datethewordtest

Category: Verse to DATE

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 29 (12/29) is Hebrews 12:29

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 29 (12/29) is Hebrews 12:29
    Hebrews 12:29  says, “For our God is a consuming fire.” 
    OUR GOD IS… Well, A CONSUMING FIRE

    Throughout our Bibles, we find NUMEROUS descriptions of God.  One can easily rattle off many of these descriptive words such as…..(what is the first to come to mind?)   Finish the sentence The LORD IS….?   I suspect you immediately thought The Lord is my SHEPHERD.  You may have also thought the LORD IS LOVE.  To finish the sentence “God is…” you probably immediately think HOLY! He is also gracious and good and great and merciful and kind and righteous and true, etc.  As we stated at the start we find numerous descriptions of God 

    As we consider descriptions of God, Hebrews 12:29 gives one we probably are not quick to place on our list, especially if we are doing the A to Z method.  Words starting with C to describe God almost always starts with COMPASSIONATE and COMFORTER and COUNSELOR, even CREATOR but I don’t think many of us think CONSUMING fire.   And even if you want to say the real description is FIRE I don’t think many of us think FIRE when we give a list of words beginning with F.  FAITHFUL and FORGIVING come quickly to mind, but not FIRE.  Yet in one short verse, we have a very distinct description of God.  He is a CONSUMING FIRE.

    Three questions come to mind as I look at this distinct description.  First, what does it mean that God is a consuming fire?  Two, why is it mentioned here?  Three, how does God being a consuming fire apply to my life?

    To answer the first question is to first know that this description comes from the OT, from Deuteronomy 4:24 which says, “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”  Understanding God as a CONSUMING FIRE means He does not tolerate sinful disobedience and will deal with it severely.   As sin was abominable to God in the OT it is abominable to Him in the NT.  The believer is being warned here to not think that because of GRACE God takes a lower view of our sins.  The Apostle Paul dealt with this in Romans as he asked should we sin that grace may abound?  He answered himself with GOD FORBID!!! 

    From Hebrews 12:28 we are to serve God with profound reverence and unwavering fidelity.  Returning to the sinful lifestyle that we were saved out of is a betrayal to the SAVIOR.  We are called to live holy lives.  And in case we forget OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE.  While it is correct to think of the fire of God as judgment, I do believe we need to be thinking of God’s fire here as for purifying.   

    As we get closer to a new year it might be a good prayer to pray to ask God to purify your soul.  Let us serve Him with a profound reverence that He is due and an unwavering devotion!

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 29 (12/29) is Hebrews 12:29. It says, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

    Continue Strong with a reverence for God
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 28 (12/28) is Deuteronomy 12:28

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 28 (12/28) is Deuteronomy 12:28
    Deuteronomy 12:28 says, “Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.
    The RIGHT decision is always to do what is RIGHT in the SIGHT of God

    Breaking down our verse we discover the command to Observe and OBEY God’s commands. We discover the bountiful blessings that come to those who obey.  These blessings are not just to the one obeying. but to their children and future generations.  We discover that in obeying God’s commands we are obeying (DOING) what HE has determined is GOOD (as opposed to what is BAD) and RIGHT (as opposed to what is WRONG).  And what is right is based on what is right in GOD’s SIGHT!

    As believers, we have to make decisions about what actions to take.  Even before deciding to make the decision, we have to decide what will guide our decision-making.  In Judges 21:25 we read that “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”  On the other hand, Jesus said in John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”   Is your decision-making guided by what is right in your sight or what is right in God’s sight?  Does SELF guide or does the SAVIOR guide your decision-making? 

    In case you are more prone to allowing SELF to guide your decision-making Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 gives the following warning saying, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”  You need to be very careful about doing what is RIGHT in your SIGHT!

    Another warning I would place before you is to be CAREFUL in CHANGING what is RIGHT in the SIGHT OF GOD to being wrong and making what God says is WRONG to now be RIGHT.  Isaiah 5 addresses this WRONG thinking and behavior  Read carefully because this is very much woven into the culture we live in today.  Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21  Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!”  

    Friends we are not smarter than God.  He knows WHAT IS BEST! He knows what is GOOD and what is GOOD for us!  He knows what is RIGHT!  

    So I suggest that we LEARN the Word and LIVE in OBEDIENCE to the Word!  I suggest we ACQUIRE wisdom (His guidance on living) and APPLY the wisdom we acquire! I suggest that we are to be more than a hearer but a DOER of the Word!! Choose to do GOOD as opposed to doing bad! Choose to do what is RIGHT rather than what is WRONG! Blessings follow obedience! Blessings come your way and not just to you but to your children! Your actions today impact far more than you! Remember Proverbs 20:7 as it says, “The righteous man walks in his integrity; His children are blessed after him.”  

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 28 (12/28) is Deuteronomy 12:28. It says, “Observe and obey all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the LORD your God.  

    Trust and obey for there is no other way!

    Continue Strong DOING RIGHT IN HIS SIGHT
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 27 (12/27)
    is Proverbs 12:27

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 27 (12/27) is Proverbs 12:27
    Proverbs 12:27 says, “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.”
    RESPONSIBLE

    Of the many contrasts found in Proverbs, the contrast between the LAZY man and the DILIGENT or RESPONSIBLE man brings some of the strongest CONDEMNATION (of the lazy) and COMMENDATION (of the diligent/responsible).  There is no question that throughout Proverbs the reader is admonished to avoid the characterization of being known as LAZY.  Time and again one reads the negatives of being lazy.  Here we get a pathetic action or really the pathetic inaction of the lazy man who does not follow through and does not finish. Though he has gone hunting and has killed something he lets it ROT rather than ROASTING it. WHAT A WASTE!   Instead of enjoying a nice meal for himself and maybe for his family his inaction to take the last steps of cooking leaves him and most likely others hungry.   His inaction is not just sad it is despicable. 

    On the other hand, there is the diligent or the RESPONSIBLE. In contrast to laziness, which is irresponsible, we have a person who finishes what is started. This person is DEPENDABLE and RELIABLE and TRUSTWORTHY.   Whether it is at home or at work, with a team, or on a committee, this person is someone OTHERS CAN COUNT ON!  Their character trait is to be admired.  Wisdom says to be known as one who is diligent and responsible is a precious possession to have.  

    As you THINK on the teaching of Proverbs 12:27 I trust there is a stirring to have a reputation of being RESPONSIBLE.  Any recommendation that is made on your behalf should find the recommender gladly writing or saying the word RESPONSIBLE.  The last thing you want is for them to say you are irresponsible and that you are LAZY.

    It is possible that with the verse for the date you have discovered a weakness in your character. You don’t have to stay the way you are.  What changes need to be made?  

    MAKE THEM and become more RESPONSIBLE WITH RESPONSIBILITIES!

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 27 (12/27) is Proverbs 12:27.  Proverbs 12:27 says, “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.”

    Continue Strong being RESPONSIBLE
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

    PS – Fathers reading this – demand diligence, especially with your sons! Raise them to be RESPONSIBLE. Be responsible when they are irresponsible and correct this character flaw.

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 26 (12/26) is Proverbs 12:26

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 26 (12/26) is Proverbs 12:26
    Proverbs 12:26  says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” 
    Oh BE CAREFUL WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE

    One of the most addressed topics in the Book of Proverbs is friendship. In Proverbs we learn about how to be a friend (a friend loves at all times, Prov 17:17).  We learn a friend helps their friend(s) to be better (Prov. 27:6 and 27:17)  Here in Proverbs 12:26 we are reminded to be CAREFUL of who we have as friends. 

    Why the CAUTION?     Because as friendships develop the friend’s influence increases.  With teenagers, a friend’s influence can easily and quickly become more important to us than parental influence.  Proverbs 13:20 provides some very valuable insight as it states, “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but a companion of fools will be destroyed.” 

    A quote I have used about the influence of friends is “friends are like buttons in an elevator. They can take you up or take you down.”

    No matter the age of a person one must be careful with who they associate.  A great guide for who your friends should be is found in Psalms 119:63. It says, “I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts.”  In other words, be a friend to those who love the Savior, love the Scriptures, and love the saints.  

    Oh, be careful who your friends are!

    Verse for the date of December 26 (12/26) is Proverbs 12:26. It says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.”

    Continue Strong being and having friends,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 25 (12/25)
    is 1 Corinthians 12:25

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 25  (12/25) is 1 Corinthians 12:25
    1 Corinthians 12:25 says, “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.
    Take care to CARE for one another.

    As believers, we are members of the church which can be described as a building, a bride and/or a body.  The Apostle Paul will use all three images.  Here in 1 Corinthians, he focuses on the church being like a body.  A body has many parts and while some are more seen than others we are reminded that those not seen are incredibly valuable.  As a person takes care of all the parts of their body so is the body of Christ, the church, to take care of each other.  We are to CARE for one another.

    What does CARING for one another look like?    While a full sermon, even a series of sermons. may not sufficiently answer the question please consider just a couple of thoughts.  

    To care for another calls for SEEING their needs.  James 1:27 says Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress…  The Greek word that is translated as “caring” includes the work SKOPOS which we translate to English as SCOPE.  A scope helps you to see things better, to bring it up closer.  A microscope brings what is invisible into view.  A telescope brings something a long way off up closer for better examination.  One uses to scope on a gun to bring the target into better view.  Thus to care for a person is to SEE UP CLOSE.  It is to look intently for things that may be missing with the intent of then providing for what is missing.   

    To care for another is to take appropriate ACTIONS.  It may be a word of encouragement.  Another verse for 12/25 is Proverbs 12:25.  It says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”  Worry weighs a heart down but a GOOD WORD – a word of encouragement refreshes and restores one to keep running the race of life!  

    To care for another may call for the sharing of advice.  Just a reminder here.  People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Speak the truth with LOVE.  

    As stated we can easily have a sermon series on how to care for one another.  My prayer is that you will consider the call to care for one another and be your brother and sister’s helper!  LOOK and SEE beyond the surface for the real needs of others.  Be proactive in speaking words of encouragement!   

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 25  (12/25) is 1 Corinthians 12:25. It says, “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.”

    Continue Strong and Merry Christmas!!!!!!!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 24 (12/24) is John 12:24

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 24 (12/24) is John 12:24
    John 12:24 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”
    Death to self brings life and produces fruit for the Savior

    As a master teacher Jesus gives illustrations to bring truth to life and in John 12:24 He gives an agricultural illustration for what it is going to take to be fruitful. Since being fruitful is a major objective of the Christian life (From John 15 we have been appointed to bear much fruit and the Father is glorified as we bear fruit; The apostle Paul prayed that the Colossians would be fruitful in every good work) we need to LEARN how to be fruitful.   

    From John 12:24 we learn one of the most incredible concepts about being fruitful.  Pay close attention. For there to be fruit there has to be death.  

    FOR THERE TO BE FRUIT THERE HAS TO BE DEATH.

    My background is in farming.  I grew up on a farm in Virginia and at a very young age was very involved with my father and grandfather in growing a variety of crops.  Because of helping plant corn, PLANTING A SEED of corn in the ground I easily understood what Jesus taught in John 12:24.  Each year there were bags of SEED corn.  These SEEDS had one purpose and that purpose was to PRODUCE more grain or kernels.  Did you know that one seed of corn will, on average, produce two ears of corn with each ear having about 800 kernels?  1 seed produces 1600 kernels. 

    For us to get 1600 kernels the SEED corn had to DIE.  (The next time you eat corn on the cob look at all those kernels and remember John 12:24 and that one seed – ONE SEED – produced that and another ear of corn.  

    What are we learning about being fruitful for the Savior?  Just as a seed of corn is planted and it dies you then find the dead seed sprouts and begins to live and produce, it produces much or more grain. One dead grain, a dead seed, now produces many grains!! 

    In Luke 9:23 we are called to DIE DAILY!  We are called to die to self!   In doing so we can become producers and bring forth fruit, much fruit, fruit that will remain. 

    We are called to die to self like that seed of corn and when we do we begin to truly live and be fruitful!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 24 (12/24) is John 12:24. It says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”

    Continue Strong by dying to self
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 23 (12/23) is 1 Samuel 12:23

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 23 (12/23) is 1 Samuel 12:23
    1 Samuel 12:23 says, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.” 
     
    The COMMITMENT of COMMITMENTS TO OTHERS

    1 Samuel 12 is best described as Samuel’s “Family Talk” with Israel. As the “family talk” begins to conclude Samuel makes a commitment to the people of God that HE WILL PRAY FOR THEM AND THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO TEACH THEM WHAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT!  

    I, personally, find Samuel’s commitment to be one of the best commitments a servant of the Lord can make to the people God has called them to serve.  It is so good that I want to repeat it here before making a few comments.  Picture Samuel standing before the people and he says, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to PRAY for you; but I will TEACH you the good and the right way.”

    What a tremendous commitment! He tells them he is going to PRAY FOR THEM!  Matter of fact he believes to not pray for God’s people would be a sin. WHOA!!!!  To not pray for others is a SIN!  Do you feel that compulsion to pray for fellow believers?  

    Friends, without doubt or question, one of the greatest things you can do for others is to pray for them.  I highly recommend using one of the Apostle Paul’s prayers as a guide.  I use Colossians 1:9-11.  (Some of you knew that was coming.) It says, For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; (pray a person knows God’s Will) 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, (pray they walk worthy/pleasing the Lord) being fruitful in every good work (pray their work for God is productive) and increasing in the knowledge of God; (praying they grow in wisdom/understanding knowledge of God) 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; (pray they withstand trials and temptations by His power!)

    Not only does he tells them he is going to be praying for them but he commits to TEACHING them.  We could use the word DISCIPLE them.  Discipleship is pouring God’s truth into another person so that they can learn and live out the Scriptures.  Discipleship is helping another believer BECOME like Christ.  As one is discipled they start discipling.  Each believer should be found somewhere in 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  As someone teaches/disciples you, you start teaching/discipling someone, and part of the discipleship is teaching them to pass on what they are learning.  I take the view that you have not fully discipled a person until they start discipling a person. 

    Samuel makes a commitment, a commitment to PRAY FOR and to DISCIPLE God’s people.  I challenge you to look at 1 Samuel 12:23 as a guide for making your 2023 commitments.  Commit to praying for a group of people.  Commit to discipling a group of people.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 23 (12/23) is 1 Samuel 12:23. It says, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.” 

    Make the COMMITMENT of I WILL PRAY and I WILL DISCIPLE OTHERS!

    Continue Strong with a strong COMMITMENT!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 22 (12/2) is Proverbs 12:22

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 22 (12/22) is Proverbs 12:22
    Proverbs 12;22 says,“Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.”
    God’s Word is very clear about the absolute necessity of honesty.  The ninth commandment of the Ten Commandments says “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)

    When it comes to His feelings about lying, we find they are expressed without reservation.  We find from the list of things that God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19 that a lying tongue and a false witness arein the list.  Two of the 7 things that are most detestable to God is connected to dishonesty.  Here in Proverbs 12:22, we see God saying “lying is an abomination to Him.”  The sin of lying is one of the most severe offenses a person can.   Lying is exactly the opposite of who God is.  When one lies, they are behaving like Satan who is the father of lies. 

    Before we move forward, I must ask how seriously do you take telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.  How serious is it for you to resist the temptation to NOT LIE?  

    While lying and dishonesty are some of the most offensive things to God, we find that those who tell the truth are His delight.  Telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth brings delight to the heart of God.  It is worth noting that Proverbs 11:1 says, “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight.”  Cheating and misrepresenting the true value of something is grievous to God.  Honesty, though, brings delight to God.

    As a quick reminder about God’s expectations:
    From the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:11 says, “You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.”
    From the New Testament, Colossians 3:9 says, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,”

    Are you an honest person? BE HONEST WITH YOUR ANSWER!! 

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 22 (12/22) is Proverbs 12:22. Proverbs 12:22 says, “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.”

    Continue Strong by bringing delight to God by being an honest person 
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 21 (12/21) is Romans 12:21

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 21 (12/21) is Romans 12:21
    Romans 12:21 says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
    TWO POWERFUL RESPONSES TO EVIL

    I want to make an appeal as we start to DATE Romans 12:21 and that appeal is that you MEMORIZE this verse as I am convinced you will need to apply it.  While I would hope you memorize a lot of the DATE THE WORD Scriptures this is one that needs to be HID in your heart!

    As we consider Romans 12:21 we need to know it has TWO commands.  First is the command to NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL.  The second is to OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD.  Let’s look closely at both because both are going to be needed. 

    The verse begins with the strongest of admonishments to not allow EVIL to get the best of us.  No matter what evil is done to us we do not let it DEFEAT US. Proverbs 24:10 “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.”  Romans 8:37 tells us, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” 

    A quick personal note: one of the most moving places I have ever visited is the Martyrs Memorial in Oxford, England.  It was built to commemorate the martyrdom of 3 Protestant leaders in 1555, Hugh Latimer,  Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer.  They were burned at the stake with Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley side by side and Thomas Cranmer not long afterward.  As an illustration of not being overcome by evil, it is reported that Latimer said, “Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”  And the light of their “candle” has never been put out!  They did not allow evil to defeat them!

    And we do not let evil DRAW US DOWN to its level.  We look back at Romans 12:17 to be reminded that we are not, ABSOLUTELY NOT, not to repay evil with evil.  As the old saying goes two WRONGS do not make a right.  While wrong is being done we must continue to do RIGHT.  For the believer to do evil betrays our testimony and gives evil a win.  

    So, number 1, we are not going to be overcome by evil.  We will not be defeated nor drawn down to its level. 

    The second command of the verse is to TAKE POSITIVE ACTION and do good to those who are doing evil TO YOU and to others.  One OVERCOMES (defeats, wins) against evil by DOING GOOD.  It is helping the very person who is hurting you.  It is praying for the very one that is persecuting you.  It is blessing the very one that is cursing you.  It is giving a cup of cold water and a hot meal to the one who would like to starve you to death.  It is being nice to the one who is mean.  

    Are you getting the picture?  You overcome evil by DOING GOOD!!  

    And yes, I know what has been written is HARD.  It is easy to give up when evil is done to you.  It is easy to give in to doing evil when evil has been done to you.  And it surely is hard to be nice to a mean person.   Yet this is what we are called to do.  We are called to be OVERCOMERS OF EVIL, not overcome by evil!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 21 (12/21) is Romans 12:21. It says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

    Continue Strong as an OVERCOMER of EVIL! 
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 20 (12/20) is Luke 12:20

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 20 (12/20) is Luke 12:20
    Luke 12:20 says, “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
    Don’t be a FOOL with your SOUL!

    Life comes with an unexpected deadline and when it ends it really is just beginning as we have a soul that will continue to live for all eternity.  The location of our soul is determined by a decision we make here on earth while living.  Hebrews 9:27 says, “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”  This judgment is not the final judgment but is the first judgment that has you either in heaven or hell at the very moment of your death.  If you have made the decision to accept Christ, to believe in Christ, to confess Christ, to receive Christ, to be born again you immediately go into heaven.  2 Corinthians 5:8b says, “to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.”  But if you have not accepted Jesus as your Savior, not believed and confessed that He died and rose again, have not trusted in Him by faith and faith alone for salvation you will perish and be in hell.  

    With the uncertainty of a certain ending of life here on earth Scripture appeals over and over to accept Jesus now. For instance,  2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”   While there is uncertainty about when your life will end, let there be no uncertainty about your eternal future being in heaven.

    Even knowing how certain death is we still find so many putting off this decision as they have different priorities for their lives. Here is Luke 12 Jesus addresses having the wrong priorities.  Having been asked to be a judge in an inheritance battle between two brothers, He gives one of the greatest life lessons we can learn as He says in Luke 12:15 to “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”  This incredible life lesson is then followed with a parable about a rich man who as he enjoyed financial success found himself wanting more and more, becoming so busy he had no time to think about his soul.  Instead of me telling the parable let’s read what Jesus said.
    Luke 12:16  Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17  “And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ 18  “So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19  ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’

    This parable could be spoken of so many people here in the 21st century, especially here in America where we have the American Dream, a dream of working to be wealthy so we can play! 
    And maybe as you read this you are seeing yourself or seeing a family member or a friend who has made their life’s priority of getting rich in order to live a life of ease, eating and drinking, and partying all the time.  

    It is to this wrong priority Jesus gives the SOBERING statement about there being more to this life! Jesus speaks into this man’s life and into our lives with three words BUT GOD SAID.  And what did God say to this man and to us?   “Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?“

    While preparing for and pursuing earthly pleasure he was unprepared for eternal pleasure and now will face eternal punishment.  

    And then Jesus adds a statement of reality with the question, “then whose will those things be which you have provided.”  (I can’t help but think that Jesus is taking a little jab at two brothers who are fighting over the inheritance.)  While the issue of the moment is a person’s soul there comes this reality that a person made it a priority to get and get more and get even more yet when that person dies who is going to get it?   There will be no u-hauls hooked up to their (your) hearse.

    Are you being a fool with your soul?  Matthew 16:26 says, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

    What are your priorities?  Is FAITH #1?  

    Are you prepared to meet God face to face?  Life after death is real.  There is a heaven and there is a hell.  Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.  Are you prepared to meet God face to face as you are appointed once to die and then the judgment?

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 20 (12/20) is Luke 12:20. It says, “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’

    Don’t be a fool with your soul!

    Continue Strong by having prepared your soul for eternity!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!