Daily Bible Reading and Prayer 3 Jun 6, '19-Jan 17, '20 Proverbs n Ecclesiastes

July 8, Prov 16

Yesterday Will didn't join us cause he fell asleep, but he's joining us again today 😊.

1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.
Few people do things they think are wrong, most people justify their actions till their actions are pure in their own eyes.
We sometimes think we're righteous by our actions, but only God can see our true self

3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
'Unless the Lord builds a house, they labor in vain who try.' What was that verse that said that?
Everything done in tribute to God will be blessed by God for his glory

4 The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
This verse makes me think of Will's favorite book, Ecclesiastes!
Basically states that God made everything, our understanding of good and evil were all created by him. He places evil things, lol Satan, as our trials to make us stronger and resilient, all for his glory

5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Always be humble. When you are arrogant, God will surely put something in your life to knock you down a few notches. Just ask the people who tried building the tower of Babel lol

6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.
The fear of the Lord is an example of a healthy fear, it helps you turn from evil.

7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
A little good than a lot of bad, should be our goal

9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
We can plan, but God has the final say of what we do.

10 An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
God is the ultimate judge, everything is placed by him for his work.

12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
Evil politicians are horrible.

13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.

15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
Wisdom and understanding are worth much.

17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to ruin

19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Material things are not nearly as important as what your spirit and personality are like.
Similar to what Jesus said about the camel being easier to fit through the eye of a needle than a rich man to go to heaven. The verse states that it is better to be poor than to be rich, because most rich people are arrogant, and put Mammon before God.
Even in our times, I read a study that said that on average, poorer people are more happy than rich people, and it isn't a coincidence.

20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Wise people have a way with words. 

24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Words are so powerful, good, gracious words can be sweet and healthy, but not so gracious words can tear a person apart.
Just as words can hurt people, words can also uplift people.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
We think we know what is best for us, but only in God's grace can we truly be saved from death, both spiritually and physically. 

26 A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
Not good to gossip.

29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

30 Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
I like this verse.
Patience is truly a virtue.

33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.  - Proverbs 16

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for Your many blessings, thank you especially for Will, thank you that we can study Your word together. Please grant us, and the others reading this, wisdom as we study. Please bless Your wisdom to our hearts. Father please be with Liam and his mom, I haven't heard yet how they are, please heal them if it is Your will. Please be near everyone in my prayer journal, please guide them as they live for You, in Jesus's name, Amen

Dear Jesus,
Thank you for having us be together again for another devotion. I thank you for placing me in good life, and placing good people around me. I don't deserve your grace, but I'm truly happy that you made me who I am for your glory. Lord, I pray for Liam's mother to get better and for you to be with both of them through stressful times and to lead them out of it. I also pray that you help Jessica with her pain and to give her a doctor that will understand what she has. Hopefully as time goes on, you can continue to be with me and Jessica and work through us for your glory. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.