datethewordtest

Tag: Hebrews

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 21 (11/21) is Hebrews 11:21

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 21 (11/21) is Hebrews 11:21
    Hebrews 11:21 says, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.” 
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 21 (11/21) is Hebrews 11:21. Hebrews 11:21 says, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.”

    The story of Jacob begins in Genesis 25 with the birth of him and his twin Esau to Rebekah and Isaac. Jacob’s story is then weaved through the rest of the book of Genesis with a concluding statement in Gen. 49:33, which says, “And when Jacob had finished commanding his sons, he drew his feet up into the bed and breathed his last, and was gathered to his people.” 

    As we look at our verse from Hebrews 11:21 we see that just before he would die he would not just bless his sons but would bless Joseph, whom he had for years thought was dead.  And not only did he bless Joseph he was able to bless the sons of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh.   

    What a moment that must have been to bless Joseph and then bless his sons!  If you have read Jacob’s story you will recall that for many years, he only had a memory of a most precious and cherished son that left him struggling with the promises of God. There came a point with Jacob that he hit rock bottom as not only was Joseph “dead” but his wife Rachel had died and they were in a famine, and after going to get grain in Egypt Simeon was kept as a prisoner and to get more grain Benjamin has to go down to Egypt.  In this low moment, Jacob cried out in anguish in Genesis 42:36 “You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and you want to take Benjamin. All these things are against me.” 

    Let 4 words and then 6 words sink in:
    YOU HAVE BEREAVED ME! ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME. 
    Read them again slowly
    YOU HAVE BEREAVED ME!  ALL THESE THINGS ARE AGAINST ME.

    That is the mind of Jacob in Genesis 42:36. God has bereaved him or God had ROBBED him as that is what the word bereaved means.  From the standpoint of Jacob God has robbed him and EVERYTHING IS AGAINST HIM!   

    But now, at the end of his life, he is seeing both Joseph and his grandsons and he tells them as he blesses them that God is the One “who has fed me all my life long to this day.” (Gen. 48:15) 

    Please don’t miss the keyword spoken in Hebrews 11:21 as one reads “AND WORSHIPED!” What a great ending for Jacob!  While his story is filled with wondering about God, even being very upset with God, it ends with him WORSHIPPING!!  

    And you too can have a great ending!  Know that what you see today happening in your life is not the whole story. While Jacob was thinking all things were against him God was working all things out for his good! So keep trusting God! 

    The verse to DATE the Word on November 21 (11/21) is Hebrews 11:21. It says, “By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.”

    Continue Strong believing that God is WORKING ALL THINGS OUT FOR HIS GLORY!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!
    PS. I find with the story of Jacob it is good to read Footprints in the Sand!

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

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 11 (11/11) is Hebrews 11:11
    “By faith, Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”
     
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 11 (11/11) is Hebrews 11:11.  Hebrews 11:11 says, “By faith, Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

    Believing based on WHO is being BELIEVED

    As God gives a promise to Abraham in Genesis 18 that in his old age he will have a son there is another person who is going to have to have faith.  That person is Abraham’s wife, SARAH.   And if you recall her initial reaction was not belief but LAUGHTER.  She did not just reject the idea of her having a child, she LAUGHED AT IT!!

    It is worth reading the moment from Genesis 18:10-15;
    Genesis 18:10  And He said, “I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.” (Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him.) 11  Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. 
    12  Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, “After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?”
    13  And the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Shall I surely bear a child since I am old?’
    14  “Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”
    15  But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. And He said, “No, but you did laugh!” 

    You kinda feel a little bad for Sarah.  She got caught laughing on the inside about what God was promising and then got caught lying about laughing.  Definitely a pretty embarrassing moment for Sarah with God.  

    This is one of those stories you would like to see fully unfold because at some point later Sarah is going to move from disbelief to belief.  At some point, Genesis 26:14 is going to grip her heart and she is going to believe what God has said.  While we don’t have the full story laid out for us we do have the cliff notes from Hebrews 11:11. 

    After laughing and being rebuked for laughing and lying and being confronted for lying SARAH is going to make a judgment call on God.  Hebrews 11:11 says she JUDGED Him.  Other versions will translate the word to be SHE CONSIDERED Him.  The idea of the word is to weigh carefully or to think through thoroughly. 

    For Sarah it was not WHAT was said that changed her mind but WHO said it.  Hearing that you will be having a child when both you and your husband are too old is hard to believe.  And it would have probably continued to be hard to believe if a family member or a friend or even some stranger had said.   What moved Sarah from doubting to believing was WHO said it.  She evaluated God and she judged Him FAITHFUL!  At some moment SARAH said GOD SAID IT and I BELIEVE HIM because when God says He is going to do something HE DOES IT!  HE IS FAITHFUL!

    For you who are being challenged to take a step of faith with something that seems absolutely undoable, you are going to have to grow in your knowledge of WHO is guiding you to make the decision.  Psalm 9:10 says, “And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

    While the WHAT that God calls you to do may scare you and bring huge doubts you must FOCUS on the WHO that is speaking, not the WHAT.  Know His character.  If He is calling you He is faithful to perform it.  God provided what Sarah needed when she had faith to believe that HE COULD! 

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 11 (11/11) is Hebrews 11:11.  Hebrews 11:11 says, “By faith, Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

    Where God guides HE provides. Believe HIM!!

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 8 (11/8) is Hebrews 11:8

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 8 (11/8) is Hebrews 11:8
    “By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” 
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 8 (11/8) is Hebrews 11:8.  Hebrews 11:8 says, “By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

    Abel worshiped by faith! Enoch walked by faith! Noah worked by faith! and now we read of Abraham and Abraham WENT by faith!

    If you have gone on long, (and even short) road trips with children you almost always get the question of WHERE ARE WE GOING? HOW MUCH LONGER TILL WE GET THERE?  ARE WE THERE YET? Well, imagine what it would be like to travel with Abraham.  The Bible says he went out NOT KNOWING WHERE HE WAS GOING.  As he is asked where we are going he could only say, “I don’t know.”  Can you imagine the question ARE WE THERE YET being asked multiple times and Abraham just shaking his head and saying “NO!!”  How about the classic HOW MUCH LONGER ABRAHAM and hearing “I DON’T KNOW!”   

    When we look at Abraham in the Hall of Faith we learn he WENT by faith!   God called Abraham to leave the familiar and go to the UNKOWN.  Even without knowing VITAL details Abraham WENT!

    So let me ask you, how much information do you have to have to obey God? 

    Friends, when it comes to living a life of FAITH you are going to have to work through the challenge of NOT KNOWING ALL THE DETAILS.  Matter of fact there just might only be very few details.  All Abraham had was God had said go. He did not the details of the exact location he was to go to.  He did not get the details of how long it would take to get there.  He did not get the details of what he would do when he got there.  All had was God said GO!

    I do want you to consider Abraham’s faith.  Even thoughAbraham DID NOT KNOW WHERE HE WAS GOING he DID KNOW that GOD KNEW where he was to go.  With the knowledge that GOD KNEW Abraham then BY FAITH went!

    Does your spiritual journey have moments of knowing but not knowing?  You KNOW God has told you to do something but the details are really fuzzy.  You find yourself having to say I don’t know to a whole of questions but then you say I DO KNOW WHO DOES KNOW!   I hope you have had, are having, and will have these moments on your faith journey.   And when they happen, I hope you will recall that Abraham WENT!

    Make no mistake that doing what God calls you to do will not include all the details.  You are going to have to be comfortable with NOT KNOWING BUT KNOWING!  You are going to have to be comfortable not knowing the details, but KNOWING the ONE who does know the details.  When you GO and DO what He has said in these moments you will be able to say BY FAITH you WENT!

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 8 (11/8) is Hebrews 11:8.  It says, “By faith, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.”

    My prayer for you is that when God says GO your testimony will be you WENT!

    Continue Strong,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 7 (11/7) is Hebrews 11:7

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 7 (11/7) is Hebrews 11:7
    “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” 
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 7 (11/7) is Hebrews 11:7. Hebrews 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

    By FAITH Noah WORKED

    Based on the word that Noah received from the Lord, Noah went to WORK.  Noah’s actions of faith came from a divine warning which then motivated him as he had a godly fear.   He had a reverence for God.  As God spoke Noah listened because of His view of God having supreme authority over his life!  As God spoke Noah obeyed!

    He obeyed on preparing an ARK in preparation for an event that the world had never heard of as God said it was going to RAIN and there will be a FLOOD.  Noah, by FAITH, obeyed to do something never heard of before!  

    As we think of Noah his example ultimately is that BY FAITH Noah WORKED. As James says,  “faith without works is dead!” (James 2:26) Noah heard what God said and by faith obeyed and went to work doing what God said! 

    Does your faith work?  When God speaks to you do you OBEY and by faith do the WORK that He has called you to do? Does your faith work?

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 7 (11/7) is Hebrews 11:7. It says, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

    Continue Strong with a FAITH THAT WORKS!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 6 (11/6) is Hebrews 11:6

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 6 (11/6) is Hebrews 11:6
    “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 6 (11/6) is Hebrews 11:6. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.“

    We learn one of the greatest ESSENTIALS that God EXPECTS of us. God is looking for FAITH! Yes, there must be FAITH for salvation (Eph. 2:8) but also FAITH for living as we walk by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), and FAITH for service!

