Daily Devotions in Proverbs

Who Knows The Way?
May 22, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:1-3
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Once, while traveling through Arkansas, I encountered a dilemma. There were two roads on the map that could take me from where I was to my destination. One road on the map went almost straight north, passing through a couple of small towns. It was a country road, and I anticipated that the speed limit on this route would likely be fifty or even less at times. The other option was an interstate highway, about forty-five miles longer. It extended east past the city I wanted to reach and then veered back northwest. However, it was an interstate, and I expected the speed limit to be sixty-five or better for the entire journey. The country road seemed much shorter and more direct.

    I asked a nearby trucker for advice on which route to take, and he said, “Son, take the highway. You don’t want to travel that old, crooked country road.” I thought to myself, “Who does he think he’s talking to? I’ve traveled country roads before, and I’m in a car, not a truck.” So, I decided to take the country road.

    Initially, the country road seemed great for about the first thirty miles. However, it soon started to wind back and forth, back, and forth. As I ascended a mountain, my speed was reduced to a crawl, averaging only about ten to fifteen miles per hour. I contemplated turning back, but I had gone too far to do so, so I continued on. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I should have heeded the wisdom of someone who had extensive experience traveling these roads for a living.

    In life’s journey, God has placed people around us who have traveled similar paths before us and from whom we can gain valuable wisdom. Parents, pastors, and friends are there to offer guidance and support. It would be wise for us to listen to their advice, as it can make our life’s journey more enjoyable and less treacherous.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     The best instruction comes from someone who not only knows the road already traveled but also the road ahead. God is the only one who knows the beginning and the end. His Word will guide us through life’s winding trails. Let God be your guide.

What has God shown you today
that will help you in your life down the road?

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: May 22, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 13-18
   Proverbs 13:1-3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 13-14
   John 7:1-36

Waste Not, Want Not
May 21, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 12:25-28
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    For people who grew up during “The Great Depression,” wasting things was out of the question. They learned the value of using everything to its fullest and taking care of their possessions to make them last as long as possible.

    Today, we live in a disposable generation where items are designed to be thrown away. We’ve become accustomed to disposing of things so much that some people discard non-disposable items simply because they no longer like them. In many cases, these items could have been donated to a charity or given to a friend. However, in this disposable item generation, it’s often seen as easier to just toss them out rather than dealing with the hassle of finding another use for them.

    The idea in our verse, “the slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting:” addresses just such a problem. Lazy or careless individuals appear to disregard the value of life itself and end up wasting it. They not only waste their possessions but also squander their time and talents. Then, when life reaches its end, they often wonder why they have nothing to show for it. Many times, it’s because they didn’t appreciate what they had. They took time for granted, thinking it would never run out. They believed that material things were replaceable, and their talents were often selfishly used. Eventually, even their talents began to diminish.

    Remember, life itself is a gift from God, and this means that all the things and talents we possess in this life are also gifts from Him. Understanding that God grants us these gifts is why our passage emphasizes that “the substance of a diligent man is precious.”

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    “Waste not, want not” is another old saying. When we recognize the giver, everything He bestows upon us becomes precious, and we won’t have the desire to squander His gifts. By not wasting what He provides, we might earn His trust to receive even more. Food for thought!

What might you be wasting that God could use
to be a blessing to others?

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: May 21, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 7-12
   Proverbs 12:25-28

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 11-12
   John 6:34-71

Hand Up, Or Hand Out?
May 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 12:21-24
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

      When I was a young boy, I would often hear statements like, “If you put your mind to it, you can even become the President of the United States.” Others would advise, “If you work hard and keep your nose clean, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.” Back then, I did not quite grasp the correlation between “keeping one’s nose clean” and achieving success, even though I had noticed influential people frequently wiping their noses on television.

    As I matured, I realized that these pieces of advice mirrored what God’s Word has emphasized all along: with diligence and hard work, success is attainable. On the other hand, if one adopts a lazy attitude, always seeking handouts and feeling entitled, they will always find themselves under tribute, or indebted to others.

    I’ve often observed that those who constantly rely on others, expecting handouts, eventually lose whatever they believed they possessed. The reality is that everything belongs to God; we are merely caretakers of His blessings.

    The Bible instructs us to approach every task as if we’re doing it for the Lord. Hence, when we work diligently for Him, He ensures our needs are met.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    God never asks us to do more than we are capable of doing. However, He always expects us to do everything within our capacity. What can you do for the Lord today? Take a moment to express gratitude to Him for the opportunity to contribute to His purpose.

So, are you looking for a HAND UP or HAND OUT?

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: May 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 1-6
    Proverbs 12:21-24

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 9-10
   John 6:1-33

WEEKEND REVIEW
May 18 & 19, 2024

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right
in his own eyes:
but he that hearkeneth unto counsel
is wise.

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 19 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 12-13

WEEK 19 – 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:

May 18, 2024
1 Kings 8
John 5:28-47

May 19, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

May 20, 2024
2 Chronicles 1-6
Proverbs 12:21-24

May 21, 2024
2 Chronicles 7-12
Proverbs 12:25 28

May 22, 2024
2 Chronicles 13-18
Proverbs 13:1-3

May 23, 2024
2 Chronicles 19-23
Proverbs 13:4-6

May 24, 2024
2 Chronicles 24-28
Proverbs 13:7-9

May 25, 2024
Proverbs 12-13

May 26, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

May 20, 2024
1 Kings 9-10
John 6:1-33

May 21, 2024
1 Kings 11-12
John 6:34-71

May 22, 2024
1 Kings 13-14
John 7:1-36

May 23, 2024
1 Kings 15-17
John 7:37-53

May 24, 2024
1 Kings 18-19
John 8:1-30

May 25, 2024
1 Kings 20-21
John 8:31-59

May 26, 2024
No Passages Assigned

The Truth Will Stand Forever
May 17, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 12:17-20
He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “Liar, liar, pants on fire, hang them on a telephone wire.” This children’s rhyme has uncertain origins and tends to vary slightly depending on where you hear it.

    One theory about its origin suggests that a man was caught smoking when he shouldn’t have been. Thinking he had extinguished his cigarette, he tucked it into his pocket. When questioned if he had been smoking, he vehemently denied it. However, his pants betrayed him, leading to the retort, “liar, liar, your pants are on fire, hang them on a telephone wire.” The phrase about the telephone wire implied that everyone could see his dishonesty.

    No one appreciates being deceived, and liars are generally not well-received. There’s another adage that says, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” The idea is that while one might be deceived by lies once, allowing oneself to be deceived by the same lie again is one’s own fault.

    Truth has a lasting quality because it remains unchanging. Lies, on the other hand, tend to unravel. People initially believe lies because they assume them to be truth. When lies are exposed, so too are the deceitful intentions of the liar. Trust is fragile; easy to break and challenging to rebuild.
    

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Our assurance that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross of Calvary paid the price for our sins is grounded in the trustworthiness of God’s Word. The certainty arises from the fact that God never utters falsehood. Throughout history, every prophecy and promise He made has come to fruition exactly as He declared. We can securely anchor our eternal salvation in His unfaltering and eternal Truth.

 

When making life decisions, do we consult the trustworthy
Word of God, or the questionable theroy of man?

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: May 17, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    1 Chronicles 27-29
   Proverbs 12:17-20

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 6-7
   John 5:1-27