Verse of the Day 5/6

Verse of the Day 5/6

John 21:15-16

New International Version

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

Peter definitely had his ups and downs in his walk, following Jesus.  He was bold at times, impetuous, and yet he had deinied Jesus 3 times leading up to His crucifixion.  In this passage Jesus humbles Peter by asking him 3 times "do you love me".  Peter speaks his affirmation and went on to follow Him more closely willing to die for His cause.

John MacArthur writes, "Peter" means "stone." "Cephas" is its Aramaic equivalent. By nature Simon tended to be impulsive and vacillating. Apparently Jesus named him Peter as a reminder of his future role in the church, which would require spiritual strength and stability. Whenever Peter acted like a man of strength, Jesus called him by his new name. When he sinned, Jesus called him by his old name (e.g., John 21:15-17). In the gospel of John, Peter is called "Simon Peter" seventeen times. Perhaps John knew Peter so well he realized he was always drifting somewhere between sinful Simon and spiritual Peter."

We can probably say the same thing about ourselves, drifting at times between sinful and spiritual sides of ourselves, caught somewhere in the middle.  As we read today's verses, Jesus is asking us the same question, "do you love me more than these" things that draw us away from following Him as we should.  How close do we, will we come to complete surrender.

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere In the middle, you'll find me
Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who you're making me
Somewhere in the middle, you'll find me

[Chorus]
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender
Without losing all control
Fearless warriors in a picket fence
Reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end
And we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences
The God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for his
Or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle                         (Somewhere in the Middle - Casting Crowns)

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 21:15-19

New International Version

Jesus Reinstates Peter

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"

"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

Verse of the Day 5/4

Verse of the Day 5/4

Deuteronomy 32:2-3

New International Version

2 Let my teaching fall like rain

    and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
    like abundant rain on tender plants.

3 I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
    Oh, praise the greatness of our God!

I read this passage in my devotions this morning and I was reading His Word while on my back porch listening to a gentle rain coming down watering the lawn that I had just mowed yesterday evening.  The lawn, which had recently been a luscious green had begun to dry out in a few places as the North Carolina sun has gotten stronger and the days have gotten a little longer.  I didn't worry about it yet for I knew that the forecast had called for rain this weekend.

Sometimes, things may be going well in our lives but we know that we will run into "dry stretches" where we feel worn out and in need of refreshment.  God's Word and His teaching can give us what we need by His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit.

John Piper writes, "The world is desperate for a faith that combines two things: awestruck apprehension of unshakable divine Truth, and utterly practical, round-the-clock power to make a liberating difference in life. That is what I want too. Which is why I am a Christian. "

We don't need to wait for a forcast, we know that God's Word, His grace, His teaching is always available to us and will make a difference.   Praise God for it.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I'm found
Was blind but now I see so clearly

[Chorus]
And hallelujah, grace like rain falls down on me
And hallelujah, and all my stains are washed away
They're washed away

[Verse 2]
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed                               (Grace Like Rain - Todd Agnew)

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 32:1-8

New International Version

32 Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;
    hear, you earth, the words of my mouth.
2 Let my teaching fall like rain
    and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
    like abundant rain on tender plants.

3 I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
    Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
4 He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
    and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
    upright and just is he.

5 They are corrupt and not his children;
    to their shame they are a warped and crooked generation.
6 Is this the way you repay the Lord,
    you foolish and unwise people?
Is he not your Father, your Creator,

who made you and formed you?

7 Remember the days of old;
    consider the generations long past.
Ask your father and he will tell you,
    your elders, and they will explain to you.
8 When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance,
    when he divided all mankind,
he set up boundaries for the peoples
    according to the number of the sons of Israel.

Verse of the Day 5/3

Verse of the Day 5/3

Romans 12:12

New International Version

12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

I read today's verse in my devotions this morning.  As I did so, several things came to mind.  First is, what a great verse it is to memorize, only ten words and three short statements.  Memorizing them is easy, putting them into practice, well, not so easy.  But in the power of the Spirit, it is possible.

Any time that I read a verse about hope, I think about my son Jeff who suffered a traumaitic brain injury many years ago.  He has coined a phrase and I've put it on t-shirts, he says "hope is my favorite thing to have".  He also confesses that "he has the peace that passes understanding".  I would say that his life verses would be:

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Verse 7 above ends with "in Christ Jesus".  These things are only possible "in Christ Jesus'.  Consider who Jesus is to you today, and be "joyful in hope,patient in affliction and faithful in prayer."

1. Jesus is all the world to me,
   My life, my joy, my all;
   He is my strength from day to day,
   Without Him I would fall.
   When I am sad, to Him I go,
   No other one can cheer me so;
   When I am sad, He makes me glad,
   He's my Friend.
2. Jesus is all the world to me,
   My Friend in trials sore;
   I go to Him for blessings, and
   He gives them o'er and o'er.
   He sends the sunshine and the rain,
   He sends the harvest's golden grain;
   Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain,
   He's my Friend.
3. Jesus is all the world to me,
   And true to Him I'll be;
   Oh, how could I this Friend deny,
   When He's so true to me?
   Following Him I know I'm right,
   He watches o'er me day and night;
   Following Him by day and night,
   He's my Friend.
4. Jesus is all the world to me,
   I want no better Friend;
   I trust Him now, I'll trust Him when
   Life's fleeting days shall end.
   Beautiful life with such a Friend,
   Beautiful life that has no end;
   Eternal life, eternal joy,
   He's my Friend.

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 12:9-16

New International Version

Love in Action

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a]

Romans 12:9-16 NIV - - Bible Gateway

 Do not be conceited.

Verse of the Day 5/1

Verse of the Day 5/1

Psalm 46:1-2

New International Version

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

I began my devotions this morniing in Hebrews 11 where in verse 6 we read, "and without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists".  That belief in Hebrews 11:6 has to do with fiath, has to do with trust.  As parents, at some point in our lives we have told our children "trust me in this".  Their reaction shows thier belief, their faith in what you say.  So it is with God.  Are we willing to trust Him in faith?

In Psalm 46 God is referred to as our "refuge and strength" and "an ever present helpin trouble".  His Word is saying trust me in this.  When we do it pleases Him as did our child when they reacted in faith in us when we said "trust me".

J.R. Miller writes, "Jesus teaches that we are to pray to God as our Father. We must come to Him, therefore, as His redeemed children--with the genuineness, the simplicity, the confidence of children. When we stand at God's throne of grace and speak the name "Father" and ask for a child's blessing--we are sure of instant welcome."

Sometimes we need to remember that childlike faith and pray, trust and take refuge in Him.

I would lay me down to sleep
And pray the Lord my soul to keep
And though I never saw Him there
I believe He heard each prayer
For God was great, And God was good
And I knew if I spoke the words
He would be listening

The years can take us far away
From the simple child like faith
But I am longing to return
To the place where I first learned
That God is great, and God is good
So, I will speak the words

God, our Father, once again
I bow my head to pray
You are my Father and my friend, and You hear every word I say
A prayer for forgiveness, A desperate cry for help
Or praise flowing from a thankful heart
Like each time before, I come knowing You're still listening                       (Still Listening - Steven Curtis Chapman)

    

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

Psalm 46:1-7

New International Version

Psalm 46[a]

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Verse of the Day 4/27

Verse of the Day 4/27

Luke 19:9-10

New International Version

9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."

Today's passage came up in the read through the New Testament plan.  It is a familiar evernt where Jesus calls Zacchaeus, a tax collector, a "sinner", looked down upon by many.  He has heard about Jesus and hearing that He is coming to town He sets out to see Him.  Little does He know that Jesus had a divine appointment, and would call him personally down from the sycamore tree to meet and spend time with him.

The event shows how effective the call is.  In the previous chapter the rich young ruler asked "difficult is it for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God".  Here, Jesus demonstrates that no matter how difficult it may seem, "with God, nothing is impossible". (Luke 18:24-27).

God is still working in the same way.  People feel the emptiness and may attend church many times to find out more about God.  Then one day God truly calls them, opens their hearts and they receive Him by faith.  Their lives are never the same.

We who have experienced that divine appointment look forward to the day when Jesus will return with another divine appointment and call us home, when we'll all see Jesus.

1. Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
   Sing His mercy and His grace;
   In the mansions bright and blessed
   He'll prepare for us a place.
   • Refrain:
     When we all get to heaven,
     What a day of rejoicing that will be!
     When we all see Jesus,
     We'll sing and shout the victory!
2. While we walk the pilgrim pathway,
   Clouds will overspread the sky;
   But when trav'ling days are over,
   Not a shadow, not a sigh.
3. Let us then be true and faithful,
   Trusting, serving every day;
   Just one glimpse of Him in glory
   Will the toils of life repay.
4. Onward to the prize before us!
   Soon His beauty we'll behold;
   Soon the pearly gates will open;
   We shall tread the streets of gold.

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

Luke 19:1-10

New International Version

Zacchaeus the Tax Collector

19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a sinner."

8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount."

9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."