Tag: Proverbs 28:1
Knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord!
Scripture reading for June 19th: Philippians 3, Psalm 121, Proverbs 28
Philippians 3:7-12 “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already made perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.”
Paul’s commitment to the Lord and the Gospel of Jesus Christ had cost him everything in this world. He was now facing possible execution and reflecting on his own journey with these believers he loved and sought to inspire and encourage. He viewed the loss of everything in this world as ‘rubbish’. He even viewed the loss of his freedom, his imprisonment, and his sufferings as a means to grow in a relationship with Jesus. He humbly admitted that he hadn’t arrived yet, but his attitude was to press on to lay hold of Christ, knowing Christ had laid hold of him. His trust in the Lord to keep his life safe and give him righteousness brought great freedom and boldness to live a life of pursuit of God’s kingdom and will!
Psalm 121:7-8 “The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this precious counsel from Jesus Christ through Paul. Thank You for the righteousness You have given me by grace through faith. Thank You that it is available to all who will repent and believe, forsaking the ‘rubbish’ of this world. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness today that I may declare Your glorious Gospel and press on to lay hold of Jesus Christ as He has laid hold of me.
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Praying for boldness!
Scripture reading for April 9th: Acts 4
Key Scriptures: Acts 4:27-31 “. . for truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, Whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant Your servants to continue to speak Your Word with all boldness, while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the Name of Your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the Word of God with boldness.”
Peter and John had just been before the Sanhedrin and were warned to never again speak or teach in the Name of Jesus. They told the Sanhedrin that they must listen to God and speak what they saw and heard from Him. After more severe warnings, they were let go for the man that was healed of his lameness from birth was over 40 years old. They went back to the gathering of disciples and shared what had happened. They all began to lift their voices in prayer and thanksgiving to God, declaring God’s plans and asking protection and power to speak His Word even more boldly! In answer, God shook the gathering place and they went out in great power.
Acts 4:33 “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, shake my house and my church house as Your people gather to praise You and ask for more boldness! Work with us in signs and wonders to draw sinners to Jesus and heal broken people. Make me bold as the Lion of Judah! Amen! Let it be so!
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Fully convinced faith!
Scripture reading for June 18th: Romans 4, Psalm 121, Proverbs 28
Key Scriptures: Romans 4:19-22 “He (Abraham) did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about 100 years old) or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”
Paul used Abraham as an example of saving faith that was based on the Word of God. Abraham could have wavered as he looked at his own body and Sarah, his wife’s body. They were old enough to be beyond natural child-bearing age and beyond normal sexual functioning. But Abraham grew strong in his faith when he gave glory to God for His amazing ability to do all things and bring His own Word to pass. Abraham was “fully convinced” of God’s ability and declared righteous by God.
Faith confession: Lord, I am fully convinced that You are able to do everything You have promised and accept Your gift of righteousness! Thank You for Abraham’s example of ‘fully convinced’ faith and trust in You. Help me to grow in my faith.
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Blameless before God
Scripture reading for September 14th: Proverbs 26-28, 1st Thessalonians 3
Key Scriptures: 1st Thessalonians 3:11-13 “Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.”
Paul eagerly desired to return to the believers at Thessalonica. He was encouraged by the report of their faith in the face of persecution and false doctrine. He prayed for a way to return and for their love to abound towards one another. Their faith in Jesus Christ would prepare them for Christ’s return and make them blameless in His sight.
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Proverbs 28:10 “Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of righteousness and for counting me among the blameless. I look forward to a “goodly inheritance.” Amen.
Praying for open doors!
Scripture reading for September 12th: Colossians 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Colossians 4:2-4 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should.”
Paul was in chains for preaching the Gospel but was not hindered from encouraging the Church! He knew that prayer was a key factor in evangelism and that missionaries and apostles especially needed prayer. He did not want to be left out as the church in Colossae prayed. He told them to devote themselves to prayer and to be watchful in the Spirit over themselves and those laboring for the Gospel. He did not ask prayer to be released from his chains, but rather for clarity and boldness in preaching the message and an open door to share Christ. He asked that he might have appropriate responses to each person that would salt them with the knowledge or hunger for Christ Jesus!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers must be devoted to prayer for open doors each day among those the Lord puts in their path. Prayer for boldness and clarity is appropriate and commanded! “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)