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  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 20 (1/20) is Job 1:20

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 20 (1/20) is Job 1:20

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 20 (1/20) is Job 1:20
    Job 1:20 says, “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.” 
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    The REMARKABLE RESPONSE

    The response of Job worshipping God is in response to Job experiencing the WORST DAY of his life.  Worshipping God when things are wonderful is one thing but worshipping God things go wrong and life is filled with pain and suffering and heartache and grief is another thing, is it not?  What we see is Job responding with WORSHIP TO GOD on the worst day.  And in case you don’t remember how very bad that day was for Job, he has been told of the loss of family members to a tragic death and the major loss of finances as his animals were either stolen or killed. 

    It might be worth taking a moment and reading the 7 verses that tell of Job receiving in just a few hours the worst news ever as it really makes verse 20 more meaningful.
    Job 1:13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14  and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,  15  “when the Sabeans raided them and took them away — indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”  16  While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”  17  While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 18  While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19  “and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

    How do you respond to tragically very close family members and financial ruin in a matter of hours?  Through the centuries Job has been the example of responding to God when you experience your worst day ever.  

    Notice first his response is to MOURN (seen through the actions of tearing his robe and shaving his head).  There was LAMENT.  Lamenting is so HUMAN.  His actions are symbolic of pouring out our pain.

    Presently I am in Israel and earlier today I stood on what is called Tel Megiddo where I could see the valley of Jezreel.  This is the area that is also known as Armageddon and one day there will be an incredible battle.  However many years ago there was another battle and in that battle good king Josiah was killed.  Good king Josiah was someone Judah looked to with lots of hope.  He was a great leader and the nation was experiencing a revival.  Yet in the battle, he was killed.  His death brought about tremendous lamentations.   Notice 2 Chronicles 35:25. It says, “Jeremiah also lamented for Josiah. And to this day all the singing men and the singing women speak of Josiah in their lamentations. They made it a custom in Israel; and indeed they are written in the Laments.” Jeremiah and God’s people poured out their hearts to God.  They lamented what had happened to good King Josiah.

    Job lamented.  Job mourned.  And he WORSHIPED! He fell to the ground and WORSHIPED. He did not question or charge but rather WORSHIPED.  God was still worthy of praise regardless of his earthly situation.  On His worst day, he still worshipped God!

    Now I must ask myself as well as you, the reader, how do I (you) respond to God when the worst has happened? Do we TURN ON God? Do we TURN AWAY FROM God? Or do we TURN TO GOD? 

    Do we go to WAR against God?  Or do we WORSHIP God? 

    May we learn and live like Job as we face life difficulties that come in all shapes and sizes!

    Continue Strong worshiping Him,
    And remember to DATE the Word
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19
    James 1:19 says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
    Getting CONTROL of TONGUE AND TEMPER

    The control of our tongue and our temper are two areas of our lives that seem to be more difficult to control than other areas.  Pastor James will challenge us by demanding of us to MAINTAIN control of both. Just as the Book of Proverbs over and over addressed these two areas multiple times Pastor James will address these two areas multiple times.  

    Starting with the tongue he implores us to use our EARS.  It has been said that “God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we ought to listen twice as much as we speak.” I think James would agree with that.   He wants to see INTENTIONAL and IMMEDIATE LISTENING.  In other words, Less talking; More listening!
    Being SWIFT to hear with ears is being THOUGHTFUL.  So many of us are SWIFT to SPEAK.  Drawing from Proverbs we are reminded not to be QUICK TO ANSWER!  Proverbs 18:13 says, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”  

    Be swift to HEAR with the EAR! Be THOUGHTFUL!

    Be slow to speak is a call to be CAREFUL with your words.  Remember that the tongue, though it is small (James 3:5) can spark a huge fire bringing all kinds of destruction.  Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Are you being CAREFUL with what your little tongue says? Is your mind engaged before your mouth speaks?  

