Through the Bible - Deuteronomy 1-2
Good morning,
For this weekend's verse we'll once again turn to the psalms. The title of the psalm is "Waiting for the Redemption of the Lord". Think about that for a moment, would you say that you are "waiting for redemption"?
The psalm is a "song of ascent" , sung as the people were going up to the temple to worship.
Read the verses and the chapter below.
Ps 130:7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
8 And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities. NKJV
As I read the psalm this week I was reminded of a couple of songs that have been favorites of mine over the years, one was written by Rich Mullins. It was to be on his next album when his life ended in a fatal car crash. It was entitled "My Deliverer", "my deliverer is coming, my deliverer is standing by. He will never break his promise He has written it across the sky."
Gen 9:16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." NKJV
The other is by Steven Curtis Chapman, "My Redeemer is Faithful and True". I had sung the song in church a couple of times but it really didn't have it's full impact on me until after Jeff's accident. I think you'll see why.
My Redeemer is Faithful and True
As I look back on the road I've travelled,
I see so many times He carried me through;
And if there's one thing that I've learned in my life,
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
[Chorus:]
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
Everything He has said He will do,
And every morning His mercies are new.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
My heart rejoices when I read the promise
'There is a place I am preparing for you.'
I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face,
'Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.
My Redeemer is faithful and true.
[Chorus]
And in every situation He has proved His love to me;
When I lack the understanding, He gives more grace to me.
[Chorus]
Whatever difficult situation or trial you may be going through or have gone through, my prayer of encouragement is that of the psalmist, "O friend, hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy."
There is so much else to this psalm. How does it speak to you today?
What song will be in your heart as you go to worship this weekend?
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 130:1-131:1
Waiting for the Redemption of the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
130 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;
2 Lord, hear my voice!
Let Your ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
3 If You, Lord, should mark iniquities,
O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You,
That You may be feared.
5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
And in His word I do hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
More than those who watch for the morning —
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;
For with the Lord there is mercy,
And with Him is abundant redemption.
8 And He shall redeem Israel
From all his iniquities.
NKJV
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Verse of the Day 2/29
Through the Bible - Numbers 33-35, Mark 15
Good morning,
If you're following a read through the Bible plan which includes the Old Testament you've probably been in the book of Numbers recently. The book gets it's name from the people of Israel being numbered in the book after the exodus from Egypt and again at the end of the book prior to going into the promised land.
The population had remained about the same, but a generation had passed away in the desert.
Prior to the time in Eqypt the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had primarily been nomads moving from place to place never setting down permanent roots. But God provided for them.
Prior to the exodus, the people had been living in Egypt, in homes. They provided slave labor, working long hard hours to come home have their meals and go out the next day and do it again.
After the exodus they again went back to the desert and became nomads, leaving the homes, the ethnic foods, and what comforts, the "stuff" they'd been able to accumulate in their homes.
Sometimes it's easy to look down upon God's people, how could they not trust Him after being led through the Red Sea etc..
But look at our lives. Many of us work long hours to come home and eat and go back and do it again. We have some "stuff" that makes it more bearable and enjoy the food that we have.
If God asked you to leave it all to follow Him how easy would it be.
Today's verse comes from Deut. 31 where the leadership is being transferred from Moses to Joshua. Joshua and the people are being encouraged to keep in mind that the Lord who has gone before them in the desert will now lead them into the promised land.
Deuteronomy 31:7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” NKJV
Reading through Numbers, especially in the last few chapters where you see how many times they packed up and moved camp over the forty years, ask yourself, "would I have been one of the grumblers"?
Having pulled up the family and moving a couple of times makes you realize a few things and have some empathy for the Jews during this time. Any time you move, it forces you to go through your possesions and you leave some things, not to mention friends and family, behind. If you're going a fairly long distance you'll be leaving some of the foods and customs you may have grown accustomed to as well (like Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef, and real pizza).
But these changes can help you grow.
No matter where God is leading you, may you have this same courage, knowing that He will not forsake you, in fact He will go before you.
In all of this we must not forget that God also set up celebrations, feasts, "holidays" (literally holy days) so that the people, the next generations would not forget how God had gone before them.
What are you doing to pass on to the next generation, what God has done for you.
Whether you are in one place for a long time or have had to move think back on how God has been leading you wherever you've been.
In Christ,
Mike
Joshua the New Leader of Israel
1 Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.’ 3 The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said. 4 And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites and their land, when He destroyed them. 5 The LORD will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
The Law to Be Read Every Seven Years
9 So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who hav e not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”
Good morning,
If you're following a read through the Bible plan which includes the Old Testament you've probably been in the book of Numbers recently. The book gets it's name from the people of Israel being numbered in the book after the exodus from Egypt and again at the end of the book prior to going into the promised land.
The population had remained about the same, but a generation had passed away in the desert.
Prior to the time in Eqypt the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had primarily been nomads moving from place to place never setting down permanent roots. But God provided for them.
Prior to the exodus, the people had been living in Egypt, in homes. They provided slave labor, working long hard hours to come home have their meals and go out the next day and do it again.
After the exodus they again went back to the desert and became nomads, leaving the homes, the ethnic foods, and what comforts, the "stuff" they'd been able to accumulate in their homes.
Sometimes it's easy to look down upon God's people, how could they not trust Him after being led through the Red Sea etc..
But look at our lives. Many of us work long hours to come home and eat and go back and do it again. We have some "stuff" that makes it more bearable and enjoy the food that we have.
If God asked you to leave it all to follow Him how easy would it be.
Today's verse comes from Deut. 31 where the leadership is being transferred from Moses to Joshua. Joshua and the people are being encouraged to keep in mind that the Lord who has gone before them in the desert will now lead them into the promised land.
Deuteronomy 31:7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” NKJV
Reading through Numbers, especially in the last few chapters where you see how many times they packed up and moved camp over the forty years, ask yourself, "would I have been one of the grumblers"?
Having pulled up the family and moving a couple of times makes you realize a few things and have some empathy for the Jews during this time. Any time you move, it forces you to go through your possesions and you leave some things, not to mention friends and family, behind. If you're going a fairly long distance you'll be leaving some of the foods and customs you may have grown accustomed to as well (like Chicago style hot dogs, Italian beef, and real pizza).
But these changes can help you grow.
No matter where God is leading you, may you have this same courage, knowing that He will not forsake you, in fact He will go before you.
In all of this we must not forget that God also set up celebrations, feasts, "holidays" (literally holy days) so that the people, the next generations would not forget how God had gone before them.
What are you doing to pass on to the next generation, what God has done for you.
Whether you are in one place for a long time or have had to move think back on how God has been leading you wherever you've been.
In Christ,
Mike
Joshua the New Leader of Israel
1 Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them: “I am one hundred and twenty years old today. I can no longer go out and come in. Also the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross over this Jordan.’ 3 The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said. 4 And the LORD will do to them as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites and their land, when He destroyed them. 5 The LORD will give them over to you, that you may do to them according to every commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”
The Law to Be Read Every Seven Years
9 So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 And Moses commanded them, saying: “At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who hav e not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.”
Verse of the Day 2/28
Through the Bible -Numbers 31-32
Good morning,
I've had an interest in trees since I was a kid. I remember seeing seedlings grow in the neighbors sandbox when the nearby maple trees dropped their "helicopters". I started planting trees then and continued to do so at our first home, when we moved to Huntley and again when we moved to North Carolina. The ones that I planted in areas of the yard that were moist and well watered did well. Sometimes I planted trees where I thought they'd look nice but if the soil was hard and dry they didn't surive.
Today's verse comes from Psalm 1 which I read yesterday.
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. NKJV
These verses reveal several things. The psalm starts out with "blessed is the man" and speaks here that whatever he does shall prosper. We should take this not as a guarantee of financial success (as some do) but in following Him closely, remaining close to Him we will be productive for Him.
MacArthur notes that being "planted" literally means "transplanted. Trees do not plant themselves ; neither do sinful people transport themselves into God's kingdom. Salvation is His marvelous work of grace. Yet there is genuine responsibility in appropriating the abundant resources of God. (Jer. 17:8), which lead to eventual productivity."
Derek Maul writes in today's "These Days" devotional:
"Research reveals that less than 10 percent of Christians set aside time for regular devotional reading and prayer. But here's an interesting fact: 100 percent of those who do a devotional reading say the daily routine is inarguably life changing."
Psalm 42 then comes to mind:
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
The deer desires, needs water daily and is not like a camel. We aren't spiritual camels that commonly go days and even weeks without water. As Christians we need to stay closely connected to our source of water, of life, for us to thrive and grow.
When I pasted the passage for yesterday's verse I ended with Prov. 3:18 regarding wisdom.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
And where does that wisdom come from? From being in God's Word , learning, and applying it in our lives, ultimately that we will bear fruit.
Thrive where God has planted you.
In Christ,
Mike
Psalm1:1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
& nbsp;And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Good morning,
I've had an interest in trees since I was a kid. I remember seeing seedlings grow in the neighbors sandbox when the nearby maple trees dropped their "helicopters". I started planting trees then and continued to do so at our first home, when we moved to Huntley and again when we moved to North Carolina. The ones that I planted in areas of the yard that were moist and well watered did well. Sometimes I planted trees where I thought they'd look nice but if the soil was hard and dry they didn't surive.
Today's verse comes from Psalm 1 which I read yesterday.
Psalms 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper. NKJV
These verses reveal several things. The psalm starts out with "blessed is the man" and speaks here that whatever he does shall prosper. We should take this not as a guarantee of financial success (as some do) but in following Him closely, remaining close to Him we will be productive for Him.
MacArthur notes that being "planted" literally means "transplanted. Trees do not plant themselves ; neither do sinful people transport themselves into God's kingdom. Salvation is His marvelous work of grace. Yet there is genuine responsibility in appropriating the abundant resources of God. (Jer. 17:8), which lead to eventual productivity."
Derek Maul writes in today's "These Days" devotional:
"Research reveals that less than 10 percent of Christians set aside time for regular devotional reading and prayer. But here's an interesting fact: 100 percent of those who do a devotional reading say the daily routine is inarguably life changing."
Psalm 42 then comes to mind:
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
The deer desires, needs water daily and is not like a camel. We aren't spiritual camels that commonly go days and even weeks without water. As Christians we need to stay closely connected to our source of water, of life, for us to thrive and grow.
When I pasted the passage for yesterday's verse I ended with Prov. 3:18 regarding wisdom.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
And where does that wisdom come from? From being in God's Word , learning, and applying it in our lives, ultimately that we will bear fruit.
Thrive where God has planted you.
In Christ,
Mike
Psalm1:1 Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
& nbsp;And whatever he does shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Verse of the Day 2/27
Through the Bible - Numbers 28-30, Mark 14
Good morning,
Yesterday I mentioned mean or evil looks.
Most of you know our son Jeffrey who suffered a traumatic brain injury several years ago which have left him disabled. If you know him now, you would know him as a person that is almost always smiling and doesn't wear a "mean look".
I've shared this before but I'll do it again today. One morning when I was getting Jeff up and he was being his happy self, I asked him why he is always so happy. He responded with, "I have the peace that passes understanding".
Jeff is a young man of few words, but it blows me away when I hear things like that come from him.
I was reminded of this this morning as I read Proverbs 1.
Prov 3:1-3
3 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you. NKJVThe words that Jeff spoke and that peace were put in Jeff's heart by God.
I had woken up this morning with some anxiousness (anxiety) about the day ahead. Reading this chapter of Proverbs and thinking of my precious son, the joy that he is and the peace that he has, helped to bring peace back in my heart this morning.
What kind of things are you facing today that make you anxious?
Think about God's blessings, dwell upon His promises, don't forget what you've learned, draw upon it and "peace they will add to you."
May you have the joy in your heart, and the peace that passes understanding "down in your heart to stay".
Have a blessed day.
In Christ,
Mike
Prov 3:1-19
1 My son, do not forget my law,But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long lifeAnd peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;Bind them around your neck,Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteemIn the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies,And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand,In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,And happy are all who retain her.
NKJV
Good morning,
Yesterday I mentioned mean or evil looks.
Most of you know our son Jeffrey who suffered a traumatic brain injury several years ago which have left him disabled. If you know him now, you would know him as a person that is almost always smiling and doesn't wear a "mean look".
I've shared this before but I'll do it again today. One morning when I was getting Jeff up and he was being his happy self, I asked him why he is always so happy. He responded with, "I have the peace that passes understanding".
Jeff is a young man of few words, but it blows me away when I hear things like that come from him.
I was reminded of this this morning as I read Proverbs 1.
Prov 3:1-3
3 My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you. NKJVThe words that Jeff spoke and that peace were put in Jeff's heart by God.
I had woken up this morning with some anxiousness (anxiety) about the day ahead. Reading this chapter of Proverbs and thinking of my precious son, the joy that he is and the peace that he has, helped to bring peace back in my heart this morning.
What kind of things are you facing today that make you anxious?
Think about God's blessings, dwell upon His promises, don't forget what you've learned, draw upon it and "peace they will add to you."
May you have the joy in your heart, and the peace that passes understanding "down in your heart to stay".
Have a blessed day.
In Christ,
Mike
Prov 3:1-19
1 My son, do not forget my law,But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long lifeAnd peace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;Bind them around your neck,Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteemIn the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;Fear the Lord and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your possessions,And with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,Nor detest His correction; 12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,And her gain than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies,And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand,In her left hand riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,And all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,And happy are all who retain her.
NKJV
Verse of the Day 2/26
Through the Bible - Numbers 26-27, Mark 13
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll go to the book of Mark where Jesus is giving the disciples a lesson on hypocrisy. The pharisees and others were so concerned about what they ate and drank, the "rules" that they followed, the outward appearance of doing the right thing.
Jesus made it clear that there was much more to be concerned about. It's what is in your heart and what flows out of it.
The Message does a good job of putting it in modern language, it hit me.
Mark 7:20-23
He went on: "It's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness — all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution." - The Message
Look at the list of things that "pollute".
I can be a man of few words, but unfortunately, over the years I've mastered disdainful, sarcastic, and just downright "mean looks" as described here, which speaks to me more than the "evil eye" in the NKJV. It's putting the two of them together that was so revealling to me.
These verses are another example of what God's Word can do, cutting like a knife to reveal "the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Heb 4:12-13
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV
Read through the verses in The Message or whatever translation you have. Do you see something that is convicting to you? There are a lot of things to choose from.
Ask for His grace to overcome it in your life.
In Christ,
Mike
Mark 7:1-23
7 The Pharisees, along with some religion scholars who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around him. They noticed that some of his disciples weren't being careful with ritual washings before meals. The Pharisees — Jews in general, in fact — would never eat a meal without going through the motions of a ritual hand-washing, with an especially vigorous scrubbing if they had just come from the market (to say nothing of the scourings they'd give jugs and pots and pans).
The Pharisees and religion scholars asked, "Why do your disciples flout the rules, showing up at meals without washing their hands?"
Jesus answered, "Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull's-eye in fact:
These people make a big show of saying the right thing,but their heart isn't in it. They act like they are worshiping me,but they don't mean it.They just use me as a coverfor teaching whatever suits their fancy, Ditching God's commandand taking up the latest fads."
He went on, "Wel l, good for you. You get rid of God's command so you won't be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! Moses said, 'Respect your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.' But you weasel out of that by saying that it's perfectly acceptable to say to father or mother, 'Gift! What I owed you I've given as a gift to God,' thus relieving yourselves of obligation to father or mother. You scratch out God's Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this."
