Verse of the Day 3/31

Verse of the Day 3/31

Matthew 6:26-27  Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?     English Standard Version (ESV)

Over the last couple of days we've considered some verses from Luke 12 regarding the rich "fool" who was consumed with what he should do about his bumper crop, should he tear down his barns or build new, bigger and better ones.  In today's society, he would be considering should I sell it all now in one lump sum and invest it in for a better return?

Over the years I've quoted from this passage several times, more often focusing on verses 25 and 26 about not "being anxious" or "worrying" about riches or verses 33 and 34 about "seek first His kingdom" and not worrying, being anxious about tomorrow.  But what caught my attention this morning was the how the sparrows in verse 26 "don't reap and gather into barns".  When you observe sparrows and probably most "birds of the air" you don't see them taking a nap.  They are always on the move, always busy, industrious but they don't have barns in which to store things.  At the same time there is no evidence of worry, they don't even have the capacity to do so. 

We too, should not plan on napping through life, we should be industrious but we should also not worry about things that won't matter a week, month or years from now.  God will provide for today, next month and eternity.

Don't worry about gathering into barns or taking the lump sum, seek first His kingdom, He will take care of the rest, "don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?" The Message

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴ "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 

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    

Matthew 6:25-33The Message (MSG)

^25-26 "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

^27-29 "Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

^30-33 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Verse of the Day 3/30

Verse of the Day 3/30

Luke 12:13-15 Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." ¹⁴ But he said to him, "Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?" ¹⁵ And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."    English Standard Version (ESV)

For today's verses we'll go back to the beginning of the passage from yesterday in Luke 12.  These brothers were in a disagreement over their inheritance and sought Jesus to settle the matter, they were unable to "settle their differences" between themselves.  As we had considered, Jesus didn't come to settle such disputes, "weightier" matters were of more concern to Him, especially their eternal destiny.

There are plenty of laws on the books to settle legal matters brought before the court.  But it shouldn't come to this between brothers, especially Christians.  Jesus went to the "heart of the matter" and told them "be on your guard against all covetousness".  We have examples throughout the Bible beginning with Abraham and Lot where Abraham let Lot choose where he would like to settle.  Abraham had faith, it wasn't worth arguing about and it wasn't worth damaging the relationship within the family.

The last line of verse 15 from The Message reads, "Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."
How much better would our lives be, how much less fretting and arguing would take place if we "protected ourselves", our hearts against the least bit of greed.

Years ago, mood rings were a fad.  The color of the ring would change according to the temperature of our fingers.  It's too bad that there aren't greed rings where we could clearly see the least bit of greed by a change in color of something around our finger.  But if we look closer we may be able to "see it" by the condition, the warmth of our hearts, looking for, desiring to give rather than to get.

Read what Jesus said later in the chapter, from The Message:

^33-34 "Be generous. Give to the poor. Get yourselves a bank that can't go bankrupt, a bank in heaven far from bankrobbers, safe from embezzlers, a bank you can bank on. It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Luke 12:34The Message (MSG)

--   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    

Luke 12:13-15The Message (MSG)

The Story of the Greedy Farmer

¹³ Someone out of the crowd said, "Teacher, order my brother to give me a fair share of the family inheritance."

¹⁴ He replied, "Mister, what makes you think it's any of my business to be a judge or mediator for you?"

¹⁵ Speaking to the people, he went on, "Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot."

Verse of the Day 3/28

 

Verse of  the  Day 3/28

 

Luke 12:19-20 

¹⁹ And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."'

²⁰ "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' New International Version (NIV)

 

Our Pastor  Bob spoke  on this passage last Sunday from Luke 12 about the parable of the "rich  fool".  It is a fairly short parable but there are several things that can or  should catch  our  attention.  The passage begins with two brothers coming to Jesus to settle an argument  over  their  inheritance.  It reminded  me of something you might  see  on  "People's Court"  or  Judge Judy.  Jesus pointed  to  the  more  important things  in life and told  them  that  "life does not  consist in the  abundance of possessions".

