datethewordtest

Category: Verse to DATE

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 24 (7/24) is Matthew 7:24

    “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken
    him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:” – Matthew 7:24
    Matthew 7:24 begins the conclusion of the greatest sermon ever preached called the SERMON ON THE MOUNT.  Jesus Christ started His ministry in Galilee and He has taken (I love how the Message says it) His climbing companions (Mt. 5:2) up on a mount overlooking the Sea of Galilee.  Here He will teach then and what He taught is presented to us in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. 

    As this sermon wraps up, we learn much about the expectations of Jesus regarding what He has taught. He tells the listeners to be more than listeners and be DOERS of His sermon. For Jesus, there is to be an APPLICATION of the INSTRUCTIONS.  His message is not merely INFORMATION but indeed they are INSTRUCTIONS for living life the way God intended life to be lived.  

    To drive home the point of the importance of BEING A DOER Jesus will use an illustration where one would build a house.  As well as give a vivid characteristic of a person based on their actions toward His instructions. The one who TAKES ACTIONS, and APPLIES His teaching is considered WISE as opposed to being FOOLISH.  To illustrate how this person is wise He says they are like a person deciding to build a house on solid ground!  Those who are listening and then DOING are building their life on SOLID GROUND that will withstand the storms of life.

    On the other hand, He will point out that those who only listen and do not put into action are like fools who build their homes on the sand, which easily shifts, providing no security. 

    How about you? Are you a DOER or just a hearer of the Word?  Are you a learner who LIVES what you are learning?  Are you a wise person who applies the Word of God so that your life will be being built on a solid foundation?

    As I consider Matthew 7:24 I find myself having a personal concern as well as a concern for you that read this devotion.  That concern is that we would be educated in the Word of God beyond our obedience.  While being blessed to have the knowledge of God’s Word we may very well not be applying the knowledge. Are you educated beyond your obedience? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on July 24 (7/24) is Matthew 7:24. It says, “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:”  

    BTW – God did not just give us His Word for information but for TRANSFORMATION and TRANSFORMATION only happens with APPLICATION!

    Continue Strong being a DOER of the Word,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 23 (7/23) is Jeremiah 7:23

    “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be
    your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have
    commanded you, that it may be well with you.” – Jeremiah 7:23
    Trust and Obey

    Our wonderful, loving, great, and glorious God looks for His people to OBEY! It is a theme spoken over and over.  The first time we see God’s call to obey Him is in Exodus as from Exodus 19:5 we read “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.”  Throughout Deuteronomy, one will read of the calls to OBEY God.  Here are but a few examples:
    Deut. 12:28  “Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do [what is] good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.
    Deut. 13:4  “You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice, and you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.
    Deut. 15:5  “Only if you carefully obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today.

    Obedience opens doors of blessings while disobedience brings burdens accompanied by heartache and pain which sometimes comes from the discipline of God, but more often from the very consequences of the sin.  

    When it comes to how much God VALUES obedience, we only have to read what Samuel said to King Saul in I Samuel 15:22. It reads, “Then Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,..”  OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE.
     
    Our God also wants us to walk in His ways. We are not to walk the ways of the world or surely not in the selfish ways of our own hearts.   To walk in His ways is to WALK WITH HIM and to WALK LIKE HIM!

    Are you obeying His commands? Are you walking in the ways of God?

    Sometimes as I read a verse a song comes to mind and with Jeremiah 7:23 I can’t help but think of Trust and Obey.  Here is a portion of that hymn:
    When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word What a glory He sheds on our way!
    While we do His good will, He abides with us still And with all who will trust and obey!
    Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet Or we’ll walk by His side in the way
    What He says we will do, where He sends we will go Never fear, only trust and obey!
    Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!

    Verse to DATE the Word on July 23 (7/23) is Jeremiah 7:23. It says, “But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.”

    Obedience opens doors of BLESSINGS!  Disobedience brings burdens!

    Continue Strong trusting and OBEYING GOD,
    And remember to DATE the Word
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 22 (7/22) is 2 Samuel 7:22

    “Therefore You are great, O LORD GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” – 2 Samuel 7:22
    How Great is our God!

