Verse of the Day 7/11

 

Psalm 121:3  He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

The other day we were encouraged in Jude 1:21 to "keep yourself in the love of God".  The verse also called us to "wait patiently" for the mercy of Jesus Christ.  Yesterday Psalm 103 reminded, called us not to forget His benefits which includes healing.  In today's verse the psalmist recognizes that through it all, it is God that keeps and protects us.

 

I shared with you a few weeks ago that a CT scan had revealed a mass in my wife Jean's abdomen that would most likely require surgery.  We met with an oncologist who wanted to get a better picture from an MRI.  Yesterday we got the results of the MRI.  I'll share Jean's reaction to what she was told by the doctor that the MRI showed no mass!  The doctor said that she didn't "know what they saw or thought they saw" on the CT scan but either it was never there or it is gone. Both Mike & I saw the actual CT scan films and saw the mass. So either it was not my CT scan or the power of prayer has worked a miracle. I am going with the miracle because I just haven't had that many in my life and it helps me remember "How Great is My God"!

 

Today's "Daily Bread" devotional quoted John Piper in reference to today's verse and passage. "Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. . . . God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ." 

 

The winding road has its ups and downs which we've experienced.  Thankfully, God has kept us in His love and we have kept ourselves in His and can rejoice in it, and praise His name that we can call on knowing that it is from Him that our strength comes.  He keeps our feet, our faith and our hearts secure, He doesn't fall asleep at the wheel, but acts, answers prayer in His timing for His purposes to the praise and glory of His name.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

 

 

Psalm 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?

² 

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. ESV

Verse of the Day 7/10

 

Psalm 103:11-12  For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 In yesterday's verse, Jude, Jesus earthly half brother, called us to "keep yourselves in the love of God".  Should anyone ask, why should I do so, today's verse and earlier ones from Psalm 103 give us some good answers.  First of all, His love for us is great and steadfast.  It is immovable, secure, unfailing.  Secondly He is forgiving.  We don't get what we deserve, instead He casts our sin behind, removes the things that can get in the way and brings us into His presence.

 

Read the first verses of Psalm 103 for some more reasons.  Start by remembering his benefits, in other words, count your many blessings.  Remember that He is the one who brings healing in life, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  He alone can bring satisfaction to your life, lasting, everlasting satisfaction.  He refreshes, restores, and renews our strength so that we may soar like eagles.

 

Spend some time today thinking of these things.   May the Lord "crown you with steadfast love and mercy". 

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 103:1-5

English Standard Version (ESV)

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Of David.

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³ who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵ who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Verse of the Day 7/9

Jude 1:21  Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)—[which will bring you] unto life eternal.   Amplified Bible (AMP)

 When I read today's verse in a devotional yesterday I immediately knew that I would use if for my verse of the day today.  The translation that I read it in simply stated "keep yourselves in the love of God".  The Amplified Bible does just that and adds the word guard, it is definitely a component of keeping oneself in safety.  This advice not only applies to our relationship with God but can be applied to our marriages as well.

 

Just how do we go about "guarding and keeping" ourselves.  Solomon tells us in Proverbs 4:23 to "guard your heart for it is the source of life".  If your heart is right with God or with your spouse it will be a source of life as it should be.  That guarding and keeping will involve many things communicating, treasuring, obeying, forgiving, while avoiding things that can cause pain and division.  The words imply a nearness a closeness that doesn't just happen on its own.

 

I know I'm just touching the tip of the iceberg here.  Take some time today to examine your heart and your relationship with God, with your spouse.  If you keep it right with God, He will keep it right with you and others.

 

Philippians 4:7And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Blessings,
Mike
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Jude 1:20-22

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Exhortation and Benediction

²⁰ But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. ²² Have mercy on those who doubt;

Verse of the Day 7/7

 

Jeremiah 15:16 When I discovered your words, I devoured them.
    They are my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name,
    O Lord God of Heaven's Armies    New Living Translation (NLT)

 

Yesterday I had a busy day, going for  a 3 mile walk, playing 18 holes of golf and then mowing  my yard in the mid afternoon heat.  After having skipped lunch when dinnertime came around I was hungry and devoured the fried chicken, cole slaw and hush puppies as well as several glasses of iced tea and lemonade.  Today's verse shows us the attitude of the prophets heart for God and His word.  Much like David in Psalm 43 who daily longed for God's Word, the prophet speaks of devouring it, having a voracious appetite for the Word.  His hearts desire is to know more of his great God.

 

There can be times in our lives where we are on the go, seemingly at a frantic pace, whether at work or at play and we don't stop to take time to have lunch or to rest or to recharge our batteries. Where do you turn to recharge your batteries when you finally slow down?  It will likely reveal the state of your relationship with Jesus Christ.

 

If you've been away for too long, take some time yet this weekend to dive back in.  Try a Psalm such as 42,43 or 46.  Read one of the powerful chapters from Jeremiah or Isaiah.  James MacDonald writes, "These portions are intended to fire us up, and take hold of the abundant food God has provided in His Word to feed ourselves day by day and, moment by moment."  Moment by moment you'll realize that He is with you.

