When I grew up an extremely rich man lived in our town. He was well known for pinching pennies, and lived like a pauper in a small, crammed apartment to save money. He died all alone with few friends. Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 22:1-2.
A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
Rich and poor have this in common:
The Lord is the Maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:1,2)
In 1865 J Hudson Taylor founded China Inland Mission, They sent droves of missionaries to China. But it was so hard to convince people that Jesus was Christ. The church was small, the church was forced underground. Then something strange happened. The church flourished! Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 21:30-31.
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the Lord.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord. (Proverbs 21:30-31)
When I was in college, I became friends with the one-time neighbors of Hank Ketchum. Many people said that she was the real Mrs. Wilson of Dennis the Menace fame. Not certain that she actually was. But she was a model to everyone. She loved the Lord and everyone around. Her life was an example all of my friends. Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 21:21
I once helped find a job for a friend. I asked what he wanted. He replied, “I want to make the most money for the least amount of work!” Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 21:17
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. (Proverbs 21:17)
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, 2 Peter 3:2-3
Jesus made it clear that when we give to the poor, we are giving to God! As new creations in Christ we need to learn to seek every opportunity to help others, including the poor. Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 21:13-15.
Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
will also cry out and not be answered.
A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers. (Proverbs 21:13-15)
In the New Testament we are warned, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12, NIV). Be diligent in following the Lord. Always seek His guidance and help. Make certain you listen to him. Today’s thought is based on Proverbs 21:4-6.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
A fortune made by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. (21:4-6)
If you have trusted in Jesus as your Savior, you are a new creation in Christ and created to do good works which He has prepared for you in advance.
As a new creation in Christ, what do you think pleases God? You might be surprised how important motivation is to the Lord. Weigh your heart and make certain that you truly want what He wants. Today’s thought is based on Proverbs 21:2-3
A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:2-3)
When I was in my early forties, I played tennis. I often challenged high school tennis team members to a gain. People often said, “You will never win. They were stronger and faster. “ So it was strength and power against tactics. They would serve as hard as they could I would return with looping top spin to pin them to the back. They would smash the ball. I would slice the ball moving it side to side patiently waiting for their strength to decline. Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old. (Proverbs 20:29)
I have lived through several tough times. I lost a job that I loved simply because the company had a new CEO, who wanted younger leadership. That’s when faith kicks in. Faith is hope in the unseen, a living confidence that God will lead you even through the tough times. Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 20:24
A person’s steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand their own way?
A little boy came to church with a black eye. I asked him what happened. He said, “Someone gave me lip.” About a month later he came in again, this time with the other eye black and blue. I asked what happened. He said, “I couldn’t let this guy’s words pass.” I said, “Maybe you should have.” Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you. (Proverbs 20:22)
I once asked several colleagues for feedback on a plan to completely revamp a large group of employees. Imagine how shocked I was to go into the bosses office and see my plan on his wall. The boss said, “Isn’t this a great plan!” One for my colleagues took my plan and turned it over to the boss word for word. He was promoted for his great work. What did I do? I trusted in God for help. Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 20:17.
I had a boss who used to call me into his office to tell me I needed to fire an employee because they were totally incompetent. I would calmly tell him, “If you fire every employee, you are only hurting yourself!” About a half an hour later, the fight was over, and the employee stayed. Well at least some of them stayed. Today’s devotion is based on Proverbs 20:18
I like to think I am sympathetic. It is easy to be sympathetic the once you become aware of your own issues! It’s easy when you receive the sympathy of our perfect Savior, who knows your every secret, but still gives you mercy when you come to Him. Today’s thought is based on Hebrews 4:14-16
I used to have an adopted uncle who would drive for an hour to save a dollar. Let’s face it everyone loves a bargain. But sometimes, we just think we “got a bargain.” We buy what we do not need and do not want. But it makes us feel good. Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 20:14
“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase. (Proverbs 20:14)
One day a young man, Bible in hand, walked into church. He sure looked like a Christian in his suit and tie. He was present at many services and Bible studies. He just had to be a Christian.
But then after a service he appeared in my office. He said, “What you said was such great news! I wonder why you never shared it before. I want to let you know that I trusted Jesus as my Savior today. “
What the young man did not realize is that I had shared the “Good News” many times before. He was present but did not hear what was said. Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 20:12
Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both. (Proverbs 20:12)
Years ago, a couple started to attend a Bible study. One day after the study the man began to question my teaching. He proclaimed. “I don’t need Christ or anyone else because I am perfect.” I told him, “No one is perfect.” But he kept insisting he was without sin. Luckily his wife showed up with a list of his imperfections! Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 20:9
Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure;
I am clean and without sin”? (Proverbs 20:9)
I find it reassuring to realize that the love of God never fails! That’s right God has perfect unending love. His love for me and you never runs dry. There are no secret motivations with God. But what about me! Is my love enduring? Is my love “Christ-like?” Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 20:6.
Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find? (Proverbs 20:6)
Do you find it so easy to fall into the trap of taking the speck on in others while a log is stuck in your eye? Examining ourselves is like taking a dive into deep waters. Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 20:5.
The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
but one who has insight draws them out. (Proverbs 20:5)
Some people think they must jump at every opportunity and stir up trouble. They need to speak the truth—not necessarily God’s truth. They say, “Speak the truth.” We are to speak the truth but always in love. An honorable person is not necessarily the one who always gets their way. Rather it is an honor to avoid strife. Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 20:3.
It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
but every fool is quick to quarrel. (Proverbs 20:3)
Did you know that you were lending to the Lord the last time you dropped clothes off at a shelter, or donated to a charity? Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. (Proverbs 19:17)
There was and still is a certain philosophy which proclaims, “Let my child decide for themself.” Let them decide if they want to go to church or not! But the Scripture tells us we need to train-up our children and point them in the way they should go. Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 19:18
Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. (Proverbs 19:18)
Do you live for a purpose? Or do you just go about life blindly? I chose to live according to God’s purpose. Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 19:21.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21 )
A person once told me about their ex-spouse. They went on and on talking about how offended they were. When they finally finished, I asked a simple question. Do you think they care that you are upset? They answered, “No.” I said, “Then the only person your anger is hurting is you!” Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 19:11.
A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. (Proverbs 19:11)
Years ago, a man took off on a short ten-minute drive that ended up taking several days. Hopelessly lost he just kept driving. A hundred miles lost. Another hundred frantically lost. A thousand miles traveled but still lost. Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 19:2-3.
Desire without knowledge is not good—
how much more will hasty feet miss the way!
A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,
yet their heart rages against the Lord. (Proverbs 19:2-3)
I recently told a man he needed to leave the area because his friends were bringing him to ruin. Friends can be helpful or a detriment in life. But there is a friend who sticks closer to you than even a brother– Jesus Christ is such a friend—and we should be as well. Today’s Thought is based on Proverbs 18:24.
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24)