Verse of the Day 9/29

 

Romans 14:10  Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Looking back on our household and our 3 kids growing up it is easy to see that we didn't raise three "clones".  They were raised in the same house, went to the same church and were pretty much exposed to the same circumstances through their early teens, but they are vastly different.  They are wired differently.  They each have their own opinions and words like "that's not fair" were heard quite often.   They have their own personalities, and have developed as individuals while they will always remain siblings and part of our family.  But the looking down on and "despising" mentioned in the verse take things to a whole new level, one that I hope was not present in the home.

 

So it is within the local church.  We are growing together and hopefully maturing having been exposed to the same messages, studies and worship.  We are not clones, we all have our different opinions on theological matters and we all have different gifts and make our own contributions to the church family.  There should not be any looking down or "despising" within this family.

 

Today's verse should be a message to us as part of a family.  We should be careful in our thoughts, actions and criticisms/judgment of our "brothers" our church family.  The verse points out that our heavenly Father will be the One making final judgments, their will be a review, an accounting for all that we say and do concerning others.  We should watch what we say because "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God (Romans 14:12 NIV).  We should be aware that His grace is sufficient.

 

For some reason the old hymn "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" came to mind in relation to these thoughts.  The second stanza below speaks of "reaching the most defiled".  You might think the writer is casting judgment, but when you read down a few more lines he writes, and the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.  It would go along with what Paul thinks of himself as "the chief of sinners".  If we had that same attitude, we'd focus more on the grace of Jesus than on criticisms of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Greater than all my sin;
How shall my tongue describe it,
Where shall its praise begin?
Taking away my burden,
Setting my spirit free;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching the most defiled,
By its transforming power,
Making him God's dear child,
Purchasing peace and heaven,
For all eternity;
And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,
Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;
Wonderful grace, all sufficient for me, for even me.
Broader than the scope of my transgressions,
Greater far than all my sin and shame,
O magnify the precious Name of Jesus.
Praise His Name!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,
Reaching to all the lost,
By it I have been pardoned,
Saved to the uttermost,
Chains have been torn asunder,
Giving me liberty;
For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.

 

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

Romans 14:9-12

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister^[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

"'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,
'every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.'"^[b]

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Verse of the Day 9/27

 

Romans 13:14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

You may think that today's society is so much different than 100 or a 1000 or 2000 years ago.  But man's nature really hasn't changed.  People through the ages have had a natural tendency to be "wrapped up" in themselves, consumed by achievements, possessions, and vain pursuits.  People lose sleep plotting and scheming and then arise in the morning to put it into action with very little thought of God, His desires, and knowing what is truly meant for us.

 

To "put on" Christ is literally to cloth yourself, wrap yourself up in His likeness, not in outward appearance but the desires of the heart and the actions which coincide.  This putting on is symbolic of our thoughts and behavior.

 

On the flipside, we are to make "no provision", no planning ahead, no scheming to satisfy our earthly desires and to indulge in things that may bring short term pleasure but long term pain and sorrow.

 

God's Word, prayer and Christian fellowship play important roles in putting this into practice.

 

Psalm 119:105-7  By your words I can see where I'm going;
    they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I've committed myself and I'll never turn back
    from living by your righteous order.
Everything's falling apart on me, God;
    put me together again with your Word.
Festoon me with your finest sayings, God;
    teach me your holy rules.   The Message (MSG)

 

If you feel like you are falling apart, cry out to Jesus, let Him "put you together again" through the power of His Word, be "festooned", adorned or wrapped in it, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

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

Romans 13:14

The Message (MSG)

^11-14 But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Verse of the Day 9/26

 

Romans 13:11  Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah).    Amplified Bible (AMP)

 Most of us can admit at some point in our lives that we've been in a funk, in the doldrums, some would call it malaise where life is just kind of blah and nothing we do really matters or makes a difference, the next day we wake up and do it all again.  An old Bill Murray movie "Groundhog Day" epitomized the feeling.  What was it that snapped you out of it?  It may have been an event or perhaps a book or a message from our pastor, or perhaps even a song but something woke us up to the fact that there is more to this life. 

 

Steven Curtis Chapman's song "More to this Life" brings these thoughts together.

