datethewordtest

Author: admin

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 3 (12/3) is Hebrews 12:3

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 3 (12/3) is Hebrews 12:3
    Hebrews 12:3 says, For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
    EQUIPPED TO ENDURE

    As one moves from Hebrews 11 and the inspirational HALL OF FAITH the writer of Hebrews gets personal about believers RUNNING THEIR RACE.  If you did not know it God has a RACE He wants you to RUN!  As a reminder let’s read Hebrews 12:1-2.  It says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

    Having read about others who RAN THEIR RACE (HEBREWS 11) we are now called to RUN the RACE set before us.  The writer knows that he must be more than a motivational speaker here. The writer is now a COACH who is going to EQUIP the runner on HOW to RUN THEIR RACE.  He tells the runner to PREPARE to run by getting rid of the things that would HINDER them.  To run God’s race the runner is going to have to CONCENTRATE.  They cannot have the cares of this world weighing them down. To run God’s race the runner is going to have to be CONSECRATED.  The runner cannot be practicing sin for sin ENSNARES or TRAPS and TRIPS up the runner.  Practicing sin may bring about a DISQUALIFICATION.  (See 1 Cor. 9:27 and 2 Timothy 2:5) Then to run God’s race the RUNNER must have ENDURANCE.  The runner of God’s race is running to win, and winners never quit.  They have STAYABILITY!  They have tenacity and fortitude!  They are PERSISTENT and they PRESERVE.   Having ENDURANCE means there is within them a COMMITMENT to finishing!  

    One might look at the phrase “RUN WITH ENDURANCE” as more motivational than equipping. I will say that I don’t discount the need for motivational words, and I definitely do not discount encouraging words to the runner.  However, for us to run the difficult race before us in this world with all its hatred, hostility and persecution we need to be EQUIPPED to run.  So while being instructed (and maybe inspired) to run WITH ENDURANCE the verses that follow EQUIPS the runner with HOW TO RUN WITH ENDURANCE.   To run with endurance there must be the CONSIDERATION of CHRIST! Verse 2 says to endure one must “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Then our verse to DATE, verse 3, adds for being equipped to endure to “CONSIDER Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

    It is one thing to tell a person to not quit or to not give up, it is another thing to equip a person so they will not quit or give up.  More than giving inspiration to run is the writer gives instruction on how to run.  The instructions are to LOOK AT JESUS.  SEE HIS EXAMPLE.  See how HE ENDURED in the face of hostility.  The instructions are to CONSIDER what JESUS did as He faced hostility.  We know that He did not quit but we must also know WHY He did not quit. 

    And why did He not quit? HE KNEW HIS PURPOSE!!  HE KNEW GOD’S PLAN!  He had PURPOSED from the very beginning to be about His Father’s business.  When push came to shove, He SURRENDERED completely in the garden of Gethsemane, saying NOT MY WILL BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE! He decided to be OBEDIENT to the Father’s purpose and plan for His life.  
    In being EQUIPPED TO ENDURE you look to Jesus and CONSIDER CHRIST and how He endure.  Draw more than inspiration from His enduring hostility.  Draw insights on why He NEVER QUIT.  If you don’t do so you are going to become weary and discouraged running your race.  This world is no friend of the committed Christian.  It will be hostile to you.  Jesus said if they hated Him, they are going to hate us.  Thus, get equipped to endure and then run with endurance!

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 3 (12/3) is Hebrews 12:3. It says, “For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.”

    With consideration of Christ, you KEEP ON RUNNING the RACE He has set before you!  

    Continue Strong looking to Jesus!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 2 (12/2) is Romans 12:2

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 2 (12/2) is Romans 12:2
    Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” 
    Getting the WORLD out by GETTING THE WORD IN!

    As the Apostle Paul moves from doctrinal teaching to practical teaching he calls for in Romans 12:1 a PRESENTATION of one life to Lord. With the presentation, there will be DEDICATION of oneself to Lord as the believer is a living sacrifice and will live holy and acceptable to the Lord.

    In order to live holy and acceptable there will need to be a major change, a TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE whereby the mind thinks differently.  Our minds are a battlefield with the WORLD seeking to influence how it thinks in order to influence how one believes and behaves.  The “world” is a system that does not regard God’s authority.  It has no desire in doing the will of God.  The world wants a person to have it their way, doing whatever feels good and brings immediate gratification.  The world system seeks to conform us to its image. The Apostle Paul says that is not to happen writing DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD.  

    Choosing to not be conformed to this world is not easy UNLESS one understands the positive that the Apostle Paul gives by teaching that one can BE TRANSFORMED by renewing the mind.  Instead of letting the world’s ideas in our minds, we RENEW our minds by PUTTING in the WORD’s instructions in our minds.   We are able to GET THE WORLD OUT by PUTTING THE WORD IN. 

    WORD IN! WORLD OUT!!!

    Notice I used the word “PUTTING in the Word“ to renew one’s mind as one must be intentional!  It takes discipline.  Recall from Psalms 119:9 that asked, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”  To help heed God’s Word one then needs to HIDE God’s Word so one can draw on it when facing temptations!  Psalm 119:11 says, “Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!”  This is the PUTTING in the WORD.  

    When the world is going in you are going to have sin.
    When the Word is going in (and you heed/obey it) you are going to have sanctification.

    When a person moves from sinning to living sanctified you have TRANSFORMATION! And with transformation one now WANTS TO KNOW and DO what God’s will is for their life.  

    As you consider Romans 12:2 may I ask the question of how have you CHANGED, CHANGED LATELY?  The transformed life will have you BECOMING more like CHRIST and less like the world and, listen, less like you.  Remember the word for transformed is “metamorphosis” and is used for the change of, the transformation of a caterpillar to a butterfly.  Thus you should be continually CHANGING.  

    Let me lastly ask are you allowing the world to get into your mind?  Or are you intentionally PUTTING, HIDING God’s Word in your heart?   

    Getting the WORLD out means PUTTING God’s WORD IN!!  WORD IN!  WORLD OUT!!

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 2 (12/2) is Romans 12:2.  It says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

    Continue Strong intentionally putting God’s WORD in which brings about a transformed life!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • 25 Verses to DATE the Word for Christmas

    25 verses to DATE the Word for Christmas
    Luke 2:19  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
    As Mary found herself participating in the birth of the Messiah she saw and heard, yes, experienced so many incredible things that Luke writes she TREASURED UP these moments and PONDERED ON THEM, I would like to put before you 25 verses to TREASURE UP and PONDER ON this Christmas season.  The verses will go from 1 to 25 (not in chronological order) and every now and then there will be two for a number.  You can read this in one sitting and/or you can read them as 25 verses till Christmas, one a day.  Feel free to use this resource as you see fit! 

    Genesis 1:1  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

    Matthew 1:1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

    Micah 5:2  “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

    Luke 2:3  So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,  

    In Galatians 4:4-5 Paul tells us that at just the right time God sent the Messiah to redeem us.

    Galatians 4:4  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5  to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

    I John 3:5  you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.
    Isaiah 9:6  For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

    Luke 2:7  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.

    Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.

    I John 3:8  He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

    Matthew 2:9  When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.

    Matthew 2:10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  
    Luke 2:11  “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  
    Matthew 2:11  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
    Luke 2:12  “And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”  

    Luke 2:13 -14 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:  “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
    Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

    John 1:14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
    Genesis 3:15  And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
    (The protoevangelium – first gospel)

    John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17  “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

    Hebrews 2:17  Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

    Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  

    Luke 2:19  But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.  

    Luke 2:20  Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

    Matthew 1:21  “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

    Luke 2:22  Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord  

    Matthew 1:23  “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

    Matthew 1:24  Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,  

    Matthew 1:25  and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

    Merry Christmas!
    Dwayne and Donita
    Date the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 1 (12/1) is Romans 12:1

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 1 (12/1) is Romans 12:1
    Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” 
    A PRESENTATION that will lead to TRANSFORMATION

    Romans is the first book that is called the Epistles of Paul.  Following the 4 Gospels that tell the stories of Jesus Christ, we have the book of Acts which tells the birth of the Church.   Now that the world has the church and has Christians both the church and Christians need to know WHAT THEY BELIEVE and HOW TO BEHAVE.   The book of Romans is known primarily as a book where we learn what we believe or a DOCTRINAL book.  However, it does gives a significant amount of teaching for how to behave as a believer.   The transitional verse for moving from the great doctrines to practical living is Romans 12:1.  The word that sets the transition up is “THEREFORE.”  I was taught, and maybe you as well, that when you read the word “therefore” you ask what is before the therefore?”  

    As a quick reminder, what is before the “therefore” of Romans 12:1 is the teaching that the just lives by faith. (Rom. 1:17).  One then learns of CONDEMNATION and of JUSTIFICATION and of SANCTIFICATION.   

    With a quick review of what has happened to us as believers, the Apostle Paul APPEALS to us to now live ACCEPTABLE lives to God.  To live acceptably to God is to make a PRESENTATION of oneself as a living sacrifice.   A sacrifice in the Old Testament was something that was dedicated to the Lord.  The believer is now presenting themselves as a dedicated vessel to the Lord. A believer GIVES themselves totally to the Lord.  This dedication of oneself impacts future behavior as now the believer is going to live a holy life.  Whereas the unbeliever lived in and for sin, the believer is now living for holiness and righteousness.  The presentation brings about a huge transformation.   From sinful living, the believer is now living a sanctified, holy life.  

    How have you responded to the appeal of Romans 12:1?  Have you PRESENTED yourself to God as a vessel, a dedicated vessel to live a holy life, to live for Him?  

    On a personal note I wrote a mission statement for my life by Romans 12:1 that goes, “Lord, I want to be a clean, holy, vessel in Your hand to be used to impact the world for Your glory.”

    Maybe today you need to interact with Romans 12:1 and write out a personal commitment to the Lord.  Based on all that God has done for you, showing you His mercies, respond to the appeal to make a PRESENTATION of yourself to the Lord!

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 1 (12/1) is Romans 12:1. It says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

    Continue Strong as HIS HOLY VESSEL,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 30 (11/30) is Proverbs 11:30

    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 30 (11/30) is Proverbs 11:30.
    Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.  
    Living a Life that brings and gives LIFE!

    If there is ever a question of whether there are any benefits to living right Proverbs 11:30 gives one of the greatest!  Living life right brings life to life in your life!  And BTW living wrong (sinfully) brings death to life in your life. If you are wondering where that thought comes from notice James 1:14 -15. “But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”  When you yield to a temptation it gives birth (or life) to sin and then the sin gives birth (or life) to death.  When you do wrong (sinning) you bring death to life in your life.  But from Proverbs 11:30a when you do right you bring life to life in your life!  I have to believe you would rather bring life to life in your life than death to life in your life!  

    The person who is living right and experiencing an abundant life will also want others to have life. Proverbs 11:30b tells us that a WISE person wins souls.  The wise have come to understand their need for Christ and have gotten saved and now they want OTHERS to know how they can be saved.  

    It has been said that soul-winning is one beggar telling another beggar where to find food!  

    Are you witnessing for the Lord?  Are you sharing Christ with anyone presently?  Do you have a burden to see a friend, a relative, an associate, a neighbor, or even a stranger come to know Jesus?  One of the characteristics of a wise person is they want to see lost people saved and will look for opportunities to share Christ with the lost!

    As we head into the Christmas season, I challenge you to think, to look, for ways to share the good news of the gospel.  One way is to send a gospel-centered Christmas card.  One of my favorites is God sent us a Savior,  It reads:
    f our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.
    If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
    If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
    But since our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior!

    It looks like this:
    Christmas Boxed Cards God Sent Us a Savior -- Click image to ...
    Be praying and proactive to be a soul winner, especially over Christmas!

    The verse to DATE the Word on November 30 (11/30) is Proverbs 11:30. It says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”

    Continue Strong living right and being the light!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 29 (11/29) is Hebrews 11:29

    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 29 (11/29) is Hebrews 11:29
    Hebrews 11:29 says, “By faith THEY passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.”
    THEY!!!!  

    Hebrews 11 is the HALL OF FAITH and obviously, it has the best of the best of men and women who BELIEVED GOD to do what HE SAID! It tells of ABEL and of NOAH! It tells of ABRAHAM, who is the father of faith.  It tells of SARAH and of ISSAC and of JACOB and of JOSEPH and of MOSES.  If the writer had the time he would have told of DAVID and DANIEL and ISAIAH and GIDEON for the OT is filled with individuals who BY FAITH.  However, as we look at Hebrews 11:29 we see a most unusual word in that the writer does not give a NAME but rather says, “THEY.”  

    I don’t know about you but seeing “they” caught me a little off guard.  I was not ready for “THEY.”  When I think of a Hall of Fame I think of individuals.  I think of an individual doing something spectacular.  Yet here we have THEY and we don’t know who THEY ARE.  What do know is WHAT THEY did as they PASSED through the RED SEA on dry land which was SPECTACULAR!

    To get the significance of “THEY” faith recall the story of Exodus 14.  THEY were coming out EGYPT, having been freed from brutal Egyptian slavery, and were now headed to the PROMISED Land.  As THEY followed Moses following God they were brought to what can only be called a DEAD END as they faced the Red Sea with high mountains on both sides and the Egyptian army coming after them in the rear.  At this DEAD END, God tells Moses to tell them (THEY) to MOVE FORWARD!  (Ex. 14:15).  Exodus 14:21 now tells us “Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; And the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. 22  So the children of Israel (THEY) went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.”

    Wouldn’t you have loved to have a drone flying above with that birdseye view of “THEY” taking the first steps onto God’s solid and dry road through the sea?  Wouldn’t you have loved to see THEY’S faces as THEY walked with the WALLS of water on both sides?  Wouldn’t you have loved to see them taking one step after another?  THEY were putting spectacular faith on display!

    Martin Luther King, Jr said, ‘“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”  THEY took the first step and they keep walking even with walls of water on both sides!

    Are you a “THEY” with a ministry?  Churches need more than a pastor with FAITH.  It needs God’s people, the “THEY,” to have FAITH!  Churches need THEY who take that first step and MOVE FORWARD even when THEY can’t see the WHOLE staircase!  

    Maybe it is time for some of you to get off the bank and STEP OUT with the THEY of a church or a ministry and make something happen for the Lord.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 29 (11/29) is Hebrews 11:29. It says, “By faith THEY passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.”

    Continue Strong being a THEY by faith in a church or ministry!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 28 (11/28) is Matthew 11:28

    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 28 (11/28) is Matthew 11:28, Matthew 11:28
    Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 
    COME TO JESUS!

    Matthew 11:28 is the first great general invitation extended by Jesus as He says, “Come to Me.” The purpose of the invitation is to provide REST for any and everyone who is under the burden of sin.  The invitation comes personally from Jesus as only He will be able to provide the REST.  He does not say GO AND SEE or GO AND DO.  He says Come to ME! 

    Considering the verse, notice the conditions of the invited for they are those “who labor and are heavy laden.” This speaks of those laboring for salvation.  The word conveys very hard labor making no progress.  Along with the labor is the weight of sin that continues to pile up. The conditions of those invited are one of helplessness and hopelessness.  Without someone else helping there is no hope.  A sinner cannot get themselves out from under the burden of sin and nor can other sinners help them.  It is these horrible and hopeless conditions that make this invitation from Jesus so wonderful.  He invited the hopeless to find the help they needed!

    Now notice the PROVISION from the inviter; “I WILL GIVE YOU REST!”  REST means one is to be totally free from having to do anything, and totally free from any weight upon one. Coming to Jesus means Jesus handles all of our sin problems. For instance, the entire penalty of sin is removed.  What a relief the sinner finds coming to Jesus!

    Now notice the little word “ALL.” This is the extension of the invitation and it is not just to a select group of people but to ALL.  ALL means ALL and that is ALL that ALL means!  The invitation is to ALL! It is to EVERYONE in the world regardless of color or nationality; regardless of being Jew or Gentile; regardless of social or economic status; rich or poor; educated or uneducated; male or female; young or old!  Everyone is included in the word “ALL.” 

    ANYONE AND EVERYONE CAN COME TO JESUS and He will give them REST!

    Come to Him today and receive REST for your soul!

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 28 (11/28) is Matthew 11:28, Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

    The invitation to have your sins removed so that you might have rest is extended to ALL and ALL includes YOU!  What a SAVIOR!!

    Continue Strong by coming to Him,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 27 (11/27) is Hebrews 11:27

    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 27 (11/27) is Hebrews 11:27
    Hebrews 11:27 says, “By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.“
    FAITH CONQUERS ALL FEARS

    This is one of my favorite statements in the Hall of Faith list as MOSES was not AFRAID of an earthly king (who happened to be one of the most powerful of all time at that time) because – BECAUSE – he had His eyes clearly set on God – described here as INVISIBLE!  Comparing the powerful earthly king to the ALL POWERFUL CREATOR of the universe caused Moses’ fear to disappear!! FAITH conquers FEAR!!!  Moses moves forward fearlessly by faith forsaking Egypt!  He endured or persevered, never looking back because by faith his eyes were fixed on the Invisible! 

    As we consider faith, specifically the faith of Moses, we conclude that faith sees the INVISIBLE hand of God.  Faith sees the INVISIBLE heart of God! FAITH SEES THE INVISIBLE WHO IS ABLE TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE!!!

    FAITH SEES THE INVISIBLE WHO IS ABLE TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE!!!

    Today I pray for you to see the INVISIBLE who is able to do the impossible with your life!

    May FAITH in GOD conquer all your fears about doing what God has for you!!! May you move forward fearlessly into the future God has for you, walking by FAITH, not sight! 

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 27 (11/27) is Hebrews 11:27.  It says, “By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.”

    What fears do you have that require FAITH in GOD to conquer?

    Continue Strong by FAITH!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 26 (11/26) is Acts 11:26

    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 26 (11/26) is Acts 11:26
    Acts 11:26 says, “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.
    So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

    Living up to your Name

    Our verse to consider speaks of three actions.  First, we read of Barnabas going to Tarsus to search for Saul (soon to be called Paul), and when he finds him, he brings him to Antioch, where God is working and blessing. Barnabas will be a tremendous encouragement to Saul in his spiritual development.  With Saul now in a place where God is working, we see the second action in which Saul and Barnabas start teaching.  And then a third action takes place as people begin to notice that people who follow the teaching about Christ are living like Christ and they are called CHRISTIANS.  A CHRISTIAN is one who is a FOLLOWER of CHRIST.  This name or title comes after a time in which those who followed Jesus had been called followers of THE WAY or Galileans or Nazarenes.  Now in Antioch, those who follow Christ are called CHRISTIANS.

    I would like to present two questions to you based on this word “Christian.” 
    First, are you a Christian?  In Acts 26:28, “Agrippa said unto Paul, you almost persuade me to become a Christian;” While King Agrippa knew the truth, he still was not a CHRISTIAN.  Are you almost persuaded to be a Christian?  Are you still considering the claims of Christ?  Or has there been a time when you understood you are a sinner in need of a Savior and that Jesus Christ is that one and only Savior and you called on Him for salvation?  I respectfully but seriously ask are you a CHRISTIAN?  

    My second question is for those who said yes to the above question.  Are you living like a Christian?  Are your beliefs and behavior like that of Christ?   Are you living up to your new title of being a Christian?

    A story is told of Alexander the Great that there was a day in which after a battle he saw a group of his men being marched to the back of the lines to be executed by his men.  The rules of battle from Alexander the Great was that if you deserted during battle you were to be executed.  Upon seeing the deserters Alexander the Great noticed one very young man, basically still a boy.  Alexander the Great rode up to him he asked the young man what had happened.  Trembling the young man said how he was in the very thick of the battle and seeing men die all around him he became fearful and he turned and ran.  

    At this moment Alexander the Great has compassion and extended a pardon to him.  Alexander the Great then asked the young man what his name was.  The young man lifted his head to say proudly that his name was like his, Alexander!   At this moment the smile on Alexander the Great’s face disappeared and he spoke firmly to the pardoned young man, “Either live up to your name or change it.”

    Are you living up to the name Christian?   The apostle Paul would write to the Philippians in Philippians 1:27, “Only let your conduct be WORTHY of the gospel of Christ.”

    I trust you are a CHRISTIAN because you have been born again!  I trust that you are living up to the name Christian, giving clear evidence in belief and behavior that you are a follower of Christ!

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 26 (11/26) is Acts 11:26. Acts 11:26.  It says, “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

    Continue Strong Living up to the name Christian!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 25 (11/25) is Proverbs 11:25

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 25 (11/25)
    is Proverbs 11:25
    Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 25 (11/25) is Proverbs 11:25. Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”
    KJV: Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
    ESV: Proverbs 11:25  Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
    HCSB: Proverbs 11:25  A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water.
    NLT:  Proverbs 11:25 The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

    The multiple BLESSINGS of being GENEROUS!

    I wanted to have you see a few translations of Proverbs 11:25 as the word Hebrew word in which we get generous can be translated as LIBERAL or as BLESSING.   When we think of someone being generous we think of one freely giving and freely giving really more than what is expected and that which is given is a tremendous blessing.  I would think you have been the recipient at some point of someone’s generosity. I know I have been a multitude of times.  My hope is that you are also one who has been the one who extended generosity to others.   Our verse is APPEALING that we choose to be generous as it reveals the advantages, the benefits, of being generous.  

    There is an old saying that tells us you can’t outgive God.  Proverbs 11:25 conveys that saying.  As you are a blessing you will be blessed.  As you provide water you will be receiving back water.  You just can’t outgive God.  

    So how is your thinking when it comes to YOUR MONEY?  On a scale of 1-10 with 1 low and 10 high, are you a KEEPER?  On a scale of 1-10 with 1 low and 10 high, are you a GIVER?  

    For me, it is hard to look at Proverbs 11:25 without looking at Proverbs 11:24. It says, “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty.”  

    The stingy tight-fisted person thinks they are going to be better off because they are KEEPERS.  The picture of Proverbs 11:24 is from the world of agriculture and pictures the scattering of a seed like wheat.  Being stingy with the seed wheat leads to a small harvest, but a bountiful scattering of seeds leads to a bumper harvest! 

    You do get to make your choice with your money.  Proverbs 11:25 lets you know that being a blessing brings blessings!  BEING A BLESSING BRINGS BLESSINGS.  Your blessing to another blesses them and it will bless you!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 25 (11/25) is Proverbs 11:25. It says, “The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”

    BEING A BLESSING BRINGS BLESSINGS.

    Continue Strong being generous.
    And remember to DATE THE WORD