Verse of the Day 3/23

Through the Bible - Proverbs 1-2, 1 Corinthians 14:20-40

 

Good morning,

Our churches middle and high school youth groups are going through a series "Grow Up".  Its goal is to help the students grow in their faith.  I help with the 8th grade boys, a great group of kids.  This past weekend everyone was given a blank booklet.  It was to be used for journaling, jotting down some significant (or not so significant) things in their daily lives.  For many if not most of them, it is probably the first time that they have considered journaling. 

 

For today's verse we'll go to Exodus 17:

 

Ex 17:14 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."

 

15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the Lord. The  Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."   NIV

John MacArthur notes that this was the very first battle that the Israelites as a nation faced an enemy in battle since the exodus from Egypt.  God had ordained it.  The account was to be written down for the people of the time to be able to look back on and for generations to follow to know that "The Lord is my Banner".

 

Yesterday's "Today in the Word" devotional was in Nehemiah 6 where the Israelites were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, together, against strong opposition.

 

Neh 6:9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done." But now, O God, strengthen my hands.  ESV

If you haven't tried journaling why not consider it, especially if you're trying to grow or rebuild your spiritual life.  Jot down the obstacles and battles you face.  Jot down the prayers that are brought to God.  May you be able to look back and realize that "The Lord is my Banner" and that He did and will strengthen your hands for His work.

 

"Our obedience to God doesn't just accomplish His work in our lives. It also testifies to others about His power and His faithfulness. If you've seen a spiritual "wall" completed in your life, share that story with others, and write it down in a spiritual journal so that you can remember the great work of God. Praise God that He specializes in strengthening His people to finish the good works to which He calls them! (see Eph. 2:10)." - from Today in the Word 3/22.

 

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

Read the passage from in Exodus 17:8-15.