Verse of the Day 10/31

 

Psalm 96:11-12  Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice.
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
¹²     let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

The fall trees are just about in full color here in North Carolina.  I love this time of year as the trees put on display the majesty of God's creation.  As the psalmist writes in verse 12, it is as if the trees of the forest and along the parkway are singing for joy. 

 

Many people will take a drive and go on for miles along the Blue Ridge Parkway or other places to try to "soak it all in".  Their hearts are filled with wonder as they see a new picture of God's beautiful creation around every turn.

 

As we should appreciate and stand in wonder at God's creation, we should also stand in wonder at the beauty the love we see in human hearts as just a small glimpse of the beauty in the heart of God.  These thoughts led me to an old hymn, "The Wonder of it All'.  As we gaze at the beauty of God's creation in the trees, may our hearts sing like the forests and turn our hearts towards the One who orchestrated it.

 

(1) There's the wonder at sunset at evening

The wondrous sunrise I see

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is the wonder that God loves me

The wonder of it all

The wonder of it all

Just to think that God loves me

Oh the wonder of it all

The wonder of it all

Just to think that God loves me

(2) There's the wonder of spring time and harvest

The sky, the stars, the sun

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is the wonder that's only begun

The wonder of it all

The wonder of it all

Just to think that God loves me

Oh the wonder of it all

The wonder of it all

Just to think that God loves me

In Christ,
Mike

 

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

Psalm 96:11-13

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
¹²     let the field exult, and everything in it!
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
¹³     before the Lord, for he comes,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness,
    and the peoples in his faithfulness.

Verse of the Day 10/30

 

Revelation 22:20-21 He who testifies about these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly."

Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

In yesterday's passage from 1 Peter 4 Peter wrote that "the end of all things is at hand" referencing that the return of the Lord was immanent.  With that in mind he encouraged his readers then and now to love one another "earnestly", deeply, stretching ourselves because the time was short.  He also said "above all", to love one another.  He was saying make it your number one priority.

 

Some of us, at times in our lives, perhaps even now, have been "stretched" or strained by loved ones.  It can wear us out emotionally, spiritually and have an impact on us physically.  Today's verse is another challenge and comfort to us. 

 

I'm sure we can look back at times and circumstances in our lives where we felt the burden would never end, but now those events and emotions are a distant memory.  One day, when He comes quickly, we will look  back at these times and feel the same way.  We will look back and see how the Lord Jesus was with us, leading us, encouraging and challenging us, and sometimes carrying us, and we will praise Him.

 

Let's go back to yesterday's passage, from The Message.  May the words encourage us to press on while we say and pray "come, Lord Jesus".

 

1 Peter 4:7-11  Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!  The Message (MSG)

 

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

Revelation 22:20-21

Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁰ He Who gives this warning and affirms and testifies to these things says, Yes (it is true). [Surely] I am coming quickly (swiftly, speedily). Amen (so let it be)! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!

²¹ The grace (blessing and favor) of the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be ^[a]with all the saints (God's holy people,^[b]those set apart for God, to be, as it were, exclusively His). Amen (so let it be)!

Verse of the Day 10/29

 

1 Peter 4:8  Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Our men's small group studied this passage yesterday.   We started with a "warm up question" - "Imagine that the world is going to end in twenty-four hours and you have been granted one wish for anything you want. What would you wish for? Why? ".  This led to a good discussion.  We talked about "bucket lists" and how most of them had to do with things that people want for themselves, "I always wanted to do...."

 

As I thought of this question I thought of my son Jeff.  If I could have one wish, it would be for him to be healed for that day to experience life again without the pain and limitations knowing that he would use that time to show his love for God and for others.  I'm sure that many of you would wish and pray for the salvation of a loved one.  To experience that last day with the weight of sin removed, to experience the love of Christ, experience the forgiveness and the joy that comes with it.

 

We may not have that wish, but we can live each day loving one another "earnestly" and in so doing bringing God's kingdom a little closer.  In his commentary on this verse John MacArthur writes, "Earnestly means to be stretched, to be strained.  It is used of a runner who is moving at maximum output with taut muscles straining and stretching to the limit.  This kind of love requires the Christian to put another's spiritual good ahead of his own desires in spite of being treated unkindly, ungraciously, or even with hostility."  This stretching may involve putting up with or overlooking someone's actions that may irritate or drive us crazy at times, forgiving and disregarding offenses (see below) straining against our will to the greater good, the good of the other person, as if it were the last time you'd have an opportunity to do so.

 

Instead of having a bucket list of things you want to do or places you want to go for your own pleasure, perhaps we should create a different kind of bucket list, thinking of those people that may need your love, your earnest love.   The list may change day to day or month to month, but may we do our best to brighten a day, even if it is for only one day, today, with the goal of hope of a  brighter eternity in the love of Christ.

 

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 Peter 4:7-9

Amplified Bible (AMP)

⁷ But the end and culmination of all things has now come near; keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert therefore for [the practice of] prayer.

⁸ Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and^[a]disregards the offenses of others].

⁹ Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).

Verse of the Day 10/28

 

Psalm 29:4  The voice of the Lord is powerful;
    the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

For today's verse we'll continue on in the Psalms of David.  In Psalm 29 David speaks of "the voice of God" in five verses looking back to creation and His voice over the waters, the power of His voice as seen in the world in creation and as heard in the thunder and the power of storms.  His power is seen in nature in fire and the power of the volcano.  His power is seen in the wonder of birth, the beauty and preciousness of it.  All of these things should cause us to step back in wonder and also glory in the fact that He who created all this cares about you and me.

 

Yesterday in church we sang the Newsboys song "My God's Not Dead" which spoke of Him as "living on the inside, roaring like a lion".  His voice is active in our lives, speaking to us, leading us, challenging us.  Through His word, through faith we can do so much more than we think, because He is living on the inside.

 

Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To see a revolution somehow
Now I'm lost in Your freedom
In this world I'll overcome

My God's not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion [x2]

 

Sometimes we feel like we're just living day to day with no real spark, no real purpose.  May His Word, may His voice roar and speak to our hearts today, may we realize that He is surely alive, and may we see a revolution in our hearts that instead of feeling overwhelmed or overcome, we may be overcomers through the power of Christ in us.

 

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 29

The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

29 ^1-2 Bravo, God, bravo!
    Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!"
In awe before the glory,
    in awe before God's visible power.
Stand at attention!
    Dress your best to honor him!

³ God thunders across the waters,
Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness—
God, across the flood waters.

⁴ God's thunder tympanic,
God's thunder symphonic.

⁵ God's thunder smashes cedars,
God topples the northern cedars.

⁶ The mountain ranges skip like spring colts,
The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.

^7-8 God's thunder spits fire.
God thunders, the wilderness quakes;
He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.

⁹ God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing
A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches.
We fall to our knees—we call out, "Glory!"

¹⁰ Above the floodwaters is God's throne
    from which his power flows,
    from which he rules the world.

¹¹ God makes his people strong.
God gives his people peace.

Verse of the Day 10/27

 

Psalm 28:6-7  Blessed be the Lord, because He has heard the voice of my supplications.

⁷ The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

We've been going through some of the psalms of David where we've seen him describe the Lord as the Good Shepherd, we've seen how he's depended on Him and called on him with "relentless trust".  In today's verse David testifies that he knows that the Lord has heard his cries, his pleas and that he thinks of the Lord as an "impenetrable shield".  No matter what the enemies or the devil may throw at him he knows that nothing can truly harm him where it counts, in his heart and in his soul.

 

These thoughts lead him into song.  David has a case of the "can't help its", he can't help but sing and rejoice in praise to his LORD.  These thoughts lead me to the Matt Redman song that we often sing in praise and worship to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  May our hearts trust in, rely on and confidently lean on Him and in so doing, be helped.   May we be singing His praises in worship this morning and when the day is done.

 

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


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

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

 

Read the passage from The Message below.  Has He proved that He's on your side?  Will you throw your lot in with Him?

In Christ,
Mike

 

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

Psalm 28:6-9

The Message (MSG)

^6-7 Blessed be God—
    he heard me praying.
He proved he's on my side;
    I've thrown my lot in with him.

Now I'm jumping for joy,
    and shouting and singing my thanks to him.

^8-9 God is all strength for his people,
    ample refuge for his chosen leader;
Save your people
    and bless your heritage.
Care for them;
    carry them like a good shepherd.

Verse of the Day 10/25

  

Psalm 27:1  The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

Knowing that it was coming up in my daily reading, today's verse is one that I really looked forward to sharing.  It is a declaration of faith, David acknowledging that God is the one who "lights his path" (Psalm 119) and his way.  When I think of David saying that God is his salvation, I picture him thinking of God as his deliverer, his strong defender, the One who goes before him every day and out into the fray, facing come what may.

 

This verse, primarily the beginning of it, "The LORD is my light and my salvation" is one that I frequently wake up thinking and saying out loud.  They often are the very first words that are thought and spoken.  It may have been after a fretful nights sleep or just any other day, but I am thankful that it happens even though until today I really hadn't given it much thought as to why it happens.

