datethewordtest

Tag: Feb 7

  • He Is Precious!

    1 Peter 2:7 “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,””

    What thoughts immediately come to your mind to describe Jesus?  I think we might say words like He is wonderful, gracious, and kind.  He is the Lord and King. We most likely think of how awesome and amazing He is.  Without a doubt, we think about how forgiving He is and how lovely and loving!  What is He to you? I hope one of your answers is Savior!

    Let us ask the Apostle Peter our question.  In 1 Peter 2:7, he says that those who BELIEVE in Jesus see Jesus as PRECIOUS. What a beautiful, descriptive, description. He is PRECIOUS.  This rough and tough fisherman says to those who believe He is PRECIOUS! 

    What does the word PRECIOUS mean? Precious is a word that can be used for that which is rare such as a precious jewel or precious metal. It speaks of something having the highest value in which means brings the highest honor. That which is precious can be described as that which is priceless.  If handled it is to be handled with extreme care.  Precious then is something extremely valuable.  

    We might ask WHY would Peter choose the word precious? I think because he had earlier described what Jesus Christ did for mankind in that He shed His PRECIOUS blood for you (“You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19).

    He is precious because He shed what was precious so we could be redeemed.  

    Yet, if you are reading this and have not believed and trusted Him for salvation then instead of precious He is being rejected by you.  There is no neutral ground.  You either have received Jesus or you continue to reject Him.  And if you are rejecting Him and refusing to repent of your disobedience and receive His gift of salvation, you do this to your own peril. Like rejecting a cornerstone for a house, the house will not stand.  Don’t reject Him – receive Him!!

    I trust that as you describe  Jesus, your Savior, you will describe Him as PRECIOUS!

    Continue Strong proclaiming how precious Jesus is, 
    And Remember to Date the Word  

  • Handle People with Care

    1 Thessalonians 2:7. “But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children.”

    As the Apostle Paul is reconnecting with the Thessalonians, he takes a moment to remind them of his earlier ministry with them. He first conveyed that his ministry was one of integrity.  He tells them in 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 that his “preaching did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. 4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.  5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness — God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.”

    Having reminded them of how he handled the precious message of the gospel entrusted to him by God, he now reminds them that he handled them with extreme care. He says he was gentle. He showed them tender loving care just as a mother handles her precious newborn child. 

    One can easily picture this, can one not?  As a mother holds her child in her hands so carefully, tenderly, and lovingly, protecting and providing for her newborn, Paul says his ministry was holding each Thessalonian with care, tenderness, and love, protecting and providing for them.  He was gentle with them!

    As we work with people, we must always remember that people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.  Even with those who are difficult, we are to handle them with care and gentleness.  Recall 2 Timothy 2:24-26 says, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26  and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.”

    From the Apostle Paul’s example, we are called to guide and grow people with gentleness!

    People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
    Handle people with care!

    Continue Strong showing gentleness to others,
    And remember to DATE The Word