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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for December 2015
January 1, 2016
Proverbs 1:1 – The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel.
Thought: Proverbs are pithy sayings of truth. The ones recorded for us in the book of Proverbs come from a man of utmost wisdom, Solomon. They come from the son of a notable king, Solomon. They come from a man who writings come from the breath of God, Solomon. These maxims are valuable beyond measure.
I Kings 4:32
January 2, 2016
Proverbs 1:2 – To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding.
Thought: Not one person on the earth knows everything. All of us need to be guided by others from time to time. We are grateful that Solomon has given us the Proverbs. Heeding them will make us wise, perceptive, and possessors of greater understanding.
Deuteronomy 4:6
January 3, 2016
Proverbs 1:3 – To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment and equity.
Thought: Not all instruction that one receives is profitable. The instructions found in the book of Proverbs, however, are very profitable. These pity maxims will make one prudent, righteous, just and upright. In essence, they will contribute to a man’s good moral character.
II Timothy 3:16-17
January 4, 2016
Proverbs 1:4 – To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
Thought: Instruction is needed more at some points in life than at other points. Sometimes all of us can be considered “simple.” We are naive and foolish. In those times, we need prudence and discretion from others. In our youth, we also stand in need of instruction. Knowledge and sagacity are vital. The proverbs have been given to assist both the simple and the young. If you fall into one of these categories, read proverbs with delight.
Psalm 119:98-101
January 5, 2016
Proverb 1:5 – A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.
Thought: Not all men on the earth are wise. In fact, if desiring God’s Word is the measure of a wise man, then the multitudes are foolish. There is no knowledge higher than that which comes from God. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning.
Matthew 7:24-28
January 6, 2016
Proverbs 1:6 – To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Thought: The proverbs of Solomon must be interpreted, understood, and applied. It is possible for a man to fail in all three areas. However, if he is successful in his interpretation, his mind will be enriched and his manner of life approved by the Almighty.
Matthew 13:51-52
January 7, 2016
Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Thought: There are two ways that man can fear God. Individuals can have distressing emotions because they sense that God is a threat or a danger to them. Or, individuals can fear God in the sense of holding Him in awe and deep respect. The latter is the type of fear Solomon references in Proverbs 1:7. This fear, that is, respect, causes one to desire to know His will.
Psalm 122:1
January 8, 2016
Proverbs 1:8 – My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
Thought: It is interesting that the wise Solomon follows the command to fear God with a command for a child to obey his parents. Early in life, parents are the primary instructors that God has given to children. Their instructions are to be heeded and not forsaken. Godly parents know best.
Ephesians 6:1-3
January 9, 2016
Proverbs 1:9 – For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
Thought: Certain behaviors grace one’s life. Certain behaviors make one’s conversation beautiful. The wise man says that a child’s obedience is like an ornament upon one’s head and a chain about one’s neck. Obedient children are all beautiful children.
I Peter 3:3-4
January 10, 2016
Proverbs 1:10 – My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
Thought: Solomon has told son to fear God and to obey his parents. He now tells him how to respond to evil, sinful friends. Friends often try to allure and persuade others to do wrong. The proper response is: “Consent thou not!” Do not be willing to go with them. Do not yield, accept, or acquiesce to their invitations.
Ephesians 5:11
January 11, 2016
Proverbs 1:11 – If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for innocent blood.
Thought: Evil has its manner. It joins with others, “Come with us.” It is patient, “Let us lay wait.” It will kill if necessary, “for blood.” It is secretive, “let us lurk privily.” It harms those who have done no wrong, “for innocent blood.”
Psalm 64:5-6
January 12, 2016
Proverbs 1:12 – Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit.
Thought: Evil is not satisfied with a little. It desires to swallow it victims just as a sink hole would consume its victims. It wants to completely capture the just, as a pit takes its prisoners. Evil knows no mercy.
Jeremiah 51:34
January 13, 2016
Proverbs 1:13 – We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil.
Thought: The life of the criminal is driven by reward. He does not care who he hurts or kills in the process as long as he can accumulate riches. It is sad when a teen will kill another teen for a pair of tennis shoes.
Proverbs 16:19
January 14, 2016
Proverbs 1:14 – Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse.
Thought: Here is evil’s invitation again. Notice, there is the enticement of monetary gain. It promises to be a big reward, “one purse.” However, once the purse is divided, the payoff is not that big. Then, another job has to be found. If the reward is large, entices one to do evil again in order to get another payoff.
John 19:23-24
January 15, 2016
Proverbs 1:15 – My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.
Thought: Sinners seek to entice others to walk in their evil ways. They make the rewards seem so pleasing. The best protection one has is to never walk in their ways. Regardless of the allure, it is best to refrain oneself from taking their path.
Psalm 1:1
January 16, 2016
Proverbs 1:16 – For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Thought: Evil actions, even murder, are the ends of wicked men. They rush (run, make haste) to perform their evil deeds. They have no moral compass. They have no regard for human life. They seek only pleasure and profits. The high costs of their deeds are nothing to them.
Matthew 26:3-4
January 17, 2016
Proverbs 1:17 – Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
Thought: Birds are not intelligent creatures. A net can be spread in plain view, and they will fly into it. The same is true of evil men. The net of God’s judgments has been spread before them. They are highly visible. The evil doers, however, will fly directly into the punishing hand of God.
Proverbs 22:3
January 18, 2016
Proverbs 1:18 – And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
Thought: What we project upon others often comes back to haunt us. The evil man desires to hurt others. However, in the end, it is his life that is lost. How many evil men have been slain while committing evil deeds? How many have had their lives reduced to a small jail cell? Yes, they lay wait for their own blood.
Galatians 6:8
January 19, 2016
Proverbs 1:19 – So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
Thought: Solomon sets forth the motives, the evil actions, and the ends of the wicked in very clear terms. He warns his son not to walk in the way of the ungodly. The young who hears this message will reap great benefits. Those who will not hear will suffer the consequences.
Isaiah 33:15-16
January 20, 2016
Proverbs 1:20 – Wisdom crieth without, she uttereth her voice in the streets.
Thought: In the next several chapters, we will see wisdom in action. As we view her, she will be personified, that is, she will be displayed through human qualities. In this verse, she cries out in the streets. Divine wisdom is not silent. She is not kept from the ears and hearts of man. All can hear her cries if only they will listen.
I Corinthians 1:24
January 21, 2016
Proverbs 1:21 – She crieth in the chief places of concourse; in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying.
Thought: Yesterday, we learned that the wisdom of God is not quiet. She cries. She calls, proclaims, summons, and invites men to hear her message. Her cries should be heard by the masses for she cries where the multitudes gather: the chief places of concourse, the openings of the gates, and in the city. She longs to be heard by all.
John 18:20
January 22, 2016
Proverbs 1:22 – How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
Thought: The wise writer lists three groups of people who refuse to hear the cries of divine wisdom: simple ones, scorners, and fools. The difference between these individuals involves their reaction to God’s Word. The simple are open to evil. The scorners deride the good. Fools are hardened and obstinate. May we never fall into any of these categories. Those in these groups walk in darkness.
John 3:20
January 23, 2016
Proverbs 1:23 – Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Thought: Repentance always comes with blessings. Repentance is the challenging act of turning from one’s evil ways. In this verse the simple, the scorners, and the fools are exhorted to turn. In so doing, knowledge of divine things would be theirs to enjoy. NOTE: The pouring out of God’s Spirit and the making known His words are a Hebrew parallelism.
Isaiah 55:7
January 24, 2016
Proverbs 1:24 – Because I have called, and ye have refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.
Thought: Solomon sets for a concept that runs throughout all of the divine record. Man has a choice when it comes to the reception of God’s Word. God calls. God stretches forth His hand to help. Man, then, must decide. Will he accept and obey God’s will, or, will he refuse it? Both actions have consequences.
Matthew 23:37
January 25, 2016
Proverbs 1:25 – But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof.
Thought: There are many times in life that man thinks he is smarter than God. This is interesting. Man cannot create life. Man cannot stop death. Man cannot make it rain. He cannot stop natural disasters. He cannot even count the hairs of his own head. Yet, he thinks he knows more than God. Dear reader, are you guilty of setting aside the counsel of God for your own opinions?
Luke 7:30
January 26, 2016
Proverbs 1:26 – I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.
Thought: Our decisions to turn from God’s wisdom bring consequences. Out of His love for man and out of His desire for man’s good, God warns and reproves. He knows the evil consequences of rebellion. When those consequences come upon the disobedient and rebellious, God sits upon His throne and laughs. He pities the ignorant who will not hear.
Psalm 2:1-4
January 27, 2016
Proverbs 1:27 – When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Thought: Four consequences of rebelling against God’s Word are revealed in this verse: desolation, destruction, distress, and anguish. This writer is aware of no one who desires these things. In fact, most will do all they can to eliminate these things from their lives. To truly rid our lives of them, all one must do is hear and submit to God.
Romans 2:8-9
January 28, 2016
Proverbs 1:28 – Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.
Thought: When man gets deep enough in despair, he finally calls upon God. When man no longer has the answers and sees destruction coming, he seeks after God. There can come a time when calling for God’s help is too late. Opportunities of the past were ignored. Because of this, God ignores the cries of the fallen. Man needs to seek the Lord while there is still time to find Him.
Luke 13:25-28
January 29, 2016
Proverbs 1:29 – For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord.
Thought: When men are condemned, it is due to their own choices. They hate the knowledge of God. A choice. They refused the fear of God. A choice. God does not condemn individuals arbitrarily. He gives all a chance to be saved. The condemned are those who make the decision to turn against God.
Acts 13:46
January 30, 2016
Proverbs 1:30 – They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
Thought: We must be reminded over and over that God has tried to get sinful man to turn back to Him. Through His Word, He exhorts, reproves, and rebukes man. Sadly, many men will not hear. They do not want God’s counsel. They despise his reproof. Again, man, and man alone, is responsible for his condemnation.
Jeremiah 8:9
January 31, 2016
Proverbs 1:31 – Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Thought: There are only two ways for men to travel. They can take God’s way. Or, they can take their own way. God’s way leads to peace, happiness, and eternal life. Man’s way involves groping in darkness and constant danger, and ultimate death. Dear readers, which path are you presently taking?
Jeremiah 2:19
Read devotionals for February 2016