 

People  are no different  today.  They can't  settle what should  be simple dispute without dragging  or being  dragged into  court.  Jesus stated  that he didn't  come  to  settle  such  disputes and then launched into  the  parable.  The parable delves into how  we "talk to  ourselves" or  to  our soul.  Have you  ever  had  a conversation  with  yourself about your plans, plans for  your  retirement,  perhaps plans for  your family and  home, or perhaps  your  career?  Was God part of those plans?  In concluding  the  parable Jesus says "but God  says", "the  things  you have  prepared, whose  will  they be?"  Chances are they will be  tossed  out or worse, there  will be disputes  about who gets what, just like at  the  beginning  of the passage.

 

It shouldn't be that way with us.  We should be  "rich towards God" and  all of  the  other  things  will  take care  of themselves.  The  next  time we find  ourselves in such situations where we are planning for  the future, instead  of  saying "self", this is what  I'm  going  to do, may we  be able  to say "Lord,  what should  I do" and  let  Him  lead  you.

 

My Old Testament  reading in my devotions this morning was 2 Chronicles 19 where I  just happened  to read:

 

2 Chronicles 19:3

³ Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God."  New King James Version (NKJV)

The king was in danger of  falling into  the same  kind of trap but God, through the prophet sent  him a warning and the king heeded it and went back out among the  people and "brought  them back to  the  Lord."

 

If  you have the time read the short passage in  2  Chronicles 19:3-7, but before doing  so, read the   concluding  verse from  today's passage  in Luke 12:

 

Luke 12:21New International Version (NIV)

²¹ "This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God."

May we be among  those who don't worry about our "storehouses" but instead are rich  towards  God.

 

 

Blessings,

Mike

 

Luke 12:19-20The Message (MSG)

^16-19 Then he told them this story: "The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!'

²⁰ "Just then God showed up and said, 'Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?'

 

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Verse of the Day 3/26

Verse of the Day 3/26

Matthew 6:9-10 Pray then like this:

"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.   English Standard Version (ESV)

In the middle of "The Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew 5-7, Jesus gives His disciples and the audience the model prayer, it is timeless, it is repeated word for word every day all over the world.  It is a model prayer that doesn't need to be offered word for word, but the format and content are a good model for our prayers.  I like the way The Message starts the passage in verse 7 ""The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant."  Most of us would heartily agree with this statement about the world but how would we look at our own prayers?

There are many "keys" in this prayer, it begins with "our Father", He is Lord, He is in control, and He is the One that we need to come to with our prayers.  He is to be revered, respected, and trusted.   Our prayers are for His kingdom to be established here in our world and more importantly, in our hearts.  It begins with the knowledge and understanding that our lives and our hearts need to be aligned with His, "Your will be done" is at the core.  How common is that in our prayers.

I heard a prayer that was given by an Christian athlete.  He stepped forward and said, "Your will Lord, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else", then he sat down.  What more needed to be said?

James MacDonald gives a good example of how "Your will be done" would be reflected in our lives, he writes:

"The ultimate test of lordship is not the crisis of your deciding that you believe, but the process of submitting your will to His at the point of pressure—the place where you and He disagree on what to choose. Whose will wins: yours or His? "Jesus is Lord" is chosen in a dozen daily decisions, each one taking your life to a better place.

If I were in charge, I would do __________ with my life. But Jesus is Lord, so I choose His plan for my life.

If I were in charge, I would do __________ with my finances. But Jesus is Lord, so I choose to give, save, and spend according to His priorities.

If I were in charge, I would do __________ right now in my marriage, but I'm not in charge. He is Lord, and I will do what His Word says.

If I were in charge, I'd storm into work and tell my boss __________. But Jesus Christ is Lord, and as His representative, I'll only say what my Master wants me to say. "

May we be reminded today in our prayers and in our lives of just who is in charge, may we be able to pray, "Your will Lord, nothing more, nothing less, nothing else" Amen

--   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    

Matthew 6:9-13The Message (MSG)

^7-13 They're full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don't fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best—
    as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
    Yes. Yes. Yes.

Verse of the Day 3/24

Verse of the Day 3/24

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, ⁵ so that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power.   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Yesterday, my personal devotions began the passage in Job where he faced Satan's attacks and was comforted by his three friends by their "being there".  They spent a week with him without speaking, but strengthening him with their presence.  It was the best thing they would end up doing for him as they later turned to criticism and judgment.

