Some days there are just some great verses for the date and 2/2 has some great verses. So instead of sharing one, we will share seven. We start with
1 Samuel 2:2 “No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.”
*PERIOD!!
1 Kings 2:2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man.”
*David is dying and he has his son Solomon at his deathbed where he will charge him to be strong and prove yourself a man. Standing at the Tomb of David in Jerusalem I read 1 Kings 2:1-2 to my sons and told them they know what I expect of them!
1 Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
*This is one of the top ministry verses for every pastor. The only thing that will make the difference is JESUS!
1 Thessalonians 2:2 But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict.
*Paul did not allow persecution to keep him from preaching and neither should we!
2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
*This is the verse of verses for what discipleship is. What you learn is to be passed on to others and as you pass it on you tell them to pass it on.
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
*As believers we are to grow and without a diet of the Word you will not grow. Now the question is do you have a DESIRE for the Word like a newborn wants milk?
1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
*Jesus Christ took the PENALTY that we deserved. He took the wrath of God that we deserved to the level that God was satisfied. What a Savior!
Continue Strong,
And Remember to Date the Word
Blog
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A Plethora Of 2:2 Verses For 2/2
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The Ground At The Cross Is Level
James 2:1 “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”
DO NOT claim that you are a Christian if you discriminate. To hold a person to a higher or lower value based on any number of things from social standing to race to economic standing to gender to age, to looks, to nationality, etc. is not Christian. Jesus loves everyone and the gospel is available to all.
As the song says, Jesus loves all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white; they are precious in his sight.!!! Is every soul precious in your sight?
The teaching of James is backed up by OT teaching and the fair treatment of everyone is a characteristic of God. Proverbs 24:23 says, “These also are sayings of the wise. Partiality in judging is not good.” In Leviticus 19:15 we read, “You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.” Deuteronomy 1:17 says, “You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike.
In 2 Chronicles 19:5-7, we read, “He appointed judges in the land in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city. 6 He said to the judges, “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD who is with you when you render judgment. 7 “Now then let the fear of the LORD be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the LORD our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.”
Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,”
It is so clear that God does not show partiality. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the WORLD!” Christ died for sinners which means He died for everyone because ALL have sinned.
Showing partiality – favoritism – is unchristian. It is incompatible with Christianity. Favoritism, prejudice, partiality, discrimination, etc. keeps one from obeying the Great Commission.
A converted heart sees the ground at the cross is level and wants the gospel to go to the WORLD that God loves, and for whom Jesus died!
Continue Strong without partiality,
And remember to DATE The Word -
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 review of day 6 in which He creates man and woman and breathes into them, we get an evaluation of “INDEED it was VERY GOOD.”
“INDEED it was VERY GOOD.” One has to wonder why He gives a much higher review. Many who evaluate God’s evaluation believe the difference was because of the unique creation of the man and the woman.
You might ask what makes the creation of man and woman so unique, 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 beginning, God had a special and unique RELATIONSHIP with mankind!
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 God has placed on mankind. EVERY HUMAN IS TO BE VIEW WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT as EVERY human was created by God and created for fellowship. Even when the fellowship was broken because of sin, God still wants to see EVERY human reconciled back to Him. His love for mankind extended 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.
Continue Strong knowing your dignity and the dignity of every human,
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 announces God’s assignment to Mary that she will be the mother of our Lord, he begins by telling her NOT TO BE FEARFUL. He could tell her not to be fearful because she has something that will make all the difference for 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 as it is essential. 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! May you know God’s favor!
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!”
As John the Baptist sees JESUS, he ANNOUNCES the ANNOUNCEMENT of ANNOUNCEMENTS, announcing Jesus 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, Jesus, the Messiah, is now here who will with His death and the shedding of His precious blood take away our sins. Like the angel’s announcement to the shepherds where they announced “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11) 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!
One last thought. As believers, we are now Ambassadors for Christ, (2 Corinthians 5:20) and we are to be ANNOUNCING what JESUS DID and WHAT HE CAN DO for every lost sinner in the world. Seek today to get someone’s attention and announce to them the glorious gospel!
Continue Strong announcing the greatest news ever!
And remember to DATE The Word -
From Our Hands To His Hands
1 Samuel 1:28 ““Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”
I am a father I have 4 children and with each child, my wife and I, following the example of Hannah, placed each child in the hands of God. We believed they belonged to Him. Then knowing they belonged to God we trained them to know God and to follow the teachings of Scripture on how to behave.
As they grew we also believed we were training them to be used by the Lord. Being guided by Judges 13:12 we sought to ask what Manoah asked when he asked the Lord about Samson, “What will be the boy’s rule of life, and his work?
We also wanted to be like Zebedee who when Jesus called his sons to follow Him Zebedee let them go. (Matthew 4:21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.)
Have you followed the example of Hannah and placed your children in God’s hands for His use?
Continue Strong dedicating ourselves and our children to the Lord,
And Remember to Date the Word -
Hoping The Hear About You
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 a part of every believer’s life. For instance, he first and foremost wanted to hear of their behavior was HONORING the Lord.
Before we move forward allow me to ask do you ask before acting if an action is pleasing – is honoring – worthy to the one who saved you?
Moving forward Paul writes that he wants to hear of believers STANDING for the faith; unified in belief. “Standing fast” is a military term for standing a post, of holding a position. Are you standing fast in defending our common faith?
Then Paul changes to an athletic word saying 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!
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!
Continue Strong honoring and pleasing the Lord,
And remember to DATE The Word -
Our Conversion Changes Our Conversation
James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
In the Book of James, one will find that James, as a pastor, will not hesitate to address the language of believers and will do so several times in his letter. Most of chapter 3 will have him drilling down on how harmful the tongue can be and will ask very directly how one’s tongue can bless God and curse men. He then states emphatically that these things should not be. As he finishes chapter 1, he reminds believers that they can BRIDLE their tongues so that their words will be wholesome. The Christian after all, is to have clean, wholesome, words proceeding from their tongue. For instance, Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
James is straightforward in saying that if your religion, your conversion, does not change your conversation then your religion is USELESS. There is a clear expectation that conversion gives the believer the ability to control (bridle) their tongue.
If you need help in bridling your tongue here are just a couple of verses to help you: Psalms 19:14 (A Prayer) 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.
So let us be clear, if one has experienced a conversion to Christianity then one of the marks of the conversion will be the change in their conversation.
How has your conversion changed your conversation?
Are you converted? If so, your conversation will be different!
Continue Strong with wholesome words!
And Remember to Date the Word -
To God Be All The Glory
Jude 1:25 “To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”
As I grew up, we sang the Doxology, a song praising God. Maybe you did as well, and you recall these words:
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
It was usually sung at our church after the offering plates had been passed and were returned to the front of the church. The Doxology was a great reminder to praise God for His provision and blessings we enjoyed.
Jude concludes his letter with a doxology giving praise to God for WHO HE IS and reminds us to keep our minds set on who God is in our lives this and every day! HE IS… our provider and protector and the only one WORTHY of all our praise.
May I suggest adding Jude 1:25 to the conclusion of 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. He is alone WISE and provides the wisdom and guidance we need.
Having praised 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 is PRESENT and in the 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 Him.” 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 -
Joseph Was 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.”
Not long ago, I saw a Facebook post asking the reader to tell of a lesson they learned from their father. As I pondered the many lessons I learned from my father, I thought about what Jesus might say to the question. I think He might have said that He felt both had great abilities. For instance, His mother, Mary, brought to the table AVAILABILITY and His earthly father Joseph brought DEPENDABILITY!
What abilities are you bringing to God? You may feel very inadequate in a lot of areas but there are always two abilities you can bring to God. You can be like Mary and bring AVAILABILITY and you can be like Joseph and bring DEPENDABILITY!
Here is something to think about from our verse. When God spoke to Joseph HE IMMEDIATELY OBEYED. He acted quickly and quietly to obey what God told him to do.
Question: How quick, yes, how quick and quietly do you obey God?
Availability is the first ability however DEPENDABILITY! is the greatest ability!
Continue Strong quickly and quietly obeying God,
And Remember to Date the Word