Verse of the Day 8/31

 

John 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."   New International Version (NIV)

 

As I read today's verses and passage  in  John 8 this morning  the  words that first caught my attention  were "hold  to".  I am more familiar with  "abide" as used in some translations.  Other translations use the word "continue" or "remain" and "live by".  They all "hold"  the same basic meaning.  God's Word  and the life  of Jesus give us words to hold  onto,  to live  by, not  for just a day or a time in our  live but  always.  We are to remain  and  continue in what we have learned and  long  to know more.

 

In our lives we may "hold to" many different things.  There  may be  a moral code  that  we hold  to,  a code of  ethics.  We may  "hold to" a  diet to lose weight or to help monitor  our lives against a disease or an illness.  Some will have  to  avoid sweets if they are diabetic or  follow gluten  free diets to avoid other digestive or allergic conditions.  If we go against those  things the we are to "hold to" there are often consequences.

 

For the Christian, in remaining, abiding, and  continuing in faith we will see  progress, progress in freedom, we will be "free" in verse 32, and have the  promise  of  freedom  for the  future, not  to  be enslaved by those  things  that can harm us, or break our relationship  with Christ.

 

What  is it  that you "hold to" to in life?  May it be said of  us that we do hold to His teaching, abide in His Word and  continue in  it  to guide  our lives, to  make  us and keep us free.

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

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."

³³ Surprised, they said, "But we're descendants of Abraham. We've never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, 'The truth will free you'?"

^34-38 Jesus said, "I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can't come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. I know you are Abraham's descendants. But I also know that you are trying to kill me because my message hasn't yet penetrated your thick skulls. I'm talking about things I have seen while keeping company with the Father, and you just go on doing what you have heard from your father."

 

 

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Verse of the Day 8/30

 

Psalm 116:1-2   I love the Lord because he hears my voice
    and my prayer for mercy.
² Because he bends down to listen,
    I will pray as long as I have breath!   New Living Translation (NLT)

 

My wife Jean  and I recently attended a wedding.  The setting was beautiful, the bridal party was beautiful as well and  all things looked  like a wedding should be.  Then came the ceremony.  It was officiated by someone  who had received a one day certificate.  There was no mention  of  God, no scripture and we were totally surprised when there was no exchange of vows; simply an exchange of rings after which time the bride and groom  were pronounced man and wife.

 

As I read today's verses they made me think, and realize that God was there, but there was no call for His voice, no vow to each other let  alone to God, no prayer for His blessing  let alone a prayer for His  mercies day by day throughout  the rest of their lives. 

 

The psalmist realized that  God  was there, bending  down to  listen to His prayers.  He recalls  how  God  had heard his  prayers  in the past and  had been  merciful , had  blessed him and  in  return  he vowed to pray,  to  communicate with  God "as long as he had breath".

 

We need God's "help", His  guidance and direction all  the days of our lives.  At some point in  our lives we will face trials when we will be "at the  end  of our  rope" (The  Message), where we'll especially need Him, but  if we have ignored Him will we even call on Him then?

 

How much better  is it to  go  through life  knowing  that He  is there, acknowledging it by communicating with  Him  through His  Word  and  prayer and during those times when we feel we're at the end of  our  rope that He will still "bend  down to listen" and show us mercy.

 

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

I will never understand how the words of mortal man
Can reach the ears of One so pure
And touch His heart, but they do I'm sure
For God is great, and God is good and He is love  (Steven Curtis Chapman – Still  Listening)

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

Psalm 116:1-6The Message (MSG)

116 ^1-6 I love God because he listened to me,
    listened as I begged for mercy.
He listened so intently
    as I laid out my case before him.
Death stared me in the face,
    hell was hard on my heels.
Up against it, I didn't know which way to turn;
    then I called out to God for help:
"Please, God!" I cried out.
    "Save my life!"
God is gracious—it is he who makes things right,
    our most compassionate God.
God takes the side of the helpless;
    when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.

 

 

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Verse of the Day 8/29

 

 

John 8:12   Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."   English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Today's  verse was spoken by Jesus during the Feast of the Tabernacles during which there were ceremonies beginning on the first night  of the feast where four golden lamps  were lit in the  courts  of the temple.  There was worship which included singing, music  and  dancing,  definitely a joyful  celebration.  It  was done in celebration  of  what  God had  done in the  past, where He had brought them  from and delivered  them  to.  It was against this backdrop that He said I am the light the world".

 

During their time in the desert the Israelites were led by a pillar of cloud in the day and by fire in the night.  God's light was visible to them as He guided them.  Our  world can be a desert at times, full of  unrest, confusion and  uncertainty.  For those  who don't have the  proper guidance it can be a sad an imposing place.  But we have Jesus,  the light of  the world to lead and  guide us.  Being mindful of this we should be able  to praise  Him every  day, to  sing, to dance  and celebrate who He  is  and what  He  has  done for us, not just as part  of a ceremony but with  our lives as He lights our way.

 

Light of the world you step down into darkness
Opened my eyes let me see
Beauty that makes this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

So here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

 

Psalm 27:1-2 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

John 8:12-18 The Message (MSG)

You're Missing God in All This

¹² Jesus once again addressed them: "I am the world's Light. No one who follows me stumbles around in the darkness. I provide plenty of light to live in."

¹³ The Pharisees objected, "All we have is your word on this. We need more than this to go on."

^14-18 Jesus replied, "You're right that you only have my word. But you can depend on it being true. I know where I've come from and where I go next. You don't know where I'm from or where I'm headed. You decide according to what you can see and touch. I don't make judgments like that. But even if I did, my judgment would be true because I wouldn't make it out of the narrowness of my experience but in the largeness of the One who sent me, the Father. That fulfills the conditions set down in God's Law: that you can count on the testimony of two witnesses. And that is what you have: You have my word and you have the word of the Father who sent me."

 

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Verse of the Day 8/28

Philemon 5-6 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, ⁶ and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read this passage in my devotions this morning I couldn't help but think of the baptism that will be taking place this afternoon, where 100 people from our church will be baptized at a local lake.  Those that are being baptized are making a profession of their faith and also stating that they will live for the One that gave His life for theirs.  Paul's letter to Philemon called for him to share his faith and that he may become effective in doing so.

The "love" mentioned here is not only the love for God, it is a love that is shown towards Jesus that involves the will, choice, sacrifice and humility for all "the saints".  This involves the community of believers, sharing life with each other in faith to the glory of God.

Many of us will participate in a worship service today  which will primarily be vertical, showing our praise and worship to God.  But there should be a horizontal aspect as well in any service but especially in the celebration of baptism.  They are now part of the family of God,  Do you know them?  How can you serve them?  How can you encourage them in their faith and life?  This is part of our calling and it should be made a part of theirs as well.

As we observe such a service, such a ceremony, we should be praying for them, that God would work in them abundantly for His glory, now and forever.

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  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    

Philemon 5-7The Message (MSG)

^4-7 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!" I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

Verse of the Day 8/27

John 7:37-38On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. ³⁸ Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"  English Standard Version (ESV)

In today's post we'll continue at least one more day with the thoughts of those times of change and transition.  In today's passage Jesus had gone up to the feast of tabernacles in Jerusalem.  It was a time of celebration for the harvest and also for reflecting back on the nation's time of deliverance.  During the feast water would be poured out on the alter in remembrance miraculous way that God had provided the water from the rock in the desert.

Those times of change and transition can often be like desert times, with uncertainty and possibly hardship.  We long for refreshment and don't know where we will find it.  The nation went through the desert and Jesus Himself spent 40 days and nights in the desert after which He faced several temptations.  In each instance when He was tempted we referred back to God's Word as spiritual food, as His support.

So it can be with us.  We are to turn to Him from our desert place and as Jesus said "out of His heart will flow rivers of living water".

As I read the passage and was preparing for this post, the old hymn "A Shelter in the Time  of Storm" came to mind:

1 The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain:
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
O Jesus is a Rock in a weary land -
A Shelter in the time of storm.

2 A Shade by day, Defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes affright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

He is not only our rock, our shelter, but  as our Shepherd, He provides the living water to refresh  and restore us.

Psalm 23The 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.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
    for his name's sake.

⁴ Even 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.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.    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    

John 7:37-39The Message (MSG)

^37-39 On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says." (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.)

Verse of the Day 8/25

 

Joshua 3:5   Then Joshua said to the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." English Standard Version (ESV)

 

In yesterday's post we considered  those "times of transition", where  changes  take  place in our  lives and we realize that a chapter  has  closed and a new one is about  to  open.  There can be a lot of anxiety, questioning, confusion and frustration in these times, especially if  we  let  our  emotions  take  control of  the  situation.

 

In today's passage in the preceding verse Joshua told the people  "you have  not  passed  this way before".  They were approaching  the Jordan  river at flood  stage and  needed to cross.  How  would this  happen?  Joshua had been there 40 years  earlier when  Moses  stood before  the Red Sea.  Moses had followed God's command  and now Joshua was  ready to do the  same.  He did  not know for certain what was about to  take place but he put  one  foot in front of  the  other in faith in following  God, expecting something glorious to take  place.  It did.

 

We don't talk much of sanctification in these days, but to sanctify is to set yourself  apart for God.  It is an act of cleansing and of  dedication, devotion.  It is something we do and also something that God does in us at the  same  time.  Joshua was trying  to  calm  the  people, relieve the anxiety and  doubt and to look  in hope and expectation  for what God was going  to  do.

 

Do you have moments in your past where  God has gone before you, you followed and  He did something  amazing?  In  this time  of transition,  He  may be  preparing you  for something great again. 

 

Max Lucado writes, "the oak  indwells the acorn.  Read your  life  backward and  check your  supplies.  Re-relish your moments  of  success and satisfaction.  For in the merger  of  the two, you find  your uniqueness."  Are you  the acorn that  God is about  to   turn into  an oak?  Set yourself apart  and be ready for  it.

 

Blessings,

Mike

 

Joshua 3:1-8The Message (MSG)

The Jordan

3 ^1-4 Joshua was up early and on his way from Shittim with all the People of Israel with him. He arrived at the Jordan and camped before crossing over. After three days, leaders went through the camp and gave out orders to the people: "When you see the Covenant-Chest of God, your God, carried by the Levitical priests, start moving. Follow it. Make sure you keep a proper distance between you and it, about half a mile—be sure now to keep your distance!—and you'll see clearly the route to take. You've never been on this road before."

⁵ Then Joshua addressed the people: "Sanctify yourselves. Tomorrow God  will work miracle-wonders among you."

⁶ Joshua instructed the priests, "Take up the Chest of the Covenant and step out before the people." So they took it up and processed before the people.

^7-8 God said to Joshua, "This very day I will begin to make you great in the eyes of all Israel. They'll see for themselves that I'm with you in the same way that I was with Moses. You will command the priests who are carrying the Chest of the Covenant: 'When you come to the edge of the Jordan's waters, stand there on the river bank.'"

 

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