OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for April 2017
May 1, 2017
Proverbs 17:14 – The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
Thought: The breaking of a levy begins with a small hole. The water dribbles at first. However, the levy soon breaks and communities are flooded with water. The same is true of strife and conflict. It begins with a bad attitude and a few harsh words. However, it’s not long until there is constant warfare and conflict. Homes, friendships, and churches have been destroyed by something that began as a small thing. “Therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.”
Romans 14:19
May 2, 2017
Proverbs 17:15 – He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord.
Thought: The wicked are to be condemned. The just are to be justified. Anyone who reverses this order practices what is called an “abomination to the Lord.” Justifying the wicked is disgusting to God. Condemning the just stinks in the nostrils of the Almighty. God is a just and righteous God. He expects His creatures to practice these things in their relationships with one another.
Exodus 23:6-8
May 3, 2017
Proverbs 17:16 – Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it.
Thought: Wisdom only benefits a person when it is taken to heart and applied to one’s life. It doesn’t matter how much one has paid to acquire wisdom if there is no willingness to use it correctly in one’s life. Why pay for something that is of no profit to you? Dear reader, wisdom is a precious commodity. Seek it diligently. Pay for it if you must. However, do not be foolish and disregard it. Let God’s wisdom be your guide every day of your life.
Psalm 81:11-13
May 4, 2017
Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Thought: Friends are precious gifts given to us from God. They love us at all times. They love us when we are lovely. They love us when we are ugly. They love us when we are nice. They love us when we are mean. They love us when they understand us. They love us when they don’t understand us. They love us when we are happy. They love when we are sad. They especially love us when we are sad. They are always close when adversity strikes. Give thanks for every close friend that you have.
I Samuel 18:1
May 5, 2017
Proverbs 17:18 – A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.
Thought: The wise writer has addressed the subject of surety in previous verses in Proverbs. He never affirms it to be a wise practice. When we co-sign for a loan for another, we are putting our finances and our reputation on the line. We just might have to pay for what another owes. Friendships can be quickly dissolved. Finances can be quickly depleted. What used to be between two people can never be had again. Before signing a loan on behalf of another, be sure you know the consequences.
Proverbs 6:1-5
May 6, 2017
Proverbs 17:19 – He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.
Thought: Strife is not something the child of God seeks. Rather he seeks to keep peace with others. Those that love strife love to transgress God’s will. One of the ways that strife is kindled is through boasting. This is what many believe the words, “he that exalteth his gate,” refers to. The man who is haughty and arrogant and boasts himself of being better than others is travelling a road to destruction.
Luke 22:24-26
May 7, 2017
Proverbs 17:20 – He that hath a forward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Thought: The writer tells us about two things that can lead to evil: a forward heart and a perverse tongue. Everything begins in the heart. If the heart is wayward, it can find nothing good to do. It constantly seeks involvement in the carnal and fleshly things of the world. A perverse tongue seeks to formulate the plans of a forward heart. It leads to a life of mischief, that is, adversity, affliction, and calamity. Please, guard your heart and watch your tongue.
Ecclesiastes 10:12
May 8, 2017
Proverbs 17:21 – He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.
Thought: A foolish child is one that will not receive instruction. The child is stubborn and rebellious. He disrespects authority and is constantly finding trouble. This type of child brings emotional turmoil to the lives of his parents. Deep within their hearts they hurt. They cry over the sinful activities of their child. They wonder what they did wrong and what they could have done differently. The parent’s days are filled with grief and not joy.
Genesis 26:34-35
May 9, 2017
Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Thought: In their commentary on this verse, Keil and Delitzsch quote from a psychology text. Here is what it says: “The heart is the centre of the individual life, and the condition and the tone of the heart communicates itself to this life, even to its outermost circumference; the spirit is the power of self-consciousness which, according as it is lifted up or broken, also lifts up or breaks down the condition of the body (Psychol. P. 199)” (e-sword, K&D). In essence, the condition of the heart is linked to the condition of the body. Wholesome merriment is like a medicine and improves one’s health. Affliction and grief take a toll on the one’s health.
Psalm 22:15-16
May 10, 2017
Proverbs 17:23 – A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom to pervert the ways of judgment.
Thought: There are many people in this world who are not concerned about justice and equity. All that matters to them is winning. All that matters to them is that they escape punishment. All that matters to them is that they are on top. In order to get the decisions they want, they will use all kinds of gifts to bribe those who make the decisions. If judgment is perverted, they do not care. These individuals are wicked and corrupt. Justice is not in their vocabulary.
I Samuel 8:1-3
May 11, 2017
Proverbs 17:24 – Wisdom is before him that hath understanding; but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Thought: The wise and foolish concentrate on different things. The man of understanding centers his thoughts upon wisdom. He wants to acquire as much wisdom as possible. The foolish man, however, has his sights set on all kinds of things throughout the earth. His thoughts are upon the mundane, the temporal, the fleshly, and the base things of this world. My friend, where do concentrate your thoughts?
I John 2:16
May 12, 2017
Proverbs 17:25 – A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.
Thought: Children are a gift from God, but their choices and their actions can bring much heartache to their parents. A child who wanders from God brings grief to his parents. A child who lives a life of the flesh brings bitterness to his mother’s heart. Parents want the best for their children. Godly parents have a special desire for their children to be faithful to God. When this does not happen, parents are plagued with sorrow and anguish of heart. Many times, they blame themselves.
II Samuel 13:30-31
May 13, 2017
Proverbs 17:26 – Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.
Thought: God is a just God. He punishes the evil man. He rewards the righteous man. He expects the same from all of His creation. There are times, however, when justice is perverted. The just man gets punished. The Bible says that this “is not good.” It is also not good to punish a prince, a leader, who acts out of equity toward his subjects. Justice is a precious thing. Those who pervert it will be held accountable to the Judge of all the earth.
Genesis 18:25
May 14, 2017
Proverbs 17:27 – He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
Thought: Those who have knowledge realize that there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. There is a time to manifest one’s knowledge. There is a time to keep knowledge within. Because a person knows when to speak, he presents himself as a person having an excellent spirit. Those around him appreciate when he speaks. They are also grateful when he does not. He is loved and adored him for his wise actions, both silent and not silent.
Mark 15:3-5
May 15, 2017
Proverbs 17:28 – Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Thought: So many people do not know how to remain silent. They want to impress others. They want others to be amazed at their wisdom. They want to be the person who solves the problem. They want to be looked upon as the one with the answers. This person is not always appreciated. It is the person who remains quiet who is esteemed to be a person of wisdom. This is true even if the person is a fool. Be wise today. Watch your words!
Proverbs 13:5
May 16, 2017
Proverbs 18:1 – Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Thought: Two thoughts on this verse have been given. One refers to a man who separates himself from others to pursue the wisdom of the world. The other refers to a man who separates himself from the world in order to pursue the wisdom of God. Doing the first is not wise. Doing the second is wise. Notice that both begin with a man’s desire. The old saying is true: “What a man really desires to do, he will do.” The question is whether our desire is foolish or wise? Whether our desire is evil or righteous?
Jude 17-19
May 17, 2017
Proverbs 18:2 – A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.
Thought: The fool does not want to understand the will of God. He does not want to understand himself. He does not want to understand relationships. He does not want to understand proper behavior. He has no delight in understanding. He is only concerned for his selfish desires. Every day is spent in efforts to please the flesh. It is a life of no purpose and emptiness. He seeks for something, but does so in vain.
Romans 1:21-25
May 18, 2017
Proverbs 18:3 – When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.
Thought: Keil and Delitzsch make an interesting observation about this proverb. They write: “Therefore we adhere to the opinion, that the proverb names the fiends which appear in the company of the godless wherever his goes” (e-sword, K&D). The companions of the wicked are contempt, ignominy, and reproach. Contempt involves disrespect and shame. Ignominy can be defined as disgrace. The last companion is reproach. Anyone who has lived a wicked life knows that these three things constantly followed them. Evil attracts evil.
Matthew 27:3-10
May 19, 2017
Proverbs 18:4 – The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Thought: Barnes sees this verse as a contrast between “the words of a man’s mouth” and “wisdom.” The wisdom of man is deep and dark like the waters of the ocean. The wisdom of God, on the other hand, is “as a flowing brook.” The waters of the ocean are salty and will not sustain the life of a man. The waters of a brook, however, provide the essential nourishment for life. Who we listen to is important. Do you drink from the deep waters of man or from the flowing brook of divine wisdom?
John 4:14
May 20, 2017
Proverbs 18:5 – It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
Thought: The inspired writer once again addresses the subject of justice. Two groups of people pass through the court system. One group is wicked. The other is righteous. The righteous are to be honored, lifted up, and protected. The wicked are to be condemned and punished. To reverse this order of things “is not good.” It does harm to the wicked and the righteous. It also does great harm to society.
Deuteronomy 1:16-17
May 21, 2017
Proverbs 18:6 – A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Thought: A fool enjoys arguing and causing trouble. He loves to “stir the pot” of contention. He does not filter his words. He makes false charges against another. He attacks the other person’s character. Often, the language that he uses is ugly and degrading. Those who speak in such a way are calling for strokes. Not all will tolerate the fool’s lips. Some will slap his face. Some will bloody his mouth. Note: It was his mouth that called for such retaliation.
Proverbs 20:3
May 22, 2017
Proverbs 18:7 – A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Thought: A fool does not know how to control his tongue. He degrades others. He criticizes others. He makes fun of others. He attempts to show his intelligence in matters he knows little, or nothing, about. He argues. He complains. He lies. He blasphemes the name of God. Because of the improper use of the tongue, he constantly struggles with relationships. He may even wonder why. He fails to understand that his poor communication skills are the cause of his destruction. He does not recognize that his lips are the snare of his soul.
Ecclesiastes 10:12-14
May 23, 2017
Proverbs 18:8 – The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Thought: All of us know the power of words. All of us have been wounded by the words of another. Sometimes those words are spoken by an enemy. At other times, they are spoken by a close friend. The talebearer is one of the most harmful. He/She takes confidential information and makes it public. He/She also likes to spread tales for which there is no basis against others. These wounds can run very deep. They can almost be fatal to the one about whom the tales are told.
Psalm 64:2-3
May 24, 2017
Proverbs 18:9 – He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Thought: There are two types of people who cost others a great deal of money. One is a slothful person. He is lazy. He gets very little done. He constantly makes excuses as to why he is not productive. What could be done in minutes by another takes the slothful man hours to do. The other individual is the “great waster.” He does not seek to conserve at all. He is not concerned about the cost of materials. These two individuals are “brothers.” They come from the same mold. Neither person is appreciated. Most are glad to see them gone.
Luke 16:1-2
May 25, 2017
Proverbs 18:10 – The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Thought: The name of a person symbolizes all that there is about that person. The name of the Lord involves all of the attributes of God. If a person knows who God is, he realizes that God is a strong tower. He can protect and shield individuals from every storm of life. The righteous know this. When the enemy approaches, when the storms rage, they run to God. He is their mighty tower. In Him, they know they are safe.
Psalm 61:3-4
May 26, 2017
Proverbs 18:11 – The rich man’s wealth is his strong city, and as a high wall in his own conceit.
Thought: Whereas the Lord is the stronghold of the righteous, riches are the strong city for the wealthy. For a while, they seem to be a high wall about him. He can use his wealth to keep some of his enemies at bay. Their strength, however, is an illusion. It is a figment of his imagination. There are many things in life from which riches cannot protect the individual. More than one wealthy person has learned this lesson over time.
Luke 12:16-21
May 27, 2017
Proverbs 18:12 – Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honor is humility.
Thought: The truth of this proverb is readily seen in the contrast between Haman and Mordecai. Haman was second in command over Persia in the day of King Ahasuerus. He was arrogant and proud and deemed himself worthy of worship and honor. This man was hanged on his own gallows. Mordecai, however, was a humble Jewish servant in the kingdom. He was not concerned about accolades or rewards. The last verse of the book of Esther reveals his exaltation. He “was next unto the king” and was “great among the Jews.”
Obadiah 1:3-4
May 28, 2017
Proverbs 18:13 – He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.
Thought: There are so many people who love to talk about things on which they are not well informed. Politics and religion are two of them. Before a person mouths off about something, he needs to have his facts straight. He needs to have heard all of the evidence. He needs to talk to all parties involved. Those who refuse to do this will experience folly and shame. Their quick, uninformed answer will come back to haunt them.
Esther 3:8-11
May 29, 2017
Proverbs 18:14 – The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
Thought: The spirit of a man refers to his mind. Sometimes the Bible refers to it as “the heart.” It is the place of knowledge, reason, emotions, motives, and will. If the spirit is nourished and strong, it can sustain a man through all types of struggles and difficulties. However, if the spirit is wounded, it can no longer assist the individual. In fact, it will become part of the affliction. In such times as these, only God can assist.
Job 2:7-10
May 30, 2017
Proverbs 18:15 – The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Thought: Wisdom, knowledge, or understanding is the principal thing. Those who are prudent and wise do not waste time on the carnal and mundane things of life. They get knowledge. And, they continually seek it. They realize that time is short. They also realize that knowledge runs deep. Diligence and time are understood by those who desire to know the wisdom that comes from above. My friend, get wisdom. Seek it with all thy might.
Luke 10:39
May 31, 2017
Proverbs 18:16 – A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Thought: It has been said: “Money talks.” It can also be said that money opens doors. Gifts will allow a person to attend events he might not attend otherwise. They enable him to meet people of power and significance. They can put him in positions where he can influence others. Good or bad, a gift can be a very powerful influence upon others. Gifts, it could be said, have literally changed the course of history.
Genesis 43:11
Read devotionals for June 2017