    BTW – Do you have a great filter on your mouth?  For those who might need some help here, I suggest:
    Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
    Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers
    Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

    Be slow to TALK with your TONGUE!  Be CAREFUL!

    James now says, “Be slow to wrath.”  Like our tongue, our temper can get us in so much trouble.  Recall Proverbs 14:17 as it says, “A man of quick temper acts foolishly.”   Ever do something stupid because of LOSING your temper?   

    The self-control of our temper is crucial.  Proverbs 25:28 gives this picture to ponder: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.”  We must rule our reaction!  We don’t want to lose the cow over spilled milk.  (You may have to think on that one – it comes from a world most of you don’t know anything about.)   Enacting self-control of our reaction means doing the opposite of what you are feeling. Instead of getting mad, show mercy.   

    Be slow to explode with your TEMPER!  Be MERCIFUL!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19. It says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

    The self-discipline of our tongue and self-control of our temper are a must as Christians. Failure to maintain these two crucial areas could be disastrous!
    Continue Strong under control,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 18 (1/18) is Isaiah 1:18

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 18 (1/18) is Isaiah 1:18

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 18 (1/18) is Isaiah 1:18
    Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
    COME AND BE CLEANSED by the BLOOD of the LAMB

    In Job the question comes “How then can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?” (Job 25:4) Is there any hope at all for the sinful?  Is there anything that can wash away our sins, your sins, my sins – my horrible, ugly, offensive, filthy, wretched sins? Is there any help? Is there any way to ever be clean?  Is there any way of ever being pure and righteous in God’s sight?

    Years ago, I presented this question during a preaching service at a rescue mission in Dallas, TX. Sitting in the room that day was a young man who had kept his head down the entire message until I answered my own questions with a resounding YES.  I said YES there is SOMEONE who can wash a filthy sinner clean. I told of how Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for all sinners. I then said God gives an invitation to come to Him, stating to my audience that day Isaiah 1:18 which says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  That young man lifted his head for the first time during the entire service. He looked at me and softly spoke a question to me, asking if God would do that for him.  I said yes sir He would. I spoke directly to him that God would wash away his filthy, vile sins and make him a new person. And with that, he said I would like that. And I led him to the Lord. 

    The invitation of Isaiah 1:18 is extended to you and to every sinner.  To the “righteous” (self-righteous) and the religious, to the rebellious and wicked, you are not too far gone. You have not done anything that God cannot wash clean with the blood of Jesus. Come to Him and have your sins washed away!  

    Still not convinced?  Read the words of Revelations 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

    He loved us and He WASHES US – LOOSES US – FREES US – CLEANSES US from our SINS!

    The hymn writer wrote: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
    What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
    Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus

    Now the question from another hymn writer: Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?  Are you washed in the blood? In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
    Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
    There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 18 (1/18) is Isaiah 1:18. It says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

    Continue Strong knowing you are as pure, clean, as snow by the blood of Jesus,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January (1/17) is Mark 1:17

    Verse to DATE the Word on January (1/17) is Mark 1:17

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 17 (1/7) is Mark 1:17
    Mark 1:17 says, “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
    Becoming MADE More by Following Jesus

    As I was growing up, I attended a church where most Sundays all the children would go to the front and sing one or two “children’s songs.” One of my favorites was “I Will Make You Fishers of Men.” Maybe some of you recall the little tune 
    I will make you fishers of men, Fishers of men, fishers of men. 
    I will make you fishers of men, If you follow Me. 
    If you follow Me, If you follow Me, 
    I will make you fishers of men, if you follow Me.

    Later in a Sunday School class, I would hear the Bible story that the song was based on, hearing how Jesus would make a simple request of some men with a very specific reason in mind. I would hear how these men would leave what they were doing to go with Jesus and become His disciples.  With just a few words of FOLLOW ME and I will make you become fishers of men Jesus invited a variety of men to join Him and to have a new cause for their lives.    

    How do you react to those two words of FOLLOW ME?  What questions arise as you process the invitation?  Surely the questions of WHERE?  HOW LONG? WHAT FOR? WHEN?  WHY? WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME? goes through one’s mind.  To FOLLOW implies surrender.  In surrendering you are yielding your rights to another.  

