DEVOTIONS

Some New Old Stuff
April 19, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 10:10-13
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Archaeologists are continually finding new old stuff. The older the thing they discover, the more valuable it becomes. In fact, one might even argue that if they could uncover the oldest thing ever to exist in the universe, it would be the most valuable possession of all. Well, if you’ll share this knowledge with everyone, I’ll reveal to you where it can be found. It’s written in the pages of God’s Word; it’s Wisdom, embodied in the person of Jesus Christ.

      Wisdom existed alongside Christ before the Earth was ever created. I understand that this concept might be challenging to grasp. In our modern, time-conscious world, it’s difficult to contemplate a time before time itself. However, wisdom was present in Christ before the creation of the Earth, before the formation of even a single angel, and before the trinity brought any planet into existence in the entire universe. God’s wisdom conceived, created, designed, developed, and continues to uphold and harmoniously govern everything beyond our imagination.

      Our verses state, “In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found.” All that we were, are today, and aspire to become is enveloped in God’s wisdom. When time ceases to exist, wisdom will endure. When Earth, as we know it, ceases to exist, wisdom will persist.

      The most valuable entity in all of time and eternity, both then and now, is Godly Wisdom. The best part is that you can possess some of it today if you desire. Do you want to acquire a piece of this Ancient Wisdom?

     

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     James 1:5 says this; “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Get some of God’s wisdom through His Word today.

What can you do today to share God’s Wisdom with a friend?

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: APRIL 19, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
   1 Kings 2 – 1 Kings 4
   Proverbs 10:10 – 13

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Judges 19-20
   Luke 14

Sometimes People Resist Good Advice
April 18, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 10:5-9
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame. Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot. The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Nothing’s harder than trying to help a person who doesn’t want help. I heard of a man who dove into really cold water trying to save a drowning man. When he reached the man to help him, the man started fighting and pushing him away. The victim had been in the cold water fighting for life so long that exhaustion and the cold caused him to begin hallucinating. He imagined something or someone was out to get him when, in reality, there was someone there to save him.

    As our verses today say, “The wise in heart will receive commandments, but a prating fool shall fall.” Sometimes people can be like that drowning person. When you reach out to try to help and give them any type of constructive criticism at all, instead of learning and growing, they lash out with hurtful and terrible accusations against you. They have been fighting life for so long that they imagine everyone is out to get them.

    The Bible tells us to reach out to the hurting. However, there also comes a time when you need to step back and wait until they are at a place where help will be accepted. The drowning victim mentioned before soon quit fighting; he simply could not fight anymore due to sheer exhaustion. The rescuer then easily took him to safety. Later, the rescued victim thanked him for what he had done.

    There is an old saying, “You can’t help someone who does not want help.” As I’ve grown older and have been kicked many times by those I was trying to help, I see now that my parents and the Bible are right. Sometimes you need to let a person struggle until they are ready to be helped. Yet, always be ready and willing to help.

     

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Does this mean we are to give up on people? NO WAY! While waiting for them to want help, pray for them with all your heart. Pray that God will make a way. Then be there when He does.

Are you ready and willing to help When God makes a way?

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: APRIL 18, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Samuel 23 – 1 Kings 1
    Proverbs 10:5 – 9

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Judges 16-18
   Luke 13:18-35

What’s In Your Hand?
April 17, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 10:1-4
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Okay, if you are reading this at breakfast, it may sound a little gross. I was with a group of men one time when one of them said, “I sure wish I had a million bucks.” Another then said, “Well, wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one fills up the quickest.” We all laughed and walked away. Nevertheless, somehow that phrase stuck in my mind. The fact of what he had said was so true. You can wish all you want. You can daydream your life away. However, God rewards the hand of the diligent. He blesses the work that we do.

      In Proverbs 10:3, it says, “He casteth away the substance of the wicked.” Some may say that is not always true. Let’s examine this for a second. Have you ever bought a new computer or car? You thought about it, searched for the best model and deal. Then the day came, and you bought it. Then the next day, they came out with a brand-new model, just a little better than the one you bought. Somehow, what was excellent the day before was not exactly the best today. Your joy is still there, but your eyes begin to focus on what you want next.

       It seems the wealthy are much that way. No matter how much they get, their eyes are always on the horizon, wanting more. God does not allow them to ever really relax and be completely satisfied.

      The Christian realizes all he or she has, or will ever have, comes from God. We must work and be diligent, all the while knowing we can be satisfied with what we have, as it is God who will supply all we will ever need.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

What is it that you need today?
Why not go straight to the source and ask Him about it?

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: APRIL 17, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Samuel 19-22
   Proverbs 10:1-4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Judges 12-15
   Luke 13:1-17

Be A Passenger, Not A Partaker
April 16, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 9:13-18
A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, To call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Today, more than ever, it seems that sin is calling out to people from every vantage point. Beer companies advertise at almost every sporting event known to man. Their logos are displayed on racecars, side banners at every ball game, and even the World Olympics has an official sponsoring beer company.

      The sin of homosexuality is no longer an occasional occurrence on television. It is now almost expected that every sitcom will portray a gay or lesbian character. Pornography is everywhere. If you surf the internet for any length of time, you are bound to come across it, whether you visit those sites intentionally or not.

❖ Sin is sitting at the door, calling out to everyone.

❖ Sin does not discriminate based on a person’s social standing or status.

❖ Sin never takes a holiday and does not give up.

      So what is the answer you might ask? The answer is to be, as the Proverbs 9:15 says, “passengers who go right on their ways.” Sin does not have to win just because it is there.

    The Bible tells us,

❖ He who is in us is greater than he who is in this world. (1 John 4:4)

❖ It says to resist Satan and he will flee. (James 4:7)

❖ It says, sin no longer has dominion over you. (Rom. 6:14)

   So, live like a winner. Live above sins grasp. Claim the Word of God, and march on through life not yielding to sin, and her beckoning call.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     It is time that we as Christians live as God intended for us to live. Free from the grips of Satan, and his demons. Rejoice in your liberty to Live Life in Christ!

How does the world Tempt You?
How do you use God’s Word to fight against it?

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: APRIL 16, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
   2 Samuel 15-18
   Proverbs 9:13 – 18

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Judges 10-11
   Luke 12:36-59

How Long Do You Want To Live?
April 15, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 9:10-12
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

      How long do you want to live? Every person may answer that question a little differently.

 

    The first thing most people will think of is, “I want to live forever.” However, what if you were living with a life-threatening disease, causing you unbearable pain daily? What if you were confined to a bed for the rest of your days, unable to walk, talk, or move? Would you still want to live forever?

 

     A little girl was once asked how long she might want to live. She said, “I want to grow really old.” When asked how old, she said, “Really old, at least 40 or 45.”

 

    Living life means different things to different people. What should matter most is not the length of life but the life lived. Life is more than counting down a number of weeks in a year. Life is meant to be lived. When we gain the wisdom of who God is and make Him first in our life, we not only get to live forever, but we also LIVE LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY forever. Our life takes on a new meaning. Telling people how our Saviour works in our life brings us new joy as we live life in Him.

 

      What a waste of a life to live in anger and hate all the time, always looking for something wrong, and continually seeking problems in life. Then at the end of life, what have you done? You have not only made life difficult for all the people around you, but you yourself have been miserable the entire time as well.    

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Our verses today say, “if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” If you complain, you will bear the heart of a complainer. Live in joy and peace. Live for the joy of serving Jesus. Living right means really living! It is not the days of our life which matters, it is the life that we have lived in those days.

 

How will you enjoy the Lif God granted you 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: APRIL 15, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    2 Samuel 11-14
   Proverbs 9:10-12

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Judges 8-9
   Luke 12:1-35