Verse of the Day 7/24

Verse of the Day 7/24

Psalm 42:11

English Standard Version

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,

    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

The other day I quoted from Psalm 6 where David confessed that he was "languishing" and asked for God to be gracious to him.  David had his share of ups and downs, his share of trials and attacks from outside and from within.  Through it all he learned to trust in God.  He was not afraid to share what was on his heart, the raw emotions.  Today's psalm begins by speaking of the "deer that pants for water.  It needs water daily to survive, it can't go for days, like a camel, without it.  David needed the Lord's presence in all of his day, in all of his situations.

We too may go through times when we are languishing, trying to keep our heads and hearts "above water".  That feeling of treading water can have an effect on us, to bring us down.  Do we wallow in it or do we turn, look aside from and beyond the situation?  David turned and placed his hope in the Lord who had delivered him in the past and he trusted that the Lord would deliver him again.

John Piper writes, "Martyn Lloyd-Jones believes this issue of preaching truth to ourselves about God's future grace is all-important in overcoming spiritual depression. In his helpful book, Spiritual Depression, he writes, "Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them, but they start talking to you, they bring back the problems of yesterday, etc. Somebody is talking. . . . Your self is talking to you. Now this man's treatment [in Psalm 42] was this: instead of allowing this self to talk to him, he starts talking to himself. "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" he asks. His soul had been depressing him, crushing him. So he stands up and says, "Self, listen for a moment. I will speak to you." (20–21)". The battle against despondency is a battle to believe the promises of God. And that belief in God's future grace comes by hearing the word. And so preaching to ourselves the word of God is at the heart of the battle. 

Instead of listening to ourselvs, why don't we talk to ourselves about God's grace and realize that His mercies are new every morning.

1	O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free.
	Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,   In the light of His glory and grace.
2	Through death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there; O'er us sin no more hath dominion For more than conqu'rors we are!
3	His Word shall not fail you, He promised; Believe Him and all will be well; Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!

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 42:7-11

New King James Version

7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my Rock,
"Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"
10 As with a [a]breaking of my bones,
My enemies [b]reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Verse of the Day 7/22

Verse of the Day 7/22

Psalm 86:16-17

English Standard Version

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me;

    give your strength to your servant,
    and save the son of your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign of your favor,
    that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
    because you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

When was the last time that you asked God to be gracious to you, or be mercifuil to you?  If we read through the Psalms we will find many occasions where the Psalmist puts this request to the Lord.  They do not do it because that they deserve it, but because of who God is to them.  God, as our Lord and Savior desires to show us grace and mecry and to provide help in time of need, or at any time for that matter.

Psalm 30:10 says "be merciful to me, my helper".  Psalm 6:2 says "be gracious to me, for I am languishing; heal me O Lord".  That word languishing brings to my mind "trying to keep your head above water and not to drown, can you relate?  Psalm 9:13 says "be gracious to me, see my affliction". Are you afflicted, call out to Him.  Psalm 25:6 says, "be gracious to me, I am lonely and afflicted".  Psalm 31:9 says, "be gracious to me, for I am in distress".  Psalm 41:4 says, "be gracious to me, for I have sinned".

John Piper has defined graces as "pardon with power.  It involves God's forgiveness from sin and God's power to overcome that sin in the future, it is future grace.

What would be your reason to call, cry out to God to be gracious to you today?  Do it. May you experience the fulness of His grace.

1	All the way my Savior leads me;   What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy,   Who through 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 doeth all things well, For I know, whate'er befall me,   Jesus doeth all things well.
2	All the way my Savior leads me,   Cheers each winding path I tread, Gives me grace for every trial,   Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter,   And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me,   Lo! a spring of joy I see, 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 grace! Perfect rest to me is promised   In my Father's blest embrace. When my spirit, clothed immortal,   Wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages:   Jesus led me all the way, This my song through 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

Psalm 86:11-17

New King James Version

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord;
I will walk in Your truth;
[a]Unite my heart to fear Your name.
12 I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart,
And I will glorify Your name forevermore.
13 For great is Your mercy toward me,
And You have delivered my soul from the depths of 

Sheol.

14 O God, the proud have risen against me,
And a mob of violent men have sought my life,
And have not set You before them.
15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

16 Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!
Give Your strength to Your servant,
And save the son of Your maidservant.
17 Show me a sign for good,
That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed,
Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Verse of the Day 7/18

Verse of the Day 7/18

Psalm 95:6-7

New King James Version

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 a For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.

Yesterday we considered how we should be grateful, thankful for every breath that we take, the air that we breath, it is at the core of what sustains us.  We can go without food and water for a few days, but without breath, we'd be done in a few minutes.

God provides us with all that we need.  When we realize this we should take time to bow down, worship Him and praise Him for not only does He provide the things just mentioned, He guides and directs our steps our lives as the shepherd of the sheep of "His pasture".  These thoughts bring me back to Psalm 23 where we see how the Lord provides for us, leads us, makes us lie down and rest, comforts us and pursues us with His love.

If we are thankful for all of this we should praise Him we should worship Him and we should desire that He lead us because we need it.

1. Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care;
   In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.
2. We are Thine, Thou dost befriend us, be the Guardian of our way;
   Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.
3. Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be;
   Thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and pow'r to free.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to Thee.
4. Early let us seek Thy favor, early let us do Thy will;
   Blessed Lord and only Savior, with Thy love our bosoms fill.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.
   Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.     (Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us | Dorothy A. Thrupp)
   
   

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

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 95:1-7

New King James Version

A Call to Worship and Obedience

95 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
And the great King above all gods.
4 [a]In His hand are the deep places of the earth;
The heights of the hills are His also.
5 The sea is His, for He made it;
And His hands formed the dry land.

6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
7 For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand.

Verse of the Day 7/17

Verse of the Day 7/17

Isaiah 42:5

New King James Version

5 Thus says God the Lord,

Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:

On the way to the hospital after Jean's cancer procdure,  I heard the song "Great Are You Lord", we have often sang the song "Great Are You Lord" in praise and worship at church, but what drew my attention this time was "it's Your breath in our lungs, so we pour out our praise to you only."  The day before, Jean had been placed on a ventilator to help her breathing.  About midnight they were able to take it out and she was able to breath on her own again (with oxygen assist).  How easily we take for granted something like breathing.  Breathe in, breathe out.  It soulnds simple but it is necessary live, yet how often to we "pour out our prasie" to God for the breath in our lungs.

To some it may appear that "breath" just comes naturally to all creatures.  But we know differently.  Every breath we take is a gift from God.  He created us, put that breath in our lungs and continues to do so day after day.  If God has given you His Spirit, walk on this earth, givilng Him praise for your breath,  every day.

Jean remained on oxygen for a few days but we have returned home without oxygen tanks, another reason to pour out our praise.  I continue to ask for Jean's healing.  It has been slow progress but progress nonetheless.

It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

Great are You Lord
Great are You Lord

And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord                   (Great Are You Lord - Michael W. Smith)

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 42:5-9

New King James Version

5 Thus says God the Lord,

Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it,
Who gives breath to the people on it,
And spirit to those who walk on it:
6 "I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness,
And will hold Your hand;
I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the Gentiles,
7 To open blind eyes,
To bring out prisoners from the prison,
Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.
8 I am the Lord, that is My name;
And My glory I will not give to another,
Nor My praise to carved images.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them."

Verse of the Day 7/5

Verse of the Day 7/5

Hebrews 13:5

New King James Version

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

As I right this I'm sitting in a hospital room in Denver with my wife Jean who is here because of complications to cancer treatments. She spent time in the ICU after having a hard time coming out of anesthesia from a procedure. In times like these some may feel that God is not there in those times.  We feel differently, God is with us all the time.

In Genesis God was with Abraham.  He said to Isaac in Genesis 26:24 "do not fear for I am with you". In Matt. 1:23 we read of the prediction of Jesus coming as "Immanuel" God is with us. Today's verse tells us that we should be content with what we have, we can do so when Jesus is with us, wherever we are.

Burk Parsons writes, "This is the foundation for true and lasting contentment. It is precisely because the Lord is our Shepherd that we shall not want. But if He is not your Shepherd, expect no contentment. True contentment is not circumstantial, it is relational. It is not based on what happens to us; rather, it is based on who has taken hold of us—the One who dwells within us. If our contentment is based merely on what we have, we will always desire more, but when it is based on who we are in Christ, we will first and foremost desire to know Him more. For if we are to find contentment in all things, we must seek contentment in the only One who can fulfill all our desires—Jesus Christ. "

As I was driving to the hospital I heard the Michael W. Smith song "Waymaker".  It reminded me that this "Waymaker", Jesus is who we have with us.  It is who He is.

You are here
Touching every heart
I worship You
I worship You

You are here
Healing every heart
I worship You
I worship You

You are here
Mending every heart
I worship You
I worship You

You are here
Turning lives around
I worship You
I worship You

Waymaker
Miracle Worker
Promise Keeper
Light in the darkness
My God
That is who You are

He is working, He is healing, He is mending, He is leading, He is turning lives around, that is who He is, that is what He does.  Praise Him, worship Him for being with us.

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 13:1-5

New King James Version

Concluding Moral Directions

13 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.

4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Verse of the Day 7/1

Verse of the Day 

Proverbs 16:20. English Standard Version

20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,

    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

Proverbs 16 was part of a sermon that I heard yesterday and today's verse caught my attention.  I noticed in my study Bible that there were no "notes" on this verse, that's because it is very straightforward. It begs the question of us, how much thought do we give to the word of God?  It says "whoever" gives thought to the word with discover good.  In other words when the word of God is in our hearts and minds and we trust in and believe what it says, good things will happen.

It also serves as a reminder of Hebrews 4:12 which states "the word of God is living and active".  Giving thought to it, bringing it to mind in the various situations that come up in our lives will lead to good things and we will be blessed by believing, trusting in His word.

I'm reminded of the old Steve Green song:

The Word is living
The Word is light
The Word delights my soul
Preserves my life
Holy and hidden
Forever true
The perfect sacrifice
Our Lord...Jesus Christ

The Word is wisdom
The Word is true
The Word takes all that's old
And makes it new
When hearts are broken
He makes them whole
The One who paid the price
Our Lord...Jesus Christ

The Word is calling
Time and again
The Word is grieving still
For those in sin
Come now believing
This Word is true
The cross speaks this advice
"Trust Me...Jesus Christ"

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

Proverbs 16:18-21

English Standard Version

18 Pride goes before destruction,
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word
 will discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.