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  • The Unconventional Warrior

    Judges 3:31 “After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.”

    Shamgar may have been ordinary, and he may have had the devil whisper in his ear all the reasons why he could not do something for God, but he decided to take action.  Notice three actions he took as I believe they are three actions you should take to make a difference for God. 

    #1. He started where he was. You should start where you are.  Bloom where you are planted.
    #2. He used what he had.  Shamgar did not have the best weapons, but he did have an ox goad.  Use what you have. It is amazing how God does not need you to have the most expensive and most up-to-date and the shiniest to accomplish great things.  David had a slingshot.  Moses had a rod.  Elijah had a mantle.  
    #3. He did what he could. He started fighting and killing the Philistines.   He got off the sidelines and into the game and did what he could.  Do what you can.  Step up and get started doing what you can! (I think I first heard this outline from Dr. Jay Strack)

    Shamgar may only have a little written about him, but he sure did a lot!  His unconventional means however brought about a great deliverance for Israel!   

    You, too, can make a difference!  Be like Shamgar!  Start where you are.  Use what you have and do what you can!

    A March to Remember

    For March 31, let us remember Mark 8:31.  Mark 8:31 says, “And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.”

    Midway in His ministry, Jesus tells His disciples His future – a future that caught them totally off guard – a future that was the opposite of what they were thinking as they were looking for a King.  Instead, Jesus tells them of being a Sacrifice – that He would suffer and die, but on the third day, He would rise again – And His words came true, and today we celebrate His resurrection – He is risen. Let us rejoice He is risen indeed

    On March 31 (Resurrection Day 2024) we encourage you to re-read Matthew 28 and read Luke 24 to saturate your heart and mind with the Resurrection! 

    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • It Is To Be All About Him!

    John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

    Our verse comes from the lips of John the Baptist.  John the Baptist is the forerunner to Jesus.  John the Baptist was the voice in the wilderness and was assigned the task of preparing God’s people for the soon coming of the Messiah and then announcing the arrival of the Messiah.  In preparing people for the coming of the Messiah John himself began to have a following as well as having disciples.  Yet John never forgot what His purpose was, and when his disciples started wondering about who Jesus was and what Jesus was doing (and why Jesus was becoming more popular), John made it clear that he was not the bridegroom but rather the friend of the bridegroom.      

    For John the Baptist, it was making it more about Jesus and less about himself!  What an example for us to follow.

    Let us make much of Jesus while being less of ourselves.

    A March to Remember

    For March 30, let us remember John 19:30.  John 19:30 says, “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, It is finished! And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

    As we ponder the Easter story Jesus has died and has been buried.  While it appears all hope is gone we have one of His last words where He says IT IS FINISHED.  Friends, He did not say I AM FINISHED. He said, “It is Finished.”  What was necessary to satisfy the wrath of God is finished – the payment for our sins has been finished.   With this part finished there is more to come as He will finish off death and hell and the grave and the devil.  He is not finished but what He needed to do for us is Finished.  What a Savior.

    On March 30 we do not have a chapter to read.  Ponder quietly on what is called Silent Saturday and what Jesus has done for you in dying on the cross.  

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Ownership And Responsibility! 

    Nehemiah 3:29 “After them, Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs”

    Nehemiah has led God’s people to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Instead of getting professional wall builders to do the work, he calls on each person to take a section, and he assigns many of the workers to make repairs right in front of their own homes! This decision is brilliant. Nehemiah assigns people to do work that impacts them the most. One would expect that the work on the wall would be done with excellence, for their own lives depend on the work they were doing. If they don’t do the work or don’t do the work well, they will be the first to suffer as the enemy would come through the opening or the weakened area.  One can almost hear Nehemiah saying, “autograph your work with excellence” as he gave out assignments!

    You and I are to take ownership and personal responsibility for our own lives and for the things assigned to us.  Are you taking ownership of your own life, of your own home? Do you take responsibility for your actions? Excuses are the enemy of excellence! Be a builder, not a blamer! 

    Have the ten two-letter word mindset; if it is to be, it is up to me! Don’t be your own worst enemy!