 

As part of my daily reading I read from a Psalm and from Solomon's wisdom literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon).  Today's reading in Proverbs 6 helped me to realize why today's verse came to me.  His words are on my heart and mind and when I awake "they talk to me".

 

Proverbs 6:21-22 Bind them on your heart always;
    tie them around your neck.
²² When you walk, they will lead you;
    when you lie down, they will watch over you;
    and when you awake, they will talk with you.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Spend time in God's Word and when you need them, "they will talk with you".

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 27:1-8

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

Of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold^[a] of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

² When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.

³ Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet^[b] I will be confident.

⁴ One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire^[c] in his temple.

⁵ For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

⁶ And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

⁷ Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
⁸ You have said, "Seek^[d] my face."
My heart says to you,
    "Your face, Lord, do I seek."^[e]

Verse of the Day 10/24

     

Psalm 26:2   Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We'll continue on in looking at some of the psalms of David which reveal his heart and his relentless trust.  He had his share of ups and downs in his life and in his walk with God.  But an underlying factor in all of it was a deep trust in His God and in his own faith.  This prayer, this call to God is a bold one born out of what had happened in the past, the joys and the pain and the cost and rewards of faith.

 

John MacArthur writes that these three words "prove", "try" and "test" are invitations to divine scrutiny" which are synonymous ways of testing, refining and purifying.

 

In my work I am sometimes involved in R & D of our own products as well as how other products work with ours.  Tensile,tear, and bond strengths are tested.  Test samples are subjected to heat, UV rays, and abrasion all to determine if the product will make the grade and be approved for use and to bear the name.

 

David was confident that he would make the grade.  It wasn't in who he was or in his own strength.  But it was, once again, his relentless trust, his faith in God that gave him confidence that he could make such a request, such a prayer to God.

 

Would we, would I be able to make that prayer today - prove me, try me, and test my heart today?  May God give us the relentless trust to be able to do so.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 26

English Standard Version (ESV)

I Will Bless the Lord

Of David.

26 Vindicate me, O Lord,
    for I have walked in my integrity,
    and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
² Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
    test my heart and my mind

³ For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
    and I walk in your faithfulness.

⁴ I do not sit with men of falsehood,
    nor do I consort with hypocrites.
⁵ I hate the assembly of evildoers,
    and I will not sit with the wicked.

⁶ I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord,
⁷ proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
    and telling all your wondrous deeds.

⁸ O Lord,I love the habitation of your house
    and the place where your glory dwells.

Verse of the Day 10/22

 

Psalm 25:12-13  Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose.

¹³ He himself shall dwell at ease, and his offspring shall inherit the land.   Amplified Bible (AMP)

Yesterday's verses asked the question "Who is the King of Glory?", from the New Testament times on, those who have seen and have come to know Jesus, know it is He that is the King of Glory.  He is also the Good Shepherd referenced by David in Psalm 23.

 

For today's verse we'll continue in Psalms to the next chapter where we see what those who realize that He is the Good Shepherd, the King of Glory, will do.  They will follow Him, revere, respect and Worship the Lord, the King of Kings.  This worship and reverence is not just singing songs of praise, although that is part of it.  It is following Him by example which we learn from His Word, being taught by it and applying what we learn in our lives.

 

Verse 13  speaks of dwelling "at ease".  I don't think that "name it and claim it theology" is the point here.  It goes back to that relentless trust, no matter what.  You've heard the term "like water off a duck's back".  That is the picture that I get here, rolling with the changes, trusting all the while.  It is not an easy thing to do by any means.  But those through the Bible and through history, from Job, to David, to Daniel to Paul and on have done so.  We, like they, may have questions at times but He will bring us back to that point of trust, a faith that lives and grows and is passed on to the next generation.  I believe that is what land the that the psalmist is talking about.  It may be across the river, across the ocean or across eternity.  But it is there for us.  May we trust in it, trust in Him with "relentless trust".

 

Many in the world us seek the life of ease by chasing things that they think will satisfy and bring that "ease".  It is the grear dececption.  We'll close with some of the words from the Steve Green Song "A Chasing of the Wind".  May they serve as a reminder of the "deep and quiet trust" available through Jesus Christ.

 

All achievements, all possessions
All with time return to dust
Only God can be our reason
For deep and quiet trust
He will guard us from the dangers
That gladly make men fools

Apart from Him and all His meaning
All things fail as they begin
And hearts deceived
Can only know
A chasing of the wind
A chasing of the wind

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 25:11-13

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹¹ Because of Your name, Yahweh,
forgive my sin, for it is great.

¹² Who is the man who fears the Lord?
He will show him the way he should choose.
¹³ He will live a good life,
and his descendants will inherit the land.