Category: Proverbs–BibleTrekToday
The Word of the Lord!
Scripture reading for February 9th: Acts 13, Psalm 29, Proverbs 29
Acts 13:44-49 “The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the Word the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, It was necessary that the Word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the Word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the Word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.”
Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the early church on a missionary journey to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They went from city to city, sharing the good news, first to the Jews because of their place in God’s plan of redemption. However, many Jews resisted the message and jealously opposed them and their preaching. As instructed by Jesus, they shook the dust off and went next to the Gentiles. God was not showing partiality to the Jews, but wanted all men to receive salvation and eternal life. As they preached the good news of Jesus, Son of God, God brought conviction and salvation to those who believed and the Word and voice of the Lord spread to the whole region causing joy and rejoicing!
Psalm 29:3-4 “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty!”
Prayer: Father God, through the Gospel message coming through those You sent to share with me, I was appointed to salvation and received the gift of eternal life! Thank You for Your mercy and grace! Thank You for speaking to my heart! Use me to speak Your Word to those still in darkness that the glory of Your voice may resonate in their hearts through the powerful Holy Spirit, bringing salvation and joy to them!
Proverbs 29:6 “An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.”
Persecution and divine protection!
Scripture reading for February 8th: Acts 12, Psalm 28, Proverbs 28
Acts 12:1-5 “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of unleavened Bread. And wen he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover o bring him out to the people. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”
Luke records a time of persecution for the new Church arising from Jews trying to stop the believers and Herod using his authority to go after church leadership. At first, it looked hopeless as Herod laid hands on James, the brother of John the Apostle. John was struck down by the sword of Herod’s soldiers. Then, seeing political advantage, Herod had Peter arrested. But it was the feast of Unleavened bread, the time right before the Passover celebrated by the Jews so Herod had him guarded by four squads of soldiers for safe-keeping. God made fools out of them all, unlocking the doors and escorting Peter to freedom while the soldiers slept! Earnest prayers of the church had great power! God protects His people–taking them home to His presence or delivering them from the enemy, giving them strength in each case!
Psalm 28:7-8 “The Lord is my Strength and my Shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my soul I give thanks to Him. The Lord is the strength of His people; He is the saving refuge of His anointed.”
Prayer: Father God, You are my Strength and my Shield and a saving refuge for all Your people. You have blessed me and been faithful to me to deliver me from wicked men and the forces of evil. Thank You for the Church and their prayers for the saints and apostles. You hear and answer. Help me to never show partiality or to go after riches instead of integrity and truth. My heart trusts in You and I am helped daily!
Proverbs 28:20-21 “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. To show partiality is not good, but for a piece of bread a man will do wrong.”
Gentiles added to the Church
Scripture reading for February 7th: Acts 11, Psalm 27, Proverbs 27
Acts 11: 20-26 “But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
Jesus had told His disciples to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, making disciples of all nations. At first, these Jewish disciples and apostles were reluctant to go among the Gentiles. But God worked with them, and through persecution and clear direction took them before Gentile audiences. As they preached Jesus Christ, God worked with them as He promised and many turned to the Lord and were saved. These new believers were first called “Christians” in Antioch and they were discipled by Barnabas and Saul (Paul) who faithfully tended to the Master’s business: making disciples of all nations!
Psalm 27:11″ “Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. ” . . . 13-14 “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”
Prayer: Father God, I pray with the Psalmist, “Teach me Your way!” Keep my feet on Your narrow path and let Your grace and power of the Holy Spirit add many to Your Church family. I believe I will see Your goodness in the land of the living! Use me to teach new believers and to tend to the Master’s business. May the Name “Christian” be honored in my life as I wait upon You for courage and strength.
Proverbs 27:17-18 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.”
Bold preaching after true conversion!
Scripture reading for February 3rd: Acts 9, Psalm 25, Proverbs 25
Acts 9: 26-29 “And when he had come to Jerusalem, he (Paul) attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, Who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the Name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the Name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.”
Paul was truly a changed man, but it took time and consistent behavior to convince even some in the church family. Barnabas, an encouraging man, took Paul aside and listened to his story. He then brought him before the apostles and explained Paul’s encounter with Jesus and how he began to boldly preach the Gospel in Damascus. This changed minds and hearts, and Paul then resumed preaching Jesus in Jerusalem among the Greek-speaking Jews. This stirred up more trouble and talk of murdering Paul. He was sent away to Tarsus and God brought a time of peace to the church in Jerusalem.
Psalm 25:8-9 “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for patiently teaching sinners who humbly repent and will listen to Your instruction. Your Word strikes our hearts and transforms us from murders to bold proclaimers of Jesus Christ. You guide our path and open doors as we patiently follow Your instruction. Use me to boldly proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and give me words in season like apple of gold in settings of silver. Amen!
Proverbs 25:11-12 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.”
Much joy in the city!
Scripture reading for February 2nd: Acts 8, Psalm 24, Proverbs 24
Acts 8: 4-8 “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the Word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in the city.
As a result of the persecution of Saul and other zealous Jews, believers were scattered everywhere. This did not hinder them from sharing the Gospel. Luke tells about how Phillip went down to Samaria and preached Christ there. People gathered and attentively listened and the Holy Spirit worked through him to do many miraculous signs. Demons were cast out, lame people walked and the presence of God’s power and the Good News brought joy to the city! God wants to deliver the bound and set free those headed for hell and destruction. Believers open their hearts to the King of Glory and He blesses them and uses them to bless others.
Psalm 24:9-10 “Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.”
Prayer: Praise Your Glorious Name, O Lord of Hosts! You are the King of Glory! Where You enter, lives are changed and forces of darkness must flee! Thank You for working with Your people as they fearlessly preach Jesus Christ crucified and risen from the grave! May You do today, in our time, what You did of old. Use me to rescue those being taken away to death and those stumbling to hell. Pour on the joy!
Proverbs 24:11-12 “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; but hold back those who are stumbling to slaughter. If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not He Who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not He Who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will He not repay man according to his work?”
The Father prepared a ‘table’!
Scripture reading for February 1st: Acts 7, Psalm 23, Proverbs 23
Acts 7: 51-55 “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him.”
Stephen was one of seven men chosen by the apostles to help serve widows in the early church. He was taken before the Sanhedrin and charged falsely of blasphemy. When asked to defend himself, Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, laid out the history of the Jews and their hard-heartedness towards the law of Moses, the prophets and Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He confronted those involved in the crucifixion of Jesus. God was offering them grace. This angered them and they ground their teeth! God opened heaven to show Stephen Jesus Christ standing at the Father’s right hand awaiting his home-going! It is almost as if the Father, in His great mercy, prepared the ‘table’ for Stephen’s martyrdom! The Father and Son were rejoicing in Stephen and his wisdom and courage in the face of enemies.
Psalm 23:5-6 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Prayer: Father God, You are the Good Shepherd that leads Your people in every situation of life. Belonging to You, we are given grace to endure even death. Thank You for preparing this ‘table’ of glory in Your presence that we look forward to. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I might boldly proclaim truth to those who mock and scoff. With Stephen I declare, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Proverbs 23:24-25 “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice.”
Resisting the Holy Spirit
Scripture reading for January 31st: Acts 6, Psalm 22, Proverbs 22
Acts 6:8-12 “And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”
Stephen was one of the first deacons, chosen by the apostles to help with the ministry needs of the early church. He was full of grace and power because he was filled with the Holy Spirit. This was and should be a requirement of all in church leadership and serving positions. He spoke with God’s wisdom in the power of the Holy Spirit. This brought opposition from some of the Jews and other Gentiles. These who opposed him secretly instigated opposition and false witnesses who made untrue claims concerning Stephen. They accused him of opposing the temple, Law, and customs of Moses. They mocked him and scoffed at him and falsely accused him even as Stephen had graciously spoken God’s wisdom. They were resisting the Holy Spirit, as Jesus also had encountered and those scoffers are still with us today.
Psalm 22:6-7 “But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they make mouths at me; they wag their heads.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for discernment of spirits, to help me know if a spirit or the Holy Spirit is speaking to me. Thank You for reminding me through Your Word that Jesus, the apostles and believers will be attacked and opposed by Satan and those still in darkness of sin. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and gracious words of wisdom or silence to refute the lies and present Your gracious Good News to them.
Proverbs 22:17-18 “Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.”
Rejoicing apostles!
Scripture reading for January 30th: Acts 5, Psalm 21, Proverbs 21
Acts 5:38-42 “So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the Name of Jesus, and let them go. They left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name. And every day, in the temple and house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.”
The religious leaders were agitated at the apostles, who continued to draw crowds and faithfully preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They sought to take violent action against the apostles and had them thrown into jail but an angel of the Lord freed them and instructed them to continue preaching. When the religious leaders called for the apostles from their jail cell, the guards found it locked but no one there. Then they received a report of the apostles preaching again and they hurriedly brought them from there before the council. Gamaliel gave advice to the elders: let these men alone for if they are from God, you might be fighting against God! After warning them to stop, they had the apostles flogged and set free. They went on their way rejoicing in God’s salvation! Fear of man is a snare! We must, like the apostles, follow the counsel of God alone! Gamaliel also gave God’s truth.
Psalm 21:1-2 “O Lord, in Your strength the king rejoices, and in Your salvation how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.”
Prayer: O Lord, like David of old, I rejoice in Your strength and wise counsel! Thank You for Your miraculous intervention in placing the apostles and me right where I can be Your witness and reach even those hardened by sin and religion. All victory belongs to You! Success belongs to You. Use me to give wise counsel and godly wisdom to those needing salvation and those making decisions about Jesus.
Proverbs 21:30-31 “No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.”
“Stop the spread!”
Scripture reading for January 27th: Acts 4, Psalm 20, Proverbs 20
Acts 4:17-22 “”But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this Name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the Name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot speak of what we have seen and heard.” And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old.”
Religious people, who are not ‘born again’, have a difficult time with Jesus Christ, miracles, and the gift of eternal life through the resurrection of Jesus. The religious people that had crucified Jesus were upset with these apostles who were preaching Jesus Christ, raised from the dead and eternal life through repentance and faith. They were even upset at a notable miracle, the healing of the forty-year-old man, lame from birth. They wanted to stop the spread of this teaching and the miracles because all the people were excited and praising God. So they forbid these apostles to speak or teach in Jesus’ Name! This would surely stop the spread! But not so fast! Should apostles obey Jesus or these religious fakes?
Psalm 20:6-7 “Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving might of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for opening my ears day by day to hear Your Word and obey Your instructions, no matter what the world may demand. Protect me from the fear of man which would hinder the spread of Your Word. Use me through the authority of Jesus’ Name to show compassion on those who are hurting or bruised by life. Bring notable miracles of healing and deliverance to Your glory!
Proverbs 20: 27-28 “The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.”
Times of refreshing!
Scripture reading for January 26th: Acts 3, Psalm 19, Proverbs 19
Acts 3: 17-21 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, Whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago.”
Peter and John had just been used by God to speak prophetically in the power of the Holy Spirit to a lame beggar. At their word, the beggar immediately received strengthening and healing. He began to walk, leap, and praise the Lord! It was truly a picture of the refreshing that comes when God intervenes in our lives and reveals our Lord and Savior, appointed to save even us! Peter called out to those who had participated in the trial of Jesus to repent, change their minds, and receive their refreshing as well! Jesus was in heaven, but was still at work through His people! Everything God had spoken by the prophets had come true or would come true at the final restoring of all things at Christ’s return!
Psalm 19:12-14 “Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for keeping me from errors and presumptuous sins. Fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart might be Yours and thereby acceptable in Your sight. Continue to open my ears to Your instructions that I might be refreshed daily and walk, run, and leap for joy for Your amazing grace!
Proverbs 19:27 “Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”