    A March to Remember

    For March 29, let us remember John 1:29. John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

    There were many reasons for Christ coming to this sinful world.  At the top of the list is to take care of our sin problem.  So He does not come as the ruler of the world but rather as a lamb that would be sacrificed for us.  John the Baptist announced Him to be the lamb of God who takes away – hear those words – takes away the sin of the world – your sins. 

    On March 29 we encourage you to re-read Matthew 27 which tells the story of the crucifixion of Christ, And we encourage you to read Isaiah 53 as this OT chapter tells of all the horrible things that would happen to the Messiah.
    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Preparing the Next Generation to Lead

    Deuteronomy 3:28 “But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see.” 

    As Moses reviews what God has done for and with Israel and for him and with him in the first few chapters of Deuteronomy, he tells how God had instructed him to get Joshua ready to be the next leader.  Our verse serves as a great reminder that we are to not just pass the baton of leadership to the next generation but prepare them to receive the baton and then run with the baton.  

    As we presently lead we are to be preparing the next generation to lead!  

    Drawing from Deuteronomy 3:28 we see two essential actions to take with those we are mentoring or discipling.  One is encouragement and the other is equipping them to become stronger. 

    The component of encouragement is letting them know you believe in them even when they fail. Your encouragement is crucial at those moments as it will help them learn from the loss.  

    The component of strengthening is a little more involved as you coach and train, in a word, you equip them.  You equip them to lead themselves.  You train them how to think about doing what is best for the organization.  You train them to care about and for their people.   You train them how to make decisions.  You train them how to solve problems. And this list goes on and on!

    As you mentor and prepare a new generation of leaders focus on equipping them, empowering them, and encouraging them.    

    Deuteronomy 3:28 begs us to ask who might be your Joshua?

    Find your “Joshua” and encourage and strengthen him!

    A March to Remember

    For March 28, let us remember Hebrews 9:28. Hebrews 9:28 says, “So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.”

    The writer of Hebrews gives us a graphic picture of what Jesus did the first time He was here as He was offered to be the one who would bear –  carry – take away our sin.  He fulfilled with Isaiah said in Isaiah 53:6  “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

    On March 28 we encourage you to read Matthew 28 to be reminded as we head to Good Friday that there is a resurrection after the crucifixion.  

    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • The Best Time To Do Something For Another Is Now

    Proverbs 3:27 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.”

    If we are paying attention and being alert to the needs of others, we are going to see opportunities to be a blessing to others because there are always people in need. All around us are people who are struggling, and many are suffering.  Proverbs 3:27 challenges us to be the “good Samaritan” who sees a need and gives, instead of being “keepers” like the priest and the Levite. 

    As believers, we should share our blessings with others.  We have been blessed to bless!  

    Yet, while we know we should give and share, we are prone to procrastinate.  Our verse calls on us to do good and do it now.  When you have it in your power to do something for someone do it!  Don’t put it off.  Move your good intentions to actions!

    What might you do today to be a blessing to someone?

    A March to Remember

    For March 27, let us remember Luke 22:27. Luke 22:27 says, “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.

    Jesus, the Son of God, is a servant – He came to serve – He serves His Father by dying for us.  Picture Him instructing His disciples about serving during the Passover meal and then illustrating it by washing their feet.  It is not about titles it is about towels.

    On March 27 we encourage you to read Matthew 27 to read the story of the crucifixion of Christ.  
    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Sometimes the Answer is Wait Quietly on the Lord

    Lamentations 3:26  “It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for deliverance from the LORD.”

    As I read Lamentation 3:26 about doing something good for me I think about all the times I was told what was good for me, like eating green beans. Not good. This is a challenging verse because, well, I do not like to wait. Furthermore, this verse does not just say wait.  It says to wait quietly.  What?!  And to do so is a good thing. Oh my. 

    As we are dealing with difficult situations and we need deliverance from God, God’s answer is we are supposed to be hoping and waiting, Waiting quietly on Him.  At a moment when there is something fearful, we are instructed to hope and wait quietly for the LORD to work.

    Challenging? It is for me. Most likely for you as well.

    This idea of waiting is not just found here. You have probably been challenged by Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;” The Hebrew for rest is to sit silently still. No pacing the floor. No screaming. Rather we are to sit silently still. 

    Are you growing in hope and waiting quietly on God? Are you growing in resting – committing your life needs to the Lord and waiting for Him to work?

    Last word, I have found God waits for me to wait.

    A March to Remember

    For March  26, let us remember Matthew 27:26. Matthew 27:26 says, “Then Pilate released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.

    We are Barabbas in the Easter story.  We are the ones who are guilty and deserve to die – to be punished for our sins – Yet, just as Barabbas was released we have been released as Jesus took our place.   When you look at the three crosses remember you should be on the middle one.  Also, as you ponder, let the words scourged and crucified break your heart.   

    On March 26, we encourage you to read Matthew 26 to recall the extravagant love of Mary and the betrayal of Judas, along with the Passover meal, the prayer of surrender in the garden, the arrest, the unjust religious trial, and Peter’s denial.   

    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Have No Fear As God Is With You

    Proverbs 3:25 “Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;”

    Being afraid and full of fear paralyzes a person. Moving fearlessly by faith into the future grows us. For the believer sudden terror – unexpected trials – opposition from the wicked should activate dependence on the Lord. Psalms 56:3 “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Even if the thing you greatly feared has come upon you, and what you dreaded has happened to you (Job 3:25) we must know that “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25). The proof of that is how He was with the three Hebrew children in the fire for their enemies cried out “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Daniel 3:25)

    There is nothing to fear or be afraid of as you walk with God. Recall Psalm 23.  Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (God is so confident in taking care of you that) 5  He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies; 

    By faith face the trials – even the sudden terrors – even the persecution of the wicked!! Do not be afraid!!

    A March to Remember

    For March 25, let us remember 1 Corinthians 11:25 starting with verse 24 which says, “And when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 

    During the Passover meal, Jesus gave a piece of bread to represent His body and a cup of juice to represent His blood and said whenever we eat and drink remember what He did at the cross.  Remember the suffering and remember the sacrifice.

    On March 25 we encourage you to read Matthew 25 and Romans 5 to recall our Lord’s teaching on our faithfulness with talents and to be reminded of all that was accomplished by Christ when He died for us.
    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • The Results of the Gospel

    Romans 3:24 “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,”

    During my ordination examination, Dr. Harold Wilmington, Dean of the Liberty Bible Institute and known as Mr. Bible to us at Liberty and Thomas Road Baptist Church asked me to turn in my Bible to Romans 3:24. Along with verse 23 and verses 25 and 26 he asked me to read and define all the keywords to explain my doctrinal positions.  Within these verses would be some of the most significant words about the salvation we enjoy.

    Per his instructions, I read aloud Romans 3:23- 26 which says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,” 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”

    Having heard me read the verses Dr. Wilmington interjected that I would focus my attention first on Romans 3:24.  I think he had good reason to ask that for as one looks at Romans 3:24 one sees the words of ” being justified” – “freely” – “by His” – “grace” – “through the redemption” – “that comes from Jesus Christ.” Those six words/statements teach much of what we need to know about our salvation. First and foremost our salvation is not accomplished by us. It is Christ who justifies us. In justifying us He declares us righteous as His righteousness has been put into us just as our sins were laid on Him. (What an exchange.) Having His righteousness means we can stand before God as we are as righteous as Christ. Furthermore, it is provided to us freely as our works do not work and we cannot buy or earn salvation. It is provided by His grace.  The Big idea of grace is He gives us what we do not deserve. This all happens because Christ redeemed us or purchased our salvation. If we are saved, we say we are redeemed.  That means we have been purchased out of the slave market to be set free from bondage. 

    I am not sure about you but reading Romans 3:24 and knowing all that Christ did for me makes me want to say worthy is the Lamb!  

    A March to Remember

    For March 24, let us remember 1 Peter 2:24. 1 Peter 2:24 says, “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.”

    The death of Jesus Christ was so we could have a new life with the ultimate being eternal life but there is also life on earth until then.  The life that is to be lived now is living righteously and one of the reasons we do so is because Christ gave His life to save us from sin.   When we survey the cross, it demands our life, our soul, our all.   Are you living differently?

    On March 24 we encourage you to read Matthew 24 and Psalm 22 to recall our Lord’s teaching about His second coming and to be reminded of the Prophecy that is written in Psalm 22 about the Messiah as we begin Passion Week.   

    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Autograph Your Work With Excellence!

    Colossians 3:23 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

    The Bible speaks of having a “strong work ethic.” Colossians 3:23 challenges one to see whatever you are doing to be done “as to the Lord.” In Colossians 3:17 we are to do everything we do “in the name of the Lord.”  We are to be representing the Lord with our work. Our work ethic should be consistent with who Christ is.  Paul now adds that our work should be done “As To The Lord.”  The idea is that we are to be looking for His approval.  Our mindset then should bring about a desire that no matter what we are doing we are to be doing our very best.  We want to hear from the Lord well done!

    How are we to do whatever we do so it will be approved by the Lord?  He says, to “do it heartily.” Other versions will say “work at it with all your heart,” or “do it enthusiastically,” or “work at it with enthusiasm,” or “do it wholeheartedly.” Interestingly the Greek word here is not one for the heart but is the word for the “soul.” The idea is that you put your soul into what you are doing. To do something for the Lord is to be filled with passion, with soul!  

    I have had many employees working for me and I have been blessed to have many who went the extra mile, giving to the various ministries excellence.  Occasionally I would have someone who needed some encouragement to do better.  I recall a time when I gave an employee an assignment and was looking forward to seeing what they would produce.  When they returned to my office and handed me their work, I reviewed it and was astonished.  It was work done with little effort. Believing they could do much better work (and that the work was not to my standard) I asked the worker to sign their name to the work. With it being a poster that was to be posted in many locations and many people would be seeing it I quickly heard, “Give me a little more time to work on this.”  An hour later I saw a very professional poster that was done with excellence!

    Autograph your work with excellence!

    Are you putting your soul into “whatever” you are doing?  Are you making the most of the opportunities you are receiving? Are you truly doing your best for the Lord?

    A March to Remember

    For March 23, let us remember Luke 23:33. Luke 23:33 says, “And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.”

    I find Luke 23:33 to be so very sobering – so humbling – as we read they crucified Him.  The word crucifixion describes the execution that was designed to cause extreme pain, agony, and shame. Let us remember the agony of Golgatha.  Let the words “they crucified Him” stir in your heart a deep commitment to Christ who gave His life for you.

    On March 23 we encourage you to read Matthew 23 and Luke 23 to recall our Lord’s rebuke of those who rejected Him and to read of His gruesome crucifixion and death and burial. 
    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • The Lord’s Mercy and Compassion

    Lamentations 3:22  “Through the LORD’S mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.”

    I don’t know about you but it is difficult to understand and truly comprehend God’s feelings toward sin. God’s Word conveys that God is holy. He is righteous. He is pure. It teaches, clearly teaches, that God is a consuming God as Hebrews 12:29 says, “For our God is a consuming fire.” God’s Word teaches that He pours out His wrath – yes – wrath on the sons of disobedience. For instance, we read in Colossians 3:6, “Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience.”  In 2 Chronicles 29:8 we read, “Therefore the wrath of the LORD came on Judah and Jerusalem, and He has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes.” 

    Against the backdrop of God’s wrath is Lamentations 3:22 where God is merciful. It is His mercy and His compassion toward us that allows us to continue to exist. Because of mercy, we are not consumed. We are not wiped out. As He extends mercy, He does not give us what we deserve!  With His compassion comes a patience with us that is hard to comprehend. 

    Let us be honest.  Our sins offend God.  We deserve His wrath and deserve to be consumed.  We have no right to expect mercy or compassion or His patience. Yet He extends mercy and does not give us what we deserve.

    How are we not filled with adoration and gratitude toward our merciful God? 

    And as a reminder of just how good God is the writer added “They (His mercies) are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23

    A March to Remember

    For March 22, let us remember Matthew 27:22  Matthew 27:22 says, “Pilate said to them, What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said to him, Let Him be crucified!

    Pilate asked one of the great questions found in the Bible and the question is now your question. What will you do with Jesus?  Will you reject Him or receive Him?   Your answer will make an eternal difference for you!  

    On March 22 we encourage you to read Matthew 22 and Luke 22 to recall our Lord’s examination by the religious leaders (like the Passover lamb in Exodus 12 was examined) and the Passover meal the Lord had with His disciples 
    You can find the Bible reading plan on the Date the Word app.

    Continue Strong this March Remembering our Savior,
    And remember to DATE the Word