Verse of the Day 5/30

Verse of the Day 5/30

John 11:25-26

New King James Version

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?"

For today's verse we move onto the 5th of Jesus' "I Am" declarations, "I am the resurrection and the life.  As I read through the gospels I try to take notice of any question that Jesus asks of someone.  Friend or foe, they are pointed questions and quite often they are questions that we can ask of ourselves.  After stating that "whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  "Do you believe this?

John MacArthur writes, "With this statement, Jesus moved Mary from an abstract belief in the resurrection that will take place "at the last day"(see 5:28, 29) to a personalized trust in Him who alone can raise the dead. No resurrection or eternal life exists outside of the Son of God. Time ("at the last day") is no barrier to the One who has the power of resurrection and life (1:4) for He can give life at any time."

We can answer that question "do you believe this" in two ways.  We can say that we believe with a "head knowledge" but not have it change forever the way we live.  The other is to believe at our core.  It is part of our being, it goes with what Jesus says, "whoever lives and believes".  Live like you believe it,

I go back to John 11:34 where Jesus spoke of Lazarus' illness saying, "this will not end in death".  Lazarus died, but it was not the end.  Jesus raised Him back to life.  Jesus through His resurrection proved His power over death.  That same power lives in us and He will raise up on that glorious day.

1. Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
   Striving to please Him in all that I do;
   Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
   This is the pathway of blessing for me.
   • Refrain:
     O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
     For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
     I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
     My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
2. Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
   Bearing on Calv'ry my sin and disgrace;
   Such love constrains me to answer His call,
   Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
   Doing each duty in His holy Name;
   Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
   Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
4. Living for Jesus through earth's little while,
   My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
   Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
   Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.       (Thomas Chisholm)

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 11:17-27

New King James Version

I Am the Resurrection and the Life

17 So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. 18 Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about 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 5/29

Verse of the Day 5/29

John 10:14-15

New King James Version

14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

For today's verse we return to John 10 for the next "I am" statement.  Jesus said "I am the good shepherd".  It comes immediately after His statement "I am the door" or "I am the gate", depending on what translation you read.  The shepherd leads the sheep through the gate and into His presence where there is security.  The shepherd cares for them, is with them and will provide protection.

The verse is a reminder of Psalm 23 where David describe the Lord as his shepherd, providing for hjim "I shall not want"; giving him rest, leading him to quiet water; restoring his soul, guiding him along life's path, even through the "valleys", comforting him and pursuing him with His love all the days of his life.

I'm reminded of the Gaither Vocal Band song, "Beyond the Open Door".  It points to the door, the gate as being the opportunity of new life, away from the familar through the open door.  The door is still open.

In the things familiar
We find security
Resisting all the changes
That days and years can bring
When God decides to lead you
Through an open door
Inviting you to walk in realms
You've never known before

Beyond the open door
Is a new and fresh anointing
Hear the Spirit calling you to go
Walk on through the door
For the Lord will go before you
Into a greater power
You've never known before

Hear the Spirit calling
To wake the living dead
To reach the huddled masses
Who cry out for living bread
Arise, oh, mighty army
Take up thy shield and sword
For the Father lifts His golden lamp
Beside the open door

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 10:7-14

New King James Version

Jesus the Good Shepherd

7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came [a]before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear 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 does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

Verse of the Day 5/27

Verse of the Day 5/27

John 10:9-10

New King James Version

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 does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Today we celebrate Memorial Day, where we give thanks and honor those who gave their lives that we might have the freedoms that we enjoy here in this country.

For today's verse we'll continue with the "I Am" statements in John..   In today's verse, Jesus states "I am the door".  The door is the entry way and for Christians He is the door or the gate that allows entrance into His presence and into His kingdom.  This is only possible because of the sacrifice that He made on the cross, taking our sin and bearing the shame.

I love the verse that follows, (John 10:10) where Jesus tells us "I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly".  He has freed us from the penalty and power of sin, opening the door to new life in Christ.

