Verse of the Day 6/14

 

Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song,
    and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father's God, and I will exalt him.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

We have considered how it is in Christ's strength that we stand in grace. 

 

This weekend we will be celebrating Father's Day where we honor our fathers, our dads.  For those of us who were raised in a Christian home we should be thankful for Christian, for godly fathers.  We should be thankful that their heritage has been passed on to us.  Whether or not we had this experience it should be the desire of us men to pass on our spiritual heritage to our children.  To raise them up and train them in the way they should go.

 

This will be the second Father's Day since my dad went to be with the Lord.  I am thankful for his spirit, for his faith, for showing me what being a father should be.  I miss him but will remember and honor him this weekend as I worship and honor my father's God.

 

Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.

Refrain

Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.

 

Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Exodus 15:1-3

New International Version (NIV)

The Song of Moses and Miriam

15 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord:

"I will sing to the Lord,
    for he is highly exalted.
Both horse and driver
    he has hurled into the sea.

² "The Lord is my strength and my defense^[a];
    he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
    my father's God, and I will exalt him.
³ The Lord is a warrior;
    the Lord is his name.

Verse of the Day 6/13

Verse of the Day 6/13

Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God .English Standard Version (ESV

Yesterday we considered the prophet Habakkuk and how he was able to trust in and rejoice in God in the "normal" days and in days when he faced the "stormy blast". He stated that the "just shall live by faith", the just being those who are in right standing with God. To be able to do this requires faith, the grace to stand and a mind that holds onto hope even in dire situations.

Sometimes we may feel that we don't have much faith, much grace or much hope to stand. The passage tells us that He gives us the strength needed to do so. Charles Spurgeon writes, "Thank him for little grace, and ask him for great grace. He has given you hope, ask for faith; and when he gives you faith, ask for assurance; and when you get assurance, as for full assurance; and when you have obtained full assurance, ask for enjoyment; and when you have enjoyment, ask for glory itself; and he shall surely give it to you in his own appointed season."

Where do you see yourself in the continue-um above, what are you asking for now - hope, faith, assurance, joy, His glory? Wherever it is, it is in His grace that we stand.

Blessings,

Mike

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Romans 5:1-5

English Standard Version (ESV)
Peace with God Through Faith
5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Verse of the Day 6/11

 

1 Thessalonians 4:9 But concerning brotherly love [for all other Christians], you have no need to have anyone write you, for you yourselves have been [personally] taught by God to love one another.  Amplified Bible (AMP)

 

As Christians we are to love people, to show Christ's love.  But there is a special love, a special bond between believers, between brothers and sisters in Christ.  They share common hopes, common dreams, common concerns and common hearts for their family in Christ.

 

Paul makes note of this in Galatians 6:10" So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [^[a]morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers]."

These thoughts were brought home to me, personally, in a powerful way.  My wife Jean has an appointment today with an oncologist.  We are not sure what we will hear but there is definitely some fear and apprehension.  But as she shared this with friends a group of them invited us over and prayed over her, prayed over us.  They shared their hearts, their prayers, their faith and their hope.  Non Christians can show concern, but the prayer of the "saints" brought out what the "especially" means in Galatians 6:10.  We have felt this "brotherly love".

 

We are thankful for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and covet their prayers.

 

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

1 Thessalonians 4:8-10

English Standard Version (ESV)

⁸ Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

⁹ Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, ¹⁰ for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

Verse of the Day 6/10

 

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
    I have called you by name, you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Last week I quoted a verse that began with "therefore" and I said that I had heard that when we see that we need to go back and see "what it is there for".  Today's verse starts out in similar fashion "but God".  It speaks of a change, of an about face.  The nation, because of sin and rejection of God's word and will deserved one thing but in God's mercy and grace He offered another thing.  We use the term "no if's, ands or buts" when we speak of a certainty.  Thankfully, as children of God there is a "but" that immediately follows the end of Isaiah 42.

 

Many who are in the midst of trials or perhaps staring one in the face based on recent developments, can cling to these promises of God "I have redeemed you, called you by name, you are mine".  There may be times in our lives when the billows roll, wave after wave with no end in sight.  It is for these times that God says that the waters "shall not overwhelm you" nor the flames of the affliction "consume you".

 

If you are facing the waters or the fire, call on Jesus to help you now. I was reminded of the words to the Matt Maher song, "Heaven Help Me Now". 

 

I don't wanna live tomorrow, for another rainy day.

I don't wanna say I'm  sorry,

If I can't avoid the pain.

I don't wanna gain the whole world, just to turn and lose it all.

'Cause when it's time to jump, I don't wanna guess,

If you're gonna help break the fall. 

If there's any hope around 
Chorus 
Heaven, Help Me Now 
Heaven, Help Me Now 
I lift you up and I lay me down 
Heaven, Help Me Now 

Heaven, Help Me Now (I believe, I believe, I believe)
I Believe You Can Help Me Now (I believe, I believe, I believe) 

 

Lord God of heaven help us now.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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 43:1-2

Amplified Bible (AMP)

43 But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel's sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.

Verse of the Day 6/7

 

 Revelation 3:11   I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.   English Standard Version (ESV)
 

Yesterday was our 32nd anniversary and I took some ribbing for referencing D-Day and not our marriage.  Even though it wasn't mentioned our love and what we have together is something that I treasure and will hold fast, cling to all the days of our lives.

 

Today's verse points out that it should be the same with our personal faith and for the church.  We are called and challenged to hold on to, cling to,and thank God for what we have in Christ, our salvation, with what The Message (below) refers to as "passionate patience".  It is something that is for the here and now but that will also carry over and last for eternity.

  

Greg Laurie writes, "The crown is a symbol of rewards that are awaiting Christians. To lose your crown means to lose your reward. The Bible speaks of a crown that God gives for our faithfulness to Him (see Revelation 3:11). First Thessalonians 2:19 mentions a crown of rejoicing, which would appear to be a crown for winning souls. Then, in 2 Timothy 4:8, there is a crown of righteousness. James 1:12 speaks of a crown of life for enduring temptation and persevering under trial." ...These are the rewards God will give to each of us. But how sad it will be for those who stand before Him on that day and have nothing to show for the life that was given to them."

 

Blessings,
Mike
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Revelation 3:10-12

The Message (MSG)

¹⁰ "Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I'll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.

¹¹ "I'm on my way; I'll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.

¹² "I'll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I'll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God's City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.

Verse of the Day 6/6

 

1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action,^[a] and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

For today's verse we'll return to 1 Peter 1 where we've been for the past couple of days.  The verse starts out with the word "therefore".  Whenever you read that word in the Bible you should go back a few verses or for a chapter and see what it is there for.  In this case, the "therefore" points back to what we've been considering for the past coupe of days.  It is our salvation, which God planned for us from the beginning and was searched for by the prophets to reveal to us through scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

We are called and challenged to "prepare our minds for action".  Today is D-Day.  There was a lot of preparation for action that took place on this day back in 1944.  Through the actions of those men and others who followed France was liberated from the tyranny of the enemy.  I'm sure that those who served were sober minded about the task at hand knowing that their lives and those of their fellow soldiers were on the line.

 

How do we approach our salvation?  How are we preparing to liberate the souls of those who are currently under Satan's tyrannical control?  This preparing our minds should be a daily goal, a daily duty to be ready, to be spiritually fit for the challenges and opportunities to tell of His grace that has been brought to you as revealed in the life of Jesus Christ.

 

Read the portion of the passage below from The Message. May we be ready and willing to "roll up our sleeves and put our mind in gear" to press on in faith in the power of God's grace, "shaped by God's life".

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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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

1 Peter 1:13-16

The Message (MSG)

A Future in God

^13-16 So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."

Verse of the Day 6/5

 

1 Peter 1:12  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you. These things have now been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Angels desire to look into these things.  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

For quite some time we've heard in the news that the national debt threatens our security, and that in effect we're putting a burden on future generations by how, as a nation, we're spending money today.  In yesterday's verse we considered our salvation and how the prophets of old studied and wrote for us, for their future generations of the faith.  Today's verse from the same passage reinforces that though.

 

Stop and take a look at some of the words and thoughts of today's verse.  Far from spending, taxing future generations, the prophets and those that have brought God's word to us today, have not been serving themselves but us and through us (hopefully), future generations.  God's Word has been "announced", declared to us by our pastors and teachers, who are delivering His Word in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

The prophets looked to a future Savior who would come.   He came in the person of Jesus Christ.  We as Christians today look to the future to when He will come again, we should want to prepare our hearts and do what God calls us to do to reach others, perhaps future generations to come along.  We are not to be serving ourselves but future generations by following Him today.

 

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

1 Peter 1:11-13

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹¹ They sought [to find out] to whom or when this was to come which the Spirit of Christ working within them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that should follow [them].

¹² It was then disclosed to them that the services they were rendering were not meant for themselves and their period of time, but for you. [It is these very] things which have now already been made known plainly to you by those who preached the good news (the Gospel) to you by the [same] Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Into these things [the very] angels long to look!

¹³ So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.