Bullies Never Really Win

October 5, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 24:13-16 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     Wouldn’t it be great if all the evil hearted folks of the world would just read the Bible? It plainly warns them against trying to destroy the righteous people of God.

     We might often wish that the Bible said the wicked would fail at their attempts to hurt the righteous, but that is not what it says. In fact, it implies that in their attempts to destroy us they will succeed in bringing problems into our lives.

    Can the wicked of this world hurt the righteous? They sure can, and often do. They can inflict physical pain if they take a notion to. However, often more scaring is the mental and emotional pain they will cause. They bring up our past and try to destroy us with it. They bring up our present failures and magnify them in the presence of others to try to tear us down. 

    Does ridicule hurt? We would like to be hard as stone and say, “no way.” However, truthfully is it does. The playground chant of, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is not really true. When it happens, the pain and anguish is real. Even so, we must also remember that the promise God makes to the righteous is just as real. God will strengthen us, and we will not stay down, nor should we feel defeated. The just man spoken of in today’s verses are those who have placed their life in Jesus Christ and are made righteous by His blood. We need to understand, we have an advocate with the Father. A representative if you will, who stands to pleads our cause. His name is Jesus. What better defense against the world could you have than the creator of all things? Those who attempt to destroy what is truly His, have no defense. Ultimately their devices come back to get them.

   
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

  When trials come, and do not pretend they won’t, remember the verses found in Proverbs 24:13-16. There is a brighter tomorrow just around the bend. Jesus said He was not only the author, but also the finisher of our faith.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  October 5, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Matthew 24-25     / Proverbs 24:13-16

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 15-18   /   Eph. 5

Weekend Review

October 3 & 4, 2020

Proverbs 24:3

Through wisdom is an house
builded;
and by understanding
it is established:

Work Week Devotions
Through the Book of Proverbs

      As you know by now, with WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS, we only publish our Devotional Thoughts on Monday – Friday. On Saturday we suggest you re-read the entire chapter we have been studying this past 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 2020.

WEEK 39 – Day 6

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

Proverbs 23-24

WEEK 39 – 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 WITH DAILY PROVERBS

October 5, 2020      Matthew 24 – 25  Proverbs 24:13 – 16
October 6, 2020      Matthew 26 – 28  Proverbs 24:17 – 19
October 7, 2020      Mark 1 – 3             Proverbs 24:20 – 23
October 8, 2020      Mark 4 – 6             Proverbs 24:24 – 26
October 9, 2020      Mark 7 – 9             Proverbs 24:27 – 29
October 10, 2020    Proverbs 24 – 25              
October 11, 2020    No Passages Assigned    

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

October 5, 2020      Isa. 15-18             Eph. 5
October 6, 2020      Isa. 19-22             Eph. 6
October 7, 2020      Isa. 23-25             Phil. 1
October 8, 2020      Isa. 26-28             Phil. 2
October 9, 2020      Isa. 29-31             Phil. 3
October 10, 2020    Isa. 32-36             Phil. 4
October 11, 2020    No Passages Assigned

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

October 3, 2020       Isa. 11-14        Eph. 4
October 4, 2020       No Passages Assigned

 Speak Up!

October 2, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 24:11-12 If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Over time, the methods of execution for those convicted of such crimes worthy of death have changed. Our verses today seem to point back to a time in history when, if a person was found guilty of such a crime they were led to the executioner in front of the entire city. As they would walk down the street, a town crier would go before them loudly proclaiming the accusations against this person. They would cry out, “if anyone has any evidence that would change this decree to speak up.” If they did, the prisoner and the witness would be led back to the tribunal to see if this would change the outcome of the convicted sentence. If not, the process would once again begin. 

    The questions in today’s passages tend to talk more of an eternal judge. One who keeps the soul and ponders the heart. The reference could well be to the lost man who is being taken to the edge of eternity. On his journey, the cry is going out “is there any reason this man should not go off into hell’s flame? Is there any salvation for such a one?”

    Yes, there is salvation available. As a Christian, you have the evidence that can save this person. It is Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the soul. Nevertheless, sadly we stand by and watch as one by one, people march off into eternal torment. No one is saying a word, and no one answering the cry. Now the question is asked. Does the one who pondereth the hearts and keepeth the soul not know you had evidence that would save the lost?

    It is still up to the convicted to accept the pardon for their sin. However, it is up to the child of God to proclaim such a lifesaving truth. The question rings true today. “Shall not he render to every man according to his works?”

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    We are all called to go into the world and preach the gospel, The Good News. There is a pardon for the condemned. It was a good enough pardon to save you, and it is still good today. Share the good news. It’s time to SPEAK UP!

GOD TALKING TO ME:  October 2, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Matthew 21 – Matthew 23     /   Proverbs 24:11-12

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 8-10           /     Eph. 3

Living In His Word Ministries

Let’s Go Sailing

October 1, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 24:7-10 Wisdom is too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men. If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

Imagine for a moment that you have taken several months and built a sailboat. You studied many books and drawing to be sure that you know how to build it. You have looked after every detail. The materials you have used were selected with great care. All the joints have been sealed and inspected repeatedly. The sail is the right size for the craft you have made. All the rigging is working and in good repair. You are finally done.

  So, what do you most want to do with this sailboat? Well, anyone who put that much time into building a sailboat would surely want to use it, right? It may look great sitting in the yard, but if it never is tried in real water, you will not know if it will really sail. You most likely will put it in a calm lake at first. However, after a few times of floating close to shore, you begin to venture out further and further. The waves get bigger and the water gets rougher, but this is where the boat shows its best abilities. All the time of study and work that went into building such a craft is tried and trusted in the turbulence around you.

  It is much the same with the Christians life. “Wisdom is too high for a fool.” Most people want nothing to do with preparing for life here, or an eternal life to come. Studying the Bible to find out the details of preparing for such a life seems like a waste of time, and the majority will scoff and scorn those who do. However, on the open sea of life, as the winds of adversity pick up, the waves of trials get rough and they are tossed to and fro, it is there they know not what to do. The true believer however has prepared and in a day of adversity, he will not faint, but rather he trusts in God and His Word.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Every good ship needs a compass to lead them into a safe harbor in times of storm. Let God’s Word be your compass and guide. Then your final destination will be sure even in the midst of a troubled and stormy sea. 

GOD TALKING TO ME:  October 1, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Matthew 18 – 20    / Proverbs 24:7-10

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 5-7    /   Eph. 2

Set The Anchor

September 30, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 24:3-6 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

  Everything needs a good foundation. Without a good base nothing can stand, everything will crumble and fall. This is a fundamental truth for a house, a business relationship, a family, or an individual. However, a foundation is not near enough.

    Solomon has given us an outline for living a life that cannot be destroyed. We cannot afford to ignore this advice. For if we ignore any part of it, we fall prey to ignoring it all.

    To begin with, our foundation must be on the unshakeable truths of God’s Word and His Son Jesus Christ. Prov. 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” Our passage today begins with the statement, “Through wisdom is an house builded…” Our lives, families, churches, businesses, everything needs to be filtered through a Holy reverence of God and who He is.

    Nevertheless, it is not enough to know of God and simply respect who He is. We must also establish ourselves in His Son Jesus Christ. Solomons said, “by understanding it is established:” You can build a house on a cement slab 20 feet thick, but if you don’t anchor to it, the first strong wind will blow that house off its foundation and destroy it. Marriages, business relationships, and many lives Have failed by knowing there is a God but refusing to commit and anchor to Him.

    Once you have the foundation set, and your lives anchored to that foundation, you can now live in His love and peace. Enjoying the treasures God has prepared for His people. “And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” There may still be storms outside, but when we are anchored into Jesus, there is peace evermore.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    What have you anchored your life to today? Is it your job? It could be gone this afternoon. Maybe for you it’s your bank account. Yet, your health could take all your finances and more in a few short days or hours. Build your life on the foundation of God’s truth, and anchor to His Son Jesus who said, “I Am the way, the truth, and the life.” Real life for evermore is in Jesus.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  September 30, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Matthew 15 – 17     /   Proverbs 24:3-6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 1-4    /   Eph. 1

Living In His Word Ministries