    Hebrews 11 is FAITH’s Hall of Fame. People of FAITH believe the evidence of things not seen which means that He IS! This is our FIRM CONVICTION!  WE BELIEVE THAT HE IS EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NOT SEEN HIM!  And we have a HOPE, a steadfast CONFIDENCE that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

    May I ask what steps of FAITH are you taking today?  

    Let us be PLEASING God in attempting what He is putting in our hearts to do!!  Move forward by FAITH!  

    (For inspiration to take steps of faith I encourage you to read Hebrews 11 at least 11 times during November!! Take 5 minutes and FUEL your faith for 2023 dreams!)

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 6 (11/6) is Hebrews 11:6. It says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

    Continue Strong serving God BY FAITH!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 5 (11/5) is Hebrews 11:5

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 5 (11/5) is Hebrews 11:5
    “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” 
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 5 (11/)5 is Hebrews 11:5. Hebrews 11:5 says, “By faith, Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

    This verse tells of one of the most unusual events for a human in that Enoch did not die as God TOOK HIM so that he did not see death. It reminds us that some of us will not die as a group of Christians will be raptured (perhaps today!!) 

    While reading of that incredible event for Enoch what I find even more inspiring is his beautiful, yes, powerful testimony! He walked with God (Gen. 5:24 “And Enoch walked with God”) and He pleased God!!!  Now for that statement to be made Enoch was a man of faith because without faith you cannot PLEASE God (Heb. 11:6).  He walked with God and He pleased God! 

    In 2 Cor. 5:9 Paul wrote that “we make it our aim to please Him.” M ay that be our desire! May you enjoy walking with God and may each attitude you have and action you take bring joy to Him!!

    Remember that if you please God it does not matter who you please and if you displease God it does not matter who you please.

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 5 (11/)5 is Hebrews 11:5.  It says, “By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
    Continue Strong walking by faith pleasing Him,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD

  • Verse to DATE the Word on November 4 (11/4) is Hebrews 11:4

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 4 (11/4) is Hebrews 11:4
    “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” 
    Our verse to DATE the Word on November 4 (11/4) is Hebrews 11:4. Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”

    Salvation is FAITH ALONE!  WORKS DON’T WORK!

    The story of the two DIFFERENT sacrifices which Cain and Abel brought to God has laid out the TWO different approaches mankind has taken to restore their broken relationship with God. And only one of the ways WORKS!
    Taking a quick look back at Genesis 4:2-4 we read what Hebrews 11:4 speaks of: “Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.  3  And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. 4  Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.  And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, 5  but He did not respect Cain and his offering.”

    What has happened here?  Abel brought a SACRIFICE in which blood was shed and life was taken. Cain brought his WORKS.  While Cain’s was a sacrifice it was more of an offering.  It was something that he give from his work.   No life is taken and no blood is shed.   

    With an offering of works from the fruit of the ground and the offering of a sacrifice of an animal’s life, you have two totally different SACRIFICES offered to God. 

    And only one of them WORKS with God!

    When we consider what works with God, I like to say WORKS DON’T WORK!  
    God says, “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9  not of works, lest anyone should boast.”  Ephesians 2:8-9
    God makes a statement that “without the shedding of blood there can be no remission of sins!”  Hebrews 9:22b

    Think about when Jesus Christ died.  He shed His precious blood. Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:18-19 “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.     

    In comparison to Abel, Jude tells of “the way of Cain.” (Jude 1:11) His way is the way of works.  Keywords for Cain would be DO or DON’T.   He would say to get to heaven you better DO and there is a long list.  Or he might say DON’T and then include a long list of things NOT TO DO!  Cain has the way of religions around the world.   It is the religion of DO and DON’T!  The way of Cain is works will work and we need to know the “way of Cain” is wrong.  WORKS DON’T WORK!

    Christianity is not about DO or DON’T.  It is about DONE.  All that is needed for our salvation was DONE by Jesus Christ.  He was the lamb of God that died for the sins of the world.  On the cross, He said, “It is FINISHED.”  DONE.  PERIOD!!!  Hebrews 9:12  says, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”

    Are you trying to WORK your way to heaven?  Friend, it can’t be done!  WORKS DON’T WORK!
    Have you placed your faith totally in Jesus Christ for salvation?  If so, you are on your way to heaven!  

    Verse to DATE the Word on November 4 (11/4) is Hebrews 11:4. It says, “By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.”

    Continue Strong by FAITH ALONE!
    And remember to DATE THE WORD