John 8:36Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

In the things familiar we find security
Resisting all the changes that days and years can
Bring
When God decides to lead you through an open door
Inviting you to walk in realms you've never walked
Before

Chorus:
Beyond the open door is a new and fresh anointing
Hear the Spirit calling you to go
Walk on through the door for the Lord will go before
You
Into a greater power you've never known before
Hear the spirit calling to wake the living dead
To reach the huddled masses who cry out for living
Bread
Arise oh mighty army, take up thy shield and sword
For the Father lifts His golden lamp beside the open
Door.   (Beyond the Open Door - Gaither Vocal Band)

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 10:7-10

New King James Version

Jesus the Good Shepherd

7 Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came 

before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear 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 does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Verse of the Day 5/26

Verse of the Day 5/26

John 8:12

New King James Version

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

For today's verse we return to John for the second of the 7 "I Am" statements made by Jesus in John's gospel.  As I was having my devotions out on the back porch this morning, the sun was bright in the clear blue skies and the light was shining through the trees illuminating everthing in it's path and shining through many of the leaves turning the redbud leaves to a kaleidaskope of colors.The sunshine is a welcome sight after several days of rain and clouds.

We know from experience that light dispells the darkness.   We live in a dark world spiritually and if there is going to be any brightening it takes the love of Jesus shining through His people to reflect His grace.

As you step out into the light this morning, sing a song of prasie to the Light of the World.

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

[Chorus]
And here I am to worship
Here I am to bow down
Here I am to say that you're my God
You're altogether lovely
Altogether worthy
Altogether wonderful to me

[Verse 2]
King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in heaven above
Humbly you came to the earth you created
All for love's sake became poor

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 8:12-16

New King James Version

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Jesus Defends His Self-Witness

13 The Pharisees therefore said to Him, "You bear witness of Yourself; Your witness is not true."

14 Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. 15 You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. 16 And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me.

Verse of the Day 5/25

Verse of the Day 5/25

John 6:35

New King James Version

35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

read through the New Testament plan that I follow is now going through the Gospel of John where we find the 7 "I AM" statements.  Today's verse is the first of those recorded.  Actually, we find 23 times in John where Jesus said "I am" (ego eimi Greek).  The seven that we tend to focus on is where He coupled it with other words and images.  In today's verse it is "the bread of life".

Through the ages bread has been a staple of life.  I just finished having french toast for breakfast.  We proabley eat it in some form just about every day. Burgers, hot dogs, pizza and many other foods just would not be the same without bread.  The manna provided by God to the Israelites, was made into a form of bread.  Jesus' body was identified with bread in the communion service.

Jesus is the One who sustains us, He gives us life and the ability to live it more abundantly. (John 10:10).

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore;
Bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore.

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 6:27-36

New King James Version

27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."

28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"

29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

30 Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will You perform then, that we may see it and believe You? What work will You do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "

32 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give 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 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always."

35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.

Verse of the Day 5/19

Verse of the Day 5/19

1 John 3:1-2

New International Version

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

After posting yesterday's verse from John 5, the first two words of Jesus' statement stayed with me.  Going over it again and again, "most assuredly" is a very powerful statement coming from Jesus.  It could be said truly, truly, or we might say "I promise you", and that is what it is,  a promise.  Today's verses from first John begin by pointing us to "see", to realize the great love that the Father has shown to us in sending us Jesus.  He did it to bring us to Him that we might have all of those assurances that we have in Jesus.

John then points out that God "lavished" His love on us.  God is not a miser, He is not stingy in doling out His blessings, He lavishes us with His love.  He gives generously and purposefully piles it on.  It is a love that truly keeps on giving, now and for eternity.

Going back to those words from yesterday, "most assuredly", I couldn't help but think of the old Fanny Crosby hymn "Blessed Assurance".   As today's verse says, "friends, we are now chldren of God".  Take some time today to worship and praise God for His blessed assurance.

1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
   Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
   Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
   Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
   • Refrain:
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long;
     This is my story, this is my song,
     Praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
   Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
   Angels, descending, bring from above
   Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest,
   I in my Savior am happy and blest,
   Watching and waiting, looking above,
   Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

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 3:1-3

New International Version

3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.