Walk With Dignity

DECEMBER 15, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 30:29-31 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    “Stepping out in style!” “Looking Good!” Those are just a couple of ways people might say you look first-rate in what you are doing, or at least how you appear in the public eye. Our writer of this proverb, Agur, shares how we as Believers might be “Looking Good” in the eyes of God and man, by directing our attention to yet another group of four things on earth.

    He begins with a comparison to the lion. A lion, with bold courage, stands his ground among others, knowing that his strength and wisdom in the hunt, is no match for the hunted. So too must a Christian walk through this world with their head up, not fearing what the world can do to them. Not because of our strength, because 1 John 4:4 says; “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.” We stand in God’s strength.

    Next, he looks to the greyhound. Greyhound simply means an animal girt in the loins, or ready for running. They are still today watched by many for their grace as they run. We also must run the race of life with dignity as the world watches on.

  Third is the he goat. They lead and do not follow. They love to climb to stand on higher ground. Oh, dear friend in Christ, we should lead this world and not follow in its sinful ways. Being found standing on higher ground in morals and mannerisms.

  Finally, Agur points us to the King. As he walks among the people whom he rules with love and compassion, there is a reverence for who he is. Believers too should have a life that exemplifies the King of Kings. So, as we walk into a room, filthy communication might cease in honor of the Lord we represent. The lion, greyhound, he goat and the king walk with dignity among those around. Remember you also are a child of the King of all Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Hold your head up.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    As you look at the four honorable mentions, you may think, they are not always beautiful on the outside. However, that is not what makes them special. Like with all children of God, it is what is inside, not outside that counts. God looks on the heart.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 15, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
Hebrews 6 – 9     /  Proverbs 30:29-31

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Micah 1-4            /    Revelation 9

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

You’re Kind Of Like A Spider.

DECEMBER 14, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 30:24-28 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks; The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Agur not only noticed the bad things in the world, but also how the smallest of God’s creations can teach us all lessons that we might apply to our lives.

    He looks at the ants and sees how they prepare for the future. If the ant stops in the summer to enjoy the weather, he might not be ready when bad weather comes. Therefore, he keeps working, delaying gratification. As a Christian, we too must keep working until Christ comes. Our gratification will be by His coming and His reward.

    Agur also saw the conies, which are small animals that act sort of like rabbits, look more like groundhogs, but they cannot hop or dig. For protection, they will position themselves between rocks. We too need to realize our abilities and limitations, positioning ourselves in the Lord for protection. David often called God his rock and fortress.

  Next, he looks to the locusts. A small creature but feared by many of that day. Locusts would come in great swarms and eat everything in their path. Each one alone is very weak, but together they are unstoppable. In this, we can see a purpose of the church. Together as a body, we can collectively do for the Lord what alone we cannot.

  Finally, he gleans wisdom from a common spider. When God created a spider, he created a miraculous creature. If a spider falls, before it hits the ground its fall is often broken. The spider reaches inside, creates a silk-like strand, and attaches it to something to break its fall. We too have in us all we need to survive as God’s creation. When we reach inside, we find the Holy Spirit dwelling there to comfort us in life’s greatest trials.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    Also notice, the spider ends up residing in the king’s palace. No matter where you began in life, remember, as a believer you are a child of the King of Kings. You too will live with the King in His Heavenly Home someday.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 14, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Philemon 1 – Hebrews 5    /    Proverbs 30:24-28

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Jonah            /    Revelation 7-8

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Weekend Review

December 12 & 13, 2020

Proverbs 30:5-6

Every word of God is pure:
he is a shield unto them
that put their trust in him.
Add thou not unto his words,
lest he reprove thee,
and thou be found a liar. 

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 49 – Day 6

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

Proverbs 30-31

WEEK 49 – Day 7

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Grass Is Grass

DECEMBER 11, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 30:21-23 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat; For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    As Agur continues his observations in life, he sees three things that are disturbing to humanity, and a fourth thing that is unbearable. What are these things?

  First, there is the case of a servant who is abruptly exalted to the level of leadership. All too often, the responsibilities of this role will go to their head and they become obnoxious to deal with. I remember when I worked as a manager in a restaurant with two other managers, we all said, “If I would ever become the General Manager I will never be like the current General Manager.” Then, one of the people got the job. Overnight the power went to his head and he became an absolute tyrant until they finally fired him.

    The second thing Agur sees is that when a person of lowly means is suddenly given all they could want they seem to forget where they came from. People who win state lotteries and squander it is often a great example of this timely truth.

  The third disquieting thing is the broken home of an odious or hateful person when married. What normally brings great joy to most people, in being married and having a partner to enjoy life with, turns ugly. Instead of a house of joy, the partner soon becomes a full-time target for the others hate.

  Finally, and worst is when someone whom you trusted catches the eye of your spouse. Slowly the affection, which should be given to you and your family, is taken away by another. Agur is so right. The wandering eyes of a spouse ruin many a home. Satan often uses this to not only to ruin homes, but also extended families, churches, and in some cases communities. This fourth thing we cannot and should not bear.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

  We need to be thankful for how God has provided for our needs today. The grass is never greener on the other side once you get there. Grass is grass!

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 11, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  2 Timothy 1 – Titus 3    /  Proverbs 30:21-23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Amos 7-9           /    Revelation 4-5

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

The Wonder Of It All

DECEMBER 10, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 30:18-20 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid. Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Agur stood in absolute amazement of some things he had witnessed on this earth. He watched, as the majestic eagle would open its large wings, allowing it to soar almost effortlessly across the sky with no trace of its flight.

    He was taken by the way, in which a snake, with no legs, could move its body back and forth to slither across a rock with no apparent discomfort or damage, and left no visible trail behind.

    He looked on with wonderment at how a large heavy wooden vessel loaded with cargo could stay afloat on the waves of the water. In addition, how the wake of this vessel, which was visible, soon would disappear back into the flow of the water and be gone.

  He seemed in awe of how man could charm a woman, their two hearts melt into one, but then looking back at the romance, it seemed as though it was always meant to be.

  As breathtaking as these things were and amazed as he was at them, he found a great sense of confusion as to how an adulterous woman could commit her sin and have no remorse. As though she had only done what was natural.

    Agur might have a heart attack today if he were to look around at how some people treat sin. Regarding it, as though it were not really sin, saying rather, it is a mistake, a lifestyle, or it’s just the way I am. In Eccl. 12:14 it says, “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Amazing huh!

    
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    God gave us so much good at which we should all be amazed. The birth of a child, the love of parents, and nature itself. What can we give back to God for His wonderful gifts to us? We can give Him an obedient heart full of wonder in Him.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  DECEMBER 10, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  1 Timothy    /  Proverbs 30:18-20

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Amos 4-6           /    Revelation 3

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12