 

Moment by moment I'm kept in His love;
Moment by moment I've life from above;
Looking to Jesus till glory doth shine;
Moment by moment, O Lord, I am Thine.

Never a trial that He is not there,
Never a burden that He doth not bear,
Never a sorrow that He doth not share ,
Moment by moment, I'm under His care.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Jeremiah 15:15-17

New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ Then I said,

"Lord, you know what's happening to me.
    Please step in and help me. Punish my persecutors!
Please give me time; don't let me die young.
    It's for your sake that I am suffering.
¹⁶ When I discovered your words, I devoured them.
    They are my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name,
    O Lord God of Heaven's Armies.
¹⁷ I never joined the people in their merry feasts.
    I sat alone because your hand was on me.
    I was filled with indignation at their sins.

Verse of the Day 7/4

 

Psalm 33:12  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His heritage.    Amplified Bible (AMP)

 Today as we celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day, we can look at our country, and be happy, feel fortunate and be thankful for those who fought and gave their lives for the religious and other freedoms that we enjoy.  Aroun the world, many people are envious and would gladly trade places to live in "the land of the free".

 

When you look around Washington DC, Philadelphia and other places of our nations early history, you can see evidence and testimony in statements from our founding fathers in their faith, trust and hope in God.  Our nation truly has been blessed.

 

My hope and prayer today would be that we find more of the faith of our fathers and hold to it in this day and age.  I'll leave you with some of the words to the Matt Maher song "Woke Up in America".  May it remind us that we can be thankful to be born here, may it be said as Christians that it was for the love of God and something bigger than ourselves.

 

My parents gave me a life full of dreams
Yeah they gave me a heart to endure most anything
But everyone gets a broken pair of wings
And if you try to fly you' ll fail
But a voice said "Lift up your head"
And my heart burst out of my chest
I woke up in America for the love of God
I woke up in America for something bigger than myself
More than fireworks and fanfare
More than a star-spangled banner
You' re still beautiful America

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Psalm 33:11-13

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹¹ The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
    the plans of his heart to all generations.
¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
    the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!

¹³ The Lord looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man;

Verse of the Day 7/3

 

1 Timothy 1:5   Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

You've probably heard it said that sometimes you just have to "agree to disagree" which requires to move beyond the argument realizing that there is more to life, more to a relationship, more to life than winning at all costs.

 

In today's verse Paul makes it clear that the goal of his ministry is to love.  Think of how far Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit had led Paul.  He had been persecuting Christians, dragging them off to trial and punishment.  Now, he has been converted, sees the new way.  If he is to win converts to Christ, he must do so by showing the love of Christ.

 

When you see the polarization in society, in politics and even within denominations in the church you see a lack of concern for the common good, for serving let alone loving one another.

 

As we consider our lives as Christians, when we consider our ministries, love, the love of Christ should be at the core, a love that flows from a pure heart, with a good conscience out of a sincere faith.  When this occurs there will be more bridge building and less wall building in our homes, churches and overflowing into the community.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 Timothy 1:1-5

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope:

² To Timothy, my true son in the faith.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the^[a] Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

False Doctrine and Misuse of the Law

³ As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine ⁴ or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God's plan, which operates by faith. ⁵ Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

Verse of the Day 7/1

 

Zephaniah 3:5  The Lord is righteous in her midst,
He will do no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light;
He never fails,
But the unjust knows no shame.   New King James Version (NKJV)

 

In this day and age people can be dependent upon their government, perhaps churches, or other organizations to meet their needs.  They can hope, lobby and plead for a change in rules for their cause through court rulings, hoping that the judges will see thing their way. 

 

In today's passage the prophet speaks of a rebellious people, seeking change, and a people dependent on a government to do so.  The preceding verses tell us of officials, judges, prophets and priests all of whom roar, are fickle, treacherous, cunning and do violence to God's law.  Sounds a lot like today.  The prophet reminds the people then and now that it is God who is righteous, who is just, who can be trusted.  Each day His love and His mercy never fail.

 

We sang the song "Your Love Never Fails"  (Jesus Culture) yesterday in church.  The words of that song led me to today's verse, especially the words 'You stay the same through the ages, Your love never changes'.

 

Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

May we be reminded that when we need a change, we won't find satisfaction in rulers or judges or even TV evangelists, it is probably a change of heart which comes from following the One who never changes.  The Lord is still here in the city where we live.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at 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

Zephaniah 3:1-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jerusalem's Rebellion and Redemption

3 What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem,
    the city of violence and crime!
² No one can tell it anything;
    it refuses all correction.
It does not trust in the Lord
    or draw near to its God.
³ Its leaders are like roaring lions
    hunting for their victims.
Its judges are like ravenous wolves at evening time,
    who by dawn have left no trace of their prey.
⁴ Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain.
    Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God's instructions.
⁵ But the Lord is still there in the city,
    and he does no wrong.
Day by day he hands down justice,
    and he does not fail.
    But the wicked know no shame.