Refined and Tested (and other devotionals)

Zechariah 13; Revelation 21

Today's Thoughts: Refined and Tested

This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, “They are my people, and they will say, The LORD is our God.”   Zechariah 13:9

I read a verse like this and ask the Lord, “Why do the ones that you choose and love need to be refined and tested?” In some strange way, I look at love so much differently.

It is not natural in the flesh to look at my children and think that I willingly plan to discipline them. I often succumb to discipline when their actions are not socially acceptable, and it embarrasses me. I really want to believe that they don't need me to discipline them and that they'll grow out of their stage. I want to believe that I can show love by having the self control to not discipline them and patiently wait for them to grow up. This is what my flesh wants to believe, that this is absloutely wrong because God is perfect love and He does not think that way. So, I need to align myself up with Him: both as a parent and as a child of God.

God says in this verse that He brings His own people into the fire. It is in the fire that we are refined like silver and tested like gold. If He is comparing us to precious metals, then we have to assume that the fire is pretty hot! The Lord does this for our good. He wants us to call on His name and know that He will answer because we are His people. His people have to be trained, disciplined, tested and refined to think His thoughts and to live in His ways. Because our flesh is so strong, we resist His work and end up turning from the Lord or blaming Him. We accuse Him of not being loving or caring. We wonder why He isn’t answering our prayers or rescuing us from those hot circumstances, without realizing that He is the One who has placed us there.

God loves you. He is all powerful and can absolutely rescue you but He cares more about you than you can care about yourself. He needs you to change to be more like Him. Unfortunately that takes time in the fire. Trust Him because this is only for a season. For when you are trained, you will produce a harvest of righteousness and a deep peace knowing that He is your God.

~Daily Disciples Devotional~

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Two Ways to Be Happy

Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands.

—Psalm 112:1

There are two ways that we can live our lives: the right way or the wrong way. There are two paths that we can take in life: the right path or the wrong path. The result is that we can live either the happy and holy way or the miserable and unholy way.

Everything you're looking for is found in a relationship with God. Take the story that Jesus told about the prodigal son. It appears from the story that he wanted nice clothes, great food, and parties. So he left home and spent all of his money. And then he returned home, empty-handed and miserable.

But what was the first thing his father did? He gave him some nice clothes. He ordered his servants to prepare some fine food. And then he said, "'We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began" (Luke 15:23–24). Everything the son was searching for was in his father's house all along.

The way to be a happy person will be found in what you do and don't do. Psalm 1:1 says, "Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers." So these are things that happy people don't do.

But then the passage tells us what happy people do: "They delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do" (verses 2–3).

So happiness comes not only from what you do, but also from what you don't do.

~Greg Laurie~

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Ever Present 

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. 
Psalm 33:11 

Recommended Reading Isaiah 40:6-8

Do you remember 2008? Unless you were married that year or had a child in 2008, that year may not evoke happy memories. Why? Because on September 20 of that year the Dow had its worst point drop ever. The sudden dramatic decline of stock prices resulted in a significant loss of wealth for people across the nation. This, joined with a drop in housing prices, caused people to owe more than their home was worth, and a domino effect began in our economy. In a time when everything man touches seems to change rapidly, the constancy of planet earth offers a benchmark of stability.

Don’t look now, but our planet is going to change one day as well. The apostle Peter writes that the day is coming when “both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” as part of “the day of the Lord” (2 Peter 3:10-12). So is there anything permanent? Anything that will never change? Only one “thing”: the Creator of heaven and earth. God spoke through Malachi saying, “For I am the Lord, I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). God’s person and attributes are infinite and eternal. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Nothing except God is constant in our world. He is our ever-present hope.

~David Jeremiah~

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Romans 7:14-25

(14) For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. (15) For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. (16) If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it isgood. (17) But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (18) For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. (19) For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. (20) Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. (21) I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. (22) For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. (23) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (24) O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? (25) I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
New King James Version   

Paul is not confessing that he continually practiced sin in his daily life, but that the threat of practicing it was always with him. He always had to be on guard against it to keep it from breaking out. And, at times, it did indeed break out, reminding him not only of its presence, but also its strength. There is no doubt Paul was a mature Christian. Therefore, this serves as a reminder to us that, no matter how spiritually mature we become, human nature will still always be with us.

Paul died spiritually and was buried in the waters ofbaptism. Therefore, baptism and the receipt of a new nature by which we are to conduct life do not take human nature away. We, like him, sincerely desire to do the right thing. We believe God's Word. We love God and aspire to glorify Him. Nevertheless, because human nature is always present, we do not always follow through. Instead, human nature overpowers us; we are taken captive, as it were, and revert to following its drives instead. This can be very disturbing, piling guilt upon us and making us fearful of separation from God.

Thus, because we are similar to Paul, and despite the wretchedness we may feel, we have assurance, knowing we will be delivered from this peculiar situation, one that is somewhat akin to having a dual personality. Our deliverance is through Jesus Christ; there indeed is an end. However, unlike many Protestant groups that proclaim that we do not have to keep the law because all is done for us, we know that we must strive to walk even as Christ walked—and He never sinned. I John 2:3-6 emphatically states:

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Though we are under no condemnation, we still must yield to the Spirit of God to our utmost abilities. We are to "go on to perfection" (Hebrews 6:1), endeavoring to grow "to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). Paul says, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Despite the difficulties involved, any failures that occur, and any feelings of guilt that arise, we are still required to strive to keep God's laws as Jesus did.

~John W. Ritenbaugh~

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Resting Our Minds, Part Two
by Chuck Swindoll

Isaiah 26:3-4

How could Joseph forgive his brothers who had mistreated him so badly? We saw it yesterday: plain and simple, he left all vengeance to the Lord. To use our terms, Joseph rested and relaxed, trusting in His God.

At the climax of this great story, we read the secret of Joseph's life:

His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants." But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive." (Genesis 50:18–20)

Question: How could Joseph respond like that? Why didn't he feel angry and seek to have them punished? Answer: He could forgive them because his mind focused on the sovereignty of God. Rather than nursing hatred and plans for revenge, he deliberately took the long view and realized that God, who "causes all things to work together for good" (Romans 8:28), had a plan for saving Joseph's own family—and that would never have happened had Joseph not been in Egypt where he was promoted to a role of leadership that gave him authority of that vast food supply.

To use our terms, he mentally rested and relaxed. Because he made the Lord his God the center of his focus, good resulted from all that evil. And in the meantime, Joseph enjoyed an inner peace rather than inner torment. It's exactly as the prophet Isaiah once wrote:

"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace,
Because he trusts in You.
Trust in the LORD forever,
For in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock." (Isaiah 26:3–4)

So much for Joseph—now it's your turn. For you to have that kind of "perfect peace," for you to enjoy a life of mental rest and relaxation, you need to lay aside the hatchet, erase your mental hit list, and forgive all those who have done you wrong. Start that process today.

Like, NOW.

When You Trust In God ...

2 Chronicles 20:1-37, When you trust in God, there is no need to fear

by Matt Slick

"After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.  2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea.  It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi).  3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.  4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.  5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard  6 and said: "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven?  You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations.  Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.  7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?  8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying,  9 `If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'. . .  14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.  15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem!  This is what the LORD says to you: `Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.  For the battle is not yours, but God's.. . .  22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.  23 The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them.  After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another....  30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side," (2 Chron. 20:1-9, 14-15, 22-23, 30)

When you trust in God, there is no need to fear.

Introduction

Life can be difficult.  Being a Christian in a non-chrisitan world poses all kinds of problems.  The world does not know Jesus.  The world does not love Him.  The world does not understand why He came.  You, on the other hand, do know Jesus.  You do love Him.  And, you do understand why He came.  He came to save you from your sins and to give you new life.  He came to bring you peace and joy in the Spirit. He came so you might have fellowship with God.

These things you already know.  And you also know that though you are saved from sin and filled with the Spirit of God, life in this world still is not perfect.  It is still difficult.

The Christian is, in a sense, in a battle with the world.  And the world is at war with the Christian -- with you.  The world offers vices, self-fulfillment, and greed.  The world wants to convert you to its paganism, to its ungodly devotion to the unholy.  And if you don't conform, if you don't bend the knee to its idols and sacrifices, you will be ridiculed, mocked, and attacked.

So the world is against you.  The evil one is at war with you.  And in the battle there are all sorts of struggles.  On the inside, you struggle against sin: pride, lust, greed, boasting, and various wantings.  On the outside, you struggle against illness, poverty, marriage problems, job difficulties, an unsure future, and more. Maybe right now you are facing a serious struggle. Or maybe you=ve recently had to deal with a difficult situation.  Maybe you fear that one is coming.

As a Christian, what do you do when life is coming down on you hard, when there seems to be no way out, when your relationship with God is being affected?  When you are worried or afraid?  When you are in distress?

What do you do when you are facing such monumental obstacles?  How do your resist temptation, flee from evil, or believe beyond your ability to understand how your problems can be solved?

The answer lies in the Word of God.

Context: Israel and Judah were divided.

• Jehoshaphat was the 4th king of the separated kingdom of Judah around 850 to 875 B.C.  He was a zealous follower of the commandments of God.  In his 3rd year he sent out certain princes, priests, and Levites, to go through all the cities of Judah, teaching the people out of the Book of the Law.  Because he sought the Lord, riches and honors increased around him.  "Jehoshophat sought the Lord with all his heart" (2 Chr. 22:9).
• Moab, Ammon, and the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.
• Jehoshaphat was afraid; and rightly so, for the army approaching him was indeed a mighty one, beyond what he would be able to handle. He was in trouble.

