Verse of the Day 5/30

 

Verse of the Day 5/30

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[a] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. English Standard Version (ESV)

I have a friend that has been dealing with back pain for some time and is seeking relief. Reading this passage reminded me of his pain, the groaning and wondering if it will end.

Faith in God is a wonderful thing. In it we find hope through the troubled times and the pain, in it we find help to overcome, the Overcomer is with us every step of the way, others in the household of faith are supporting us and beyond that, Jesus is there interceding for us. We don't need to have the eloquent words, God knows our hearts and what we need. Along with or part of that faith is knowing that we also have God's grace.

Louie Giglio writes, "A big part of that interceding mentioned in v 27, and that all things work together for good in 28 revolve around God's grace. The word is not found in either verse, but it permeates the thoughts of the verses....I call this sustaining grace, a moment-by-moment grace. It's the type of grace that God gives for each and every moment of intense grief, frustration, sorrow, agony, or pain. This type of grace is a tailor-made grace specially designed for each person. It does not transfer over, and it's never repeated exactly the same way, and it's not experienced the same from person to person.....This grace is specific. Timely. Personal. "

I pray this morning for my friend's pain, for wisdom for the doctors that will be giving treatment, that God would guide their hand directly to the point of his need to ease that pain. I pray for God's "sustaining", moment by moment grace that is "timely and personal for him until he finds relief, to God be the glory.

Blessings,

Mike

Romans 8:22-28 New Living Translation (NLT)

22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,[a] including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope[b] for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers[c] in harmony with God's own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together[d] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

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Verse of the Day 5/29

Verse of the Day 5/29

1 Peter 4:10-11   As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: ¹¹ whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.   Revised Standard Version (RSV)

It was a busy Memorial Day weekend, the three day weekends are often times that I try to catch up on things around the house and this weekend was no different.  Between raindrops I was able to get some projects done but I realized that my 60  year old body is not what it used to be and I'm a little sore from putting some muscles to use that hadn't been used in a while.  But it was good to put them to use, in fact it was a reminder that those muscles should be put to use more often, God has given us muscles, He has given us gifts and instead of sitting back and let someone else do the work, we should continue in the power that God supplies, not for ourselves but for His glory.

There have been times when I've heard a Christian say, I'm too old for that now, let the younger generation take over.  But if you still have the power that God has provided, perhaps you should be putting that power to work in training the next generation.

John Piper writes, "The Lord gives spiritual gifts to every Christian, including the faith to use them.  Let us pray that He will measure out to us mighty measures of faith.  Find your gift.  Embrace it by faith.  Use it in the strength that God supplies so that God will get the glory and you (and those you love) will get the joy..... When you fulfill your spiritual gift to serve someone tomorrow, you will be serving by the strength that God supplies tomorrow.  The word is supplies, not supplied..... God goes on, day-by-day, moment-by-moment, supplying the "strength" in which we minister."

God has given you spiritual gifts, use them, don't retire, use them for God's glory.  Read the short passage from The Message below, may it encourage you to put your gifts to use "through earth's little while."

1. Living for Jesus through earth's little while,
   My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
   Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
   Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
   • Refrain:
     O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
     For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
     I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
     My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

--   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 Peter 4:10-11 The Message (MSG)

^7-11 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Verse of the Day 5/27

Verse of the Day 5/27

Hebrews 9:28   so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.   English Standard Version (ESV)

When I was a kid, from the age of 9 through the rest of my "little league" years I primarily pitched and played shortstop.  I didn't have exceptional talent but I did have an exceptional father.  In those years I eagerly waited for him to come home in the spring and summer months because I knew that after supper, we would go out and I would pitch to him.  Sometimes an errant throw would bounce off his shins and there was an occasion where that ball skipped past him and broke a basement window.  There was immediate forgiveness.  Other times, during the day I would do something wrong and I would get what most of us heard at some point, "wait until your father gets home."  He was the same father, but there was also grace and "justice".  Sometimes, I got what was coming to me, but the next day, I would still eagerly await his coming home.

So it is with God our Father, He gives grace but He is also just.  He knows us and if we are His we know that there is forgiveness and we can look forward to, eagerly wait for His coming.  My wife Jean and I both commonly say "come Lord Jesus, come!" (Revelation 22:20).  We mean it, it is not escapism, but rather looking forward to our eternal home where there will be restoration.  Our son Jeff will be whole as will my dad who lived his life with a disability that he never complained about or kept him down.

John Piper writes, "There is a phony faith that claims to believe in Christ, but is only a fire insurance policy. Phony faith "believes" only to escape hell. It has no real desire for Christ. In fact, it would prefer if he did not come, so that we can have as much of this world's pleasures as possible. This shows that a heart is not with Christ, but with the world.    But the faith that really holds on to Christ as treasure and hope and joy is the faith that makes us long for Christ to come, and that is the faith that saves.    So, the issue for us is: Do we eagerly long for the coming of Christ? Or do we want him to stay away, while our love affair with the world runs its course? That is the question that tests the authenticity of faith."    Let us be like the Corinthians as we "wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:7), and like the Philippians whose "citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20).    My prayer for you is that you would "eagerly await" His coming.  For those who are His, He is coming to save and not to judge. "And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation." (Hebrews 9:28 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    

Hebrews 9:25-28 The Message (MSG)

^25-26 That accounts for the prominence of blood and death in all these secondary practices that point to the realities of heaven. It also accounts for why, when the real thing takes place, these animal sacrifices aren't needed anymore, having served their purpose. For Christ didn't enter the earthly version of the Holy Place; he entered the Place Itself, and offered himself to God as the sacrifice for our sins. He doesn't do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own; if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.

^27-28 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. Christ's death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.

Verse of the Day 5/25

Verse of the Day 5/25

Colossians 3:16-17   Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.   English Standard Version (ESV)

In yesterday's post from Psalm 119 we considered the importance of God's Word, reading and meditating on it during the day and as Spurgeon wrote that from it we may learn " what to believe, what to be, and what to do".  It ties in with today's verses written by the Apostle Paul, it starts with "letting" the word dwell in you.  Take it in, meditate on it, allow it to do it's work in you.  When you do so it will come out in your actions, whether it be giving thanks, or singing praises and having an attitude that spills over into the things that you do, "whatever you do in word or deed".

Verse 17 tells us "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus".  John MacArthur writes, "this simply means to act consistently with who he is and what he wants".  The Christian life is often referred to as a "walk", walking with God and with other Christians, in harmony and honoring God.

As you head  out for the day and this holiday weekend, let God's Word dwell in you, think about it, may it guide you in your actions and interactions with others whether at work, at play or in worship.

Colossians 3:12-14 The Message (MSG)

^12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

--   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    

Colossians 3:12-17 The Message (MSG)

^12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

^15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Verse of the Day 5/24

Verse of the Day 5/24

Psalm 119:97-98  Oh how I love your law!

    It is my meditation all the day.
⁹⁸ Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.    English Standard Version (ESV)

Sometimes we hear so many versions of a "story" an event viewed by several witnesses that we may say to ourselves or even out loud that "we don't know who or what to believe".  As Christians we should never feel that way about God's Word.  We know Who to believe and Who to follow.  Whether it is reading through the psalms or reading the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 and the rest of the Gospels we have plenty to learn, memorize and put into practice and know that "we can believe."

Charles Spurgeon, the "prince of preachers" obviously spent a lot of time in God's Word, praying over it and meditating on it.  There are volumes of his sermons available along with commentaries on many books of the Bible.  I've especially enjoyed his commentary on the book of Psalm.  It also becomes obvious that someone who spent so much time in God's Word, studying it, expounding on it and praying over it would say that they "love" His Word.  The meditation spoken of was probably time set aside to do so, but as David writes in verse 98 "it is always with me", the memorized Word would come to him at various times and guide his thoughts and actions through the day, so it should be with us.

Spurgeon writes:

"Next to praying there is nothing so important in practical religion as Bible reading. By reading that Book we may learn . . .

  what to believe,

  what to be, 

  what to do,

  how to live with comfort,

  and how to die in peace.

