datethewordtest

Author: admin

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 27 (6/27) is Luke 6:27

    “But I (Jesus) say to you who hear: Love your enemies, 
    do good to those who hate you,” – Luke 6:27
    A VERY DIFFERENT RESPONSE

    As Jesus teaches about relationships, He gives one of the most “on the contrary” responses we will learn.  Instead of returning hatred toward those who hate you – hate even to the point of being an enemy – we are called to show love, showing love with tangible actions.  This is a very different response as we don’t look to do good to those who do bad things to us.  Those who hurt us should be hurt back.  Our thinking is we don’t get mad we get even.  But as a believer seeking to follow and obey the teachings of Christ our response to those who hurt us and hate us is to go through the filter of Luke 6:27 and we now respond to hate with love and meanness with kindness.  
    At this point, you might be ready to say, “You have to be kidding.”  You might even go so far as to say this is totally ridiculous.  You are probably replying inwardly that “If someone hurts me, I am going to hurt them back.  If they hate me, I am going to hate them back.”  Yet as we listen and learn from Jesus we learn He wants us to treat our enemies very DIFFERENTLY than they are treating us.  

    As believers, the EXPECTED RESPONSE is DOING GOOD to those who are DOING EVIL to us.

    Going a little deeper, the Apostle Paul would later write in Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with GOOD (doing them good).”  Verse 21 is the conclusion to his teaching which is definitely a very different response to those doing us harm.  Romans 12:17 says, “Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to DO what is honorable in the sight of all.”  Romans 12:20 says, “To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink;”  

    As believers, the EXPECTED RESPONSE is DOING GOOD to those who are DOING EVIL to us.

    So, our verse for 6/27 from Luke 6:27 which says, “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,” calls us to RESPOND VERY DIFFERENTLY.

    Challenging? You better believe it! But then, living differently always is.

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 27 (6/27) is Luke 6:27. Luke 6:27 says, “But I (Jesus) say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”

    Please remember that the time a person needs love the most is when they deserve it the least. 

    Continue Strong putting into practice the teachings of Christ,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 26 (6/26) is Matthew 6:26

    “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” – Matthew 6:26
    Are you a Bird WATCHER?

    Do you take time daily to LOOK at the birds?  Are you a bird watcher? Did you know that is a question on the census and as of May 2023 45 million Americans identify themselves as “BIRDERS” or birdwatchers?  Based on our verse of Matthew 6:26 for June 26 (6/26) today should be NATIONAL BIRD WATCHERS DAY!  And based on today’s verse, everyone, especially those who are PRONE to WORRYING, should be a bird watcher! 

    Looking at what Jesus taught about looking at the birds of the air we must remember that Jesus is pointing us to LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR because He has told us to NOT WORRY ABOUT OUR LIFE.  He said for us to not even worry about what we will eat or drink or have for clothing, which are the NECESSITIES of LIFE. Matthew 6:25 says, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” 

    In order to CALM the worrier down that they really don’t have to worry, Jesus says, LOOK AT THE BIRDS in order to see HOW GOD CARES FOR THEM and if He cares for them then SURELY, HE WILL CARE for YOU!  As one looks at birds one will NOT see birds planting a field of grain to later harvest.  They will see birds constantly finding food provided by God!
     
    BTW – I like visuals so I have a bird feeder outside where I can see birds. It is my Matt. 6:26 reminder that if His eye is on the sparrow, I know He watches me!! 

    Also -just a reminder; Too much concentration (worrying) on the personal cares of life can choke out your commitment to Christ. (Luke 8:14).  Fear and worrying lead to unfruitfulness. 

    One last thought on bird watching.  I encourage you to mark in your Bible Psalm 147:9 for it says about God that “He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 26 (6/26) is Matthew 6:26.  It says, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

    So, for June 26 (6/26) do some bird watching and remember you are more valuable to God than the bird!

    Continue Strong knowing how valuable you are to God,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 25 (6/25) is Matthew 6:25

    “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you
    will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food
    and the body more than clothing?” – Matthew 6:25
    A Challenging Command – Do Not WORRY about your life!

    As we consider our life that is really in two worlds, we find ourselves so often in a tug-of-war between the PRESENT EARTHLY MOMENT and the FUTURE ETERNAL MOMENT.  The present moment can be all-consuming as we see so many things we don’t have or may not have. This leads to anxiety or worry.  The need for physical nourishment and protection takes center stage and can easily, yes, very easily squeeze out the ability for spiritual nourishment and involvement.  The desire to survive consumes the mind.  

    Jesus comes along and challenges this mindset of the PHYSICAL being first.  As spiritual beings, the priority order is to be SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD!  Thus, He confronts one of the most basic actions every one of us does: He states, “DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE.”  (Sometimes you read something that Jesus says and you want to reply back, “Are You serious?” This is one of those times!) 

    He not only says DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE, He adds to not worry about the basic, no, the essential elements of life telling us to not worry about what we will eat or drink nor worry about the clothes to wear.   Now this has moved the command to not worry to a very CHALLENGING level.  Making sure we have something to eat or drink or having clothing are essentials.  Yet JESUS does not want us to worry about these life essentials.  

    When Jesus says, “Do not WORRY” He is saying do not let these things consume the mind to the point that it divides the mind.  A divided mind will be a paralyzed mind, meaning it can’t function.  I have a feeling you have been there before (and maybe there now).   The fears of this day are so great you find that you can’t think straight.  You just don’t know WHAT TO DO!

    This is not how Jesus wants us to live.  Don’t miss His last statement of this verse:  IS NOT LIFE MORE (please lock on) MORE than food and the body MORE than clothing?   You are MORE than the physical.  Life is so much MORE than this temporal, earthly life.  You have a soul and you have a SPIRITUAL life.  The spiritual life looks at life from an eternal perspective, not the temporal.  

    As one approaches Matthew 6:25 with the challenge to NOT WORRYING ABOUT YOUR LIFE one has to know that this is setting one up for the greatest challenge where Jesus will say in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

    Is JESUS FIRST in your life?  Does spiritual nourishment and involvement take precedence over physical nourishment?  Are you focused on doing what God desires?  

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 25 (6/25) is Matthew 6:25.  It says, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?”

    How does DO NOT WORRY ABOUT YOUR LIFE challenge your thinking?   

    Continue Strong not worrying,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 24 (6/24) is Matthew 6:24

    “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and
    love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 
    You cannot serve God and money.” – Matthew 6:24
    CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE

    Jesus is preaching/teaching in Matthew 6.  The chapters of Matthew 5, 6, and 7 are called the Sermon on the Mount.  There will be several times in His sermon that He will bring the message to a decision point.  As we get to this portion of Matthew 6, He is headed to a call for each person to seek the kingdom of God FIRST.  (Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

    As Jesus preaches, He knows there is tremendous competition for our hearts.  We can easily be LOVING a lot of things, a lot of wrong things!  For Jesus, our relationship with God is to be preeminent – supreme – above everything else. Knowing that one of the greatest competitors of our hearts is money, Jesus gets really personal and direct.  He says we must know that money and things can control and even consume us.  The love of and the desire to have more and more money causes a person to have wrong priorities.  Rather than seeking God, this love for money will squeeze God and God’s desires out of one’s life.  

    Personal and direct Jesus says YOU CAN NOT SERVE TWO MASTERS! 

    So, which will it be?  Who will be first?  The Lord? or Your family? Your finances? Your personal needs?  Your personal freedom?  Your recreation? Your work?  And the list can go on and on, can it not?   As Elijah said in 1 Kings 18:21 “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”  WHO will be FIRST?

    Maybe today you need to realign your priorities as you cannot serve two masters!  FIRST THINGS MUST BE FIRST and if you are a believer then JESUS IS TO BE FIRST!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 24 (6/24) is Matthew 6:24. It says, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” 

    What adjustments do you need to make based on the teaching from Matthew 6:24?

    Continue Strong seeking Jesus First,
    And remember to DATE the Word
    BTW – I hope you know that money makes a horrible master. 
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 23 (6/23) is Romans 6:23

    “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life 
    through Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
    From the WORST NEWS to the BEST NEWS! 

    Romans 6:23!  What a verse of CONTRAST!! One will hardly find a verse in the Bible that has more contrast. This is the “John 3:16” of Romans.  Here we read of a sinner (and that would be you and me) facing a penalty – and unending punishment – death – spiritual separation from God. This is the WORST news one can ever hear. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) is BAD news but now we learn the penalty – the punishment. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. Let that sink in.  Death – Eternal separation from God.

    Ponder on the unthinkable for a moment.  What if nothing else is written in Romans 6:23?  The bad news of Romans 3:23 has moved to hearing the worst news ever from Romans 6:23a.  Can you imagine if there was nothing else?  
     
    BUT!!! 

    But that is not all that is written. There is the word BUT in this verse.  “But” starts a contrast that brings to us GOOD NEWS!! There is a gift – A GIFT FROM GOD – the gift of GOD is eternal life rather than eternal damnation. The gift has been made available because JESUS CHRIST died for us. (Romans 5:8) There has been a provision made for the penalty!! Christ Jesus paid the penalty at Calvary! Three days later He arose from the dead and is alive!  

    Friend, WHAT A SAVIOR!! WHAT A SALVATION!! Romans 6:23 moves a person from the WORST NEWS to the GOOD NEWS! And the more you think about it I believe you will say it is the BEST NEWS EVER!

    May I ask-  Have you RECEIVED God’s Gift to you?  It is life’s greatest decision for you will either pay for your sins in a place called Hell or you will accept what Christ has done in paying for your sins and enjoy eternal life with Him in Heaven.

    If you have not accepted Jesus, call on Him today as Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 23 (6/23) is Romans 6:23. It says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

    Continue Strong grateful for the free gift of salvation,
    and Remember to DATE the Word

    BTW – today is a great day to share the GOOD NEWS!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 22 (6/22) is Daniel 6:22

    “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not
    hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king,
    I have done no wrong before you.” – Daniel 6:22
    Daniel’s trial turned into a testimony of triumph.

    Anytime the name Daniel from the Bible is mentioned one of our first thoughts of him is Daniel in the lion’s den. Recalling this story means remembering why he is there. Daniel was a man that is described as a man of firm convictions (we know this from Chapter 1) and he had a conviction that he was to pray, openly pray to God three times a day.  Wicked men used that against him, and he finds himself sentenced to die a gruesome death by ferocious lions. 

    Our verse to consider tells us of his response to the king who had sentenced him to die as to whether Daniel’s God had saved him. I have always found it interesting that the king believed that Daniel would survive being thrown to the lions, believing it so much he came to the lion’s den and asked.  Daniel 6:20 says, “As the king came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”  To this question comes the answer “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” (Daniel 6:22)  The short answer is, “You better believe HE did!” (my paraphrase)

    Daniel’s response shows us how Daniel’s trial was turned into a testimony of triumph.

    You know, without a doubt, Daniel would rather have not had to face the lions, but wicked men had wicked intentions bringing about this trial.  One can imagine the fear Daniel must have had yet one might also consider the faith Daniel had.  It is clear from his testimony that as he faced the lions he was not alone.  I wondered if Daniel utter a prayer as he entered the lion’s den based on Psalm 35:17.  Psalm 35:17 says, “How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions!” Maybe or maybe not?  What we do know is God sent His angel to SHUT THE LION’S MOUTHS!

    Because of what God did do for Daniel the king was able to hear Daniel’s testimony of God’s amazing work and protection!!  

    Friend, you may not be treated right for doing right as the world is bound to hate you. With their persecution comes God’s presence and protection!  Their attacks provide opportunities for you to stand firm for your faith as well as share your faith.  Their wickedness provides you an opportunity to witness. 

    So, today your newest trial is to give God an opportunity to make HIS story through you even stronger.  Let us be reminded that God is in the business of turning trials into triumphal testimonies!

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 22 (6/22) is Daniel 6:22. It says, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

    Continue Strong knowing God turns your trials into triumphal testimonies,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 21 (6/21) is Matthew 6:21

    “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
    WHAT HAS YOUR HEART?

    To grasp the meaning of Matthew 6:21 we need to read verses 19 and 20.  Matthew 6:19-20 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

    While we do ask what is in a person’s heart, we also must ask what has a person’s heart.

    What has your heart?  Is it something that is temporal?  Is it something worldly? The Bible tells how Demas forsook serving the Lord because of his love for this present world.  Our hearts can be so in love with finances, fitness, fun, even family and friends, that we have no desire for God.  

    What has your heart?  Is your heart desiring God?   Are your affections on the things ABOVE as Colossians 3:1-4 teaches?  As a reminder it says, “Since you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  

    The Bible tells of David being a MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN heart.  Acts 13:22 says, “God raised up David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.”

    There is an old saying that says FOLLOW THE MONEY.  In my early years as a new Christian, I was told you can tell much about a person by looking at their calendar and at their checkbook. The calendar and checkbook reveal what is really important to a person.   What is your calendar and checkbook revealing about what is most important to you?

    What HAS your heart? Are your affections toward things on earth or on things eternal? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 21 (6/21) is Matthew 6:21. It says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

    Application – When you give to God and His work you become more mindful of God and His work!

    Continue Strong focused on the eternal,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 20 (6/20) is 1 Corinthians 6:20

    “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body
    and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20
    The Top Priority is to Glorify God

    Throughout life, we will have a variety of decisions to make and there will be some that are easy as the Bible says YOU SHALL or YOU SHALL NOT.   Then there are some that will be challenging as there does not seem to be a clear-cut DO or “DO NOT DO.”  I was fortunate to have been discipled to have a filter for making decisions.  At the very top of the filter was the question DOES IT GLORIFY GOD?   

    1 Corinthians 6:20, and later 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God) makes it CLEAR that all of our actions – behavior – conduct – attitude – words – should GLORIFY GOD!  We have been called – listen – into His kingdom and GLORY (I Thessalonian 2:12) thus we are to “walk worthy of God.”  Our AMBITION should be to PLEASE HIM. We are to honor Him.  We are to obey Him.  We glorify God when we live like Him.

    I Corinthians 6:20 reminds us that we have been PURCHASED, bought at a price, a very high price. As one who has been PURCHASED by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we must COMMIT and DEDICATE our entire lives doing only what GLORIFIES Him! Thus, every decision is to be filtered with WILL THIS BRING GLORY TO GOD!!!

    Bonus – there are 5 MAJOR AREAS that we are to steward and be found faithful.  These are areas to GLORIFY GOD.  They are:

      1.  Our temple
      2.  Our time
      3.  Our treasure
      4.  Our talents
      5.  Our testimony

    Ponder – evaluate – examine yourself with the question of AM I TRULY GLORIFYING GOD with what I am doing with my TEMPLE?  My TIME? My TREASURE? My TALENTS? My TESTIMONY?

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 20 (6/20) is 1 Corinthians 6:20. It says, “For you were bought at a price; Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

    Continue Strong doing everything to His glory,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 19 (6/19) is 1 Corinthians 6:19

    “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom
    you have from God, and you are not your own?” – 1 Corinthians 6:19
    We not only have a new Resident; we have a new OWNER

    The subject of sexual purity is a common theme for the Apostle Paul as in almost every letter he writes he will address the necessity of abstaining from immorality. As the Apostle Paul makes the case for living sexually pure here in 1 Corinthians 6 (v18 says “FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY”) he brings up a major reminder that our bodies are now to be regarded as a temple.  This temple is the residence of the Holy Spirit.  It is the home of the Holy Spirit. When you got saved the Holy Spirit moved into your body.  In verse 13 he wrote, “Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 

    With the Christian’s body being a TEMPLE and not just any temple but the temple of the Holy Spirit then the believer is not to defile the temple! Sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

    In a world where there are no boundaries for morality, the Christian does live by God’s boundaries.  Becoming a Christian and living out the Christian life means without question the Christian lives differently. We are a new person and now we have new standards. One of the most defining new standards is our view of and our behavior regarding morality. Living a life of sexual purity is a mark of the believer. In Acts 15:29 the apostles sent word to the new Gentile believers about how they were to live and one of the standards was to abstain from sexual immorality. 

    A few questions:
    Are you aware, as a believer, that you have a new resident in your life?
    Are you aware, as a believer, that the Holy Spirit of God lives in you?
    Are you aware, as a believer that your body no longer belongs to you? 
    Are you aware that your body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord?

    Verse to DATE on June 19 (6/19) is 1 Corinthians 6:19. It says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”

    As you define your convictions on purity 1 Corinthians 6:19 is a verse to have for why you practice purity.

    Continue Strong keeping the temple of God pure.
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on Father’s Day, June 18 (6/18) is Proverbs 20:7

    “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.” – Proverbs 20:7
    Happy Father’s Day 2023

    Without a doubt, the three most meaningful titles I have is husband, father, and grandfather.  I love being a husband.  I love being a father.  I love being a grandfather.  I so agree with Proverbs 18:22 as it states, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.”  I so agree with Psalm 127:3-5 as it says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;”  And while there is no exact verse about being a grandfather Deuteronomy 4:9 speaks of teaching God’s Word to both your children and your grandchildren.” 

    As a father, I chose Proverbs 20:7 to be my guiding verse.  If I do what is right and live with integrity my children will be blessed.  My actions have a direct impact on them.  I don’t want to be a burden.  I want to be a blessing.   I want them to enjoy God’s blessings.   I encourage you who are fathers reading this to have a main verse that guides your role as a father. 

    I thought I would share just a few thoughts about being a father.  

    Fathers are to FEAR the Lord, be full men of FAITH and be found FAITHFUL. 
    Joshua 24:15 says, as for ME and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
    Psalm 128:1-3 Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways! 2  You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 3  Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.

    Fathers are to be thinking about the AFTER of their actions.
    This principle comes from Proverbs 20:7, which I have already mentioned.
    “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

    Fathers are to be TEACHERS. 
    Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father;
    Deut 6:7 “You (fathers) shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

    Fathers are to be HELPFUL, not harmful. 
    Ephesians 6: 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath (harmful), but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (helpful).
    Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”(very harmful) 
    Let 1 Thessalonians 5:11 guide you. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

    Fathers are to be EXAMPLES.
    1 Timothy 4:12  “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

    Fathers are to be RESPONSIBLE. 
    Proverbs 12:27 “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence (being responsible) is man’s precious possession.”
    If you father a child you are TO BE A FATHER to the child. 
    In being responsible as a father be responsible as a husband.  One of the best tips I can give any father is to LOVE your WIFE!  Proverbs 17:1 “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.”

    Fathers are to SERVANTS.  Your children’s needs are met before your needs are met!
    John 13:14 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

    Hopefully, these few thoughts encourage you as for many this only reinforces what you have been doing.  As you review maybe a few challenged you to make some adjustments.  Make them.  What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his family?

    Again – HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

    Continue Strong FATHERS!  
    And remember to DATE THE WORD