Verse of the Day 6/28

Verse of the Day 6/28

Genesis 28:16???? Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, ???Surely the??Lord??is in this place, and I wasn???t even aware of it!????? New Living Translation (NLT)

In today's verse I'd like to have us stop and consider the implication of a two letter word seen here, the word "is".???? The passage is better known for "Jacob's ladder", his dream of angels ascending and descending to heaven.?? We too may picture God as residing in heaven in some remote place.??

A.W. Tozer writes, "I think of Jacob when he first encountered God in what is known as Jacob's ladder.?? When he arose from that dream, he said, "God is in this place and I didn't know it."?? He did not say that God came to that place.?? He said, "God is in this place."

Sometimes, we feel like we're all alone,?? as if God has to traverse the universe to meet us, to deliver us and that we'll have to wait for Him.?? He is not, He is right here, He is right where you are, but perhaps you just don't realize it, you don't seek Him, you won't wrestle with Him as Jacob did.

Wherever you find yourself today, maybe your struggling with something, looking for answers.?? Know that God is in this place.?? Seek Him, pray to Him, read His Word and be aware that He is there, He is near.

1. Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
   Just when I falter, just when I fear;
   Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
   Just when I need Him most.
2. Just when I need Him, He is my all,
   Answering when upon Him I call;
   Tenderly watching lest I should fall,
   Just when I need Him most.

Refrain:
Just when I need Him most,
Just when I need Him most,
Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
Just when I need Him most.

--   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

Verse of the Day 6/27

Verse of the Day 6/27

Romans 8:15 ^?? And you did not receive the ???spirit of religious duty,???^[a]??leading you back into the fear??of never being good enough.^[b]??But you have received the ???Spirit of full acceptance,???^[c]??enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, ???Beloved Father!????????? The Passion Translation (TPT)

I ended yesterday's post by quoting from the song "No Longer Slaves" which I believe is derived from today's verse.?? Think of those words again "I'm no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God".?? A slave is under the control of someone, a taskmaster.?? He is never sure if he measures up.???? If he fails to measure up he can expect to be punished.?? The slave is easily and continually oppressed, feeling a heavy weight that is upon him.

Today's verse in the great chapter of Romans 8 tells us, we don't have to feel like the slave who feels that he or she always has to try to measure up for fear of reprisal, we are children of God, who wants the best for us, His children.?? He lets us know, He reminds us that we are His children and He gives us His Spirit to guide us and give us confidence that we are His children.

When we feel uncertainty, when we feel that we don't measure up, we can lovingly call out to Him "dad" I need your help, your guidance , and He will answer and guide us through His Word and through His Spirit, re-assuring us that we are His children.

I'll close by going back to the beginning of this great chapter, read it, and if you are a child of God, realize that "the case is closed" and there is "no accusing voice of condemnation" against you, Satan's accusations will have no effect on you, "you are a child of God."

Romans 8:1-2?? So now the case is closed.??There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the Anointed One.^[a]??^2??For the ???law??? of the Spirit of life flowing through the anointing of Jesus has liberated us^[b]??from the ???law??? of sin and death.???? The Passion Translation (TPT)

--   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 8:12-17??English Standard Version (ESV)

Heirs with Christ

^12??So then, brothers,^[a]??we are debtors,??not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.??^13??For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you??put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.??^14??For all who are??led by the Spirit of God are??sons^[b]??of God.??^15??For??you did not receive??the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of??adoption as sons, by whom we cry,?????Abba! Father!?????^16??The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,^17??and if children, then??heirs???heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,??provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Verse of the Day 6/26

Verse of the Day 6/26

Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Our Pastor Bob spoke on Ephesians 6:10-18 last Sunday, within the span of a few verses the passage tells us to stand your ground, take a stand, and stand firm. Someone who is doing that will not cower in fear but will put on and display that full armor of God.

To do so one has to be prepared, read through the passage, are you familiar with the components of the full armor of God? There is only one weapon mentioned, it is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. We need read it, be in it, meditate on it and act upon it and pray over it. It is then that we may pray to "fearlessly make known the gospel" and declare it "fearlessly".

I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I am surrounded
By the arms of the father
I am surrounded
By songs of deliverance
We've been liberated
From our bondage
Were the sons and the daughters
Let us sing our freedom.

I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God. (No Longer Slaves - Bethel Music)

Pray for me, I'll pray for you, as verse 18 states, "be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. "

Blessings,

Mike

Ephesians 6:10-20 New International Version (NIV)

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

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Verse of the Day 6/20

Verse of the Day 6/20/19

 

1 Kings 19:11-12  ¹¹ And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

The other day we considered how we are prone to backslide, to wander from God and at some point "we come to our senses", turn and head back to God.  We may not all fall or backslide to the degree of the prodigal.  Sometimes we can do so while "going through the motions" and attending church on Sundays.  But in reality we may feel that God has not been helping us.  We may be looking for a sign, a miracle for Him to bring us back.

 

In today's verse God speaks to Elijah in a gentle whisper, a "still small voice" to call Him back.  God wasn't in the earthquake or the whirlwind but spoke to Him in a quiet whisper.  No matter where we find ourselves we may find Him in the quiet moments or perhaps when we quiet our soul even in a loud surrounding, perhaps a loud "worship service".

 

Once again, I go back to something that A.W. Tozer wrote and I have posted in connection with today's verses in my eBible.  He writes, "The accent in the Church today," says Leonard Ravenhill, the English evangelist, "is not on devotion, but on commotion." Religious extroversion has been carried to such an extreme in evangelical circles that hardly anyone has the desire, to say nothing of the courage, to question the soundness of it. Externalism has taken over. God now speaks by the wind and the earthquake only; the still small voice can be heard no more. The whole religious machine has become a noisemaker. The adolescent taste which loves the loud horn and the thundering exhaust has gotten into the activities of modern Christians. The old question, "What is the chief end of man?" is now answered, "To dash about the world and add to the din thereof."...  

 

Whether in the workplace, the home or even the church we may not find God in the commotion.  But even in the noise, in the commotion God can reach us with the "still small voice".  If He speaks to you in a verse or a worship song related to it.  You can sit down, pray wherever you are and let God know you are listening.  He may start by what He said to Elijah twice in this chapter, "what are you doing here?".  He may be asking that of you today.  It is not about us, it is about Him.

 

I'll close with Michael W. Smith's "The Heart of Worship".

 

When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart
I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what you have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

 

I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about you,
It's all about you, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about you,
It's all about you, Jesus

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

1 Kings 19:9-18 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Lord Speaks to Elijah

⁹ There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" ¹⁰ He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." ¹¹ And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." And behold, the Lordpassed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.¹² And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.^[a]

1 Kings 19:9-18 ESV - - Bible Gateway

 ¹³ And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" ¹⁴ He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." ¹⁵ And the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. ¹⁶ And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. ¹⁷ And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. ¹⁸ Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

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Verse of the Day 6/16

Verse of the Day 6/16

Luke 15:22-23 "Turning to his servants, the father said, 'Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders. Bring the ring, the seal of sonship, and I will put it on his finger. And bring out the best shoes[b] you can find for my son. 23 Let's prepare a great feast and celebrate. The Passion Translation (TPT)

Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers and grandfathers who may be reading this. Many of us will be gathering as families and celebrating this day. Others will be exchanging phone calls or perhaps "FaceTiming" with family members who are separated by the miles.

The familiar story points out the importance of celebrating, of putting aside differences and being who we are with each other.

A.W. Tozer writes, "I have never had reason to doubt God in teaching me His Bible, and I believe God said to my heart, "the prodigal son is neither a backslider nor a sinner; the prodigal son is the human race. The human race went out to the pigsty, to the far country in Adam, and came back in Christ my son."

At some point, in some shape or form, we have all been prodigals in our relationship with God. But when we turn or return to Him, He is willing to accept us back. Tozer continues, "You went away in Adam, but you are coming back in Christ. When you come back, you will find that the Father has not changed. He is the same Father He was when you went out - every man to his own way. When we come back in Jesus Christ, we will find Him exactly the same as we left Him - unchanged."

He's a good, good Father and a great example for those of us who are earthly fathers.

As our Heavenly Father, He is unchanged, and if we have strayed, He is ready to celebrate if we are willing to go back home to Him.

Blessings,

Mike

Luke 15:20-24 New King James Version (NKJV)

20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 "But the father said to his servants, [a]'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?fr=yhs-pty-pty_maps&hsimp=yhs-pty_maps&hspart=pty&p=you%27re+a+good+good+father#id=1&vid=28dbc5d6e5277e5f8f964194835a482f&action=click

Verse of the Day 6/14

Verse of the Day 6/14

Psalm 48:14 Yes, this is our God, our great God forever.
He will lead us onward until the end,
through all time, beyond death,
and into eternity! The Passion Translation (TPT)

Today???s verse should be a comfort to us, no matter what we face. Our God is the Creator of all things and He will lead us forever, beyond the here and now, beyond our troubles now, in the future and beyond death and into eternity.

The people of Israel admired the beauty of the city and the temple and if you???ve been there you can see why. But above that, they worshipped the God who is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. Other cities in those days had their own gods, but the God of Israel was Lord of all. None could compare with Him.

Jesus would later predict the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. It would be knocked down. Jesus would come, be knocked down and lifted up on a cross to die. But He overcame death and rose again so that those who put their faith and trust in Him will follow Him until the end of this life to the beginning of a new life in Him, ???through all time, beyond death, and into eternity.

Jesus, my Lord will love me forever,
From Him no pow'r of evil can sever,
He gave His life to ransom my soul;
Now I belong to Him;

Once I was lost in sin's degradation,
Jesus came down to bring me salvation,
Lifted me up from sorrow and shame,
Now I belong to Him;

Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.

--   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 48:9-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God,
in the midst of your temple.
10 As your name, O God,
so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion be glad!
Let the daughters of Judah rejoice
because of your judgments!
12 Walk about Zion, go around her,
number her towers,
13 consider well her ramparts,
go through her citadels,
that you may tell the next generation
14 that this is God,
our God forever and ever.
He will guide us forever.[a

Verse of the Day 6/12

Verse of the Day 6/12

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed on in the world,
Received up in glory. New King James Version (NKJV)

I read today's verse in a devotional as I was flying down to Florida for business. The verse stayed with me all day. I kept returning to it, thinking about it's 6 lines of truth, it's summary of the gospel to us.

God, the Creator, manifested, revealed Himself in the person of Jesus Christ.
Jesus lived the perfect live, the Righteous one, who alone, by His sacrifice made salvation available to us.
The angels were witnesses to His coming, thinks of that night "O Holy Night" comes to mind. Hear the angel voices.
He was preached to the nation of Israel and to the Gentiles, including us.
He has been believed, from those days until now.
He war received up in glory by the Father who had declared that He was "well pleased" and instructed those who would hear "listen to Him".

It doesn't end there, He is coming again to bring us to Him to a place prepared for us (John 14: 1-3).

A mystery is something that is hidden that is revealed. If you are reading this, it is likely that these truths have been revealed to you. If they have not been revealed before, perhaps God has revealed them to you today.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Blessings,

Mike

1 Timothy 3:14-16 New International Version (NIV)

Reasons for Paul's Instructions
14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,
was vindicated by the Spirit,[a]
was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
was taken up in glory.

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Verse of the Day 6/6

Verse of the Day 6/6

Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; English Standard Version (ESV)

As I read this verse today from a devotional, what caught my attention was "my treasured possession". For many people today, cars, diamond rings, family heirlooms or any number of things may be considered as "treasured possessions".

My wife Jean and i are celebrating out 38th wedding anniversary,  and on this earth, Jean is my most treasured possession. She is not treasured like a possession, a thing, but treasure for who she is and the qualities that she has displayed every day of our marriage. She causes me to treasure the Lord more and to be thankful to Him for all that we possess.

In today's verse God says that His people, were His treasured possessions. As Christians this still holds true today. The Creator of the universe considers us to be His most treasured possessions. Think about that. How should it impact our lives, what we do and say and how we live. We should treasure others made in the image of God as well as we can.

As you go about today let someone know that they are treasured by you and by God. Let your spouse know that you treasure them and demonstrate it.

Blessings,

Mike

Exodus 19:2-6 English Standard Version (ESV)

2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain, 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

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