 

Tonight he lies in silence staring into space,
And looks for ways to make tomorrow better than today,
But in the morning light it looks the same;
Life just goes on.

But there's more to this life than living and dying,
More than just trying to make it through the day;
More to this life, more than these eyes alone can see,
And there's more than this life alone can be.

So where do we start to find every part
Of what makes this life complete;
If we turn our eyes to Jesus we'll find
Life's true beginning is there at the cross where He died.
He died to bring us...

 

More to this life

 

If you find yourself in that place, Paul encourages and challenges us to "wake up to what God is doing" and be roused to reality, that our salvation, the message of the cross is just as true and as real as when we first believed.  When we see the chaos in the world around us we should realize that it is a critical hour and that we should put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18) and go out and prove that there is more to this life.

 

"But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing!" Romans 13:11 The Message

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Romans 13:11-14 The Message

^11-14 But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Verse of the Day 9/25

 

Romans 13:7   Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We now move on to Romans 13 where today's passage talks about government and taxes.The Message (below) does a good job of summing it up.  We pay taxes so that an orderly life may be maintained.  Where would we be without government, without laws, without those who uphold and enforce those laws that are there to protect us.  We may object to some of the things that are done with our taxes and these can be challenged in the right way.  But if we are citizens, we owe taxes.

 

As is usually the case in Paul's writings, the responsibility of a Christ follower go beyond the tax code.  Not only are we to pay taxes but we are to give respect and honor to those who deserve it.  This applies to those in our homes, churches, workplace and governments.  We can disagree on some things without disrespecting and dishonoring others.

 

We may wish, hope, and pray that our government leaders would have this attitude in the debates that are going on right now.  But we can do our part in our little corner of the world by paying what we owe, yes in taxes, but more so in love, honor and respect to those who who deserve it.  "You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love"  Romans 13:10 The Message.

 

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

Romans 13:6-10

The Message (MSG)

^6-7 That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.

^8-10 Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along. The law code—don't sleep with another person's spouse, don't take someone's life, don't take what isn't yours, don't always be wanting what you don't have, and any other "don't" you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can't go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.

Verse of the Day 9/24

 

Romans 15:5-6  Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement allow you to live in harmony with one another, according to the command of Christ Jesus, ⁶ so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

We've just gone through a number of verses from Romans 12 about the characteristics of Christian living, a lot of it revolved around "harmony" (12:16).  For today's verse we'll skip ahead to chapter 15 as Paul once again touches on this subject of harmony.

 

Reading the passage from The Message gives a good picture of what this "harmony" looks like.  It is far more that "just getting along".  It is being involved, deeply involved in one another's lives.  There is deep concern, sympathy and understanding.  Their is encouragement and comfort.  It is "wading in" to the waters and helping out, not standing on the sidelines or the riverbank as it were.  If we as a church would live more like this we would show a united mind and voice to the community and glorify God.

 

In closing his second letter to the church in Corinth Paul writes to them and to us with these thoughts in mind:  ^"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."  2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV 

 

May that be our goal today to "aim for restoration".

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Romans 15:3-6

The Message (MSG)

^3-6 That'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!

Verse of the Day 9/21

 

Romans 12:18  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.   New International Version (NIV)

Following a couple of days of considering how important it is to avoid the temptation to seek revenge, to get even or worse, we'll complete our time in this passage with a good one to think about over the weekend.  The call is to live at peace with everyone.  Wow!  I'm glad Paul started it off with "if it is possible".

 

Think about all of the relationships in our lives, starting in the home with spouse and children, think of your neighbors, friends, co-workers and then think of those "enemies" or those who oppose us that all of us have in our lives.  "As far as it depends on you, live at peace with them".

 

Think of that little phrase, "as far as it depends on you".  We have a responsibility, peace just doesn't happen by accident.  Peace isn't absence of conflict, it goes below the surface to the heart.  We are to do our best at it, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God.

 

Will it always happen? No.  We can't control other person or persons involved.  Without a turning on their part, some mutual agreement, there will not be peace.  But we can be at peace if we've done all that we can.

 

Is there a confict going on in your life?  May you, by God's grace, be able to work it out, may there be reconciliation, may there be peace, at least as "far as it depends upon you."

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Romans 12:17-19

J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

¹⁷ Don't pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone. Don't say "it doesn't matter what people think", but see that your public behaviour is above criticism.

¹⁸ As far as your responsibility goes, live at peace with everyone.

¹⁹ Never take vengeance into your own hands, my dear friends: stand back and let God punish if he will. For it is written: 'Vengeance is mine. I will repay'.

Verse of the Day 9/20

 

Romans 12:19  Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,

"I will take revenge;
    I will pay them back,"    says the Lord.  New Living Translation (NLT)

Today's verse expands on yesterday's as to why we should not take the world's advice - "don't get mad, get even".  Today's verse tells us that it is not our place to take revenge, in doing so we would be overstepping our authority.  Instead we are to "leave it to God's authority".

 

The Amplified Bible states that we are to " leave the way open for [God's] wrath".  Think about that. You might say that by acting we may be in effect, closing the door on the situation.  By leaving that door open, God will take care of it as He sees fit.  He will be glorified and we may end up being free from the guilt of over reacting.

 

We tend to be impatient, but God calls us to wait.  The verse points back to the book of Deuteronomy where we read that sooner or later, in due time, they will slip up and their destiny, their downfall will come. 

 

Deuteronomy 32:35  I will take revenge; I will pay them back.
    In due time their feet will slip.
Their day of disaster will arrive,
    and their destiny will overtake them.'  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Don't insist on getting even, let God take care of it.  (See below) 

 

In Christ

Mike
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Romans 12:18-21

The Message (MSG)

^17-19 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody.Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

^20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

 

Verse of the Day 9/19

Romans 12:17  Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.   English Standard Version (ESV)

I'm sure you've heard someone say, "don't get mad, get even", and it doesn't stop there.  We have plenty of examples in the Bible and through history of this "getting even" or "getting one up" on someone.  You can go back to Jacob and Essau or back a couple of hundred years to the famous, or should I say infamous, Hatfield's and McCoy's.

 

Paul puts it forth in no uncertain terms, repay "no one" evil for evil.  But the key words in the ESV here are "but give thought".  All too often we are prone to react, quickly, without thinking about the ramifications of our actions or reactions.  Elsewhere in the Bible we have heard "be quick to listen and slow to speak". (James 1:19).  The One that we should be "quick to listen" most would be the Lord Jesus.  Go back to the sermon on the mount for a blueprint on Christian living, and let the Holy Spirit guide you.  Then you may be able to "do what is honorable" in the sight of God and man.

 

Verse 17 in The Message says "Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do."   If "you've got Jesus in you, get along with everybody.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Romans 12:16-19

The Message (MSG)

^14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

^17-19 Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it."

Verse of the Day 9/18

 

Romans 12:16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.^[a] Never be wise in your own sight.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Live in harmony with one another.  Aren't these words something that would make a huge difference in our world if there were even an attempt to adhere to them.  Think of the discord and unbalance in the world around us, in government,  in families and even within the church.

 

When I hear or read the word harmony, I think of listening to a duet, quartet or possibly even a choir.  Everyone is on the same page of the same song.  The notes song may be different but they were arranged by the composer to compliment each other.  The conductor directs the choir so that not only are they on the same page and note, but they are in time, the sounds are sweet and clear.  So it should be in our lives, especially within the church.  We are not cookie cutter Christians.  We all have different gifts but they are to be used in harmony.  We have the Bible as our songbook.  God is the author and composer, the Holy Spirit is our guide and conductor.  If we are following His lead there will be harmony.

 

The rest of the verse goes into some components that are necessary in our lives to bring this about.  Not to be "haughty" or think too highly of ourselves, not to be wise in our own eyes, we don't have all the answers.  We are not to be wise in our own sight but to seek a wisdom that only comes from God.  Perhaps spending some time in the Proverbs or James in the New Testament would bring some harmony in our lives today.

 

James 1:25 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.  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

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 12:15-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!

¹⁷ Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.

Verse of the Day 9/17

 

Romans 12:15  Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others' joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others' grief].  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

You've probably used the statement "my heart goes out to you" when consoling a friend.  It captures a part of what is being said in today's verse.  It is being there for someone, trying to empathize what they are feeling and acknowledging their pain, grief or loss.

 

You've probably also said at some point "I am so happy for you" when hearing of the news of a positive diagnosis, a restored relationship, or perhaps a wedding. It is recognizing something joyous and joining in with the celebration.

 

 When trying to console someone the book of Job offers plenty of things to consider.  Jobs friends spent a week with him without saying a word.  They were there for him.  But something happened along the way, perhaps pride, and they started examining Job's life, finding fault and trying to find an explanation as to why things were as they were.  In a sermon on today's passage, John Piper states, " The reason faith is the Christian alternative to empathy-killing pride is that faith is—is, this is the essence of faith, faith is—humbly resting in Christ. Faith is being self-forgettingly satisfied with Christ. Faith is turning from self to Christ as our all in all. So humility is not something merely added to faith—as fruit grown from faith—but humility is part of what faith is."

 

Faith involves finding hope while pride involves finding fault.  May we be able to rejoice with friends when they have something to rejoice about.  May our hearts go out to them, may we also be there for them,  provide encouragement and hope for them when they need a friend.  Don't be like Job's friends, those who pridefully thing that they "know it all" (NLT v.16 below).

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Romans 12:14-16

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!

 

Verse of the Day 9/16

 

Romans 12:14  Bless those who persecute you [who are cruel in their attitude toward you]; bless and do not curse them.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Today's verses is one of those "where rubber meets the road" verses, it is a true test of our faith.  It is one thing to get along with fellow Christians but is quite another to get along with those who are trying to put us down, knock us down or even knock us out.  The call is not to curse them but bless them.

 

John MacArthur summarizes it in a few words, "treat enemies as if they were your friends".  How much better would things go in Washington D.C., in our communities and in our corporate world if that same model was practiced?  There would be a lot less gridlock, there would be a lot more good deeds done,  there would be a lot more understanding of the other point of view.

 

The challenge is that we cannot expect this from others until it is lived out in our lives.  John Piper writes, "God is calling you in this text to be a different kind of person. Not one who wants your adversary to have trouble, but one who wants your adversary to be blessed. And remember that this is radical inner change, not superficial external change. The issue is what you feel in your heart, not just what you do with your fists or your words. "Bless, don't curse" means "from the heart want things to go well with them, both now and forever."

 

We may not have someone who is truly "persecuting" us.  But if we have someone who fights us every step every day what should be in our minds is that in the end, in our hearts we want what's best for them, "now and forever".  There should be "no cursing under your breath". (The Message)

 

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 12:14-16

The Message (MSG)

^14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.

Verse of the Day9/15

 

Romans 12:13   Contribute to the needs of God's people [sharing in the necessities of the saints]; pursue the practice of hospitality.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

Last night some Christian friends invited us over for dinner.  They were practicing "hospitality".  We enjoyed the time together.  Spending time with our friends is uplifting, encouraging and motivates us to do more of the same.

 

Today's verse goes well beyond social gathering.  My mom (81) recently fell and separated her shoulder.  She is going through therapy, but it is sore and she cannot drive until she regains full use of her arm.  Thankfully, through her church and many other long time Christian friends she has been the recipient of people "sharing the necessities of the saints".   Friends have taken her to therapy, brought meals to her or invited her out for meals.  She is thankful and we (being out of state) are thankful for the people that God has put in her life to "come alongside" during this time.

 

My mom had done those types of things for years, playing piano at the nursing home, preparing meals for people and having church families over for dinner.  Now, she is on the receiving end.

 

May we be ready and willing to practice hospitality, contributing to their needs, whether it be fellowship, a friendly dinner, or driving someone to the doctor's office.  Who knows when you will want to be on the receiving end of such hospitality.  Be "inventive in hospitality" (The Message).

 

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 12:13

The Message (MSG)

^11-13 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Verse of the Day 9/13

 

Romans 12:12  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

If you are one who has never memorized much of the Bible, perhaps today's verse is a place to start.  It is a short verse, three brief statements, that if memorized, followed and adhered to will change perspective and change your life.

 

First, rejoice in hope.  In doing so you are rejoicing in something that you don't currently have.  It may be restored health, a repaired relationship, or deliverance from an oppressive situation.  It is looking forward, looking beyond your circumstances to a brighter day in God's promises.

 

We considered the word fervent yesterday, when your spirit is boiling over.  Tribulation is when our world is boiling over in a negative way, trouble at every turn with no visible easy way out.  It is something you must go through.  You press on believing, trusting and hoping that He will see you through.

 

Then we have "be constant in prayer", for some this will be the hardest one.  In the hustle and bustle of today's world, its frantic pace, how can we pull away and set aside time to pray.  Think about how Jesus was constantly pressed, hounded by the Pharisees, people wanting things from him, demanding his time.  Yet we read where he regularly withdrew to pray.

 

I'm reminded of another old hymn "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand".  For me, this hymn draws many of these things together.  I can't help but think that the writer faced a difficult situation , but the song reveals hope, patience and was most likely covered in prayer.  Read the words, may today's verse and this song support us if we are in the "whelming flood". 

 

 My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

 His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

Romans 12:12  Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.  J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

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
Romans 12:9-12

J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

Let us have real Christian behaviour

⁹ Let us have no imitation Christian love. Let us have a genuine break with evil and a real devotion to good.

¹⁰ Let us have real warm affection for one another as between brothers, and a willingness to let the other man have the credit.

¹¹ Let us not allow slackness to spoil our work and let us keep the fires of the spirit burning, as we do our work for God.

¹² Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.

.

Verse of the Day 9/12

 

Romans 12:11   Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Today's verse reminds me of the book of Proverbs where within the span of a few words we have images of a stark contrast.  In this verse the comparison is between being slothful and being fervent.  The word slothful paints a picture of being slow moving, lazy, and complacent, perhaps being paralyzed by indecision. 

 

Sometimes I know in my life, especially around the house, I may notice that something may need repair or could use some attention.  It may not be a major thing and because of that I walk past it day after day, waiting for a good time to take care of it once and for all but it never gets done.  We can be the same way towards spiritual things, opportunities to serve may come our way but we are to caught up in the day to day to take the time, and the opportunity has soon passed.

 

Being fervent paints a picture of activity, literally boiling over.  Between freezing and boiling water looks pretty much the same at various temperatures.  But when it reaches the boiling point, things change.  The water is visibly changed, it bubbles and produces steam.  Steam can be powerful and is useful, it can produce energy to power engines and turbines which in turn produce a greater energy.  So it should be in our spiritual life. 

 

What do others see when they look at us?  Are we average, normal every day looking water or even frozen or are we boiling over?

 

John Piper writes that " When Jonathan Edwards was still a young man he wrote seventy resolutions. I think the sixth resolution captures the meaning of Paul's words, "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit." Edwards wrote: "Resolved: To live with all my might while I live."

 

Jeremiah 29:13-14 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you," New International Version (NIV)

 

May we be willing and strive to "live with all our might while we live" to serve and honor God with our hearts "fueled and aflame" (The Message below).

 

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 12:10-13

The Message (MSG)

^9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

^11-13 Don't burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Verse of the Day 9/11

 

Romans 12:10   Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.  New International Version (NIV)

 

As mentioned yesterday, this passage in Romans gives us a view of the Marks of a true Christian.  It reveals the character traits of life that is "filled with the Spirit".  Paul outlines personal duties as we saw yesterday, duties towards family in today's verse, then onto others and even our enemies.

 

Other translations start out with be kindly affectionate or show brotherly love.  The meaning is the same.  It is loving our family members with their best interest at heart, wanting what's best for them.  It will not be easy and there will be challenges, their will be a need of forgiveness.  There will also be a need for instilling hope and encouraging faith.  Devote is defined as setting one apart for special use or service.  In the context of this verse it is making our loved ones a priority "giving ourselves up" for their benefit.  In doing so we will be honoring them..

 

It is not the way of the world where just about everyone is looking our for number one and that number one being "me".

 

Read what Paul had to say to the church at Philippi.

 

Philippians 2:1-4 If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.  The Message (MSG)

 

May we be "deep spirited" friends and "practice playing second fiddle" (see below) as we head out 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

Romans 12:9-10

The Message (MSG)

^9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.

Verse of the Day 9/10

 

Romans 12:9  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

The heading for this passage in the ESV is "The Marks of a True Christian".  Lord willing, we'll camp out here for several days and spend some time thinking about them.  Why should we spend some time here?

