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  • The Character of Job

    Job 1:1  “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.”

    As we begin a new year and think of pursuing living better in 2024 than we did in 2023 I encourage you to look to God’s Word for godly role models.  For those who are familiar with God’s Word, Job is not usually one of our first go-to persons as a role model because we, being honest, don’t want to experience what Job experienced. However, when it comes to examining a man’s character to be a role model you really can’t do much better than Job.  Notice the characteristics of his character.

    He was blameless.
    He was upright.
    He feared God
    He shunned evil.  

    These four words describe a man filled with personal integrity.  He did what was right.  Being blameless speaks of his personal life.  He was not perfect, but he did strive to live above reproach.  Like Daniel, you would not be able to find dirt on him because he was not dirty.  Being blameless meant he did what was right even if no one was looking.  

    Being upright meant he was honest with others.  He did not cheat or lie to others.  Being upright meant he was not looking to take advantage of another person.  He was trustworthy.  

    In fearing God he understood that there was God and he was not god.  In fearing God he acknowledged God with holy reverence and respect.   In fearing God Job acknowledged God’s authority in his life. In fearing God Job was in a right relationship with God. 

    In shunning evil Job first knew what was right and what was wrong and then he took steps to avoid temptations.  To shun is to stay away.   Based on teaching from another wisdom book, Proverbs, Job’s actions to stay away from evil would have been fueled by his fer for the Lord.
    For instance:
    Proverbs 8:13  The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate. 
    Proverbs 16:6  In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. 
    Proverbs 23:17  Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous to be guided by the fear of the LORD all the day;

    Job 1:1 gives us a tremendous example of a person with great character.  I would hope you would want to be known as a person who is blameless, upright, fears God, and shuns evil.  

    Continue Strong in the new year with godly character like Job,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 31 (12/31) is Luke 12:31

    “But seek the kingdom of God, and all
    these things shall be added to you.” – Luke 12:31
    HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE and Happy New Year

    WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY?

    Portions of what we call the Sermon on the Mount that are found in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 are found in Luke 12.  Luke places His teaching on worrying and anxiety after Jesus has addressed people about being covetous.  Being consumed with the cares and concerns of life chokes out our life.  (See Luke 8:14) Our lives are so much more than food and drink and clothing.  And our lives are not about GETTING and HAVING THE MOST and having the BEST of everything.  We draw from Luke 12:15 that the best things in life are not things. 

    If life is not about getting things and not even about making sure we survive by focusing all our attention on getting the basics for living, what then is life about?  Luke 12:31 says, “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.”  Matthew 6:33 reads, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

    Luke 12:31 reminds us of what our top priority should be.  I am not sure what you are SEEKING but based on Scripture seeking and doing the will of God should be the preeminent priority of the Christian’s life.   
     
    Consider a couple of other verses to help solidify that seeking and doing God’s will is your top priority;

    Joshua 24:14 “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

    Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

    Psalm 27:8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, LORD, do I seek.“

    Notice a comparison of Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain, and Philippians 2:21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
    Will you be a 1:21 person or a 2:21 person in 2024?

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 31 (12/31) is Luke 12:31. It says, “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

    Continue Strong with Jesus always being FIRST!!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
     

  • Verses to DATE the Word as one looks to 2024 are 

    Then the LORD answered me and said:  Write the vision 
    and make it plain on tablets. – Habakkuk 2:2
    As we draw closer to the beginning of a New Year please allow me to share some thoughts about WRITING out resolutions and goals for the new year.  First and foremost I believe in reviewing the past where we remember and reflect on God’s blessings and on God’s lessons that He taught me during the year. 
    I then believe in looking forward and praying for God to give me a fresh vision for the coming year.  To get this fresh vision is to ask a question I learned from one of the greatest visionaries, Dr. Jerry Falwell, in which he challenged us to ask what would I attempt I knew I would not fail. 

