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Post by Unmerited on Apr 18, 2023 5:05:25 GMT -8
A Faithful Guide
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Proverbs 11:3
Integrity is an instrument of Almighty God. He uses it to guide His children in the direction He desires for them. Have you ever wondered what God would have you do? Integrity is His directive to do the next right thing, trusting Him with the results. Our honesty helps us to comprehend Christ’s desires. He delights in our uprightness.
For example, are you totally honest on your tax return? Is your tax preparer a person of unquestionable integrity? We can trust professionals to represent us well, but we are ultimately responsible for an honest outcome. Are you doing anything that would embarrass you and your family if it was printed as a newspaper headline? Integrity brings joy to heaven and security on earth. It is your guide for godly living.
I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do (Nehemiah 7:2).
The iniquity of the unfaithful destroys. The blessing of God is removed because it cannot be bought with bad behavior. Relationships are scarred and some severed as a result of dishonest dealings. Overnight, poor judgment can soil and potentially destroy a hard-earned reputation. Prideful people act as if integrity is only for others. They deceive themselves and are eventually disgraced by their dishonest and duplicitous ways. On the other hand, iniquity is an unfaithful guide.
So we ask ourselves, “How can I be a man or woman of integrity over the balance of my life?” There is a simplicity about those who base their behavior on the principles in God’s Word—nothing fancy, only faithful living in their daily routine. The grace of God governs their soul, the truth of God renews their mind, and accountability is an anchor for their actions. Honestly ask yourself, “Is integrity my faithful guide?”
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, LORD, is in you (Psalm 25:21).
How can I better integrate integrity as a guide for my business dealings and behavior at home?
Related Readings
Genesis 20:4-7; Hosea 13:9; Matthew 7:13; Romans 7:9-12
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 18, 2023 5:07:41 GMT -8
Influencing Our Cities for Christ
When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.
Proverbs 11:10-11
How can we capture our cities for Christ? How can we help our municipalities become institutions of integrity? Perhaps it starts with each of us who claims Jesus Christ as Savior. It’s up to us to first get down on our knees and get down to business with our heavenly Father. The people of God make up the city of God. Through our own confession and repentance of sin, the city is set up to receive blessing from the Lord.
Citizens are not to be passive in the face of wickedness. Daniel understood this and prayed this passionate prayer for his city:
Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our ancestors have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us (Daniel 9:16).
Christ influences cities through His church when His children confess, “He is Christ, Son of the living God.” When we confess Christ with our words and our life, we partner with the Holy Spirit in building the Lord’s living temple—His church. His dwelling does not consist of church buildings. His dwelling is in the hearts of men, women, boys, and girls who, empowered by His grace, give others the opportunity to hear the old, old story of Jesus’s love for them. Jesus is building His church for the glory of God.
A city movement for Christ is birthed out of passionate prayer and brokenness. Jesus cried out for His city. “As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it” (Luke 19:41). Our tears become tools the Holy Spirit can use to transform us and others. We experience healing as sorrow turns to joy. The early church rejoiced over this unleashing of the Lord’s power: “So there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8).
A city moved along by the Holy Spirit becomes a shining light of its Savior Jesus. He exalts the community on His hill of hope so all might see, believe, and be saved. Jesus says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). So we solemnly ask, “Have I claimed my city for Christ? Am I part of His movement?”
Whom can I invite to passionately pray with me over our city’s movement toward God?
Related Readings
Genesis 41:38-42; Isaiah 16:5; Acts 13:44; 16:13-15
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 19, 2023 7:05:21 GMT -8
Refreshers Are Refreshed
A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
What does it mean to be refreshed? It is to be revived, enlivened, invigorated, rejuvenated, energized, restored, recharged, or revitalized. A meager cup of lukewarm coffee comes alive with taste and satisfaction when mixed with freshly brewed beans. A lukewarm life is warmed and encouraged when refreshed with words of encouragement and acts of kindness. Everyone we meet can be a candidate for refreshment.
Our faith cools down when Christ seems silent and circumstances continue to crumble, but a sincere prayer from a righteous friend restores and warms our confidence. Our hope feels deferred in the face of disappointment and rejection, but we are energized by the acceptance and love of a community of believers in Jesus. Hope loves company. Seek refreshment from your Savior and His followers. Be refreshed so you can refresh others.
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint (Jeremiah 31:25).
When your parched soul has been watered by dew from heaven, you can lead others to the Lord’s watering hole. People feel robbed by insensitive institutions and greedy governments, but we can reconnect them to their generous God. Jesus gives us an abundant life to share with others who lack abundance. “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).
Your refreshment reciprocates refreshment. When you refresh another financially, you are refreshed by faith and fulfillment. When you refresh another emotionally, you are refreshed by peace and contentment. When you refresh another spiritually, you are refreshed by the grace and love of God. Are you in need of refreshment? If so, receive Christ’s full cup of joy. Drink often with the Lord so you can generously refresh friends.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him (Psalm 34:8).
How can I keep refreshed so I in turn can refresh others?
Related Readings
Ruth 2:14; Psalm 41:1; Matthew 25:34-35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 20, 2023 4:14:15 GMT -8
A Noble Wife
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
Proverbs 12:4
Why are certain wives attractive and others unattractive? Why do you enjoy the company of some but avoid the company of others? A wife of noble character is attractive because she aspires to obey Almighty God. She is a joy to be around because she enjoys being in the presence of the Lord. Her first allegiance is to her Savior Jesus Christ, exhibited by her regal appearance and respectful responses. God has first place in her heart.
Her husband takes pride in her because she can be trusted in all household matters and financial management. By faith she follows her husband’s leadership. She entrusts him to God, to whom he is accountable. A wife of noble character knows how to prayerfully ask challenging questions of her husband without usurping his leadership. She is strong and gracious, bold and beautiful, firm and friendly, faithful and loving.
And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character (Ruth 3:11).
She loves her children when they are unlovely and disciplines them when they behave badly. They know their mom cares even when she gets carried away in her correction. A wife of noble character is a model of motherhood for her daughters and an example of the kind of woman her sons should marry. She wisely honors her husband in front of the children, especially when she and her husband disagree. Her character is a compass for the actions of her kids.
A wife of noble character is not afraid to mentor and encourage other wives—not with a superior spirit, but with an attitude of meekness and brokenness. She quickly admits to her past mistakes, thereby saving some young women from repeating her own hurt and heartache. She remains a student even while she endeavors to teach and train. She conveys wisdom with her humble and gracious words.
A noble wife is a blessing to her husband. “She is worth far more than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10).
How can I enjoy my husband and children even more and always see them as blessings from God?
Related Readings
Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 11:7-11; 1 Timothy 5:1-2
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 21, 2023 5:45:26 GMT -8
Unpretentious Living
Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food.
Proverbs 12:9
Unpretentious living opens the door to down-to-earth interactions with others. Rest and relaxation attend to those who are true to themselves without acting like someone they are not. However, people who depend on pretentious speech and behavior have to exert extra energy to keep up the act. For them, contentment is illusive and intimacy is an illusion. I become the most stressful when I feel as if I have to live up to something or be someone I am not.
When you are real, not fake, your friends feel the freedom to be the same. You energize others rather than draining energy out of them. I have to be honest and ask often, “Am I being myself, or is the way I dress, the way I talk, what I drive, or where I live motivated by a need to be somebody I am not?” Pretense is a result of pride, but humility is the fruit of unpretentious living. Humility comes from Christ as He lives His life in and through you.
Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).
Jesus is clear: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:11 NASB). In Christ you are somebody. High or low net worth, small or large home, new or used car, prestigious university or common college, in Him you are somebody. You are somebody to your Savior Jesus.
Your simple faith and modesty make room for the Lord to take center stage in your life. Humility positions you to point people to heaven. Therefore, keep your life unencumbered so people can see your Savior shine. Ask yourself, “Whom am I trying to impress, people I really do not know or the Lover of my soul, Jesus?”
Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:12).
How can I be more authentic and open with my spouse, children, and coworkers?
Related Readings
1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 13:7; Romans 2:28; 1 Peter 3:3-4
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 22, 2023 7:33:12 GMT -8
Routine Work
Those who work the land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
Proverbs 12:11
Routine work may not be sexy, but it is necessary if we are to meet our own needs and the needs of those who depend on us. The same work, day in and day out, can seem simple and boring, but it is a test of our faithfulness. Will I continue to faithfully carry out uncomplicated responsibilities, even when my attention span is suffering? If so, this is God’s path to blessing.
Steady plodding brings prosperity (Proverbs 21:5 TLB).
If we eschew routine work, we’re more likely to chase after phantom deals that are figments of our imagination. Be careful not to be led astray by fantasies that lead nowhere. No gimmick or conniving circumstance can replace hard work. Wisdom stops chasing after the next scheme and sticks instead to the certainty of available work. What does your spouse say is the smart thing to do? Give your spouse all the facts and then listen.
Working is easy when everything is going well and there is no threat of job loss or likelihood of increased responsibility with less pay. However, during uncertain times, Christ followers can step up and set the example. Your hope and hard work provide a testimony of trust in the Lord. Stay engaged—execute your tasks with excellence, and you will inspire others in their labor of love.
See your routine work as your worship of the Lord. He is blessing your faithfulness to follow through with the smallest of details. Are you content to serve Christ in your current career? Work is your way to show the world your Savior. Excellence in what you do attracts attention to what Almighty God can do. He is your audience of one in your routine work.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24).
Lord, in what ways can I reflect You in my everyday responsibilities at work?
Related Readings
Genesis 2:15; 1 Kings 19:19; Romans 12:11; 1 Timothy 4:11-12
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 23, 2023 10:56:56 GMT -8
Righteous Light
The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
Proverbs 13:9
Righteousness shines the brightest when the days are darkest. We are called and compelled as Christians to glow for God during gloomy times. Are you caught up in our culture’s chaos, or do you see a chance to burn brightly for Jesus? Hard times can harden our hearts or humble them, but broken hearts burn the brightest.
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Light left unattended extinguishes, but light exposed to the air of Almighty God’s love continues to illuminate. Difficult days require you to depend on the Lord, and as a result, others can tell that your acts of service are energized by your faith. If you panic instead of praying, you will miss out on opportunities to love others.
We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing (2 Thessalonians 1:3).
I often ask, “In my uncertainty, am I so worried about my stuff that I miss the window of opportunity to serve others?” Shining the light may mean inviting someone to live in my home for a season, paying mortgage payments for a few months for a friend, volunteering at a local shelter, or increasing my gifts to the church. Righteous light shines the brightest when fueled by love.
Christ in us invites others to know Him. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). Consider inviting some neighbors over for a six-week Bible study on money or marriage and watch what God does.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky (Philippians 2:14-15).
Who around me is suffering dark circumstances? How can I bring the light of Christ’s love to them?
Related Readings
Job 18:5-6; Isaiah 50:10-11; Luke 11:36; Revelation 21:23
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 24, 2023 5:02:00 GMT -8
Dollar Cost Averaging
Dishonest money dwindles away, but he who gathers money little by little makes it grow.
Proverbs 13:11
Is there a method to your money management? Do you have a process in place to steadily save over time? If not, it is never too late to set up a system for saving. Some of us struggle with this because we bet on big returns, only to suffer loss. Steadily saving may not be as exciting as riskier investing, but it’s much more secure. Finances can be a source of anxiety or an opportunity to demonstrate our faithfulness.
Get-rich-quick schemes only feed greed. In God’s economy, those who diligently deposit smaller amounts in secure places reap rewards. Wise stewards give the first 10 percent of their income as a tithe to the heavenly Father, and they invest the second 10 percent in the future. Money obtained by vanity is spent on vanity, but money gained by hard work and honesty is retained for growth.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to those he loves (Psalm 127:1-2).
It takes discipline not to spend all our earnings. The advertising industry exploits our emotions. Culture entices us to spend not only all we have but even more than we have, so be on guard with a simple system for saving. For example, set up an automatic draft from each paycheck that goes straight into a savings account. Preserve this cash, and one day your financial fruit tree will become an orchard.
Look to the Lord as your provider, and remember that you are a steward of His stuff. Wise management of your Master’s money includes saving. God wants your financial security to grow so you are free to give more and serve others. So we ask ourselves, “Am I frivolously spending just for today, or am I disciplined each day to deposit a dollar toward tomorrow?”
The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).
Lord, how would You have me manage Your money today and prepare for tomorrow?
