Sunday, February 28, 2021

Verse of the Day 2/28

Verse of the Day 2/28

Isaiah 66:2   Everything is the product of My hand—My being and My doing—

        that's how all you see came to be; I made it all.
    Nevertheless, I am interested in and concerned about even just one person
        who is humble and downhearted and trembles at my word.    The Voice (VOICE)

I mention quite often in these posts that I follow a read through the New Testament plan and also read from the Old Testament and from the "wisdom literature" (Psalms through Ecclesiastes) each day.  It is a good thing but today's verse is a reminder that reading alone is not what is most important.  It is stopping, pausing and considering what is written.  If you don't do this it is like what is said of someone who doesn't listen, you've heard it "in one ear and out the other".  God's Word should be allowed to settle in our minds and be recalled during the day, perhaps mingled with songs that reinforce the message.

David and other writers of the Psalms often wrote "selah" at various points in the Psalms.  It means to stop and think calmly about that.  So it should be when we read God's Word and as we do so there will be things written that will literally shake us, cause us to tremble as we consider something written thousands of years ago by God through His prophets that still have an impact and apply in our lives today.

The Puritan writer, Thomas Brooks wrote, "Remember, it is not hasty reading--but serious meditating upon holy and heavenly truths, that make them prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bee's touching of the flower, which gathers honey--but her abiding for a time upon the flower, which draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most--but he who meditates most, who will prove the choicest, sweetest, wisest and strongest Christian."

I encourage you to daily read God's Word and using a read through the Bible, New and/or Old Testaments in a year is a good thing.  But more importantly, take time to read slowly and thoughtfully to where you let it hit you and cause you to tremble at the thought the God is speaking to you through what you read.  Reading plans are tools but are not the goal itself.

The wise will hear Him and obey His word  Long and blessed will be their days upon the earth  The fool will perish in the folly of his ways  Do you tremble at the Word of God  Have you considered the scope of eternity  In the light of unwavering truth  Have you regarded the works of a strong and mighty hand  Do you tremble at the Word of God  CHORUS  At the Word of God  Yeah, do you tremble at the Word of God  Have you counted the stars in the heavens  Have you tamed the crashing mighty sea  Oh, do you tremble   (Do You Tremble - Wes King)    The New King James Version below, and others, speak of having a contrite spirit; one that is broken or crushed like mortar.  But mortar is then used to build anew.  David and Isaiah were the ones that used this word.  They are also people who knew what it meant.  They are also two of the most often quoted by Jesus and the New Testament writers.  Stop and think calmly about that.  
--   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 66:1-4 New King James Version (NKJV)

True Worship and False

66 Thus says the Lord:

"Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,"
Says the Lord.
"But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.

"He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man;
He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog's neck;
He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine's blood;
He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol.
Just as they have chosen their own ways,
And their soul delights in their abominations,
So will I choose their delusions,
And bring their fears on them;
Because, when I called, no one answered,
When I spoke they did not hear;
But they did evil before My eyes,
And chose that in which I do not delight."

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Verse of the Day 2/27

Verse of the Day 2/27   

Genesis 50:20-21 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.  New King James Version (NKJV)

For today's verse we'll go back to the book of Genesis where in the final chapter where Joseph confronts his brothers, the same ones that out of jealousy culminating in the "coat of many colors"; had sold him into slavery, and instead of punishing them, shows grace to them, reassuring them that God had meant it all for good and that hear and now, all of their families would be provided for because of His providence.

In reading the Bible, it is easy to overlook or not fully comprehend the meaning, the root meaning, of many words that we read in context.   Max Lucado writes, "You meant evil against me," Joseph told his brothers, using a Hebrew verb that traces its meaning to "weave" or "plait." "You wove evil," he was saying, "but God rewove it together for good."...God, the Master Weaver. He stretches the yarn and intertwines the colors, the ragged twine with the velvet strings, the pains with the pleasures. Nothing escapes his reach. Every king, despot, weather pattern, and molecule are at his command. He passes the shuttle back and forth across the generations, and as he does, a design emerges. Satan weaves; God reweaves."

I've had the privilege of going to the Sistine Chapel in Rome and seeing some of the great tapestries on display there.  Master weavers combined yarns of silk along with silver, gold as well as other fibers to create these tapestries that tell a story.  They are woven in such a way that the image actually appears to change depending on the angle from which they are viewed.  (If you have some time "Google" it).  If you recall, Joseph had been given a coat of many colors of very high value that put the brothers over the ledge in their jealousy of the father's love for Joseph.  But now, many years later, Joseph reveals, and the words would not have been lost on them that God "wove" the circumstances for good for this very time and place.

