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  • What Is Your Testimony Around Town?

    Ruth 3:11 “And now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman.”

    As one moves through the beautiful story of Ruth one comes to chapter 3 to find that Ruth is made aware by her mother-in-law Naomi that Boaz is a close relative of Naomi’s deceased husband. Naomi instructs Ruth to inform him and request that he consider being her kinsmen redeemer.  Ruth 3:11 is his response to her request and while the response of yes is what is most important to the story, his reasoning is what is most important to this devotion.  Boaz tells her that he will do all that is requested of him for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman!”

    How are you known around town?  What is the first thought someone has upon hearing your name or upon seeing your face as you enter a room?  How are you known?  What is your reputation?  What is your testimony?

    3 John 1:12 we have another great example of a good testimony.
    “Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone,”

    A March to Remember

    For March 11, let us remember Luke 2:11.  Luke 2:11 says, “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

    There is no Easter without there being a Christmas.  Christmas has no meaning unless there is an Easter. Christ was born to be our SAVIOR!  To be our Savior, He had to be our substitute, and at Calvary, He died for us, and then three days later, He arose from the dead.  What a Savior!

    On March 11 we encourage you to read Matthew 11 and John 11 to recall our Lord’s work and who He is.  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 Mind and Heart of the Apostle Paul

    Philippians 3:10 “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.”

    Paul’s letter to the Philippians is incredibly personal. Because of all that Christ has done and provided to the one who was passionate about destroying Christianity Paul now wants to know Him, know Him personally and experientially.   This is the passion of Paul’s mind and heart.

    That I may know…. What is it that you want to know? 

    That I may know…. Who is it that you want to know?  

    As we go deeper I must say that Philippians 3:10 is one of those verses that stands out like a brilliant sunset over the Gulf of Mexico as it is difficult to put into words.  What the apostle Paul wanted to know of Christ is so powerful and so beautiful yet hard to truly describe.   

    He wanted to know the power of His resurrection.  One may ponder that phrase for hours and not come close to comprehending all that is there.  One thing is for sure to know the resurrection of Christ is the most hopeful information we have.  With the certainty of death (unless the rapture happens first) we can look at that frightful event with hope.  “Our great Redeemer has burst the bands of death; has brought life and immortality to light, and has given us the pledge that our bodies shall rise.” (Barnes)  What is there to dread with death when we have such a promise?  

    And then Paul wanted to know the fellowship of His sufferings.  His mind and heart were not on worldly fame and earthly possessions but on participating in suffering as Christ had suffered.  Paul, in Colossians 1:24, rejoiced in his sufferings.  Peter wrote to believers to rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  (1 Peter 4:13)  Paul so wanted to participate in the suffering of Christ that we wanted to be conformed to His death.  In other words, he was willing to live and to die for Christ. 

    There is no doubt that Philippians 3:10 is a beautiful verse.  It is easy to quote and desire “that I may know Him.”  To know the power of His resurrection does give us tremendous hope.  However, this is a very challenging verse. Can we say we want to know the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death? 

    What is your mind and heart desiring?  What do you want to know?  Who do you want to know? 

    A March to Remember

    For March 10, let us remember Romans 5:10.  Romans 5:10 says, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

    On March 10 we encourage you to read Matthew 10 and John 10 to recall our Lord’s work and who He is.  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

  • Oh, The Wisdom To Ask For Wisdom!

    1 Kings 3:9 “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

    King Solomon has been granted the grand prize of prizes because he has been invited to ASK God for anything. Unlike a fairy tale where one finds a Genie that grants you three wishes God appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”  (I Kings 3:5)

    Have you ever pondered how enormous this offer is? What would you be asking for if this was presented to you?

    Before making the request, we read about here in 1 Kings 3:9 Solomon did some personal evaluation, some personal inventory and he realized what he did not have. 1 Kings 3:7 says, “Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.”  

    Such humility here as Solomon is wise enough to know he is not wise enough. 

    Knowing that he does not know what he needs to know he makes the wisest of decisions to ask for understanding, discernment, yes, for wisdom! Instead of asking for things almost any human would have asked for (fame, fortune, power, etc.), he asked for wisdom.  Oh, the wisdom of asking for wisdom! Let us not forget that God’s offer to Solomon is now fully available to us as James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

    A March to Remember

    For March 9, Let us remember Zechariah 9:9.  Zechariah 9:9 says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.”

    Zechariah 9:9 is the prophecy of the Messiah’s triumphant entry to Jerusalem and instead of arriving as an old powerful ruler riding on a mighty horse, we see Him on a donkey. Donkeys are symbols of humbleness. We are reminded by this action of the humility and the selflessness of Jesus. 

    On March 9 we encourage you to read Matthew 9 and Hebrews 9 to recall our Lord’s authority and what the blood of Jesus accomplished once and for all.  

    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

  • Not a Manual, a Verse for Getting Along With People

    1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”

    Teddy Roosevelt said, “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”  I love this quote but immediately I want to ask the question of how?  How do we get along with people?  I think 1 Peter 3:8 gives us a great answer with the instructions it imparts.

    Getting along with others starts with a unity of cause – being of one mind – and the cause that we rally around is always the cause of Christ. What brings us together is Christ. Our points of view are filtered by what is the mind of Christ.

    We then have compassion for each other.  Compassion is a concern that leads to action. This is a virtue that Christ displayed many times. He saw the people and had compassion and then you read of an action that met various needs. Getting along with others calls for caring about one another.

    Then we have each other’s back as we love like brothers. Does someone have your back?  Do you have someone’s back?  

    Then we are tenderhearted toward each other as we understand we all are flawed humans. We can identify with another person’s flaws and offer grace, and as needed forgiveness.

    Then, finally, Peter says, “Be courteous.”  To be courteous is to be respectful. Treat one another with dignity and respect.

    We have two relationships every day to work on. The first is our relationship with God and the other is with others. 1 Peter 3:8 gives clear instructions of actions to take to have Christ-like actions with one another! We can get along with one another but it does take work!

    Having re-read 1 Peter 3:8 what area(s) do you need to work on to have better relationships with others?

    A March to Remember

    For March 8, pause to consider 2 Timothy 2:8. 2 Timothy 2:8 says, “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,”

    Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  As we journey to Easter let us also remember that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.  Let us remember the resurrection.  

    On March 8 we encourage you to read Matthew 8 and Mark 8 to recall our Lord’s incredible power.  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

  • Man-centered or God-centered?

    Proverbs 3:7 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.”

    Having just told us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding but acknowledge Him in all our ways and He will direct your paths, Proverbs 3:7 follows up with a timely admonition to not be wise in our own eyes.  Rather than having I can do it myself mindset, we are told to fear the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, and depart from evil.”  

    We do have to choose between being man-centered or God-centered. Being wise in your own eyes is not wise at all. That mindset drips with pride and arrogance, of being a know-it-all. Being full of yourself makes one a fool. Instead of being in love with yourself and thinking you are it, you should humble yourself and acknowledge there is God, and you are not Him. The Fear of the Lord comes from a person’s heart where there is the recognition of God followed by reverence and respect for God. He is the creator, and we are His creation. Having this fear of the Lord causes one to see that His ways are right and out of that comes a heart of obedience. It is a heart that rejects what God rejects and embraces what pleases Him.

    Are you full of yourself? Self-centered? Or are you full of the fear of the Lord? God-centered?

    A March to Remember

    For March 7, let us consider Ephesians 1:7. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

    In considering why Christ is dying on the cross we must remember we are bondslaves to sin and Satan in need of deliverance from sin and the consequences of sin.  This deliverance comes as a result of Jesus paying with His blood the purchase price and thus we are redeemed.  We are now set free from the bondage and the guilt of sin. As you see Christ upon the cross see Him taking your sins upon Him and see Him taking all of God’s wrath, the wrath that you deserved, and see Him paying the penalty for your sins.   On March 7 you should be singing Redeemed, Redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! His child, and forever, I am.

    On March 7 we encourage you to read Matthew 7 to recall our Lord’s teaching.  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

  • Some Most Valuable Actions Designed To Bring About Improvement

    Ecclesiastes 3:6 “A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away;”

    To get the very most out of our lives, our life has to be evaluated from time to time. There will need to be times when we add to our lives; this addition could be more education or a purchase of a needed item.  There is a time to gain, to add. There is a time as well to lose, to subtract from our lives. Bad habits need to go. It could be, for example, we need to lose the attitude. 

    Then there are things we need to make sure we keep or hold on to. There are lessons we learned early about God and life that we should hold onto tightly. There are golden memories that we should hold onto tightly. And while there are things to keep, there is a time to throw away. Sometimes we have to have a heart cleansing like spring cleaning. We need to throw out discouragement and guilt; resentment and bitterness.

    So what time is it for you? Is it time to gain – grow – learn – add to your faith? Is it time to lose – to let go of something that doesn’t belong in your life? Is it time to keep – hold tight to something very meaningful? Is it time to throw away something?

    Life has moments where we must examine what we need to get – what we need to get rid of – what we need to have and what we need to be gone!

    A March to Remember

    For March 6, let us consider Romans 5:6. Romans 5:6 says, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

    As we recall what Jesus did for us at easter romans 5:6 reminds us that He died – don’t rush here – let that word settle – He died and He died for the ungodly, dying for those who could never do anything for themselves to be saved. And if you are wondering who the ungodly is the answer is you and the answer is me and the answer is every person who has lived, is living, and will live.  I trust you are finding yourself saying thank you lord for dying for me!

    On March 6 we encourage you to read Matthew 6 to recall our Lord’s teaching.  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

  • Total Dependence on God brings Trustworthy Direction from God 

    Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

    In considering the most important verses to learn and live by Proverbs 3:5-6 are definitely near the top of the list. In understanding how difficult life is the God of the universe invites us to trust Him for the direction our lives should be going.  Rather than trying to figure out the direction of our life, we consult with and receive wisdom and direction from the only one who knows what is best for us.  

    Let me ask a few questions:
    Are you trusting God with your life decisions? 

    Do you trust God to believe He truly does know what is best for you?  

    What stories do you have of trusting God and then Him directing your steps?

    What decisions are you facing that need heavenly insight?  

    Knowing that life brings much uncertainty even to the point of making us afraid I encourage you to resolve that as all sorts of decisions come you will trust in the Lord.  David wrote in Psalm 56:3 this powerful statement: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.”  The word whenever reminds us that they will be coming! Before the things that you are most afraid of happening happen make the commitment that you will be trusting God. 

    A March to Remember

    For March 5, let us consider Revelation 1:5-6. Revelation 1:5-6 says, “From Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him [be] glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

    As we recall what Jesus did for us at Easter John tells us that He loved us. It was His love for us that kept Him on the cross.  In dying He washed us (loosed us) from our sins.  What can wash away our sins?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus!  We add verse 6 as He now makes us brand new people, making us priests, and kings.  Because of what Jesus did for us at Calvary as revealed in Revelation 1:5 may we on March 5 give glory and honor to Him!  Worthy is the Lamb!

    On March 5 we encourage you to read Matthew 5 to recall our Lord’s teaching.  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 First Ability is Availability

    Exodus 3:4 “So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said,”Here I am.”

    1 Samuel 3:4 “The LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!” 

    Here I Am! While we would say the greatest of abilities is dependability, we would also say the first ability is availability. Are you available for God to speak to you? Are you available for an assignment from God? Are you available for a new assignment from God?

    I put two verses before you where two people will become greatly used of God. yet it is worth noting how different they were. Moses was 80 and Samuel was just a child. Be reminded that God is preparing an assignment for you, regardless of your present age. Please don’t say I am too old, or I am too young. As well both were not equipped to carry out the assignment yet God still had an assignment for them. Be reminded that God does not call the equipped, rather He equips the called! Please do not tell God what you can’t do (Moses tried) because in so many ways it insults God as one is saying He can’t do something.

    When was the last time you said to the Lord here am I?  May I encourage you to pray afresh and anew today “Lord, may you find in me a willing and surrendered vessel, an available vessel for Your assignments!! Here I am!”

    A March To Remember

    With our Date the Word daily devotion for March we are including a verse for each day and suggesting 2 chapters to read that will help us remember our Savior as we make our way to Easter on March 31.  

    For March 4, let us consider Galatians 1:4. Galatians 1:4 says, “Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”  

    He gave His life that we might have life.  He did this according to the will of His Father.  He surrenders His will in the garden of Gethsemane to do His Father’s will and in doing so He died for you!  He GAVE His life so you could have life. 
    May our hearts be filled with adoration and worship on March 4 as we Remember our Savior from Galatians 1:4

    On March 4 we would encourage you to read Matthew 4 and Luke 4.
    We encourage you to go to the new DATE the Word App and join the Bible Reading plan where you can read or listen to Matthew 4 and Luke 4 to be reminded of the ministry Jesus did.

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

  • The Absolute Essential Requirement is To Be Born Again

    John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

    Have you been born again? I grew up attending church. I believed I was a Christian because I had been baptized and had become a member of a church. The question of whether I had been born again was somewhat puzzling.  I would come to understand that to be born again is to have a time in your life where your spiritual life is born and your life in Christ begins. For me, that happened on February 15, 1983. I realized that being religious did not work and I needed to have a relationship with God that could only happen by being born again. As I trusted Jesus by faith I was born again and at that moment I started a relationship with God as my Heavenly Father. I was justified and adopted. I was a new creation. I was redeemed and regenerated. Being born again changed everything.   It changed my life here and changed my eternal destination!

    Have you been born again?

    A March To Remember

    With our Date the Word daily devotion for March we are including a verse for each day and suggesting 2 chapters to read that will help us remember our Savior as we make our way to Easter on March 31.  

    For March 3, let us consider Hebrews 1:3.  Hebrews 1:3 says, “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

    As we recall the work Christ did on the cross Hebrews 1:3 tells us He Himself purged our sins.  In other words, He had cleansed us from our sins.  And His work was so complete He sat down.  The significance of that is in both the OT Tabernacle and the Temple there was no chairs and the High Priest never sat down. 

    On March 3 we would encourage you to read Matthew 3 and John 3
    We encourage you to go to the new DATE the Word App and join the Bible Reading plan where you can read or listen to Matthew 3 and John to be reminded of His life and teaching.  

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

  • Learning the Behaviors Of A Believer

    Titus 3:2 “Remind them “to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

    The Apostle Paul is laying out for Titus the behaviors of a believer. Titus 3:1 begins with remind them and as we look at verse 2 we are to be reminded to not speak evil (slander) of others, of anyone. The phrase, “If you can’t say anything good then don’t say anything at all” has roots in Titus 3:2. Not only are we to not speak evil of another we are to avoid quarreling or fighting.  In other words, we are not to be attacking others.

    Then, as the Apostle so often does, he moves from what we should not do to what we should do. We are to be gentle with one another. Handle with care is the idea.  Instead of slandering and attacking, we are caring and sensitive with each other. Each person is to be shown courtesy, meaning we treat them with dignity and respect. Instead of backbiting and criticizing, we are to be courteous and gentle.

    We have some major contrasts here in behavior. As believers, we do live differently.

    Are you tearing up people or are you building up people?

    A March To Remember Day 2

    With our Date the Word daily devotion for March we are including a verse for each day and suggesting 2 chapters to read that will help us remember our Savior as we make our way to Easter on March 31.  

    For March 2, let us consider 1 John 2:2as it says, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”  

    That big word propitiation means that on the cross Jesus took all the wrath of God to the point God was satisfied.  Jesus was the wrath absorber the cross for us – for you – for the entire world.  May our hearts proclaim what a Savior on March 2 as we Remember our Savior from 1 John 2:2

    On March 2 we would encourage you to read Matthew 2andPhilippians 2.
    We encourage you to go to the new DATE the Word App and join the Bible Reading plan where you can read or listen to Matthew 2 and Philippians 2 to be reminded that Jesus was obedient unto death.  

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