Category: Proverbs–BibleTrekToday
Milk or solid food?
Scripture reading for March 9th: Hebrews 5, Psalm 49, Proverbs 18
Hebrews 5:11-14 “About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil..”
Most people have ears. Not all people are able to hear! This is not just those who experience deafness. The writer of Hebrews lamented that those he was writing to had become dull of hearing. They had heard enough teaching of truth that they should have been teaching others, but since they did not go on to put it into practice, it was lost and this had dulled their ability of hearing more truth. God calls His people to pay attention to His Word, particularly the Word of righteousness by grace through faith. This is a basic doctrine that we must grasp and understand or we easily slip back into dead religion, rules and traditions. This is the milk of Scripture for the newly born-again. Solid food can only be received when the milk has been digested!
Psalm 49:1-3 “Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, both low and high, rich and poor together! My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving all Your disciples the milk of Your Word, that we might be born again. Thank You for Your patience to help me understand the basic truth of grace and faith. Thank You for solid food of all of Your Word that brings discernment of good and evil through the Holy Spirit to my life. Help me to live as a mature follower of Jesus and model this maturity to the younger and the world.
Proverbs 18:15 “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
A confidence in Christ brings grace!
Scripture reading for March 8th: Hebrews 4, Psalm 48, Proverbs 17
Hebrews 4:13-16 “And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account. Since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The writer of Hebrews again encourages Jewish believers to look to Jesus. Jesus Christ is the perfect “High Priest” in that He has passed through the heavens and come to earth as a human being. He was tempted in every way like us. He was successful through the power of the Holy Spirit to live a sinless life and die on the cross to deliver us from sin and its deadly consequences. He again passed through the heavens to God’s right hand. All believers can have great confidence in Jesus. He is now interceding for us. Through a faith relationship, we can find help and grace in any time of need we face!! Praise our Lord for His love and intercession for us! I will praise Him to the ends of the earth and in heaven!
Psalm 48:9-10 “We have thought on Your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of Your temple. As Your Name, O God, so Your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.”
Prayer: Father God, as I think on Your steadfast love shown to us in Jesus Christ, I am humbled and encouraged. You have abundantly supplied my greatest needs–forgiveness of sin, cleansing from guilt, and adoption into Your family! Search me today, and reveal any sin or wickedness. I want clean hands and a pure heart through grace and faith in Jesus Christ. I will sing Your praises forever and ever!
Proverbs 28:3 “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”
Maintain your confidence in Christ!
Scripture reading for March 7th: Hebrews 3, Psalm 47, Proverbs 16
Hebrews 3:12-15 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.””
The Psalmist knew the power of worship to help God’s people maintain their confidence in the King of all the earth. Worship involves the whole person: spirit, soul, and body! We clap our hands and shout with our voices as an act of worship with our bodies. We experience the joy of God’s presence with us and in us in our souls. Our spirit chooses to humbly reverence (fear) the great God of heaven and His Holy Word. As we worship, God is magnified to us. We become aware of Who He is and Whose we are! He speaks to our hearts and encourages us. Worship keeps our hearts soft and pliable and full of joy! We are blessed!
Psalm 47:1-2 “Clap you hands all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of Joy! For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.”
Prayer: Great God of Heaven, King over all the earth, I reverence You and choose to worship You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength of my body! You, Alone, are worthy! My confidence comes from the joy of Your presence with me and from the precious promises of Your Word. I have discovered Your amazing love and goodness and my life is blessed! Amen!
Proverbs 16:20 “Whoever gives thought to the Word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.”
Pay close attention!
Scripture reading for March 6th: Hebrews 2, Psalm 46, Proverbs 15
Hebrews 2:1-4 “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.”
Speaking to believing Jews living in persecution, the writer of Hebrews called them (and us) to pay close attention to the Gospel Good News spoken by Jesus Christ and repeated from those who had heard Him and experienced the signs and wonders. God always confirms His Word with signs that follow to draw people to pay attention to Him and His heart of compassion, goodness, and grace. It’s easy to become cynical and skeptical if we don’t keep our focus on Jesus and His powerful Word. The Psalmist in Psalm 46 called people to be still and know that God was the great “I AM” and would be exalted among all peoples of the earth. We should be continually following Jesus and allowing His light to shine through us and His Good News to refresh weary bones!
Psalm 46:10-11 “”Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Selah)
Prayer: Father God, thank You for revealing Yourself through Your Son Jesus Christ. Help me to always pay close attention to Him, listening to Your voice, and allowing the Holy Spirit to use me to share the Good News of Jesus and as You will, to be used in signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Be exalted, O Lord, in all the earth among all nations!
Proverbs 15:30-31 “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.”
Jesus the joyful and glorious King!
Scripture reading for March 3rd: Hebrews 1, Psalm 45, Proverbs 14
Hebrews 1:3-4, 8-9 “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the Name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.” . . .“But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions.”
Hebrews opens with a powerful statement about Jesus Christ, Son of God. The writer of Hebrews stated that Jesus was the full radiance of God’s glory and was an exact representation of God’s nature. Not only that, but the Son of God upholds the entire creation by His powerful Word. After defeat of death and hell on the cross, the Son has taken His rightful place at God’s right hand, ruling with authority. The writer of Hebrews then declares the truth of Psalm 45:6-7 by quoting them as applying to Jesus Christ. Like God, Jesus is an eternal ruler who loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Because of this, the Father anointed His Son with the oil of gladness above all others! He is the meek Son of Man who now is the victorious Son of God calling out to all mankind to join in His glad and glorious and righteous reign!
Psalm 45:4-6 “In Your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let Your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to earth in the meekness of human flesh. Thank You for raising Him from the dead in victory over sin and death, making a way that all sinners such as I might enjoy an eternal relationship with You. Thank You for the gift of righteousness and the oil of gladness you pour out on all who believe and join in the bridal company awaiting the coming king!
Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Blessing sowed–blessings reaped!
Scripture reading for March 2nd: Acts 28, Psalm 44, Proverbs 13
Acts 28:7-10 “Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.”
Paul and the 275 on board the ship were all safe on an island and wintered there. Soon after escaping the shipwreck, the chief man of this island took Paul and several from his party into his house and showed them hospitality for three days. During this time, Paul found out Publius had a sick father. He asked to go pray for him and God healed him. This brought people from all over the island to receive prayer and God healed them. When they were ready to set sail after winter, these islanders loaded Paul and those of his party with all they needed for their journey! The law of sowing and reaping is demonstrated here! Bless and you will be blessed–abundantly! We give You thanks forever and ever!
Psalm 44:7-8 “But You have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to Your Name forever.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for showing such love for the lost that You would even send one of Your servants to them through such a manner as this: a prisoner on a ship that wrecked! Thank You for the healings and many who were blessed with the Gospel message in that remote place. Thank You that the law of sowing and reaping holds true. May I always sow blessings and our Lord bring in a harvest!
Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Words of wisdom and encouragement
Scripture reading for March 1st: Acts 27, Psalm 43, Proverbs 12
Acts 27:33-38 “As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) And when they had eaten, they lightened the ship, throwing the wheat into the sea.”
Paul was a prisoner of Rome under the control of a centurion named Julius. He had favor with him and Paul was allowed to visit his friends before boarding the ship. It was nearing winter, and sailing was treacherous. Paul warned them about possible loss, but the ship’s owner and captain called the shots. During the trip, a storm arose that caused them to despair of life! For fourteen days they drifted in the gale winds. Paul spoke up as the time of approaching land drew near. He encouraged the men to take heart and eat. He told them not a hair of their head would perish. He blessed the bread and ate, along with the 275 others on this ship. He gave a word of wisdom–light and truth making souls glad.
Psalm 43:3-4 “Send out Your light and truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to Your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding Joy, and I will praise You with the lyre, O God, my God!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving words of wisdom to Your servants to be a blessing and encouragement to all people and to show signs to the lost of Your love and care. Your Word brings light and truth to my soul. It leads me to Your holy dwelling and lifts anxiety from my heart replacing it with joy and gladness. Let Your Word bring hope, salvation and encouragement through my lips!
Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
Paul speaks boldly to authority!
Scripture reading for February 28th: Acts 26, Psalm 42, Proverbs 11
Acts 26: 24-29 “And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am–except for these chains.””
God gave Paul the opportunity, at King Agrippa’s request, to hear Paul’s defense. Paul spoke boldly to King Agrippa, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, he presented the Gospel message of his own testimony and Christ’s resurrection. He directly appealed to King Agrippa, and even to Festus, the governor, to become followers of Christ. There was resistance as Festus accused Paul of being mentally unstable, and King Agrippa and his wife felt pressure and resisted action of faith. But Paul boldly proclaimed the Gospel message to those God had set before him, a prisoner of Jesus Christ!
Psalm 42:1-2 “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirst for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing care to place Your people where they may reach even those in authority with Good News. I ask for open doors today and each day to present my testimony of Your saving grace in my life and the forgiveness of sins through Your Son Jesus Christ. May my life bring glory to You and much fruit in souls partaking of Jesus Christ the Tree of Life Eternal!
Proverbs 11:30 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.”
The ‘religious’ Jews plot murder!
Scripture reading for February 27th: Acts 25, Psalm 41, Proverbs 10
Acts 25: 1-5 “Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem–because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.””
Paul considered himself a ‘prisoner of Jesus Christ.’ Paul knew that God had sent him to Jerusalem and that he also would go to Rome as well because the Lord Jesus had spoken to him. But the ‘religious’ leaders of the Jews had their own plots in mind. More than 40 men had pledged an oath to neither eat or drink until they had killed Paul. Religion may appear to be legitimate, but hearts that are not humble before God but proud and manipulative are being controlled by the devil. God watches over His people in every situation to work out everything for His good and His purposes. Paul’s imprisonment and this conflict enabled Him to witness to Roman authorities in Caesarea and to be taken to Rome for ministry and the government protected him and footed the bill.
Psalm 41:11-12 “By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But You have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in Your presence forever.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for delighting in Your people and protecting them from enemies bent on destruction. You are the One who spins over me in delight and brings me into the rest of Your righteousness and joy. You are my stronghold in trouble and the One who will ultimately bring justice. Use me and my humble trust in You to bring Your Word of salvation to those who are lost and dying.
Proverbs 10:28-29 “The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.”
Paul’s faithful preaching!
Scripture reading for February 24th: Acts 24, Psalm 40, Proverbs 9
Acts 24: 24-27 “After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Jesus Christ. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.”
Proverbs states that the fear of man is a snare. Worldly leaders like Felix were always looking for political advantage or personal advantage as with a bribe. They were not guided by the integrity that comes from God’s Word, but by their flesh. Godly people are sometimes, like Paul, placed by God under their authority. God loves them too and gives all people opportunity to hear the truth of Jesus and allows them freedom to chose who they will serve. God’s message of deliverance shows no partiality and He desires all to be saved an enter into His salvation. Wise people are teachable. Fools and scoffers turn sour and hateful.
Psalm 40:9-10 “I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as You know, O Lord. I have not hidden Your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness from the great congregation.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the ‘Glad News’ of salvation given to your Church to share in the great congregation of mankind. Forgive me when I have restrained my lips and not told of Your faithfulness and salvation. Use me like Paul, to faithfully and fully declare Your Son, Jesus Christ, to all You send me to. May none be lost or suffer as scoffers and fools. Help me to faithfully declare the Gospel to all nations!
Proverbs 9:8-9 “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”