- Tuesday, 7/18/23 Psalm 39:8, Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. All of us are guilty of this to some degree: we’ll seek for and gladly take forgiveness for our sin, but, we’ll re-do them soon. How often do you pray, not to just get the mud washed off, but to learn to stay away from the pigpen?
Proverbs 13:1, A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 1) Don’t miss valuable instruction just because it is wearing the garb of a rebuke. 2) It says “son” not “child.” 3) Adult person, do you still at least listen to your parents, especially Dad? 4) Instruction is set parallel with rebuke. We must have even our adult flaws pointed out.
- Wednesday, 7/19/23 Proverbs 13:10, Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. “Pride” and “well advised” are contrasted. Why don’t we seek informed advice, godly counsel, and deliberately choose the best course? Because of our pride: “Who does he think he is to tell me...!” Nehemiah 13:26, Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless EVEN HIM did outlandish women cause to sin. Solomon thought he could outwit sin and failed. David took a break from battle, saw Bathsheba and fell horribly. Jonah thought he could pick and choose God’s assignments. Peter allowed himself to speak without any filters. 1) God has the same rules for ALL His children. 2) Before He even thinks of chastising us, sin’s consequences and claws are sinking into us. 3) Neither you, me, pastor...the apostles, Moses...none of us can play with it and remain unscarred. 4) God’s will and way WILL be proven right and best...once again.
- Thursday, 7/20/23 Psalm 40:5, Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Oh may I NEVER forget and doubly NEVER get over the truth of this verse!! The Creator God is constantly thinking of you and me!!! Proverbs 15:9, The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. God’s love is constant and unconditional, so what does the second half of the verse mean? Have you ever been pleasantly surprised and touched by a thoughtful, unexpected act of love from your kids or spouse? It just melted your heart? That’s what “pursuing holiness” does to the heart of God. Do you REALLY want to be more holy? Really? Like a detective trying to track down a criminal? Like a dog hunting for the rabbit’s scent? Like a pesky mosquito is pursuing your neck? Go melt God’s heart today.
- Saturday, 7/22/23 We are a LOT more like wicked Haman than we think. Esther 5:13, Yet all this (many positives) availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. We focus in on and harp on one black spot on an otherwise white background and ignore all of the white; one cloud in the sky on a beautiful day; one pothole in the paved road. Shame on each of us. Romans 14:5, One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be FULLY persuaded in his own mind. We get “outward Christian actions” or standards completely backwards. We say, “Prove to me Preacher, that what I’m doing is wrong, and I’ll stop.” Or, “What’s wrong with ____?” We should be saying, “I KNOW my outward actions are right which is why I do them, and if I don’t KNOW they’re right, I won’t do them because ‘whatsoever is not of faith is sin.’”
- Sunday, 7/23/23 Matthew 9:29, Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. At times, we all feel neglected or forsaken by the Lord. The biggest problem is not with His faithfulness nor even with our perceptions. The biggest problem is with our (lack of) faith. We’ve GOT to consume more and more Bible in order to build and strengthen our faith. Job 1:8, And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? We know from reading the rest of the book, that there were character issues that the Lord wanted Job to work on (primarily his pride). However, in speaking to Satan, He only bragged on him. Lesson: if someone has things for which they need a rebuke (AND we’re in a position where it’s our business to address that), we are to speak to them privately, and to others, speak only positives.
- Monday, 7/24/23 Psalm 44:4, Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob. We are to interact with God via several different relationships. He’s our God, Saviour, Lord, Friend, King, Brother, Father, etc. Each relationship has its own characteristics and responsibilities. Yes, the Saviour gently forgives our failures, but the Dad chastises; the Boss requires output; the King demands obedience. Think of each one and see what you’re supposed to be doing. 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father... Far too many of us, without ceasing, remember the negatives about a person. Your best friend has negatives whereas your worst enemy has positives. What’re you thinking about? A penny for your thoughts? (BTW, one primary reason our friends ARE our friends is because we think on their positives and discount their negatives, and one reason our non-friends ARE our non-friends is because we focus on their negatives and minimize their positives.)
- Tuesday, 7/25/23 Psalm 46:1-2, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Fear is inversely proportional to our opinion of God. Lots of fear indicates our God is puny: (god?). Little fear shows a great understanding of Him. Solution? See v10. What troubles you? The political situation in our country? The level of wickedness all around us? Maybe it’s relationship concerns between you and family? Finances, both now and in the near future? Failing health? Truthfully, about what are you fretting? Psalm 47:7, For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. Our God is the King of ALL the earth, so, if we understand that, no REALLY understand that, we can sing. Big problems with increased fear means our God is smaller; maybe He’s only a mid-level god. God’s got you; He’s got the situation; He’s got your health; He’s got your bank account: sing praises.
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