datethewordtest

Category: Verse to DATE

  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 26 (3/26) is Lamentations 3:26

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 26 (3/26) is Lamentations 3:26

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 26 (3/26) is Lamentations 3:26
    Lamentations 3:26 says, “It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the LORD.”  
    WAIT!!!  DO what is GOOD for you!

    As I read Lamentation 3:26 I think about times I was told to do what was good for me.  I was told that eating green beans, carrots, spinach, and beets was good for me. YEAH???  I struggled with eating what was good for me!!   What about you? What were some things you were told to do as it would be good for you yet like me you really did not like what was good for you?  

    I am going to be very transparent and say that Lamentations 3:26 is a challenging verse to me,  and probably to you as well because it tells us that there is something that is good for us yet doing what is good for us is so very hard to do. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like to wait.  WAIT is a four-letter word to me!   And this verse does not just say WAIT – it says to WAIT QUIETLY.  

    So here is the truth from Scripture that we need to KNOW: Waiting quietly is good for us.

    If you are not struggling with the truth of waiting quietly is good for you then I say good for you.  However, I hope you will be okay with WHEN you are to wait quietly.  The WHEN of WAITING QUIETLY is when we are in some type of trouble, and we need deliverance.  It is when we are facing some danger and we need help. At a moment when there is something FEARFUL, we are called to hope and wait QUIETLY for the LORD to work. Challenging? It is for me. When I need an answer, I need an answer.  When I need a solution, I need a solution.  When I need help, I need help.  I do not want to be in the WAITING ROOM LONG! How about you?  

    As impatience in the waiting room grows there comes the whisper of Scripture, remember Lamentations 3:26.  It says, “It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

    Okay, let’s look a little deeper about waiting, waiting quietly.  I have some questions and maybe you do as well.  WHY SHOULD I WAIT?  WHAT DOES WAITING LOOK LIKE and WHAT WILL BE THE RESULTS? This idea of waiting is not just found here. You have probably been challenged by Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and WAIT patiently for Him;” The Hebrew for rest is to sit silently still. No pacing the floor! No screaming. No tossing in the bed.  No telling God to hurry up.  With the waiting is the RESTING.  RESTING ON GOD!  HOPING IN GOD!  It is placing the “whatever is troubling you” in the hands of God and then being PATIENCE for Him to PERFORM!  

    You have probably read another verse on waiting. Isaiah 40:31 tells us the WORK that God does as we WAIT!  It says, “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”  

    With Isaiah 40:31 I can now see how it is GOOD to WAIT, to WAIT QUIETLY!  

    Are you growing in hoping and waiting quietly? Are you growing in resting – committing your life needs to the Lord and waiting for Him to work? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 26 (3/26) is Lamentations 3:26. It says, “It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for deliverance from the LORD.”

    I have found God waits for me to wait.

    Continue Strong WAITING QUIETLY on the LORD
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25
    Mark 3:25 says, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
    UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDE WE FALL.  

    Some of the statements from Jesus are blunt and to the point and as well they are very memorable.  Mark 3:25 is one of those statements.  “IF A HOUSE IS DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF, THAT HOUSE CANNOT STAND.”  

    While there is power in division such as seen in Exodus 18 where Jethro advises Moses to DIVIDE and Minister by having the Israelites broken up into small groups with group leaders, division can be extremely dangerous and destructive.  Whether it is a team or an organization or a home or church divisiveness is detrimental.  It is one thing to have a difference of opinion but it is another thing to become divisive.   Many times a difference of opinion helps to bring about a better solution.  More often than not a divisive opinion drives wedges between people and pushes each other more and more apart. 

    Where does division come from?  I think that is a worthy question.  Knowing that it is destructive I would think we would want to know what causes it.  Divisiveness raises its ugly head when one starts looking out for their own interest. The person only wants what is best for themselves. There is no more seeking to understand. Paul feared the church at Corinth would be quarreling, fueled by jealousy, selfish ambitions, arrogance, etc. Notice 2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish —  that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”  

    As I worked with the leadership teams at Liberty University we did a full lesson on these NEGATIVE actions – these ENEMIES of a team as these actions are divisive. They divided the team and they destroyed the team. 

    Paul would also write to the Galatians to beware lest they consume – destroy each other.  Notice Galatians 5:15  But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!  And Galatians 5:26, “Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

    Friends, the very real reality is we are ALL different and we have different gifts and different talents and yes, DIFFERENCES, yet we are called to be of the SAME mind and we are called to work together for the cause of Christ. We have ONE Savior. We are a part of ONE body. The common Person is Jesus Christ. The common goal is to make Him known worldwide. There will need to be unity in the unit if that is to happen. We can’t be playing tug-a-war with each other. We need to COMPLETE each other rather than COMPETE with each other!  

    BTW – do you know the difference between competing with one another and completing one other?  The L.  One letter.  L. That is the difference!  Put the L in competing and you have completing.   What does the L stand for?  L stands for LOVE.  When you love one another, you don’t compete with one another, you seek and work to complete one another!

    To keep division and divisiveness out of our lives there are a couple of quick things you can do to build unity.  The first is by getting on your knees and praying together as it is hard to kick someone when you are on your knees! 
    Secondly, seek first to understand before seeking to be understood! 
    Thirdly, be more like grapes than marbles.  Marbles are hard and unyielding.  They never come together. They bang and clash!  Grapes are flexible and able to yield.  Pressed together they make something very good.  
    Fourth, let us be committed to being ONE for the ONE and only!! The cause of Christ is too important to be divided.   

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 25 (3/25) is Mark 3:25. It says, “And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”

    UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDE WE FALL.   Let us be a TEAM for TOGETHER EACH ACCOMPLISHES MORE!

    Continue Strong being unified in purpose,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD 
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 24 (3/24) is Galatian 3:24

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 24 (3/24) is Galatian 3:24

     Our verse to DATE the Word on March 24 (3/24) is Galatians 3:24
    Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
     JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

    How is a person saved?  This is one question we absolutely do not want to get wrong.  When the Roman jailor in Acts 16:30 asked the Apostle Paul what he must do to be saved Paul answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”  

    As one looks at the answer one should also “see” what is not in the answer.  He did not say believe and be baptized, though shortly afterward the soldier along with members of his household were baptized.  He did not say to start doing good works and when your good works outweigh your bad works you will be saved.  He did not say to pay a certain amount of money.  He did not say pray a certain number of prayers.  He did not say to start keeping the Old Testament law.  What he did say was BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST and you will be saved.

    My spiritual upbringing did not answer the question of what must I do to be saved the way the Apostle Paul and Barnabas answered the Roman soldier.  I heard mixed messages about doing good works and keeping the LAW.  It really was not until I was in Bible College that I began to understand WHAT COMES FIRST.  One of the verses that helped me CLEAR up the answer of what must I do to be saved is our verse to date, Galatians 3:24.

    As one looks to study the book of Galatians one needs to know the theme is law versus grace.  Our verse to date tells the role of the LAW and how it is used so that we might be saved. Paul does not dismiss the law but rather shows how the law was a tutor to BRING US TO CHRIST.  

    The law is our TUTOR.  If you are like me, you are probably asking what is a TUTOR.  A tutor is like a guardian or a like trainer. They watch over and prepare the child for the one that will be the teacher or the coach.  The law, as a tutor, shows us our need of a SAVIOR.  It points us to the SAVIOR.  The law does not save.  

    As Paul explains the role of the law, he once again gives the true answer to how a person is saved and that is by faith.  He states as he did in Romans and as he did earlier in Galatians that a person is JUSTIFIED by FAITH.  

    You may ask what makes justification by faith so important?  I wish I could have one of my professors, Dr. Paul Fink, give the answer.  He explained it so very well.  He explained to us that in order to go to heaven we had to be as righteous as God and since none of us are righteous as God we all will die and go to hell.  However, Jesus Christ came and lived and was righteous. Justification then comes into play when a person believes by FATIH in Christ alone for salvation. Being justified we are DECLARED righteous by God as there is an exchange.  Christ takes our sins and gives us His righteousness. (2 Cor. 5:21) God now sees us “clothed in CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS.”  We are now as righteous as God because we have CHRIST’S RIGHTEOUSNESS.”   Having Christ’s righteous means above all that we have PEACE WITH GOD!  (Romans 5:1).  We can now spend all eternity in heaven!

    As you ponder on Galatians 3:24 know that you are looking at one of the most important verses for how a person is saved.  Believing or calling on the Lord by faith is first.  After being saved comes keeping His commandments and doing good works.  We don’t do those things to be saved but we do them because we are saved!

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 24 (3/24) is Galatians 3:24.  It says, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

    May I ask, have you believed, called on, or trusted Jesus Christ by faith and faith alone for salvation?   Works don’t work. Keeping the law does not work. Only by believing in Jesus works! 

    Continue Strong knowing how a person is saved,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 23 (3/23) is Colossians 3:23

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 23 (3/23) is Colossians 3:23

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 23 (3/23) is Colossians 3:23.
    Colossians 3:23 says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” 
    Autograph your work with excellence!

    The Bible speaks of having a “strong work ethic.” Colossians 3:23 challenges one to see whatever you are doing to be done “as to the Lord.” In Colossians 3:17 we are to do everything we do “in the name of the Lord.”  In Colossians 3:17 we are to be representing the Lord with our work. Our work ethic should be consistent with who CHRIST is.  Now Paul adds that our work should be done “AS TO THE LORD.”  The idea is that we are to be looking for His approval.  Our mindset then should bring about a desire that no matter what we are doing we are to be doing our very best.  We want to hear from the Lord WELL DONE!

    Within the instructions to do whatever we are doing as to the Lord the Apostle Paul instructs us in how to do whatever we do so that it will be approved by the Lord.  He says, to “do it heartily.” Other  versions will say “work at it with all your heart,” or “do it enthusiastically,” or “work at it with enthusiasm,” or “do it wholeheartedly.” Interestingly the Greek word here is not one for the heart but is the word for the “soul.” The idea is that you put your soul into what you are doing. To do something for the Lord is to be filled with passion, with soul!  

    I have had many employees working for me and I have been blessed to have many who went the extra mile, giving to the various ministries excellence.  Occasionally I would have someone who needed some encouragement to do better.  I recall a time that I gave an employee an assignment and was looking forward to seeing what they would produce.  When they returned to my office and handed me their work, I reviewed it and was astonished.  It was clearly work done with little effort. Believing they could do much better work (and that the work was not to my standard) I asked the worker to sign their name to the work. With it being a poster that was to be posted in many locations and many people would be seeing it I quickly heard, “give me a little more time to work on this.”  An hour later I saw a very professional poster that was done with excellence!

    Autograph your work with excellence!

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 23 (3/23) is Colossians 3:23. It says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” 

    Are you putting your soul into “whatever” you are doing?  Are you making the most of the opportunities you are receiving? Are you truly doing your best?

    Continue Strong doing EVERYTHING YOU DO AS TO THE LORD!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
     
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 22 (3/22) is Lamentations 3:22

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 22 (3/22) is Lamentations 3:22

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 22 (3/22) is Lamentations 3:22
    Lamentations 3:22 says, Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

    For the vast majority, it seems, it is very difficult to understand and truly comprehend God’s feelings toward sin. This may include you.  God’s Word clearly conveys that God is holy. He is righteous. He is pure. It teaches, clearly teaches, that God is a consuming God.  Hebrews 12:29 says, “For our God is a consuming fire.” God’s Word teaches that He pours out His wrath – yes – WRATH on the sons of disobedience. For instance, we read in Colossians 3:6 “Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.”  In 2 Chronicles 29:8 we read, “Therefore the wrath of the LORD came on Judah and Jerusalem, and He has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes.” 

    Against the backdrop of God’s wrath is Lamentations 3:22 where God is merciful. It is His mercy and His compassion toward us that allows us to continue to exist. Because of mercy, WE ARE NOT CONSUMED. We are not wiped out. As He extends mercy, He DOES NOT GIVE US WHAT WE DESERVE!  With His compassion comes patience with us that quite frankly is hard to comprehend.  Psalms 103:14 says, “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”

    As we consider His mercy I remind you that it is His mercy that brings us salvation. I encourage you to read slowly Ephesians 2:4-7.  “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” 

    Our sins so offend God.  We deserve His wrath and deserve to be consumed.  We have no right to expect mercy or compassion or His patience. Yet He extends mercy and does not give us what we deserve. How do we not worship and praise Him? How are we not filled with adoration and gratitude? What a Savior!

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 22 (3/22) is Lamentations 3:22. It says, Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.

