Verse of the Day 6/6

 

1 Kings 8:61  Let your heart therefore be wholly true to the Lord our God, walking in his statutes and keeping his commandments, as at this day."  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

The other day we considered Jesus words, the bookends of John 14 "let not your heart be troubled".  Today's verse comes from the Old Testament with a message from Solomon as he was dedicating the temple to the Lord.  The temple was not just a place to go once a week or for various festivals to worship and then go back to their own private live to live the way they wanted.  The point was to live for the God they worshipped, "walking in his statutes and following his  commands.  He said let your hearts, allow your hearts to be wholly true.

 

It is no different today, we have the same commands to follow, to walk according to the ways of Jesus and keep His commands.  The verse is part of many benedictions found in the Bible, all given with the intent to encourage the people hearing the message to go out and live for the God who has saved us.

 

I read the following quote from Augustine this morning, he prayed: "Now it is you alone that I love, you alone that I follow, you alone that I seek, you alone that I feel ready to serve, because you alone rule justly. It is to your authority alone that I want to submit. Command me, I pray, to do whatever you will. . . . Drive out from me all fickleness, that I may acknowledge you alone. Amen."

It may serve as a benediction to our quiet time with the Lord this morning, "Lord give what you command, and command what you will" (Augustine), following the life path he has cleared, alert and attentive to everything he has made plain this day." (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

1 Kings 8:60-63

The Message (MSG)

^59-61 "And let these words that I've prayed in the presence of God be always right there before him, day and night, so that he'll do what is right for me, to guarantee justice for his people Israel day after day after day. Then all the people on earth will know God is the true God; there is no other God. And you, your lives must be totally obedient to God, our personal God, following the life path he has cleared, alert and attentive to everything he has made plain this day."

^62-63 The king and all Israel with him then worshiped, offering sacrifices to God. Solomon offered Peace-Offerings, sacrificing to God 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep. This is how the king and all Israel dedicated The Temple of God.

Verse of the Day 5/5

 

Deuteronomy 4:39-40  Today, recognize and keep in mind that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other.⁴⁰ Keep His statutes and commands, which I am giving you today, so that you and your children after you may prosper and so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time."  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

I mentioned yesterday that our Pastor Bob has been going through the pages of Genesis and chronicling the life of Joseph.  In the series he has shown how God "coordinated" the events in the life of Joseph, helping us to see as Paul saw in Romans 8:28 "how all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."

 

Being a grandfather and having experienced a lot in life, I have realized that it is helpful for us to look back in our lives to chronicle the events and see how God has done the same in our lives.  There are still chapters to be written but we can live in confidence that God wants to "prosper us" spiritually here and to the place that He is preparing for us "for all time".  (Brings me back to John 14:1-3).

 

I read the following quote from missionary  Hudson Taylor who founded the Overseas Mission Fellowship.   "We . . . begin from a position of faith. We believe God does exist. We have become convinced of this in a variety of ways, but all of us have experienced the grace of God in bringing us to know Himself through Jesus Christ and through rebirth by His Spirit. We believe we have good grounds of believing in Him through the historical fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead: we believe that someone who said He would die and rise again, and did it, is credible in every other way. Therefore we are prepared to trust Him, not only for the eternal salvation of our souls, but also for the practical provision of our daily bread and financial support. "

 

In chronicling, in looking back in our lives of faith, we must begin from a "position of faith".  From there we learn and can see that God has had a plan for us and He will continue to work it out, to coordinate the events in our lives, to provide for us daily and to bring us to the place He is giving us, preparing for us "for all time",

 

May we be able "recognize and keep in mind that the Lord is God and there is no other" ,  to look back and to look forward from a "position of faith".

 

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

Deuteronomy 4:38-40

The Message (MSG)

^35-38 You were shown all this so that you would know that God is, well, God. He's the only God there is. He's it. He made it possible for you to hear his voice out of Heaven to discipline you. Down on Earth, he showed you the big fire and again you heard his words, this time out of the fire. He loved your ancestors and chose to work with their children. He personally and powerfully brought you out of Egypt in order to displace bigger and stronger and older nations with you, bringing you out and turning their land over to you as an inheritance. And now it's happening. This very day.

^39-40 Know this well, then. Take it to heart right now: God is in Heaven above; God is on Earth below. He's the only God there is. Obediently live by his rules and commands which I'm giving you today so that you'll live well and your children after you—oh, you'll live a long time in the land that God, your God, is giving you.

Verse of the Day 6/4

 

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

In yesterday's devotional I referred to the "bookends" in Galatians 5:16 and 25 about "walking by the Spirit".  Today's passage is from the read through the Bible plan that I follow. It contains what are probably my favorite "bookends" in the Bible - "let not your heart be troubled" found in verses 1 and 27 in this wonderful chapter.  Today's verse is part of what is sandwiched in between along with the sending of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter also mentioned in the passage.

 

This verse is probably not well received in this politically correct, pluralistic culture.  In it  Jesus says that He is the way, not a way, He is the truth, not a truth, He is the life and that no one will see the Father except through Him.  Strong words indeed and for those that believe them and believe in Him, the Holy Spirit will dwell in them, the Comforter will be with them.

 

I've read that the word for comfort means to come alongside to help, but not only to help but to strengthen.  Have you experienced this in your life, God sending His Spirit to dwell within  you in difficult times, coming alongside, strengthening you and seeing you through the dark hours?  It all points back to today's verse that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  If you believe this Jesus tells you "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  John 14:27 English Standard Version (ESV)

 

There are many paths that you can go down through life, Jesus is the "Road" (The Message) to where we want to be for eternity.

 

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 14:5-7

The Message (MSG)

⁵ Thomas said, "Master, we have no idea where you're going. How do you expect us to know the road?"

^6-7 Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!"

Verse of the Day 6/2

 

Genesis 41:16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Our Pastor Bob has been going through a series by the title "Joe", chronicling the life of Joseph in Genesis.  I've read through the story many times over the years and it is one that is remarkable, layer upon layer.  Following along this past week today's verse caught my attention.  I think that it points to Joseph's heart.  When you think of all that he had been through up to this point his heart could easily have been bitter.  Looked down upon by his brothers to the point where they considered killing him, instead sold into slavery, put in jail after being wrongly accused and then forgotten.  Now he has an opportunity to clear himself get himself out of the situation, or does he?  He is able to keep his ego in check and testify that it is God who is in control, is the giver of dreams, and is working out a plan in his life and those around him.

 

In our men's Bible study this week we were in Galatians 5 where verses 16 and 25 of that chapter serve as bookends, talking about living by and walking by "the Spirit".  Sandwiched in between in the passage is the familiar "fruit of the Spirit"

 

Galatians 5:22-24  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control;against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Joseph is an Old Testament example or testimony of this. Think of the qualities mentioned here "patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control".  They are definitely qualities seen in Joseph's life in and through the trying circumstances.  It all points back to the beginning of today's verse which shows the humility of the man, and his trust in God, "it is not in me" it is God working, accomplishing His purposes in Joseph.

 

We may hope for God to do great things through us.  If He is to do so, our sense of pride needs to be removed, and if our dreams are fulfilled, to be able to acknowledge "that it is not me" it is God who will accomplish those things, He will bring about the favorable answers.

 

To God be the glory.

 

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

Genesis 41:15-21

The Message (MSG)

¹⁵ "I dreamed a dream," Pharaoh told Joseph. "Nobody can interpret it. But I've heard that just by hearing a dream you can interpret it."

¹⁶ Joseph answered, "Not I, but God. God will set Pharaoh's mind at ease."

^17-21 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "In my dream I was standing on the bank of the Nile. Seven cows, shimmering with health, came up out of the river and grazed on the marsh grass. On their heels seven more cows, all skin and bones, came up. I've never seen uglier cows anywhere in Egypt. Then the seven skinny, ugly cows ate up the first seven healthy cows. But you couldn't tell by looking—after eating them up they were just as skinny and ugly as before. Then I woke up.

Verse of the Day 5/30

Verse of the Day 5/30

 

Psalm 93:4-5 Greater than the roar of many waters—

the mighty breakers of the sea—

the Lord on high is majestic.

5 Lord, Your testimonies are completely reliable;

holiness is the beauty of Your house

for all the days to come. Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 

As I was walking along the cliffs overlooking Manly Bay yesterday I came across a plaque that had been placed on a rail overlooking the ocean as it moved into the bay.  Below me the surf was crashing against the rocks as it has for thousands of years.  The higher the waves the mightier the sounds.  But regardless of all of the crashing and the force of those waves, the rocks hold firm.

 

I was able to do some swimming in the surf this week and the waves were higher than we normally would see in North Carolina.  The waves can definitely pound you and roll you around if you are trying to body surf as I was.  With strong waves, a man can easily be overpowered and overcome.

 

Yesterday we considered from Isaiah 40:8 how "the word of God stands forever" no matter what waves of and commotion are stirred by those who are trying to declare victory over the Bible.  In the end, His Word will stand. 

 

Sometimes the events in our lives will make us feel like we are being pounded, tossed and sucked under the waves of anxiety.  In these situations also the Lord is mightier than anything we face.  May we trust, hold onto, and hope in the One who is mightier than all of the waves, physical, emotional or metaphorical.  He will rule until the "very end of time". (MSG)

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

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Psalm 93:3-5

The Message (MSG)

^3-4 Sea storms are up, God,
Sea storms wild and roaring,
Sea storms with thunderous breakers.

Stronger than wild sea storms,
Mightier than sea-storm breakers,
Mighty God rules from High Heaven.

⁵ What you say goes—it always has.
"Beauty" and "Holy" mark your palace rule,
God, to the very end of time.

 

 

Verse of the Day 5/29

    

Isaiah 40:8  The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever."  New King James Version (NKJV)

 

I read the following statement in yesterday's "Grace Gems" and it made me think of today's verse.

 

"Never was there a time like the present, when Atheism and Infidelity appeared so determined, if possible, to annihilate the Christian religion! Behold their attempts. In schools and books, there is an incessant attempt to instill into the minds of the young, principles inimical to Christianity, as well as to draw professors from their steadfastness. Some have already split upon the rocks of Atheism--some have stranded on the quicksands of Infidelity. " 

 

Sounds like it could have been written today by a pastor or perhaps the parent of a college student who has run into a professor whose main goal appears to be tearing down belief in God and His Word.  Trying to make it seem irrelevant.

 

The statement was written by William Nicholson in 1862, wow!  It should remind us that having those around us who are trying to tear down Christianity is nothing new.  Names of those who have stood against God in this way have come and gone.  God has been pronounced as dead by some through the past couple of centuries but more Bibles are being printed and more are believing worldwide that at the time when this was written.

 

Professors and others who try to take a stand against the Kingdom of God and His Word will come and go, but you can be sure of this,  the Word of God will stand forever.

 

David felt like William Nicholson when in Psalm 12:1  he cried "Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men!" God answered his prayers and he will answer those who call out to Him today.

 

In Christ,

Mike

 

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Isaiah 40:6-8

The Message (MSG)

^6-8 A voice says, "Shout!"
    I said, "What shall I shout?"

"These people are nothing but grass,
    their love fragile as wildflowers.
The grass withers, the wildflowers fade,
    if God so much as puffs on them.
    Aren't these people just so much grass?
True, the grass withers and the wildflowers fade,
    but our God's Word stands firm and forever."

 

Verse of the Day 5/27

Verse of the Day 5/27

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." English Standard Version (ESV)

We've recently considered what it means to be filled with the Spirit, how we can be filled as we want to be. Today's verses are an important aspect of being filled with the Spirit, it involves having love for one another.

 

I read the following quote from Ray Ortland's blog recently. It was one of those that catches you off guard. "Sanctify one another, humble one another, scrutinize one another, pressure one another, embarrass one another, corner one another, interrupt one another, defeat one another, sacrifice one another, shame one another, judge one another, run one another's lives, confess one another's sins, intensify one another's sufferings, point out one another's failings . . . "

 

When you first read this you may not think too much about the first two "one another's". But then you realize that humbling and sanctifying is something that we should be doing to and within ourselves. When we branch off into trying to do so unto others, we may end up in a sprial into the other points mentioned. In reality we ar looking at elevating ourselves at the expense, and often the hurt of others.

 

Reading that second list of "one another's", do you see some that need attention in your life? No pressures, I need to look inside myself first. If we truly love one another as Christ commanded, the others will be eliminated in the process.

 

Blessings,
Mike
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John 13:33-35
The Message (MSG)

33 "Children, I am with you for only a short time longer. You are going to look high and low for me. But just as I told the Jews, I'm telling you: 'Where I go, you are not able to come.'

34-35 "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."