Jesus called the crowd together again and said, "Listen now, all of you — take this to heart. It's not what you swallow that pollutes your life; it's what you vomit — that's the real pollution."
When he was back home after being with the crowd, his disciples said, "We don't get it. Put it in plain language."
Jesus said, "Are you being willfully stupid? Don't you see that what you swallow can't contaminate you? It doesn't enter your heart but your stomach, works its way through the intestines, and is finally flushed." (That took care of dietary quibbling; Jesus was saying that all foods are fit to eat.)
He went on: "It's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness — all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution."
(from THE MESSAGE)
Good morning,
For today's verse we'll go to the book of Mark where Jesus is giving the disciples a lesson on hypocrisy. The pharisees and others were so concerned about what they ate and drank, the "rules" that they followed, the outward appearance of doing the right thing.
Jesus made it clear that there was much more to be concerned about. It's what is in your heart and what flows out of it.
The Message does a good job of putting it in modern language, it hit me.
Mark 7:20-23
He went on: "It's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness — all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution." - The Message
Look at the list of things that "pollute".
I can be a man of few words, but unfortunately, over the years I've mastered disdainful, sarcastic, and just downright "mean looks" as described here, which speaks to me more than the "evil eye" in the NKJV. It's putting the two of them together that was so revealling to me.
These verses are another example of what God's Word can do, cutting like a knife to reveal "the thoughts and intents of the heart."
Heb 4:12-13
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. NKJV
Read through the verses in The Message or whatever translation you have. Do you see something that is convicting to you? There are a lot of things to choose from.
Ask for His grace to overcome it in your life.
In Christ,
Mike
Mark 7:1-23
7 The Pharisees, along with some religion scholars who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around him. They noticed that some of his disciples weren't being careful with ritual washings before meals. The Pharisees — Jews in general, in fact — would never eat a meal without going through the motions of a ritual hand-washing, with an especially vigorous scrubbing if they had just come from the market (to say nothing of the scourings they'd give jugs and pots and pans).
The Pharisees and religion scholars asked, "Why do your disciples flout the rules, showing up at meals without washing their hands?"
Jesus answered, "Isaiah was right about frauds like you, hit the bull's-eye in fact:
These people make a big show of saying the right thing,but their heart isn't in it. They act like they are worshiping me,but they don't mean it.They just use me as a coverfor teaching whatever suits their fancy, Ditching God's commandand taking up the latest fads."
He went on, "Wel l, good for you. You get rid of God's command so you won't be inconvenienced in following the religious fashions! Moses said, 'Respect your father and mother,' and, 'Anyone denouncing father or mother should be killed.' But you weasel out of that by saying that it's perfectly acceptable to say to father or mother, 'Gift! What I owed you I've given as a gift to God,' thus relieving yourselves of obligation to father or mother. You scratch out God's Word and scrawl a whim in its place. You do a lot of things like this."
Jesus called the crowd together again and said, "Listen now, all of you — take this to heart. It's not what you swallow that pollutes your life; it's what you vomit — that's the real pollution."
When he was back home after being with the crowd, his disciples said, "We don't get it. Put it in plain language."
Jesus said, "Are you being willfully stupid? Don't you see that what you swallow can't contaminate you? It doesn't enter your heart but your stomach, works its way through the intestines, and is finally flushed." (That took care of dietary quibbling; Jesus was saying that all foods are fit to eat.)
He went on: "It's what comes out of a person that pollutes: obscenities, lusts, thefts, murders, adulteries, greed, depravity, deceptive dealings, carousing, mean looks, slander, arrogance, foolishness — all these are vomit from the heart. There is the source of your pollution."
(from THE MESSAGE)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Verse of the Day 2/25
Through the Bible - Numbers 23-25
Good morning,
Do you remember your father coming home from work at a regular time for dinner? You could recognize the sound of your family car, the car door closing and the door of your house opening and you knew your dad was home. Perhaps you are the dad and one of your kids is experiencing this now.
What happened when you did something wrong or had a bad report card? You probably didn't go to meet your dad at the door.
That was the picture that I got this morning when I read Genesis 3:8-9
Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" NKJV
I wonder what the "sound of the Lord walking in the garden" was, perhaps it was the rustling of leaves on the ground or in the trees. Whatever it was Adam and Eve recognized it and up until now must have looked forward to the encounter.
But something had changed, they had sinned, and now were trying to hide from God. But they couldn't hide, not really, God knew where they were.
Man had turned away but God was calling to him.
MacArthur comments, "God appeared, as before, in tones of goodness and kindness, walking in some visible form..... He came not in fury, but in the same condescending way He had walked with Adam and Eve before."
What had been a beautiful, perfect relationship had become one of fear.
Have we tried doing the same thing when we've sinned, to hide from God? Who acts to restore the relationship. Is your relationship strained right now? God may be calling to you in the same verse, where are you? Where have you been? Will you respond? How will you respond?
Is there a strain in another relationship? Will you be the peacemaker?
Matt 5:8-9
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
Gen 3:1-16
The Temptation and Fall of Man(Rom 5:12-21)
3 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'"
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"
12 Then the man said,"The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."
13 And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said,"The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this,You are cursed more than all cattle,And more than every beast of the field;On your belly you shall go,And you shall eat dustAll the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmityBetween you and the woman,And between your seed and her Seed;He shall bruise your head,And you shall bruise His heel."
1
NKJV
Good morning,
Do you remember your father coming home from work at a regular time for dinner? You could recognize the sound of your family car, the car door closing and the door of your house opening and you knew your dad was home. Perhaps you are the dad and one of your kids is experiencing this now.
What happened when you did something wrong or had a bad report card? You probably didn't go to meet your dad at the door.
That was the picture that I got this morning when I read Genesis 3:8-9
Gen 3:8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" NKJV
I wonder what the "sound of the Lord walking in the garden" was, perhaps it was the rustling of leaves on the ground or in the trees. Whatever it was Adam and Eve recognized it and up until now must have looked forward to the encounter.
But something had changed, they had sinned, and now were trying to hide from God. But they couldn't hide, not really, God knew where they were.
Man had turned away but God was calling to him.
MacArthur comments, "God appeared, as before, in tones of goodness and kindness, walking in some visible form..... He came not in fury, but in the same condescending way He had walked with Adam and Eve before."
What had been a beautiful, perfect relationship had become one of fear.
Have we tried doing the same thing when we've sinned, to hide from God? Who acts to restore the relationship. Is your relationship strained right now? God may be calling to you in the same verse, where are you? Where have you been? Will you respond? How will you respond?
Is there a strain in another relationship? Will you be the peacemaker?
Matt 5:8-9
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
Gen 3:1-16
The Temptation and Fall of Man(Rom 5:12-21)
3 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'"
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
9 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."
11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"
12 Then the man said,"The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."
13 And the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"
The woman said,"The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
14 So the Lord God said to the serpent:
"Because you have done this,You are cursed more than all cattle,And more than every beast of the field;On your belly you shall go,And you shall eat dustAll the days of your life. 15 And I will put enmityBetween you and the woman,And between your seed and her Seed;He shall bruise your head,And you shall bruise His heel."
1
NKJV
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Verse of the Day - weekend 2/23
Through the Bible - Saturday Numbers 18-20, Mark 11, Sunday - Numbers 21-22, Mark 12
Good morning,
For this weekend's verse we'll once again turn to the Psalms.
Earlier this week I had been reading in Matthew 5, the Beatitudes about the "pure in heart".
Ligonier Ministries' Tabletalk Magazine this week stated " the pure in heart receive God's blessing and will one day see Him (Matt.5:8). Jesus' instruction in this verse is not new information for those well versed in the Old Testament. It is based on Psalm 24, which says that only those with "clean hands and a pure heart" can stand in the Lord's presence (Ps. 24:3-4). According to Augustine, seeing God face to face when He renews all things is the end and purpose of all our loving activity. This privilege is only for those who have hearts characterized by purity."
Ps 24:3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully. NKJV
Today's verse comes a little further on in the psalm:
Ps 24:5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. NKJV
The blessing and the righteousness spoken of are gifts from God, of His grace.
Referring back to verse 4, MacArthur writes that the person with these qualities signify "basic integrity of inward motive and outward manner."
Thinking of Jacob here I think of the man who wrestled with God all night and wouldn't let go until He blessed Him (Gen. 32:28). Jacob left the encounter with a bad hip but a change in heart.
Think back now to the encounters of the last couple of days with Paul and Moses. These "close encounters" with God changed them. Have you had a close encounter that has changed you?
Will you seek Him and worship Him with a pure heart this weekend?
Let us be a generation who seeks after God with clean hands and a pure heart and not like those that Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 1:
Isa 1:12-18
12 "When you come to appear before Me,Who has required this from your hand,To trample My courts? 13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;Incense is an abomination to Me.The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies — I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. 14 Your New Moons and your appointed feastsMy soul hates;They are a trouble to Me,I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands,I will hide My eyes from you;Even though you make many prayers,I will not hear.Your hands are full of blood. 16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good;Seek justice,Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless,Plead for the widow. NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
Ps 24:1-25:1
The King of Glory and His Kingdom
A Psalm of David.
24 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas,And established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,Who seek Your face.Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?The Lord strong and mighty,The Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!Lift up, you everlasting doors!And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts,He is the King of glory.Selah
NKJV
Good morning,
For this weekend's verse we'll once again turn to the Psalms.
Earlier this week I had been reading in Matthew 5, the Beatitudes about the "pure in heart".
Ligonier Ministries' Tabletalk Magazine this week stated " the pure in heart receive God's blessing and will one day see Him (Matt.5:8). Jesus' instruction in this verse is not new information for those well versed in the Old Testament. It is based on Psalm 24, which says that only those with "clean hands and a pure heart" can stand in the Lord's presence (Ps. 24:3-4). According to Augustine, seeing God face to face when He renews all things is the end and purpose of all our loving activity. This privilege is only for those who have hearts characterized by purity."
Ps 24:3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully. NKJV
Today's verse comes a little further on in the psalm:
Ps 24:5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
Who seek Your face. NKJV
The blessing and the righteousness spoken of are gifts from God, of His grace.
Referring back to verse 4, MacArthur writes that the person with these qualities signify "basic integrity of inward motive and outward manner."
Thinking of Jacob here I think of the man who wrestled with God all night and wouldn't let go until He blessed Him (Gen. 32:28). Jacob left the encounter with a bad hip but a change in heart.
Think back now to the encounters of the last couple of days with Paul and Moses. These "close encounters" with God changed them. Have you had a close encounter that has changed you?
Will you seek Him and worship Him with a pure heart this weekend?
Let us be a generation who seeks after God with clean hands and a pure heart and not like those that Isaiah spoke of in Isaiah 1:
Isa 1:12-18
12 "When you come to appear before Me,Who has required this from your hand,To trample My courts? 13 Bring no more futile sacrifices;Incense is an abomination to Me.The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies — I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. 14 Your New Moons and your appointed feastsMy soul hates;They are a trouble to Me,I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands,I will hide My eyes from you;Even though you make many prayers,I will not hear.Your hands are full of blood. 16 "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good;Seek justice,Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless,Plead for the widow. NKJV
In Christ,
Mike
Ps 24:1-25:1
The King of Glory and His Kingdom
A Psalm of David.
24 The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness,The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas,And established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,Who seek Your face.Selah
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!And the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory?The Lord strong and mighty,The Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!Lift up, you everlasting doors!And the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory?The Lord of hosts,He is the King of glory.Selah
NKJV
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