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  • Indeed, It Was Very Good

    Genesis 1:31 “Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So, the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”

    Genesis 1:1 informs us that “In the beginning God created.”  As He created, He evaluated His work. His creation.  In verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, and 25 of Genesis 1 we read that His evaluation of His daily work and creation was “it was good.” However, with the evaluation of day 6, in which He creates man and woman and breathes into them, we get an evaluation of “Indeed it was very good.”

    Let us take a moment to evaluate God’s 6th-day evaluation.  Why did He give a much higher review?  What brought about more than an evaluation of good to indeed it was very good? Many who evaluate God’s evaluation believe the difference comes because of the creation of the man and the woman.  

    You might ask what makes the creation of man and woman so different and so special that God would say it was very good.  Let’s take a moment and read the following for an answer.
    In Genesis 1:26 God said, “Let Us make man in our image, according to our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
    27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
    28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

    The words emphasized speak of the difference! We, humans, are made in the likeness – the very image – of God.  And with the creation of man and woman, we have God speaking to His creation. From the very beginning, God had a special and unique relationship with mankind!  Thus comes the evaluation of indeed it was very good.

    What might we take away from God’s elevated evaluation after the creation of man and woman? We should take away the incredible value and dignity that God has placed on all of mankind.  Every human is to be viewed with dignity and respect as every human was created by God and created for fellowship. Even when fellowship was broken because of sin God still wants to see every human reconciled back to Him.  His love for mankind extended all the way to a place called calvary where His very own Son died for all humans so that all could be reconciled back to Him.  

    We who now know Him personally and have a relationship with Him are to be telling others that God so loves them and that He wants them to be reconciled to Him.  

    Friend, you are one of God’s special creations, as is every human.   More than “it was good” the creation of man and woman brought “Indeed it was very good!”

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE the WORD!

  • God’s Favor Trumps Man’s Fear

    Luke 1:30 “Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

    As the angel Gabriel makes his announcement of God’s assignment to Mary that she is going to be the mother of our Lord, he begins by telling her not to be fearful. The reason that he could tell her not to be fearful was she had something that was going to make all the difference in fulfilling the assignment.  What was the “something” she had?  She had found favor with God.  

    As we look to do God’s assignments God’s favor is to be greatly desired.  In Numbers 6:26, we find part of the priestly prayer for the people, and it says, “May the LORD look with favor on you.” The idea of favor is to have God’s approval.

    For Mary to hear that she has found favor would mean she was approved.  This approval would have come from being tested though she most likely did not even know she was being tested.  In her private life, she was making wise decisions that would now open doors for God to use her.  To have found favor with God also would convey that she would have upon her an anointing, that God’s good hand would be upon her. While the assignment would be difficult and greatly misunderstood by many, she could rest assured that God would be with her. 

    Mary had nothing to fear as she had His favor!  And you have nothing to fear as you enjoy God’s favor upon your life!

    One of my personal prayer requests is for God’s favor based on Malachi 1:9. It says, “And now ask for God’s favor.” I do not want to do life and ministry without it!! And neither should you!

    Continue Strong knowing there is nothing to fear when you have God’s favor!
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • The Announcement of Announcements

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

    Most likely, you have been at some event where there was an announcer who made an announcement that there was going to be an announcement saying something like Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention.  Our verse is an announcement and we should be paying attention because it is the announcement of announcements.  The announcer is John the Baptist, and he was literally born for this moment.  As he sees Jesus, he announces the purpose of Jesus, the Messiah, that He is the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world! While no man could ever take away their sin or anyone else’s sin, one is now here who will, with His death and the shedding of His precious blood, take away our sins.  This is a glorious announcement!

    While we look back at this monumental moment may I have us look forward. For us who are believers, those who have trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation, there will be a day for us to make a pronouncement in heaven as we will fall down before the Lamb of God and proclaim worthy is the Lamb!  

    As a bonus, let us, with this announcement of the ages, consider a few other great announcements about Jesus.

    There was the announcement by Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1:30-33.
    Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31  “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. 32  “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 “And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”  

    There was the announcement of the angel to Joseph in Matthew 1:21.  “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

    There was the announcement of the angel to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-11.  Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

    Oh, what announcements we have heard!  A Savior, the Lamb of God has come to save sinners!

    One last thought.  As believers, we are now Ambassadors for Christ, and we are to be announcing what Jesus did and what He can do for every lost sinner in the world.  Seek to get someone’s attention and announce to them the gospel!

    Continue Strong announcing the greats news ever!
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • The Apostle Paul’s Mission Statement for his Ministry

    Colossians 1:28 “We proclaim Christ Jesus, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

    The Apostle Paul will give several mission statements for his life  For instance, “For me to live is Christ.” (Phil. 1:21) or “My ambition is to be well pleasing to Him.” (2 Cor. 5:9) Or “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24).  

    As well he gives mission statements for his ministry such as from Colossians 1:28. Paul says here his mission is first and foremost proclaim Christ as He is the only way for a person to be saved.  With a person saved he wants to then “present everyone mature in Christ.”  In order for fellow believers to go from being a newborn to a child to becoming spiritually mature he tells of two specific actions that he takes.  Let’s notice these actions so we can also do it.

    For maturity to be achieved Paul says he issues warnings as well as imparts wisdom.  

    As warnings are issues and received and wisdom is imparted and applied you will see a believer becoming mature.  

    For example notice Ephesians 4:28.  Paul writes to those who were thieves and issues first a warning and then wisdom.  He writes, “Let the thief no longer steal,” That is the warning.  Stop stealing!  He continues with wisdom. “But rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.”  

    As we ponder Paul’s mission of presenting one mature we should consider what maturity looks like.  For a person to be known as mature we would say they have become responsible. The mature know there are things that don’t do, and they don’t do them and there are things that they do and they do them. They listen and they learn and live! They heed the warnings and hear the wisdom.  They acquire wisdom and they apply wisdom! 

    Let’s ask some questions related to Colossians 1:28:
    Are you maturing?  Can others see your progress in becoming more Christ-like?
    Are you listening to warnings from Scripture?  
    Are you learning from the wisdom of Scripture?  
    Do you have a mature believer in your life that gives warnings to you as well as imparts wisdom?   
    Are you making Christ known (witnessing)? 
    Are you helping mature (discipling)?

    Continue Strong maturing as a believer and helping others mature as a believer.
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Hoping to Hear

    Philippians 1:27 “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your actions, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,”

    In Philippians 1:27, the apostle Paul reveals what he is hoping to hear about the fellow believers at Philippi.  In revealing his expectations, he reveals actions that should be apart of every believer’s like.  For instance, he would like to hear of a believer’s behavior honoring the Lord.  Whatever they are doing should be worthy of God and bring glory to God.

    Do you question before acting if an action is pleasing – is honoring – worthy to the one who saved you?

    He wants to hear of believers standing for the faith – unified in belief. “Standing fast” is a military term for standing in a post or holding a position. Are you standing fast in defending our common faith? Are you a defender of the faith? Do you know what you believe and why you believe it?  Are you standing up and speaking out for the faith?  You might recall Jude 1:3 calls for us to contend for the faith!

    Then Paul changes to an athletic word say he wants to hear of believers striving – sharing – proclaiming – making known the gospel.

    While standing for the gospel we are to be sharing the gospel with the lost!

    Are you having gospel conversations with the lost?  Do you have a passion like an athlete to be winning souls?

    So, if we were at Philippi in the days of Paul what would he be hearing about your life as a Christian?  Something to ponder

    Take proper actions to be a defender of the faith while being a spreader of the gospel!

    Continue Strong pleasing the Lord,
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Conversion Changes Your Conversation

    James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue has deceived his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

    One of the greatest indicators of a true conversion to Christianity is a person’s new conversation.  When the Lord enters our lives our language changes.  The filthy mouth gets filtered and our language is clean and wholesome.  

    Going deeper, Pastor James is writing a letter that gets to the heart of the matter and he will address the language of believers several times in his letter. In chapter 3 he will drill down on how harmful the tongue can be.  He will ask very directly and pointedly how could one’s tongue bless God and then turn around and curse men.  He states emphatically that these things should not be. 

    The Christian is to have control over their conduct and their conversation!  The Christian is to have clean, wholesome, words proceeding from their tongue. James speaks of having a bridle on your tongue.  A bridle is used on a horse to control and direct the horse. 

    As far as finding verses to help with controlling your conversation there are many! The Book of Proverbs has around 150! 
    Here are just a few to help you bridle your tongue:
    We start with two prayers from Psalms.
    Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
    Psalms 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
    Proverbs tells us what happens with the uncontrolled tongue and the controlled tongue in Proverbs 10:19.  It says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
    Paul tells us what should not come out of our mouth and what should
    Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

    Are you converted? If so, your conversation will be different from one who is lost!    If your conversation is not different then you need to ask if you are really converted!

    Continue Strong with wholesome words!
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • A Doxology and a Benediction

    Jude 1:25 “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.”

    Growing up I attended a church that had as part of its worship service a time where we sang what was called the doxology.  A doxology may be defined as a short hymn or even a short prayer that is filled with praise exalting the glory and majesty of God.  It was sung in our church after the offering had been taken up.  The words were:  Praise God from whom all blessings flow
    Praise Him, all creatures here below
    Praise Him above, ye heavenly host
    Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

    The doxology kept us focused on who was our provider! 

    Then the service would conclude with our pastor proclaiming a benediction on us in which he would extend his hand toward us, and many times would say Jude 1:25.  In my mind I can see and hear Pastor Campbell saying, “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.” And we would respond with “amen.”  

    Today we do not so much find in our services a doxology or a formal benediction.  My question is not so much about my church or your church having a doxology and a benediction but how do you put into practice a doxology and a benediction?   For me, the answer is with your prayer time. My reason for the answer comes from the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray.  You may recall how it starts and how it closes.  It starts with “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.” By opening with hallowed be your name you have a doxology.  Jesus teaches us to praise God for who He is as we start our prayer time.  Then the prayer concludes with “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”  This serves as benediction whereby we acknowledge who is in charge of our lives and everything around us.  The benediction serves as a concluding reminder of who God is.  We start with praising Him and we conclude with praising Him.  

    I would encourage you to consider adding Jude 1:25 to your prayer time.  Each phrase is filled with expressive language describing who our God is.  He is our savior and what a savior He is as He saved us from our sins. The angels proclaim to the shepherds in Luke 2:11 “There is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”  He is alone wise and provides the wisdom and guidance we need for our lives.  As we are praising Him for who He is and what He does we now proclaim what He deserves to receive.  In saying “Be glory” speaks of His excellence.  There is no one higher.  In saying “Be majesty” speaks of His authority.  There is no one to challenge Him.  To say, “Be Dominion” speaks of His right to rule.  He created all things, and all things are to be subject to Him.  To say “Be power” speaks of His might.  As you conclude you acknowledge this in present and future with the words “both now and forever”  

    Isaiah 26:3 says, God will keep a person “in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”  I have to believe your mind and heart will be filled with peace after praying Jude 1:25.  

    Continue Strong filling your mind with who God is,
    And remember to DATE the Word 

  • Dependable

    Matthew 1:24 “Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took Mary to be his wife.”

    Have you ever pondered on the key “Christmas Characters” in the Christmas story? Much of the Christmas story focuses on Mary, His mother, and for good reason. One has to love her availability in Luke 1:38. (Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”) There are the Angels who were making the most incredible announcement that a Savior has been born. (“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.) There are Shepherds who heard one of the greatest announcements of all time and immediately take action and go with haste to see the baby that is born to save the world! Then they went from hearing the announcement to being announcers!  (Luke 2:17 “Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.) There are Wise men who will make their way following a star and offer extravagant gifts to the newborn King!

    And then there is Joseph.  Joseph seems to be very much behind the scenes. If one was writing a Christmas play for children’s church play Joseph would have no lines if one follows the Bible story as there are no recorded words that he ever spoke.  That is right.  He never speaks a word.  He was the strong silent type.

    Yet, what an incredible example Joseph is to every one of us.  He is one of the best examples of immediate obedience. Not just obeying God when told what to do, Joseph immediately obeyed. Immediate obedience to God!  That is Joseph.  

    Let us ask how quickly and quietly do you obey God? If heaven is recording a Matthew 1:24 action regarding you, would your name be placed by Joseph? Would a reading of Matthew 1:24 have your name, “Then (your name), being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded?”

     Are you known for immediate obedience to God?

    One more thought: Jesus had parents with extraordinary abilities: 
    Mary brought to the table availability and Joseph brought dependability.

    Availability is the first ability but dependability is the greatest ability!!

    Continue Strong immediately obeying God, 
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • Mirror Mirror of the Word What Changes Should I Make?

    James 1:23 “Or if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.”

    You may have already looked into a mirror before reading this devotion and the meaning of this verse is up close and personal.  Did you look into the mirror and see something that needed “adjusting” but walked away leaving your hair in a mess? Did you notice something in your teeth but walked away, leaving it there?  Hmmm?  We know that as a mirror reveals things that need adjusting, We have to take action as things that are not where they are supposed to be don’t just magically adjust themselves.  We have to do more than look at ourselves in the mirror!

    James is a pastor and as he teaches God’s Word he wants his people to do something with what they are hearing.  In James 1:22 he says. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” 

    The idea of being a “hearer” is that you audit.  During my time in college, I would occasionally audit a class.  In auditing, I did not have to do the assignments or take any tests or exams.  I could pick and choose what I wanted to learn.   

    James is teaching that the Bible is not a class you can audit!  And to illustrate that you are to be more than a hearer he tells of one looking into a mirror and walking away without making any adjustments to what they have seen.  

    Are you just “looking” at God’s Word but not living it?

    Are you staying the same after seeing what Scripture says about how you should be living?

    Are you just “auditing” the Bible but not applying the Bible?

    Pastor James wants more than observation of the Word! He wants obedience to the Word!  

    So let’s be clear from James 1:23. James is telling us that the study of God’s Word is incomplete without the application of the Word!  You can hear the Word, read the Bible, see the Scriptures, learn the Word, search the Scriptures, acquire Biblical knowledge, memorize the Scriptures, and meditate on it yet doing all these wonderful things is not enough.  It still comes down to the application of God’s Word by obeying what it tells us to do or not do. 

    As you read God’s Word that is serving as a mirror ask “Mirror mirror of the Word, what changes do I need to make?”

    Don’t dismiss what the “mirror of the Word” is showing you! 

    Continue Strong obeying God’s Word
    And remember to DATE The Word

  • What Are You Fervent About?

    1 Peter 1:22 “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.”

    While we have numerous verses that call for us to love one another the Apostle Peter writes that we are to love one another fervently.  Calling us to love fervently moves us to a new level of love and we must then learn what it means to be fervent.  To be fervent is to have or show great warmth, to have the intensity of spirit and strong feelings, and to have enthusiasm. It may be described as having tremendous passion. It carries the idea of being on fire! Thus, we are to be on fire loving one another.  We are to be enthusiastic about loving others!

    This word fervent is also found in how we pray! In James 5:16 we read, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
    The word fervent is also found regarding our attitude toward serving the Lord. In Romans 12:11 we read, “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”

    I asked to open this devotion the question what are you fervent about? 
    Are you fervent about serving the Lord? 
    Fervent about prayer? 
    Fervent about loving others?

    Having the word fervent connect to these three demands our full attention! Let us be fervent, on fire, for serving the Lord, praying for one another, and, from today’s verse, loving one another fervently!

    In loving one another I remind you that the time a person will need love the most is when they deserve it the least. 

    Continue Strong and show fervent love to one another,
    And remember to DATE The Word