Verse of the Day 6/30

 

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

In Friday's verse we considered Jesus call to follow Him was literally a call to "follow with Him".  While we're following with Him, the peace that Paul prays for in today's verse can be with us at all times, in every situation.  The verse starts with a simple word "now".  Now is that time, now is the moment, and from the hear and now to eternity.

 

John Fenton in his commentary on this verse writes, "The word with also is ambiguous.  It can be used to mean 'with' in the local sense:  alongside, in the midst of, in the same space as.  But it can also be used to describe direction, purpose, intention, as in the saying 'Whoever is not with me is against me'.  (Matthew 12:30).

 

One of the things that I've enjoyed when I've had the opportunity to visit a Catholic service is the liturgical statement "The Lord be with you" with the congregational response of 'And also with you'.  It should be part of the feeling in our hearts and across denominational lines as we worship and we bring our worship home with us and share it with fellow believers and in the community.

 

May His peace be with you today at all times and in every situation and in whatever comes (see Amplified below).

 

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 Thessalonians 3:16-18

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways [under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes]. The Lord [be] with you all.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write you this final greeting with my own hand. This is the mark and sign [that it is not a forgery] in every letter of mine. It is the way I write [my handwriting and signature].

¹⁸ The grace (spiritual blessing and favor) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you all. Amen (so be it).

Verse of the Day 6/28

 

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [^[a]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

In today's modern society and especially with the explosion of "social media"  there has been a significant change it what it means to follow.  Most, if not all of us have been asked to follow someone on Twitter or "become a friend" on facebook.  It simply means that your account will receive messages from that person.  If you don't check your inbox, you will not know what is going on with that person.  In some instances, you won't even receive their posts unless you go looking for them.  It is a far cry from what Jesus meant when He said to the disciples "follow me".

 

Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "the phrase "follow me" could be translated "Follow with me" - not follow behind me, but follow with me.  In other words, "Let's take a walk together".  The Amplified Bible which I chose for today's verse does a good job of summarizing what it means to follow in the sense that Jesus intended.  It has to do with forgetting ourselves and our own priorities and "cleaving", clinging to Jesus and His words, conforming to them and Him, and living, even dying to be an example of Him.  It is a tall order indeed and one that can only be achieved if we put our faith and trust in Him and walk with Him.  Not behind or in front but with Him.

 

The words of an old John Denver song "Follow Me" came to mind, they speak of a close personal relationship, it could be the one that we have with Jesus:

 

Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me

You see I'd like to share my life with you
And show you things I've seen
Places that I'm going to places where I've been
To have you there beside me and never be alone
And all the time that you're with me
We will be at home

 

Will you follow, walk with Him today?

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matthew 16:23-25

English Standard Version (ESV)

²³ But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance^[a] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever would save his life^[b] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Verse of the Day 6/28

 

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [^[a]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

In today's modern society and especially with the explosion of "social media"  there has been a significant change it what it means to follow.  Most, if not all of us have been asked to follow someone on Twitter or "become a friend" on facebook.  It simply means that your account will receive messages from that person.  If you don't check your inbox, you will not know what is going on with that person.  In some instances, you won't even receive their posts unless you go looking for them.  It is a far cry from what Jesus meant when He said to the disciples "follow me".

 

Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "the phrase "follow me" could be translated "Follow with me" - not follow behind me, but follow with me.  In other words, "Let's take a walk together".  The Amplified Bible which I chose for today's verse does a good job of summarizing what it means to follow in the sense that Jesus intended.  It has to do with forgetting ourselves and our own priorities and "cleaving", clinging to Jesus and His words, conforming to them and Him, and living, even dying to be an example of Him.  It is a tall order indeed and one that can only be achieved if we put our faith and trust in Him and walk with Him.  Not behind or in front but with Him.

 

The words of an old John Denver song "Follow Me" came to mind, they speak of a close personal relationship, it could be the one that we have with Jesus:

 

Follow me where I go what I do and who I know
Make it part of you to be a part of me
Follow me up and down all the way and all around
Take my hand and say you'll follow me

You see I'd like to share my life with you
And show you things I've seen
Places that I'm going to places where I've been
To have you there beside me and never be alone
And all the time that you're with me
We will be at home

 

Will you follow, walk with Him today?

