Category: Verse of the Day

A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection.

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December 27, Matthew 28:19

“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.
This is the Great Commission:  go out into the world and preach the good news!  This is not something you want to keep to yourself; rather, you want to share it with as many as you can throughout the course of your lifetime.  And the promise that Jesus has to the believer is a simple and straightforward one:  you are not alone in this endeavor, no, Jesus himself is with you even as you share this good news with one and all.  Are you willing to take up this great commission?
 
 
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December 26, Luke 2:20

“Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told!”

Luke 2:20 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.
Whether you are like Mary, quiet and pondering matters deep within your heart, or like the shepherds who excitedly proclaimed what they’d just experienced, I hope and trust that the joy of the Christmas season floods your heart and home this year!
 
 
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December 25, Isaiah 9:6

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings. The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants— all their whips and cudgels and curses— Is gone, done away with, a deliverance as surprising and sudden as Gideon’s old victory over Midian. The boots of all those invading troops, along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood, Will be piled in a heap and burned, a fire that will burn for days! For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He’ll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He’ll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God -of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this.”

Isaiah 9:6 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.
It is indeed a great light that has appeared to the world, and to each one that believes.  This is no fairy tale; it is a prophecy fulfilled in the coming of God incarnate in the person of Jesus Christ.  May the true meaning and spirit of Christmas fill your hearts today and every day of the year.
 
 
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December 24, Luke 2:13-14

“At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God’s praises: Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.”

Luke 2:13-14 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.
 The angelic choir wished peace to all men on earth on that eventful day.  Of all the things that the angels could wish for, they wished peace upon mankind.  Peace is paramount to all other desirable things on earth, even more so than health, wealth, and prosperity.  May it be on this Christmas Eve that we are mindful of this, and be grateful for the peace that we do have with our loved ones even as we continue to spread more of it around.  And as we close out this year, it is my prayer and wish that the peace that passeth all understanding be with you and your loved ones in the coming new year.
 
 
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December 23, Luke 2:6-7

“While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.”

Luke 2:6-7 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.
No room?  Yes, no room.  Born into the lowliest of circumstances, the Lord of the universe makes an entrance as a baby to two confused young parents.  This was by design.  There is nothing grand about the conditions of Jesus’ birth.  May this little fact never be lost upon us.
 
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December 22, 1 John 4:9

“My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.”

1 John 4:9 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.
This is truly a hard-to-understand concept:  how it is that God could love us even before we love him, and why he would offer a plan for complete forgiveness that includes eternal life to anyone and everyone who is willing to accept this gift.  What manner of love is this?  And yet, this is exactly what John, the author of this book, is telling his reader.  May it be that we likewise learn to love one another during the course of our lifetimes.
 
 
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December 21, Matthew 1:21

“While he was trying to figure a way out, he had a dream. God’s angel spoke in the dream: “Joseph, son of David, don’t hesitate to get married. Mary’s pregnancy is Spirit-conceived. God’s Holy Spirit has made her pregnant. She will bring a son to birth, and when she does, you, Joseph, will name him Jesus—‘God saves’—because he will save his people from their sins.” This would bring the prophet’s embryonic sermon to full term: Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).”

Matthew 1:21 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.
God is with us!  Of all the things that God could choose for a name, He chose one that served to offer comfort:  God is with us, for us, within us!  This past summer, I found a simple coffee mug, yellow in color, with just those words inscribed on the outside.  I stand amazed at a God who cared so deeply even in the choosing of the name to select one that would comfort and reassure me of His presence with me.  During this Christmas season, I hope and trust that you will feel God’s presence even closer to you as you commemorate this supernatural event:  the advent of God in flesh in order to be with you and me.
 
 
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December 20, John 3:16-17

“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.”

John 3:16-17 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection below.

What is it that strikes you the most about this famous passage?  Is it not the no-strings-attached sentiment from God to man?  There’s nothing in return that God wants from you other than your belief in the free gift being offered to you.  Is that a difficult concept?  If not, will you accept it?