Waiting in the Land in Between

S - Acts 7: 37-42  (NASB)

 37 This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet [x]like me from your countrymen.’ 38 This is the one who was in the [y]assembly in the wilderness together with the angel who spoke to him at length on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to you. 39 Our fathers were unwilling to be obedient to him; on the contrary they rejected him and turned back to Egypt in their hearts, 40 saying to Aaron, ‘Make us [z]a god who will go before us; for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt—we do not know what happened to him.’ 41 [aa]At that time they made a [ab]calf and brought a sacrifice to the idol, and were rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away and gave them over to [ac]serve the heavenly [ad]lights; as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘You did not offer Me victims and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, did you, house of Israel?

O - Stephen's testimony of the the biblical history from Abraham to Jesus was meant to let the crowd that had gathered that Stephen was a man of God who knew his people's history.  He begins telling them the story of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob.   This highlighted passage speaks of Moses roll in leading the people out of captivity to the promised land.  After Moses helped them escape Egypt he led them to Mount Sinai where he received the revelation of the 10 commandments.  In the meantime down the mountain the people became restless waiting for Moses to return and built a golden  calf they could worship.

A - The application for me is to learn from the Israelites, that while in the land in between I must guard my heart and mind to trust and wait on the Lord.    God has a plan,  a promised land waiting for me if only I could remain close to him.   My tendency in these waiting periods is to get anxious and begin creating small idols of busyness.   I must learn to sit quietly in times of waiting on the lord.   

 P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray for patience to walk and wait patiently in this land in between.  I want your will to be done through my life and love you more each day.  I pray all this in Jesus' Christ name, Amen.

Proverbs 30

 S  Proverbs 30 NLT

“The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh contain this message. I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense. I have not mastered human wisdom, nor do I know the Holy One. Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know! Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. O God, I beg two favors from you; let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. Never slander a worker to the employer, or the person will curse you, and you will pay for it. Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother. They are pure in their own eyes, but they are filthy and unwashed. They look proudly around, casting disdainful glances. They have teeth like swords and fangs like knives. They devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among humanity. The leech has two suckers that cry out, “More, more!” There are three things that are never satisfied— no, four that never say, “Enough!”: the grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert, the blazing fire. The eye that mocks a father and despises a mother’s instructions will be plucked out by ravens of the valley and eaten by vultures. There are three things that amaze me— no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman. An adulterous woman consumes a man, then wipes her mouth and says, “What’s wrong with that?” There are three things that make the earth tremble— no, four it cannot endure: a slave who becomes a king, an overbearing fool who prospers, a bitter woman who finally gets a husband, a servant girl who supplants her mistress. There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer. Hyraxes —they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocks. Locusts—they have no king, but they march in formation. Lizards—they are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings’ palaces. There are three things that walk with stately stride— no, four that strut about: the lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything, the strutting rooster, the male goat, a king as he leads his army. If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, cover your mouth in shame. As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭30:1-33‬ ‭NLT‬‬

https://www.bible.com/116/pro.30.1-33.nlt

O - Some make Agur to be not the name of this author, but his character; he was a collector (so it signifies), a gatherer, one that did not compose things himself, but collected the wise sayings and observations of others, made abstracts of the writings of others, which some think is the reason why he says (v. 3), "I have not learned wisdom myself, but have been a scribe, or amanuensis, to other wise and learned men.' Note, We must not bury our talent, though it be but one, but, as we have received the gift, so minister the same, if it be but to collect what others have written. But we rather suppose it to be his name, which, no doubt, was well known then, though not mentioned elsewhere in scripture. Ithiel and Ucal are mentioned, either,

• 1. As the names of his pupils, whom he instructed, or who consulted him as an oracle, having a great opinion of his wisdom and goodness. Probably they wrote from him what he dictated, as Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah, and by their means it was preserved, as they were ready to attest it to be his, for it was spoken to them; they were two witnesses of it. Or,
• 2. As the subject of his discourse. Ithiel signifies God with me, the application of Immanuel, God with us. The word calls him God with us; faith appropriates this, and calls him "God with me, who loved me, and gave himself for me, and into union and communion with whom I am admitted.' Ucal signifies the Mighty One,for it is upon one that is mighty that help is laid for us. Many good interpreters therefore apply this to the Messiah, for to him all the prophecies bear witness, and why not this then? It is what Agur spoke concerning Ithiel, even concerning Ithiel (that is the name on which the stress is laid) and Ucal—the mighty God(Isa. 9:6) with us, Isa. 7:14.

