Verse of the Day 12/26

Verse of the Day 12/26

Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."     English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's verse is most often read with the preceding verse, beginning with the phrase "go therefore, and make disciples".  It is part of the Great Commission.  As we have just celebrated Christmas with the acknowledgement that we have received the greatest gift ever given, the commission is a reminder that this gift is to be used, to be a motivation for us  to do as we are called today.  We don't have time off to start this on January 1, it begins today.

Jesus came as "Immanuel", meaning God is with us.  We celebrated His coming yesterday, but we must realize that the Great I Am is always with us.  Charles Spurgeon writes, "If we know that Jesus is with us, every power will be developed, and every grace will be strengthened, and we shall cast ourselves into the Lord's service with heart, and soul, and strength; therefore is the presence of Christ to be desired above all things. His presence will be most realized by those who are most like him. If you desire to see Christ, you must grow in conformity to him. Bring yourself, by the power of the Spirit, into union with Christ's desires, and motives, and plans of action, and you are likely to be favoured with his company. Remember his presence may be had. His promise is as true as ever. He delights to be with us."

May that be our desire this day after Christmas, "to be like Him, to grow in conformity to Him" and to remember that He is with us always to stamp His image deep on our hearts.

O to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer; This is my constant longing and prayer; Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.
	O to be like Thee! O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art; Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness;   Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
2	O to be like Thee! full of compassion, Loving, forgiving, tender and kind, Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, Seeking the wand'ring sinners to find.

--   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 28:16-20The Message (MSG)

^16-17 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

^18-20 Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."