Sitting In The Garage
October 29, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 26:11-13
 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him. The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    One of the saddest phenomena in the world today is the revolving door of the church. As I have been blessed with the opportunity to speak in several churches over the years, I am often saddened to hear about people who once appeared to be on fire for God but have now returned to living in the world.

    In the church I pastor, and in churches all across America, we find the same thing happening repeatedly. You’ll see someone come to the church, become enthusiastic about being there with so many loving people, join every available group, and engage in various meaningful activities within the church. They speak passionately about their faith and attend every church function. However, at some point, they encounter a minor issue within the church or an external influence, and off they go back into the world, reverting to their previous way of life.

 

    When you ask them if they are saved, they might respond, “Oh yes, I’m saved. I remember the date.” However, salvation is not merely a date, nor is it a set of magic words once uttered. Salvation is a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you have that relationship with Him, the sinfulness of the world will lose its appeal.

 

    The Bible says a dog returns to his vomit and a fool to his folly. The lost will always long for the world, but when a person is saved, the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Some say the people who return to the world have lost their salvation. Friend, you cannot lose what you most likely never had.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Enjoying church fellowship does not save you any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car. True Christianity is not about fellowship; it’s about relationship. A genuine relationship with Jesus will naturally lead you to desire church fellowship. 

 

 

Do you have a relationship with Jesus,
or do you simply hold church membership?

 

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: October 29, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Luke 23 – Luke 24
  Proverbs 26:11 – 13

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Jeremiah 16-19
  1 Timothy 6

 

Does The Bible Really Say That?
October 28, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 26:6-10
 He that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the feet, and drinketh damage. The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Have you ever heard someone attempting to use the Bible to justify their own selfish purposes? For instance, those who defend their daily consumption of alcohol by claiming that Jesus drank or even made alcohol for others. In truth, there is no indication in any verse that Jesus ever consumed alcohol. Furthermore, He would never engage in something that might lead someone to sin. The wine mentioned at the wedding feast was, in fact, more akin to modern-day grape juice, the fruit of the vine.

    Recently, I have come across the argument that it is acceptable for someone to be homosexual because, since God creates all things, God must have made them that way. Once again, someone is attempting to manipulate the Word of God. While God did create all things, He did not create individuals to be gay, just as He did not create anyone to go to hell. He created them to love Him. Homosexuality is regarded as a sin, and God abhors all sin. Therefore, He did not create individuals to engage in actions or be a certain way that He would despise. They are making a choice to live that way. God never hates people; He hates our sin.

    The verses we encounter today explain why people sometimes misuse God’s Word in this manner. For instance, why would it be nonsensical to bind a stone in a sling? Because a stone is meant to be launched out of the sling, not secured within it. When it is bound in the sling, it becomes useless. Often, a parable or a section of the Bible is taken out of context to serve selfish desires, teaching a half-truth or a principle unintended by the scripture.

    A significant issue arises when those who misuse the Bible genuinely believe their misunderstandings to be unequivocally true. Ultimately, this leads to suffering for them and many others as well.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    The Bible holds a consistent and true message throughout its entirety. It does not convey one thing in one place and something else in another. God and His Word remain consistent forever. You can rely on it.

Why would anyone want to make the Bible
claim anything but the absolute truth when we
rely on it to be our final truth?

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: October 28, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Luke 21 – Luke 22
  Proverbs 26:6 – 10

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Jeremiah 13-15
  1 Timothy 5

WEEKEND REVIEW
October 26 & 27, 2024

Proverbs 25:28

He that hath no rule
over his own spirit
is like a city
that is broken down,
and without walls.

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 42 – Day 6:

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

Proverbs 25-26

WEEK 42 – 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:

October 26, 2024
Jer. 10-12
1 Tim. 4
October 27, 2024
No Passages Assigned

NEXT WEEKS UPCOMING SCHEUDLES:

SCHEDULE 1 – Bible In a Year – with Proverbs Study 

October 28, 2024
Luke 21 – Luke 22
Proverbs 26:6 – 10
October 29, 2024
Luke 23 – Luke 24
Proverbs 26:11 – 13
October 30, 2024
John 1 – John 3
Proverbs 26:14 – 16
October 31, 2024
John 4 – John 5
Proverbs 26:17 – 22
November 1, 2024
John 6 – John 7
Proverbs 26:23 – 28
November 2, 2024
Proverbs 26- 27
November 3, 2024
No Passages Assigned

 

SCHEDULE 2 – Old & New Testament

October 28, 2024
Jeremiah 13-15
1 Timothy 5
October 29, 2024
Jeremiah 16-19
1 Timothy 6
October 30, 2024
Jeremiah 20-22
2 Timothy 1-2
October 31, 2024
Jeremiah 23-25
2 Timothy 3-4
November 1, 2024
Jeremiah 26-29
Titus 1
November 2, 2024
Jeremiah 30-31
Titus 2-3
November 3, 2024
No Passages Assigned

I’ll Be Saved When I Want To!
October 25, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 26:1-5
 As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly for a fool. As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come. A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “I’ll do what I want, when I want, and how I want.” That appears to be the prevailing attitude in much of society today. It’s a sense that we are somehow entitled to act as we please.

 

    There are individuals who hold the belief that if they enter the tribulation period with a full understanding of God’s saving grace through His Son but choose not to accept Christ as their Saviour, they can simply be saved later. How foolish it is to think that one can mock an entirely Holy God and His offer of salvation today and escape the consequences. There is always a price for disobedience. Our verses today say, just as there is, “A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass,” there is also, “a rod for the fool’s back.” There is always a price to pay for un-repented sin.

 

    Salvation is freely available today, but tomorrow might be too late. Some believe they can be saved whenever they choose, but this is not accurate. A person can only be saved when God is calling and working in their heart. Does this negate human free will? No. Everyone retains the freedom to accept or reject Christ, but they do not have the freedom to diminish God’s grace by ridiculing His desire to save them. People cannot indefinitely disregard God’s invitation.

 

    Is God still inviting the world to be saved? Yes, He is indicating that there is another way, a better way to live. If people will listen and place their trust in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, He will bestow upon them His Spirit. This Holy Spirit will then assist them in comprehending God’s Word. Otherwise, the truth of Scripture is, as our verse says, “as snow in the summer,” it may not make sense. They may ask, “How can the Holy Spirit help me understand God’s Word?” The answer: “He wrote it.” 2 Peter 1:21 says: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Good news: if you feel God calling you right now, it is not too late to be saved. Invite Jesus into your heart today, right now! And if you are already saved, share the good news while there is still time.

 

Are we missing opportunities God places in our lives?

 

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: October 25, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Luke 18 – Luke 20
  Proverbs 26:1 – 5

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Jer. 7-9
  1 Tim. 2-3

 

Advice From A Talebearer
October 24, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 25:25-28
 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

 

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    People tend to dislike individuals they cannot trust. As my dad used to say, “Be a person of your word; if you make a promise, keep it.” It is challenging to have faith in someone who does not honor their own commitments.

 

    I’m sure you’ve experienced this truth in your own life. When everything is going smoothly, and there are no problems on the horizon, people all seem relatively similar. You can listen to advice from various sources and decide what to use or discard. However, when storm clouds gather and troubles loom, to whom do you turn? From whom do you seek guidance during these challenging times? Is it the person who constantly seeks praise? What about those who frequently tell tall tales? Do you rely on the person who promises to be there but never shows up and appears unconcerned? How about someone who lies persistently? I would guess not. Why not? Because you’ve learned from experience that you cannot trust these individuals with anything.

 

    This is precisely why our verses today emphasize that a righteous person should not seek advice from the wicked. The wisdom they offer is likely to be self-serving or an outright falsehood. When life’s trials and tribulations are bearing down on you, you don’t have the luxury of sifting through the good and bad advice. You know you need sound guidance from a trusted and righteous individual.

 

    Remember, people perceive Christians based on their credibility. As children of God, they view us as representatives of our God. The Bible even calls us Ambassadors for Him. We embody a God who cannot lie and who is always faithful. Our actions and words, in the eyes of the world, reflect who Christ is. Therefore, we must consistently demonstrate faithfulness on His behalf.

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Make your words, your attitude, and your life count for Jesus. Be faithful to Him and true to your word. The testimony you either support or damage may not only be your own but also that of Christ’s.

 

Do we think of God’s testimony in our lives?

 

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: October 24, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
Luke 15 – Luke 17
  Proverbs 25:25 – 28

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Jer. 4-6
  1 Tim. 1