- Tuesday, 2/15/22 Proverbs 10:15, The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty. This verse deals with
perceptions. The wealthy think their security comes from the money. The poor think their problem is their lack of money. Money is a tool, not an end. What’re your thoughts regarding your financial state? Wealth is not your answer, nor is it your problem. It’s a powerful X-ray. David “encouraged himself in the Lord.” We need to do that. Are you going through a tough patch of life. (First of all, it’ll pass. Life is an endless series of ups and downs...until we get to eternity, and then, if we’re saved, it’s a permanent, never-ending up, and if we’re not born again, it’s a permanent, never-ending down. [If you don’t KNOW you’re one heartbeat removed from Heaven, PLEASE message me.]) But, encourage yourself with a verse like this: Proverbs 10:28, The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. Our hope, our strength, our foundation for the future is to bring us a calm, inner happiness. Strive to focus more on the “eventual” and less on the “current.”
- Wednesday, 2/16/22 Proverbs 10:16, The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin. “Tendeth,” or “leads to eventually.” We need a revival of appreciation for a long hard day’s work, and striving to achieve. It may not be payday today, but we WILL get paid later for how we are now. Psalm 98:1, O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. What marvelous works has He done in your life? Let Him know that you know that He did them via praise and thanksgiving; and let others know that you know that He did them via testifying verbally.
- Thursday, 2/17/22 Proverbs 10:19, In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. I know this verse is directed at me in so many venues and occasions...anybody else need to join me in repentance over this one...? “I deserve a break today!! It’s time for some self-pampering!!” I agree! You do deserve a break. So, go give some mercy today to someone who’s done you wrongly and deserves no mercy. YEP. Proverbs 11:17, The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
- Friday, 2/18/22 Proverbs 19:3, The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord. This verse teaches us a tendency that we all share. Our inherent sin causes us to deviate from the straight and narrow, and when the situation gets bad, we blame God for our troubles. Be honest as to the true cause of...your relationship issues, money problems, work, child rearing. We can’t fix what we won’t face. Psalm 18:2, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. David said this primarily for his own benefit. God knew what He was to him. Lesson: remind yourself of how big your God is. Say to yourself what you would say to someone facing the same doubts and trials that you’re facing. Encourage yourself in the Lord...OUT LOUD, s-a-y what God is to you.
- Saturday, 2/19/22 Psalm 25:1, Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Do you lift up your innermost self to the Lord? We should. Come clean...He knows what’s there anyway. Confess and forsake. And, does your spouse have full access to your heart? Any secrets there that need to dealt with? Psalm 97:11, Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. It’s Harvest Time today!! God has sown the seeds of light and gladness for us...we’ve just gotta pick the fruit. Direction, warmth, and encouragement are there for us. And He also planted some happiness. Too often we look for a few BIG things instead of enjoying dozens of little things: a green light, a steady job, health, clean running water, modern conveniences.
- Sunday, 2/20/22 Psalm 25:1-2a, Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed. If we’ll lift up our hearts to the Lord and come clean regarding the garbage that’s inside, the shame can be erased. If we try to hide and cover it, shame will be present in our hearts and fear will be on the outside. Live without the guilt of the past...it’s a wonderful place to be. Psalm 102:2, Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble; incline thine ear unto me: in the day when I call answer me speedily. Our lives are so much easier to understand if we’ll be constantly aware of the fact that we’re small toddlers spiritually: we walk INTO sin quickly and wantonly, and then squawk loudly for the Lord to rescue us and to alleviate our pain NOW. We’ve got a brain: use it to honestly examine ourselves and see our sinful inclinations and then implement ways to keep ourselves on the straight and narrow. So, what’re your weak spots? Have that conversation with yourself and let the Holy Spirit help.
- Monday, 2/21/22 Psalm 27:13, I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Fainting is automatic whereas belief is an act of the will. We will faint unless we actively, purposefully believe in His plan, His provision, His intent, and His love. Revelation 3:3, Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Are your beliefs and practices the same now as they were 5 or 10 years ago? If not, was the change on purpose and because of better Bible knowledge, or did you just slip, drift, or compromise?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________Contact me at baptistcity@gmail.com for information on subscribing to the weekly email or daily text messages from Terry.