Think of some of the events in your life.  They may have seemed like the worst things that could have possibly happened.  But could it be that God was "weaving" something good out of it?  We may not see it yet, or even on this side of eternity, but He is doing so in our lives.  Think of all of the time in heaven where we will hear countless stories of the tapestries woven in the lives of His people and you will be one of them.

"All the way my Savior leads me
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His faithful mercies?
Who through life has been my guide
Heavenly peace divinest comfort
Ere by faith in Him to dwell
For I know whate'er befall me
Jesus doeth all things well
All of the way my Savior leads me
And He cheers each winding path I tread
Gives me strength for every trial
And He feeds me with the living bread
And though my weary steps may falter
And my soul a-thirst may be
Gushing from a rock before me
Lo a spring of joy I see
And all the way my Savior leads me
Oh the fullness of His love
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's house above
When my spirit clothed immortal
Wings it's flight to realms of the day
This my song through endless ages
Jesus led me all the way"

Reading the line "when my spirit clothed immortal" brought a picture to my mind of the tapestry or coat that is being woven for us from the events of our lives.  One day they'll tell the story.
--   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    

Genesis 50:15-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

Joseph Reassures His Brothers

15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may [a]actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him." 16 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died he commanded, saying, 17 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you." ' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

18 Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants."

19 Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke [b]kindly to them.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Verse of the Day 2/26

Verse of the Day 2/26

1 John 4:9 Because of this, the love of God is a reality among us: God sent His only Son into the world so that we could find true life through Him.    The Voice (VOICE)

I had another verse in mind for this morning to go along with our train of thought for the last few days of being "salt and light" (Matthew 5:13-14), but as I read today's verse I changed course.  Today's verse from "The Voice" speaks of the love of God being "a reality among us".  It is not a concept; it is not theory; it is a reality and if the love of God is a reality for us it will change us and make an impact of how we will live our lives.  The New King James Version below states that we might "live through Him".  We have life through Him and if this is a reality for us our desire will be to live for Him and in doing so we "are salt and light".  It is something that we are in Him.

As I was putting these thoughts together in my mind, the song "Jesus Friend of Sinners" by Casting Crowns came on my music station.  If we have been called by Him we all realize that "I was the lost cause", "I was the outcast"; but He died for us to bring us to Himself and to live for Him and He leads our hearts by mercy as He opens doors for us to share His love.

Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
And let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh, Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours
You love every lost cause, You reach for the outcast (every outcast)
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord, I was that lost cause (I was that lost cause) and I was the outcast (and I was the outcast)
But You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet
'Cause You are good, oh, You are good and Your love endures forever
Oh, You are good, You are good and Your love, endures forever

As you head out today and interact with the world think of what it means to you to have "God as a reality" in your life.  Is it changing the way you live, the way you act and the way you love?  May we all find true life through Him today for He is good and His love endures forever.

--   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 4:8-10 New King James Version (NKJV)

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

      

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Verse of the Day 2/25

Verse of the Day 2/25

Philippians 1:11  Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.   Contemporary English Version (CEV)

We've been considering Jesus call for us to be "salt and light" and the pressure that we may feel in trying to live up to that.  Yesterday we looked at how this is accomplished by grace through faith.  Today's verse from Philippians 1 gives us an example of how this is accomplished in our lives.  As we feel the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the "Spirit's call" and respond in faith, the Lord will "keep us busy" doing things that will please Him and bring Him the glory.

The English Standard Version (below) and other translations refer to it as being "filled with the righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ".  John MacArthur notes that it is better translated "the fruit that righteousness produces".  To be righteous is to be in right standing with God.  Hearing His call and responding to that call in faith is just that, the fruit of that action.

John MacArthur writes, "Having been filled" speaks of something that happened in the past with continuing results. At your salvation the seed of righteousness was planted within you. It bears righteous fruit throughout your lifetime. On the day of Christ that fruit will confirm your salvation"

Following those promptings will produce fruit, "light" in our lives as we press on, day by day.

I'm pressing on the upward way  New heights I'm gaining every day  Still praying as I'm onward bound  Lord, plant my feet on higher ground     Lord, lift me up and let me stand  By faith, on Heaven's tableland  A higher plane than I have found  Lord, plant my feet on higher ground     My heart has no desire to stay  Where doubts arise and fears dismay  Though some may dwell where those abound  My prayer, my aim, is higher ground
--   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    

Philippians 1:8-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Verse of the Day 2/24

Verse of the Day 2/24   

John 1:16  Through this man we all receive gifts of grace beyond our imagination.  The Voice (VOICE)

The other day we mentioned the weight and/or the pressure that we may feel in Jesus telling His followers, including us, that "we are" the salt of the earth and the light of the world, a city on a hill for all the world to see.  On our own we cannot possibly live up to that call.  But thanks be to God; He provides the grace the power and ability to live beyond our own spiritual means.

I've been reading The Voice translation quite a bit this year and I like the way it translates this verse "we all receive gifts of grace beyond our imagination".  Step back and think about this.  Can you think of ways that God's grace has enabled you to do things that you would not down on your own without His prompting?  As parents, we remember what it was like to be a child and be prompted by our parents.  Those of us who have children and grandchildren know what  it is like to "prompt" them.  The promptings are tailored to the abilities of the child.  We don't ask them to do what is beyond their ability to do, sometimes they just may not know their own capabilities.  That's how God's grace, His gifts are to us.  If we follow those promptings we may be surprised by the ways that He will use us.

Children of God, sing your song and rejoice
For the love that He has given us all
Children of God, by the blood of His Son
We have been redeemed and we can be called
Children of God
Children of God
A mystery is revealed to the universe
The Father above has proven His love
Now we are free from the judgment that we deserve
And so we are called the children of God
Great is the Love that the Father has given us
He has delivered us
He has delivered us   (Children of God - Third Day)

The Father has proven His love for us, we are free from the judgment we deserve, and He has given us the grace to live as children 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    

John 1:14-18 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Word Becomes Flesh

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me [a]is preferred before me, for He was before me.' "

16 [b]And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten [c]Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

Monday, February 22, 2021

Verse of the Day 2/22

Verse of the Day 2/22

Matthew 5:13-14  "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Our men's Bible study group went through this passage today and one of the reactions was how difficult it would be to be salt and light.  There is a feeling of "pressure" or "weight" on our shoulders that we are to be salt and light to those around us.  But a key thing to keep in mind as your read the verses above is that it does not say that "you need" to do this or that, but rather, "you are" salt and light.  It is something that we are as Christians.  In this chapter Jesus states 5 times that "you have heard it said" and follows with "but I say". Moses gave the law originally but did not provide any "power" to follow those laws and regulations.  For us, the law drives us to Christ, we cannot achieve it on our own but Christ rescues us from ourselves and our worry and gives us the grace to live as salt and light.

In Jesus' time, salt was a valuable commodity.  It was used as a preservative put on meats and fish.  It is also used to enhance flavor, bring out the taste in foods.  As such it would add value to foods.  David Jeremiah writes that salt will "change, preserve and add value - three traits that Jesus may have had in mind when He said to His followers were to be the salt of the earth..... Ask God today to help you be a change agent and kingdom "preservationist", and to ad spiritual value to all those that you meet.

Salt that loses it's taste was compared to salt in the Dead Sea region that had been contaminated with other minerals.  It was ineffective in adding taste or preserving food but was spread out on the road to reduce plant growth on the road.  Perhaps this is what Jesus had in mind.

Verse 14 continues with the thought of being useful to those around us, shedding light and through it leading others to Christ.  I'll close with the song still sung by children in Sunday Schools but the message applies to us as well.

This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Oh, this little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine

This little light of mine
I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine

All around the neighborhood
I'm going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood
I'm going to let it shine
All around the neighborhood

I'm going to let it shine
Let it shine, all the time, let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm going to let it shine

Over the next few days, Lord willing, we'll take a look at what we are given to be salt and light.


--   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

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Verse of the Day 2/20

Verse of the Day 2/20

Colossians 3:2-3   Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  New King James Version (NKJV)

We are a few weeks from spring and here in the southeast U.S. the sun is growing stronger and you can feel that spring is getting closer and baseball is just around the corner.  Baseball players, especially this year, are looking forward to a new season, not just going through the motions but focusing on putting last year behind.  There will be a focus on getting back to where they used to or need to be and going through a physical regimen to get them in the best shape for a new season with more fans in the stands and the baseball life being "closer" to what it normally is.

As Christians, many of us have faced challenging years as well.  Our "spiritual armor" may have been challenged and tested by the Coronavirus and all of the  changes that have come to our lives as a result of it.  We to are looking forward to better days and our focus needs to get back to the things that have made us better and stronger in the past.  Spiritually, that means spending more time in His Word and in prayer and spending less time focusing on the "things on the earth" as stated above.

For many years I've read through the New Testament rotating which translation that I use for most of my reading.  I use the English Standard Version and the New King James Version as my reference versions just to make comparisons.  I like doing this because certain words catch my eye and often remind me of a certain hymn, contemporary Christian song or even a quote from a Christian author.  Today as I read this verse from the NKJV the words "not on things of earth" caught my attention and reminded me of the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.

O soul are you weary and troubled
No light in the darkness you see
There's light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Through death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there
Over us sin no more hath dominion
For more than conquerors we are
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace


--   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    

Colossians 3:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

Put On the New Self

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your[a] life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[b] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[c] In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[d] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[e] free; but Christ is all, and in all.