Verse of the Day 9/28

Verse of the Day 9/28

Psalm 113:3-4 From sunrise brilliance to sunset beauty,
lift up his praise from dawn to dusk!
4 For he rules on high over the nations
with a glory that outshines even the heavens. The Passion Translation (TPT)

As I read today???s verses in my daily reading in the Psalms, the sky was just brightening and the sun was about to break forth. Sunrises and sunsets are some of the most beautiful times in God???s creation. There were thunderstorms last night but they have given way to a beautiful sunrise.

So it it in our lives, storms may come, but they won???t last. There will be another beautiful sunrise even if it is not today, they will come as will the beautiful sunsets. He rules on high over His creation and He rules over the nations.

There???s a lot of chaos in the world today, think of our politics right now. But God is over all of it. Step back, take a breath, take a look at His sunrise and sunsets, realize that He???s got this.

The sun comes up
It's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes

You're rich in love
And You're slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find

Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I'll worship Your Holy name (Matt Redman)

--   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 113 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Majesty and Condescension of God
113 Praise[a] the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord!
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord???s name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

Verse of the Day 9/27

Verse of the Day 9/27

1 Timothy 6:18-19 Remind the wealthy to be rich in good works of extravagant generosity, willing to share with others. 19 This will provide a beautiful foundation for their lives and secure for them a great future, as they lay their hands upon the meaning of true life. The Passion Translation (TPT)

When we first read today's verses we may be tempted to think that they don't apply to us. Many if not most of us, would not consider ourselves as being rich. But in comparison to most of the world and if we consider what we have as Christians, we are richly blessed. Thinking about the fruit of the Spirit in yesterday's post from Galatians 5, verses are a reminder of how that "fruit of the Spirit" is put into practice.

When we consider our giving, would we, would God, consider it "extravagant"? We should be challenged to do more sharing, giving and as we do we'll have more opportunities to share the meaning of life as we share and then witness to others of God's many blessings.

I was blind, now I'm seeing in color
I was dead, now I'm living forever
I had failed, but you were my redeemer
I've been blessed beyond all measure

I was lost, now I'm found by the father
I've been changed from a ruin to treasure
I've been given a hope and a future
I've been blessed beyond all measure

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Letting go and trusting when I cannot see
I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing
Surely every season you are good to me

If you've been given a hope and a future, won't you share it?

Blessings,

Mike

1 Timothy 6:17-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

Instructions to the Rich
17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Guard the Faith
20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and [a]idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.

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Verse of the Day 9/26

Verse of the Day 9/26

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:

joy??that overflows,

peace??that subdues,

patience that endures,

kindness in action,

a life full of virtue,

faith??that prevails,

gentleness??of heart, and

strength??of spirit.

Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.^?????? The Passion Translation (TPT)

Today's verses came up in the read through the New Testament plan that I am following.?? They are probably familiar to most, in not all, of us; but reading them in the TPT broke it out in such a way to take a look at each of those qualities, the fruit of the Spirit.?? We read them and acknowledge that we want them to be present in our lives and it sobers us to realize that some of them may not be.?? The qualities will not come about naturally of ourselves.?? They come from the Holy Spirit and need to be cultivated, there needs to be a determination on our part.

The passage below talks about some of the things that are more "natural" for us as human beings, characteristics found all too often in society and sadly, too often in ourselves when we stop and take a close look at our lives.?? I'm reminded of the Philips, Craig and Dean song "Strong Determination".

Yes, it's been said before
'Cause it's forever true
Good things take a lot of patience
If you're gonna see them through
So much depends on us
And what we invest through the years
When the fire is an ember
When the laughter's touched by tears

'Cause it's easy to love
When you've just fallen in
But the years take a toll
And you've got to hold on
To finish what you begin

It takes a strong determination
A trust that never dies
The courage to forgive
And a heart that reconciles
A life full of devotion
A faith that won't give up
It takes a strong determination
To build a house of love

Life requires a strong determination, for the Christian it depends on the power of the Holy Spirit working in us to build and establish those traits in us, and for those traits to be evident i

--   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    

Galatians 5:19-26??New King James Version (NKJV)

^19??Now??the works of the flesh are evident, which are:??^[a]adultery,??^[b]fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,??^20??idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,??^21??envy,??^[c]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told??you??in time past, that??those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

^22??But??the fruit of the Spirit is??love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,??goodness,??faithfulness,??^23??[d]gentleness, self-control.??Against such there is no law.??^24??And those??who are??Christ???s??have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.??^25??If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.??^26??Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Verse of the Day 9/25

Verse of the Day 9/25

Ephesians 4:26-27 ???In your anger do not sin???:??Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,??^27??and do not give the devil a foothold.?????? New International Version (NIV)

Verse 26 in the NKJV below, states "be angry, and do not sin".?? Reading that should cause us to stop and take notice.?? We are often told not to be angry, but there is an anger that has it's place.?? It may be that Paul is writing about a "righteous indignation" against injustice; immorality and other types of sin.?? We can be angry about things today such as abortion; drug addiction; gambling or many others.?? The NIV above, puts it "in your anger do not sin".?? It acknowledges our anger, it is something that will pop up, especially in relation to the sins mentioned.

Now, think about what it means to "not let the sun go down on your anger"; put it behind you; don't let it fester or consume you.?? Why??? Because it can give the devil a foothold.?? Anger held onto gives the devil a foothold.?? It can creep into other areas of our lives; into personal relationships with friends and loved ones bringing bitterness and robbing us of joy.

David Jeremiah writes, ???a ???foothold??? is a ???place??? where a climber can insert his foot when scaling a cliff. A foothold was needed by soldiers seeking to gain entrance to an enemy stronghold or fort.Keep short accounts; fill in the footholds; erase the sinful places from the map of your heart. Give the devil no opportunity. If the emotion of anger appears, make sure it has a godly purpose."    The passage below is one that should be read often as a reminder of how we are to live.   

Ephesians 4:31-32?? Get rid of??all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.??^32??Be kind and compassionate to one another,??forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.?????? New International Version (NIV)

--   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 4:25-32??New King James Version (NKJV)

Do Not Grieve the Spirit

^25??Therefore, putting away lying,?????Let??each one??of you??speak truth with his neighbor,?????for??we are members of one another.??^26?????Be angry, and do not sin???: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,??^27??nor give??^[a]place to the devil.??^28??Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather??let him labor, working with??his??hands what is good, that he may have something??to give him who has need.??^29??Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but??what is good for necessary??^[b]edification,??that it may impart grace to the hearers.??^30??And??do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.??^31??Let all bitterness, wrath, anger,??^[c]clamor, and??evil speaking be put away from you,??with all malice.??^32??And??be kind to one another, tenderhearted,??forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Verse of the Day 9/22

Verse of the Day 9/22

1 John 5:4-5???? For??whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that??has overcome the world???^[a]our faith.??^5??Who is he who overcomes the world, but??he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God??????? New King James Version (NKJV)

On Friday and Saturday my son Jeff and I attended and participated in the "Back in the Woods Again" hunt.?? Over 100 hunters took to the field to hunt on land and in blinds that had been set up by local land owners.?? It is quite and organization and has been hosted by Tyson Creek Baptist church from its origins several years ago.?? Each of the hunters and many of those who brought them to the hunt had more in common than their disabilities; they are all "overcomers" in life.

I've shared before how a message from Darrell Scott impacted my life after Jeff's accident and resulting TBI.?? Darrell's daughter Rachel had been killed in the Columbine shootings for her faith.?? What Darrell said in a nutshell was that you need to be a "see though-er and not a look at-er".?? Not to dwell on your situation and remain mired in it but to look beyond it to what lies ahead, and for the Christian what God has in store for you beyond the circumstance now, and for eternity.

Yesterday a saw a facebook post from a friend that tied in with the thought of being an overcomer, with one exception.?? I'll see if you notice it.?? Josh Shipp writes, "You either get bitter or you get better.?? It's that simple.?? You either take what you have been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down.?? The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you."?? How do you respond to it.

I would change the end of it.?? I agree that the choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to faith, your choice to have faith in God and to lean on Him.?? Those who focus on their circumstances, the "look at-ers", are often overcome by them, overwhelmed by them and never truly get better, and yes there is a lot of bitterness.?? The one who is a see through-er looks beyond themselves; the Christian places his or her faith in Jesus as the Son of God "can face tomorrow" and truly will overcome; not only now but for eternity.

And because he lives
I can face tomorrow
Because he lives
All fear is gone
Because I know he holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because he lives

And then one day
We'll all cross the river
And fight life's final war with pain
And then, as death gives way to victory
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know he reigns

--   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 John 5??New King James Version (NKJV)

Obedience by Faith

5??Whoever believes that??Jesus is the Christ is??born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.??^2??By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and??keep His commandments.??^3??For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And??His commandments are not burdensome.??^4??For??whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that??has overcome the world???^[a]our faith.??^5??Who is he who overcomes the world, but??he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Verse of the Day 9//19

Verse of the Day 9/19

Isaiah 41:14 Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob,

????????don???t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you.
I am the??Lord, your Redeemer.
????????I am the Holy One of Israel.??????????? New Living Translation (NLT)

Worms are probably considered to be among the lowest of God's creatures.?? They are not king makers, don't have influence over people and to many, are most useful as fish bait.?? A worm is not the picture of pride.?? But God, through Isaiah, issues this statement that even though they are "lowly", He is with them, He will help them, He will redeem them.

In the English Standard Version (below), three times in the span of a few verses God says "fear not", that should tell us how important this is.?? The Apostle John in chapter 14 conveys the same message when He says "don't let your hearts be troubled" and "don't be afraid".?? They are all calls to trust in the Lord and the power of His might.

The other important factor in this is that we are to call on Him; seek His help; we must desire His help.

I read the following from Charles Spurgeon in relation to this verse.

Do you feel as low as a worm sometimes??? Don't worry, when you are weak, He can make you strong.?? It is a noble thing to seek His help and to be helped by 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    

Isaiah 41:10-14??English Standard Version (ESV)

^10??fear not, for I am with you;
????????be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
????????I will uphold you with??my righteous right hand.

^11??Behold, all who are incensed against you
????????shall be put to shame and confounded;
those who strive against you
????????shall be as nothing and shall perish.
^12??You shall seek those who contend with you,
????????but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
????????shall be as nothing at all.
^13??For I, the??Lord??your God,
????????hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, ???Fear not,
????????I am the one who helps you.???

^14??Fear not, you??worm Jacob,
????????you men of Israel!
I am the one who helps you, declares the??Lord;
????????your??Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.