datethewordtest

Category: Verse to DATE

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 2 (9/2) is Psalm 9:2

    “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.” – Psalm 9:2  
    Singing with joy and gladness to the LORD

    What makes you GLAD? What brings you JOY and causes you to REJOICE? What causes your soul to SING? 

    The Psalmist will speak of being GLAD, speaking of it over 30 times. To be glad is to be satisfied.  It means one is pleased as they have experienced something pleasurable.  Has the idea of gratefulness.  The Psalmist is glad in God for God satisfied the souls.  He writes in Psalm 126:3 “The LORD has done great things for us, and we are glad.” 

    Not only is the Psalmist glad but he is also REJOICING in God!  The word “rejoice” is used over 55 times in Psalms.  It speaks of joy and cheerfulness.  As one rejoices, they are filled with delight.  One who is rejoicing is not disappointed.  The Psalmist is delighted in God as He does not disappoint! 

    Having declared how glad he is in God and how he rejoices in God brings another declaration from Psalm 9:2 in which he says, “I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”  The internal feelings of being delighted in God and satisfied by God bring about songs of praise to God.   

    The phrase “I will sing” is used over 30 times in Psalms.  David had to verbalize outwardly his inward feelings about God!  Here He sings with adoration concerning God’s great name of O Most High, the one who is superior to all!!  

    I will be glad – I will be glad in God!
    I will rejoice – I will rejoice in God!
    I will sing – I will sing to (and about) God.

    How about you?  What are your “I wills” for each day?  After all Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” 

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 2 (9/2) is Psalm 9:2. It says, “I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”  

    Maybe you would like to sing
    Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
    Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful! Is my Savior’s love for me!

    Continue strong worshiping, rejoicing, and singing with gladness to the Lord
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 1 (9/1) is Jeremiah 9:1

    “Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might
    weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” – Jeremiah 9:1
    Weeping for a Change!

    Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet! It broke his heart to see God’s people in rebellion. In Jeremiah 13:17 he wrote, “But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive.”  Here in our verse to DATE, he is basically praying that he could weep more for his people.  To see and experience the pain that God’s people were going through because of their sin, broke the heart of Jeremiah.

    WHAT BRINGS YOU TO TEARS? As you see and hear of the brokenness of this world does your heart break? As you see the brokenness of your community, and/or neighborhood/neighbors, and/or your family, and/or your country, does your heart break? Are there things you see and hear that bring you to tears – yes to weeping?  

    I am challenged by Jeremiah to weep over the sins of people.  I am challenged also by the Apostle Paul.  When we read of how he did ministry in Acts 20:31 we read of a man that shed tears for lost souls.  Acts 20:31 says, “Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn every one night and day with tears.”

    What are you shedding tears for this day? What is breaking your heart so much that you weep?  Let us remember the principle from Psalm 126:6 about the value of weeping.  Psalm 126:6 says, “He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.”   Are you weeping over lost souls?

    A great prayer to pray is Lord, break my heart with the things that are breaking Your heart!  As your eyes are opened to see what is breaking God’s heart you will begin to weep and weeping will then lead you to work to make a difference for the Lord!

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 1 (9/1) is Jeremiah 9:1. It says, “Oh, that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!”

    Personal note: Preaching a revival years ago I was standing by the doorway to the platform as the choir members were going out in front of me.  As Mrs. Martin came by me, she paused and said with tears in her eyes, “I have been praying all day for my son to get saved.”   At the invitation, her son came forward and told me he wanted to get saved!  That mom’s weeping won her son to the Lord!  Let us be weeping for a change!

    Continue Strong weeping for lost souls to be saved,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 31 (8/31) is Romans 8:31

    “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us,
    who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
    What a Savior and what a salvation!

    The Book of Romans is primarily a doctrinal book that teaches the doctrine of salvation.  Salvation is needed because ALL HAVE SINNED and come short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)  Being a sinner means one is facing the wrath of God and is under CONDEMNATION.  However, Romans 6:23 says that while the WAGES of sin is death there is the gift of God that comes from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ has paid the penalty for our sins by DYING for us and in our place.  When we trust Him for salvation, He gives us His righteousness (JUSTIFICATION) and that means we are no longer under CONDEMNATION.

    Romans 8 begins with “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1) Romans 8 (this great chapter) will begin to conclude with a question here in verse 31 and give an answer that confirms that there is NO condemnation to those IN Christ and nothing, absolutely nothing can separate us from God!! The Apostle Paul concludes Romans 8 with these reassuring words. Romans 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”   PERIOD!

    The Book of Romans starts out with man being AGAINST GOD!  It continues by revealing how God’s wrath is being poured out on man.  As man is against God, God is against man!  BUT we also learn of God’s love and mercy and grace and then that one can be justified and redeemed and reconciled back to God.  Now instead of God being against man, God is for man and there is now nothing, absolutely nothing that can be against us!   

    How might we respond?  Maybe with WHAT A SAVIOR!! WHAT A SALVATION!!!

    Verse to DATE the Word on August 31 (8/31) is Romans 8:31. It says, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

    Continue strong knowing that God is for you,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 30 (8/30) is John 8:30

    “As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.”  – John 8:30
    Many BELIEVED in Him

    As the Apostle John writes his gospel his purpose will be to convince the reader to BELIEVE in Jesus.  89 times we have the words believe, believes, and believed. The key verse of the book is John 20:31.  It says, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” 

    Believing in Jesus is the action that changes everything.  It is this action of faith that believes Jesus is who He says He is and did what He said He would do.  Believing in Jesus changes one’s earthly life and one’s eternal life. You recall, of course, John 3:16.  It says, “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. From John 3:18 we learn that “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Then in John 3:36 we read that “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”  Believing changes everything.

    Have you BELIEVED in Jesus and been saved? Like the Roman soldier in Philippi, you might be asking as he did, “What must I do to be saved?” The Apostle Paul responded in Acts 16:31 with “So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”   Paul would write to the Romans in Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

    So, I ask again have you BELIEVED in Jesus and been saved?  

    Our verse to DATE the Word on August 30 (8/30) is John 8:30. It says, “As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.” 

    Continue Strong believing in Jesus,
    And Remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 29 (8/29) is John 8:29

    “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone,
    for I always do those things that please Him.” – John 8:29
    I always do those things that PLEASE My Father

    As Jesus Christ answered questions from Jews about who He was He told them about being sent by the Father and that His Father is always with Him.  He then gives an incredible evaluation of Himself saying that He ALWAYS does the things that PLEASE Him.  In making such a self-evaluation Jesus would have reason to say what He said as the Father had spoken from heaven several times that Jesus was His beloved Son, in whom He was WELL PLEASED!  

    As Jesus lived to please His Father we are to live to PLEASE Jesus!  Listen to 2 Corinthians 5:9 where the Apostle Paul says, “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.”  Paul prayed that the Colossians would “walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, (Colossians 1:10a).  To the Thessalonians he wrote, “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;” (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

    One of the areas that have to be decided upon is whether you will do that which is pleasing in the sight of God or seek to please people.  You will not be able to PLEASE everyone.  I challenge you to make the choice and live like Jesus, doing ALWAYS the things that please God!

    Remember this: If you please God it does not matter who you displease.  If you displease God it does not matter who you please.

    Verse to DATE the Word on August 29 (8/29) is John 8:29. It says, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

    You will not hear WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT without there being WELL PLEASING first.  

    Continue Strong for Him, pleasing Him.  
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 28 (8/28) is Romans 8:28

    “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,
    to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28
    God has a Way of Working Things Out

    One of the most important verses for a believer is Romans 8:28. It is probably referred to more than any other verse as we seek to make sense of life’s circumstances when they definitely don’t make sense.  The believer will find hope and encouragement in times of difficulties and pain, trials and tribulations, heartache and failure as Romans 8:28 reveals an eternal perspective of our circumstances and situations. Our God is watching closely every detail and then working to bring about His desired outcome.  Romans 8:28 tells us that GOD is at work and while not everything that is happening is good, He works things out for His glory and our good. 

    One of the illustrations I have used to explain Romans 8:28 is the making of a chocolate chip cookie. Think about the various ingredients that are used to make a chocolate chip cookie. Individually there are ingredients that are sweet but mainly the individual ingredients are bitter, and you absolutely would not want to eat any of those ingredients alone.  But when they are put together with other ingredients you get something very enjoyable. And don’t forget that if the ingredients that are bitter were not in the mixer then it would not be a delicious chocolate chip cookie!!  It is the mixture of the bitter with the sweet that makes the cookie so good. 

    So today, on 8/28, enjoy a chocolate chip cookie and consider how God is working ALL things for His glory and your good. 

    Verse to DATE the Word on August 28 (8/28) is Romans 8:28. It says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  

    Continue Strong trusting God,
    And remember to Date the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 27 (8/27) is Mark 8:27

    “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the
    road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” – Mark 8:27
    Who is this JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH?  

    When Jesus Christ walked the earth, many questions arose from many different people about WHO HE WAS. Religious leaders and political leaders wondered WHO WAS this man from Nazareth?  John the Baptist said He was the Lamb of God. The Pharisees accused Him of being nothing more than a person born out of fornication.  They even accused Him of being a person controlled by the devil.  People He helped wondered if He could truly be the Christ.  There were lots of interesting possibilities to the answer of WHO is this Jesus of Nazareth.

    Here in the 21st century we still have debates on who Jesus was and yes, is. Is He to be placed on the list of LEGENDARY fictional figures? Is He to be placed on the list of LEGENDARY historical figures? Is He to be viewed as nothing more than a LIAR as He proclaimed to be someone and something He wasn’t? Is He to be viewed as nothing more than a LUNATIC for making such outrageous statements about Himself? Or is He to be viewed as LORD of Lords and King of Kings, the one True Messiah who came to earth from heaven’s glories?  

    As we consider WHO WAS JESUS maybe to get the best answer is to ask His Father.  In Philippians 2:9 we read, “Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Looks like the Father believes Jesus is LORD.

    Now, WHO DO YOU SAY JESUS IS?  It is an answer you don’t want to get wrong!

    The verse to DATE the Word on August 27 (8/27) is Mark 8:27.  Mark 8:27 says, “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

    Continue Strong with the knowledge that Jesus is Lord,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 26 (8/26) is Romans 8:26

    “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know
    what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes
    intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” – Romans 8:26
    Help from the HELPER!

    More than once, yes maybe more than a thousand times I have given thanks for the knowledge taught in Romans 8:26 that I have help from the HELPER, the Holy Spirit when I am praying.  My prayer life for myself and for others (I suspect yours also) has had moments of major uncertainty about what to say next.  There comes that moment of SILENCE.  Silence.  A feeling of being paralyzed.  A feeling of helplessness.  A feeling of sheer weakness.  There is the desire to be bold with our request, but we are unsure what to request.  And then into the mind comes afresh and anew Romans 8:26; “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”  Upon reflection of what the Spirit of God is doing, there are no more feelings of helplessness and weakness but rather a confidence that God will be hearing a pure prayer and will give the exact answer needed.  

    As we ponder on Romans 8:26 and the work, the ministry, of the Holy Spirit we recall that Jesus told His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit who would be the HELPER (John 14:26). The Apostle Paul here explains one of the ways He helps us in our weakness as we get to the point in praying we are too exhausted to figure out what one is facing. At the very moment as we try to utter a prayer the Holy Spirit steps in and He begins to pray for us!!! Talk about the benefits of being saved!! The believer not only gets to take everything to God in prayer, but the Holy Spirit Himself helps us pray when we are so overwhelmed, confused, and too exhausted to pray!! 

    Please know that as you are developing a dynamic and effective prayer life you will be brought to Romans 8:26 for the more we pray the more we experience “we do not know what we should pray for as we ought.”  At those moments know you have a HELPER and be very thankful for the Helper who knows our hearts, and knows the Father’s heart.   

    Verse to DATE the Word on August 26 (8/26) is Romans 8:26.  It says, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

    Continue praying with Help from the Helper!! 
    And remember to DATE the Word!!!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 25 (8/25) is Luke 8:25

    “But He said to them, (in astonishment) “Where is your faith?” And they were 
    afraid, and marveled, saying to one another (in amazement), “Who can this be?
    For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” – Luke 8:25
    A Storm Becomes A School Room

    The sudden storm on the sea during a boat ride brought about astonishment and amazement that was felt by both Jesus and His disciples. Jesus was astonished at how afraid the disciples were and the disciples were amazed at how awesome Jesus was! 

    We need to know that STORMS are like Schoolrooms for God to show us just how powerful, and AWESOME He is. The disciples’ class started with them AFRAID of a STORM and they finished class AMAZED at the SAVIOR!

    Maybe we should say that again as you may need to read that again. 
    The disciples’ class started with them AFRAID of the STORM and finished AMAZED at the SAVIOR!  

    A storm will reveal how insecure we really are. The disciples (many of them skilled fishermen) are scared to death as this sudden storm hits.  “MASTER! MASTER! WE ARE PERISHING is what they SCREAMED in Luke 8:24.”  Their screaming wakes Jesus up (He must have been SOUND asleep for one would think the storm would have awakened Him) and what happens next is just absolutely amazing.  Picture it! JESUS turns to the storm and REBUKES the storm.  The word REBUKE has the idea of demanding one honor the authority.  And quicker than the storm had suddenly come up the storm CEASED and all was CALM. 

    With the outside storm dealt with Jesus deals with another storm for there is now the storm on the inside of His disciples.  The master discipler will turn this storm into a schoolroom. His disciples are going to learn something.  To help them LEARN He asked a penetrating question “WHERE IS YOUR FAITH?:  

    Now they are afraid again for the question revealed LOTS of FEAR and LITTLE FAITH!  

    With Jesus ASTONISHED at their lack of faith, the disciples will now take inventory of the events and they find themselves asking among themselves in AMAZEMENT “Who can this be?”  This storm has brought about a new understanding of just WHO JESUS IS and just how POWERFUL Jesus is.  It would be a lesson that would help them later as they faced other storms.   

    Are you in a storm?  Are you in a vicious, raging, fierce, and ferocious storm?  What is this storm revealing about you?  Is it showing you have LOTS of FEARS and LITTLE FAITH?  What is it showing to you about Jesus?   

    In your school room of a storm may you find yourself LEARNING more ABOUT Jesus and becoming more AMAZED at Jesus. May your storm move your story from LOTS of FEARS and little faith to LOTS OF FAITH and little fear!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on August 25 (8/25) is Luke 8:25. It says, “But He said to them, “Where is your faith?” And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!” 

    A quick note – Please remember that your storms become stories that become opportunities to share the Savior!

    Continue AMAZED at Jesus!  
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!
    NOTE – Date the Word is offering a trip to Israel this January, January 15-24, 2024 and you can experience a boat ride on the sea of Galilee (can’t guarantee a storm) where this story will be taught.  check out our flyer at www.datetheword.com for more information.

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 24 (8/24) is Romans 8:24

    “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope;
    for why does one still hope for what he sees?” – Romans 8:24
    HANDLING HARDSHIPS WITH HOPE!

    In writing to the Romans the great Apostle Paul will primarily address the doctrines of SALVATION but he will also address issues that the Christian faces such as SUFFERING.  In Romans 8, starting at verse 18 he gives an eternal perspective on SUFFERING as he writes, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  As we ponder this verse, we begin to think about what will be revealed in glory, and OUR HOPE – the anticipation of a glorious future – GROWS.  

    Continuing he tells how we groan, and how even creation groans as we want the suffering to end.  In Romans 8:23 he writes that “even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”

    Now our verse to DATE tells us that WE ARE SAVED IN THIS HOPE.  One translation has it “NOW we LIVE in this HOPE!  

    What is the HOPE that saves us, delivers us, sustains us, that we live in?  It is the HOPE, the firm conviction that there will be a day when we will be in HEAVEN. We are looking FORWARD to the FUTURE!  We have a HOPE of HEAVEN!  We live in HOPE because we know the BEST IS YET TO COME.  With this HOPE of a glorious FUTURE, we can SUSTAIN the worst that is here presently.  Verse 25 tells us we eagerly wait for it (our glorious future) with perseverance.

    As you groan know that heaven awaits you!  This is your HOPE!!  And while you face pain and suffering in this present body and persecution in this present world keep your eyes of faith looking to your glorious future.  You are sustained while suffering by THIS HOPE!!

    Verse to DATE the Word on August 24 (8/24) is Romans 8:24. It says, “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?

    “Hope thus sustains the soul in the midst of trials, and enables it to bear them without a murmur.”  A. Barnes

    Continue strong staying encouraged as the BEST IS YET TO COME!! 
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!