DEVOTIONS

Please Slap My Other Hand
June 27, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:31-33
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    How many times have you watched as a child received a spanking and heard that child laugh and beg, “One more, please just give me one more?” How about a youth who had their hand slapped, saying, “Please, slap the other one too, that hand has been just as bad, but you never caught it.” More than likely, that probably never happened, and with good reason. No one likes to be disciplined.

    It never gets better as we get older. Rarely would you hear someone say, “Oh, by the way, officer, I ran two other lights and parked in a handicap zone illegally. Could you write me up for those as well? I just need my insurance payment a little higher than it is right now.” No one at any age likes to be disciplined.

    At a quick glance, you might think the verses today are saying we should somehow enjoy being punished. However, if you read them again, you will see it is not the punishment we should delight in receiving. If we are receiving discipline, it’s because we did not listen or obey what we were told to do to begin with. It says if we will hear the reproof of life, we gain understanding. When people will humble themselves enough to believe they can still learn something at any age, God counts them among the wise. That is what we should rejoice in. To the ones who refuse to listen, well, I pray you get the idea.

    Before honor comes humility. Before God can lift you up before others, He needs to know you will be humble enough to learn continually. Even learning from those whom He calls you to lead. Many a leader began by being so humble and grateful for the position God gave them, but then let pride cause them to forget the reason they were there in the first place.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    We need to listen daily for the voice of the Lord. We know we can always hear Him speak through the pages of His Word. However, He may also speak at times through those He has placed around you. Listen for that still small voice, and appreciate the fact that God is still communicating with you today.

Will you be humble enough to learn from God 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: June 27, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 54 – Psalms 64
  Proverbs 15:31 – 33

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 10-13
  Acts 5:29-42

Is God Listening To You?
June 26, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:27-30
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    I have said throughout the years that the lost, unsaved people in the world have no claim to the ear of God. In fact, in Psalms 66:18, God tells us, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

    Today, again, we see the same thing restated. It says, “The Lord is far from the wicked.” We all know that God is everywhere. He is omnipresent. So, it doesn’t mean He is physically far from the wicked. It’s a warning to the lost soul of the availability of God’s ear at any time and for any reason.

    Amid the worst this world has to offer, they have no hope of calling on God for help. The only prayer God is waiting to hear from the sinful soul is one which cries out, “be merciful unto me a sinner.” It is the call for salvation from a repentant heart. God knows the difference between a truly repentant heart and someone simply trying to escape the bad situation they have often gotten themselves into.

    Yet, in this same verse, we are told that God hears “the prayers of the righteous.” Who are they? Who are the ones referred to as the righteous? These are the people who have been made righteous by the blood of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. It is not our righteousness that causes a Holy God to bend His ear toward us. It’s the perfection of His Son, Jesus, who clothes us in His righteousness, making us appear righteous to God and continually prompting God to listen to the petitions of our hearts.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Trouble will come to everyone. That is a given in this world filled with sin in which we live. The question is not “Will trouble come?” but rather, “Who will be there with you when it does?” If you call out to God for help, will He hear you? If you’ve been saved and placed in Jesus Christ, you can know that He does.

How comforting is it to know that
the God of all the universe cares,
and is listening to 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: June 26, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 45 – Psalms 53
  Proverbs 15:27 – 30

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 7-9
  Acts 5:1-28

They Get On My Nerves
June 25, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:24-26
The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    If you were the owner of a company and two people came in to interview for the position of President of the company, which of these two would you hire?

    One says, “I can do anything you want me to do and be anything you want me to be. If you ask me to, I will be more than glad to tell people you are not here, even if you are, because I know you are a busy man who cannot be disturbed. If you would like, I can fire as many people as you need me to without batting an eye. I will be your ‘go-to’ person for anything you need.”

    The second person comes in and says, “I promise I will be dedicated and loyal. However, I cannot be something I am not. If your company is looking for a person to shade the truth, I am probably not the person for you.”

    Both hand in a resume. The first one says, “Just take a look; I have worked at several Fortune 500 companies. Sure, I have been let go a few times, but it’s because I am an enterprising person, and some people just have trouble with that kind of enthusiasm.”

    The second one says, “I hope you will look over my resume. It speaks for itself. I have only worked for a couple of places; however, I worked my way up in both. I was never fired or dismissed from either place of employment.”

    OK, you’re the owner; who do you hire? Yea, me too. “The words of the pure are pleasant words.” However, the proud and arrogant, well, they get on my nerves. It’s somewhat satisfying to know that, according to today’s verses, they also get on God’s nerves.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Slow and steady wins the race. OK, maybe that’s not always so on earth. However, the reward at the end of the race of life will always go to the child of God. Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Amen. Dear God, please let my words and thoughts be acceptable to you as well.

What’s on your resume?

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: June 25, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 38 – Psalms 44
  Proverbs 15:24 – 26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 4-6
  Acts 4

The Joy And The Sorrow
June 24, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 15:20-23
A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    One of the privileges of being a Pastor is being present with a family at the birth of their child. The smiles and joy that these new births bring are almost indescribable. The innocence and dependence of a child on the parents create an instant bond between them. However, part of the challenges of being a Pastor is helping a family cope when their children make wrong life choices. All the joy and togetherness seem to somehow vanish, replaced by sorrow and grief. This often happens as children become young adults and seek independence. The love for them remains, but the question of “why” begins to arise.

    Some parents question why God allows their child to make such choices, especially when they have worked so hard to raise them right. They wonder why a loving God would let their children turn out so differently from what they had hoped. Parents may start blaming themselves for their children’s sins, and in some cases, even blame God. However, the truth is that each child created by God and placed in your care was given free will to choose their path in life. It is not always the parents’ fault, and certainly not God’s fault. Sometimes, despite God’s and parents’ efforts to provide wisdom, grown children may refuse it. These grown children must choose to accept the wisdom of knowing God personally and walking with Him daily. Without that wisdom, the sins and folly of the world may seem appealing to them.

    During these challenging times, families need the comforting counsel of their church family and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Without this support, all the efforts of the past may seem disappointingly futile.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

   So, what do you do now? Well, never give up. Regardless of their age, they are still your children. Never stop praying and seeking the support of your church in prayer for them. Lastly, continue to be a loving example of Christ before them. Keep in mind that they must make the choice to live for God; you cannot make that choice for them.

How will you be a witness for Christ
without slamming a door on relationship?

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: June 24, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 31 – Psalms 37
  Proverbs 15:20 – 23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 1-3
  Acts 3

WEEKEND REVIEW
June 22 & 23, 2024

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the
LORD
are in every place,
beholding the evil
and
the good.

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 24 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 14-15

WEEK 24 – 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:

June 22, 2024
1 Chron. 28-29
Acts 2:37-47

June 23, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

June 24, 2024
Psalms 31 – Psalms 37
Proverbs 15:20 – 23

June 25, 2024
Psalms 38 – Psalms 44
Proverbs 15:24 – 26

June 26, 2024
Psalms 45 – Psalms 53
Proverbs 15:27 – 30

June 27, 2024
Psalms 54 – Psalms 64
Proverbs 15:31 – 33

June 28, 2024
Psalms 65 – Psalms 70
Proverbs 16:1 – 4

June 29, 2024
Proverbs 15 – 16

June 30, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

June 24, 2024
2 Chron. 1-3
Acts 3

June 25, 2024
2 Chron. 4-6
Acts 4

June 26, 2024
2 Chron. 7-9
Acts 5:1-28

June 27, 2024
2 Chron. 10-13
Acts 5:29-42

June 28, 2024
2 Chron. 14-17
Acts 6

June 29, 2024
2 Chron. 18-20
Acts 7:1-29

June 30, 2024
No Passages Assigned