Read 2 Chronicles 20, verses 1-9, 14-15, 22-23, 30

1. You should trust God and not fear because of who He is.  Please look with me at v. 6.
   "and he [Jehoshaphat] said, 'O Lord, the God of our fathers, art Thou not God in the heavens?  And art Thou not ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations?  Power and might are in Thy hand so that no one can stand against Thee.
   1. '"Jehovah is:
      1. "...the God of our Fathers"
         1. of Adam and Eve, of Noah, of Abraham, of Moses
         2. therefore, He is the God of History.
      2. He also lives in heaven;
         1. Therefore, He is the God of Holiness.  Heaven is the holy dwelling place of God.
         2. Therefore, He is above all things.  He is pure, righteous, and incapable of sin.
      3. He is also the ruler of all the nations;
         1. therefore, He is the God of Sovereignty.  All kings and peoples are His.  And as such He has the right to rule them as He pleases.
      4. He is all powerful;
         1. therefore, He is the God of power.
            1. He can do as He wishes.  He can create or destroy.  Raise up or tear down.
   2. Who is God to you?
      1. Is He big or small?
      2. Is He all powerful or is He a wimp?
      3. Does He love you or does He just put up with you?
   3. How you perceive God affects how you respond to Him.
      1. The people of Judah knew who God was and that is why they looked to Him and trusted Him.
      2. IIn other words, you should trust God because He is holy; He is a King; and He is all powerful, and because He loves you very much.
2. You should trust God and not fear not only because of who He is but also because of what He has already done.
   Please look with me at verse 7, "Did Thou not, O our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Israel, and give it to the descendants of Abraham Thy friend forever?"
   1. God has already accomplished great things:
      1. He gave the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham.
         1. God chose Abraham and promised him he would be a great nation.
         2. God raised up Moses and, through many miracles, delivered His people from the bondage of the Egyptians.  He parted the Red Sea; He destroyed the Egyptians.
         3. God raised up Joshua and the Hebrew armies to take the land of Canaan.  And there, God planted them in the land that they might bear fruit as His chosen people so they could worship Him, honor Him, serve Him, and prepare the way of the Messiah.
         4. The Hebrew could reach down, grab a hand full of dirt, and touch the promise, feel the reality of God's accomplishments.  He could touch the promise!
         5. *** Because the Hebrews knew God and what He had already done for them, they sought Him again.
            Then look at what they did...
            1. They sought God, v. 12, "O our God, wilt thou not judge them?  For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on Thee."
            2. They praised God, v. 19, "And the Levites, from the sons of the Kohathites and of the sons of the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel, with a very loud voice."
            3. They put their trust in God, v. 20, "...Jehoshaphat stood and said, 'Listen to Me, O Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, put your trust in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld....'"
            4. They gave thanks to God, v. 21, "And he said, 'Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting."
      2. What do you do when you face trials and tribulations?  Do you praise God?  Do you put your trust in Him?  Do you give thanks to God?
         1. Did you know that a Christian's true character is often revealed when he faces a real problem?  How do you handle your problems?  Do you panic?  Do you complain?  Do you raise your fist in the air and shout at God?  Do you begin to doubt and then run for a quick fix (run to a sin, the television, or "not talk about it")?, or do you go the Lord in prayer, humility, praise, and trust, and refuse to give fear and worry any place?
      3. As you can see, God had already done great things for the Hebrew people.  He has already done great things for you as well... and more.
         1. He has delivered you from the enemy called sin, by redeeming you through His Son.
         2. He has brought you out of the land of the Valley of the Shadows of Death and given you a place to rest, and caused you to lie down on green pastures.
         3. He has taken your heart, at one time the home of evil, and delivered it into the hands of His Son, Jesus.
            1. The cross is the only reason you have for any hope of deliverance from any conflict, problem, battle, or worry.
            2. The cross is the absolute guarantee of God's commitment to you.  You will never be forsaken.  You cannot be forsaken; you cannot be forgotten by God.
      4. They were delivered from the mere threat of mortal death.  You have been delivered from the threat of eternal death.
         1. They were delivered from an enemy that sought to kill them.
         2. You have been delivered from an enemy that has sought to have you damned.
         3. The cross, the blood, the pain, the humiliation of Jesus 2000 years ago has bought you peace, safety, and security in the land of promise: eternal life with God.
      5. This battle so long ago was not only an attempt by Satan to destroy God's people then, but it was also an attempt to destroy you now. No messianic line, no Messiah, no salvation. Then youare lost, too.
      6. God has given you salvation.
         1. Will He do any less for you when you face difficulties in your life?
         2. Will He let you be destroyed? No!
            1. How do you handle sin, sickness, heartbreak, pain, uncertainty, etc...
            2. Do you trust God or do you doubt? Hasn't He fed you, clothed you, warmed you?
         3. Hasn't He freed you from your sin?
            1. God has called you not that He might forsake you, but that He might sanctify you, make you holy, and that you might enjoy Him forever.
            2. Because He loves you... very much.
3. You should trust in the Lord and not fear not only because of who He is and what He has already done, but also because of what He will do.
   1. The people of Judah did not know what would happen.  But they trusted in the Lord.
      Please look with me at:
      1. v. 15 - Do not fear or be dismayed... for the battle is not yours but God's.
      2. v. 17 - Stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf (v. 17).
      3. These were statements in the future tense.  These were God's words of Promise!!
   2. So they people rested, they feared not.
   3. v. 30 - So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides

Conclusion

Is God any different now?  Are His words of Promise any less true?

