JULY ARCHIVES
July 1st
Proverbs 16:15-18
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Outlook from
the In Book
I have heard people say before, “that guy or girl has the best of both worlds.” What two worlds are they talking about? Usually it simply means the same as to have your cake and eat it too. It refers to having the best of two situations here on this earth. But there is a better meaning for the phrase “Best of Both Worlds.” True wisdom from above and understanding of that wisdom can give a person the best of two real worlds. The world that we live in today and the world to come. Godley wisdom and understanding will cause a person to turn to God and His word in times of trials and tribulation. But you will often find the unsaved digging through the pages of the Bible during troubled times. It is understanding that the wisdom of God is needed during the good times in life as well as those painful ones. God’s word will help the upright to choose the highway in life that leads away from evil. In the world we live in we need all the guidance we can find to help us navigate past the snares and traps of Satan. And in choosing this life of surrender to God through accepting His Son Jesus as Saviour we also preserve our soul for the world to come. Yes sir, Christians are afforded the best of both worlds. A place in heaven has been secured for us through Christ. Navigating our path of life today means we need to remain humble and stay focused on God’s guiding hand.
The Word Walking In Me
Three keys to survival. Stay in touch with the author. Speak to God daily through pray and allow Him to speak to you through the pages of His Word. Then steadily fellowship with other believers God put together to encourage you. He calls them the Church!
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July 2nd
Proverbs 16:19-21
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Outlook from
the In Book
Trusting in the Lord and his wisdom will always provide the best outcome. In our verse today it says people that trust the Lord, happy is he. Why is that? Well, most everyone has heard the term “Sound Advise”. What does that mean? On a very rare occasion will it have anything to do with speakers and amplifiers or music or something to do with your hearing. Sound Advice means that it is something that you can be sure of. It is something that if you do it, or act upon the advice of someone, you will come out good as a result. Back in Proverbs 2:7 it says that true wisdom comes from God. It’s not we who figure out things, it’s God sharing the wisdom of all ages with us. So if we truly trust the Lord we will respect what He has to say. If we respect what He says we will act upon that word. If we act upon that advice we will always come out right. Why, because God has laid up for us Sound Wisdom. “Sound Advice”. Prov. 2:7 also says it will be a buckler to us. Ok so that is not a term we use too much today. A Buckler was a small shield that was carried on the arm or in hand to defend you when in a hand-to-hand combat. The wisdom of God is just that. It becomes our shield as we walk through this life in hand-to-hand combat with the sin, Satan and self. What does that mean? It means we place faith in what God says and use it as our defense. Simply, “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good.”
The Word Walking In Me
I believe what God is saying in the book of Proverbs, is also what He was saying in Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. It is not just hearing and reading what God says, it is believing and using it. That’s faith. And that is SOUND ADVICE!
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July 3rd
Proverbs 16:22-24
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Outlook
from the In Book
If I were to ask you to walk on a path of boards that were two-foot in length and each one one-foot in width, would you be ok with that? Using one hundred of these boards we can make a two foot wide path, one hundred feet long. Plenty of space for your entire foot and some left over. Most people would say sure, I could follow that path. Now let me add this. What if on the left of that path there was a cliff that fell some one hundred feet to a stony river bed below? Now would you walk that path? Ok, how about if both sides were cliffs of the same depth? Now lets add ropes to tie the boards together and some to hang onto. Now will you walk that path? One last thing, the wind is blowing your hanging bridge of boards back and forth a bit. Now will you go across? Why Not? What changed? These are the same boards you were willing to walk on when you thought they were on the ground. The difference is all the surrounding. The boards never changed. The reason most people will not cross a swinging rope bridge is not they are afraid of the ropes and wood, they are afraid of the fall. The first time I ever crossed a bridge like that my uncle laughed like crazy at me. He just ran on across. I was clinging for dear life. After about a week I was running across the bridge too. What changed? I learned to trust the bridge. Understanding the safety in God’s wisdom is the wellspring of life. We need desperately today to teach that to those around us.
The Word Walking In Me
I ran across, but I still used the ropes as guides. They seem to give me balance. Reading God’s word everyday does the same. It gives your life balance. Read some everyday.
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July 4th
Proverbs 16:25-28
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends..
Outlook from
the In Book
“I’m mad at the world and don’t care who knows it!” Ever felt that way? Sure you have. We all have. But are you always that way? Could you even imagine living your life and always being mad? Always looking for something wrong. Always trying to find a way to get the best over on someone else. Well believe it or not there are lots of people like that. The problem is, the Bible seems to refer to those consistently mad and angry people as the lost in this world. Our verses today say the UNGODLY person diggeth up evil. The FROWARD, or crooked person soweth strife. A WHISPERER, or gossiper separates friends. It seems to be the unsaved that live that way. Always mad at the world and everything around them. Always trying to pick a fight with everyone. Truth be known, you know some of those people. Question is; do they call themselves children of God? In Galatians 5 it says the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance. Why? Because we have now died to self and selfishness and live in and for Christ. It’s harder to get hurt if you’re dead. It’s no longer about what I want; it’s all about what God wants.
The Word Walking In Me
If you are angry today, take it to the cross of Calvary and leave it there. Talk with your Pastor or Youth leader or Christian Friend. Ask them to pray with you to stop being angry and hurt. Examine your life. Ask yourself, “Does Christ really reside in me?” If not, just ask Him to save you. He promised He would. Give yourself to Jesus completely and He will come in and give you peace.
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July 5th
This year we are doing the Work
Week Devotions
All Devotions will be written and distributed Monday through Friday.
On
Saturday we suggest you re-read
the Proverb
we have written from this past week
and the week to come.
Some weeks that will be the same chapter,
while other weeks that may be two chapters.
We have never given out Bible reading for Sundays.
The reason is simple to us.
We want you to be reading and studying 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 the book of
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.
We hope you enjoy your
weekend in God's word
and pray we might see you back here on Monday
as we begin another Week
in the Word.
Review Proverbs 16-17 and this past weeks Devotionals if Desired
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July 6th
This year we are doing the Work
Week Devotions
All Devotions will be written and distributed Monday through Friday.
On
Saturday we suggest you re-read
the Proverb
we have written from this past week
and the week to come.
Some weeks that will be the same chapter,
while other weeks that may be two chapters.
We have never given out Bible reading for Sundays.
The reason is simple to us.
We want you to be reading and studying 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 the book of
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.
We hope you enjoy your
weekend in God's word
and pray we might see you back here on Monday
as we begin another Week
in the Word.
Review Proverbs 16-17 and this past weeks Devotionals if Desired
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July 7th
Proverbs 16:29-31
A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leaded him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
Outlook
from the In Book
When I was younger I use to get into trouble. I know, those of you that know me find that hard to believe, but its true. A teacher once said, “Son, I think you just set around and try to think up ways of getting in trouble.” Well I didn’t think that was what I was doing at the time. But looking back, I can now see where I might have been doing just exactly that. When I would try to think up ways to get around rules or authority, that is exactly what I was doing. Planning on doing something that would eventually get me in trouble. And not just me. It always seemed that I would try to talk others into joining me. Which brought about another problem. When I wasn’t thinking of something terrible to do, they were. And they would talk me into doing what they thought up. Now you have a team of troublemakers each taking turns causing the others to get into trouble. The Bible warns of people who never grow up or grow out of that way of life. They are always trying to beat the system. Some get hooked on gambling, some just always looking for that get rich quick scheme, and some looking for power. They are always trying to get people on their side for something or another. In the church, the family of God there should not be sides taken or such activity found. We should all be on a mission to reach the lost for Christ.
The Word Walking In Me
Our verses today say, “He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things.” That means some people think hard of how they might get back, or get even. What are you doing when you close your eyes? Are you thinking of getting even, or reaching God? Today lets get closer to God.
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July 8th
Proverbs 16:32-33
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Outlook
from the In Book
Some believe that brute force and power is everything. But for that strength and that power to be effective you need to have someone with a clear mind and very much in control leading it. Every army needs a General to make the decision where and when and how to fight. When the war is complete, the men come home to a heroes welcome, but in the history books, the General is remembered for winning the war. Every company has a president or leadership. All the employees really make it happen, but when the job is finished the leadership receives the pat on the back. By the same way, if a company fails or a war is lost, the shame there is placed firmly on the shoulders of the leadership. It is a great thing to be strong and brave, but the harder thing to do is be in control and wise. It is far better to rule your emotions and be in control of self than to conquer a land and be in control of nothing.
The Word Walking In Me
In the book of James in chapter 3 it says the tongue is a little member that no man can tame. The smallest member of the body seems the hardest to control. So if you cannot control the muscle of the tongue, you better learn how to control the emotion that wags it.
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