Verse of the Day 8/30

Verse of the Day 8/30??????

2 Corinthians 5:17?? Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has become an entirely new creation. All that is related to the old order has vanished.^?? Behold, everything is fresh and new.???? The Passion Translation (TPT)

As I read today's verse, I couldn't help but think of yesterday's passage about the prodigal son who received "the ring of sonship" from his father after he had returned to him.?? As in today's verse the prodigal was granted a new life when he left his life of uncontrolled self gratification that almost destroyed him, sought forgiveness and returned to his father.?? Those old things passed away and his new life had begun.

Those of us who have new life in Christ, who have been "enfolded" into Him;?? are loved with an inseparable love (see Romans 8:38-39) that even death can't break; for we have been redeemed, our sins forgiven (Eph. 1:7); and we have been given His grace which He planned for us before the world was created (1 Timothy 1:9).

The old chorus "New Life in Christ" comes to mind:

New Life in Christ abundant and free!
What glories shine, what joys are mine,
What wondrous blessings I see!
My past with its sin, the searching and strife,
Forever gone -- There's a bright new dawn!
For in Christ I have found new life.

Reading these words and singing them in my mind, brings me back to the thoughts of the prodigal son.?? He could have related to this "my past with its sin, the searching and strife" were gone, he had found new life in turning, in returning to the father.??

--   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 Corinthians 5:17-21??New King James Version (NKJV)

^17??Therefore, if anyone??is??in Christ,??he is??a new creation;??old things have passed away; behold, all things have become??new.??^18??Now all things??areof God,??who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,??^19??that is, that??God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not??^[a]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

^20??Now then, we are??ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore??you??on Christ???s behalf, be reconciled to God.??^21??For??He made Him who knew no sin??to be??sin for us, that we might become??the righteousness of God in Him.

Verse of the Day 8/29

Verse of the Day 8/29

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,^[a]??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^[c]and celebrate.?????? The Passion Translation (TPT)

For today's post, we turn to the book of Luke and the parable of the prodigal son.?? Most, if not all of us, are familiar with the parable where the younger son demands his earthly inheritance from his father and then goes of and squanders it.?? Humiliated he decides to return to his father thinking that he will go back to him asking him to be treated like one of his hired servants.?? He had learned his lesson.?? Instead of being angry , the father sees him a long way off and runs to him.?? Most translations simply tell us the the father says to his servants "bring the best robe, put a ring on his finger, shoes on his feat and bring out the fatted calf to celebrate.

The Passion Translation points out the significance of the ring as "the seal of sonship".?? Pastor and author Max Lucado writes, "In Christ???s day rings were more than gifts; they were symbols of delegated sovereignty. The bearer of the ring could speak on behalf of the giver. It was used to press a seal into soft wax to validate a transaction. The one who wore the ring conducted business in the name of the one who gave it...Would you have done this? Would you have given this prodigal son power-of-attorney privileges over your affairs? Would you have entrusted him with a credit card? Would you have given him this ring?"

The son had squandered his financial inheritance, but the father gives him something more important than that on his return.?? He restores him to his position and gives him the ring of authority.?? It is much like a power of attorney.?? What the son says carries the weight of the father, it is not to be used selfishly, but on behalf of the father.?? The son wouldn't squander this.?? As Christians we have been given such a seal, God has put His seal on us.?? With our baptism and life in His name we show to others that we are His and we live our lives on his behalf.

Think of all that He has given you. Live for Him, don't squander what He's given you.

--   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 15:17-24??New King James Version (NKJV)

^17?????But when he came to himself, he said, ???How many of my father???s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!??^18??I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, ???Father,??I have sinned against heaven and before you,??^19??and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.??? ???

^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.

Verse of the Day 8/27

Verse of the Day 8/27

1 Corinthians 15:58 ^?? Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing??that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.?????? New King James Version (NKJV)

Today's verse is probably familiar to most of us and it is one that is fairly easy to memorize but much harder to live up to.?? The word that jumps out is "steadfast" which may be defined as "resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering".?? It is amazing how much one word can convey, think of the synonyms associated with the word - loyal; faithful; committed; devoted; dedicated; dependable; reliable; steady; true; constant; staunch; trusty and more.?? Yet that is what we are called to be in relation to our Lord.?? Hard words to live up to but we have one who gave us the true picture of steadfastness, it was Jesus.

