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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for January 2017
February 1, 2017
Proverbs 14:26 - In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Thought: This verse does not appear to be a parallelism at first, but it is. The word “confidence” means trust, refuge, and security.” Those who fear the Lord have a place of safety to which they can flee. The thought is, then, repeated in the second part of the verse. His children, that is, those who fear the Lord, shall have a place of refuge. God’s people do not have to fear the storms of life. They do not have to fear their enemies. In the Lord, there is always a place wherein they can rest safe and sound.
Psalm 61:3-4
February 2, 2017
Proverbs 14:27 – The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Thought: The person who fears God will reap many blessings. Yesterday, we found that he has a place of safety to which to flee. Today, we find that he enjoys a fountain of life. He lives because his fear of the Lord causes him to obey the Word of God. This Word is designed to give life. It is designed to enable man to escape the snares of death. My friend, Satan will do all he can to convince you that the fear of God enslaves instead of bringing blessings. Do not be deceived!
Ecclesiastes 12:13
February 3, 2017
Proverbs 14:28 – In the multitude of people is the king’s honour: but in the want of the people is the destruction of the prince.
Thought: What is the measure of a ruler? The wise man tells us in this verse. It involves the king’s ability to make his people great and prosperous. Most rulers promise prosperity, but few deliver. Those who are bring jobs, create wealth, and make people increase are looked upon favorably. Those who do not are usually soon removed from their position.
I Kings 4:20-21
February 4, 2017
Proverbs 14:29 – He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Thought: Self-control is one of the keys to a man’s happiness and success. One of the areas that a man needs to control is anger. Uncontrolled anger creates chaos, brings harm to others, ruins relationships, causes one to be involved in sinful behavior, and causes a man to be distanced from God. The wise man described the consequences of uncontrolled anger as exalting folly. The wise are not soon angry. Their actions show they possess great wisdom.
Daniel 3:19-21
February 5, 2017
Proverbs 14:30 – A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy is the rottenness of the bones.
Thought: One described the heart as “the central, spiritual, soul-inwardness of man.” It is the place from which all emotions, decisions, and behaviors originate. If the heart is sound, that is, not filled with disease, the life of man is good. If a disease like envy enters therein, it can literally eat away at a man from the inside out. Envy sees what another has that is good and wishes that he did not have it. It may not rest until it removes the good from the person. This disease causes the man to rot and causes his life to stink.
II Chronicles 31:20-21
February 6, 2017
Proverbs 14:31 – He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
Thought: When we give aid to the poor, we are honoring the Father in heaven. He has compassion upon all men for all are created in His image. He is concerned for all and wants all taken care of. When those of us who have much give to the needy, we are acting on behalf of the heavenly Father. Anyone who refuses to hear the cries of the oppressed brings reproach upon God.
Psalm 12:5
February 7, 2017
Proverbs 14:32 – The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.
Thought: The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment. The wicked will hear these words on the last day: ““I never knew you.” They will also hear these words: “Depart from ye cursed into everlasting fire.” Yes, the wicked will be driven from the presence of God in the end. Not so with the righteous. They die in hope. They die with a desire and an expectation that they will be received of the Lord. They will hear the words: “Come ye blessed of my Father.”
Psalm 37:37
February 8, 2017
Proverbs 14:33 – Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.
Thought: Two persons are revealed in this verse. One is a person of understanding. He is well studied. He is experienced. He has reasoned deeply and come to conclusions based on the Word of God. This person allows wisdom to “rest” in his heart. He does not feel the need to expose all he knows to the world. The fool, on the other hand, thinks that he is intelligent. He wants the world to believe that he is. Thus, he boldly makes known that which is within. The truth is that the wise man does not utter all his heart.
Proverbs 29:11
February 9, 2017
Proverbs 14:34 – Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
Thought: This is a verse that both rulers and citizens of all nations need to commit to memory, and, then, put in practice. Sin is the transgression of God’s law. The nations that engage in sinful activities are a shame to the world. When our nation makes abortion legal, homosexual marriage legal, and condemns the practice of religion in public places, such is a shame. Dear reader, only the practice of righteousness will make our nation great. The choice is ours. Please note that partial righteousness is not enough.
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
February 10, 2017
Proverbs 14:35 – The king’s favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
Thought: A ruler puts men in positions around him that he trusts. He surrounds himself with men who are supposed to be knowledgeable in certain fields of expertise. These men are there to make wise decisions. Their decisions are supposed to promote the agenda of the king. As long as a servant behaves in a wise manner, he will have the king’s favor. However, when the servant makes foolish decisions and engages in foolish behavior, he will reap the king’s wrath. There is honor and heavy responsibility upon all those who are near the ruler.
Matthew 24:45-51
February 11, 2017
Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Thought: In his commentary on this verse, Clarke makes the following observation: “Gentleness will often disarm the most furious, where positive derangement has not taken place; one angry word will always beget another, for the disposition of one spirit always begets its own likeness in another: thus kindness produces kindness, and rage produces rage. Universal experience confirms this proverb” (e-sword, Clarke). When others provoke you, seek to be gentle, kind, and gracious in your response.
Judges 8:1-3
February 12, 2017
Proverbs 15:2 – The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Thought: The proper use of the tongue involves wisdom. A wise man knows when to speak and when to be quiet. He knows how to apply the knowledge that he has at the proper time. He knows when to teach, when to encourage, and when to rebuke. A fool knows none of these things. He just pours out foolishness. He may deceive a few, but most can see the ignorance and the evil of his words.
Ecclesiastes 10:12-13
February 13, 2017
Proverbs 15:3 – The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Thought: One of the descriptions of God is that He is omnipresent. He is at all places at all times. There is nothing that escapes His sight. Often we use this verse to warn the wicked that God is aware of the evil they commit. This is true, but God also sees the righteous. Even godly actions that are hidden from public view are known to Him. He sees the evil and THE GOOD!
Jeremiah 32:19
February 14, 2017
Proverbs 15:4 – A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Thought: All of the words that we speak have an impact on others. If our words are kind, gracious, tender and gentle, they are a tree of life producing all manner of good fruits. A perverse tongue is just the opposite. It speaks lies. It seeks to tear down and destroy. It has the ability to break the spirit of another person. May each of us watch our words. They definitely have an impact on others.
Psalm 52:2-4
February 15, 2017
Proverbs 15:5 – A fool despiseth his father’s instruction; but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.
Thought: The God of heaven has given children parents for a reason. Good parents are well-educated, especially in the Word of God. Too, they have been through many experiences of life that have developed their wisdom. Their instructions to their children are valuable. Only a foolish child will despise the precepts of a loving father. The child who is wise will take them to heart and make application of them.
I Chronicles 28:9
February 16, 2017
Proverbs 15:6 – In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
Thought: The righteous accumulate their wealth by honorable means. Their treasures not only provide for their needs and for their future, but they also bring peace and security to their lives. The wicked have accumulated their revenues by evil means. What they have is never secure. Others whom they have wronged are constantly seeking the treasures of the evil man. In their homes, there is no lasting peace and security.
Psalm 112:1-3
February 17, 2017
Proverbs 15:7 – The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
Thought: Without knowledge, man is destined to destruction. True knowledge comes from wise and godly men. These individuals desire for others to know and understand. Thus, they dispense their knowledge abroad. The heart of a foolish man does not contain sound knowledge. That which is sown by him will only bring heartache and ruin to others. He spreads lies, deceits, and devilish wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-10
February 18, 2017
Proverbs 15:8 – The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the upright is his delight.
Thought: The Lord does not accept the approach of just anyone. The Lord will only approve the worship of those who are His children. He will only delight in those who are in a covenant relationship with Him. The sacrifice of the wicked comes from an evil heart. He is usually seeking to benefit himself. Too, his worship is not that which has been authorized by God most of the time. Thus, his sacrifices are detestable to the Holy Father of heaven.
Isaiah 1:10-15
February 19, 2017
Proverbs 15:9 – The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Thought: There are only two lifestyles that all of mankind can lead. One involves the way of wickedness. The other involves the path of righteousness. One honors God. The other is a reproach to God. One conforms to God’s will. The other is in constant disobedience to His commandments. The righteous God loves. The wicked are an abomination unto God. Which path are you walking today?
Isaiah 51:7
February 20, 2017
Proverbs 15:10 – Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Thought: Men and women who dislike the preaching of the man of God are usually men and woman that have forsaken the way of truth. Thus, the correction they receive is grievous to them. They will complain about the preacher’s words being negative, hateful, and divisive. This individual who hates reproof will die. He will die physically. He will die spiritually. Sadly, his end could have been prevented. Which path are you treading today?
I Kings 21:20
February 21, 2017
Proverbs 15:11 – Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?
Thought: Man often forgets the supreme authority that God has over all that is visible and invisible. He has complete oversight of death, the grave, hades, heaven, and that place called hell which was prepared for the devil and His angels. If He rules over these things, it should not be hard to understand that He also has access to the hearts of the children of men. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He knows our hopes and dreams. He knows our fears and our joy. He knows our evil lusts and the purity of our hearts. God knows all.
Jeremiah 17:10
February 22, 2017
Proverbs 15:12 – A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.
Thought: The scorner is one who speaks against the truth and against the messenger of truth. He is one whose life is not lived in accordance with God’s Word. When he is rebuked, he does not care for the one who does the rebuking. The wise are those who are knowledgeable of God’s ways and God’s holy precepts. The scorner wants nothing to do with the wise either. “…he prefers the society where his frivolity finds approbation…” (e-sword, Keil & Delitzsch).
Amos 5:10
February 23, 2017
Proverbs 15:13 – A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.
Thought: The condition of a man’s heart is difficult to hide. When a man’s heart is joyful, it is expressed on his face. He is cheerful. His life is filled with vitality. But, if sorrow is within the heart, the spirit is broken. This, too, is manifested in the body language and actions of the one whose heart is breaking. As you go through this day, examine the faces of those who cross your path. Their face is a reflection of what is within. Rejoice with that do rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Nehemiah 2:1-2
February 24, 2017
Proverbs 15:14 – The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.
Thought: There are two types of information in the world, knowledge and foolishness. Knowledge involves those things that are true and right. Foolishness involves lies and evil. All men should be seeking knowledge, but many do not. They are classified as fools by God’s Word. Sadly, these individuals do not understand how important truth is. Their ignorance will lead them to destruction. What information are you diligently seeking?
Acts 17:11
February 25, 2017
Proverbs 15:15 – All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
Thought: Most individuals have suffered through periods of affliction. Thus, we understand the truth about the first part of this verse. While we are suffering, the days are evil. They are hard. They are full of sorrow. They are filled with pain. Fortunately most of us have also had times in our lives when our hearts were merry. Each day was met with pleasure. We had no complaints and a song was in our hearts. The evil days make us appreciate the good days. Let us be thankful for the good. Let us rely upon our God when the days are evil.
Genesis 37:33-35
February 26, 2017
Proverbs 15:16 – Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.
Thought: Many people love the thought of being rich. They wish they could win the lottery. They hope that Publisher’s Clearing House brings them the cash prize of $5,000 dollars a week for life. What many fail to realize is that great wealth can bring trouble. This trouble can create misery and hardship for the person who has the wealth. The wise man reminds us that having a little coupled with the fear of the Lord is better than riches and trouble. This is a difficult truth for the poor to grasp.
Ecclesiastes 5:10-12
February 27, 2017
Proverbs 15:17 – Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
Thought: Again, people usually have a desire to have great wealth. What they fail to realize is that wealth is not the giver of happiness. Those who live in a home filled with love and who eat only vegetables are happier than those who live in a home that serves steak every night but whose residents hate one another. Possessions do not create happiness. It is an illusion. Those who love and are loved are the ones who are truly happy.
I Corinthians 13:13
February 28, 2017
Proverbs 15:18 – A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Thought: There are two types of people that we can choose to be, a wrathful man or a man who is slow to anger. There are two types of people that we can choose to side with, a wrathful man or a man who is slow to anger. If we choose to be or side with the wrathful man, we need to remember that he is the one who stirs up strife. On the other hand, if we choose to be or side with one who is slow to anger, he appeases strife. Do you really want more strife in your life?
Genesis 13:8-9
Read devotionals for March 2017