    A consideration of God brings an immediate conclusion of His GREATNESS, as in there is no one like Him, no one even close. We now use the word “GOAT” to describe a person in sports as the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. That title is temporary.  As well that title might be shared.  But when we consider God He is the one and the only GREATEST OF ALL TIME!

    Notice a few other verses that tell us of God being the GREATEST:
    Psalm 145:3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.
    *Our great God should be praised greatly!  How might you do that?
    Deuteronomy 10:17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God.
    Psalm 95:3 For the Lord is the great God, and a great King above all gods.
    Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.

    These are but a few verses to teach us (remind us) that GOD IS GREAT!!

    In considering the greatness of God it is really hard for me not to consider the Hymn HOW GREAT THOU ART.  I hope you pause to read (sing) 
    Oh Lord, my God when I, in awesome wonder 
    Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made:
    I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
    Thy power throughout the universe displayed!
    Chorus – Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
    How great Thou art, how great Thou art
    Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
    How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
    And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
    Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
    That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
    He bled and died to take away my sin!
    Chorus – Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
    How great Thou art, how great Thou art
    Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
    How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
    When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
    And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
    Then I shall bow, in humble adoration
    And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
    Chorus – Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
    How great Thou art, how great Thou art
    Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
    How great Thou art, how great Thou art
     
    Verse to DATE on July 22 (722) is 2 Samuel 7:22. It says, “Therefore You are great, O LORD GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”

    Having a little fun what other words beginning with the letter G would you use to describe our GREAT God?

    Continue Strong considering HOW GREAT GOD IS,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 21 (7/21) is Deuteronomy 7:21

    “You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great 
    and awesome God, is among you.” – Deuteronomy 7:21
    OUR GOD IS A GREAT AND AWESOME GOD!! 

    GREAT and AWESOME are two extraordinary descriptive words for our God. Here they are used to reveal to His people what He can do as they face enemies as they go into the Promised Land. Before them would be numerous enemies with great numbers who were very powerful and would easily strike fear into their hearts.  Because of this God lets them know WHO WOULD BE WITH THEM!  Because of WHO He was and what He could do His people would not need to be afraid of anyone or anything.  

    Interestingly these words are used by Nehemiah as he is leading God’s people to rebuild the wall and they are facing enemies. In Nehemiah 4:14 it says Nehemiah “looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes.” 

    The challenge to God’s people was very personal to Nehemiah as he himself had remembered that God was great and awesome when he began praying about needing God to rebuild Jerusalem. As he prayed he acknowledged God as great and awesome. (Nehemiah 1:5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome.”)  Knowing WHO God was and what God could do strengthened Nehemiah’s faith to trust God to do the miraculous. 

    It is ESSENTIAL for you to be GROWING IN KNOWLEDGE of who God is as it impacts how you think about God!! You must know that:
    HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GOD DETERMINES HOW YOU PRAY. 
    HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GOD DETERMINES HOW YOU LIVE.
    HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GOD DETERMINES HOW YOU DO the WORK the MINISTRY! 

    How are you presently thinking about God as you face challenges?  How does the knowledge of who God is and what God does as revealed in Deuteronomy 7:21 help you?

    Verse to DATE the Word on July 21 (7/21) is Deuteronomy 7:21. It says, “You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you.”

    As you face this day what characteristic(s) of God do you need to meditate on?  Be sure to meditate on the attributes of GREAT and AWESOME.

    Continue strong knowing how GREAT and AWESOME God is,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

    BTW –  As I was growing up I watched the cartoon show UNDERDOG.  It was one of my favorites.  Underdog loved to let people know to HAVE NO FEAR, UNDERDOG IS HERE.  For us as believers, we have Someone far greater than a cartoon figure named UNDERDOG who is telling us to HAVE NO FEAR as the GREAT AND AWESOME GOD IS HERE!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 20 (7/20) is Ecclesiastes 7:20

    “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” – Ecclesiastes 7:20
    STATUS: SINNER. A Sinner in NEED of a SAVIOR.

