Verse of the Day 8/3

Through the Bible - Psalms 63-65, Acts 23:1-15

 

If you've been reading through the gospels or the book of Acts, you've read of miracles that were done through Jesus and the disciples, you've seem people moved to change their lives.  People saw something different in Jesus and the disciples.  When some people saw such things they scoffed and rejected them.  Others reacted from something in their hearts, a longing for a different life, a better way of living as exemplified in Jesus and his followers.

For today's verse we'll go to Acts chapter 16 where Paul and Silas, life, their actions, were a testimony to what life in Christ could be.  The Philiippian jailer, was about to take his life, now instead, he would give it to God.

Acts 16:30 And he brought them out and said,"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

31 So they said,"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."  NKJV

I read the following quote yesterday on Ray Ortlund's blog.  They echo Paul and Silas' message to the jailer.  Listen and believe.

"We are justified freely, for Christ's sake, by faith, without the exertion of our own strength, gaining of merit, or doing of works.  To the age-old question, 'What shall I do to be saved?' the confessional answer is shocking: 'Nothing!  Just be still; shut up and listen for once in your life to what God the Almighty, creator and redeemer, is saying to his world and to you in the death and resurrection of his Son!  Listen and believe!'"  Gerhard O. Forde,  Justification by Faith

Many times it is when someone is facing a crisis that they will come to a point where they will have to make a decision to accept or reject Christ's offer of salvation.  Others may scoff and laugh at the thought of believing, trusting in the situation.  But for those who listen and believe it is the voice of truth.  Read a few lines from the song "Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns:

 

Oh,what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes 
To climb out of this boat I'm in 
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown 
Where Jesus is, 
And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name 
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times 
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me 
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win, 
You you'll never win

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

What waves, what storms are you facing?  What "voices" are calling out to you?  Will you listen and believe the voice of truth?

 

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

Acts 16:25-35

 

The Philippian Jailer Saved

 

25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm, for we are all here."

 

29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said,"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

 

31 So they said,"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.  NKJV