May 31 | A God-Fearing Woman

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT // THIS IS THE LAST DAY HERE // Starting June 1st 2014, this website will no longer send out daily devotions. We have moved everything over to our new website, http://lifechangingdevotions.org. So please go NOW to the new site and sign up for the daily devotions. We believe you will love the changes we made!

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Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Lesson 31 | A God-Fearing Woman

I wonder what kind of ladies would be on the cover of magazines if the criteria were to be “God-fearing?”  What kind of outfits would these women wear?  And would people still buy Maxim, Vogue, and Playboy if all they pictured were these God-fearing women dressed in modesty?

The above proverb gives great insight to what really matters in life- to fear the Lord.  Charm and beauty refer to a pleasant personality and attractive physical appearance.  Though there is nothing wrong with beauty or charm, these things are only temporary and should not be valued above inner character.  To truly fear the Lord is to live a life of integrity and obey all God’s commands.

Too often we judge people, especially woman, by their outside appearance and flattering words.  Some of the most beautiful people on the outside are really moral monsters on the inside.  Mainstream media for the most part is based on selling a lie and making people believe it.  Many sinful and unholy celebrities, models, rock stars, and TV personalities are influencing the way we see praise worthy things in our generation.

Take for example, there may be a talk show host who lives in adultery and gives advice about marriage because she is charming and millions of women listen to her.  At the same time, a woman of God, with over 30 years of marriage experience may only speak to an audience of 50 and be ignored by the media!  Or a young sexy singing star can influence tens of millions of people with her songs of perversion, while a young lady gets laughed at in her high school because she is a virgin- God have mercy. 

I would like to challenge everyone, especially women, to be what really matters in life- God fearing.  Don’t let this world deceive you- charm and beauty is fleeting, but those who fear the Lord will be praised!

Reflection | Do you value keeping God’s commands over charm and beauty? 

Action | (1) Ask God to expose any vanity you may have, i.e., “Look at me.” (2) Guard your heart and eyes from the lust of the flesh. (3) Lastly, live a God-fearing life.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalm 119:129-152, &Proverbs 16:12-13. Click here to read online. 

May 30 | A Proverbs 31 Woman

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT // Starting June 1st 2014, this website will no longer send out daily devotions. We have moved everything over to our new website, http://lifechangingdevotions.org. So please go NOW to the new site and sign up for the daily devotions. We believe you will love the changes we made!

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Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 31:10, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.”

Lesson 30 | A Proverbs 31 Woman

Proverbs 31 is a famous passage of Scripture that beautifully describes the best wife and mom a person can hope to have.  For women the standard is set high, but by God’s grace it can be achieved.  The reward for the Proverbs 31 women is found in Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.”

Therefore, what she does between verses 10-31 makes her great.  I will briefly list each of her main attributes in hopes that all women will aim to live by them and be blessed.  And that men will encourage the women in their lives to be follow this these powerful words.

(1) vs. 11-12, TRUSTED // She is trusted by her husband and brings him good all the days of her life; (2) vs. 13-15, HARD WORKING // She gets up early and works with her hands to provide food and clothes for everyone in her house. 

(3) vs.16-19, SUCCESSFUL // She works hard and sees profit in all she does. (4) vs. 20-24, COMPASSIONATE // She helps the poor, her husband, and all those around her be prosperous- even in her business interactions.  

(5) vs. 25-27, DILIGENT& WISE // She is focused in her work and speaks with wisdom. (6) vs. 28-31, HONORED // She fears the Lord, has true beauty, and is blessed by her family.

Special Note to the Women: All the attributes in Proverbs 31 may seem impossible to achieve but remember with God’s grace all things are possible.  Rely upon the Holy Spirit to strengthen you and if you should stumble, repent, get back up and keep going.  God made you to be a leader! 

Reflection | Do you believe its possible in our culture for women to be a “Proverbs 31-Kind-of-Woman?” 

Action | (1) Ask God to make the women in your life a Proverbs 31 woman. (2) Women, ask God for strength to be all that He called you to be. (3) Lastly, Men, encourage the godly women in your life by sharing how thankful you are for them and all that they do!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23, John 18:25-19:22, Psalm 119:113-128, & Proverbs 16:10-11. Click here to read online. 

May 29 | Stiff-Necked

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT // Starting June 1st 2014, this website will no longer send out daily devotions. We have moved everything over to our new website, http://lifechangingdevotions.org. So please go NOW to the new site and sign up for the daily devotions. We believe you will love the changes we made!

