datethewordtest

Author: admin

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 24 (10/24) is Hebrews 10:24

    “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” – Hebrews 10:24
    “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” – 1 Corinthians 10:24
    I believe this is the first time I have tied two verses together for the verse for the date of a day.  As I looked at verses for October 24 (10/24) I could not decide between the two and as I looked at them they really fit well together. 

    OTHERS NEED YOU!

    As we consider the two verses, they both clearly convey that OTHERS NEED US. Along with these two verses are numerous other verses instructing us to do things for each other.  We are not to live SELF-CENTERED lives.  I trust you know that when you are all wrapped up in yourself you make for a very small package.  Life takes on a whole new meaning when we are OUTWARD-focused rather than INWARD-focused.  

    Hebrews 10:24 tells us to “consider one another.”   The word “consider” means to LOOK CAREFULLY.  It is to see what is needed.  As we see what is needed, we “stir” one another up.  To “stir” is to bring to life as one might do with a fire that is burning down.  The writer wants us to see how the fire in others may be burning down and how they need ENCOURAGEMENT to KEEP on LOVING and KEEP ON DOING GOOD WORKS.  

    1 Corinthians 10:24 tells us to SEEK the WELL-BEING of OTHERS.  We look to see what is needed for them to be spiritually healthy.  Rather than focusing only on OUR NEEDS, we are looking out for the NEEDS of OTHERS.  

    Two verses to DATE – to ponder.  Both want us as believers to consider OTHERS. 

    So how is the transformation of self-seeking and selfishness to selflessness and service to others going?  

    Verses to DATE the Word on October 24 (10/24) are Hebrews 10:24 and 1 Corinthians 10:24. Hebrews 10:24 says, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,”  1 Corinthians 10:24 says, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.”

    ONE-WORD MISSION STATEMENT: OTHERS
    Do you want to experience real JOY? Real joy is Jesus  Others  Yourself.  
    Jesus first.  Others next.  You last.

    While you may at some point think you do not need others there will always be others that need you!

    Continue Strong considering the NEEDS of OTHERS!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 23 (10/23) is Proverbs 10:23

    “A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding 
    delights in wisdom.” – Proverbs 10:23
    Finding Pleasure in Wickedness or Finding Pleasure in Wisdom

    Proverbs 10:23 presents a contrast of viewpoints and responses toward two very different actions.  On one hand, we have a FOOL that looks at evil conduct or wickedness as something to be ENJOYED.  It is for the fool, as the NKJV says, a SPORT to do evil.  

    A fool finds great PLEASURE in PARTICIPATING in WICKEDNESS. 

    On the other hand, we have a man of UNDERSTANDING (completely opposite of the fool) who looks at acquiring and applying WISDOM as the most enjoyable thing one could do. 

    A man of understanding finds great PLEASURE in PURSUING/PRACTICING WISDOM.  

    BTW – Wisdom is seeing life from God’s perspective.  When one is seeking wisdom, one is seeking to learn how God wants one to live. The man of understanding finds great pleasure in learning how God wants them to live.

    So let us ask some introspective questions.
    What are you finding most pleasurable?  Wickedness  or Wisdom  
    What are your pursuits?  Wickedness or Wisdom
    What excites you?  Wickedness or Wisdom
    What do you find the most enjoyable?   Wickedness or Wisdom

    Remember you make your choices and then your choices make you!

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 23 (10/23) is Proverbs 10:23.  It says, “A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in wisdom.”

    Continue Strong delighting in the pursuit of wisdom,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 22 (10/22) is Mark 10:22

    “But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful,
    for he had great possessions.” – Mark 10:22
    The Point of Pride

    As I started my Christian journey over 40 years ago, I was taught the sad story of the RICH YOUNG RULER. A professor said what kept him from experiencing salvation was his pride.  The professor said that as we witness to the lost, we needed to be aware of what he called the POINT of PRIDE.  As the gospel is presented the lost person has to decide to repent of what they believe and/or how they are behaving that is not in line with being a Christian.  

    For some, it would be the unwillingness to repent of a false belief.  As the claims of Christ are presented, they find it hard to say what they have believed is wrong.  

