Verse of the Day 4/25

Verse of the Day 4/25

Revelation 1:3   Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.  English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read today's verse I had to stop and think; how often, or when was the last time I read the Bible out loud?  After I did that; I then read the short passage out loud.  It felt good to hear those words coming out of my mouth, even if there was no one else around to hear them

I'm not saying that we always need to do so, but the verse does say that you'll be blessed by doing so.  So why not do so when you feel prompted?

The other thing that I'd like us to think about is the act of reading, of spending time in God's Word.  Once that time of the day is past or the opportunity to read goes by, it cannot be re-captured.

In an increasingly turbulent world, it is not too hard to think and realize that the time of His second coming is near.  Spending time with Him, and sharing His Word with others, and keeping, obeying what is written will bring a blessing and draw us nearer as that day approaches.

I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,

And it told Thy love to me;

But I long to rise in the arms of faith,

And be closer drawn to Thee.

Blessings,

Mike

Revelation 1:3-6 New International Version (NIV)

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Greetings and Doxology

4 John,

To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits[a] before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

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Verse of the Day 4/21

Verse of the Day 4/21

Verse of the Day 4/21

Romans 6:6-7 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. New Living Translation (NLT)

Happy Easter everybody! As Christ followers this is truly a day to be glad. He is risen, He is risen indeed! And because of that and what He accomplished; conquering death and the grave He as given us hope for the same power to be displayed in us. But that power has an effect on us today. As the verse points out, we have been "set free" from the power of sin.

My wife Jean posted "The Easter Song" by Glad on facebook this morning. Hearing that song reminded my of the song by Glad that I posted in "Verse of the Day" earlier today - "Be Ye Glad".

In these days of confused situations
In this night of a restless remorse
When the heart and the soul of a nation
Lay wounded and cold as a corpse

From the grave of the innocent Adam
Comes a song bringing joy to the sad
Oh, your cry has been heard and the ransom
Has been paid up in full, be ye glad

Oh, be ye glad
Oh, be ye glad
Every debt that you've ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad

We live in a time of "confused situations" and our nation is in turmoil from within. May this Easter bring a realization that we, as Christians have a lot to be happy, to be glad about.

Romans 6:6b -7. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. New Living Translation (NLT)

Every debt that you've ever had
Has been paid up in full by the grace of the Lord
Be ye glad, be ye glad, be ye glad

--   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    

Romans 6:5-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been [b]freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, [c]reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Verse of the Day 4/18

Verse of the Day 4/18

Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

As I read today's verse and considered the passage that it comes from; starting with the heading "Paul Stoned at Lystra" I couldn't help but think of the character, of the faith of whom it is written about.  Paul was a man who had suffered beatings; being stoned and left for dead; shipwrecked; wrongfully imprisoned; and had to deal with a thorn in his side, an ailment that he prayed several times for the Lord to take away; yet he persevered in faith; strengthening others all along the way.  Think of Paul and Silas in prison or how he ministered to those that had been shipwrecked with him.   He was able to "exhort others to continue in the faith" because he did that exact same thing.

If the Apostle Paul was around today, he would not be of the "name it and claim" it crowd with a message of wealth, health and economic prosperity.  He would still be facing challenges and tribulation of his own while encouraging others to hold onto their faith showing them an example of how he held on with his.

Charles Naylor writes, "Life has its adversities--it must needs have them. Adversity, pain, sorrow, and disappointment--are the lathe upon which God shapes us. They are the grinding-wheel which grinds and smoothes us. They are the polishing-wheel which makes us shine......If we can never be happy until we are so situated that nothing exists which may tend to render us unhappy--then we shall have little happiness in life....Happiness does not come from a life of ease and indolence. It is not the result of the absence of obstacles and difficulties. Happiness comes from triumphing over them. Therefore the song of true happiness, often arises from the soul which undergoes many adversities."

Have you ever seen someone operating a lathe?  The block of wood spins and the craftsmen holds a sharp tool against it as it spins.  Wood chips fly everywhere.  But when the craftsmen has finished you have a smooth, beautiful piece of wood; now suitable for use for its intended purpose.

If things are going good, great!  If you are facing challenges; keep going in faith; encouraging and challenging others as you do so with that same attitude "we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."

--   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    

Acts 14:19-23 English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul Stoned at Lystra

¹⁹ But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. ²⁰ But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. ²¹ When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. ²³ And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Verse of the Day 4/17

Verse of the Day 4/17

1 Corinthians 15:19-20  If the only benefit of our hope in Christ is limited to this life on earth, we deserve to be pitied more than all others^!

²⁰ But the truth is, Christ is risen from the dead, as the firstfruit of a great resurrection harvest of those who have died.    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Our men's Bible study has been going through the book of Mark.  We've seen Jesus power displayed in casting out demon; in healing people of various illnesses and long term conditions; and we have even seen Him raise Jairus' daughter from the dead.  But all of these people would end up dying; and if that were the end; what hope would there be?

As we look ahead this week we will remember that Jesus also died.  He experienced suffering beyond belief and death which we will remember on Good Friday.  But the story doesn't end there.  He arose! He conquered the grave!  And because He did we also have hope.

We all long for the day when cancer and other life threatening illnesses would be conquered.  But we see in Jesus, victory over the greatest foe, death.   He offers that same victory, that same power to us who put our faith and trust in Him.

