Together in Christ: 'No Satisfaction' — Proverbs 29:9
Thursday, April 25, 2024
If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.
— Proverbs 29:9 NLT
K... View MoreTogether in Christ: 'No Satisfaction' — Proverbs 29:9
Thursday, April 25, 2024
If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule but no satisfaction.
— Proverbs 29:9 NLT
KEY THOUGHT
I love this proverb, and I don't think it needs a lot of explanation. A wise person will likely gain very little satisfaction from trying to gain compensation from a fool. Fools seldom operate from reasonable, ethical, or appropriate standards of behavior, thinking, or values. [1] That is why they are known as fools. [2] Fools often have very little money to win back as compensation for their wrongs because they have wasted what they had. [3] Many foolish people don't believe in God and don't live by His ways, so their moral compass is warped. [4] Instead, fools often are loud, obnoxious, quarrelsome, and argumentative wrong-doers. [5] Trying to win back what is rightfully yours from a fool leads to loud conflicts and little satisfaction. We shouldn't seek retribution from fools — or anyone else — but rather focus our energies and attention on what can bring a blessing to others and honor God! [6]
[1] Proverbs 15:7, 14, 21; Ecclesiastes 7:7.
[2] Proverbs 10:8, 20, 17:16.
[3] Proverbs 10:14, 14:24, 21:20.
[4] Psalm 14:1, 53:1; Proverbs 1:7, 13:19, 14:19.
[5] Proverbs 10:23, 26, 12:16, 23, 15:2, 17:12; 18:2, 6, 20:3.
[6] Proverbs 10:21; Romans 12:19, 14:19, 15:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 15; Ephesians 4:28-29; Jude 20; 1 Peter 3:9; Luke 6:27-28.
TODAY'S PRAYER
O dear Father, please bless me with the wisdom and courage not to try to get even or get compensation for the wounds inflicted by a fool. Based on your truth, I realize now that my time could better be invested in bringing Your goodness, grace, and blessing to others. I confess that a part of me wants to get even and get justice from those who have wounded or taken advantage of me. Nevertheless, I don't want to waste my time and energy only to grow more frustrated and dissatisfied. Even more so, I don't want to seek retribution when You have told me to love and forgive. I ask for the Holy Spirit's help to forgive and move on with my life. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 53:1-6
Matthew 5:3-16, 38-48
Unstoppable! 'At War with Evil' — Acts 8:9-13
Thursday, April 25, 2024
A man named Simon had been a sorcerer [in the city] for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone gr... View MoreUnstoppable! 'At War with Evil' — Acts 8:9-13
Thursday, April 25, 2024
A man named Simon had been a sorcerer [in the city] for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as "the Great One — the Power of God." They listened closely to him because for a long time he had astounded them with his magic.
But now the people believed Philip's message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.
— Acts 8:9-13 NLT
Key Thought
Jesus and the early church leaders knew not to dabble or play with anything from the occult. Fascination with the demonic world connected people to the power of real evil. Jesus and his disciples opposed wickedness, cast out demons, and worked to free people held in bondage by the power of the devil and his minions. We must avoid the demonic and the very appearance of things associated with demons and evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Jesus delivered us from the power of this darkness by his sacrifice. We must not dabble in darkness or invite darkness home to ourselves and those we love! Instead, we must follow Paul's admonition to the Philippians:
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me... (Philippians 4:8-9)
TODAY'S PRAYER
O God, forgive us for dabbling in things that pull our hearts toward evil. Cleanse us from sin and purify us with your Spirit so that our hearts desire what is pure, holy, just, righteous, and lovely. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS
Ephesians 6:10-12; Colossians 1:9-14
1 Thessalonians 5:19-24
Verse of the Day for Thursday, April 25th, 2024
[Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
—Romans 4:25
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Why are th... View MoreVerse of the Day for Thursday, April 25th, 2024
[Jesus] was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
—Romans 4:25
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Why are the Cross and the Empty Tomb so important? Everything essential and truly lasting in this life and our salvation in the life to come depends upon Jesus' death and resurrection! Jesus came to earth, lived among us as one of us, went to the cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, and was raised victorious over death, sin, and hell for us — to erase our sins and bring us to life as God's holy children. Jesus did what he did for us. The love of God demonstrated to us in Christ Jesus is staggeringly gracious!
MY PRAYER...
Thank you, dear Father, for paying such an awful price for cleansing me of my sins. Thank you, precious Savior, for sacrificing everything to save me. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for cleansing me and living inside me to conform me to Christ. I pray in his name, Jesus of Nazareth, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Together in Christ: 'Joyful Songs' — Zephaniah 3:16-17
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
On that day [when the Lord rescues and purifies Jerusalem,] the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, Zion! D... View MoreTogether in Christ: 'Joyful Songs' — Zephaniah 3:16-17
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
On that day [when the Lord rescues and purifies Jerusalem,] the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
— Zephaniah 3:16-17 NLT
Key Thought
While I know this message was to Jerusalem and the Israelite people facing hard times, I believe it is also a good word for us as believers. We should add this promise to our quiver of relationship blessings. Hebrew and non-Hebrew believers make up God's people who can claim this promise. [1] The Lord, YHWH, lives among us through the Holy Spirit. He promises to be available to us and among us. [2] As we share in genuine fellowship, support each other through hard times, applaud each other for achievements, and worship God together, He delights in us with gladness. As our Father's children, how precious to know we can make Him happy by loving each other! [3]
The reality of our fragile world of decay [4] and the evil one's impact on our world [5] ensures that not all of life is cheery and bright. In tough times, we can look to God as our Savior. We can remember the depth of His great love already demonstrated in Jesus. [6] Since God went to such great, sacrificial lengths to save us, how much more will he also sustain us and calm our fears?! [7] Wow! How sweet to have relationships with other believers and also know we are part of God's family that brings our Father delight!
In the last two sentences of our verses, I hear a promise that my precious wife has used to bless me many times. She prays for the Holy Spirit to minister to me during the night as I sleep. The result is that God, who sings over me, also gives me songs in the night. [9] I often awaken with a song playing in my head and blessing my heart reminding me that God is saying to me:
"Cheer up... Don't be afraid! For the Lord, your God is [with you.] He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
[1] Galatians 3:26-29, 4:1-7; Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:4-6, 9-12. Notice especially Galatians 3:29 that includes all believers as recipients of the promises to the Israelites.
[2] John 7:37-39; Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 3:14-21.
[3] Deuteronomy 30:9-10; 1 Kings 10:9; Luke 3:21-22; Matthew 22:37-40.
[4] Romans 8:18-30; 2 Corinthians 4:6-18; 1 Peter 1:3-5.
[5] John 8:44, 10:10; Ephesians 6:10-12; Hebrews 2:14-15.
[6] John 3:16-17; Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 John 3:16-18, 4:7-12.
[7] Romans 8:31-34; Ephesians 1:3; Revelation 1:3.
[8] Job 35:10; Psalm 42:8, 77:5-6.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Almighty God, I don't understand all the dynamics of You being the one true and living God, and yet known to me as Father, Son, and Spirit. Still, dear God, I have experienced Your presence in all three avenues of Your revealed being. Thank You for reminding me to cheer up, not be afraid, and experience Your delight in me as I draw near You and Your children. Thank You for singing over me and ministering to me as I sleep and waking me with loving reminders of Your presence during the night. Open my eyes and my heart to include others in this circle of Your family blessings. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 42:1-8; Revelation 7:9-17
Psalm 47:1-9; Ephesians 5:18-21 ESV
Unstoppable! 'Joy Comes in the Morning' — Acts 8:4-8
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
[After the death of Stephen,] the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. P... View MoreUnstoppable! 'Joy Comes in the Morning' — Acts 8:4-8
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
[After the death of Stephen,] the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
— Acts 8:4-8 NLT
Key Thought
The early disciples knew they carried an unstoppable message of a Messiah who conquered death. Yes, they experienced weeping, but the joy of the Lord reawakened them to their mission!Let that last sentence fall like refreshing rain on parched soil: "So there was great joy in that city." Out of Stephen's horrific death, the Jerusalem followers of Jesus were scattered as persecution mounted against them. Despite the agonies these believers endured, they shared the Good News of Jesus wherever they went. The result of this heroic evangelism? Joy! I am reminded of the words of the psalmist:Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
(Psalm 30:5b)
TODAY'S PRAYER
O Father, may my generation of your people experience the joy of salvation and refuse to let anything stop us from sharing the Good News of Jesus' triumph over death. Holy Spirit, come fill us with your reassuring presence and empower us to make a difference in our world for Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS
Psalm 30:5; Philippians 4:4-9
Romans 8:31-39
Verse of the Day for Wednesday, April 24th, 2024
"Consider carefully what you hear," [Jesus] continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. Whoever has will be giv... View MoreVerse of the Day for Wednesday, April 24th, 2024
"Consider carefully what you hear," [Jesus] continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you — and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him."
—Mark 4:24-25
Thoughts on Today's Verse...
"O be careful little ears what you hear ... for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little ears what you hear." Sometimes, our children's songs say things in the easiest ways to understand. God doesn't want just to be heard aloud; he wants his Word to enter our systems and change our lives. We must carefully filter out things we don't need to hear and focus more intentionally on what we do need to hear! The more we receive the gift of God's words and apply them, the more they will change us and bless us.
MY PRAYER...
Please open my eyes, ears, heart, and mind, dear Father, so that I can appropriate your message into my life. I want to hear your messages, and I want to apply each of those messages in my life each day. Bless me, please, dear Father, so that what I hear in your word becomes displayed in my life. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.
Together in Christ: 'Detestable to the Lord' — Proverbs 3:31-32
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Don't envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his... View MoreTogether in Christ: 'Detestable to the Lord' — Proverbs 3:31-32
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Don't envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
— Proverbs 3:31-32 NLT
Key Thought
For decades, the entertainment industry has poured violence into our heads and hearts by portraying all sorts of violent acts committed against and displayed between all kinds of people — including many innocent victims of this violence. Often, the heroes of our movies and television shows are people of violence — violence that is unnecessary and excessive. Other times, this violence is portrayed as the logical bringing of vengeance upon those who are violent and abusive.
Unfortunately, over time, we lose our Spirit-placed loathing of violence and those who inflict it on others. We forget that the glorification of violence is anti-Jesus, who absorbed human violence, cruelty, mockery, and abuse to save us. [1] We forget that so much witnessed graphic violence desensitizes us to the actual violence that God hates because it destroys people. Then we wonder why violence is cascading destructively through our cities, fueling and inflaming gang and drug culture. As Jesus disciples, contrary to using violence, we are to be people who love our enemies and pray for those who abuse us. [2]
Today's verses speak a much-needed message in the present atmosphere of pervasive violence. I can remember providentially stumbling over this verse as we struggled with what to allow our children to watch four decades ago. Many of the heroes portrayed in cartoons were heroes who triumphed through violence. This verse changed our selection of TV shows our children watched!
I want God's friendship. I want to honor Him as God Almighty, as I also desire to be His friend. I want Jesus to call me his friend like He did His early disciples. [3] So, let's listen again to these words of wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Let's pray they will transform our hearts as we push back against the pervasive influence of violence in our world. Let's remember that God longs to offer His friendship to us!
Don't envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
[1] Isaiah 52:13-15, 53:1-12. [2] Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-29, 31, 35-36. [2] John 15:9-17.
TODAY'S PRAYER
Create a pure heart in me, dear Father, and create a holy, innocent, loving spirit in me. I need Your grace and power to sustain and protect me. Don't let the prevalence of violence distort my standards of a true hero, but may I always remember Jesus as Your answer to the violence in our world. I pray this in His name. Amen.
RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS
2 Chronicles 22:1-10
Isaiah 52:13-15, 53:1-12
Unstoppable! 'Savagery and Solidarity' — Acts 8:1-4
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
A great wave of persecution began th... View MoreUnstoppable! 'Savagery and Solidarity' — Acts 8:1-4
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.
— Acts 8:1-4 NLT
Key Thought
These early believers humble me with their love, solidarity, and commitment. As I read about our persecuted brothers and sisters today, I fear that those of us in more economically and religiously privileged countries have forgotten our suffering brothers and sisters in other places. Take some time to learn about ways to help our persecuted brothers and sisters throughout the world. Consider helping support a child to grow up knowing Jesus, having food, and receiving an education through Compassion International or Rwanda Children. In the face of the savagery in the world, we are still called to be salt and light in a world of decay and darkness (Matthew 5:13-16). If we stay together, the world can come to know Jesus because of our love for each other! (John 13:34-35)
TODAY'S PRAYER
Father, thank you for the example these early disciples are for us today. Thank you for their solidarity with one another and their commitment to the cause of Christ. During our day, we want to stand together and share the love of Jesus with a broken world. We ask for your power to be poured out on us mightily in our day so we will be your servants to the world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
RELATED SCRIPTURE READINGS
Acts 2:41-47, 4:32-37
John 13:31-35, 17:20-23
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