Verse of the Day 8/31

Verse of the Day 8/31

Matthew 9:9 As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.   English Standard Version (ESV)

The other day we considered Hosea 12:6 which stated "so you, by the help of your God, return".  We also looked at the hymn, "Come Thou Fount" and as I read today's verse one line from that song was brought to mind,it was "Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God".  In today's verse Matthew, a hated tax collector was seen by Jesus, Jesus saw Him, sought Him, called Him.  He has done the same for you and me.

It is a common theme in the Old and New Testaments, God sees people, of all types but especially those who may be overlooked or looked down on by others.  He saw the paralytics, He saw the lepers, He saw the woman caught in adultery.  Thinking back to the Old Testament, He saw Jacob, He sought him and wrestled with him.  He saw and sought the prophets in various situations, ministered to them and brought them back.

Where were you when you recall that God had seen and called you to "follow Him"?  At the time, you probably didn't know Him very well, but He sought you.  Not because you were a superstar or someone of great reputation, but because you needed a Savior.

Having a disabled son, I appreciate those who notice him, who pay attention to him and reach out to him.  I've been touched by how my grandchildren have reached out and loved him, included him in situations as simple as blowing bubbles.  Their love shown to him lifted me lifted my spirits and I know they lifted Jeff's as well.  We can all do the same, especially if we let God lead us to notice to see, and seek those that may be overlooked by others, whether it be from disabilities, occupation or reputation.

I was reminded of the old hymn, love lifted me.  Jesus lifted Matthew the tax collector, the other disciples and every other follower throughout history.  May we seek to lift up others that they may see that it is actually Jesus doing the lifting through His love.

I was sinking deep in sin
Far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within
Sinking to rise no more
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me
Now safe am I

Love lifted me, love lifted me
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me
Love lifted me, love lifted me
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me

All my heart to Him I give
Ever to Him I'll cling
In His blessed presence live
Ever His praises sing
Love so mighty and so true 
Merits my soul's best songs
Faithful, loving service too, to Him belongs

Love lifted me, love lifted me
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me
Love lifted me, love lifted me
When nothing else could help
Love lifted me

--   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 9:9-13 The Message (MSG)

⁹ Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew. Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him.

^10-11 Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them. When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?"

^12-13 Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders."

Verse of the Day 8/28

Verse of the Day 8/28

Hosea 12:6    "So you, by the help of your God, return,

    hold fast to love and justice,
    and wait continually for your God."    English Standard Version (ESV)

For today's verse we return to the book of Hosea and to chapter 12.  We are all probably familiar with Jesus' story of the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15.  The theme there of the son's rebellion and return after "he came to himself" and realized that his only hope for the future was to return to the father, is one that has it's roots in the Old Testament.  We see it in the patriarchs, the prophets and in David.  There were times in their lives when they strayed from Gods path.  But they all came to themselves, and turned back to God.

Here the prophet reminds the people that if they find themselves in that place, by the help of your God, by His grace return.  He will come to you like the father in Luke 15.  And when you return, return to His ways, which is to hold fast to God's love and love others and seek justice, show compassion and mercy and wait on God, seek His face, seek His grace.

An easily overlooked key here is, "by the help of your God, return".    A.W. Tozer writes, "Unlike the prodigal son, many people have tried to get back and have failed.  They have tried and tried and tried but to no avail."  It is because they try turning their lives around on their on, in their own power, when it was their own power that led them astray in the first place.  In turning, we turn our lives over to Him and follow.

We are prone to wander, but by the help of God, we may return.  Read the words from the old hymn, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", raise your Ebenezer, your "stone of remembrance" and realize it is by His grace that you've come to this place.

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
Streams of mercy, never ceasing
Call for songs of loudest praise
Teach me some melodious sonnet
Sung by flaming tongues above
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it
Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer
Here there by Thy great help I've come
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure
Safely to arrive at home
Jesus sought me when a stranger
Wandering from the fold of God
He, to rescue me from danger
Interposed His precious blood

Oh, that day when freed from sinning
I shall see Thy lovely face
Clothed then in the blood washed linen
How I'll sing Thy wondrous grace
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry
Take my ransomed soul away
Send Thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless day

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I'm constrained to be
Let that goodness like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it
Prone to leave the God I love
Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

Here's my heart, oh, take and seal it
Seal it for Thy courts above

--   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    

Hosea 12:1-6 New Living Translation (NLT)

12 ^[a]The people of Israel^[b] feed on the wind;
    they chase after the east wind all day long.
They pile up lies and violence;
    they are making an alliance with Assyria
    while sending olive oil to buy support from Egypt.

² Now the Lord is bringing charges against Judah.
    He is about to punish Jacob^[c] for all his deceitful ways,
    and pay him back for all he has done.
³ Even in the womb,
    Jacob struggled with his brother;
when he became a man,
    he even fought with God.
⁴ Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won.
    He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him.
There at Bethel he met God face to face,
    and God spoke to him^[d]—
⁵ the Lord God of Heaven's Armies,
    the Lord is his name!
⁶ So now, come back to your God.
    Act with love and justice,
    and always depend on him.

Verse of the Day 8/27

Verse of the Day 8/27

Hosea 11:7   My people are bent on turning away from me,

    and though they call out to the Most High,
    he shall not raise them up at all.    English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read today's verse in my Old Testament reading the other day I wondered  how closely today's society resembled that of Hosea's time.  The verse gives the picture of people calling out to God, raising hands to Him with unrepentant hearts, going through the motions as it were but not seriously following God in their daily lives.

The word that drew my attention was "bent", bent on turning away.  I was reminded of driving through the country and noticing how all of the trees were bent from the prevailing winds, day by day, that influenced how the trees grew.  So it is with society, the more that we are impacted by its prevailing winds the more we will be bent by it.  What is the answer?  It is to daily be subject to God and His influence.  Read the short passage below, realize that He taught us to walk and we need to get back to that walk.

My daily reading in Psalms brought me to Psalm 17 where we read:

Psalm 17:5-9  My steps have held fast to your paths;

    my feet have not slipped.

⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
    incline your ear to me; hear my words.
⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love,
    O Savior of those who seek refuge
    from their adversaries at your right hand.

⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings,
⁹ from the wicked who do me violence,
    my deadly enemies who surround me.   English Standard Version (ESV)

Let us hold fast to His paths, to His influence.  When we do, we can call upon Him and He will answer us and show us His steadfast love.  I had the following note posted in association with Psalm 17:5 in my eBible.

I do not know what is around that next turn in this winding trail of life. But I know this--whatever there is around that corner, I shall have my hand in Another's hand when I go and face it. And if I feel a little bit disturbed, I shall move my finger around in the palm of that hand till I find the scar, and then I shall know that Jesus Christ, who on the cross was wounded for my sins--is not going to leave me no matter what corner I go around on the winding road of life.

Let us not be "bent" on turning from Jesus, but walk through life with our hand in "Another's", Jesus, who will not leave you in this winding road of life.

--   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    

Hosea 11:3-7 New Living Translation (NLT)

³ I myself taught Israel^[a] how to walk,
    leading him along by the hand.
But he doesn't know or even care
    that it was I who took care of him.
⁴ I led Israel along
    with my ropes of kindness and love.
I lifted the yoke from his neck,
    and I myself stooped to feed him.

⁵ "But since my people refuse to return to me,
    they will return to Egypt
    and will be forced to serve Assyria.
⁶ War will swirl through their cities;
    their enemies will crash through their gates.
They will destroy them,
    trapping them in their own evil plans.
⁷ For my people are determined to desert me.
They call me the Most High,
    but they don't truly honor me.

Verse of the Day 8/26

Verse of the Day 8/26

Deuteronomy 33:27   The eternal God is your dwelling place,

    and underneath are the everlasting arms.
And he thrust out the enemy before you
    and said, 'Destroy.'   English Standard Version (ESV)

We've all heard it said and probably said these words ourselves "there's no place like home" or "home is where the heart is".  There are many reasons why we have these feelings, part of it is that there is comfort, familiarity, safety and more importantly love to be found in those "friendly confines".

Recently my wife Jean and I went on a trip for vacation, unfortunately, we arrived at our destination only to find out that the trip had been cancelled to to fires and the resulting smoke across much of western Canada.  What it meant was another long day from morning until after midnight to get home.  Weary from travel, it felt good to be home and to go to sleep in our own beds.  Spiritually there is no One like God, there is no place that we can find true rest in than Him.  God has placed eternity into our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and our hearts will remain restless until we find our rest, our home, in Him.

I read the following from Charles Spurgeon in the "Grace Gems" devotional this morning.  Today's verses and Spurgeon's words led me to the song which follows the quote, "O God Our Help in Ages Past".  Read them and think about them in connection with today's verse.  Consider what it means that

The word "refuge" may be translated "abiding place"--which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home.

There is a fullness and sweetness in the metaphor, for our home is dear to our hearts--although it may be the humblest cottage or the scantiest garret. But dearer far is our blessed God, who is our eternal refuge.

It is at home that we are safe--here we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. Just so, God is our shelter and retreat--our abiding refuge.

It is at home that we take our rest--it is there that we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. In the same way, our hearts find rest in God when, wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease.

At home, also, we let our hearts loose--we are not afraid of being misunderstood nor of our words being misconstrued. Just so, when we are with God--we can commune freely with Him, laying open all our hidden desires.

Home, too, is the place of our truest and purest happiness. In the same way, it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight.  - charles spurgeon

1. O God, our help in ages past,
   Our hope for years to come,
   Our shelter from the stormy blast,
   And our eternal home.
2. Under the shadow of Thy throne
   Thy saints have dwelt secure;
   Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
   And our defense is sure.
3. Before the hills in order stood,
   Or earth received her frame,
   From everlasting Thou art God,
   To endless years the same.

May God be your dwelling place, your shelter from the stormy blast and your eternal home.  He's there for you with "everlasting arms".

--   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    

Deuteronomy 33:26-28 New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁶ "There is no one like the God of Israel.^[a]
    He rides across the heavens to help you,
    across the skies in majestic splendor.
²⁷ The eternal God is your refuge,
    and his everlasting arms are under you.
He drives out the enemy before you;
    he cries out, 'Destroy them!'
²⁸ So Israel will live in safety,
    prosperous Jacob in security,
in a land of grain and new wine,
    while the heavens drop down dew.

Verse of the Day 8/23

Verse of the Day 8/23

Psalm 12:6-7   The words of the Lord are pure words,

    like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
    purified seven times.

⁷ You, O Lord, will keep them;
    you will guard us from this generation forever.    English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read Psalm 12 the other day the verses that first drew my attention came earlier in the psalm, but I decided to post verses that were of a more positive note.  But lets take a few minutes to look at the earlier verses first.

Psalm 12:3-4   May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,

    the tongue that makes great boasts,
⁴ those who say, "With our tongue we will prevail,
    our lips are with us; who is master over us?"    English Standard Version (ESV)

When you read about "flattering lips"; "tongues that make great boasts"; and "with our tongue we will prevail"; what came to your minds?  It's hard not to put it in the perspective of modern day politics with the boasting, flattering and confidence that just about anything can be attained by putting the right "spin" on something.  It goes way beyond politics, our courts are full of examples of people trying to avoid a conviction by words, by technicalities that go against what is right, what is fair or what is true.

Sometimes we may get caught in the fray, but today's verses point us to trust in God's Word.  As we've been considering; to trust in God's Word; trust in His will to see us through.  That process can be like the refining process where the metal is heated up and the dross is skimmed off.  Silver when it is refined will reflect like a mirror when it has gone through that process seven times, the number of perfection.   And those who are being refined will look into God's Word and see His reflection and trust that He will keep them, guard them from being swallowed up from this "generation".

Come, every soul by sin oppressed 
There's mercy with the Lord
And He will surely give you rest 
By trusting in His Word

Only trust Him, only trust Him
Only trust Him now
He will save you, He will save you 
He will save you now

For Jesus shed His precious blood 
Rich blessings to bestow 
Plunge now into the crimson flood 
That washes white as snow

Yes, Jesus is the truth, the way
That leads you into rest
Believe in Him without delay 
And you are fully blessed

--   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 12:3-8 New Living Translation (NLT)

³ May the Lord cut off their flattering lips
    and silence their boastful tongues.
⁴ They say, "We will lie to our hearts' content.
    Our lips are our own—who can stop us?"

⁵ The Lord replies, "I have seen violence done to the helpless,
    and I have heard the groans of the poor.
Now I will rise up to rescue them,
    as they have longed for me to do."
⁶ The Lord's promises are pure,
    like silver refined in a furnace,
    purified seven times over.
⁷ Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,
    preserving them forever from this lying generation,
⁸ even though the wicked strut about,
    and evil is praised throughout the land.