Nov 10: Matthew 4, Jeremiah 19, Psalm 89
Nov 11: Matthew 5, Jeremiah 20, Psalm 90
Nov 12: Matthew 6, Jeremiah 21, Psalm 91
Nov 13: Matthew 7, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 92
Nov 14: Matthew 8, Jeremiah 23, Psalm 93
Nov 15: Matthew 9, Jeremiah 24, Psalm 94
Proverbs_11
Scripture:
Proverbs 11:24-2524 One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Observation:
Proverbs is always full of wisdom and teachings, though written in biblical times, seem just as relevant today.
Understanding:
I think current times have shown the truth of these verses.As we saw when the news of COVID-19 first hit, people began to “withhold unduly” as they filled their cupboards leaving the store shelves empty for others…sometimes those who needed it most.Our life example, though, should follow that of our Father – one [who] gives freely…both to God and to those who He puts in our lives.Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. - Malachi 3:10This is one area where God invites that we test Him. Awesome thing is, God is an extravagant giver. When we give freely, with trust in God as our provider, we gain even more. He cannot be outgiven.
Life Application:
Live and give generously.May we be a source of refreshing…but recognize the source of our own refreshing.May we be filled to overflowing, then pour out of our abundance.Go love on somebody! <3 Rei
Proverbs_10
Scripture: Proverbs 10:22 It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich,
And He adds no sorrow to it.
Observation: As evidenced by the first verse, this Proverb is written by King Solomon. Through the next 12 chapters, Solomon gives a laundry list of contrasts of righteousness and wickedness. “Each proverb is complete in itself, though some are linked by words or themes into series. They reveal sound psychology and accurate observation of life. They demonstrate the outworking of wisdom and folly in the practical business of living”(Alexander, P. & Alexander, D.). Without giving the reader strict rules for life, Solomon gives us something that is a little more general, which can be applied to all of life’s circumstances and still point us directly to God.
Understanding: My boys like the Star Wars movies. Well really anything related to Star Wars, especially the Lego Star Wars. And being that I really can’t stand the movie franchise, it’s as if I am being tortured all the time. At some point or another, I have a kid asking me about different make-believe characters, planets, weapons, animals... it’s really never ending. Not to say they aren’t good stories, I just prefer to have my fantasies be a little more down to earth (no pun intended) and believable. So I have tried to get my boys into westerns.
One of the aspects of the movies, as a franchise, that gets to me is the repetition of the same plot. The world is going bad, they look to this tiny group of zealots for a hero, a hero emerges and the world is saved. Temporarily. Eventually, the bad finds a way and they have to find a new hero. They could make the same three movies over and over and over again and people will still watch them, no matter how predictable they are.
When we experience a crisis, humans react in the same way. Something unexpected arises and we lose faith in humanity. I mean, I still can’t find any toilet paper. But, God has been calling to us from the beginning, letting us know that he has always been the hope we need. When we seek him for that hope, He makes us rich in ways we cannot even imagine and he does not dissapoint. As the verse states, he does it without sorrow.
God created us in His image (Genesis 1:27), so we owe it to ourselves to discover the goodness that comes in looking to Him for our hope. Even though that may require some effort on our part. We know from scripture that the effort will not leave us empty. Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— he remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:5-6
Life Application: Jesus, You are my hope and my salvation. Even though the world seems to be falling apart around me, I know You have been there from the beginning. You are the same hope from yesterday and will be tomorrow, I don’t have to look for a new one. Your plans are secure.