Verse of the Day 4/24

Verse of the Day 4/24

Isaiah 57:15

English Standard Version

15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
"I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.

For today's verse we return to Isaiah, this time to chapter 57 where we find the contrast of the futility of Israel's idolatry and God's comfort for His people, those who come to Him and place their faith and trust in Him.  Here we read that God, who is rightfully exalted, inhabits eternity, He is in heaven far beyond us, but also lives with and in us who will humble ourselves and turn to Him as our source of strength.

God's message to His people that come to Him, that humble themselves before Him is seen in verse 18.  He will heal, lead, restore and comfort them, creating fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), peace and healing.

Isaiah 57:18-19

English Standard Version

18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;

    I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
19     creating the fruit of the lips.
Peace, peace, to the far and to the near," says the Lord,
    "and I will heal him.

John Piper writes, "So, in the face of recalcitrant, grace-resisting backsliding, God says, "I will heal him." He will "restore." The word for "restore" is to "make whole or complete." It is related to the word shalom, "peace." That wholeness and peace is mentioned in the next verse which explains how God turns around a grace-resisting backslider.....He does it by "'creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace (shalom, shalom), to the far and to the near,' says the Lord, 'and I will heal him'" (Isaiah 57:19). God creates what is not there — peace, wholeness. This is how we are saved. And this is how we are brought back from backsliding — again and again.....The grace of God triumphs over our resistance by creating praise where it did not exist. He brings shalom, shalom to the near and the far. Wholeness, wholeness to the near and the far. He does it by "restoring," that is, replacing the disease of resistance with the soundness of submission."

Have you been away from Him?  Jesus calls "come to me" and when we do He offers us restoration by grace through faith.

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

Isaiah 57:14-20

English Standard Version

Comfort for the Contrite

14 And it shall be said,
"Build up, build up, prepare the way,
    remove every obstruction from my people's way."
15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
"I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.
16 For I will not contend forever,
    nor will I always be angry;
for the spirit would grow faint before me,
    and the breath of life that I made.
17 Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry,
    I struck him; I hid my face and was angry,
    but he went on backsliding in the way of his own heart.
18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
    I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners,
19     creating the fruit of the lips.
Peace, peace, to the far and to the near," says the Lord,
    "and I will heal him.
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea;
    for it cannot be quiet,
    and its waters toss up mire and dirt.

Verse of the Day 4/23

Verse of the Day 4/23

Isaiah 55:10-11

English Standard Version

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven

    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

For today's verses we'll return to Isaiah 55.  We've all heard the saying "April showers bring May flowers" and we've seen how God' creation, how "nature" works.  When you have soil, seeds, rain, and sun present; plants will grow. Even seeds that have been dormant, perhaps for years, respond to the presence of rain and melting snow.  You may have seen pictures recently of the flowers bursting forth in the desert and people driving for miles to see the rare sight of the splendor of color in the desert.

So it is with God's Word, as it goes out, it will accomplish it's purposes.  Hardened hearts will be softened, growth will come, change will come and God will produce the work in the lives of those who take in His Word like rain and snow seeping into our souls.

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.


When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

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

Isaiah 55:6-13

English Standard Version

6 "Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

12 "For you shall go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall break forth into singing,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress;
    instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle;
and it shall make a name for the Lord,
    an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."

Verse of the Day 4/19

Verse of the Day 4/19

Isaiah 55:8-9

English Standard Version

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For today's verses we return to Isaiah 55.  Most of us are probably familiar with the verses and have seen them in picture frames and placed on walls in homes or churches.  As Christians, we realize and acknowledge them to be true. It dees not take much faith to believe them.  But to get a better understanding of just what this means, we need to look to the previous verses.

Verse 7 states that God will abundantly pardon those that return to the Lord and turn from their "wicked ways".  Man's way is not to pardon but to punish, to seek retribution, to "get even".  Man gets satisfaction out of doling out punishment.  God, on the other hand, will abundantly pardon, He will have compassion on those who had sinned against Him. In doing so He shows His grace; His great love for us.  Why are we so resistant to turn to Him.

Satan is the accuser.  He wants to heep guilt on us, feel that we cannot turn to God and keep us from Him.  God issues His call to turn to HIm.  If you are on a Bible reading progrma you may currently be in the book of Luke.  My schedule for tomorrow is to be in Luke 15, where we read of the Prodigal Son.  It is an example of today's verses put on dislplay in the New Testament.

Read the words to the old hymn below.  If you haven't received God's pardon and grace,  as the hymn says, "Will you this moment His grace receive?".

1. Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
   Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
   Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
   There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
   • Refrain:
     Grace, grace, God's grace,
     Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
     Grace, grace, God's grace,
     Grace that is greater than all our sin!
2. Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
   Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
   Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
   Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
3. Dark is the stain that we cannot hide;
   What can we do to wash it away?
   Look! There is flowing a crimson tide,
   Brighter than snow you may be today.
4. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
   Freely bestowed on all who believe!
   You that are longing to see His face,
   Will you this moment His grace receive?

His ways are truly higher than our 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

Isaiah 55:6-12

English Standard Version

6 "Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

12 "For you shall go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall break forth into singing,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Verse of the Day 3/17

Verse of the Day 3/17

Isaiah 55:1-2

English Standard Version

The Compassion of the Lord

55 "Come, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.

Our Monday Men's Bible study reviewed Isaiah 55 this morninng.  It is one of my favorite chapters in the books of Isaiah.  It begins with a call, "Come", which is repeated 3 times in the first verse and again later in the chapter.  It reminds us of Jesus call in Matthew 11:28-30 where He said, "come to me, all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

God desires that we "rest" in Him.  

The scene her is like a great banquet being prepared, we are called to join in the celebration but we don't have to contribute anything. It is all graciously provided by the Lord for our benefit, our enjoyment, our fellowship and our peace.  We are called to "incline our ears", to lean into Him to listen to His call.

The Lord announces a covenant with us.  A covenent is more than a one sided promise, it is between two parties.  Our part of that covenent is that we come to Him, as we are, no price tag attached.  He provides the rest.  As with prayer considered yesterday, it should be ongoing.  Keep asking, keep seeking and keep knocking and we do so as we keep coming to HIm.

Come just as you are
Hear the spirit call
Come just as you are
Come and see
Come receive
Come and live forever

[Pre-Chorus]
Come and see
Come receive
Come and live forever

[Chorus]
Life Everlasting
Strength for today
Taste the living water
And never thirst again.   (Come Just As You Are - Crystal Lewis)

Before you head out today, come to Him, come and receive, taste and see and receive the Spirit's power for the day.

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

Isaiah 55

English Standard Version

The Compassion of the Lord

55 "Come, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
    come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
    hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
    my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
    a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
    and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
    for he has glorified you.

Verse of the Day 4/11

Verse of the Day 4/11

1 Corinthians 13:13

English Standard Version

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

At the end of 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul stated that we should "earnestly desire the greater gifts, and that he would show us a "still more excellent way'.  He then launched into his great passage about love.  We considered yesterday how love is much more than an emotion of "feeling" and love is reflected in our actions, in our lives and in our interactions with others.

Today's verese ends the "love chapter" and Paul summarizes it by saying that faith, hope and love are qualities that abide, take up residence in the person who sets his or her heart on following Christ.  They are all more than emotions, faith hope and love for the Christians are at the core of who we are, what we believe.  The empower us, enable us to do things that we woulldn't naturally do on our own.  They help us to be "overcomers".  They are not things that we have to wait for, we can have them now.

John Eldred writes, "By saying they last forever, God names these three as immortal powers. A life without faith has no meaning; a life without love isn't worth living; a life without hope is a dark cavern from which you cannot escape. These things aren't simply "virtues." Faith, hope, and love are mighty forces meant to carry your life forward, upward; they are your wings and the strength to use them. "

His words of "carrying your life upward, they are your wings and the strenght to use them" bring me back to one of my favoirite passages in Isaiah.

Isaiah 40:28-31

English Standard Version

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;

    they shall walk and not faint.

It's a picture of faith, hope and love abiding.

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 Corinthians 13:4-13

English Standard Version

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.