Verse of the Day 6/30

Verse of the Day 6/30

 

Zechariah 14:8 (NKJV)  And in that day it shall be
That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem,
Half of them toward the eastern sea
And half of them toward the western sea;
In both summer and winter it shall occur.

 

Today's verse was from Spurgeon's morning devotional for today.  It is fitting as here in the southeast we are in a stretch of what is expected to be several 100 degree days.

When I returned from a business trip yesterday I came home to find one section of my lawn was totally "burned up", the grass turned brown by the heat.  Doing some investigation, I found out that the timer had somehow been turned off for that zone.  It had been cut off from the source of the life giving water.

 

At times in our lives we cut ourselves off from God, not spending time in His Word and prayer.  In doing so, we may be turning ourselves off from the source of what may sustain us through the droughts that may occur in our lives.

 

Spurgeon writes, "The heats of business cares and scorching trials make me need the cooling influences of the river of His grace; I may go at once and drink to the full from the inexhaustible fountain, for in summer and in winter it pours forth its flood. The upper springs are never scanty, and blessed be the name of the Lord, the nether springs cannot fail either....The tracks of ancient rivers have been found all dry and desolate, but the streams which take their rise on the mountains of divine sovereignty and infinite love shall ever be full to the brim. Generations melt away, but the course of grace is unaltered. "

 

Are you facing the "heat of business cares" or "scorching trials"?  Seek comfort and relief in the living Word.  Even in the heat may you proclaim "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.

 

"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

Zechariah 14:6-9 The Message (MSG)
 6-7What a Day that will be! No more cold nights—in fact, no more nights! The Day is coming—the timing is God's—when it will be continuous day. Every evening will be a fresh morning.

 

 8What a Day that will be! Fresh flowing rivers out of Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea, half to the western sea, flowing year-round, summer and winter!

 

 9God will be king over all the earth, one God and only one. What a Day that will be!

Verse of the Day 6/29

 Jeremiah 32:19 (AMP) Great [are You] in counsel and mighty in deeds, Whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to reward or repay each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings,

There was quite a stir yesterday as Chief Justice, chief counsel Roberts, cast the deciding vote in deciding upon the legality of the health care bill.  It was not an easy decision to make as indicated by the 5/4 verdict. The decision will impact everyone from one degree to another and be a major topic until the elections in November.

 

In reality, today's passage acknowledges that there is only One who rules and holds sway over the universe,  He is the creator and sustain-er of all things and in verse 17 the prophet Jeremiah reminds us that "nothing is too hard" for Him.

 

We may struggle over big decisions in our lives, in personal relationships, courses of action in dealing with illnesses, decisions regarding employment and within our jobs.  Are we seeking God's counsel in His Word in making important decisions?

 

The verses should encourage us that the creator of the heavens and the earth is concerned for us but the same verses remind us that we are accountable for our actions.  In the end, may we come to the conclusion that the prophet did -

"Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)

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

Jeremiah 32:17-19 (ESV)

¹⁷ 'Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. ¹⁸  You show steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children after them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts, ¹⁹  great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.

Verse of the Day 6/28

 1 Chronicles 14:15(AMP)  And when you hear a sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry or balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to smite the Philistine host.

 

When we lived in Huntley Illinois, in the summertime I would have my morning devotion out on the back deck.  In the backyard there were some cottonwood trees.  Late in the summer, after the heat and dryness, the leaves would become brittle before turning brown and dropping in the fall.

When this would happen and the wind would blow, the leaves would make the sound described in today's verse.  Everytime I see a cottonwood tree I'm reminded of this verse and every time I read this verse I'm reminded of the sound of the cottonwood trees.

 

The context of the verse was during a time when David was having his battles, his encounters with the Philistines.  David sought the Lord in the way he should fight the ongoing battle.  He had to learn patience and tactics that were contrary than he would normally have utilitzed.  I don't know how long of a wait is described in this verse, whether it was to wait for a time of day or a longer period, whenever it was, when he heard the sound his armies were to take action.  In any case, he had to learn to fight the battle in the Lord's timing, and when that time came, he had to fight them in the Lord's way.

 

So it is in our lives.  We face battles of illness, job loss and/or loneliness.  We need to seek the Lord in how, when and in what manner we are to fight these personal battles.  We may have to wait hours, days or for a season for direction.  In any case, however long the wait, we need to realize that He is going before us to lead us to victory.

 

Oh, victory in jesus,
My saviour forever
He sought me
And he bought me
With his redeeming blood

 

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

1 Chronicles 14:14-17

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, "You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. ¹⁵ And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines." ¹⁶ And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. ¹⁷ And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.

Verse of the Day 6/27

Verse of the Day 6/27       

 

2 Corinthians 8:13-14 (ESV) For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness ¹⁴ your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.

There has been a lot of talk recently in the media and in the political sphere about "fairness" and people "paying their fair share".  As I read this verse this morning I thought that they gave some biblical perspective on the subject.

 

First of all it is talking about needs, necessities.  It is about giving and not about taking.

 

John MacArthur comments regarding "fairness" as mentioned here, "This Greek word gives us the English word isostasy which refers to a condition of equilibrium.  Thus the term could also be translated as balance or equilibrium.  The idea is that in the body of Christ some believers who have more than they need should help those who have far less than they need."

 

Both sides of the "aisle" can learn something from this.  It is not talking about perpetual hand outs but supplying in time of need.  Think of it as helping someone gain their balance or equilibrium, to get back on their feet so that when someone else is in time of need, due to illness, job loss or other circumstance you may help those who have helped you.

 

May we be ready, prepared to give in times of need so that if and when we find ourselves in need, we may find help from others.  May we see the hand of God in all of it.

 

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

 

2 Corinthians 8:11-15 (NLT)

¹¹ Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. ¹² Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don't have. ¹³ Of course, I don't mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. ¹⁴ Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. ¹⁵ As the Scriptures say,

"Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over,
    and those who gathered only a little had enough."

Verse of the Day 6/26

Verse of the Day 6/26

Psalm 86:11-12 (ESV) Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
     unite my heart to fear your name.
¹² I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever

In this Psalm as in so many other times in David's life, he finds himself in trouble.  What does he do?  He calls out to the Lord.

If you look back on David's life, some of these troubles are the result of his own doing, his sin.  Others are through no fault of his own but rather a king (Saul) with a king sized ego.

 

In verse 6 he calls to the Lord to hear his prayer, his cry in the time of trouble.  He knows from past experience that his Lord is listening.

 

In today's verse I want you to consider David's call to "unite his heart" with God's.  The man after God's own heart calls for a united heart.  It doesn't come naturally.

 

We sang the song "Hosanna", by Hillsong in church over the weekend.  Reading this verse brought to mind one of the stanzas of that song.

 

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your Kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

Whether our heart our soul feels like it is in the depths, may we have a united heart with God, may we pray "break my heart for what breaks yours". 

 

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

 

Psalm 86:6-13 ESV

⁶  Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
    listen to my plea for grace.
⁷ In the day of my trouble I call upon you,
     for you answer me.

⁸ There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
     nor are there any works like yours.
⁹  All the nations you have made shall come
    and worship before you, O Lord,
    and shall glorify your name.
¹⁰ For you are great and do wondrous things;
     you alone are God.
¹¹  Teach me your way, O Lord,
    that I may walk in your truth;
     unite my heart to fear your name.
¹² I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
    and I will glorify your name forever.
¹³  For great is your steadfast love toward me;
    you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol

Verse of the Day 6/24

Romans 10:13-14 (AMP)For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved.
14 But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]? And how are they to believe in Him [adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him] of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?

 

Many across the country and across the world today will be heading off to church to hear a message from the Word of God, the Bible with the focus being to preach the Gospel and hoping that new converts will call upon the Lord and be saved.

 

I read an article by Ed Stetzer in Tabletalk magazine from Ligonier Ministries this morning "Preach the Gospel and Since It's Necessary Use Words".  It dealt with the statement often attributed to Francis of Assisi "preach the gospel and if necessary use words."  He pointed out that while these words are attributed to Francis of Assisi there is no documentation that he ever did so and it is doubtful that he would have agreed with the statement. 

 

It goes along with another statement that is also used often today "actions speak louder than words."  Both statements sound good and should challenge and encourage us to "back up our words with actions".  But we can't avoid the fact that the Gospel, the truth about Jesus, His life, ministry, death and resurrection must be told.  Stetzer writes, "one of the most important things a Christian does is to redirect other Christians back to Jesus through the good news of the gospel.  And we need to speak it in the church so that unbelievers visiting among us can hear how precious it remains to our lives, that it is not merely a way station on our spiritual journey."

 

Yesterday we considered our pilgrimage, our journey through life as a Christian.  It revolves around the gospel message, God's Word and how it impacts directs and redirects our lives.  The Word, the Gospel is not just a way station it is our guide along the path of the Christian life.

 

Are you thankful that someone preached the gospel to you?  Pray for your pastor today and always and encourage him if given the opportunity to preach the gospel with words.  We need to commit to living out those words, and use and let the Word influence our daily lives.

 

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

Romans 10:13-17 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

 

14 But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who announce the gospel of good things! 16 But all did not obey the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message? 17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

Verse of the Day 6/23

Psalm 84:5 (NKJV) Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

 

My devotional reading this morning in the Psalms brought me to chapter 84 and one of my favorite verses in the Psalms.  I especially like the NKJV as it speaks of a pilgrimage.  For me the word brings images of Abram in antiquity being called out of Ur to follow God.  It reminds me of David and many of the prophets of the Old Testament who lived their lives looking forward to when Christ, the Messiah would come.  It makes me think of Christian in Bunyan's "Pilgrims Progress.  It makes me think of Christians through the century that endured hardships, trials and the testing of their faith, yet held out to the end looking for that glorious appearing.

 

The word and verse also bring to mind a song learned as a child at Schiller Park Evangelical Free Church, "This World is Not My Home".  Several of the "kids" I grew up with receive these devotionals and I'm thankful that their hearts are set on pilgrimage as well.  Though we may go through the valley of weeping for a time, we've got our minds and hearts set on another place that outshines the sun, way beyond the blue.

 

This world is not my home I'm just passing through
my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
if Heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do?
the angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
and I can't feel at home in this world anymore

 

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 84  (NKJV) The Blessedness of Dwelling in the House of God

 

84 How lovely is Your tabernacle,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You. Selah
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 O God, behold our shield,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

Verse of the Day 6/22

Romans 15:5-6 (AMP) Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,  6 That together you may [unanimously] with united hearts and one voice, praise and glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

 

I know several people who are going through struggles, pain, and sufferings of different kinds.  Illnesses, job loss and other things can bring discouragement.  Yesterday the verse from Hebrews spoke of the God of peace and that He is here for us "now".  Today's verse starts off the same way.  It was a prayer from Paul to his listeners some of  whom undoubtedly were facing the same types of things as well as persecution for their faith.

 

People going through the valley need endurance.   We believe in, trust in and serve the God who grants His followers the "power of patient endurance".  He is also the God who supplies encouragement. through His Word, His Spirit the Comforter who comes alongside us, and His Son who brings light and life.

 

If God has brought you through the valley I'm sure you can look back and see that He is the God who gives patient endurance and encouragement.   If this is the case we need to be there for others, as God's instruments to bring encouragement to those in need.  This encouragement involves pointing people to Christ, the light of the world who alone can overcome the darkness.

 

Christmas is half a year away but these thoughts brought to mind a stanza of the Christmas carol "Hark the Herald Angels Sing".  It speaks of light, life, healing and a second birth to the praise and glory of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, our Messiah.

 

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"

Read the passage from THE MESSAGE below.  May it inspire you to "wade right in" and help those in need of help in their time of trouble.

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
Romans 15:3-7  The Message (MSG)

 3-6That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it. Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it's written for us. God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next. May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. Then we'll be a choir—not our voices only, but our very lives singing in harmony in a stunning anthem to the God and Father of our Master Jesus!

 

 7-13So reach out and welcome one another to God's glory. Jesus did it; now you do it!

Verse of the Day 6/21

Verse of the Day 6/21

 

Hebrews 13:20-21(ESV)  Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

I was turning to the book of Hebrews to look up a verse and landed upon the end of the book.  I saw a picture in my Bible of a shepherd standing beside a sheep, the picture was from behind with them gazing forward.

 

The first Word may get your attention, it got mine.  NOW.  No matter where we are in life, no matter what the circumstances, the God of peace is there for us now,  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead can raise us physically and/or spiritually above the circumstances.  He promises to equip us with "everything good" in order that we may do His will.

 

The picture of the shepherd and sheep looking forward is significant.  There are many solutions, many paths offered by the world around us, they may seem like the easy way, but in the end will leave us empty.  Jesus points us to a path less travelled, the old path, the sometimes, oftentimes forgotten path of taith and trust in Him.  Look for this path, He may appear to you from far away, reminding you of His faithful love.   May you experience God's peace, His presence as you travel down the path with the Shepherd today.

 

Jeremiah 31:3 (HCSB)  the Lord appeared to him from far away.
I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.

 

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

Hebrews 13:17-21 English Standard Version (ESV)
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

 

18  Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.

 

20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21  equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Verse of the Day 6/20

Psalm 40:5 (NKJV) Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.

 

There are atheists who don't believe in God, who believe that everything has and will happen by chance.  Others believe in a deity who created the universe, and like a watch maker, wound it up and then stepped back and has just let things go.  We believe in God, the God who created the universe and is intimately involved in our lives.

 

What does it mean to you that God knows you, thinks of you and has plans for you?

In a recent devotional Pastor Greg Laurie wrote, " "It would have been enough if God had said, "I know the single thought I had toward you for a fleeting moment." Wouldn't you be happy to know that God Almighty, the Creator of the universe, had a single thought about you? I would. But that is not what He said.

God said, "I know the thoughts that I think toward you." That is thoughts, plural—more than one. Also notice the use of the present tense: "I know the thoughts that I think toward you." The thoughts are from what God has thought, what He is thinking, and what He still will think. And His thoughts are good. "

 

He knows the situation that you are in.  He loves and cares for you, He is thinking about you and has future thoughts and plans for you, and as Greg Laurie notes "they are good".

 

Jeremiah 29:11(NKJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 

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

Psalm 40:1-8 (ESV) My Help and My Deliverer

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 makes
    the 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  In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
    but you have given me an open ear.^[a]
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 delight to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart."

Verse of the Day 6/19

Isaiah 40:31(AMP) But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

 

Today's verse is one of my all time favorites.  It has encouraged me and strengthened me through the trials and joys of my life.

 

Several years ago I went on a hunting trip with some friends to the mountains of Colorado.  I brought back a prize, a treasure, but it wasn't a deer or an elk trophy but rather the view of an eagle.  As I was sitting high on a mountain ridge overlooking a valley on an unusually warmm clear,  early fall afternoon, I noticed an eagle which began to circle in the valley below me.  As I watched for several minutes, he slowly circled round and round, gaining height as he caught the updrafts of the warm afternoon.  He never flapped his wings but just soared.  Soon he was high above me and eventually drifted out of sight over another ridge.

 

Pastor Bob ended his message "White Knuckles (Part 2) Free Fall" with this verse.  We also sang the Matt Redman song "Strength Will Rise",  those words "strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord came to mind".  The eagle was raised up and soared not by his own strength and the power of his mighty wings, no he was lifted up by the power of the wind beneath his wings.  So it is with us, after a time of "free fall", in hope, in faith, in trust, in waiting on Him, He provides the wind the strength to enable us to soar once again, above and beyond our problems, our trials in the valley.

 

I often think of this verse in regards to our son Jeff, who remains disabled from his TBI many years ago.  He was brought low but by the grace of God he now soars, not in his own strength but the grace of God which allows him to thank God for this wonderful, this awesome life.

 

In whatever trials you face today, may God strengthen you, renwe your strength, be the wind beneath your wings, may you mount up , close to God, and soar.

 

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

Isaiah 40:28-31 Amplified Bible (AMP)
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint or grow weary; there is no searching of His understanding.
29 He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound].
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Verse of the Day 6/18

Isaiah 50:4 (HCSB) The Lord God has given Me
the tongue of those who are instructed
to know how to sustain the weary with a word.
He awakens Me each morning;
He awakens My ear to listen like those being instructed.

 

Over the past few days I've shared a couple of things said and sung by my four year old granddaughter, Layna, that have influenced me.  It is amazing that things that an innocent four year old can say or do to have an impact on an adult.

 

One of the lines to the hymn that she sings "Holy, Holy , Holy", keeps coming back to me - "early in the morning our song shall rise to thee".  Our reading, studying and prayers rise to Him and He speaks back to us through His Word and in by His Spirit.  I  read today's verse over the weekend and with Layna's words as a backdrop, I couldn't help but relate it to spending time in God's Word and in prayer and that it should change how we interact with others.  Our words should be able to help, give hope to, and sustain the weary with a kind word that we've heard through His Word.

 

No matter if your time with the Lord comes in the morning or at another time, may we be awakened by it, instructed by it, learn from it, and apply it in helping the weary with a word.  If you do, you may find yourself "singing when the evening comes".  Read the words to the Matt Redman song "10,000 Reasons" which we sang in church yesterday.

 

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

You're rich in love, and You're slow to anger
Your name is great, and Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

 

And on that day when my strength is failing
The end draws near and my time has come
Still my soul will sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years and then forevermore

 

Bless the Lord, O my soul
O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before
O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

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

Isaiah 50:4-11 New Living Translation (NLT)The Lord's Obedient Servant

 

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
    so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
    and opens my understanding to his will.
5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
    and I have listened.
    I have not rebelled or turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me
    and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
    from mockery and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
    I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
    determined to do his will.
    And I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 He who gives me justice is near.
    Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
    Let them appear!
9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
    Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
    like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
10 Who among you fears the Lord
    and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness,
    without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
    and rely on your God.
11 But watch out, you who live in your own light
    and warm yourselves by your own fires.
This is the reward you will receive from me:
    You will soon fall down in great torment.

Verse of the Day 6/17

Luke 11:2 (AMP) And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven.

 

This is the first Father's Day since my dad went home to be with the Lord last December.  I miss him, especially on days like today.  I also take joy in knowing that he is with our heavenly Father and know that someday I will be there as well.

In the meantime I can go to my heavenly Father with my prayers, cares, and praises.

 

While he was in the hospital last December, my daughter Laurie and her husband Jeff came to visit dad for the last time, knowing it would be their last time to see him.  Their daughter, our granddaughter Layna, at that time not quite four years old, asked if she could go in and see him.  Laurie told her that she was sorry, but that grandpa was very sick and would soon be going to be with Jesus.  I'll never forget Layna's response, "tell him to say hi to Jesus for me".

It brought a sense of joy, peace, and hope to the moment.

 

My prayer as a father today is that our kids and grandkids will know their heavenly Father, that He will be "held holy and revered" in their lives, that they will go to Him in all the seasons and circumstances of life.  I also pray that when my time comes their response will be the same as little Layna's, "say hi to Jesus for me."

 

Until then, we'll treasure the time together.

 

I love you dad, and I love you Father, Spirit, Son.

 

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

Luke 11:1-2  Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 Then He was praying in a certain place; and when He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, [just] as John taught his disciples.
2 And He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven.

Verse of the Day 6/16

 

Isaiah 48:17 (ESV) Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go."

 

In my devotions this morning I read a couple of verses that struck me, mainly because of all the travel that I've done for the last 29 years, mostly for work.  The first was from Psalm 139 :

Psalm 139:3 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) You observe my travels and my rest;  You are aware of all my ways.

 

The HCSB uses the word "travels" where others have used path.  Looking back I'm thankful that for the last 20 years or so I've carried God's Word, the Bible with me wherever I've gone.  But even before that, as a Christian, I knew that God was with me wherever I went.  That knowledge brings a sense of security, accountability, and responsibility with it.  More recently, when I travel I use a GPS.  I plug in the address, and for the most part the GPS leads me to where I want to go.  Spiritually, having God's Word is my spiritual GPS and spending time in it leads me to where He wants me to go.

 

The second passage that struck me was Isaiah 48 where we find today's verse.  We work in business for profit and our travels in business are towards that end.  Spiritually, God teaches us for profit, that we may produce fruit and that we may find peace and joy along the way.

 

Sometimes, the GPS may send us by an unfamiliar way and we may not trust it and end up straying from the path.  So it is also with God's Word as we see in the verse that follows.

 

Isaiah 48:18(ESV)  Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea;

 

Wherever you are headed, whether across the country or within your own town, may you experience His presence, His perfect peace.

 

Like a river glorious, is God's perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.

 

Refrain

 

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

 

For the complete hymn go to http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/i/likriver.htm

 

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

Isaiah 48:17-19 English Standard Version (ESV)
17 Thus says the Lord,
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you to profit,
    who leads you in the way you should go.
18  Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!
     Then your peace would have been like a river,
    and your righteousness like the waves of the sea;
19  your offspring would have been like the sand,
    and your descendants like its grains;
their name would never be cut off
    or destroyed from before me."

Verse of the Day 6/15

1 John 4:13-14 (HCSB) This is how we know that we remain in Him and He in us: He has given assurance to us from His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world's Savior.

 

We recently had our granddaughter Layna stay with us for 2 weeks.  While here she went to BSF with Jean.  When they came back Jean heard her singing "Holy, Holy, Holy" which she had learned.  It was cute because, as a four year old she didn't understand all the words.  Instead of "merciful and mighty" it was something like "birds to fly and mighty".  We laughed and Jean recorded it.  Hopefully, some of the message of the song and learning to sing of "God in three persons, blessed Trinity" will sink in as she grows.

 

In His great mercy God sent His Son who died upon the cross for our sins.  We believe this in faith.  But our faith doesn't end there.  God sent the Spirit to us that we may live by faith.

 

J.R. Miller writes, "But if our faith stops at the cross--it misses the blessing of the fullest revealing of Christ. We do not merely need a Savior who nineteen hundred years ago went to death to redeem us--but one who also is alive--to walk by our side in loving companionship.
We need a Savior who can now hear our prayers.
We need a Savior to whose feet we can now creep in penitence, when we have sinned.
We need a Savior to whom we can now call for help, when the battle is going against us.
We need a Savior who is now interested in all of the affairs of our common life, and who can assist us in time of need.
We need a Savior who can now be our real Friend--loving us, keeping close beside us always.
We not only need a Savior who saved us by one great act wrought centuries ago--but one who continually saves us by His warm heart throbbing with love today, walking ever by our side."

 

Our faith sees God walking by our side, as we come to Him asking Him to hear our prayers or as we sing joyfully "birds to fly and mighty", in any case, praise God in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

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 4:13-19 English Standard Version (ESV)
13  By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19  We love because he first loved us.

Verse of the Day 6/13

 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV1984)  And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
 

We recently considered James call for us to be "doers of the Word and not hearers only".  Today's verse in Paul's first letter to the church at Thessalonica reveals that he has heard of their faith and their works.  Believers hear God's Word but it doesn't come in one ear and out the other.

Believers receive the Word.  We are to "take the ball and run with it".  That is what distinguishes true believers and unbelievers.

 

We receive God's Word and His Word works in us to accomplish His purposes.  In his commentary on this verse, John MacArthur notes some of the ways that God's Word effectually works in us.  It includes "saving,teaching and training,guiding, counseling, nourishing,reviving, restoring, rewarding, judging, sanctifying, freeing and making us wise."

 

Read through that list again.  Which of these do you find or find lacking in your life?  Let God's Word work in your life, pray with a heart like David's in Psalm 51 for a willing spirit to do what He's called you to do. 

 

Psalm 51:12(ESV)   Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

 

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

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13-14  English Standard Version (ESV)

¹³ And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea.

Psalm 18:30 (NIV1984) As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 

The other day in Isaiah 40 we considered how the Word of the Lord endures forever.  As I read today's verse, and the NIV 1984 description of God's Word being flawless, I thought of the commercials and posters that jewelry stores have used, that "diamonds are forever".

 

Diamonds are graded on their brilliance and the quality, the perfection of the cuts.  Clean edges allow for the brilliance as light filters through it.  They are so valued that they are passed down through generations as family heirlooms.

 

What value do you put on God's Word?  Have you, will you share it and pass it down to the next generations?  Its not too late, when you think of all His benefits, why wouldn't you share it.

 

Read the passage below.  How does His Word speak to you today, how does it shine?

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

Psalm 18:25-32

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

²⁵ To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
    to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
²⁶ to the pure you show yourself pure,
    but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
²⁷ You save the humble
    but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
²⁸ You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning;
    my God turns my darkness into light.
²⁹ With your help I can advance against a troop^[a];
    with my God I can scale a wall.

³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect;
    the word of the Lord is flawless.
He is a shield
    for all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength
    and makes my way perfect.

Verse of the Day 6/11

James 1:22-23  (NLT)  But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.

 

We've considered how the "Word of the Lord endures forever" in Isaiah 40.  Today's verse comes from the book of James which some have labeled the "Proverbs" of the New Testament.  The book is full biblical applications for the Christian life.

 

Most of us went to church yesterday or over the weekend and heard a message from "God's Word".  How intently did we or do we normally listen.  Did we go from there or from our devotions this morning with a mindset of applying something to our lives?  Bringing verse 23 into perspective, how many of us looked in a mirror this morning then walked away to face the day without doing something to our face or hair.

 

John MacArthur writes, "Looks doesn't refer to a casual glance but to a careful, cautious, observant stare.  This person is taking a good, long look at himself.  Hearers of the word are not necessarily superficial or casual in their approach to scripture.  They can be serious students of the Word."   The question is what are they what are we doing with it?

 

May we be students of God's enduring Word, and may we further be doers of it that our faith may blossom, bloom, grow and produce fruit.

 

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 1:19-25 (NLT) Listening and Doing

 

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

 

22 But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

Verse of the Day 6/10

 Isaiah 40:8 (ESV) The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.

 

My wife Jean and I enjoy going for walks in our neighborhood.  It is now June, the Crepe Myrtles are in full bloom, this week the first daisies blossomed in our yard and the lawns in the neighborhood are nice and green.  We enjoy it now because we know that it won't last forever.  The summer heat of July and August will come and many of the lawns will turn brown and dormant.  Daisies and crepe Myrtles blossom for a long time but some time this fall, their flowers will fade and the petals will drop off.

 

Thankfully, it is not so with God's Word.  It will stand, blossom, bloom and produce fruit in all seasons, forever.

 

The last books that were added to the Sacred Canon are approaching 2000 years old, yet they are mighty in power to save and produce fruit in us as they were 2000 years ago.

 

Arthur Pink writes, "The Bible never becomes antiquated, its vitality never diminishes and its influence is more irresistible and universal today than it was two thousands of years ago.  Such facts as these declare with no uncertain voice that the Bible is endued with the same Divine life and energy of its Author, for in no other way can we account for its marvelous influence through the centuries and its mighty power in the world."

 

Have you been in a dry season?  Return to the Lord, return to His Word.  May it blossom again in your life.

 

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

Isaiah 40:6-8 (ESV) The Word of God Stands Forever

 

6 A voice says, "Cry!"
    And I said, "What shall I cry?"
All flesh is grass,
    and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers, the flower fades
    when the breath of the Lord blows on it;
    surely the people are grass.
8  The grass withers, the flower fades,
    but the word of our God will stand forever.

Verse of the Day 6/9

Joshua 1:8(ESV) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

 

I was recently watching a White Sox game where the announcers were talking about Paul Konerko who is having one of, if not his best season.  They talked about his approach to hitting and his mechanics.  They said that when he comes to the plate that he is concentrating on the pitcher and the ball.  He does not think about his mechanics when he comes to bat.  He works on his mechanics tirelessly in practice so that when game time rolls around he doesn't have to think about it.  He focuses on the pitcher and the ball, the mechanics, because of his practice, take care of themselves.

 

As I thought about their words I related it to the Christian walk, the Christian life.  If we were better grounded in the Bible and made the effort to live as an imitator of Christ, if we had his "approach", the mechanics would be there for "game time"

 

In regards to this verse John MacArthur writes, "That's a command to be doers of the Word - one who receives, studies, and understands scripture and then applies it to every aspect of his or her life.  That was the key to Joshua's amazing success."  Do you hope, desire to have Joshua's success? If so, study, meditate, and apply what you learn in your everyday life.  When the pressure situations come up, you won't be worried about mechanics, you'll draw upon His Word, it will come naturally.

 

James 1:22(NASB)  But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

 

Read the rest of the passage in Joshua 1.  See what it says about "doing".

