Verse of the Day 5/30

Verse of the Day 5/30

2 Corinthians 5:4-5

English Standard Version

4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Our Tuesday Men's Bible study reviewed 2 Corinthians 5 this morning.  A couple of times in this passage Paul mentions that "we groan".  He references our earthly tents, our bodies which are temporary and it is in these that we groan from various trials and circumstances. A groan is felt deep within, sometimes in our gut, other times in our emotions, in our hearts and minds.  We long for healing, for a change of circumstances and we hope and pray for deliverance.

As Christians we realize that our earthly bodies are not the end.  As we grow older more and more things break down or weaken.  We remember the days when things were working properly and we didn't even have to think about doing things, we just did them.  Now, we look forward to the time when we willl be restored, renewed and have heavenly bodies.  And God gives us His Spirit as a guarantee of what is to come.

Whatever may be bothering us, hurting us and causing us to groan, may we "be of good courage" and draw upon the strength that He provides to persevere and overcome.

1 This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Chorus:
O Lord, you know I have no friend like you,
If heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

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

2 Corinthians 5:1-9

English Standard Version

Our Heavenly Dwelling

5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on[a]

2 corinthians 5:1-9 ESV - - Bible Gateway

 we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Verse of the Day 5/28

Verse of the Day 5/28

John 10:14-15

English Standard Version

14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

In this same passage Jesus has said in verse 10 "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly", it is one of my favorite verses and it ties in closely with today's verses.  He is the good shepherd.  He knows us intimately, knows what is best for us and He cares for us more than we can ever imagine.

When we acknowledge Him as the good shepherd we also acknowledge that we know Him and we should want to know and love Him more.  Our hearts should be on a mission to know Him better, as we recall from Psalm 84:5 blessed are those "whose heart is set on pilgrimage".  We are on a lifelong journey to know Him and He is leading us along the way.

J.R. Miller writes, "Does Christ, the Good Shepherd, give care and thought to each particular sheep, so that He knows each one's present condition and circumstances? Does He know when one of His people is in trouble, is sick or suffering, when one has been hurt in some way, or when one is in danger? Does He know when one strays from the safe enclosure of the fold and wanders off into peril?....The answer to all these questions is the same. Every redeemed one has his own special place in the heart of Christ! Paul put this truth most strikingly in a sentence when he said of Christ: "He loved me, and gave Himself for me!" Galatians 2:20. "

How well do you know Jesus?

1. There is a Name I love to hear,
   I love to sing its worth;
   It sounds like music in my ear,
   The sweetest Name on earth.
   • Refrain:
     Oh, how I love Jesus,
     Oh, how I love Jesus,
     Oh, how I love Jesus,
     Because He first loved me!
2. It tells me of a Savior's love,
   Who died to set me free;
   It tells me of His precious blood,
   The sinner's perfect plea.
3. It tells me of a Father's smile
   Beaming upon His child;
   It cheers me through this little while,
   Through desert, waste, and wild.
4. It tells me what my Father hath
   In store for every day,
   And though I tread a darksome path,
   Yields sunshine all the way.
5. It tells of One whose loving heart
   Can feel my deepest woe;
   Who in each sorrow bears a part
   That none can bear below.
6. It bids my trembling heart rejoice;
   It dries each rising tear;
   It tells me, in a "still small voice,"
   To trust and never fear.
7. Jesus, the Name I love so well,
   The Name I love to hear:
   No saint on earth its worth can tell,
   No heart conceive how dear.

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 10:7-15

English Standard Version

7 So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Verse of the Day 5/27

Verse of the Day 5/27

2 Corinthians 5:7-8

English Standard Version

7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 4 and 5 deal with facing challenges and trials in life and focusing on what we have in Christ.  It is not an easy thing to do but we are called to live, to walk by faith in hope knowing that the glory of what lies ahead will far outweigh anything we have to deal with in life. (2 Cor. 4:16-17).

It is very encouraging to hear someone say "come Lord Jesus, come", in the face of the most difficult trials in life.  It is not a matter of giving up, far from it; it gives the strength to persevere in hope, trusting in Jesus day by day, being "of good courage".

I've been blessed to see this lived out in my life and hear those words often from my wife Jean, "come Lord Jesus, come".  She is a cancer warrior, she is a prayer warrior, and she lives daily walking by faith. We live by faith not by sight for the battle belongs to the Lord.

In heavenly armour we'll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that's fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord

We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord
(repeat)

The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He's raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord

we sing glory and honor
power in strength to the lord. (Maranatha Music)

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

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

English Standard Version

Our Heavenly Dwelling

5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on[a]

2 cor 5:1-10 ESV - - Bible Gateway

 we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Verse of the Day 5/25

Verse of the Day 5/25

Matthew 5:15-16

English Standard Version

15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that hey may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Yesterday's post from 2 Corinthians 4 said that as God let light shine out of darkness into our hearts bringing light into them.  That was on my mind as I thought about Jesus statement in John "I Am the light of the world."  We know that light dispels darkness, that when light shines the darkness goes away.  I read today's passage in my devotions this morning and the thoughts about light continued.

A few years ago we put a solar tube in our house.  The tube comes down from the roof and into our kitchen bringiing in natural light.  The tube gathers what light is available and reflects it down into the kitchen. During the day we really do not need to turn on the light, the light of the sun provides enough light.  But even on the darkest night there is a slight glow from the tube allowing you to at least make your way through the kitchen.  As I mentioned, the tube gathers what light there is and reflects it.

The question for us is, how much light is coming into us and how much are we reflecting.  Today's verses remind us that we are to be a light to others and as christians like a city on a hill, reflecting showing that light that has come into our lives and is shining through us.  Let it shine.

You're the God of this city
You're the king of these people
You're the lord of this nation
You are

[Verse 2]
You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

[Chorus]
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city.        (God of This City - Chris Tomlin)

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

Matthew 5:13-16

English Standard Version

Salt and Light

13 "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. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that[a]

they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Verse of the Day 5/24

Verse of the Day 5/24

2 Corinthians 4:5-6

English Standard Version

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants[a]

 for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The read through the New Testament plan that I'm following has recently been in John 7 and 8 where we have many of Jesus' "I Am" statements.  This morning I read in John 8::12 "I Am the light of the world'. Today's verses reminded me of that and help explain how He is the light of the worldk.  Think of how He does this for you, "He has shone in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus."

The chapter is probably known better by verses 16-17, C. S. Lewis wrote a whole book based on these verses, "The Eternal Weight of Glory".

2 Corinthians 4:16-17 English Standard Version 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

The glory, the presence of Jesus Christ in oiur hearts and minds provides light; hope; and outweighs all of the other things in this life   It goes back to what Paul spoke of in verse 1 of the chapter when He stated, "having this ministry by the mercy of God". If you are in some kind of ministry, it is by the mercy of God, to Him be the glory.  It is with that mind set that the rest of the chapter, the rest of the Bible takes shape and takes hold in our lives and we reflect the glory of God in our lives.

So we proclaim not ourselves, but "To God Be the Glory", read and sing out the words of the old hymn.

1. To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
   So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
   Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
   And opened the life gate that all may go in.
   • Refrain:
     Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
     Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
     Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
     And give Him the glory, great things He hath done.
2. Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
   To every believer the promise of God;
   The vilest offender who truly believes,
   That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
3. Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
   And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
   But purer, and higher, and greater will be
   Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

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

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

English Standard Version

The Light of the Gospel

4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,[a] we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice[b] cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants[c] for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4 ESV - - Bible Gateway

Verse of the Day 5/22

Verse of the Day 5/22

John 6:35

English Standard Version

35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

I read today's verse in my read through the New Testament plan.  It was still on my mind when I heard a sermon by Robert Morris on the Lord's prayer which focused on "give us this day our daily bread.".  He mentioned that Jesus could easily have just stated "give us our bread daily", but in stating "give us this day our daily bread" He is stating it twice.  It is not being redundant but focuses on the importance of coming to Him daily seeking it, asking for it.

Jesus gives us what we need to live our daily lives, physically and spiritually. We can turn to many things, many "how to" guides to help us in many areas of our lives.  But the most important way to start is to go to His Word daily, recall it through the day, pray over it and let Him guide us.  We won't go hungry and we won't thirst.

Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "So whatever your problem is, bring it to Jesus. Whatever you are struggling with will not come as a shock or surprise to Him. And when you pray, seek to find the will of God. The reason Jesus gave this mother everything she asked for was because she aligned her will with His. We find the will of God by reading the Word of God, the Bible. Then we will understand the heart, mind, and purpose of God."

Whatever you need today, seek Him, to provide the strength to endure through the living bread.

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 6:31-38

English Standard Version

31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" 32 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 They said to him, "Sir, give us this bread always."

35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.