datethewordtest

Category: Verse to DATE

  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 26 (1/26) is James 1:26

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 26 (1/26) is James 1:26

     Our verse to DATE the Word on January 26 (1/26) is James 1:26
    James 1:26 says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
    CONVERSION CHANGES YOUR CONVERSATION

    If one has experienced a conversion to Christianity, then one of the marks of the conversion will be their conversation.  When the Lord enters our lives our language changes.  The filthy mouth gets filtered and our language is clean and wholesome.
     
    Pastor James is writing a letter that gets to the heart of the matter and he will address the language of believers several times in his letter. In chapter 3 he will drill down on how harmful the tongue can be.  He will ask very directly and pointedly how could one’s tongue bless God and then turn around and curse men.  He states emphatically that these things SHOULD NOT BE. 

    The Christian is to have CONTROL over their CONDUCT and their CONVERSATION!  The Christian is to have clean, wholesome, words proceeding from their tongue.

    As far as finding verses to help with controlling your conversation THERE ARE MANY!! The Book of Proverbs has around 150! 
    Here are just a few to help you BRIDLE your tongue:
    Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
    Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
    Psalms 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
    Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.“

    Are you converted? If so, your conversation will be different!   If your conversation is not different then you need to ask if you are really converted!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 26 (1/26) is James 1:26. It says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue has deceived his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

    Continue Strong with wholesome words!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 25 (1/25) is James 1:25

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 25 (1/25) is James 1:25

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 25 (1/25) is James 1:25
    James 1:25 says, “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”
    Obedience to God opens doors of BLESSINGS

    Pastor James is challenging readers to DO SOMETHING with what they are hearing and reading from God’s Word! He has been very direct with this challenge. He expects the reader to be a DOER, not just a hearer!  Like Solomon with Proverbs and Jesus with the Sermon on the Mount there are the appeals to BE DOERS of the WORD and as one DOES, they are BLESSED!

    As a reminder that God blesses obedience:
    In Proverbs 8:32 we read, “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.  33  Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. 34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. 35  For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD;”

    In Luke 11:28 Jesus said, “blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

    Recall David’s opening Psalm as he says “BLESSED is the person who…..delights in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

    Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

    Psalm 119:2  Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,     Who seek Him with the whole heart!

    When you are reading God’s Word you are to take a good look at what God has to say, looking at it like looking into a mirror to be told of changes that need to be made.  As you see the changes that need to be made you TAKE ACTION!  It is in taking the actions that the TRANSFORMATION takes place.  

    Be a DOER of the WORD and as you do you will experience the BLESSINGS OF GOD!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 25 (1/25) is James 1:25. It says, “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.”

    Continue Strong in OBEYING the Word
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 24 (1/24) is Matthew 1:24

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 24 (1/24) is Matthew 1:24

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 24 (1/24) is Matthew 1:24
    Matthew 1:24 says, “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary to be his wife,”
    Bring the ability of DEPENDABILITY to the room!

    Have you ever pondered on the key “Christmas Characters” in the Christmas story?  Much of the Christmas story focuses on Mary, His mother, and for good reason. One has to love her AVAILABLITY in Luke 1:38. (Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”) There are Angels making the most incredible ANNOUNCEMENT that a Savior has been born. (“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.) There are Shepherds who hear one of the greatest announcements of all time and immediately take ACTION and go with haste to see the baby that is born to save the world! Then they went from hearing the announcement to being announcers!  (Luke 2:17 “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.) There are Wise men who will make their way following a STAR and OFFER extravagant gifts to the newborn King!

    And then there is Joseph. Ah, Joseph. Let us not forget Joseph.  Joseph seems to be very much behind the scenes. If one was writing a Christmas play for children’s church play Joseph would have NO LINES if one follows the Bible story as there are no recorded words that he ever spoke.  That is right.  He never speaks a word.  He was the strong SILENT type.

    Yet, what an incredible example Joseph is to every one of us!!  He is one of the best examples of IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE. Not just obeying God when told what to do, Joseph IMMEDIATELY OBEYED. IMMEDIATE OBEDIENCE to God!  That is Joseph.  

