Verse of the Day 10/31

Verse of the Day 10/31

 

John 2:5  His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."  English Standard Version (ESV)

In John chapter 2 Jesus is beginning his earthly ministry and in this passage we come to the first of his miracles.  As I've mentioned before our men's Bible study is going through the book of John and one of the main focuses that we will have are the questions that Jesus asks.  He is constantly asking questions of his followers, his detractors and virtually anyone he comes in contact with.  Today's verse has to do with a conversation between his mother Mary and Jesus.

Mary points out that the wedding host has run out of wine.  You get the feeling that she is expecting Jesus to do something without even specifically asking.  I imagine it come from experience that Jesus has already been a go to person to get things done.  Mary has confidence in him.  She doesn't even have to ask, He knows what she is expecting.  He asks the question "what does that have to do with me?".   It is interesting, she doesn't respond to Him but says to the those around Him "do whatever He tells you".

There were probably other times in their lives when many things came up that really didn't have to do with Him but He took care of nonetheless.  She had confidence in Him through past experience in all kinds of situations.  From this she learned and here shares with the others that He is the go to person to get things done.

So it should be in our lives.  We should have a similar experience.  Over our lives He has seen us through situations even when we did not directly ask for His involvement.  But looking back we can see His hand, His power in turning things around in our lives.  It should be the case where we should point to Jesus, point to the Word, and confidently tell people to "do whatever He tells you".

I'll return to the final stanza of the old hymn Trust and Obey, it involves doing what He tells us to do.

 What He says we will do;
  Where He sends, we will go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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John 2:3-6English Standard Version (ESV)

³ When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, "They have no wine." ⁴ And Jesus said to her, "Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come." ⁵ His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."

⁶ Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons.^[a]

Verse of the Day 10/28

Verse of the Day 10/28

 

John 11:25-26  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.^[a] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, ²⁶ and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  English Standard Version (ESV)

I've mentioned before that our men's Bible study group is going through the Gospel of John.  One of the main focuses that we will be considering will be some of the questions that Jesus asks of His disciples, the crowds, and us today.  Some of them seem fairly simple on the surface.  But when you take a look at them in light of scripture, in light of His Words they are as important as life itself.  'Do you believe this?" is one of the questions that may come up time and time again as we read the scriptures.

 

David Jeremiah points out some other passages that beg the question "do you believe this"  as he writes, "the Bible says that Jesus Christ will sit as judge of all humanity one day in the future (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 4:1). Do you believe this? Jesus Himself said that He is the way, the truth, and the life -- that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Do you believe this? The Bible says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10). Do you believe this? Jesus said that everyone who does not believe in Him stands condemned already (John 3:18). Do you believe this? But the Bible also says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Do you believe this?"

 

As you read through the Bible, take some time to pay attention to the questions that are raised.  Perhaps we need to ask the questions of ourselves.  As we do, we'll get to know HIm better, and follow more closely as He will shed some light on our way, right here, "right now" (The Message)

 

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

 

 

 

Blessings,
Mike
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John 11:24-26The Message (MSG)

²⁴ Martha replied, "I know that he will be raised up in the resurrection at the end of time."

^25-26 "You don't have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live. And everyone who lives believing in me does not ultimately die at all. Do you believe this?"

Verse of the Day 10/24

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then]
7 You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up. Amplified Bible (AMP)

Today's verses were quoted in a recent message at our church from another translation. As I followed along I pulled up the Amplified Bible translation in my Bible Gateway app. The verses come from the Shema which through the ages have been quoted and recited daily by devout Jews and Christians. Many translations will mention the "teaching dilligently" but the Amplified does a good job of what is involved in this.

Verse 6 starts by saying that these words, God's Word are to be top priority to us. They are part of who we are, whose we are and they should be in our hearts and minds. If they have that place, the next step should follow. We will impress them on our children or the next generation of believers. These things are taught but are more effective if they are caught, if they are seen lived out in our lives. To whet has to do with preparation just as the aroma of a meal whets our appetite.
The sharepening involves honing as you would a knife, preparing it to do what it is designed to do more effectively. If this is the case it will be impressed upon that next generation. Our lives, our teaching, our example should leave a mark, make and leave a lasting impression.

Read the rest of the passage to see how this is done. It is making our thoughts of God commonplace in our lives. In our speech - the things we talk about, the music we listen to and even to the point of how we decorate our homes. All of these things will show that God is first in our hearts and in our homes.

Blessings,
Mike
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Deuteronomy 6:4-9Amplified Bible (AMP)
4 Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord [the only Lord].

5 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being and with all your might.

6 And these words which I am commanding you this day shall be [first] in your [own] minds and hearts; [then]

7 You shall whet and sharpen them so as to make them penetrate, and teach and impress them diligently upon the [minds and] hearts of your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.

8 And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets (forehead bands) between your eyes.

9 And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Verse of the Day 10/23

 

Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, ¹⁵ that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Reading today's verse made me chuckle because it brought me back to the days when our kids were little.  It seemed like every time they were asked to take out the garbage, clean up their rooms, or help shovel the snow it was met with grumbling and disputing about how unfair it was.  Perhaps you can relate.  But just as we considered political backbiting over the past couple of days and took a look at ourselves, we need to do the same thing here.

 

As you read through God's Word, the Bible, you will (or at least you should) be prompted to do some things.  Perhaps it involves forgiveness or encouraging someone, helping someone or just being a friend to someone who needs it now.  How often are those promptings met with grumbling to ourselves or to God that we just don't have time or we're too tired or any other number of excuses?

 

Sometimes we may be in God's Word but feel like He is not speaking to us.  John Piper writes, "When I complain that I don't hear the Word of God, when I feel a desire to hear the voice of God, and get frustrated that he does not speak in ways that I may crave, what am I really saying? Am I really saying that I have exhausted this final decisive Word revealed to me so fully in the New Testament? Have I really exhausted this Word? Has it become so much a part of me that it has shaped my very being and given me life and guidance?"

 

If we feel that He is not speaking to us, perhaps we have to dig a little deeper.  The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, could easily have grumbled plenty.  Instead, here he is encouraging others, including us, to go out and to good.  To be a "breath of fresh air" and to "carry the light"  (The Message) to others in this messed up society.  Instead of grumbling, we should be able to shine.

 

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

 

Philippians 2:14-16The Message (MSG)

^14-16 Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.

Verse of the Day 10/22

 

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Yesterday we considered how we are to "guard our mouths", to watch what we say as opposed to those that "open wide their lips" and just let things fly.  We did this against a political backdrop.  We'll continue in that theme today.

 

In North Carolina and I'm sure in many other areas of the country, the airwaves have been full of political adds with candidates from opposing parties exchanging "harsh words" about each other.  It seems that no one has anything good to say.  We seldom see a soft answer but rather increasingly sharp answers to each others barbs.

 

When I was going to college I had a part time job at a car dealer.  There would be discussions at break time which would at times become heated.  There was one person who had the nickname "Coal Adder".  He had a reputation for adding fuel to the fire, sometimes "lighting the fuse" in these debates.  Our position as Christians should be to have calmer, clearer thinking and speech.  We should cultivate and learn how to "defuse anger" (v.1 The Message),  have something positive to say, if possible, and al the least not to add to the fire.

 

A small comment can easily lead to a fight.  May we not be a "coal adder" but be the person who "defuses" the situation.  If you have some time you may read a little further in Proverbs 15 to find these words.

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, . . . and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!" (15:4,23).  May God give us the right words to say at the right time, for His glory.

 

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

 

Proverbs 15:1-2The Message (MSG)

15 A gentle response defuses anger,
    but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.

² Knowledge flows like spring water from the wise;
    fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense.

Verse of the Day 10/21

 

Proverbs 13:3 Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
    he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

It is somewhat ironic or perhaps tragic that this most beautiful fall season with all its color coincides with political campaigns and all of its nastiness and "off color" remarks.  Over  the years how many candidates met their downfall by something foolishly said on the campaign trail or even in what were supposed to be closed door meetings?  How many times have we seen politicians caught on video saying one thing in one political race only to spout the exact opposite the next time around when the political climate changed.  I would say there is more of that climate change than what is being referenced in nature.

 

But before we dump too much on the politicians what about ourselves.  How careful are we to "guard our mouths" to be careful about what we say.  The Bible is full of verses about guarding our tongue.  The book of James speaks at length about the subject.  Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing - this should never be.

 

I like that way The Message puts it, "careful words make a careful life" (v.3).  The opposite would also be true, reckless words make for a reckless life. 

 

Let's look back to verse two from The Message - "the good acquire a taste for helpful conversation".  It doesn't come naturally, it is an acquired taste, something that is learned but can become second nature.  It will take time, effort and the direction of the Spirit in our lives, but it is possible.  Do you know someone who energetically (v.4 below) puts this into practice? Seemingly without trying "they have something to show for their lives".  May it be said of us.

 

Let's not be like the political "bullies" - pushing and shoving their way through life,  but be "the good" acquiring a taste for helpful conversation"  (v.2).  

