Proverbs 1 - 8.11.26
SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 1:7-10
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
OBSERVATION
The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon for wisdom, instruction and practical living that both Believers and non-believers can greatly benefit from. King Solomon instructs that knowledge starts from fearing God and adhering to His commandments. This passage speaks of positive and negative influences that can greatly impact one’s walk. Even Paul warns the Corinthian church to not be misled by bad company which corrupts good character (1 Cor 15:33).
APPLICATION
James 1:5 says that God gives wisdom freely to anyone who asks Him. Along with His word, God also places people in our lives that will give His instructions such as parents. This can also be applied to pastors, teachers, spiritual elders etc. The instructions of the godly are a sign of grace and an answer to prayer when wisdom was requested to God. Those who are foolish will despise God’s word, godly counsel and follow the world, and Solomon warns of those who will bring someone down a dark path.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I thank You for placing godly people in my life to give me guidance, wisdom and instruction. I pray that I can adhere to the guidance that you have blessed me with. Please guard my heart from the lure of this world and negative influences. I pray for wisdom as James instructs us to do to be pleasing to You. I pray for our families, our children, our friends and loved ones to hear from You. I pray that You can use me to also give godly counsel to those who may need it to ultimately glorify You! Amen
- Darrence Hamilton
Psalm 150 - 8.10.26
Scripture
Psalm 150:6
“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.”
Observation
This is the last chapter in the book of Psalms. The word “Praise” is mentioned 13 times in this 6-verse Psalm. This Psalm also opens AND closes with the words “Praise the Lord.”
This Psalm describes the places to worship, reasons for worship and instruments used to worship and praise the Lord!
-Praise God in His sanctuary. (Verse 1)
-Praise Him in His mighty heavens. (Verse 1)
-Praise Him for His acts of power (Verse 2)
-Praise Him for His surpassing greatness. (Verse 2)
The instruments that the Psalmist says to use to praise the Lord with include:
Trumpet, Harp, Lyre (which is a small U-shaped harp), timbrel (similar to a tambourine), strings, pipe, clash of cymbals, and with our breath/voices!
Verse 4 even says to praise Him with our bodies, with dancing!
Something I also observed was that the 2 reasons to praise Him had to do with HIM, not us. It had to do with HIS greatness and HIS power. It had nothing to do with us or our circumstances.
Application
Turn on some worship music and just praise Jesus today!
The Lord delights in the praise of His people. Praising God must be a part of every Believer’s life.
It doesn’t matter if we’re in our car commuting to work or school, running errands, working on a project for our job, or cleaning our homes. We can praise Jesus wherever we are at! Music worship is not just limited to our church building.
Here is a worship song to get you started. It’s called “Praise.” https://youtu.be/raFnjGVkHe8?is=s7-Nw7OufMAFD0Ew
Prayer
Dear Jesus,
I have so much to praise You for. You are so good, You are powerful, You are loving and have been so faithful in my life. May a song of praise always be on my lips through the good and bad times. Even in times of grief when it’s hard for me to worship, help me to worship You through the pain. Help me to declare truth from Your Word and to fill my mind with songs that point me back to You Jesus. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
Acts 10 - 8.7.26
S: Acts 10:23b-48
23b “The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along. 24 The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. 26 But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
27 While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28 He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”
30 Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. 32 Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.”
O:
Both Peter and Cornelius had messages from God about each other. What an amazing Divine appointment, literally! There was no doubt, even though as Peter states it was against the law for him to be there, that God had a plan. He wanted to bring salvation of all, not just the Jewish people.
Cornelius had such great faith for what was to come he invited a large amount of people to hear Peter’s message too. A message he states that “ the Lord commanded you to tell us.” I love how he knows the message is from God and not man.
What does Peter preach? He declares the Gospel message that Jesus came to earth as a man, proclaimed God’s truth and did miracles, died on the cross, rose again and appeared to many of His disciples. Jesus told them to preach and testify what He had done and how it fulfilled what the prophets had spoken.
To Peter and those with him are amazed everyone received the Holy Spirit while he was speaking.
Then, they were baptized and Peter stayed with them for several days.
A:
It is important not to pre-judge with human understanding who is ready to hear the Gospel. God’s message is for all.
God’s direction may go against our current principals. When He speaks it will be obvious. Stepping out in faith and obedience will bring others to salvation.
Peter first asks a question to discern their interest. Then, he declares the Gospel according to God’s direction, knowing they are ready to receive.
When we hear God’s voice it is time to act. Sometimes, like in this instance he makes it very clear. Other times it may be a still small voice or an impression to act. It is important after sharing the Gospel to have those who believe take the next steps, baptism and discipleship.
Cornelius invited others to join Him. Look what the result of that invitation was, all received the Holy Spirit and were baptized. We need to reach out and invite others.
P:
Father God,
Thank you that you will make it very clear, as you did with Peter and Cornelius, when you ask us to step out of our comfort zone and what has been deemed acceptable. Please keep me on track with what you are speaking to me. Help me follow through to ensure those who receive your message get firmly rooted. You have plans for all of us. Thank you for the example of those who went before us. Thank you that you give the strength and power to accomplish your will. Please give me eyes to see where you are working and steps you want me to take.
Your love for us is amazing! Help me have boldness to share it with others. Thank you for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and guidance.
Amen
- Cindy Howard