Devotional
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Daily Readings: Psalm 53 and Proverbs 17 “A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.” (v.27-28) Why would wise people not go around spouting many words? I think there are a few reasons. Firstly, wisdom begins…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 52 and Proverbs 16 “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” (v.3) Today’s focus verse has a real ring of Psalm 37:5 about it, “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.” To “commit” (“golel” in Hebrew) everything we do and every action we take…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 51 and Proverbs 15 “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” (v.4 NLT) “Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.” (v.4 GNT) How lovely it is to spend time with a person whose conversation is gentle and kind. When we leave their company we…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 50 and Proverbs 14 “Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.” (Proverbs 14:4) Compulsive cleaners beware! This Proverb will disturb your sensibilities. Jokes aside, what a remarkably accurate proverb this is. The only way to have a perfectly clean and orderly stable for one’s…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 49 and Proverbs 13 “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” (Proverbs 13:20) This very simple piece of Spirit-inspired advice to a young man, if followed, can make the difference betwen life and death. Far too many people, both young and old, have had their…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 48 and Proverbs 12 The first verse of Proverbs 12 sets the scene by declaring the central thought of the whole chapter: “To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.” Then, about halfway through the chapter we are reminded of the big idea again, in verse 15: “Fools…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 47 and Proverbs 11 Honest scales are an issue for the LORD. He made this clear to His people in the Law of Moses (Leviticus 19:35-36 and Deuteronomy 25:13-16) and He does so again in Proverbs 11. Honesty in our economic dealings brings God great delight. On the other hand, cheating others…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 46 and Proverbs 10 There are many ways to approach the Book of Proverbs when reflecting on it devotionally. Today let’s consider what Proverbs 10 has to say about the many qualities of those who are wise. I’ve picked out the Good News Translation to help us cut through fancy words and…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 46 and Proverbs 9 In Proverbs 9, both Wisdom and Folly are personified as women who invite people into their homes. The plain truth is that every one of us has a clear choice in our daily lives: Shall I live in the self-disciplined, thoughtful, considered way of wisdom, or in the…
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Daily Readings: Psalm 45 and Proverbs 8 In Proverbs 8, Wisdom is personified and presented as the first creation of God. Even before He created anything physical, God created Wisdom. “The Lord formed me from the beginning, before He created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began.” (v.22-23)…
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