Read Pro. 19:18-19
I love to watch mothers with their children out shopping. I remember those days when my patience was about gone and no amount of coaxing seemed to work. I was in Target the other day when a mother spanked her daughter's bottom and she said in a very exasperated voice, "I told you that would happen if you didn't sit down." She appeared hard-hearted and mean but I knew as a mom she wasn't. She was trying to teach her daughter to obey. Today's scripture says that we are to instruct and punish our children while there is still hope and not to be manipulated by their crying. There is a better way to discipline and that is not out of anger. Easy in theory but not so easy when your child has just broken your favorite dish. We have a few years with our children and we need to make them count because the way we discipline them and love them will affect their future. I deal with people all the time that have such deep hurts from their parents that they are stunted in their maturity and can not grow past that hurt. In Jesus there is always healing and growth, it just takes digging up that bitter root and replacing it with the root of love and forgiveness. If we don't then we become the man in the next verse that says a person who is full of anger will always be punishing himself for it and even when he is helped the help is futile. Only through the Holy Spirit's healing can a person be set free of the spirit of anger.
Lord, help us to be able to receive discipline and know how to give discipline in love.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Wed.'s Devo - Giving to the Lord
Read Pro. 19:17
This is a great time of the year to give to the less fortunate. In the midst of seeing the word "Christmas" under such attack and manger scenes being illegal it is great to see the heart of God's people as they give and sacrifice for others. The scripture today says that when we have pity and give to the poor it is like lending to the Lord because he is going to pay back. His payments come with dividends; you can never out-give God. He loves to bless us so when we give him the opportunity he goes over-board blessing us back. We got a picture of this this week-end when we went to one of our favorite restaurants to eat. Dave's steak was real tough, which was not the norm for this place. When the server gave him the ticket Dave told him about his steak. Our server got really upset and told us we should have said something then wanted to do something for us like give us a free cheesecake. We told him we didn't want anything, just to let him know. He felt terrible and we kept assuring him that we weren't upset and would come back it just was one of those things that happened.... not big deal. When we got our ticket he had knocked off $5. I said, "Good, let's give it back to him." We did in the tip and we watched as we left the retaurant his reaction. He was shocked. We left feeling so good and I know that is how God feels when he bless us. We never deserve any blessing from God but he loves to reward our meekest efforts.
Thank you Lord for the opportunity and the heart to give.
This is a great time of the year to give to the less fortunate. In the midst of seeing the word "Christmas" under such attack and manger scenes being illegal it is great to see the heart of God's people as they give and sacrifice for others. The scripture today says that when we have pity and give to the poor it is like lending to the Lord because he is going to pay back. His payments come with dividends; you can never out-give God. He loves to bless us so when we give him the opportunity he goes over-board blessing us back. We got a picture of this this week-end when we went to one of our favorite restaurants to eat. Dave's steak was real tough, which was not the norm for this place. When the server gave him the ticket Dave told him about his steak. Our server got really upset and told us we should have said something then wanted to do something for us like give us a free cheesecake. We told him we didn't want anything, just to let him know. He felt terrible and we kept assuring him that we weren't upset and would come back it just was one of those things that happened.... not big deal. When we got our ticket he had knocked off $5. I said, "Good, let's give it back to him." We did in the tip and we watched as we left the retaurant his reaction. He was shocked. We left feeling so good and I know that is how God feels when he bless us. We never deserve any blessing from God but he loves to reward our meekest efforts.
Thank you Lord for the opportunity and the heart to give.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Tues.'s Devo - A Prudent Wife
Read Pro. 19:14-16
Material things can be passed down from generation to generation but only the Lord can make a person wise. It actually says a "prudent wife" but since we all hope to be the bride of Christ then we are all wives. How do we become a prudent wife? If all the rituals our forefathers went through were a dress rehearsal for the real thing then our lives must be the dress rehersal for heaven. So we live on earth as we think we should live in heaven. Jesus prayed that God's kingdom and his will would come on earth as it is in heaven. We are to bring heaven to earth. In heaven there is no lack, no sickness, no depression, no fear. We are to have that here. We are to be wise virgins who keep our lamps full of oil. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. We are the lamp that needs the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep our light burning. The foolish virgins let their oil burn out. They lost hope of the bridegroom ever coming and got slothful. We can do that if we don't stay in the Word and our thoughts toward God. Not reading our Bible will cause us to be spiritually asleep; drugged. We will be starving spiritually and not even know it because we have allowed our senses to be dulled. But is you read and obey the Word then you will live an abundantly satisfying life that glorifies God.
Lord, we choose to stay awake and dwell in Your Word and your presence. May we be prudent wives for you.
Material things can be passed down from generation to generation but only the Lord can make a person wise. It actually says a "prudent wife" but since we all hope to be the bride of Christ then we are all wives. How do we become a prudent wife? If all the rituals our forefathers went through were a dress rehearsal for the real thing then our lives must be the dress rehersal for heaven. So we live on earth as we think we should live in heaven. Jesus prayed that God's kingdom and his will would come on earth as it is in heaven. We are to bring heaven to earth. In heaven there is no lack, no sickness, no depression, no fear. We are to have that here. We are to be wise virgins who keep our lamps full of oil. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. We are the lamp that needs the oil of the Holy Spirit to keep our light burning. The foolish virgins let their oil burn out. They lost hope of the bridegroom ever coming and got slothful. We can do that if we don't stay in the Word and our thoughts toward God. Not reading our Bible will cause us to be spiritually asleep; drugged. We will be starving spiritually and not even know it because we have allowed our senses to be dulled. But is you read and obey the Word then you will live an abundantly satisfying life that glorifies God.
Lord, we choose to stay awake and dwell in Your Word and your presence. May we be prudent wives for you.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Mon.'s Devo - Dew on the Grass
Read Pro. 19:12-13
We have a hard time understanding the wrath of God when we see him as a loving father but he is both. This verse shows the contrast. When the king is mad he roars like a lion scaring everyone but when you are in his favor it is like a safe covering. That is how it is with God. When we reject him he rejects us and when we run to him for salvation and deliverence he covers us and nourishes us. In the end we will see that contrast in bold letters. He will throw the evil into the lake of fire and bring into his glory those who chose to walk with him on earth.
The next verse talks about a son and a wife. I can see two different interpretations about the son. It could mean that the son is foolish because the father is foolish or it could mean that if the son is foolish then the father is ruined in his spirit. Either one are true. If the father is representing God then he is so pained when we are a foolish son. A wife that is full of anger and strife is like the drip, drip, drip of water; it will drive you mad. Anger is a strong spirit that usually comes from the root of bitterness. Bitterness is from the heart of unforgiveness. It is hard not to go through life without some form of bitterness but it is like kidney stones: so small yet so painful. It takes constantly forgiving and cleansing yourself through the water of the Word.
Lord, may we walk in your favor and salvation and forgiveness.
We have a hard time understanding the wrath of God when we see him as a loving father but he is both. This verse shows the contrast. When the king is mad he roars like a lion scaring everyone but when you are in his favor it is like a safe covering. That is how it is with God. When we reject him he rejects us and when we run to him for salvation and deliverence he covers us and nourishes us. In the end we will see that contrast in bold letters. He will throw the evil into the lake of fire and bring into his glory those who chose to walk with him on earth.
The next verse talks about a son and a wife. I can see two different interpretations about the son. It could mean that the son is foolish because the father is foolish or it could mean that if the son is foolish then the father is ruined in his spirit. Either one are true. If the father is representing God then he is so pained when we are a foolish son. A wife that is full of anger and strife is like the drip, drip, drip of water; it will drive you mad. Anger is a strong spirit that usually comes from the root of bitterness. Bitterness is from the heart of unforgiveness. It is hard not to go through life without some form of bitterness but it is like kidney stones: so small yet so painful. It takes constantly forgiving and cleansing yourself through the water of the Word.
Lord, may we walk in your favor and salvation and forgiveness.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Fri.'s Devo - Our Light Afflictions
Read Pro. 19:11
We have all been the victim at some time. I am in the middle of a situation where I have been victimized. I went through anger and resentment, but have prayed through the whole thing asking God to give me the power to handle this in the right way and not be affected by it emotionally. It was a struggle but I finally let it go. Yesterday I got a call from another person who tried to stir it all back up again giving me the latest about what this person is up to. Many times when God is moving in your life the devil will send an ambush to side-track you and get you off the path. I saw the trap and decided not to take the bate. So I am not going to get upset or worked up about what this person is trying to do against me because I know that the Word says that "No weapon forged against me shall prosper". I am not going back but forward and feel unaffected by her. That is freedom! Today's scripture says that it is honorable and beautiful to God when we can look past a transgression and not get mad. It may not be the easiest thing to do but by far the best.
Lord, give us your grace to face transgressions like you did. You chose to forgive those who nailed you to the cross because you could see past the act and pity the person. Help us to do that too.
We have all been the victim at some time. I am in the middle of a situation where I have been victimized. I went through anger and resentment, but have prayed through the whole thing asking God to give me the power to handle this in the right way and not be affected by it emotionally. It was a struggle but I finally let it go. Yesterday I got a call from another person who tried to stir it all back up again giving me the latest about what this person is up to. Many times when God is moving in your life the devil will send an ambush to side-track you and get you off the path. I saw the trap and decided not to take the bate. So I am not going to get upset or worked up about what this person is trying to do against me because I know that the Word says that "No weapon forged against me shall prosper". I am not going back but forward and feel unaffected by her. That is freedom! Today's scripture says that it is honorable and beautiful to God when we can look past a transgression and not get mad. It may not be the easiest thing to do but by far the best.
Lord, give us your grace to face transgressions like you did. You chose to forgive those who nailed you to the cross because you could see past the act and pity the person. Help us to do that too.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thurs.'s Devo - Living a Life for God
Read Pro. 19:1-10
Proverbs speaks often of the "poor" in a bad sense. I don't think Christians realize that the blessing of God is to have wealth in every area of their lives. If you have wealth in your spirit then you will be able to handle wealth in your physical life. Wealth is a blessing from God. God loves to see his children without lack and with more than enough. These verses talk about the negatives of living a life of self-centeredness so lets look at the positives of living a life for God. First, you will walk with integrity which can be translated "complete, prosperous, perfect, and innocent". You have the wisdom of God not the foolishness of man. Your heart embraces God and his ways. Your witness is true and you speak the truth. You have many gifts to share with the world which endears people to you. You are generous to the poor and you have many friends. You are thirsty for God's wisdom and his understanding. You rise to the top in everything you do because you walk in the favor of God.
Lord, thank you for your blessings. Teach us to walk in them.
Proverbs speaks often of the "poor" in a bad sense. I don't think Christians realize that the blessing of God is to have wealth in every area of their lives. If you have wealth in your spirit then you will be able to handle wealth in your physical life. Wealth is a blessing from God. God loves to see his children without lack and with more than enough. These verses talk about the negatives of living a life of self-centeredness so lets look at the positives of living a life for God. First, you will walk with integrity which can be translated "complete, prosperous, perfect, and innocent". You have the wisdom of God not the foolishness of man. Your heart embraces God and his ways. Your witness is true and you speak the truth. You have many gifts to share with the world which endears people to you. You are generous to the poor and you have many friends. You are thirsty for God's wisdom and his understanding. You rise to the top in everything you do because you walk in the favor of God.
Lord, thank you for your blessings. Teach us to walk in them.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Wed.'s Devo - Eating Fruit
Read Pro. 18:20-24
The words we speak are like nourishment and food. We eat what we say. If we speak blessings and encouragement then our bodies will reflect that. If we speak curses and complaints then our lives will reflect that also. We can have life, blessings, health, and all manner of good things if we will train our mouths to speak hope and life. We can have misery, curses and sickness if we only speak of despair and hopelessness. Just think of the power you can have as a wife to bring life into your family. If you can learn the power of your words then you will be a very good help meet. You will walk in the favor of God and blessing will fall on your family.
Verse 23 changes the subject to contrast the rich and the poor. The rich have no patience for people who serve them where the poor learn to pray and receive their needs met by God. People that have learned to totally trust in God for their next meal are most fortunate as opposed to those that have never had to worry where the next meal will come from. Experience is worth all the book learning in the world. But even greater than experience is a friendship with Jesus. All we have to do is allow him into our lives and embrace his teaching and we will have a friend for eternity.
Lord, put a watch over our mouths that we would speak what is true and honest. May we always depend on you for everything we need. You are the best friend for all eternity. Wed.'s
The words we speak are like nourishment and food. We eat what we say. If we speak blessings and encouragement then our bodies will reflect that. If we speak curses and complaints then our lives will reflect that also. We can have life, blessings, health, and all manner of good things if we will train our mouths to speak hope and life. We can have misery, curses and sickness if we only speak of despair and hopelessness. Just think of the power you can have as a wife to bring life into your family. If you can learn the power of your words then you will be a very good help meet. You will walk in the favor of God and blessing will fall on your family.
Verse 23 changes the subject to contrast the rich and the poor. The rich have no patience for people who serve them where the poor learn to pray and receive their needs met by God. People that have learned to totally trust in God for their next meal are most fortunate as opposed to those that have never had to worry where the next meal will come from. Experience is worth all the book learning in the world. But even greater than experience is a friendship with Jesus. All we have to do is allow him into our lives and embrace his teaching and we will have a friend for eternity.
Lord, put a watch over our mouths that we would speak what is true and honest. May we always depend on you for everything we need. You are the best friend for all eternity. Wed.'s
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