Category: Proverbs–BibleTrekToday
The world hates you!
Scripture reading for November 3rd: John 15, Psalm 70, Proverbs 3
John 15: 18-24 “”If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the Word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My Word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of My Name, because they do not know Him Who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates My Father also.””
Being a follower of Jesus, our Master, is not a bed of roses. Jesus has called His followers out of the world system of greed and self-promotion into the kingdom of heaven. Greatness in His kingdom is based on serving and a servant is not above his Master. Jesus explained that those still in the world hated and persecuted Him and they would also hate and persecute all followers. Those called out of the world had listened and obeyed Jesus’ Word and that group would also hear and obey the words of the disciples. When the world hates Jesus or us, His followers, it is a hatred of the Father and a failure to learn about the Father through Jesus’ Word. When the Word is preached, all hearers become accountable. When people reject and hate Jesus and His Word, the Word will, ultimately be their judge.
Psalm 70:4-5 “May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You! May those who love Your Salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!”
Prayer: Father God, it is a great privilege to know You through Jesus Christ and His Word and works. Thank You for revealing salvation to me and reminding me that the world will hate me because You have called me out of the world system. Thank You for the indwelling Holy Spirit Who daily helps me to turn away from all evil and show Your love to those still in this world! I rejoice in Your amazing salvation!
Proverbs 3:7-8 “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Satan had no claim on Jesus!
Scripture reading for November 2nd: John 14, Psalm 69, Proverbs 2
John 14: 25-31 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My Name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me, but I do as the Father has commanded Me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.”
Jesus, in one of His last teachings to His disciples before going to the Garden of Gethsemane, told them of a new ‘Helper’, the Holy Spirit, Who the Father would send to them to instruct them and help them remember all He was teaching. He reinforced His soon departure, but told them He would return, giving them His blessing of peace and encouraging them not to give in to fear. Even though in the coming dark time, Satan would come close, Satan was not in control. Jesus was following His Father’s plan and instructions. He was demonstrating His love for His Father through total obedience in laying His life down for the sins of mankind. This message would be taken to the world. His zeal for building God’s ‘House’ would consume Him as He took on the reproaches of sinful man. Full understanding would come with the Father’s Gift, bringing to them sound wisdom and understanding of God’s plan and Word.
Psalm 69:9 “For zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your love, wisdom and wonderful plan of salvation. Through Jesus Christ, all believers now have eternal life and a place in Father’s house. Even though Satan seeks to lay claim to us, Jesus has overcome by taking all the claims Himself and paying them off. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and empower me to share these amazing truths that reveal Your heart of mercy and love.
Proverbs 2:6-8 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints.”
Betrayal troubles Jesus!
Scripture reading for November 1st: John 13, Psalm 68, Proverbs 1
John 13:21-28 “After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in His spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of His disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom He was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” Now no one at the table knew why He said this to him.”
Jesus was troubled in His spirit by the fact that one of His disciples had already plotted to betray Him for a little money. He wasn’t troubled by a lack of knowledge about who this was, however, as He knew what was in Judas when He chose him. The other disciples were searching their hearts and looking at one another wondering who it might be. Peter motioned to John, who was seated next to Jesus to ask Him who it was. Jesus dipped a morsel of bread and gave it to Judas, who was most likely seated next to Jesus in a place of honor. Judas knew his own pre-arranged plans and Jesus was showing him that He knew and was offering him the chance to repent one last time. But Satan entered Judas after taking and eating the bread–a covenant meal of love and devotion. He ate damnation to himself through unbelief and rebellion and focusing on unjust gain. We must examine ourselves before partaking of Holy Communion.
Psalm 68:1-2 “God shall arise, His enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate Him shall flee before Him! As smoke is driven away, so You shall drive them away; as wax melts before fire, so the wicked shall perish before God!”
Prayer: Father God, this account of Jesus and Judas and the disciples at the Last Supper encourages me to seek You for insight and wisdom into the motives of my own heart. You know all things and are merciful. Reveal any betrayal of Jesus in my motives, attitudes or actions that I might repent. Help me to truly love You and my fellow believers by living in grace by faith and walking humbly with Jesus.
Proverbs 1:18-19 “For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors.”
Equity for all through Father and Son
Scripture reading for October 31st: John 12, Psalm 67, Proverbs 31
John 12: 44-50 “And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him Who sent Me. And whoever sees Me sees Him Who sent Me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness. If anyone hears My Words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive My Words has a judge; the Word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority, but the Father Who sent Me has Himself given Me a commandment–what to say and what to speak. And I know that His commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told Me.””
Jesus Christ came to reveal the Father to His lost children, Jew and Gentile. All mankind lived in darkness and because of sin they could not see the glory of God their Father in heaven. Jesus came down specifically to bring light to that darkness. He was the ‘Light of the World’ and here declares that anyone who believes in Him, also believes in the Father Who sent Him. He proclaimed only the Words of His Father in Heaven, that man might know their Father’s love and desire for their salvation and restoration. Jesus was not on earth as a judge, but as Light. His Words were eternal life to those who would believe, but would also judge those who refused to come to the Light and see. Real ‘equity’ is offered by our Father to all nations, tongues, and tribes through His Son and His Bride, the Church who shares this Good News! All people are under the same offer of mercy and will be judged for failure to respond.
Psalm 67:4-5 “Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for You judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. (Selah) Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You want all nations to know You through Your Son Jesus Christ. I gladly repent and receive this Good News. You are wise, kind, merciful, and loving as revealed by Jesus Christ. Through Your Spirit, cloth me with strength and dignity and use me to share Your Wisdom and kindness to all nations that they might worship You. Let all receive and none be judged by Your Word.
Proverbs 31:25-26 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Authority over death!
Scripture reading for October 30th: John 11, Psalm 66, Proverbs 30
John 11:38-44 “Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. I knew that You always hear Me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that You sent Me.” When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.””
Jesus Christ had come to earth to save lost mankind from the fear of death and the sting of death. He would do that by His own sacrifice of His blood and body on the cross and burial in a tomb for three days. On the third day, He would rise from the dead, declaring victory over death, hell, and the grave. As Jesus wept over the death of His friend, Lazarus, He was moved deeply in His spirit to act prophetically on behalf of Lazarus and those grieving there, as well as Jews and Gentiles who would believe on Him throughout the last days. He commanded the tomb be opened. He prayed to His Father, declaring His own faith that the Father always heard Him, and then He prophetically called out Lazarus by name from death and the decay of the grave! All the earth can know for certain, Jesus Christ is the Son of God!
Psalm 66:4-5 “All the earth worships You and sings praises to You; they sing praises to Your Name. Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the children of man.”
Prayer: Father God, I worship You and sing Your praise for the awesome things You have done for me and for all those living in fear of death and the grave! You called me out of my grave of sin by name. Your revealed Your Son, Jesus Christ to me while I was yet a sinner. You are unbinding me now from death’s garments and changing me daily into Your Son’s image, by the Holy Spirit, as I behold His glory! Amen!
Proverbs 30:4 “Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name, and what is His Son’s Name? Surely you know!” (God the Father and Jesus Christ!)
One flock and One Shepherd
Scripture reading for October 27th: John 10, Psalm 65, Proverbs 29
John 10:14-19 “”I know My own and My own know Me, just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd. For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father.” There was again a division among the Jews because of these words.”
Jesus Christ is the ‘One Shepherd’ Who alone is the ‘Good Shepherd’! God had designated Israel His ‘Flock’, the sheep of His pasture. But Jesus proclaimed that there were other ‘sheep’ that He was here to reach that were not of Israel’s fold. These sheep would accept Jesus as the ‘One Shepherd’ and listen to His voice and follow Him. His laying down of His life would come at the end of His earthly ministry. Jesus taught that this would be a voluntary act given to Him by the Father. He would lay down His life for the sheep and then take it up again, accurately predicting His resurrection, also decreed by His Father. These powerful prophetic Words brought division among the Jews. Some accused Him of having a demon, but others disagreed because of the miracle of the healing of the blind man. The Gospel would divide and bring some to faith in the ‘One Shepherd’ but others to eternal destruction.
Psalm 65:3-4 “When iniquities prevail against me, You atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, the holiness of Your temple!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving Your Son authority to lay down His life as the “Good Shepherd” of the ‘One Flock’ of sheep who hear Your voice and follow You. Thank You for atoning for my sins and bringing me near to You to dwell in Your House forever. I am satisfied with the goodness of Your House and the Holiness of Your temple! Through Jesus My Shepherd, I sing and rejoice forever and ever!
Proverbs 29:6 “An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.”
Believe and receive!
Scripture reading for October 26th: John 9, Psalm 64, Proverbs 28
John 9: 30-38 “The man answered, “Why this is an amazing thing! You do not know where He comes from, yet He opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?” And they cast him out (of the synagogue). Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him He said, “Do you believe in the Son of man?” He answered, “And Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and it is He Who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him.”
John records this amazing miracle done by Jesus for a man who was born blind. The disciples had just asked why the man was born blind: Was it because of his sin or his parents? Jesus answered that neither case was true, but only that God’s works might be displayed in his life. He then anointed the man’s eyes with mud made from dust and saliva. He told the man to wash in the pool of Siloam and as he obeyed, sight was restored. All were in amazement and they questioned the man about who did this and how he did it. The Pharisees questioned him as well, finding out it was Jesus doing this, and on the Sabbath, they condemned the miracle. But faith had entered this blind man’s heart and eyes were opened physically and spiritually to receive sight and insight! Jesus revealed Himself to this man who was put out of the synagogue. He now worshiped Jesus as the Son of Man! The Pharisees became more blind than him!
Psalm 64: 7-9 “But God shoots His arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what He has done.”
Prayer: Father God, how amazing is the miracle of sight for a man born blind! Yet more amazing still is his seeing Jesus Christ as the Son of Man, Savior and Healer! Help me to share Your love for the blind and lost through the Holy Spirit and even creative miracles that open eyes of understanding to reveal Jesus Christ the Savior through preaching of the Gospel. May all fear and testify of God’s works!
Proverbs 28:6 “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.”
“You will die in your sins”
Scripture reading for October 25th: John 8, Psalm 63, Proverbs 27
John 8: 21-27 “So He said to them again, “I am going away, and you will seek Me, and you will die in your sin. Where I am going, you cannot come.” So the Jews said, “Will He kill Himself, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am He you will die in your sins.” So they said to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning. I have much to say about you and much to judge, but He Who sent Me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from Him.” They did not understand that He had been speaking to them about the Father.”
Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father in Heaven, came to reveal His Father to lost mankind. Jesus spoke plainly in rebuke to these religious leaders who were attacking Him after He had told the woman caught in adultery that she was forgiven and to sin no more. He proclaimed Himself the ‘Light of the World’. They were critical of Him for promoting Himself. Jesus said that there were two witnesses: He and the Father. Jesus stated that He only did what the Father asked and said what the Father said. Their failure to believe would result in them dying in their sin. It was the sin of unbelief. This rebuke was not intended to be a condemnation, but was Truth given that they might repent. Their question: “Who are You?” would be answered fully when Jesus was ‘lifted up’ in crucifixion, buried, and raised from the dead!
Psalm 63:8-10 “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me. But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the plain truth about each person: we will die in our sins unless we believe in Jesus. I choose to put my trust in You alone! My soul clings to You and Jesus upholds me. You alone are worthy of praise, honor, and obedience. I ask that the Holy Spirit bring this rebuke to all the lost yet in my family and among my neighbors. Fill me with Your Spirit to proclaim Jesus the Christ.
Proverbs 27:5-6 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
Let the River flow!
Scripture reading for October 24th: John 7, Psalm 62, Proverbs 26
John 7:37-39 “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” Now this He said about the Spirit, Whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
It was the Feast of Pentecost and Jesus attended. It was the custom, on the last day, to pour out big jars of water from the spring of Siloam to commemorate the giving of the Law and God supplying the water from the Rock for the children of Israel. As they poured out the water, Jesus stood up and proclaimed to the crowd assembled, (and to us) that anyone who was thirsty could come to Him and drink. This would result in a release of a ‘river of living water’ from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was to be given after Jesus was crucified and glorified. This ‘living water’ would flow from hearts that were filled with God’s Spirit. It would result in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of worship and prophesy flowing. The world treasures gossip and slander, but those believing in Jesus have a flow of prophetic worship and praise!
Psalm 62:7-8 “On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty Rock, my Refuge is God. Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit that You give freely to all who believe on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Forgive me for allowing the world’s whispering to go into my inner being. Fill me afresh today with the Holy Spirit as I draw near to You through Jesus Christ. He is my Mighty Rock in the wilderness of this world, a Refuge I can pour out my heart to in Spirit-filled prayer! Amen!
Proverbs 26:22 “The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.”
Work that profits for eternity
Scripture reading for October 23rd: John 6, Psalm 61, Proverbs 25
John 6: 25-29 “When they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal.” Then they said to Him, What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him Whom He has sent.””
Jesus had just fed the multitude of five thousand and the crowd was talking of making Him king by force. Jesus withdrew to the mountain to pray. He later walked on water to meet His disciples on the Sea of Galilee during a storm. When the people realized that Jesus had left, they went in search of Him. Jesus knew what was in their hearts. Jesus told them that they were seeking Him for the food He had provided. The food that perishes was not to be the focus of their efforts, but Jesus encouraged them to seek the food that endures to eternal life. He was the true ‘Bread of Life’, coming from heaven to reveal the Father. He encouraged them that the work that God required of them was faith–believing in Him, the Son of God. God’s glory was being revealed to all who would receive by faith.
Psalm 61:1-2 “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I, for You have been my Refuge, a strong Tower against the enemy.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for doing the ‘work’ of salvation for us through Your Son. You have heard our cry for help and lead us to the Rock, Jesus Christ. Forgive me when I have sought You for earthly needs alone, not recognizing my true hunger for eternal things. Use me in my every-day life and relationships to live by faith and share Your eternal Truth of Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Proverbs 25:2 “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.”