Verse of the Day 11/30

Verse of the Day 11/30

Isaiah 43:25 "I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins. English Standard Version (ESV)

Yesterday we considered how God spoke to Jacob in a dream and told him, "I am with you and will keep you wherever you go". In today's verse God speaks through the prophet Isaiah saying, "I am He who blots out your transgressions" and "I will not remember your sins".

Praise God that we serve God who forgives and forgets. As humans we may forgive but it another thing to forget. If we have a hard time believing that in the following verse he says "lets argue together". Similar to what was said in Isaiah 1:18 where God said, "come let's reason together". Let's have a conversation about this.

Sin will be a constant battle while we live here in this world. The devil would have us give up and walk away from God. Jesus "nail scarred hands show how far Jesus would go to bring us back. His reasoning wins.

I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away
From you leaving me this way

Jesus, can you show me just how far the east is from the west?
Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of your mercy I find rest
You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other (East to West – Casting Crowns)

When you are going through troubled waters, feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of drowning, there too remember that God is with you. Read the verses from Isaiah 43 below. How do they speak to you today?
With echoes of mercy and whispers of love. 
Blessings,

Mike

Isaiah 43 English Standard Version (ESV)
Israel's Only Savior

43 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

25 "I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance; let us argue together;
set forth your case, that you may be proved right.

 

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Verse of the Day 11/28

Verse of the Day 11/28

2 Peter 3:18    But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.   Amen.    Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

In the benediction to this letter that we know of as 2 Peter, Peter calls for his readers, including us, to "grow in the grace and knowledge " of Jesus Christ.  This type of growth does not occur overnight, it is something that happens day by day, month by month and year by year as we walk this pilgrim way.

John Newton, author of perhaps the most beloved and known hymns of all time, "Amazing Grace", writes: 

"Remember, the growth of a believer is not like a mushroom--but like an oak, which increases slowly--but indeed surely. Many suns, showers, and frosts, pass upon it before it comes to perfection. And in winter, when it seems to be dead--it is gathering strength at the root. Be humble, watchful, and diligent in the means of grace; and endeavor to look through all, and fix your eye upon Jesus--and all shall be well. I commend you to the care of the good Shepherd and Guardian of your souls!"

Mushrooms don't last, but oaks that spring up today and grow, will be around for generations.

I try to read a psalm every day which means that I'll read through the psalms at least twice a year.  There are favorite chapters and one of those came up today.  I've memorized verse 5 from the New King James Version.  It goes along well with today's verse, growth over a lifetime with a hear "set on pilgrimage".  That word pilgrimage always makes me think of John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress".

Psalm 84:5  Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.   New King James Version (NKJV)

Count yourself blessed if you are on the pilgrim path.  There will be ups and downs but the course is upward, to Him be the glory.

I'm pressing on the upward way, New heights I'm gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
	Lord, lift me up, and let me stand By faith on Canaan's tableland; A higher plane than I have found,   Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
2	My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
3	I want to live above the world, Though Satan's darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound, The song of saints on higher ground.
4	I want to scale the utmost height And catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I'll pray till rest I've found, "Lord, lead me on to higher ground."

--   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    

2 Peter 3:14-18 The Message (MSG)

^14-16 So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master's patient restraint for what it is: salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters, refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don't know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it.

^17-18 But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes!

Verse of the Day 11/27

Verse of the Day 11/27

Colossians 3:17   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)

I read today's verse over the Thanksgiving holiday, as I'm sure some of you did as well.  Since it references giving thanks it was probably quoted in many devotionals.  The passage came up again today in my devotionals, the focus was on another verse, but when I stopped and looked up the passage, the heading for verses 12-17 was "The Christian Life".  Twice in a few short verses being thankful and giving thanks are mentioned.  It is to be part of who we are and what we do every day of the year, and not just to be reflected upon with a time out at Thanksgiving.

It is; or at least it can be, a sobering verse.  Think about these words, "do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus" and not only that "giving thanks" to Him in everything, every circumstance.  How many things are there in our lives that we can actually say we are doing in the name of Jesus?  If we are to try to do this in our own power, by our own will, we would fail.  But thanks to God that we have someone to lead us, to guide us every step of the way, each and every day.

I'll quote the Fanny Crosby hymn,  "All the Way My Savior Leads Me".

All the way my Savior leads me 
What have I to ask beside? 
Can I doubt His faithful mercies? 
Who through life has been my guide 
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort 
Ere by faith in Him to dwell 
For I know whate'er fall me 
Jesus doeth all things well

All of the way my Savior leads me 
And He cheers each winding path I tread 
Gives me strength for every trial 
And He feeds me with the living bread 
And though my weary steps may falter 
And my soul a-thirst may be 
Gushing from a rock before me 
Though a spirit joy I see

And all the way my Savior leads me 
Oh, the fullness of His love 
Perfect rest in me is promised 
In my Father's house above 
When my spirit clothed immortal 
Wings it's flight through the realms of the day 
This my song through endless ages 
Jesus led me all the way

Read the passage below, may we go out and live "The Christian Life" today, being thankful and giving thanks to God the Father in the name of and being led by the Lord Jesus, His Son.

--   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 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, ¹³ accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.¹⁴ Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

^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 11/25

Verse of the Day 11/25

James 4:8   Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.    English Standard Version (ESV)

We have celebrated Thanksgiving, having spent time being thankful to God for His many blessings throughout the year and our lives.  We have moved past "Black Friday" and the craziness and perhaps the best evidence of materialism of the year.  Now we head towards Christmas, the time when God came near in the form of Jesus being born in Bethlehem so long ago.  In the coming days and weeks many of us will be drawing near to God at this time and as we do, He will draw near to us.

This short passage from James, the "Proverbs of the New Testament", gives us an outline of what this drawing near looks like.  You will  notice that it starts with submitting to God, literally falling in line like a soldier under the authority and guidance of his commanding officer.  We then see "resist the devil" which is to take a stand against his temptations.  This is followed by today's verse where we are called to draw near, to pursue God and a relationship with Him.   From there we see "cleanse your hands", it is something done ceremonially in the Old Testament and is an outward action of purification.  Then, we have "purify your hearts", this is an inward action which bring our inner thoughts and motives and our hearts desires before God.  Then in verse 10 we read where we are to humble ourselves, something that is out of step with the me first in our society and in this season.

A.W. Tozer writes, "Certainly His kingdom can never be realized in my life until my own selfish kingdom is deposed. It is when I resign, when I am no longer king of my domain that Jesus Christ will become king of my life."

May we not be "double minded" as we read in today's verse, trying to serve God yet pursuing all this world has to offer.  May our focus today, this week and this season be to draw near to God and feel Him drawing us close to Him.

--   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    

James 4:8-10 The Message (MSG)

^7-10 So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.

Verse of the Day 11/22

Verse of the Day 11/22

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Happy Thanksgiving!

George Washington, our first president encouraged the celebration of Thanksgiving and Abraham Lincoln officially instituted it as a day of national celebration in 1863. It is a day set aside to give thanks.

In today's verse, the Apostle Paul encourages us to "give thanks in everything". In every season, in every season of like, through the challenges, through the joys and even in the sorrows, to be able to give thanks.

Perhaps the first place to start is for God's faithfulness, the grace that He gives us to see us through "everything" that this life has to offer us or throws at us. As those thoughts came to mind, so did the old hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness".

Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
"Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!
2
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
3
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

As you spend time with family and friends today, be thankful, count your blessings and praise God for His faithfulness in this season of your life.

Blessings,

Mike

1 Thessalonians 5:15-28 The Message (MSG)

Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out.

16-18 Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

19-22 Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.

23-24 May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it!

25-27 Friends, keep up your prayers for us. Greet all the followers of Jesus there with a holy embrace. And make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don't leave anyone out.

28 The amazing grace of Jesus Christ be with you!

Verse of the Day 11/21

Verse of the Day 11/21

Hebrews 11:6   And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.   English Standard Version (ESV)

As we approach Thanksgiving, many people will be traveling to meet family and friends.  Some will be driving or flying long distance to "draw near" to family members and the dearest friends.  But when you think about it, it, this drawing near begins with an invitation of the host.  It may be a formal invitation or an open one where you know that the event will take place and you plan accordingly even without an invitation.  As you prepare to meet family and friends over the next few days, prepare ahead of time for the opportunity to draw near.  It may involve forgiveness, offering hope, encouragement, or it may be extending a hand of mercy.  Draw near to God as you prepare and let Him lead you.

John Piper writes that  "This drawing near is not a physical act. It's not building a tower of Babel by your achievements to get to heaven. It's not necessarily going to a church building. Or walking to an altar at the front. It is an invisible act of the heart. You can do it while standing absolutely still, or while lying in a hospital bed, or on the train as you commute to work....This is the center of the gospel — this is what the Garden of Gethsemane and Good Friday are all about — that God has done astonishing and costly things to draw us near. He has sent his Son to suffer and to die so that through him we might draw near. It's all so that we might draw near. And all of this is for our joy and for his glory."     Perhaps we may feel that we have been far away from God.  May we realize that He is always near, He is not far from us.  God may be drawing you right now to come back to Him.  This drawing near is taking time in His Word and in prayer and accessing Him in faith.  It begins with acknowledging that He exists and that He is Lord and committing to make that journey home.    Be near me lord jesus i ask you to stay  Close by me for ever, and love me, i pray.  Bless all the dear children in your tender care,  And fit us for heaven, to live with you there.   

--   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 11:5-7 The Message (MSG)

^5-6 By an act of faith, Enoch skipped death completely. "They looked all over and couldn't find him because God had taken him." We know on the basis of reliable testimony that before he was taken "he pleased God." It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.

⁷ By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

Verse of the Day 11/18

Verse of the Day 11/18

Psalm 80:18 b-19   give us life, and we will call upon your name!

¹⁹ Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
    Let your face shine, that we may be saved!   English Standard Version (ESV)

This morning in my devotions I read an article on Aaron's blessing in Numbers 6:

Numbers 6:24-26 The Lord bless you and keep you;

²⁵ the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
²⁶ the Lord lift up his countenance^[a] upon you and give you peace.    English Standard Version (ESV)

I concluded my devotions this morning by reading Psalm 80 where three times the psalmist call on the Lord to "let your face shine upon us that we may be saved".

I was reminded then of the Michael W. Smith song and recorded by Philips, Craig and Dean, "Shine on Us".  It has three stanzas calling on God to supply, to shine His light, grace and love on us.

Many people will hear Aaron's benediction at the end of a church service this morning.  It has been heard perhaps countless times by some of us and it is easy to overlook it or just to think of it as a reminder that the service is coming to an end and we can begin to get our jackets on and get ready to go.

It should not be taken lightly.  If we are facing troubles, illness or heartache; or perhaps know others that are facing these things; may we call on God's light, grace and love in our lives and in the lives of others who need it especially today. 

As we do so, we can be reminded of what Jesus went through to give us this.  Jon Payne writes, "He (Jesus) experienced the very opposite of the Aaronic blessing. "The Lord curse you and forsake you; the Lord turn His face away from you and condemn you; the Lord pour out His wrath upon you".  He took the weight of the world; all of our sin that God could shine His light, grace and love on us, that we may be saved.  Praise Him ever in joyful song for it.

Lord, let Your love
Love with no end
Come over us
Lord, let Your love
Love with no end
Come over us

That we may be saved
That we may have life
To find our way in the darkest night
Let Your love come over us
Let Your light shine on us

--   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 80 New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 80

For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph, to be sung to the tune "Lilies of the Covenant."

¹ Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph's descendants like a flock.
O God, enthroned above the cherubim,
    display your radiant glory
²     to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Show us your mighty power.
    Come to rescue us!

³ Turn us again to yourself, O God.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.
⁴ O Lord God of Heaven's Armies,
    how long will you be angry with our prayers?
⁵ You have fed us with sorrow
    and made us drink tears by the bucketful.
⁶ You have made us the scorn^[a] of neighboring nations.
    Our enemies treat us as a joke.

⁷ Turn us again to yourself, O God of Heaven's Armies.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.
⁸ You brought us from Egypt like a grapevine;
    you drove away the pagan nations and transplanted us into your land.
⁹ You cleared the ground for us,
    and we took root and filled the land.
¹⁰ Our shade covered the mountains;
    our branches covered the mighty cedars.
¹¹ We spread our branches west to the Mediterranean Sea;
    our shoots spread east to the Euphrates River.^[b]
12 But now, why have you broken down our walls
    so that all who pass by may steal our fruit?
¹³ The wild boar from the forest devours it,
    and the wild animals feed on it.

¹⁴ Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven's Armies.
    Look down from heaven and see our plight.
Take care of this grapevine
¹⁵     that you yourself have planted,
    this son you have raised for yourself.
¹⁶ For we are chopped up and burned by our enemies.
    May they perish at the sight of your frown.
¹⁷ Strengthen the man you love,
    the son of your choice.
¹⁸ Then we will never abandon you again.
    Revive us so we can call on your name once more.

¹⁹ Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven's Armies.
    Make your face shine down upon us.
    Only then will we be saved.