Three things the prophet here aims at:-

• I. To abase himself. Before he makes confession of his faith he makes confession of his folly and the weakness and deficiency of reason, which make it so necessary that we be guided and governed by faith. Before he speaks concerning the Saviour he speaks of himself as needing a Saviour, and as nothing without him; we must go out of ourselves before we go into Jesus Christ. 
  • 1. He speaks of himself as wanting a righteousness, and having done foolishly, very foolishly. When he reflects upon himself he owns, Surely I am more brutish than any man. Every man has become brutish, Jer. 10:14. But he that knows his own heart knows so much more evil of himself than he does of any other that he cries out, "Surely I cannot but think that I am more brutish than any man; surely no man has such a corrupt deceitful heart as I have. I have acted as one that has not the understanding of Adam, as one that is wretchedly degenerated from the knowledge and righteousness in which man was at first created; nay, I have not the common sense and reason of a man, else I should not have done as I have done.' Agur, when he was applied to by others as wiser than most, acknowledged himself more foolish than any. Whatever high opinion others may have of us, it becomes us to have low thoughts of ourselves.
  • 2. He speaks of himself as wanting a revelation to guide him in the ways of truth and wisdom. He owns (v. 3) "I neither learned wisdom by any power of my own (the depths of it cannot be fathomed by my line and plummet) nor know I the knowledge of the holy ones, the angels, our first parents in innocency, nor of the holy things of God; I can get no insight into them, nor make any judgment of them, further than God is pleased to make them known to me.' The natural man, the natural powers, perceive not, nay, they receive not, the things of the Spirit of God. Some suppose Agur to be asked, as Apollo's oracle was of old, Who was the wisest man? The answer is, He that is sensible of his own ignorance, especially in divine things. Hoc tantum scio, me nihil scire-All that I know is that I know nothing.
• II. To advance Jesus Christ, and the Father in him (v. 4): Who ascended up into heaven, etc. 
  • 1. Some understand this of God and of his works, which are both incomparable and unsearchable. He challenges all mankind to give an account of the heavens above, of the winds, the waters, the earth: "Who can pretend to have ascended up to heaven, to take a view of the orbs above, and then to have descended, to give us a description of them? Who can pretend to have had the command of the winds, to have grasped them in his hand and managed them, as God does, or to have bound the waves of the sea with a swaddling band, as God has done? Who has established the ends of the earth, or can describe the strength of its foundations or the extent of its limits? Tell me what is the man's name who can undertake to vie with God or to be of his cabinet-council, or, if he be dead, what is his name to whom he has bequeathed this great secret.'
  • 2. Others refer it to Christ, to Ithiel and Ucal, the Son of God, for it is the Son's name, as well as the Father's, that is here enquired after, and a challenge given to any to vie with him. We must now exalt Christ as one revealed; they then magnified him as one concealed, as one they had heard something of but had very dark and defective ideas of. We have heard the fame of him with our ears, but cannot describe him (Job 28:22); certainly it is God that has gathered the wind in his fists and bound the waters as in a garment; but what is his name? It is, I am that I am (Ex. 3:14), a name to be adored, not to be understood. What is his Son's name, by whom he does all these things? The Old-Testament saints expected the Messiah to be the Son of the Blessed, and he is here spoken of as a person distinct from the Father, but his name as yet secret. Note, The great Redeemer, in the glories of his providence and grace, can neither be paralleled nor found out to perfection. 
    • (1.) The glories of the kingdom of his grace are unsearchable and unparalleled; for who besides has ascended into heaven and descended? Who besides is perfectly acquainted with both worlds, and has himself a free correspondence with both, and is therefore fit to settle a correspondence between them, as Mediator, as Jacob's ladder? He was in heaven in the Father's bosom (Jn. 1:1, 18); thence he descended to take our nature upon him; and never was there such condescension. In that nature he again ascended (Eph. 4:9), to receive the promised glories of his exalted state; and who besides has done this? Rom. 10:6.
    • (2.) The glories of the kingdom of his providence are likewise unsearchable and unparalleled. The same that reconciles heaven and earth was the Creator of both and governs and disposes of all. His government of the three lower elements of air, water, and earth, is here particularized. 
      • [1.] The motions of the air are of his directing. Satan pretends to be the prince of the power of the air, but even there Christ has all power; he rebuked the winds and they obeyed him.
      • [2.] The bounds of the water are of his appointing: He binds the waters as in a garment; hitherto they shall come, and no further,Job 38:9-11.
      • [3.] The foundations of the earth are of his establishing. He founded it at first; he upholds it still. If Christ had not interposed, the foundations of the earth would have sunk under the load of the curse upon the ground, for man's sin. Who and what is the mighty He that does all this? We cannot find out God, nor the Son of God, unto perfection. Oh the depth of that knowledge!
• III. To assure us of the truth of the word of God, and to recommend it to us, v. 5, 6. Agur's pupils expect to be instructed by him in the things of God. "Alas!' says he, "I cannot undertake to instruct you; go to the word of God; see what he has there revealed of himself, and of his mind and will; you need know no more than what that will teach you, and that you may rely upon as sure and sufficient. Every word of God is pure; there is not the least mixture of falsehood and corruption in it.' The words of men are to be heard and read with jealousy and with allowance, but there is not the least ground to suspect any deficiency in the word of God; it is as silver purified seven times (Ps. 12:6), without the least dross or alloy. Thy word is very pure, Ps. 119:140. 
• 1. It is sure, and therefore we must trust to it and venture our souls upon it. God in his word, God in his promise, is a shield, a sure protection, to all those that put themselves under his protection and put their trust in him. The word of God, applied by faith, will make us easy in the midst of the greatest dangers, Ps. 46:1, 2.
• 2. It is sufficient, and therefore we must not add to it (v. 6): Add thou not unto his words, because they are pure and perfect. This forbids the advancing of any thing, not only in contradiction to the word of God, but in competition with it; though it be under the plausible pretence of explaining it, yet, if it pretend to be of equal authority with it, it is adding to his words, which is not only a reproach to them as insufficient, but opens a door to all manner of errors and corruptions; for, that one absurdity being granted, that the word of any man, or company of men, is to be received with the same faith and veneration as the word of God, a thousand follow. We must be content with what God has thought fit to make known to us of his mind, and not covet to be wise above what is written; for, 
• (1.) God will resent it as a heinous affront: "He will reprove thee, will reckon with thee as a traitor against his crown and dignity, and lay thee 
• A- the application for me is to see these proverbs as a teacher for me to learn from.  Not all apply to me today but all are profitable for learning.   

P- Dear Heavenly Father thank you for today’s word, I pray you would help me to learn and live these proverbs.

Persecuted for preaching the Gospel

 S - Act 5:33-42    (NASB)

33 But when they heard this, they became infuriated and nearly decided to execute them. 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. 35 And he said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful as to what you are about to do with these men. 36 For, some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about four hundred men joined him. [z]But he was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After this man, Judas of Galilee appeared in the days of the census and drew away some people after him; he also perished, and all those who followed him were scattered. 38 And so in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and leave them alone, for if the source of this plan or [aa]movement is men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”

40 They followed his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them not to [ab]speak in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the [ac]Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42 And every day, in the temple and [ad]from house to house, they did not stop teaching and preaching the good news of Jesus as the [ae]Christ.

O- This was Peter and John's second time being called before the counsel and warned not to preach the name of Jesus.  This time they escaped custody and went right to the temple and continued to spread the good new of Jesus Christ.  When captured again the Pharisee wanted to execute them, but a member of the council warned the leaders that it best to leave these alone.  If they are not from God then God will take care of them and then those following them will disperse.  But if these men are from God then you will not be able to overthrow them.

A - The application for me is to first off be sure I don't become like the pharisee who can't recognize God working around me.  It is better for me if I see something I am not sure of is from God, to not confront it but rather pray that the Lord would bless what is from Him and remove what is not.   Second,   when faced with those who doubt I am a follower of Christ, I am to continue to preach the Gospel and work the ministry God has laid before me. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for this lesson this morning.  I pray that you would make clear my calling and my ministry.  I also pray that you help me to daily preach the Gospel to myself and then to those whom you are drawing toward you.

Do not conceal my sin

 Psalm 28:13

Verse 13. “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭28:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

O- today’s proverbs reveals another piece of wisdom from God through Solomon.  This one is simple but powerful... don’t conceal my sin but rather confess it and turn away from it and God will show me mercy.

A- the application for me is to not take for granted that my acts of service are enough to let the girls and Abby feel how much I love them.  I must cleanse myself if this son in my life and receive good mercy and that should be all I need.  

P- Dear Heavenly Father thank you for this reminder and using Abby to reveal and express your truth. I pray all this in Jesus’ name.

Resisting temptation

 S - 1 Cor 10:13 (NIV)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

O - This is a key verse for those who have succumb to the temptation of pornography and sexual addiction.  The temptation I face is common to man, and the devil wants to shame us and make us think we are all alone in this struggle and that we will be rejected by God because of our shame.  But this scripture says not only are we not alone, but that God would not let us be tempted beyond which we can handle and will provide a way out.

A - The application for me is to remember this verse when I am tempted to look at pornography.  The temptation is there but I no longer believe I have to give in to the temptation but instead can resist the temptation and look toward God for a way out.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for this word, may it be sealed to my heart so that I may refer to it frequently when I am tempted.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name

Repent and Return

 S - Acts 3:19-26   (NASB)

19 Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; 20 and that He may send Jesus, the [i]Christ appointed for you, 21 whom heaven must receive until the [j]period of restoration of all things, about which God spoke by the mouths of His holy prophets from ancient times. 22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your countrymen; to Him you shall listen regarding everything He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ 24 And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken from Samuel and his successors onward, have also announced these days. 25 It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ 26 God raised up His [k]Servant for you first, and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.”

O - Peter and John healed the man who couldn't walk at the gate to the temple.   As a result many people so the man dancing for joy and pursued Peter and John.  Here Peter once again shares the good news to God's people.  They need merely to repent and return to God, so they may be absolved of their sins and refreshed in the presence of the Lord.  They exalt them to do this so the second coming of Christ may come and all who repent and confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior shall be saved.  

A -  The application for me is to recognize that though I have repented and confessed my sins and call Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior that the kingdom of heaven is still yet to come upon the second coming of Christ.  I am a child of God who is now Kingdom of God oriented but living in a fallen world.   I must be a light in the darkness and lead my girls to you God so that they may not die but live in Christ alone.

P - Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your word , may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you would continue to lead me away from sin and toward your son.   I pray Jesus you would forgive me in times I have fallen short, and help turn around the effects of my sin.  I pray that you Holy Spirit guide me on shepherding my family.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

The coming of the Holy Spirit

 S - Act 2:   (NASB)
17 “‘In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
    blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
    and the moon to blood
    before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

O - This is at Pentecost where the disciples have just received the Holy Spirit as promised, and they now were speaking in all the tongues of the people who were gathered in Jerusalem.  The people thought they were drunk but Peter stands up and rebukes them and speaks to the crowd letting them know that these men are not drunk but are fulfilling the promise of God that in the last days He will pour out His spirit on the them an they will prophesy.  Jesus promised before he ascended that a help would come and provide wisdom and guidance on how to continue the mission to evangelize the world.

A - The application for me is to realize that we are still in the end game and that Holy Spirit is with us , guiding the way.   We need to only call on the name of Jesus and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all circumstances.    

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I repent for my past transgression in which I have grieved the Holy Spirit,  I set out today to rid myself of all the side affects of my transgressions.  Holy spirit guide me and protect me.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Revelation of the Risen Christ

 S - Luke 24: 45-49  (TPT)

45 He supernaturally unlocked their understanding to receive the revelation of the Scriptures, 46 then said to them, “Everything that has happened fulfills what was prophesied of me. Christ, the Messiah, was destined to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. 47 Now you must go into all the nations and preach repentance[l] and forgiveness of sins so that they will turn to me. Start right here in Jerusalem. 48 For you are my witnesses and have seen for yourselves all that has transpired. 49 And I will send the fulfillment of the Father’s promise[m] to you. So stay here in the city until the mighty power of heaven falls upon you and wraps around you.”

O - Jesus here after His resurrection, returns to the disciples so that there faith in the God's plan for Jesus could be understood.  He revealed the scriptures to them so they would understand that this was God's plan from the beginning.  That he would offer his son as the atoning sin offering (just like Abraham with Isaac).  That he would be crucified and spend three days buried (just like Jonah).   When he rose on the Third day he rolled open the stone and walked away defeating death.   He gave the disciples their great commission to go forth into all the nations and preach repentance and forgiveness of sins and that they are to turn towards Jesus.   He also reminded them the Holy Spirit will come and dwell with them being their guide. 

A  -   The application for me is to realize it is finished.  Jesus perfect work on earth was completed when He died and resurrected defeating death, and reconciling us all with the Father.   Having received this promise of salvation and the spirt of God with me,  I am to be a light to this world and to preach the Gospel in the area where he has called me to.   I should start with my family , and my community and then seek were else God would have me go.   I pray all this in Jesus' name, Amen. 

S genesis 4

“Time passed. Cain brought an offering to GOD from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. GOD liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.

GOD spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.”

GOD said, “What have you done! The voice of your brother’s blood is calling to me from the ground. From now on you’ll get nothing but curses from this ground; you’ll be driven from this ground that has opened its arms to receive the blood of your murdered brother. You’ll farm this ground, but it will no longer give you its best. You’ll be a homeless wanderer on Earth.” Adam slept with Eve his wife. She conceived and had Cain. She said, “I’ve gotten a man, with GOD ’s help!” Then she had another baby, Abel. Abel was a herdsman and Cain a farmer.

Cain had words with his brother. They were out in the field; Cain came at Abel his brother and killed him. GOD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “How should I know? Am I his babysitter?””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭4:1-12‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://www.bible.com/97/gen.4.1-12.msg

Setting God's people free from slavery

 S - Exodus 3

The Burning Bush

3 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the [a]west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of [b]a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed. 3 So Moses said, “[c]I must turn aside now and see this [d]marvelous sight, why the bush is not burned up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 He said also, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

7 The Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. 8 So I have come down to deliver them from the [e]power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. 9 Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them. 

O - My observation is that I need to be ready to follow the prompting of an Angel of God.  Whether it be a burning bush, or a the Angel Michael who presents himself to me so that I might prepare to receive a communication from God,  I am not to be shocked or afraid but rather listen humbly what my Lord has to say.  Since I am a decendent of Abraham God remembers His covenant with Abraham and will find a way to set free from captavity anyone in my family who remains enslaved.   

A - The application for me is to recognize that is alive and active and is wanting to set His people free.  Even though I may be in exile from the land of my captivity God can still use me to set my family free.  It may seem large and impossible to do this, but with God all things are possible.  I pray Lord that you would use me to set my family free from the bondage in which they live.  For my dad Ed, for my mom Jan, and my sister Lisa,  I pray that you would set them free so they might know and follow you.  I know you have never left or forsaken them and that now is the time for them to take the steps toward your freedom.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to your heart.  I pray Lord that you would begin the process to set your people in my family free.  I know I can't do it myself but with you on my side I cannot lose.   I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.  

Proverbs 19

 S-  ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭19:1-29‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://www.bible.com/97/pro.19.1-29.msg

“Better to be poor and honest than a rich person no one can trust. Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste. People ruin their lives by their own stupidity, so why does GOD always get blamed? Wealth attracts friends as honey draws flies, but poor people are avoided like a plague. Perjury won’t go unpunished. Would you let a liar go free? Lots of people flock around a generous person; everyone’s a friend to the philanthropist. When you’re down on your luck, even your family avoids you— yes, even your best friends wish you’d get lost. If they see you coming, they look the other way— out of sight, out of mind. Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life. The person who tells lies gets caught; the person who spreads rumors is ruined. Blockheads shouldn’t live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss. Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget. Mean-tempered leaders are like mad dogs; the good-natured are like fresh morning dew. A parent is worn to a frazzle by a stupid child; a nagging spouse is a leaky faucet. House and land are handed down from parents, but a congenial spouse comes straight from GOD. Life collapses on loafers; lazybones go hungry. Keep the rules and keep your life; careless living kills. Mercy to the needy is a loan to GOD, and GOD pays back those loans in full. Discipline your children while you still have the chance; indulging them destroys them. Let angry people endure the backlash of their own anger; if you try to make it better, you’ll only make it worse. Take good counsel and accept correction— that’s the way to live wisely and well. We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but GOD ’s purpose prevails. It’s only human to want to make a buck, but it’s better to be poor than a liar. Fear-of- GOD is life itself, a full life, and serene—no nasty surprises. Some people dig a fork into the pie but are too lazy to raise it to their mouth. Punish the insolent—make an example of them. Who knows? Somebody might learn a good lesson. Kids who lash out against their parents are an embarrassment and disgrace. If you quit listening, dear child, and strike off on your own, you’ll soon be out of your depth. An unprincipled witness desecrates justice; the mouths of the wicked spew malice. The irreverent have to learn reverence the hard way; only a slap in the face brings fools to attention.

O-

Proverbs 18

 Devotions 1/18/2021

S ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:1-24‬ ‭MSG‬‬

https://bible.com/97/pro.18.1-24.msg

“Loners who care only for themselves spit on the common good. 

Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse; all they do is run off at the mouth. 

When wickedness arrives, shame’s not far behind; contempt for life is contemptible. 

Many words rush along like rivers in flood, but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs. 

It’s not right to go easy on the guilty, or come down hard on the innocent. 

The words of a fool start fights; do him a favor and gag him. Fools are undone by their big mouths; their souls are crushed by their words. 

Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you really want junk like that in your belly? 

Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism. GOD ’s name is a place of protection— good people can run there and be safe. 

The rich think their wealth protects them; they imagine themselves safe behind it. 

Pride first, then the crash, but humility is precursor to honor. 

Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. 

A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed? 

Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights. 

A gift gets attention; it buys the attention of eminent people. 

The first speech in a court case is always convincing— until the cross-examination starts! 

You may have to draw straws when faced with a tough decision. 

Do a favor and win a friend forever; nothing can untie that bond. 

Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach; good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. 

Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose. 

Find a good spouse, you find a good life— and even more: the favor of GOD! 

The poor speak in soft supplications; the rich bark out answers. 

Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.”

O- My observation is that God kept his promise to Solomon to make him the wisest man that was ever known.  Still yet his wisdom is but a small insignificant speck compared to the wisdom of God.  Solomon here in one chapter lays out 24 pieces of wisdom interconnected.  The flow and meter of the verses show the musicality of these proverbs.  Chapter 18 is a March to a drummer - you do this this is what happens is the cadence which is slow in meter and repetitious in the execution.  Mans tongue fail him over and over.  I good wife makes for a good life.  Loners only care for their own good and not for the team. Be generous in your gift giving, it brings the attention of prominent people.  Pick true friends who are like family.  Words can either bring death or life.

A - The application for me is to be sure I use my words to build up and not tear down that I give not wanting to receive but out of the abundance of God‘s love for me I am able to speak truth and love to give gifts of love without any expectation of reciprocation. This all starts with my relationship first with God and then with my wife. As I learn to love God like he loves me I start to understand how he loves Abby. He loves her in every way possible in words MDs in acts of kindness, in words of affirmation, through small gifts of appreciation. This life is not meant to be lived alone, because loaners care only about themselves, children of God care about God and everyone.

P-your heavenly father thank you so much for this list of Proverbs that you gave to Solomon but in a fact gave to all of us who CQ and seek your word. I pray Lord that you would give me this wisdom that you were given Solomon give me just even a small amount in which I can invest in the lives of those around me invest in learning more about you and how you want me to love others especially my wife Abby. Lord help me specifically find the right words of affirmation let me love Her lavishly the way you love her. I pray all of us in Jesus Christ name amen