    Let us ask how quickly, yes, how quickly and quietly do you obey God? Is heaven recording a Matthew 1:24 action regarding you? Can your name be placed in place of Joseph?  A reading of Matthew 1:24 would have your name, “Then (your name), being aroused from sleep, DID as the angel of the Lord commanded.”  Are you known for immediate obedience to God?

    Bonus thought – Jesus had parents with extraordinary ABILITIES:
    Mary brought to the table AVAILABILITY and Joseph brought DEPENDABILITY!

    Availability is the first ability and dependability is the greatest ability!!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 24 (1/24) is Matthew 1:24. It says, “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary to be his wife.”

    Continue Strong immediately obeying God,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 23 (1/23) is James 1:23

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 23 (1/23) is James 1:23

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 23 (1/23) is James 1:23
    James 1:23 says, “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”
    Do more than look at yourself in the mirror!

    The Bible is not a class you can audit!!

    Are you just “looking” at God’s Word but not living it?

    Are you staying the same after seeing what Scripture says about how you should be living?

    Here is a good question to consider: Are you just auditing the Bible but not applying the Bible?

    Pastor James wants more than observation of the Word! He wants obedience to the WORD!  The study of God’s Word is INCOMPLETE without the APPLICATION of the WORD!  You can hear the Word, read the Bible, see the Scriptures, learn the Word, search the Scriptures, acquire Biblical knowledge, memorize the Scriptures and meditate on it yet doing all these wonderful things is not enough.  It still comes down to the APPLICATION of God’s Word by obeying what it tells us to do or not do. 

    LEARN the Word and LIVE the WORD. LOVE the Word and LIVE the WORD.

    .Friends, we are to be far more than HEARERS – we are to be DOERS!  James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  The wise man hears and does! The foolish man is one who hears but does not obey!  

    It is not Bible knowledge that makes one wise!  It is obedience that makes one wise! 

    Are you one who believes but does not practice what one believes? 

    Are you using the “mirror” of the Word to bring about changes?   Don’t just look at the Word and leave looking like you did when you looked.  Let it change you!  Make the decision to obey what you have learned!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 23 (1/23) is James 1:23. It says, “or if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

    Don’t dismiss what God is revealing to you!

    Continue Strong obeying God’s Word
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 22 (1/22) is 1 Peter 1:22

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 22 (1/22) is 1 Peter 1:22

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 22 (1/22) is 1 Peter 1:22
    1 Peter 1:22 says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.”
    WHAT ARE YOU FERVENT about? 

    Peter writes that we are to LOVE one another FERVENTLY. To be fervent is to have or show great warmth, to have the intensity of spirit and strong feelings, and to have enthusiasm. It may be described as having great passion. It carries the idea of being ON FIRE!! Thus we are to be loving one another with great intensity. 

    This word fervent is also found in how we PRAY! James 5:16 “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
    The word fervent is also found regarding our attitude toward serving the Lord. Roman 12:11 “not lagging in diligence, fervent in SPIRIT, serving the Lord.”

    I asked to open this what are you FERVENT about?
    Are you fervent about SERVING the LORD?
    Fervent about PRAYER?
    FERVENT ABOUT LOVING OTHERS?  

    These three need our full attention! Let us be FERVENT – ON FIRE – for SERVING THE LORD, PRAYING FOR ONE ANOTHER and from today’s verse, LOVING ONE ANOTHER FERVENTLY!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 22 (1/22) is 1 Peter 1:22.  It says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.”

    Continue Strong showing fervent love to one another,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 21 (1/21) is Philippians 1:21

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 21 (1/21) is Philippians 1:21

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 21 (1/21)
    Some verses to DATE the Word on January 21 (1/21) start with Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
    Our DATE THE WORD approach will be a little different today as I am on a study tour in Israel and as I looked at the various verses that are available to be the verse for the date there are several that connect with Israel, even connecting to some of the things I experienced and saw this very day.  So we will highlight several verses with short thoughts.   

