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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for February 2016
March 1, 2016
Proverbs 3:6 – In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Thought: “All” is a small word, but it is comprehensive in nature. It leaves nothing out. In everything we do, we should seek the Lord’s will. There is not a path that we tread that He should not direct us therein. Dear reader, are they any paths that you are trying to walk without God?
I Corinthians 10:31
March 2, 2016
Proverbs 3:7 – Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Thought: God has made man in His image. He has given him a mind that can be educated. The mind can think and reason and come to conclusions. Man can cultivate himself into a very smart being. Some, however, become too smart. They become wise in their own eyes, forget God, and engage in much evil. The wise sage warns us not to do this.
Isaiah 5:21
March 3, 2016
Proverbs 3:8 – It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Thought: Trusting in God instead of oneself enables one to be well supplied with spiritual nourishment just as a baby in the womb is supplied with nourishment from the mother. This same trust also provides great strength to the individual like the marrow found within our bones makes our skeletons strong. Well-nourished and strong. Can you think of a better condition for the follower of God?
Jeremiah 33:6
March 4, 2016
Proverbs 3:9 – Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase.
Thought: There may be times when we forget what we are doing when we give or contribute our money on the Lord’s day. The writer of Proverbs reminds us that we are honoring God. We honor Him as the recipients of His wonderful blessings. We honor Him as the stewards of all the good things He has put in our trust. We honor Him as the one who sustains us in all our endeavors.
Malachi 3:8-9
March 5, 2016
Proverbs 3:10 – So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Thought: God always brings blessings to those who are willing to sacrifice on His behalf. Those who give are often concerned about what they are giving up. Instead, they ought to look forward to that which they will receive from the Lord, barns filled with plenty and presses bursting out with new wine.
II Corinthians 9:6-8
March 6, 2016
Proverbs 3:11 – My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, neither be weary of his correction.
Thought: As God’s children, we are not perfect. Too, we have much to learn in order to mature. For these things to be accomplished, our heavenly Father must chasten and correct us from time to time. Correction is not pleasant, but it is necessary. Thus, we should never despise it. Too, His chastening should never cause us to give up.
Hebrews 12:9-11
March 7, 2016
Proverbs 3:12 – For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Thought: The resemblances between the physical world and the spiritual world are many. God designed things this way to help us understand and appreciate spiritual truths and spiritual concepts. When children are corrected by God-fearing parents, they know their parents love them. The same is true of our heavenly Father. Those He loves, He chastens.
Revelation 3:19
March 8, 2016
Proverbs 3:13 - Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Thought: Happiness is something that is desired by all. Most of the time happiness is sought in people and things. Ture happiness is found in the attainment of divine wisdom. Wisdom and understanding when applied to life result in happiness regardless of one’s station in life or one’s circumstances of life.
Colossians 1:9
March 9, 2016
Proverbs 3:14 – For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Thought: Many times in Scripture the value of wisdom is compared to the value of gold and silver. Every time they are placed in the balances, wisdom outweighs both gold and silver. Wisdom is a precious commodity. Sadly, the value of it is not appreciated as it should be.
Job 28:12-19
March 10, 2016
Proverbs 3:15 – She is more precious than rubies: and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Thought: We live in a society that is constantly producing better, more efficient products. We often shake our heads, and ask: “What will they think of next?” When we see what is next, we are amazed. These products become our wants. The wise writer of Proverbs tells us that “all things thou canst desire” can’t be compared to the value of wisdom. This concept is hard for most people to grasp. Thus, they will continue to desire things over wisdom.
Matthew 13:44-46
March 11, 2016
Proverb s 3:16 – Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
Thought: Two things that men desire are listed in this verse: long life and abundance. The inspired penman ties these to wisdom and understanding (v. 13). God’s wisdom keeps a man from engaging in things that would cut his life short. Wisdom also makes him a person of character that enables him to prosper in this life.
Proverbs 8:20-21
March 12, 2016
Proverbs 3:17 – Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Thought: If a person follows the teachings of God’s Word, his life will be a pleasant life. The word “pleasantness” is defined by such words as kindness, delightfulness, beauty, favor, agreeableness, splendor, and grace. In addition to delightfulness, a student of God’s Word will also obtain peace. If a person possesses pleasantness and peace in this life, there is not much more to desire.
Galatians 6:16
March 13, 2016
Proverbs 3:18 – She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Thought: The writer of Proverbs takes our minds back to the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve forfeited the tree of life by partaking of fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now, wisdom becomes the tree of life. One may partake of it and live forever. Too, wisdom will provide happiness to man both in this life and in the life to come. My friend, the things wisdom provides are treasures that all seek in this life. Seek wisdom!
Romans 8:6
March 14, 2016
Proverb 3:19 – The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Thought: Some men boldly declare that the world is here because of evolutionary processes. Yet, all one has to do is begin to examine the cosmos, the earth, and the seas to know that wisdom is involved in everything associated with our Universe. The Universe is controlled by a set of laws. These laws have been learned and used by man for humanity’s benefit. My friend, order does not evolve out of chaos. Order comes from a mind full of wisdom and understanding. The order of our world is evidence that God created all things.
John 1:3
March 15, 2016
Proverbs 3:20 – By his knowledge the depths of the sea are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Thought: Not only has the Universe been created by the knowledge of God, it is also presently controlled by the knowledge of God. God has set His laws in motion within His creation. He is free to manipulate them any way He desires. He is the Creator and the Sustainer of our magnificent world.
Jeremiah 14:22
March 16, 2016
Proverbs 3:21 – My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion.
Thought: If we do not “keep” sound wisdom and discretion, they will depart from us. The word “keep” means “to guard, to protect, to preserve, to keep close, to be blockaded.” Each man has a responsibility to the truth he has received. He can release it from his mind, or, he can guard it and keep it close to his heart.
Deuteronomy 4:9
March 17, 2016
Proverbs 3:22 – So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Thought: Those who keep divine wisdom within their heart reap it blessings. Wisdom gives life and animation to the soul. It is also that which provides decorum to one’s outward life. God’s divine Word make a person better both inside and out.
Titus 2:9-10
March 18, 2016
Proverbs 3:23 – Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Thought: All of us have taken new paths in our lives from time to time. Sometimes we take these paths with no direction. When we do, we find ourselves lost or stumbling along. God does not want this for our spiritual lives. His Word enables us to walk safely and without faltering.
Psalm 37:31
March 19, 2016
Proverbs 3:24 – When thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Thought: When man wants rest, he yearns for two things. First, he wants to sleep in a safe spot. Second, He longs for his sleep to provide him with comfort and strength. The one who partakes of God’s wisdom can have both of these things. When he lays his head upon his pillow, he has nothing to fear. His relationship with heavenly Father enables him to sleep in heavenly peace.
Acts 12:3-6
March 20, 2016
Proverbs 3:25 - Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
Thought: Man makes all kinds of preparations for tragedies that come in life. When one is prepared, there is no fear when the tragedy strikes. Spiritually, this is true as well. The man who fills himself with wisdom does not have to be afraid of sudden storms or of evil people. He is ready to face the trials and harships.
Isaiah 41:10-11
March 21, 2016
Proverbs 3:26 – For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Thought: As one walks on a small ledge, two things can be of great comfort to a person. First, if there is presence of someone below the ledge to catch the individual, he walks confidently. Second, if a strong hand supports his ankle, the person walks with much more security. In life, God is both of these things to us. He is our confidence and our support. We can walk in this life securely and without fear.
I Samuel 2:9
March 22, 2016
Proverbs 3:27 – Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Thought: There are those in the world who are worthy of our assistance. God has blessed us with the means to help them. When the opportunity comes, we must not withhold good from them. To do so is disobedience to God. To do so is selfishness. To do so could cause God to withhold His blessings from us.
Galatians 6:10
March 23, 2016
Proverbs 3:28 – Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou has it by thee.
Thought: Stingy. Just saying the world “stingy” stirs up negative emotions. Images of Scrooge, the Grinch, and Mr. Potter from the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” come to mind. A man needs a dollar. I have one hundred dollars, but refuse to part with one. Stingy. The wise man counsels us not to be reluctant to give to those in need.
James 2:15-16
March 24, 2016
Proverbs 3:29 – Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
Thought: Those who live side by side have a mutual trust in one another. Each person looks out for the other. Each person seeks the other’s good. Each is willing to assist the other. As neighbors, they dwell together in safety. Doing evil against one’s neighbor violates this trust. It also violates the teachings of God’s holy Word.
Jeremiah 18:18-20
March 25, 2016
Proverbs 3:30 – Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Thought: It is in the nature of some people to create stirs, cause problems, and instigate fights with others. They find some kind of satisfaction in strife and warfare. Strife is inevitable at times. However, it is never justified when there is no cause. The servant of the Lord does not strive, but seeks after peace.
II Timothy 2:24
March 26, 2016
Proverbs 3:31 – Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Thought: Men secure power over others in a variety of ways. Often it is done by oppressing others. When some see this powerful person’s position, they are envious. They would love to have what he has. The wise man exhorts us not to envy the oppressor. Too, his evil ways are not to be copied. Why? His ways are wicked and opposed to the ways of God.
Psalm 37:7
March 27, 2016
Proverbs 3:32 – For the forward is abomination to the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.
Thought: God does not rejoice in those who turn aside from his will, the forward. Their power and lofty position do not impress God. “His secret,” that is, His intimate association, is with the righteous. God’s pleasure and blessings are only upon those who do right.
John 15:15
March 28, 2016
Proverbs 3:33 – The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Thought: One of the common themes of the Bible involves God’s disdain for the wicked. He does not approve of them. He does not embrace them. He does not bless them. In fact, the curse of God rests upon all who are hostile toward Him. In contrast to this, God sheds His blessings on the habitation of the just.
Psalm 37:22
March 29, 2016
Proverbs 3:34 – Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace to the lowly.
Thought: The evil that a man commits eventually comes back upon his own head. The scorners will ultimately be scorned by God. One day God will curse them just as they have cursed Him. The lowly, those who submit to God, will be partakers of His grace. His divine favor will bring the lowly to high places.
James 4:6
March 30, 2016
Proverbs 3:35 – The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Thought: There are two kinds of people in the world, the wise and the foolish. The wise seek God. Fools rebel against Him. The destinations of these two groups are radically different. The wise will enter into glory. Fools will live in shame and disgrace throughout eternity. Which are you? One of the wise? Or, one of the foolish?
Daniel 12:2
March 31, 2016
Proverbs 4:1 – Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
Thought: Two words are set forth that are vital if one is to gain knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Individuals must hear, that is, hear intelligently. They must also “attend,” that is, “prick up their ears” to the instruction that is set forth. Notice that those who are receiving instruction have a grave responsibility. The burden of learning is not solely upon the teacher.
Hebrews 2:1
Read devotionals for April 2016