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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for May 2016
June 1, 2016
Proverbs 6:13 – He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers.
Thought: Even when evil men are silent, they are dangerous. Evil men have many ways of communicating their messages to one another. Their eyes, their feet, and their fingers are constantly talking to one another. Their messages are hidden from the innocent. Their non-verbal communication enables them to put themselves into a position to overcome and destroy the weak and vulnerable.
Psalm 35:19
June 2, 2016
Proverbs 6:14 – Forwardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually, he soweth discord.
Thought: Frowardness, that is, wrong-doing is in the heart of the wicked. This forwardness manifests itself in his life. He constantly plans and schemes to do wrong. He sows strife and contention wherever he goes. These men are a scourge on society. There is no peace as long as these evil men roam freely. Unfortunately, some leaders and “religious” people fall into this category of characters.
Micah 2:1-2
June 3, 2016
Proverbs 6:15 – Then shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
Thought: The slothful man is one who refuses to exert himself in labor for his own welfare. He lies around all day. He makes excuses for his laziness. His end will come suddenly. When it comes, it is a horrible misfortune. When it comes, there is no way it can be remedied. The indolent man must reap the consequences of his own inactivity.
Matthew 25:8-10
June 4, 2016
Proverbs 6:16 – These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him.
Thought: The wise, inspired writer now presents us with a list of seven things that the Lord hates. They are so despicable to Him that they are described as an “abomination” unto Him. The word “abomination” means “something disgusting.” These actions are repulsive to God. They stink in His nostrils. This fact should cause individuals to refrain from doing them.
Psalm 101:3
June 5, 2016
Proverbs 6:17 – A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood.
Thought: The list of things that God hates begins with pride. Pride involves the elevation of self over God. It keeps man in rebellion to God. The second sin is “a lying tongue.” God is truth. Anything that opposes truth He hates. “Hands that shed innocent blood” are next. God abhors the taking of innocent human life. Criminals and those who practice abortion need to give heed to these words.
Psalm 5:4-6
June 6, 2016
Proverbs 6:18 – A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief.
Thought: The heart plans evil; the body executes evil. God despises the plans of the wicked, and He hates the mischief in which they are involved. Dear readers, take note. Evil is not planned solely in the dark, back alleys of our big cities. Sometimes, it is devised in boardrooms and in executive offices. This evil is carried out on the hardworking and innocent of our nation.
Isaiah 59:7
June 7, 2016
Proverbs 6:19 – A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren.
Thought: Liars are mentioned twice in the list of things God hates. The first involves all liars; the second involves a specific type of liar, a false witness. A false witness is one who testifies falsely against another person. Jesus was a victim of this during his trials before the Jews. The last thing mentioned that God hates is one who sows discord among the brethren. Discord is strife and contention. False doctrine, an unloving spirit, and a contentious demeanor all foster division among God’s people.
James 3:14-16
June 8, 2016
Proverbs 6:20 – My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.
Thought: When godly parents instruct their children, they are directing them in the way of truth, the way of holiness, and the way of life. Children need to be constantly reminded to “stay the course.” Children need to “keep” and “forsake not” the laws of their parents. Children must remember that parents have been given delegated authority from God. God has set these two individuals over them for an important purpose.
Luke 2:51
June 9, 2016
Proverbs 6:21 – Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
Thought: The commandments of the parents are to direct the actions of children. They are to be bound upon their hearts. The spiritual heart, the mind, is the control center of the child. In like manner, they are to be tied as a leash about the child’s neck. If this is done, the child will walk in the right way and will never be allowed to wander into forbidden territory.
Deuteronomy 6:6-8
June 10, 2016
Proverbs 6:22 – When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
Thought: The teachings of godly parents should conform to the teachings of God’s Word. When they are allowed to govern the life of a child, the youth reaps the benefits. The writer mentions three benefits of parental instruction in this verse: direction, protection, and counsel. It is interesting how children do not want the instruction of their parents when they are young, but they long for their teachings after their parents have passed. Then, dear readers, it is too late.
