Verse of the Day 5/31

Verse of the Day 5/31

Joshua 1:9

New International Version

9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

On Wednesday May 28 my wife Jean of 43 years went to be with the Lord.  Her battles on earth here have ended, she persevered to the end and never lost faith or looked back, it was always forward with hope. Now, I am called to move forward with the same determination that she had. It is new territory for me, she was my rock in this world.

The next morning I read today's verse In Max Lucado's devotional for that day.  In the passage Moses had passed the torch to Joshua, Joshua was encoraged, challenge and assured by the Lord in verse 6 "as I was with Moses, so I will be with you, I will never leave you or forsake you."

In the devotion, Max Lucado writes, "Perhaps you are facing a challenge unlike any you have ever faced before.  It looms on the horizon like an angry Jericho. Imposing. Strong.  It is ancient, thick walled and impenetrable.  It is the biggest challenge of your life.

Like Joshua, you can see it.

Like Joshua, you must face it.

And like Joshua, you don't have to face it alone."

As a chld in Sunday school we used to sing a song "Liion Hunt".  I won't go into the detials but the main words of the song had to do with facing challenges, facing our lions without fear.  "Can't go over it, can't go under it, can't go around it, gotta go through it."  I'm sure that is how Joshua felt.  it is how I feel.  But I am convinced that I will not be in this alone.

I miss you terribly Jean, but I know that she is telling me, right beside Jesus in heaven - "do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you, wherever you go".  

He is there for you as well.

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

Joshua 1:1-11

New International Version

Joshua Installed as Leader

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.'"

Verse of the Day 5/15

Verse of the Day 5/15

Hebrews 6:19-20

New International Version

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Today's verses have been on my mind over the past few days.  Then in this mornings "Grace Gems" devotional I read the following quote regarding Psalm 63:3:

God's loving-kindness reaches to the heavens, surrounds the believer, and never lets go! It comforts in sorrow, and disciplines in love.

This divine love never wanes. It is not altered by our failures, nor diminished by our weaknesses. Rooted in His eternal purpose, it remains a sure anchor for the soul. In Christ, we are not merely pardoned--we are embraced. God rejoices over us, surrounds us with favor, and holds us fast in His everlasting arms!

When the heart is heavy, remember His loving-kindness. When the night is long, rest in its unshakable assurance. And let our lips glorify Him--not only for what He bestows, but for who He is: the unchanging God whose loving-kindness is indeed better than life. 

Psalm 63:3New International Version

3 Because your love is better than life,  my lips will glorify you.

I don't know what you may be going through today, but may you remember and know that His love "is better than life" and may this hope be your anchor of the soul and enable you to praise and glorify Him through the storm,.

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

Hebrews 6:13-20

New International Version

The Certainty of God's Promise

13 When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."

 15 And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

16 People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. 17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Verse of the Day 5/6

Verse of the Day 5/6

Luke 21:19.  New International Version.      19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

I recently led a study in Ephesians 6:10-18 regarding putting on the full armor of God.  As I read today's verse in my study Bible I was reminded of that passage. In Ephesians 6:11 we are told to "stand against the schemes of the devil". In verse 13 we are told to take up the whole armor of God to "withstand" in the evil day, and "having done all to stand firm".  Verse 14 begins with "stand therefore".  Are you starting to get the picture? We need to stand, withstand and take a stand against the schemes of the devil and to the trials and challenges that this world throws at us.

Other translations use the word "endurance and patience in place of "stand firm". They all give us a full picture of what Jesus is saying here. The Greek lexicon for "hypomone" in my study Bible states that it "refers to that quality of character that does not allow one to surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial. Particularly, with the genitive of thing, as enduring afflictions. Generally signifying endurance, patience, perseverence or constancy under suffering."  Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible.

My wife Jean in her long battle with cancer has been the picture of that put on disply before me in my life.  Her life verse continues to be:

John 3:30

New International Version

30 He must become greater; I must become less."

May God grant me, grant you the strenght to stand in whatever we are facing today until that day when He calls us home.

1. All the way my Savior leads me.
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt his tender mercy,
Who thru' life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus fashions all things well.

2. All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for ev'ry trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Tho' my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

3. All the way my Savior leads me;
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's house above.
When my spirit, cloth'd immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song thru' endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

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 21:12-19

New International Version

12 "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.

Verse of the Day 5/5/2025

Verse of the Day 5/5

Psalm 121:5-6

English Standard Version

5 The Lord is your keeper;

    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

Today's verses came up in my daily reading in the Psalms.  They serve as another reminder of who God is to us.  In other Psalms we read of Him being our "refuge" and "strength" in Psalm 46.  He is our strong tower (Prov. 18:10). But in today's verses He is referred to as our "keeper" and the "shade" at our right hand.

It may not be summer yet, but even in May in North Carolina and the southern states in general, working outside when it is in the upper 80's and it feels like summer is here.  If you've been working in the sun you enjoy taking a break under a shade tree that is close by in your yard.  The shade and the breeze are a refreshing break. We may experience heat in our lives, perhaps even a drought where it seems like there is no reliev in sight.  But this verse reminds us that God is right there with us, at our right hand, within reach and His Word is there for us to comfort us, encourage us and give us the strength and refreshment that we need.

If you face some "heat today", remember that He is your keeper and the shade at your right hand.

Psalm 121:7-8

English Standard Version

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;

    he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul
Worship His holy name
Sing like never before, O my soul
I'll worship Your holy name

[Verse 1]
The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
It's time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me
Let me be singing when the evening comes

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 121

English Standard Version

My Help Comes from the Lord

A Song of Ascents.

121 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.