Verse of the Day 4/30

Verse of the Day 4/30

Ephesians 4:15. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  New International Version

When you watch or listen to the news these days, most often you have to ask yourself, are they speaking the truth?  Most often there is a spin or twist applied to what we hear to the point that it is hard to trust what we hear.  When we do hear the truth on a matter, it is often spoken with an agenda, with motives that are not for our edification.

The Pharisees in the New Testament may have spoken the truth many times, but it was done in such a way to make demands or to elevate themselves.  Jesus taught otherwise.  You can think of many examples such as when he said "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" or when the sinner on the cross next to him confessed his sin and asked Jesus to remember him and Jesus said "today you will be with me in paradise."

Evangelism will best be served by speaking and teaching the truth in love, showing mercy and compassion.  Without maturity, the truth can at times seem cold and ineffective.  May we speak and teach the truth but do it in love.

Are we teaching the truth in love
Telling it like it is (like it is)
Are we holding pure motives
Showing that we care
Are we teaching the truth in love (love love love love love)

A man came to my Jesus
Telling all that he had done
To fulfill the good commandments
He knew every single one
But Jesus said there's something that indeed he did lack
The savior told the truth
He didn't hold the message back

He was teaching the truth in love
Telling it like it is (like it is)
While holding pure motives
And showing that He cared
He was teaching the truth in love (love love love love love)   (Teaching the Truth in Love - Accapella)

Blessings, 

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 4:11-16
New King James Version
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [a]edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Verse of the Day 4/29

Verse of the Day 4/29

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  New King James Version

In this Psalm David expresses his trust in the Lord through the course of his life.  The rest of the Psalm, including the portion below, indicates that he has the same confidence, the same trust in God beyond this life, into eternal life.

If we have been trusting  God, believing in Jesus Christ and have been led by His Spirit day by day in our lives, we need not have a fear of death.

 

David Jeremiah writes, "We will all face death.  So we should prepare for it now - like the psalmist David did.  In Psalm 16 , we find his confidence in God even when he faced death.  And he uses a beautiful interchange of images;  In life, David could not be shaken because God sat at his right hand as his counselor.  But in death, he would not be moved because he would be at God's right hand.  He would not abandon him to the grave.  Instead, he would enjoy eternal please and joy in His presences."

We can have that same confidence.  Do you lack it?  Call on Him today.  Seek Him, trust Him and lean on Him day by day, standing on His promises.  David would have agreed with the words of the old hymn.

Standing on the promises of Christ my King
Through eternal ages let his praises ring
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing
Standing on the promises of God

Standing, standing
Standing on the promises of God my Savior
Standing, standing
I'm standing on the promises of God

Standing on the promises I cannot fall
Listening every moment to the Spirit's call
Resting in my Savior as my all in all
Standing on the promises of God

Blessings,

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 16:7-11
New King James Version
7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My [a]heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will [b]rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in [c]Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to [d]see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Verse of the Day 4/21

Verse of the Day 4/21

John 11:25-26. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  New King James Version

My mother, Carol went to be with the Lord over the weekend.  We grieve but we have some comfort knowing that her suffering with the ravages of late term dementia are over.  We rejoice in knowing that she is now with Jesus, her Savior.  

This passage in John 11 which deals with the death and raising back to life of Lazarus was on my mind quite often in this past week.  He had been sick but early in the passage Jesus states that "this sickness will not end in death".  Lazarus died.  But it did not end there, Jesus raised him back to life showing that He had the power over death.  With His own resurrection He signaled that the same could be accomplished for those who put their faith and trust in Him.

My mom lost her battle with a long term illness. But it doesn't end there as long as we can respond to Jesus statements in today's verse.  He is "the resurrection and the life" and those who believe in Him will live forever with Him. Do you believe this?

David Jeremiah has some other questions for us, he writes, "Jesus Himself said that He is the way, the truth, and the life -- that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Do you believe this? The Bible says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10). Do you believe this? Jesus said that everyone who does not believe in Him stands condemned already (John 3:18). Do you believe this? But the Bible also says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Do you believe this?"

I believe these and I know that my mom did.  I believe with hope.

And now you've gone away 
And left us with the memories of your smile 
And nothing we can say 
And nothing we can do 
Can take away the pain 
The pain of losing you, but... 
We can cry with hope 
We can say goodbye with hope 
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no 
And we can grieve with hope 
'Cause we believe with hope 
(There's a place by God's grace) 
There's a place where we'll see your face again 
We'll see your face again   ("With Hope - Steven Curtis Chapman.

Blessings,

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

So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days.  18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about [a]two miles away. 19 And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. 21 Now Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You."
23 Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."
24 Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

Verse of the Day 4/18

Verse of the Day 4/18

Matthew 11:28-29. Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Put My yoke upon your shoulders—it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves. Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest.  The Voice

Most often when I have read and thought about these verses, I've thought about them more in terms of Jesus' call to saving faith and casting our burdens and cares upon Him.  These verses also remind us, especially in The Voice translation, that "our yoke" has been custom fitted for us and Jesus comes alongside us to carry the burden fro the long haul.

Yesterday, while visiting my mom who is currently in hospice care, and considering Stephen in Acts chapter 7 and others that faced their end of life with Jesus in view, I felt that this call is also for those who are ready to be released from life's burdens here on earth and are ready to meet Jesus faith to faith and find rest for their weary souls.

While these thoughts were going through my mind the song "There Was Jesus" by Zach Williams and Dolly Parton came on the music channel that was on in the room.  As Stephen looked up, there was Jesus, throughout history when His chosen ones took there final breath, there was Jesus.  May we say at the end of our life, "there's Jesus".

In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I've been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it or couldn't see it
There was Jesus

On the mountain, in the valleys (There was Jesus)
In the shadows of the alleys (There was Jesus)
In the fire, in the flood (There was Jesus)
Always is and always was
No I never walk alone (Never walk alone)
You are always there

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 11:25-30
English Standard Version
Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest
25 At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[a] 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Verse of the Day 4/17

Verse of the Day 4/17

John 17:24-25. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.  English Standard Version

Today's verses come from John 17 and from what many refer to as His High Priestly prayer.  At the end of this prayer he prays to the Father for all of us that have been adopted as His children.  When those of us who call Him Savior come to the end of our lives and see His glory firsthand.  Reading this I picture Stephen while being stoned in Acts chapter 7, " full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God."

We may have no control of how and when our life on earth will come to an end, but we can know that He sees us and has what's best for us still to come.

As I was writing this a song came on the music station that I have on in the background by Hillary Scott, 

"Thy Will".  It echos these sentiments.  No matter what we may be facing, Jesus is interceding for us and we can be confident that He has "good news in store" for us.

I know you see me  I know you hear me, Lord  Your plans are for me  Goodness you have in store  I know you hear me   I know you see me, Lord  Your plans are for me  Good news you have in store    So, thy will be done  Thy will be done   Thy will be done   Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is  Thy will be done

Blessings,

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 17:20-26
English Standard Version
20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Verse of the Day 4/16

Verse of the Day 4/16

Job 19:25-26 For I know that my Redeemer lives,

   

 and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in  my flesh I shall see God,   English Standard Version

According to many Bible scholars the book of Job may be the oldest book of the Bible.  Regardless, it is at least one of the oldest books and has been with us for thousands of years.  Today's verses gives us a message of hope for God followers through the ages.  The sentiment is basically what we see throughout the Bible, including Romans 8:28 where we've been considering how "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."  It is because the Apostle Paul knew that his "Redeemer lives" and that he too would see God; with a new body and free from the ailment that he had prayed to have God remove.

The end of life can be traumatic for anyone, but for those who do not know the Savior it can be absolutely terrifying.  But for those who know and love the Lord their can be a peace and a "hope as an anchor" that holds them securely and gives them confidence with an expectation of joy and renewal once this final dark night of the soul has passed.

As we have the opportunity may we share what we believe and know, that our Redeemer lives, and one day we will see God in the flesh, in a new resurrected body.

We'll close with a Fanny Crosby hymn "All the Way My Savior Leads Me".

All the way my Savior leads me;   What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy,   Who through life has been my Guide? Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,   Here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, whate'er befall me,   Jesus doeth all things well, For I know, whate'er befall me,   Jesus doeth all things well.
	All the way my Savior leads me,   Cheers each winding path I tread, Gives me grace for every trial,   Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter,   And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me,   Lo! a spring of joy I see, Gushing from the Rock before me,   Lo! a spring of joy I see.

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

Job 19:23-29
English Standard Version


23 "Oh that my words were written!
    Oh that they were inscribed in a book!
24 Oh that with an iron pen and lead
    they were engraved in the rock forever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.[a]
26 And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in[b] my flesh I shall see God,
27 whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!
28 If you say, 'How we will pursue him!'
    and, 'The root of the matter is found in him,'[c]
29 be afraid of the sword,
    for wrath brings the punishment of the sword,
    that you may know there is a judgment."

Verse of the Day 4/15

Verse of the Day 4/15

Numbers 6:24-26   "The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace." '.  New King James Version

Today's verses are often given as a benediction, a prayer given at the end of a church service, prayer meeting or other gathering.  It is commonly known as "The Priestly Blessing".  However, it is not solely reserved for priests, it is for all of us.

My mother, Carol, is 88 years old and she has been moved into hospice care for her final days.  I read these verses this morning in my devotions and I offer this prayer for her as well as for myself, my family and friends and anyone else that will benefit from reading this blessing.

Pastor Greg Laurie writes, " These words show us who God is and how He feels toward us. The Lord is watching us. We have His full attention. He's attentive to us. He's aware of what we're going through.....God knows what you're experiencing today. He's in control of your life right now. And even though it may seem as though He isn't watching, He actually is.

My mom has lived a blessed live and has been a blessing to countless others, from her days of leading music and playing the piano in church and Sunday school, working in AWANA Clubs, and ministering to those in nursing homes playing the piano and singing familiar hymns and choruses with them.  Some of them could not speak (due to dementia) but they could sing the familiar hymns.

My mom played the piano up until a few weeks ago for the people at the retirement home where she resided.  I believe that she will still have these hymns and choruses going through her mind when she does go to meet her Savior.

Lord, let Your light, light of Your face
Shine on us
Lord, let Your light, light of Your face
Shine on us

That we may be saved
That we may have life
To shine our way in the darkest night
Let your light shine on us

Lord, let your grace, grace from your hand,
Fall on us
Lord, let your grace, grace from your hand,
Fall on us

That we may be saved
That we may have life
To shine our way in the darkest night
Let Your grace come over us

Lord, let Your love, love with no end
Come over us
Lord, let Your love, love with no end
Come over us
That we may be saved,
That we may have life
To shine our way in the darkest night
Let Your love come over us
Let Your light shine on us   (Philips, Craig and Dean)

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

Numbers 6:22-27
New King James Version
The Priestly Blessing
22 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 23 "Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, 'This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them:
24 "The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace." '
27 "So they shall [b]put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."