Psalm 119:162
June 11, 2016
Proverbs 6:23 – For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and the reproofs of instruction are the way of life.
Thought: The guidance of holy people is very important to our lives, especially to children. Their words are like bright lights that lead us through rugged and difficult paths. They help us to make the right turns. They show us where the dangers lie. They point us in the way that will take us to our desired destination. The only alternative is to walk in darkness.
Isaiah 8:20
June 12, 2016
Proverbs 6:24 – To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
Thought: Solomon warns his son again about the evil woman. As a father, he knew that relationships are very important. They can make a man; they can break a man. The choice of a companion needs to be based upon godly qualities. Good looks, a good personality, and kind words can be very deceiving.
Ecclesiastes 7:26
June 13, 2016
Proverbs 6:25 – Lust not after her beauty in thine heart, neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
Thought: Women can communicate with men in more ways than their words. They speak loudly with their looks. They can whisper with the blink of their eyes. The evil woman knows the power of such communication devices. She takes advantage of them. The young man must beware. If not, he will be led into a trap of destruction and death.
I Peter 3:3-4
June 14, 2016
Proverbs 6:26 – For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
Thought: The whorish woman can quickly bring a man to poverty and disease. Many men have been taken down from lofty positions to lowly ones because of ungodly relationships. Many men have suffered physical struggles with their health because of their relationships with strange women. Solomon is exhorting his son to count the cost of a relationship with adulteress.
Luke 15:30
June 15, 2016
Proverbs 6:27 – Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burnt?
Thought: The answer to this question is rhetorical. The answer is known before the question is asked. When a man takes fire into his bosom, his clothes will be burned. When a man interacts with a strange woman, his life will be tragically altered. When a man participates in sin, his life will be adversely impacted. This is one of the plain laws of life.
Galatians 6:7-8
June 16, 2016
Proverbs 6:28 – Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Thought: The answer to this question is also rhetorical. It is absolutely certain that when a man walks on hot coals his feet will be burned. Sin always rewards its practitioners with hardship, ruin, and despair. It always “burns” the one who engages in it. David’s sin with Bathsheba is a prime example.
II Samuel 12:7-14
June 17, 2016
Proverbs 6:29 – So he that goeth in to his neighbor’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
Thought: A person cannot commit a crime and still be innocent at the same time. If innocence is what one desires, he needs to adhere to the law of God. Innocence is defined as “to be clean” and “to be bare.” It is also defined as “to be clear” and “to be free from guilt.” There is no better feeling than to know that one is innocent of all charges of wrong doing.
Job 33:9
June 18, 2016
Proverbs 6:30 – Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry.
Thought: There are some violations of the law that are more understandable than others. Hunger can drive a poor man to steal. When his poverty is known, his theft is understood. Notice that it is only understood. It is not commended. It is not tolerated. It is not overlooked. It is only understood by others. There are other sins, however, that are not easily understood.
Joshua 9:22-24
June 19, 2016
Proverbs 6:31 – But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
Thought: All crimes deserve punishment. Part of the punishment involves restitution. The Law of Moses required, not only the repayment of what was stolen, but an additional amount as well. Here the text reveals that the thief must restore “sevenfold,” that is, seven times the amount that was taken. When caught, a criminal quickly learns “crime does not pay.”
Exodus 22:1
June 20, 2016
Proverbs 6:32 – But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Thought: The inspired writer contrasts the thief and the adulterer. A thief can restore his good name by making restitution. The adulterer, on the other hand, will only find ruin upon his name. His evil act can be forgiven, but it can never be rectified. The damage it causes remains forever.
Ecclesiastes 7:26
June 21, 2016
Proverbs 6:33 – A wound and dishonor shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
Thought: Some sins have consequences that remain forever. Adultery is one of these. The individual who is guilty of this sin will always be known as “the cheater.” From time to time, his iniquity will be remembered. His evil act will haunt him for the rest of his life. It is as if he wears the scarlet “A” until death.
I Kings 15:5
June 22, 2016
Proverbs 6:34 – For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
Thought: The consequences of sin do not just impact the lives of the ones who commit the sin. Sin’s consequences affect family and friends even though they are innocent. A husband betrayed is a dangerous individual. His jealousy turns to rage. His rage seeks vengeance against the man who had an affair with his wife. Shattered love reacts without a sense of responsibility.
Numbers 5:11-15
June 23, 2016
Proverbs 6:35 – He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
Thought: The wounded heart of a man whose wife has committed adultery cannot be satisfied with gifts of appeasement. Clarke makes this comment: “When the day comes in which the adultery brought to light demands and admits of vengeance, then, wounded in his right and his honour, he knows no mercy; he pays no regard to any atonement or recompense by which the adulterer seeks to appease and not to inflict the punishment that is due…” (e-sword, Clarke).
Proverbs 27:4
June 24, 2016
Proverbs 7:1 – My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
Thought: The wise father puts a huge responsibility upon his son in this verse. First, he tells him to keep, that is, guard and protect his words. Second, he tells him to “lay up” his father’s commandments. He is to hide them within his heart. They are to be like a valuable treasure within him. The wisdom of God’s Word cannot be over-estimated or over-valued.
Job 23:11-12
June 25, 2016
Proverbs 7:2 – Keep my commandments and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
Thought: Solomon first gives a simple command to his son: “Keep my commandments.” He follows this with the reason for doing so, so that he might live. Note, most people treasure life and will do all they can to sustain it. God’s commandments promote life. Next, he exhorts his son to keep his law “as the apple of thine eye.” Most believe this refers to the pupil of the eye. It allows light to enter into the eye so that one can see. Without it, one is in darkness. Thus, individuals take much care to protect their eyes. In like manner, the law of God should be protected and cared for.
Leviticus 18:5
June 26, 2016
Proverbs 7:3 – Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
Thought: There is a thought that says if a person ties string on his finger, he will not forget something important. This is the idea the inspired writer presents here. God’s Word is too important to forget. If tying a string on one’s finger will help him to remember it, this is what he should do. The Word of God also needs to be written upon the table of the heart of man. It is from the heart that all actions spring. If God’s Word is on the heart, it will manifest itself in daily behaviors.
Hebrews 8:10-12
June 27, 2016
Proverbs 7:4 - Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman.
Thought: Family is usually very precious to people. We love them. We desire to be around them. We cherish them. Solomon counsels his son to make the wisdom of God and the understanding of God’s Word like family. God’s will should be loved, cherished, and kept close. It is vital to one’s life. If honored, the precepts of God will be a blessing like family is.
Luke 11:27-28
June 28, 2016
Proverbs 7:5 – That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
Thought: Once again, this father warns his son about the strange woman who flatters with her words (see Prov. 6:24). He understands the great temptation a young man can face in this area. A relationship with such a woman can destroy his son’s entire life. He knows that only by keeping God’s Word can his son refrain from the power of the evil woman.
II Peter 2:18-19
June 29, 2016
Proverbs 7:6 – For at the window of my house I looked through my casement.
Thought: Fathers have acquired knowledge of many situations over the years. Sometimes the knowledge is through personal experience. Sometimes the knowledge comes through the observation of others. Proper use of this knowledge by children can preserve their lives from great harm.
Ephesians 6:1-3
June 30, 2016
Proverbs 7:7 – And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding.
Thought: There are individuals in the world who are vulnerable to the attacks of evil people. Their vulnerability lies in their being void of understanding. Their ignorance causes them to be lured into the clutches of people like the evil woman. They fail to comprehend the doom that is to come by flirting with evil. Children, give heed to your parent’s wisdom. It is foolish to walk ignorantly in this world.
John 12:35
Read devotionals for July 2016