    As I reflect on singing, I Will Make You Fishers of Men I recall we also sang at the invitation of our church services HAVE THINE OWN WAY and WHERE YOU LEAD ME, I WILL FOLLOW.  

    Have Thine own way Lord
    Have Thine own way
    Thou art the potter I am the clay
    Mold me and make me after Thy will
    While I am waiting yielded and still

    Mold me and make me always stood out because Jesus said, “Follow me and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men.”  Part of saying yes to following Jesus is knowing He is about MAKING something of you for His glory.  Jesus’ invitation to those fishermen was to allow HIM to MAKE them BECOME something greater than what they presently were doing.  Jesus’ invitation to you is to ALLOW Him to MAKE you BECOME something far greater with your life.  

    Are you a FOLLOWER of the Master? 
    Are you allowing the Master to MAKE you into what He wants? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 17 (1/17) is Mark 1:17.  It says, “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 

    Where He leads me, I will follow,
    Where He leads me I will follow,
    Where He leads me I will follow,
    I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

    Continue Strong in surrender to following Jesus
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

    PS. As you read this I am at the Sea of Galilee in Israel.
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 16 (1/16) is Romans 1:16

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 16 (1/16) is Romans 1:16

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 16 (1/16) is Romans 1:16
    Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
    A Powerful verse about the POWER of the Gospel

    In describing the apostle Paul, one has to use the phrase “UNASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL.” For a person who attacked the gospel as a believer, he became one of the greatest ANNOUNCERS and DEFENDERS of the gospel. While there were those who were OFFENDED by the gospel and others who considered the gospel a FOOLISH fable Paul never backed down from proclaiming the life-saving message.  While there are many verses that the Apostle Paul could have for his own life verse I tend to lean toward Acts 20:24 as it conveys his full dedication to sharing the gospel.  Acts 20:24 has the Apostle Paul saying, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”  He was just never going to be ASHAMED of the gospel! 

    We might ask why? What could cause a person to be so dedicated and passionate to the level of being willing to die for this message?  I think the rest of the verse gives some good answers.

    The Apostle Paul said that he was not ashamed of the gospel because it was the POWER OF GOD to bring salvation to everyone who believes.   The word POWER comes from a Greek word that we get DYNAMITE.  The gospel, (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ,) is powerful to CHANGE a person’s life on earth and change their eternal destination.   It has the power to CLEANSE a filthy sinner of any and all sins, to cancel the penalty of sin, and the power to BREAK the BONDS of sin.   

    Furthermore, the Apostle Paul was unashamed of the gospel because of the PEOPLE it was available to as he wrote it was the power of God unto salvation to EVERYONE who believes.   EVERYONE! While the message of the gospel is exclusive, it is also inclusive, as it is for anyone and everyone.  It is exclusive in that it is the only message that when believed gets a person into heaven.  As Acts 4:12 says, “There is no other name given under heaven whereby men may be saved.”  Jesus made it abundantly clear that He was the way the truth and the life and that no one comes to the Father except by Him. (John 14:6)  But it is also inclusive as it is a message for anyone and everyone anywhere.  As John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 16 (1/16) is Romans 1:16.  It says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

    As you consider the priority of proclaiming the gospel is there anything that you are ashamed of regarding the gospel?  

    Continue Strong sharing the gospel,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 15 (1/15) is Proverbs 1:15

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 15 (1/15) is Proverbs 1:15

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 15 (1/15) is Proverbs 1:15
    Proverbs 1:15 says, “My son, do not walk in the way with sinners, keep your foot from their path;”
    I have heard some refer to God’s Word as a treasure chest, a treasure chest that is loaded with INFORMATION far greater than silver and gold, rubies and diamonds.  If we look at the Bible as a treasure chest, then the BOOK of Proverbs is the treasure chest of WISDOM within the treasure chest.  In the Book of Proverbs, WISDOM can be defined as having SKILLS for LIVING.  Whereas one might have skills to cook or build or to farm or to fish as well as one might have skills to operate as a doctor or as a teacher God’s wisdom gives us the SKILLS for living life.  Wisdom can be described as heavenly insights for earthly living.  Having God’s wisdom gives to you God’s perspective on how life is to be lived.

