Read Pro. 17:14-15
Don't start a fight; it will open a floodgate. It is better to just hand it over to God and let him be your advocate and defender. He is great at doing that and will do it fairly and right. He sees the heart of man and what is hidden. He is the only one that can truly judge fairly. But, don't justify a wrong or judge the just because God hates that. God knows how to bring to light things that are hidden and hide things in full view. He hates deceit. The devil, on the other hand, is the master of deceit. It is hard to know what to do when you are dealing with close friends. Do you want to lose the friendship over a trivial matter? Is being right the most important thing? I say no to both. It is better to cover someones weaknesses and give in to another opinion than to be justified and right. Let God settle your injustices. It is the little foxes that steal your peace and kill your relationships. God loves people and people have problems. So we should love people and cover their problems. Ham lost his blessing because he laughed at his dad's fault. His brothers were blessed because they chose to cover their dad's nakedness.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Mon.'s Devo - Living for the Future
Prov. 17:10-13
A righteous man only needs to be told of his sin to repent where an evil man won't even learn if he is beaten with whips. When Nathan came to David and exposed his sin with Bathsheba, David instantly owned up to his sin, repented, and received God's discipline. He didn't become bitter when the consequence was the life of his son but instead he praised God and had another son who became the great king Solomon. In contrast, King Jehoiakim was warned by Baruch of his sins and he burned the prophecy in the fire as it was read to him. So, just like the prophecy said the Babylonians came and destroyed the land and fulfilled every word of judgment written in the prophecy. He was the evil man that only sought rebellion and was sent a messenger with a cruel word that came to pass. He rewarded evil for good and evil did not depart from his house. None of his descendants were allowed to sit on the throne even though it would have been their inheritance.
Lord, help us to guard our steps and live a life that will result in blessings to our posterity.
A righteous man only needs to be told of his sin to repent where an evil man won't even learn if he is beaten with whips. When Nathan came to David and exposed his sin with Bathsheba, David instantly owned up to his sin, repented, and received God's discipline. He didn't become bitter when the consequence was the life of his son but instead he praised God and had another son who became the great king Solomon. In contrast, King Jehoiakim was warned by Baruch of his sins and he burned the prophecy in the fire as it was read to him. So, just like the prophecy said the Babylonians came and destroyed the land and fulfilled every word of judgment written in the prophecy. He was the evil man that only sought rebellion and was sent a messenger with a cruel word that came to pass. He rewarded evil for good and evil did not depart from his house. None of his descendants were allowed to sit on the throne even though it would have been their inheritance.
Lord, help us to guard our steps and live a life that will result in blessings to our posterity.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Fri.'s Devo - Returning Evil for Good
Read Pro. 17:10
If you are wise all you need is instruction for you to change your ways and repent; you are teachable. If you are a fool even a beating won't teach you, much less instruction. Evil men are bent on rebellion and don't want to change their ways so they reap what they sow. God will send an enemy to defy them and expose their sin in hopes that they will repent. If you confront a person who is deceived and foolish it will not be pretty. You are taking your life in your hands because all they know is defense and retaliation. They are unable to see their faults because they are deceived. Even if you put the mirror in front of their eyes they won't see what is staring back at them. They are the ones who return bad for good. If you do something nice for them they construe it into a negative plot to hurt them. They don't realize that you do reap what you sow not only for themselves but for their offspring. Harming an innocent person brings a curse on you and your inheritance.
Lord, we long to be wise and trusted by you. Give us discernment today and increase our love for you. May we return good for evil.
If you are wise all you need is instruction for you to change your ways and repent; you are teachable. If you are a fool even a beating won't teach you, much less instruction. Evil men are bent on rebellion and don't want to change their ways so they reap what they sow. God will send an enemy to defy them and expose their sin in hopes that they will repent. If you confront a person who is deceived and foolish it will not be pretty. You are taking your life in your hands because all they know is defense and retaliation. They are unable to see their faults because they are deceived. Even if you put the mirror in front of their eyes they won't see what is staring back at them. They are the ones who return bad for good. If you do something nice for them they construe it into a negative plot to hurt them. They don't realize that you do reap what you sow not only for themselves but for their offspring. Harming an innocent person brings a curse on you and your inheritance.
Lord, we long to be wise and trusted by you. Give us discernment today and increase our love for you. May we return good for evil.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Thurs.'s Devo - The Prince
Read Pro. 17:7-8
Jesus was called the Prince of Life in Acts 3:15 and the Prince of Peace in Isa. 9:6. He lives inside us which makes us a prince also. We are to speak the truth because we have been given a gift. We have been given the gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit so that whatever we do will be prosperous if we are walking in our gifts. The verse today says that this gift we have is like a precious stone. In 1 Pet. 2:5-7 is says that we are living stones that make up a spiritual house, and a priesthood that offers sacrifices that are acceptable to God. Jesus was the chief cornerstone of our building. This "building" is the chosen generation, the royal priesthood, God's holy nation, His peculiar people that praise Him in all that they do.
Lord, You are the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords and we exalt you in all we say and do.
Jesus was called the Prince of Life in Acts 3:15 and the Prince of Peace in Isa. 9:6. He lives inside us which makes us a prince also. We are to speak the truth because we have been given a gift. We have been given the gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit so that whatever we do will be prosperous if we are walking in our gifts. The verse today says that this gift we have is like a precious stone. In 1 Pet. 2:5-7 is says that we are living stones that make up a spiritual house, and a priesthood that offers sacrifices that are acceptable to God. Jesus was the chief cornerstone of our building. This "building" is the chosen generation, the royal priesthood, God's holy nation, His peculiar people that praise Him in all that they do.
Lord, You are the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords and we exalt you in all we say and do.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Wed.'s Devo - Children's Children
Read Pro. 17:6
I am going to be a grandmother in 7 months then again in 8 1/2. Both of my daughter-in-laws are pregnant. Talking to my friends that have already passed into the land of grand babies I know it is going to be different than having my own children. For one thing I know that the stress of parenting will not be there. I will just get to love them and pass on any wisdom my kids want to hear. I am so looking forward to it. It is interesting that the verse for today says that grandchildren are the crown of old men but the children get their glory from their fathers. So the grandfather is blessed by his grandchildren and the children are blessed by their fathers. It is a cycle, which should give us hope. For some of us, raising our children was hard and full of heart ache and intercession but the grandchildren make up for it. I can see this in one of my friend's lives. She who went through a lot of pain and grief raising her daughter. Her daughter actually got pregnant before she got married but the child is an absolute delight to my friend. Her grandson took away the pain of the past and has been a healing balm for her.
Lord, thank you for your plan of family. Sometimes family can be so tough and complicated but we learn about ourselves and about You by walking in such close fellowship with our families. You love family; help us to love ours.
I am going to be a grandmother in 7 months then again in 8 1/2. Both of my daughter-in-laws are pregnant. Talking to my friends that have already passed into the land of grand babies I know it is going to be different than having my own children. For one thing I know that the stress of parenting will not be there. I will just get to love them and pass on any wisdom my kids want to hear. I am so looking forward to it. It is interesting that the verse for today says that grandchildren are the crown of old men but the children get their glory from their fathers. So the grandfather is blessed by his grandchildren and the children are blessed by their fathers. It is a cycle, which should give us hope. For some of us, raising our children was hard and full of heart ache and intercession but the grandchildren make up for it. I can see this in one of my friend's lives. She who went through a lot of pain and grief raising her daughter. Her daughter actually got pregnant before she got married but the child is an absolute delight to my friend. Her grandson took away the pain of the past and has been a healing balm for her.
Lord, thank you for your plan of family. Sometimes family can be so tough and complicated but we learn about ourselves and about You by walking in such close fellowship with our families. You love family; help us to love ours.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Tues.'s Devo - The Wise Son
Read Pro. 17:2-5
"A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame." There are so many examples of this in the Bible. Joseph proved to be so wise that both Potipher and Pharoah set him up to rule their households/kingdoms over their sons. Because of what Joseph did he provided an inheritance for his own family. In the New Testament the Gentiles received Jesus more readily than the Jews who were the sons and the heirs. Now all are heirs if they accept Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. God looks at our hearts and that is what determines what we are. Whatever is in our hearts will manifest in our fruits. The fruit of the ungodly or shameful looks like this: he listens to lies and speaks perversely. He makes fun of the poor and laughs at people's calamities. The wise seeks out truth and speaks life. He has compassion for the poor and reaches out to those who have fallen into hard times. Lord, may we be wise sons who appreciate our position with you and walk in the humility of Christ.
"A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causes shame." There are so many examples of this in the Bible. Joseph proved to be so wise that both Potipher and Pharoah set him up to rule their households/kingdoms over their sons. Because of what Joseph did he provided an inheritance for his own family. In the New Testament the Gentiles received Jesus more readily than the Jews who were the sons and the heirs. Now all are heirs if they accept Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. God looks at our hearts and that is what determines what we are. Whatever is in our hearts will manifest in our fruits. The fruit of the ungodly or shameful looks like this: he listens to lies and speaks perversely. He makes fun of the poor and laughs at people's calamities. The wise seeks out truth and speaks life. He has compassion for the poor and reaches out to those who have fallen into hard times. Lord, may we be wise sons who appreciate our position with you and walk in the humility of Christ.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Mon.'s Devo - Peace and Quiet
Read Pro. 17:1
We all want peace and quietness in our lives. This verse says that it is better to have peace and only eat beef jerky than to have all the meat you want and live in strife. Peace is tangible; you can feel it. It means safety, happiness, friendly, prosperity, healthy, and wholeness. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world giveth, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which means we can grow peace and multiply it in our lives if we learn to practice peace. Two of my sons just found out they were going to be dads for the first time and that their business is fading out so they will be without a job. I can't tell your the peace God has given me about this. I believe that when God said if he clothes the flowers and feeds the birds that he would take care of us, that he meant it. God is so actively involved in our lives and nothing misses his observation. I can't wait to see his plan for them.
Lord, thank you for your plan for us. We are inadequate to do anything apart from you. Fill us with your spirit today to do what you have called us to do today. May we walk in your peace.
We all want peace and quietness in our lives. This verse says that it is better to have peace and only eat beef jerky than to have all the meat you want and live in strife. Peace is tangible; you can feel it. It means safety, happiness, friendly, prosperity, healthy, and wholeness. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world giveth, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which means we can grow peace and multiply it in our lives if we learn to practice peace. Two of my sons just found out they were going to be dads for the first time and that their business is fading out so they will be without a job. I can't tell your the peace God has given me about this. I believe that when God said if he clothes the flowers and feeds the birds that he would take care of us, that he meant it. God is so actively involved in our lives and nothing misses his observation. I can't wait to see his plan for them.
Lord, thank you for your plan for us. We are inadequate to do anything apart from you. Fill us with your spirit today to do what you have called us to do today. May we walk in your peace.
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