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Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 29:1, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy.”

Lesson 29 | Stiff-Necked

Everyone in life from time to time will be rebuked- either by the Lord in prayer, a trusted pastor, a loving friend, or even a spouse or parent.  How you respond to correction will determine your ultimate outcome.  If you are stiff and unmovable you will eventually be broken beyond repair.  However, if you are flexible and willing to change you will prosper.

What is most terrifying about this proverb is the warning to the stiff-necked.  King Solomon wrote that they will “suddenly” be “destroyed without remedy.”  Without remedy means, “nothing will be able to fix or repair them.”  This kind of judgment can be seen with the people of Israel when God continually sent them warnings but they did not listen, Jeremiah 2:30.  Eventually God punished them by allowing their enemies to conquer and capture them and there was nothing anyone could do to stop the destruction, Jeremiah 6:19. 

The same is true in the end times when God hands over the people to a delusion and allows them to be destroyed because they refused to listen to the truth and be saved, 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12.  During this end time tribulation after people receive the mark of the Beast they can no longer be saved, Revelation 14:11.

As a result, I believe this proverb is best understood in the context of God’s judgment because when we do make some mistakes in pride we can have restoration.  However, when we refuse to listen to God after many warnings the judgment is sure.  The Bible also says in Hebrews 10:26-27, “26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”

Therefore, make a decision today to listen to what God is saying through the rebukes He may give you personally and through others.

Reflection | Do you receive correction from the Lord in humility? 

Action | (1) Ask God to remove any pride you may have in your life in regards to receiving correction. (2) Lastly, be quick to listen and repent whenever the Lord corrects you.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22, John 18:1-24, Psalm 119:97-112, &Proverbs 16:8-9. Click here to read online. 

May 28 | Don’t Trust in Yourself

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 28:26, “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.”

Lesson 28 | Don’t Trust in Yourself

If you were to be honest I’m sure you can think of many times that you trusted yourself and were let down.  Whether it was a time you trusted your feelings and got hurt in a relationship or a time when you tried to rely upon your judgment in a situation and failed.  All of us at different times have been our own worst enemy.

There is an ole’ proverb that gives a good definition of insanity, which is, “ insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.”  Therefore, based on that definition supported by Proverbs 29:1, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed —without remedy,” we can clearly see if we have let ourselves down in the past we shouldn’t keep trusting only in our own wisdom.

As a result, we should be open to the wisdom of others.  First, from the Word of God, then from what God says directly to our hearts, and lastly, from successful people around us.  King Solomon is teaching a simple, yet powerful principle- “if you only trust yourself you are a fool, but if you walk in wisdom you will be safe.”

Ofcourse, we can trust ourselves in many ways when it comes to what shoes to wear, how to walk, etc… but we shouldn't live a “self-reliant” life.  To experience true success we must rely upon God.  The easiest way to see this is concerning life after death.  If you only trust yourself in regards to the after life you are a fool.  However, if you trust what God has said, you will be kept safe.

Make a decision today to trust God and His Word above your own thoughts and emotions.

Reflection | Do you trust God more than yourself? 

Action | (1) Repent of the sin of “self-reliance.” (2) Ask God to lead you in His wisdom. (3) Lastly, be open to receive and give God’s wisdom to others. 

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 13:1-39, John 17:1-26, Psalm 119:81-96, &Proverbs 16:6-7. Click here to read online. 

May 27 | Tremble Before God

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 28:14, “Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.”

Lesson 27 | Tremble Before God

There is a false notion today among some Christians that believe because God is now our Father there is nothing to revere about Him anymore.  The idea is rooted in misunderstandings of such verses where the believer is told to call God “Abba” and that perfect love drives out all fear. 

Yes, it is completely true we now can approach God as our “Heavenly Daddy (Abba)” and not have any fear of punishment in regards to our sins.  At the same time, King Solomon reminds us in the above proverb that we should always tremble before God.  In other words, we shouldn't lose our deep respect for who God is and how great His power is.

On one hand, I don’t believe Christians should always be walking around shaking like a leaf or quaking wherever they go because they should have a confidence of God’s love and genuine mercy in their lives.  On the other hand, we shouldn’t be so hardhearted and naïve to think that God is now our “tame lion” that only roars when we let Him because He cannot be tamed or controlled by man.  

Therefore, I believe balance is the key to understanding how the believer should both be madly in love with God and always tremble before Him.  We should have the balance to understand in regards to sonship, adoption, and salvation that God has covenanted with His people to always love and protect us.  And we should also have the balance to understand that for those who turn away from God He will destroy and eternally damn.  Thus, in the presence of God as judge we should always tremble and at the same time be comforted because He is our Father.