Jesus said,

• Come to Me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest (Matt. 11:28).
• "I am with you always, even to the ends of the earth" (Matt. 28:20).
• He said that His words will not pass away (Mark 13:31).
• He said that He would raise you up on the last day (John 6:40).
• He said that whatever you asked in His name would be give to you. (John 14:14).
• He said He would disclose Himself to you (John 14:21).
• He said that He would reveal the Father to you (Matt. 11:27)
• And He said He would return in the clouds and that every eye will see Him (Mark 13:27).

Because of who God is and what He has already done for you, you can trust Him even more for the future and have no fear that He will continue to uphold you, love you, and continue His wonderful loving plan in your life.

Will you trust Him?  How much will you trust Him?  How much will you rest in Him?  Its up to you.

Thy Prayers are all Filed in Heaven (and other devotionals)

Isaiah 30:18

Therefore will the Lord wait that He may be gracious unto you.

God often DELAYS IN ANSWERING PRAYER. We have several instances of this in sacred Scripture. Jacob did not get the blessing from the angel until near the dawn of day-he had to wrestle all night for it. The poor woman of Syrophenicia was answered not a word for a long while. Paul besought the Lord thrice that "the thorn in the flesh" might be taken from him, and he received no assurance that it should be taken away, but instead thereof a promise that God's grace should be sufficient for him. If thou hast been knocking at the gate of mercy, and hast received no answer, shall I tell thee why the mighty Maker hath not opened the door and let thee in? Our Father has reasons peculiar to Himself for thus keeping us waiting. Sometimes it is to show His power and His sovereignty, that men may know that Jehovah has a right to give or to withhold. More frequently the delay is for our profit. Thou art perhaps kept waiting in order that thy desires may be more fervent. God knows that delay will quicken and increase desire, and that if He keeps thee waiting thou wilt see thy necessity more clearly, and wilt seek more earnestly; and that thou wilt prize the mercy all the more for its long tarrying. There may also be something wrong in thee which has need to be removed, before the joy of the Lord is given. Perhaps thy views of the Gospel plan are confused, or thou mayest be placing some little reliance on thyself, instead of trusting simply and entirely to the Lord Jesus. Or, God makes thee tarry awhile that He may the more fully display the riches of His grace to thee at last. Thy prayers are all filed in heaven, and if not immediately answered they are certainly not forgotten, but in a little while shall be fulfilled to thy delight and satisfaction. Let not despair make thee silent, but continue instant in earnest supplication.

~Charles Spurgeon~

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Our Terms

Today's reading: 2 Kings 6:24-33

Despite prior defeats and God thwarting their plans, the king of Syria is determined to overcome and control Israel. So as we finish out 2 Kings 6, the Syrian army has surrounded and cut off the city of Samaria. The city is in extreme distress, suffering from a severe famine. The people are desperate and want relief which the king can't provide. In frustration and anger, the king turns on Elisha, calling for his life blaming God for the terrible circumstances. ("The [king's] messenger came down to him and said, 'This trouble is from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?'" vs. 33).

What a picture of the self-centered thinking that comes so naturally to us and can fill our minds so easily if we're not diligent about submitting our will to God. Have you ever noticed how we want God to operate on our terms? We're happy to receive His help while we pursue our plan, but then when something happens contrary to that plan, we get angry with God, and more often than not, refuse to recognize how our actions and attitudes have contributed to our current situation.

How do you interact with, and respond to, God when life isn't following your preferred game plan? What helps you get and keep a mindset of being submitted to God's plan for you and your family? 

~Tami~

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BIBLE MEDITATION:
“…and his name shall be called Wonderful…” Isaiah 9:6.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What is in the name of the Lord Jesus? There is wonder in His name. Do you stand in awe of the Lord Jesus Christ? Or have you become complacent? Do you not get excited when you think of Jesus? If you don’t, you’ve lost the wonder. You have calluses on your soul. 

Oh friend, Jesus is wonderful. Wonderful in His birth. Wonderful in His life. Wonderful in His teaching. Wonderful in His miracles. Wonderful in His death. Wonderful in His resurrection. And yes, wonderful in His second coming. His name is wonderful. 

I heard of a man riding on a train one time, looking out the window. He was saying, “Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful”. And the man sitting next to him asked, “Why do you think everything is wonderful?” He answered, “I’ve been blind and just had surgery. I’m seeing things I had long since forgotten how beautiful they are. And they are wonderful to me.” 

ACTION POINT:
Friend, if Jesus is not wonderful to you, open your spiritual eyes. See just how wonderful Jesus is. There is wonder in His name.

~Adrian Rogers~

Love Worth Finding Ministries

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No man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. - The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. - We are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Your life is hid with Christ in God.

Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

JOHN 10:29. II Tim. 1:12. II Tim. 4:18. -Rom. 8:37 39. Col. 3:3. Jas. 2:5. II Thes. 2:16,17.

EVENINGThe perfect law of liberty.

Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. - Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. - For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. - I will walk at liberty, for I seek thy precepts.

JAS. 1:25. John 8:32 34,36. Gal. 5:1,13,l4. -Rom. 6:18. Rom. 7:2. Rom. 8:2. Psa. 119:45.

~Samuel Bagster~

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Attention! Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who serve in the Lord’s temple during the night. May the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion!—Ps 134:1,3

Strange time for adoration, you say, to stand in God’s house by night, to worship in the depth of sorrow —it is indeed an arduous thing. Yes, and therein lies the blessing; it is the test of perfect faith. If I would know the love of my friend I must see what it can do in the winter. So with the Divine love. It is easy for me to worship in the summer sunshine when the melodies of life are in the air and the fruits of life are on the tree. But let the song of the bird cease and the fruit of the tree fall, and will my heart still go on to sing? Will I stand in God’s house by night? Will I love Him in His own night? Will I watch with Him even one hour in His Gethsemane? Will I help to bear His cross up the dolorous way? Will I stand beside Him in His dying moments with Mary and the beloved disciple? Will I be able with Nicodemus to take up the dead Christ? Then is my worship complete and my blessing glorious. My love has come to Him in His humiliation. My faith has found Him in His lowliness. My heart has recognized His majesty through His mean disguise, and I know at last that I desire not the gift but the Giver. When I can stand in His house by night I have accepted Him for Himself alone.
—George Matheson

“My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,

Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God; 

’Tis His to lead me there, not mine, but His

’At any cost, dear Lord, by any road!’

“So faith bounds forward to its goal in God, 

And love can trust her Lord to lead her there; 

’Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard 

Till God hath full fulfilled my deepest prayer.

“No matter if the way be sometimes dark, 

No matter though the cost be ofttimes great, 

He knoweth how I best shall reach the mark, 

The way that leads to Him must needs be straight.

“One thing I know, I cannot say Him nay; 

One thing I do, I press towards my Lord; 

My God my glory here, from day to day, 

And in the glory there my Great Reward.”

~L. B. Cowman~

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Key #7 to Effective Prayer - The Holy Spirit's Help

Today I want to talk to you about another key to effective prayer, and that is the help of the Holy Spirit.  I am so glad we have the Holy Spirit to help us, aren't you?
In John 16, Jesus is talking to His disciples, and He is trying to prepare them and let them know that He is going away.  In John 16:7 He tells them,
"Nevertheless I tell you the truth.  It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you."
Do you know who the Helper is?  It is the Holy Spirit.  Earlier in John 14:26 he had told His disciples this,
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
The Helper, the Holy Spirit, has been sent to come alongside and teach us all things.  He will teach you how to pray; He will teach you things about prayer.  The Holy Spirit will help you in that way.
Then He said, "[He will] bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."  The Holy Spirit will help us remember the promises.  The things that God has taught us He will bring to our remembrance, so we can pray effectively.
The Holy Spirit is like having a personal assistant.  A personal assistant will help you remember your appointments or show you something you do not know.  Every moment of every day He is there for us.
Take time to praise God today for His provision of the Holy Spirit.  And remember He is there to help you in prayer.

~Bayless Conley~

Put On the Elect of God (and other devotionals)

Put on as the elect of God, kindness (Col. 3:12).

There is a story of an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and if he passed through a door that squeaked, he poured a little oil on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. And thus he passed through life lubricating all hard places and making it easier for those who came after him. People called him eccentric, queer, and cranky; but the old man went steadily on refilling his can of oil when it became empty, and oiled the hard places he found.

There are many lives that creak and grate harshly as they live day by day. Nothing goes right with them. They need lubricating with the oil of gladness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness.

Have you your own can of oil with you? Be ready with your oil of helpfulness in the early morning to the one nearest you. It may lubricate the whole day for him. The oil, of good cheer to the downhearted one--Oh, how much it may mean! The word of courage to the despairing. Speak it. Our lives touch others but once, perhaps, on the road of life; and then, mayhap, our ways diverge, never to meet again.

The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off of many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable and ready for the redeeming grace of the Saviour. A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad heart. Therefore, "Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest."

We cannot know the grief
That men may borrow;
We cannot see the souls
Storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way
Today, tomorrow;
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken,
We live in vain who give no tender token.
Let us be kind.

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" (Rom. 12:10).

~L. B. Cowman~

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Heart Felt Praise 

My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. Luke 1:46-47, 49-50

I could see love in their faces. Some leathery and wrinkled from the toils and trials of life, others youthful: smooth cheeked and white toothed— both beaming with the joy of Jesus captured on their countenance. My fifth trip in ten years to India felt like my first. Why? I’m not sure, but something about the heart of the people: pure, fresh and faith filled. Their unintelligible Hindi prayers and praise escorted my soul into the presence of our Savior. The Holy Spirit, like a knife through hot butter, cut to the depths of my being. I wept in the presence of great lovers of God.

Mary, the soon to be mother of Jesus, was caught up in rapturous praise and adoration of her Lord and Savior. Faith not fear, moved her once anxious heart closer to God in her time of challenge: pregnancy, travel and being in the spotlight. Shy perhaps, but submitted to the will of the One who called her to bear the Christ child. The dusty, rough road to Bethlehem—with its exposed and uncomfortable accommodations, only emboldened her heartfelt praise. History was altered, not about her, but Him. She glorified the Mighty One for His mighty work in and through her.

‘My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:1-2).

Magnify the Lord in worship, rejoice in and praise His holy name in song. God has done extraordinary things for you, in you and through you. He created you in His image and He saved you to grow into the image of His son Jesus. As you fear and adore Him—He pours out His abundant grace and mercy on you. A life compelled by willful worship is captured by Christ. Yes, your praise models gratitude to God for the next generation to mightily rejoice in Jesus Christ!

Gratitude is God’s gift to us out of our heartfelt praise to Him. Like the mighty Mississippi River, thankfulness fills to overflowing the soul that sings out to its Savior. As we adore the Lord for His loving presence—He awards us the gift of security. We worship the Holy One in the rarified air of His righteousness, while His Spirit bestows holiness into our hearts. Our heartfelt praise guarantees generational engagement with God. We are secure aliens—but the Holy Spirit’s influence is without borders. Like Mary, we are instruments of Christ’s work in and through us.

“I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever” (Psalm 45:17).

~Wisdom Hunters Devotional~
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Ministry Mindset

Today's reading: 2 Kings 6:1-7

The character and approach to life displayed by the sons of the prophets, a group of young men whose lives were committed to fulltime ministry, caught my attention. So I wrote down some of the things I noticed about these young men that would be wise to implement and follow. Here's my list:

• Eager to learn more about God and His ways;
• No attitude of entitlement or expectation of receiving charity;
• Willing to work for what they need;
• Don't want to move ahead without confirmation from their leader;
• Desire the company and help of their spiritual teacher;
• Not concerned with having possessions; and
• Took care with, and were concerned about, the items of others.

As a follower of Christ, we are all in ministry. So how would you describe your mindset with regard to serving and representing God? What from the young prophets examples, stood out to you most, and why? 

~Tami~

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Following Leads to Honor 

"If any man serve Me, let him follow Me; and where l am, there shall also My servant be: if any man serve Me, him will My Father honor"   (John 12:26).

The highest service is imitation. If I would be Christ's servant I must be His follower. To do as Jesus did is the surest way of bringing honor to His name. Let me mind this every day. If I imitate Jesus I shall have His company: if I am like Him I shall be with Him. In due time He will take me up to dwell with Him above, if, meanwhile, I have striven to follow Him here below. After His suffering our LORD came to His throne, and even so, after we have suffered a while with Him here below, we also shall arrive in glory. The issue of our LORD's life shall be the issue of ours: if we are with Him in His humiliation we shall be with Him in His glory. Come, my soul, pluck up courage and put down thy feet in the blood-marked footprints which thy LORD has left thee. Let me not fail to note that the Father will honor those who follow His Son. If He sees me true to Jesus, He will put marks of favor and honor upon me for His Son's sake. No honor can be like this. Princes and emperors bestow the mere shadows of honor; the substance of glory comes from the Father. Wherefore, my soul, cling thou to thy LORD Jesus more closely than ever.

~Charles Spurgeon~

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Strive to enter in at the strait gate - Luke 13:24

The question which the disciples asked was for their gratification and curiosity. Men have always been curious to know what will be the numerical result of the Redeemer's work. But to such questions the Lord had no reply. He was only eager that none of those whom He loved should miss the full measure of blessedness that was within His reach; therefore He bade each be sure of entering the narrow door, so narrow that there is no room to carry through it the love of self, the greed of gain, the thirst for the applause and rewards of the world.

We may be saved from the penalty of sin by one single glance at the Saviour, who lived, and died, and lives forevermore; but we cannot be saved in the deepest meaning of the word, in the sense of being delivered from the love and power of sin, unless we are willing to enter through a door, so constructed and straight, that it seems impossible to effect an entrance. Art thou willing for this, willing to leave behind thy amassed and hardly-gained treasures, thy luggage and impedimenta, thy jewels and gew-gaws, thy certificate of merit and credentials, thy notions of self-importance, the weights which thou hast carried so long, the pillows with which thou art always sparing thyself from the stern realities and efforts of a noble life? If thou art willing for this, and prepared to strive, even to the rending of thyself asunder, then thou shalt be saved from the love and tyranny of that wild, dark power, which, hitherto, has always dragged thee downward.

It is not enough to eat and drink of the blessed memorial supper, nor to listen to the voice of Jesus teaching in His Church. Many may do all this, and yet never be included in the Kingdom of Heaven.

~F. B. Meyer~

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BIBLE MEDITATION: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power…”Romans 1:3-4. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: May I ask you a personal question? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is Lord? You do? Then may I ask you another question? Is He your Lord? Let’s be more specific. • Is He Lord of your tongue? • Is He Lord of your time? • Is He Lord of your treasure? • Is He Lord of your talents? • Is He Lord of your testimony? • Is He Lord in deed as well as word? Is He truly Lord? Now, don’t answer too quickly. ACTION POINT: Think about it: It’s one thing to sing “Bring forth the royal diadem and crown Him Lord of all.” It’s another thing to mean it. Crown Him “Lord of all” in your life today. ~Adrian Rogers~ Love Worth Finding Ministries ______________________________ Revelation 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. We may understand this to refer to justification. "They shall walk in white"; that is, they shall enjoy a constant sense of their own justification by faith; they shall understand that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them, that they have all been washed and made whiter than the newly-fallen snow. Again, it refers to joy and gladness: for white robes were holiday dresses among the Jews. They who have not defiled their garments shall have their faces always bright; they shall understand what Solomon meant when he said "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart. Let thy garments be always white, for God hath accepted thy works." He who is accepted of God shall wear white garments of joy and gladness, while he walks in sweet communion with the Lord Jesus. Whence so many doubts, so much misery, and mourning? It is because so many believers defile their garments with sin and error, and hence they lose the joy of their salvation, and the comfortable fellowship of the Lord Jesus, they do not here below walk in white. The promise also refers to walking in white before the throne of God. Those who have not defiled their garments here shall most certainly walk in white up yonder, where the white-robed hosts sing perpetual hallelujahs to the Most High. They shall possess joys inconceivable, happiness beyond a dream, bliss which imagination knoweth not, blessedness which even the stretch of desire hath not reached. The "undefiled in the way" shall have all this-not of merit, nor of works, but of grace. They shall walk with Christ in white, for He has made them "worthy." In His sweet company they shall drink of the living fountains of waters. ~Charles Spurgeon~ ___________________________ Our Best Friend Is Jesus John 15:9-17 Years ago the Sunday School teachers in my church would teach preschoolers a little chorus that included the line, “My best friend is Jesus.” As those children grew into adulthood, they naturally put aside juvenile songs like this one. But sadly, they also frequently seemed to grow out of the idea of Jesus being a friend. As believers learn more about God, they rightly elevate Him to be the Lord of their lives and acknowledge Him as sovereign ruler over all the earth. It is easier to think of One so high and mighty as Creator, Savior, and Lord than to “lower” Him to the position of Friend. But Jesus makes a point of telling His disciples that He is both a transcendent deity—the Son of God—and their companion (John 15:15). The offer of friendship extends to modern disciples as well. Like the original twelve followers, we are privileged to say that Christ laid down His life for us in a supreme act of love and devotion (v. 13). What is more, His Spirit reveals the truth of Scripture to our hearts so that we can learn more about God and His ways. In other words, Jesus has made known to us the things He heard from His Father. A man doesn’t tell secrets to slaves; he tells them to his friends (v. 15). Teaching children to sing of their friendship with Jesus is a wise idea. But I wonder when some grown believers will learn to sing of that special relationship again? May we never become so religious, so pious, or so full of our own maturity that we will not say, “My best friend is Jesus Christ.” ~Charles Stanley~ In Touch Ministries _________________________________

