Verse of the Day 7/15

Verse of the Day 7/15

1 Corinthians 15:10 English Standard Version

10 But 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.

The thoughts of "life in the Spirit" and "all things work together for good" along with the life of Joseph in the Old Testament were still on my mind when I read these verses today in a devotional from John Piper, which focused on God's grace.  At the end of verse 10 Paul tells us that the work that he had done was through the power of the Spirit working in him, but notice how he says it, "it was not I, but the grace of God that is "with me".  It is basically the same thing that was written of Joseph in Genesis 39, "but the Lord was with Joseph".

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 the words of Jesus, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). 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)."

Believers through history have had to depend on the grace of God, day by day.  How else could Joseph have withstood the trials and show the grace that he did to his brothers.  Day by day He gives us the grace to face our trials too.

I'll close with the old hymn "Day By Day and With Each Passing Moment".  It deals with God's past, present and future grace offered to us and what this grace means/does for us.

1 Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,
I've no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what he deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

2 Ev'ry day the Lord himself is near me,
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he gladly bears and cheers me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.
The protection of his child and treasure
Is a charge that on himself he laid:
"As your days, your strength shall be in measure"–
This the pledge to me he made.

3 Help me then in ev'ry tribulation
So to trust your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith's sweet consolation
Offered me within your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when, toil and trouble meeting,
E'er to take, as from a father's hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the promised land.

Then he acted with all his might.

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 Corinthians 15:3-11

English Standard Version

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But 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. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Verse of the Day 7/14

Verse of the Day 7/14

Galatians 6:8-9

English Standard Version

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

The other day we considered how "the Lord was with Joseph" in Genesis 39.  The Holy Spirit isn't discussed in the Old Testament, but when you look at the life of Joseph and read that statement the concept is very close to what we see in Galatians, Romans and elsewhere in the New Testament.

Romans chapter 8 opens with a section on "Life in the Spirit" which then moves into the "all things" statements beginning in verse 28 with "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  Joseph's life looks very much like one who sowed to the Spirit and did not give up. 

Think of Joseph's life and his love for others, even his brothers who had sold him into slavery, but in the end could tell them "God meant it for good." It was a demonstration of love.

John Piper writes, "

What other force will move us out of our contented living rooms to take upon ourselves the inconveniences and suffering that love requires?

What will propel us . . .

to greet strangers when we feel shy?

to go to an enemy and plead for reconciliation when we feel indignant?

to tithe when we've never tried it?

to speak to our colleagues about Christ when we are timid?

to invite new neighbors to a Bible study?

to cross cultures with the gospel?

to create a new ministry for alcoholics?

to spend an evening driving a van?

to invest a morning praying for renewal?

None of these costly acts of love just happens. They are impelled by a new appetite — the appetite of faith for the fullest experience of God's grace. We want more of God. And we want this more than we want our private, disturbance-free security and comfort.

Faith loves to rely on God and see him work miracles in us. Therefore, faith pushes us into the current where the power of God's future grace flows most freely — the current of love.

I think this is what Paul meant when he said that we should sow to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8). By faith, we should put the seeds of our energy in the furrows where we know the Spirit is at work to bear fruit — the furrows of love."

Don't weary in doing good, plant in furrows filled with love.  Let's go back now to Genesis 50 and the rest of the story.

Genesis 50:18-21 English Standard Version

18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." 19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? 20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. 21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

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

Galatians 6:6-10

English Standard Version

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Verse of the Day 7/11

Verse of the Day 7/11

Genesis 39:23

English Standard Version

23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

Two of my favorite verses from the book of Proverbs care verses 3:5-6 where we are told to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,... in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight."  Yesterday we considered Jesus' call in Matthew 11, "come to me" and "learn from" me which resulted in peace and rest.

Joseph's life as depicted in Genesis was full of ups and downs and twists and turns but through it all Joseph trusted in God, didn't lean into his own understanding but acknowledged God and God saw him through. You've heard people say "in the long run", well the long run in Joseph's life was a marathon, but the Lord "was with" Joseph each step of the way.

I pray that you can look back over your life and see how God has been with you each step of the way in your "long run" or marathon.  If you've been trying to do it on your own, there's still time to heed Jesus' call from yesterday, "come to me".  If you do, He will be with youl.

Fannie Crosby wrote "All the Way My Savior Leads Me".  If the song had been around in Joseph's time, I believe he would have sung it.

1. All the way my Savior leads me,
   What have I to ask beside?
   Can I doubt His tender mercy,
   Who through life has been my Guide?
   Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
   Here by faith in Him to dwell!
   For I know, whate'er befall me,
   Jesus doeth all things well;
   For I know, whate'er befall me,
   Jesus doeth all things well.
2. All the way my Savior leads me,
   Cheers each winding path I tread,
   Gives me grace for every trial,
   Feeds me with the living Bread.
   Though my weary steps may falter
   And my soul athirst may be,
   Gushing from the Rock before me,
   Lo! A spring of joy I see;
   Gushing from the Rock before me,
   Lo! A spring of joy I see.

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

Genesis 39:19-23

English Standard Version

19 As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, "This is the way your servant treated me," his anger was kindled. 20 And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.

Verse of the Day 7/10

Verse of the Day 7/10

Matthew 11:28-29

New International Version

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

In yesterday's post we considered in Proverbs the call to "pay attention" to God's Words of wisdom; to lean into them; keep them in your heart and that they will direct our feet our paths in life.  Today's verse is probably familiar to all of us and we tend to focus on the "come to me" for rest.  However, we cannot miss the words "learn from me".

True learning is not just knowing something, it does involve putting it into practice.  God's Word is our source for wisdom; following Jesus' teachings and principals will bring us peace and rest.  Trying to do it on our own generally leads to conflict, disappointment and oftentimes failure.  The key in any situation that we find ourselves, is to respond to Jesus' call to "come to me".  Seek Him in His Word, seek Him in prayer; call out to Him and also sing praise to Him.

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "this is not only Christ's cry to you, but, if you be a believer, this is your cry to Christ--"Come! come!" You will be longing for his second advent; you will be saying, "Come quickly, even so come Lord Jesus." You will be panting for nearer and closer communion with him. As his voice to you is "Come," your response to him will be, "Come, Lord, and abide with me. Come, and occupy alone the throne of my heart; reign there without a rival, and consecrate me entirely to thy service." 

It is the cry of my heart to follow You
It is the cry of my heart to be close to You
It is the cry of my heart to follow
All of the days of my life

It is the cry of my heart to follow You
It is the cry of my heart to be close to You
It is the cry of my heart to follow
All of the days of my life

[Verse 1]
Teach me Your holy ways oh Lord
So I can walk in Your truth
Teach me Your holy ways oh Lord
And make me wholly devoted to You    (Cry of My Heart - Terry Butler)

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 11:25-30

New International Version

The Father Revealed in the Son

25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Verse of the Day 7/9

Verse of the Day 7/9

Proverbs 4:20-21

New International Version

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;

    turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;

I read today's verses in my devotions this morning,  Each morning I read from the Psalms and from Solomon's "Wisdom Literature" which includes Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon.  I used to read full chapters each day but in doing so, I found myself reading through it, more or less "skimming it".  Now I slow down and read a smaller portion but take a closer look at it.  Today's passage is a good example of why it is good to do so.

The passage begins with a call to "be attentive" to his words; incline your ears - lean into it as you do when trying to hear your child or grandchild speak so that you don't miss what is being said.  Keep them in your sight, before you; keep them in your heart - memorize them.

The writer goes on challenge us to keep them with vigilance - diligence;  put away crooked speech - deceptive and deceitful words; let your eyes look ahead - as Paul wrote in Ephesians "walk circumspectly" with your eyes wide open to what is going on around you; ponder - think about what you are doing and where it will lead you.  Do these things and your ways, your paths will be secure.  You'll notice that our whole person is involved - what we see, hear; say and do.

Following are a couple of statements that I have in my eBible pertaining to today's verses.  I apologize for not having the references.

"Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then sow seeds of happiness today. (Count blessings. Memorize Bible verses. Pray. Sing hymns. Spend time with encouraging people.) Do you want to guarantee tomorrow's misery? Then wallow in a mental mud pit of self-pity or guilt or anxiety today. (Assume the worst. Beat yourself up. Rehearse your regrets. Complain to complainers.) Thoughts have consequences."

"Healing from anxiety requires healthy thinking. Your challenge is not your challenge. Your challenge is the way you think about your challenge. Your problem is not your problem; it is the way you look at it."

Sewing the seeds takes time.  I'll close with the old hymn "Take Time to be Holy".  Set apart time with God and His Word.

1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
   Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
   Make friends of God's children, help those who are weak,
   Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
   Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
   By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
   Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
   And run not before Him, whatever betide.
   In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
   And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
   Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
   Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
   Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

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

Proverbs 4:20-26

New International Version

20 My son, pay attention to what I say;

    turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one's whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.

Verse of the Day 7/6

Verse of the Day 7/6

Proverbs 4:7-8

New International Version

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.

    Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.

I read these verses in my reading in Proverbs this morning.  As I've mentioned before, the words, the teachings of Proverbs, of James in the New Testament and of the gospels in general are very practicle for applying to our lives.  Today's verses begin with a simple concept, not only with Biblical knowledge or wisdom, but gaining knowledge or wisdom in general, it begins with a desire to grow in wisdom.

The principal is why many of us went to college, or went into an apprenticeship in a trade, or tried to learn and advance in just about anything.  It starts with a desire to grow and commitment to it.  Doing so will come with a cost, other things will have to take second place.  It will mean giving up time to devote to the goal and often a commitment of money or other rescources.

Yesterday we closed with "let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts" in Colossians 3:15-17.  If we want to do this, it will take a commitment in God's Word, taking it to heart and applying it.  That is what is required for growth and for wisdom.

Another verse comes to mind from 2 Peter 3 where the aposlte challenges his readers then and us now to "grow" in grace which will require the wisdom of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 3:18

New International Version

18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

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

Proverbs 4:4-9

New International Version

4 Then he taught me, and he said to me,
    "Take hold of my words with all your heart;
    keep my commands, and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding;
    do not forget my words or turn away from them.
6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
    love her, and she will watch over you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get[a] wisdom.
    Though it cost all you have,[ get understanding.
8 Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
    embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She will give you a garland to grace your head
    and present you with a glorious crown."

Verse of the Day 7/6

Verse of the Day 7/6

Proverbs 3:27-28

New International Version

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"—
    when you already have it with you.

Today's verses came up in my reading in Proverbs.  The book is know, much like James in the New Testament, for practical advice, principles of wisdom that should be read, taken to heart and applied to life.  How much better would the world be if people, especially Christians would follow these words of wisdom.

We should not have that attitude or even the thought of "what's in it for me?"  Some would have a thought of doing good but hold off, thinking that there may be a time when they might personally benefit more by delaying doing a kind or generous act.  That should never factor in our decisions. We who follow Christ have the Holy Spirit within us, coming along side to prompt us to do God's will.

The Apostle Paul tells us how this is to be done in our lives, it begins with "letting", allowing Christ to rule in our hearts, controlling what we do and say.

Colossians 3:15-17

New International Version

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:15-17

New International Version

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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

Proverbs 3:27-30

New International Version

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"—
    when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.