Please Slap My Other Hand

JUNE 25, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 15:31-33 The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     How many times have you watched as a child received a spanking, and heard that child laugh and beg, “One more, please just give me one more?” How about a youth who had their hand slapped saying, “Please, slap the other one too, that hand has been just as bad, but you never caught it.” More than likely, that probably never happened, and with good reason. No one likes to be disciplined.

     It never gets better as we get older. Rarely would you hear someone say, “Oh by the way officer, I ran two other lights, and parked in a handicap zone illegally. Could you write me up for those as well? I just need my insurance payment a little higher than it is right now.” No one at any age likes to be disciplined.

     At a quick glance, you might think the verses today are saying we should somehow enjoy being punished. However, if you read them again, you will see, it is not the punishment we should delight in receiving. If we are receiving discipline, it’s because we did not listen or obey what we were told to do to begin with. It says if we will hear the reproof of life, we gain understanding. When people will humble themselves enough to believe they can still learn something at any age, God counts them among the wise. That is what we should rejoice in. To the ones who refuse to listen, well, I pray you get the idea.

     Before honor comes humility. Before God can lift you up before others, He needs to know you will be humble enough to learn continually. Even learning from those whom He calls you to lead. Many a leader began by being so humble, and grateful for the position God gave them, but then let pride cause them to forget the reason they were there in the first place.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     We need to listen daily for the voice of the Lord. We know we can always hear Him speak through the pages of His Word. However, He may also speak at times through those He has placed around you. Listen for that still small voice, and love the fact that God is still talking with you today.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 25, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 54 – 64     /     Proverbs 15:31-33

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 10-13     /     Acts 5:29-42

Is God Listening To You?

JUNE 24, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 15:27-30 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     I have said throughout the years that the lost, unsaved people in the world have no claim to the ear of God. In fact, in Psalms 66:18 God tells us, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

     Today again we see the same thing restated. It says, “The Lord is far from the wicked.” We all know that God is everywhere. He is omnipresent. So, it doesn’t mean He is physically far from the wicked. It’s a warning to the lost soul of the availability of God’s ear at any time, and for any just reason.

     In the midst of the worst that this world has to offer, they have no hope in calling on God for help. The only prayer God is waiting to hear from the sinful soul is one which cries out, be merciful unto me a sinner. It’s the call for salvation from a repentant heart. God knows the difference between a truly repentant heart, and someone simply trying to get out of the bad situation which often, they have gotten themselves into.

     Yet, in this same verse we are told that God hears, “the prayers of the righteous.” Who are they? Who are the ones referred to as the righteous? They are those who have been made righteous by the blood of God’s Son Jesus Christ. It is not our own righteousness causing a Holy God to bend His ear toward us. It’s the perfection of His Son Jesus, who clothes us in His righteousness, to make us appear righteous to God, and causes God continually to listen to the petitions of our heart.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Trouble will come to everyone. That is a given in this world filled with sin that we live in. The question is not will trouble come, the question is who will be there with you when it does? If you call out to God for help, will He hear you? If you’ve been saved, and placed in Jesus Christ, you can know that He does.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 24, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 45 – 53     /     Proverbs 15:27-30

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 7-9     /     Acts 5:1-28

They Get On My Nerves

JUNE 23, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 15:24-26 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath. The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     If you were the owner of a company, and two people came in to interview for the position of President of the company, which of these two would you hire?

     One says I can do anything you want me to do and be anything you want me to be. If you ask me to, I will be more than glad to tell people you are not here even if you are, because I know you are a busy man that cannot be disturbed. If you would like, I can fire as many people as you need me to without the batting of an eye. I will be your “come to” person for anything you need. The second person comes in and says I promise I will be dedicated and loyal. However, I cannot be something I am not. If your company is looking for a person to shade the truth, I am probably not the person for you.

     Both hand in a resume. The first ones says, just take a look, I have worked at several fortune five hundred companies. Sure, I have been let go a few times, but it’s because I am an enterprising person and some people just have trouble with that kind of enthusiasm. The second says I hope you will look over my resume. It speaks for itself. I have only worked for a couple of places; however, I worked my way up in both. I was never fired or dismissed from either place of employ.

     OK, you’re the owner, who do you hire? Yea, me too. “The words of the pure are pleasant words.” However, the proud and arrogant, well they get on my nerves. It’s somewhat satisfying to know that, according to today’s verses, they get on God’s nerves too.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Slow and steady wins the race. OK, maybe that’s not always so on earth. However, the reward at the end of the race of life will always go to the child of God. Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Amen. Dear God, please let my words, and my thoughts be acceptable to you as well.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 23, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 38 – 44     /     Proverbs 15:24-26

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 4-6     /   Acts 4

The Joy And The Sorrow

JUNE 22, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 15:20-23 A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother. Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly. Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     One of the privileges as a Pastor is being with a family at the birth of their child. The smiles and joy these new births bring is almost indescribable. The innocence and dependence of a child on the parents brings an instant bond between them. Nevertheless, part of the struggles of being a Pastor is helping a family cope as children make wrong life choices. All the joy and togetherness seem to somehow to vanish. Sorrow and grief are left in its place. This often happens as children become young adults and want to be on their own. The love for them is still there, but the question of “why,” starts popping up.

     Some question why God allows their child to do such things. A child they worked so hard with and tried to raise right. Why is a loving God allowing them to turn out so wrong? Parents begin to blame themselves for their children’s sins. Some begin to blame God. The truth is, each child that was created by God and placed in your care, was created with a free will to choose what he or she would do. It is not always the parent’s fault, and definitely not God’s fault. Sometimes both God and parents have tried to give them the wisdom they need, and they refuse it. Grown children must choose to accept the wisdom of knowing God personally and walking with Him on a daily basis. Without that wisdom, the sins or folly of the world seem as joy to them.

     This is when a family needs the comforting counsel of the church family, and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Without it, all the purpose of the past can seem so disappointing.


THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     So, what now? Well, never give up. At any age, they are still your children. Never quit praying and asking your church to join you in prayer for them. Lastly, be a loving example of Christ before them. Remember they must choose to live for God. You cannot choose for them.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  JUNE 22, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Psalms 31 – 37      /     Proverbs 15:20-23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  2 Chron. 1-3       /      Acts 3

Weekend Review

June 20 & 21, 2020

Proverbs 15:3

The eyes of the
LORD 
are in every place,
beholding
the evil and
the good.  

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 24 – Day 6

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

Proverbs 14-15

WEEK 24 – 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 22, 2020     Psalms 31 – 37           Proverbs 15:20 – 23
June 23, 2020     Psalms 38 – 44           Proverbs 15:24 – 26
June 24, 2020     Psalms 45 – 53           Proverbs 15:27 – 30
June 25, 2020     Psalms 54 – 64           Proverbs 15:31 – 33
June 26, 2020     Psalms 65 – 70           Proverbs 16:1 – 4
June 27, 2020     Proverbs 15 – 16                  
June 28, 2020  No Passages Assigned    

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

June 22, 2020      2 Chron. 1-3               Acts 3
June 23, 2020      2 Chron. 4-6               Acts 4
June 24, 2020      2 Chron. 7-9               Acts 5:1-28
June 25, 2020      2 Chron. 10-13           Acts 5:29-42
June 26, 2020      2 Chron. 14-17           Acts 6
June 27, 2020      2 Chron. 18-20           Acts 7:1-29
June 28, 2020  No Passages Assigned

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

JUNE 20, 2020     1 Chron. 28-29    /     Acts 2:37-47
JUNE 21, 2020     No Passages Assigned