Verse of the Day 7/31

Verse of the Day 7/31

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ^?? The weapons we fight with??are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power??to demolish strongholds.??^5??We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,??and we take captive every thought to make it obedient??to Christ.???????? New International Version (NIV)

You have probably heard many people say that "it's a battle out there".?? Every day it seems like there is something new that the world and the devil try to throw at us to take our eyes off of Christ and off of His path for our lives.?? We run into troubles when we take up this battle on our own without taking up our spiritual weapons beginning with the Word of God.

In Matthew 4:1-11?? Jesus took on Satan after spending 40 days and nights in the desert.?? Physically He was at His weakest point, but He held strong to Satan's temptations, each time, in all 4 of the temptations referring back to God's Word and saying "it is written".

Matthew 4:4?? But He answered and said,?????It is written,?????Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.???????????? New King James Version (NKJV)

As we head out into the world to fight our battles, whatever they may be, may we do the same, recall; hold onto; and apply the Word of God in our lives.?? His Word has the power to "demolish strongholds", those things that hold power over us if we try to fight the battle on our own.

It may look like I'm surrounded
But I'm surrounded by You

This is how I fight my battles???? (Surrounded?? - Upperroom)

--   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 10:1-6??New King James Version (NKJV)

The Spiritual War

10??Now??I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ???who in presence??am??lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.??^2??But I beg??you??that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.??^3??For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.??^4??For the weapons??of our warfare??are??not??^[a]carnal but??mighty in God??for pulling down strongholds,??^5??casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,??^6??and being ready to punish all disobedience when??your obedience is fulfilled.

Verse of the Day 7/29

Verse of the Day 7/29

John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. 

English Standard Version (ESV)

My wife Jean and I recently began a new study in the book of John with some friends.  The groups "method" is simply to read through the chapter and to openly discuss what comes to mind as the Lord lays it on our hearts.  Beginning with today's verse, it is easy to see why the book of John is often recommended for someone who is "new to the Word" or hasn't done much reading or studying of the Bible.  It starts off with the basics.  Immediately, when you read the first few words you are taken back to Genesis and the creation account.  Today's verses quickly make you aware that the Word was there from the beginning and later in the passage (v.14) that God came down to earth in the flesh in the form of Jesus as the "living Word". 

For a student of the Word, the book of John will bring other verses and passages to mind as you read through it.  I already mentioned Genesis 1 and Hebrews 4:12 also comes to mind as does Psalm 119:105 which we read recently "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path"

Hebrews 4:12   For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Perhaps it has been a while since you've spent time in God's Word.  I'd encourage you to read the short passage below or perhaps the first chapter of John.  As you do, see how many other passages come to mind and take some time to let it sink in and take it to heart.  They may also bring a song or hymn to mind such as "The Word is Alive".

Looking out from his throne
Father of light and of men
Chose to make himself known
And show us the way back to Him

Speaking wisdom and truth
Into the hearts of peasants and kings
He began to unveil
The word that would change the course of all things
With eyes wide open all who'd see

The word is alive
And it cuts like the sword through the darkness
With a message of life to the hopeless and the frail
Breathing life into all who believe

The word is alive
And the world and its glories will fade
But its truth, it will not pass away
It remains yesterday and forever the same
The word is alive                                                             (The Word is Alive - Casting Crowns)

--   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    

John 1:1-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Eternal Word

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not ^[a]comprehend it.

Verse of the Day 7/26

Verse of the Day 7/26   

1 Peter 1:4-5  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.    New King James Version (NKJV)

The 2020 MLB season finally got under way this week.  I watched parts of a couple of games on TV and in some instances there were totally empty stands and in others they had assembled cut outs of people to behind home plate to give the TV audience the feeling that there were fans in the stands.  My mind went back to my childhood in Chicago and going to Cubs games with my dad.  We would commonly get reserved grandstand seats.  Having that "reserved" category also meant that there were unreserved or "SRO" standing room only seats.  They would sell more tickets than they had seats in the park.  You bought these in the hopes that someone wouldn't show up and you could sit in their seats, otherwise you had to stand behind the grandstand or bleacher seats.

As I read today's verses the "reserved in heaven for you" statement stood out.  We don't have to worry about SRO seats in heaven.  We have a place reserved for us and they will not be taken from us, not by anyone! (see John 14).  The other thing to think about this is that it is a two pronged thing.  John MacArthur writes, "Not only is your inheritance protected for you, but also you are protected for it! That's what Peter meant when he said that it is "reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time" (1 Pet. 1:4-5). The omnipotent, sovereign power of God will continually protect you until His work is fully accomplished in your life. Then He will grant you glorification: the fullness of the salvation for which He redeemed you."

This brings me back to one of the first songs that I learned in Sunday School, perhaps you remember it too.  If so, sing out loud, "I've got a home in glory land that outshines the sun".   I don't doubt that it will come back to your mind several times in the next day or so if you do.

Do Lord, oh, do Lord, oh, do remember me,
Do Lord, oh, do Lord, oh, do remember me,
Do Lord, oh, do Lord, oh, do remember me,
Look away beyond the blue.

I've got a home in glory land, that outshines the sun
I've got a home in glory land, that outshines the sun
I've got a home in glory land, that outshines the sun
Look away beyond the blue.

I took Jesus as my Savior, you take Him too,
I took Jesus as my Savior, you take Him too,
I took Jesus as my Savior, you take Him too,
Look away beyond the blue.

Do Lord, oh, do Lord, oh, do remember me,
Do Lord, oh, do Lord, oh, do remember me,
Do Lord, oh, do Lord, oh, do remember me,
Look away beyond the blue.

--   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 Peter 1:3-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

Born Again to a Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

Verse of the Day 7/25

Verse of the Day 7/25

Psalm 119:60  I hurried, not hesitating

to keep Your commands.     Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

As I was having my morning cup of coffee this morning I read today's verse as the verse of the day from Bible Gateway.  Then my wife asked me if I was going to ride my bike this morning.  I hesitated in answering her.  I had to think about it, it is muggy, it is going to be hot and these 62 year old bones and muscles are kind achy today.  It became easy to relate to this verse.  The dedicated cyclist would not hesitate, he would push through the aches and hop on the bike. 

How are we towards God and His commands; or perhaps in having morning or evening devotions.  Do we hesitate because we just don't feel like reading or praying?  Do we come up with any number of excuses?  The devoted, dedicated Christ follower will push through and put aside the other directions and focus on God and praise Him for His Word and His steadfast love for us, even on those times when we do hesitate.

May God be our portion today (verse 57), may we forget our own ways, our tendencies to hesitate and focus; "turn our feet" to what the Lord has to teach us today.

Other translations use the word "hasten" giving the thought of responding quickly, not giving the thoughts "not to" a chance to come in our minds and take hold. We've all found out that "not to decide" something is to "decide not to".

I am resolved no longer to linger,
charmed by the world's delight;
things that are higher, things that are nobler,
these have allured my sight.

Refrain:
I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.

--   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 119:57-64 New King James Version (NKJV)

ח HETH

⁵⁷ You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
⁵⁸ I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
⁵⁹ I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
⁶⁰ I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
⁶¹ The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
⁶² At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
⁶³ I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.

Verse of the Day 7/24

Verse of the Day 7/24

Matthew 6:7-8   And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.   New International Version (NIV)

Yesterday we considered how king Solomon encouraged us to "let our words be few" when approaching God.  In today's verses from the "model prayer" instructions given to us by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, He conveys to us the same thing.  We are not to come babbling to God,  God is not impressed by our vocabulary or the volume of words;  but instead to pray earnestly from our hearts.

It is easy to fall into the pattern of praying certain words, scripted prayers without truly giving thought to what we are saying and to whom we are praying.  We do so at dinnertime or perhaps praying bedtime prayers with our kids at night.  These things are not wrong, but we need to keep our hearts engaged.

The other thing that we should be quick to notice is that Jesus says "when you" pray.  It should be a given that we pray to our heavenly Father day by day.  They don't have to be long prayers but may simply be "help me Lord" in whatever situation calls for it.

I like the heading in the New King James Version below, "The Model Prayer".  It is not magic but it gives us a blue print on the main components of prayer.  Pray the prayer or use it as a blueprint for your prayer to your heavenly Father today.

--   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 6:5-15 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Model Prayer

⁵ "And when you pray, you shall not be like the ^[a]hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you ^[b]openly. ⁷ And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

⁸ "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. ⁹ In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread.
¹² And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
¹³ And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
^[c]For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

¹⁴ "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Verse of the Day 7/23

Verse of the Day 7/23

Ecclesiastes 5:2   Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.    Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Just about everyone is aware that this is an election year for Congress and the President which means that we will be hearing more and more speeches.  When any event happens, politicians are quick to jump on it to put there spin on it for political gain.  The English Standard Version for today's verse begins with "be not rash" with your mouth.  Rash promises and arguments are those given without much thought being given to the consequences or often the "truth" to the matter at hand,  often said in anger.  Promises are made that would add trillions of dollars to the budget and have virtually no chance of occurring, but they sound good at the moment and may swing someones opinion and garner a few votes.

When we stand before God, there is no fooling Him.  The One who holds the future knows the past and sees the future.  He knows what is going on and when we come to Him and seek His guidance and direction, our words should be well chosen and honoring to Him.

How much better off would politicians be if they "guarded their steps" and their words?  How about us?  The New Testament book of James has some good advice which go along with the words of King Solomon:

James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰ for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Let us choose our words carefully, especially when we are talking to God 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    

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

Fear God

5 ^[a] Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. ^2 [b] Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. ³ For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.

⁴ When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. ⁵ It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. ⁶ Let not your mouth lead you^[c] into sin, and do not say before the messenger^[d] that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? ⁷ For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity;^[e] but^[f] God is the one you must fear.