datethewordtest

Category: Verse to DATE

  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24

    Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.“
    God’s Marriage Math is ONE plus ONE equals ONE! 

    Our verse to DATE come from Genesis, the FIRST book of the Bible, and is part of the 2nd chapter that tells the CREATION story.  Interestingly we have within the story of creation God INSTRUCTIONS of the INSTITUTION of the FAMILY.  Listen, from the very beginning of what we would call time, we have had the institution of the family.  Before there was any government and before there was the institution of the church, we have the family. 

    Unbelievably, we now live in a country that struggles to define what a family is.  So that we do KNOW what a family is Genesis 2:24 will give you the key people of a family.  There is a man and a woman.  The man will become a husband and the woman will be a wife.  As husband and wife, they (most likely) have a child and maybe even children so now the man is not just a husband but a father and the woman is not just a wife but a mother.  If the child is a male he will have the title of son and if the child is a female she will have the title of daughter.  If they have more than one child and it is a male, the males have the title of brother, and if it is a female, the females have the title of sister.

    We have a man (male) and a woman (female) who now have the title husband and wife, and with child(ren) they add the title of father and mother with the male child known as a son and/or the female child known as a daughter.  If there are more boys they get the added title of brother from the other child(ren) and if there are more girls they get the added title of sister from the other child(ren)

    Now the child will grow and one day will marry.  The man will leave his father and mother and be joined to someone else’s daughter, and he will be her husband and she will be his wife.  They then (most likely) will have a child or children and the parents (the father and mother of the man and the father and the mother of the wife) will be grandparents with the male being titled with grandfather and the female as a grandmother.   

    In addition, the Bible will have as part of a family an uncle and an aunt with the male being an uncle and the female being an aunt.  There is the title also of cousin, which can be used for both one who is male and one who is female. 

    Each of the words I used is spread through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  We do not have to be confused about what a family is.  We, as well, do not need to be confused about what EACH member’s role and responsibilities are.  When it comes to what a husband and a wife, what a father and mother, and what a child(ren) are to do, God gives clear instructions for each. These instructions should be learned and implemented by each individual!  

    From our verse to DATE, we have clear instructions for the HUSBAND and the WIFE as they become a new family unit. From one family comes a man and from another family comes a woman. God says they are to LEAVE. Each one is to LEAVE their mother and father.  The new family unit starts with LEAVING their present family unit.

    As HUSBAND and WIFE, they are to CLEAVE to each other. They are to be JOINED AS ONE. Many Biblical scholars will say from this component of LEAVING AND CLEAVING marriage is the preeminent relationship! 

    This also is to be a permanent relationship as the husband and wife are to be one flesh. At a wedding ceremony, a couple will commit – pledge – covenant to be joined together until death separates them. Jesus stated in Mark 10:9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”  

    As we consider these instructions we conclude (not unique to me) that God’s math is one plus one equals one.  

    BTW – I consider Genesis 2:24 (repeated by Jesus in Matthew 19:5-6; Mark 10:6-9 and Paul in Ephesians 5:31) and Ephesians 5:33 to be the most important teaching for marriage. Genesis 2:24 teaches LEAVE AND CLEAVE while Ephesians 5:33 teaches the husband to Pay ATTENTION to his wife and the wife to give ADMIRATION to her husband.  Following God’s instructions for marriage will bring about an enjoyable and enduring marriage!

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 24 (2/24) is Genesis 2:24. It says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

    Continue Strong learning your role and responsibilities in your family,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 23 (2/23) is Exodus 2:23

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 23 (2/23) is Exodus 2:23

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 23 (2/23) is Exodus 2:23
    Exodus 2:23 says, “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.”
    Crying out to God WHO HEARS YOU!

    At various times during our life, we are going to have very hard and difficult times.  Our hearts will be broken.  We will find ourselves carrying incredibly heavy burdens.  When the burdens and the pains of life hit you to whom will you cry out with your groanings?  An answer is found in Exodus 2:23.

    The children of Israel are in bondage. They were slaves in the land of Egypt.  While it was restrictive it was also very repressive. So repressive was their bondage that Exodus 2:23 says they groaned because of the bondage.  Looking for relief, they cried out and their cry came UP TO GOD!  Just so you know verse 24 says, “So God heard their groaning.”  In verse 25 it says, “So God looked (took notice) on the Israelites and was concerned about them.”

    Friends, when we CRY OUT TO GOD the God of the universe HEARS!  He HEARS our PRAYERS!  He HEARS our CRIES of agony and of pain. He HEARS the cries of bondage – yes of physical bondage  – yes of spiritual bondage.  Hear that God HEARS. HEARING and then helping and healing the brokenhearted is one of His specialties.

    I don’t know if you need more proof but if so, read the following testimonies from David:
    Psalm 3:4 “I cried aloud to the LORD, and He answered me from his holy hill. Selah
    Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.
    Psalm 30:2 O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed me.
    Psalm 31:22 I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from Your sight.” But You heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to You for help.”
    Psalm 77:1 I cried out to God with my voice — To God with my voice; And He gave ear to me.
    Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.

    Nehemiah gives a history lesson that includes how God heard during the days of the Judges,
    Nehemiah 9:27 Therefore You delivered them into the hand of their enemies, Who oppressed them; And in the time of their trouble, When they cried to You, You heard from heaven; And according to Your abundant mercies You gave them deliverers who saved them From the hand of their enemies.
    Nehemiah 9:28 “But after they had rest, They again did evil before You. Therefore, You left them in the hand of their enemies, So that they had dominion over them; Yet when they returned and cried out to You, You heard from heaven; And many times You delivered them according to Your mercies,

    Jonah tells us that God heard him as he cried out. Jonah 2:2 says, “I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, And He answered me. “Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, And You heard my voice.

    GOD HEARS YOU!  To you that are hurting He hears you!  To you that are brokenhearted He hears you. To you that are facing an unspeakable difficulty He hears you! He hears you! Please hear me that He HEARS YOU!  

    And make no mistake that from hearing you will find His hands working! (See chapter 3 and forward in the Book of Exodus!)  He hears and He helps!

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 23 (2/23) is Exodus 2:23. It says, “Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.”

    Cry out to Him!

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 22 (2/22) is 2 Timothy 2:22

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 22 (2/22) is 2 Timothy 2:22

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 22 (2/22) is 2 Timothy 2:22
    2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
    RUN AWAY FROM THE BAD AND RUN AFTER THE GOOD

    As the Apostle Paul DISCIPLES Timothy he calls on him to be a CLEAN, SANCTIFIED vessel that is USEFUL to God.  2 Timothy 2:21 says, “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”  In order to be clean and sanctified Paul now teaches Timothy three actions to take that involves the word RUN.  

    To become a clean, sanctified, useful vessel there will be things that you must RUN AWAY FROM.
    To become a clean, sanctified, useful vessel there will be things that you must RUN AFTER.   
    Our verse does add a third action as we are to consider who we RUN WITH.

    As we battle temptations some battles are best won by RESISTING while others are best won by RETREATING. Yes, we win by RETREATING.  We win by RUNNING AWAY.  Our verse tells us to FLEE youth lust. The Greek word for FLEE gives us our English word FUGITIVE. We are to be a FUGITIVE to youth lust.  As a FUGITIVE we are to RUN AWAY FROM AND HIDE from temptations! 

    A principle I use here is DON’T STAY AT PLACES WHERE TEMPTATIONS ARE PRONE TO WIN! 

    Pay close attention; When it comes to one major temptation, that of sexual temptation, I teach that you DON’T RESIST THEM. RUN AWAY FROM THEM.  The temptation is so strong that you will almost always lose if stay and try to resist.  RUN!!!  RUN AWAY FROM IT!  RUN AND HIDE!  Remember the story about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife.  He RAN AWAY from the temptation! 

    While RUNNING AWAY from temptations Paul teaches Timothy and us that we should be RUNNING AFTER those things that strengthen our walk with the Lord. We are to PURSUE – be RUNNING AFTER righteousness (doing what is right); faith (trusting God with every area of our lives), love (the action we take with God and people, loving both saved and lost. **Remember the time a person needs love the most is when they deserve it the least), peace (keeping calm with one another even during storms).

    So we are RUNNING AWAY from sinful things and we are RUNNING AFTER sanctified things. 
    So we are RUNNING AWAY from hurtful things and we are RUNNING AFTER helpful things.
    There are temptations we are RUNNING AWAY FROM and there are godly actions we are RUNNING AFTER! 

    Paul gives one more teaching to Timothy and us that is very crucial in being successful in becoming a clean, sanctified, useful vessel. His last statement of this verse tells us to CONSIDER who we choose to RUN WITH as who we RUN WITH will have a tremendous influence on us. You will want to RUN WITH THOSE who have been saved and who themselves are seeking to be a sanctified vessel. (with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.)

    In applying our verse of 2 Timothy 2:22 I suggest asking three questions of yourself every day:
    What do you need to be RUNNING AWAY FROM?
    What do you need to be RUNNING AFTER?
    Who do you need to be RUNNING WITH?
    The answers to these three questions will greatly determine if you will be a clean, sanctified, useful vessel to the Lord.

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 22 (2/22) is 2 Timothy 2:22. It says, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

    Personal note: 2 Timothy 2:22 is one of the most important verses I have ever learned.  I encourage you to memorize, meditate and APPLY this verse.  Answer daily the three questions of what are RUNNING AWAY FROM; what are you RUNNING AFTER; and WHO are you RUNNING WITH.

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 21 (2/21) is Philippians 2:21

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 21 (2/21) is Philippians 2:21

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 21 (2/21) is Philippians 2:21
    Philippians 2:21 says, “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”
    WHO IS FIRST?

    Philippians 2:21 is definitely NOT a life verse. It is so NOT what a Christian is to be about. It is the exact opposite of what a Christian is to be.  It speaks of SELF-CENTEREDNESS.  It speaks of SELFISHNESS.  

    The context for this indictment is the Apostle Paul is giving a recommendation for Timothy as he wants the Philippians to receive him as he comes to ministry to them.  As Paul looks at who might be best Timothy is the obvious choice because he has a mindset for OTHERS.  In Philippians 2:20 he writes that Timothy would genuinely be concerned about their welfare.

    We are not sure who the “ALL” are but whoever they are they have the wrong purpose in life. Instead of a Joshua mindset of “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” these folks have a “for me I will serve myself.” Instead of seeking first the kingdom of God as Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 they are seeking their kingdom first. For the self-centered it is a myself – mine – own – me – I focus of life.   

    As you look into the mirror of the word I trust Philippians 2:21 is not a statement that would be made about you.   We are challenged in the world we live in to always put ourselves first. Living differently means others come before us.   

    BTW – I found it interesting that the Apostle Paul had written of himself in Philippians 1:21 that for him to live was Christ.  My challenge is to ask yourself are you a Philippians 1:21 person or a Philippians 2:21 person? Are you living for the Savior or living for self? 

    Philippians 1:21  For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
    or
    Philippians 2:21 “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” 
    Which are you? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 21 (2/21) is Philippians 2:21.  Philippians 2:21 says, “For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.”

    Continue Strong seeking first the kingdom of God and the betterment of others!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 20 (2/20) is Galatians 2:20

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 20 (2/20) is Galatians 2:20

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 20 (2/20) is Galatians 2:20
    Galatians 2:20  says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
    NOT I, BUT CHRIST!!!!

    Galatians 2:20 is a tremendous summation verse of who we are as Christians! We are to view ourselves as having been CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST! Thus, the old life we had is to be viewed as dead! We now have a new life and that life is CHRIST (who rose from the dead!)  Jesus Christ LIVES IN THE BELIEVER!!

    Read this and let it settle in your heart: 

    Jesus Christ LIVES IN THE BELIEVER. 

    If you are a believer CHRIST LIVES IN YOU! 

    The believer lives IN CHRIST and CHRIST LIVES IN THE BELIEVER.

    Now we live life like Christ because it is CHRIST who lives IN US!! We live by faith, trusting His guidance in our lives.  His guidance is best as He loves us the most!! He loved us so much that He gave Himself.  He gave His life – for us, for you!! What a Savior!!! What a salvation!

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 20 (2/20) is Galatians 2:20.  It says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

    Christ lives in you!

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE The WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 19 (2/19) is Luke 2:19

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 19 (2/19) is Luke 2:19

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 19 (2/19) is Luke 2:19
    Luke 2:19 says, “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”
    Pausing to Ponder on God’s Working

    Mary has had quite a journey over the past nine months.  That might be an understatement. She heard from the angel Gabriel in Luke 1 that she had been selected by God to have a very special child. To know just how special read Luke 1:31-33.  She will agree to God’s call by making one of the most beautiful statements we read in Scripture as she says, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”  

    In Luke 2 that special child is born in Bethlehem.  His name is Jesus.  Soon afterward shepherds arrive with an amazing story of an angel appearing and announcing a message of good tidings of great joy which would be to all people.  And then Mary hears these words: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke 2:11)   What she had been told was going to happen has happened!   

    Shortly the shepherds would leave and now Luke records another action by Mary.  Luke 2:19 says “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”  

    She TREASURED UP all these things.  It is as if she gathered up every action of the last 9 months to put in a “BABY BOOK.”  It is like she takes inventory of her journey with and for God.  She KEEPS tightly the various amazing moments.  She rehearses in her mind everything she has heard and everything that happens. She puts together a mental “BABY BOOK.” One Bible scholar wondered if she “showed” her “Baby Book” to Luke.  I, for one, believed she did because how else would Luke have known such details of the birth of Christ?

    She not only treasured the moments she PONDERED on them.  She sought to compare and put together the things she heard and the things she experienced and the things she saw with the purpose of making spiritual sense of it.  She pondered.  She thought deeply about these things. More than just keeping a mental journal she sought to understand how God was working and what it meant. She was evaluating what God was doing in her life and how His actions impacted her.  She was evaluating what God was doing to save the world through her newborn Son!

    May I ask, are you just racing through life or are you running the race that is set before you, and as you run you have times to recap what has been happening as well as PONDER the meaning of what was happening?  Do you periodically list your experiences of God working and then evaluate your experiences to see how God was working? 

    A great example of this along with Mary is David.  He realized a lot more was happening when he killed a bear and he killed a lion.  As he evaluated those experiences he realized that God was working to protect him and strengthen him.  Having evaluated those experiences he knew that he could kill an ungodly giant because God would deliver Him.  

    So, how are you doing?  How goes the race you are running?  What are you learning about God, LATELY?  How have you changed, LATELY?  What prayers have been prayed?  What prayers have been answered?  What victories have you experienced?   Let’s cut to the chase: Are the actions of Luke 2:19 by Mary happening periodically with you?  I encourage you to put her actions into action.

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 19 (2/19) is Luke 2:19. It says, “But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”

    What was the last thing you put in your “spiritual journal” about your spiritual journey?  When is the last time you paused to ponder what God has been doing in you, around you, for you, and through you?

    Continue Strong journaling and pondering about the Journey He has you on,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 18 (2/18) is Ephesians 2:18

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 18 (2/18) is Ephesians 2:18

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 18 (2/18) is Ephesians 2:18
    Ephesians 2:18 says, “For through Him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit to the Father.”   
    ALL-ACCESS to the FATHER

    CLOSED.  CLOSED.  Think about the meaning of that word, CLOSED.  Think of a time you SAW it and what your immediate feelings were.  Like a time you just pulled off the Interstate to go the bathroom and the sign on the bathroom door read CLOSED.  CLOSED is a word that brings about a variety of emotional reactions, which usually are negative (Unless you are a student (or teacher) and school is closed). You just pulled up to your favorite restaurant and the sign says CLOSED. hmmm. You are running low on gas and you pull off the Interstate and the gas station has a sign saying CLOSED.  You get to your favorite amusement park and the moose is holding a sign saying Sorry folks, WE’RE CLOSED. (yes I got a sermon illustration from National Lampoon’s Vacation).
    CLOSED! How does that word hit you? What does it say to you?  CUT OFF –  BLOCKED –  UNAVAILABLE!  NOT OPEN!!!  INACCESSIBLE.

    INACCESSIBLE – let that word sink in. That is a powerful word to describe our ability to enter heaven – it is CLOSED.  HEAVEN is INACCESSIBLE.   Let that thought sink in.

    HEAVEN is INACCESSIBLE except FOR —- EXCEPT for – – Jesus Christ made it ACCESSIBLE!!! Jesus Christ OPENED – what a beautiful word – OPENED the door of heaven and gave to those who ACCEPT Him ACCESS – I repeat – ACCESS, ALL ACCESS to the Father!!

    For a believer – one who has repented and received Christ as Savior – one who is born again – one who has called on the Lord and is saved they no longer face the CLOSED sign of heaven’s door.  Heaven is no longer INACCESSIBLE!! The believer has ACCESS!!!   The believer has so much ACCESS to the Father the believer can “come boldly to the throne of grace, that they may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  (Hebrews 4:16)

    What a SAVIOR!! What a SALVATION!! 
     
    BTW – if you have not received Christ the opportunity is still open!  Revelation 22:17 says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 18 (2/18) is Ephesians 2:18.  It says, “For through Him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit to the Father.”

    Do you have your ALL-ACCESS pass for Heaven?  

    Continue Strong knowing what you have in Jesus!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 17 (2/17) is Nehemiah 2:17

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 17 (2/17) is Nehemiah 2:17

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 17 (2/17) is Nehemiah 2:17
    Nehemiah 2:17 says, “Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.”
    A Brief lesson is CASTING the VISION

    As one reads the Book of Nehemiah one encounters a man daring to dream a dream that will make life better for others!  Miles away in a palace in Shushan. Nehemiah, the cupbearer to the king. heard the conditions of a place (Jerusalem) and a people (the Jews). He heard that the walls of Jerusalem remained broken down and that gates that were burnt down had never been replaced and this left the people living there in great distress.  As he hears what is broken his heart is broken and is moved to take action to make a difference.  He will ultimately receive permission to go to Jerusalem.  Upon arriving he will see first-hand those conditions. Hearing about these conditions was hard but seeing them was heart-wrenching.  He knows this cannot continue.   Changes must happen and it must happen now, regardless of obstacles and opposition.  He is determined to end the great distress of people.  He dares to dream!

    The story of Nehemiah is very inspiring, is it not? We have a man who hears and sees a people and a place in great distress and he dreams of doing something that will make a difference so people will have BETTER LIVES!  As he dreams of making this difference, he realizes that ONE IS TOO SMALL OF A NUMBER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  He knows he must have help.  The dreamer must become a RECRUITER.  The one with the CAUSE now must CAST the Vision for others to join.  Nehemiah’s dream has to move from “my dream” to “our dream.”  As he has decided to OWN the dream, he must get OTHERS to OWN the dream!  He must now CAST the VISION!

    Our verse to DATE is the casting of that vision.  It is the communication of the concerns that have created the cause and calls for others to commit to the dreamer’s cause and make the dream, the cause, their cause. Re-read Nehemiah 2:17. It says, “Then I (Nehemiah) said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 

    I have no idea if Nehemiah had a speech class.  I don’t know if he read a book on how to be an effective communicator. What I do know is Nehemiah 2:17 sets the standard for how someone is supposed to cast a vision.  

    For those who are leaders (which is all reading this), you are going to have to learn and be able to clearly and concisely communicate the vision, the dream, the cause, that God has given you to people. YES, to people.  People, YOUR PEOPLE!  They have to see what you see!  I recommend that you study Nehemiah, especially Nehemiah 2:17.  In this one verse a leader gives a clear, concise explanation of the concerns with a clear, concise call for a commitment to bring in others to join in the cause to bring about the needed change.   Nehemiah reveals the cause (rebuild the walls) and gives reasons to commit to being involved (that we may no longer be a reproach) with a clear, concise call for others to commit to the cause (come and LET US.)

    How are you at casting vision?  Evaluate yourself by how Nehemiah did it.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 17 (2/17) is Nehemiah 2:17. It says, “Then I said to them, “You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire. Come and let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer be a reproach.” 

    A leader’s responsibility is to create the future.  Communicating clearly the cause is crucial to involving others to commit, and answering the call to action!

    Continue Strong, 
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 16 (2/16) is Galatians 2:16

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 16 (2/16) is Galatians 2:16

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 16 (2/16) is Galatians 2:16
    Galatians 2:16 says, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”
    FAITH ALONE IN JESUS BRINGS JUSTIFICATION

    Job asked in Job 9:2 “how can a man be righteous before God?”  As we search the Scriptures the ANSWERS are clear for the Bible teaches how a person is made right with God and how a man is NOT made right with God.  Over and over Scripture conveys the truth that a person IS NOT – listen- IS NOT made right with God, is not saved by works!! A man is made right only by FAITH ALONE in Jesus Christ. These two answers are clearly conveyed in Galatians 2:16.

    From Galatians 2:16 we read first “that a man is not justified by the works of the law.” 
    WORKS DO NOT WORK!     Your works, no matter how good they are, no matter how many they are, will not save you.  You can never do enough for the scales to balance much less favor you as your weight of sin is too heavy.   While it might seem a worthy effort to KEEP THE LAW James tells us in James 2:10 that “whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumbles in one point, he is guilty of all.”  If you tell the smallest of a lie, you are guilty of all.  If you have that one lustful thought, you are guilty of all.  If you have that one hateful thought, you are guilty of all.  In other words, at some point, you will miss the mark set by God.

    The question of how can a man be righteous before God remains.

    Galatians 2:16 has the answer.  A person is saved, made right with God, “by FAITH in JESUS CHRIST!”  A person is made right with God by FAITH ALONE in Jesus Christ as He justifies you and declares you righteous. In what is the greatest exchange Jesus takes your sins and gives to you who have by faith trusted in His atoning work that He did at the cross His righteousness. (2 Cor. 5:21) You, by faith in Jesus are righteous before God! 

    Making this practical: If I were sitting at a table having a cup of coffee with you and I asked you if you were going to go to heaven when you die – if asked if you are saved – and you answered that you hope so I would ask you why are you hoping? Is it because you are concerned you have not done enough good works, good deeds, to outweigh your bad works, bad deeds? Is it that you are concerned you are not good enough?  

    If I heard you say that you “hoped to go to heaven” I would politely tell you that I do not have a “hope so” salvation. I have a “know so” salvation because on the late evening of February 15, 1983, I stopped trusting my works and trusted in the work that Jesus Christ did!!   Galatians 2:16 became real for me as I quit trusting in my works and my effort to do as many good deeds as possible to offset my bad deeds.   I realized once and for all that my only hope of ever being right with God was to trust Jesus and trust Him alone by faith for my salvation.  And based on His Word, His promise, I now know that when I die, I will be in Heaven with Him.  He is presently preparing me a place!  

    The sad truth is there are going to be good people in hell because they believed a false message that good works work.  They don’t.  Please put your trust in Jesus! Your works don’t work! Only His work does work!! What a Savior and what a salvation HE HAS PROVIDED!

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 16 (2/16) is Galatians 2:16. It says, “knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.”

    Continue Strong knowing by faith you are saved,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

    PS – You might share this e-mail with a person who is believing the false narrative that good works work.  Have a cup of coffee with them and share with them how to have a KNOW SO salvation.
  • Verse to DATE the Word on February 15 (2/15) is Philippians 2:15

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 15 (2/15) is Philippians 2:15

    Our verse to DATE the Word on February 15 (2/15) is Philippians 2:15
    Philippians 2:15 says, “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
    In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus instructs His disciples (this includes you) to be lights in the dark world. Recall His words from Matthew 5:14-16.  It states, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” The Apostle Paul here in Philippians 2:15 makes the same appeal to “SHINE as lights in the world.”  

    Paul’s instruction for shining as a light to the world comes with instructions for allowing the light to be bright.  We must pause and go back to verse 14 to get the full picture.  Please note as you read Philippians 2:14 you will see a comma at the end of the verse, not a period.  Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, (comma) v15 that you may become….. What will they become?  Blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom you shine as lights in the world,

    For the Philippian’s light to SHINE brightly to the world Paul instructs them to stop complaining (or murmuring or grumbling) and arguing with one another.  Paul is basically very positive in his letter to the Philippians but in several verses, he does address the division and divisiveness and the disconnect present in the church at Philippi.  Wanting the Philippians to shine as a light to the world Paul tells them to stop the pettiness and the divisive fighting with each other.  These actions were giving them a bad testimony.  For Paul, a good testimony was going to make the greatest impact. 

    To have this good testimony he wanted them to become BLAMELESS.  This means the door for attacking one’s character is closed.  They can look into your closet, but they will not find anything.  Daniel and Job are examples of living blameless lives.  

    He wanted them to be HARMLESS.  This means no one is going to be harmed.  

    Let us think about that for a moment.  A lost person sees Christians ATTACKING one another.  They have to wonder if they show up at a church will they be attacked? 

    The bickering and backbiting of believers will undoubtedly cause the lost to feel unsafe.  

    What Paul is ultimately after is that the Philippian believers would be without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse world.  To be without fault is to be without blemish. Not perfect, but living in such a way there is nothing for the lost to say bad about them.  In other words, they have a good testimony.  

    With the good testimony, they can now SHINE in the DARKNESS!  And the place for LIGHT to SHINE is in the DARKNESS.  Believers are to be AMONG those in darkness.  Let that sink in.

    BTW – like Paul, Peter conveyed this message and he too was concerned first about the believers’ BEHAVIOR.  Look at 1 Peter 2:12 as it states, “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”  Having honorable conduct sounds like someone has a good testimony.  

    And who is seeing their good testimony?  The lost. They are seeing the testimony because believers are AMONG the lost.  I beg you not to miss this.   We must not be like the lost, but we must be with the lost!  When we ISOLATE ourselves from the lost, we are hiding our light under a bushel basket!  We are still in the world to be a witness for the Lord to this world.  

    Friends, we are instructed to shine the light of the glorious gospel to a dark, sinful world.  When we are no different than the world in how we treat each other the light is dimmed.  But when we live a blameless life, loving and respecting one another the light of the gospel is bright.

    What changes do you need to make to shine your light bright to the lost world?  

    Verse to DATE the Word on February 15 (2/15) is Philippians 2:15. It says, “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

    Now sing: This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Hide it under a bushel – NO! I am going let it shine until Jesus comes!

    Continue Strong SHINING BRIGHT for JESUS
    And remember to DATE THE WORD