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  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 28 (2/28) is 1 John 2:28

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 28 (2/28) is 1 John 2:28

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 28 (2/28) is 1 John 2:28
    1 John 2:28 says, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
    ABIDE TO ABOUND!! 

    The apostle John is teaching here in 1 John what Jesus had taught in John 15.  Notice what He said in John 15:1-8 about abiding.  
     “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 
    4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
    6 “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

    The essential of essentials for living the Christian life and doing any ministry for Him is to ABIDE in Him. The image Jesus gives is that HE is the VINE, and WE are the BRANCHES. Visualize this! For a branch to produce fruit it must be connected to the VINE! Visualize this! Just as the branch is connected, we are to ABIBE, we are to be connected to Christ.  He is the life giver!  

    For us, as believers to ABOUND in fruitfulness we must ABIDE!! 

    A phrase I like to use is ABIDE TO ABOUND!!  ABIDE TO ABOUND!!

    BTW – Having taught how to abound by abiding in Him, Jesus makes a very blunt statement as He taught that APART from Him we could do NOTHING.  NOTHING!!!  John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  NOTHING!!  Let that settle into your heart and mind.  Visualize the branch unattached to the vine.  There is never going to be fruit!  I trust that you don’t want to be found empty-handed when He comes!!  

    In 1 John 2:28 John calls on his readers to apply what Jesus taught him.  When we abide in Him, we will be fruitful and we will not be ashamed when He returns.   When we are fruitful, we bring glory to God!

    Are you abiding in Christ?  Do you have the mindset of just how essential this is?  Do you start each day with the understanding that you need JESUS for everything you are going to be doing?  Do you see yourself as a branch to bear fruit for Him and that as a branch you must be firmly connected to the VINE – to Him?  

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 28 (2/28) is 1 John 2:28. It says, “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”

    I pray a daily prayer of Lord, help me to be found faithful and fruitful!  As I abide in you may I abound in fruitfulness FOR YOU!!

    Continue Strong abiding to abound

    And remember to DATE THE WORD
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  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 27 (2/27) is Joel 2:27

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 27 (2/27) is Joel 2:27

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 27 (2/7) is Joel 2:27
    Joel 2:27 says,  “Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.”
    God has an objective of wanting His people to KNOW Him.

    Throughout the Word of God, we find that God wants His people to know Him!  He wants us to know Him personally and relationally.   In a recap of what God did in Egypt for the Israelites Moses says in Deuteronomy 4:35 “To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD Himself is God; there is none other besides Him.”  Here in Joel, we read the word “THEN.”  What has been happening in the days of Joel had a purpose.  With what was happening God’s people would “THEN” know that I am in the midst of Israel.”  THEN they would know I am the LORD your God and there is no other.

    We need to know that God is at work making Himself known. He wants the knowledge to be more than knowledge about Him but a knowledge that is personal. In other words, you might say the Lord is a shepherd. You know this about God. God, however, wants you to be able to say the Lord is MY shepherd.  

    I think we should be aware that there are several very important areas He wants us to know about Him.  And we should know that He will bring about things sometimes in ways to make Himself known that we might wish He did not but remember His objective is so you will know Him personally.  Notice a few things God wants you to personally know about Him.

    We can rest assured that He wants us to know His PRESENCE.  He wants us to learn that He is our God and then know that HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU or FORSAKE YOU!!   Psalm 34:18  says, “The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart.”  

    He wants us to know His POWER.  God used Pharoah to show His power to both the Egyptians and the Israelites.  Exodus 9: 16 “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power to you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.

    He wants us to know His PROTECTION!  An example comes from Psalm 68:5.  Psalm 68:5 says,  “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.”

    He wants us to know His PEACE.  Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

    He wants us to know His PROVISION!  Psalm 23 starts out with “The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.  2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.”

    As Jesus discipled His disciples He purposely placed them in storms that would GROW and INCREASE their FAITH.  In the storm, they learned WHO HE WAS and WHAT HE COULD DO!   In the storm, they experienced His presence, His power, His protection, His peace, and His provision. 

    How might God be working in your life today to make Himself more known to you? Job said in Job 42:5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, But now my eye sees. ” Take a moment and consider what some of your “I had heard how God could but now I know personally that God can” statements are.  An example would be based on something personal with me. I can tell you that I had heard about God’s comfort for years but I never knew it personally until my mother died on Mother’s Day 1989.  I went from knowing about God’s comfort to knowing that God was MY comforter!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 27 (2/27) is Joel 2:27.  It says, “Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: (then you shall know) I am the LORD your God and there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.”

    Continue Strong GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE and grace of the Lord!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 26 (2/26) is 1 Samuel 2:26

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 26 (2/26) is 1 Samuel 2:26

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 26 (2/26) is 1 Samuel 2:26
    1 Samuel 2:26 says, “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men.”
    A BALANCED GROWTH PLAN

    From the moment of birth, it is expected that a child GROW. Growing physically is natural and necessary.  As a parent. you take your newborn in for checkups to see if they are growing.  There is the expectation that the baby will be gaining weight and getting taller. 

    1 Samuel 2:26 gives the report that the child Samuel was PHYSICALLY growing.  However, it is worth noting that along with marks on a doorpost to show he was getting taller, he was growing spiritually and relationally. He was growing in stature and he was growing in FAVOR with the Lord and growing in favor with men.  He was becoming a well-balanced child! 

    Reading about Samuel’s growth reminds us that the growth of a child is more than just physical.  Just as there must be attention to a child’s physical development, there must be attention given to the child’s spiritual development and relationship development.  Growing in all three of these areas does not come accidentally. There must be intentional WORK done by parents.  There must be intentional TRAINING and TEACHING.  

    As a parent, you are responsible for training your child(ren.)  Deuteronomy 6 teaches that parents are to teach their children the commandments of God.  In teaching the Ten Commandments you teach them first about a relationship with God and then a relationship with others.  The first four commandments are vertical.  A child learns to respect GOD.  The last 6 commandments are horizontal.  A child learns to respect OTHERS.  And the first place they learn to respect others is in the home where they learn to respect their parents. When this training is done you should see along with physical growth that there will be spiritual growth and relational growth.   

    It is worth noting that Jesus grew like Samuel grew.  We find in Luke 2:52 Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.  

    For me, as a parent, a Christian educator, and as a pastor I use I Samuel 2:26 and more so Luke 2:52 to determine the crucial areas that I am to be focused on to bring about the total development of a child. In looking at Luke 2:52 we see there is the INTELLECTUAL growth of Jesus as He grew in wisdom.  There is PHYSICAL growth as He grew in stature.  There is RELATIONAL growth as He grows in favor with people and there is SPIRITUAL growth as He grew in favor with God.  

    While I look at these key areas for developing a well-balanced child, I also look at these 4 areas for personal development.  I encourage you to do the same.  We should always be learning, growing in wisdom, and growing intellectually.  We should always be taking care of our bodies.  We should always be increasing our love for God and for people.  

    Are you growing others, especially your children the way Samuel and Jesus grew?

    Are YOU growing the way Samuel and Jesus grew?

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 26 (2/26) is 1 Samuel 2:26. It says, “And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men.”

    From Dr. John Maxwell: “You don’t grow in a day! You grow daily!”  

    Continue Strong growing yourself so that you might grow others!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 25 (2/25) is Luke 2:25

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 25 (2/25) is Luke 2:25

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 25 (2/25) is Luke 2:25. Luke 2:25 says, “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just (righteous) and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

    LIVING IN EXPECTATIONS OF HIS COMING (AGAIN)

    In what we would call the CHARACTERS of the first CHRISTMAS it is easy to overlook a few as they have what might be viewed as a small role.  Every Christmas play about the first Christmas always has Mary and Joseph.  It has angels and shepherds.  It has three Kings or wise men with three gifts. Some plays have Caesar Augustus (I played him once) and some have evil King Herod.  But I cannot remember a single Christmas play that had Simeon.  

    Simeon is a major player in the Christmas story!  Our verse to DATE brings a little bit of him into focus!  When you read Luke 2:25 and the following verses about this man of God you find a great example. Right off the start, Luke describes him as a man of high character.  He was just or righteous in how he lived, and he was DEVOUT.  

    We don’t seem to use the word DEVOUT too much these days. It is a really good word that we should want to be known for.  It means to handle something entrusted to you with GREAT CARE. The person is very cautious and conscientious with the assignments given to them. They handle things with reverence, with what is called a godly fear. Because of their diligence to handle things entrusted to them with such care, they are often very highly respected.   Someone who is DEVOUT is viewed as someone who is trustworthy.  Many times, the word is used to speak of one’s relationship with God.  

