October 2024

By Their Fruit
October 14, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:30-34
 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “A penny saved is a penny earned.” “A stitch in time saves nine.” “Make hay while the sun shines.” What do all these statements have in common? They all advise us to be diligent with our time and resources, utilizing what God has bestowed upon us to the best of our abilities.

 

    In today’s verses, Solomon mentions that he passed by the field of a slothful person and the vineyard of an individual lacking understanding. In simpler terms, he visited a place where the owner was either lazy or a poor manager of their time and resources. What did he encounter? He found a place that was neglected, deteriorating, and falling apart due to the occupant’s lack of attention. Does it mention that he saw the man himself? No. Did he observe the person being lazy? No. So how did he determine that this person was slothful and lacked understanding? He drew his conclusion based on the evidence of what this person’s life had produced.

 

    When Christians fail to be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us, it not only casts a negative light on us in the eyes of the world but also reflects poorly on our perception of God. The Bible, in identifying believers says, “Ye shall know them by their fruit.”

 

    The world thinks the same way. They won’t pay attention to what we say if it doesn’t align with how we live.

 

    This principle can also be applied to our lives in general. Our outward behavior should reflect an inward transformation. If our external actions do not match our inner convictions, then something is amiss.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    What do people perceive when they look at us? Is the life we lead filled with the sinful weeds of the world? Are there neglected walls of resistance to sin? Or do they see Jesus in us? What others see in us is a reflection of the image of our God. The bible says in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

 

What does your life shine a light on?

 

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: October 14, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Mark 10 – Mark 13
  Proverbs 24:30 – 34

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 37-39
  Col. 1

WEEKEND REVIEW
October 12 & 13, 2024

Proverbs 24:27

Prepare thy work without,
and make it fit for thyself in the field;
and afterwards
build thine house.

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 40 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 24-25

WEEK 40 – 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:

October 12, 2024
Isa. 32-36
Phil. 4
October 13, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

October 14, 2024
Mark 10 – Mark 13
Proverbs 24:30 – 34
October 15, 2024
Mark 14 – Mark 16
Proverbs 25:1 – 3
October 16, 2024
Luke 1 – Luke 2
Proverbs 25:4 – 7
October 17, 2024
Luke 3 – Luke 5
Proverbs 25:8 – 10
October 18, 2024
Luke 6 – Luke 7
Proverbs 25:11 – 13
October 19, 2024
Proverbs 24 – 25
October 20, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

October 14, 2024
Isa. 37-39
Col. 1
October 15, 2024
Isa. 40-41
Col. 2
October 16, 2024
Isa. 42-44
Col. 3
October 17, 2024
Isa. 45-48
Col. 4
October 18, 2024
Isa. 49-52
1 Thess. 1-2
October 19, 2024
Isa. 53-58
1 Thess. 3-4
October 20, 2024
No Passages Assigned

Where Is Your Cart?
October 11, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:27-29
 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    My dad had a different way of expressing what verse 27 conveys. He would often say, “Don’t put the cart before the horse.” Essentially, this means doing things in the proper sequence. While it’s possible for a horse to push a cart, it’s not efficient, sustainable, or something that should happen frequently. In life, we frequently find ourselves eager to move forward before adequately preparing. Instead of taking the time to equip ourselves with knowledge and truth, we often rush into situations ill-prepared. Just as a horse can manage to push a cart, we might still make progress, but it’s much more challenging than it should be.

    This tendency to rush ahead without proper preparation is also evident in churches, especially with new Christians who are eager to help. In their enthusiasm to contribute, and the churches need for volunteers, these young believers are sometimes placed in positions for which they are not adequately prepared. This rush occurs in the business world as well, with individuals dreaming of success today but failing to anticipate the challenges of tomorrow. Marriages can also suffer from this impatience. A man who lacks stability in his morals, manners, finances, and spirituality may aspire to lead a household without first preparing himself to stand independently.

    I’m not suggesting that we should have all the answers to life’s questions before taking any action. If that were the case, no one would ever accomplish anything. However, we should ensure that we have essential aspects of life covered, such as:

● Who is the true leader in your life?
● Where do you seek guidance, especially when things become chaotic?
● How are decisions made?
● What or who serves as the ultimate authority?
● When I make a mistake, where should I turn to rectify it?
● Lastly, if someone were to ask me these questions, can I direct them to written sources that provide answers?

    Taking time to address these fundamental questions can help us better navigate life’s challenges and make more informed decisions.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    The answers to all the questions above are “God and His Word.” God serves as the ultimate authority in all matters, and He has provided the answers to life within the Bible. It is now our responsibility to diligently study and seek approval from Him.

What or who do you hold as your final authority?

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: October 11, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Mark 7 – Mark 9
  Proverbs 24:27 – 29

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 29-31
  Phil. 3

Who Are You Voting For?
October 10, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:24-26
  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    In our last devotion, we discussed the importance of the fear and respect that God should command. Additionally, we touched upon the significance of showing respect to leaders in various aspects of our lives, including our nations, churches, and homes. However, it’s often the case that such respect is lacking, and one of the root causes can be found in today’s verses.

 

    When we elect individuals to positions of leadership who are not suited for the role, it diminishes the respect that should naturally accompany that office. Consequently, every leader who follows in that role must work to restore the dignity and respect it should hold. This creates a dual responsibility for them: not only do they have to manage the daily responsibilities of the job, but they also need to rectify a situation they had no part in creating.

 

    So, why do we often choose the wrong people for these leadership positions? One reason is our own laziness. We sometimes avoid the effort of researching and understanding the qualifications and values of the candidates. Instead, we may simply vote along party lines or choose based on popularity, without considering the implications for our future and the well-being of those who will come after us.

 

    Another contributing factor is friendships. We may elect individuals to office based on personal connections or affiliations, rather than making a thoughtful and informed decision. The reasons for such choices can vary, whether they’re rooted in financial interests, political affiliations, or popularity, but the outcomes of such elections can be perilous

 

    We all need to embrace our responsibility as conscientious citizens, committed church members, and even as discerning individuals in our personal relationships. It’s imperative that we take the time and effort to identify the right leaders for our homes, churches, and lives. Our selections should not be based solely on their oratory skills, appearance, or political party. Instead, we should prioritize leaders who align with our moral values and have a genuine love for our Lord.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    It is never too early or too late to pray for our leaders. Let’s pray for those who currently hold positions of leadership, as they require God’s guiding hand. Additionally, let’s remember to pray for potential future leaders, asking that God would strengthen and guide them. Furthermore, let’s pray that God may direct our gaze and open our hearts to them.

 

Have you thought through your choices in leadership?

 

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: October 10, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Mark 4 – Mark 6
  Proverbs 24:24 – 26

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 25-28
  Phil. 2

Fear And Respect
October 9, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:20-23
 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Fear and respect—two aspects of life that seem to have diverged in contemporary society. These two concepts appear to have little in common these days.

    Fear is typically a reaction to something we’re afraid of, but there’s also a reverential fear associated with respecting someone or something’s power. For example, I don’t fear light switches and wall sockets, but I hold a respectful fear for the potential dangers of mishandling electricity. Consequently, we make efforts to minimize fear’s role in our lives.

    Respect has also undergone changes. In our emphasis on self-esteem, we’ve elevated the importance of self while diminishing respect for those in authority. Society encourages us to view everyone as equals, where no one has authority over another. This approach has eroded the respect we should have for figures like police officers, government leaders, clergy, and even God Himself.

    Though all people are equal in God’s eyes, with no distinctions based on race, group, or gender within His kingdom or church, the Bible teaches us to fear the LORD and the king. This means we should respect and revere the Lord because He is God and the Creator of the universe. Additionally, the Bible emphasizes the importance of respecting authority figures because God ultimately controls their appointments.

    Today’s verses say, “meddle not with them that are given to change.” This doesn’t imply that we should never seek change but rather that we should respect and support godly leadership. We should elect individuals with strong moral character and then pray for them, trusting in God’s judgment and sovereignty over us.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Thank the Lord today for those He has placed in authority over you. Pray for them by name, asking God to grant them godly wisdom in their leadership. Trust that God is still on the throne and have faith that He knows what He is doing.

Who in leadership will you pray for 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: October 9, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Mark 1 – Mark 3
  Proverbs 24:20 – 23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 20-24
  Phil. 1