June 2024

Are You Really Listening?
June 18, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:5-8
A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Just as important as using the proper words and tone of voice when talking with someone is being a careful listener. I’ve seen children, and even some adults, put their fingers in their ears and go “lalala, lalala,” while someone is talking, as if visibly and audibly telling them, “I am not listening.” Sometimes, adults are a bit more subtle. While a person is talking to us, we look everywhere but at them, as if to convey, “What you are saying is not important.” Yet another poor listening skill is only partially listening to what a person has to say. As someone shares something meaningful, we only hear parts of it, then fill in the blanks and twist it in our minds to remember something completely different. Then, when we don’t seem to understand each other, we wonder why.

    It’s crucial to have not only good speaking skills but also good listening skills. When people come to share their hearts, we need to hear more than words. They may be looking for someone to trust and confide in, and all we see is someone doing a lot of talking. It might be that God brought them to you and needs you to listen and help. Then again, it may be that God has brought this brother or sister in Christ around to help you in an area where you are struggling. Instead of accepting their gesture with love, we get defensive about our private struggles. In our verses, it says if we will listen, fathers give instruction, and “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge.”

    Today’s verses also tell us God loves to listen to us. It says, “the prayer of the upright is his delight.” He is listening to every word, and enjoying the time spent with just you.

    Listening, just like reading and writing, is a skill that requires development. Are you currently attentive to your own heart?

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    How can we practice listening? Experts suggest that if you’re uncertain about someone’s statement, repeat it back to them in the form of a question. Let’s listen to God, and when in doubt, ask Him.

Are you listening to other?
Are you listening to yourself?
Are you listening 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 18, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 37 – Job 42
  Proverbs 15:5 – 8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 17-19
  John 20

Choose Your Words Wisely
June 17, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:1-4
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    I remember as a child watching a movie that had a line in it which said something like, “To say what you mean, and to mean what you say are not the same thing.” For example, to say, “I see what I eat” is not the same as to say, “I eat what I see.” The same words are used, but the meaning is completely different. “To see what you eat” is logical and appropriate for a sighted person. However, to say, “I eat what I see,” well, that could have you in a field eating grass, just because you saw it.

    Words are very important. Not only are words important, but it’s also important how we use them in conversation. Our verses for today say, “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” Much too often, we as Christians speak before considering how this will affect someone else. In defence of this rudeness, we say things like, “Well the truth will always be the truth no matter what,” or I’ve heard, “I just don’t candy coat things, I give it to people just like it is.” While both of those statements can be good at times, there are times we need to think a bit before we speak. The Bible tells us to tell the truth. However, Jesus tells us to use the truth with Love. (Eph. 4:15)

    Love will always cause us to pause for a moment and ask ourselves the question, “How will the person I’m addressing or the one I am discussing understand what I am about to say and the way I say it?” We must always remember to be considerate and to love one another. If we do, then we will use the truth wisely to help, rather than hurt each other.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    In James chapter 3, we are warned about an uncontrolled tongue. Let’s begin today by using our tongue wisely. Let’s try to remember to first use it to speak with God before we speak with, or about others.

What steps might you take to
guard the hearts of others in your conversations?

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 17, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 31 – Job 36
  Proverbs 15:1 – 4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 15-16
  John 19:31-42

WEEKEND REVIEW
June 15 & 16, 2024

Proverbs 14:26

In the fear of the
LORD
is strong confidence:
and his children shall have
a place
of refuge.

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 23 – 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 23 – 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 15, 2024
1 Chron. 12-14
John 19:1-30

June 16, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

June 17, 2024
Job 31 – Job 36
Proverbs 15:1 – 4

June 18, 2024
Job 37 – Job 42
Proverbs 15:5 – 8

June 19, 2024
Psalms 1 – Psalms 14
Proverbs 15:9 – 12

June 20, 2024
Psalms 15 – Psalms 21
Proverbs 15:13 – 16

June 21, 2024
Psalms 22 – Psalms 30
Proverbs 15:17 – 19

June 22, 2024
Proverbs 14 – 15

June 23, 2024 No
Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

June 17, 2024
1 Chron. 15-16
John 19:31-42

June 18, 2024
1 Chron. 17-19
John 20

June 19, 2024
1 Chron. 20-22
John 21

June 20, 2024
1 Chron. 23-25
Acts 1

June 21, 2024
1 Chron. 26-27
Acts 2:1-36

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

June 23, 2024
No Passages Assigned

Publicity Stunts
June 14, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 14:33-35
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known. Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    All too often today, we witness glamour queens and so-called movie stars engaging in shocking behavior that makes it into the news. In fact, the more shocking their antics, the more publicity they receive. In the past, these actions were correctly labeled as publicity stunts, done solely for the purpose of garnering public attention. Nowadays, these very same actions are often referred to as “news.” Some even argue that “even bad news is good publicity.”

    Well, that might work in the world’s eyes, but not in the eyes of our Lord. Our verses today say, “Righteousness exalts a nation.” Simply put, this means that if a group of people consistently does the right things, it will create a favorable image for them. Does it make for sensational news? Well, no, but then again, does it need to?

    Our lives here on earth are not meant for the purpose of making headlines or drawing the attention of the world. The purpose of a believer’s life is to glorify God. I guess the saying “No news is good news” fits very well here.

    Eventually, sin will always come around to cause problems in people’s lives. People ask, “Is drinking a sin?” Well, just look at all the commercials promising to help people deal with alcoholism. Is gambling a sin? Again, look at the advertising you’ve seen to help people deal with gambling addictions. As our verses today say, “Sin is a reproach to any people.”

    You never see a commercial to help people quit living for the Lord or giving their time and talents to help others. Living for Jesus brings true joy and satisfaction in life.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Living for Jesus is not hard if we are living in Jesus. It’s when we try to live for ourselves that we have problems. Let’s live for Him, and in Him today, shall we?

How might you be more authentic today for Jesus?

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 14, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 26-30
  Proverbs 14:33-35

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 10-11
  John 18:19-40

One Of God’s Greatest Works
June 13, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 14:30-32
A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor. The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Acting out a part in a play or being an actor or actress in a movie sounds like such fun. You get to pretend as if you’re someone else for a while, not the person you really are.

    Back in high school, I had the opportunity to take part in several plays the school put on. I played the part of Lancelot in the play “Camelot,” and I also played the part of the Gentleman Caller in the play “The Glass Menagerie.” These were two distinctly different roles in two different times. It was great fun being those characters for a while. However, when the curtain was drawn closed, so was the acting of those characters’ lives.

    Some people go through their entire lives pretending to be someone or something they are not. They live day-to-day trying to emulate someone else they admire, dressing like them, walking like them, talking like them, and just trying to be them. Sadly, sometimes these individuals become so lost in this fantasy life that they forget who they really are and end up not knowing themselves anymore.

    Envy can cause a person to be and do many things they never thought possible in their life. Some people become ruthless and cruel to others, thinking somehow this will help them get ahead, while others become doormats for people to stomp on, believing that’s what’s desired by others to be liked.

    While it’s true that God has placed people in your life who will often help shape your beliefs and character, He never intended for you to become those people. Be yourself. You, dear friend, are one of God’s greatest creations, made to do wonderful things for Him just as you are. You need to be YOU!

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Look around you and ask yourself, “Who am I? Who is it that God intended me to be?” God created you as a special and unique individual. Don’t let the envy of others rob this world of the special creation you are in Christ. Be yourself and be His!

What is it that God inteneded you to be?

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 13, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 22-25
  Proverbs 14:30-32

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 8-9
  John 18:1-18