Led To Lead

JUNE 10, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 14:27-29 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of people is the destruction of the prince. He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     Leadership can be lonely. People assume because leaders have a number of people who follow them, and they always appear to have someone around them, that there is no possible way for them to ever become lonely.

     However, the truth of the matter is that if a leader is a true leader indeed, he or she will always be out in front of the people, carving a path for them to follow. Leaders are often walking on dangerous ground while others are waiting to see if it’s safe. They are regularly criticized by those who follow, and also by those who will not follow, for the moves, and decisions they make. Leading is lonely. Nevertheless, it’s the only thing a true leader can do, as they can see no other path in life.

     In the multitude of people who are led correctly, there is honor. Without people, leaders are no longer leaders; they are just another person on a hike. However, leaders who lead incorrectly often leave few, or angry followers for any leaders who may come after them. Thereby making leading difficult.

     So how can you lead, and know you are leading correctly? What is it that gives a leader confidence to take a group of people into uncharted areas of their life? Verse 27 answers this question. Respect, and reverence for God, and our Lord Jesus Christ is; “a fountain of life.” Leading people to Christ, and guiding them into a greater walk with Him is always safe. As the verse says it will help them, “to depart from the snares of death.” Everything else is simply a gamble.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Everyone is a leader, like it or not. Someone is following you in the path you are walking. The question then is, where are you leading them? It’s also true you are leading them either closer to God, or farther away from Him. We should all pray; “Oh God, be my guide. Holy Spirit, guard my path. Jesus, be my life. Amen.”

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 10, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 18 – 21    /     Proverbs 14:27-29

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 6-7     /      John 17

It’s All Just Stuff

JUNE 09, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 14:24-26 The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly. A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     Imagine for a moment your coming home, and as you turn the corner where you live, you see fire trucks, and a crowd gathered around what was once your home? Friends, I don’t have to imagine very hard, as I lived through this very scenario.

     Everything I thought I loved so much was in that house. My records, (for those of you who are teens or younger, they were like a CD, only bigger. Ask someone who lived in the 60’s to explain it) our pictures, my guitar, our clothes, and everything. However, when I turned the corner, got out of my car, and ran toward the house, I was not worried one bit about those things. I was wondering where my wife, and my four children were. Once I found them safe at a neighbor’s home, I really didn’t care too much about that old house anymore.

     Were we saddened over the fact that we lost many of those things inside? Sure we were. Pictures that can never be replaced were in there. A wedding gown my wife had hoped to pass down some day was ruined. We lost some precious items.

     We count on things such as our house to keep us warm, dry, and safe. However, a house, and all our belongings in it, when it really comes down to it, they are just things. The only constant we will ever have that can never be removed is God.

     Over the years, we’ve learned not to trust in things. Instead we completely put our faith in God. In Him, I have confidence, and an assurance that my family and I, are safe for all eternity.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Look around you for just a moment and ask yourself; what would happen if this all vanished today, with no chance to save any of it. Guess what, it could, and it’s not that important. The house, and all those earthly things are just stuff. Nevertheless, God will provide a way for those who rely on him. Put your faith in God, not in things. He will see you through. Remember, He gave you all that stuff to begin with. It really all belongs to Him.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 09, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 11 – 17     /     Proverbs 14:24-26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 3-5     /    John 16:16-33

Have We Forgotten Too?

JUNE 08, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 14:20-23 The poor is hated even of his own neighbour: but the rich hath many friends. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good. In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     Years ago there was a Television program called, “The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” It took us into the homes of the ultra rich, and famous people of the world. It would show us the vacation spots they could afford, along with the cars, and toys they all had. It was a very popular show, as everyone wanted to see how the rich lived their life.

