Verse of the Day 8/29

 

Romans 11:36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Today's verse comes at the end of Romans chapter 11, 11 chapters of perhaps the deepest, most thorough teaching about the Christian faith that we have in the Bible.  In chapter 12 and on through the rest of the letter, Paul goes deep into the application of what he has been teaching.  In today's passage in general and this verse in particular, Paul takes a brief pause where he breaks out into a doxology - the praise of God.

 

On Monday, we will be celebrating Labor Day,  a day when we are to rest from our labor.  Many of us will be doing things that we enjoy, having cookouts, playing recreational sports, and visiting with friends and family.  Along with that, perhaps in the forefront of that we should take some time to praise God, break out into our own doxology and be thankful for our jobs, thankful for all the blessings that God has bestowed upon us.  Then, when we return to work, may we ourselves go into application mode, to live for Him.

 

Praise, God from whom all blessings flow, (James 1:17)
Praise Him all creatures here below; (Psalm 145:21)
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host; (Rev 5:11-14)
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (Matt 28:19)

Praise to the Father praise the Son
Praise to the Spirit Three in One. (Matt 28:19, Deut 6:4)
Praise to the most high God we sing. (Psalm 136:2)
Praise to our Savior, Lord and King. (2 Peter 1:11, Psalm 74:12)

 

After all, everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him (v.36 The Message)  All glory to him forever! Amen..

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 11:33-36The Message (MSG)

^33-36 Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out.

Is there anyone around who can explain God?
Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?
Anyone who has done him such a huge favor
    that God has to ask his advice?
Everything comes from him;
Everything happens through him;
Everything ends up in him.
Always glory! Always praise!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.

Verse of the Day 8/28

 

Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

In his morning devotional today Greg Laurie asked what would it mean for you today if Billy Graham, Chuck Swindoll or other prominent Christian would tell you that they were praying for you?  Most of us would have to say that we would feel strengthened and encouraged.  Today's verse goes well beyond that.  What does it mean to you today that Jesus Christ is interceding for you?

 

The other day we considered in John 14 how God is preparing a place in heaven for those who believe, who put their faith and trust in Him.  On top of that we have the words of today's verse that Jesus "always lives to make intercession for us".  He is interceding to the Father on our behalf.  Greg Lauie writes, "He always lives to make intercession for you.  He always prays for you.  In fact He's praying for you right now, at the right hand of His Father in heaven...... Jesus is interceding for you at this very moment."

 

Take another look at the verse.  Because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross and through His resurrection, He is able to save, not as a temporary measure, but to the uttermost, to the reaches of heaven, those who will draw near to Him.  And He is always there for us, before the Father, interceding for us.  And He lives within our hearts, it should all give good reason for us to "rejoice!"

 

I serve a risen Saviour; He's in the world today.

I know that He is living, whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,

And just the time I need Him He's always near.

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way.

He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian! Lift up your voice and sing

Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King!

The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,

None other is so loving, so good and kind.

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

 

Hebrews 7:24-26New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁴ But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. ²⁵ Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save^[a] those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

²⁶ He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.^[b]

Verse of the Day 8/27

    

John 14:3 If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Think about that for a moment, heaven is a place.  To the thief who came to know Jesus while on the cross, Jesus said, "today you will be with me in paradise".  Heaven is a place and a destination.

 

When we hear the word "paradise" we each may have a different image in our minds.  It might be white sandy beaches, beautiful blue water and gentle ocean breezes.  In this passage Jesus also describes it as a mansion, or a house with many rooms, one prepared for you.  In other places it is referred to as a city and a country.

 

Greg Laurie writes, "Heaven is a paradise, a city, a country ... and so much more that we can't begin to wrap our finite minds around it.  But one thing I do know: Jesus is expecting me, and He's prepared a place for me.  What more could I ask for?"

 

We don't know for certain what heaven will be like but we can come away from this knowing that it is a paradise, a house, a city, a country and so much more, and it is a place for me.  Don't you want to go their as your final destination?

 

Heaven is  a wonderful place,

Filled with glory and grace,

I want to see my Savior's face,

'Cause heaven is a wonderful place.

I want to go there.

(repeat)

 

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

 

John 14:1-4New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus, the Way to the Father

14 "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. ² There is more than enough room in my Father's home.^[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?^[b] 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going."

Verse of the Day 8/26

 

Psalm 104:31-33

³¹ May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
    may the Lord rejoice in his works,
³² who looks on the earth and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains and they smoke!
³³ I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Yesterday was a beautiful, you might say glorious day and evening in North Carolina.  Sunshine, blue skies, mild temperatures and a gentle breeze with just a hint of fall in the error.  School starting is also a sign of fall. 

 

When we lived in Huntley IL, a neighbor had a poplar tree that was always the first tree in the area to turn color.  The golden leaves would be evident when the kids started back to school.  It was a hint of the beautiful fall colors that are to come.  I look forward to the full colors of autumn, it is a time when God's handiwork is on full display.  Today's verses are a reminder of God's glory and also a reminder that as we appreciate His creation, whether it be clear blue skies, fall colors or waves crashing on the sea shore, it is God who has ordained all of them, and He has ordained that we praise Him for it.

 

John Piper quoted Jonathan Edwards in relation to these verses:

"The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. . . . [These] are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the ocean."

The next time you stand in awe of something in nature, in God's creation, may we be reminded that these "are but shadows but God is the substance", God is who is the author and creator of all of these glorious things.

 

I'll close with another one of my favorite quotes from Jonathan Edwards, ""As grace increases the field opens more and more to a distant view, until the soul is swallowed up with the vastness of the object, and the person is astonished to think how much it becomes him to love his God and this glorious Redeemer that has so loved man."

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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

Psalm 104:31-34The Message (MSG)

^31-32 The glory of God—let it last forever!
    Let God enjoy his creation!
He takes one look at earth and triggers an earthquake,
    points a finger at the mountains, and volcanoes erupt.

^33-35 Oh, let me sing to God all my life long,
    sing hymns to my God as long as I live!
Oh, let my song please him;
    I'm so pleased to be singing to God.

Verse of the Day 8/22

 

Philippians 1:22-23Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don't know which one I should choose. ²³ I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ—which is far better—  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 Some, perhaps many of us, have gone through enough in life, faced enough challenges, suffered losses, and have endured ongoing trials to the point where we have literally thought or prayed, "come Lord Jesus, come".  At the same time, we realize that it is not our place to choose.  What we can choose is to live for Christ now, until He does come to bring us home.

 

Today's verses describe that feeling in Paul and he shares it with his readers including us.  He wanted to "depart" this live and live for eternity with Christ, but realized there was still work for him to do.  The word used for "depart" in the verse could be translated in several different ways.  One is to "strike the tent", literally break camp, to pack up and go.  Another is the picture of a prisoner being released from his shackles - being freed.  A third is a picture of a boat being untied from its moorings, ready to set sail out into the blue.  All three are fitting.

 

Whether we want to break camp, be freed from shackles of pain suffering or sin, or be freed to "set sail", we can all look forward to that time when one day He will call us to do so.  But if we, like Paul, "plan to be around a while" (The Message) may we choose to live for Him, trusting in the meantime in the in between time.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Philippians 1:22-26The Message (MSG)

^22-26 As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.

Verse of the Day 8/21

 

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom^[a] but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, ⁵ so that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 While Paul, the prophets and preachers through history have called people, called the church to "reason together", the power of their preaching does not reside, does not come from themselves, it come from the Holy Spirit working and speaking from them.

 

Today's verses remind us that it we are not dependent upon men, upon specific people and their persuasive words in themselves that reach us, that stir our hearts to respond, to change to seek Christ, rather, it is God's power.

 

If we were to depend on man's wisdom, perhaps we'd subscribe to man's reasoning.  Max Lucado writes of others who have written their own Bible verses such as "Popular Opinion 1:1 God helps those who help themselves.".  We'll fix ourselves thank you.  We'll make up for our mistakes with contributions, our guilt with busyness.  We'll overcome failures with hard work.  We'll find salvation the old fashioned way: we'll earn it."

 

These are man's wisdom, man's reasoning or "fancy footwork" (The Message).  If we hear things like that we should hold them up against God's word, examine the scriptures to be aware of such falsehoods.

 

Let's listen to those who admit that they are working under the Spirit's power, reasoning with us the Word of God, from God's Word, chapter and verse.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 Corinthians 2:4-5The Message (MSG)

^3-5 I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.

Verse of the Day 8/21

Verse of the Day 8/21

 

 

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Verse of the Day 8/20

 

Acts 17:2And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We considered yesterday how Paul challenged his readers and challenges us not only to listen as the word is preached but to take it with us, examine it, take it in and take it to heart

 

The world around us doesn't believe in the Bible, in God's Word.  They are skeptics and doubters who look upon the Bible as obscure words written thousands of ago that can have no impact on our lives and should be rejected.  Quite often they do this without ever considering what is being said.  The Message (v.2 below) says that Paul "preached" to the people and "opened up the texts".  This opening is not simply turning to a passage, it describes reasoning with the people showing how God reveals Himself in scripture while revealing who we really are with clarity and not obscurity.  His Word cuts to the heart.

 

Alexander Smellie writes, "It is both strange and sad, that men should be atheists in a universe which carries the print of the Creator's finger on . . .

each grain of sand,

each blade of grass,

each beam of light.

They are as senseless as one who would go through a large factory, with its complicated mechanisms and machinery, and would say, "I do not believe man exists!"

But I would be wiser than they. I would subscribe to William Law's sentiment,"Nature is what it is for this end only--that the hidden riches, the invisible powers, the blessings, the glory, and the love of the unsearchable God--may become visible, sensible, and manifest in it and by it!" This is a saner conclusion than the atheist's."  Sounds reasonable to me!

 

Think of the beginning of that last sentence "the saner conclusion".  Isn't that what Paul, isn't that what our pastors reason with us each week?  They reason with us that the saner conclusion is to believe in the God who created everything from the grains of sand, the blades of grass and beams of light as revealed in the light of His Word.

 

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

Acts 17:1-3The Message (MSG)

Thessalonica

17 ^1-3 They took the road south through Amphipolis and Apollonia to Thessalonica, where there was a community of Jews. Paul went to their meeting place, as he usually did when he came to a town, and for three Sabbaths running he preached to them from the Scriptures. He opened up the texts so they understood what they'd been reading all their lives: that the Messiah absolutely had to be put to death and raised from the dead—there were no other options—and that "this Jesus I'm introducing you to is that Messiah."

Verse of the Day 8/19

 

Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

In our church, "sermon notes" are passed out with the bulletins.  They contain the scripture passages/verses that will be in the message along with room for taking notes.  They are a handy tool to follow along with the message, but how often do we take them home, review them and "examine the Scriptures" to gain a better understanding and hopefully apply what we've heard and learned in our lives?  Today's verse indicates that the Berean's did so and Paul referred to them as being noble.  It was commendable.

 

The Amplified Bible states, "for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message".  It starts with  having hearts and minds that are prepared to welcome the message that His Word will bring to us. not only in the form of sermons, but any time we venture into the Bible.   Part of that preparation should be prayer.

 

As children in Sunday School, we may have learned the song that went like this:

 

Read your Bible, pray every day,

And you'll grow, grow, grow.

 

Don't read your Bible, forget to pray,

And you'll shrink, shrink, shrink.

 

Those words are a reminder for us as  adults as much as they were a lesson to be taught to us as children.  May we receive those words that we hear on Sunday, or perhaps in a Bible study, or Sunday School class, with eagerness.  May we like the Bereans, take the time to "examine" the scriptures.  So that we'll grow, grow, grow.  Grow in knowledge, grow in faith, and grow in our relationship with Christ and with others.

 

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

 

Acts 17:10-12The Message (MSG)

Berea

^10-12 That night, under cover of darkness, their friends got Paul and Silas out of town as fast as they could. They sent them to Berea, where they again met with the Jewish community. They were treated a lot better there than in Thessalonica. The Jews received Paul's message with enthusiasm and met with him daily, examining the Scriptures to see if they supported what he said. A lot of them became believers, including many Greeks who were prominent in the community, women and men of influence.

Verse of the Day 8/18

 

Mark 8:29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ."  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Our Pastor Tim spoke from this passage yesterday and focused on Jesus' statement, His  call in verse 34 His true disciples to "take up his cross and follow me."  In order to truly follow we must first ask the question which Jesus posed to His audience in today's verse.

 

Pastor Tim noted that this question is asked in 3 of the gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke.  As he said that, it came to mind that the one gospel that did not directly ask the question is the Gospel of John where we find Jesus' seven "I Am" statements.  Hearing or reading those "I am" statements should make the reader ask that very question.  Is He who He says He is?

 

"I am the bread of life" (John 6:35,48,51).

"I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).

"I am the door of the sheep"(John 10:7,9).

"I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11,14).

"I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25).

"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

"I am the true vine" (John 15:1,5).

After having read those statements, what would be your response today to Jesus' question "who do you say I am?"  Peter's answer is correct, if that is your answer it will direct the course of your life.  May you experience Jesus as the rest of the I am statements and let it be known to others that you feel that way.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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

 

Mark 8:28-36Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

²⁸ They answered Him, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets."

²⁹ "But you," He asked them again, "who do you say that I am?"

Peter answered Him, "You are the Messiah!"

³⁰ And He strictly warned them to tell no one about Him.

His Death and Resurrection Predicted

³¹ Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. ³² He was openly talking about this. So Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

³³ But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind Me, Satan, because you're not thinking about God's concerns,^[a] but man's!"

Take Up Your Cross

³⁴ Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, "If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. ³⁶ For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?

Verse of the Day 8/16

 

John 1:16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

 

I like to have my morning coffee, with cream and sugar.  These days, trying to cut down on sweets and sugar I now measure out half of a teaspoon of sugar.  Today's verse is a reminder of how God does not withhold or carefully measure out the grace that he bestows upon us, that he fills us with.  Amy Carmichael writes, "Thank God, He does not measure out grace in teaspoons", or half teaspoons.  He heaps it on grace upon grace.

 

Think of the ways that He "heaps" grace upon grace on you, in forgiveness, in mercy, in compassion in countless blessings.  It is truly marvelous, truly matchless and greater than all our sin.

 

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
   Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
   Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
   There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
2. 
   Grace, grace, God's grace,
   Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
   Grace, grace, God's grace,
   Grace that is greater than all our sin
4. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
   What can we do to wash it away?
   Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
   Brighter than snow you may be today.
5. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
   Freely bestowed on all who believe!
   You that are longing to see His face,
   Will you this moment His grace receive?

 

Take some time in worship this weekend to consider how we "live off His bounty, gift after gift" (The Message), God's grace and it's power to cleanse, power to heal, power to free and power to truly live.

 

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

John 1:15-18The Message (MSG)

¹⁵ John pointed him out and called, "This is the One! The One I told you was coming after me but in fact was ahead of me. He has always been ahead of me, has always had the first word."

^16-18 We all live off his generous bounty,
        gift after gift after gift.
    We got the basics from Moses,
        and then this exuberant giving and receiving,
    This endless knowing and understanding—
        all this came through Jesus, the Messiah.
    No one has ever seen God,
        not so much as a glimpse.
    This one-of-a-kind God-Expression,
        who exists at the very heart of the Father,
        has made him plain as day.