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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for January 2016
February 1, 2016
Proverbs 1:32 – For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
Thought: The simple had been exhorted to “turn” from their evil in verse 23. Instead, they turned away from the admonitions of wisdom. This decision would lead to their demise. The prosperity they received from their evil actions would lead to their destruction. If only the evil would consider the end of their ways. They, however, will not. Thus, they will suffer a horrible end.
Psalm 92:6-7
February 2, 2016
Proverbs 1:33 – But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from the fear of evil.
Thought: The righteous sometimes wonder if following God really has blessings. It certainly does! Safety and no fear of evil are two of those blessings. The godly do not have to be concerned about the next telephone call or knock on the door. They do not have to constantly look over their shoulder. They have no reason to quake or quiver. Their righteous lives provide them with abundant security.
Psalm 112:7
February 3, 2016
Proverbs 2:1 – My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee.
Thought: Two words are mentioned in this verse that refers to the hearer’s responsibility when God’s Word is presented to him. First, he is to receive the message. The word means “to take.” It can be translated “to accept” and “to seize.” Second, the hearer is to “hide” the commandments within. This involves internalizing and applying the message to one’s life.
Psalm 119:10-11
February 4, 2016
Proverbs 2:2 – So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding.
Thought: The Word of God and the commands of God are filled with divine wisdom and understanding. The One who created man and knows man best seeks to guide him through divine revelation. Knowing this, the hearer needs to “prick up his ears” and “cause himself to yield” to the holy message.
Psalm 90:12
February 5, 2016
Proverbs 2:3 – Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding.
Thought: There are two extremes when it comes to the desire for truth. Some have no desire for it. Others yearn deeply for it. All human beings fall somewhere between these two opposites. The inspired writer exhorts his son to be one who craves wisdom. He tells him to cry after knowledge and to lift up his voice for understanding.
Psalm 25:4-5
February 6, 2016
Proverbs 2:4 – If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures.
Thought: Men pursue wealth and riches with a dogged determination. Many hours of each day go to this end. Years and years of labor are given to gain gold and silver. Would that more people would put in this time and effort to obtain a knowledge of God’s Word. It is a mindset that has to be chosen and developed.
Psalm 119:14
February 7, 2016
Proverbs 2:5 – Thou shalt understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
Thought: All diligent effort in God’s Word will bring rich rewards. Solomon tells us that disciplined study will bring about a deep respect for God and a keen understanding of Him. God has given us His word to read and understand. The knowledge we gain will cause us to have an appreciation for God who gave the Scriptures to us.
John 17:3
February 8, 2016
Proverbs 2:6 – For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Thought: There are many smart people on the earth. However, their wisdom and knowledge pale in comparison to the wisdom of God. The apostle Paul once wrote: “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than man…” Foolish man tries to apply his wisdom to God. Man really needs to yield his foolishness to God’s wisdom.
Romans 11:33-34
February 9, 2016
Proverbs 2:7 – He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
Thought: Sound wisdom is healthy, wholesome wisdom. It is wisdom that will bring positive results to one’s life. This is the wisdom God provides in His Word. Solomon also notes that God’s wisdom is a shield of protection to them who walk in harmony with His statutes. Health and safety are two desires of all mankind. God’s wisdom provides both.
Psalm 84:11
February 10, 2016
Proverbs 2:8 – He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Thought: This verse reveals two actions of God performed on behalf of His people. He “keeps” and He “preserves” them. The word “keep” means “to watch over” and “to guard from dangers.” The term “preserve” means ‘to hedge about” and “to have charge of.” All men desire safety in their lives. Those set apart for God’s holy service are assured of His divine protection.
Psalm 121:7-8
February 11, 2016
Proverbs 2:9 – Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
Thought: We often do not understand the benefit of a path until we have travelled it. So many refuse God’s path because of their human prejudices against it. Yet, they have never walked the pathway of God. If they would, they would understand righteousness, judgment, equity, and every good path.
Matthew 7:13-14
February 12, 2016
Proverbs 2:10 – When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto they soul.
Thought: In chapter one of Proverbs, we learned that divine wisdom cries out in public places. Those who hear it need to do two things with it according to this verse. First, they must receive wisdom. It must be allowed to enter the mind. Second, there must be a proper disposition toward it. It cannot be viewed as a poison. Instead, it must be pleasant to the soul.
Jeremiah 15:16
February 13, 2016
Proverbs 2:11 – Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.
Thought: How one thinks is crucial. A person needs understanding. A person must have the ability to discern. A person’s decisions ultimately determine the outcome of his life. Those who make divine wisdom the foundation of their thought processes will be preserved. Think about that!
Philippians 4:8
February 14, 2016
Proverbs 2:12 – To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh forward things.
Thought: There are evil people who exist in the world. There are evil individuals who seek to lead others astray. To be delivered from their vile and pernicious ways, one must be prepared beforehand. One’s mind must be filled with the knowledge of God to overcome. Dear reader, deliverance from evil men is sweet.
Psalm 141:4
February 15, 2016
Proverbs 2:13 – Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness.
Thought: The inspired writer here speaks of right paths and dark paths. Some people do not want to walk in the right direction. They believe they know of a better way than God does. These individuals grope in darkness. The destination they desire is never attained. Which path do you tread in your life?
II Peter 2:20-22
February 16, 2016
Proverbs 2:14 – Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the forwardness of the wicked.
Thought: It is difficult to imagine that one can have a mindset that allows him to rejoice in evil and violence and harm to others. But, there are people in our world who are glad to commit evil acts. They are joyful when others are hurt. God’s divine Word keeps His children from these ungodly characters.
Luke 22:3-5
February 17, 2016
Proverbs 2:15 – Whose ways are crooked, and they forward in their paths.
Thought: This verse describes to us how evil men operate throughout the day. To say that their ways are crooked is to say that their ways are full of lies and falsehood. To say they are forward in their path is to say that they are willfully determined to go counter to what is right, good, and proper. In essence, their behavior springs from a stubborn, deceitful heart.
Proverbs 23:7
February 18, 2016
Proverbs 2:16 – To deliver thee from the strange women, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Thought: The writer’s attention now turns to an evil woman. She is described as a “stranger” and as one who flatters with her words. Several thoughts surround the word “stranger.” The key thought is that she is an adulteress, possibly a prostitute. Her flattering words involve smooth, enticing words used to capture her prey. Again, only divine wisdom can deliver the soul from her clutches.
Genesis 29:7
February 19, 2016
Proverbs 2:17 – Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
Thought: The strange woman has rebelled against two teachers and two authority figures in her life. She has forsaken the teaching of her parents. Too, she has turned her back on the commands of God. She will not be bound by authority. How many youth have this mentality when they leave home?
Luke 15:11-13
February 20, 2016
Proverbs 2:18 – For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto death.
Thought: Evil often stands before us promising wonderful things. However, the reality of what is received is much different than the promise. The strange woman promises passion, excitement, and fun. The end of a night with her, however, is death. All the things that one held dear are gone. The only thing left is the shell of a man who once was strong.
Proverbs 5:4-5
February 21, 2016
Proverbs 2:19 – None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
Thought: The word “none” means “no one,” “not one,” and “not any.” The house of the strange woman devours all who enter therein. Not only does a man enter at his own risk, he also enters to his own demise. All those who knock on her door have left the paths of life forever and ever.
Proverbs 7:22
February 22, 2016
Proverbs 2:20 – That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
Thought: The wisdom of God keeps the righteous from the forward man and from the strange woman. It also puts one in the company of good men. Good men are those with honest hearts, upright motives, and godly lives. They are men who are also seeking the kingdom of God. They are holy companions. Dear read, walk with good men!
Psalm 119:63
February 23, 2016
Proverbs 2:21 – For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
Thought: God makes wonderful promises to those who remain faithful to Him. Here the faithful are described as being upright, that is, people having honesty and integrity. He also describes them as being perfect. In essence, they are full-grown, complete, and mature in their practice of the truth. These individuals are given the promise that they will remain in the Land of Promise.
Psalm 37:9
February 24, 2016
Proverbs 2:22 – But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
Thought: God wants holy people worshipping and serving Him. He does not want them to be mixed with any impurities. Therefore, He will root out and cut off those who violate His teachings. His nation will be a holy nation before Him.
Revelation 21:27
February 25, 2016
Proverbs 3:1 – My son forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments.
Thought: Forgetfulness is an evil. When it comes to forgetting God’s law, it is also a recipe for disaster. Sadly, some intentionally forget the commands of God. The lover of God will not forget. His heart will hear the law and will diligently seek to keep all the commandments.
Deuteronomy 30:16-18
February 26, 2016
Proverbs 3:2 – For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Thought: The benefits man receives by obeying the Word of God are abundant. Two are mentioned in this verse, long life and peace. Most individuals enjoy living on earth. They want to enjoy this world as long as possible. Too, all desire a peaceful life without strife and warfare. A diligent pursuit of God’s Word is one of the key elements in reaping length of days and peace on earth.
Psalm 34:11-12
February 27, 2016
Proverbs 3:3 – Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.
Thought: Mercy and truth are close companions. They usually walk hand and hand together. One cannot have one without the other. For a man’s well-being, these two things must be with him always. They need to influence one’s life both without (bind them about thy neck) and within (write them upon the table of thine heart).
Psalm 85:10
February 28, 2016
Proverbs 3:4 – So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Thought: Most individuals have a desire to be accepted and respected. Those who model their lives according to the holy Scriptures can find favor in two places, on earth and in heaven. The obedient will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 14:18
February 29, 2016
Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Thought: In this verse, we see where the battle is fought in the spiritual realm. Do I trust in myself? Or, do I trust completely in God? What God teaches and what he requires often makes trusting Him difficult. Man’s finite mind cannot rise to comprehend the ways of God. In those instances, man must believe that God knows best. He must trust God with all his heart.
Isaiah 26:3-4
Read devotionals for March 2016