Happy is that man who possesses a Bible!

Happier still is he who reads it!

Happiest of all is he who not only reads it, but obeys it, and makes it the rule of his faith and practice!"

Spend some time today, each day in prayer and in God's Word.  Know "what to believe, what to be, and what to do," and do it.  You'll be happier and wiser for it.

--   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 119:97-104 New Living Translation (NLT)

Mem

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your instructions!
    I think about them all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
    for they are my constant guide.
⁹⁹ Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
    for I am always thinking of your laws.
¹⁰⁰ I am even wiser than my elders,
    for I have kept your commandments.
¹⁰¹ I have refused to walk on any evil path,
    so that I may remain obedient to your word.
¹⁰² I haven't turned away from your regulations,
    for you have taught me well.
¹⁰³ How sweet your words taste to me;
    they are sweeter than honey.
¹⁰⁴ Your commandments give me understanding;
    no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Verse of the Day 5/22

Verse of the Day 5/21

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. English Standard Version (ESV)

In reading today's verses, stop for a minute or two, or an hour or more, and think of what it means that Jesus "knows" ou. It is not just a casual knowledge like we say when we know someone but it is more of knowing there identity but not much of the details or that we have a personal relationship with them. God knows us intimately, in fact, He knows us better than we know ourselves. If we have put our faith and trust in Him we know that He is for us, He goes before us, is behind us and is always near.

John Piper writes, "'It is hard to overemphasize what a tremendous privilege it is to be known personally, intimately, lovingly by the Son of God. It is a precious gift to all his sheep, and it contains within it profound, personal fellowship and affection and the promise of eternal life.'"

The apostle Paul puts it like this: "God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his'" (2 Timothy 2:19).

Satan is a destroyer, Jesus is the protector, we are safe in His and the Father's hand.

They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. (John 10:29-30 The Message below).

Blessings,

Mike

John 10:24-30 The Message (MSG)

22-24 They were celebrating Hanukkah just then in Jerusalem. It was winter. Jesus was strolling in the Temple across Solomon's Porch. The Jews, circling him, said, "How long are you going to keep us guessing? If you're the Messiah, tell us straight out."

25-30 Jesus answered, "I told you, but you don't believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don't believe because you're not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him.I and the Father are one heart and mind."

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Verse of the Day 5/20

Verse of the Day 5/20

Psalm 94:18-19  When I thought, "My foot slips,"

    your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up.
¹⁹ When the cares of my heart are many,
    your consolations cheer my soul.   English Standard Version (ESV)

I read today's verses the other daily in my daily reading in the Psalms.  I kept going back to them and thinking about "when the cares of my heart are heavy, your consolations cheer my soul."  There are many things that we experience in life that make our hearts heavy, the loss of a loved one, a strained relationship, illness within the family or ones close to you and any number of other things.   The word that caught my attention as I read  and re-read the verses was "consolations".  A way to think of those "consolations" is to count your blessings and as the old hymn goes "see what God has done."  But the other part of "consolations" has to do with a look ahead, a look ahead in hope.

This morning I read the following quote in "Grace Gems" in relation to another verse.  But these thoughts of "consolations" reverberated in the quote.

We must desire to live out in the life, those things that definitely mark one as having his hopes set on something higher, his aspirations set on something nobler, and his interests aimed at something greater and more lasting than . . .    the perishable things of the world,     the popular opinions of the world,     the sinful customs of the world,    the fashions and frivolities of the world, and    the pleasures and amusements of the world.    Charles Naylor    If have lost your footing recently, if your foot has slipped and you realize it, turn back to Jesus.  Be a "see through-er and not a look-at-er", and reflect on the wonderful grace of Jesus that reached you and continues to give you liberty, freedom, knowing that we are "saved to the uttermost".    Wonderful grace of Jesus,  Greater than all my sin;  How shall my tongue describe it,  Where shall its praise begin?  Taking away my burden,  Setting my spirit free;  For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.    Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,  Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;  Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,  All sufficient grace for even me,  Broader than the scope of my transgressions,  Greater far than all my sin and shame,  O magnify the precious name of Jesus,  Praise his name!    Wonderful grace of Jesus,  Reaching a mighty host,  By it I have been pardoned,  Saved to the uttermost,  Chains have been torn asunder,  Giving me liberty;  For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me.    When I was upset and beside myself,      you calmed me down and cheered me up.  Psalm 94:19 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    

Psalm 94:16-19 The Message (MSG)

^16-19 Who stood up for me against the wicked?
    Who took my side against evil workers?
If God hadn't been there for me,
    I never would have made it.
The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling,"
    your love, God, took hold and held me fast.
When I was upset and beside myself,
    you calmed me down and cheered me up.

Verse of the Day 5/19

Verse of the Day 5/19

John 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. English Standard Version (ESV)

Today's verses are ones that bring the Old Testament and the New Testament together. The Old Testament teaches us that there is a penalty for sin, there will be a judgment, a price has to be paid for it. But in these verses Jesus tells us "truly, truly", emphasizing that through Him, His word, His teaching, and following HIm, we show that we believe the Father who had sent Him.

A.W. Tozer writes, "When Christ died in the darkness for us men, He made it possible for God to remit the penalty of the broken law, reestablish repentant sinners in His favour exactly as if they had never sinned, and do the whole thing without relaxing the severity of the law or compromising the high demands of justice (Romans 3:24-26)..... This is a mystery too high for us and we honor God more by believing without understanding than by trying to understand. The just died for the unjust; and because He did, the unjust now live with the just in complete moral congruity. Thanks be to God fo His unspeakable gift." (Of God and Men)

We don't ignore the Old Testament, the law, but put our faith and trust in the One that the Old Testament pointed to, the Messiah, our Savior, Jesus.

John 5:46-47 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?" English Standard Version (ESV)

Blessings,

Mike

John 5:24-27 The Message (MSG)

24 "It's urgent that you listen carefully to this: Anyone here who believes what I am saying right now and aligns himself with the Father, who has in fact put me in charge, has at this very moment the real, lasting life and is no longer condemned to be an outsider. This person has taken a giant step from the world of the dead to the world of the living.

25-27 "It's urgent that you get this right: The time has arrived—I mean right now!—when dead men and women will hear the voice of the Son of God and, hearing, will come alive. Just as the Father has life in himself, he has conferred on the Son life in himself. And he has given him the authority, simply because he is the Son of Man, to decide and carry out matters of Judgment.

Verse of the Day 5/17

 

Verse of the Day 5/17

 

2 Corinthians 10:5   We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

I like the way The Message begins this short passage, "The world is unprincipled.  It's a dog-eat-dog world out there!"  Isn't that the truth!  We are bombarded by so much information, distortions, lies and half -truths that if left unfiltered, they can bring on worry, stress and all sorts of evil thoughts.  But we don't have to give in to any of it, instead we can "filter" these thoughts, arguments and lofty opinions of the world through the Word God and the teaching of Jesus Christ.

 

Pastor James MacDonald  writes, "Strongholds are torn down by repentance, but it still requires daily attention to keep them defeated -not by physical effort, but by taking "every thought captive to obey Christ."  2 Corinthians 10:5.  Every thought!  This means: No more unfiltered thoughts."

 

 

What thoughts have been bringing you down, causing you to fret and worry, to be down on yourself or others?  Don't pay attention to them, turn from them (repent) and turn them  over to God and His Word as your filter, if they don't line up with what God's Word says, cast them aside, ignore them and  focus on what God would have you do, turn them over to Him and let Him enable you to overcome them.

The same power that moves mountains when He speaks 
The same power that can calm a raging sea 
Lives in us, lives in us 
He lives in us, lives in us

We have hope 
That His promises are true 
In His strength 
There is nothing we can't do 
Yes, we know 
There are greater things in store 
We will not be overtaken 
We will not be overcome   (Jeremy Camp)

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 The Message (MSG)

^3-6 The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

 

 

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