DEVOTIONS

Too Much, Is Too Much
October 21, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 25:14-17
 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain. By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    The conclusion of our passage today suggests an old phrase: “Don’t overstay your welcome.” Even close friends require their own space and moments of solitude. Husbands and wives, who are the closest of friends, also need time alone. They not only need personal space but also moments alone with God.

    Remember, too much of anything is not always a good thing. “Hast thou found honey?” Our text raises an important question: What about honey? Honey is a natural sweetener, and a small amount of it can be quite delightful and even beneficial for your health. However, excessive consumption can lead to illness.

    As human beings, we often tend to be creatures of excess. When we discover something or someone we truly enjoy, our desire for more can become obsessive. We fixate on it, and what was once a source of pleasure can transform into a problem. These obsessions can consume our thoughts, time, and even our entire lives. Any object or pursuit that draws us away from God, no matter how seemingly good, has the potential to become an idol. We may start to prioritize the gift over the Giver of all good things.

    Objects, in and of themselves, are not inherently evil. They are simply things, devoid of a soul or conscience. These items are not responsible for leading us away from God. Instead, it’s the person’s obsession with these objects that becomes the issue. We have all heard what it says in 1 Tim 6:10; “the love of money is the root of all evil:” Money is not evil. It is the over obsession toward money which cause the problem. The entire verse says, “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Why, then, is this object a problem? Because it leads many astray from their faith. Abandoning God for anything or anyone will inevitably mark the commencement of numerous sorrows.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     “Everything in moderation.” This would be an excellent motto for all Christians, except when it comes to God and His Word. In those cases, you simply can’t get enough of Him.

Do you ever forgot the giver of the gift when fixating on the gift itself??

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: October 21, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Luke 8 – Luke 9
  Proverbs 25:14 – 17

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 59-62 1
  Thess. 5

WEEKEND REVIEW
October 19 & 20, 2024

Proverbs 25:13

As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
so is a faithful messenger
to them that send him:
for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

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 41 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 24-25

WEEK 41 – 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:

October 19, 2024
Isa. 53-58
1 Thess. 3-4
October 20, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

October 21, 2024
Luke 8 – Luke 9
Proverbs 25:14 – 17
October 22, 2024
Luke 10 – Luke 11
Proverbs 25:18 – 20
October 23, 2024
Luke 12 – Luke 14
Proverbs 25:21 – 24
October 24, 2024
Luke 15 – Luke 17
Proverbs 25:25 – 28
October 25, 2024
Luke 18 – Luke 20
Proverbs 26:1 – 5
October 26, 2024
Proverbs 25 – 26
October 27, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

October 21, 2024
Isa. 59-62
1 Thess. 5
October 22, 2024
Isa. 63-66
2 Thess. 1-2
October 23, 2024
Jer. 1-3
2 Thess.3
October 24, 2024
Jer. 4-6
1 Tim. 1
October 25, 2024
Jer. 7-9
1 Tim. 2-3
October 26, 2024
Jer. 10-12
1 Tim. 4
October 27, 2024
No Passages Assigned

Like A Mountain Stream
October 18, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 25:11-13
 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Have you ever found yourself near a cool mountain stream? The snow that has blanketed the mountaintop slowly melts under the noonday sun’s warmth. The result is a flow of cold, crystal-clear water cascading down into the valleys below. This water is as transparent as a pane of glass and, in addition to its clarity, it possesses a wonderfully refreshing chill. For someone toiling hard at the mountain’s base, this cool, clear water can feel like a blessing from God after a strenuous day’s work. One must exercise caution not to indulge too much and become bloated, though. Nevertheless, its coolness, goodness, and refreshment are irresistible.

 

    Our verses today convey the same sense of goodness. Just as the refreshing, invigorating, and thirst-quenching cold water flows down from the snow-covered mountaintop to rejuvenate those toiling in the valley below, a messenger who brings faithful truth can provide similar comfort to our souls.

 

    God’s truth and His saving grace are, as the verses suggest, like apples of gold in a silver bowl and precious jewels to the wearer. They are akin to a refreshing drink of water on a scorching day. The good news, known as the Gospel, holds immeasurable value and provides soul-refreshing relief to those burdened by the sins of today. Would you like to be God’s faithful messenger of this uplifting news today?

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Not only can the message bring comfort, but if you look at those verses again, they also mention that the messenger refreshes the one who sent them. Oh, dear child of God, wouldn’t you like to be that for the Lord today? To be a source of refreshment to Him as we faithfully deliver His message. Just like a cool glass of water to a parched and thirsty world and an obedient child to our God.

 

Will God be refreshed by what you say and do 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: October 18, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Luke 6 – Luke 7
  Proverbs 25:11 – 13

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 49-52 1
  Thess. 1-2

 

Think It Through
October 17, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 25:8-10
 Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Passion, zeal, and enthusiasm are all positive qualities to possess, provided they are kept under control and channeled appropriately. In our verses today, Solomon is cautioning his son about the potential pitfalls of acting impulsively without thoughtful consideration.

    Taking time to think things through does not mean discussing the matter with everyone who crosses your path. Often, we have a tendency to alter or exaggerate facts to win others to our point of view, and we tend to seek out those who agree with us. If the issue involves someone else, resolving it between two believers should typically remain a private matter unless others are directly involved.

    Our wisdom should always come from God. To make sound decisions when faced with a matter, it’s wise to take a moment to pray and seek God’s guidance. Many times, God will intervene and handle the matter for you before any action is required on your part. Deciding to address a problem without first praying about it is akin to entering a battle without a clear strategy. You go in with your preconceived notions of what you want and what’s best for you. However, as believers, our initial question should be: What does God want? What might His priorities be in this situation or decision? How can God use you in the midst of what’s happening?

    While passion, zeal, and enthusiasm are admirable qualities, they should be directed toward doing the work of our Heavenly Father. If this is our primary goal, God will be glorified rather than horrified.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

Here are a few straightforward rules for conflict resolution:
➢ Sleep on it if possible: Avoid rushing to judgment; take your time to reflect.
➢ Discuss it privately with the person: Not every issue needs to be aired in public.
➢ Protect your testimony and that of the person involved: Keep in mind that both testimonies play a role in representing God. Remember, the world is watching us.

Do you ever have the tendency to act before you pray?

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: October 17, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Luke 3 – Luke 5
  Proverbs 25:8 – 10

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 45-48
  Col. 4

Come Up, Put Down
October 16, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 25:4-7
 Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer. Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men: For better it is that it be said unto thee, Come up hither; than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince whom thine eyes have seen.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Have you ever experienced embarrassment? If we were honest, we would all admit to feeling embarrassed at some point in our lives. But what exactly causes this feeling of embarrassment? Is it when we are alone, singing a wrong note or spilling our coffee, or making a mistake in golf or tripping over a rug? No, in those moments, we typically feel frustrated or annoyed with ourselves, but we don’t label it as embarrassment. Why is that? It’s because there’s no one present to witness our mishaps.

 

    So, what then triggers our embarrassment? It seems to stem from not wanting others to think less of us, to perceive us as incompetent or silly in some way. It’s often tied to our pride. We all take pride in being proficient at what we do, and embarrassment arises when we falter in something that might seem simple to others. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that everyone makes mistakes eventually.

 

    One thing we don’t need to make a mistake about is falling into the trap of arrogant pride. This kind of pride shouts, “Hey, look at me!” It involves boasting and self-elevation, which tends to drive people away. Nobody enjoys being around someone who constantly brags. Today’s passage reminds us that it’s better to have others recognize our abilities and invite us forward, saying, “come up hither,” than to face embarrassment or be “put lower” in front of everyone else.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     1 Peter 5:6,7 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” As Christians, we must allow God to be the one who exalts us in His own way and at His own time.

 

What have you learned from your UP’S and DOWN’S in 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: October 16, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Luke 1 – Luke 2
  Proverbs 25:4 – 7

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 42-44
  Col. 3