    I wonder what type of viewing they would have had if they called the show, “Lifestyles of the Poor and Lonely?” Taking us into the back allies, where some people scrape by for existence. What if they had followed along with a family who had been reduced to living in their car because some of the rich and famous cared more about their bottom line, than the people who helped them get there? Taking us into the home of a single parent, struggling week after week just to pay the rent, and to have a few items of food for the family to eat. What if they had shown us a Rescue Mission, with people gathered around, just thanking God for one more plate of food to eat that day? I have to wonder, what kind of viewership that program would have received. The viewing may have been good for a few weeks. However, after it began to make some feel guilty about not reaching out to help here and there, I’m sure the ratings would have fallen off sharply.

     I know there are some who are in tough times because they are not doing what they should. Nevertheless, there are also many who have just been neglected, and forgotten. We might ask ourselves Christians, have we forgotten them too.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     If you want to be involved in a ministry where people are grateful immediately for what you do, find a Rescue Mission, or Retirement Home in your area and volunteer to help. Not only will those you serve be grateful, but also the God you serve will be grateful as well, and soon send His blessings your way.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 08, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 6 – 10     /     Proverbs 14:20-23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  1 Chron. 1-2     /     John 16:1-15

Weekend Review

June 6 & 7, 2020

Proverbs 14:2

He that walketh in his uprightness
feareth the
LORD:
but he that is perverse in his ways
despiseth him.

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 22 – Day 6

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

Proverbs 13-14

WEEK 22 – 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 8, 2020     Job 6     – 10            Proverbs 14:20 – 23
June 9, 2020     Job 11   – 17            Proverbs 14:24 – 26
June 10, 2020   Job 18   – 21            Proverbs 14:27 – 29
June 11, 2020   Job 22   –  25           Proverbs 14:30 – 32
June 12, 2020   Job 26   – 30            Proverbs 14:33 – 35
June 13, 2020   Proverbs 14 – 15                    
June 14, 2020  No Passages Assigned    

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

June 8, 2020    1 Chron. 1-2            John 16:1-15
June 9, 2020    1 Chron. 3-5            John 16:16-33
June 10, 2020  1 Chron. 6-7            John 17
June 11, 2020  1 Chron. 8-9            John 18:1-18
June 12, 2020  1 Chron. 10-11        John 18:19-40
June 13, 2020  1 Chron. 12-14        John 19:1-30
June 14, 2020  No Passages Assigned

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

    JUNE 6, 2020     2 Kings 25   /     John 15
    JUNE 7, 2020     No Passages Assigned

The Cost Of Living

JUNE 05, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 14:16-19 A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     The cost of living is a subject constantly on peoples’ minds today. Fuel prices seem to remain unstable. With unstable fuel prices, transportation costs remain high. The cost then of all items that are transported by air, rail, or truck also must go up. When this happens, corporations likewise feel the pinch. This reflects in the average worker’s paycheck remaining the same, or in many cases being cut, and going down. The pinch on finances from both sides causes bigger ticket items to also slump in sales. Houses, cars, and boats all decline in sales. It all amounts to what we call, “the cost of living.”

     However, what is the true cost of real living. Another way to say that would be, what does having a real life cost? The answer is, “everything.” The eventual cost of living for ones self, and this world is everything. Sinfulness, and the lifestyle that accompanies it cost friendships, relationships, incarcerations, health, dignity, self-esteem, reputations, and the list goes on and on. There is always just one more party to go to, one more bet to be placed, one more drug to do, or one more this or that, until life is gone. In James 1:15 it says; “…and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Yes, sin will cost you the ultimate price, your life. At journey’s end here on earth, without Christ it costs your eternal life. In other words as our text todays says; “the simple inherit folly.” Living with a false confidence that you’ll always have one more day to get things right, leads people to the day when they find, all their days are gone.

     The Christian life also costs everything. It cost Christ His life to pay for our sin, and He asks us to devote our life to Him. However, when we do turn our life over to Him, we inherit a good testimony, trust, true friends, freedom, and eternal life. Now friend, this is a cost of living worth investing in.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     If you must invest everything, why not invest in the greatest return. Invest everything into the world and end up with nothing. Give your life to Christ and gain everything. Hum, what to do!

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 05, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Job 1 – 5     /     Proverbs 14:16-19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Kings 23-24     /     John 14