Is The Horse Pushing Or Pulling?
July 24, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 24:27
Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     My dad had another way of saying what verse 27 says. He would say, “Don’t get your cart before your horse.” In other words, do things in order. I guess a horse could push a cart, but not too fast, not too far, and not very often. In life, we often want to get ahead of ourselves. Before we take the time to get ourselves well-equipped for something, grounded with knowledge and truth, we run off half-prepared. We, at times, can still do it, just as a horse can push a cart, but it is harder than it was meant to be.

 

     This happens at times in churches with new Christians who want to help. Because churches need helpers, these young believers are often allowed to fill positions for which they are not prepared. This also occurs in business, when people dream today, but do not envision the hurdles of tomorrow. It happens in marriages as well. A man who is unstable in his morals, manners, money, and with his Maker wants to lead a home. However, he has not prepared himself to stand on his own two feet before taking on the responsibility of building a home.

 

     I am not trying to say we need to have all the answers to all of life’s questions before we do anything. If that were true, no one would be doing anything. However, we need to have the important issues of life covered. Such as…

• • Who is the real leader in your life?
  • Where do you go for direction, especially when things get out of whack?
  • How are decisions made?
  • What or who is the final authority?
  • Or, when I make a mistake, where do I need to go to fix it?
  • Then, finally, if someone asked me these questions, can I show them where to find the answers in writing?
    
    

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     The answers to all the questions above are, “God and His Word.” God is the final authority in everything. He has written the answers to life in the Bible. Now it is up to us to study to show ourselves approved unto Him.

 

SO, is your horse pushing or pulling?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s 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:  July 24, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
2 Kings 1, 2 / Psalm 22:1-21
Proverbs 24 / Mark 1

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 13-16 / Acts 20

 

Monkey See, Monkey Do

July 21, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Matthew 26:35
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

     Oh, how easy it is to get caught up in the moment. We want so much to do what is right, and yet sometimes we find ourselves doing just the opposite. Our desire as Christians is to do what is right in the eyes of God, but we find ourselves being deceived at times into doing something else. Satan often uses subtle trickery to confuse us into doing the wrong thing. His craftiness is so clever that at times it may even appear as though we are doing what is right. Especially if we see other believers that we trust doing the same thing. It is like a Christian version of Monkey see monkey do.

     In our verse today we find Peter telling Jesus that there was no way he would ever betray or leave Him. Even though Jesus had plainly told Peter, in the presence of all the disciples, that this was exactly what was going to happen. Peter’s human logic said no way. In addition, when the other disciples heard Peter’s statement, it seemed to make sense to them also. Why would they ever leave the Lord of Lords? Why would they walk away from someone who had proved Himself to be the Son of the Living God? Leaving just did not make sense. However, Jesus said it would happen, just before they said it would not.

     No matter what we seem to understand with our logic, if God has said differently, believe God. He is never wrong. However, if we find ourselves deceived and on the wrong side of the fence, it is good to know that when we repent, God forgives and restores our fellowship as if it never happened. In Acts 1, just before Jesus ascended back into heaven, Peter and all the other disciples were together. Jesus gave all the disciples, including Peter, the responsibility to carry on His ministry. It was obvious that our loving Saviour had totally forgiven them.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     As we go through this day, let’s pray God will help us to walk by faith and not only by sight. Walking and talking with the Lord as He, through the Holy Spirit, guides our steps.

Have you lived by the example of man, or the example of God?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s 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:  July 21, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Ecclesiastes 10-12 / Psalm 19
Proverbs 20-21 / Matthew 25-26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Job 1-4 / Acts 18

Safely Walking Through Danger
July 19 & 20, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 18:36
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

 

     As a Pastor, I have had the joy of traveling to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with our youth group. While we were there, we went to see a waterfall that was way back in the hills. You had to follow a neatly groomed trail for about a quarter of a mile. When we finally arrived, there was a waterfall that dropped well over 100 feet from a cliff above us to a rocky bed below and then flowed calmly under a viewing platform which we stood on to see the beauty of God’s creation. Nothing seemed too dangerous, although to vary from the path could have been trouble.

 

     Several of our youth and adults decided it would be neat to climb out on these rocks just below the falls and get a closer look at God’s handiwork. It was very evident from the foot-beaten paths that others had been doing this for years. As they disappeared out of my sight, I began quietly to pray, Lord, protect them, and keep them safe. As I watched for a while, I saw them jumping from rock to rock. I again prayed, Lord, please do not let them get hurt, how will I ever explain this to our church? My fears were based on my perception of what I assumed was there, not my sight. Finally, my curiosity and concern got the best of me, and I went down to join them. When I got there, I was relieved to find large dry rocks to walk on. God provided in nature large areas to walk where our feet would not slip.

 

     In our daily walk with God, we cannot always see what He has provided for us until we take a step of faith. However, we can know with all certainty that He has said in Hebrews 13:5, “… I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

 

     Today let’s look for the areas where God has enlarged our steps. When sin comes up to tempt us, but the Holy Spirit reminds us of a scripture to protect us from that sin, He has enlarged our steps. When trials come our way and a Christian friend comes to comfort and strengthen us, God has enlarged our steps. “Thank you, God, for helping me to walk through this world today, Amen.”

 

How have you seen God enlarge your steps in life?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage and today’s 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:  July 19, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Ecclesiastes 6-9 / Psalm 18:16-50
Proverbs 19 / Matthew 24

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Esther 5-10 / Acts 17

 

WHAT TO DO ON SUNDAY:

 

    There will not be a Daily Devotion sent out on Sundays. Instead, we encourage you to attend your church and listen intently to what God has prepared in the heart of your Pastor. Write down all the scriptures he uses in that message, then when you get home re-read those passages for today’s reading. God has given to your Pastor exactly what He desires for you on that day.  

 

GOD TALKING TO ME:  July 20, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY