Verse for Today - Romans 11:33-36 (Click for mini-blog)

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 

“For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”
 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen."

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Read all of Romans 11

I have probably said this before, but I would have to rate Romans 11:33-36 as some of my favorite verses.  These verses find themselves at the conclusion of some of the hardest chapters of the Bible... those that deal explicitly with God's sovereignty in election and reprobation.   These are things hard to understand... impossible to comprehend... and yet the very things that are revealed.  How can God be Sovereign and men be responsible?  It's a mystery, yet revealed truth.  The same God that sovereignly knew and loved his own from eternity past, is the same one who commands all men everywhere to repent...that  the Gospel should be preached to the ends of the earth.

These verses, perhaps as clear an any others, affirm that God is God and has the right and wisdom to do all that pleases.  He is not subject to our perceptions or understanding.  As human beings we are inherently limited in our scope and knowledge.  The psalmist and prophets affirm that we are like the grass or flowers of the field... we spring up, we grow, we bloom... and then we fade.  Not so with God.  "His ways are past finding out."  

After one thinks about these things, it's a good time to pray.  Amen?

Verse for Today - 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. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

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Read all of Philippians 4

The Problem:

Sometimes we let life get us down.  We worry about our finances, our friendships, our jobs, our activities, our time... our futures.  How will everything ever work out?  

If this is something you do, then Today's Verse is just what you need hear. 

First off the verse tells us not to worry or be to be anxious.  Easier said than done, right?  Well, most any time when the Bible tells us not to do something, it's because we naturally tend to.  This might be our initial response, but we shouldn't stay there.

The Solution:

We should voice our concerns to God.  As the Apostle says, "in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  We're never stronger than when we're relying upon the grace to God to help.  It might seem artificial or forced at first, but God will hear the prayers of those who call upon Him.  He is near to the brokenhearted.  While these verses are written to believers, there is an implicit promise those who are still coming to him.  We pray... God listens.

Then the peace and presence of God will help you through... it "will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."   

Pretty encouraging, don't you think?

Verse for Today - Ephesians 6:10-11 (Click link to Read mini-Blog)

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."

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Read all of Ephesians 6

This verse begins the final section of the Epistle to the Ephesians.  It's the section that talks about our need of spiritual armor to fend off the wily attacks of Satan and the world.  Verse 10 begins with a pretty bold assertion.  "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."  Of course this is probably easier said than done.  It seems there's always a tension between knowing what we're supposed to do and doing it.

Well, as this section unfolds we are given some pretty good clues about how we might do the things we're supposed to do.  We are to "put on the full armor of God."  After we're given this command we're told that this armor is essential in standing up to the devil's schemes.  Another way of saying this is that if we don't put on the armor and rely wholly upon the Lord, we will fall.  These verses shouldn't make us live in fear of Satan, but they should make us draw closer to God for his protection.  AND if we're going to draw near for his protection, it means that we had best be sure we're keeping "in step with the Spirit" by hearing and heeding His Words.  

Think also of the Lord's prayer and the Sixth Petition.  "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one."  Now think about this just a moment.  We're taught to pray (even commanded to pray) for God's protection and then we're commanded to do the very things that will provide for our protection.  Something to think about.  

Verse for Today - Psalm 33:4-5 (click to read about)

"For the word of the Lord is right,

And all His work is done in truth.
^{He loves righteousness and justice;}The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord."

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Read all of Psalm 33

Psalm 33 is remarkable on a number of levels.  In recent years it has become a favorite of mine.  It is subtitled in the NKJV "The Sovereignty of the Lord in Creation and History."  Verses 4 and 5 follow a five-fold exhortation to worship and rejoice before the Lord.  Verses 4 and 5 provide the "short" answer for why all of God's people should give glory to God.  The "long" answer is really the remainder of the Psalm.

Now let's consider these two verses.    The Lord Almighty and all that He does is impeccable... without sin.  He is and is the source of truth and righteousness.  These virtues (His virtues) are part of why we should worship and serve him.  Can we trust God?  Can we trust his words, will and commands?   ABSOLUTELY!  Listen to Deuteronomy 32:4:

"He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He."

These things cannot be said of anyone else.  Trust and worship the Living God.

Verse for Today - Deuteronomy 6:4,5 (click to read)

"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

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Read all of Deuteronomy 6

This verse should be familiar to most.  I'd like to draw your attention to three parts of these verses.  

1. The last part is quoted by the Lord Jesus as part of what we call the Summary of the Law.  Any effort or exercise of the Christian faith the doesn't begin and end with the desire to love, honor and please God is something else.

2. The affirmation of Oneness is that God the One True and Eternal God has revealed himself in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  This is called the Doctrine of the Trinity. The three persons are not mentioned here, but the affirmation of Oneness is.  They are mentioned elsewhere.   We hold and believe what the Bible teaches.  Period.

3.  I remember reading a Morning and Evening meditation by CH Spurgeon years ago where he says he things the most amazing part of this verse is the pronouns "OUR" and "YOUR"   The Almighty Lord and Master of the Universe has identified Himself with His people.  The same is true today.

