Category: Verse of the Day

“But regarding anything beyond this, dear friend, go easy. There’s no end to the publishing of books, and constant study wears you out so you’re no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you.”

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!”

Ephesians 3: 20-21 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.

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Pause for a moment to consider the significance of this claim — not only can God do anything, but he can do “immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” as per another translation.  If we can ask and imagine grand things for ourselves and our loved ones, imagine how much more grand and awesome God’s plans for us must be! 

“But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!”

Jude 1:20-21 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.

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The imagery of keeping your arms open and outstretched is a dynamic one that reflects an openness of heart and mind, and a willingness to receive whatever it is that God has in store for you.  Also, in a day and age when self-reliance has almost become second-nature, the exhortation to stay “right at the center of God’s love” would mean being willing to stay still for a minute — or long enough to experience the assurance of God’s grace and provision for your needs.

“This is God ’s Word on the subject: “As soon as Babylon’s seventy years are up and not a day before, I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.””

Jeremiah 29:11 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.

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Do you wish to claim this promise also?  I know that I do!  I wish to be taken care of; I wish to never been abandoned; and I wish to realize the future that I hope for.  And this is a God who is getting up close and personal with you and me — to calm our fears, and to build our confidence.  If this isn’t love, I don’t know what is!

“Don’t let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one’s way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.”

James 1:13-14 MSG – A verse of the day from the Bible presented in Eugene Peterson’s contemporary version called The Message. Accompanied by a personal reflection.

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James is not known for being one to mince words.  Are you prepared to hear the truth and accept it: that it is you and only you who is responsible to “give in to evil”?  Easier to assign blame to another, but the fact is that we would be kidding ourselves when we do that.  Unsavory as it is, it is sometimes important to have it be told, and to listen to it.

 

“Jesus didn’t respond directly, but said, “Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.””

Matthew 12:50 MSG – 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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Blood relations are fine, there’s no changing the facts about being associated by birth or marriage to certain people, but here is Jesus questioning even the nature of blood relations.  What does it truly mean to be related one to another?  It means being in obedience to the will of God.

 

“You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don’t see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you’ll get what you’re looking forward to: total salvation.”

“Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.”