Verse of the Day 1/31

Mark 11:22  And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Yesterday we considered that many in today's society and sadly, even in the church, are looking for someone that will say things that please them, that "tickle their fancy".  In today's verse which comes in Mark 11 after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus, releasing that his time is short, begins to prepare them for his departure and one of the first things, the core things that he says to them is "have faith in God".  I like the Amplified Bibles translation and the one word that is added in parentheses, "constantly".  Wow!  That's a tall order and one that would try and test these disciples and all Christ followers through the ages.  It is the call to us, "have faith in God constantly", in all seasons of life, in all situations.

At first I thought about posting verses 22 and 23 together, but it without taking a look at this statement on its own, it is too easy to focus on what follows that whatever we ask in faith it will be done for us.  Right up to the point of asking Him to move mountains.  But even those, no especially those requests require that constant faith.  A key is also how we look, how we expect those prayers to be answered.  We pray and  we expect God to say yes, right now today and in direct terms.  I'll ask this question, have you ever seen mountains moved?  Perhaps you've seen pictures or videos of earthquakes or volcanoes where mountains have moved.  But more often, if they are to be moved  it is with earth moving equipment, sometimes the shovels of thousands of individuals.  Should we expect anything less from our prayers.  God will accomplish His purposes, He will answer our prayers, He will move mountains. 

The next time that we are looking for that mountain to be moved, let's not just sit back and wait for it to move.  May we look for how God will accomplish this, sometimes through miraculous means,  sometimes through the ordinary means of the prayer and help of many,perhaps thousands of believers praying and acting towards a goal.  That type of earth moving is no less miraculous.

If you doubt this, think of the work of a George Whitfield, or Hudson Taylor or Billy Graham.  Think of what God accomplished through people that have the faith in God described in this verse, this constant faith in the face of opposition, that through faith yielded change, brought hope and brought salvation to thousands of people.

 I'll close with The Message paraphrase of this statement from Jesus to us in today's verse, " "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you."

--   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    

Mark 11:22-25The Message (MSG)

^22-25 Jesus was matter-of-fact: "Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake'—no shuffling or shilly-shallying—and it's as good as done. That's why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you'll get God's everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it's not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive—only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins."

Verse of the Day 1/30

2 Timothy 4:3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound^[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,   English Standard Version (ESV)

In case you haven't noticed, the political season is in full swing as the first caucus and then the primaries will begin.  Candidates are busy giving speeches and having debates with the other candidates.  If you watch any of the adds or follow the news coverage on TV, you will see examples of just about every candidate "flip-flopping" on one topic after another.  Have they truly changed their minds on theses subjects or is something else involved?  Most likely, the latter.  Their opinions change according to the polls.  What they said two years ago, six months ago or even last week really doesn't matter if they feel that stating their latest "catchy opinion will tickle the fancy", the ears of the precious voters.

As I read today's verses I couldn't help but think of how much of that occurs within the church and among Christians.  Paul addresses the issue in trying to teach young Timothy an important lesson.  He is to stick with the Message as it has come from God in His Word and lived by example in the life and teachings of Jesus with His disciples.  His ways don't change with changing times and attitudes of society.

The stand up politician should express his opinion, take his stand and let the voters decide.  He must realize that you can't please  all  of the people all of  the time.  We as Christians should accept God's Word and call for preaching that holds true to it, even if some of the things we hear, read and study may make us uncomfortable with where we are.  If anything needs to change it is us, not God's Word and not His message for us.

May we be looking for, encouraging and challenging our pastors to "preach the word".  I'll let the Amplified Bible do the amplification:

2 Timothy 4:2Amplified Bible (AMP)

² preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.

--   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    

2 Timothy 4:1-5The Message (MSG)

4 ^1-2 I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple.

^3-5 You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant.

Verse of the Day 1/27

John 5:25-26  "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.    English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read these verses in my devotions this morning, the  statement that caught my attention was "the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live".  As I read them I thought back to Ezekiel  37 and the valley of dry bones when the question was asked of the prophet, "can these bones live?".  The answer was yes, if the Spirit of God would breathe on them, He could raise them to life. 

My mind then went to Ephesians 2 where Paul writes in verse 1 that we "were dead" in our sins, but in verse 5 stated "but God made us alive" by grace.  God has the power to raise from the dead physically and spiritually.  The key to it is found in the end of verse 25 in today's passage.  "and those who hear will live."

Jesus related that all men, the saved and the unsaved, will literally and physically be raised from the dead one day. Their eternal destiny will be determined by whether or not they heard and listened to the voice of God when He called.

John 5:24   Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Have you heard this Gospel call and responded? We receive salvation when we respond to that call.  But it not just a one time decision, as if it were buying insurance.  It is a decision to follow, a decision to follow Him and to seek Him daily.  What is His Word calling for you to do today?  Will you hear that call?

 "I can't do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I'm not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders."  The Message.

--   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    

John 5:25-33The Message (MSG)

^25-27 "It's urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive. Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself. And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.

^28-29 "Don't act so surprised at all this. The time is coming when everyone dead and buried will hear his voice. Those who have lived the right way will walk out into a resurrection Life; those who have lived the wrong way, into a resurrection Judgment.