    The first verse is Philippians 1:21.  To ask the Apostle Paul what he was living for in this present world would bring about an immediate answer are you living for CHRIST?  What are you living for?  What goes in the blank when you state that for you to live is ________________.    Is it Christ?  

    Yesterday I was in Bethlehem and part of the tour was to see the living quarters of Jerome.  Jerome came to Bethlehem and did the hard work of translating the Hebrew Bible into Latin and gave us the version called the Latin Vulgate.  In the courtyard was a statue of him and at his feet was a skull.  Immediately questions started coming about why there was a human skull at his feet.  The guide told us it was there because Jerome understood that death was sure to come, and he needed to work with urgency and leave something for future generations.  He needed a symbol, and the skull was a symbol of the transience of human existence.  

    Jerome had a mindset of living every moment for Christ and making a difference that would carry on long after he was in heaven.   How about you? 

    A verse for January 21 (1/21) is Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

    Another verse for January 21 (1/21) is Deuteronomy 1:21 ‘Look, the LORD your God has set the land before you; go up and possess it, as the LORD God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.’

    Being in Israel has been a reminder of what God told the Israelites to do and how they were not to live in fear nor be discouraged.  Are you stepping out by faith daily to do what God has called you to do?

    Another verse for January 21 (1/21) is Judges 1:21 But the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites who inhabited Jerusalem; so the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem to this day.

    Reviewing the history of Israel, one has to acknowledge that they did not do what they were supposed to do and they ended up letting the enemy “hang around.”   A spiritual principle that can be drawn here is to ask if we are letting some temptations hang around.    

    Another verse for January 21 (1/21) is Ruth 1:21. Naomi says,  “I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

    Being in Bethlehem meant we considered the various stories related to Bethlehem and one of the major stories is the story of Ruth. One of the tough verses of the book of Ruth is Ruth 1:21 where Naomi laments that she has come back to Bethlehem EMPTY and her evaluation of her life is God has afflicted her.  Yet knowing the full story we know that Naomi had made a bad evaluation because she did not return empty.  Returning with her was RUTH and Ruth was one of the greatest blessings Naomi would have.   Let us make sure we are evaluating our present circumstances carefully.  Let us not miss the blessings God is putting in our lives!

    Another verse for January 21 (1/21) is Matthew 1:21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

    Being in Bethlehem we were minded why He came and Matthew 1:21 lays out clearly what His purpose was. 
    Matthew 1:21 states it so beautifully, “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

    On Thursday we were in Nazareth, and we pointed out that by 12 Jesus said that He must be about His Father’s business.  (Luke 2:49).  On the coming Tuesday we will tour where Jesus died and then rose again fulfilling the words of Matthew 1:21.  He died to SAVE!  He died to save you!

    Continue Strong 
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 20 (1/20) is Job 1:20

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 20 (1/20) is Job 1:20

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 20 (1/20) is Job 1:20
    Job 1:20 says, “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.” 
    z
    The REMARKABLE RESPONSE

    The response of Job worshipping God is in response to Job experiencing the WORST DAY of his life.  Worshipping God when things are wonderful is one thing but worshipping God things go wrong and life is filled with pain and suffering and heartache and grief is another thing, is it not?  What we see is Job responding with WORSHIP TO GOD on the worst day.  And in case you don’t remember how very bad that day was for Job, he has been told of the loss of family members to a tragic death and the major loss of finances as his animals were either stolen or killed. 

    It might be worth taking a moment and reading the 7 verses that tell of Job receiving in just a few hours the worst news ever as it really makes verse 20 more meaningful.
    Job 1:13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14  and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,  15  “when the Sabeans raided them and took them away — indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”  16  While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”  17  While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 18  While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19  “and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

    How do you respond to tragically very close family members and financial ruin in a matter of hours?  Through the centuries Job has been the example of responding to God when you experience your worst day ever.  

    Notice first his response is to MOURN (seen through the actions of tearing his robe and shaving his head).  There was LAMENT.  Lamenting is so HUMAN.  His actions are symbolic of pouring out our pain.

