Who we turn to.

 

Jesus Christ came and we as Christians await the time of His return.  Our lives are lived in the meantime in the in between time.

 

1 John 4:17-18 (New International Version, ©2011)  This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Whenever I read these verses I think of the Matt Redman song "Never Let Go", especially the lines:

 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I'm caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won't turn back I know you are near

This comes from faith, believing with your heart and soul, having a "Blessed Assurance" (another Fanny Crosby hymn).  It involves "watching and waiting, looking above" during the in-between times.

 

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood    Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest, Watching and waiting, looking above, Filled with His goodness, lost in His love Refrain: This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long.   Praise Him this weekend in these in-between times.

 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

1 John 4:12-19 (New King James Version)

Seeing God Through Love

   
¹² No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. ¹³ By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. ¹⁵ Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

The Consummation of Love   
¹⁷ Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. ¹⁹ We love Him because He first loved us.

Verse of the Day 1/28

Through the Bible - Isaiah 17-19, Mark 5:1-20

 

Good morning,

I ended yesterday's devotional with the song "Keep Believing".  I wanted to pick up on one line - "your hope's not gone, it's just been too long, since you had to believe".  Sometimes its those storms in life that bring us to what Henry Blackaby referred to as a crisis of belief.  It may be a point of turning from God or turning to Him, for good, once and for all.  It is the one's who will believe that will receive the gifts of mercy and grace by which Christian peace is obtained.

 

The Old Testament reading plan above is currently going through the book of Isaiah.  One of my favorite verses (there are many favorites found there) from that book is Isaiah 26:3:

 

Isa 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace
him whose mind is steadfast,
because he trusts in you.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.   NIV

Jesus was a picture of perfect peace in yesterday's passage.  While the storm was raging He was able sleep in the stern of the boat.

For today's verse we'll move forward to Mark 5 to find someone else who was showed mercy then exhibited the grace and peace in his life.  The demoniac had been tormented by demons for years, Jesus restored his sanity.

 

Mark 5:19 And he did not permit him but said to him, "Go home to your friends and  tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."  20 And he went away and began to proclaim in  the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.    ESV

It's hard to imagine what it would be like to be tormented by 2000 voices in your head.  Sometimes we can feel tormented in our storms with all of the voices of "woulda, shoulda, and coulda".  Jesus can deliver us from all of these if we keep our minds focused and set on Him.

 

Read through the story in Mark 5.  Once again Mark describes the scene with "immediately".  As soon as he gets out of the boat Jesus is confronted by this demon possessed man.  He shows HIs perfect peace once again. 

 

Consider the value of a tormented soul.  2000 pigs would have carried a lot of value, would have meant a lot to the local economy.  What a sight it must have been on the seashore.  The people were so taken back that they asked Jesus to leave.  The event impacted them in a negative way.  All this for the sake of one lunatic?

 

The demoniac couldn't be kept quiet.  He went out to proclaim what Jesus had done for him to the region of Decapolis, ten cities.  He couldn't keep quiet about what a difference, what a change Jesus had made in his life, and everyone marvelled.  How many do you think may have been impacted?  Keep in mind the importance of one as you read through the gospels, especially Luke 15.

 

What difference has He made in your life?  How has He shown you mercy?  What storms, what tormenting voices have been calmed or cast out?

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
Mark 5:1-21

 

5  They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.  2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3  He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and  fell down before him. 7 And  crying out with a loud voice, he said, "What have you to do with me, Jesus,  Son of  the Most High God?  I adjure you by God, do not torment me." 8 For he was saying to him, "Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!"  9 And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is  Legion, for we are many." 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, "Send us to the pigs; let us enter them." 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea.

 

14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had  the legion, sitting there,  clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And  they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, "Go home to your friends and  tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."  20 And he went away and began to proclaim in  the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.   ESV

Verse of the Day 1/27

Through the Bible - Isaiah 14-16, Mark 4:21-41

 

Good morning,

A while back I suggested reading a Psalm every morning.  This morning I read Psalm 121 as well as the passage in Mark (above).  I had never thought of the two together but, as most often is the case, the scriptures fit together.

