Verse of the Day 4/29

Verse of the Day 4/29

Psalm 31:14-15  But I trust in you, O Lord;

    I say, "You are my God."
¹⁵ My times are in your hand;
    rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!     English Standard Version (ESV)

Our Pastor Bob's message this morning dealt with the times , both (chronos) chronologically as in the seasons or calendar and (kairos) which applies to specific events in our lives, referencing Acts 1:7.

Acts 1:7  Jesus said to them, "The Father is the only One who has the authority to decide dates and times. These things are not for you to know.   New Century Version (NCV)

I had read today's verses and thought about using them for the Verse of the Day, Bob's message sealed it.  When David wrote "my times are in your hand" he acknowledged that his God was in control of both "times" the seasons and individual events in our lives, and no matter what, he was willing to put his trust in Him.  It is a reminder once again, as we considered this week, He knows the very number (and colors) of the hairs on our heads and He cares about us to the last detail.

John Newton who wrote Amazing Grace had some thoughts about the subject as well when He wrote, "What a mercy it is that all our concerns are in sure hands! Not a hair of our heads can fall to the ground, but by the appointment of Him who orders and marshals the stars and calls them all by their names!....The Lord has promised to direct, moderate, sanctify, and relieve every trial of every kind. I long to have a more entire submission to His will, and a more steadfast confidence in His Word--to trust Him and wait on Him--to see His hand, and praise His name, in every circumstance of life, great and small.....Our comforts are never safer than when we can fully trust the Lord to do with them, and with us--as He sees fit. He will not willingly or unnecessarily grieve His redeemed children. When His arm seems lifted up to strike them--how often does He put it into their hearts to run toward Him and humble themselves before Him, and thus prevent the blow!"    As we face challenges and trials may we trust and realize that even these times, the upcoming events are in His hands.  May we like David, put our faith and trust in Him in the "chronos", the seasons and in the individual appointments.    John Piper writes, "God will help you.  He gives strength and He gives rest.  He gives passion and He gives quietness of soul."    

Psalm 37:5  Commit your way to the Lord;  trust in him, and he will act.    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    

Psalm 31:15-18 The Message (MSG)

^15-18
Hour by hour I place my days in your hand,
    safe from the hands out to get me.
Warm me, your servant, with a smile;
    save me because you love me.
Don't embarrass me by not showing up;
    I've given you plenty of notice.
Embarrass the wicked, stand them up,
    leave them stupidly shaking their heads
    as they drift down to hell.
Gag those loudmouthed liars
    who heckle me, your follower,
    with jeers and catcalls.

Verse of the Day 4/24

 

Verse of the Day 4/24

1 Corinthians 11:1   Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Last week we considered how we are to do the things that Jesus told us, or indicated to us that we are to do, as in "when you pray, when you fast, when you give.....".   Today's verse from the Apostle Paul shows us how that should have an impact on us as we apply those things.  We should be able to say those things and others in our actions, showing by our actions how Christ would have us live.

I read the following in a devotional by Gregg Laurie who poses some sobering questions about how well we are being imitators and if others were to follow our lead, what would our churches look like:

What if the church were filled with people just like you? What if everyone else in the church were exactly like you? What if everyone in the church read the Bible as faithfully as you do? Would we be a Bible studying church?

What if everyone in the church worshipped God just like you do? Would we be a worshipping church?

What if everyone in the church gave of their finances as faithfully as you do? Would we have a supported church?

What if everyone in the church shared the gospel as often as you do? What would the church be like? What if other believers were just like you?

As believers, we should be living godly lives in such a way that we could say, as the apostle Paul did, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ."

Are we reading, studying, worshipping, giving and sharing the gospel in a way that would influence others to do the same?  Is there an area where we can be more effective?  May we pray, read and apply what we learn in order to be more effective imitators.

Blessings,

Mike

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 The Message (MSG)

To Honor God

11 1-2 It pleases me that you continue to remember and honor me by keeping up the traditions of the faith I taught you. All actual authority stems from Christ.

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Verse of the Day 4/22

Verse of the Day 4/22

Psalm 71:14-15   But I will hope continually

    and will praise you yet more and more.
¹⁵ My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all the day,
    for their number is past my knowledge.    English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read today's verses I couldn't help but be reminded of one of my son Jeff's sayings, you might say it is his "motto" - he says joyfully, with a smile on his face "hope is my favorite thing to have".  Coming from a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury as a teenager, which left him disabled adds to the significance of it.  This hope that he has is in Jesus, it is a hope for today and a hope for his future, here and for eternity.  Jeff know's whose he is and where he is going.

When we go to church, I don't know of anyone that shouts God's praise louder or more joyfully.  He loves being in God's house.  He won't complain about the music, he loves singing the old hymns and new ones played on electric guitars and drums. 

Oh that we could have that attitude and the attitude expressed by the psalmist in Psalm 71, to hope continually and look forward in hope to praise him more and more each passing day, each passing moment.

Day by day, and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here; Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment, I've no cause for worry or for fear. He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure, Gives unto each day what He deems best, Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.
	Every day the Lord Himself is near me, With a special mercy for each hour; All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me, He whose name is Counsellor and Pow'r. The protection of His child and treasure Is a charge that on Himself He laid; "As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure," This the pledge to me He made.
3	Help me then, in every tribulation, So to trust Thy promises, O Lord, That I lose not faith's sweet consolation, Offered me within Thy holy Word. Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting, E'er to take, as from a father's hand, One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

Jeff has this "hope" by faith's sweet consolation.  May we have that hope, may we have that faith, may we sing His praise.

--   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 71:14-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁴ But I will keep on hoping for your help;
    I will praise you more and more.
¹⁵ I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
    All day long I will proclaim your saving power,
    though I am not skilled with words.^[a]
16 I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord.
    I will tell everyone that you alone are just.

¹⁷ O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
    and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
¹⁸ Now that I am old and gray,
    do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
    your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

Verse of the Day 4/20

 

Verse of the Day 4/20

 

Luke 14:13-14    But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,¹⁴ and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

For the past couple of days we've taken a look at a couple of the "when you" statements of Jesus, "when you pray" and "when you fast" as things that we are called to do.  Fasting is not something that I would say many of us do very often.  But today's "when you" verse is most likely very rarely put into practice.

 

I'm sure that we've been to dinner and hosted dinners with friends and neighbors, back yard barbeques and even bigger celebrations but how often has the guest list included strangers, and in particular the poor or handicapped or perhaps the widowed?

 

Over the years my wife Jean has invited people for dinner that we really didn't know.  It may have been a couple that she met in a new members class or someone else new to the church and she's invited some over for a holiday meal that didn't have other family in town.  But today's verse even carries it to another level.

 

It is not an easy thing to do, it would definitely be out of our comfort zone, but we are called to hospitality.  The next time that a dinner party or barbeque is being planned maybe we should consider inviting "some people who never get invited out" (The Message).  As The Message below also points out "you'll be – and experience – a blessing."

 

Romans 12:13  When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

Luke 14:12-14 The Message (MSG)

^12-14 Then he turned to the host. "The next time you put on a dinner, don't just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You'll be—and experience—a blessing. They won't be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God's people."

 

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Verse of the Day 4/19

 

Verse of the Day 4/19

 

Matthew 6:16-17  "And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ¹⁷ But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

For today's verses, we'll continue in the Sermon on the Mount and another one of the things that Jesus tells us to do.  Fasting is something that seems to have fallen out of favor among Christians.  You seldom here much preaching about it or much of a call to do it, nonetheless, Jesus words are clear.

 

Some of it may stem from a perceived rigid set of rules over what fasting is.   Some feel that at the least it must be abstaining from food from sun up until sundown in order to focus on God.  The Message (below) describes it as practicing "some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God".  We'll use that example or method.  It may be giving up lunch or something else that we have an appetite for to concentrate on God.

People who observe lent may give up any number of things, but the main intention is to concentrate on the things, the Person of God, who He is and what He has done for us through Jesus Christ.  In any case, fasting, mentioned here, in the Bible, indicates that it is assumed to be a normal part of one's spiritual life.

 

If you have not fasted for some time, or ever, perhaps you may consider giving up some "appetite-denying discipline" and better concentrate on God today.  Do it without making a fuss or to draw attention, but simply to draw closer to God.

 

Read today's short passage below, may we then go out and apply it.

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

Matthew 6:16-18 The Message (MSG)

^16-18 "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don't make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won't make you a saint. If you 'go into training' inwardly, act normal outwardly. Shampoo and comb your hair, brush your teeth, wash your face. God doesn't require attention-getting devices. He won't overlook what you are doing; he'll reward you well.

 

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Verse of the Day 4/18

 

Verse of the Day 4/18

 

Matthew 6:6    But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

English Standard Version (ESV)

 

In yesterday's post we considered how Jesus asked questions as a way of teaching.  In yesterday's verses He asked "why do you call me Lord and not do what I tell you" (Luke 6:46).  Today's verses are from the Sermon on the Mount and are the introduction to His teaching on prayer, specifically how to pray.  Three times in these few verses He says "when you pray".  It is not a suggestion, a good idea; by saying "when" He is telling us that this is something that we are to do.  It should become second nature to us, be part of who we are, be one of those building blocks and foundation to our faith.

 

 

Pastor James Smith writes,

 "Prayer is . . .an elevation of the soul towards its Maker, a pressing sense of our own ignorance and infirmity, a consciousness . . .

    of the perfections of God,

    of His readiness to hear,

    of His power to help,

    of His willingness to save.

 

Prayer is not an emotion produced in the senses, nor an effect wrought by the imagination--but a determination of the will, an effusion of the heart.

 

Sincere prayer gives . . .

a tone to our conduct,

a law to our actions,

a rule to our thoughts,

a bridle to our speech,

a restraint to wrong passions,

a check to ill tempers.  "

 

Read the passage below.  Go on and read the Lord's prayer in verses 7-15.  Read James Smith's statement again.  Then pray.  As James Smith wrote, may our prayers be  "a tone to our conduct, a law to our actions, a rule to our thoughts, a bridle to our speech,a restraint to wrong passions, a check to ill tempers" and may they; through the Holy Spirit enable us to do what he has called us to do today.

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

Matthew 6:5-13 The Message (MSG)

Pray with Simplicity

⁵ "And when you come before God, don't turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

⁶ "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

^7-13 "The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. 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. 

 

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Verse of the Day 3/17

Verse of the Day 3/17

Luke 6:46-47 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? ⁴⁷ Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:    English Standard Version (ESV)

Over the past coupled of years, as I've read through the gospels I've tried to pay closer attention to the questions that Jesus asked.  When He taught, He asked questions, it didn't matter who the audience was, whether it be disciples, someone in need of healing, someone caught in sin, or the Pharisees who were always trying to trap Him.  Today's question, as many others, were for the people that were there in His presence but also for us today.  They are for professed followers and the question cuts to the evidence, the testimony of those who profess to be His followers.  If He is Lord, why aren't we doing what He asks us to do?

The passage goes under the heading "Build Your House on the Rock".  The things that He tells us to do are the building blocks of faith.  Faith isn't just doing, but those who live by faith will be doing what He tells us to do.  As we "do" we build a foundation, built on faith, that will withstand the floods, the trials of life.

Jesus isn't looking for "lip service"; he wants actions.  I like the way Eugene Peterson puts it in The Message paraphrase, "These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on."   Is God's Word an improvement to our lives or is it foundational?  Our actions will tell.

Read the passage below. May we be like the "smart carpenter" and work the words into our life as our firm foundation.

-- 

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 6:46-49 The Message (MSG)

^46-47 "Why are you so polite with me, always saying 'Yes, sir,' and 'That's right, sir,' but never doing a thing I tell you? These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on.

^48-49 "If you work the words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who dug deep and laid the foundation of his house on bedrock. When the river burst its banks and crashed against the house, nothing could shake it; it was built to last. But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a dumb carpenter who built a house but skipped the foundation. When the swollen river came crashing in, it collapsed like a house of cards. It was a total loss."