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Post by Unmerited on May 30, 2023 5:09:01 GMT -8
The Refining Process
Remove the dross from the silver, and a silversmith can produce a vessel.
Proverbs 25:4
We are all in a refining process. The Bible calls this sanctification. Our most difficult days are meant to make us more like Jesus. God does not waste pain. Rather, He uses it for our purification. “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver” (Psalm 66:10). Enduring the refining process is not easy, but it is essential if we are to cultivate an eternal perspective. We need the fires of suffering to extract the dross hidden in our fleshly habits.
Dross is anything that is dirty and of little or no value. It is waste or impure matter, the scum that rises to the surface of molten metal. The pressure you may feel in your life is pushing impurities to the surface of your soul. This allows God’s Spirit to skim off the sin so you are free and clean in Christ. Don’t resist the righteous refining process. It is the Lord’s way to make you holy for Him. Refinement is a requisite for righteousness.
Even the wise and most capable for Christ are subject to the Almighty’s refining fires. “Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time” (Daniel 11:35). The affliction you endure will refine your leadership skills so you can lead your team to the next level. Your example of faithfulness under fire will inspire your followers.
Your refinement is an expression of the Lord’s love. He loves you too much to allow you to be held back by immature attitudes and impure motives. Because He cares, He continues to remove layers of hurt that need healing and sin that needs forgiving. Submit to His sanctifying process, and your purification will propel you forward in His perfect will.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 NKJV).
Am I surrendered to my Savior’s process of refinement? Do I daily confess my sin and receive His cleansing power for my soul?
Related Readings
Isaiah 48:10; Daniel 12:10; 2 Timothy 2:20-21; 1 Peter 1:7
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on May 31, 2023 4:30:10 GMT -8
A Cooldown Period
What you have seen with your eyes do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
Proverbs 25:7-8
Be careful not to react too quickly. Words spoken in the heat of hurt or the rage of anger can come back to haunt you, especially if your rash actions lead to a lawsuit. If you commit to legal action without weighing the emotional and financial cost, you may very well regret you went down this long and lonely road, even if you win. Consider the expense before you pursue legal action. Cool down and then decide.
Perhaps you need a break to reflect on your options and seek godly counsel. A striving soul only becomes more entangled in emotional upheaval. You need to unwind your vexed will and receive solace from your Savior Jesus. This was David’s approach under pressure. “I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:4). Cool down so you can see Christ’s faithfulness.
There are ways to settle disputes in private. You may need a mediator to manage the communication with your antagonist. If both parties have overdrawn their relational equity, they both feel they deserve a debt of compliance. Communication takes place best when it is calm and quiet. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Model the way by managing your emotions.
So go away with Christ and cool down before you act. Make reconciliation your goal, not revenge. Remember that you are a minister of reconciliation. Once you cool down, ask what Christ would have you do. A cool head leads to a warm heart. There is no shame in seeking to make things right and reconnecting in Christ.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Have I been wishing for revenge in any situation? What steps can I take to make amends and facilitate reconciliation—even where I am innocent?
Related Readings
Judges 11:12; Proverbs 20:3; Luke 14:31-32; 1 Corinthians 6:1
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 1, 2023 4:22:31 GMT -8
Refreshing Relationships
Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master. Proverbs 25:13
Some people energize and encourage everyone they meet. Their servant spirit empowers the people in their path. Because they are trustworthy, no one doubts that they will do what they say in a timely and thorough manner. These refreshing people use encouragement to make sad spirits rise in hope and anticipation. Make sure you honor those who refresh you. Give them your gratitude and pray for them to continue.
They refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition (1 Corinthians 16:18).
Where do they get this ability to refresh others? How are they able to not exhaust its reserves? The Lord refreshes refreshing people. “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed” (Exodus 23:12). If work is your life, you have nothing left over to give. Learn to let the Lord regularly refresh your exhausted emotions.
Do you have a regular routine of receiving refreshment from heaven? You might walk during your lunch break, listen to soothing music in the evening, or read your Bible in the morning. Hike a mountain or swim in the sea…somehow, engage in the beauty of God’s creation, and you will be refreshed. Christ’s refreshment is waiting for those who are weary and worn out. “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint” (Jeremiah 31:25). Like a refreshing cold drink on a blistering hot day, the Lord’s love quenches thirsty hearts.
You feel the most spiritual after the Lord has refreshed your mind, body, soul, and spirit. Therefore, make sure that you are refreshed so you can refresh others. The Christian community is called to refresh those in the wake of its influence. Refreshment is reciprocal, so receive it freely and give it freely for Christ’s sake.
In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you (2 Corinthians 7:14).
Whom can I refresh with a kind word or comforting Scripture? Whom do I know whose shriveled soul needs an infusion of hope and love?
Related Readings
Genesis 18:5; Proverbs 11:25; Romans 15:31-33; Philemon 1:20
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 2, 2023 7:19:44 GMT -8
Diligence, Not Excuses
A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
Proverbs 26:13
Excuses are the language of the lazy. Instead of taking responsibility, they assign blame. The project hasn’t been completed because of what someone else hasn’t done. The weather disrupted a deadline, a vendor delayed, an illness struck a team member, traffic made me late, we need more resources, “they” changed their mind, the company doesn’t communicate, I am overwhelmed and I need more time…Where diligence is not in play, any excuse will do. In Solomon’s day, would-be workers feared wild animals. Today we are more likely to fear our own failure.
We overcome our excuses by diligently focusing on our priorities.
Diligence is encouraged by what can be done, not discouraged by what can’t be done. Instead of procrastinating, the diligent are proactive. They are motivated by potential outcomes that will make them and those around them better. For example, diligent people don’t talk about reading a book one day. They set up a simple process of reading (or listening to) a chapter a day. After 30 days, they have completed a 30-chapter book or two books with 15 chapters. The motto of the diligent is, “No excuses, only ways to move forward.” Let resourcefulness brighten your horizons.
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest (Proverbs 6:6-8).
Like the teeny, tiny, insignificant ant, we learn to prepare. We don’t wait until a week before company comes to visit our home before we plan for their comfort. We ask ourselves what needs to be done—closets de-cluttered, bathrooms cleaned, menus made, and groceries bought. Not surprisingly, the blessing of hosting guests motivates us to do what we’ve discussed doing for months. The diligent look for reasons to do what’s important.
Most importantly, we are diligent to grow our faith in God. No excuses, only creative ways to facilitate more of Christ in our character. We plan for intimate encounters with Jesus. We calendar solitude to quiet our soul so we can hear the Lord. An innovative mind comes alive when it’s fed a steady diet of margin. Our diligence to become loving disciples of Jesus Christ benefits our whole being. So we seek our Savior, and He meets us on His terms. In humility we receive His grace for living. Diligence finds rest from self-reliance by trusting Jesus.
Diligently obey the LORD your God (Zechariah 6:15).
Heavenly Father, keep me diligently focused on Your priorities and deliver me from making excuses—especially lame ones.
Related Readings
Proverbs 10:4; 12:24-27; Ecclesiastes 11:4; Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:15
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 3, 2023 9:00:40 GMT -8
Diligence, Not Excuses
A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”
Proverbs 26:13
Excuses are the language of the lazy. Instead of taking responsibility, they assign blame. The project hasn’t been completed because of what someone else hasn’t done. The weather disrupted a deadline, a vendor delayed, an illness struck a team member, traffic made me late, we need more resources, “they” changed their mind, the company doesn’t communicate, I am overwhelmed and I need more time…Where diligence is not in play, any excuse will do. In Solomon’s day, would-be workers feared wild animals. Today we are more likely to fear our own failure.
We overcome our excuses by diligently focusing on our priorities.
Diligence is encouraged by what can be done, not discouraged by what can’t be done. Instead of procrastinating, the diligent are proactive. They are motivated by potential outcomes that will make them and those around them better. For example, diligent people don’t talk about reading a book one day. They set up a simple process of reading (or listening to) a chapter a day. After 30 days, they have completed a 30-chapter book or two books with 15 chapters. The motto of the diligent is, “No excuses, only ways to move forward.” Let resourcefulness brighten your horizons.
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest (Proverbs 6:6-8).
Like the teeny, tiny, insignificant ant, we learn to prepare. We don’t wait until a week before company comes to visit our home before we plan for their comfort. We ask ourselves what needs to be done—closets de-cluttered, bathrooms cleaned, menus made, and groceries bought. Not surprisingly, the blessing of hosting guests motivates us to do what we’ve discussed doing for months. The diligent look for reasons to do what’s important.
