DEVOTIONS

Weekend Preview
January 6 & 7, 2024

Proverbs 20:12-13

The hearing ear, and the seeing eye,
the LORD hath made even both of them. 
Love not sleep,
lest thou come to poverty;
open thine eyes,
and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.

Work Week Devotions
Through The Book Of Proverbs

     As previously mentioned, with WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS, we will only be publishing a Devotional Thought on Monday – Friday. On Saturday we suggest you re-read the entire chapter we have been studying through, 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. 

      We will also publish the next weeks bible reading Schedules. There will be two Schedules. 

    The First one is a Scheduled reading that compliments our Proverbs Study. It will take you through the Bible beginning in Genesis, and ending in Revelations. There are only five days of reading in this schedule. This reading will skip the book of Proverbs, as we will be studying that day by day, and we will be reading this book on Saturdays.

     The Second Schedule is what we refer to as, the Traditional Bible Reading Schedule. It will also take you through the entire bible. However, it has a passage of Scripture from the Old Testament and the New Testament every day. This is a six day reading schedule.

    Neither schedule have any reading on Sundays as previously mentioned.

    Thank you for staying with us this week as we have introduced this Work Week Devotional Concept. Lord willing, we will see you on Monday as we begin our Journey Through The Book Of Proverbs in 2024.

 

WEEK 1 – Day 6:
      On Saturday, we suggest you re-read the Proverb we have written from this past week and the week to come.

Proverbs 1-2

WEEK 1 – 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 message were given to him by God for your specific needs.

 

THOUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT TODAY AND TOMORROW

JANUARY 6, 2020     Genesis 15-17         Matthew 13:36-58
JANUARY 7, 2020     No Passages Assigned

 

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

January 8, 2024          Genesis 1   – Genesis 4         Proverbs 1:1- 3
January 9, 2024          Genesis 5   – Genesis 8         Proverbs 1:4 – 6
January 10, 2024        Genesis 9   – Genesis 13       Proverbs 1:7 – 9
January 11, 2024        Genesis 14 – Genesis 18       Proverbs 1:10 – 14
January 12, 2024        Genesis 19 – Genesis 22       Proverbs 1:15 – 17
January 13, 2024        Proverbs 1 – 2                    
January 14, 2024         No Passages Assigned 

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Traditional Old & New Testament

January 8, 2024               Genesis 18-20             Matthew 6:16-34
January 9, 2024               Genesis 21-23             Matthew 7
January 10, 2024             Genesis 24                 Matthew 8
January 11, 2024             Genesis 25-26             Matthew 9:1-17
January 12, 2024             Genesis 27-28             Matthew 9:18-38
January 13, 2024             Genesis 29-30             Matthew 10
January 14, 2024             No Passages Assigned 

The Divisions of the Proverbs 
January 5, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 13:12-14 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

The book of Proverbs has several main divisions:

• Chapters 1-9 – Wisdom and Folly are contrasted.
• Chapters 10-24 – A collection of Proverbs written and set in order by Solomon himself.
• Chapters 25-29 – Also proverbs of Solomon, however these were copied out by Hezekiah and his men.
• Chapter 30 – A burden or writing or Agur son of Jakeh who is rather unknown.
• Chapter 31 -Instructions given to King Lemuel by his mother. Some believe that this may have been a name given to Solomon when he was young by his mother. This would imply that the description of a virtuous woman was given by Bathsheba, who herself had been led away from the path of virtue.
  
  

     As we delve into the Book of Proverbs, taking it one small segment at a time, day after day, week after week, throughout the coming year, it is my prayer that God will use this to assist you in leading a blessed life and walking with Him. I firmly believe, based on my own experience, that when we follow God’s guidance, life is significantly better.

      

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     As mentioned Before, please set aside a few moments every day to pray for God’s wisdom before you begin reading. The Holy Spirit will assist you in comprehending the book He has authored. For years, I have been offering a heartfelt prayer to God, using His own words, before I delve into His Word. My prayer goes like this:

 

Psalm 119:18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of thy law.

 

   As well as…

 

Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do thy will;
for thou art my God: thy spirit is good;
lead me into the land of uprightness.

 

      May God bless your studies as you are Living In His Word.

Tomorrow we Give you an outline for Next weeks readings.

GOD TALKING TO ME: JANUARY 5, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
   

This week we will:

Sat.      January 6,  Proverbs 1       
Sun.     January 7,  No Passages Assigned

 

If you’re Following the Traditional Reading Schedule,
Today’s Reading will be:

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
 

          Genesis 12-14   /      Matthew 5

 

Solomon, The Main Writer
January 4, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 1:1-4 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Timeless treasures, waiting to be mined by the hearts of humankind, are the words written in the Book of Proverbs. Penned hundreds of years ago, these proverbs remain relevant and have the potential to be profoundly life-altering if applied. The wisdom contained in this book transcends all cultures, eras, and denominations.

 

        The Book of Proverbs is a collection of sayings drawn from years of experience, both written by King Solomon and compiled by him from others. We find evidence of this in another book authored by this esteemed preacher. In Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, it is mentioned that the preacher sought out and organized many proverbs. It also emphasizes the fact that the ones he wrote were upright and true.

 

        The closing words of Ecclesiastes provide us with a magnificent introduction to the Book of Proverbs.

Ecclesiastes 12:8-14

Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

   

      After a life marked by heartbreak and a quest for truth, Solomon concludes that the essence of it all is to fear God. In this context, the word ‘fear’ does not imply being afraid but rather holding reverence or respect for God and to heed His guidance.

 

      In essence, the proverbs collated and organized in this book can be regarded as the divinely inspired words of God, spoken through Solomon for our enlightenment.

 

      Over his lifetime, Solomon gathered many such wise sayings. In fact, what we find in the Book of Proverbs represents just a fraction of what he had imparted in person.

1 Kings 4:32

And he spake three thousand proverbs:
 and his songs were a thousand and five.

 

      It is believed that what we find in this book, which has at times been referred to as the Book of Wisdom, represents the finest pieces of wisdom that Solomon had gathered.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

      In life, there are essentially two ways to learn about how the world will treat you and where sin will lead you. By far, the most common way is through trial and error. By following this path, one will experience the harsh consequences of sin and the perils of life. However, God’s way is always better. It involves heeding His warnings and embracing His wisdom in everything we do.

 

      It is nothing short of amazing to realize that the God who created the entire universe cares so deeply about our day-to-day lives that He has provided us with easily memorable and applicable principles for a good life in this world. He does not regard it as unimportant to guide us in matters of love, family, our interactions in society, or how we conduct ourselves in the marketplace. Everything about us and our well-being is significant to Him.

Tomorrow we will look into the divisions of this wonderful book.

GOD TALKING TO ME: JANUARY 4, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
   

This week we will:

Fri.       January 5,  The Divisions of the Proverbs  
Sat.      January 6,  Proverbs 1       
Sun.     January 7,  No Passages Assigned

If you’re Following the Traditional Reading Schedule,
Today’s Reading will be:

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
 

          Genesis 9-11   /      Matthew 4

Introduction to Proverbs
January 3, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 22:17-19 Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee. 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        As we delve into the Book of Proverbs, taking it one small segment at a time, day after day, week after week, throughout the coming year, it is my prayer that God will use this to assist you in leading a blessed life and walking with Him. I firmly believe, based on my own experience, that when we follow God’s guidance, life is significantly better.

 

        It is important to understand, that for the believer in Christ, this is not like any other study. Normally, when you read another book, you have to read the words on the page, and then in your mind try to imagine what the author was saying. With God’s Word however, if you know Christ as your Saviour, you then have the Holy Spirit residing in you. Which also means, you have the author of this book Residing in you. We read in:

 

 2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 

The same Holy Spirit, who moved the writers of this book to originally write these words,
also resides in your heart today.
You do not have to imagine what the author meant, just ask Him.  

         

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

        Please set aside a few moments every day to pray for God’s wisdom before you begin reading. The Holy Spirit will assist you in comprehending the book He has authored. For years, I have been offering a heartfelt prayer to God, using His own words, before I delve into His Word. My prayer goes like this:

Psalm 119:18
Open thou mine eyes,
that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

I have recently begun to add this verse as well.

Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good;
lead me into the land of uprightness.

May God bless your studies as you are Living In His Word.

GOD TALKING TO ME: JANUARY 3, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
   

This week we will:

Thurs.  January 4,  Solomon The Main Writer     
Fri.       January 5,  The Divisions of the Proverbs  
Sat.      January 6,  Proverbs 1       
Sun.     January 7,  No Passages Assigned

 

If you’re Following the Traditional Reading Schedule,
Today’s Reading will be:

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

    Genesis 6-8      /    Matthew 3

 

Explanation of the Devotions
& Daily Reading Schedule
January 2, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 7:1-2 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

      First of all, let me say, “THANK YOU,” for picking up a copy of our Work Week Devotions. It is our prayer and desire that these daily devotions will aid you in your walk with the Lord.

     We have selected the book of Proverbs as it shares, with anyone who will act upon its wisdom, the opportunity to enjoy the life God intended for them. You will also find all the scriptures used are from the King James Version of the Bible. Not only does the author of this book believe the KJV to be the most accurate English translation of God’s Word, but it is also written in a poetic style. Which in the case of the Book of Proverbs is very important. Proverbs is part of a section of the Old Testament in the bible known as the Poetic Books.

     Let me take just a moment to introduce to you the thought behind the design of the following pages.

     You may be asking yourself what the term “Work Week Devotions” means. It means we have designed these devotions to be used during a five-day work week. For many people that would be Monday through Friday. We have also only covered fifty-one out of the fifty-two-week year. The reason is, not every year begins on Monday. So, we have created these devotions to begin on Monday and conclude on Sunday. Also, the design allows you to begin using this Devotional material anytime during the year you may wish. It does not have to begin in January as many do.

     Each day begins with a Title for the Devotion and a reading from the book of Proverbs. This is followed by what we call; “Outlook On The In Book.” This is a short commentary by Dr. Senters of his thoughts about the passage from Proverbs you have just read.

     Next, you will find a short section under the heading; “The Word Walking In Me.” This section is a short thought reflecting on that day’s topic, which you can carry through the day. It is often hard to remember all we read. However, a simple overview or thought can often be remembered that we might meditate on during the day. In the book of Joshua, we are told:

Joshua 1:8
    This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

     While the words written by the author are not the inspired words of God, the desire is that the thoughts may help you remember what God has said in that day’s passage.

     At the end of each devotion, you will find a suggested reading for the day we have entitled, “God Talking To Me.” The reading is not purposefully chosen to reflect on the topic of the Devotion. However, if you follow these readings every day, you will read through the entire Bible in one year.

     The daily bible reading is also divided into five days a week for fifty-one weeks. On Saturday, we suggest you re-read the Chapter of Proverbs written about in the past week and the Chapter of Proverbs you will study the next week.
You may also quickly notice there are no Bible Readings scheduled for Sundays. There is a simple reason for this. We want you to read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastor’s heart for that week. Whatever his text is for the morning and evening service was given to him by God for your specific needs.

     The principle for this is found in Act 17:10 & 11.

Acts 17:10-11
     And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

     Those from Berea had a commendable practice that we would do well to follow. The Bible even describes them as more noble for doing so. The practice we encourage is to listen intently to the preaching of God’s Word, then let it soak in even deeper by re-reading the text and examining what God is saying there. Reading a chapter before and after the text will be helpful. However you decide to do this, we hope you will make it a habit in your life, examining what God wants to share with you week by week.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

        We hope you enjoy Living In His Word Daily Through Proverbs over the next fifty-one weeks with Work Week Devotions. May God richly bless you day by day as you allow Him to speak into your hearts.

GOD TALKING TO ME: JANUARY 2, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
     

This week we will:

Wed.    January 3,  Introduction to Proverbs    
Thurs.  January 4,  Solomon The Main Writer     
Fri.       January 5,  The Divisions of the Proverbs  
Sat.      January 6,  Proverbs 1       
Sun.     January 7,  No Passages Assigned

If you’re Following the Traditional Reading Schedule,
Today’s Reading will be:

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

   Genesis 3-5      /     Matthew 2