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  • Humble Yourself As God Is God And You Are Not God 

    James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

    For the second time in James 4, believers are admonished to humble themselves before the Lord.  In James 4:6 he wrote, “But He gives more grace. Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”  James pulls this from Proverbs 3:34. One of the contrasting themes of Proverbs is the proud versus the humble.  God’s response could not be more different as He resist the proud.  A word to describe resists would be a stiff arm.  On the other hand, God lifts up the humble.   Psalm 147:6 says, “The LORD lifts up the humble;”  

    To the one who humbles themselves and confesses their sin, He forgives and restores.  

    To the one who humbles themselves and asks for help to do God’s work, God empowers and enables.  

    To humble oneself is to empty oneself of ego and declare a dependence on another. Instead of one saying I can they declare they cannot, even though they may think they can. To humble oneself is to refuse to continue to rely on oneself and resolve reliance on another.   

    Over the years, I have watched students at school declare to their teachers I can do it myself, and then they make a mess of things. I have watched adults do the same thing.  I have watched myself declare I can do it myself and I make a mess of things!  Hmmm.  It even happens with those in ministry as we rely on ourselves, believing it is a weakness to rely on God.  Oh, what a mess we make of things.

    The Lord calls to us to rely on Him.  We are to abide in Him.  We are to trust Him. We are to commit our ways to Him. To do these actions means we need to declare unequivocally that we are not God!  God is God and I am not Him.  God is God and you are not Him.  

    Humbling oneself releases God to do great things through you!  Make the move today and Let God do far more through you than you could ever imagine. 

    In closing ponder why it is so hard for you to be humble, to humble yourself before God.  

    Humble yourselves before Him, declaring total dependence, and watch Him work!

    Continue Strong Living Humbly before God
    And remember to DATE the Word

    Bonus: In the 4th month of the year, April, we are extending what we are calling a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4. For April 10 we challenge you to read James 4.

  • The Gracious Host

    1 Peter 4:9 “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.”

    One of my assignments as a Campus Pastor at Liberty University was to assist the Visitor Center and the Admission Department in hosting visitors when they came to our campus.  For me, the assignment played right into the hands of training our student leaders to serve later in their local church.  In laying the foundation for being a gracious host to our guests, I would have our student leaders look to God’s Word for instruction and, in particular, 1 Peter 4:9.  After quoting, “Be hospitable to one another with grumbling,” I gave the following statement:  Be Hospitable, Not Hostile.   

    As we examine our verse, we find that this word, hospitable, has the idea of showing love even to strangers.  The Greek word is “philoxenoi.”  This word is really two Greek words that have come together to form one.  The first part is philo – a word for love, and xenoi – a word for strangers.  To be “hospitable” is to love even those who are strangers.  

    Christians are not to be xenophobic or have a fear of strangers.   

    Peter is not the only one who calls on believers to practice hospitality. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:13 that we are to, “Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.”  Romans 12:13 presses us to truly be more than one who practices hospitality but that we are pursuing opportunities in which to show hospitability. Our mindset is not that of being a guest where we are expecting others to serve us.  Our mindset is that of being a host who is pursuing opportunities to serve others.  In pursuing hospitality, we are looking to serve!!

    Are you a hospitable person?  That does seem to be the right question to ask as we consider Peter’s instructions.  Does the thought of visitors (are you ready) does the thought of visitors at your church irritate you?  Do you grumble when you see a stranger sitting in your seat?  (Maybe too personal?)

    As I have pondered on 1 Peter 4:9 over the years I have often wondered WHY Peter wrote, “without grumbling.”  Hmmm.  Maybe he had some unfriendly church members.  Maybe he had some church members who wanted “us four and no more.”   Whatever his reasons were he sure sought to convey a message that Christians are friendly to strangers and their smile, handshake, and greeting are to be sincere.   Christians are hospitable, not hostile!  

    The mindset of the Christian is a stranger is just a friend you have not met yet!

    Continue Strong with a Host Mindset, Not A Guest Mindset!
    And remember to DATE the Word

    Bonus: In the 4th month of the year, April, we are extending what we are calling a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4. For April 9 we challenge you to read Deuteronomy 4.

  • Right Thinking Leads To Right Living

    Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy——meditate on these things.”

    Our minds are incredible as we have the ability to think!  We can be creative and constructive in our thoughts. We can dream and come up with new ideas. We can imagine and invent.  We can think through problems and solve complex issues. Maybe someone has said to you, “How did you think of that.”  

    While our minds can be constructive our minds can be destructive. Our thoughts can be corrupt, twisted, and yes, evil. The first time we come across the word “thought” in the Bible is in Genesis 6:5 and it is not good.  Genesis 6:5 says, “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”  

    Both good and bad actions follow thinking.  Has anyone asked you lately what were you thinking after some action you took?

    Since our thinking is so crucial to how we live the Apostle Paul teaches us what to think on.  Notice his 8 proactive words with some words to help enhance the meaning of his words.  The idea now of these 8 words is to put your “thinking” through this filter so that you have good thinking. 

    We are to be thinking on things that are TRUE.   (Factual, Correct, Right, Honest)
    We are to be thinking on things that are NOBLE. (Honorable, Decent, Upright)
    We are to be thinking on things that are JUST.     (Fair, Impartial, Appropriate)
    We are to be thinking on things that are PURE.    (Authentic, Wholesome, Clean)
    We are to be thinking on things that are LOVELY.  (Pleasant, Delightful, Winsome)
    We are to be thinking on things that are of a GOOD REPORT,  (Beneficial, Decent)
    We are to be thinking on things that are VIRTUOUS,  (Righteous, Worthy, Excellent)
    We are to be thinking on things that are PRAISEWORTHY.   (Commendable, Admirable)

    As you reflect on your thinking you also might ask these questions about your thinking:
    Are you thinking on things that are FALSE?  
    Are you thinking on things that are DEBASED?
    Are you thinking on things that are CORRUPT?
    Are you thinking on things that are UNCLEAN?
    Are you thinking on things that are UGLY?
    Are you thinking on things that are of a BAD REPORT?
    Are you thinking on things that are IMPURE?
    Are you thinking on things that are WORTHLESS?

    How is you thinking? How does your “thinking” need to change?  A good verse to go with Philippians 4:8 as a filter for your thinking is Psalm 19:14. It says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

    Continue Strong with Right Thinking
    And remember to DATE the Word

    Bonus: In the 4th month of the year, April, we are extending what we are calling a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4. For April 8 we challenge you to read Psalm 4

  • The Getting Of Wisdom Must Be At The Top Of The Priority List

    Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

    One of the amazing things about the Book of Proverbs is how often it will make appeals to the reader to acquire wisdom. Wisdom knows its value and the advantages it gives to a person for living life.  Wisdom is not afraid to advocate for itself and proclaim that it is the principal thing you need.  

    You might ask why is wisdom so needed for life. I think a consideration of  Proverbs 14:12  that is repeated in 16:25 tells us why as it states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”  “There is a way” means there is thinking that a man has that leads only to destruction and death.   Wisdom, on the other hand, is described as heavenly insights from God for a person to live life on earth. 

    The question comes to each of us do we want human thinking for living life or God’s thinking for living life?  With so much to handle that ranges from relationships to finances to work to health, etc. who will we turn to understand what are the right decisions? 

    I was taught to make better decisions we need the best information!  Wisdom is telling us that she is the information because wisdom comes from the One who created us!

    You need wisdom.  You need heavenly insights for earthly living. Have you made acquiring wisdom a priority?  Are you reading daily from God’s Word?  Are you reading daily from Proverbs, God’s treasure chest of wisdom, a priority?

    Answer the appeal and acquire wisdom and then apply the wisdom to enjoy the advantages that wisdom offers. 

    Continue Strong Getting Wisdom. Acquire and apply wisdom for an abundant life!
    And remember to DATE The Word

    Bonus: In the 4th month of the year, April, we are extending what we are calling a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4. For April 7 we challenge you to read Proverbs 4.

  • Don’t Worry About Anything!  Pray About Everything!

    Philippians 4:6  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

    Life is challenging.  We can easily become consumed with anxiety over daily concerns. A Biblical example comes from a lady named Martha.  She was so overwhelmed with preparing a meal for Jesus and friends that she got all out of sorts with her sister, Mary, and even with her honored dinner guest, Jesus.  Jesus told her she was “worried/anxious and troubled about many things.”   Is it possible your life is being consumed by daily concerns like Martha’s?   

    The Apostle Paul knew the reality of being anxious and addressed the subject head-on in Philippians 4:6.  Here he gives a command to stop being anxious.  

    Why such a command?  Because to be anxious is to have a divided mind as one does not know what to do.  

    Instead of having this divided mind that paralyzes a person Paul says pray.

    Instead of turning things over and over in your head turn things over to God. 

    Instead of tossing and turning with all your cares and concerns cast your cares on the Lord.  

    Stop worrying and start praying! 

    As one probes the depths of this very practical and helpful verse two words present a challenge.  These two words must be examined and yes, applied as we pray.  Within this verse are the words with thanksgiving.   As we make our request the request is to come “with thanksgiving.”  As we give God thanks for the circumstance we want to be changed, we might find God wants to use the circumstance to change us.   Offering thanksgiving with our request may change our perspective and instead of asking God to get us out of the circumstance, we ask God to get us through the circumstance.  

    Stop worrying and start praying with thanksgiving.

    Ultimately Philippians 4:6 is one of the great verses in the Bible that reminds us that God does want us to bring everything we are facing to Him in prayer.   We don’t need to be living a life of fear and anxiety.  We don’t have to have a divided mind.  We don’t have to be consumed with cares, and concerns.   

    Oh, by the way, just in case you were wondering what God does when we do bring these requests to Him we only have to look at verse 7.   Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  To our prayers God brings peace.  As Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

    Do not forfeit the peace of God all because you do not take everything to God in prayer. 

    Don’t worry about anything!  Pray about everything!

    Continue Strong praying about everything,
    And remember to DATE the Word

    In the 4th month of the year, April, we are extending what we are calling a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4 each day of April.  For April 6 we challenge you to read Philippians 4.

  • Fulfill Your Ministry

    2 Timothy 4:5 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

    The Apostle Paul has been writing to Timothy, his son in the faith, to give him words of encouragement as well as words to equip him so that he does not quit running the race that God has set before him.  It is clear in chapter one that Timothy needs this as Paul tells him that he knows about his tears (2 Tim. 1:5).  He also knows that Timothy is struggling with him being in prison and is moving to a place of not wanting anyone to know he is a follower of Christ nor a friend of his.  Paul writes, “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner.” (2 Tim. 1:8a)  

    The 2nd letter to Timothy then is to help him with practical instructions.  The help starts with 2 Timothy 1:6, where Paul tells him to stir up the gift (keep the fire burning is the idea) and concludes with 2 Timothy 4:5.  After 2 Timothy 4:5, Paul will share some personal information.  Our verse is in many ways a summation of all that has been said and becomes one of those verses we all need to be holding onto as we run the race that God has for us.   Let us look at the 4 things Paul instructed Timothy to do.

    First, he tells him to “be watchful.”  The idea is alert.  It means to keep a clear mind. Timothy is a leader and as a leader, he is to be calm, cool, and collected in the face of a crisis.   He can’t let the enemy get the best of him.  As situations arise he must remember that God has not given him a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.  As everyone else is losing their head in the crisis the Christians are keeping their head.   

    How do you apply “be watchful” to your daily life?

    Second, he tells him to “endure afflictions.”  The idea is to hang in there no matter how tough or rough or hard it gets.  In the first chapter, Paul invites Timothy to join him in suffering for the gospel. In chapter 2 Paul reminded Timothy that he is like a soldier and soldiers endure hardships.   

    How do you apply “endure affliction” to your daily life?

    Third, he told him to “do the work of an evangelist.”  Timothy was to be a soul winner, proclaiming the gospel and to do so even if the message of the gospel is offensive.   Paul is telling Timothy he can’t be silent.  He is to step out and speak up and share Christ.

    How do you apply “do the work of an evangelist” to your daily life?

    Fourth, he told him to “Fulfill his ministry.”  This is the final charge.  Be a finisher and finish faithfully.  Don’t ever quit.  Regardless of the persecution, regardless of the failures, regardless of the rejections, regardless of the objections, regardless of the resistance, etc. Paul wants Timothy to stay focused on what God has for him to do and to do it so that he might finish the race and hear “Well done My good and faithful servant!  

    How do you need to apply “fulfill your ministry” to your daily life?

    To be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2) will mean fulfilling God’s assignments!  
    “Don’t Quit.” -Dr. Jerry Falwell

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE The Word

    In the 4th month of the year, April, we are extending what we are calling a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4 each day of April.  For April 5 we challenge you to read 2 Timothy 4

  • Eat Your Scriptures

    Matthew 4:4  “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”

    One of my favorite cartoons growing up was Popeye the Sailor Man.  It was a cartoon that made eating spinach famous because as Popeye was facing his arch nemesis, Bluto, he would pop open a can of spinach and squeeze the contents of the can into his mouth. Immediately he had big muscles and was strong, so strong that he started whipping up on the bigger and stronger Bluto.  Parents and grandparents (moms and grandmothers) seized on the opportunity to encourage the eating of spinach by saying eat your spinach so you can be strong like Popeye.  

    Today’s verse reminds us that we need to be eating God’s Scriptures. Jesus speaks right back at the Devil as he tries to convince a hungry Jesus to misuse His power and command rocks to turn into bread.  Even though He was hungry from fasting for 40 days Jesus knows He is not to fulfill a natural appetite in an unnatural way. He quotes to the devil Deuteronomy 8:3, using Scripture to push back on the devil’s temptation to fulfill or satisfy the lust of the flesh.  

    As humans, we are more than a physical being.  We are spiritual and our soul must be fed just as our physical needs to be fed and nourished.   The Scriptures are soul food.   In order to be spiritually healthy and in order to be spiritually strong we need to feed on the Scriptures daily.   To the new believers, Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2:2   “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”  The writer of Hebrews spoke of moving forward to solid food or what might be called the meat of the word.   

    One of my favorite verses about eating God’s Word comes from Jeremiah 15:16. Jeremiah said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.”   I think Jeremiah might say eat your Scriptures!   

    There is another verse for April 4 that ties to Matthew 4:4.  It is Proverbs 4:4.  Proverbs 4:4 says, “He (King David) also taught me (Solomon), and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands, and live.”  Our spiritual life is so dependent on the Scriptures!   It is imperative to hear (EAT) and read (EAT) and memorize (EAT) and study and meditate and apply Scripture to live! 

    To cap off eat your Scriptures let us be reminded that John wrote to young men and commended them for being strong.  They were strong because the Word of God was in them.   Because God’s Word was in them they were strong and they overcame the evil one.  (See 1 John 2:14)

    Friends, eat the Scriptures!  Do not become spiritually malnourished.  In the morning (before physical breakfast) eat the Scriptures.  Psalm 143:8 says, “Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.”  In the evening, before bed, read God’s Word so that you might meditate in your bed, as Psalm 63:6 says,  “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.”  My friend, Stu Epperson says, Bible before breakfast, Bible before Bed!   

    Please listen to Jesus: ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’  Eat the Scriptures!

    Continue Strong Eating The Scriptures
    And remember to DATE The Word

    Bonus: In the 4th month of the year, April we are extending what we are calling a 4 x 4 challenge and encouraging you to read a chapter 4. For April 4 we challenge you to read Matthew 4

  • Praying For Opportunities To Share Christ

    Colossians 4:3 “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,”

    What do you pray about when you pray?  

    What are you earnestly and fervently praying for God to do?

    What do you ask others the pray about when you ask for prayer?  

    Does your personal prayer time and does your prayer requests to others include asking that you would have opportunities to share Christ?  

    Along with praying for a person you know that is lost to be saved (a very important prayer request) are you praying that God will open doors of opportunities to be a witness for Him?

    One of the reasons we hold the Apostle Paul in such high regard is because of his unflinching focus on being a soul-winner.  As the books of Colossians and Ephesians are being written the Apostle Paul is in Rome in jail.  I would think he would have numerous prayer requests for God’s people as he sits in jail.  Surely he would be asked for prayer that he would be released and/or treated fairly.  Yet his prayer request to the Colossian believers is for opportunities to witness.  His prayer request to his friends at the church of Ephesus was “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints — 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

    What can we learn from Colossians 4:3?  Without question one of the answers is our prayer list needs asking God to open doors for us to witness.  

    Now you need to know something.  When you pray a prayer like that you better be ready and prepared for God to answer.  If you pray this prayer your “spiritual antennae” better be up because God will go to work designing “divine appointments” for you.  The apostle Paul began winning Roman soldiers to the Lord.  He even won members of Caesar’s household to the Lord.  Read Philippians 4:22. God used CHAINS in order for Paul to have converts in Rome!  As you pray for God to open doors to be a witness you need to be “spiritually alert” to divine appointments! 

    Pray a prayer that is sure to be answered.  Pray for God to open doors to share the gospel!

    Continue Strong asking God for opportunities to make Him known,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Required To Be Found Faithful

    1 Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

    In the Word of God, with its 31,102 verses, there are very few verses that demand more of us than 1 Corinthians 4:2.  Several words grab our attention, starting with stewards followed by required and then found faithful.   

    The word steward speaks of one who has been assigned to manage the household.  An owner of a home will entrust another with managing all that goes with running a home.   Some of the work will be done by the manager, but more often than not, they will hire others to perform the duties.  Those hired are then accountable to the steward and the steward is accountable to the owner.   

    We are stewards.  God, our owner, has entrusted us with various duties.  One of the ways we have sought to explain these duties is to list 5 key areas that have been entrusted to us.  They are: Time.  Talent. Treasure.  Temple. Testimony.  

    Our verse tells us the steward is required.   The word required means to be responsible with responsibilities.  The Greek conveys there will be accountability as one has to answer back.   A steward has to answer back to the owner for how what was entrusted to them was managed.  A great example of this is found in Matthew 25:14-30.  This passage is known as the Parable of the Talents.  In verse 19 you find this phrase the owner came to “settle accounts with them.”   Those receiving the talents answered back with how responsible they were.  

    Before we look at the last two words it is worth noting that the word “required” is used in another place. Jesus said that “to whom much is given much is required!” (Luke 12:48b)  What a challenge!!

    The level of expectation in being responsible as a steward is found faithful.   One of the best ways to get the full understanding of “found faithful” is to look at what the opposite would be.  One would be found unfaithful.  One would be unreliable.  One would be irresponsible.  It is dropping the ball.  It is failing to finish.

    To be faithful is to follow through and manage well what was entrusted to you.  When this happens you are able to hear for the Lord, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant;” Matthew 25:21 and 23.

    To be found faithful is to finish.  As Paul stated in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

    To be found faithful should be the goal of each believer. 

    From this verse comes my personal mission statement: I want to be found faithful in fulfilling my God-given responsibilities. 

    Continue Strong being Faithful with what God has entrusted to you.
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Making Daily Decisions That 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.”

    As we make daily decisions, we need a filter. One of the most vital filters for our decision-making is the question will this please God? While there is peer pressure to please a friend and/or family pressure to please a parent or grandparent or a spouse, maybe to please a boss, and even personal pressure to please oneself, the top question remains: does the action you are getting ready to do please God? Earlier in my walk with God, I had a poster that read, “If you please God, it does not matter who you displease, and if you displease God, it does not matter who you please.” 

    Our verse has the Apostle Paul pleading that we abound – increase – grow in pleasing God.  Hear his passionate appeal in we urge and we exhort.  

    This idea of living to please God is reinforced by several other Scriptures. 

    2 Corinthians 5:9 says, “So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. 
    In Colossians 1:10 Paul prayed for the Colossians to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him.
    In 1 Thessalonians 2:4 Paul said that he himself lived to please God. “But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.”
    In 2 Timothy 2:4, Paul reminds Timothy that “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 

    What does it look like to please the Lord?   Scripture gives two significant things:

    1) Live by faith. Hebrews 11:6 says it is impossible to please God without faith. Heb. 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” 

    2) We obey what He says. 1 John 3:22 says, “We keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

    Is it your ambition in life to please God? Are you abounding in pleasing God?  

    “If you please God, it does not matter who you displease, and if you displease God, it does not matter who you please.” 

    Continue Strong pleasing God,
    And remember to DATE The Word