Read Pro. 15:6-9
Our "house" is our body. Our spiritual house is full of treasure because we are God's house and his house is arrayed with gold and silver and beautiful things we can't imagine. Our lips are the doors to our house that open up and share the treasures inside. Everything we do comes out of what is inside us so our prayers delight God because they come from his treasure inside us. The more we share the treasure we have in our earthen vessel the more he can fill it back up with greater things.
The foolish have no treasure but they are full of death and ruin so that is what comes out of their mouth and their walk. Everything they try to produce is an abomination to God because of the source. If the seed is bad, then the whole plant will be bad. That is why we see people that are bent on evil and seem to have no conscience. The Bible says that they wake up looking for any other way they can do something wicked.
"We are all the children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." I Thess. 5:5. Let's walk as children of the day and share the treasure that is within us.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tues.'s Devo- Deflecting Arrows
Read Pro. 15:1-5
We have all had people attack us and it is not comfortable. Words are so very important and carry power. We can deflect the enemy by speaking tenderly when he tries to make us mad. Our arrow is a soft answer. It unarms the enemy and calms the atmosphere. To respond in like manner is to play the devil's game and he is better at his game than we are. He is the master of argument but he doesn't know what to do with kindness. We can use our tongue for death or life. Those who chose to walk in the spirit will speak knowledge rightly and their words will bring life and healing. God has surrounded us with people that speak the truth and can instruct us in righteousness. The fool stirs up anger, speaks foolishly, and is perverted in every sense. Fools despise instruction and demand on doing things their way. God is all knowing and omnipresent. He watches and sees everything and he deals with justice and righteousness with everyone.
One place where we have the hardest time with our temper is in our car. I have had people flip me off, yell at me and get way too upset over small things like pulling out in front of them and making them slow down for a second. But, I love to smile at someone who does that to me and give them grace. Why are we in such a hurry to be the first one to the red light? We major on the minors. I do believe in being a conciderate driver and some times I understand why the other guy might be upset with me but we need to lighten up and learn to be courteous and gracious. One second of our time might mean sharing or losing your testimony.
Lord, give us your grace to slow down and speak softly. Make us conscious of what we say and what we do. Our lives are your testimony and we want to honor you in all that we do.
We have all had people attack us and it is not comfortable. Words are so very important and carry power. We can deflect the enemy by speaking tenderly when he tries to make us mad. Our arrow is a soft answer. It unarms the enemy and calms the atmosphere. To respond in like manner is to play the devil's game and he is better at his game than we are. He is the master of argument but he doesn't know what to do with kindness. We can use our tongue for death or life. Those who chose to walk in the spirit will speak knowledge rightly and their words will bring life and healing. God has surrounded us with people that speak the truth and can instruct us in righteousness. The fool stirs up anger, speaks foolishly, and is perverted in every sense. Fools despise instruction and demand on doing things their way. God is all knowing and omnipresent. He watches and sees everything and he deals with justice and righteousness with everyone.
One place where we have the hardest time with our temper is in our car. I have had people flip me off, yell at me and get way too upset over small things like pulling out in front of them and making them slow down for a second. But, I love to smile at someone who does that to me and give them grace. Why are we in such a hurry to be the first one to the red light? We major on the minors. I do believe in being a conciderate driver and some times I understand why the other guy might be upset with me but we need to lighten up and learn to be courteous and gracious. One second of our time might mean sharing or losing your testimony.
Lord, give us your grace to slow down and speak softly. Make us conscious of what we say and what we do. Our lives are your testimony and we want to honor you in all that we do.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Mon.'s Devo - A Wise Friend
Read Pro. 14: 32-35
Proverbs is the book of wisdom. Verse 33 says that wisdom will rest or settle down in the heart of the person that has understanding. There is something very peaceful about that statement. The only way to get understanding is to read the Bible and ask God for eyes to see. Understanding and obedience bring wisdom automatically. Wisdom cultivates righteousness which raises up a nation. The last verse says that we will have the favor of God if we have wisdom because to have wisdom you had to have read the Word, meditated on it, sought God's ways and lived them. That makes us a friend of God. He is looking for friends he can trust with his secrets and treasures. He doesn't give them to everyone but only those who have proven trustworthy.
Lord, may we seek your understanding and your ways with all our hearts. We want to be found worthy of your friendship.
Proverbs is the book of wisdom. Verse 33 says that wisdom will rest or settle down in the heart of the person that has understanding. There is something very peaceful about that statement. The only way to get understanding is to read the Bible and ask God for eyes to see. Understanding and obedience bring wisdom automatically. Wisdom cultivates righteousness which raises up a nation. The last verse says that we will have the favor of God if we have wisdom because to have wisdom you had to have read the Word, meditated on it, sought God's ways and lived them. That makes us a friend of God. He is looking for friends he can trust with his secrets and treasures. He doesn't give them to everyone but only those who have proven trustworthy.
Lord, may we seek your understanding and your ways with all our hearts. We want to be found worthy of your friendship.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Fri.'s Devo - Mercy for the Poor
Read Pro. 14:31
This scripture reminds me of last Sat. I was meeting a friend for lunch at Panera Bread. I got there first and was standing by the door waiting when a lady came in with steel crutches. She must have had polio as a child. I found myself looking her right in the eyes and saying, "hey, how are you?" She smiled and we instantly connected in the spirit. I knew she was a sister in the Lord and she knew I was. She ordered and sat down and my friend showed up and we ordered. The place was pretty busy but I looked and saw the lady mouthing something to me with a distressed face. I realized that she had gotten situated with her soup and her spoon was really dirty. She asked me if I would go get her another spoon and I told her I would be glad to. When I brought it to her she held my hand in hers and thanked me. It turned out she was sitting next to us so I talked to her till my friend sat down. She was the poor. Poor in the Hebrew means "weak, thin, needy, dangling". She was weak and the spirit of God in me met her need. It was a great feeling to reach out to someone who truly needed my help even if it was to just get a spoon and be friendly. We honor God when we do that. To ignore people who are needy is a reproach to God because he made them and loves them just as much as he loves us. We who have been given much are to give much.
Lord, help us to honor you in the way we see your people. Show us who the poor are so we can meet their needs.
This scripture reminds me of last Sat. I was meeting a friend for lunch at Panera Bread. I got there first and was standing by the door waiting when a lady came in with steel crutches. She must have had polio as a child. I found myself looking her right in the eyes and saying, "hey, how are you?" She smiled and we instantly connected in the spirit. I knew she was a sister in the Lord and she knew I was. She ordered and sat down and my friend showed up and we ordered. The place was pretty busy but I looked and saw the lady mouthing something to me with a distressed face. I realized that she had gotten situated with her soup and her spoon was really dirty. She asked me if I would go get her another spoon and I told her I would be glad to. When I brought it to her she held my hand in hers and thanked me. It turned out she was sitting next to us so I talked to her till my friend sat down. She was the poor. Poor in the Hebrew means "weak, thin, needy, dangling". She was weak and the spirit of God in me met her need. It was a great feeling to reach out to someone who truly needed my help even if it was to just get a spoon and be friendly. We honor God when we do that. To ignore people who are needy is a reproach to God because he made them and loves them just as much as he loves us. We who have been given much are to give much.
Lord, help us to honor you in the way we see your people. Show us who the poor are so we can meet their needs.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thur.'s Devo - My Birthday!
Today is my birthday so I am going to deviate from the study of Proverbs and talk about something on my heart. Our pastor just finished a series on joy where we went through the whole book of Philippians. Our community group is talking about Philippians 4:8. In fact the book we are using is called "4:8". Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." The book gives you practical things to do to get joy in your life. I agree that we have to train ourselves in righteousness and the things of God because they do not come natural to us and these exercises are a good reminder for changing bad patterns. But joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. An apple tree does not need to do apple-producing exercises to produce apples. It will just do that naturally if it is well fertilized and planted in good soil. The same is true about us. Ps. 1 says that if we don't walk the walk of sinners, and we don't sit around complaining about everything but are thankful and our delight is in Him then we will be like a tree planted by the water and we will bring forth fruit in season. If we plant ourselves in the Word and do what it says and love and delight in God then joy will be a natural fruit that we produce. Interestingly the tree never prunes itself - the gardener does. The gardener is the Holy Spirit. He is responsible for cutting off the things that don't benefit our walk with God. We just need to stand where we are planted and spread our limbs. God does the rest.
Lord, remind us to rest in you today and to cease from trying to be perfect but to praise the Perfect One. May we think on things that are honest, lovely, good news, virtuous, and praiseworthy - that is a perfect description of You!
Lord, remind us to rest in you today and to cease from trying to be perfect but to praise the Perfect One. May we think on things that are honest, lovely, good news, virtuous, and praiseworthy - that is a perfect description of You!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wed.'s Devo - Brittle Bones and Healed Hearts
Read Pro. 14:30
A person who has a heart that has been healed and is whole will not envy or be jealous. A healed heart can love without fear of being hurt or rejected. A whole heart is what we are to love God with and anything less of that is not the best. The person with a cured heart can help someone else be whole. Having a healed heart keeps you healthy in every other area of your life. Your emotions play a big part of your physical health. You can link every illness with an emotion and the Bible is the source of those remedies. This verse says that if you have envy it will cause your bones to be decayed and rotten. That will cause them to break easily. If you have brittle bones that are easily broken then maybe you need to deal with the sin of envy. It is hard not to compare yourself with others who have seemingly been given more, but the best rewards and things you can be given are wisdom, understanding, love and peace. They all come from God. Material things are just that - material. The things God gives are eternal. They go on into the next life. They are worth more than gold or silver so don't compare yourself to others but press into God who is the source of everything good.
Lord, we look to you to heal our hearts and cleanse us of envy and jealousy. Give us an insatiable hunger for the more weightier things like a pure heart.
A person who has a heart that has been healed and is whole will not envy or be jealous. A healed heart can love without fear of being hurt or rejected. A whole heart is what we are to love God with and anything less of that is not the best. The person with a cured heart can help someone else be whole. Having a healed heart keeps you healthy in every other area of your life. Your emotions play a big part of your physical health. You can link every illness with an emotion and the Bible is the source of those remedies. This verse says that if you have envy it will cause your bones to be decayed and rotten. That will cause them to break easily. If you have brittle bones that are easily broken then maybe you need to deal with the sin of envy. It is hard not to compare yourself with others who have seemingly been given more, but the best rewards and things you can be given are wisdom, understanding, love and peace. They all come from God. Material things are just that - material. The things God gives are eternal. They go on into the next life. They are worth more than gold or silver so don't compare yourself to others but press into God who is the source of everything good.
Lord, we look to you to heal our hearts and cleanse us of envy and jealousy. Give us an insatiable hunger for the more weightier things like a pure heart.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tues.'s Devo -Slow to Wrath
Read Pro. 14:29
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Ps. 103:8 God's nature is patience and grace and we are to have the nature of God. If you are tempted to be upset and angry but instead of letting it out, you wait and meditate on God, then he can calm your spirit and show you insight about the situation. For me, God usually shows me why a person acted that way and how I have acted the same way in similar situations. That is enough to humble me and shut me up and keep me from blowing it by acting out. When I don't stop and consider God then I always regret it. I do something hasty and have to eat the fruit of my impulsiveness. God is slow to wrath because he sees the whole picture and he will wait a long time to give a person time to repent. He knows that one day he will sit in judgment and all will be judged according to their deeds. So noone gets away with anything unless they are covered with the blood of Jesus. Even if you are covered you will reep the rewards of your deed on earth.
To be hasty is to exalt folly. In other words, if you react you are not following God so you must be exalting darkness. The devil loves to trick us into worshiping him and one way we do that is by reacting out of our emotions instead of out of our faith toward God.
Lord help us to love mercy and grace, be slow to anger and choose to show mercy just like you.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Ps. 103:8 God's nature is patience and grace and we are to have the nature of God. If you are tempted to be upset and angry but instead of letting it out, you wait and meditate on God, then he can calm your spirit and show you insight about the situation. For me, God usually shows me why a person acted that way and how I have acted the same way in similar situations. That is enough to humble me and shut me up and keep me from blowing it by acting out. When I don't stop and consider God then I always regret it. I do something hasty and have to eat the fruit of my impulsiveness. God is slow to wrath because he sees the whole picture and he will wait a long time to give a person time to repent. He knows that one day he will sit in judgment and all will be judged according to their deeds. So noone gets away with anything unless they are covered with the blood of Jesus. Even if you are covered you will reep the rewards of your deed on earth.
To be hasty is to exalt folly. In other words, if you react you are not following God so you must be exalting darkness. The devil loves to trick us into worshiping him and one way we do that is by reacting out of our emotions instead of out of our faith toward God.
Lord help us to love mercy and grace, be slow to anger and choose to show mercy just like you.
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