    What would you attempt for the Lord if you knew you would not fail?  

    As part of asking God to help put into my heart His vision, I like to use a phrase from 1 Corinthians 16:7b where Paul said, “If the Lord permits.”   What are your internal dreams that you would like to see happen and you would write (type) them down after the phrase “If the Lord permits…..”

    As I reflect on my past I know I will see successes and I will see failures.  Without question, we all have room for improvement.  What CHANGES (shall we say ADJUSTMENTS) need to take place so that the coming year will be BETTER than the previous year?   Let us recall the old quote “If you keep doing what you have been doing you will keep having what you have been having.”

    A statement I use here is “Going into next year I am going to need to CHANGE….
    This statement continues with “this change will happen by me STOPPING or STARTING.  

    Daniel 1:8 is a huge help here. It reads, “But Daniel RESOLVED that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he REQUESTED the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 12   Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.”

    Using Daniel 1:8, 12 we have a resolve to stop something and to start something,  

    What do you need to STOP and what do you need to START?

    One of my statements to finish going into a new year is “This year I need to spend more time …. “
    FYI – Starting at midnight on January 1, 2024, you will be getting 527,040 minutes as 2024 is a leap year and has 366 days.  If I were to hand you $52,040, how would you handle each of those dollars?  Would you waste it?  Would you spend all of it?  Would you invest it?  Thinking of time as money, how will you use your TIME?  Ephesians 5:16 says. “Redeem or make the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

    I like to use Luke 2:52 as a guide in making the best use of my time. The verse is based on the life of Jesus telling us that He increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and favor with man.  Using these four areas I determine where I need to spend more time when it comes to intellectual growth, physical growth, spiritual growth, and relational growth.  

    BTW – To those who are parents of children still at home, I would ask a very tough question about how I was doing as a dad to four children, asking how many times did I say NOT NOW to their request to do something.  You might need to say going into 2024 that you need to spend more time with your children.  They need both quality and quantity time with you.  

    These are but a few suggestions.  It is wise to review, reflect/remember, and then resolve at the end of a year and the beginning of a new year.  Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

    Continue Strong making the most of every moment,
    And Remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 30 (12/30) is Mark 12:30

    “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,
    and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” – Mark 12:30
    Jesus is being QUESTIONED, EXAMINED if you will, by the religious leaders at the temple. In Mark 12:28 a scribe presents one of the questions that is greatly debated among the religious leaders asking Jesus WHAT IS THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT?  This was a pretty good question to ask as there were 613 laws or commandments and within those 613 were the Ten Commandments.  One can imagine the interest at this moment as to what Jesus would say.  

    What was His answer?  Starting at Mark 12:29 He answered, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. 30 ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

    What was His answer as we seek to discover truth to apply to our lives?  I don’t mean to oversimplify but I think we can sum up His answer with LOVE GOD! LOVE PEOPLE!

    LOVE GOD!  

    LOVE PEOPLE!

    Love God because He first loved you!

    Love people even if they don’t love you back.  

    LOVE GOD!!  LOVE PEOPLE!!

    As we review the past and look to the future with a new year before us what have been your priorities and what will your priorities be?  Where does your relationship with God fall on your list of priorities?  Where does your relationship with people fall on your list of priorities?
     
    Verse to DATE the Word on December 30 (12/30) is Mark 12:30. It says, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. (31 “And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”)

    Continue Strong INCREASING in your LOVE FOR GOD and LOVE FOR PEOPLE
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 29 (12/29) is Hebrews 12:29

    “For our God is a consuming fire.” – Hebrews 12:29
    OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE

    Throughout our Bibles, we find NUMEROUS descriptions of God.  Most likely you can easily rattle off many of these descriptive words.  Finish the sentence the LORD IS…. (what is the first to come to mind?)  I suspect you immediately thought The Lord is my SHEPHERD.  You may have also thought the LORD IS LOVE.  To finish the sentence God is you most likely thought HOLY! God is also gracious and good and great and merciful and kind and righteous and true, etc.  As we stated to start we find numerous descriptions of God 

    As we consider descriptions Hebrews 12:29 gives one we probably are not quick to place on our list, especially if we are doing the A to Z method.  Words starting with C to describe God almost always start with COMPASSIONATE and COMFORTER and COUNSELOR, even CREATOR but I don’t think many of us think CONSUMING fire.   And even if you want to say the real description is FIRE I don’t think many of us think FIRE when we give a list of words beginning with F.  FAITHFUL and FORGIVING comes quickly to mind but not FIRE.  Yet in one short verse, we have a very distinct description of God as He is a CONSUMING FIRE.

    Three questions come to mind as I look at this distinct description.  First, what does it mean that God is a consuming fire?  Two, why is it mentioned here?  Three, how does this description of God apply to my life?

    To answer the first question is first to know that this description comes from Deuteronomy 4:24 which says, “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”  Understanding God as a CONSUMING FIRE means He does not tolerate sinful disobedience and will deal with it severely.   As sin was abominable to God in the OT it is abominable to Him in the NT.  The believer is being warned here to not think that because of GRACE God takes a lower view of our sins.  The Apostle Paul dealt with this in Romans as he asked should we sin, that grace may abound?  He answered himself with GOD FORBID!!! 

    From Hebrews 12:28 we are to serve God with profound reverence and unwavering fidelity.  Returning to the sinful lifestyle that we were saved out of is a betrayal to the SAVIOR.  We are called to live holy lives.  And in case we forget OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.  While it is correct to think of the fire of God as judgment, we need to be thinking of God’s fire here as for purifying.   

    As we get closer to a new year it might be a good prayer to ask God to purify your soul. Let us serve Him with a profound reverence that He is due and an unwavering devotion!

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 29 (12/29) is Hebrews 12:29. It says, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

    Continue Strong with a reverence for God
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 28 (12/28) is Deuteronomy 12:28

    “Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever,
    when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.” – Deuteronomy 12:28
    The RIGHT decision is always to do what is RIGHT in the SIGHT of God

    Breaking down our verse we discover the command to Observe and OBEY God’s commands. We discover the bountiful blessings that come to those who obey. blessings not just to the one obeying but extending to their children.  We discover that in obeying God’s commands we are DOING what HE has determined is GOOD (as opposed to what is BAD) and RIGHT (as opposed to what is WRONG).  And what is right is based on what is right in GOD’s SIGHT!

    As believers, we have to make decisions about what actions to take.  Even before deciding to make the decision, we have to decide what will guide our decision-making.  In Judges 21:25 we read that “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”  On the other hand, Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  Is your decision-making guided by what is right in your sight or what is right in God’s sight?  Does SELF guide or does the SAVIOR guide your decision-making? 

    In case you are more prone to allowing SELF to guide your decision-making Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 give the following warning saying, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”  You need to be very careful about doing what is RIGHT in your SIGHT!

    Another warning I would place before you is to be CAREFUL in CHANGING what is RIGHT in the SIGHT OF GOD to being wrong and making what God says is WRONG to now be RIGHT.  Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!”  

    Friends we are not smarter than God.  He knows WHAT IS BEST! He knows what is GOOD and what is GOOD for us!  He knows what is RIGHT!  

    Commit to LEARNING the Word and LIVING in OBEDIENCE to the Word!  Obeying God’s requirements brings God’s rewards. Blessings follow obedience! Blessings come your way and not just to you but to your children! Your obedience today will impact far more than you! Remember Proverbs 20:7. It says, “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.”  

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 28 (12/28) is Deuteronomy 12:28. It says, “Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.  

    Observe and obey God’s Word for there is no other way to live.  

    Continue Strong DOING RIGHT IN HIS SIGHT
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 27 (12/27) is Proverbs 12:27

    “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting,
    BUT diligence is man’s precious possession.” – Proverbs 12:27
    The CALL to BE RESPONSIBLE

    The contrast between the LAZY man and the DILIGENT or RESPONSIBLE man in the book of Proverbs brings some of the strongest CONDEMNATIONS (of the lazy) and COMMENDATIONS (of the diligent/responsible) one will read.  There is no question that throughout Proverbs the reader is admonished to avoid BEING LAZY. Never once is anything good said about the lazy.  One of the worst characterizations a person can have is being known as LAZY.  On the other hand, one of the best characteristics a person can have is to be known as diligent or responsible.

    Here in Proverbs 12:27, we get the pathetic action or better stated, the pathetic inaction of the lazy man who does not follow through and does not finish. Although he has surprisingly gone hunting and has surprisingly killed something he lets it ROT rather than ROASTING it.  WHAT A WASTE!  

    On the other hand, there is the DILIGENT or the RESPONSIBLE. In contrast to the lazy, who are irresponsible, we have a person who finishes what is started. This person is DEPENDABLE, RELIABLE, and TRUSTWORTHY.   Whether it is at home or work, at church, or maybe with a team, this person is someone OTHERS CAN COUNT ON!  

    The character trait of diligence is to be admired.  Wisdom says to be known as one who is diligent and responsible is a precious possession to have.  

    As you THINK on the teaching of Proverbs 12:27 I trust there is a stirring to have a reputation of being RESPONSIBLE.  Any recommendation that is made on your behalf should find the recommender gladly writing or saying you are RESPONSIBLE.  The last thing you want is for them to say you are irresponsible and that you are LAZY.

    With the verse for the date, you may have discovered a weakness in your character. You don’t have to stay the way you are.  What changes need to be made to improve?  Don’t procrastinate! Don’t be lazy!  MAKE THEM and become more RESPONSIBLE WITH RESPONSIBILITIES!

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 27 (12/27) is Proverbs 12:27. Proverbs 12:27 says, “The lazy man DOES NOT roast what he took in hunting, BUT diligence is man’s precious possession.”

    Continue Strong being RESPONSIBLE with responsibilities! 
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

    PS – Parents, (fathers especially) reading this – demand diligence, especially with your sons! Raise them to be RESPONSIBLE. Be responsible when they are irresponsible and correct this character flaw.  Don’t tolerate lying and don’t tolerate laziness! 

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 26 (12/26) is Proverbs 12:26

    “The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
    for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26
    Oh BE CAREFUL WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE

    One of the most addressed topics in the Book of Proverbs is friendship. In Proverbs we learn about how TO BE a friend (a friend loves at all times, Proverbs 17:17).  We learn a friend HELPS their friend(s) to be better (Proverbs. 27:6 and 27:17)  Here in Proverbs 12:26 we are reminded to be CAREFUL of who we have as friends.  

    Why the CAUTION? Because as friendships develop the friend’s influence increases.  With teenagers, a friend’s influence can easily and quickly become more important to them than parental influence.  Proverbs 13:20 provides some very valuable insight as it states, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed.” 

    A quote I like to use about the influence of friends is “Friends are like buttons in an elevator. They can take you up or take you down.”

    No matter the age of a person one must be careful with whom they associate.  A great guide for who your friends should be is found in Psalms 119:63.  It says, “I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts.”  In other words, your friend(s) should be those who love the Savior, love the Scriptures and love the saints.  And to be a great friend you start by loving the Savior, loving the Scriptures, and loving the saints.

    Oh, be careful who your friends are!

    Verse for the date of December 26 (12/26) is Proverbs 12:26.  It says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

    “Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you esteem your own reputation; for ‘tis better to be alone than in bad Company.”   George Washington

    Continue Strong being and having friends,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 25 (12/25) is 1 Corinthians 12:25

    “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members
    may have the same care for one another.” – 1 Corinthians 12:25
    Take care to CARE for one another.

    As believers, we are members of the church which can be described as a building, a bride, and/or a body.  The Apostle Paul will use all three images.  Here in 1 Corinthians, he focuses on the church being like a BODY.  A body has many parts and while some are more seen than others we are reminded that those not seen are incredibly valuable.  As a person takes care of all the parts of their body so is the body of Christ, the church, to take care of each other.  We are to CARE for one another.

    What does CARING for one another look like?  While a full sermon, even a series of sermons. may not sufficiently answer the question please consider just a couple of thoughts.  

    To care for others calls for SEEING their needs.  James 1:27 says, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress… ” The Greek word that is translated as “caring” includes the word SKOPOS which we translate to English as SCOPE.  A scope helps you to see things better, to bring it up closer.  A microscope brings what is invisible into view.  A telescope brings something a long way off closer for better examination.  One uses to scope on a gun to bring the target into better view.  Thus, to care for a person is to SEE UP CLOSE.  It is to look intently for things that may be missing with the intent of then providing for what is missing.   

    To care for another is to take appropriate ACTIONS.  It may be a word of encouragement.  Another verse for 12/25 is Proverbs 12:25.  It says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”  Worry weighs a heart down but a GOOD WORD – a word of encouragement refreshes and restores one to keep running the race of life!  

    To care for another may call for the sharing of ADVICE.  Just a reminder here.  People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Speak truth with LOVE.  

    As stated we can easily have a sermon series on how to care for one another.  My prayer is that you will consider the call to care for one another and be your brother and sister’s helper!  LOOK and SEE beyond the surface for the real needs of others.  Be proactive in taking appropriate actions, especially in speaking words of encouragement to others.   

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 25 (12/25) is 1 Corinthians 12:25. It says, “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

    Continue Strong and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 24 (12/24) is John 12:24

    “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies,
    it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” – John 12:24
    Death to self brings life and produces fruit for the Savior

    Being fruitful is a major objective of the Christian life.  From John 15 Jesus taught that we have been appointed to bear much fruit and the Father is glorified as we bear fruit.  The apostle Paul prayed that the Colossians would be fruitful in every good work.  Since we are to be fruitful we need to LEARN how to be fruitful.   As a master teacher Jesus gave illustrations to bring truth to life and in John 12:24 He gives an agricultural illustration for what it is going to take to be fruitful.

    From John 12:24 we learn one of the most incredible concepts about being fruitful.  Pay close attention. For there to be fruit there has to be death.  

    FOR THERE TO BE FRUIT THERE HAS TO BE DEATH.

    My background is in farming.  I grew up on a farm in Virginia and at a very young age was very involved with my father and grandfather in growing a variety of crops.  Because of helping plant corn, PLANTING A SEED of corn in the ground I easily understood what Jesus taught in John 12:24.  Each year there were bags of SEED corn.  These SEEDS had one purpose and that purpose was to PRODUCE more grain or kernels.  Did you know that one seed of corn will, on average, produce two ears of corn with each ear having about 800 kernels?  1 seed of corn would produce 1600 kernels.  

    Now for us to get 1600 kernels the SEED corn had to DIE.  The next time you eat corn on the cob look at all those kernels and remember John 12:24 and that one seed – ONE SEED – produced that and another ear of corn.  

    What are we learning about being fruitful for the Savior?  Just as a seed of corn is planted and it dies you then find the dead seed sprouts and begins to live and produce, it produces much or more grain. One dead grain, a dead seed, now produces many grains!! 

    In Luke 9:23 we are called to DIE DAILY!  We are called to die to self!   In doing so we can become producers and bring forth fruit, much fruit, fruit that will remain. 

    As you look at your life you are called to die to self like that seed of corn and when you do you begin to truly live and become fruitful!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 24 (12/24) is John 12:24. It says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

    Continue Strong by dying to self
    And remember to DATE THE WORD