Worthy Sayings of Great Christians

What! Get to heaven in your own strength? Why, you might as well try to climb to the moon on a rope of sand.
~George Whitefield~
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God the most important relationship you can have. Embrace it every day.
~A. W. Tozer~
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If someone has offended you, insulted you, or disappointed you, let it go! If you are remembering all the ways you have been hurt or forgotten, let it go! If you are remembering all the ways you have been hurt or forgotten, let it go! Ask yourself, what good does it do for me to hold onto this. It only burns a gaping hole in my soul and leaves me empty!
~Unknown~
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God will answer your prayer. He may say, "yes." He may say, "Wait," or He may say, "I've got something better for you."
~Charles Stanley~
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It took me a long time to understand what it means to forgive someone. I always wondered how I could forgive someone who chose to hurt me? But after a lot of soul searching, I realized that forgiveness isn't about accepting or excusing their behavior ... it's about letting it go and preventing their behavior from destroying my heart.
~Unknown~
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If your religion depends upon a pastor's preaching, then you're a long way from being where you should be.
~A. W. Tozer~
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The Christian is of all persons the most realistic. He demands to know the whole truth about God, moral accountability, and the world to come. He wants to know the worst about himself in order that he may do something about it. He is a realist, his expectations are valid, and his faith is well grounded in God.
~A. W. Tozer~
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Not often, but every once in a while, God brings us to a major turning point - a great crossroads in our life. From that point we either go more and more toward a slow, lazy and useless Christian life, or we become more and more on the giving our utmost for His highest - our best for His glory.
~Oswald Chambers~
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Those living the crucified life do not seek peace or wealth, fame or high positions. Rather, they want to know God and to be where Jesus is. Only to know Christ - that is all.
~Oswald Chambers~
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When we complain about the weather, we are, in reality, murmuring against God.
~A. W. Pink~
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Give me the grace to do as you command, and command me to do what you will.
~Ausustine~
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For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10) How solemn and searching! The Lord Jesus declared that "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment (Matt. 12:36). If every idle word is going to be taken note of then most assuredly will be every wasted hour! Should we still be on earth when the closing days of this year arrive, let writer and reader earnestly seek grace to live and act with the judgment seat of Christ before us. His "well done" will be ample compensation to the sneers and taunts which we may receive from Christless souls.
~A. W. Pink~
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I say that a Christian congregation can survive and often appear to prosper in the community by the exercise of human talent and without any touch from the Holy Spirit! All that religious activity and the dear people will not know anything better until the great and terrible day when our self-employed talents are burned with fire and only that which was wrought by the Holy Spirit will stand forever!
~A. W. Tozer~

Daily Bible Reading

Matthew 8:14-34; Leviticus 1-2; Proverbs 19 ESV

Matthew 8

1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, "I will; be clean." And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them." 5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 "Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly." 7 And he said to him, "I will come and heal him." 8 But the centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant,'Do this,' and he does it." 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, "Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, "Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment. 14And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases." 18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." 20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 21 Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." 22 And Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26 And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?" 28And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, "What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" 30Now a herd of many pigs was feeding at some distance from them. 31 And the demons begged him, saying, "If you cast us out, send us away into the herd of pigs." 32 And he said to them, "Go." So they came out and went into the pigs, and behold, the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the waters. 33 The herdsmen fled, and going into the city they told everything, especially what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus, and when they saw him, they begged him to leave their region.

Leviticus 1

1 The LORD called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock. 3 "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD. 4He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. 5 Then he shall kill the bull before the LORD, and Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. 6 Then he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces, 7 and the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. 8 And Aaron's sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, the head, and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar;9 but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 10 "If his gift for a burnt offering is from the flock, from the sheep or goats, he shall bring a male without blemish, 11 and he shall kill it on the north side of the altar before the LORD, and Aaron's sons the priests shall throw its blood against the sides of the altar. 12 And he shall cut it into pieces, with its head and its fat, and the priest shall arrange them on the wood that is on the fire on the altar, 13but the entrails and the legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall offer all of it and burn it on the altar; it is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 14 "If his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or pigeons. 15 And the priest shall bring it to the altar and wring off its head and burn it on the altar. Its blood shall be drained out on the side of the altar. 16 He shall remove its crop with its contents and cast it beside the altar on the east side, in the place for ashes. 17 He shall tear it open by its wings, but shall not sever it completely. And the priest shall burn it on the altar, on the wood that is on the fire. It is a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 2

1 "When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it 2 and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 3 But the rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the LORD's food offerings. 4 "When you bring a grain offering baked in the oven as an offering, it shall be unleavened loaves of fine flour mixed with oil or unleavened wafers smeared with oil. 5 And if your offering is a grain offering baked on a griddle, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mixed with oil. 6 You shall break it in pieces and pour oil on it; it is a grain offering. 7 And if your offering is a grain offering cooked in a pan, it shall be made of fine flour with oil. 8 And you shall bring the grain offering that is made of these things to the LORD, and when it is presented to the priest, he shall bring it to the altar. 9 And the priest shall take from the grain offering its memorial portion and burn this on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 10 But the rest of the grain offering shall be for Aaron and his sons; it is a most holy part of the LORD's food offerings. 11 "No grain offering that you bring to the LORD shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey as a food offering to the LORD. 12 As an offering of firstfruits you may bring them to the LORD, but they shall not be offered on the altar for a pleasing aroma. 13 You shall season all your grain offerings with salt. You shall not let the salt of the covenant with your God be missing from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. 14 "If you offer a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD, you shall offer for the grain offering of your firstfruits fresh ears, roasted with fire, crushed new grain. 15 And you shall put oil on it and lay frankincense on it; it is a grain offering. 16 And the priest shall burn as its memorial portion some of the crushed grain and some of the oil with all of its frankincense; it is a food offering to the LORD.

Proverbs 19

1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. 2 Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.3 When a man's folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD. 4 Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. 6Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. 7 All a poor man's brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them. 8 Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good. 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. 10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes. 11 Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. 12 A king's wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife's quarreling is a continual dripping of rain. 14 House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger. 16 Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die. 17 Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed. 18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death. 19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again. 20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. 22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm. 24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth. 25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge. 26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach. 27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.