Verse of the Day 7/29

Verse of the Day 7/29

Revelation 1:7

New King James Version

 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

It is mid-summer here in North Carolina which means hot, humid days which often begin with sunshine then as the afternoon rolls around so do the billowy cumulous clouds which develop into the afternoon and evening thunderstorms.  There are days when you can see and feel it building. I'm sure that you can remember some significant storms approaching, the dark clouds roll in as a front with the storms, with the lightning and thunder behind it.

Today's verse is a reminder for us that so it will be with the times surrounding Jesus' second coming.  Things will be moving along in society and people will not realize what it happening, but the clouds will be developing and when He comes it will be evident to all that something "big" is about to happen.

In Today's "My Utmost for His Highest" Oswald Chambers writes, "In the Bible clouds are always connected with God. Clouds are those sorrows or sufferings or providences, within or without our personal lives, which seem to dispute the rule of God. It is by those very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith. If there were no clouds, we should have no faith. The clouds are but the dust of our Father's feet. The clouds are a sign that He is there. What a revelation it is to know that sorrow and bereavement and suffering are the clouds that come along with God! God cannot come near without clouds, He does not come in clear shining."

We receive warnings about the approach of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes which give us time to prepare and to take cover.  Unfortunately when Christ returns many will not be prepared for what is about to take place.  When it happens, they'll wish that they had been ready.

It is not too hard to see the storm clouds brewing.  There is still time to get ready and prepare for the day of His coming.

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

Revelation 1:4-8
New King James Version
Greeting the Seven Churches
4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who [a]loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us [b]kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, [c]the Beginning and the End," says the [d]

Revelation 1:4-8 NKJV -  - Bible Gateway


Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Verse of the Day 7/27

Verse of the Day 7/27

Luke 6:27-28

New International Version

 But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Yesterday we considered from Proverbs 5 how all of our ways, all that we do, is in full view of the Lord.  He sees it all.  He also knows the intents and emotions of the heart. Today's verses are a reminder that He also sees, knows what we do not do.  He realizes, recognizes when we don't do what we know is best in a situation, especially when it comes to dealing with "enemies", those who we may have disagreements with, theologically, politically or otherwise.

It is easy to read these verses and see the "highlights" such as "do good", "bless those", and "pray for" others, even our enemies, those who mistreat us.  But what caught my attention this morning was the lead in to the verse in the New International Version, "but to you who are listening".  We read the Bible, listen to sermons, do Bible studies and listen to Christian radio but are we really listening.  If so, we will do what God tells us in His Word.  It all starts with love.

You may have instructed a child in the way to do something and then off they go and start doing something else.  Have you ever said "are you listening to me, did you hear what I just said?  Now you know how God feels about us at times, all too often perhaps.

If we are the body of Christ, let us show that we are listening and love others, even our enemies.

And we are the body of Christ  But if we are the body  Why aren't His arms reaching?  Why aren't His hands healing?  Why aren't His words teaching?  And if we are the body  Why aren't His feet going?  Why is His love not showing them there is a way?  Jesus is the way  Jesus is the way  we are His hands  We are His feet  We are His body  Jesus is the way

Jesus paid much too high a price  For us to pick and choose who should come.   (If We are the Body - Casting Crowns)

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

Luke 6:27-30
New International Version
Love for Enemies


27 "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

Verse of the Day 7/26

Verse of the Day 7/26

Proverbs 5:21-22

New International Version

21 For your ways are in full view of the Lord,

    and he examines all your paths.
22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;
    the cords of their sins hold them fast.

We spent some time last week considering our way, our path in life and how we are called to follow the Lord through the narrow gate,  go along the narrow way and not that of the highway that the rest of the world is racing down.  We'll spend one more day on the subject with these verses from Proverbs 5.

We've probably all seen videos on the news or elsewhere of crimes being committed that were caught on video via a hidden camera.  The person or person committing the act thought that no one was witnessing what they were doing and that they would "get away" with it.  Many of them would later be surprised when confronted about the offense and face charges, punishment, and perhaps make things right with the person whom they offended.

Today's verses remind us that all of our acts, yes all of them, are in full view of the Lord.  Even the things that were "done in secret" are done in plain view of the Lord.  We acknowledge that fact but all to often disregard it.

These thoughts are found elsewhere in the Bible as well.  The author of Hebrews writes:

Hebrews 4:13

New International Version

13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

May we live each day, aware that God sees everything. Those who think that they are "getting away" with something will someday find out otherwise when they must give account.

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

Verse of the Day 7/23

Verse of the Day 7/23

1 John 1:6-7

New International Version

6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

We've been considering the narrow way versus the highway and the different paths that we can take in life. The Bible often uses the contrast of light vs. darkness to differentiate between good and evil.

You've probably noticed that human beings are not blessed with the best eyesight when it comes to seeing in the dark.  I'm sure you've gotten out of bed and stubbed you toe in the dark in your own home let alone walking through unfamiliar woods at night.  Our phones may help shed a little light but what is needed is a strong clear light to give us a better perspective of our surroundings and what obstacles may be in the path ahead.

The psalmist in Psalm 119 was aware of this when he wrote:

Psalm 119:105

New King James Version

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

If we want to navigate through life with a better vision, seeing the obstacles, helping to prevent us from stumbling we need to have God's Word in our lives, daily lighting our way with a "strong, sure light."

Lord of Eternity
Blessed is the man
Who walks in Your favor
Who loves all Your words
And hides them like treasure
In the darkest place
Of his desperate heart,
They are a light
A strong, sure light.        (Lord of Eternity - Fernando Ortega)

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

1 John 1:5-10
New King James Version

Fellowship with Him and One Another
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Verse of the Day 7/22

Verse of the Day 7/22

Deuteronomy 26:16-17

Holman Christian Standard Bible

16 "The Lord your God is commanding you this day to follow these statutes and ordinances. You must be careful to follow them with all your heart and all your soul. 17 Today you have affirmed that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in His ways, keep His statutes, commands, and ordinances, and obey Him.

Today's verses came up in my Old Testament devotional reading this morning.  They fit in well with our thoughts of the narrow way and following God's Word as being an important component of that.  

My daily readings in the Psalms are currently in Psalm 119 where God's Word, His decrees, statutes and laws are referenced in all but 3 of the 176 verses.  This should point out to us how important it is for us to spend time in His word daily "walking in the light of His Word."

I'm reminded of the hymn, Trust and Obey which brings it all together.

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

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

Deuteronomy 26:16-19

New International Version
Follow the Lord's Commands
16 The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. 18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. 19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.

Verse of the Day 7/21

Verse of the Day 7/21

Psalm 119:35-36

New International Version

35 Direct me in the path of your commands,

    for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.

Today's verses came up in my devotional reading in the Psalms this morning and they fit right in with our subject of the narrow way and "right path".  The longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible deal with the importance of following God's Word, getting our direction along life's path from the Lord through the working of His Spirit through His Word.  As the psalmist points out, reading, studying and following God's Word are not drudgery, but in them we find delight, we find joy, we find comfort, peace, rest and a host of other benefits.

In our fast paced world we are bombarded with all kinds of options and paths to follow.  They can be like rabbit trails and we can lose our way if we follow them and don't pay attention to where we are or where those rabbit trails lead us.  Selfish gain is often what first sets of on the wrong path.

Seek Him, follow Him, allow Him to direct your steps and find where it will lead you.

In closing, I'll post a few more verses that came up in my reading in Proverbs this morning.

Proverbs 4:25-26

New International Version

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;

    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the[a] paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.

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 119:33-40
New International Version
ה He
33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
    and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word.[b]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
    for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.