Verse of the Day 2/21

Verse of the Day 2/21

Isaiah 46:3-4

English Standard Version

3 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob,

    all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
    carried from the womb;
4 even to your old age I am he,
    and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
    I will carry and will save.

Through the ages people have liked rescue stories.  The Old Testament is full of them going back to Exodus (and earlier)and the parting of the Red Sea, God's deliverence of His people from evil kings. The New Testament has many of Jesus miracles with healings and even raising Lazarus from the grave are all "rescue stories".  Today we have TV shows such as RESCUE 911 and Chicago Fire (among others) that commonly revolve around rescue.

It is part of who God is.  Jesus came to earth as a deliverer and rescurer. He knew the end of our stories from before we were born.  He is our rescue story, from the womb through childhood through today with our gray hairs on our heads.

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

[Post-Chorus]
You are, You are
You are my rescue story
You are, You are

You are my 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

Isaiah 46:3-10

English Standard Version

3 "Listen to me, O house of Jacob,

    all the remnant of the house of Israel,
who have been borne by me from before your birth,
    carried from the womb;
4 even to your old age I am he,
    and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
    I will carry and will save.

5 "To whom will you liken me and make me equal,
    and compare me, that we may be alike?
6 Those who lavish gold from the purse,
    and weigh out silver in the scales,
hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;
    then they fall down and worship!
7 They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it,
    they set it in its place, and it stands there;
    it cannot move from its place.
If one cries to it, it does not answer
    or save him from his trouble.

8 "Remember this and stand firm,
    recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9     remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning
    and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, 'My counsel shall stand,
    and I will accomplish all my purpose,'

Verse of the Day 2/20

Verse of the Day 2/20

1 Peter 1:3-4

English Standard Version

Born Again to a Living Hope

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

We considered yesterday how God is with us as "we go through it", we go through the waters, the trials and challenges in life.  We have hope, it is an everlasting hope that, as today's verses assure us is imperishable, unfading and kept in heaven for us.

Read the verses again.  It is all because of His great mercy, calling ut to be born again to this living hope accomplished for us by Jesus' resurrection from the dead, showing us that He has the power over death that He passes on to us.

How great the chasm that lay between us
How high the mountain I could not climb
In desperation, I turned to heaven
And spoke Your name into the night
Then through the darkness, Your loving-kindness
Tore through the shadows of my soul
The work is finished, the end is written
Jesus Christ, my living hope

Who could imagine so great a mercy?
What heart could fathom such boundless grace?
The God of ages stepped down from glory
To wear my sin and bear my shame
The cross has spoken, I am forgiven
The King of kings calls me His own
Beautiful Savior, I'm Yours forever
Jesus Christ, my living hope

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope.                          (My Living Hope - Phil Wickham)

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 Peter 1:3-9

English Standard Version

Born Again to a Living Hope

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Verse of the Day 2/19

Verse of the Day 2/19

Isaiah 43:1-2

New King James Version

The Redeemer of Israel

43 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Have you ever heard someone, or perhaps yourself have said "i've been through it", or perhaps "I'm going through it". Another line is "i've been through the wringer".  It has to do with going through the storms and trials of life.  How do we get through?

Today's verses come to us as a reminder.  The Lord says, " I have redeemed you".  I have paid the price for you. I have called you, specifically, by name.  The prophet caps it off with "I will be with you".

We should take comfort from these verses.  While the storms rage, the seas churn He speaks peacce to us. We will not be overcome.

Joys are flowing like a river
since the Comforter has come,
who abides with us forever,
makes the trusting heart a home.

Refrain:
Blessed quietness, holy quietness
what assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea speaking peace to me
how the billows cease to roll!

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 43:1-6

New King James Version

The Redeemer of Israel

43 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I gave Egypt for your ransom,
Ethiopia and Seba in your place.
4 Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored,
And I have loved you;
Therefore I will give men for you,
And people for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
And gather you from the west;
6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!'
Bring My sons from afar,
And My daughters from the ends of the earth—

Verse of the Day 2/18

Verse of the Day 2/18

Isaiah 41:10-11

New King James Version

10 Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

11 "Behold, all those who were incensed against you
Shall be ashamed and disgraced;
They shall be as nothing,
And those who strive with you shall perish.

What does it meen to you to know that God is with you, every momment of every day? He is there in the good times and the bad.  He is there just when we need Him most.  He is not there to fight against us, He is for us, to strengthen and help lus, uphold us and deliver us from our fores.

When we have a friend who is there with us we should be talking with them.  Kowning that God, that Jesus is with us we should talk to Him in prayer and let Him speak to us through His Word and the Holy Spirit.

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
  All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
  Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
  O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
  Everything to God in prayer!

2

Have we trials and temptations?
  Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
  Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
  Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3

Are we weak and heavy-laden,
  Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
  Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
  Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
  Thou wilt find a solace there.

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 41:8-13

New King James Version

8 "But you, Israel, are My servant,
Jacob whom I have chosen,
The descendants of Abraham My friend.
9 You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth,
And called from its farthest regions,
And said to you,
'You are My servant,
I have chosen you and have not cast you away:
10 Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

11 "Behold, all those who were incensed against you
Shall be ashamed and disgraced;
They shall be as nothing,
And those who strive with you shall perish.
12 You shall seek them and not find them—
[a]Those who contended with you.
Those who war against you
Shall be as nothing,
As a nonexistent thing.
13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand,
Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'

Verse of the Day 2/17

Verse of the Day 2/17

Isaiah 40:30-31

New International Version

30 Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Today's verses came up in my daily Old Testament reading over the weekend, they are a couple of my favorite verses in Isaiah and in the whole Old Testament.  As I get older In can relate to it more and more.  As we age we tire more quickly and who hasn't been to the doctor and have them ask you, have you fallen in the last 6 months?  One thing I've noticed in the last few years that when you are down on the ground it is a lot harder to get up now than it used to be.

When we're down on the ground or in the dumps spiritually, our hope is in the Lord. Only He can truly renew our strength to the point where we can soar. You will notice that the author said "soar" and not just fly.

Robins and sparrows fly. But when you look up and see an eagle or a vulture floating high above, you're looking at a bird soaring. Yes, the eagle has to do some flying in the beginning, but eventually it connects with the thermal updrafts and taps into their power. The difference between flying and soaring is relying on a source of power beyond oneself.  (Author unknown)

He truly is the wind beneath our wings.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

[Pre-Chorus]
Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our strong deliverer

[Chorus]
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary.    ( Everlasting God Brenton Brown/Ken Riley)

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 40:25-31

New International Version

25 "To whom will you compare me?

    Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
    Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
    and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
    not one of them is missing.

27 Why do you complain, Jacob?
    Why do you say, Israel,
"My way is hidden from the Lord;
    my cause is disregarded by my God"?
28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.