DEVOTIONS

I Saw Them Do It First
August 23, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 21:1-3
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Excuses, what are they? I had a friend at our church who has since gone home to be with the Lord, and he continually told me that the definition of an excuse was “the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.”

    I am certain that we have all made up excuses at one time or another. Instead of being completely honest with someone, we would rather tell a partial truth. Sadly, we sometimes make up excuses and rehearse them to ourselves. It often begins when you start to wonder, “Should I be reading this, watching this, or listening to this? Should I be going there, hanging out with them, or even talking this way? Should I be drinking this, taking this, or smoking this?” What is the excuse we give to ourselves? Well, it may be, “I saw Mr. or Miss Christian doing it, so if it is okay for them, it must be okay.” We begin to make excuses for our life, yet inside, we have a funny feeling, and we know something is not right. However, we have tried to convince ourselves that if God lets them get away with it, He is sure to do the same for me.

    Did you ever stop to think; maybe they are watching you and thinking the same thing? Maybe they are judging their life by what they see you doing.

    The Bible says that man will find a way to make everything they do seem okay in their own eyes. God, on the other hand, looks at your heart. He knows what you know deep down inside. He knows the feeling you have, knowing whether something is wrong or right. Do you know why God knows? He put that feeling there to help you make the right choices.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    A while back, I heard a phrase that occasionally helps me: “If in doubt, don’t.” We should all operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word, rather than following someone we might see at church or at work. Let us be examples of Christ and for Christ.

Do you decide how to live based on other people,
or on God’s wisdom and Word?

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: August 23, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Lamentations 1 – Lamentations 5
  Proverbs 21:1 – 3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 97-102
  Rom. 16

Keep The Light On
August 22, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 20:27-30
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Think back to the last time you were watching TV or reading a book, and the lights suddenly went out. The cause of the sudden darkness might have been a storm or a power failure. Whatever the reason, take a moment to remember how you felt during that brief instant when your world turned black. You were likely startled, a bit frightened, and perhaps even a little uneasy. All of these words accurately describe the feelings that accompany such a sudden surprise. Darkness has a way of making us feel uneasy.

    The Bible says, “The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” In other words, God uses our spirit as a candle to examine our hearts. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: What does God see when He holds the candle of our spirit to our heart? Is our candle shining brightly, is it just a flicker, or could it be a mere glowing ember on the wick, essentially dimming the light for God.

    Does the idea of God standing right next to you, examining you at this very moment, make you feel uneasy? Are you a bit frightened by what He might hear or see in your life? Perhaps you are startled by His presence with you, similar to how you felt when the lights went out, and you were alone in the darkness.

    Our spirit should radiate joy, contentment, rejoicing, and peace. That is a spirit that glows brightly and paves the way for God’s blessings.

     Often, when we are expecting guests in the evening, we tell them, “We’ll keep the light on for you.” Let’s keep the light on for Jesus, shall we?

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    As a child, you probably sang a song that went, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” Do you remember? If you have little children at home, sing it with them today. If not, just take a moment, sing it to yourself, and reflect on the candle of your spirit. Let it shine for God.

What might God see in your heart 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: August 22, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Jeremiah 50 – Jeremiah 52
  Proverbs 20:27 – 30

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 90-96
  Rom. 15

The Master Planner
August 21, 2024

 

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 20:23-26
Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good. Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Some individuals believe they have their entire lives meticulously planned out. They’ve determined which courses to take in school to secure a particular career, and they’ve mapped out the steps to climb the ladder of success. Planning is not inherently wrong; in fact, it’s essential. Without proper planning, financial emergencies or unforeseen events like storms or illness could wreak havoc on our lives and those we leave behind.

      However, we must always remember that only God truly knows what the future holds. In His infinite wisdom, He comprehends the outcomes of our lives and those around us. Despite His knowledge, He grants us the freedom to make choices that will impact those outcomes. How does He manage this? Well, if I could provide a complete answer, I’d essentially be explaining God, which isn’t possible. God wouldn’t be much of a God if you or I could fully comprehend Him, would He?

      An old writer expressed it in a quaint way: “They who insist on carving their own path may end up cutting their fingers.” Life is a delicate dance of choices, and occasionally, we make mistakes.

     One choice that should be relatively easy to make is this: If God is the only one who truly comprehends the entirety of my life, why not entrust it to Him? He can undoubtedly use it far better than I ever could.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     If you love something, you take care of it. If it’s a pet, you do your best to feed it, love it, and keep it clean. However, you also must allow it to run and play to stay healthy. God loves you. He provides for you, loves you, and washes away your sins. Nonetheless, He also allows you to run and play. The next time you’re out enjoying your freedom, take a moment to run back to Him and express your gratitude for His love and provision.

 

Have you expressed your love to God for the freedoms He allows?

 

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: August 21, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Jeremiah 45 – Jeremiah 49
  Proverbs 20:23 – 26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 86-89
  Rom. 14

Listening To The Home Team
August 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 20:20-22
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Have you ever thought, “My parents just don’t get it!” You might assume I’m addressing teenagers, but the reality is, many of us adults have sometimes heard our parents say something and thought, “They’re out of touch.” However, when we decide to do things our way, we often discover they were wiser than we realized.

    Today’s verses delve deeper than just occasional rebellion. They address outright disobedience and even animosity towards parents.

    In the Old Testament, cursing one’s father could lead to severe consequences, including stoning. Some may think that, since such harsh punishments aren’t meted out today, they can behave as they wish without repercussions. Recall Adam and Eve’s story from the Bible? They believed they could act against God’s instructions without consequences. God had warned them they would surely die. And indeed, they faced both physical and spiritual death. When God establishes a rule, it’s in our best interest to heed it.

    I remember a piece of advice my parents gave me: “Work hard and stay out of trouble, and you’ll succeed in life.” I was puzzled by the notion of “staying out of trouble,” but the essence of hard work stuck with me. Many seek quick riches through casinos, the lottery, gambling, and other shortcuts. But when one person wins, many others lose. Today’s verses discuss an “inheritance gotten hastily,” which essentially means wealth acquired through dubious means or shortcuts. God doesn’t look favorably upon profiting from another’s misfortune. Gambling often fosters idleness, arrogance, and laziness. So, if you engage in gambling, consider how many lives might be negatively impacted by your disobedience to God. For me, gambling would mean disregarding the guidance of both my earthly and heavenly fathers.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    God has provided you with a team of life experts. If you have godly parents, it is advisable to seek their wisdom, if possible. Even unsaved parents have valuable insights based on life’s experiences. Honoring your parents is a mandate from God, and that alone should suffice as a reason to do so!

What did you learn from your HOME TEAM?

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: August 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Jeremiah 39 – Jeremiah 44
  Proverbs 20:20 – 22

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 80-85
  Rom. 13

Secrets Are To Be Secret
August 19, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 20:16-19
Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman. Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel. Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Sometimes, it can be quite tempting to share someone’s secrets. It’s as if you can’t wait to reveal what you know. However, as a Christian, after you do share, you might question whether it was a wise choice. Did my sharing actually benefit anyone?

    Did sharing help the person I was talking about, or did it further tear them down, especially when they might already be going through a difficult time?

   Did it benefit the person I confided in, or did it simply start a gossip cycle? They might misinterpret what I said, leading to a distorted version of events that never occurred.

    Lastly, did it truly benefit me? Did it make me appear trustworthy in the eyes of the person I was sharing with? Will they feel comfortable confiding in me when they have their own problems, or will they see me as a busybody who can’t be trusted with their valuable information?

   A person who frequently engages in talebearing usually only scratches the surface of the truth, missing out on the deeper truths for which they could pray or provide counsel. Additionally, we should remember that the information we hear about others may not always be accurate; it could originate from a deceitful source with ill intentions. We must learn to keep the stories we hear about one another close to our hearts and not let them slip from our lips.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

   The good news is that if you feel like you can’t hold it in any longer and just have to tell someone, there is someone who can make a difference and is waiting for you to talk to Him: God. He already knows what really happened, understands the hearts of the people involved, and alone knows how to make a genuine difference. Take it to Him, and Him alone.

What do you do with a friends information?

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: August 19, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Jeremiah 34 – Jeremiah 38
  Proverbs 20:16 – 19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 78-79
  Rom. 12