Bible Verse of the Day

September 12^th Through September 17^th

 



 

 

Monday September 12, 2016

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

We see this reference to joy throughout the entire epistle of Philippians (1:4, 1:18, 1:25, 2:2, 2:16, 2:17, 2:18, 2:28, 3:1, 3:3, 4:1 and here in 4:4). There could have very well been some concern on Paul’s mind for the great need of this message to the Christians in Philippi. There was most likely some discouragement among the Philippian Christians because of the imprisonment of Paul and the likelihood and prospect of his death. At the writing of this Epistle, in 62-63AD, Paul had already spent two years imprisoned in Jerusalem (58-60) and then at least a year, possibly more, under house arrest in Rome awaiting trial before the emperor (61-64 AD). We see in Philippians 2:25-27 Paul was going to send Epaphroditus to minister to the Philippians, but he (Epaphroditus), was ill and almost died which brought distress to the Philippians (Philippians 2:26). Additional causes of dismay and despair of the Philippians Christians could have been dissention among some members of the churches there, and the false gospel teaching of the legalist being spread throughout the Christian Churches there, as well as other parts of the world.

This was not a message from Paul for us to be unrealistic, there will, always be times of sadness in our lives. Jesus Himself even wept, because of the sadness of the sisters of Lazarus at their brother’s death (John 11:35). This was a message that, although we are going to experience sadness at times, we should focus our lives, not on the cause of the sadness, but on the great blessings we have in Christ Jesus. In our sadness there can be joy knowing that we are not alone in any tribulation we must go through, this is Joy in the Lord.

Sometimes there might arise disagreements between brothers and sisters during this time of sadness, some are more likely to give or take offence during this time. However, those that are full of joy in the Lord, are beautifully occupied with greater things, and will not be distracted by some minor imperfect infraction, that will always occur in our imperfection. 

This joy that Paul is referring to here is not some false face of joy and happiness, that we put on to make the world think that we are alright. This joy is based on a firm confidence that God is always in control, and no matter what happens God will use it for good in our lives (Romans 8:28).

One last thought on this, Paul had set a great example of joy in times of great trouble and distress for those in Philippi, as well as all of us, while he and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi on his second missionary journey. After being severely beaten, placed in chains and thrown in the inner part of a prison Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns. (Acts 16:22-26).    

 

Tuesday September 13 2016

1 Peter 3:8

8-Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

Peter wrote, in the first seven verses, concerning the relationship between a husband and wife. In this eight verse he speaks of the relationship we should have with each other.

be like-minded: Some do not have a problem with like-mindedness as long as everyone’s mind is like theirs. However, the one mind Peter is talking about here is the mind of Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 2:16). Christ is the Master link that ties us all together, and our minds and our thinking should reflect what Jesus is teaching in His Holy Word. This comes back to a recurring theme that is imperative if we are to have a mind set with God, that is prayer and bible study. We cannot know the mind of Jesus if we do not know His word.

We are all different, God has created us as individuals, we each have our own role to play in God’s Master plan. We must understand how this diversity and unity work together to complete the family of God. It can be compared to a vocal group, each one is singing his or her own part, but together the sweet harmony comes across as one voice.

be sympathetic: This means that we care for one another, we share our good times and our not so good times with each other. We bear the burdens of our fellow brothers and sisters (Galatians 6:2).

love one another: We should love each other as Jesus has loved us, (John 13:34), we are told by Jesus that the world will know that we belong to Him, are like minded with Him, by our love for each other (John 13:35).

be compassionate and humble: Compassion for others can only happen when we put the needs of others before our own needs, and that can only occur through humility.

 

Wednesday September 14 2016

Philippians 2:1-2

1-Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

2-then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

The NIV title for Philippians 2:1-11 is “Imitating Christ’s Humility.” Verses 1-2 begin the call to be of one mind in Christ as well as with each other. Since Christ Jesus was the supreme example of humility, being of one mind with Christ would bring about a sense of humility to our lives. Yesterday, September 13^th we talked about being like-minded with each other, so as Jesus as our common link we would naturally be like-minded with Him.

Paul is asking some rhetorical questions in the first verse, the answers are yes we do have encouragement from being united with Christ, yes we do enjoy a comfort from his love, yes we do have a common sharing in the Spirit and we are encouraged and comforted in the tenderness and compassion of our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. We can know this encouragement and comfort through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but Christ is the encouragement and comfort.

