July 1st
Hear this you leaders of the people! Everyone listen! In all your history, has anything like this ever happened before?
Tell your children about it in years to come. Pass the awful story down from generation to generation. After the cutting locusts finished eating the crops, the swarming locusts took what was left. After them came the hopping locusts, and then the stripping locusts too! ...They have destroyed My grapevines and fig trees, stripping their bark and leaving the branches white and bare... The grapevines and the fig trees have all withered. The pomegranate trees, palm trees and apple trees—yes, all the fruit trees have dried up. All joy has dried up with them...
¤ Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem! Sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the Lord is upon us. It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds and deep blackness. Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a mighty army appears! How great and powerful they are! The likes of them have not been seen before and never will be seen again. ¤ Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. ¤ For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against those evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.
¤ That is why the Lord says, "Turn to Me now, while there is time! Give Me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts." Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and eager not to punish you. Who knows? Perhaps even yet He will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this terrible curse... The Lord says, "I will give you back what you lost to the stripping locusts, the cutting locusts, the swarming locusts and the hopping locusts... Then you will know that I am here among My people, and that I alone am the Lord your God."
¤ And now why delay? Get up and be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on the name of the Lord. ¤ Remember God's patience in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In that ark only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water. This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you—not just a mere washing of the body, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. ¤ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Joel 1:2-4, 1:7, 1:12 & 2:1, 2 1st Peter 5:8 Ephesians 6:12 Joel 2:12-14 & 2:25, 27 Acts 22:16
1st Peter 3:20, 21 Galatians 3:27
July 2nd
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars.
¤ Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don't ignore it. Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my doors! For whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the Lord. But those who sin against me have injured themselves. And all who hate me love death.
¤ Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
¤ A wise child brings joy to a father, but a foolish child brings grief to a mother.
Ill-gotten gain has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.
The Lord will not let the godly starve to death, but He refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
Lazy people are soon poor, but hard workers get rich. A wise youth works hard all summer, but a youth who sleeps away the hour of opportunity brings shame.
The godly are showered with blessings, but evil people cover up their harmful intentions.
We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of the wicked person rots away.
The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
People who are honest have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.
People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace...
People who accept correction are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray.
To hide hatred is to be a liar, to slander is to be a fool.
Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow! The words of the godly are like sterling silver, but the heart of a fool is worthless. The godly give good advice, but fools are destroyed by their lack of knowledge...
Fear of the Lord lengthens one's life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked are all in vain.
The Lord protects the upright, but destroys the wicked. The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.
The godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off. The godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt.
Proverbs 9:1 Proverbs 8:32-36 Proverbs 9:11, 12 Proverbs 10:1-10, 17-21, 27-32
July 3rd
Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Good people are guided by their honesty, but treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty.
Riches won't help on the day of judgement, but right living is a safeguard against death.
The godly are directed by their honesty, but the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.
The godliness of good people rescues them, but the ambition of treacherous people traps them.
When the wicked die, their hopes all perish, for they rely on their own feeble strength. God rescues the godly from danger, but He lets the wicked fall into trouble.
Evil words destroy one's friends, but wise discernment rescues the godly.
The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed, and they shout for joy when the godless die.
Upright citizens bless a city and make it prosper, but the gossip of the wicked tears it apart.
It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent. A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Without wise leadership, a nation falls, and with many godly counselors, there is safety.
Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger is dangerous; it is better to refuse than to suffer later.
Beautiful women obtain wealth, and violent men get rich.
Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.
Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last. Godly people find life; evil people find death.
The Lord hates people with twisted hearts, but He delights in those who are honest.
You can be sure that evil people will be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.
A woman who is beautiful but lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
The godly can look forward to happiness, while the wicked can only expect wrath.
It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything. The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
People curse those who hold their grain for higher prices, but they bless the one who sells to them in their time of need.
If you search for good, you will find favor, but if you search for evil, it will find you!
Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in the spring.
Those who bring trouble on their families inherit only the wind; the fool will be a servant to the wise.
The godly are like trees that bear life-giving fruit, and those who save lives are wise. If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, how much more true that the wicked will get what they deserve!
Proverbs 11:2-31
July 4th
To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
The Lord approves of those who are good, but He condemns those who plan wickedness. Wickedness never brings stability; only the godly have deep roots.
A worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown; a shameful wife saps his strength.
The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous. The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
The wicked perish and are gone, but the children of the godly stand firm.
Everyone admires a person with good sense, but a warped mind is despised.
It is better to be a nobody with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.
The godly are concerned for the welfare of their animals, but even the kindness of the wicked is cruel.
Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.
Thieves are jealous of each other's loot, while the godly bear their own fruit.
The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble. People can get many good things by the words they say; the work of their hands also gives them many benefits.
Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others. A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
No real harm befalls the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
The Lord hates those who don't keep their word, but He delights in those who do.
Wise people don't make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their folly.
Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
Worry weighs a person down, but an encouraging word cheers a person up.
The godly give good advice to their friends, but the wicked lead them astray.
Lazy people don't even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.
The way of the godly leads to life; their path does not lead to death.
¤ A wise child accepts a parents discipline, but a young mocker refuses to listen.
Good people enjoy the positive results of their words, but those who are treacherous crave violence. Those who control their tongue will have a long life, but a quick retort can ruin everything.
Proverbs 12 Proverbs 13:1-3
July 5th
Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.
Those who are godly hate lies, but the wicked come to shame and disgrace.
Godliness helps people all through life, while the evil are gradually destroyed by their wickedness.
Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor. The rich can pay a ransom, but the poor won't even get threatened.
The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the sinner's light is snuffed out.
Pride leads to arguments, but those who take advice are wise.
Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears, but wealth from hard work grows.
Hope deferred makes the heart sad, but when dreams come true there is life and joy.
People who despise advice will find themselves in trouble, but those who respect it will succeed. The advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
A person with good sense is respected, but a treacherous person walks a rocky road. Wise people think before they act; fools don't, and even brag about it.
An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.
If you ignore criticism, you will end up in poverty and disgrace, but if you accept criticism, you will be honored.
It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools will not turn from evil to attain them.
Whoever walks with the wise will become wise, but whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.
Trouble chases sinners, while blessings chase the righteous!
Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, and the sinner's wealth passes to the godly.
A poor person's farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.
If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.
The godly eat to their hearts content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
¤ A wise woman builds her house, but a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
Those who follow the right path fear the Lord, and those who take the wrong path despise Him.
The talk of fools is a rod of pride, but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble.
An empty stable stays clean, but no profit comes from an empty stable.
A truthful witness does not lie, and a false witness breathes lies. A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
Proverbs 13:4-25 Proverbs 14:1-6
July 6th
Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge there.
The wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.
Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
The house of the wicked will perish, but the tent of the godly will flourish.
There is a path before each person that seems right, but ends in death.
Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
Only simpletons believe everything they are told! The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious and avoid danger, but fools plunge ahead with great confidence.
Those who are short-tempered do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
The simpleton is clothed with folly, but the wise person is crowned with knowledge.
Evil people will bow before good people, and the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
The poor are despised, even by their neighbors, while the rich have many "friends." It is sin to despise one's neighbors, blessed are those who help the poor.
If you plot evil, you will be lost, but if you plan good, you will be granted mercy and faithfulness.
Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Wealth is a crown for the wise, but the effort of fools yields only folly.
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.
Those who fear the Lord are secure; He will be a place of refuge for their children.
The fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
A growing population is a kings glory, but a dwindling nation is his doom.
Those who control their anger have great understanding, but those with a hasty temper will make mistakes. A relaxed attitude will lengthen one's life, but jealousy rots it away.
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who help the poor honor Him indeed.
The wicked are crushed by their sins, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart, but wisdom is not found among fools.
Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing, but he is angry with those who cause trouble.
Proverbs 14:7-35
July 7th
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.
The wise person makes learning a joy, but fools spout only foolishness.
The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping His eye on both the evil and the good.
Gentle words bring life and health, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Only a fool despises a parent's discipline, but whoever learns from correction is wise.
There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
Only the wise can give good advice; fools cannot do so.
The Lord hates the sacrifice of the wicked, but He delights in the prayers of the upright. The Lord despises the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue godliness.
Whoever abandons the right path will be severely punished, and whoever hates correction will die. Even the very depths of death and destruction are known by the Lord. How much more does He know the human heart!
Mockers don't love those who rebuke them, so they stay away from the wise.
A glad heart makes a happy face, but a broken heart crushes the spirit.
A wise person is hungry for truth, but the fool feeds on trash.
For the poor, every day brings trouble, but for the happy heart, life is a continuing feast. It is better to have little with fear for the Lord than to have great treasure with turmoil. A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than a steak with someone you hate.
A hothead starts fights, but a cool-tempered person tries to stop them.
A lazy person has trouble all through life, but the path of the upright is easy.
Sensible children bring joy to their father, but foolish children despise their mother. Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense, but a sensible person stays on the right path.
Plans go wrong for lack of advice, but many godly counselors bring success.
Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
The path of the wise leads to life above; they leave the grave behind.
The Lord destroys the house of the proud, but He protects the property of widows.
The Lord despises the thoughts of the wicked, but He delights in pure words.
Dishonest money brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
The godly think before speaking, but the wicked spout evil words. The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayers of the righteous.
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself, but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
Fear of the Lord teaches a person to be wise; humility proceeds honor.
Proverbs 15
July 8th
We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer.
People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.
Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed.
The Lord has made everything for His own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
The Lord despises pride; be assured that the proud will be punished.
Mercy and faithfulness cover sin, and evil is avoided by respect of the Lord. When the ways of people please the Lord, He makes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
It is better to be poor and godly than rich and dishonest.
We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
If a king speaks with divine wisdom, then he must never judge unfairly. The Lord demands fairness in every business deal, and He sets the standard. A wise king despises wrongdoing, for his rule depends on his justice.
A wise king is pleased with righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. The anger of a king is a deadly threat, and the wise will do what they can to appease it. When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a gentle rain.
How much better to get wisdom than gold, and understanding than silver!
The path of the upright leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust in the Lord will be happy. The wise are known for their understanding, and instruction is appreciated if it is well presented. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
There is a path before each person that seems right, but the way of it leads to death.
It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
Scoundrels hunt for scandal; their words are a destructive blaze. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife, and gossip separates the best of friends.
