Verse of the Day 1/20

 

Psalm 61:8 So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Our Pastor Bob's current series is "Rebound", it is about recovery, it is about bouncing back in the power of God and His Word.  For me the greatest example of this is our son Jeff, but in ways that may not seem significant to some.

He is disabled from a car accident at 16 that left him with a brain injury that has prevented him from a "full recovery".  But he has rebounded, more than doctors ever thought he could.  They told us he'd never walk or talk again.

 

For two years after his accident he was silent.  He did not say a word.  Then, miraculously, he began to speak, at first a few words, mostly with a weak voice.  Fast forward 15 years and his speech is much improved in quality and in strength.  And what he likes to do most is praise.  He inspires us and a whole congregation.  His speech is a blessing to us and to many and it is for God's glory.

 

It is a reminder for me to give thanks, I need to remember this daily.  John MacArthur writes, that "as a regular means of expressing thanksgiving for prayers answered, the psalmist promised daily obedience to his Lord."  The psalm itself is a reminder for me.  It was put into song by Matthew Ward and is one that Jean and I listened to and sang regularly through those times, through those years.  They are a reminder that God is a tower of strength against the enemies of fear and doubt.

 

If you are in need of a "rebound" may that be the response, "turn to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been a refuge, a strong tower against the enemy" whatever, or whoever those enemies may be.

 

Today's verse from The Message also reminds me of Jeff.  While his speech may not sound like poetry to some, it is more than that, more than music to our ears as Jeff sings the words to just about any song.  He sings for God's glory and lives for it every day.

 

And I'll be the poet who sings your glory—
    and live what I sing every day. Psalm 61:8 The Message.

 

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 61 English Standard Version (ESV)

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
² from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
³ for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

⁴ Let me dwell in your tent forever!
    Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
⁵ For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

⁶ Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!
⁷ May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

⁸ So will I ever sing praises to your name,
    as I perform my vows day after day.

Verse of the Day 1/19

 

Micah 4:6-7 "In that coming day," says the Lord,
"I will gather together those who are lame,
    those who have been exiles,
    and those whom I have filled with grief.

⁷ 

7 Those who are weak will survive as a remnant;
    those who were exiles will become a strong nation.
Then I, the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem^[a]
    as their king forever."  New Living Translation (NLT)

 

My wife Jean and I were by some friends home the other night with a group of couples and we went through some questions designed to be conversation starters.  One question was what event; past present or future would you like to witness?  Some thought of Biblical events from the Bible such as the parting of the Red Sea or the ascension of Jesus to heaven and others spoke of His return as well as other significant world events.  Personally, I look forward to when the dead in Christ will be raised and I will see our son Jeff whole.  I will see my dad being able to walk without a limp and be able to praise our Savior for all of it.

 

Today's verse came up in my Old Testament reading for the day in which I've been going through the minor prophets.  They are know as "minor prophets" due to the length of them, but their message and their prophesies are no less important.  The Message states " On that great day.... God will make a strong nation out for the long lost".

 

My wife and I have truly said at times "come Lord Jesus, come!"  It is with that in mind.  Yesterday in church we sang a modern version of "Be Still My Soul" which still ends with the original last stanza.  It is a reminder that though in this world we will face trials, but in the future, in that day when change and tears are past, all safe and blessed (and restored) we shall meet at last.

 

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

 

Hebrews 9:28so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.  New Living Translation (NLT)

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

 

Micah 4:5-7The Message (MSG)

⁵ Meanwhile, all the other people live however they wish,
    picking and choosing their gods.
But we live honoring God,
    and we're loyal to our God forever and ever.

^6-7 "On that great day," God says,
    "I will round up all the hurt and homeless,
    everyone I have bruised or banished.
I will transform the battered into a company of the elite.
    I will make a strong nation out of the long lost,
A showcase exhibit of God's rule in action,
    as I rule from Mount Zion, from here to eternity.

Verse of the Day 1/17

 

Isaiah 41:10 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.'  New King James Version (NKJV)

 

I received word this week that a couple of friends had lost loved ones that I, that many people had been praying for healing. My heart goes out to them.  There is nothing else like dealing with the loss of someone that close to you.  Those times can bring about feelings of dismay, confusion and even anger.  Why hadn't prayers been answered.?

 

Today's verse is a verse of encouragement to hold on and to remember that God is with you, God is with us even when it may feel like we're alone against the circumstances.  These can be times when we feel that we're stuck in place.  The world is revolving around us but we just can't seem to get going.  I read a note that I had attached to this verse where John Piper writes, "When the motor of my mind is in neutral, the hum of the gears is the sound of Isaiah 41:10, which say -  "fear not, I am with you, be not dismayed, I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you."

 

What do you think of, where do you go, who do you turn to when your mind is in neutral and you can rev the engine but you just can't get going?  My prayer for them and for you when you face troubled times, is that you will hear the gears of verses like this coming to your mind, may those gears, those verses help you to put it in drive and to move forward in His power, comfort and love.

 

As it states in verse 13 from The Message, "I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, 'Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.'

 

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

 

Isaiah 41:8-13The Message (MSG)

^8-10 "But you, Israel, are my servant.
    You're Jacob, my first choice,
    descendants of my good friend Abraham.
I pulled you in from all over the world,
    called you in from every dark corner of the earth,
Telling you, 'You're my servant, serving on my side.
    I've picked you. I haven't dropped you.'
Don't panic. I'm with you.
    There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
    I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

^11-13 "Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
    will end up out in the cold—
    real losers.
Those who worked against you
    will end up empty-handed—
    nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
    you won't find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
    not even a memory.
That's right. Because I, your God,
    have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go.
I'm telling you, 'Don't panic.
    I'm right here to help you.'

Verse of the Day 1/16

 

Philippians 1:27  Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in on spirit, with one mind,working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel,  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

You may have heard it said before in relation to coaching, to teaching and even to preaching, when some one asks of an instructor "what is the most important thing" and the response is something like. "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."  For the last couple of days we've been considering what it means, what it looks like to have the right "mind set" and to "set our minds" on thing above, and the way to do that  is to read, to listen to the words of Jesus and the Bible and apply them in our lives.

 

Today's verse is a reminder of what that looks like, that one thing mentioned is the main thing, live a life worthy of Christ.  Paul then goes on to describe such a person, think of these traits.  Standing firm in one spirit, with one mind - in unity with other believers, working- (it is not a passive thing), side by side - in relation with one another and in Christ, for the faith - it is for a purpose beyond us that benefits us and those that we are standing with.

 

John MacArthur writes that "believers are to have integrity, ie., to live consistent with what they believe, teach and preach."  Would that describe our lives?  If so, it would show that we have the right mindset, the mind of Christ, that we set our minds on following Him, and live a life that is worthy of Him.  That is a tall order, but one that is possible if we have that mindset and live "for the faith that comes from the gospel."

 

The Message tells us that it is not just for the hear and now but that it is for "as long as I'm alive in this body, there is work for me to do".  (The Message)

 

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

 

Philippians 1:26-30The Message (MSG)

^22-26 As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.

^27-30 Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You're involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter.

Verse of the Day 1/15

 

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  New King James Version (NKJV)

I read today's verse with yesterday's still in my mind which stated "set your minds on things that are above".  These things these thoughts are the thoughts of Christ.  It is more than simply thinking "what would Jesus do" because if we don't actually know what Jesus would do it is nothing more than using our own logic and creating our own standards.  To know Him is to know Him, know His thoughts from His words and from the scriptures which were ordained.  Perhaps the greatest passage to get an idea of this would be the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7.  But doesn't end there.

 

The bigger question is, do you, do I truly want to have the mind of Christ?  Henry Blackaby writes, "Are you willing to abandon your current values, prejudices, resentments, jealousies, and unforgiveness?  Are your prepared for the Holy Spirit to expose those areas of your thinking that are not in line with Christ's?  Are you willing to fill your mind with God's thoughts found in Scripture?"  Those are tough, sobering, and humbling questions.  But they are the kind of questions that will hit us as we read Scripture, as we read and learn the mind of Christ.

 

It is not passive and it is not automatic.  We must set our minds and let our minds, allow them to absorb and to adopt what we read and learn.  It is definitely a "pilgrim's progress".  One step, one day at a time, with ups and downs but always looking and striving - higher.

 

 Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.  (Philippians 2:2-3 The Message)

 

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

 

Philippians 2:4-8The Message (MSG)

He Took on the Status of a Slave

2 ^1-4 If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

^5-8 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

Verse of the Day 1/14

 

Colossians 3:2  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Today's verse seems like a simple, straight forward verse.  Unfortunately, the carrying out of it is not so simple.  Yesterday we considered the question Jesus asked of the lame man, "do you want to be made well"?  He instructed the man to pick up his mat and go.  The man had to take Jesus words and act upon them.  He had to set his mind on doing what Jesus called him to do.  While Jesus did the healing, the man had to act upon it.  It wasn't totally passive.  It started with believing what Jesus said, what Jesus called him to do.

John Piper writes, "I sense that many of us have become far too passive in our pursuit of change and wholeness and peace. I have the feeling that in our therapeutic age we have fallen into the passive mindset of simply "talking through our problems" or "dealing with our issues" or "discovering the roots of our brokenness in our family of origin.  But I see a much more aggressive, non-passive approach to change in the New Testament. Namely, set your mind."

We tend to search for a reason for the condition that we are in, whether it be circumstances, genetics, or how we were raised.  The recommendation, the call from the Apostle Paul is not to focus on the past and not to passively wait for better days, but to set our minds on the things above.  The things of God.  Where do we find it?  In His Word.  If you are not on a Bible reading plan, perhaps you could start.  Or pick a book of the Bible perhaps one of the gospels.  Perhaps a message from Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 -7.  His Word will show you "things from above" that are not normal in this world.  "So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ" (The Message) apply His word and you will be on your way to the change that you may desire.

Romans 8:5-6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.⁶ For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  New King James Version (NKJV)

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

 

Colossians 3:1-4The Message (MSG)

He Is Your Life

3 ^1-2 So if you're serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, actl ike it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective.

^3-4 Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life—even though invisible to spectators—is with Christ in God. He is your life. When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you'll show up, too—the real you, the glorious you. Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.

Verse of the Day 1/13

 

John 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?"  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Our men's Bible study was in John chapter 5 this week and we looked at this passage.  We've been taking a close look at the questions that Jesus' asked in the book of John.  Many of them appear to be simple questions, like the one in today's verse.  The answer should seem obvious, but is it?  Jesus approached the man as a stranger.  The passage reveals that he didn't know that it was Jesus who spoke with him or healed him until after the Jewish leaders questioned him about it, in particular why he had broken the Sabbath.

 

A stranger asks the question "do you want to be healed, made well, be made whole".  It would mean a complete change of life.  He had been this way for decades, being brought to this location, going through the motions day by day along with others with various plights.  I'm sure there were benevolent people and groups that must have provided food, water and other things for them.  What could have been a reaction to Jesus?  I can't, don't you see that I'm crippled?  But Jesus tells him to get up, pick up his mat and go.  He must have felt something and he responds, his body reacts to his thoughts and he is able to get up and walk.

 

Many people attend church on a week by week basis desiring a change in their lives.  They may be brought there or even go on their own but nothing seems to happen.  Others are stirred, but it just doesn't seem to happen them.  The question is for them as well, do you want to be healed, to be made well, to be made spiritually whole?  Week by week Jesus is calling through sermons, messages, and Bible studies to "pick up your mat and go", go do something.  Get involved.  The opportunities are there, what is lacking is the response.

 

The change that occurred within this man would change the course of his life.  He would not be able to, but also have to find a a livelihood, something to do with his life.  What would it be?  What will that change be for some of us?

 

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

John 5:6The Message (MSG)

Even on the Sabbath

5 ^1-6 Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, "Do you want to get well?"