    In the Book of Proverbs, you will find a teaching method of referring to the reader as MY SON.   This phrase is used numerous times.  One is barely into Proverbs 1 when you read “My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;” Proverbs 1:8. In verse 10 “My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.” And now in verse 15, “My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path.”

    These three verses offer tremendous insights on how to AVOID wrong practices as well as how to DO what is right. For instance, think about how one usually gets in trouble.   How have you gotten into trouble?  Usually, someone gets in trouble by being with the wrong people in the wrong place.   
    As Solomon starts his book of wisdom, he wants to HELP his son not get in trouble.  If we back up to verse 8 we find he makes three appeals to his son.  
    1. First, from verse 8 is to have the right PRINCIPLES.  We could say avoid the wrong principles.
    2. Second, from verse 10, is to be with the right PEOPLE.  We could say avoid the wrong people.
    3. Third, from verse 15, is to be at the right PLACES.  We could say avoid the wrong places.

    There is a “formula” for doing wrong and getting into trouble. It looks like this:
    wrong principles + wrong people + wrong places = wrong practices 

    Now have a “formula” for RIGHT LIVING. It looks like this:
    right Principles + 
    right People + 
    right Places =
    right Practices (living)!

    As I read Proverbs 1 I have added verse 7 of Proverbs 1 to this formula.  Proverbs 1:7 says “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.”    I see Proverbs 1:7 giving me my PURPOSE.  With God as my Creator, I see my purpose is to obey Him.   He is my authority.  Thus, my “formula” for right living is:
    Right Purpose + right Principles + right People + right Places = right Practices

    And when you think about wrong practices it really does start with our view of God. Thus,
    Wrong purpose + wrong principles + wrong people + wrong places = wrong practices.

    January 15 (1/15) brings us to the halfway point of the first month of this new year.  Maybe you made New Year’s resolutions but you are finding them hard to keep. Maybe you need to review the “formula” and take positive action steps of having the right purpose in life (Living in the fear of the Lord); being guided by the right principles; spending time with the right people and being in the right places.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 15 (1/15) is Proverbs 1:15. It says, “My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path;”

    Continue Strong acquiring and applying God’s wisdom to your life,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 14 (1/14) is Acts 1:14

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 14 (1/14) is Acts 1:14

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 14 (1/14) is Acts 1:14
    Acts 1:14 says, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”
    The Priority of PRAYER

    The book of Acts begins with the conclusion of the visible ministry of the risen Savior, Jesus Christ.  Luke will introduce his 2nd letter by letting his friend Theophilus know he will be telling what happens after Jesus Christ ascended.  He then writes about the ascension and how Jesus tells His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Promise of the Father, the Holy Spirit, and that they were to be witnesses first in Jerusalem, then in Judea, then in Samaria, and then to the utmost parts of the world.  (Acts 1:8) 

    With the assignment of taking the gospel to the world Jesus ASCENDS to heaven and his disciples return, as instructed, to Jerusalem to wait.   Acts 1:13 tells that they went back to the UPPER ROOM.  Many believe this to be the same UPPER ROOM where Jesus had observed the Passover and instituted the Lord’s Supper and washed the disciples’ feet as well as shared what we read in John 14, 15, 16, and 17.  One can imagine if it is the same place how special it must have been for the disciples to return there.  Acts 1:14 reveals that not only were the disciples there but also some women, especially Mary, the mother of Jesus. And His brothers were there. 

    As we look closer at Acts 1:14 Luke tells us more than the place and the people in the Upper Room, he tells us how in unity (one accord) they PRAYED.  Don’t read this too quickly.  Let this settle in your heart.  The first action we read of the disciples after Jesus ASCENDS to heaven is to PRAY.   Assuming they were in the same UPPER ROOM the last night Jesus had with the disciples they may have been flooded with memories of Jesus telling them to pray.  For instance, in John 14:12 Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.  13 “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 “If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”  Now, whether or not they were in the same room or not, they are PRAYING.  Prayer was the top priority.

    Let us consider our priority of prayer.  I repeat that the first action of the disciples after the ascension was to gather together to pray.  It would not be the last.  A reading of the Book of Acts finds one prayer meeting after another.  Here are a few examples to prove my point.
    Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
    Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
    Acts 6:4 “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
    Acts 6:6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
    Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
    Acts 13:3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
    Acts 14:23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

    Jesus told His disciples, and I believe He told us, that we would do greater works than He did because He went to His Father.  He then said ASK.  My take is He said ASK WHAT YOU NEED TO DO THE GREATER WORKS!   

    The question then is ARE WE ASKING?  Are we PRAYING?  What is the priority of prayer for your life and ministry and work and service for the Lord?  Is your life being marked with “AND WHEN YOU/THEY PRAYED”….?  

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 14 (1/14) is Acts 1:14.  It says, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

    Prayer is not a waste of time.  It is the first work that allows for your work for God to work!

    Continue Strong with prayer as a priority.
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 13 (1/13) is 1 Peter 1:13

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 13 (1/13) is 1 Peter 1:13

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 13 (1/13) is 1 Peter 1:13
    1 Peter 1:13 says, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 
    READY for Action!!

    Now that we have been blessed to have this new life in Christ provided by CHRIST (1 {Peter 1:2-12) Peter challenges the Christian to LIVE.  We are to GIRD UP THE LOINS like a runner getting ready to run a race. Think of Hebrews 12:2 which tells us, “to run the race that is set before us.” The ESV uses the word PREPARE instead of GRID.  We are to PREPARE our minds with the added idea of BEING READY TO BE INVOLVED.  Reading and studying God’s Word and praying and worshiping PREPARES our minds so that we can then LIVE OUT the wonderful Christian life we have received.  

    We are to be living like Christ and living for Christ! We live differently and we live to make a difference!! 

    To live our lives to the fullest we will need to make good decisions regarding what we personally do.  We will need to be sober-minded.  This speaks of being clear-minded as well as ALERT. Peter uses this word later in his letter as he reminds us about our adversary the Devil.  1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded; (think clearly and be alert); be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.   As believers, we must be diligent to guard our hearts and minds.  We can never lower our defenses as our adversary is constantly looking for ways to sneak in false teaching and present very appealing dressed-up temptations to devour us.  Hear and heed the call to BE SOBER MINDED, TO BE ALERT!

    And then Peter says as we are LIVING an ACTION-oriented life serving the Lord with our ALERT system fully on we look AHEAD to our glorious future.  Dr. W. A. Criswell liked to say, “LOOK UP BROTHER – LOOK UP!”  Look AHEAD brother, look AHEAD.  When we consider what is to come – that glorious day when we shall see our Savior face to face – what a day that will be!!  The best is yet to come for the believer!  Oh, what hope we have!!  LOOK AHEAD!  The apostle Paul says in Colossians 3:2 ‘When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory.” The Apostle John says in I John 3:2 ‘We know that when He shall appear we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.’  And Peter writes, “Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”  LOOK AHEAD!
      
    Verse to DATE the Word on January 13 (1/13) is 1 Peter 1:13. 1 It says, “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, (preparing your minds for action, ESV) and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

    Ready! Set! GO! AND KEEP GOING UNTIL YOU ARE GONE!