^30-33 "I can't do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I'm not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders. If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness. But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all. Furthermore, you all saw and heard John, and he gave expert and reliable testimony about me, didn't he?

Verse of the Day 1/26

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.   English Standard Version (ESV)

I read today's verse in my devotions yesterday, but before I did, I read the following verse from the psalms.

"Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things!" Psalm 119:37

The two verses go together quite well.  All too often our minds, our attention is  drawn to "worthless things".  These may come in the form of TV shows, the internet, books or any number of  mindless, "worthless" things that sap away our attention and devotion to God.  All to many of us, myself included spend way too much time focusing attention on TV and things that really don't matter, let alone being  honorable, true or just. 

John Piper writes that television is our greatest "life waster" when he writes,  "Television is one of the greatest life-wasters of the modern age. And, of course, the Internet is running to catch up, and may have caught up. You can be more selective on the Internet, but you can also select worse things with only the Judge of the universe watching. TV still reigns as the great life-waster. The main problem with TV is not how much smut is available, though that is a problem. Just the ads are enough to sow fertile seeds of greed and lust, no matter what program you're watching. The greater problem is banality. A mind fed daily on TV diminishes. Your mind was made to know and love God. Its facility for this great calling is ruined by excessive TV. The content is so trivial and so shallow that the capacity of the mind to think worthy thoughts withers, and the capacity of the heart to feel deep emotions shrivels. (John Piper, "Don't Waste Your Life" 2003) 

The Message (below), sums it up this way, by challenging us to focus on "the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise,   not things to curse.  The best way to start is something from His Word.  Read it, digest it, and apply it in our lives.  May it help us and  guide us, steer us and keep us clear from the "worthless things" today.    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    

Philippians 4:6-9The Message (MSG)

^6-7 Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

^8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious— Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Verse of the Day 1/24

John 16:23-24  In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. ²⁴ Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive,that your joy may be full.  English Standard Version (ESV)

I read today's verses in preparation for our men's Bible study which meets on Monday morning, these will be the key verses in the passage we'll study.  In the passage Jesus is preparing the disciples for his immanent departure and telling them that after he returns, once he has risen the Holy Spirit will be sent (occurring at Pentecost) and they would have a new way of connecting with the Father.

You may have wondered why we pray "in Jesus name", it is revealed here.  Jesus is saying that when he returns from the dead that they'd be assured of his abiding presence by the Spirit that will be given them that will be with them and in them.  Their requests and ours no longer would go through Jesus directly to the Father and whatever we ask in His name will be given.

The Message (below) does a good job of explaining this by stating "This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you."  He will give us what we ask for when it is "in keeping" with what is revealed to us in His Word and that would bring glory to the Father and the Son.  This is based on a close relationship with Him.  In this kind of relationship He knows what you need before you asking and your asking shows that you are in step, in accordance with His will.

May we have such a "closer walk" in our lives, to ask and to receive that our joy, ours and His may be full.

I am weak but Thou heart strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk let me walk close to Thee

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be dear Lord, let it be

When my feeble life is over
Time for me shall be no more
Guide me gently safely over
To Thy kingdom shores to the shores

Just a closer walk with Thee
Grant it Jesus, is my plea
Daily walking close to Thee
Let it be dear Lord, let it be  (Patsy Cline)

--   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    

John 16:23-24The Message (MSG)

^21-23 "When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain. The sadness you have right now is similar to that pain, but the coming joy is also similar. When I see you again, you'll be full of joy, and it will be a joy no one can rob from you. You'll no longer be so full of questions.

^23-24 "This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!

Verse of the Day 1/20

 

Psalm 77:11-12   I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
¹² I will ponder all your work,
    and meditate on your mighty deeds.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

There are times in our lives when we face uncertainties regarding health issues, financial strains, and relational troubles.  In these times we can become discouraged and our minds race to and fro fretting on what will happen next.  What the psalmist call for here is good advice for us.  Go back, allow the Holy Spirit to call to remembrance what God has done in our lives, and not only our lives but for othes who have gone through similar situations.

 

Without God or forgetting about these things we become skeptics and our own worse critics.  David relates to this in Psalm 73 when he said "I was brutish and ignorant, I was like a beast towards you".  Can you think of a time, perhaps right now when you've been "like a beast" towards God?  If you don't think so, how about to someone else, have you been a beast to your spouse or a parent?  I know I have.  If you have, it is likely that you've been that way to God too.

 

John Piper points out that "the great turn from despair to hope in Psalm 77 comes with these words: "I will remember the deeds of the Lord, yes I will remember your wonders of old, I will ponder all of your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds."    Piper states, "This is the great battle of my life.  I assume yours too.  The battle to remind!  Myself.  Then others.".

 

It sounds so simple but it is hard to put into practice.   The old country hymn "It Is No Secret What God Can Do" sung by Elvis Presley and others,  came to mind.  It is that call to remember and remind others of what God can do.

 

It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you.
It is no secret what God can do.

 

There is no night for in His light
You never walk alone.
Always feel at home,
Wherever you may go.