Take for example when God would appear to His people- they would first tremble and then be comforted, Revelation 1:17.  Thus, trembling should be our reaction to God and love and comfort is His reaction to our trembling heart.  However, those who refuse to tremble (humble themselves), like people in the time of the Anti-Christ will be destroyed, Job 15:25 & Revelation 19:19.

Therefore, always tremble before God and don’t let your heart become hard because of the deceitfulness of pride and sin, Hebrews 3:13.

Reflection | Do you still tremble before God? 

Action | (1) Ask God to reveal any pride or misunderstandings you may have concerning God’s greatness. (2) Allow your heart to tremble in God’s presence when He reveals His great power to you like He did with Isaiah in Isaiah 6. (3) Lastly, always love and revere God for His is worthy of both.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 12:1-31, John 16:1-33, Psalm 119:65-80, &Proverbs 16:4-5. Click here to read online. 

May 26 | Never Hide Your Sin

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

Lesson 26 | Never Hide Your Sin

What is the difference between a hypocrite and a genuine follow of Christ?  Repentance.  Both the hypocrite and genuine disciple may sin, stumble, and make the same mistakes over and over again.  However, what makes the hypocrite a double minded deceptive person is that they will not confess and renounce their sin, but rather they conceal (hide) it.

Simply said, hypocrites say one thing and do another.  Plus, when they sin they conceal it from both God and man and instead make excuses and get offended.  However, when a disciple sins they confess it and renounce it- and if they sin again they confess and renounce their sin until they stop sinning in that area of their life. 

Hypocrites conceal their sin and according to both King Solomon and Jesus- they will never prosper, Matthew 23:27.  Solomon also said in Proverbs 24:16, “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”  Therefore, the righteous will always rise again and prosper (have success) because they are willing to let God transform their life inside and out.

The worst thing you can when you sin is try to hide it and pretend it didn't happen.  You become a disobedient child in relationship with God and a hypocrite before people.  When you sin, first be quick to confess it and make it known to God and others you may have affected.  Second, renounce your sin by truly allowing God to give you the desire to never to do it again, Romans 12:1-2.

I challenge you from this day forward to never be a hypocrite but live a righteous and prosper life. 

Reflection | Are you a hypocrite or a genuine disciple of Christ? 

Action | (1) What is your first reaction when you sin- to confess and renounce it or to conceal it? (2) Repent for any of the times you may have concealed your sin.  (3) Lastly, always be quick to confess and renounce your sin.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27, John 15:1-27, Psalm 119:49-64, &Proverbs 16:1-3. Click here to read online. 

May 25 | Iron Sharping Iron

Series | The Wisdom of Proverbs, Part 2

Scripture | Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Lesson 25 | Iron Sharping Iron

King Solomon lived in a time when iron swords were commonplace.  For these swords to stay sharp and effective they needed to be sharpened regularly.  The same is true with constructive dialogue between disciples of Christ.

When disciples get together and challenge each other in the things of God it keeps their spiritual life sharp and effective.  The writer of Hebrews wrote in Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”  The idea of “spurring” is the same as “sharpening.”  We should always want to encourage our friends to love God and do good deeds. 

Sometimes we may have dull spots in our lives, areas we have overlooked or become complacent in and the only way we can notice it is when God uses someone to sharpen us.  Thus, when a good brother or sister can challenge our weaknesses and sharpen them out with their wisdom the benefits are tremendous. 

When iron sharpens iron there may be sparks, but this is just part of the process.  And sometimes in healthy dialogue “sparks” may fly, it may get heated, but as long as everyone remains in love sparks are harmless.  We should all be mindful not to be argumentative, prideful, or offensive in our approach but its okay to be zealous.  God is passionate about truth and we as His children should be passionate about what we believe, Galatians 4:18.

Here are some ways to sharpen your iron, (a) Share theological discussions with Christians who believe differently than you about certain topics, (b) Have an accountability partner that gives you constructive criticism, and (c) Give and take advice with those around you who are open to giving and receiving it (this could be on your job, family, etc).

Reflection | Are you keeping your iron sharp? If yes, then how? 

Action | (1) Look for good people to have in your life to sharpen your iron with. (2) Be willing to sharpen others as you are being sharpened.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18, John 14:15-31, Psalm 119:33-48, &Proverbs 15:33. Click here to read online.