Verse of the Day 2/28

Verse of the Day 2/28   

 

Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

There are times in life when we will hear bad news, whether it be news of an accident, a diagnosis or actual loss of something or someone dear to us.  When this happens we say that our "heart sank".  It is like the bottom dropped out of it.

I'm sure that at times, the woman from yesterday's passage may have felt that way.  She may have lost some or most "heart" but enough remained to reach out and touch Jesus.

 

The Amplified Bible in this verse states, "pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up)."  In other words, to totally give up, faint and lose heart is to turn coward.  We need to take courage and be encouraged to continue to pray and not lose heart.  Never surrender, never give up.

 

In these situations it may seem like we are lost in a vast wilderness with no way out.  But some One does.

My Lord Knows the Way     My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,	  All I have to do is follow.	  My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,  All I have to do is follow.	  Strength for today is mine all the way,	  And all that I need for tomorrow.  My Lord knows the way through,   All I have to do is follow.

Strength for today is something we all need.  May we find it as we pray persistently, and not lose heart.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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

Luke 18

The Message (MSG)

The Story of the Persistent Widow

18 ^1-3 Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me!'

^4-5 "He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, 'I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding.'"

^6-8 Then the Master said, "Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?"

Verse of the Day 2/27

Verse of the Day 2/27

 

Mark 5:34  He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."  New International Version (NIV)

 

In literature, movies, TV and in life there are plots and subplots, stories within stories and sometime it is hard to know which is the plot and which is the subplot.  Today's verse comes from one of those instances.  Jesus is on His way to heal Jairus' daughter when a woman seeks Him in a crowd and is miraculously healed by touching His garment.  But even in this subplot there is a story within a story.  It was not the act itself that healed her, but the fact that it was done in faith that mattered.

 

Many people suffer from chronic illnesses and injuries and have been bounced around from doctor to doctor, remedy to remedy with no relief.  It can all be very confusing.  It not only wears on you as it did this woman, but it can break you, financially, physically and spiritually.  Her efforts and her faith were a last ditch effort to be healed.

 

People go through the same today.  They may hear of a new medication and see a commercial and then hear of thirty different possible side effects that sound worse than the suffering itself.  Where do you turn.  She turned to Jesus and He told her that her faith in Jesus had made her well, literally "had made her whole", had saved her.  Being made whole involves more than just the physical, it also involves the emotional and spiritual aspect of her life.  It would not be the same.

 

Some would consider this to be something mystical, something intense and very personal.  It involves a letting go, a reaching out, in faith.  Her life would be changed old words and old ways, old remedies won't do.  Something new had come into her life and it would be forever changed.

 

Jesus has the power to heal and to change people.  Though they may not happen simultaneously, faith lets go, reaches out and holds on in hope.  May Jesus say to you "live well, live blessed and be healed of your plague" (v.34 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

Mark 5:25-34

The Message (MSG)

^25-29 A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well." The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.

³⁰ At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?"

³¹ His disciples said, "What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you're asking, 'Who touched me?' Dozens have touched you!"

^32-33 But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.

³⁴ Jesus said to her, "Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.

Verse of the Day 2/26

 

1 Thessalonians 5:10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. ¹¹ So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

As Christians we believe that Jesus died for us and as we considered last week in our creeds, our confessions, we believe that He also was buried and raised again to life everlasting.  What struck me today in this verse was reading it in The Message which states, "He died for us, a death that triggered life".  That death was necessary for our lives of faith.

 

The statement also reminded me of Galatians 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ therefore I no longer live, Jesus Christ lives in me".  When we become Christians we are to die to ourselves, to our old way of life.  It is a death that triggers life.  This carries us on to verse 11 and indicates what we should be doing in that new life.  We are to be encouraging and building each other up day by day as we wait for His glorious appearing.

 

Titus 2:11-13  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,¹³ looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  New King James Version (NKJV)

 

As we wait, let us think of someone that we could encourage and build up today.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 Thessalonians 5:10

The Message (MSG)

^9-11 God didn't set us up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we're awake with the living or asleep with the dead, we'realive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this; just keep on doing it.

Verse of the Day 2/25

 

Psalm 42:1-2  As a deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for You, God.

² 

I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I come and appear before God?  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Many of the psalms written by David were written in the desert, physically and spiritually.  Many of the references are taken from that setting.  Whether you are living in the city, the country, the mountains or the desert we need water daily to live.  In the modern city the abundance and availability of water is taken for granted.  But in the arid desert anything beyond a day without water is dangerous.  We are not spiritual camels sustained for days or weeks from one large drink. We are like the deer, we need water daily, we need spiritual water daily.

 

In this Psalm we can picture David in En Gedi, an oasis in the desert, the name of which means spring of the wild goats.  It is a place where David sought relief and refuge when fleeing from Saul.  Like us humans, the deer or wild goats referenced here needed water daily in order to survive.  If you saw these goats you would assume that water was close by.  When we wander off of God's path and miss our time with Him it will have an impact on our lives.  We need Him and like a shepherd to the sheep, He doesn't leave us to make it back on our own, He calls for us.  This goes all the way back to Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned, they didn't eventually make their way, find their own path back to God, He sought them out.   ^"So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, "Where are you?".  Genesis 3:9  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Modern man isn't any different from those in David's time or even back to Adam.  We need water and more so we need God, we need a Savior.  Has He been asking you "where are you, where have you been?"

 

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

 

Psalm 42:1-2

The Message (MSG)

A psalm of the sons of Korah

42 ^1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks
    from the creek;
I want to drink God,
    deep draughts of God.
I'm thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, "Will I ever make it—
    arrive and drink in God's presence?"

Verse of the Day 2/22

 

Galatians 6:2  Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Yesterday we considered how our salvation is a personal one but that we are meant to live in community, experiencing and sharing life together

 

There is a popular series of beer commercials on TV that feature "the most interesting man in the world" in which he ends each commercial with "stay thirsty my friends".  But the commercials are all about him, one line that stuck out was "he lives vicariously, through himself".  I guess the message of the commercial is for you to want to be like him, to be the subject of conversations of others and to enjoy life for yourself and drinking this beer is a component of that.

 

The Bible tells us something different.  We live for each other and as pointed out in today's verse, a key component is to carry one another's burdens.  Doing so will requiring growing and rejoicing in what is accomplished in sharing burdens, lifting people up, in a way living vicariously through their experiences which bind us together.  I'm reminded of the old hymn written by John Fawcett, "Blessed Be the Tie That Binds"

 

Blest be the tie that binds   	our hearts in Christian love;   	the fellowship of kindred minds   	is like to that above.   

	Before our Father's throne   	we pour our ardent prayers;   	our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,   	our comforts and our cares.     	We share each other's woes,   	our mutual burdens bear;   	and often for each other flows   	the sympathizing tear. 

The commercial told the listeners to "stay thirsty" for themselves, The Message encourages us in verse 1 to "live creatively" in community, may we experience that this weekend.

 

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

Galatians 6:2

The Message (MSG)

Nothing but the Cross

6 ^1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

Verse of the Day 2/21

 

Luke 6:31  Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Jesus spoke similar words in Matt. 7:12 in the sermon on the mount but I chose this verse for today because the passage does a little more in setting the context.  Most, if not all of us, are familiar with this verse and the concept, often thought of as the "golden rule".  It goes back to the times of the law and the prophets. It is probably most often thought of in terms of doing good to or for someone so that in return, they will be good to you.

 

Referring back to Levinas, Edward Schillenbeeckx writes in his book "On Christian Faith" that "what the other person can demand of me is not a consequence of what I can demand  of him or her.  The ethical personhood of the other person is in a kind of non-reciprocal real relationship to me, unlike the relationship between my personhood and the other." (page 57).

 

How many of our actions, acts of kindness, are done with some kind of reciprocity in mind?  How often do the other persons actions or reactions come into play in what we do or what we'll do the next time the same situation comes up with the same person?  Schillebeeckx use of the word "non-reciprocal"is a sobering one for me.  It should help teach us, teach me, what kind of attitude that I am to have.  It is actually freeing to an extent.  We are not bound nor are we to expect anything before knowing what we should do, as The Message" indicates, we are to just "grab the initiative and do it for them".

 

Be looking for opportunities to "grab the initiative" 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

Luke 6:31

The Message (MSG)

^31-34 "Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

Verse of the Day 2/20

 

Acts 2:42  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

The Christian faith is a personal faith. We have personal knowledge, accountability and a personal relationship with God through the forgiveness of sins.  The Christian faith is also one of community.  The Apostle's Creed speaks of the "communion of saints.  This communion is at the core of this passage from Acts chapter two, which many use as the basis for their church ministries.  The heading for the passage in the New Living Translations says "The Believers Form a Community" and so it is to be.

 

Edward Schillebeeckx writes, "In the church of Christ we are concerned with the story of a Jew who appeared in our human history and who after His death was confessed by fervent followers as "the Christ, God's only Son, our Lord".  In that story, set down in writing in the New Testament, we read how particular people reacted to the historical appearance of Jesus and how as a result began to lead a new different life."

 

It is still the same today.  Through the Bible we learn how Jesus lived, what inspired Him and even what angered Him.  We don't have direct writings from Him but we do have the writings of His followers, the apostles who also offer a testimony of what it means, what it looks like to be a follower.  This following is also in community, we are partners, sharing life with each other, stimulating each other and encouraging one another to live in Him, for Him and through Him and for His glory.

 

May we never take for granted the importance of living in community with fellow believers as we worship, celebrate communion, as we learn and grow,and as we serve, and as we pray.  May others still see what it looks like to be a follower and followers.

 

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
      creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
      who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
      and born of the virgin Mary.
      He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
      was crucified, died, and was buried;
      he descended to hell.
      The third day he rose again from the dead.
      He ascended to heaven
      and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
      From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
      the holy catholic* church,
      the communion of saints,
      the forgiveness of sins,
      the resurrection of the body,
      and the life everlasting. Amen.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Acts 2:41-43

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁴¹ Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

The Believers Form a Community

⁴² All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper^[a]), and to prayer.

⁴³ A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

Verse of the Day 2/19

 

Mark 1:17-18  And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men."^[a] 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Yesterday I quoted part of Rich Mullins' "Creed".  I'd like to use one line from that song as a backdrop for today's verse, he stated, "I did not make it, no it is making me".  It can be said of the creed, the decision to follow.  It could easily be thought of as I did not make , but He is making me", making His followers to be fishers of men.

 

I'll share another quote from Schillebeeckz' "On Christian Faith" :

"The message of Jesus embraces the kingdom of God in all its height and depth, breadth and length; not just the forgiveness of sins and eternal life, although it also includes that, indeed it is above all about that.  Ultimately Jesus proclaimed the absolute, freely given and effective nearness of the God who creates and brings salvation.  We Christians learn to express stammeringly the content of what 'God' is and the content of what humanity can be from the career of Jesus."

 

I was struck by the word "stammeringly" in relation to our following.  Stammering or stuttering is often thought of negatively as an involuntary act, most often in our speech, where our actions are not totally within our control.  When you think about it, isn't following Jesus a lot about that.  It is not ourselves but Him working in us that may cause us to step back and say, "where did that come from" or "did I do that" in reaction to something that we do for the kingdom of God that wouldn't been part of our old nature.  Things that we wouldn't have done voluntarily.  It is what happens when people, when we truly become followers.

 

Can you think of a time when you've followed Jesus "stammeringly"?  Perhaps its time for us to drop our nets and follow more closely and experience that.  It would make us all that we can be.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Mark 1:16-20

The Message (MSG)

^16-18 Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.

^19-20 A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee's sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.

Verse of the Day 2/18

 

 Mark 1:15  "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!"    Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

I read today's verse in the read through the Bible plan that I'm following for yesterday.  Later in the day I was reading a book, "On Christian Faith", by Edward Schillebeeckx and came across the following quote which was in reference to this verse and others:

 

 "Belief in Jesus as the Christ means at its deepest a recognition in confession and action that Jesus has a permanent and decisive significance in the approach of the kingdom of God and thus in the all-embracing healing and making whole of humanity.  It is essentially a matter of the distinctive, unique relationship of Jesus to the coming kingdom of God as salvation for men and women.  That with the coming of Jesus God comes within a hair's breadth of us in a basic Christian conviction which therefore must be expressed in one way or another in the Christian creed."  (Page 19)

 

My son Jason and I may not always see eye to eye politically, philosophically and even theologically but this verse and this statement bring us to a point of agreement, a common creed of the Christian faith.  These thoughts brought me to the Nicene creed which brought me to the Rich Mullins song "Creed".  I'll post the first stanza and chorus, you can probably sing along or recite the rest.

 

I believe in God the Father almighty 
Maker of Heaven and Maker of Earth 
And in Jesus Christ 
His only begotten Son, our Lord 
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit 
Born of the virgin Mary 
Suffered under Pontius Pilate 
He was crucified and dead and buried

CHORUS: 
And I believe what I believe 
Is what makes me what I am 
I did not make it, no it is making me 
It is the very truth of God and not 
The invention of any man

 

 

The call is still the same, in today's language it would be more like we see in The Message "God's kingdom is here.  Change your life and believe the message."  If you'v made that "confession" it will make a permanent and decisive significance in your life.

 

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

 

Mark 1:14-18

The Message (MSG)

^14-15 After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: "Time's up! God's kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message."

^16-18 Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.

Verse of the Day 2/17

 

Matthew 17:3-4   And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. ⁴ And Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Today's passage may very well be where the term "mountain top experience" came from.  In any case, I'm sure that most, if not all of us, at times in our Christian lives and walk have had that experience of a revelation of sorts  that is sealed in our minds and hearts and left an impact on us that will not be remembered.  The thing about those times is that we can't camp out there forever, we can't put life on "freeze frame" to get back to it when we want to.  We have all learned that life goes on.

 

The important thing to realize in these moments, whether they be from an experience of a missions trip, youth retreat, a powerful message, or from a time of meditation and study of His Word, is that we "listen to Him",  we learn from them, carry the experience and what we've learned with us back down into the real world, our every day lives with the desire and intention to live differently, to live better lives "unto the Lord".

 

The other thing about these times is that if we make the changes in our lives those experiences can be an encouragement and challenge to us to persevere when we go through the valleys of life.

 

If you find yourself coming off of one of those experiences remember it, treasure it and praise God for it and if you find yourself in a valley, remember it, treasure it and look for the next one.  It may be just around the next bend in the road.  We are ever to be "listening".

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Matthew 17:3-8

The Message (MSG)

Sunlight Poured from His Face

17 ^1-3 Six days later, three of them saw that glory. Jesus took Peter and the brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain. His appearance changed from the inside out, right before their eyes. Sunlight poured from his face. His clothes were filled with light. Then they realized that Moses and Elijah were also there in deep conversation with him.

⁴ Peter broke in, "Master, this is a great moment! What would you think if I built three memorials here on the mountain—one for you, one for Moses, one for Elijah?"

⁵ While he was going on like this, babbling, a light-radiant cloud enveloped them, and sounding from deep in the cloud a voice: "This is my Son, marked by my love, focus of my delight. Listen to him."

^6-8 When the disciples heard it, they fell flat on their faces, scared to death. But Jesus came over and touched them. "Don't be afraid." When they opened their eyes and looked around all they saw was Jesus, only Jesus.

Verse of the Day 2/16

 

 

1 John 5:13   I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

We've given some thought recently to heaven and what it will be like.  In today's verse John points out that the reason behind this epistle, the reason for his writing was that his readers who believed in Jesus as Savior would have eternal life, eternal life in heaven.  As mentioned previously, we do not know a lot about heaven but we can be assured of many things based on what is written in the Bible and also in the character and glory of the God who created all there is.

 

I recently read something from Thomas Watson who had given much thought to the subject of heaven.  I thought that they would be good words to spend some time on and think about in relation to John's words here.

 

In Heaven there is:

knowledge without ignorance,

holiness without sin,

beauty without blemish,

strength without weakness,

light without darkness,

riches without poverty,

ease without pain,

liberty without restraint,

rest without labor,

joy without sorrow,

love without hatred,

plenty without excess,

honor without disgrace,

health without sickness,

peace without end,

contentment without cessation!

Oh the happiness of those who die to the Lord!

 

We often may  think of the things that will be in heaven.  Watson's writing makes us think about the things that we'll be without.  Both are things that give reason for us to celebrate, to look forward to and be preparing for the place that  is being prepared for us.  What does it mean to you today to think that this heaven that we're asking for " is as good as ours"?   (v. 15 The Message)

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 John 5:13

The Message (MSG)

The Reality, Not the Illusion

^13-15 My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God's Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he's listening. And if we're confident that he's listening, we know that what we've asked for is as good as ours.

Verse of the Day 2/14

 

Psalm 121:8 The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

With the storm that has just hit the southeast and has now moved to the northeast, many people have been concerned about making it home from work or a trip, whether it be on the roads or at an airport waiting to see if their flight will get out.  Others have been couped up in the house for a few days and are wondering if they should try to go out, if the roads have been cleared and are safe to drive.

 

You may think it strange to quote this verse, written in a desert situation, in relation to a snow/ice storm.  But storms of any nature can leave us alone and isolated at times, with the same kind of feelings of being alone in the desert.  In these times, in these situations it is easy to feel alone and indecisive on what we should do.  The Psalm is still a good one to take hold of in times like these.  Trust in God, seek comfort and wisdom through Him, He will see you through this situation.  This storm as all others will pass, God is with us and will be with us.

 

The second part of this is that He will see you through this time and forward to "forevermore" to a time when we won't have to worry about being alone, being isolated, being stranded.  He will along with all of those who put there faith and trust in Him through the ages will be with Him forevermore.

 

He guards you when you leave and when you return,, He guards you now, He'll guard you always. (v.8 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

Psalm 121:6-8

The Message (MSG)

^5-6 God's your Guardian,
    right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke,
    sheltering you from moonstroke.

^7-8 God guards you from every evil,
    he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
    he guards you now, he guards you always.

Verse of the Day 2/13

 

Haggai 1:5  Now, the Lord of Hosts says this: "Think carefully about^[a] your ways:  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Much of the southeast U.S. has been hit with a major winter storm.  There are plenty of school and work closings, airports have been shut down and people have been told to stay home if possible.  If you do venture out you are asked to dress warmly,drive carefully, take emergency food water and blankets with you in case you get stranded, take extra caution because the roads are treacherous.

 

Today's verse is a warning to God's people to take a look at their ways, their walk, the way they conduct their lives, to think it over before proceeding. 

 

Day's like this can be a good time for doing so.  You are home, there is a break from the normal routine.  Take a look at that routing.  We spend much with not much to show for it, we eat and drink and over indulge in both cases, and what do we get?  Our lives may be compared to a bucket with holes in it, leaking out just about everything that we put into it.

 

As we try do stay warm and safe today, may we consider our ways, may we be working more on investing our time and efforts into things that will truly last and won't leak out as fast as we pour in.  Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions (The Message)

 

Matthew 6:30-33  "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.  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

Haggai 1:5-6

The Message (MSG)

^5-6 And then a little later, God-of-the-Angel-Armies spoke out again:

"Take a good, hard look at your life.
    Think it over.
You have spent a lot of money,
    but you haven't much to show for it.
You keep filling your plates,
    but you never get filled up.
You keep drinking and drinking and drinking,
    but you're always thirsty.
You put on layer after layer of clothes,
    but you can't get warm.
And the people who work for you,
    what are they getting out of it?
Not much—
    a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that's what.

Verse of the Day 2/12

 

Joshua 6:20  So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

My friend Jim and I work with the11th grade boys in our youth group.  We've worked since middle school and it has been fun and rewarding to see them grow physically and spiritually over the last few years.  They have fun and have a lot of energy.

 

I recently read this passage in Joshua 6 and the experiences with them made me think of some of the young men that were in Joshua's army.  Some of them were probably around the same age as our guys.  I could picture it being hard for them to keep silent as Joshua commanded as they marched around the city, once a day for 6 days and then 7 times on the 7th day.  I can just imagine what some of them must have thought, in today's language it may have been "this is lame" or "I can't believe we have to do this".  But they obeyed and  I'm sure these thoughts and emotions changed as they finished the last lap and the trumpets blasted, the people shouted and the walls came down.

 

I can imagine one of the boys going back to his tent that evening and writing a praise song.  Again, in today's language it may have sounded something like this as written by Rich Mullins.

 

Our God is an awesome God,

He reigns in heaven above,

With wisdom, power and love,

Our God is an awesome God.

 

What kind of walls may we our our youth be facing today?  God's ways, His call and challenge to face them in faith may seem lame or unusual to us at times, but what will happen if we seek and obey Him in faith?  What songs of praise would we be able to sing when the day is done?

 

Continue to pray for our youth, for the next generation, to be faithful and to be able to say from experience "Our God is an Awesome God".

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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

Joshua 6:19-21

The Message (MSG)

^18-19 "As for you, watch yourselves in the city under holy curse. Be careful that you don't covet anything in it and take something that's cursed, endangering the camp of Israel with the curse and making trouble for everyone. All silver and gold, all vessels of bronze and iron are holy to God. Put them in God's treasury."

²⁰ The priests blew the trumpets.

When the people heard the blast of the trumpets, they gave a thunderclap shout. The wall fell at once. The people rushed straight into the city and took it.

 

Verse of the Day 2/11

Verse of the Day 2/11

 

Hebrews 11:16  But they now desire a better place—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

We've been considering how God is preparing a place, heaven, for His prepared people.  We've considered the house, the mansion with many rooms, one customized for us.  But there is much more than a room that God is creating for us.

 

In the middle of this great chapter, Hebrews 11, the hall of faith, God tells us that He is preparing a city for His prepared people.  I grew up in the Chicago area, a great city, great food, great sports (not always winners, I am a Cub fan), great music and entertainment available and a beautiful lakefront and skyline.  Imagine what this city will be like.  It will be the greatest ever, it would be the greatest tourist attraction of all time, and we would call it our home, we would be citizens of that city.

 

The ones who seek that place have had a change in their heats desires.  They are not concerned with the best things here, but are concerned about their treasures in heaven.  John Piper writes, "There are many people who water down what saving faith is by making it a mere decision with no change of what one desires or seeks.  But the point of this text is that living and dying by faith means having new desires and seeking new satisfactions "

 

Thinking about that home in that city reminds me of a song the we sang in our chuch, in Sunday school as a child.  Several of my friends from back then receive these posts, I'm sure they'll sing aloud or in their hearts when they read the lyrics again, no matter that the dogs may start howling.

 

Do Lord, Oh, do Lord, do remember me.
Do Lord, Oh, do Lord, do remember me.
Do Lord, Oh, do Lord, do remember me,
Way beyond the Blue.

I've got a home in Glory Land that outshines the sun,
I've got a home in Glory Land that outshines the sun,
I've got a home in Glory Land that outshines the sun,
Way beyond the Blue.

I took Jesus as My Savior, you take Him too,
I took Jesus as My Savior, you take Him too,
I took Jesus as My Savior, you take Him too,
Way beyond the Blue.

 

 

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

 

Hebrews 11:13-16

The Message (MSG)

^13-16 Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.