Violent people deceive their companions, leading them down a harmful path. With narrowed eyes, they plot evil; without a word, they plan their mischief.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
It is better to be patient than powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
Proverbs 16
July 9th
A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a great feast with strife.
A wise slave will rule over the master's shameful sons and will share their inheritance.
Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
Wrongdoers listen to wicked talk, and liars pay attention to destructive words.
Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
Eloquent speech is not fitting for a fool; even less fitting for a ruler.
A bribe seems to work like magic for those who give it; they succeed in all they do.
Disregarding another person's faults preserves love; telling others about them separates close friends. A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
Evil people seek rebellion, but they will be severely punished.
It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in his folly.
If you repay evil for good, evil will never leave your house.
Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
The Lord despises those who acquit the guilty and condemn the innocent.
It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a fool who has no heart for wisdom.
A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
It is poor judgement to co-sign a friend's note, to become responsible for a neighbor's debts.
Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin, and anyone who speaks boastfully invites disaster.
The crooked heart will not prosper, and the twisted tongue tumbles into trouble.
It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.
The wicked accept secret bribes to pervert justice.
Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.
A foolish child brings grief to a father and bitterness to a mother.
It is wrong to fine the godly for being good or to punish nobles for being honest!
A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Proverbs 17
July 10th
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgement.
Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
When the wicked arrive, contempt, shame, and disgrace are sure to follow.
A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.
It is wrong for a judge to favor the guilty or condemn the innocent.
Fools get into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating. The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into trouble. What dainty morsels rumors are—but they sink deep into one's heart.
A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.
The rich think of their wealth as an impregnable defense; they imagine it as a high wall of safety.
Haughtiness goes before destruction, but humility proceeds honor.
What a shame, what folly, to give advice before listening to the facts!
The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?
Intelligent people are always open to new ideas; in fact, they look for them.
Giving a gift works wonders; it may bring you before important people!
Any story sounds true until someone sets the record straight.
Casting lots can end arguments and settle disputes between powerful opponents.
It's harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city.
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars. Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person's lips bring well-being.
Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can either kill or nourish life.
The man who finds a good wife finds a treasure and receives favor from the Lord.
The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer with insults.
There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a true friend sticks closer than a brother.
¤ It is better to be poor and honest than to be a fool and dishonest.
Zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way.
People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.
Wealth makes many "friends", but poverty drives them away.
A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape.
Many beg favors from a prince, and everyone is a friend to a person who gives gifts!
If the relatives of the poor despise them, how much more will their friends avoid them; the poor call after them, but they are gone.
To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper...
Keep the commandments and keep your life, for despising them leads to death.
Proverbs 18 Proverbs 19:1-8, 16
July 11th
Get all the advice and instruction you can, and be wise the rest of your life.
You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail.
Loyalty makes a person attractive, and it is better to be poor than dishonest.
Fear of the Lord gives life, security, and protection from harm.
Some people are so lazy that they won't even lift a finger to feed themselves.
If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson, and if you reprove the wise, they will be all the wiser.
Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are a public disgrace and an embarrassment.
If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you have turned your back on knowledge.
A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.
Mockers will be punished, and the backs of fools will be beaten.
¤ Ears to hear and eyes to see—both are gifts from the Lord.
If you love sleep, you will end up in poverty; keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!
The buyer haggles over the price, saying, "It's worthless," then brags about getting a bargain!
Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies.
Be sure to get collateral from anyone who guarantees the debt of a stranger; get a deposit if someone guarantees the debt of an adulterer.
Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.
Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without the advice of others.
A gossip tells secrets, so don't hang around with someone who talks too much.
If you curse your father or mother, the lamp of your life will be snuffed out.
An inheritance obtained early in life is not a blessing in the end.
Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong." Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
The Lord despises double standards; He is not pleased by dishonest scales.
How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs our steps.
It is dangerous to make a rash promise to God before counting the cost.
A wise king finds the wicked, lays them out like wheat, then runs the crushing wheel over them.
The Lord's searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
Mercy and faithfulness protect a king, and his throne is made secure through love.
The glory of the young is their strength, but the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.
Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline reaches the innermost depths of the heart.
Proverbs 19:20-29 Proverbs 20:12-30
July 12th
A king's heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; He turns it wherever He pleases.
People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart.
The Lord is more pleased when we do what is just and right than when we give Him sacrifices. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Wealth created by lying is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
Because the wicked refuse to do what is just, their violence boomerangs and destroys them.
The guilty walk a crooked path, but the innocent travel a straight road.
It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a contentious wife in a lovely home.
Evil people love to harm others; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
A simpleton can learn only by seeing mockers punished, but a wise person learns from instruction.
The righteous one knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring the wicked to disaster.
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
A secret gift calms anger, and a secret bribe pacifies fury.
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it causes dismay among evildoers.
The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.
Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches.
Sometimes the wicked are punished to save the godly, and the treacherous for the upright.
It is better to live alone in the desert than with a crabby, complaining wife.
The wise have wealth an luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
Whoever pursues godliness and mercy will find life, godliness and honor.
The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.
If you keep your mouth shut, you will stay out of trouble. Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.
The desires of lazy people will be their ruin, for their hands refuse to work. They are always greedy for more, while the godly love to give!
God loathes the sacrifice of an evil person, especially when it's brought with ulterior motives.
A false witness will be cut off, but an attentive witness will be allowed to speak.
The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright proceed with care.
Human plans, no matter how wise or well advised, cannot stand against the Lord.
The horses are prepared for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Proverbs 21
July 13th
Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold.
The rich and the poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.
A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions, but the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.
The deceitful walk a thorny, treacherous road; whoever values life will stay away. Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrow is servant to the lender.
Those who plant seeds of injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will end.
Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.
Throw out the mocker, and fighting, quarrels, and insults will disappear. Anyone who loves a pure heart and gracious speech is the king's friend.
The Lord preserves knowledge, but He ruins the plans of the deceitful.
The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!"
The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; those living under the Lord's displeasure will fall into it.
A youngster's heart is filled with foolishness, but the rod of correction will drive it away.
A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor, or by showering gifts on the rich, will end their life in poverty.
Listen to the words of the wise and apply your heart to instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today—yes, you—so that you will trust in the Lord;
I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. In this way, you may know the truth and bring an accurate report to those who sent you: Do not rob the poor because they are poor or exploit the needy in court. For the Lord is their defender. He will injure anyone who injures them.
Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your own soul.
Do not co-sign another person's note or put up a guarantee for someone else's loan. If you can't pay it, even your bed will be snatched out from under you. Do not steal your neighbor's property by moving the ancient boundary markers set up by your ancestors.
Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.
Proverbs 22
July 14th
When dining with a ruler, pay attention to what is set before you...
If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat, and don't desire all the delicacies—deception may be involved.
Don't weary yourself by trying to get rich. Why waste your time? For riches can disappear as though they had the wings of a bird!
Don't eat with people who are stingy; don't desire their delicacies. "Eat and drink," they say, but they don't mean it. They are always thinking about how much it costs. You will vomit up the delicious food they serve, and you will have to take back your words of appreciation for their "kindness".
Don't waste your breath on fools, for they will despise the wisest advice.
Don't steal the land of the defenseless orphans by moving the ancient boundary markers, for their Redeemer is strong. He Himself will bring their charges against you.
Commit yourself to instruction; attune your ears to hear the words of knowledge. Don't fail to correct your children. They won't die if you spank them. Physical discipline may well save them from death. My child, how I will rejoice if you become wise. Yes, my heart will thrill when you speak what is right and just. Don't envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. For surely you have a future ahead of you; your hope will not be disappointed. My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course. Do not carouse with drunkards and gluttons, for they are on their way to poverty. Too much sleep clothes a person with rags. Listen to your father, who gave you life, and don't despise your mother's experience when she is old. Get the truth and don't ever sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and discernment. The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure it is to have wise children. So give your parents joy! May she who gave you birth be happy.
O my son, give me your heart. May your eyes delight in my ways of wisdom. A prostitute is a deep pit; an adulterous woman is treacherous. She hides and waits like a robber, looking for another victim who will be unfaithful to his wife. Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don't let the sparkle and smooth taste of wine deceive you. For in the end it bites like a poisonous serpent; it stings like a viper. You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it. I didn't even know when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can have another drink?"
Proverbs 23
July 15th
Don't envy evil people; don't desire their company...
For they spend their days plotting violence, and their words are always stirring up trouble.
A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man. So don't go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many godly counselors.
Wisdom is too much for a fool. When the leaders gather, the fool has nothing to say.
A person who plans evil will have a reputation as a troublemaker. The schemes of a fool are sinful, and everyone despises a mocker.
If you fall under pressure your strength is not very great.
Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don't stand back and let them die. Don't avoid responsibility by saying you don't know anything about it. For God knows all hearts, and He sees you; He keeps watch over your soul, and He knows you knew! And He will judge people according to what they have done.
My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.
Do not lie in wait like an outlaw at the home of the godly, and don't raid the house where the godly live. For the godly may trip seven times, and each time they will rise again, but by one calamity the wicked will fall.
Do not rejoice when your enemies fall into trouble. Don't be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn His anger away from them.
Do not fret because of evildoers; don't envy the wicked. For the evil have no future; their light will be snuffed out.
My child, respect both the Lord and the king, and don't associate with rebels. For you will go down with them to sudden disaster, and who knows where the punishment from both the Lord and the king will end?
...Whoever says to the guilty, "You are innocent"— people will curse him and nations denounce him. But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them... Do not testify spitefully against innocent neighbors; don't lie about them. And don't say, "Now I can pay them back for all their meanness to me! I'll get even!"
¤ Timely advice is as lovely as golden apples in a silver basket. Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made from the finest gold.
Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his employer.
A person who doesn't give a promised gift is like clouds and wind that don't bring rain.
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can crush strong opposition.
Proverbs 24:1-22, 24, 25, 28, 29 Proverbs 25:11-15
July 16th
Don't visit your neighbors to often, or you will wear out your welcome.
Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
Putting confidence in an unreliable person is like chewing with a toothache or walking on a broken foot.
Singing cheerful songs to a person whose heart is heavy is as bad as stealing someone's jacket in cold weather or rubbing salt in a wound.
If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink; you will heap burning coals on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.
As surly as the wind from the north brings rain, so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
It is better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a contentious wife in a lovely home.
Good news from far away is like cold water to the thirsty.
If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
Just as it is not good to eat too much honey, it is not good for people to think about all the honors they deserve.
A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls.
¤ Honor doesn't go with fools any more than snow with summer or rain with harvest.
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an unfair curse will not land on its intended victim.
Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle, and a fool with a rod to his back!
When arguing with fools, don't answer their foolish arguments, or you will become as foolish as they are, however, when arguing with fools, answer their foolish arguments according to wisdom, or they will become wise in their own estimation. Trusting a fool to convey a message is as foolish as cutting off one's feet or drinking poison! In the mouth of a fool, a proverb becomes as limp as a paralyzed leg.
Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. A proverb in a fool's mouth is as dangerous as a thornbush brandished by a drunkard. An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots recklessly. As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. However, there is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.
The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "I can't go outside because there might be a lion on the road! Yes, I'm sure there is a lion out there!" As a door turns back and forth on its hinges, so the lazy person turns over in bed. Some people are so lazy that they won't lift a finger to feed themselves. Lazy people consider themselves smarter than seven wise counselors.
Proverbs 25:17-28 Proverbs 26:1-16
July 17th
Yanking a dog's ears is a foolish as interfering in someone else's argument.
Just as damaging as a mad man shooting a lethal weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, "I was only joking."
Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and quarrels disappear when gossip stops. A quarrelsome person starts fights as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
What dainty morsels rumors are—but they sink deep into one's heart. Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty gaze covers a common clay pot. People with hate in their hearts may sound pleasant enough, but don't believe them. Though they pretend to be kind, their hearts are full of all kinds of evil. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, it will finally come to the light for all to see.
If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will roll back and crush you.
A lying tongue hates its victims, and flattery causes ruin.
¤ Don't brag about tomorrow, since you really don't know what the day will bring. Don't praise yourself; let others do it!
A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is heavier than both.
Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but who can survive the destructiveness of jealousy?
An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.
Honey seems tasteless to a person who is full, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry.
A person who strays from home is like a bird that strays from its nest. The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. Never abandon a friend—either your's or your father's. Then in your time of need, you won't have to ask your relatives for assistance. It is better to go to a neighbor than to a relative who lives far away.
My child, how happy I will be if you turn out to be wise! Then I will be able to answer my critics.
A prudent person foresees the danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Be sure to get collateral from anyone who guarantees the debt of a stranger. Get a deposit if someone guarantees the debt of an adulterous woman.
If you shout a pleasant greeting to your neighbor too early in the morning, it will be counted as a curse!
A nagging wife is as annoying as the constant dripping on a rainy day. Trying to stop her complaints is like trying to stop the wind or trying to hold onto something with greased hands.
Proverbs 26:17-28 Proverbs 27:1-16
July 18th
As Iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens the expression of their friend.
Workers who attend a fig tree are allowed to eat its fruit. In the same way, workers who protect their employers interests will be rewarded.
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.
Just as death and destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.
Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by what others say of him.
You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.
Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don't last forever, and the crown might not be sure for the next generation. After the hay is harvested, the new crop appears, and the mountain grasses are gathered in, your sheep will provide wool for clothing, and your goats will be sold for the price of a field. And you will have enough goats' milk for you, your family, and your servants.
¤ The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.
When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But with wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is stability.
A poor person who oppresses the poor is like a pounding rain that destroys the crops.
To reject the law is to praise the wicked, but to obey the law is to fight them.
Evil people don't understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.
It is better to be poor and honest than rich and crooked.
Young people who obey the law are wise, but those who seek worthless companions bring shame to their parents.
A person who makes money by charging interest will lose it; it will end up in the hands of someone who is kind to the poor.
The prayers of a person who ignores the law are despised. Those who lead the upright into sin will fall into their own trap, but the honest will inherit good things.
Rich people picture themselves as wise, but their real poverty is evident to the poor.
When the godly succeed, everyone is glad, but when the wicked take charge, people go into hiding.
People who cover over their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy. Blessed are those who have a tender conscience, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
A wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a lion or bear attacking them. Only a stupid prince will oppress his people, but a king will have a long reign if he hates dishonesty and bribes.
Proverbs 27:17-27 Proverbs 28:1-16
July 19th
Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice, but when the wicked are in power, they groan.
The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father, but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.
A just king gives stability to his nation, but one who demands bribes destroys it.
To flatter people is to lay a trap for their feet. Evil people are trapped by sin, but the righteous escape, shouting for joy.
The godly know the rights of the poor, but the wicked don't care to know.
Mockers can get a whole town agitated, but those who are wise will calm anger.
If a wise person takes a fool to court, there will be ranting and ridicule, but no satisfaction.
The bloodthirsty hate the honest, but the upright seek out the honest.
A fool gives vent to anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back.
If a ruler honors liars, all his advisers will also be wicked.
The poor and the oppressor have this in common—the Lord gives light to the eyes of them both.
A king who is fair to the poor will have a long reign.
To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
When the wicked are in authority, sin increases, but the godly will live to see the tyrant's downfall.
Discipline your children while they are young, and they will give you happiness and peace of mind.
When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild, but whoever obeys the law of God is happy.
For a servant, mere words are not enough—discipline is needed; for though the words may be understood, they are not heeded.
There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.
A servant who is pampered from childhood will later become a rebel.
A hot-tempered person starts fights and gets into all kinds of sin.
Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.
If you assist a thief, you are only hurting yourself; for when you are put under oath, you fail to tell the truth.
Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust in the Lord means safety.
Many seek the ruler's favor, but justice comes from the Lord.
The godly despise the wicked, and the wicked despise the godly.
Proverbs 29
July 20th
O, Lord, I know the way of a man is not in himself. No one is able to direct their own steps. Correct me, Lord, but not in Your anger, lest I be reduced to nothing.
¤ The steps of a good man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his walk. Though he may stumble and fall, it is not fatal, for the Lord upholds him with His hand. I have been young and now I am old. Yet, I have never seen the righteous forsaken... The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them, because they take refuge in Him.
¤ The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid and do not be discouraged. ¤ A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall... And David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will deliver all of you into our hands."
As the giant Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down Goliath and killed him. ¤ "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty. ¤ The sword of the Spirit is the word of God.
¤ Though we live in this world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish the Devil's strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought, idea, motive, desire and decision to make it obedient to Christ.
Jeremiah 10:23, 24 Psalm 37:23-25, 39, 40 Deuteronomy 31:8 1st Samuel 17:4, 45-50 Zechariah 4:6
Ephesians 6:17 2nd Corinthians 10:3-5
July 21st
Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies.
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him but help him all her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant's ship; she brings her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day's work for her servant girls. She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, because all of them have warm clothing. She quilts her own bedspreads. She dresses like royalty in gowns of the finest cloth.
Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council meeting with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell at the merchants. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no worry of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household, and does not have to bear the consequences of idleness. Her children rise and bless her. Her husband also praises her: "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done! Let her deeds publicly declare her praise!
¤ Don't let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and no longer enjoy living. It will be too late then to remember Him, when the light of the sun and moon and stars is dim to your old eyes, and there is no silver lining left among the clouds. Your limbs will tremble with age, and your strong legs will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to do their work, and you may be blind as well... Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don't wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. For then the dust will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
Proverbs 31:10-30 Ecclesiastes 12:1-3, 6, 7
July 22nd
Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from you own well.
¤ Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king's house. From there, he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. So David sent and inquired about the woman and he was told, "She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite." Then David sent for her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. (She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period.) Then she returned home. Later, when Bathsheba discovered she was pregnant, she sent a message to inform David.
So David sent word to Joab: "Send me Uriah the Hittite." When Uriah arrived, David asked him how Joab and the army were getting along and how the war was progressing. Then he told Uriah, "Go home and relax." David even sent a gift to Uriah after he had left the palace. But Uriah would not go home. He stayed that night at the palace entrance with some of the king's other servants. When David heard what Uriah had done, he summoned him and asked, "What's the matter with you? Why didn't you go home last night after being away for so long?" Uriah replied, "The Ark and the armies of Israel and Judah are living in tents, and Joab and his officers are camping in the open fields. How could I go home to wine and dine and sleep with my wife? I swear that I will never be guilty of acting like that."
"Well, stay here tonight," David told him, "and tomorrow you may return to the army." So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next. Then David invited him to dinner and got him drunk. But even then he could not get Uriah to go home to his wife. Again he slept at the palace entrance. So the next morning, David wrote a letter to Joab and gave it to Uriah to deliver. The letter instructed Joab, "Station Uriah on the front lines where the battle is fiercest. Then pull back so that he will be killed."
So Joab assigned Uriah to a spot close to the city wall where he knew the enemy's strongest men would be fighting. And Uriah was killed along with several other Israelite soldiers.
When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. When the period of mourning was over, David sent for her and brought her to the palace, and she became one of his wives. Then she gave birth to a son. But the Lord was very displeased with the things that David had done.
Proverbs 5:15 2nd Samuel 11:2-17, 26, 27
July 23rd
I recognize my shameful deeds—they haunt me day and night!
¤ Then the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to David. And Nathan told him this story: "There were two men in a certain town; one was rich, and the other was poor. The poor man owned nothing but a little lamb, which he had worked hard to buy. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man's own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing a lamb from his own flocks for food, he took the poor man's lamb and killed it and served it to his guest."
David was furious. "As surely as the Lord lives," he vowed, "any man who would do such a things deserves to die! He must restore four lambs to the poor man for the one which he stole, and for having no pity." Then Nathan said to David, "You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel says, 'I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you this house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why then have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah and stolen his wife. From this time on, the sword will be a constant threat to your family, because you have despised Me by taking Uriah's wife to be your own. Because of what you have done, I, the Lord, will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man, and he will go to bed with them in public view. You did it secretly, but I will do this openly in the sight of all Israel.' "
¤ Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love! Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stains of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt, and purify me from my sin, for I admit to You my shameful deeds, and my sins are always before me. Against You, and You only, have I sinned and done this evil in Your sight—You will be proved right in what You say, and Your judgement against me is just. For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But You desire honesty from the heart, so that You can teach me to be wise in my inmost being... Oh, give me back my joy again; You have broken me! Now, let me rejoice! Don't keep looking at my sins!
Psalm 51:3 2nd Samuel 12:1-12 Psalm 51:1-6, 8, 9
July 24th
And David confessed to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord."
Nathan replied, "Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won't die for this sin. But you have given the enemies of the Lord great opportunity to despise and blaspheme Him, so your child will die." And the Lord allowed the child that Uriah's wife bore to David to become ill. David begged God to spare the child. He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground. The leaders of the nation pleaded with him to get up and eat with them, but he refused. Then on the seventh day of David's mourning, the baby died. David's advisers were afraid to tell him. "He was so broken up about the baby being sick," they said, "what will he do to himself when we tell him the child is dead?"
But when David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. "Is the baby dead?" he asked. "Yes," they replied. Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. Then he went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and ate. His advisers were amazed. "We don't understand you," they told him. "While the baby was still living, you wept and refused to eat. But now that the baby is dead, you have stopped your mourning and are eating again."
David replied, "I fasted and wept while the child was alive, for I said, 'Perhaps the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live.' But why should I fast when he is dead? Can I bring him back to life again? No—I will go to him one day, but he cannot return to me." Then David comforted Bathsheba, his wife, and slept with her. She became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved the child and sent word through Nathan the prophet that his name should be Jedidiah—"beloved of the Lord"—because the Lord loved him.
¤ Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." ¤ Let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us: Not all of us will die, but we will be transformed. It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. Then we, who are living, will also be transformed so that we will never die. For our perishable, earthly bodies must be transformed into incorruptible and immortal bodies. The Scripture will be fulfilled; Death is swallowed up in victory!
2nd Samuel 12:13-25 John 11:25, 26 1st Corinthians 15:51-54
July 25th
...You must worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.
¤ Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: "I go the way of the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. Keep the charge of the Lord your God; to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgements, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,' He said, 'your descendants shall always sit on the throne of Israel.' " ...So David rested with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
¤ And it came to pass in time that the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. All people were to return to their own home towns' to register for the census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David's ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child . And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn... His name was called Jesus.
¤ Dear brothers, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that through the fruit of his body He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he was actually speaking concerning the resurrection of Christ... For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself said, "The Lord said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.' " Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
Now when the people heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brothers, what shall we do?" Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of sins. You shall then receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all future generations; as many as the Lord our God will call."
Matthew 3:10 1st Kings 2:1-4, 10 Luke 2:1-7, 21 Acts 2:29-31 & 34-39
July 26th
The Lord asked Solomon, "What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!"
Solomon replied, "You were wonderfully kind to my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to You. And You have continued this great kindness to him today by giving him a son to succeed him. O Lord my God, now You have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn't know his way around. And here I am among Your chosen people, a nation so great they are too numerous to count! Give me therefore an understanding heart so that I might govern Your people well, and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great nation of Yours?"
The Lord was pleased with Solomon's reply and was glad that he had asked for wisdom. So God answered him, "Because you have asked for wisdom in governing My people, and have not asked for a long life or riches for yourself, or for the death of your enemies—I will give you what you have asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart, such as no one else has ever had before you, nor shall any like you arise after you! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and honor! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my commands, as your father David did, I will give you a long life."
¤ Teach the wise, and they will become wiser. Teach an honest person, and they will increase in learning. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
¤ If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the devil... But the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. It is peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good fruits. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.
1st Kings 3:5-14 Proverbs 9:9-12 James 3:13-15, 17
July 27th
Wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.
¤ Two prostitutes came to king Solomon to have an argument settled. "Please, my lord," one of them began, "this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth to a baby while she was with me in the house. Three days later, she also had a baby. We were alone; there were only two of us in the house. But her baby died during the night when she rolled over on it. Then she got up in the night and took my son from beside me while I was asleep. She then laid her dead child in my arms and took mine to sleep beside her. And in the morning when I tried to nurse my son, he was dead! But when I looked more closely in the morning light, I saw that it was not my son at all."
Then the other woman interrupted, "It certainly was your son, and the living child is mine." "No," the first woman said, "the dead one is yours, and the living one is mine." And so they argued back and forth before the king. Then the king said, "Let's get the facts straight. Both of you claim that the living child is yours, and each says the dead child belongs to the other. All right, bring me a sword." So a sword was brought to the king. Then he said, "Cut the living child in two and give half to each of these women!"
Then the woman who really was the mother of the living child, and who loved him very much, cried out, "Oh no, my lord! Give her the child—please do not kill him!" But the other woman said, "All right, he will be neither yours nor mine; divide him between us!" Then the king said, "Do not kill him, but give the baby to the woman who wants him to live, for she is his mother!" Word of the king's decision spread quickly throughout all Israel, and the people were awed as they realized the great wisdom God had given Solomon to render decisions with justice.
¤ God made the earth by His power, and He preserves it by His wisdom. He has stretched out the heavens by His understanding. When He speaks, there is thunder in the heavens. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from His storehouses. Compared to Him, all people are foolish and have no knowledge at all. They make idols, but the idols will disgrace their makers, for they are frauds; they have no life or power in them.
Luke 7:35 1st Kings 3:16-28 Jeremiah 10:12-14
July 28th
A person who doesn't give a promised gift is like clouds and wind that don't bring rain.
¤ The Lord said to Elijah, "Go to the east by the Kerith Brook at a place east of where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food." So Elijah did as the Lord had told him and camped beside Kerith Brook. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. Then the Lord said to Elijah, "Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. There is a widow there who will feed you. I have given her My instructions." So Elijah went to Zarephath...
