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  • Living Worthy Of The Calling

    1 Thessalonians 2:12 “We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.”

    The apostle Paul was PASSIONATE about many things and without a question, he was most passionate about believers LIVING WORTHY of God and His calling. He would appeal over and over for the believer to PLEASE GOD. This theme is stated over and over in letter after letter.  Along with his charge we just read to the Thessalonians, he would write:
    To the Ephesians in 4:1 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner WORTHY of the calling to which you have been called,
    To the Philippians in 1:27 “Only let your manner of life be WORTHY of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,
    To the Colossians in 1:10 “So as to walk (or live) in a manner WORTHY of the Lord, fully PLEASING Him,” 
    Here in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 “we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk (live) in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
    To the Corinthians he wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:9 “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well PLEASING to Him.”
    To the Ephesians, he appealed in Ephesians 5:10 that they would “discern what is pleasing to the Lord.”

    What is your purpose as a believer based on the verses you have read?   The answer is easy, is it not?  We should be living to please Him!

    Are you doing what is pleasing to the Lord?   PERIOD!!!

    Continue Strong living worthy of your high calling!
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • The Good News You Need To Hear

    Luke 2:11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

    The message the angels shared with the shepherds when Jesus was born is the good news (shall we say the BEST news) you and everyone in the entire world need to hear.  Roy Lessin put it this way:
    If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.
    If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
    If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
    But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.

    We move from Luke 2:11 on (2/11) to Matthew 2:11. It says, “And when they (the wise men) had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  
    The actions of the wise men are tremendous examples for us as they first sought to find Jesus.  Wise men still seek Him.  Upon finding Him they worshiped Him.  Wise men worship Him.  Their worship was followed with giving, giving specific and special gifts.  Wise men give to the Lord, starting out with giving of themselves.  

    Moving from Matthew 2:11 on (2/11) we now look at the actions of a believer from 1 Peter 2:11 as Peter writes, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.”  The appeal from Peter is to take the tough action of ABSTAINING from fleshly lusts.  We are in a war, a spiritual war, and we must battle the flesh by starving the flesh.   

    Moving forward as a pilgrim we see Philippians 2:11 and as a believer, we willingly and gladly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  

    So, on February 11 we hear the good news that a Savior has been born and He is worthy of being worshiped and to receive our very best.  We hear the appeal to abstain against the lust of the flesh and willingly confess the one born to be our Savior is Lord, to the glory of our heavenly Father. 

    Continue Strong worshiping the Savior, 
    And Remember to Date the Word  

  • Making the Gospel Attractive

    Titus 2:10 “not stealing, but demonstrating complete faithfulness, so that they may adorn the teaching of God our Savior in everything.”

    The NIV translates Titus 2:10 “And not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive!”  Did you read that?  We are to live in such a way we “will make the teaching about God our Savior ATTRACTIVE!” Our actions/attitudes are to cause the Gospel to be ATTRACTIVE. The word ATTRACTIVE in the NIV and ADORN in the NKJV comes from a Greek word that gives us in English COSMETIC. As we make our physical appearance attractive, acceptable, and even appealing we are to live lives that make the gospel attractive, acceptable, and even appealing! 

    Now let us be honest, our daily actions can make the gospel appalling and ugly. Titus 2:10 is instructing us to be an “attractive” Christian!

    You are writing a Gospel,
    A chapter each day,
    By deeds that you do,
    By words that you say.

    Men read what you write,
    Whether faithless or true;
    Say, what is the Gospel
    According to you?”
    ― Paul Gilbert

    Our attitude and actions are to make the gospel of Jesus Christ ATTRACTIVE. Don’t be an ugly Christian. 

    Continue Strong living a life that attracts people to the glorious gospel, 
    And Remember to Date the Word  

  • The Best is Yet to Come!!

    1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.””

    The daily grind is, well, a grind.  Life so often is best described as difficult.  Even as believers we can become consumed with the daily cares and grind that we lose the enjoyment of life.  While we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing of heaven we have a tendency to forget the great benefits of our glorious salvation.  As Paul explained to the Christians at Corinth he tells them God has something amazing for those who love Him.  And God has something amazing for you.   Without a doubt, the very best is yet to come for a believer.   

    Do you believe that?  Do you believe the very best is yet to come for you as a believer? 

    In case your view is cloudy, even dark here are a few reminders:
    John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2  “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3  “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

    John 17:24 has Jesus praying, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

    Rev. 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2  Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4  “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5  Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6  And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

    Rev. 22:1  And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2  In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.3  And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4  They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5  There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

    What a future He is preparing for us.  One can only imagine. Without a doubt, the very best is yet to come for a believer. Kinda makes one homesick for heaven. 

    “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” C.S. Lewis

    Yes, ponder on the future with Jesus but keep working for Jesus in the present!

    Until we get home we need to remember also that He is working all things together for our good who love Him! (Romans 8:28)

    Continue Strong knowing the best is still to come, 
    And Remember to Date the Word  

  • Our Wonderful Salvation Explained

    Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”

    Ephesians 2:8 is one of the most important verses for explaining our wonderful salvation. We learn what salvation is, how salvation happens. and how it does not happen! 

    When we consider our wonderful salvation, we must recognize it is a GIFT from GOD! A gift is something that is not earned. It is something that is not deserved. In Romans 6:23 Paul wrote that “the wages of sin is death, but (BUT) the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” Salvation is a GIFT.  The gift of salvation comes to us because of what Jesus purchased!   We are redeemed by “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1 Peter 1:19)

    In Ephesians 2:8 we learn how we receive salvation. Paul tells us how our salvation HAPPENS and please don’t miss this, HOW IT DOES NOT HAPPEN.   

    In describing how it happens, I heard Pastor Adrian Rogers describe salvation from Ephesians 2:8 this way: God reaches His gracious hand DOWN to us and we reach UP our hand by faith and salvation happens!!!  What a beautiful picture of the great salvation we have.  God is so gracious to us. He reaches DOWN to us to provide us the gift of eternal life.  Our response is to reach UP to accept it by faith!  He reaches down (grace) and we reach up (faith).

    Then to make sure we understand how salvation happens Paul tells us how it does not happen saying, “It is not of ourselves.”  In other words, it is something we could never achieve.  We cannot DO enough to ever purchase our salvation.  

    OUR WORKS do not WORK for achieving salvation. 

    When we hear religions talk about salvation, we hear what one needs to DO.
    When we listen to Christ regarding salvation, we hear the word DONE.       

    Have you trusted, believed, accepted, looked to, or called on Jesus for salvation? Have you received His gracious gift of salvation by faith?  If you have you will read this verse and proclaim WHAT A SAVIOR!!! WHAT A SALVATION!!!  If you have not been saved, you must know that His gracious hand is reaching down to you today and you can take His hand BY FAITH and be saved.  

    You might know someone who thinks they can get to heaven by being good and/or by doing good works.  As you talk with them consider sharing Ephesians 2:8 with them.  You might add Ephesians 2:9 as well for it says, “Not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  

    OUR WORKS do not WORK!

    Continue Strong praise God for His gracious gift of salvation,
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • He Is Precious!

    1 Peter 2:7 “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,””

    What thoughts immediately come to your mind to describe Jesus?  I think we might say words like He is wonderful, gracious, and kind.  He is the Lord and King. We most likely think of how awesome and amazing He is.  Without a doubt, we think about how forgiving He is and how lovely and loving!  What is He to you? I hope one of your answers is Savior!

    Let us ask the Apostle Peter our question.  In 1 Peter 2:7, he says that those who BELIEVE in Jesus see Jesus as PRECIOUS. What a beautiful, descriptive, description. He is PRECIOUS.  This rough and tough fisherman says to those who believe He is PRECIOUS! 

    What does the word PRECIOUS mean? Precious is a word that can be used for that which is rare such as a precious jewel or precious metal. It speaks of something having the highest value in which means brings the highest honor. That which is precious can be described as that which is priceless.  If handled it is to be handled with extreme care.  Precious then is something extremely valuable.  

    We might ask WHY would Peter choose the word precious? I think because he had earlier described what Jesus Christ did for mankind in that He shed His PRECIOUS blood for you (“You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19).

    He is precious because He shed what was precious so we could be redeemed.  

    Yet, if you are reading this and have not believed and trusted Him for salvation then instead of precious He is being rejected by you.  There is no neutral ground.  You either have received Jesus or you continue to reject Him.  And if you are rejecting Him and refusing to repent of your disobedience and receive His gift of salvation, you do this to your own peril. Like rejecting a cornerstone for a house, the house will not stand.  Don’t reject Him – receive Him!!

    I trust that as you describe  Jesus, your Savior, you will describe Him as PRECIOUS!

    Continue Strong proclaiming how precious Jesus is, 
    And Remember to Date the Word  

  • An Essential – Self Control

    Titus 2:6 “Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,”

    One of my favorite movies is Second Hand Lions and one of my favorite moments is when Hub, played by Robert Duval, gives to a group of young punk boys (teenagers) the MAN SPEECH.  Now while we don’t hear what is said as he delivers the MAN SPEECH we do find in Titus 2 the Apostle Paul (the writer of Titus) giving Titus the “MAN SPEECH” or the “Mentoring Speech” (see verse 1 below). After speaking to Titus, Paul gives the expectations of behavior for older men and old women (verses 2 and 3).  He then tells the older women to give the MENTORING speech to the younger women  (admonish is to speak into the mind) (verses 4-5).  He then gives the MAN speech to the older men to give the younger men the MAN speech (verse 6) before (as I understand it) returning to mentoring Titus on his responsibilities.
    (Titus 2:1  But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
    2  that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
    3  the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things
    —4  that they (older women) admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5  to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6  Likewise (older men) exhort the young men to be sober-minded,”

    While we see just one word for the young men the Apostle Paul has chosen a very rich word for how a young man is to handle himself.  While we have form the NKJV “sober-minded” other translations will use the words SELF CONTROL; SENSIBLE; PRUDENT; or TEMPERATE.  In other words, to be sober-minded is to have control over your decisions.  The sober-minded is self-disciplined.  They know how to LEAD themselves. As well they THINK before DOING. They are discerning.  They are prudent. I have described the word PRUDENT as one who carefully considers the consequences of a choice.  

    In mentoring my sons, as well as the numerous opportunities I had in college ministry Titus 2:6 was a foundational block.  To the parents reading this you are to teach your son(s) to be sober-minded.  They are to learn to be responsible and their first responsibility is to be responsible for themselves.  Teach them Proverbs 25:28 which says, “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.”   Teach them to follow the example of the apostle Paul from 1 Corinthians 9:27 as he stated “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection” 

    Why is this so important?  Because when a person makes their choice their choice then makes them.  Whatsoever a man (young men) sow they will also reap!  (Gal. 6:7)  Being sober-minded, having self-control, is an ESSENTIAL for living a good and godly life!

    Have you learned to control yourself?  As my friend Jay Strack says, “It is time for the boy to sit down and the MAN to stand up!

    This idea of being sober, sober-minded is a central theme of both Paul and Peter
    1 Thessalonians 5:6  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
    1 Thessalonians 5:8  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and [as] a helmet the hope of salvation.
    1 Timothy 3:2  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
    Titus 1:8 For a bishop is to be hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,
    Titus 2:2  that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
    Titus 2:6  Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
    1 Peter 1:13  Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
    1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

    Continue Strong with SELF-CONTROL, 
    And Remember to Date the Word  

  • Having the Mindset of Jesus

    Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”

    As the Apostle Paul called on believers to put the interest of others before themselves he needed an example and without a doubt, he picked the best as he tells us to have the mindset that Christ Jesus had.  What was His mindset?  Notice the next few verses: 

    6  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

    Talk about thinking about the interests of others before thinking about yourself, Jesus Christ put our interests, our needs, so far above Himself that He died for us.  If you were to ask Jesus why He was dying He would say He was dying for OTHERS.

    So, what is the mind of Christ?  Others before you!  And in case you need the reminder: Philippians 2:3  says, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

    We need to be more selflessness as opposed to selfishness.

    Jesus – Mark 10:45  “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

    Continue Strong thinking and living like Jesus, 
    And Remember to Date the Word  

  • Others

    Philippians 2:4 “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

    Putting LOVE into practice (Phil 2:2 having the same love) means we LOOK OUT for the interest OTHERS. In verse 3 we are to ESTEEM (honor) OTHERS better than ourselves. NOW we are to LOOK OUT for their interest. In looking out we are looking closely at what is needed.  This idea of looking closely is seen in James 1:27 as James writes, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction,” The Greek word for VISIT is “episcope.” A scope brings something small up close so it can be better seen. We are to LOOK CLOSELY AND CAREFULLY at OTHERS to know what they need. We determine the need and then we activate LOVE and SERVICE to meet the need.

    While looking out for your interest, have you moved to LOOKING OUT FOR THE INTEREST of OTHERS?  Are you still living for yourself or has being a follower of Christ brought you to living to serve others?

    If you are looking for just one word as a mission statement for your life, I highly recommend the word OTHERS.  

    Continue Strong looking out for OTHERS, 
    And Remember to Date the Word  

  • Honoring (Esteeming) Others Better Than Yourself!

    Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

    Meet selfish ambition and conceit. They are the TWINS of TURMOIL.  They are mean, hateful, prideful, destructive, and major in stirring up conflict, bringing DIVISION wherever they live and work.  Proverbs 13:10 says “By pride comes nothing but strife.”  Let’s get to know them better so we may avoid LIVING LIKE THEM as the apostle Paul says LET NOTHING BE DONE like them.

    Selfish ambition looks to get AHEAD by PUSHING OTHERS down. 
    Conceit looks to get ahead by pushing oneself UP.
    Selfish ambition talks DOWN a person.
    Conceit talks UP themselves.
    Selfish ambition likes to tell others how BAD and PATHETIC others are to make themselves look better.
    Conceit likes to tell others how GREAT & WONDERFUL they are to make themselves look better.
    *(Instead of singing HOW GREAT THOU ART, they like to sing HOW GREAT I AM!)

    The twins of turmoil are concerned only about themselves. When a person thinks only of themselves, they become SELFISH.  They only look out for #1 which, of course, is them. 
    They are constantly looking out for what they can GET.  
    For them, the world does revolve around them. 
    Their keywords will be I. ME. MY. and MINE.  (A word monument of SELFISHNESS)

    As a Christian one is challenged to live a very contrasting life. One of the teachings that Jesus gave said, “On the contrary, it shall not be so with you.” The Christian is not living a life of selfishness but of selflessness. It is a life of humility. 

    Humility is not thinking less of self but rather living a life where one is not thinking of self first.  

    The growing Christian moves from selfishness to service. One will begin to ESTEEM others better than oneself.  To ESTEEM means to hold another above, higher than oneself even to the point of seeing them as superior.  Instead of pushing others down the believer pushes others up.  Instead of honoring oneself, the believer honors others better than themselves.

    Very few verses challenge us as much as Philippians 2:3-4 regarding how we think about and treat others. One stops thinking only of self, only of self first, and being selfish to where one starts thinking of OTHERS before self.  Keywords for the humble are YOUR and YOU and OURS and US.  

    So, who will you be looking out for today? YOURSELF or OTHERS?  
    Will this be a day of selfishness or a day of SELFLESSNESS?  
    Will this be a day of HONORING yourself or HUMBLING yourself?

    A one-word mission statement is OTHERS.

    Continue Strong HONORING OTHERS OVER YOU!
    And remember to DATE The Word