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Matthew 16:23-25

English Standard Version (ESV)

²³ But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance^[a] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus

²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever would save his life^[b] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Verse of the Day 6/26

Philippians 1:6  And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.   Amplified Bible (AMP)

 In yesterday's verse Paul prayed that the Lord would direct his hearers and readers hearts to the love of God.  Today's verse reflects and and expounds on this very thing.  Paul was convinced that God had something bigger than themselves planned for those whom He called.  He would develop something in them that wold grow and bear fruit. 

 

When I was in college I learned how to develop black and white film and make prints in a dark room.  All of the chemicals were there, the equipment was there, the enlarger the trays, the photo paper.  But nothing would happen unless there was someone to do the developing. It was fun to develop pictures and see the images form and come into view into focus in the tray in front of you.   For us, all the tools are there, but it is God who does the developing, He sees how are lives are taking shape and will see to it that we are fully developed into what He wants us to be. 

 

When I read yesterday's verse about our hearts being directed to the love of God,  I thought of the Matt Maher song "Woke Up in America"  which starts, "I woke up in America, for the love of God, for something bigger than myself.  That thought goes along with what Paul was thinking in today's verse.  God has something planned for all of us that is bigger than ourselves.  May we have confidence that He will develop, perfect and complete it in all of us.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Philippians 1:5-8

The Message (MSG)

A Love That Will Grow

^3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

^7-8 It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

Verse of the Day 6/25

2 Thessalonians 3:5   May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

 In this passage the Apostle Paul asks the Thessalonian church for prayer and then offers this prayer for them and for us.

 

Do you think of your heart as having directions?  There are certain things that our hearts are inclined to, that can turn us, that can lead us down a path.  Much like a puppy can be lured with a treat, so can we.  Satan is aware of this and knows what are weaknesses are.  Paul is praying that it would be God that would lead and direct our hearts.

 

John Piper writes, "The heart has directions.  It moves toward one thing or another.  It moves towards what it regards as attractive and satisfying and valuable.  So Paul is praying that God would give the heart a sight of the love of God as more attractive and satisfying and valuable than ordinary earthly things." 

 

Instead of being led or tempted by "all the vain things that charm us most" may the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God, and may we hold steadfastly to it.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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2 Thessalonians 3:4-6

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

⁴ We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do what we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts to God's love and Christ's endurance.

Warning against Irresponsible Behavior

⁶ Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition received from us.

Verse of the Day 6/24

Verse of the Day 6/24

 

Exodus 34:6-7  The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, ⁷ keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty,   English Standard Version (ESV)

In Saturday's devotional I mentioned that we see glimpses of God in His mercy, compassion, healing and the verses revealed that He has also shown glimpses of Himself in the majesty of creation.   Perhaps no man had a clearer picture of who God was than Moses, whom God chose to reveal Himself to on the mountain.  But even this extended view was just a glimpse, but one that would remain clear to Moses for the rest of his life.  So it should be to us.

 

Let's review the points in this verse.  God is merciful and gracious.  How much do we need of His mercy and grace every day of our lives?  Are we thankful? 

 

Slow to anger.  How many times do we disobey in acts of commission or omission, not paying attention to His promptings?  Still He is willing to forgive.

 

Abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.  He is the immovable rock, His love overflows like a fountain, and comes to us day by day.

 

At the same time, He is a just God, who will by no means clear the guilty.  Their are ramifications for our sins that can last for generations, still, with God their is forgiveness, His faithfulness is great, His mercies are renewed every morning (Lamentations 3:22).

 

As you head out into the work week, be mindful of these attributes, be prepared for the next glimpse of how He will reveal Himself to you.

 

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Exodus 34:5-7

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁵ And the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name of the Lord.

⁶ And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord! the Lord! a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth,

⁷ Keeping mercy and loving-kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but Who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children, to the third and fourth generation.

Verse of the Day 6/22

 

 

Job 26:14  Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?"  New King James Version (NKJV)

 

I had another verse in mind for today but when I read this verse, in particular the words "the mere edges of His ways" in a devotional this morning I changed course.

 

We hear the phrase "living on the edge" when someone is perhaps living a life of danger, or perhaps trying to balance between good and evil, living a life of high risk and possible high reward.  Today's verse should serve as a reminder to us all that in reality, we are all living, day by day in the "mere edges of His ways".  How so?  We see glimpses of his power, mercy and compassion in healing, in drawing His children to Him.  We see glimpses of His power in majesty in creation from the full moon, to storms, to the rainbow after the storm.

 

Through the ages, these glimpses of His power displayed in the heavens has caused His children to step back in awe of Him, to rejoice in Him, and to celebrate the life that they have in Him.  Job is an example here, we can also think of David in Psalm 8 who asked "what is man that you are mindful of him".  But aren't we glad that He is.

 

Take some time this weekend to appreciate living in the end of His ways.  One way might be to sing of the "Majesty and Glory of Your Name".

When I gaze into the night skies
and see the work of your fingers;
The moon and stars suspended in space.

Oh, what is man that you are mindful of him?
You have given man a crown of glory and honor,
And have made him a little lower than the angels.
You have put him in charge of all creation:
beasts of the field, The birds of the air,
The fish of the sea.

O Lord, our God the majesty and glory of your name
Transcends the earth and fills the heavens.
O Lord, our God; little children praise You perfectly,
And so would we.

Alleluia!

The majesty and glory of Your name.

 

Music : Tom Fetke

Author: Linda Lee Johnson

 

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

Job 26:13-14

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹³ By His breath the heavens are garnished; His hand pierced the [swiftly] fleeing serpent.

¹⁴ Yet these are but [a small part of His doings] the outskirts of His ways or the mere fringes of His force, the faintest whisper of His voice! Who dares contemplate or who can understand the thunders of His full, magnificent power?

Verse of the Day 6/20

 

Ephesians 2:4-5  But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— English Standard Version (ESV)

 

If you've ever heard Christian financial advisor Dave Ramsey on the radio, you've probably heard a caller ask him "how are you doing",  I always enjoy hearing Dave's response to that simple familiar question.  If you listen to him you already know the response "better than I deserve".  In this day and age people feel that they deserve or that they are owed a lot; from others, the government and from God.  Dave Ramsey has the right perspective.

 

Today's verse starts with that little word "but" that, in this case, tells us that we are getting better than we deserve.  We are the benefactors of God's great, rich mercy.  Instead of punishment for sin we receive grace.  The path of the sinner, that includes you and I, leads to destruction.  Thankfully, there is this but, this about face, there is hope for a better way.  J. C. Ryle writes "Reader, I say again, while there is life, there is hope. The oldest, the vilest, the worst of sinners may be saved.  Only let him come to Christ, confess his sin, and cry to Him for pardon - only let him cast his soul on Christ, and he'll be cured.  The Holy Spirit shall be sent down on his heart, according to Christ's promise, and he shall be changed by His Almighty power, into a new creature."

 

Reading of the "vilest" of sinners reminded me of the old hymn, "To God Be the Glory".  May it be our song of praise today.

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Refrain

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

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 2:4-10

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁴ But^[a] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— ⁶ and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Verse of the Day 6/19

 

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12  So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. ¹² Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Yesterday we considered a new engine in a car and related it to a new heart in the Christian.  The One that gives us this heart also gives us the power to accomplish "all the good things your faith prompts you to do".  These verses are a prayer from Paul to his readers then and now, that we may live in harmony with God's plan for us in the power that only He can gives to accomplish what He intends for us to do.  The HCSB translation of verse 11 calls these things "the work of faith".

 

We often hear that we are saved by faith and not by works, which is true.  But a faith without works is dead.  Bible commentator John Fenton writes, "Faith and works, the writer says, are not opposites; neither of them excludes the other.  a faith that did not lead on to actions would be a dead faith; living faith shows itself in performance."

 

There is a commercial on TV today that says "and" is better than "or" and does a routine with police officers serving or protecting making you realize that we are glad that police officers serve and protect.  Jesus Christ gives us faith and the power to do good works.  When you feel the prompting, my prayer for you and I hope that you'll pray for me, that we will act upon His promptings to accomplish His will in our lives for His honor and glory.