    For some, it would be the unwillingness to repent of a sinful behavior or behaviors.  As the claims of Christ are presented, they find it hard to GIVE UP THEIR SINFUL LIFESTYLE.  

    As I have witnessed over the years, I have unfortunately seen the point of pride come to the forefront of the conversation.  Many times, it appeared with the statement “Does this mean I can no longer….”  As I witnessed to someone with a different religion the man said he would like to ADD Jesus to his spiritual resume.  He said he could worship his false religious leader and Jesus.  He felt his chances of getting to heaven would be better.  I told him you do not add Jesus, you accept Jesus.  He then walked away.   I saw the point of pride.

    With another person, it was their involvement in immorality.  They asked me if they would accept Jesus would they have to stop having sex outside of marriage?  I told him that would be a change one would expect from a Christian.  He said that he was not giving up sex for salvation and walked away.  I saw the point of pride.

    Mark 10:22 tells how a man was more in love with earthly riches than storing up treasure in heaven.  Jesus had pinpointed the point of pride in him, and this man was unwilling to let Jesus be his focus and desire.  He just could not see giving up his possession to “take up the cross, and follow Jesus.” 

    Earlier Jesus asked a very haunting question, asking in Mark 8:36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”  What a question.  Yet so many would rather enjoy earthly pleasures and profit and lose their soul.  What about you?

    As you now ponder on Mark 10:22 know that there will be in your witnessing the moment of decision and in some cases, the point of pride will come right to the front.  You will need to be honest that they don’t get to ADD Jesus or KEEP sinning.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 22 (10/22) is Mark 10:22. It says, “But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

    Continue Strong knowing nothing on the earth is worth missing Jesus and the salvation He offers.
    And remember to DATE the Word!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 21 (10/21) is Deuteronomy 10:21

    “He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and 
    awesome things which your eyes have seen.” – Deuteronomy 10:21
    Our ALMIGHTY GOD is GREAT and AWESOME, WORTHY OF PRAISE

    In learning WHO our God is the Bible tells us many times that our God is the GREAT and AWESOME God.
    Deuteronomy 7:21 says, “For the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you.
    Deuteronomy 10:17 says, “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome.  
    Nehemiah 1:5 says, “I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God.  
    Nehemiah 4:14 has Nehemiah telling the people to remember the Lord, great and awesome. 
    Psalm 47:2 tells us, “The LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.”

    In learning WHAT our God does the Bible tells us that our God DOES GREAT and AWESOME things. While being GREAT He does GREAT things!  While being AWESOME He does AWESOME things!!
    Psalm 66:5 says, “Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.” Ps 145:6 says, “Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,”
    Deuteronomy 11:7 “But your eyes have seen every GREAT act of the LORD which He did.

    While revealing to us WHO GOD IS and WHAT GOD DOES we also learn how God wishes for us to RESPOND to Him.  In Deuteronomy 10:20 we are called on to fear Him and serve Him and honor Him. Now in verse 21, we are to PRAISE Him.  The praise that is due Him is because we are able to KNOW Him, know Him personally as He is OUR God, and know WHO He is (GREAT and AWESOME) and WHAT He has done (GREAT AND AWESOME!)

    From Deuteronomy 10:21 ponder how awesome God is and ponder on the awesome acts He has done for you – starting with providing salvation for your soul! 
    Ponder the greatness of God.  I think you will come to agree with Psalm 145:3, which says,  “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable”

    How does considering the greatness and awesomeness of God impact your adoration, praise, and worship of the one true God – our Creator and our Redeemer?

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 21 (10/21) is Deuteronomy 10:21. It says, “He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.”

    Continue Strong praising our GREAT and AWESOME GOD!
    And remember to DATE the WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 20 (10/20) is Isaiah 10:20

    “And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have
    escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them,
    But will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.” – Isaiah 10:20
    Learning the Hard Way to Depend on the Lord

    Instead of looking to God for help, Israel was looking to false gods, and they even looked for help from their enemies, the Assyrians.  Because they were turning to their enemies for help, they would be experiencing defeat.  Isaiah explains that this defeat by the one they depended on would once and for all turn Israel to DEPEND on the LORD.  

    On your journey through this life, WHAT are you depending on? WHO are you depending on?   WHERE does your help come from?  Do you look to God?  Are you dependent on God?

    You might recall that David asked in Psalm 121:1 about where his help would come from.   Psalm 121:1 says, “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?” He then answered in verse 2 with a declaration that “My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”   Have you made the bold declaration that your help comes from the Lord?

    It just may be that you feel embarrassed to go to God as you feel your situation or problem may be an inconvenience for Him.  You may think He has too much already to deal with than to now take on your difficulties.  Maybe you think He will be disappointed with you for having to have His help.   

    May I simply but boldly say YOU NEED TO STOP THAT THINKING RIGHT NOW!   

    Our God delights and is delighted that His children are dependent on Him!   As a matter of fact, I have found that the more spiritually mature one is the MORE YOU do depend on Him.   It is the spiritually immature who look to other sources rather than coming to God!   

    Ponder on this.  As physical human beings, we start out being dependent on our parents and they work to move us to a place of independence.  We track maturity by independence!  As spiritual beings, we start out being independent of God and then we get saved (a statement of TOTAL DEPENDENCE), and then we GROW MORE DEPENDENT on God.  Spiritual maturity increases as we become MORE dependent on God.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 10 (10/20) is Isaiah 10:20. It says, “And it shall come to pass in that day that the remnant of Israel, and such as have escaped of the house of Jacob, will never again depend on him who defeated them, But will depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth.”

    Psalm 20:7 says,  “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

    Continue Strong DEPENDING ONLY ON GOD!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 19 (10/19) is Proverbs 10:19

    “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he
    who restrains his lips is wise.” – Proverbs 10:19
    LEARNING NOT TO TALK

     It is not long after a baby is born we begin to assist them in learning to TALK and WALK.  As they make a variety of sounds, we seek to help them form their words so that one day we will hear DADA come from their mouth.  (Of course, there are those who want to hear MAMA first!)  As parents we naturally want our children to learn to talk so we spend time teaching them to talk.  I heard somewhere that we spend our first two years teaching a child to talk and walk and then for the rest of our lives we are telling them to sit down and be quiet! HMMM.

    While the above statement is made somewhat in jest there is some truth to it as after we learn to talk and walk, we do need to LEARN when NOT to TALK and LEARN where NOT to WALK.  

    As we consider the various teachings from the Bible, I find Proverbs 10:19 to be one of my most valuable verses for LIFE.  It tells how an unrestrained mouth can produce sin!  Our tongue can get us in TROUBLE!  Has your tongue ever gotten you in TROUBLE?   I bet it has.  I know mine has.

    Proverbs 10:19 tells us it is crucial to learn when NOT to talk.  A wise person is going to be very selective of WHAT they SAY, WHEN they SPEAK, WHERE they SPEAK, WHOM they speak of and to, HOW they speak, and definitely think about WHY they are speaking.   

    The WISE person puts into action Ecclesiastes 3:7b which says, “There is a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;”
    The WISE person puts into action Proverbs 25:11 as it says, “A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples on a silver tray.”
    In other words, the right word said by the right person at the right time in the right way to the right person will be incredibly VALUABLE to that person! 

    Having learned to talk how are you doing in LEARNING NOT TO TALK?   How quickly can you STOP WRONG and INAPPROPRIATE WORDS FROM PROCEEDING OUT OF YOUR MOUTH?  

    Like me, you may need help in learning NOT to talk.  I have found several prayers to pray so that my words are few (Ecclesiastes 5:2) and that I RESTRAIN my lips from saying the wrong things. From Psalms 19:14 we have the prayer “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”  And from Psalm 141:3 we have “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”  I encourage you to pray these prayers to help you RESTRAIN YOUR LIPS!

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 19 (10/19) is Proverbs 10:19. It says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”

    While I have always recommended to students to take a speech class to learn how to talk you might need a good Bible study to learn how NOT to talk!

    Continue Strong and be wise with your words!
    And remember to DATE the WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 18 (10/18) is Ecclesiastes 10:18

    “Because of laziness the building decays, and through 
    idleness of hands the house leaks.” – Ecclesiastes 10:18
    The DESTRUCTIVE OUTCOMES of LAZINESS and IDLENESS

    Can you imagine a TV show called The LAZY and The IDLE?  Don’t wait for it as those involved are always arriving late to the set and when they do show up they never get around to shooting any scenes.  The LAZY and the IDLE will be canceled before it starts because they could never get started.

    While we will never get to see on TV how the LAZY and IDLE live, we can learn about them from the Scriptures, especially from the Books of Wisdom.  Both Proverbs and Ecclesiastes address numerous times their lifestyle or their lack of a lifestyle.  At times, they are called the SLUGGARD and/or the SLOTHFUL.  You will find close to 20 verses in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes about them and not one time will there be anything good or positive said about them.  The lazy are losers and the idle are an irritation.

    Take for instance just two verses:  
    Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.
    Proverbs 19:15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

    Ecclesiastes 10:18 illustrates for us how the lazy and idle leave UNATTENDED things that NEED ATTENTION, sometimes needing immediate attention. The upkeep of buildings is left unattended for too long and they begin to decay.  When one should have been working on maintaining their possessions they are lying around.  As they lay around things begin to fall down.  Even with things that need immediate attention, there is inaction.  As the rain falls the roof leaks, yet it is not patched, leaving a mess EVERY time.  (And don’t expect the idle to clean up the mess).  

    Both the lazy and the idle are IRRESPONSIBLE WITH RESPONSIBILITIES.  Their inaction has consequences that are negative and destructive.  For instance, over time property loses value as it falls into disrepair. Their inaction will bring immediate irritation as they will not respond to the immediate crisis.  

    There is a contrasting verse that speaks volumes to HOW we are to live and that verse is Proverbs 12:27.  It gives the contrast of the lazy by telling of the diligent. Proverbs 12:27 says, “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.”

    The DILIGENT DOES WHAT MUST BE DONE WHEN IT MUST BE DONE!
    The LAZY and the IDLE leave undone what must be done until it is irreparable.

    Which lifestyle are you?  Are you known for DILIGENCE?  Or are you known as LAZY and IDLE?

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 18 (10/18) is Ecclesiastes 10:18. It says, “Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks.” 

    Let the destructive outcomes of LAZINESS and ILDENESS JOLT you to refuse to ever have it said that you are lazy and idle!

    Continue Strong with a STRONG WORK ETHIC
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 17 (10/17) is Proverbs 10:17

    “The one who accepts correction is on the path to life, but the
    one who rejects correction goes astray.” – Proverbs 10:17
    Responding Correctly to Correction

    In the book of Proverbs one will find over and over the contrast of how one responds to correction.  Correction can be received or it can be rejected. Proverbs 10:17 teaches us that the one who accepts or receives correction is on the path to life while one who rejects correction will continue heading astray toward destruction.   These are massive implications for how you respond when you find yourself being corrected.  

    The one who will listen to correction and learns from correction will live. 

    The one who disregards correction and despises correction will be destroyed.

    Take a moment to ponder two thought-provoking questions:
    Are you known for RECEIVING rebukes that lead to new RESOLUTIONS?

    Are you known for REJECTING rebukes that lead to more REBELLION? 

    Notice a couple of other verses that complement the teaching of Proverbs 10:17.
    Proverbs 12:1 says, “Whoever loves discipline (correction) loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”
    Proverbs 15:31-32 says, “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. 32 He who disdains discipline (correction) despises his own soul, But he who heeds (receives) rebuke gets understanding.

    Based on the Word of God responding correctly to corrections brings one a better life!

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 17 (10/17) is Proverbs 10:17. It says, “The one who accepts correction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.”
     
    ARE YOU COACHABLE? ARE YOU TEACHABLE? ARE YOU CORRECTABLE? 

    Continue Strong by being correctable,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 16 (10/16) is Matthew 10:16

    “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, 
    be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” – Matthew 10:16
    WISDOM FOR DEALING WITH “WOLVES”

    In Matthew 10:16 Jesus imparts wise instructions to His disciples who will be facing tremendous dangers as they serve Him. He gives them a very graphic picture of what ministering in a world that hates them is by telling them they are SHEEP in the midst of WOLVES. One can sense the dangers, cannot one?  Wolves love to devour sheep.

    So with the pending danger, Jesus says THEREFORE since I am sending you into the danger zone one must be WISE in order to not get killed.  To convey being WISE Jesus chooses another very graphic illustration by strangely pointing one to the SERPENT, to a SNAKE. While we may immediately think of a serpent as dangerous, they are actually acutely aware that they themselves are always in danger. Because of the DANGER of losing their lives, they are very ALERT and CAUTIOUS. They anticipate danger. I think Jesus gives us the serpent as an example of being wise when dealing with dangerous people because they USE their heads so they don’t lose their heads.   

    There is a sad truth as we will work and minister with people of the “world’ and “worldly” people that we must recognize that they do not always have our best interests in mind.  Matter of fact they will look to harm you.  You, therefore, must be wise and not get trapped – or worse destroyed. 

    Jesus also teaches here to think of yourself as a DOVE. (Talk about contrast.  A snake and a dove are so totally different.)  As a dove, you are not going to harm. As one is wise to deal with danger one is careful to not harm the one they are dealing with. The persecutor still needs the plan of salvation. The problem maker still needs the Savior! The one hurting still needs help.  We do not want to attack our attackers.  While being threatened with harm, we don’t harm.

    As you serve the Lord and minister to people Jesus teaches us to BE WISE and BE GENTLE.  

    You say this is tough. And it is.
    BTW – Whoever told you ministry was supposed to be easy?
    So get involved in reaching people for Jesus, going out like a serpent with wisdom and a dove with gentleness!

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 16 (10/16) is Matthew 10:16. It says, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

    You will be wise to implement Jesus’ instruction as you navigate the danger zone!

    Continue Strong with wisdom and gentleness.
    And remember to DATE The WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 15 (10/15) is Romans 10:15

    “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How
    beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
    Who bring glad tidings of good things!” – Romans 10:15
    The Beautiful Message and the Messenger

    In Romans 10:15 we have a commentary on the MESSAGE and the MESSENGER in which both are greatly complimented.   The MESSAGE is so beautiful for it is the gospel of PEACE. The MESSENGER has beautiful feet as they preach or PROCLAIM this beautiful message of GLAD TIDINGS of GOOD THINGS.  

    The MESSAGE of the MESSENGER is far more important than the messenger.  This message the messenger brings changes EVERYTHING for a person as it changes the STATUS of a person with God in which the person who was at war with God now has PEACE with God.  As sinners, we are against God and are enemies of God.  But through believing the gospel, we are saved and now have PEACE WITH GOD.  What a huge change!!  No wonder it is called GLAD TIDINGS of GOOD THINGS.  

    I suspect some of you are reading that phrase and you are wondering where you have heard this before.  You might recall that it is part of the Christmas story. Remember Luke 2:10, “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”  What was the good tidings of great joy to all people?  Luke 2:11 gives the answer. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  

    What a MESSAGE we have received. Having received it we have the responsibility to be MESSENGERS to the world.  We get to let all the people of the world know they can have peace with God! We get to let them know they can be reconciled to God.  No wonder one might say the messenger has “beautiful feet!”   Now the idea is not literal that a preacher – a messenger – has attractive feet, but rather that the reference to feet is that the FEET brought the messenger with the MESSAGE!  We who proclaim the gospel to the lost world are viewed as having beautiful feet because we bring the most beautiful message any human could ever hear!

    Are people around you seeing you as someone with “beautiful feet” because you are bringing to them the most beautiful message that they can have PEACE WITH GOD? Are you a faithful messenger with the MESSAGE?   You are after all SENT!

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 15 (10/15) is Romans 10:15.  It says, “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

    Let it be said of you that you have beautiful feet because you were faithful in proclaiming the beautiful message of the gospel!

    Continue Strong for the Lord bringing the gospel to the world!  
    And remember to DATE the WORD!