As we begin this new Study in the Book of Proverbs, or with any study of God’s Word, It is important to understand, that for the believer in Christ, this is not like any other study. Normally, when you read another book, you have to read the words on the page, and then in your mind try to imagine what the author was saying. With God’s Word however, if you know Christ as your Saviour, you then have the Holy Spirit residing in you. Which also means, you have the author of this book Residing in you. We read in:

 2 Peter 1:20-21 
 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

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 same Holy Spirit, who moved the writers of this book to originally write these words, also resides in your heart today. You do not have to imagine what the author meant, just ask Him.  

    Please take a few moments every day to pray for God’s wisdom before reading. The Holy Spirit will help you in understanding the book He has written. I have for years now prayed a simple prayer from my heart to God, using God’s own words prior to my study of His Word. I pray;

 Psalm 119:18
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold 
wondrous things out of thy law.

      I have recently begun to add this verse as well;

Psalm 143:10 
Teach me to do thy will; 
for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; 
lead me into the land of uprightness.

      May God bless your studies as you are Living In His Word.

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Hebrews 2:12

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

  This week we will:

 Tues.   December 31, 2019   Explanation Work Week Devotions 
                                                    & Daily Reading Schedule
Wed.    January 1, 2020         Solomon The main Writer 
Thurs.  January 2, 2020         Introduction to Proverbs      
Fri.       January 3, 2020         The Divisions of the Proverbs  
Sat.      January 4, 2020         Proverbs 1       
Sun.     January 5, 2020         No Passages Assigned

Traditional Old & New Testament Reading Schedule:

     January 2, 2020      Genesis 9-11          Matthew 4

January 1, 2020

      Timeless treasures waiting to be mined by the hearts of man, are the words written in the book of Proverbs. Written hundreds of years ago, these proverbs are still relevant and very much life-altering if applied. The wisdom in this book transcends all cultures, eras, and denominations.

       The book of Proverbs is a collection of sayings drawn from years of experience, both written by King Solomon, and collected by him from others. We find this truth mentioned in another book written by this Great Preacher. It says in Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, the preacher sought out and set in order many proverbs. It also states the fact, that the ones that he wrote out were upright and true.

      The final words in Ecclesiastes actually give us a grand introduction to the book of Proverbs.

Ecclesiastes 12:8-14
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

      After a life of heartbreak and aimless wandering to find the truth, Solomon says the end of it all is to fear God. This word fear used in this passage does not mean to be afraid of, but rather to reverence or respect God, and follow His leading.

      When all is said and done, the proverbs collected and set in order in this book, are nothing short of the literal breathed words of God, spoken through Solomon for our benefit.

      Solomon had collected many such wise sayings over his lifetime. In fact, what we have in the book of Proverbs is only a portion of all that he had shared in person.

1 Kings 4:32
And he spake three thousand proverbs:
and his songs were a thousand and five. 

      It is believed that what we have in this book, which has in times past been referred to as the Book of Wisdom, are those bits of wisdom that were the best of the collection he had gathered.

      In life there are really only two ways of learning about how the world will treat you, and where sin will lead you. By far, the most common is that of trial and error. By following this path one will experience the cold hard facts of sins penalties, and life’s perils. God’s way is always better. It is to heed His warnings, and harbor His wisdom in all that we do.

      It is nothing short of amazing to realize that the God, who created all of the universe, cares so deeply about our day to day life, that He provided us with easy to remember, and applicable principals for a good life here in this world. He does not consider it unimportant to guide us in the ways of love, our family, our walk in society, nor how we conduct our lives in the marketplace. Everything about us, and about our wellbeing are important to Him.

     Tomorrow we will look into the divisions of this wonderful book.

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

 This week we will:

Tues.   December 31, 2019  Explanation Work Week Devotions 
                                                   & Daily Reading Schedule
Wed.    January 1, 2020        Introduction to Proverbs    
Thurs. January 2, 2020        Solomon The main Writer     
Fri.       January 3, 2020        The Divisions of the Proverbs  
Sat.      January 4, 2020         Proverbs 1       
Sun.     January 5, 2020         No Passages Assigned

Traditional Old & New Testament Reading Schedule:

     January 1, 2020,      Genesis 6-8          Matthew 3 

December 31

      First of all let me say, “THANK YOU,” for sharing this time with our Work Week Devotions. It is our prayer and desire that these daily devotions will aid you in your walk with the Lord.