I then read the passage in 1 Corinthians where today's verses come from.  The preceding verse (3) stated, "³ And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling," ESV. It reminded me of the passage in Job, the big differences was what came after the silence.  In Jobs case, they fell back to their own reasoning, their own thoughts in their own power.  Paul was saying that he wasn't trying to come up with things with "persuasive" human wisdom but relied on God's Spirit and the power of His Word to instill faith in them that would reveal God's power working in their lives.

He had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi, chased out of Thessolonica and Berea and ridiculed in Athens.  His own power must have been sapped and in weakness he wrote to encourage those in Corinth to have faith.  Jobs friends at first came to him in weakness.  They didn't have the answers, didn't have the words to say, and instead of "forcing it", they comforted Job by their presence. 

When we have the opportunity to help someone, to encourage someone going through a difficult time, may we do so with our presence, letting them know that we're there for them that we care for them.  May we remember what God has done for us through our own trials.  When words come, may they not be forced, but may they come by God's Spirit, may His Word come with power to offer comfort and strength.

^" I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else."  1 Corinthians 2:3-5 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    

1 Corinthians 2:1-5The Message (MSG)

2 ^1-2 You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's master stroke, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified.

^3-5 I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God's Spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.

Verse of the Day 3/20

Verse of the Day 3/20

 

1 Chronicles 12:32   Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

King David's reign was one of military success, the Lord  was with him in battle and he had many capable leaders.  As today's verse would indicate, there was more  to his success than a group of  wise generals.  He had spiritual leaders, priests who knew of and had "understanding  of the times, to know what Israel ought to do."  The success of our nation is no different that David's.  We need capable leaders in our government and armed forces but we need wise, devoted pastors as spiritual leaders who know the times, know what it takes and aren't afraid to take on the challenges of the day "head on".

 

Jean and I were on our way down  to Florida yesterday and listened  to a message from  a pastor  in South Carolina.  He was handling a difficult, challenging passage for our day, Romans 1:18-27.  Many would shy away from this he didn't and gave a message that needed to be heard.

 

This morning I read a devotional from A. W. Tozer's writings which dealt with the same topic.  It is a long quote, but while given over a half century ago, it probably rings truer today than it did when he wrote it.

 

"Today we need prophetic preachers; not preachers of prophecy merely, but preachers with a gift of prophecy. The word of wisdom is missing. We need the gift of discernment again in our pulpits. It is not ability to predict that we need, but the anointed eye, the power of spiritual penetration and interpretation, the ability to appraise the religious scene as viewed from God's position, and to tell us what is actually going on....

 

Where is the man who can see through the ticker tape and confetti to discover which way the parade is headed, why it started in the first place and, particularly, who is riding up front in the seat of honor?...

 

What is needed desperately today is prophetic insight. Scholars can interpret the past; it takes prophets to interpret the present. Learning will enable a man to pass judgment on our yesterdays, but it requires a gift of clear seeing to pass sentence on our own day....

 

Another kind of religious leader must arise among us. He must be of the old prophet type, a man who has seen visions of God and has heard a voice from the Throne. Of God and Men, 19-22."  

 

We need preachers like that, pray for pastors with these gifts, pray for your pastor that is willing to see it like it is in our society and to tell it like it is from God's Word.  It will make for a stronger church and a stronger nation.

 

 

Blessings,

Mike

 

1 Chronicles 12:32-37The Message (MSG)

^23-37 Here are the statistics on the battle-seasoned warriors who came down from the north to David at Hebron to hand over Saul's kingdom, in accord with God's word: from Judah, carrying shield and spear, 6,800 battle-ready; from Simeon, 7,100 stalwart fighters; from Levi, 4,600, which included Jehoiada leader of the family of Aaron, bringing 3,700 men and the young and stalwart Zadok with twenty-two leaders from his family; from Benjamin, Saul's family, 3,000, most of whom had stuck it out with Saul until now; from Ephraim, 20,800, fierce fighters and famous in their hometowns; from the half-tribe of Manasseh, 18,000 elected to come and make David king; from Issachar, men who understood both the times and Israel's duties, 200 leaders with their families; from Zebulun, 50,000 well-equipped veteran warriors, unswervingly loyal; from Naphtali, 1,000 chiefs leading 37,000 men heavily armed; from Dan, 28,600 battle-ready men; from Asher, 40,000 veterans, battle-ready; and from East of Jordan, men from Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, heavily armed, 120,000.

 

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