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Tag: Ecclesiastes

  • Verse to DATE the Word on December 13 (12/13) is Ecclesiastes 12:13

    “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and 
    keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13
    The ANSWER is FEAR GOD and Keep His Commandments.

    The Book of Ecclesiastes starts with doom and gloom words. From Ecclesiastes 1:2 we read, “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” Wow! What a depressing start to a Book of the Bible. In other words, life is meaningless!  To prove how meaningless life is Solomon will talk about one worldly pursuit after another pursuit that he tried and how it ultimately leaves him unsatisfied. From wine and women to work and wealth Solomon never found satisfaction.   

    A subtitle for Ecclesiastes easily could be “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.”

    However, Solomon says he did make the discovery of discoveries in his search for the true meaning of life, and in Ecclesiastes 12:13 he gives his discovery, his conclusion.  The conclusion for having a MEANINGFUL life is FEAR GOD and KEEP His Commandments!  Search no more for the answer to life’s greatest question is FEAR GOD and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.

    To FEAR God is to place God where He belongs with the acknowledgment that He exists and stand in awe of Him offering adoration to Him and recognizing His authority over you.

    Life takes on meaning when you REALIZE and RECOGNIZE there is a GOD and you are not Him!

    This will then lead to KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS.  In recognizing His authority you OBEY His commands.  One will live according to His standards rather than doing what is right in your own eyes.

    What has been your conclusion as you search for meaning in life?  The wisest of men, Solomon, would tell you that your answer needs to be “fearing God and keeping His commandments.”  This and this only is what life is about and what will bring meaning to life.
      
    Friends, until God is in the right place in your life, your life is going to stay unfilled, lacking meaning and satisfaction. Pay attention to Proverbs 19:23 as it tells us, “The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests SATISFIED.”  Now connect Matthew 6:33 to Proverbs 19:23 and read, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”  

    It is now your call!  What will be your conclusion?

    The verse to DATE the Word on December 13 (12/13) is Ecclesiastes 12:13. It says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.”

    Continue Strong in the FEAR of the Lord!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

    PS – to learn more about the FEAR of the Lord you will want to read and study the book of Proverbs as the fear of the Lord is mentioned often.  One learns what comes to a person as they fear the Lord. 

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 9 (11/9) is Ecclesiastes 11:9

    “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of
    your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; But know
    that for all these God will bring you into judgment.” – Ecclesiastes 11:9
    Wisdom says ENJOY your YOUTH with an EYE on ETERNITY

    Being young is such a WONDERFUL time of life yet so many young people WISH to rush through their youth.  Remember how you could not wait to be a certain age?  

    Ecclesiastes 11:9 tells us not to RUSH through our youth but REJOICE in our days of being young! While it can be STRESSFUL it really is a most WONDERFUL time of life!  A young person should ENJOY these days!  They should not wish them away.  And definitely, they should not waste them!

    Many of you reading this are either parents of a YOUTH and/or you minister to those who are YOUTH. You should have Ecclesiastes 11:9 as one of your go-to verses for advising, yes, discipling your youth.  It is one of the best for reminding a young person of the tremendous opportunities they have to dream and explore possibilities for their life.  It also is one of the best verses to remind them that choices have consequences. I do not know how many times I have said you make your choices and then your choices make you!  Young people need to know this. Young people need to know the law of sowing and reaping.   

    Placing Ecclesiastes 11:9 before your youth helps them to KNOW they will ANSWER for their ACTIONS. While they are free to choose their activities and actions, they are not free to choose who they answer to for their actions.  Each young person has a variety of AUTHORITY that they answer to their lives like parents, grandparents, guardians, teachers, coaches, and even local authorities like police (and I would include pastors).  However, they need to be taught that the authority of authorities that they answer to is God!  

    Yes, a young person is to REJOICE in their youth.  But they are also to REMEMBER in their youth who they answer to.  They are to enjoy their youth with an eye toward eternity.  

    Along with using Ecclesiastes 11:9 for training and discipling your youth be sure to keep before them 1 Timothy 4:12 as it teaches the right actions to take.  In case you are not remembering it: 1Tomothy 4:12 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 9 (11/9) is Ecclesiastes 11:9. It says, “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; But know (REMEMBER) that for all these God will bring you into judgment.”

    Make wise choices!  Help young people to make wise choices that they will be glad they made when standing before God!

    Continue Strong for Him enjoying every day with an eye toward eternity
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 1 (11/1) is Ecclesiastes 11:1

    “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will
    find it after many days.” – Ecclesiastes 11:1
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 1 (11/1) is Ecclesiastes 11:1. Ecclesiastes 11:1 says, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.”

    NO RISK MEANS NO RETURN

    Ecclesiastes 11:1 is one of those head-scratching verses that you, probably like me, read and WONDER what does that mean???   I read it and think that for one to cast their bread of water means their bread is going to get wet and SINK.   And you will not find it later!!  Fish might find it, but you are not going to find it. 

    Pondering the verse though brings a meaning of TAKING A RISK.  The verse speaks of a ship loaded with grain and is in a safe and secure harbor.  While it is nice to have a ship loaded with grain and nice to have it in a safe place SHIPS were not made for HARBORS!  So the writer employs the captain to LAUNCH OUT!  Take the loaded ship of grain to a new market and see what you can get for it!

    For each of us, I remind that we fit into the parable to the talents found in Matthew 25.  We each have received talents and we have to decide to USE them.  Using them is risky.  I like to say INVOLVEMENT EXPOSES FLAWS.  We just might FAIL.  It is worth remembering that the parable tells of commendation for those who TRIED and is very condemning to the one who DID NOT TRY.   

    Check these very scary verses out:
    Matthew 25:24  He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,  25  so I was afraid,and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ 26  But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27  Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. 28  So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.”

    The master was angry because the servant was AFRAID.  He called the one who would not take a risk wicked and lazy.   What an indictment!!  

    In applying Ecclesiastes 11:1 I use the familiar NO RISK NO RETURN.  I also use a quote from a NASCAR driver who said, “IF YOU DON’T TAKE A CHANCE YOU DON’T HAVE A CHANCE.”

    Friend, “IF YOU DON’T TAKE A CHANCE YOU DON’T HAVE A CHANCE!!!”

    What is God prompting you to TRY?  Let today’s verse for the day motivate you to TAKE A CHANCE!!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 1 (11/1) is Ecclesiastes 11:1. It says, “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.”

    Continue Strong sailing your ship (life) outside the safe harbor!  Take a chance!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 18 (10/18) is Ecclesiastes 10:18

    “Because of laziness the building decays, and through 
    idleness of hands the house leaks.” – Ecclesiastes 10:18
    The DESTRUCTIVE OUTCOMES of LAZINESS and IDLENESS

    Can you imagine a TV show called The LAZY and The IDLE?  Don’t wait for it as those involved are always arriving late to the set and when they do show up they never get around to shooting any scenes.  The LAZY and the IDLE will be canceled before it starts because they could never get started.

    While we will never get to see on TV how the LAZY and IDLE live, we can learn about them from the Scriptures, especially from the Books of Wisdom.  Both Proverbs and Ecclesiastes address numerous times their lifestyle or their lack of a lifestyle.  At times, they are called the SLUGGARD and/or the SLOTHFUL.  You will find close to 20 verses in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes about them and not one time will there be anything good or positive said about them.  The lazy are losers and the idle are an irritation.

    Take for instance just two verses:  
    Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.
    Proverbs 19:15 Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

    Ecclesiastes 10:18 illustrates for us how the lazy and idle leave UNATTENDED things that NEED ATTENTION, sometimes needing immediate attention. The upkeep of buildings is left unattended for too long and they begin to decay.  When one should have been working on maintaining their possessions they are lying around.  As they lay around things begin to fall down.  Even with things that need immediate attention, there is inaction.  As the rain falls the roof leaks, yet it is not patched, leaving a mess EVERY time.  (And don’t expect the idle to clean up the mess).  

    Both the lazy and the idle are IRRESPONSIBLE WITH RESPONSIBILITIES.  Their inaction has consequences that are negative and destructive.  For instance, over time property loses value as it falls into disrepair. Their inaction will bring immediate irritation as they will not respond to the immediate crisis.  

    There is a contrasting verse that speaks volumes to HOW we are to live and that verse is Proverbs 12:27.  It gives the contrast of the lazy by telling of the diligent. Proverbs 12:27 says, “The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man’s precious possession.”

    The DILIGENT DOES WHAT MUST BE DONE WHEN IT MUST BE DONE!
    The LAZY and the IDLE leave undone what must be done until it is irreparable.

    Which lifestyle are you?  Are you known for DILIGENCE?  Or are you known as LAZY and IDLE?

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 18 (10/18) is Ecclesiastes 10:18. It says, “Because of laziness the building decays, and through idleness of hands the house leaks.” 

    Let the destructive outcomes of LAZINESS and ILDENESS JOLT you to refuse to ever have it said that you are lazy and idle!

    Continue Strong with a STRONG WORK ETHIC
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on October 10 (10/10) is Ecclesiastes 10:10

    “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use
    more strength, But wisdom brings success.” – Ecclesiastes 10:10
    PREPARATION PRECEDES PERFORMANCE – SHARPEN YOUR AX

    In the book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey lists Habit #7 as Sharpen the Ax. The analogy may not be familiar today but for centuries people cut wood with an ax for building buildings and/or to cook and/or for woodstoves and fireplaces in order to keep things warm, etc.  Cutting wood with an ax was a daily activity and a sharp ax worked a whole lot better than a dull ax.   

    As valuable as the ax was to the user so too was a whetstone to sharpen the ax!

    While the user of an ax understood how much more valuable a sharp ax was one would be tempted to forgo sharpening the ax as it took time away from cutting.

    Sharpening an ax takes TIME.  

    For the ax to be sharpened meant the ax was not in use and could easily appear as a waste of time.  Starting to cut without sharpening was a real temptation.  As well one would be tempted to continue cutting as the ax become dull.  However, using a DULL ax would take more TIME AND it takes more EFFORT.  In the long run, one will find that there was less production.  Thus, it would be incredibly wise for one to take the TIME to sharpen their ax. 

    Sharpening the ax speaks for us today of PREPARATION! It is what is done before we do what needs to be done.  For a vocation, it is getting a high school degree.  It is getting the training, whether as an apprentice or a trade school, or a community school. or a university in order to perform the desired job.  Some preparation takes longer as skills must be mastered.  

    A great picture of preparation is seen in Esther where Esther purposefully PREPARES herself for her meeting with the King.  It took time to get ready but her preparation paid off.  See Esther 5:1-3.

    What is your AX today?  It could be your education.  It could be your vocation.   It could be your next vacation.  It could be related to a team event.  It could be cutting some firewood.  What is your AX that needs sharpening before use? What is that thing that is saying you must pay the upfront cost?  What is saying you need to spend time (and money) to BE PREPARED? 

    Whatever those answers are WISDOM is saying success follows sharpening.  

    The successful will tell you they VALUE the PREPARATION AS MUCH AS THE PERFORMANCE!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on October 10 (10/10) is Ecclesiastes 10:10.  It says, “If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength, But wisdom brings success.”

    Prior purposeful prayerful positive proper preparation precedes powerful productive performance.

    Continue Strong with PREPARATION.  And remember to DATE THE WORD

    PS – I still recommend Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey as a must-read.

    PSS.  October 10 (10/10) has another great verse to DATE  John 10:10 says. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 18 (9/18) is Ecclesiastes 9:18

    “Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one
    sinner destroys much good.” – Ecclesiastes 9:18
    Reading through Ecclesiastes one will read a number of verses that are called contrastive verses.  They are easily recognizable as they will have the words “better than” or “but.”  Here we have a contrastive verse that has both “better than” and “but.”  Ecclesiastes 9:18 is one of those verses that demand we pause to ponder and let the verse challenge our thinking about how we live.

    Pause then to ponder that WISDOM is BETTER THAN WEAPONS OF WAR.  

    Can you picture the contrast?

    Wisdom here means to have skills, and, in this case, it would be skills of diplomacy as well as skills of preparation.  Diplomacy seeks to resolve issues rather than allowing for the issue to divide and dissolve which could then lead to massive destruction and death.  Wisdom also brings to the table the skills to prepare so that one is protected.  The concept of PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH comes to mind.  

    WEAPONS OF WAR.  Can you picture them?  While there is a time for war (Eccl. 3:8) one must know how horrific the weapons of war will be.  Diplomacy and defense are BETTER THAN the destructiveness of war.

    BUT.  There is another contrast in this verse that tells us that even as wisdom is sought so that wars are not started ONE, yes, just ONE sinner can destroy much good.   What a warning.  This warning is not just for a nation or nations but for a couple or a family or a church or any organization.  ONE sinner bent on having their own way brings about destruction.  Arrogance, pride, and ego contaminate the good work others are seeking to do!  

    Practical application: Wisdom says SEEK TO RESOLVE and be very SLOW to DISSOLVE! 

    To those who lead, be it family, church, businesses, government, etc. you must be on guard for the ONE who can poison the good work!  Recall the story of Achan in Joshua 6 and 7.  

    And for a non-biblical illustration recall the story of Archimedes, the greatest mathematician who did so much good for Syracuse and the world yet was killed in an instant by an angry soldier.  

    Our verse to DATE the Word on September 18 (9/18) is Ecclesiastes 9:18. It says, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war; But one sinner destroys much good.”

    Continue Strong seeking to resolve relationships, not dissolve them.  
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 8 (9/8) is Ecclesiastes 9:8

    “Let your garments always be white, and
    let your head lack no oil.” – Ecclesiastes 9:8
    Carpe diem – SEIZE the day!!! 

    Ecclesiastes 9:8 is a very interesting verse with intriguing instructions.  It encourages us to dress daily as if one is going to a wedding celebration.  A wedding celebration is a most exciting and wonderful time.  It is filled with much joy and hope.  From the bride and the groom to the youngest child everyone dresses up and looks their best!  Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 9:8 comes along and gives us the challenge to approach each day this way as we should see each day being the very best day of our lives. 

    Listen, yesterday is in the tomb and is gone forever.  Tomorrow is in the womb and is not promised.  Today – TODAY i- is the present – a gift!! Thus, we want to fully embrace this present – this gift – this new day.   We will want to be fully engaged in it – and yes, fully enjoy it!!! 

    Carpe diem – SEIZE the day!!! 

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 8 (9/8) is Ecclesiastes 9:8. It says, “Let your garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil.”

    Today is the best day of the rest of your life!

    Continue Strong enjoying every moment!   
    And remember to DATE the Word!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on August 11 (8/11) is Ecclesiastes 8:11

    “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the
    heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” – Ecclesiastes 8:11
    This is one of those verses that you might want to read from a few other versions.
    NIV Ecclesiastes 8:11 “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.”
    NLT – Ecclesiastes 8:11 “When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.”
    Message Ecclesiastes 8:11  “Because the sentence against evil deeds is so long in coming, people in general think they can get by with murder.”

    It takes DISCIPLINE TO DO DISCIPLINE. 

    Ecclesiastes 8:11 reminds us that dealing with disobedience takes discipline and if we let things go too long, if we delay the discipline, a person’s heart is prone to become harder as well as others will begin to feel bolden to commit crimes.  I like to use the phrase “It takes discipline to do discipline.”  Hardly ever did a discipline situation come up at an opportune time and determining the amount/type of discipline is always a challenge. It takes discipline to do discipline. The bottom line is we who are responsible for imposing discipline be it a parent – a principal – a prosecuting attorney – a teacher – a coach – a judge – a jury, etc. must remember the lessons and impact of Ecclesiastes 8:11.  

    Another verse to go along with Ecclesiastes 8:11 about the importance of promptness with discipline is Proverbs 13:24. It says, “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him promptly.”  This conveys the lesson with Eccl. 8:11 that failure to diligently discipline disobedience opens the door for more disobedience.

    As you consider Ecclesiastes 8:11, how does it apply to you and your present responsibilities?

    Verse to DATE the Word on August 11 (8/11) is Ecclesiastes 8:11. It says, “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

    It takes DISCIPLINE TO DISCIPLINE!
    Failure to diligently discipline disobedience opens the door for more disobedience.

    Continue Strong dealing diligently with disobedience,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 20 (7/20) is Ecclesiastes 7:20

    “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” – Ecclesiastes 7:20
    STATUS: SINNER. A Sinner in NEED of a SAVIOR.

    As Christians, we believe that ALL HAVE SINNED and COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD.  Christianity believes every human being is a SINNER.  The significance of this belief leads us to state that every human being is in need of a SAVIOR.  NUMEROUS Scriptures back up our premise of this belief including our verse for July 20. 

    Along with Ecclesiastes 7:20, other verses convey this essential, non-negotiable Biblical truth:
    Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
    Romans 3:10  As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one;
    James 2:10  For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.
    Psalm 14:3  They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.
    Isaiah 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
    Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags, and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

    Our status is without any doubt that of being a sinner.  And as a sinner, we are separated from God and face a PENALTY as Romans 6:23 states “For the wages of sin is death.”

    Yet our status of being a SINNER, thankfully, can be changed because there is a SAVIOR!!  After the bad news there comes some VERY GOOD NEWS.   Notice a few of those good news verses:
    Romans 5:8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
    Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    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.”
    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!
    1 Corinthians 15:3  For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 
    2 Corinthians 5:21  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

    To have your status changed you need to personally ask Jesus to be your Savior.  
    Romans 10:9 says, that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
    13  For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”

    Verse to DATE the Word on July 20 (7/20) is Ecclesiastes 7:20   It says, “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” 

    What a reminder of what humanity’s status is but also to know that status can change because of Jesus Christ.  What a reminder that we need to share Jesus so a person’s status can change from sinner to saint!

    Continue strong grateful for the status change our Savior provides,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on July 2 (7/2) is Ecclesiastes 7:2

    “Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting,
    for that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart.” – Ecclesiastes 7:2
    A Very Sobering Thought

    There is no doubt in my mind that if given a choice you would rather go to a house of feasting than the funeral home! There is pleasure to be had in the house of feasting whereas there is pain and heartache at the funeral home. Yet Ecclesiastes 7:2 tells us the better choice is to go to the funeral home. For Solomon, the house of mourning, the funeral home, is incredibly VALUABLE as it is like a school room where wisdom can be gained. In the house of feasting, one may find leisure and laughter but very seldom any lessons.  In the house of mourning, life lessons are learned that impact one’s heart,

    The funeral home is like a school room as it provides life lessons for the living to learn.

    What might be learned at the funeral home?  Facing the fact that a person has DIED has the ability to AWAKENED the LIVING to LIVE LIFE FULLY.  One is reminded in this place of mourning that life comes with a deadline, usually an unexpected deadline.  One is reminded of the brevity of life, no matter how many years the person lived. And in the place of mourning, one should be reminded of a future judgment. In the funeral home, we learn that this life is not all there is.  These are but a few lessons one might learn at the house of mourning.

    My hope today is the Scripture WAKES you up to LIVING 1000% for the Lord! I hope you don’t have to go to a funeral to understand – to learn – that this earthly life will come to an end – and it usually is an unexpected end. From considering Ecclesiastes 7:2, you should grab onto Ecclesiastes 9:10 and do “Whatever your hand finds to do, DO IT with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going.”

    On a personal note – I really was not familiar with Ecclesiastes 7:2 in 1989 but what it teaches is very real.  In May of 1989, my mother would die unexpectedly, dying of a massive heart attack. The day after her death her obituary was in the Lynchburg paper.  It started with her name and then the number 56.  She was only 56.  As I looked at that number I thought about another number.  The number was 28. Why 28?  Because I was 28.  As I looked at the number 56, I realized that if I were to live as long (or as short) as my mom lived I would have already lived half my life.  It became a motivation to get VERY serious about living every moment for the Lord.  The funeral home became a schoolroom that week. 

    Verse to DATE the Word on July 2 (7/2) is Ecclesiastes 7:2. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart.”

    You might take a moment to consider what you have learned from being at a funeral.   What messages have come to you from the house of mourning that has motivated you to live differently?

    Continue Strong LIVING for the Lord till you die,
    And remember to DATE the Word