I can walk 
Down this dark and painful road 
I can face 
Every fear of the unknown 
I can hear 
All God's children singing out 
We will not be overtaken 
We will not be overcome

The same power that rose Jesus from the grave 
The same power that commands the dead to wake 
Lives in us, lives in us 
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 - The Same Power)

No matter what dark and painful road lies ahead here on this earth; we worship the One who offers victory over death, our greatest foe.  May we be able to proclaim "we will not be overtaken; we will not be overcome" because that same power that raised Jesus lives in 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    

1 Corinthians 15:19-26 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

The Last Enemy Destroyed

²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have ^[a]fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

Verse of the Day 4/16

Verse of the Day 4/16

Matthew 6:34   Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time.^[a] Tomorrow will take care of itself."    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Last night I had the best night sleep that I've had in a while.  Why was that?  It was because I was not as anxious, nervous or as worried about something as I had been.  Why was that, largely because of a doctor's diagnosis and prognosis.  It wasn't great, but it was better than my worst fears.  Why was  putting so much stock in the doctor's opinion?  It is God who clothes the lilies and the grass of the field (verse 28 NKJV below). His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Reading the passage in the NKJV, the word anxious comes up 6 times, an imperfect number.  Coming up that many times in the passage gives us an indication that it is common to man, even to Jesus' followers.  Instead of worrying we should pray and trust God when He whispers to us "I've got this".

John Piper writes, "we often tend to despair when we think that we may have to bear tomorrow's load on today's resources. God wants us to know: We won't. Today's mercies are for today's troubles. Tomorrow's mercies are for tomorrow's troubles."

When something comes up in your life that causes you to be anxious or to worry.  Step back.  "Refuse to worry" and turn it over, take it to the Lord in prayer.  Let tomorrow take care of itself.

What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and grieves to bear
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer
Oh what peace we often forfeit of what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer
Have we trials and temptations is there trouble anywhere
If we have don't be discouraged take it to the Lord in prayer

--   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 6:25-34 English Standard Version (ESV)

Do Not Be Anxious

²⁵ "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?^[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴ "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Verse of the Day 4/14

Verse of the Day 4/14

Matthew 6:9  In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.   New King James Version (NKJV)

Today is Palm Sunday and churches across the world will be celebrating the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.   Back then and now many will be shouting:

" 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!'
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"  Luke 19:38  New King James Version

It was right for them to do so, but sadly, a week later the crowds were gone and Jesus had been crucified and His followers scattered.  The Passion Translation (below) translates today's verse from the Lord's prayer this way,  "may the glory of your name  be the center on which our lives turn."  The crowds that shouted Hosanna!, had not made Jesus "the center on which their lives turn."

This week and next week, Easter Sunday will be a couple of the weeks of the year that have the highest attendance.  Many will be praising God.  But how many will "hallow" His name and make Him "the center on which their lives turn?"

John Piper offers this prayer, may it be ours as well.

"Lord, cause more and more people to hallow your name," that is, esteem, admire, respect, cherish, honor, reverence, and praise your name. More and more people! So, you can see it is basically a missionary prayer."

We should be offering praise and celebrating  Palm Sunday and Easter next week, but it should be from a heart that desires to "esteem, admire, respect cherish, honor and revere His name".   May He prepare our hearts to do so.

--   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 6:9-14 The Passion Translation (TPT)

⁹ Pray like this:

'Our Father, dwelling in the heavenly realms,
    may the glory of your name
    be the center on which our lives turn.^[a]
10 Manifest your kingdom realm,^[b]
    and cause your every purpose to be fulfilled on earth,
    just as it is fulfilled in heaven.
¹¹ We acknowledge you as our Provider
    of all we need each day.^[c]
12 Forgive us the wrongs we have done^[d] as we ourselves
    release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
¹³ Rescue us every time we face tribulation^[e]
    and set us free from evil.^[f]
    For you are the King who rules
    with power and glory forever. Amen.'^[g]

¹⁴ "And when you pray, make sure you forgive the faults of others so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you.

Verse of the Day 4/12

Verse of the Day 4/12

Luke 10:36-37   So, now, tell me, which one of the three men who saw the wounded man proved to be the true neighbor?"

³⁷ The religious scholar responded, "The one who demonstrated kindness and mercy."

Jesus said, "You must go and do the same as he."    The Passion Translation (TPT)

Today's verses come from the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 where a lawyer had been questioning Jesus about what he needed to do to "inherit eternal life" (see below) Jesus asked him what was the greatest commandment to which the lawyer responded:

Luke 10:27 So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "

He had answered correctly and should have left it at that, but he wanted to justify himself by asking "who is my neighbor".  Jesus turned this on his and the pharisees heads by telling them the parable.  We may put ourselves in the same position.  Often, we try to put ourselves in the position of deciding who my neighbor should be, or at least, whom I consider to be my neighbor.  Jesus showed that it was the good Samaritan who chose who was his neighbor by showing compassion.

John MacArthur writes, "The lawyer assumed it was up to others to prove themselves neighbor to him. Jesus' reply makes it clear that each has a responsibility to be a neighbor—especially to those who are in need."  Think about that, we have the responsibility to be a neighbor.  Who will we choose to show this to, to exhibit kindness and compassion?

"Jesus invites us, His people to become neighbors.  We need not know someone to become their neighbor.  It is a decision to seek those who need love, compassion and care as the Samaritan did in this parable.  Others may be surprise to see who will be our neighbors."  (author unknown)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Luke 10:25-37 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"

²⁶ He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"

²⁷ So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "

²⁸ And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."

²⁹ But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

³⁰ Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among ^[b]thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. ³³ But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴ So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ On the next day, ^[c]when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' ³⁶ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"

³⁷ And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."

Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."