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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for December 2016
January 1, 2017
Proverbs 13:20 – He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
Thought: The company we chose to keep matters. When we surround ourselves with wise men, their wisdom rubs off on us. When we make fools our companions, we tend to behave as they do. The path that fools walk is dangerous and leads to destruction. Which do you want? More wisdom? Or, destruction? Your choice can be seen in your circle of friends.
Psalm 119:63
January 2, 2017
Proverbs 13:21 – Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repaid.
Thought: Every life produces fruit. Those who choose to violate the will of God find that evil pursues them. They are constantly reaping the fruit of a life spend in folly. The righteous are just the opposite. They have done good works. They find that their lives reap that which is good. I am reminded of the movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” George Bailey was certainly repaid by the good that he had done for others.
Isaiah 3:10-11
January 3, 2017
Proverbs 13:22 – A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
Thought: The writer of Proverbs often talks about aspects of justice in very subtle ways. Here we find such a comment. Righteous men accumulate riches and pass them on from generation to generation. This is not the case with the wealth of the sinner. Justice soon passes his wealth on to the just of society. The righteous are able to keep their goods. The evil man appears to have, but what he has is passed on to those who truly deserve it.
Job 27:16-17
January 4, 2017
Proverbs 13:23 – Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.
Thought: The poor may only own a small parcel of land. This land, however, is a source of much food. The land is diligently worked. At the harvest, there is great reward for their labors. In contrast, there are those who have much, but because of their lack of good judgment, their riches are destroyed. Foolish decisions and foolish behaviors cause them to have less than the poor. Want does not always follow the poor. Prosperity does not always dwell with the rich.
Jeremiah 8:9-10
January 5, 2017
Proverbs 13:24 – He that spareth the rod hatheth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Thought: Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It is not for those who cannot discipline their children. Far too many in today’s society have reversed the meaning of these words. Those who refuse to disciple their children are said to love them. Those who spare not the rod are accused of being mean and unloving. Parents must trust their Creator. He says that love involves chastening a child numerous times. Our Lord knows what is bound in the heart of the child. Parents, trust Him.
Proverbs 22:15
January 6, 2017
Proverbs 13:25 – The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soul: but the belly of the wicked shall want.
Thought: The contrast between the righteous and the wicked is made many times by the inspired writer of Proverbs. The righteous are not forsaken by God. The necessities of life are always provided by a loving and caring God. The wicked, however, are often in want. Their lives are lived in such a way that the basics of life are disregarded in order to participate in their sinful ways.
Isaiah 65:13-14
January 7, 2017
Proverbs 14:1 – Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.
Thought: There are times when women fail to realize just how important they are to their homes. Their attitude within the home, their hard work and sacrifice, their kind and gentle words, their care and compassion, and their spirituality all contribute to the building up of the home. Those who refuse to pay attention to these things tear their homes apart. Those who pluck their houses down are called foolish by the inspired writer.
I Kings 21:25
January 8, 2017
Proverbs 14:2 – He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the Lord: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.
Thought: One’s manner of life manifests his attitude toward God. Those who walk the straight and narrow path, show they fear the Lord. They have an awe of Him that causes them to submit to His righteous ways. Those who walk crooked and evil paths show their disdain for God and His ways. They have no respect for God or for His holy Word. When others look at your life, what do they come to understand about your relationship with God?
Psalm 112:1
January 9, 2017
Proverbs 14:3 – In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Thought: The words that proceed out of our mouth can either punish us or preserve us. The foolish have a tendency to boast themselves before others. They also use their lips to tear down their neighbor. Their words come back upon them as a rod of discipline. Many have beaten themselves with their loose lips. The wise know how to use words to their advantage. They also know when not to use words at all. The wise use of their lips benefits them greatly.
Daniel 4:30-31
January 10, 2017
Proverbs 14:4 – Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Thought: We often want the easy life. We want a life where there is little work and little effort involved therein. This, however, does not translate into prosperity. There is a cost that must be paid in order to get gain. Yes, if a man does not have an ox, the crib remains clean. But, it is only by having an ox and taking care of that ox that increase comes. We need to teach our children that nothing is free and effortless. Profit comes at a cost.
Exodus 23:12
January 11, 2017
Proverbs 14:5 – A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Thought: There are two kinds of witnesses that can testify in a court of law. One is faithful. He will not lie. He will tell only the facts. He will not manipulate the truth or alter the truth in any way. The other witness is a false witness. He will utter lies. This man can be bought. This man ruins the justice system. This man does not care if he brings harm to the innocent. Faithful? Or, false? These two kinds of people are polar opposites.
I Kings 21:13
January 12, 2017
Proverbs 14:6 – A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy to him that understandeth.
Thought: The scorner is one who despises and opposes the counsel of God. He claims to seek knowledge. He affirms that he has delved into the teachings of God’s Word. But, he never finds wisdom. He does not want to find it. He is opposed to it. If a person truly longs for understanding, knowledge will come easily. The key is the heart of the two people who are seeking wisdom. One seeks with an evil heart. The other seeks with a good heart.
Matthew 13:13-15
January 13, 2017
Proverbs 14:7 – Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of wisdom.
Thought: There are many foolish individuals that many believe to be extremely wise. There are many foolish individuals that many call preachers. There are many foolish individuals that many refer to as Bible scholars. How do we know they are fools? Their lips do not speak forth the wisdom of God. When we come in contact with such a person, the inspired writer exhorts us to flee from their presence. Sadly, many sit in front of the foolish and soak up their foolishness.
II Corinthians 6:14-18
January 14, 2017
Proverbs 14:8 – The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.
Thought: “The contrast will be this: the wisdom of the prudent shows itself in this, that he considers his conduct…i.e., regulates is carefully, examining and considering…it according to right and duty; and that on the contrary the folly of fools shows itself in this, that they aim at the malevolent deception of their neighbor, and try all kinds of secret ways for gaining this end” (e-sword, Keil & Delitzsch).
Psalm 119:34-35
January 15, 2017
Proverbs 14:9 – Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favor.
Thought: There are many in our world who try to downplay the wickedness of sin. Even those who call themselves children of God seek ways to practice sin. Adultery, drinking, gambling, cursing, lying, pornography, homosexuality, and other sins have been reduced to nothingness in the minds of some. Those who mock sin are fools. The righteous man knows how evil sin really is. He takes the correct positions against it. In so doing, he finds the favor of God.
II Timothy 3:1-4
January 16, 2017
Proverbs 14:10 – The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
Thought: Every man and woman has solitude in feeling the stir of emotions within the heart. There is a teaching in counseling that says: “No person can ever really know another person’s pain.” This is also true of happiness. Our emotions are ours and no one else’s. The pain and the joy of our emotions are a burden and a blessing that belong only to us.
Mark 14:33-34
January 17, 2017
Proverbs 14:11 – The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
Thought: This is a truth that some will never believe. The reason for the unbelief is because so many want the truth to be immediately apparent. So often the wicked flourish and the upright live in defeat. One of the questions asked about this verse is: “When will this truth come to be?” Dear reader, it may not happen in this lifetime. However, in the world to come the wicked will be overthrown and the upright shall dwell in a place called “paradise.”
Psalm 128:1-6
January 18, 2017
Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Thought: There are many applications of this verse that could be made to mankind. A false religion an adulterous marriage, and a life of being “good” may seem right, but the end thereof is the way of death. What is right in the eyes of man does not always harmonize with what God declares to be right in His holy Word. My friend, are you walking “a way which seemeth right”, but “the end thereof are the ways of death”?
Acts 26:9-11
January 19, 2017
Proverbs 14:13 – Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
Thought: We have heard the phrase: “Put on a happy face.” Many people do this even when they are hurting deep inside. Their pain is covered by a smile and a pleasant disposition. However, at the end of the day, there is still heaviness. A smile does not make the pain go away. In fact, it is tiring to have to be “up” all of the time. Often, hiding pain is as difficult as the pain itself.
Psalm 55:22
January 20, 2017
Proverbs 14:14 – The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
Thought: The backslider is one who at one time served God faithfully, but who has turned from his service to God. He was a man of holiness, but he is entangled in the evils of the world again. He will reap what he has sown. He will experience the disappointments, the destruction, and death that comes by his unfaithful lifestyle. A good man is just the opposite. His life is lived in harmony with God’s will. His life brings joy and satisfaction.
Jeremiah 2:19
January 21, 2017
Proverbs 14:15 – The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.
Thought: There are some individuals who are extremely gullible. They believe everything they hear. This is extremely dangerous in our information filled society. Much that is spread is false. Much that is spread has an evil agenda driving it. Much that is said is intended to bring others under control. Much that is said is not rooted in the truth of God’s Word. Don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t believe it until you have investigated the facts. My friend, don’t follow the blind. Be prudent and examine very carefully the path you are traveling.
I John 4:1
January 22, 2017
Proverbs 14:16 – A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
Thought: Evil exists in our world. This evil can involve thought patterns. It can involve words that a person speaks. It can involve a person’s behavior. Wise men fear the Lord and diligently study God’s Word. They recognize evil and depart from it. Fools cannot be warned. They are confident that their evil is right, harmless, and brings them blessings. They rage on in life to an end of hopelessness and destruction. Be wise, my friend! Be wise.
Exodus 5:1-2
January 23, 2017
Proverbs 14:17 – He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
Thought: We have in this verse a very clear warning about anger. It is an extremely dangerous emotion. It causes one to act in foolish ways. The angry person plots and schemes in order to vent his anger. Once his wicked devices have come to fruition, he becomes a hated individual. All of us need to work to control our anger. If we do not, we will be hated by others.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
January 24, 2017
Proverbs 14:18 – The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Thought: There are some people who are open to everything. We often refer to their being gullible. They are easily led. They are easily deceived. These are the simple. They inherit folly. Evil people will take advantage of them. The prudent man, a man of discernment, is crowned with knowledge. His wisdom allows him to conquer those who seek to lead astray.
Daniel 12:3
January 25, 2017
Proverbs 14:19 – The evil bow before the good: and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
Thought: In their commentary, Keil and Delitzsch write: “The good, viz., that which is truly good, which has love as its principle, always at last hold the supremacy.” In essence, evil does not triumph in the end. The evil man bows before the good. The wicked find themselves at the gate of the righteous begging favors and asking for bread. The wise writer gives us a great incentive to live a righteous life.
Genesis 43:26-28
January 26, 2017
Proverbs 14:20 – The poor is hated even of his own neighbor: but the rich hath many friends.
Thought: Riches have many abilities. These abilities do not always have positive results. Those without riches are despised. They are looked upon as the unprofitable. They are the beggars. They are the needy. They always have their hand out for something. These are hated. Those with riches, however, have many friends. The rich must be careful, however. These are only fair weather friends. They are friends for the favors only. Let the riches be gone and these friends will be gone as well.
Luke 15:11-16
January 27, 2017
Proverbs 14:21 – He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Thought: We often limit the word “neighbor” to our next door neighbor. The word, however, has a broader meaning. It refers to any man that stands in need. When we refuse to respond to the needs of others when we have it in our power to do so, we sin. Those who respond with mercy, on the other hand, are the happy ones. They have done well. They have help eliminate affliction. They are well-pleasing to the Lord. They are like their Lord.
Isaiah 58:10-11
January 28, 2017
Proverb 14:22 – Do they not err that devise evil? but mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.
Thought: There are people who fabricate evil. They draw up plans to commit acts of violence and they intend to harm to others. They err. They wander from the pathway of righteousness. These individuals will receive no blessings from man or God. There are others who draw up plans to do good. These individuals will be blessed with both mercy and truth. These blessings will come from both God and man. Do good, my friend. Do good!!!
Matthew 5:7
January 29, 2017
Proverbs 14:23 – In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Thought: We have all heard the expression: “Talk is cheap.” There are many people who brag about the type of job they can do. But, again, talk is cheap. The wise writer says that it “tendeth only to penury.” “Penury” is defined as “need, want, lack, deficiency, and poverty.” It is in labor that there is profit. It is the man who sweats and toils that produces gain. Dear reader, don’t tell others what you are capable of; show them with your actions.
II Thessalonians 3:10
January 30, 2017
Proverbs 14:24 – The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
Thought: A man can live a life full of wisdom. A man can live a life of foolishness. Each life brings forth a harvest. For the wise man, there is an abundance of riches. For the fool, there is only folly. One would think that a person would quickly learn that foolishness does not reward a man in a positive manner. But, some never learn. Over and over, they engage in foolishness. Their lives never bring forth abundance. My friend, learn and be wise.
Psalm 112:5-9
January 31, 2017
Proverbs 14:25 – A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.
Thought: A man can either speak truth or falsehoods. When called upon as a witness, his truth or his lies make an impact on justice. The true witness delivers the innocent. The false witness brings punishment upon the innocent. If a person is the false witness, this may not seem very important. But, if a person is the innocent man, it is of vital importance. How will you speak on behalf of others today?
Psalm 35:11
Read devotionals for February 2017