Devotional

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Proverbs 17, Love covers up sin!

Pro 17:1, Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 

Imagine a home filled with hatred, envy, and strife; not even the best food in the world would taste good in the mist of these people! A dry piece of bread in quietness / peace is by far more enjoyable!

Pro 15:17, Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred. 

Psa 37:16-17, A LITTLE THAT A RIGHTEOUS MAN HAS IS BETTER THAN THE RICHES OF MANY WICKED. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, BUT THE LORD UPHOLDS THE RIGHTEOUS.

Pro 17:3, The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, BUT THE LORD TESTS THE HEARTS. 

As fire refines both silver and gold, the LORD test the heart of his servants! Do we serve to glorify the LORD or ourselves? Our works will be tested by the LORD for HE seeks true faith in HIM!

1Pe 1:7, THAT THE GENUINENESS OF YOUR FAITH, BEING MUCH MORE PRECIOUS than gold that perishes, THOUGH IT IS TESTED BY FIRE, MAY BE FOUND TO PRAISE, HONOR, AND GLORY AT THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST, 

1Co 3:13, EACH ONE’S WORK WILL BECOME CLEAR; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; AND THE FIRE WILL TEST EACH ONE’S WORK, OF WHAT SORT IT IS. 

Pro 17:9, He who covers a transgression seeks love, BUT HE WHO REPEATS A MATTER SEPARATES FRIENDS. 

What type of friend are you? Do you spread rumors of someone or do you cover/hide someone’s shame?

1Pe 4:8, And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE WILL COVER A MULTITUDE OF SINS.” 

Pro 17:27-28, He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

I’m reminded of this quote from Abraham Lincoln, “It is better to keep your mouth shut and let them think you a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”!  SOMETIMES IT’S JUST BEST TO KEEP QUIET AND LISTEN; BE THERE FOR A SOMEONE IN THEIR TIME OF NEED!

Jas 1:19, SO THEN, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, slow to wrath; 

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Proverbs 16, In mercy HE has provided atonement!

Pro 16:2, All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits. 

By default, we tend to justify ourselves by comparing ourselves with another.  I’m better than that drug dealer, but the drug dealer would say, I’m better than that sexual abuser! The LORD knows your heart and our motives, we can’t hide anything from HIM!

Jer 17:10, I, THE LORD, SEARCH THE HEART, I TEST THE MIND, EVEN TO GIVE EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WAYS, ACCORDING TO THE FRUIT OF HIS DOINGS.

Pro 16:6, IN MERCY AND TRUTH ATONEMENT IS PROVIDED FOR INIQUITY; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. 

GOD’s mercy has provided atonement at a great price for HIM and HIS SON JESUS!

Dan 9:26, “And after the sixty-two weeks MESSIAH SHALL BE CUT OFF, BUT NOT FOR HIMSELF; …

HE was cut off because of me, and you! Just place your name there! “THE MESSIAH SHALL BE CUT OFF, BECAUSE OF ALFONSO”!

Pro 16:20, HE WHO HEEDS THE WORD WISELY WILL FIND GOOD, AND WHOEVER TRUSTS IN THE LORD, HAPPY IS HE. 

We tend to worry a lot, but those that truly know GOD knows that HE is in control!  When I lost my job, the third time, my brothers at a birthday party thought I was crazy when I told them, “IN HIS, GOD’S, TIME I’LL FIND WORK!  They laughed, and mocked me, but a month or two later I was back to work!  Thank YOU LORD!

Eph 1:12-13, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Pro 16:27-28, AN UNGODLY MAN DIGS UP EVIL, AND IT IS ON HIS LIPS LIKE A BURNING FIRE. A PERVERSE MAN SOWS STRIFE, AND A WHISPERER SEPARATES THE BEST OF FRIENDS.

A while back a lady I knew came up to me and said, “I HEARD THAT THIS BROTHER’S DAUGTHER WAS PREGNANT, IS THAT TRUE? I TOLD HER “I DON’T KNOW BUT I’LL CALL HIM SO YOU CAN ASK HIM”! This is just plain evil trying to dig around to find juicy information in order to spread it around! GOD SEE’S ALL AND KNOWS ALL!

Gal 6:7, DO NOT BE DECEIVED, GOD IS NOT MOCKED; FOR WHATEVER A MAN SOWS, THAT HE WILL ALSO REAP. 

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Proverbs 15, GOD see’s all!

Pro 15:1-2, A SOFT ANSWER TURNS AWAY WRATH, BUT A HARSH WORD STIRS UP ANGER. THE TONGUE OF THE WISE USES KNOWLEDGE RIGHTLY, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

Answer a raging man with rage, then get out the gloves, but a soft answer turns away wrath! We should have self-control in every situation, and ponder just how to respond!

Pro 15:28, The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil. 

Pro 15:3, THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE IN EVERY PLACE, KEEPING WATCH ON THE EVIL AND THE GOOD. 

The eyes of the LORD see all, what we say, what we think, and our motives! We often believe that the wicked get away with everything, Not so! Their day will come!

Jer 16:17, For MY eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from MY face, NOR IS THEIR INIQUITY HIDDEN FROM MY EYES.

 Pro 15:8, 26, THE SACRIFICE OF THE WICKED IS AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD, …. THE THOUGHTS OF THE WICKED ARE AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD.

When a wicked man enters HIS sanctuary, IT IS BETTER TO LISTEN AND LEARN RATHER THAN TO GIVE MONEY AS IF YOUR DOING GOD A FAVOR! The sacrifices of the wicked even their very thoughts are an abomination to the LORD! Better is to obey HIS instruction

Ecc 5:1, Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear RATHER THAN TO GIVE THE SACRIFICE OF FOOLS, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW THAT THEY DO EVIL. 

Pro 15:17, BETTER IS A DINNER OF HERBS WHERE LOVE IS, THAN A FATTED CALF WITH HATRED.

Love satisfies the heart way more than food! In a house filled with rage, not even the best food will satisfy the heart! “RICHES AND POVERTY ARE MORE IN THE HEART THAN IN THE HAND. HE IS WEALTHY WHO IS CONTENTED. HE IS POOR WHO WANTS MORE.” 

(Bishop Hall, cited in Bridges)

Pro 17:1, Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife. 

Pro 15:33, THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM, AND BEFORE HONOR IS HUMILITY. 

Remember pride comes before the fall, but GOD can use the humble mightily! 

Luk 14:11, FOR WHOEVER EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED, AND HE WHO HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED.” 

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Proverbs 14, There is only one way!

Pro 14:7-8, GO FROM THE PRESENCE OF A FOOLISH MAN, WHEN YOU DO NOT PERCEIVE IN HIM THE LIPS OF KNOWLEDGE. THE WISDOM OF THE PRUDENT IS TO UNDERSTAND HIS WAY, …

Scripture tells us that he who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed, Pro 13:20.  Have no fellowship with foolish men/women! Not worth it!

Eph 5:10-11, FINDING OUT WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD. And HAVE NO FELLOWSHIP WITH THE UNFRUITFUL WORKS OF DARKNESS, but rather expose them.

Pro 14:12, There is a way that seems right to a man, BUT ITS END IS THE WAY OF DEATH. 

There is only one way that leads to life and that is JESUS! All other ways will lead to death!

Mat 7:13-14, “ENTER BY THE NARROW GATE; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. BECAUSE NARROW IS THE GATE AND DIFFICULT IS THE WAY WHICH LEADS TO LIFE, AND THERE ARE FEW WHO FIND IT. 

Pro 14:14, THE BACKSLIDER IN HEART WILL BE FILLED WITH HIS OWN WAYS, But a good man will be satisfied from above. 

So many people walk away from the path of the LORD just to fill their hearts with the pollution of this world! Like my pastor said, JUDAS HAD THE BEST TEACHER, THE WISES COUNSELOR, AND THE MOST LOVING FRIEND IN JESUS, YET STILL FELL AWAY! Take heed!

Heb 3:12, BEWARE, BRETHREN, LEST THERE BE IN ANY OF YOU AN EVIL HEART OF UNBELIEF IN DEPARTING FROM THE LIVING GOD; 

Pro 14:19, THE EVIL WILL BOW BEFORE THE GOOD, AND THE WICKED AT THE GATES OF THE RIGHTEOUS. 

The day is near when every knee will bow before JESUS proclaiming HIM to be LORD! But, we willingly do so now for we know who HE is! HE is the creator of heaven and earth, our LORD and SAVIOR! 

Php 2:10-11, that AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, OF THOSE IN HEAVEN, AND OF THOSE ON EARTH, AND OF THOSE UNDER THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY TONGUE SHOULD CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.

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Proverbs 13, Are your friends wise or fools?

Pro 13:1, A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 

A wise son/daughter listens to the instruction from their parents, but a scoffer is driven by his foolishness and will not listen to rebuke!

Pro 14:6, A SCOFFER SEEKS WISDOM AND DOES NOT FIND IT, BUT KNOWLEDGE IS EASY TO HIM WHO UNDERSTANDS. 

Pro 13:7a, THERE IS ONE WHO MAKES HIMSELF RICH, YET HAS NOTHING;

What good are earthly riches and material gain if you die without knowing GOD? At the end you end up with less than nothing and in torment!

Mar 8:36, For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 

Pro 13:7b, AND ONE WHO MAKES HIMSELF POOR, YET HAS GREAT RICHES. 

And, there are those willing to help others by giving what they have to those in need! These people have great wealth and GOD will never allow them to go hungry! We can never outgive GOD!

Pro 11:24, THERE IS ONE WHO SCATTERS, YET INCREASES MORE; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. 

YET JESUS fits this scripture so much more! For HE gave up everything including HIS life to make others rich in HIM!

2Co 8:9, FOR YOU KNOW THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THAT THOUGH HE WAS RICH, YET FOR YOUR SAKES HE BECAME POOR, THAT YOU THROUGH HIS POVERTY MIGHT BECOME RICH. 

Pro 13:20, HE WHO WALKS WITH WISE MEN WILL BE WISE, BUT THE COMPANION OF FOOLS WILL BE DESTROYED. 

Who are your friends? Do you influence them or do they influence you? It has been said, “SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS AND I WILL SHOW YOU YOUR FUTURE”! 

1Co 15:33, DO NOT BE DECEIVED: “EVIL COMPANY CORRUPTS GOOD HABITS.” 

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Proverbs 12, Instruction and guidance from GOD!

Pro 12:1, Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, BUT HE WHO HATES CORRECTION IS STUPID.

Today, for many, stupidity is a crown of the woke, unwilling to hear a different point of view. They don’t receive correction but doubles down on stupidity! God help us!

Pro 12:4, AN EXCELLENT WIFE IS THE CROWN OF HER HUSBAND, But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones. 

Being successful at work means little if you come home every day to a combative wife! The LORD has truly blessed me with an awesome, beautiful, and godly lady! Thank you, LORD!

Pro 19:14, Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, BUT A PRUDENT WIFE IS FROM THE LORD. 

Pro 12:10, A RIGHTEOUS MAN REGARDS THE LIFE OF HIS ANIMAL, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. 

How we treat our pets say a lot about us, remember they were created by GOD as we were! HE watches over them daily!

Luk 12:6, “Are not FIVE SPARROWS sold for two copper coins? And NOT ONE OF THEM IS FORGOTTEN BEFORE GOD. 

Pro 12:22, LYING LIPS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD, BUT THOSE WHO DEAL TRUTHFULLY ARE HIS DELIGHT.

We need to hate what HE hates and love what HE loves. Lying lips only causes trouble. Tell the truth even if it hurts your friends!

Pro 27:6, Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 

Pro 12:26, THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD CHOOSE HIS FRIENDS CAREFULLY, FOR THE WAY OF THE WICKED LEADS THEM ASTRAY. 

This is awesome advice to all; for it has been said, “SHOW ME YOUR FRIENDS AND I WILL SHOW YOU YOUR FUTURE”!  Who are your friends? How much do they influence you?

Pro 18:24, A man who has friends must himself be friendly, BUT THERE IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER. 

GOD will never leave you nor forsake you, and if you do what HE says to do, then HE is your friend who sticks closer than any brother!

Joh 15:13-14, Greater love has no one than this, THAN TO LAY DOWN ONE’S LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHATEVER I COMMAND YOU. 

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Proverbs 11, Don’t trust in riches!

Pro 11:1, Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, But a just weight is His delight. 

GOD deeply cares if you rob the poor, dishonest scales, fraud are an abomination to HIM!

Deu 25:15-16, You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure, that your days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who behave unrighteously, are an abomination to the LORD your God.

Pro 11:4, Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death. 

What good is earthly wealth in the day of wrath? Will you bribe GOD with useless things?

1Ti 6:17-19, Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, NOR TO TRUST IN UNCERTAIN RICHES BUT IN THE LIVING GOD, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. LET THEM DO GOOD, THAT THEY BE RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Pro 11:22, As a ring of gold in a swine’s snout, So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion. 

Who would put a golden ring in a pig’s snout, it just doesn’t fit so is a lovely woman who lacks discretion! A while back in school I saw this beautiful young lady who called the attention of all who had seen her! When I spoke to her, she cursed more than any sailor could ever do. It just didn’t fit, and her beauty left!

Pro 21:19, Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

Pro 11:28, HE WHO TRUSTS IN HIS RICHES WILL FALL, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS WILL FLOURISH LIKE FOLIAGE. 

Do you place your trust in money or in GOD? Wealth is a useful tool.  Like a hammer in the hand of a builder with it he can build a home, help his family and friends. YET to trust in it is foolish!

Psa 62:10, Do not trust in oppression, Nor vainly hope in robbery; IF RICHES INCREASE, DO NOT SET YOUR HEART ON THEM. 

Pro 11:30, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, AND HE WHO WINS SOULS IS WISE. 

True wisdom is he that wins souls for the LORD; for the time is short and many perish not knowing the HIM as savior!

Rom 3:23, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD, 

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Proverbs 10, Contrasting the wise and foolish!

Most of these individual proverbs are in contrast, where they are contrasting the wise with the foolish, or the wicked with the righteous. Or the diligent with the slothful.

