September 2024

Invest It All
September 6, 2024

 

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 22:4-7
 By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    The stocks go up, the stocks go down, and this old world spins round and round.

 

    It seems as though wealth and riches consume the minds of most people today. It is almost impossible to live without some money in the stock market, whether we are aware of it or not. Do you have insurance, a 401(k), or have you deposited money in a bank? If so, like most people, your money has been invested in the stock market. If the market collapses, so does the value of the company or financial institution.

 

    I once heard a Financial Advisor tell a joke during his speech that went like this: “I lost millions of dollars in the stock market today.” His friend asked, “Really, how?” He replied, “Gold went up one dollar a pound, and I didn’t have a dime invested in it.

 

    Could it be possible that many people miss the real riches, honor, and for some, even eternal life because they have nothing invested as well? The phrase, “Nothing invested, nothing lost,” sure does not apply here. If we do not deposit our lives into Christ, we will have lost it all. Christ invested His life in us and paid the premium for our sin debt. Our text today says; “By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.” This simply means that when we invest our lives in the Lord, we receive His riches, honor, and a life that is beyond compare. Furthermore, the stock market can never have any impact on this investment in any way whatsoever.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    The problem is that most people want to invest only a small part of their lives into Christ and hold back the rest. God does not operate on those terms. We must either deposit our entire lives in Him or nothing at all. What have you given to Christ? We all must come humbly to the cross and make a total deposit of our lives in reverence to our Lord. The dividends are glorious.

 

Have you deposited your all into Christ?

 

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: September 6, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezekiel 40 – Ezekiel 43
  Proverbs 22:4 – 7

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Pro. 4-5
  1 Co. 12

 

Who Is Really Rich?
September 5, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 22:1-3
  A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    If you were to listen to most televangelism programming today, you might get the idea that people who do not have many material goods in life are somehow living outside of the will of God. That if they were living right and were in God’s will, then God would surely bless them with prosperity. However, this is not what the Bible says.

    The Bible says that a person who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be supplied with all their needs. If they need money, God will most often give them a way to earn it. If they need food, God will supply a way for it to be grown, donated, or purchased.

    I find, on occasion, those who have been blessed by God financially forget that not just a tithe of that money belongs to God. Rather, everything we are entrusted with comes from God, and therefore, everything really belongs to Him. The tithe simply is the portion He asks of you to help further His work on earth. This also provides you with an opportunity to be obedient to His Word and worship Him with what He has supplied for you.

    Billy Sunday once said, “The fellow that has no money is poor. The fellow that has nothing but money is poorer still.” We must all remember, God is the maker of us all, rich, and poor alike.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     As we go through this day we might want to remember another verse in Romans 8:28 which says; “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” “All things” encompasses ALL THINGS. Everything He has created works together to fulfill His purpose. The rich and the poor, people of all nationalities, young and old, every aspect of creation, and everyone are part of His creation and handiwork. This includes YOU!.

How will you invest into God’s kingdom 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: September 5, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezekiel 37 – Ezekiel 39
  Proverbs 22:1 – 3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Pro. 1-3
  1 Co. 11

You Can Be A Superhero!
September 4, 2024

 

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 21:28-31
 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Have you ever considered the idea of becoming a superhero? Maybe you’ve envisioned being like “Superman,” rushing to the aid of the innocent, or perhaps “The Hulk,” a powerful figure with a heart dedicated to justice. Another option might be “Wonder Woman,” whose swift actions can seemingly protect against any threat.

 

    Well, for the young ones growing up in your home and the children you encounter at church, you can indeed become a real-life superhero. I understand that some of you may be thinking, “Oh no, not me, preacher.” However, it’s important to realize that being a hero isn’t about having superhuman abilities; it’s about allowing God’s abilities to shine through you for them to witness.

 

    In our verses today it says, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.” Simply put, the Lord cannot be outsmarted by anything or anyone; He is unbeatable in every way. When you place yourself in the hands of the Almighty, you become invincible, no matter what challenges you face, because your safety is under His protection.

 

    If you ever need to defend someone like Superman, you will have the power and strength of the Lord supporting you. Regardless of your physical stature, in the eyes of a child, you will appear as formidable as the giant Hulk. However, it’s the loving heart of God that will shine through you, offering comfort in their time of need. With God’s power by your side, you can indeed be a real-life superhero to those in need.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Stand tall in Christ Jesus. Be brave with the shield of faith. Put on your helmet of salvation and your breastplate of righteousness. You are ready to stand against sin and stand up for what is right. Today, my friend, you are one of God’s best superheroes, ready to shine as a beacon for Him.

 

Will you be a Super-hero today forGod, with God’s help?

 

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: September 4, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezekiel 33 – Ezekiel 36
  Proverbs 21:28 – 31

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 144-150
  1 Co. 10

The Needy Or Greedy
September 3, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 21:25-27
 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    I know you may find this hard to believe, but there are people in this world who use the church for their own personal gain. This practice has become so widespread that many churches today have had to implement policies to regulate how and whom they can assist when people seek help.

    I pastor a smaller church in a small community, and we sometimes receive anywhere from one to four calls per month for assistance. During the cold winter months, the number increases. There are organizations in our community that now keep and share lists of individuals who make a habit of calling churches almost every month seeking help.

    Please do not misunderstand, some of the callers have genuine needs, and we have provided assistance to many of them. However, some individuals call asking for money for a specific item, but when we offer to purchase that item for them, they decline. What they truly wanted was the money, not the item or assistance. Often, when they are invited to attend a church service as a condition for receiving help, they refuse because they want nothing to do with God. Others have been offered work in exchange for payment but have declined to do any work for assistance, preferring to call another church until they receive a free handout.

    Anyone can fall on hard times, and God expects the church to be His hands and heart toward those who are suffering. However, He also expects those who can help themselves to be willing to make an effort. The desire to be lazy or slothful ultimately leads to their own destruction. When the church refuses to support their idleness, they often blame God, but it is not God who has failed them; they have failed themselves.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    We should always strive to assist the homeless and those who are victims of societal challenges. As my parents used to tell me, “but for the grace of God, that could very well be us.” Additionally, we should pray for those who are idle and unwilling to help themselves, that they may discover genuine hope and open their hearts to God.

Are we giving people a hand-out, or a hand-up?

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: September 3, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezekiel 29 – Ezekiel 32
  Proverbs 21:25 – 27

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 138-143
  1 Co. 9

Can You Keep A Secret?
September 2, 2024

 

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 21:21-24
 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Can you keep a secret? Can you promise not to tell a soul? Not one person, I mean it. Can you? WELL, SO CAN I!!!

 

    People who blab about tales concerning others and then ask you to keep them as secrets are often individuals you learn not to trust later with your delicate information. Think about it: if someone shares with you the latest news that was meant to be kept in confidence and then asks you not to tell anyone, you must wonder how many other people they have also told and asked them not to tell anyone else. Sometimes I think these people ask others not to tell anyone, so they know they have fresh gossip to tell everyone who hasn’t heard yet.

 

    Now, what if something extremely sensitive to you comes up, and you are looking for someone to share it with, someone you know will pray for you and not tell the world? Is the person who is always asking you to keep secrets about others going to be your first choice of people to confide in? Probably not.

 

    Furthermore, for the ones sharing all those bits of wisdom that were meant to be kept silent, they may also miss out on some of God’s best blessings. Imagine for a moment that God intended to allow that person, and only that person, to pray for a certain situation for a friend. Then God shows His hand at work in this area that was prayed for. They would know God has answered their prayers. Additionally, the friend also knows that God answers their friend’s prayers. A real close, intimate relationship could have been built with a friend and with God through these private answered prayers. However, they missed God’s blessing because they just had to share the latest news.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Oh, dear Lord, help me today to guard my mouth and tongue, and to keep my soul from troubles. Allow me, Lord, to be a real friend to others and a true witness for you. Amen.

 

What will you do with a friends personal information?

 

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: September 2, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezekiel 25 – Ezekiel 28
  Proverbs 21:21 – 24

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 130-137
  1 Co. 8