DEVOTIONS

You Think I’m How Old?
February 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 4:19-22
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        I love going to the County Fair. The rides, the Caramel Corn, the Cotton Candy, they all seem to call out to me. However, there are also others calling out to me. It’s the Carnies who work the midway. “Play this for a buck and win a 50-foot teddy bear you can’t fit in your car.” There’s always someone yelling, “Guess your weight or age for a dollar; if I’m off by this much, you win something silly.” When they guess you’re 18 and you’re really 13, that’s great. You look mature. When you’re in your early 40s and you hear them say 55, that’s embarrassing.

      A comment like that could cause you to begin to feel old. Suddenly you become very aware of all the younger people around you. Don’t let your real age discourage you, though. Every year of life also brings with it real wisdom. You’ve experienced things that most of those younger folks have never seen.

       As people age, they may recall trying to teach their children how to do right. You may have even thought that your children didn’t listen and would probably never learn. However, now you see them with children of their own, and they’re teaching them the same things you taught them. It almost sounds funny hearing those words come out of their mouths when it seems like only a few years ago they argued with you about telling them the very same thing. Now, think back for a moment: Where did you receive the majority of your wisdom? Wasn’t most of it passed down to you from your parents or guardians? They received most of their wisdom the same way as well.

     The truth is always going to be the truth, even when culture changes. Right is always going to be right, and wrong is always going to be wrong. Oh, and by the way, I am always going to think I’m still young… at least young at heart.
 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     We too often disregard the wisdom of the aged. We hear it as the ramblings of an old person. Guess what? You’re getting closer to them than to your youth. They have much to teach us. We need to listen. I wonder if they think they are young yet too?

What was the last thing you remember learning
by listening to an older person in your life?

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 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Numbers 2 – Numbers 4
   Proverbs 4:19 -:22

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Leviticus 15-17
   Mark 1:21 – 45

 

Misguided Mischief
February 19, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 4:16-18
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        As a young man growing up, I remember my mom saying things like, “that boy is trouble, you can see it by looking at him.” My dad would say, “Those people would rather cause trouble than eat.” I just thought my folks were old and didn’t want me to have any fun. In my mind, I reasoned, “how can you SEE if someone is trouble? and, come on, who would rather stir up problems than eat?” That made no sense to me, as I love to eat.

      Now I’m a dad. As my children brought home friends from school, I found that when I opened my mouth, my dad’s words came out. I opened it again, and I could hear my mom speaking. So, what brought about this change in me? LIFE! I had witnessed firsthand what some people are like.It’s about how they act, what they say, and their attitude. These things, combined with wisdom from years of life, help you discern this type of person.

       People who feel they have little hope or ambitions in life often do not try anymore. Instead, they unwittingly bring others down to their level of despair. Rather than being alone in their despair, they’ll make others fall, too. That’s sad but true. These are often very bright people who have taken the wrong path in life. They could be so much more, but they choose not to be instead.

      The Bible advises us to be cautious of and pray for these people. They have no good intentions for themselves or for you.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     How do you know if someone is a “bad apple,” so to speak? One way is by listening to your parents or those in authority around you. By the way, my parents were right most of the time. Later in life, as a parent, I also made the right calls for my children. The best way of all is to check them out against the Word of God. His word is ALWAYS RIGHT.

 

Are you being guided by God’s Word?

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 00, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Leviticus 26 – Numbers 1
   Proverbs 4:16 – 18

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Leviticus 14
   Mark 1:1-20

 

WEEKEND REVIEW TEMPLATE
February 17 & 18, 2024

Proverbs 3:33

The curse of the
LORD
is in the house of the wicked:
but he blesseth
the habitation
of the just.

Work Week Devotions
Through The Book Of Proverbs

     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.

Thank you for joining us
as we journey together
Through Proverbs in 2024

WEEK 6 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 3-4

WEEK 6 – 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

  February 17
Leviticus 12-13 
Matthew 28

  February 18
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

  February 19
Leviticus 26 – Numbers 1
Proverbs 4:16 – 18
  February 20
Numbers 2 – Numbers 4
Proverbs 4:19 -:22
  February 21
Numbers 5 – Numbers 7
Proverbs 4:23 – 25
  February 22
Numbers 8 – Numbers 11
Proverbs 4:26 – 27
  February 23
Numbers 12 – Numbers 14
Proverbs 5:1 – 5
  February 24
Proverbs 4-5
  February 25
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

  February 19
Leviticus 14
Mark 1:1-20
  February 20
Leviticus 15-17
Mark 1:21 – 45
  February 21
Leviticus 18-19
Mark 2
  February 22
Leviticus 20- 22
Mark 3
  February 23
Leviticus 23- 24
Mark 4:1 – 20
  February 24
Leviticus 25
Mark 4:21 – 41
  February 25
No Passages Assigned

Why Were They There In The First Place?
February 16, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 4:12-15
When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

       I have watched a few of the Court Programs on TV. Some are good, some are weird, yet all are examples of real life. There’s always a Defendant and a Plaintiff. As I listen, I hear people try to defend themselves. Rarely do I hear the defense say, “I was not there.” Most of the problems come from illicit relationships, drunken parties, wrong friends, and the like. My first question is most often, “Why were they there in the first place?”

     I saw a news report about a tragic incident at a party where a second-floor balcony, where young people were drinking and dancing, collapsed, resulting in casualties among the partygoers below. It’s truly a devastating event. Yet, it raises the question: “What led them to be in that situation in the first place?”

     I read in the paper about a stage catching fire in a nightclub due to a malfunction during a band’s show. Several people were trampled to death, and some burned in the blaze. This is horrible. Nevertheless, I must ask again, ‘Why were they there in the first place?’

     God’s Word warns us about drinking and its effect on a person’s judgment. The music being played is typically anything but godly, but it lures people into a trap. Why are people there in the first place? These are all part of Satan’s deadly snares.

     These people were harmed, or killed, because they were there. In our verses today, God tells us; “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

   These are visible examples of what can happen when you find yourself in the wrong place, listening to the wrong things, or hanging out with the wrong crowd. However, this mental struggle occurs within everyone who believes they are getting away with sin. Where will you be when you finally realize you’re in the wrong place? Will it be too late?

Will you take hold of God’s instructions for life?

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 16, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Leviticus 23 – Leviticus 25
   Proverbs 4:12 – 15

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Leviticus 9-11
   Matthew 27:33-66

Who Would You Hire?
February 15, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 4:9-11
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

       Let’s just pretend a little today. Imagine for a moment that you own a company. You are getting ready to hire a new supervisor to oversee the operations so you can take more time to manage the affairs of your business. Two qualified people are waiting in your office to be interviewed. Both of them work for you now, so before you interview them, you go to the shop and ask their co-workers about them.

     You begin by hearing things such as Mr. One is a goody-two-shoes. He’s one of those people who won’t take a minute extra for a break unless there’s a meeting or something, and he always runs to the boss if there is a problem. Mr. Two is more like the rest of us. He works hard and gets his job done. He’s flexible with his time, even takes extra breaks, but still gets the job done. Mr. One is not really hated by anyone, but he’s not the social butterfly either. He’s just a person who does his job and then goes home. He’ll never go to parties after work because his wife seems to have him tied around her finger. He says he needs to spend time with her and his family instead of us. Mr. Two is also known as Mr. Popularity, especially after work when everyone goes out to party. He is really a lot of fun, usually the life of the party, funny, and the last one to leave.

     Okay, you are heading back to your office. Without any other information, whom will you reward with the position of Foreman? Most people would say the position goes to Mr. One, and rightly so. Why? Because he lives by godly principles of honesty, dependability, and loyalty toward those he loves.

     Living for Jesus and applying the wisdom from His word will be rewarded here in this life and throughout eternity.    

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

   Doing what is right may seem boring in the eyes of the world. Nevertheless, when searching for leaders, they seek dependable, honest, and loyal individuals. No one entrusts something truly valuable to someone who is unreliable and unstable. God considers wisdom to be exceedingly valuable. Can He trust you with it?

Would YOU Hire 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: FEBRUARY 15, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Leviticus 19 – Leviticus 22
   Proverbs 4:9 – 11

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Leviticus 7-8
   Matthew 27:1-32