Pro 10:1, The proverbs of Solomon: A WISE SON MAKES A GLAD FATHER, BUT A FOOLISH SON IS THE GRIEF OF HIS MOTHER.

I’ve witness many times a mother worrying for her son, where is he, what’s is he doing, is he ok? A wise son/daughter brings joy to their parents especially when they walk in truth!

3Jn 1:4, I HAVE NO GREATER JOY THAN TO HEAR THAT MY CHILDREN WALK IN TRUTH. 

Pro 10:4-5, He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich. He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

The diligent creates wealth, but the lazy causes shame for their parents!

Pro 10:8, THE WISE IN HEART WILL RECEIVE COMMANDS, But a prating fool will fall. 

A wise man will receive instruction and grow in wisdom, but the idol talk of a fool will be his downfall!

Ecc 10:12, The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, BUT THE LIPS OF A FOOL SHALL SWALLOW HIM UP; 

Pro 10:13, Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.

The rod of correction if often needed to give understanding to children, but a fool will need to correction for a lifetime!

Pro 22:15, Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

Pro 10:25, When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS HAS AN EVERLASTING FOUNDATION. 

The wicked have no foundation and their lives only create havoc like a whirlwind, but the foundation of the righteous is the LORD JESUS! HE is the rock of our faith, and we will be with HIM for eternity!

Isa 55:6-7, Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

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Proverbs 9:7-18, wisdom or folly chose one!

Pro 9:7-8, “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; REBUKE A WISE MAN, AND HE WILL LOVE YOU.

The servants went out inviting the simple to wisdom’s home, Yet there are many who don’t care for the invitation! A mocker will laugh and twist your words, but a man who seeks wisdom will listen up!

Pro 12:1, WHOEVER LOVES INSTRUCTION LOVES KNOWLEDGE, BUT HE WHO HATES CORRECTION IS STUPID. 

Pro 9:9, Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

How do you act if someone corrects you in truth? Do you want to win a conversation or learn from it? A true friend will and should correct you, but how will you take it?

Pro 27:6, Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. 

Pro 9:13-15, A foolish woman is clamorous; She is simple, and knows nothing. For she sits at the door of her house, On a seat by the highest places of the city, To call to those who pass by, Who go straight on their way:

Verses 1-6, we have a wise woman calling people, now we see a foolish woman doing the same!

Pro 9:16-17, “WHOEVER IS SIMPLE, LET HIM TURN IN HERE”; AND AS FOR HIM WHO LACKS UNDERSTANDING, SHE SAYS TO HIM, “STOLEN WATER IS SWEET, AND BREAD EATEN IN SECRET IS PLEASANT.”

Temptation is everywhere; a wise man will keep on going, but a fool would not think twice! Apparently, this foolish woman is married but she offers herself up to any willing!

Pro 5:15, Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well. 

Pro 9:18, BUT HE DOES NOT KNOW THAT THE DEAD ARE THERE, THAT HER GUESTS ARE IN THE DEPTHS OF HELL. 

Two voices calling you in two different directions; One leads to life the other death! In the middle of both wisdom and folly is verse 10

Pro 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 

The reverence of GOD will keep you away from folly and it will keep you from stumbling!

Gen 4:7, If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, SIN LIES AT THE DOOR. AND ITS DESIRE IS FOR YOU, BUT YOU SHOULD RULE OVER IT.” 

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Proverbs 9:1-6, Come to the feast! Your invited!

Pro 9:1-2, Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars; She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.

Solomon portrays wisdom as a woman who is preparing her home for a feast! In the same manner GOD is also preparing a feast to all who will listen to wisdom!

Rev 19:9, Then he said to me, “Write: ‘BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE CALLED TO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB!” …

Pro 9:3-5, She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed. 

She, wisdom, sent out her maidens to invite the people to her feast! In the same manner GOD sent out HIS servants to invite anyone who would listen; the foolish, the lame, the wise all are invited!

Mat 22:2-3, “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, AND SENT OUT HIS SERVANTS TO CALL THOSE WHO WERE INVITED TO THE WEDDING; AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO COME. AGAIN, HE SENT OUT OTHER SERVANTS, SAYING, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. COME TO THE WEDDING.” ‘ 

This invitation is gone out to the world, for HE is not willing that any perish, but that all should come to repentance (2Peter 3:9)

Mat 22:5-6, But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.

The invitation went out but many didn’t care for it, they rejected the invitation and grabbed on to their foolish ways!

Pro 9:6, FORSAKE FOOLISHNESS AND LIVE, AND GO IN THE WAY OF UNDERSTANDING. 

This invitation is still available for all who will listen, but soon the doors will close and many will be left out! Come as you are and live

Rev 22:17, AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, “COME!” And let him who hears say, “COME!” And let him who thirsts COME. WHOEVER DESIRES, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY.