Verse of the Day 8/31

Through the Bible -Psalms 132-134, 2 Corinthians 10

 

Yesterday's verse ended with Jesus saying "be opened" at which point the deaf man's ears were opened for him to hear the words of Jesus.

 

It got me to thinking, how else and to what else does Jesus say be opened?  Our eyes to see His glory, our hearts to receive His Spirit, he opens doors of opportunity, windows into His world, and our mouths to utter praise and thanksgiving and to call upon Him.

 

We recently looked at Psalm 103:2 which called on us to "forget not His benefits".  For today's verse we'll go to Psalm 105 where the nation of Israel was called to remember, celebrate, and spread the news of God's great work.

 

Psalm 105:4-5 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴Seek the LORD and his strength;
    seek his presence continually!
⁵Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
   his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,

Go back or scroll down to read the first 5 verses of the Psalm.  What you find are not suggestions but 10 imperatives in recalling how we should respond to the fact that He has opened our ears, eyes, minds and hearts to His leading .

 

We are to give thanks, call upon His name, make known his works, sing praises to him, glory in his holy name,seek his strength, seek his presence, remember wondrous works done for us, his miracles, and his judgments.

 

It is a psalm of reflection but also a psalm of the present in seeking his strength continually, for the moment, for the day, for tomorrow, and for eternity.

 

We'll close with the final verses of today's New Testament reading.

 

2 Corinthians 10:17 (ESV) "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 105:1-5  New Living Translation (NLT) 

¹ Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness.
      Let the whole world know what he has done.
 ² Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
      Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
 ³ Exult in his holy name;
      rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
 ⁴ Search for the Lord and for his strength;
      continually seek him.
 ⁵ Remember the wonders he has performed,
      his miracles, and the rulings he has given,

Verse of the Day 8/30

Through the Bible - Psalms 129-131, 2 Corinthians 9

 

Yesterday we considered "THE LORD IS THERE" from the book of Ezekiel and how we as Christians realize that He is always near us, around us, and we have His Spirit living in us.

 

Non Christians, unbelievers may scoff at the idea of God, or feel that if there is a God, that he is far off and not involved in and does not impact our lives, that he is a god that doesn't care. 

 

For today's verse we'll go to Mark 7.  I'd like for you to see what this verse has to say about the God who would send His Son to us, and what Jesus reveals to us about His, about the Father's character in this verse.

 

Mark 7:34 New King James Version (NKJV)  ³⁴ Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."
 

Here, Jesus heals a deaf person with the simple command "be opened".  But an easily overlooked part can be the simple words "He sighed".  What does it show to us that Jesus sighed before healing the man.

 

Max Lucado writes in a devotional in "3:16", I'd never thought of God as one who sighs.  I'd thought of God as one who commands.  I'd thought of God  as one who called forth the dead with a command or created the universe with a word... but a God who sighs?."  He continues, "in the agony of Jesus lies our hope.  Had he not sighed, we would be in a pitiful condition.  Had he simply chalked it all up to the inevitable or washed his hands of the whole stinking mess, what hope would we have?"  

 

But we do have a God who cares, a God who understands our situation, a God who sighs, and this gives us hope.

 

What is that to me?  That's a question that is asked and answered in an old song "He's Everything to Me" that we used to sing in Sunday School.

 

What is that to me?

Till by faith I met Him face to face,
and I felt the wonder of His grace,
Then I knew that He was more  than just a
God who didn't care,
That lived a way out there and

Now He walks beside me day by day,
Ever watching o'er me lest I stray,
Helping me to find that narrow way,
He's Everything to me.  - Ralph Carmichael

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Mark 7:31-37

New King James Version (NKJV)  Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute 

³¹ Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. ³² Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. ³³ And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. ³⁴ Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha," that is, "Be opened."
³⁵ Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. ³⁶ Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. ³⁷ And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

 

Verse of the Day 8/29

Through the Bible - Psalms 126-128

 

Eric Disher gave the message at our church yesterday and it was from the last verse from the book of Ezekiel and the prophecy of the city of God whose name will be "THE LORD IS THERE".  We shouldn't have to be reminded that God is always there, He is always near to us, He is not a God who is far off.  Unfortunately too many people today don't take the time to realize, He Is, and that He is there.  Life is all about what they want for themselves as it was in the days of Ezekiel.

 

Yesterday many people across the country were baptized, signifying that they are children of God, realizing that He is there, and testifying of their faith in Him.  Jesus had been baptized by John the Baptist after which time he declared "behold, The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."  Andrew and Peter heard this declaration and wanted to get to know this Jesus.  For today's verses we'll go to John 1.

 

John 1:37-39 New Living Translation (NLT) ³⁷ When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

 ³⁸ Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them.

   They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"

 ³⁹ "Come and see," he said.

In asking Jesus where he was staying, they were basically saying that they wanted to find out more about Him.  Max Lucado writes, 'Pretty bold request.  They didn't ask Jesus to give them a minute or an opinion or a message or a miracle.  They asked for his address.  They wanted to hang out with him.  They wanted to know him.  They wanted to know what caused his head to turn and his heart to burn and his soul to yearn.  They wanted to study his eyes and follow his steps.  They wanted to see him.  They wanted to know what made him laugh and if he ever got tired.  And most of all, they wanted to know, Could Jesus be who John said he was -and if he is, what on earth is God doing on the earth?"

 

If you've taken the first step in following Jesus what is your next step?  Will it be to find out more about him, to "hang out with him" and to follow his steps?  Today, we can find "THE LORD IS THERE" in His Word, in prayer, and living in our hearts.

 

Is Jesus asking you "what do you want"?  He's calling you to "come and see" what you need.

 

 

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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 1:35-42

New Living Translation (NLT)

The First Disciples

 ³⁵ The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. ³⁶ As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" ³⁷ When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

 ³⁸ Jesus looked around and saw them following. "What do you want?" he asked them.

   They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"

 ³⁹ "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

 ⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. ⁴¹ Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means "Christ").

 ⁴² Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter").

Verse of the Day - weekend 8/28

Through the Bible - Psalms 120 -125, 2 Corinthians 6-7

 

Our church will be conducting their annual baptism out at a nearby lake this afternoon.  It will be a day of celebration and rejoicing.

 

Yesterday, in Matthew 3 I read of the account of Jesus' baptism and wondered how a modern day pastor would respond if Jesus showed up to be baptized.  What would he do?  Would he be reluctant as John the Baptist was?

Jesus followed through in obedience to the Father whose reaction is shown in today's verses.

 

Matthew 3:16-17 English Standard Version (ESV) ¹⁶And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷and behold, a voice from heaven said,"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

 

To put it mildly, the Father was pleased that Jesus followed through in being baptized.  Why would Christ want to be baptized?

 

Jesus said that it should be done as God requires (NLT).

 

Max Lucado, in "3:16" writes, "Here's why; Since you and I cannot pay, Christ did.  We've broken commandments, promises, and, worst of all, we've broken God's heart. ... But Christ sees our plight.  We owe God a perfect life.  Perfect obedience to every command.  Not just the command of baptism, but the commands of humility, honesty, integrity.  We can't deliver.  Might as well charge us for the property of Manhattan.  But Christ can and He did.  His plunge into the Jordan is a picture of His plunge into our sin.  His baptism announces , "Let me pay".

Your baptism responds, "You bet I will."

 

Have you followed through in obedience by being baptized?  If you've realized that you can't earn your salvation, take the plunge today, is He calling you saying "Let me pay".  It will please God and bring Him great joy.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Matthew 3:13-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

The Baptism of Jesus

 ¹³ Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to talk him out of it. "I am the one who needs to be baptized by you," he said, "so why are you coming to me?"

 ¹⁵ But Jesus said, "It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires." So John agreed to baptize him.

 ¹⁶ After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, "This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy."

Verse of the Day 10/26

Through the Bible - Psalm 119:89-176, 2 Corinthians 5

 

Yesterday we considered how true faith involves risk taking, putting trust in God to deliver.  We ended with Hebrews 11:1 which tells us that "faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen".

 

In his book "3:16" Max Lucado writes a simple line that sums it up.  "God works and we trust".  How well would that describe our lives?

 

For today's verse we'll go to Hebrews 10, the verses preceding Hebrews 11:1 which leads into the "hall of faith" of chapter 11.

 

Hebrews 10:38 English Standard Version (ESV)  ³⁸ but my righteous one shall live by faith,
   and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him."
 

The righteous, those in right standing before God are those that put their faith and trust in Him, and live that way.

 

Lucado writes, "Others of us have written our own Bible verse: "God helps those who help themselves" (Popular Opinion 1:1).  We'll fix ourselves thank you.  We'll make up for our own mistakes with contributions, our guilt with busyness.  We'll overcome failures with hard work.  We'll find salvation the old fashioned way; we'll earn it."

"Christ, in contrast, says to us..."Your part is to trust.  Trust me to do what you can't".

 

Are we going to be the ones that choose to "help ourselves" or will we trust God, live by faith, for Him to do what we can't?

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Hebrews 10:32-39

English Standard Version (ESV)

 ³²But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, ³³sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. ³⁴For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. ³⁵Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. ³⁶For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. ³⁷For,

    "Yet a little while,
   and the coming one will come and will not delay;
³⁸ but my righteous one shall live by faith,
   and if he shrinks back,
my soul has no pleasure in him."

 ³⁹But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Verse of the Day 8/25

Through the Bible - Psalms 119:1-88, 2 Corinthians 4

 

Yesterday we considered how Jesus was impressed by the faith of the men who brought their paraplegic friend to Jesus.

 

Did you ever consider the risk involved for these men?  What would have happened if Jesus hadn't healed the man?

 

For today's verse we'll go to another passage where someone showed great faith in bringing someone else to Jesus for healing.  This time it is the centurion in Matthew 8.  Think of the risk here for a Roman centurion to seek healing from a Jew.  He sought out Jesus because he recognized that Jesus had power and authority over disease, in this case a paralyzed servant - at home.

 

Matthew 8:9-10 (ESV) ⁹For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." ¹⁰When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.
 

What would have happened if the four friends or the centurion hadn't taken the risk, hadn't shown the faith in bringing their friends and their ailments to Jesus?

 

Mark Mittelburg and Lee Strobel in "The Unexpected Adventure" write, "What is biblical faith?  It's "God directed risk".  It's embracing God's unseen salvation, trusting in his unseen protection, obeying his unseen Spirit, following his unseen leadings, building his unseen kingdom, and preparing ourselves for his as-of-yet- unseen home in heaven.  It is the risk of taking him at his word in our daily actions....  Christian life should be a "risky, surprise filled venture, lived tip-toe at the edge of expectation... a dancing, leaping daring life.'

 

It will only come by taking risks, risks of faith.

 

Hebrews 11:1 Amplified Bible (AMP )¹NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Matthew 8:5-13

New Living Translation (NLT)The Faith of a Roman Officer

 

 ⁵ When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, ⁶ "Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain."

 ⁷ Jesus said, "I will come and heal him."

 ⁸ But the officer said, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, 'Go,' and they go, or 'Come,' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this,' they do it."

 ¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel! ¹¹ And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. ¹² But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

 ¹³ Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, "Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened." And the young servant was healed that same hour.

Verse of the Day 8/24

Through the Bible -  Psalms 116-118,  2 Corinthians 3

 

People can try to do many things to impress God.  They may give large sums of money, even anonymously.  They may have perfect church, small group and Bible study attendance.  They may be involved in several ministries at church, devoting much time to Him.  But what is it that "impresses" God?

 

We've been considering several aspects of healing over the last several days.  Last weekend our youth leaders and then the youth group as a whole looked at Mark chapter 2 and his account of the healing of the paraplegic.  The Message paraphrase used this word to describe what went on.  As you may recall 4 men wanted to bring their friend to Jesus for healing and ended up tearing a hole in the roof so that they could lower the man into Jesus presence, for healing.

 

Mark 2:4-5  When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."   The Message

 

Jesus was "impressed" by their faith.  Nothing could stop them.  The crowded entrance, the doubting religious leaders, not even the roof of a house could keep them from bringing this man to Jesus.

 

Its an amazing passage.  Take some time over the next few days to read it.  See the different characters, the paraplegic, the friends, the crowd, the religious leaders, and possibly even the homeowner.  Try to put yourself in their shoes.  What would have been your reaction to what took place.  How would it impact your attitude towards faith? How would the episode change your life?

 

It is not a stand alone concept.  Think of other miracles in both the Old and New Testaments and God's or Jesus' reaction to the faith displayed.

 

May we have such faith.  What is standing in the way?  May we have such boldness, willing to go through the roof to bring someone to Jesus for forgiveness of sin and for healing.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Mark 2

The Message (MSG)A Paraplegic

 

 ^1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren't able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, "Son, I forgive your sins."

 ^6-7Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, "He can't talk that way! That's blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins."

 ^8-12Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, "Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, 'I forgive your sins,' or say, 'Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking'? Well, just so it's clear that I'm the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . ." (he looked now at the paraplegic), "Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home." And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, "We've never seen anything like this!"

Verse of the Day 8/23

Through the Bible - Psalms 113-115, 2 Corinthians 2

 

One of the great benefits in knowing God is getting to know Him and His Word.  His Word then comes to us in times of need, in times of joy, in times of despair, and in times of hope.  In the Lord we can be Revived,Refreshed, Restored, and Renewed.  (Can you think of other "Re" words that would apply).

 

As you can tell, the experience of healing in Jason continues to be in my mind and will be for some time.  One verse that came to mind in regards to healing comes from Malachi chapter 4, the last chapter of the Old Testament which came before 400 years of silence before John the Baptist came, followed by Jesus.  It is probably best known for the words of hope that He would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers.  But before doing that we read of hope in the form of healing in verse 2 which will serve as today's verse.

 

Malachi 4:2 English Standard Version (ESV) ²But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

 

There are several things in the verse that draw our attention.  It speaks of the "sun of righteousness".  After having a dark cloud over us, following us, the sight of the Saviour coming is like the sun breaking through the clouds with its light bringing refreshing feelings of warmth,and joy.

 

We must also realizing that this healing is not just physical.  It is emotional, physical, and spiritual.   Everyone needs healing of some kind.

 

John MacArthur writes of the "calves leaping from the stall" - "Calves when confined to a stall for extended periods of time, leap for sheer joy when turned loose into the sunlight.  The picture is a joyful, vigorous, and carefree life."

 

We all desire this "carefree" life.  It is our hope, perhaps our hearts desire.  We may never experience it here in this life, but for those who are His and have been called according to His purpose (Rom.8:28), can can look to a day when we will see Jesus, when He will bring healing and along with it, joy and peace which will last for eternity.  Having these thoughts can help us as we wait, for healing and for that day.  Everyone needs healing, needs compassion, needs love, and needs salvation.  Thankfully, our God is mighty to save, and mighty in love and compassion.  Read or sing the words to "Mighty to Save" from Hillsong.

 

Everyone needs compassion, love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness, the kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save, he is mighty to save

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

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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

Malachi 4

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Great Day of the LORD

 ¹ "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. ²But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. ³And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.

 ⁴ "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

 ⁵ "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. ⁶And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."

Verse of the Day 8/22

Through the Bible - Psalms 110-112, 2 Corinthians 1

 

After spending last Friday night talking about the healing in my son Jason with Jason, Kristen and our family, both Jean and I read about healing in our devotions on Saturday.  They came in the natural course of reading.  I was in Exodus and my morning reading, as I shared previously was Exodus 15 where we read in verse 26 "I Am the Lord who heals you".

 

Jean reads a devotional by Sarah Young "Jesus Calling".  The very first words in that devotional were "I Am a God who heals,  I heal broken bodies, broken minds, broken hearts, broken lives, and broken relationships.  My very Presence has immense healing powers.  You cannot live close to me without experiencing some degree of healing.  However, it is also true that you have not because you ask not.  You receive the healing that flows naturally from My Presence, whether you seek it or not.  But there is more - much more available to those who ask."

 

For today's verses we'll go to Psalm 103 where David encourages us not to forget the benefits of calling on God, calling on Jesus, who forgives our sins and brings us healing.

 

Psalm 103:2-3 (NLT)  Let all that I am praise the Lord;
      may I never forget the good things he does for me.
 ³ He forgives all my sins
      and heals all my diseases.

 

John MacArthur summarizes these "benefits" the good things that He does for us.  His gifts include 1) forgiveness of sin, 2) recovery from sickness, 3) deliverance from death, 4) abundant lovingkindness and mercy, 5) food to sustain life.

 

What can you add to this list?

 

If God willingly provides all these things why won't we go to Him more often?

 

Luke 11:10 Amplified Bible (AMP)¹⁰For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.

 

What kind of healing are you in need of?  Ask, keep on asking for it.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Psalm 103:1-5

English Standard Version (ESV)

Of David.

 ¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless his holy name!
² Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits,
³who forgives all your iniquity,
   who heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit,
   who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵who satisfies you with good
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Verse of the Day - weekend 8/20

Through the Bible - Psalms 105-106, Galatians 5

 

Yesterday, I shared the great, astonishing news that my son Jason's brain tumor was gone.  Jason, and the rest of our family spent a lot of time considering what that meant.  For Jason there was a great sense of freedom.

 

For years he's been walking around with a tumor, which was dormant, but always there, sort of lurking in the background, literally in the back of his mind.  His life has been pretty much normal, (actually quite more than that studying for his doctorate), but the fears, the questions, the uncertainty of the tumor hung over him as a dark cloud.  Sometimes distant, sometimes right overhead.

 

Some of us may walk around with sin and its guilt in the same way.  On our own we can't get over it.  We may put it in the back of our minds but it is never really gone and the negative thoughts come back, the accuser never misses an opportunity to remind us of the facts, of the acts.

 

But we can be free from this.  The God who heals is also the God who forgives, who gives freedom.  He takes away our sin and the guilt of it as he took away Jason's tumor.  We can be set free.  But what are we to do with this freedom?

 

Galatians 5:1 The Message (MSG)  Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

 

For today's verse we'll go a little further into the New Testament reading for today in Galatians 5.

 

Galatians 5:13-14 New Living Translation (NLT) "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. ¹⁴ For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

 

If you've been set free, given a new lease on life by God's healing, His forgiveness, don't be harnessed by the past, be set free, free to live, free to love.

 

I Am Free - Newsboys

 

Through you the blind will see
Through you the mute will sing
Through you the dead will rise
Through you all hearts will praise
Through you the darkness flees
Through you my heart screams
I am free, yes, I am free

I am free to run (I am free to run)
I am free to dance (I am free to dance)
I am free to live for you (I am free to live for you)
I am free (I am free)
Yes, I am free (I am free)

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

Galatians 5:13-15

The Message (MSG)

 ^13-15It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?

Praising God

In yesterday's devotional I mentioned the great news about Jason.  I posted the following letter, written by Jean, on my blog and on facebook, but many of you may not have received the details.  If this is the case with you, here is the rest of the story.

"I am the Lord Who heals you." Exodus 15:26

 

Dearest Family & Friends,

So many times I have come to y'all with prayer requests for the VonWachenfeldt Family members and y'all have always been so faithful to lift us up, encourage us and often times even help us in ways we could have never imagined. Well today, I come to you with a Praise to God!
As y'all know 6 1/2 years ago, our youngest son Jason (now 26, married, living in Fairfax VA and pursuing his doctorate at Georgetown Univ.) was diaganosised with an inoperable cancerous brain tumor. Subsequently, after 2 surgeries, he had a shunt inserted and his life went back to a fairly "new normal". For the last 4 years he has been going for yearly MRI's and follow ups with a neuro-oncologist. On the onset of his diagnosis we were told the tumor was not growing and may not ever grow anymore (it basically was dormant), but if it did we would cross that bridge when it came because like I said before the tumor was located in an area of his brain were it could not be treated.
Well today Jason received some remarkable news at his yearly visit with the oncologist. The TUMOR IS GONE! That's right gone. The only thing left on the MRI is a scar where the tumor was which the Dr. feels will fade over time. The doctor told him the cancer cells are dying, the tumor is gone, the ventricle that it was pressing on in his brain is back in the location of his brain it is suppose to be and is not hindered in ANY WAY. Jason and Kristen were so shocked and dumbfounded that the million questions that you may have running through your brain right now, didn't come to them until they were driving home in the car. NO ONE EVER told us this was even a possibility. We were always told "let's just hope it doesn't do anything".
For this and the many blessings God has bestowed on our family over the years, we are PRAISING GOD, FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!
Won't you praise Him with us, and rejoice with us!?
Your love & friendship over the years has been amazing and appreciated more than you could ever know, and we couldn't get news like this without sharing it with you. 

Praising God,
always with hope,
Jean & Mike

"He must become greater, I must become less".
John 3:30

Verse of the Day 8/19

Through the Bible - Psalms 103-104, Galatians 4

 

The other day I read Psalm 117, the shortest chapter in the Bible, two verses.  I wondered why it was entered as a separate psalm being so short.  These two verses will serve as our verses for today.  I'll let you read them and think about that for a moment.

 Psalm 117  (HCSB) Praise the LORD, all nations!
    Glorify Him, all peoples!

² For great is His faithful love to us;
    the LORD's faithfulness endures forever. 
    Hallelujah!

 

In other translations the words "faithful love" are replaced with steadfast love, loyal love, or lovingkindness, all of which are true, but incomplete in describing His love for us.

 

I received a call from my son Jason regarding some news of his inoperable brain tumor.  In short, it's gone.  I'll share a letter from Jean and I to you in a separate post, but for now I'll explain how this news helped me understand the verses.

 

I don't know the setting for the psalm, but it may have been after having received good news, a blessing, an answer to prayer.  Words cannot explain the emotion.  The moment is a chapter in life all to itself.  You are caught up in the moment, a moment of praise and all you can think about is praising God while realizing His steadfast, loyal, faithful love to you.  The moment will long be remembered, you will move on to a new chapter in your life, but that moment of praise will be a stand alone moment in your life, in your walk, enduring forever.

 

May you experience it today in your life in the form of good news, perhaps in an answer to your prayers.  Hallelujah!

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 117

The Message (MSG)

    Praise God, everybody! Applaud God, all people!
   His love has taken over our lives;
   God's faithful ways are eternal.
      Hallelujah!

Verse of the Day 8/18

Through the Bible - Psalms 100-102, Galatians 3

 

The weekend verses last weekend were from 1 Peter 3 where Peter encouraged us to  "set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you." v.15

 As with most passages in the Bible, it reflects a common theme.  Peter speaks of preparedness here and Paul, David and others write of the same theme.  For today's verse we'll go to 2 Timothy 4 where Paul encourages young Timothy in the same manner.

 

2 Timothy 4:2-5 (NIV1984) ² Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

 

The NIV, NKJV and others say "be prepared".  I like the Amplified Bible translation because it really brings it home, "stand by, be at hand and ready" at all times.

 

Mark Mittelberg writes in "The Unexpected Adventure", "open your eyes today to your surroundings.  Become more spiritually circumspect.  Yes do your work, pay your bills, and attend to your hundred daily details.  But remember that as a Christ follower your mission is never about tasks or achievement.  First and foremost, its about loving, serving and reaching the people God places in your life.  The interruptions can be portals into the realms of his supernatural activity and divine impact."

 

May we be circumspect, be aware, ready in life's "interruptions", knowing that they may just be portals that God is using to bring us into activities that will have an impact on others.  It will involve keeping our heads in all situations as Paul sums up in verse 5.

 

2 Timothy 4:5 (NIV)  But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

 

As the Amplified Bible states in verse 5, will you be "calm, cool, and steady" in the interruptions you face today?

 

Blessings,
Mike
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2 Timothy 4:2-5 Amplified Bible (AMP)

²Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.

    ³For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold,

    ⁴And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions.

    ⁵As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry

Verse of the Day 8/17

Through the Bible - Psalms 98-99, Galatians 2

 

This time of year, especially in the south, many churches have outdoor baptism services at lakes, rivers or ponds.  Those being baptized are giving testimony of new life in Christ, that they are now His children, His followers.  The ceremony itself symbolizes the death of ourselves to our old life, full immersion under water, then coming out of the water to new life.

 

For today's verse we'll go to this mornings New Testament reading in Galatians 2 where we read of the change that takes place in the true believer.

 

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

 

John MacArthur writes, "the believer's old self is dead (see Eph. 4:22), having been crucified with Christ.  The believer's new self has the privilege of the indwelling Christ empowering him and living through him."  The person that has Christ dwelling in them will produce fruit (Galatians 5:22)

 

Tony Evan's  in his book "The King of Glory" writes, "eternal life refers to more than length of life.  It has to do with the quality of our existence here on earth.  Eternal life begins the moment we receive Christ as our Saviour, and He intends that we experience a quality of life now whereby we grow in Him,  find His purpose, and produce a full harvest of spiritual fruit.:  Evans continues, "Paul died to his own identity, - his rights, plans, goals, desires and dreams.  They were subjected to Christ so completely it was as if Paul were dead.  His life was so immersed in sacrificial service to the Lord that he could say "Christ lives in me."

 

Have you been baptized and if so is the power of the indwelling Christ evident in your life, producing fruit?  Read Galatians 5:22-23

 

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control;against such things there is no law.

Evan's continues, "Paul died to his own identity, - his rights, plans, goals, desires and dreams.  They were subjected to Christ so completely it was as if Paul were dead.  His life was so immersed in sacrificial  service to the Lord that he could say "Christ lives in me".

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

Galatians 2:17-21

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ¹⁷ But suppose we seek to be made right with God through faith in Christ and then we are found guilty because we have abandoned the law. Would that mean Christ has led us into sin? Absolutely not! ¹⁸ Rather, I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down. ¹⁹ For when I tried to keep the law, it condemned me. So I died to the law—I stopped trying to meet all its requirements—so that I might live for God. ²⁰ My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

Verse of the Day 8/16

Through the Bible - Psalms 96-98, Galatians 1

 

From yesterday's verses we considered how we are God's children and how it is just the beginning.

 

For today's verse we'll go to 1 Peter 5 where we read that "things are being wrapped up", how do we put that together?

 

1 Peter 4:7-8 The Message (MSG)  ^7-11Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.

 

God has His time table and everything is proceeding to the glorious second coming.  For those who are in Christ, mo matter when that time will be, we can live as though it is just the beginning as we look forward to an eternity with Him.

 

Peter's instructions for us are sobering.  We shouldn't be "carefree" living to do whatever pleases us, instead we should take nothing for granted.  Life is precious, be awake, alert, ready in prayer, prepared to share your faith, the gospel while loving each other as our lives depend on it.

 

After nearly losing our son Jeff, we learned just how precious life was and is.  We can't take anything for granted.  Life is precious, each fragile breath.  We live with eternity in mind and in our hearts (Eccl 3:11) but are rooted in the realities of the day, and seeking to know that our loved ones will be with us in eternity.

 

What will you not take for granted today?

 

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

1 Peter 4:7-11

New King James Version (NKJV)  Serving for God's Glory

   
⁷ But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. ⁸ And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." ⁹ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Verse of the Day 8/15

Through the Bible - Psalms 91-93, 1 Peter 5

 

Preseason football started this weekend.  At our church we had our first "preseason" youth group meeting last night.  To prepare us for the year, we were asked to read the following verses which will serve as our verses for today.  As you read the words, pick out a word or phrase that speaks to you.

 

1 John 3  ¹ What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to. ^2-3But friends, that's exactly who we are: children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up! - The Message

 

When I first read that last night one of the first things that hit me is the statement  "we are children of God, that's really who we are".  Reading that, what does it mean to you?  Did you need the reminder?

 

I asked one of the students, fresh from a week at the Jonathan Creek retreat, what words jumped out at him.  He replied, that its "only the beginning".  The students pretty much have their full life ahead of them, where will they end up?  I thought about that for a minute.  Many adults may feel like they have seen and done it all or that it is too late to get in the game.  In reality it is just the beginning for all of us this side of glory.  We can all get in the game.

 

A friend answered that what hit him was the "marvelous love" that the Father has extended to us.  Think about that.  He has adopted us as His children.  Has shown, poured out His love for us.

Read the passage again.  How does it speak to you?

 

May you be encouraged today to know that you are a child of God and that no matter what stage you are in life, it is still just the beginning. 

 

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

1 John 3:1-3

Amplified Bible (AMP)

 ¹SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.

    ²Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.

    ³And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).