Up On The Housetop…

AUGUST 25, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 21:7-10 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

  We have all read Prov. 21:9 and laughed. “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.” However, what does it mean?

    We must remember the houses in those days had a flat roof. Often in the summer, you would find people in the evening sleeping up there to escape the heat of the home. The roof was also exposed to all the elements. Wind, rain, heat, etc.

    This rooftop was also a place people would go to find a time of solitude. We have many rooms in our homes today. If we want to go read a book or sit alone to think, we just find another room in the house to go to. These homes were open for the most part. There was most likely one wide-open common room, which everyone lived in. The kitchen, dining room, living room and, sometimes with the pull of a curtain, the private bedroom was all part of one big room.

    So, what is this verse saying? It is simply saying it’s better to face the elements on the roof than to live with a screaming, controlling, and overbearing spouse.

    To live that way is degrading and unpleasant to say the least. It is a disaster just waiting to happen for any family. And how about the neighbors who hear all that? (Oh yes, they do hear it.) Do you for a moment imagine that they are thinking, “I wish we were Christians like them?” God put us together as husband and wife to complement one another. He surely did not bind us in holy matrimony for us to control, complain, and be critical of each other.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    When you get together with your spouse today, what are you expecting? Better yet, what do you think they’re expecting? We usually get back what we continually give. God said we are to be one flesh, joined together by Him. If we are truly one in God’s eyes, let’s treat that ONE with love and respect.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 25, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezekiel 7 – 11     /   Proverbs 21:7-10

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 109-113           /     1 Co. 3

Living In His Word Ministries

I Love A Good Plan

AUGUST 24, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 21:4-6 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Most leadership programs that I have seen have the phrase in it somewhere, “Plan your work, and work your plan.” Sadly, we find that in life some folks never plan for anything. However, proper planning leads to a pleasant life.  

    There is something rewarding about making a plan, sticking to it, and seeing it through to the end. To dream is fine, but to tell others of that dream without a plan to accomplish it, is just a wish. We need to have a plan in place to accomplish most things in life. To make a proper plan takes some planning itself.

• One must plan to pray about it. A plan without God is not a well thought out plan. Only God knows the beginning from the end of all things. It would be wise to seek His wisdom in every matter.

• You must include in your plan careful consideration of the cost. The Bible tells us to be sure to count the cost before we begin any project.

• After you have prayed and planned, it is always wise to ask others to look at your ideas. If you know that God is leading you, do not let the negative Gus who will come along discourage you. Nevertheless, do find people who will make wise recommendations.

• Finally, plan to get busy. Do not Dream, Pray, Plan, Discuss and then do nothing. If God has laid a project on your heart, or a plan for life in your mind, get busy following God’s plan. Nonetheless, be sure to plan. “The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness.”

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    What is your plan for life? Some say it is hard to figure out. Ok, what is your plan for this year? Still too long? Do you have a plan for this month? This week? Do you at least have an idea of what is happening today? Remember, “the diligent tend only to plenteousness.” Be diligent. MAKE A PLAN!

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 24, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Ezekiel 1 – 6     /   Proverbs 21:4-6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 106-1081            /     1 Co. 2

Living In His Word Ministries

Weekend Review

August 22 & 23, 2020

Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of man
is the candle of the
LORD,
searching all
the inward parts
of the belly.  

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 33 – Day 6

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

Proverbs 20-21

WEEK 33 – 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

August 24, 2020      Ezekiel 1 – 6         Proverbs 21:4 – 6
August 25, 2020      Ezekiel 7  – 11      Proverbs 21:7 – 10
August 26, 2020      Ezekiel 12 – 16     Proverbs 21:11 – 13
August 27, 2020      Ezekiel 17 – 20     Proverbs 21:14 – 17
August 28, 2020      Ezekiel 21 – 24     Proverbs 21:18 – 20
August 29, 2020      Proverbs 21 – 22             
August 30, 2020      No Passages Assigned    

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

August 24, 2020      Psa. 106-108        1 Co. 2
August 25, 2020      Psa. 109-113        1 Co. 3
August 26, 2020      Psa. 114-118        1 Co. 4
August 27, 2020      Psa. 119:1-88       1 Co. 5
August 28, 2020      Psa. 119:89-176   1 Co. 6
August 29, 2020      Psa. 120-129        1 Co. 7
August 30, 2020      No Passages Assigned         

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

August 22, 2020      Psa. 103-105        1 Co. 1
August 23, 2020      No Passages Assigned

I Saw Them Do It First

AUGUST 21, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 21:1-3 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

  Excuses. What are they? There was an older gentleman at our church who has now gone home to be with the Lord, that would continually tell me the definition of an excuse is; “the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie.”

    We have all made up a flimsy excuse at one time or another. Instead of being completely honest with ourselves or someone else, we instead concoct a part truth. Sadly, we sometimes make up excuses and then rehearse them over and over in our minds. It often begins when we start to wonder, should I be reading this, watching this, or listening to this? Should I be going there, hanging out with them, or talking this way? Should I be drinking this, taking this, or smoking this? What is the one most popular excuse often used to give ourselves permission? “I saw Mr. or Miss Christian doing it, and so if it’s ok for them, it must be ok.” We begin to make excuses for our life, yet inside we have this funny feeling that we know something is not right. However, we have tried to convince ourselves that if God would let them get by with it, He’s sure to do the same for me.

    Did you ever stop to think; maybe others are watching you and thinking the same thing? Maybe they’re measuring things in their life by what they are seeing you do.

    The Bible says that man will try to find a way to make everything he does seem ok in his own eyes. God on the other hand, looks on your heart. He is keenly aware of what you really know to be true deep down inside of you. He knows of the feelings you have, knowing when something is right or wrong. Do you know why God knows? He put that feeling there to help you make better and right choices.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    A while back, I heard a phrase that helps me occasionally. It said, “If in doubt, don’t.” We need to operate under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and Gods Word and not according to someone we might see at work, in the community, or even at church. Let’s be an example of Christ and for Christ.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 21, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Lamentations 1 – 5     /   Proverbs 21:1-3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 97-102           /      Rom. 16

Living In His Word Ministries

Keep The Light On

AUGUST 20, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 20:27-30 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy. The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Think back to the last time you were watching TV, or maybe reading a book and the lights went out. The cause of the sudden darkness may have been a storm or a power failure. Whatever the cause, stop for a second, and think of how you felt for that one split second when your world turned black. Startled, a bit frightened, maybe a little uneasy? All these words would accurately describe that one split moment of surprise. Darkness has a way of causing us to be uneasy.

    The Bible says, “The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” In other words, God uses our spirit as a candle to view our heart. Hence the question we must ask ourselves is what does God see when He holds the candle of our spirit to our heart? Is our candle shinning bright, is it just a flicker, or could it be just a glowing ember on the wick essentially shutting the lights out on God?

    Does the idea of God standing right next to you examining you right now make you feel uneasy? Are you a bit frightened of what He would hear, or see in your life? Maybe you’re a bit startled at His presence with you. Similar to the way you felt when the lights went out, and you were alone in darkness.

    Our spirit should be one of joy, contentment, rejoicing, and peace. That is a spirit that glows brightly, which lights the way for the blessings of God.

    Often when we are awaiting guests in the evening, we tell them “we’ll keep the light on for you.” Let’s keep the light on for Jesus, shall we?

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    As a child, you probably sang a song that said, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.” Do you remember? If you have little children at home, sing it with them today. If not, just stop for a second, sing it, and think of the candle of your spirit. Let it shine for God.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  AUGUST 20, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Jeremiah 50-52      /   Proverbs 20:27-30

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 90-96           /      Rom. 15

Living In His Word Ministries