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Post by Unmerited on Jun 14, 2023 6:53:41 GMT -8
The Question of Affluence
Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?”
Proverbs 30:9
How much is enough? Asking this question helps us to keep the love of money from dissolving our faith. The pursuit of cash, left unchecked, tends to leave the Lord out of our conversations. Unless we ask ourselves this wise question, we will eventually ask a foolish one—“Who is the Lord?” An unchecked desire for affluence will eventually weaken your devotion to Christ.
Jesus made this clear when He addressed those who loved riches. “‘You cannot serve both God and Money.’ The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus” (Luke 16:13-14). Focusing on our net worth can be a temptation for everyone—young and old, religious and secular, Westerners and Easterners…we all can become entangled by earthly riches. Honestly ask yourself, “Has Christ or cash captured the affections of my heart?”
Prosperity can make us proud and lead us to dismiss the Lord, or at least to seek Him only during difficult situations in our lives, such as sickness, death, divorce, and job loss. If we feel no need for faith in God, we will not feel obligated to obey Him. However, heaven is pleased when you consider prosperity less important than the will of God. He will help you loosen your grip on stuff until, with an open hand, you give back to Him what was already His.
Generosity governs your devotion to God. As you humbly handle earthly wealth well, you will experience the true riches of intimacy with Jesus and the satisfaction of serving Him alone. Freedom from money is freedom to love God and people. He is the owner of our lives and our stuff.
So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? (Luke 16:11).
How much is enough for my family? Are we free to serve Christ and others, or are we distracted by our desire for wealth? Who is the Lord of my family?
Related Readings
Psalm 10:4; Ezekiel 13:3; Luke 6:46; 1 Timothy 6:10
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 15, 2023 6:50:25 GMT -8
Sober Leadership
It is not for kings, Lemuel—it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
Proverbs 31:4-5
Sobriety is required for serious leaders. Men and women who seek what’s best for the team cannot be compromised by inebriation. Alcohol and drugs can cause people in power to pretend one thing and do another. In casual settings, leaders must not compromise their integrity by engaging in overly familiar behavior.
The apostle Paul provides this description of leaders in the church: “Deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:8-9). Sober leadership sets an example for other team members to follow. What the leader tolerates in moderation, the less mature may take to the extreme.
What guidelines protect your own decision making? What behavior do you decide on before attending a company party or a business trip where your associates expect to participate in shady social activities? You can easily get lured into a regrettable situation if you don’t set behavioral boundaries. Consider focusing on work during the workweek and enjoying rest and relaxation with friends and family on the weekend. Mixing business and pleasure can be unproductive and even destructive.
Sober leadership sends a message of sincerity and a sense of urgency. It is not void of joy and laughter, but there is an undertone of discipline and seriousness that invites loyalty. Stay sober as a leader, and you will reap the rewards of respect and results. Ask others to confront your questionable decisions and actions. Fools muddle their way through confused thinking, but sober-minded leaders are clearheaded and humble before God.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment (Romans 12:3).
Is my leadership sober minded? Am I conscious of Christ’s wisdom?
Related Readings
Exodus 18:25; 1 Samuel 25:26-28; Hebrews 13:7; 1 Timothy 3:1-7
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 16, 2023 6:15:05 GMT -8
Speak Up
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Some people cannot speak up for themselves. The widow and orphan who are in distress desperately need compassionate and competent advocates. Children trapped in human trafficking need to be rescued by the righteous. The unborn cry out for a merciful voice. Foster children who are emotionally spent pray for families to speak up and invite them into their homes. The poor and needy need legal, economic, and spiritual advocacy to advance their cause. All around us, groups and individuals are stuck for lack of one person who will boldly speak up.
We who are saved are called by our Savior to say something or do something. If we won’t, who will? How can we remain unmoved while one child remains exploited, one family is hungry, one orphan is homeless, or one widow is destitute? We have an obligation to speak up for those whose rights have been ignored. Social systems are limited and rarely include a spiritual component. But those of us who have been rescued by the grace and love of our Lord God are rich in His resources. We must speak up!
Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father and said to him, “Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you greatly” (1 Samuel 19:4).
Almost every day we have opportunities to speak up for someone or to leave them alone and vulnerable. Whom can we defend at work? An associate who may have lost favor with a peer or supervisor? When people speak poorly of a friend or family member, we can point out the person’s good traits and give them the benefit of the doubt. Silence is not an option for a courageous and caring heart. Love has the back of those who don’t know what they don’t know. Love can’t keep quiet!
