Verse of the Day 5/21

Verse of the Day 5/31

Isaiah 1:17-18    learn to do good;

seek justice,
    correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
    plead the widow's cause.

¹⁸ "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
    they shall become like wool.  English Standard Version (ESV)

   

Yesterday we considered how we are to "listen", to learn from God's Word and to let it be the guiding force, the guiding light in our lives in this oftentimes dark world.

In today's verse from the first chapter from the prophet Isaiah's writings we see what this guidance should lead to - seeking justice - what is right, correcting oppression - freeing people from the things that hold them captive; help the fatherless and look after widows.

I heard it preached before and it comes to mind each time that I read verse 18 that this "reasoning" is making a legal decision, it is weighing the evidence from God's Word and His works versus our own opinions.  Blackaby writes, "Take time to reason together with your Lord.  He will hear your cry, cleanse you from your sin, and lead you on to the right path.  Also, know that your simple-but-not-easy assignment is easier when you rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance."

The passage from The Message begins with a call to "stop the charade and religious games" and get serious.  Come before God with your questions and doubts, seek answers from God's Word.  He is calling us to "argue this out", give it your best shot.  In the end, God's Word will prevail and should order the course of our lives for the rest of our lives.

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

Isaiah 1:16-20The Message (MSG)

^13-17 "Quit your worship charades.
    I can't stand your trivial religious games:
Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings—
    meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more!
Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them!
    You've worn me out!
I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion,
    while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance,
    I'll be looking the other way.
No matter how long or loud or often you pray,
    I'll not be listening.
And do you know why? Because you've been tearing
    people to pieces, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up.
    Clean up your act.
Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings
    so I don't have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong.
    Learn to do good.
Work for justice.
    Help the down-and-out.
Stand up for the homeless.
    Go to bat for the defenseless.

Let's Argue This Out

^18-20 "Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out."
    This is God's Message:
"If your sins are blood-red,
    they'll be snow-white.
If they're red like crimson,
    they'll be like wool.
If you'll willingly obey,
    you'll feast like kings.
But if you're willful and stubborn,
    you'll die like dogs."
That's right. God says so.

Verse of the Day 5/30

Verse of the Day 5/30

Proverbs 1:5let the wise listen and add to their learning,

    and let the discerning get guidance—   New International Version (NIV)

The other day we considered the importance of spending time with God relating it to the song "I Miss My Time With You".  This morning I got up early and had my devotions on our screened in back porch instead of my normal place, the recliner.  Summer is here (even if it isn't official) and the sun has a different glow to it as it rises in east this time of year.  If I hadn't been on the back porch I wouldn't have noticed it.  Whether I was there or not, God's light, the sun would be shining.

So it is with God's Word, His mercies are shining new every morning in it (Lamentations 3:22) but how often do we miss it.  I love God's Word and spending time in it.  Even though I've read it through for decades there is always something new, something relevant for the day every time that the Book is opened, whether it be in book form, e-book or through a devotional.

Today's verse from Proverbs 1 tells us that the wise will "listen and add to their learning".  This listening is letting God's Word speak to you as you read, pray and listen, waiting for God's response and promptings.  They will guide us through the days of our lives.

Read the passage below from The Message.  Is the Bible your "manual for living" for knowing "how to live well and right"?  It is right there for you every morning, the question is will you pick it up, read and listen?  There is something there for you whether you are a new follower or "well seasoned" in the faith. 

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 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 1:1-6The Message (MSG)

Wise Sayings of Solomon

A Manual for Living

1 ^1-6 These are the wise sayings of Solomon,
    David's son, Israel's king—
Written down so we'll know how to live well and right,
    to understand what life means and where it's going;
A manual for living,
    for learning what's right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
    and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There's something here also for seasoned men and women,
    still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
    the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.

Verse of the Day 5/28

Verse of the Day 5/28

Luke 10:41-42 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” English Standard Version (ESV

We are all given the same amount of one thing, time. We all face the challenge of managing our time wisely, "making the most of it" is to be a top priority. A century ago it was thought that all of the coming technological achievements were going to give people more leisure time, more time to explore, to create and to enjoy life. Instead, it seems that every technological advancement has caused us to be more obsessed with things that distract us from the most important things in our lives.

Today's verses get to the heart of the matter. Two sisters, Mary and Martha. How do they manage their time, what takes priority? Martha is caught up in the here and now, pressing responsibilities with no time for rest or conversation, not even with Jesus. If we were to interject ourselves into this situation, which person would we be Mary or Martha?

We can fill our lives with any number of things and there are limits, only so many hours, so many minutes. We can fill our containers with so many little things like sand that we have no room for the big, important things, those "rocks" the core things. If you take a bucket and fill it with sand there is no room for anything else. But if you put the rocks, the important things in first, the rest of the bucket will get filled in.

These verses may wake us up to the fact that we've been too busy for important things, like Jesus and family relationships. I'm reminded of a Larnell Harris Song, "I Miss My Time With You". It is a one that relates to the story and to all too many of our lives.

I miss my time with you
Those moments together
I need to be with you each day
and it hurt's me when you say
you're too busy
busy trying to serve me
but how can you serve me
When your spirit's empty
there's a longing in my heart
wanting more than just a part of you
it's true
I miss my time with you

Does that describe your life, you're too busy, even in trying to serve God, to spend personal time with Him? What time is spent with God in prayer and in His Word" won't be taken from you." The Message verse 42 below.

James Bryan Smith, in "The Good and Beautiful God" writes, " We must choose between multiple good activities. We simply do not have enough time to do all that we would like to do. When we add too many things to our lives, something must be eliminated. Unfortunately, busy people often rid themselves of the most important ones; relationships, spiritual practices and self care." Let us choose wisely.

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Luke 10:41-42The Message (MSG)
41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

Verse of the Day 5/27

Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. ¹³ I can do all things through him who strengthens me.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Yesterday we considered how religion is about what people do while Christianity is about what God has already done through Jesus Christ.  All too often we have to come to a point where we realize that we can't make it on our own.  We don't have the answers to get us out of a situation and we certainly cannot earn our way into God's favor.  To even attempt it would be futile and drive us deeper into frustration and ultimately despair.

The way of deliverance is in surrender to Him allow Him to come and guide you, His presence being within you.  Matthew 11:28 -30 come to mind where Jesus says "come to me" and you will find "rest for your souls'.  James Bryan Smith writes in "The Good and Beautiful God" - "To abide means to rest in and rely on Jesus, who is not outside of us, judging us, but inside of us, empowering us."  What a picture.  We can put on our WWJD bracelets and think what Jesus would do in our own minds, but if it is in our own thoughts and strength it is still "on us".

Today's verse gives credit to God, it is God in His love that gives us the strength to do and to face "all things".  Go back to Romans 8:26-39 and note the references to "all things" it is sobering and grounding.

In the same book Smith quotes James S. Stewart in "A Man in Christ" - "Christ in me means something quite different from the weight of an impossible ideal... Christ in me means Christ bearing me along from within.  Christ the motive power that carries me on.  Christ giving my whole life a wonderful poise and lift, and turning every burden into wings...not as something you have to bear but as something by which you are borne."

Let Christ and His love be the "motive power" in your life to lift you out of the miry clay of trying to do it on your own and set your feet on the rock. (Psalm 40:2).

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.

Refrain:
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me

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

Philippians 4:13The Message (MSG)

Content Whatever the Circumstances

^10-14 I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

Verse of the Day 5/26

Isaiah 64:5-6You welcome those who gladly do good,

    who follow godly ways.
But you have been very angry with us,
    for we are not godly.
We are constant sinners;
    how can people like us be saved?
⁶ We are all infected and impure with sin.
    When we display our righteous deeds,
    they are nothing but filthy rags.
Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall,
    and our sins sweep us away like the wind.   New Living Translation (NLT)

Today's verses came from our Pastor Bob's message on Sunday from his series "Distorted Christianity.  Verse 5 starts out by saying that God gladly welcomes those who do good but the verses go on to remind us, tell us that the motives behind our actions also matter.  The good that we do is it in an effort to earn God's favor or is in obedience and honor of Him and for His glory?

The verse also reminds us that we are constant sinners.  We always like to think of ourselves as "basically good", with the good outweighing the bad in our lives, and we are the judge of that.   Wrong again.  We all fall short and miss the mark (Romans 3:23).

It is not about religion, as Bob pointed out, religion is about what people do, while Christianity is about what God has already done.  We can't earn our salvation by doing good, Jesus has already paid the price. 

1. I hear the Savior say,
   "Thy strength indeed is small;
   Child of weakness, watch and pray,
   Find in Me thine all in all."
   • Refrain:
     Jesus paid it all,
     All to Him I owe;
     Sin had left a crimson stain,
     He washed it white as snow.
   • 
     

It is in the power of His grace working in our lives that we can overcome.   In our own efforts we try to break from those sins that have chained us down but at some point they have a way of creeping back.  Jesus gives us the power to break those chains, to live lives for Him that will please Him.  Go to Him, seek His grace, seek His power. 

How can people like us "constant sinners" be saved?  In the power of Jesus' name.

There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus
There is power in the name of Jesus

To Break every chain
Break every chain
Break every chain

^" Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,"  Acts 3:19-20English Standard Version (ESV)

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

Isaiah 64:5-7The Message (MSG)

Can We Be Saved?

64 ^1-7 Oh, that you would rip open the heavens and descend,
    make the mountains shudder at your presence—
As when a forest catches fire,
    as when fire makes a pot to boil—
To shock your enemies into facing you,
    make the nations shake in their boots!
You did terrible things we never expected,
    descended and made the mountains shudder at your presence.
Since before time began
    no one has ever imagined,
No ear heard, no eye seen, a God like you
    who works for those who wait for him.
You meet those who happily do what is right,
    who keep a good memory of the way you work.
But how angry you've been with us!
    We've sinned and kept at it so long!
    Is there any hope for us? Can we be saved?
We're all sin-infected, sin-contaminated.
    Our best efforts are grease-stained rags.
We dry up like autumn leaves—
    sin-dried, we're blown off by the wind.
No one prays to you
    or makes the effort to reach out to you
Because you've turned away from us,
    left us to stew in our sins.

Verse of the Day 5/24

Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. ¹¹ And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Across the country and across the  world today, the gospel, the good news of salvation will be preached.  It is a message with the power to change and its authority comes from God.  The gospel does not need be changed or modified to accomplish its purposes because God will see to it that His will, His purposes will stand.

Pastor Dave Furman writes, " There is no better message that we can share. and so there is no need to change it, distort it, rewrite it, add to it, or subtract from it. If you adjust the gospel, you destroy it. Gospel revision always equals gospel reversal. In a culture that is different from ours and even in dangerous contexts, why would we ever want to risk our lives to proclaim news that has no power unto salvation?

We are not the authors of the gospel, but ambassadors. As an ambassador, we don't have the authority to change the message, regardless of whether we minister in Montana, Mozambique, or Malaysia. We are called to herald God's message to the world." 

There are many that are standing in opposition to the  good news today but they are the ones that will one day be conquered and have to stand before God having rejected the gospel message, that salvation , power and authority belong to God and His Son whom was sent to bring this message to a dark world that is in desperate need of Him and His "love and light".

John 3:17-18 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.   English Standard Version (ESV)

We've a story to tell to the nations, 
that shall turn their hearts to the right, 
a story of truth and mercy, 
a story of peace and light, 
a story of peace and light. 
Refrain: 
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, 
and the dawning to noonday bright; 
and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth, 
the kingdom of love and light.

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

Revelation 12:10-13New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens,

"It has come at last—
    salvation and power
and the Kingdom of our God,
    and the authority of his Christ.^[a]
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters^[b]
    has been thrown down to earth—
the one who accuses them
    before our God day and night.
¹¹ And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
    and by their testimony.
And they did not love their lives so much
    that they were afraid to die.
¹² Therefore, rejoice, O heavens!
    And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!
But terror will come on the earth and the sea,
    for the devil has come down to you in great anger,
    knowing that he has little time."