DEVOTIONS

Watch Out For The DEBT TRAP
March 4, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 6:1-3
My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Credit was once something hard to obtain. You had to maintain a clean financial record and avoid any bad debts just to consider getting a credit card or a loan. However, today, almost anyone, anywhere, and at any time can acquire a credit card. Most stores now offer their own credit cards, and many have partnered with major credit card companies, allowing you to use their cards at other stores as well. Sounds great, right? WRONG!


      The problem is that many people today carry more credit card debt than they can ever hope to pay off in a reasonable amount of time. If creditors were to contact them, claiming they were going out of business and needed immediate repayment, most people wouldn’t have the funds to do so.


      Even worse, many people are only making the minimum payment each month. By doing so, they are barely, if at all, covering the interest, and will end up paying the credit card company indefinitely. Let’s imagine purchasing a television for five hundred dollars and making only the minimum payment on your credit card. By the time you have paid off that TV, several things will probably have happened. Your grandchildren will have graduated from college, the TV will have been replaced twice, and you will have paid several thousand dollars for your initial five-hundred-dollar purchase.


      Debt is a trap that society has tried to lure us into. Even worse, many have willingly jumped into this debt trap. Sadly, they find themselves swimming against the tide of interest for years to come. Don’t let the world control your financial future. Let God guide you..     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     You might be wondering, “How can I escape this debt trap?” First and foremost, STOP BUYING THINGS YOU DO NOT NEED! If you are burdened by substantial debt, you need to live within your financial means. Second, PRAY. Seek God’s guidance, wisdom, and self-control daily. Then, PAY. Start making additional payments on your debts, and one day they will be gone. It will take time, but the freedom is absolutely worth it.

 

Will you let God guide you out of debt?

 

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: MARCH 4, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Numbers 33 – Numbers 36
    Proverbs 6:1 – 3

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Numbers 12-14
   Mark 9:1-29

 

WEEKEND REVIEW
March 2 & 3, 2024

Proverbs 5:21

For the ways of man are before the eyes of the
LORD, and he pondereth all his goings

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 8 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 5-6

WEEK 8 – 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

March 2
Numbers 9-11
Mark 8:22-38
March 3
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

March 4
Numbers 33 – Numbers 36
Proverbs 6:1 – 3
March 5
Deuteronomy 1 – Deuteronomy 3
Proverbs 6:4 – 8
March 6
Deuteronomy 4 – Deuteronomy 6
Proverbs 6:9 – 11
 March 7
Deuteronomy 7 – Deuteronomy 10
Proverbs 6:12 – 15
March 8
Deuteronomy 11 – Deuteronomy 14
Proverbs 6:16 – 19
March 9
Proverbs 6
March 10
No Passages Assigned  

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

March 4
Numbers 12-14
Mark 9:1-29
March 5
Numbers 15
Mark 9:30-50
March 6
Numbers 16-18
Mark 10:1-31
March 7
Numbers 19-20
Mark 10:32-52
March 8
Numbers 21-22
Mark 11
March 9
Numbers 23-25
Mark 12:1- 27
March 10
No Passages Assigned

The Controlling Nature Of Sin
March 1, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 5:21-23
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     In today’s world, we see the promises of today’s verses play out in both our political and religious communities. I heard a “so-called” pastor on TV trying to defend homosexuality as a choice given by God, while at the same time, government agencies were trying to deny it by condemning gay marriage. The freedom to engage in this behavior has persisted for so long that religious communities are divided on whether it’s a life choice or a sin.

     Pornography is one of society’s leading moneymakers, as destructive as a runaway train. Yet businesses make billions, and our government collects millions in taxes from the sales of its products. I fear that in the near future, today’s culture will embrace it and simply add a “sin tax” to it, much like they do with tobacco and alcohol. It seems to be the idea that if you cannot eliminate it, tax it?

      Gambling, once considered sinful, is now widely accepted, and promoted everywhere, with much of it owned and operated by the government.

      Sin, left alone long enough will bind you. The Bible says we will be trapped “with the cords of his sins.” Sadly, millions today are caught in this trap. No matter our viewpoint on these sins, we are bound by the views of the majority. Don’t be mistaken, the majority will ultimately choose sin. As it says in Matthew 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” No matter how hard we try to guide them toward what’s right and direct them to the Bible, they may die without receiving its instruction. Why? Because sin has become more important to them than obedience to God. Whether it’s sex, drugs, pornography, alcohol, or anything else, the world no longer controls their sins; their sins now control them.
     

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Dear friend, let us pray for our homes, our nation, and our world. Let’s guide a new generation towards Christ. Their understanding and relationship with God is our nation’s beacon of hope.

 

Will you BIND SIN, or will SIN BIND 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: MARCH 1, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Numbers 30 – Numbers 32
  Proverbs 5:21 – 23

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Numbers 7-8
  Mark 8:1-21

 

WAIT! It’s Worth It
February 29, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 5:17- 20
Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee. Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        With so many broken homes today, we see the consequences of not waiting for true love before marriage. A multitude of children are born to parents who are neither married nor committed to each other. If we cannot commit to one another, how can we possibly believe we will be committed to raising a child together? This lack of forethought is not the child’s fault. These sweet, innocent miracles from God enter the world with their eyes wide open, expecting from the very first moment that someone here loves them, wants them, genuinely cares, and has considered their future. However, many children are born with little to no thought from the parents about the child’s needs or their future. Some children are regarded as problems rather than the blessings they truly are.

      Finding the right person in life is crucial. It’s not just about physical attraction; spiritual compatibility matters as well. You should be attracted to a person, but you also need to understand who they are. For instance, if they follow one set of religious practices and you another, there could be a problem. Moreover, if you change your beliefs for someone else, it raises questions about the strength of your convictions or whether there were valid reasons for changing. Later in life, when raising a child, you may wonder which belief system is the right one to teach your child. Finding a life partner requires time, prayer, and patience but is incredibly worthwhile. Your commitment to your children will be unified, and your decisions to support them will align. Find the person God has chosen for you, and you’ll have found the one to help you raise the miracles God has placed in your home.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Children are indeed a blessing in our homes. They deserve a loving mother and father who will support them on this lifelong journey. It’s truly a blessing to witness them grow up and serve God.

Do you see God’s little miracles and a
bother, or a blessing?

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: FEBRUARY 29, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Numbers 26 – Numbers 29
   Proverbs 5:17 – 20  

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Numbers 5-6
   Mark 7

God’s Designs Are Best
February 28, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 5:14-16
I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly. Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well. Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        What is a cistern? It’s a place where water can be collected and controlled. What is a well? It’s a specific location from which water can be drawn. What about a fountain? Fountains spray water for everyone to see but keep it within themselves. And how about a river? A river directs water from one place to another while keeping it within its banks.

      At the time of writing this passage of scripture, water was very scarce and valuable. Solomon is using these word pictures to help us understand the value of an intimate relationship. In the previous verses, he had just finished warning us about sinful sexual relations. Someone might read this and wonder if a physical relationship is always sinful. Therefore, he takes the time to tell us that, in the right context, it definitely is not.

       In this passage, the wife is referred to as a cistern and a well. This highlights her great value, as she possesses the ability to bring immense joy to her husband like no one else can. Water serves as a metaphor for that passionate, loving relationship, emphasizing its immense worth in a marriage. Some believe that when today’s verses mention “water in the streets,” it’s referring to the children born from this intimate monogamous relationship and how they can bring honor to the community.

      Think about what happens when a fountain cracks and starts to leak, or when a river overflows its banks. These are serious problems that can lead to destruction and loss of lives. Similarly, untamed love can have devastating consequences.

      Love is precious and designed to be profoundly special and personal. Solomon wants his son to understand that marital relationships should not lack the joys of the passionate love that God created. However, this love should always remain within the boundaries of the marriage relationship.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     An intimate relationship between a husband and wife is one of the closest bonds a couple can experience. God knew this when He designed it. Enjoying life together with our spouse was God’s desire and design. God’s designs are always the best.

How can we help to keep God’s design for marriage
in front of the world 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: FEBRUARY 28, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Numbers 22 – Numbers 25
   Proverbs 5:14 – 16

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Numbers 3-4
   Mark 6:30-56