 

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 Thessalonians 1:10-12

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁰ in that day when He comes to be glorified by His saints and to be admired by all those who have believed, because our testimony among you was believed. ¹¹ And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse of the Day 6/18

 

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15  And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. ¹⁵ See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

I've had a 1977 Corvette for many years.  For the last several years I didn't drive it much because, frankly, it had a sick engine, it was in need of repair or replacement.  A few months ago, largely due to the help of a friend, we gave it a new engine, a heart transplant if you will.  Immediately, when the engine was placed in and the key was turned to start it up, you could hear the difference.  It sounded great, sounded strong, even when idling.  But I didn't give it a new engine to idle well, it was given a new engine to be driven, for the car to be able to run and drive like a Corvette should.

 

When I read these verses I thought of my Corvette and I thought of my heart and that of many that sit our congregations on Sunday's.  How many, (hopefully most), of us have received "new hearts" from Christ?  The bigger question for us is how many of us are idling?  We have the power within us, a strong motor, a strong heart for God, but we need to put it into gear for Christ.  It needs to be driven towards love and good works for the glory of Christ.  The verse calls us to "admonish" or warn others about the dangers of being and staying idle.

 

I must admit that I now enjoy driving my Corvette again.  Each time I drive it may it remind me that like the Corvette, I've been given a new heart, a new lease on life, not just to sit and idle, but to run and finish the race for the upward call of Christ.  Sometimes its doubts and fears that keep us idle.  Let us not remain there but aim for something higher.

• My heart has no desire to stay
  Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
  Though some may dwell where those abound,
  My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
• 
  Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
  By faith, on Heaven's tableland,
  A higher plane than I have found;
  Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

1 Thessalonians 5:13-15

The Message (MSG)

The Way He Wants You to Live

^12-13 And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!

^13-15 Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

Verse of the Day 6/17

 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (^[a]your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!

 

¹⁴ Let everything you do be done in love (true love to God and man as inspired by God's love for us).  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

I hope that all of you fathers reading this had a good Father's Day yesterday. Now its back to the work week.  As we head out into the work week and our every day lives, I thought that these verses would serve as a good reminder for some of the traits that are the backbone of being a good father, amplified by the Amplified Bible translation.

 

The apostle is summing up his letter to the Corinthians.  They were living in a society much like ours, many of the same temptations and cultural attitudes.   Paul gives them these final commands, yes commands to be applied in their daily lives.  Be alert, firm in their faith, mature, strong in their faith and character, and to be loving.  Reading these 5 commands should bring some other verses to mind.  For me, one of them was from 1 Peter 5:8

 

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

As in the day of the Corinthian church, the devil is still on the prowl, seeking someone to devour.  Beware of temptations, don't be deceived by his tricks,  be on guard, stand firm, hold to God's truth, be courageous and love one another.

 

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 Corinthians 16:12-14

English Standard Version (ESV)

Final Instructions

¹² Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will^[a] to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

¹³ Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. ¹⁴ Let all that you do be done in love.

Verse of the Day 6/15

 

Isaiah 66:12  For thus says the Lord: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream; then you will be nursed, you will be carried on her hip and trotted [lovingly bounced up and down] on her [God's maternal] knees.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

I was in Toronto Canada and Buffalo New York this week on business.  I returned to the US through Niagara Falls NY and drove past the great falls.  It was evening and the sun was shining from the west through the mist of the falls creating a full rainbow above the falls.  A few miles above the falls the water looks peaceful but it gains speed and is churning greatly when it reaches and goes over the falls.  It is a magnificent sight.  After the falls and passing under the rainbow bridge, the water smoothes out again to become a peaceful river.

 

In yesterday's devotional from John Piper, I read the following.  "We are like little geysers that gurgle and sputter and pop erratically.  But God is like a great Niagara - you look at it and think; surely this can't keep going at this force for year after year after year."  But it does and aren't we thankful that it does.

 

All this reminded me of the Frances Havergal hymn "Like a River Glorious", read or sing the words in your heart or out loud in praise of God's creation, grace and peace.  May we trust Him fully and find Him wholly true

 

1. 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.
2. Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
   Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
   Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
   Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
3. Every joy or trial falleth from above,
   Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
   We may trust Him fully all for us to do;
   They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

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 66:12-13

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² For thus says the Lord:
"Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,
    and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;
and you shall nurse, you shall be carried upon her hip,
    and bounced upon her knees.
¹³ As one whom his mother comforts,
    so I will comfort you;
    you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.