Verse of the Day 1/21

Verse of the Day 1/21

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 English Standard Version

11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

We reviewed this passage in our Tuesday Men's Bible study this morning and what caught my attention were the words in verse 12 where Paul states that "we exhorted...encouraged.... and charged you to walk in a manner worth of God." That is a pretty high standard and calling.

Today's Today in the Word devotional was in Galatians chapter 3 and had this to say of Paul's call to live by faith; 

"Have you ever heard a speaker whose words were so convincing they inspired you to act? Aristotle taught that there are three parts of a strong persuasive argument: Logos (argument), Ethos (credibility), and Pathos (passion). Pathos refers to the speaker's ability to evoke emotions in the hearer, knowing that our emotions affect the judgments we make. Paul was an accomplished speaker and writer who used logos, ethos, and pathos to communicate God's truth."

I remember hearing Pastor and author John Maxwelll speak at a Promise Keepers event many years ago where he stated "no one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."  Paul's words/argument; credibility and passion were effective because his life showed how much he cared for those whom he ministered to, willing to suffer hardship, loss and even imprisonment to bring the gospel to them.

If you've gone through or are going through a tough time, you've probably heard someone say to you, "if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know."  I recently had a friend come up to me and say "I want to do something for you, what can I do". It doesn't sound like a bif difference, but the credibility and passion of the person conveying the words made the difference.

Blessings,

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 Thessalonians 2:9-14

English Standard Version

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

13 And we also thank God constantly[a] for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men[b] but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. 14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,

Verse of the Day 1/20

Verse of the Day 1/20

Ephesians 2:4-5

English Standard Version

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Our Monday Men's Bible study went through this passage this morning.  It is, in my opinion, one of the greatest passages in the New Testament in explaining being "saved by grace through faith".  Verse 1 in Ephesians 2 starts off by saying "you were dead in your trespasses and sins".  Not in a stupor, not comatose, but dead, without hope.  Today's verses show us the greatest turnaround, "but God".  He has other plans for us, not by anything that we have done buyt what He accomplished in sending Jesus for us.

Why did Jesus come? He came to rescue us, reign in us and lead us through this life and into eternity. Think of these words that describe God - rich in mercy, Not by anything we have done but by His mercy He made us alive.  We are alive in Christ.  It is because of His great love for us. This is the only time that Paul uses the phrase "great love"

Have you felt His great love for you?  This "great love" was referred to 3 times in the Old Testament book of Daniel:

At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved." (Daniel 9:23)

"O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you." (Daniel 10:11)

And he said, "O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage." (Daniel 10:19)

Wherever you are today, if you are in Christ, realize that you are greatly loved. Realize that you have been rescued, that God reigns and will lead you through this life.This is all possible because of what He accomplished at calvary.

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
  On Calvary.

 

Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty,
    At Calvary.

2

By God's Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
  To Calvary.

3

Now I've giv'n to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing
  Of Calvary.

4

Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
  At Calvary!

Blessings,

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

Ephesians 2:1-10

English Standard Version

By Grace Through Faith

2 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body[a] and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.[b] 4 But[c] God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Verse of the Day 1/18

Verse of the Day 1/18

Hebrews 9:27-28

English Standard Version

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

When you think of the words "eagerly waiting", Christmas probably comes to mind.  Children eagerlyy wait to open the presents under the tree, hoping that their expectations will be met. We eagerly wati for things that we have ordered to arrive so we can try them out and put them to use.  After a long period of silence from God the hymn writer wrote, "come thou expected Jesus", born set thy people free, thery were eagerly awaiting their deliverence.

So the question for us is, do we eagerly long for, wait for the coming of Christ or wouid we rather delay His coming while we enjoy things here and fill our bucket list before meeting Him face to face?

You may have heard people say "com Lord Jesus, come, I. know my wife and I have both said this and mean it. His return should be something that we desire, we hope for and wait on.  He is coming again.

 Marvelous message we bring
Glorious carol we sing
Wonderful word of the King
Jesus is coming again

CHORUS

Coming again coming again
Maybe morning maybe noon
Maybe evening and maybe soon
Coming again coming again
Oh what a wonderful day it will be

Jesus is coming again

Standing before Him at last

Trial and trouble all past

Crowns at His feet we will cast

Jesus is coming again (Chorus)

Blessings,

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 9:23-28

English Standard Version

23 Thus it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these rites, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. 25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, 26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Verse of the Day 1/16

Verse of the Day 1/16

John 10:27-28

English Standard Version

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

Part of my devotions this morning were in John 10 where Jesus talks about His being the good Shepherd. One of the things that drew my attention was from verse 30 where Jesus states "I and the Father aree one".  You've probably heard the expression, perhaps even said it to someone when describing your friendship with another person as "we're like that", holding two fingers up twisted together.  It is saying we're tight.  Jesus statement takes it more that a step further He says "I and the Father are one".  He and the Father cannot be separated.  They are One in the same, Jesus was God in the flesh, God "with skin on" so to speak. The same authority, all the authoriity and power.  The same power that created the umiverse and all that is in it holds us securely, nothing, no one can take us out of His hand, His care.

Take that to today's verses.  Do you hear His voice?  Are you a Christ follower?  If so, we have His assurance that we have eternal life and no one can ever take that away from us.

If you question who Jesus is, He says alot about Himself in the book of John where we find His "I Am" statements. Pastor Greg Laurie writes, "Jesus had left no doubt about His identity. He already had told people "plainly" that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life (see John 3:15). That He was the Son of God (see John 5:19). That He would judge all people (see John 5:22). That the Scriptures point to Him (see John 5:39). That He came down from Heaven (see John 6:38). That He is the bread of life (see John 6:48). That He is the light of the world (see John 8:12). That He always did what pleased God (see John 8:29). That He was sent by God (see John 8:42). That He existed before Abraham (see John 8:58). That He is the Good Shepherd (see John 10:11). That He would be resurrected after He died (see John 10:17–18)."

This Jesus is telling us "no one will snatch you out of my hand".  Picture that as we close with the following hymn.

1. I come to the garden alone,
   While the dew is still on the roses,
   And the voice I hear falling on my ear
   The Son of God discloses.
   • Refrain:
     And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
     And He tells me I am His own;
     And the joy we share as we tarry there,
     None other has ever known.
2. I'd stay in the garden with Him,
   Though the night around me be falling,
   But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
   His voice to me is calling.

Blessings,

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 10:22-30

English Standard Version

I and the Father Are One

22 At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

Verse of the Day 1/14

Verse of the Day 1/14

Romans 8:5-6

English Standard Version

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

What is your mindset for today? Or perhaps we should consider what is our mind set on today?  The questions are similar but not the same.  Having our minds set on something inidicates some sort of goal, achieving something or perhaps not succumbing to something.  Perhaps with the help, strength and grace of God overcoming something instead of being overcome by it. Many times we may ask why somethjing happened, but perhaps we need to be asking what?  What will you have me do with this Lord?

Pastor John Piper writes:

Many of us have become far too passive in our pursuit of change and wholeness and peace. I have the feeling that in our therapeutic age we have fallen into the passive mindset of simply "talking through our problems" or "dealing with our issues" or "discovering the roots of our brokenness in our family of origin."

But I see a much more aggressive, non-passive approach to change in the New Testament. Namely, set your mind. "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:2).

When our minds are set on the goals and desires of this world it leads to anxiety, stress and frustration and we won't be able to expeirience peace.  Setting our minds on the things above will change our perspective, give us hope, give us lief and peace.  Which will we choose?  Choose to be set free.

Come just as you are hear the Spirit call
Come just as you are
Come and see (come and see)
Come receive (come receive)
Come and live (come and live) forever

Chorus
Life everlasting
And strength for today
Taste the Living Water
And never thirst again

Blessings,

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

Romans 8:1-8

English Standard Version

Life in the Spirit

8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.[a] 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you[b] free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,[c] he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Verse of the Day 1/12

Verse of the Day 1/12

Deuteronomy 4:1-2

English Standard Version

4 "And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.

Lord willing, I will be spending a lot of time in my personal devotions over the next couple of months in the book of Deuteronomy.  A key component of that study will be the word "shema" which revolves around "hearing" and "listening".  As we read God's Word He is speaking to us through it.  Are we listening?  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks writes, "In Judaism faith is a form of listening - to the song creation sings to it's Creator, and to the message history delivers to those who try to understand it.  That is what Moses says time and time again iin Deuteronomy. Stop looking;listen. Stop speaking; listen. Create a silence in the soul. Still the clamour of instinct, desire, fear, anger. Strive to listen to the still, small voice beneath the noise.Then you will know that the universe is the work of the One beyond the furthest star yet closer than you are to yourself l- and then you will love your God with all your heart, soul and might."

In our modern culture people want to see things, see a spectacle.  We desire to hear, hear from God the Creator of the universe.  How great is that, how great is He.  But we must choose to listen.

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand

[Pre-Chorus]
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win!
You'll never win"

[Chorus]
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Blessings,

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

Deuteronomy 4:1-9

English Standard Version

Moses Commands Obedience

4 "And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules[a] that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the Lord did at Baal-peor, for the Lord your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor. 4 But you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today. 5 See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.' 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?

9 "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—