Verse of the Day 5/25

Through the Bible - 1 Chronicles 15-17, John 10:22-42

 

Good morning,

Chapters 7 and 8 of John take place during the Feast of the Tabernacles, celebrating the Passover when the Jews left their dwellings to live in tents.  In the celebration there were rituals of water and light.  For today's verse we'll go to John chapter 9 where we see these symbols being used once again and we see Jesus stating once again "I am the light of the world".  The symbols of darkness and light are now revealed in physical terms as Jesus does the "work" of the Father and heals a blind man.

 

John 9:5 But while I am still here in the world, I am the light of the world." 

6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smoothed the mud over the blind man's eyes.   NLT

 The debate had been going on about His origins, where His power and authority came from.  They wouldn't take Jesus at His word or accept the things that He did as evidence of His authority.

 

Richard Burridge writes, "The actual healing from blindness to seeing happens

early (Joh. 9: 7), but it leads rapidly to another

debate about Jesus' identity which causes division. As the blind man comes

more fully into the light, so we discover that 'there are none so blind as those

who will not see'. As the blind man journeys not just out of physical darkness,

but also from ignorance to a growing faith, Jesus' opponents travel from

certainty through increasing doubt to rejecting the light. And all the while

others are watching — the disciples, the man's parents, the bystanders, and

even us, the readers. What will be our journey be, into light, or darkness healing,

or rejection?"

 

So it is today.  People are watching and hearing what God is doing around them.  What will the reaction be?

May you rejoice as did the blind man in this passage.

"Light of the world, you stepped down into darkeness, opened my eyes let me see."

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

John 9:1-16
9:1 Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind
 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.

2 "Teacher," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?"

3 "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him. 

4 All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end. 

5 But while I am still here in the world, I am the light of the world." 

6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and smoothed the mud over the blind man's eyes.

7 He told him, "Go and wash in the pool of Siloam" (Siloam means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came back seeing!

8 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, "Is this the same man — that beggar?"

9 Some said he was, and others said, "No, but he surely looks like him!" And the beggar kept saying, "I am the same man!"

10 They asked, "Who healed you? What happened?"

11 He told them, "The man they call Jesus made mud and smoothed it over my eyes and told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash off the mud.' I went and washed, and now I can see!"

12 "Where is he now?" they asked. "I don't know," he replied.

13 Then they took the man to the Pharisees.

14 Now as it happened, Jesus had healed the man on a Sabbath.

15 The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, "He smoothed the mud over my eyes, and when it was washed away, I could see!"

16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath." Others said, "But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?" So there was a deep division of opinion among them.   NLT

Verse of the Day 5/25

Through the Bible - 1 Chronicles 12-14, John 10:1-21

 

Good morning,

The Pharisees who should have been looking for Jesus as their long awaited Messiah, instead looking  at Him as their friend, He was looked upon as the enemy.  Their hearts were deceived.

For today's verse we'll jump ahead a few chapters where Jesus tells His followers then and now, that we are His friends.

 

John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
NLT

I read this "Grace Gem" from Pastor James Smith and thought that it would be a good thing to start the work week with.

 

He not only calls us so (friends) --but treats us as such! And expects us as His friends--to do whatever He commands us.

Is Jesus your friend?
Then visit Him often--let Him hear your voice in prayer and praise.
Then trust Him confidently--let Him see evidence of your faith in your dependence.
Then walk with Him in love--let Him enjoy much of your company.
Then expect Him to be your Friend . . .
  in sickness and health,
  in poverty and plenty,
  in life and in death!

If Jesus is our Friend--we can never be destitute. If our father and mother forsake us--He will take us up and take us in.

We can never be miserable--He will receive us and be a wise and loving Father unto us.

We can never be neglected, for He will never fail us nor forsake us--but will do for us all that He has promised in His Word. He will . . .
  defend us from foes,
  visit us in sickness, and
  cheer and support us in death!

Precious Lord Jesus, You are my Friend . . .
  in life,
  in death,
  at the judgment, and
  before Your Father's face forever!

I'm reminded of the simple chorus that I learned as a child.  

 

He's a faithful friend, such a faithful friend,

You can count on Him, to the very end.

 

Though storm clouds darken the skies, o'er the heavenly trail,

I just keep trusting my Lord, He will never fail.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 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 15:9-18

 

9 "I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father's commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.   NLT

Verse of the Day - weekend 5/22

Through the Bible - 1 Chronicles 8-11, John 9

 

Good morning,

A devotional I read this morning reminded me that tomorrow is the traditional "day of pentecost" when we remember and celebrate the sending of the Holy Spirit and the formation of the early church.  It is something that we should celebrate, be thankful for, and praise God for.

Acts 2:1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them.  NLT
For today's verse we'll go to Psalm 67 a psalm of praise which, in the New King James Version, carries the inscription "An Invitation and a Doxology".

 

Ps 67:1-God be merciful to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us,
Selah
2 That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.   NKJV

May it be the cry of our hearts for God to send down "fresh wind, fresh fire" (title of a book by Jim Cymbala).  I was reminded of a praise song that we've sung in church, a modern call for God to bless us.

All things new
I can start again
Creator, God
Calling me Your friend
Sing praise, my soul
To the Maker of the skies
A song will rise

I will sing a song of hope
Sing along
God of heaven come down
Heaven come down
Just to know You and be loved is enough
God of heaven come down, heaven come down

On Sunday our youth group has it's year end event, fittingly called "Scorch".  It will be a celebration with an evangelistic message.  I would ask you to pray for this time with the youth of our church.  That God would send down His blessings, His Spirit, in a powerful way, that He may be glorified.

 

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Ps 67:1-68:1

 

An Invocation and a Doxology

 

To the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.

 

67 God be merciful to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us,
Selah
2 That Your way may be known on earth,
Your salvation among all nations.

 

3 Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
4 Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!
For You shall judge the people righteously,
And govern the nations on earth.
Selah

 

5 Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
6 Then the earth shall yield her increase;
God, our own God, shall bless us.
7 God shall bless us,
And all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.   NKJV

Verse of the Day 5/21

 Through the Bible - 1 Chronicles 6-7, John 8 39-59

 

Good morning,

We live in a society where many people are consumed with political correctness.  In Jesus' time, the Pharisees were consumed with their own religious correctness but could not grasp the weightier matters of the law, the mercy, compassion and love as expressed and lived out by Jesus.

They refused to come to Jesus and rejected the "living water" that He offered,

 

For today's verse we'll turn to John 7 and some verses that bring together the thoughts of the previous days about living water and worship.

John 7:37-38 (Amplified Bible)  Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! 

³⁸He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.

 We have seen previously that our "work" is to believe.  Verse 38 in the Amplified Bible above gets to the heart of what believing means.  These qualites of cleaving, relying upon, and trusting in God are also necessary for worship.  As with the woman at the well, it involves first of all coming to Him.  

 

The verses again point back to Isaiah 55:1 - thirsts...come... drink.  John MacArthur writes, "these three words summarize the gospel invitation.  A recognition on need leads to an approach to the source of provision, followed by receiving what is needed.  The thirsty, needy soul feels the craving to come to the Saviour and drink, ie., receive the salvation that He offers."

 

Have you thirsted?  Have you come to Him in this way?  Are there springs of living water flowing from you?

 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

 

John 7:30    Therefore they were eager to arrest Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, for His hour (time) had not yet come.

    ³¹And besides, many of the multitude believed in Him [adhered to Him, trusted in Him, relied on Him]. And they kept saying, When the Christ comes, will He do [can He be expected to do] more miracles and produce more proofs and signs than what this Man has done?

    ³²The Pharisees learned how the people were saying these things about Him under their breath; and the chief priests and Pharisees sent attendants (guards) to arrest Him.

    ³³Therefore Jesus said, For a little while I am [still] with you, and then I go back to Him Who sent Me.

    ³⁴You will look for Me, but you will not [be able to] find Me; where I am, you cannot come.

    ³⁵Then the Jews said among themselves, Where does this Man intend to go that we shall not find Him? Will He go to the Jews who are scattered in the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?

    ³⁶What does this statement of His mean, You will look for Me and not be able to find Me, and, Where I am, you cannot come?

    ³⁷Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!

    ³⁸He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.

Verse of the Day 5/20

Through the Bible - 1 Chronicles 3-5, John 8:12-38

 

Good morning,

Our pastor, in his message last weekend referrenced John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. NKJV  The Samaritans had a form of religion some parts of Judaism mixed with other gods.  True religion, true faith in the one and only God had been corrupted.

The same practice has been going on through the ages.  Many choose their own religion, as if going through a supermarket. 

For today's verse we go back to the book of Amos in a passage which deals with false versus true worship.

Amos 5:23-24 (New King James Version)  Take away from Me the noise of your songs,
      For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.
       ²⁴ But let justice run down like water,
      And righteousness like a mighty stream.

There is much debate today about forms of worship including the use of "stringed instruments".  These verses indicate what is at the heart of true worship.

 

Like we do today, the Israelites worshipped God, but carried around with them images of detestable idols with them.  Some complain of the "noise" of our services today but have no regard for the weightier things of worship described here.  It's not talking about the social justice in the laws of government, it's God's justice flowing through us like water, as a mighty stream.  The image of living water on display again.

 

If we follow the advice here, put down our idols, and let justice, love, mercy and compassion flow as a church and individuals, you can be sure that God would be pleased with our worship whether with stringed instruments or pipe organs.

The hour is coming and now is the time to worship in spirit and in truth.

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Amos 5:21   " I hate, I despise your feast days,
      And I do not savor your sacred assemblies.
       ²² Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
      I will not accept them,
      Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings.
       ²³ Take away from Me the noise of your songs,
      For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.
       ²⁴ But let justice run down like water,
      And righteousness like a mighty stream.
       ²⁵ " Did you offer Me sacrifices and offerings
      In the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?
       ²⁶ You also carried Sikkuth your king
      And Chiun, your idols,
      The star of your gods,
      Which you made for yourselves.
       ²⁷ Therefore I will send you into captivity beyond Damascus,"
      Says the LORD, whose name is the God of hosts.

 

Verse of the Day 5/19

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 25-2 Chronicles 2, John 7:53-8:11

 

Good morning,

Today we'll move from the theme of water to another common theme from the book of John, bread.  It is the first of the seven "I AM" statements found in this book that help describe just Who this Jesus is.

John 6:35 (Amplified Bible)  Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).

In reading it you can also see how it relates to the water and the wine as described in Isaiah 55:1-3.  Like the living water, the bread that Jesus offers will satisfy and remain with you.

 

The multiplied bread which was provided in the feeding of the 5000 would not remain with them as was the case with the manna that was provided in the exodus.  Richard Burridge writes, " like Isaiah, calling for people to stop working for bread that does not satisfy,  so Jesus reminds them that the multiplied bread, like the manna, is merely perishable- which is why they want more.  Instead, they need to work for food which leads to eternal life.  The word food, brosis, is the same as the food which nourished Jesus at the well when He had no bread.  As Jesus told the woman to ask for the water of life instead of a physical well,, so now He tells this crowd to work for the living food He offers."

 

This food that leads to everlasting life is to believe.  So simple yet so demanding.

 

What are we working for?  The perishable or the eternal? 

 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

John 6:25-34 (New King James Version)

²⁵ And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did You come here?"
²⁶ Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 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.

Verse of the Day 5/18

Through the Bible - 2 Kings 23-24, John 7:37-52

 

Good morning,

One of the things that you'll notice in reading through John is the recurring themes and words.  Today, let's consider water, it's different uses, forms, and symbol-isms.  In chapter one there was baptism, in chapter 2 common water was transformed into wine, in chapter 3 we learned that we are born of water and spirit, chapter 4 someone who thirsted found "living" water, and now in chapter 5 we see water as a source of healing.

 

The location is Bethesda, which in Hebrew means, house of outpouring.  The waters in the pools were known to be stirred at times.  When this happened, the first person in would be healed of what was ailing them.  The "trouble waters" would heal the "troubled soul".

 

The image of troubled waters is often physical but it can be, or carry with it emotional distress.  The man in the story is frustrated because he could not bring himself into the water, somebody would have to carry him.  He would end up missing his opportunity and someone else would enter first.

 

The word used for paralyzed here is xeron, which means all dried up, withered.  Long term illnesses, whether physical or emotional, can wither us, dry us up.

For today's verse we go Jesus' encounter with the man.

 

John 5:6 When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?]

 The invalid answered, Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me.

    ⁸Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your bed (sleeping pad) and walk!  - Amplified Bible

 

There is so much we can take from this event.  The man had been putting his hope in an event, the stirring of the waters.  What he thought he needed was another person to bring him into the water.  What he really needed was The Person, Jesus who could cure him with a word.  He is healed, but along with the healing he carries along with him something of the waters of Jesus' new life which we have seen in the previous chapters.

 

Think of some of the other instances of water being used, the raging see and Jesus calming it with His word, His calling Peter out of the boat and into troubled waters that He would reach out and save him.

 

There are many songs and even poems that come to mind, like "Bridge over Troubled Waters" and "God Works in Mysterious Ways".   We have a "special needs" son, and we have several friends in similar circumstances that have longed for a miracle of healing.  At the same time, through these troubled waters we've seen blessings.  In Jeff's case he has been blessed by an indomitable spirit that brings joy to us and others, just about everyone that comes to know him.  Sometimes He calms the storm and other times He calms His child.

 

Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn't mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm

And other times He calms His child

 

May you seek His outpouring in the way that you need it today.
 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

John 5:1-15
5:1 A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.  

5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 

7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."

8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." 

9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.

10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed."

11 He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, 'Take up your bed and walk.'"

12 Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?"

13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place.

14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." 

15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
NKJV