Keeping A Lid On Life

JULY 15, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 17:13-15 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Have you ever tried to put toothpaste back in the tube once it has been squeezed out? I guess it can be done, but it’s never easy. However, the question might be raised, “Why did you squeeze so much out that you feel you need to put any back?” It may have just been carelessness. Possibly, you left the lid off after its last use and then accidentally leaned on it and…Oops. Maybe you were about to squeeze a small amount out, and someone scared you. You lost control for a split second and…splat. Could it be you were in a hurry and didn’t realize how hard you squished the tubes sides and… Plop…out it came. 

    Life can often be like that sometimes. Carelessness will cause us to say, or do something that causes just a little trouble at first, but if not properly dealt with, (if we don’t put a lid on it,) it may cause years of problems. It could be that people come into our life and distract us from the calling God has for us. We get out of God’s perfect will, and life seems to be one struggle after another. Then again, it may be we pressed ourselves too hard and pushed ahead of God, and now the struggles of life seem to be piled on our plates at once. Oh, how we would like to put things back in order. However, rewinding life’s “Oops” moments are often like putting toothpaste back in the tube.

    We may not always be able to redo those things in life, nevertheless, we can always learn from them. Sometimes if we’re careful, we can scoop up that spilled toothpaste and still use it. In the same way, we may have to live with the results of our actions in life, but God will forgive us from the penalty of sin if we will only ask Him to. He will scoop up what’s left of our lives and use it for His glory if we’ll let Him.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Sin is a trap. It entices you toward itself, and then lies and tells you there is no hope of escape now that you’re here. Sin is a problem in life, but God has a solution to sins grip on us. The solution is belief in Jesus Christ and living by His Word. It helps us keep a lid on life to avoid the oops, splats, and plops.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 15, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Ecclesiastes 7 – 12     /   Proverbs 17:13-15

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Esther 1-4    /   Acts 16:25-40

Living In His Word Ministries

Watch Out For The BEARS!

JULY 14, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 17:9-12 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him. Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

  Let’s use our imaginations today for a moment. What do you imagine will happen to a man or woman who might by chance run up on a mother bear who has just had her cubs taken from her? Your right, it is not going to be petting zoo time. That person would most likely be torn to bits by the powerful claws and teeth of this angry mother bear.

    Just as sure as the idea of breaking free from the wrath of the angry mother bear seems impossible or foolish, so is the idea that a person, who plays in the foolishness sinful ways, will someday be able to break free. I guess that is why the writers of this Proverb called people who think this way a fool. The playful little sin that they once believed to be fun, will continually entangle and trap them until they are destroyed by it.

    The sad part is they never see their sin trapping them until it is too late. Their joy will turn to sorrow. Their play becomes a controlling slave master. They are no longer free to do what they want but must serve the sin that has engulfed their life.

    How can they ever be free? Only through the grace of God can a person be saved and be freed from sins grip. God calls you to freedom, safety, and His Son Jesus. Can you hear His call in your heart, or are the bears growling outside your door?

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    If it feels like the world has enslaved you and you want to be free, cry out to a Holy God, and ask for forgiveness. He is willing to forgive and cleanse you. If you desire to be free and be saved, there is also good news. It means He is calling you now. Do not put it off until it’s too late.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 14, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Ecclesiastes 1 – 6      /   Proverbs 17:9 – 12

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Neh. 13    /   Acts 16:1-24

Living In His Word Ministries

Oh, To Be A Grandparent

JULY 13, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 17:5-8 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers. Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Get around any grandparent, mention their grandchildren and you will see a book full of pictures, and hear an hour’s worth of tales on how wonderful and magnificent their grandchildren are. These children are able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, diapers, and all. 

    I joke about it, but the Bible told us centuries ago this was how it’s supposed to be. “Children’s Children are the crown of old men,” (including also, gracefully aging women). Grandparents will talk more about the accomplishments of a 5-year-old in kindergarten than about their own children, even if their child is a rocket scientist who went to the moon.

    Furthermore, it is a great blessing for parents who are fortunate enough, to be able to introduce their children to their grandparents. Grandma and grandpa have so many more exciting stories to tell, and often, more time to tell them.

    My wife, our children, and I are extremely fortunate in that we had godly men to look to for examples in our lives. My father and my wife’s father were both great examples of God-fearing men, (in addition to the family jokesters on occasion,) before they passed into glory. We also had a third Fatherly example to look to as well, God, our Heavenly Father.

    I count myself truly fortunate to have three Godly forefathers as examples to pass on to my children. Nevertheless, if I had only one, and if that one was God the Father, He would be enough. “The glory of children are their fathers.” I sure love all the fathers in my life.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Have you introduced your children to their forefathers? They have wonderful stories to tell. Some are recorded in the pages of the Bible by our heavenly Father. Some stories are recorded in the hearts of those of us who know and love Him.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 13, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 141 – 150      /   Proverbs 17:5-8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Neh. 11-12    /   Acts 15:28-41

Living In His Word Ministries

Weekend Review

JULY 11 & 12, 2020

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way
that seemeth right unto a man,
but the end thereof 
are the ways of death.  

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 27 – Day 6

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

Proverbs 16-17

WEEK 27 – 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

July 13, 2020    Psalms 141 – 150                 Proverbs 17:5 – 8
July 14, 2020    Ecclesiastes 1 – 6                Proverbs 17:9 – 12
July 15, 2020    Ecclesiastes 7 – 12              Proverbs 17:13 – 15
July 16, 2020    Song of Solomon 1 – 4       Proverbs 17:16 – 19
July 17, 2020    Song of Solomon 5 – 8       Proverbs 17:20 – 22
July 18, 2020    Proverbs 17-18                  
July 19, 2020    No Passages Assigned    

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

July 13, 2020    Neh. 11-12                 Acts 15:28-41
July 14, 2020    Neh. 13                      Acts 16:1-24
July 15, 2020    Esther 1-4                  Acts 16:25-40
July 16, 2020    Esther 5-10                Acts 17
July 17, 2020    Job 1-4                      Acts 18
July 18, 2020    Job 5-8                      Acts 19:1-22
July 19, 2020   No Passages Assigned

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

July 11, 2020   Neh. 9-10      /     Acts 15:1-27
July 12, 2020   No Passages Assigned

Dirty Mouth? …Clean It Up!

JULY 10, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 17:1-4 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife. A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren. The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

  On television, I saw a commercial from a chewing gum company that says “Dirty Mouth? …Clean It Up!” They of course are suggesting you do so by chewing their brand of gum.

    While that gum may do many things to clean your mouth, freshen your breath, and possibly remove debris from between your teeth, it only works for a short time, and then you will need to chew another piece. To clean up the mouth from hurtful and harmful conversation you need a lot more than gum, toothpaste, or mouthwash. You need a change of heart.

    Just as metal which is tried by the fire of a smelting pot to remove the impurities, the conversation that comes from our mouth is also tried by a flame that burns within the heart of man. If you are on fire for the Lord, the flame in your heart will desire to take away hate and gossip, leaving your conversation filled with the love you have for God. In Ephesians 4:14-15 Paul says; “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:.” How we speak will quickly tell those around us who we serve. Whether that be our self, or our Saviour.

    Those whose heart burns with a desire toward trouble will find themselves drawn to false lips and naughty tongues of the world. Gossip and grumbling are something God truly hates.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    What is the flame of your heart burning for today? Does your heart long for the truth of God’s Word, and the fellowship of His saints? Or, is your heart leading you toward the gossip and garbage that destroys others’ lives and makes God sick? Dirty Mouth? …Clean it up!

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JULY 10, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 134 – 140      /   Proverbs 17:1-4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Neh. 7-8    /   Acts 14

Living In His Word Ministries