 

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
Joshua 1:6-9  (NASB)
6  Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8  This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Verse of the Day 6/8

Jonah 2:9(AMP)  But as for me, I will sacrifice to You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation and deliverance belong to the Lord!

 

I am sure that we are all aware of the life and trials of Jonah in the Old Testament.  Today's verse comes from that book and should be an encouragement for us.  No matter what we face, salvation and deliverance belong to God.

You might think, "that's easy for him to say".  Well, no it wasn't.  The words came while he was still in the belly of the fish.  The preceding two verses give us an indication of his emotions amidst the circumstances.

 

Jonah 2:7-8 (ESV) When my life was fainting away, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple.
8  Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.

 

As his life was fainting, ebbing away, he remembered, he prayed.  He felt the love of God and was miraculously delivered.  His was a prayer of brokenness and God restored him.  Oftentimes, something needs to be totally broken, torn down, before it can be built or rebuilt.

 

Notice how when his life was flashing before his eyes, he realized the foolishness of vanity, chasing after "vain idols".  The Lord stopped him in his tracks, or his sails, as it were, in pursuit of these things and running from God.  This stopping and the "rending" of his heart led to a personal and city wide revival in that pagan town of Nineveh.

 

I am sure that you do not find yourself in the belly of a whale this morning, but wherever you do find yourself, if you need help, turn, cry out to Jesus.  Salvation and deliverance belong to Him.

 

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
Jonah 2  The Message (MSG)  - At the Bottom of the Sea

 

 1-9 Then Jonah prayed to his God from the belly of the fish. He prayed:
   "In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God.
   He answered me.
From the belly of the grave I cried, 'Help!'
   You heard my cry.
You threw me into ocean's depths,
   into a watery grave,
With ocean waves, ocean breakers
   crashing over me.
I said, 'I've been thrown away,
   thrown out, out of your sight.
I'll never again lay eyes
   on your Holy Temple.'
Ocean gripped me by the throat.
   The ancient Abyss grabbed me and held tight.
My head was all tangled in seaweed
   at the bottom of the sea where the mountains take root.
I was as far down as a body can go,
   and the gates were slamming shut behind me forever—
Yet you pulled me up from that grave alive,
   O God, my God!
When my life was slipping away,
   I remembered God,
And my prayer got through to you,
   made it all the way to your Holy Temple.
Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds,
   walk away from their only true love.
But I'm worshiping you, God,
   calling out in thanksgiving!
And I'll do what I promised I'd do!
   Salvation belongs to God!"

 

 10 Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.

Verse of the Day 6/6

Joel 2:13 (NIV)  Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,  and he relents from sending calamity.

 

Yesterday we considered the times and seasons in Ecclesiastes 3, in particular, the time to tear or rend and the time to sew.  The setting for today's verse was one of turmoil and unrest for the nation.  Things weren't going well, the beginning verses of the book speak of four kinds of locusts that devoured everything.  It is easy to picture a worse economic situation than we are facing or Europe, for that matter.

 

There is a time to rend and a time to sew, to patch repair, reconstruct.  In those days, people would tear, rend their garments as an outward sign or symbol of woe, remorse, and grieving.  Joel cuts through all of this to the heart of the matter.  What the nation and each individual needed was a change of heart.  It needed to be torn, broken before it could be "sewn" back together.  In verse one he called for the nation to return to God with "all their heart", with weeping, fasting and mourning.

 

These are the things that will lead to God's grace, mercy and healing being poured out.  We may face difficult times and may show one thing on the outside. show remorse over sin that may have put us in that position.  God sees through all of that to the heart.  A perfect example of this heart rending may be found in Psalm 51 where David repented after his sin with Bathsheba.

 

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
    and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
    you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart
    you, God, will not despise.

 

Wherever you find yourself today, "even now" (v.12) there is time to return to the Lord.

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

Joel 2:12-14 (NIV) Rend Your Heart

 

12 "Even now," declares the Lord,
    "return to me with all your heart,
    with fasting and weeping and mourning."
13 Rend your heart
    and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
    for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
    and he relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent
    and leave behind a blessing —
grain offerings and drink offerings
    for the Lord your God.