May 2024

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Love Or Neglect
May 31, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:23-25
Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment. He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

      In my library, I have a book written by H. A. Ironside in 1907 called; “Notes On Proverbs.” My copy was published in February of 1946. In it, on page 154, when writing about verse 24 of chapter 13, Dr. Ironside makes the following statement Quote; “It is not love, but the lack of it, that leaves a child to himself; to develop unchecked, tendencies and propensities which shall result in future sorrow. Ours is a day of great laxity on this point. The coming generation will reap the bitter fruit of the absence of restraint and the evident aversion to chastening, so manifest in the majority of homes.” End quote. This statement was made over one hundred years ago. So, if we look around us today, was he right?

    When men and women believe they have a better way to live life than God’s way, they are essentially saying that God is wrong. Today, we have a nation full of “me-first” adults. They have been given their way so much as children that they assume life should always revolve around them. Few are willing to offer constructive criticism for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. When correction is provided, it often results in individuals sulking like a two-year-old who hasn’t learned how to handle reproof.

    God’s ways are inherently right. They always have been and always will be. Any correction administered by God is done out of love and for the benefit of the one being corrected. This is a crucial aspect missing from much of today’s correction. It should be motivated by love for the child and a desire to help them, not to harm them.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    There is a significant difference between correction and child abuse. We should never condone or participate in child abuse. However, frequently, by not ensuring that children behave appropriately, we may inadvertently subject them to more harm. True love can manifest itself in various ways.

Do we see correction for God as love and learning?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: May 31, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Nehemiah 1-5
   Proverbs 13:23-25

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   2 Kings 9-10
   John 11:1-37

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Your Friends Are A Mirror
May 30, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:20-22
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed. A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    As you have probably noticed over the years, I often refer to my parents and the things they said to me while I was growing up. I guess I looked up to them even more than I realized. Their words of wisdom continually come back and serve as a constant reminder of what life is really all about.

    One of the things my dad said when I was younger was, “You are who you hang out with.” At the time, I did not believe it. I thought, “No way, I am my own person. I am who I am, and they are different.” However, as I have grown older and started to look around, I see that he was right. If you want to understand the kind of person you are, just look at the people you choose to associate with. I’m not talking about those people you are forced to interact with, like classmates or coworkers. I’m referring to the times when it’s your choice. Who do you choose to spend most of your time with? Dear reader, let me tell you that who they are is a good indicator of who you are as well.

    I often wondered where my Christian parents came up with all their wisdom. Now I can see that most of their wisdom must have come from God’s Word. Proverbs 13:20 says pretty much the same thing my dad said. If you walk with wise people, they will make you wiser. Being around wise people will encourage you to think and learn. On the other hand, spending time with a group of people who have no desire to improve, who make foolish decisions, and disregard God and His Word, will influence you to become like them. So, as you look around at the friends you choose to be around, ask yourself, “Who am I?”

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     So, what if your self-inspection reveals that you may not have the best friends? What should you do next? Well, you have two choices.

      First, if you want to improve yourself, seek out and make new, encouraging friends.

     Secondly, consider helping your current friends become wiser. You can do this by engaging in conversations with them about the Bible and God. If they genuinely don’t want to become wiser, you won’t have to abandon them. I promise! It may be hard to believe, but these so-called friends will eventually drift away from you.

What doyou see when you look into life’s mirror?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: May 30, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Ezra 6-10
   Proverbs 13:20-22

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   2 Kings 6-8
   John 10:22-42

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Tears Tell The Story
May 29, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:17-19
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured. The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    As a young boy, I received my fair share of spankings. I know some of you can’t imagine me getting a spanking, right? Well, then again if you know me, you probably can. When I was disobedient, I would get a good old-fashioned spanking. My dad wasn’t abusive, but he sure got his point across.

    The strange thing is that, with the exception of just a couple of them, I really don’t remember the spankings. I remember getting them, but I just can’t recall the actual spanking itself. However, I do know this: the lessons my dad taught me through discipline helped me grow up to be the man I am today.

    Did I like the spankings? Not at the time. I would jump, howl, and scream as if someone were killing me. When I was spanked, the whole neighborhood knew it. Did my dad enjoy spanking me? No, I’m sure he didn’t. Still, he felt that it was his responsibility as a parent to correct me because he loved me.

