DEVOTIONS

Led To Lead
June 12, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 14:27-29
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Leadership can be lonely. People assume that because leaders have a number of followers and always seem to have someone around them, there is no possible way for them to ever feel lonely.

    However, the truth of the matter is that if a leader is a true leader, they will always be out in front of the people, carving a path for them to follow. Leaders often walk on dangerous ground while others wait to see if it’s safe. They are regularly criticized by those who follow and also by those who refuse to follow for the moves and decisions they make. Leading is a lonely endeavor. Nevertheless, it’s the only path a true leader can take because they can see no other way in life.

    In the multitude of people who are led correctly, there is honor. Without people, leaders are no longer leaders; they are just another person on a hike. However, leaders who lead incorrectly often leave behind few or angry followers for any leaders who may come after them, thereby making leadership difficult.

    So, how can you lead and know you are leading correctly? What gives a leader the confidence to take a group of people into uncharted areas of their lives? Verse 27 answers this question: Respect and reverence for God and our Lord Jesus Christ is, “a fountain of life.” Leading people to Christ and guiding them into a greater walk with Him is always safe. As the verse says it will help them, “to depart from the snares of death.” Everything else is simply a gamble.    

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Everyone is a leader, whether they like it or not. Someone is following you along the path you are walking. The question then becomes, where are you leading them? It’s also true that you are leading them either closer to God or farther away from Him. We should all pray: “Oh God, be my guide. Holy Spirit, guard my path. Jesus, be my life. Amen.”

Where will you lead people 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 12, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 18-21
  Proverbs 14:27-29

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 6-7
  John 17

Have We Forgotten Too?
June 10, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 14:20-23
The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Years ago, there was a television program called “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” It took us inside the homes of the ultra-rich and famous people of the world, showcasing their vacation spots, cars, and toys. It was a highly popular show as everyone wanted to see how the wealthy lived.

    I wonder what type of program it would have been if they had called it “Lifestyles of the Poor and Lonely.” It could have taken us into the back alleys where some people struggle for mere existence. What if they had followed a family forced to live in their car because some of the rich and famous cared more about their profits than the people who helped them achieve their status? Or shown us the home of a single parent, struggling week after week just to pay the rent and put some food on the table for the family. What if they had depicted a Rescue Mission with people gathered around, thanking God for one more meal that day? I have to wonder what kind of viewership that program would have received. It might have attracted viewers initially, but as it began to stir feelings of guilt about not reaching out to help, I’m sure the ratings would have sharply declined.

    I understand that some people are facing tough times due to their own choices, but there are also many who have been neglected and forgotten. As Christians, we should ask ourselves if we have also forgotten them.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    If you want to be involved in a ministry where people are immediately grateful for what you do, consider finding a Rescue Mission or Retirement Home in your area and volunteer to help. Not only will those you serve be grateful, but the God you serve will also be grateful, and soon send His blessings your way.

Who might you know who could use a friend 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 10, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 6-10
  Proverbs 14:20-23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 1-2
  John 16:1-15

WEEKEND REVIEW
June 8 & 9, 2024

Proverbs 14:2

He that walketh in his
uprightness feareth the LORD:
but he that is
perverse in his ways
despiseth him.

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 22 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 13-14

WEEK 22 – 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 8, 2024
2 Kings 25
John 15
June 9, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

June 10, 2024
Job 6 – Job 10
Proverbs 14:20-23
June 11, 2024
Job 11 – Job 17
Proverbs 14:24-26
June 12, 2024
Job 18 – Job 21
Proverbs 14:27 – 29
June 13, 2024
Job 22 – Job 25
Proverbs 14:30 32
June 14, 2024
Job 26 – Job 30
Proverbs 14:33-35
June 15, 2024
Proverbs 14-15
June 16, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

June 10, 2024
1 Chron. 1-2
John 16:1-15
June 11, 2024
1 Chron. 3-5
John 16:16-33
June 12, 2024
1 Chron. 6-7
John 17
June 13, 2024
1 Chron. 8-9
John 18:1-18
June 14, 2024
1 Chron. 10-11
John 18:19-40
June 15, 2024
1 Chron. 12-14
John 19:1-30
June 16, 2024
No Passages Assigned

The Cost Of Living
June 7, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 14:16-19
A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     The cost of living is a subject constantly on people’s minds today. Fuel prices seem to remain unstable, leading to high transportation costs for items moved by air, rail, or truck. Corporations also feel the financial strain, resulting in the average worker’s paycheck staying the same or, in many cases, being reduced. This financial pressure from both sides contributes to a decline in sales for bigger ticket items like houses, cars, and boats. It all adds up to what we call “the cost of living.”

    However, what is the true cost of real living? Another way to phrase that would be, what is the price of having a real life? The answer is “everything.” The eventual cost of living for oneself and in this world is everything. Sinfulness and the accompanying lifestyle cost friendships, relationships, freedom, health, dignity, self-esteem, reputations, and the list goes on and on. There is always one more party to attend, one more bet to place, one more drug to use, or one more of this or that until life is gone. In James 1:15 it says, “…and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Yes, sin will cost you the ultimate price—your life. At the end of the journey here on earth, without Christ, it costs you everything. In other words, as our text today says, “the simple inherit folly.” Living with false confidence that you’ll always have one more day to get things right leads people to the day when they discover that all their days are gone.

    The Christian life also costs everything. It cost Christ His life to pay for our sins, and He asks us to dedicate our lives to Him. However, when we do surrender our lives to Him, we inherit a good testimony, trust, true friends, freedom, and eternal life. Now, my friend, this is a cost of living worth investing in.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    If you must invest everything, why not invest in the greatest return? Invest everything in the world and end up with nothing. Give your life to Christ and gain everything. Hmmm, what to do!

What investments are you making 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 7, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Job 1-5
   Proverbs 14:16-19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   2 Kings 23-24
   John 14

Three Ways To Do Things
June 6, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 14:12-15
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    No matter who we are or what we are doing, there always seem to be three ways to approach things. No, that is not a typo; I meant to write three ways.

    First, there is the wrong way. Nobody really wants to do things the wrong way. You will never hear someone say, “Hey, let’s just do this all wrong to see what will happen.” They know what will happen. It will turn out wrong.

    Next, there is the right way. However, it often involves reading a bunch of directions, following specific steps, and so on. That might sound like it could take a long time.

    Therefore, we often opt for the third way, which is OUR WAY. A few shortcuts here, not so much reading there, and we’re done. Then we ask, “What do I do with the leftover parts?” Finally, when things go wrong, as they often do, we ask, “How come?” Well, the reason is that there are really only two ways to do things. Anything not done the right way is automatically the wrong way.

    In life, we cannot take shortcuts either. Not reading God’s Word and expecting life to be okay will not work. The Bible warned us about these paths thousands of years ago. The way that seems right to humans, involving shortcuts, lack of commitment, no real desire for God in our lives, the “I will have God when I want Him” attitude, is the wrong way, and it always ends in destruction.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    What is the right way? The right way is turning our lives over to God completely and not holding anything back. It is opening the Bible daily and reading the instruction book for life. Additionally, the right way involves staying in touch with the manufacturer for any updates on the product He created, which is you. Remember, if we follow the instructions, things go better.

Which way will you take 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 6, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Esther 6-10
   Proverbs 14:12-15

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   2 Kings 20-22
   John 13:18-38