June 2024

The Joy And The Sorrow
June 24, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:20-23
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    One of the privileges of being a Pastor is being present with a family at the birth of their child. The smiles and joy that these new births bring are almost indescribable. The innocence and dependence of a child on the parents create an instant bond between them. However, part of the challenges of being a Pastor is helping a family cope when their children make wrong life choices. All the joy and togetherness seem to somehow vanish, replaced by sorrow and grief. This often happens as children become young adults and seek independence. The love for them remains, but the question of “why” begins to arise.

    Some parents question why God allows their child to make such choices, especially when they have worked so hard to raise them right. They wonder why a loving God would let their children turn out so differently from what they had hoped. Parents may start blaming themselves for their children’s sins, and in some cases, even blame God. However, the truth is that each child created by God and placed in your care was given free will to choose their path in life. It is not always the parents’ fault, and certainly not God’s fault. Sometimes, despite God’s and parents’ efforts to provide wisdom, grown children may refuse it. These grown children must choose to accept the wisdom of knowing God personally and walking with Him daily. Without that wisdom, the sins and folly of the world may seem appealing to them.

    During these challenging times, families need the comforting counsel of their church family and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Without this support, all the efforts of the past may seem disappointingly futile.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

   So, what do you do now? Well, never give up. Regardless of their age, they are still your children. Never stop praying and seeking the support of your church in prayer for them. Lastly, continue to be a loving example of Christ before them. Keep in mind that they must make the choice to live for God; you cannot make that choice for them.

How will you be a witness for Christ
without slamming a door on relationship?

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: June 24, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 31 – Psalms 37
  Proverbs 15:20 – 23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 1-3
  Acts 3

WEEKEND REVIEW
June 22 & 23, 2024

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the
LORD
are in every place,
beholding the evil
and
the good.

Work Week Devotions
Through The Book Of Proverbs

     What a joy it has been to be with you this past week. I pray these WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS have been a blessing to you as well. To receive them daily in your e-mail box go to LIHWMinistries Sign-Up Page – Living In His Word Ministries and sign up. Each day these devotions will be delivered directly in your e-mail box.

      As previously mentioned, with WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS, we will only be publishing Devotional Thoughts Monday – Friday.

     On Saturday we suggest you re-read the entire chapter we have been studying this 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.

As we Journey through Proverbs, if you have any questions
Please send them to LIHWDEV@LIHWMinistries.org

Also, you would be huge help and blessing if you 
might write a review on these devotions on
Review Work Week Devotions (amazon.com)
or 
Review Work Week Devotions Journal (amazon.com)

WEEK 24 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 14-15

WEEK 24 – Day 7:

     Today we suggest you read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastor’s heart. Whatever Scripture he uses for today’s messages were given to him by God for your specific needs.

THROUGH THE BIBLE
OLD & NEW TESTAMENT TODAY AND TOMORROW:

June 22, 2024
1 Chron. 28-29
Acts 2:37-47

June 23, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

June 24, 2024
Psalms 31 – Psalms 37
Proverbs 15:20 – 23

June 25, 2024
Psalms 38 – Psalms 44
Proverbs 15:24 – 26

June 26, 2024
Psalms 45 – Psalms 53
Proverbs 15:27 – 30

June 27, 2024
Psalms 54 – Psalms 64
Proverbs 15:31 – 33

June 28, 2024
Psalms 65 – Psalms 70
Proverbs 16:1 – 4

June 29, 2024
Proverbs 15 – 16

June 30, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

June 24, 2024
2 Chron. 1-3
Acts 3

June 25, 2024
2 Chron. 4-6
Acts 4

June 26, 2024
2 Chron. 7-9
Acts 5:1-28

June 27, 2024
2 Chron. 10-13
Acts 5:29-42

June 28, 2024
2 Chron. 14-17
Acts 6

June 29, 2024
2 Chron. 18-20
Acts 7:1-29

June 30, 2024
No Passages Assigned

I’m Content With You
June 21, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:17-19
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Would you like a really romantic word? Here is one for you: CONTENTMENT. What, you say, how is contentment a romantic word? You may wonder; if I walk into the house, look at my spouse, hold their hand and say, “darling, I am content with you,” is that going to be romantic? OK, probably not, but truthfully, it is a main ingredient in holding your home together.

    What causes a man or woman to stray from what was a loving relationship? A couple that at one time could not keep their eyes, and probably their hands off one another, now one, or maybe both are out looking for someone else? Why does this happen? It’s because they have for some reason become less content than they were in the past. They are no longer satisfied with the other person. Why aren’t they satisfied? Most often, it’s pride. They believe they deserve more.

    The Bible is clear on the intimate life of a husband and wife. It should be exciting, ongoing, or never-ending. Our text says, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” It is being content in knowing that God has given us who He knows is best for us and not looking around thinking there is something better out there. God has and will supply all that you will ever need in life.

    What then is it that keeps people from looking elsewhere? CONTENTMENT! Knowing that God has put you together with the right person. Understanding romance starts in the morning as you greet each other and continues all day so that when something happens in life, your spouse is the first person on your mind. It’s falling in love and staying in love. It’s letting God know you’re happy with His choice for your life. Contentment with God and His decisions brings real peace and lasting joy.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Make it a point today to go the extra mile and ensure that the special someone knows you love him or her. You will be much happier if you do. For some of you, it might be so surprising that they’d think about calling 911. It could potentially give them a heart attack.

Have you learned the joy of being content
with God’s choices in your life?

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: June 21, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 22 – Psalms 30
  Proverbs 15:17 – 19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 26-27
  Acts 2:1-36

One Lie Feeds Another
June 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:13-16
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    When I was a little boy, my mother would often tell me, “Do not tell lies, because you will have to tell another lie to cover the first one, and then yet another to cover that one. You will end up telling so many lies that you will not remember the original lie you told. Then, when you get caught in your lies, no one will believe you or like you.”

    Those might not have been her exact words, but they are close enough. She could have just as easily quoted the commandments written in Exodus twenty, which say we are not supposed to lie. However, my mom knew there was more than just one reason, written in the pages of God’s Word, for telling the truth. In fact, she knew God’s Word is the truth.

    She was simply taking Proverbs 15:14-15 and putting it into her own words. “The mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness,” and, “all the days of the afflicted are evil.” A lie, once told, requires more lies to cover it up. A lie is an untrue story, born from the imagination of a sinful heart. It is the opposite of the truth and eventually unravels into foolishness. Each passing day after telling the lie becomes another twenty-four hours of trying to remember the lie and perpetuating its folly.

    By stark contrast, those who understand that God values truth will seek the wisdom and knowledge that only God can provide. As a result, they enjoy a clear conscience and the absence of the burden of remembering lies. This leads to days filled with joy and contentment, marked by a continual feast of delighting in the Word of God and living by its principles. The truth indeed sets you free.

     

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Seek the truth. Tell the truth. Live the truth. Obey the truth. Furthermore, let the real Truth of God, His Son, dwell in you richly.

Is the truth important to you in all parts of your life?

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: June 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 15 – Psalms 21
  Proverbs 15:13 – 16

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 23-25
  Acts 1

Something Smells Fishy
June 19, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 2:1, 2 & 5
The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    What is an abomination? This word appears several times in the Bible, yet it is not commonly used today. According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, it means “to stink” and provides various examples, such as something filthy and unacceptable for worship, rotting meat, that which is detestable, or something disgusting.

    One of the examples is like water polluted by dead fish. Of all the examples for me, that one hit home. Let me share why. For many years, I have lived in Michigan, about two miles from the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. However, every year, with the thaw of Winter snow and ice by the Spring sun, comes the stench of dead fish. During the Spring, literally hundreds of thousands of fish wash up on the shores of the beautiful beaches. It is one of the most disgusting things to look at and smell. These once pristine sandy beaches and wonderful shorelines are completely ruined by these stinking dead fish. Someone must go and clean them up every year so that the shores of Lake Michigan can be enjoyable again.

    This somewhat depicts how the Lord sees the ways of the wicked. What God created to be beautiful and wonderful is destroyed by the filth and stench of a life of sin. Until the blood of Jesus is applied to that life and the sin is removed, it remains disgusting to Him. Underneath all the debris of the world and its sinfulness that it leaves on the shore of your soul, there is a wonderful person waiting to be enjoyed. Nevertheless, someone must clean it up. Someone needs to remove the abomination.

      

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Jesus died to cleanse the sin from the shores of your soul. However, you need to give Him permission to come in and do so. Once you invite Him to do just that, then He, and all those around you, will see the wonderful and beautiful you that He intended for you to be.

Does anything in your life smell fishy to God?

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: June 19, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 1 – Psalms 14
  Proverbs 15:9 – 12

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 20-22
  John 21