WORK Is A Four-letter Word

March 04, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 6:9-11 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

       Let me sleep just a little while longer, please! Every parent has heard this. Sometimes it’s not only heard from the children, but also from the one who takes care of the children. Just a few more minutes, please!

     Society today in general, are people on the run. We go, go, and go some more. Nevertheless, we are also a nation that needs it’s rest, but how much rest is enough? The answer to this question seems to depend on the person doing the study.

     Different studies have produced different results. Some say that eight hours a night is enough. While others say you really only need four to six hours of good sleep per night. Most busy people try to get by on as little sleep as possible. However, there are those who are on the other end of the spectrum, and they seemingly sleep their life away.

     Those endless sleepers are who Solomon is referring in today’s passage. This is in contrast with the little working ant in the previous verses. Here we find someone who wants a little sleep, gets up, relaxes just a bit before they turn around to do nothing, and becomes tired from their laziness to the point of going back to bed again.

     He warns of this lifestyle of do nothingness. Like a traveler who step by step through life, doing nothing along the way, comes to a sudden, terrible end. At the end of this expedition is brokenness, both physically, and literally? He also likens it to a life that ends as though an armed man suddenly robs you, and you’re left with nothing. So will this life of doing nothing leave you the same way. Time runs out, and your left empty handed.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     Yes, WORK is a four-letter word. Nevertheless, it’s a word that we need in our life. The Bible declares if a man won’t work, that he in turn, should not eat. It doesn’t say that work should be our life, but it should be a part of it. God will supply our needs; however, He often does it through a job.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  March 04, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Deuteronomy 4-6      /      Proverbs 6:9-11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Numbers 16-18      /     Mark 10:1-31

Lessons From The Ants

March 03, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 6:4-8 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     BUGS, INSECTS!!! Even the words makes some people’s skin crawl. Most often, we think of pests when thinking of them. When something is wrong in our computer programs, it’s called, “a Bug” in the program. If someone is bothering you, you might say, “Quit bugging me,” or, “stop being such a pest.”

     However, Solomon points out a very valuable lesson that can be obtained from observing the ANT. Ants evidently have no real leader. There’s no commando ant barking out orders, telling all the other ants what to do, and where to go. Yet all the ants fall into place, and pull their weight. In fact, it has been said, an ant can carry many times its own weight when gathering things. Another interesting fact about ants is, they get prepared in advance. They put up things in preparation for winter, and harsh weather.

     So what are we to learn from these little industrious creatures? First, we learn saving is not a sin. Some will tell you the Bible never speaks of putting anything away for the future. They say you’re just to rely on God, day by day for everything. Not true. God gives us wisdom to see a future need, and we should be wise, and save for it. God has still supplied for the need. Next, we see we should not have to be told to do something in order for it to be done. Simply get busy, and get it done. In addition, teamwork sure does help.

     One great thing about the church I’m privileged to pastor is that they do work as a team if there is a true need in our midst. Teamwork is getting it done together. We should not be sluggards, or lazy. God provides the materials, however we must still use them to the best of our ability, for His glory.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

Next time you see ants, watch how busy they are. God has given them all they need to survive; all they have to do is use it. He’s done the same for us. Now what will you do with it?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  March 03, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Deuteronomy 1 – 3      /     Proverbs 6:4-8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Numbers 15      /     Mark 9:30-50

Watch Out For The DEBT TRAP

March 02, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 6:1-3 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     Credit was, at one time, something hard to get. You had to keep your nose clean, and not have any bad debts at all to even think of getting a credit card, or a loan. Today however, almost anyone, anytime, and anywhere can get a credit card. Most stores now have their own credit cards. Many have hooked up with major credit cards so you can use the card they supply at other stores as well. Sounds great right? WRONG!

     The problem is, many people today have more credit card debt than they can ever hope to pay off in any reasonable amount of time. If the creditors were to call saying that they were going out of business, and needed you to pay up on your debt, most people do not have the funds to do so.

     Even worse, many are paying just the minimum payment each month. By doing so, you are barely, if even, paying the interest, and will be paying the credit card company forever. Imagine buying a television for five hundred dollars, and paying the minimum payment on your credit card. By the time this set has been paid for, several things will probably have happened. Your grandchildren will have graduated college, the TV will have been replaced twice, and you will have paid a few thousand dollars for your five hundred dollar TV.

     Debt is a trap into which society has tried to drag us. Worse yet, many have jumped into this debt trap joyfully. Sadly, they end up swimming against the tide of interest for years to come. Don’t let the world control your financial future. Let God.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     You may be thinking, “How do I get out of this debt trap?” First, QUIT BUYING THINGS YOU DON’T NEED! If you have an enormous debt, you need to live within your means. Second, PRAY. Ask God for direction, wisdom, and self-control every day. Next, PAY. Begin to pay extra on the debts and they will one day go away. It will take time, but the freedom is worth it.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  March 02, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Numbers 33-36      /     Proverbs 6:1-3

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Numbers 12-14      /     Mark 9:1-29

Weekend Review

February 18 & 19, 2020

Proverbs 1:33

For the ways of man
are before the eyes of
the LORD,
and he pondereth
all his goings.

Work Week Devotions
Through the Book of Proverbs

      As previously mentioned, with WORK WEEK DEVOTIONS, we will only be publishing a Devotional Thoughts Monday – Friday. On Saturday we suggest you re-read the entire chapter we have been studying through, 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 8 – Day 6

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

Proverbs 5-6

WEEK 8 – 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.

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS

March 2, 2020  Numbers 33 – 36             Proverbs 6:1 – 3
March 3, 2020  Deuteronomy 1 – 3        Proverbs 6:4 – 8
March 4, 2020  Deuteronomy 4 – 6        Proverbs 6:9 – 11
March 5, 2020  Deuteronomy 7 – 10      Proverbs 6:12 – 15
March 6, 2020  Deuteronomy 11 – 14    Proverbs 6:16 – 19
March 7, 2020  Proverbs 6
March 8, 2020  No Passages Assigned    

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

March 2, 2020  Numbers 12-14        Mark 9:1-29
March 3, 2020  Numbers 15              Mark 9:30-50
March 4, 2020  Numbers 16-18        Mark 10:1-31
March 5, 2020  Numbers 19-20        Mark 10:32-52
March 6, 2020  Numbers 21-22        Mark 11
March 7, 2020  Numbers 23-25        Mark 12:1- 27
March 8, 2020  No Passages Assigned

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY

    FEBRUARY 29, 2020     Numbers 10-11       Mark 8:22-38
    MARCH 01, 2020           No Passages Assigned

The Controlling Nature Of Sin 

February 28, 2020

DAILY PROVERBS:

Proverbs 5:21-23 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings. His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

     In the world today, we see the promises of today’s verses played out in both our political, and religious communities. I heard a “so-called” pastor on TV trying to defend homosexuality as a choice given by God, while at the same time government agencies were trying to deny it by condemning Gay Marriage. The freedom to commit this sin has gone on so long; religious communities are divided as to whether it’s a life choice, or sin.

     Pornography is one of societies leading moneymakers. It’s as destructive as a runaway train. Yet businesses make billions, and our government takes in millions on the taxes paid on the sales of its products. I fear that soon today’s culture will embrace it, and simply add a sin tax to it like they do tobacco, and booze. It’s the idea, if you can’t wipe it out, tax it.

     Gambling, once considered to be sinful, is now accepted everywhere. Much of it owned, and promoted by government.

     Sin, left alone long enough will bind you. The Bible says we’ll be trapped “with the cords of his sins.” Sadly, millions today are caught in this trap. No matter our viewpoint on these sins, we are bound by the views of the majority. Don’t be mistaken, the majority will ultimately choose sin. As it says in Matthew 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:” No matter how hard we try to tell them of what’s right, and point them to the Bible, they will die without receiving its instruction. Why? It’s because sin has become more important than obedience to God. Sex, drugs, pornography, alcohol, you name it. The world no longer control their sins, their sins now control them.

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Dear friend, pray for our homes, our nation, this world, and help a new generation turn to Christ. Their understanding of God is our nation’s only hope.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  February 28, 2020

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH DAILY PROVERBS
  Numbers 30 – 32     /     Proverbs 5:21-23

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
  Numbers 8-9     /   Mark 8:1-21