 

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

 

Proverbs 13:2-4The Message (MSG)

² The good acquire a taste for helpful conversation;
    bullies push and shove their way through life.

³ Careful words make for a careful life;
    careless talk may ruin everything.

⁴ Indolence wants it all and gets nothing;
    the energetic have something to show for their lives.

Verse of the Day 10/17

 

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We've spent some time recently considering the importance of God's Word in the lives a Christian along with all of the benefits - guiding, counseling, restoring and nourishing to name a few.  Notice what Jesus says here, it is to those who believed in Him, not merely in words but as a matter of the heart.  The abiding, living, and remaining immersed in Him and His Word will lead to realizing and appreciating these benefits.

 

The other important factor in abiding is the "freeing" mentioned in today's verse.  There is freedom, forgiveness, a lightening the load that we are baring.  As I thought of all of these things an old hymn came to mind.  "Jesus, What a Friend of Sinners".

 

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

 

The saving, helping, keeping and loving mentioned here are the benefits the fruits of abiding and remaining in Him.  The second stanza may speak to the way we may feel at times.  We will face times of weakness where our faith may not seem strong.  We may face times of feeling tempted, tried and even sometimes failing.  When we abide in Him through those times,  He shows and is our Strength in weakness. 

 

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

 

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

John 8:30-32The Message (MSG)

³⁰ When he put it in these terms, many people decided to believe.

If the Son Sets You Free

^31-32 Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."

Verse of the Day 10/16

 

Exodus 33:13  Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people."  English Standard Version (ESV)

One of my favorite Third Day songs for many years has been "Show Me Your Glory".  It comes from later in this chapter in Exodus.  The song calls for God to "send down His presence" and show us His glory.  I'm sure that many of us have sung that song with emotion at times when we've needed His presence in our lives.

 

What should not be overlooked however, is that in this chapter and in today's verse we see the heart of Moses.  With his life he is seeking God's favor, seeking and calling out for His guidance and direction - that he may know God.  He also desires those same things for his nation, other people.  It is for more than his own personal benefit.   It is one thing to call out to God "show me your glory" for the thrill, for the experience of it, it is another to do it from a heart that is "following hard after God", that desires that closer relationship, that desires to do His will and to follow "to the journey's end".  (The Message v.14).

 

Yesterday we considered "His benefits" and how, many of them, come to us through His Word.  Through it may we get to know Him better, show us His ways and from a humble heart sing "show me your glory".

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Exodus 33:12-14The Message (MSG)

^12-13 Moses said to God, "Look, you tell me, 'Lead this people,' but you don't let me know whom you're going to send with me. You tell me, 'I know you well and you are special to me.' If I am so special to you, let me in on your plans. That way, I will continue being special to you. Don't forget, this is your people, your responsibility."

¹⁴ God said, "My presence will go with you. I'll see the journey to the end."

Verse of the Day 10/15

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13  And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.  New International Version (NIV)

Once again we'll go to today's New Testament read through the Bible plan for today's verse.  It centers on a common theme of my posts, the importance of the Word of God.  Reading this verse I was first reminded of Psalm 103:2 which states, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,". (ESV)

Many times as we go through God's Word we realize that quite often these "benefits" come to us through God's Word and the impact it has in our lives, leading us to prayer, leading us to change course in our lives and reaping the benefits of it working in us.

 

 John MacArthur reminds us  -" The work of God's Word includes:

saving (Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23);
teaching and training (2 Tim. 3:16, 17);
guiding (Ps. 119:105);
counseling (Ps. 119:24);
reviving (Ps. 119:154);
restoring (Ps. 19:7);
warning and rewarding (Ps. 19:11);
nourishing (1 Pet. 2:2);
judging (Heb. 4:12);
sanctifying (John 17:17);
freeing (John 8:31, 32);
enriching (Col. 3:16);
protecting (Ps. 119:11);
strengthening (Ps. 119:28);
making wise (Ps. 119:17–100);
rejoicing the heart (Ps. 19:8);
and prospering (Josh. 1:8, 9)."

 

 

As you went through the list can you identify some of the areas of your life where you need "the work of the Word" today?  May you be able to look back on identify others that cause "an artesian well of thanks"  (The Message)  to spring up in your heart and mind.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 Thessalonians 2:11-13The Message (MSG)

^9-12 You remember us in those days, friends, working our fingers to the bone, up half the night, moonlighting so you wouldn't have the burden of supporting us while we proclaimed God's Message to you. You saw with your own eyes how discreet and courteous we were among you, with keen sensitivity to you as fellow believers. And God knows we weren't freeloaders! You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child, holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life.

¹³ And now we look back on all this and thank God, an artesian well of thanks! When you got the Message of God we preached, you didn't pass it off as just one more human opinion, but you took it to heart as God's true word to you, which it is, God himself at work in you believers!

Verse of the Day 10/14

Verse of the Day 10/14

 

Colossians 4:6  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.  English Standard Version (ESV)

One of the things that really upsets and bothers me during this time of the year, the campaign season, is all of the back biting and mud slinging that goes on among the various candidates.  Instead of standing up and promoting what they believe in and offering solutions, most of their time and money is sent slinging and defending against each others barbs.

 

Today's verse from Colossians 4 reminds us that our speech should always be gracious.  It should be wholesome, clean, fitting, purposeful, encouraging, considerate.  We should be more concerned about elevating the discourse instead of tearing, bringing  someone down.

 

Having our speech seasoned with salt brings something else into it.  Our speech doesn't need to be bland it should add some flavor and bring the best out as a little salt does to many of our favorite meals.  Instead of leaving a sour taste or speech should add flavor, not only for the two involved but others that may hear.  John MacArthur writes that "Just as salt not only flavors, but prevents corruption, the Christian's speech should act not only as a blessing to others but as a purifying influence within the decaying society of the world."

 

May our words be gracious and seasoned with salt today.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Colossians 4:5-6The Message (MSG)

^5-6 Use your heads as you live and work among outsiders. Don't miss a trick. Make the most of every opportunity. Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.

Verse of the Day 10/13

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Colossians 3 was part of  yesterday's New Testament read through the Bible plan.  Verse 2 speaks of "setting our minds" on the things above, to have this inner disposition while verse 20 speaks of letting the Word dwell in you "richly".  Pastor Bob has often said that His word gives us our bearings, our spiritual compass.

 

I also read the following quote from Arthur Pink where he  writes, "The Bible is a book which calls not so much for the exertion of our intellect--as it does for the exercise of our affections, conscience and will. God has given His Word to us not for our entertainment, but for our education--to make known what He requires from us. It is to be . . .
  the traveler's guide as he journeys through the maze of this world,
  and the mariner's chart as he sails the sea of life.

Therefore, whenever we open the Bible, the all-important consideration for each of us to keep before him is: "What is here for me today? What bearing does the passage now before me have upon my present case and circumstances--what warning, what encouragement, what information? What instruction is there . . .
  to direct me in the management of my business,
  to guide me in the ordering of my domestic and social affairs,
  to promote a closer walking with God?"         .........I should see myself addressed in every precept--and included in every promise

 

This "dwelling" of the Word within us will show in our lives in our "affections"  - the things we love; our wills - it will motivate us to do His will, and our conscience to know what is right and to follow that course.  This is not simply in "spiritual" areas of our lives, but also in our management of business, household and social affairs.

 

How are we , how am I doing in this "letting" the Word of God dwell richly in us.?  Are we giving His word "plenty of room" in our lives (The Message)?

 

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

 

Colossians 3:15-17The Message (MSG)

^15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Verse of the Day 10/10

Verse of the Day 10/10

 

Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread,  English Standard Version (ESV)

Many of us can take for granted having a steady job, steady paychecks where not much thought may be given about paying for groceries and having food for the day.  The same can be said spiritually.  We think things are OK to the point where we may not even have realized that we are in need of anything from God.

We've considered what it means to walk with, to follow God.  Part of that is realizing the need for His provision, physically and spiritually.  Storms, trials and desert places will come at some point.  If we are walking with Him,when those times arrive we'll feel His presence and He will provide for us in that desert place.

I remember a song that I learned as a child, it is simple but true.

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 always,

And all I need for tomorrow.

My Lord knows the way through the wilderness,

All I have to do is follow.

 

 

J. R. Miller writes, "Strength was not promised in advance--enough for all of life, or even for a year, or for a month. The promise was, that for each day, when it came with its own needs, duties, battles, and griefs--enough strength would be given. As the burden increased--more strength would be imparted. As the night grew darker--the lamps would shine out more brightly. 

The important thought here is, that strength is not emptied into our hearts in bulk--a supply for years to come--but is kept in reserve, and divinely given day by day, just as the day's needs require. "

 

Seek and be thankful for His provision, physical and spiritual, your daily bread today.

 

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Matthew 6:10-12New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰ May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
    as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us today the food we need,^[a]
12 and forgive us our sins,
    as we have forgiven those who sin against us.