Verse of the Day 12/31

Verse of the Day 12/31

Jeremiah 33:3   Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.   English Standard Version (ESV)

This is a day, New Years Eve, when there will be a lot of looking back at the year that has passed and looking ahead to the coming year.  Plans will be laid, goals and resolutions will be made, but most likely, the vast majority of them will be done to the tune "My Way" by Frank Sinatra.  As Christians, we too can look to the coming year, but as we look and especially before we leap, may we call on the Lord for His guidance, for His presence and He will prove Himself faithful as He has been in the past.

A.W. Tozer writes, "I decided long ago that instead of trusting my way, I will gladly trust blindly in the wisdom of God.  If I trust blindly in God's wisdom, He will lead me by a way that I know not.  He will guide me in paths where I have not been before.  He will make darkness light before me and make crooked things straight, and will lead me through into His marvelous light."

I think that it is safe to say that I haven't quoted Petula Clark often in these posts, but as I read the first words of today's verse, her song from the 60's came to mind, call me.

If you're feeling sad and lonely
There's a service I can render
Tell the one who loves you only
I can be so warm and tender

When it seems your friends desert you
There's somebody thinking of you
I'm the one who'll never hurt you
Maybe that's because I love you

Now, don't forget me 'cause if you let me
I will always stay by you
You gotta trust me that's how it must be
There's so much that I can do

Call me don't be afraid, you can call me
Maybe it's late, but just call me
Tell me, and I'll be around

Read verses 2 and 3 from The Message below.  Think and know that the God who made the earth livable and lasting is waiting for your call today and as you head into the New Year, may you make it a practice to call on Him every day; He'll be around.

--   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    

Jeremiah 33:3 The Message (MSG)

^2-3 "This is God's Message, the God who made earth, made it livable and lasting, known everywhere as God: 'Call to me and I will answer you. I'll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own.'

12/28

Verse of the Day 12/28

1 Peter 1:3-4  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,  English Standard Version (ESV)

It is always hard to deal with the loss of a loved one, but especially so around Christmas.  It is hard, but not all that uncommon.  People suffering from long illnesses often "hang on" during these times in order to see their loved ones one last time.  They are precious moments.

For Christians the hurt and loss are still there, but we hold onto hope.   I read this passage today with the previous thoughts already in mind due to the passing of the mother of a friend of mine.  The verses are ones that can lift us up with that same "living hope" through His great mercy and the fact that Jesus lead the way through His resurrection to prove that it was so.

Inheritance is often thought of as something that is coming to us as heirs in a family.  But as Christians we should realize the reality of it is that Christ earned that inheritance that He has passed down to us.  There is no way that we could earn it, but in His mercy, He is willing to give it to us.  Unlike the things that many people treasure that are to be left behind, as these verses point out, ours is "imperishable – it won't rot or decay, undefiled – it can't be soiled or stained; unfading – it will keep it's full color and radiance and it is there for us.  He has prepared a place for us where we'll have all we need (John 14).

The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.  ! Peter 1:4 (The Message)

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

1 Peter 1:3-5 The Message (MSG)

A New Life

^3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we've been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you'll have it all—life healed and whole.

 

 

 

Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Verse of the Day 12/25

Verse of the Day 12/25

Luke 2:11-12  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." 

 English Standard Version (ESV)

Merry Christmas everyone!  It is Christmas morning, gifts have been exchanged and their is joy in the household.  As Christians it is a day to celebrate the greatest gift.  Today's passage is a familiar one that we've probably read and heard several times this Christmas season, but the words that I'd like to focus on this morning are "unto you".  This gift is especially for you, God has prepared it for you and delivered it, Jesus went through a lot to bring it to completion and it is yours if you will accept it.   Once it is received it will never wear out, grow old or lose it's significance.

Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "No matter what happens in life, remember this: You have a Savior. As a Christian, you have been saved from death. You have been saved from eternal punishment and hell. You have the hope that when you die, you will go straight to heaven. That is the most important thing about the Christian life. There is a heaven waiting for you. You have a Savior".

I'm reminded of  my favorite line of any of the Christmas carols and hymns, from O Little Town of Bethlehem"; "the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight".

Whatever this past year has brought and whatever the next will bring, "unto you" was born, a Savior.  Turn to Him day by day in His Word and in prayer.

Oh little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above
While mortals sleep the angels keep their watch of wondering love
Oh morning stars together, proclaim thy holy birth.
And praises sing to God the king, and peace to men on earth.

--   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 2:8-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ "Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"^[a]

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Verse of the Day 12/24

Verse of the Day 12/24

Psalm 100:4-5 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. New King James Version (NKJV)

I read a Psalm, or a portion thereof, every day in my devotions which means that I'll read each one at least twice a year. Year by year the timing changes. I read Psalm 100 the other day and the words meant more to me this year, at this time of year, this Advent Season preparing for Christmas.

As we go to worship this Christmas Eve or Christmas Day may we enter our church with thanksgiving and praise for our Savior, Jesus, who came to be born, live, serve, die and rise again for us, that salvation would be available to us. A gift, something that we could not earn.

This day, this season may we, this Christmas Eve:

Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. NKJV

The truth of Christmas will last to all generations until He comes again. His mercies will be new every morning, and His truth will endure. Celebrate it this Holy Night.

O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine o night
O night divine

Blessings,

Mike

Psalm 100 New King James Version (NKJV)

A Song of Praise for the Lord's Faithfulness to His People
A Psalm of Thanksgiving.

100 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, [a]all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and [b]not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Verse of the Day 12/21

Verse of the Day 12/21

Psalm 101:3-4   I will not set before my eyes

    anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
    it shall not cling to me.
⁴ A perverse heart shall be far from me;
    I will know nothing of evil.     English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read today's verses in my reading in the Psalms this morning what caught my attention was "I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless".  Something that is worthless has no lasting value.  What came to mind then were all of the commercials about "stuff" for the season. In particular there is a car commercial where a husband and wife come out of a house with not one, but two SUV's on display, a red on and a blue one.  The wife walks up to the blue one and  says "I love it".  You can tell that the husband had planned it the other way around but he makes the sacrifice of accepting the red one as his.  What a sacrifice.

Those SUV's, jewelry, expensive perfumes, TV's and all the other gifts being advertised, in light of eternity are worthless things.  They won't make it to eternity.  They will rust, break down, be used up or end up in a garage or estate sale.  But what will last, what won't pass away is the true worship of our Lord and Savior.  Worshiping Him not only individually, but as families, celebrating the greatest gift, His presence.

Delving a little further into "worthless things"  I'm reminded of the hymn, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross", more of an Easter hymn but also the fulfillment of what Christ came to do.   All the vain things are swept away by His sacrifice on the cross.

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

VERSE 2
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God.
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

VERSE 3
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

VERSE 4
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

Think of His gift, this season, His sacrifice, His coming to earth for us.  Celebrate it, worship Him for it, sing praises and tell of His love.

--   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    

Psalm 101:3-8 The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

101 ^1-8 My theme song is God's love and justice,
    and I'm singing it right to you, God.
I'm finding my way down the road of right living,
    but how long before you show up?
I'm doing the very best I can,
    and I'm doing it at home, where it counts.
I refuse to take a second look
    at corrupting people and degrading things.
I reject made-in-Canaan gods,
    stay clear of contamination.
The crooked in heart keep their distance;
    I refuse to shake hands with those who plan evil.
I put a gag on the gossip
    who bad-mouths his neighbor;
I can't stand
    arrogance.
But I have my eye on salt-of-the-earth people—
    they're the ones I want working with me;
Men and women on the straight and narrow—
    these are the ones I want at my side.
But no one who traffics in lies
    gets a job with me; I have no patience with liars.
I've rounded up all the wicked like cattle
    and herded them right out of the country.
I purged God's city
    of all who make a business of evil.

Verse of the Day 12/18

Verse of the Day 12/18

Mark 1:2-3   As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

"Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way,
³ the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    'Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,'"   English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's verses come from the beginning of the gospel of Mark where he writes of how John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord Jesus Christ.  One of the most beloved hymns of the Christmas season is Joy to the World, which states "let every heart prepare Him room".  The Advent Season is one of preparation for the coming of Jesus, for the greatest gift, His presence among us, Immanuel, God is with us.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta wrote, "The world today is hungry not only for bread but hungry for love; hungry to be wanted, to be loved. They're hungry to feel that presence of Christ. In many countries, people have everything except that presence, that understanding. That's why the life of prayer and sacrifice comes to give that love. Through your dedication, you are to be that presence, that bread of God to break. People are hungry for the Word of God that will give peace, that will give unity, that will give joy. But you cannot give what you don't have. That's why it is necessary to deepen your life of prayer. Allow Jesus to take you, pray with you and through you…We are called to love the world. And God loved the world so much that he gave Jesus. Today he loves the world so much that he gives you and he gives me to be his love, his compassion, and that presence, that life of prayer, of sacrifice, of surrender to God."    As we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christmas with friends and family, may we not be so concerned about the presents but be more concerned about His presence.  He has already given it to us but may it be upon our hearts  to share "his love, his compassion, and that presence, that life of prayer, of sacrifice, of surrender to God", giving of ourselves because He has so richly given to us His presence every day of the year.   

Joy to the world
Joy to the world
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

Joy to the world
Joy to the world
Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

Joy to the world, now we sing
Let the earth receive her king
Joy to the world, now we sing
Let the angel voices ring
Joy to the world, now we sing
Let men their songs employ
Joy to the world, now we sing
Repeat the sounding joy

Oh oh 
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The light of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders, wonders, of His love
And wonders, wonders, of His love

--   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 1:1-6 The Message (MSG)

John the Baptizer

1 ^1-3 The good news of Jesus Christ—the Message!—begins here, following to the letter the scroll of the prophet Isaiah.

Watch closely: I'm sending my preacher ahead of you;
He'll make the road smooth for you.
Thunder in the desert!
Prepare for God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!

^4-6 John the Baptizer appeared in the wild, preaching a baptism of life-change that leads to forgiveness of sins. People thronged to him from Judea and Jerusalem and, as they confessed their sins, were baptized by him in the Jordan River into a changed life. John wore a camel-hair habit, tied at the waist with a leather belt. He ate locusts and wild field honey.

Verse of the Day 12/14

Verse of the Day 12/14

Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. English Standard Version (ESV)

I read today's verse in my New Testament devotional reading. Twice in chapter 3 of Revelation , John tells the churches to hold onto their faith. In verse 3 he writes, "remember what you have heard and received and hold fast" and in verse 11 - "hold fast what you have".

The things that are precious to us in life are those things that we want to hold onto, to cling to, to hold fast. It doesn't matter what season in life it is, but we often come to this realization that we need to do it in the tough times. It involves faith and trust in God, completely, even when we don't have answers to the problems and challenges at hand.

In "The Root of Righteousness" A.W. Tozer writes, "What we need badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they know they must do at the last day. For each of us the time is surely coming when we shall have nothing but God. Health and wealth and friends and hiding places will all be swept away and we shall only have God. To the man of pseudo faith that is a terrifying thought, but to real faith it is one of the most comforting thoughts the heart can have."

Think about it this morning, when all is stripped away is your faith real or is it a pseudo faith? If there is doubt seek Him, return to the Lord with the love you had at first, seek Him with your whole heart.

"Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches." Revelation 3:13 The Message

Blessings,

Mike

Revelation 3:11-13 The Message (MSG)

11 "I'm on my way; I'll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.

12 "I'll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I'll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God's City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.

13 "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."

Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Verse of the Day 12/12

Verse of the Day 12/12

Philippians 2:13 For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

I had a rough night last night with nerve pain that runs from my shoulder down my arm and into my hand making my fingers numb. When I got up to go through my devotions, the first verse I read was today's verse in a devotional from David Jeremiah. Is God working through me in this pain?

David Jeremiah writes, "We may not worship God for the pain, but we can certainly worship Him because He is in control of our life; He has a purpose and knows the outcome. Trust in God's purposes which He reveals in worship."

Yes, I've had this pain for the past couple of weeks. But what about the rest of my life? God has been good and He is good. What I need to to is to trust that He has a purpose and knows the outcome.

Reading the passage from The Message also encourages to look past the current challenges. Yes, I want relief from the pain and I trust in Him for the relief. In the meantime, I am thankful for the health that I've had and will lean on Him through this time. Look at how Paul describes it in The Message.

"Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing." Philipians 2:14-16 The Message

Blessings,

Mike

Philippians 2:13-16 The Message (MSG)

Rejoicing Together
12-13 What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

14-16 Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.

 Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Verse of the Day 12/11

Verse of the Day 12/11

Revelation 1:8   "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "the One who is, who was, and who is coming, the Almighty."    Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

I read today's verse in the read through the New Testament plan that I'm following.  It was fitting that my Old Testament reading has been in the book of Genesis.  Today's verse reminded me of how God spoke to the patriarchs, He spoke with Abraham, He wrestled with Jacob and spoke to Joseph in dreams. 

We are in the Advent season now where we are preparing our hearts to celebrate Jesus coming to earth over 2000 years ago.  We will be singing the song "Joy to the World" which has the line "let every heart prepare Him room".  That should be in our minds every day of this Advent season.

Today's verse also reminds us that Jesus will come again, He is the One to come and when He does He will bring His children home with Him.  Even more reason to celebrate and for our hearts to prepare Him room.

Marvelous message we bring,

Glorious carol we sing,

Wonderful word of the King,

Jesus is coming again!

Chorus

Coming again, Coming again,

May be morning, may be noon,

May be evening and may be soon!

Coming again, Coming again;

O what a wonderful day it will be -

Jesus is coming again!

Forest and flower exclaim,

Mountain and meadow the same,

All earth and heaven proclaim,

Jesus is coming again!

--   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 1:5-8 The Message (MSG)

His Eyes Pouring Fire-Blaze

^4-7 I, John, am writing this to the seven churches in Asia province: All the best to you from The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive, and from the Seven Spirits assembled before his throne, and from Jesus Christ—Loyal Witness, Firstborn from the dead, Ruler of all earthly kings.

Glory and strength to Christ, who loves us,
    who blood-washed our sins from our lives,
Who made us a Kingdom, Priests for his Father,
    forever—and yes, he's on his way!
Riding the clouds, he'll be seen by every eye,
    those who mocked and killed him will see him,
People from all nations and all times
    will tear their clothes in lament.
    Oh, Yes.

⁸ The Master declares, "I'm A to Z. I'm The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive. I'm the Sovereign-Strong."