Daily Devotions in Proverbs

What? I Was Just Having Fun
March 7, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 6:12-15
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

      I have been known from time to time to play a little trick on someone. More often than not, it is a harmless little something that, when we are finished, we can both laugh at. It will often bring a surprise or scare, which is only for a moment, and then it’s done.

      However, what if this went on, and on, and on for what seemed to be an eternity? Well, that is the way it is in the life of what today’s passage is calling “a naughty person.” In a quest to find more pleasure and bigger laughs in the practical jokes they play on people, they do more and more terrible things. These things may eventually physically hurt others, and often themselves. They become thrill-seekers at others’ expense.

      It becomes an addiction with them, just like any other addiction, such as the person addicted to alcohol who will need more and more alcohol to satisfy their cravings. An addiction to tobacco, pornography, drugs, or anything is the same. The more you have, the more you want. This is the same for the naughty person. If they have pulled something really big to embarrass, harass, hurt, or degrade you or someone else, watch out; the next stunt will be bigger and worse yet.

     The problem is that they are so involved in what they are doing that they never realize how they’re ruining their own lives. No one wants to be around them, and no one ever trusts them. All their time is spent on mischief and deceit, and their mind is consumed with it continually. Their destruction is sure and seemingly swift. Then, it always ends the same way, with them saying, “Hey, what happened? I was just having some fun.”

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Watch out for the tricksters in this life. The final trick they play is always on themselves. It appears almost like magic. POOF, and suddenly they realize they have nothing to show for life. 

Does that sound like a good trick 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: MARCH 7, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
   Deuteronomy 7 – Deuteronomy 10
   Proverbs 6:12 – 15

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Numbers 19-20
   Mark 10:32-52

 

WORK Is A Four-letter Word
March 6, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 6:9-11
How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? 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:

        “Can I sleep just a little while longer, please?” Every parent has heard this plea, and at times, it doesn’t just come from the children but from those responsible for caring for them as well. Just a few more minutes, please!

      Today, our society is constantly on the move. We rush through our days, often neglecting the rest our bodies and minds need. However, the question of how much rest is sufficient remains a topic of debate, with different studies yielding varying results.

       Some assert that eight hours of sleep per night is adequate, while others claim that four to six hours of restful sleep should suffice. Many busy individuals attempt to get by with as little sleep as possible, while others, at the opposite end of the spectrum, seem to spend a significant portion of their lives in slumber.

      Solomon is addressing those who indulge in prolonged slumber in today’s passage. This stands in stark contrast to the diligent ants mentioned in the preceding verses. Instead of remaining active, these individuals seek a bit of extra sleep, rise for a brief respite, and then, out of idleness, return to bed. Consequently, their laziness leaves them fatigued and lacking the motivation to accomplish anything meaningful.

      Solomon issues a stern warning against this life of indolence. He likens it to a journey where one meanders aimlessly, accomplishing nothing along the way, only to face a sudden and dreadful conclusion. Such a lifestyle leads to physical and literal ruin. He also draws a parallel to a life suddenly plundered by an armed assailant, leaving one with nothing. In a similar manner, a life of idleness ultimately leaves you empty-handed as time slips away.     
 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Yes, WORK is a four-letter word. Nevertheless, it is a word that we need in our life. The Bible declares that if a man will not work, he, in turn, should not eat. It does not say that work should be our entire life, but it should be a part of it. God will supply our needs; however, He often does it through a job.

What are your thoughts on the balance of WORK & REST?

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: MARCH 6, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Deuteronomy 4 – Deuteronomy 6
    Proverbs 6:9 – 11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Numbers 16-18
   Mark 10:1-31

Lessons From The Ants
March 5, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 6:4-8
Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        BUGS, INSECTS!!! Even the words make some people’s skin crawl. Most often, we associate pests with them. When something goes wrong in our computer programs, it is called a “bug” in the program. If someone is bothering you, you might say, “Quit bugging me,” or “Stop being such a pest.”

      However, Solomon points out a valuable lesson that can be learned from observing the ANT. Ants evidently have no real leader. There’s no commando ant barking out orders, telling all the other ants what to do and where to go. Yet, all the ants fall into place and pull their weight. In fact, it has been said that an ant can carry many times its own weight when gathering things. Another interesting fact about ants is that they prepare in advance. They store up food and resources in preparation for winter and harsh weather.

      So, what are we to learn from these little industrious creatures? First, we learn that saving is not a sin. Some may tell you that the Bible never speaks of putting anything away for the future, and that you’re just to rely on God day by day for everything. However, this is not true. God gives us wisdom to see a future need, and we should be wise and save for it. God has still supplied for the need.

      Next, we see that we should not have to be told to do something in order for it to be done. Simply get busy and get it done. Additionally, teamwork sure does help.

    One great thing about the church I’m privileged to pastor is that they work as a team if there is a true need in our midst. Teamwork means getting it done together. We should not be sluggards or lazy. God provides the materials, but we must still use them to the best of our ability for His glory.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Next time you observe ants, pay attention to how industrious they are. God has provided them with everything they need to thrive; all they must do is utilize it. He has done the same for us. Now, what will you do with it?

Can you see how God also gave us the ANT as reminders
of His provision for us in means and methods?

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: MARCH 5, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
   Deuteronomy 1 – Deuteronomy 3
   Proverbs 6:4 – 8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Numbers 15
   Mark 9:30-50

Watch Out For The DEBT TRAP
March 4, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 6:1-3
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Credit was once something hard to obtain. You had to maintain a clean financial record and avoid any bad debts just to consider getting a credit card or a loan. However, today, almost anyone, anywhere, and at any time can acquire a credit card. Most stores now offer their own credit cards, and many have partnered with major credit card companies, allowing you to use their cards at other stores as well. Sounds great, right? WRONG!


      The problem is that many people today carry more credit card debt than they can ever hope to pay off in a reasonable amount of time. If creditors were to contact them, claiming they were going out of business and needed immediate repayment, most people wouldn’t have the funds to do so.


      Even worse, many people are only making the minimum payment each month. By doing so, they are barely, if at all, covering the interest, and will end up paying the credit card company indefinitely. Let’s imagine purchasing a television for five hundred dollars and making only the minimum payment on your credit card. By the time you have paid off that TV, several things will probably have happened. Your grandchildren will have graduated from college, the TV will have been replaced twice, and you will have paid several thousand dollars for your initial five-hundred-dollar purchase.


      Debt is a trap that society has tried to lure us into. Even worse, many have willingly jumped into this debt trap. Sadly, they find themselves swimming against the tide of interest for years to come. Don’t let the world control your financial future. Let God guide you..     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     You might be wondering, “How can I escape this debt trap?” First and foremost, STOP BUYING THINGS YOU DO NOT NEED! If you are burdened by substantial debt, you need to live within your financial means. Second, PRAY. Seek God’s guidance, wisdom, and self-control daily. Then, PAY. Start making additional payments on your debts, and one day they will be gone. It will take time, but the freedom is absolutely worth it.

 

Will you let God guide you out of debt?

 

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: MARCH 4, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Numbers 33 – Numbers 36
    Proverbs 6:1 – 3

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Numbers 12-14
   Mark 9:1-29

 

WEEKEND REVIEW
March 2 & 3, 2024

Proverbs 5:21

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the
LORD, and he pondereth all his goings

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 8 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 5-6

WEEK 8 – 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

March 2
Numbers 9-11
Mark 8:22-38
March 3
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

March 4
Numbers 33 – Numbers 36
Proverbs 6:1 – 3
March 5
Deuteronomy 1 – Deuteronomy 3
Proverbs 6:4 – 8
March 6
Deuteronomy 4 – Deuteronomy 6
Proverbs 6:9 – 11
 March 7
Deuteronomy 7 – Deuteronomy 10
Proverbs 6:12 – 15
March 8
Deuteronomy 11 – Deuteronomy 14
Proverbs 6:16 – 19
March 9
Proverbs 6
March 10
No Passages Assigned  

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

March 4
Numbers 12-14
Mark 9:1-29
March 5
Numbers 15
Mark 9:30-50
March 6
Numbers 16-18
Mark 10:1-31
March 7
Numbers 19-20
Mark 10:32-52
March 8
Numbers 21-22
Mark 11
March 9
Numbers 23-25
Mark 12:1- 27
March 10
No Passages Assigned