Luke referred to Jesus as the “consolation of Israel,” meaning comfort and support (Luke 2:25). Paul said that our comfort abounds through Christ (1 Corinthians 1:5).

We will never reach the complete humility that was Christ Jesus in this life, but it is a goal that we should be shooting for every day of our lives. If we do this, we will get closer and closer to Christ Jesus and closer to putting the needs of others before ourselves. There is an acronym that sums this all up, and is a recipe for a life filled with joy, instead of defeat, depression and discouragement.

J- Jesus First                                                                                                                         

O- Others Second

Y- Yourself Last

 

Thursday September 15 2016

1 John 4:16

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

1 John 4 covers two basic areas of study, the Love of God and the Love we should know for God and each other, as well as differentiating between the true and false gospel. John tells us in verse one to “test the spirits” to determine if they are from God or from Satan. Everyone is led, either by the Holy Spirit of God or by the spirit of Satan. We should be prepared, through God’s Holy Word, to clearly see the difference.

Verse 16 covers the other aspect of this writing of the Apostle John, God’s Love and our Love for God and others. The train of thought here in verse 16 began in the previous verse. If we recognize and believe that Jesus was God in the flesh, put our faith and trust in Him for our salvation and sanctification, then the Love of God will live in us and we will know the joy of the love God has for us. Consequently, we will have total love for God and be able to share this love with others.

We, as believers in Christ Jesus, should know and truly believe that God loves. Paul said that there was nothing that could ever separate him from the love of God, through Christ Jesus (Roman 8:35-39). This is the assurance that we all should share with Paul.

As imperfect humans, there may be times that we do not feel the love of God as strong as other times. We will know we have come to the point of faith and trust in Christ when we believe it even at the times we do not feel it as strong as others.

Once we are living in God we will know true love, and be able to share that love with those around us. Once we experience the Love of God we will want it to be a place that we reside always. 

 

Friday September 16 2016

James 3:13

13-Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

In the third chapter of Janes he is talking to teachers, first he is talking about how they should speak and then how they should live. Now before some of you tune this out by saying, “this is not for me, I am not a teacher, “let me share a couple of bible verses with you.

Matthew 28:19-20: ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Acts 1:8: ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

In these two verses Jesus is speaking to all of His followers, it is the wishes of Jesus that we all share the gospel with the lost, in the world. In that respect, we are all teachers. However, James is also speaking to preachers and teachers as well, because they have a responsibility to be the examples by which the Body of Christ can follow in order to more fully represent Christ to the world. Pastors and Bible Teachers are supposed to teach the body of Christ, so that all can be prepared to share the gospel with those that do not know Jesus as their personal savior (2 Timothy 4:2).

The first qualification of a teacher that James speaks of here is wisdom and understanding. Wisdom is being able to view life from the point of view of God, and understanding is awareness, observation and a grasp of the truth of God’s Word. In one who is truly wise you will always find a gentleness, meekness and humility. Some view humility as a weakness, however true humility is the power of the Holy Spirit under control. Humility can be described as a delicate flower that when exposed to light dies, our humility cannot be brought to the forefront, or it will cease to exist. 

It is as important how we live our lives as what we teach, we cannot teach the Word of God if we see ourselves as paramount people, superior or we are self-absorbed.

 

Saturday September 17 2016

Ephesian 5:1

¹ Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

Paul spent the majority of his third missionary journey in Ephesus, however he did not write the letter to the Ephesians until his time in Rome under house arrest. His farewell to the Ephesians Elders found in Acts 20:13-38 is somewhat of a prelude to the Epistle of Ephesians.

Paul is telling us that we should make God the blueprints by which we live our lives. Sometime some folks want to compare themselves with other people, keeping up with the Jones, as it were. Peter tells us, in his first letter something along this same line, (1 Peter 1:15-16). Paul is not saying that we should meditate on God, respect or esteem God or admire God, although these are all callings of believers in Christ, but to make Him the example that we follow, as we travel down life’s highway.

Even though Paul is exhorting us to make God our example, we must understand that He is much more than an example to us. There can be numerous problems and errors that come up when Christians use Christ Jesus as only an example. Our salvation did not come through living a life following the example of Christ Jesus, it is only through God’s grace and our faith. However, once we are saved then we should strive every day of our lives to be more like Christ. This of course will never happen in this life, being like Christ, but the more we endeavor towards that goal, the closer we will become to Jesus and the closer we get to Jesus the sweeter our walk with our Savior becomes. Can you imagine the day when our Savior wraps us in His arms and says to us, “well done my good and faithful servant.”