datethewordtest

Category: Verse to DATE

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 19 (12/19) is 2 Corinthians 12:19

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 19 (12/19) is 2 Corinthians 12:19
    2 Corinthians 12:19 says, “Have you (Corinthians) been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved.”
    For your EDIFICATION

    2 Corinthians 12:19 concludes with “for we do all things, beloved, for your edification.”  What a great challenge to us as we consider our motives for ministry.  As a matter of fact, this concluding statement was made by the Apostle Paul to explain his motives for writing to the Corinthians AGAIN. As Paul wrote AGAIN to the Corinthians, he had to answer the age-old question of WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TELLING US WHAT TO DO question. With that question hanging heavy, the Apostle Paul defends his apostleship in the letter we call 2 Corinthians. He, also, though does not back off calling for the Corinthians to live differently and to do what is right! His ultimate purpose in writing was not to DEFEND himself but for their EDIFICATION – for their UPBUILDING. His motive for ministry was building up the body!  

    As we minister in a variety of ways, we will encounter people who may need an exhortation to stop sinning. (1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “brethren, warn the unruly…..; James 5:19 says, “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20  let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.)  So as “brethren” let us check ourselves to make sure our exhortation is for edification! When we take this approach Proverbs 25:12 is more possible!! Proverbs 25:12 says, “Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.”

    Our reason for rebuking (reproving) is to bring a person to repentance and then restoration!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 19 (12/19) is 2 Corinthians 12:19. It says, “Have you (Corinthians) been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, for we do all things, beloved, for your edification.”  

    How might you apply “for we do all things, beloved, for your edification” to your life today?  

    Continue Strong ministering to one another with the pure motive of edifying one another!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 18 (12/18) is Romans 12:18

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 18 (12/18) is Romans 12:18
    Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” 
    Let there be PEACE!

    Romans 12 is considered one of the greatest chapters in the Bible.  The Apostle Paul has transitioned from explaining the great doctrines of our Christian faith to teaching the duties of the Christian.  His teachings will cover the duties of a believer to God who has graciously and mercifully saved the believer.  His teaching will cover the implementation of ministering our spiritual gifts for the building up of one another.  His teaching will cover how we relate to other believers, to the lost, and to those who mistreat and persecute us.  As he teaches how to respond to those who disagree with us he appeals that we do our best to KEEP THE PEACE.  He appeals that WE make every effort possible to live peaceably with ALL men.  

    Are you a peacemaker or a peace breaker?  As Jesus listed what we call the beatitudes He said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”  Matthew 5:9  

    Our verse to DATE, to consider, to ponder calls for us to be actively involved in peacemaking with other people, others who just may not have any interest in a peaceful relationship.  How, if we are to be working to KEEP THE PEACE, do we accomplish this?   Let me give a few thoughts. 

    First, know that you can disagree agreeably.  You can debate over what is best without blowing the proverbial gasket.  I have always believed a person has the right to be wrong.  
    Second, not every argument has to be won.  You don’t have to agree to argue every argument presented to you.  It has been said that we need to decide what hill we want to die on and in the big picture of life, there really are not that many.  Now there are some but in reality, there aren’t that many.  
    Third, with relationships resolve to solve, not dissolve.  
    Fourth, (from John Maxwell) practice the 101% rule.  Find the 1% you do agree on and give that 100%.  
    Fifth, (from Steven Covey) Seek first to understand before seeking to be understood and go for the WIN WIN!  
    Sixth, (from Jesus) turn the other cheek and go the extra mile.

    These are but a few suggestions on how you can work to live peaceably.  I am sure you can add to the list and I hope you do.  The bottom line is we have from Romans 12:18 the instructions to do as much as possible to live peaceably.

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 18 (12/18) is Romans 12:18. It says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

    Continue Strong as a PEACEMAKER.
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 17 (12/17) is Mark 12:17

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 17 (12/17) is Mark 12:17
    Mark 12:17 says, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.”
    A Good Citizen of TWO Worlds

    With Mark 12:17 beginning with AND JESUS ANSWERED we should quickly look back at the question.  Notice Mark 12:13 – 16 for the background. 
    13 Then they (Religious leaders who want to kill Jesus) sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14  When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?  15  “Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”  (THE QUESTION IS PROPOSED and now the answer begins)
    But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” 16  So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

    In seeking to trick Jesus into a response that would land Him in hot water with the Romans Jesus is asked about paying TAXES.  With much wisdom, He answers with an answer that leaves the listeners astonished.  He looks at a coin with Caesar’s image on it and says GIVE to Caesar the things that are his.  In other words, He said YES PAY YOUR TAXES.   What makes this verse so astonishing is the next part as He tells them to GIVE to GOD the things that are HIS.  

    Church father Tertullian wrote, “‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s;’ that is, give to Caesar his image stamped upon his coin, and give to God His Own image stamped upon you; so that while you render to Caesar the coin which is his due, you may render your own self to God.”    (Pulpit Commentary)

    To the question of paying taxes, the response from Jesus is that we have responsibilities to our government and added that we have responsibilities to God.  A citizen of heaven should be a good citizen on earth AND a citizen on earth should be a faithful citizen of heaven. 

    While giving a tribute (tax) to the Roman government Jesus calls the questioners to give themselves in TOTALITY to God.  In essence, He exposed them for not being loyal to Caesar and not being loyal to God.  No wonder they were ASTONISHED at this teaching!  

    So, are you paying your taxes?
    So, are you PRESENTING yourself to God as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him?

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 17 (12/17) is Mark 12:17. It says, “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.”

    Continue Strong as good citizens of earth and Heaven,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 16 (12/16) is Proverbs 12:16

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 16 (12/16) is Proverbs 12:16
    Proverbs 12:16 says, “The anger of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.”
    The Wise Carefully CHOOSE their Responses to the Critic

    In the multitude of contrast found in Proverbs comes the contrasting response to the critic.  The fool responds with indignation to the insult while the prudent (the wise) ignores the insult.  What a totally different response.  The fool is ready to beat the person up while the prudent brushes it off.  The fool has no patience and explodes in retaliation.  The fool has no filter!  Their action only makes the matter worse.  The prudent will carefully choose their response with patience and will refuse to engage in senseless name-calling so as to defuse the matter.  

    Having read the above where are you in your response to the critic? 
    Are you more like the FOOL who is quick-tempered, with a short fuse, and responds with equal or MORE force?
    Are you more like the prudent?   BTW – I like to define the prudent as one who carefully considers the consequences of their choices.  Do you carefully consider your responses to the critic?  

    Allow me to share a few thoughts on responding to the critic’s insults:
    Proverbs 15:1  A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
    NLT “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”
    Proverbs 23:9 Don’t speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of your words.

    Working with Dr. Jerry Falwell, who had many insults hurled at him, I heard him many times say never defend yourself as your friends don’t need and your enemies will not believe you anyway.  

    As you live and breathe living and serving the Lord you will be attacked and criticized.  I had only been a Christian a short time when I encountered vicious name-calling.  My past life without Christ was demanding a response of both verbal and physical, but the new life in Christ was calling for self-control.  I ignored the insults that day.  It was not easy! 

    Let us remember that as Christians our testimony is so often revealed by our temper and our tongue.  We reveal just how different we are when we don’t return an insult with an insult.  

    Verse to DATE the Word on December 16 (12/16) is Proverbs 12:16. It says, “The anger of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.”

    Continue Strong with self-control of temper and tongue!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 15 (12/15) is Luke 12:15

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 15 (12/15) is Luke 12:15
    Luke 12:15 says, “And Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things one possesses.” 
    THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS!!

    A double warning of “take heed and beware” begins this verse.  While we should be listening to everything Jesus says, a double warning should have our full UNDIVIDED attention.  ARE YOU LISTENING?  ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION?

    Luke 12:15 tells us to WATCH OUT for our hearts COVETING or being GREEDY.  The Tenth Commandment of the Ten Commandments instructs us “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”  Exodus 20:17  Of all the commandments this one is the most personal and secretive as it is broken with an attitude, an attitude that then will lead to actions.  If I am coveting, you do not see it.  If you are coveting, I do not see.  It is an inside sin as one is never satisfied with what one presently has, and they have a driving desire to get more and more.  There is never ENOUGH for them.  There is no CONTENTMENT with the COVETOUS person. The coveting person makes gold their god!  

    The admonition to be on guard, to be watching out for coveting comes in response to an unnamed man in the crowd who has asked Jesus to resolve a family dispute over an inheritance.  While the request was out of line it presented Jesus with a tremendous opportunity to teach one of the GREATEST lessons we will ever learn.  And what is that lesson?

    With the double WARNING of guarding against coveting, Jesus now teaches a lesson that flies in the face of what we have been taught and conditioned to think about money, things, and possessions.  The WHY of why we should not covet (ARE YOU LISTENING) IS your life does not consist in the abundance of things you possess.  YOUR LIFE DOES NOT CONSIST IN THE ABUNDANCE OF THE THINGS YOU POSSESS! 

    As I write this and I read this statement from Jesus it comes across like a punch in the gut.  We use to say the preacher was stepping on toes with that message.  Well, I have to believe Jesus is stepping on a lot of toes with this teaching.  We have been programmed to believe that money, things, and possessions determine our lives’ VALUE.  The biggest house, best car, nicest clothes, most extensive bank account, 2nd, and 3rd home, etc. determine our SELF-WORTH.  And with one sentence Jesus CONFRONTS and DEBUNKS that thinking.  

    Your self-worth is not tied to your worth!  Your worth does not determine your self-worth!

    Maybe you need to read WHAT JESUS SAID again: “For one’s life (your life) DOES NOT consist in the abundance of the things one possesses.”  

    How do you now apply JESUS’ TEACHING to your THINKING?

    For me, it was a quote that helped me go against the world’s thinking.  It goes, “THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS.”  

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 15 (12/15) is Luke 12:15. It says, “And Jesus said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things one possesses.”

    Are you GUARDING your heart against being GREEDY? Are you CONTENT or does your heart COVET for more and MORE? 
    Are you able to embrace THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE NOT THINGS?  

    Continue Strong content, satisfied with Jesus!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 14 (12/14) is Romans 12:14

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 14 (12/14) is Romans 12:14
    Romans 12:14 says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
    RESPONDING DIFFERENTLY to MISTREATMENT

    Our Christianity affects all of our relationships. It affects our relationship with God.  It affects our relationship with other believers.  It affects our relationship with the people who are lost. And it affects our relationship with those who viciously attack us, persecuting us.  The Apostle Paul teaches here in Romans 12:14 what Jesus had earlier taught when it came to responding to those who were mean and hating and persecuting. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” 

    Jesus’ teaching and now Paul’s teaching is in stark contrast to the world around them and what the world says today.  

    As we consider those who oppose and yes persecute, we are to pray for them and desire God’s greatest blessings on them.  And you know what the greatest blessing would be?  The greatest blessing would be that they would be saved. Consider that your opponent today may be “SAUL” and tomorrow could be “PAUL.”

    So, BLESS THOSE WHO PERSECUTE!! And definitely do not stoop to their level of cursing them!

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 14 (12/14) is Romans 12:14. It says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”

    Continue Strong responding differently,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 13 (12/13) is Ecclesiastes 12:13

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 13 (12/13) is Ecclesiastes 12:13
    Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”                                                    
    FEARING GOD IS WHAT MAKES LIFE MEANINGFUL

    The Book of Ecclesiastes starts with these doom and gloom words: Eccl. 1:2 “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” Wow! What a depressing start to a Book of the Bible. Life is meaningless!  To prove how meaningless it is Solomon will tell about one pursuit after another pursuit that will leave one unsatisfied. From wine and women to work and wealth Solomon never found satisfaction.   

    A subtitle for Ecclesiastes easily could be “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.”

    However, Solomon says he has made a discovery in his search for meaning and he now gives his conclusion of the greatest discovery of all time. The conclusion for having a MEANINGFUL life is FEAR GOD and KEEP His Commandments!

    To fear God is to place God where He belongs with the acknowledgment that He exists and stand in awe of Him offering adoration to Him and recognizing His authority over you.

    Life takes on meaning when you REALIZE and RECOGNIZE there is a GOD and you are not Him!

    This will then lead to KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS.  You will live according to His standards rather than doing what is right in your own eyes.

    What has so far been the conclusion for you in finding meaning in life?  The wisest of men, Solomon would tell you that your answer needs to be “fearing God and keeping His commandments.”  This and this only is what life is about and what will bring meaning to life.
      
    Friends, until God is in the right place in your life, your life is going to stay unfilled, lacking meaning and satisfaction. Listen to Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied;” Now connect Matthew 6:33 which says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”

    It is now your call!  What will be your conclusion?

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 13 (12/13) is Ecclesiastes 12:13. It says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”

    Continue Strong in the FEAR of the Lord!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

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

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 12 (12/12) is Romans 12:12
    Romans 12:12 says, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”
    Three KEYS to the SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE

    As the Apostle Paul pens the letter to the Romans, he has moved from doctrinal teaching to practical teaching for living out the Christian life. As one lives a transformed life one now sees life differently and approaches life differently. The Christian’s view of others is to demonstrate genuine love to them (v9) and honor others better than themselves. (v.10) They move from living for themselves seeking to fulfill selfish desires to now seeking to serve the Lord and serving Him with intense enthusiasm. (v11) To help one serve the Lord, the Apostle Paul now gives three actions to take.

    He first calls on believers to have a joyful attitude as one always has hope when one is serving the Lord as the Lord is always with them! (A great promise from the Lord is He will never leave us nor forsake us.)  There is the hope that His Word never returns void!  There is the hope that as we share Christ there will be a breakthrough.  And ultimately, we rejoice in hope because our salvation concludes (and really starts) in heaven so the best is yet to come!  What a HOPE we have in Jesus!  

    Now, being very realistic Paul tells the believer secondly they will need to be patient in tribulation or to endure, to persevere with tribulations.  Jesus told his disciples that in this world they will have tribulation but be of good cheer, He had overcome the world. John 16:33.  I trust no one told you that becoming a Christian means you will have no more problems and no more trouble.  If they did you were told something that just is not true.  Getting saved does not mean we do not have any more trials and troubles and tribulations. It does mean though that we have someone to help us get through the tribulation, helping us to ENDURE.  I truly believe one of the great marks of the Christian is endurance or perseverance.  We don’t QUIT. We REMAIN UNDER the pressure. 

    To help the believer be patient, to endure the Apostle Paul teaches us to CONTINUE STEADFASTLY IN PRAYER. One will only persevere in life by handling life with continuous prayer!!   This, friends, cannot be just a quick morning prayer. It needs to be persevering, continual prayer. The harder life gets the harder (if you will) one must pray!!  The idea of “continue steadfastly” is that of continuing to do something with intense effort. The harder life gets the harder (if you will) one must pray!! 

    So we have three more actions of the transformed life. There is the JOYFUL attitude. Never QUITTING and always praying!  Are these actions that describe your life?

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 12 (12/12) is Romans 12:12. It says, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;”

    “In hope, rejoicing; in tribulation, enduring; in prayer, persevering.”

    Continue Strong rejoicing, enduring, and praying!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 11 (12/11) is Proverbs 12:11

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 11 (12/11) is Proverbs 12:11
    Proverbs 12:11 says, “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.”
    Work Pays Off 

    Our verse may have two words that are unknown to us.  There is the word TILL and the word FRIVOLITY.   Sometimes other versions help us out.  From the NIV Proverbs 12:11 reads, “He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.”
    NASB says, “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.”
    NLT says, “A hard worker has plenty of food,    but a person who chases fantasies has no sense.”
    ESV says, “Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.”

    Proverbs will over and over give us CONTRAST so we can see the results of an action which in turn allows us to make BETTER DECISIONS.  The contrast of Proverbs 12:11 is one person is going to be satisfied with food while the other person is going hungry.  When a person TILLS the land or WORKS the land, WORKS at whatever job they have they will be earning income to buy bread.  The person who is chasing fantasies or going after things that are worthless will not have any income and thus will not have any food to eat.  The proverb conveys that this person lacks common sense!  

    So, what is your thinking on the subject of WORK?  It is not a 4-letter curse word.  Work was given to Adam before the fall.  It was only after the fall that work took on a curse.  God has always valued work and so should we.  Here are a couple of verses to help our thinking.
    Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”
    Romans 12:11 NLT Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. (could have been the verse for the date)
    2 Thessalonians 3:10  For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11  For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. (maybe chasing worthless things) 12  Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

    One of the hard truths of the Bible is there are times when a person is not to be helped. In not helping them Proverbs 16:26 kicks in.  Do you know Proverbs 16:26? Proverbs 16:26 says, “The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.”

    I trust you have a great work ethic! 

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 11 (12/11) is Proverbs 12:11. It says, “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.”

    Romans 12:11 NLT Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

    Continue Strong with your WORK!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 10 (12/10) is Romans 12:10

    Our verse to DATE the Word on December 10 (12/10) is Romans 12:10
    Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; “
    The CHRISTIAN’S TREATMENT of OTHERS

    Getting saved brings about TWO new relationships.  The first new relationship is with God, and He is now our FATHER!  We are no longer aliens to God but adopted children in the family of God.  Being in the FAMILY of God brings about a new relationship with people, with the OTHERS of this world. We have a new vertical relationship with God whereby He is our Father, and we have a new horizontal relationship with people who are saved as they are our BROTHERS AND SISTERS. 

    Romans 12 is now addressing this new horizontal relationship.  Romans 12:4-8 taught how we use our spiritual gifts to edify each other.  Moving into verses 9-10 we are to genuinely love one another, being kindly affectionate to one another.  The idea of kindly affection speaks of being DEVOTED to another.  It means being there when they need you.  It is Ruth being there for Naomi.  

    The apostle Paul now moves us to a new level of LIVING as we are to honor others above ourselves. We are to GIVE PREFERENCE to others!  Others before us and others above us!  This new level of treatment means we don’t just treat people like we want to be treated but rather we treat them better than we want to be treated! 

    Do you treat OTHERS better than you treat yourself?  

    BTW – The version of the International Standard says, “Be devoted to each other with mutual affection. Excel at showing respect for each other.”  What a different world we would have if we EXCELLED at RESPECTING one another!!!

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 10 (12/10) is Romans 12:10. It says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;”

    Selfish people think only of themselves. Saved people think of OTHERS. 
    They think of others before they think of themselves and they place others above themselves!

    Continue Strong Loving your brothers and sisters,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD