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Choosing Our Words Carefully
December 3, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 29:19-21
 A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” Today, this same warning is conveyed through phrases such as “Watch out for a Fast-Talking Salesperson” or “Beware of Mr. Smooth Talker.” These warnings may give us the impression that the problem lies in what is being said. However, the real issue is not in the speech itself but in the character of the speaker. Pride and arrogance often accompany such individuals, as they have a fondness for themselves and believe they are right even when proven wrong.

    This is part of our society’s challenge today. We desire everyone to have a strong sense of self-esteem. Please do not misunderstand; we should acknowledge that God created us and loves us for who He made us to be. However, He also repeatedly cautions us against thinking too highly of ourselves.

    So why do our Smooth Fast Talkers encounter such difficulties? It’s because they are more focused on telling you what they think rather than taking the time to consider what God thinks. Jesus warned the disciples in Matthew 10:19 not to worry about what they would say because it would be provided to them. Similarly, in Matthew 13:11, they were informed that the Holy Spirit would guide their speech.

    When asked about your opinion on a world crisis, you often have a quick response. However, if questioned about what God’s Word says on the same matter, you must pause and contemplate. The Holy Spirit then brings verses to mind, and you begin to think as God thinks. Often, the two opinions diverge. So, which opinion do you believe is more accurate: yours alone or yours combined with the counsel of God’s Word?

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Isaiah 31:2 states that God never retracts His Words. Psalms 12:6 tells us that His Words are as pure as the purest silver. God’s Words are always correct when applied in the context they are given. If you want to speak safely, consider what God says and use His words.

How often do you use God’s Word as you speak?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: December 3, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  2 Corinthians 1 – 2 Corinthians 7
  Proverbs 29:19 – 21

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Daniel 7-8
  1 John 3

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Whose Vision Is It?
December 2, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 29:16-18
 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall. Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    A vision! It sounds like someone closed their eyes and somehow received this vision. It brings to mind Bible stories where God conveyed information through prophets via visions. I have heard preachers speak of their vision for new buildings or schools. Missionaries discuss their vision for the mission field and the people of another land. Evangelists share a vision for America and the church. Some use this verse to support the importance of this vision and need. “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The problem is they stopped quoting to soon.

    The vision mentioned in this verse is not meant to be our own vision; it is meant to be God’s vision. In this context, the word “vision” signifies “prophetic revelation.” The second part of that verse says, “but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” We no longer require God to implant visions in us for the future because the Bible serves as our complete “Prophetic Revelation.” God does not need another messenger with a new message; He requires messengers to carry out the timeless message that transforms people into new creations in Him.

    I believe that the pastors, evangelists, and missionaries who referenced this passage were sincere. I believe that God works within us, instilling burdens in our hearts for places of service. I also believe that ministry-related visions genuinely stem from time spent in the Word and understanding God’s calling on their lives. God imparts wisdom in the hearts of individuals to fulfill these earthly visions.

    Nevertheless, it’s crucial to ensure we understand Scripture as it is written. Without a vision, people perish. Without a Word from God, people will perish. How do we receive that Word? By reading the Bible daily and sharing it frequently.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    A song proclaims, “Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.” In our prayers, we may implore: “Rescue us, O Lord, from perishing without your Word. Help us, Father, to navigate life with prophetic guidance from your Holy Word, so that we may not perish without your vision. Amen.”

Who’s vision are following?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: December 2, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Corinthians 15 – 1 Corinthians 16
  Proverbs 29:16 – 18

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Daniel 5-6
  1 John 1-2

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WEEKEND REVIEW
November 30 & December 1, 2024

Proverbs 29:2

When the righteous are in authority,
the people rejoice:
but when the wicked beareth rule,
the people mourn.

Work Week Devotions
Through The Book Of Proverbs

     What a joy it has been to be with you this past week. I pray these WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS have been a blessing to you as well. To receive them daily in your e-mail box go to LIHWMinistries Sign-Up Page – Living In His Word Ministries and sign up. Each day these devotions will be delivered directly in your e-mail box.

      As previously mentioned, with WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS, we will only be publishing Devotional Thoughts Monday – Friday.

     On Saturday we suggest you re-read the entire chapter we have been studying this 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.

As we Journey through Proverbs, if you have any questions
Please send them to LIHWDEV@LIHWMinistries.org

Also, you would be huge help and blessing if you 
might write a review on these devotions on
Review Work Week Devotions (amazon.com)
or 
Review Work Week Devotions Journal (amazon.com)

WEEK 47 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 28-29

WEEK 47 – 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
OLD & NEW TESTAMENT TODAY AND TOMORROW:

November 30, 2024
Daniel 3-4
2 Peter 3
December 1, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

December 2, 2024
1 Corinthians 15 – 1 Corinthians 16
Proverbs 29:16 – 18
December 3, 2024
2 Corinthians 1 – 2 Corinthians 7
Proverbs 29:19 – 21
December 4, 2024
2 Corinthians 8 – 1 Corinthians 13
Proverbs 29:22 – 25
December 5, 2024
Galatians
Proverbs 29:26 – 27
December 6, 2024
Ephesians
Proverbs 30:1 – 4
December 7, 2024
Proverbs 29-30
December 8, 2024
No Passages Assigned

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

December 2, 2024
Daniel 5-6
1 John 1-2
December 3, 2024
Daniel 7-8
1 John 3
December 4, 2024
Daniel 9-10
1 John 4
December 5, 2024
Daniel 11-12
1 John 5
December 6, 2024
Hosea 1-4
2 John
December 7, 2024
Hosea 5-9
3 John
December 8, 2024
No Passages Assigned

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Raise Up A Leader
November 29, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 29:12-15
 If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked. The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes. The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    John Maxwell, in his book “Developing the Leaders Around You,” stated, “Grow a leader – grow the organization.” In other words, the fate of the organization often mirrors that of its leader.

    Where could John Maxwell, a Christian author, have derived such an idea? I believe he probably drew inspiration from the Bible. This concept aligns with what verse twelve suggests. If the ruler is wicked, those who follow his lead are likely to adopt similar behavior.

    You may wonder why this happens. There could be several reasons. Firstly, a leader tends to assemble a team that supports his decisions. If his decisions are dubious, he may surround himself with individuals of questionable character to implement his ideas. Additionally, people around him might have been influenced to mimic his behavior. The methods of operation are often learned through day-to-day activities, and many may not be familiar with alternative approaches. Corrupt practices may be all they have ever known. Consequently, they may treat others deceitfully because that’s what they’ve learned. Those who refuse to participate in their dishonest schemes are often looked down upon.

    Often, we find that nothing will change in the lives of these individuals until they face real adversity. It’s only when they experience a life-threatening illness that they realize money and position cannot purchase health. While they may have access to different treatments, life itself is a gift from God. In our text, it says; “The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.” God bestows life upon both the poor and the affluent. Life and death situations have a way of equalizing things.     

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     When facing God someday, I desire to be on the side that showed compassion towards humanity, akin to the king who justly judged the poor. How can we nurture compassionate leaders? We raise them to be so, with godly parents who set godly examples.

How do you see those who are in leadership around you?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: November 29, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Corinthians 11 – 1 Corinthians 14
  Proverbs 29:12 – 15

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Daniel 1-2
  2 Peter 2

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM

Let Me Tell You Something
November 28, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 29:8-11
 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath. If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest. The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    People often get upset over rather trivial matters. They complain about them, ruminate on them, replay them in their minds repeatedly, and then exclaim, “I think I’ll give them a piece of my mind.” I once heard a man respond to someone who made that comment, saying, “Don’t do that, you have so little to begin with.”

    It seems to be a common tendency for most people to express their thoughts when they are angry. Occasionally, if this can be done in a calm and collected manner during a conversation, it may even be constructive. However, more often than not, this anger emerges as a barrage of hateful and slanderous words that do little to resolve the underlying issue.

    Then there are those individuals who seem compelled to share everything they know every time they see you. Fortunately, this typically doesn’t take very long if you encounter them regularly because they repeat their information each time. After all, it’s unlikely that they’ve learned that much more in such a short span of time, right?

    Unfortunately, there are also people who exploit these talkative types. They make them believe they are their friends when, in reality, they are not. To propagate the latest gossip about someone or something, these insincere friends fill the heads of those who spill their grievances when angry and then deliberately bring up topics to provoke them. As a result, when the next person mentions that subject, the individuals who love to share everything they know become like an open faucet, pouring out all the information they’ve been fed. None of these people ever gain respect from those around them.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    This sin is often called gossip, and God despises it. In today’s passage, it says, “A fool utters his mind.” The issue is that all they have in their mind is a small part of the story. They often do not know the whole picture. Let us be wise believers and wait to discern what is on God’s mind before we speak too much.

Do you ever note that someone
who shares very little about those around them
is actually saying alot about
the Holy Spirit that resides in them?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

GOD TALKING TO ME: November 28, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Corinthians 6 – 1 Corinthians 10
  Proverbs 29:8 – 11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Ezekiel 46-48
  2 Peter 1