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Post by Unmerited on Mar 12, 2023 15:23:58 GMT -8
Keep Learning
Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.
Proverbs 1:5
Wise men and women are lifelong learners. The knowledge and understanding that served us well last year will not be sufficient for following years. The lessons we are learning today are preparing us for tomorrow. Wise and discerning people listen and learn. They listen to people around them and learn what to do and what not to do.
Another person’s tragedy can warn us of decisions to avoid. When you see a family destroyed by debt, you learn the discipline of saving. On the other hand, another person’s triumph can teach us to embrace good choices. The sacrifice of a mom who stays home to serve her family increases the probability of children with character. Listen to her life and learn how to teach little ones to love Jesus. Always keep learning.
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9).
Your counsel increases in value as you grow in wisdom and discernment. Lazy learners tend to be ignored. Others desire to learn from an educated life, so seek out a mentor who models learning. Meet weekly with this person, and invite him or her to challenge your assumptions and question your answers more than answer your questions. Oral learning through the exchange of ideas unlocks and applies wisdom. You are positioned to learn in an audience of one with graying hair.
Above all, learn by submission to God and His Word. A humble life can be trusted with God’s wisdom and the Holy Spirit’s discernment. As you live a life of compassion and mercy, your knowledge will be converted to wisdom. Keep learning, and the Lord will lift you to new levels of influence. Stop learning, and you will sink into irrelevance. Learning expands your kingdom effectiveness and deepens your character.
The LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).
What lesson do I need to learn today so I can better serve the Lord and others tomorrow?
Related Readings
Deuteronomy 5:1; 31:13; Job 34:2-4; Psalm 119:73; Hebrews 5:8
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 13, 2023 12:22:37 GMT -8
Listen to Your Parents
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Proverbs 1:8
Parents are God’s provision for protection and learning. Therefore, as we listen to them, we can learn from God. We learn lessons on living frugally, being honest, and working hard. We also learn what not to do, such as eating poorly, not exercising, and not forgiving. Parents teach and children learn regardless of whether either recognizes the educational exchange. This learning process is meant to help each generation improve.
Parental honor is the cornerstone of any family that is forging their faith in Christ. Without learning from your parents’ mistakes and building on their successes, you are destined to dysfunction. You honor your parents when you listen to them, learn from them, and obey them. You honor God as you honor your mom and dad, so value your parents because of their position rather than their performance.
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
This high honor and esteem of parents helps entire nations of families to focus on what makes a lasting legacy. Once a society sequesters the elderly in isolation as a burden and offers euthanasia as an option, the beginning of the end of that foolish culture has arrived. As we serve our parents, we will see Jesus. They can provide perspective only experience affords.
Take the time to look past the rough exterior of your dad and determine to draw out his nuggets of wisdom. Help your mom process her fears and forgive her shortcomings, and you will see the beauty of her advice. Parents are not perfect, but even in their imperfection they invite honor and attention. Listen to your parents and learn from them, and you will learn from the Lord. Parents are a gift from God, so receive them by faith and steward the relationship in humility and love.
You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother” (Luke 18:20).
Into what area of my life will I invite my parents’ advice and feedback in an honorable way?
Related Readings
Genesis 49:2; Exodus 18:24; Proverbs 23:22; 1 Timothy 5:4
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 14, 2023 14:49:29 GMT -8
Stand Alone
My son, do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. Proverbs 1:15-16
Stand against the shameful ways of sinful men and women, even if you have to stand alone. If no one else speaks up, your Savior stands with you in your seclusion. It is more convenient to compromise your convictions, but find strength in what God says and obey it. If you have to stand alone for a season, your perseverance in doing what is right will eventually prod others to follow your example.
Avoid the bar and unseemly clubs on business trips, and others will find the courage to join you. At college, pray instead of party, study instead of steal, serve instead of acting silly, and be faithful instead of foolish. Young adults are longing for reliable friends and communities of trust, learning, and accountability. Stand alone and see God work wonders.
If I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me (John 8:16).
To step into a seductive snare of sin is foolish. When you see it coming, do not go there, or you will be like a silly bird whose curiosity leads it into a trap. The pain that results from not standing alone in the truth is reason enough to remain in the character of Christ. However, there are other benefits. You stand alone so your compelling story of courage inspires your children now and as they grow older. You stand alone so you can look your spouse in the eyes and honestly say you value him or her much more than any other. You stand alone so the people you serve grow in confidence that you have their very best interest in mind. Most importantly, you stand alone by the grace of God in humility and faith.
Don’t become proud of standing alone, or you will fall—suddenly and severely. Rather, stand alone by staying on your knees in desperate dependence on God. Give Him the glory, and He will give you the gumption to go it alone when necessary.
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart…
Whoever does these things will never be shaken (Psalm 15:2,5).
Where do I need to stand alone as an encouragement to those who may be holding back for fear of what others might think or do?
Related Readings
Job 23:13; Proverbs 12:7; Luke 21:19; 1 Corinthians 10:12
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 15, 2023 12:36:01 GMT -8
The Knowledge of God
If you look for [wisdom] as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:4-5
The knowledge of God is obtained by the wisdom of God, and the wisdom of God is found in the Word of God. Jesus is the Word, so when we see Him, we see not only our Savior but also our God. Jesus became flesh and walked among us so He could, among other things, teach us the knowledge of God. So read the four Gospels. You will observe the knowledge of God lived out in your Lord.
You will learn obedience by understanding and applying His teachings. Obtaining the knowledge of God and integrating it into your life are not passive exercises. Transformation occurs through passionate prayer as you earnestly seek to understand Jesus’s words and actions. Knowledge of God is food that satisfies the soul. It is a divine diet of grace and truth.
Like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.
1 Peter 2:2
You read and receive the Word of God so you can be transformed by the knowledge of God. Wisdom is the way to knowing God. It is discovered through toil and trust, industry and intimacy, hard work and heaven’s illumination. Just as if you were mining the precious metals of silver and gold, you will find the knowledge of God in the discipline and determination of digging out truth that may be covered over by the rubble of unbelief.
You rise up early so you can meditate in the mine shaft with your Master Jesus, and He shows you the way. As you humbly receive the knowledge of God, let others benefit from the richness of your discovery. Invest wisdom in others for the sake of God’s kingdom. You can begin by being a spiritual leader at work and home.
On the second day the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests and the Levites were gathered to Ezra the scribe that they might gain insight into the words of the law. Nehemiah 8:13
How can I use my knowledge of God to bless and encourage others?
Related Readings
Job 28:12,20,23; John 1:1-14; 2 Peter 1:5
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 18, 2023 13:45:10 GMT -8
The Marriage Covenant
Wisdom will save you also from the adulteress woman, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.
Proverbs 2:16-17
Marriage is a covenant before God, not to be messed with by man. Christian marriage is not a secular ceremony but a Christ-centered commitment “until death do us part.” However, there are tempters, both men and women, who try to take away the trust between husbands and wives. Their lives are unhappy, so they scheme for artificial satisfaction at the expense of other people’s marriages.
Sin is not passive but active, so be on prayerful alert not to listen to its allure. Pay attention and do not place yourself in compromising circumstances. Marriage is a sacred obligation. God is not only a witness but also the One who instituted the ordinance, so stay true to Him and to your true love.
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral (Hebrews 13:4).
Husbands and wives are accountable to each other under the authority of Almighty God. This is why wayward men and women suffer consequences when they disrespect the marriage vows. Disobedience to an oath before God can damage and destroy relationships, reputations, financial security, emotional stability, and physical health. Husbands and wives who take their commitment to Christ and each other seriously are not seduced into sex outside their marriage.
How do you maintain this high standard? By God’s grace you romance each other as you did when you were dating. You share your heart and affections only with your true love, the husband or bride of your youth. You determine not to be alone with anyone of the opposite sex, as this can feed temptation. You celebrate and uphold marriage as a solemn covenant before the Lord, family, friends, and each other.
Thus says the Lord GOD, “As I live, surely My oath which he despised and My covenant which he broke, I will inflict on his head” (Ezekiel 17:19 NASB).
How can I honor my spouse by respecting our marriage as a covenant before God?
Related Readings
Numbers 5:12-22; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 5:27-32
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 19, 2023 13:26:41 GMT -8
Walking Wisely
Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous.
Proverbs 2:20
To walk wisely is to keep company with those who love and obey Christ. They are your influencers because their values lead you along the route you want to take in life. When people pray together on behalf of the greater good of God’s kingdom, their purposes are aligned.
So in college, walk with the crowd who is all about character building, service to others, studies, love for the Lord, and obedience to His commands. At work, prayerfully partner with those who are principled in their business philosophy.
Some people may have less skill and experience than you do, but you can trust their heart to do what they say they will do. Moreover, do not negotiate with mediocre living as it is distasteful in the mouth of your Master Jesus. Instead, walk with those who raise you to righteous living.
Walk with the wise and become wise,
for a companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 13:20).
Of course, you are to reach out to sinners, care for them, and let your love lead them to the Lord. God has placed you in unbelievers’ lives to influence them toward heaven. Perhaps one day they will thank you for your patience and prayers. But those who walk wisely also learn well by being with those who aspire to intimacy with the Almighty. They walk with the ones who obey the One.
As you become wise, make room for others who want to walk with you and learn from you. Your family may need you to slow down so they can benefit from your presence. Walk with your sons and daughters while you can. Your influence at work will grow when you walk with your team. Above all else, walk with the Lord, and He will show you whom to walk with and how.
This is what the LORD says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (Jeremiah 6:16).
With whom do I need to cease walking? With whom do I need to continue walking? And with whom do I need to begin walking?
Related Readings
Psalm 119:63-115; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Hebrews 6:12
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 23, 2023 8:19:52 GMT -8
Humble Wisdom
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
Proverbs 3:7
Humble wisdom is the opposite of a holier-than-thou attitude. It is contrite before Christ and modest before men. Humble wisdom is grateful to God for His blessings of insight and understanding into eternal matters. Wisdom is not a badge of superiority to be worn with pride, but a blanket of security that humbles the heart.
Wisdom without humility leads to conceit and a condescending attitude. It is ugly and disfigures the soul. Consider star athletes who are so full of themselves, they fail to reach their potential for lack of team support. In contrast, humble wisdom says, “I am a fellow learner of the Lord’s ways; I am a work in progress just like you.” God entrusts His wisdom to humble hearts, so be desperate for divine direction.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13).
As wisdom increases in your heart and mind, pride must decrease. The fear of the Lord keeps you from thinking you can be anything special outside of your Savior Jesus. The fear of God does not forget that wisdom comes from above. Yes, your experience enhances wisdom, and your pain can lead to wisdom, but ultimately wisdom resides with God and His Word.
This is why in humility you hunker down and pray, “Heavenly Father, I bow in awe before You and ask for insight and direction. You are the author of all wisdom.”
Submission to Christ and His commands squeezes out selfish, worldly wisdom and replaces it with the humble wisdom of heaven. Therefore, request wisdom for His glory and never cease to learn from those whom the Lord sends daily into your life.
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits (Romans 12:16 AMP).
Whom can I learn from today to become wiser in humility of mind and heart?
Related Readings
1 Kings 3:4-15; Isaiah 5:21; Romans 1:20-25; Revelation 14:7
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 24, 2023 5:18:04 GMT -8
Honorable Wealth
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10
Why do we honor the Lord with our wealth? We honor Him because He is the giver of all good things, the author of our abundance. As our estate grows, so should our honor of our heavenly Father. Otherwise, we are tempted to take credit for our success, honoring ourselves. The Bible says, “You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth’” (Deuteronomy 8:17 NASB).
In some seasons our net worth decreases, and we are reminded that Christ controls cash flow. Wealth is not an end to itself, but the means to the greater goal of honoring God. Peace and contentment flow from wealth that honors the Lord, while fear and insecurity consume the heart that honors itself. The psalmist warned, “If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them” (Psalm 62:10 NASB).
So how do you honor the Lord with your wealth? One way is to remain faithful and give Him the firstfruits of your fortune. Small or large as your gift may be, His primary concern is your faithfulness to give. You give out of obedience, not abundance. People see Christ when you keep your cash commitments, especially when it costs you. This is honorable in heaven and on earth. Give to your church, the poor and needy, widows, orphans, family, and ministries who align with your passions.
The result of your generous giving in the middle of downward financial pressure will be an upward blessing to you and the recipients. Your honorable use of wealth for Jesus’s sake may mean food, clothing, shelter, and medical supplies for a village, or Bibles translated into the foreign tongue of a remote people halfway around the world. The best time to aggressively give is when the need is greatest. Take care to honor Christ with generous giving, and He will take care of you. What you give now, you will have in abundance later.
You will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14 NASB).
How can I be honorable and remain faithful to my financial commitments to Christ?
Related Readings
Deuteronomy 26:1-15; Luke 12:15-32; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Philippians 4:17-19
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 26, 2023 5:54:23 GMT -8
Sweet Sleep
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24
Sweet sleep comes to a secure soul. Wise is the one who lays his worries at the feet of Jesus before he lies down at night. Fear is foreign to those who sleep sweetly in the safe arms of their Savior. If you are a light sleeper, learn to listen to the Lord, write down what He is saying, and go back to bed. The Almighty may awaken you, as He did Samuel (see 1 Samuel 3), only to rock you back to sleep in a more restful place.
The Lord neither sleeps nor slumbers. He is a trustworthy sentinel, watching over you in your most vulnerable state. God is on guard, so you do not have to sit up and see what is going on. You can lie down by faith and wake up rested and refreshed. A good night’s rest is a gift from God, ready for you to receive by faith. David, a man who faced many fears, confidently prayed, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8 NASB).
Christ uses a clear conscience to calm your emotions, settle your mind, and create sweet sleep. If demons of guilt are engaged in your head, you will have a hard time sleeping. You can clear your conscience by humbly taking responsibility for your behavior and asking forgiveness from God and man for sinful attitudes and actions. Integrity and uprightness preserve you from pride and precarious living.
A clear conscience results from working through relational conflict. Why allow broken relationships to rob you of rest? Instead, go immediately in humility and initiate reconciliation. That will lead to rest as stress gives way to relational healing. Simply talking through tension with a teachable heart releases anxieties and fears. A clear conscience that keeps short accounts will benefit in sweet sleep.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24).
With whom do I need to seek reconciliation so we can both rest in sweet sleep?
Related Readings
Job 11:18; Psalm 121:4-7; Mark 4:38; Acts 12:6
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 27, 2023 4:48:30 GMT -8
Wise Guides
I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.
Proverbs 4:11
God places wise guides in our lives to lead us in the way of wisdom. These are men and women with a touch of gray or a head full of fine silver—and discernment. Their counsel is the cream that rises to the top of all the advice we receive. Their opinions are like a road map from our heavenly Father. Can you meet an hour or two weekly with these sages from your Savior? If you can, you will more clearly see the wise way to walk.
Life is full of circumstances that make your path crooked, but with wise guides and aggressive prayer, you can stay focused on the way of wisdom. Ask fellow wisdom hunters to pray that your heart will stay on the path of purity. The righteous prayers of the wise reveal the way with heaven’s headlights, so request prayer often.
By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night (Exodus 13:21).
Solicit the prayers of wise saints who seek the Lord daily in determined intercession. Ask them to pray for your heart, mind, and body to be kept clean in Christ Jesus. Entrust wise prayer warriors with specific financial and family issues that need a touch from heaven. Each of us needs to be surrounded by a prayer team—ambassadors to Almighty God on our behalf.
These trusted friends cooperate with you and Christ to make the crooked ways straight. Wise guides pray that your trust is in Christ, the conductor of your life and work. Prayerfully invite these wise guides, who are passionate about prayer, to go to God on your behalf. As you debrief together on what He is doing, your intimacy with the Lord and with each other will grow, and the wisest way for you to go will be marked more clearly.
Make me know Your ways, O LORD;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
For You I wait all the day (Psalm 25:4-5 NASB).
Whom can I ask to be a wise guide in my life? Who will pray I walk in wisdom and keep on the path of Christ?
Related Readings
1 Samuel 12:23-24; Isaiah 2:3; Acts 13:9-10; Hebrews 12:11-13
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 28, 2023 5:03:30 GMT -8
Prayerful Perseverance
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
Proverbs 4:18
Prayerful perseverance is the path of the righteous. It is the route the righteous take during recessionary times. Economic downturns can tempt us to take a detour in our walk with Christ, or they can shed light on where God wants us to go. When you persevere in prayer, the voices of worry will eventually go mute, and your Master will guide you onto a productive path.
Recessions also force us to be creative and resourceful in our relationships. Consider reaching out to those who have helped you in the past but now need your help. For example, spend time with those who are out of work, and help them find opportunities that match their calling. Most importantly, ask others how you can specifically pray for them. The Lord leads by the light of His love during dark days, so stay connected to Christ and people in prayer. This righteous resolve takes focus and hard work.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised (Hebrews 10:36).
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. This is why it is imperative you feed your spirit in persistent prayer. Stay engaged with God. The gleaming dawn of hope will rise on your shadowed circumstances. As you prayerfully walk with the Lord in the light, a holy security, a serene spirit shines forth from your countenance for all to see. Your humble and good works on earth bring glory to your Father in heaven.
Prayerful perseverance increases the brightness of your light like the rising of the sun. So use recessionary days to heal the hurting, rescue the repentant, and comfort the broken. Dark days are opportunities for Christians to demonstrate their faith, compassion, and generosity. Therefore, prayerfully persevere for your soul’s sake, for God’s glory, and in service to others.
Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:8 NASB).
Where do I need to persevere in prayer, and whom can I specifically pray for in their dark night of the soul?
Related Readings
Job 22:28; Matthew 5:16; 26:41 KJV; Philippians 2:15
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 29, 2023 14:07:54 GMT -8
Guard Your Heart
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23
Guard your heart, for it is here the Lord gives life. It is truly life because it bubbles up with tremendous trust in Him. A heart on guard for God deeply desires to love Him and obey His ways. There is a compelling call to follow Christ through the best and worst of circumstances.
Therefore, guard your heart from disbelief so doubt does not turn to despair. Guard your heart from unforgiveness so anger does not become bitterness. Guard your heart from pornography so lust does not become lasciviousness. Guard your heart from worry so fear does not become frantic. Guard your heart from pride so your attitude does not become arrogant.
A guarded heart increases the probability that you will receive good things from God. A guarded inward man makes for a good outward man.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
So how do you guard your heart from being defiled by sin and disturbed by trouble? Use wisdom in what you watch because “the eye is the lamp of the body” (Matthew 6:22). Be watchful about what words enter your ears—if you listen to lies over and over again, you are more likely to begin believing them. Ask God to be the guardian of where you go because your environment greatly influences the outcome of your heart.
A guarded heart is a candidate for greatness with God. Ask the Holy Spirit to hunker down in your heart and bring bold leadership to your life and swift conviction to your soul. Be on guard, and a wellspring of life will gush forth for God’s glory.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
Whom can I ask to hold me accountable in what I watch so my heart is clean and pure?
Related Readings
Deuteronomy 4:9; Psalm 139:23-24; Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:21-23
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Parker on Mar 30, 2023 10:11:11 GMT -8
Pay Attention
My son, pay attention to my wisdom; turn your ear to my words of insight.
Proverbs 5:1
Pay attention to wise and discerning people around you. They have perspective that can penetrate your bias and blind spots. If you ignore their admonishments, you may miss God’s best or spend a long time recovering from a raw deal. Wisdom is a watchman that keeps us from entering into unfit relationships. Beware of those who want only for you to meet their needs and have no regard for the needs of others.
Pay attention so you will not be drawn into a situation that saps your energy and leads you down an unproductive path. Cut your losses quickly. Leave the consequences in Christ’s hands. For example, say no to an opportunity that does not seem right even if the promised results are positive. Pay attention to wise counsel so you will not worry later whether you did the right thing. Maintain discretion and preserve knowledge by taking time to listen and learn.
If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you (Exodus 15:26).
Above all else, pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, who is at home in your heart and mind. He is the Almighty’s ambassador in charge of leading you to the way of wisdom. Watch for His confirmation of right and His conviction of wrong. Pay attention because the Holy Spirit builds wisdom with insight and understanding. Wisdom grows in a life submitted to the guidance of God’s Spirit.
Finally, pay attention to the teaching of your pastor or priest, for they are messengers of the Lord. Their role is to relay to you the truth of God, so make sure to attend church where Christ is worshipped and you are clearly and practically instructed from the Bible. Pastors who are gifted teachers and who prayerfully prepare each Sunday can present a spiritual smorgasbord so starving souls are satisfied by the wisdom of God. Pay attention to a pastor you respect, who teaches wisdom well, and whom God uses to transform your thinking and behavior.
The lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts (Malachi 2:7).
Who currently has my attention who should not, and whom do I need to listen to more intently with a goal to change?
Related Readings
Genesis 49:2; Mark 4:23; James 1:19; Revelation 2:7-11
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Mar 31, 2023 7:04:40 GMT -8
Deadly Adultery
Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.
Proverbs 5:5
Adultery is deadly. It kills relationships and destroys reputations. Children of a parent caught in adultery become confused, dismayed, and angry. A child is innocent of a parent’s infidelity but still suffers the ongoing consequences of conflict, pain, and resentment. Without trust in the Lord and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit’s healing and forgiveness, suffering children are set on a similar path of destruction.
Indeed, the ripple effect of adultery can be felt for generations, so run from this raw deal. It is not worth breaking the heart of God and those who love you the most. Do not allow instant gratification to numb you from the devastating effect of selfish whims. What is done in the darkness will come to light, and it is detrimental. Like the insidious work of termites, infidelity will destroy your home from the inside out as integrity’s foundation begins to crumble.
He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart (1 Corinthians 4:5).
On the other hand, if you will remain faithful to your bride or groom, you will reap the rewards of relational life and respect from your children.
How can you be on guard against adultery’s allurement? One way is to avoid websites that offer virtual temptation. We mock God when we pray, “Lead us not into temptation” (Matthew 6:13) and then expose ourselves to escapades that lead to adultery. So ask for accountability, and install software that blocks bad sites.
Also, save emotional intimacy and time alone for your spouse only. Heart connection should occur only between a husband and wife. Friendly flirtation is the first step into adultery’s intoxicating control, so inoculate your life from adultery’s infection with a healthy marriage. Husbands and wives who are emotionally and physically fulfilled at home are not easily led astray.
Moreover, make loving the Lord and obeying His commands your compelling commitment. God’s discipline is sure for those who select the sinful action of adultery. Yes, He forgives, but He also disciplines those whom He loves. Therefore, remain on the high road of faith and fidelity. Avoid the death of adultery with a life-giving marriage.
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral (Hebrews 13:4).
Who will hold me accountable, specifically regarding wisdom with my time and freedom?
Related Readings
Genesis 39:7-10; Judges 16:5-15; Matthew 5:27-30; 1 Timothy 1:9-11
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 1, 2023 14:45:59 GMT -8
Midlife Crisis
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer—may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be intoxicated with her love.
Proverbs 5:18-19
A midlife crisis can be a sign that you are discontent. You may be discontent with your mate, your work, your car…But the Bible is clear about being content with God’s blessings to you—especially your spouse. His desire is for you to want what you have and not obsess over what you do not have.
Husband, remember the bride of your youth. Perhaps you married her because she was cute and cuddly, she cared about you, and she loved Christ. Those are compelling characteristics that may have continued to grow over the years. Be joyful in Jesus and grateful to God that He has given you a woman who walks with Him and wants to be with you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth as she keeps you young and yearning for Yahweh.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11).
Moreover, be captivated by the love of your wife. Her capacity and willingness to love you will grow as you consistently and unconditionally love her. What wife will not embrace her husband who serves her the way his Savior Jesus serves? Love and respect lead to even more love and respect. It is a Christlike cycle. Be captivated by the love of your wife, knowing she was given to you by God. You chose her, so be pleased with your choice. In His providence, He pronounced you husband and wife.
Though directed to husbands, this passage speaks to women as well. A wife captivates her husband with her kind character and attractive looks. You wooed the husband of your youth by your sweet spirit, your delightful smell, and your inviting beauty. Be intentional to make your love interesting to your husband, who may be easily bored in the bedroom. Let the distractions of life and the activities of raising children rank second to your captivating love for each other. The will of God is for you to stay faithful as husband and wife. This is the true goal for marriages that stay together.
As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
So your God will rejoice over you (Isaiah 62:5 NASB).
How can I love my wife in a way that brings alive her captivating love?
Related Readings
Song of Songs 4:5; Ecclesiastes 9:9; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Ephesians 5:28
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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