Daily Devotions in Proverbs

A Match Made In Heaven
December 23, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 31:8-10
 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Lemuel’s mom is reminding her son not to forget about others around him. It’s easy for us to take one another for granted in the fast-paced lives we lead. However, each of us should appreciate those whom God has placed in our lives, especially those within our own homes.

    Husbands, it would be a wonderful thing if we could daily thank God for the blessing He has given us in our wives. They are truly delightful gifts from God. In the first book of the Bible, God looked at man and said, “I need to create someone who will complete and help that man,” and He designed the perfect woman just for Adam. He created your wife for you as well.

    Wives, it would be fitting for you to thank God for creating you with the special bundle of talents and abilities that only you possess, making you the perfect counterpart to your husband. You not only have your own accomplishments but also play a significant role in shaping your husband and his accomplishments.

    Both of you should be thankful that God did not leave either of you to navigate life alone. As Christians, He has also given each of you the Holy Spirit, which resides in you to help you fulfill God’s good purposes in your relationship.

    To those who may be single, there’s no need to worry about whether there is someone for you. God has a special purpose for your life. If that purpose includes a life partner, then know that God has created someone just for you. Don’t rush into it; wait on the Lord. Thank Him for His design in life and marriage. Then, if you choose to say, “I Do,” strive to be all that God intended for you to be.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    When we truly treasure something given to us, our respect for the giver often adds significant value to the gift. God is the greatest gift giver of all time. The gift He has bestowed upon you was carefully considered and designed specifically with you in mind. Show God how much you appreciate His thoughtfulness today by how you cherish the gift He has given you.

Are we truly thankful for God’s gracious gifts He gives to us?

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: December 23, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  2 Peter 1 – 1 John 3
  Proverbs 31:8-10

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Haggai
  Revelation 17

WEEKEND REVIEW
December 21 & 22, 2024

Proverbs 30:33

Surely the churning of milk
bringeth forth butter,
and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood:
so then forcing of wrath
bringeth forth strife.

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 
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WEEK 50 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 30-31

WEEK 50 – 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:

December 21, 2024
Zephaniah
Revelation 16
December 22, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

December 23, 2024
2 Peter 1 – 1 John 3
Proverbs 31:8-10
December 24, 2024
1 John 4 – Jude
Proverbs 31:11-14
December 25, 2024
Revelation 1 – Revelation 8
Proverbs 31:15-18
December 26, 2024
Revelation 9 – Revelation 16
Proverbs 31:19-24
December 27, 2024
Revelation 17 – Revelation 22
Proverbs 31:25-31
December 28, 2024
Proverbs 30-31
December 29, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

December 23, 2024
Haggai
Revelation 17
December 24, 2024
Zechariah 1-3
Revelation 18
December 25, 2024
Zechariah 4-6
Revelation 19
December 26, 2024
Zechariah 7-10
Revelation 20
December 27, 2024
Zechariah 11-14
Revelation 21
December 28, 2024
Malachi
Revelation 22
December 29, 2024
No Passages Assigned

Not Meant For Royalty
December 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 11:13-16
 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    In church, we sing a song: “I’m a Child of the King, A Child of the King, with Jesus My Saviour, I’m a Child of the King.” Children of the king are called Princes or Princesses.

    In the next few weeks, people all over the world will be celebrating Christmas and New Year’s at parties and family gatherings. Many of these gatherings will include alcohol. Sadly, many church members will also be drinking at these parties.

    The Bible teaches that Children of the King, whether a prince or princess, should not consume alcohol. Why? “Lest they drink, and forget the law.” This is not just the law of man but also the law of God. I can hear some of you now saying, “We’re not under the law,” and you are right. However, when you were saved, you were saying, “I love you, God, and will obey your commandments.” We obey the law now not because of the law itself, but because of our love for the Lawgiver, God.

     Our text also says we might, “pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.” In a single night, we can tarnish our testimony for the rest of the year. When those who are not believers see us engaging in the same behaviors as they do, they often think, “Why do I need their God? I’m just like them.”

    Who should use alcohol? In ancient times, medical professionals used it to alleviate the suffering of those who were near death or those who were burdened by deep sorrows. (Please note that “heavy hearts” here does not refer to the lonely or sad, so if you were thinking of using this as an excuse to indulge, think again.) The Hebrew definition for “heavy hearts” is “Bitter of Soul.” Should a Christian have a bitter soul? Absolutely not. The Bible encourages us to rejoice in the Lord always and to celebrate Christ, our Saviour.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    This year, resolve to end the year on the right note. Let us not allow Satan to tarnish the testimony we’ve worked so hard to convey to our lost friends throughout the year. Stand up for Jesus. Leave alcohol to those who are not believers. Act like royalty. We need to live for Christ and truly enjoy this Christmas season.

Are you a child of the King of Kings, or not?

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: December 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Peter
  Proverbs 31:4 – 7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Habakkuk
  Revelation 14-15

Listen To Your Mother
December 19, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 31:1-3
 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Who in the world is King Lemuel? Most biblical scholars believe it was the name given to Solomon by his mother. There is no record of a King Lemuel in either Israel or Judah. For 29 chapters, we heard the words of Solomon as he conveyed the wisdom God had given him to his son. Chapter 30 contains the words of Agur. However, this final chapter is devoted to the warnings and wisdom of Solomon’s mother.

    Three times, she asks the question, “What?” As if asking God, “What Shall I say to my young son.” She cries out, “Son of my vows.” Undoubtedly, this was a vow made to turn his heart toward God and to teach this young mind the ways of the Lord. Even the name Lemuel she uses for him conveys this vow. Lemuel means “Unto God” or “With God.” Just as parents today often dedicate their children to the Lord, it seems she had done the same. Now, she is asking, “What?” She is contemplating what she might say to guide her young man through the perils of life.

    In her first words of warning, she asks him to contemplate his relationships. “Be careful,” she says, “in matters of love.” Do you remember who Solomon’s mother was? She was Bathsheba. The one thing that tarnished the reputation and testimony of the godly man David, his father, was his lust of the flesh. How well she knew the destructive power this sin can have over a man. She surely had witnessed in private what it did to her now-husband, David. Oh, how well her son Solomon should have listened.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Solomon did obey his mother’s voice and the Word of God for many years. Recalling Deut. 17:17 “Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away:” Nevertheless, later, he strayed, and these words came back to haunt him. His many wives did turn his heart. God’s Word is sure. So, too, are the words of a godly mother.

Have you ever heard the phrase;
“I wish they had listened to me?”
Does the phrase still ring true 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: December 19, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  James
  Proverbs 31:1 – 3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Nahum
  Revelation 12-13

That’s Obvious
December 18, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 30:32-33
  If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    If you stand in the rain unprotected, you will get wet. If you stick your bare hand in a fire, you will be burned. When you cut yourself, you will bleed. By now you might be thinking, “What is he trying to say? All these things are only common sense.” Well, that is what Agur is concluding in the only chapter in the Bible written under his name. He shares some very common sense, and also very important words to live by.

    He says, if you tend to brag about yourself, stop it. Also, if the idea of bringing shame to another comes to mind, don’t. People hate braggers and bullies, and so does God. Our author then shows us what to do, and how suddenly it must be done with one neat little phrase. “Lay thine hand upon thy mouth” depicts someone in mid-sentence, suddenly having a hand muzzle his or her statement. If you are bragging or badgering and suddenly realize what you are doing, he says stop it, right that moment, not another word. If you need to ask why, He gives you two simple, but great examples.

    The examples are, milk churned long enough produces butter, and a nose twisted or punched hard enough spills blood. As sure as both of these things do happen, so will arrogant or cantankerous conversation produce conflict. Seems simple when looking at it on paper, the trick is to practice it in real life.

    Agur has given us several things in his chapter of Proverbs to help us live a peaceful, honorable, and contented life. Now it is up to us to listen, learn, and live for the Lord.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     In the New Testament in James 1:22 it says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” Who, then, is deceived if we live for ourselves and do not obey Scripture? We deceive ourselves. What a shame it is to have all we need for a happy life and deceive ourselves into thinking there is a better way. Live for Jesus, live with joy.

When you read it like this,
doesn’t it seem so simple and obvious?

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: December 18, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Hebrews 10 – Hebrews 13
  Proverbs 30:32 – 33

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Micah 5-7
  Revelation 10-11