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Where Is Your Cart?
October 11, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:27-29
 Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    My dad had a different way of expressing what verse 27 conveys. He would often say, “Don’t put the cart before the horse.” Essentially, this means doing things in the proper sequence. While it’s possible for a horse to push a cart, it’s not efficient, sustainable, or something that should happen frequently. In life, we frequently find ourselves eager to move forward before adequately preparing. Instead of taking the time to equip ourselves with knowledge and truth, we often rush into situations ill-prepared. Just as a horse can manage to push a cart, we might still make progress, but it’s much more challenging than it should be.

    This tendency to rush ahead without proper preparation is also evident in churches, especially with new Christians who are eager to help. In their enthusiasm to contribute, and the churches need for volunteers, these young believers are sometimes placed in positions for which they are not adequately prepared. This rush occurs in the business world as well, with individuals dreaming of success today but failing to anticipate the challenges of tomorrow. Marriages can also suffer from this impatience. A man who lacks stability in his morals, manners, finances, and spirituality may aspire to lead a household without first preparing himself to stand independently.

    I’m not suggesting that we should have all the answers to life’s questions before taking any action. If that were the case, no one would ever accomplish anything. However, we should ensure that we have essential aspects of life covered, such as:

● Who is the true leader in your life?
● Where do you seek guidance, especially when things become chaotic?
● How are decisions made?
● What or who serves as the ultimate authority?
● When I make a mistake, where should I turn to rectify it?
● Lastly, if someone were to ask me these questions, can I direct them to written sources that provide answers?

    Taking time to address these fundamental questions can help us better navigate life’s challenges and make more informed decisions.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    The answers to all the questions above are “God and His Word.” God serves as the ultimate authority in all matters, and He has provided the answers to life within the Bible. It is now our responsibility to diligently study and seek approval from Him.

What or who do you hold as your final authority?

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 11, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Mark 7 – Mark 9
  Proverbs 24:27 – 29

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 29-31
  Phil. 3

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Who Are You Voting For?
October 10, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:24-26
  He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    In our last devotion, we discussed the importance of the fear and respect that God should command. Additionally, we touched upon the significance of showing respect to leaders in various aspects of our lives, including our nations, churches, and homes. However, it’s often the case that such respect is lacking, and one of the root causes can be found in today’s verses.

    When we elect individuals to positions of leadership who are not suited for the role, it diminishes the respect that should naturally accompany that office. Consequently, every leader who follows in that role must work to restore the dignity and respect it should hold. This creates a dual responsibility for them: not only do they have to manage the daily responsibilities of the job, but they also need to rectify a situation they had no part in creating.

    So, why do we often choose the wrong people for these leadership positions? One reason is our own laziness. We sometimes avoid the effort of researching and understanding the qualifications and values of the candidates. Instead, we may simply vote along party lines or choose based on popularity, without considering the implications for our future and the well-being of those who will come after us.

    Another contributing factor is friendships. We may elect individuals to office based on personal connections or affiliations, rather than making a thoughtful and informed decision. The reasons for such choices can vary, whether they’re rooted in financial interests, political affiliations, or popularity, but the outcomes of such elections can be perilous

    We all need to embrace our responsibility as conscientious citizens, committed church members, and even as discerning individuals in our personal relationships. It’s imperative that we take the time and effort to identify the right leaders for our homes, churches, and lives. Our selections should not be based solely on their oratory skills, appearance, or political party. Instead, we should prioritize leaders who align with our moral values and have a genuine love for our Lord.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    It is never too early or too late to pray for our leaders. Let’s pray for those who currently hold positions of leadership, as they require God’s guiding hand. Additionally, let’s remember to pray for potential future leaders, asking that God would strengthen and guide them. Furthermore, let’s pray that God may direct our gaze and open our hearts to them.

Have you thought through your choices in leadership?

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 10, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Mark 4 – Mark 6
  Proverbs 24:24 – 26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 25-28
  Phil. 2

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM

Fear And Respect
October 9, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:20-23
 For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Fear and respect—two aspects of life that seem to have diverged in contemporary society. These two concepts appear to have little in common these days.

    Fear is typically a reaction to something we’re afraid of, but there’s also a reverential fear associated with respecting someone or something’s power. For example, I don’t fear light switches and wall sockets, but I hold a respectful fear for the potential dangers of mishandling electricity. Consequently, we make efforts to minimize fear’s role in our lives.

    Respect has also undergone changes. In our emphasis on self-esteem, we’ve elevated the importance of self while diminishing respect for those in authority. Society encourages us to view everyone as equals, where no one has authority over another. This approach has eroded the respect we should have for figures like police officers, government leaders, clergy, and even God Himself.

    Though all people are equal in God’s eyes, with no distinctions based on race, group, or gender within His kingdom or church, the Bible teaches us to fear the LORD and the king. This means we should respect and revere the Lord because He is God and the Creator of the universe. Additionally, the Bible emphasizes the importance of respecting authority figures because God ultimately controls their appointments.

    Today’s verses say, “meddle not with them that are given to change.” This doesn’t imply that we should never seek change but rather that we should respect and support godly leadership. We should elect individuals with strong moral character and then pray for them, trusting in God’s judgment and sovereignty over us.     

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Thank the Lord today for those He has placed in authority over you. Pray for them by name, asking God to grant them godly wisdom in their leadership. Trust that God is still on the throne and have faith that He knows what He is doing.

Who in leadership will you pray for today?

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 9, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Mark 1 – Mark 3
  Proverbs 24:20 – 23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 20-24
  Phil. 1

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM

We Love To Win
October 8, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:17-19
 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Don’t you just love winning? This may seem like a rhetorical question, but it’s worth examining. The truth is, we all love winning. When our team wins, we yell, scream, and act simply crazy. When our child wins at sports or any competition, we are as proud as if we had won ourselves. Winning is wonderful. However, when someone wins, it usually means someone else has lost.

    Our passage in Proverbs today is not speaking about friendly competitions; rather, it is about the struggles of real life. Nevertheless, the competitive nature of our hearts often joins in life’s arena as well. It may be when a neighbor doesn’t do as well as we have that we almost feel as though we have somehow won something. It could be when someone hurts us, either intentionally or accidentally, and then we see them get hurt in a similar fashion. We somehow feel better and almost glad for their dilemmas. It’s that competitive, “I must win” nature.

    As much as God warns the lost to beware of oppressing the righteous, He also warns the righteous about wishing evil on their enemies. God hates it when we gloat. But why should we feel a need to gloat? To gloat means we feel we have won, but that’s not true. We won when we accepted Jesus as our Saviour. We have no need to continually win because we now live on the winning side. We need not wish that anyone else should fail to make us feel more like a winner. We are as much a winner today as we will ever be. We have the grand prize in our possession today. We have Jesus as our Lord, the Holy Spirit in our hearts, and Heaven waiting as our home. What more do we need to win?

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    God saved us when we did not deserve salvation. No one truly deserves salvation, but all the lost are in need of salvation. God does not require us to be His judges on earth; He simply asks us to be His witnesses.

Is it possible then to win,
and our pride cause us to also lose?

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 8, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Matthew 26 – Matthew 28
  Proverbs 24:17 – 19

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 15-19
  Eph. 6

BOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE AT AMAZON.COM

Bullies Never Really Win
October 7, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 24:13-16
 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Wouldn’t it be great if all the evil-hearted folks of the world would just read the Bible? It plainly warns them against trying to destroy the righteous people of God.

    We might often wish that the Bible said the wicked would fail at their attempts to hurt the righteous, but that is not what it says. In fact, it implies that in their attempts to destroy us, they will succeed in bringing problems into our lives.

    Can the wicked of this world hurt the righteous? They sure can, and often do. They can inflict physical pain if they take a notion to. However, often more scarring is the mental and emotional pain they will cause. They bring up our past and try to destroy us with it. They bring up our present failures and magnify them in the presence of others to try to tear us down.

    Does ridicule hurt? We would like to be as hard as stone and say, “no way.” However, truthfully, it does. The playground chant of, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is not really true. When it happens, the pain and anguish are real. Even so, we must also remember that the promise God makes to the righteous is just as real. God will strengthen us, and we will not stay down, nor should we feel defeated. The just man spoken of in today’s verses are those who have placed their life in Jesus Christ and are made righteous by His blood. We need to understand, we have an advocate with the Father. A representative, if you will, who stands to plead our cause. His name is Jesus. What better defense against the world could you have than the creator of all things? Those who attempt to destroy what is truly His have no defense. Ultimately their devices come back to get them.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    When trials come, and let’s not pretend they won’t, remember the verses found in Proverbs 24:13-16. There is a brighter tomorrow just around the bend. Jesus said He was not only the author but also the finisher of our faith.

When facing a trial,
will you trust God and His Word?

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 7, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Matthew 24 – Matthew 25
  Proverbs 24:13 – 16

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Isa. 11-14
  Eph. 5