       We have selected the book of Proverbs as it shares, with anyone who will act upon its wisdom, the opportunity to enjoy the life God intended for them. You will also find all the scriptures used are from the King James Version of the Bible. Not only does the author of these Devotions believe the KJV to be the most accurate English translation of God’s Word, it is also written in a poetic style. Which in the case of the Book of Proverbs is very important. Proverbs is part of a section of the Old Testament in the bible known as the Poetic Books.

     Let me take just a moment to introduce to you the thought behind the design of the upcoming daily Devotions.

     You may be asking yourself what does the term “Work Week Devotions” mean. It means we have designed these devotions to be used during a five day work week. For many people that would be Monday through Friday. We have also only covered fifty-one out of the fifty-two week year. The reason is, not every year begins on Monday. So we have created these devotions to begin on Monday and conclude on Sunday. Also, the design allows you to begin using this Devotional material anytime during the year you may wish. It does not have to begin in January as many do.

      Each day begins with a Title for the Devotion, and a reading from the book of Proverbs. This is followed by what we call; “Outlook from the In Book.” This is a short commentary by Dr. Senters of his thoughts about the passage from Proverbs you have just read.

       Next you will find a short section under the heading; “The Word Walking In Me.” This section is a short thought reflecting on that day’s topic which you can carry through the day. It’s often hard to remember all we read. However, a simple overview or thought we can often remembered, that we might meditate on during the day. In the book of Joshua we are told:

 Joshua 1:8
  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

     While the words written by the author are not the inspired words of God, the desire is that the thoughts may help you remember what God has said in that days passage.

     At the end of each devotion you will find a suggested reading for the day we have entitled, “God Talking To Me.” The reading is not purposefully chosen to reflect on the topic of the Devotion. However if you will follow these readings everyday, you will read through the entire Bible in one year.

      The daily bible reading is also divided into five days a week for fifty-one weeks. On Saturday, we suggest you re-read the Chapter of Proverbs written about in the past week and also the Chapter of Proverbs you will study the next week.

      You may also quickly notice there are no Bible Readings scheduled for Sundays. There is a simple reason for this. We want you to read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastors heart for that week. Whatever his text is for the morning and evening service was given to him by God for your specific needs. The principal for this is found in Act 17:10 & 11.

 Acts 17:10-11
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

      Those who were from Berea had a good practice that we might do well to follow. The Bible even says they were more noble for doing so. The practice we encourage is to listen intently to the preaching of God’s Word, then let it soak in even more by re-reading the text, and examining what God was saying there. Reading a chapter before and after the text will help. However you decide to do this, we hope you might let this become a habit in your life, examining what God wants to share with your life week by week.

      We hope you enjoy; Living In His Word Daily Through Proverbs over the next fifty-one weeks with Work Week Devotions. May God richly bless you day by day as you allow Him to speak into your hearts.

 This week we will:

Tues.   December 31, 2019  Explanation Work Week Devotions 
                                                   & Daily Reading Schedule
Wed.    January 1, 2020        Introduction to Proverbs    
Thurs. January 2, 2020        Solomon The main Writer     
Fri.       January 3, 2020         The Divisions of the Proverbs  
Sat.      January 4, 2020          Proverbs 1       
Sun.     January 5, 2020         No Passages Assigned

Traditional Old & New Testament Reading Schedule:

     December 31, 2019     Genesis 3-5 / Matthew 2

      This is always an awkward week, as we try to end one year and begin a new year..

Tues.   December 31, 2019  Explanation Work Week Devotions 
                                                   & Daily Reading Schedule
Wed.    January 1, 2020        Introduction to Proverbs    
Thurs. January 2, 2020        Solomon The main Writer     
Fri.       January 3, 2020         The Divisions of the Proverbs  
Sat.      January 4, 2020          Proverbs 1       
Sun.     January 5, 2020         No Passages Assigned

 If you’re Following the Traditional Reading Schedule,
today’s Reading would be:

     December 30, 2019     Genesis 1- 2          Matthew 1