Verse of the Day 2/28

Verse of the Day 2/28

Ephesians 2:4-5  But^[a] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—    English Standard Version (ESV)

In yesterday's post from Ephesians 3:17-18 we considered "how wide, how long, how high, and how deep is the love of Christ".  If you were to use one word to describe this love you might some it up as we read in today's verse, also written by Paul in Ephesians 2 where he writes of Jesus' "great" love.

John Piper writes, "This is the only place where Paul uses this wonderful phrase "great love." And it is better than an angel's voice. If you have seen Jesus as true and received him as your supreme treasure, that is, if you are "alive," you are greatly loved. Greatly loved by the Creator of the universe. Just think of it! Greatly loved!"

Francis Chan gives us something to think about as to what to do with this love that Paul,  the Apostles and disciples experienced when he writes, "you have the opportunity to know Jesus Christ today because His disciples were captivated by Him, so much so that they shared His truth with others.  And that truth crossed borders, transcended languages, and traveled across oceans to reach you, all because of people who believed in the need to tell others about this Jesus."

In closing, I'll go back to one of the words from yesterday's verses, deep.  I was reminded of the following song "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" by Stuart Townsend.  The last stanza says "I will boast in Jesus Christ".  Because of the great, the deep deep love of Christ may we too be willing to boast, to tell others of Jesus.  Read the lyrics and also the passage from Ephesians 2 giving us more reasons to boast.  We were dead but now are alive in Christ.

How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.

--   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    

Ephesians 2:1-7 The Passion Translation (TPT)

God's Power Raised Us from the Dead

2  And his fullness fills you, even though you were once like corpses,^[a]dead in your sins and offenses. ² It wasn't that long ago that you lived in the religion, customs, and values^[b] of this world,^[c] obeying the dark ruler of the earthly realm who fills the atmosphere with his authority, and works diligently in the hearts of those who are disobedient to the truth of God. ³ The corruption that was in us from birth was expressed through the deeds and desires of our self - life. We lived by whatever natural cravings and thoughts our minds dictated, living as rebellious children subject to God's wrath like everyone else.

⁴ But God still loved us with such great love. He is so rich in compassion and mercy. ⁵ Even when we were dead and doomed in our many sins, he united us into the very life of Christ and saved us by his wonderful grace! ⁶ He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated^[d] as one with Christ!

⁷ Throughout the coming ages^[e] we will be the visible display of the infinite, limitless riches of his grace and kindness, which was showered upon us in Jesus Christ.

Fwd: Verse of the Day 2/27

I apologize, the first time I sent this the verse was not copied completely,

Verse of the Day 2/27

Ephesians 3:17-18  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.  New Living Translation (NLT)

In yesterday's post I mentioned some of the songs that were written by Sidney Cox and how most likely they would be going through my mind through the day.  They did.  One that kept coming back was "Deep and Wide".   It was probably one of the songs that I learned early in my childhood.  Reading the simple, yet powerful words, I couldn't help but remember those weeks in Sunday School when we would sing "deep and wide, deep and wide, there's a fountain flowing deep and wide... deep and wide, deep and wide, there's a fountain flowing deep and wide!"  It was a song that little children learned "the motions" to.

The simple song brought me to today's verses.  For us that remember the song and are reading this post, Christ made His home in your hearts back then and He is still there today.  You've learned to trust Him, your roots have grown down into His love and His love has kept you strong through all that life has thrown at you or will have in store for you.

Read the short passage below, like the Apostle Paul, I pray that He may grant you to know today, the riches of His glory and "how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is."

--   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    

Ephesians 3:16-19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁶ I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, ¹⁷ and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, ¹⁹ and to know the Messiah's love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Verse of the Day 2/27

Verse of the Day 2/27

Ephesians 3:17-18   Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. ¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, .   New Living Translation (NLT)

In yesterday's post I mentioned some of the songs that were written by Sidney Cox and how most likely they would be going through my mind through the day.  They did.  One that kept coming back was "Deep and Wide".   It was probably one of the songs that I learned early in my childhood.  Reading the simple, yet powerful words, I couldn't help but remember those weeks in Sunday School when we would sing "deep and wide, deep and wide, there's a fountain flowing deep and wide... deep and wide, deep and wide, there's a fountain flowing deep and wide!"  It was a song that little children learned "the motions" to.

The simple song brought me to today's verses.  For us that remember the song and are reading this post, Christ made His home in your hearts back then and He is still there today.  You've learned to trust Him, your roots have grown down into His love and His love has kept you strong through all that life has thrown at you or will have in store for you.

Read the short passage below, like the Apostle Paul, I pray that He may grant you to know today, the riches of His glory and "how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is."

--   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    

Ephesians 3:16-19 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

¹⁶ I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, ¹⁷ and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, ¹⁹ and to know the Messiah's love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Verse of the Day 2/26

Verse of the Day 2/26

Deuteronomy 8:2-3  And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. ³ So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.     New King James Version (NKJV)

In his devotional for today, Pastor David Jeremiah shared a little bit of the story of Sydney Cox.  You may never have heard of him before, but many of you may remember some of the songs that he wrote and that you sang week after week as a child in Sunday School.  Songs like "Deep and Wide" and "I Love Him Better Every D-A-Y".  As I read the names of those songs I couldn't help but sing them out in my mind.  I'm sure they'll be with me for the rest of the day or longer.

For many of us, we may feel like we're in the wilderness right now, dealing with health issues, perhaps long term illnesses or being in the midst of a long term recovery.   Today's verses remind us and challenge us.  They remind us of how He has led us this far, brought us to where we are in faith.  They also challenge us to live by faith as we live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.  By doing so, we can have confidence that He will bring us through this wilderness, this desert place.

One of my personal favorite Sydney Cox songs was "My Lord Knows the Way Through the Wilderness".   Perhaps you know it.  If so sing it in your mind or out loud.  Don't worry that someone may hear you, they may need to hear it.  "My Lord knows the way through the wilderness. All I have to do is follow…. Strength for today is mine all the way, and all that I need for tomorrow…. My Lord knows the way through the wilderness. All I have to do is follow." Sydney Cox

  "Even if you don't know the song, perhaps you know the experience. If you're in the wilderness today, remember your Guide and follow Him all the way."  David Jeremiah    If you don't find yourself in the wilderness today, perhaps you know someone that is going through it.  Reach out to them, pray for them, perhaps encourage them with the songs that you remember from childhood.  Point them to the God who sustains us by "every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord."  

--   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 8:1-4 New Living Translation (NLT)

A Call to Remember and Obey

8 "Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lordswore to give your ancestors. ² Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. ³ Yes, he humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. ⁴ For all these forty years your clothes didn't wear out, and your feet didn't blister or swell.

Verse of the Day 2/24

Verse of the Day 2/24

Mark 4:23-24    If you understand what I'm saying, you need to respond!"

²⁴ Then he said to them, "Be diligent to understand the meaning behind everything you hear, for as you do, more understanding will be given to you. And according to the depth of your longing to understand, much more will be added to you.    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Our men's Bible study group will be starting a new study in the book of Mark tomorrow.  As it happens, the read through the New Testament plan that I'm reading is currently in Mark and today's verses were from this morning's reading.  What caught my attention this morning was the first sentence and where it is stated "you need to respond."  That is how it is with any Bible study.  We aren't just to take it in as a spiritual "hoarder", we are to use it, share it, pass it on in our every day lives.   The shape or form of that "sharing" can vary.  It may be in conversations with family or co-workers or it could be something like these posts, it is up to you to decide as the Spirit leads you.

These thoughts are in keeping with the short parable of the lamp.  To keep what we learn to ourselves is to keep it hidden, in reality to hoard it for ourselves.  To share it is to share to spread the joy as light in dark places.

I read the following quote in "Tabletalk's" weekend devotional.   "Let's strive to take something from our personal study of scripture and weaponize it.  Let us find someone and boldly and graciously hand them truth.  Can we get in the habit of giving out what we have learned in our quiet time to others?  Who would we rather look like, a hoarder or a proclaimer and giver of God's precious truth?"

As you go to worship service today or as you read/study your Bible "be diligent to understand" what you hear and read but don't stop there; share it with someone.

--   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    

Mark 4:21-25 English Standard Version (ESV)

A Lamp Under a Basket

²¹ And he said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand? ²² For nothing is hidden except to be made manifest; nor is anything secret except to come to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." ²⁴ And he said to them, "Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. ²⁵ For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away."

Verse of the Day 2/22

Verse of the Day 2/22

Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness. New King James Version (NKJV)

I woke up in the middle of the night last night with a lot of things on my mind. I couldn't fall back to sleep, so what did I do? I turned to God in prayer. As I prayed and thanked God for His mercies, which are new every morning (even at 3 am in the morning), these verses came to mind which then led me to the old hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" which springs out of these verses.

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 I considered the second verse and the sun, moon and stars I looked back over the past couple of years and recall how I had witnessed the total eclipse of the sun, recently seen the total eclipse of the moon and have seen "shooting stars" (actually meteorites, but it doesn't take away from glorifying God in them). I've stood in awe of His Creation and have celebrated and worshipped our Creator God.

Then the third stanza hit me in the same way. God's pardon of our sins and His gift of peace through troubled times are just as worthy of awe and praise as is His wonders in creation.

Yes, great is His faithfulness and I think along with King David in Psalm, what is man, who am I that God is mindful of me? But He is, praise God for it. Lord I need your peace today, and yes, your mercies are new every morning, which give bright hope for tomorrow.

Blessings,

Mike

Lamentations 3:19-26 New Living Translation (NLT)

19 The thought of my suffering and homelessness
is bitter beyond words.[a]
20 I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
21 Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends![b]
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!"
25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
26 So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.

 Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Verse of the Day 2/20

Verse of the Day 2/20

John 10:27-28  My own sheep will hear my voice and I know each one, and they will follow me. 28 I give to them the gift of eternal life and they will never be lost and no one has the power to snatch them out of my hands.  The Passion Translation (TPT)

Yesterday we considered how Jesus told us in Matthew 28:20 "I am with you every day".  If we are following Him, trusting Him; calling on Him He will speak to us.  I am not saying that it will be an audible voice, but if we are in His Word and in prayer, the Holy Spirit will speak to us and guide us.