 

There is no power can conquer you
While God is on your side.
Take Him at His promise,
Don't run away and hide.

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

Psalm 77:11-15The Message (MSG)

^11-12 Once again I'll go over what God has done,
    lay out on the table the ancient wonders;
I'll ponder all the things you've accomplished,
    and give a long, loving look at your acts.

^13-15 O God! Your way is holy!
    No god is great like God!
You're the God who makes things happen;
    you showed everyone what you can do—
You pulled your people out of the worst kind of trouble,
    rescued the children of Jacob and Joseph.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Verse of the Day 1/16

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.     English Standard Version (ESV)

 Several years ago our church went through a "10 Words" study that delved into what we believe as a church at the core.   The premise was that we are to "Explore, engage, and experience Jesus, making Him famous by becoming more like Him".  Today's verse is where the Bible begins, where all of creation began with these 10 words.  The first four words are "in the beginning God".  Everything begins and ends with God, always has and always will from before time began and until time will be no more.

When you think about God's creation, what fascinates you most?  For some it will be mountains, the heavens, animal life or human life, especially when you hold your first child in your arms and realize how  God breathed into that little bundle, the "breath of life".

Man as the part of creation that was designed to be like Him has a natural curiosity as to where he came from and will not find rest until he realizes that he came from God, that there is a creator.  Jacob wrestled with God, David asked  what is man that you are mindful of him.

Max Lucado writes, "Within the man, God has placed a divine seed.  A seed of His self.  The God of might had created earth's mightiest.  The Creator had created, not a creature, but another creator.  and the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return.  Now it's our choice."

What is your choice in the matter?  Do you acknowledge God as the Creator and sustaner of the universe?  If  He has revealed Himself to us we should make use our creative efforts to "explore, engage, and experience Jesus making Him famous by becoming more like Him" in our lives, to His honor and glory.

Genesis 2:7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.  English 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    

Genesis 1The Message (MSG)

Heaven and Earth

1 ^1-2 First this: God created the Heavens and Earth—all you see, all you don't see. Earth was a soup of nothingness, a bottomless emptiness, an inky blackness. God's Spirit brooded like a bird above the watery abyss.

^3-5 God spoke: "Light!"
        And light appeared.
    God saw that light was good
        and separated light from dark.
    God named the light Day,
        he named the dark Night.
    It was evening, it was morning—
    Day One.

Verse of the Day 1/14

 

 

Psalm 26:8  I love your sanctuary, Lord,
    the place where your glorious presence dwells.   New Living Translation (NLT)

I read Psalm 26 in my devotions, part of which is reading from a psalm every morning.  The psalm is one written by David and speaks of his desire to walk, to live a life of integrity among a world full of "evil doers", "men of falsehood" and "hypocrites".  A person cannot dwell amongst the likes of these and not be influenced or swayed unless he has a place, a sanctuary to retreat to where he may be strengthened in his faith, in his resolve and in devotion to his God.

After a challenging week in our world, in the workplace, in the community where we encounter daily challenges to our faith, the church can definitely be the sanctuary, where we hear from God's Word, sing praises to Him, go to Him in prayer, corporate and personal, and glory in the presence of the Lord.  We need that.  Too long without it and we will find it increasingly difficult to walk with the Lord in integrity and not become "hypocrites", "people of falsehood" or worse.  We need to glory in His presence.

 

Other translations refer to "the habitation of your house and the place your glory dwells" in the place of sanctuary.  While this very well could refer to the actual sanctuary it can also apply to our personal place where we meet with the Lord, hopefully, on a daily basis.  His glory may dwell there as well as we come before Him, seek Him in His Word and in prayer and offer praise before Him before we head out each day into the world filled with the likes of those described in the beginning of the psalm.  Centuries have passed, the world is faster, but the hearts and the attributes of the world are still the same and the challenges to walking in integrity are as well.

Whether it be in the actual sanctuary of our church, or in the prayer closet or living room recliner, may we "love the place where His glory dwells" and go there regularly to draw near to the heart of God.

 

There is a place of quiet rest, 
near to the heart of God; 
a place where sin cannot molest, 
near to the heart of God. 
Refrain: 
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, 
sent from the heart of God, 
hold us who wait before thee 
near to the heart of God. 

 

Blessings,

Mike

Psalm 26:1-10The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

26 Clear my name, God;
    I've kept an honest shop.
I've thrown in my lot with you, God, and
    I'm not budging.

²     Examine me, God, from head to foot,
    order your battery of tests.
Make sure I'm fit
    inside and out

³     So I never lose
    sight of your love,
But keep in step with you,
    never missing a beat.

^4-5     I don't hang out with tricksters,
    I don't pal around with thugs;
I hate that pack of gangsters,
    I don't deal with double-dealers.

^6-7     I scrub my hands with purest soap,
    then join hands with the others in the great circle,
    dancing around your altar, God,
Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs,
    telling God-stories.

^8-10     God, I love living with you;
    your house glows with your glory.
When it's time for spring cleaning,
    don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,
Men with bags of dirty tricks,
    women with purses stuffed with bribe-money.

 

 

 

 

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