Category: Proverbs–BibleTrekToday
Walking in Love!
Scripture reading for June 10th: Proverbs 14-15, Romans 14
Key Scriptures: Romans 14:15-19 “For is your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
Everything we do as believers should be motivated by love. If we have a brother or sister that believes that something we are eating is defiled and harmful, we must be mindful of their beliefs and not cause them to stumble. We should help them to see that God’s kingdom is not based on rules and regulations, but righteousness through faith in Christ Jesus. As we rest in Christ Jesus and His righteousness, we can enjoy peace with God and the joy of sins forgiven.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to walk in love towards my brothers and sisters today in all that I do and say. I have kingdom joy and peace today from resting in Jesus Christ for my righteousness.
Proverbs 14:15-16 “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.”
Be subject to Authority!
Scripture reading for June 9th: Proverbs 11-13, Psalm 8, Romans 13
Key Scriptures: Romans 13:1-5 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good and you will receive his approval, for his is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.”
God’s Word teaches us that He alone creates authority and places people in authority to fulfill His will and purposes. When we resist authority, we are resisting God’s appointed one. God’s appointed one is there for your good and protection. If you are doing wrong, God’s authority is there to punish and restrain evil. Each person knows this because God has made it plain in their conscience. There are no excuses now and will be none when we stand before God and answer for deeds done in our body in rebellion to our conscience and His appointed authority!
Psalm 8:4-5 “. . .what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I am thankful for those in authority, believing that You have placed them there for my good and blessing. Help me to honor and obey them, teaching others through example.
Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
The actions and attitudes of a Christ-follower!
Scripture reading for June 8th: Proverbs 8-10, Psalm 144, Romans 12
Key Scriptures: Romans 12:14-20 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.””
Paul explained to the new Roman believers what following Christ looked like in everyday attitudes and actions. Christ’s attitudes and actions were very different from the culture they lived in. They were to live in humble harmony with all other believers, whether in joy or sorrow. They were to seek to bless and be a blessing with those persecuting them or active enemies. They were never to consider revenge or paying back evil for evil, because God’s Word plainly stated that revenge was God’s alone to give. Good would always triumph over evil as love never fails!
Psalm 144:15 “Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, You have blessed me with Your Holy Spirit, infilling my body I have dedicated to You. Help me to grow in grace and obedience in my attitudes and actions towards others.
Proverbs 8:34 “Blessed is the one who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting beside My doors.”
Grace or a spirit of stupor!
Scripture reading for June 5th: Proverbs 6-7, Psalm 7, Romans 11
Key Scriptures: Romans 11:5-10 “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” and David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.””
Paul explained to the Romans how God chose grace as the means of salvation for all people, Jew and Gentile. If we could work for our salvation, grace would not be grace! Those who believed the Gospel obtained grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who refused to believe but sought to keep the law by human effort were hardened and were overcome by a spirit of stupor. They would miss the grace of God freely offered.
Psalm 7:12-13 “If a man does not repent, God will whet His sword; He has bent and readied His bow; He has prepared for him His deadly weapons, making His arrows fiery shafts.”
Faith confession and prayer: I believe in salvation through grace by faith as Your plan for all men. I have repented of my own dead works and trust Jesus Christ as Lord. Help me warn and preach Your Gospel that all may avoid Your wrath.
Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, . . “
The power of preaching the Word!
Scripture reading for June 4th: Proverbs 3-5, Romans 10
Key Scriptures: Romans 10:14-17 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.”
Paul taught that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was the power of God unto salvation. But faith cannot come where the Gospel is not preached. Paul used the rabbinical technique of asking good questions to provoke thinking on the truths he was teaching. There must be preachers who preach the Word. These preachers must be called and sent out. They must preach whether people hear and receive or not. But faith will come to those who do hear God’s Word! It is God’s Word and God’s chosen way for faith to salvation.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, thank You for calling me to preach Your unchanging Gospel. I will wait upon You to send me each day to those who need to hear Your life-giving Word. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness!
Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, be attentive to My Word; incline your ear to My sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.”
Interceding for the brothers!
Scripture reading for June 3rd: 1st Kings 4, Proverbs 1-2, Psalm 43, Romans 9
Key Scriptures: Romans 9:1-5 “I am speaking the truth in Christ–I am not lying; my conscience bears witness in the Holy Spirit–that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.”
Paul shared with the Romans his heart for the Israelites, his own brothers. He identified with them in their lost condition, having been lost himself at one time and proud of his heritage. The Jews had great blessings through the patriarchs and their relationship with God. God had promised them eternal blessings through covenant. But they had rejected Christ Jesus, One of their own, Who was God over all men. Intercession is the heart of God and the Holy Spirit in us. God acts when His people identify with His heart to save all men and they ask Him for their salvation.
Psalm 43:3 “Send out Your light and Your Truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to learn to cooperate with Your Holy Spirit in intercession for those in need of a relationship with You. Thank You that You desire all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the Truth!
Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; . . .”
“Come, Lord Jesus!”
Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 22, Psalm 149-50, Proverbs 14
Key Scriptures: Revelation 22:17-21 “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”
We end this year’s devotions with the last words of John’s revelation and the last words of Jesus Christ to His Church, the Bride. The Bride, through the Holy Spirit is praying to the Lord Jesus saying, “Come!” I believe this simple prayer has two aspects. The Bride is asking God to bring in the thirsty and those still to be saved. The Bride is asking Jesus to come for them. The Lord Jesus answers: “Surely I am coming soon.” The Brides answer is “Amen.” It all occurs by grace through faith!
Faith confession: Lord Jesus, I join the Bride in praying “Come.” May the lost and thirsty come to You and find refreshing in the river of life and healing food in the tree of life flowing from Your glorious throne! “Amen.” Hallelujah forever and ever!
Psalm 149:1 “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song; His praise in the assembly of the godly!
Psalm 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
“Night will be no more!”
Scripture reading for December 30th: Revelation 22, Psalm 147-48, Proverbs 13
Key Scriptures: Revelation 22:1-5 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His Name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”
John’s final vision of the Holy City was of the river flowing from the throne of God and the tree of life growing on either side. These trees produced twelve kinds of fruit and leaves brought healing to the nations. No more idols would be found inside the city or temple, for God’s throne and the Lamb would dwell in it. This would bring eternal light and no more darkness or the deeds of darkness. The Lamb and God Almighty would reign forever and ever in a glorious kingdom of light.
Faith Confession: It will be” joy unspeakable and full of glory” to behold the Lamb and see His glorious face and worship Him forever and ever! No more darkness! Eating of the Tree of Life!
Proverbs 13:12 “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Trustworthy and True!
Scripture reading for December 27th: Revelation 21, Psalm 145-46, Proverbs 12
Key Scriptures: Revelation 21:3-5 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
John heard a wonderful announcement from heaven’s throne, with God Himself speaking, (possibly through an angel.) God stated that His dwelling was now with men and He would attend to all their needs by making everything new. There would be no more crying, pain or mourning because of death and sin. These words can be trusted! Take them to the bank of Heaven!
Faith Confession: Father God, I believe Your holy and trustworthy Word today and rest in Your great love and mercy. How I long for their complete fulfillment but I am thankful for the down-payment. You alone are worthy to be worshiped and praised forevermore.
Psalm 145:8-10 “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made. All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and all Your saints shall bless You!”
The blessed first resurrection!
Scripture reading for December 26th: Revelation 20, Psalm 143-44, Proverbs 11
Key Scriptures: Revelation 20:4-6 “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with Him for a thousand years.”
John saw thrones and saints seated on those thrones given the authority to judge. These saints were those coming through the great tribulation through martyrdom because of their faithfulness to the testimony of Jesus and the Word of God. Their faith and faithfulness had brought the fulfillment of God’s promise of eternal life. This is the first resurrection and those participating are most blessed and holy! They will rule with Christ during the millennial reign.
Faith Confession: I am thankful for Christ’s promise that those who believe in Him shall never die but have eternal life. They will be part of the first resurrection of the righteous. Lord help me to stay faithful and true to Your testimony and holy Word.
Proverbs 11:30-31 “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise. If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner.”