    And as a reminder of just how good God is the writer added “They (His mercies) are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23

    Continue Strong praising God for His mercies!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
     
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 21 (3/21) is Proverbs 3:21

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 21 (3/21) is Proverbs 3:21

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 21 (3/21) is Proverbs 3:21
    Proverbs 3:21 says, “My son, let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion,”
     Acquire and APPLY sound wisdom and discretion!

    Every now and then I look at the Message to see the verse and the Message says, “Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don’t for a minute lose sight of them.” 

    Solomon appeals to his son to KEEP, or HOLD TIGHT TO, PROTECT, or GUARD sound wisdom and discretion.  Sound wisdom gives clear thinking as wisdom allows one to see and comprehend life from God’s perspective. We define wisdom as heavenly insights from God for earthly living.  Wisdom is doing life the way God intended life to be lived.  

    Discretion is compared to common sense.   Discretion is the ability to know the difference between right and wrong and then decide decisively to do what is right.  The root word for discretion is a word used for tasting.  The best cooks have very discerning taste buds.  They know what needs to be added to make food taste the very best.  Discretion allows us to choose carefully and wisely what is best. 

    BTW – one of the characteristics of a good man is DISCRETION: Psalm 112:5 says, “A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.”

    Our lives are full of decisions and decisions determine destinations. 
    HOLD TIGHT TO WISDOM as wisdom shows you the RIGHT WAY!! 
    HOLD TIGHT TO DISCRECTION as it keeps one on the right road as there will be many options!!  
    **A word to those who desire to be wise and discerning: I recommend that you read one chapter a day from Proverbs as part of your spiritual exercises.  To apply wisdom, you need to acquire wisdom!   Make it a daily practice to read the chapter of Proverbs that matches the date of the month.  For instance, today is March 21 and on March 21 read Proverbs 21. 

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 21 (3/21) is Proverbs 3:21. It says, “My son, let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion;”

    Continue Strong with wisdom and discretion guiding your decisions!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

     
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 20 (3/20) is Ephesians 3:20

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 20 (3/20) is Ephesians 3:20

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 20 (3/20) is Ephesians 3:20
    Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.”
    EXPECTING Great Things from God

    As the Apostle Paul wraps us section one of the two sections of his letter to the Ephesians (section one is doctrine and section 2 is practical) he gives a doxology of praise just as he did at the start of the letter. Here he expresses that God gets all the glory (v. 21 to Him be glory,) for how God WORKS in us and that work so exceeds anything that we could ask or even think. 

    To express how God works Paul will connect three Greek words to make one word that gives to us three English words describing the ABLENESS of GOD. Paul tells u that God is able to do EXCEEDINGLY (that is 1) ABUNDANTLY (that is 2) ABOVE (that is 3) anything that we could even think or ask.  Any one word is enough to describe the ABLENESS of GOD, but Paul wants there to be no DOUBT at all that God is ABLE! 

    I remind you that HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GOD DETERMINES HOW YOU PRAY.  As you pray you should EXPECT GOD to answer and to do MORE, exceedingly more, exceedingly abundantly more, exceedingly abundantly above more than what you ask or even think!

    A great example of God doing exceedingly abundantly above what someone prayed is found in the life of Nehemiah. As he prayed for an opportunity to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls he presented his request to God and then to the king.  Nehemiah needed God to work in the heart of the king to give him permission to rebuild the walls and he needed supplies from the king to do the work.  After making these two requests to the king in Nehemiah 2:5 and 7-8 the king grants the request and sends Nehemiah on his way.  In verse 9 we find an interesting addition to what Nehemiah had requested.  Verse 9 says, “Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.”

    Nehemiah did not ask for what would be a security detail. Nehemiah would tell us that God did exceedingly abundantly above more than he asked or thought!

    The great missionary from England to India, William Carey said, “Expect great things from God! Attempt great things for God.” 

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 20 (3/20) is Ephesians 3:20. It says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”

    May we attempt great things for God with expectations of great things from God.  He is ABLE, able to do exceedingly abundantly above anything we ask or think!

    Continue Strong with GREAT EXPECTATIONS of God,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
     
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 19 (3/19) is Habakkuk 3:19

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 19 (3/19) is Habakkuk 3:19

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 19 (3/19) is Habakkuk 3:19
    Habakkuk 3:19 says, “The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.”
    Joy does come in the morning

    The short minor prophet book of Habakkuk is a dialog between the prophet Habakkuk and God about the wicked Babylonians.  Habakkuk opens his book by expressing QUESTIONS he has for God regarding the judgment that is happening to Judah at the hands of the Babylonians.  The opening verses reveal his fears and his doubts.  Habakkuk 1:2-3 says, “O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? or cry out to You about violence and You do not save? 3 Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong?