 

John Piper writes, "We meditate on these exhortations and do not breeze over them.  We linger over them.  We ask what they mean, and we think about that in relation to the other scriptures.  We ask what difference these exhortations would make in our lives, and we think about practical situations where they affect us.  We slow down.  We don't just fly 560 miles an hour in our 747 36,000 miles above the grove of fruit trees and look down and say "my, what an impressive grove of fruit trees".  Instead, we land the plane and walk through the grove of trees and stop here and there and pick fruit and eat it and savor the beauty and the sweetness of this grove.  In other words, we meditate on these words.  We don't rush over them."

 

Reading these words reminded me of taking our kids apple picking in the fall.  It was fun for the family and we enjoyed seeing the kids walking through the rows of trees, at their leisure, picking and eating the apples.  It was something we looked forward to every year.  It should be so with God's Word and in worship.  We should enjoy the time there, feel the sunshine, the sweetness of the fruit and the time with our God.

 

Today's verse talks about love.  It is to be real, genuine, authentic.  If we have this kind of love it will show and produce "fruit" in our lives.  On the flip side we are to "abhor", to hate, to detest evil in whatever form it comes in.  As we live our lives may we be able to recognize true fruit, true love and reject that which is false, hurtful and destructive.  "May we run for dear life from evil and hold on for dear life to good." The Message

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 12:9

The Message (MSG)

^9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. 

Verse of the Day 9/9

Romans 12:3  For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's verses start with the statement "by the grace given to me".  If you are a follower of Christ, this would be a good "fill in the blank" statement.  Paul's choice of words to follow it was to challenge his hearers, and us to have a proper view of themselves "with sober judgment".  Only God's grace can truly give us such a clear headed view.  The thoughts, challenges, views, demands, attractions and distractions of the day can cloud our view.

 

This grace that has been given to us comes to us through faith.

 

Pastor James MacDonald writes, "while all believers have a God-given measure of faith, what saves us is the work God's grace accomplished in Jesus Christ.  No matter how big or small our faith, it could not be effective if God wasn't graciously willing to save us.  We are saved by grace - through our faith in Christ."

 

We all have varying degrees or measure of faith which will have an effect on that sober judgment we are to have of ourselves. We have all been given different gifts and will be presented with different opportunities to use them.   May we be aware of the grace given to us and not think too highly of ourselves as we head out into the week and use those gifts that we have been blessed with.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Romans 12:3-5

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Many Gifts but One Body

³ For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. ⁴ Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, ⁵ in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

Verse of the Day 9/6

Romans 12:2  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.   New International Version (NIV)

God's amazing grace is a common theme in the book of Roman's and throughout Paul's writings in the New Testament.

Perhaps today, more than ever, the world is trying to press us into its mold, to conform us to the secular "norms" of society.  In today's verse God's grace isn't specificallly mentioned but it seen in His transforming power in our lives.  The way it operates is to change our way of thinking, to change our thought patterns, or thought process, renewing our minds.

I'm reminded of the old hymn "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior" comes to mind.  May we be transformed by His grace, by His power as we live our lives today.

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say

.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

In Christ,

Mike 

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Romans 12:1-3

Amplified Bible (AMP)

12 I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.

² Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

³ For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.

Verse of the Day 9/5

 

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches
both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!
How unsearchable His judgments
and untraceable His ways!     Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

We've been going through the book of Romans for over a month now and as we head down the "home stretch" in this great book let's look back and consider some of the things that we've considered.   Today's verse is a natural point at which to stop and consider what we've read  - verses about grace, love, hope, faithfulness, freedom, mercy and God's sovereignty over all things.

 

The NLT states, "How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!"  When we look back over the course of our lives their are many times when we may not understand His ways, but hopefully we're coming to know and believe that "all things are working together for good" (Rom. 8:28).

 

As we head further into September, fall will be approaching, leaves will begin to turn, God's majesty in creation will soon be in full display.  While we appreciate that turn their is no turning with God.   In His wisdom and knowledge He remains true, he remains faithful even when we cannot fathom His ways.

 

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

Refrain

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!

 

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.

 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Romans 11:33-34

Amplified Bible (AMP)

³³ Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unfathomable (inscrutable, unsearchable) are His judgments (His decisions)! And how untraceable (mysterious, undiscoverable) are His ways (His methods, His paths)!

³⁴ For who has known the mind of the Lord and who has understood His thoughts, or who has [ever] been His counselor?