Psalm 121 starts off with:

 

Ps 121: 1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!  NLT

 

Verse one shows us that it is not in God's creation that we find help, we find our help in the Lord, the creator of the heavens and the earth, displayed in the majesty of the mountains.

 

As mentioned a few days ago, the book of Mark goes at a fast pace, most of the passages are condensed, events are reduced down to a few verses in a remarkable way.  The power and majesty still come through.  For today's verse we'll go to one of the instances in scripture where Jesus calms the sea.

 

Mark 4:38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 And he awoke and  rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and  there was a great calm.  ESV

There are many events in our lives that come upon us all of a sudden.  These come in the form of accidents, illnesses, the loss of a job and many others.  Sometimes we'll feel like the disciples, that Jesus is with us but He must be asleep in the stern or at the wheel so to speak.  But if we keep believing and seek Him, He does have the power to calm the storm, to heal, to restore, and to transform.  When He does calm the storm, we will look back, like the disciples and ask Mark 4:41 "Who then is this, that even  wind and sea obey him?"   ESV

The challange for us, when troubles arise, is to keep believing.  Read the words to the song Keep Believing, written by Tim Pedigo and sung by the Gaither Vocal Band.

 

When troubles rise and catch you unaware

This day to day of living seems unfair

And you try again at dreams and plans

That end up in defeat

And the fancy thrills that once fulfilled

Now leave you incomplete

And you consider where your life went wrong

And why you can't find peace

Your hope's not gone - its just been too long

Since you had to believe

 

Keep believing in what you know is true

Keep believing, you know the Lord will see you through

When troubles rise in your life

And you don't know what to do

You'll be fine if you just keep believing

 

You can take Him at His word

He is faithful kind and true

Not a prayer will go unanswered

In His time He'll see you through.

 

 

Are you facing a storm today?  Keep believing, turn to the creator of the heavens and the earth; who is also the author and finisher of our faith.

 

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
Mark 4:35-5:1

 

Jesus Calms a Storm

 

35  On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side."  36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves  were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39 And he awoke and  rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and  there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, "Why are you  so afraid? Have you still no faith?"  41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another,  "Who then is this, that even  wind and sea obey him?"   ESV

Verse of the Day 1/26

Through the Bible - Isaiah 11-13, Mark 4:1-20

 

Good morning,

This past Sunday our Pastor Bob mentioned that one of his favorite authors and theologians was John Stott who had been recognized as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.  Earlier this week I read the following quote from John Stott.

"Every time we look a the cross Christ seems to say to us, 'I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.' Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is there, at the foot of the cross, that we shrink to our true size. "  - John Stott

For today's verse we'll go to Galatians 6 for the Apostle Paul's view of the cross.  It was far more than jewelry to be hung around the neck.

 

Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.   NKJV

John Stott's heart and devotion were shown in his writings and in his life.  The lives of John Stott and others back to the Apostle Paul, as we see here in Galatians,  showed that they were continually looking to the cross where Christ is elevated and the inflated view of ourselves is deflated.

 

Fanny Crosby captured the message and put it to words in her hymn "Near the Cross".

 

Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary's mountain.

Refrain

In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.

 

Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.

Refrain

Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o'er me.

Refrain

Near the cross I'll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.

 

May that be the condition of our heart, hoping, trusting ever in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross and in nothing that this world has to offer.

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Gal 6:11-15 - Glory only in the Cross

11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!

12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
NKJV

Verse of the Day 1/25

Through the Bible - Isaiah 9-10, Mark 3:20-35

 

Good morning,

The New Testament read through the Bible plan (above) has moved into the book of Mark.  Many scholars believe that it was the first of the gospels to be written.  It is the shortest of the gospels and can be read in about an hour and a half.  It moves at a fast pace which is highlighted by the word "immediately" which is used in this book more than in the other three gospels combined.  It could be shared among the churches by which the gospel, the message of Jesus could be proclaimed to the world.

For today's verse we'll go back to chapter one where Jesus begins His ministry.

 

Mark 1:14-15 (Amplified Bible)  Now after John was arrested and put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom of God,  ¹⁵And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).

