Verse of the Day 4/27

Verse of the Day 4/27

Luke 19:9-10

New International Version

9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Today's passage came up in the read through the New Testament plan.  It is a familiar evernt where Jesus calls Zacchaeus, a tax collector, a "sinner", looked down upon by many.  He has heard about Jesus and hearing that He is coming to town He sets out to see Him.  Little does He know that Jesus had a divine appointment, and would call him personally down from the sycamore tree to meet and spend time with him.

The event shows how effective the call is.  In the previous chapter the rich young ruler asked "difficult is it for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God".  Here, Jesus demonstrates that no matter how difficult it may seem, "with God, nothing is impossible". (Luke 18:24-27).

God is still working in the same way.  People feel the emptiness and may attend church many times to find out more about God.  Then one day God truly calls them, opens their hearts and they receive Him by faith.  Their lives are never the same.

We who have experienced that divine appointment look forward to the day when Jesus will return with another divine appointment and call us home, when we'll all see Jesus.

1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
   Sing His mercy and His grace;
   In the mansions bright and blessed
   He'll prepare for us a place.
   • Refrain:
     When we all get to heaven,
     What a day of rejoicing that will be!
     When we all see Jesus,
     We'll sing and shout the victory!
2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
   Clouds will overspread the sky;
   But when trav'ling days are over,
   Not a shadow, not a sigh.
3. Let us then be true and faithful,
   Trusting, serving every day;
   Just one glimpse of Him in glory
   Will the toils of life repay.
4. Onward to the prize before us!
   Soon His beauty we'll behold;
   Soon the pearly gates will open;
   We shall tread the streets of gold.

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 19:1-10

New International Version

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Verse of the Day 4/25

Verse of the Day 4/25

John 3:36

New International Version

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

There's a country music song out that says "in the end, everybody talks to God", I'm not going to go into the theology of a country and western song, but that line has in it.  At the end of life, we will come before our maker and none of the excuses used here in this life as to why we didn't believe and have faith in Him will work.  Everyone is making that decision. You've probably heard it said in reference to other decisions "not to decide is to decide not to".

It is something to think about and something worth talking with others about.

Pastor Greg Laurie writes:

Death is not the end of existence. The real you is not this body you live in; it is your soul. It is your spirit that lives on after your body has gone.

History tells of the renowned atheist Voltaire, who was one of the most aggressive antagonists of the Christian faith. He did everything he could to undermine Christianity. But the nurse who attended him on his deathbed reportedly said that for all the wealth in Europe, she never would watch another atheist die.

In contrast, the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody said on his deathbed, "I see earth receding; Heaven is opening; God is calling me."

You can die like Voltaire. Or, you can die like Moody. But there will be a future judgment. And if you have put your faith in Jesus Christ, then you won't be there. 

As for me, I'd rather see Heaven opening and have God calling me home.

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.
   • Refrain:
     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.
2. They're all expecting me, and that's one thing I know—
   My Savior pardoned me, and now I onward go;
   I know He'll take me through though I am weak and poor,
   And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
3. I have a loving Savior up in glory-land,
   I don't expect to stop until I with Him stand;
   He's waiting now for me in heaven's open door,
   And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.
4. Just up in glory-land we'll live eternally,
   The saints on every hand are shouting victory,
   Their songs of sweetest praise drift back from heaven's shore,
   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

John 3:31-36

New International Version

31 The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God[a] gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them.

Verse of the Day 4/21

Verse of the Day 4/21

Psalm 34:7-8

English Standard Version

7 The angel of the Lord encamps

    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Today's verses follow the theme from yesterday of the fear of the Lord coupled with takiing refuge in Him.  Think again of how John Piper decribed this fear as the fear of being without Him.  

Many theologians and Bible scholars believe that the angel of the Lord, here and in many other Old Testament passages, is a pre-incarnate representation of Jesus. Jesus is right here with us, has set up camp to be a refuge for us.  I'm reminded of John 1:14 where John said "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  From The Message we read:

John 1:14

The Message

14 The Word became flesh and blood,

    and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
    the one-of-a-kind glory,
    like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,

    true from start to finish.

If He has camped around us or "moved into the neighborhood", we can believe that He will be there for us.  Most of us probably realize that He has been there for us in the past when we needed HIm.

Every time I tried to make it on my own
Every time I tried to stand and start to fall
All those lonely roads that I have travelled on
There was Jesus

When the life I built came crashing to the ground
When the friends I had were nowhere to be found
I couldn't see it then but I can see it now
There was 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
Of where I been and where I'm going
Even when I didn't know it
Or couldn't see it
There was Jesus                               (There Was Jesus -  Zach Williams and Dolly Parton)

For this man who needs amazing kind of grace
For forgiveness at a price I couldn't pay
I'm not perfect so I thank God every day
There was Jesus

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 34:1-8

English Standard Version

Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

 Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

34 I will bless the Lord at all times;
    his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
    let the humble hear and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
    and let us exalt his name together!

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me
    and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant,
    and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
    and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
    around those who fear him, and delivers them.

8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Verse of the Day 4/20

Verse of the Day 4/20

Psalm 31:19

English Standard Version

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,

    which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
    in the sight of the children of mankind!

The fear of the Lord is a common subject referenced many times in the Bilble, but especially in the Psalms.  We often think about it, at least I have, in terms of reverence and awe of God, not so much fo a fear of punishment or wrath.  In reading today's verse David pulls together the thoughts of fear and refuge.  It is hard to think of seeking refuge in something or someone that you are afraid of.

I read a devotioanl this morning where John Piper addresses this:

The fear of the Lord is the fear of straying from him. Therefore, it expresses itself in taking refuge in God. That's why two conditions are mentioned in Psalm 31:19 — fearing the Lord and taking refuge in him. "Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have 1) stored up for those who fear you and 2) worked for those who take refuge in you!" 

They seem to be opposites. Fear seems to drive away and taking refuge seems to draw in. But when we see that this fear is a fear of running away — a fear of straying from him — then they work together.

There is a real trembling in the heart of the saints. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). But it is the trembling one feels in the arms of a Father who has just plucked his child from the undertow of the ocean. It is the trembling at the terrible prospect of thinking we don't need a Father.

What struck me was the feeling after God's intervening in an event that we feel "where would I be without Jesus, without the Lord looking after me"?  When we realize that He is for us and He is there for us, and will be there for us we can seek Him in fear for refuge.

[Verse 1]
There I was empty-handed
Crying out from the pit of my despair
There You were in the shadows
Holding out Your hand You met me there

[Pre-Chorus]
And now where would I be without You?
Where would I be, Jesus?

[Chorus]
You were the voice in the desert
Calling me out in the dead of night
Fighting my battles for me
You are my rescue story
Lifted me up from the ashes
Carried my soul from death to life
Bringing me from glory to glory
You are my rescue story.  (Zach Williams - Rescue Story)

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 31:17-24

English Standard Version

17 O Lord, let me not be put to shame,
    for I call upon you;
let the wicked be put to shame;
    let them go silently to Sheol.
18 Let the lying lips be mute,
    which speak insolently against the righteous
    in pride and contempt.

19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness,
    which you have stored up for those who fear you
and worked for those who take refuge in you,
    in the sight of the children of mankind!
20 In the cover of your presence you hide them
    from the plots of men;
you store them in your shelter
    from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord,
    for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
    when I was in a besieged city.
22 I had said in my alarm,[a]

Ps 31:17-24 ESV - - Bible Gateway

    "I am cut off from your sight."
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
    when I cried to you for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!
    The Lord preserves the faithful
    but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.
24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
    all you who wait for the Lord!

Verse of the Day 4/19

Verse of the Day 4/19    

1 Samuel 10:26

English Standard Version

26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched.

Our Monday Men's Bible Study has been going through the miracles of Jesus.  On multiple times when Jesus was healing someone He would tell them "take heart!".  I love that short statement, especially coming from Jesus.  It is a word of comfort and a word of encouragement.

Today's verse comes from  1 Samuel 10 where Saul had just been made Israel's first king and Samuel was dismissing everyyone to go to their own homes and spread the word and also think about what had been done and what it would mean.  God surrouneded Saul with men whose "hearts had been touched" by God.  As I read that verse the other day I couldn't help but relate it to Mark's statement from Jesus "take heart".  God touches the hearts of those who take Him at His Word and take heart.

John Piper writes, "The valiant men were not just spoken to. They were not just swayed by a divine influence. They were not just seen and known. God, with infinite condescension, touched their heart. God was that close. And they were not consumed.....I love that touch. I want it more and more. For myself and for all of you. I pray that God would touch me anew with his glory and for this glory. I pray that he would touch us all.....Oh, for the touch of God! If it comes with fire, so be it. If it comes with water, so be it. If it comes with wind, let it come, O God. If it comes with thunder and lightning, let us bow before it......O Lord, come. Come that close. Burn and soak and blow and crash. Or still and small, come. Come all the way. Touch our hearts. "

Think of those who received healing from Jesus.  He said "take heart" and Jesus saw to it that their hearts and their bodies were touched.

1 Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

2 We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

3 Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow'r to free:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.

4 Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

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 Samuel 10:17-27

English Standard Version

Saul Proclaimed King

17 Now Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah. 18 And he said to the people of Israel, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.' 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your calamities and your distresses, and you have said to him, 'Set a king over us.' Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and by your thousands."

20 Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites was taken by lot;

and Saul the son of Kish was taken by lot. But when they sought him, he could not be found. 22 So they inquired again of the Lord, "Is there a man still to come?" and the Lord said, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage." 23 Then they ran and took him from there. And when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. 24 And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

25 Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home. 26 Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some worthless fellows said, "How can this man save us?" And they despised him and brought him no present. But he held his peace.