This proverb speaks to the issue of integrity. So many people bow down to the almighty dollar and do some outright questionable things to obtain riches. Others however will just do slightly questionable things to obtain money and find a million ways to justify it. I’ve learned throughout the years that being greedy never pays off because you will reap what you sow.
I remember bumping a car in a parking lot once and my first reaction was, “It’s hardly noticeable, no need to leave my contact info, they’ll probably never even see it.” The only reason I felt that way is because I didn’t want to pay the money to fix it. Well, the Lord stepped in real quick to remind me that was a stupid idea, and I provided my contact info. The person ended up calling me and telling me not to worry about it, which was awesome and I was reminded that is exactly how I would like to be treated if it were my car that was scratched.
Being greedy, taking bribes, all these things never pay off in the end. It’s always wiser to do the right thing, forsake the dollar, and go for the greater reward of integrity which pleases and honors the Lord!
Pastor Jason Witt
The consequence of Israel’s rejection of God was described back in Hosea 4:6, My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea recognized that the Lord’s true love for the wayward soul made it possible for the deserters to return to Him, if only they would repent and follow Him.
Hosea’s call to action was right on the mark for the Israelites and it is also the right call today for any believer whose wandering heart has put distance between themselves and God. Actively pursuing the knowledge of the Lord brings us closer to Him. Our relationship with Him is strengthened as we endeavor to know Him.
As sure as the sun comes up in the morning, God’s unchanging promises of mercy and grace are ours if we would simply place our trust in Him. The Lord will water our thirsty souls not only for the seeds of His word to take root, but also to nourish us in preparation for the good harvest to come. Today, let’s pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
Jeff Deal
It is easy to say that you love the Lord, but love is more than words. You cannot say that you love the Lord and walk in disobedience. When you love someone, it is not a chore to do things for them. I think of Jacob when he saw Rachel for the first time; it was love at first sight. Jacob agreed to work seven years to take Rachel as his wife. The Bible says that he served seven years and it only felt like a few days because of his love for her.
If you love the Lord, keeping His commandments will not be a burden to you, it will be your natural response. My question for you this morning is, do you love the Lord?
For the King,
Pastor Daniel Batistelli
We set our minds on a lot of things. What I mean by that is we are always focused on something. If you set your mind on yourself, you will serve yourself. If you set your mind on what you want, you will be completely disappointed when you don’t get what you want. But if you set your mind on Christ, not only focus on Him, but seek to share in His thinking, you will be joyful beyond anything you ever thought possible. When our minds are so set upon Jesus, there is only joy and fullness to be had!
Resting in Him,
Pastor Sean Boehm
We have all had to tackle difficult tasks by ourselves. In the middle of it all, you find yourself saying, “I wish someone was here to help me.” Certainly two can get more done in a shorter period of time. And it’s much easier to do difficult jobs together.
This is probably most true when it comes to marriage. I’ve noticed that when I’m in a weak moment, my wife is usually strong and clear-headed and when she’s hurting, the Lord has often enabled me to be the strong one. And when we are both weak, Jesus becomes that third cord that wraps around us and keeps us from falling apart. So stick together and keep Him in the center.
Looking to that third strand,
Pastor Gerard Deleeuw
There comes a point where we get comfortable with the Christian life. We’ve lived it for so long, we feel we know what the Lord wants at all times. In this comfort, we feel we don’t have to read the Bible as often or pray as much.
David’s a great example to us in the above verse. He prayed to God to ask Him if he should attack the Philistines. We might read this and think, “Why would he need to pray? The Philistines are the enemy of Israel, of course he should attack!” The Lord did tell him to go after the enemy and God would give them into his hands.
In 2 Samuel 5, David again prayed to attack the Philistines, but God told him to wait. If David would have assumed he knew what to do without checking with the Lord, his army would have been defeated.
If you’ve been saved a while, don’t get comfortable. Do those things the Lord would have you always do and continue to pray and read His word daily. Don’t start slacking off in church attendance. Tell others about Jesus. The Lord wants to continue to use you and bless you.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Pastor Ron Kitchell
We know from our chapter that King Lemuel (v1), who wrote Proverbs 31, was blessed with a great mom; she was a queen and he a prince. This happy mother wanted to impart words of counsel to her son; the son of her womb and of her vows (v2). Her son had been the subject of many vows to God, and much prayer, like Samuel born to Hannah. But notice her prayer was accompanied with instruction and action. We read she (v2) taught him. The practical side of godliness is a faith that vows and prays and a diligence that instructs. So she taught him about moral living for a king (vv. 3-9); and shows him by example the model woman, wife, and mother (vv. 10-31).
To whom are you imparting God’s Words and what impact is it having on them? Praying for you today to be the kind of influence that King Lemuel’s mother was!
God, use me to touch others with Your Word,
Pastor Jack Abeelen
In this chapter, God is prophesying punishment for Assyria, and He is calling out the arrogant heart of the king. Today’s verse describes the relationship of the king of Assyria and God, equating Assyria as being a tool in God’s hands.
The arrogance and pride of the king blinded him to the source of his blessings. As Christians, we know who the source of our blessings is, but sometimes pride can creep slowly into our hearts, causing us to put more stock in our abilities rather than on Him who bestowed those abilities on us in the first place. God has given us everything that we need to sustain our physical existence here on earth, and we should be grateful in every aspect so that we do not lose sight of the Sustainer. God is in the big things like our paycheck, our abilities, and our talents, as well as the little things like laundry detergent and toothpaste. Lord, give us hearts of thankfulness filled with appreciation for all of your provision in our daily lives, and may we cultivate an attitude of constant thankfulness that will grow our awareness of our absolute dependence on you.
Jeff Mericle
Romans 8 is packed with such a preponderance of spiritual truth, it will never in a lifetime disappoint any thirsty soul who comes to its spring to drink. One of its most staggering promises is found in verse 32. The fact that God would not spare His own Son but instead deliver Him into the hands of evil men who mocked Him, tortured Him, and crucified Him, must never cease to astonish us. Jesus took the full force of the wrath of God that we deserved. It is the hour of Christ’s greatest glory, and we shall sing praise to the glory of His grace forever: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.”
What amazes me about this verse is that the basis of its promise is this most important event in all of history. Because God displayed His greatest glory in delivering up His Son for us all, we will never be in want of any good thing. Because He took care of our greatest need, He will not ignore any other real need. He knows the things we need before we ask. Therefore we should never be discontent during our brief and temporary life now because of the infinitely satisfying reward that awaits us with Him in glory. The ultimate reward in heaven is God Himself, and we will know Him and love Him and enjoy Him forever. Blessed be His Name!
Tom Day
I’m not going to lie, it usually feels pretty good to provide an answer that is well thought out, articulate, and accompanied with wisdom. As a pastor, counseling others is a normal occurrence in my life. I wish I could say everything I say is profound and articulate but I know that’s not true. But when you take the time to listen and process what has just been said and allow some thought to enter into the equation, there are often times when all the right words just spill out. Sure, it gives me joy to know that God can use a donkey like me, but even more joyous is how those right words at the right time are able to bless someone in desperate need for them.
Please Lord, allow us to listen, think, and then speak, relying on you to give us those perfect words at the perfect time.
Pastor Jason Witt
