Daily Devotions in Proverbs

Raise Up A Leader
November 29, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 29:12-15
 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    John Maxwell, in his book “Developing the Leaders Around You,” stated, “Grow a leader – grow the organization.” In other words, the fate of the organization often mirrors that of its leader.

    Where could John Maxwell, a Christian author, have derived such an idea? I believe he probably drew inspiration from the Bible. This concept aligns with what verse twelve suggests. If the ruler is wicked, those who follow his lead are likely to adopt similar behavior.

    You may wonder why this happens. There could be several reasons. Firstly, a leader tends to assemble a team that supports his decisions. If his decisions are dubious, he may surround himself with individuals of questionable character to implement his ideas. Additionally, people around him might have been influenced to mimic his behavior. The methods of operation are often learned through day-to-day activities, and many may not be familiar with alternative approaches. Corrupt practices may be all they have ever known. Consequently, they may treat others deceitfully because that’s what they’ve learned. Those who refuse to participate in their dishonest schemes are often looked down upon.

    Often, we find that nothing will change in the lives of these individuals until they face real adversity. It’s only when they experience a life-threatening illness that they realize money and position cannot purchase health. While they may have access to different treatments, life itself is a gift from God. In our text, it says; “The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.” God bestows life upon both the poor and the affluent. Life and death situations have a way of equalizing things.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     When facing God someday, I desire to be on the side that showed compassion towards humanity, akin to the king who justly judged the poor. How can we nurture compassionate leaders? We raise them to be so, with godly parents who set godly examples.

How do you see those who are in leadership around 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: November 29, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Corinthians 11 – 1 Corinthians 14
  Proverbs 29:12 – 15

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Daniel 1-2
  2 Peter 2

Let Me Tell You Something
November 28, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 29:8-11
 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    People often get upset over rather trivial matters. They complain about them, ruminate on them, replay them in their minds repeatedly, and then exclaim, “I think I’ll give them a piece of my mind.” I once heard a man respond to someone who made that comment, saying, “Don’t do that, you have so little to begin with.”

    It seems to be a common tendency for most people to express their thoughts when they are angry. Occasionally, if this can be done in a calm and collected manner during a conversation, it may even be constructive. However, more often than not, this anger emerges as a barrage of hateful and slanderous words that do little to resolve the underlying issue.

    Then there are those individuals who seem compelled to share everything they know every time they see you. Fortunately, this typically doesn’t take very long if you encounter them regularly because they repeat their information each time. After all, it’s unlikely that they’ve learned that much more in such a short span of time, right?

    Unfortunately, there are also people who exploit these talkative types. They make them believe they are their friends when, in reality, they are not. To propagate the latest gossip about someone or something, these insincere friends fill the heads of those who spill their grievances when angry and then deliberately bring up topics to provoke them. As a result, when the next person mentions that subject, the individuals who love to share everything they know become like an open faucet, pouring out all the information they’ve been fed. None of these people ever gain respect from those around them.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    This sin is often called gossip, and God despises it. In today’s passage, it says, “A fool utters his mind.” The issue is that all they have in their mind is a small part of the story. They often do not know the whole picture. Let us be wise believers and wait to discern what is on God’s mind before we speak too much.

Do you ever note that someone
who shares very little about those around them
is actually saying alot about
the Holy Spirit that resides in them?

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: November 28, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Corinthians 6 – 1 Corinthians 10
  Proverbs 29:8 – 11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Ezekiel 46-48
  2 Peter 1

Forever, For Free
November 27, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 29:5-7
 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    If you want a test to help you identify your true friends, tell them you are broke. The wealthy always seem to have friends around them. People flock to them like hungry dogs around a dinner table, hoping for a scrap to fall their way. But ask yourself, are these genuine friends?

    Would you like to live your life wondering if the people who claim to be your friends truly are? Wondering if they like you for who you are, or do they like you for what you might be able to give them? It doesn’t have to be money; it could be a talent you possess. Perhaps these so-called friends only show up when they need to use that talent. Maybe you own an item they like to borrow, and you only see them when they come to borrow it or when you have to retrieve it from them because they forgot to return it.

    Often, it’s what you have that attracts these friends. In the case of the wealthy, it’s their money that people enjoy, not necessarily the person. Money can lead some people to be deceitful and false friends, but they usually get exposed eventually. Fake friendships can’t be maintained forever.

    Those who are considered financially poor are often richer in genuine friendship than the wealthy. Let me explain. The wealthy may have only a couple of real friends, but they can’t distinguish them from the crowd of impostors. They are socially bankrupt. The financially poor may also have only a few friends, but they truly know them. So, ask yourself, who is truly wealthy, and who is actually poor?

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    When seeking friends in this world, take a moment to understand why they are in your life. If you begin by buying their friendship with material things, remember that when your resources dwindle, so may your friendships. On the other hand, Jesus will always be your friend. He desires your companionship and wants you to be with Him, forever, without any cost.

Do you have real friends?
Is Jesus number one on that list?

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: November 27, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Corinthians 1 – 1 Corinthians 5
  Proverbs 29:5 – 7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Ezekiel 42-45
  1 Peter 4-5

We Have A Choice
November 26, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 29:1-4
 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance. The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    It seems that today’s Bible passages once again emphasize a valuable truth we should all remember well: when good people are in positions of authority, there is rejoicing among the people.

    The recurring problem we face, both in the United States and around the world, resembles the challenge that the children of Israel encountered many years ago. It is the issue that arises when we become happy and content, leading to spiritual amnesia. We forget the importance of placing righteous leaders in authority. We forget that God blesses decisions made in alignment with His Word and His Will. However, He also permits the natural consequences of sin and destruction to occur when we knowingly choose sin. When we allow individuals with perverted views of biblical morals to rule over us, we receive what we ask for.

    Doing nothing at all is as detrimental, if not worse, than placing such leaders in authority in the first place. As Christians, we must stand up for God’s Word not only at home but also in our churches, neighborhoods, and workplaces or schools.

    We also have a responsibility to uphold God’s truths when making decisions about our leadership. Our nation and our children rely on us to pass on a future that will endure. Ungodly actions will never endure. Even if no one else sees you when you cast your votes, God knows.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Pray for the leadership over you today, especially if you believe they are not saved. Pray that someone will reach them with the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray that they will have the courage to stand up for what is right. This is truly a bipartisan action. We need to pray for ALL the leaders of this great land, regardless of party affiliation. Let’s be truly thankful to the one true God who has granted many of us the freedom we cherish so much.

Is it possible you have taken
some of your freedoms from God
for granted?

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: November 26, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Romans 13 – Romans 16
  Proverbs 29:1 – 4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Ezekiel 39-41
  1 Peter 3

A World With No Crime
November 25, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 28:26-28
 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered. He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Can you imagine a world with no crime? There would be no murders, no thefts, no rapes, no drugs, and no criminal activities of any kind anywhere. What a different world this would be. There would be no need for police. Since there is no crime of any kind, when city officials hung traffic signals and signs, people would simply obey them all. There would be no need for military might in any country. All nations would respect borders and boundaries set by other nations and their people. Additionally, since there is no crime, all any country would ever need would be civil laws. There would never be any abuse of women or children, and no excessive taxation of citizens. Taxes and tax laws would be sensible, and all people would willingly contribute their share to support this perfect government. No one would evade taxes, so we would have no need for the IRS. A few accountants to manage the funds and deposit them in banks would suffice. Agencies like the FBI and CIA would become obsolete. Finally, the evening news would have some positive stories to report for a change.

 

    You may have thought, “Right, in your dreams, preacher.” Well, you are correct; it exists only in my dreams. I look forward to a place called heaven where God rules, and there is no more sin. Oops, I apologize. We don’t like to call it sin anymore, do we? Instead, we prefer terms like crime or social imbalance. It sounds less religious.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     How wonderful this world would be if there were no sin. However, the reality is that sin still exists in this world today. Our nation’s leaders need our prayers and support as they strive to lead us to a safer and happier place to live. God is still in control, but He has given us the right to self-govern. We must pray for, vote for, and support godly leadership.

 

What leader in your life did you pray for 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: November 25, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Romans 9 – Romans 12
  Proverbs 28:26 – 28

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Ezekiel 36-38
  1 Peter 2