Some time later, the woman's son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. She then said to Elijah, "O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to punish my sins by killing my son?" But Elijah replied, "Give me your son." And he took the boy's body from her, carried him up to the upper room, where he lived, and laid the body on his bed. Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, "O Lord my God, why have You brought tragedy on this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?" And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, "O Lord my God, please let this child's life return to him." The Lord heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he came back to life! Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. "Look, your son is alive!" he said. Then the woman told Elijah, "Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you."
¤ Elijah said to Ahab, "Go and enjoy a good meal! For I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!" ...And sure enough, the sky was soon black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm! ¤ God looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heavens, to establish a weight for the wind, and to determine how much rain should fall. He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning. Then, when He had done all this, He saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly. And this is what He says to all humanity: "The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding."
Proverbs 25:14 1st Kings 17:3-10, 17-24 1st Kings 18:41, 45 Job 28:24-28
July 29th
When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven...
¤ When they had crossed over the Jordan, Elijah said to Elisha, "What can I do for you before I am taken away?" And Elisha replied, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah replied, "but if you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. And if you don't see me, then you won't." As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between them, separating them, and Elijah was carried away by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and charioteers of Israel!" And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his robe in two. Then Elisha picked up Elijah's cloak and returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with the cloak and cried out, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" Then the river divided and Elisha went across. When the group of prophets from Jericho saw what had happened, they exclaimed, "Elisha has become Elijah's successor!" And they went to meet him and bowed down before him.
¤ When Enoch was 65 years old, his son Methuselah was born. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived another 300 years in close fellowship with God, and had other sons and daughters. Enoch lived 365 years in all. He enjoyed a close relationship with God, walking with Him throughout his lifetime. Then suddenly, he disappeared because God took him.
¤ "Let me tell you about the visions and revelations I received from the Lord," Paul began. "I was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether my body was there or just my spirit, I do not know, only God knows. But I do know that I was caught up into paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be told. That experience is something worth boasting about, but I am not going to do it. I am going to boast only about my weaknesses. I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message, even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time He said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My strength is made complete in your weakness."
Mark 16:19 2nd Kings 2:9-15 Genesis 5:21-25 2nd Corinthians 12:2-9
July 30th
Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins!
¤ The King of Aram had high admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy. Now groups of Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman's wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress. "I wish my master would go see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy." So Naaman told the king what the young girl from Israel had said. "Go and visit the prophet," the king told him. "I will send a letter of introduction for you to carry to the king of Israel." So Naaman started out, taking as gifts 750 pounds of sliver, 150 pounds of gold, and ten sets of clothing. The letter to the king of Israel said, "With this letter I present my servant Naaman. I want you to heal him of his leprosy."
When the king of Israel read it, he tore his clothes in dismay and said, "This man sends me a leper to heal? Am I God, that I can kill and give life? He is only trying to find an excuse to invade us again." But when Elisha, the man of God, heard about the king's reaction, he sent this message to him: "Why are you so upset? Send Naaman to me, and he will learn that there is a true prophet here in Israel." So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha's house. But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: "Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of leprosy."
But Naaman became angry and stalked away. "I thought he would surely come out to meet me! I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me! Aren't the Abana River and Pharpar River of Damascus better than all the rivers of Israel put together? Why shouldn't I wash in them an be healed?" So Naaman turned and went away in rage. But, his officers tried to reason with him and said, "Sir, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, wouldn't you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply to go and wash and be cured!" So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his flesh became as healthy as a young child's, and he was healed!
¤ Even though Jesus was God's Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. In this way, God qualified Him as a perfect High Priest, and He became the author of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him.
Acts 22:16 2nd Kings 5:1-14 Hebrews 5:8, 9
July 31st
If God were to take back His Spirit, and withdraw His breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust.
Listen now and try to understand: Could God govern if He hated justice? Are you going to condemn the Almighty Judge? For He says to kings and nobles, "You are wicked and unjust." He doesn't care how great a person may be, and He doesn't pay any more attention to the rich man than to the poor. He made them all. In a moment they die. At midnight they all pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand.
For God carefully watches the way people live; He sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from His eyes. For it is not up to mortals to decide when to come before God in judgement. He brings the mighty to ruin without asking anyone, and He sets up others in their places. He watches what they do, and in the night He overturns them, destroying them. He openly strikes them down for their wickedness. For they turned aside from following Him. They have no respect for any of His ways. So they cause the poor to cry out, catching God's attention. Yes, He hears the cries of the needy. When He gives quietness, who can then make trouble? And when He hides His face, who can find Him? He prevents the godless from ruling so they cannot be a snare to the people.
¤ God is mighty, yet He does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding. He does not let the wicked live, but gives justice to the afflicted. His eyes never leave the innocent, and He establishes and exalts them with kings forever. If trouble comes upon them and they are enslaved and afflicted, He takes great patience to show them the reason. He kindly shows them their sins, for they have behaved proudly. He gets their attention and says they must turn away from evil. If they listen and obey God, then they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant. But if they refuse to listen to Him, they will perish in life's battle and die from lack of understanding. For the godless are full of resentment. Even when He punishes them, they refuse to cry out for help. They die young after wasting their lives in immoral living. But by means of their suffering, He rescues those who suffer. For He gets their attention through adversity... Behold, God is all powerful ! Who is a teacher like Him?
Job 34:14-30 Job 36:5-15, 26
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