August 2024

I Love A Good Plan
August 26, 2024

 

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 21:4-6
 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

   

     Most leadership programs I’ve come across include the phrase, “Plan your work, and work your plan.” Sadly, in life, some folks never plan for anything. However, proper planning leads to a more pleasant life.

     There is something rewarding about making a plan, sticking to it, and seeing it through to the end. It’s fine to have dreams, but sharing those dreams with others without a plan to accomplish them is merely wishful thinking. We need to have a well-thought-out plan in place to achieve most things in life, and creating such a plan requires careful consideration.

● First and foremost, one must plan to pray about it. A plan without God’s guidance is not a well-conceived plan. Only God knows the beginning from the end of all things, so seeking His wisdom in every matter is wise.

● Next, you must consider the cost as the Bible advises us to count the cost before beginning any project.

● After you’ve prayed and planned, it’s always wise to seek input from others. If you know that God is leading you, don’t let negative individuals discourage you. Instead, find people who can provide wise recommendations.

● Lastly, plan to take action. Do not just dream, pray, plan, discuss, and then do nothing. If God has laid a project on your heart or a life plan in your mind, get busy following God’s plan, but always start with a well-structured plan. “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness.”

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

   

     What is your plan for life? Some say it’s challenging to figure out. Alright, what is your plan for this year? Still too long? Do you have a plan for this month? This week? Do you at least have an idea of what’s happening today? Remember, “the diligent tend only to plenteousness.” Be diligent. MAKE A PLAN!

 

At least tell me your planning to
pray and read God’s Word, right?

 

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: August 26, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezekiel 1 – Ezekiel 6
  Proverbs 21:4 – 6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 106-108
  1 Co. 2

WEEKEND REVIEW
August 24 & 25, 2024

 

Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of man
is the candle of the
LORD,
searching all the inward parts
of the belly.

 

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 33 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 20-21

WEEK 33 – 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:

August 24, 2024
Psa. 103-105
1 Co. 1

August 25, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

August 26, 2024
Ezekiel 1 – Ezekiel 6
Proverbs 21:4 – 6
August 27, 2024
Ezekiel 7 – Ezekiel 11
Proverbs 21:7 – 10
August 28, 2024
Ezekiel 12 – Ezekiel 16
Proverbs 21:11 – 13
August 29, 2024
Ezekiel 17 – Ezekiel 20
Proverbs 21:14 – 17
August 30, 2024
Ezekiel 21 – Ezekiel 24
Proverbs 21:18 – 20
August 31, 2024
Proverbs 21 – 22
September 1, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

August 26, 2024
Psa. 106-108
1 Co. 2
August 27, 2024
Psa. 109-113
1 Co. 3
August 28, 2024
Psa. 114-118
1 Co. 4
August 29, 2024
Psa. 119:1-88
1 Co. 5
August 30, 2024
Psa. 119:89-176
1 Co. 6
August 31, 2024
Psa. 120-129
1 Co. 7
September 1, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

I Saw Them Do It First
August 23, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 21:1-3
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Excuses, what are they? I had a friend at our church who has since gone home to be with the Lord, and he continually told me that the definition of an excuse was “the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.”

    I am certain that we have all made up excuses at one time or another. Instead of being completely honest with someone, we would rather tell a partial truth. Sadly, we sometimes make up excuses and rehearse them to ourselves. It often begins when you start to wonder, “Should I be reading this, watching this, or listening to this? Should I be going there, hanging out with them, or even talking this way? Should I be drinking this, taking this, or smoking this?” What is the excuse we give to ourselves? Well, it may be, “I saw Mr. or Miss Christian doing it, so if it is okay for them, it must be okay.” We begin to make excuses for our life, yet inside, we have a funny feeling, and we know something is not right. However, we have tried to convince ourselves that if God lets them get away with it, He is sure to do the same for me.

    Did you ever stop to think; maybe they are watching you and thinking the same thing? Maybe they are judging their life by what they see you doing.

    The Bible says that man will find a way to make everything they do seem okay in their own eyes. God, on the other hand, looks at your heart. He knows what you know deep down inside. He knows the feeling you have, knowing whether something is wrong or right. Do you know why God knows? He put that feeling there to help you make the right choices.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    A while back, I heard a phrase that occasionally helps me: “If in doubt, don’t.” We should all operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, rather than following someone we might see at church or at work. Let us be examples of Christ and for Christ.

Do you decide how to live based on other people,
or on God’s wisdom and Word?

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: August 23, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Lamentations 1 – Lamentations 5
  Proverbs 21:1 – 3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 97-102
  Rom. 16

Keep The Light On
August 22, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 20:27-30
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Think back to the last time you were watching TV or reading a book, and the lights suddenly went out. The cause of the sudden darkness might have been a storm or a power failure. Whatever the reason, take a moment to remember how you felt during that brief instant when your world turned black. You were likely startled, a bit frightened, and perhaps even a little uneasy. All of these words accurately describe the feelings that accompany such a sudden surprise. Darkness has a way of making us feel uneasy.

    The Bible says, “The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” In other words, God uses our spirit as a candle to examine our hearts. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: What does God see when He holds the candle of our spirit to our heart? Is our candle shining brightly, is it just a flicker, or could it be a mere glowing ember on the wick, essentially dimming the light for God.

    Does the idea of God standing right next to you, examining you at this very moment, make you feel uneasy? Are you a bit frightened by what He might hear or see in your life? Perhaps you are startled by His presence with you, similar to how you felt when the lights went out, and you were alone in the darkness.

    Our spirit should radiate joy, contentment, rejoicing, and peace. That is a spirit that glows brightly and paves the way for God’s blessings.

     Often, when we are expecting guests in the evening, we tell them, “We’ll keep the light on for you.” Let’s keep the light on for Jesus, shall we?

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    As a child, you probably sang a song that went, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” Do you remember? If you have little children at home, sing it with them today. If not, just take a moment, sing it to yourself, and reflect on the candle of your spirit. Let it shine for God.

What might God see in your heart today?

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: August 22, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Jeremiah 50 – Jeremiah 52
  Proverbs 20:27 – 30

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 90-96
  Rom. 15

The Master Planner
August 21, 2024

 

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 20:23-26
Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Some individuals believe they have their entire lives meticulously planned out. They’ve determined which courses to take in school to secure a particular career, and they’ve mapped out the steps to climb the ladder of success. Planning is not inherently wrong; in fact, it’s essential. Without proper planning, financial emergencies or unforeseen events like storms or illness could wreak havoc on our lives and those we leave behind.

      However, we must always remember that only God truly knows what the future holds. In His infinite wisdom, He comprehends the outcomes of our lives and those around us. Despite His knowledge, He grants us the freedom to make choices that will impact those outcomes. How does He manage this? Well, if I could provide a complete answer, I’d essentially be explaining God, which isn’t possible. God wouldn’t be much of a God if you or I could fully comprehend Him, would He?

      An old writer expressed it in a quaint way: “They who insist on carving their own path may end up cutting their fingers.” Life is a delicate dance of choices, and occasionally, we make mistakes.

     One choice that should be relatively easy to make is this: If God is the only one who truly comprehends the entirety of my life, why not entrust it to Him? He can undoubtedly use it far better than I ever could.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     If you love something, you take care of it. If it’s a pet, you do your best to feed it, love it, and keep it clean. However, you also must allow it to run and play to stay healthy. God loves you. He provides for you, loves you, and washes away your sins. Nonetheless, He also allows you to run and play. The next time you’re out enjoying your freedom, take a moment to run back to Him and express your gratitude for His love and provision.

 

Have you expressed your love to God for the freedoms He allows?

 

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: August 21, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Jeremiah 45 – Jeremiah 49
  Proverbs 20:23 – 26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 86-89
  Rom. 14