    Simeon was doing what was right and was very reverent, and careful with his assignments.  

    Luke then describes him as WAITING.  He was WAITING for the Consolation of Israel. He was WAITING for the COMING of the MESSIAH.   

    The WAITING of Simeon is another great example from his life that we need to be following.  While we are not WAITING for the first coming we are to be WAITING for the second coming.  Are you WAITING for the second coming of Christ?  

    Whenever I am speaking about WAITING for the Second Coming I am reminded that I should remind myself and others what waiting means.  WAITING does not mean one goes to a high mountain and sits down, WAITING until He comes.   I learned what waiting meant before I was a teenager.  One day my mom told me I needed to WAIT until my dad got home to help him unload a load of fertilizer at the shed.  With her words, I stopped what I was doing and started going to the shed to WAIT. (I was going to go to the shed and sit down and WAIT.)   Mom saw this and said, “Keep working on what you are working on with a watchful eye and when you see him coming up the driveway then you make your way to the shed.”   

    HMMMM.  WAITING did not mean sitting down and doing nothing.  It meant being watchful while working! 

    As believers, we are to be WAITING for the Lord’s return.   There should be an expectation and anticipation that at any moment He will rapture us home.  I have lived by a principle I learned from Dr. Billy Graham in which he said he started every day with the thought PERHAPS TODAY.  I challenge you to be living with PERHAPS TODAY!  

    I also learned a principle from Dr. Jerry Falwell to go with Dr. Graham’s principle.  He taught us to live like this just might be our last day, our last hour, our last minute but WORK as though we were going to live another 100 years.   

    Simeon was WAITING but while WAITING he was WATCHING AND WORKING!  Let the Lord’s return find us at work for Him, watching for Him, WAITING with anticipation.

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 25 (2/25) is Luke 2:25. It says, “And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just (righteous) and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.”

    Occupy till He comes!  

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24

    Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.“
    God’s Marriage Math is ONE plus ONE equals ONE! 

    Our verse to DATE come from Genesis, the FIRST book of the Bible, and is part of the 2nd chapter that tells the CREATION story.  Interestingly we have within the story of creation God INSTRUCTIONS of the INSTITUTION of the FAMILY.  Listen, from the very beginning of what we would call time, we have had the institution of the family.  Before there was any government and before there was the institution of the church, we have the family. 

    Unbelievably, we now live in a country that struggles to define what a family is.  So that we do KNOW what a family is Genesis 2:24 will give you the key people of a family.  There is a man and a woman.  The man will become a husband and the woman will be a wife.  As husband and wife, they (most likely) have a child and maybe even children so now the man is not just a husband but a father and the woman is not just a wife but a mother.  If the child is a male he will have the title of son and if the child is a female she will have the title of daughter.  If they have more than one child and it is a male, the males have the title of brother, and if it is a female, the females have the title of sister.

    We have a man (male) and a woman (female) who now have the title husband and wife, and with child(ren) they add the title of father and mother with the male child known as a son and/or the female child known as a daughter.  If there are more boys they get the added title of brother from the other child(ren) and if there are more girls they get the added title of sister from the other child(ren)

    Now the child will grow and one day will marry.  The man will leave his father and mother and be joined to someone else’s daughter, and he will be her husband and she will be his wife.  They then (most likely) will have a child or children and the parents (the father and mother of the man and the father and the mother of the wife) will be grandparents with the male being titled with grandfather and the female as a grandmother.   

    In addition, the Bible will have as part of a family an uncle and an aunt with the male being an uncle and the female being an aunt.  There is the title also of cousin, which can be used for both one who is male and one who is female. 

    Each of the words I used is spread through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  We do not have to be confused about what a family is.  We, as well, do not need to be confused about what EACH member’s role and responsibilities are.  When it comes to what a husband and a wife, what a father and mother, and what a child(ren) are to do, God gives clear instructions for each. These instructions should be learned and implemented by each individual!  

