DEVOTIONS

Oh, To Be RICH
May 24, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:7-9
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Oh, to be RICH! To have all the money you would ever want. If we are honest, this seems like the dream of most people today. Admit it, we all want to be financially secure. To be able to do whatever we want, and to go wherever we would like to go. However, there is a difference in financial security and the overwhelming desire to be rich. We often find people with lots of money are not really happy. Let them get deathly ill, they would trade everything for a few more days of life.

    Verse 7 could be read a couple of different ways. “There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing.” You might see this as a person who has attained all the wealth they might want, but in the process, they have forgotten family, friends, and God. Now, even with all this wealth, they are empty inside. Then again, you may read this as someone who has very little financially; however, they have made themselves rich with a fine family, a love for God, and great Christian friends, and yet the world sees them as having nothing.

    Verse 7 also says, “There is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.” Some people who have money live simple lives. Not flaunting a God-given abundance financially but using it as God would intend them to. No one around them knows of their wealth. Then there are also people who choose to live amazingly simple lives; they never desire much in this world, yet they are rich in family and have a rich inheritance with God.

    The question is, “What makes you RICH?” If it’s only money, then you’re actually very poor. What really matters in life are relationships. Relationships with family and friends are important, but the most important relationship is the one you have with God. If you have that, you are wealthy indeed!

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    This would be a great day to call and renew a relationship. It would also be a great time to call on God and keep that relationship on track. If you’ve never had a relationship with God, He is waiting to start one. Then you can say, “I am RICH.”

What makes you feel rich?

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: May 24, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 24-28
   Proverbs 13:7-9

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 18-19
   John 8:1-30

Who Would You Believe?
May 23, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:4-6
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     During an election year campaign, a local public official made a comment referring to the candidates who were running for that public office. It went something like this: “If six people were campaigning, and two of the candidates were Christians, I would come closer to believing the Christians.” That’s not word for word, but close.

    The head of a Jewish organization took offense, saying the politician should not be in office if that is their bias. How silly is that statement? Using that reasoning, this Jewish leader should not be the head of his Jewish organization because his bias toward Jewish people would not allow him to treat the rest of us with equal respect.

    Bias toward one thing or another is possible everywhere. The fact is people do trust religious people more than non-religious people. For me, as a born-again Christian, I would trust a Christian over those of other faiths. Why? Because I’m a Christian, and I know what the Bible teaches.

    Do you want to be trusted? Well, sure you do. Do you want to be respected? Everyone does. How can you do that? First, trust in the Lord and quit trying to do things your own way. Believe God has a better design for your life. In everything you do, acknowledge God. You may wonder, “How can that happen in real life?” One way might be when you eat a meal, stop for a second to pray. No matter where you are, most often people will be silent for a moment while you pray. It gives others a moment to pause and reflect on where they are with God.

    Acknowledging God is more than a mealtime prayer. It’s including God in every single moment of every single day. Remember, people are watching you. So is God!

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    People are looking for someone to trust. They will not believe it simply by the words you say until they see a life that matches what is said. Live for Christ daily, and really LIVE!

Who wold you believe?

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: May 23, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
   2 Chronicles 19-23
   Proverbs 13:4-6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 15-17
   John 7:37-53

Who Knows The Way?
May 22, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:1-3
A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Once, while traveling through Arkansas, I encountered a dilemma. There were two roads on the map that could take me from where I was to my destination. One road on the map went almost straight north, passing through a couple of small towns. It was a country road, and I anticipated that the speed limit on this route would likely be fifty or even less at times. The other option was an interstate highway, about forty-five miles longer. It extended east past the city I wanted to reach and then veered back northwest. However, it was an interstate, and I expected the speed limit to be sixty-five or better for the entire journey. The country road seemed much shorter and more direct.

    I asked a nearby trucker for advice on which route to take, and he said, “Son, take the highway. You don’t want to travel that old, crooked country road.” I thought to myself, “Who does he think he’s talking to? I’ve traveled country roads before, and I’m in a car, not a truck.” So, I decided to take the country road.

    Initially, the country road seemed great for about the first thirty miles. However, it soon started to wind back and forth, back, and forth. As I ascended a mountain, my speed was reduced to a crawl, averaging only about ten to fifteen miles per hour. I contemplated turning back, but I had gone too far to do so, so I continued on. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I should have heeded the wisdom of someone who had extensive experience traveling these roads for a living.

    In life’s journey, God has placed people around us who have traveled similar paths before us and from whom we can gain valuable wisdom. Parents, pastors, and friends are there to offer guidance and support. It would be wise for us to listen to their advice, as it can make our life’s journey more enjoyable and less treacherous.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     The best instruction comes from someone who not only knows the road already traveled but also the road ahead. God is the only one who knows the beginning and the end. His Word will guide us through life’s winding trails. Let God be your guide.

What has God shown you today
that will help you in your life down the road?

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: May 22, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 13-18
   Proverbs 13:1-3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 13-14
   John 7:1-36

Waste Not, Want Not
May 21, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 12:25-28
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them. The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    For people who grew up during “The Great Depression,” wasting things was out of the question. They learned the value of using everything to its fullest and taking care of their possessions to make them last as long as possible.

    Today, we live in a disposable generation where items are designed to be thrown away. We’ve become accustomed to disposing of things so much that some people discard non-disposable items simply because they no longer like them. In many cases, these items could have been donated to a charity or given to a friend. However, in this disposable item generation, it’s often seen as easier to just toss them out rather than dealing with the hassle of finding another use for them.

    The idea in our verse, “the slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting:” addresses just such a problem. Lazy or careless individuals appear to disregard the value of life itself and end up wasting it. They not only waste their possessions but also squander their time and talents. Then, when life reaches its end, they often wonder why they have nothing to show for it. Many times, it’s because they didn’t appreciate what they had. They took time for granted, thinking it would never run out. They believed that material things were replaceable, and their talents were often selfishly used. Eventually, even their talents began to diminish.

    Remember, life itself is a gift from God, and this means that all the things and talents we possess in this life are also gifts from Him. Understanding that God grants us these gifts is why our passage emphasizes that “the substance of a diligent man is precious.”

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    “Waste not, want not” is another old saying. When we recognize the giver, everything He bestows upon us becomes precious, and we won’t have the desire to squander His gifts. By not wasting what He provides, we might earn His trust to receive even more. Food for thought!

What might you be wasting that God could use
to be a blessing to others?

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: May 21, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 7-12
   Proverbs 12:25-28

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 11-12
   John 6:34-71

Hand Up, Or Hand Out?
May 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 12:21-24
There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight. A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness. The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

      When I was a young boy, I would often hear statements like, “If you put your mind to it, you can even become the President of the United States.” Others would advise, “If you work hard and keep your nose clean, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.” Back then, I did not quite grasp the correlation between “keeping one’s nose clean” and achieving success, even though I had noticed influential people frequently wiping their noses on television.

    As I matured, I realized that these pieces of advice mirrored what God’s Word has emphasized all along: with diligence and hard work, success is attainable. On the other hand, if one adopts a lazy attitude, always seeking handouts and feeling entitled, they will always find themselves under tribute, or indebted to others.

    I’ve often observed that those who constantly rely on others, expecting handouts, eventually lose whatever they believed they possessed. The reality is that everything belongs to God; we are merely caretakers of His blessings.

    The Bible instructs us to approach every task as if we’re doing it for the Lord. Hence, when we work diligently for Him, He ensures our needs are met.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    God never asks us to do more than we are capable of doing. However, He always expects us to do everything within our capacity. What can you do for the Lord today? Take a moment to express gratitude to Him for the opportunity to contribute to His purpose.

So, are you looking for a HAND UP or HAND OUT?

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: May 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Chronicles 1-6
    Proverbs 12:21-24

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   1 Kings 9-10
   John 6:1-33