Above all, where do we need to speak up for our Savior’s sake? He does not need defending, but we need to be clear where we stand with Christ. We speak up for what breaks His heart. We are on a mission to fight injustice. We serve sinners for whom Jesus died. We speak up for the lost in prayer, so they too might come to celebrate the saving grace of God. Jesus speaks up today and says, “I forgive you,” so we do too. He says, “I love you,” so we echo His words. What our Master says to say and do, we say and do!
Remember that I stood before you
and spoke in their behalf
to turn your wrath away from them (Jeremiah 18:20).
Heavenly Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours. Give me courage to speak up.
Related Readings
Genesis 50:4; 1 Kings 2:19; Ezekiel 3:17; John 12:49; Ephesians 4:25; 6:19
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 17, 2023 5:55:46 GMT -8
The Virtuous Woman
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Proverbs 31:10
A woman of character is not easily found. She is rare and valuable. Because of her appealing attributes, she is a gift from God. Thank Him often if you are blessed with a woman like this in your life. She is rare because she focuses on others even in our self-crazed culture. For the follower of Christ, selflessness is expected. But for our society as a whole, it is an anomaly. The noble woman refuses to lower herself to a standard of mediocrity.
Her goal is excellence in living. Duplicity is not an option for her. Rather, she serves with authenticity and industry. No skills or gifts remain dormant in her active life. She channels her energies into the welfare of her family and is resourceful with financial opportunities. A noble woman is an anchor for her family. Her character provides stability when challenges creep into her home. She is determined to do the right thing regardless of the difficulties it may require. Character is more important than compromise, so she models the way for her friends and family. She is a rock of hope for others because God’s Word has become that for her.
However, be careful to not take the world on your shoulders—that is God’s job. Also, do not hold yourself to a standard of perfection. Leave yourself some wiggle room for mistakes. You will make mistakes. Let mistakes teach you what to do and what not to do in the future. They are reminders of your dependence on God. Your goal is not to live a mistake-free life, but to love God and love people. Let Him continue to develop your character and grow you into a mentor of other women. Don’t waste your wonderful experiences. Share them with younger women so they can grow in their character.
Husband, love your wife of character. Tell her often how proud you are of her. Don’t be intimidated by her level of spirituality. On the contrary, celebrate her passion for life and her spiritual maturity. Allow her life to challenge you and inspire you to the same level of character development.
Her influence is ever-present in her work and home. Encourage her burgeoning influence and opportunities. Become her biggest cheerleader. If she wants to start a business, help her start a business. If she needs some help with the house and lawn, make that investment. Free her to do what she does best.
Allow her to reach her full potential. Give her the cash, confidence, and resources to reach for her dreams. Be grateful. A woman of character is not to be taken for granted. Help her to pace herself, and protect her from the encroachment of those with warped motives. Her character is a valued asset that needs to be managed with care. Care for her as she cares for you!
In the same way you married men should live considerately with [your wives], with an intelligent recognition [of the marriage relation], honoring the woman as [physically] the weaker, but [realizing that you] are joint heirs of the grace (God’s unmerited favor) of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut off. [Otherwise you cannot pray effectively] (1 Peter 3:7 AMP).
Heavenly Father, use my submitted life to You as a blessing to those who You bring into my life.
Related Readings
Job 33:26; Proverbs 12:4; 14:1; Ruth 3:11; Colossians 3:13-15
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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Post by Unmerited on Jun 18, 2023 5:38:55 GMT -8
How to Become a Disciple of Jesus Christ
Holy Scripture teaches us how to become disciples and how to make disciples.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Believe
Belief in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord gives you eternal life in heaven.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Repent and be Baptized
To repent is to turn from your sin and then publicly confess Christ in baptism.
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
Obey
Obedience is an indicator of our love for the Lord Jesus and His presence in our life.
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them” (John 14:23).
Worship, Prayer, Community, Evangelism, and Study
Worship and prayer express our gratitude and honor to God and our dependence on His grace. Community and evangelism show our accountability to Christians and compassion for non-Christians. Study to apply the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of God.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:46-47).
Love God
Intimacy with Almighty God is a growing and loving relationship. We are loved by Him, so we can love others and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey His commands.
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matthew 22:37-38).
Love People
Our love for others flows from our love for our heavenly Father. We are able to love because He first loved us.
And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
Make Disciples
We disciple others because we are grateful to God and to those who disciple us, and we want to obey Christ’s last instructions before going to heaven.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2).
Day 90 - Thats a wrap...
Boyd Bailey, Two Minutes in the Bible through Proverbs: A 90-Day Devotional
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