Tag: Proverbs 4:20-22
The Lord stood by me!
Scripture reading for September 22nd: 2nd Timothy 4, Psalm 40, Proverbs 4
2nd Timothy 4: 16-18 “At my first defense, no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Paul was writing what was to be his last letter to his son in the faith, Timothy. He was facing execution in prison in Rome. He told how at his trial, no one stood there with him. All others had deserted him and he felt alone. But he was not alone! The Lord stood with him and strengthened him once again in his loneliness and weakness to preach the Gospel. He declared the saving message of faith in Jesus to those who were present. He was rescued from the lion’s mouth. Paul knew that it was not flesh and blood that opposed him. Satan was the lion trying to devour him. Paul confessed his confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ Who would rescue him from every evil deed and bring him safely into his eternal reward! Worship ended his letter! He was executed, but still speaks to us today through this ‘God-breathed’ Word!
Psalm 40:16-17 “But may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer; do not delay, O my God!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this amazing man of God, Paul the Apostle. Thank You for Your faithfulness to stand by him in a difficult time. Like Your Son, all his disciples deserted him. From the cross, He even felt like You had forsaken Him. But Your faithfulness and Christ’s resurrection testify of Your greatness and saving power! To God and Jesus Christ be all praise, honor and glory forever! Amen!
Proverbs 4:20-22 “My son, be attentive to my words; 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.”
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.”
Secure in Father’s Hand!
Scripture reading for April 19th: John 10
Key Scriptures for over-comers: John 10:27-30 “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are One.”.
Jesus wanted His disciples to know security in their relationship with the Father through faith in Him. His disciples would hear His voice and understand His words and they would follow Him. As they followed, no one would snatch them out of the Father’s hand! God is more powerful than any man or force of hell! They were secure and would never perish! We can have confidence in our Good Shepherd’s voice and eternal word!
Observations for over-comers: Overcomers don’t live in fear and doubt about their salvation. They know the Master’s voice and trust fully in His promise! “My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to My words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body.” (Proverbs 4:20-22)