"To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."  Rev. 1:5a, 6

Verse for Today - James 4:10 (Click to READ)

James 4:10

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."

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Read all of James 4

This verse in James 4 is found amid of exhortations in which the inspired author instructs believes how to see themselves and live in the world.  I remember when I first read and preached on this passage I was almost embarrassed by the strong language and forceful words.  Verse 10 is mild by comparison.

We're told to humble ourselves before the Lord... we do this by recognizing his greatness and our sinfulness.  He is the Lord and Master of all and we are unworthy and undeserving creatures.  I've said before that when we pray with out faces to the ground, we are modeling the proper relationship between ourselves, others and God.  

A little earlier in this passage an important verse from Proverbs 3:34 is quoted: . 

"God opposes the proud 

 but shows favor to the humble."

That should be reason enough for us to obey today's verse... and yet there is also a promise... "and He will lift you up."  How cool is that.

Verse for Today - James 1:5 (Click to Read Brief)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." 

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Read all of James 1

James 1 is a profound chapter on many levels.  In this first section he is explaining how trials and troubles are commonplace in the Christian faith.  With a tinge of hyperbole he says we should count it a joy when we face these difficult times.  This exhortation is not based on the idea that we should "enjoy" the difficulties, but rather the beneficial affect of them.  

The exhortation of Today's Verse is a good reminder and concludes with an encouraging promise.  If these difficult times are leaving you at a loss, pray to God... ask him for wisdom and understanding.  Lean on Him and He will supply what you need.  

Earlier today (before even thinking about sending out this verse) I found myself singing the verse of "How Firm a Foundation."  Notice the question in Stanza 1 is answered in Stanzas 2-5 (especially 4).  I think they fit.

1. How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
   Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
   What more can He say than to you He hath said—
   To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2. “Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
   For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
   I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
   Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
3. “When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
   The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
   For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
   And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
4. “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
   My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
   The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
   Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
5. “The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
   I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
   That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
   I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”

Verse for Today - John 4:23 (click to read mini-blog)

"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

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Read all of John 4

As Jesus is talking to the Samaritan woman in John 4, He speaks about the nature of God and the nature of true worship.  God does not have a body like us.  God is spirit.  In another place we're told Christ as the second Adam became a Life-giving Spirit (I Corinthians 15:45).   The mutual identification of God the Father and God the Son is clear.

The nature of true worship is equally profound.  Those who would worship the truth God, must worship Him in an acceptable manner.  There are right and wrong ways to worship.  From Jesus broader teaching ministry we learn that God is not impressed with self-righteousness and/or ritualistic worship.  Those who draw near to God must do so with humility or meekness... and Godly fear... they must also do so with a diligent true or genuine faith.  Here are a couple verses that speak of this pretty directly:

I Peter 5:⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Hebrews 11:⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Verse for Today - Matthew 7:12 (click to read mini-blog)

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

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Read all of Matthew 7

I mentioned the other day that this verse, which we frequently call the Golden Rule, is in a sense, a summary of the Summary (of the law) of the Summary (the Ten Commandments).   There are hundreds if commands in first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch)... according to some rabbi's count over 600.  The Ten Commandments are a distillation of God's revealed will... most all of the other 600+ commands can be arranged under the primary Ten Commandments.

The Summary of the Law, is stated by Christ in the New Testament, but he actually is quoting from Leviticus 19 and Deuteronomy 6.  

"Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:37-40

In today's verse Jesus states all this even more plainly.   If you ever want to know how you should treat others or whether you should do, pass your decision through this filter and the way will be clear.  Would you want others to do this unto you? 

 "FOR THIS SUMS UP THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS."

Verse for Today - I John 4:20-21

1 John 4:20-21

"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."

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Read all of 1 John 4

Today's verse is one of those gut-check verses that is hard to ignore.  You see the Scriptures are described as being "living and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12) and in another place,  "All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable..." (II Timothy 3:16). 

Well, as were read a passage like I John 4:20-21, it reveals what's in our hearts.  The Word of God is applied by the Spirit of God to the individuals who read and hear it.  Of course, for those who might have a deep and sincere hatred for someone or anyone really, this verse might be a discouragement.  However, the intent is not to discourage but foster transformation... change.   

What should we do?  How do we get past such thoughts?  Certainly, we need God's help (grace).  Even with it, it will take earnest effort on our part.  The key is doing the things that we can.  I'm convinced that actions and feelings are connected (part of the same circle if you will)... and that "actions" are best in the driver's seat.  In time right feelings will follow right actions.  Do what you know is right.  Treat others (even those under your skin) with kindness and respect and if nothing else YOU will begin to feel better.  :) 

Verse for Today - Galatians 3:26-28 (click to read mini-blog)

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

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Read all of Galatians 3

These verses are found in the middle of the Apostle Paul's epistle to the churches or Christians in the region of Galatia (central modern day Turkey).  As a whole the epistle addresses the fact that some had tried to unite the free grace of God in Christ to the requirement of formal religious acts of obedience to the law.  In today's verses we're actually reading the conclusion to his argument that no one was ever saved by keeping the law or acts of religious service.  

All who will be saved are saved by the promise of God's grace in Christ whereby they find acceptance in and through His completed work on the cross.  We're saved by grace not works; by adoption not merit.  This is stated succinctly in verse 24: "Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith."  

The Galatian churches were composed of both Gentile believers and Jewish converts.  This makes his statement almost remarkable.  He says that those who "were baptized" have become sons of God through faith in Christ.... such that the former distinctions (Jew, Greek, male, female, bond, free) are overshadowed by their greater unity in the Gospel of God's Grace. 

If you're a genuine believer, you are in Christ; AND if you are in Christ then you the true offspring of God's promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:4), as the last verse of the chapter concludes:

²⁹ "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Verse for Today - Psalm 118:5-6 (click to read mini-blog)

 "I called on the LORD in distress; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

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Read all of Psalm 118

Psalm 118 is a Psalm of distinction for a number of reasons.  

1. It's overall message and theme are edifying and encouraging.  The first and last verse of the Psalm urge us to "Give thanks to the Lord; for His mercy endures forever."

2. It is located between the shortest and the longest Psalms, #117 and #119.

3. More than this (and I'm relying on an article I once read), Psalm 118 is said to be middle chapter of the Bible.  Incidentally, this is why if you take your bible in hand and open it to the middle, you will probably open to one of the 150 Psalms. 

 

4. The Psalm progresses from the writer's personal experience of deliverance (vss. 5,6), to the Messianic expectation of Christ and His ultimate victory over all his enemies (and ours) (vss. 21-28)... esp. verses 22,23 and 26:

²² The stone which the builders rejected
         Has become the chief cornerstone.
²³ This was the LORD’s doing;
         It is marvelous in our eyes.

²⁶ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!
         We have blessed you from the house of the LORD.

Verse for Today - 1 Peter 1:15-16 (click to read mini-blog)

1 Peter 1:15-16

"but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” ”

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Read all of 1 Peter 1

Today's verses are brief and obligatory.  In context these verses affirm the close connection between faith and its fruits.  

Some of you may have heard me explain that in this brief section from 13-15 there are really only two main verbs.  The other words that are frequently translated as commands are actually participles describing the manner in which the main verbs are to be carried out.  The first imperative (or command) instruction is "rest your hope fully in the grace that is to be brought to you..."  In other words, have faith... trust and rely upon God's gracious promise of redemption in Christ.

The other command is found in verse 15, "be holy in all your conduct..." which is then repeated in the quotation "Be holy, for I am holy" from Leviticus 19:1.

In a nutshell these verses make the same point as the song, "Trust and Obey."  What should you trust in?  The grace of God offered in Christ's atoning sacrifice.  What should you obey?  God's revealed will, His commandments.  

Clear? 

Verse for Today - Isaiah 1:16-17

Isaiah 1:16-17

"Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

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Read all of Isaiah 1

Isaiah 1 is an interesting chapter.  I would recommend reading it.  I have a memory from my early childhood of a minister reading the first verses about how a oxen and donkeys have more sense than God's covenant people.   I think there's supposed to be something appalling about it.  People should pay proper respect to the One who brought the forth, clothed and cared for them.  The prophet goes so far as to say that the people of Israel would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah (completely destroyed and consumed by the anger of the Lord), except the LORD had left a remnant among them... a few examples of His grace and mercy.

As painful and sore as this is, the most remarkable part of the chapter is found in and after the verses we're looking at today.  Our verses today are a call to repent, turn from sin, and do what God commands.  Pretty tough call for spiritually dead, sinful people.  But there is hope.  Jesus said that His people will hear His voice and follow Him.  It is His voice that we hear in these verses.  They awaken and bestow spiritual life to those who hear. 

In fact, they form the premise to the wonderful Gospel call in verses 18 and following.    Hear and heed God's voice!

“ Come now, and let us reason together,” 
      Says the LORD, 
      “ Though your sins are like scarlet, 
      They shall be as white as snow; 
      Though they are red like crimson, 
      They shall be as wool. 
      If you are willing and obedient, 
      You shall eat the good of the land; 
      But if you refuse and rebel, 
      You shall be devoured by the sword”; 
      For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Verse for Today - Titus 2:11-12 (click to read mini-blog)

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”

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Read all of Titus 2

 This is a good verse for us to consider as we begin the New Year.  The Apostle Paul wrote this epistle/letter to a you pastor named Titus.  He was left in Crete to organize and minister to the believers there.  He was challenged by the culture and popular opinion to go with the flow, but was urged to faithfully teach by words and example how to live the Christian faith.  

In fact, this is precisely how Chapter 2 begins… he tell Titus what he should teach to the different age groups that compose the church… to older and younger, to the men and women, even to servants and masters (basically equivalent to today’s employees and employers).  The Scriptures are relevant to all.  Whatever weaknesses challenge us most are those that are to be taught against. 

As we begin a new year, we too should “say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…”   In the next two verses the Apostle concludes:

“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

How zealous are you gonna be in 2012?