 

You could picture Mark summing it up this way in a few words:

 

Mark 1:14-15 (The Message)  After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: "Time's up! God's kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message."

 The kingdom of God was at hand, His sovereign rule of salvation would come into the hearts of man at that time and into the future, to the present, to eternity.  That is good news, good news that was to be shared in spreading the gospel of Mark then, and in spreading His story today, across the street or around the world.  Change your life and believe the message..

 

We've a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.
Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright;
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.

We've a message to give to the nations,
that the Lord who reigneth above
hath sent us his Son to save us,
and show us that God is love,
and show us that God is love.

 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Mark 1:14-15 (English Standard Version)

Jesus Begins His Ministry

 ¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, ¹⁵and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."

Verse of the Day 1/24

Through the Bible - Isaiah 7-8, Mark 3:1-19

 

Good morning,   

The men's small group that I'm in has been going through the gospel of Luke.  We are currently in Luke 5 where we have the call of Matthew (Levi).  He was a tax collector a profession that was thought of as being worse than the "average sinner".  You might equate it to organized crime today or corruption at the very least.

 

His call, and Jesus' spending time and going to his house infuriated the Pharisees.

 

For today's verse we'll go to Luke 5 for Jesus response to the Pharisees.

   

Luke 5:31-32 (English Standard Version)  And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance."

 

The religious establishment had no need for Jesus, no need for repentance (in their own eyes).  In their opinion, they were in the right and Jesus was upsetting the applecart, breaking the rules by meeting and having fellowship with these known scoundrels.

 

Jesus stated that He came to call sinners to repentance.  Commentator Henry Wansbrough writes that "he came not just to call sinners, but to call sinners to repentance.  The Greek word means 'a change of mind set'.  It consists in the adoption of a whole new set of values.  This is illustrated by the abandonment of such conventional ways to holiness as fasting; Jesus wants to emphasize the joy of coming to Him."

 

Like Abraham in the Old Testament, Matthew was asked to leave everything and follow Him, a total change, total repentance.

 

Wansbrough offered the following prayer in repsonse to that concept.

 

"Lord grant me to re-examine my values, the ways in which I think I am seeking you.  Lead me to a true conversion, so that my whole way of life flows from the joy of your kingship."

 

The pharisees thought they were seeking God.  Do we need some correction in the ways we "think" we are seeking God, are we willing to amend our ways, to come to Him and follow Him?

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Luke 5:29-32 (Amplified Bible)

²⁹And Levi (Matthew) made a great banquet for Him in his own house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others who were reclining [at the table] with them.

    ³⁰Now the Pharisees and their scribes were grumbling against Jesus' disciples, saying, Why are you eating and drinking with tax collectors and [preeminently] sinful people?

    ³¹And Jesus replied to them, It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick.

    ³²I have not come to arouse and invite and call the righteous, but the erring ones (those not free from sin) to repentance [to change their minds for the better and heartily to amend their ways, with abhorrence of their past sins].

Verse of the Day 1/22

Through the Bible - Isaiah 3-4, Mark 1:22-45

 

Good morning,

Most of you know our son Jeffrey suffered a TBI in an accident when he was 16.  He is now 28, is still disabled, but has the most joy of anyone I know.  He coined a phrase that I'll cherish as long as I live, saying, "hope is my favorite thing to have".

For today's verse we'll go to a verse and passage that tell us where we can find this kind of hope.

 

Romans 15:4 (Amplified Bible)  For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope.

Paul says here that the scriptures, the Bible was written that we might hold fast and cherish this hope.

 

Regarding this hope in verse 4, John Piper writes, " it's one of the most important verses in the Bible about the role of the Bible in your life. He says, in effect, all right, I have quoted Scripture to illustrate the love of Christ. You think that strange? Well, I can tell you do! So I will pause here, in the middle of my exhortation about what love looks like between the weak and the strong, and tell you why I argue like this. I will tell you why I saturate my Scripture with Scripture. Here it is. This is Paul's explicit statement that the Scriptures are for awakening and sustaining hope which sustains joy which sustains endurance which sustains love.

 

He says, "For [that word "for" signals that he is giving the basis for why he just quoted the Scriptures] whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Now this is even more astonishing than the fact that Paul quoted Scripture to illustrate the love of Christ. Here it says something so sweeping about the Old Testament that it should set you to reading your Bible vigilantly all year long. He says, all of it—all of it—is written to waken and sustain your hope."

 

Piper continues, " This is especially needed at times of great pleasure when you are tempted to hope in this world, and times of great suffering when you are tempted to think that God's sovereignty is not believable, and therefore the ground of your hope is gone. Reading your Bible has great hope-preserving power at times like these." http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/use-the-inspired-scriptures-to-rejoice-in-hope

 

Do you need hope today?  Find it in God's Word, read it, memorize it, prayerfully.

Read these few lines from Fanny Crosby's hymn "Praise Him, Praise Him" as you prepare to worship this weekend.

 

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
For our sins He suffered, and bled, and died.
He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation,
Hail Him! Hail Him! Jesus the Crucified.

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Romans 15:1-4 (English Standard Version)

The Example of Christ

 ¹ We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ² Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me." ⁴For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Verse of the Day 1/21

Through the Bible - Isaiah 1-2, Mark 1:1-22

 

Good morning,

You've probably heard the saying "don't get mad, get even".  Hopefully you are not one who endorses that philosophy.

For today's verse we'll return to Romans chapter 12 for another "True Mark of a Christian", not repaying evil for evil, but being above reproach, doing what is honest, proper and noble.

 

Romans 12:17-18 (Amplified Bible)  Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone.

    ¹⁸If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

or from The Message:

Romans 12:17-18 (The Message)  Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."
 

Verse 18 sums it up, "if possible... live at peace with all men".  It is not always possible because it depends on others attitudes and responses.  But we can avoid doing things to provoke others.

 

From Barnes Notes commentary, "This command (to live at peace ) doubtless extends to everything connected with strife; and means that we are not to "provoke" them to controversy, or to prolong it when it is commenced; see Ps 34:14; Matt 5:9,39-41; Heb 12:14. If all Christians would follow this command, if they would never "provoke" to controversy, if they would injure no man by slander or by unfair dealing, if they would compel none to prosecute them in law by lack of punctuality in payment of debts or honesty in business, if they would do nothing to irritate, or to prolong a controversy when it is commenced, it would put an end to no small part of the strife that exists in the world."  (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database)

We are called to live "above reproach" are we willing to live above the fray?  Let's not take our cues from the political arena of the day but instead try to bring peace to situations in our lives.  Rom. 15:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NASB

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Rom 12:9-21

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.

10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;

11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,

13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

20 "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.   NASB

Verse of the Day 1/20

Through the Bible - Genesis 49-50, Romans 16

 

Good morning,

I enjoy many types of music from classical rock, to hymns, to bluegrass, to contemporary Christian.  If you've ever gone to a symphony or even a high school band performance and heard the warm up, you hear chaos.  Everyone playing their own note on their own instrument.  What a difference it makes when all of the instruments are being played to the same tune in the proper timing led by the conductor.  Everyone is in harmony.

 

We'll continue on in Romans 12 this morning with the "Marks of a True Christian".  The marks in today's verses may be some of the hardest ones to put into and keep in practice.  They are a stark contrast to our hearts normal reaction.

 

Romans 12:14-16 (The Message) Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

or from the ESV

 

Romans 12:14-16 (English Standard Version)  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

 

Think for a few minutes of the political and sports arenas.  Do you see this kind of reaction between the victors and losers?  If they are professing Christians, you should.

 

Take a look at your own life, perhaps when you've been up for a promotion and didn't get it, perhaps when you got a promotion and someone else didn't .  What was your reaction compared to that of the other person? 

 

Pastor and author John Piper writes, "God is calling you in this text to be a different kind of person. Not one who wants your adversary to have trouble, but one who wants your adversary to be blessed. And remember that this is radical inner change, not superficial external change. The issue is what you feel in your heart, not just what you do with your fists or your words. "Bless, don't curse" means "from the heart want things to go well with them, both now and forever."
 