Most importantly, we are diligent to grow our faith in God. No excuses, only creative ways to facilitate more of Christ in our character. We plan for intimate encounters with Jesus. We calendar solitude to quiet our soul so we can hear the Lord. An innovative mind comes alive when it’s fed a steady diet of margin. Our diligence to become loving disciples of Jesus Christ benefits our whole being. So we seek our Savior, and He meets us on His terms. In humility we receive His grace for living. Diligence finds rest from self-reliance by trusting Jesus.
Diligently obey the LORD your God (Zechariah 6:15).
Heavenly Father, keep me diligently focused on Your priorities and deliver me from making excuses—especially lame ones.
Related Readings
Proverbs 10:4; 12:24-27; Ecclesiastes 11:4; Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:15
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 4, 2023 4:15:14 GMT -8
Discretion, Not Gossip
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
Proverbs 26:20
Gossip is the go-to behavior for those who want to get back at someone. Maybe they were hurt and this is their passive way to inflict pain. Or, motivated by insecurity, they feel the need to build themselves up by putting others down. This idle talk or rumor only exposes the immature heart of the instigator. Misinformation by the misinformed leads to confusion at the least and clouds character at the worse.
Thus, by God’s grace we refrain from fueling the fires of gossip. A discreet heart pauses before it is tempted to tickle people’s ears. It maintains a noble commitment to facilitate conversation around ideas, not default to lazy discussions that demean people. Discretion protects our souls from embarrassing entanglements that later prove to be lies or half-truths. For example, we may talk about someone’s long lunches at work, not knowing they visit their elderly parent in a nursing home. Discretion is a diligent fact finder and is slow to find fault.
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you Proverbs 2:11
How can we practice discretion when other people begin to gossip? First of all, we recognize gossip as a deterrent to a healthy culture at home and work. It creates factions, contributes to mistrust and disloyalty, and erodes productivity. When we politely dismiss discussions based on hearsay, we imply to the gossiper, “You do not have control over me or the person you are dishonoring.” Instead of keeping quiet we say in love, “I’m surprised—I’ve always known her to be a hard worker.”
Above all else, we seek our heavenly Father for wisdom and discretion. Discretion is embedded in a heart of wisdom. Without discretion we are not wise, but foolish. Yes, a commitment not to offend others and to respect their privacy is the fruit of wisdom and grace. We become trusted confidants when our trust is in Christ. Gossip is an unused, unintelligible, foreign language to a faithful follower of Jesus. Our discretion provides a safe environment for needy souls.
I wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.
To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech Proverbs 8:12-13
Heavenly Father, give me a discreet heart that honors You and others.
Related Readings
1 Chronicles 22:12; Proverbs 11:12-13; 16:28; Romans 1:28-32; 2 Thessalonians 3:11
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 5, 2023 4:19:26 GMT -8
Deception Self-Destructs
Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.
Proverbs 26:27
Deception is the preferred behavior of those who delight in presenting a false persona. They have an unhealthy determination to outdo others, impress the crowd, and draw attention to their alleged accomplishments. Their words are charming to your face, but behind your back their conversations are caustic. Insecure people are compelled to seek security in deceptive behavior. They are masters at presenting a mirage.
Devising sly schemes requires a breathtaking amount of energy. When a man or woman’s heart is changed by Christ, that same amount of effort can be exerted toward eternal matters. Jesus jump-starts a soul on the journey out of self-deception and into faith. Otherwise, deceivers’ destiny may be like Haman’s, who hung on the gallows of his own making. “So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided” (Esther 7:10). Deception can be deadly.
So how do you handle people who are intent on conniving and deceiving? Maybe a bully is using her position to promote herself to the demise of her team members. Perhaps an adult child maliciously seeks to cut his siblings out of their parents’ will. Or maybe your business partner, whom you thought walked in integrity, was caught stealing.
First, make sure you are free from any of your own self-imposed deception. Come clean with Christ and others.
Second, Christlike confrontation is necessary to expose a deceiver’s agenda. Go to them with gentleness and humility with the goal of restoration. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). If there is still no remorse, deception carries a consequence of its own.
Am I aware of my own devious tendencies? Have I repented of my own failures? Am I willing to confront someone else whose behavior is deceptive and destructive?
Related Readings
Psalms 7:15-16; 9:15-16; 2 Corinthians 4:2; Galatians 6:7
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 6, 2023 4:33:17 GMT -8
Focus on Today
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
Proverbs 27:1
Today is the only time we have for certain, so we ask, “What can I do today to further God’s plan for my life, both professionally and personally?” Consider praying a similar prayer each day to recalibrate your understanding of what Christ wants for you. This is how Jesus taught us to pray: “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread’” (Luke 11:2-3). Daily bread is God’s reminder of our desperate need for Him.
If we only dream about tomorrow, today’s responsibilities lose their attraction, and we can become irresponsible. Future ambition must not undermine our attention to current commitments. Today you can trust the Lord. You can love family and friends. Today you can serve a stranger, meet a deadline at work, babysit for a neighbor, go to the doctor, or plan your next special time with your spouse. Focus on today, and you’ll find fulfillment. Obsess about tomorrow, and you’ll become sick with discontentment.
Presuming on tomorrow can put us into a predicament. This is why debt is deceptive and dangerous. Aggressive borrowing can bring down our financial house. We cannot expect to expand our business on the uncertainty of credit. We cannot promise ourselves ease of life and entitlement to affluence. Christ is our provider. “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that” (James 4:15). Faith is our filter for future opportunities.
God’s activity is not easily discerned. By design He invites dependence. Therefore focus on today by faith and feel the assurance of His activity on your behalf.
Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things (Ecclesiastes 11:5 NASB).
What current commitment needs my undivided attention? Do I need to replace any future presumptions with present prayer and planning?
Related Readings
Ecclesiastes 3:22; Isaiah 56:12; Matthew 6:34; James 4:13-15
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 7, 2023 7:44:03 GMT -8
Faithful Friendship
Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family.
Proverbs 27:9-10
A faithful friendship is a relational fortress that protects you from hurt feelings and misunderstandings. When you decide beforehand to forgive and forget, there is no room for lingering resentment. Faithful friendship rises above petty arguments and selfish actions. True friends determine to push through relational obstacles peacefully through prayer and patience. As Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD” (1 Samuel 20:42).
Christian friendships are based on the character of Christ. Each person attempts to out-serve the other because Jesus prioritized serving others. Best friends forever look for ways to love without fanfare, and they get more excited about giving than receiving. They celebrate this transaction of double blessing. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than receive” (Acts 20:35). Faithful friends bring joy to each other’s heart.
It is good to have friends close by. You enjoy their company because it provides a safe and secure place for you to be yourself. You can laugh heartily and cry unashamedly. Do you have a close confidant who gives you earnest counsel? Do you have a trusted advisor full of wisdom and discernment? Look to friends of the family who have a track record of faithfulness and wise advice. You honor your parents when you honor their friends.
Faithful friendships are a reflection of your relationship with the Lord. They are permanent and full of grace and truth.
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).
Is there a faithful friendship I need to rekindle by reaching out with a phone call or visit? Whom do I need to thank for their faithful friendship all these years?
Related Readings
Ezra 10:2-5; Song of Songs 4:10; Acts 28:15; 2 Corinthians 2:15-16
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 8, 2023 4:54:09 GMT -8
The Test of Praise
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but people are tested by their praise.
Proverbs 27:21
The test of praise reveals whether our motives are pure. Why do I do what I do? If it is for the praise of men, then I have misdirected motives. My faith has faltered because I am more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing my Master Jesus. “How can you believe since you accept glory from one another but do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44). Praise from God builds belief and activates obedience.
Jesus did not receive man’s praise. “I do not accept glory from human beings” (verse 41). He knew the danger of being enamored by earthly accolades instead of humbled by heaven’s honor. When the Lord leads you into a mission that the masses don’t understand, don’t be swayed. Stay the course with Christ because all that really matters are the words He will one day say to you—“Well done.” Listen for the applause of heaven and let it drown out any ovations on earth.
The test of praise makes you more thankful and less critical, more respectful and less condescending, more patient and less demanding, and more diligent to learn and less inclined to grow lazy. When praise and glory come your way, make sure you reflect it toward your heavenly Father. Proud Herod forgot this. “Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died” (Acts 12:23). Anything praiseworthy in life comes to us as a result of God’s blessings.
So when sincere saints offer you compliments, quietly give them up to Christ. A courteous thank you and a private prayer of thanksgiving to God go a long way to passing the test of praise. Before long, people will begin praising the Lord because of your service.
Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 9:13).
Do I let go of praise and leave it with the Lord? Do I praise God for His grace?
Related Readings
2 Chronicles 20:21; Psalm 56:4; John 12:43; 1 Thessalonians 2:6
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 9, 2023 4:34:33 GMT -8
Stand Your Ground
The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1
Boldness comes from being with Christ. He empowers the righteous to do the right things the right way. Your intimacy with the Almighty empowers you to engage the enemy and endure hardships. Indeed, the fruit of great challenge is great reward. So stand your ground for God and do not give in to fear and doubt. If you rely on yourself you will fail, but if you rely on the Lord you will succeed.
Self-reliance crumbles when circumstances become grim. People without God as their guide run away in fear, but the righteous take heart and hold on to heaven’s inheritance. They are bold and remain strong because they see their Savior Jesus as the initiator and completer of the cause. As you remain poised in prayer to God, take the time to share with others what you receive from Him. Develop your leaders and give others the resources they need to succeed.
Followers need a leader who is not caught up in self-preservation, but captivated by Christ. A bold leader is not preoccupied with an exit strategy. Rather, he or she is focused on processing problems with creative solutions. A culture of confidence takes root when everyone is committed to thriving in excellence and not just surviving in mediocrity. Fear senses the possibility of failure behind every challenge, but faith sees opportunity rise out of anguish.
Therefore, stand your ground with God. The enemy has no authority over you—especially your emotions. His is a phantom pursuit. Stay rooted in righteous acts with a hopeful attitude, and Almighty God will bless your efforts. You are bold when you have been with Jesus.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13).
Is my security in myself or in my Savior Jesus Christ?
Related Readings
2 Kings 7:6-7; Psalm 53:5; Acts 14:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:2
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 10, 2023 4:48:25 GMT -8
Discerning People Obey God
A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.
Proverbs 28:7
Discernment is the ability to see things as they are and determine what God expects. Discerning college students resist following the crowd into embarrassing situations. Discerning leaders understand the urgent need of a situation and call for action. Discerning nations comprehend the dire consequences of abandoning common sense and shutting out the Lord.
They are a nation without sense,
there is no discernment in them.
If only they were wise and would understand this
and discern what their end will be! (Deuteronomy 32:28-29).
We need discernment to protect us from ourselves and others. For example, your family may be weighing a financial decision. Your spouse is hesitant because of the risk, and you are confident of a best-case scenario. What is the downside of waiting and taking a more conservative approach to managing cash? The check in his or her spirit may be the Lord’s protection. Invite advice, and you will become wiser.
A rebuke impresses a discerning person
more than a hundred lashes a fool (Proverbs 17:10).
Remember, there are educated fools and self-educated sages. A wealthy person may be smart in the world and ignorant of the Lord, while a poor person may be ignorant by the world’s standards but perceptive in God’s ways. “The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are” (Proverbs 28:11). Do not discriminate against discerning voices from unlikely places. Strangers, enemies, and subordinates may all help you clarify the wise thing to do.
So seek to discern God’s way and obey. Your discernment may open doors of incredible influence, just as Joseph’s did. “Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you’” (Genesis 41:39). Discernment is a gift from God for God. It is a directive from the Spirit of God.
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).
Do I prayerfully discern God’s best and then obey?
Related Readings
Psalm 119:125; Hosea 14:9; Romans 12:16; Philippians 1:9-10
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 11, 2023 4:59:41 GMT -8
An Opportunity to Change
Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.
Proverbs 29:1
God gives us opportunities to change—not for change’s sake, but for Christ’s sake. The change that seems to challenge us the most is the conversion of wrong thinking into right thinking. Why is this so? What causes us at times to resist righteous and loving rebukes from friends and family? We first have to look at our hearts and make sure humility is at home and not pride. Stubborn pride flees in the face of a humble heart that listens.
It’s tempting to just amend our current dysfunctional actions and ignore the need for an internal transformation of thinking. However, a mind captured by Christ invites others to challenge its categories. “We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Those who have been touched deeply by the grace of God gain a humble and teachable spirit. Openness to instruction is an opportunity for growth.
Rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge (Proverbs 19:25).
When things don’t go your way, look for a better way. Perhaps by letting go of short-term control, you will gain much more long-term influence. But if you buck the process of accountability, you could suffer the loss of valuable relationships and your respected reputation in the community. There is no righteous remedy for those stuck in an obstinate attitude, unwilling to listen to authority’s voice. Destruction awaits determined dysfunctional behavior, bringing a sad conclusion to what may have been a sincere start.
Fortunately, grace gives multiple opportunities to listen to the voice of reason. We can invite change at any moment and learn how to be loved by receiving caring correction and wise rebukes.
Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings (Proverbs 1:23).
What areas of my life need to change? Do I wisely receive loving rebukes from the Lord and from loved ones in my life?
Related Readings
Psalm 39:11; Proverbs 9:8; Luke 17:3; 1 Timothy 5:1
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 12, 2023 4:57:59 GMT -8
Compelling Vision
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Proverbs 29:18
How God-sized is your vision? Is it doomed to failure unless your heavenly Father comes through? Hard times can challenge your dreams and chip away at your passionate confidence that the Lord will deliver large results. But His vision brought you to this place, and His vision will propel you forward. Rise above any earthly excuses and, like Nehemiah, be bold to ask for provisions from unconventional sources. “It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time” (Nehemiah 2:6).
Our King of kings, Jesus Christ, is waiting to work through earthly authorities on our behalf. Our part is to prayerfully show up with a plan and ask unashamedly with a compelling vision. Don’t waste time wondering if it is the right time. Set a time and trust the Lord to come through beyond your expectations. Collaborate with Christ. Get counsel from godly advisors and then present your case by faith.
You have worked hard, overcome adversity, and sacrificed to see your dream come true. Big visions attract big people and big resources. Without a compelling vision, your resources and relationships will continue to dwindle, but with a compelling vision, they will flourish. A big vision of the Lord brings out the best in you and in others. Keep Christ the central focus of your faith and be faithful to His compelling call.
Ask yourself, “Do I confidently cast a compelling vision? Am I trusting the Lord for big things, or am I bound up by earthly expectations?” A compelling vision is your motivation to move forward by faith and see your heavenly Father work in ways you can’t imagine.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father…that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able…to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV).
Is my vision aligned with the Lord’s vision for my life and work?
Related Readings
Genesis 15:1; Daniel 1:17; Luke 19:41-42; Acts 9:10-13
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 13, 2023 5:01:03 GMT -8
Daily Bread
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Proverbs 30:8
Why is it necessary for the follower of Jesus Christ to focus his faith on daily bread? One compelling reason is that it defines our dependence on Him. It is the intuitive need to keep our soul empty of sin’s enticements (lies, laziness, and greed) and our body full of food (daily bread). Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Give us today our daily bread…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:11,13).
Can we really make it through life successfully without the Lord’s loving leadership, compassionate comfort, and wise rebuke? Of course not! A life untethered from holy reliance is aimless and interested only in fulfilling fleshy desires the world’s way. In contrast, men and women with an appetite for the Almighty “hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Matthew 5:5). They have an innate passion—born at regeneration—to engage every day with the Provider in a prayerful posture of dependence.
Your dispenser of daily bread is totally trustworthy and has a proven track record of giving to His children everything they need. Are you content with Christ’s daily provisions? Or do you still struggle with wanting to prescribe to Providence your wants and wishes? Peace comes when we receive His prescriptions for living and leave the unknowns in His hands. His part is to give daily bread, and our part is to gratefully receive it.
When you live in between affliction and riches, you are in an authentic position to serve others. Most people can relate to your life when you are transparent about your own struggles and fears as well as your successes. Leverage your dependence on the Lord as a model to lead others to love Him more than their own lives. Daily bread is an opportunity to engage others.
Your need for His daily bread deepens your faith and broadens your influence. Therefore, wake up each day grateful for God’s goodness and the glory of His provisions. His provision of daily bread deepens your dependence on Him.
I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread (Job 23:12).
Am I satisfied with the daily bread God provides? Do I feed off of faith in Jesus and faithful living?
Related Readings
Genesis 28:20; Psalm 119:29-37; Luke 11:3; 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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