Daily Devotions in Proverbs

The Scrapbook Of Our Mind
January 26, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 2:17-19
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        “A picture is worth a thousand words.” You have heard that statement before. Why does it ring so true? Because when something is left to the imagination, the mind can conjure all sorts of interpretations. However, when you see something, there is little, if any, room for imagination. In fact, almost everyone, whether they believe it or not, has a photographic memory. Close your eyes for a second and visualize your car. See the color, the interior, the wheels, and if it is like mine, the few dents. Did you encounter any difficulties in picturing that in your mind? Probably not, because it is very familiar to you.

      Our verses in Proverbs today highlight the same problem. Once you have entered the world of pornography and sexual sin, it’s nearly impossible to erase those images from your mind. You become ensnared with them for life. Can God forgive you? YES! Will God forgive you? If you genuinely repent, YES! Will you continue to be haunted by those images or actions for life? YES! Unfortunately, many people are drawn into a life of pornography and sexual sin and never manage to break free.

      In Romans 6:23, the Bible is very clear when it says, “the wages of sin is death.” If it stopped there, we would all be in trouble for eternity. However, it doesn’t stop there. It goes on to say, “but the gift of God is eternal life.” Not a part-time, hope so salvation, form of eternal life. How can this be possible for someone who has sinned like this against a Holy God? It’s only possible “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Salvation and forgiveness are forever bound in the person and blood of Jesus Christ.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Can you erase the pictures you’ve developed in your mind? NO. However, with the help of God, you can choose not to view them. God can assist you in changing your desires. We cannot unload the pictures that are already there. Nevertheless, we can certainly be cautious not to add any more to the mental scrapbook of our minds.

Are you being careful with what is put
into the scrpbook of your mind?

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 00, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
     Exodus 6 – Exodus 9
    Proverbs 2:17 – 19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
     Exodus 4-6
     Matthew 17

Compared To What?
January 25, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 2:12-16
To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths: To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        How can you determine if a line is straight? To do so, you need to find a straight reference line, place it alongside the line in question, and check for alignment. How can you ascertain if something is level? You can achieve this by comparing it to a known level, either using a level tool or by measuring against another surface you are certain is level. How can you distinguish between good and evil in a person? To accomplish this, you must first establish what is good and then evaluate the person against that standard.

      Jesus was once called good in Matthew 19:16. Jesus responded in verse 17 by saying, “…Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God…” Jesus pointed us to what must be our measurement of good, “God.” God gave us His Son, Jesus, God in the flesh, for us to have a visible measurement. He also gave us the Bible so that we might know His heart. Therefore, to know what is good, we must measure it up to what we know is good. That would be the Word of God and Jesus.

      God is holiness. Evil individuals tend to avoid holiness, as they are drawn to the darker aspects of life. Jesus is the Light of the world. Evil people often operate in the shadows, as they are not entirely open and honest. Jesus came to assist and save people. God’s profound love for us led Him to send Jesus for this very purpose.

      The term “froward” means perverted or deviating from what is right. The wicked appear to take pleasure in witnessing others fail. They relish it when others stumble or veer away from the correct path. Therefore, today, we are providing you with tools to measure goodness. Now, go and put them to use.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Some things remain constant. A straight line has always been straight, and “level” still means level. God has perpetually been good, and the Word of God remains steadfastly true.

How do we measure ourselves against these standards?

 

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 25, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
      Exodus 1 – Exodus 5
     Proverbs 2:13 – 16

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
     Exodus 1-3
     Matthew 16

Two Plates From Which To Choose
January 24, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 2:10-12
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Picture yourself walking into a room, and in the room, there are two plates of food. One plate is marked “healthy and nutritious.” However, it did not look so appetizing. It wasn’t gross or smelly, but it did not appear as appealing as the other plate. The other plate is marked “Poison.” Nevertheless, it looks colorful and incredibly tempting. You are only allowed to choose one plate. Which will it be?

      By making the wise choice of selecting the healthy plate, two significant things have occurred. Firstly, you receive the essential vitamins and minerals your body needs to grow and maintain good health. Secondly, you avoid consuming something that could have been deadly.

      Wisdom and the world are much like these plates of food. As long as you’re sitting back and observing them, neither will have any impact on you. However, eventually, you’ll have to partake. When wisdom enters your heart and becomes a part of you, you begin to discern the evils present in this world. As your reverence for God deepens within your heart, you comprehend how sin not only harms you but also grieves God. Your appetite for more wisdom, to fortify your spirit, grows. It no longer appears plain but becomes cherished for the strength it imparts. The more wisdom you acquire, the stronger you become. Your decisions are now grounded in facts and wisdom, not in fanciful dreams and deceit. You begin to perceive reality as it is and lose the desire to associate with those who lead lives of sin and distort the truth. Why? Because knowledge has become a pleasant and cherished companion in your soul. You’ve come to love it.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     The world can poison your faith in God, but God will nourish you and send you into that very world. Why does He do this? Because He loves the world you once belonged to as well. However, you must exercise caution in that world. You require your daily dose of Holy vitamins to navigate it successfully. 

Have you taken yours 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 24, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Genesis 47 – Genesis 50     /     Proverbs 2:10 – 12

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Genesis 49-50     /     Matthew 15:21-39

Knowing Which Way To Go
January 23, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 2:6-9
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        As a young boy, my parents often took us on vacation to Kentucky. This was where my dad grew up as a child, and also where my grandma still lived at the time. She lived far out in the hills, way away from any real town. There was this little store down the road, which acted as the post office, pharmacy, hardware, grocery, and general store. That store and the little Baptist church were all that were there.

      Behind my grandma’s house was a huge mountain, part of the foothills of the Cumberland Mountains. One day, I decided to go up this mountain and do some exploring. My dad had taken me up before, so I felt confident I could do it alone. It was so beautiful up there. You could see everywhere. The higher I climbed, the farther I could see. I climbed and climbed until I reached the very top of the mountain. I rested for a bit, played around a while, and then decided to go back down the mountain to the house. There was just one problem: I could see for miles, but I couldn’t see the house. I had forgotten how I got up there and how to get down. I started down the hill on what I thought was the path I came up but ended up walking through a thicket of thorn bushes and brush. When I came out to the road, I was over 2 miles away from the house, and all scratched up from my journey through the thorn bushes. I was fortunate. I could have come out on the other side of the mountain, about a ten-mile journey home. My dad had taken me up and down the mountain several times with no problem. How did he do that without ever going through the thistles and brush? Simple, he was raised there, and he knew the paths.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     God knows the paths of our lives. He keeps our paths. He will guide us in them if we will only listen to Him. However, when we go our own way, things can get rough. Let’s follow Jesus as He leads His dear children along. You don’t want to end up in the thorn bushes of life, do you?

How might you be sure to follow God’s leading 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 23, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Genesis 43 – Genesis 46     /     Proverbs 2:6 – 9

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Genesis 46-48     /     Matthew 15:1-20

 

Would You Kiss A Pig?
January 22, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 2:3-5
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

      I heard this story from a friend of mine. It goes something like this: There was a slave owner who had a daughter, and she had taken ill. Knowing one of his slaves prayed and knew God, he went out and asked him, “How can I get to know this God of yours?” The godly slave said, “Master, you have to walk across this muddy field, climb over the fence, walk through the mud, grab that big fat ugly pig, and kiss it on the mouth, then walk back through the mud, over the fence, and across the field, and then you can know Jesus.” The master said, “You are crazy” and walked off. The next day his daughter was worse. The master went back out once again to inquire of his servant; once again, he was given the same reply. This went on for several days until one day the doctor told the master that his daughter was going to die. Wanting to know about this God, he went out one last time and again received the same answer. Desperate, he walked across the muddy field, climbed over the fence, walked through the mud, grabbed the big fat ugly pig, and kissed it right on the mouth, then walked back through the mud, over the fences, and across the muddy field. He looked at the slave and asked, “Now do I know your Jesus?” The servant replied, “No master, but now you have proved you want to bad enough.”

      Friend, this is how much we should desire to know God. No matter the cost, He should be our greatest desire. Jesus told the rich young ruler in the New Testament the same thing: forsake all and follow me.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Today is truly the first day of the rest of your life. How much do you desire Jesus to be a part of it? Would you be willing to walk through the mud and kiss a pig? Good news! You don’t have to, but would you?

What would you do today to know God better?

 

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 00, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Genesis 40 – Genesis 42      /     Proverbs 2:3 – 5

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Genesis 44-45      /     Matthew 14