Verse of the Day 12/31

 

Romans 16:25-26 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. ²⁶ But now as the prophets^[a] foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him.  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

As we come to the end of a year and look ahead to the new one, it is natural to take a look back and recall how we've arrived where we are today.  Today's verses come at the end of the book of Romans as Paul writes a benediction.  He is looking back over the work of the letter and its message, that of the Good News of redemption in the gospel which has been revealed to all. 

 

The benediction also looks ahead that the readers of the letter, those who follow God's Word as it has been revealed, will truly believe and live by faith to the glory of God.  The strength to do so doesn't come from ourselves, it is the power of God and the Holy Spirit working in and through us.  We can be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

 

In R.C. Sproul's Tabletalk devotional I read that "God strengthens through the gospel, according to what the prophets foretold, in order to bring about the obedience of faith. (Rom. 16:26).  All that the Lord has done is so that we might trust in Him alone and then serve Him in gratitude for His great salvation."

 

As we look back over the past year may, see how He has strengthened you, seen you through and as you look to the coming year may He strengthen you as you read the good news of the gospel, apply it to your life and share it with others, so that "they too might believe and obey Him."

Let the word of Christ dwell in you Richly, in all wisdom Teaching and admonishing one another In psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord And whatever you do, in word or in work Do all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Do all in the name of our Lord.

(from Colossians 3:16-17)

 

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 16:24-26Amplified Bible (AMP)

²⁴ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) be with you all. Amen (so be it).

²⁵ Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ (the Messiah), according to the revelation (the unveiling) of the mystery of the plan of redemption which was kept in silence and secret for long ages,

²⁶ But is now disclosed and through the prophetic Scriptures is made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, [to win them] to obedience to the faith,

Verse of the Day 12/30

 

Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Sometime in January our church is planning on reading through the New Testament over the course of about 10 weeks.  For many, it may be the first time doing so.  Ten weeks is enough to become "habit forming" and reading the Bible is one habit that is good to have.  This time of the year is one where people look back and also look ahead.  We try to rid ourselves of some things, a few pounds or bad habits and replace them with the good ones.

 

I've been reading through the Bible now for about 20 years.  The "habit" started after a Promise Keepers event in 1994.  Instead of becoming monotonous or boring, I actually look forward to coming up to familiar passages, Old Testament and New.  I read today's verse yesterday in a devotional but it reminded me of Psalm 42 which was in my personal reading for today in which David writes "as the deer pants for water so my soul pants for you O God."   I look forward to reading again of David and Luke 15 and the prodigal son or Hebrews 11 and the "Hall of Faith" in the New Testament.

 

It is important for God's Word to be in our hearts and minds.  They can be a friend to us, to comfort, cheer, remind, challenge and warn.  But today's verse reminds us that while all of these are important; it is the "doing" what it written in it that will have the greatest benefit.

 

If you have never done so, perhaps you could consider reading through the Bible, whether the whole Bible or perhaps the New Testament to see how God will speak and work through you in the coming year.  There are many plans to choose from online, choose one that works for you.  May it become a habit that you'll never lose.  As it says at the end of today's passage in The Message (below) "God, your God, is with you every step you take.".

 

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 1:8The Message (MSG)

1 ^1-9 After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses' assistant:

"Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I'm giving to the People of Israel. I'm giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It's all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed. Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take."

Verse of the Day 12/29

 

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

In this day and age, with all of the "low carb" diets and allergies that require a gluten free diet, bread may not seem as much of a staple in our diets as it has been through the ages.  Yet, when there is the threat of a winter storm, what are the first things that are cleared from the grocery store shelves?  Bread and milk.  I have also noticed that you can usually tell a good restaurant by the bread that they serve prior to putting out the main course.  I guess that it could be if they put the time and effort into the bread you can count on them putting their best into the main course.

 

In today's passage Jesus refers to Himself twice as "the bread of life" and also the "living bread".  Bread was something that satisfied, nourished and sustained people. Along with water, it was viewed upon as a necessity of life.  For the Christian our faith in Jesus is something that should be a necessity of life.  We should be fed by the time we spend in His Word and in communion with Him in prayer.  It is important that He states that He is the "living bread".  He is not something that is consumed and then needs to be replenished at some point.  He is with us and can feed us continually if we are willing.

 

Jesus said , "whoever comes to me" shall not hunger.  As we prepare for the New Year and the resolutions that go along with it, may our primary goal be to go to Him to be fed, day by day by the bread of life, the bread of heaven, Jesus and His Word.  As The Message points out (below) "once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go."

 

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
[or Guide me, O Thou great Redeemer…]
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.

 

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 6:32-38The Message (MSG)

^32-33 Jesus responded, "The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread. The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world."

³⁴ They jumped at that: "Master, give us this bread, now and forever!"

^35-38 Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don't really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.

Verse of the Day 12/28

 

Luke 2:19-20 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

After the birth of Jesus, after the appearance of the angels, after the visits from the shepherds, Mary took some time and reflected on what had just taken place.  She considered the words of the angel, she considered the prophecies and how  they had been fulfilled in this , her child, and treasured all of these things.

 

I trust that you've had a wonderful Christmas spent with family and friends, celebrating the greatest gift of all time that was given to Mary and to all of us who will trust in His name.  I know that my wife and I treasured the time with our children and grandchildren and the time to worship together and sing praises to Jesus who we celebrate this week and all year. As we head into this next week, the in between time between Christmas and the New Year celebration, may we take some time and think about, ponder, and be thankful for the time with family and friends and what was behind that celebration.  Let us also ponder the gift of life itself and all of the beauty in God's creating, may our hearts sing out hallelujah.

 

The pulse of life within my wrist
A fallen snow, a rising mist
There is no higher praise than this
And my soul wells up, oh my soul wells up
Yes my soul wells up with Hallelujahs

Oh praise Him, all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Oh Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

As and we return to our normal "every day" lives, may we glorify God as we tell others of what He has done for us.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

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

Luke 2:18-20The Message (MSG)

^15-18 As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

^19-20 Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Verse of the Day 12/24

 

2 Corinthians 9:15  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Tonight and tomorrow morning all kinds of gifts will be given and exchanged.  Some people will be blown away by a gift, something precious and totally unexpected will be given and received.  Can you look back on some of the gifts that you have received that stand out in your mind?  They may or may not match up to the Red Ryder BB gun that Ralphie received in "A Christmas Story" but you get the idea.  But what most of us will be going to celebrate at Christmas Eve services today and tonight will be the most indescribable, inexpressible gift ever given.  Yet, astonishingly, there will be many that will reject and refuse this gift.

 

The gift or gifts actually described in this passage are actually gifts for ministry, service, and seed planting in the Christian faith.  Still, they stem from the gift of Jesus and faith in Him that we celebrate here and now.  The heading on the passage is "The Cheerful Giver".  May that be the attitude in our hearts this season.  May we truly experience the fact that it is "better to give than to receive".  May we give gifts of joy and hope in the grace that "abounds" to us through Jesus Christ.  May seeds planted in that joy be fruitful and bring thanks and glory to God for the inexpressible gift of Christmas.

 

I'm reminded of the chorus Chris Tomlin song, "Indescribable":

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

 

After all the kids and grandkids have been tucked away this evening, after the services, after family time around the table, after an evening of celebrating, in the quiet, in the stillness of Christmas season.  May we again thank God for all of the indescribable, uncontainable, inexpressible gift his gift that we have received. "No language can praise it enough"  (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

 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15The Message (MSG)

^6-7 Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

^8-11 God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,
    giving to the needy in reckless abandon.
His right-living, right-giving ways
    never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

^12-15 Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they'll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!

Verse of the Day 12/23

 

John 4:49-50   "Sir," the official said to Him, "come down before my boy dies!"

⁵⁰ "Go," Jesus told him, "your son will live." The man believed what^[a] Jesus said to him and departed.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

Today's verse comes from John chapter 4, a passage that our men's Bible study went through this week.  It is the account where a nobleman's son was healed by the word of Jesus from a distance of many miles.  What struck me about this verse in this season are the words of the official and his reaction to Jesus' words.

 

At Christmas we celebrate a time when "heaven came down", when "God came near" and left His throne that He would save us.  The man was desperate for Jesus.  Nothing else had worked or would work to revive his son who was at the point of death.  He left his son at home and travelled many miles to see Jesus, his only hope.  When Jesus spoke to him and said the words that he wanted to hear, he left and returned home in faith.

 

Many of us may have loved ones who do not know the Lord.  We hope that it may be time with the family or a church Christmas service that may touch their heart.  Our cry might be that Jesus come down before they die.  We long to hear the words of Jesus, "go, your son will live".

 

These thoughts brought me back to the time of our son Jeff's accident.  I was out of town on business when I received the call that he had been in an accident and had been air lifted to a hospital in the Chicago area.  I didn't know if he was alive. It seemed like forever waiting for word.  I called and got through to the hospital and told them that I was Jeff's father and could they at least tell me that he was alive.  For whatever reason, whatever policy, all they would tell me was to get there as soon as possible.  All I wanted to hear was "your son is alive", better yet your son will live, but they would not tell me.  I never prayed so hard in my life.  I prayed that my son would live.  Thankfully, Jesus answered that prayer, "He came down".  His healing process has been going on for 15 years and he lives, he loves his life, and he loves his Savior.

 

I don't know what it would be like to face a situation like that without knowing, without believing, without having faith in God.  There are many around us, perhaps close to us that may not have that assurance.  May that be our prayer this season, that Jesus would "come down" and bring salvation to that family member.  May we be able to go on day by day in faith that we will receive news like that of the official "your son lives."

 

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 4:48-51The Message (MSG)

^46-48 Now he was back in Cana of Galilee, the place where he made the water into wine. Meanwhile in Capernaum, there was a certain official from the king's court whose son was sick. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and asked that he come down and heal his son, who was on the brink of death. Jesus put him off: "Unless you people are dazzled by a miracle, you refuse to believe."

⁴⁹ But the court official wouldn't be put off. "Come down! It's life or death for my son."

^50-51 Jesus simply replied, "Go home. Your son lives."

The man believed the bare word Jesus spoke and headed home. On his way back, his servants intercepted him and announced, "Your son lives!"

Verse of the Day 12/21

 

Hebrews 9:15  For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.  New International Version (NIV)

 

As we go to church to worship this weekend we will most likely be singing Christmas songs and hymns celebrating the birth of our Savior.  We will be singing words like "come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ the newborn King."  We will hear messages from any number of passages from the Bible, both Old and New Testaments such as Isaiah 9 where we read:

 

Isaiah 9:6English Standard Version (ESV)  For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon^[a] his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called^[b]
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Reading today's verse from Hebrews 9 made me think of the passage from Isaiah 9 which speaks of Christ as the Everlasting Father.  It is not speaking of Jesus as God the Father, but rather to His eternal headship and Lordship.   We can relate to it when we refer to George Washington as being the "father of our country', he was the first in a new government.  His term ended as all presidents terms do.  Jesus' Lordship will continue forever, it is everlasting. 

 

John Calvin wrote,  "The true looking of faith, I say, is placing Christ before one's eyes and beholding in Him the heart of God poured out in love. Our firm and substantial support is to rest on the death of Christ as its only pledge."

 

This season we are celebrating Jesus birth, but He came to live and to "die as a ransom", and to rise again victorious which we celebrate at Easter.  As we see the birth of Christ before our eyes this morning in faith, may we rest in the love of God poured out for us, may we also look to His death and resurrection in faith that has freed us from our sins under this new covenant.

 

Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation's story
Now proclaim Messiah's birth.

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you; break your chains.

Refrain

Come and worship, come and worship,
Worship Christ, the newborn King.

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

 

Hebrews 9:14-16Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁴ How much more surely shall the blood of Christ, Who ^[a]by virtue of [His] eternal Spirit [His own preexistent ^[b]divine personality] has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify our consciences from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the [ever] living God?

¹⁵ [Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance—since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement.

¹⁶ For where there is a [last] will and testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established,

Verse of the Day 12/18

 

23 Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² 

 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.

³ 

He restores my soul.23   (ESV) English Standard Version

 

A child, a toddler may come into a room and see a Christmas tree surrounded by presents and ask the question "are these for me"?  He is making a big assumption but at the same time he is not afraid to ask.  You may not think of Psalm 23 as a Christmas psalm but in thinking of this example, verse 3 came to mind "He restores my soul".  The restoring of our souls is much like bringing us back to a childlike faith, trusting, believing and being unafraid to ask that the gift, a gift is ours.

 

I am reminded of one of my favorite Steven Curtis Chapman songs "Still Listening", especially the following lines:

 

The years can take us far away from the simple child like faith
But I am longing to return to the place where I first learned
That God is great, and God is good
So, I will speak the words

God, our Father, once again I bow my head to pray
You are my Father and my Friend, and You hear every word I say
A prayer for forgiveness, a desperate cry for help
Or praise flowing from a thankful heart
Like each time before, I come knowing You're still listening

 

With all of the advertisements and commercialism of our society, it is easy to lose that childlike faith.  It is easy not to think, let alone to ask, if that  gift  in the manger scene is actually for me?  If we were to ask God that question today, we would find that He is still listening, and the answer would come back to us, perhaps even in that "still small voice" that we considered yesterday, "yes".

 

If we have become frazzled by all of the hustle and bustle this season, may we realize that the Lord is my Shepherd, and He can and will restore our souls.

 

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 23:1-4New King James Version (NKJV)

The Lord the Shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.