datethewordtest

Category: Verse to DATE

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 23 (6/23) is Romans 6:23

    “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life 
    through Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23
    From the WORST NEWS to the BEST NEWS! 

    Romans 6:23!  What a verse of CONTRAST!! One will hardly find a verse in the Bible that has more contrast. This is the “John 3:16” of Romans.  Here we read of a sinner (and that would be you and me) facing a penalty – and unending punishment – death – spiritual separation from God. This is the WORST news one can ever hear. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23) is BAD news but now we learn the penalty – the punishment. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. Let that sink in.  Death – Eternal separation from God.

    Ponder on the unthinkable for a moment.  What if nothing else is written in Romans 6:23?  The bad news of Romans 3:23 has moved to hearing the worst news ever from Romans 6:23a.  Can you imagine if there was nothing else?  
     
    BUT!!! 

    But that is not all that is written. There is the word BUT in this verse.  “But” starts a contrast that brings to us GOOD NEWS!! There is a gift – A GIFT FROM GOD – the gift of GOD is eternal life rather than eternal damnation. The gift has been made available because JESUS CHRIST died for us. (Romans 5:8) There has been a provision made for the penalty!! Christ Jesus paid the penalty at Calvary! Three days later He arose from the dead and is alive!  

    Friend, WHAT A SAVIOR!! WHAT A SALVATION!! Romans 6:23 moves a person from the WORST NEWS to the GOOD NEWS! And the more you think about it I believe you will say it is the BEST NEWS EVER!

    May I ask-  Have you RECEIVED God’s Gift to you?  It is life’s greatest decision for you will either pay for your sins in a place called Hell or you will accept what Christ has done in paying for your sins and enjoy eternal life with Him in Heaven.

    If you have not accepted Jesus, call on Him today as Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 23 (6/23) is Romans 6:23. It says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

    Continue Strong grateful for the free gift of salvation,
    and Remember to DATE the Word

    BTW – today is a great day to share the GOOD NEWS!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 22 (6/22) is Daniel 6:22

    “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not
    hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king,
    I have done no wrong before you.” – Daniel 6:22
    Daniel’s trial turned into a testimony of triumph.

    Anytime the name Daniel from the Bible is mentioned one of our first thoughts of him is Daniel in the lion’s den. Recalling this story means remembering why he is there. Daniel was a man that is described as a man of firm convictions (we know this from Chapter 1) and he had a conviction that he was to pray, openly pray to God three times a day.  Wicked men used that against him, and he finds himself sentenced to die a gruesome death by ferocious lions. 

    Our verse to consider tells us of his response to the king who had sentenced him to die as to whether Daniel’s God had saved him. I have always found it interesting that the king believed that Daniel would survive being thrown to the lions, believing it so much he came to the lion’s den and asked.  Daniel 6:20 says, “As the king came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”  To this question comes the answer “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” (Daniel 6:22)  The short answer is, “You better believe HE did!” (my paraphrase)

    Daniel’s response shows us how Daniel’s trial was turned into a testimony of triumph.

    You know, without a doubt, Daniel would rather have not had to face the lions, but wicked men had wicked intentions bringing about this trial.  One can imagine the fear Daniel must have had yet one might also consider the faith Daniel had.  It is clear from his testimony that as he faced the lions he was not alone.  I wondered if Daniel utter a prayer as he entered the lion’s den based on Psalm 35:17.  Psalm 35:17 says, “How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions!” Maybe or maybe not?  What we do know is God sent His angel to SHUT THE LION’S MOUTHS!

    Because of what God did do for Daniel the king was able to hear Daniel’s testimony of God’s amazing work and protection!!  

    Friend, you may not be treated right for doing right as the world is bound to hate you. With their persecution comes God’s presence and protection!  Their attacks provide opportunities for you to stand firm for your faith as well as share your faith.  Their wickedness provides you an opportunity to witness. 

    So, today your newest trial is to give God an opportunity to make HIS story through you even stronger.  Let us be reminded that God is in the business of turning trials into triumphal testimonies!

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 22 (6/22) is Daniel 6:22. It says, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

    Continue Strong knowing God turns your trials into triumphal testimonies,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 21 (6/21) is Matthew 6:21

    “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
    WHAT HAS YOUR HEART?

    To grasp the meaning of Matthew 6:21 we need to read verses 19 and 20.  Matthew 6:19-20 says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

    While we do ask what is in a person’s heart, we also must ask what has a person’s heart.

    What has your heart?  Is it something that is temporal?  Is it something worldly? The Bible tells how Demas forsook serving the Lord because of his love for this present world.  Our hearts can be so in love with finances, fitness, fun, even family and friends, that we have no desire for God.  

    What has your heart?  Is your heart desiring God?   Are your affections on the things ABOVE as Colossians 3:1-4 teaches?  As a reminder it says, “Since you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  

    The Bible tells of David being a MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN heart.  Acts 13:22 says, “God raised up David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.”

    There is an old saying that says FOLLOW THE MONEY.  In my early years as a new Christian, I was told you can tell much about a person by looking at their calendar and at their checkbook. The calendar and checkbook reveal what is really important to a person.   What is your calendar and checkbook revealing about what is most important to you?

    What HAS your heart? Are your affections toward things on earth or on things eternal? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 21 (6/21) is Matthew 6:21. It says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

    Application – When you give to God and His work you become more mindful of God and His work!

    Continue Strong focused on the eternal,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 20 (6/20) is 1 Corinthians 6:20

    “For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body
    and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:20
    The Top Priority is to Glorify God

    Throughout life, we will have a variety of decisions to make and there will be some that are easy as the Bible says YOU SHALL or YOU SHALL NOT.   Then there are some that will be challenging as there does not seem to be a clear-cut DO or “DO NOT DO.”  I was fortunate to have been discipled to have a filter for making decisions.  At the very top of the filter was the question DOES IT GLORIFY GOD?   

    1 Corinthians 6:20, and later 1 Corinthians 10:31 (Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God) makes it CLEAR that all of our actions – behavior – conduct – attitude – words – should GLORIFY GOD!  We have been called – listen – into His kingdom and GLORY (I Thessalonian 2:12) thus we are to “walk worthy of God.”  Our AMBITION should be to PLEASE HIM. We are to honor Him.  We are to obey Him.  We glorify God when we live like Him.

    I Corinthians 6:20 reminds us that we have been PURCHASED, bought at a price, a very high price. As one who has been PURCHASED by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, we must COMMIT and DEDICATE our entire lives doing only what GLORIFIES Him! Thus, every decision is to be filtered with WILL THIS BRING GLORY TO GOD!!!

    Bonus – there are 5 MAJOR AREAS that we are to steward and be found faithful.  These are areas to GLORIFY GOD.  They are:

      1.  Our temple
      2.  Our time
      3.  Our treasure
      4.  Our talents
      5.  Our testimony

    Ponder – evaluate – examine yourself with the question of AM I TRULY GLORIFYING GOD with what I am doing with my TEMPLE?  My TIME? My TREASURE? My TALENTS? My TESTIMONY?

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 20 (6/20) is 1 Corinthians 6:20. It says, “For you were bought at a price; Therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

    Continue Strong doing everything to His glory,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 19 (6/19) is 1 Corinthians 6:19

    “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom
    you have from God, and you are not your own?” – 1 Corinthians 6:19
    We not only have a new Resident; we have a new OWNER

    The subject of sexual purity is a common theme for the Apostle Paul as in almost every letter he writes he will address the necessity of abstaining from immorality. As the Apostle Paul makes the case for living sexually pure here in 1 Corinthians 6 (v18 says “FLEE SEXUAL IMMORALITY”) he brings up a major reminder that our bodies are now to be regarded as a temple.  This temple is the residence of the Holy Spirit.  It is the home of the Holy Spirit. When you got saved the Holy Spirit moved into your body.  In verse 13 he wrote, “Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” 

    With the Christian’s body being a TEMPLE and not just any temple but the temple of the Holy Spirit then the believer is not to defile the temple! Sexual immorality defiles the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

    In a world where there are no boundaries for morality, the Christian does live by God’s boundaries.  Becoming a Christian and living out the Christian life means without question the Christian lives differently. We are a new person and now we have new standards. One of the most defining new standards is our view of and our behavior regarding morality. Living a life of sexual purity is a mark of the believer. In Acts 15:29 the apostles sent word to the new Gentile believers about how they were to live and one of the standards was to abstain from sexual immorality. 

    A few questions:
    Are you aware, as a believer, that you have a new resident in your life?
    Are you aware, as a believer, that the Holy Spirit of God lives in you?
    Are you aware, as a believer that your body no longer belongs to you? 
    Are you aware that your body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord?

    Verse to DATE on June 19 (6/19) is 1 Corinthians 6:19. It says, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”

    As you define your convictions on purity 1 Corinthians 6:19 is a verse to have for why you practice purity.

    Continue Strong keeping the temple of God pure.
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on Father’s Day, June 18 (6/18) is Proverbs 20:7

    “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.” – Proverbs 20:7
    Happy Father’s Day 2023

    Without a doubt, the three most meaningful titles I have is husband, father, and grandfather.  I love being a husband.  I love being a father.  I love being a grandfather.  I so agree with Proverbs 18:22 as it states, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.”  I so agree with Psalm 127:3-5 as it says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;”  And while there is no exact verse about being a grandfather Deuteronomy 4:9 speaks of teaching God’s Word to both your children and your grandchildren.” 

    As a father, I chose Proverbs 20:7 to be my guiding verse.  If I do what is right and live with integrity my children will be blessed.  My actions have a direct impact on them.  I don’t want to be a burden.  I want to be a blessing.   I want them to enjoy God’s blessings.   I encourage you who are fathers reading this to have a main verse that guides your role as a father. 

    I thought I would share just a few thoughts about being a father.  

    Fathers are to FEAR the Lord, be full men of FAITH and be found FAITHFUL. 
    Joshua 24:15 says, as for ME and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
    Psalm 128:1-3 Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways! 2  You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 3  Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 4  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD.

    Fathers are to be thinking about the AFTER of their actions.
    This principle comes from Proverbs 20:7, which I have already mentioned.
    “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.

    Fathers are to be TEACHERS. 
    Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father;
    Deut 6:7 “You (fathers) shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

    Fathers are to be HELPFUL, not harmful. 
    Ephesians 6: 4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath (harmful), but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (helpful).
    Colossians 3:21 “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”(very harmful) 
    Let 1 Thessalonians 5:11 guide you. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

    Fathers are to be EXAMPLES.
    1 Timothy 4:12  “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.”

    Fathers are to be RESPONSIBLE. 
    Proverbs 12:27 “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence (being responsible) is man’s precious possession.”
    If you father a child you are TO BE A FATHER to the child. 
    In being responsible as a father be responsible as a husband.  One of the best tips I can give any father is to LOVE your WIFE!  Proverbs 17:1 “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.”

    Fathers are to SERVANTS.  Your children’s needs are met before your needs are met!
    John 13:14 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

    Hopefully, these few thoughts encourage you as for many this only reinforces what you have been doing.  As you review maybe a few challenged you to make some adjustments.  Make them.  What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his family?

    Again – HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

    Continue Strong FATHERS!  
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 18 (6/18) is 1 Timothy 6:18

    “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, 
    ready to give, willing to share,” – 1 Timothy 6:18
    Action items for the RICH

    The Apostle Paul has several very pointed and direct words for the RICH. His very direct instructions come in the context of his teaching on true contentment. Knowing there is a restlessness to always be getting more as we are prone to believe money brings satisfaction and status, even security, Paul confronts this thinking by telling several ESSENTIAL MESSAGES to the rich and those who want to be rich.

    He tells the RICH to not be in love with money as it is the root of all kinds of evil.  (1 Tim. 6:10)

    He tells the RICH to stay humble.  (1 Timothy 6:17a)

    He tells the RICH to forget about TRUSTING in money as it is very unstable.  (1 Timothy 6:17b

    As he continues to instruct, he now tells the rich TO DO GOOD and to have a mindset of GIVING to others and SHARING with others at a moment’s notice.  (Ready to give) As one acquires the means to take care of oneself they also look to see how to help others on their journey.

    You make a living by what you get.  You make a life by what you give.  Winston Churchill 
     
    Do you have a good grip on your money or does money have a grip, maybe a strong, tight grip on you?  Are you more prone to generosity or to being greedy?  Are you prone to be stingy (holding tight for yourself) or to be a sower of your money (sharing with others as an investment)? 

    In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), we have those who were TAKERS, KEEPERS, and then a GIVER. The hero of the story is the one who said what is mine is mine but I am going to share it. 

    So, getting really personal, are you using your money for good? Are you looking for opportunities to invest in others?  Are you READY to SHARE?  Do you LIVE TO GIVE?

    Verse to DATE of June 18 (6/18) is 1 Timothy 6:18.  It says, “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,”

    Continue Strong blessing others as you have been blessed,
    And remember to DATE the Word

    Bonus – from Pastor Johnny Hunt – “I have never missed anything that I gave away!”

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 17 (6/17) is 2 Kings 6:17

    “And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”
    Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the
    mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” – 2 Kings 6:17
    LORD, PLEASE OPEN OUR EYES TO SEE!

    Elisha’s young helper shook in FEAR for WHAT HE SAW as he looked at the surrounding mountains that were FILLED with the enemy, the Syrian army.  As he was crying out “What shall we do (v15) Elisha calmly tells him to calm down as “there is more with us than there are of them.” (v16).  Knowing this young helper needed proof Elisha now prays for the Lord to OPEN HIS EYES so he could see that he truly was surrounded, surrounded by the Lord’s army.

    I love how the next sentence says THEN.  THEN starts the response to the prayer.  “Then the LORD opened the eyes…and he saw! AND HE SAW – he SAW a new army surrounding them. You can almost see him sighing a sigh of relief!!!

    Friends, here we have two individuals.  One is walking by faith and the other by sight. Maybe today you are more like the young man, and you are walking by sight and undoubtedly there is fear. You see problems rather than possibilities.  You see obstacles rather than opportunities. You are sure you are going to be defeated.  Your surroundings are calling for you to surrender.

    Today you very well may need to pray for yourself for God to open your eyes to see WHAT HE SEES and WHAT HE IS DOING. You may be a leader that is working with a team that is more prone to SEEING the earthly surrounding rather than the eternal surrounding. 2 Kings 6:17 is a great prayer to pray.  Ask God to open their eyes to see WHAT HE IS DOING!!

    Point them to see past the present problems to see His promises! Remind them that when they think they are surrounded THEY ARE.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 17 (6/17) is 2 Kings 6:17. It says, “And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 

    O Lord – open my eyes and the eyes of my friends to see WHAT YOU SEE!!!

    Continue Strong, knowing you are SURROUNDED, SURROUNDED BY GOD.
    And remember to DATE the Word
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 16 (6/16) is Ephesians 6:16

    “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench
    all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” – Ephesians 6:16
    Deploy your FAITH Against All the Devil’s Attacks 

    Our awesome God has provided – shall we say EQUIPPED us with the exact EQUIPMENT needed for any ENCOUNTER with our ferocious ENEMY (the evil one – the devil) who is seeking to devour us.  This equipment is called the Armor of God.  In Ephesians 6:10, 11, and 13 we are instructed to STAND STRONG and WITHSTAND the devil’s attacks by PUTTING ON the WHOLE ARMOR of GOD.  This means putting on the belt of truth (TRUTH is what holds everything together), the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, along with taking up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

    Here in verse 16 of Ephesians 6 Paul tells us to TAKE UP the SHIELD of FAITH.  It will be our FAITH that will overcome the ways of the world that we are tempted to participate in and conform to.  Recall 1 John 5:4 as it says,  “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our FAITH.”

    Let us be clear that our walk with God involves warfare. The enemy will attack with temptations. The image here is when a fiery arrow is being shot the soldier holds up/stays behind their shield. The shied will then quench – not just stop – but quench the fiery arrow.  

    As a temptation is shot, we activate FAITH.  We should know the devil’s ways are to deceive and cause doubt.  His temptations come with the question, “Has God said.”  To handle the temptation calls for FAITH.  Faith is believing God is right.  Faith is believing the TRUTH that God has said!  As faith is activated obedience follows. Obedience is the devil’s “kryptonite.”  He absolutely cannot stay around an obedient believer.  Recall James 4: 7 as it says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil (submit and resist speak of OBEDIENCE) and he will flee from you.” Obedience to God causes the devil to run and hide from you!

     Faith quenches the lie – the deception – of the devil.

    We do have a great example of this from Jesus.  As He was tempted He did not just quote Scripture to the devil.  As He quoted Scripture back to the devil He was combatting the devil with TRUTH and with FAITH.  He was saying that HE KNEW WHAT GOD HAD SAID and (AND) HE BELIEVED what GOD said over what the devil was saying!

    The victories you will experience over temptations will come as you KNOW THE TRUTH and BELIEVE the TRUTH and OBEY THE TRUTH or simply put, you take up the shield of faith!

    Dressing for spiritual success means Shields UP!! ACTIVATE FAITH!!

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 16 (6/16) is Ephesians 6:16. It says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.”

    How are you growing your faith so you can activate your faith?

    Continue Strong by FAITH,
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 15 (6/15) is Romans 6:15

    “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but
    under grace? Certainly not!” – Romans 6:15
    Correcting wrong thinking about Grace

    The Christian life is not guided by rules or rights, but by a relationship, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  As we enjoy the relationship with Christ by grace through faith, we should never think that it is okay to sin as we are “under grace.” This is the 2nd time Paul has called out believers in chapter 6 for this thinking. He started the chapter with “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” He then answers in verse 2 with “Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?“

    As a believer, we have been changed by justification (a positional change) and now we are being changed by sanctification (a process change). The penalty of sin is paid for and along with that the power of sin is broken. With the power of sin broken we seek to live sanctified lives – HOLY lives. Sanctified and holy lives are lives set apart from sin. The apostle Peter makes it clear that with Christ coming into our lives we are to live changed lives. 1 Peter 1:14 says, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16  since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 

    As believers we now seek to please the One who has saved us, living worthy of His calling. Remember that Jesus Himself said, “If you love me, keep My commandments!” John 14:15 

    So, if you are thinking you have a gracious, forgiving Savior (and you do!) yet think you can then sin because He will forgive, you are thinking WRONG. Your thinking needs to CHANGE.

    Our verse to DATE the Word on June 15 (6/15) is Romans 6:15. Romans 6:15 says, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Certainly not!”

    Continue Strong being grateful for grace to live a holy life,
    And Remember to DATE The Word