Verse of the Day 11/30

1 John 3:23-24 Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us.   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
 

Yesterday we considered some of what it means to remain in Him, to abide in Christ and have Him abiding in us.  Today's verse comes from the following chapter, 1 John 3 which continues the theme, the thought line.  Here we have three of the recurring features of this letter - believing, loving and obeying.

 

The person that remains or abides in Christ will give evidence, will testify of this in their words and actions in life.  What we truly believe will have an active role, no, should have a dominant role in our lives.  That believing is trusting, it involves some risk taking in loving others. This is one risk that will pay off with certain results.

 

John Piper writes, "A testimony is the presentation of evidence that should help a jury decide the truth of a claim.  A testimony is valuable to the degree that it can be counted as good evidence in deciding if a claim is true.  The evidence that the Holy Spirit presents to our own spirits and to the community is first of all the evidence of love.  The Spirit puts within us a humble heart of love and so gives evidence of his presence and power.  His testimony is the love he producess.  He bears witness to his presence by what he alone can produce - the overflow of joy in God that flows out to meet the needs of others."

 

May His presence produce this love for one another this day, this season, for His honor and glory.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 John 3:21-24  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

²¹ Dear friends, if our conscience doesn't condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and can receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight. ²³ Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us.

Verse of the Day 11/29

1 John 2:24-25   What you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵ And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life.   HCSB

There is a lot of talk these days about "green energy" and "sustainability" and "renewable energy".  It is a concept that should not be unfamiliar to a Christian, a Christ follower.  With solar power, as long as that solar panel is directed to the sun, as long as the sun comes up each day it will receive power, energy, it will remain productive.

 

This morning I read Psalm 51:12 in the NASB in which David prays,  ^"Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit." (NASB)
 For a time he had been disconnected from his power source during his time of sin with Bathsheba.  His desire was not just a restoration but one that would be sustained, would remain.

 

Today's New Testament reading in the read through the Bible plan came to 1 John 2.  3 times in the verses above and several more times in the chapter the HCSB quotes John as saying "remain".  It is about staying staying power, being renewed, remaining to be renewed, sustained in that newness of life which David referred to as a "right spirit" and the "joy of His salvation".

 

My prayer today would be that we would experience this today and that it would remain, be sustained in our hearts as we rely on His promises.  To do so we must be turned toward the Son and draw from His never ending supply.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 John 2:24-27

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Remaining with God

²⁴ What you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. ²⁵ And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life. ²⁶ I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.

²⁷ The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie; just as He has taught you, remain in Him.

Verse of the Day 11/28

Isaiah 66:2   My hand made all these things,
and so they all came into being.
This is the Lord's declaration.
I will look favorably on this kind of person:
one who is humble, submissive in spirit,
and trembles at My word.    Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Yesterday we considered David's restless heart.  He desired to find a resting place for the ark of the covenant, later he would desire to build the Lord a temple. But what God wanted, what He has always wanted were human hearts to be His dwelling place.

 

John MacArthur writes, "God is looking for a heart to dwell in, a heart that is tender and broken, not one that is concerned with the extremities of religion.  God is looking to dwell in the heart of a person who takes His Word seriously. (Isa 66:5, John 14:23)"
 

A person that takes His Word seriously will make it of importance in their lives.  They will respect, honor, be humbled by and yes, literally, tremble in awe of it and God its author.

 

The verse brought to mind a song by Wes King, "Do You Tremble".  Read the words from the chorus.  Do they reflect your hearts attitude towards God's Word?

Will you be obey and experience His blessings? 

 

Have you considered the scope of eternity
In the light of unwavering truth
Have you regarded the works of a strong and mighty hand
Do you tremble at the Word of God?

 

The wise will hear Him and obey His word
Long and blessed will be their days upon the earth
The fool will perish in the folly of his ways
Do you tremble at the Word of God?

 

As Christmas approaches, may we not focus on "extremities of religion" but on Jesus who is described in John 1.

 

 John 1:14  The Word became flesh and took up residence among us.
We observed His glory, the glory as the One and Only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Isaiah 66:1-5

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Final Judgment and Joyous Restoration

66 This is what the Lord says:

Heaven is My throne,
and earth is My footstool.
What house could you possibly build for Me?
And what place could be My home?
² My hand made all these things,
and so they all came into being.
This is the Lord's declaration.
I will look favorably on this kind of person:
one who is humble, submissive^[a] in spirit,
and trembles at My word........

⁵ You who tremble at His word,
hear the word of the Lord:
"Your brothers who hate and exclude you
because of Me have said,
'Let the Lord be glorified
so that we can see your joy!'
But they will be put to shame."

Verse of the Day 11/27

Psalm 132:3-5  "I will not enter my house
    or get into my bed,
⁴ I will not give sleep to my eyes
    or slumber to my eyelids,
⁵ until I find a place for the Lord,
    a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.   English Standard Version (ESV)

I seldom use three verses as my "verse of the day", but in reading these verses from Psalm 132 I felt that I couldn't break them up.  The psalm involves David and his desire to find a resting place for the ark of God in 2 Samuel 6.  His intentions may have been good but things went badly as David and the people got ahead of themselves and ahead of God, disregarding some of His orders with dire consequences.

 

How many of us can relate, looking back at times when we got ahead of things, thought we would decide things on our own about God and His desires?

 

Oh that it were for me, that it would be for us that we would not go home, go to bed, go to sleep without making sure that our hearts are a dwelling place for the Lord, the Mighty One.  We'd probably sleep sounder and wake up fresher if it were the case.

 

After a fretful night, really over nothing, I needed to read these words this morning.  May I go to bed tonight with these verses in my mind and His presence in my heart, finding rest in Him. 

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 132:1-5  English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Has Chosen Zion

A Song of Ascents.

132 Remember, O Lord, in David's favor,
    all the hardships he endured,
² how he swore to the Lord
    and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
³ "I will not enter my house
    or get into my bed,
⁴ I will not give sleep to my eyes
    or slumber to my eyelids,
⁵ until I find a place for the Lord,
    a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob."

Verse of the Day 11/25

Psalm 8:3  When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

I love these verses and the thought of them always brings me back to EEFC and the choir back there singing "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name".  It is a song of wonder and awe at God and His creation which is for His glory.  The second part of this psalm reveals that He is mindful of us, thinks much of us and has given us so much.

 

In church this morning, one of the lines of the first chorus we sang stated "the earth is Yours".  We can and should appreciate the beauty and majesty of His creation but realize that it is His and He is sovereign and in control over it.  The next song that we sang was "What Can I Do".  Here are the first stanza and chorus.  As you read the words and think of the words of the psalm, may you praise God for His, majesty, glory in Him and glory in His gifts, especially the gift of His Son that we will be celebrating in the coming weeks and month.

 

When I see the beauty of a sunset's glory,
Amazing artistry across the evening sky
When I feel the mystery of a distant galaxy
It awes and humbles me to be loved
By a God so high
[
Chorus:
What can I do but thank You,
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah, hallelujah
What can I do but praise You,
Everyday make everything I do a hallelujah
A hallelujah, hallelujah

 

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 8  English Standard Version (ESV)
How Majestic Is Your Name

 

To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

 

8 O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2     Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?
5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Verse of the Day 11/24

Exodus 3:14  God said to Moses, "I am who I am." And he said, "Say this to the people of Israel, 'I am has sent me to you.'"

 

In this day and age you can get countless opinions on any subject.  In this age of the "new tolerance" everyone is entitled to their own opinion and in essence everyone's opinion has to be considered "right".  This has had an impact upon Christianity and the church itself.  You will hear people say things like "my God" or "my Jesus" would not do this or that, or "I think God" is this or that.  Today's verse should be as humbling to us as it was to Moses when God first said these words to him.

 

Think of those words "I am who I am" for a few moments, from a few different angles.  No matter how you look at it , it should humble us and cause us to revere Him.  In his book "John Calvin and His Passion for the majesty of God" writes, "In other words, the great, central, biblical name of Yahweh is explicitly rooted by God himself in the phrase "I am who I am." "Tell them, the one who simply and absolutely is has sent you. Tell them that the essential thing about me is that I am......"

 

It is not what I think, or reason, or wish about who God is that matters.  God knows who He is and He's given us the Bible to learn and know more about Him.  As we move into the Christmas season we celebrate the time when our great God sent His Son Jesus, in the flesh, to give us a greater knowledge and appreciation of who God is, that He exists, He lives and has a great love for us.

 

Think about the impact that these words had with Moses, David, or Paul in the New Testament.  God's Word and their experience of His presence made a life changing impression on them as to who God is and how He is to be followed, praised, and exalted.

 

Piper writes, "The absoluteness of God's existence enthralls the mind: God's never beginning, never ending, never becoming, never improving, simply and absolutely there—to be dealt with on his terms or not  at all."

God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture He's painting
God is God and I am man
So I'll never understand it all
For only God is God        -  Steven Curtis Chapman - "Only God is God"

 

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

Exodus 3:13-15  Amplified Bible (AMP)
13 And Moses said to God, Behold, when I come to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they say to me, What is His name? What shall I say to them?
14 And God said to Moses, I Am Who I Am and What I Am, and I Will Be What I Will Be; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I Am has sent me to you!
15 God said also to Moses, This shall you say to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your fathers, of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has sent me to you! This is My name forever, and by this name I am to be remembered to all generations.

Verse of the Day 11/23

Mark 5:19  But Jesus refused to permit him, but said to him, Go home to your own [family and relatives and friends] and bring back word to them of how much the Lord has done for you, and [how He has] had sympathy for you and mercy on you.   Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Jarm, our youth pastor, was telling us of the upcoming missions trips for the coming year.  In introducing them he said they were about life change, both for those being served and those serving.  In our youth group we are taking a look at 8 different miracles that Jesus performed.  When you stop and think about it, they all involved life change as well.  For those being healed from illness, disability, or release from demons or the weight of sin their lives would never be the same.

Can you relate to this?

 

In today's passage, the demoniac is freed from his "demons".  He wants to stay with Jesus, to follow Him.  Instead, Jesus instructs him to go and tell his story, what Jesus had done for him, to his friends and family.  I was reminded of the song that some of us may have learned as a child in Sunday School.  Stop; and Let Me Tell You.

 

Stop; and let me tell you
What the Lord has done for me.
Stop; and let me tell you
What the Lord has done for me.
He forgave my sin
And He saved my soul,
He cleansed my heart
And He made me whole.
Stop; and let me tell you
What the Lord has done for me.

 

What has the Lord freed you, delivered you from or through this year.  This Thanksgiving and Christmas season, as we spend time with family and friends, may we take time to "stop and tell the story" of what the Lord has done and is doing in our lives.  Some may be astonished.

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

Mark 5:18-20  Amplified Bible (AMP)
18 And when He had stepped into the boat, the man who had been controlled by the unclean spirits kept begging Him that he might be with Him.
19 But Jesus refused to permit him, but said to him, Go home to your own [family and relatives and friends] and bring back word to them of how much the Lord has done for you, and [how He has] had sympathy for you and mercy on you.
20 And he departed and began to publicly proclaim in Decapolis [the region of the ten cities] how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were astonished and marveled.

Verse of the Day 11/22

1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  We truly have so much to be thankful for, especially as Christians.  We are thankful for His goodness, mercy and "faithful love".

 

Today's "Grace Gems" quoted Pastor James Smith in regards to this verse:

 

"O, give thanks to the Lord, Christian, for He has not dealt with you after your sins, nor rewarded you according to your iniquities! He has . . .
  pardoned your sins,
  justified your soul,
  renewed your nature, and
  given you a title to everlasting life!

 

He has thus . . .
  prevented your ruin,
  borne with your follies,
  supplied all your needs,
  guided your steps, and
  promised to conduct you to glory!
His mercy has been ever great toward you!"

 

The first part deals with being thankful for our personal relationship and standing with God.  The second stanza should cause us to stop and give thanks for His mercy and patience with us as we've lived our lives.  Reading these words may we truly be thankful that His mercy truly has been "great towards" us.

 

May these words "control your hearts" today and bring you peace, yes, be thankful.

 

Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.    Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

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 Chronicles 16:33-35 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
33 Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord,
for He is coming to judge the earth.
34 Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
35 And say: "Save us, God of our salvation;
gather us and rescue us from the nations
so that we may give thanks to Your holy name
and rejoice in Your praise.

Verse of the Day 11/21

 

1 Peter 1:6-7  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,   New King James Version (NKJV)

 

The read through the Bible plan that I'm following brought me to James 5 for yesterday's verse and to 1 Peter 1 for today's verse.  Peter picks up the baton, carries the torch of persevering with endurance through trials seeing that the result is a revealing of genuine faith that proves to be more precious than gold.

 

Our convictions are often formed in the crucible.  The testing reveals the authenticity.  I've heard it said that "my convictions define who I am".    In a recent devotional, Pastor Jared Cox writes,  "Convictions are formed when you have bled the doctrine from your very heart and soul and cry out, "My hope is in Christ alone." Convictions are formed when there is nothing left of self, no strength, no self-trust, no high ideals, or control of the situation. You simply come to the end of yourself knowing Christ must increase and you must decrease. Period. End of story. That kind of conviction is almost unshakeable."

If you desire that kind of conviction, it can be found in Christ alone.  I know I've quoted it recently, but the thoughts from today bring it to mind again.

 

In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace
I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness
To my need
Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses
And to the glory of my Lord

 

In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone

 

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 Peter 1:5-7  New Living Translation (NLT)
5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

 

6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

Verse of the Day 11/20

James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.    New King James Version (NKJV)

This week of Thanksgiving is a time when most of us at some point will stop, count our blessings and give thanks to God. 

 

We've been considering enduring trials with perseverance and that God is a rewarder of those who persevere through trials.  If you look back through person after person written about in the Bible, we can see that they went through many trials.  Virtually none had an "easy life" from start to finish.  But time after time we see them realizing that blessings have arisen out of the deepest of trials.  So it is with many of us as we stop and look back.

 

Some of the deepest trials in our family's life have brought about, directly or indirectly, blessings that we did not foresee.  These blessings reveal how compassionate and merciful God is.  Even these things are not the end that God has intended.  He has more for us, much more as we look towards eternity with Him.

 

Whether you have been delivered from illness, injury or loss, or perhaps you are experiencing them now, take encouragement from those who have gone before that encourage you to have faith, to persevere and have hope.  May they, may your family and friends, encourage you that you will experience God's blessings again.
 

Blessings,
Mike
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James 5:10-12  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁰ Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord's name as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job's endurance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

 

Verse of the Day 11/19

James 1:12  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.  New International Version 1984

 

Recently, my read through the Bible plan brought me through the book of James, thought of by many as the "Proverbs" of the New Testament.  Today's verse, along with verse two about "various trials" stood out through the week, both in songs I heard and other passages I read.

 

Trials and temptations are never pleasant to go through, but we are called, encouraged, and challenged to persevere through them.  It is doing so that we can look back and see God's grace through them, His strength provided, and His blessings in the outcome of those trials.

 

I also recently read the story of Daniel and his trials which resulted from his persevering faith.  I also read in Revelation 2 where the Ephesian church was commended for their perseverence under trials.  The culture surrounding that church community would test them every day as ours does today.

 

The end of the verse should give us reason to persevere.  God sees us in our trials, He is with us, He is for us and He will reward us, giving us the "crown of life" for loving Him through our trials.

 

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  New King James Version (NKJV)

 

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  (Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons)

 

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

James 1:11-13  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities.

 

12 A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

 

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, "I am being tempted by God." For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn't tempt anyone.

Verse of the Day 11/18

 

Ephesians 4:6  One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.
7 Yet grace (God's unmerited favor) was given to each of us individually [not indiscriminately, but in different ways] in proportion to the measure of Christ's [rich and bounteous] gift.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Yesterday I referenced the hymn, "The Church's One Foundation", and seeing and hearing the words "one Lord, one faith, one birth, in my mind brought me to today's verse.

 

Jesus Christ is the link that brings it all together.  The church is the bride of Christ.  God sent His Son, "Emmanuel, God is with us" that we could gain access into His presence.

 

Regarding this thought that through "Emmanuel, God with us" Octavius Winslow writes, "What a foundation does it lay for faith! what substance does it impart to salvation! and what a good hope does it place before the believing soul! God is with us in Christ, with us in the character of our reconciled Father, with us in every step of our journey to heaven, with us to guide us in perplexity, to soothe in sorrow, to comfort in bereavement, to rescue in danger, to shield in temptation, to provide in want, to support in death, and to conduct us safely to glory."

As you go to worship this morning or into the coming week, think of what it means to you to have God with us, Sovereign over all, pervading all and living in us all.

 

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

Ephesians 4:4- 7    Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.

 

7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of the Messiah's gift.

Verse of the Day 11/17

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 But it is God Who confirms and makes us steadfast and establishes us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and has consecrated and anointed us [enduing us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit];
22 [He has also appropriated and acknowledged us as His by] putting His seal upon us and giving us His [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as the security deposit and guarantee [of the fulfillment of His promise].  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

The other day I wrote that there are any number of things that can drag us down, illnesses, loss of loved ones, strained relationships but Jesus offers peace to us in, throughout, and out of those circumstances.  Today's verse reveals that it is God who confirms us, establishes and makes our faith our hope steadfast in these circumstances.  It is not in our strength, but he has "endued" us with the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

Paul describes four actions here.  Establishing, an ongoing activity that roots us and strengthens us.  In anointing us He sets us apart for a purpose.  Anointing was commonly done by oil in the Old Testament, here we are "anointed" with the power and influence of the Holy Spirit.  He confirms us and has put His seal upon us, He has declared us as His own children.  The fourth action is that He gives, he keeps giving and giving us everything that we need.  This includes the fellowship of believers in the church.

 

Reading and hearing that word "endued" in my mind brought me to the old hymn "The Church's One Foundation" particularly the second stanza.

 

Elect from every nation,
 yet one o'er all the earth;
 her charter of salvation,
 one Lord, one faith, one birth;
 one holy name she blesses,
 partakes one holy food,
 and to one hope she presses,
 with every grace endued.

 

May we press on in hope.

 

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

2 Corinthians 1:20-22  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 For every one of God's promises is "Yes" in Him. Therefore, the "Amen" is also spoken through Him by us for God's glory. 21 Now it is God who strengthens us, with you, in Christ and has anointed us. 22 He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts.

Verse of the Day 11/15

 Ephesians 2:17  And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.  (ESV)
 

Yesterday we considered how the rebuilding of walls, hearts and lives came about through the preaching of the gospel.  Today's verse from Ephesians 2 tells us about a significant aspect of this gospel message, peace.  It is a message that is given to those who are far off and also so very near to the gospel, near to the heart of God if they would only accept it.

 

It is a peace that can lift you out of and above your circumstances and a peace that can carry you through your circumstances even if deliverance from the problems at hand may not be foreseeable.  There are any number of things that can drag us down, illnesses, loss of loved ones, strained relationships but Jesus offers peace to us in, throughout, and out of those circumstances.

 

Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart His home.
Refrain

Blessèd quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!

If your heart is in turmoil this morning, may He calm your storm and bring you peace.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Ephesians 2:16-18  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁶ He did this so that He might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross and put the hostility to death by it. ¹⁷ When the Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

Verse of the Day 11/14

 

Nehemiah 8:8  They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Every time I read from the book of Nehemiah I'm reminded how from the first time that I heard the song "He Is" by Aaron Jeofffrey, that in reference to this book, said that  God is "the re-builder of broken walls and lives".  He does so by building up corporately and individually in His Word, through preaching and teaching.

 

Today's passage points out how Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites taught the Word, the Law with clarity.  Not just reading it but explaining how it applied to the people's lives.  So it has been through history in revivals, in God's rebuilding His church, it has been through going back, excavating the scriptures.

 

In "Portrait of Calvin", T.H.I. Parker writes of Calvin, "the center of his pastoral work, around which all else resolved, was preaching of the gospel.  By this means Calvin says time and time again, God reveals Himself in His judgment and mercy, turning hearts to obedience, confirming the faith of believers, building up and purifying the church......  It is by the preaching of the gospel that God forms, builds, and rules His Church."

 

There are many theories today on how the church is to grow, but the preaching of the gospel from His Word has to be central if the building is to be effective.  From Pastors, elders and teachers the message is to be taugh clearly.  This method has not changed.
 

Blessings,
Mike
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Nehemiah 8:7-9  English Standard Version (ESV)

⁷ Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites,^[a] helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. ⁸ They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly,^[b] and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

This Day Is Holy

⁹ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.

Verse of the Day 11/13

Psalm 55:17-18   Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
¹⁸ He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.   New King James Version (NKJV)

 

The other day we considered how important it was to read and to pray to start the day.  Hopefully, we don't leave it behind but carry it with us in our day and take other opportunities to bring our cares of the day to Him, morning, noon and night.

 

Do you make it a regular practice to bring your challenges of the day to God?  Whether it be conversations with customers, meetings with co-workers, or managing a household there can be plenty of times when we feel that people, circumstances or demands are stacked "against me", each of them are opportunities to "take it to the Lord in prayer".
 

I read the following in Bonhoeffer's 40 Day Journey devotional yesterday - "Praying and working are two different things. Prayer should not be hindered by work, but neither should work be hindered by prayer. Just as it was God's will that human beings should work six days and rest and celebrate before the face of God on the seventh, so it is also God's will that every day should be marked for the Christian both by prayer and work."

 

May we make our best effort to keep those lines of communication, times of prayer open, whether it be simple words of praise or a cry for help, morning noon or night He'll hear us.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 55:16-18  New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God,
And the Lord shall save me.
¹⁷ Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
¹⁸ He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.

Verse of the Day 11/12

Verse of the Day 11/12   

 

Isaiah 57:15  For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
"I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

I read today's verse while flying back from Boston last week.  As the plane flew through the clouds coming back down into Raleigh I enjoyed the perspective of the hills, lakes and  streams and the colors of fall.  It may seem that God is far off, above the clouds, but He inhabits eternity and is present all around us and sees everything with perfect perspective.

 

Reading this verse also brought many other passages to mind.  Psalm 51 where David speaks of having a contrite, broken heart that is ready to be rebuilt as God would have it.  I was reminded of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 where Jesus said "blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, those who mourn for they shall be comforted, and the meek for they shall inherit the earth.  I also thought of Psalm 23 where David speaks of God restoring his soul.

 

Are you in need of revival, restoration, healing - physical or spiritual?  If so, call on the One who is high and lifted up.  Ask Him to come down, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you.

 

Song of Hope - (Heaven Come Down)

 

All things new
I can start again
Creator, God
Calling me Your friend
Sing praise, my soul
To the Maker of the skies
A song will rise

 

I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know You and be loved is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down

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

 

Isaiah 57:14-16  English Standard Version (ESV)
Comfort for the Contrite

 

14 And it shall be said,
"Build up, build up, prepare the way,
    remove every obstruction from my people's way."
15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
"I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 For I will not contend forever,
    nor will I always be angry;
for the spirit would grow faint before me,
    and the breath of life that I made.

Verse of the Day 11/11

Psalm 5:3  At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice;
at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

How you start your day, your first thoughts and first actions can have a big impact on the rest of the day, perhaps the rest of your life.  David gives us many examples of his devotional life and it starts with prayer offered to His God.  He knows that God has heard and will hear his voice.  Then he "watches expectantly" for how God will answer those prayers.

 

Psalm writers, song writers, and those with a song in their heart set their focus on the God of their salvation to start the day.   Even though his heart is groaning within him, David's vision is focused forward and upward.  As I read this verse this morning I recalled the hymn "Open My Eyes, That I May See".

 

Open my eyes, that I may see
 glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
 place in my hands the wonderful key
 that shall unclasp and set me free.
 Silently now I wait for thee,
 ready, my God, thy will to see.
 Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine!

 

Open my ears, that I may hear
 voices of truth thou sendest clear;
 and while the wavenotes fall on my ear,
 everything false will disappear.
 Silently now I wait for thee,
 ready, my God, thy will to see.
 Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine!

 

Open my mouth, and let me bear
 gladly the warm truth everywhere;
 open my heart and let me prepare
 love with thy children thus to share.
 Silently now I wait for thee,
 ready, my God, thy will to see.
 Open my heart, illumine me, Spirit divine!

May this be the attitude of our hearts towards God to start the day every day of the week.  The may we "watch expectantly" to see what He will accomplish.

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 5:1-7  English Standard Version (ESV)
Lead Me in Your Righteousness

 

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord;
    consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
    evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
    you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies;
    the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
    will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
    in the fear of you.

Verse of the Day 11/10

Luke 24:17-18 He (Jesus)  asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

 

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"   (NIV)

 

Two disciples are walking along the road to Emmaus and Jesus approaches them as a stranger and asks them a simple question.  Their world had been rocked.  The one whom they thought would restore the "kingdom" had been crucified.  Things were not supposed to be like this, to end up this way. They were confused, disillusioned, could they have been deceived?   They fire back a short answer at Jesus and He plays along saying "what things".

 

He knew what He was doing, what had happened had been part of the plan all along.  He was and is in control.  They respond, Jesus listens, then reveals what is and has been going on.

 

We may have our world rocked at times.  It may be an election, a supreme court decision, a change in leadership in church or any number of personal matters where we think to ourselves "this is not how it is supposed to be".  Perhaps God asks us the same question to us.  As the "selah" suggests in many of the Psalms,  we need to step back, seek God, and think calmly about things.  God is still in control.

 

After the election, a friend shared the following:

 

God will be on His throne.

Jesus will be King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The Bible will still hold the answers to every problem.

The tomb will still be empty.

Jesus will still be the way to heaven.

Prayer will still work - it will make a difference and God will answer our prayers.

The Christ of the cross, not the government, will be our salvation.

There will be room at the cross.

Jesus will save anyone who places their faith and trust in Him.

God will still be with us, always.  He will never forsake us.

 

Now, stop and think calmly of that.

 

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 24:17-27  New International Version (NIV)
17 He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

 

They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

 

19 "What things?" he asked.

 

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus."

 

25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

Verse of the Day 11/9

1 John 4:10This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.  New Living Translation (NLT) 

 

Twice in this passage John writes that "God is love".  This a true statement but one that has been taken out of context and quoted on its own to reason that God does not judge or punish sin.  Today's verse states that Jesus is a sacrifice for our sins.  Many translations use the word "propitiation" which means that their was a price to be paid, justice had to be served, and this verse tells us that Jesus has paid that price. 

 

Immediately after we are told that God is love in verse 16, verse 17 speaks of judgment.  Thankfully, this chapter gives us comfort that we as Christians will not be judged on our merits but on the righteousness of Christ who paid the price, the propitiation,  he satisfied the demands of God's justice. 

 

In "Comfort for Christians", James Smith writes, " God loves us, and therefore He planned our salvation, sending His one and only Son to take away our sins by the sacrifice of Himself. He also sent His Holy Spirit to teach us our need of Christ and lead us to Him. And, finally, He has put His blessed Word in our hands so that through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, we might have hope."

Do you have this hope?  If so, how then should we live?

 

1 John 4:9b " God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him."

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 John 4:8-17 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

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.

Verse of the Day 11/8

Psalm 49:15  But God will redeem me from the power of Sheol (the place of the dead); for He will receive me. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!   Amplified Bible (AMP)

While in Boston the other day, my wife Jean and I walked through a couple of graveyards where many of the famous people from the revolutionary period are buried (such as Paul Revere and John Hancock).  Is is remarkable to think that we visited some of the buildings where important historical events occurred and stood where many of the founding fathers are buried beneath their markers.

 

While here, I also read Psalm 49 where I read:

10 For he sees that even the wise die;
    the fool and the stupid alike must perish
    and leave their wealth to others.
¹¹ Their graves are their homes forever,
    their dwelling places to all generations,

You can still visit Paul Revere's grave and even his home, but like everyone else he had to leave everything here to others.

 

As Christians, we are thankful that though we too will die, our souls will find another resting place because we have been redeemed.  No matter what troubles us, let us pause and think calmly of that.

 

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

Refrain

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 49:10-15  New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰ Those who are wise must finally die,
    just like the foolish and senseless,
    leaving all their wealth behind.
¹¹ The grave is their eternal home,
    where they will stay forever.
They may name their estates after themselves,
¹²     but their fame will not last.
    They will die, just like animals.
¹³ This is the fate of fools,
    though they are remembered as being wise.^[a] Interlude

¹⁴ Like sheep, they are led to the grave,^[b]
    where death will be their shepherd.
In the morning the godly will rule over them.
    Their bodies will rot in the grave,
    far from their grand estates.
¹⁵ But as for me, God will redeem my life.
    He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude

Verse of the Day 11/7

2 Corinthians 1:4 Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.  AMP

There are many that are celebrating this morning over the elections and there are just about as many that will need consolation.  Today's verse is fitting.

 

Everything doesn't revolve around elections.  The Amplified Bible refers to "every trouble" and other translations use "afflictions" or "tribulation".  The word actually describes being squeezed, being under pressure which can come from any number of things that exert internal or external stress on us.  God's Word is often the source of consolation for us.  We can look back to David in the Psalms at how often he was under pressure, down and discouraged, but was lifted up when he sought God in His Word and in prayer.  We can do the same thing and share that consolation with others.

 

Have we trials and temptations?
  Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
  Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer

 

Blessings,
Mike
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2 Corinthians 1:3-5  New Living Translation (NLT)

God Offers Comfort to All

³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ⁵ For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.

Verse of the Day 11/6

Verse of the Day 11/6

2 Timothy 3:16-17  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.  English Standard Version (ESV)

You may have noticed in Sunday's post that I quoted four "sola's" of reformed theology, namely  by God's grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone, and all for the glory of God alone.  One "sola" was not included in that statement so I thought we'd consider it today.  It is "sola scriptura" or by God's Word alone.

 

The church is constantly under "reformation", things are and always have been changing.  Many new things have been "added" to church services, to worship.  What today's verse points to is that behind any true "reformation", God's Word should still be at its core.  Dr. Michael Kruger writes, "Contrary to popular perceptions, the Reformers did not view themselves as coming up with something new.  Rather, they understood themselves to be recovering something very old- something that the church had originally believed but later twisted and distorted.  The Reformers were not innovators but were excavators."
 

May we as individuals and in our church desire to be "excavators" and bring about innovation and reformation in our faith as we excavate what God has to say to us in His Word to equip us for every good work.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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2 Timothy 3:14-17  English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it ¹⁵ and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God^[ may be complete, equipped for every good work.