Verse of the Day 1/22

Verse of the Day 1/22

2 Corinthians 4:4-5  The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. ⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.  New International Version (NIV)

I read today's verse in the  English Standard Version refers to the "god of this world" where the NIV (above) referred to the "god of this age" .  Both boil down to the same thing that John MacArthur calls the "world mindset", stating that it is expressed "by the ideals, opinions, goals, hopes  and views of the majority of the people.  It encompasses the worlds philosophies, education and commerce."

Reading these verses and that statement brought to mind that world mindset that we see around us and which has just been evidenced in recent elections.  No matter what side you were, for,  or perhaps neither, everything being reported had to do with the polls, the opinions of the parties and candidates and their goals, the philosophies of the platforms and what would be the right combination to sway the voters. 

All of this showed that the "world", it's systems, cannot see that light of what it really needs.  It does not need a person, at least from this world, to lead them.  What it really needs is to see that light of the gospel through the lives of Christ's followers.  The Message reminds us that "our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you."

We've a story to tell to the nation(s) and it is not a story about ourselves. Read the passage from The Message below.  Consider how we, in our small corner of the world may turn the attention to what is true, what is right, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1. We've a story to tell to the nations,  that shall turn their hearts to the right,  a story of truth and mercy,  a story of peace and light,  a story of peace and light.  Refrain:  For the darkness shall turn to dawning,  and the dawning to noonday bright;  and Christ's great kingdom shall come on earth,  the kingdom of love and light.  2. We've a song to be sung to the nations,  that shall lift their hearts to the Lord,  a song that shall conquer evil  and shatter the spear and sword,  and shatter the spear and sword.  (Refrain)  3. We've a message to give to the nations,  that the Lord who reigneth above  hath sent us his Son to save us,  and show us that God is love,  and show us that God is love.  (Refrain)

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

2 Corinthians 4:4-6The Message (MSG)

^3-4 If our Message is obscure to anyone, it's not because we're holding back in any way. No, it's because these other people are looking or going the wrong way and refuse to give it serious attention. All they have eyes for is the fashionable god of darkness. They think he can give them what they want, and that they won't have to bother believing a Truth they can't see. They're stone-blind to the dayspring brightness of the Message that shines with Christ, who gives us the best picture of God we'll ever get.

^5-6 Remember, our Message is not about ourselves; we're proclaiming Jesus Christ, the Master. All we are is messengers, errand runners from Jesus for you. It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful.

Verse of the Day 1/20

Verse of the Day 1/20

Lamentations 3:21-23  But this I call to mind,

    and therefore I have hope:

²² The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
    his mercies never come to an end;
²³ they are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.    English Standard Version (ESV)

Verses 22 and 23 in Lamentations 3 are probably favorite verses for many people including me.  However, I doubt that the book itself ranks very high among the favorites in the Bible.  These verse of hope  are found smack dab in the middle of a book of lamenting.  We may lament about what was, what might have been and probably won't be, but we don't have to dwell on those things or be consumed by them, because as God followers we have hope.  It is not a wishy-washy hope but one that is  rock solid,  Hebrews 6:19 refers to it as  "we have this hope as an anchor", firm and secure.

Any  time I read these verses I am also reminded of the old favorite hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness".  One of the lines that stands out is also from scripture, James 1:17 which speaks of God's good and perfect gifts coming from God with whom there is "no shadow of turning".  Times and situations may change, but God our Father doesn't.  He is consistent, stable and dependable.

There will be a "changing of the guard", so to speak, in our nation today.  A change in leadership.  There will be policy changes, and there could be sweeping changes that may impact our lives.  We should not have to worry or be overly concerned as long as we find our rest, find our hope in God.

I've posted verses 23 and 23 often over the years, but today I included verse 21.  It goes along well with what  we've been considering the last few days.  Being in God's Word and in prayer, having His presence with us enables us to "call to mind" these things when we need hope.

John Piper writes "If we don't "call to mind" what God has said about himself and about us, we languish. O how I know this from painful experience! Don't wallow in the mire of godless messages. I mean the messages in your own head. "I can't . . ." "She won't . . ." "They never . . ." "It has never worked . . ."  The point is not that these are true or false. Your mind will always find a way to make them true, unless you "call to mind" something greater. God is the God of the impossible. Reasoning your way out of an impossible situation is not as effective as reminding your way out of it."

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassion's, they fail not,
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! 
Great is Thy faithfulness! 
Morning by morning new mercies I see. 
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest, 
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above 
Join with all nature in manifold witness 
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

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

Lamentations 3:21-24The Message (MSG)

It's a Good Thing to Hope for Help from God

^19-21 I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
    the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
    the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there's one other thing I remember,
    and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:

^22-24 God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
    his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
    How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
    He's all I've got left.

Verse of the Day 1/19

Verse of the Day 1/19

1 Peter 1:13  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, 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)

We've been considering how important it is to carve out time to spend with God in prayer and His Word.  It doesn't matter if you find that time at the beginning of the day, before everything gets going or at the end of the day as things are winding down, the important thing is to spend that time so that the things that you are learning will be remembered, brought to mind throughout your day and guide your steps your actions through the day.

In keeping with today's verse from 1 Peter, we are "preparing our minds for action".  We're not learning for head knowledge, but we are to be "sober-minded" to think clearly about the day ahead "setting our hope fully on the grace" that will be given to us to achieve His purposes.  I like the way The Message paraphrase puts it, "so roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear" and go out and face the day with it's  challenges in the grace that Jesus Christ will provide.

That preparation, the rolling up of your sleeves is grounded in faith and the hope of His grace.   James MacDonald writes that "The energy to live the Christian life is found in one place—in our focused, conscious choice to put our hope in Jesus. Hope is the confident expectation that something better is coming tomorrow."

Take the time, make the time to "let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life,"  The Message

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

1 Peter 1:13-16The 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 1/18

Verse of the Day 1/18

John 14:26   But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 Yesterday we considered how important it was to spend time with God, to take time  out from the busyness of the day can commune with God in prayer and in His Word.  When we do so God's presences will go with us in the form of the Holy Spirit referred to in today's verse.  When I am in this passage, i normally focus on the following verse, verse 27 which tells us "do not  let your heart be troubled", that His peace will be given to us and left with us.

 The part that I'd like to focus on today is the statement that Jesus would "bring to remembrance all that I have said to you".  That time that you spend with God in prayer, in His Word, studying and applying it in our lives counts.  When the time is right, when we need it most, in times of trials and temptations those things, those verses that we've learned will be there for us. 

Twice in this chapter, like bookends, Jesus makes that statement "let not your hearts be troubled"and in between He tells us that He is preparing a place for us, that His Spirit will be with us and in verse 23 He says,  "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."

Think about that last statement, "we will come to him and make our home with him".  Isn't that something that you want in your life?  Seek Him, spend time with God in prayer, seek Jesus in the Word and the Holy Spirit will guide us through it.

1. Just when I need Him, Jesus is near,
   Just when I falter, just when I fear;
   Ready to help me, ready to cheer,
   Just when I need Him most.
   • Refrain:
     Just when I need Him most,
     Just when I need Him most,
     Jesus is near to comfort and cheer,
     Just when I need Him most.
2. Just when I need Him, Jesus is true,
   Never forsaking, all the way through;
   Giving for burdens pleasures anew,
   Just when I need Him most.
3. Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong,
   Bearing my burdens all the day long;
   For all my sorrow giving a song,
   Just when I need Him most.
4. Just when I need Him, He is my all,
   Answering when upon Him I call;
   Tenderly watching lest I should fall,
   Just when I need Him most.

James 4:8 says "draw near to God and He will draw near to you" and He will be there when you need Him most.

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

John 14:26-27 

^25-27 "I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I'm leaving you well and whole. That's my parting gift to you. Peace. I don't leave you the way you're used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don't be upset. Don't be distraught.  The Message (MSG)

Verse of the Day 1/17

Verse of the Day 1/17

Matthew 14:23  And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

English Standard Version (ESV)

In today's passage Jesus' earthly ministry is nearing its completion and He will be preparing them for His departure.  The coming lessons will be key and before He heads into this next chapter He withdraws from the crowds and even His disciples to "draw near" to the Father in prayer.  The Father was always with Him, but it was a time of preparation.

In this day and age, people will often say that they have "no time for themselves", every  waking moment is filled with some kind of activity.  Jesus' lesson for us  is that we have to make time, it needs to be a priority.  A.W. Tozer writes, "The thoughtful soul to solitude retires," said the poet of other and quieter times; but where is the solitude to which we can retire today? Science, which has provided men with certain material comforts, has robbed them of their souls by surrounding them with a world hostile to their existence. "Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still" is a wise and healing counsel, but how can it be followed in this day of the newspaper, the telephone, the radio and the television? These modern playthings, like pet tiger cubs, have grown so large and dangerous that they threaten to devour us all. What was intended to be a blessing has become a positive curse. No spot is now safe from the world's intrusion. (Of God and Men, 125.)"

Tozer wrote these words in the middle of the last century, before there was an internet, cable or satellite TV, cell phones or video game apps. It is even more difficult today to "get away" to pray and to what God would have us do next.  Which of the current forms  of media entertainment threaten to "devour" you by stealing away your time?

Jesus took the time to commune with the Father in prayer, let us take the time to take our cares to God in prayer.

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
   All our sins and griefs to bear!
   What a privilege to carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
   Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
   Oh, what needless pain we bear,
   All because we do not carry
   Everything to God in prayer!
2. Have we trials and temptations?
   Is there trouble anywhere?
   We should never be discouraged—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Can we find a friend so faithful,
   Who will all our sorrows share?
   Jesus knows our every weakness;
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
   Cumbered with a load of care?
   Precious Savior, still our refuge—
   Take it to the Lord in prayer.
   Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
   Take it to the Lord in prayer!
   In His arms He'll take and shield thee,
   Thou wilt find a solace there.

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

Matthew 14:22-33The Message (MSG)

Walking on the Water

^22-23 As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.

^24-26 Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.

²⁷ But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."

²⁸ Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."

^29-30 He said, "Come ahead."

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"

³¹ Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"

^32-33 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!"

Verse of the Day 1/14

Verse of the Day 1/14

Hebrews 12:3   Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.  English Standard Version (ESV)

Hebrews 12 comes immediately  after the "Hall of Faith" in chapter 11 and the writer now calls for his readers to "consider Jesus" to that they won't grow weary or fainthearted.  He says we should consider Jesus and a few short verses later in 13:7 he tells us to consider our leaders.  We are to think of how they endured and how they have overcome that we too can be over-comers.

We would all like to be thought of as "considerate" people, being concerned about and taking the needs of others into consideration in our actions.  Holding the door  open for the handicapped or elderly, perhaps giving your seat up on the bus would be the beginning of this and would extend to most if not all circumstances in our lives.  It starts with "considering", being aware of the situation and applying what we have learned to be the right thing to do.  None of us would want to be thought of as "inconsiderate".

In this fast paced life many do not take the time to "consider".    John Piper writes, "Our emotions are governed in large measure by what we consider — what we dwell on with our minds. For example, Jesus told us to overcome the emotion of anxiety by what we consider: "Consider the ravens . . . Consider the lilies" (Luke 12:24, 27)......The mind is the window of the heart. If we let our minds constantly dwell on the dark, the heart will feel dark. But if we open the window of our mind to the light, the heart will feel the light."

As we read the Bible let us "consider" how Jesus lived and how He calls us to live.  Hebrews 11, The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 -7 or the gospel of John are good places to start.  Consider His reactions to situations.  May they have an impact on how we react to situations, how we respond and how we consider and are "considerate" to others.  In doing so seeing Jesus, our leaders, and those others who have gone before us in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11, we should not grow weary or fainthearted in the challenges, but receive "adrenaline"  (The Message) for what we'll face today.

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

Hebrews 12:1-3The Message (MSG)

Discipline in a Long-Distance Race

12 ^1-3 Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Verse of the Day 1/13

Verse of  the Day 1/13

 

Hebrews 4:13   And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  English Standard Version (ESV)

 

Years ago there was a hit program  on TV called "Candid Camera", practical jokes  would be played on unsuspecting  people which were captured by a hidden camera exposing their actions and reactions for  all  to  see.  The theme  of the  show has  been duplicated over  the  years.

 

In our  society today hidden cameras and cameras out in plain view are everywhere today.  They are in stores, banks, ATM machines and even on street  corners and toll booths, catching license plates of those  who  run  red lights  or  don't  pay their  tolls.  Besides that, almost  everyone has  an iphone  or other  devise that can capture any action in an instant.  There is hardly a thing that can be done  in secret or without   being noticed.

 

This should all  make  us acutely aware that God  sees us.  As the verse says "no creature is  hidden from  sight ", our actions  are all  "exposed" before  Him.  The preceding verse (12) also indicates that  His Word is  living and  active.  Between the two, knowledge  of His Word and knowing  that  He  sees all should bring  about a change  in our actions.   But just as bank robbers rob banks  in plain sight  and  within view of  cameras we are no different.  He not only knows  our  actions  but  also  the  thoughts  and  intent of  our hearts.

So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.

At the same time,  He  knows  our needs, our wants and  He is the One who can provided  them.  Why don't we willingly turn to Him and  follow Him for our own good?  The book of Ecclesiastes indicates that He has put eternity in our  hearts, (3:11) and our hearts will  remain restless until  we  find  our rest in  Him

So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.  Hebrews 4:11 The  Message

 

 

 

Blessings,

 

Mike

 

Hebrews 4:11-13The Message (MSG)

^8-11 And so this is still a live promise. It wasn't canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn't keep renewing the appointment for "today." The promise of "arrival" and "rest" is still there for God's people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we'll surely rest with God. So let's keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience.

^12-13 God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what.

 

 

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