    Presently I am in Israel and earlier today I stood on what is called Tel Megiddo where I could see the valley of Jezreel.  This is the area that is also known as Armageddon and one day there will be an incredible battle.  However many years ago there was another battle and in that battle good king Josiah was killed.  Good king Josiah was someone Judah looked to with lots of hope.  He was a great leader and the nation was experiencing a revival.  Yet in the battle, he was killed.  His death brought about tremendous lamentations.   Notice 2 Chronicles 35:25. It says, “Jeremiah also lamented for Josiah. And to this day all the singing men and the singing women speak of Josiah in their lamentations. They made it a custom in Israel; and indeed they are written in the Laments.” Jeremiah and God’s people poured out their hearts to God.  They lamented what had happened to good King Josiah.

    Job lamented.  Job mourned.  And he WORSHIPED! He fell to the ground and WORSHIPED. He did not question or charge but rather WORSHIPED.  God was still worthy of praise regardless of his earthly situation.  On His worst day, he still worshipped God!

    Now I must ask myself as well as you, the reader, how do I (you) respond to God when the worst has happened? Do we TURN ON God? Do we TURN AWAY FROM God? Or do we TURN TO GOD? 

    Do we go to WAR against God?  Or do we WORSHIP God? 

    May we learn and live like Job as we face life difficulties that come in all shapes and sizes!

    Continue Strong worshiping Him,
    And remember to DATE the Word
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19
    James 1:19 says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
    Getting CONTROL of TONGUE AND TEMPER

    The control of our tongue and our temper are two areas of our lives that seem to be more difficult to control than other areas.  Pastor James will challenge us by demanding of us to MAINTAIN control of both. Just as the Book of Proverbs over and over addressed these two areas multiple times Pastor James will address these two areas multiple times.  

    Starting with the tongue he implores us to use our EARS.  It has been said that “God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we ought to listen twice as much as we speak.” I think James would agree with that.   He wants to see INTENTIONAL and IMMEDIATE LISTENING.  In other words, Less talking; More listening!
    Being SWIFT to hear with ears is being THOUGHTFUL.  So many of us are SWIFT to SPEAK.  Drawing from Proverbs we are reminded not to be QUICK TO ANSWER!  Proverbs 18:13 says, “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”  

    Be swift to HEAR with the EAR! Be THOUGHTFUL!

    Be slow to speak is a call to be CAREFUL with your words.  Remember that the tongue, though it is small (James 3:5) can spark a huge fire bringing all kinds of destruction.  Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Are you being CAREFUL with what your little tongue says? Is your mind engaged before your mouth speaks?  

    BTW – Do you have a great filter on your mouth?  For those who might need some help here, I suggest:
    Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
    Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers
    Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

    Be slow to TALK with your TONGUE!  Be CAREFUL!

    James now says, “Be slow to wrath.”  Like our tongue, our temper can get us in so much trouble.  Recall Proverbs 14:17 as it says, “A man of quick temper acts foolishly.”   Ever do something stupid because of LOSING your temper?   

    The self-control of our temper is crucial.  Proverbs 25:28 gives this picture to ponder: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.”  We must rule our reaction!  We don’t want to lose the cow over spilled milk.  (You may have to think on that one – it comes from a world most of you don’t know anything about.)   Enacting self-control of our reaction means doing the opposite of what you are feeling. Instead of getting mad, show mercy.   

    Be slow to explode with your TEMPER!  Be MERCIFUL!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 19 (1/19) is James 1:19. It says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

    The self-discipline of our tongue and self-control of our temper are a must as Christians. Failure to maintain these two crucial areas could be disastrous!
    Continue Strong under control,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 18 (1/18) is Isaiah 1:18

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 18 (1/18) is Isaiah 1:18

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 18 (1/18) is Isaiah 1:18
    Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
    COME AND BE CLEANSED by the BLOOD of the LAMB

    In Job the question comes “How then can man be righteous before God? Or how can he be pure who is born of a woman?” (Job 25:4) Is there any hope at all for the sinful?  Is there anything that can wash away our sins, your sins, my sins – my horrible, ugly, offensive, filthy, wretched sins? Is there any help? Is there any way to ever be clean?  Is there any way of ever being pure and righteous in God’s sight?

    Years ago, I presented this question during a preaching service at a rescue mission in Dallas, TX. Sitting in the room that day was a young man who had kept his head down the entire message until I answered my own questions with a resounding YES.  I said YES there is SOMEONE who can wash a filthy sinner clean. I told of how Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for all sinners. I then said God gives an invitation to come to Him, stating to my audience that day Isaiah 1:18 which says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”  That young man lifted his head for the first time during the entire service. He looked at me and softly spoke a question to me, asking if God would do that for him.  I said yes sir He would. I spoke directly to him that God would wash away his filthy, vile sins and make him a new person. And with that, he said I would like that. And I led him to the Lord. 

    The invitation of Isaiah 1:18 is extended to you and to every sinner.  To the “righteous” (self-righteous) and the religious, to the rebellious and wicked, you are not too far gone. You have not done anything that God cannot wash clean with the blood of Jesus. Come to Him and have your sins washed away!  

    Still not convinced?  Read the words of Revelations 1:5-6 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

    He loved us and He WASHES US – LOOSES US – FREES US – CLEANSES US from our SINS!

    The hymn writer wrote: What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
    What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
    Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus

    Now the question from another hymn writer: Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?  Are you washed in the blood? In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
    Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
    There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 18 (1/18) is Isaiah 1:18. It says, “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

    Continue Strong knowing you are as pure, clean, as snow by the blood of Jesus,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD
  • Verse to DATE the Word on January (1/17) is Mark 1:17

    Verse to DATE the Word on January (1/17) is Mark 1:17

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 17 (1/7) is Mark 1:17
    Mark 1:17 says, “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
    Becoming MADE More by Following Jesus

    As I was growing up, I attended a church where most Sundays all the children would go to the front and sing one or two “children’s songs.” One of my favorites was “I Will Make You Fishers of Men.” Maybe some of you recall the little tune 
    I will make you fishers of men, Fishers of men, fishers of men. 
    I will make you fishers of men, If you follow Me. 
    If you follow Me, If you follow Me, 
    I will make you fishers of men, if you follow Me.

    Later in a Sunday School class, I would hear the Bible story that the song was based on, hearing how Jesus would make a simple request of some men with a very specific reason in mind. I would hear how these men would leave what they were doing to go with Jesus and become His disciples.  With just a few words of FOLLOW ME and I will make you become fishers of men Jesus invited a variety of men to join Him and to have a new cause for their lives.    

    How do you react to those two words of FOLLOW ME?  What questions arise as you process the invitation?  Surely the questions of WHERE?  HOW LONG? WHAT FOR? WHEN?  WHY? WHAT IS IN IT FOR ME? goes through one’s mind.  To FOLLOW implies surrender.  In surrendering you are yielding your rights to another.  

    As I reflect on singing, I Will Make You Fishers of Men I recall we also sang at the invitation of our church services HAVE THINE OWN WAY and WHERE YOU LEAD ME, I WILL FOLLOW.  

    Have Thine own way Lord
    Have Thine own way
    Thou art the potter I am the clay
    Mold me and make me after Thy will
    While I am waiting yielded and still

    Mold me and make me always stood out because Jesus said, “Follow me and I WILL MAKE YOU fishers of men.”  Part of saying yes to following Jesus is knowing He is about MAKING something of you for His glory.  Jesus’ invitation to those fishermen was to allow HIM to MAKE them BECOME something greater than what they presently were doing.  Jesus’ invitation to you is to ALLOW Him to MAKE you BECOME something far greater with your life.  

    Are you a FOLLOWER of the Master? 
    Are you allowing the Master to MAKE you into what He wants? 

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 17 (1/17) is Mark 1:17.  It says, “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 

    Where He leads me, I will follow,
    Where He leads me I will follow,
    Where He leads me I will follow,
    I’ll go with Him, with Him all the way.

    Continue Strong in surrender to following Jesus
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

    PS. As you read this I am at the Sea of Galilee in Israel.