    Talk about having an honest conversation with God. Habakkuk is so transparent here.  He just does not understand how God can use such evil and wicked people as the Babylonians to be His instrument for judging His disobedient children.  He knows Judah has been disobedient and he knows they need to be corrected but he is having a hard time wrapping his head around God using the wicked to judge His people.  So he asks the WHY questions. As one reads through the book God will give answers, howbeit, hard answers.   As Habakkuk hears God’s answers, he will still have questions yet at the conclusion of the book he states unequivocally that he will TRUST the LORD GOD!! 

    Our verse to DATE is Habakkuk 3:19 and it is the last verse of the Book of Habakkuk.  While struggling with God and what he is doing Habakkuk is going to come to a conclusion about God and a conclusion about himself.  Starting in verse 16, Habakkuk restates what has been happening and then states his commitment to God regardless of what is going to happen and then he makes his declaration of trust and confidence in verse 19. 

    Notice his conclusion starting at Habakkuk 3:16.  “When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble. When he (the Babylonians) comes up to the people, He (the Babylonians) will invade them with his troops. 17  Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls — 18  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

    Why could Habakkuk rejoice in the Lord even in the worst of times?  He could do so because He knew WHAT God COULD do and WOULD do.  Habakkuk 3:19 is Habakkuk’s confession. “The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.”

    I don’t know what is making your knees shake and knock.  The world we live in is scary.  There is ALWAYS uncertainty.  In the midst of the uncertainty and news that stir up inward fear, we are to be making disciples and shining as lights in this dark scary world.  Habakkuk 3:19 helps as it reminds us that while we feel we can’t HE CAN!  Habakkuk reminds us that God is our strength.  Just as He was a strength for Moses and Joshua and David and Isaiah and Jeremiah and Habakkuk, He will be your strength.  As Paul stated in Philippians 4:13, you can do all things through CHRIST who strengthens you.  

    Not only does God strengthen you, He provides stability.  Habakkuk says that God will take the one who has shakey and unsteady legs and make their feet like a deer’s feet.  As a deer can stand securely on unsteady ground we can stand securely in unsteady times. These words from Habakkuk convey his CONFIDENCE in God.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 19 (3/19) is Habakkuk 3:19.  It says, “The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

    Joy does come in the morning.  Times may be dark and difficult but KEEP TRUSTING GOD!  HE IS YOUR STRENGTH!  

    Continue Strong with full CONFIDENCE in God,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 18 (3/18) is 1 Peter 3:18

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 18 (3/18) is 1 Peter 3:18

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 18 (3/18) is 1 Peter 3:18
    1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,
    He GAVE HIS LIFE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE

    As we move toward Easter one of the most enlightening and illuminating verses for the Easter season is 1 Peter 3:18.  I will seek to unpack this verse so that we might know what Christ did for each of us and for the entire world with the hope you will come away having read this crying WORTHY IS THE LAMB!

    Our attention should immediately be drawn to the word, the name Christ as Peter makes it abundantly clear WHO will be doing all that follows in the verse.  Christ is our Messiah.  Christ is our Savior.  Christ is our PASSOVER lamb.  

    The next word is SUFFERED.  The church I attended growing up would have us recite the Apostle’s Creed and in it were the words “He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.”  HE SUFFERED are painful words to read, are they not?  To think of Christ dying is difficult to comprehend but to wrap one’s thoughts around His suffering is so much more painful, especially in light of the next words in which He suffered for sins that He did not commit.  

    I would ask that you pause and consider just some of His sufferings (yes, plural).  He was alone and in agony in the garden. He was arrested after being betrayed. He beaten and bruised.  He was crucified. (Think excruciating pain).  He was despised.  He was embarrassed as He hung naked on the cross.  He was called an evildoer.  He was falsely accused. He was forsaken by His Father.   He watched as they gambled for His clothing.  They hung Him on a cross beam.  He was insulted as they jeered at Him.  His betrayer kissed Him. They laughed at Him.  Our sins were laid on Him.  They mocked Him.  They nailed Him to the cross.  He was oppressed.  They punched Him in His face and they pierced His side.  He was questioned relentlessly and taunted to prove He was the Son of God, to self-incriminate Himself.  He was ridiculed.  They spit on Him.  He was smitten. He was scourged. (as with the word crucified let this one grip your soul)  They placed a crown of thorns on His head. They tempted Him to come down from the cross.  He would speak of His agonizing pain with the words “I Thirst.”   Everything done was unjust, but nothing more so that the irreligious unjust trial by the ungodly religious leaders.  He was treated with such contempt, even being offered vinegar to His cry of “I thirst.”   They wagged their heads at Him in rejection of Him.  

    He SUFFERED.  He suffered the shame and indignancy and the pain of a cruel crucifixion.  

    Our verse tells us why He suffered as it was for sins, the just for the unjust.   In theology, we learn that His death was a vicarious substitutionary death.  He who had done no sin nor had done no wrong will take the place of all the UNJUST, wicked, sinful, ungodly, etc.  He will die in my place and He would die in your place.  He would die for everyone!  

    We again will ask why and the answer is so that He might BRING US TO GOD.  Because of His death on our behalf, we can be RECONCILED to God!  We can have access to God.  Our acceptance of His gift of salvation will cause us to be ADOPTED into the family of God.  Our status goes from a child of the devil to a child of God.  

    Peter concludes this verse with His death and then His resurrection.  He GAVE His life to SAVE our life.  He was RAISED AGAIN so we could be BORN AGAIN.

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 18 (3/18) is 1 Peter 3:18. It says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

    No wonder heaven is filled with the singing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

    Continue Strong in adoration of the Lamb of God that suffered for your sins!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on March 17 (3/17) is Colossians 3:17

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 17 (3/17) is Colossians 3:17

    Our verse to DATE the Word on March 17 (3/17) is Colossians 3:17
    Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 
    The Golden Rule for the Believer

    Colossians 3 may very well be the most informative and instructional chapter for the believer on how to live the transformed Christian life.  Starting with Colossian 3:1 we find an appeal to live differently since we are now believers.  It says, “Therefore, since you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

    As the chapter continues one will see the word “therefore” two more times as it lays out instructions on what the transformed Christian life looks like.  Since we have been raised up with Christ, we are told to PUT TO DEATH certain behaviors as they are not to be a part of the new life.  It then tells us to PUT OFF actions that are not to be a part of the new life and then it tells us to PUT ON the actions of the new life.   Notice from Colossians 3:5-13:

    Colossians 3:5 “Therefore PUT TO DEATH your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
    8 But now you yourselves are to PUT OFF all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
    12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, PUT ON  tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;  13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 

    Do you see the PROGRESSION for transformation? For the Christian to live the transformed life, the new life we have in CHRIST, we PUT TO DEATH, we PUT OFF and we PUT ON.  

    NOW, just as you think the Apostle Paul has concluded he writes another verse.  14 But above all these things PUT ON LOVE, which is the bond of perfection.   
    Then, just as you think the Apostle Paul has concluded he writes another verse. 15 And let the PEACE OF GOD rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.  
    Then, just as you think the Apostle Paul has concluded he writes another verse. 16 Let the WORD OF CHRIST dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.  
    Then, just as you think the Apostle Paul has concluded he writes another verse. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

    With Colossians 3:17 we not only get one more INSTRUCTION we get a summation of all the previous actions.  Our verse to DATE has been described as the GOLDEN RULE for the believer.  After laying out all the actions to take from putting to death, to put off, to putting on and then PUTTING ON LOVE and letting the PEACE OF GOD rule your heart and letting the Word of God DWELL in you Paul SUMS UP the transformed life with WHATEVER YOU DO in WORD or DEED do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.  In this one verse, we are instructed to do everything we do by doing what is CONSISTENT with who CHRIST IS.  “In the name of the Lord Jesus” means to do what He would do.  Whatever we do is to be consistent with the character of Christ!   As Paul said in Romans 14:13 we “PUT ON the Lord Jesus Christ,”

    Along with 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says, “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, (we are to) do all to the glory of God” we have a second guiding verse for all of our behavior.  Everything we do is to be consistent with who Christ is.  And without question, we offer thanks to God for this changed life! 

    Verse to DATE the Word on March 17 (3/17) is Colossians 3:17. It says, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” 

    Continue Strong living out the new life you have in Christ,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD