Verse of the Day 8/30

Verse of the Day 8/30

Psalm 119:89-90

English Standard Version

89 Forever, O Lord, your word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

Today's verses came up in my daily reading in the Psalms.  We are in the midst of the electlon season where candidates are making speeches, statements and giving interviews in the hopes of garnering support in the form of donations and more importantly votes.  Words are important as they are used to commnicate goals and plans.  Unfortunately, we see a lot of "flip-floppring" going on, where statements being made contradict statements previously made.  Their words and positions don't stand firm, they have not stood the tests of time.

The psalmist states here that contrary to humnas God's word stands firm, "firmly fixed" in the heavens. His word is more secure than the very stars in the sky that He hung in place.  There is no shifting, not catering to the crowd, it is fixed; stands firm and will stand fast forever.

I'm sure other verses come to mind that reinforce these thoughts.

Lamentations 3:22-23

English Standard Version

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;

his mercies never come to an end;

23 they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.

I enjoyed singing the following chorus in Sunday School as a child.  Verses like these give reason to sing them as joyfully today as "way back when".

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing, I will sing,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness, Thy faithfulness,
With my mouth will I make known
Thy faithfulness to all generations,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever,
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord.

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 119:89-96

English Standard Version

Lamedh

89 Forever, O Lord, your word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By your appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
    for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

Verse of the Day 8?29

Verse of the Day 8/29

2 Chronicles 15:1-2

New Living Translation

15 Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. "Listen to me, Asa!" he shouted. "Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you.

it has been a busy summer and the frequency of these posts has dropped off.  While that happened my Bible reading has continued and verses I've read in the past few days have challenged me to take the time to continue to post verses to my friends.  In today's verses the prophet Azariah had a word for the Asa the king of Judah.  Asa was inspired and became a reformer in the nation of Judah sendinng God's Word out to the villages with teachers who would instruct the people in God's law and with it restoring proper order and peace in the nation.

Think about that statement, "the Lord will be with you as long as you stay with Him". While as Christians we have the Holy Spirit with us, but how are we doing with the "staying with and seeking Him?  Through the busy times, any time of the year, are we continuing in His Word and in prayer?

Today's "These Days" devotional asked the question, "in what ways do you experience the nearness of God? Remembering that God is near encourages us to practice a faith that is living and active and that brings the people of God together."

Sometimes we need reminders to draw near and to bring others along with you by sharing what you read, study, learn and apply to our lives.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

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 Chronicles 15:1-7

New Living Translation

Asa's Religious Reforms

15 Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, 2 and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from the battle. "Listen to me, Asa!" he shouted. "Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you. 3 For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach them, and without the Law to instruct them. 4 But whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him.

5 "During those dark times, it was not safe to travel. Problems troubled the people of every land. 6 Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem. 7 But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded."

Verse of the Day 8/16

Verse of the Day 8/16

Romans 3:23-24

New Living Translation

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Have you ever heard someone say that they would get to heaven because they "are basically a good person" or that they've "done more good than bad" and that God would understand.  The Bible has more than a few words to say about that and in today's verses Paul puts it right out there, everyone has sinned, literally "missed the mark".  We can't achieve God's standards on our own. Earlier in the chapter Paul quoted the Old Testament, writing that "there is none righteous", that is, who is in right standing. before God, "not one". Jesus set the standard by living a perfect life.  Where does that leave us?

Where does that leave us? Thankfully, we don't have to go far for that answer either. "Yet God, in His grace ... makes us right.... through Jesus Christ. He offers that grace which includes forgiveness when we turn to Him and trust in Him as our Savior.

All of this reminds me of Psalm 23 where Jesus, as the Good Shepherd leads us, renews us, restores us and pursues us with His love.  The sheep that has gone astray can't make it on his own, but the Good Shepherd can bring him back to the fold, He cares for every lost sinner.

Psalm 23:6

New Living Translation

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever.

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.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
2. We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the Guardian of our way;
   Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed 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.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early 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.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed 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

Romans 3:21-26

New Living Translation

Christ Took Our Punishment

21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses[a] and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Verse of the Day 8/11

Verse of the Day 8/11

Ephesians 5:15-16

New King James Version

Walk in Wisdom

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

I read today's verse in my devotions this morning.  It is one of my favorites in the book of Ephesians.  Whenever I read it I think of it in the New King James Verssion above.  I especially like the word "circumspectly".  You don't often hear it used, but it gives the idea of having a 360 degree view of what is going on around you.  It has to do with awareness of not only the world around you but also your place in that world.

Former Watergate co-conspirator Chuck Colson later gave his life to Christ and started a jail ministry sharing the gospel in prisons.  His life perspective had been changed significantly and he owed it to faith in Christ.  He went on to write a book "How Now Shall We Live"  which explored the new relationship in Christ finding answers to life's questions such uas where did we come from, who are we, and what is wrong with this world?  He also focused on how we can go about fixing it in terms of living for Jesus.

A big part of that walk is walking according to His Word which means having His Word in front of us, in our hearts and minds and applying it in our lives.  The Jewish people in the Old Testament daily read the schema, Deut. 6:4-9:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

New King James Version

4 "Hear, O Israel: 

The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

We could do the same or perhaps a New Testament passage such as this passage in Luke 12:

Mark 12:28-34

New King James Version

The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?

28 Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, [a]perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, "Which is the [b]first commandment of all?"

29 Jesus answered him, "The [c]first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' [d]This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

32 So the scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God."

But after that no one dared question Him.

The call is to be aware of where you stand in the world around you and to make a difference for Christ, redeeming the time.

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

Ephesians 5:15-20

New Living Translation

Living by the Spirit's Power

15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse of the Day 8/10

Verse of the Day 8/10

Malachi 4:2

Holman Christian Standard Bible

2 But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall.

I read today's verse in my devotions this morning as the sun was coming up after several days of rain, storms and flooding.  The sun was a welcome sight and it will help warm things back up, dry things back out and bring new growth.  Many will be heading out to enjoy summer activities once again, I can picture kids and adults playfully jumping around at parks in yards or at the beach.

The verse comes from the last chapter of the Old Testament after which there would be 400 years of silence from the prophets, spiritual darkness.  But this last chapter points to the return of the sun, in the form of the Son.

Step back and think how important the sun is to us.  We often think of it's warmth, it's light that provides life, but how often do we consider gravity that holds the solar system in place, revolving around the sun.  Now, think of what Jesus means to us as Christians.  Charles Spurgeon helps us as he writes:

Jesus, like the sun, is . . .
  the center and soul of all things,
  the fullness of all good,
  the lamp that lights us,
  the fire that warms us,
  the magnet that guides and controls us.

Jesus is the source and fountain of all . . .
   life,
   beauty,
   fruitfulness,
   and strength.

We'll close with the Doxology, praising God, praising Jesus the sun of righteousness, from whom all blessings flow.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.

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

Malachi 4

English Standard Version

The Great Day of the Lord

4 [a] "For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.

4 "Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

5 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."