    As Christians, we believe that ALL HAVE SINNED and COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.  Christianity believes every human being is a SINNER.  The significance of this belief leads us to state that every human being is in need of a SAVIOR.  NUMEROUS Scriptures back up our premise of this belief including our verse for July 20. 

    Along with Ecclesiastes 7:20, other verses convey this essential, non-negotiable Biblical truth:
    Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
    Romans 3:10  As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
    James 2:10  For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
    Psalm 14:3  They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
    Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
    Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

    Our status is without any doubt that of being a sinner.  And as a sinner, we are separated from God and face a PENALTY as Romans 6:23 states “For the wages of sin is death.”

    Yet our status of being a SINNER, thankfully, can be changed because there is a SAVIOR!!  After the bad news there comes some VERY GOOD NEWS.   Notice a few of those good news verses:
    Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
    Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    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.”
    John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
    1 Corinthians 15:3  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 
    2 Corinthians 5:21  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

    To have your status changed you need to personally ask Jesus to be your Savior.  
    Romans 10:9 says, 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. 10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
    13  For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on July 20 (7/20) is Ecclesiastes 7:20   It says, “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” 

    What a reminder of what humanity’s status is but also to know that status can change because of Jesus Christ.  What a reminder that we need to share Jesus so a person’s status can change from sinner to saint!

    Continue strong grateful for the status change our Savior provides,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 19 (7/19) is Luke 7:19

    “And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, asking,
    “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” – Luke 7:19
    Difficulties Raise Doubts

    The very best of the followers of Jesus can go through incredibly difficult times and as those difficulties mount so do the possibilities of doubt mounting.  John the Baptist was one of the very best.  He was the forerunner to the Messiah and in John 1:29 he made the announcement of announcements when he “saw Jesus coming toward him,” he boldly and clearly PROCLAIMED “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  

    However, as John did his assigned ministry, he found himself in jail with a pending execution soon to come because he had made it clear to King Herod that “It was not lawful for him to have his brother’s wife.” The woman was named Herodias. Herodias was furious that the prophet of God had pointed out their sin and she wanted John the Baptist executed. YIKES!!!

    Sitting in jail John the Baptist begins to have doubts.  He begins to have doubts about Jesus and whether Jesus was really who he had proclaimed Jesus to be.  He calls his disciples to go and ask Jesus “Are You the Coming One or (fastening your seatbelts) OR do we look for another?”   DOUBLE YIKES!!!!  The difficulty that John found himself in raised a huge doubt about WHO JESUS WAS.  John the Baptist is doubting.  He is unsure.  One of the best now has on his resume that he DOUBTED. 

    I will go one more step.  That he QUESTIONED what he believed.

    Have you ever doubted since you got saved?  Have you ever doubted that God has your best interest in mind?  Have you questioned what you believe?

    Have you ever talked with someone who is in the dungeon of doubt?  

    I am thinking the answer to both my above questions is yes.  I can tell you that my answer to both is yes.  

    To DATE Luke 7:19 is to know that John the Baptist was honest with his thoughts, and his doubts.  In the dungeon of doubt, he sent word to JESUS.  Don’t miss that.  Please don’t miss this.  He sent word to Jesus that he was having doubts. 

    To DATE Luke 7:19 is to also know how Jesus responded. 
    Notice Luke 7:20-23 “When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. 22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23  “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

    How did Jesus respond?  With a scathing rebuke? No  With profound disappointment?  No.  He answered John’s doubts with Scripture.  Don’t miss this!  I say He answered with Scripture because what Jesus told John’s disciples to tell John was that the prophesied ministry of the Messiah was being fulfilled.  In other words, He answered John’s question with YES, I am the coming one and NO, you do not need to look for another one.

    Difficulties have the very real potential to raise DOUBT.  You may have them.  Family and friends and those in your fellowship may have them.  When you or they have them remember John the Baptist. And remember how he took his doubts to Jesus and remember how Jesus responded by pointing John to the Scriptures.   Why the Scriptures?  Because faith quenches doubts! Remember Romans 10:17.  It says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on July 19 (7/19) is Luke 7:19 and it says, “And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, asking, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

    Be honest as doubt mounts.  Bring the questions to Jesus.  

    Continue Strong taking all doubts to Jesus,
    And remember to DATE the Word 

    BTW – Drown your doubts by soaking yourself in the Scriptures.

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 18 (7/18) is Micah 7:18

    “Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity, and passing over the
    transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His
    anger forever, because He delights in mercy.” – Micah 7:18
    WHO IS A GOD LIKE YOU?  

    Micah 7:18 asks and then answers one of life’s greatest questions as Micah asks WHO IS A GOD LIKE YOU?  While I believe you most likely have already settled the question IS THERE A GOD with the affirmative answer of YES, OF COURSE, you may find yourself asking WHO IS THIS GOD? I know I have.  I love coming across Scriptures that reveal WHO GOD IS. 

    WHO IS OUR GOD?
    Micah tells us that He is a forgiving God.  He tells us that God passes over (covers over)  transgressions.  He tells us that God does not stay angry which of course tells us that our God does get angry.  Micah tells us that GOD DELIGHTS IN MERCY.   

    Not sure how you are relating and reacting to those characteristics of our God.  I find myself a little awe-struck. Maybe a little astonished. This description is different than my younger view of God who I pictured sitting on a large white throne with a huge stick to beat me each and every time I messed up.  I don’t think I would have described God in terms of DELIGHTING in MERCY.  

    Yet God does delight in mercy.  Ponder on that.  God delights in mercy.  He delights in not giving us what we deserve.  The Apostle Paul tells us that God is RICH in mercy.  Jeremiah writes in Lamentations 3:22 that “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”  

    David wrote several times of God being merciful. For instance: 
    Ps 103:8  The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
    Ps 116:5  Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; Yes, our God is merciful.

    How do you respond to such information about our God?  David said that he would sing!
    Ps 59:16  But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.
    Ps 59:17  To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, My God of mercy.
    Ps 89:1 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.
    Ps 101:1 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.

    Verse to DATE the Word on this July 18 (7/18) is Micah 7:18.  It says, “Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity, and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.”  

    How do you respond to learning about our God?  You are challenged to sing about His mercy (mercies) and to share your stories of His mercy. (Ps. 89:1) And keep on growing in the knowledge of WHO YOUR GOD IS for there is none like Him!

    Continue Strong knowing more about God,
    And remember to DATE the Word
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 17 (7/17) is Revelation 7:17

    “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them 
    and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe
    away every tear from their eyes.” – Revelation 7:17
    As I read this precious verse, I can’t help but think of the song “THERE IS COMING A DAY…No more tears to dim the eyes….. What a day, glorious day that will be!”  Can you imagine NO MORE TEARS! 

    Our verse tells us of a glorious future.  For the believer, the BEST is yet to come!  Revelation 7:17 tells us that our Savior, the Lamb of God will SHEPHERD us.  To read that word surely takes you to Psalm 23 and verse 1 where David wrote, “The Lord is my SHEPHERD, I shall not want.”   

    In heaven, the Lamb of God shepherds us by leading us to LIVING FOUNTAINS OF WATER. As David’s Shepherd led one to the still waters, so we will be brought to the LIVING FOUNTAINS of WATER.  There will be no more thirst!!  

    “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”  This phrase has been a longing in the heart of God’s people since Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 25:8 “He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces.”  Not that we needed it but this precious future act of God is repeated in Revelation 21:4.  It says, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

    Friends, there is COMING A DAY where there will be NO MORE TEARS.  No more tears of heartache. No more tears of pain.  No more tears from hearing awful news.  No more tears from suffering, especially watching those we love suffering. (Can you imagine how a persecuted believer felt as they read this?) No more tears of sorrow. No more tears holding a loved one’s hand as they die. No more tears standing at a grave.  

    There is COMING A DAY of NO MORE TEARS!

    Verse to DATE the Word on this July 17 (7/17) is Revelation 7:17 “For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”   

    Always remember that for the BELIEVER THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

    Continue Strong with the blessed hope in your heart,
    And remember to DATE the Word
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 16 (7/16) is Matthew 7:16

    “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from
    thornbushes or figs from thistles?” – Matthew 7:16
    Look for the FRUIT!!

    As Jesus gives the grave warning about false prophets, He gives one of the most basic illustrations to help us know the difference between the real and the false.  In Matthew 7:15 He says, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”  He then continues by letting us know how to determine the true heart of someone by teaching, “You will know them BY THEIR FRUIT.”  He continues with a very common-sense question asking “Can a man gather grapes from a thornbush or figs from thistles” with the answer of course not.  Thus, you can tell the false prophet by their fruit or lack thereof.

    Look for the FRUIT!!  Be a FRUIT INSPECTOR!

    Just as it takes time for an apple tree to produce apples and grape vines to produce grapes one will over time be able to tell who really has had a changed heart by Christ. The Christian will produce the fruits of righteousness (James 3:18)  and fruits of holiness (Romans 6:22) as well as there will be the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).  Others will start seeing the supernatural fruit of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control come from your life.

    Another way of saying this is ACTIONS speak LOUDER than words. 
    Or a person’s BEHAVIOR reveals their true BELIEFS. 

    So, more than the question WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART I ask WHAT IS COMING FROM YOUR HEART as evil deeds come from an evil heart and good deeds from a good heart. Luke 6:45 says “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; And an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”  

    As believers, we must beware of FALSE TEACHERS.  Just because someone calls themselves a Christian does not mean they are one.  Matter of fact this section of the Sermon on the Mount will have Jesus teaching that “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) 

    So, look for the FRUIT.  Be a fruit inspector.  

    Verse to DATE on July 16 (7/16) is Matthew 7:16. It says, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”

    And BTW – you will be known by your FRUIT.

    Continue Strong discerning the false from the true,
    And remember to DATE the Word
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 15 (7/15) is 1 Samuel 7:15

    “Samuel gave solid leadership to Israel his entire life.” – 1 Samuel 7:15 (The Message)
    Providing SOLID Leadership Consistently and Constantly

    Two words STAND OUT as we read about the OT prophet Samuel here in 1 Samuel 7:15. I cannot help but notice the words SOLID and ENTIRE.  Do those two words not seem remarkable, awe-inspiring, yes, outstanding? Samuel gave SOLID leadership and solid leadership for his ENTIRE life!!  Unfortunately, they also seem to be two words that are unique as we look at the current landscape of leadership.

    Friends, we need SOLID leadership in our families, our churches, our communities, our country, and in our world! Friends, you need to provide SOLID leadership! 

    So, what is SOLID leadership?  
    I think it is SERVANT leadership.  It is what Jesus taught.  It is not about titles. It is about towels!
    I think it is about OWNERSHIP.  Leaders, like Nehemiah, took responsibility (ownership) for their assignments. 
    I think you see SOLID leadership when the leaders LOVE their people.  Remember, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!  Jesus LOVED His disciples!!
    I think it is about leading with INTEGRITY!  I love a quote from President Eisenhower in which he said, “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.”
    As a reminder: Do not expect your gifts and talents to take you where your character cannot keep you!
    I think SOLID leadership happens when the leader is DILIGENT.  Diligence is a man’s precious possession.  (Proverbs 12:27) Being mentored by Dr. Jerry Falwell I learned the value of HARD WORK. 
    Leaders SHOW UP and STAY UP.  There is no quit in the SOLID leader!  

    Reading the list are you a SOLID leader?   

    Standing out also in the evaluation of Samuel is the word ENTIRE.   He started well and he finished well.  That, unfortunately, can’t be said about a lot of people.  I heard that only 30% of the people in the Bible finished well. 

    Readers of this devotion, I challenge you to be known for bringing to whatever leadership responsibilities you have SOLID leadership and FINISH WELL!   

    BTW – one of the things you should have is a life sentence.  1 Samuel 7:15 is pretty good! Read it again and put your name in place of Samuel and your responsibility in place of Israel.
    1 Samuel 7:15 “                           gave solid leadership to                              his/her entire life.”

    Verse to DATE on July 15 (7/15) is 1 Samuel 7:15. It says, “Samuel gave solid leadership to Israel his entire life.” (The Message)

    Continue Strong as a Solid Leader,
    And remember to DATE the Word