    Continue Strong running the race that is set before you!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 12 (1/12) is Philippians 1:12

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 12 (1/12) is Philippians 1:12.
    Philippians 1:12 says, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,“
    Seeing Difficult Interruptions as Divine Appointments 

    The question of WHY do bad things happen to good people is a question that has been asked for centuries. The Philippian church members wanted to know WHY a good man like the Apostle Paul who was faithfully serving the Lord would find himself arrested and in a Roman jail. Knowing his friends at Philippi were concerned about him and that his present situation or circumstances did not seem to have a purpose, Paul addresses their concerns in Philippians 1:12.   

    Looking again at our verse Paul says that the THINGS that have happened, the difficult, rough unsettling, unpleasant, hard things that have happened to him, happened so that there would be the opportunity to share Christ.  He saw his present situation OPENING CLOSED DOORS for an opportunity to SHARE THE GOSPEL.  Being in chains offered him the opportunity to proclaim the claims of Christ!  Roman soldiers of the highest order got saved. In Philippians 1:13 he writes that it has become evident to the whole palace guard and to all the rest, that his chains are in Christ. As well, he would end his letter by sending greetings from members of Caesar’s household.
    Philippians 4:22 says, “All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.”  

    To the question of WHAT IS HAPPENING, PAUL WOULD SAY SHARING JESUS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING!

    Now for an answer to the question, WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE Paul tells us that the bad, horrible circumstances just might be happening for the FURTHERANCE of the GOSPEL.   The idea of “furtherance” is CLEARING or OPENING UP A PATH.  

    We need to see our CIRCUMSTANCES as a way God CLEARS a path to COMMUNICATE CHRIST!

    Are you staying alert with your TRIALS that they may be divine appointments to share your TESTIMONY? Are you staying alert with what might be unfavorable circumstances in that you are being placed by God at that moment to have a conversation about Christ? Are you staying alert to see your various situations as opportunities to share the gospel? 

    I am praying you will have a Philippians 1:12 testimony where the things (PLURAL) which happen to you (the good, the bad, the awful things) will turn out for the furtherance of the gospel!  So be watching and be alert to God clearing paths for you to communicate the gospel.  

    New contacts through new circumstances can become new converts!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 12 (1/12) is Philippians 1:12. It says, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,”

    Turn trials into a testimony and your rough circumstances will become rejoicing celebrations!

    Continue Strong alert to divine appointments for sharing the gospel,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 11 (1/11) is 3 John 1:11

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 11 (1/11) is 3 John 1:11
    3 John 1:11 says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”
    Choose carefully who you MIMIC

    Who are your role models? Who do you look up to?  Who do you want to be like?  No matter our age we have our heroes and those we would like to be like.  As we come to our verse for discovering how God would want us to live, we find a WARNING and an EXHORTATION regarding who we MIMIC.   MIMIC is one of those words in the Greek language that we translate straight into the English language.  It means to imitate.  It means to do the very same thing.  

    Knowing that we are very prone to wanting to act like someone else John issues a warning to not MIMIC what is evil.  As he writes his letter, he is dealing with a man named Diotrephes and he is doing evil things.  John does not want people to MIMIC him.  

    On the other hand, he does exhort us to MIMIC what is good.  In his letter, John commended a man by the name of Demetrius for doing good and Demetrius is someone to look up to and to be like.  

    With this challenge to NOT mimic evil but to mimic what is good how do you see yourself applying this? Will it start to matter who you have as a role model?  Will you need to filter more carefully what you listen to or read or watch?  

    Back in our verse, we find John tells just how important it is to do good as opposed to doing evil.  He tells us that a mark of salvation is that we now do what is good.  A person who is doing evil is not someone who has come to know God.  Since we are believers, we will want to do good and in learning to do good we look to see others who are doing good and mimic them.  

    As someone who is maturing in your faith, I do remind you that you are to be an EXAMPLE to other believers so that they may MIMIC you in doing good.  1 Timothy 4:12 still rings true to all of us.  It says, “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.”  

    Not only do you want to MIMIC someone who is doing good you want others to MIMIC you as you do good!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 11 (1/11) is 3 John 1:11. It says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.”

    Choose carefully!! MIMIC those who are doing good!! 

    Continue Strong being a role model for others,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD