Verse of the Day 1/14
John 6:68-69 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God." English Standard Version (ESV)
I've shared before how this verse came to my mind as I was driving on the road to our house some time after our son Jeff's accident which at that time had been the greatest trial in our life. I driving down this road and at a crossroad of faith, would I keep believing or turn away. Peter's words came to me as an affirmation, a call and a challenge to keep on, to hold on to my faith. There was no other place to go that could bring comfort, peace, strength, relief and ultimately joy. He has the words of eternal life.
As other trials have popped up in our family in the following years, these verses keep coming back to me and challenge me to keep believing.
Back in those days I used to listen to a lot of gospel music including the Gaither Vocal Band. Their song has been linked to today's verses since that time.
The enemy can only bring defeat,
If he can somehow shake what we believe.
So our faith cannot be based upon
Only what we see or feel,
And the circumstances cannot change
What our hearts know to be real
So when doubts arise and cloud your mind
My friend, don't be deceived
For with a knowledge of the Word of God
In our hearts we can believe
You can take God at his word
He is faithful kind and true
Not a prayer will go unanswered
In His time He'll see you through
Keep believing in what you know is true
Keep believing, you know the Lord will see you through
When troubles rise in your life
and you don't know what to do,
Keep believing!
James 1 tells us to count it all joy "when" you face various trials. We may not experience joy in the moment, but in holding on and trusting, when we keep believing, He'll see us through.
James 1:2-4New Living Translation (NLT)
Faith and Endurance
2 Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
-- 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 6:60-69New Living Translation (NLT)
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
60 Many of his disciples said, "This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?"
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me."
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?"
68 Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.[a]"
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