"Verse of the Day": May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/31

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 24-25, Matthew 17

Good morning,

One of the passages that we considered last week was the "great commission" from Matthew 28, specifically the call to "go and make disciples". The very last words that Jesus said in that passage were, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age". Jesus came as Immanuel, "God is with us". This concept is central to the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

This week, Lord willing, we'll go back to the book of Genesis and look at the "I am with you" statements that we have from various stages in Jacob's life. For today's verse we'll go to Genesis 28 where Jacob here's this message from God when he thought he was alone, but God was with him.

Genesis 28:15 (English Standard Version) ¹⁵Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Jacob had grown up with people around him. Now he was alone. This is when God first came to meet him.

J.M. Boice writes, "How precious it must have seemed as it came to Jacob in that den of a place, where he lay with the hedges for his curtains, the heavens for his canopy, the earth for his bed, stones for his pillows and God for his companion."

At some point we come to a point in our life where we come to what Henry Blackaby has called "a crisis of belief". They may occur at times of crisis, whether they be over an illness, a loss, a decision to be made or what path to take in the fork of the road. We may feel utterly alone as Jacob did, we may retreat from the comforts of our everyday surroundings to gather our thoughts and to call on God. For the believer, it is a time when we come to realize that no matter what God, is with us, now and always, even to the end of the age.

Think of the Bible characters that have exhibited this faith, this knowledge and applied it in their lives. Think of some of your friends that have testified of such heartfelt knowledge.

If you are in the "crisis mode" yourself, seek Him, may He speak those words to you in your heart and mind "I am with you".

Jacob took this to heart, and though the outward circumstances hadn't changed he could go forward and face the challenges in hope, in confidence, and in peace.

In Christ,
Mike

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Genesis 28:10-22 (English Standard Version)

Jacob's Dream

¹⁰Jacob left Beersheba and went toward Haran. ¹¹And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep. ¹²And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! ¹³And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. ¹⁴Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. ¹⁵Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." ¹⁶Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." ¹⁷And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

¹⁸So early in the morning Jacob took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar and poured oil on the top of it. ¹⁹He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. ²⁰Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, ²¹ so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God, ²²and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God's house. And of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you."

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Verse of the Day - weekend 5/27

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 17-21, Matthew 15

Good morning,

We concluded yesterday's devotional with "Trust and Obey". It did a good job of summarizing what we've been reading and considering the past few days. May it be our heart's desire, our goal to "walk with the Lord in the light of His Word" every day.

There are several people throughout the Bible that may come to mind that "walked that way", with David, perhaps being foremost. You see it in so many of his psalms, delighting in God's Word, treasuring it,delighting in it as his guide along life's path, its narrow way.

For today's verses we'll go to Psalm 40 where David acknowledges that it is God that has "opened" his ears and put this desire to follow in his heart.

Ps 40:6 Sacrifice and offering you have not desired,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, "Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart." ESV

Having open ears to hear is one thing, taking what you hear and keeping it, treasuring it in your heart will mean that you'll desire, you'll want to obey to take delight in being a "God follower".

Read the words to the Steven Curtis Chapman song "God Follower". May we have ears to hear like David, another song writer, who heard and heeded God's call "let me show you how to live."

A blinding flash of light falls down into the darkness
Slowly I notice strange new markings on the trail
The crimson drops are calling out to me come and follow
"I am the God who made you, let Me show you how to live"
And I cry...

I want to be a God follower
I want to go wherever He leads
I want to be a God follower
I want to walk the trail He's marked for me
And be a God follower
(More than anything)

And now I journey on with purpose and with passion
Just like a dead man who's been given breath again
And though this path can still grow dark with tears and sorrow
I know He will never leave me
So with everything I am I will say...

And when I reach God's place
I will look into His face
And then I'll look for you
Will I find you there?
Can you say with me...
I want to be a God follower

In Christ,
Mike

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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 40:1-11

40 I waited patiently for the Lord;he inclined to me and heard my cry.2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,out of the miry bog,and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.3 He put a new song in my mouth,a song of praise to our God.Many will see and fear,and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who makesthe Lord his trust,who does not turn to the proud,to those who go astray after a lie!5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;none can compare with you!I will proclaim and tell of them,yet they are more than can be told.
6 Sacrifice and offering you have not desired,but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offeringyou have not required.7 Then I said, "Behold, I have come;in the scroll of the book it is written of me:8 I desire to do your will, O my God;your law is within my heart."9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation;behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulnessfrom the great congregation. ESV

Friday, May 27, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/27

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 15-16, Matthew 14:22-36

Good morning,

The other day we considered times when we may have been away from God and how through various circumstances and trials he draws us back to Himself as we "grope" or "feel our way in the dark" for Him, that through this process we might find, come to realize that -" in him we live and move and have our being.' Acts 17:28

Yesterday we considered how God delights in those that do justice, love kindness, and humbly walk with Him. For today's verse we'll go to a familiar passage from Paul in Ephesians 2 where we are reminded where our salvation comes from and what saving faith leads to.

In verses 8 and 9 we are told God has given us salvation through faith as a gift.

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ESV

Today's verse follows immediately after these. It is often overlooked, but in actuality, shouldn't be separated from what was written before it.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ESV

Jesus has saved us that we might follow Him, walk with Him, find who we are by realizing "whose" we are.

Take a few minutes and think of the words to the old hymn "Trust and Obey".

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy with Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we'll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

In Christ,
Mike

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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
Eph 2:1-11

By Grace Through Faith

2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. NKJV

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/26

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 13-14, Matthew 14:1-21

Good morning,

I am sure that all of us know and may ourselves admit to being "people pleasers", doing things to be noticed in hope that it will improve your standing with an influential person. You can see it in the workplace, in politics, and yes, even in the church. The motivating force is that it will be noticed, not that it is just the right thing to do.

Recently, in a small group exercise about the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, the study guide referenced Clarence Jordan's comments on the verses. He writes that "the Beatitudes are not blessings pronounced on different kinds of people - the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, and so on. Rather, they are stages in the experience of only one class of people - the "poor in spirit" who are entering the kingdom and growing as children of God who bear the divine likeness as makers of peace among people."

These beatitudes aren't things that can be done to please God, but the person that embodies them, "walks the walk" does please him.

I was reading in Micah 6 this morning where we'll go for today's verse. The heading of the passage is "What does the Lord require?", the passage shows us that its not about trying to please God with things we do, but about pleasing God in how we live, how we walk, not thinking about being seen or noticed by others, by God. But God does see, and it pleases Him, does that make sense?

Mic 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? ESV

May we live today not trying to be "people pleasers" or even "God pleasers" trying to be noticed, but to do good, to be just, show kindness and mercy no matter if no one notices while not thinking highly of ourselves. May we be among the "poor in spirit" and walk humbly with our God today.

But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don't take yourself too seriously —
take God seriously. Micah 6:8 The Message

In Christ,
Mike

How can I stand up before God
and show proper respect to the high God?
Should I bring an armload of offerings
topped off with yearling calves?
Would God be impressed with thousands of rams,
with buckets and barrels of olive oil?
Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child,
my precious baby, to cancel my sin?

Attention! God calls out to the city!
If you know what's good for you, you'll listen.
So listen, all of you!
This is serious business. The Message

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/25

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 10-12, Matthew 13:31-58

Good morning,

I'm sure that we've all been through power outages at night where you are forced to "grope your way through the dark" until you can find a candle, flashlight or more recently a blackberry or i-phone to be able to see what is right in front of you. Even when your are in familiar surroundings it is easy to bump into or trip over something (like my shoes that I left in the middle of the floor) when no light is present.

For today's verse we'll go to the book of Acts where in chapter 17, Luke uses the words to describe how we find God, you "feel your way toward Him and find Him" (ESV). I'll post the verses from The Message

Acts 17:26-27 Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn't play hide-and-seek with us. He's not remote; he's near. We live and move in him, can't get away from him! The Message

Even though we may "grope for Him", He is always near, at our side. The things that leave us in the dark can be natural storms or they can be the storms of life. Sometimes the to come as one as in the recent tragedy of the tornado in Joplin. My heart goes out to those that have lost loved ones and seemingly everything they had in this world. It is during these times, especially, when we may grope or feel our way towards Him when in reality He is drawing us to Him.

My prayer today is that God, who has been our help in ages past would be our hope for the days ahead, for those in Joplin and wherever you are.

Prayerfully read the words to the Isaac Watts hymn "O God Our Help in Ages Past".

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

In Christ,
Mike

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription:

TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.

Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' 29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. 30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."
NKJV

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/24

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 7-9, Matthew 13:1-30

Good morning,

Last week we considered such things as answering God's call and "getting in the game". If we are Christians we are called that we might answer and get in the game. Though we might not be great evangelists and lead throngs to Christ, we are commissioned to go in the power that Christ provides us. For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 11 and the great commission which all starts with the word go.

Matt 28: 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. NKJV

Whether we are pastors, elders, small group leaders, Bible study leaders, teachers, friends and neighbors we are called to go. It may be next door and it may be on the other side of the world. Your ministry may involve one person, who knows where it will go from there.

I know I've shared this before but it has been on my mind for several days. Its the story of Edward Kimble? You're not familiar with him?

"He was a Sunday School teacher and shoe salesman who was deeply concern for a coworker named Dwight. One day, he mustered up the courage to talk to Dwight about his faith in Jesus Christ, and Dwight converted to Christianity on the spot. Dwight later became known as D. L. Moody, the greatest evangelist of his time. We don't know much about Edward Kimble, but we have heard quite a bit about D. L. Moody.

But the story doesn't end there. Years later, when Moody was preaching, a pastor named Frederick Meyer was deeply stirred. As a result of hearing Moody preach, he went into preaching himself. A college student named Wilbur Chapman became a follower of Christ as a result of listening to Meyer's preaching, and he later employed a young ball player to help him with his outreaches. That young boy's name was Billy Sunday. Billy Sunday, who became one of the most well-known evangelists of his day, went to Charlotte, North Carolina and preached. Afterward a group of businessmen asked Sunday if he would return, but when he was unable to, they found another lesser-known evangelist named Mordecai Hamm. On one of the last nights of Mordecai Hamm's evangelistic crusade, a tall, lanky dairy farmer came walking up the aisle. Most people just knew him as Billy Frank. Today we know him as Billy Graham.

Kimble reached Moody, who touched Meyer, who reached Chapman, who helped Sunday, who reached the businessmen in Charlotte, who invited Mordecai Hamm, who then reached Billy Graham. It all started with the simple witness of Edward Kimble, an unsung hero.' Greg Laurie - A New Beginning Read more:Honor unsung heroes, be one http://www.wnd.com/index.php?pageId=79012#ixzz1NGV06lBD

Are you still on the bench or are you in the game? You may say, but I'm not a home run hitter, many a game has been won with a singles hitter that starts the big rally. It starts with a single, a conversation, a kind deed, a witness, or a testimony who knows where it will lead?

In Christ,
Mike

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Matt 28:16-20

The Great Commission
(Mark 16:14-18; Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-23; Acts 1:6-8)

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
NKJV

Friday, May 20, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/20

Through the Bible - 1 Kings 19-20, Matthew 10:21-42

Good morning,

This is another one of those mornings where I had something in mind to send out to you but the course was changed by something that I read. A friend had e-mailed me the other day and recommended a short booklet on prayer,

"The Hidden Life of Prayer" by David McIntyre, it is available for free download online.

There are many verses in the Bible that call, instruct and challenge us to "wait on the Lord". In the first chapter of "The Hidden Life of Prayer" McIntyre writes:

"A great scholar has given a beautiful definition of waiting upon God: "To wait is

not merely to remain impassive. It is to expect—to look for with patience, and also with

submission. It is to long for, but not impatiently; to look for, but not to fret at the delay; to watch

for, but not restlessly; to feel that if He does not come we will acquiesce, and yet to refuse to let the

mind acquiesce in the feeling that He will not come."

For today's verse we'll go to Isaiah 40 for what may be the most familiar and quoted verses on "waiting" on the Lord.

Isa 40:30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. ESV

Some of you today may feel weary, exhausted and sapped of strength due to illness or various trials. May these verses be an encouragement to you today, may they bring hope. May you wait on the Lord the way McIntyre expresses it, not impassively but to expect with patience yet in submission, not fretting, not restlessly but with hope and confidence that the Lord will renew your strength, to soar like eagles, to walk by faith and not faint.

Many songs have been written on these verses, sing one and think about it today. If you're drawing a blank, here are the words to "Everlasting God" by Chris Tomlin.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

In Christ,
Mike

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Isa 40:27-41:1

27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:
"My way is hidden from the Lord,
And my just claim is passed over by my God"?
28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the Lord,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. NKJV

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/19

Through the Bible - 1 Kings 16-18, Matthew 10:1-20

Good morning,

Towards the end of yesterday's devotional I asked the question "are you ready to answer the call"? I was reminded of how our Pastor Bob has challenged the congregation to "get in the game".

I recently saw the end to one of my favorite movies "The Rookie". High school teacher and baseball coach Jim Morris had made an amazing journey to make it to the major leagues at 38 years old, largely through the encouragement and challenge of his students to give it a shot at the big leagues. One of my favorite scenes is when he gets the call to go to the majors. His opportunity has arrived, he is now in the bullpen the phone rings and the bullpen coach says "Morris, you're in". Would anyone in that position turn it down at that point and say I can't do it?

Today's New Testament reading is from Matthew 10 where Jesus sends out the 12. For today's verse we'll go to Mark chapter one where Jesus calls Simon and Andrew to drop their nets and get in the game in the big leagues, to become fishers of men.

Mark 1:17-18 (The Message)^16-18Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.

The Message says "I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you". We may think that His call means that we'll have to go to Africa or some other continent to serve. Yes, we may. But we may also serve in the profession we're in. Jesus may make a new accountant or a new teacher or (insert your profession here) out of you. The question is, will you answer the call?

Read some of the words from the Steven Curtis Chapman Song, "For the Sake of the Call".

Empty nets lying there at the waters edge
Told a story that few could believe and none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus lead
With no thought for what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name and they answered

Drawn like the rivers are drawn to the sea
No turning back for the water cannot help but flow
Once we hear the Savior's call we'll follow wherever he leads
Because of the love He has shown
And because he has called us to go we will answer

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die

For the sake of the call

Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who calls
And if we believe we'll obey

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Mark 1:16-20 (New International Version)

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

¹⁶ As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." ¹⁸ At once they left their nets and followed him.

¹⁹ When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. ²⁰ Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/18

Through the Bible - 1 Kings 14-15, Matthew 9:18-38

Good morning,

Yesterday we considered "open the eyes of my heart" and the need to have our hearts "flooded with light" that we may see Him.

I've been reading David Platt's book, "Radical Together" where he instructs his readers to pray and God to give you "laserlike focus on Christ and His purpose in the world. Ask God to give you new eyes to look at what you're doing in ministry and ask Him to give you a willing heart to put everything in your life and in the church on the table before Him. Pray for Him to reveal what He most wants you to spend your time and resources on."

This prayer does not call for an "easy button", but, what would happen if we prayed it in sincerity?

For today's verse we'll go to this morning's New Testament reading in Matthew 9.

Matthew 9:37-38 (Amplified Bible) Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few.

³⁸So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.

Notice how the Amplified Bible says "thrust laborers" into His harvest. You kind of get the feeling "ready or not here I come". Not that we shouldn't be prepared, but that there is no time for delay, the time for action is now, there are opportunities before us.

Earlier in the book David Platt writes, "the gospel compels the church to go to God with everything we have and everything we do and then ask, "What needs to go? What needs to change? What needs to stay the same? .... and then wait for God to answer." Its the kind of waiting we've considered recently, being passionately patient, waiting with great expectation, ready to answer the call.

A lot to think about, more than that, a lot to pray about. What is God compelling you to do today? Read the short passage from The Message below. Will yours be some of the "harvest hands"?

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Matthew 9:35-38 (The Message)

^35-38Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. "What a huge harvest!" he said to his disciples. "How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/17

Through the Bible - 1 Kings 12-13, Matthew 9:1-17

Good morning,

This morning, among other passages I read Ephesians 1:18 and was reminded of the praise song "Open the Eyes of My Heart".

Ephesians 1:18 (Amplified Bible)By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),

We may, no, we will face times of uncertainty and its at these times that we need to have the "eyes of our hearts" flooded with light, that we may see Him. We need to see Him as our comfort, our strength, our shield and deliverer. The verse says that our eyes are to be opened to know and understand "the hope" to which he has called you.

Hope is truly one of the greatest blessings. I see it personified in my son Jeff, whose motto is "hope is my favorite thing to have". He lives it, he passes it on with joy in his heart and a smile (sometimes a smirk) on his face.

Today's "Tabletalk" devotional pointed out that "hope is another word for "confident anticipation", and it has both objective and subjective aspects. Objectively we have a hope that exists outside ourselves - Christ will surely return to reign over all. .... Subjectively, hope is the inward confidence we have that we will participate in the benefits of the objective, future reality. The Holy Spirit's work involves giving us this subjective hope, and Paul prays for this in Ephesians 1:18-20."

We'll close with today's verse from Psalm 27 where David conveys these same feelings and encourages us today to "wait on the Lord", may we do so in hope, in confident anticipation.

Psalm 27:13-14 (Amplified Bible) [What, what would have become of me] had I not believed that I would see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living!

¹⁴Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 27:7-14 (English Standard Version)

⁷ Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
   be gracious to me and answer me!
⁸You have said, "Seek my face."My heart says to you,
   "Your face, LORD, do I seek."

⁹ Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
   O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
¹⁰For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
   but the LORD will take me in.

¹¹ Teach me your way, O LORD,
   and lead me on a level path
   because of my enemies.
¹² Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
   for false witnesses have risen against me,
   and they breathe out violence.

¹³I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living!
¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
   wait for the LORD!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Verse of the Day - weekend 5/14

Through the Bible - 1 Kings 6-9, Matthew 7-8:17

Good morning,

I read the following quote on Ray Ortlund's blog. It was from a sermon that his dad gave back in 1975. What jumped out at me was when he says, "face life with all you have in Christ".

"Jesus wants to express his fullness through you. Always begin your thinking and your planning and your deciding from the standpoint of Jesus' fullness in your life. Always begin with the plenty of God. Face life with all you have in Christ. Never face life from the standpoint of all the problems and all the needs and all the difficulties. Always begin with your standing in Christ. You have rivers of living water, Christ in you, fullness of grace and truth. That's what Jesus gives us!"

I thought that it tied in well with our consideration of Jacob and Israel this week, the challenge to be see through-ers in life. The thoughts brought me to a favorite passage in Ephesians 1 where Paul tells of the many things we have "in Christ". Today's verses come from that passage.

Ephesians 1:11-12 (The Message) ^11-12It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

There are so many people all around us who are trying to find out who they are and what they are living for. If we begin our thinking and planning and deciding based upon what these verses say we'll be better off. We'll face the challenges of life with greater confidence, with greater hope, with deeper joy. It starts with turning away from the things of this world and turning to Jesus.

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Refrain:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

Check out the Third Day rendition of this hymn at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08a6wc3Z7ZE&feature=related

In Christ,
Mike

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Ephesians 1:3-14 (English Standard Version)

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us foradoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us inthe Beloved. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, ⁸which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight ⁹ making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ¹⁰as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

¹¹In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, ¹²so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. ¹³In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is the guarantee of our inheritance untilwe acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/13

Through the Bible - 1 Kings 3-5, Matthew 6:19-34

Good morning,

I was saddened yesterday when I received word that a friend had passed away after a battle with cancer. It was the second time within weeks that friends that I know had seemingly lost in this battle. The good news is that they both knew Jesus Christ as their Saviour and they are now with Him in glory.

Today's New Testament reading is in Matthew chapter 6, it is where we'll go for today's verses. Reading these verses made me think of Joyce and Lee. They, the verses and these friends: are a reminder of what is important in this life. Plenty of people plan for the future in 401 k's and other retirement accounts but don't do much about laying up treasures in heaven.

Matthew 6:19-21 (English Standard Version)

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

¹⁹ "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, ²⁰ but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

What are the "treasures in your life", what are you investing in? Our lives will be better fuller here and for eternity if we're investing in things that will last.

I also read Ephesians 1:15 and 16 in a devotional

Ephesians 1:15-16 (English Standard Version) For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, ¹⁶I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

Do you remember those who have passed in your prayers? You can pray a prayer of thanksgiving, a prayer for their families and pray for their legacy. To me, that's what a part of today's verses are about.

Read the words to Nicole Nordeman's song "Legacy". I know its one of Jean's favorites. I'm posting it today in honor of Joyce and Lee.

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

What kind of mark are you leaving?

Blessings,
Mike
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Matthew 6:19-24 (English Standard Version)

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven

²² "The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, ²³ but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

²⁴ "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/12

Through the Bible - 1 Kings 1-2, Matthew 6:1-18

Good morning,

Yesterday we looked at the two names given to Jacob. Jacob had been chosen by God for a purpose. He went through much of his life before realizing this until God wrestled with him and gave him the new name Israel. The church is full of Jacobs and Israels. The Jacobs, as we read yesterday are the "whining, self pitying, complaining type of man", while the Israels are the transformed. You might think of them as the "see through-ers", having faith that God will overcome and will prevail for His honor and glory.

I've mentioned before that my practice has been to read a psalm, or at least a portion of a psalm every day. Yesterday's reading was from Psalm 22 where we'll go for today's verse.

Psalm 22:23 (English Standard Version) You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

Reading Boices' comments from the passages in Genesis about Jacob and Israel gave me a different perspective of this verse. No matter if we are more like the whining self pitying Christian or one that has the see through-er attitude of Israel, God still deserves our praise and we should magnify and glorify Him. But it is the see through-ers, the Israels of the church, of the congregation that truly stand in awe of Him that can assure others that:

Psalm 22:26 (English Standard Version) The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
May your hearts live forever!

May I, may we have the faith and confidence of Israel, and stand in awe of Him.

I Stand in Awe of Him - (Hillsong)

Too marvelous for words
Too wonderful of comprehension
Like nothing ever seen or heard
Who can grasp you infinite wisdom
Who can fathom the depth of your love
You are beautiful beyond description
Majesty enthroned above

And I stand, I stand in awe of you
I stand, I stand in awe of you
Holy God to whom all praise is due
I stand in awe of you

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Psalm 22:22-26 (English Standard Version)

²² I will tell of your name to my brothers;
   in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
²³You who fear the LORD, praise him!
   All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
   and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
²⁴For he has not despised or abhorred
   the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
   but has heard, when he cried to him.

²⁵From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
   my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
²⁶ The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
   those who seek him shall praise the LORD!
   May your hearts live forever!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/11

Through the Bible - Jonah 1-4, Matthew 5:27-48

Good morning,

A while back we had considered the event in Genesis where Jacob wrestled with God prior to meeting his brother Esau. Jacob wouldn't let go until God would bless him. God blessed him with a new name Israel, and as J. M. Boice pointed out it can literally be interpreted as God prevailed, or has overcome.

Several times in the Bible we see examples where someone is given a new name signifying a change in the person. In some of those occasions, they at times are referred to by their former names, primarily when they fall back to their old ways, their "old" lack of faith. Peter is one example where Jesus calls him Simon in John 21.

The same thing happened back in the book of Genesis. Jacob was given a new name, but in Genesis 45 he is nearing the end of his life. He is overcome by feelings of loss and disappointment in his life, he fears for his grown children and still mourns the loss of Joseph.

Gen 45:26 And they told him, "Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt." And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, "It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die." ESV
Notice that when Jacob realized that his long lost, (and presumed dead), son was alive, his spirit revived. Hope was restored, and Israel, whose name means God rules, God commands, overcomes or prevails, could look forward in hope and find peace before he would die.

Boice writes, "When Jacob is in charge we get Jacob, a whining, self pitying, complaining type of man. When God overcomes, we get Israel, a true child of God. It is as Israel that this man draws himself together, rises to his full height, collects his numerous family, and sets out to see his son Joseph before he dies."

How many of us are at least somewhat like that. God had done something in our life, increased our faith in and through a trial or trials, but we fall back or backslide to being our old whining, self pitying self again. You get the picture of someone being slumped over by the cares of life. If that is you, call out to God, wrestle with Him again. He will prevail and overcome, again, in your life and can give you the strength to rise to your full height, your full potential, again.

Ps 51:10-12
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don't throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
The Message

In Christ,
Mike

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Gen 45:25-28

They left Egypt and went back to their father Jacob in Canaan. When they told him, "Joseph is still alive — and he's the ruler over the whole land of Egypt!" he went numb; he couldn't believe his ears. But the more they talked, telling him everything that Joseph had told them and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the blood started to flow again — their father Jacob's spirit revived. Israel said, "I've heard enough — my son Joseph is still alive. I've got to go and see him before I die." The Message

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Verse of the Day 5/10

Through the Bible - Numbers 35-37, Matthew 5:1-26

Good morning,

For today's verse we'll return to Revelation 22 for the last of the "beatitudes" in Revelation. We will also take a look at the beatitudes as Jesus delivered in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, which is part of today's New Testament reading.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. ESV

John MacArthur notes that "those who wash their robes" - "symbolizes those who have been forgiven of their sins - who have been cleansed by the blood of the lamb." Note how they enter by the gates, there is no backdoor entrance. They have the right to enter but not because of their own righteousness, but through faith in Christ and His righteousness.

Let's go back to Matthew 5.

Matt 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ESV

The pure in heart are the same people that have "washed their robes". They have set their hearts towards seeking the Lord, they have answered His call in this life and will see Him in the next life in all His glory.

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. ESV

MacArthur points out that there are two calls in this verse. The first is a prayer addressed to Christ and the second is an invitation to sinners. The first part calls for Christ to come, to return; while the second is the last call for sinners to turn to Him in repentance.

Have you answered His call? Are you calling for Him to come?

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and pow'r.
Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.
Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all.

Refrain:
I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
Oh, there are ten thousand charms.

In Christ,
Mike

3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NKJV