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  • Living A Life That Pleases God

    Hebrews 11:5 “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

    While reading about that incredible event of Enoch being taken (raptured) what I find even more inspiring is his beautiful, yes, powerful testimony! Enoch walked by faith with God (see Gen. 5:24 “And Enoch walked with God”) and he had a testimony (his life) pleased God!

    In 2 Corinthians 5:9 Paul wrote, “We make it our aim to please Him.” The idea of aim is our ambition.  The ambition, the desire of desires, was that every attitude and action would be pleasing to God. May that be our ambition! May we be known for walking with God and may each attitude we have and action we take bring joy to Him, being pleasing to Him.

    Remember that if you please God it does not matter who you displease and if you displease God it does not matter who you please.

    Paul instructed believers in I Thessalonians 4:1 to please God. 1 Thessalonians 4:1 “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;

    Continue Strong walking by faith pleasing Him,
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Works Don’t Work! Salvation Is Faith Alone!  

    Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”

    The story of the two different sacrifices that Cain and Abel brought to God has laid out the two different approaches mankind has taken to restore their broken relationship with God. And only one of the ways works! Looking back at Genesis 4:2-4 we read what Hebrews 11:4 speaks of: “Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.  3  And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4  Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5  but He did not respect Cain and his offering.”

    What has happened here?  Abel brought a sacrifice in which blood was shed and life was taken. Cain brought his WORKS.  While it was a sacrifice it was more of an offering.  It was something that he gave from his work.   No life is taken, and no blood is shed.   

    With an offering of works from the fruit of the ground and the offering of a sacrifice of an animal’s life, you have two totally different sacrifices offered to God.  

    And only one of them works with God!

    When we consider what works with God, I like to say works don’t work!  
    God says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9  not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9

    God makes a statement that “without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins!”  Hebrews 9:22b

    Think about when Jesus Christ died.  He shed His precious blood. Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:18-19  “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.     

    In comparison to Abel, Jude tells of “the way of Cain.” (Jude 1:11) His way is the way of works.  Keywords for Cain would be DO or DON’T.   He would say to get to heaven you better DO and there is a long list.  Or he might say DON’T and then include a long list of things NOT TO DO!  Cain has the way of religions around the world.   It is the religion of DO and DON’T!  The way of Cain is works will work and we need to know the “way of Cain” is wrong.  Works don’t work!

    Christianity is not about DO or DON’T.  It is about done.  All that is needed for our salvation was DONE by Jesus Christ.  He was the lamb of God that died for the sins of the world.  On the cross, He said, “It is finished.”  Done.  Period!!!  Hebrews 9:12 says, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

    Abel starts us off with salvation is by faith alone.   

    Are you trying to WORK your way to heaven?  Friend, it can’t be done!   
    Place your faith totally in Jesus Christ for salvation. 

    Continue Strong by Faith Alone!
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • The Prayer For Your Provisions

    Luke 11:3 “Give us day by day our daily bread.”

    Luke 11:3 is part of what we call the Lord’s Prayer but is the “Disciple’s Prayer” as the prayer Jesus taught was for the disciples!  You may recall that in Luke 11:1, as He was praying, ONE of His DISCIPLES asked that He teach them to pray!  What followed are some of the best instructions a person can ever learn concerning PRAYER!   I suspect many of you can quote by memory but just in case this is what Jesus taught:
    2  So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
    Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as [it is] in heaven.
    3  Give us day by day our daily bread.
    4  And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”

    When Jesus taught in Matthew 6 He had as the conclusion “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

    Our verse is considered the hinge verse of the “Lord’s Prayer” as it moves us from a time of adoration to God to now a time of asking for our needs.  In verse 2 you find the word “YOUR” 3 times.  In that verse, we adore and praise God.   There is a spirit of submission as we want His kingdom and His will accomplished.  

    Having focused on the adoration of the Father and the agenda of heaven Jesus teaches to ASK for the things needed on EARTH, things the HEAVENLY FATHER provides.  And the things we most need are the provision of daily bread, forgiveness, guidance, and protection.  

    In asking for day by day our daily bread Jesus is instructing us to ask for the MOST BASIC of needs.  We need food and water to live.  While we might consider this too small for our Father in heaven, I like to say that while there is NOTHING TOO BIG TO ASK of GOD, there is nothing TOO SMALL to ask of GOD!  It is not petty to ask Him to provide the most basic of needs for your life.  He is expecting you to ASK!

    I also want you to consider that the prayer request here is a prayer of FAITH.  He did not tell us to ask the Heavenly Father for a year’s supply of food.  He teaches us to be DAILY RELIANT on Him. 

    In closing this devotion, I would like to share one of the greatest “TIPS” I have received for developing a strong walk with the Lord.  Dr. Elmer Towns challenges us to pray the “Lord’s Prayer” as the first thing we do upon waking up.  He taught us to let our first thoughts be of adoration to God and then ask Him to give us what we needed for the day!  This tip has served me well and I believe it will serve you well! 

    Continue Strong asking your Heavenly Father for daily needs!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Say Thank You To Volunteers!

    Nehemiah 11:2  “And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.” 

    One of Nehemiah’s challenges was to have volunteers to move and live in the city of Jerusalem.  After rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem so God’s people could live safely in the city, Nehemiah needed at least a group of people to live in the city.  Most lived in the surrounding areas where they worked their land.  City life would be different.  Yet for the city to be sustained it needed more inhabitants so an appeal was made. Our verse tells us that many stepped up in response to the appeal and moved into Jerusalem.  Furthermore, our verse tells us that as men stepped up the people blessed – shall we say they gave thanks – shall we say they cheered for them – as they moved to dwell in Jerusalem.  There was an outpouring of gratitude for those who volunteered!

    As we are now in November, we hopefully are beginning to think of those we need to express genuine gratitude for their actions.  Today, I offer the suggestion, to give thanks to those who volunteer.  This could be a volunteer at your church.  it could be a volunteer at a school, maybe a coach.  It could be at an election polling place.  The bottom – Say THANK YOU to a volunteer!  

    Continue Strong giving thanks to volunteers,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Walk In My Shoes To Be More Like Jesus

    1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”

    To imitate a person is to do what they do. It is like walking in someone’s shoes or someone’s footprints. The NIV translates 1 Corinthians 11:1 to say, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.”  The Apostle Paul was so confident in his walk with the Lord that he could tell others to walk in his shoes. If the Corinthians wanted to know how to conduct themselves as Christians, they had to look no further than the Apostle Paul.  

    He not only told the Corinthians to follow his example, but he told the Philippians to follow his example.  He wrote in Philippians 3:17 “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.”

    Are you following Christ and His teaching so closely that you can say walk in my shoes and you will be more like Christ?  Are you giving people an example of Christ-like living?  

    One other quick thought regarding being an example is for us to be reminded of Paul’s challenge (instructions) to Timothy to be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”  As well Paul commended Timothy for following certain aspects of his life in 2 Timothy 3:10 saying, “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11  persecutions, afflictions,”

    Make the commitment to be an example that others can “walk in your shoes” and be closer to Jesus and more like Jesus.

    A few other 11/1 verses:
    Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
    Luke 11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
    Proverbs 11:1 Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, But a just weight is His delight. 
    Ecclesiastes 11:1 Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days.

    Continue Strong being an example, 
    And remember to DATE The Word!

      

  • Soli Deo Gloria – To The Glory Of God Alone!

    1 Corinthians 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

    The Westminster Shorter Catechism begins with the question, “What is the chief end of man?”  The answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”  The answer to the all-important question finds its basis in 1 Corinthians 10:31. 

    As far as Bible verses go, this is the verse of verses for the filter for all behavior
    As we ponder this essential verse for life we see the word “WHATEVER.” 
    That covers any and everything!  It covers the smallest things like eating and drinking to the larger things like what one does with their life.  Every thought, word, attitude, deed, and action is to go through 1 Corinthians 10:31.

    The next word is YOU.  Whatever YOU do.  Remember that the first person you lead is YOU so YOU are to use this filter verse so whatever YOU DO is for the glory of God.

    Another keyword is ALL.  ALL MEANS ALL AND THAT IS ALL ALL MEANS! Whatever you decide to do you are to do ALL to the GLORY OF GOD!! 

    The last key phrase of the verse is GLORY OF GOD.  Each and every action is to GLORIFY GOD.  To glorify God is to HONOR, PLEASE, and/or EXALT.  

    This one verse when applied will make a huge difference in how you think, act, and live.  It will keep you from sinning as we know that is not glorifying to God.  When we sin we fall short of the glory of God,  It will keep us humble as even the good we do is not for ourselves but for God!!

    As you consider any actions it should be your practice to ask the question will this be GLORIFYING TO GOD?  Will it honor Him?  Will it please Him?

    Soli Deo Gloria – to the glory of God alone!

    Continue Strong Glorifying The Lord In Everything You Do,
    And remember to DATE The Word!

  • The Cost & The Rewards Of Following Jesus (It Will Be Worth It All)

    Mark 10:30 “Who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.”

    Mark 10 tells of the Apostle Peter evaluating the decision to follow Jesus.  In Mark 10:28 Peter said to Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you!”  This statement contrasts the previous story of the rich young ruler who was unwilling to give up his riches to follow Jesus.  

    The response of Jesus to Peter clarifies the cost but also reveals the rewards of following Jesus.  Yes, following always involves leaving.  Often the one leaving will be leaving what one does and has as well as many family members and friends. To leave is, well, hard.  Peter states a truth about his life in which he left fishing for fish to become a fisher of men.  He knew his life would never be the same when he decided to follow Jesus.  He had left everything.

    With Peter stating the truth about his life Jesus now states the truth about what one can expect to receive when they leave the known for the unknown in following Him.  He tells Peter (and tells you and me) that no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life.  

    As we unpack this truth, we have several truths here as Jesus tells of what one receives in this present age and in the age to come.  As far as leaving family and friends and even occupation Jesus says one is going to find a richness in new relationships that will seem as if one has hundreds of mothers and brothers and sisters.  

    Some of you reading this can immediately give testimony of how this has played out in your life.  I know I can!!  

    He also stays on point about the cost of following Him as it will mean that while there is the richness of Christian fellowship there will be the hatred of the world.   One has to love that with that sobering thought of receiving persecution, He immediately reminds us of our future eternal life in the age to come! 

    While following Jesus is costly, it is also very rewarding!!  You don’t lose by leaving!  The one leaving will also be receiving!  

    And as far as persecution goes the best the enemy can do is scare you with heaven!   

    Continue Strong knowing He takes care of His followers.
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • God’s Provision To The Upright And His Punishment To The Wicked

    Proverbs 10:29 “The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.”

    Living God’s way brings blessings and a fulfilling life. The idea of “strength” here is that of protection or security. As one does what is right, one does not have to be concerned about the consequences of sin. Sooner or later, your sin will be found out, and sooner or later, you will experience sin’s consequences, as sin is only pleasurable for a season.

    Those who are upright (doing what is right) move forward with confidence, whereas the workers of iniquity will soon face dire consequences. Remember that after sin is conceived, it brings forth death (James 1:13). It is wise to heed the warning here that destruction is in the future of one who practices sin.

    You make your choices and then your choices make you! Are you making good choices?

    Continue Strong with wise decisions to do right,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Saved, Safe, And Secure In The Hands Of Jesus

    John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”

    “I give them eternal life!” What a promise!  Do you recall those precious words of John 3:16? John 3:16 tells us that God sent His Son that whosoever believes in Him would have eternal life and not perish!!! God sent us a Savior, His very own SON.  He sent His Son and gave His very own Son to be our sacrifice so that through Him WE could have eternal life.

    Jesus Christ came to give His life in order to give us life, here now and hereafter forever.  what a Savior!  Because of Him, we are saved!

    “And they shall never perish.”  What a 2nd promise!  Saved and safe! As a sinner, we completely deserve to perish yet as born-again believers we have the promise that this will never happen to us.  Like the Apostle Paul, we can make the statement “To die is gain!”   

    If however, you are reading this and you have not been born again I plead with you to do so.  While a person should not live in fear, I would tell you to live in fear as Matthew 10:28 “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”   Do not put off accepting the Lord for presently you will perish in your sins!

    “Neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand!” What a 3rd promise! SAVED! SAFE! SECURE!! We are as secure as the strength of His hands thus we are completely secure in the hands of Jesus! Then to add to this security Jesus tells us that His Father is involved in holding us secure.  Notice John 10:29 as it reveals, “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.  

    No wonder the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:38 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

    Ponder and praise God today for your SALVATION that has been provided by and then protected by our incredible, wonderful Good Shepherd!

    Jesus Christ came to give His life to give us life, here and hereafter.

    Continue Strong knowing you are SAVED! SAFE! SECURE for all eternity!
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Getting the Most out of Your Days

    Proverbs 10:27 “The fear of the Lord prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.”

    One of the central themes of Proverbs is the FEAR OF THE LORD. For instance, Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction,” and in Proverbs 31:30 we find the virtuous woman is known and praised for fearing the Lord. The fear of the Lord is taught as the way to experience a blessed life here on earth.   Occasionally it is contrasted with the fool or with the wicked as it is here in Proverbs 10:27.  Most of the time we find the BENEFITS that come from having a right relationship with God in which He is acknowledged as God and one stands in AWE of Him offering adoration and obedience.  

    In contrast is to have a wrong relationship with God.  Here we see the WICKED who do what is WRONG in God’s sight.  They have no desire to obey what He says. There is no fear of the Lord with them.

    A study of both those who fear the Lord and those who are wicked and quickly find that life is very different.  Here the one who fears the Lord receives prolonged days.  The idea is they GET MORE OUT OF THE 24 hours.  The wicked, on the other hand are missing out on life as they live in constant fear of being caught for something they did and having to cover up things they did.  Those living right with God will not have perfect lives but will not be reaping the consequences of wickedness.  

    One of my favorite verses about the fear of the Lord is Proverbs 19:23.  It says, “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

    The wicked do not have a satisfying life.  For example (and these are but a few as the word “wicked” is mentioned 86 times in Proverbs and 85 times in Psalms.)
    Proverbs 3:33  The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked
    Proverbs 4:19  The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
    Proverbs 11:5  …. But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
    Proverbs 11:21 Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; 
    Proverbs 13:25  The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.
    Proverbs 15:9  The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.

    And I can go on and on.  The lifestyle of the wicked may be pleasurable and profitable for a time, for a moment, but it is only for a short time.  

    God’s Word appeals to us to choose to FEAR THE LORD, choosing to fear Him as if our very life depended on it, because it does. 

    Continue Strong fearing the Lord,
    And remember to DATE the WORD