Weekend Review

December 19 & 20, 2020

Proverbs 30:33

Surely the churning of milk
bringeth forth butter,
and the wringing of the nose
bringeth forth blood:
so the forcing of wrath
bringeth forth strife.

Work Week Devotions
Through the Book of Proverbs

      As you know by now, with WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS, we only publish our Devotional Thoughts on Monday – Friday. On Saturday we suggest you re-read the entire chapter we have been studying this past week, and if we will be going into the following chapter the next week, we encourage you to read that chapter as well.       

There are never Devotions on Sunday. 

Thank you for joining us as we
journey together
Through Proverbs in 2020.

WEEK 50 – Day 6

     On Saturday, we suggest you re-read the Proverb we have written from this past week and the week to come.

Proverbs 30-31

WEEK 50 – Day 7

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Not Meant For Royalty

DECEMBER 18, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 31:4-7 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    In church we sing a song; “I’m a Child of the King, A Child of the King, with Jesus My Saviour I’m a Child of the King.” Children of the king are called Prince or Princess.

    In the next few weeks, people all over the world will be celebrating Christmas and New Years at parties and family gatherings. A lot of them include alcohol. Sadly, many drinking at those parties will include church members.

    The Bible says Children of the King, a prince or princess, should not drink. Why? “Lest they drink, and forget the law.” This is not just the law of man, but also the law of God. I can hear some of you now; “we’re not under the law,” and you are right. However, when you were saved you were saying, I love you God and will obey your commandments. We obey the law now, not because of the law, but because of our love for the lawgiver, God.

     Our text also says we might, “pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” In one night, we can ruin our testimony for the rest of the next year. As the lost see us doing as they do, they often think, “Why do I need their God? I’m just like them.”

    Who should use alcohol? The medical professionals of that time used it to relieve the pain of death in some, and those with heavy hearts. (Heavy hearts are not the lonely and sad for those of you who thought here is my excuse to get plowed.) The Hebrew definition for “heavy hearts” is “Bitter of Soul.” Should a Christian be Bitter of Soul? NO. The Bible says rejoice in the Lord always. Celebrate Christ, your Salvation.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    This year resolve to end the year right. Let us not let Satan ruin the testimony we tried all year to convey to our lost friends. Stand Up for Jesus. Leave the Alcohol to the lost. Act like royalty. We need to LIVE FOR CHRIST, and really enjoy this Christmas Season.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 18, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Peter    /  Proverbs 31:4-7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Habakkuk           /    Revelation 14-15

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Listen To Your Mother

DECEMBER 17, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 31:1-3 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Who in the world is King Lemuel? Most Biblical Scholars believe it was the name given to Solomon by his mother. There is no record of a King Lemuel of either Israel or Judah. For 29 chapters we heard the words of Solomon as he conveyed to his son the wisdom that God had given him. Chapter 30 was the words of Agur. However, now this final chapter is devoted to the warnings and wisdom of his mother.

    Three times, she asks the question, “What?” As if asking God, “What Shall I say to my young son.” She cries out, “Son of my vows.” This undoubtedly was a vow made to turn his heart to God and teach this young mind the ways of the Lord. Even the name Lemuel she uses for him conveys this vow. Lemuel means “Unto God” or “With God.” As parents today will often dedicate their children to the Lord, so apparently had she. Now she is asking, “What?” She is contemplating what she might say to guide her young man through the perils of life.

    In her first words of warning, she asks him to contemplate his relationships. Be careful, she says, in the ways of love. Do you remember who Solomon’s mother was? She was Bathsheba. The one thing that tarnished the reputation and testimony of the godly man David, his father, was his lust of the flesh. How well she knew the destructive power this sin can have over a man. She surely had watched in private what it did to her now husband, David. Oh, how well her son Solomon should have listened.

        
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Solomon did obey his mother’s voice and the Word of God for many years. Recalling Deut. 17:17 “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away:” Nevertheless, later he strayed, and these words came back to haunt him. His many wives did turn his heart. God’s Word is sure. So too are the words of a godly mother.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 17, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  James   /  Proverbs 31:1-3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Nahum           /    Revelation 12-13

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

That’s Obvious

DECEMBER 16, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 30:32-33 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    If you stand in the rain unprotected, you will get wet. If you stick your bare hand in a fire, you will be burned. When you cut yourself, you will bleed. By now you might be thinking, “What is he trying to say? All these things are only common sense.” Well that is what Agur is concluding in the only chapter in the Bible written under his name. He shares some very common sense, and also very important words to live by.

  He says, if you tend to brag on yourself, stop it. Also, if the idea of bringing shame on another comes to mind, don’t. People hate braggers and bullies, and so does God. Our author then shows us what to do, and how suddenly it must be done with one neat little phrase. “Lay thine hand upon thy mouth” depicts someone in mid-sentence, suddenly having a hand muzzle his or her statement. If you are bragging or badgering and suddenly realize what you are doing, he says stop it, right that moment, not another word. If you need to ask why, He gives you two simple, but great examples.

    The examples are, milk churned long enough produces butter, and a nose twisted or punched hard enough spills blood. As sure as both of these things do happen, so will arrogant or cantankerous conversation produce conflict. Seems simple when looking at it on paper, the trick is to practice it in real life.

  Agur has given us several things in his chapter of Proverbs to help us live a peaceful, honorable, and contented life. Now it is up to us to listen, learn, and live for the Lord.

        
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    In the New Testament in James 1:22 it says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Who then is deceived if we live to our self not obeying scripture? We deceive our own selves. What a shame, to have all we needed for a happy life and deceive ourselves into thinking there is a better way. Live for Jesus, live with joy.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 16, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Hebrews 10 – 13    /  Proverbs 30:32-33

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Micah 5-7           /    Revelation 10-11

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Walk With Dignity

DECEMBER 15, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 30:29-31 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “Stepping out in style!” “Looking Good!” Those are just a couple of ways people might say you look first-rate in what you are doing, or at least how you appear in the public eye. Our writer of this proverb, Agur, shares how we as Believers might be “Looking Good” in the eyes of God and man, by directing our attention to yet another group of four things on earth.

    He begins with a comparison to the lion. A lion, with bold courage, stands his ground among others, knowing that his strength and wisdom in the hunt, is no match for the hunted. So too must a Christian walk through this world with their head up, not fearing what the world can do to them. Not because of our strength, because 1 John 4:4 says; “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.” We stand in God’s strength.

    Next, he looks to the greyhound. Greyhound simply means an animal girt in the loins, or ready for running. They are still today watched by many for their grace as they run. We also must run the race of life with dignity as the world watches on.

  Third is the he goat. They lead and do not follow. They love to climb to stand on higher ground. Oh, dear friend in Christ, we should lead this world and not follow in its sinful ways. Being found standing on higher ground in morals and mannerisms.

  Finally, Agur points us to the King. As he walks among the people whom he rules with love and compassion, there is a reverence for who he is. Believers too should have a life that exemplifies the King of Kings. So, as we walk into a room, filthy communication might cease in honor of the Lord we represent. The lion, greyhound, he goat and the king walk with dignity among those around. Remember you also are a child of the King of all Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Hold your head up.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    As you look at the four honorable mentions, you may think, they are not always beautiful on the outside. However, that is not what makes them special. Like with all children of God, it is what is inside, not outside that counts. God looks on the heart.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 15, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
Hebrews 6 – 9     /  Proverbs 30:29-31

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Micah 1-4            /    Revelation 9

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12