Verse of the Day 7/21

 

Psalm 73:26My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Yesterday in church we sang one of the modernized versions of "It is Well With My Soul".  It has always been one of my favorites and one that has come to me during the storms and trials of my life.  This morning I read today's verse and I thought of it in terms, in light of that old precious hymn and the new refrain.

 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

 

It is well, it is well, through the storm I am held,

It is well, it is well with my soul,

It is well, it is well, God has won, Christ prevailed,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

 

The older we get the more we realize that we will face storms and trials in life.  As we do and as we look at them in the rearview mirror, we can see how Christ has prevailed, how He has brought us through.  John Piper writes of Psalm 73:26 "In essence he says, "in my self I feel very weak and helpless and unable to cope.  My body and my heart is almost dead.  But whatever the reason for this despondency, I will not yield.  I will trust God and not myself.  He is my strength and my portion."  Having held on through past storms with this attitude, with this faith, helps us to be more prepared for the next time that our flesh and heart may fail.  We will again have the opportunity to experience and to say that "God is rock-firm and faithful" (The Message), that He will prevail.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

 

Psalm 73:25-28The Message (MSG)

^25-28 You're all I want in heaven!
    You're all I want on earth!
When my skin sags and my bones get brittle,
    God is rock-firm and faithful.
Look! Those who left you are falling apart!
    Deserters, they'll never be heard from again.
But I'm in the very presence of God—
    oh, how refreshing it is!
I've made Lord God my home.
    God, I'm telling the world what you do!

Verse of the Day 7/20

 

Psalm 86:16Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!
Give Your strength to Your servant,
And save the son of Your maidservant.  New King James Version (NKJV)

 

This week we've been considering how it is that we follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd in the power of His future grace that is given to us, to meet our needs as we call upon Him day by day.

 

Today's verse from Psalm 86 is similar to many calls throughout the Psalms by various psalm writers, quite often David, for God to be gracious to them in all kinds of situations. They calls for help, strength, healing, deliverance, forgiveness, and relief in trying situations.

 

• They cry out for grace when they need help: "Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me; O Lord, be my helper!" (Psalm 30:10).

• When they are weak: "Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant" (Psalm 86:16).

• When they need healing: "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord" (Psalm 6:2).

• When they are afflicted by enemies: "Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me" (Psalm 9:13).

• When they are lonely: "Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted" (Psalm 25:16).

• When they are grieving: "Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief" (Psalm 31:9).

• When they have sinned: "O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!" (Psalm 41:4).

• When they long for God's name to be exalted among the nations: "God be gracious to us and bless us . . . that your way may be known on earth" (Psalm 67:1–2).

I chose to use the NKJV today because it starts with the simple word "oh".  It adds something to the depth of emotion shown by the psalmist, the one calling out.  It comes from the heart, from the depth of the soul, and it conveys a sense of urgency and perhaps even desperation in the cry.  Whatever you or perhaps a close friend or loved one faces, cry out to God for yourself or on behalf of that friend that God would have mercy and grant strength to them in their time of need.

I do so this morning for a former pastor of mine who was recently diagnosed with cancer.  I would ask that you call out to God for him as well.

 

Please say a prayer for Pastor Bill, truly, one of God's servants.  May God "powerfully and gently put him back on his feet." The Message

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Psalm 86:11-17The Message (MSG)

^11-17 Train me, God, to walk straight;
    then I'll follow your true path.
Put me together, one heart and mind;
    then, undivided, I'll worship in joyful fear.
From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord;
    I've never kept secret what you're up to.
You've always been great toward me—what love!
    You snatched me from the brink of disaster!
God, these bullies have reared their heads!
    A gang of thugs is after me—
    and they don't care a thing about you.
But you, O God, are both tender and kind,
    not easily angered, immense in love,
    and you never, never quit.
So look me in the eye and show kindness,
    give your servant the strength to go on,
    save your dear, dear child!
Make a show of how much you love me
    so the bullies who hate me will stand there slack-jawed,
As you, God, gently and powerfully
    put me back on my feet.

Verse of the Day 7/19

 

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,   New International Version (NIV)

 

There has been a lot of talk in the news recently about citizenship, mostly surrounding the crisis at our southern border.  People have been coming to the border from many countries, often coming a long way taking risks in the hope that when they arrive, they will be accepted and eventually become citizens.

Today's verse is a reminder for Christians, that while we are still here on earth, we have citizenship already in our future residence, heaven.  Instead of making a long arduous journey on our own, with risks and no certainty, we wait for our Savior, Jesus Christ to come and bring us home.

Vance Havner writes, "If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world".

I'm reminded of the song that many of us learned as children.  It was true when we sang it then and it is still true today.

This World Is Not My Home

This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

O Lord you know I have no friend like you
If Heaven's not my home, then Lord what will I do?
The angels beckon me from Heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

Not only do we have citizenship and a future home in heaven, The Message (below) reminds us that we'll be made "beautiful and whole" with "everything as it should be."  Truly something to look forward to.

In Christ,
Mike

 

Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Philippians 3:19-21The Message (MSG)

^17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

^20-21 But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

Verse of the Day 7/18

 

1 Peter 4:10-11Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God's words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 i read today's verses in a devotional from John Piper this morning and couldn't help but think of them in relation to yesterday's post and the thoughts of walking through that open door of opportunity.

 

There is so much in these couple of verses and so much more in the passage (read below).  They speak of the "varied" grace of God.  It is multi-colored, multi-faceted.  His grace will supply the energy and strength to meet the varied, the mutli-colored needs of our world.

 

John Piper reminds us that it is not a grace that is supplied once for all, received and then forgotten about when he writes, "when you fulfill your spiritual gifts to serve someone tomorrow, you will be serving "by the strength that God supplies" tomorrow.  The word is "supplies" not supplied.  God goes on, day by day, moment by moment, supplying the "strength" in which we minister."

 

When we see the turmoil in the middle east and the world around us we can't help but think that "everything in the world is about to be wrapped up" (V.7 The Message).  May we take nothing for granted and make the most of the opportunities that God presents to us, in the future grace that only He can supply us with "day by day".

 

Blessings,
Mike

 

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1 Peter 4:7-11The Message (MSG)

^7-11 Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted. Stay wide-awake in prayer. Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. Oh, yes!

Verse of the Day 7/16

 

Revelation 4:1After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."  English Standard Version (ESV)

Over the past few days we've considered the need for "future grace" for the power needed to do what God is calling us to do, to take those steps in "following" Him as the Good Shepherd.

 

Today's verse follows shortly after Revelation 3:20 in which Jesus says "behold I stand at the door and knock".  It is often used in evangelism as an evangelistic verse, a picture of Jesus knocking on the door of an individuals heart, it is actually a picture of Christ knocking on the door of a the church and if anyone will answer His call, His knock.

 

As it was written, there were no chapters and verses in the Bible, they came later.  As written, the "I stand at the door" and the "open door" as described in today's verse flowed together.  The open door is an opportunity.  In John's case it was a call to see a glimpse of what was to come.  Jesus still calls with open doors of opportunity for those who are seeking His future grace.

 

These thoughts brought me to a song that I remember from the Gaither Vocal Band - "Beyond the Open Door".

 

In the things familiar
We find security
Resisting all the changes
The days and years can bring 
When God decides to lead you
Through an open door
Inviting you to walk in realms
You've never known before

Beyond the open door
Is a new and fresh anointing
Hear the spirits calling you to go
Walk on to the door
For the Lord will go before you
Into a greater power 
You've never known before

Where He leads me I will follow
And where He leads me I will follow
And where He leads me I will follow
Into a greater power
You've never known before

Are we willing to "leave the things familiar"?  If we are following, may we listen to His call, and walk on through that door of opportunity in the power of His future grace.   He will show what will happen next. (The Message)

 

Blessings,
Mike

 

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Revelation 3:20-4:1The Message (MSG)

^20-21 "Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors!

²² "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches."

A Door into Heaven

4 Then I looked, and, oh!—a door open into Heaven. The trumpet-voice, the first voice in my vision, called out, "Ascend and enter. I'll show you what happens next."

Verse of the Day 7/15

 

1 Corinthians 15:10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Yesterday we considered how Jesus, the Good Shepherd calls us to follow Him as His sheep, His flock.  Doing so will mean relinquishing the reins, the control of our lives.  We may think, how could God use me, why should I give control of this life to Him.

 

In today's verse Paul admits who he is, saying "I am what I am", but that doesn't mean that God can't use him.  Far from it, but it is not in his own power that Paul can accomplish anything, it is through the grace, the power of God working in him, enabling him to "work harder", to persevere.

 

John Piper writes, "I take this to mean that, as Paul faced each day's ministry burden, he bowed his head and confessed that unless future grace was given for that day's work, he would not be able to do it.  He recalled Jesus' words, "Apart from me you can do nothing".  So he prayed for future grace for the day, and he trusted in the promise that it would come with power.  "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus".(Philippians 4:19).

 

Do you face challenges today that seem overwhelming?  Pray for "future grace" now.  May He give you the grace, the power working "with you"  to follow where He will lead you today.  May we be able to say, to have the attitude "I'm not about to let his grace go to waste" (The Message).

 

Blessings,
Mike
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1 Corinthians 15:9-11The Message (MSG)

^3-9 The first thing I did was place before you what was placed so emphatically before me: that the Messiah died for our sins, exactly as Scripture tells it; that he was buried; that he was raised from death on the third day, again exactly as Scripture says; that he presented himself alive to Peter, then to his closest followers, and later to more than five hundred of his followers all at the same time, most of them still around (although a few have since died); that he then spent time with James and the rest of those he commissioned to represent him; and that he finally presented himself alive to me. It was fitting that I bring up the rear. I don't deserve to be included in that inner circle, as you well know, having spent all those early years trying my best to stamp God's church right out of existence.

^10-11 But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I'm not about to let his grace go to waste. Haven't I worked hard trying to do more than any of the others? Even then, my work didn't amount to all that much. It was God giving me the work to do, God giving me the energy to do it. So whether you heard it from me or from those others, it's all the same: We spoke God's truth and you entrusted your lives.

Verse of the Day 7/14

 John 10:27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. English Standard Version

In John chapter 10, Jesus refers to Himself as the "Good Shepherd" and speaks of the relationship of the Shepherd and His sheep.  In my study Bible there were no additional notes for today's verse.  Perhaps it is because it is so clear that it needs no further explanation, it is a given - His sheep will follow Him.  The Message says that His sheep "recognize" his voice and follow Him.

While it needs no further commentary to be understood it leaves us with the question "am I following"?  Our path, our course, our purpose in life should be defined by how we are following.  That is the purpose for which we were created, to follow Him and to know Him.

I read the following quote in a devotional yesterday and it stayed with me.  "We will never understand what it is to be human and will never be fully human until we take seriously our purpose in being created for Christ".   - Kirsten Birkett.  Are we, am I "taking seriously", our purpose in being created and in following Christ as our Shepherd? 

May we recognize His voice and follow today.

Blessings,

Mike
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John 10:25-30The Message (MSG)

^25-30 Jesus answered, "I told you, but you don't believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don't believe because you're not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind."