Category: Proverbs–BibleTrekToday
Sabbath Worker!
Scripture reading for October 20th: John 5, Psalm 60, Proverbs 24
John 5: 12-17 “They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus Who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.””
The religious Jews were always looking for a way to trap Jesus and accuse Him of wrong-doing. Their laws were strictly observed and law-breakers punished. However, they missed the Spirit of the Law, love for God and our neighbors. Jesus went to Jerusalem for a feast and found a man lame for thirty-eight years. He asked him if he wanted to be well. The man told Jesus he had no one to help him get into the healing pool. Jesus simply told him to take up his bed and walk. Immediately, he was healed. It was a Sabbath day when Jesus did this miracle, and the Jews were on it. Jesus answered the Jews, telling them that His Father and He were both at work, tending to the hurting and lost. That ‘work’ personified ‘love’. Jesus warned the man to sin no more that something worse might befall him.
Psalm 60:11-12 “Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is He Who will tread down our foes.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to show us the Father’s heart to work healing and restoration for the hurting and lost. Thank You for showing religious people the true heart of the God Who created heaven and earth. Use me today to tend to Your hurting people in the vineyard of this world. As You and Your Son Jesus are working, lay out work for me to restore Your people to fruitfulness.
Proverbs 24:30-31 “I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.”
The joy of sowing and reaping!
Scripture reading for October 19th: John 4, Psalm 59, Proverbs 23
John 4: 31-39 “Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony.”
Jesus was a a well in Samaria and His disciples had gone into town in search of food. Jesus has waited there to have a conversation with a Samaritan woman, asking her for a drink of water from the well. He ended up sharing the Gospel with this Woman, revealing that He was the Christ! She ran off to town to tell everyone about Jesus! Meanwhile, the disciples returned, urging Jesus to eat. But Jesus told them He had other food–doing the will of His Father! He pointed out the stream of townspeople coming out to meet Him, likening them to a field, white for harvest! This Samaritan women had become a sower of ‘Good News’ and was reaping eternal rewards! The sower and reaper rejoices together at the harvest!
Psalm 59:9-10 “O my Strength, I will watch for You, for You, O God are my Fortress. My God in His steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this amazing story told by John about Jesus’ encounter with this sinful woman. In Your steadfast love, You met her and transformed her thinking and destiny. Thank You for doing that for me as well! Help me to see the white harvest fields through Your eyes and to faithfully sow Your Word and experience the joy of seeing You reap an eternal harvest! Amen! Amen!
Proverbs 23:19 “Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way. Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.”
Jesus Christ is above all!
Scripture reading for October 18th: John 3, Psalm 58, Proverbs 22
John 3: 30-36 “He (Jesus) must increase, but I (John the Baptist) must decrease. He Who comes from above is above all. He who is of earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He Who comes from Heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For He Who God has sent utters the Words of God, for He gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
John the Baptist was Jesus’ cousin and the one chosen by God to prepare the way for the kingdom of heaven ushered in by Jesus Christ, God’s only Son. John had the privilege of baptizing Jesus as Jesus began His ministry. John saw the Holy Spirit come down on Jesus and heard the Father commend His Son. John testified that Jesus was the “Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world.” John proclaimed that Jesus was much greater than him and would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. John knew that Jesus was the supreme Son of God, loved by the Father and King of all. As King, all judgment belonged to Jesus. John called all to repent and believe on Jesus the Son and receive eternal life. Failure to believe and obey would bring eternal wrath.
Psalm 58: 10-11 “The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God Who judges on earth.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for the amazing Gift of Your Son! We have received grace and love beyond our understanding. Thank You for John the Baptist’s testimony of Jesus Christ. His simple message of repentance and faith bringing eternal life is the Gospel You gave to all who would believe. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit afresh today and empower me to preach the Good News of the Spirit Giver!
Proverbs 22:12 “The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but He overthrows the words of the traitor.”
Jesus knows all about people!
Scripture reading for October 17th: John 2, Psalm 57, Proverbs 21
John 2: 18-25 “So the Jews said to Him, “What sign do You show us for doing these things?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking about His body. When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the Word that Jesus had spoken. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in His Name when they saw the signs that He was doing. But Jesus on His part did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man.”
As Jesus began His ministry, He attended the Passover Feast in Jerusalem as was required of all Jewish men in God’s law. As Jesus entered the temple, He found God’s House being used as a place of trade and money-making. Jesus cleansed the temple, driving the money-changers out and overturning their tables. He put those selling animals for sacrifice out. Jesus was zealous for His Father’s House and it’s intended purpose of prayer for all nations. The religious leaders asked Jesus for a sign that He held authority to put the money-changers out. Jesus answered them with a challenge, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” They did not understand that Jesus was talking about His own body and His coming resurrection. Jesus knew all men and what was truly in their hearts. He did not entrust Himself to them and needed no one to help Him evaluate them.
Psalm 57:5-6 “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves.”
Prayer: We exalt You, O Righteous Father, and have great joy in Your perfect knowledge of each person and Your righteous judgment. I am thankful for Your offer of mercy through revealing Your Son and His sacrifice on my behalf. Thank You that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, justified through obedience and willing sacrifice. Use me to proclaim this Good News that none who hear may rest among the dead.
Proverbs 21:15-16 “When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.”
The Light of Men!
Scripture reading for October 16th: John 1, Psalm 56, Proverbs 20
John 1: 1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John, the beloved Apostle of Jesus Christ, begins his Gospel account focusing on Jesus Christ as the “Word.” The Genesis account of creation is the record of God’s creation through speaking His Word. Out of nothing, at His Word, the various elements of creation were formed. “All things were made through Him” is John’s proclamation! This includes life itself, the living creatures great and small as well as man made in God’s image and likeness. But death came on the scene through man’s disobedience and men were plunged into darkness. But God sent His Son to reveal God’s light and life in each human life: “His life was the Light of men.” Jesus Christ, born of a woman, but the Son of God, reveals grace and truth through the light of His perfectly obedient life. He gave His life to reveal the Father to all in darkness!
Psalm 56:12-13 “I must perform my vows to You, O God; I will render thank offerings to You. For You have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, the Word of Life. In the light of His life, my inner darkness has been revealed and chased away by His glorious Light. You have delivered me from darkness, kept my feet from falling, and enabled me to walk before You in the Light of Life! Use me this day to testify to those still in darkness of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the Light of Life to all mankind!
Proverbs 20:24, 27 “A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way?” . . .”The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts.”
The common bond of the brotherhood
Scripture reading for October 13th: 1st Peter 5, Psalm 55, Proverbs 19
1st Peter 5:6-11 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, Who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
In this life, we as believers will face trials, persecution, and suffering. We are to humbly accept that God is sovereign over every area of our lives and look to Him in daily prayer. Peter tells the Church to cast all their anxieties on the Lord because God cares for each person. He warns the believers that they have an adversary that is not flesh and blood: the devil. Faith is the weapon of choice in dealing with demonic power. We also are to recognize that satanic attacks and trials of our faith are common to all believers in all the world. God hears each one’s cries and will save and deliver them at the proper time: “a little while.” In the mean time, we are to keep watch and pray in faith. Our Lord will deliver us ‘in a little while’ and we will rule and reign with Him forever and ever! Amen!
Psalm 55:16-18 “But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and He hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me.”
Prayer: Father God, I often fret about the trouble in this world. Forgive me for my lack of faith and failure to gain understanding from your Word. I am slowly learning to cast all my anxieties on You and trusting in Your care for me and others. Thank You that You do care for each believer around the world that is undergoing a fiery trial. Empower me to pray for them and keep watch and warn of the devil’s attacks.
Proverbs 19:11 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Judgment begins in God’s house!
Scripture reading for October 12th: 1st Peter 4, Psalm 54, Proverbs 18
1st Peter 4: 12-17 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the Name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that Name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?”
Peter went through some fiery trials himself that tested his faith and he failed on several occasions. Peter wrote to followers of Jesus who were also experiencing trial with words of encouragement and comfort. Peter had learned how to rejoice in the trials and recognize the blessing of God’s grace and glory in his life that sustained him. He had also watched Jesus suffer unjustly and came to understand how God sustained Him. Suffering is part of the trials of walking through this world as a follower of the Lord, Who suffered unjustly because of our sins. We must take time to examine our lives and judge our own hearts, attitudes, and actions in the face of suffering. It is only by God’s grace we overcome.
Psalm 54:1-3 “O God, save me by Your Name, and vindicate me by Your might. O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth. For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the instruction on trials that come to test us as we live for You here on earth. Help me to humbly evaluate each trial and respond through the Spirit of Grace and Glory that You have blessed me with. Help me to judge myself, my attitudes and and actions instead of judging others. I desire to honor You and glorify God as I live under Your authority and Holy Name.
Proverbs 18:12 “Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.”
Laying hold of God’s blessings!
Scripture reading for October 11th: 1st Peter 3, Psalm 53, Proverbs 17
1st Peter 3: 8-14 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you will be blessed.”
The psalmist stated plainly that we are all ‘fools’ in that we have not understood God’s love or His righteousness and His provision to make us right with Him and a good servant of others. However, in Christ Jesus, we can now know the Father’s love and His mercy in forgiveness of our sins. Because of this, we can now begin to love others. Peter called the brothers to unity of mind, sympathy for those lost and hurting, a tender heart and a gracious attitude towards all. For reviling, believers are called to bless! We use our tongues and breath to bring God’s grace to all. In doing so, we reap what we sow! Blessings come back to us in waves of God’s love and approval. Even if we suffer for doing good, God blesses all the more! God is watching His children, and in Christ, they are made righteous and are channels of His blessing to the world! Stay cool, bless and do not curse!
Psalm 53:1-3 “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.”
Prayer: Father God, You alone watch each person’s heart. Thank You for knowing all about us and still loving us enough to show mercy through Your Son. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and empower me today afresh to bless others You bring into my life. Help me to stay in unity with Your family and be gentle and tenderhearted towards those hurting or suffering. Give me a cool spirit and understanding of Your ways.
Proverbs 17:27 “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.”
Humbly honor all authority!
Scripture reading for October 10th: 1st Peter 2, Psalm 52, Proverbs 16
1st Peter 2: 13-19 “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using you freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”
Peter, the apostle of suffering, calls Christ’s followers to humility and respect for all authority. He looks at the pagan Roman government as part of God’s protective covering, sent by God Himself to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. God’s people are called to good works as they have been freed from their sin-nature by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. They are now to voluntarily become servants of God and live lives of love and respect towards all men. They are to reflect the grace that they themselves received from God. God’s steadfast love through Jesus Christ enables them to even love those who may enslave them and mistreat them. When enduring suffering, we reflect Jesus’ enduring suffering because of our sins. This is a gracious act that can open the hearts of our persecutors.
Psalm 52:1 “Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this instruction from Peter, Your called Apostle. I sometimes struggle to honor those in authority who are wicked and mistreat those under their authority. Help me to love them and serve as a godly example to my own children and church family. Use me to demonstrate Your grace to me, a sinner, who has been forgiven and now serves You with joy and in faith in Your gracious love.
Proverbs 16:17-19 “The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
Faith and hope in God Alone!
Scripture reading for October 9th: 1st Peter 1, Psalm 51, Proverbs 15l
1st Peter 1: 17-21 “And if you call on Him as Father Who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, Who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”
God is the judge of all the earth and He has committed all judgment to His Son, Jesus Christ. Judgment will be impartial, with no respect for persons, positions, wealth or fame. All will be judged according to their deeds personally. The only ones able to pass through this judgment will be those who have asked God for mercy for their misdeeds or sins. He alone is able to pay the penalty for those sins and pardon us on the basis that we have by faith received His offer of mercy through the ransom paid–His sin-free blood! This is the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, made known to all in these last times. God raised His Son from the dead and seated Him on the throne. He knows His own and has blotted out the record of their sins, never to be remembered again! Amen!
Psalm 51:1-2 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”
Prayer: Father God, have mercy on me, according to Your steadfast covenant of love and mercy through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Only You can forgive sin and wash me clean and purge the record of my sins. I receive Your gift of righteousness and the Holy Spirit to form me in new creation in the image of Your Son. My faith and hope are in Jesus Christ, Alone! Open my lips in Gospel praise!
Proverbs 15:9-10 “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness. There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.”