May 2024

What Did You Say?
May 2, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 11:9-12
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered. When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting. By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Some people simply don’t know when to be silent. I understand that the phrase “Shut up” might not be politically correct or appreciated by some, but the reality is that some individuals never seem to grasp the art of knowing when to stop talking.

 

    While watching some of the court shows on TV, I’ve often witnessed people continuing to speak even after they’ve already won their case. This can lead to the judge hearing something that raises doubts about their credibility, ultimately resulting in the dismissal of their case.

 

    Several old sayings come to mind as I contemplate today’s verses. One is “Quit while you’re ahead,” while another advises, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, just don’t say anything at all.” However, I believe my favorites would be, “It is better to say nothing and let people think you are ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Sometimes, it’s wiser to remain silent and let others form their opinions about you than to engage in lengthy arguments or debates that might cause you to say something you didn’t mean or utter hurtful words out of anger. This can provide an opening for Satan, and it’s a pitfall that affects both Christians and non-Christians alike.

 

    Paul told the people in Thessalonica the same thing in 1 Thessalonians 4:11 & 12 where it says, “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” Sometimes it’s better to just be seen and not heard.

 

     

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

   Our witness for Christ doesn’t always require the use of our words; it often begins with our actions and how we live our lives. By living for Christ each day, we prepare ourselves to share the gospel when the opportunity arises.

 

How might your life say something that your mouth could not?

 

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 2, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Kings 10-13
    Proverbs 11:9-12

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Samuel 25-27
   Luke 21

 

Where Does Your HOPE Lie?
May 1, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 11:5-8
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth. The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Have you ever asked someone if they are saved or if they believe they are going to heaven after death, only to hear, “Well, I hope so?”

    Almost everyone hopes to end up in the place we call heaven. There are probably as many different ideas about heaven as there are people. Everyone envisions heaven with its golden streets and pearly gates a little differently from the next person. However, when it comes to hell, most people imagine some form of pain and torment. If you were to ask where someone wishes to spend eternity, you would rarely hear, “I think I would rather go to hell than heaven.” I have never officiated at any funerals where someone walked up and said, “I sure hope they are in hell when I get there.”

     Heaven is the hope of almost everyone. However, there is only one sure way to get there, and that is to put your faith in the blood of Jesus Christ and His righteousness. It’s to accept what He did as the complete payment for your sins. Yet, many unsaved people are hoping that someday they will be saved before they die, but they’re not ready to make today that day.

     Hoping to make it somehow is not good enough. In today’s verses, it says, “When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.” All their hoping will be over, and hell will become an eternal reality.

    Hope of eternal life was not created for the lost. Hope is given freely to those who are justified in Christ. When life is over here on earth, our hope for eternity will have just begun.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    I am truly grateful that we don’t have to live a life of uncertainty when it comes to salvation. I know that Jesus genuinely died for my sins and forgave me when I accepted Him. He is my only HOPE.

What is your eternal hopes based upon?

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 1, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Kings 6 – 2 Kings 9
   Proverbs 11:5 – 8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Samuel 21-24
   Luke 20:27-47