Putting these verses into practice will be difficult, but they will be noticed, and may reveal a transformation.   Putting them into practice will bring about harmony.  May it be known where that change, that harmony came from.

 

To be in tune, tune in on Jesus Christ and His life.

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Romans 12:9-21 (New Living Translation)

 ⁹ Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. ¹¹ Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. ¹² Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. ¹³ When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

 ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!

 ¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. ¹⁸ Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

 ¹⁹ Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

   "I will take revenge;
      I will pay them back,"
      says the Lord.

 ²⁰ Instead,

   "If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
      If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
   In doing this, you will heap
      burning coals of shame on their heads."

 ²¹ Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Verse of the Day 1/19

Through the Bible - Genesis 46-48, Romans 15:14-33

 

Good morning,

We are considering "the true marks of a Christian" in Romans 12.

 

In  "The Centrality of the Gospel", Author Timothy Keller writes , "The main problem in the Christian life is that we have not thought out the deep implications of the gospel, we have not 'used' the gospel in and on all parts of our life."

 

For today's verses we'll continue in Romans 12:

Romans 12:11-13 (English Standard Version)  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. ¹³ Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

 

or from The Message:

 

Romans 12:11-13 (The Message)  Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 

 

Being burned out comes from running out of energy, you've used up your supply.  Back in verse 2 we were told that we are transformed by the renewing of your mind.  The renewing is a continuing process.  As we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, He will provide renew that energy that will allow us to be "fervent" in spirit.  To be fervent is to literally "boil" in spirit.  Water doesn't do much for rice unless it reaches the boiling point and stays there.  When it does, the rice is changed as well.

 

If we are fervent in spirit, it will show, as Timothy Keller points out, in all parts of our life.  We will be able to "rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, contribute to the needs of the saints, and be inventive in hospitality."

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Romans 12:9-21 (The Message)

 ^9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

 ^11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

 ^14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

 ^17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

 ^20-21Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Verse of the Day 1/18

Through the Bible - Genesis 43-45, Romans 15:1-13

 

Good morning,

Yesterday's verse teaches us that if we are to be transformed, changed, it is something that happens from the inside out, it starts with the renewing of the mind.  We should keep that in mind as we spend time looking at some other verses from Romans 12 this week.  The heading for the passage is "Behave Like a Christian" in the NKJV and "Marks of the True Christian" in the ESV.

 

We'll start with verses 9 and 10, I'll post it in the ESV and The Message.

 

Romans 12:9-10 (English Standard Version)  ⁹ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor

 

Romans 12:9-10 (The Message)   ^9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

 

Love is the foundation, it is to be genuine, not fake.  It comes from our core the center of who we are.  It is a steadfast, loyal love.  We are to love one another with this kind of love.  It is not something that comes naturally, it comes from a renewed heart a renewed mind, one that first of all loves God.

 

The ESV in verse 10 says "outdo one another in showing honor".  Most of us must admit that we like to be honored, whether it be as a parent, in school, the workplace or as a friend.  The verse encourage us to 'outdo' one another in this, not looking for equality, but trying to outdo the other person in showing honor, respect.  Do you want to make a difference?  Try outdoing someone in honor today.

 

Matthew 22:37-39 (English Standard Version)  And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Romans 12:9-18 (The Message)

 ^9-10Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

 ^11-13Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

 ^14-16Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

 ^17-19Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

Verse of the Day 1/17

Through the Bible - Genesis 41-42, Romans 14

 

Good morning,

Our Pastor Bob's message this weekend had to do with the power of prayer.  One of the key verses in his sermon was Colassians 4:2:

Colossians 4:2 (Amplified Bible)²Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.

 

Following this prescription for our lives will lead to a transformed life.  For today's verse we'll go to Romans 12, and Lord willing, we'll stay there for a few days to learn a little about Christian behavior, of which prayer is an important component part.

Romans 12:2 (New International Version, ©2010)   Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 If you are looking to have your life transformed, try spending more time in His Word, in prayer, and acting upon what has moved you while doing so.

Matthew 6:5 introduces the section on the Lord's Prayer.  It starts out with "when you pray", not if you pray.

 

When God's People Pray -  Wayne Watson

When God's people pray,
and take the pains of earth to the doors of heaven.
When God's people pray,
there is hope reborn, there is sin forgiven.
And merely 'cos you can't explain a way.
When God' people pray...

Hopeless situation turns around,
dilema passes by and by.
Look, there's a never-ending field of blue!
past your clouded sky.

He alone can know the need in me
before a single word begins;
The Holy Spirit intercedes for me.
I will trust in Him!

He will not turn away when His people pray.

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Romans 12 (New King James Version)

Living Sacrifices to God

 ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts

   
³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Verse of the Day - weekend 1/15

Through the Bible - Genesis 36-40, Roman 12-13

 

Good morning,

For this weekend's verses we'll continue with the theme of "all things" in the Bible and Paul's writings in particular.

 

Col 1:19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and 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.   NIV

Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the church, He has the power, the authority over every part of it.  Just as He holds "all things" together (v.18), He reconciles "all things" to Himself.  Reconcile is an accounting term.  You call an accountant in to "reconcile" the books.  Christ makes all things right, He clears the book of our lives from the guilt of sin and puts us in a right relationship with God having made peace with the Father through His shed blood.

 

May His Word and the power of the Spirit in our lives keep us mindful of that, keep us near the cross, finding peace, healing, mercy, and rest in all things, all seasons of our lives.

 

Jesus, keep me near the cross;
there a precious fountain,
free to all, a healing stream,
flows from Calvary's mountain.
Refrain:
In the cross, in the cross,
be my glory ever,
till my raptured soul shall find
rest beyond the river.

 Near the cross, a trembling soul,
love and mercy found me;
there the bright and morning star
sheds its beams around me. 

 Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
bring its scenes before me;
help me walk from day to day
with its shadow o'er me.
(Refrain)

Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
hoping, trusting ever,
till I reach the golden strand
just beyond the river.

Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

 

34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?"
35 'Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?"

 

36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.    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 1:15-24

 

The Preeminence of Christ

 

15  He is the image of  the invisible God,  the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created,  in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether  thrones or  dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created  through him and for him. 17 And  he is before all things, and in him all things  hold together. 18 And  he is the head of the body, the church. He is  the beginning,  the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For  in him all the  fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and  through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven,  making peace  by the blood of his cross.

 

21  And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind,  doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled  in his body of flesh by his death,  in order to present you holy and blameless and  above reproach before him, 23  if indeed you continue in the faith,  stable and steadfast, not shifting from  the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed  in all creation under heaven,  and of which I, Paul, became a minister.   ESV

Verse of the Day 1/14

Through the Bible - Genesis 33-35, Romans 11:19:36

 

Good morning,

I ended yesterday's devotional with a few lines from Matt Redman's "Never Let Go", I'll start with some of those words today.  "I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on".  Think about that for a minute as you consider those who have held on through the ages.  If you are reading in Genesis, Noah, Abraham, Jacob and soon Joseph come to mind for starters.

 

I saw a picture in Pastor Ray Ortlund's blog yesterday, the theme was "I will help you".   I couldn't paste the picture, but you can go to the blog and see it.   http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2011/01/12/i-will-help-you/  It is a picture of Daniel in the lion's den.

 

The reason that we have confidence, that we can see the light that is coming, is that we believe in the one who is over "all things".  Yesterday in Romans 8, the "all things" theme was repeated 3 times in the passage.  In today's verses from Colossians 1 those words are repeated 3 times in these verses alone.

 

Col 1: 16 For by him all things were created,  in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether  thrones or  dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created  through him and for him. 17 And  he is before all things, and in him all things  hold together.    ESV

Have you ever been in a situation, in a crisis where it seemed that one person held everything together?  In reality it is God that holds everything together.  He puts people like Joseph in places where they will hold things together.  They way they got there may not have been pleasant at the time, but they saw the light that was coming.  They trusted, they followed and they served God.

 

Perhaps you've been or will be the person that holds things together at some point in your life.  If so, it is because the one who created all things and is over all things has put you there for that time and for that purpose.

 

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We'll live to know You here on the earth

As you read and study the Bible this year, when you see the words "all things" in the Bible, especially in Paul's writings, dig into the passage a little deeper.  Think about the significance and how it applies to your life.

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 1:15-23

 

The Preeminence of Christ

 

15  He is the image of  the invisible God,  the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created,  in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether  thrones or  dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created  through him and for him. 17 And  he is before all things, and in him all things  hold together. 18 And  he is the head of the body, the church. He is  the beginning,  the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For  in him all the  fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and  through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven,  making peace  by the blood of his cross.

 

21  And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind,  doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled  in his body of flesh by his death,  in order to present you holy and blameless and  above reproach before him, 23  if indeed you continue in the faith,  stable and steadfast, not shifting from  the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed  in all creation under heaven,  and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
ESV

Verse of the Day 1/13

Through the Bible - Genesis 31-32, Romans 11:1-18

 

Good morning,

You've all probably heard the saying "life is hard, but God is good".  I recently read Romans 8 and had been thinking of the "all things" statements in the chapter.  The Daily Bread devotional for today was from Romans 8 and pointed out that Paul "summarized his ministry and autobiography" in one sentence in verse 35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? " - ESV
His answer to his own question was that "in all these things we are conquerors through Him who loves us."  He goes on to describe the scope of this in the following verses will be our verses for today.

 

Rom 8:38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.   ESV

As we grow older we will experience more trials on our own and see many hardships in the lives of those around us, whether it be job loss, personal illness or illnesses of friends and family, or even persecution for holding to what you believe.  Paul could be the spokesman for the "life is hard but God is good" club.

 

James Smith wrote,

 

"We are to walk by faith--not by sight.

We are to trust His heart--when we cannot see His hand!

We are to believe Him--when we cannot understand His mysterious workings!

The Lord is now working in nature, providence, and grace--and He does many things which we do not understand at present. But when His work is complete, and it lies stretched out before us in the light of eternity--we shall then . . .
  comprehend His design,
  admire His wisdom, and
  adore His divine workings!

Beloved, is God cleansing you by fiery trials, or causing you to pass through deep waters? Are you at a loss to know what His design is, or where the present affliction will end?

Be still. Wait His time.

There is a divine working time--which is the present;
and there is a divine revealing time--which is to come.

The wisest Christians are often in the dark now--but the simplest Christians will see all things clearly by and by.

A little more patience, a little more faith--and all will end well."

Verses 38 and 39 point back to the confidence that Paul expressed in verse 28.  "And we know that for those who love God all things work together  for good, for  those who are called according to his purpose. "  ESV

 

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You
- Matt Redman - "Never Let Go"

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
Rom 8:31-39

 

God's Everlasting Love

 

31 What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us? 32  He who did not spare his own Son but  gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect?  It is God who justifies. 34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised— who is at the right hand of God,  who indeed is interceding for us.  35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

 

 "For your sake  we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

 

37 No, in all these things we are more than  conquerors through  him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.     ESV

Verse of the Day 1/12

Through the Bible - Genesis 29-30, Romans 10

 

Good morning,

Yesterday we considered that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.

 

In John chapter 9 Jesus heals a blind man.  Try to picture what it must have been like to be blind and suddenly be able to see.  The blind man in the story had to feel gratitude as happiness doubled by wonder as described yesterday by Chesterton.  What was the response of the man?  He worshipped.

 

John 9:35  Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in  the Son of Man?"  36 He answered,  "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and  it is he who is speaking to you."  38 He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.  ESV

The Pharisees were incensed by the fact that the man had been healed on the Sabbath and the "cast him out".  Jesus took Him in.  The result of all of this was that the man worshipped Him, worshipped God.

Charles Spurgeon writes, "this proves how his faith had grown.  I should ask you who are the people of God when you are happiest ..... my happiest moments are when I am worshipping God, really adoring the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a memorable moment it was when this man worshipped God."

 

We often think of worship of something we do on Sunday.  But true worship is something that should be done any time we are truly happy in Christ, when we are grateful, when we step back in wonder of what a great God it is that we serve and so loves us.  Bringing hope out of despair.

 

O how He loves you and me
O how He loves you and me
He gave His life, what more could He give?

O how He loves you
O how He loves me
O how He loves you and me

Jesus to Calvary did go
His love for mankind to show
What He did there brought hope from despair

 

Oh how He loves you and me.  May we worship Him for it.

n 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
John 9:24-41

 

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him,  "Give glory to God. We know that  this man is a sinner." 25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I  was blind, now I see." 26 They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He answered them,  "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?" 28 And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but  we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man,  we do not know where he comes from." 30 The man answered, "Why, this is  an amazing thing!  You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that  God does not listen to sinners, but  if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33  If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34 They answered him,  "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they  cast him out.

 

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in  the Son of Man?"  36 He answered,  "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and  it is he who is speaking to you."  38 He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said,  "For judgment I came into this world,  that those who do not see may see, and  those who see may become blind."  40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him,  "Are we also blind?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind,  you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.
ESV

Verse of the Day 1/11

Through the Bible - Genesis 27-28, Romans 9:16-33

 

Good morning,

Over the past day or so, much of the deep south has been blanketed by a layer of snow.  It interrupts the normal flow of life for many.  Schools close, stores run low on milk and bread, people stay home, and many activities grind, or slide to a halt.  Many hate the snow and can't wait for things to return to normal.  Others, especially kids relish it and thank God for it.

 

G.K. Chesterton wrote these words, " I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

 

Happiness doubled by wonder.  Think about that for a minute.  Are there things in your life that bring you happiness doubled by wonder?  The phrase is a great way of describing what our attitude should be towards God for saving  us, redeeming us.

For today's verse we'll go to Romans 5 to a few verses which should bring us happiness doubled by wonder.

 

Rom 5:7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but  God shows his love for us in that  while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  ESV

Does the thought of what Christ has done for you bring you joy, happiness?  Do you stand back in wonder at why He would do so much for us?

 

There's the wonder at sunset at evening

The wondrous sunrise I see

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is the wonder that God loves me

 

CHORUS

The wonder of it all

The wonder of it all

Just to think that God loves me

Oh the wonder of it all

The wonder of it all

Just to think that God loves me

   

There's the wonder of spring time and harvest

The sky, the stars, the sun

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is the wonder that's only begun

 

We should experience wonder as we look at the beauty of the snow and other things of God's creation.  But the wonder of wonders is to realize that this God loves us.

 

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
Rom 5:1-11

 

Peace with God Through Faith

 

5  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,  we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also  obtained access by faith into this grace  in which we stand, and  we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 More than that, we  rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering  produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and  hope does not put us to shame, because God's love  has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

 

6 For  while we were still weak, at the right time  Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but  God shows his love for us in that  while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore,  we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from  the wrath of God. 10 For if  while we were enemies  we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by  his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received  reconciliation.
ESV

Verse of the Day 1/10

Through the Bible - Genesis 25-26, Romans 9:1-15   

 

Good morning,

Our Pastor Bob's message this weekend was titled "Full Devotion".   I read the following quote this morning and it tied in well with that thought as well as the verses quoted yesterday from Colossians 2..

 

"If Jesus is who he says he is, and if his promises are as rewarding as the Bible claims they are, then we may discover that satisfaction in our lives and success in the church are not found in what culture deems most important but in radical abandonment to Jesus."— David Platt

For today's verse we'll return to Colossians 2, this time from the ESV.

Colossians 2:6-7 (English Standard Version) Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

 

Receiving Jesus Christ the Lord, as Lord, is accepting and acknowledging Him as Lord of your life.  This may be perceived as radical abandonment, as being a fanatic to those who don't know Him as Lord.

Commentator Marcus Maxwell writes that the Colossians, that we, "have to walk, to live out their (and our) lives, but they have been given the basis for that life by God.  He has rooted, built up and established them in the faith.  This happened (and continues to happen) on receipt of the teaching that is contained in the gospel."

 

Read the verses and the passage again.  Think about them today.  Hold them up to your life.  If you've wandered, may you return to Christ and be rooted, built up and established in the faith, just as you were taught.

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

Colossians 2  ESV

 ¹For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

Alive in Christ

 ⁶ Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.