August 20, 2024 – Listening To The Home Team

Listening To The Home Team
August 20, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 20:20-22
Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed. Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

    Have you ever thought, “My parents just don’t get it!” You might assume I’m addressing teenagers, but the reality is, many of us adults have sometimes heard our parents say something and thought, “They’re out of touch.” However, when we decide to do things our way, we often discover they were wiser than we realized.

    Today’s verses delve deeper than just occasional rebellion. They address outright disobedience and even animosity towards parents.

    In the Old Testament, cursing one’s father could lead to severe consequences, including stoning. Some may think that, since such harsh punishments aren’t meted out today, they can behave as they wish without repercussions. Recall Adam and Eve’s story from the Bible? They believed they could act against God’s instructions without consequences. God had warned them they would surely die. And indeed, they faced both physical and spiritual death. When God establishes a rule, it’s in our best interest to heed it.

    I remember a piece of advice my parents gave me: “Work hard and stay out of trouble, and you’ll succeed in life.” I was puzzled by the notion of “staying out of trouble,” but the essence of hard work stuck with me. Many seek quick riches through casinos, the lottery, gambling, and other shortcuts. But when one person wins, many others lose. Today’s verses discuss an “inheritance gotten hastily,” which essentially means wealth acquired through dubious means or shortcuts. God doesn’t look favorably upon profiting from another’s misfortune. Gambling often fosters idleness, arrogance, and laziness. So, if you engage in gambling, consider how many lives might be negatively impacted by your disobedience to God. For me, gambling would mean disregarding the guidance of both my earthly and heavenly fathers.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

    God has provided you with a team of life experts. If you have godly parents, it is advisable to seek their wisdom, if possible. Even unsaved parents have valuable insights based on life’s experiences. Honoring your parents is a mandate from God, and that alone should suffice as a reason to do so!

What did you learn from your HOME TEAM?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: August 20, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
  Jeremiah 39 – Jeremiah 44
  Proverbs 20:20 – 22

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Psa. 80-85
  Rom. 13