Today's verses are real for Jesus' followers.  When they are in His Word and in prayer He will speak to them, to us, and we will hear His voice.  We will hear things that we need to hear; for today; for this moment.  He gives us eternal life which should comfort us in the storms.  If we feel lost and are dealing with uncertainty He tells us we "will never be lost" and no one can snatch them out of His hand.  He's the one doing the holding and can give us that assurance.

These are the things that I heard from His voice today as well as the verses below from Isaiah 12 which came up in my devotions today.

Isaiah 12:2-3  Behold, God is my salvation,

I will trust and not be afraid;

'For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song;

He also has become my salvation.' "

3 Therefore with joy you will draw water

From the wells of salvation. New King James Version (NKJV)

Hear His voice today.

Blessings,

Mike

John 10:22-30 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Shepherd Knows His Sheep

22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, "How long do You keep us in [a]doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly."

25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, [b]as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. 30 I and My Father are one."

j

Blessings, Mike Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Verse of the Day 2/19

Verse of the Day 2/19

Matthew 28:20   And teach them to faithfully follow all that I have commanded you. And never forget that I am with you every day, even to the completion of this age."  The Passion Translation (TPT)

Today's verse came up in my read through the New Testament plan that I'm following.  These are the final words of Matthew's book about Jesus.  In terms of that, think of this statement "and never forget that I am with you every day".

In Sunday's post from Isaiah 58 we considered being in and going through "scorched places" in our lives and how the prophet said that the Lord would guide us continually through those scorched places.  The message is consistent, we need to remember that God is with us.

Matthew was a tax collector, an accountant.  He laid things out in a detailed thourough manner.  He, along with doctor Luke, provided a genealogy, He detailed how to pray in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 -7.  You will see his eye for detail throughout the book.

When you come to the end of an accountants document, you will come to the bottom line, the sum of all things.  At the end of his book Matthew says that his bottom line is Jesus' command to "teach and follow all that I have commanded you" and "never forget that I am with you every day".  That is a good bottom line to be mindful of every day of our lives.

Blessings,

Mike

Matthew 28:16-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go [a]therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." [b]Amen.

 Follow the verse of the day at mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Verse of the Day 2/17

Verse of the Day 2/17

Isaiah 58:11   And the Lord will guide you continually

    and satisfy your desire in scorched places
    and make your bones strong;
and you shall be like a watered garden,
    like a spring of water,
    whose waters do not fail.    English Standard Version (ESV)

In reading today's verse of "scorched places" you may think of land recently scorched by forest fires or perhaps desert places where a few plants eek out survival from underground springs or the occasional rain.  In our lives; scorched places can be dealing with a long term illness; loss of a loved on or perhaps financial loss.  But it goes beyond that.  It may be a diagnosis which indicates that you'll likely be heading through one of those scorched places in our lives and you need to prepare for that.  Today's verse covers all of the scenarios.

It is a reminder that before, during and going through those scorched places to the other side, the Lord will guide you continually, as He has in the past.  You will be "watered", find refreshment, springs of water that don't fail by trusting in God, leaning into Him in prayer, being watered by the Word.  Other passages probably come to mind such as Psalm 1.

One thing that happens to the scorched places in the world, when the rain comes and the season changes, new life appears, often, more beautiful than what had been there before.  We wait in hope, in faith and trust in God's mercy for the same things in our lives.

Regarding "the Lord will guide you continually", Charles Spurgeon writes, " There are no dilemmas out of which you shall not be delivered if you live near to God, and your heart be kept warm with holy love."  Because we have this hope, even if we find ourselves in a scorched place, we can sing praise.  We sang the following chorus in church today, it fit in well with the thoughts expressed here.

Your love is devoted like a ring of solid gold
Like a vow that is tested like a covenant of old
And Your love is enduring through the winter rain
And beyond the horizon with mercy for today

Faithful You have been and faithful you will be
You pledge yourself to me and it's why I sing

Your praise will ever be on my lips, ever be on my lips   
Songwriters: Bobby Strand / Christopher Allen Greely / Gabriel Wilson / Kalley Heiligenthal

Hebrews 12:1b - 2a  "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,² looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,"

--   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    

Isaiah 58:11-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹¹ 
"And the Lord will continually guide you,
And satisfy your soul in scorched and dry places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
¹² 
"And your people will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up and restore the age-old foundations [of buildings that have been laid waste];
You will be called Repairer of the Breach,
Restorer of Streets ^[a]with Dwellings.

Keeping the Sabbath

¹³ 
"If you turn back your foot from [^[b]unnecessary travel on] the Sabbath,
From doing your own pleasure on My holy day,
And call the Sabbath a [spiritual] delight, and the holy day of theLord honorable,
And honor it, not going your own way
Or ^[c]engaging in your own pleasure
Or speaking your own [idle] words,
¹⁴ 
Then you will take pleasure in the Lord,
And I will make you ride on the high places of the earth,
And I will feed you with the [promised] heritage of Jacob your father;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken."