Proverbs 7:1-9
Pastor Lee:
The idea here is that if we keep Gods commandments then we will live, experienceing the wonderful life God has planned for us. I like the part that says "Bind them upon thy fingers". It reminds me of the boy who tied a string on his finger so He would not forget what his mother told him. Or it would be like when you write something on your hand so that you will not forget it. God says hey, dont forget this! It is important!
The second part of this passage explains what it is like for a young person to fall into immorality. When we are immoral, we are "among the simple ones" and we are "void of understanding". In other words: Sin Makes You Stupid. And when I am living in sin, I make some really stupid decisions. Thank you Lord for your forgiviness in the areas I have failed you and thank you for second chances! Help me not to be"void of understanding", or "simple minded".
1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
3 Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
4 Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
5 That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
6 For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
7 And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
9 In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
TUESDAY, February 26th, 2008
Proverbs 6:20-35
Pastor Lee:
This passage is a little bit longer than usual, but for the most part it is focusing on one issue. Adultery. Adultery is to have a relationship physical or emotional with someone who is already married. Most of you teenagers probably think to yourself, well good, I dont have to do devotions today, because I am not married; but I think if we look into this there is a lesson for you unmarried teenagers as well.
I think the greatest lesson for you is this; even though you may not be married yet, God has your mate picked out for you and if you are involved in a physical or emotional relationship with someone who is not Gods will it could be very dangerous.
Read this, as if it applies to you unmarried teenagers, because it does. We should should all avoid adultery, remember in James? James said that when we are a friend of the world then we become the enemy of God; and we become adulterers.
Keep yourself pure teenagers. The consequences of adultery are devastating!
20 My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.
22 When you roam, they[a] will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24 To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.
27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.
30 People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
31 Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house.
32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.
33 Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is a husband’s fury; Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will accept no recompense, Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.
Pastor Lee:
This passage is a little bit longer than usual, but for the most part it is focusing on one issue. Adultery. Adultery is to have a relationship physical or emotional with someone who is already married. Most of you teenagers probably think to yourself, well good, I dont have to do devotions today, because I am not married; but I think if we look into this there is a lesson for you unmarried teenagers as well.
I think the greatest lesson for you is this; even though you may not be married yet, God has your mate picked out for you and if you are involved in a physical or emotional relationship with someone who is not Gods will it could be very dangerous.
Read this, as if it applies to you unmarried teenagers, because it does. We should should all avoid adultery, remember in James? James said that when we are a friend of the world then we become the enemy of God; and we become adulterers.
Keep yourself pure teenagers. The consequences of adultery are devastating!
20 My son, keep your father’s command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
21 Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.
22 When you roam, they[a] will lead you; When you sleep, they will keep you; And when you awake, they will speak with you.
23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,
24 To keep you from the evil woman, From the flattering tongue of a seductress.
25 Do not lust after her beauty in your heart, Nor let her allure you with her eyelids.
26 For by means of a harlot A man is reduced to a crust of bread; And an adulteress will prey upon his precious life.
27 Can a man take fire to his bosom, And his clothes not be burned?
28 Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?
29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife; Whoever touches her shall not be innocent.
30 People do not despise a thief If he steals to satisfy himself when he is starving.
31 Yet when he is found, he must restore sevenfold; He may have to give up all the substance of his house.
32 Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; He who does so destroys his own soul.
33 Wounds and dishonor he will get, And his reproach will not be wiped away.
34 For jealousy is a husband’s fury; Therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
35 He will accept no recompense, Nor will he be appeased though you give many gifts.
MONDAY, February 25th, 2008
Proverbs 6:12-19
Pastor Lee:
This passage is jam-packed full of wisdom. It starts by talking about a perverse mouth, and it finishes by talking about seven things that God hates. It is clear that when we have a perverse mouth, we are not worth much, and we are not following Gods plan. So what is a perverse mouth? I think the rest of the passage explains what a perverse mouth is. 3 of the 7 things that God hates has to do with the tongue and the way you use it. For example God hates a "lying tongue", do you have a lying tongue? Sometimes we can justify a "little white lie" but God hates it! God also hates a false witness who speaks lies. That means God hates it when someone claims to be a follower of Christ yet leads people away from Christ with false claims. Does your testimony lead people to Christ or away from Christ? and Finally God hates one that sows discordamong the brethren. Discord is basically gossip. God hates it when we gossip and especially when we are gossiping to His children, (other Christians)
Out tongue is the most powerful muscle that we have, it forms who we are in the opinion of others around me. I must not have a perverse tongue, and I especially must not use my tongue in a way that God hates!
What do you think?
12 A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;
13 He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers;
14 Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.
15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
Pastor Lee:
This passage is jam-packed full of wisdom. It starts by talking about a perverse mouth, and it finishes by talking about seven things that God hates. It is clear that when we have a perverse mouth, we are not worth much, and we are not following Gods plan. So what is a perverse mouth? I think the rest of the passage explains what a perverse mouth is. 3 of the 7 things that God hates has to do with the tongue and the way you use it. For example God hates a "lying tongue", do you have a lying tongue? Sometimes we can justify a "little white lie" but God hates it! God also hates a false witness who speaks lies. That means God hates it when someone claims to be a follower of Christ yet leads people away from Christ with false claims. Does your testimony lead people to Christ or away from Christ? and Finally God hates one that sows discordamong the brethren. Discord is basically gossip. God hates it when we gossip and especially when we are gossiping to His children, (other Christians)
Out tongue is the most powerful muscle that we have, it forms who we are in the opinion of others around me. I must not have a perverse tongue, and I especially must not use my tongue in a way that God hates!
What do you think?
12 A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth;
13 He winks with his eyes, He shuffles his feet, He points with his fingers;
14 Perversity is in his heart, He devises evil continually, He sows discord.
15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.
16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
SATURDAY, February 23rd, 2008
James 5:13-20
Pastor Lee:
So we are about to finish the book of James! Think about this: for those of you who did your devos every day: you read the entire book of James! Pretty Great Huh! I am so excited about all of you that are staying faithful to the Lord and His Word.
WHAT A GREAT PASSAGE THIS IS!
The theme here is prayer. I mentioned yesterday that we also need to pray, and then today the devotion is all about the power of prayer. God says that when we are going through a tough time, we should pray through it. When we are going through a sick time, we should pray through it. And when we simply need God to do something miraculous (like making the rain stop for over 3 years) then we should just pray for God to work, and God will work in a great way, if we have the Faith to pray and Trust Him.
One other important note: it says, that we are to confess our fault to one another: that does not mean go around and tell everyone your sins, it simply means, find a close friend, and tell them your struggles so that you can have accountability through your struggle.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Pastor Lee:
So we are about to finish the book of James! Think about this: for those of you who did your devos every day: you read the entire book of James! Pretty Great Huh! I am so excited about all of you that are staying faithful to the Lord and His Word.
WHAT A GREAT PASSAGE THIS IS!
The theme here is prayer. I mentioned yesterday that we also need to pray, and then today the devotion is all about the power of prayer. God says that when we are going through a tough time, we should pray through it. When we are going through a sick time, we should pray through it. And when we simply need God to do something miraculous (like making the rain stop for over 3 years) then we should just pray for God to work, and God will work in a great way, if we have the Faith to pray and Trust Him.
One other important note: it says, that we are to confess our fault to one another: that does not mean go around and tell everyone your sins, it simply means, find a close friend, and tell them your struggles so that you can have accountability through your struggle.
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
FRIDAY, February 22nd, 2008
James 5:7-12
Pastor Lee:
Patience seems to be the key here. I find that when I am not patiene it is because I think that I deserve better than what I am getting. For example, If I am driving down the road and people are driving horrible, I should just have a Christlike attitude, but when I begin to get inpatient it is because I with that all of these other people didnt get in MY way. It is a dangerous thing to focus on yourself. But this passage makes it clear that we should not give up in serving the Lord (going to church, doing your devotions, living Christlike) because The Lord is coming back and we need to trust Him and live patiently as we weight for Him.
Also we should not hold a grudge agains someone. Let God be the judge! He is a VERY GOOD JUDGE!
Finally, has anyone ever told you not to swear? Well, this could be where they got it from. We shouldnt have to swear, because people should already know if we say yes, we mean it, and if we say no, it is the truth.
ONE LAST NOTE** You are all doing a GREAT job in your devos! Dont forget to pray about what you read; just take a second and talk to God abd what He just talked to you about. It really help good communication which builds a GREAT RELATIONSHIP with the Lord!
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Pastor Lee:
Patience seems to be the key here. I find that when I am not patiene it is because I think that I deserve better than what I am getting. For example, If I am driving down the road and people are driving horrible, I should just have a Christlike attitude, but when I begin to get inpatient it is because I with that all of these other people didnt get in MY way. It is a dangerous thing to focus on yourself. But this passage makes it clear that we should not give up in serving the Lord (going to church, doing your devotions, living Christlike) because The Lord is coming back and we need to trust Him and live patiently as we weight for Him.
Also we should not hold a grudge agains someone. Let God be the judge! He is a VERY GOOD JUDGE!
Finally, has anyone ever told you not to swear? Well, this could be where they got it from. We shouldnt have to swear, because people should already know if we say yes, we mean it, and if we say no, it is the truth.
ONE LAST NOTE** You are all doing a GREAT job in your devos! Dont forget to pray about what you read; just take a second and talk to God abd what He just talked to you about. It really help good communication which builds a GREAT RELATIONSHIP with the Lord!
7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
THURSDAY, February 21st, 2008
James 5:1-6
Pastor Lee:
There is an ongoing message throughout these six verses, that makes it clear: the love of money (or things) is the root of all evil. There are several verses that you may not understand and that is fine. The commentator is not even very clear, but let me share what I got and that should help you out.
Verse 5 is definitely the one that jumps out at me. Here is what it is saying: You have experienced the "pleasure of sin for a season" and it left you "wanton". Wanton means self indulgent and wrong. The idea it gives is this, imagine a cow on the day of slaughter, he is just sitting there eating away not knowing that with every bite he is only moments away from death. We are the same way, we indulge in sin, not knowing that every moment we come closer to our spiritual death. Stay away from sin/ Dont be a "fat Cow" when Christ returns!
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
Pastor Lee:
There is an ongoing message throughout these six verses, that makes it clear: the love of money (or things) is the root of all evil. There are several verses that you may not understand and that is fine. The commentator is not even very clear, but let me share what I got and that should help you out.
Verse 5 is definitely the one that jumps out at me. Here is what it is saying: You have experienced the "pleasure of sin for a season" and it left you "wanton". Wanton means self indulgent and wrong. The idea it gives is this, imagine a cow on the day of slaughter, he is just sitting there eating away not knowing that with every bite he is only moments away from death. We are the same way, we indulge in sin, not knowing that every moment we come closer to our spiritual death. Stay away from sin/ Dont be a "fat Cow" when Christ returns!
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.
3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.
4 Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.
5 Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
6 Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.
WEDNESDAY, February 20th, 2008
Come To Church Tonight!
James 4:11-17
Pastor Lee:
Three main lessons I got from this:
1. Dont talk bad about other people! You have no right to judge others. The only one that has any right to judge is the one who made all the laws, and that is Christ alone.
2. You dont know what will happen tomorrow, you dont know if you will be alive, if your family will be alive, who knows? live TODAY as if it were your last. Serve the Lord because your life will be over before you know it. It is like a vapor.
3. If I am convicted to do something and I dont do it, then I am sinning. If I Know I am supposed to do something good, but I dont do it. It is wrong. (LIKE GOING TO CHURCH) :)
What did you get from this?
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James 4:11-17
Pastor Lee:
Three main lessons I got from this:
1. Dont talk bad about other people! You have no right to judge others. The only one that has any right to judge is the one who made all the laws, and that is Christ alone.
2. You dont know what will happen tomorrow, you dont know if you will be alive, if your family will be alive, who knows? live TODAY as if it were your last. Serve the Lord because your life will be over before you know it. It is like a vapor.
3. If I am convicted to do something and I dont do it, then I am sinning. If I Know I am supposed to do something good, but I dont do it. It is wrong. (LIKE GOING TO CHURCH) :)
What did you get from this?
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
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