The Joy And The Sorrow

JUNE 22, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 15:20-23 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     One of the privileges as a Pastor is being with a family at the birth of their child. The smiles and joy these new births bring is almost indescribable. The innocence and dependence of a child on the parents brings an instant bond between them. Nevertheless, part of the struggles of being a Pastor is helping a family cope as children make wrong life choices. All the joy and togetherness seem to somehow to vanish. Sorrow and grief are left in its place. This often happens as children become young adults and want to be on their own. The love for them is still there, but the question of “why,” starts popping up.

     Some question why God allows their child to do such things. A child they worked so hard with and tried to raise right. Why is a loving God allowing them to turn out so wrong? Parents begin to blame themselves for their children’s sins. Some begin to blame God. The truth is, each child that was created by God and placed in your care, was created with a free will to choose what he or she would do. It is not always the parent’s fault, and definitely not God’s fault. Sometimes both God and parents have tried to give them the wisdom they need, and they refuse it. Grown children must choose to accept the wisdom of knowing God personally and walking with Him on a daily basis. Without that wisdom, the sins or folly of the world seem as joy to them.

     This is when a family needs the comforting counsel of the church family, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Without it, all the purpose of the past can seem so disappointing.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     So, what now? Well, never give up. At any age, they are still your children. Never quit praying and asking your church to join you in prayer for them. Lastly, be a loving example of Christ before them. Remember they must choose to live for God. You cannot choose for them.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 22, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 31 – 37      /     Proverbs 15:20-23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 1-3       /      Acts 3

Weekend Review

June 20 & 21, 2020

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the
LORD 
are in every place,
beholding
the evil and
the good.  

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 24 – Day 6

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

Proverbs 14-15

WEEK 24 – 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

June 22, 2020     Psalms 31 – 37           Proverbs 15:20 – 23
June 23, 2020     Psalms 38 – 44           Proverbs 15:24 – 26
June 24, 2020     Psalms 45 – 53           Proverbs 15:27 – 30
June 25, 2020     Psalms 54 – 64           Proverbs 15:31 – 33
June 26, 2020     Psalms 65 – 70           Proverbs 16:1 – 4
June 27, 2020     Proverbs 15 – 16                  
June 28, 2020  No Passages Assigned    

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

June 22, 2020      2 Chron. 1-3               Acts 3
June 23, 2020      2 Chron. 4-6               Acts 4
June 24, 2020      2 Chron. 7-9               Acts 5:1-28
June 25, 2020      2 Chron. 10-13           Acts 5:29-42
June 26, 2020      2 Chron. 14-17           Acts 6
June 27, 2020      2 Chron. 18-20           Acts 7:1-29
June 28, 2020  No Passages Assigned

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

JUNE 20, 2020     1 Chron. 28-29    /     Acts 2:37-47
JUNE 21, 2020     No Passages Assigned

I’m Content With You

JUNE 19, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 15:17-19 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith. A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. The way of the slothful man is as an hedge of thorns: but the way of the righteous is made plain.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     Would you like a really romantic word? Here’s one for you: CONTENTMENT. What, you say, how is contentment a romantic word? You may wonder; if I walk into the house, look at my spouse, hold their hand and say, “darling, I’m content with you,” is that going to be romantic? OK, probably not, but truthfully, it is a main ingredient in holding your home together.

     What causes a man, or woman to stray from what was a loving relationship? A couple that at one time could not keep their eyes, and probably their hands off one another, now one, or maybe both are out looking for someone else? Why does this happen? It’s because they have for some reason become less content than they were in the past. They are no longer satisfied with the other person. Why aren’t they satisfied? Most often, it’s pride. They believe they deserve more.

     The Bible is clear on the intimate life of a husband and wife. It should be exciting, ongoing, or never-ending. Our text says, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” It is being content in knowing that God has given us who He knows is best for us, and not looking around thinking there is something better out there. God has and will supply all that you will ever need in life.

     What then is it that keeps people from looking elsewhere? CONTENTMENT! Knowing that God has put you together with the right person. Understanding romance starts in the morning as you greet each other, and continues all day, so that when something happens in life, your spouse is the first person on your mind. It’s falling in love and staying in love. It’s letting God know you’re happy with His choice for your life. Contentment with God, and His decisions brings real peace and lasting joy.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Make it a point today to go the extra step and be sure that the special someone knows you love him or her. You will be much happier if you do. For some of you, you might want to be ready to call 911. It might shock them into a heart attack.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 19, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 22 – 30     /     Proverbs 15:17-19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 26-27     /     Acts 2:1-36

One Lie Feeds Another

JUNE 18, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 15:13-16 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     When I was a boy my mother would tell me, “don’t tell lies, because you’ll have to tell another lie to cover the first lie, and then yet another to cover that one. You’ll end up telling so many lies, you’ll not remember the original lie you told. Then, when you get caught in your lies, no one will believe you nor like you.”

     Those might not have been her exact words, but they’re close enough. She could have just quoted the commandment written in Exodus twenty, which says we’re not suppose to lie. However, my mom knew there was more than just one reason written in the pages of God’s Word for telling the truth. In fact, she knew God’s Word is the truth.

     She was simply taking Proverbs 15:14-15, and putting it into her own words. “The mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness,” and, “all the days of the afflicted are evil.” A lie told will have to be covered with more lies. A lie is an untrue story, the imagination of a sinful heart. It’s the opposite of the truth, and becomes foolishness. Every day that follows the lie becomes another twenty-four hours of trying to remember the lie, and living or exaggerating its folly. 

     By exact contrast, the heart of them who understands that God is all about the truth, will seek the wisdom, and knowledge only God can give. Then, a clear conscience, not trying to remember lies, will bring about days of joy and contentment. It will be a continual feast of enjoying the Word of God, and living by its principles. The truth really does set you free.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Seek the truth. Tell the truth. Live the truth. Obey the truth. Moreover, let the real Truth of God, His Son, dwell in you richly.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 18, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 15 – 21     /     Proverbs 15:13-16

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 23-25     /     Acts 1

Something Smells Fishy

JUNE 17, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 15:9-12 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     What is an abomination? We find this word written in the Bible several times, yet it’s not a word that we use too often today. According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, it means; “to stink.” It gives several examples. Some of which are; something filthy, and not acceptable for worship, rotting meat, that which is detestable, or something disgusting.

     One of the examples is like water polluted by dead fish. Of all the examples for me, that one hit home. Let me share why. For many years I have lived in Michigan, about two miles from the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan. However, every single year with the thaw of Winter snow and ice by the Spring sun, also comes the stench of dead fish. During the Spring, literally hundreds of thousands of fish wash up on the shores of the beautiful beaches. It is absolutely one of the most disgusting things to look at, and to smell. These beautiful sandy beaches, and wonderful shorelines, completely ruined by these stinking dead fish. Someone has to go out there, and clean them up every year so the shores of Lake Michigan are enjoyable again.

     That somewhat depicts how the Lord sees the ways of the wicked. What God had created to be beautiful and wonderful, is destroyed by the filth and stench of a life of sin. Until the blood of Jesus is applied to that life, and the sin is removed, it is disgusting to Him. Underneath all the debris of the world and it’s sinfulness it leaves on the shore of your soul, is a wonderful person waiting to be enjoyed. Nevertheless, someone has to clean it up. Someone needs to remove the abomination.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Jesus died to clean the sin from the shores of your soul. However, you need to give Him permission to come in, and do so. Once you invite Him to do just that, then He, and all those around you will see the wonderful, and beautiful you that He intended for you to be?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 17, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 1 – 14     /     Proverbs 15:9-12

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 20-22     /      John 21