Proverbs 30 - 2.15.23
Scripture
Proverbs 30:5-6
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.”
Observation-What does it say?
This chapter was written by Agur, son of Jakeh and he wrote this to Ithiel. I studied several commentaries on who these people were and there were differing opinions. While others say that he was a man in Solomon's time, some say that Agur could have been Solomon himself. Others say that Agur was not even the author's real name, but spoke of the character of this man as a collector, who collected the wise sayings of others. Whatever the case, we know that what was written was inspired. This chapter contains prophecies from God that were passed on to Ithiel, who was either Agur's child or a student. In the above verse, Agur was teaching Ithiel that the source of all wisdom and truth is found in the word of God.
Understanding-What does it mean?
God's Word is flawless. It is perfect. That's why nothing more should be or needs to be added to it. Adding to it would indicate that there is a flaw in it, but it is flaw-LESS.
Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in Scripture, as well as the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses, speaks all about the word of God and loving His commands.
The Bible is our Source of all Truth and our lives are based on what it says, not what our emotions say. It is why we post SOUL Journals every day and encourage every one to do the same. Being in God's Word is a discipline that is vital to every Believer's life.
2 Timothy 3:16-17-"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Life Application
In order to experience the transforming power of God's Word in our lives, we must read it, study it and APPLY it.
As James says in ch. 1:22-24, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect Word. Thank You for men and women of faith who have and are dedicating their lives to read it, study it and apply it in their personal lives. I pray that if we are living a life contrary to Your Word, that You would bring us back to the Truth. I pray we would continually meditate on Your Truth instead of the lies that the enemy and the world throws at us. Thank You that Your Word is a lamp for our feet and a light on our path. (Ps. 119:105). Please continue to direct our paths through Your Word and may we submit to its Truths. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Romans 7 - 2.14.23
Scripture
Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
Observation
Before Jesus, we were bound by the law, but it was a standard we could never attain. And so, we were separated from God by our sin – our inability to follow the law. Jesus came to free us. When we accept him, we have a new spirit. We are no longer slaves to the letter to of the law, but instead we become slaves to our desire to serve him, empowered not by our own strength, but by the strength of the Holy Spirit.
Understanding
In chapter 7, Paul makes it very clear that the law is not wrong. Jesus did not come to give us license to do whatever we want to do. But following the law should not be our motivation, following Jesus should be our motivation.
In Matthew 22:36-40, when asked what law is the greatest, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
If we focus our all on following Jesus and loving others, we will far exceed the requirements of the law.
Life Application
Many times, we tend to beat ourselves up when we fail, or worse yet, give up on even trying to do what’s right. This is wrong. When we react this way, we are focusing on ourselves instead of focusing on God. When I fail, my response should not be, “What is wrong with you Debbie? Why do you continue to fail? Why can’t you get it right?” Instead, my response should be, “I love you Jesus. Show me how to follow and become more and more like you.”
- Debbie Dunn
Proverbs 28 - 2.13.23
Scripture
Proverbs 28:24 NLT
“Anyone who steals from his father and mother and says, “What’s wrong with that?” is no better than a murderer.”
Observation-What does it say?
Another one of King Solomon’s wise sayings that runs deeper than you think. If a person is willing to justify stealing from the very people who has brought them life, provision, guidance, and unconditional love, what else are they willing to do to others? King Solomon says that they are no better than murderers! Ouch!
Understanding-What does it mean?
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
Who has the audacity to cheat or steal from their own parents and believes they did nothing wrong? Talk about total disrespect! Your parents are the people who have raised you, cared for you, met your every need, and loved you unconditionally. We should know better than that! Yet here we are with our sense of entitlement, believing we deserve it, and are willing to take from anyone who gets in our path. That’s cold blooded!
It can go the same way with God, our Spiritual Father in Heaven. He has given us so much. Yet we feel we deserve more. And so we cheat Him. We will even find ways to justify it to make it seem we’re in the right. We can find ourselves saying things like “I don’t need to tithe this month. I have too many bills to pay off.” Or “I don’t need to go to church today, I just finished a really busy week, and I just need to sleep in and rest.” It’s this kind of mindset that can hinder our relationship with God. But if we take a moment to think about it, isn’t it because of God that I’m able to wake up every day and have the strength to go to work and finish off a work week? Isn’t it in His commandments to honor the Sabbath? Doesn’t everything I have and own belong to God anyway? Why try to take and take from the One who gives and gives? God gave me His very best in Jesus to free me from my sins. That is more than enough for me.
Life Application
Be grateful for all the things God has given me.
Father God, thank You for being such a great provider. Thank You for Your unconditional love, Your grace, mercy, and Your willingness to forgive freely. Please forgive me if I ever took advantage of Your kindness and the way You forgive so freely. Forgive me for ever trying to cheat You with my time and money. It all belongs to You and it’s all because of You, I am where I am. I love You Lord. I dedicate my life to You to honor what You continue to do for me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
-Moses Gaddi