He is our example; He is our leader; He is our Savior and through His Spirit, His still small voice He leads us that we may abound, overflow in the work that He calls us to do.

Only one life, the still small voice,   Gently pleads for a better choice  Bidding me selfish aims to leave,   And to God's holy will to cleave.  Only one life, 'twill soon be past,   Only what's done for Christ will last!    Only one life, a few brief years,  Each with its burdens, hopes and fears;  Each with its days I must fulfill,   living for self, or in His will.  Only one life, 'twill soon be past,   Only what's done for Christ will last!    When this bright world would tempt me sore,   When Satan would a victory score;  When self would seek to have its way,   Then help me Lord with joy to say:  Only one life, 'twill soon be past,   Only what's done for Christ will last!  (Author unknown)

Read through the verse again and perhaps the passage below. May we hear that still small voice and remain steadfast as He leads us every day of this life, knowing that it will not be in vain.

--   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 15:50-58??New King James Version (NKJV)

Our Final Victory

^50??Now this I say, brethren, that??flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.??^51??Behold, I tell you a??^[a]mystery:??We shall not all sleep,??but we shall all be changed?????^52??in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.??For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.??^53??For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and??this mortal??must??put on immortality.??^54??So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:?????Death is swallowed up in victory.???

^55?????O^[b]??Death, where??is??your sting?
O Hades, where??is??your victory????

^56??The sting of death??is??sin, and??the strength of sin??is??the law.??^57??But thanks??be??to God, who gives us??the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

^58??Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing??that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Verse of the Day 8/26

Verse of the Day 8/26

Psalm 139:17-18 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How great is the sum of them!
^18??If??I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.?????? New King James Version (NKJV)

When I read these verses yesterday in the sermon notes at church, what caught my attention was one little two letter word, "to".?? At first glance or thought, we may think mainly of how God's word, the Bible; the collections of His thoughts; are to me as I read them.?? But I believe, as The Passion Translation states (below), these thoughts are toward me, He is thinking of you and I, constantly.?? It brings the "how precious" to a new level.?? That thought should truly be precious to us.

Thomas Brooks writes:

Ah! the Word of the Lord is . . .    a light to guide you,    a counselor to counsel you,    a comforter to comfort you,    a staff to support you,    a sword to defend you,     a physician to cure you!     The Word is . . .     a mine to enrich you,    a robe to clothe you,     a crown to crown you.     bread to strengthen you,     wine to cheer you,     a honeycomb to feast you,     music to delight you,     a paradise to entertain you!    Oh! therefore, before all and above all:    search the Scripture,    study the Scripture,    meditate on the Scripture,    delight in the Scripture,    treasure up the Scripture!     When you think of how vast God's word is and that His thoughts are towards you; for you?  What does that make you feel?  Loved.    Here is love, vast as the ocean  Lovingkindness as the flood  When the Prince of Life, our Ransom  Shed for us His precious blood  Who His love will not remember?  Who can cease to sing His praise?  He can never be forgotten  Throughout Heav'n's eternal days    On the mount of crucifixion  Fountains opened deep and wide  Through the floodgates of God's mercy  Flowed a vast a gracious tide  Grace and love, like mighty rivers  Poured incessant from above  And Heav'n's peace and perfect justice  Kissed a guilty world in love???????????????????? (Matt Redman)  

May we not forget or neglect His Word, the testimony of the vastness of His love.

--   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 139:17-24??The Passion Translation (TPT)

^17???18??Every single moment you are thinking of me!
How precious and wonderful to consider
that you cherish me constantly in your every thought!
O God, your desires toward me are more
than the grains of sand on every shore!
When I awake each morning, you???re still with me.
^19??O God, come and slay these bloodthirsty, murderous men!
For I cry out, ???Depart from me, you wicked ones!???
^20??See how they blaspheme your sacred name
and lift up themselves against you, but all in vain!
^21??Lord, can???t you see how I despise those who despise you?
For I grieve when I see them rise up against you.
^22??I have nothing but complete hatred and disgust for them.
Your enemies shall be my enemies!
^23??God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart.
Examine me through and through;
find out everything that may be hidden within me.
Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares.
^24??See if there is any path of pain I???m walking on,
and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways???
the path that brings me back to you.

Verse of the Day 8/25

Verse of the Day 8/25

Ecclesiastes 11:7Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.?? New Living Translation (NLT)^??

After a dreary and rainy summer day in North Carolina it was good to look out the window this morning and to see the sun shining, a new day and a pleasant one at that with forecasts for the temperatures to be in the upper 70's.?? It doesn't get much more pleasant than that no matter where you are.?? Light is sweet.

Many of us may face dreary days of another type, chronic illness; financial troubles; relational troubles.?? In those times the light of God's Word can bring us what we need and brighten the day.

These thoughts brought me to one of the most quoted hymns in these posts, "Trust and Obey".

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we'll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Consider today how sweet light is, how sweet the light of His Word is; how sweet it is to sit at His feet and worship this morning to this new day dawning.

--   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    

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10??New King James Version (NKJV)

^7??Truly the light is sweet,
And??it is??pleasant for the eyes??to behold the sun;
^8??But if a man lives many years
And??rejoices in them all,
Yet let him??remember the days of darkness,
For they will be many.
All that is coming??is??vanity.

Seek God in Early Life

^9??Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
God will bring you into judgment.
^10??Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
And??put away evil from your flesh,
For childhood and youth??are??vanity.

Verse of the Day 8/20

Verse of the Day 8/20

1 Samuel 16:7 ^???? But the??Lord??said to Samuel, ???Don???t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The??Lord??doesn???t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the??Lord??looks at the heart.??????????? New Living Translation (NLT)

My Old Testament reading today was in the book of 1 Samuel and the familiar passage where God spoke to Samuel about choosing the next leader for Israel.?? Today, as back then, people make judgments by appearance, height or other physical traits.?? Snap judgments are made without knowing anything about the person.?? Today's verse should be a reminder, a note to all of us; we too should be more concerned with the heart and a persons true, inner character.?? The heart has to do with spiritual qualities not physical.

A.W. Tozer writes, "The solution to life's problems is spiritual because the essence of life is spiritual.?? It is astonishing how many difficulties clear up without any effort when the inner life gets straightened out......Prayer, humility, and a generous application of the Spirit of Christ will cure just about any disease in the body of believers (the church).?? Yet it is actually the last thing we think when difficulties arise.?? We often attempt to cure spiritual ills with carnal medicines, and the results are more than disappointing."

Read the passage below.?? David wasn't even considered among his brothers because of his age.?? God wasn't concerned about that, He looked at the heart.?? We tend to rely on those easily observable traits when choosing?? people to solve life's problems. We'd be better off calling on the Spirit to help us see through the physical to matters of the heart.

Only a boy named David
Only a little sling
Only a boy named David
But he could pray and sing
Only a boy named David
Only a rippling brook
Only a boy named David
But five little stones he took.

And one little stone went in the sling
And the sling went round and round
And one little stone went in the sling
And the sling went round and round
And round and round
And round and round
And round and round and round
And one little prayer went up to God
And the giant came tumbling down.

--   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 Samuel 16:4-13??New King James Version (NKJV)

^4??So Samuel did what the??Lord??said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town??trembled at his coming, and said,?????Do you come peaceably????

^5??And he said, ???Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the??Lord.??Sanctify^[a]??yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.??? Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice.

^6??So it was, when they came, that he looked at??Eliab and??said, ???Surely the??Lord???s anointed??is??before Him!???

^7??But the??Lord??said to Samuel,?????Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have??^[b]refused him.??For^[c]??the??Lord??does??not??see??as man sees; for man??looks at the outward appearance, but the??Lord??looks at the??heart.???

^8??So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, ???Neither has the??Lord??chosen this one.?????^9??Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, ???Neither has the??Lord??chosen this one.?????^10??Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, ???The??Lord??has not chosen these.?????^11??And Samuel said to Jesse, ???Are all the young men here???? Then he said, ???There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the??sheep.???

And Samuel said to Jesse, ???Send and bring him. For we will not??^[d]sit down till he comes here.?????^12??So he sent and brought him in. Now he??wasruddy,??with??^[e]bright eyes, and good-looking.??And the??Lord??said, ???Arise, anoint him; for this??is??the one!?????^13??Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and??the Spirit of the??Lordcame upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.