Daily Devotions in Proverbs

The Fruit Of Love
February 1, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 3:9-11
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Today, many people profess their love for Jesus, but their commitment falters when discussions turn to the money they’ve been blessed with by God. However, in the Old Testament, the Israelites who sought to honor God above all exhibited their faith and trust by offering Him their firstfruits. What did this entail? It didn’t mean that they went into the field, gathered ten baskets of fruit, and gave God just one basket or a mere tithe of the yield. Their faith in God ran deeper than that. What it signified was that they ventured out and, from the initial harvest, they dedicated all or the majority of their produce to God, believing that He would replenish their crops throughout the year. They gave God the very best. Could a famine have struck their land? Certainly. Nevertheless, they entrusted their firstfruits to God.

      I know, I know, some of you are saying, “Preacher, we live in the day of grace; we’re not under the law.” You are absolutely right. So, if people who hadn’t seen the Messiah, nor experienced the salvation He brought on Calvary’s Hill, placed their trust in His coming and offered Him their best, how is it that we, who have encountered the life-changing power of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, would want to give Him anything less?

     What did God promise in return for their faith in Him? He pledged to provide for all their needs and ensure they have enough. Some individuals might interpret this as a “get rich quick” verse, but God never said He would make you rich. He did say, “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” In other words, if you put your trust in God first, He will take care of your needs. If not, you may receive only what you sow, or even less.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     You’ll never outgive God. If you don’t believe me, try it. When you give with a heart filled with love for God, you will never be lacking in the love that God graciously bestows in return. It’s the fruit of love.

What are you sowing that God may harvest for 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: FEBRUARY 1, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Exodus 23 – Exodus 26
    Proverbs 3:9-11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Exodus 17-19
   Matthew 21:1-22

God Put That There
January 31, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 3:5-8
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        I once heard another preacher say, “To have an original thought is simply to forget where you first heard it.” He was likely referring to ideas used in preaching a sermon. However, the same principle seems to apply to everyone. Somehow, we forget where and how we learned certain things. Most of us do not recall learning to drink from a glass. We do it every day but cannot remember when we acquired that skill, likely because of our age at the time of learning it.

     Still, it appears that over time, there are many things we forget that we should have learned:

     ▪ We often too soon forget the price paid for our salvation.

     ▪ We quickly forget the people who gathered and prayed for our salvation.

     ▪ We neglect to continue praying for others after they receive Christ.

     ▪ We overlook the fact that the wisdom to carry out daily tasks didn’t magically appear in our minds; God instilled it within us.

     Animals possess what we call instincts, which are natural tendencies to perform specific actions. These instincts didn’t just happen; God placed them there. Humans also have natural instincts. It’s a human instinct to desire love, and God instilled that within us so that we would seek His love. When we receive genuine, unconditional love, it’s our nature to reciprocate that love. God also placed that inclination within us, so when He loves us, we would love Him in return. Not everything we know in this life is learned from mankind. “Be not wise in thine own eyes” is God’s gentle way of reminding us not to presume ourselves as too intelligent. Our faith in God and trust in Him will not only extend our days and years but also grant us Eternity.    

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Some people may not know God because they’ve never felt the true love of God. Let’s demonstrate the love of God to everyone we encounter. As God’s love shines through us, they can come to love Him too.

How might you show God’s love to someone 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: JANUARY 31, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Exodus 19 – Exodus 22
   Proverbs 3:5 – 8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Exodus 15-16
   Matthew 20

Enjoying Every Moment
January 30, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 3:1-4
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        There are 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour, and 24 hours in a day; days make months, months make years, and years placed together make a lifetime. To experience a lifetime, you must live each and every second of that life. You cannot skip a few seconds here and there at will; you must live them all. You might ask, “What if I’m in a coma? I would miss lots of time.” Not true. You might not remember the time, but you lived it, and you were affecting the lives of many around you. This chapter in Proverbs begins by reminding us to live each moment of life. 

     “Forget not my law;” Life’s guidelines are found in God’s Word. Why? Because living according to God’s design will grant you “length of days.” Not merely time spent, but truly embracing each moment of every day. The blessing of an obedient life leads to better days.

      Another benefit is “long life.” Not just a sequence of good days but also a reason to cherish those days. Today, many people say, “I have no reason to live,” and even young people are committing suicide at alarming rates. However, if you live life according to God’s way, He will guide you toward a meaningful purpose in life.

      Furthermore, you can have “peace.” The world may be engulfed in daily conflicts, yet you can still find inner peace. Peace in your heart for each day you live with God’s guidance and peace in your soul as you anticipate your eternal dwelling with Him—a peace the world cannot provide.

      How can this life be ours? By holding “mercy and truth,” two moral characteristics, close to our hearts. Mercy eliminates selfishness and hatred toward others, while truth keeps us from dishonesty and hypocrisy. A moral life indeed matters.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Everyone wants people to be real with them. We all hate phonies and liars. People also want to “find favour,” or be loved by others. If “mercy and truth” were to guide all our lives, what a better place this world would become. It does not begin with others first; it starts with you and me. Let’s enjoy every moment of life.

How might you “find favour” today
by extending God’s mercy and truth to someone else?

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: JANUARY 30, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Exodus 14 – Exodus 18
   Proverbs 3:1 – 4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Exodus 13-14
   Matthew 19:16-30

Investing Wisely
January 29, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 2:20-22
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Wisdom and knowledge will not only give you a great life now (and they will), but they will also help you steer clear of evil men and a sinful life in the present. Furthermore, they will remain with you for all eternity.

      WOW! God’s Word – what an investment. You can invest in any market you want today, and with 100% assurance, I can tell you this: there is no eternal guarantee. In fact, every broker in the world will tell you that investing in stocks is risky. However, the Word of God is something you can invest in that holds a promise of eternal value. What are these values?

     • First, you will walk in the company of good people. Why? Because you will begin to want to, and so you will. Today, you hang out with whom you want to. If you didn’t want to, you would quit it.

     • Two, you’ll keep the paths of the righteous. In other words, you will do the right things. Think about it. If you are storing God’s wisdom and knowledge in your heart and acting upon it, how can you do anything else but what the righteous would do? God makes people righteous by placing them in a right standing with Him through His Son Jesus and His Word.

     • Three, you will have possessions in the Promised Land. Not the Promised Land that Israel has, but the Bible says we will rule and reign with Him (Jesus) when He returns.

     • Fourth, you will be perfect. Are you perfect now? I will wait while you go look in the mirror and ask yourself that question. Are you back? Okay, so we are not perfect now. Nevertheless, we are made perfect in Christ Jesus. We will be perfect when Jesus comes, and sin is removed forever.

     • Finally, all those who are a problem in your life today will be saved or gone! We will live forever with Jesus.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     So, what are you waiting for? Make a deposit today. Dedicate some time to God’s Word. Imprint the Word of God onto your heart. You will be making a wise investment, and the rewards are eternal!

Did you make an investment into your life today,
or let the world make a withdrawl from 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: JANUARY 29, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Exodus 10 – Exodus 13
    Proverbs 2:20 – 22

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Exodus 10-12
   Matthew 19:1-15

 

WORK WEEK WEEKEND REVIEW
January 27 & 28, 2024

Proverbs 2:10-11

When wisdom entereth into thine heart,
and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion
shall preserve thee,
understanding
shall keep thee:

Work Week Devotions
Through The Book Of Proverbs

     By now you probably know, with WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS, we only publish 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.

Thank you for joining us
as we journey together 
Through Proverbs in 2024

WEEK 3 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 2-3

WEEK 3 – 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

January 27, 2024 
Exodus 7-9
Matthew 18
January 28, 2024 
No Passages Assigned 

 

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

January 29, 2024
Exodus 10 – Exodus 13
Proverbs 2:20 – 22
January 30, 2024
Exodus 14 – Exodus 18
Proverbs 3:1 – 4
January 31, 2024
Exodus 19 – Exodus 22
Proverbs 3:5 – 8
February 1, 2024
Exodus 23 – Exodus 26
Proverbs 3:9-11
February 2, 2024
Exodus 27 – Exodus 29
Proverbs 3:12-15
February 3, 2024
Proverbs 2-3
February 4, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

January 29, 2024
Exodus 10-12
Matthew 19:1-15
January 30, 2024
Exodus 13-14
Matthew 19:16-30
January 31, 2024
Exodus 15-16
Matthew 20
February 1, 2024
Exodus 17-19
Matthew 21:1-22
February 2, 2024
Exodus 20-22
Matthew 21:23-46
February 3, 2024
Exodus 23-24
Matthew 22
February 4, 2024
No Passages Assigned