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  • Repentance and Recommitment Caused God to Relent and Restore

    Judges 10:16 “So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD. And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.”

    The Israelites rebelled against God again, and again. They rebelled so many times that by the time we get to Judges 10 God has had enough.  From Judges 10:6 we read, “Then the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths, the gods of Syria, the gods of Sidon, the gods of Moab, the gods of the people of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines; and they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him. 7  So the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the people of Ammon.”  Under the hands of the enemy the Israelites suffered greatly.  They finally decided to call on God.  From Judges 10:16 we read, “And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, because we have both forsaken our God and served the Baals!”

    With this cry for help they get a different response from God. Judges 10:11 says, “So the LORD said to the children of Israel, “Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites and from the people of Ammon and from the Philistines?  12  “Also the Sidonians and Amalekites and Maonites oppressed you; and you cried out to Me, and I delivered you from their hand. 13  “Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. Therefore I will deliver you no more.  14  “Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosen; let them deliver you in your time of distress.”

    Oh my.  “Therefore, I will deliver you no more.”  What a statement.  The patience and longsuffering of God has reached its end.  

    Hearing this we read now of genuine repentance. Judges 10:15  And the children of Israel said to the LORD, “We have sinned! Do to us whatever seems best to You; only deliver us this day, we pray.” Then comes verse 16 that tells of their actions to go with their repentance.  “So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD.”

    Their repentance was followed with resolve and now God sees hearts that desire Him, breaking His heart.  16c says, “And His soul could no longer endure the misery of Israel.”  

    One commentator said when they repented God repented.  When they changed their mind about sin and turned away from it & turned to God, God changed His mind about them and turned to help them.  And in doing so we see a loving, gracious and merciful God responding to a repentant sinner. 

    This verse makes me think of 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

    Continue Strong keeping out idols and serving the Lord only,
    And remember to DATE The Word!

  • The Beautiful Message and the Beautiful Messenger

    Romans 10:15 “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

    Our verse is commentary on the message and the messenger in which both are greatly complimented.  The message is so beautiful for it is the gospel of peace. The messenger has beautiful feet as they preach or proclaim this beautiful message of glad tidings of good things.  

    The message of the messenger is far more important than the messenger.  This message the messenger brings changes everything for a person as it changes the status of a person with God in which the person who was at war with God now has peace with God.  As sinners, we are against God and are enemies of God.  But through believing the gospel, we are saved and now have peace with God.  What a huge change!!  No wonder it is called glad 
    tidings of good things.  

    I suspect some of you are reading that phrase and you are wondering where you have heard this before.  You might recall that it is part of the Christmas story. Remember Luke 2:10, “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”  What was the good tidings of great joy to all people?  Luke 2:11 gives the answer. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  

    What a message we have received. having received it we have the responsibility to be messengers to the world.  We get to let all the people of the world know they can have peace with God! We get to let them know they can be reconciled to God. No wonder one might say the messenger has “beautiful feet!”   Now the idea is not literal that a preacher – a messenger – has attractive feet, but rather that the reference to feet is that the feet brought the messenger with the message!  We who proclaim the gospel to the lost world are viewed as having beautiful feet because we bring the most beautiful message any human could ever hear!

    Are people around you seeing you as someone with “beautiful feet” because you are bringing to them the most beautiful message that they can have peace with God? Are you a faithful messenger with the message?   You are after all sent!

    Let it be said of you that you have beautiful feet because you were faithful in proclaiming the beautiful message of the gospel!

    Continue Strong for the Lord bringing the gospel to the world!  
    And remember to DATE The Word!

  • It Is Better To Have It And Not Need It Than To Need It And Not Have It!

    Proverbs 10:14 “Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.”

    One day during math class my 7th-grade math teacher, Mr. Ford, was asked by a fellow classmate why we had to learn math.  I have never forgotten his answer as he said, “It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.”   My math-teaching daughter would say, “AMEN!”

    I can now look back and say that was one wise answer.  I do not know if Mr. Ford knew Proverbs 10:14 but when I first read “Wise people store up knowledge,” I thought of his statement.

    Drawing from the teaching of Proverbs 10:14 we are reminded that when it comes to learning God’s Word we must read and look to apply it presently, and we need to read it and memorize it to know it for later application.

    Keep in mind you are reading God’s Word for today as well as storing it up for tomorrow.

    The foolish do not have this mindset.  They brag of not needing to know.  The sad truth is they will be caught off guard many times without the resources to handle temptations, which in turn leads to destruction.  

    Are you a wise person who is storing up knowledge today for tomorrow’s use?  Or do you think more like a foolish person who is constantly questioning why do we need to learn this?  

    Take a quick moment as you ponder Proverbs 10:14 to:
    1) Think of a time when a lesson you learned years ago came to mind and you immediately had the answer to a situation.
    2) Think of a time when you wished you would have paid more attention to a lesson or a sermon as you find yourself in a situation with no answers.

    As you reflect on your answers how wise does Mr. Ford’s answer, “It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it,” come across today?

    How large is your spiritual reservoir?

    Continue Strong “Dating” the Word for Today And Tomorrow!
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • The Benefits Of Having Understanding And The Consequences Of Not Having Understanding

    Proverbs 10:13 “Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.”

    Proverbs 10:13 provides a contrast between having understanding and not having understanding.  Having understanding or discernment will cause a person to speak carefully, conveying wisdom that will help others. Along with Proverbs 10:13a, Psalm 37:30 tells us “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.”  What a blessing to say the right things. As well what a blessing to have someone around you who speaks wisdom to you.  

    On the other hand, the one lacking understanding or discernment is going to find their tongue gets them in a lot of trouble. (Does your tongue get you in trouble?)  Lacking understanding is a characteristic of a fool and a fool brings forth a silliness with their speech, followed by stupidity that is then followed up with sinfulness.  Proverbs 15:2b tells us “The mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”  That foolishness has the potential for getting them in fights.  They don’t know when to shut up.  

    Are you gaining understanding?  Understanding is one of the facets of wisdom.  It has the idea of being able to discern.  When one has understanding they have the ability to know the difference between what is right and what is wrong. With discernment one can avoid the wrong paths that lead to trouble. 

    Solomon wanted understanding heart so he could discern between good and evil. (1 Kings 3:9)  

    We are living in a day where discernment and understanding is greatly lacking.  There are 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! (Isaiah 5:20).  We need to heed the call of Proverbs 4:5,7 to “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

    The advantages of wisdom and understanding are many.  Heed her call!

    You can be gaining understanding reading one chapter of Proverbs a day!

    Having understanding will help you to help others as well as not hurt yourself!

    Continue strong by acquiring and applying understanding,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Warning – Greater Men And Women Than You And I Have Fallen

    1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

    Early in my new life as a Christian, I heard the statement greater men and women than you and me have already fallen.  That became imprinted on my mind and heart.  The speaker then referenced 1 Corinthians 10:12 and admonished us to stay humble because if we thought we could not fall we were setting ourselves up to fail.  I recall vividly the speaker saying knowing you can fall will help you not to fall.  

    Do you know that you can fall?  You better know it.  Proverbs 16:18 let us know that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

    Unfortunately, I know a lot of people who have messed up a good, yes, even a great walk with God. Some have messed up a good, yes, even a great work for God.  The vast majority responded to the what happen question with “I never thought it would happen to me.”  And there you have their first huge mistake.  As the speaker said, “Knowing you can fall will help you not to fall.” 

    Do you know that you can fall?  Hopefully, as you read this you are now clearly saying yes and there is also a desire to not fall.  I will tell you that if you don’t want to fall you need to take actions.  

    What might some of those actions be?  

    First, stay humble. 
    Proverbs 11:2  When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.

    Stay alert 
    1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

    Stay disciplined 
    1 Corinthians 9:27 says, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

    Stay relying
    Galatians 5:16 says then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

    You can fall in your walk and work for the Lord but you don’t have to! Take the necessary actions to prevent a fall!

    Continue Strong aware of falling,
    And remember to DATE the WORD

  • The Good Shepherd Gave His Life So We Could Have Life, Here And Hereafter!

    John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”

    One of the greatest things Jesus Christ did for us while here on earth was revealing who he was and what he does.  In the Book of John, one finds the 7 great I Am statements.  Each reveals a key component of who he is and what he does. The seven I Am statements are I Am the Bread of Life. I Am the Light of the world. I Am the Door.  I Am the Good Shepherd. I Am the Resurrection and the Life. I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I Am the true Vine. 

    John 10:11 reveals to us that He is the Good Shepherd. A shepherd has the huge responsibility of leading, providing, protecting, and caring for the sheep.  To be a shepherd meant putting the sheep first and doing whatever was necessary to keep them alive! So as Jesus reveals that He is the Good Shepherd He says He gives His life for the sheep. 

    Now let us pause and ponder this statement of “gives His life for the sheep.”  In giving He means dying for the sheep. The Good Shepherd dies! 

    As you ponder this revelation of who Jesus Christ is and what He does (did) I hope you can proclaim what a Savior!!!  He gave His life so you could have life. 

    As I read John 10:11 I cannot help but think of John 3:16. It says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  

    He gave His life so you could have life, here and hereafter!

    I trust you have believed and today you have life and at death begin everlasting life with Jesus in heaven.  

    Continue Strong with Gratitude And Worship, Crying Out What A Good Shepherd!
    And remember to DATE The Word!

  • Preparation Precedes Performance – Sharpen Your Ax

    Ecclesiastes 10:10 “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength, But wisdom brings success.”

    In the book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey lists Habit #7 as Sharpen the Ax. The analogy may not be familiar today but for centuries people cut wood with an ax for building buildings and/or to cook and/or for woodstoves and fireplaces for keep things warm, etc.  Cutting wood with an ax was a daily activity. To be more productive a sharp ax worked better than a dull ax.   

    As valuable as the ax was to the user so too was a whetstone. A whetstone was used to sharpen the ax!

    While the user of an ax understood how much more valuable a sharp ax was one would be tempted to forgo sharpening the ax as it took time away from cutting. 

    Yes, sharpening an ax takes time!  For the ax to be sharpened meant the ax was not in use and could easily appear as a waste of time.  Starting to cut without sharpening was a real temptation.  As well one would be tempted to continue cutting as the ax become dull.  However, using a dull ax would take more time and it takes more effort.  In the long run, one will find that there was less production.  Thus, it would be incredibly wise for one to take the time to sharpen their ax. 

    Sharpening the ax speaks for us today of preparation! It is what is done before we do what needs to be done.  For a vocation, it is getting a high school degree.  It is getting the training, whether as an apprentice or a trade school, or a community school. or a university in order to perform the desired job.  Some preparation takes longer as skills must be mastered.  

    A great picture of preparation is seen in Esther where Esther purposefully prepares herself for her meeting with the King.  It took time to get ready but her preparation paid off.  See Esther 5:1-3.

    What is your ax today?  It could be your education.  It could be with your vocation.   It could be your next vacation.  It could be related to a team event.  It could be cutting some firewood.  What is your ax that needs sharpening before use? What is that thing that is saying you must pay the upfront cost?  What is saying you need to spend time (and money) to be prepared? 

    Whatever those answers are wisdom is saying success follows sharpening.  

    The successful will tell you they value the preparation as much as the performance!  Do you value preparation?  Do you value sharpening the Ax?

    I still recommend Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey as a must-read.

    October 10 (10/10) has another great verse to DATE as John 10:10 says. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

    Prior prayerful purposeful positive preparation precedes powerful productive performance.

    Continue Strong with PREPARATION.  
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Integrity! Living With Nothing To Worry About

    Proverbs 10:9 “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.”

    Integrity is doing what is right, and doing so even when no one is looking. One will have a reputation, yes, a character, that makes one trustworthy and reliable. The idea of integrity is to be completely complete. The idea is there are no holes in your life. Nothing sketchy. There is no corruption. There are no hidden sins.

    Our verse conveys that integrity brings many benefits. There is the personal benefit of not having anything to worry about as Proverbs 10:9 says one walks securely. Integrity brings inward peace as you don’t have to worry about being caught. You know when someone goes looking into your “closet” they will find it clean! 

    There are also benefits for others as by living with integrity others are blessed. 
    Proverbs 20:7 says, “The one who lives with integrity is righteous; his children who come after him will be blessed.”

    However, if one is crooked, one will be found out. Sooner or later the truth of Numbers 32:23 is going to happen! You do know Numbers 32:23? It says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Sooner or later, what is done in the dark will come to light. The lie will be exposed, and the truth revealed.  The crooked will be caught!

    For example, we have ripped from the headlines a story that tells of cheating in a fishing tournament.  Yep.  There was cheating in a fishing tournament up at Lake Erie.  A couple of fishermen were caught stuffing their fish at the Lake Erie Walleye Trail in Ohio with lead weights, fish fillets, and other debris in order to win a financial prize for the heaviest fish.  One person noticed that another person’s fish looked larger than the winner’s fish so they cut open the “winning” fish and found a weight inside.  Talk about Proverbs 10:9b happening.  The crooked fisherman was caught!  

    How important is living with integrity to you? Are you doing right even when no one is looking? Are you doing wrong things wondering when will someone see?   

    A life of influence (and enjoyment) begins with living a life of integrity! 

    “It is impossible to be our best at the supreme moment if character is corroded and eaten into by daily inconsistency, unfaithfulness, and besetting sin.”  F. B. Meyers

    Continue Strong with a life of integrity!
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Have No Fear For The Battle Has Already Been Won

    Joshua 10:8 “And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.””

    From the start of the Book of Joshua God gave Joshua promises that he would be successful in defeating his enemies.  Joshua was not to be afraid.  Let’s recall those opening words:
    Joshua 1:5  “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7  “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8  “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. 9  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

    As we get to Joshua 10 we find multiple kings are coming together and with their united forces the situation does not look good for Joshua.  In steps God (“And the LORD said to Joshua,) with the reminder of what was said in chapter one with these power words: “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”

    The rest of Joshua 10 is an exciting chapter of God working in miraculous ways to bring about victory.  He will hold the sun still so the day could be extended to allow Joshua’s soldier time to finish the battle.  God will rain down hailstones that would kill more of the enemy than the soldiers did.  God brought forth the victory as promised.

    As we serve the Lord and face untold spiritual enemies and temptations we should go forward day by day in the strength of the Lord and with His precious promise of being with us, having put on the armor of God,  He has provided us will all that we need to be victorious.  Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 as it says,  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 

    Continue Strong remembering His promises!
    And remember to DATE The Word!

  • God’s Marriage Instructions 

    Mark 10:7 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,”

    Jesus is speaking here, and He restates about marriage and family what is written in Genesis 2:24 where we first learn of God’s instructions for the family. As a reminder, Genesis 2:24 says, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

    In this verse, we find the various people and roles from a man being a husband and a father and a woman being a wife and a mother. When I conduct a wedding I will say to the groom that today he is getting a new title, that of being a husband, and then to the bride I will say today you are getting a new title, that of being a wife.

    With the verse, we also see the instructions for marriage calling for leaving and then cleaving (the idea of joining). The man and the woman leave their families to establish a new home – a new family unit. 

    Many martial problems will be solved with the application of this verse. Parents are to let go of their child. The new couple are to immediately start cleaving to each other, so close that they are indeed one. God’s marriage math is one plus one equals one.  And no one nor anything is to come between the husband and the wife. In God’s sight the marriage relationship of a husband and a wife is preeminent over all other relationship. Thus the marriage for the husband and wife is to be top priority. For it to work it will start with leaving, leaving mother and father and cleaving to each other!! 

    Challenging thought:  When a wedding begins there are two families.  There is the bride’s family and the groom’s family.  When the wedding is over there are three families.  There still is the bride’s family and there still is the groom’s family and there now is the new family made up of the bride and the groom who have been pronounced as husband and wife.  The bride did not join the groom’s family, and the groom did not join the bride’s family.  The bride and groom left their induvial families to start a new family.  

    Continue Strong following God’s instructions for marriage,
    And remember to DATE The Word!