Daily Devotions in Proverbs

Can You Really Have It All?
September 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 23:10-13
 Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee. Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    In America, we are taught that if we work hard and long, we can have anything we desire. This is partially true, and partially a lie. If you work for several hours a day and are diligent in your endeavors, you can often advance within the company for which you work. The money earned from that position would allow you to buy many of the toys the world dangles in front of us. However, you cannot have everything.

    You can never get those hours back that you put in to earn that money. I live in West Michigan near the lake. I cannot tell you the number of people I have seen who have worked hard to buy a nice boat to take their families out on. Then it stays parked all summer long because they are too busy working to pay the slip rental and upkeep to be able to take their family anywhere.

    Our worldly wisdom tells us to “get all we can, can all we get, sit on the can, and poison the rest so no one else gets any.” However, God’s Word tells us to seek another wisdom, one that is higher than our own—God’s wisdom.

    I am not implying that a person should not work to support their family and life. The Bible is very clear that if a man does not work, he should not eat. In other words, everyone should pull his or her own weight to the best of their ability. However, what God is teaching us here is that our job should support our life and family, but it should not consume our life away from our family. We need to be there to both correct and cuddle with our children while we still can. “Apply thine heart unto instruction.”     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     As you prepare for today, ask yourself, “How is what I am doing today showing my family that I’m using good financial and time management skills with them in mind?” They need to feel financially stable, loved, and emotionally secure. Trust in the Lord and lean not on your own wisdom. Let Him direct your paths. Life is more enjoyable with God in control.

What does living life mean to you?

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 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Micah 5 – Nahum 3
  Proverbs 23:10 – 13

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Pro. 28-29
  2 Co. 9-10

You’re In Control
September 19, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 23:7-9
 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words. Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Those of us who have had to diet to maintain our weight know all too well the temptations of food. Yet, our well-meaning friends, thinking somehow that they are doing us a favor by giving us permission to eat, say things such as, “Go ahead and eat it, you deserve it,” or “Let’s worry about our diet tomorrow; today we’ll just eat.” Sometimes we are strong enough in the moment to say, “No.” Yet, at other times, and probably way too often, we give in to our desires and eat whatever is put before us. Knowing all the while in the back of our minds how hard it will be to make up for what we have just eaten, we do it anyway.

    Why do we do that? We do it because it is our nature to want to live for today and seek self-gratification. It’s not that we cannot ever have those days; we can. However, they should be prepared for, planned, and then enjoyed with no remorse. It is those unexpected moments that hurt us the most.

    Have our good-hearted friends carefully thought of our total well-being when they say, “Go ahead?” Well, not really. We must remember that they are not intentionally trying to hurt us. The fact is it is easier for them to want to see us happy now than to consider what it will do to our health and self-esteem later. Many times, after the friends have all gone and we are left alone with our convicting thoughts and over-filled stomach, we are actually miserable. What it all boils down to is this: we are the only ones who can control our actions and ourselves.

    Life as a believer is often the same way. People in the world who do not know Christ as Saviour tell others, “Live for today; life is too short to be miserable.” However, living for today with no eternal plans will cause them to miss the greatest joy of all: eternal life with Christ. Jesus has a plan for today that you can enjoy now, and if you will trust in Him, an eternal future that is even better. Which plan of life sounds best to you? In the end, you must choose.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Life is too short not to enjoy it. However, living life without Christ is not true joy. In fact, He said, “I came that you might have life more abundantly.” Christ brings real life, genuine joy, and a meaningful plan for the future. Choose Christ.

Who do you allow to control 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: September 19, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Jonah 1 – Micah 4
  Proverbs 23:7 – 9

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Pro. 26-27
  2 Co. 8

Bags Full Of Money And Grain
September 18, 2024

 

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 23:4-6
 Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats:

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    In Aesop’s Fables, there is a tale of two mules, both well-laden with packs, trudging along. One carried bags filled with money, while the other mule’s sacks were weighted with grain. The mule carrying the treasure walked with its head erect, as if conscious of the value of its burden. It shook and tossed up and down to sound off clear-toned bells fastened to its neck. Its companion, however, followed with a quiet and easy step.

 

    Suddenly, thieves rushed upon the owners of the mules from their hiding places. In the scuffle with the men, the mule carrying the treasure was wounded with a sword. The robbers greedily seized the treasure from the mule while taking no notice of the grain. The mule that had been robbed and wounded complained of its misfortunes. The other mule replied, “I am indeed glad that I was thought so little of, for I have lost nothing, nor am I hurt with any wound.”

 

    It is often true that the more wealth we seem to have, the more problems we also obtain. Money has never been a source of happiness. With it always come problems and responsibilities.

 

    The humble life may seem to have little appeal to most. However, in the simplicity of life, there can be contentment—a life filled with joy and peace that the wealthy of this world may never know.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    The world would have you believe that to experience joy, you need their material riches. However, to find genuine joy in life, you need the spiritual riches from above—a wealth beyond what man can ever imagine or create. Thank God today for His abundant blessings in all that you have, especially if you have His Son as your Savior.

 

What are you banking on in 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: September 18, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Obadiah 1
  Proverbs 23:4 – 6

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Pro. 24-25
  2 Co. 7

Is It Too Good To Be True?
September 17, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 23:1-3
 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “If it seems somehow too good to be true, it probably is!” This saying has been used to warn people against seeing only the glitz and glamour of a situation when, behind the splendid appearance, there is quite possibly a trick or a plot.

    This is what Solomon was trying to tell his son, and what God is trying to tell us in today’s Proverb. Do not put your faith in other people’s “pie in the sky” ideas. It may appear as though they are trying to help you in the beginning, but often they are simply trying to use you.

    Solomon said, “son, if you get a chance to eat with the wealthy, and the table is set with all the finest there is around, watch yourself.” The phrase “put a knife to thy throat” was an old oriental way of saying, “watch your appetite.” In other words, keep your eyes and ears open for what is really being said and done.

    Corporate America today is often the worst offender. They lure young, energetic, and eager youth into their glitzy world and soon get them caught up in their “too busy for anything but the company” lifestyle. The pay is good. The luxuries seem grand. However, they find themselves tied into a life that allows little time for family and friends. In addition, all too often, there is little or no time to worship God properly.

    These companies will often make a person feel as if they have bought their very soul. Later in life, when you are not as young and fresh as you once were, you may become of little use to them. Therefore, with little regard to you or your family, they dismiss you like yesterday’s refuse. Watch yourself, friend, because all that glitters is truly not gold.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    God tells us to rely on Him for all our needs. What will be important at life’s end? Will it be a great resume of positions held? That will be worth little or nothing after this life. Or would a relationship with God, family, and Christian friends who will be there for eternity be more significant? Seems like an easy choice. Which choice are you making today? Trust God always.

Has God taken second place to a job or career?

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 17, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Joel 1 – Amos 3
  Proverbs 23:1 – 3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Pro. 22-23
  2 Co. 6

Don’t Cross The Line
September 16, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 22:26-29
 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee? Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    How can someone gain the trust of others? You cannot just have, buy, or demand trust. Trust will be earned over time.

    Our society revolves around trust. Property lines between states are drawn on paper, but we must trust that a surveyor has properly surveyed the land to know where those lines are. The same is true for our own private properties. We pay someone respected in the community in their field to come and survey our land, so we know where our property lines are. This tells us within what boundaries we may operate freely.

    In today’s verses, it speaks of “the ancient landmarks.” These landmarks were highly respected among the Jewish people as boundaries for their land. Men who lived long before any of us set those ancient boundaries in Israel, just as others before us set the boundaries of our own properties today.

    To live peaceably with your neighbor, there are rules to follow even when building on your own land. You can’t build too close to another’s property line. You can’t overhang structures over their land. You absolutely cannot cross the bounds of your land when building without facing a penalty and paying a fine.

    Life is much the same. There are also boundaries in life set by God. You must stay within those boundaries set by God to enjoy your life. You cannot live too close to the edge, or even dabble around too close to that line and expect to have real joy in life. In addition, you absolutely cannot cross the bounds into sin without facing a penalty and having a price to pay.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     The best way to live our life today is to remember the ancient landmarks set by our Heavenly Father. Not only will these landmarks keep us from sin, but they will also bring us the greatest joy in our life. Joy in knowing we are pleasing to Him who made us and who created all that we have to enjoy.

Are you living too close to a boundary?

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 16, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Hosea 7-14
  Proverbs 22:26 – 29

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Pro. 20-21
  2 Co. 5