Verse of the Day 11/30

Exodus 33:14 (ESV) And he said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

 

A favorite psalm of mine is Psalm 46 where we find God's promise that He will be a "very present help" in times of trouble.  In his book "A Bend in the Road", David Jeremiah takes a closer look at these words, in particular the word trouble.  He writes, "Trouble, that's a word that needs no introduction.  As used here, (in psalm 46:1) the more precise meaning of the word would be "in tight places".  Have you been in tight places recently?  We speak of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.  We (seemingly) have no room to maneuver.  The words very present convey the idea that God is easy to find.  He is as real and as much there with you as He could possibly be.  Some of our friends run out when trouble rolls in, but God isn't like that.  He moves in closer, putting His great arms around us.  When we're in tight places; He draws us nearer."

 

My mom used to lead kids in Sunday School and AWANA Clubs through a fun song, "Lion Hunt".  It took the kids through situations with actions and sounds while on the hunt and faced obstacles like rivers, forests and caves.  The line that stands out and comes to mind with today's verse and David Jeremiah's thoughts on Psalm 46 are "can't go under it, can't go over it, can't go around it, gotta go through it."  A good lesson for all ages.

 

Sometimes we'll face situations where there seemingly is no way out, no answer or solution.  These are the situations to call on God to make His presence felt as He goes with us through the "tight places".

 

If you are facing one of those situations today, know that He is there with you when you "gotta go through it".  He will also give you rest.

 

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

Read today's verse in context  - Exodus 33:12-23 ESV

Verse of the Day 11/29

Deuteronomy 5:1 (HCSB) Moses summoned all Israel and said to them, "Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am proclaiming as you hear them today. Learn and follow them carefully.

 

My Old Testament reading is currently going through the book of Deuteronomy.  Next to the Psalms and Isaiah, this book is the most frequently quoted book in the New Testament.  Reading through it will bring you back to the basics of our faith.  Today's verse and chapter point out that our faith is to be more than something that occupies our time for an hour or two on Sunday, it is not about passing thoughts but about our life.

 

Thinking of "learning and following carefully" reminded me of a book by John MacArthur "Think Biblically".  I thumbed through it and read the following quote from Puritan writer John Owen, " We can test ourselves by asking whether our spiritual thoughts are like guests visiting a hotel, or like children living at home.  There is a temporary stir and bustle when guests arrive, yet within a little while they leave and are forgotten.  The hotel is prepared for other guests.  So it is with religious thoughts that are only occasional.  But children belong to the house.  They are missed if they don't come home.  Preparation is continually being made for their food and comfort.  Spiritual thoughts that arise from true spiritual mindedness are like children of the house - always expected, certainly enquired for if missing."  (Think Biblically" page 46)

 

What do we do with the things we learn on Sunday's and through the week?  Do they have an impact on how we live our lives?  Do we carry those thoughts and verses, His Word with us to guide and direct us, to not only think biblically but live that way?

 

The chapter ends with a similar thought to how it began.  May you carry it with you today.

 

Deuteronomy 5:33 (HCSB)  Follow the whole instruction the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess.

 

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

If you have some time, read Deuteronomy chapter 5.

Verse of the Day 11/28

Psalm 54:4 (AMP) ⁴Behold, God is my helper and ally; the Lord is my upholder and is with them who uphold my life.

The verse is a good follow up from this weekends verses in Hebrews 11.  Once again, I like the Amplified Bible's translation.  Stop for a minute and consider what it means to you to have God beside you as an ally to face the challenges and battles of the day.  In the second portion of the verse the psalmist shows that he realizes that it is God who upholds him in these situations and not only that but He sovereignly brings others into our lives as allies to "uphold" our lives.  This begs the question whose life am I upholding?

In a sermon from Hebrews 11 John Piper speaks of these same words "God is my helper".   "In other words, if you really believe this promise, if you believe it is true, and your heart is satisfied with the God who promises to be there for you and help you, then you will not crave money, you will keep your marriage vows, you care for prisoners, welcome strangers and love each other. Faith in the promises of God is the power to live a radical, normal Christian life.

It takes strength. It takes strength to love. It takes strength to risk yourself with strangers. It takes strength to take the suffering of prisoners into your life, when you may have enough of your own. It takes strength to keep your marriage vows when the going gets rough and it is not the way you dreamed it would be. It takes strength to turn away from the promises of money. And that strength is what today's text is about. Where to get it and how to keep it. And the answers are not new, just newly stated."

Because God is our helper an ally, we can have "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow".  Great is His faithfulness.

 

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

Read the complete psalm - Psalm 54 Amplified Bible

Verse of the Day - weekend 11/26

Hebrews 11:6 (ESV) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

 

Today's verse comes from one of my favorite chapters in the Bible, Hebrews 11 and the "Hall of Faith".  As you read through the chapter and see those who are listed there you see examples of faith.  Life wasn't easy for them, they all faced different challenges, but, the common theme was their faith in a God that saw them through. 

 

As you look back in your life can you think of instances where you had to trust God and He came through for you?  Most likely, that faith didn't come easy.  It often goes beyond reason.  It is having faith in spite of what the world, what doctors, what accountants or even what friends may tell you.

 

My Old Testament reading is currently in the book of Deuteronomy where I read the following this morning:

 

Deuteronomy 4:9(ESV) "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—

 

The verse describes a person or a nation that has faith.  It is something that we have to hold onto and remember diligently.  Making known to our children how God has blessed our families and our nation through the generations.  This knowledge should cause us to want to know Him better knowing that He will reward individuals, families and nations that seek Him.

 

Perhaps your faith needs an awakening today.  Draw near to Him.  Read or pray these words from Shaun Groves recent song "Awake My Soul".

 

Hush away the hurry

Put to rest the worry

Come to quell and quiet me

In this moment given

Slow and fully live it

Drimk up all the passing peace

 

Awake my soul to live this moment

Awake my soul, give thanks and hold it

Dear now

Be here now

God is here now

Awake my soul.

 

 

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

Read Hebrews 11:1-6 (ESV)

Verse of the Day 11/25

Proverbs 8:34-35 (NIV) ³⁴ Blessed are those who listen to me, 
   watching daily at my doors,  waiting at my doorway. 
³⁵ For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD.

 

Today is known to the retail shopping world as Black Friday.  It actually started last night about 10 o'clock at some stores as they banked on the knowledge that shoppers would be waiting at their doorways for the deals of  the season.

I'm sure over the next few days that you'll see on the news or read in the papers about shoppers who pushed and shoved their way (or worse) to get the precious gift for which  they were williing to wait in line for hours.

 

King Solomon in his wisdom points out to us whose doors we should really be camping at.  The things that we receive from God, his wisdom, mercy, faith hope and love won't wear out, they won't get broken in a few days or cast aside as we move on to the next greatest thing to come along.

 

Fred Sanders in "The Deep Things of God - How the Trinity Changes Everything,  writes, ""Our great need is to be led further in to what we already have. The gospel is so deep that it not only meets our deepest needs but comes from God's deepest self. The salvation proclaimed in the gospel is not some mechanical operation that God took on as a side project. It is a 'mystery that was kept secret for long ages' (Rom. 16:25), a mystery of salvation that goes back into the heart of God, decreed 'before the foundation of the world' (Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:20). When God undertook salvation, he did it in a way that put divine resources into play, resources which involved him personally in the task. The more we explore and understand the depth of God's commitment to salvation, the more we have to come to grips with the triunity of the one God. The deeper we dig into the gospel, the deeper we go into the mystery of the Trinity."

 

What do you really need today, that 42" HD TV being advertised or what you already have in Christ?

 

May we spend more time this season digging into His Word, watching and waiting at his doors instead of the shopping mall.

 

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

Proverbs 8:32-36

The Message (MSG)

Verse of the Day 11/24

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Amplified Bible (AMP) ¹⁸Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

 

The Amplified Bible translation of this verse gives us an important reminder of the thanks that we are to give to God, on Thanksgiving or any day.  No matter what the circumstances we have reason to give thanks to God.  We can look back on what He has done in our lives in the past, what He's doing in the present, and what He is going to do according to His promises in the future.  This type of thanks is rooted in faith.

 

Yesterday's verse was from Luke 17 where one leper came back to thank Jesus for healing him, for restoring him.  Today's devotional from Zondervan publishing was on the same verses, here is what was written for today:

 

"I look back to the text. That is what it says: "Thy faith has saved thee." And the leper's faith was a faith that said thank you. Is that it? Jesus counts thanksgiving as integral in a faith that saves. We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if not with thanksgiving? Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives. Thanksgiving is the manifestation of our Yes! to His grace. Thanksgiving is inherent to a true salvation experience; thanksgiving is necessary to live the well, whole, fullest life."  -One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp

 

Take some time to think of this verse and this line "Thanksgiving is the evidence of our acceptance of whatever He gives."  Think of all of the Bible characters from Job, to David, to Paul.  Why do we still have their words in our Bibles and in our hearts?  Because they had the faith to give thanks to God in their circumstances.  They were faithful because they knew that He is faithful.

 

Give thanks with a grateful heart,

Give thanks unto the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

 

Give thanks!

 

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

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22  The Message (MSG)

 ^16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

 ^19-22Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

Verse of the Day 11/23

Luke 17:15-16 (NLT)  ¹⁵ One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, "Praise God!" ¹⁶ He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

 

All of us, in one form or another, have been healed by Jesus.  It may be physical, emotional, or spiritual but no one who is a follower of Jesus could deny that He has brought healing into their lives and continues to do so.

You probably know this story how Jesus healed 10 men yet only one returned to give Him thanks.  There are many lessons to be learned and take away from these verses and passage. 

 

The Samaritan gives us a reminder that the Jews nor present day Christians corner the market on giving thanks. The lepers were outcasts, by Jesus' healing they would be restored to family and community.  They would have a life again.   Many Christians today would be put to shame in a similar position having received healing and restoration but not acknowledging that it came from God and returning thanks and praise.  May it not be us.

 

As we approach Thanksgiving we will be doing some reflection on what God has done for us.  May we truly give Him thanks and share what He has done for us with others.  If we've been blessed we should be a blessing to others.  In these next days with family, friends, and strangers may we give thanks, and may we find ways to help others so that they may have another reason to give thanks and praise God.

 

I'll close with the words to one of my favorite Thanksgiving songs, "Give Thanks".

 

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks unto the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son.

 

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say,"I am rich"

Because of what the Lord has done for us.

 

Give thanks.

 

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

Luke 17:11-19 (NKJV)Ten Lepers Cleansed

   
¹¹ Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. ¹² Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. ¹³ And they lifted up their voices and said, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 
¹⁴ So when He saw them, He said to them, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. 
¹⁵ And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, ¹⁶ and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. 
¹⁷ So Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? ¹⁸ Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?" ¹⁹ And He said to him, "Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well."

Verse of the Day 11/22

Verse of the Day 11/22

 

Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV) ²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
   And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 

This month's theme in "Crossings", our high school youth group, has been that we are a part of a larger story than our own.  As we learn to trust, lean on and depend on His Word our will becomes more aligned with His and we will play a more significant role in the "larger story".

 

The psalmist here realizes that God is the only one that can fill the need, the hole in his heart.  It is where he can find strength for the day and hope for the future, for now and eternity.

 

John Piper writes, "The supreme goal of God in history from beginning to end is the manifestation of his great glory. Accordingly our duty is to bring our thoughts, affections, and actions into line with this goal. It should become our own goal. To join God in this goal is called glorifying God. The way we glorify God is first to delight in his glory more than in anything else and be grateful for it. Then as a natural result of this joy in God we experience freedom from selfishness and are moved to seek the good of others. Thus love becomes the chief means by which we join God in the open display of his glory, and accomplish his goal in history."— http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/the-glory-of-god-as-the-goal-of-history

 

Is God the strength of your heart, your portion, your refuge?  If so, what are you doing to bring your thoughts, affections and actions into line with this goal that He be glorified in your life?

 

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 73:21-28

English Standard Version (ESV)

²¹When my soul was embittered,
   when I was pricked in heart,
²²I was brutish and ignorant;
   I was like a beast toward you.

 ²³Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
   you hold my right hand.
²⁴You guide me with your counsel,
   and afterward you will receive me to glory.
²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
   And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

 ²⁷For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
   you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
²⁸But for me it is good to be near God;
   I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
   that I may tell of all your works.

Verse of the Day 11/21

Revelation 1:8 New Living Translation (NLT) ⁸ "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One."

 

In our High School study yesterday we reviewed the "I AM" statements in the book of John.  This verse was one of the lead ins to that study.

 

As we head into Thanksgiving and towards Christmas, you will come across many people who think that the world revolves around them.  Today's verse is a reminder that the world itself revolves because of Him, and that God in three persons, is the center of the universe.  John 1;1-2 show us that God and His Word were there to bring the created universe into being.  The cosmos and all therein is because of Him and operates according to His will, His plan.

 

I read the following quote in "Of First Importance" yesterday.  It goes along well with what we studied yesterday and as we head into the Thanksgiving week and entrance into the season of Christmas.  "Our lives are bracketed, or, boundaried, not by the decisions and actions of Caesar, not by the rise and fall of Rome, nor by the rise and fall of the United States. Our lives are boundaried by him, 'the first and the last.' Whatever else happens in our history and whatever else happens in my history, Jesus is there as the first word and Jesus is there as the last word. And Jesus is here in the middle with the Word that gives us life."— Darrell W. Johnson

May this verse and Darrell Johnson's reminder that Jesus is right here in the middle of it all with "the Word that gives us life".  May you experience share and spread more of this abundant life this week with family friends and others who need 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

Revelation 1:4-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

John's Greeting to the Seven Churches

 ⁴    Grace and peace to you from the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come; from the sevenfold Spirit before his throne; ⁵ and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.

   All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. ⁶ He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

 ⁷ Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven.
      And everyone will see him—
      even those who pierced him.
   And all the nations of the world
      will mourn for him.
   Yes! Amen!

 ⁸ "I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end," says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One."

Verse of the Day - weekend 11/19

John 18:37(ESV) ^37........."For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." ³⁸Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"

 

This was Jesus' statement as he stood before Pilate and Pilate gave him the famous, or infamous response "what is truth"?

Pilate would fit in well with the leaders and politicians of the day.  Jesus spoke, testified, and lived the truth and we should do the same.  We should be in stark contrast to the society around us and I will  be the first to admit that I don't come close to holding up my part of the bargain.

 

Unfortunately with Presidential elections less than a year away, we will be hearing "spin" every day.  The whole concept of "putting the right spin" on things just drives me crazy.  Why can't all of us speak the truth and stand by it, not worrying about "political" or religious "correctness".

 

John MacArthur writes, "Jesus' words, an implied invitation to Pilate to hear and obey the truth about Him, were completely lost on the governor.  Pilate abruptly ended the interrogation of Christ with the cynical, pessimistic remark, "What is truth?".  Like skeptics of all ages, including contemporary postmodernists, Pilate despaired of finding universal truth."

 

May we be willing to listen to the "voice of truth" as we read it in scripture and hear it preached this weekend.  May we avoid the spin and the temptation to spin ourselves, and may we listen, believe and apply the "voice of truth".

 

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

And 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.  - Casting Crowns

 

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

John 18:33-38 English Standard Version (ESV)

My Kingdom Is Not of This World

 ³³ So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?" ³⁴Jesus answered, "Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?" ³⁵Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?" ³⁶Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world." ³⁷Then Pilate said to him, "So you are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." ³⁸Pilate said to him, "What is truth?"

Verse of the Day 11/18

 Song of Solomon 8:6-7  (NLT) ⁶ Place me like a seal over your heart,
      like a seal on your arm.
   For love is as strong as death,  its jealousy as enduring as the grave.
   Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame.
 ⁷ Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it.
   If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth,
      his offer would be utterly scorned.

 

Song of Solomon 8 was in my reading schedule for yesterday, once again, through the day, I was amazed at how these verses came up.

 

The Beatles had a sond "Can't buy me love" which said, I don't care too much for money, money can't buy me love.  Unfortunately, many try to buy love with money and expensive gifts or throw extravagant weddings to show love.  As we have seen in the media, marriages built around these things won't last.

 

My wife Jean posted the following on her facebook page yesterday - "HAPPILY MARRIED WEEK- if your spouse is still your best friend, works extremely hard, has been with you through triumphs and tragedies, who loves you when you're at your worst, whom you are PROUD to be married to, post this as your status with the year you got married. 1981."

 

I love that woman!

 

I also received a devotional from Bible Gateway which had to do with marriage "The power of marriage lies in the power of a promise, sealed with God's stamp of approval, that one man makes to one woman. The promise to love another person "until death do you part" is as deep a commitment as one can make in this life. As one pastor put it, "The power to make and keep a promise is one of the strongest in the world, for it brings the promise maker within a millimeter of what it means to be like God, who makes and keeps his promises to his people."

 

True love can't be bought, it can't be quenched and can't be drowned, that doesn't mean it may not take great effort to hold onto, to nurture and cultivate.

 

If your feelings echo Jean's post on facebook, let your spouse know it, post it on Facebook, or pass it on in an e-mail.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Song of Solomon 8:6-7  The Message (MSG)

^6-8 Hang my locket around your neck,
   wear my ring on your finger.
Love is invincible facing danger and death.
   Passion laughs at the terrors of hell.
The fire of love stops at nothing—
   it sweeps everything before it.
Flood waters can't drown love,
   torrents of rain can't put it out.
Love can't be bought, love can't be sold—
   it's not to be found in the marketplace.

Verse of the Day 10/17

1 Peter 4:10  (NKJV) ¹⁰ As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

Today's verse comes from 1 Peter 4 and speaks of the "manifold" grace of God.  Manifold can be thought of as multi- colored or multifaceted.  We all have different needs in our lives, God's graces is sufficient, it is multifaceted, it can meet every need in every season.

 

These thoughts sprang from the second stanza of the hymn that we've been considering for a few days "Great is Thy  Faithfulness".

 

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

One of the things that I enjoy about living in the south is how long the fall colors last.  I drove down to South Carolina yesterday and enjoyed the full color of fall.  It was a pleasure to see all the different colors of the various trees, all contributing to the overall scenery.  So it is with us, God has given each of us different manifold gifts that help to meet the needs of others as God's instruments.  It is all a testimony to His great faithfulness, mercy and love.

 

"Since Christ is the incarnate display of the wealth of the mercies of God, it is not surprising that his life on earth was a lavish exhibit of mercies to all kinds of people. Every kind of need and pain was touched by the mercies of Jesus in his few years on earth." — John Piper in "Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ"

 

 Blessings,
Mike
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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 11/16

Psalm 16:7-8 New Living Translation (NLT)  ⁷ I will bless the Lord who guides me;
      even at night my heart instructs me.
 ⁸ I know the Lord is always with me.
      I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me

 

After I sent yesterday's devotional which ended with the first stanza of "Great is Thy Faithfulness" I couldn't get the song out of my mind.  The other verses kept flowing.  Read the third stanza and you can see why:

 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide,

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.

 

Great is Thy faithfulness.

 

Commenting on Psalm 16, David Jeremiah points out that David's agenda in the psalm was that David had reviewed who God is, he then rehearsed what God does and finally he rejoiced in what God had revealed that He was going to do.

 

As we spend time in God's Word, isn't that what it does to us.  We get a better understanding of Who God is, we learn more of what He does and how He accomplishes His purposes, and He reveals to us what He is going to do and how we are to be a part of that process.

 

James 1:25 Amplified Bible (AMP)  ²⁵But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).

Those who seek the Lord in His Word and apply what they learn and lean on Him for understanding will find the "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow", being able to count their blessings.

 

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

Psalm 16:5-11

New Living Translation (NLT)

 ⁵ Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
      You guard all that is mine.
 ⁶ The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
      What a wonderful inheritance!

 ⁷ I will bless the Lord who guides me;
      even at night my heart instructs me.
 ⁸ I know the Lord is always with me.
      I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

 ⁹ No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
      My body rests in safety.
 ¹⁰ For you will not leave my soul among the dead
      or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
 ¹¹ You will show me the way of life,
      granting me the joy of your presence
      and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Verse of the Day 11/15

James 1:17  (ESV) ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

 

Today's verse comes from the book of James which some refer to as the "Proverbs" of the New Testament.  The verse was today's verse from Moody's "Today in the Word" devotional.  The theme of heavenly light was present in three different readings in my devotions this morning.  When something like that happens it take it to mean something.  This verse reminds us that every "perfect gift" comes from above.  What are the perfect gifts that have been given to you?  As you think and pray about it the answers may surprise you.  Sometimes they come out of the trials and struggles in our lives.

 

Today's New Testament reading in Luke chapter 1 contained the following verses:

 

Luke 1:78-79  (ESV) ⁷⁸because of the tender mercy of our God,
   whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
⁷⁹to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace."

 

Out of His tender mercy, God sent His Son as the perfect gift to give light to those who had been in darkness.  His Word and His Spirit will guide us through the shadows into the light and into the way of peace.

 

The next passage was in my daily reading in Psalms which brought me to Psalm 43 and verses 3-4.

³ Send out your light and your truth;
   let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
   and to your dwelling!
⁴Then I will go to the altar of God,
   to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
   O God, my God.  ESV

 

I'll close with the words of an old familiar hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness" which acknowledges James words in verse 17 that there is no shadow of turning with God.  If you have received God's perfect gift, how can you not sing praise to Him in words or with an instrument - Great is Thy Faithfulness.

 

"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

 

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
  Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
    "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto 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

 

James 1:16-18 English Standard Version (ESV)

 ¹⁶Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ¹⁷ Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ¹⁸ Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.