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  • A Special Announcement About March316

    Would you share John 3:16 on 3/16? 

    I would like to present an idea to you regarding March 16th, 2025. As I looked ahead to the calendar year of 2025, I noticed several things. First, Easter for 2025 is April 20th, which is a very late date. Then, looking back to February, there is Valentine’s Day on Friday, February 14th. Then I looked at March. I saw that March 16th (3/16) is on a Sunday, and it immediately got my attention.  Without question, anytime I see or hear 3/16, I think of John 3:16.  I felt a very strong urging of the Holy Spirit to write out the question, “What would happen if every pastor, preacher, teacher, evangelist, etc. preached their very best John 3:16 message on March 16th (3/16), 2025?” This question led to action, and we launched “March316” as a movement to see this happen. 

    What would happen if, on March 16th (3/16), we were intentionally sharing God’s greatest message to all mankind? What if the March316 movement was used by God? 

    So I put the question to you. What could happen if every pastor in the world would, on Sunday, March 16th (3/16), preach John 3:16 and let the world hear God’s greatest message to mankind?  The message of “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.”

    I ask that you pray with me that this idea of every pastor in the world preaching John 3:16 on March 16th (3/16), 2025, would have favor. Many have already heard about this idea, with some hearing it from other sources, not just Date the Word, and are now making plans to preach John 3:16.  

    Secondly, would you share this idea with your pastor as well as others who can also share it? Our website, March316.com, has information for pastors and preachers on our vision for March316.

    Thirdly, If you are a pastor, would you, today, look at your preaching calendar and consider preaching John 3:16 on March 16th (3/16)?

    Our website, March316.com, gives the appeal and is being developed to share ideas and resources for March 16th. If you decide to participate, you can sign up for more information.

    We would love to see this become a movement of mass evangelism. I, personally, would love to see March 16th (3/16) become an international day of evangelism where every believer is encouraged to share John 3:16 with at least one unbeliever on March 16th every year. 

    March 16th, (3/16) 2025, is exactly six months away. With some thoughtful planning, it could be one of the greatest days of evangelism in church history.  

    If you would like more information, feel free to contact me at the return email or contact the March316 Executive Director, Klayton Carson, at klayton@datetheword.com.

    Continue Strong, getting the gospel to the world,

    Dwayne Carson
    DATE The Word, founder, and director

    Klayton A. Carson
    March316, Executive Director

  • Everything Rises And Falls On Leadership

    Isaiah 9:16 “For the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed.”  

    It has been said that everything rises and falls on leadership.  It is so crucial to have solid leadership – to have leaders who know the difference between right and wrong.  Leaders can truly be fools with no regard for God or God’s standards can lead people on roads that will slowly but surely destroy them.   What a warning from Isaiah 9:16.

    Continue Strong praying to be a strong, godly leader,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • God Is Our Great Provider

    Nehemiah 9:15 “You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger, and brought them water out of the rock for their thirst, and told them to go in to possess the land Which You had sworn to give them.”

    Nehemiah 9 recounts the history of Israel and tells of how God miraculously brought His people out of the bondage of Egypt to bring them to the promised land.  Verse after verse tells of God’s work on their behalf. Notice verses 9 through 12.  Neh. 9:9 says, “You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt.  You heard their cry by the Red Sea.10 You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants, and against all the people of his land. For You knew that they acted proudly against them. So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day. 11 And You divided the sea before them so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; And their persecutors You threw into the deep, as a stone into the mighty waters. 12 Moreover You led them by day with a cloudy pillar, And by night with a pillar of fire, To give them light on the road Which they should travel.”

    Now we come to verse 15, where it recounts how God miraculously provided bread and water, bread for their hunger and water for their thirst.  He took care of their basic needs.  

    Two passages of Scripture come to mind as I ponder on Nehemiah 9:15. First is Psalm 23.  Do you recall the first two verses?  Psalm 23:1 says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He makes me to lie down in green pastures: (He provided food for the hungry sheep) He leads me beside the still waters. (He provides water for the thirsty sheep). 

    The second passage comes from the middle of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus tells us to not worry.  What did He tell us to not worry about?  Matthew 6:25a says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink.”  The first two essentials of life are food and water, and Jesus says to not worry, to not let it control and consume your every thought.  As God takes care of the birds He will provide for you. (Matt. 6:26) Earlier He had taught in the sermon how to pray and part of the prayer was to ASK Him to provide one’s DAILY bread.  

    As you consider your journey with the Lord how has He been your provider?  How has He provided for you the basics of life?  Do you recognize how blessed you are?  I would say we do not need to wait until a day called Thanksgiving Day to express our gratitude.  Each meal should bring gratitude and praise to God for He is our great provider.  

    Sept. 15 (9/15) does have another verse that reminds us of God’s greatest provision.  2 Corinthians 9:15 says, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”  I trust you have received the gift of salvation and are giving thanks to Him, thanks for the indescribable salvation we enjoy and the indescribable Savior we have.

    Continue strong with gratitude for God’s provisions,
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Running Ahead of the Lord and Acting like an Atheist

    Joshua 9:14 “Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but they did not ask counsel of the LORD.”

    Are you a practicing atheist? You may be a little taken aback by the question.  I won’t apologize though for asking as I am concerned (even for myself) that there are times when we live life as if there is no God.  We find ourselves facing decisions and while we have an available Advisor to acknowledge (our Heavenly Father) and to ask for His guidance, we decide without any consultation with the One who is supposed to be in charge of our lives.  In other words, we are living life as if there were no God.  In reality, when we live this way we are practicing atheists.   

    This idea of living life as if there is no God is the central theme of Joshua 9:14   They were facing a situation in which God needed to be involved.  Going from one battle to another to take possession of the Promised Land they encounter the Gibeonites who are seeking to deceive the men of Israel.  The men of Israel should have been acknowledging and asking God for His take on the situation.  Joshua 9:14 makes this very indicting analysis as we read, “But they did not ask counsel of the LORD.”   

    Being honest with yourself, I ask if “but they (you) did not ask counsel of the LORD” is a true evaluation of how you are making your life decisions.  Are you running ahead of the Lord and relying on your own understanding?  

    As believers, we are always to be acknowledging God and asking for direction from Him. Pastor James rebukes his readers in James 4:13-16 with this challenge about running ahead of God. James 4:13 says, “Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14   whereas, you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” 16  But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

    For the believer, we are to be putting Proverbs 3:5-6 into daily, yes, even hourly practice.  In case you need a reminder it says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

    Don’t be a practicing atheist.  Acknowledge the best advisor in all your ways!!!

    It is not good to be out of step with the Lord.  You don’t want to be falling behind and you don’t want to be running ahead.  To be in step with the Lord is to walk with the Lord after waiting on the Lord!   

    Continue Strong acknowledging the Lord in All your ways/decisions!  
    And remember to DATE the Word!

  • Very Able, Yes Capable For The Work Of God

    1 Chronicles 9:13 “And their brethren, heads of their fathers’ houses—1,760. They were very able men for the work of the service of the house of God.”

    Within 1 Chronicles are some real nuggets of spiritual insight.  1 Chronicles 9:13 begins with the facts about a group of priests and tells us there were 1760 that were heads of homes who would be involved in the work that was to be done at the House of God or the temple.  Along with the facts comes a description of these men that catch our attention for these men were very able men for the work that they would be assigned.  They were very able or as one version states they were capable.  

    Not everyone can do everything (nor should do everything) and not everyone is qualified to do some specific things.  Some tasks demand that those doing them are able or capable.  Think of a brain surgeon or air traffic controller, for instance.  The writer here in 1 Chronicles says these men were able for the work. They had what it took to do the job.  

    As I read and re-read this verse, I could not help but think of what Jethro told his son-in-law Moses as he instructed Moses to select helpers.  In Exodus 18:21 one reads of the qualifications to be a helper and it reads “Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”  The first characteristic was able men.  They had to be capable.  

    Having been a part of the process of selecting literally thousands of student leaders a year to serve in various roles we worked hard to help determine what we were looking for in the candidate.  After asking about their relationship to Christ (which is first and foremost) the list included a review of their character.  We wanted to review their concern for people.  We wanted to review their commitment, which included their work ethic.  We then reviewed their competence, which was the question of being capable of doing the job. Along with being competent and capable was the question of their capacity.  We wanted to probe to see if they could handle more responsibilities.   Then we asked the question if they were coachable.  Almost all have to grow into a new position so while being capable we were looking to expand their capabilities and that only happened with being coachable.  We also wanted to review if they were living a Christ-like life in order to be faithful to Him and an example to others.  The last question we wanted to ask was about their calling to this particular service.   With these questions and maybe a few others, we felt we could determine if a student was able to serve in the desired role.  

    *Exodus 18:21 and 1 Chronicles 9:13 are great guides for evaluating potential leaders. 

    Practical application: As you look at the last part of 1 Chronicles 9:13 how does it help you in being a servant for the Lord and how does it help you that are selecting others for various roles? 

    Continue Strong being a Capable servant for the Lord
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Salvation is Purchased and Paid in full by the Precious Blood of Jesus!

    Hebrews 9:12 “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”

    As we consider our great salvation, we must know that it is paid for by a person and not just any person, but paid for by Jesus Christ as He shed His *precious blood for us.

    Note: It was the Apostle Peter who would describe the blood of Jesus as precious. 1 Peter 1:18 “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.” 

    When we look at our verse we see that He presented His own blood in the Most Holy Place and it was done once for all.  That means it was paid for in full. That means that neither He nor we ever need to do anything else. 

    As one might ponder on this, it should cause one to sing Jesus paid it all!  All to Him, I owe!!

    Speaking of singing.  Hymn writer Robert Lowery wrote nothing but the blood of Jesus

    “What can wash away my sin? 
    Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
    What can make me whole again? 
    Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 
    O precious is the flow 
    that makes me white as snow; 
    no other fount I know; 
    nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

    Have you been washed in the blood of the Lamb?  Hymn writer E. A. Hoffman wrote Are You Washed?
    Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
    Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
    Are you washed in the blood,
    In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
    Are your garments spotless?
    Are they white as snow?
    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

    What can wash away your sins – nothing but the blood of Jesus!

    Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?  I pray you are. If not, pay attention to the last stanza  as it says “Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, and be washed in the blood of the Lamb; There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb

    May the consideration of Jesus shedding His precious blood for you bring a response of worthy is the Lamb!

    Continue Strong thanking Him for purchasing your salvation.  
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • The King’s Kindness

    2 Samuel 9:11 “Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do.” “As for Mephibosheth,” said the king, “he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.”

    One of my favorite Old Testament stories is found in 2 Samuel 9 where King David demonstrates with real actions his kindness toward a man by the name of Mephibosheth.  Mephibosheth is the son of Jonathan and the grandson of the former king, King Saul.  In so many ways Mephibosheth was a political enemy that should be killed, not shown kindness.  Yet David is going to do the unthinkable and show loving- kindness to him

    I like to call 2 Samuel 9 an Old Testament picture of a New Testament saint. Mephibosheth represents the lost sinner who is unable to do anything for themselves and King David is a picture of God who will reach out to His enemy and extend grace and mercy.  You might want to read the entire chapter as it only has 13 verses.   

    The verse we consider has Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba agreeing to David’s commands or terms.  Ziba and his family along with other servants will make sure Mephibosheth and his possessions are cared for. 

    Then King David does what may seem to be the unthinkable.  He says that Mephibosheth will be eating at his table like one of the king’s sons.   The grandson of the former king who saw David as an enemy and who may very well be thinking he should be the king is now going to be sitting at the king’s table as one of his sons. This is kindness in action, and it is what David wanted to do as the chapter starts out.  (2 Sam. 9:1 “Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”)  His kindness included making Mephibosheth part of his family and by having him at his table they would be able to have fellowship.  By instructing Ziba to take care of his possessions under the authority of the king Mephibosheth has a brighter future. 

    Friends, we are Mephibosheth.  God has shown us kindness and in our acceptance of Jesus Christ we have forgiveness, become part of the family of God, enjoy sweet fellowship with God and we have a very bright future in front of us.  

    Ponder the kindness of God toward you.

    Continue Strong reflecting on your new relationship with God,  
    And remember to DATE The Word!

  • Friendly with Sinners to Win Sinners

    Matthew 9:10 “Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.”

    The story of Jesus is about a Savior on a mission to save sinners.  If we were choosing a purpose statement for Jesus, we really don’t need to look any further than Luke 19:10 which says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” To reach sinners to save sinners Jesus spent time with sinners. The religious leaders did not think much of this.  In Luke 15:2 we read “the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”  While the statement was meant to criticize Jesus, it was a beautiful compliment for He does receive sinners!  

    The verse we consider on 9/10 tells that Jesus sat or reclined at a table in a house in which the worst sinners in the world would then join Him and His disciples.  In Luke 5 we have the companion story and Luke says that the house belonged to Matthew, who, as a vile and wicked tax collector, Jesus had just called to follow Him.  Luke 5:28 tells us, “Leaving everything, Matthew rose and followed him.” Luke then tells us in verse 29 that “Levi (Matthew) gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them.”

    As I ponder the actions of Jesus and the reaction of the religious leaders I wonder if we (including myself) who were sinners (vile, wicked, unrighteous, ungodly, filthy, etc. sinners) who have been saved by a loving and forgiving Savior now are more like the religious leaders and not just want to stay away from sinners but altogether work to avoid sinners.  Maybe the word seal belongs here.  Think about it. 

    Let’s be clear that Jesus did not accept sinfulness, but He did accept sinners.  He was friendly with sinners.  Here He has called the vile, wicked, corrupt Matthew to follow Him and in turn Matthew wants his sinful friends to meet the one who changed his life.  Jesus did not turn His nose up at them but rather ate with them.

    I know that we are not to have fellowship with the workers of darkness.  (Eph. 5:11) However, if we are to be an ambassador for Christ in this world we must not avoid sinners but be among them.  Our light is to shine in the darkness.  

    The end result of Jesus having a meal with sinners is found in another companion passage. In Mark 2:15 we read “Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.”

    To be blunt with you (and myself) I ask how many lost (vile, wicked, ungodly, unrighteous – sinners) people do you have as friends?  

    Continue Strong being friendly to sinners to win sinners! 
    And remember to DATE the Word!

  • The Lord Is A Refuge; The Lord Is My Refuge!

    Psalm 9:9 “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.”

    Throughout our Bibles, God lets us know who He is and what He does.  This happens numerous times in the Book of Psalms as David and other psalmists seek to describe God so that we might know Him and trust Him.  Because man is but a few days and full of trouble (Job 14:1) we find many verses about who God is and what He does for us when we are in trouble.  For instance, there are close to 50 verses in Psalms that speak of trouble and about 25 verses that then speak of God being a refuge, especially when we are in trouble.

    What does it mean that God is our refuge?  The basic idea is He is our protector.  As we face danger, He provides cover and safety.  We can walk through the valley of the shadow of death because He is with us.  As He sends us out to do our ministry where there are “wolves” (Matthew 10:16) He provides us with wisdom and strength for He is a refuge against our enemies.  

    Another thought about God as our refuge is that He is our shelter.  He is our place of safety.  In Psalms 143:9 David prayed for God to deliver him from my enemies and then declared “In You I take shelter.”  In Psalm 63:3 he gave testimony stating, “For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower (a refuge) from the enemy.”

    Are you in trouble today?  Dr. Jerry Falwell told us many times at Liberty University that we are either in trouble or just getting out of trouble or we will be in trouble by nightfall.  He then proceeded to remind us of verses like Psalm 46:1 where we find “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble” and Psalm 50:15 in which we are to “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; (for He) will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”  

    Today (and tomorrow) as you face trouble make your declaration to trust the Lord letting Psalms 91:2 be your go-to verse as it says, “I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

    Apply Psalm 9:9 with Psalm 61:4 as it states, “Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah”

    Continue Strong finding refuge in God!   
    And remember to DATE the Word!

  • How You Respond To A Rebuke Is Very Revealing

    Proverbs 9:8 “Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.”

    The book of Proverbs speaks multiple times about how one responds to a rebuke.   As it speaks to how one responds it also reveals what happens when one receives the rebuke and what happens when one rejects a rebuke.  

    Here are but a few verses that address one’s response to a rebuke or correction or discipline:
    Proverbs 10:17 The one who follows correction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray.
    Proverbs 12:1  Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid.
    Proverbs 13:18  Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction, But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.
    Proverbs 15:5  A fool despises his father’s instruction, But he who receives correction is prudent.
    Proverbs 15:31  The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise.
    Proverbs 15:32  He who rejects discipline detests himself, but he who listens to correction grows in understanding.
    Proverbs 17:10  Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.
    Proverbs 19:25  Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

    Here in our verse, we find one who hates being corrected will hate the one who corrects them so Proverbs gives the admonishment to not get involved with a scoffer.  On the other hand, one who understands the value of correction will value – will love the corrector.   

    How do you respond to the one correcting you?  Do you receive it or reject it?  Do you hate the one who is trying to help you?  

    Prayer:  Psalm 141:5 “Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it.”

    Continue Strong responding correctly to corrections!   
    And remember to DATE the Word!