Saved By Works?

November 18, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 28:15-18 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days. A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    In reading today’s verses, we can plainly see Solomon was warning his son of the dangers of a sinful lifestyle. This way of living brings not only harm to the individual who commits such sinful deeds, but also can bring down the sanctity of a nation.

    In verse eighteen, there is a comment that many have miss-interpreted. It says, “Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved:” Some have taken that to mean if they do good and live right they are then saved from their sin and will go to heaven when they die. That would be a classic case of taking words out of context. The word “saved,” used here does not refer to the salvation of the soul. Rather, Solomon was telling his lad that if he abstains from the sins of this world, he would also be saved from many of the daily failures from sin and the sorrows that accompany them. Reading the text before and after a verse will always help you understand its true meaning. The last part of this verse says, “he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.” Does this mean that as soon as a man commits a sin he will be destroyed? No. However, if this statement is read in the context of others mentioned such as the wicked ruler over the poor, the insecure prince, and the violent murderer who, in the eyes of those he leads or trusts him has fallen, so then will a person who is perverse in his ways also fall.

    Salvation has always been by putting faith in Jesus Christ, what He did on the cross, and the empty tomb. No amount of good works can ever change anyone’s eternal destiny.

     
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    All that said, it’s never a bad idea to do what is right. It brings about the respect of others and is a great testimony to the fact that the Bible is a true book. Live for today but do so in a way that honors and glorifies God and His Word.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  November 19, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Acts 25 – 28    /  Proverbs 28:15-18

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Ezekiel 21-23           /    James 3

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

The Great Cover-up

November 17, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 28:12-14 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    What causes a Christian to sin? Some will say Satan is to blame. I guess in general Satan is to blame as he did come, tempt Eve, and brought sin to man. Nevertheless, commonly we do not sin because of Satan, we sin because of self.

    What then keeps a Christian from asking for forgiveness of that sin? Often it is the same thing that caused them to commit the sin in the first place. They will somehow justify what they do in their own mind thus diminishing the guilt associated with it. They may tell themselves, “others are doing it, God would not want me to be unhappy, and this makes me happy.” If they cannot find a way to justify sin, they try to hide or even deny it.

    In our text today, it says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Confession is not enough. To say you are sinning and then continue doing it is not repentance, it is just admission. You must plan to forsake your sin as well.

    Do you know when most Christians who have hidden or justified their sin will finally admit they are sinning and ask for forgiveness? It is when their life gets into a mess. When the world does not seem to make sense anymore and trouble or sorrow has gathered all around them. Suddenly they will look at their life, and all their sin becomes visible. It is then they begin asking themselves if their sin may be the cause of their troubles. Why do we wait until our life is in such a mess? Why not come to Jesus today, confess, and forsake our sins. He is there with open arms waiting and willing to help us.

      
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    1 John 1:9 still says; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” However, we must confess them and be willing to forsake them. God is waiting with the blood of His Son to cleanse us. Why not come to Him today?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  November 17, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Acts 21 – 24    /  Proverbs 28:12-14

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Ezekiel 17-20          /    James 2

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

What Is An Abomination?

November 16, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 28:8-11 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor. He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession. The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    What is an abomination? We hear of the term abomination several times throughout the Word of God. Leviticus 18 says homosexuality is an abomination. Deuteronomy 18 says psychics (those that consult spirits), witchcraft, and horoscopes (observers of times) are an abomination to God. Even Jesus said the end of time is marked by what is described as the “Abomination of Desolation” (Mark 13:14). So, what is an abomination? What does it mean?

    If you look up abomination in most dictionaries, you will find it is referred to as something that stinks like rotten flesh. It is offensive, detestable, or something filthy. One definition described abomination as something “worthless as water polluted by dead fish.” It seems no matter how you look at it, “abomination” is something very undesirable.

    In today’s text, we read that if we disregard hearing the law, even our own prayers to God become an abomination to Him. Meaning, if we read or hear what the Bible says, but totally disregard or ignore it, then our prayers become as something that stinks, something offensive, or very undesirable to God.

    The Psalmist also wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” (Psalm 66:18). What stops God from hearing our prayers then? It is not sin; it is our hearts attitude toward sin. God will always hear a true repentant heart, then He heals and forgives us from every sin.

         
THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    The idea that we can live in our sin and expect a Holy God to overlook it is insane. He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to die for our sin that we may be cleansed from sin, not live in it. Repent, (turn from your sin) and be washed white as snow.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  November 16, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Acts 18 – 20    /  Proverbs 28:8-11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
 Ezekiel 13-16            /    James 1

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Weekend Review

November 14 & 15, 2020

Proverbs 27:19

As in water face answereth
to face,
so the heart of man
to man. 

Work Week Devotions
Through the Book of Proverbs

      As you know by now, with WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS, we only publish our Devotional Thoughts on Monday – Friday. On Saturday we suggest you re-read the entire chapter we have been studying this past week, and if we will be going into the following chapter the next week, we encourage you to read that chapter as well.       

There are never Devotions on Sunday. 

Thank you for joining us as we
journey together
Through Proverbs in 2020.

WEEK 45 – Day 6

     On Saturday, we suggest you re-read the Proverb we have written from this past week and the week to come.

Proverbs 27-28

WEEK 45 – Day 7

     Today we suggest you read and study whatever the Lord has laid on your Pastor’s heart. Whatever Scripture he uses for today’s messages were given to him by God for your specific needs.

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Do Not Complicate Things

November 13, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 28:5-7 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    In talking with people about what is right and wrong, it never ceases to amaze me how complex people make the simplest of God’s truths.

    Salvation is simply putting your faith in Jesus Christ and the work He did on the cross at Calvary. It is understanding that somehow your sin must be paid for. The price for sin is death. Only someone who had no sin debt of their own could pay that price. If I wanted to die for your sin I could not. I have a sin debt of my own that needs to be paid. Even my own death would not satisfy the cost of my sin, because I am not without sin and not worthy to pay the price. Therefore, I cannot pay for my own sin and I could never pay for yours either. God in His wisdom, with great love and grace sent His only Son, Jesus to this earth. Not only did Jesus come here, but also during the 30 plus years He lived with sinful man, He never committed one sin of His own. When He died on the cross, He did so not for His own sin, but for the sin of every person who would put their faith in who He was, and what He was doing for them. Then He rose victorious over sin and death that we might have eternal life in Him.

    People still want to add good works and religious activities to salvation. Good works and religious activities are the result of salvation, not the means to salvation. Once you are saved, the Holy Spirit enters your life and causes you to desire to live for Christ. This produces good works, not the other way around.

    People do not go to hell because they did not do the right things. They go to hell because they did not believe in Christ alone for salvation. “Evil men understand not judgment:”

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    So, what is your desire? Do you desire to walk upright before God and man, to understand God’s Word and obey it? Or do you desire to live like world. The Bible says when you are saved all things become new. People often wonder about if, or when they were saved. Here is a great test. Examine your life. Has anything in your life ever changed? If not, invite Christ in.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  November 13, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Acts 15 – 17    /  Proverbs 28:5-7

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Ezekiel 5-8           /    Hebrews 12

Living In His Word Ministries
       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12