    As a young teen, I began to follow my friends and started smoking. My dad had smoked for years and always told me, “Don’t get mixed up with these things,” but I did. I don’t remember many spankings, but I remember the day my dad found out I was smoking. I remember how he sat in his recliner and cried. My dad hardly ever cried in front of anyone. He didn’t yell or throw a fit. He cried. With precious tears running down his face, he looked at me and said, “I wish a thousand times I had never started smoking these things.” Before he died from cancer, he had quit. Even then, he said, “I think I quit too late.”

    Why does that stick in my memory? Because I could visibly see how much my disobedience really hurt him. When I think of God, my heavenly Father, I somewhat see Him this way as well. When He has to correct me out of love, I wonder, does He cry?     

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     “Oh God, I pray, help me so that I do not cause you to shed even one more tear due to my sinfulness.”

What might you have done that could cause our Lord to cry?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: May 29, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Ezra 1-5
   Proverbs 13:17-19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   2 Kings 4-5
   John 10:1-21

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Maps Are Made For A Reason
May 28, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:13-16
Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    It is almost time for vacations. People love to travel and visit family and friends, often exploring new places they’ve never seen before.

    Now, let’s imagine that both of us are planning a trip to a destination neither of us has visited before. You decide to go your own way, and I choose my path. I take out a map and plan the safest and quickest route to our destination. On the other hand, you say, “Well, I know it’s in that direction. I’ll just head that way and believe I’ll get there sooner or later.”

    I make a call ahead of time to secure reservations at a reputable motel in the area. I have read reviews from others who have stayed there and confirmed its availability. This motel has a strong track record for comfortable accommodations in our destination town. Meanwhile, you decide, “I’ll wait until I get there and choose the first motel I see.”

    Now, consider which one of us is likely to encounter fewer problems on our journey. I have a clear map and a reservation in hand, while you find yourself frequently stopping to ask for directions and, unfortunately, discover that many motels in the area are fully booked, ultimately settling for a less desirable location. Most people would probably prefer to join me on this trip.

    This scenario is similar to the difference between living life with God’s road map, the Bible, and simply living life as you desire. Many of life’s trials and troubles could have been avoided by following the directions that God has made available in His Word.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Oh, have you considered the place where you’ll reside at the end of life’s journey? I’ve made advance arrangements and secured my reservation in Heaven for the afterlife.

If you haven’t made reservations,
have you ever wondered what your accommodation might be like?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: May 28, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 33-36
   Proverbs 13:13-16

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   2 Kings 1-3
   John 9:24-41

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Is God In The Gambling Business?
May 27, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:10-12
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase. Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     In the late 1990s, there was a man in the news who won a large sum of money from the lottery. According to newspaper reports, he thanked God for helping him pick the right numbers and was planning to donate a significant portion of the money to his church.

    Several people I know commented, “Oh, how I wish that could have been our church.” I understand they meant this in an innocent and loving way. At the time, we were in the midst of a building program, and having all the necessary funds to complete the structure would have been nice. However, let’s pause for a moment. Didn’t he acquire all that money through gambling? Didn’t thousands upon thousands of people, many of whom really needed their money, foolishly wager their bets, and lose them for him to become wealthy? Some people risked their rent money, while others allowed their children to go hungry due to their gambling addiction.

    Do you truly believe that God had anything to do with it? The same God who states in Proverbs 13:11, “wealth gotten by VANITY shall be diminished.” The word “vanity” means emptiness or “like a breath,” signifying something insubstantial. This man essentially gambled and received this money without earning it through labor. It would be interesting to know what happened to his money in the following years. It’s often reported that many individuals who come into sudden wealth end up broke within a short period.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     As we look at the wealth of the world, the idea of gambling becomes enticing, to say the least, especially knowing we could use the money for so many great things for the Lord. We must know, though, that it’s always better to wait upon the Lord with His timing and His plan than to cave into the vices of sin and of man. As the second part of the verse says, “he that gathereth by labor shall increase.” Let’s just do things God’s way, shall we?

Do we trust that God can, and will supply all our need?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: May 27, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 29-32
   Proverbs 13:10 – 12

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 22
   John 9:1-23