Related Readings
Psalm 128:2; Jeremiah 17:11; Ephesians 4:28; James 5:1-5
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 25, 2023 6:20:08 GMT -8
Love Disciplines
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
Proverbs 13:24
Love carefully disciplines, but apathy silently ignores. Love looks for ways to instruct and improve, while busyness has no time for a tender touch of truth. Do you take the time to discipline your children? Do your kids know your rebuke as well as your encouragement? Because we love them, we correct their attitudes and challenge them to better behavior. Rules restrain them from reacting foolishly or in the flesh.
How can our children learn to make wise decisions if we do not discipline them to love and obey God? Like warm lumps of clay in the hands of a skilled artist, our children are moldable, and their character is pliable in Christ’s hands. We seek consistency in our own character so we have the moral authority and respect to lead them. Your children’s first impression of the Lord comes from their father and mother, so be an authority who reveals His love.
The living, the living—they praise you,
as I am doing today;
parents tell their children
about your faithfulness (Isaiah 38:19).
The branch of a tree is easily bent when it is tender, so when children are young, start training them to yield to Christ’s lordship. “Start children off in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Foolishness rejects faith and the prayerful punishment of loving parents. “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away” (Proverbs 22:15). Discipline leads to freedom.
Your consistent concern for growth in your children’s character invites their respect. “We have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it” (Hebrews 12:9). Loving parents honestly inquire, “How do I respond to the Lord’s discipline?” As my heavenly Father disciplines me and I grow as a result, I become an earthly father worth following.
For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights (Proverbs 3:12 NASB).
What area of my child’s growth requires me to be more consistent in discipline?
Related Readings
Proverbs 23:13-14; 29:15-17; Hebrews 12:6-8; Ephesians 6:4
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 26, 2023 5:11:35 GMT -8
The Empty Nest
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.
Proverbs 14:4
Are you an empty nester? If you are, how does that make you feel? Mad, sad, glad, lonely, without purpose, free…all these emotions are common. You have raised your children well, and now they are on their own. You are proud of them, but you miss them. They call from college (especially daughters), but it is not the same. Exporting your babies into adulthood is not easy, but this is their time to walk by faith and know God for themselves.
We raise them the best we know how—with love, discipline, and belief in Jesus Christ. Sometimes they frustrate us by not cleaning their room. Like an animal in a barn, they can be messy and smelly. Some days you want a little peace and quiet because they are angry and loud and fighting with their siblings. But the empty nest is quiet. The kids are nowhere to be found, so enjoy them while you can.
Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
You send them off to grow up and gain a heart of gratitude. By God’s grace they will visit with a new sense of appreciation and maturity. A little distance can help your friendship with your adult child to grow. The space doesn’t necessarily mean you will be taken for granted. It’s harder to keep up and communicate, but in some ways it’s more gratifying. You prepared them to leave your home and eventually cleave to the one the Lord has for them in marriage. Our empty nest is a test of our trust in God’s plan.
Engage with your spouse in your empty nest. Do you feel as if you have drifted apart over the years? If so, intentionally rebuild intimacy with your best friend. Make these days of marriage your best—believe the Lord has given your lover to you so you can grow old together. Anticipate the gift of grandkids, as they will keep you busy and lively. The empty nest is a season to enjoy the fruit of your family.
A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children (Proverbs 13:22).
Lord, how can I best use the season of life I am in for Your kingdom purposes?
Related Readings
Genesis 7:1; Proverbs 31:15; Matthew 19:5; Acts 10:2
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 27, 2023 5:12:20 GMT -8
Self-Deception
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Proverbs 14:12
Self-deception is the worst kind of dishonesty because it is so convincing. Subtly it entices our mind and emotions to build on a lie. For example, self-deception whispers into the ear of our heart, “You are so smart and capable,” but it forgets all about Christ’s influence. Then we wander down a prayerless path, blazed in our own strength, only to discover we missed God’s best by a mile.
In reality, we are only as prosperous as our Lord allows us to be. He makes our path straight and successful—according to His definition of success. “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths” (Proverbs 4:11). Which voice do you follow—your own or your Savior’s? Perhaps His plan is for you to make less money and have more family time. Maybe He would have you turn down this promotion and trust Him for a better one in a different season.
The pride of your heart has deceived you (Obadiah 3).
We can talk ourselves into anything, especially as it relates to money. I can easily justify a new house, car, kitchen, set of furniture, floor covering, or grill. But do I really need to upgrade, or would I better off to simply repair what I have? How can the Lord trust me with something newer if I have not been a good steward of what He has already given me? Trustworthy people can be trusted with more, but selfish or corrupt people miss out on opportunities. Manage your present possessions well.
Self-deceivers are self-destroyers, so avoid self-delusion by being accountable. Give others permission to ask you uncomfortable questions, even hard ones. Better to be embarrassed in private now than to be humiliated in public later. Humility invites loving friends to inspect our lives. You do much better when others provide loving accountability.
The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,
a puzzle that no one can figure out.
But I, GOD, search the heart
and examine the mind.
I get to the heart of the human.
I get to the root of things.
I treat them as they really are,
not as they pretend to be (Jeremiah 17:9 MSG).
Am I transparent with my money and motives? What do God and my godly advisors think?
Related Readings
Psalm 1:6; Isaiah 59:8; Matthew 7:13-14; Galatians 6:3
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by civic on Apr 27, 2023 5:28:35 GMT -8
A Noble Wife A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Proverbs 12:4Why are certain wives attractive and others unattractive? Why do you enjoy the company of some but avoid the company of others? A wife of noble character is attractive because she aspires to obey Almighty God. She is a joy to be around because she enjoys being in the presence of the Lord. Her first allegiance is to her Savior Jesus Christ, exhibited by her regal appearance and respectful responses. God has first place in her heart. Her husband takes pride in her because she can be trusted in all household matters and financial management. By faith she follows her husband’s leadership. She entrusts him to God, to whom he is accountable. A wife of noble character knows how to prayerfully ask challenging questions of her husband without usurping his leadership. She is strong and gracious, bold and beautiful, firm and friendly, faithful and loving. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character (Ruth 3:11).She loves her children when they are unlovely and disciplines them when they behave badly. They know their mom cares even when she gets carried away in her correction. A wife of noble character is a model of motherhood for her daughters and an example of the kind of woman her sons should marry. She wisely honors her husband in front of the children, especially when she and her husband disagree. Her character is a compass for the actions of her kids. A wife of noble character is not afraid to mentor and encourage other wives—not with a superior spirit, but with an attitude of meekness and brokenness. She quickly admits to her past mistakes, thereby saving some young women from repeating her own hurt and heartache. She remains a student even while she endeavors to teach and train. She conveys wisdom with her humble and gracious words. A noble wife is a blessing to her husband. “She is worth far more than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). How can I enjoy my husband and children even more and always see them as blessings from God? Related Readings Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 11:7-11; 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional I have been blessed with an amazing wife. We have been together since 1976. |
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 27, 2023 5:59:32 GMT -8
A Noble Wife A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Proverbs 12:4Why are certain wives attractive and others unattractive? Why do you enjoy the company of some but avoid the company of others? A wife of noble character is attractive because she aspires to obey Almighty God. She is a joy to be around because she enjoys being in the presence of the Lord. Her first allegiance is to her Savior Jesus Christ, exhibited by her regal appearance and respectful responses. God has first place in her heart. Her husband takes pride in her because she can be trusted in all household matters and financial management. By faith she follows her husband’s leadership. She entrusts him to God, to whom he is accountable. A wife of noble character knows how to prayerfully ask challenging questions of her husband without usurping his leadership. She is strong and gracious, bold and beautiful, firm and friendly, faithful and loving. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character (Ruth 3:11).She loves her children when they are unlovely and disciplines them when they behave badly. They know their mom cares even when she gets carried away in her correction. A wife of noble character is a model of motherhood for her daughters and an example of the kind of woman her sons should marry. She wisely honors her husband in front of the children, especially when she and her husband disagree. Her character is a compass for the actions of her kids. A wife of noble character is not afraid to mentor and encourage other wives—not with a superior spirit, but with an attitude of meekness and brokenness. She quickly admits to her past mistakes, thereby saving some young women from repeating her own hurt and heartache. She remains a student even while she endeavors to teach and train. She conveys wisdom with her humble and gracious words. A noble wife is a blessing to her husband. “She is worth far more than rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). How can I enjoy my husband and children even more and always see them as blessings from God? Related Readings Genesis 2:18-24; 1 Corinthians 11:7-11; 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional I have been blessed with an amazing wife. We have been together since 1976. Yes I know you do and you have been blessed by God in many ways. Probably in more ways than you could ever imagine. in '76 I was running around in Monterey and Santa Cruz. Flashback... I just remembered skateboarding down the mountains behind Santa Cruz. I'm blessed to still be alive. |
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 28, 2023 5:26:40 GMT -8
A Nation Exalted
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns many people.
Proverbs 14:34
What makes a nation great? Its goodness—that’s what God blesses. Righteousness is the platform the Lord uses to lift up a nation as an example for other nations to follow. However, like people, a nation can fall from God’s grace. His blessing is removed when a haughty country shows no remorse for sin and even sanctions it. A blessed nation will cease to be great when it forgets where it came from by jettisoning Jesus.
It is when a nation is hurting that it needs healing the most. The nation of Israel experienced this. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). Have we drifted as a nation to not needing God? Has our sin found us out? Are we reaping what we have sown?
In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted” (Isaiah 12:4).
People don’t sneak out of a blessed nation. They sneak in. People of the world flock to a country Christ has blessed. The best and the brightest are drawn to places where they can chase their dreams. Out of its goodness, a nation becomes a magnet for mankind. Righteousness reposes in the heart of a great nation, supporting virtue and suppressing vice.
A crippled country can make a comeback, but not without consequences. It starts with individuals repenting and taking responsibility for their actions. “How can I come clean with Christ?” “Have I been financially irresponsible?” “Has greed governed my giving?” “Has fear frozen my faith?” “Have comfort and ease become my idols?” The Lord exalts a nation that stays on its knees in dependence and awe of Almighty God.
He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised (Deuteronomy 26:19).
God, what do I need to do in order for You to trust our nation again with greatness?
Related Readings
Proverbs 11:11; Jeremiah 22:2-25; Matthew 12:21; Romans 16:25-27
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the BibleTM through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Apr 29, 2023 3:53:46 GMT -8
A Measured Response
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
A knee-jerk reaction is a quick, unthinking, highly emotional re-response. People react in anger when they feel insulted. They withdraw when they feel left out. They react with gossip when they feel mistreated. They react defensively when they feel criticized. Reacting is easy because it doesn’t require thought or consideration of boundaries. Hasty reactions are rarely helpful, so they often lead to regret. The flesh reacts, but the Spirit leads us to make measured responses.
To make a measured response, we must quiet our impulses and take time to cool down, think, and process the issue in prayer. When we receive an email that offends our pride or hurts our feelings, we refrain from firing back an immediate defense. We remind ourselves that email is helpful for transmitting information but not for communicating emotions.
When a friend or family member makes a disrespectful remark about us at a social gathering, we wait a few days before we talk with them so we can respond with logic, not emotion. We discuss with them how to keep our relationship whole, not fractured.
By long forbearance and calmness of spirit a judge or ruler is persuaded, and soft speech breaks down the most bonelike resistance (Proverbs 25:15 AMP).
When your blood pressure rises, pause and ask Christ to guard your heart with His peace. When your mind goes to a worst-case scenario, ask the Lord to renew your thinking so you can see the bigger picture of what He is doing behind the scenes. When your throat dries and your lips are parched, let the Holy Spirit flow from you with gracious words. When the hairs stand up on your arm, remember your heavenly Father knows the number of hairs on your head, so He can handle this event or person. Another’s arrogance is agitating, but your humble response invites a calm conversation. Respond in love.
Jesus modeled a loving response in place of an angry reaction (John 7:20-24). He was accused of being demon possessed, but instead of insulting their ignorance, He appealed to their intellect by invoking their knowledge of Moses. And He went on to logically explain why it’s okay to heal a broken body on the Sabbath. Indeed, Christ in us gives us a calm spirit to respond rationally and with respect. Our Spirit-led response will bear spiritual fruit. The Lord will use our soft answers to soften hearts that need the Savior. We pray they will respond to Jesus in saving faith.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29).
Heavenly Father, give me pause to respond with respect and love, not in hasty judgment.
Related Readings
Ecclesiastes 10:4; Matthew 12:36; Ephesians 5:4; Colossians 3:8
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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