    From our verse to DATE, we have clear instructions for the HUSBAND and the WIFE as they become a new family unit. From one family comes a man and from another family comes a woman. God says they are to LEAVE. Each one is to LEAVE their mother and father.  The new family unit starts with LEAVING their present family unit.

    As HUSBAND and WIFE, they are to CLEAVE to each other. They are to be JOINED AS ONE. Many Biblical scholars will say from this component of LEAVING AND CLEAVING marriage is the preeminent relationship! 

    This also is to be a permanent relationship as the husband and wife are to be one flesh. At a wedding ceremony, a couple will commit – pledge – covenant to be joined together until death separates them. Jesus stated in Mark 10:9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”  

    As we consider these instructions we conclude (not unique to me) that God’s math is one plus one equals one.  

    BTW – I consider Genesis 2:24 (repeated by Jesus in Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9 and Paul in Ephesians 5:31) and Ephesians 5:33 to be the most important teaching for marriage. Genesis 2:24 teaches LEAVE AND CLEAVE while Ephesians 5:33 teaches the husband to Pay ATTENTION to his wife and the wife to give ADMIRATION to her husband.  Following God’s instructions for marriage will bring about an enjoyable and enduring marriage!

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24. It says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

    Continue Strong learning your role and responsibilities in your family,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 23 (2/23) is Exodus 2:23

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 23 (2/23) is Exodus 2:23

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 23 (2/23) is Exodus 2:23
    Exodus 2:23 says, “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.”
    Crying out to God WHO HEARS YOU!

    At various times during our life, we are going to have very hard and difficult times.  Our hearts will be broken.  We will find ourselves carrying incredibly heavy burdens.  When the burdens and the pains of life hit you to whom will you cry out with your groanings?  An answer is found in Exodus 2:23.

    The children of Israel are in bondage. They were slaves in the land of Egypt.  While it was restrictive it was also very repressive. So repressive was their bondage that Exodus 2:23 says they groaned because of the bondage.  Looking for relief, they cried out and their cry came UP TO GOD!  Just so you know verse 24 says, “So God heard their groaning.”  In verse 25 it says, “So God looked (took notice) on the Israelites and was concerned about them.”

    Friends, when we CRY OUT TO GOD the God of the universe HEARS!  He HEARS our PRAYERS!  He HEARS our CRIES of agony and of pain. He HEARS the cries of bondage – yes of physical bondage  – yes of spiritual bondage.  Hear that God HEARS. HEARING and then helping and healing the brokenhearted is one of His specialties.

    I don’t know if you need more proof but if so, read the following testimonies from David:
    Psalm 3:4 “I cried aloud to the LORD, and He answered me from his holy hill. Selah
    Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.
    Psalm 30:2 O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me.
    Psalm 31:22 I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from Your sight.” But You heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to You for help.”
    Psalm 77:1 I cried out to God with my voice — To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me.
    Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.

    Nehemiah gives a history lesson that includes how God heard during the days of the Judges,
    Nehemiah 9:27 Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies, Who oppressed them; And in the time of their trouble, When they cried to You, You heard from heaven; And according to Your abundant mercies You gave them deliverers who saved them From the hand of their enemies.
    Nehemiah 9:28 “But after they had rest, They again did evil before You. Therefore, You left them in the hand of their enemies, So that they had dominion over them; Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven; And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,

    Jonah tells us that God heard him as he cried out. Jonah 2:2 says, “I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.

    GOD HEARS YOU!  To you that are hurting He hears you!  To you that are brokenhearted He hears you. To you that are facing an unspeakable difficulty He hears you! He hears you! Please hear me that He HEARS YOU!  

    And make no mistake that from hearing you will find His hands working! (See chapter 3 and forward in the Book of Exodus!)  He hears and He helps!

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 23 (2/23) is Exodus 2:23. It says, “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.”

    Cry out to Him!

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 22 (2/22) is 2 Timothy 2:22

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 22 (2/22) is 2 Timothy 2:22

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 22 (2/22) is 2 Timothy 2:22
    2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
    RUN AWAY FROM THE BAD AND RUN AFTER THE GOOD

    As the Apostle Paul DISCIPLES Timothy he calls on him to be a CLEAN, SANCTIFIED vessel that is USEFUL to God.  2 Timothy 2:21 says, “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”  In order to be clean and sanctified Paul now teaches Timothy three actions to take that involves the word RUN.  

    To become a clean, sanctified, useful vessel there will be things that you must RUN AWAY FROM.
    To become a clean, sanctified, useful vessel there will be things that you must RUN AFTER.   
    Our verse does add a third action as we are to consider who we RUN WITH.

    As we battle temptations some battles are best won by RESISTING while others are best won by RETREATING. Yes, we win by RETREATING.  We win by RUNNING AWAY.  Our verse tells us to FLEE youth lust. The Greek word for FLEE gives us our English word FUGITIVE. We are to be a FUGITIVE to youth lust.  As a FUGITIVE we are to RUN AWAY FROM AND HIDE from temptations! 

    A principle I use here is DON’T STAY AT PLACES WHERE TEMPTATIONS ARE PRONE TO WIN! 

    Pay close attention; When it comes to one major temptation, that of sexual temptation, I teach that you DON’T RESIST THEM. RUN AWAY FROM THEM.  The temptation is so strong that you will almost always lose if stay and try to resist.  RUN!!!  RUN AWAY FROM IT!  RUN AND HIDE!  Remember the story about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife.  He RAN AWAY from the temptation! 

    While RUNNING AWAY from temptations Paul teaches Timothy and us that we should be RUNNING AFTER those things that strengthen our walk with the Lord. We are to PURSUE – be RUNNING AFTER righteousness (doing what is right); faith (trusting God with every area of our lives), love (the action we take with God and people, loving both saved and lost. **Remember the time a person needs love the most is when they deserve it the least), peace (keeping calm with one another even during storms).

    So we are RUNNING AWAY from sinful things and we are RUNNING AFTER sanctified things. 
    So we are RUNNING AWAY from hurtful things and we are RUNNING AFTER helpful things.
    There are temptations we are RUNNING AWAY FROM and there are godly actions we are RUNNING AFTER! 

    Paul gives one more teaching to Timothy and us that is very crucial in being successful in becoming a clean, sanctified, useful vessel. His last statement of this verse tells us to CONSIDER who we choose to RUN WITH as who we RUN WITH will have a tremendous influence on us. You will want to RUN WITH THOSE who have been saved and who themselves are seeking to be a sanctified vessel. (with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.)

    In applying our verse of 2 Timothy 2:22 I suggest asking three questions of yourself every day:
    What do you need to be RUNNING AWAY FROM?
    What do you need to be RUNNING AFTER?
    Who do you need to be RUNNING WITH?
    The answers to these three questions will greatly determine if you will be a clean, sanctified, useful vessel to the Lord.

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 22 (2/22) is 2 Timothy 2:22. It says, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

    Personal note: 2 Timothy 2:22 is one of the most important verses I have ever learned.  I encourage you to memorize, meditate and APPLY this verse.  Answer daily the three questions of what are RUNNING AWAY FROM; what are you RUNNING AFTER; and WHO are you RUNNING WITH.

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 21 (2/21) is Philippians 2:21

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 21 (2/21) is Philippians 2:21

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 21 (2/21) is Philippians 2:21
    Philippians 2:21 says, “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”
    WHO IS FIRST?

    Philippians 2:21 is definitely NOT a life verse. It is so NOT what a Christian is to be about. It is the exact opposite of what a Christian is to be.  It speaks of SELF-CENTEREDNESS.  It speaks of SELFISHNESS.  

    The context for this indictment is the Apostle Paul is giving a recommendation for Timothy as he wants the Philippians to receive him as he comes to ministry to them.  As Paul looks at who might be best Timothy is the obvious choice because he has a mindset for OTHERS.  In Philippians 2:20 he writes that Timothy would genuinely be concerned about their welfare.

    We are not sure who the “ALL” are but whoever they are they have the wrong purpose in life. Instead of a Joshua mindset of “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” these folks have a “for me I will serve myself.” Instead of seeking first the kingdom of God as Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 they are seeking their kingdom first. For the self-centered it is a myself – mine – own – me – I focus of life.   

    As you look into the mirror of the word I trust Philippians 2:21 is not a statement that would be made about you.   We are challenged in the world we live in to always put ourselves first. Living differently means others come before us.   

    BTW – I found it interesting that the Apostle Paul had written of himself in Philippians 1:21 that for him to live was Christ.  My challenge is to ask yourself are you a Philippians 1:21 person or a Philippians 2:21 person? Are you living for the Savior or living for self? 

    Philippians 1:21  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
    or
    Philippians 2:21 “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” 
    Which are you? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 21 (2/21) is Philippians 2:21.  Philippians 2:21 says, “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”

    Continue Strong seeking first the kingdom of God and the betterment of others!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 20 (2/20) is Galatians 2:20

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 20 (2/20) is Galatians 2:20

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 20 (2/20) is Galatians 2:20
    Galatians 2:20  says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
    NOT I, BUT CHRIST!!!!

    Galatians 2:20 is a tremendous summation verse of who we are as Christians! We are to view ourselves as having been CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST! Thus, the old life we had is to be viewed as dead! We now have a new life and that life is CHRIST (who rose from the dead!)  Jesus Christ LIVES IN THE BELIEVER!!

    Read this and let it settle in your heart: 

    Jesus Christ LIVES IN THE BELIEVER. 

    If you are a believer CHRIST LIVES IN YOU! 

    The believer lives IN CHRIST and CHRIST LIVES IN THE BELIEVER.

    Now we live life like Christ because it is CHRIST who lives IN US!! We live by faith, trusting His guidance in our lives.  His guidance is best as He loves us the most!! He loved us so much that He gave Himself.  He gave His life – for us, for you!! What a Savior!!! What a salvation!

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 20 (2/20) is Galatians 2:20.  It says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

    Christ lives in you!

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE The WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 19 (2/19) is Luke 2:19

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 19 (2/19) is Luke 2:19

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 19 (2/19) is Luke 2:19
    Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”
    Pausing to Ponder on God’s Working

    Mary has had quite a journey over the past nine months.  That might be an understatement. She heard from the angel Gabriel in Luke 1 that she had been selected by God to have a very special child. To know just how special read Luke 1:31-33.  She will agree to God’s call by making one of the most beautiful statements we read in Scripture as she says, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”  

    In Luke 2 that special child is born in Bethlehem.  His name is Jesus.  Soon afterward shepherds arrive with an amazing story of an angel appearing and announcing a message of good tidings of great joy which would be to all people.  And then Mary hears these words: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:11)   What she had been told was going to happen has happened!   

    Shortly the shepherds would leave and now Luke records another action by Mary.  Luke 2:19 says “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”  

    She TREASURED UP all these things.  It is as if she gathered up every action of the last 9 months to put in a “BABY BOOK.”  It is like she takes inventory of her journey with and for God.  She KEEPS tightly the various amazing moments.  She rehearses in her mind everything she has heard and everything that happens. She puts together a mental “BABY BOOK.” One Bible scholar wondered if she “showed” her “Baby Book” to Luke.  I, for one, believed she did because how else would Luke have known such details of the birth of Christ?

    She not only treasured the moments she PONDERED on them.  She sought to compare and put together the things she heard and the things she experienced and the things she saw with the purpose of making spiritual sense of it.  She pondered.  She thought deeply about these things. More than just keeping a mental journal she sought to understand how God was working and what it meant. She was evaluating what God was doing in her life and how His actions impacted her.  She was evaluating what God was doing to save the world through her newborn Son!

    May I ask, are you just racing through life or are you running the race that is set before you, and as you run you have times to recap what has been happening as well as PONDER the meaning of what was happening?  Do you periodically list your experiences of God working and then evaluate your experiences to see how God was working? 

    A great example of this along with Mary is David.  He realized a lot more was happening when he killed a bear and he killed a lion.  As he evaluated those experiences he realized that God was working to protect him and strengthen him.  Having evaluated those experiences he knew that he could kill an ungodly giant because God would deliver Him.  

    So, how are you doing?  How goes the race you are running?  What are you learning about God, LATELY?  How have you changed, LATELY?  What prayers have been prayed?  What prayers have been answered?  What victories have you experienced?   Let’s cut to the chase: Are the actions of Luke 2:19 by Mary happening periodically with you?  I encourage you to put her actions into action.

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 19 (2/19) is Luke 2:19. It says, “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”

    What was the last thing you put in your “spiritual journal” about your spiritual journey?  When is the last time you paused to ponder what God has been doing in you, around you, for you, and through you?

    Continue Strong journaling and pondering about the Journey He has you on,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD